Green County, Wisconsin - Chapter 39: Town of Mount Pleasant, 1884

Chapter 39: Town of Mount Pleasant

The town of Mount Pleasant comprises congressional township 3 north, range 8 east, of the fourth principal meridian. It is bounded on the north by the town of Exeter; on the east by Albany; on the west by Washington, and on the south by Sylvester. The surface of the town is drained by Little Sugar river, and its numerous tributaries. The south half of the town is principally prairie, while the north half consists of oak openings. The soil varies. On the prairies it is a rich, dark loam; on the low lands a dark muck; and on the rolling lands it is mixed with clay. The sub-soil is clay.

The assessed value of the farming land in Mount Pleasant is $411,270, or $18.33 per acre; of village lots, $18,615. The total value of real estate and personal property is $609,333. The princii)al farm products grown in the town of Mount Pleasant during the year 1882, were as follows: 1,850 bushels wheat; 69,800 bushels corn; 83,930 bushels oats; 195 bushels barley; 320 bushels rye; 5,270 bushels potatoes; 2,555 bushels apples; 68 bushels clover seed; 40 bushels timothy seed; 1,450 pounds tobacco; 2,890 tons of hay; 53,450 pounds butter; 86,300 pounds cheese. The acreage of the principal farm products growing in the town at the time of making the annual assessment for the year 1883, was as follows: 25'i acres wheat; 3,215 corn; 3,340 oats; 15 barley; 50 rye; 82^ potatoes; 123 acres apple orchard; 3,135 bearing trees; 2,771 acres grass; 2,420 acres growing timber. There were 1,345 milch cows in the town, valued at $30,465. In 1883 there was the

The Pionebrs Of Mount Pleasant

The exact date of the first settlement in this town is unknown, but that it was made by Henry Mitchell, hardly admits of a doubt. He was a native of England, and came to the United States in 1832, immediately making his way to the lead mines of southwestern Wisconsin. In 1837 he was living in a log cabin on section 9, where he did some breaking. His family was still living in England and he spent the greater portion of his time in the mining districts. In 1847 his family joined him, after which he devoted his attention to farming until his death, in 1861. His widow, now ninety-three years of age, is still living on the homestead, which is managed by James Richards, a son-in-law.

At about the same time that Henry Mitchell settled on section 9, Elias Lutherell entered land on the north half of section 28. He erected his log cabin near the spring of water which gushes forth from the ground at that place. He also spent the greater part of his time at the lead mines, and thus found little time to make improvements. In 1839 Justus Sutherland visited the land and cultivated the same. In 1843 Mr. Lutherell sold the property to William Boyls, Jr., and left the county.

A. F. Steadman, a prominent citizen of Athens Co., Ohio, settled on the northeast quarter of section 18 in 1841. He afterwards removed to Iowa.

Archibald and Prosa Whaley, natives of the State of New York, settled on the southeast quarter of section 25, in 1841. They improved some of the land, then sold out and emigrated to Iowa.

John Troy, in 1842, took up his abode on the southwest quarter of section 28. He remained a few years then sold out and went to Iowa. Mr. Troy was a native of Pennsylvania.

In 1842 the settlement was increased by three brothers - John, Benjamin and Daniel Rima and Michael McNutt, who came from Ohio. The Rima brothers settled on the northeast quarter of section 23, where Daniel died. John now lives in the town of Exeter, and Benjamin removed to Rock county, and afterwards to Nebraska. Mr. McNutt settled on the northeast quarter of section 26. He afterward removed to section 29, where he resided until his death.

In 1845 Pliny Colton, Christopher Silver, Artemus Silver, Daniel Tree, Thomas Stewart, Stephen Wood and George Mears, with their families, left the State of Pennsylvania to seek homes in the far west. They traveled by steamboat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi river to Galena, and thence overland to Green county, and soon the larger number of them chose land in what is now Mount Pleasant, and settled down to begin life anew.

Christopher Silver was born in Grafton Co., N. H., May 5, 179*7. He remained in his native State until twenty-one years old, then went west and settled in Erie Co., Penn. He was married in that county March 2, 1820, to Marinda Loveland, who was born Aug 11, 1803, in Hampshire Co., Mass. They remained in Erie county seven years, then removed to Mercer county where they lived until 1845, at which date they came to Green county. He died here on Aug. 80, 1881. Mrs. Silver is still living, and occupies the homestead. They were the parents of thirteen children, seven of whem are living - Sarah, Artemas, Azariah, Clarrissa, Willis, Ann and Alonzo.

Azariah Silver, son of Christopher and Marinda (Loveland) Silver, was born in Erie Co., Penn., May 3, 1838, and was seven years old when he came with his parents to Mount Pleasant. Here he spent his younger days in school and upon the farm. He remained with his parents until 1860. He was married on the 20th of May, of that year, to Elizabeth J., daughter of James and Elizabeth (Duckworth) Compton, a native of Lake Co , Ohio. He bought land in the northwest quarter of section 11, upon which stood a log cabin. In that they began housekeeping. He improved the land and lived there until 1866, then purchased land in the northwest quarter of section 14, where he lived in a log house five years. He then erected a good frame house. His farm now contains 191 acres. He has engaged in raising grain and stock, and is a successful farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Silver are the parents of eight children - Marinda E., Ella M., Arthur F., Elbert U., Emery H., Norman B., Nellie M. and Maudie E.

Willis Silver, son of Christopher and Marinda (Loveland) Silver, was born in Erie Co., Penn., on the 25th of April, 1842. When three years of age his parents removed to Green Co., Wis. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, receiving his education in the district school. In 1865 he went to Boone Co., Iowa; remaining there a few months, he went to Kansas, lived in that State about a year, then returned to Wisconsin. He was married on the 22d of March, 1868, to Kizpah A. Colton, born in Green county. The lived in the town of Mount Pleasant until the fall of 1869, then went to Osage Co., Kansas, and purchased a farm. In 1876 he returned to Rock Co., Wis., and rented a farm near Evansville for one year. He then removed to Mount Pleasant, this county. He now lives on section 15. Mr. and Mrs. Silver have two children - Herbert E. and Cora M, J. While in Kansas Mr. Silver was employed by the government, and drove a team laden with supplies to Colorado.

Artemas Silver, one of the pioneers of Green county, was born in the town of Salem, Erie Co., Penn., Dec. 11, 1822. When he was three years old, his parents moved to Mercer county, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1844 he came to the Territory of Wisconsin and visited Green county, but did not settle here at that time. He returned to Mercer county where he was married March 12, 1845, to Harriet Colton, a native of Chautauqua Co., N. Y., born Oct. 21, 1824. Five weeks later they started for Wisconsin. They came by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, to Galena, and completed their journey to Green county, overland. They stopped three weeks in Monroe, where he rented a piece of land and put in a crop, then came to Mount Pleasant and lived with Pliny Colton until fall. He then entered forty acres of land, on section 11, of township 3, range 8 east, now known as Mount Pleasant. At the same time he laid claim to other lands, hiring money to enter the same, at 25 per cent. He first built a log house which they occupied eight years. He then built a good frame house, in which the family now reside. The same year he erected a frame barn. In 1869 he built another barn, larger than the first. He has engaged largely in raising grain and stock. Mr, and Mrs. Silver have four children - Marion, Lewis, Truman and Flora, who is now married to Amos Pierce and living in Emporia, Kansas.

A widow lady by the name of Newcomb came in 1845, and settled on section 27. She afterwards married John Snell and removed to the State of Minnesota.

Mr. Bushnell, and family settled on section 14, some time previous to 1844. Gideon Gillett purchased the place, and the family left the county.

Peter Wilson, a carpenter by trade, came with Ira Foster. He at first worked in various parts of the county, but finally settled at Monticello, where he now resides.

John Lewis was born in South Wales, Nov. 30, 1813. He was there reared to agricultural pursuits. At the age of twenty-one he commenced work in an iron foundry, which he continued until 1841, then, having heard of the vast prairies of the United States, he resolved to see the country for himself, and came to America. He located first in Trumbull Co., Ohio, where he engaged in farming until 1845. The first year he received for his work $100, and for the next three years $120 per year. In the fall of 1845 he came to Wisconsin and located on Eagle Prairie, in Waukesha county, and there spent the winter. In 1846 he came to Green county and settled in township 3, range 8, town of Mount Pleasant. He bought land on section 13, and built a log house, in which he lived until 1865. He then built the frame house he now occupies. He has engaged largely in raising cattle, horses and sheep, and has made a large addition to his landed estate, and now owns 648 acres, the greater part of which is improved and fenced. He was married Aj)ril 19, 1841, to Kesiah Richards, a native of South 'Wales. Six children have been born to tliem, two of whom are now living - John and Theophilus. Mrs. Lewis was born Oct. 29, 1819, and died March 19, 1853. From that time until Mr. Lewis' second marriage, April 11, 1861, he and his sons "kept bach." His second wife was Olive Lee, a native of Oswego, N. Y.

Educational

The first school in the town was taught in the village of Monticello, in the summer of 1845. This was a subscription school, taught by Orinda Foster, at the house of A. F. Steadman.

The first public school was taught in 1848. In that year the people erected a rude log building near the southwest corner of section 7, called it a school house and employed Marintha Niles to take possession as teacher and give instruction to all who wished to attend. As there was no other school near the attendance was quite large.

In 1851 the people became tired of the log building and erected a neat octagon frame school house on the northwest quarter of section 8, and emj)loyed Dr. Adams as teacher. In 1854 this building was moved into the village of Monticello and continued to be used for school purposes until 1860. It is now used as an ice house. The present school house of Monticello was built in 1860. It is a frame building two stories in iieight.

Thomas Fenton, director; Arantha Thomas, treasurer; Ephraira Moody, clerk. A log house was built on the northwest quarter of section 12, and Lyman Dexter was the first teacher. The log house was in use until after the war, when the present frame building was erected. There had been a school taught in the neighborhood before 1849, in a log house located on the soiitheast quarter of section 4,

'Ihe first school house in district No. 2 was built in 1849, and was located on the southwest quarter of section 10. Dr. Adams, Samuel Aiken and MelgerColton were among the early teachers. The present school house, which is located on the site of the first, was built in 1877, and Miss M. Edwards was the first to occupy it as teacher.

The first school in district No. 4 was taught by Mandana Newcomb in a log house owned by Gideon McNaught. In 1850 a log school house was erected on the south half of the northeast quarter of section 28, and James Powell was employed as teacher. The log house soon gave place to the present frame building, which occupies the old site.

School district No. 7 was organized in 1858, and the first school was taught during the following winter, in a log house owned by John Sutherland. It was located on the northwest quarter of section 35. Stella Wheeler was the first teacher. In the spring of 1859 a stone school house was built, and Stella Wheeler and Amelia Woodworth were the first teachers in this.

The first school taught within the limits of district No. 9 was in a very early day in a frame house built by .fohn Williams. The district was re-organized in 1871, and the present school building erected on the northwest quarter of section 21. The first teacher in this house was Hattie Ross.

The first school in district No. 8 was taught in the winter of 1854-5 by Hannah Noble, in a log house owned by Thomas Seers. The following summer tlie present building, located ou

The first school in district No. 5 was taught in 1853 by Julia Stevens, daughter of Dr. J. D. Stevens, of Monroe. The stone school house is still standing, and is now used as a stable by J. F. Annis. The district now has a good frame building.

In 1849 the town of Mount Pleasant was divided into five districts. The officers of the various districts at that time were as follows: No. 1. - Thomas Fenton, director; Aranthus Thomas, treasurer; Ephraim Moody, clerk. No. 2. - Amos Perry, director; James Bedell, treasurer; Lyman Wright, clerk. No. 3. - Henry Adams, director; A. F. Steadman, treasurer; John Manly, clerk. No. 4. - William Lowe, director; A. P. Jewell, treasurer; William Boyls, clerk. No. 5. - Benjamin Rima, director; Joseph Conklin, treasurer; David McKee, clerk. James L. Powell was town superintendent of schools. On the Istof September, 1849, the reports of the district clerks show that there were 210 Scholars in the town. At that time districts Nos. 1 and 4 had log school houses; 2 and 5 stone school houses, and No, 3 was without a house.

Town Organizatiok

The town of Mount Pleasant was organized in April, 1849. Aranthus Thomas, Henry Adams and James L. Powell were among the first officers elected.

At the annual town meetion held on the 3d of April, 1850, there were seventy-four votes cast. The following officers were elected: Supervisors, Henry Adams, chairman, L. W. P. Morton and J. Moody; clerk, James L. Powell; assessor, 1 homas Fenton; treasurer, D. Bragg; superintendent of sciiools, James L. Powell; justices of the peace, Henry Adams and Aranthus Thoma^^.

At the general election held in November, 1840, there were forty nine ballots cast. The following is ihe roster: Abraham Pratt, .lames ]j. Powell, Lyman Smith, Thomas Morton, Henry Adams, William Boyls, Hall Bedell, Ai>ner Aiken, Benjamin Robey, Josiah Marty, Alfred

The following is a list of the gentlemen who have served as chairman of the board of supervisors of this town: Aranthus Thomas, Henry Adams, Thomas Fenton, Samuel Johnson, J. Troy, Ransom Drake, Charles F. Thompson, Jesse Gist, John V. VanSlyke, G. W. Baker, A. H. Pierce, F. K. Studley, A. H. Pierce and Franklin Pierce.

The town clerks have been as follows: James L. Powell, Mathias Marty, C H. Woodruff, Alonzo H. Jeniiii^on, James Broderick, F. R, Drake, Cyrus Troy, John V. VanSlyke, W. E. Noble, B. C Baker, Samuel Johnson, F. K. Studley, David Sears, H. H. Bissell, M. H Fitzgerald and E. F. Wright.

The following named in succession have held the office of assessor since the organization of the town: Thomas Fenton, Ransom Drake, Heni-y Barkey, B. C. Baker, Samuel Johnson, Joel Wood, Henry Adams, A. H. Pierce, E. R. Gillett, Thomas Gravenor, Franklin Pierce, Jesse Gist, L. W. Wright, Cyrus Troy, J. F. Annis, Charles Morgan, L. F. Moore and John Stauffacher.

The following named have filled the office of town treasurer: D. 15ragg, John Troy, William Foster, Pliny Col ton, Joseph Moody, Edward (Jillett, K. V. Fessenden, George W. Bridges, Joel Ward, W. C. Kessler, A. M. Uarber, Warren Jones, W. E. Noble, J. Bowen, Cyrus Troy,

Various Matters

In June, 1844, Author Smith, a native of the State of New York, was killed by some unknown person. Mr. Smith had just sold his claim on section 17 for |200, but was to do some breaking o:i the place. This he was engaged at, and it seems that while in the act of sharpening the plow, he was approached from behind by some unknown person, who dealt him a fatal blow with a hatchet. His body was dragged some ten or fifteen rods, and left on some low ground, and the cattle with which he was plowing were left to wander about the field. Mr. Smith was a young man, and at the time was keeping "bach." He had been in the habit of callijig at A. F. Steadman's, and as he did not call as usual, Mr. and Mrs. Steadman went to his house where there found things in disorder. This aroused suspicion, and Mr. Steadman immediately went to Exeter to enquire if he had been seen; he also went to his uncle's at Monroe, but as he had not been there, search was commenced by the citizens, which resulted in the finding of his body in a partly decayed state. An inquest was held at Exeter, but no clue to the murderer could be found. It appears the murder was committed for money, as his trunk had been ransacked, but the money was afterward found wrapped up in some cloth. His body was buried on the Steadman place, but in 1882 was removed to the Monticello Cemetery.

In 1856 Charles Gilson committed suicide by cutting his throat while laboring under a fit of insanity. He had had an attack of fever and ague which had deranged his mind. He left no family.

The first death occurred in 1841, Samantha, daughter of A, F. and Patty Steadman. The remains were buried on the laud owned by Mr. Steadman.

One has since been removed, and five remain, but there is nothing to mark the spot. There were also a few bodies buried in the southwest quarter of section 6. The first being a daughter of David Smith.

Village Of Monticello

The land now occupied by this village was entered in 1843 by Robert Witter, who was acting as agent for his brother, Chester Witter. He immediately commenced making improvements, and the following winter completed the first saw mill at this place. In 1846 A. F. Steadman purchased the property and platted the village. In 1847 Hugh McClintock purchased a a half interest; but in 1848 Mr. Turman became sole proprietor of the property. He, however, owned the same but a few months, when he sold to Jacob and Mathias Marty. These gentleman divided the property, Jacob taking that part lying on the north side of the river, and Mathias that on the south. The latter vacating his portion, Jacob Marty, in 1850, gave one lot to Peter Wilson on condition that he at onee erect a house, whereupon Mr. Wilson built a frame dwelling, 16x24 feet in size, one story in height. This was the first building in the village, audit now forms part of the Rural House.

The first store building was erected in 1851 by Sylvester Hills, who became the first merchant. He carried a general stock of goods, and continued in trade two years, when he was succeeded by George Campbell, who soon sold to Mathias Marty. He was succeeded by S. S. Hills & Co. in 1855. J. W. F. Randall afterward owned a half interest for a short time. In 1857 (Jeorge Gibson purchased the business and finally closed it out.

The Marty Bros., wlio were prominent among the pioneers of Monticello, were natives of Switzerland. They were well educated and good business men. Mathias was married to a daughter of Josiah Pierce, and is now a resi- dent of California, whither he went on account of his health. He is also a large property holder in Kansas City, Mo. Jacob Marty married a daughter of Sylvester Hills, and is now a resident of Paola, Kansas.

George Bowes was the first blacksmith, although his shop was not within the village limits, it being located on the south side of the river. George RoUand built a shop on the north side in 1849, and remained two years, then went to California. This branch of industry is now represented by Thomas Mitchell and David Pratt.

Thomas Mitchell, blacksmith and wagon maker, began business in Monticello in 1877. In 1878, he erected the shop which he now occupies, a commodious building, 26x32 feet. He is engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages, and does shoeing and general blacksmith work. He is a first-class workman, and is liberally patronized. He is a native of Bohemia, born Dec. 9, 1838. At the age of eleven he was apprenticed to a blacksmith to learn the trade. He served three and a half years. When he was sixteen years old, he left his native land and came to America. He first located at Rock River, Dodge county, where he worked at his trade until 1856, then went to Bad Axe, now Vernon county, and oj)ened a shop at Liberty Pole. He remained there one and a half years, then went to Madison, where he worked as journeyman one year, then to Minnesota, where he stopped a short time in Nininger City. In 1858, he located in New Glarus, Green county, and in the fall of that years, was married to Catharine Schindier, a native of canton Glarus, Switzerland. In 1861, he enlisted in the service as blacksmith, and served six months. He then established himself in business at Rockport, Atchison Co., Mo., continuing there until 1873, when he sold out and returned to Wisconsin. He opened a shop at Junction House, three miles west of Monroe. Six months later he went to Adauisville, Iowa county, and remained until 1^75, then went to Dane county and remained two years, and, as before stated, came to Monticello in 1877. He owns a residence here, besides two store buildings, one of which he rents, and in the other has a stock of groceries. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are the parents of seven children - Elizabeth, May, Agnes, Clara, Katie, Edith and Thomas.

The first wagon shop on the south side of the river was opened by Robert and George Bridges and their father. The fii'st shop on the north side was opened in 1857 by Ralsey Knight, who continued in business until 1861. Thomas Mitchell now represents this line of work.

The first shoemaker was Frank Drake, who came in 1853. He enlisted in the Civil War, and served as a soldier. He is now living in Idaho. The present shoemaker is Fred Swighey.

The grange store was established in 1875, with F. K. Studley as agent and business manager. He was succeeded, in 1877, by E. S. Sears, and he, in October of said year, by John Richards, who had charge until 1884, when he resigned and Pelter Holland was appointed. This business was owned and conducted exclusively by members of the Patrons of Husbandry until 18-0, when the charter was so amended as to allow others to hold stock. I. T. Humiston is president and J. F. Sears clerk of the association. A large stock of general merchandise and hardware is carried, and a profitable business conducted.

IraT. Humiston, senior deacon of Monticello Union Lodge of A. F. & A. M., was born in Allegany (. o., N. Y., Dec. 19, 1824. His parents removed to Chautauqua county when he was four years old. He obtained his education in a sul)scri|)tion scliool, and at the age of fourteen years was apprenticed to a blacksmith, to lea«ii the trade. He served five years, then opened a shop in Chautauqua county, where he continued business until 1856. He then came to Wisconsin, and established himself in business at the village of Monticello, and remained there until 1861. In November, of that year, lie enlisted in company I, of the 2d Wisconsin Cavalry. He went to Milwaukee and in February following went south. He served until April 18, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability, and returned home with an impaired constitution. He has never recovered sufficiently to perform any manual labor. He purchased a farm in 1864, located on section 3, to which he removed, living there until 1882, when he came to Monticello, which is his home at the present time. He was married in 1849 o Helen M. Woodworth, who was born in Caj^- uga Co., N. Y., March 31, 1826. They have two children - Robert and Fred W. Fred W., the youngest son, was born Aug. 31, 1855. His early education was received in the district school, and advanced by one years attendance at Cedar Valley Seminary, at Osage, Iowa. After this he engaged in teaching. He was married Dec, 31, 1879, to Kate Hayden, born at Attica, Green Co., Wis. They have two children - Myrtie T. and Ivan R. He now occupies the old homestead.

The Monticello Union Cheese Manufacturing Company was organized in 18*78, and received its charter on the 18tli day of IMarcIi. 'J'he charter members were: L. W. Wright, C. H. Baxter, Peter AVilson, S. C. Taft, W. P. Clement and C. W. Whittier. The first officers were: Peter Wilson, president; C. H. Baxter, secretary; David Sears, treasurer; S. C. Taft arul Amos Clement, trustees. The association purchased a lot on which ihey erected a building, whicli, when furnished, cost |>2,0()0^. The first year they leased the factory to parties who bought the milk. Afterwards the patrons hired the building, and gave as rent, thirty cents per 100 pounds of cheese manufactiued. A good

The first hotel was built by Jacob Marty, in 1851, who kept the ])lace about two years, then sold it to George Campbell. In 1854 Daniel Taft purchased the property, and one year later he sold to Thomas E.Fitzgerald. The property has changed hands several times since, and the house has been enlarged. It is now owned by Peter Wilson & Son.

Peter Wilson, one of the pioneers of Green county, is a native of Huntington Co., Penn., born April 16, 1818. When he was four years old his father died and his mother went to live with her parents, and with them emigrated to Ohio and settled in Stark county, where he spent his early life and obtained his education in the j)ublic schools. At the age of eighteen years, he was apprenticed to a carpenter and joinei", whom he served twenty months, then went to Cincinnati and worked under instruction sixteen months. He then went to Rardolph Co., Ind., and worked at his trade two years, then returned to Ohio, and settled in Mercer county, where, in 1841, he was married to Sarah, daughter of Ira and .lane ([jindei ) Foster. In October, 1843, he started, in company with his father-in-law and family, for the Territory of Wisconsin. They traveled with teams, bringing with them a portion of their household goods. On reaching Kane Co., 111., they stopped and remained until January, 1844, then pushed on to Wisconsin. Mr. Wilson lived with his father-in-law until March, and in the summer of 1844 worked at his trade in the town of Sylvester. In the fall he went to Monroe and worked upon the court house until it was completed. In 1845 lie moved to Monticello and lived until 1847, when he made a claim on section 1, of township 3, range 7 east, now known as the town of Washington. He built a log house and improved a few acres. In the spring of 1848 he sold this claim and bought eighty acres in the same town, which he sold the next fall and purchased 160 acres, also in the same town. This he sold after breaking thirty-five acres. In 1850 he built the first house ever erected on the present site of Monticello, which he occupied eight years. In 1852 he went across the plains to California, and was five months on the road. He engaged in mining there until 1854, then returned by the way of the Isthmus of Panama. Soon after he built a saw mill in company with S. C. Taft. In this he owned an interest until 1866. In 1872 he bought the "Monticello House," in company with his son, and has lived here since that time, with the exception of the winter of 1882-83, when he purchased a residence in Albany, and spent the winter there. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of four children - Julia, Alonzo, Ira and Harriet.

Ira Wilson was born in the town of Washington, Green Co., Wis., Feb. 22, 1848. He was reared and educated in his native county. Feb. 22, 1865, he enlisted in company G, of the 49th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and went south to Missouri, He served until after the close of the war and was discharged with the regiment in November,1865. In 1866 he commenced to learn t^e shoemaker's trade, at which he worked for several years. He was married in 1870 to Temperance Loveland, a native of Pennsylvania. They have three children - Emery, Laban and Marion. In 1870 Mr. Wilson went to Michigan and remained one year, then re turned to Monticello, and in 1879 moved to Warren, 111., where he lived three years, working at his trade. Since that time he has resided in Monticello, where he is engaged in company with his father, in keeping the "Monticello House."

The Monticello grist mill was built in J 854 by Orriu Bacon. It is 30x40 feet in size, and three and a half stories in height, and has two run of stone. Various improvements have been made from time to time, and the mill at all times does first class work. The dam is a substantial structure, built of stone and earth, there being a solid stone wall four rods in length.

The Monticello postoftice was established in 1848, and A. F. Steadman was appointed the first postmaster, and he kept the office at his house. The office was located on the mail route beteen Janesville and Mineral Point, and between Monroe and Madison. It is now on the route between Monroe and New Glarus. Mr. Steadman was succeeded in office by Mr. Turraan, and lie in turn by Mathias Marty, Vinie Godfrey, Dr. Wilcox, James Butts, A. Gorland, Frank Drake, L. B. Aldrich and E. F. Wright.

Monticello Physicians

Dr. E. S. Knapp, who located at Monticello in 1854, was the first resident physician. lie was a graduate of Rush Medical College, and a man of superior attainments. In 1859 he went to Kansas, but afterwards returned to this place. He is now a resident of Wiota, Wis.

Civic Societies

Rescue Division, No. 201, Sons of Temperance, was organized May 17, 1883, with the following named persons as officers: Thomas Sears, P. W. P.; J. F. Sears, Yi. P.; Susie Buck, W. A. P.; Henry Pickford, R. Sec; Hattie Trogner, Asst. R. Sec; J. H. Trogner, F. Sec; Mrs. Henry Pickford, treasurer; R. P. Hyde, Condt.; Mrs. R. Magoon, Asst. Condt.; Mrs. D. W. Pratt, I. S.; R. Magoon, O. S., and Eider Burnham, chaplain. The division now has a membership of thirty-five. Regular communications are held weekly.

A Methodist Episcopal class was organized as early as 1848, and the meetings were held at the log school house, located on the southwest quarter of section 8, Elder Phelps being the first pastor. Among the first members were Ira Foster and wife, Elijah Roby and wife, W. H. Coates and wife. Elijah Roby was the first class leader. 'I'here were several revival meetings held, and the class afterwards held meetings in the octagon school house until 1861, when a neat frame church edifice was erected. The following have been pastors of the society : Revs. Phelps, Frazier, Jones, Harris, Knox, Waldrown, Sample, Briggs, Burnish, LawsoM, Allen, Lewis, liean, Russell, Walker, Fancher, Hurd, Lake, Dudgeon and Gould.

preacher, organized a society at what was known as the Truax log school house, and the following named were among the first members : Benjamin Truax, Benjamin Smaley and wife, Samuel Whitesit and wife, Elisha Gord and wife, Edmund Irish and wife, W. W. Martin and wife, W. W. Truax, Daniel Titus, Samuel Gord, Martin Purintun and wife, Leonard Gord and wife, Thomas J. Wittsitt and wife, James Truax and wife, E. B. Gord, S. Eldridge, Martha M. Wittsitt, Charlotte O. Conklin and Jane DeFord. The first deacons were : Benjamin Truax and Martin Purintun. Elder*Patton was assisted in the organization by Elders Reece, Pool and Clack. As a great many members have moved away, meetings are no longer held regular.

The Monticello Free Will Baptist Church Society was organized Dec. 1, 1855, by Rev. J. F. Hill. The first members were : David Sears and wife, O. RI. Baker and wife, Cyrus Robinson and wife, Laura A. Johnson, Robert S. Bridges, Robert Moore and Otis Bridges. The deacons were : O. M. Baker, and R. S. Bridges. Meetings were held at the octagon school house until 18G1. The society then erected a neut stone church, which in May, 18G2, was dedicated to the worship of God by Rev. Horace G. Woodworth, who took as his text on that occasion. ^''I?i the name of God ice unfurl our bannery The following pastors have had charge of the society : Revs. William Small, R. R. Davis, Edward Berry, Mr. Felt, J. S. Dinsmore, Jefferson Bradley, M. M. Thompson and Rev. True, the present pastor. The society has a membership of about forty. 'J lie deacons are J. 11. Trogner, Ralzy Knight and T. Z. Buck, and J. F. Sears, clerk.

The Monticello Cemetery

The lajid occupied by the Monticello ceme tery was donated for burial purposes by Matliias INIarly and Robert Bridges, and on the 10th day of January, 1852, an association was formed to take care of the same. The first trustees elected were ; Henry Adams, R. Gar- land, P. Pratt, M. Marty, F. R. Drake and R. S. Bridges. Ransom Drake was appointed secretary, and R. S. Bridges treasurer. Money was raised by taxation to fence the ground, and lots were sold at $7.50 each. The association failed to meet according to law, and thus lost their charter. A new association was formed in 1881. The new association took immediate steps to clear the ground, repair the fence, and now keep the same in good order.