Grant County, Wisconsin - Chapter 15: Fennimore and Mt. Ida, 1900

Chapter 15: Fennimore and Mt. Ida

Fennimore, Settlement and Growth - Fires - Suicides - Schools - Churches - Societies - Newspapers - Town Organization and Officers - Mount Ida - Werley.

Fennimore, Settlement And Growth

This town was named for a man who lived on Section 22, Town 6, Range 2, at the breaking out of the Black Hawk War, during which he disappeared and was never seen in the town again. In 1837 a man named Palmer settled in Fennimore's abandoned place, but soon left. In 1838 John Robinson, Sr., settled on Section 34, Town 6, Range 2. John Dillon, John Stitzer, John McRcynolds, and Henry Meeker came in 1843 ; David Smith, and Philo Dempsey in 1844. The latter settled on Section 13. Sigsmund Steuert came in 1845, and John Nauert, George Bohl, Robert Munns, James W. Russell, Willis Underwood, John Walker, Hiram Hough, H. A. W. McNair, and Charles W. Loney in 1846. These remained permanently. Mr. Hough died in 1885, Mr. McNair in 1897, and Mr. Dempsey in 1890. James McNair came in 1846 and entered land half a mile south of the present village. Philander Wright came in 1847, and in 1848 O. L. Berry settled on Section 33, and John Dinsdale on Section 25 in 1850, and William Marsden on Section 28 in 1853. Jacob Baumgartner and Joseph Rog¬ ers came in 1855.

The first school was taught in the winter of 1846 and 1847 on Section 7. The second school was taught by C. W. Loney in the win¬ ter of 1847 - 48.

The village of Fennimore was laid out April 19, 1856, H. A. W. McNair being the surveyor, and D. T. Parker, W. W. Field, John G. Perkins, and George H. Cox the proprietors. The first settlers, besides those mentioned, were J. L. Batton, Electa Meeker, John Saunders, John Mallalieu, James Bailey, Mary Probst, Benj. Kitelinger, John and William Parker, Joseph Morrison, George Benfine,J. Byerl John Smith, W. W. Waddle, Casper Fritz, Isaac McDonald, H. H. Earl, Silas Warner, A. L. McElwaine, A. T. Yonng, Dr. S. J. Merritt, Dr. Waters, and James McLimans.

The village grew rather slowly for many years, having no manu¬ factures nor shipping facilities; but with the advent of the railroad in 1878 an era of development began. In 1895 the village had a popula¬ tion of 876, against 478 in 1885.

Fennimore has not been much scourged with fires. On June 14, 1882, a large fire occurred. It started in the oil rooms of Leavitt & Brown's drug-store, and burned that building, the post-office, William Beer's shoe-shop, Miss Gutweiler's millinery shop, and a building be¬ longing to William Weaver. The store of J. T. Hicks caught fire, but was saved by great efforts.

On the 21st of February, 1886, Frank McLimans's house and Frank Linton's blacksmith shop were burned. The old Hildebrand building was burned March 31, 1895. It had been used as a store building by D. T. Parker, but when burned it was vacant. Onthenight of the 4th of July, 1896, the millinery store of Mrs. Snyder and the dwelling of William Snyder were destroyed by fire. The new brick Wright block was badly scorched. Total damage was $2,500.

Frank Allen committed suicide May 21, 1893, by hanging himself with a towel to the rafter of his cabin a mile or two from the village. John Smith, a German about 60 years old, committed suicide June 2, 1895, by shooting himself. He desired to escape the intolerable suffer¬ ings of disease.

In 1868 a school building was erected at a cost of $1,135. It is now used for the primary department. In 1895 a fine brick building sixty feet square was erected for the High School. The High School was established in 1880 with Clyde R. Showalter as principal.

The Methodist Episcopal Church. - k class was organized in 1844 by Rev. Allen, consisting of John Switzer, Catherine Switzer, and Philo Derasey and his wife. In 1867 a church building costing $2,250 was erected. Among the ministers of the church have been : Revs. E.

C. Jones, Wm. F. DeLap, A. H. Walter, James T. Pryor, J. S. Lake, Henry Stewart, F. Butler, W. Cook, John Harris, J. T. Lewis, William Shephard, D. L. Hubbard, James Sims, H. J. Witherbee, J. F. Ziegler, J. M. Phelps, Richard Pengilly, and A. A. Loomis. In 1898 a fine build¬ ing was erected and dedicated New Year's Day, 1899. It is 48X90 and cost $5,200. A parsonage was built in 1885 at a cost of $200. The first trustees were: C. W. Loney, H. H. Earl, H. A. W. McNair, M. P. Smith, James Jones, and L. C. Rogers The trustees of the new church are: F. E. Rector, B. W. Niehaus, C. V. Billig, James Gelvin, J. V. Pritchard, R. P. Green, P. S. Graham, D. B. Brunson, and John Doan.

St. Mary's Catholic Church. - Thomas Tormey was the founder of this church, originating the idea of establishing it and furnishing most of the means. In 1884 the present brick church was built at a cost of $3,051. There were then only two Catholic families in the village: those of Patrick Flynn and John J. Scanlan. Father Peter Schwaiger was the first pastor, and he was followed by Fathers Barth, Niehaus, Kaluza, and Albers, all from Lancaster, of which Fennimore was a mission. Under Father Albers Fennimore became a separate parish. The present rector is Father John Feld.

United Brethren Church. - This society was organized at the White School-house, two miles west of the village. In 1885 a church was built in the village, 28x40, at a cost of $1,040. The ministers have been Revs. D. K. Young, D. C. Talbot, William Campbell, H. Deal, J. IV. Reed, S. D. Bardeen, T. F. Studebaker, I. S. Getchel, T. H.Harroun, J. W. Elwood, and T. M. Blodgett.

German Lutheran Church. - The society was organized in 1884 and the same year a church was built. It is 18x32 and cost $1,000. Rev. F. Mutschman, residing at Boscobel, has been the pastor of the church ever since its organization.

Sam Montieth Post , No. 173 , G. A. R - Was organized August 12, 1884, and the first officers were as follows: John Montieth, Com¬ mander; Matthew Burcherd, S. V. C.; D. 0. Pickard, J. V. C.; Joseph Morrison, Surgeon; B. W. Niehaus, Chaplain; J. W. Vetter, Q. M.; Chas. A. Willison, 0. D.; Sylvester Moody, 0. G.; Martin Oswald, Ad¬ jutant; H. H. Streeter, Sergt. -Major ; Jonathan Walker, Q. M. S. The present officers are: Reuben Cooley, Commander; Daniel Decker, S. V.

There is a W. R. C. with the following officers: Mrs. P. H. Leser, President; Mrs. G. H. Horton, S. V.; Mrs. Silas Dempsey, J. V.; Mrs. T. C. Linton, Treasurer ; Jennie Gudhertz, Secretary ; Bessie Harrower, Chaplain; Mrs. John Walters, Conductress; Mary Smith, Guard; Lizzie Woepking, A. C.; Della Folyer, A. G.; Mrs. V. Waldorf, Amanda Fischer, Ella Folyer, Mary Maso, Color-bearers.

The Fennimore Times. - This paper was started August 30, 1889, by E. L. Howe. It was a seven column folio and with Vol. 3, No.,6, it was made an eight-column folio. On March 1, 1893, Henry E. Roethe became one of the publishers, the firm being Howe & Roethe, and the name of the paper was changed to the Times-Revicw. Mr. Howe withdrew November 1, 1894, and the paper has since been conducted by Mr. Roethe.

Town Organization And Officers

ham; clerk, John A. Shearer; treasurer, Philo Dempsey; assessor, H. A. W. McNair ; supt. of schools, John A. Shearer ; justices, Charles W. Loney, Jesse Miles, Joshua Brindley, John A. Shearer; constables, Madison Redman, Robert Munns, Henry Dean.

1851 - Supervisors, Joseph Walker, William S. Bailey, Philo Demp¬ sey ; clerk, treasurer, assessor, and supt. of schools, same as in 1850 ; justices, Charles W. Loney, David Smith ; constables, Justus H. Noble, John A. Stone.

1853 - Supervisors, H. A. W. McNair, William R. Dixon, Harmon H. Earl ; clerk, assessor, and supt. of schools, same as in 1852; treas¬ urer, Justus H. Noble; justices, Isaac McDonald, Charles W. Loney; constables, Justus H. Noble, H. Havens, John S. Stewart.

Swartz ; clerk, John Gould ; treasurer, C. D. Smith ; assessor and supt. of schools Mark Pinnicum; justices, Isaac McDonald, C. Gould, constables, Thomas Swartz, Elisha Darby, P. V. Tracy.

1859 - Supervisors, William R. Dixon, William Gillman, Joseph P. Lance; clerk, Chauncey Gould ; treasurer, Melford P. Smith; assessor, John Switzer; supt. of schools, Josiah A. Birchard ; justices, Josiah A. Birchard, William GiUman ; constables, Elisha Darby, Stephen I. Elliott.

1868 - Supervisors, Gottlieb Wehrle, H. L. Liscum, Truman Lo¬ well; clerk, treasurer, and assessor same as in 1867; justices, Isaac McDonald, C. Shuttleworth ; constables, John H. Bennett, C. T. All¬ chin, Orrin Smith.

1870 - Supervisors, D. T. Parker, John Norton, John Monteith; clerk, treasurer, and assesor same as in 1867 ; justices, Isaac McDon¬ ald, M. F. Crouch, George H. Horton; constables, Richard Buggins, S. J. Dyer, B. S. Kitelinger.

1871 - Supervisors, John Monteith, John Norton, William R. Dixon; clerk, H. A. W. McNair; treasurer and assessor, M. P. Smith; justice, William A. Croft ; constables, Ben Kitelinger, John Moore, Jud Perkins.

1872 - Supervisors, John Monteith, Philo Dempsey, S. L. Borah; clerk, H. A. W. McNair; treasurer and assessor, William R. Dixon; justices, A. H. Griffin, James L. Battin; constables, John G. Perkins, Richard Buggins.

1873 - Supervisors, H. A .Dankleff, James Moore, Jacob Baumgart¬ ner; clerk, treasurer and assessor same as in 1872; justice, William A. Croft; constables, John G. Perkins, Marvin McLimans, James Scott.

1875 - Supervisors, H. A. Dankleff, Jacob Baumgartner, Daniel Baxter; clerk and treasurer same as in 1874; assessor, S. N. Jones; justices, Ira Root, Otho Shrader, R. P. Green; constables, J. G. Per¬ kins, Marvin McLymans, Richard Buggins.

1876 - Supervisors, Jacob Baumgartner, Daniel Baxter, William Marsden; clerk and treasurer same as in 1874; assessor, Peter Cam¬ eron; justices, S. N. Jones, R. P. Green; constables, John G. Perkins, Richard Buggins.

1879 - Supervisors, Thomas Tormey, Philo Dempsey, George Kreul ; clerk and treasurer same as in 1878 ; assessor, Peter Finnegari ; justices, Otho Shrader, John Norris ; constables, John G. Perkins, Mar¬ vin McLinians.

1880 - Supervisors, Craven Shuttlesworth, John Monteith, George Kreul; clerk, treasurer, and assessor same as in 1879; justices, A. C. Morse, John Norris; constables, John G. Perkins, Marvin McLimans.

1885 - Supervisors, William Marsden, James Moore, George Kreul; clerk, treasurer, and assessor same as in 1884 ; justices, William H. H. Loney, Sigsmond Steuert, George Luce; constables, John G. Perkins, William Steinhofer, John Wilcox.

1887 - Supervisors, clerk, treasurer, and assessor same as in 1886; justices, Jacob Miller, H. H. Hampton, F. 0. Parker; constables, John Wilcox, George Govier, Charles Grasor.

1892 - Supervisors, John Draggs, Peter Baumgartner, Thomas Marsden ; clerk, treasurer, and assessor same as in 1891 ; justices, Ja¬ cob Miller, Sigsmond Steuert; constables, James Loomis, Ira Smith.

1895 - Supervisors, D. T. Parker, Herman Nelson, Peter Baum¬ gartner; clerk, treasurer, and assessor same as in 1894; justices, John Dinsdale, H. H. Hampton, C. D. Smith; constables, Jacob Miller, W. H. H. Loney, James Loomis.

1900 - Supervisors and clerk same as in 1899*; treasurer, Miles Cottingham ; assessor, Peter H. Finnegan ; justices, George Gunder¬ son, Frank Alien, G. W. Russell; constables, John Lane, George Porter.

Village Officers Mount Ida

Up to 1877 the history of the town is included in that of Fennimore, of which it formed a part. In that year the town was organ¬ ized, and the first town election was held at the Gap School-house in April, 1878. It is Town 6, Range 3, and contains thirty-six square miles, mostly good farming land on the Military Ridge. Its populalation has been: in 1880, 877; in 1885, 869; in 1890, 779; in 1865, 825.

A post-office called Mount Ida, with a store (both kept by Richard Buggins) and a blacksmith shop, has been located on the Military Road in Section 29 since early in the fifties, but the place has hardly risen to the dignity of a village. There is a Baptist church on Section 19 near the post-office.

The town has ever been a quiet farming community with few ex¬ citing events. In April, 1866, Mrs. Lucille Rogers, wife of Leander C. Rogers, living on the eastern edge of the present town, near Fennimore village, killed her two children and herself by poisoning with strychnine. Domestic trouble was the motive. Arthur Richardson committed suicice September 23, 1891, by stabbing himself in the breast with a knife The cause was famil\' trouble. On the 7th of Oc¬ tober, 1882, Joseph Ivey, living near Werlev, shot and killed his sonin-law, Orlando Bacon, in a family quarrel. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment.

Mount Ida

1883 - Supervisors and clerk same as in 1882; treasurer, C. Rob¬ ertson; assessor, J. B. Bradbury; justices, Samuel Neeley. Richard Buggies; constables, S. K. Turner, George Govier.

1884 - Supervisors, clerk, treasurer, and assessor same as in 1883 ; justices, Samuel Neeley. James Gelvin ; constables, S. K. Turner, Wil¬ liam Angelo, C. W. Smith.

1889 - Supervisors, clerk, treasurer, and assessor, same as in 1888; justices, F. A. Nelson, William Tennant, Thomas Edge; constables, Theodore Werley, John Graham, Joseph Kingsley.

1890 - Supervisors and treasurer, same as in 1888 ; clerk, Albert Ketterer ; assessor, 0. J. Arnold ; justice, Richard Buggins ; constables, James Govier, A. G. Hough, W. F. Turner, Samuel Werley.

1892 - Supervisors, William O'Brien, Thomas Werley, W. S. Lance; clerk, treasurer, and assessor same as in 1891 ; justices, A. H. Giffen, A. B. Campbell, F. E. Rector; constables, James Govier, Sam'l Werley.

1893 - Supervisors and clerk same as in 1892; treasurer, S. C. Ran¬ som; assessor, J. B. Smith ; justices, Thomas Edge, F. A. Nelson; con¬ stables, Charles Pittinger, John Graham, Jr., Samuel Werley.

1899 - Supervisors, clerk, treasurer, and assessor same as in 1898; justices, F. A. Nelson, Thomas Edge, Albert Ketterer; constables, F. E. Rector, Charles Sandlebach, Nelson Knox.

This village sprang up on the building of the railroad from Wood¬ man in 1878. It is situated on Sections 5 and 6, Mount Ida. It was named from a prominent citizen, Hon. Gottlieb Wehrle, with an angli¬ cised spelling, The place has a post-office, George Pearson postmaster, three or four stores, and two churches : Free Methodist and Christian, but no resident minister.