East Troy Town (part 1 of 2)

Organization

East Troy, the extreme northeastern town in Walworth County, and known in the Govornraental Survey as " Town 4, Eange 18," was organized by act of Legislature Mai'ch 21, 1843. From 1838, the time when the five original towns of the county were formed, up to this date, the territory' comprised in the present towns of Troy and East Troy (Towns 4. Ranges 1 7 and 18 east) constituted a single town, known as the town of Troy.

Natukal Features

The sceoerj' of East Troy is varied and very jjicturesque, the northern portion, in the vicin ity of Crooked Lake, being broken and hilly: the southern and western, level or gently rolling; and the eastern, rolling.

It is watered in the central part by Honey Creek, which enters the town on Section 30, runs in a general easterly direction, with a northerly bend on Sections 23 and 24, and leaves the town on Section 25. Crooked Lake, Potter's Lake and Army Lake are in the northern part of the town, and Spring Brook runs through the southern part.

Crooked Lake covers an area of 800 acres. Its southern extremity is on Section 18. It extends over the northwest corner of Section 17, thence diagonally to northea.st corner of Section 8, spreading over the northern half of Section 9, and southwest portion of Section 4. It is extremely crooked, as its name indicates. On the southeast shore, it is wooded, with occasional swamps; on the northwest, there are fine farms, that of Seymoiu- Brooks - Lake View farm - being at its northern outlet. The old mills were situated between the two forks of the stream that formed the outlet. Buck Island is in the northern part of the lake; two small ones, called Twin Islands, near the western shore, in Sectien 8: and Floating Island, near its center. The line of its shore, particularly the eastern, is very irregular, and on Section 9, it constitutes a series of deep indentations. The lake is crossed by a bridge at the western extremity of West Bay, on Section 18, its narrowest point, and its waters, before finding their outlet at the northern extremity, form a small detached lake, or pond, on Section 4, loiown as Mill Lake.

Potter's Lake, on Sections 10 and 11, covers an area of 300 acres, being one mile in length and a half in width. The lake has no natiu-al outlet, its siu-plus waters flowing over the low, marshy land on its southern side. It is a beautiful sheet of water, and was, in the olden time, a favorite fishing-ground of the Indians. This lake belongs to the Unitiid States Government. It is a meandered lake. Hon. John F. Potter, whose home, " Lake Side Farm," is on its northern shore, on Section 11, he was the lu'st and for many years the only settler on its shores.

Spring Brook, which has its source in Spring Prairie, runs through the large marsh on Sections 33, 28 and 27, and, taking a northeasterly course tlu'ough Section 26. empties into Honey Creek on Section 23.

There is a large swamp in the southern part of Sections 26 and 27, extending through the southeast corner of Section 28, and into the southwest corner of Section 33, and southeast of Section 32, also, quite an extensive marsh, extending from the southwest part of Potter's Lake into the northern part of Section 15; and on Section 13, a swamp covered with a growth of tamarack.

Honey Creek enters the town of East Troy on Section 80, and runs through the entire town from west to east, passing through Sections 30 and 29; the northwest corner of 28, and southeast corner of 21 ; across 22, 23, and to the eastern verge of 24, where it makes a sharp bend and runs south to about the center of Section 25, where it leaves the town.

Spring Brook takes its rise in springs in the town of Sirring Prairie, runs northeast through the marshy lands of East Troy, and empties into Honey Creek on Section 23.

There is comparatively little prairie in East Troy, the land being roiling, with openings of oak similar to the neighboring towns. The leveler portions of the town are in the southern and western sections. The eastern and northern parts are rolling, with occasional hills about the lakes. The soil is a clay loam on the higher lands, and a dark marl on the leveler tracts. It is rich, and well adapted to the growth of cereals, and is excellent for pasture lands.

Early Settlement Of East Troy

The lirst settlers of East Troy were not emigrants fleeing from the malarious districts of Indiana and Ohio, or leaving the rocky and sterile farms of New England to find a richer soil and more abtmdant harvest in the young and growing West. Neither were they men wearied with business cares and anxieties, seeking change and rest in a new life, away from the turmoil and noise of a great city. On the contrary, " the tide of immigration," which aftei-ward peopled the town with all these classes, " set in " eai'h' in the spring of 1886, in the person of one lone young man, who, having just sold his claim a few sections fiu'ther west, decided to " pitch his moving tent" and make another claim on Section 29. This pioneer, Mr. Roberts by name, was soon joined by Mr. Asa Blood, who settled on the same section, built a house, and boarded the younger man. The house was on the north bank of Honey Creek, near the present site of the mills, and was the first house in East Troy.

Messrs. Blood and Roberts lived on their claim about a year, diu'ing the time making preparations for the erection of a saw-mill. After getting out their lumber, etc., they sold the property to Mr. Jacob Burgit, who commenced building in the fall of 1837, and completed the work March, 18'iH - the first saiv-mill in East Troy.

After selling his claim on Section 29, Mr. Blood moved to Sugar Creek and bought out William Davis, who had already a cabin on Section 14, near Silver Lake. He lived in this place several years, when he removed to Invlependence, Iowa, where he died a few years ago. Diu'ing the year (1836), there arrived and settled at East Troy the following:

Austin McCracken built the second log cabin on the north side of Honey Creek, near where the East Troy Hotel Jiow stands. His claim was located on Section 20.

Daniel P. Griffin, with his family and his son-in-law, Allen Harrington and family, arrived July 4, 1836, and made a claim on Section 20, just east of the present village. (More particular notice of the circumstances attending his arrival are given in another part of this sketch. ) Mr. Harrington claimed the northwest quarter of Section 21.

J. Haller, from Switzerland, located on Section 35, claiming the southwest quarter. Until within a few years, his farmhouse was still the only one on that section.

Jacob Burgit came early in 1837, bought the claim of Blood and Roberts, and improved the water-power on Honey Creek. (See village of East Troy. )

William Weed, an Eastern merchant, ruined in fortune in the commercial crisis of the time, came from Buffalo, N. Y. , to East Troy, and remained a few years. Two of his children died during his residence here, and, the health of Mrs. Weed becoming impaired, she returned to her old home in Connecticut, and soon dii^l also. Mr. Weed removed, after the death of his wife, to Waukesha, and thence to Beaver Dam. He was a most worthy and exemplary man. and a leader in all the reforms of his time.

Mr. James W. ^'ail and wife were also Eastern people seeking to retrieve their fortunes in the new and rapidly growing West. Both Mr. and Mrs. Vail were among the early and stanch supporters of the Presbyterian Church in East Troy, and active in temperance and other reforms. They soon removed to Geneva.

Dr. James Tripp entered land on Sections 5 and 6, and built a saw-mill at the outlet of Crooked Lake. The lake, in early times, was known as " Tripp's Lake," and the mill as "Tripp's Mill." Dr. Tripp was also one of the early Whitewater pioneers, to which place he subsequently removed, founded the village, and died there in 1844.

Benjamin Jennings settled near the present village; resided there some years; moved away in 1854, but retiuned in 18fi5 or 18(50. He died in East Troy some years since.

Dr. William M. Gorham located on Section 2 in 1837. He had previously located at Milwaukee in the sjjringof 1836 (May 13), bringing in a large stock of merchandise, but, the goods not being well adapted to the market, the venture pi-oved unprofitable, and Dr. Gorham retm-ned to the duties of his profession. While yet a resident of Milwaukee, the Doctor was called on one day to attend a farmer at Spring Prairie, upon whom a tree had fallen, rendering it necessary that the patient should be trephined. The distance was formidable, with not even a trail to follow, but the Doctor came out to Spring Prairie, jierformed the operation, and, the following spring, the grateful fm'mer went to Milwaukee with men, teams, plow, and feed for all his force, plowed a thirty-acre lot. fenced one side of it, and, using seed that he had brought for the purpose, sowed as much wheat as gave to his medical attendant 200 bushels of excellent grain. Dr. Gorham also was the regulai' attendant, diu'ing this time, of foiu- families who had settled at Eock Kiver. After residing some years in East Troy, the Doctor returned to Milwaukee, where he now resides, probably the only physician now living who settled in the county at that eai'ly date.

Gaylord Graves, in the s^n-ing of 1837, came with his family from Oswego. N. Y. , and settled upon the northwest (juai'ter of Section 21. The property is now owned by Cyrus Cass. ^Ii'. Graves was popular among his neighbors, and. being a man of affaii's, held several local offices, being County Commissioner, one of the first Justices of the Peace, etc. He was appointed to the latter office by Gov. Dodge. January 3, 1838, his commission being for three years. In 1840, he represented the county in the Territorial Legislatm-e. He removed to Whitewater nearly twenty-tive years ago. In 1880. Mr. Graves removed to North wood. Iowa, where he lives in a contented retirement.

Henry Powers, of Plattsburg, N. Y. . came with a young daughter, made his claim and built his cabin on Section 3. He remained there until 1840, when he sold to StiUman Dewey. His daughter, Antoinette, became the wife of A. F. Pratt, of Waukesha.

John F. Potter came in the spring, a young man under twenty, made his claim, built his cabin and settled on Section 11, on the northern bank of the lake which beai-s his name. The place selected by Mr. Potter over forty years ago is still his home. (Further mention will be found in biography.)

Lucius Allen an-ived October 28, 1838, and bought a fann on Section 31, He was a carpenter, and, in 1841, built the first ft-amed store in East Troy, occuj^ied by Sewell Smith. He aftei-ward bought on Section 6, in Spring Prairie, and resided there many yeai-s; is now a resident of Elkhom.

Stephen Field, in 1838, j)ui'chased the claim of Daniel Griffin, on Section 20, about a mile east of the village (now owned by Stejjhen F. Field, his son).

In 1837, Dr. James Tripp entered a claim on Sections 4 and 5, and, in the succeeding year, built a saw-mill at the outlet of Crooked or Tripp's Lake. This jsroperty was bought by A. W.

and N. W. Cole, who erected what was called the " Ti-ov Lake Mill." The mill was started, but the flume gave out, and, unfortunately, the money also gave out at about the same lime, so that the property ])assed into other hands. E. H. Ball & Co. bought the mill, had the neeessaiy repairs made, and, in 1852, sold it to Seymoui- Brooks and Timothy Mower. E. H. Ball & Co. again bought the mill, and subsequently sold it to Timothy Mower, who sold it to Martin Medburv. of Milwaukee. In 18(51, it was bought by Fairar & Williams, and from them passed successively into the hands of Messrs. B. B. Humphrey, W, H. Gorseline, Nathaniel Aiken. Little & Btu-nham, and Anally to J. P. Thomson. It was burned in Februaiy. 1876, nothing now remaining liut the wheel.

Martin Pollard, fi-om Vermont, and Stillman P.. his brother, located claims on the southeast quarter of Section 3. Martin aftei-ward bought on Section 2.

S. B. Edwards removed from Troy to the village dm-ing this year and opened a blacksmith shop. There he erected the third fi-ame building in East Troy, occupying the lower tloor for his slioj) and the upper jiart for family use. In 1842. Mr. Edwards built a regular fi'ame house, and, the next vear, commenced farming. He removed to Whitewater in 1878. where his wife died November 21, 1880.

In 1841, Sewell Smith, a merchant from Vermont, removed with his family to East Troy. George H. Smith, his sou. was at that time quite a young boy. IMr. Smith lived over his store, having bought laud on Section lU. George H. lived with his father until 1856 or 1857. Lucius Allen built ]\Ii-. Smith's store, which was the tii'st one in town.

Capt. George Fox, father-in-law of I. F. Potter, left Maine in 1S3U. and, after residing for a time in Michigan, came to Wisconsin and settled on Section 11, in East Troy.

Early Times And Events

The first death that occurred in East Troy was that of "SIxs. Lucius Allen, who was biu-ied November 15. 1838. on the hill, then first used as a cemetery, a little west of the present village.

Miss Auger (now Mi's. Charles Taylor) taught the first school in the old Methodist Chapel, probably in the summer of 1840. The early winter schools were also taught in this building and it is stated that one of the most severe punishments the teacher could inflict was to cause the delinquents to stand in the corners of the room away from the stove in the center. This brought to terms the most refi'actory.

Mr. Austin McCracken kept the first tavern, on strictly temperance principles. Strictly speaking, his house was not kept as a tavern, although he more frequently entertained the traveling public than any one else. His place became a full-fledged, licensed tavern in 1838 cjr 1839, at which time Austin Wright rented the place, and it was run by him not on strictly temperance princi])les.

When the Presbyterian Church was organized. Rev. Lemuel Hall, the first Walworth County missionary, preached occasionally during the first year. The first settled pastor was Rev. A. D. Sherman, a descendant of the famous Roger Sherman, one of the committee of five that di-afted the Declaration of Independence. Rev. Mr. Sherman was a man of fine culture and highly educated, having been President of a college in one of the older States. He died at Racine in the year 1843.

After the years nf lS-4() and 1841, immigration increased s(j I'apidly that, in a few years, all the land in the town was taken up, and no separate mention of the settlers" names would be possible; but especial mention of many who came early; and have left their mark upon the town, will be found among the biographies.

Gaylord Graves was born at Richfield Springs, in the State of New York, May 22, 1804, being the son of James N. Graves, who emigrated from Springfield, Mass.. at an early day. Gaylord received a common-school education, and, at the age of eighteen, commenced the battle of life empty-handed. In 1824. January 18, after he had gathered a small capital by working on a farm, Air. Graves married Miss Nancy Tuckerman. removed to Northern New York, and took up some land for himself. This occupation proved so profitless that he was obliged to resort to teaching, during the winter months, to eke out a living. The demands of a growing family, joined to his own ambition as a man, pressed his steps Westwai'd. Removing to Oswego, he lived there until 1836, when his hopes induced him to make another change further west. Accordingly, in September of that year, he left Oswego, traveling to Buffalo by stage. Next, embarking on board the steamboat Michigan for Detroit, he reached that port, but not " haven of rest, " after a stormy passage of five days. Mr. Graves traveled thi'ough the State from east to west, then through Indiana, and around the southern end of Lake Michigan to Chicago. From there he followed the trail made by the detachment of soldiers under Gen. Wilkinson in piu'suit of Black Hawk fom' years before. At this time, there was no settlement beyond until Burlington was reached, where he heard of Daniel P. Griffin, of Honey Creek, with whom he had a slight accpiaintance. Being highly pleased with th" country, Mr. Graves made a claim adjoining his of a quarter-section, making arrangements with Mr. Griffin to break three acres of land that fall. Retm-ning again on foot, his intention was to bring back his family diu'ing the winter. This he found inexpedient, but, being afraid that he would lose his claim if he remained away too long, he shouldered his i)ack again, March 18, 1837. and performed the entire journey on foot in thirty-two days. Floundering through snow, rain and mud, the com-ageous pioneer at length set foot on his own claim, in Township 4 north. Range 18 east. The siunmer was spent in improving his little log cabin for the reception of his family. In the fall he retiu'ned to Oswego on foot, this being his third journey by this mode of conveyance. Mr. Graves left Oswego with his wife and four children, February 9, 1838, and, on his return, found a commission from Gov. Dodge, dated January 3, 1838, ajipoiuting him a Justice of the Peace for three years. By the persuasion of his friends, he was induced to accept the office, and, at the expiration of his term, the commission was renewed. When the office became elective, he was repeatedly retiu'ned. In 1845, he was elected to the Territorial Assembly, and again, to the first session of the State Legislature in 1848. Mr Graves also held the office of County Commissioner, and took the census of the northern }iart of AValworth County. At the sale of the Rock River District, he bid off the lands for Troy and East Troy. In fact, all through the early days of the county, he was one of the most prominent of the men of its northwestern portion.

In the year 1844-45, tj^)hoid fever prevailed in Troy and adjoining towns, removing by death many valuable lives, among the number being Mr. Graves' wife, who died January 5, 1845, leaving five children- -two sons and three daughters. The latter part of the same year, he was united in marriage with Miss Keziah Freeman, a daughter of Dr. Freeman, of Washington County, N. Y. In the spring following, she died with consumption. Again, in the year 1848, Mai-ch 15, Mr. Graves was mairied to Mrs. Mary Ann Pike, the then widow of Col. Calvin Pike, and daughter of I. 11. Wheeler, Esq., of Whitewater, who were among the very early settlers of Walworth County. Mr. Graves was connected with most of the early organized efforts for the advancement of the material, intellectual and moral advancement of the county, and had the satisfaction of being among the very last to leave the scene of the pioneer labors which made possible the present unparalleled prosperity of this sectioii of the county.

Early Trials And Early Progress

The discomforts and hardships of the pioneers of East Troy were similar in character to those of their ueifrhbors iu the adjacent towns. While there was perhaps little actual suffering, it was a continual strugcrle to make the supply of the actual necessities of life equal to the demand. For the women particularly it must have been in daily and hourly discipline in the weai-y task of " makint; bricks without straw." Meals to prepare that should sustain the strength of the toiling husband without and satisfy the keen, if not fastidious, appetites of the hungry brood within, and this with no convenience of stove or cooking utensils, save a few kettles that could be hung on the if they were so fortunate as to possess oven that. flour"' and meal"" were unheard of; baking-powder and compressed yeast did not gladden the eyes, or lighten the labors or the bi'ead of the weary housewives of 1836. They God and took courage,"" if the barrel of flour brought from Milwaukee or Racine, and paid for with the savings of months, proved fit for the use of the family. Then the winters were long and cold, and clothing will wear out even in ever so new a country. The needle must have been busily applied every spare moment of the day to keep the big and little garments ready for use. and when the light waned, there was always the ever-ready and neverending knitting. In those days, mothers could not send for their "'old family })hysieian,'' if the little ones were sick, or their own health failed; but through the long hoiu's they must and wait," only depending upon their own resources for the strength and skill which should, with the help of God, restore them to sti-eugth. It was days of weary waiting, not idle waiting, with hands full of care, hearts full of forebodings, and nerves tense with anxiety that made the lives of the pioneer wives and mothers peculiarly hai-d.

The actual perils and dangers attending the settlement of a new country are soon over, l)ut the deprivations and hardships must remain until it is sufficiently advanced to contain within itself all the e.ssentials of comfort, and it must always be trxie that these deprivations and hardships will fall most heavily upon the women. After 1836 and 1837, the sharp edges of pioneer life became smoothed down, and the settlers in the new towns began to feel that their homes were taking on a more comfortable aspect. It was not until 1838 or 1839. however, that the harvested grain could be made into flour, without a long and tiresome journey. When the grist-mill was built at Geneva, iu 1838, by C. M. Goodsell, and the settlers of East Troy could have wheaten bread made from floiu' that was fresh and sweet, it was a day of rejoicing. The ride of foiu'teen or fifteen miles that lay between the harvest-fleld and the mill seemed but a slight afi'air to men inured to the privations and sacrifices of a life in an unsettled country. The Trail '" that led Meacham and Spoor and Beardsley and Roberts into the country, had given place to roads that were passably good, and, in 1838, a mail route was established from Milwaukee to Janesville and a Government road laid out, which passed through what now is the village of East Troy. This road becaiue the great thoroughfare from Lake Michigan to the western part of the Territory, and. as East Troy was a central point, and furnished the best acconamodations that could be found far traveling public '" of the day, it soon became a place of considerable business importance. It is related that nearly every house in the village turned itself, at times, into a hotel, in order to accommodate the wants of the rapidly increasing number of travelers and teamsters. In 1841, the Beloit & Milwaukee road was established, and loaded stage coaches soon became familiar objects to the eyes of the villagers.

In 1839. the first post office was established, and the first appointed Postmaster was John F. Potter. The office was at first located on Section 3, at the house of Henry Powers, and continued in that place two years. At the expiration of that time, at the request of Mr. Potter, the office was removed to the village, and, through his instrumentality. Mr. Sewell Smith was appointed Postmaster. Mr. Smith had recently removed from Vermont and opened a store at the village, and the office was kept at the store. After his appointment, Mr. Smith retained the office about two years, when it was discontinued, owing to disagreements in regard to the separation of the two towns. After a year, it was re-established and Mr. Smith was again a]ii)ointed Postmaster. He sei-ved in this capacity several terms, making an aggregate of fifteen years. Mr. Smith held the office first imtil 1848, when he was succeeded by E. H. Ball. In 1853, John D. Hawes was commissioned and remained in posession for a short time only, being followed by Thomas Russell, who held the office until Mr. Smith's second appointment in bSfil . In 1866,

H. B. Clark was commissioned and remained in possession three years, beiuo; succeeded by J. W. Church. Mr. Church held the office for three months only, and was followed by the present incumbent, P. O. Griste. The office was made a money order office in Auujust, 1870. The first order issued was to A. O. Babcock, and the first order drawn was by Peter Yoss, at^anistee, Mich.

The first assessment list for the town of East Troy was made in May, 1844 - a year after its organization. This list shows 113 resident and 26 non-resident land holders.

In 1844, Mr. Jacob Burgit built a grist-mill on Honey Creek, just south of the village, which was run under his jM-oprietorship until 1854. The old breast-wheel is still running in its oaken frame, and the solid walls of the present mill, made of tbe same substantial material, testify to the thoroughness of the work done nearly forty years ago. Mi-. Burgit disposed of the mill to H. B. Evans. It has since been owned by the following persons in their respective order. Ball & Dennison, Mr. Brown, Mr. Smith, Mr. Fox, C. F. Zastrow, and is now owned by Mr. Charles Smith. The mill in size is 30x40, two stories high, with a basement. It has two run of stone, and a capacity of seventv-five barrels of flour per day. It represents a valuation of $5,000.

The First Town Meeting

In accordance with the following notice, the voters of the town of Troy (then comprising the present towns of Troy and East Troy) assembled, April 5, 1842, for their lirst town meeting:

Notice is liereby given tn tlie Electors of the town of Troy tiiat a meeting will be held at the hoii.se occupied by Austin McCracken in said town, on the .ith day of April, 1842, between the hours of 9 and 11 o'clock A. M., to elect such officers as required by law, and do and transact all necessary business for the organization of town and county government, as required by the act of 1841.

The compensation voted to town officers was II per day, except to the Sealer of Weights and Measures, who received 6 cents for each weight and measure sealed; the Town Clerk, who received 10 cents per folio of 100 words; and the Treasurer, who received 1 per cent on all moneys received and collected.

It was voted that the Board of Supervisors should provide for the poor on the credit of the to\\ai, and the expenses thus incurred shoitld be collected on the next assessment roll.

Sepabation Of The Towns

March 21, 1848, the town8hi]is of Troy were separated, and East Troy, as such, commenced its new and independent existence. The territory embraced in the present town has been, from the first, called by that name, to prevent confusion in the minds of those who have always known it as such, and to whom the fact of a person settling upon a certain section in the town of Troy would convey a very indefinite idea.

The first town meeting held by the voters of th « present town of East Troy was on the 10th day of April, 1843, at which time the following olScers were elected: Supervisors, Gaylord Graves, Stilman Dewey, Gorham Bunker; Town Clerk, Sewall Smith; Treasurer, Jacob Burgit; Assessors, Stilman Dewey, Leland C. Patch, Emory Thayer; Collector, John Dunkin; Commissioners of Schools, Sewall Smith, Henry M. Filley, A. W. Wright; Constables, John Dunkin, Marcus L. Jewett. Williams Perry.

1844 - Supervisors, Sewall Smith, Chairman; Gorham Bunker, A. W. Wright; A. O. Babcock, Clerk; Jacob Biu-git, Treasurer; Gaylord Graves, Assessor; John Dunkin. Collector; John Sprague, A. O Babcock, Austin Carver, Justices of the Peace; John Lowth, A. O. Babcook, Henry M. Filley, Commissioners of Schools; John Dunkin, Williams Perry, M. L. Jewett, Constables.

184R - Supervisors, Austin Carver, Chairman; S. B. Edwards, James W. Bartholf; A. O. Babcock, Clerk; H. B. Clark, Treasurer; James W. Bartholf, Ebenezer Drake, Shubel Bunker, Assessors; John Dunkin, Collector; A. O. Babcock, Austin Carver, Cyrus Bull, Justices of the Peace; John P. Galluji, Amos Stilwell, Cyrus E. Rosimla-anz, Commissioners of Schools; John Duncan, John Wilcox, Edward F. Edwards, Constables.

1848 - Supervisors, Joel Pound, Chairman; S. B. Edwards, James W, Bartholf; A. O. Babcock, Clerk; Jacob Biu'git, Treasiu-er; Stilman Dewey, Shubel Bunker, Jacob Burgit, Assessors: John Dunkin, Collector; Augustus C. Brady, Austin Carver, Cyrus Bull, Justices of the Peace; Cyrus E. Rosenkranz, Levi D. Rosenki-anz. A. O. Babcock, Commissioners of Schools; Marcus L. Jewett, L. J. Edwards, John Dunkin, Constables.

1850 - Supervisors, H. B. Clark, Chairman; Jacob Funk, George A. Ray; George H. Smith, Clerk; Seymour Brooks, Treasm'er; James W. Bartholf, Assessor; Samuel P. Cole, Superintendent of Schools: A. O. Babcock, C. L. Oatman, Joel' Calef, Joel Pound, Justices of the Peace; Seymour Brooks, Nelson Beckwith, William P. Edwards, Constables.

1851 - Supervisors, H. B. Clark, Chairman; David Van Zandt, Nathan P. Randall; Gregory Bentley, Clerk; George Edwards, Treasm-er; Gorham Bunker, Assessor; William Van Zandt, Superintendent of Schools; A O. Babcock, Gregory Bentley, Justices of the Peace; Nelson Beckwith, J. L. Wilcox, Adolphus Northi-op, Constables.

1852 - Supervisors, H. B. Clark, Chairman; George Bunker, William Mcintosh; A. C. Brady, Clerk; Emery Thayer, Treasurer; William Burgit, Assessor; A. C. Brady, Superintendent of Schools; Timothy Mower, Jr., John Frazer, Justices of the Peace; Joseph Cummings, Charles Hillard, Nelson Branch, Constables.

1854 - Supervisors, Gorham Bunker, Chairman ; William Mcintosh, S. B. Edwards; George Bentley, Clerk; Lucius S. Moody, Treasurer; James H. Hall, George A. Ray, Assessors; Gregory Bentley, Superintendent of Schools; John Frazer, Jesse Thombleson, Justices of the Peace; Nelson Beckwith, Freeman Ackley, Daniel Hinebauch, Constables.

1857 - Supervisors, Austin Carver, Chairman ; D. G. Billings, Gorham Bunker ; H. I. Cowles, Clerk; J. W. Church, Ti-easurer; John Frazer, Shubel Bunker, Assessors; R. A. Spencer, Superintendent of Schools; Heniy Adams, Lucius Allen, Justices of the Peace; Charles Frazer, Alanson Beckwith, Frederick House, Constables.

1858 - Supervisors, H. B. Clark, Chairman; Gorham Bunker, Jesse Thombleson; Gregory Bentley, Clerk; James Palmer, Treasurer; S. B. Tullar, Assessor; R. A. Spencer, Superintendent of Schools; Gregory Bentley, R. C. Flandei's, Justices of the Peace, C. G. Smith, S. Dartt, Charles Frazer, Constables.

1859 - Supervisors, William Burgit, Chairman; John Frazer, J. M. Stilwell; Newton King, Clerk: P. M. Clark, Treasurer: Orrin Moffit, Assessor; R. A. Spencer, Superintendent of Schools; Seymoiu" Brooks, William Miller, R. A. Spencer, Justices of the Peace; S. Dartt, Isaac Bear, Charles Miller, Constables.

1860 - Supervisors, William Bm-git, Chairman; Stephen F. Field, David Holmes; A. O. Babcock, Clerk; M. Coleman, Treasurer; Orrin Moffit, Assessor; A. Sedgwick, Superintendent of Schools; S. B. Tullar, Elisha Stilman. Seymoiu- Brooks, Justices of the Peace; S. Dartt, L. J. Edwards, Charles Miller, Constables.

1861 - Supervisors, William Burgit, Chairman; Stephen F. Field, E. Baker; J. W. Church, Clerk; Thomas Russell, Treasurer; Orrin Moffit, Assessor; William Miller, Superintendent of Schools; William Jliller, A. O. Babcock, Justices of the Peace; D. P. Webster, C. S. Miller, L. J. Edwards, Constables.

1863- -Supervisors, William Biu'git, Chairman; H. Adams, Alexander Frazer; H. B. Clark, Clerk; S. Dartt, Treasurer; Seymoiu- Brooks, Assessor; William Miller, A. O. Babcock, Justices of the Peace; John Adkins, W. Titus, Josej)h Cummings, Constables.

1881 - Superivsors, H. H. Rogers, Chairman; Lindsey Atkinson (resigned, and C. F. P. Chafin appointed June 27), J. M. Hunter; W S. Keats, Clerk; .James Monaghan, Treasurer: S. B. Tullar, Assessor: S. B. Tullar, Frank Frazer, Justices of the Peace: A. Stebbins, .J. J. Haller, F. Chafin, Constables.

The fii'st settlers on the site of the present village of East Troy were 'Mi: H. Roberts, Asa Blood, Austin McCracken and Jacob Burgit. The accoimt of their settlements has already been given in the early history of the town of East Troy, as well as all the early history of the village previous to its being platted. The platting of the village occurred in March, 1847. Martin Fields, of Mukwanago doing the surveying. All that part of the village lying north of the main street, was owned and phitted by Austin McCracken, and that south of the main street by Jacob Bm'git. McCracken and Burgit, the proprietors of the village, offered special inducements to the peopling of the village by giving to each person a lot, providing he would build on this lot a house and improve it in various other ways. They also set apart a certain number of lots for religious societies on which churches have since been built. In this manner, numerous persons were induced to settle in the village, and in a few years it assumed considerable importance, and is now one of the most prosperous and flourishing villages in the county.

The first store was built for Sewall Smith by Lucius Allen in 1841. In this building Mr. Smith opened the first stock of goods. This building is now standing opposite the East Troy House, and is owned by D. Gleason, and at present unoccupied. The second store was built and opened by Austin Wright in the following year - 1842. This building stood on the present site of the drug store of P. O. Griste. Among the other early merchants were R. H. Mallory, who piu-chased the stock of goods belonging to Mr. Smith, and commenced business in the store building owned by Mr. Wright, he in the meantime closing out his stock of goods and removing from the village. Mr. Mallory sTibsequently associated with himself as a partner C. L. Oatman, and they continiied the business together for some time. Stone & Markham were also early merchants. Mr. Markham remained as a partner of Mr. Stone's for some time, and was succeeded by a Ml'. Hurlburt, and he in tiu-n by H. J. Cowles, Stone & Cowles, then Austin & Dorranee, who were succeeded by H. H. Austin, who still continues the business. Alonzo Piatt was also one of the early merchants.

The first school in the village of East Troy was taught by a Miss Auger in 1839. It was held in the Methodist Chapel, which was the first frame Ijuilding erected in the village. The first schoolhouse was built in 1846. This was a one-story frame building, in size 20x36. The present schoolhouse was built in 1853 or 1854, the old one being too small to accommodate all the school children. The old schoolhouse has been remodeled, and is now owned and used by J. Bailey as a dwelling-house. The present house is in size 34x')0, two stories high, with accommodations for about two hundred scholars. The school is gi'aded, emjiloying three teachers. The schools are in a prosperous condition under the principalshij) of L. E. Peck.

While Spring Prairie claims' the honor of the first sermon preached in Walworth County, July 10, 1830, East Troy claims the first public religious service a kind of patriarchal service, held on the beautiful eminence just south of Ai-my Lake, where j\Ir. Lawler now resides. The date is given as Sunday, July 4, 1830, but it must have been July 3, if on Sunday. This was just a week before the meeting in Spring Prairie. Mr. Daniel Griffin, with his family, was on his way fi'om his old home in Oswego, N. Y.,to the new home in Wisconsin. He had already selected his location, and Saturday night found him yet a mile from the chosen spot. His sons who came with him had arrived at man's estate, and were heads of families; so that quite a little colony encamped that July night on the hill, and, on the following ilay. they were gathered to render thanks to God for bringing them thus far on their joiu'ney in safety, and to ask His divine blessing on their new undertaking. Mr. Griffin was a zealous and enthusiastic Methodist, and the second (juarterly meeting of the Aztalau Mission, Rev. Salmon Stebbins, Presiding Elder, was held at his house on February 3, 1838. This mission embraced all the country lying between the Fox River on the east, the Rock River on the west. State line on the south and Johnson's Rapids on the north. At the meeting at the house of Mr. Griffin, the Methodist Episcopal Church of East Troy was organized - said to have been the first chiu'ch organized in Wal worth County. The members of the class formed at this meeting were Daniel P. Griffin, Daniel Grifim, his son, Mrs. McCracken, Mr. and Mrs. John S. Spoor and Benjamin Jennings Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Vail and Mr. and Mrs. William Weed joined the class temporarily, or until they should be able to organize the church of their choice. Revs. Jesse Halstead and Samuel Pillsbury were the first preachers on this circuit, and managed to keep their appointments in the face of difficulties which were well-nigh insiu'mountable. During this first year, Mr. Halstead' s horse becoming disabled, the undismayed pioneer, like a soldier indeed, bravely marched on foot from post to post, determined that he would "hold the fort" if once it was gained. I. B. Cornish was Secretaiy.

At the organization of the Methodist Church. John S. Spoor and Samuel S. Porter were made class-leaders, holding the position the greater part of their residence in the town. Mr. Spoor was also Sunday school Superintendent, and both he and Mr. (iriffin filled the offices of Trustee and Steward. Mr. Griffin also held an exhorter's license until the time of his death. The church held its meetings at .Mr. Griffin's house for a number of months, when a log house was erected on the present parsonage site, which was called '"the Parsonage," or the "'Mission

The buildini; known as the Chapel "' - the first frame building in the village of East Troy - was jirobably erected during the winter of 1839-40. It was built as a union church, and" so used by all denominations for several years. It received its name from the fact that the Methodists w(u-e at that time the predominating sect, and used the "Chapel"' most frequently, having the only organized church. For many years this old landmark served many and various purj)oses - town hall, schoolhouse, etc. After the various denominations that once worshiped here in common had each a "local habitation and a naine,"' the Methodi.sts used it alone imtil they erected their present church edifice in ISTjO.

The "Old Methodist Chapel" is now historic, and the children and grandchildren of the old settlers can see upon the lot of Mrs. Flowers, of East Troy, the chm-ch where, in the early days, sects and denominations forgot their differences of belief and opinion, and only remembered that they were brethren needing the care and prcjtection of the same Good Father.

About ]S50, the Methodists erected a neat frame structure in the central part of the village for a church building. At the time the house was built, the chm-ch numbered over one hundi-ed members, but removals and deaths have somewhat decreased the number since that time. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Samuel Pillsbm'y. succeeded by Revs. Jesse Halstead, James Flanders, James McKean, D. Worthington, L. F. Moidthrop, William Hanson, Henry Whitehead, N. Swift, M. L. Read, J. C. Gallup, J. Bean, M. Butler, J. M. Snow, J. C. Dame, William M. Osborn. H. V. Train, William F. Delap, H. Hersey, S. Watts, R. P. Lawton, J. G. Pingi-ee, T. Wilcox, T. C. Wilson, R. Cooley, W. W. Painter, Isaac Searles, L. F. Cole, T. Peep, S. Reynolds, J. D. W'ilson, F. C. Parsons, A. Porter, M. J. Olmstead and S. C. Thomas.

The second (juarterly meeting held in East Troy was October Ifi and 17,. 18-41, John T. Mitchell, Presiding Elder. East Troy was attached to the old Aztalau Circuit one year- (1837), then to Honey Creek (1838), next to W^alworth (183U), to the Troy Circuit from 1840 to 1854, since which time it has been known as East Tro_y.

The Preshijlevian Chiirrh was organized June 2'2, 1831), by Rev. Stephen Peet, of Green Bay, assisted by Rev. Lemuel Hall, of Geneva. ' The organization was at the house of Mr. J. W." Vail, the present site of the Du Puy farm. The constituent members of the church were AVilliam Weed, Betsey Weed, J. W. Vail, Rebecca Vail, Amasa Hotchkiss, Ai-aby Hotchkiss, C. A. Hotchkiss, Stilman Dewey, Caroline Dewey, William Trumbull, Elizabeth Chafiu and Polly Bm-git. William Weed was* chosen Elder, and Amasa Hotchkiss elected Deacon. The church held religious services in the house of Mr. Vail for about two years, and. from that time until the erection of their own church edifice, they worshiped in common with other denominations in the Methodist Chajiel. In 1848, the society commenced the coustriiction of a building for public worship. The job was let, the meeting-house to be 25x30 feet. -- all to be done in good and workmanlike manner." It was to be built for $500. The movers in this enterprise had already experienced many delays and disappointments, and were again obliged to wait another season for their new church, the roads of that new country being so nearly impassable that the contractors failed to get their lumber to the selected spot. The building was finally completed, and. June 21, 1849, it was dedicated, during the last year of the pastorate of Rev. C. E. Rosenkrans. In June, 1855, this church changed its name and adopted the Congregational polity. The society and church rapidly increasing in numbers, soon outgrew tlw little meeting-house, and early "in 1851) it was decided to erect one larger and more commodious, and which was better ad'ajjied to the wants of the rapidly growing town. In 1857. the basement of the buildi ug was completed and occupied by the society. The financial crisis of 1857, which crippled the resources of business men from one extreme of the country to the other, did not spare even the new towns of the West. The work on the church building was abandoned, and. as it is very hard to lift anew a load once laid down, so for fourteen years little was done toward the completion of the church. June 21, 1871, Rev. H. Fowle, then pastor of the chiu'ch, held a memorial service - just twenty-two years before the old chm-ch had been consecrated to the service of God. Old memories stirred in the hearts of the surviving members, inspiring thorn wich coiu-age to make another attempt toward carrying out the long-delayed project. This awakened zeal re-acted upon the newer members, and in a year the work was finally completed, and, in September, 1S72, the church was dedicated. The following have been pastors of the church: Rev. Hall, during the tirst year; Rev. D. A. Sherman, two or three years; Rev. C. E. Rosenkrans, six years: Rev. Charles Morgan, twenty years, with an interval of two years, which was filled by Rev. A. Sedgwick and Rev. Miles Doolittle: Rev. H. Fowle, four years; Rev. A. W. Ciu-tis, three years, who was succeeded by Rev. J. Beardsley, the present pastor. The old church, built in 1849. has recently passed into the possession of the Lutheran Chiu-ch, and is again to be refitted and used as a place of worship.

The third church organized m East Troy was the Baptist. October 5, 1842, the organizing council met in the Methodist Episcopal Chapel, Rev. Burgess, Modei'ator; Rev. H. Topping, Clerk. The seven Ba])tist Churches of Geneva, Delavan, Rochester, Sugar Creek, Mukwanago, Spring Prairie and Whitewater, were represented. The following are the names of its ten con stituent members: William Duncan, Irena Duncan, Horace Smith, Eliza Sperry, Gay lord Graves, Nancy Graves, Elvira Dimcan, Gilliert Waters. Polly Waters and Betsy Ann Edwards. Rev. Alvah Biu'gess was the fu'st pastor, for the space of two years, succeeded by Rev. James Delany, foiu- years; Rev. M. B. Tremain. two years; Rev. James Squier, two years; Rev. G. W. Gates, three years; Rev. P. Com-ad, two years; Rev. O. Martin, about a year; Rev. A. Weaver, one year: Rev. D. Dye, three years; Rev. E. L. Schofield, two and a half years; Rev. C. J. B. Jackson, nearly two years; Rev. James Delaney, nearly four years, succeeded by Rev. W. A. Rupert, the present pastor. Of the constituent members of this chm-ch only one is still living - Irene Duncan (now Mi-s. Irene Cole). The present church edifice was commenced in the year 1846, and completed in the spring or early summer of 1S47, its dedication taking place in June of that year. The original contract ])rice for building was $1,350, and the house has since received various improvements and modifications, making it a convenient and connyjodious ehm'ch building.

TliP Catholic Church of East Troij was organized by Rev. Fath(u- Martin Kundig in 1848. After its organization, services were held at the residences of some of its members until, in 1854, they built their first house of worship. This was a frame building, in size, 30x40 feet, costing about $1,200. This building was used until 1870, when, on account of its being inadequate to meet the ^vants of the congregation, their present elegant stone structiu'e was erected in the northwestern part of the village. This building is in size 40x80 feet, and cost $16,000. The church numbers at present 165 families, or some over 500 communicants. The present pastor is Rev. Father Allan.

The German Lutheran Church was organized in the spring of 1874 by Rev. Morsk, of Waterford. It was organized with fifteen families. Their services were held in the Baptist Church until 1879, since which time they have been held in the Methodist Chm-ch. About a year ago, the Lutheran Church jiurchased the old Congregational Church building, which has been refitted and refm-nished and is now ready for occupancy. The chiu'ch has at present a membership of twenty-two families. The present pastor is Rev.i D. Young.

First Sunday School

In 1838. probably soon after the organization of the Methodist Church, the Christian men and women of East Troy made their first attempt to " gather in the children for religious instruction. The enterprise was not a sectarian one. but was engaged in by all who recognized the necessity and usefulness of this branch of the Christian Church. It culminated in the establishment of a union school, which was continued until the various denominations had their own separate places of worship. According to general remembrance, the school was organized at the house of Mr. McCracken in the spring of 1838. Mrs. McCracken and her sister, Miss Artemesia McLeod, being among the most zealous Methodist working women of the tovm. Mr. John D. Spoor was made Superintendent at the organization. Its meetings were held at jNIi-. (Triffin's, at^^Mi". Vail's, at the parsonage, after its erection in the fall, and after the building of the "Methodist Chapel."" that became the usual place of assembly. There ai"e no records by which the progress of the school, or the jaarticulars of the work that was done, can be traced, but the names of those who so early started the good work should always be gratefully remembered.

Sabbath school by opening a boarding-school for young ladies in her own hoiise. The schoo combined secular and religious training, and soon became a success. A good school and good home united was somewhat of an anomaly in the new country, and it is said that Mrs. Yail had pupils from many of the surrounding towns, and even from the " metropolis " " - Milwaukee. When Mr. Vail removed to Geneva, his wife again opened a school of similar character in that j)lace.

The Press

The East Troy Gazette was established August 6. 1879. by F. D. Craig. Mi-. Craig edited and ])ublished the paper until July. 1880, when it was purchased by C. A. Cook, then proprietor of the Chrisman A(h->ance, at Chrisman, 111. The paper was then edited by H. W. Metcalf until June. 1881. when F. D. Craig purchased and became its possessor. The paper is a six-column folio; in politics, neutral. Its circulation is 750 copies, its day of issue being Wednesday. F. D. Craig is its editor and publisher.

The Americcm Merino, a sheet published in the interest ef the American Merino Sheep Breeders' Association, was established by F. D. Craig in November, 1881. This paper is also a six-column folio, published monthly. Its editor is A. H. Craig, with F. D. Craig us pviblisher.

The Library Association was organized January 10, 1803, by some.of the citizens of East Troy. The officers elected were as follows: T. Mower, President; William Anyan, Yice President; J. G. Dorrance, Seeretaiy; C. W. Smith, Treasurer; H. B. Chu-k, Librarian: S. B. Edwai-ds, H. H. Austin, William Burgit, Trustees.

The fii-st donation was made by John F. Potter, and consisted of a set of American State papers. Dramatical entertainments, etc., have fi-om time to time been held to assist in the prociu-ation of books, the volumes at present numbering 1,000. The membership amounts to $2, with the annual fees of $1. The present officers, elected at the nineteenth annual meeting, are as follows: William Burgit. President; W. M. Howai-d. Vice President; W. S. Keats, Secre.

tary; William Burgit, Treasurer; T. H. Conklin, Librarian; P. O. Gristle. F. Dickerman, H. B. Gilbert, Trustees. The library room is in the boot and shoe store of W. M. Howard. Harrison Conklin is the Librarian. There are now 950 volumes in the library, valued, with bookcase, at $767.

East Troy House. - The tirst hotel kept on the site of this house, as well as in the village, was in a small log building, erected by Austin McCracken in 1880. Mr. McCracken kept the hotel until 1842. when he sold out to Emery Thayer, who built the east half of the jiresent hotel in 1845, It was in size 28x42, two stories high. In 1855, Timothy Mower purchase'd the hotel property and kept it until 1856, and disposed of it to L. J. Edwards, and he in turn to S. B. Edwards in 1862. In 1864, Orson B. Morse pm-chased the property and disjsosed of it to Henry B. Clark in 1868. In 1872, H. H. Rogers piu-chased a half-interest in the hotel of Mr. Clark, and. dm-ing that year, Clark & Rogers pm-chased the old Catholic Chiu'ch and moved it to the west side of the main hotel, and it now fonns a part of the whole building. It is in size 30x40, and two stories high. Over this part of the hotel is a large hall, which is used mostly for dancing purposes. The annex, which formed the alcove of the chvu'ch building, was added to the north end of the main building, and now forms the sample room. This ie in size 14x20. Mi: Rogers is a very obliging and accommodating landlord, and his house is one of the best in the county. In connection with the hotel is one of the finest barns in the State, erected by Mr. Rogera in 1879. The main building is 40x60, with two wings,one 24x36, and the other 16x30.

Buena Vista House. - This hotel, a three-story stone structure, in size 40x60, commenced building in 1846, by Samuel Bradley. Mr. Bradley was his own architect, carpenter and mason, constructing the building as far as the roof with no help. The stones he drew from the quarry with one horse and wagon, and the cobble-stones, with which it is faced on all four sides, he gathered on the shores of the lakes in the vicinity. The building was not comj^leted until late in the fall of 1849, when it was opened as a hotel, with Bradley as landlord. On account of his failure to meet certain demands, the hotel has since passed into the hands of various parties, and is now owned under a tax title deed by Richard Hotton. He is also its present proprietor.

Ray & Goffs String Band was organized in 1874, with J. M. Ray, Chauncey Goff, H. A. Tullar and W. J. Ware as the members. There has been no change in the band since it was organized, and ii is now one of the best in the county.

The East Troy Cornet Band was organized in August, 1881, with H. A. Tullar as leader. The members are, besides Mi-. Tullar, F. Com-ad, D. F. Tullar, J. Com-ad, Warren Smith, Herbert Smith, Will Smith, S. Medbm-y, J. Mouaghan, F. Howard, A. Dickerman and A. Smith. The band, since its organization, has been training under the supervision of Thomas Williams, of Milwautee.

The Mutual Fire Insiu-ance Company of Troy and East Troy was organized in 1875, with Alexander Eraser, President; William Burgit, Secretary; S. B. Edwards, Treasurer. The first policy was given to C. S. Miller, and bears date September 4, 1875. According to their last annual report, in January, 1881, the amount of capital stock was 1374,616, and the number of policies 263. The whole amount of loss thus far in 1881 is $2. The general office of the company is in East Troy. The present officers are: Alexander Fraser, President; William Bm-git; Secretary; and Homer Brooks, Treasurer.

East Troy, like many other localities in this section of the country, has its mineral spring. It is situated on the fann of William Bm-git. and the water, analyzed by Gustavus Bode, of Milwaukee, was found to contain 22.377 arains of soluble matter to one trallon, as follows: Chloride of sodium, .371 grains; sulphate of soda, 1.074 grains; silica, 1.315 grains; carbonate of lime, 11.880 grains; carbonate of magnesia, 7.745 grains.

On account of this spring, and the beautiful location and surroundings of the village. East Troy is undoubtedly destined soon to become one of the attractive pleasure resorts of the coun- ty. Added to this, also, is the summer resort owned by H. H. Rogers. In the spring of 1881, Mr. Rogers purchased 107 acres of land on the north and east shores of Booth's Lake, in the town of Troy. On Troy Island he erected a building 18x40 for the shelter and comfort of pleasure-seekers. In jiartnership with S. P. Keyes, he built a small steamer, the Lady Anna, at a cost of $1,500. This "resort" being insufficient. Mr. Rogers has now purchased what is known as "Brooks" Island," located in Crooked Lake. This island contains about forty acres of land, and is oue of the most delightful places in the vicinity. Mr. Rogers will erect on this island buildings sufficient to accommodate all summer tourists who may wish to spend a few days here in fishing, etc., and the Lady Anna will be transferred to this lake. When this is done. Crooked Lake will be as widely known as many of the other resorts, and much credit is due Mr. Rogers for his undertaking.

Fire

East Troy, like most country towns, has had its experience in this respect. About 3 o'clock in the morning of Thanksgiving Day, in 1870, the cry of " Fire!" was heard, and was found to be well under way, in the tailoring establishment of Fred Besch. A west wind was blowing at the time, and all efforts to extinguish it were useless. The four buildings on that street eastward were entirely consumed, as follows: Store building, owned by Joseph Doyle and occupied by Fred Besch as a tailor-shop and clothing store; store building, owned by S. Baldwin and occupied by J. M. Killips as a general dry goods and grocery store, with living rooms in the second story; store building, owned and occupied by J. Bailey as a jewelry store; store building, owned by J. Bailey and occupied by Charles Hith as a grocery. These buildings have since been replaced with neat brick and fi-ame stores. The total loss of this fii-e amounted to about $5,000, with no insurance.

Telegraph And Telephone Line

In 1881, a telegraph and telephone line was erected by H. H. Rogers and John Matheson, from Rogers' hotel in East Troy to the store of John Matheson, at Mayhew Station, the distance being about four miles. This line is in successful operation at present, the rates being 15 cents for ten words, and one cent extra for each additional word.

Oak Ridge Cemetery Association

This burial-ground was under the control of the town of East Troy until March 31, 187t), when, by a vote of the town, the Cemetery Association was formed, with S. B. Edwards, President; W. S. Keats, Secretaiy; William Biu'git, Treasurer. Since the association was formed, the cemetery has been re-surveyed, and various improvements have from time to time been made. The present officers of the association are: Stephen F. Fields, President; W. S. Keats, Secretary; William Burgit, Treasurer.

In 1881, there were 5,388 acres sown to grain; 258 acres of apple orchard: 2,138 acres of mowing and pasturage: and 3.188 aci-es of growing timber. There were 526 milch cows, valued at 110,500.

There were seven whole and two joint school districts. The total enumeration of scholars between the ages of four and twenty years was 462, of which number 349 attended school. Nine teachers were employed, at monthly wages of $40.50 for male, and $23.50 for female, teachers. The town had seven schoolhouses, valued at 16,670, including the sites. The annual expenditure for school purjioses was $3,100.

H. H. AUSTIN, dealer in general merchandise, one of the prominent merchants of Walworth County, was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., in 1832; received an academic education; helped his parents on the farm and continued to reside in his native State until the spring of 1854, when he came to Wisconsin with a view of teaching school. He stopped in the vicinity of Beloit, but, as he was unsuccessful in obtaining a situation, he returned to New York: but, in the fall, he again retm'ned to 'WiscouBin, this time to East Troy, where he engaged as clerk in the store of J. R. Stone & Co., a former schoolmate of his. Three years subsequently, in partnership with John G. Dorrance, he purchased an interest in the business, when the lirm became Stone, Dorrance & Co., and so continued until 1861, when Mr. Stone witlKlrew and left the firm Dorrance & Austin up to 1864. Mr. Austin then purchased his pai-tner's interest and continued aloue. In 1865, he pvu-chased the stock of C. W. Smith, and for tlu-ee years did business in the store now occupied by C. W. Smith & Co. In 1868, he piu-chased his present store, associated G. H. Willis as partner, and did business under firm name of Austin & Willis until 1873, at which time Mi'. Austin piu'chased his partner' s interest, since which he has been alone, doing a general mercantile business; also deals in wool, etc. He can'ies a stock of $7,000 to $8,000. Mr. Austin is a successful merchant and a good financier. He is a stanch Kepuljlican, but seeks no offices. He was married, in 1860, to Miss Helen M.. daughter of Samuel and Ann Fowler, of Troy. Thev have three children - Lucy F., Mary Belle and Charles H.

ALEXANDER O. BABCOCK, deceased. Among the early settlers of East Troy was A. O. Babcock. He was a native of Homer, N. Y., and came to East Troy in 1843. Here he established a law office and continued in the practice of his profession till his death, in 1875. He was a wise and safe counselor, rising above the standard of his profession, and always remained ti'ue to the cause which he believed right: and, while he was a man of decided convictions, and never temporized nor apologized for his views, he was charitable toward those who differed from him in opinion. Mr. Babcock was a leader in public sentiment, and did much toward molding the opinions of others. His plain, simple manner of statement cairied conviction with its logic. The people of his town and county were not slow to fierceive his ability and integrity of character, and employ it for the public good by bestowing on him offices of trust and honor. He served as Justice of the Peace, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, County Attorney and member of the Assembly, and the duties of all these positions he discharged with zeal and fidelity to his constituents. He was a real child of nature, in full harmony with her work. He loved to roam in solitude by the lakes, and, equipped with fishing tackle, many a fine catch were trophies of his skill in that direction. He had quite a passion for hunting. Shooting was his delight, and he was very successful therein, and he was never so engi'ossed in business or pleasui-e as to forget his faithful dog. Mr. Babcock had not long been a resident of oiu- village before he selected a site and built a mansion for his future home. With fine taste and great perseverance, he adorned his grounds, making his home one of the most delightful retreats to be found in the county. Here his widow still resides, and, in the sorrow of her widowhood, seems to find her sweetest comfort in continuing the work of beautifying her lonely home.

SEYMOUR BROOKS, son of David and Catharine (Simpson) Brooks, was born in Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y., July '24, 1821. His father was one of the foremost farmers in that section of the State, and Seymour was bred to the same occupation, receiving a g(jod practical education in the common schools and at the Ovid Academy. In 1838, he moved into Livingston Co., N. Y., where he remained till 1843. At that time, in company with his brother Homer, he came West and settled in the town of East Troy, which has ever since been his home. The two young men brought with them the first threshing machine, with separator, ever brought into the county, and ran it together the first season after their arrival, doing a very profitable business. Homer sold out the threshing business to Seymonr at the end of the fii'st yeai", and gave his attention to farming. Seymoiu' ran the machine one or more seasons after, meantime purchasing 120 acres of land on Sec. 18, to which he added by subsequent pui'chases till his whole farm embraced some 500 acres. He did not, while the owner of this fann, give his entire attention to its management. He lived on it but one year, it being occupied and worked, during the remaining time of his ownership by a tenant. He utilized, it, however, for his stock-raising purposes, it being there that his first importations were placed and his first herds and flocks bred. In 1845, David Brooks, their father, sent the boys, Homer and Seymovu', a D>uham bull and three heifers of the same breed. These were the first blooded cattle brought into the count}-, and j)erhaps the first into the State. Seymour, though constantly interested and engaged in stock-farming, also became engaged in mercantile business. In 1846, he entered the employ of Edward H. Ball, a young merchant from Monroe Co., N. Y., who opened a store in the village of East Troy at that time. He remained as his clerk for thi-ee years, and as his partner, under the firm name of E. H. Ball & Co., for eight years longer. In company with Timothy Moore, he, for a short time dm-ing this jjeriod, ran the store, IVIi-. Ball remaining a silent partner, with but a small interest in the firm, the style remaining unchanged. Diu-ing, this partnership, a fire made a clean sweep of their stock of goods, amounting to some $14,000, which nearly swept away the capital of the two active partners. Moore soon after left the firm, and E. H. Ball put in moi'e capital and resumed his place as an active partner with Mr. Brooks. The fire occurred about the year 1855. Among other property which had come into the possession of the firm during this co partnership was the large farm at the foot of Crooked Lake, on the eastern half of Sec. 5, and land adjacent, comprising some 400 acres of the best farming laud in the tovm. In thevlissohition of the copartnership, Mr. Brooks took the faiin, on which he has since lived. It has, under his skillful management, been brought to ihe highest state of excellence, and, with the commodious and substantial dvvellings, barns, sheds, and all conveniences that experience could devise, constitutes a model farm and a model home. The farm, known as " Lake View," has been, fi-om the time of its occupancy by Mr. Brooks, devoted to the raising of blooded stock - cattle, sheep, swine and horses. It is the largest and best- appointed stock farm in the county, with possibly one exception - that of Chai-les Clark, of Whitewater, being its only rival. Diu-- ing Air. Brooks' long residence in East Troy, he has served his fellow-citizens in nearly every position of trust or honor within their gift, having been Supervisor, Assessor, Treasurer and Justice of the Peace. He has held the latter office from time immemorial. Thi-oughout the county he is best known as one of the originators and constant friends of the Walworth County Agricultural Society, and the leader in the importation and improvement of stock. As a citizen, his life has been without blemish, and name without reproach. Mr. Brooks was married to Miss Susan Bulmun, of Oneida, N. Y.. June lU, 1847. Their living childi-en are Hattie, James S., Martha, Alice, John Franklin and Edward Louis.

HOMER BROOKS, farmer. Sec. 17; P. O. East Troy; one of the most prominent fanners of Walworth County; is a son of David and Cathsu'ine Brooks; was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., in September, 1819. He received a common-school education; helped bis parents on a farm until 1^3, when, with his brother Seymoiu-, he came to Wisconsin, bringing along a threshing machine and horses; they landed in Milwaukee and started in search of work, but, as they were strangers, and the machine a new thing (it being the first separator ever in this part of the State), the people would nut employ them; so they finally aiTived at East Troy, where, after agreeing to do the work for nothing if not satisfactory, they obtained permission of Adoljihus Spoore to do his threshing, and, while doing that job, the neighbors came to see the new machine, and as they were all well pleased, they immediately requested the Brooks brothers to do their work. Thus the machine was furnished work for several months. In December, Homer went back to his native State, driving a team and wagon all the way. AMiile there, he associated N. R. Wilson as partner, purchased 2,000 Merino ewes, and di'ovethe same from New York to East Troy; this required three months; Mr. Brooks kept his sheep, also worked some at farming, and in 1848 piu-chased l(')() acres of his present farm. The year following, he was married to Almine Bnrgit, daughter of Jacob and Polly Biu-git, and has since made farming his principal business. In 1854, his father sent him a few head of Durham stock, which was the tirst in the vicinity of East Troy. He now owns 218 acres of land, valued at $00 per acre, it being a good grain and stock farm. He now keeps 220 Merino sheep, besides other stock, etc. He is a Rejiublicau, and has held local office, but takes little interest in politics. The childi'enare Walter, Kitty (now Mrs. Henrv Schwartz, of Spring Prairie) and William.

A\'ILLIAM BURGIT. farmer. Sec. 29; P. O. East Troy: oldest son of Jacob and Polly Gardner Burgit; was bom in Tioga Co., N. Y., in 1818; was brought up on a farm; received a common-school education. In the fall of 1835, he removed with his parents to St. Joseph Co., Ind., and, in March, 1837, came to Walworth Coimty. Here he heljied his father in saw and grist mill; also worked some at farming until 1802, when he was married, at Rochester, N. Y., to Miss Maria J. Burleigh, and has since followed farming on the homestead of his father, which is located just south of the village of East Troy, and contains 270 acres of well-improved land, worth 140 per acre. Mr. Burgit is a gentleman who is highly respected by his fellow-men; a Republican in politics; was a member of the Town Board many years, and, as he always has taken an interest in educational affairs, he has been a member of the School Board for many years. He has one daughter- Edith. He is the oldest living settler in East Troy.

EDWIN T. CASS, attorney, son of Cyras and Elizabeth (Thomas) Cass, was born in East Troy April 4, 1854; was educated at the graded schools of the village. In 1873, he went to Oconomowoc and studied one year with Rev. James Magoffin. The following year, he had charge of the Boys" Department of the Lake Side Seminary. In 1875, he entered the Michigan State University at Ann Ai'bor, with the intention of becoming a civil engineer; but he soon entered the law class, from which he graduated in March, 1877, since which time be has been doing a general law and collection business at East Troy, meeting with good success. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M., and the I. O. O. F. ; politics, Republican.

C. P. F. CHAFIN, farmer. Section 4; P. O. East Troy, Mukwanago, Waukesha Co. ; one of the pioneers of 1837; son of Samuel and Elizabeth Chafin, the former of New Hampshire and the latter of Massachusetts. The subject of this sketch was born in Weston. Vt. , April 9, 1819; was left fatherless at the age of 5 years. In 1837, with his mother and two brothers, he came to Wisconsin, and settled in the town of East Troy. He at once located land on Sec. 4, which he commenced to improve, boarding with his mother until 1849. when he was married to Miss Parthena Graves, then of East Troy, but a native of St. LawTence Coiuity, of New York. He now ovsTis 200 acres of land, 100 of which he pm-chased at the land sale of 1838, which he now has well improved, and is valued at $40 per acre. He is a Repulilican, and has been a Supervisor during the past six years. He has had two children, one of whom is living - Frank.

H. B. CLARK, deceased, was born at Southbury, Conn., May 21, 1814, and, as his parents died while he was in his youth, he commenced work at the tailor's trade, which he followed in his native State imtil 1830, by which time he became impressed with the future possibilities and probabilities of the West, and, believing that the chances were better for him in this broad domain than in his native State, he came alone to Milwaukee, where he continued his trade until 1843. He then came to East Troy, and at once became a silent partner of the firm of Austin & Wright, at the same time working at his trade. In April. 1845, he was married to Miss Charlotte H. Stewart, a native of Wellsville, N. Y. In August. 1845. Mr. Wright died, and the business of Austin & Wright closed out. Mr. Clark was then in business as merchant tailor alone until 1858, when he engaged in general merchandise, being a member of the firm of Clark.

Churcli & Co., afterward Clark & Houghton. In 1803, he purchased his partner's interest and contimied alone until January, 1866, when he associated H. H. Kogers as partner; continued under firm name of H. H. Rogers & Co. until 1868, when the tinn sold to Austin & Willis. Mr. Clark then piu'chased the East Troy House, subsequently deeded a one-half interest to H. H. Rowers, and spent his remaining years in hotel business. Mr. Clark was a thoroughly good, wholly useful and truly honest man. He was a kind husband and loving father, and a most excellent citizen - a man who probably had as few enemies as it is possible for any oue to have. But a short time before his death, he made the remark chat, although he had not accumulated as much of this world" s goods as he might have, he was able to say that he could "die an honest man." He was a Democrat in politics, and for many years was Chairman of the Town Board. His death took place Oct. V2, 1875, and the funeral ceremonies were conducted by the Trojan Lodge, No. 45, I. O. O. F. , East Troy, and the East Troy Encampment, No. 43, I. 0. O. P. , of which he was Past Grand and Past Chief Patriarch. He left a wife and one daughter.

A. C. DEIST, dealer in harness, trunks, robes, etc., is a native of Gennany. born Oct. 7, 1853, but was brought by his parents to the United States when he was but 6 months old. The family at once came to Wisconsin, and settled in East Troy. The father worked at his trade of juason a few years, then purchased land, and has since followed farming. A. C. lived with his parents until 18 years of age, when he concluded to learn the harness-maker's trade; he therefore served an apprenticeship of two years with- Mr. J. W^. Church, when he pm-chased the business. In 1875, he removed to his present location, and is now doing a good business. He was married, Jan. 23, 1876, to Miss Isabella I., daughter of Charles and Mary Fraser, of East Troy. Thev have two children - Mary E. and W. Foster. ' In politics, he is a Republican.

"HON. STEPHEN FIELD, deceased, was bom in Windsor Co., Vt., Jan. 10, 1791; was msu-ried in his native State, in 1814, to Miss Mary Jordan. Mr. Field emigrated to Wisconsin in 1838; spent one winter in Mukwanago, W^iukesha Co., and, in the s]>ring of 1839, moved to East Troy; settled on See. 20. where he had a fine farm of 320 acres. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly from Walworth County in the winter of 1845. and held various minor offices in his town. Mr. and Mrs. Field had a family of five children, all born in Vermont. The eldest, Martin, married an adopted daughter of Maj. Meacham, and lives in Mukwanago, Wis.; Mary is the wife of A. E. Elmore, of Ft. Howard, Wis.: Augusta died in 1873, aged 55 years; Stephen F. married Ellen Elmore, and is a farmer of East Troy; Rosanua is the widow of A. O. Babcock, an attorney of East Troy. Mr. Field was engaged in farming till 1857, when he moved to the village of East Troy, where he resided till his death, which occiuTed Jan. 27. 1879. la j)olitics, he was a Whig, then Federalist, in early life, and, after the organization of the Republican party, he became an earnest sup[)orter of that party. Mr. Field was one of the earliest of the pioneers of this section, and, diu-ing the forty years of his life spent in this community he was alwajs known as an honorable and upright citizen, who commanded the resjiect and esteem of his fellow-citizens.

STEPHEN F. FIELD, farmer, Sec, 20; P.O. East Troy; has 300 acres of land. The subject of this sketch was born in Windsor Co., Vt., Feb. 2, 1822; is the son of Stephen and Mary (Jordan) Field; emigrated to Wisconsin in January, 1838; made his home in Mukwanago, Waukesha Co., till the spring of 1839, when he came to East Troy and settled on Sec. 20, where he has made farming his business to this date. He was manned, in Lloyd, Ulster, Co., N. Y., Sept. 18, 1848, to Ellen Elmore, daughter of Job Elmore, of that county. One child, a .son, was born to them, named Albert, which died in cliikUiood.

P. O. GRISTE, druggi.st, was born in Ohio in Sejjtember, 1840; received a common-school education, and at the age of 18 commenced to clerk in a general store. In 1862, he came t(j East Troy and served as clerk for C. W. Smith & Co. most of the time until 1 S65, when he pm-- chased the drug business of E. K. Barker, which was established in 1864. and has since been the only druggist in East Troy. He removed to his present location in August, 1880, at which date he completed his present store, building a wood sti'uctirre, 22x55, and two stories in height; the first floor he uses for drug store and post office, and the second floor furnishes a lodge room for the I. O. O. F. He is a Republican, and has been Postmaster since 1868. He was married, at Hampden, Geauga Co., Ohio, Aug. 31, 1866, to Miss Millicent L. Quiggle, of Geauga Co., Ohio. Gertie, their only child, died Aug. 23, 1881, aged 11 years.

WILDER M. HOWARD, dealer in boots and shoes, one of the pioneers of Wisconsin, is a native of Andover, Windsor Co., Vt., boi-n Oct. 21, 1821. When 4 years of aj^e, his parents moved to St. Lawrence County, State of New York. At the age of 12 years, his mother died, leaving tive children - four boys and one girl. In about one year after, he, with his father and brothers, retiu-ned to Vi^rmout: hiied out for one year to Dr. Burton to work on a farm; at the end of the year, he hired to John A. Larkin to learn the shoemaker's trade: stayed with Larkin about one year, then worked one summer in Chester, Vt., at wool-carding and cloth-dressing; in the spring of 1837, hired to Webber Andrews, and in the following September, he. with Andrews and wife, left Vermont for Wisconsin; arrived sometime in October, and settled inMukwanago, at 16 yeai-s of age, working most of the time on a farm until the winter of 183U-4(). tjien went to Troy and attended one of the first schools in this part of the then Territory: in the spring of 1841, went to Milwaukee and hired to Cornelius Howard to finish leai-ning the shoemaker's trade; in the summer of 1842, carried United States mail from Waukesha, Wis., to McHeury, 111., and in the fall of the same year retm-ned to Vermont, after an absence of tive years, to visit relatives and friends; remained in Vermont about eighteen mouths, working most of the time at his trade. May 16, 1844, ho was married to Miss Electa L. Howard, and, during the same month, started for Wiscohsin; arrived and settled in East Troy about the 1st of July, 1844. where he has since been in business. He is a citizen who is highly respected; is a Republican, and, in August, 1864, enlisted in Co. E, 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery; was appointed Company Clerk, and left the State for Washington, D. C, and arrived at Ft. Lyon Oct. 8. and in a short time transferred to Ft. O'Roitrk, Va., where we remained in defense of Washington until the close of the war; retiu-ned home at East Troy July 8, 1865. His wife died Dec. 5, 1878, leaving one child -Frank W. Dec. 2, 1879, was married to Miss Elizabeth Fouutaine, of Racine, Wis.; is still in the boot and shoe business.

J. M. HUNTER, farmer. Sec. 12; P. O. East Troy. Caldwell Prairie, Racine Co.; was born in. Montgomery, Orange Co., N. Y., in 1817; received a common-school education; brought up on a dairy farm, and was thoroughly educated in the art of butter-making. He was married Feb. 1, 1839; removed to Wisconsin in 1857, and first settled in Waukesha County. Three years later, he removed to the Soldiers' Home, Milwaukee Co.. where he was the First Superintendent of the Farming Department. lu 1869, he purchased his present farm, which contains 200 acres, valued at |8.00(), and has since been engaged in dairying. He now keeps forty cows, man,ufactures butter on the Orange Countj' plan, and sells the same to regular customers in Milwaukee at 30 cents a pound, delivering the same every two weeks; is a Democrat, and has been Supervisor for tive years. The children are Fanny, now married, and living in Orange Co., N. Y. ; David, Albert and Hem-y.

GEORGE ME.\DOWS, hardware merchant, firm of Meadows Bros., is the oldest son of ^Villiam and Elizabeth Howker Meadows; is a native of England, who emigrated to the United States in 1839; lived in Oneida Co., N. Y, until 1849, when they removed to Wisconsin and settled on Sec. 32, East Troy, where they brought up a family of five children - George; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Joseph Wolfenden, of Troy: William; Sarah, now Mrs. Edward Bromley, of La Grange; and Alice, now Mi-s. L. H. Clark, of Horicon, Wis. The mother died in 186*5, and the father still resides on the farm. George was born in Oneida County Oct. 13, 1842; came West with his parents and lived with them until 18()6, when he was man-ied to Miss Elizabeth Holden then of Springfield, Walworth Co., but a native of England; pm'chased a farm of 189 acres on Spring Prairie, and lived on the same until 1872, since which time, in pai'tuership with his brother William, he has been engaged in hardware business. In 1881, they built their present store, a brick structure, 26x75, and two stories in height; they removed into the same in November, and now do a leading hardware business, carrying a stock of 14,000. Mr. Meadows is a Republican, but takes no interest in politics more than to perform his duties as a citizen. The ehikh-en are Mary J., Jennie E. and Frank H. Meadows.

WILLIAM "meadows, firm of Meadows Bros., son of William and Elizabeth Meadows, was born in Rome, N. Y, Sei)t. 4, 1849; came West with his parents, and, in 1869, went to Delavan, where he learned the tinner's trade. In 1872, he engaged in the hardware business with his brother at East Troy, and is now doing a leading hardware trade. He was married, in September, 1878, to Miss Clara S., daughter of R. W. and C. M. Goodrich. Politics, Republican.

JOHN F. POTTER was among the earliest settlers of East Troy. He is a native of Augusta, Me., born in IS 17, and comes from the good old Puritan stock that emigrated to (louneeticut as early as Iti:^?. His grandfather, who was pastor of the First Congregational Chiu-ch of Lebanon, N. H., full of the patriotism that fired many nolile hearts, went into the army as Chaplain, and served in that capacity at the battle of Saratoga; and, although the battle commenced before the good Chaplain had finished the morning prayer, yet he never shortened it one particle by reason of the cannon's roar. While his ancestors had been, many of them, graduates of Yale, and his father of Dartmouth College, N. H., Mr. Potter took his course of study at Phillips Exeter Academy, which has long ranked one of the first educational institutions of New England. In 1S30, he came to Chicago, and spent that and the following year in Michigan. Visiting his old home in Maine in the spring of 1887, he resolved upon locating in "Wisconsin, and came West for that purpose in the spring of 1S38. He was charmed by the beautiful country and the lake which now bears his name, and resolved to make a claim on its shores. He built a shanty a little north of the lake, and not far from the great Indian trail leading from Waukesha through Mukwanago to Big Foot, now Geneva, Lake. Here he lived alone for awhile. In coiu-se of time, a companion from the East joined with him in life's partnership, and continued with him the pilgrimage till death snatched her away, dm'ing their futm-e residence in Washington. Mr. Potte)-'s father was a prominent lawyer in Augusta, and his son, naturally of a legal turn, had studied with his father before coming to Wisconsin. He was early admitted to the bar, and is one of the oldest members of the bar in the State. He practiced law in Burlington some four years, and served as County Judge in this county ten years. He has served the town in several capacities. He was its first Postmaster, receiving his appointment in 1839. He was a member of our State Legislatm-e in 1S5(), and acted a prominent part in the memorable events of that year. Being Chairman of the committee ajjpointed for investigating the election frauds, he did much in uncovering and bringing to light the irregularities which made such an excitement in political circles. Dm-ing the same year, he was chosen as United States Representative from this district, and for thi-ee consecutive terms was continued in that capacity at Washington. Those were stormy days. The fire-eaters of the South were more defiant than ever before, and their insolence became too much for human endm-ance. Mr. Potter proved to be the right man in the right place. Southern chivalry could not frighten him a particle. He manfully and fearlessly stood for the rights of his constituents. Incensed at some things which had transpired, Roger A. Pryor sent Mr. Potter a challenge to mortal combat, which he very promptly accepted: but when he named, as was his right, bowie knives as the weapons to be used, Ml-. Pryor refused to fight, urging as a reason. " the conditions were barbarous." The fact was, he feared to come into such close contest with the l)rave Rei)resentative fi-om " Woody Wisconsin." The whole transaction gave Mr. Potter notoriety at home and abroad. Notwithstanding threats made that placed his life in gi-eat and constant peril, he continued, in all his service at Washington, to advocate the cause of liberty without fear of man. The slave found in him a friend and helper. He strov" to be a true representative of the wishes of his constituents. He was their servant, and felt it his duty to do their bidding, cost what it might. After his service as Representative, he was appointed Consul General at Montreal, Canada. Since then, he has retired to the peaceful rest and cpiiet which he finds at his own home; and, after a public life so stormy and dangerous as that through which he has ]iassed, rest at home seems doubly sweet, and no one can say he has not dearly earned the rest which he now so much enjoj^s.

H. H. ROGERS, proprietor of the East Troy House. This enterprising gentleman and genial landlord is the eldest sou of Adam and Harriet Wiggins Rogers. He was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Aug. 1.5, 1843. In 1855, he came with his parents to Wisconsin, and four years subsequently he launched his bark on the ocean of life and commenced to build his fortune. He first served as clerk for Clark, Chiu'ch & Co., of East Troy, two years-, then, to better fit himself in business, he spent a term at Lincoln Commercial College, Milwaukee: subsequently, he clerked two years for L. A. Tanner, of Whitewater, and six months for Sherwin, Nowell & Pratt, of Milwaukee, when he returned to East Troy, and, in August, 18(U. responded to the call of his country l)y enlisting in Company G, 3d W. V. C, and served until the close of the conflict, when he was mustered out as Sergeant ilajor. Returning to East Troy, he clerked for H. B. Clark until 1800, when he became a partner in business, under the firm name of H. H. Rogers

& Co., until February, 1868, when the firm sold to Austin & Willis. Mr. Clark then purchased the East Troy House, and soon deeded a one-half interest to Mr. Rogers, who has since been proprietor of the place. He also keeps a livery in connection with the house. His bar, erected in 1878, is one of the fii'st in the State; he also owns and runs the only billiard hall in East Troy. Mr. Rogers is one of those enterprising men who is found ever ready in making public improvements that may be needed in the village, town or county. In 1881, in copartnership with John Mathson, he erected a Bell telephone from East Troy to Mayhew, a distance of four miles, which is now in successful operation. As a landlord, he is a general favorite with the public, being ever ready to accommodate his guests. He is a citizen who is highly respected; a Democrat in politics, and is at present Chairman of the Town Board. He has one child living - Edgar A.

O. B. ROGERS, merchant, son of Adam and Harriet E. Rogers, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y. , in 1848; came with his parents to Milton, Wis., in 1855; soon after, moved to East Troy, thence to Elkhorn, county seat of Walworth County; in 1S71, went to Nebraska and took a Government claim. Returning one year afterward, in 1874 was married to Miss Ella J., daughter of Edmund M. and Catharine S. Mills; in fall of 1876, engaged in the meat business, first in Elkhorn, then in Biu-lington; in spring of 1878, bought a farm in La Fayette; in January, 1880, exchanged for property in East Troy, and has since been engaged in the meat and gi'ocery business; built his present store in l8Sl, being a substantial wood structure, '22x55 feet, and two stories in height, using first floor for his business and second floor for dwelling; is a Republican; has two childi-en -Herschel E. and Mabel M.

SEWALL SMITH, deceased. The name of Sewall Smith is one worthy of special mention. He was among the early settlers, and, by reason of the influence which he has exerted and the positions which he has occupied, has done much for the welfare of the place. Mr. Smith was a native of Andover, Vt. , where he resided until his removal to Wisconsin. In the fall of 1840, he came West on a toui' of inspection, and, being pleased with East Troy, resolved upon locating there. He contracted for the building of a store, designing to enter into mercantile business when he should move there. Retm-ning to Vermont, he removed his family to East Troy in July, 1841, and resided in the upper part of the store, while on the day after his arrival he opened his store for trade, it being the fii'st store in the place. Here he continued in trade 8ome four years, and then reated his store for a time to R. H. Mallory. At the expiration of the lease, he retui-ned to the store, in which he continued some four or five years, and then sold out to Stone & Hurlbut, with the stipulation that he would not engage in trade for a period of three years. He had now built a house on the corner now occupied by the store of C. W. Smith & Co. In 1855, he built the fine mansion now occupied by Mrs. Hil^bert. In 1856, he built the store now occupied by his sons, and, at the expiration of the three years' limitation reopened a store, which has for the most of the time since been occupied by his sons. Mi-. Smith has served the town in several positions, in all of which he has shown himself not only competent, but faithful to the trusts placed in his care. He was the first Postmaster in the village of Eftst Troy. For this he had special fitness, having already served ten years as Postmaster in Vermont; and, although he lost the ofBce two or three times by a change of administration at Washington, yet it was sure to come back to him again, so that he has been a public servant in that capacity not less than fifteen years. He was a member of the first Constitutional Convention; was the first Town Clerk for Troy, before East Troy was set oft", and served as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, and as Treasurer. Mr. Smith has always taken a deep interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the town. State or nation, and has ever kept in sympathy with every movement for the good of humanity. Whatever he undertook, he undertook in earnest. He was always decided and outspoken in his views, which may sometimes have called out the opposition of those who diff'ered from him in sentiment, but it also endeared him the more to his friends, who always relied upon him as true to his convictions. Mr. Smith was born in 1802: married Miss Nancy Mansm- in 1825, and died in January, 1880, leaving five sons and one daughter, and his widow, now aged 77 years. His children are George H. and C. W., of the firm of C. W. Smith & Co.; E. A., now living at Lawi-ence, Kan.; Nancy, Mi-s. L. A. Tanner, of Whitewater; W. F., clerk for C. W. Smith & Co.; and O. M., now residing at Philadelphia.

GEORGE H. SMITH, firm of C. W. Smith & Co.. oldest son of Sewall aud Ncancy Mansiir Smith, was boru in Windsor Co., Vt., in 1827; came with his parents to East Troy in 1841, where he has led a mercantile life in the store of his father. In 1S52, he went to Whitewater, where he was engaged in business nntil 1855. The following years he was a member of the firm of S. Smith & Son, when he agaia went to Whitewater, and was senior member of the firm of S. Smith & Co. until 18(58. when he returned to East Troy, and has since been a partner of the firm of C. W. Smith & C j. He was married, in 185ri, tj Miss Ann Aliza, daughter of Jacob and Polly Gardner Bm-git. They now havi> two children - Ida and Warren. He is a Republican, and has held local offices.