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 76
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Rich and his brother, Willis B. Rich, bought Mr. Vittum's remaining interest, the firm becoming Rich, McFetridge & Rich. In the fall of 1879, Henry Rich purchased his brother's interest. Messrs. Rich & McFetridge are now carrying on the business under the name of the Island Woolen Company. Their goods, mostly fancy cassimeres, are manufactured from the fine-blood wools of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. The annual product of their looms is between ninety thousand and one hundred thousand yards, and they give employment to about thirty-six hands. Sales are made throughout the Northwest.
In 1867, M. J. Drown and others organized the Baraboo Manufacturing Company with a capital stock of $35,000. The company had for its purpose the building of an extensive fur- niture factory on the Island Woolen-Mill dam. The project was soon perfected, and the factory put into successful operation. In 1876, the personal property of the company passed to the First National Bank of Baraboo, and the real estate to William Andrews. The concern was subsequently transferred to the Island Agricultural Works, whose managers recently turned their attention to the manufacture of Maj. A. McNaught's "Challenger Threshing Machine," ten of which were turned out and put in use during the season of 1879. The Agricultural Works Company now have a contract with Minnesota manufacturers to put in use in that State a number of " Challengers " equal to any other machine of a similar character.
The Lower Water Power .- In the summer of 1839, Eben Peck and James Alban crossed the bluffs from Sauk Prairie, for the purpose of exploring the Baraboo Valley, a glimpse of which Mr. Alban had but recently seen from the high bluffs east of the Devil's Lake. They struck the Baraboo River at a point since known as the Lower Ox-bow, about one mile below the present village of Baraboo. Crossing over the stream, they came upon two small Indian vil- lages, the inhabitants of which met them with frowns of disfavor. The two white explorers, regarding discretion as the better part of valor, recrossed the river as if to return over the bluffs ; but, instead of doing so, they camped for the night near the stream, upon the land that Mr. Peck had pre-determined should be his claim. Returning to Madison, Mr. Peck's home, he gave a glowing description of the region he had visited, and he announced his purpose soon to make a home at the foot of the noble rapids. In the fall, he, in company with his wife, Rose- line, and brother Luther, again visited the spot, crossing the bluffs on horseback, Mrs. Peck riding upon a man's saddle. They met with no opposition from the Indians, and, while passing through the fertile precincts of what is now known as Peck's Prairie, they met Wallace Rowan and Abram Wood, who were on their way to examine the Baraboo Rapids. The Pecks returned to Madison, and Wood and Rowan soon afterward made a claim further up the river.
A month later, James Van Slyke and Chester Matson visited the Baraboo Rapids, and, after a careful inspection, concluded to locate on the Lower Ox-bow. It is not quite certain whether they knew at that time that the land had been previously claimed ; at any rate, they commenced work upon it, and, being short of money, they acquainted James Maxwell, then of Walworth County, and Berry Haney, of Dane County, with the facts concerning the advantages of the location, and from them obtained means to improve their power. Upon this subject Mr. Maxwell says : " Van Slyke returned to Walworth County in the early part of the following winter (1840) and induced me to take a half-interest with him in building a saw-mill, he to do the work, I to furnish the means. Hence, in the early spring of 1840, I let him have two yoke of oxen, chains and wagon, loaded them with a set of saw-mill irons, pork, flour and beans, and he set out for the Baraboo Valley with four or five hired men."
At what date they commenced work upon the dam is not positively known; it is the opinion of a few old settlers that Wood and Rowan preceded them in making the first improve- ments on the Baraboo River. Work progressed rapidly, however, until Van Slyke & Co. were summoned to Madison to prove their title to the property. This they failed to do.
" The suit with Peck," continues Mr. Maxwell, " dampened Van Slyke's ardor, and, the June floods sweeping away what improvements had been made, he sold the mill-irons to Wood & Rowan, disposed of the provisions, and drove the train back to me, I think some time in July, 1840."
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
In the fall of 1840, Mr. Peck moved his family from Madison and took up his abode on his claim. But he, like other pioneers of a new country, was kept busily engaged earning the necessaries of life for his family, and had no time to devote to improvements. In 1846, when the land was ready for market, Van Slyke again put in an appearance and entered the land under the pre-emption act of June, 1840. Mr. Maxwell furnished the means to enter it, for a half-interest, and afterward purchased the remaining half. Van Slyke executed the deed to Maxwell August 14, 1846, but did not himself receive a deed from the Government until 1848.
In the winter of 1846-47, Col. Maxwell, his son James and a man named Esterbrook came hither and ran the lines of the Van Slyke claim. They found Count Haraszthy upon the prem- ises with a stock of goods, and found also that they should require another "forty " to cover the entire water-power. Esterbrook, by agreement, went to Mineral Point and entered the requisite " forty." This he deeded over to the Maxwells November 17, 1848. In the spring of 1848, the dam and race having been completed, work was commenced upon the saw-mill.
The subsequent transfers of the present grist-mill property, as they appear from a recent deed made of it, are as follows : July 18, 1849, Col. Maxwell sold to his son James, and Benjamin L. Briar ; in November, Benjamin Mc Vickar purchased a quarter-interest, and, about the same date, James T. Flanders purchased another quarter ; September 25, 1850, Maxwell and Briar deeded the remainder to Mc Vickar & Flanders ; April 1, 1854, Mc Vickar sold to Mr. Flanders ; January 27, 1857, Mr. Flanders deeded to Sarah Jane Cook ; September 25, 1857, John and S. J. Cook to John Woodruff; October 21, 1859, the Sheriff, under foreclosure, to Walter P. Flanders and Ebenezer Lane; Lane immediately sold to Flanders, who in October got a deed of the Sheriff; December 22, 1866, W. P. Flanders to Charles H. Wheeler and Olivet W. Gunni- son ; August 19, 1870, they conveyed it to W. S. Grubb; October 5, 1874, Mr. Grubb to B. M. Jarvis and J. C. Spencer ; a year later, Jarvis sold his interest to R. H. Spencer.
Of the improvements which have been made upon this water-power, a great deal might be written. The old Maxwell grist-mill (now the woolen-mill) was built under the supervision of B. L. Brier, now of Jamestown, Tenn., and, the saw-mill having burned down, a new one was erected upon the ruins of the old, in 1857, by the Cooks, whose names appear in the foregoing as purchasers from Mr. Flanders. They also built a tannery, and purchased of L. Brier a card- ing machine, and from other sources obtained one set of woolen-mill machinery, and put it into operation in the saw-mill building. This property having passed back to Mr. Flanders, he rented it in 1858 to John Dean, who added new looms, and, assisted by his brothers, James and William Dean, carried on the business until about 1865. In the meantime, the Maxwell grist- mill, which had been doing good service, was leased by the proprietors of the Baraboo Flouring Mill, on the " Central " dam, and closed down. The machinery was subsequently purchased and placed in the Honey Creek Mill, now the property of Koenig & Fagel. The empty mill building and the water-power were then purchased by Mr. Dean, and utilized by the removal of his woolen machinery thereto. Andrew Andrews and Henry Rich becoming the partners of Mr. Dean, the institution was conducted for a time under the firm name of John Dean & Co. It then passed to the hands of Joseph Ellis, Ira L. Humphrey and G. H. Bacon. The latter sold his interest in 1873 to M. J. Drown. Under this management, operations were suspended in the fall of 1874. Levi Crouch subsequently became the purchaser of the Ellis interest. During the early part of the summer of 1880, Edmund Brewster purchased the property, and is now engaged in erecting extensive buildings for a paper-mill. The old woolen-mill will be devoted to the manufacture of yarn.
For the past six years, the old saw-mill building has been run as a grist-mill, having been fitted. up for that purpose by Spencer Brothers. The mill has two runs of stones, with a com- bined capacity of forty barrels per day.
The Central Mill Privilege. - In 1844, George W. and William Brown came to Baraboo from Whitewater, the former in June and the latter in July, for the purpose of locating perma- nently. They laid claim to the land upon which South Baraboo now stands, including the water site now known as the " Central Mill Privilege," and commenced building a dam across the
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
stream. The dam completed, a saw-mill was erected and put in operation. In 1847, William Brown sold his interest to his brother George, and the latter soon afterward disposed of half the property to Philarmon Pratt. About this time, Delando Pratt, brother of the preceding, having purchased 200 inches of the water, built a mill on the same dam and fitted it with machinery for sawing lath and shingles. It was used for this purpose only two or three years, when it was sold to John and Thomas Seaborn. From that time, the building was known as the "cabinet-shop." The Seaborn brothers put into it machinery for the manufacture of bed- steads, chairs and cabinet furniture, and continued to occupy it for that purpose for fifteen years, when it was consumed by fire. Previous to this unfortunate occurrence, J. N. Savage had become a partner in the business, and was a large sharer in the loss, as was also M. Partridge, who was at the time conducting exclusively the chair department. A part of this building, together with an addition built for the purpose, was at one time occupied as a foundry and machine shop, and considerable in this line was accomplished. Among other works, a steam engine was constructed, which was set up and .run at Prairie du Sac. The enterprise was finally abandoned. A short distance east of the old cabinet-shop, a building erected by D. Schermerhorn and P. Pratt was occupied for a time as a tannery. Mr. Pratt afterward used the shop as a hub-factory. The structure, with the cabinet-shop, ended in smoke. A lath-mill was also built by Mr. Pratt in connection with his saw-mill, and the upper story was used as a sash and blind factory.
The building was afterward occupied by Mr. P. A. Bassett, who did an extensive business in the manufacture of staves and headings for flour barrels. The building fell a prey to the devouring element, involving a heavy loss to Mr. Bassett and also to Mr. Heylman, who was at the time engaged in the sash and blind business in the upper story. The stave mill was imme- diately rebuilt and put in operation by its founder, Mr. Bassett, who ran it until about 1863, when his son, William P. Bassett, having obtained control of it, moved the machinery to a point five miles west of Baraboo and there continued the business until 1875. Returning to Baraboo with his apparatus, he re-established himself on the north side of the river, two blocks east of the "Central Mill Privilege," where he has since continued the manufacture of staves and headings, which are shipped to principal points in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. Mr. Bassett also manufactures flour barrels for the local market. During the busy season, the insti- tution requires the services of a fifty-horse-power engine and about twenty men.
Baraboo Flouring Mills .- In 1846, a grist-mill was erected by George W. Brown on the north side of the river, upon the site now occupied by the Baraboo Flouring Mill. It was fur- nished with two runs of stone, and did the custom work for the then sparse population inhabiting an area of some forty or fifty miles' radius. During the construction of an addition to this mill, December 15, 1847, Mr. Brown was instantly killed by a falling timber. The property then reverted to Chauncey and Carissa Brown, father and mother of the deceased.
In 1852, this mill shared the fate of the three across the river, being destroyed by fire. In 1855, P. A. Bassett and J. F. Sanford purchased a half-interest in the water-power and the north-side mill site, and erected a four-story building, about 40x50 feet in size. Four runs of stone were put into this mill, and were kept busy day and night to supply the demand. The next year, Mr. Bassett, having bought out his partner, erected a separate mill for custom grind- ing, converting the original one into a strictly merchant mill. Finding a want of room for the storage of wheat and flour, Mr. Bassett, the same year, erected another building of the same size and height as the first, filling the space between the two mills and thus connecting them. Thus matters progressed until 1862, when the property passed to the hands of R. H. Strong and L. H. Kellogg, commission merchants of Milwaukee. Mr. Strong soon afterward became the sole proprietor, and has ever since carried on the concern. There are eight runs of stone in the merchant mill, with a combined capacity of 125 barrels per day ; the custom mill has two runs. The machinery of both is entirely new. An excellent brand of flour is made, which finds ready sale in all the leading markets, shipments being made to Norfolk, Va., New York, Pitts- burgh, Boston, Cincinnati, Portland, Me., and the lumbering stations of the Lake Michigan shore.
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
The Upper Water Power .- In 1844, George and Edward Willard came to the Baraboo Valley and made a claim on the river about two miles above the present city of Baraboo. A dam and saw-mill were constructed and put into successful operation. The proprietary interests of the Messrs. Willard soon passed to Culver & Conkey, who, a year or two later, sold to Met- calf & Crossman. In 1850, Nathan Paddock and Martin Waterman purchased Mr. Crossman's interest, and for thirteen years the firm remained unchanged. But sharp competition, aided by the depressing effects of the war, resulted in financial embarrassments which led the creditors to take measures that would secure them from loss. In 1863, Capt. Levi Moore took charge of the property as legal creditor. The firm had previously built a second structure, and placed in it the necessary machinery for the manufacture of furniture, which was rented and operated by Ryan & Hollenbeck. In 1866, Thomas, Claude & Thomas purchased the entire property, and established, in the furniture department, a hub and spoke factory, the furniture machinery being removed to the shops of the Baraboo Manufacturing Company on the island. In 1874, a Mr. McDonald, of Chicago, purchased the institution. By him it was sold in 1875 to Jacob Hes- peler, of Ontario, Canada, and, in 1878, M. J. Drown became and is now the owner. This dam furnishes seven feet head of water, which sets back over thirteen miles.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Baraboo Foundry .- In 1867, Nathan Starks purchased 200 inches of the " Central Power " water, and established on the south bank of the river, an iron foundry, engaging largely in the manufacture of hop-stoves, an article in great demand at that date. The hop panic which followed soon afterward seriously involved Mr. Starks, and he was compelled to suspend operations. The property then passed to Gen. Starks, brother of Nathan, who rented the estab- lishment to William E. Kittredge. Upon the death of Gen. Starks, the property was inherited by his daughter. She rented it to W. F. Wackler, who in 1879, purchased and now conducts it.
Tub and Barrel Factory .- In 1877, Langdon Bros. commenced the manufacture of barrels, tubs, churns, etc., on the lake road, south of Baraboo. In 1879, they removed to the village and established themselves on the north side of the river, opposite the railroad workshops. Here they manufacture by steam almost all kinds of cooper's ware, such as pork and pickle barrels, making a specialty of butter and pork packages. They also make the body of a patent churn, sold largely in Ohio by the patentees, and manufacture churns of their own design.
Sash, Doors and Blinds .- George Reul & Sons have been engaged in the manufacture of these and other articles used by builders since 1876. Their machinery is propelled by a thirty- five-horse-power engine. Besides supplying a large demand in Sauk County, they make ship- ments to different parts of the Northwest.
Breweries .- The manufacture of beer in Baraboo has grown to be quite an industry. The first brewery in the place was located on the north side of the river, and was burned down, with other property, at an early day.
In 1866, George Ruland established a small brewery on the south side of the river. The capacity of the concern has been increased from time to time to accommodate local custom.
In 1867, George Bender and Frank Miller embarked in a similar enterprise, just east of Ruland's brewery. Miller soon withdrew from the firm, and Bender conducted it alone until his death a few years ago. The business is now carried on by his widow, who, in 1876, added to it a two-story brick hotel.
An ale brewery was established by Parrish Brothers, also in 1867, on the north side. In 1868, L. Parrish sold to E. R. Bow, and, in 1870, business was suspended.
Tanneries .- In 1850, Squire Schermerhorn established a tannery in a building put up by Mr. Pratt on the south side of the river. In 1856, Baldwin & Densmore built a tannery on the lower water-power. Both enterprises were unsuccessful, and the business was abandoned after a short time.
The Baraboo Tannery was founded in the early part of 1866, by D. H. Daniels & Co., D. Munson being the silent partner. In 1867, W. S. Grubb became associated with the original
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
founders, and the firm name was then changed to Daniels, Munson & Co. The late Andrew Andrews succeeded to the management of the institution, which finally proved unprofitable, and business was suspended. The buildings were located on the river, about one block below the main bridge, and covered some 450 square feet.
THE POST OFFICE.
The first settlers of Baraboo had but little time to devote to letter-writing, and, correspond- ence between they and their friends in far-off Eastern homes being limited, a post office was not among the first requirements. It was not until the winter of 1846-47 that serious thoughts of having a post office in the then embryo village were entertained. Prior to that time, the pioneer citizens had received their mail matter from Prairie du Sac, and it is needless to say that, the country being naturally in a wild state with few roads, there must have been considerable irregularity. A post office was finally established, early in 1847, Dr. Seth P. Angle being the first Postmaster. Prescott Brigham, having loaned money to the county with which to purchase the land for a county seat, insisted upon his right to give the place a name, and, out of his great admiration for the abilities of certain members of a renowned Massachusetts family, he chose to call it Adams, and it was so recorded in the Post Office Department at Washington. The mul- titude of post offices in the United States similarly named, however, soon convinced Government officials that the name must be changed, and the citizens were officially notified of the fact. The next question was, What shall we call it ? And, as is usual in cases of this kind, there was a division of opinion. An effort was made to call it Brooklyn, the name of the town in which the village was located ; but opposition to this proposition soon became so violent that the Brook- lynites were compelled to abandon the ground they had taken in favor of it. Finally, in 1852, the name Baraboo having been substituted for Brooklyn, as it applied to the town, the villagers agreed upon the adoption of the same name, and the momentous question was settled, once, and doubtless, for all time to come.
When the post office was first established, Mr. Brigham, who lived on the road leading north from Prairie du Sac, contracted to carry the mail. During fair weather, he made regular weekly trips ; but in the fall, winter and spring, the seasons of bad roads, he rarely came through oftener than once every fortnight. A remedy for inconveniences of this character finally came in the form of better roads, and, at a memorable period in the later history of the county, the iron horse came snorting through the great Baraboo Valley, distributing epistolary favors and the great dailies, fresh from the lightning printing presses, to all classes
The office was first located " under the hill," on the north side, near the present site of Mr. Kelsey's residence. Dr. Angle soon afterward built the house now occupied as a parsonage in connection with the Catholic Church, and moved the post office thereto. In the spring of 1848, Eber W. Crandall was appointed to succeed Dr. Angle, and the new incumbent removed the office to the real-estate office of D. K. Noyes, "under the hill," where it remained until Mr. Noyes wearied of the duties thus imposed upon him in the absence of the Postmaster. The Colonel still has the twelve pigeon-holes which, over thirty years ago, accommodated all the mail matter that came to Baraboo. Before the expiration of Postmaster Crandall's term, he located the office in Tuttle & Munson's store, which stood near the present site of Fisher's drug store. Here it remained until B. L. Purdy became Postmaster, who removed it to the corner of Second and Ash streets, within a few feet of the spot where now stands the residence of J. C. Spencer. Mrs. Lucy F. Perkins, now of Sioux Falls, Iowa, was the successor of Mr. Purdy. She removed the office to the present residence of H. N. Souther, just east of the high school building. There it remained until 1857, when James Buchanan, in pursuance of the Demo- cratic doctrine, " to the victors belong the spoils," appointed James H. Wells to the office. Mr. Wells was or liad been the editor of the Sauk County Democrat, and, being one of the " victors of 1856," was thus rewarded. He located the office in a small building opposite the present office of the Sauk County Republican. In 1859, T. J. Wood succeeded Mr. Wells, and he remained in the position until 1861. In the grand distribution of places that occurred early
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
in this memorable year, the Baraboo Post Office prize was drawn by Samuel Hartley. It. was he who erected the frame building that now serves as an office for the Republican, and fitted it up for a post office, placing therein 472 boxes and seventy-six drawers. In May, 1867, Col. D. K. Noyes succeeded to the position and has held it continuously to the present time. The Colonel has been assured by his Democratic friends that, as a reward for his faithful services, he will be permitted to enjoy an extended vacation after March 4, 1881. When Col. Noyes took charge of the affairs of the office, he purchased the building erected by Mr. Hartley, and remained in it until January, 1872, when, having previously built a substantial brick on the corner of Ash and Third streets, he removed the office thereto. The office has all the modern conveniences, including 200 Yale lock boxes, 392 glass boxes and eighty-three large drawers.
The office became a money-order office in 1867, the first order being issued to A. Lory, of Baraboo, in favor of Otis T. Garey, of Biddeford, Me., for $1, on the 9th of September of that year. The first week's business amounted to $130.25. Upward of 27,000 orders have been issued to date. D. W. K. Noyes has filled the position of Assistant Postmaster for the past five or six years.
GOVERNMENT.
The original town of Baraboo did not include the present village of Baraboo, but comprised the territory now embraced in the towns of Lavalle, Winfield and Dellona, and the north half of the towns of Ironton, Reedsburg and Excelsior. The first election in the town thus bounded and described, occurred April 3, 1849, at the house of D. C. Reed, situated in what is now the village of Reedsburg. The town was subsequently divided, from time to time, until the name Baraboo was dropped entirely, so far as it related to the territory mentioned.
The village of Baraboo, until the winter of 1852, was located in the town of Brooklyn, which originally embraced within its limits the territory now comprising the towns of Delton, Fairfield, Greenfield, Baraboo, and parts of Freedom, Excelsior and Dellona, or about one-fifth the entire area of the county.
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