Sugar Grove, Wisconsin

The first meetings of the Sugar Grove Christian Church were held at the residence of Zac'iariah Smith, in 1857. Rev. Daniel Parkerson was the first minister. This society was organized at the school house on section 13 in 1857 by George H. Babb. Abram Williams and Zachariah Smith were chosen elders and William Shore and Henry Davis, deacons. 'J'he original membership was composed of about fourteen persons, among whom were Zachariah Smith and wife, George Spurrier and wife, Reuben Drake and wife, Henry Davis and wife, William Shore and wife and Elmira Newman. Rev George H. Babb was the first regular preacher after the organization of the society. He was succeeded by Rev. Hurd, who, in turn, was followed by Rev. Henry Howe. 'I'he society has never had a regular settled pastor, but has been supplied by preachers from other points. Worship was continued in the school house some four or five years, when services were held in Richland county until 1875, when a neat frame building was erected on section 13, town 11, range 3, town of Kickapoo. A Sabbath school was organized at the school house soon after the organization of the society. William Powell was the first superintendent. The present superintendent is Rutson Drake. The Methodist Episcopal Conference has sent ministers to Readstown since the time the village was laid out. The first meetings were held in the school house, Rev. Schooley being among the first preachers. No class was organized here until 1876, when Rev. McMillan organized one with about eight members, among whom were James Treseder and wife, Martha McKittrick and Mrs. Sylvia Bliss. James Treseder was appointed class-leader. In the winter of 1881-82 a revival was held, when several persons were added to the membership. In the spring of 1882 a house of worship w as

Passage source: History of Vernon County, Wisconsin .., published 1884.

Josiali Adams, one of the settlers of Vernon county, was born in the town of Somerset, Somerset Co., Penn., Jan. 25, 1822. When he was quite young his parents moved to Ohio and bceame early settlers of Stark county, where be grew to manhood. In 1845 he went to the Maumee valley and bought timber land in Ileniy county. In 1849 he came to Wisconsin and spent the summei' in Lafayette county. In tl.e fall of that year he came to Bad Ax county and halted at Liberty Pole, which was at that time called Bad Ax. He made a claim on section 32, of town 12 north, of range 5 west. In the fall of 1850 he returned to Ohio and spent the winter and sold his land there, returning to this county in 1852. On the 3d of April, 1853, he started for California, going across the plains with ok teams. He arrived at Spanish Ranch the 8lh day of September, liaving been over five months on the way. He engaged in mining and remained in California until 1855, when he returned to Liberty Pole, coming by way of the Isthmus of Panama and Xew York. He then settled down and engaged farming, remaining in Franklin town until 18W1, when he sold out and came to Kickapoo and bought land on section 33, of town 12 north, of range 3 west, where he now lives. He was married in 1860 to Mary Wright, of Ohio. They have one child, named Cyrus. Ilis second and present wife was Rosetta Hooks, who was born in Mercer Co., Ohio, Feb. 5, 1833. Her father, Thomas Hooks, settled in Lafayette Co., Wis., in 1847.

Passage source: History of Vernon County, Wisconsin .., published 1884.

Henry B Hopkins, one of the early settlers of Kickapoo town, was born in Newiugton, Hartford Co., Conn., May 18, 1817. He was the son of Horace and Fannie (Root) Hopkins, natives of Connecticut. When Henry was eight years of age, his parents moved to Ohio, settling in Portage county, where he grew to manhood, learning the carpenter trade. He was married May 30, 1839, to Emeline Dean, born in 'Irunibull Co., Ohio. They settled in Portage county, where Mr. Hopkins worked at his trade until 1848, when he came to Wisconsin, locating in Grant county. In 1853 he came to Vernon county, and entered the land where he now lives. He built a log house in which he lived until 1873, when he built the frame house in which he now lives. Mrs. Hopkin's motlier died in December, 1837. Of tlie seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins, four are living - Albert, Delia, George and Elsie. Harriet, born May 27, 1840, married Henry Henthorn, died Nov. 6, 1873 ; Eluell D., born May 27, 1858, died Nov. 2, 1880 ; Alfred H., born Oct. 6, 1852, died at Esof ea. Wis., June 18, 1883. Mr. Hopkins second wife, to whom he was married May 6, 1875, was Nancy Holcomb, widow of Charles Allen. He was the first justice of the peace in the town, and was repeatedly elected to that office as long as his health was such that he could attend to the duties of it. He was also first postmaster of Sugar Grove postoffice, holding the position many years and resigning on account of his ill health.

Passage source: History of Vernon County, Wisconsin .., published 1884.

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 Kickapoo Town - it names this place 6 more 6 times.