Adams Town

Adams Town

Before the Black Hawk war, the work of surveying and sub-dividing range six was intrusted to Gen. James Biggs, of Ohio. In the prosecution of his work, which was finished in 1S34, he discovered in the northwestern part of town three a very rank growth of the lead weed, a plant whose roots are said to extend forty feet below the surface. Gen. Biggs knew that the Indians regarded a line of this weed on the surface as an indication of a fissure which might contain mineral, and in the intervals of his work as surveyor he began to dig there. His labor was so successful that he made the place his home; but for several years his family spent much of the time at Hamilton's diggings. In the fall of 1837 Wm. Brazel settled in the southern part of the town, and in '38 Jonas Shook settled where he still resides near the eastern boundary of the town. Geo. Morrison in '41, Wm. Morrison, Samuel Truax, James H. Bailey, Gabriel Long, Lemuel Iliffe, and Matthew Cunningham, in '42, were the next settlers. Mr. Cunningham was a Virginian. All the other settlers named after Gen. Biggs came from Illinois. Messrs. Truax, Bailey,

In the summer of 1842 the first religious society in Adams was organized. The first minister was Dr. Church and the second was Mr. IlifFe, who had been accustomed to "exhort" in Illinois.

One of the saddest accidents that occurred in the first years of the county's existence occurred in Adams, in January, 1843. It was at the raising of Win. Morrison's house. James Brown, of Monroe, was on the roof, and one of the logs which held the shingles in place rolled to the ground, throwing him down and killing him instantly.

Sometime prior to 1846, Chauncey Smith built a saw mill on the creek which had for many years been called as it is called now, the Dougherty, in commemoration of the early visits there of Exeter's Indian trader. After the building of the saw mill, Mr. Osborne, who, in allusion to the wild ducks there, fastened upon the mill pond and its locality the name of Puddle Duck, corrupted into Puddle Dock, set up a carding machine there. It changed owners, and under the care of Geo. Ball and E. M; Milliard grew into a fulling mill. In 1868 the saw mill was washed away, and its companion and survivor the fulling mill has recently been transformed into a flour mill. This mill, of which L. M. Stevens is proprietor, and Jacob Karlen's cheese factory, are the only manufacturing establishments in the town.

at Mr. Shook's, excited the wrath of the community by entering a piece of timber which adjoined his own land, and formed part of the claim of a man whom Mr. Wilderman called, in defence of his own conduct, speculator. It was the Monroe doctrine, and it prevailed all over the county that, by fair means or foul, claim jumpers should be made to deed their land to the squatters. Those who intended to bring about this result in the present case were afraid of Mr. Shook's opposition. They therefore sent a man to pick a quarrel with him, the result of which was that Mr. Shook was arrested just before dark and taken to Attica. Twenty men then appeared at the door, and called upon Mr. Wilderman to come out. He declined to go out, and thev entered the house. On one side of the room were two high bedsteads, one in each corner. Mr. Wilderman stepped between the bedsteads, and, having snatched a large butcher knife from the table, defended himself so well that his assailants were forced to retire to bind up their wounds. When Mr. Shook knew the real cause of his arrest, he had the rioters arrested. After a whole night's wrangling at the court house, they were set free on a recognisance. Their release was followed by the burning of Mr. Shook's grain stacks, and this by a long continued prosecution. Under similar circumstances, life and property have been endangered in almost all the other towns. One man who entered land was put through a hole in the ice into Smith's mill-pond, and held there until he promised to give the squatter a deed, but in no other case was the trouble of such longf conir: History of Green County.

In : 346, a quarrel of two drunken miners. Patrick Ryan and Patrick Egan. resulted in Ryan's killing Egan with a drill. An indecisive trial followed, and at ; . c nd trial no witnc sses appearing against him, Rvan as discharged. Like Cadiz and Mount Pleasant, . s has a second murder on her records. In the case referred ::. there * a dispute about money which a demanded of the father of her child, for its support. After many altc . . . n other places, the dispute chanced to be renewed at a hotel in Monroe, and - oman shot and killed the man. She was tried and acquitted.

mouths; but when all these I [js wen swallowed up that was the end. It was not 1 x \ when much 1 the float mineral had been rais V Newk 1 Vegan to work the mine s. He had be< ... ced that there was a . tint of lead there, and, 5 sauk expressed his will' ess in 1 e atset to spei $20,000 in searching for it. The . ef was list the nor consin, that the mineral extei fled . al hundre< ... below the surface, and that most - afts .. tort . the lower deposits. This 1 1 was s t early than ever be: . s^ ;. -\ I e >oet Pert . who his published report ... to -a rem.. ... t . g in the blue limestone in that vicinity ." .is -- in its character unlike any other I have examined," r . ...

a letter written bv Mr, Percival in An. ust, 1S53, n be of interest in this connection: -- I will lust Efive you a touch of the mining la. . uage; 1 \\ .. ....

pect, and, after prospecting several days, I struck a lead and raised a lot of bully mineral; but it was only a bunch in a chimney without any opening, so I petered out and a sucker jumped me."

The Xewkirk diggings were under the supervision of the Rev. James Smith, whom Mr. Xewkirk sent from Philadelphia in 1S50. By Mr. Smith's direction, the mineral found was tested in Philadelphia. The lead was a carbonate of lead. Silver ore was found containing 1 */ per cent, of silver, and copper ore containing 56 per cent, of copper; but no veins of either copper or lead were followed out, because Mr. Xewkirk had resolved to make his mine a deep one. After a time, the water came in so rapidly that a pump was kept going night and day to keep it out. The pump was worked by a tread-wheel about thirty feet in diameter, and the wheel was turned by oxen. In 1857, owing to financial embarrassments, the work stopped. When it was resumed, two pumps were used, and a steam engine was employed to work them. Buildings for the pumps and engine were begun in '64, on a scale corresponding to the great success anticipated. The engine house is some distance from the mine. Two long1 walking beams passed from the engine to the pumps, through an underground passage way which was meant to be arched over with solid masonry. The engine was powerful enough to drive, besides the pumps, the machinery of a saw mill and flour mill; and the engine house was really designed as a flour and saw mill, but the requisite machinery was never put in. In

1866 Mr. Newkirk engaged another agent in place of Mr. Smith, and some disagreement then about accounts led to the Smith- Newkirk lawsuit - a case which, for interminable intricacies, has no parallel in Green Countv, and which at the present time bids fair to grow out of comparison with all suits except, perhaps, the famous case of Jarndvce and Jarndyce. L nder the superintendence of Mr. Wm. Monteith, work in the mine went on five months longer, and then stopped never to begin again, In 1S66, Mr. Newkirk sold the land to Mr. Monteith, who has made it much more productive above the surface than it ever was below. Pumps and engine are gone, the shafts have nearly been filled up, and the mill is used as a grain barn; but the mammoth tread wheel and the half-finished arched passage way still remain, unchanged monuments to the great expectations once raised there.

A large proportion of the inhabitants of Adams are of foreign birth. Most of the foreigners are Irish, but there are also many Norwegians, and a few Germans, as is indicated by the following list:

Source changes here: from History of Green County, Wisconsin, by Union Publishing Company, Springfield, Ill., Pub. [from Old Catalog], published 1884; 6,843 words in this source stream.

Adams Town

The town of Adams embraces congressional township 3 north, range 6 east. It is bounded on the north by the town of York, on the east by Washington, on the south by Jordan, and on the west by Lafayette county. The surface of the town is rather broken, and a good share of it is covered with timber, yet many valuable and well cultivated farms are found here. There are 22,752 acres of farming land in the town, the assessed value of which is |6.01, and total assessed value, $136,849, The total assessed value of all real and personal property is $2 1 '7,902. In 1875 the population of the town was 913; in 1880,930. The stock in the town is estimated as follows: 765 milch cows valued at $17,406; 485 horses, assessed value $45.97 total $22,297; 2,295 head of cattle, assessed value, $14.22, total, $32,655; 8 mules, assessed value $47.50, total, $380; 1,272 sheep, assessed value $1.77, total $2,256; J, 713 swine, assessed value $3.88, total, $6,663. The principal farm products grown in the town of Adams in 1882 were as follows: 3,598 bushels wheat, 68,750 bushels corn, 54,130 bushels oats, 320 bushels barley, 1,954 bushels rye, 4,312 bushels potatoes, 1,360 bushels apples, 40 bushels clover seed, 1,540 tons hay, 42,685 pounds butter, 128,- 000 pounds cheese. The principal farm products growing in the town at the time of making the assessment in 1883 were as follows; 348 acres wheat, 2,621 acres corn, 2,050 acres oats, 14 acres barley, 155 acres rye, 87^ acres potatoes, 65.V acres apple orchard, 3,260 acres growing grasses, 5,1 24 acres growing timber and 2,137 bearing apple trees.

Earlv Settlement

James Biggs, of Ohio, made the first settlement within the limits now comprising the town of Adams, lie came here before the Black Hawk War, intrusted by the government with the work of surveying and subdividing range 6. He finished this work in 1834. While prosecuting his work he discovered on section 8, in this town, a rank growth of what is termed "lead-weed," or more properly "leadplant," called masonic in an early day, whose roots are said to extend forty feet below the surface. Gen. Biggs knew that both scientists and Indians regarded a line of this weed on the surface as an indication of a fissure that might contain lead, and at odd moments he began to dig there. In 1835 he settled here, but for several years his family spent much of the time at "Hamilton Diggings."

William Brazel, a native of Illinois, came here in 1837, and made a claim on sections 32 and 33 ; erecting a log house on the latter section. Three years later he moved into what is now the town of Jordan, and entered land on section 4. He erected a log cabin and lived there until 1849, when he sold out and removed to section 32, in the town of Adams, where he had previously entered land. Here he lived until the time of his death, which occurred in 1851. His family still occupy the homestead.

In June, 1837, Jonas Shook arrived in Wiota, where he settled. In 1838, he removed to the town of Adams, this county, locating on section 24, where he purchased forty acres of land on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter.

He built a double log cabin, afterwards putting in a substantial stone basement. - He lived in tlie town of Adams until 1881, when he removed to Monroe. Shook's Prairie received its name from this pioneer seitler.

Richard Gabriel, a native of Ohio, came to this county in 1838, and entered land on section 13, this town. He lived here a few years, when he removed to the town of York, where he slill resides.

William L., James H. and David D. Bailey, sons of Robert Bailey, came here in 1840, and entered land on section 23. William improved a farm and lived here until 1874, when he sold out and removed to Bremer Co., Iowa, where he still lives. James H. lived here several years, then sold out and removed to Monroe, where he died in 1882. D.ivid lived on his farm until the time of his death, which was caused from a cancer in his face.

Matthew Cunningham, a Virginian, came in 1842 and settled on the northwest quarter of section 24. He improved a farm and lived there for several years when he sold out and removed to Iowa county, where he died.

Michael Crotty, one of the pioneers of the town of Adams, was born in county Sligo, Ireland, in 1819. He was there reared to manhood, and was unite.i in marriage with Mary Sweetinan, who was also born in county Sligo. In 1842, Mr. Crotty emigrated to America, and took a claim on section 28, township 3, range 1 east, now known as the town of Adams, in this county. Not having the means to enter the land, he engaged with Jonas Shook, and followed mining during the winter. In the spring he went to Wiota and engaged in mining there. He was there joined by his wife and two children. They lived in Wiota two years, during which time he had entered his land, and had some impiovements on it. In 1845, he removed to the Badger Digging on section 11, and engaged ill raining there. He employed a man to improve his farm, and he also erected a log cabin. He continued to follow mining until

1846,^then removed to his farm, and devoted his time thereafter to farming, and is now one of the substantial moneyed men of the town. He owns 640 acres of land, and is extensively engaged in stock raising. He also owns valuable mill property in Argyle. His wife died in 1857, leaving four children - John, Patrick Nancy and Joseph. He was married the second time to Marcella Gavigan. They have five children - Michael, Sarah, Francis, George and Joseph.

In 1843 Cutler Wilkins came from near the State line and settled on the northeast quarter of section 31. He remained a few years, then sold to Richard Scott, and moved away.

Davis Roub came in 1844 and claimed the southeast quarter of section 33. He remained there seven or eight years, and then removed to Dane county, where he still lives.

Samuel Kelly, a native of Kentucky, came here from Ohio in 1844 and lived for two years in the town of Clarno. In 1846 he settled on section 34, "in the town of Adams, where he improved a farm and remained until the time of his death, in 1870.

Maftin Mullin, one of the pioneers of the town of Adams, was born in county Sligo, Ireland, in the year 18U0. When twenty years old he left his native land and came to America. He spent four years in the States of New York and Mew Jersey, then returned to Ireland and was married to Jane Wallace, also a native of county Sligo. Four months later he came to America, accompanied by his bride. They first settled in New Jersey, where they lived two years, then removed to the State of New York, and lived there three years. They then immigrated to Illinois and settled near Joliet, where he was engaged upon a canal. Four years later they removed to Stephenson county, in the same State, and there bought and improved land near Davistown. They remained there until the spring of 1844, when he came to Green county and made a claim on section 19, township 3, range G. During the summer he erected a log cabin and cut some hay upon his claim. He then retnrned to Illinois and harvested his crops. He traded his land there for stock. In the fall of the year he removed with his family to this county. The following spring he broke a small tract of land and put in a crop of cort). He also rai.sed a crop in Stephenson county upon land which he )»ad rented. He afterwards devoted his time to farming upon his own land, clearing and fencing over 100 acres. He built a frame liouse and barn, and made this his home until the time of his death, which occu'-red in March, 1872. His widow still resides at the homestead. They w^ere the parents of six children - James, Frank, Mary A., Robert, Charles and John. Mary A. died at the age of two years and four months.

Frank Mullin, chairman of tlie town board of Adams, was born in the State o"f New York, Feb. 18, 1837, and was seven years old when he came to Green county with his pareiats. He received his educa ion in tlie schools of Stephenson Co., 111., and those of the town of Adams. He was married Feb. 28, 1867, to Mary Barry, a native of Green county. He had previously traded for a farm of 200 acres on sections 7 and 8, of the town of Adams. Upon the place was a log cabin in which they began housekeeping. Four years later he built the frame house they now occupy. They have six children-^Joseph, Frank, Martin, Elizabeth J., Edward and William. Mr. MuHiii has been a member of the town board several terms, and is serving his second term as chairman.

R. M. Jackson, a native of Pennsylvania, came from Illinois in 1845 and entered land on section 12. He improved part of the land and lived here until 1861, when he sold out and removed to Monroe, where he kept the Junction Hotel (which he erected) for a short time, and then went to Missouri,

Reuben Holcomb came at about the same time. He was a native of the State of New York, but came here from Iowa Co., Wis. In the fall of 1845 he purchased the northeast quarter of section 13, but did not settle here until 1850. He still lives on that section.

David Covey, a native of Cayuga Co., N. Y., came to Green county in 1845 and settled on the Rust Branch, in the town of Jordan, where hf purchased 200 p.cres of land. He was a shoemaker by trade, and spent a good deal of time working at his trade, aside from improving his farm In the fall of 1847 he sold out and moved to what is now the town of Adams, purchasing 200 acres of land on section 19. He put up a log house near Dougherty's Branch, and lived there six years, then removed to Argyle, where he worked at his trade and bought the Cottage Inn, and ran hotel. In 1861 he sold the hotel building and erected a larger one, naming it the American House, and ran this hotel until the time of his death, in April, 1874. His widow still lives in the village, and his son, David S., now manages the hotel.

George Devoe, one of the pioneers of the town of Adams, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., March 14, 1806. He was married to Elizabeth Kinney, a native of the same county. In 1815 they emigrated to Michigan, going by land, to Buffalo, thence by the lakes. They lived in .Jackson county, where they rented land until 1845, then with one ox team, the family started west to seek a home, taking with them their household goods and camping out by the way. They came to the Territory of Wisconsin and made a claim near the jiresent site of the village of Wayne He built a log cabin and lived there until July of that year, then sold out and came to Green county, making a claim on section 6 of what is now the town of Adams. He had three yoke of oxen and engaged in teaming lead from Mineral Point to Milwaukee, a distnnce of 125 miles. He built a log house and made some improvement on his land that fall, and the following year raised a crop of spring wheat and some corn. At that time he had seven sons, some of them grown, and the boys were engaged in mining, teaming and farming. Game was plenty, and tlie boys being expert deer hunters, kept the family well supplied with meat. In 1861 Mr. Devoe removed to Argyle, where he bought a house and lot and spent the remainder of his days. He died July 8, 1802. His widow now lives with her i-on, William A., in the town of Cadiz. There were twelve children born to them, six of Avhom are now living - Orson B., George S., Loron 13., William A., Phebe A. and Mary A.

George S. Devoe now owns and occupies the old homestead. He was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., April 4, 1833, and was but four years old when his parents moved to Michigan, and twelve years old when they settled in this county, where he grew to manhood. He assisted his father in clearing a farm, in mining, teaming, etc., and shared with his brothers the pleasures of hunting and fishing. He was married, Dec. 6, 1855, to Oretta M. Oviatt, who was born in the State of Ohio, June 9, 1839. He bought forty acres of land on section 1. He built a house on liis father's land and lived there one year, then moved to Lafayette county and rented land three years, then returned to the town of Adams and setttled on the old liomestead. They have six children living - William S., Richard L., Lawrence G., Ch^irley \\'., Clarence O. and Millie A.

Reuben Holcomb, one of the early settlers of tlie town of Adams, was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., May 16, 1816. When he was one year oKl his parents moved to Niagara county and settled in the town of Hartland, where, six years later, his father died. After this -he lived in different |)laces in the State of New York, until he was twenty-live yeirs old. He then went to Micliigan and located in La Pere county, living there and iji Oakland county until 1844. In tliat year he came to the Territory of Wisconsin, and settled in that part of Iowa county naw known as Lafayette ^onnty, remaining there until the spring of 1845, when lie came to Green county and spent two mojiths. He then went to Michigan and remained through the summer. In the fall of that year he returned lo Iowa county and entered land in the town of Fayette. The next four years he sj^ent in Iowa and Green counties, working as carpenter and joiner. In 1849 he bought eighty acres of land of Richard Gabriel, on section 13, of the town of Adams, and soon after entered adjoining land. He was married in 1855, to Sarah E, Wilderman, who was born in St. Clair Co., 111. They settled upon his land on section 13, going to house-keeping in a small log house that was standing upoti the place. In 1866 he built a good frame house which they now occupy. He now owns 300 ncres of land, and is engaged in grain and stock raising, also keeps a dairy. Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb have had live children^ - - .lames A., Ernest, Florence M., Reuben and Jennie L. In 1853 Mr. Holcomb's mother came to Green county, and died here in the fall of that year. Their daughter, Florence M., died at the age of seventeen months.

Russell Allen, a stone mason by trade, came here in 1846 and erected a cabin on section 24. He remained in the town, working at his trade in the summer and minir.g in the winter for several years, and then removed to Iowa.

Levi C. Allen, a native of New York, came at the same time and settled on the northeast quarter of section 1. He died there about twelve years later, and his family soon afterward went to Polk Co., Iowa, where they now live.

Uriah G. Bailey, a pioneer of the town of Adams, was born in Jackson Co , Ga., in March, 1808. In 1811 his parents moved to Kentucky and settled in Logan county, where they lived three years, then removed to Illinois and settled at Saline Salt Works. Two years later they removed to Sullivan Co., Ind., where they were among the early settlers. They remained there six years, then removed to Vermilion Co., Ind., thence to Vermilion Co., III. Here his father bought timl)cr and prairie land and improved a farm. Tlie subject of tliis sketch remained with his parents until the time of his marriage in 1835, to Harriet McMillan, a native of Lickini!; Co., Ohio. He bought land in Vermilion county, on which they settled, and lived until 1846. He then sold his land and came to Green county, moving with teams and bringing their household goods. They also drove some cows and sheep along with them. He entered 200 acres of land on section 13, of the town of Adams, upon which he built a log house in which they lived several years. He then erected a good frame house. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey had five children, only one of whom is now living - William E. Mrs. Bailey died in 1878.

William E. Bailey was born in Vermilion Co., 111., in January, 1836, and was ten years of age when he came with his parents to Green county. He grew to maturity in the town of Adams, receiving his education in the district school. He was married in April,l85'7,to Jane McDonald, and settled on his father's farm. In September of the same year, his wife died. He was again married in 1859, to Synthia Long, who died April 10, 1870; leaving three children - William G., John R. and Priscilia. His third wife was Lydia Shrake, and they were married in October, 1S74. Five children have been born to them - Elsie, Edith, Florence, Alma and Adam. Florence died in infancy.

Oliver Fuller, a native of Cornwall, Conn., came in 1846, and settled on the southeast quarter of section 19. In 1850 he sold out and removed to Monroe, and later to Wiota, where he died in June, 1882.

Adam Shrake, a native of Licking Co., Ohio, came to the county in the fall of 1847 and settled in the town of Monroe. In 1869 he came to the town of Adams, settling on sectiori 24, and remained until 1881 when he went to Brule Co., Dak.

Robert P. Grinnell, a native of New York, came here in 1847 and entered forty acres on section 1. He improved a farm and lived there several years, and then moved to section 12, where he died.

Robert P. Grinnell, one of the pioneers of the town of Adams, was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., July 16, 1795. When he was young his parents moved to Fulton county, where he grew to manhood and was married to Esther J. Montgomery, who was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in 1805. They lived in Fulton county until 1836, then removed to Monroe county in the same State, where they rented a farm until 1847. In that year they came to Wisconsin, traveling upon the Erie canal to Buffalo, and thence upon the lakes to Racine, where he hired teams to complete the journey to Green county. He entered land on section 1, township 3, range 6, now known as Adams. He built a log cabin and commenced improving the land. He soon after entered other land on section 6 of the town of Washington, a portion of which he improved. In 1859 he traded for land on section 12, to which he removed, and built a frame house and barn. He made this his home until the time of death which occurred in 1 868. His widow lives with her son Amos, in Iowa. They were the parents of five children - AmosL., Willard E., Silas M., John F. and Elizabeth M.

John F Grinnell is the only one of the children now living in the town of Adams. He was born in Fulton Co., N. Y., July 21, 1829, and was eighteen years old when he came with his parents to Green county. Here he was employed in farming in the neighborhood, in the summer seasons, and attended school winters. In the spring of 1849 he went to the pineries on the Wisconsin river and engaged in rafting lumber down stream to St. Louis. He was man-led in 1853, to Catharine Shook, who was born in St. Clair Co., 111., Oct. 3, 1831. He built a log house on section 12, where he- had previously purchased land, and commenced housekeeping. He has since improved a large farm and erected a good frame house and barn. He now owns 320 acres of land, and is engaged in raising grain and stock. He pays particular attention to the raising of fine horses, and always drives a good team. Mrs. Grinnell died Jan. 6, 1871, leaving two children - Garrett C. and Harry B. Mr. Grinnell was again married June 4, 1873, to Sarah Perkins, a native of the province of Ontario, Canada. By this union there are two children - Dorman M. and Edith.

Among the arrivals in 1848 were James Land, Giles M. King and E, D. Jackson, who came from Ohio. Mr. Land entered land on the south half of section 11, and improved a farm. About 1860 he sold out and removed to Cadiz. He died in Monroe in 1881. Mr. King settled upon the southeast quarter of section 2. He lived here until 1863, when he removed to Monroe, where he 'now lives. He is a carpenter and joiner. Mr. Jackson located on the southwest quarter of section 12. He improved a portion of the land and lived there about twelve years, when he removed to Monroe. He now lives in Illinois.

George Smith, a native of England, came in 1850, and settled on the southwest quarter of section 17. He was a single man, and kept "bachelor's hall" in the little log cabin which he erected upon his place. He remained in the county a number of years, and then removed to Iowa, where he died.

Edmund Barry, a native of Ireland, came here ill 1850, and lived nearly one year on Shook's Prairie, then settled on land he had entered on sections 20 and 21, erecting a house on the latter section, where he still lives.

Richard Scott came to Green county in 1851, and purchased 120 acres of land on section 31. Twenty acres of improved land, a log house and stable constituted the improvements on the place at that time. He now owns 280 acres of good land, and is engaged in farming and raising stock. He was born in that part of Wayne county now known as Ashland Co., Ohio, Nov. 2, 1819. In September, 1840, he was united in marriage with Sarah McCauley. They settled on his father's farm, and lived there six years, then removed to Illinois by team. They started on the 10th of May, and arrived in Stephenson county on the 9th of June. He purchased sixty-five acres of land, which he improved, living there until 1851, when he removed to Green county, as before stated. Mrs. Scott was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., July 26, 1821. She died Jan. 31, 1867, leaving five children - Jacob, Sarah J., Franklin P., James B. and Lizzie A.

Historical Items

The first birth in the town was Julia, daughter of Gen. James and Angeline Biggs, who was born in 1835. She is now the wife of Jackson Andrews, of Lyon Co., Kan.

Willett postotfice was established in 1848, wdth Jonas Shook as postmaster. It was on the route from Belvidere and Beloit to Mineral Point. Mr. Shook served as postmaster for eight and a half years, when he resigned and the ottice was discontinued. It was soon afterwards re-established, with Eliphalet Bray as postmaster. He served several years. The present postmaster, William Montieth, was appointed in 1884. Mail is received tri-weekly.

William Monteith, the postmaster of Willett, was born in Wigtownshire, Scotland, ]\(arch 18, 1827. When he was eighteen years old, he went to England and spent two years, then returned home and engaged to learn the trade of stone mason, at which he worked in his native country until the fall of 1850, then came to America, first stopping in Caledonia Co., Vt., where he spent the winter, then starting west, spent some time in Ohio and Indiana, then come to Grant Co., Wis., where he worked at his trade for several years. His parents joined him there and he bought a farm on which tliey settled. In 1856, he went to Kansas, and was there two years of those stormy times preceding the "Great American Conflict" at arms. In 1858, he returned to Grant county and there remained until 1860, then went to the Carabou mines in British Columbia and lived two years, then to Oregon, California and Nevada, engaging in mining, principally, until 1864, when he came to Green county and engaged to build a flouring mill for Mathew Newkirk. After the mill was completed he was employed by Newkirk, to take charge of the farm and the mines. In 1868, he bought the place and has since made it his home. The farm contains 240 acres, all improved except twenty acres of timber. He was married in 1866, to Mary Bleiler, a native of Germany, They have eight children - Jessie, St. Clair, William, Henry, Robert, John, Edward and Isabella.

A postofiice, called "Walnut Springs," was established in 1848, with James Biggs as postmaster. The office was on a route from Madison to Wiota, and mail was received once each week. It was discontinued after a few years.

Organization

The town of Adams was organized in the spring of 1849, at an election held at the liouse of J. H. Bailey, on section 23. There is no record of this election, but the following, it is learned, were among the officers elected at that time: Supervisors, Samuel Kelley, chairman, Mathew Cunningham and John Morrison; clerk, T. M. Biggs; treasurer, James H. Bailey; school superintendent, James ]>iggs; constable, J. F. Wescott; justice of the peace, Amos L. Grinnell.

At an election held on the 2d of April, 1850, of which Reuben llolcoinb and Silas Grinnell wer(! clerks, the following officers were elected: Supervisors, Samuel Kelley, chairman, Russell Allen and .John Morrison; superintendent of schools, James Biggs; clerk, R. M. Jackson; assessor, James Tickuor; justices of the peace, James Biggs, Amos L. Grinnell, Cutler Wilkins and Russell Allen; constables, Erastus R. Allen, W. E. Grinnell and Thomas Steele. For the office of treasurer there was a tie between Levi C. Allen and Samuel Kelley, which by lot, resulted in favor of the former. Among others who have been prominent in town affairs are the following: Jonas Shook, John F. Grinnell, William Montieth, Adam Shrake, Frank Mullin, Thomas Byrne, Fred Hunnell, Jonas Land, A. L. Grinnell, James Smith, Royal M. Jackson, Richard Scott, L. P. Duncan, Joel Kelly, T. M. Biggs, E. D. Jackson, C. M. Ball, Henry Gilligan and Gen. E. D. Bray.

A very sad accident occurred in the town of Adams, at the raising of a log house for a Mr. Morrison, which resulted in the death of James Brown. In fitting the logs at the end it became necessary to cut away a small portion, and in turning the log over Mr. Brown slipped and fell, the log following, striking hijn on the head and killing him. Mr. Brown was a young man, and well known, and the accident cast a deep gloom over the entire community.

Educational

The first school house in district No. 1 was erected on section 13 in 1848, before the district was organized. U. G. Bailey, Jonas Shook, R. M. Jackson and ]Matthew Cunningham furnished the logs, and Richard Gabriel helped them erect the building. Mr. Cunningham went to Milwaukee and got the sliingles. Mrs. Ann Carr taught the first school in this district. The school house was in use but a few years when a frame school house was erected on the south line of section 14, in which Addie Newman was first to teach..

The first school in district No. 6 was taught by Elizabeth J5razel in 1866 in the house of Knud M. Lee. During the same year a stone school house was built in the northern part of section 10. Francis Cleveland was the first teacher in this house,

The first scliool house in district No. 5 was erected of logs on section 22, in 1854. Sarah Scott and Sarah Wilderman were the first teachers in this house. Since then another log school house - the only one in the town - has been erected on the northeast quarter of section 20.

The first school house in district No. 7 was erected in 1851, and was a brick building. The first teacher was Mrs. Freeman Derril. She went to the town superintendent for a certificate, and upon her return one of the neighbors asked if she had passed the examination, and she answered, "yes." The neighbor then enquired how many questions were asked and she replied: "Two; the first was "can you write?" and the second was "can you write your certificate?" She replied that she could, and did. The first school hoHse was used until the present building was erected near the old site, in 1875.

The first school house in district No. 3 was erected in 1852 in the northern part of section 32. Sophia Scott was the first teacher in this building. The school house was removed to section 29 and used until 1879, when the present building was erected on section 32. William Dowling was the first teacher in this house.

The first school house in district No. 4 was erected of logs in 1851, near the centre of section 8. Miss A. Corbin was the fii'st teacher in this house. The present school building was erected in 1881, on the same section. It is frame. The first teacher in this house was Clara Corson. Previous to the erection of the first school house, Altheda Corbin taught a term of school in Gen. Biggs' house;

In 1845 a saw mill was erected on section 21, by Charles and Chauncey Smith, the power being derived from Daugherty's creek. It was run by a scroll wheel with some reaction buckets. The mill did a good business for several years when it was washed away by a flood. At this time it was owned by Hilliard & Ball. Soon afterward they erected a woolen factory which was run successfully for several years. Leander Stevens bought the mill and put in two run of stone for grinding corn and wheat, and ran it for some time.

The first meetings of this denomination were held at private houses by Rev. Monk, from Wiota, services were held at different private houses until 1865 when a neat frame church building was erected on section 3, Rev. J. Fjld, from Danecounty, was the first preacherto hold services in the church. Since then Rev. Halend and Rev. C. Aas, have served as pastor, Rev. T. Reamstad, from Argyle, is the present pastor. There are now about sixty f;imilies belonging to this church.

St. Fuaxcis Chlrch

The first mass in the town of Adams was held at the house of JVIichnel C'rotty in 1852, by Father Dailey from Shiilisliurg. Services were held at other private houses for some years, including those of Martin Mullin, Edward Barry, Eugene Knight, Stephen Murphy and John Finn. In 1861, a frame church was erected on the southwest quarter of section 21, in which Father O'Conner was the first priest to say mass.

Lead Mines

In early days the lead n)ines of Adams bore the names of Badger and Kewkirk diggings. They were located on sections 4, 5,8, 10, 11 and 24. Tliis matter received further attention elsewhere in this volume,

Biographical

Levi P. Duncan, an early settler in Green county, was born in Miami Co., Ohio, Jan. 18, 1827. When a young man he engaged with a brother-in-law. Steward McMillan, to learn the trade of wagon-maker. In 1847 they came to Monroe, Green county, where Mr. McMillan opened a wagon shop, and the subject of this sketch worked with him until 1851. In that year he bought a farm on section 31, of the town of Adams. The improvements upon the land, at the time of his purchase, consisted of a partly completed log cabin and a few acres of broken land. He now has a good frame house, and quite a tract of land under cultivation. He was married in 1850, to Adeline A,, daughter of Amos and Elizabeth (Haynes) Doane. They have one daughter - Jennie. Mr. Duncan is a preacher of the Baptist denomination. He first preached, under special license, in the town of Jordan, in 1854. He was ordained at Juda, in 1858, since which time, he has been engaged in preaching at different points in Green, Lafayette and Dane counties. Their daughter, Jennie, was married to Alex. E. Patterson, who was born in Scotland, and came, when very young, with his parents to America. He grew to manhood in Lafayette county. In 1862 he enlisted in the service of the United States, and was mustered in as corporal. He served, until the close of the war. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea and through the Carolinas to Washington, participating in many of the important battles of that memorable campaign. He was discharged in July, 18H5, and returned home broken down in health. He never recovered his former vigor, and died April 7, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson had three children - John, Charles and George.

Eliphalet D. Bray came to Green county in 1851, and settled in the town of Adams. He purchased 640 acres of land on sections 5, 8, 9, 1-3, 15 and 16. He built a log house on section 15, and commenced improving the land. He made his home there until the time of his death, Sept. 5, 1860. He was born in Oxford Co., Maine, in 1798. When he was quite young his parents removed to Franklin county in the same State where his father bought timber land and improved a farm. There the subject of this sketch spent his youth. When a young man, he joined the State militia, and was commissioned as colonel and breveted general. He was known throughout the State as " Gen. Bray." He became interested in lumbering, and for several years was prominent among the lumbermen of Franklin and Somerset counties. He was at one time a member of the legislature from his district. In 1834 he was married to Caroline Chipman, a native of Oxford county. They settled at the time of their marriage, in New Portland, Somerset county. He bought unimproved land and made a farm. They began housekeeping in a log house, but soon after built a frame house, in which they lived until 1848, when he sold his farm and removed to Franklin county, where they remained till 1851. Sixteen children were born to them, nine of are now living. Mrs. Bray remained at the homestead until 1863, when she was married to Benjamin Thompson, and lived on section 1. Mr. Thompson died a few years later and she returned to Maine, where she now lives with her youngest son, in Somerset county.

George Bray was born in Somerset county, Sept. 21, 1835, and is the son of Eliphalet and Caroline Bray. He was sixteen years old when he came to Wisconsin. He resided with his parents until his fatlier's death. He was married in 1861, to Annie E Garrison, a native of Augusta, Maine, and settled upon the homestead farm, where he lived two years. He then built a frame house on section 16, upon land which his fatlier had entered. He improved a farm and remained there until 1869. In that year he sold his farm and went to Maine and staid five months, returning at the end of that ti)ue, to the town of Adams. In 1870 he bought a farm on section 14, upon which he now resides. He owns 260 acres of land, and is engaged in raising grain and stock. Mr. and Mrs. Bray have two chiklren - Norris E. and George W.

Erastus Mosher was a pioneer of Lafayette county, having settled there in 1845. He made a claim in township 3, range 5, now the town of Argyle. He remained there until 1854. In that year he sold out and came to Green county. He purchased ninety-three acres of land on section 7, of the. town of Adams, upon which he built a log house and later a frame house, and resided here until the time of his death Aug. 10, 1882. He was born at Biughamton, Broome Co., N. Y., Oct. 11, 1807. When he was quite young his parents moved to Tioga county in the same State, where he grew to manhood and worked at farming summers, and at lumbering winters, rafting lumber down the Susquehanna river. He was married in Bradford Co., Penn., in 1832, to Polly Smith, who was born in Vermont in 1808. He bought a farm in that county and remained there until 1845. In that year they came overland to Wisconsin, traveling with a team of horses and wagon, and bringing a portion of their household goods. They were five weeks on the road, arriving in Lafayette county on the 12th day of June. ' Mr. and Mrs. Mosher had nine children - Alba D., Lucy C, JEzra, Lettie, Frank, Caroline, James D., Lucinda and Charles A. Mrs. Mosher died in April, 1882. Alba D., Lucy C. and Charles A. now live at the homestead. Ezra lives in Lyon Co., Kansas. Lettie is the wife of George Statser, of Argyle. Frank and James D. died in the service during the late War. Lucinda is the wife of Levi Helm, of Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa. Caroline died April 20, 1857.

Milo Smith is a native of Bradford Co., Penn., born Nov. 12, 1823. He was reared upon a farm, and in 1844, came to the Territory of Wisconsin and located in Lafayette county where he remained about a yeai\ He then came to Willet and worked few mouths in his brother's saw mill. He was taken sick here, with fever and ague, and was unable to do any work for several months. He next went to Lafayette county a^d entered land near Fayette and engaged in farming. March 13, 1850, he was married to Caroline Kelley, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Henderson) Kelley, and settled at Moscow, Iowa county, where he operated a carding machine five years. He then moved to Mitchell Co., Iowa, where he entered 200 acres of land, and lived two and a half years, then sold out and went to Grundy Co., Mo., remaining there also three and a half years, after which he returned to Green county and settled near Monroe, In 1864 he rented a farm on section 34, of the town of Adams, and in 1866, purchased his present farm, in another quarter of the same section. Mr. and Mrs. Smith havenine children - Mary, Joel, Miranda, Amy, Ella, Lizzie, Kate, Esther A. and John.

Ezra and John Blumer, sons of John and Dorothy Blumer, settled on their present farm in 1867. It is located on sections 12 and 7, of the towns of Adams and Washington, and contains 348 acres. They erected" a frame house and a frame barn with a stone basement and have since engaged in grain and stock raising, making a specialty of Holsteiu cattle.

Ezra Blumer was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, Aug. 18, 1839, and came to America with his parents when fourteen years of age. He worked at farming in different parts of Green county until 1863. In that year he enlisted in company K, of the 16th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, went south and joined Sherman's army. He participated in the march to the sea and through the Carolinas to Washington, taking part in the many important battles of that memorable campaign. He was discharged in July, 1S65, and returned to Green county. In 1867 he was married to Henrietta Grosse, a native of Germany. Ten children have been born to them - Rosa, John, Wilhelm, Ezra, Annie, Edward, Ferdinand, Henrietta, Bertha and Caroline.

John Bliuner was born in 1840, and was thirteen years of age when he came to Amei'ica with his parents and settled in Green county. He was employed in farming until 1861, when he enlisted in company K, of the 9th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He veteranized^ in 1863, and served until the close of the war. He was discharged with the regiment in February,