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 89
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590
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
SCHOOLS.
The first teacher here was a Scotchman named Quentin Smith, who taught what would be called a select school, in a private dwelling, probably his own, as early as 1843. There was at that time no schoolhouse, and, indeed, so far as can be ascertained, the village did not have a public schoolhouse until the old court house reverted back to its builders. As is often said, "No great loss without some small gain," so, although the place lost its prestige when it lost the county seat, yet the people had a building ready to their hand for a schoolhouse. Who may have been the first pedagogue to train the young idea in this first temple of law and learning remains to us unknown, as the early Secretaries' reports have disappeared. But Q. Smith was, in all probability, the teacher. The old court house supplied the educational needs of the burg until 1856, when the present neat and substantial stone structure was erected on the site of the old schoolhouse, that having been sold to F. Myers for $112 and converted into a workshop. It is now used for a barn; so has it descended from the topmost round of usefulness. The stone schoolhouse, 30x40, cost $1,200, I. Morehouse being builder. Nothing was added in the way of accommodations for pupils until the district purchased the old academy when the academy organization suspended operations. This building was purchased for $1,450, and removed to its present site during the spring of 1871. The school is now divided into three departments, and is said to maintain a very fair standard of excellence.
The Academy Association .- This is one of the has beens, the absence or loss of which must be a source of regret to many, although in the loss of the academy the public school has been undoubtedly benefited, for, where private institutions of learning are maintained, the public schools usually suffer in direct proportion to their prosperity. The first movement toward start- ing an academical school was caused almost entirely by the severely felt want of a good school. A meeting was first held by the citizens of the place, at the schoolhouse, June 10, 1863. At this meeting twelve corporators were elected, and all the preliminary steps taken toward organ- izing a joint-stock company. The corporators were : S. S. Wilkinson, L. Tabor, R. Meriher, J. Werner, L. F. Smith, E. Watson, M. S. Moore, I. D. Evans, J. Dennett, J. Perkins, J. Leverell and D. Conger. The corporation elected S. S. Wilkinson, President; M. S. Moore, Vice ; D. Conger, Secretary, and I. D. Evans, Treasurer. The Capital stock was put at $2,000, with shares at $25 each, the institution to be called Prairie du Sac Academy Association. Soon after, a committee was appointed to sell shares, and fifty were disposed of. A committee was also appointed immediately after this to select a site for building and report on same. When this committee reported, it was decided by the corporation to increase the stock $500. October 31, a meeting of the stockholders was held, and nine Trustees were elected, and subsequently a schoolhouse site was purchased for $100, from S. S. Wilkinson, Lots 1 and 2 and 8 and 9 in Block 12. A school building was completed in August, 1864, the property being mortgaged to raise the funds needed that were not supplied by the stockholders. The building cost $1,809.50. The compensation for teachers was not to exceed the tuition received. The first Principal was John Lovewell ; school commenced September 12, 1864. After the school had run a few years, it was stopped and the house sold to the district, as before stated.
MANUFACTURING.
M. S. Moore, as early as 1853, erected a building to be used as a warehouse. In 1860, this building was fitted up and machinery put in by a Mr. Rowell, the same to be run as a steam-mill. The engine was twenty-five or thirty horse-power. Two or three runs of stone were soon put in for grain grinding, after which it was run for a time, but, like all of the mills that have been started in this locality, it did not pay ; consequently the venture was not a success, and the mill had to cease operations. The machinery was subsequently sold and removed, and the building converted to its present use as a tin and hardware shop.
Eureka Mill .- This mill was built by J. Werner in 1864, for the firm of T. West & Co. It was started first as a planing-mill, but in 1868 two sets of buhrs were put in and the milling
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
business begun. This continued for about two years, when the mill suspended operations. Nothing further was done for three or four years; then O. Burnett bought the establishment. He ran it until about 1879, then stopped it. Conger Brothers then bought the machinery, and soon after sold it to Mr. Bloom, of Bloom Station, who ran the mill for a short time, then removed the fixtures, leaving the mill as it now stands, vacant, waiting for some enterprising person to convert it to some useful purpose.
The Christian Plow Manufactory .- The plow-shop of James Christian was built in 1858, by the present proprietor. Mr. Christian is a practical workman and inventor, and deserves a wider field for effort than is here offered. The machinery of the establishment, from the powerful and novel horse-power to the drill, was all made by him, and usually differs very materially from what is generally used, and is also very ingenious, perfect and strong in every detail of construction. He has ready at hand everything needed by a mechanic in his business, besides mechanical appliances for various other uses. There are from fifty to seventy- five plows a year made here, beside the repairing which is done, one man only, the proprietor, doing the work. The plows are all sold in this vicinity, and are said to be thoroughly good in every respect.
Warehouse and Elevator .- The largest grain warehouse and elevator in the county, and the only one in this section, stands on the river bank at this point. It was erected, in 1869, by M. H. Keyser & Co., at a cost of $10,000. The foundation is of stone, sixteen feet high, 40x40. Upon this is erected a massive frame about forty-four feet in height. One hundred and fifty thousand feet of the best lumber and over one hundred kegs of spikes entered into the construction of the building, besides the various other articles used. It has a capacity for the storage of about 50,000 bushels of grain. This being the only grain-shipping point in this part of the county, an enor- mous shipment is made annually, the amount sometimes exceeding 100,000 bushels per annum. The proprietors of the warehouse are also owners of the steamer Ellen Hardy, a boat of 150,000 tons. She is one hundred and twenty feet long by twenty-three feet beam, and draws but six- teen inches. Besides shipping grain, the firm ship annually about two hundred car-loads of live- stock, both grain and stock being sent to market by way of Portage on the Ellen Hardy and the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad.
Reaper Manufactory .- The manufacture of reapers by J. Werner is one of the indus- tries carried on at this point that will probably become very large in the future, although now only in its infancy. The machine manufactured is called the Challenge Harvester, and is, in its chief points of excellence, the invention of Mr. Werner, the same being covered by patents. These are principally a double adjustable reel with serrated beaters, an endless chain and slat- ted platform, and a lever arrangement for raising or lowering the entire machine at will. In addition, it may be said of this machine and for the inventor that it is said to be unexcelled by anything now in use in the general excellence of its mechanism and the material used.
HOTELS.
One of the oldest hotels in the county is the Baxter House, D. K. Baxter, one of the pio- neers and probably the oldest landlord in the county, being its proprietor. The hotel was built by the firm of Steinmetz & Fife, who kept the old hotel here for some years prior to that time. Of them, it may be said in this connection that they were, in their day, called the prime land- lords between Madison and Prairie du Chien. Soon after the hotel was completed, Mr. Baxter purchased it and christened it. It is a large and commodious building, and is well managed.
SOCIETIES.
Cemetery Association .- The first meeting of the people for the purpose of organizing a cemetery association here, was convened November 11, 1859, at the schoolhouse. After pre- liminaries, an organization was effected and the following Trustees elected : Nath. Kenison, Samuel Kelsey, M. S. Moore, Samuel H. Bassinger, George Owen, J. E. Wright and I. More- house. These Trustees were so divided that a portion of them could be elected each year. Six
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
days after this, a meeting of the Trustees was called, and committees were appointed to select grounds and draft by-laws. Nath. Kenison was elected President; I. Morehouse, Secretary, and M. S. Moore, Treasurer. February 20 following, another meeting was held and arrange- ments made to purchase three acres of land, from Mr. Kenison for a cemetery, and to have the same platted and laid out in lots each side of a central avenue. The lots were priced at $5, $7, and $10, according to location. But little more than twenty years have passed since that time, and yet these grounds are now thickly studded with tablets reared to the memory of the departed, telling us how rapid is the flight of time and how fleeting our existence. The grounds are well kept and present an attractive appearance to the passer-by.
Eureka Lodge, No. 113, A., F. g. A. M .- This lodge of the ancient order received its charter in June 1858, there being at first but seven members, as follows : S. S. Wilkinson, W. M .; J. S. Tripp, S. W .; S. B. Dilly, J. W .; H. J. Turner, S. F. Amy, H. McKennan and Isaac Richardson. The lodge is now large and thrifty. The present officers are : J. S. Tripp, W. M. ; Ed Ortell, S. W .; J. Werner, Jr., J. W .; George Grow, S. D .; J. N. Cole, J. D .; D. Grodo- phorst, Secretary ; Thomas Baker, Treasurer, and H. L. Page, Tiler.
Prairie Lodge, No. 18, I. O. G. T .- Was organized December 22, 1857, with twenty-two charter members. This lodge has withstood the changes and incidents of twenty-three years, and has now a membership of sixty-six, but of the first members, one only is now left. The old standby of the institution, Charles Evans, has labored at all times, and many times successfully, to prevent the lodge from sinking, and has at intervals occupied nearly all of the positions of trust and distinction that the order has to offer. The first officers were : Nath. Kenison, W. C .; M. A. Wadsworth, W. V .; J. D. Evans, Secretary ; R. W. Sawyer, Marshal, and E. C. Miller, Chaplain. At one time a division of feeling arose here on the temperance question, or with regard to running the lodge, and a new lodge was organized called the Excelsior. It lasted but a few years. There was also a lodge of the I. O. O. F. here a few years ago, but it also sus- pended, and is now no more.
Sauk Prairie Bible Society .- The Prairie du Sac Bible Society, was organized on the 13th day of February, 1853. The first officers were : Curtis Bates, President ; F. Jones, Vice ; C. Stuzaker, Secretary ; Rev. E. G. Miner, Treasurer. In 1854, officers were : C. Bates, Presi- dent ; E. Kellogg, Vice ; J. S. Hart, Secretary ; Rev. E. G. Miner, Treasurer. In 1855, S. H. Bassenger was President; E. Watson, Vice ; L. A. Cooper, Secretary ; I. D. Evans, Treasurer. This year the name of the society was changed to Sauk Prairie Bible Society, and became an auxiliary to the American Bible Society. In 1856, the officers were : M. S. Moore, President; Thomas B. Cowles, Vice ; I. Smith, Secretary ; I. D. Evans, Treasurer. 1857 .- M. S. Moore, President ; R. H. Davis, Vice; I. Smith, Secretary ; I. D. Evans, Treasurer ; Rev. Noyes, General Agent. 1858-There was no change made in the officers. 1859-The officers the same, excepting S. H. Bassenger being elected Secretary instead of I. Smith, and the. Rev. R. B. Seymour becoming general agent. In 1861, M. S. Moore, President ; J. S. Tripp, Vice ; S. H. Bassenger, Secretary ; I. D. Evans still retaining the office of Treasurer, and Rev. R. B. M. Seymour, General Agent. In 1862, the only changes made were in R. M. Merrihue being elected Vice President, and A. M. Seymour, Secretary. In 1863, I. F. Smith was elected Secre- tary in place of A. M. Seymour. In 1864, L. T. Stowell became Vice President, the balance of the officers remaining as heretofore. In 1865, L. T. Stowell was elected President ; J. I. Water- bury, Vice ; the balance of the officers retaining their former positions. No change was made until 1868, when M. S. Moore was elected President ; Rev. D. C. Miller, Vice; E. C. Moore, Secretary ; I. D. Evans, Treasurer. There was no further change in officers until 1870, when Rev. B. F. Mckinney succeeded Rev. D. C. Miller as Vice President. In 1871, Rev. W. H. Blair became Vice President, and Thomas Baker, Treasurer. In 1873, the only change made was B. F. Mckinney, he being elected Vice President, In 1874, Rev. E. C. Hall was elected*
Vice President. In 1875, Rev. G. F. LeClere succeeded Rev. Hall as Vice President. > In 1877, Rev. A. Reid was elected Vice President. In 1878, H. Glarner was made Vice Presi- dent. Since that time, no change has been made in the officers of the society.
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
CHURCHES.
The Presbyterian Church of Prairie du Sac .*- Two brief extracts from the earliest records of this church will best show the main facts concerning its organization. "In the winter of 1841, Rev. S. Chaffee, by request of the few members of the Church of Christ who had emigrated to Prairie du Sac, and who were living without being organized into a church, visited the place, preached one sermon, and organized a Presbyterian Church. "
"Prairie du Sac, January 22, 1841. At a meeting for religious purposes, after the sermon, the following members of the different branches of the Church of Jesus Christ were in due form constituted the First Presbyterian Church of Prairie du Sac, by Rev. Solomon Chaffee." These original members, eight in number, were Calvin Frink, Mrs. Lydia L. Frink, Mary E. Frink. Charles F. Parks, Burke. Fairchild, John C. Kellogg, Nathan Kellogg and Mrs. Jane Axtell, None of them are now here.
On November 29, 1844, the church was by unanimous vote, made Congregational. Arba M. Seymour (who joined the church December 4, 1842) was a leading mover in this change. On April 4, 1864, the church was, by a large majority vote, made fully Presbyterian, and so remains. Martin S. Moore (who joined the church January 14, 1851) was prominent in this change. Till 1864, the church was connected with the Presbyterian and Congregational Con- vention of Wisconsin. On October 8, 1864, it united with the Dane Presbytery. It now be- longs to the Presbytery of Wisconsin River.
The first minister of the church began to preach here in February, 1842. The list of ministers is as follows : Philip W. Nichols, E. G. Bradford, W. Cochran, E. G. Miner, J. G. Kanouse, D. T. Noyes (who, some time after ceasing his ministry, became Lieutenant of artillery in the late war, was killed in the service, and is buried at Prairie du Sac), Henry Hutchins, J. Silsby, Charles Thompson, Rufus P. Wells, John W. Densmore, Henry W. Woods, William H. Blair, Erwin C. Hull, George F. Le Clerc, Archibald S. Reid (now preaching here ; September 1880). Elders (Presbyterian) prior to November, 1844, were Calvin Frink, Nathan Kellogg, Charles F. Parks, Burke Fairchild ; since April, 1864, Martin S. Moore, Arba M. Seymour, David Congar, Luther T. Stowell, Isaac F. Smith, Daniel Wells, Lavalette V. Tabor, John Wotring, David S. Congar, Richard L. Hand, E. Conway Moore. Deacons (Congregational) from 1844 to 1864, were Calvin Frink, Nathan Kellogg, Arba M. Seymour, Elias B. Crane, Martin S. Moore, S. H. Bassinger. Luther Keysar. Deacons (Presbyterian) before 1844, were Calvin Frink, Nathan Kellogg, Quentin Smith, John S. Mann; since 1864, Isaac F. Smith, George T. Moore.
The first house of worship, quite a small one, of the value, probably, of $500, was built in 1851, and dedicated in October of that year, Rev. J. G. Kanouse preaching the sermon. It was afterward considerably enlarged. On May 30, 1867, it was sold for $200, to the Free-Will Baptists, and by them soon removed to its present site. The second house of worship, that now used (1880), was built just after a marked revival, in 1867, during the ministry of Rev. J. W, Densmore, and dedicated on February 14, 1868, Rev. Edward G. Read, then of Madison, preaching the sermon. It is in size 37x57, cost near $5,000, and seats nearly 300. It is comfortable, commodious, and attractive, and will probably suffice for many years to come.
The Sunday school has long been a very pleasant and flourishing one. The whole num- ber of church members received, including the original ones, has been 229. The present mem- bership is fifty-two. The church has passed through some trying and some very cheering phases of experience. It has exerted and still exerts a strong influence for good in the com - munity. Like all persons and all institutions, it must be known by its fruits. Long may it produce those both good and abundant, showing itself faithful to God and to all His truth.
The Union Unitarian and Universalist Parish of Prairie Du Sac-Was organized on the 25th of August, 1867, with E. W. Young, Joseph Keysar, John Dennett, John Werner, Miles H. Keysar and Joshua Perkins for Trustees. The names of the original members are as follows :
* Prepared September, 1880, by the pastor of the church.
. Q
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Elisha P. Tabor, George Frost, E. H. Keysar, Charles Bunnell, Edward Oertel, Ophelia Frost, Hannah Tabor. Frances J. Coburn, Maria Werner, Betsy Wiswell, Elmeda Wiswell, Harriet E. Miller, E. W. Young, John Werner, Joseph Keysar, Joshua Perkins, J. P. Wiswell, Stephen Coburn, M. H. Keysar, John Dennett, L. A. Perkins, J. M. Perkins, E. T. Perkins, Mary A. Watson, Nathaniel Perkins, Mary C. Morrell, S. D. Perkins, A. A. Perkins, Isaac Tabor, D. Tabor.
A church in connection with the parish was instituted April 30, 1871, with the following . officers and membership: E. W. Young, Moderator ; Edward Oertel, Treasurer ; Elisha Tabor, Joshua Perkins, Deacons ; Rev. M. G. Todd, temporary Pastor and Clerk ; Isaac Tabor, S. M. Blake, John Werner, Elvin Wiswell, Mrs. M. A. Watson, H. W. Perkins, Hannah Tabor, Cynthia Cummings, Fanny Coburn, Mary D. Benton, J. Werner, Mrs. Young, Miss M. C. Morrell, Mina Perkins, Emma Miller, Elmeda Wiswell.
Universalism was first preached in Prairie du Sac, by Revs. M. G. Todd and J. C. Craw- ford. The first settled minister was Rev. J. M. H. Smith, who, after a brief pastorate, was suc- ceeded by Mr. Todd. In 1873, Rev. B. F. Rogers became the minister of the parish, but re- signed his office after one year's service. During the succeeding years until 1877, it had no minister, and only an occasional supply of its pulpit by Rev. Mr. Hesselgrave, of West Point. In this year, Rev. A. Constantine Barry, D. D., was called to the vacant pastorate, and under his judicious labors the broken fortunes of the parish have been gradually repaired, and some- thing of the old prosperity restored. It is free of debt, owns a neat and commodious house of worship costing $5,000; is turning attention again to abandoned or neglected enterprises, and equipping itself anew for the Master's work.
SAUK CITY OR LOWER SAUK.
One would scarcely think, upon a cursory glance when first visiting this thriving village, that here was the first site of any permanent habitation for a white man in the county, and still less would he realize that more than forty-one years have since come and gone, " like birds in the night," so quiet has been the passage of Time and so lightly has he touched each spot with his aged fingers. And yet the town and county are old-old in civilization as a part of the white man's domain, and old in the history of its former tenants, the aborigines, who, it is said, had once a large village just at this point. Their history, though for them unpenned, is told in the legends of hunters and travelers, and their unique mound farms, and the relics of a rude archi- tecture, and by the weapons and various utensils left, that mark, with unerring certainty, their condition before the white man came.
Those who have virtually made a success of the growth of this place and given it its present sta- bility are principally Germans, the community to-day being essentially Teutonic, and expressive, in all its operations, of the German life, feeling and intelligence, and embodying the various domestic and social institutions that are necessary to the happiness of this home-abiding, home-loving peo- ple. Of the inhabitants here, more than one-tenth are solid, jolly, fun-loving, joyous, generous, honest and industrious German people, and they are prosperous, too-a condition that need scarcely be mentioned. The Yankees are wont to say the Germans will thrive where any other class of people would starve, so well understood is their thrifty way of getting on in the world in spite of all obstacles. And this is essentially true, and is a remarkable feature among this people, for they will undoubtedly get on, and get on well and happily, where many other classes would be discouraged and fail. To attempt to account for this is useless ; it is one of the pecu- liarities natural to the German constitution, and that is a good thing to inherit.
The village site is such that, at any time in the future, should the tide of coming events bring a railroad, the town could be built up and extended almost ad libitum. The streets are broad and well kept, being lined with pretty cottages and fine dwellings, and are beautifully shaded by fine, wide-spreading old trees, the growth of thirty or forty years. Socially, relig- iously and politically, there exist here the same differences that are found almost everywhere, and, in some things, more extreme differences than in many localities, especially in religious
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
sentiment ; yet the German character, fortunately, is such that the happy mean of mutual toler- ance and forbearance prevails, and a general harmony of interests seems to obtain, which is doubtless in great part due to the high order of intelligence existing here, and to the liberalizing sentiment that prevails largely everywhere throughout this favored land.
The management of public affairs, while being just and sufficiently generous, in maintain- ing the interests of all, is withal conducted in a very prudent and economical manner, the system evidently being founded upon the necessities of the whole, and having grown into perfection as the town has grown.
The public schools are an honor to the community, everything obtainable by this method of education being provided to the utmost limit of the law, from the infant department to the high school. Commerce and general business in this village are thrifty and well up, and, considering the location, very large amounts of goods are sold annually.
There are now eight general stores, three hardware stores and tin shops, two drug stores, three notion, grocery and confectionery shops, two furniture stores, three harness-shops, two tailors, two milliners, one jewelry store, five wagon-shops, five blacksmith-shops, five shoe-shops, three meat markets, one photographer, one barber-shop, one livery stable, one tobacconist, eleven saloons, two dealers in agricultural implements, and two lumber dealers, the last-named business being carried on here very extensively, especially by C. Obrecht, the largest dealer in the county ; there is also a green-house here which has been in operation for some time. The manufacturing interests are represented by the above-mentioned mechanics' shops, and more especially by four breweries and two mills, which will be spoken of hereafter.
EARLY SETTLEMENT AND GROWTH.
Although the first-comers (mentioned elsewhere) in the county made claims here as early as 1838, immediately after the treaty with the Winnebagoes was ratified, and did something in the way of starting, as making the dug-out spoken of, getting some land broken, and building a house or two before 1840, yet it remained for Count Augoston Haraszthy and William Bryant to give the town the starting impetus in growth that has made it what it now is. The name of the Count and many of his exploits is yet familiar to most of the Germans here. Owing to political troubles, and a certain youthful ambition which stimulated him to come out and see the new world, he embarked in March, 1840, for America, accompanied by his cousin Charles Halasz. Their intention at starting was to go to Florida, but they were diverted from their purpose through seeing one of Capt. Maryatt's novels while on board the ship, which con- tained descriptions of a trip on the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, and through hearing that the country adjacent abounded in rich mineral deposits, and was so healthy that one could hardly die. So on they came for Wisconsin, and, after employing an interpreter, and buying horses and camp equipage, they started on a prospecting expedition. Suffice it to say of this, they first went to Rock River, near Lake Koshkonong and located, but finding they had taken land already claimed, and after getting burned out, they picked up their traps, such as were left, and started for the Wisconsin River.
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