Cambria Village (part 1 of 2)

Cambria Village

The village now presents a very neat appearance, with a large number of excellent dwelling-houses and stores, the latter doing a first-class business. The population is about five hundred. Few of the first settlers of the place now remain, some having moved away, while others have died. Abiel Stark, the real founder of the place, departed this life in August, 1869, enjoying the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and died in the faith. Mr. John Converse died in August, 1879, surviving Mr. Stark some ten years.

It is well to state here that the village was first given the name of Converseville, from Mr. John Converse ; it was afterward changed to Westford, and, finally, to Randolph. For the first thirteen years, it was attached to the town of Westford ; but, in the winter of 1869-70, the Legislature of the State passed an act incorporating Randolph as a village, and, on the 8th day of March, 1870, the first charter election was held.

Government

The charter contains a provision that the President of the Board shall always be a resident of the East Ward, or that part lying within the limits of Dodge County. The following village officers have been elected since the act of incorporation :

1873 - President, J. J. Stocks, elected, but resigned, and James Knowles appointed by the Board to fill vacancy. Trustees, East Ward - James Knowles and J. G. Stark ; West Wai-d - R. S. Richmond and R. Arms. Supervisors, East Ward - J. E. Root; West Ward - J. Stalker. Treasurer, R. D. Evans ; Assessor, A. Jones. Justices, West Ward - R. S. Richmond ; East Ward - H. B. Converse. Constable, M. G. Toby ; Clerk, H. B. Converse.

First Things

The first settler where the village now stands was John Hopper, who owned forty acres of land on what is now known as Dickinson's Addition to the village.

The village, like the country surrounding, was first settled by emigrants from the East ; but, of late years, a large number of Welsh have made their homes here, and to-day this people comprise nearly half of the population. They are an industrious and thrifty class, and make good citizens and neighbors. They have two flourishing churches.

Post Office

E. Root, who received his appointment in 1873, the first year of Grant's second term. Mr. Root came to the village in 1861, and has resided here ever since. The ofiice was made a moneyorder office in 1872, the first order drawn being in favor of the Andes Insurance Company, of Cincinnati, by S. M. Smith, for the sum of $29.50. The amount of the business now being done yearly is about $20,000.

Manuf.Aotories, Etc

Two mills have been built, the first in 1859, by Converse & Stevely, which was burned in 1861. Another was erected some twelve years after, by Fred Zollner, assisted by the farmers of the neighborhood, who contributed some $2,000 for that purpose. This, too, was burned to the ground in May, 1879.

The State of Wisconsin has obtained an enviable reputation for the quantity and quality of its cheese, and in no place is this article better made than in the village of Randolph. In the year 1872, R. D. Calkins commenced its manufacture, and, during the season of 1879, he used the milk of about two hundred cows, and manufactured about thirty thousand pounds, which, estimating the average price per pound at 10 cents, will net the snug little sum of $3,000. Mr. Calkins buys his milk of the neighboring farmers, paying therefor about 90 cents per hundred pounds.

The mercantile trade of the place is rather above the average, there being about twenty stores of all kinds, including dry goods, groceries, hardware, millinery, drug, book, boot and shoe stores.

Randolph, like many other similar villages, has had its newspaper. On the 1st day of January, 1873, the first number of the Randolph Enti'rprise made its appearance, J. S. Lightner, publisher; Dr. Hacston, editor. For two years the Doctor continued its editor, when Mr. Lightner, its publisher, donned the editorial harness and remained in charge for about one year, during which time it attained its greatest circulation. At the expiration of this time, he sold the material and good will of the office to E. W. Stevens, who continued it for another year, then selling to Messrs. Brown & Foster, who changed its name to Lively Times, which, if report be true, was less lively than any of its predecessors. Before the expiration of the year, they suspended the paper and moved the material of the office to another part of the State, since which time no effort has been made to fill its place.

One of the best criterions by which to judge a village or city is the condition of its public schools, and it may be said that Randolph will not suffer by comparison. In 1867, it was discovered that the old schoolhouse was entirely unsuited to the wants of athriving village, and steps were at once taken for the erection of a better building. A site was chosen by a committee appointed for that purpose, and, the following year, the contract was let for the building of a house 34x50 feet, two stories in height, for the sum of $4,000. J. Roberts, N. Rasmusson and R. D. Calkins are the present Directors, with William Keeley, Principal, and Miss Jennie Marvin, assistant, in charge of the school.

There are in the place four churches, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, Welsh Methodist Episcopal and Welsh Congregational, each with large, comfortable church buildings.

Baptist. - This church was organized in February, 1867, with twenty-seven members, Elder Moore being its first Pastor. The erection of a suitable place of worship was at once taken in hand, and, in March. 1868, the present building was completed, at a cost of $5,000. The membership of the church increased rapidly until it numbered at one time nearly one hundred, but of late years it has been decreased by removals and deaths until their number has become so small they are not able to have regular services. They also have disbanded their Sunday school and stopped their weekly meetings for prayer. The following named have served as Pastors of the church since its organization : Elders Saxton, First, Heagle, McLeod and Sweet. The present Trustees are D. D. Ashley, Lewis Brown and R. D. Calkins.

Methodist Upisc'opal - The Dodge County Directory, published in 1872, gives the date of erection of their church building as 1859. The church is now in a very flourishing condition, having a membership of about one hundred, and an average attendance in their Sunday school of eighty. Their church building is a large frame, with basement. The following have served as Pastors : B. R. Shephard, C. C. Lathrop, D. Brown, F. T. Allen, Mr. Window, J. B. Cooper, Mr. Olmstead, Mr. Woodhead, U. H. Thompson and A. Reed, the present Pastor.

Welsh Methodist Upiscopal. - This society was organized in 1868 with thirty-two members. It first worshiped in a schoolhouse purchased at a cost of |)248. In 1876, their present substantial building was erected at a cost of $3,000. Its size is 32x46. The church is in a flourishing condition and the members are working together harmoniously. They employ no regular Pastor. Rev. Thomas Faulk and Rev. Thomas R. Jones are the resident local preachers. Present membership of church, eighty-seven ; Sunday school, seventy-five.

Welsh Congregational Church. - Organized in July, 1876, with the following named members : John Lewis, James Thomas, H. C. Ellis, William E. Roberts, John W. Davis, J. D. Jones, William R. Roberts, Peter Thomas, Griffith R. Jones. The congregation is in good condition, with a membership of forty-five. They have only had one Pastor since their organization - Rev. J. P. Evans. The church building was erected in 1877 at a cost, including site, of $8,100. James Thomas and John W. Davis are Deacons ; Griffith R. Jones, Treasurer ; R. Griffith, Secretary ; H. C. Ellis, 0. W. Lloyd, William J. Davis, Trustees. The average attendance of Sunday school is forty-four.

ijut one benevolent or temperance organization was in the place in 1879, that of the Temple of Honor, No. 33, organized in January, 1876, by Col. Watrous, G. W^ T., with sixty-four members. The Temple is in a flourishing condition, meets every Tuesday evening at Temple Hall (Baptist Church).

Clement House. - This house was erected immediately after the laying-out of the village, by H. H. Russell, and kept by him for a short time, when it was disposed of to Edward Clement. Mr. Clement has leased the house from time to time to various parties, E. L. Hoy'', taking possession January, 1880.

Russell Uoihse. - Was built by John Converse, who kept it for several years, disposing of it to H. H. Russell. In the spring of 1880, it passed into the hands of Roger Williams.

Town Of Dekorra

In 1846, this town, with much other territory, was formed into an election precinct, to be known as Dekorra Precinct. Elections were ordered held at the house of La Fayette Hill, and Joshua W. Rhodes, John Springer and Tiiomas Swearingen were appointed judges of election. In 1849, the Board of County Commissioners ordained that all that portion of Columbia County lying west of the Wisconsin River, and south of the Baraboo River, and the fractional part of Township 11, Range 9, and the fractional part of Township 11, Range 8, and that part of the south half of Township 12, Range 9, lying east of the Wisconsin River, should be organized into a town, to which was given the name Dekorra, and the house of Bishop Johnson designated as the place for holding the first election. Subsequently, the town was made to embrace only Township 11, Range 9, except a part of Section 6, lying west of the Wisconsin River, and all of Township 11, Range 8, lying east of the Wisconsin River.

The northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 34, Township 11, Range 9, was the first land entered in this town. It was entered, as mentioned in a previous article, bv Wallace Rowan on the 6th day of June, 1836. The remaining three forties of this quarter were entered by J. D. Doty on the 8th day of February, 1837.

Lots 2 and 3, on Section .5, Township 11, Range 9, were also entered by J. D. Doty on the 29th of July, 1836. All of Section 7, Township 11, Range 9, was entered October 10 of the same year, and ail of Section 8, Township 11, Range 9, was entered the following day.

Upon the land entered by Wallace Rowan, the first hotel in the town Avas built, and for a considerable time kept by him. Many of the earlier settlers of the State have partaken of the hospitalities of Mr. and Mrs. Rowan, and many a singular anecdote is told of the manner in which the nights were spent at that place. The house was small and not calculated to accommodate a great number of guests, and hotels in those days being few and far between, there were times when the number of guests were much greater than the lodging capacity of the house would accommodate.

The oldest records of the town show that on the 3d day of April, 1849, there was an election held at the village of Dekorra, and that William W. Drake was elected Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, and Charles W. Kingsbury and Christopher Randall were his associates; Quintin Smith was elected Town Clerk; Joshua W. Rhodes, Assessor; William Owen, Superintendent of Schools ; William P. Barber, Hugh Mair and Thomas Robertson, Justices of the Peace ; Joel C. Doolittle and Robert Wilson, Constables. It appears, however, that some of the officers elected failed to qualify for on the 26th day of May of the same year, another election was held and Lafayette Hill was elected Justice of the Peace ; Joel C. Doolittle, Town Treasurer, and John S. Richmond, Superintendent of Schools. It again appears that John S. Richmond and Joel C. Doolittle failed to qualify, and that on the 28th day of November, James R. McMillan was appointed Town Treasurer and John Pate, Superintendent of Schools. On the 3d day of September, 1849, another election was held for county officers, at which there were forty ballots deposited. Those voting at that election were David McMurphy, William B. McQuewen, W. P. Barber, Noah Dunham, Cyrus M. McMurphy, Lewis Butterfield, Thomas Greene, Henry W. Kingsbury, Nathan Palmer, Hezekiah Kingsbury, William G. Greene, Thomas Robertson, Lewis From, William Butterfield, C. Kingsbury, Isaac Griends, Henry York, W. B. Streeter, Solomon Cook, William W. Drake, J. C. Doolittle, John Pate, James Robertson, Quintin Smith, David Brewer, Thomas B. Scott, John Hutchinson, Pardon Davis, Joshua Dayton, Alexander McDonald, John T. De La Ronde, Simeon Lecuyer, Mingrove Bennett, James McMurphy, Rufus McMurphy, J. B. Miller, Samuel Williams, Bishop Johnson, Hugh Muir, J. H. Warren. Of the above number, in 1879 not one was then living in the town. Some four or five were in Caledonia, some have moved to parts unknown, and some have died. On the 6th day of November, of the same year, an election was held for State officers, at which forty-seven votes were cast, only one of which, in 1879, was of the town, that being William McDonald. Some six or seven were then residents of Caledonia.

The pioneer mill in this part of Wisconsin is situated on Rocky Run Creek, about a hundred rods from the Wisconsin River, in the town of Dekorra, seven miles from Portage, and is known as the Dekorra Mills. It was erected in 1843, at which time there was no grist-mill at Madison, Baraboo, Portage, Wyocena, Kingston or at Columbus, and in the first years of operating the mill, grists were brought from all these points and from a distance thirty or forty miles north of Portage. The mill was built by a company of men from Ohio who had large landed interests in Wisconsin, and who were the platters of the ancient and obsolete village of Dekorra. The first grist, which was of corn, was ground for Thomas Robinson, of Caledonia, better known as "Daddy" Robinson, now deceased. In 1847, the mill was leased for three years to Joshua Rhodes and .John Springer, both of whom have since died, the consideration being the building of a new dam and the making of some other improvements. The ne.xt tenant of the mill was I. I. Ege, who died at Dekorra two or three years ago, and who managed it a year. In 1852, S. M. Carr traded his farm in Ohio for this property without ever seeing it, and at once removed to Dekorra. He made considerable improvements in the mill and operated it until April, 1868, when it passed into the hands of John McKenzie, who has managed it ever since. He purchased the mill for a consideration of .§9,000. The cost of the repairs and improvements which he has since made on this property amounts to almost as much as the original price of the mill. During the first summer, he entirely overhauled it and put in a new water wheel at an expense of $2,300. In 1870, he expended $900 more for an additional water wheel, and in 1877 the mill was stopped for repairs from June to August. In that season, the race was widened and deepened, and considerable masonry was laid under and about the mill, new timbers placed beneath it and new flumes constructed, the whole disbursement amounting to $2, .500. The latter, as a rule, have to be renewed every ten years, the line of decay being at the point where air and water meet. That submerged lumber does not rot is well illustrated by the fact that some of the white pine lumber, which has been under the water here for thirty-five years, is still as sound as when hewn, and harder. Except a portion of the frame, very little of the old mill now remains, and it has been gradually and constantly improved until it is now one of the most convenient and easily operated in the country.

Among his improvements is the erection of a store building for flour, 14x36 feet, with basement underneath, used as a hitching place for the horses of his patrons. He has also constructed a very tasty and well-built barn 30x42 feet, with a basement under all. A notable feature about the building is the attempt which has been made to render it rat-proof The floor and walls have been made the same as the solid rock, the grout and rock on the bottom being seven inches thick, with a plank floor over that. The carpenter work was done by G. M. Odie, a former resident of Portage, and the masonry by Henry Loos and Thomas Arnott, both of Portage.

Before the supplying of the flour for Portage was divided up among so many mills, the monthly sales from that at Dekorra was sometimes as high as two hundred and fifty barrels, but now the monthly shipments here are scarcely a hundred. Gristing is done for patrons in Arlington, Caledoniii, Dekorra, Lowville, Leeds, Pacific and Wyocena. This inclucles the operation of the mills except that during the winter a considerable quantity of breadstuffs are ground and shipped to the pineries, and his shipments, in the winter of 1879, were twenty-one car loads. *

The first schoolhouse (a board shanty) was erected in the spring of 1850, on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 26, Townsiiip 11, Range 9, and the first school was taught therein by Miss Sarah Richardson. The following spring, a more substantial log building was erected a short distance from where the board shanty stood. This house served as a schoolhouse, church and rostrum, for a number of years. The first frame schoolhouse built in the town was built in the fall of 1850, near the village of Dekorra.

In the summer of 1877, the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, living in the northeast part of the town, assisted by those liberally inclined, erected a neat church edifice, 26x40 feet, at a cost of $1,600. They also furnished it with patent iron seats at an expense of ^200. In the winter of 1876-77, Rev J. Warren, a local preacher living in the neighborhood.

began a protracted meeting, which was continued some weeks, resulting in the conversion of forty souls. A class was organized, but no church formed, those holding out faithfully uniting with the church at Portage. A Sunday-school had been held in the neighborhood for twenty years previous, the meeting being the result of the interest awakened in the school. The church building was the result of the meeting.

Death claimed his first victim in the person of Washington Van Winter, who died in February, 1845. The second death was that of Mr. Osborne, who died the following spring at the house of A. Johnson.

The surface of this is generally wooded with the ordinary small oaks, showing only one small patch of prairie in the southeast corner of Township 11, Range 8. Along Okee Creek, in the southern part, and along Rocky Run, in the northern part, are marsh belts about a mile in width. Near the Wisconsin River, the altitude is generally 190 to 200 feet ; away from it, 250 to 300 feet. The higher limestone country skirts it along its southern and western sides, sending into it a few projecting points. A number of isolated bluffs also dot its surface, rising 100 to 200 feet above the general level, the highest ones reaching the horizon of the Lower Magnesian.

In the fall of 1870, the Madison & Portage, now the Madison Branch of the Chicago Milwaukee Railroad, was completed through the town, passing from north to south through Sections 3, 10, 15, 22, 27. 26 and 35. The company made two stations in the town - at Poynette and Hartman's. At the latter, there being no village, trains do not stop unless flagged, or to permit a passenger to get ofi" the train.

In the spring of 1837, Thompson, Trimble and Morton platted a village on Section 5, t& which was given the high-sounding name of " Kentucky City," so named in honor of Mr.

Morton, who was from the State of Kentucky. LaFajette Hill was induced to settle here, and in August, 1837, he built the first and only house erected in the " city." In vain was the call made for other settlers ; neither the name, location, or inducements held out by the proprietors of the place, attracted those in search of a home. The plat was vacated in due time, and " Kentucky City " was a thing of the past.

Village Of Dkkorra

In the fall of 1842, Thompson & Trimble, who became s6le owners of the greater part of Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, Township 11, Range 9 east, including the site of the former village of Kentucky City, sent out J. W. Rhoads and Thomas C. Nelson, with instructions to build a mill, lay out a village and establish a store at this point. The mill was built according to instructions, a complete account of which is given in the history of the town of Dekorra, it being outside the limits of the village as platted. The village was laid out, the plat made and recorded January 7, 1843. The site was that upon which the former village of Kentucky City was located, and was selected on account of the facilities as a landing on the river at that place, and for years it was a great distributing point for lumber, and a large area of country, extending as far north as Madison, was supplied thence. Quite a village gradually sprang up around the landing, and there is a tradition that Dekorra narrowly escaped being selected as the site for the State capital ; but the building of railroads cut off its trade, and it languished and dwindled until it now consists of only a store, run by James McMillan, who is also Postmaster ; a blacksmith shop, and the best ferry on that part of the river.

In 1856, Peter Taylor and Mr. Ege built a saw-mill at Dekorra, which was subsequently transformed into a steam grist-mill. The enterprise proving a failure, the machinery was sold and transferred to Blue Mounds.

The first store was opened in 1843, by Rhoads & Nelson, agents of Thompson & Trimble ; the second, by J. B. Miller ; third, by James McMillan ; fourth, by George Ege ; fifth, a grocery store, by Thomas McMillan.

John Springer started a blacksmith-shop in the village this same year. A post ofiice was established here in the spring of 1843, with Thomas C. Nelson as Postmaster.

La Fayette Hill, whose house was built while the place was known as Kentucky City, kept the first hotel, and Hill's tavern was always well patronized.

No church building was ever erected in the village, but a congregation of Presbyterians was organized here October 24, 1854, under the name of "Presbyterian Church of Dekorra and Caledonia." The Presbytery of Winnebago at this time sent Revs. H. R. Robertson, W. W. McNair and Elder Reed to organize if the way was clear. After the usual services, Michael Cochrane, Robert Sample, William Sample, John Brown, Margaret Brown, John Marshall, James Stevenson and wife and Peter Shaw signed the articles of covenant and were constituted a Presbyterian Church as above named. John Brown was elected and ordained as Elder, and John Marshall, Deacon. Rev. John McNulty was chosen as Pastor and served until his death in 1861. On the 3d day of September, 1862, the congregation was formally disbanded. On the 9th day of April, 1863, a United Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. J. W. Collins. Peter McKenzie and Thomas Allan were chosen as Elders. Those composing the organization, in addition to the Elders named, were David Aitken, Margaret Aitken, Samuel Edwards, Elizabeth J. Hastie, Jane McCulloch, Jane McMillen, Christina McKenzie, John McKenzie, Isabella Robertson, Electa M. Smith, Mary Wilson, Sr., Elizabeth Wilson, James Burns. Those serving the church as Pastors were Revs. J. A. Morrow, G. W. Torrence, Thomas S. Parks, J. R. Harris, Mr. Brown, W. Wright, Mr. Smith, M. B. Williams and Hugh Brown. Mr. Brown served a longer time than any other Pastor, his labors ceasing only when called away by death. May 15, 1876. Since the death of Mr. Brown, the church has not flourished, and it has now but seven or eight members, with Peter McKenzie and John Brown as Elders. A good Sunday school is kept in operation.

In 1846, William McDonald laid out a village on the northwest quarter of Section 14. Township 11, Range 1» east, and gave it the name of " Inch." The place has never belied its name, its rank among the villages of the county being such as to properly bring it within the meaning of that appellation. No lots were ever sold, stores opened or houses built, and in the year of our Lord 1880, people living in the neighborhood speak of it as "once being called Inch, but now it is not even half an ' Inch.' "

La Fayette Hill, in 1848, purchased the northeast quarter of Section 10, and laid out the village of Oshaukuta. Like many other villages, it never attained a very remarkable growth. Mr. Hill himself erected a public house, known as Hill's tavern, which always maintained a good reputation, and was open to the public until his death, in 1853. Several lots were given away and a half-dozen houses erected, including a store and blacksmith-shop. A post office was also established here, but has long since been discontinued.

Village Of Poynette

Upon the 8th day of February, 1837, J. D. Doty entered 120 acres of land of the southeast quarter of Section 34, Township 11, Range 9, and caused to be laid out the village of Pauquette, the plat of which was recorded on the 15th day of March of the same year. Tha plat, however, was subsequently vacated. About the year 1850, application was made by petition to the Post Office Department, through Doty, to have a post office established at this point, and the petitioners desired the name given the office to be Pauquette, the same as that given by him to the village he had laid out. Through a clerical error, it was called Poynette. No effort was ever made to change the name, and when the village was again laid out it was called Poynette, after the name of the post office.

The first plat of the village was made in 1851, by Samuel B. Pinney, and comprised the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 34. Mr. Pinney, shortly after platting, transferred it to John Thomas. Since this time, various additions have been made, one made by Brayton ct Tomlinson, and recorded September 25, 18G3 ; one by Mary A. Jackson, recorded November 16, 1865 ; one by Tomlinson & Hudson, recorded July 14, 1871. The Poynette House and American House, and nearly all that part of the village west of Main street, on the north side, and part of that on the south side, of the creek, are on Jamieson's Addition. Other additions were made, but prior to 1879 had been vacated.

" There were about a dozen inhabitants in the village of Poynette twenty-five years ago, and four dwelling-houses, including the public house kept by Hugh Jamieson. S. B. Thomas, who kept the post office (John Thomas was the Postmaster), Hubbard Johnson and Hugh Jamieson - the latter just married and occupying one apartment of a double log house, while the other served as a schoolroom. It was Poynette's first school. The inhabitants contemplated building a schoolhouse, and in order to draw the public money they had to have a school ; so they taxed the inhabitants to raise money to pay a teacher, for which services they paid $6.00 per month. For something to eat the teacher walked home with her scholars, sometimes two or three miles out in the country ; for Poynette was a village (why not?) with hotel, post office, and blacksmith shop. I used to hear people say Poynette would be as large as Portage City some day. The school numbered twenty-four scholars, but twelve or fifteen was the usual attendance. An old bachelor refused to pay his tax for the reason he had no children to send to school. Another (not an old bachelor) withheld a portion of his tax, claiming that a certain young man who was paying his addresses to the teacher owed him, and he was holding on to see how matters progressed, and if they married he was going to turn it, and if not he would pay the teacher sometime. Of the scholars only two are now residents of Poynette - Courtland Brown and John Wilson. Of the rest, some have died, some are in Iowa, some in Minnesota, some in Missouri, and one in New York, now a Methodist minister. I remembera snow storm the 11th day of June. As I was on my way to school, I saw a man in the field near the roadside flanting corn over with overcoat and mittens on. The same was Hugh Jamieson. When arrived at the schoolhoiise, the scholars were there ; and as most of them were barefooted, and no fire in the schoolroom, they had to go home and wait for fair weather. The house was built by Wallace Rowan ; and, since vacated, has served for the purposes of a dry-goods store, post office, schoolhouse and meeting-house. A Mr. Cornell, a Baptist minister, used to come to Poynette. He usually sent an appointment to preach on the Sabbath. Of the dozen inhabitants, no two held the same faith and belonged to the same order. Mrs. Johnson was the only Methodist. Pierce Jamieson was the first white child born in the village of Poynette. Mr. Thomas was Postmaster, and the mail matter was kept in an old tool chest in one corner of the kitchen. It is a difficult matter for the youth of the present day to understand that at the time of which I write, the fleet-footed deer and wily prairie wolf might occasionally be seen Avhere the iron horse now plunges along, heavily laden with the products of a country which then scarcely furnished more than the inhabitants required for immediate use, for scarcely a foot of land on the prairie south of our now prosperous and flourishing village was under cultivation, except a very few pieces adjoining the timber. If, however, they had a few bushels of grain to spare which they wished to convert into cash, they hauled it to Milwaukee, a distance of upward of a hundred miles. This journey was usually performed with oxen, taking from eight to twelve and sometimes fifteen days to make the round trip. They usually camped out and carried their provisions with them. Such journeys were frequently performed, and some of our most wealthy and respectable citizens still live to remember the dreary, dus'ty and sometimes disagreeable time they had in making the trip. In those days, men had many disagreeable duties to perform, and, knowing this, they nerved themselves to the task and went at it with a will and determination to succeed."

The growth of the village until the completion of the railroad was quite slow. At that time, there was not to exceed one hundred and fifty inhabitants, and its business was all upon the south side of Rowan Creek, with the exception of Jamieson's Hotel. The first house erected after platting the village was by S. B. Thomas, and the first store kept was by Thomas & Finney. H. P. Jamieson, son of Hugh Jamieson, was the first white child born here.

Hotels. - Four years before the platting of the village of Poynette, by Gov. Doty, Wallace Rowan built a house on the south side of the creek, which, for several years, was a noted public house, entertaining many of the earlier and most prominent men of the State. Rowan sold the house in the course of time to Samuel Woodworth, who leased the same to Mrs. Ensminger, who continued in possession until 1852, when Mr. Woodworth sold it to Hugh Jameison. About two years before it came into the possession of Mr. Jamieson, a new structure had been erected on the south side of Rowan Creek, which he occupied until February, 1858, save for a period of one year, when he leased it to Samuel Wilkins, and made an extended visit to his native country, Scotland.

Poynette House. - In 1856, Hugh Jameison began the erection of this house, which was not completed until February, 1858. For ten years, Mr. Jamieson continued in possession. On one occasion, a traveler put up with him for the night, and a Norwegian man-of-all-work was instructed to show him to his room, wait till he retired, and then bring back the light. The man, being a devout Catholic, after disrobing knelt by the bedside to perform his evening devotions. In making the sign of the cross, and other motions peculiar to those professing that faith, he aroused the suspicions of the Norwegian, who, setting down the candle, took the man up in his arms and threw him on the bed, with the exclamation, " You been taking a little too much, tonight." In May, 1868, Mr. Jamieson disposed of the house to Tomlinson k Hudson, who have since served the weary traveler.

American House. - This house was erected by James Oleson in 1859, who sold it to H. Jamieson, who sold the same to C. Conger, he disposing of it to B. Van Vleet. He disposed of it to George T. Morrison, who, in turn, sold the same to E. F. Tillotson, April, 1877. Various changes and improvements were made from time to time, adding to the comfort and convenience of the traveling public.

Poynette Upper Mill. - This mill was erected in 1860, by Mr. Fish. It has, from that time, to January, 1878, been the property of L. Stevens, Mr. Aiken, Robert Robertson and Kenry Kuntz.

Poynette Loiver Mills were built in the summer of 18.58, by A. P. Smith. J. Bridge, of Wyocena, was the superintending millwright. The carpenter work was done by H. J. Sill, the stone work by Melancthon Smith and James Hunt. The size of the main building was 36.x40, three stories, containing two run of three feet ten inch buhrs and necessary machinery, all driven by a 13xl4-foot overshot wheel. The iron work and buhrs were furnished by Decker & Seville, of Milwaukee. The mill, at that time, was considered the best mill in the county. The first miller was James Ashley. It was run by various parties until the spring of 1867, when it was purchased by A. 0. Dole. It was run without any material changes in the machinery until June, 1878, when it was entirely remodeled by its present proprietor, F. A. Dole. The overshot wheel, with its cumbrous gearing, was replaced by three Elmer wheels - two 17-inch, and one 12-inch, manufactured by Davis & Pugh, Berlin, Wis. ; an entirely new flume and headrace replaced the old one. The old wheelhouse was torn down and replaced by a new one 16x38, requiring thirty cords of stone for the basement. The bolts were remodeled, a power corn sheller added, and a full line of new process machinery for making patent flour. The cost of the improvements amounted to $2,500. The mill is fitted up for both ciston and merchant work. Its principal brand.s of flour are Dole's Straight and Doles Pride. The mill has a large local flour trade, and is well patronized by the farming community. -

The Madison .& Portage Railroad was completed to this place in October, 1870. E. F. Russell was appointed its first agent. He only filled the position three months, having accepted the appointment with the understanding he was to be relieved as soon as another could be had to fill his place. S. F. Hill then came and remained one year. He was succeeded by W. Gleason, who attended to the duties of the oSice for eight years, when W. H. Whitcomb was appointed.

Surrounded by a good farming country, Poynette has been considered an excellent point for grain. On the completion of the railroad, R. B. Wentworth & Co., of Portage, built a small warehouse, and for two seasons purchased grain. Hugh Jamieson, in the summer of 1871, erected a large elevator, with a storage capacity of 12,000 bushels, and entered on the business of buying and shipping. For seven years, Mr. Jamieson continued in the trade, withdrawing in 1878, in favor of his son, H. P. Jameison and H. C. Gould. The annual shipments from 1870 to 187U inclusive have ranged from 150 to 200 cars.

MetJiodist Episcopal Church. - Poynette was, in 1844, embraced in Madison Circuit, under the supervision of Elder Eliliu Springer. R. J. Harvey, a reverend and a lawyer, was sent to travel this circuit, but never reached Poynette. The next year, Lodi and Poynette were set off" from Madison Circuit, and Rev. Adams was appointed to the charge. Mr. Adams continued on the circuit three months, but never reached Poynette. He was then succeeded by Rev. H. Maynard. Before the close of the year. Father Maynard was called to attend the funeral services, at the house of A. Johnson, of a deceased friend of Mr. Johnson. On this occasion was the first Gospel sermon ever heard in Poynette, at least by a Methodist Episcopal minister. Afterward Mr. Maynard had regular preaching at the house of Clark M. Young, a short distance from the village. Father Maynard was followed by Revs. Waldron, Holmes, Woodlcy and Bunce. In 1853, Revs. Butler and Kidder came, during whose stay of one year (1853-54) Poynette was separated from Lodi. Rev. Waterbury came in the fall of 1854, and remained one year. During the next two years, the parsonage at Dekorra was sold and one built in this village. Mr. Waterbury reported at the end of his labors 100 members and 5 probationers. In the fall of 1857, Rev. Levi M. Cochrane was appointed to the charge, but at the end of six months, finding the work was too hard for him. Rev. H. D. Jencks was employed to assist him. In 1858, Rev. Whiteman was sent to fill out the term of Mr. Cochrane, and at the end of the year he reported 113 members and 115 probationers. In 1859, Rev. Lester Perkins was appointed to the charge and continued until 1860, reporting, at the expiration of his term of labor, 180 members and 20 probationers. Rev. Ransom Gould was appointed in the fall of 1860. During Mr. Gould's stay, the church was forbidden the use of the schoolhouse, which resulted in the building of a neat and commodious house of worship, at a cost of $2,500. From the fall of 1862, till the summer of 1863, Rev. John M. Springer filled the pulpit. He was an eloquent, earnest, patriotic. Christian man. He was drafted and appointed Chaplain of his regiment, which position he filled till in battle at Resaca, the Captain, First and Second Lieutenants of his company fell, when he seized a musket and led on the charge, was struck in a mortal part and carried from the field. In his last moments, he said to Charles Early, a comrade, " I have lived what I preached in our Northern home, and die in the favor of God." In the fall of 1863, Rev. H. Chadsayne was appointed to this church, and was succeeded, in the fall of 1864, by Rev. R. Fancher, who remained two years. At thit^time, there were 132 members and 12 probationers. In 1866, Rev. William Harvey was called and labored for a year and a half, when Rev. 0. D. Teal was appointed to fill out the unexpired term. In 1868, Rev. H. D. Jencks took charge of the circuit and remained one year. An extensive revival occurred this year. In 1869, Rev. S. S. Benedict filled rhe pulpit and continued in charge until the fall of 1871, when Rev. James T. Pryor was sent to the work. He remained until the fall of 1874, when Rev. J. J. Clifton took his place and remained two years. During his administration, the church building was removed to a more central location, and fitted up at an additional expense of $1,500. In the fall of 1876, Rev. Edward McGinley was by the Conference sent to this field and remained two years, when he was succeeded by Rev. Matthew Dinsdale, who labored for twelve months. In the fall of 1879, Rev. Richard Pengilly became Pastor of the church, entering with spirit upon his work. For some weeks succeeding the week of prayer, in January, 1880, Mr. Pengilly continued in a protracted effort, in which the church was greatly strengthened, and twelve added to it. At that time, the membership was ' eighty-four. Stewards - Adam Hall, S. L. Scofield, S. M. Owen, Christopher Wilson, Charles Early, A. D. Rose, F. E. Smith, Ella J. Cave. Trustees - Adam Hall, John Palmer, John S. Wolstone, John Lale, S. L. Scofield, S. M. Owen, Lewis Newton. ClassLeader - John Lake.

First Presbyterian Church. - On the 24th of April, a committee appointed by the Presbytery of Columbus, consisting of Revs. Warren Mays and James A. Lowrie and Elder John B. Dwinnell, visited this place in company with Rev. B. G. Riley, District Secretary of the Home Missions, and Rev. A. G. Dunning, for the purpose of organizing a church. After the usual services, Augustus P. Smith, Caroline A. Smith, Augustus 0. Dole, Sarah E. Dole, Harvey J. Sill, Maranda M. Sill, Adeline Youmans, John Watson, Elizabeth Watson, John Forsythe, Margaret Forsythe, Mrs. Jeannet Campbell, Mrs. Agnes Campbell, after hearing the articles of covenant read and consenting thereto, were declared a body corporate to be known as the First Presbyterian Church of Poynette. Augustus P. Smith, Augustus 0. Dole and John Forsythe were elected Elders, and A. 0. Dole, Clerk. In April, 1874, the church adopted the plan of electing their eldership for a stated period. A. 0. Dole was elected for five years ; John Forsythe, four years ; Eli Norton, three years ; E. F. Russell, two years ; Thomas Mair, one year. In 1880, the eldership consisted of Thomas Mair, I. C. Sargent, Eli Norton and E. F. Russell. In 1874, a church edifice was erected 32x52 feet, at a cost of $4000. It was dedicated January 27, 1875, by Rev. L. Y. Hays, of Madison, Wis. Rev. J. A. Lowrie was the first Pastor, and was succeeded in order named by Revs. D. B. Gordon, George A. Hutchison, H. H. Bushnell, E. Smith Barns and Frederick Wall. The membership, January, 1880, was sixty-one. A flourishing Sunday school at that time had been in existence from the organization of the church.

John Campbell, Tiler. The second and fourth Saturday evenings of each month were chosen as the times of meeting. During twelve years of its existence, it was called upon to deposit within the tomb three of its members, all at the time of death occupying official positions - Louis Low, W. M. ; A. Powers, S. W. ; S. M. Wallace, J. W. At their annual election for officers for 1880, L. A. Squire was elected W. M.; Eli Norton, S. W. ; A. J. Brown, J. W. ; B. S. Buck, Treas. ; Andrew Semple, Sec. ; G. W. Webb, S. D. ; James R. Hastie, J. D. ; Hugh Bowie and Allen Bogue, Stewards ; John Campbell, Tiler. Membership, thirty-seven.

Odd Felloios Lodge. - Poynette Lod^e, No. 240, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted October 15, 1874, by W. G. Bunker, District Deputy. Its first officers and charter members were: Joseph Hartraan, N. G. ; A. L. Wood, V. G. ; W. G. Robinson, R. Sec. ; John Binnie, Treas. ; S. M. Owens, Henry Sloggy. The officers during the first term in 1880 were: J. F. Bohling, N. G. ; John Hogan, V. G. ; W. C. Gault, Treas. ; James Thompson, P. S. ; W. G. Robinson, R. S. ; Frank Smith, P. N. G. Menftership, thirty-four.

Good Templars. - In 1865, a lodge of Good Templars was instituted here, which continued to exist some two years. On the 4th day of October, a number of interested persons met at the house of Isaac C. Sargent and re-organized under the name of Poynette Lodge, No. 288, I. 0. G. T., with D. C. Strong, Jane Strong, Debbie Brayton, A. L. Wood, Judson Packard, I. C. Sargent, Warren Turner, A. Fancher, A. 0. Dole, E. J. Sargent, J. D. Thompson, A. J. Townsend, Stephen Brayton, Julia B. Sargent, John Watson ami N. Miller as charter members. For about one month, the lodge held its meetings at the house of Mr. Sargent, when the Methodist Church was secured for that purpose. Another removal was made some six months after to the schoolhouse, and then to Wood's Hall. Here the lodge enjoyed a season of prosperity, purchasing an organ and otherwise improving their hall. In 1876, in consequence of a change in their place of meeting, some of the members became disaffected, withdrew and instituted another lodge, whicli was given the name of Centennial Lodge. For a few months, both lodges seemed to prosper, but finally the Centennial surrendered its charter after a few months' existence. Poynette Lodge has had several seasons of prosperity and of adversity. In February, 1880, its membership was reported at forty-five, with C. J. Harris, \V. C. T.; Mrs. C. J. Harris. W. V. T.; John Thomas, W. S.: Mrs. H. C. Butler. W. F. S.; H. C. Butler, AV. T.; E. E. Hinkson, P. W. C. T.; Richard Pengilly, Chaplain ; John Jameison, W. M.; Charles Butler, W. 0. G.; Harry Russell, W. I. G.; Jennie Powers, R. H. S.; Eliza Lake, L. H, S.; Wiliiim Hopkins, W. A. S.; Alida Luther, W. D. M.; E. F. Russell, L. D.

Poynette Temple, No. 95, is a juvenile Temperance Lodge, under the auspices of the Grand Lodge I. 0. G. T., and was instituted August 1, 1879, by Miss Emma Sprague, of Watertown, Wis. Its first officers and charter members were Charles Turner, C. T.; Mally Squire, P. C. T.; Jennie Gleason, V. T.; Esther Montford, F. S.; Harry Russell, R. S.; Bertie Norton. T. For its first quarter in 1880, the officers were Samuel Jameison, C. T.; Kittie Wheeler, V. T.; Harry Russell, R. S.; Henry Butler, T.; Esther Montford, F. S.; Louis Brown, M.; Mally Squire, C; Charles Butler, I. G.; Josie Montford, 0. G.

Post Office. - A petition was forwarded to the Post Office Department, in care of J. A. Doty, the founder of the village of Pauquette, then a member of Congress, in the winter of 1850-51, for the establishment of an office at this point. It was the desire of the citizens that it be called Pauquette, but the department read the name as if it was Poynette, and so named it. The name was accepted by the citizens, and no efi'ort was made to have it changed. John Thomas was the first Postmaster, and received his appointment in the spring of 1851, since which time Stephen Brayton, Ira S. Allen, Abram Padly, Willard Knight, E. Fred Russell, Ambrose Powers, Harlow J. Youmans and Isaac C. Sargent have occupied the office. It was made a money-order office July 1, 1877. J. F. Bohling & Co. drew the first order in favor of Calvin Chesney, for $7.50. During 1879, the amount drawn was $12,000. Amount paid, $2,500.

Schools. - In 1852, a school district was formed comprising Sections 34 and 35, in the town of Dekorra, and Sections 2 and 3, and north half of 10 and 11, in the town of Arlington, and called Joint District No. 4 of the towns of Dekorra and Arlington. A schoolhouse was built one-half mile south of the village of Poynette. It was a one-story frame, 18x28, and was used until 1867, though for several years previous it had become too small to accommodate the pupils of the district. A room was rented in the village for the higher department, the primary alone occupying the school-room. In 1865, the question of a new school building was agitated, culminating in the erection of a large two-story house, which was first occupied in the fall of 1867. R. M. Bashford was the first Principal in the new building. He was followed by H. A. Thomas, S. M. Wallace, D. W. Gilfillan, Kennedy Scott, J. K. Hastie, Nora C. Waters, J. M. Bushnell, Sylvanus Ames and J. H. Hamilton. In the Primary Department, Laura Copeland, Ada Maxwell, Laura A. Downs, Briggetta A. Waters and Mary Ellen Axon have served - Miss Waters occupying the position from 1870 to 1878. The district has usually paid from $60 to $75 per month, more generally the latter sum, for principals, and $30 to $35 for assistants.

Cemetery Association. - On the 4th day of December, 1865, an association was formed under the general law, and a board of trustees elected, consisting of Hugh Jamieson, Phinneas Watson, Isaac C. Sargent, H. J. Sill and Stephen Brayton. Seven acres off the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 35, Township 11, Range 9, was purchased of Brayton & Tomlinson for the sum of $50 per acre, which was surveyed and platted for burial purposes. A child of Rev. Rufus Fancher was the first buried therein.

Cheese Manufactory. - Articles of incorporation were filed in the oflSce of the Secretary of State, February 3, 1876, by E. Fred Russell, W. C. Gault, William Forrest, John Collins and Hugh Jamieson, under the name of Poynette Cheese Manufacturing Company. Hugh Jamieson was elected President ; James Mack, Secretary ; E. F. Russell, Treasurer. The capital stock of the association was placed at $2,500. During the spring, a large two-story building was erected and 30,000 pounds of cheese made during the season. J. Noyes was Superintendent of the manufactory during the first season ; E. 0. Madison, the second, and C. J. Harrison assumed the management. In 1879, the entire stock passed into the hands of Hugh Jamieson, who continued the business as a private enterprise.

Town Of Fort Winnebago

On the 9th day of Januai-y, 1849, all of Township 13, in Range 9, lying east of Fox River, with much other territory, was organized into the town of Winnebago Portage, by the County Commissioners, the balance of the township being Menomonee lands, and of course not then surveyed by the United States. On the 8th of January, 1850, the County Board of Supervisors organized this township into a town by itself, and named it Port Hope, all west of the river being still unsur^eyed. The house of A. T. Spicer was designated as the place for holding the first town meeting. July 19, 1850, Section 33 was taken from the town and attached to Fort Winnebago, then composed of the greater part of Township 12, Range 9, and other territory. December 15, 1852, the section was restored to the town. A change having been made in the organization and name of the town on the south, the name of Port Hope was changed at a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, held November 18, 1853, to Fort Winnebago, the latter name being thought to be appropriate, on account of the old fort being in the territory comprising the town. March 23, 1858, a portion beginning at a point in the center of Fox River, where the east and west quarter line of Section 33 intersects the center of said river, running thence west along tlie quarter line through Sections 33, 32 and 31, was taken from the town and annexed to the city of Portage.

The first permanent settlement of the town was made in 1848. Previous to this time, a number of persons had, for a short season, lived here in the neighborhood of the old fort, none of whom could be reckoned as permanent inhabitants of the town. In May, 1848, Jonathan Whitney came from Green Lake County, and, looking over the ground, selected the southwest quarter of Section 3 as the place of his future home. Charles Baker came shortly after, and settled on Section 2, while John W. French, Lyman J. Barrows, J. M. Hatch and Mr. Green followed ; French, Green and Hatch locating their claims on Section 1. August Putsch came in the fall and settled upon Section 10. In 1849, quite a number settled in the town, among whom were Asa Baldwin, Avery T. and Henry Spicer, who also settled upon Section 10 ; '* Bachelor" Brown, on Section 13 ; Isaac Pasco, Daniel M. Brown, Robert B. Willis, Augustus Rood, Jr., Calvin Eastman, Aaron Chesebro, Jacob Lorenzo Wood, Michael Keegan, John Sweeney, Edmund Swift, Alexander Gamble, James Gamble. Sr., James Gamble, Jr., Dominic Moran, Patrick Leeman, John Hogan, John Hogan, Michael Hogan, Matthew Fitzharris, Walter Kelly, Patrick Lovell, Patrick Canall, William Kelley, Michael Coughlin, Thomas Coughlin, James Casey, James Roach, Dennis Cushing, John Gushing, William Cushing, M. O'Hare, William Geary, Paul Duffey, John O'Keefe, James Meany, M. Joyce, Daniel Breen. In 1850, came Abraham Grier, Joseph Spain, Robert Grier. These men were mostly from Ireland.

In 1849, a colony of English came in, a portion of whom settled in the northeast part of this town, but the greater number located over the line in Marquette County. They established a ferry across the Fox River, on Section 4, to which they gave the name of Emancipation Ferry, for the reason that they felt themselves emancipated from the virtual position of serfs in the mother country and here were made freemen.

In the fall of 1848, Mr. French built a saw-mill on Fox River, which was kept running for several years, but was torn down in 1855, and a grist-mill erected in its place, by two brothers named Chapman, who afterward disposed of it to Dates Brothers, at Portage. At this place it was proposed to establish a village to be called Milford, but beyond naming it nothing was ever done. Jonathan Whitney kept a stock of groceries here in the fall and winter of 1848, selling out the same in the spring of 1849 to Mr. Barrows.

Early in the year 1849, a petition was circulated and numerously signed, asking the Department to establish a post office in the northeast part of the town, for the convenience of the large settlement there formed. The request was granted, and Jonathan Whitney was appointed Postmaster. The name given to the office was Port Hope, so called from the hope to establish here upon Fox River a port, which would be the commencement of a new village. In 1880, Mr. Whitney was Postmaster, having served from his first appointment till that time, with the exception of the years 1857, 1858 and 1859. The town on its formation in 1850 was called Port Hope from the post office.

The first birth in the town was Edmund, son of Charles Baker. The second was Almeron W., son of Jonathan Whitney, who was born February 19, 1849, and was killed in the battle before Petersburg, June 18, 1864, aged fifteen years and four months.

The first school was organized in the summer of 1849, a room being rented of Asa Baldwin for school purposes. Miss Charlotte Baldwin was the first teacher. In 1850, a log house was erected on Section 10, for School District No. 2, the first schoolhouse in the town. The house was built on the volunteer plan, all the men of the neighborhood turning out to assist in the work. In 1880, the town had seven school districts, with a like number of good substantial school edifices.

Fort Winnebago, west of Fox River, was surveyed into sections and quarter-sections in July, 1851. There were at that time one house on Section 4 ; two on Section 5 ; one on Section 7 ; two on Section 8 ; one on Section 9 ; one on Section 16 ; one on Section 17 ; one on 18 ; two on Section 19 ; two on Section 20 ; one on Section 21 ; two on Section 29 ; two on Section 30 ; one on Section 31, and one on Section 33 - in all twenty-one houses.

The first sermon preached in the town aside from any that might have been preached at, or in the vicinity of, the fort, was at the house of Asa Baldwin by a preacher belonging to the Primitive Methodist Church. This was in the fall of 1849. One Saturday evening, the reverend gentleman rode up to Mr. Baldwin's place, and inquired of him if they had ever had preaching in that neighborhood. Mr. Baldwin, who was one of those bluff, yet kind-hearted men, curtly replied, " No, sir, we never had." " Would you like to have a sermon preached here, then 'i "

Fall River

" I will send my boy around to tell the neighbors, and I guess it will be all right." Mr. Baldwin then asked the minister to stop with him, which invitation was accepted. Before the hour arrived for the sermon, the preacher had learned that the neighborhood was made up of those holding various religious opinions, while some had no opinion on religion at all. It being his first visit in this vicinity, he thought he would preach so as to hurt the feelings of no one. When the hour arrived, a respectable congregation had assembled and services were begun. The preacher, in his remarks, which were of a general nature, stated that all denominations were working for one end, and that it did not matter what party label one wore, if his conduct was all right ; heaven was the object of all - for which place all had embarked. Notwithstanding different roads had been taken, it would not matter when they reached the heavenly region by which route they had come. In illustration of this thought he said that the general course from England by which Wisconsin was reached, was to take a steamer at Liverpool, come to New York, and there take the cars for this State. Now he came from England to New Orleans, thence by the Mississippi River to the State, but he was here all the same, and he supposed he was all right ; and it was just as satisfactory as though he had come by way of New York. While this thought was very consoling and satisfactory to some, one old gentleman, a member of the Regular or " Hardshell" Baptist Church, jumped to his feet, started out, and, slamming the door behind him, remarked : "A man that will preach such stuff as that ought to be locked up I " The subject was discussed pro and con by the whole neighborhood for years, and old settlers say the effect of that sermon was still felt in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.

Fort Winnebago is traversed centrally from south to north by the Fox River, along which are considerable marshes, as also along French Creek, a tributary of the Fox, in the northeastern sections. The Fox River marsh has an altitude of about two hundred feet, the rest of the town generally not over 250 feet. In the middle and western portions, and again in the southeast corner are issolated sandstone bluffs rising 350 to 400 feet.

The early settlers of this town had to endure the same privations as experienced by others, but not for so long a time, as Portage soon began to be quite a business place, with a market sufficient to supply all their wants; but during the first few years, grain was hauled by teams to to Milwaukee, the teamsters returning with merchandise for the tradesmen in this vicinity.

On the 11th day of August, 1836, Robert McPherson entered the first piece of land, being the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 25. He also entered the southwest quarter of Section 27, receiving his patent for both November 7, 1837.

The first town meeting was held the first Monday in April, 1850, at the house of A. T. Spicer. Annual meetings have since been held ; a list of the principal officers elected each year, up to and including 1879, we give below.

A noted character in an early day in Wisconsin was " Count" Haraszthy, a Hungarian refugee. He settled at what is now Sauk City, but occupied for awhile the island on Section 27 in this town, and furnished the fort with wood. Agoston Haraszthy was born in the year 1812, in the Coraitat of Bacska, Hungary. His family was one of the oldest and most influential of the old nobility - the name appearing frequently in the history of that country over a period of 760 years. He was educated to the law, as was the custom there. At the age of eighteen he was a member of the body guard of the Emperor Ferdinand, which was composed of nobles. Then he was Chief Executive Officer of his State. He then became the Private Secretary of the Viceroy of Hungary.

When the Liberal movement began in 1839 and 1840, he at once took tlie lead of that party in his State, but was afterward, upon the failure of that movement, compelled to leave his country. He came at once to New York, and, after traveling over the United States, he wrote and published a book upon their resources. The work was designed to invite emigration from Hungary, and was the first work upon that subject ever printed in the Hungarian language.

Soon after, in 1849 and 1841, he made the State of Wisconsin his home, purchased large tracts of land, founded several settlements, built bridges, constructed roads and established ferries.

Having in his possession valuable State papers, the Austrian Government opened negotiations for their surrender. The question was referred to Lewis Cass, who succeeded in gaining permission for Haraszthy to return to Hungary and remain for one year. This he did, settling up his affairs ; and although his landed estates were confiscated, he succeeded in saving $150,000, which he brought with him to this country, together with his family, and a large portion of the family plate and paintings.

Returning to Wisconsin, he engaged, in 1842 and 1843, in mercantile pursuits ; built and owned steamboats, filled large contracts with the Government for supplying Fort Winnebago with wood, living at one time on the island in Fox River, in what is now the town of Fort Winnebago, Columbia County. He was also engaged extensively in agricultural pursuits. He was the first to plant the hop in the State, and encourage its cultivation. The Commissioner of Agriculture reports that the product of this crop in the county where it was then introduced, for the year 1866, amounted to over $2,000,000.

He was at this time also at the head of the Emigrant Association of Wisconsin, which brought over large colonies of English, German and Swiss emigrants, and settled them upon the fertile lands of this State. He gave to the Catholic Church a tract of 640 acres of land, upon ' which has since been erected an extensive monastery.

When news came of the revolution in Hungary in 1848, he was the leader of those who gathered arms and ammunition, and sent them to his countrymen ; also expending large sums from his own private purse for the same object.

Concerning his career in Wisconsin, a writer in 1874 gives this graphic description : " In 1842, a wealthy Hungarian nobleman named Haraszthy, with a company of attendants and servants, numbering about twenty, came to the United States, intending to settle in the territory of Wisconsin, and form a colony. His arrival in Milwaukee, at that time a frontier village of not less than 3,000 inhabitants, was hailed as an important event. Of course, a gentleman traveling all the way from Europe with such a large retinue, and paying promptly in gold for everything he purchased, was notably presumed to be possessed of fabulous wealth, and his coming to that far-ofl" territory was hailed as a harbinger of great prosperity.

In the early summer of 1842, he set out from Milwaukee with six of his party, leaving the rest to await his return, on a prospecting tour in the western and central portions of the State. On the shores of a beautiful lake, not many miles from Madison, he selected a plot of 4,000 acres, staked off the boundaries of the tract by the surveyors's mark which he found cut in trees, and built a couple of huts on the lake shore, to fix his right of possession. With an attendant he returned to Milwaukee, where the United States Land Office was, to pay for his land. Here he found only the Register, the Receiver having gone to Washington to settle his accounts. This last mentioned official was the only one entitled to receive money for land, and he would not return in less than a month's time. Haraszthy would not wait so long, and the Register proposed to accommodate him, take his money, enter the proposed purchase on the books and send him the proper vouchers by a special messenger, after the Receiver's return. This was agreed to, and the nobleman paid $.5,000 in gold, taking an informal receipt. He departed the next day with the remainder of his party, and reaching the land, he at once set to work to build houses, naming his colony Good Hope.

Two months elapsed, but no messenger came from Milwaukee. Haraszthy was not alarmed, believing that in dealing with a Government official, he was all right. Before the end of three months, however, a cadaverous individual made his appearance on horseback at the colony, claiming to own the identical tract of 4,000 acres, having purchased and paid for it immediately after the Receiver's return, aud oft'ered to sell it to the nobleman at an advance of 100 per cent. Haraszthy hastened to Milwaukee to find that the land grabber had really paid for the land, but with the identical gold which, three months before, the nobleman had left with the Register to secure the same purchase for himself, while that officer had since resigned and left the plaJe. The Hungarian was exasperated at the swindle ; went back to his colony ; burnt every house and shanty he had erected, broke up camp and started west, where he located on the Wisconsin

He called his new colony by his own name, ami had it incorporated. It soon grew to be a flourishing village, through Haraszthy's enterprise. He started a horse-ferry across the river, made excellent roads, established flouring-mills, lumber-mills, stores, and subsequently ran a small steamboat down the Wisconsin River as far as St. Louis. But yearly recurring prairie fires destroyed his crops and many of his buildings; and besides, the commercial crisis of 1847 crippled him severely. His family had joined him in 1844, and in 1846, he succeeded in having his place selected as the county seat, building a court house at his own expense. Still, the many losses between that year and 1849 told heavily on his finances, and, with a long train of over fifty associates, he started overland to California.

He settled at San Diego, was elected Sheriff of the county, and rendered valuable aid in suppressing the Indian war of that period. He laid out what is known as " Middle San Diego," and, in 1852, was elected a member of the Legislature. Being a working member, he had a place on the principal committees, and distinguished himself by his opposition to all schemes of fraud and monopoly.

In ]85'2, he removed to San Francisco, and devoted himself to agriculture and horticulture upon his property at Crystal Springs, in San Mateo County. He was appointed by President Pierce as Assayer in the United States Branch Mint, and at a later period was made melter and refiner. After his resignation of these positions, serious charges were made against him, but upon a thorough investigation they were proven to be wholly without foundation, and he was honorably acquitted. During this time, he built the present metallurgical works, which have rendered such importanlj service, and also he received patents for improved processes for the refining of gold.

In 1856, he removed to Sonoma, and devoted his whole attention to viniculture. He founded a horticultural society, and began importing vines from abroad. He was the first to advocate the raising of vines without irrigation, planted the most extensive vineyards, and at once put himself at the head of the wine interest. He may with propriety be called the father of viniculture in California.

In 1858, he wrote a treatise on the culture of the vine and the manufacture of wine, which was published by the State of California for gratuitous distribution. This publication gave the first impulse to this interest, and from that time California became the wine State of the Western Continent. He was the first to employ Chinese labor in his vineyards, and the first to adapt the redwood timber to the making of casks for wine.

In 1861, he was appointed by the Governor of California as a Commissioner to visit the wine countries of Europe, which resulted in the importation of 400 different named varieties of grape vines, which have now been planted quite extensively in most of the vineyards in the State, from which are made the most valuable wines now produced there.

The book written by Haraszthy, entitled " Grape Culture, Wine and Wine-Making," is is conceded to be the best yet written. Upon his return from Europe in 1862, he was chosen President of the California Stat.3 Agricultural Society, having been Vice President for three terms prior thereto. In 1868, he organized the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society, to which society he conveyed his 400 acres of vines in Sonoma.

In 1868, Haraszthy went to Nicaragua, with the intention of engaging in trade ; but his active mind and talent for improvement would not let him rest. He became interested in an extensive sugar plantation, and began clearing new lands and planting more canes. Having procured from the government of Nicaragua valuable privileges for distilling, he erected an extensive distillery for the manufacture of spirits for exportation. He also turned his attention to the textile fibers of the country, and was waiting patents for improved machinery for their cleansing and preparation for market.

In the winter of 1869-70, he returned to California to purchase machinery, and to charter a vessel with which to open the trade between San Francisco and the ports of Nicaraugua. It

Agoston Haraszthy, or, as he was usually called in Wisconsin, Count Haraszthy, met his death on the 6th of July, 1870, in Nicaragua, on the Hacienda San Antonio, near the Port of Corinto. This hacienda, consisting of one of the largest sugar plantations in Central America, and comprising outside of it 100,000 acres of land, was, at the time, owned by Agoston Haraszthy, Gaza Haraszthy, his eldest son, and Dr. Theodore Wassmer. The business they were engaged in was the production of sugar, the distillation of rum and the sale of timber from their hacienda.

It appears that on the forenoon of the 6th of July, Haraszthy left his dwelling to go to a new landing, where they were putting up a saw-mill, to meet a Mr. Lewis, who had the contract. Not finding the latter, he spoke to the workmen, saying the mill was too far from the river, and would have been better on the other side. He then rode toward the bank of the river to a point, some few hundred yards away, where there was a crossing. Here, in the bushes, he tied his mule, and, spreading his oilcloth cloak upon the ground, must have laid on it for a time. Thence his footsteps, two days afterward, were traced to a large tree, whose limbs touched the other bank, and which, in the rainy season, was used as a sort of natural bridge to pass to the other side of the stream. About half-way over, a large limb was found to be freshly broken, and it is supposed that in attempting to cross, Haraszthy lost his balance, fell into the swollen stream and was drowned. An Indian boy, passing, saw him go to the tree, but as it was a usual occurrence paid no further attention, and that was the last ever seen of him. His body was not recovered, nor was there ever found any trace of it or of his clothing, but as the stream emptied itself but a few miles below into the ocean, it may have been swept out and devoured by the man-eating shark, so abundant in those waters.

Haraszthy was a man whose whole aim was to introduce new elements of wealth, to search out new fields of industry, and thus to lead the way to a wider field of material progress, in whatever country he lived. He was a man of good and generous impulses. He was hospitable and liberal almost to a fault. His hand was ever ready to help those who stood in need. He was full of ambition, but only in the line of being useful to his fellows. Those who knew him intimately loved and admired him, and all acknowledged a charm in his presence which they felt, but could not explain.

During 1842 and the year following, Haraszthy brought with him, from Hiingary, his mother, who died at Grand Gulf, Miss. ; his father, Charles Haraszthy, who died at sea, on his return from Corinio to San Francisco, July 22, 1870 ; his wife, Eleonora Dodinsky, who died at Leon, Nicaragua, July 15, 1869 ; his son, Gaza Haraszthy, who died near Corinto, in Nicaragua, December 17, 1878 ; his son, Attila F. Haraszthy ; and another son, Arpad. His daughter Ida was born in Peoria, 111. ; his son, Bela, in Sauk City, Wis.; and his daughter, Otelia, at Madison, in the same State.

The Wisconsin Central Railroad enters the town from the city of Portage, on Section 33, passes through Sections 28, 21, 16, 9 and 5 into Marquette County. A small station is located on Section 9, called Corning Station.

Oh After Xiii

Town of Fountain Prairie - Village of Fall River - Town of Hampden - Town of Leeds - Town of Lewiston - Town of Lodi - Village of Lodi - Village of Okee.

At a meeting of the County Commissioners, held in 1846, all of Township 11, Range 12, together with other territory adjacent on the south, was made a voting precinct, and elections ordered held at the house of A. P. Birdsey ; and Asa Proctor, J. T. Lewis and Jeremiah Drake were appointed Judges of Election. At a further meeting of the board, held in January, 1849, the township was set oiF to itself and given the name of Fountain Prairie. The house of A. A. Brayton was designated as the place for holding the first election.

Chester Bushnell was the first actual settler of the town. He arrived here in the spring of 1843, and erected a board shanty on Section 33. Wayne B. Dyer came in September of the same year, and erected the first log house. John Brown and Benjamin Sage came also the same fall and selected land, Mr. Brown remaining here and Mr. Sage returning to Vermont after his family. Mr. Brown built a log house upon the land he had selected (the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 34). In July, 1844, Mr. Sage came back, bringing with him his family. He erected a house upon the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 34, being the fourth built in the town. During that summer and for two or three years, a number of settlers came in, among whom were Asa Proctor, John Boutwell, L. Pearson, Julius Higbe, John Q. Adams, Enos Grout, Alison Horton, E. J. Smith, A. A. Brayton, S. M. Smith, John O'Brien, J. D. Bullis, Isaac Bennett, Phinneas Underwood, Edward Tripp, James Ketchum, John Swarthout, Nelson Swarthout, Jacob Swarthout and James C. Carr.

In addition to those already mentioned as settling in the town in 1843, H. W. McCafierty made a claim, as it was called, which consisted in selecting a section for a farm and designating such selection by plowing a few furrows upon it, or making some slight preparations for building a cabin, or oftener by blazing a few trees in the timber, or setting a stake or two on the prairie, and placing one's initials upon them. These slight indications of intention to settlement were generally regarded as sacred by the early settlers, so that a claim was seldom jumped. McCafferty's claim was on Section 21 and the adjoining sections. Mac had an eye to a ranch of magnificent proportions. He plowed a few acres and sowed it to winter wheat in the fall of 1843; a very fair crop was harvested, although somewhat injured by the deer feeding upon it. The California gold fever breaking out soon after this, McCafferty was swept along with it ; when he returned, part of his claim had been taken up by others and the remainder had been despoiled of its timber, so he abandoned it, yet his name adheres to the place, as the high ridge of land running through Sections 21 and 15 is. known as McCaS'erty's Ridge.

July 15, 1843, is the date of the first entry of land in the town. This was made by James C. Carr. The railway station at Fall River is upon it. Carr came from the State of New York and settled upon this land June, 1844. He filled the office of Justice of the Peace for many years, and was several times elected Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. He removed to Missouri. Wayne B. Dyer came from Ohio in August, 1843, located on Section 34, the farm now occupied by Mr. Kelly. October 5, 1843, Dyer entered the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 26, the timber land northeast of the cemetery, on the road to Lost Lake ; this was the second entry of land in town. The following May, Dyer sold his claim and improvements to E. J. Smith, and, anticipating Greeley's advice to young men, " went west" and located in the present town of Otsego, where he was the first settler and built the first house in town. Two of his daughters, Mrs. Capt. M.

C. Hobart and Mrs. J. E. Grout, reside in Fountain Prairie. The next entries of land were made October 18, 1848, by Benjamin Sage and John Brown, heretofore mentioned, on the farm now owned by Enos Grout. When one considers that there were not a dozen farms then located in the eastern half of the county, he is just a little surprised at Mr. Brown's choice. Their lands selected, they set out on foot from Fountain Prairie to Green Bay, the land oflSce being located there. This was no small undertaking at that time, a few blazed trees marked the way to Beaver Dam, at Waupun a solitary log house, a few cabins at Fond du Lae, and from there on the east side of Lake Winnebago to Green Bay, most of the country was owned by the Indians. Northeast of Stockbridge was one stretch of twenty miles with only one settled cabin to cheer the tired and lonely traveler as he plodded on through the dense forest, but the goal was reached, the land purchased. Sage returned immediately to Vermont. Brown came back, built a log house, spent the winter alone, and was enabled, he says, to enter into the feelings of Alexander Selkirk, when he sang :

Dyer and Bushnell were the only other settlers in town at this time, and not so much as a cabin on the west until Fort Winnebago was reached.

There were " marrying and giving in marriage " in the early day in Fountain Prairie, as well as other portions of the civilized world. The first in the town to take upon themselves the vows to be one " until death should part them," were Clark Heflfron and Jane Boutwell, in 1846.

Quite a settlement was effected in the southeast corner of the town as early as 1845, and in the fall of that year a schoolhouse was erected on Section 23 and Mr. Babcock was engaged to teach school therein, during the following winter. The house was also used for religious services, being free to any denomination that desired its use. Here Rev. Stephen Jones, N. S. Green, E. J. Smith and other pioneer preachers labored in word and doctrine, and exhorted sinners to repent. School was held in this house summer and winter until the organization of the town into school districts in 1849. In that year, a better building was commenced and completed the following year ; the district being known aa No. 1. In 1879, there were five whole and five joint districts in the town.

Benjamin Sage and John Brown made the next entries, October 15, 1843. To make these entries. Sage and Brown walked the entire distance to and from Green Bay, where the land oflSce was located.

J. C. Carr, heretofore spoken of, was a skeptic in religion, while Mr. Sage was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former cared nothing for the Sabbath, while the latter believed in the sacredness of the day. While building his house, forgetting himself one Sabbath day, Mr. Sage took his spade and began work in his cellar. As it happened, Mr. Carr came along, and taking in the situation, he hid behind a tree and in a deep tone of voice cried out, " Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy I " Mr. Sage stopped his work, got upon a rock lying in the cellar, looked all around, but could see no one. He then returned to his work. Again the voice cried out as before. A second time Mr. Sage looked around to see whence came the voice. But no one was in sight, and he resumed his work. A third time the voice called on him to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Firmly impressed with the idea that an angel from Heaven had spoken to him, Mr. Sage cleaned off his spade and started away, when Mr. Carr stepped from behind the tree, laughing heartily at the result of his work.

There were frequently strifes among the early settlers for possession of choice pieces of land. On one occasion, E. J. Smith and Jacob Swarthout desired a certain tract, so, one morning, unbeknown, as he thought, to any one, Mr. Smith started ofl' to Green Bay to secure the prize. Mr. Swarthout was informed of the fact during the day, and just before night he mounted an Indian pony and started for the same place. When about half-way, he made a temporary exchange with an Indian for his pony and continued his journey without stopping to rest. He arrived at his destination about six hours ahead of Mr. Smith, and so secured the land.

Coon-hunting was an amusement occasionally indulged in. Wayne B. Dyer, Lewis Smith and Jacob Swarthout went out once, and, treeing a coon, Mr. Smith climbed the tree for the purpose of bringing him down. The coon had taken refuge in the hollow of the tree and Mr. Smith put in his hand to draw him out. The coon seized it and the hand was drawn out sud^ denly and with it the coon, who was thrown, by a violent jerk of Mr. Smith, some two or three rods away. Now the sight of blood always caused the gentleman to faint ; knowing this fact and pretending great anger, Mr. Swarthout began to curse him at a fearful rate, telling him he threw the coon away purposely ; that it was a mean, shabby trick, and drawing his gun on him threatened to shoot him if he did not at once come down out of that tree. The ruse was successful ; the mind of Mr. Smith being thus diverted from his maimed hand, he safely descended the tree. Explanations were made and a hearty laugh enjoyed.

During the first ten years of the town, it was settled by many first-class farmers, among whom might be mentioned John Brown, Henry C. Brace, William H. Proctor, Stephen FielcJ, T. J. Smith, Jacob Swarthout, Oliver W. Field, Henry C. Field, Victor Brossard, John Q. Adams and others.

Fountain Prairie is bounded on the north by Courtland, on the south by Columbus, on the west by Otsego, and on the east by Dodge County. Its area is six miles square, the principal portion being prairie land. The name. Fountain Prairie, was given to it from the fact that there was a spring or stream of living water on every section of land save three. The north branch of the Crawfish River enters the town on Section 18, passes through into 17, 8, 9, 10, 16, where it unites with the main stream ; the south branch enters on Section 30, runs through 31, 29, 20, 21, and on 16 joins the main branch, which courses through Sections 15, 14, 13. 23, 26, 27, 34, 35, and passes out from Section 36. The town is well adapted for grazing purposes.

In 1864, the La Crosse Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad was built through the town, entering on Section 34, crossing in a northwesterly direction through Sections 27, 28, 29, 20, 19, and into Otsego from 18. In consequence of the lay of the land not being favorable, the road was built about one mile southwest of the village of Fall River, but for the convenience of the citizens a depot was erected on the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 34, on land then owned by S. L. Batchelder. A small portion of his land was platted by Mr. Batchelder, and was called Batchelder's Addition to Fall River.

The first town meeting was held. April 3, 1849, at the store of A. A. Brayton. Enos Grout was chosen Moderator; Jonathan Chase, Assistant Inspector, and N. S. Green and J. C. Carr, Clerks. Sixty-two names are on the poll list, as follows: A. A. Brayton, George Welker, Calvin Bell, Horace O'Brien, Jonathan Eggelston, William Grout, James S. Hart, Francis Meadway, Benjamin Sage, Yule Borden, Silas M. Smith, Jacob Swarthout, John O'Brien, H. D. Manville, John D. Bullis, George Brown, Isaac Bennett, Oliver W. Field, E. T. Kearney, Henry C. Field, Joel -Williams, Christopher Brown, Phineas LTnderwood, Marvin Sturges, Hiram S. Hastings, William Hare, John Brown, William Rue, Henry C. Brace, Josiah Loomis, F. Justin, Nelson S. Green, Orson Snow, Charles Chase, Aaron Lashier, F. A. Martin, William R. Sperling, Edward Wipp, J. Lyman, Jr., William H. Proctor, J. W. Townsend, John D. Hunt, Brooks Fuller, S. R. Dix, John Hicks, Thomas J. Smith, Calvin Martin, Lorenzo Bennett, Stephen Fields, J. C. Carr, Smith Horton, Richard Blake, Jr., J. C. Heflron, Enos Grout, Abel Pierce, Jonathan Chase, Victor Brossard, Orin Bliss, Edward J. Smith, William 0. Maine.

The town officers elected were: Alfred A. Brayton, Chairman; Supervisors - Stillman R. Dix, Calvin Martin; Town Clerk, Silas M. Smith; Assessor, Benjamin Sage; Superintendent of Schools, John Q. Adams; Treasurer, Nelson S. Green; Justices of the Peace, Nelson S.

Green, Henry C. Fields, Moses R. Cobb, Calvin R. Martin ; Constables, E. T. Kearney, John Hicks and Lorenzo Bennett. Smith Horton was elected Road Supervisor in the western road district, and Enos Grout in the eastern district. The meeting voted to raise $125 for current expenses, about enough to pay a town clerk in a small town in 1876 ; $175 for school purposes, and $30 for bridge plank.

In addition to the foregoing, those assembled at this town meeting took upon themselves the law-making power, and voted that four and one-half feet in height shall constitute a lawful fence ; that fence viewers shall determine whether a fence is lawful, provided it is four and one-half feet high ; that any male swine running at large shall be forfeited ; that hogs shall not be free commoners except in the months of October, November and December ; to allow orderly horses, cattle and sheep to run at large, except stallion horses and buck sheep ; that a fine of $5 be imposed on any person violating the foregoing by-laws.

A few years later, this by-law was put upon the record : " Moved and carried that hogs running at large shall not be considered as property, but shall become the property of any man who will take them up and keep them confined."

The first highway located in the town was a Territorial road from Fort Winnebago to Jefferson, by way of Columbus and Waterloo. This was in 1844. The route selected was substantially over the present traveled road from Columbus to Otsego.

It will be remembered that Benjamin Sage, after purchasing his land, went back to Vermont. He returned in the spring of 1844 with his family, and put up a shanty with a hay-roof with a stove pipe running up through it. He was soon burned out. This was the first fire in town ; no insurance.

"Benjamin Sage died at his residence in Fountain Prairie on Tuesday last of apoplexy. He was sixty-seven years old and was among the pioneer settlers of Columbia f)ounty. Twentyeight years ago this autumn he came to this county and selected his farm and future home. There was only one family living in the present township of Fountain Prairie. It was necessary at that time to go to Green Bay to purchase, as the land office was then situated there. This journey he made on foot. The intervening country was then inhabited by Indians only. Roads and hotels at that period were of course not among the conveniences found by travelers. John Brown had selected an eighty adjoining the prospective farm of the Captain. With a single exception, these claims were the first two made in that township. These two pioneers made the journey to Green Bay together. The friendship formed during that trip was as lasting as life. Either could have adopted as his own the words of David lamenting for Jonathan, 'Very pleasant hast thou been unto me; thy love to me was wonderful, passing that of woman.' In the spring of 1847, Capt. Sage brought his family to Fountain Prairie and built a cabin. He has resided at the same location ever since. He was a good citizen, order-loving, public spirited and a Democrat of the old school.

In 1845, A. A. Brayton entered the land for the mill-site and village of Fall River, where he built a saw-mill in 1846, which furnished all the sawed lumber that was used in the construction of hundreds of log houses in this region. White oak boards were considered good finishing lumber in 1846. Brayton opened the first store in town in the fall of 1846, using a slab shanty for his store. , This year, 1846, was known to the early settlers as the sickly season. Fever and ague and chills and fever were very prevalent. In many neighborhoods there were not well ones enough to care for the sick, and some left the country because of its unhealthiness. This town lying in the forks of the Crawfish, which is skirted with timber, was a favorite hunting and fishing ground for the Indian. Then it was right in his pathway from the Rock River to the portage between the Fox and the Wisconsin, and deep trails were worn across the prairie where for many a long year the savage had led his squaw and his pony. For several years after the first settlement, the Indian was wont to visit these old hunting and fishing grounds ; but he was not the Indian of song and story, but a miserable, thieving, begging, cowardly specimen of humanity. Deer and the prairie hen were the principal game that the early settler

The town of Fountain Prairie lies directly south of Courtland, but is considerably lower than the latter town, the dividing ridge having passed off to the westward. Prairie occurs in the southwestern sections only. Narrow marshy belts ai-e seen in the northern portion and middle sections. The Crawfish River traverses the southeastern portions, and near the middle of the town divides into two main branches, the one heading in the southwest corner of the town, the other and more northern one heading in the town of Otsego, on the west. Both streams and marsh belts show the same southwest-northeast direction as observed in the town of Courtland. The largest part of the town lies at an altitude of 300 to 350 feet, the extremes being about 250 feet along the Crawfish in the southeast part of the town, and points in the northwest, reach 380 to 400 feet. The streams run in shallow but well-defined valleys.

Village Op Fall River

The village of Fall River was founded by A. A. Brayton in 1846. Brayton moved with his father's family to Wisconsin in 18-37, and, in 1888, settled at Aztalan, where, the following year, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Grout. At this place, he kept a small variety store. In 1846, he purchased the southwest quarter of Section 26, Township 11, Range 12, in what is now the town of Fountain Prairie. He drew up a plan of the village and proceeded to erect a saw-mill. . He also opened a variety store. The saw-mill he continued to operate for six years. In 1850, he erected a large grist-mill, which was well patronized by the farmers in the immediate neighborhood. In a short time, he sold a halfinterest to A. W. Kellogg, and, afterward, the remainder to Mr. Kenney. Kellogg & Kenney, in the spring of 1860, disposed of it to Mortimer & Curtis. Up to March, 1880, it had successively passed into the hands of C. D. Cotton, Prime & Jones, E. T. Jones & Bro., and William R. Hughes. '

To the original plat of the village, made by Mr. Bray ton in 1856, Eli Grout made a small addition. On the completion of the railroad in 1864, S. L. Batchelder also made an addition in the vicinity of the depot. Previous to 1880, many streets and blocks of land had been vacated, reducing materially the original plat.

The first house was erected by Alfred A. Bray ton, who likewise opened the first store. Martha, daughter of Benjamin and Margaret Sage, was the first born in the village as well as town.