Dane County, Wisconsin - Chapter 17: Towns and Villages, 1880

Chapter 17: Towns and Villages

Introduction - Town of Madison - Town of Sun Prairie - Village or Sun Prairie- Town OF Rome (extinct) - Town of Albion - Town of Rutland - Town of Dunkirk - Village OF Stoughton.

Introduction

Until February 2, 1846, Dane County had no towns erected within its limits. By an act of the Legislature of the Territory approved that day, the county was divided into six - Madison, containing twenty-four townships ; Sun Prairie, four ; Rome, three; Albion, two; Rutland, one, and Dunkirk, one - thirty-five in all. Previous to this, election precincts were established by the Commissioners of the County wherever and whenever it was thought necessary, but citizens could vote at any precinct ; there was no limit within the county.

It has already been seen that the first election precincts were established in the county in 1839 by the County Commissioners, and were those of Madison and Moundville (Blue Mounds).*

In 1841, one election precinct was established at Madison. The election for Madison precinct was held at the Madison Hotel. Judges of Election - David Brigham, A. A. Bird, John Stoner.

The election in the Quivey's Grove precinct was at the house of William Quivey. Judges of Election - Joseph Vroman, George L. Dyke, Bartley Runey.

The election held in the Sun Prairie precinct was at the house of 0. H. Bird. Judges of Election - rH. W. Potter, George Anderson, Horace Lawrence.

. ^l^ct'on for Blue Mounds precinct was held at the house of Ebenezer Brigham. Judges of Election - Ebenezer Brigham, Jeremiah Lycan, Mahlon Blaker.

p, election for Clinton precinct was held at the house of William H. Andrews! Judges of Election - William H. Andrews, F. Sweet, John G. Eggleston.

ihe election for Cross Plains precinct was held at the house of Israel Harlow. Judges of ^on-Edward Campbell, Solomon Hayden, John W. Thomas.

The election for the Fitchburg precinct was held at the house of William Quivey. Judges of Election - Mathew Hann, R. D. Salisbury, Joseph Vroman.

The election for the Clinton precinct was held at the house of W. H. Andrews. Judges of Election - A. Burdick, Jesse Saunders, Solomon Head.

The election for the Sun Prairie precinct was held at the house of A. W. Dickinson. Judges Election - George H. Spaulding, Horace W. Potter, George Anderson.

The election of the Cross Plains precinct was held at the house of J. W. Thomas. Judges of Election - Jeremiah Lycan, J. W. Thomas, J. S. Mann.

The election for the Fitchburg precinct was held at the house of W. Quivey. Judges of Election - W. A. Wheeler, R. D. Salisbury, C. P. Moseley.

The election for the Sun Prairie precinct was held at the house of A. W. Dickinson. Judges of Election - Reuben Smith, John Hasey, George Anderson.

The election for the Clinton preciiict was held at the house of Jesse Saunders. Judges of Election - Giles Bggleston, B. F. Collins, Otis Bathrick.

Town Ob Madison

The town of Madison, as first established, included all of the territory now constituting the towns of Mazomanie, Black Earth, Vermont, Blue Mounds, Perry, Primrose, Springdale, Cross Plains, Berry, Koxbury, Dane, Springfield, Middleton, V^erona, Montrose, Madison, Westport, Vienna, Windsor, Burke, Blooming Grove, Cottage Grove, Pleasant Springs and Deerfield. The town of Sun Prairie, all the present towns of Bristol, Sun Prairie, Medina and Yorii, and ' the village of Sun Prairie ; the town ot Rome, all of what now constitutes Oregon, Fitchburg and Dunn ; the town of Albion, so much as is now Albion and Christiana ; Rutland is as first -constituted ; and so also is Dun-kirk, and the village of Stoughton. These six towns are usually designated as "the original towns of the county."

By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved February 2, 1846, the whole of Dane County, except what are now the towns of Fitchburg, Oregon, Dunn, Rutland, Dunkirk, Albion, Christiana, Sun Prairie, Bristol, York and Medina, and the villages of Stoughton and Sun Prairie, was constituted a separate town and named Madison, so called from the village of Madison (the present city), located within its limits. The first town meeting was to be held on the first Tuesday of the succeeding April, at the Madison Hotel, in the village Madison, " Provided, that the Supervisors of said town may establish one or more precincts in said town for the purpose of opening the polls at the general election, and in said precincts the Supervisors shall appoint Judges of Elections, and the votes shall be canvassed and returns thereof made in like manner as from the several towns in the county." The three Supervisors of the town of Madison were each to be entitled to a seat in the County Board.

The great extent of territory included within the limits of the town, made it necessary for the Legislature to authorize the Town Supervisors to establish one or more voting precincts. Under this authority, they established, June 29, 1846, one precinct at the house of George McFadden, to be known as the " Grand Springs Precinct ; " one (it the house of John Clark, to be known as the "Dane Precinct; " one at the house of John M. Thomas, to be called the " Cross Plains Precinct ; " and one at the house of Amos Beecher, to be known as the " Cottage Grove Precinct." So the convenience of the electors in various portions of the extensive territory constituting the town was subserved. But these precincts were soon to be placed outside its limits, and the town to be greatly reduced in size.

By an act passed February 11, 1847, " Township number seven, north of Ranges eight, nine and ten, in Dane County, shall constitute a separate town by the name of Madison, and the first town meeting shall be held at the capitol." By this act, Madison was reduced in size to

By the erection of the town of Middleton, March 11, 1848, and that of Blooming Grove in le spring of 1850, two townships were taken from its territory - Townships 7, north, of Ranges and 10 east, except so much of the last-mentioned township as lay north of Lake Monona ; so lat it then included Township 7 north, of Range 9 east, and so much of Township 7 north, of lange 10 east, as lay north of Lake Monona.

By the act incorporating the city of Madison, in 1856, it lost about half its territory, but aiaed not lone after, by the addition of a portion of Blooming Grove, that part lying north of jake Monona ; for by an act of the Legislature, of March 30, 1861, " Section five, the east half of he southeast quarter of Section six, all of fractional Section seven, lying east of the limits of the ity of Madison, and the northwest fractional quarter of Section eight, in Township No. even, north of Range No. ten, east of the fourth principal meridian in the St^te of Wisconsin," were attached to and made a part of the town of Blooming Grove ; Provided, hat the lands above described should be and remain attached to the city of Madison School )i8trict, for school purposes, and all the taxes raised upon these lands, or any of them, for school jurposes, should be paid over by the town of Blooming Grove to the city of Madison, for the upport of a school at the schoolhouse in that city east of the Catfish River. So Madison wa& to its present limits.

Madison, therefore, now consists of all of Township 7 north, of Range 9 east, excepting so nuch as is included within the limits of the city of Madison. From being the largest, it has inally become next to the smallest of the towns of the county.

The first election for town oflScers was held agreeably to law, on the 7th of April, 1846, ivith the following result : Supervisors - James R. Larkin, Chairman ; Edward Campbell, ffilliam 0. Wells. Road Commissioners - John M. GriflSn, Thomas Rathbone, Abiram Drakely ; Clerk, J. Duane Ruggles. Collector, Andrus Viall. Treasurer, Darwin Clark. Assessors - George Vroman, John W. Thomas, William Larkin. School Commissioners - J. G. Knapp, Benjamin Holt, F. H. Talcott. Justices - William N. Seymour, Nathaniel Wheeler, Alonzo Wilcox. Constables - John Cottrill, James Moore, Albert Skinner.

It has been stated in a previous chapter that under a law, approved February 3, 1846, the village of Madison was incorporated ; but the government of the town was not, by that law, interfered with ; the citizens of the village participated in both elections.

At the first election, April 7, 1846, there were 232 votes cast. On the Democratic ticket for Supervisors were James R. Larkin, Edward Campbell and William C. Wells ; on the Whig ticket, Ebenezer Brigham, Benjamin Dodge and Samuel G. Abbott. The Democratic ticket was elected.

From and after the second Monday of March, 1856, the connection between the town of Madison and that part of it included within the city limits, for all town purposes, was dissolved. Ine duties then and afterward imposed upon Supervisors and other town officers, so far as they related to the city of Madison, were performed by the Aldermen of the several wards, and the other officers of the city. All that part of the town not included within the city limits, hencetorth constituted the town of Madison ; and the first town meeting was held at the place appointed »y the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of the town. All that part of the town lying east »nd northeast of the city, was attached to the school district of the city for school purposes. So was that the town and city were completely divorced.

ine first permanent American settler in the town of Madison, as originally constituted, was *tienezer Brigham, at the Blue Mounds ; but the first settler in the town, as now bounded, was Wither an American nor a permanent settler ; besides, he was only half white. It was Michel *'- Wf' After him, came W. B. Slaughter, George H. Slaughter, Abel Dunning, Gabriel T. ong, Isaac H. Palmer, James R. Larkin, Jonathan Larkin, Daniel Larkin, William Larkin, °j^*- Wkin, and the father of the Larkins, also Harmon J. Hill, William-D. Bird and others. ^e were some of the pioneers of the town of Madison, as at present constituted.

Eben Peck, the first person who located on the site of the city, was also the first who " broke the glebe " and turned the first furrow in what is now the town of Madison. He broke about three acres, a little west of William Larkin's present homestead, in 1838.

The population of the town of Madison, in 1846 (including, as it did, twenty-four townships out of the thirty-five in the county), numbered 4,329. It is now (with territory of only a fraction of a township), 735. It has within its limits Lake Wingra, the largest lake wholly in the county, except those constituting the Four Lakes. This lake covers the larger part of Section 27, and parts of Sections 26 and 28.

The land is undulating, generally covered with oak openings, with occasional marsh or meadow land. The latter are found south of Lake Wingra, and on Section 16, south of Lake Mendota. The soil is generally rich and productive. In some parts are found excellent quarries of building-stone.

The erection of the " Lake Side Water Cure," by Delaplaine & Burdick, was commenced in November, 1854, to be completed June 1, 1855. The site selected for the institution was one of beauty. The grounds comprised an oak grove of fifty acres, situated immediately across the west point of Lake Monona, on Section 25, in the town of Madison, about two miles south of the Capitol and one mile by water, commanding a fine view of the city of Madison, the lakes and the surrounding country. Over the grounds, just on the edge of the grove, flowed a stream of water, from which the institution was supplied. This stream has its source in never-failing springs.

The building stood upon an eminence about fifty feet above the water, and six hundred feet distant from the shore. The main building was ninety-two feet in length by forty in width, and four stories above the basement, capable of accommodating from eighty to one hundred guests. There were piazzas, extending the whole length of the building, on the first and second stories. There was also a wing, forty feet by thirty-eight, and two stories in height, which was principally devoted to bath-rooms. The house was warmed throughout by steam. There was also, connected with the engine, apparatus for cooking, washing, drying, ironing, supplying reservoir,,, etc., only one fire being necessary for the whole establishment.

Dr. James E. Gross was resident physician at its opening. For some reason the institution was not a success, and was subsequently altered and adapted for a public house, and was called the Lake Side Hotel ; as such it was well patronized. It was occupied only as a summer hotel,, and was a favorite resort for visitors from St. Louis and other Southern cities. It was burned and has not been rebuilt.

Town Of Sun Prairie

The first settlement in this town was made by Charles H. Bird, in the fall of 1839, on the southeast quarter of Section 5, Township 8, Range 11 east. Early in the following year, came Robert Marks, and settled on Section 4, while in 1841, Charles S. Peaslee, Benjamin Knight, Rev. Albert Slingerland, John Winsled, Horace Potter, W. Van Bergen and John Ostrander located in the northwest part of the town. In the south part, Enoch and Bradford Churchill, W. A. Pierce, John Taylor, Ira Balch, Tisdale Pierce, Calvin Flower, Mark Haslettand John Phillips formed a little settlement in 1840. Samuel, Asahel and Charles Bailey and R. T. Cameron arrived in 1841. A. W. Dickinson, George Pine and Mr. Brockway located in the year 1842. Among other early settlers were John A. Peckham, Pardee Peckham, Moses Vervalen, Joshua Boyles, David C. Butterfield, John Myers, W. H. Angell and Silas Smith.

The town of Sun Prairie was organized at the year 1846, and included all that district which now constitutes the towns of York, Medina, Bristol and Sun Prairie. The first election, or town meeting, was held in the spring of that year, at the house of John A. Peckham. Id* town was afterward reduced by the erection of Medina, York and Bristol, into separate towns m 1848, leaving Sun Prairie six miles square - Township 8, Range 11 east. This territory wM further reduced by the incorporating of the village of Sun Prairie in 1868, when about oUU acres were included within the corporate limits of that village. '

In pursuance of an act of the first Legislative Assembly of the Territory which located the Beat of government at Madison, Augustus A. Bird was elected Acting Commissioner; for the erection of the capitol. On the 26th day of May, 1837, the Acting Commissioner, accompanied by a number of men, started from Milwaukee for Madison. At that time, nearly all of Wisconsin westward from Milwaukee was an unbroken wilderness. On the 5th day of June, the men, tired, foot-sore and depressed, plodded their weary way through the wild scenery of this then unexplored wilderness. Nine days had elapsed since they started on their weary march and they had been drenched with rains and oppressed with continuous cloudy and lowering weather - the sun had not once gladdened them with its beams since the day on which they left Milwaukee. At length, as they emerged upon the borders of the beautiful prairie, about two miles east of where the village of Sun Prairie now stands, the sun shone forth in all its brightness, and illuminated the scene before them as with a halo of glory. The contrast which this beautiful vision presented to the gloom with which they had been surrounded was so great, that they greeted it with a shout, and Bird gave the natural meadow the name of " Sun Prairie," which name was carved into the bark of an oak tree which stood near by.

To a great extent, the history of the town of Sun Prairie is a history of the village of the same name. The first marriage, the first birth, the first death and the first school in the town were likewise the first in the village. Previous to the year 1844, Charles H. Bird, John Myers, David C. Butterfield, Charles S. Peaslee and Benjamin Knight, located upon Section 5, of Township 8, Range 11 east, forming the first settlement made in the town.

The town is well watered by Koshkonong Creek, which rises near the village of Sun Prairie on Section 5, flows southwesterly and southeasterly through the town, leaving it on Section 31. Along the valley of this crefek is considerable marsh land, more particularly in the southern part of the town. The northern portion of Sun Prairie is mostly prairie ; the remaining parts are oak openings, interspersed with prairie and marsh. The Watertown line of the Chicagoi, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad passes through the northern tier of sections, entering at Section 1, and passing out at the northwest corner of Section 7.

Lewis Stone, Chairman ; William H. Clark, William A. Pierce, Supervisors ; William Eldridge, Clerk ; William A. Pierce, Treasurer ; John Myers, Charles Lum, Franklin Carter,

The population of the town in 1846 (when it included the present towns of Bristol, Sun Prairiej Medina and York) was 1,553. It is now 923. There is no post ofiice in the town. The town has a hall, located on Section 22.

Village Of Sun Prairie

In the year 1844, William H. Angell purchased five acres of land from Mr. Bird, being the first lot of ground sold in the present village of Sun Prairie. The idea was then conceived of founding here a village. The first step taken was to secure a post office. A petition was Bocordingly presented to the Post Office Department, and their request was promptly granted, |ftnd an ofiBce was established under the name of Rome. This name was retained for about one year, when the office was given the name of Sun Prairie. William H. Angell was the first Postmaster, and served until 1850, when C. C. La Bore was appointed. In 1853, Angell was again |ppointed, serving until 1861, when Elijah Rowley was made Postmaster. Mr. Rowley served Mt a short time, and was succeeded by William F. Hardwick, since which time John Gibbons, WiUiam F. Hardwick, George Watkinson and C. L. Long have each served. Mr. Long received ta appointment and took possession of the oflBce January 1, 1880. The first money order mei from this ofiBce, was made July 15, 1869, to Michael Hawkins in favor of Shadbolt & ooyd, for the sum of |30. The second was drawn by C. G. Crosse in favor of P. A. Steward, '^bicago, for $3. .The first order paid was on the 15th day of July, 1869, to William F. Hardwick from W. H. Nott, for |5.

The first regular attempt at merchandising was in the fall of 1845, Edwin Brayton opening a small stock of goods in the building erected by Mr. Angell for his carpenter shop. Mr. Brayton continued to do business for about one year. In June, 1848, Silas Smith came to the place and rented the building formerly occupied by Mr. Brayton, and opened a stock of general merchandise. Fipederick Starr was successor to Mr. Smith, and, after a brief business career the former was followed by Thomas White. In 1859, White was succeeded by Williams & Maloney, who soon established a successful trade, of which George Maloney is the present representative'.

David C. Butterfield and Miss Sarah Knight were united in marriage in 1842, by Charles H. Bird, a Justice of the Peace. This was the first marriage in the town as well as village.

The early settlers in this vicinity were firm believers in the public-school system of the country, organizing a school district here in 1842, erecting a schoolhouse on Section 5, and having a school the same year. The first house was of logs. A more substantial frame house was erected a few years after, which served until 1864, at which time the present building was erected and the graded system adopted for the school.

In the year 1859, a line of railroad having been projected from Milwaukee to the Baraboo Valley, it was completed as far as Watertown. The line was located and graded about three miles south of the village of Sun Prairie ; but the route was afterward changed ; and, on the 24th day of September, 1859, the railroad was completed to the last-mentioned place. Then followed a period of active business prosperity, and apparently a golden opportunity for building up, on a permanent basis, a village of considerable importance and magnitude. For ten years, Sun Prairie was the western terminus of the Milwaukee & Baraboo Valley Railroad, and was one of the largest and most flourishing inland grain markets in the State. In 1869, two large elevators were erected, one by AYilliam H. Angell and the other by Mann & Atkins.

Notwithstanding the remarkable growth of the village and the large number of lots sold, no plat of the place had ever been made. In order to have this done, and also the better to govern their afiairs, the Legislature of the State was asked for a special act of incorporation. Their request was duly granted at the session of 1867-68. The charter is very liberal in its provisions, giving the village all the rights and privileges. of a town, with representation in the County Board of Supervisors.

The village limits were described as follows : " The south half and the south half of the north half of Section 5, and the north half of the north half of Section 8, and the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 9, and the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter and the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 4, all in Township No. 8 north. Range 11 east." These tracts were set apart and made to include the village of " Sun Prairie," which territory still constitutes its corporate limits.

The officers of the village, by the act of incorporation, were to consist of one President and three Trustees, one Clerk, one Treasurer, one Assessor, one Police Justice and one Constable, the latter to be ex officio Marshal of the corporation ; but this was, in February, 1870, amended so as to read " one Police Justice or Justice of the Peace."

The first election was held the first Monday in April, 1868. The following is a list of elective and appointed officers from its organization to and including the year 1880 :

1868 - W. H. Angell, President ; C. H. Bird, W. F. Hardwick, C. R. Babcock, Trustees ; G. M. Smith, Clerk ; F. A. Bird, Marshal ; Thomas A. Hawkins, Treasurer ; E. A. Woodward, Street Commissioner ; William Reeves, Assessor.

Methodist Mpigcopal Ghurch. - In 1842, Elder Stebbins organized, in the schoolhouse situated on the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 5, the first class in the town, irom which has grown the flourishing church in the village of Sun Prairie. The con- Pf"'"? !'°.''^^^P6'i J° schoolhouses, private houses and elsewhere, for many years. In 1867, » Church building was erected on a convenient site in the village, at a cost of $8,000. It - nnm* . °'®°''' which is used for lectures, prayer meetings and Sunday schools. Among those ^Sr°V "''^^^^^ were William G. Van Bergen and wife, Thomas Rathbun and wife. Garrett |i5!«"iOun,JoBeph Knight, Mrs. Smith, C. S. Peasley and wife, John Myers and wife. William G,

.Van Bergen was the first Class-leader. Among those who have served as Pastors of the church were Revs. Close, Harvey, Wells, Smith, Bunz, Sewell, De La Matyr, Robothem, Smith, Amplin, Farnum, Wells, Cole and Fellows. In 1880, the Trustees of the church were David Wilder, S. Sharpe, Robert Thompson, Moses Chase, F. W. Dustan, Henry Witherell and A. Chipman. Its Stewards were S. Bell, W. T. Moak, John Parkinson, D. B, Vaughan, L. A. Beers and W. T. Chase.

Oongregationalist. - This church was organized August 19, 1846, Rev. Mr. Kanouse acting as Moderator and Rev. P. Eveleth as Clerk of the meeting. Its constituent members consisted of Benjamin Knight and wife, Martin Lewis and wife and D. Grrav3s. Martin Lesrig was elected Deacon. The first meetings of the church were held in schoolhouses and in private houses. On the 2d day of April, 18-53, a meeting was held for the purpose of taking into consideration the building of a house of worship, but it was not considered advisable to undertake the work. Nothing further was done in this direction until Aiigust, 1857, when, at a meeting called for that purpose, it was voted to circulate a subscription-paper, which was accordingly done, and a small but neat church building was erected, at a cost of $1,300. In size, it was 24x44. In 1869, the house was enlarged to 36x58, at an additional cost of $5,000. Revs. Kanouse and Eveleth were the first ministers serving the congregation. In 1850, Rev. C. W. Matthews was called to the pastorate, and remained with the church some years. During the building of a house of worship by the Methodist Episcopal brethren, a union was effected for worship between that body and the Congregationalists, under the ministrations of Rev. De La Matyr, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After this, Rev. Mr. Donaldson was called to the pastorate and remained until 1861, being succeeded by Rev. C. M. Moorehouse. On the 1.3th day of October, 1867, Rev. C. T, Melvin entered upon the work, and served until September 10, 1871. On the 28th of September of the same year, a call was extended to Rev. 0. J. Shannon, who accepted the call and labored here two years. In January, 1874, Rev. Josiah Beardsley, a young man who had just entered upon the ministry, began to preach for the congregation, and was regularly ordained to the work in November following. He remained until the 28th of March, 1878. On the 7th of July of the same year. Rev. A. A. Safford preached his first discourse as Pastor, and yet remains with the church.

G-erman Methodist Einscopal. - An organization was effected, November 9, 1872, by Rev. William Wilke, with a membership, including the charge in Windsor, of 75, together with 25 probationers. In 1874, there were reported to tlje Conference 83 members and 13 probationers ; Rev. William Wilke, Pastor. In 1876, Rev. S. Weckerlin was appointed to the charge, and the membership was reported at 110 and 10 probationers.. In 1877, the number was increased to 124 members and 4 probationers, In 1878, there was a gain of two members, and the probationers reduced to 12. Rev. Mr. Weckerlin remained three years, doing an excellent work. In 1879, Rev. C. Wenz was given the charge, with a membership that had been depleted somewhat by removals, and numbering 109 and 12 probationers. In February and March, 1880, an interesting revival was held in the Windsor charge, and 26 persons were received on probation. A church building was erected in the village in 1874, at a cost of $1,000. A good Sunday school has been maintained since the organization of the church ; C. A. Lober, Superintendent m 1880.

Masonic - ^\m Prairie Lodge, No. 143, A., F. & A.M., was organized May 6, 1863, under dispensation granted by Alvin B. Alden, Grand Master of the State. The Grand Master, it1 said dispensation, appointed the following officers: C. G. Crosse, G.; Smith D, French, S. W.; Joseph Spencer, J. W. At the first meeting, the W. M. appointed George Seaver, Treasurer; E. A. Spencer, Secretary; D. B. Turnball, S. D.; D. G.Pierce, J. D.; A. Huyck, Tiler. A charter was granted, Juiie 10, 1863, with the following charter officers : C. G. Crosse, W. M.; Andrew Huyck, S. W.; Joseph Spencer, J. W. In 1866, the lodge built a hall for theiV special use, in a convenient part of the city. C. G. Crosse, G. M. Smith, J. 0. Kanouse, C. ^- ^* ^'"'® and L. V. Lewis have occupied the Worthy Master's chair since the organization of the lodge. The number of Master Masons connected with the lodge during its existence is 86, of which num- ber three have been removed by death - Erastus Ware, J. D. Bird and John McMurrain. Its membership at the date of its report, January, 1880, was 50, with 0. Gr. Crosse, W. M.; William B. Anwell, S. W.; T. C Hayden, J. W.; J. Hacker, Treasurer ; L. V. Lewis, Secretary ; J. E. Davis, S. D.; Isaac Huyck, J. D.; J. G. Egbertson, Tiler.

the name of the Sun Prairie Cemetery Association. William Bldridge, Timothy Cory, Benjamin Knight, Moses Rowley, Charles S. Peasley, William H. Angell, Silas Smith, John Myers and Charles H. Bird were elected Trustees. The organization was eifected under the general laws of the State. Josiah L. Hale, of the city of New York, donated three acres off the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 8, the same being accepted by the association, and improved for the purposes designed. The first burial in the grounds donated was that of the wife of George Pine. After the organization of the association, the first burial was that of a daughter of William H. Angell. '

Sun Prairie Souse. - This was the first hotel erected in Sun Prairie, and was built by William H. Angell, who occupied it a number of years. After renting it to various parties, it passed into the han^s of Peter H. Van Bergen and Lucius Fairchild, and was by them transferred to Jacob Simons, the present owner. It is a two-story brick house, with accommodations for twenty-five guests.

American House. - This house was built in 1849, by William F. Hard wick, who served in the capacity of " mine host "for a number of years, and then rented it for a time, taking it back and running it for awhile, and finally, in February, 1872, disposing of it to J. B. Mann, its present proprietor. The house is a large, two-story cream-colored brick, with accommodations for about thirty guests. It has a large hall, usedjfor dancing parties, and in which the Episcopal brethren meet for worship.

American Advertising Board. - This is the invention of Watkinson & Whelan, of Sun Prairie, on which a patent was received March 9, 1880. It consists of a board with a series of movable slides, between which words can be placed for advertising or other purposes. It is a useful article for the Sunday school for printing the golden text, and can also be used to advertise bills of fare at hotels. A printer's font of letters accompanies each board. Manufactured by the American Bulletin-board Company, Sun Prairie.

S%n Prairie Comet Band. - On the 5th day of September, 1876, an association of the business men of the village was formed, under the name of the Sun Prairie Brass Band Association, by the election of the following-named officers : C. G. Crosse, President ; E. A. Weigan, Vice President ; C. H. Chittenden, Treasurer ; L. V. Lewis, Secretary ; G. W. Kanouse, J. H. Swanton, William Small, Directors. G. W. Kanouse, Frederick Mann, Darwin Angell, William Small, Charles Chittenden, J. Swanton, J. Weigan, AlOnzo Cobb, C. S. Crosse, and Joseph Kleiner were elected members of the band. In 1878, the association was incorporated under the general laws, the capital stock fixed at 500 shares at $1 each. The officers for 1880, are C. 6. Crosse, President ; W. H. Angell, Vice President ; C. S. Crosse, Treasurer ; L. V. Lewis, Secretary ; W. M. Small, E. A. Weigan, C. R. Babcock', Directors. Members of the band: P. B. Mann, F. Mosel, D. C. Angell, H. La Bore, George Bull, N. Barth, J. Feinen, William Small, W. T. Mann, A. Cobb, George Mann, E. Angell, A. Boyles.

^ The act of the Territorial Legislature, approved February 2, 1846, provided, " That Town- fW ^ ^^^ ^ north,, of Range 9 east [now the territory included within the limits of the towns

By an act approved March 11, 1848, " All that part of the town of Rome, in the county of Dane, embraced in Township No. 6 north, of Range No. 10 east, be, and the same is hereby organized into a separate town, by the name of Dunn."

By the erection, the same year, of Township 6 north, of Range 10 east^ into a separate town called Pleasant Springs, the town of Rome became extinct. Its history will be found merged in the towns formed out of its territory.

Town Of Albion

Albion is one of the original towns created by the act of the Territorial Legislature of February 2, 1846. As then constituted, it comprehended not only the whole of what is now the town of Christiana, but also the territory included within its present limits. Its population, according to the census taken the year of its organization, was 478 males and 433 females ; total, 911 ; but this, of course, included all the then residents of what is now the town of Christiana. Its present population is 1,351. By an act approved January 3, 1847, the last-mentioned town was created, which reduced Albion to its present territory of Township 5 north, of Range 12 east. The town is situated in the extreme southeast corner of the county. It was first settled in 1841, Freeborn Sweet leading all the rest of the pioneers, effecting a settlement here in August of that year. In September following, Bjorn Anderson and Amund Anderson, from Norway, settled on Section 2. The same fall, Samuel T. Stewart, of Massachusetts, settled on Section 14. In the spring of 1842, Duty J. Green and Jesse Saunders, from Allegany County, N. Y., settled on Section 22, on what has since been called Saunder's Creek, and where the village of Albion now stands. In June, 1843, Solomon Head, Adin Bnrdick, James Wood and Hiram Bentley settled in the neighborhood. Charles Coon, David M. Stillman, Russell G. Carpenter, Charles Maxson, Barton Edwards, Stephen Maxson, John G. Eggleston, Justus H. Potter, John S. BuUis, William A. Whitford, Thomas S. Coon, Lemuel Humphrey, Horace Bliven and Alvin Ayers were al^o early settlers of the town.

The first school in the town was taught by Lydia Coon, in 1844. The second school was taught the same year at the house of Horace Bliven, by Thomas Coon.

C. R. Head, accompanied by Stillman Coon and others, visited this town in June, 1841, when not a white man had efiected a settlement. Being well .pleased, they determined to settle here at a future date. On his way home, Mr. Head stopped at Milwaukee, where be made the first entry of land in Albion by an actual settler, being the north half of the southwest quarter of Section 25. The date of his entry was July 29, 1841. Mr. Head, on returning east, studied medicine, attended lectures, graduated, and came back to Wisconsin in 1845. He was the first physician in the town.

Among the early settlers in the northern part of the town were the Marsdens, Clarks, Halls, Busseys, Slaters, Humphreys, Rev. James Wileman, William Short, John BuUis, and several families of Norths.

The first town election was held at the house of Jesse Saunders, on Tuesday, April 7, 1846, with the following result : 1846 - Solomon Head, Chairman ; Barton Edwards, Freeborn Sweet, Supervisors ; Justus H. Potter, Clerk ; Duty J. Green, Treasurer ; Stephen Maxson, John G. Eggleston, Assessors.

Albion is well watered by the Koshkonong Creek, which enters the town on Section 5, and passing circuitously through the center passes out on Section 33 ; and by Koshkonong River m the northeast part, on Sections 1 and 12. The northeast part is mostly prairie ; the southeast, oak openings ; the northwest, openings and marsh ; and the southwest are openings, except

Sections If and 30, which are marsh. On Sections 13 and 14 is a small body of water, called Rice Lake. The extreme southeast corner of the town is washed by Lake Koshkonong.

The Prairie du Chien Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, passes through the southwest corner, on Sections 30, 31 and 32.

One-half of the inhabi£ants of the town are native born; one-third, Norwegian; the balance is distributed among the English, Irish and Germans.

Since the organization of the town, Charles R. Green held the ofiBce of Town Clerk a period of eighteen years. E. L. Burdick seems to have been a favorite for the office of Treasurer and E. P. Humphrey for the office of Assessor.

Seomih-day Baptists. - This denomination is quite numerous in the town. A church was organized January 22, 1843, by Elders Daniel Babcock and Stillman (Joon, Deacons William P. Stillmar and Joseph Goodrich, Henry .W. Green and John Stillman, a committee of the Seventh-day Baptist Church of Milton, Rock County. James Weed was elected Deacon ; David M. Stillman, Clerk ; Duty J. Green, Treasurer. Elder Stillman Coon was the first Pastor. He has been followed in the work by 0. P. Hull. A. W. Coon, Thomas E. Babcock (eight years), Joshua Clarke (six years), J. E. N. Backus (four years), Varnum Hull (three years), Simeon H. Babcock, present Pastor (two years). A steady increase of membership has been experienced from the beginning, there having been a total enrollment of 662, of whom 350 are now in connection. A church edifice was erected, in 1863, at a cost of $2,500. In size it is 40x64 feet.

Primitive Methodists. - The first service of this denomination was held in the log house of Samuel Clark, Section 15, in September, 1844, the Rev. Samuel Marsden preaching. Services were afterward held at different private houses by the Rev. Marsden and Rev. James Wilsman and Rev. J. Noble, local preachers. A church was first built in 1847, on Section 10. The first members were Samuel C. Marsden, John Slater, Joseph Noble and Joseph Slinn and their families, also Messrs. James Wileman and Job Bunting. The first regular minister was Rev. James Alderson, then the Revs. Hazle, Samuel Teal, Thomas Strut, Charles Dawson, William Tomkiils, George Parker, William Wells, Thomas Butterwick, George W. Wells, T. A. Cliff, Charles Dawson, J. W. Fox, Chris Hendre and John Kalf. In 1866, seventy-six of the members, with their minister, George W. Wells, withdrew, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, leaving but sixteen members faithful to their creed. These remaining few, in 1871, by" their united efforts, built the present handsome brick church on Section 11. ft is 32x45 feet in dimensions, and cost $3,500.

There is a Methodist Episcopal Church in Albion. Its congregation has erected a beautiful building for worship, situated about two miles from the village.

Town Of Rutland

The Legislature of 1846 passed a law, approved February 2 of that year, authorizing the orranization of Township 5 north, of Range 10 east, into a separate town to be called Rutland. Ihe first election for town officers was held in April, at the house of S. W. Graves, with the following result : , Supervisors - Jonathan Lawrence, Chairman ; David West and Henry Mmonds ; Town Clerk, S. W. Graves ; Treasurer, Joseph Dejean ; Assessors, 0. B. Bryant, Josiah Cummings and J. Boynton.

'"S! "» Me southern, and Richard Priest, with a family of eleven children, near the center. r»t; ? if' ''^?'"® ^'^^ * l*''ge increase of population, so that by the end of the year it was ««'>nated that there were 400 settlers.

The lands were owned by Government, and settlers entered forty, eighty or more acres as they could afiford. S. W. Graves took 200 acres among the first, being the largest tract then by one person.

Quite an amount of trouble was experienced by the "jumpipg of claims," but intruders summarily dealt with and usually abandoned them. Most of the. early settlers were poor but they came to stay, and the wealthy farmers of this town bear evidence to how well they carried out their intentions.

Soon after. Justice S. W. Graves united David Gillis and a lady from Scotland, Schuyler Spears and Miss Roberts, and S. 0. Little and Ellen Jehu.

The first school was taught in what is now District No. 3, in 1846, by Miss Fanny Duncan in the summer and Lydia Graves in the winter. After this, one term was taught in the granary of S. W. Graves, and one in his log house.

The First Baptist Church of Rutland was organized in the fall of 1845, with about thirty members. They held services in private houses until the schoolhouse was built. J. R. Eldridge was the first Pastor, but after one year was followed by Rev. Peck. He remained about two years, when the members united with some in the town of Union, Rock Co., and built a church edifice.

The First Free- Will Baptist Church of Rutland was also organized about the same 'time, and consisted of some twenty members from the towns of Rutland, Dunkirk and Dunn. The first service was held in the log house of Jeremiah Douglass. Meetings ware afterward held in schoolhouses, until 1874, when a good church building was erected. Rev. D. F. Starr was the first Pastor. The church now numbers about seventy members, and Rev. J. B. Gidney is Pastor. There is a prosperous Sunday school connected with the church; Z. L. Wellman, present Superintendent.

There kre two other churches in the town. United Brethren and Methodist. Quite a se^ tlement of Danes have come into the town, and have organized a church, but as yet have no church building.

Rutland is settled almost entirely by farmers. There is only one mill in town, which is run by water from a large spring. The first settlers were obliged to carry their grain to Beloit, about thirty miles, to mill.

In 1848, the post office was removed from Stoughton to Rutland, and kept at the residence now occupied by Fred Usher. Henry Edmunds was Postmaster.

On the shore of Island Lake is found an excavation, some ten feet in diameter, the gravel taken out being used to make a dyke into the lake, and quite large trees are now growing on the place.

Among the eccentric men who have lived in Rutland, Sullivan Soule was probably the most so. Many anecdotes of interest might be related of him if we had space. In 1876, he fitted up two teams, taking all things necessary for camping, his whole family and some grandchildren, and started East. As much notice was taken of his progress by newspaper men as is of the President. He drove leisurely to Philadelphia, camped, looked the Exposition over, and resumed his journey through to his old home in Maine. After a visit there, he drove mostot the way back.

Most of the first settlers of the town are not here now ; many have died, others have lett. The present inhabitants are a majority of American people; there are, however, some Welsh, some Scotch, a few English, and quite a settlement of Danes.

The town of Rutland lies on the southern boundary line of the county, which separates it from Union, in Rock County. It is watered by the Badfish Creek, which enters the town on Section 6 flows eircuitously through the central part, passing out on Section 36 into Rock County and into the Yahara". On the banks of this stream are found abundance of excellent marsh lands. The larger part of the land is openings, while little, if any, may be termed prairie. The soil is rich and very productive. There is a lake, known as Island Lake, which in early times was considered a curiosity. It has an island near the center, of about three acres. This was once thickly wooded with good rock-maple trees, with no others within twenty miles. The lake is situated on Section 3'.

The population of Rutland at an early day was composed largely of settlers from Vermont and Maine. The Chicago & North- Western Railway just crosses the extreme southwest corner of the town.

The population of the town, in 1845, was 400 ; in 1846, according to the State census, 446 ; it is now 1,134. Along the Badfish there are a great number of springs ; there is one spring so large that it runs a grist-mill within ten rods of its head, with two runs of stone. One spring is twenty-four feet in diameter, and so deep that it is difficult to find the bottom. The Badfish Creek has a southwest branch, the Anthony Creek, which joins it near the center of the town.

In addition to the lake already mentioned, are two others, one, Bass Lake, situated in the northeast quarter of Section 24, another situated in the northeast quarter of Section 2. In the town of Rutland, there is but one post office ; this is at the village of Rutland, which is the only village in the town.

Town Of Dunkirk

By the act of the Territorial Legislature, approved February 2, 1846, Township 5 north, of Range H east, was constituted a separate town and called Dunkirk. The first town meeting was held on the first Tuesday of April following, when Abner Barlow was elected Chairman ; S. H. Lyon and Levi Farman, Supervisors ; Moses W. Emerson, Clerk and Treasurer ; Samuel W. Rays and Calvin Barnard, Assessors.

The town lies fifteen miles southeast of Madison. It is one of the best towns in the county for farming and manufacturing purposes. The Yahara enters in the northern part, on Section 4, and, after a circuitous bend, passes through the town south and southeasterly, leaving it on Section 35. This stream furnishes very superior water-power. It has a small tributary on the north, entering tne main stream on the section last named. The lands in this town are diversified by oak openings, prairie and marsh, the prairie being mostly in the northeast and northwestern corners. The marsh land is in the vicinity of the Yahara. The soil is rich and productive.

The first settler here was John Nelson, a Norwegian, who came early in the spring of 1843. Chauncey Isham came soon after, as did John Wheeler, Michael Campbell, M. Emerson, Jesse Utter, S. H. Roys, Richard Palmer, Campbell and William Saunders, Edward James, Levi Farnham, Joseph Vroman and John Blake.

The first town meeting was held at the house of Mr. Lyons. -tDuring the year 1844, E. E. Roberts, Joseph Cannon, John Estes, 0. Bathy, Kittle Kitteon, Stratton Martin, H. H. Giles and others came.

-Ine old settlers of this township have annual g?itherings at the house of one of their num.. r, no guest to be under fifty years of age and not less than twenty years a resident of the

Tk^" ^^^ *'^° ^^^^ ^° annual picnic, at which both old and young are invited, tu f 1 ''°P"^**'on of Dunkirk in 1846 was 341 ; it is now 1,283. By the act of the Legislare ot 1868, incorporating the village of Stoughton, the limits of the town were reduced 720 68- It was provided in the act just mentioned, that " From and after the 6th day of April,

1868, the connection between the said village of Stoughton and the said town of Dunkirk, for town purposes," should be dissolved, and the duties then imposed upon town' officers, so far as they related to Stoughton, should be imposed on the officers of the village. Thus it was that a " bill of divorce " was granted the last-named corporation.

The village of Dunkirk, located on the south side of the Yahara, on Sections 20 and 21, is a small place, having a grist-mill and blacksmith-shop. In the northern part of the town, is a large Norwegian settlement. There is but one post office in the town, it is called Hanerville, situated on the east side of the Prairie du Chien Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, on Section 26. There is one small lake in the town, on Sections 18 and 19. The railroad just mentioned enters, the town on Section 25, and, taking a northwest course through Stoughton, leaves it from Section 5. The town has now 1,283 inhabitants.

Village Of Stoughton

The village of Stoughton is the first in commercial importance in the county, and waPplatted in 1847, by Luke Stoughton, after whom it takes its name. Two additions have since been made : one in January, 1855, by Mr. Stoughton ; the other in July, 1875, by 0. M. Turner.

Immediately after purchasing the land here, Mr. Stoughton set to work to improve the water-power. A dam was built and a saw-mill set in operation during the year. The next move was to secure settlers for the prospective village, and special inducements were held out to all who chose to make here a home for themselves and to improve the place. Alvin West was the first to avail himself of the offer, and, during the summer and fall of 1847, erected the first building in the place, designed for a public inn. The location selected by Mr. West was the present site of the Hutson House, of which more will be said hereafter.

The winter of 1847-48 passed, and spring opened hopefully. Settlers began to flock into the place, and business activity prevailed. Mr. Stoughton this year opened a stock of general merchandise, it being the first store in the place. This was of great convenience to the people, who, heretofore, had been compelled to go long distances for any article of household necessity of which they were in need. Colton & Westcott built the brick building which stands near the upper bridge, during this same season. Other improvements were also made.

In 1850, Mr. Stoughton put up a small grist-mill, with one run of stone. This supplied the needs of the people for a short time, when a larger one was built of brick. In this were two run of stone. Sometime during the year 1855, this mill was undermined by water-rats and fell - a complete wreck. This ended Mr. Stoughton's milling operations. Soon after this, he 8j)ld the water-power to John C. Jenkins, who erected the present Stoughton Mills.

The Legislature of the State, at its annual session held in the winter of 1867-68, passed an act incorporating the village, designating the south half of Section 5, the north half of Section 8, and the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 9, in Township 5 north. Range 11 east, as comprising its limits, and constituting the inhabitants then dwelling in the territory described, or who might thereafter dwell therein, as a body corporate, by the name of " the President and Trustees of the Village of Stoughton," with all the rights and privileges granted to such bodies. The officers of the corporation consist of five Trustees, one Clerk, one Police Justice, one Assessor, one Treasurer, and one Constable, who is an ex-officio Marshal, Street Commissioner and Health Commissioner. The first election under the charter was held on the first Tuesday of April, 1868, since which time annual elections have been held, resulting as follows :

1868 - Trustees : James J^orris, President ; Matthew Morrison, Matthew Johnson, J. C. Chidester, H. J. Everest; Clerk, Frank Allen; Marshal and Street Commissioner, A. Ji^ Nott ; Treasurer, A. C. Croft ; Poundmaster, N. Washburn.

1869 - Trustees: F. A. Turner, President; R. R. Walker, M. Weisenberg, J. C.Chidister, John Daws ; Frank Allen. Clerk ; H. A. Hoverson, Police Justice ; A. C. Croft, Treasurerj (j- W. Warren, Street Commissioner.

1871 - Thomas Beattie, President ; William H. Miller, S. H. Severson, Jacob Wettleson, F. A. Buckman, Trustees ; A. P. Lusk, Clerk ; A. B. Nott, Marshal ; H. A. Hoverson, Police Justice ; A. T. Higbee, Poundmaster ; A. C. Croft, Treasurer ; A. E. Nott, Street Commissioner.

Wettleson, Trustees; H. M. Billings, Clerk ;.H. A. Hoverson, Assessor; J. 0. Cold, Constable and Street Commissioner ; A. T. Higbee, Poundmaster ; A. C. Croft, Treasurer.

The first ordinance passed by the board was for the purpose of restraining animals from mnmng at large ; the second to restrain drunkards. The next step was to provide sidewalks tor the village. License was granted this year for the sale of intoxicating liquors, for the sum of $60 per year for the retailer and $40 for the wholesale dealer.

License, for the sale of intoxicating liquors, has been granted each year by the village ooavd. In 1872, on the proposition to grant the same for the ensuing year, the board was a p ^o pf the members voting for and two against license. The casting vote was -then with the Resident, W. H. Miller, who voted no, and then immediately handed in his resignation as & member of the board. Thomas Beattie was elected to fill the vacancy, and was also elected y the board as President. The question again coming up, Mr. Beattie gave the casting vote

L f y ^^d pitched his tent, clad in native simplicity, caring for naught save present BoatHe elected to HU vacancy ; also elected by board its President. iHSSrjil ?; P"""'"" ^PPoi-ted to flU tlie vacancy.

sical want, are now locations of churches, schools and houses of refinement. The Indian trail has given place to the iron rail, that bears to our seaboards the product of industry and toil and the wild screech of the juvenile savage is succeeded by the merry song of the boy that ' can't tell a lie,' but may be President. Twenty-five years ago, the pride of our then new town consisted in a grist and saw mill, two hotels of small degree, two stores, a blacksmith-shop, and about a dozen dwellings, accommodating less than a huildred souls. Everybody knew all about his neighbors and his neighbors' business, and confidently predicted a future of prosperity to th& village that was their beau ideal, but hard times and scenes of adversity came hand-in- hand with those of prosperity. A new brick flouring-mill was erected, only to tumble down over a quicksand foundation, and all the people were in sackcloth. The iron horse furnished glad music to business men who loaded her trains, only to be followed by losses in business, and her stores increased from two to a dozen, were nearly all closed in the ' hard times of '57,' bv ruthless creditors. But the motto of the little town was ' onward.' In all her adversity she never faltered, but made the most of her misfortunes. Now she boasts of iron bridges instead of sunken ones of wood ; of improved streets, walks and residences ; of an excellent and popular mill ; of the celebrated ' Stoughton Wagon Works, ' including a foundry, that has done so much in adding to the growth, population and prosperity of the village, and of numerous other works of manufacture and enterprise, all in a most prosperous condition, notwithstanding all the talk about 'hard and soft money.' A fine two-story schoolhouse and seven churches, are proof that our people have not been asleep as to the wants of educational or spiritual improvement, and the civic and social relations among our inhabitants are eminently harmonious. Three good hotels now furnish desirable accommodations to strangers and the traveling public, and Stoughton, with its river and lake inducements to the sporting man, has become a desirable locality to recuperate the overworn energies of sedentary life. A commodious and well-shaded park for public, celebrations, with a racing track in good order, is a recent feature of improvement in the town."

Public Schools. - From the little old schoolhouse on the west side of the river, as a beginning, there is now a fine three-story brick building, standing on an eminence east of the river, and commanding one of the finest views to be found in this' section. This building was formally opened in December, 1862, with prayer by Rev. Robert Sewell, an address by the State Superintendent, Hon. J. L. Pickard, and remarks by County Superintendent Barlow and others, interspersed with band music" and choir singing. For fifteen years this building met the requirements of the village, but in 1877 an addition was built, by which three more rooms were added. The graded system was adopted at an early day, and, on the passage of the law, in 1875, a, free high school was established. At present, the value of the school building and grounds is estimated at $10,000. In the district are 404 children of school age, 380 of whom were enrolled the past year in the various departments. Since 1866, the following named have been employed as teachers : W. M. Lawrence, Nellie French, Adele Duncan, Miss 0. M. Caprell, F. E. Parkinson, Mary E. Vedder, Maria E. Lawton, George Breuseau, Nellie Belden, Nellie Parkinson, Miss H. E. Main, C. H. Faulks, Miss L. Campbell, Miss A. S. Powers, George W. Currier, H. L. Alden, L. D. Roberts, Miss Marilla Douglas, Miss M. Stebbins, Annie Wyman, Carrie Pierpont, Mary Gantt, Annie Sewell, Mrs. C. L. Hubbs, J. S. Maxon, Mrs. J. S. Maxon, A. R. Ames.

Lecture Association. - In the fall of 1877, an association was formed, composed of a number of the leading citizens of the place, for the purpose of securing a course of lectures durmg the winter months. Among those taking a special interest in the matter were George W. Currier, L. D. Clark, 0. M. Turner, T. W. Evans, A. A. Flint, W. H. Leedle, H. M. Tusler, A. H. Isham, J. S. Hutson, W. D. Potter, A. T. Higbee, C. E. Parrish, C. J. Melaaa, G. W. Wood, H. W. Hale and H. J. Nichols. George W. Currier was made President of the associar tion.

Post Office. - A post office was established here in 1848, with Forest Henry as Postmaster. He was soon after succeeded by Thomas Howland, who continued until 1853, when E. Beardsley was appointed. On account of his intention to support John C. Fremont for the Presidency in 1856 he resigned the office, and Emerson F. Giles received the appointment. Mr. Giles soon after hoisted a Fremont flag, and was in consequence removed. Squire Sibley taking the office, which he held until his death. John R. Boyce was then appointed, and held the office until 1865 when A. C. Croft was commissioned, and held the office until February 20, 1875, when he resigned and removed to Minnesota, where he engaged in the publication of the Bock County Herald. J. M. Hibbard, who had been assistant under Mr. Croft for nearly six years, was now commissioned as Postmaster, which position he yet holds. He is assisted in his office by Miss Mira Warren, who discharges the duties of assistant in a manner to win the praise of the patrons of the office. At the time Postmaster .Hibbard took control of the office, there were 175 call boxes, and 10 lock boxes. There are now 460 call boxes, and 56 lock boxes. Stoughton was designated as a money-order office on July 1, 1369. The first order was issued to Michael Campbell for the sum of $50. The first order paid by this office was to Mrs. Isabel Edwards.

Stoughton Fair Association. - Pursuant to a call, a meeting was held in the village hall, Tuesday evening, September 30, 1879, for the purpose of forming an association under the above name. After the matter was thoroughly discussed and signing articles of agreement by those desirous of becoming identified with the enterprise, S. H. Severson was elected President; WiUiam E. CoUady, Hiram Baker, Oliver Johnson, J. M. Hofi"man, Edward Fellows, George Nearson, Ole Everson, Vice Presidents ; C. E. Parrish, Secretary ; George Dow, Treasurer. The officers were made an Executive Committee, and empowered to select grounds, erect buildings and arrange for holding fairs.

Turner's Park was secured by the officers of the association, and a series of monthly fairs determined upon. Saturday, October 24, 1879, was the day advertised for the first exhibition. Although it had been insufficiently advertised, a large gathering was in attendance, and a cr.editable amount of stock was placed upon exhibition. Six races took place, affiarding an exciting amusement. An auction sale of stock followed the regular exhibition.

The second fair was held Saturday, November 22, and was quite largely attended, considering the lateness of the season. The streets were crowded with teams, and a large number witnessed the races at the driving park. A number of head of stock was on exhibition, and a number of sales made at the auction. John Patterson, of Pleasant Springs, created some attention by driving two yoke of oxen hitched to a wagon. Mr. Patterson is a pioneer settler, and understands well how to wield the whip and shout " haw " and " gee."

No fairs were held during the winter months following. The third fair was held Monday, May 17, 1880. Over $100 were offered in purses and premiums. The village paper of May 22, said of this fair : " Shortly after sunrise on Monday morning, our ever lively village became the scene of unusual excitement. Our citizens were abroad at an early hour, and the starspangled banner and Scandinavian flag were seen floating in the morning breeze. People from the surroundiiig country, clothed in holiday attire, began to arrive, and before 10 o'clock our streets were swarming with humanity, comprising all ages, sects and nationalities. The officers of the Fair Association were upon the ground by 9 o'clock, and the Secretary's books open for entries. The Stoughton Brass Band furnished the music for the occasion. Financially, the fair was a success, and sufficient funds were realized to pay up the associations indebtedness."

Stoughton Oornet Band. - This band was organized in 1854, and was composed of sixteen members - E. J. Leavitt, R. Bartell, John Daws, George Pellage, Theodore Colladav, Charles JJodge, John Dodge, James Brown, C. Beardsley, John Colladay, John Flanigan, R. Pritchard, ^ Carr, George Colladay, S. Pitts and William Pitts. R. Barbell was chosen as leader, E. J. i®"" instructor. Their advancement in musical science and skill was so great that in 1858, the band had the reputation of being one of the best in the State, and their services were generally in request on public occasions far and near. On the breaking-out of the war, the band was reorganized and enlisted as the regimental band of the Eleventh Wisconsin. Those composing tae company at that time were E. J. Leavitt, T. P. Camp, John Daws, G. H. Warren, E. Daws, iieodore Colladay, J. M. Daws, John Nicholas, Charles Dodge, John Dodge, James Brown,

John Colladay, B. Ralph, R. Pritchard and George Colladay. At the expiration of eleven months they were discharged, when they came home, again re-organized and re-enlisted as headquarter's band of Gen. Curtiss. As such they served during the remainder of the war, when they returned to their homes. The next move was to again perfect their organization, which was done, the following named composing the number : E. J. Leavitt, leader ; T. P. Camp, John Daws, J. Wettleson, G. H. Warren, 0. Isham, A. M. Isham, George Pellace, E. Daws, A. Nelson, A. E. Nott, Theodore Colladay, J. M. Daws, Clarence Sawyer, Seymour Stoughton. They now adopted the name of Ijeavitt's Cornet Band, electing John Daws, President ; A. E. Nott, business manager. Again their services were in demand for political parties, celebrations and social parties. Mr. Leavitt continued as leader of the band until 1868, when he left the village. John Daws was then elected to fill the vacancy, continuing as such until 1876, when he retired and Chauncey Isham was elected. After Mr. Leavitt's withdrawal, the name Stoughton Cornet Band was again resumed. Mr. Isham served for about one year when he died.

Some of Stoughton' s Honored Dead.* - William H. Miller was born in Troy, Waldo Co., Me., February 29, 1816 At an early age, he was apprenticed to a tanner and shoemaker in Cornish, and, having mastered his trade, engaged in business there for himself. He was successful, but success was gained at the expense of his health, which broke down in 1850, through excessive and unremitting labor. In the following year, he removed to Wisconsin and settled on a farm in the town of Deerfield, this county. In 1868, he came to Stoughton, and again engaged in the boot and shoe business, but failing health led him to seek a milder climate. He therefore removed to Florida, and opened a fruit farm near Bronson ; but it was too late ; his maladies prevailed, and on the 13th of April, 1879, he died. In politics, he was, from the organization of the party, a Republican, and aided much in building up and sustaining that party in his section of the county. Beside holding town oflSces, he represented his district in the Assemblies of 1863 and 1864. Being in Rhode Island at the time of the Dorr rebellion, he served the State as a soldier in that bloodless war. When war seemed imminent with Great Britain, pending the settlement of the northeastern boundary question, he promptly offered himself as a substitute for a friend who was drafted. In the early days of 1861, when told that a son had enlisted, he simply remarked, " He has only done his duty." He had been for many years a member of the Methodist Church, and gave time and liberally of his means for the advancement of the cause of Christ. He was thrice married, and at death left a wife and eight children to mourn his loss. Mr. Miller won the confidence and esteem of every one with whom he came in contact. He was faithful to every trust, quiet and unassuming, content to do the duties that came to his hands, being ambitious only to do good.

Nahum Parker immigrated to this State in 1845, and ten years later settled in Stoughton, he died April 7, 1880. A local writer thus speaks of him : " Concerning his traits of character as a man and citizen, too much cannot be said in his praise. He was industrious, -enterprising, virtuous, refined, genial and generous, patriotic and magnanimous. He loved his country ; he gloried in his citizenship ; he esteemed it a great excellency of character to be a true patriot under this Government, in this land of freedom and free institutions. He was a very honest man in all his business transactions - his word was his bond. He believed that an honest man was the noblest work of God ; and as he believed, so he was in life, every inch of him an honest man. If ever a man lived who had a better reputation in this respect, I have no knowledge of him. His character for honesty was above suspicion. He paid his debts. He promised only to fulfill. All who sustained business relations with him found his word equal to gold. Like the sturdy, honest old hills of New England and his native State, you always knew where to find him. He was a model man in his social relations ; he loved his home ; his family was dear to his heart ; he took great satisfaction in being at home, where his joys were centered, and in providing for his own household. He was a very patient man. I never saw a more patient man in my life than he was in his last sickness ; and even when the time came that it was

* A biosraphioal notice of the late Luke Stonghton is given in a previous chapter, in the article headed " Some of Dane Conn y » Distingaished Dead." - Ed.

evident to his own mind that he was fast approaching the dark river, that the profoundest medical skill was inadequate to reach his case, he uttered no complaint, but wore the same patient expression as before. He leaves a wife and two daughters and a large circle of friends to mourn

Among the pioneer preachers of Wisconsin, few were better known and none more universally beloved than Rev. Robert Sewell, who for many years ministered to the little band of Congregationalists in this village. Robert Sewell was born August 8, 1798, in Halstead, England. His father, Deacon Isaac Sewell, was a man of sterling Christian integrity and influence ; by character and lineage a stanch Independent. He studied theology with Rev. E.' Cope, D. D., and before his marriage was licensed to preach. It was his deliberate choice and joy to preach the Gospel of his loved Savior without compensation whenever he found opportunity.

A few years subsequent to his marriage, he removed to America, finding a temporary home in Canada. There he gathered a Congregational Church, whose urgent invitation to become their Pastor he felt it his duty to decline. He selected Madison, N. J., for his home, where, entering into business, he mainly resided till he removed West. In the summer of 1853, he removed to the vicinity of Fulton, Rock Co., Wis., and shortly commenced preaching with the Congregational Churches at Fulton and Cooksville. The following spring, he yielded to the urgent solicitations of friends that, under changed circumstances, he should consent to be ordained and become Pastor to the Fulton Church. The church at Cooksville having later transferred themselves to the village of Stoughton, he removed his residence thither in December, 1858. Here he continued to reside and preach up to the time of his death, excepting one interval, when he was ministering to a church he had gathered and organized at Brooklyn, tffelve miles distant, and to which he continued to preach till he was unable to meet the exposure incident to the travel from his home.

Having just entered on a new year of home missionary labor with the Stoughton Church, and as keenly enjoying his ministerial labors as ever in his life, his vigor of mind and utterance unimpaired, he was attacked with a sickness that kept him out of the pulpit but one Sabbath. He was convalescing rapidly from it, when, on Wednesday evening, February 11, 1874, while silting by his fireside with. his family, he fell over into the arms of his wife and died instantly. God granted him his twofold wish. In that illness. He took away all lingering fear of death, and He suffered him to die " with the harness on." Up to the last, he delighted in all the ministrations of the Sabbath, and gladly used for his Redeemer all the treasures that his constantly active mind had gathered from every quarter. Through his life, he sought the privilege rather than the fame of good deeds, the gain and use of knowledge instead of ics reputation and praise. The record of the many liberal things that his heart devised and his hands wrought is with the Master whom he loved and served. Doing good was his highest joy. This made his life a powerful demonstration of Christian love, and secured for him universal confidence and good-will. A clear thinker, from the outset of his ministry till its close a student of the Greek and Hebrew ocriptures, as studious of God's revelations in his works as in his words, and ever impelled by the love of Christ and the love of souls, he gained great personal influence over his hearers. He was familiarly known as Father Sewell to almost every person in the village and surrounding country, and, in the absence of other ministers, he was often called upon to lay away K) rest the departed of other flocks.

Manufactories. - The situation of Stoughton, its fine water-power, and access to the markets Us *'°"'''''"y> Make it a good manufacturing point, which at present is being well developed, iae farst manufactory of importance was that of the

St l"^^^'"' ^^^^- - ^^ already remarked, the first grist-mill erected in the place was by Luke ed'fi K ' '" ^^^^1 * stuall affair, which was afterward torn down on the completion of a better mce by the same person. The second mill was undermined by the water-rats and fell - a anoth" ^'" j"'^" Stoughton then sold the, water-power to John C. Jenkins, who erected ]Jv ''®"®'" * ^^^''^ distance below the first. After operating it a few years Mr rasins, m July, 1864, deeded it to Walker, Williams & Co., who, in April, 1867, sold to

Norris & Beattie. In 1879, Mr. Beattie sold his interest to Mr. Dow, who, together with Mr. Norris, continues to run it under the firm name of Norris & Dow. As originally built the mill had three run of stone ; one run was afterward added by Walker, Williams & Co.. and three more by Norris & Beattie. Of the seven run of stone, five are used for general manufacture and two on custom work. For some years past, about 100 barrels per day have been manufactured for the general trade. Ten men find employment in the mill. Three brands of flour are made - Minnesota Patent, Stoughton Straight and Extra. Six of the most improved waterwheels are in constant use. Three of them are Lefiiel's, one Noyes' improved, one Houston's improved and one Stout, Mills & Temple's, of Dayton, Ohio. All of them are the improved turbine wheel. These six wheels run the complicated machinery of the mill. All the machinery and the last-mentioned water-wheel are furnished by Stout, Mills & Temple, of Dayton, Ohio and consist of the best and most improved machinery now in use. The bolting chest in use cost $2,500, the bolting cloth used in its construction being of silk manufactured in France. They import a large quantity of wheat from Minnesota, from which is manufactured a superior article of flour. Norris & Dow, erected, in 1877, near the depot, an elevator for the purpose of storing grain received from the West, and also to enable them to handle the grain purchased in this vicinity. They have also a Fairbank track-scale by the side of the elevator, with a weighing capacity of thirty tons. This enables them to ascertain the number of bushels of grain received, or the amount of flour, grain or other produce shipped.

Stoughton Wagon Works. - The vjllage of Stotighton has secured, since 1865, quite a reputation as a manufacturing point. In the year mentioned, T. G. Mandt, in a small shop erected by his own hands, on a capital of f 100, commenced the manufacture of wagons, employing no help, but doing all the work himself, being a practical wagon-maker and blacksmith. From this small beginning, through a period of financial depression, on a downward market the greater part of the time, he has built up a business of which he may well be proud. The small shop, barely large enough for one or two men to be engaged at work, has grown into fifteen large buildings, covering seven acres of ground. The main building, erected during the summer of 1880, and used-as the wood-work department, is 162x44 feet, three stories in height, in addition to which, and for the same purpose, is a building 44x80 feet, two stories high. The building in which the ofiBce is located is 56x60, two stories high, a part of which is used for the storage of hardware and iron, the ironing of wheels, and other articles. The machine-shop and foundry is 44x60, and is fitted up with lathes, punches, cutting-machines, and other utensils used in the business. The repair department is a two-story building, 3tx90, where all kinds of vehicles and agricultural machinery are repaired. In addition to these are drying-rooms, paint shops, storage rooms and other necessary buildings, making one of the most complete manufactories in the country. The present capacity of the works is one wagon complete every twenty minutes, besides about 1,000 buggies and carriages of various descriptions, 2,000 sleighs, and a vast amount of drags and other agricultural implements yearly. In his annual circular for 1880, the proprietor says :

" My trade is not spread over all the States and Territories of the Union, for, wherever my wagons have once been introduced, the acknowledged superiority over all other wagons has made them the ' leading wagon ;' and a healthy and steadily increasing demand, where they are best known, has not necessitated a wide range of territory. I can, with just pride, boast that my wagons are invariably sold by the best and most responsible parties throughout the West, and have yet to find one single instance where a responsible firm have commenced selling my goods, that have given them up for other wagons."

The local trade of Mr. Mandt speaks well for his work, he virtually controlling the trade for forty miles around. Among the points of excelfence claimed by the manufacturer are :

2. The woodwork, before being ironed, has invariably ttfo coats of linseed oil, gf^- ually dried into the wood by a drying process. Every piece in the gearing is put together m white lead when ironed. The felloes are soaked in boiling oil.

3. They are the easiest running, the skeins being set a gauge, so that each skein is invariably alike, and, consequently, every wagon is exact and there is no variation in ease of draft. Skeins are all heated and driven on the axle in white lead, this process being obtained bycareful study and long experience.

4. Has a patent tongue spring (T. G. Mandt's patent), which can be adjusted so as to hoM longue in any position ; lessens weight on horses' necks ; is light, simple, and can never get out

' 6. There is a safety-catch on the end of each tongue, thereby preventing it from falling out of the neck-yoke ring, even if tugs, unhitch, or whiffletree, clevises, etc., fall out, and runaways and accidents in most instances prevented.

7. The tongue-iron, near the hold-back, is doubled and drawn out, which prevents the rings in the neck-yoke from wearing the tongue, and is thirty -four inches long, being tvice the length of an ordinary tongue-iron, and hinders the horses from gnawing the tongue.

8. The two hub bands next to the spokes are not driven up to the spokes within half an inch, giving water and mud, naturally accumulating there in wet weather, a chance to run off. On most wagons these bands are driven close up, and even into the spokes, enough so as to admit water into the wood, thereby rotting the hubs and spokes. Have also a small, half-oval band on the front of hub bands, adding materially to outside finish of the hub.

Many points of excellence are also claimed for^he carriages, some of which are covered by letters patent. In the transaction of his business, Mr. Mandt employs 110 hands, and pays out for labor over $4,000 per month. From the small beginning already noted, Mr. Mandt's sales increased to $162,000 in 1878, and $300,000 in 1880.

Eriehon Bros.' Wagon-Shop. - In 1874, K. Erickson opened a small shop for the purpose of manufacturing plows and the repair of agricultural machinery. In 1876, a partnership was formed with his hrother, Iver Erickson, and the manufacture of wagons and carriages was added. The firm employs from six to ten hands throughout the year, and turns out good work. A. Flyte. - This gentleman commenced business in this place in the spring of 1852, and is located on the east bank of the Yahara. He employs from four to ten men in the various departments of his wagon and carriage manufactory.

Stoughton State Bank. - This institution was established in the fall of 1877, and organized under the general banking law of the State, with a capital of $50,000. In 1878. they built a fine two-story bank building, with basement, which they occupied in December of that year. The deposits have gradually increased, until at present the average is about $70,000. A large amount of money passes through this bank annually, of which the tobacco interest requires nearly $200,000, and flour $50,000, per year. The present Directors are 0. M. Turner, George Dow, M. Johnson and H. H. Giles ; 0. M. Turner, President; M. Johnson, Vice President; Robe Dow, Cashier.

Tobacco Trade. - The first tobacco bought in this market by a local buyer, for shipment oh his own account, was by Matthew Johnson, in 1871. But little was raised that year, the greater part of what was grown in this neighborhood being sold at Edgerton, the shipments from this station amounting to 25,000 pounds. For several years Mr. Johnson was the only local buyer, but there were buyers from the East who came out during the season. Such warehouses as could be obtained were .used until 1877, when James S. Hutson erected one near the depot, since which time seven others have been built, by M. Oppenheimer, Bunzl & Dormit, and Johnson k

- rurner. The last party, in the fall of 1879, erected a house 40x104, 24-foot posts, and basement 9 feet, the storage capacity of which is 5,000 cases, of 400 pounds each. The other j warehouses of the village will hold about 8,000 cases. During the winter, about 200 men find employment in the various warehouses. During the years 1871 to 1880, inclusive, were

Planing-Mill. - Near the depot is located the planing-mill of S. H. Severson & Co. This mill was erected in 1867, by Mr. E. J. Leavitt, and sold by him two years after to Miller & Stoughtonbought back in about one yeat, and run by Leavitt & Sheldon, until 1871, wheii ifrwas purchased by S. H. Severson & Co. In the fall of 1877, it was rebuilt by the latter party, new machinery added, making it one of the most complete mills in this section of the State. In addition to general custom work of planing, sawing and turning, Severson & Co. commenced the manufacture, in the spring of 1878, of Fawcett's patent blinds, an invention of which they have the exclusive control in this State. In this blind, the slats' are made to interlock in such a manner, when closed, as to exclude not only every ray of light, but also wind, dust, rain and snow. In place of a staple, as in common blinds, this blind has a clip which holds the slats to their place and keeps them from rattling. There is also a lock at the lower end of the operating rod, by which you can fasten the slats shut, open, or part way open, and hold them to their place. There is no opening between the stiles and ends of slats to admit the rays of the sun on your carpets and upholstery, as in the old style, The fastenings do not allow the slats to open only horizontally, so no rain will ever beat into the windows. About 8,000 pairs are made yearly. The firm also manufacture the sliding window screens, of which a large number are made yearly. Twelve men at-e regularly employed in their establishment, which is an important addition to the manufacturing interests of Stoughton.

Cheese Factory. - In 1872, Sidney Emmes erected a factory in the town of. Rutland for the purpose of manufacturing cheese. The enterprise was successful, but, thinking to enlarge his Business, he tore down the buildingthe- same fall and removed it to this place, re-erected it, and commenced manufacturing a superior article. He manufactured but one season, was taken suddenly sick and died. No one desiring to continue the business, the building passed into the hands of Matthew Johnson, who transformed it into a tenement house.

Qongregational GhuroJi. - On the 19th day of April, 1857, the members of the Presbyterian Church at Cookville voted unanimously to remove their place of meeting to the village of Stoughton, and that the organization should be known as the " First Presbyterian Church of Stoughton." The first meeting at the latter place was held Sunday, May 3, of the same year. Those comprising the organization were Abner Barlow and wife, James Gillis and wife, Greorge Gillis and wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Hume, David Gillis and wife, Mrs. Betsy B. Johnson, Andrew Erskine and wife, Luke Joslyn and wife,L. M. Van Buren and wife, Mrs. Sarah L. Boyce and Mrs. Maria Dawes. The congregation elected from their number James Gillis, Luke Joslyn and L. M. Van Buren, Elders, and they were duly ordained to the work. Rev. Robert Sewell, the founder of the church, was chosen its Pastor, and served as such until his death in 1874, save for a period of one year, when Rev. M. M. Martin served as supply. At a special meeting of the Church, held May 29, 1863, it was resolved to change the name of the church from the "First Presbyterian Church of Stoughton" to the "First Congregational Church of Stoughton," and to be hereafter governed by the rules and forms of the latter body. About this time, steps were taken for the erection of a church building, which was completed and dedicated to the worship of the Living God, December 31, 1863. Rev. R. Sewell made the invocation. Rev. M. P. Kinney, of Janesville, read a portion of the sacred Scriptures, followed by prayer by Rev. R. W. Bosworth, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. M. P. Kinney then delivered an appropriate and eloquent sermon, from Ex., xx, 24: "In all places where I record my name." At the conclusion of the address. Rev. L. Taylor, of Madison, offered up the dedicatory prayer. The Trustees of the church, at the time of its erection, were Ray Jenkins, John R. Boyce and Luke Joslyn. Since the death of Mr. Sewell, no regular Pastor has been employed.

Universalist Church. - The first preaching by a minister of this denomination was held in the old schoolhouse, wherein a society was formed in 1857. During the following year, a neat church edifice of cream-colored brick was erected on the west side of the river, at a cost of $4,000. In this house regular services have since been held, under the pastoral charge of Revs. B. F. Dodge, Mr. Peck, B. F. Rodgers, Miss Swartz, J. C. Crawford, Mr. Howe, L. B. Mason, E. Garfield and S. W. Sutton. Rev. Mr. Garfield's pastorate extended over a period of seven years, from 1870 to 1877, since which time Rev. Mr. Sutton has served, and under whose administration a church organization was formed June 1, 1879, with E. E. Roberts, F. Isham, Mrs. Sophronia Willard, Mrs. Ellen Hale, Mrs. Adaline Higbee, Mrs. Jane Fuller, Mrs. Jane Goff, Mrs. Delia Everest, Mrs. Roxana Sawin, Mrs. Helen Warren, Mrs. Elvira Stoughton, Mrs. Ann Galley, Mrs. Mary Oilman, Miss Mary Nelson, Miss Ida Lyon, as constituent members. Three more have since been admitted - George M. Burnett, Mrs. M. E. Burnett, Miss De Ette Allen. The officers of the church are Rev. S. W. Sutton, Pastor ; Miss Mary Nelson, Clerk ; Mrs. Mary Gilman, Treasurer ; E. E. Roberts and Mrs. Sophronia Willard, Deacons. The society organization has fifty members, with E. E. Roberts, President ; Miss Ida Lyon, Clerk; Miss De Ette Allen, Treasurer ; W. W. Key, 0. Isham, John Atkinson, 0. M. Turner and T. G. Taylor, Trustees.

Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Christ Church. - A church building was erected in 1876, under the supervision of Rev. C. M. Hristendahl, Pastor of the church, which, together with the parsonage and grounds, cost $7,500. About sixty-five families are connected. Trustees - J. J. Naset, G. T. Mandt and A. A. Quale.

At a meeting held three weeks later (October 27), Rev. 0. J. Hantlestad, from Milwaukee,, was elected Chairman and J. G. Baker Secretary, and L. T. Lawson, J. G. Baker and Johann Asmundsen, Deacons. At this meeting, Rev. Hatlestad was elected Pastor of the congregation. He was to preach one Sunday in every four weeks.

At a regular congregational meeting on the 21st of April, 1867, Rev. Hatlestad having resigned as Pastor for want of time, and a theological student, J. M. Eggen, being recommended to the congregation, he was unanimously elected and called to the pastorate, and accepted the call. The Boure congregation, organized at Pleasant Springs June 22, 1860, by Rev. P. A. Rasmussen, from Lisbon, 111., expressed at this meeting a willingness to unite with the Stoughton Church in securing the services of Mr. Eggen.

At a meeting April 24, 1867, steps were taken toward the erection of a church edifice. A lot being donated by Mr. Luke Stoughton, a church was the same year erected (46x30), but not completed and dedicated till 1872, the cost at completion being $2,800.

Rev. Eggen resigned as Pastor of the church in March, 1871, and Rev. Prof. A. Weenaas supplied the pulpit temporarily till October, 1872, when Rev. M. Falk Gjertsen, of Leland, 111., bemg previously elected as Pastor, began ministerial work, who has since been Pastor in charge.

In April, 1874, a parsonage was bought. In 1877, the church building being too small to accommodate the congregation, it was enlarged, its present size being 30x68, with a basement for Sunday school, 30x22, at an additional cost of $2,000, the present value of church property, including the parsonage, being between $5,000 and $6,000, which is entirely free from indebtedness. The congregation numbers 315 communicants, with about 600 souls.

Th^ present officers are : Trustees, Knudt Eriksen, Carl Rasmussen and Andrew Erik- 8en ; Deacons, Bendik Grane, Sam Barron, Knudt Mikkelsen, Ingebrigt Quame and Christian ^"^m- Dr. F. Laws ; Treasurer, Andrew Eriksen.

Navigation of the Yahara. - In 1865, Mr. Davison built a small scow for the purpose of drawing stone from the lake, but after running a few times found it unprofitable, and abandoned it. No further attempt was made to navigate the stream until the fall of 1879, when J. G. Baker had a small boat built, 18 feet in length, 4 feet 3 inches in width, drawing 20 inches of water. A one-horse-power engine, made for the purpose at Waltham, Mass., was put on board, and the little boat made its first trip up the river and into the lake in September, 1879. The name Mr. Baker gave to his boat was the " Rjukan," after a celebrated waterfall in Norway, the meaning of which is "smoking water." This enterprise proving successful, in the spring of 1880, T. C. Lund had built a boat 21 feet in length, 6 feet beam, 16 inches draw, on which was placed a twohorse-power engine, built to order in Waltham, Mass. This boat will carry about twenty persons, and is used by Mr. Lund for pleasure parties. On account of the low railway bridge, the boat cannot pass under it to the lake, but Mr. Lund has had constructed a truck on which it is tak'Cn' out of the water and run about sixteen rods, when it is again placed in the water, when it passes unobstructed into the lake. The name of this boat is the " Gange-Rolf," so named in honor of a Norwegian giant king, the literal meaning of which is " Walking Rolf," the giant being so large he could not ride a horse without his feet touching the ground, therefore he was compelled to walk.