Winnebago County, Wisconsin - Chapter 67, 1880

Chapter 67

Face and Character of Ihe Country - Soil - Timber - Peculiar Geological Formation - Character of the Population - Early Settlement - First Births, Schools and Religious Services - Town Organization - Organic Election - Change in Boundaiies - Churches - Town Officers.

HE town of Winchester, one of the northern towns, is bounded north by the Town of Dale, in Outagamie County, east by Clayton, south by Winneconne, and west by the Town of Wolf River. The northern part is generally low and level, with occasional low hills and ridges, and frequent marshes, which in some places produce cedar and tamarack; but are generally of little value.

Rat River, running through this part of the town from Section i , in the northeast, a little south of west, to where it leaves in the northern part of Section 18, is bordered by extensive meadow lands of inferior quality. The center part from the east is higher, often breaking into hills and ridges of considerable altitude, with smaller marshes and low-grounds between, while in the south it is somewhat rolling, but generally low and level.

The soil, principally of clay in the lowgrounds, is frequently covered with a deep vegetable mold, or in many places with peat throughout the marshes of the northern part, while the arable portion of this section is little else than clay. In the west and south the clay is overlaid with a sandy loam, and in some places a black vegetable mold, of the character usually found in timbered land. Through the middle and eastern portion is found a singular formation. In ascending the ridges and small hills, which here abound, from the clay of the lower level, a prominent outcrop of limestone is crossed, the lower hills formed entirely of yellow sand, and resting immediately thereon, while the higher hills are surmounted by a deposite of clay and gravel overlying the sand. This clay and gravel makes the finest of carriage roads, when placed upon the muddy flats or sandy hills. These sand hills are often conical and quite small in size, resembling mounds, and although the sand has in some places washed from above and concealed the rock from sight, it is seldom wanting at a certain height. In the western part of the town, two quarries of sand stone have been found of very good quality and have been worked to some extent.

The usual crops are raised here, but the soil is not as desirable as in other parts of the county, and the grasses although in great abundance, are poor in quality. Springs and small streams are common.

Early Settlement

The first settlement in the town was made by Jerome Hopkins, in the winter of 1847-8, followed in the spring by Samuel Rogers and family; James H. Jones -:ame soon after and selected the farm where he still resides, also the one occupied by his father, Charles Jones; and both moved their families in the same fall,

First Births Schools Relicious

The first religious services were held in June, 1850, Rev. Fredrick Partridge officiating, and, during the year. Rev. Mary became the first resident clergyman; Mrs. Mary teaching the first school in the log house mentioned.

The Town of Winchester was set off and organized by the County Board, by an order dated November 11, 1851, to take effect April 6, 1852, and comprised all of Township 20, Range 15, and fractional parts of Townships 19 and 20, Range 14, lying east of Wolf River.

At the organic election, April 6, 1852, S. R. Hopkins was chosen chait-man; Ole Oleson and George Hopkins, inspectors. Whole number of votes cast, forty-seven, electing John Annunson, chairman; George Ohlcr and Anders Jergerson, supervisors; S. R. Hopkins, clerk; Halver Annunson, assessor; Ole Halverson, treasurer; S. R. Hopkins, George Ohler and John Annunson, justices, William Hall, Perry Hopkins, and Ole Hanson, constables.

The Winchester post-office was established October, 1852, and Sherman R. Hopkins appointed postmaster. S. N. Clark is the present incumbent.

January 4, 1855, the Town of Orihula (Wolf River, which see,) was *ct off, including the territory lying east of Wolf River and west of the section line, between Sections 22 and 23, Town 20, Range 14.

School Population Change Of Boundaries

January 8, 1873, the two tiers of sections lying west of section line between Sections 22 and 23, were set off and attached to the Towir of Wolf River, and the present boundaries established.

On the northwest corner of Section 24, two comfortable and substantial looking brick churches have been erected, both belonging to the same persuasion - Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran, and in the northern part of Section 19, in the German Settlement, is a church for tlieir accommodation.