Dodge County, Wisconsin - Villages, 1880

Villages

Juneau, THE County Seat: Town and Village Goveknment - The Post Office - The Public Schools - The Churches - SoriETiES - Hotels - Manitactoeies. Hustisford: Early Settlement - Schools - Churches - Manufactories - Professional Men - Hotels - Mek. chants- Miscellaneous. Oak Grove: Giving it a Name - Post Office - Growth- Schools - Religions - Temperance.

Besides being the county seat of Dodge, Juneau is a neat and pleasantly situated little village of about five hundred inhabitants. It was located in the fall of 1845, by Martin Rich, who settled in the town of Fairfield (now Oak Grove) in the spring of 1844, and built a log house about twenty rods west of the present corporate limits of Juneau. The village was laid out by Mr. Rich, William M. Dennis, of Watertown, and others, who became interested in the place about the time it was decided to locate the county seat at or near the geograpliical center of the county, and the original plat bears the name of Victory, in commemoration of the victory achieved in the county seat contest.

In the fall of 1847, S. H. Coleman, a native of New Jersey, settled in Victory. He brought with him a small stock of goods, and opened the first store in the place, in a little frame house built by Joel Rich in 1846. Soon after the arrival of Mr. Coleman, Nelson Willie built the first frame dwelling-house. It is still standing, in the rear of the Juneau House stables, but, owing to its dilapidated condition, long since became uninhabitable.

In 1848, the village was re-platted and re-christened, being called Dodge Center, on account of its geographical location, but, there being another village in the State similarly named, thus creating confusion among Postmasters in sending the mails, the Legislature was petitioned for authority to again change the name ; this was granted, and the place was called Juneau, in honor of Solomon Juneau, the founder of Milwaukee.

Town Government

Prior to April, 1865, Juneau was under town government, and within the jurisdiction of the town of Fairfield, (now Oak Grove). The first election for town officers was held at the house of Lewis D. Phelps, a log structure built by Martin Rich, within what are now the village limits, on the 7th of April, 1846. About twenty rods west of the polling-place was the log cabin built by Mr. Rich, which served the purpose of a general rendezvous for an.xious candidates and their " personal and political friends." Liberal dispensations of " beer and eggs " were made by the aforesaid aspirants, and when, late in the afternoon, the result of the election was known, the successful candidates carried the Judges, Inspectors and Clerk of Election on their shoulders from the polling-place to the log cabin where the peculiar beverage was manufactured, and where the first election in the town of Fairfield ended amid scenes of jollity and good will. The result of the election is given below, as it appears in the records of the town:

" Record of a town meeting of the town of Fairfield, Dodge County, Wisconsin Territory, held at the house of Lewis D. Phelps, in said town, on the 7th of April, A. D. 1846.

"George J. Rice, Town Clerk. Supervisors - John W. Gray (Chairman), Orrin Perkins and Moses Bryant. Assessors, Allen H. Atwater and Arad Owen. Treasurer, Morris Grout. School Commissioners, John L. Eddy, William 11. Lander and George A. Birge. Commissioners of Highway, Ephriam Perkins, Amasa Ilyland and Ira Lane. Justices of the Peace, J. Anderson, Silas Hemstreet and Moses Bryant. Constables, S. V. R. Ilaughton, H. Powell and M. Griffin. Collector, S. V. R. Haugliton. Sealer of Weights and Measures, Garry Taylor. Fence Viewers, Hezekiah Cole, Ira Lane and George J. Rice.

" On motion, it was voted tliat there be assessed upon the taxable property of the town, as valued bv the Assessor, tlie sum of one-half of one per cent, for the support of common schools in said town for the ensuing year.

" Voted, that all town officers, where compensation for their services is not established by law, shall receive the sum of 50 cents per day while discharging the duties of their offices.

'' Voted, that $15 be assessed upon the taxable property of the town for the payment of contingent expenses, and that $20 be assessed for the support of the poor for the ensuing year.

The principal officers chosen at the town election of April, 1847, were, Clerk, John L. Eddy ; Supervisors - Hiram Barber (Chairman), Spencer Givens and George J. Birge. Collector, John S. DeGraft"; Treasurer, IM orris Grout. Assessors - Amasa Hyland, Ephraim Perkins and Thomas M. McCaughey. School Commissioners - R. F. Rising, James Anderson and Charles Burton.

1848 - Clerk, James H. Hall; Treasurer, Morris Grout; Collector, Lyman Stanton. Supervisors - Hiram Barber (Chairman), Joel Rich and Thomas M. McCaughey. Assessors - William Stanton, George A. Birge and William Merick. School Commissioners - Charles Billingliurst. Alson Atwood and S. W. Taylor.

1849 - Clerk, George J. Rice ; Treasurer, George G. White. Supervisors - Ephraim Perkins (Chairman), Thomas Marshal and Carlton Cleveland. Superintendent of Schools, Alson Atwood. Justices of the Peace - Edwin Giddings, Allen H. Atwater, James Anderson and William Stanton.

1850 - Clerk, Silas H. Coleman ; Assessor, Thomas M. McCaughey ; Collector and Treasurer, S. V. R. Ilaughton ; School Superintendent, Eli C. Lewis. Supervisors - Silas Hemstreet, (Chairman), Peter R. Sager and M. B. Hall. Justices of the Peace - J. II. Coleman, N. B. Clough, A. P. Haughton and Theodore Allen.

1851 - Clerk, Moses K. Stickney ; Treasurer, Joel Rich. Supervisors - Samuel Baird (Chairman), Charles W. Daniels and William Stanton. School Superintendent, Bradley Phillips. Justices of the Peace, A. H. Atwater and Edward Giddings, Assessors - Waldo Lyon, George J. Rice and Spencer Givens.

1852 - Clerk, Charles S. Birge. Supervisors - Samuel Baird (Chairman), George J. Rice and Samuel Stanton. Assessors - Allen H. Atwater, Spencer Givens and George H. Birge. School Superintendent, Horace M. Parmelee ; Treasurer, Joel Rich. Justices of the Peace - John C. Lewis, A. P. Haughton and G. A. Buffington.

1853 - Clerk, S. J. R. Smith. Supervisors - Samuel Baird (Chairman), Ozras "Woodford and Barnabas Snow. Assessors - William Stanton, Ephraim Perkins and Roderick Caldwell. Justices of the Peace - A. H. Atwater, Judson Prentice and James Anderson. Superintendent of Schools, H. M. Parmelee ; Treasurer, Egbert B. Parmelee.

1854 - Clerk, E. Perkins. Supervisors - S. Baird (Chairman), Spencer Givens and Theodore H. Allen. Treasurer, Ethan Owen. Justices of the Peace - Thomas McCaughey, Oliver Crowl and Leonard Mertz. Assessor, George J. Rice. School Superintendent, H. M. Parmelee ; Poundmaster, Joseph Evans.

1855 - Clerk, George J. Rice. Supervisors - Samuel Baird (Chairman), Hiram Barber and James Anderson. Treasurer, Alanson Atwood ; Assessor, W. H. Lander ; School Superintendent, H. M. Parmelee. Justices of the Peace - Robert B. Wentworth, A. H. Atwater, Silas Hemstreet and Thomas Marshall.

1856 - Clerk, Spencer Givens. Supervisors - Hiram Barber (Chairman), James Anderson and Egbert B. Parmelee. Assessors, S. S. Drake and A. P. Lyman. Treasurer. Amos K. Givens ; School Superintendent, H. M. Parmelee. Justices of the Peace - G. R. Clapp, Charles Varnum and James Douglass.

1857 - Clerk, Spencer Givens. Supervisors - Hiram Barber (Chairman), E. B. Parmelee and Thomas Marshall. Assessors - S. S. Drake, A. P. Wyman and David Barber ; Treasurer, Amos K. Givens ; School Superintendent, H. M. Parmelee ; Justices of the Peace, James Douglass and G. J. Rice.

1858 - Clerk, Charles H. Graham. Supervisors - Hiram Barber (Chairman), Samuel S. Drake and Azor Marshall ; Treasurer, Selah J. B. Smith ; School Superintendent, Thomas B. Brown : Assessors, George J. Rice and J. W. Nash. Justices of the Peace - E. A. Bailey, C. H. Mark and E. B. Parmelee.

1850 - Clerk, H. N. Crossett. Supervisors - Hiram Barber (Chairman), W. R. Mayhew and Samuel Eastman ; School Superintendent, T. B. Brown ; Treasurer, S. J. R. Smith ; Assessors, Calvin Ely and J. W. Nash. Justices of the Peace - James Douglass, James McFarlin, S. B. Kellogg and Ethan A. Bailey.

1860 - Clerk, John H. Ely. Supervisors - Joel Rich (Chairman), Ranslow Smith and George Hyland ; School Superintendent, H. M. Parmelee ; Treasurer, Benjamin F. Ellis ; Assessor, George J. Rice ; Justices of the Peace, Egbert B. Parmelee and John W. Parmelee.

1861 - Clerk, John H. Ely ; Treasurer, B. F. Ellis ; School Superintendent H. M. Parmelee. Supervisors - Chas. Billinghurst (Chairman), Wm. Harrison and Morris Grout; Assessors, G. J. Rice and L. Stanton ; Justices of the Peace, J. W. Brand and G. F. Wight.

1862 - Clerk, John H. Dunham ; Treasurer, B. F. Ellis. Supervisors - Spencer Givens (Chairman), William Harrison and H; J. Bennett. Justices of the Peace - Asa Varnum, John C. Lewis and Ranslow Smith. " G. J. Rice and J. J. Graves, elected Assessors, having failed to file their oath of office within the time limited by law, we therefore appoint G. J. Rice and J. J. Graves Assessors for the year 1862, to fill said vacancies."

1863 - Clerk, John H. Dunham; Treasurer, John W. Perry; Assessor, George W. Hyland. Supervisors - William Harrison (Chairman), James Rogers and Horace Cole. Justices of the Peace - Owen McCullough, W. H. Miner and Marshal T. White.

1864 - Clerk, John C. Halliger ; Treasurer, William Barber; Assessor, Artemus Vesper. Supervisors - William Harrison (Chairman). Leonard L. Sprout and Abner H. Medbury ; Justices of the Peace, Jonathan C. Brown and Oliver H. Smith.

Village Government

Juneau was incorporated as a village April 29, 1865, and on the 1st day of May of that year, the first election for village officers was held, with the following result :

At the first meeting of the Board, Mr. Charles Billinghurst was requested to accept the appointment of Clerk, but upon the refusal of that gentleman to do so, Charles L. Morris was chosen to fill the office, at a subsequent meeting.

At the charter election of 1866, Garrett Birmingham was chosen President, and Augustus Hiebler, Treasurer. Trustees - -John C. Halliger, Jerry Murphy and James B. Hays. Clerk of the Board (appointed), John H. Dunham.

1867 - Eli C. Lewis, President ; Alonzo Crane, Treasurer; Trustees - J. B. Spencer, C. S. Griffin and H. J. Bennett; Clerk (appointed), William T. RambuSch. As a matter of

Beaver Dam

1879 - In accordance with an act of the Legislature, the citizens of Juneau, on April 12, 1879, voted upon the question of re-incorporation, with the following result : " For re-incorporation, 54;" "Against re-incorporation, 19."

At the last charter election, the following officers were chosen : Samuel Eastman, President ; S. V. R. Haughton, Treasurer ; Trustees - John Bumby, J. S. Allard, John Perkins, J. H. Dunham, John Wyman and Ch. H. Zilisch ; Police Justice, T. H. Lewis ; Justice of the Peace, J. C. Brown; Marshal, W. D. Warner; Constable, Paul Schmidt; Clerk, E. E. Kirkham.

The Post Office

Charles Billinghurst was the first Postmaster in Juneau. He was appointed in 1847, and held the office about a year. The first piece of mail matter received by Postmaster Billinghurst was a large mud-turtle from Oak Grove, sent by Judge Ely C. Lewis, who at that time was Postmaster at the latter place. Nelson Willie was the mail carrier between the two points, and, according to his contract with the Government, was compelled to make regular trips at stated intervals. He had carried his empty mail-pouch over the roa<I numerous times, until the task became as monotonous as it was fruitless, and Willie was fiist developing into a constitutional growler, because there was no mail to carry. Stepping into the Oak Grove Post Office one morning, his heart was made glad when he heard Postmaster Lewis say, " Got something for you this morning, Willie ; can't complain about not having any mail to carry now ; here's your bag, with its contents; take it to Billinghurst, and be sure you arrive on schedule time." Willie was happy. Shouldering his burden, he strode ofl", smiling blandly at every one he met, and revealing to his most confidential friends the cause of this pleasure. " Got something for you t^i's morning, Charlie," shouted the elated Willie, as he entered Billinghurst's door; "can't complain about not receiving any mail now ; here it is," he continued, rolling the turtle out upon the fioor, after the Postmaster had unlocked the pouch. And sure enough he did have something ; and it weighed about fifteen pounds. " Charlie " took in the situation at a glance, and commenced to laugh. But Willie was verv tired ; his smile no lonrjer resembled that of the "heathen Chinee." The more he looked at that turtle, the more tired he became. When Willie returned to Oak Grove, the boys were waiting for him, and it cost him about half the revenue of his contract to induce them to say no more about it.

Postmaster Billingliurst was succeeded, in 1848, by Joel Rich, and, in 1852, S. H. Coleman received the cappointment. Judge E. C. Lewis was the next Postmaster, and, after serving for a short time, Mr. Coleman again became the incumbent. He was succeeded by E. B. Parmelee, who died while in office, his widow becoming his successor. In 1874, J. C. Brown was appointed to the position, and, in October, 1879, A. S. Vanaelstyn became Postmaster.

The location of the post office was, from time to time, the source of considerable quiet strife, and consequently it has been many times removed. Its location, at the time of the receipt of the turtle from Oak Grove, is a matter of but little importance. Mr. Billinghurst's inside coat pocket is said to have answered the purpose until the latter part of his term, when it was located in the Court House, then just finished. When Mr. Rich was appointed, he removed it to his residence, where he now lives, keeping it there but a short time, however. A. Crane's grocery store, which stood a short distance north of the present site of the Juneau House, soon became the place where Postmaster Rich was to be found in his official capacity. Mr. Coleman, when first appointed, removed the institution to his store, which stood on the present site of Allard & Martin's establishment. Under the management of Judge Lewis, it was kept for a short time in one corner of John C. Lewis' saloon, but was soon removed to Crane's new store, at the west end of Oak street. When Mr. Coleman was re-appointed, he took it back to his place of business, but soon found it necessary to remove it to the residence of Mr. Parmelee, where Luecke's shoe store is now. Here the Federal institution remained until 1874, when Mr. Brown was appointed. It was then removed to a rented room in Kellermann's building, where it remained until Mr. Brown built a small frame, especially for its accommodation, at the corner of Oak and Main streets. From there it was recently removed to the store of A. S. Vanaelstyn, its present location.

The Juneau Post Office became a fourth-rate money-order office in 1870, the first order being issued August 4 of that year, in favor of H. M. McGill, of Cincinnati, for $14.45, John G. Daily being the remitter. In 1878, there were 718 orders issued. The total number issued to September 20, 1879, is 4,798.

When the post office was first established here, thirty-three years ago. Oak Grove was the distributing point, from which place the mail was carried, as already related, by Mr. Willie on foot. It is now sent from Juneau to Oak Grove, but there has been no change in its mode of conveyance. Henry Fanshaw (seventy-seven years old, and as "spry as a kitten"), walks the distance - three miles - twice every day, winter and summer, rain or shine, carrying the mail each way, in the old-fashioned leather pouch. This he has continued to do for the past twenty years.

The Public School

Juneau is situated in School District No. 7, and the organization of its first school dates back thirty-two years. The proceedings of the first meeting of the inhabitants to perfect this organization are herewith given as they appear in the records now in the hands of Mr. William T. Rambusch, Clerk of the District Board.

"At a meeting of the inhabitants of School District No. 7, held on the 28th day of April, 1848, at the house of J. H. Hall, in Fairfield, Ephraim Perkins was called to the chair, and the meeting proceeded to elect the following trustees : Hiram Curtis, Lester Noble and Joel Rich. George J. Rice and J. H. Hall were elected Collector and Clerk, respectively.

" It was resolved that the Trustees be authorized to select a lot on the north side of the public square in the village of Victor, town of Fairfield, whereon to build a schoolhouse ; that the inhabitants of District No. 7 shall build a frame schoolhouse, 28x24 feet, to be inclosed with basswood siding, well seasoned, and the roof to be sheathed with one-inch oak boards and shingled with short basswood shingles ; that the house shall be underpinned with stone, laid in lime mortar, one foot below the ground and eighteen inches above ; that the house be ceiled within, up to the windows, with basswood one inch thick, matched and planed, the rest of the room to be lathed and plastered with two coats ; that the house be painted white, with three coats; that the seats be finished after the style proposed by J. H. Hall, with desk and stools."

Thus it will be seen that tlie itiliabitaiits of District No. 7 enjoyed the possession of a very comfortable, not to say a commodious, building as their first schoolhouse. Daniel Iluntly and Jane Marsh were the first to "teach the young idea how to shoot" in District No. 7. They received, for their services, the former $1<S per month and the latter $5 per month. School was taught, the first year, nine months, and eighty-two children received instruction.

The cause of education has never failed to receive every consideration at the hands of the people of Juneau and vicinity. Their first schoolhouse soon became too small for the accommodation of their children, and. in 1856, we find them erecting a new and much larger structure (the one at present occupied for school purposes), at a cost of about $1,300. Three teachers are now employed, their aggregate salaries amounting to $1,000 a year. The number of school cliildren in the district at present is 248. The school officers of the district are Hon. Eli Hawks, Director; Hiram A. Jones, Treasurer, and W. T. Rambusch, Clerk.

The Churches

The first religious services accessible to the good people of Juneau were held in 1847, at the farm house of Lester Nobles (now dead), situated about one mile north of the village. They were conducted by a Presbyterian preacher named Johnson. In 1848, a schoolhouse having been built within the limits of the village, it was agreed between the leading members of the Presbyterian and Methodist congregations (a society of the latter having been formed about that time), in order that both might be accommodated, the forenoon of each Sabbath should belong to the Methodists for worship therein, and the afternoon to the Presbyterians. Tiiis apparently equitable arrangement worked harmoniously for awhile, until the Rev. M. Ordway, the Presbyterian minister, gave out one Sabbath afternoon that thereafter his fiock would meet at 10:30 in the morning. Considerable feeling was aroused during the week among the good Christians of both denominations over this somewhat strange " new departure," and there was every indication that on the following Sunday morning a lively contest would take place for precedence. A prominent citizen, with the peace and welfare of the community at heart, determined to avert a scene which would not redound to the credit of Christianity, repaired to the schoolliouse before the appointed hour for the dual meeting, and took up a position in the doorway. He had been there but a short time when the Rev. Mr. Ordway and a member of his Church approached him, but they were refused admittance. After some unsatisfactory parley, the two Presbyterians left the premises, repairing to the house of the member in company with the minister, where services were held. In the mean time, the Methodist minister, the Rev. Mr. Crawford, arrived, together with a large number of his followers. A great many Presbyterians, believing that they were to listen to the divine wisdom of Mr. Ordway, walked into the schoolroom and took seats, only to discover Mr. Crawford in the pulpit. Most of them remained, however, probably in anticipation of " seeing some fun," but the sermon was listened to attentively, and future conflicts were avoided.

The Presbyterians became permanently organized in 1852, and, in 1855, built a neat house of worship at a cost of $1,700. The first sale of pews realized $1,372, with eight remaining unsold. Among those who have served as Pastors, may be mentioned the Revs. Robertson, Thompson, Vance, Van Pelt, Burgster, Railsback, Street and Wykoff". The congregation, composed of Presbyterians and Congregationalists, numbers one hundred members, with a Sabbathschool attendance of forty pupils.

The remotest history accessible to the compiler concerning the Methodists in Juneau, is dated April, 1846, when "Brothers B. Blackburn and William and A. Harrison united by letter at Brother Ward's, three miles east of Juneau." Meetings were held thereafter, among other places, in the old Court House, and, in 1865, we find the society building a church edifice at a cost of $3,501*. Among the Pastors who have been called to the charge, may be mentioned the Revs. Hollis. Stone, Cobban, Stevens, Bolton, Hall, Greene, Brown, Requa and Spell. The present Trustees are as follows: J. C. Brown (Chairman), S. E. Veltum, John Harrison, Jabez Orrasby, M. Bassett, J. B. Spencer, Levi Butler, Timothy Yates and G. G. White (Secretary).

The Catholics. - Father Peter DeBerge was the first Catholic priest who visited Juneau for the purpose of organizing a parish. He lived in Horicon, and. at the solidtation of Mrs. Philip Rock, came to Juneau in the summer of 1860, and celebrated mass in the house of her husband, near the railroad depot. The next was Father Fusseder, now of Beaver Dam. Father Ward followed in 1872. He lives in Clyman, but officiates in Juneau twice a month. In 1874, under the management of the Rev. Mr. Ward, a frame church edifice was erected on North Main street, in which the society, consisting of about forty-five families, now worships. The expense was borne by individual members of the society, prominent among whom may be mentioned Henry Ivellermann, John Walther and Jerry Murphy. Catholic burials are made in the churchyards of that denomination either at Horicon or Clyman.

St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church. - Society organized in 1874, by William Hilgendorf, Carl Schrap, Chr. Linderman (the first Trustees), and others. For a short time prior to the organization, informal meetings were held in the Presbyterian Church. In the latter part of the year above mentioned, a schoolhouse was built by the Lutherans in the western limits of Juneau, where a class of forty children is now instructed by Gotlieb Muche. The schoolhouse also answers the purposes of a church. Ph. Kohler is the only Pastor ever called to the charge. He lives in Hustisford, and preaches at Juneau twice a month. There are about thirty families in the congregation. The present Trustees are William Hilgendorf, Carl Schrap and John Hildemann.

Solomon Lodge, No. 86, F. ^ A. M. - Chartered in June, 1857, with seven charter members. The present membership is twenty-three. Meetings are held the first and third Fridays of each month over Allard & Martin's store. Hon. Eli Hawks, W. M., and Dr. W. Hallock, Secretary.

Fire Companies

The frequency of destructive fires in Juneau warned the citizens of that place to take preventive steps in the direction of establishing a fire department, and, in the fall of 1878, the Village Board voted the necessary fun(!s for the purchase of paraphernalia - a hand engine, hose cart, etc. Some of the most prominent residents got together and organized a volunteer com pany to ''run wid de machine," and elected J. G. Allard, Foreman; Capt. Charles End, Assistant Foreman, and A. S. Vanaelstyn, Hose Captain. The notable fires at which this company rendered excellent service were those of the cheese-factory and L. A. Wight's residence. The present officers are W. D. Warner, Foreman ; F. W. Lueck, Assistant Foreman ; A. S. Vanaelstyn, Hose Captain.

The Juneau House was built in 1849, by Judge Hiram Barber, and opened under auspices of the most brilliant nature, Solomon Juneau, who then lived in Theresa, and many other old settlers, being present to congratulate the Judge, and witness the introduction and trial of some fancy oil lamps (presented by Mr. Juneau). It was a rare and luxurious sight ; tallow dips and candles had furnished light prior to that time, and the effect, though not exactly electrical, was very satisfactory. William Barber became the purchaser of the Juneau House in 1859. The property, originally costing about .f -3,000, has changed hands a number of times, and is now owned by .John Walther.

The American House, the property of J. C. Brown, has been in existence as a hotel for about thirty-three years. Nelson Willie was the builder. Numerous additions and improvements have been made from time to time, and changes in the proprietorship and management have been frequent. Givens & Haughton, Mortimer L. Sayles, Jones & Babcock, Jolin & Franz Gebhardt, E. C. & P. H. Lewis, Gen. Henry Bertram and J. C. Brown completes the list of lessees and proprietors.

It is generally believed that the old Court House, now the property of Judge E. C. Lewis, will shortly be used as a hotel. It has been thoroughly overhauled, and improvements made of a character that will entitle it to rank among the first-class caravansaries of the Northwest.

Manufactories, Etc

Weightman & Wengfield made the first wagons in Juneau. Alfred Harrington soon came upon the scene as competitor for public patronage in the same line of business. Andrew Olson is perhaps the oldest individual, in point of residence, engaged in manufacturing in Juneau. Ten years ago, I. Downing established a manufactory of this character. He makes buggies, cutters and light wagons a specialty. John Brenseke and Charles Abel, established in the spring of 1878, and John P. Perkins and J. Ludwig Billack, established in May, 1879, are the latest firms of wagon-makers.

Cheese- Factory. - Established in 1872, by a joint stock company, composed of Joel Rich, J. E. Spalding, William Ballough, J. F. Harrison, D. Barber, Joel Adams, I. J. Edwards, Amos Butler. Lewis Butler, Hiram Curtis, J. H. Dunham, P. A. Hiebler, H. A. Jones, L. L. Sprout, 0. B. Wilcox, Josiah Smith, J. D. Austin, and others. In 1875, the institution passed into the hands of Giles S. Talbot, who carried it on for two years, when the building and contents were entirely consumed by fire, with an insurance upon them of $1,000, which Mr. Talbot failed to collect before leaving suddenly for New York, and the question of settlement is still in the courts.

Samuel Uastinan ^ Co.'s Elevator. - Built in 1875. Has a capacity of about 12,000 bushels ; an average of 80,000 bushels of wheat and 18,000 or 20,000 bushels of barley are handled annually. Improved cleansing apparatus is attached.

The first grist-mill was built in Juneau, by Peter Quick. F. k M. Delme and J. H. Dunham are the owners of the present steam flouring-mill, which stands near the depot.

The North- Western Railway was finished to Minnesota Junction, two and a half miles north of Juneau, in 1856; but, owing to the panic of 1857 and numerous other causes, it did not reach the latter place till about 1860.

The present officers of the town of Oak Grove are : Clerk, A. M. Grout ; Treasurer, S. V. R. Haughton; Assessor, Henry Engelbracht. Supervisors - John Leslie (Chairman), Herman Albert and Horace Cole. Justices of the Peace - C. Fuermaun, P. H. Lewis and Warren Marston. Constables - George Hargraves, Fred Matwig and Peter Gannon. Sealer of Weights and Measures, Charles End.

As an introductory to what we shall have to say of this beautiful little village, in the language of an eminent Chicago divine, we have read and completely absorbed the following from the pen of Capt. Charles A. Pettibone, editor of the Telephone, Juneau, under the caption of " Wausharaca, the Land of the Foxes."

" More than twoscore years ago, in the earlier pioneer days of our county, when the Indian trail and the river's windifig course were the only routes of travel, young Hustis came to Wausharaca. And here, like the heroic, hopeful heroes of classic days, he found a home and founded a new city. Beside the river's ford, at the intersection of the numerous trails from the Michigan to the portage between the upper Fox and the Wisconsin, and from the south country northward to the foot of the Winnebago, he rears his cabin, and with industry and perseverance patiently awaits the time when others, advised of the favorable location, its fertile soil and wonderful natural advantages, should come and make a home beside him. Years have passed, and where once stood the lodges of the Indian, to-day we find the workshop and the mill ; happy homes, resonant with the merry music of childish glee, abound ; and the young adventurer of other days, his head silvered with the burden of years, walks the streets of the populous village which bears his name, and sees all about him the fruition of the daydreams of his early manhood. Where once the painted warrior sharpened his scalping-knife, maybe upon the glacier-creased surface of a projecting rock, the man of news sharpens his murderous Faber and indites the present records of the town, then heads his little piece ' Hustisford.'

"The village of Hustisford is situated in Sections 9 and 10, Town 11, Range 16 east, and distant nine miles from Woodland ; nine miles from Horicon ; five miles from Neosho ; eight miles from Juneau, and twelve miles from Watertown. The original plat of the village, with its subsequent additions, possesses a most generous provision for the possibilities of the future, but at present the main part of the town extends only along the right bank of Rock River, and upon an incline gradually rising to the west. To the east, across the river, the summits of two nearly parallel ridges, which were once forest-crowned, but now, shorn of their leafy burdens, need only the plowshare to become tillable ftu-ms, rise to a considerable height above the embryo city which nestles so cosily in their early morning shadows.

" The surface of the surrounding country is broken, being a regular succession of nearly parallel ridges and valleys, running in the general direction of northeast and southwest, and extending in an unbroken chain, except where crossed by Rock River or its tributaries, the Wildcat and the Rubicon, from the nortii to the southern boundary of the county. Laterally, the general plane of these valleys is remarkably level. A brief inspection of the topography of the country shows that by the most nearly level and accessible roads, the larger portion of the east half of Dodge County is naturally tributary to Hustisford ; to the south and southeast, Ashippun, Rubicon, Lebanon, and some jwrtion of Emmet; and to the northward, Hubbard, Herman, and portions of Williamstown and Oak Grove find, by way of the level valley roads, adapted to hauling the heaviest loads, their most natural market center at Hustisford.

"With ample water-power - the best on Rock River between Rockford, 111., and MayviUe - it needs no prophetic vision to foretell tlie wonderful growth, and what a suitable connection with some main line of transportation to the metropolis will bring to this thrifty and industrious people.

" The residents here fully appreciate the situation, and on the resumption by the old management of the Fond du Lac, Amboy k Peoria Railroad, and its lately rumored extension, there is an eager interest felt by all in the probable course of the railroad.

" Speaking generally in regard to this subject, there is no doubt but Hustisford needs the railroad, and it is ecjually true that the railroad company needs the large and remunerative carrying trade whiph its location at this point would inevitably bring to it. How this mutually desired object can be best attained remains for the parties interested to determine."

Indians still inhabited the country, and, although said to be friendly, and they doubtless were as much so as it is possible for them to be, they were always regarded as treacherous. As illustrating Indian nature, Mr. H. narrated to us the following story :

Wishing to go further north and explore the wonderful fine country of which so much had been said, in company with Mr. Griffith, they secured the services of three Indians to pilot them through, a portion of the distance having to be gone by water, in a common dug-out. As they were quietly moving over the water, Mr. H., having occasion to address his companion, turned around, and, as he did so, he observed one of the Indians with uplifted arm and in his hand a tomahawk, ready to send it crashing into his skull. Quickly throwing up his arm, he arrested the blow and the Indian quietly settled down and resumed his rowing. A short time elapsed, when one of the Indians dropped the ax with which the whites had provided themselves into the stream, with the intention, no doubt, of lessening the chances of resistance of their victims. The boat was stopped and the most friendly of the three Indians plunged in and brought it up and presented it to the owners.

While the two men were becoming somewhat alarmed, they dared not show it in their actions, but, as quickly and quietly as possible, they had the Indians effect a landing, and, through the woods and in the darkness of the night, they made their escape. They afterward learned the reason why an attempt was made upon their lives. A short time previous, one of their tribe was shot by a white man, and, in accordance with their lex talionis, they must take the life of the first white man.

It is related of Beardsley that the first fall in which he lived here he used to turn an honest penny by running a ferry. He had a single ox, which had lost its mate, and when one desired to cross the rivei', for the sum of 10 cents he was permitted to mount the back of the ox, who soon landed him upon the other side.

As illustrating how near a place can come to being made famous, and yet see its hopes disappear, it is said that the village of Hustisford came within one vote of being selected as the State capital by the Territorial Legislature. The Iowa members of that body, wishing and expecting their Territory to be separated from Wisconsin, voted as their pecuniary interest dictated.

In 1845, quite a number of people settled in or near the present village, and John Cameron built the first store, which afterward became the property of Jacob Rapelye, who operated it as a branch of his store in Milwaukee. The price of farm produce about this time may be estimated from a mercantile transaction of one Beetle, a clerk for Rapelye, who sold a well-heaped iialf-bushel of fresh hen's eggs for 30 cents.

In 184G, William T. Ward opened a hotel, the first in the place. He came to this embryo village with hardly a penny, and, in five years, sold his interest in the hotel and carried out of the town .$.3,000 cash. In that day, there was a large amount of travel, emigrants coming and going, looking out new homes, returning again for their families, and a well-kept tavern was well patronized, and the proprietors grew rich. In this same year, a post office was established here, and Symmes Butler received the first apjjointment as agent of Uncle Sam to transact the postal business of the neighborhood. Since his time, four other gentlemen have occupied the position, viz., John McRae, John C. Daily, Hiram Hughes and the present popular incumbent, James Hall. The oifice has not yet been made a money-order one, but doubtless should be, as its registered letters will now amount to over five hundred per year.

The first schoolhouse was built in 1846, by Wales & Hustis, and a select school taught therein, which was continued until 1850, when a public school was organized, with Mr. James Hall as teacher. Mr. H. has long since abandoned the profession, and is now one of the leading merchants in the place. At present, there are three schools, all apparently well patronized, and ably conducted by competent instructors. The common school is taught during the winter by a male teacher with a female assistant, but during the summer months the services of a female teacher are considered sufficient.

Some time since, an association of German citizens was formed, who support from their private funds a German free school. The attendance is about seventy.

The Lutherans also have a very large and flourishing school. The number in attendance we did not learn, but judge from all the information we gained that this is really the most generally patronized, and the attendance is much larger than at both the other schools.

The first to "proclaim Christ and Him crucified " was a Methodist preacher, followed soon after by a Congregational minister, who succeeded in organizing a congregation, but which has long since disbanded. The German Lutherans were next, and have in the village and surrounding neighborhood a large following. In 1865. they erected a substantial church edifice, in which they yet assemble for divine worship. Rev. Philip Koehler is the present Pastor. The German Methodists and Americans of the different denominations hold their religious services in the school building.

Leading among the manufactories are the two flouring-mills. One, owned and operated by Mr. J. F. Koch, contains three runs of stone, with an estimated capacity for converting about five hundred bushels of wheat into flour during twenty-four hours. The necessary power is given by a seven-foot head of water. Custom milling a specialty. Mr. Koch also mills for the general market.

The other, generally known as the lower mill, is owned by the Dehne Brothers, of Juneau, but is rented and run by Messrs. Neitzel & Braendmuehl. This mill contains four runs of stone, estimated capacity per diem of twenty-four hours, between five hundred and six hundred bushels. The water-power is ample.

Near this mill is a saw-mill, owned by the Dehne Brothers. This is also rented and operated bv the present milling firm. This mill is fitted up e.xpressly for sawing hard wood.

Furniture manufiicturing is ably conducted by Mr. Ferdinand Steinborn and also by Mr. Frederick Zilisch. These gentlemen find a ready demand for the numerous articles manufiictured by them. This attests, in the best manner possible, the excellence and honesty of their work.

There are also in town two turning shops, where everything from a croquet set to an ox-vokc, or anything, though as crooked as a politician's record, can be turned out on demand.

Professional Men

Peace and quiet is the normal condition of the place, and hence there is no need for the paid services of a surplus lawyer. The good common-sense and sound legal advice of Squire Daily adjusts the little wrangles which usually form the germs of law-suits.

The school of allopathy is represented by Drs. J. A. Smith,- an experienced and successful practitioner, long a resident of Hustisford, and J. Pennett, who has his numerous friends and admirers.

The homeopathists have not as numerous a representation as their opponents ; but if there ever was a true and skillful disciple of Hahnemann, that man is Dr. E. E. Atkins, who, though comparatively a new-comer, has already attained a remunerative practice.

Mr. George Newton oflSciates as notary public and conveyancer, and contributes in no small degree to the welfare and convenience of his fellow-townsmen.

In the village limits there is but one hotel, that of the Hustisford House, by Louis Prenzlow, which has a central location and is well patronized. The Wisconsin House was burned to the ground during the fall of 1879, and has not been rebuilt.

Upon an island in Rock River, F. W. Lehman keeps the " Sportsmen's Home," a favorite resort for sportsmen from abroad during the hunting season.

Mr. Lehman keeps boats, fishing tackle, etc., for the accommodation of his guests, and his tables are always supplied with the best attainable. Liquid refreshments are among his medical supplies, in quality and variety suited to every phase of sportsmen's ailments.

One of the foremost in strictly upright and honorable dealing is Mr. J. Hall, whose mercantile stock consists of the usual variety of dry goods, boots and shoes, etc., found in a first-class country store. Having studied for years the tastes and wants of his patrons, Mr. Hall is sure to have on hand almost anything they want. This gentleman is also the Postmaster, and is a sincere believer in the infallibility of Republican principles.

Miss Emily Hall has, at her fiither's store, a full and choice selection of millinery goods, all of the most fashionable and popular styles. Her patronage is large and well-merited.

H. Matthes, a very popular merchant, also keeps a general assortment of merchandise, and his patronage is large. His customers are old ones, who during years have found no cause to transfer their patronage to other towns. Matthes has already acquired a comfortable income by strict attention to the interests of the public.

Last, but by no means least, on the list of Hustisford merchants, is Mr. August Flemming, whose store is likewise crowded with hosts of his especial patrons. If you cannot find what you want in Flemming's store it is because it is just out, or because it is on the way but has not arrived.

August Roessler presents his thanks for past favors, and attracts attention by his large stock of agricultural implements, stoves, shelf hardware, and the thousand and one articles of the trade. Roessler is also agent for thrashing machines with the popular Traction steam engines, the Triumph reapers, mowers, etc., etc. His business is steadily increasing.

In the same line of business, the Zilisch Brothers are formidable competitors for the local patronage. The stock consists of the usual assortment, and by their uniformly fair manner of treating their patrons, they have laid the foundation for a most lucrative and permanent business.

Miscellaneous

F. Voight, proprietor of the paint-shop, possesses the facilities for turning out in the best style the finer grades of work. Sign and carriage painting executed in the most workmanlike and stylish manner.

Lauersdorf Bros., August Brensecko and Julius Briesemeister are respectively the manufacturers of many of the favorite light-running but durable wagons and buggies so numerous throughout the county.

II. Bramer manufactures and keeps in stock as fine a stock of harness, double and single, saddles, and everything else in that line, as any dealer in Dodge County.

While Otto C. Hannemann, August Zilisch. Martin Vollmer, Fred Bruncke and Adolph Walther supply tlie best of leather boots and shoes, in all styles and at reasonable prices. C. Haertl with his little gouge carves out the wooden ones.

William Rathloff divides the tailoring business of the village with Fred Zimmerling, the patrons of each claiming that his tailor is positively the best.

August Lehman keeps a good and well-patronized restaurant and saloon, also deals in fancy goods, confectionery and fruits. He has the only billiard-table in town, and his place of business is a popular resort for all who visit Hustisford.

With the incoming of a railroad, and possessed of all her natural advantages, the village of Hustisford should take rank among the cities of the land, and we predict for her a bright future.

Oak Grove

With one exception, this is the oldest village in the county, and, like Hustisford, came near being a noted place, for in the early day, before Juneau was even thought of, it was the temporary seat of justice, and, had its proprietor exercised a little worldly wisdom and enterprise, it might have been made the permanent county seat.

That he might accommodate the great traveling public which was steadily pushing its way north, and add as well to his worldly wealth, Maj. Pratt, in 1841, built a log cabin on the site of the present public house in the village, and boldly erected a sign informing the interested parties that he would afford accommodations for man and beast. As may be inferred, his accommodations were rather limited, but the sight of a public house was an ever-welcome one to the travelers in those days, who usually made the journey in a lumber wagon drawn by oxen, and who were content to make their fifteen or twenty miles from the rising to the setting of the sun.

Oak Grove was on the direct line north from Watertown, and here the roads forked, one leading to the northeast and the other to the northwest ; therefore, an inn here could be said to be a halfway-house, and travelers generally endeavored to make it convenient to reach this place to spend the night. As travel increased, the necessity for greater accommodations became apparent, and Ethan Owen erected another public house, known as Owen's Hotel, and still this did not satisfy the demand ; therefore, in 1851, another was built, called the Green Mountain House. As many as three hundred teams of " movers " have been counted passing this point in one day, and they were constantly going and coming. Of course inn-keepers thrived.

Giving It A Name

The settlement being formed, it became necessary to give it a name, and that of Fairfield was selected, but when application was made for a post office it was learned that there was another Fairfield in the State, therefore it was thought best to select a different name. It was then given the name of Oak Grove, though for what reason is unknown, probably from the fact that there was no oak grove in the neighborhood. If an old settler is asked the reason why the place is called Oak Grove, he will reply as did the Dutchman, when speaking of the name of his son, " I call him Yaucob pecause dat ish his name." We call it Oak Grove because that is its name.

Post Office

Application was made in due time for the establishment of a post office in the place, and the powers that be in Washington gave heed to the prayer of the petitioners, and Ethan Owen had the privilege of first entering the service of Uncle Sam as village Postmaster. The first mail route established was between Watertown and Fox Lake, running once a week. Other routes were soon added, and Oak Grove became quite a distributing center, the citizens of the whole country lying between Fox Lake and Watertown here receiving their mail. The following-named have also served as Postmasters of the village : E. C. Lewis, A. H. Atwater, Mr. McCullough, William Ambright, John Currie, William Woodworth and John G. Lees, the latter of whom now occupies the position.

The place at first grew quite rapidly, and its prospect in 1842-43 was better than any other point within a large scope of country for the building-up of a splendid village, but its original owner was not possessed of enough foresight to enable him to take advantage of the opportunities presented, and failing in securing the county seat, which was established within two and a half miles, its growth was checked. No plat was ever made, and all sales of lots have been made as fractions of an acre. Believing it would be made the permanent county seat, several attorneys located here, among the number being the Hon. Charles Billinghurst, who was afterward elected a member of Congress, being the first representative from this district. Under head of "The Illustrious Dead," will be found a biographical sketch of this gentleman. Judge E. C. Lewis was also a resident of the place for a short time.

For some cause - it may be for the reason that the early settlers of this place, being Americans and "Down-East Yankees," did not rear as many children as our German fellow-citizens, who now principally inhabit this county - a school was not established here until 1844, when Mrs. Fuller tausht a select one in a log house erected for that purpose. At the present writing, there are two good schoolhouses in the district, Oak Grove and Clyman, No. 1, with a graded school. Miss Theresa Griscoll is Principal of the grammar school, and Miss Lilian Atwater of the primary. The average wages paid are $32 and .$20 for the respective grades. Besides the two mentioned, the Germans have also a school here with a fair attendance ; therefore the educational interests of the rising generation are well secured.

Religious

The Congregationalists were the first to enter this field, the Rev. Moses Ordway, the Presbyterian Patriarch of Beaver Dam, preaching the first sermon in 1842 or 1843. A congregation was soon ^afterward organized, composed of a very small band of zealous and God-fearing Christian men and women, who have, in spite of discouragements, held together and presented an unbroken front to the enemy. Their present membership is about seventy. In 1851, they organized a Sunday school which has at present writing an e.xistence of twentynine years. It holds its regular weekly sessions, summer and winter. The German Lutherans have also a congregation, and, having no meeting-house of their own, assemble in the schoolhouse, where thanksgiving and praise to God is offered. The Methodists, a few of whom live in the neighborhood, also assemble occasionally in the schoolhouse to sing and pray and listen to the proclamation of the Word.

This is a temperance community, there being no saloons in the place, the majority of the citizens believing, with the Apostle Paul, "It is good neither to eat meat or to drink wine, or anything whereby thy brother is made to offend," and require but little "for their stomachs' sake."

But one benevolent organization is represented in the village - that of Oak Grove Lodge, No. 7, I. 0. 0. F. This Lodge was one of the first instituted in the State, but has not been in continuous existence, taking for some years a Rip Van Winkle sleep, from which it has been awakened, and from this onward, in the name of -"Friendship, Love and Truth," they propose to do valiant service. Meet every Friday evening at their hall, in Oak Grove.

First Things

The first funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Walter Lyon, a Universalist minister, on the occasion of the death of one of Mr. Grout's children.

Oak Grove is a small but pleasant country village, with no railroad. It is a good place for a quiet home. There are at present here, one hotel, two general stores, one millinery store, one blacksmith shop, one wagon shop, one shoe shop, one tailor shop. Population, 150.