Caledonia Village

Caledonia Village

I have the word of Mr. Elam Beardsley, for saying, that he was the first actual white settler in Caledonia. It has been said that John Davis preceded him, but though Mr. Davis may have first asserted a claim in the town, I think that Mr. Beardsley established the first actual settlement, and that Mrs. Beardsley was the first white woman who came into the county for a permanent home. He came from Michigan, bringing with him his family, and on the third night after lie set out on his perilous journey, he and his household jewels slept in a shanty on his claim in Caledonia.

knew where. They arrived at Chicago on the 10th of Feb., where they provided themselves with supplies, and . a Mackinac blanket. They left Chicago, and at night, arrived at Grose Point, 18 miles north, and were hospitably entertained by the French traders. The next morning they set out for the next point of prominence, which was Skunk Grove. It was a cold, winter's day. The snow obscured the trail on which they were traveling, and they had a long, long, weary day, with apprehensions of a still more dreary night. Night found them in a grove about three miles Avest of the present site of Waukegan. The cold was intense; they kindled a fire with the last match that was left them. They spent the night standing around the fire and constructing a sled. In the morning, leaving behind them their wagon, they proceeded on their journey. At noon their eyes were delighted with the sight of a hum;m being leading a pony.

On his approach, he informed them, that he and that pony were the United States Route Agents on the way from Chicago to Green Bay with the mail. He gave them directions and informed them of the land marks that would guide them to Skunk Grove,, which they reached after the darkness of night had fallen upon them, and after much suffering from the severity of the weather. Arrived at a trading post at Skunk Grove, they were the recipients of the hospitality of Jok Jambeau and his squaw, and remained over night. On the next morning they began explorations for a place to locate. At a point on the river three miles northwesterly from Jambeau's they found John Davis, who had entered a claim and was residing upon it. They remained with him several days, and looked over the country. The representations of the country which they had heard from others, proved truthful. They took exception only to the climate, but Mr. L. S. Blake thinks the winter of 1835 - 36, the coldest he ever experienced in Wisconsin."

On the fifteenth day of February, they made their claim. They staked out as they supposed, enough land for four ; but when the survey was made, it was found that they had only secured a sufficient quantity of land for two claims. They then visited the Rapids, and found there, Mr, See, who was building his mill. Upon returning to their claim, they built a log shanty without a window in it. They soon returned to Michigan and removed to Chicago where the family lived two years. Meanwhile, Lucius S. Blake and his brother, A. H. Blake, came back to the claim and resided in their cabin two seasons. They ploughed a portion of the land, made some fencing, and held the claim by actual occupancy until Mr. Levi Blake removed to it with his family in the fall of 1837. Capt. Blake's capacious log house, which he built on his premises, was a land mark in the country. It was always open to the settlers, and the hospitality of its proprietor gave it the appropriate name of " Our House." The farm now owned by James Wilson, constituted part of the Blake claim. Early in 1835, Edward Bradley and his brother made claims in Caledonia, and during the summer of 1835 and spring of '36, other settlers arrived with their families ; among them were Simeon Butler, Isaac Butler, Thomas Butler, Joseph Adams, and Shintafer, whom Mr. Blake describes as a daring specimen of a borderer. I think at about the same time Ezra Beardsley, the father of Elam Beardsley, and Ira Hurlbut, also, settled in the town. Ezra Beardsley was known as a sturdy pioneer of great heart and noble hospitality.

About the 22d of Sept. 1835, Walter Cooley and his family came to Caledonia, accompanied by Eldad Smith and Mr. Elisha Raymond, sen. and family. Mr. Cooley came first to Racine alone, in May, 1835. He settled on a claim southwest of the Rapids, but afterwards located about one mile north, on or near a line of blazed trees which at that point, marked the route from Chicago to Milwaukee. In the spring of 1836, Mr. Cooley removed to the premises which until a late day he continued to own as his homestead, and as his country resort after he became a resident of Racine. His removal in 1836 was occasioned by the fact that he one day discovered, that he had located on the southeast corner of another man's claim.

Eldad Smith was one of the early settlers in Caledonia. He arrived in Racine on the 22d day of September, 1835, and remaining there a short time, went into Caledonia and purchased the claim of John Davis. It was a claim covering two hundred and forty acres. He built a log house and went there to live, on the 1st day of November, 1835, remaining until the winter of 1841, when he removed to Racine. He says t lat in the fall of 1835, in addition to those already named, Trystam Davis, Mr. Fowler, Mr. Stillman, Hugh Bennett, and Hiram Bennett were settled in Caledonia.

Mr. Smith built his house by rolling up logs and putting on a roof made of shingles of about the size of staves, split out of white oak logs. He and his family did not suffer for want of provisions in their new home. He had in the fall of 1835, bought two barrels of flour at Chicago, and enough other supplies to last them through the winter. In January or Feb., 1836, James Kinzie brought in a drove of hogs called "prairie racers, "* and the settlers supplied themselves with pork.

Prairie wolves and Pottawotomie Indians were equally abundant. During the winter there were three encampments of Indians uncomfortably near Mr. Smith's house. In 1837 or 38, the Indians were removed west of the Mississippi.

As early as December, 1835, Sheridan Kimball settled in Caledonia, During the summer of that year, Mr. Kimball, while living in Chicago, heard of a settlement on Root river in Wisconsin, and in the month of December, in company with Sandford Blake, Stephen Sandford and a man whose name he cannot now recall, he set out for the Root River settlement. In the evening of their first day's journey, the party arrived at

Patterson's tavern, about eight miles from Chicago, where they spent the night. On the next morning, they resumed their journey upon a new wagon road through the woods, which had been previously an Indian trail, one of the evidences of which, was a dead Indian child, deposited in a rude coffin and lodged in a tree which stood by the wayside. On the second night of their journey, they arrived at Sunderland's tavern. In the evening of their third day's journey Mr. Kimball and his comrades arrived at a log tavern in the edge of the woods, and were rejoiced to learn that they had reached the Boot River country. Some of the settlers called at the cabin that night and talked cheeringly of the richness of the land, the future prospects of the town of Racine, and the general developement of the country.

The proprietor of the tavern was a Mr. Strong who died long ago, and was buried near his cabin, two miles north of Mygatt's corners, and the crumbling walls of which, yet stand. Leaving Mr. Strong's cabin, Mr. Kimball and his companions traveled on until they reached the cabin of John Davis, where they breakfasted.

At the crossing of Skunk Creek, where Mr. Hood now resides, men were building the first bridge across the stream. Among them was Symmes Butler who had located near what is now called Caledonia Center. Resuming their travels, Mr Kimball and party soon reached the house of C H Blake, who was living in a log cabin on the claim which was afterwards the home of Capt. Levi Blake. Resting there until toward evening, they continued their tramp until, at night, they arrived at the residence of Symmes Butler. He was living on what was called Hoosier creek. Several families were living in the neighborhood, among them Mr. Janes, the founder of Janesville. They wTere cordially welcomed. The next morning, as they were preparing to depart, Mrs. Butler remarked: "When you get out in the woods, you will know the reason why my husband is so ragged ; he has been ruling through the woods so much he has left a rag on* every bush." With Mr. Butler as their guide, they rambled through groves of timber and openings, and crossed beautiful prairies and meadows, with only here and there % claim, and greatly exhilarated by the thought that all this goodly land could be bought for one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre ! Mr. Kimball made a claim at that time, and settled on it,. In the latter part of February, 1836, he returned to Chicago, and immediately made preparations for removing to Root river, with his aged parents. His brother, Leonard Kimball, preceded them to make preparations for their arrival. About the middle of March they started with three yoke of oxen and a wagon, and were two weeks making their journey. Arrived at their destination, they found an unfinished cabin on the premises, which was soon completed with its shake roof, rude stone chimney and elm bark floors.

During the first four or five years of his adventurous life in his new home, Mr. Kimball was compelled to struggle against hardships and destitution. He had in store a small quantity of provisions and nine dollars in money. Bereavement soon followed in the death of his brother, which occurred about the 16th of May, 1836.

In the begining of '36, Mr. Kimball went to Chicago, and delivered stone for Chicago harbor, continuing through the summer and part of the fall. In the summer of 1837, Mr. Kimball conceived the idea, also, of getting wheat from a brother, who lived west of Chicago, and taking it to a mill on Fox river to be ground into flour and then hauling it to Wisconsin to be sold for twelve dollars a barrel. He began hauling soon after harvest, and made three trips, often times supplying on his journeys, the necessities of settlers whom he met and who were without bread or money.

At the land sale in 1839, Mr. Kimball secured the land which he had claimed, and continued to reside upon it, until he removed to Racine which has since been his home.

Daniel Wooster ahd his son Adney, on the 1st day of January, 1835, started from the town of Derby, Connecticut, with his team for the west, in search of a location where he could settle and make a home for himself and family. Traveling through the states of New York, Mich., Indiana and Illinois, he reached Wisconsin, in the month of March of the same year, and located in the town of Caledonia. The spring following, Mr. Daniel Wooster's son, Julius Wooster, with the family came to Caledonia by way of Buffalo, around the lakes. Mr. Wooster remained on the farm where he first located until his death, which occurred about four years since. John Wheeler and Joseph Cannon were also among the early settlers, but the years of their arrival are unknown to me. Esek Sears came in 1838.

1836 is remembered as the year in Caledonia, and even elsewhere, when the settlers received from Michigan, an importation of flour which nearly cost some of them their lives. It was called in those days <l sick flour," and nobody but Shintafer could eat it.

Samuel Hood located in Caledonia, May 24th, 1838: Geo. F. Roberts and Henry B. Roberts in 1837, and John Trumbull in August 1839. Thro thy D. Morris came in October, 1838, and made a claim, which he sold in 1840. In 1839, he and his brother, who owned land adjoining, broke up twenty acres, which was the first land plowed on the north side pf the prairie. During the following winter and spring, Mr. Morris made rails and fenced the breaking. He procured his timber for rails on the adjoining section, belonging to the government. Isaac Place thought he w'ould make rails from the same timbei. Each tried to get in advance of the other by claim - marking Uncle Sam's best trees with all the speed of men running a foot race. A few years later, Mrv Morris sold his original eighty acres and bought the tract where he

Dan'l B. Rork, settled where he now lives, in Caledonia, in June 1887. He bought the claim of Jok Jam beau. Jambeau asked him $2,000 for it, but finally sold it for $525. - It was fenced in 1884, and was probably the first claim fenced east of Rock river. Mr. Rork came to the county in 1885, and in that year made a claim at Burlington. Other parties jumped it, but he succeeded in maintaining it, and afterwards sold it to Silas Peck for $200. Mr. Rork knew all the settlers east of Rock river, and assisted in the erection of the first frame house built in Milwaukee.

Rev. Cyrus Nichols settled in Caledonia in the fall of 1886. He bought a claim and built a log house, about forty rods from his present residence. He was a missionary, and traversed the country preaching to the settlers. On one occasion, when he held religious services at the trading post at Skunk Grove, the settlers attended, among them, Mr. Lucius S. Blake, armed with guns, and he administered to them a sharp rebuke for carrying fire arms to church.

Mr. Nichols and family, were victims to the " sick flour" that came from Michigan, although it cost him $22 a barrel. He says that, although the settlers had but one apartment in their houses, there was always room for all who came. He had previously lived in Missouri, and there had but one room in his house and that the kitchen. On coming to Wisconsin he resolved he 'would have a parlor. He kept his resolution, and had a parlor, and lived in it ; but that was the only room in the house !

The first white child born in Caledonia was Mrs. Maria Bacon, daughter of the late Joseph Adams. She was born on the 2d day of September, 1835, and it is an unsettled question whether she, or Helen Mars, daughter of Samuel Mars, who was also born in 1885, in Mt. Pleasant, was the first white person born in the county.

Source changes here: from The History of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin .., by Western Historical Co, published 1879; 4,008 words in this source stream.

Caledonia Village

CHARIiEi) BAKER, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Caledonia ; was born in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1852; moved to Racine Co., in 1867 ; married Augusta Wallace in 1874; she is a native of Germany ; they have three children - Emma, Charlie and Frank ; lost one infant ; Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the Lutheran Church ; he owns 39 ^ acres of land in Sec. 15, and values it at $50 per acre.

JOHN BEJilACK, farmer, Sec. 29; P. 0. Racine; was born in New York in 1837; came to Wisconsin with his parenta in 1842 ; marriel Miss Helen Sitces in 1861 ; she was born in 1840 ; they have ten children - three boys and seven girls, all members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Besack was Postmaster in 1877 and 1878; owns forty-three acres of land, situated three miles north of Racine, Sec. 29, Range 23, Town 4 ; he values his land at $100 per acre ; has a fine fruit orchard of two acres, and a fine garden, and raises a quantity of vegetables of all kinds.

PETER CliOEP, manufacturer of rivets and staples, Sec. 19; P. O. Racine; ynB bom in Hillsheim, Kreis Daun, Reg. Bez. Trier Prussia, Nov. 6, 1830 ; came to Wisconsin in 1854 ; in 1856, he married Miss Helena Stratisky ; she was born in Bohemia, and died April 1, 1869 ; they had five children - Geo. J., Frank, Lutzea, Anna, living, and Helena, who died Sept. 17, 1878; in 1869, he married Mrs. Augusta Kannenberg ; they have eight children - Peter, Otilla, Paulina, John, Rosa, Mary, Anna and Louisa ; Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Catholic Church ; he owns sixty-one acres of land in Sec. 19, and values it at $80 per acre.

JOSEPH COOPER, farmer ; P. 0. Racine ; born in England, near Manchester, Feb. 23. 1845 ; came to Racine Co. with his father in 1846 ; his father, who was at one time of the firm of Cooper & Dickey, died in 1872. Joseph Cooper was a member of the 2d Wis. Cavalry, and served honorably to the close of the war; mirried to Mary Giff>rd, 2 1st Dec, 1871 ; have three children - two boys and a girl - Katie, born June 3, 1874; Clifton A., Ojt. 5, 1876; J. Joseph, Aug. 27, 1878. Mr. Cooper has 145 acres of land under good cultivation, and all improved farm machinery, and, through industry and perseverance, possesses a sjood home, and i» comfortably situated.

AltTDREW DRAJilEN, Sec. 25; P.O. Racine; was born in Germany in 1816; came to Wisconsin in 1845 ; married in 1844 ; his seven children - four sons and three daughters; lost one child, aged 2 years; owns fifty four acres of land, five miles from Racine, in Sec. 25.

JTOHN ELilASy dealer in groceries, dry goods, hardware and notions. Tabor; was bom in Bohemia in 1852 ; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1854; married Miss Mary Dworak in 1878 ; she was born in Bohemia in 1859. Mr. Elias is the son of John Elias, who died April 19, 1875 ; he owns niaety-seven acres of land, situated five and one-half miles north of Racine, Sec. 18, Range 23, Town 4; he values his land at $90 per acre ; it is in a good state of cultivation ; Mr. Elias is Postmaster at Tabor ; when he was 21 years of age, he was elected Town Treasurer, and fulfilled his duties so satisfactorily that he was elected for a second term ; he was also elected as Town Clerk, but only served for six months, when he was obliged to resign on account of a cold, contracted while performing his duties ; in 1877, at the request of C. B. Richards & Boas, of 61 Broadway, N. Y., he accepted the agency for their steamship line for any point in Germany, Bohemia, and to Hamburg, from Racine; also makes remittances, for pirties desiring it. to any of these points.

KRS. JOHN ERBE, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Caledonia ; was born in Germany ; has been a resident of Wisconsin for a number of years ; in 1859, she married John Erbe, who died Feb. 12, 1876 ; during his life he was engaged in agricultural pursuits ; they had four children - Bernhard, Henry, Frederick and Louis \. Mrs. Erbe owns sixty acres of land in Sec. 4, all in good state of cultivation.

MRS. S. S. FISHER (widow), P. 0. FranksviUe; was born in Boston, Mass. In 1856, she married Richard G. Fisher, who died in September, 1876 ; he was a native of England ; during his life, he followed farming. Mrs. Fisher owns a good farm, well cultivated. She is a member of the Episcopalian Church.

JOHN FREIjINAR, farmer; P. 0. Caledonia; was bom in Germany, in 1845; came to Milwaukee in 1872 ; removed to Racine Co. in 1877. In 1877, he married Miss Margaret Rink ; she was

FRED <^BBL1TZ, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Caledonia; was bom in Germany, in 1840; came to Wisconsin in 1867. Married same year; his wife is a native of Germany ; they have three children ; lost one. He owns twenty- three acres of land in Sec. 7.

WILLIAH GITTINS, farmer. Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Racine; was bom in Wales, in 1821 ; came to America in 1840; resided in New York fifleen years, and removed to Wisconsin. In 1855. he married Miss Elizabeth Gittins ; they have seven children living - Katie, Wm. G., Christopher, Mary E., Elizabeth, John T., and one infant. Mr. and Mrs. Gittins are members of the Welsh Congregational Church. He owns 140 acres of land in Sections 26 and 27, and values it at $50 per acre.

ANDREW GLASBBENNER. farmer, Sec. 17; P. 0. Tabor: was bom in Germany, in 1833 ; came to Wisconsin, in 1855. Married Mrs. Margaret Bower in 1857 ; she was born in Germany; they have three children - two girls and one boy. Mr. Glasbrenner owns 122 acres of land, situated five miles north of Racine, Sec. 17, Range 23, Town 4; he values his land at $85 per acre; his house ia pleasantly situated ; he has a fine apple orchard of three acres ; and his land is in a good state of cultivation.

JOHST 6IiODE, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Racine; was bora in Germany in 1831. Married in 1860. Came to Racine in 1861 ; ha.s seven children - Anna, Bertha, Henry, Kathrina, Lena, Margaret and Johnnie. Owns twenty-eight acres of land in Sec. 28, and values it at $«50 per acre.

CHABLES <^UTKNECHT, farmer, Sec. 30 ; P. O. Thompsonville ; was born in Germany in 1840; came to Wisconsin in 1856. Married Miss Sophia Miller in 1867; she was born in America ; they have five children - two sons and three daughters. Mr. Gutknccht owns 130 acres of land, all in a good state of cultivation.

FELIX HAAS, farmer. Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Tabor; was born in Germany in 1829 ; came to Wisconsin in 1851 ; located in Racine, and remained there for four years ; then bought his present homestead, where he has resided ever since. Married Miss Margaret Day in 1854 ; she was born in New Jersey ; they have ten children living - Joe, Mary (now Mrs. Milculctsky), Lizzie, Peter, Kate (now Mrs. Burkharder), Margaret, George, Adam, Frank and Anna ; lost one - Helena, who died aged 4 years. Mr. and Mrs Haas are members of the Catholic Church. He owns 120 acres of land, and values it at $45 per acre.

HENBY HELLINCi}, farmer, Sec. 30; P. 0. Racine: was born in Germany in 1849 ; came to Wiscon!«in in 1856. Married in 1861, Miss Susan Einler; she was born in Germany; they have nine children living - five sons and four daughters. Mr. Helling owns thirty-five acres of land five miles from Racine, in Sec. 30.

THOHAS hood, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Racine ; born in Pennsylvania, Oct. 24, 1799 ; came to Crledonia May 11), 1838; bought 162 acres at a land-sale; through industry and frugality, has his farm under good cultivation, and has all improved farm machinery; has a fine sugar grove of 1,000 trees, and makes from 700 to 800 pounds of sugar in a season. Married Nancy Palmer, in the fall of 1824 ; have had ten children, seven living; gave one son to his country; he was a member of the 19th Wis., and died in hospital at Madison, Wis. Self and wife members of Methodist Church.

C* JACOB, farmer. Sec. 15; P. 0. Caledonia; was bom in Germany in 1844; came to Wisconsin in 1860. Married in 1870 ; has three children - John, Emma and Mary. Mr. Jacob owns sixty acres of land in Sec. 15, and values it at $50 per acre.

BBS. ISAAC KITTENGEB (widow of Isaac Kittenger), farmer. Sec. 17 ; P .0. Caledonia; was bom in New York in 1823. Married Isaac Kittenger in 1845. Came to Wisconsin in 1855. She has three children living - William, Loretta and Charles; lost one son, Franklin, who enlisted Aug. 10, 1862, in the 22d Wis.j Co. H, and died in the hospital at Murfreesboro, Tenn. ; Mr. Kittenger also served three years in same company and regiment ; participated in all the battles his company was engaged in, and was mustered out in July, 1865.

BICHAEL KIJPPEB, farmer, Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Racine ; was born in Germany in 1830 ; came to Wisconsin in 1852. Married Miss Katherina Guipel in 1852; she died in 1865; married Miss Susan Hulbertz in 1866; they have four children, two sons and two daughters. Mr. Kupper owns twenty -five acres of land, situated one mile north of Racine, in Sec. 23 ; values his land at $100 per acre.

C. W. liABBEBTON, farmer. Sees. 8 and 17; P. 0. Lamberton; was born in Racine Co., Dec. 16, 1851. Married Miss Cassie J. Roberts in 1875; they have two children - Earl W., aged three years, and Maud, aged one year. Mr. Lamberton is the son of William E. Lamberton, a resident of Milwaukee, one of the earliest settlers of Racine Co., having come here in 1836, and has retired from active life. Mrs. Lamberton was born at Mt- Pleasant, Racine Co., Nov. 12, 1842 ; she is the daughter o

William G. Roberts, who died in 1873, aged 57 years; an early settler of this ooaotj; Mrs. Lamberton was educated at Kerr's Female College, Licking Co., Ohio ; she b a lady of refinement, and possesses a highly cultivated mind. Mr. and Mrs. Lamberton are members of the M. E. Church. He owns 160 acres of land in Sec. 8, and forty acres in Sec. 17, Range 23, Town 4 ; he values his land at S50 per acre ; he has a fine house, lately built, with all the modern improvements ; it is pleasantly situated, and has a fine lake view. Mr. Lamberton is an cKtensive grower of hops ; he has a fine orchard, with a variety of fruit.

AMOS N* MANN, farmer, Sees. 32 and 33 ; P. 0. Racine ; was bom in Racine, April 15, 1853. Married Miss Katie J. Richards, June 19, 1875; she was born in Racine Co., April 19, 1850. They are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Mann owns ninety-five acres of land, situated in Sees. 32 and 33 ; his land is well timbered and drained, and in a thorough state of cultivation ; he has a variety of fruit - apples, plums, quinces and strawberries ; he values his land at $125 per acre. Mr. Mann is the son of Zenos Mann, who was among the earlier settlers of Racine; came here in 1842 ; he went to California in 1848, in a successful search for gold ; he died at Racine, Nov. 25, 1865, aged 49 years and 6 months.

JACOB NAIJ, farmer, Sec. 29; P. (). Franksville; was bom in Bavaria, Aug. 30, 1820; came to America, June 24, 1839, and located in New York ; remained six years, then returned to Germany on a visit, where he remained for a few months, and again came to America. Married, Sept^ 23, 1848, at Albany, N. Y. ; Mrs. Nau was born Jan. 1, 1825, in Bavaria; they have four children - Caroline, Jacob I., Philippina and Peter H. Mr. and Mrs. Nau are members of the Primitive Church ; he has held various positions in the Church, as class leader, exhorter, etc., and was finally licensed by them to preach, in which capacity he has always officiated gratuitously. He owns 116 acres in Sees. 28 and 29, which he values at $75 per acre.

REV. CYRUS NICHOLS, minister; P. 0. Franksville; born Oct. 31, 1799, in Reading; came to Racine Co. 1836 ; was the first to preach in Racine, and was one of the organizers of the Presbyterian Church at that point ; ho preached and helped to establish churches in a number of places in this part of the county ; has b en the means of great good. Married a sister of S. S. Hurlbut; she was from Rutland Co., Vt. ; have had eight children ; had two sons in the service of his country ; S. S. Nichols was in the 2d Wis., and served till close of war ; G. C. Nichols in 22d W. V. I. ; went with Sherman to the sea. Mr. Nichols and wife members of Presbyterian Church.

JAMES NIELD, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Racine ; was bom in England Dec. 7, 1816 ; came to Wisconsin in 1842. Married Miss Philadelphia Buckley March 17, 1835; she was bom in England March 11, 1816; they have ei*<ht children living - Hannah, Henry, James, Georce C, Mary, Jennie Augusta, Amelia A. and Emma Z. ; lost three children - Eliza A., aged 13 months ; James, 3 weeks, and Harry, 9 months. Mr. and Mrs. Nield are members of the Episcopalian Church. When Mr. Nield first came to Wisconsin, he purchased 160 acres of land, near Kellogg Corner, at Paris, Kenosha Co. ; removed to Racine in 1846, and engaged in the butcher business, which he followed for fifteen years; removed to Caledonia Township, where he still resides and owns 117 acres of land, situated two miles north of Racine, Sec. 29, Range 23, Town. 4. When Mr. Nield first purchased his land, it was all timber ; now he has one of the finest farms and most pleasant homes in the county ; has an abundance of fruit - apples, pears, plums, Siberian crabs, and a variety of small fruit. His farm is on the Limestone Ridge, near Ives' quarry, and has an abundance of the stone near the surface; he has a fine house, with all the modem improvements, and values his land at $100 per acre; also owns considerable property in Racine - three 8tf»res on Main street and three cottages on Geneva street. Some twenty-five years ago Mr. Nield held the office of Alderman, and Supervisor for one term. When he came to Wisconsin he landed at Kenosha ; there was no pier there, so they sent their goods ashore' by a scow, and stored them in what was known as the poorhouse. Among one of his first purchases was a horse and wagon, of Henry Mitchell ; being unaccustomed to drivinjr horses, he drove them as he would oxen.

KEV. WM. J. PEIIi, P. 0. Caledonia; was born in Racine in 1849; commenced his studies at St. Francis' Seminary, Milwaukee, in 1862 ; graduated in 1872 ; was assistant at St. Joseph's, Milwaukee, for ten months, aud removed from there to Caledonia.

JOH^K^ li. PETURA, Sec. 18; P. 0. Tabor; dealer in dry goods, groceries, etc., and agent for farm implements ; was born in Bohemia Dec. 25, 1847 ; came to Wisconsin Aug. 14, 1857; married Miss Katrina Petura in 1876; was in business in Racine until 1867; removed to Caledonia, where he remained for five years, and then returned to Racine ; he made a short visit to Europe in 1873 ; after his return he was in business in Racine for two years ; then bought the property on which he is now living, consisting of ten acres of land, valued at $100 per acre, situated five miles north of Racine, Sec. 18,

Range 23, Town. 4 ; also owns two houses and lots in Racine - lots 1 and 2, block 6, in the Fiflh Ward - and forty acres of land in St c. 20, Range 23 east, Town 4, valued at $50 per acre. Mr. Petura was Town Clerk in 1874, Supervisor in 1872, and is present Supervisor.

G. F. ROBERTS, farmer. Sec. 27; P. 0. Franksville ; born in Brattleboro, Vt., Aug. 3, 1814 ; came to Racine Co. fall of 1836, and bought 160 acres of land at land sale ; has now a fine farm of 1 40 acres under good cultivation ; has all kinds of improved farm machinery. Married Mary Cary, of Oswego Co., N. Y., in spring of 1834 ; she was the daughter of Dr. A. Cary, a man of renown ; had one child, who died at the age of 4 years.

Z. ROGERS, farmer. Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Franksville; was born in New York State in 1817 ; came to Wisconsin in 1855; married Miss Maria Rogers in 1839; she was bom in Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1819 ; died April 26, 1846 ; Nov. 17, 1846, he married Miss Francis N. McCourtie; she was born in New York ; they have eight children living - Warren Z., Francis M. (now Mrs. A. Fancher), Harriet D. (now Mrs. Charles Scutt), Charles R., Emma A., Mary H. (now Mrs. W. W. Ehle), Martha £., and Amanda M. C. ; lost one daughter - Mary A., aged 17 months. Mrs. Rogers is a member of the Baptist Church in Raymond. Mr. Rogers owns 277 acres of land in Sees. 31 and 32, and values it at $70 per acre ; he has a handsome home, pleasantly situated, wiih all the modem improvements.

JOKN ROSWOLIi, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Racine ; was born in Bohemia in 1849 ; came to Wisconsin in 1856 ; married in 1863 ; his wife is a native of Bohemia; they have three children - Fannie, Johnnie, and Lena. Mr. and Mrs. Roswoll are members of the Catholic Church ; owns seventy-seven acres of land, four miles north of Racine.

HENRY J. SCHNEIDER, farmer. Sec. 36; P.O. Racine; was bom in Germany, in 1853 ; came to Racine with his parents, in 1856. Married, in 1876 ; his wife died Jan. 22, 1879 ; has one daughter. Qwns twenty-four acres of land four miles north of Racine, in Section 36 ; values his property at $1,500.

WH. SCHROEDER, farmer. Sec. 19; P. 0. Caledonia; was born in Germany, in 1824; came to Wisconsin in 1842; lived in Millwaukee County for nineteen years and removed to Racine County, where he has resided ever since. In 1847 he married Miss Katherine Stullenwack, a native of Germany ; they have six children, two sons and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Schroederare members of the Catholic Church. In Milwaukee County he was Town Treasurer for three terms and a member of the Town Board of Supervisors ; since his residence here he has served as Town Treasurer and Justice of the Peace. Owns forty acres of land in Sections 10 and 19.

JOSEPH SLAHA, farmer; P. 0. Tabor; was born in Bohemia, in March, 1848; came to Wisconsin in 1853; son of Joseph Slama, who died in 1866. In March, 1864, Mr. Slama enlisted in Co. F, 22d Wis. Regt. Y. I., and was mustered out in 1865 ; is now engaged in agricultural pursuits on his mother's farm.

W9I. C* SHITH, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Lamberton ; was bom in Mecklenburg, Prussia, in 1849 ; came to Wisconsin in 1851. Married Miss Katherine Micholetsky in 1866 ; they have six children, four boys and two girls. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Smith owns 157 acres of land, situated eight and a-half miles north of Racine, Section 1, Range 22, Town 4 ; values his land at $40 per acre ; he has a fine apple orchard and a variety of other fruits ; his farm is in a good state of cultivation. Is a Democrat; in 1872 and 1873, was Justice of the Peace in the town of Caledonia ; in 1874 and 1875, he was Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors.

CHAS. STEVEMS, farmer, Sec. 17 ; P. O. Tabor; was born in Bohemia, in 1829; came to Wisconsin in 1859. Married in 1857 ; his wife was born in Bohemia ; they have nine children, five sons and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are members of the Lutheran Church. He owns forty acres of land.

FBANK STBATOSKY, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Tabor; was born in Bohemia, in 1820 ; came to Wisconsin in 1854. Married in 1853 ; his wife is also a native of Bohemia; they have four children living, lost three. He owns forty-two acres of land in Sections 14 and 15, and two lots in Racine.

FRED. TASSHANN, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Racine ; was born in Prussia in 1831 ; came to Wisconsin in 1874. Married Miss Ernestine Fahr, of Racine, in 1875. Members of the Catholic Church.

20, 1872; lost four children - Louisa, aged 3 years; Louisa, 4 years; Sophia and Fred W. ; Mr. aod Mrs. T. are members of the Catholio Ohurch ; Mr. T. owns fifty acres of land in Sec. 17.

THEODORE THIELEN, farmer, Sec. 29; P. 0. Racine; was bom in Prussia in 1832; came to Racine in 1854 ; married Mrs. Haas in 1864 ; she was born in Germany in 1835 ; they have nine children.

JOHN TBUMBlJIiL, farmer, Sees. 7 and 18 ; P. 0. Tabor ; was born in Connecticat b 1816 ; came to Racine Co. in 1839 ; married Miss Emily Bushel in 1865 ; she was bom in Canada ; they have three girls and one boy ; Mrs. Trumbull is a member of the Baptist Church ; Mr. Trumbull owns 230 acres of land, situated six miles north of Racine, Sees. 7 and 18, Range 23 and Town 4, and values his land at $75 per acre. Mr. Trumbull was among the first settlers of this county ; his ezperienoes are very interesting ; he is a member of the ^' Settlers' Association.''

EDHIJND WEIiSH, farmer, Sec. 36; P. 0. Racine; was born in Ireland in 1839; came to Racine ; married in 1859 ; hss two children living - Edward and William ; lost four children - three daughters and one son ; was an employe, for many years, for Slauson & Co., afterwards known as Slauson & Murray ; is at present a tenant on Mr. Binkman's farm.

UBS. FRED. WHITNEB. Sec. 25; P. 0. Tabor; was bom in Germany May 23, 1822; she married Laudelin Haas at Pottsville, Penn., in 1845 ; he was bom in Germany, and died in Wisconsin June 25, 1865; they came to Wisconsin in 1856 ; had ten children - William, Jacob, John, Laudelin, Fidel, Mary and Francis, living; Josephine, Pauline and one infant, dead ; in 1868, Mrs. Haas married Mr. Whitner, a native of Germany; he came to W^isconsin in 1866; Mrs. Whitner owns eighty-nine acres of land ; Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the Catholic Church.