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 104
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The first birth in the town was that of Louisa Thilke, born April, 1847.
The first schoolhouse built in town is standing yet on Mr. Rose's farm, and yet serves the original purpose. It is an odd-looking little affair, and not well adapted to modern educational work.
A saw-mill was built in town in 1848 or 1849, by a Mr. Leland. It had a large under- shot wheel, and was altogether one of those groaning, squeaky old affairs that used to slowly thrash out the lumber.
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
In 1868, the firm of Koenig & Pazel built a grist-mill at this point. It has two runs of stones, with water-head about seven feet. Turbine wheels are now used. It stands on Section 17. .
Mr. Ragatz brought in a horse-team as early as 1845; very many of the first settlers were too poor to own any teams at all, and had to carry everything on their backs or go without.
The first regular breaking-team was run by the Ragatz family; the rig consisted of six yokes of cattle and a thirty-inch breaking plow. They obtained for breaking from $2.25 to $2.75 per acre.
Of the ancient contrivances in vogue here at an early day the wagons made with wheels sawed off from the ends of big logs, were, perhaps, the most conspicuous. With these the Germans would trundle contentedly to town, asking no odds of any one, only their share of the prairies and bluffs to travel on.
Henry Ochsner, brought in a reaper about twenty-five years ago. Before that time, and even after, the ancient sickle, with lame backs to back it, cut the grain, together with the more modern contrivance-a cradle.
When the Ragatz family came into town, the Indians were very plenty, and had a village of sixty or seventy families located on the land that they claimed. This lot of Indians hung around until 1851, in the meantime having moved their village to what is known as Kohl's Hill. At that time, one night, the Bucks got hungry and tried to break into the cabin of Christopher Huerly, a lame tailor, who had no gun. Huerly's cries for assistance at last roused his neighbors, who went to his rescue, firing their guns as they went. At this, the Indi- ans withdrew. blowing their deer-calf signals. The morning after, fifteen or twenty men, armed with guns, went to the Indian camp and told the chief that he must leave. The next day they went and for good, never coming back, only in small parties, to hunt and fish, or to visit some of their white friends and their old homes. The last they still continue to do, occasionally.
An adventure with a wolf, that occurred here, is well worthy of a description. It happened . as follows: The Rev. Henry Esch, who was preacher for the German Methodists here in 1850, was almost as fond of hunting or adventure as of his Bible, and, being a man of bulk, brawn and intelligence, he was a power in either direction. He was as fearless as a lion and almost as powerful. One evening, after being out, he returned late to Father Ragatz's, as he is familiarly called, and hearing two large dogs barking fiercely, he thought he would take an ax and go and interview the intruder. When he got to them, what should he find but a huge gray wolf, being assailed by the dogs. The wolf was so occupied watching the dogs that he did not heed the approach of Mr. Esch, who managed to get near enough to give the wolf a whack on the head. The blow staggered the wolf but did not lay him out. Esch then jumped a-straddle of his back, and, grabbing the animal by the nape of the neck, succeeding in beating his brains out. He was a monster, measuring seven feet from the point of nose to tip of tail.
Of the various deprivations endured here, it is almost useless to speak. Every one had a share in .that kind of experience, and all know well enough what it is to endure hunger and want.
The first religious services held in town were by the German Methodists as early as 1844.
SALEM CHURCH OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA.
On the 28th of July, 1844, the first religious services of this sect were held in the frame schoolhouse in what is now Sauk City, by Johannes Sybert, first Bishop of this denomination in America. With him came Rev. J. G. Mueller, who made an appointment to come and preach here once in four weeks. He came at intervals for two years, then the Rev. Mathias Hauert took his place. Rev. Samuel Baumgartner was the Presiding Elder, after the establish- ment of the mission, for nearly four years. While the Rev. Hauert was in charge, a Sabbath school was organized in the winter of 1846. The Rev. Hauert continued in charge until 1848, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Christian Lintner, who remained but a year, then Rev. Henry Esch came. On the 12th of October, 1850, a protracted meeting was commenced by him, under the auspices of Bishop Sybert and Rev. S. Baumgartner, at the house of Father Ragatz,
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and which resulted in the conversion of seventy or eighty persons. The Rev. Henry Esch remained but one year, until 1851, then the Rev. Christian Lintner came. Previous to this time, for about two years, the people had been preparing to build a house of worship, which was finally erected early in 1851, and was dedicated April 8, of the above year by the Rev. S. Baum- gartner. The land upon which the church was located was six acres, a gift from Father Ragatz. In 1852, Rev. C. A. Schnake came to the charge. During that year, this mission was con- verted into a self-supporting circuit, the minister receiving no salary outside his charge. At that time, the Rev. J. J. Escher was Presiding Elder of the district. The first parsonage was completed during the summer of 1852, and on the 15th of September following, the Rev. Schnake and family moved in. The first camp-meeting of the society occurred in the summer of 1853, at which twenty persons were converted. In 1854, the Rev. J. Riegel was stationed here, then in 1855, the Rev. George Fleischer came. At that time, H. Rohland was Presiding Elder. In 1856, the Wisconsin Conference of this denomination was organized.
In 1856, the Rev. C. A. Schnake was rc-appointed, the Rev. J. George Escher then being Presiding Elder. In 1857, the Rev. C. Pfeil came. The Wisconsin Conference held its session here in the spring of 1858. Two ministers were then appointed to this circuit, the Rev. O. Ragatz and Rev. N. Schuck. The Rev. I. Kuter came in 1859. C. A. Schnake was then Pre- siding Elder. Rev. Goerge Schafer was appointed in 1860; after him, Rev. James Harlacher and Rev. P. Jenny. In 1862, the Rev. Halacher and Rev. G. Schwantcs. In 1863, Rev. F. Huelster and G. Schwantes-August Huclster then Presiding Elder. In 1864, Rev. Huelster and Rev. F. Stroebel. In 1865, J. M. Hammetter and F. Stroebel. In 1866, the Rev. J. M. Hammetter and Rev. F. Moser. In' 1867, Rev. P. Held and A. Rasch. In 1868, Rev. P. Held and O. Kuederling. In 1869, Rev. C. F. Finger and W. Kann. In 1870, Rev. C. F. Finger and H. Uphoff. In 1871, Rev. H. Guclich and H. Uphoff. During that year, the cir- cuit was divided into East and West Sauk Circuits. In 1872, Rev. H. Guelich. In 1873-74-75, Rev. T. Umbreit. In 1875, the present fine church was built, of stone, with a basement, cost- ing $5,500 ; the present parsonage was built in 1868, at a cost of $2,000. This church is one of the best in the State. In 1876, the Rev. J. C. Brendel. In 1879, P. Speich, the present Pastor, came to the charge. There are 119 members in this society ; in Sauk, 56; east part of town, 62 members.
Emanuel's Church, of the above denomination, in this town, was built in 1868, during the ministration of Rev. P. Held, of the Salem Circuit. In October, Bishop E. E. Escher dedi- cated the church. In 1872, the congregation of this church were assigned to the ministrations of the minister of the Bethlehem Church of the town of Troy, which connection they still main- tain. The church cost about $600. There are forty members.
Zion's Kirche, built of logs, was erected in 1859, at a cost of $350. It is located on Will- iam H. Deuzer's land, in this town. The first minister was the Rev. Israel Kuter.
There is also a branch station of the Sauk City Humanists in this town. They have a hall, and arc in a thriving condition. The membership is not large. (For further information, see Sauk City.)
The first election recorded for the town of Honey Creek, was held at J. A. Stams' April 3, 1849, when the following officers were elected : J. M. Cass, Chairman ; J. Davis and Dewitt Slauter, Side Board ; H. B. Stams, Clerk ; James Taylor, Treasurer ; H. Kifer, Assessor ; D. Capells, Superintendent of Schools ; J. Sprecher, J. Davis and J. Rogu, Justices ; A. Hen- nington, Thomas Wells and Daniel Held, Constables. No appropriations were made at this election, owing to the fact that the voters did not know what they could legally do until they obtained a copy of the town laws.
At the first regular meeting of Supervisors, May 14, it was decided to have a road from the end of the Helena road, on Big Hill, running northeast between, Sections 14 and 15 to Little Prairie.
Tax for town expenses was laid at 5 mills on the dollar for town expenses, 2} mills for sup- port of schools and 5 mills for maintaining roads.
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Second annual meeting, held April 2, 1850; election held at house of J. W. Harris. Officers-J. Davis, Chairman ; D. Slauter and J. W. Harris, Side Board ; H. B. Stams, Clerk ; James A. Taylor, Treasurer ; T. J. Morgans, Assessor ; $150 tax for town expenses ; 1} mills on the dollar for schools, and roads as above. Tax collected, $271.18.
Third annual meeting held April 1, 1851. Officers-G. Albertus, Chairman ; J. Ragatz and A. Roll, Side Board ; F. E. Watermeier, Clerk ; H. Ochsner, Treasurer; B. Ragatz ; T. E. Watermeier, Superintendent; three Constables were appointed to keep the discordant elements at peace ; tax, $233.
Fourth annual meeting held April 6, 1852. Officers-H. Meyer, Chairman ; J. Bear and A. Roll, Side Board ; J. F. Grone, Town Clerk ; J. H. Taylor, Treasurer ; J. Bear, Assessor ; James H. Taylor, Superintendent.
Fifth annual town meeting held April 5, 1853. Officers-G. F. Albertus, Chairman ; M. Lycum and B. E Ragatz, Jr., Side Board ; J. F. Grone, Clerk ; William Bonham, Treasurer ; B. Ragatz, Sr., Assessor; J. Bear, Superintendent.
Sixth annual meeting held April 4, 1854. Officers-G. F. Albertus, Chairman ; J. Sneller and A. Roll, Side Board ; J. F. Grone, Clerk ; U. Henry, Treasurer ; J. Bear, Assessor.
Seventh annual town meeting held April 5, 1855. Officers-H. Ochsner, Chairman ; William Bonham and F. Leikham, Side Board; J. B. Lancamp, Clerk ; U. Henry, Treasurer ; D. Dahlen. Assessor.
Eighth annual meeting April 7, 1856. Officers-J. F. Grone, Chairman ; G. F. Albertus, and J. A. Taylor, Side Board ; J. B. Lancamp, Clerk ; M. Leikham, Treasurer ; A. Roll, Assessor ; C. Parker, Superintendent.
Ninth annual election held April 7, 1857. Officers-J. F. Grone, Chairman ; G. F. Albertus and F. Leikham, Side Board; J. B. Lancamp, Clerk ; M. Leikham, Treasurer ; W. Klaes, Assessor; George Parker, Superintendent.
Tenth annual meeting April 6, 1858. Officers-G. Nippert, Chairman ; N. Sneller and F. Ragatz, Side Board ; J. J. Gattiker, Clerk ; A. Roll, Treasurer ; U. Henry, Assessor ; A. Wilcox, Superintendent.
Eleventh annual meeting April 5, 1859. Officers-H. Ochsner, Chairman ; G. Jacobs and L. Sneller, Side Board ; A. Hill, Clerk ; A. Roll, Treasurer ; William Klaes, Assessor.
Twelfth annual meeting April 6, 1860. Officers-George Nippert, Chairman ; U. Henry and D. Dahlen, Side Board ; A. Hill, Clerk ; William Klaes, Treasurer ; G. F. Grone, Assessor. Presidential votes 136.
Thirteenth annual election April 2, 1861. Officers-G. F. Albertus, Chairman ; William H. Deuzer and J. Leidig, Side Board ; J. B. Lancamp, Clerk ; William Klaes, Treasurer ; J. F. Grone, Assessor.
Fourteenth annual meeting April 1, 1862. Officers-G. F. Albertus, Chairman ; H. W. Deuzer and J. Leidig, Side Board ; J. F. Grone, Clerk ; N. Buehler, Treasurer ; William Klaes, Assessor.
Fifteenth annual meeting April 7, 1863. Officers-H. W. Deuzer, Chairman ; N. Sneller and C. Schumm, Side Board; J. F. Grone, Clerk ; N. Buehler, Treasurer ; William Klaes, Assessor.
At a special meeting held the 7th of January, 1864, it was voted to offer a bounty of $200 to each person who should volunteer in the town, and, if the United States did not pay a bounty, they would pay $300 to each person necessary to fill out the town quota. The board were authorized to borrow what money should be needed for this purpose. A special meeting was held January 23, 1864, for the purpose of raising money to aid in the support of the families of those who had paid $300 commutation money, and the sum of $25 was voted for each family ; also a motion was made and carried to raise $200 for each family, the head of which was drafted ; $2,000 were paid for bounties this year, besides personal subscriptions.
Sixteenth annual meeting April 5, 1864. Officers-L. Sneller, Chairman ; C. Schumm and A. Hageback, Side Board ; J. F. Grone, Clerk ; J. Schiess, Treasurer ; William Klaes, Assessor. This year $2,000 were paid to volunteers.
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Seventeenth annual meeting April 4, 1865. Officers-G. F. Albertus, Chairman ; G. Nippert and A. Hageback, Side Board; J. F. Grone, Clerk ; J. Schiess, Treasurer ; A. Roll, Assessor. A volunteer fund of $6,883 was raised by special tax this year.
TOWN OF MERRIMACK.
Merrimack, being in the extreme east part of the county, was one of the first settled, and is therefore one of the oldest, towns in the county. It was at first a part of the town of Kingston, what is now known as Sumter. The town is irregular in shape and small in size, there being not more than twenty-seven sections of land all told. On the southwest it is bordered by the Wisconsin, on the north by Greenfield, on the east by Columbia County, and on the west by Sumter.
The surface is broken, and the soil highly diversified, from the richest alluvial to the poorest quality of light sand. Along the northern boundary of the town extend the Baraboo Bluffs, with their rough and uninviting surface. On the east, along the river, the prevailing character of the soil is light sand, with uneven surface. In the southwestern part, bordering on the river, the soil is better, being made up largely of black sand and rich alluvial deposits. Nature, in shaping this portion of the country, and in contributing a variety of qualities or properties to the soil, seems to have been unusually prodigal, if not thoroughly beneficial, in her bequests. The town is fairly well timbered with the various species indigenous to this portion of the country (as spoken of elsewhere) ; and, taking the general attributes of climate, soil, timber and water into account, there are many worse places to live. The products are principally cereals and stock. Hops are also raised more largely, and sorghum. At one time and another there has been a good deal of milling done, which covers the ground of manufacturing pursued here entirely, unless we except the minor considerations of sorghum molasses making, dairying and the various mechanical pur- suits followed. There is much to be seen here that is attractive to the tourist and curiosity seeker, as the cavernous gulches and singular mounds of the prehistoric, which abound here as largely, perhaps, and which are as singular in appearance, as in any other portion of the county. One very peculiar natural formation is Porprey's Glen (named after an original owner) ; another form, the creation of man, is a mound on Section 3, doubtless intended to represent a bird. It is very large, being 240 feet from tip to tip of its wings. Other features might be mentioned in this connection, but it is scarcely necessary, as they are not sufficiently striking or unusual. The inhabitants represent nearly all nationalities, from the hardy Welsh, Scotch, English and Americans in the north, to the Germans and Irish in the south. The social, intellectual and religious status is good ; although almost every shade and difference of opinion prevails. Taking all things into account, the condition of the people is average.
It appears from records that the town was not organized until April 3, 1855, then, accord- ing to previous notice, the qualified voters of the then town of Kingston, residing in Township 10 and 11, met at the hall of W. P. Flanders, in the village of Merrimack, at 9 o'clock A. M., for the purpose of organizing a new town. The town was named Merrimack by Mrs. J. B. Train, after the town of Merrimack in New Hampshire. At election, E. G. Buck was Chair- man of Inspection, and Samuel W. Hovey and Luther Crosby, Inspectors.
The first officers as follows : M. Quiggle, Chairman ; L. W. W. Hovey and M. Brindlur, Side Supervisors ; H. W. Manly, Assessor ; James G. Train, Treasurer ; Charles Naffy, Clerk ; Norman Wood, Superintendent of Schools; J. Quiggle, Samuel Shaw, and J. M. Haines, Justices of Peace ; J. M. Emerson, Constable.
At special town meetings held during the war, $6,400 was raised by the town, to be used as bounty money for men who enlisted.
When the Baraboo Airline Railroad Company was discussing the project of running through the county, the property-holders and voters of the town convened August 27, 1870, and voted to bond the town to pay the railroad company $10,000, if the road was run through the town. The bonds were accepted by the company, and the railroad run through the town, but up to date they remain unpaid, although, according to some, the railroad has offered to compromise for
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
one-half the sum. The chances are now that there will be a suit instituted against the town by the road, to get the money. What will be the termination of the affair cannot be suggested. The townspeople are largely unanimous in repudiating the bonds, and will doubtless make a stiff fight for what they consider right under the circumstances. When the bonds were voted, there were ninety-nine for giving them and sixty-six against.
SETTLERS BEFORE 1850.
The first man to emigrate hither and settle permanently was George Wood, who came in 1843 ; after him, in 1844, Zaeth Eldridge came in. In 1847, D. B. Randall, who is now the oldest settler in town, came to Merrimack. Before 1850, as nearly as can be ascertained, there were Chester Mattson, George Grant, Thomas Trott, W. P. Flanders, William Thile, C. Steidtman, Robert Coulborn, S. Hovey, N. Furst, L. Crosby, I. Emerson, Hiram Bailcy, Her- man Kuntz, George Fris and D. and T. Swartz. There were several more whose names cannot be ascertained, as they have mostly died or departed.
The milling business spoken of is now a thing of the past, the several mills that have been erected having long since ceased to saw or grind ; the first one was a grist-mill, built as early as 1844 or 1845, by H. Searl, on Section 4, on what is known as Searl's Creek, it had not been up more than two months, when a freshet undermined the dam and swept everything to rack and ruin. It was not rebuilt.
The next person to enter the field was David King, who, two or three years after the above disaster, bought whatever was valuable left of the Searl mill, and, building a mill near the bluffs, on the same stream, began operations. Two or three years subsequent the mill burned. He soon after rebuilt a saw-mill, which, subsequently, after his death, in 1855, became the property of a Mr. Naragong. Mr. King also started a distillery, which passed into the hands of Fred Roper.
Mr. Naragong put an engine into the old mill. Previous to this, undershot or overshot wheels had been used here altogether. Mr. Naragong's enterprise proved a failure.
In 1856 or 1857, Fordice Roper built, which soon after passed into the hands of Fred Roper, who moved the still to the mill and refitted it. This institution run for a few years, until the tariff on whisky stopped it.
The Roper Mill passed into the hands of Mr. J. Gibbs about 1860, then afterward Robert Porprey bought it. Before Porfrey got it, it had a forty-foot overshot wheel, which, with various other traps, cost about $3,500. Porprey put in a sixty-foot wheel and run it a while, then changed to turbine, or something similar, and run for a time ; then like the rest, it went quietly to rest.
RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR SOCIETIES.
The Free-Will Baptists organized and held services as early as 1851. There were at first fifteen or sixteen members.
The Humanist Society started here as early as 1848, with Carl Duer for speaker ; he was also connected with the Sauk City Society of the same name. They have a hall in town, but the society is not very large.
The Methodists have held services here for a good many years, and have organized two dif- ferent societies, one at Merrimack in 1852, with but few members, and one at the Bluffs in 1856, with five or six members. The class at the Bluffs erected a house of worship, 20x30, in 1860, calling it the Chapel. The society at Merrimack erected one in 1876, as subsequently described.
VILLAGE OF MERRIMACK.
The first actual settler here is said to have been a man by the name of Brown, who came as early as 1846, and built a cabin, then soon after mysteriously disappeared. After him came Chester Mattson, the originator of the old State road scheme and ferry. Hc came in 1847, and during the ensuing winter succeeded in getting a charter for a State road and ferry. Soon
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
after this the road was regularly laid out, and very soon we find a stage making regular trips over it, and Mattson engaged in transporting teams and passengers over the river. The road was known as Mattti ferry road. Mattson started the second building in the place for a tavern, but did not finish it, although it was occupied by a man by the name of Grant for a brief time. Mattson was appointed Postmaster here as early as 1849, the place receiving the name of the Postmaster General in honor of the circumstance.
In 1849, James Flanders came here and selected a quantity of land, and entered it for W. P. Flanders, his brother, who bought the land for the settlers who could not pay themselves, he taking bonds from them to secure the pay. Of this land, which extended over a large area, there is left, in this immediate vicinity, about twelve hundred acres, a part of this being in a grain and stock farm of 500 acres. Very soon after the purchase of the land, W. P. Flanders came on, and within a short time after, purchased Mattson's interest in the town and ferry for $700. Mr. Flanders also made arrangements for building and starting a store. At first, a stock of goods was brought on, about 1852, and the store opened in the basement of a building now used for a dwelling-house, in Lot 7, Block 1, of the town plat. In 1852, a store building was started, but before it was entirely completed, it was burned, as was thought, by an incen- diary. Not to be discouraged, however, Mr. Flanders immediately commenced another build- ing, which, within a few months, was finished and stocked with goods. This was the first per- manent store, with W. P. Flanders as owner, and J. M. Hanes as clerk.
In 1854, Mr. Flanders sold out to J. M. Haines, L. Hodgson and Mr. Sturdevant. This firm continued but a few years, and then sold to James Seville, Jr. While Seville was in pos- session the store burned up slick and clean ; so ended the first store.
About 1853 or 1854, Mr. Flanders finished building the hotel, which had been started by Mattson. After the hotel was completed it was christened the Ferry House, the first landlord being Mr. Hartwig. This hotel is still running, Mr. Henry Bensens being the proprietor. During the staging days, and when the railroad was building, it did an excellent business.
There was a warehouse built down near the river as early as 1851, from which the Sauk City enterprise used to transport various products to market, and bring back such supplies as were not hauled here from Madison and Portage by teams.
In 1855, Mr. T. Emery and Mr. H. Morey built a blacksmith shop for Mr. Flanders. A man by the name of Thatcher was installed first smith, and after him a Mr. Pierce.
Ansel True started a store here after Seville burned out. Soon after came C. C. Noise, then the present L. M. Smith began in trade here, and after him Mr. Tyler and Mr. Jones.
A saloon was opened here first in 1870, liquors having been kept in the stores previous to that time.
The saw-mill and chair factory of H. M. Jones, which stands on the extreme edge of the village, near the river, was built and started in 1858. The institution, which is now literally rotting down, was gotten up quite elaborately, the building and machinery costing in the neigh- borhood of $5,000. Mr. Jones conducted the mill about two years, at first ; then, through various involvements with a moneyed partner, it passed from his control, never having been used enough since to pay the interest on the money invested in it. At the present time, it is too far gone to cver be resuscitated. If manufacturing could be done here, it would be well for the place.
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