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 98
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The amount of property now insured by them is $158,886; their losses thus far have amounted to only $62, and no assessments have been made. The rate of survey and policy for each individual is $1.50; the funds obtained in this way have thus far been enough to pay all running expenses, and leave a surplus on hand sufficient to pay any small losses. Nearly all the leading farmers in the towns enumerated above are members. The officers are now the same as mentioned at first. The Assessors are George Morgan, Edward Lester and James Ochsner The community are indebted principally to the efforts of James Ochsner, James Bandel and Richard H. Douglass for getting the company established.
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
CHAPTER XIII.
SPRING GREEN VILLAGE.
INTRODUCTORY SKETCHI-GOVERNMENT-THIE GENERAL DEVELOPEMENT-VILLAGE HALL-TEM- PERANCE ISSUES, PAST AND PRESENT-DOWNY-EDUCATIONAL-POST OFFICE-EXPRESS COM- PANY-SECULAR SOCIETY AND CHURCHES.
INTRODUCTORY SKETCH.
The above title, in any case, will prove to the visitor to this thriving town, a happy intro- duction to what follows in the pleasant surrounding scenery,
" Of inviting fields and meadows green, With charming woodlands interspersed between, That greet the eye on every hand, And supply man's wants and adorn the land."
The village is located about one and a half miles north from the Wisconsin River, on the line of the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien Railroad, to the coming of which it is really as much indebted for its existence and present prosperity, as to the condition of the surrounding coun- try, from which it derives its chief support. When the railroad passed through here in 1856, the land where the village now stands was in a completely natural condition, being covered with trees, brush, wecds and grass, and could not even boast a squatter's cabin, with the accompani- ments of children, pigs and chickens, to enliven the scene. The first cabins were those of the railroad workmen, two of which were afterward occupied by Thomas D. Jones and Mr. Holmes, the very first comers that settled in the village. For some time previous to the building of the railroad bridge over the Wisconsin, parties of settlers bound for this part of the country or fur- ther west, were brought by rail to the other side of the river, from which point they were privi- leged to continue on as best pleased them. The last party of emigrants to disembark at the then terminus of the route arrived on Sunday, August 3, 1856. The next day the bridge was tried, and an engine for the first time passed over it and through the future village of Spring Green. Since that time, how great the change here! One of the most attractive villages in the county has sprung into existence, and almost all of the land in the immediate vicinity, except needed woodland, is under a fine state of cultivation, where but a few short years ago it was lying useless, wild, and unfruitful of ought save nature's most common products.
Of the village proper, it can be truly said, it is one of the best laid-out places in the county, and when one impartially observes its straight, level and well-shaded streets, with the ncat dwell- ings and tidy lawns and gardens on either side, besides the freedom from noise and disturbance which is particularly noticeable, he can but acknowledge that in general excellence of appearance and condition, Spring. Green now has few superiors in the country at large.
The amount of business done here in past years, especially during the flush hop times and during the war, was something remarkable ; tens of thousands of dollars came in through this channel to the farmers of the surrounding country, and were expended here again in large part, affording a trade, considered comparatively, of enormous proportions. The very flush times have taken wings unto themselves and departed, or like the Arabs, have "silently stole away," yet the town is prosperous ; the business men, mechanics and laborers are kept constantly busy, and enough is made to live well and to spare, as is evidenced by the large school building erected here four years ago, and by the best town hall in the county, none exceptcd, that was built last year. An air of life and thrift pervades everything, and nearly every year new additions are made to the place in some direction, whether in the increase of building and business, or inhabitants, does
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
not signify, as one is but the concomitant of the other. Of the future it is safe to predict, acci- dents and casualties aside, that the place can but maintain its present prestige. The inhabitants at present are chiefly Americans, although there is a fair sprinkling of other nationalities.
VILLAGE GOVERNMENT.
Spring Green was incorporated by act of Legislature, published March 29, 1869, per Chapter 365, P. and L. laws :
" All that district of country described as follows : The southwest quarter and the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 7, and the northwest quarter of northeast quarter, and the north half of the northwest quarter of Section 18, Township 8 north, of Range 4 east ; also, the cast half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, and the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 13, Township 8 north, of Range 3 east-all being in the town of Spring Green, Sauk Co., Wis."
The above act provides that the fiscal, prudential and municipal concerns of the place shall be vested in a President, ex officio Trustee, and four Trustees, and such other officers as might be afterward ordained, as one Clerk, one Treasurer, and one Constable, who was ex officio Marshal. Electoral methods and provisions, similar to those usually provided, were secured by this charter. The money received for license was to be used for village purposes, providing the amount be not less than that fixed by law. The Village Board were authorized to make and provide penalties, and to change or add to ordinances, as they might deem expedient ; also pro- visions for a fire department and for preventing fires generally, were made. Provisions for levying taxes to pay for grading streets and sidewalks were also made, to be paid in labor, money or materials. The President, Trustees and Police Justices were to be elected, the others appointed. Election to be held the first Monday in May. The village was re-incorporated in 1878, under the general law. According to this chapter, there is a President, six Trustees, a Clerk, a Treasurer, a Supervisor for County Board, a Police Justice, a Justice of the Peace, a Marshal and a Constable, elected by the people, the Street Commissioner being appointed. The various specifications of this charter may be seen by reference to Chapter 40 of the General Laws for 1878.
OFFICIAL ROSTER.
1869-Whole number of votes cast, 85. C. B. Pearson, President ; M. F. Hurley, Henry Kifer, P. W. Runyon, C. W. Farrington, Trustees ; C. E. Brainerd, Police Justice ; Louis Goedecke, Clerk ; C. W. Finn, Treasurer ; George B. Van Orman, Constable.
1870-J. C. Brainard, President ; O. Roth, H. Kifer, E. W. Evans, E. P. Newell, Trust- ees ; B. N. Strong, Supervisor ; E. C. Brainerd, Police Justice ; W. A. Wyse, Clerk ; C. W. Finn, Treasurer; J. R. Lewis, Constable and Street Commissioner.
1871-J. G. Pelton, President ; M. F. Hurley, James Dickson, C. L. Harlocher, G. W. Thompson, Trustees ; B. U. Strong, Supervisor ; E. C. Brainerd, Police Justice; W. A. Wyse, Clerk ; J. N. Finn, Treasurer ; E. F. Maher, Constable ; J. A. Taylor, Street Commissioner.
1872-E. P. Newell, President; M. F. Hurley, James Dickson, O. Roth, H. Kifer, Trustees ; B. U. Strong, Supervisor ; E. C. Brainerd, Police Justice ; W. A. Wyse, Clerk ; J. N. Finn, Treasurer ; E. F. Maher, Constable ; E. George, Street Commissioner.
1873-M. F. Hurley, President ; N. Schoenmann, H. Kifer, J. G. Pelton, John Recly, Trustees ; B. U. Strong, Supervisor ; E. C. Brainerd, Police Justice ; S. P. George, Clerk ; J. N. Finn, Treasurer ; C. Goodwin, Constable and Street Commissioner.
1874-C. D. Pearson, President ; John Reely, J. Witzel, O. Roth, James Dickson, Trust- ees : E. W. Evans, Supervisor; E. C. Brainerd, Police Justice; S. P. George, Clerk ; J. N. Finn, Treasurer ; H. M. Hungerford, Constable; C. Goodwin, Street Commissioner.
1875-C. B. Pearson, President ; John Reely, D. D. Davies, O. Roth, J. Witzel, Trustees ; E. W. Evans, Supervisor; J. R. Louis, Police Justice ; A. Gill, Clerk ; J. N. Finn, Treasurer ; D. L. Talbot, Constable ; William Reely, Street Commissioner.
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
1876-M. F. Hurley, President ; J. Witzel, J. J. Nickey, G. M. Whiteis, William Tun- stall, Trustees ; E. W. Evans, Supervisor ; E. C. Brainerd, Police Justice ; A. Gill, Clerk ; D. D. Davies, Treasurer ; E. F. Maher, Constable ; W. M. Austin, Street Commissioner.
1877-C. B. Pearson, President; H. Kifer, G. A. Sweet, A. M. Hungerford, J. E. McKenna, Trustees ; E. W. Evans, Supervisor ; E. C. Brainerd, Police Justice ; A. Gill, Clerk ; D. D. Davies, Treasurer ; William Reely, Constable; J. J. Nickey, Street Com- missioner.
1878-J. E. McKenna, President; A. M. Dye, G. W. Whiteis, S. F. Nickey, H. B. Dewey, Trustees ; E. W. Evans, Supervisor ; J. R. Lewis, Police Justice ; J. N. Finn, Clerk ; D. D. Davies, Treasurer ; H. J. Jones, Constable ; G. A. Sweet, Street Commissioner.
1879-H. B. Dewey, President ; A. M. Dye, C. Zilg, L. D. Ellsworth, A. M. Hunger- ford, A. C. Scheble, J. G. Pelton, Trustees ; E. W. Evans, Supervisor ; J. N. Finn, Police Justice ; M. F. Hurley, Justice of the Peace ; J. N. Finn, Clerk ; D. D. Davies, Treasurer ; E. P. Noyes, Marshal ; D. L. Talbot, Constable ; G. A. Sweet, Street Commissioner.
1880-M. F. Hurley, President ; J. Bettinger, J. J. Nickey, M. Hutter, William Tun- stall, C. Scholl, J. N. Schoenmann, Trustees ; E. W. Evans, Supervisor ; J. N. Finn, Police Justice and Clerk ; D. D. Davies, Treasurer; M. Hutter, Marshal and Constable ; H. Kifer, Street Commissioner.
THE GENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
The south half of the southwest quarter of Section 7, Town 8, Range 4, upon which Spring Green village is located, was entered from the Government by William Barnard, from whom it passed into the hands of E. B. Evans, who paid $600 for it. In 1856, it was purchased by A. C. Daley, who, in order to secure assistance in building up a town, and to render the property more' valuable, sold an undivided quarter to B. F. Edgerton and one-third to A. G. Darwin, reserving the remainder for himself. These were the original owners of the town property. In the spring of 1857, the village was platted by Mr. Putnam, Surveyor, the entire eighty being laid out in streets and blocks in a square, all of the streets being sixty-six feet wide, excepting Jefferson street, which is eighty feet wide, and the blocks being uniformly three hundred feet square.
The first persons to come here and settle, after the village was started, were a Mr. Holmes and Thomas D. Jones, who lived for a short time near the railroad, and B. U. Strong, who came in April, 1857. The latter purchased half of Block 10, facing south on Jefferson and west on Lexington street, where his hotel is now located. Immediately after purchasing, he erected a small frame on the corner, this being the first hotel and one of the first houses in the village. He soon after moved his family in, and also put up a small building near the railroad track, and brought in a stock of goods and opened a store-the first in the village and one of the first in this section of the county. This building was afterward converted into a warehouse and event- ually destroyed.
During the early part of the summer, the railroad company built a depot, and trains began to make regular stops. When the depot was completed, P. West came on and took charge of it as agent, he being the next man to locate here. Soon after this, Dr. Hubbard, the first physi- cian in this section, came in with his pills and potions. prepared to grow up with the country, if the people should get sick ; if not, to leave.
In the fall of 1857, an acquisition was made to the business element by the coming of G. F. Pound and Thomas Worthington, who purchased a lot on Block 10, and, soon after, had a building under headway. When it was completed, a stock of goods was put in, and the second store in the town was thrown open for purchasers. This building long since passed into other hands, and is now known as the Blue Store, and is owned by Mr. Warren, of Baraboo.
Benjamin Bailey, a disciple of Vulcan, also struck the town this fall and put up a shop, and, very soon after, the ringing music of the anvil and hammer woke the morning echoes and ushered in the quiet of evening.
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
About this time, the little place and surroundings were caught, with the rest of the county, in the toils of the panic of 1857, which effectually checked its growth at the time, for but very few came in during the remainder of the year, and not much of anything was done until the autumn of 1858 had partially restored the country to its pristine vigor.
The Wigginton brothers came this fall (1858), and built on Block 19, facing north on Jef- ferson street, and opened a general store. They soon after sold out to W. G. Spencer and removed.
G. F. Pound and T. B. Worthington dissolved partnership this year, and Mr. Pound built the store now standing, facing east on Block 18, corner of Jefferson and Lexington streets, and opened a general store. Subsequently, about 1859, C. L. Daley, brother of the original owner of the town plat, went into partnership with him. They built a warehouse this year. This firm continued until some time after the war, doing a good business.
In 1857 or 1858, Garwood Green bought Egerton's share of the town plat, and a division of the property was made, one party taking three lots, one four lots, and the other five lots, in each block of twelve lots that remained unsold.
In the fall of 1858, Joshua Simpson came here from Richland City, and also moved up a hotel from that place, settling on the southeast corner of Block 11, where E. D. Davies' saloon now stands.
Very little else than the above mentioned occurred this fall in the way of building up or improving the place.
In 1857 or 1858, the first death-that of a child of F. Gill-occurred here.
In 1860, J. T. Barnum and Leman Bartlett bought out Mr. Spencer and opened a well- filled store. They remained here about six years, doing a very extensive business, selling goods and buying and shipping produce of all kinds.
About 1860, S. H. Vedder put in an appearance here and bought out Mr. Worthington, then Worthington went to Madison, where his son Worthington afterward distinguished himself as the finest penman in the United States. Within a year or two, Mr. Vedder moved his goods and set up in a small building just west of the Simpson Hotel, where he remained until he sold and left.
About this time, Mr. Spencer, who sold to Barnum & Bartlett, opened a cabinet-shop-the first in town. This business he continued a few years, then sold and departed like the rest. James Simpson, son of the proprietor of the Simpson building, brought in a few goods at one time, probably about 1862, but did not continue long in trade, either because goods or buyers were wanting.
In 1865, W. H. Hamilton bought out Mr. Vedder, before mentioned, and enlarged the for- mer business by taking A. Wilcox in partnership with him. They conducted the business together until November of the above year, then dissolved, Mr. Wilcox coming out (so to speak) at the small end of the horn, for, in return for, the $1,800 which he invested, he had to take decayed obligations against worthless parties, and such materials as he could squeeze out of the failing institution. His experience but illustrates the efforts and failures of scores of men who think they have but to invest money to get a return. That they always do get returns is certain, but, alas, how seldom do they meet their expectations.
In December of the above year (1865), D. D. Davies, wlio began his business career here as a clerk, and who had worked for both Vedder and Hamilton, bought out the latter, taking a brother into partnership, and launched his first mercantile craft as commander and salesman. They opened in the old Simpson House (before mentioned), where they carried on the business, receiv- ing a good patronage, until the night of the 11th and 12th of March, 1867, when they were burned out, at a considerable loss, and had their worst experience of the uncertainty of preserv- ing combustible material from the rapacity of the fire fiend. The goods that were saved were moved temporarily into a shoe-store, but recently built by Mr. Hurly, where they did business until the present store was erected. This was commenced immediately after the fire, and was pushed rapidly to completion, being finished ready for occupancy by July of 1867. During that
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month, their goods were moved in, and here D. D. Davies, who purchased his brother's interest January 27, 1870, continues to do business. Mr. Davies is now the oldest regular merchant here, having dealt out goods constantly for about twenty years, and having won the good will of, and an extensive patronage from, the majority of the people in this vicinity.
In 1867, B. U. Strong built the present hotel, the Park, which forms an addition to the original building, and far outrivaling its predecessor in size, convenience and good looks. Wind, fire and flood aside, this is undoubtedly, with its landlord, one of the permanent fixtures of the place, and indeed, Spring Green without B. U. Strong would be like France without the French, or a dog without a tail -. the wag would be missed.
An anecdote or two connected with Mr. Strong's career, as a representative man in this section, when he was the first business man, and where he has lived so many years, must not be omitted, for the history of the village could not otherwise be considered complete :
In 1872, he was elected member of the State Senate, and, during the winter following, on the very last day of the session, a bill, making certain appropriations for use on the Chippewa River at Eau Claire, came up before the House of Representatives just previous to the bill on necessary general appropriations ; consequently, it had to be acted upon at once, and was passed, to give time for appropriations, the House deciding to let the Senate kill it, if it must die. The Senate were considerate enough to pass the bill on appropriations first, then proceeded to act on the other. This bill was, for various reasons, objected to by several of the Senators, who were determined to stop it, but they were in the minority. When it came before the chamber, who acted as a committee of the whole, four of the opposing party decided, as there was only five or six hours remaining to the session, to talk it out. So one after another spoke, until the last man, B. U. Strong, took the floor, with about one hour and a half of talk before him. He began, and gently discussed the question, diverging solemnly as the theme progressed, until one could hardly have told whether the speech was about the pyramids of Egypt, the dells of the Chippewa, the raising of hoop-poles, the curing of the epizootic, getting out saw-logs or what-not ; yet on, and irresistibly on, it went, slowly but surely beating time all to flinders, and as surely beating the opposition ; for stop him they could not, and, as he had the floor fairly, they could not rule him down. While the big talk was yet deluging them, in fully rounded periods, without cessation or diminution, the hour of midnight arrived, and the session must needs close. So the bill went quietly to rest (for a time), and thus ended one of the most celebrated speeches ever made at Madison.
Mr. Strong is as hearty a landlord as one needs to meet, but, nevertheless, he does not care to entertain drunken persons. Not very long ago a chap, several seas over, came in and asked to be shown the washroom of the hotel. Mr. Strong said, rather gruffly, " This is not a hotel, I reckon !" "Not a hotel !" the fellow asked ; " if it ain't a hotel, then what is it ?" " Well, it's a schoolhouse, I guess, and there (pointing to Prof. De La Matyr) is the school-teacher," said Strong. The man withdrew, squinting at the " Park Hotel " sign, and loath to believe his eyes so deceived him, or that one could call a hotel a schoolhouse.
In 1866 or 1867, Ed McMahon erected a small building on Block 11, facing Jefferson street, and opened a tin-shop. He continued to do business here until his death. This was probably the first tin-shop in the place.
During the above time, H. Whities put up a building on Block 11, as above, to be used as a saloon. In 1868, it passed into the hands of William Austin, who shortly after purchased a stock of auction goods and opened a store, which he operated until 1877, then removed to Hol- land. The building has since been used for various purposes ; at present, it is occupied by George Harrison for a harness-shop.
In 1866, Alonzo Wilcox built on Block 11, fronting on Lexington street, and opened a shoe- store. In 1870, he closed out his business and rented the building ; then, about a year after, sold it to E. H. Newell. Mr. Newell opened with a stock of dry goods and groceries, but did not flourish, so to speak, for we find that, about two years since, the business came to an untimely end. The stock had been absorbed, while debts were accumulating, which is but the common
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HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
history of business ventures, and, as is generally the case, the business was closed by creditors. Mr. Newell is now in Nebraska.
In 1866, the firm of Farington & Kifer bought out Barnard & Bartlett, and, in 1872, erected the only brick edifice in town, on the northwest corner of Block 19. Subsequently, Kifer became sole proprietor of the business and property, which he sold to J. D. Phelps in 1875. In the spring of 1879, the property passed into the hands of S. M. Harris. This purchase included the lot, stores and warehouses. In October, 1879, the old store burned down, and with it was destroyed a quantity of tin and hardware, stock and fixtures, the property of H. B. Dewey, who was thereby incontinently cleaned out of a good business. The spot is marked by the remains of the old cellar wall, the only evidences of a fire to be seen in the place.
E. P. Newell and D. R. Phelps erected a fair-sized building in 1865 or 1866, on Block 19, facing Jefferson street, and opened a general assortment store. Two years after, finding they had not enough room, they enlarged the building, making it much larger. At present, it is the third in size among the business houses in the place. Soon after the building had been enlarged, Mr. Phelps sold his interest to E. H. Newell, brother of E. P. Newell. The new firm did not run long together before another change was made, E. B. Newell becoming sole proprietor. He continued the business successfully until his death, in 1872 or 1873, then Thomas Hill, his son- in-law, became administrator. Under his management, the business was unprofitable, and finally, in 1877, matters came to stand, the creditors of the institution demanding a settlement ; a settle- ment was effected by E. H. Newell, who re-opened the store, only to close out the business within a year. The building was soon after engaged by D. H. Finkleston, who is now con- ducting a general business.
In 1867, J. N. Finn and C. W. Finn built on Block 11, fronting Lexington street, and opened a grocery and confectionery store. In 1872, J. N. Finn purchased his brother's interest, and has continued the business up to this date, this being the second-oldest establishment in the village. Mr. Finn is a very respectable citizen, having held some position of public trust regu- larly since the incorporation of the village. The Town Clerk's office is kept here by him at present.
During the above year, M. F. Hurley erected his building in Block 11, facing Jefferson street, and opened a store and shoe-shop, which he still continues. Mr. Hurly, it appears from the village record, is a man whom the people respect and largely trust with the management of public affairs, he having been President of the board several times, and having held other important offices repeatedly.
Some time during the war, probably about 1864, John Whiteman built on the southwest corner of Block 11, and opened a confectionery store or something of the kind. This he con- ducted until 1868, when Conrad Zilg bought him out, and enlarged the building and converted it into a hotel, running it as such for nine or ten years. It is now used by him for a private dwelling.
In 1867, John Hollenback came here and built on Block 11, fronting on Lexington street, and started a grocery and confectionery store. About two years after, he moved away, and, subsequently, M. Zangle purchased the property and opened a saloon, which is yet in operation, M. Yonker being the present owner.
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