Vernon County, Wisconsin - Chapter 7: United States Land Surveys, 1884

Chapter 7: United States Land Surveys

The first surveys by the general government of lands in Wisconsin, were made south of the Wisconsin river and the Fox river of Green bay. The northern boundary line of the State of Illinois, fixed April 11, 1818, on the parallel of 42 degrees 30 minutes north latitude, became, properly enough, the base line of these surveys, (as indeed of all the surveys afterward made by the United States in this State). A principal north-and-south line, known as the fourth meridian, was run at right angles, of course with the base line, and extending from it to Lake Su- perior. Tliis meridian line is east of all the territory in Vernon county, except what is included in the towns of Hillsborough and Greenwood. It runs south from this county, through the center of Richland, and continues on to the base line on the east boundary of Grant and on the west boundary of Lafayette and Iowa counties. It extends north, from Vernon county, through the eastern part of Monroe, Jackson, Clark and other counties, until it strikes Lake Superior a short distance to the westward of the mouth of Montreal river.

Parallel lines to the fourth meridian were run every six miles, on the east and west sides of it. The intervening six miles between these lines are called ranges. Range 1 east, is the first six miles of territory east of the fourth meridian; range 2 east, is the second six miles; and so on, to Lake Michigan. However, on the west side of the fourth meridian, the ranges are numbered consecutively westward. Range 1 west, is the first six miles of territory west of that line; range 2 west, is the second six miles; and so on, to the Mississippi river. Therefore it is, that Vernon county lies in ranges 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 w«'St, and in range 1 east.

Parallel lines north of the base line (the north boundary line of the State of Illinois) were run every six miles, which, crossing the ranges at right angles, cut the whole into blocks six miles square, called townships. These townships are numbered by tiers going north, from the base line; the first tier being known as township 1 north, the second tier, as township 2 north, and so on until the extreme north boundary of the State (not covered by water) is reached, which is of course the extreme north side of the most northern of the Apostle Islands in Bayfield county. Now, if we begin at the base line and count the tiers of townships unlil Vernon county is reached, we discover that we have numbered eleven of them. We find, therefore, that some of the count} is in the i 1th tier; or, what is the same thing, in townships 11; but only the north half of townships 11, are in Vernon county, and these are in ranges 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 west, that is west of the fourth meridian. The next tier of townships are numbered 1 2, and except the one on the Mississippi, are all six miles square. They arc in the same ranges as the townships numbered I I .

We now come to tier numbered 13. These townships are all, except ihe one on the Mississippi, six miles square. There are eight of them and they are in ranges 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, G and 7 west, and in range 1 east. Townships numbered 14, form the northern tier of Vernon county and, of course, they are the farthest from the base line. There are eight in this tier and all are whole townships except the one on the Mississippi. '1 hey, like the tier immediately south of them, are in ranges 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, (3 and 7 west, and in range 1 east.

From what has been said, we see that townships 13 and 14, in range 1 east, are whole townships; that townships 13 and H, in ranges 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and B west, are also whole townships; and that townships 12, in ranges 3, 4, 5 and 6 west, are likewise complete; so that Vernon county contains eighteen congressional townships, that are each six miles square. Then, there are the half townships, numbered 11, in ranges 3, 4, 5 and 6 west, equal to two more whole ones; and the fractional townships numbered I I, 12, 13 and 14, in range 7, equal to over three townships more, making the whole territory in Vernon county comprehend over twentythree townships of six miles square, each, or more than 828 square miles, territory sufficient for two good sized counties.

After the several township lines were run, then each township was sub-divided into sections and quarter sections. As a section is a mile square, there is of course, in every whole town-

In each whole section, there are 640 acres; and, when a section is divided into four parts, each quarter section contains 160 acres. It is usually in quarter sections that the land of the United States is disposed of; although, if desired, it will be divided into eighty acre tracts, or even forty acres.

Only eleven of the towns of Vernon county contain each a surveyed township. These are Hillsborough, Greenwood, Forest, Union, Whitestown, Stark, Clinton, Webster, Christiana, Coon and Hamburg. Seven contain each more than what would form a whole township. These are Bergen, Harmony, Sterling, Jeifersoii, Franklin, Viroqua and Kickapoo. The towns of Genoa, Wheatland and Liberty, contain each less than a full township, of land.

The town of Hillsborough is organized of township 14, range 1 east; Greenwood, of township 13, range 1 east; Union, of township 13, range 1 west; Forest, township 14, range 1 west; Whitestown, township 14, range 2 west; Stark, township 13, range 2 west; Kickapoo, north half of township 11, range 3 west; the east onethird of the north half of township 11, range 4 west, the south third of township 12, range 3 west, and the south oue-third of the east third

I of township 12, range 4 west; Liberty north two-thirds of township 12, range 3 west; Webster, township 13, range 3 west; Clinton, township 14, range 3 wesi; Christiana, township 14, range 4 west; Viroqua, township 1 i, range 4 west, the north third of township 12, same range, and the middle third of the east third of the same township and range; Franklin, the west two-thirds of the south two-thirds of township 12, range 4 west, west two-thirds of the north half of township 11, same range, east half of the north half of township 11, range 5 west, and the south live-sixths of the east half of township 12, same range; Jefferson, townshiplS, range 5 west, the north one-sixth of the east half township 12, same range, and the west half of the north half, same township and range; Coon, township 14, range 5 west; Hamburg, township 14, range 6 west; Harmony, township 12, range 6 west, and the north half of the north half of the east two-thirds of township 12, same range; Sterling, the west half of the north half of township II, range 5 west, the east two-thirds of the north half of township 11, range 6 west, the west half of the south half of townsliip 12, range 5 west, the east two-thirds of the south half, and the south half of the east two-thirds of the north half of township 12, range 6 west; Wheatland, the west one-third of township II, range 6 west, the west one-third of the south third of township 12, same range, the fractional nortli half of township 11, range 7 west, and the fractional south two-thirds of townsliip 12, same range; Genoa, the north two-thirds of the west twothirds of township 12, range 6 west, the fractional north two-thirds of township 12, range 7 west, and the fractional south half of township 13, same range, and Bergen, township 14, range 7 west, and the fractional south half of township 13, same range, also fractional sections 24 and 25, in township 14, range 8 west.

Dates Of Surveys And Notes Of Surveyors

The township lines of Vernon county were run by William Burt, Joshua Hathaway, J. E. Mitchell, Uriah Biggs, John Brink, and Stuntz and Sargent, in the years 1839, 1840 and 1845; mostly in the latter year.

'llie first surveying was done by Joshua Hathaway, who ran the west township lines of township 13 north, range 1 east (Greenwood), and township 14 north, range 1 east (Hillsborough).

The last surveying was done by A. L. Brown in 1847, who ran the section lines west of Coon slough, in the township 13 north, range, 7 west (southern part of Bergen) and township 14 north, range 7 west (northern part of Bergen).'

From the field notes of the surveyors and the government plats, many items of interest are obtained. These sources furnish the following facts:

TowxsHiP 13 north, range 1 east (Greenwood) was surveyed in sections by James M. Marsh, United Stales Deputy Surveyor, in the first quarter of the year 1845, assisted by William M. Cleveland, Joseph Slone, chainmen, and James Anderson, marker. The surveyor says:

"The face of the country in this township is generally rough and broken. There is but little level or rolling land in the township. The soil is sandy. There is a heavy growth of timber, consi.'^ting of white and black oak, sugar, hickory, etc., with a heavy undergrowth of plumb, prickly ash, grape vine, green briar, etc. The country is well watered by excellent springs."

Township 14 north, range 1 east (Hillsborough). - This township was surveyed in sections by J, E. Davidson, United States Deputy Surveyor, who commenced his survey Dec, 24, 1851, and completed it Jan. 10, 1852. He was assisted by Andrew L. Thompson, John Otis, chainmen, and Robert Evans, axeman. Tlie notes of the survey are as follows:

"Surface generally hilly. Soil first rate. Timber heavy aud of a good quality. Well watered by numerous brooks of pure water running from springs, with rapid currents, over rock bed."

Township 13 north, range 1 west (Union), was surveyed by A. L. Brown, United States Deputy Surveyor, who commenced the survey of this township Jan. 3, 1846, and completed it Jan. 13, 1846. He was assisted by James Anderson, Joel M. Higgins, chainmen, and Nathaniel Higgins, marker.

Township 14 north, range 1 west (Forest). - This township was surveyed by Noah Philps, in the last quarter of 1847. He was assisted by William Jones, David P. Hoyt, chainmen, and Alfred L. Cleveland, marker.

Township 13 north, range 2 west (Stark), was surveyed by A. L. Brown, who commenced his survey of this township Jan. 13, 1«46, a d completed it Jan. 22, 1846. He was assisted by Alexander Anderson, Joel II iggins, chainmen, and J. Anderson, marker. Surveyor's notes: "This township has a good deal of bottom land on the Kickapoo river, some of which, particularly the second bottom or highest and farthest from the river, is very ricii, with oak and elm timber, prickly ash and reed willow undergrowth; but some of the flats are too wet for cultivation."

Township 14 north, range 2 west (Whitestown) was surveyed by Noah Phijps, in the eleventh month of 1847, assisted by William Jones,DavidP. Hoyt, chainmen, and A.L. Cleveland, marker: "This township is very broken. Is valuable chiefly for its pines."

Township 11 north, range 3 west (central and southeastern part of Kickapoo) was surveyed by W. Barrows, who began this survey July 23, 1843, and finish'ed August the same year. He was assisted by William Anderson and Edward Fitzpatrick, chainmen; also by William P. Easley, marker.

Township 12 north, range 3 west (Liberty and the sections 25-36, inclusive, of the town of Kickapoo as now organized), was surveyed by Samuel D. Dixon, who began this survey May 24, 1845, and finished it on June 4 of the same year. He was assisted by Napoleon Graham, B. C. Russell, chainmen, and James Bailey, Eli Derr, markers. Mr. Dixon says: "This township is composed of a succession of hills of almost every size and shape. The springs are inhabited by speckled trout of the finest quality."

Township 13 north, range 3 west (Webster) was surveyed by Samuel D. Dixon, assisted by Napoleon Graham, B. C. Russell, chainmen, and Eli Derr, James Bailey, markers. Notes : "Soil rolling and of first quality between the east and west forks of the Kickapoo river; the balance is mostly broken and hilly; soil light;

Township 14 north, range 3 west (Clinton) was surveyed by Henry Maddin, United States Deputy Surveyor, who commenced Oct. 27, 1846, and completed Dec. 12, 1847; was assisted by Samuel M. Derr, George VV. Lee, chainmen, and Christopher Jacobs, axeman.

Township 14 north, range 4 west (Christiana), was surveyed by Henry Maddin in the last month of 1846. He was assisted by Samuel M. Derry, George W.Lee, chainman, and Christopher Jacobs, marker.

Township 13 north, range 4 west (northern and central part of Viroqua), was surveyed by Samuel D Dixon, who commenced this survey June 30, 1845, and completed it July 10 of the same year. He was assisted by Napoleon Graham, James Bailey, chainmen, and B. C. Russell, Eli Derr, markers.

Township 12 north, range 4 west (sections 1-12, 13, 14, 23, 24, Viroqua; sections 15-22, 27-23, the northeastern part of Franklin.) 'I'his township was surveyed by Samuel D. Dixon in June; 1845. He was assisted by Napoleon Graham, Eli Derr, chainmen, and B. C. Russell, James Bailey, markers.

Township 1 1 north, range 4 west (sections 1, 2 and 1 1 to 14, are in the central and southern part of Kickapoo; sections 3-10, 15-18, the southeastern part of Franklin); was surveyed by Samuel C. Wiltse in August, 1843. He was assisted by J. R. McLadin, M. T. Curtiss, chainmen, and E. D. Smith, markers.

Township 14 north, range 5 west (Coon), was surveyed by A. L. Brown in Octol)er, 1846, assisted by William H. Weidman, ^^'illiam Higgins, Joseph E. Fales, Joel M.Smith, chainmen, John M. Smith, Reuben W. Ford, markers. The surveyor says : "Timber almost universally black and white oak; some of it very good; some elm; Lincoln and ash in northeast corner on Raccoon creek. There are many fine

Township 1.3 north, range 5 west (northern and central part of JeflFerson), was surveyed July, 1845, by Samuel D. Dixon, assisted by Napoleon Graham, B. C. Russell, ehainmen, and James Bailey, Eli Derr, markers.

Township 1-2 north, range 5 west (sections 1-9, 16-1 ft, of the southern part of Jefferson, 10-15, 22-27, 34-86, the northwestern and central part of Franklin, 19-21, 28-33, the north eastern part of Sterling), was surveyed in 1846 by A. E. Whiteside, deputy surveyor, assisted by U. Gales, B. L. Eaton, ehainmen, and A. Hetzler, marker. Mr. Whiteside's notes are as follows: "The soil of this township is tbird-rate, rough, hilly and broken, sparsely timbered with black and white oat. There is, however, in the southeast corner a small portion of beautifully undulated prairie, second rate soil, and lit for cultivation. The township is well watered by the finest quality of springs; tops of the highest hills are covered with rocks, flint and iron rust."

Township 11 north, range 5 west (sections 1-3, 10- 5, the southwestern part of Franklin; 4-9, 16-18, the southern part of Sterling), was surveyed July, 1843, by A. L. Haren, assisted byC. C. Carter, Austin Wilder, ehainmen, and Louis Davis, marker. Notes of the surveyor : "The surface of this township, with the exception of afew sections in the southwestern part and sections 24 and 25, in the eastern part, is rolling, first-rate land. The soil is sandy loam, excepting the prairie; it is thickly timbered and brushy. The eastern part is watered by spring brooks, which run into the Kickapoo river. The southwestern part of the township is very broken, well timbered and watered by streams of pure water, which run into the Mississip])i."

Township 14 north, range 6 west (Hamburg), surveyed by A. L. Brown October, 1846, assisted by William H. Weidman, William Higgins, Joseph Fales, Joel Higgins, ehainmen, and John M. Smith, Reuben W. Ford, markers. "The best land in this township," gays the surveyor, "is in the third bottoms (socalled) on Raccoon creek, which are located about forty feet above the creek, are dry and level. Other parts of this bottom are much lower, and where not marshy subject to inundations. After leaving the bluffs on the north side of the creek the land is a high, rolling ridge; in some places well timbered, and generally second-rate. Some of the long ravines which make toward the creek are well adapted to cultivation, with timber convenient and the purest water. The cliffs are generally about 250 to 300 feet high, terminating toward Raccoon creek in precipices of sandstone in almost every picturesque form imaginable. Along the sides of the steepest hills may be found many curious silicious and calcareous formations, but no appearances of anything more valuable."

Township 13 north, range 6 west, (main part of Harmony ) was surveyed by N. C. Whiteside, assisted by U. Gales, A. L. Eaton, chainman and A. Hetzler marker. Notes : " This township in general is hilly and broken, the soil third rate and poor. There is however a portion of it on the north and a small portion on the south, rolling and second rate and well supplied with white and black oak timber. The remainder of the timber on the hills is scattering burr, white, black and jack oak. The river through this township affords many valuable hydraulic privileges, and is abundantly supplied with fine fresh water, springs outbreaking from the base of the hills."

Township 12 north, range 6 west, (sections 1-4, and northern half of 9-12, is the southern part of Harmony; 5-8 and 17 and 20, is the eastern part of Genoa; 29-31 the northeastern part of Wheatland ; southern half of 9-12 and sections 13-16, 21-28, 33-36, the northwestern and central part of Sterling ). - This township was surveyed by N. E. Whiteside, in 1845. He was assisted by U. Gales, A. L. Eaton, chainmen, A. Hetzler, marker. " This township," says Mr. Whiteside, "as regards its soil is mostly third rate and poor, presenting an abrupt hilly broken surface, covered in many places with rocks, flint and iron rust. North of the river there are a few bodies of good white and black oak timber. The surveyor says: "This township in general is well watered and the river presents in many places valuable water privileges."

TowN'SHiP II north, range 6 west, (sections 1-4, 9-16, the southwestern part of Sterling, 5-9, 17, 18, the southeastern part of Wheatland ) was surveyed by A. L. Haren, who commenced this survey July 18, 1S4-3, and completed it July 31, the same year. He was assisted by C. 0. Carter, Austin Wilder, chainmen and Louis Davis, marker. Notes: "The northeast part of this township is extremely broken and hilly. The bluffs of the creeks, springs, brooks and dry ravines are from 250 to 350 feet high, and have an elevation from 20 to 30 degrees."

TowN.sHip 14 north, range 7 west, (the main part of Bergen ) was surveyed by A. L. Brown, who commenced the survey Dec. 27, 1846, and completed it Jan. 4 1847. He was assisted by Wm. H. Weidman, Joel M. Higgins, Joseph V. Haley, chainmen, and Joshua M. Smith, ReuVien W. Ford, markers.

Township 13 north, range 7 west, (sections 1-18, the southern part of Bergen, 21-28, 33-36, the northern part of Genoa, was surveyed by W. E. Whiteside, assisted by U. Gates, A. L. Eaton, chainmen, and A. Hetzler, marker, no dates given.

Township 12 north, range 7 west, C sections 1-4, 9-16,21-24, is the central and southwestern part of Genoa, 25-28, H3-36, is the northwestern part of Wlioatland), was surveyed in the first quarter of 18 16, by N. E. Whiteside, assisted by IJ. Gales, A. L. Eaton, chainmen and A. Hetzler, marker. "This township," says the surveyor, "is measurably unfit for cultivation, being hilly and broken. Soil mostly third rate and poor. In general, the timber is of an inferior growth of burr, white and black oak. The hills fronting the Mississippi and Bad Ax rivers, are in places entirely shorn of vegetation, covered with rock, flint and iron rust. It is in all parts well supplied with springs of finest quality. The bottom of Bad Ax river ( although wider in this town ship than any place else, is limited and mostly low and wet. The Mississippi river above and be'ow the mouth of Bad Ax, has little or no bottom, bounded by a perpendicular ledge of sandstone, ranging from 3 to 10 chains from the river and falling abruptly from the base of the perpendicular, to the water's edge, covered with large tumbling rocks, scattering burr, white and black oak trees."

Tow.vsHip 11 north, range 7 west, (sections 1-4, 9-15, the southwestern part of Wheatland). - The survey of this township was commenced Sept. 28, 1843, and completed Oct. 10, 1843, by A. r>. Haren, assisted by S. P. Folsom, S. N. Laster, chainmen, and L. Davis, marker.

Land Districts

The first land oflices in Wisconsin were established under an act of Congress ajtproved June 26, 1831, creating additional land districts in the States of Illinois and Missouri, and in the territory north of the State of Illinois. The first section provides "that all that tract lying north of the State of Illinois, west of Lake \ Michigan, south and southeast of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, included in the present territory of Michigan, shall be divided by a north and south line, drawn from the northern boundary of Illinois along the range of township line west of Fort Winnebago to the Wisconsin river, and to be called - the one on the west side, the Wisconsin land district, ami that on the east side the Green bay land district of the territory of Michigan, which two districts shall embrace the country nortli of said rivers when the Indian title shall be extinguished, and the Green bay district may be divided so as to form two districts, when the President shall deem it proper ;" and by section three of said act, the President was

An act of Congress, approved June 15, 183", divided the Green bay land district, as established in 1834, "by a line commencing on the western boundary of said district, and running thence* east between townships 10 and II north, to the line between ranges IV and 18 east, thence north between said ranges of townships to the line between townships 12 and 13 north, thence east between said townsnips 12 and 13, to Lake Michigan ; and all the country bounded north by the division line heie described ; south by the base line, east by Lake Michigan, and west by the division line between ranges 8 and 9 east," to be constituted a separate district, and known as the "Milwaukee land district." It included the present counties of Racine, Kenosha, Rock, Jeffeison, Waukesha, Walworth and Milwaukee, and parts of Green, Dane, Washington, Ozaukee, Dodge and Columbia.

An act was approved March 3, 1847, creating an additional land district in tlie territory. All that portion of the public lands lying north and west of ihe following boundaries, formed a district to be known as the Chippewa land district : commencing at the Mississippi river on the line between townships 22 and 23 north, running thence east along said line to the fourth principal meridian, thence north along said meridiaii line to the line dividing lownsliips 29 and 30, thence east along such township line to the Wisconsin river, thence up the main channel of said river to the boundary line between the State of Michigan and the territory of Wisconsin. The counties now included in this district are Pepin, Clark, Eau Claire, Dunn, Pierci', St. Croix, Polk, Barron, Burnett, Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Taylor, Chippewa, and parts of Buffalo, Trerapeleau and Jackson.

An act of Congress, aproved March 2, 1849, changed the location of the land office in the C'hppewa district from the falls of St. Croix to Stillwater, in the county of St. Croix, in the proposed territory of Minnesota ; and by section two of the act, an additional land office and district was created, comprising all the lands in V\'isconsin not inc'uded in the districts of land subject to sale at Green Bay, Milwaukee, or Mineral Point, which was to be known as the We.itern land district, and the President was authorized to designate the site where the office sliould be located, Willow river, now Hudson, was selected. The district was usually known as the St. Croix and Chippewa district, and included St. Croix, La Pointe, and parts of Chipjiewaand Marathon counties.

By an act of Congress, approved July 30, 1852, so much of the public lands in Wisconsin as lay within a boundary line commencing at the southwest corner of township 15 north, of range 2 east of the fourth principal meridian, thence running due east to the southeast corner of township 15 north, of range 1 1 east, of the fourth principal meridian, thence north along such range line to the north line of the State of Wisconsin, thence westwardly along said north line to the line between ranges 1 and 2 east of fourth principal meridian, thence south to the place of beginning, were formed into a new district, and known as the >tevens Point land district, and a land office located at that p'ace. The boundaries enclosed the present counties of Juneau, Adams, Marquette, Green Lake, Waushara, Waupacca, Portage, Wood, Marathon, Lincoln, and Shawano.

Wisconsin Land District

It will be remembered that the Wisconsin land district, by the organic act of the territory, was to l)e extended north of the Wisconsin river " when the Indian title should be extinguished." Now, as that event took place in 1 837, it follows that when what is now Vernon county, was surveyed into townships by the United States surveyors in the years 1839, 1840 and 1845, it was in the Wisconsin land district, the land office being at Mineral Point. It was usually called the "Mineral Point land district." The surveys into sections and quarter sections were nearly all made while in the same district ; hence, the early settlers went to Mineral Point to enter their land. Among the earliest entries are noted those of Alfred Glassburn, .lune 6, 1S47, of the south half of the northwest quarter and the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 28, township 13, in range 4 west, in what is now the town of Viroqua; of Michael Hinkst, Sept. 1.3, 1847, of the nortii half of the southwest quarter and the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter, of section 31, and the southwest quarter of the. southwest quarter of section 32, in township 12, of range 4 west, in the present town of Franklin ; t»rriii Wisel, June 17, 1848, of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 25, township ] 2, range 5 west, in the town of Franklin also; of LeGrand and Lewis Sterling) Aug 10, 1848, of the south half of the southwest quarter of section 2, in township 11, of range 6 west, in the town of Sterling.

La Crosse Land District

at a point where the line between the townships 10 and 11 touches the Mississippi river, [in the present county of Crawford,] and running thence due east of the fourth princip.il meridian; thence north to the line between townships 14 and 15 north; thence east to the southeast corner of township 15 north, or range 1 east of the fourth principal meridian; thence north on tiie range line to the south line of township 31 north; thence west on the line between townships 30 and 31 to the Ch ppewa river; thence down said river to the junction with the Mississippi river thence down said river to the place of beginning."

This included, though it has since been lessened, all of the present county of Vernon, likewise that of La Crosse, Monroe, Buffalo, 'I'rempealeau, Eau Clair, Clark and parts of Juneau and Chippewa counties, Vernon county is still in the same districts.

By act of Congress, approved Feb. 24, 1855, an ad iitional district was formed of all that portion of the Willow river land district lying north of the line dividing townships 40 and 41, to be called the Fond du Lac district, the office to be located by the President as he might from time to time direct. The pr- sent counties of Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland and part of Burnett were included within its boundaries.

By an act of Congress, approved March 3, 1867, so much of the districts of land subject to sale at La Crosse and Hudson, in the State of Wisconsin, contained in the following boundaries, were constituted a new district, to be known as the Chippewa land district: North of the line dividing townships 24 and 25 north; south of the line dividing townships 40 and 41 north; west of the line dividi g ranges 1 and 2 east; and east of the line dividing ranges 1 1 and 1::! west. The location of the office was to be designated by the President as the public interest might require. The present counties of Chippewa, Taylor, Eau Claire and Clark were in this district.

La Crosse Land Office

There are at the present time six land offices in the State. They are located at Menasha, Falls of St. Croix, Wausau, La Crosse, Bayfield and Eau Claire. By the provision < of law, when the number of acres of land in any one district is reduced to 1' 0,000 acres, subject to private entry, the secretary of the interior is required to discontinue the office, and the lands remaining unsold are transferred to the nearest land office, to be there subject to sale. The power of locating these offices lies with the President (unless otherwise directed by law), who is also authorized to change and re-establish the boundaries of land districts whenever, in his opinion, the public service will be subserved thereby. As the county of Vernon is in the La Crosse land district, the land office for this county, is at La Crosse. All the lands that have been entered since the opening of that office, by settlers and others in Vernon county, have, of course, been entered there.