USA > Wisconsin > Jefferson County > The history of Jefferson county, Wisconsin, containing biographical sketches > Part 73
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The first burials in the present necropolis of Jefferson, were the re-interments of the bodie exhumed from the old cemeteries. Since then, new mounds have been added and monument have been raised above the silent graves of those who sleep forevermore. The grounds ar beautifully located on the brow of a hill overlooking the city, divided into plats and subdivide into lots, with walks and avenues distributed about the grounds. planted with trees and flowers and ornamented with very many tombs and monuments of exquisite design and finish.
The business of the corporation is transacted by a President and Board of Trustees, whe have exclusive control of affairs, disposal of lots, etc., and in whom the title is vested.
The first Board of officers is cited above. The present Board is : President, J. W Ostrander ; Treasurer, Solon Brown ; Secretary, A. Sanborn ; I. W. Bird and J. W. Ostrander Trustees.
THE PRESS.
The entire absence of records bearing upon this important subject, renders the collation o accurate data in that behalf a labor attended with difficulties and uncertainties. The early settler: in Jefferson readily appreciated the necessity for some medium that would maintain a suceinc and comprehensive connecting link, as it were, between the past and present, between the present and the future; but it was not until Jefferson had become prosperous that any move was made toward the accomplishment of that object. Until then, the inhabitants were dependent for their weekly record of current events upon the publications issued in neighboring eities, towns and villages.
During the summer of 1851, William M. Watt, an carnest Scotchman, realized the absence of a weekly paper, and determined by his own efforts, aided by the patronage of those who were equally alive to the importance of the existence of a " sheet " at the county seat, to supply such " absence." He accordingly procured material, and, after the delays incident to so grave an undertaking in those days, established the JJeffersonian in the second story of the building at the corner of Racine and Main streets, then, as now, in part occupied by Breunig's saloon. The paper was a six-column folio, Democratic in politics, and is reported to have furnished its subscribers with full complements of local, legal, legislative and editorial pabulum. Mr. Watt provided the intellectual and financial resources of the establishment, while the composition and mechanical labors were discharged by Charles lloyt, now a resident of Madison, Webster Colburn
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and Henry Kelsey, the latter engaged at present in publishing a paper in Minnesota. The "impression " was made on an old-fashioned Washington hand-press, worked by Jesse Nevins, who also officiated in the capacity of "head devil," an indispensable unknown quantity, who " ranges " about every well-regulated newspaper.
The fact that the Jeffersonian continued for ten years to expound the inner consciousness of Jeffersonian Democracy ; to detail the various occurrences that happen in a growing town : to record the litigation that found expression in the courts ; the pleas that were made there. the minutes of the Assembly and other authenticated facts, to say nothing of the births. marriages and deaths that its columns promulgated, is evidence conclusive to the least credulous that the editor did his duty by the public. That it "didn't pay." is hinted at, and this suggestion must be considered when it is known that after ten years buffet with fortune in Jefferson, Mr. Watt retired from the field of journalism in that scetion and removed with his material to Menasha, accompanied by F. E. and F. J. Illing, then "jours " in his employ, where he established the Weekly Manufacturer. This he published for nearly two years, when he returned to Jefferson and began preparations for the publication of an inde- pendent weekly. But after canvassing the situation, and while the paper was in type, he decided that the patronage promised would not justify the venture, and it was accordingly abandoned. HIe disposed of his type, press, etc., to ambitious publishers in Baraboo and is now a resident of Milwaukce.
The Republican .- In 1856 and while the campaign for the election of Fremont and Day- ton was at its height in Jefferson County, Alden Sanborn and C. E. Hoyt bethought themselves of the apparently fortuitous times to begin the publication of a campaign sheet in the interest of the Republican candidates, proposing, if their overtures were received with favor, and success attended their undertaking, to make the paper an organ of Republicanism in Jefferson County that would be deferred to.
The prospective formulators of Republican opinion procured a press, which had served to disseminate pure Democracy in Watertown for several years under the direction of William Butler, subsequently County Judge of Jefferson County, and bringing the same to the scene of active operations in the city of Jefferson, " set it up " in the second story of the building, eorner of Dodge and Second streets. The infant advocate of Fremont's election, though elean and neat and presenting a singular but commendable absence of childish ways, was not received by the publie with the enthusiasm expected or deserved. It was considered in the light of a curi- osity for a brief period and appeared at occasional intervals in the Locofoco lodges an object of nterest rather than apprehension. Thus it ran its race with popularity, but, casting a shoe, so to speak, was distanced on the first quarter and withdrawn. The effort to sustain a Republican weakling on Democratie pap was without precedent and met with the fate of one who if he asked for bread would be given a stone. Its latest breath was drawn when the defcat of Gen. Fremont became assured, and with it died the first attempt in the city of Jefferson to air a Republican sheet in Democratie camps.
The remains were tenderly gathered together by J. W. Chubbuck, brother of the well-known uthoress, "Fanny Forrester," and taken to Warsaw, Wis., where they have since remained.
The Jefferson Banner was the second paper that was commended to the people of Jefferson on the score of its Republican proclivities, and escaped the fate of its predecessor by a political change of base, almost at the hour of final dissolution. The paper then known under the titular nomen of the Jefferson County Republican was introduced to public favor in the first instance at Fort Atkinson, as the Wisconsin Chief, having previously run the gamnt of a variable success n the State of New York, where it was known as the Cayuga Chief, its editorial department being managed by Thurlow Weed Brown, subsequently identified with the cause of teetotalism. of which he became an ardent and able advocate. After a sojourn of several years at the Fort. the Chief was removed to Jefferson in 1858, where, as stated, it became a candidate for pat- onage and popularity as the Jefferson County Republican. The length of time it remained n charge of J. W. Blake, its editor, is not of record; the files are missing, and, in their
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absence, the memory of the proverbial " oldest inhabitant" is at fault, and refuses to assist the historian in his efforts to reach a satisfactory solution of the query. Common rumor alleges that Mr. Blake had charge a year or more, when he sold out to George W. Peck (at present engaged in educating his Sun up to the proper standard of excellence required by the readers of the Milwaukee press) and Robert Tompkins. These gentlemen maintained their management of the Republican until the breaking-out of the war, when Mr. Peck buckled on his saber and marched with his face to the foe. He was succeeded by W. H. Tousley, now part owner of the Janesville Times, who assisted Mr. Tompkins in supplying their patrons with choice selections, original paragraphs and the Republican platform, until the latter gentleman dropped his "composing stick," and, shouldering a musket, marchied down into Georgia, leaving Mr. Tousley to discharge the duties of editor and proprietor without assistance.
The politics of the paper, however, always an embargo to its success from a monetary stand. point, became about this time an insuperable objection, and its diminished patronage on that account was steadily resolving the concern into a condition of hopeless bankruptcy. At this critical juncture, Mr. Tousley, who had in the mean time become sole owner, acting upon the admonition that was daily proffered, changed the politics of the paper, rechristened it the Jeffer. son Banner, and with the Hon. Gerrit T. Thorn as editor, made a second bid for popular favor, that was responded to with an earnestness that has increased with years. Under the new regime, the paper was newsy, spicy and interesting ; politically, it favored the true Democratie doctrine, " equal and exact justice to all men," and promulgated such doctrine with each suc. ceeding issue. During the administration of President Andrew Johnson, when that Executive became involved in trouble with the Senate as to the exercise of his Constitutional prerogatives with Grant, regarding the latter's veracity, and when threatened with impeachment, the Banner espoused his cause, and, in a series of editorials, clear and concise as they were convincing, dic much to frame public opinion and dissipate prejudices.
With the issue of May 5, 1867, the paper was enlarged to a seven-column sheet, Mr. Tous ley officiating in the double capacity of editor and publisher, advocating the application of Dem ocratie principles, and supporting Seymour and Blair as candidates in 1868.
On Wednesday, November 13, 1872, the publication is made that the Banner has beer sold to Maj. M. G. Tousley, late of Mendota, Ill., who is represented as an old publisher and an energetic business man. That gentleman made his salaam to the readers in the same issue assuring them of his intentions, which were to adhere to the interests and fortunes of the Demo cratie party, to the upbuilding of local and county interests, to the improvement and enlighten ment of the young, and the benefiting of all classes.
This was continued until February 26, when, following Miron G. again associated W. HI Tousley with him in his efforts to " contribute to the improvement and entertainment of the young." ctc .. and so labored until May 21, 1873, when Alden Sanborn purchased the establish ment for $2,300 and took personal charge of his investment. He announced the purchase : tha the policy of the Banner would remain unchanged, and, with George W. Bird as politica editor, he was confident that the editorial department would, in its maintenance of right agains wrong, morality against immorality. give entire satisfaction.
In May, 1874, the paper was changed to a quarto, but changed back to a folio in August 1876, though in an enlarged and improved forin. The Banner supported Tilden and Hendrick: in the memorable campaign of 1876.
On the 1st day of May, 1878. Capt. I. T. Carr, formerly editor and proprietor of the Green County Reformer (the first editor in the Northwest to urge the nomination of Samuel J Tilden), and later, business manager of the Milwaukee Daily Commercial Times, purchased half-interest in the Banner and contributed materially by his energy and ability in doubling the subscription list, at the same time maintaining its high standard as a Democratic and loca newspaper.
On the 1st of November last, he became sole owner of the paper by the purchase of Mr Sanborn's interest, since which date, he has conducted its editorial and business managemen
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
with signal success. The Jefferson Banner is to-day an ably edited, thoroughly reliable, inter- esting sheet. Democratic in politics, it goes far toward indexing public sentiment, suggesting remedies for existing evils and promoting public confidence. In its capacity as the truthful chronicler of daily events, the formulator of public opinion, the conservator of local interests and the disseminator of news, the Banner deserves an encouragement and success, which even its enemies admit is its portion. The paper enjoys a weekly circulation of one thousand copies and is valued at $3,000.
The Independent is of recent origin, having been established by Odell & Hillyer, on the 23d of July, 1879. The paper is a four-column quarto ; its object, or rather the object of its publishers, being to present the news of the day in a condensed form, without any attempt to graduate the quality of the paper by the space filled. The projector of this new journal- istic enterprise claims, in the short time during which the paper has been in existence, he has received three hundred subscribers and is sanguine of the success of his venture. Dur- ing August, 1879, Mr. Hillyer withdrew, since when, J. W. Odell has been sole proprietor. Politically, the Independent, as its name indicates, declines any preference, reserving to itself the privilege of advocating the claims of men and principles whom it is assured are beyond reproach. The amount invested is stated at $350.
THE SCHOOLS.
The cause of education early found an abiding-place in Jefferson, and nurtured and sus- tained by the liberal patronage of the inhabitants, has grown into features of daily life in this thriving city, the influence of which is not more pronounced than universal.
The first school building, of which there is any existing report, was built in 1839 on a point on the West Side, a few rods west of the present Maydole homestead. It was constructed of logs, supplied by the forests as they then existed, they being the only building material attain- able by the hardy pioneers in days when money was scarce and brick and mortar were factors of present improvements, purchasable only in the then growing cities. Dr. Bicknell was the first to undertake the education of the ambitious youth in those times ; and, though but com- paratively a brief period of time has since elapsed, few of the fathers and mothers of the pupils who attended yet survive to recall the days when they sat around the household hearth, waiting the return of their boys and girls from the old log schoolhouse with their elementary speller and reader under their arms. The pupils were composed of the children of early settlers, who have since separated, have gone the way of all flesh or are to-day the pioneers who contributed to the building-up of new homes in sections still further west.
The school, according to such information as can be obtained in that connection, pros- pered for the time, and laid the foundation for futures that have since been realized unto the scholars. But it is difficult to trace the lives of those who taught, or of those who listened. They ran the race that was put before them with diligence and profit, and those who yet survive rise up to bless the days when they attended, and were benefited by the impressions they obtained in the old log school.
The next school taught in Jefferson was on the east side of the river, where a modest frame schoolhouse was put up on the lot of land at present occupied by the imposing residence of Charles Stoppenbach. This was carly in the forties, when schoolhouses and scholars were exceptions among the settlers who raised their families in the wilderness. The attendance was small, of course, but, as the. fame of the institution came to be bruited abroad, the attendance increased proportionately. During the session of 1848, Clark Walterbury taught the young idea, and curbed the mercurial tendencies of his pupils by wholesome admonitions and convincing discipline. Among the latter were William H. Hake, Elbert, Egbert, Emma and Elmira Masters, Harriet and Moscow Burton, Mattie and William Sawyer, Alden, Caroline and Anne Sanborn, Rockwell, Candice, Charles, Milton, Zebulon, Sarah and M. Whipple, Marshal. Edward, Calvin, Gustavus, Ilarrict and Gloriana Potter, George, Cynthia, Lizette, Lucretia and Anna Crist, Emma and Henry Howe, Lisetta Hannon, and others.
L
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
In 1851. as the population increased and the number of pupils seeking to avail themselves of the advantages to be derived from a regular attendance became greater, the school district on the East Side was divided, and a brick school building was erected near the corner of Condire and Main streets. About the same year, a frame schoolhouse was built on the West Side, which was designed to furnish educational facilities to the residents of School District No. 12.
These were continued until 1870, when it again became necessary to enlarge the buildings, when a new brick edifice was erected on Church street, between Sanborn and Center, divided into three departments-elementary, intermediate and high, at a cost, including the price paid for the lot, of $10,000.
District No. 12, emulating the example thus set, built a new schoolhouse, also, on the West Side. costing, with the property on which it is situated, $7.000. .
These were the facilities offered, until, in 1879, it became evident that more school room was indispensable for the benefit of the cause of education, and the city, being thereto instructed by a special act of the Legislature, consolidated the city into one district, and purchased the build- ing formerly occupied by the Jefferson Liberal Institute, to be used for the occupation and instruction of the higher grades of pupils.
At present, the schools are under the supervision of a Board of Education, consisting of one member from each ward, appointed by the Common Council, and, as constituted now, con- sists of W. H. Harke, C. Grimm and Adam Kispert.
The number of pupils enrolled in the city is 249, exclusive of those in attendance upon the schools supported by denominational subscription. The curriculum consists of the regular course of mathematics, physiology, physical geography, history, civil government, etc., and the students are examined at the close of each month and term, the same being conducted in writing. The teachers employed for the schools are : One Principal in each, at an annual salary of $700; one teacher in each of the intermediate and one each in the primary departments, at a monthly salary of $30.
The amount invested in school property is stated at $30,000.
The following is the list of teachers employed in the East Side School since 1870: Princi- pals-G. A. Williams, from 1870 to 1874; B. F. Anderson. to 1876; Amos Squier, present incumbent : Intermediate-Mary Thompson, from 1870 to 1873; Miss Kline, during 1874; Flora E. Reed, to 1878: E. E. Henry, during 1878, and Charles Fredel, during 1879; Primary-Sarah Brayton, from 1870 to 1874; E. E. Henry. 1874 to 1878; Lelia Clothier, present employed. West Side : Principals-George Brown, Mr. Hawes, Mr. McConnell. S. S. Cornee, W. F. Bundy, E. Ewing and W. C. Gordon ; Primary, May Perkins, Mary Judd and Ellen Spangler.
THE INSTITUTE.
During the winter of 1865, a meeting of the citizens of Jefferson was held for the purpose of devising means for the promotion of a more perfect system of education than was at that time available. It was largely attended by citizens and friends of the cause, including the Rev. B. F. Rogers, Dr. W. W. Reed, Nelson Bruett, Solon Brown, George W. Bird. C. A. Holmes and G. T. Thorn, but the meeting adjourned without reaching any satisfactory conclusion in behalf of the object for which it had been convened. At a second meeting, held on the 16th of February, 1866, a resolution was adopted favoring the establishment of an institute of learning. Hons. W. W. Reed, G. T. Thorn and Capt. C. A. Holmes, were appointed a committee to draft a charter and procure its granting by the Legislature then in session. The charter of the " Jef- ferson Liberal Institute," was thus drawn. passed by the Legislature and approved by the Governor April 12, 1866. and within twelve days thereafter school was opened with the Rev. B. F. Rogers as Principal, assisted by Mrs. F. B. Brewer. The organization of the corporation under its charter followed by the election of the Hon. G. T. Thorn, President ; Rev. B. Rogers, Secretary, and E. McMahon, Treasurer, with E. D. Masters, Alonzo Wing,, J. W. Ostrander,
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Charles Stoppenbach, Homer Cook, Adam Grimm, Harvey Foster, Austin Kellogg and Henry Harnden, Executive Committee.
At the annual State Convention of the Universalists of Wisconsin, held in Columbus in June, 1866, it was formally decided by that body to adopt the "Jefferson Liberal Institute " as a denominational school, and erect suitable buildings, provided the sum of $12,000 for that pur- pose should be subscribed by the citizens of Jefferson. Subscription-books were accordingly cir- culated, and during the year 1867, the requisite amount having been obtained, plans were pro- cured, ground purchased and preparations for the erection of the building on its present site at the intersection of Milwaukee and Second streets were completed under the direction of Capt. Nelson Bruett, Chairman of the Committee on Building.
During the winter, the school was conducted in the Watt Building and Universalist Church, with upward of 100 pupils, and the Rev. A. Vedder was engaged to travel and secure subscrip- tions.
On the 6th of May, 1868, the corner-stone of the Institute was laid with impressive cere- monies, Col. Thomas McMahon officiating as Marshal, and the Ion. G. T. Thorn, Orator of the day.
Meanwhile the direction of the educational departments was delegated to Prof. Elmore Chase and wife, assisted by an able corps of teachers whose administration was attended by most gratifying results.
In course of time, the expenses incurred in the purchase of ground and the erection of the building, had reached a sum approximating $30,000, a part of which had been obtained by loans, the interest on which, together with the heavy cost of carrying on the school, seriously impaired its usefulness.
To pay this indebtedness, the Rev. James Eastand, of Vermont, was, in the spring of 1872. employed as financial agent of the Institute. and, in the spring of that year, commenced a vigor- ous and successful canvass of the State. During that year and 1873, the Institute liabilities were all discharged, and the school, which, during the pending embarrassments, had been sus- pended, was re-opened, on September 10, of the latter year, again under the administration of Prof. Chase, and with a large attendance of students from all parts of the State.
To aid in support of the undertaking, subscriptions to the amount of $1,500 per annum, for the period of five years, had been obtained from those friendly to its objects, but the financial disturbance of 1873, and the business depression that followed, so far interfered with the collec- tion of this subscription that the school soon became embarrassed again, which embarrassment culminated in the year 1876, in the forced sale of the property, which passed into private hands, and was again discontinued. It so continued until the spring of 1879, when the premises were purchased by the city of Jefferson for school purposes, to which it will be appropriated when- ever the necessities of the case require. Prior to its purchase by the city, a portion of the building was occupied by Edwin Marsh for school purposes, and he will doubtless remain in such occupation until the overcrowding of the city schoolhouse capacities necessitates the city's taking possession of the Institute.
THE POST OFFICE.
Enoch G. Darling was the first Postmaster in Jefferson. The post office was established early in the forties, and the headquarters of the Postmaster was at the Jefferson House, the property of A. T. Holmes. Mr. Darling carried the mail in his hat during the earlier part of his official career. Hle was succeeded by Mr. Holmes, who removed the " post office " to a small house which stood on the present site of Brandon's store. A. T. Weymouth was the next individual honored with appointment to this important Federal office. Hle kept it in the store of James Barr, on ground now occupied by Jacob Breunig's saloon, adjoining the Sawyer House. Mr. Weymouth was succeeded by George Trucks, who kept the office in what is now a part of Schweinler's livery stable: then at the premises now occupied by the office of the American Express Company, and later, on the opposite side of the street. The removal of the
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
office while Mr. Trucks had it, became so frequent that it was quite a piece of pleasantry for waggish citizens to refer to the matter as a pardonable eccentricity of the Postmaster, "the post office being on Trucks any way." James Berger was the successor of Mr. Trucks, whe was wheeled out of office in accordance with an ediet from President Buchanan. Winslow Blake succeeded. Mr. Berger, and held the office till 1869, when Charles A. Holmes wa: appointed by President Grant. Mr. Blake removed the office to a small building which stood where Bullwinkle's store now stands, and, toward the latter part of his term. relocated where i is at the present time. In 1871, W. P. Forsyth received the appointment, and is the presen incumbent, having been re-appointed to the position by President Hayes.
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