Monroe County, Wisconsin - Chapter 51: Township History, 1912

Chapter 51: Township History

It is with the deepest regret that the editor finds it necessary to record the meagre historical data concerning some of the town organizations. The passing away of so many of the pioneers in various parts of the county has deprived us of the means of gathering historical facts concerning the early days in several communities, facts which would, no doubt, be of great interest and value; interesting indeed because of the conditions which existed, the privations endured, the difficulties overcome by the first settlers furnishing the individual experiences which go to make history.

Through all the events of the past we make our way to the present, but how the pioneer lived, the kind of house he managed to erect, the political events surrounding the newdy formed municipalities, the story of how the pioneer saw the wilderness gradually transformed into fine farms, prosperous villages, busy cities, all paying tribute to their creative energy and untiring perseverance, is one which always brings its lessons to the present, lessons taught by the hardest and sternest of all teachers, experience. But the lessons are rich in results.

At the organization of the county, as appears in another chapter, there was but one town, wdiich included the whole county, the town of Leon. As the years went by and circumstances warranted it, the county board created new townships, setting them otf from those already established. It is difficult to follow the records concerning territory embraced in the limits of each town, for of necessity newly created towns were composed of parts of others so that no attempt will be made to do so in this chapter. There are now twenty-four townships, four villages and a part of a village. Ontario, and two cities.

Adrian

In 1854, at the first meeting of the board at which anything was done with reference to dividing the county into townships, the county board created five towns, includiug the town of Adrian, it being set off at the same time as Angelo, Sparta and

Leon. The two persons niainl}' instrumental in the settlement of tills town were AV. AV. Jackson and Webster Kenyon, who settled there in 1854, together with a number of others, and commenced at once laying plans for a village in the township to be called Jacksonville. As has been told elsewhere the coming of the Milwaukee and LaCrosse railway raised great hopes in the breasts of these pioneers, that it would come through their town and proposed village, but fate had decreed it otherwise. The town was settled quite rapidly, however, and farming lands opened u]) for settlement. The life of AV. W. Jackson has been told elsewhere, and here we record a short sketch of Webster Kenyon. He was born in New York state, November 18, 1830, coming west in 1854. In 1863 he enlisted in the army, remaining until the close of the war. Mr. Kenyon Avas by profession a civil engineer and held the office of county surveyor of Monroe county for eighteen years. Having retired from active work on his farm and in surveying he moved to the city of Tomah and there passed the remainder of his days. He died Wednesday, December 6, 1911. The township of Adrian contains fine farming land and many valuable farms have been developed. The history of this progress is that of about every other toAvnship, one of struggle and privation for a time with the rcAvards of earnest labor reaped by succeeding generations. The present tow^n officers are: Geo. P. Stevens, chairman ; William Bakkhouse and M. Kroener, supervisors ; George Falkner, clerk ; John Edminster, treasurer ; W. C. Kirst, assessor; E. C. Cole, justice of the peace. The population at the census of 1910 w^as 806.

Town Of Angelo

The story of the race between a man by the name of Searl and Dr. Seth Angle to the land office in ]\Iineral Point to locate the present site of the village of "Athens," in the town of Angelo, has already been told. Angle came out ahead by one hour and located the land upon Avhich the water poAver Avas situated and proceeded to erect a saAvmill, Avhich at that time AA'as the only one in this part of the country except the one erected by Esau Johnson in the southern part of the county, on the Kickapoo, and the lumber business Avas lively in those days at the doctor's mill, so much so that at times settlers Avere obliged to get in line and Avait for hours for their turn to get a load of lumber. Loyd Angle, a brother of Dr. S. P. Angle, also came about the same time, and in 1852, Avith his son, 0. F. Angle, settled on a farm located near the mill. 0. F. Angle some years later came to

Sparta and weut iuto the livery business and was elected sheriff of the county, serving one term. Dr. Angle, however, did not stay a great while in the sawndll business, but sold out to Edward Canfield, brother of Lee Canfield, Sr. Edward Canfield had one of those dreams which came to many enterprising settlers in the days of the early settlement, a dream which pictured a city on the site occupied by his mill and the two or three stores and dwellings of the then inhabitants of the village, and so he had a plat made of the land, streets and alleys regularly set out and dedicated, had the plat duly made by the county surveyor. Seeking to give it a name equal in fame with "Sparta," he called it "Athens," so those two famous cities of Greece find their namesakes in America, but history was not kind. Sparta became a city, but Athens still remained a country village, and its shadow gradually grew less from a business point of view, as in 1856 there were more stores there than there are now. It is a mistake made frecpiently and very commonly in alluding to Athens as "Angelo," but that is not correct, as the settlement retains upon the records to this day its original name and all conveyances of property in the so-called village are made under its name of Athens. Originally the village v\'as laid out in generous proportions. It had its public square, now occupied by a church; and its "State street," and to its credit be it said that at the time the county was organized this little group of settlers put up a very good fight to have the county seat located there. The plat of Athens was recorded in the offices of the register of deeds, May 13, 1856, made by C. C. Miller, the then county surveyor. Early settlers were numerous. Among them may be mentioned L. M. Huntley, who arrived in 1854, as did George Shepherd and John "W. Smith. In 1859 Rev. Robert Williams, a Welsh minister, settled in the town and established a Welsh church. His son, W. G. Williams, now prominent in banking circles, farmed it with his father as well as attended to his ministerial duties. The old Angelo water power is now the property of the 0. I. Newton's Sons Company and is used for furnishing power for the electric light and power plant, in connection with the power in the city of Sparta. Within the town are many valuable small fruit farms, many in a high state of cultivation, and this industry is a large source of revenue to its inhabitants. The present officers of the town are: J. W. Leverich, chairman; George Kronberg and Jenk AVilliams, supervisors; Wilber S. Fish, clerk; Fred Hutson, treasurer; Fred Heilman, assessor; E. T. Hanchett, justice. Population census of 1910, 666.

Byron

At ;i inciting of the county l)oarcl of ^lonroo county on January (i. 18G3, a petition having been presented by the inhabitants of the proposed town, a resolution was passed detaching township sixteen, range three west, from the town of Leon and creating it the town of Byron, and provided that the first election should be lield at the house of Frederick Swartslow on the first Tuesday in April, 1863, which was accordingly done and the town organization perfected. Originally the town comprised the entire^ territory of what is now the town of Scott and Byron. A large portion of the then town, in the nortlieast part especially, is low land and at the time there were large cranberry marshes in their wild state, except that as the industry developed arrangements were made by ditching so that the marshes could be flooded whenever there appeared to l)e danger of frost, and it was during the height of this business that a station and postoffice was established at Dodge's mill and called Norway Ridge, the name it still bears. Cranberry culture is still a large factor in the commercial life of the town. Several very productive marshes have been brought to a high state of development and are situated near Valley Junction, but perhaps the most valuable are to the east and north in Juneau and Jackson counties. The town was not settled as thickly as some other portions of the county until after the war, and is now rather thinly settled in some portions. There has been for some years quite a sale for the peat lands around Valley Junction. Drainage ditches have been constructed, which developed some of this land so that dry farming is carried on successfully. Of those who went into the rebellion from this town their record, if they were enlisted in the county, appears elsewhere; outside of that there is no record. The present town officers are : C. T. ]\relteson, chairman ; supervisors, Odis McLin, A. Anderson: clerk, F. Muerman ; treasurer, A. 'SI. ("hristensen ; assessor, F. A. Bennett.

Clifton was one of the early towns being organized by a resolution of the county board on August 14, 1855, and the annual meeting ordered to be held in the home of A. Heath on the first Tuesday in April, 1866. The meeting, however, was held at the home of Tj. A. Farr. The first town officers elected at that time were John Foster, chaii-man: Andrew Lansing and A. H.

Ishani, supervisors ; G. B. Holdeii, town clerk ; L. A. Farr, treasurer; Edward Masters, school superintendent; Leonard Phillips, assessor; justices, J. L. Sargent, Charles Dickinson and Edgar H. Eddy; constables, Roswell Smith, A. M. Baldwin and Henry F. Dresden; sealer of weights and measures, Smith Austin; so the town started out with a full equipment of officers. There were twenty-four votes cast at that election, six of whom are still living. The oldest settler in the town w^as Lyman Preseott, who came in 1853 or 1854. Industries began early, for we find that in 1856 L. A. Farr erected a sawmill, and in 1858 A. A. Noyes built a grist mill. The first farm house in the town is said to be the one erected by Lody Angle before its organization. It will be noted that this town was very large and took in territory afterwards cut out for other towns, so that many familiar names of other towns appear. School was commenced in a building l)uilt in 1856 for that purpose. There are at present three school buildings in the town, all first-class district buildings. The present town officers are: Vincent Arzt, chairman; Wm. Vonhaden and Cr. Johnson, supervisors ; Oscar Blaschke, clerk ; Frank Blaser, treasurer ; Edwin Eirschele, assessor ; Charles F. Frohmader, justice of the peace.

This town was organized November 13, 1855, and the first town meeting was held on the first Tuesday in April, 1856, at the home of Samuel C. Lyon. The officers elected at that time w^ere Samuel C. Lyon, chairman ; Gaines Phillips and C. D. Bradley, supervisors ; Charles Tollard, clerk ; Hiram Driggs, treasurer ; H. J. Moore and L. Johnson, justices; J. E. Lyon, J. G. Moore and S. Worden, constables ; R. H. Benedict and S. D. Moore, assessors. The first store building was built by J. R. Lyons in 1871, and a mercantile business conducted by him there for a great many years. Mr. Lyons, at the preparation of this work, is still living, making his home at Kendall. He has held many official positions, being at one time member of the assembly, and served two terms as register of deeds of the county. A postoffice was first established at the home of S. C. Lyon in 1872 with him as postmaster. Glendale has a noble record of enlistments in the army during the rebellion, and here is the roll of honor: William Harland, John Harland, Henry Davis, Richard Windson, John Brigham, Daniel Newton, Thomas New^ton, T. B. Broughton, Z. R. Broughton, P. W. Broughton, Samuel AVorden, Leonard Johnson, John

Grant

This town was so long a part of the town of Lincoln, having been set off in 1899, that its early history is that of Lincoln and is embodied in the sketch of that town. The present officers of the town are: S. F. Shookman, chairman; AA'illiam A^roman, Hermaii Kemp, supervisors; AA^. C. Green, clerk; Fred Pnrdy, treasurer; Eli Sutherland, assessor; Ham Griffin, Abe Griffin and AVilliam Brennan, justices. Population, 442.

Organized August 14, 1855, the same time tliat the towns of Clifton and Sheldon were organized, and in point of years it is one of the oldest settlements. A\^ith the building of the Chicago, IMilwaukee & St. Paul line, or the Milwaukee & LaCrosse Railway, as it was then knowm in 1858, came the establishment of the little settlement of Tunnel City, at the tunnel on that line. This place has grown steadily as a trading point, at one time being a central market in the blueberry trade. It has now several stores and other business interests. The building of the ^Milwaukee, Sparta & Northwestern Railway in 1910 and 1911 made a great change in the village as the route went right through the business section of the place, resulting in the company buying a lot of buildings, and in some cases just the lots, so that the little place has shifted around considerably. A large double-track tunnel has been put through the bluff a little north of the'tunnel of the St. Paul company. The present toAvn officers are: George Becker, chairman; Fred Heser and 'M. J. Betthauser, supervisors: clerk, AY. II. Hinds; treasurer, A\''illiam Seno-

The town of Jefferson, lying in the southwestern part of J\Ionroe county, known as township fifteen, north of range three west, was originally a part of Portland township, which comprised townships fifteen, range three west, and fifteen, four west, until the year 1858, when the tow^nships separated and township fifteen, range four west, was organized, and by a vote of its people it was named "Jefferson." Township fifteei:!, range three west, retained its name of Portland, which it still bears. The years 1854 and 1855 found in the town of Jefferson the following families located on their several homesteads : Alex. Thompson, James Thompson, Abram Aller, Joseph McFarland, John and Hames Draper, John Breatiff, James Stansby, H. Shattuck, John Hall, Simpson, Thomas and Henry Matby, Richard F. Cole, Thomas, William and Elviridge Rathbun, Oren Hutchinson, L. AVeightman, Sam Osburn, Dixon, Chester Perkin, Gibert and Washington Love, Gilbert Tuttle, John Sullivan, Jefferson Lower, James Erkenbraetz, Pat Chambers, Joseph Koeslier, Albert Fisher, Christ Fuhrmeister, A. Heiser, Stephen Doering, Charles Rumppe, Peter Herring, John Krahenbush, George Klues. In the year 1856 and early in 1857 the following emigrants, mostly from the beautiful Rhine river country near Cologne, established their homes in this town : Hilger Karis, Matt Esser, Herman Brois, Peter Schrier, John and Quirin Schrier, Hilger and Ludwig Schotten, Caspar Schmitz, Peter Gross, John J. and Fred Gross, Peter and Caspar Schiefer, Mathias and Gerhard Butzler, Peter Miehels, and in November of the same year Cornelius and Henry H. Cremer, Henry Berg, Martin Jungferdorf, William B. Brueggen, Herbert Koehlbraf. William McFarland, John Aller, George Whittley, Thomas Young, and a few more. At this time and since the organization of the town in 1858 we find a little log school house in Coles valley, and near Melvina is a school district called "District No. 1;" a little frame school house near Thompson's is District No. 2, and a little log school house, now known as St. Mary's, is District No. 3. Richard Cole was the first chairman of the town, and James Thompson and Michael Wiebel were the side supervisors, with A. Heiser as town clerk and Albert Fisher, town treasurer ; A. Thompson, assessor, and James Drapper, town superintendent of schools.

being the Catholic ehureh of St. Mary's, ^hieh was constructed of logs twenty by forty-eight feet in size, ne;ir section one. The post office in St. ]\Iary's was established in 1859. Caspar Schmitz was its first postmaster, and during this time new settlers came into this town: .Jacol) Joesten, Mathew !Muehlenberg, C. Wiebell, C. Dickson, S. Betz, Peter Basciiii.li. F. R.'iiihnl.l. C. Bierhaum, ]\latt Ileintz, Peter Flock, II. Rondorf, John and Jacob Seiberg, J\Iannlius Squires, A. Harrington. A\'illiam Collins, John ]\Iitchell, Herman Schrier and a few more. It was indeed a hard struggle for tlic first settlers in the fo^^n. as the land was very hard to clear and the crops of 1858 and 1859 Avere poor and there was no waj' of earning anything in this new country, so that tlie hardships endured -by the pioneers in this section were quite severe, but the year 3860 brought abundant crops of every kind and tiie people began from that time to prosper. The first presidential election was held in the town of Jefferson in November, 1860, and the toAvn went Democratic, and to this day has ever since cast its majority vote in the Democratic colunui. During the Civil "War, 1861-1865, the toAvn furnished more than its quota to serve their country in this struggle, and it progressed in various wa,ys, forming a new school house district. No. 4, and two joint school houses in the towns of Portland, and Jefferson, and Wells, and the ])olitical affairs for a good many years were run by A. Heiser, Peter Schrier, P. Basenach, A. Fisher, Cole James Thompson, II. II. Cremer, Q. Schnieier, and a feAV others, and at this time Fred Feihrmiester was town superintendent of schools up to 1862, and after that time the county superintendent system was formed and Dr. ^1. R. Gage became county superintendent.

The increasing population in the town and in adjoining towns made it necessary for the people around St. ]\Iary's in the year 1868 to build a new church, which was constructed of lumber forty by eighty-four feet in size, and ihcn a resident priest stationed there, it having, previous to this time uji to 1865, been attended from LaCrosse ; Jacob Joisten being now postmaster at St. ^NFary's until 1884. Capt. C. A. Hunt in 1866-67 bought some three hundred acres of land and erected the first mill on the section, gathering some families around him. This ])Iiice he named '']\Ielvina," which was on the mail route that then existed between Sparta and Viroqua, and the captain Avas its postmaster until the time of his death. ]\relvina is a thrifty village and the railroad station, with good markets, and merchants lumdling goods of every description, lias a creamery, a i liurch ;ind graded schools.

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In the winter of 1866-67 seventeen families organized and decided to build a Catholic church in Pine Hollow, being the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section twenty-nine, to which II. H. Cremer donated three acres of land, and a frame church was built thirty-four by sixty-eight by twenty-two feet in size, which was destroyed by a tornado on the 25th of June, 1875. This storm swept over this part of the country, doing great damage. Soon after that the organization of seventeen families was increased by the following, which came from Jefferson county, Wisconsin: Peter Klinkler, Michael Berens, M. Hensen, Joseph Futhren, j\Iatt Biver, A. Justinger, P. Klesar, F. Bussinger, I\I. Sneider, J. Graff, Joseph Bluer, all of whom came in 1868, and the membership of this church having increased to about sixty, it was decided to build a new structure of stone, which was completed in 1878 and remained in St. Mary's until 1886, when it received its own pastor. At the present writing it has a congregation of about one hundred and sixty families, with a parochial school and a fine government in every way.

Pine Hallow's postmaster was ]\Iatt Cremer, and he was postmaster from the early 70 's to 1879, when the postoffice was then established in Cashton and Mr. Surdam was its first postmaster. In the year 1878 the Northwestern Railroad Company started to build a road from Summit, in ]Monroe county, to Viroqua, in Vernon county, and some grading was done along the line, but it appears this work was transferred over to the Chicago, ]Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad system and work was then begun on the present line of the road to Melvina, from where the Hon. H. H. Cremer was the first to buy a ticket to Sparta over that road, December 25, 1878, and in 1879 the road was completed to Viroqua, and the village platted, which was named Cashton in honor of W. H. Cash, of New Lisbon. Wis. The village was situated on section thirty and people now began buying lots and buildings sprang up like magic. William Byries, Tate Nelson, Matt Cremer, William Kissel, F. Delle and many others erected business buildings, blacksmith shops and the like, and sooner than the space of one year it became quite a thrifty village, though under the town government, and in 1891 the village was incorporated under the statutes of this state and began to operate its own affairs.

The town of Jefferson has from its earliest organization. 1855-1858, to the present time progressed in its farming and dairy interests, and its people have kept abreast of the other towns in the countv. It is now^ considered one of the best towns in ]\Ionroe county, having in its domain tlie village of j\Ielvina, with its schools and church, tlie magniticent church of St. Mary's, a parochial school and district schools; and Pine Hallow, Avith St. Peter's and St. Paul's church and its parochial school, and district schools, and also two more schools of modern styles, making in all eight schools. The population is over eleven hundred. Two lumber yards and a mill at Mclvina, and various industries now existing at the village of Casliton comprising the many improvements; the people are active and industrious.

At this time only tw^o of the earliest settlers survive, Henry H. Cremer and Quirin Schreier; the rest have gone to their long reward, so that many doubtless interesting incidents of the hardships and trials of those early pioneers are forever lost. Its present officers are AVilliam Ileiser, chairn^an; R. Bruggeman and W. Mullenberg, supervisors; H. J. AVillgrub, clerk; Frank AV. Scliroicr, treasurer, and Peter Jost, assessor.

Church Of The Nativity Of St. Mary'S

This, the oldest religious community in the county of Monroe, was founded in the fall of 1856 by ten immigrant families from Germany, They were at the same time the first settlers of what is known as St. ]\Iary's ridge, in the towns of Jefferson, AVells, and Sheldon. Their names are : John Schreier and family, Peter Schreier, Herman Schreier, Quiram Schreier, Louis Schotten, Fred Gross, Herman Bans and family. Hilary Karis and family, Peter Michels and family. Math. Butzler and family, Gerhard Butzler, Philip Becklor and Jacob Nelles, Mr, Peter Schreier was the first to arrive on the ridge and having explored the surroundings called the rest of his friends in the fall of 1856, The year folloAving fifteen more families from the fatherland increased the young colony. Among these were Peter Schiefer, Hilary Schotten, Peter Gross, Herman AVackcr, Casper Schieflfer, Herman Flock, Henry Schmitz, Casper Sclimitz, John Schaaf, Martin Jungferndorf. AVilliam Brueggen, Adam Kohlgraf, John Gross and Christ Brueggen. These settlers were nearly all from the shores of the Rhine. The first ground Avas donated to this congregation by Caspar Schieffer. It forms the present St. IMary's cemetery, where nearly all these old settlers were finally l;ii<l to rost. The first ])urial. ]\Irs. Peter Gross, took place July 7, 1857. The first religious services were held under the open sky. Rev. Henry Tappert, at the time tlio only Catholic priest in LaCrosse, took charge of this new comnuinity as a mission, traveling the distance of fortv miles with a team of oxen, at regular intervals. First Catholic services were conducted in Monroe county here on the ridge by Rev. Tappert in the home of Hilary Schotten, the present home of Mr. Godfry Butzler, 1857. The first Catholic church built in Monroe county was the log church built by the farmers at St. Mary's, twenty by thirty feet, and this developed to be the center of Catholic worship for all the different nationalities. The oldest church record existing dates from the year 1858, kept by Peter Gross, and enumerates thirty-nine families.

The year 1862 mentions in the church records the arrival of the first Irish Catholic settlers in this locality, James i\Iurphy, Thomas Sullivan, B. McDermit, and P. Haney. In 1868 the little church had outgrown the increasing community and seventysix families registered to support the erection of a new church. The same was built in 1869 at a cost of $3,200. The Rev. S. Florentine was the first resident Catholic priest in Monroe county. He was succeeded by Rev. Michael Heiss. All of Monroe county was under his administration and the records here mention births and baptisms from all over the county. A document dating from the year 1868 records in most solemn words, the dedication and consecration of two church bells. Rev. Herman Gross, a man of exceptional talents and deep piety, was Rev. Michael Heiss 's successor. He organized from St. Mary's the present congregation of Bad Ax, in Vernon county. The congregation at Cashton and Pine Hollow was also branched off from St. ]Mary's at this time.

A mission was held here. Catholic revival, by the then wellknown Rev. Becker, S. J., and later on by the old pioneers. Revs. Port and Newbrand, S. J., in 1879 and 1890. Rev. Willibald Hackner had charge of St. jNlary's twice. Among the other wellknown pastors are to be mentioned Revs. John G. Laurer, J. ]\I. Wicker, J. J. Meyer, Willibald ]\Iahowald, 0. S. B. This congregation Avas incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin, December 24, 1883. Our church records mention the founding of Norwalk in 1873 and report that the place was first called Dover. ( ?) Mr. Quirin Schreier, an old settler, taking the census in 1880 mentions that Cashton was a town of forty-one souls. The first Catholic school at St. Mary's was conducted by Mr. Quirin

Sclireier. The present substantial stone school building was erected in 1889. The graded school of eight grades is conducted by the Sisters of St. Francis, from LaC'rosse, and frecjuented by 130 children. It is heated by steam and is a free school. The present St. Mary's church, un(iuestioi)ab]y one of the most stately houses of worship in the county, was built in 18i)7 by ]\lr. Henry Roettiger, a well-known contractor, of Fountain City. The building measures 122x50 feet, witli a tower of 140 feet. It is constructed of stone and (Team brick and conforms to the old gothic style. The cliurch is licrited by steam. The furniture, its altars, pulpit, etc., are i)roductions of the E. Ilackner Co., of LaCrosse, AVis. The fresco painting and two original ten by fourteen feet large scriptural oil paintings complete tlie building. This church, though far in the country, is visited by many strangers and has drawn forth much wonder and admiration. The building was twice damaged by lightning, and consequently is now also protected by the latest approved rods. It is estimated to represent a present valuation of about $50,000.

Since 1904 Rev. John Kaiser is the pastor. lie is assisted by Mr. H. M. Flock, present chairman, of Ridgeville, and ]\Ir. Fred Degenhardt, as trustee. The congregation numbers 140 families; 110 of same are Germans and the remainder are of Irish descent. Services are given every Simday in botli languages. The community increases annually by an average bii-th number of 30. against which there are about six to \on funerals. The congregation owns ;il)out seven acres of bind whereon its church, parsonage, teachers' residence and scliool bouse are placed. All the buildings have modern improvements and are substantially built. The members of St. ]Mary's church are frugal, industrious, charitable, healthy and God-fearing, and conse((uently ha])py and idiundantly blessed.

Pine Hollow

The first meeting in order to start SS. Peter and Paul's congregation was held at the old home of ^Ir. Henry II. Cremer. December 14, 1867. The pioneers who took part in organizing the parish were the following: Henry II. CreuKM', Peter Ileintz. ]\lichael Berens, Bernard Leis, Peter Basenach, ]Matt Ilenitz, Joseph Koessler, Peter Krall, Anthony Schmelzer, Peter Bredel, Henry Bergs, Peter Hansen, Adrian ]\Iiller, Adam ^lildbaner,

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Simon Betz, Gerard Biitzler, and Peter Klinkner. These seventeen men went to work and built a frame ehnreh on the same plaee where we find the cemetery-ehapel today. In this chureh the services were held for about seven years. On June 24, 1875, a cyclone took the ])uilding from its foundation, leaving a pile of ruins. By that time the number of families had become forty and these forty at once started a new church at the place donated to the congregation by Mr. Henry Bergs. The church was built of stone, as one of the old members remarked at the time : "One of rock on rock so no wind can l)low it down again." This building was enlarged in the year 1896, so by this time it is 118 feet long. Until 1886 the services were conducted by the respective pastors of St. ^Mary's, five miles northeast of Pine Hollow. In 1886 a parsonage was erected, and the same year SS. Peter and Paul's congregation had its first resident pastor, namely, Rev. Anthony Havestadt, now pastor of Big River, Wis. He worked for the welfare of the parish fill 1892, when the present pastor. Rev. Peter Schnitzler, took charge of the place. In 1893 SS. Peter and Paul's Catholic school was built, which is in charge of the Dominican Sisters of Racine. The number of pupils are about one hundred. AVhile the congregation was started by seventeen members, today, September 18, 1911, we count 156 families, with 1,025 souls. The pastor, Rev. P. Schnitzler, is also attending to St. Patrick's church in Vernon county, seven and one-half miles southeast of Cashton.

This town was one of the late ones in its organization, being originally a part of the town of Lincoln. It was set of¥ by the county board November 13, 1873, and its first election held at the Dodgeville school house on the first Tuesday of April, 1874.

The history of the town is closely allied with that of Lincoln and early records cannot be obtained. It has developed info one of the wealthiest towns in the county in farming lands, and now boasts of a railroad station on the Northwestern line, constructed as the ]\Iilwaukee, Sparta and Northwestern originally, which runs through the town. It sent many men into the war of the rebellion, those who enlisted in Monroe county being given in another chapter. "Within the limits of this town is situated the government Indian school, described elsewhere. From this town have come many men prominent in county affairs and to attempt to name them all in this brief outline would be too much of a task should a sketch of each be attempted. Elsewhere in this work will be foimd the lives of many of its proinineut citizens, and these go iu great part to make up the history of the town. The present officers are: W. E. Bolton, chairman; W. Houn and George Ileser, supervisors ; G. M. Prickett, clerk ; treasurer, A. N. Getman ; assessor, X. J. Forrest ; justice, A. J. Vandervort. Population, 1.124.

Town Of Lafayette

The town of Lafayette was organized in the spring of 185G. being detached from the town of Angelo. The first town meeting was held at the residence of L. A. Farr. on section twentysix, on the first day of April, 1856, with John Foster, Andrew Lansing and Jacob L. Sargent acting as inspectors of election. The whole number of votes cast at this election was thirty-four, resulting in the following named persons being elected the first officers of the town : Chairman, John Foster ; supervisor, Andrew Lansing, A. IL Isham ; clerk of town, G. B. Holden ; town treasurer, L. A. Farr; town superintendent of schools, Edward Marten; town assessor, Leonard Phillips; justices, Jacob L. Sargent, Charles Dickinson, Edgar H. Eddy and Charles AVilson ; constables, Roswell Smith, Amos ]\I. Baldwin and Henry F. Dresden ; sealer of w^eights and measures, Smith Austin. During the summer vacancies occurred in the offices of chairman, of town board and superintendent of schools, John P'oster moving from town. AV. J. Tucke was chosen at the fall election to fill out his unexpired term, and AVilliam Bush was chosen to fill out the unexpired term of Edward Masters as superintendent of schools. Masters having absconded. At the fall election of 1856 forty-six votes were cast, an increase of twelve during the summer. At the 1857 election fifty-five A'otes were cast; at the town meeting of 1858, eighty-one votes were cast ; at the general election of

1860, ninety-seven votes were cast; at the general election of 1868, ninety-eight votes were cast. In 1871 or 1872 the county board annexed to the town of LaFayette town nineteen, formerly known as the town of Eaton. To this the people of LaFayette were decidedly opposed and petitioned ]\[r. A. II. Isham, who was chosen chairman of the town the following year, to use his influence with the county board to get rid of that territory, the result being that at the county board meeting of 1872 or 1873 the town of New Lyme Avas organized, being the old town of Eaton.

William I. Bush Early Settlement

In 185J: Lloyd Angle eanie to IMonroe county from Buffalo, N. Y., stopping for a short time in Angelo, where his brother, Dr. Seth Angle, had preceded him and had located, soon after building a saw and grist mill, but Lloyd Angle located in LaFayette, on section twenty-nine, on what is now known as the Sargent farm ; in the summer of 1853 built the first farm house in the town, an excellent building for the times, which burned down a fcAv years later. Lyman D. Roescott came from Waukesha county in 1853, and located on section twenty-eight. In 1853 Rev. AYilliam Bush came from New York state, bought the north half of section thirty-three, and in September, 1855, moved his fandly to their new home. The family consisted of his wife, formerly Ursula Graves, and four children, O. R., by a former wife; Mary E., William E., George W. and Nettie U., born in 1859. L. A. Farr, who came from Ohio in 1841, locating in Dane county, moved to the town of LaFayette in 1855, locating on section twenty-nine, where the town hall now stands. The following year he became associated with John Foster in building the first sawmill in the town. This was the beginning of the village of LaFayette, or "Best Point," as it was first called. About 1857 A. A. Noyes came from Baraboo and built a grist mill at Tar Falls, on Tar Creek ; in 1857 Spieer Shaw came from New York state and built a tavern, the first hotel in town, which he opened and called the ''York State House." A store was opened by a man named Grant and another man l)y the name of Ranny ; a shoe shop was started by A. II. Southard and a blacksmith shop by Henry Fabin.

In 1858 the Milwaukee & La Crosse railroad Avas built through, going within less than a mile of the village, which was now a hununer, contractors and railroad men for a time making it their headquarters. About this time Noah Dickman commenced the erection of a large hotel, two stories and a basement, but he was too slow, for before it Avas finished the boom collapsed and it was never occupied. It went afterwards by the name of "Noah's Ark." The York State House was for a time after that kept by Charles Dickman, who came from Sparta. During the building of the mills, stores and the railroad, and for two or three years afterward LaFayette was a busy point, l)ut nothing now marks it except the old residence of Mr. Farr on the north bank of Tar creek. Among the early settlers was Levi St. John, coming from Rock county, AA^isconsin, in 1855.

1 1 is daughter, Kinina St. John, is belii'ved to l)e the first Avliiti' child born in the town. II. G. Shaw arrived in 1857 with a family of six. J. C. Dana eanie from New York state in 1855, locating on section fifteen, having married Eveline P. Eddy, and before coining west two children wei'e born to thcni. Milo J. and Edith K. .Air. Dana died in 181)2. .Mrs. Dana still lives in the town at the home of her grandson. Ralk E. Dana. In 1855 T. J. Rowan came to Monroe county Ifoni Ohio, for a time s1()i)ping in Big Creek valley, soon after locating in LaF.iycttc township. In the same year there came with Ivcv. William Bush, Rev. Nathaniel Graves and wife, with one son. \V. I-]., and a daughter, Olive, who afterwards married .1. ]\I. ]\Iorrow. Nathaniel Graves located on section twenty-nine and soon afterwards opened a blacksmith shop. l)elieved to be the first one in ojieration in the tow-n.

Abner H. Isham. native of New York, canu^ to ^Monroe county from Rock county in 185.S, jiurchased 228 acres of land in section twenty-nine, then a part of Angelo. ar.d in ^H^^7) moved his family to his new home. INlr. Isham Avas a man ol' hn-ge (|ualities of heart, and mind, public-spirited, generous, htlpful and hopeful, a man to tie to as a friend; a trusted public servant, as evidenced by the fact that for more than thirty-five years he w^as one of the superintendents of the poor of ]Monroe county. He was a prominent ^Mason ami attained high honors .Muong his brethren; a believer in Christianity and a friend and helper of every Christian and moral movement.

M. V. B. ]\Iorse, born aiul raised in New Ham])shire, came to the town in 1856; C. N. AVright came with him from the same place and located in tln^ town, afterwards moving to Sparta in the 60 's. Soon after ilr. ]\lorse's arrival A. IF. ^lay, his brotherin-law, came, and together they ]Mirchase(l 440 acres of land in Bush Prairie, and until ]May's dinith condueted this large farm under the firm nanu' of oMorse & May.

C. E. Ilaiichett. a native of New York, canu^ first to the town of Angelo in 185(), buying land in LaKayett" at about the same time. Here he developed a fine farm, Avas an up-to-date farmer and a good business man. He liuilt the second frame barn erected in tln' town, AVilliam Bush, his neighboi'. building the first. George E. ITanchett came ;it the same time as C. E. and bought land in LaFayette, and at first ojiened up a blacksmith sho]). He dev(4oped a fim^ farm and entered in later years into the Irnit business which his son. AVilliam II., has continued. "William II. was born and raised iu the town and has acquired great prominence in agricultural circles. He was one of the original promoters of the Sparta Fruit Growers' Association and for many years has been its president ; established, in company Avith his brother-in-law, E. A. Smith, the AVisconsin Fruit Packers' Company, at North Crandon ; is president of the ]\Ionroe County Guernsey Breeders' Association.

Roswell Smith, so well and favorably known, who recently died, came in 1855, being here at the organization of the town. A. W. Smith, a brother, commonly known as "Gus. " came first in 1855, and permanently located in the tovvn in 1856, and at about the sanu^ time Peter Frye arrived and located.

Joseph Covey came in the spring of 1855 from Illinois, locating on section thirty-three. J. J. French came to the town in the 50 's, settled on section twenty-nine and opened up and developed a large farm ; was treasurer of the town during his residence there. He afterwards moved to the city of Sparta, where he resided until his death. I. AV. Cooper Avas another early settler, coming from Connecticut, Iniying 200 acres in section twentyone.

Lewis D. Evans soon after emigrating to America from Wales settled in Waukesha county, remained there for seven years, moving to the town of LaFayette in 1854, buying a large tract of land in section eighteen, and by hard work and Welsh sagacity developed a fine farm, and in 1886, at the time of his death, was considered very well ofP. Charles T. Rhodes, originally from Connecticut, having worked for a time in Chicago in the j\IcCormick Harvester Works, came to the town in the spring of 1855, buying several large tracts of land. Chandler Damman came to Wisconsin from INIaine in 1814, settling in Dane county, and in 1857 removing to Monroe county, locating on the farm noAv owned by William Heasty.

Henry R. Jones and AV. P. Williams came from Wales in 1865, locating in what is known as Welsh valley. Bruce E. McCoy settled at a point wdiere the village used to stand afterward in 1868 and Avas very prominent in the development of the toAvn from that time on. Space forbids the tracing of family histories, but this record shows that LaFayette had more than her share of good men in the early days, men Avho became prominent in county and state at¥airs. The toAvu is finely developed and AA'ithin its borders are many valuable small fruit farms, and it is also rich in dairying industry.

About this time occurred wliat was perhaps tlie most remarkable flight and nesting of wild pigeons that ever occurred any- M'here. About six or seven miles north of LaFayette mills the pigeons nested in the "grey pines" - myriads of them. The nests were so close together that there Avould frequently be from fifty to one lumdred nests in one tree. It is related by B. E. McCoy, then a resident of the town, thai Ih^y came on a ]\Ionday morning, and that the roar of their fliglit was as loud as the noise of a train of 100 cars on frozen ground. It was a great time for hunters and sportsmen; thousands upon thousands of tluMu were killed or captured alive for the market, the Indians especially reaping a great harvest in the squab trade. Tliis nesting occurred for two years, the first time heing right at LaFayette mills, and the next about seven miles north, as stated.

At the time the Nortlnvestern road Avas built to Sparta the town raised $2,000 in bonds for aid. This was the result of a visit into the town of J. ^1. ]\Iorrow, George Richardson, Dr. Gage and iMr. ^Montgomery, who endeavored to secure $4,000 from the town for that purpose.

In 187'-?, B. ?]. McCoy, then and for many years chairman of the town, nuide a notable fight on the county board, and later in the courts, over the sale of tax certificates on lands in the town. It appears that there was a very large amount of tax certificates outstanding on lands in the town wliieh the county treasurer and elei-lv considered woiUdess. and the j^roposition was made at the session of the county l)oard of that year to sell tliem to George Runkel. who offered ten cents on the dolhir for tliein, and a resolution passed the board to S'll at that figure. ^Ir. ]McCoy protested on beliair of tlie lown and fought tlie resolution on the ground tliat it was poor ])olicy. owing 1o )iroba])l(» illegalities, whicli might have to l)e made good at a consideral)ly larger price. After the passage of the resolution formal protest was filed for LaFayette by ]\Ir. IMcCoy.

A year or two after this 'Slv. ^IcCoy, acting for the town, brought suit against the county to recover the face value of the tax certificates, as they had been diai-ged back 1o flu- town and the town thus became the owiu-i- ol" them. Tlu^ result of this litigatiou was Ihal 1lic counly was eonqx'lled io ]r,\y to tlie toAvn of

Prior to the attempt of the government to remove the AVinnebago Indians from this state to Nebraska, a council of the tribe was called by Governor AVashburn to meet in the town of LaFayette. This council was held on what is now known as the Sargent place, about half a mile west of McCoy's mills. At this council there were about four hundred Winnebago Indians. Governor AVashburn and the assistant secretary of war Avere there and conducted the negotiations with the Indians, Avho were subsequently taken west under the charge of Captain Hunt.

The great storm in Alarch, 187(3, did much damage in the town, and the Lafayette mill, in common with several mills of the county, was undermined and wrecked.

In 1890 the pasturage of cattle on a large scale was undertaken by B. E. AlcCoy and son, Colonel McCoy, on a portion of the lauds now in the military reservation, a large part of which was owned by them. This was continued for several seasons with much success.

Leon

The first settlement in this town, which at one time comprised the entire county of Monroe, was made in 1851 by Ephraim Shaw, who arrived in June, 1851. He took up some land and went to farming. This farm Avas afterAvards sold to Robert Smith, Avho in 1880 erected a handsome brick residence almost upon the same site Avhere Air. ShaAv's house stood. In August, ]851, AV. J. Austin arrived in Leon, taking up 1,400 acres of land, 100 acres of Avhich he cleared the first summer. The Austin holdings Avere the establishment of a great farm, Avhich as years Avent by, Avas cut up into smaller farms, but Avas the foundation of the Austin fortune. It is related that on the fifth season of his farming operations he gathered a crop of 12,000 bushels of grain, 9,000 of Avhieh Avere oats, tlie balance Avheat and corn.

On the fourteenth day of November, 1853, the A'illage Avas platted and its inhabitants became convinced that it Avould eventually become the county seat of a ucav county, as it Avas then the only regularly platted settlement Avithin the limits of the county, and as it deA'eloped later on the village did make a determined effort in 1854 to have the county seat located here in the bill Avhich Avas before the legislature i^roA'iding for the organization of Alonroe countv ; but at that time the settlement at Sparta liad grown to such proportions and was situated on the main stage lines tliat i1 was successful over Leon in that contest; the village cons(M|iicntly has never grown to any great extent, being more of a ti-ading point than anything else.

In July, 1851, K. S. Kingman and his two brothers, Rosalvo and Alvarado, came from Ashtabula, O., and settled in the town. Mr. Kingman afterwai'ds Avcnt lo Sparta and was closely connected with the cailx history and development of that \ iUage and city. About Ibis lime many settlers came in and the ])(>pulation increased rajiidly. A postolfice was established in 185C. was discontinued after a few years, but was again re-established and has existed there ever since.

In 1861 a grist mill was built by (\ F. Western, Avho ran it about a year, when it was purchased by Mr. Austin in 18G2. The mill at one time during his ownership had four run of stone and turned out as liigh as I-IO barrels of flour a day. The mill is furnished l)y a tine water i)ower equal to forty-eight horse power and today is used principally as a feed mill.

Among the early settlers aside from those mentioned were A. TI. Gilliland. who came in 1853; AV. S. Jewell, who came the same year; A. II. Matteson, who arrived in 1858; Charles J. Matteson. who settled in the toAvn in 1854, built a store and engaged in the mercantile business for about twelve years; afterwards went to farming. H. A. Link, wlio came in June, 1858. His son, the Hon. "W. W. Link, still resides in the town and is the oldest living settler. He has lieen prominent in ]\Ionroe county atfairs and is living a peaceful life on his estate at an advanced age. In the early days a tavern was kept at Leon by D. M. "West, who Avanted tlie town naiiu^d ''^Miranda," after his wife, but the name was proposed by a man named LaAvton, who said it reminded him of a beautiful little valley he had seen in ]\Iexico called Leon. The early settlers liked it, so Leon it was. Peter DeCoursey, Avho was one of the first county board, came in 1851 with his father, Isaac; Samuel AVakeman, Reuben Kudney. Nelson 1'. Carrier in 1852; Aitlnii" Jewel. John Oakley and Henry Oakley, 1854; Hiram Hutchins and Henry Vanetten, in 1855 ; David Johns and Lewellen Johns, in 1853; James ]\rort()n. the stage driver, and Samuel Greenman. in 1852.

The first religious service in the town was in the 50 's by a Congregational minister named Reynolds sent out by a missionary society in the Kast to ])reach the gospel to the "heathen" in Leon. He did not stay very long.

beautifully situated farms, highly developed, are among the richest to be found anywhere. There are two creameries in the town, one situated in the settlement and the other on the farm of Ernest Austin, one-fourth of a mile south of the village. There are three churches in the town, the oldest being the Congregational, and the next in point of time the jMethodist church. At one time an Advent church Avas maintained for a time, but went out of existence for lack of support. There is a Norwegian Lutheran church situated on Fish creek ridge, about five miles from the village, which has a large congregation.

The present officers of the town are : A. E. Evenson, chairman ; Ben Lee and Clyde Richardson, supervisors ; Winfield Link, clerk; Ben Fox, treasurer; E. C. Solberg, assessor; Justice, Ben Fox. Population, 751.

Town Of Lincoln

AVas set ofl: November 22, 1860 ; originally included territory comprised in it and towns of LaGrange and Grant. In April, 1861, the first town meeting Avas held, at Avhich AV. L. Hay ward was elected chairman ; M. C. Hart and Benjamin Miller, supervisors; AVilliam Parsins, toAvn clerk; C. C. Miller, town superintendent ; A. Alaynard, assessor, and AVilliam Farnum, toAvn treasurer.

The first settler in the territory of the present town, Avhich is township nineteen, range one west, was either AV. T. Alaynard or a man by the name of Isaac Cooper, each of Avhoni came into the town in 1855. In 1857 Hannibal Hamlin Lamb came and erected a building Avliich became familiarly known as "Lamb's Tavern" until it was burned doAvn, the last occupant of which Avas a son of the original founder, and in this house Avas held the first tOAvn meeting, at wdiich Calvin Beers Avas elected chairman ; L. N. SAveet and William Randall, superAdsors; AY. A. Barber, toAvn clerk ; Clifford AYoodard, treasurer, and J. L. Burk, assessor, this being a temporary organization.

The first saAvmill in this ncAV toAvn Avas built in 1861 and Avas knoAvn as "Beer's mill," but reliable information shoAvs that it was built by other parties. It Avas in this mill that the first school was taught in the tOAvn, and the first sermon preached, and the first Sunday school held Avithin its Avails. The first sermon was preached by old Elder Medd, as he Avas fandliarly knoAA^i, and one other minister, Avho came into the town early and was knoAvn as "Pappy Lea," Avho also conducted services here. About the year 1863 Kiiiory's saAviiiill and also Snow's mill wore built. Emory's mill Avas later known as Lowrie's, and in Ihis mill a boiler ex])losioii kilb'd. or fatally injured, John Lidtlle and Mr. Gilson, the father oT W. E. Gilson, who is at present a resident of the town.

In ]8(i7 WaiTcii and Gand)le bnill the sawmill at Ihc place which is now the xiMage -of Warrens, aiul there lias been several stationary and portable sawmills located in the town for a portion of the lime. l)nt oid.N' one of early date, which became established as a i)ermanent business, is the George Warren Company, of Warrens, which conducted a sawmill business for a great many years, and it lias now become a mill for finishing lundier ready for the builder. This firm has grown to such ])roportions that they noAV conduct a Idacksmith shop, repair shop, grist mill and a bank, each business being located in connnodious buildings.

There is also located at Warrens the Rex ]\Ianiifacturing Company, owned liy C. O. Siiipper, and this plant is a sawmill and jdaning mill, manufacturing and repair shop, and is conducted in a substantial stone liuilding. For the first years of its existence and up to 1871 mail for this town came directed to Tomah. but at that date a postoffice Avas established near Warren's mills, and James Gamble bcn-ame the first ]K)stmaster. serving until 1875. when AY. A. Barber Avas appointed, and he has served continuously in that capacity up to the present time. The name of the ]iostoffice Avas changed to AYarrens. For the southei-n j)oi'ti()ii of the toAvnship mail Avas i-eceived at the Tomah postoffice until the establishment of a j^ostoffice at Kirby and then there Avas a Aveekly, and afterAvards, a daily service from AYarrens until the rural routes Avere established. In the toAvnship there ai'c noAV three rural routes starting from Warrens Avhich. to a great extent, cover the toAvn.

The cranberry business is of considerable imiiortance and has been lor a great many years. Aluch capital has been invested in inipiiixing the cranberry marshes, until noAv it has becoim^ a i)ermanent industry. Here also at the village of AYarrens is a profitabh^ point for the sale of Avild blneberrjes and blackberries, and (juite a number of farmers in this vicinity have gone into raising strawberries, raspberries and cultivated blackberries, so that it is a rai)idly groAving industry, and even apples are being raised to some extent mi tlie heavi(M- soil of the ridge lands. The toAvn has many up-to-date and jjrogressive farmers, and in common with most of the toAvns in the county, the dairying industry has become piominent and the breeding of thoroughbred cattle

During- the Civil AVar the town furnished four sokliers, all brothers, and were the sons of Landlord Lamb, of "Lamb's Tavern:" Louis A. Lamb, Galon A. Lamb, Henry Lamb, and William Lamb, w^ho all returned honorably discharged, Galon A. being the only one wounded, and he still resides in the town. Some of the earlier pioneers are still living, notably L. N. Sweet and wife. G. R. Baker and wife, W. A. Barber and Avife, Clifford Woodard and wife, George Munson, F. G. Warren, Louis Morse, T. R. Gillett, B. L. Gillett, L. L. Gillett, and W. H. Gillett.

The present town ot^eers are: George F. Goff, chairman; August Burkholz and J. P. Pederson, supervisors; H. H. Harris, clerk, and L. B. Lauser, treasurer.

An incident is told of one of the earlier settlers, an old-time hunter, Silas Patterson, who bears on his person the marks of an attack of a large black bear, being at that time (not many years after the Civil War) in need of aid in purchasing supplies for a hunting trip. Mr. F. G. Warren w^as asked by Patterson to loan him the money with Avhich to make the purchase, stating that if Mr. Warren would trust him he would pay him as soon as he got the bounty on a nest of young wildcats he had located. ]\Ir. Warren replied that he "did not care to take chances on wildcat security," but much to his surprise, a few days later Silas came in, bringing the cats ^nd exclaiming, "What did I tell you!"

At the breaking out of the Spanish-American war Lincoln sent two men, Mett Rose and James Larson, who enlisted in Company K, Third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, served through the campaign in Porto Rico, returning with that regiment in October, 1898, and were mustered out.

Town Of Little Falls

There is no record of the organization of the town of Little Falls in the proceedings of the county board of this county. It seems that at the time of the organization of this county the territory comprised in the towai of Little Falls and wdiat was then known as the town of Eaton on the east of it was supposed to be in Jackson county, and these two towns were originally orgaiiizi'il iiiid their tirsl nicetiiigs held as a part of that county, l)ut subsequently the mistake was discovered and the chairman of the town board of Little Falls appeared at the annual session of the county board of iMonroe county in November, 1856, claiming a seat as a member of that body. Objection Avas raised to this, but the reason for it does not appear upon the record. After some discussion and consideration of tlic; matter the board tinally voted to give the supervisor from the town of Little Falls a seat with all the rights of a member, and AV. \V. Benton wa.s duly sworn in as the first member of the county board from the town of Little Falls on Xovemlx-r 11, 1856. Settlers canie into the town early and ])egan developing its farm and timber lands and water i)owers. Perhaps the oldest settlor in point of time was AVilliam Printz. who came in 1852, being some two years before the county itself Avas organized, and the {)oint near Cataract Avas, in fact, one of the first localities in Avhich settlers ])egan to take up land. He Avas folloAved by Thomas Richards in 1854, and the other pioneers in order in Avhieh they came Averc George Walters, 1855: ^Ir. Ilovey, 1855, Avho kept a store; Bert :MatheAvs, 1856; :\[. P. Matteson, 1856; C. AV. Johnson. 1857; John ir. Brackett, 1864.

There Avere many other settlers betAveen 1856 and 1860, but it has been impossible to mention them all. It is sufficient to say that they Aver(^ men of sturdy character and lielped to build uj* the early industries of the toAvn, laying the foundation for the future, Avhieh has surely proved their Avorth. There is a fin(! Avater poAver at the present site of the village of Catarait Avhich has been in use for a great many years and at one time furnished the poAver for a Avoolen mill. Avhich Avas erected there and has since run vni-ious institutions, including saw mills and a grist mill.

BetAveen the years 1850 and 1860 the tOAA'u of Little Falls saAV some A'ery lively times. There Avas no railroad then at Black River Falls, as Sparta liecame the first railroad point. Little Falls being situated on the Avay betAveen these tAvo toAvns there Avas considerable teaming done, not only from Sparta up to the lumber Avoods, but also in the other direction. Freight Avas hauled back and forth and a stage made daily trips each Avay betAveen Cataract and Sparta and to Black Riv(M' Falls, another line running also from Sparta and Cataract up to Eau Claire, and during this period and later these stage lines and freight hauling companies did an inunense amount of travel. Th(» toAvn being situated as it Avas, became a sort of center for a stopping place for ti-MvcU'is, and at one time there were six hotels in the town, two at the village of Cataract, one at ]\lax Craig's, one at !Sam Bacon's, one at Hugh Gallagher's, and one at Pett's tavern.

At the breaking ont of the Civil War the citizens of Little Falls came forward handsomely to take up the gun for their country. On the call for three months' men Ilarold AValker and George Pomeroy were the first to enlist, and at the second call David Douglas, Perry AValker and Alonzo Barr were the first to i)ut down their names and enter the service, and all tJiree were subsequently killed. All of the men who went to the front from this town volunteered, and none had to ho drafted. LaRoy Farr, then eighteen years of age, left his home as a first lieutenant, was taken prisoner at his first battle, which was Pittsburg Landing, and was put in prison at Andersonville. Later he was sent to IMacon, Ga., and when he was finally released his health was broken down. The veterans Avho enlisted in the various military organizations in the rebellion from the town of Little Falls were as follows : Samuel Janes, Warren Pomeroy, George Pomeroy, Anthony Trumbly, Thomas McCumber, Samson LaBew, William Henry Washburn, Robert A. Duws, II. PI. Atchison, John Baker, Isaac i\Iatteson, Charles Matteson, LeRoy Farr, Albert IMatthews, C. AV. Johnson, Austin S. Beemer, David Douglas, Perry AYalker, Harold AValker, John Locke, AA^illiam Dodson, Adam ("arnahan, Archie Carnahan, Andrew Carnahan, Charles Edwards, Chub Sanders, T. P. Loyd. John Alartin, DeLos Head, Mr. Birge, Bert Matthews, Alonzo LaBarr. Robert AIcLain, George Cross, Pliilo AValker, ]\Ir. Brennan, Henry Crossen, Cummins Sprout and Rushbrok Sweet.

Most of the town is now well developed and the village of Cataract has become quite a little settlement, situated as it is near a good Avater power and is a convenient trading point for the farmers living in the vicinity. The town has furnished from its citizens several men who have acquired prominence in the county affairs, among Avhom may be named the Seantletons, father and son ; a\Iyron Brackett, who for a number of years was a member of the county board and later served as supervisor of assessment until the office was abolished ; A. J. Carnahan, who now resides at Sparta, but who was elected as sheriff while a resident of the town ; Hugh Gallagher, who was chairman during the railroad agitation, when the now defunct Sparta-Melrose railroad was cutting a good deal of figure, and many others who have helped manage the affairs of their town and county.

oiil tile town over llir ])on(liiig: of it to aid in lniiUliiig tlie Sparta- ]\lt'lrosc' railroad, whii-li was then undt-r consideration, and a rather warm meeting was held upon the proposition at which the citizens took sides, whidi finally culminatetd in a lawsnit to declare the l)onds illegal. The town lost the litigation Init in the course of time the railroad bond limit exi)ired and the Sparta- ]\Ielrose railroad has become a matter of history, and it may also be said that it never made any history, it being a project on paper, principally. I'l-oin start to finish.

The present officers of the town are: D. R. Richards, chairman; Jacob "Walters and Obert Isensee, supervisors; X'eil Hanson, clerk; J. T. Scantleton, treasurer; AV. V. Schmelling. assessor, and G. S. Greeno. justice of the peace.

New Lyme

This is one of the later towns, the territory endiraced in it being originally' a part of LaFayette. ajid its early history, therefore, is that of the latter towu. ft was organized in 1872 and the toAvn was also at one time included in \^hat was known as the town of Eaton, no longer in existence, but the sketch of its early history being given later on in this chapter.

The present town officers are : L. R. Hoard, chairman ; Ezeb Veir and David Fletcher, supervisors; Robert Prescott, clerk: John B. JMeyer, treasurer; Leo Richmond, assessor; L. D. Prescott, justice. Population, 281.

On Xovcniher 12, 1857, the county board cut off the territory now comprised in Oakdale and created a new town under the name of Leroy. At the session of the county boai'd in X^)V(Miil)er. 1862, the name Avas changed to Oakdale.

Among the earlier settlers were E. ]\lel(>\ and Daniel Dame, in 1854; Enoch Baker and William Y. Baker, 1855; Lewellan Amidon and Seth Chase, in 1856. The first Iniilding erected was a log cabin built by E. ^INIeloy on section seventeen: the fii'sf church on the ground was the Catholic, which began services on Indian creek, three miles south of Oakdale station, in 1869. In 1857 a school house was built and school commenced with a small nund)er of pupils, ]\liss Emma Baker being the teacher.

The toAvn had the ordinary existence of toAvns in the county, developing with the coming of the railroad, settlement being quite rapid after that. Nothing of consequence disturbed the peaceful occupation of its inhabitants until 1907. On AVednes- day, July 3rcl, of thai year llic town was visited with a cyclone which passed through the to^vns in the nortlieastern part of the county and was particularly severe in this town. The line of the storm was from Jackson county down tlirough a portion of the town of Lincoln, across the east side of LaGrange, through the southwest corner of Byron, and then midway through the town of Oakdale.

The cyclone struck Oakdale near J. ('. Hill's farm and destroyed iMr. Hill's barns and other buildings, except his house. All of the buildings on the farms of Mr. ]Myers and Mr. Musser w'ere destroyed, as were also all the buildings on the farm of Fred Gabower. ]Mr. IMyers had his arm broken and Mr. and Mrs. Musser saved themselves by going into the Avoods and clinging to small trees. The little village settlement was right in the path of the cyclone. The houses of B. C. Dame and A. N. Maltby were completely destroyed, and Daniel Dame killed. Nothing but the foundation of Mr. Dame's house remained. Mr. ]Maltby's house was moved a little from its foundation and crushed into kindling wood ; the windmill, barns, sheds and everything on the premises were swept away. Robert Smith was killed also, and many persons received injuries more or less severe. Trees were uprooted or were broken off, some were left standing with the bark completely stripped off from them. Mr. Johnson's store was moved slightly from its foundation, part of the roof torn off and the windows smashed. Syverson's elevator, containing 1,350 bushels of oats, was unroofed and w^recked and the grain scattered all over the country.

The amount of damage done in the town of Oakdale is hard to estimate, but it ran up into many thousands of dollars. In addition to the destruction of the buildings mentioned the barn on Jackson Prell's farm was wrecked and Fred Gabower, in addition to the loss of his buildings, lost all his crops and a fine orchard.

The present officers of the town are: George Kelk, chairman; Richard Wagner and Charles Shelby, supervisors; "VV. W. Hughart, clerk; Joseph Tiber, treasurer; R. A. Weiss, assessor; A. N. ]Malt1)y. justice. Population, 813.

This town was organized in 1858 and the first election of town officers held April 5, 1859, in the school house situated on section thirteen. The officers elected at that time Vv^ere : Richard Cole, chairman; Peter Schreier and John E. Stevens, supervisors;

Adolph Ileiser, clerk; Albert Fisher, treasurer; J. J. Willsey and J. MeFarlaiul, assessors; James Draper, superintendent of schools; J. E. Stevens, Jolin Leigli and Adolph Ileiser, justices; Solomon Roberts and Albert Fisher, constables; John Cleaves, sealer of weights and measures.

Among the first settlers in the town were Adam Russell, who held the position of postmaster at what was then called Mt. Pisgah, and operated a tavern, or stopping place, for travelers located on section thirteen, on the so-called Black river road, where it is related Gen. Jeremiah Rusk, then a stage driver on the line l)etween Sparta and Yii'(>i|ua. stopped for r(^fr(^slnnent for man and l)east.

Jn 1857 or 1858 Jacob llazen came and started the tirst store on section tliirty-six at what is called "Hazen's Corners." In 1858 James Lord settled on section thirty-six and started a store with a bar in connection, whicli did not last long. The women in the community made a raid on the saloon, carried the kegs outside, opened the bung holes and let the evil spirits run at large. The first dwelling recorded is that located on section twenty-three, which was erected in the early 50 's by a man named ITayden. Among the earliest settlers were Sam Krahenl)uhl. F. A. Meissner, David Kallicut, Thomas Clegg, J. Phillips, Henry AVillsey, J. E. StcA^ens, J. J. AYillsey, John B. Skinner, Christoff Cleaves, H. Troop, James Spa\dding, Christ Brown, D. Jones, E. E. Evans, H. H. Barber, ]\latt Sturdevant and Eric Peterson.

Henry AVillsey erected the first grist mill in 1859. and the first sawmill was built by David Killicut in 1864. Tlie German Lutheran clnirrh was established in 1878. There is a very prosperous creamery located in the town, which enjoys a large number of patrons in the town. Portland is one of the richest farming territories in the county.

Its present officers are: T. R. Jones, cimirman: Frank J. Alasliak and Ilelmer Paulson, supervisors; Charles Perso, clerk; Ole C. Lee, treasurer; ^Martin A. I]rickson, assessor. Population, 1.088.

Town Of Ridgeville

This town was organized on the first day of April, 1856, the first tOAvn meeting being held on the first Tuesday of April in this year, at which M. Aney, B. S. Blake and A. W. Gibbs were elected supervisors; Samuel H. Griswold, town clerk; George B. Aney, assistant clerk, and Anson Spinner, justice of the peace; later on A. AV. Gibbs having moved away, Sanford A. Haushaw was appointed supervisor in his place on the 28th of January, 1857.

Among the first settlers was Manuel i\Ietzger, who came direct from Germany and settled on a piece of land south of and near the present village of Norwalk, the farm now being owned by Mrs. Abraham Smith. He built a stone house of rough stone on a hillside, and this, undoubtedly, was the first building erected in the town of Eidgeville. From his early residence there the entire valley has acquired the name of "iMetzger's valley," by which it is known even to tlie present time. At about the time that Metzger came other settlers drifted in, among whom were Silas McGary, Anson Spinner, L. II. Gonger, Sebastian Feldmuir, David AVoodliff, George and M. Aney, John Bell, Henry Vieth, John AVallz, Jacob Aney, Carl Zimmerman, Oliver Hale and Isaac Ilargrave, and many others, following each other so quickly that it is difficult to get all of the names.

The Lutherans erected the first church in this town in the year 1870, but prior to that time preaching had been had by an English ^Methodist preacher whose name cannot be recalled. Tlie first sermon in German was delivered by Henry Esch, the father of Congressman John J. p]sch. ]\Ir. Esch later moved to Sparta. This sermon was delivered at the log school house in the town of Ridgeville, and after that for a number of years Mr. Esch held religious services in the German homes in that vicinity.

Beginning Avitli the earlier days the cause of education received due attention, and soon after the organization of the town a small log building was erected upon Emanuel Aletzger's farm, about three-fourths of a mile south of the present village of Norwalk, and school was opened and has continued. At about 1875 a frame building was erected in the village of Norwalk, one mile north of the first place.

tlit'ir full naiiK' cannot in all cases he (riven. Ilie following is the list as near as can be ascertained : Mr. Jiluni, Jacob Root, Abraham P""airbanks, John Brnnner, C. ^leyers, Jacob Ilettnian, Silas ]\lc('ary. James Shanbin, Fred Vincenz. A. Vinccnz. F. Hellerman, Ileiiry Kroeger, William ^lunz. Tom ]\lcGary, John Woodliif, Henry ]\IcGary, Delos Crandcl. ^Ir. Sherwin. Leander Perry, Thomas Jones, Samuel Jerred, Fred Smelling. ^Ir. Grosset, ]Mr. Vanalstine, J. ('. ]Munz. George ]Munz. .Mr. Baidver. William Williip, John IIolz, >Mathew Flock. AVilliam Cari'. Aiidriw Xolan, John Xolan, Oliver Hale, August Rath, William ("harideg. Sigiium Congei", ^Ir. Edwards and ]\Ir. Richards.

This town in the earlier days was quite heavily tindjered and attracted the business of lumbering, which was commenced by Ilaldeman Brothers and Luethe in 1887, by the erecting of a saw mill on the ^Morris creek, near the present school house. It was operated l)y steam and conducted for some time. A grist mill Avas built in tlie town in 1898 by Bergman Brothers and is still in operation. A feed mill Avas erected by ("hrist Hett and p]ugene IMcGary in 1883-4.

The advantages for a trading point led ]Mr. B.dz to build a store at what is known as Ridgeville. at the four-road crossing, where, at present, Paul Kewitt is living. This Avas erected in the early 50 's, and after the Northwestern Railway Avas built, stores Avere built up by Dolson and Sanbert on or near the place Where Norwalk is uoav situated.

Fred IJettman built a blacksmith shop near the railroad crossing, south of Avhat is knoAvn as NorAvalk in L-^57. and at al)out the same time one Avas erected in Ridgeville 1)y A. Englert on Avhat is noAV one of Fred Zlemer's farms, so that in tlie early days nearly every requirement of the inhal)itants as far as stores, mills and shops Avere concerned, Avas satisfied.

With unceasing toil of the early German pioneers and continued by the later generations, the tOAvn of Ridgeville has becouK^ one of the richest farming connnunities to b' found, perhaps, in this jiart of the state; its ridge lands are \ei-y fertile and lieautiful farms can he found along the i)latcau raising cro])s of various kinds as Avell ada]>tcd to the gi-owing of ajiples and other fruits.

Present officers: Fred AV. Xoth, chairman; Charles Ilanisch and Fred AVoodliff, sujiervisors; Fred F. Leulhe, clerk; Herman AVendorf, treasurer; Anton Kroeger, assessor; John H. Alannel and AndreAv Anderson, justices. Population, 775.

Town Of Sheldon

The first reeorcls oi' an election in this town was that of the second day of November, 1858. It was held at the mill of Millen Graham in the present village of Oil City. There appears to have been held, iiowever, a town meeting on the fifth day of July, 1848, at which a temporary organization was effected and Millen Graham elected chairman; AYilliam Hubbard and ]\Iiner Moore, supervisors; AV. J. Heath, clerk and assessor; William Abbott, treasurer, and Henry Eseh, assistant assessor. Esau Johnson was the first settler in this town, having come in the year 1846, and was also the first man to settle in the county of Monroe. Soon after that others began to drift in and to work for him in the lumber business, and in the year 1856 quite a number had settled in this vicinity, among whom were Jacob INIenn, Jacob Farmer, Henry Eseh, Edward Warren, AVilliam A. Hubbard, George Daughtery^ H. J. Smith, W. J. Heath, Elison jMcGee, Thomas Day, Tom Lewis, Patrick DeVany, Bernard Ilamatty, George Shippe, Thomas Wilkins, Andres Molley, Ezra Cook, Fern Rawson, William Crichett, Joseph Tritett and M. M. Curpy.

The first building erected was a lumber shanty, built by Esau Johnson, on section twenty-four, in 1846, and it probably was the first structure of any kind erected in the county of Monroe ; a church was l)uilt in 1860 ])y J. J. Menu, constructed of logs, and was a small building. Before that time services had been held in dwelling houses and school houses and the first sermon that was preached was by a man named John Hamilon, and not long after that services were conducted by Henry p]seh and by Galusia and J. Brown.

The first school house was erected in 1856 and was taught by one Andrew Faust. It was located near the present village of Oil City. During the ( ivil AVar this town furnished more than its share of soldiers, some of whom were Millen Graham, John Switzler, George Lewis, AY. P. Abbott, Andrew AYruck, Fredrick Talkey, Hod Lamg, George Daughtery, James Moomy, Edward J. Harris, David Eviur, Peter Singer, John Singer, AVilliam Schmitz, Christ AYruck, George AYilson, Martin Moore, L. C. Johnson AY. J. Heath, Sam AVilkinson, E. B. Smith, Henry Johnson, Thomas and Eugene Sullivan, E. Tuttle, Louis Walker, Hen Iloldcomb, Louis Everts, Andrew Alolley, C. B. Stoddard, James Finnel, Edward and Henry Critchett, Elusion Rawson, Leonard Hutchins, Gilbert and Daniel Hutchins, Eles Prichard, John Granzo, L. Savier and Daniel Moore.

111 comnutii with other towns of the county, the IuihIkt business commenced quite early, and the first saw mill was l)uilt by AV. J. Heath in 1856 and was in existence quite a number of years. The first grist mill was erected by ^Millcn Graham in the early 60's and the first store was conducted by Willifim Ohatnuiii. beginning: in 1868.

There are two ehurehes in the town, one in the village of Ontario, and one about two miles south of Xorwalk, which is a German Evangelical ; tiie one situated in Ontario is conducted by the United Brethren and services are conducted in l)oth at the present time by the same pastor, the R'-v. Mave. There is considerable dairying among the farmers in tliis town and a creamery is located in Ontario, one, which at the present time does a large amount of business and a great deal of good to the surrounding farmers who have access to it.

Its present officers are Ben Drawver. chairman; R. Ilaldeman and John Barry, supervisors; Eld. Abbott, clerk; Sam AVruck, treasurer; Fred Schumacher, assessor; P. H. Marburger, justice. Population, 771.

Town Of Sparta

Closely connected with the history of the city of Sparta is that of the town, for it Avas all one at the beginning, and the settlers who came in and took up land at the point and vieinity of where the city now stands Avere the earliest settlers of the town of Sparta, notably the Petit boys, wdio first settled somewhere near Castle Rock, Rev. Walrath, J. D. Damman, A. H. Blake and the score or more of others, who are so fully mentioned in the chapter devoted to the city.

There are many who came in during the later fifties and early sixties, and to give a complete list of .them would be a task, indeed ; among them, however, may be mentioned Palmer Austin, who was an early settler in the fifties; A. P. Payne, also E. II. Eddy in 1854, and C. E. Peek. :\rr. :\Ie:\Iann and Josiah Tueker in the same year; 0. M. Shattuek, 1856; John Ilutson, Sr.. and Sol Ilutson, who settled in Big Creek in 1855 or 1856. Among those who came later were Peter Frye, Russell Brownell, John AYinters, Henry Esch, Lansom Parks and R. 11. Rogers.

The town of Sparta has prospered amazingly since the earlier days and its assessed valuation in 1011 reached the enormous sum of !|<1,016,526 and its equalized valuation $1,272,900; and among the towns in the county which have pushed tlie good roads movement this town has been the pioneer. In fact, the efforts nmde by the town in this direction called itself to the attention of the state anthorities and undoubtedly was one of the moving causes to the extensive plans for the improvement of country roads everywhere in the state, and to it, Chairman Aug Sehlaver, now deceased, was due great credit for inaugurating it.

The town was originally organized October 8, 1854, by a resolution of the county board and was one of the first five towns into which the county was divided after the organization of it. An election was held the following spring in which a full complement of town officers w^as elected, the town board continuing to administer the municipal affairs of the entire territory within the limits, including the so-called village until the latter was incorporated and became a separate municipality, as lias been elsewhere related.

The present officers of the town are J. P. Johnson, chairman; Evan Humphrey and J. T. "VVillgrubs, supervisors ; A. J. Frye, clerk ; W. P. Bamber, treasurer ; Gothern Liddle, assessor. The population of the town, according to the census of 1910, was 1,504.

Town Of Tomah

Containing within its limits, as it did, from the earliest day the village of Tomah, the history of this town naturally is merged in that of the village; for it w&s here that the earlier settlers located and right around the territory of the village were built the first farm buildings of any kind and the first land was taken up for farms, so that the history of the city of Tomah is practically that of the Avhole township, except, of course, the development of the farming communities.

The town was organized by a resolution of the county board on November 13, 1856, with a provision for the election of officers on the first Tuesday in April folloAving; the village then being a part of the toAvn, participated in the election which was held at the house of John Sexton; John G. Staysa was elected chairman; supervisors. Benjamin ]\Iel and C. A. Adams; clerk, Harvey Bush, and treasurer, Alden Cremer.

The early settlement of the town outside of the village was quite rapid, many coming in during the early fifties ; among them were many names which are today familiar not only to the older residents, but to the present generation through their descendants. D. R. ]\Ieloy, who afterwards moved into the village and became a justice of the peace, came into the town in 1854, took up some land and went to farming; Charles Gilson, for so many years one of the most respected citizens of Tomah, came in ]\Iay, 1854, took land near tlie village. Avlii<li lie developed into the old Gilsoii farm, still owned in great part by his deseendants. Of course, Jesse Boorman. who is mentioned in the chapter on the city; Harvey Bush was an 1854 comer, building the second log cabin in tlie town, was its tirst town clerk; Alden Cremer came in 1854, and also Isaac English, Avho took up IfiO acres of land and added to it until lie liad a fine farm of 300 acres, witli a fine frame dwelling and other buildings ui)on it; George I. Bell, afterwards in business, came with his parents in 1854, settling in the town.

Among the 1855 settlers was (". A. Adams, who went to farming; John G. Staysa, also a farmer; .lolin Randall, who developed the Randall farm: Luther Hill, who settled in the eastern part of the town with Indians and wildcats as neighbors, but who, with foresight, selected the farm upon which he and his descendants have ever since lived.

John Ilinemaii ciniic in 1S57 with his family, among them Hon. ]\Iiles Hineman. whn lias acquired (-onsidi'ra])lc prominence in the state and is one of IMonroe county's most ])rogressive citizens. ]\Iany others might be nu^ntioned. all of tliem men of the character of all the early settlers, willing and ready to endure the hardships incident to opening up a new country, confidently relying upon the fact that the future would bring forth its fruit, the result of honest toil, in which they were not disappointed.

At the headAvateis of Coiini il creek in the tov.-n. so it is told, stood the old couiicil house used liy llic Winuebagoes and ]\IenominiM' Irihcs; witliii: whose walls. b(4'ore the coming of the white man. doul)t]ess was heard many stii'ring speeches of Indian eloquence, and it was here, so tradition states, that Tomah. the great ]\Ienominee chief, gathered his tribe in council.

The developmeni of the toAvn has been similar to that of other towns of the county, having th(» advantage, lunvevei-. of the nearness to a market sui)plied by the village and city: it has fine farms, good schools and its people are progressive.

Town Of Wells

Tlie town of Wells was set ofF in the fall of 1871 and the first t<»wn meeting held at the home of O. L. Arnold on the second day of April. 1872. The officeis chosen at this meeting were James AVc^lIs. chairman; John Seymour and George Kind, supervisors; J. Ti. Wolcott. clerk; O. I.. .Xiiiold. assessor, and James Ingles, treasurer. At this inei'ting it was voted to liold future town meeting's at tl'.e home of Henry Bauinbaeli, Avhieh was eontiniu'd until 1890, when the })resent town ludl was built.

Among the earlier settlers was Anton Sehulte, still living; R. E. Lyons. William Thurston, Richard J. J. Swatzlow, James A\"ells, Ilosea Nichols, K. "W. Thurston, Ora Dewitt, Frank Toloek, John J. Smith. Simeon Wells and the Arnold brothers.

The town, being one of the late ones, was comprised in the town of Leon in its early history. AVhen the resolution was introduced in the county board to set ott' this town it i)rovided that it should be called "Charleston," but on motion of Alilton iNIontgomery, then a meml^er of the board, it was changed to Wells.

The present town ot^cers are C. II. Sehulte, chairman ; Frank Selbach and John Baumbach, supervisors; D. M. Murphy, clerk; Mike Ebert, treasurer, and George Brooks, assessor. Population, 664.

Wellington

This town was cut off from the town of Sheldon on November 13, 1856, by resolution of the county board; its early history is comprised somewhat in that of the town of Sheldon and its records have not been available for preparing this article.

Its present officers are A¥illiam Schindler, chairman ; AVilliam Batzel and Dan Hutchinson, supervisors; Herman Bartz, clerk; Henry Clair, treasurer, and Frank Clair, assessor. Population, 664.

Wilton

Wilton was created a town in Oetolter, 1854. at the same* time that Sparta and Angelo were set off; its history is comprised principally^ with that of the early history of the village of Wilton and its records have not been made available in the preparation of this article. It has a fine farming country tributary to the village and ranks high among the towns in the dairy business.

Its present officers are Joe Lincoln, chairman; L. Koehler and William Raabe, supervisors; T. S. Kudered. clerk; Alex Gnew^ikow. treasurer ; George Kudered, assessor, and A. H. Noth, justice. Population, 816.

At one time there existed in the county a town known as the town of Eaton, having within its limits a s(>ttlement known as the village of Eaton ; this town being in the northern part of the county, was gradually split up in the making of diflf^erent towns, and finally passed out of existence altogether, the last of its terri- tory being attached to the town of Greenfield, as it is no longer in existence its history is of little importance and will not be entered into.

Town Of Scott

This town was set off from Byron in 1880 ; its first settler was Andrew Scott, who came there in 1850, followed by William Dodge, who ])ut up a saw mill. The principal settlement is at Norway Ridge, surrounding Avhich are large cranberry marshes, which lias been the principal industry of the town for many years.

Its present officers are Henry Soraers, chairman; John Scott and Ernest ]\Iiers, supervisors; L. jM. L. Purvianee. clerk: Chris Nelson, treasurer; L. L. Cook, assessor, and AV. ]M. Hunt ;iiid AVilliam Gray, justices. Population, 180.