Green County, Wisconsin - Chapter 42: Town of Sylvester, 1884

Chapter 42: Town of Sylvester

The town of Sylvester embraces the territory of congressional township 2 north, range 8 east, of the fourth principal meridian, containing 22,945.56 acres. It is bounded on the north by the town of Mount Pleasant; on the east by Decatur; on the south by Jefferson, and on the west by Monroe. This is one of the best towns in the county, containing 22,921 acres of farming land, valued (assessed) at 118.60 per acre. The total value of real estate is $426,510, and of real and personal property, $567,887. The population of the town in 1880, was 928. The farm products of the town of Sylvester, grown during the year 1882, were as follows: Two thousand nine hundred and ninety-two bushels of wheat; 107,605 bushels of corn; 90,539 bushels of oats; 274 bushels of barley; 3,190 bushels of rye; 5,992 bushels of potatoes; 6.090 bushels of apples; 361 bushels of clover seed; 251 bushels of timothy seed, and 3,527 tons of hay. This town is one of the most extensive stock raising districts in the county, as the fol. lowing statistics will prove: There are 656 horses in the town, average value 160.05, total value $39,395; 2,390 cattle, average value $17.- 89, total value $42,763; 3 mules, average value $51.66; total value $155; 3,824 sheep, average value $1.64, total value $6,280; 3,006 swine, average value, $5.27, total $15,869. Number pounds of butter made in 1883, 44,160.

Barly Settlement

The first settlement within the limits now comprising the town of Sylvester was made by William Woodle. Thomas Woodle, father of William, visited Green county in 1836, with his son, Joseph, and bought land on sections 34 and 35. They came with one horse and buggy from Fayette Co, Penn., and returned to Pennsylvania that fall. In the spring of 1837 Joseph returned with his family, coming down the Ohio river, to Cairo, up the Mississippi river to Galena, and from there by wagon to their destination in the town of Sylvester. At the same time came Jesse Mitchell and family, who settled on section 35; and Tliomas Woodle, a single brother of Joseph. Joshua Davis, a single man, came at the same time. He died in the winter of 1837-8. During the summer following their arrival, xMilchell and Woodle built cabins. Allen Woodle, a brother of Joseph, came shortly afterward. \\'iiiiam had come before this and located on section 31. Allen was a single man. I.'e owned land and afterward settled in Spring Grove. He is now farming near Leroy, Minn.

Joseph McCracken and family came liere in 1836, from Edgar Co., III. The old gentleman settled on section 30, where he built a cabin, broke ten acres, and lived for many years, then removed to Monroe, where he died May 6,1867. His wife died on the place. One of his sons was in business at Monroe for several years.

Amos R. Sylvester, for whom the town is named, was one of the earliest settlers and a prominent man. He was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 8, 1810.- His father, Richard Sylvester, was born in Scituate, R. I., in 1782, and was married to Rachel Sutherland, March 19, 1809. Si»e was born in Rutland, Vt., in January, 1791, and ditd in Sylvester, March 17

1876. Richard Sylvester died at Darian, Genesee Co., N. Y., July 22, 1826. They reared a family of five children - Amos R , John, Harlow, Charles and Mary. The sons removed to Edgar Co., 111., where they lived until they came to Green county. In the spring of ]83G, Amos came here and entered land for his brothers and others, and returned to Illinois. In the fall of that year, the Sylvester brothers, Amos, John, Harlow and Charles, and their families, came here to reside permanently. Amos settled on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 15, where he erected a log house with a puncheon floor and roof of shakes. John settled on the southwest quarter of section 21, where he lived a short time, then removed to the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 12. He afterwards moved to Belleville, Dane county, and afterwards went to Kentucky, where he died, at Athens, May 16, 1860. He was born Nov. 27, 1812. He was twice married. His first wife was Phiania Hills, who was born in 1820, and died Dec. 29, 1851, leaving fou]' children. He was again married in 1854, to Lucinda H. Smith, who was born in East Avon, N. Y., in 1820. She died Sept. 22, 1859, leaving three children - Frank A., who was drowned in Folk Co., Wis; Phiania E. and Ellen A. Harlow Sylvester settled on the southeast quarteiof section 3, where he remained until about 1869, then sold out and moved to Madison, where he still resides. Charles Sylvester settled on the west half of the northeast quarter of section 10, remained there a short time, then sold and went to Belleville, where, in company with John Sylvester, he engaged in mercantile business. He now lives in Polk Co., Wis. Amos R. Sylvester received a common school education, and at the age of seventeen years, left home. He started in the world with fifty cents, which his mother had given him, being all the money she had. He served an apprenticeship to learn the blacksmith trade, and afterwards was foreman in a shop at Camillxs, N .

Y., where he was married Feb. 14, 1831. His wife died in Sylvester, Aug. 30, 1847, leaving five children - Richard, deceased; Abram W., Henry W., Mary, deceased; and Moses. He was again married Aug. 7, 1848, to Mrs.Loraine Rust, widow of Henry Ford. Mr. Sylvester was prominent in both town and county affairs, lie held the oflice of assessor seven years. He was one of the originators of the Insurance Company of Sylvester. He was killed by his team running away, Sept. 14, 1882. He was a much esteemed citizen. His widow still resides at the homestead. Charles Sylvester, who came at the same time as did Amos, married and went to Kansas; but later returned and now lives in Pc.lk Co., Wis.

On the 2d of May, 1837, Davis Bowen, a native of Virginia, came and entered land on section. 27, where he broke some land and erected a cabin. The following fall he returned to Virginia, and brought his family back with him in the spring of 1838. He died in this town May 6, 1867.

James E. Bowen, a son of Davis Bowen, an old settler and prominent citizen, was born in Fayette Co , Penn., Sept. 25, 1825. He went with his father's family to Preston Co., Va., where they had many relatives, and resided until the spring of 1838. They then started, traveling with teams to the Ohio river, then by water, to Galena, 111., thence to Green county, arriving in the town of Sylvester, April 21. .James E. being quite young at that time, spent considerable time in hunting and fishing, with the young men of his age, sons of the earliest settlers of the county, who resided in that vicinity. He went back to Virginia in the fall of 1848, and on his return to Green county, found when he arrived in St. Louis, that the Mississippi river was frozen, so took a steamer on the Illinois river and came as far as Urbana, where, on account of the ice, he left the boat and took passage by stage to Freeport, which was within twenty-five miles of his home, paying his fare to that point. On account of bad traveling hie

I travel, he abandoned the stage, and struck out on foot for home, and walked a distance of sixty miles. He received a limited education in ihe common schools. In 1851 he went to Oregon and California, crossing the plains, having in charge six yoke of oxen, and arrived at the first settlement in Oregon on September 17. He engaged in mining in California until the spring

{ way of the Isthmus of Panama, New Orleans, and the Mississippi river. Since that time he has visited Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Kansas. He was married March 17, 1859, to Martha A. Clark, who Avas born in Perry, Penn., Feb. 14,1829. Her parents wei'e natives of Pennsylvania, and settled in Miami Co., Ohio, in an early day. They came to Green county in 1848

! Bowen lived until the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen have two children- Davis and Susan H. Mr. Bowen is politically a democrat. He owns a fine farm of 440 acres, valued at |60 per acre.

Benjamin Mitchell, a brother of Jesse, came at about the same time. He was back and forth between this place and Pennsylvania, but finally settled here and is still a resident.

! Penn., born in 1814. He grew to manhood and obtained his education in his native State. His parents were natives of the same State, and emigrated to Green county in 1846. They reared a family of ten children, of whom Benjamin was the second. Mrs. Mitchell died in this county, in 1862, and Mr. Mitchell, in 1884. The subject of this sketch came to Green county in the spring of 1838. He lived two years with his brother Jesse, then bought land and settled in the town of Spring Grove. He was married, in 1855, to Elizabeth Conn, a native of Kentucky, born in 1833. He continued to live in Spring

Grove until the spring of 1860, when he bought liis present home and removed to it. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have three children - Amanda, So[)hia and Carrie. Mrs. Mitchell and her two (laughters are members of the Baptist Church at Juda. Mr. Mitchell paid #20 per acre for his farm in 15 60, which contains eighty acres, now valued at |60 per acj'e.

At about this time the little settlement was visited by Abner Mitchell, the father of Jesse and Frank. The old gentleman shortly afterward became a resident of the county. Abner was a preacher of the Baptist faith, and frequently lield services in the neighborhood.

T. W. Thompson, a native of New York city, came to Green county, at a very early day, and settled in the town of Cadiz. In the fall of 1838, he came to the town of Sylvester, and settled on section 11, where he lived until the time of his death. The family remained upon the place for several years, then the widow lived with her children in various places.

In May, 1839, Justus Sutherland and family came from Coles Co., 111., having originally come from Madison Co., X. Y. Justus Sutherland located on sections 10 and H, where he lived until the time of his death in December, 1873. The little old log cabin, which was erected in 1839, still stands in a fair state of preservation, while near by stands the dwelling which was afterward erected, furnishing a marked contrast. Mr. Sutherland was seventysix years of age when he died. He was born in the State of Vermont in 1797, emigrated to the State of New York, from thereto Illinois, and from thence to Green county. He left at the time of his death, a wife and ten children. The widowdied in April, 1875. The children were - John and Andrew, who now live in Monroe; J. A., who lives in Sylvester; George, who is in business in Monroe; Samuel, who is now in Dakota; Arick, who still occupies the old homestead; Jerusha, tlie oldest girl, mar- I ried Abner Long, and now lives in Dakota; Hannah married Mr. Yant, and now lives in Iowa; Kate married J. W. F. Randall, and now lives in Monroe; and Mary, unmarried, now lives on the homestead.

With this party, when they came to the town of Sylvester, came two of Mr. Sutherland's sisters: Mrs. Rachel Sylvester, mother of A. R.; and Mrs. Jerusha Colton. Mrs. Sylvester settled on land on section 21, where she lived with her son, Charles, for a few years; then broke up housekeeping, and lived with A. R., her son, until her death. She had four sons - John took land adjoining his mother, where he lived a few years, then went to Belleville, Dane county, where he went into business. He died a number of years ago, in Kentucky. Harlow Sylvester came here several years after the arrival of his mother, and settled on section 3. H« lived there a number of years, then removed to Madison, to school his children at the university and still lives upon a farm near that city. The youngest son married Miranda Hills and, settled on a farm on sections 1 and 12. He lived there a while, then bought and entered land on section 10, where he lived a few years, then left and now lives in Polk Co.. Wis.

Mrs. Jerusha Colton entered land and settled on section 9, where she lived until the time of her death. Her youngest son, Melzar, still lives upon the old homestead; John, the oldest son, took land adjoining his mother's, married Elizabeth Hilborn, and lived there until the time of his death. His widow is now in Dakota. Mrs. Colton had one daughter, who married Nelson Hills and settled on section 3. She died in 1883, in Polk county, where they had moved after a number of years residence in Sylvester.

Sylvester Hills also came in the fall of 1838, from the State of New York, He located on section 21, where he lived eight or ten years, then went to a farm on sections 4 and 9. He remained there for a number of years, then removed to Albany. He died in 1880, while visiting one of his daughters in this town. His widow died in 1883.

A. G. Houghton, a native of Kentucky, came here in 1 838 and entered four "eighties" and one "forty" on sections 35 and 36. His parents had settled at Springfield, 111., and he struck out for the lead mines at Galena and Mineral Point, before the Black Hawk War. A few years later he came to Monroe, where for a time he was postmaster, and finally to the town of Sylvester. He was a single man. Bringing a team and plow with him, he broke a few acres for himself and some for Davis Bowen and Henry Miner. About 1853 he was married to Priscilla Summerill, a school teacher. They lived in the town for ten or twelve years after that time, when he sold out and went to Andrew Co., Mo., where he died.

Others who should be mentioned as early settlers in this town are : Daniel Wessel, John Chryst, Mr. Roderick, Jacob Stauffacher and Samuel Vaiice.

Jacob A. Stauffacher was born in Switzerland, in December, 1835. He came with his parents, Anton and Anna Stauffacher, to Green county in 1845. After living in New Glarus six weeks, the family came to Sylvester, and the father worked out for three years at fifty cents pe day, boarding himself. In 1848 he bought a farm in Mount Pleasant, where he lived until his death, with the exception of six months he lived with his son, Isaiah, in the town of Sylvester, where he died Nov. 5, 1883. The mother died July 4, 1879. There was a family of nine children, six boys and three girls - Jacob, Mathias, Anton, Isaiah, John, Edward, Anna, Barbara and Mary. Jacob, the subject of this sketch, received a common school education, and was married Dec. 7, 1871, to Cathai-ine Luchsinger, who was born in Switzerland, in June, 1832. They have five children - Anton, Lucinda, Gilbert

Samuel Vance, one of the pioneers of the town of Sylvester, first located on section 6, of the town of Jefferson, in 1845, but the following year, sold out, and entered forty acres in Sylvester, on which he still resides, also purchased the northwest quarter of section 33, of Whitney and Ripley, for which lie paid $200. He has been a large land holder, owning a one time, 468 acres. He paid $29 per acre for the last land that he purchased. He was married in Pennsylvania, Feb. 16, 1841, to Lavina Johns, a 'native of Fayette county of that State. They had seven children - James P., George D., John B., Hugh J., Ezekiel T., Daniel W. and Rebecca R. His wife died April 4, 1883. She was, with her husband, a member in good standing, of the Baptist Church in Juda. Samuel Vance was born in George township, Fayette Co., Penn., Feb. 21, 1816. His father was a native of Ireland, and his mother of Switzerland. She came with her parents to America when three years old. Samuel obtained a common school education in his native county where his younger days were spent, and was engaged in farming previous to coming to this county.

Reminiscence

We are asked to sketch from memory a few items of the early history of Green county. While any person's life is a history that would interest most readers if written up with the vivid delineation that flows from the pen of Hugo; yet while to live, history is a natural sequence of life, to write it is another thing. Having written this much of preliminary, I will try and render the little assistance I can in helping to preserve the memory of the times in which I have lived. Hoping that all who read may not read to criticize, but with charity for the failings I am but too conscious of.

My earliest recollections of my own life is when my father and family lived near the residence of D. W. Sutherland, where they first settled after their removal here from Darien, Genesee Co., N. Y. I was born in Darien, N. Y., on the 29th of September, 1834. I will recite a few of the incidents of my life which although they may seem very common place and uninteresting to most readers, made a lasting impression upon my mind during the period of early childhood. I have a faint recollection of chills and fever, which though almost universal, and oft recurring in many cases, left me after three weeks never to return. William C. Green was my first teacher. Being a great friend of my father's he often trundled me on his knee, and used to tell me if I would learn fast and grow up a good man, I should have a certain daughter of his of my own age, for a wife, and amuse himself hearing me spell whig - hwig. I remember Gov. Henry Dodge visited the family as he did many families in the then Territory, he being engaged in a controversy with the wild cat banks of the time, discussed the questions of the day, the bank question among the rest, my father he being opposed to such unstable institutions. And, that after insisting on paying for his entertainment and lodging, and the refusal of the older members to take pay, he gave me one of the dollars of our daddies because my name was Thomas Benton, as he said a sound money man.

When our family removed to section 15, township 2 north, range 8 east, since named Sylvester, a distance of seven miles, we passed only three houses, and there were only eighty rods between the two farthest. Our house 18x20 feet inside was surrounded by grass five to seven feet high, and a spring of thirty feet in circumference and three feet deep was searched in vain' for by the three younger members of the family, a reward being offered if we found it that night, which we failed to do. A huge fire place supplied heat and a place to cook our food.

making, with our parents, nine persons. In June, 1843, a heavy fall of rain for three days, with intervals between showers, so swelled the little rivulets near the house, that it became a rushing torrent of forty rods in width, submerging every foot of ground about the house. The little chicks first sought safety on one point, and then on another, on the mound of chips near the house, and then the house. Soon the floor, (which was of loose or un-nailed boards), began to float, and the chickens and children sought the loft for safety. It was from the efforts on the part of my father to secure and save his floating property, that he, by over exertion and exposure, became the victim of miasmatic influences in the form known as chills and fever. The news of his illness brought to his bedside many friends, one of whom influenced him to send for a so-called doctor, who by the wickedest of lies, cheated him into taking calomel, and thereby becoming salivated, and dying from the terrible poisoning, after weeks of untold suffering; being unable to take nourishment, as one of his nurses has since told me, for three weeks. The loss of my father, I have always considered the greatest calamity of my life. Thus left an orphan at the early age of six years, the youngest of the second family, having one own sister, my mother and three half brothers. I grew up with the country, vegetating through years of monotonous misery, seeing little outside of a few adjoining farms, attending school a few weeks in each succeeding winter, when too often the pedagogues simply taught because they were good for nothing else. One of the first I remember about, being incapable of interesting his class in the rules of orthography, etc., as taught in the first pages of the old elementary spelling book, undertook to frighten, and even succeeded in so frigiitening his class that they did actually improve in recitations; by making them believe he would be obliged to hang them if they failed again. He covered his face with his hands, and emitted groans and shed tears until he drew tears from the eyes of his class. The school room was a log house, situated on the northwest quarter of section 15, of what is now the town of Sylvester. It was erected by the united efforts of the citizens. The house was heated by a fireplace; the wood being cut at noon by the big boys. Fuel was donated and hauled to the school by its patrons. This school house has an interesting histqry of its own. But to continue about schools - another teacher was called "too baby," because he was so effeminate. It was fine sport for the boys to hunt rabbits at noon; and they never could hear the rap of the rule on the window, which was the teacher's only call, until the last boy was tired of the sport. Thus it was that, on a certain occasion, when two of the county school commissioners, (there were three for the county; whose duties were somewhat similar to that of the county superintendent at the present time), came to visit our school, were surprised about half past 2 o'clock, by the appearance of a company of fifteen boys, ranging from seven to twenty years of age, who appeared at the school room door, under the leadership of Capt, C, F, Thompson, with all the pomp and pride of conquering warriors. In fact the surprise seemed to paralyze both parties for an instant. The commissioners, however, S. P. Condel and E. T. Gardiner, when they understood the importance of our mission, and that we were regularly mustered into the service, and out on duty, with some effort suppressed their smiles, and gravely admonished us to use a degree of moderation in the exercise of our duties; when our captain blandly explained that we did not take as extensive exercise, except on very tine days, like the present one, which was very bright and sunny, as our wet garments from wading in the snow, knee deep, gave testimony.

Another teacher was that poor, unfortunate J, L, Brows, once captain of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria's body guard, and who claimed a collegiate education and the mastery of seven different languges, with many other distinguished accomplishments. He did not believe in a re.

publican government, and desired to make it ludicrous in the eyes of his pupils. Thus, if they were boisterous and noisy, he would laugh and say: "Such is the result of American free institutions; there is no government about the American system." If any one suggested that he should keep better order, he would reply: "Hit's a free country, let them 'ave their freedom." If any quarrels were going on, and he was appealed to, he would reply: "Oh, hit's a free country, let them fight hit out." When he thought us tired of sitting, or uncomfortably cold, he would call us out on the floor, and forming the old fashioned figure four, would whistle for us to dance. Our studies were limited to the three R's, in the parlance of the olden time, with spelling. School sometimes commenced by reading a chapter or two from the Bible; then the class, often consisting of twenty pupils, in the old English reader, would read from one book, passing it from one to the other; then a class of new beginners read short sentences from the old elementary spelling book.

My earliest recollections of religious services are those that were held in this old school house by Rev. James Sherrad, of the Christian denomination, and then a man by the name of Lowe, of the same Church, held services off and on for about two years; the former being a man of culture from the State of New York, and the latter an uncultured Hoosier, one of those ne'er do well, happy and easy sort, who claimed to have been called to preach, but who called very few to hear. This man usually stopped at our house for dinner, and after his noon day pipe would saunter out into the adjoining woods, and within an hour or two would come back, expressing his admiration of nature, the soothing effect of the balmy air of the shady grove. The fact soon developed that he was hiving the bees that congregated near the door, and that he was a very good bee-hiver. But the path of duty is often rewarded by a crown of thorns; and so it came about that after the third success in his after sermon bee-hiving, some half dozen of the mischievous young Americans of the neighborhood congregated one Sabbath afternoon and turned this field of afternoon sermon meditation into one of boisterous hilarity. The prize of the zealous Christian was appropriated by the unruly Sabbath-breakers. The sound of the ax was heard; the voice of the thunders announced the fall of the mighty oak, and the bees were overpowered with fire and smoke; then the pillage and its result; colic to the victors, who left the field one by one, ex- ])ressing sweet satisfaction in their share of the spoils. They would saunter off toward the house, quickening their pace to a run as soon as out of sight of the unsatisfied, and when they reached the house, presented faces contorted with pain and cried out for sweet milk as an antidote.

At the age of thirteen, 1 attended school in the same district where I first commenced my education. The teacher, Ozara Stearns, was very energetic and forcible in his work. (He has since been United States senator to fill vacancy from Minnesota.) During my fourteenth year I attended school in the old log house, which, by the way, was our first home in the town of Sylvester. The teacher was George Mclntyre, of the State of New York. The next summer a new school house was built on the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of section 10. Being painted red, it was called the Red school house. Here I attended school a few weeks, but the measles being prevalent, and myself one of the victims, I received but little benefit from the school.

At the age of sixteen, (my brother, Martin, having died, and some changes being necessary), I went from home to work for my brother, A. I. I then went home for a month; thence to A. R. Sylvester, wliere, on the 3d of July, after working hard, and it being a very hot day, I went in bathing, and so injured my health that I became an invalid; and for several years during this time, I must acknowledge the extreme kindness of ray brother's family. The natural kindness and solicitude of an affectionate mother, and the forbearance and liberality of my brother, Solomon, which was fully equalled by the kindness and generous helping hands of my sister-in-law, Mrs. Ellen Sutherland.

In the spring of 1858, I started with my cousin, W. W. Sutherland, to look for government land, walking from the town of Sylvester to Chippewa Falls, with the exception of a ride on the cars of sixty miles, and two miles in a wagon. We walked over fifty miles one day, and for several days made from forty to forty-five miles. In the fall of 1860, I cast my first vote for President, voting for Stephen A. Douglas. Having gone through that exciting campaign, supporting him and his policy of government, actively and enthusiastically, feeling that a failure to elect would bring war and all its accompanying disasters. I had on election day left ray raother quite unwell; she having been an invalid for fifteen years and often seriously ill. Supposing there was no immediate danger, and my sister, F. C, being with her, I only returned to find her on her death-bed. The last long sleep of life had fallen upon her. Thus she passed from earth as she had lived, in peace and quietness, with none to blame, but many to bless. If fault she had, as is but human nature, the greatest was in generosity and selfsacrifice. Being my father's second wife and sister of the first, she had been a mother to his children years before her sister's death, her sister being in poor health. After her sister's death, she took full charge of the family, the youngest being a mere babe. After the older boys were grown to manhood, it was necessary to come into the far west away from all the old friends and early surroundings that there could be a home secured for all. This she cheerfully consented to do, knowing and feeling that her own children must be deprived of the benefits of her already hard earned right to the enjoyment of all the privileges of the society that had become established and organized by the kindred spirits of her old New England home, with schools and Churches. A country abundantly supplied with fruit, and endowed by all the privileges that tended to make life pleasant and secured home comforts. On the death of my father, his only will was to charge my older brothers to be kind to her, always furnish her a good home, with its necessary comforts; to give his children a home and an education. It was then that her great life trials commenced, and well did she fill her part, laboring with head and heart and hands from long before dawn, often into the small hours of the beginning of the coming day dawn, cheerfully, hopefully without the asking of others, working because work accumulated, as work one must with a family of from six to nine, where, as in the olden time, hand carding, spinning, weaving, hand-made clothing, and the everlasting knitting must be done. Still her heart was borne up with her truly Christian spirit, and the patient, pleasant smile. The oft quoted Bible maxim, the wisdom of poor Richards sayings and raaxiras; the wit and wisdom of Franklin; bits of poetry from Burns, Dryden, Pope, Campbell and Shakespear, Moore, Scott, and others. Now and thcQ snatches of hymns, full of plans for others, always oblivious of self. She carried her part and did the work more than her strength was sufficient for, until finally her constitution gave way; lung fever, followed by permanent weakness of the lungs, and then consumption, slow, but carrying its seal of death always in view, no one knowing the day or the hour. If it be possible to earn in this life a reward in the life to come, her reward must be great indeed.

Then came the anxiety of National affairs; the old slow way of getting in the returns had to be endured. Finally the defeat of Douglas came; and though young in political experience, it seemed as if the future was opened to rae. The night after the news came, not a minute did I close my eyes. War, with all its concomitant horrors, seemed a certainty to me. Then oame the discussion, public debates and constant agitation of the questions of compromise or war, in which I took an active part as a conservative, upholding J. J. Crittenden's compromise resolutions; feeling sure the predictions of A. H. Stephens wouki be realized if the south rushed headlong into secession. She would lose her cherished curse of slavery, and be whipped back into the Union, deprived of her rights of free government, because the rule of force would have to be resorted to. Thus time passed, and the war came, with a feeling that there was much wrong on both sides. But having been taught from childhood, as all democrats of the time were taught, the Union must be preserved at all hazards, "or liberty dies;" and having worn the talismanic banner on my "little Giant hat" during the Douglas campaign, though scoffed at by those who now cried out that all were disunion unless they supported and sanctioned all that was done by the republican administration and Congress. I still clung to the Union as the only salvation of the Nation, occupying the position of peace-maker.

The memory of the war times seems like a terrible night-mare. Prominent republicans jumping up and down and swearing that even Abraham Lincoln ought to be shot or hung for countermanding Gen. Fremont's order in regard to slavery. At the same time listening and applauding some soft-brained orator, made wild by the sudden acquisition of power by the republican party, advocating tlie hanging of some garulous southern sympathizing, though goodhearted and harmless old lady of the neighborhood. The riding on rails of good Union men, and even republicans, because they would not subscribe to Gen. Pope's orders, issued on a rebel community, in a secession State, in our county seat.

A mob having been organized by some of the citizens of Monioe, based on the story of some ignorant supeistitious person, that a company of secessionists were being organized, or likely to be, undertook to enforce this order of Gen. Pope's, requiring all persons to subscribe an oath to support the constitution of the United States.

A citizen of the town of Sylvester was asked and refused to sign, saying, he being a justice of the peace, he had already taken such an oath, in accordance with law, and should not comply with the demands of a mob, nor otherwise encourage them. He was first egged, then rode on a rail. Still refusing, he was given twentyfour hours to leave the county, or be hung. A large number of the citizens of the county took the matter in hand, knowing the old man to be in no way a dangerous person, and although not particularly conciliatory in speech and manner, and a man of stubborn will; one who had never forfeited his rights to protection fi'om violence, and a man feeble in health and strength, called a meeting to be held at the house of J. Chryst, in the town of Jefferson, he being at the head of the movement. About 200 assembled there, and resolved to protect all law abiding citizens from mob violence from whatever source; myself being on the committee of resolutions. The meeting then appointed a committee to go to Madison with the person threatened - Sheldon Rust - and present his case to Gov. Harvey. I. Chryst, William Rittenhouse and S. Roub were of the committee. They started the next day, and on presenting the case to the governor, were told that they need fear no further threats, that he would inform the gentlemen at Monroe that he was chief executive of the State of Wisconsin, and to disband all unlawful organizations or he would have them arrested. Thus ended a most shameful attempt on the part of a few individuals to over-ride all law, and popularize themselves through violent demonstrations, in putting down rebellion where none existed.

On the 5th of October, 1864, a draft was issued against the town of Sylvester for thirteen men to report at Prairie du Chien on the 20th of that month. B Fitch, A. W. Sutherland, S. Cot- lerman, J. Stephenson, Webster Lindley, Reuben Coldren and B. Sutherland were among the number that reported. I think the number wanted was five. Two took French leave ; the rest reported, and were given time to fill the quota with volunteers, which they found no trouble in doing, though they had to pay well for them. Your humble servant being the last on the list, the quota was full long before reaching his name, and he .was therefore exempted for one year. After giving about $50 to help out the ones enrolled, he returned home to reflect upon the sincerity of certain persons who had always opposed raising bounty by town tax, declaring that a draft was the only fair way of filling the quota of towns, but when drafted, whined and cried over their hard fate. This was the last and only draft levied on our town. In spite of a strong opposition on the part of a few, a liberal bounty was voted and the quota of the town promptly filled.

I remained a conservative, supporting the war as a necessity of the times and the Union, at all hazards, except the curtailment of liberty; voting bounties with the majority of our citi* zens, to soldiers ; support to soldiers' families ; soldiers' relief fund, to alleviate suffering from the vicissitudes of war, and supply the wants of the suffering in camp, fields or ho.spital.

The report of battles brought more pain than joy, though the victory for the Union had its mead of safisfaction. The wavering and fluctuating of the public mind had little influence ; it was too often upon a pinacle of glory and triumph, aud then down deep in the slough of despair. My faith in the ultimate result of victory for the Union never left me, though the time dragged heavily, and terribly lengthened, until hopes seemed almost against fate. The time came, that memorable day in 1865, reaching our isolated town without telegraph, steam propeller or railroads, as the winds of Heaven sweep o'er the face of the earth, bringing life and joy on Hs wings. Thus came the news from one voice, to be re-echoed by another, and then another, until joy filled the breasts of all - even the few whose whole sympathy seemed with the south. The glorious old flag was honored always and at all times by our patriotic citizens, and the glory of its victory crowned with peace and heralded by fraternal solicitude.

I have written this much of the history of the war time to insure the proud record of the fraternity, and the strong ties of neighborly friendship that bound our citizens together and prevented the alienation and estrangement of friends and neighbors duriiig the terribly exciting period of war. Though many were of of southern birth and education, with strong sympathy and fillially bound to our combatants south; as one who stood between the two extremes of Garrisonians and the followers of Breckinridge, I give testimony that all joined in the work of carrying on the War for the Union, and in the course of events developed patriotism and loyalty in every citizen of our town, even to protecting our citizens from mobviolence without I'esorting to violent means, and without distinction of party or place of birth, or difference of opinion.

Now, that the passions of individuals are buried by the charity we must have for all, let passionate words be buried in the oblivion of time. Their acts alone can tell the true impulse of their natures.

Truly may we believe the free institutions of our fathers must and always will be preserved, where such men as were leaders actively engaged in moulding public opinion in the town of Sylvester in those times that tried men's souls.

Matters Of Interest

The first celebration of the 4th of July, was liehl at Justus Sutherland's in 1847. Reuben Stevens beat the drum with Daniel Wessel iuid N. Heinstret. In raising the liberty pole which was spliced and put up through a tree, it broke, and was cut off and spliced, and the flagthen unfurled from it. An oration was deliv; ered by a man from near Monticello.

The first murder committed in the town was that of F. Ohm, who was killed by his son, Fred, in June, 1878. The murderer had two trials and was finally sentenced to States prison for life.

The first death in the town was that of Joshua Davis, an estimable young man who came from Fayette Co., Penn., with Joseph Woodle. He was taken sick with fever and died in the winter of 1887-8. His remains were buried on the southwest quarter of section 35, near what was then known as Rock Spring, but were subsequently disinterred and now rest in the Mount Vernon cemetery.

An early school in the town was taught in the winter of 1840-41, in a small house on section 35, which had been erected by Joseph Woodle for a blacksmith shop. It was taught " by Isaac Woodle, a graduate of Washington University, Pennsylvania. He afterward studied law with Judge Whiting, of Janesville, and began practice. When the v\ar broke out he enlisted, served as quartermaster of Gov. Barstow's regiment, and died in the service.

The first school in the northern' part of the town was taught by Paul Chandler,who afterward died of hydrophobia in 1855. Levi Leonard, step-father of Burr W. Jones, the present congressman from this district, was also an early teacher. It was in a building that had been erected by the settlers on section 15, in December, 1840. The term was commenced in the house of Justus Sutherland in order to secure the apportionment of the school funds, and was finished in the building that was erected. Among the scholars were Solomon Sutherland, Melzar Colton, T. B. Sutherland, Chloe Sutherland, James, John T. and John Sutherland.

ceremony was performed on the 4th of July, 1839, by Rev. Daniel Harcourt. It was after the 4th of July celebration at New Mexico had been participated in by the parties, and all partook of a good dinner, although there was no display.

Among the early settlers was Jacob Stauffacber, who located on section 6, in 1845. Like many others he was very short of money. During the first three years of his residence here, the only money which he became possessor of, was ten cents, and that he borrowed from Sylvester Hills, by whom he was at that time employed. This money was borrowed to pay one of the pioneers who had the instruments and was an expert tooth puller, for pulling one of Mr. Stauffacher's teeth, which had been aching for several days. On arriving at the "dentist's" he was told that the charges would be twelve cents, and he would not pull the tooth without the additional two cents. Mr. Stauffacher plead, but in vain, and almost distracted with pain, he went and borrowed the other tico cents and paid the dentist, and had his tooth drawn. Our informant refused to give the name of the dentist. The tools (turnkey) with which this job was performed are now in the possession of Arick Sutherland.

Ball's mill is located on Reeder's branch on section 22. On this site a saw mill was erected by Amos R. Sylvester, in 1843, a frame building having been put up, 45x18 feet in size. Later a turning lathe was added and also a blacksmith shop. A sash saw was put in and afterward a muUey saw. A good water power was furnished here and a large business was done. Mr. Sylvester ran the mill until 1865, when S. D. Ball, the present pi'oprietor, purchased it.

Samuel D. Ball was born in Erie Co., Penn., Nov. 6, 1818. He is a son of Gary and Polly (Davis) Ball, natives of Pennsylvania. Samuel was the second of eleven children. In 1842 he came to Green county and located on section 25, town of Sylvester. He lived there until 1860, when he erected the Marion House at Jucla. He also erected a flouring mill at Juda. lu 1865 he pui'chased the mill and place where he still resides. His farm contains 1 76 acres. He is a republican, politically. On the 1st of June, 1840, he was united in marriage with Lydia Montgomery. She was born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, May 6, 1822. Seven children is the result of this union - Martha J., Theresa P., George G., Charlotte M., Lettie M., Frederick G. and Franklin R. Mr. Ball is the originator and builder of the political car in 1860, of which mention is made elsewhere.

The McCracken mill was built by Joseph Mc- Cracken. He put up a frame building about 36x50 feet in size, equipped it with an oldfashioned sash saw and for propelling motor used a fifteen horse power. Mr. McCracken sold to Mr. Mosher. Tlien it was owned successively by Messrs. Scoville, Henry Bowell, Samuel Dennis, and in the fall of 1883, E. K. Albright purchased the property and is the present proprietor.

In the spring of 1873 a company was formed consisting of Jacob Stauffacher, Jacob Luchsinger and Henry Babler, for the purpose of erecting and operating a cheese factory. The same spring a building was erected on section 6, on Jacob Stauflacher's farm. It was a neat fram building 14x16 feet in size, one story high. In this the cheese was made, milk being purchased from the neighboring farmers and worked into cheese here. It was run as a cheese factory until it was burned in June, 1878. At that time a new building was erected, 18x20 feet in size, one story high, on the site of the old building, in which the business is still carried on. The present proprietors are Peter Stauffacher & Bros.

The Nevada Cheese Factory was established in the spring of 1877. A building 18x50 feet in size, two stories high, was erected by S. D. Ball. Chris Carlan carried on the business until 1880, when Mr. Ball put in a set of machinery and

In the summer of 1883 W.W. Kellogg scraped out around a spring on his farm on section 20, and made a carp pond, in which he placed fifty carp procured of the fisli commissioner at Washington. It is now owned by Charles W. Read.

Official

The first election in the town of Sylvester was held at the house of Amos R. Sylvester, on section 22, on the 3d of April, 1849. The following town officers were elected: Supervisors, T. W. Thompson, chairman, Reujben D. Stephens and Joseph Reeder; clerk, Martin C. Sutherland; assessor, Cyrus Benson; treasurer, A. K. Sylvester; superintendent of schools, S. P. Campbell; justices of the peace, A. R. Sylvester, Joseph McCracken, Justus Sutherland, and Henry Burkey; constables, James Brood, A. W. Sutherland and Edgar Bowen. The judges of this election were Joseph McCracken, Davis Bowen and Samuel Vance; the clerks were Daniel Murdock and Jacob Leonard.

On the 23d of August, 1864, a special town meeting was held by the voters of the town at the house of A. R. Sylvester, which resulted in raising a tax for the purpose of paying town bounties to volunteers to the amount of $1,800, which sum was placed upon the tax rolls of that year.

On the 27th of December, 1864, an election was called for the purpose of voting a special tax to raise $200 for each man who should volunteer into the service of the United States, and be accredited to the quota of the town. This was in answer to the President's call for 300,000 men, issued in December, 1864, and to fill all former deficiencies. The election resulted in a majority for the tax.

Pengra; assessor, Charles J. Stephenson; treasurer, R. C. Murdock; justices of the peace, M. H. Pengra, Melzar Colton and T. B. Sutherland; constable, William Beckett.

Sylvester Mutual Insurance Company

The Mutual Insurance Company of the town of Sylvester, Green county, was organized under chapter 103, laws of 1872, with twenty-nine stockholders, who had subscribed $53,600 in stock. They met Jan. 7, 1873, and elected the following directors: Benjamin Harlan, M. H, Pengra, William Duboise, John Brown and W. H. Covell. The officers were: B. L. Hoyland, president; M. H. Pengra, secretary; and John Brown, treasurer.

The object of the organization was to insure against loss by fire or lightning, farm buildings and their contents, such as stock, farm produce, etc. The company collects no funds except a fee of two mills on each dollar of insurance. Eleven years have passed since its organization, during which time only two assessments have been made, one of four, and one of two mills on each dollar of insurance. The amount of assessments during the eleven years have thus been only six mills on the dollar.

From the original amount of $53,600, the stock subscribed has increased until in January, 1884, it amounted to $213,480, while there was a surplus fund in the treasury of $237.83. In 1884 the directors and officers of the company were: Henry Roderick, president; M. H. Pengra, secretary; J. A. Sutherland, treasurer; William C. Gorham and Jacob Stauffacher. Annual meetings are held in January.

Educational

The first building in the town erected for school purposes was located on the northeast corner of section 26, on land owned by George West. It was erected in 1845 by the voluntary contribution of the settlers. It was a log house, 16x18 feet in size, covered with shakes, with rough boards for the floor.

vvas also taught the following winter by a Mr. Ross. This building was afterward rebuilt, made higher, and used by Mr. West as a tenement house.

The first school in the town was taught by William C. Green in the winter of 1839-40, in a log building located on section 30. Mr. Green was afterward superintendent of schools and was a prominent man in educational affairs. He died in this county.

There was no regularly organized school district here until after, the organization of the town, in the spring of 1849. At this time the town was divided into three districts, comprising territory as follows: District No, 1 embraced sections 1, 2, 11 and 12; district No. 2 embraced sections 3, 4, 9 and 10; district No. 3 embraced sections 13, 14, 23 and 24, and the southeast quarter of section 15, and the northeast quarter of section 22. In 1850 school buildings were erected in all of these districts; those in Nos. 1 and 2, being frame, and the one in No. 3, being stone.

The building in No. 1 was rebuilt, and in 1 884 was still used. This building is located on the southeast corner of section 2. In 1884 it had an attendance of thirty-seven.

The building in district No. 2 was located on section 10. This building was afterward sold, and is now used as a residence. A new school house was erected on the southeast corner of section 4, which is still used for school purposes. The attendance is fifty-one.

The school house in district No. 3 was located on section 24. The building was used for school purposes until the summer of 1883, when it was torn down and the material used in the construction of a new house, which was erected on section 23. The first teacher was Abigail Decker, who had an attendance of about twenty. Her school was commenced in a room in the house of P. Hopkins, on section 23, and continued there until the new house was completed. In 1884 the attendance was twenty-three.

District No. 4 includes sections 5, 6, 7 and 8. A stone building was erected in 1850, on section 5, which is still in use. There is an attendance here of fifty pupils.

District No. 5 embraces the southeast of the southwest quarter, and the southeast quarter of section 20; the south half of sections 21 and 22; sections 27 and 28; and the east half and the northwest quarter of section 29. A frame house was erected on section 28, which was used until the summer of 1881, when it was replaced by a new frame building, erected on the old site. In 1 884 there were twenty-five children of school age in the district.

District No. 6 embraces all of section 15, except the southeast quarter, sections 16, 17 and 18, the north half of sections 19, 20 and 21, and the northwest quarter of section 22. The school house is frame and is located on section 21. This district was organized in 1857.

Joint district No. 7 includes the teiriiory in this town, and in Monroe. The school house is located on the northwest corner of section 31. There are fifteen children of school age belonging to this district, who live in this town.

District No. 8 embraces sections 25, 26, 36, and nearly all of section 35. The first building was a frame structure, located on the northwest quarter of section 36. This building was used until 1855, when it was burned. A brick building was erected on the old site, but owing to the settling of the foundation, it became dangerous, and a frame building was erected nearby, which is still in use. In 1884 there were eighty schollars of school age in tiie town.

Religious Matters

Tlie first religious services within the limits now comprising the town of Sylvester, were held at the house of Joseph Woodle on section 34, in the summer of 1837, by Rev. Mr. Sliunk, a Metho<list preacher from Pennsylvania. ^J'his preacher had heard that Woodle was from Pennsylvania, and was acquainted with relations of his, so he called and held services at Woodle's house, before the cabin was finished. Services were held here for two years, when Mr. Woodle sold out and removed to section 32, where they continued to hold services two years. After this, meetings were held at the McCracken school house on section 31, until the class, which had in the meantime been organized here, was merged with the Monroe society. Among the early members of the M. E. class in Sylvester were - Mr. Baird's family, Joseph McCracken, Charles Southern and family, Jackson Southern and family, Asa Brown and fami-. ly and William E. Satterlee and wife.

The German Zion Church of the Evangelical Association of North America, was organized Aug. 24, 1860, at a meeting held at the old log school house. Rev. Andrew Tarnutzer was elected chairman; J. U. Elmer, secretary; J. U. Elmer, Anton Stauflfacher and Henry Bable, trustees. Jacob Stauffacher was the first class leader and Anton Stauffacher, admonisher. During the same year (1860) they erected a neat frame church. The following named have preached to this class since its organization: Revs. Andrew Tarnutzer, Jacob Sill, William Strasburg, Leonard Vanwald, Peter Massanger, John M. Hammitzer, Nicholas Shook, Charles Finger, Leonard Buehlei, Christian Brandell, Henry Upphove, Frederick Moser, Conrad Green and Peter Held. Rev. John U. Elmer is the present pastor. There are from thirty to forty families who are members of this class. A Sabbath school was organized by Father Howard a number of years ago. I. Robinson was the first superintendent. Henry Stauflfacher is the present.

A great many of the early settlers were Baptists. The first services of this denomination were held at the house of Jacob Stull in 1839. This house was the one formerly occupied by Mr. Woodle, which was located on section 35. Rev. William Stillwell, from Winnebago county, was the first pastor. An organization was effected and meetings were held monthly. From

A burial ground was started at an early day on the farm of Justus Sutherland. The remains of James Sutherland was about the first interment made here. This was used as a cemetery until 1856 or 1857, when a new cemetery was laid out on section 2, and several bodies were removed to it from the Sutherland ground. When the Gap Church cemetery was laid out, another removal was made, leaving but few graves in the former grounds.

The Evangelical Cemetery Association was formed in 1860. They bought one-half acre of land of Jacob Stauffacher on section 5. In 1872 it was platted into lots. It contains twentyeight lots, 18x34 feet in size. It was laid out by Jacob Norder, Henry Baebler, Dietrich Stauffacher and Jacob Stauffacher. Among the first burials here were those of the remains of John Rhiner and Michael North. The present directors are Dietrich Stauffacher and Henry Stauffacher. The treasurer is John Elmer.