USA > Wisconsin > Sauk County > The history of Sauk County, Wisconsin, containing an account of settlement, growth, development and resources biographical sketches the whole preceded by a history of Wisconsin > Part 102
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667
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
There is now a post office at Cassell Prairie, one at Riche's Corners and one at Black Hawk. The latter was established in 1866 by C. C. Kuntz, former Editor of the Pioneer am Wis- consin, and County Representative to Madison on several occasions.
Mr. Kuntz opened a store also at the time at that point. This is now owned by J. C. Rendtorff, who also holds the post office. Harlacher's mill stands here.
An attempt was made to start a Swiss cheese-factory near here in 1877. It run for a short time and then suspended operations, as it could not be made to pay.
Probably the most disastrous enterprise that any of the citizens of Troy and Honey Creek ever went into was the forming of a company and building a large factory for the manufacture of beet-sugar. The first steps were taken before 1870 ; beets were raised and the saccharine quali- ties tested before anything was done. Then, the experiments proving satisfactory, a company was formed, the shares being placed at $250 for each member and four acres of roots.
A charter was secured through the instrumentality of Mr. Kuntz, then member of the House, in the year 1870, and the work of building was started about the same time or soon after. A practical beet-sugar maker came on from Germany, and everything looked fair, the members of the company being very sanguine of a grand success. The first year's crop of 150 acres was as perfect as could be asked, but, unfortunately, the mill was not in running order quite soon enough to manufacture the crop entire, and, consequently, it was nearly a dead loss. At first, there were but fifty shares, but the second year each took another share, this making $25,000 cash already invested. Some of the first year's manufacture was sent to Madison, where it was examined by the representatives, who passed an act exempting such enterprises from taxation one year in order to promote the business of sugar-making. The second year proved a deplor- able failure, the crop being very poor, only about four tons per acre were produced, where there should have been from twelve to fifteen. The stockholders had to furnish ten cords of wood apiece.
The wretched failure of this year put such a damper on the spirits of the stockholders that some were in favor of throwing up the whole business. However, it was decided to try again. As a result, the third year's crop was even a worse failure than the others, as the frost came on before they were quite ripe, and nearly spoiled the entire crop. This last disaster broke the company up, after about $48,000 had been expended and wasted. Not more than 1,500 bar- rels of sugar was manufactured altogether. Fifty hands had to be employed to run the mill, besides large numbers of children and women that were engaged in tending to the beets while they were growing. The company affairs were left in a wretched condition, and, worse than all, the charter was so drawn up that one person was made responsible for all. So, in order that justice might be done, an amendment was obtained. In finally closing up and disposing of the various apparatus, nearly everything went at a tithe of its original cost. Machines that cost $350 were sold at $100 each, and other property in proportion.
The company was formed, principally, of Germans and Swiss, who firmly declare they will never go into partnership again in any kind of enterprise with any one. That another sugar factory will ever be started in the county, is scarcely probable, yet it is to be regretted that this large and really valuable building should be left standing unused, when sorghum cane can be successfully grown in this climate, which makes loaf sugar, fine in grain and excellent in quality.
Of the three churches in Troy, the Bethlehem Church of the Evangelical Association has the largest congregation, and is a really fine church. The society was incorporated February 25, 1848, The church was commenced in June, 1866, and was completed October 14, 1867, when it was dedicated by Bishop Escher and Bishop Lang. It is built of stone, 34x65 in dimensions, and cost $3,400. There are now two hundred members. At first, this church was connected with the Salem Church of Honey Creek, but now it is the head of a circuit, there being another church in the vicinity connected with this church. Since this church became the head of a circuit, Revs. E. P. Viel, C. F. Finger and J. Kahl have served here. There is also a comfortable parsonage in connection with the church.
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668
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
There is a Reformed Lutheran Church in town that stands at Harrisburg. It is a com- modious frame building, and there is a fair membership. The church is supplied by a minister from Prairie du Sac.
Troy has a Grange Lodge, No. 271, which was established in 1873, with nineteen mem- bers, to which forty members have since been added. They have a purchasing agent in connec- tion. This was the first Grange in the southern part of the county. Alexander Stuart was Master the first four years, then S. P. Hoxy one year, then G. W. Proctor.
The first preaching on Cassell Prairie was by a Presbyterian, Elder Adams, in a private house, in the fall of 1850. About four years after this, Rev. Daniel Phillips came into this neighborhood and organized the first society, a Baptist class of twelve or fifteen members, several of whom were baptized at the time. Shortly after, he moved into the neighborhood and lived and preached here and in the vicinity. He served the society about four years, then removed to Evansville. After his departure, the organization continued to have preaching by different ministers until 1864; then it was merged into a society of Advents. This society was organ- ized under the labors of Rev. George W. Turner and Rev. William Sheldon, to be called the Church of Christ, of Cassell Prairie, taking, by covenant, the Bible as the rule of faith and practice, making a platform large enough for any creed or denomination to rest upon. There were nineteen members in all-seven from the Baptist society, and ten that were baptized at the time, and two from a church at Amboy, Ill. O. Thomas and A. C. Pierce were elected Deacons and ordained by the Rev. William Sheldon. Subsequently, there were enough names added to bring the membership up to twenty-four. At present, there are but twelve or fifteen active mem- bers, and services are held quite irregularly. The place of meeting has usually been the school- house of District No. 1.
The Methodist Episcopal Society of Harrisburg was formed in 1849. Rev. Mr. Bunce preached the first sermon. The first teacher at Harrisburg was Miss Ursa True, in 1850.
The German Reformed Church organized in 1858. Trustees-Fred Schumacher, William Schumacher, U. Schoenemann, H. Schulz, John Rieser. The first Pastor was Rev. Gustave Knoepfel. The church was built in 1868.
Sorghum raising, which has become quite an extensive industry in the county, was first com- menced in town by O. Thomas and T. C. Chamberlain a few years before the war. They sent to Washington at first to obtain seed, and each planted small patches. When the time came for the cane to be crushed, Mr. Chamberlain had a wooden roller mill made ready, and a generous yield of the saccharine fluid was squeezed from their cane. They then must needs boil the product before it could be eaten, and this was done in large iron kettles ; but, alas ! at the last the sirup was not fit to eat, being black and impure. After this attempt, sorghum raising was abandoned as a failure, nothing further being done until the war; then the high price of sugar induced the people to try again, and, also, by that time, a regular method of boiling the sap had come into vogue, by which it could be purified by using open pans which were manufactured expressly for the purpose.
The first one to purchase a boiling apparatus or evaporator for general use in the town, and probably in the county, was Mr. O. Thomas. At that time (1864), Mr. Thomas' neighbors signed an article of agreement to raise each a certain amount of cane to place in his hands to be converted into sirup, enough being pledged to justify his getting the apparatus. This cost, with mill for crushing, $300. Since that time, a large amount of sirup has been successfully manu- factured here each year, varying from 500 to 1,700 gallons per annum, the cane being brought. for miles from every direction.
Charles Fox also has an evaporating apparatus at work in the southwest part of the town, which does a very satisfactory business.
Sorghum molasses sold as high as $1.25 per gallon during the war here, but is now down to 50 cents per gallon.
There is a Good Templars' Society in the north part of the town, organized recently. It is the first of its ilk that has sprung into existence in the town, it is said.
669
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
School District No. 1 was organized in the spring of 1851. At the time, Mr. O. Thomas purchased an old granary, and gave the district the use of it, this being the first schoolhouse. Miss Louisa Adams was employed for teacher, the money for first wages, $2 per week, being raised by subscription, she, after the fashion of early days, boarding around. The school was taught in Mr. Thomas' building for two seasons; then, in 1852, the district erected a log school- house. The log house burned a few years afterward, and the present frame was erected.
TOWN MEETINGS AND OFFICERS.
Until 1858, this town was a part of the towns of Honey Creek and Spring Green. When it came to be set off and organized, a regular opposition to the move was made by a part of the Spring Green people, under the lead of Alex Stuart, to whom were particularly opposed the eastern section of the Spring Green people, under the lead of O. Thomas. The east section wanted to be set off, and the west did not. The fight was rather a bitter and hotly contested one, the west division, as the sequel proves, being defeated. The soreness of the conflict affected some of them for a long while; but time is a balm that heals such wounds, and now all is peace- ful in the family.
The first town meeting was held April 6, 1858, at Harrisburg-Officers : Alex Stuart, Chairman ; James A. Taylor and J. Sneller, Side Board ; S. W. Corwith, Clerk ; W. J. Hows, Treasurer ; William Bonham, Assessor ; J. Ramey, Superintendent of Schools ; Theo Taylor, B. Ragatz, Justices ; W. H. Harris, Ed Cadwell, Solomon Wheeler, Constables; L. W. Corwith, Sealer. A tax of $150 for town purposes, 5 mills on the dollar for schools, and 5 mills on the dollar for roads. Tax to be collected, $2,456.08.
Second town meeting held April 5, 1859-Officers : Alex Stuart, Chairman ; J. Bethson, H. Leopable, Side Board ; Samuel Walser, Clerk ; B. Ragatz, Treasurer ; J. Sneller, Assessor ; W. K. Patchen, Superintendent. Tax, $2,459.75.
Third town meeting held April 3, 1860-Officers : James Taylor, Chairman ; J. Pattison and H. Leopeble Side Board ; J. S. Walser, Clerk ; George Bonham, Treasurer; J. Keely, Assessor ; W. R. Patchen, Superintendent of Schools. At the Presidential election, 112 votes were cast, the majority being Republican. Tax, $2,275.87.
Third town meeting held April 2, 1861-Officers : O. Thomas, Chairman ; A. Sprecher, William Schafer, Side Board; J. S. Walser, Clerk ; George Bonham, Treasurer; J. Sneller, Assessor ; W. R. Patchen, Superintendent. Assessment, $2,483.33.
Fourth annual meeting held April 1, 1862-J. Young, Chairman ; A. Sprecher, F. Gentsch, Side Board ; J. S. Walser, Clerk ; George Bonham, Treasurer ; J. Sneller, Assessor. Tax assessment, $2,791.12.
Fifth annual meeting April 7, 1863-Officers : Alex Stuart, Chairman ; J. A. Sprecher, James A. Taylor, Side Board ; J. S. Walser, A. Sprecher, Treasurers ; J. Sneller, Assessor. Tax assessment, $2,598.37. January 21, a special meeting was held, and a bounty of $200 voted to be paid to every volunteer of the town. February 25, another meeting was held, and a vote was taken as above, with the additional provision that all enlisting above each regular recruit that were accredited to the town, should receive $125. The town borrowed money to pay the bounties.
Sixth annual meeting held April 5, 1864-J. S. Walser, Chairman ; J. A. Sprecher and E. P. Tabor, Side Board ; C. C. Kuntz, Clerk ; A. Sprecher, Treasurer ; J. Sneller, Assessor. Tax assessment, $5,000.55, of which $2,466.12 were for paying bounties.
Seventh annual meeting April 4, 1865-Officers : C. C. Kuntz, Chairman ; E. P. Tabor and Gustav Baumgarth, Side Board; J. T. Barker, Clerk ; J. S. Walser, Treasurer ; John Sneller, Assessor. Tax assessment, $9,875.78, of which $6,068.25 was a special tax raised to pay bounties.
Eighth annual election, held April 3, 1866-Officers : A. Tarnutzer, Chairman ; G. Baumgarth and O. Thomas, Side Board; P. Sneller, Clerk; J. S. Walser, Treasurer ; J. Sneller, Assessor. Tax assessment, $5,590.22, of which $2,404.20 was a special tax to finish paying bounty money. Besides the amount raised by tax here, the fund, was increased by about $2,500 private contributions.
670
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Ninth annual meeting, April 2, 1867-Officers : A. Tarnutzer, Chairman ; O. Thomas and G. Baumgarth, Side Board; P. Sneller, Clerk ; P. A. Thomas, Treasurer; J. Sneller, As- sessor.
Since 1867, C. C. Kuntz has been a Justice of the Peace, and has done the majority of Justice business, in connection with Orison Thomas. Tax assessment, $3,220.84.
Tenth annual meeting, April 7, 1868-Officers: A. Tarnutzer, Chairman ; A. Sprecher and J. Fulcomer. Side Board; P. Sneller, Clerk; George Bonham, Treasurer; C. C. Kuntz, Assessor. Tax assessed, $3,936.92.
Eleventh annual meeting, held April 6, 1869-Officers : William McCready, Chairman : A. Sprecher and J. Fulcomer, Side Board ; P. Sneller, Clerk; George Bonham, Treasurer ; J. Sneller, Assessor. Tax assessed, $3,708.99.
Twelfth annual meeting, held April 5, 1870-Alex Stuart, Chairman ; A. Sprecher and James F. Barker, Side Board; J. P. Witmen, Clerk; L. Sneller, Treasurer ; J. Sneller, As- sessor. Tax assessed, $4,964.18.
In this connection, it may be stated that the Justices and Constables elected in the years enumerated are not given, because very many of them never qualified. The most of the Justice business of the town has been done by C. C. Kuntz and Orison Thomas.
TOWN OF BEAR CREEK.
This is one of the largest towns in the county next to the town of Troy, it containing fifty sections. It is five miles wide by ten long, extending north and south along the west edge of the county, and being in Townships 9 and 10. It is bounded north by Washington, south by Spring Green, east by Franklin and west by Richland County. Bear Creek is splendidly watered and traversed in all directions by roads, but the country is very rough, almost the entire surface being a succession of hills or bluffs and valleys.
The Little Bear Valley, so called from a creek that runs through it of the same name, and where the first permanent settlement was made, is regarded as being one of the finest tracts in the town. It is from one to two miles in width, including outlying pockets, and extends north and south. The farms here are excellent, being well adapted to raising grain or stock. The latter business has been pursued here quite extensively for a good many years, in connection with dairying and cheese-making. In the extreme west part of town, the valley of the Big Bear River extends along from north to south, it being divided between this town and Richland County. Here are also some very good farms and a grist and saw mill and two cheese-factories. In the north part of the town the surface is somewhat broken, being pretty fairly divided be- tween hills and hollows, or pockets. Two or three small streams rise in this part of the town. Of timber, there is more than enough, the various varieties indigenous to the county being gen -. erally found here, excepting pine.
The soil represents, in different parts, all of the qualities to be met with in the county, tliere being black muck, loam, sandy loam, marl, clay and gravelly soil.
The inhabitants are mixed, the foreign element preponderating. In the north part of the town there is a large Irish settlement. The educational, social and moral standard is fair at the present time, but a few years ago it is said to have not been good. Two or three parties who had money, it is said, disappeared among the hills at different times long past. However, this is not certain.
This town, especially in the north part, has always been troubled with wolves, which by their depredations have rendered sheep-raising nearly impossible. The pockets and cooleys, with their heavy timber and underbrush, afford them ample protection and inviting runways.
An industry, followed to a considerable extent in this and adjoining towns, is the raising of tobacco for home consumption. As nearly all of the Germans and Irish, and the majority of the Americans and English, use the weed, raising it at home saves a really large expense. The general products are staple, as winter and spring grains, corn and vegetables, hops not being grown to any considerable extent. The facilities for fruit raising are good, especially in the
671
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
pockets, where ample protection is afforded from the winter blasts. However, the people have not availed themselves largely of these favorable conditions.
SETTLEMENT.
Who the very first permanent settlers were, it is not easy to fully determine; but it is generally conceded that a family of McClouds, William and Robert, were about the first to come into the town. They first laid claims in Hood's Valley, in the town of Spring Green, but, owing to difficulties with Indians, remained nowhere long. How early they came cannot be more readily determined than other points ; but in all likelihood they found their way over the Wisconsin about 1840 or 1842, for as early as 1844 they were known to be rambling over the country hunting Indians. This was their chief occupation. The Indians, it is narrated, at one time slaugh- tered a part of their family, and, as a consequence, they were their sworn enemies to the death. This feeling was fully reciprocated by the Indians, who spared no pains to hunt them, hoping to ticket them for the happy hunting-grounds. As a matter of course, they had many a figlit together, and the only wonder is that the McClouds were not killed, or that the other early set- tlers did not get embroiled in the vendetta. The Indians at last made it so hot for them that they emigrated toward the setting sun, about 1850.
The first regular settlement was made in the Little Bear Valley by the Phetteplace family, father and sons, Jason Bancroft, George and J. and A. Stratton, M. R. Whelply, J. Seaman, L. B. Hanchett, J. Hensel, and perhaps a few others, as early as 1850. Subsequent to the advent of the above named, and those whose names cannot be ascertained, the influx of settlers was quite rapid, so that within ten years, or before the breaking-out of the rebellion, the town was well settled up.
The first death was that of Mrs. S. Phetteplace, in July, 1851.
The first marriages were the double weddings of Josina and Lucy A. Bancroft, to John Harrison and David Clark.
The first frame house in the town was built by Stephen Phetteplace, on what is now known as the Johnson stock farm, on the Little Bear.
A frame schoolhouse was erected on this farm as early as 1852.
Soon after M. R. Whelply came in, he, in company with another, went over to the Big Bear, and started to build a dam and saw-mill. After they had nearly completed the dam, and laid the foundations for the mill, they had to abandon the work-or did abandon it-the Indians were so troublesome. Nothing further was done at this point, and an embankment and a few timbers only are left to show the beginning and end of the first saw-mill enterprise in the town.
In 1853 or 1854, when fears of the Indians had about subsided, Peter Haskins built a dam and saw-mill about half a mile above the Whelply dam, and went to work. He run the mill until 1864, then sold it to James Ochsner, who continued it for some time, then moved it over the stream and enlarged it, adding a muley saw. The saw-mill having ceased to pay, Mr. Ochsner converted it into a cheese-factory, in connection with Mr. Beckwith. As a factory for cheese-making, the building has again become profitable. There is but one 5,000-pound vat. The average amount of milk handled here per diem for seven months, will be 4,700 pounds, or seven 60-pound cheeses made per day.
The first one to begin and make a regular business of cheese-making was J. Johnson, who started in 1859 or 1860 with fifteen cows. He had no factory, but manufactured on the ordinary dairy plan until 1867, when he quit the business.
In 1868, A. and D. Beckwith came into the valley of the Little Bear and purchased a large stock farm and erected the first cheese-factory in town, and one of the first in the county. This is a two-vat factory. At first, from 5,500 to 6,000 pounds of milk was used, now about 6,500 to 7,000 pounds are handled per day. The factory, with eight-horse-power engine and fixtures complete, cost about $1,500. Ten men are employed through the season to make cheese and care for the cows, of which they keep 112 milkers. The barn provided for stalling and feeding these animals in is a model affair, and will accommodate ninety head.
672
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Ed Booker also has a cheese-factory on Section 19, 30x40 in size, with one vat at ? present, but capacity for another.
The factory now handles about 2,000 pounds of milk per season.
There is a grist-mill on Big Bear Creek, near Mr. Ochsner's cheese-factory, built by Mr. Ochsner in 1869. It is 30x40, and accommodates three runs of stone, two for wheat and one for feed. The dam has an eight-foot head, and the water supply is ample. The machinery is propelled by Leffel turbines.
In 1860, James Harriman built a small saw-mill on Section 19, which James Bodentine, who purchased it in 1874, is now operating.
The manufacturing of sorghum molasses is not pursued here, although a good deal of the cane is raised.
There is one religious society, the Catholic, which is very large. They have a church located in the north part of the town, and a resident priest.
TOWN ORGANIZATION AND OFFICERS.
Bear Creek, with all of the southwest towns, was at first included with Honey Creek, where the first town meetings were held. This town was set off and the first town meeting held April 5, 1859, in the schoolhouse of District No. 6.
There were ninety votes cast at this election, and the following officers were elected : D. D. Thompson, Chairman : James L. Wain, S. Giles, Side Supervisors ; A. G. Burnham, Clerk ; H. Giles, Treasurer ; J. Johnson, Superintendent ; R. H. Thurber and J. Johnson, Justices ; R. H. Thurber, Assessor ; M. Herriman, G. W. Giles, P. Donahue, Constables; Richard Tal- bot, Sealer ; $200 were voted to defray the town expenses for the ensuing year. One cent on the dollar was voted and raised for road tax, and hogs were restricted from running at large. At Presidential election, sixty-five votes were cast.
April 3, 1860, this town meeting held at schoolhouse, District No. 6. Officers elected-G. I. Bancroft, Chairman ; J. J. Bomin, James Harvey, Side Supervisors ; A. G. Burnham, Clerk ; William Larkin, Treasurer; J. D. Dewey, Treasurer ; J. Craul, F. G. Raynolds, S. A. Phette- place, Justices ; D. C. Talbot, Superintendent ; F. R. Snow, G. I. Bancroft, C. Jones, Constables ; R. Talbot, Sealer ; $200 raised to defray expenses of town, $50 included for the poor. A fund of $50 raised for schools.
The third town meeting, held April 2, 1861, at schoolhouse, District No. 4. Officers -- J. D. Dewey, Chairman ;, S. A. Phetteplace and M. Sullivan, Supervisors ; A. G. Burnham, Clerk; William Larkin, Treasurer; R. H. Thurber, Assessor ; D. C. Talbot, Superintendent ; James L. Ward and R. H. Thurber, Justices ; James Talmadge and G. I. Bancroft, Constables ; Richard Talbot, Sealer. Town expenses as before.
The fourth town meeting held April 1. 1862, at same place as before ; $250 raised for ex- penses and $50 for the poor. Officers-J. D. Dewey, Chairman ; S. A. Phetteplace and M. Sul- livan, Supervisors ; A. G. Burnham, Clerk; William Larkin, Treasurer ; C. Jones, Assessor ; P. J. Randolph, John Phaler and F. C. Raynolds, Justices ; G. I. Bancroft and. M. Herriman, Constables ; Richard Talbot, Sealer.
The fifth election held April 7, 1863, as above ; town expenses and poor fund as above ; road tax as above. Officers-D. D. Thompson, Chairman ; James L. Ward and M. Sullivan, Side Supervisors ; A. G. Burnham, Clerk ; William Larkin, Treasurer ; R. H. Thurber, Assessor ; A. Sweet, R. H. Thurber, Justices ; D. Miller, P. H. Haskins, and A. Hagden, Constables ; R. Talbot, Sealer. At a special meeting held this season, $1,200 were voted for army volun- teers, On the 17th of March, 1864, a special meeting held, and $2,000 raised for volunteers, allowing $200 each.
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