Mifflin, Wisconsin

In June, 1851, a number of citizens, resident in Mineral Point and surrounding districts, organized the pioneer agricultural society of this county. The officers were H. L. Leffingwell, President; Henry M. Billings, Levi Sterling, P. O'Dowd, John Hand, F. J. Dunn and George Goldthorp, Vice Presidents ; William R. Smith, Secretary ; Samuel Crawford, Treasurer. The new association held its inaugural fair in October of the same year. C. C. Washburn and Francis J. Dunn delivered addresses on that occasion, and the exhibition was characterized as an unqualified success. However that may be, the October meeting was the first and last gathering under the above auspices. Individual exertion revived the defunct society in June, 18.5(3, when, at a "mass convention " in Dodgeville, re-organization was effected. H. M. Billings, John Ellwood and Joseph Mortell were appointed to report and draft a constitution. In the interim the following officers were elected: Hon. H. M. Billings, President; Samuel Hendy, Levi Sterling and L. W. Joiner, Vice Presidents; George Messersmith, Recording Secretary; L. H. D. Crane, Corresponding Secretary ; Phillip Eddy, Treasurer. The committee on a constitution reported, and, in accordance with their report, the appended names of Representatives were added to the Executive Committee; John James, Waidvvick ; John Baker, Linden; (Jaleb Sylvester, Mifflin ; David McFarland, Highland ; Watkin Watkins, Dodgeville ; Jo.seph Roberts, Ridgeway; W. A. Brisbane, Arena; 0. F. Savage, Wyoming; David Bigelow, Clyde; Asa Patterson, Pulaski, Thomas Berry, Mineral Point.

Passage source: History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Containing an Account of Its Settlement, Growth, Development and Resources...biographical Sketches.., published 1881.

In 1844, Diamond Grove, which include<l what are now the towns of Linden and Mifflin, was changed to Peddler's Creek Precinct. During the same year, the territory now known as Waldwick and Moscow Towns, was also constituted a precinct called Yellow Stone. In 1845, the precinct of Peddler's Creek was divided, that part which is now Mifflin being erected into a precinct entitled Dallas. In 1846, a precinct called Rcevesville was set off in the northeast part of the county, the present town of Arena, and one called Percussion, now the town of Wyoming. That section of the county now known as Pulaski, was constituted a precinct called Wisconsin, in 1848, and at the same time the precinct of Otter Creek wa.s erected, what is nowknown as the town of Clyde. The precinct of Mineral Point was erected in 1836, and was first called Pecatonica, atul then constituted the chief polling place in the county.

Passage source: History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Containing an Account of Its Settlement, Growth, Development and Resources...biographical Sketches.., published 1881.

Diamond Grove, well known as an early smelting point, still retains the name, probably given on account of the shape of the clump of timber. Peddlers Creek was the original name of the village of Linden, and received the appellation from a peddler having first discovered mineral there. Dallas was the name of a small hamlet in the town of Mifflin, now extinct. Blue River, the name of a stream in the west part of the county. Dodgeville, so called after Gov. Dodge, who was one of the very first to locate in that section. Porter's Grove, so designated from a grove named after the first settler at that point. Helena, the name given in honor of some lady, by one of the early founders, to the first laid-out village in the county. Percussion, so styled, owing to the appearance of a rock which stands in the town of Wyoming, and which resembles a percussion furnace. Otter Creek, after the principal stream that traverses the town of Clyde. Yellow Stone, the name of a hamlet in the north part of what is now La Fayette County. Reevesville and Arena, the former after the name of the manager of the British Emigration Society, Charles Reeves, the latter meaning a sandy place.

Passage source: History of Iowa County, Wisconsin, Containing an Account of Its Settlement, Growth, Development and Resources...biographical Sketches.., published 1881.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Mifflin Town.