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 81

Author: Western historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 840

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 81

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

When the railroad was completed to Baraboo, there was an increased demand for hotel accommodations. In 1873, P. Pratt converted his residence, just west of the railroad depot, into a very neat little hotel, and still conducts it as such. Mr. Pratt is one among the very few men now living who have witnessed and been identified with the growth of Baraboo for the past thirty-four years.

In 1878, the North-Western Railway Company erected an extensive eating-house near their depot in Baraboo, and placed B. K. Cowles in charge. This house does a large transient busi- ness and has a good reputation.

Last, but by no means the least, may be mentioned the Sumner House, erected in 1877-78 (being opened in September of the latter year) by Charles E. Sumner. It is 60x66 feet in size, exclusive of kitchen and outhouses, two-stories high, and has seventeen numbered rooms, neatly and tastefully furnished. Its outer walls are built of sandstone blocks, uniformly sized and edged. The architecture, in style, is rustic, of attractive design, augmented by an iron front and large French plate glass in the lower story.

THE TOM PAINE ANNIVERSARY.

The 29th of January, 1867, marked an important era in the history of Baraboo. The occasion was the celebration of the one hundred and thirtieth anniversary of the birth of Thomas Paine, by a few of the leading members of the "Free Congregational Church," of which A. A. Roberts was then Pastor. Efforts to secure the church building having failed, owing to the opposition of a majority of the members, the admirers of Paine repaired to one of the halls of the village, and there held their exercises, consisting of a lecture by Mr. Roberts and brief eulogies of the philosopher and statesman by others present. The affair created quite a stir in church circles, and was for some time afterward the subject of much discussion pro and con. Happily for those who took part in the celebration, there were no statutory laws prohibiting the expression of opinions that were not derogatory to the teachings of Paine. There were no pillories for the punishment of disbelievers ; there were no stocks for the hands and feet of free-thinkers ; there were no branding-irons to scar the foreheads of "heretics." The epoch of "religious" murders had passed away. Less than 150 years ago, when Tom Paine was a boy, a law was in force in Maryland, providing that, " if any person shall, within this province, willingly, maliciously and advisedly, by writing or speaking, deny our Saviour to be the Son of God, or shall deny the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, or the Godhead of any of the three persons or the unity of the Godhead, and shall therefor be convicted by verdict, shall, for the first offense, be bored through the tongue and be fined £20 to be levied of his body. And, for the second offense, the offender shall be stigmatized by, burning in the forehead the letter B, and fined £40. And that for the third offense, the offender shall suffer death without the benefit of clergy."

540

HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.

There has been a great change since the enactment of this barbarous law by the Christian gentlemen of Maryland. The Christianity of Paine's day is not the Christianity of our time. The preacher of that period who would have dared to deny the existence of a hell forty miles deep, filled with salamandrian devils, would have been roasted to a cannibalic brown and dished out to soulless swine. And so would have been the Rev. Mr. Roberts, J. J. Gattiker, Matthew Mould and Isaac Green, had they then lived and dared to eulogize a man who denied the inspi- ration of the Bible.

But what has this to do with the history of Baraboo, says an orthodox friend. It has much to do with it. The history of the institutions of Baraboo has been given with all the attendant details of growth and improvement. It would be a dereliction of duty not to say something. of the improvement of the mind, the expansion of the realm of thought, the intellectual develop- ment, and the progress of true Christianity. The indorsement of the deistical doctrines of Thomas Paine in 1867, it seems, did not meet with the complete approval of the Unitarian Church in Baraboo. Only a small minority stood firm and carried out their determination to celebrate the birth anniversary of the man whom they believed had given utterance to their sen- timents. A majority of the members, however, at first regarded the movement premature; but when the 29th of January came again, no objections were made to holding the exercises in the church building, and a full attendance resulted. Fred May Holland, the Pastor, delivered a lec- ture. He is said to have been " very guarded in his utterances, and his most conservative lis- teners took no offense. " Since then, celebrations have been held annually, and the admirers of Thomas Paine have lost nothing of their social standing or respectability.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

Baraboo Lodge, No. 34, F. § A. M .- Organized November 6, 1851, under a dispensation granted, on the 27th of October previous, to James Maxwell as W. M .; Harvey Canfield, S. W .; John G. Wheeler, J. W. ; George J. Miller, S. D .; G. G. Gollmar, J. D. ; R. M. Forsythe, Sec. ; Daniel Schemerhorn, Tiler. H. G. Jones and W. D. Truax were the only Masons present, besides the officers, at the organization. On the 8th of June, 1852, the Lodge received its charter. The instrument was dated at Janesville, and signed by A. D. Smith, G. M. The Worshipful Masters have been : James Maxwell, who held from the date of dispensation to the end of 1852; W. D. Truax, 1853 ; Edward Sumner, 1854; M. C. Waite, 1855-57 ; D. Rug- gles, 1858; W. H. Joy, 1859 ; H. A. Peck, 1860; F. M. Stewart, 1861-64; Levi Crouch, 1865; F. M. Stewart, 1866; T. D. Lang, 1867; T. C. Thomas, 1868; A. J. Cooper, 1869 ; F. M. Stewart, 1870; M. C. Waite, 1871; T. C. Thomas, 1872-3; T. D. Lang, 1874; John Barker, 1875; D. S. Vittum, 1876; W. W. Andrews, 1877; D. S. Vittum, 1878 ; John Barker, 1879-80. The present S. W. is R. Metcalf; J. W., W. B. Blachley. The membership is 108-M. M., 88; F. C., 5; E. A., 10.

Baraboo Valley Chapter, No. 49 .- This is the only Masonic Chapter in the county. Its membership is not entirely confined to Baraboo, quite a number being residents of Reedsburg ; one of Ableman's and one of Lavalle. It was organized July 5, 1875, with George G. Swain, H. P. ; E. A. Watkins, K. ; Mair Pointon, Scribe ; J. E. Owen, Sec .; T. D. Lang, T. The chapter was chartered February 16, 1876, with the following charter members, including those mentioned above as officers : George S. Rockwell, William Fox, G. M. Rule, John H. Hull and S. H. Waldo. The High Priests have been G. G. Swain, D. S. Vittum and John Barker. The membership is given at thirty six, one of whom-D. S. Vittum-is dead.

Baraboo Lodge, No. 51, I. O. O. F .- This Lodge was first organized and chartered about 1850, but was not successful financially. At that early day, Odd Fellowship was not on so substantial a basis as it is now, and the Lodge went down after a short existence. It has been found impossible, after so many years, to obtain the names of the original charter members, but the following are known to have been connected with the lodge as charter members: D. K. Noyes, Charles Wood, M. D. Evans, L. C. Stanley, Dr. S. Angell, T. Kirk and C. H. Mc- Laughlin. The present Lodge (No. 51) was chartered Oct. 23, 1871, with the following charter

M. M. Damit, M. D .?

BARABOO.

543

HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.

members : D. K. Noyes, E. M. Coon, H. H. Webster, H. D. Newell, James Dykins and W. O. Stephenson. It has now (1880) about 125 members. The Lodge owns its own building, 22x70 feet, with store below and lodge-room in the second story, which is neatly and appropriately fur- nished. The Lodge has seventeen Past Grands, and is entitled to three representatives to the Grand Lodge. Following is the list of the Noble Grands from 1871: D. K. Noyes, H. H. Webster, F. B. Baldwin, A. J. Gorman, A. H. Cowles, F. Barringer, Thomas Libbey, P. P. Palmer, L. O. Holmes, J. M. True, H. D. Potter, H. D. Snell, J. W. Blake, Fred Baldwin, A. A. Roberts, W. H. White, T. Spellan, and Edwin R. Bow, the latter being the present incumbent.

Northwestern Encampment, No. 20, I. O. O. F .- Was instituted at Reedsburg, Sauk Co., on the 15th day of January, 1868, by P. G. M. C. C. Cheeney, of Janesville, with the follow- ing charter members : B. F. Blackman, Leander Wheeler, Albert Spooner, Nelson Wheeler, J. F. Hackett, C. M. Gaylord, J. G. Blakeslee, A. Mellen, J. B. Kastater, G. H. Flaut, John Kellogg, E. G. Jackson, and R. A. Wheeler. After two years' work, the lodge at that place having suspended, the Camp surrendered its charter. On the 15th day of November, 1875, it was revived, and located at Baraboo. 'The following were the charter members : L. O. Holmes, P. P. Palmer, H. D. Potter, Thomas Libby, A. C. Tuttle, A. H. Cowles and S. F. Smith. The Camp was instituted by Grand Patriarch Dr. J. H. Vivian, of Mineral Point. The first officers elected were L. O. Holmes, C. P .; S. F. Smith, H. P .; P. P. Palmer, S. W .; A. C. Tuttle, Scribe ; Thomas Libby, Treasurer, and H. D. Potter, J. W. The Camp now numbers about forty members. The present officers are A. A. Roberts, C. P .; P. P. Palmer, H. P .; George Bloom, S. W .; H. D. Potter, Scribe; George Merriott, Treasurer ; Fred Baldwin, J. W. The Camp is entitled to one representative in the Grand Lodge. Both the Camp and the subordinate lodge are in a healthy condition, financially and otherwise.

MUSICAL.

Baraboo has been musically inclined for a number of years. Dr. Charles Cowles might be termed, with propriety, the father of music in this and other parts of Sauk County. He taught singing-school in this village and neighborhood some twenty years, and many of those who might now be termed " old singers," received their first lesson from him. Since his retirement from the position of " singing master," several have attempted to fill his place, but have sig- nally failed. On the 10th of June, 1867, after a musical convention held by Prof. H. R. Palmer, an association known as the "Sauk County Musical Society," was formed, who adopted a constitution and by-laws, elected Rev. Mr. Rossiter, President, D. D. Doane, Secretary, and O. W. Fox, Conductor. This being a new experiment, it did not long survive, for we find by the records of the association that it did not exist subsequent to May 20, 1868.

The next attempt at a musical organization we find to have been made after a convention held in the Congregational Church on July 18, 1872. This organization was known as " The Baraboo Musical Union," with D. D. Doane, President, William Butler Secretary, and J. Hawes, Conductor. This association, like its predecessor, was of short duration, and gave up the ghost after running a few months. Two failures, following so close together, was rather discouraging to associated musical efforts, but after a few years the desire again found expression through Mrs. D. S. Vittum, who invited the singers of Baraboo to her house on the evening of October 23, 1878, for the purpose of organizing a musical society. This association was organ- ized under the name of the "Baraboo Choral Society," and, after effecting an organization by electing J. J. Gattiker, President, A. C. Tuttle, Secretary, and J. Hawes, Conductor, continued to meet at the residence of Mrs. Vittum until a suitable place for weekly rehearsals could be procured. This society is still in existence, having met in different places, but is now meeting on Tuesday evening of each week, in Gattiker's new block, in the room occupied by the Ladies Art Society.

Baraboo can boast of one unorganized musical fraternity, which meets at the residence of J. J. Gattiker on Monday evening of each week. This gathering of the lovers of good

544

HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.

music was set on foot by Mr. J. Hawes, in the year 1871, for the purpose of cultivating a taste for a higher order of instrumental music. With few exceptions, on each Monday evening can be heard overtures, duets, solos, etc., by the old masters ; and all musicians who visit Baraboo, always find a welcome at this hospitable home ; also the lovers of good music, whether perform- ers or listeners.

TEMPERANCE.

The cause of temperance has found many advocates and stanch friends in Baraboo. As early as 1843, an organization known as the Washington Temperance Society was perfected here. It enjoyed quite a long and useful existence. Solomon Shafer will be remembered as one of the leaders. In 1850, this society was supplanted by the "Sons of Temperance," and " the Sons " in turn by the "Good Templars." The different Christian ministers of course took a deep interest in the success of all these movements, and materially aided them by picturing from the pulpit the evils of intemperance and the good results of total abstinence. Elder Cochran was particularly vehement in this regard. The agitation finally, in 1854, led to a wholsome uncork- ing of jugs and breaking of bottles by a large number of stalwart temperance women. The

Good Templar and other organizations have been constantly at work ever since emphasizing the vigorous work of their predecessors of 1854. In regard to the individuals who, in more recent times, have kept the importance of the work before the public, it would be impossible to particu- larize; the attempt to do so, indeed, would be invidious. All classes of citizens have manifested their feelings in this regard. And, as a result, the sight of a drunken man on the streets of Baraboo is an unusual thing; where thirty and even twenty years ago, it was not uncommon to encounter half a dozen in an evening's walk. This is not alone true of Baraboo; the writer finds the same condition of things to have existed in other parts of the State. If this salutary change can be attributed to the efforts of temperance workers, there is indeed cause for congratu- lation.

ESTHETIC AND SOCIAL LIFE.

While the various institutions pertaining to the growth and prosperity of Baraboo are being discussed, it behooves the historian not to forget or overlook the social and æsthetic side of life here; for, nationally and provincially, it may be truly said that the condition of the home life, with its various social and æsthetic relations, is as certainly an evidence of the real intelligence, purity and power of a people, as aught else.

The social and æsthetic life of Baraboo can claim marked excellence when contrasted with that which exists in many other communities of equal age, opportunity and consequent experi- ence. It is, in fact, far above the general average existing at large, and has been so, as far as the better evidences prove, for many years. What element or class deserves the greatest distinction or credit for building up and continually promoting this condition, it is not easy to decide ; as there seems to be almost a balance of the forces for good between male and female here, and because the prevailing sentiments, liberal and conservative, or religiously orthodox and radically heterodox, appear to be pretty equally divided throughout society. But, considering the particular means by which the social and æsthetic life here expresses itself, in the form of working clubs or organizations, especially, conducted by the women of every shade of opinion, thus united it can be said that they are justly entitled, as a class, to the most praise. These organi- zations, although having in some respects special and different methods of working, are all devoted to the same general objects, viz., the cultivation of a liberal and high social status, and the dissemination and acquisition of knowledge upon all matters pertaining to the æsthetic culture in vogue and denianded as a part of our civilization.

The Old Hesperians .- Probably the first literary and debating society organized here under a name, where essay reading or intellectual contest and disquisitions on " realization or anticipa- tion " were indulged in, was the Hesperian Club of "auld lang syne." The society was formed during the time the old Academy and Collegiate Institute were running, before the war, some time in the latter part of the " '50's," and was in its day a flourishing affair, and a power among the

545

HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.

young folks. It probably received its name from the old legend of the sisters Hesperides, that reside in the west, where the sun goes down, and that were connected with heaven and earth, and were great singers ; and, taken all in all, were an unusually excellent set of girls, "so the story goes." The society collected books and established a library, some of the old books of which are still here in possession of the public school. After running a number of years, the Hesperian Club, it is to be regretted, went up, where all good things are wont to go. May its shade rest in peace in the garden of the Hesperides, soothed to rest by the sweet refrains of the fairy sisters, its patron saints, and content in the memory of past well doing.

The Goose Club .- About seventeen years ago, while the great rebellion was at its height, a few of the leading women of Baraboo united in forming a reading circle, believing that they had a right to, and should pay attention to what was going on in the world of science, the arts, and philosophy, as well as to the duties of housekeeping. The first steps taken in this direction by the little band of pioneers, bound upon exploring the world of æsthetics, supplied a capital theme for the sportive remarks of a few of the masculine wiseacres and wits of the place, who denominated the "reading circle " the " Goose Club ;" and, as the children were permitted to go to the club meetings, they, it was allowed, were the goslings ; the general conclusion being that they all met to gabble, and consequently would not last long.

The first meeting of the reading circle was held in the schoolroom of Miss Nethaway, a select-school teacher, and since that time they have met regularly every Saturday evening at the same place. They have no constitution or special mode of procedure, the meetings always being conducted in an entirely informal manner. The matter for reading is furnished at will by the members, and has been since the commencement; and almost everything under the light of the sun has been read about at these meetings, and perhaps discussed. As for gossiping, it was never done ; for if that sort of thing had been indulged in it is safe to say the Goose Club would have ceased to float long ago ; and further, it is presumptuous and ungenerous to suppose that these women had no higher aim than the indulgence of such a puerile diversion as talking about themselves and neighbors alone.

One of the social habits of the Goose Club, followed from the first, has been the giving of annual dinner parties, each of the ladies taking turns as hostess at these fetes. At such times, of course, the ganders are invited ; and it may be easily believed that they are nothing loath to come and enliven these festive occasions with their sublime cackle.

The first members were the Rev. Mrs. Codding, Mrs. Dr. Slye, Miss Eva Slye, Mrs. Judge Remington, Mrs. J. G. Train, Mrs. Freeman Longly, Miss Nethaway and Mrs. Norman Stewart. There have been acquisitions to the membership at various times, and withdrawals as well. Of the original members, five only are now left, but the institution still exists, and is a credit to its founders and the village.

Literary Club of '76-So called from having been established in the winter of '76. This club was the successor of the Hesperians, being devoted to similar objects, and being made up of both sexes. The organization meeting was held at R. H. Strong's, the members being the rep- resentative young folks of the town. Much enthusiasm was manifested at starting out, and a determination expressed to raise funds and revive the old library and establish a free reading- room. Subsequently, the meetings were held at different private residences until September of 1877, when the society had, by giving lectures, readings, dramatic plays, concerts, etc., and by personal contribution, accumulated about $175. Then they decided to open a reading-room, and did so, making public announcement in the papers to that effect. The reading-room was supplied with periodicals and books contributed by various parties for library purposes in connection with the old books of the Hesperian library. It was kept open about a year; then, as but few of the business men encouraged and aided the enterprise, it was closed, although it had been well pat- ronized. The books contributed were returned to their former owners, and so ended the second library enterprise.

Industrial Art Association .- Fine art, as relates especially to painting, drawing, etc., had but few real working representatives, or even patrons, here ten years ago; but now nearly every

546

HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.

house is adorned by landscapes and various sketches in oil and crayon work, besides other artistic embellishments too numerous to mention, a majority of these productions being the work of those living here. This change is doubtless due, in large measure, to the influence exerted upon the taste of the people by a resident artist, a Miss Maclure, who has been located here some seven or eight years. She has been engaged almost exclusively in the work of teaching painting and drawing since being here, and has been very largely patronized by young and old. In this con- nection it is but fair to state, in honor of this woman's influence and work, that she is a consci- entious artist of superior abilities, having made Art the work of her life, and having kept up with the improvement of the times. . At different intervals, various and special teachers have been here, and have always met with encouragement when there has been any real merit exhibited. The organization, the name of which heads this article, and which is really the slow outgrowth of the work of years, held its first meeting Feb. 25, 1880, at the house of George Mertens, and was attended by a large number of the prominent ladies and gentlemen of the place. After dis- cussing what arts should be studied, the meeting proceeded to organize and elect officers. J. L. Claude was elected President ; Mrs. F. Longly, Vice President ; Miss Minnie Drown, Secretary. Subsequently, a constitution was drawn up and submitted by a committee, and indorsed by the society, Article 2 of which says : "The general objects and purposes of said association are the cultivation of the principles of art, and their application to industrial pursuits ; the receiving of gifts, trusts and loans ; and the having and maintaining such suitable establishment, and using of suitable means, as the association may be able to acquire."

The association has a suitable room provided for their use, where they hold meetings, recep- tions and art fairs. Their regular meetings are convened once a month, and at these times every- thing pertaining to art, useful as well as ornamental, or for domestic or general use, whether in the realm of architecture, sculpture, painting, or the making of laces and doing fancy work, is open for discussion.

The Woman's Club .- This club was organized April 23, 1880, by the following ladies as members : Sarah Powers, Adele Cook, Addie Donavan, Lizzie Woodman, Ida P. Roberts, Emma Train, Sarah Spence, Fanny Holz, Mary Donavan, Lucy Case and Emma P. Scott. Officers : Lizzie Woodman, President; Fanny Holz, Vice President; Lucy Case, Secretary. The above union was entered into by the ladies that they might better and more freely and kindly inter- change thought and experience, and thereby become more mutually helpful to each other and society than they could be individually and alone. According to their constitution, the objects are "to strengthen the feeling of sympathy and fellowship among women, independently of social distinctions, and outside of the natural and proper affiliations of personal friendships, or any existing organizations ; and to discuss without personalities such theoretical and practical questions as relate to the well-being of home and society ; and also to extend our knowledge and broaden our culture by such reading and study as we shall deem best adapted to our needs. The meetings of the club occur semi-monthly. Before it lies a broad field to be explored, and may they long continue in the course they have blocked out.

The Dorcas Society .- Many years ago, a Dorcas Society of elderly ladies was operating here, and under their direction what was called the "Little Dorcas Society " was set afoot, and met as children, but, as the years slipped by and the little misses grew to womanhood, the older ladies withdrew leaving the Little Dorcases now mistresses of the field. It is almost needless to mention the fact that this is a benevolent society, devoted almost solely to relieving the wants of the sick and afflicted, whoever they may be in the community. Words of praise given to such an institution as this, and so begun, can but feebly express the admiration which every right-minded person must feel for the noble and constant work of this society. Long may it exist, and may each member rear children to grow into another. They give suppers, theatricals and various entertainments to raise money, and many a dollar do they raise for the suffering ones. Last year they raised about $200.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 81

Author: Western historical company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 840

Author: Western historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 840