Winnebago County, Wisconsin - Chapter 61, 1880

Chapter 61

Silu.ation - F'ace of the Countiy - Soil, Timber and Water - Early Settlers - Incidents of the Early Settlement - First Births - First Marriages - School-house and Post-offices - Town Organization - Organic Election - First Town Officers - Advent of Other Early Settlers - First Crops and Lari^e Yields of Grain - Notices of Hlustrations.

illE Town of Ncpeuskun is bounded on the north by Rushford, east by Utica, south by Ceresco, in f^ond du Lac County, and west by Berlin, in Green Lake County, comprising all of Township 17, north, Range 14, east, except the north half of Section 1 , attached to the Town of Rushford.

The general surface is high and rolling, often rising into abrupt elevations, affording extended views of the surrounding country, and of unusual beauty. Rush Lake, in the eastern part of the town, is about two miles in width by five in length, lying north and south, divides the town. Its shores, slightly above its surface, are generally level, extending away from one-fourth 6f a mile to two miles, affording ample meadows and pasture lands, but equally adapted to the raising of grain. Natural meadows are abundant.

The soil, in the northern part, is a rich black loam, with a subsoil of red clay, and more southerly, a marshy loam, with lighter clay. A desirable admixture of sand is generally found, while in some portions the sand predominates, but, overlying clay, it produces good crops.

The early settlers were attracted to the vicinity of the lake by a heavy growth of forest timber on the west, more especially the hard or sugar maple, while in other parts are burr, white and black oak, in the character of openings, which afforded sufficient timber for ordinary purposes. These tracts were frequently diversified with small prairies,

Limestone is the prevailing rock, with an occasional ridge of sandstone. There are no. streams of note, except the outlet of Rush Lake, which, running north through the Village of Waukau, where it affords considerable water-power, makes its way thence into the Fox River. At the time of the early settlement, several small streams were found contributing to the supply of the lake and were supposed to be the main source on which the lake was dependent; but as the timber vanished and the land became cultivated the streams all became dry a greater portion of the year, without any perceptible effect upon the lake; and the fact became patent that the lake was fed by springs within its borders and in the vicinity. The chief products of the town are wheat, corn, oats, horses, cattle and sheep, although by no means confined to these; its capacities being fully as varied as those of any town of nearly the same latitude. The population is composed mostly of people from the Eastern States, and largely of the early settlers or their descendants, who have ever been noted for their industry, economy and excellent morals, There is not at this time, and never has been, within the limits of the town, a place where spirituous liquors are sold.

Early Settlers

The first settlement in the town was made on the arrival of Mr. Jonathan Foote, wife, daughter, and a nephew, W. H. Foote, who in March, 1846, selected their future homes near the center of Section Eleven; more particularly (as before mentioned) on account of a fine grove of hard maples, and a profusion of never-failing springs. The uncle and nephew still retain their first purchase. The Footes, after living in their wagons some weeks, had procured lumber and built a shanty, thirteen by sixteen feet in size, where they not only lived but entertained many strangers, who were seeking locations for homes, often to the number of si.xteen or eighteen at a time; W. H. Foote devoting a wagon to the purpose of a sleeping-room all summer.

In the following May, Mr. Lucius B. Townsend, family and brother, arrived; and the day of their arrival, taking a plow from their wagon, turned the first furrow in the soil of Nepeuskun. They then set two crotches in the ground, and laying a pole in these, formed a shelter by resting boards against the pole, under which they lived during the summer, "breaking-up" some sixty acres in the meantime.

Before the close of the year, their numbers were increased by the arrival of many new settlers, among them Aashel B. and James H. Foster, Samuel Clough, Sidney Vankirk, John Nash, Dan Barnum, T. F. Lathrop, George Walbridge, W. C. Dickerson, Lyman B. Johnson, H. F. Grant, John Vankirk, Solomon

Office

Andrews, H. Stratton and Alonzo J. Lewis, making quite a neighborhood, although scattered over a great portion of the town. In 1847, they were further reinforced by Elisha Percival Foote (father of W. H.), wife, four daughters and two sons, Darius Rosa, Martin Eager, A. Y. Troxell, D. C. Vedder, G. McLaughlin, G. Slingsby and Julius Keep. FIRST BIRTHS - FIRST MARRIAGES - POST OFFICE.

The first birth in this town, was that of^ Marshal, son of Sidney Vankirk, which occurred July, 1846. The first marriage was that of George Marsh and Elvira Nash, daughter of John Nash, at the residence of Edward Noble, east half of northeast quarter of Section 3, and was conducted by Asahel B. Foster, Esq. We are unable to give the exact date of this marriage; but can state that it was but a few days previous to the first day of September, from the fact that on that day occurred the secopd marriage in the town, that of Ira R. Lathrop and Miss Avis Alvira Foster, daughter of Ashael B. Foster. This ceremony was performed at the residence of A. B. Foster, on the spot where James H. Foster now resides, by Lyman B. Johnson, Esq.

On the 26th of the same month, a notable event occurred, at the close of divine service, on Sunday, at the residence of George Walbridge, residing on the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 18, the double wedding of Abraham Devore and William C. Smith to Misses Mary and Sarah Foote, twin daughters of Elisha Percival Foote, soleminized by Rev. Hiram McKee. The log house built for this newly married quartette, the same fall, is still seen near the Free Soil School-house, center of Section 8.

A log school-house was erected the same year, near the center of Section 8, and a public school instituted for the winter, with Asahel B. Foster as teacher, and before the close of the year, religious services weie held here by Elder Manning, a Baptist Minister.

A post-office was established in 1850, on the northeast quarter of Section 8, present residence of James H. Foster, named Koro, and J. H. Foster appointed postmaster.

In 1858, Mr. Foster was elected Register of Deeds, and his father succeeded him in the postoffice. At the death of his father, October 19th, 1862, J. H. Foster was reappointed. Elected to the Legislature in 1869, he resigned the postoffice and his eldest daughter. Miss A.

Florette Foster, was duly commissioned; holding the position until her marriage, May I, 1872, when the honor was again bestowed upon J. H. Foster, who was nominated for Presidential Elector in 1876, and thereby compelled to abdicate for the third time, and is now anticipating a fourth appointment, upon the marriage of his youngest daughter, Miss Jennie, who received the appointment upon his last retirement, and has to the present time most satisfactorily conducted the office.

In September, 1849, a postoffice was established near Rush Lake, named Nepeuskun, and James J. Catlin appointed postmaster. It is now located at Rush Lake Junction, Section 21.

Town Organization

In pursuance of the order of the County Board, the organic election was held the first Tuesday in April, 1850, at the house of Lyman B. Johnson. Johnathan Foote was chosen chairman; George S. Barnum, clerk; E. P. Foote and George Walbridge, inspectors; resulting in the election of L. B. Townsend, chairman; Lyman Pomeroy, second, and A. A. Vedder, third supervisor; George S. Barnum, clerk and assessor; Jonathan Foote, treasurer; George S. Barnum, superintendent of schools; Samuel Clough, constable; A. Y. Troxell, L. B. Johnson and Jonathan Foote, justices.

April 13th, pursuant to notice given, the justices elected, met at the house of L. B. Townsend, to draw lots for their terms of office. A. Y. Troxell and Jonathan Foote drew two years, and L. B. Johnson one year term.

At the annual town election, held at the school-house, in District No. 2, April i, 1851, Daniel Barnum was elected chairman; A. A. Vedder and Philester Randell, supervisors; A. Y. Troxell, clerk; Jonathan Foote, treasurer and superintendent; George Stocking and James Deyoe, justices; Samuel Clough, constable; James P. Wakefield, sealer.

In 1857, the Milwaukee & Horicon Railroad Company completed their line to Berlin, passing along the western shore of Rush Lake and through the entire length of the town, with a station on the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 21.

this station to Winneconne, via Waukau and Omro. These roads are now owned and operated by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. A postoffice, telegraph office and grain elevator are located here.

The present town officers are, Geo. Slingsby, chairman; Chas. Jordan and Jerome Vankirk, supervisors; George Brigham, clerk; D. P. Morrison,' treasurer; Saml. Atkins, assessor; Jonathan Foote and H. F. Grant, justices.

In 1875, the population was 1,123, and in 1878, there were six schools, four hundred and forty-five children, over four and under twenty years of age.

Incidents In The Early Settlement

As previously stated, W. H. Foote settled in the town, in March 1846, and his father, Elisha P. Foote, in the spring of 1847. During the latter season they erected the first frame barn in the town, which is still standing. the shingles, rived and shaved from oak timber, are still doing service.

The residence of W. H. Foote was destroyed by fire, with all its contents, July 10, 1870, in the absence of the family. In two weeks Mr. Foote had a good, substantial frame house so far completed, that he moved his family into it, and is still in possession. Within the door-yard is a most beautiful and copious spring, populated with myriads of minnows, while several smaller springs in close proximity, discharging into the same stream, form a brook of liberal dimensions.

John Edward Sheldon, a native of Franklin County, Vermont, located at Berlin, in 1848, and in 1856, married Miss Orlena Foote, daughter of E. P. Foote, when he took up his residence on the southeast quarter of Section 10 in this town.

Mrs. Sheldon has a distinct recollection of making a trip to Neenah with her brother, W. H., accompanied by a sister, the fall after their arrival (1847); crossing the ferry at Oshkosh, stopping at the hotel of M. Griffin (just opened), their visit with a friend at Neenah, who was engaged at the time in the wool-carding machine of Daniel Priest, a short excursion in a row-boat while there, and the return home; and very prominent among these recollections is the entire lack of roads at that time.

The carding-machine mentioned was the first machinery on the water-power at Neenah, the Government mills only excepted, and we are indebted to Mrs. Sheldon for confirmation of views otherwise obtained in relation to that fact.

Sidney Vankirk, a native of Oneida County New York, settled in Nepeuskun in 1846. As early as 1835, Mr. Vankirk was employed in lumbering on Menomonee River. In the fall of 1836, he with one man, each in a bark canoe, the two canoes lashed together, came down to Green Bay, thence by the Indian trail to Milwaukee and Chicago, camping by the wa)'.

In 1838, he made a land claim at Burlington, Wisconsin, which he sold in 1846, arid having married during his residence here, he constructed a truck-wagon, the wheels being made by sawing off from logs and tapering, from center to circumference; and loading their worldly effects, with his wife, started north, a term fully as definite as his ideas, at the time, of his destination, which, however, turned out to be the southwest corner of Section Seventeen, Nepeuskun. In their course they traveled through the Watertown woods, requiring three days between Aztalan and Watertown (wc belie\'c a distance of ele\'en miles).

Samuel P. Button, a nati\e of V'crmont, came to Strong's Landing, Berlin, in 1847. On his arrival he found there was quite a demand for pine shingles, which could only be procured by cutting logs on the Wolf River, sawing them into bolts, and loading them on flats; they were then floated down the Wolf River, poled up the Fo.x, and eventually converted into shingles by the old method of ri\'- ing and shaving. Mr. Button, having purchased a farm of one hundred and si.xty acres, entered into a contract to manufacture one hundred thousand shingles for one hundred dollars. Mr. Button also laid the first railroad ties in the townships of Berlin, Nepeuskun, Rushford and Omro; built all the culverts on the AVinneconne Railroad, and laid the iron through the Town of Rushford and to Omro station.

T. J. Lathrop, born in Burlington, Vermont, came to Nepeuskun, in September, 1846, and at once purchased eight)' acres, where he still resides, and built a small house, obtaining lumber from Strong's Landing (Berlin). This old house is still standing. The energies of the early settlers were principally devoted to raising wheat and getting it to Milwaukee, the nearest market. Mr. Lathrop, however, always sold his wheat on the farm, sometimes as low as three shillings per bushel; being better satisfied with this than by investing the entire proceeds in making sundry trips to Milwaukee for its sale.

Darius Rosa, born in the State of New York, emigrated to Belvidere, Illinois, in 1839, where he suffered almost continuallj' for se\-en vears with ague and fever, when he was driven to the more healthful climate of Nepeuskun, where he purchased his present farm, in Section 31, and soon fully regained his health.

John Rosa, a son of Darius, was born at Belvidere, in 1845, also resides in Section 31, where he purchased his farm in 1870, and in October of that year, married Miss Ella Tusten, a daughter of J. G. Tusten, who was among the first settlers at Strong's Landing, where Mrs. Rosa was born in 1849.

Martin Ream was born at Wittenberg, Germany, in 1 818, and emigrated to the United States in 1837. Landing at New York, without means, he struck out for the West in search of employment; working for a time on the Maumee Canal, in Ohio, he was next engaged on the Illinois and Wabash Canal. In 1850, he purchased a farm and settled in Waushara County, and in 1866, located on the northeast quarter of Section 9, in Nepeuskun, where he is now the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of land, with a handsome residence and out-buildings.

Martin Eager was born in Orleans Count}-. Vermont; after spending many years in Indiana, was compelled to leave on account of ill health, and, in 1846, came to this section, when, after some month's residence, he became satisfied that this was the place he was looking for, and, in 1847, purchased the farm where he now resides.

Gabriel Kleiber was born in Germany, in 1832, emigrated to the United States in 1854, and, in 1869, to Nepeuskun, purchasing eighty acres, where he now resides, subsequently adding twenty acres. In 1864, he enlisted in the First Independent Battery of Heavy Artillery of Penns\-lvania, and was stationed at Fort Delaware, until the close of the war. In 1866, he visited the old countr}-, and, in 1876, the American Centennial.

H. F. Grant was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, in 1822, came to Milwaukee in 1844, and in June, 1846, entered eighty acres, where he now resides. Built a log shanty the same year, and broke up nine acres, which he sowed to winter wheat, and in 1847 harvested twenty-si.x bushels per acre. In the winter of 1846 and 1847, he cut oak logs on his farm, drew them to Waukau (ten miles), and the lumber home, and in 1847, built a frame-house. Mr. Grant, in common with other settlers of that day, has a distinct recollection of drawing pork to Milwaukee (one hundred miles), and selling it at one dollar and filty cents per one hundred weight. And wheat drawn the same distance often sold as low as fifty cents per bushel, for the best. A trip to Milwaukee and

John Vankirk was born in Oneida County, New York, in 1795, emigrated to Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1845, and, in 1846, located on the farm now owned by Mr. William Vankirk, in this town, where he died May 25, 1868, leaving three sons, one of whom, VVilliam, died at the old homestead, June 3, 1873. Jerome and Horace, the two remaining, are still residents of the town; also, a daughter, the wife of W. H. Foote.

Edward Barker, with five sons, Edwin, James, Henry, William and Thomas, natives of England, emigrated to this country in 1844, and in 1850, settled on the shores of Rush Lake, where they at once erected a small shop on the southwest quarter of Section 15, for the manufacture of pocket cutlery; each having learned his particular branch of the trade in England, the father and Henry making handles, James forging blades and backs, Edward grinding and polishing, the others working at odd times as helpers. The machinery was run by horsepower. The best quality of goods was turned out here, but the market was very uncertain The merchants of Oshkosh, Ripon and other places, became liberal patrons, but the sales were too limited to make the business renumerative, and, upon the death of Edwin, in 1868, it was abandoned.

John Nash was born in Berkshire, England, January, 1800. One day, in 1830, while at work at his trade (a ship-sawyer) a mob of "strikers" compelled Mr. Nash to join them, when they proceeded to destroy machinery and domestic implements indiscriminately. Mr. Nash endeavored to dissuade them. At last he, with several others, were arrested, tried and banished to Van Diemen's Land, for seven years, where he served out his time, working at his trade. For meritorious behavior he was granted a full pardon, just before the expiration of the term, when he settled at Melbourne for seven years more. Lumber was in great demand at that time and Mr. Nash was enabled to make five or six dollars per day. He sawed the lumber for the roof of the first bank in Australia. When he left Melbourne there were three banks. He relates that during his banishment, many barbarous and cruel scenes were witnessed. . Many desperate characters are transported from the cities of Eng land, and often in a morning, six or eight are brought out, stripped and whipped, until life is almost extinct. In one instance one Robbin Nutman, an overseer of a chaingang, caused the gang to be punished with fourteen hundred lashes, distributed, for complaining that they did not receive the full allowance of rations to which they were entitled. Mr. Nash has traveled forty-four thousand miles on the water, and a corresponding distance by land. In 1844, he left Australia and rejoined his family, and March 10, 1846, emigrated to Salem, Wisconsin, andin September of the same year, located on his present farm in Nepeuskun, where he has since resided, and no man is held in higher esteem, or more universally respected, than Mr. John Nash.

Mr. Solomon Andrews, one of the pioneers of 1846, was born at Homer, Courtland County, New York, and emigrated to Racine County in 1837, and in May, 1846, settled in Nepeuskun, where he died in August 18, 1866.

Mr. A. Y. Troxell was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in March, 1807, and in 1837 lemoved to Indiana, to Nepeuskun in 1847; having the year before spent some, time in the vicinity, and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. The log buildings first erected in 1846-7 are still standing, and near by a fine, commodious residence, embowered amongst a profusion of evergreens and native oaks.

It is related by settlers of 1846-7 that the winter of 1847-8 was similar to that of 1877-8, being mild in the extreme, and little or no snow. Mr. Troxell, of Nepeuskun, states that they finished planting five acres of corn on the 1 8th of April, 1848. It is also generally recollected by the early settlers of that town, that on that day (April iSth) occurred the heaviest snow storm of the season, corresponding with our rain and hail storms of the iSth and 20th of April, 1878. On the first of May Mr. Troxell says his corn was ready for cultivating, and at harvest they gathered five hundred bushels of ears from the five acres, which was broken up the year before, and on the same breaking was raised in 1848 a crop of spring wheat which harvested forty bushels to the acre.

The following winter was one of great severity, with several months of uninterrupted sleighing and a great depth of snow. From 1840 to 1850 a rainstorm during the winter was almost unknown, and it was a well established fact that farmers could at any time in the winter open their grain and hay stacks without fear of damage- from wetting. Grain and hay was then universally stacked for want of barns, and a large portion of the grain was threshed on the ground, or a floor laid upon the ground, sometimes by the use of the flail, but more generally treading it out with horses or cattle; this was necessarily a long and tedious method, frequently keeping stacks open for weeks. Haj' was also fed from day to day, directly from the stack, which was left entirely unprotected until consumed. The atmosphere seemed much dryer and clearer than at the present, and twenty-five or thirty degrees below zero was far less to be dreaded than ten or fifteen below now.

The Fourierites had a grist-mill in operation at this early day, at Ceresco, which was built for their exclusive benefit, and when the first crops were harvested in their vicinity they absolutely refused to grind for the settlers, which compelled them to take their grain to Watertown.

At last "forbearance ceased to be a virtue," the settlers held an indignation meeting at which they denounced the action of the Fourierites in unmeasured terms.

A conference was then held, and the association consented to set apart two days in the week (Mondaysand Saturdays) for the accommodation of the outsiders.

Jerome Betrv

On account of a great rush to the mill on those days, a strife arose as to who should get there first, "first come, first served," being the motto. On one occasion Mr. C. left home at daylight. Arriving at the mill he found a number of teams in waiting, and among them a neighbor who had driven farther than himself, of whom he inquired, "How did you get here? I started as soon as I could see." "Oh! I started last night," was the reply- JEROME BETRV.

Mr. Jerome Betry, the view of whose farm residence is here given, moved from Leroy, Genessee County, New York, in 1846, and settled in the now Town of Nepeuskun. In company with his brother, he made a claim of land now embraced in the McCauley farm. Imigration was, at this time, pouring in, and taking possession of the land.

From Milwaukee Mr. Betry started on foot with all the energy and hopefulness of youth, for the promised land. He fell in with a teamster who was moving goods to Fond du Lac, and who, being sick with the ague, offered Mr. Betry the privelege of riding if he would help him to drive and take care of the team. This proposal being, under the circumstances, very satisfactory, was acceded to, and our foot passenger was elevated to the dignity of a teamster.

Arriving at Fond du Lac, Mr. Betry hastily looked over the dimensions of what is now one of the principal cities of the State. It then consisted of one small hotel and three little stores and a few scattering dwellings and mechanic shops. From here he started for Ceresco, the old Fourierite settlement, and here met a man who was acquainted with his brother, who had preceded him, and was now located on a claim. This party remarked to Mr. Betry that he seemed tired out, and that a lady who was there with a team, was bound for his destination, and that he would procure him a chance to drive. He did so, and Mr. Betry then drove the team as far as his brother's shanty, which was a small log building with a bark roof. The inmates were all out at the time, and he peeped in at the window and surveyed the interior, the furniture of which consisted of a small rough board table and a bunk; on the table was a dish of cold potatoes. The reception not being very inviting for a hungry man, he proceeded to search for the house-keeper, and hearing the sound of an axe in the distance, he started in the direction indicated by the sound, and soon came upon his brother and a companion who were engaged in splitting rails, which, at that time, with breaking, constituted the chief occupation of the settlers.

Mr. Betry was soon initiated into the ways of pioneer life and the mysteries of bachelor cooking, and especially the science of pancakes, and soon learned to be very adroit in turning the same; which process was accomplished by throwing the pancake oft' the griddle and reversing the side. In performing one of these feats, too much force having been given, the pancake was lodged against the roof of the shanty.

The early settlers depended largely on their guns for furnishing them a supply of meat. Wild game was plentiful and especially prairiechickens. Grease was a scarce but needed article, a luxury highly prized but not readily obtainable, although pork was sold in the more settled parts of the State for one dollar and fifty cents per hundred; but many of the early settlers were in the condition of the man who said, after the city of St. Paul had become the metropolis of a great State, that he once was offered the claim to the land for a pair of cowhide boots. "Why did you not take it?" was asked. "Because I did not have the boots,"- was the reply.

frightening them, by opening the door, Mr. Betry took out a piece of the chinking, making an opening through the side of the house, through which he could fire his shot-gun, and much to the discomfiture and astonishment of the chickens, dropped them off one by one, and largely replenished his larder.

After much hard labor in working by the day and month, Mr. Betry earned enough money to enter a piece of land. He subsequently borrowed a sum at twenty-five per cent interest, to pay for another piece, and, having earned enough to discharge the obligation, proceeded with a joyful feeling, to pay the debt, and find relief from twenty-five per cent interest. After counting out the principal and accumulated interest on the same, to Mr. Isaac Corliss, that gentleman, much to the honor of his memory, and the astonishment and gratification of Mr. Betry, handed back a part of the interest, saying: "You are a hardworking boy, and have earned your money by hard labor, and I will charge you but twelve per cent interest. " This act, Mr. Betry bears in grateful remembrance.

The first wheat he and his brother raised, was a five-acre piece of hedgerow, on the old claim, and which harvested forty-three bushels per acre. His brother went to Watertown, to mill, with a portion of this grain, consuming a week in making the trip. During this period Mr. Jerome Betry, who remained at home, had for his stock of provisions, a four-quart pan of flour.

In 1852, Mr. Betry purchased his present farm which is now in a high state of cultivation. The e'egant residence and substantial barns have supplanted the log-houses of his pioneer days, and a comfortable competency rewards him for his early years of hardship and industry.

Andrew Sutherland

One of the handsomest places in the Town ofNepeuskun is the farm of Andrew Sutherland. The fi le residence, capacious barn and pleasant sur.'jundings, furnish a creditable illustration of the better class of farms in this county.

This place is most eligibly situated, being less than a mile from the Village of Waukau, a railroad station on the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. The surrounding country is a delightful one, and the Village of Waukau, with its schools, churches and stores, adds largely to the ordinary social advantages of country life.

Although not one of the earliest settlers, a visit to his home will remind the guest of the generous and hearty hospitality of pioneer days. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland being people of culture, and of good early associations, their home has an air of refinement and cultivation.

Andrew Sutherland is a man highly esteemed for his good qualities of heart and mind, and is one of those who conform their conduct to the requirements and convictions of duty.

As the result of industry and good management he is now in the enjoyment of a comfortable home, and a productive, well stocked farm, and is deserving of continued prosperity.

Charles William Kurz

One of the finest farm residences in Nepeuskun is that of Charles William Kurz, of which a view is here given. The farm is, also, one of the best, and in the highest state of cultivation.

The face of the country here is lovely, and the place commands an extensive view of as delightful a country as the eye of man ever rested upon. The view embraces a tract stretching away for ten or fifteen miles in every direction - the spires of the City of Ripon, some seven miles distant, being plainly visible.

The soil of this farm is very rich, and being underlaid with limestone has the best of natural drainage. Under the skillful and thorough culture of Mr. Kurz it produces abundant crops. The stock embraces some of the best blooded animals, and are such as any farmer would feel proud of. The site of the dwelling is a beautiful elevation, and the house is elegant in its inside as well as outside construction.

A few feet below the surface is a limestone formation, into which an excavation of several feet was made for the cellar. The cellar is nine feet in the clear; its floor is the solid limestone rock, and it is as dry and airy as an upstairs room.

Mr. Kurz is a native of Bavaria, and came to this country with very limited means. Although he has raised a large family, he has, by well directed industry and thrifty management, secured a competency and become the possessor of one of the best farms in the county, and as an honest man and good neighbor has earned the respect and good-will of the community where he resides.

Town Of Rushford

Siluaiion - Soil - Timber - Waler - Face of the Country - Village of Waukau - Its Flouring and Woolen Mills - Stores, Railroad Depot, Etc. - Village of Eureka - A Steamboat Port - Mills, Stores, Elc. - First Settlement in the Town - F'irst Religious Services - First Births, Marriages, Schools, Etc. - Grist-Mill Erected - Ferry Established - Bridge Constructed Across the Fox River - Town Organization - Organic Election - Change m Boundaries of Town - Early Settlers and Incidents in the Early Settlement - Illustration of Waukau Mills, Bean & Palfrey.

U S H F O R D (Township 18, Range 14), one of tlie western tier of towns, is bounded north by Poygan, east by ^@=> Omro, south by Nepeuskun, and west by Aurora, in Waushara County. This town is divided by Fo.x River, which, entering near the southwest corner, runs east by north through its entire length. The general surface on the south of theriver is low and level, except along the southern line, where the ground rises to a considerable height; while north of the river it is high and sufficiently rolling.

A deep alluvial soil is found along the margin of the river, affording ample hay marshes, which often extend back from the river for some distance.

South of the river, sand is freely mixed with the soil, and often predominates. It is well adapted to grazing, stock-raising and dairying. The higher grounds were originally covered with "oak openings"consisting of burr, white and black oak, which have- been succeeded by thickets of black and white oak and poplar. Heavy timber, consisting of hard maple, butternut, hickory, basswood, etc., was a prominent characteristic north of the river, affording the usual vegetable mold with clay sub-soil - producing e.Kcellent crops of grain or grass, and fruit. Running water is supplied by Fox River and the outlet of Rush Lake; good wells are obtained at little expense, and flowing fountains are frequently met with. In the northwestern portion of the town are some very productive cranberry marshes. Good and comfortable residences and farm buildings are everywhere observable, with all evidences of thrift and prosperity.

Near the southeast corner of the town is situated the thriving village of Waukau, a station on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, on the outlet of Rush Lake which supplies a water-power that runs two flouring mills and a woolen mill. The place also contains several stores and mechanic shops. The site is a beautiful one, and is surrounded by a delightful country, with highly cultivated farms and handsome farm residences. It maintains a school, affording excellent educational facilities, and has two very neat church edifices, with a congregation composed in part of the adjoining farming population. The place wears an air of thrift and prosperity in its neat, well- painted dwellings and tasty surroundings. Its whole appearance is pleasing, cheerful and cosy. This place at an early day was one of the chief business points in the county, and made no mean pretentions for supremacy. As early as 1850, Parsons & Bocker erected a good grist-mill, which was in great favor, and a much needed convenience.

Eureka

About three miles west by north of Waukau, beautifully situated on the banks of the Fo.k River, is the Village of Eureka - a steamboat port, with a grist-mill, saw-mill, several stores, mechanic shops, a good school and church buildings. This is also a pleasant place, with many handsome residences, and adjoining a fine country.

Some three miles down the river, is the site of ancient Delhi, one of the early French trading posts, known as "Labordes," subsequently a rival of Eureka and Omro, for steamboat honors and general trade, but long since depopulated.

Early Settlement

The first settlement in the town was made at Waukau, March 7, 1846, by L. M. Parsons, still a resident, who, on that day, erected the first house, ten by twelve feet in extent, one story high, the main posts drix-en in the ground; and here he accommodated the traveling public to the utmost of its capacity. During the same month, Mr. J. R. Hall located here, and, during the summer, was joined by a brother, Uriah Hall, and two cousins, E. D. and J. M. Hall. R. Stone, John Johnson and family, and Mr. Pinrow, came the same spring. James Deyoe and family, with Joseph Mallory, were also added to the number in October, living in a board shanty for a few days, while engaged in constructing a log house, which they roofed with "shakes," and, unable to obtain lumber, the)' lived on the ground dur-

First Births Marriages Schools, Etc

In the spring of 1847, the population increased rapidly, and, being fourteen miles from a post office (at Ceresco), the settlers began to devise means for obtaining a regular mail, and it was accordingly arranged that they should make a trip to Ceresco once a week, each in turn performing the service.

In October, of that year, occurred the first death among their number, that of Samuel R. Manning, a twin brother of Elder William R. Manning, and in November, following, that of Mr. Pinrow; funeral service by Elder Pillsbury.

In the winter of 1847 and 1848, the first marriage "eremony was performed by Elder William R. Manning, the candidates being Mr. Henry Bixby and Miss Mary Palfrey.

In the fall of 1847, Mr. O. E. Loper made a claim on the north side of the river, then known as the "Indian Land." This was the first settlement on that side, if we except the trading post of Luke Laborde, a Frenchman, who had been here some time, engaged in trade with the Indians.

The same year, Lester Rounds opened a general store, and W. L. F. Talbot engaged in the business of blacksmithing, which he still continues.

In 1849, Mr. Parsons commenced the construction of a grist-mill, which was completed in 1850. A settlement having been made at Delhi, a license to maintain a ferry across Fox River was obtained from the County Board of Supervisors, in November, 1849.

In 1850, Mr. Lester Rounds removed his stock of goods to the present site of the Village of Eureka, and was joined by Walton C. Dickerson, from Nepeuskun, the first settlers and founders of that village, a plat of which was recorded July 24, 1850, Rounds, Dickerson and Starr, proprietors.

A ferry was also established across Fox River, at this point, during the season, and, July 16, the Eureka postoffice was located, Lester Rounds, first postmaster.

A dock and warehouse were also constructed at Eureka, by Walton C. Dickerson, for the accommodation of a daily line of steamboats, established that season, between Oshkosh and Berlin.

Saw-mills at various points along Fox River (Omro, Delhi, Eureka and Berlin) were supplied with logs from Wolf River, and towed up the Fox, by the slow and tedious movements of horseboats.

The Town of Rushford was organized by an act of the Legislature, approved February II, 1847, comprising, in addition to the present town, Township 17, Range 14, (now Nepeuskun), and Township 17, Range 15, (now Utica).

The first election was held at the house of L. M. Parsons, Waukau, April 5, 1847. Erasmus D. Hall was chosen chairman, L. K. Stone and Armine Pickett, inspectors, Silas M. White and George S. Barnum, clerks; resulting in the election of E. D. Hall, chairman; E. P. Foote and Nathan Ripley, supervisors; Ebenezer Martin, town clerk; J. M. Hall, treasurer; Geo S. Barnum, assessor; Lyman B. Johnson, Asahel B. Foster and Armine Pickett, justices.

Mr. Uriah Hall has a tax certificate for taxes on southwest quarter of Section 35, Town 18, Range 14, dated December 22, 1846, signed, "J. H. Smalley, collector of Winnebago County. "

Annual election, April, 1849, at the schoolhouse, Section 8, Town 17, Range 14, elected Lucius B. Townsend, chairman; George Clark and J. P. Wakefield, supervisors, Lester Rounds, clerk, J. U. Mallory, James M. Garlic and R. B. Vanmeter, justices; Jonathan Foote, treasurer; J. M. Hall, constable.

At the annual town election in April, 1850, the town officers met at the same school-house. Section 8, Nepeuskun, and adjourned to the school-house in the Village of Waukan, where the voting took place, which resulted in the election of E. D. Hall, chairman; L. K. Stone and Alexander McPherson, supervisors, Silas M. White, clerk; John M. Hall, treasurer; Lester Rounds, J. U. Mallory and Edward Manning, justices. Lots were drawn for the respective terms of the justices, when Rounds drew for one year. Manning, for two years and Mallory, for three years. Walton C. Dickerson was elected constable.

At the election in April, 1851, the following officers were elected: J. A. C. Steele, chairman; Lester Rounds and Leonard J. Cassman, supervisors; A. S. Bolster, clerk; J. W. Becker, treasurer; E. D. Huntley, justice, (Mallory and Manning holding over).

Change Of Boundaries

The present officers are, Alson Wood, chairman; G. F. Williams and Geo. Bradt, supervisors; J. D. Chamberlain, clerk; Chancey Bromley, assessor; R. M. Lincoln, treasurer. CHANGE OF BOUNDARIES.

January 8, 1850, by action of the county board, the south half of Section 31, in Town of Bloomingdale (Omro), the north half of Section 6, in Utica, and the north half of Section I, in Nepeuskun, were all set off and attached to the Town of Rushford, and November 13, 1856, the north half of Section 31, in Omro, was in like manner attached to Rushford, Subsequently, Sections i, 12. and the north half of 13, in Rushford, were attached to the Town of Omro.

Schools And Population

In 1849, there were, in the town, two hundred and twenty-one scholars between the age of four and twenty years; in 1855, six hundred and twelve, and at the present time, seven hundred and ninety. There were 1207 inhabitants in 1855, and 2,083 in 1875. There are now nine school-houses, and twelve teachers are employed.

Lester Rounds was born May 11, 1805, resided in Berkshire, Franklin County, Vermont, Niles, Cayuga County, New York, and in 1839, emigrated to Southport (Kenosha), Racine County, Wisconsin. In 1844, having been enrolled in the "Wisconsin Phalanx of the Fourier Association," he removed to Ceresco with the first company that encamped at that place. Warren Chase was their temporary president, and Mr. Rounds temporary secretary. In the following winter a charter was obtained, and under it the association was fully incorporated, and Messrs. Chase and Rounds were re-elected as permanent officers. In 1844, a post-office was established at Ceresco, and Mr. Rounds was appointed postmaster. At the annual election, April, 1845, he was elected chairman of the Board of Supervisors, which office he held for two years, and by virtue of which he was a member of the County Board of Fond du Lac County; and he was also elected chairman of that board. While acting in that capacity, he signed the contract for the erection of the present courthouse in that county In 1848, Mr. Rounds settled in Waukau, as previously stated. Since that time, he has held the office of Town Clerk, Justice of the Peace, and Supervisor, several terms; notary for many years, and was the first postmaster at Eureka. Mr. Rounds is still engaged in mercantile pursuits at Eureka.

Mr. O. E. Lopcr was born in Schoharie County, New York, January 17, 18 18, .residing there until 1844, when he placed himself under the standard of the Fourier Association, and emigrated to Ceresco, Wisconsin. In the fall of 1847, he located a claim on the north side of Fox River, within the present Town of Rushford, then known as the "Indian Land," and his family were the first to settle on that side of the river, where he still resides.

ington County, and in 1849, emigrated to the Town of Rushford, where he selected his future home, on the north side of Fox River; the title of the Menomonee Indians having been acquired by the Government at the Poygan treaty, the year previous. Mr. Gilmore was among the first settlers in this part of the town.

Mr. J. R. Hall, born in Rochester, Windsor County, Vermont, November 8, 181 5, anticipating the advice of Horace Greeley, "Go West, young man!" came to Illinois in 1844, and in the spring of 1846, settled at Waukau, about two weeks later than Mr. Parsons, who was the pioneer. For many of the incidents in the early history of the town we are indebted to Mr. Hall, who is still a resident of that place, and relates that upon his first arrival he was entertained for the night at the house (shanty) of L. M. Parsons (the only one in the vicinity), where he found a large number of strangers, who, like himself, required accommodations. At that time it would not do for a man to say, "my house is full; you can find accommodations at the next;" but every applicant must be fed and lodged, in some manner; the latter, as in this case, often proving the more difficult. In the absence of a sufficient supply of bed-clothes, they placed two beds side by side, which were occupied by eight persons, with ample covering for all.

Mr. L. M. Parsons, who is still a resident of Waukau, and was the first in the town, was born at Goshen, Massachusetts, in 1795; removed to Vermont while quite young, subsequently to Ohio, and in the fall of 1844, to Fox Lake, in Dodge County, Wisconsin; or, as he more forcibly expresses it, he passed childhood in Massachusetts, his boyhood in Vermont, his manhood in Ohio, and his dotage in Wisconsin. Remaining at Fox Lake about one year, he came to Ceresco in 1845, and in the spring of 1846, commenced improvements and made a permanent settlement at Waukau, which is more fully explained in its appropriate place, the Early History of the Town of Rushford. Mr. Parsons' ambition has never run in political channels; but, in building up a town, making improvements of public necessity, and for the general welfare of the community, he has labored incessantly.

Mr. W. L. F. Talbot, born in Piersons County, Ohio, October 19, 1828, removed, with his parents, to Michigan Territory, in 1836, and settled at Waukau in July, 1848, where he has since resided, engaged in the business of blacksmithing.

where he resided until 1837, when he emigrated to Salem, Racine County, Wisconsin. In September, 1846, he removed his family to the present Town of Nepeuskun, and in the spring of 1850, with Mr. Lester Rounds, he settled at Eureka. Mr. Dickerson was appointed Justice of the Peace at Salem, by Governor Dodge, the commission dated Mineral Point, November 4, 1840. He also holds numerous commissions as Notary Public, dating from 185 1 to 1864; also authority from Governor Lewis to recruit volunteers for the Fifth, Forty-second and Forty-fourth Wisconsin Regiments; was appointed post-master at Eureka, June 15, 1853, and has been an active participant in the early events of the settlement ot this portion of the county. A silverleaf poplar tree, which he set out in 1852, measures nine feet and five inches in circumference, at the ground, and, six feet above the ground, seven feet and three inches. Verily, there is some virtue in sand.

Mr. E. B. Thrall, born in St. Lawrence County, New York, in 1825, removed to Crawford, Pennylsvania, where he remained about eighteen months, and from there to the present Town of Utica, where he arrived June 9, 1846, selecting a location adjoining Armine Pickett's, who had arrived a short time previously. The journey was made from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin in wagons, the family consisting of nine persons, the father, John Thrall, five brothers and three sisters. Taking the covers from their wagons, they set them against the log house of Mr. Nash, and, going to the woods for the logs, they built a house; hewing logs (puncheons) for floors, splitting oak shakes for the roof; and, unable to procure lumber for door or window, they occupied the domicile until fall without, when they obtained a small amount of oak lumber, at Dartford, some twenty miles away. March 21, 1866, Mr. Thrall, having sold his farm, purchased the one he now occupies, in Rushford, and moved into the log house erected at an early day, and which Mr. Thrall has replaced with a handsome, modern residence, and has added commodious and substantial barns, out-buildings, and all conveniences of a prosperous farmer.

John G. Palfrey, of the firm of Bean & Palfrey, proprietors of the Waukau flouring-mills, is one of the well known early settlers of the town. Mr. Palfrey, with his brothers, Richard and Thomas, and their parents, moved from the State of New York, and settled in Waukau, in the fall of 1846, and took an active part in pioneer life, and in reclaiming the county from a wilderness, into the abodes of civilization.

George Hawkes, station agent at Waukau, is an early western settler, although not an early resident of this county. His life has been a varied and eventful one; and a large experience in the wider channels of social life and extensive travel, has given him a fund of interesting information. Mrs. Geo. Hawkes moved, when a child, with her parents, from New York City to Rockford, Illinois, in 1840, where they settled on a farm. The country, at the time, was so unsettled, that the nearest house, in a western direction, was twenty miles distant. She remembers seeing the remains of Big Thunder on an elevated scaffold, at Belvidere.

Warren Leach settled in Waukau, in 1849, and opened the first tavern in that place. Mrs. Lucy L. Leach, the pioneer landlad}', will be held in kindly remembrance by the old settlers. Her house was a home for the weary way-farer, where he was sure to find a hearty welcome and the kindest treatment.

Alson Wood, chairman of the Town Board, moved to Waukau, in 1858, and is now with V. H. Wood and R. M. Lincoln, the proprietors of the Empire FlouringMills. This mill was constructed in 1857, by Bean & Becker, and has a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour per day.

Waukau Fi.Ouking Mills

Among the illustrations in this work will be found that of the Waukau Flouring Mill, Bean & Palfrey, proprietors. The mill occupies the site of the old Waukau Mill, built by L. M. Parsons, in 1848, and which was the first gristmill in the county, except the old Government mill at Neenah. Its construction was hailed as a happy event, for it supplied a need which had been keenly felt.

In 1874, the present Waukau mill was built. Its capacity is one hundred and tw'enty-five barrels per day, and its flour takes high rank in the market.

Hon. D. R. Bean

D. R. Bean moved from Vermont to Waukau, in 1856, and purchased an interest in the water-power. He immediately commenced improvements, and, in the following year, built the Empire Mills, and, in 1874, as above stated, built the Waukau Mills.

Mr. Bean is one of those energetic enterprising men, who infuse business vigor and activity into a community, and has proved a valuable accession to Waukau. He is very popular, and is widely known as a man of ability and of kind hearted, generous impulses. He was elected to represent his district in the State Legislature in 1861, and re-elected in 1862, and has been again elected this fall. He is one of those who will make his influence felt wherever he is, and will follow his convictions of ricfht without fear or favor.