Geneva Town

Geneva Town

The geographical limits of the town of Geneva were first defined by act of the Territorial Legislatiu'e, January 2, 1838. It embraced the whole of the southeast quarter of the county, and comprised the jn-esent townships of Bloomfield. Lyons, Linn, Geneva, and the southeast section of the present town of Elkhoru.

By act of January 23, 1844, the towns of Hudson (now Lyons), Bloomfield and Linn were detached and incorporated as separate tovrais. In 1846, when the present town of Elkliorn was formed. Section 6, in the northwest corner, was detached and made a part of that town. The town as at present existing comprises the remaining thirty-five sections of Town 2, Range 17 east, together with five acres detached from Lyons, Januaiy 26, 1844, to bring the boundaries of the village plat within the limits of the village as incorporated at that time. It is intended to confine this sketch to the limits of the present township, except so far as that of the adjoining towns is identical.

The surface of the land is undulating, with occasional hills in the eastern and southeastern sections of the town. It was, when first settled, heavily wooded, the gi-owth being largely of the different varieties of oak. It is well watered by small creeks and rills threading the various sections. Jackson's Creek, which rises on the northeastern quarter of Section 3, mns southwesterly thi'ough Section 9, thence westerly through the southeast (quarter of Section 8 and the northwest quarter of Section 9, leaving the township on Section 7. It finally empties into Delavan Lake. Another creek has its source on Section 2, runs in a southerly direction through Sections 11, 14 and 23, and joins the creek near the outlet of Lake Como (Duck Lake). From the outlet of Lake Como, Como Creek inins northeasterly thi-ough Section 24, emptying into White Biver in the adjoining town of Lyons. The southwestern section, where stands the beautiful village of Geneva Lake, is watered by the stream flowing from the outlet of Geneva Lake, the source of White River.

Lake Como (formerly known as Duck Lake) lies in the southeiTu part of the town. Its eastern extremity and outlet is on Section 26. It extends thi'ough Sections 27 and 28, the southeast corner of 29 and the northeast quarter of Section 32. It is three miles long, and averages half a mile in width. Geneva Lake, the most charming of all the lakes of Southern Wisconsin, extends all along the southern border of the town, the bay at its outlet lying in Section 36.

The only swamp land in the town lies at the outlet of Lake Como, skirting its northern shore and spreading out into a swamp of some two hundi'ed acres at its head.

The stream at the outlet of Geneva Lake furnishes an abundant and reliable water-power, which, if fully improved, would prove of incalculable value to the village and county. It has within it the futui-e possibility of a great and thriving manufacturing center.

The first settlement made in Walworth County was made on Section 36, in what is now the village of Geneva. The first settler was Christopher Payne, who came in and made what proved to be a permanent settlement in April, 1836. He had previously visited the place in February of that year, and marked his claim on the northwest quarter of Section 36. A full history of the circivmstances attending his attemjjts to establish himself and build his mill during the spring and early summer is given in the early history of the county, to which the reader is referred. At the settlement of the contesting claimants, the thread of the historical narrative is taken up and continued. The settlement referred to, whereby Payne and his partners came into peacealile possession, occuiTed early in July, 1836. As soon thereafter as the sojoui'uers and workmen had left, those who remained commenced the wurk of building a mill and otherwise improving their suiToundings and estalilishiug themselves permanently in their chosen homes. They were the first actual settlers in the town, and the founders of tlie village. So far as can be ascertained, they were as follows: Christopher Payne, Robert W. Warren, G. S. Warren, Andrew Ferguson, James Van Slyke, Charles A. Noyes, Reuben T. Ostrander, Jonathan Ward, George W. Trimble. P. K. Vanvelzer and Samuel Ross were also engaged as on the mill, but did not become permanent settlers of the town.

The women who spent the summer in Geneva were the widow, Anna Warren, mother of the Warren brothers; Mi-s. Robert W. Warren, Mrs. G. S. Warren, Mrs. Nancy and Lucretia Warren, and Mrs. James Van Slyke.

Of the men mentioned above, Christopher Payne, R. W. Warren. A. Ferguson and George W. Trimble were resident proprietors of the Hodgson & Brink and Payne claims, after the purchase was made. The remaining partners in the pui'chase resided in Chicago.

The Hodgson & Brink party consisted of John Hodgson, John Brink and William Ostrander. They claimed the whole of Section 36, embracing the entire water-power and all the land covered by the original village plat.

The Payne party consisted of Christopher Payne, G. W. Trimble, Daniel Mosher and Uriah Payne. They claimed the northwest quarter of Section 36, which took in the outlet of the lake and controlled the water-power.

The contest was therefore on the possession of the quarter-section claimed by the Payne party, which was also covered by the larger claim of Hodgson & Brink. In the final settlement, the latter not only relinquished their claims to Payne's quarter-section, but sold the remainder of their claim, their right to which had never been disputed by Payne or his companions.

After Payne's defeat. Ist of June, 1836, Mosher went to Chicago and disposed of his share to Lewis B. Goodsell for a coat and pair of pants.

Van Slyke disposed of whatever claim he might have had to the same party at Chicago, for the siun of $30, which he received in pork, codfish and other provisions for his family. He made a claim and removed to Walworth in the fall of 1836.

Uriah Payne gave his share of the claim (one-third) to Robert AV. Warren, in consideration of his assisting his father in recovering and maintaining it.

Andrew Fergvison, George L. Campbell and G. S. Warren became owners in the claim of Hodgson & Brink at the time the negotiation was effected.

Charles A. Noyes sold out his quarter-interest in common with Hodgson & Brink, leaving the whole of the present site of Geneva in the proprietorship of the following-named gentlemen: R. W. and G. S. Warren, L. B. Goodsell, George L. Campbell, A. Ferguson, Phillip Maxwell and James Maxwell. Before the village plat was recorded, Mr. Ferguson conveyed his share to Messrs. Goodsell & Campbell. None of these gentlemen remained settlers of the village durmg its earlier years except the Wan-ens and Ferguson, with his family, in 1837. Mr. Goodsell removed to the place in 1845, and Dr. Phillip Maxwell in 1856. Mr. Campbell and Col. James Maxwell never became residents of the village.

Of the settlers of Geneva who came in 1836, nearly all are dead. Below are such sketches and memorial notije of those deceased as have been preserved. Most of them were written by personal friends, who knew them long and well, and are here produced without attempt to enlarge or revise. The sketches of the Warrens, L. B. Goodsell, Phillip and James Maxwell and

Charles A. Noyes are from the pen of James Simmons, Esij, , of Geneva. That of Christopher Payne is written from data largely fui-nished by the same gentleman.

Christopher Payne, the first settler of Walworth Comity, was a native of Somerset County, Penn., where he was bom in 1786. At the time of his birth, that country was an imsettled wilderness, and on the frontier of civilization, which he followed in its Western retreat through his whole life. He spent his youthful days, till fourteen years old, in the region where he was born. At that age, he removed with his father's family to Belmont, Ohio, then on the borders of civilization, where he led the semi -barbarous life common to frontiersmen. He became an expert hxiuter and fearless woodsman. It is not known that he ever received any school education. At the age of twenty-one years, in 1807, he set out for himself, removing to Dearborn County, in the southeast corner of Indiana. Here he remained for several years, during which time lie was married. He was, during his residence there, engaged a part of the time with a party of engineers in the survey of the public lands. He was, in 1812, engaged in Indian warfare.' He volunteered in the Indiana Eangers, and served for twelve months on the prairies of Indiana and Illinois. He was a fearless Indian fighter, and served often as a scout, running imharmed the desperate chances of that dangerous service. In April, 1814, he was one of the garrison of Fort Harrison, Ind., and, while it was besieged by the Indians; was one of twentyfive soldiers who successfully defended it against an army of 300 Indians, well armed, who were at length forced to raise the siege.

At the close of the war, Payne removed to Vincennes, Ind., here he engaged in farming for three years. From there he removed to Madison County. 111., about twenty miles east of the Mississippi, nearly east of St. Louis. There he remained nine years on a farm. To avoid the fever and ague prevalent in that country, he again moved, to Sangamon County, near Springfield. He remained there only three years before again removing, to the lead region near Galena, where he had indifi'erent success as a miner for two years, and removed from there to Putnam County, near Hennepin, and again engaged in farming. Unsatisfied with the climate, he removed, at the end of two years, to tlie Du Page River, near Naperville. He was living near that place at the beginning of the Black Hawk war in 1832. His part in that war is given by Mr. Simmons, in his biography of Payne, as follows:

"A report having come to the settlers at that place that an attack had been made upon Hollenback's settlement, which was some thirty miles distant, Payne volunteered to go and ascertain if that was the casa Mounted on a good horse, he started off alone, and, aboiit 11 o'clock in the forenoon, emerged from a small grove in full view of the settlement. He sat there on his horse just at the edge of the prairie and saw the Indians set fire to several houses, but, being discovered by them, he was obliged to turn and flee for his life, five of the savages following in hot pursuit upon horses they had captm-ed at the settlement. They chased him five miles, and, coming within about sixty yards of him when entangled in a marsh, fii-ed five or six volleys at him, but, fortunately, without killing him or his horse. As soon as he could extricate himself from the marsh, he proceeded homeward in safety and made his report. The settlers, alarmed by the fate of their neighbors, immediately deserted the place and removed their families to Chicago, twenty-eight miles distant.

"At that time, there were no soldiers in the fort at Chicago; nevertheless, it was a safer residence than any place in the interior. They remained three weeks, and then, retiu-ning to Naperville, built a fort on the site of the present village. While so engaged in building their fori, one man, who was employed in drawing materials for it, was killed and scalped when about a mile and a half distant, and his horses were stolen and driven away. His dead body, when found, was taken to the fort and bui'ied. The same night, after assisting at this mom-nful service, Payne started on express for Gen. Atkinson's camp, some fifty or sixty miles down the river, and reached there in safety. This occurred in the month of April, 1832. The next month, his brother, Adam PajTie, while on the road from Naperville to Ottawa, was killed by the Indians and robbed of his horse, and $2,300 in gold which he had about his person. His body was afterward discovered and buried, but his head had been cut off and was never foimd,"

The massacre of his brother aroused within him an intense hatred for the whole Indian race, which was the ruling passion through the remaining years of his life. He often averred that it was as much a crime to let an Indian go alive as to allow a rattlesnake to live unharmed, and asserted that he had avenged his brother's death as often as opportunity offered. He killed no Indians after he came to Wisconsin, but remained an intense Indian hater till the day of his death.

At the close of the war, Payne removed his family from Chicago, vrhere they had taken refuge, to the frontier on the Fox River, where he remained two years, and then removed to Squaw Prairie, where he lived at the time he made his exploring expedition which resulted in the discovery of Geneva Lake and his subsequent settlement at that place. A full and circumstantial narrative of his trials and exploits in establishing himself at Geneva is given in the eai'ly history of the county at large.

After the settlement with the contesting claimants, Payne remained but a few months at Geneva Village. Before the mill was completed, he sold out his interest, and, in January, 1837, took up a new claim at the outlet of Duck Lake (now Lake Como), about two miles from the village, where he removed his family. There he built a saw-mill at a cost of some $1,500. His dam was near the crossing of the Elkhorn and Geneva road. It lasted, with some repairs, till 1858, at which time a freshet dilapidated it beyond hope of repair.

The building of his hoiise and mill on his new claim was not unattended with exciting incident. Mr. S. A. Dwinnell tells the story as follows:

" In January, 1837, Christopher Payne sold his claim at the outlet of Geneva Lake for $1,500, and made another upon the mill site at the outlet of Duck Lake, one mile north. He commenced the erection of a neat log house, and was finishing the inside, when, upon going to work one morning, he found that aa attempt had been made to biu-n it during the previous night. Some one had piled the chips which he had made against the two fi'ont corners of the building, and, putting upon them his building tools - worth some $80 - the most valuable lot, at that time, in the county - had set them on fire. The tools were ruined, but the house, though badly damaged was not destroyed, as the logs were green and the roof covered with snow.

" This act highly exasperated Payne and two young men in his employ, whose work was delayed until they could send to Chicago - seventy miles - and replace their tools. Suspicion at once fell upon one Jotham W. Cm-tis as the perpetrator of the deed. He lived a mile down the creek, and the young men tracked him through the snow to his house and took him as a prisoner. Locking arms with him, one on each side, they marched him to the scene of the ruin he had caused. After making him take a good survey of it, they all set out with him to the middle of Duck Lake, about a mile away. On the way, Curtis made a desperate but ineffectual effort to escape from them. They cut a large hole through the ice, and, procuring a long pole with which to sink his body, gave him ten minutes to prepare for death.

" Cm-tis, believing them to be in desperate earnest - although, in fact, they had no serious intention upon his life - made a full confession of the act, expressing penitence and promising better behavior, was released and returned home.

" Thirsting for revenge, Ciu-tis forthwith proceeded to the nearest Justice of the Peace, at Racine, thirty miles distant, and made complaint that Payne and his men had plunged him into the lake three several times, on a cold winter night, and held him under water as long as he could live.

" Ujion this, a wawant was issued for their arrest, and in the evening of the second day thereafter, the Sheriff of the newly organized county of Racine airived at Payne's house, at Geneva Lake, duly armed for the aiTest of a band of desperadoes - as they were sup])osed to be from Curtis' representation. They submitted quietly to an aiTest, and the next morning, Payne, harnessing his team to a sleigh - which he had spent the whole night in finishing - started for Racine. As the track was poorly broken and the snow eighteen inches deep, they were a day and a half in making the journey.

" Upon examination, the prisoners were held to answer to the District Coiu^t. Fortunately, there was present a man who was indebted to Payne for a favor bestowed some time before, and he volunteered to become his bail. Payne then went bail for the young men, and, jiunping into their sleigh, which was ready at the door, started off at Gilpin speed for Chicago, greatly to the chagrin of Curtis, who soon after appeared with a lawyer, to make out papers for their re-arrest upon two other false charges.

mitted a crime which led him to flee from justice, and the prosecution was abandoned, costing Pajnie, however, in expenses and lawyers, the large sum, for that time, of $300.

" Durincr the winter of 1837-38, J. W. Curtis, having removed to Burlington, Racine County, then a small settlement of four or five families, jumped the claim of Silas Peck, putting up a log house body upon it. The case was submitted for decision to the claim league and given to Peck. To this decision Ciu-tis refused to yield submission, and a large number of citizens met one evening and tore down his hoiise body, whereupon he loaded his rifle with a ball and three slugs and delil^erately tired at the company, who were standing, conversing, around a fh-e which they had kindled. One of the balls passed through both thighs of one of the company. No one else was injured. Curtis at once fled to Illinois, and was never brought to trial for his offense "

Payne, in spite of all drawbacks, completed his mill in the summer of 1837, and ran it prosperously for seven years. At the end of that time, owing to his easy-going disposition, he found his profits mostly absorbed by bad debts, and sold out his mill and farm. His mill, with sixty acres, he sold to his son-in-law, aud the remaining 100 acres to Charles M. Baker. The mill passed later into the hands of O. S. Tiffany, and long ago fell into disuse.

Payne's next move, in 1844, was into the adjoining town of La Fayette, where he settled on forty acres of Government land, through which ran Sugar Creek. Here he built another saw-mill, at a cost of $1,200, which was afterward sold by Uriah Payne, in whose name the land was entered, to Mr. Harkness. It was known thereafter as the " Harkness Mill " so long as it ran. It has long ago fallen into decay, like its predecessor at Duck Lake. jVIi-. Payne ran this mill but a few years. Some time in 1846 or 1847, he left the county. His subsequent career is nan-ated by Mr. John Simmons, as follows;

" After the sale of his land, PajTie moved to the town of La Fayette, in this county, and settled upon forty acres of Government laud, through which ran Sugar Creek, having a sufficient descent on the land to constitute a water-power of some value. Here he built another saw-mill, since known as the Harkness Mill, which cost him about 11,200. The land was entered in the name of Uriah Payne, and by him sold, together with the mill, to Harkness. Christopher Payne then moved to Winnebago County and made a claim on the north side of Fox River, opposite Delhi, and about half a mile from the river, and immediately began to improve it. Here he was induced to purchase the claim of one of his neighbors, whose wife was fast failing in health and was anxious to go East to die among her friends. Although this was as beautiful a piece of land as could be selected in the State,' and was bought by him at a low price, it proved a dear bargain. Scarcely had his neighbor started on his Eastern voyage when a man named Crego set up an adverse claim to the same land. For two years, he was constantly engaged in lawsuits with Crego about their respective rights, aud at the expiration of that time, after twenty-seven suits, arising directly or indirectly out of the matter, tlao claim of Payne was confii-med and estalilished by the decision of the officers of the land office. Crego, supported by wealthy relatives, no doubt expected, by means of these suits, to exhaust the resoiu-eesof his opponent before the land came into market, and then piu-chase it himself, and he would have succeeded had not Payne found powerful friends. Although the land was now his, aud he had very much improved it, yet he was in debt and obliged to sell it for but little more than Government price. Four years later, it was worth $30 per acre. Thus, having lost a farm upon which he had hoped to spend the remainder of his days, Payne again took up his household goods, and, after remaining a short time in Fond du Lac Coiinty, returned to this county aud lived till the fall of 1804, upon a portion of the farm of his son-in-law, Trimble, in the town of Linn, working industriously for the sup])ort of himself and his aged wife, aud enjoying with her a healthy old age. From the time he left the lead mines until 1800. he had constantly enjoyed good health, and had taken no medicine of any kind. Some time in the fall of 18()4, he loft Linn and went to live with his son George, in Columbia County, Wis. Of his life there we have no accoimt. He died at the town of Scott, in that county, on" the ISth of February, 1871. being then in his eightyfifth year."

Mr. Payne was a man of marked character, such as could only be developed by the rough frontier life which was his lot from earliest childhood. He had no educational advantages whatever. It is stated that his emphatic signature, which he always honored, was a dot through the paper. His energy was only excelled by his patience and perseverance under trials and difficulties that crush men of less stern mold. He was brave, bold and honest. His temper, when fairly roused, was something ten'ible, but he was slow to anger and forgiving in spirit. His strictly frontier life is illustrated by the fact that, when seventy years old, he picked an apple from a tree he had himself planted, saying: "I think this ought to belong to me. I planted this tree, as I have many more, but I never stayed long enough to see them bear. This is the hrst time I ever saw apples growing on a tree."

Robert Wells Wareen* was born at Ludlow, Windsor Co., Vt., on the 5th of October, 1798. and was therefore in his seventy-eighth year at the time of his death. He was the oldest son of a family of six, only two of whom survive him. His father was a millwright by trade, and young Robert learned the trade of his father, and followed it for a livelihood until his settlement here. He became a good mechanic, his skill, particularly in the laying out of frames, being acknowledged and envied by some of the most skillful among us.

Some time about the year 1814. he removed to Lewis, Essex Co., N. Y., in which vicinity he remained about fifteen years. On the lUth of March, 1820, he was married, at Wellsboro, in that county, to Maiy Knapj), who for nearly fifty-six years shared his fortimes. and who survived him nearly four years.

In 1829, he removed to Casawago. Crawford Co.. Penn. , where he carried on his trade, and, while living there, was a leading man in the community.

On the 1st day of May, 1830. he, his brother Greenleaf. the Vanvelzers and some other neighbors, with their families, started for the great West, traveling with ox teams and di'iving their cows and other stock before them, and on the last day of that month arrived at Chicago, making the trip in what was then considered a remarkably short time. From there he went out to the Fox River, some twelve miles from Geneva, 111., where he was found about the 1st of June by Christopher Payne, who had a short time previously made a claim to the water-power and land at the foot of oiu' lake, and engaged by him to come here and build a saw-mill. On his way here, a few days afterward, with one hand to assist him, he met Payne returning, very miTch dispirited by his defeat in a contest with other claimants of the same property. Returning and remaining with him overnight. Wan-en, in the morning, pm'chased Uriah Payne's interest in the claim, and, accompanied by the elder Payne, went to Chicago to procure assistance. Joined there by Andi-ew Ferguson, who also held a share, the two came up. and, after taking a general siu'vey of the lake and its vicinity, and satisfying themselves of the value of the property, attempted to compromise with the party in possession. Being unsuccessful in that, they returned to Chicago and raised forces to assist them in asserting their rights, Payne, on his part, getting such assistance as he could in his own vicinity. Some time in the early part of July, 1836, these forces an'ived here, their wives and families accompanying them, as a garrison, to take possession and hold the ground. Backed by such an imposing army, a compromise was soon effected, Mr. Warren acting as negotiator, and it fell to his lot to go to Chicago to procm-e the funds to pay off the o])posiug claimants. That done, he immediately applied himself to the work of building a saw-mill, and that, with its race-way, was completed ready for work by the 1st of Januaiy, 1837. but, unfortunately, the water being let into the flume upon a large body of snow, froze up solid, and the saw was not set running until the following March. IVIr. Warren moved his family into a log house nearly on the site of the dwelling house where he so long resided, and entertained travelers there until the 1st of January, 1838, when he completed and oj^ened as a hotel the main part of the house now known as the St. Denis Hotel. Here he remained until 1843, and, in the spring of 1844, he sold it to A. Hasings. In those days. Mr. Warren showed himself a large-hearted, public-spirited man, welcoming and caring for the needy emigi-ant and the zealous missionary, and aiding in eveiy public enterprise. His hall was fi'eely opened for religious services to all denominations, and the fu'st sermons to our early settlers were preached there. He was a large contributor to the first schoolhouse, and to the support of the schools kept there. Trained up by pious parents, he never lost his respect for the religion which they taught him, and, though never professing to be a Christian, he found much comfort in his latter years in reading the Bible.

In 183S, he was employed a.s a millwright upon the first gi-ist-mill, which was built by C. M. Goodsell and sent running in October, 1838. Within four years from that time, he became the owner of the mill, and ran it until 1848, when he built the present mill.

In 1851, he sold that to N. L. Stout, but, a year or two afterward, regained the title, and, in 1854-55, he again sold it, to the Case brothers. As one of the original proprietors, he had the principal charge of the surveying and platting of the village; and mainly to his liberality and foresight are we indebted for the lands dedicated for cemetery, church and school purposes, and public squares, aud for the generous width of our streets. Had it been possible at that early day to anticipate the present needs of our village, he would no doubt have made ample provision for them. In 1845, Mr. Warren was President of the village. In 1849, he engaged in the mercantile business, but continued in it only a year or two. After a second grist-mill was built, by H. E. Allen, in 1859, he became a half-owner of that, but soon sold out, and has since been engaged in no regular business. Possessed originally of a fearless courage, a determined will and untiring energy, backed up by a good constitution, he was just the man for a pioneer. Through all the years of his active life, these characteristics made his influence felt here. Confident that he knew his own rights, he seldom yielded to an adverse claimant without a contest; and if, in his later years, he became more tenacious than liefore in matters of smaller moment, it was the natm-al result of his increasing age and failing health. Had he lived six months longer, he would have been for forty yeai-s a constant resident of our village. Our county had very few, if any, settlers when he came here - probably none who now siu-vive.

In his death we lose the tii-st link in the chain of oirr history, and soon all those who were associated with him as fathers of our village will have passed away. Let us honor him aud them for all of the good they have accomplished, and judge them charitably in all wherein they failed, even as we ourselves would be judged.

Phillip Maxwell, an original proprietor of the village of Geneva, was born at Guilford, Windham Co., Vt., on the 1st day of April, 1799. His means of education in early life were quite limited, but, such as they were, he no doubt improved them well, and was stimulated by them to exert himself for higher and more valuable attainments. After teaching school awhile, he commenced the study of medicine when quite young, completed his coiu-se at Cherry Valley, N. Y., and graduated as a physician and surgeon from a medical college in New York City. His professional education was gained wholly by his own exertions, his relatives not being able to assist him. He first settled at Sackett's Harbor, Jefferson Co., N. Y., entering into competition with two old physicians, who naturally did not favor his success; but, after some patient waiting, he succeeded in establishing a good practice, and remained there until some time in the year 1832 or 1833, when he received a commission as Assistant Siu-geon in the United States Army. While there, he was married to an estimable lady residing in a neighboring town, who sm-vived him, and made her home in oiu- village until her death, in March, 1875. After spending a short time at West Point, he was ordered to Fort Dearborn, at Chicago. He arrived at that small frontier post in the year 1833, and remained there about foiu- years. In the winter of 1837, he accompanied the troops to Green Bay, but returned and in the spring was ordered back. In the fall of 1838, he was ordered to Florida, and took part in the Seminole war. Afterward, he was sent to Fort Smith, Ark., being then Field Surgeon, with the rank of Major, and did not return to Chicago until after an absence of some six or eight years.

During his first residence there, he had })urchased an interest in the claim at Geneva, as before related, and also invested largely in Government land on Big Foot Prairie, and on his departure for Florida he left the property in charge of bis brother James, who, meantime, had joined him. Some time in 1842, a portion of the army being disbanded, the Doctor received his discharge. The following winter he spent at the residence of J. H. Moore, on Big Foot Prairie, and then returned to Chicago aud devoted himself to the practice of his profession in the city, which, by that time, had begun to show some indications of that growth and activity which," in later years, has astonished the world. Here his ability, not only as a physician, but as a business man in both private and public employment, became known, and was acknowledged and appreciated by the people of the city.

lu the year 1856, he commenced building a large and handsome dwelling here, npon a delightful spot, which he had long reserved for that purpose, and, on its completion, brought his family here to reside, intending to retire from active business. His residence among us, however, 'was of short diu-ation, as he died in November, 1859. Kind and unostentatious in his manners, a genial companion and friend, and an excellent citizen, he made many warm friends wherever he resided, and his death was regarded as a great public loss, especially at that juncture, when our citizens were expecting so much from his influence and example in calling the attention of the wealthy citizens of Chicago to the beauty and salubrity of our location, and its desirableness as a place for summer residence.

James Maxwell, a half brother of Phillip Maxwell, was also born at Guilford, Vt., somewhere about the year 1789. Of the early education and pm-suits we have no particular information. At one "time he operated a glass factory in the State of Pennsylvania. Leaving that country, he went to Indiana, and spent some time with a brother residing there. Coming to Chicago while his brother Phillip was stationed there, he joined with him in the Geneva purchase, and also in the more extensive pm-chase of lands in the town of Walworth. Upon this latter piu-chase he settled with his family, and remained there for many yeai-s. His title of Colonel was derived from a brief service in command of a regiment of militia, sent from Chicago on an exisedition against the Indians. He was the tu-st member of the Ten-itorial Council from this and Rock Counties, elected in 1838 and holding for a term of foiu- years. At what time he removed to Baraboo, where his son James had preceded him, it is \mable to ascertain, but he made that his home for a number of years, and died there about the year 1869, at the age of eighty-four years. Col. Maxwell was a man of more than ordinary native ability, of quick penetration and ready wit, more fond of social conversation than debate, full of good, practical conunon sense, yet not very successful in business; a generous fi-iend. and an honorable, upright and useful citizen.

Charles M. Goodsell was born in East Haven, Conn., in 1805. When quite yoimg, his father removed to Cooperstown, and, a few years later, to Burlington Flats, N. Y. He was trained to business on his father's farm, and in his store, flouring-mills and distillery. By reason of tire and floods, his father failed in business, and his son Charles took the property, and, by good management, paid all the debts. In 1834, he sold his property and removed to Cincinnatus, N. Y., where he engaged in farming and kept a small store. He there entered upon an active Christian life, and from the flrst was foremost in ardent efforts to promote the cause of temperance and every other good work.

Having acquired a handsomii property by industry and good management, he left Cincinnatus with his family, in a covered wagon, in the fall of 1836, for the great Northwest. He stopped in Chicago, and there remained until the spring of 1838, when he was induced, by the proj)rietors of the new village of Geneva Lake, in Wisconsin, to remove there and erect a floiu-- ing-mill. This he did diu-ing the following summer. He commenced grinding the first wheat raised in Walworth County in September, and people brought their grists from twenty to forty miles, in all directions. '

He soon after erected a neat dwelling in the village, and opened a small farm a short distance away. The land not proving as productive as he expected, he was at the expense of sending a specimen of the soil all the way to Albany, N. Y., for chemical analysis. The chemist found it to be composed of ninety-seven parts of sand, finer than superfine flom-. It was so fine that the tender fibers of plant roots could not penetrate it, and hence was unproductive. He thus learned how to treat the land to render it jn-oductive, greatly to the advantage not only of himself, but of his neighbors also. They had previously supposed the soil to be clay.

Mr. Goodsell found the little settlement at Geneva Lake without religious worship. They had no Sabbath, but he carried one to them. One Sunday, the boys of Christopher Payne called upon him with fish te sell. He told them that he never traded on Sunday, but to come on any other day and he would buy of them. The boys seemed to be siu-prised. They had always lived on the far frontiers, in advance of Christian civilization and Sabbath observance. They ever after called him " the Sunday man," and never troubled him with calls of business on that day.

the Gospel. One of the first to visit him and to preach in his house was a young man, whose circuit extended 600 miles, and who made his rounds on foot once in sis weeks. In the spring of 1839, a church was organized in Geneva, of which he and his wife became members, and he was "elected an officer. About the same time, a union Sunday school was commenced, of which he was chosen Superintendent. His religious efforts were not limited to the village he had chosen for his home. He went abroad whenever his help was needed, attending meetings to promote temperance, Sunday schools and religious institutions generally.

The following account of Mr. Goodsell was written many years ago, by the late Hon. C. M. Baker: " The anti-Slaveiy party was organized in Geneva at an early day, and, though its numbers were few, they were outspoken and decided. C. M. Goodsell and Dr. J. McNish were the leaders, and where they led there was no lack of energy or efficiency. A temperance society, with a teetotal pledge, was also formed there, of which he was the leader. He never allowed his property to be used to promote in any way the manufactiu'e or sale of intoxicating di'inks."

" About the year 1842, Newton and John S. Capron came to Geneva and built a whisky distillery. Mr. Goodsell was then ninning his grist-mill a few rods distant from it. By law, each man who brought grain to mill to be ground was to be served in turn. The Caprons brought corn to be ground for the use of their distillery. Mr. Goodsell refused to grind it. This at once raised a great excitement. There was at that time no cash market for corn in the Territory. The non-temperance farmers were looking to the distillery for the sale of it. They were enraged at their disappointment. Great opposition was aroused against Mr. Goodsell, and various means used to induce him to change his purpose; but without effect. The temperance people stood by him."

" Finally, N. & J. S. Capron brought suit after suit against him, upon which I, acting as his attorney, obtained non-suits. They finally obtained a judgment against him before a Justice of the Peace, which he appealed to the District Court. It was finally dismissed and the fine never paid. Mr. Goodsell rode to Madison, the Territorial Legislatiire being in session, and got the law altered so as to exempt millers from grinding for distillers. If I am not mistaken on the subject, the statute so stands to this day, and 0. M. Goodsell was the father of it."

A year or so jirevious to his death, MJr. Goodsell gave Mr. Simmons a full account of that conflict in which some facts are noticed not mentioned by Judge Baker. He says: "I gave early notice to the Messrs. Capron that they must not expect me to gi-ind for their use. They prepared a mill of their own, to be propelled by steam, but failed to obtain an engine of sufficient power for the pm-pose. Having exhausted their funds - some $10,000 in all - they were obliged to resort to other means of supplying their distillery. After vainly attempting to negotiate with me to grind for them, they sought to compel me under the provisions of the statute requiring millers to grind for customers in due tiu'n as brought."

" This conflict continued for more than a year. I suffered much opposition. Many farmers wished the distillery to succeed so as to open a mai-ket for their sm-plus grain, for which there was very little sale at that early clay. They blamed me for refusing to grind, but I had resolved in early manhood neither to use my capital myself, nor to permit it to be used by others, in the manufacture and sale of intoxicating di-inks - a purpose conscientiously formed, and from which I could not swerve to secure favor and patronage, or to avoid fi-owns and persecution."

The Caprons failed in business in a few years, the distillery^was torn down, and for many years there has been nothing to mark the spot on which it stood.

In 1850, Mr. Goodsell removed to Greenwood. Ill, and was engaged some ten years in mercantile business there. About 1860, he took up his residence in Northfield, Minn. Having, while residing at Geneva, been prominently engaged in founding Beloit College - the projectors meeting several times at hie house for consultation before it was located - upon finding himself in another new State, his mind naturally tm-ned to founding a literary institution of a high grade in that infant commonwealth. He finally effected the establishment of Carlton College, under the auspices of the Congregational denomination, which is now a permanent, well-endowed institution, of which Rev. Dr. J. W. Strong is President.

upon which the buildings are located. His intense labors and anxieties in carrying it through the straggles of its eaiTy life brought on disease which terminated in his death. May 3, 1869, aged sixty-foiu- years. His works follow him. The college will live thi-ough coming ages, a moniunent of his liberality and zeal, to diffuse the blessings of Chi-istian Itiai-uing widely over the land and world. He was twice married, first to Abbie F. Jennings, who died in Geneva in 1842, and then to her sister Elizabeth, who survives him. He left seven adult childi-en, all living in Northfield at the time of his death.

Lewis B. Ctoodsell, a cousin of Charles M. Goodsell, was a native of Fairfield, Conn., his birth dating somewhere in the year 1800. AVhile he was quite young, his father, who was a carpenter by trade, removed to Cooperstown. N. Y., then on the fi-ontiers of civilization. Here he grew up, and in due time entered a store as a clerk, and, applying himself to the business for which he was adapted by natm-e, became a thoroughly posted and skillful merchant. For some six or eight years, he carried on a very successful mercantile business at Cooperstown, having, for a portion of the time, George L. Campbell, another of the original proprietors of oiu- village, as a partner. Catching the Western fever, in 1836, he removed to Chicago and opened a store there. His partner soon followed, and they remained together until the death of the latter. During this time, as before related, they became interested in the property here. In the spring or summer of 1845, Mr. Goodsell, having previously met with some reverses, came here to reside, and opened a store in an old battlemented oak building, which stood near the present residence of William H. Seymour, on the west side of Center street. He soon afterward built and moved into a one-story wooden building, on the north side of Main street, now occupied as a bakery. Here he carried on a successful and constantly increasing business until his death, which occurred in 1852. A severe exposure in 1848 aftected his lungs and brought on consumption, but, by the force of an indomitable will and by prudent care of his health, he was enabled to keep aboiit, and give to his business that attention which it demanded. When at Chicago, on his retium from making his piu-chases at New York, in the spring of 1852, he overexerted his strength in his haste to reach the steamboat for Southport, and sank and died upon the wharf. In his death, Geneva lost a most valuable citizen, and a business man in whose integrity and ability she had learned to place the highest confidence.

George L. Campbell, before mentioned as one of the original proprietors of oiur village, was a son of Robert Campbell, Esq., a lawyer and banker of Cooperstown, N. Y. Soon after his graduation from college, his father, not wishing him to study a profession, established him in trade with L. B. Goodsell at Cooperstown. After their removal to Chicago, Mi-. Campbell became quite interested in land speculations, but with none of his investments was he so miich pleased as with this at Geneva. He would gladly have purchased his partner's share to it, but the latter declined to sell. A few years after this. Mi'. Campbell died at Chicago, of consumption. Being unmaiTied, his father, Robert Campbell, inherited his property here, and that fact accounts for the appearance of his name as grantor in subsequent conveyances of that property.

Greenleaf S. Warren was born in Ludlow, Vt., in the year 1802. When about twelve years of age, he removed with his brother Robert to Essex Coimty, N. Y., where they remained some nine or ten years, and then removed to Pennsj'lvania. Some six years afterward, Greenleaf, being of an adventurous turn of mind, started for the West, and, arriving at Dubupue, engaged in lead mining for some years, when, having fortunately struck a good lode, he sold it for some $2,000 and returned to Pennsylvania. Here he was soon after married to a sister of A. D. Colton, whose name has already appeared in these sketches. On the Istdayof May, 1836, the two brothers, with their families, and the Van Velzers and some other neighbors, started for the great West, journeying with ox teams and driving their cows and other stock before them, and aiTived at Chicago on the last day of the same month, making the trip in the short time of thirty days. After remaining there awhile, he accompanied his brother to this place, and ever afterward made it his home. In 1837, he built a portion of the present Lake House, or at least a dwelling on its site, and afterward erected the main building, which has since been much enlarged and improved, and is now known by that title. Here he for several years kept a hotel, competing with his brother on the other corner for the custom of teamsters and travelers, which in those days was much better in proportion to the population of the country than it is now. This hotel afterward passed into the hands of Thomas D. Warren, who was succeeded by A. D. Colton, lon^r known as the model hotel-keeper of oiu' village.

After retiring fi'om the hotel, Mr. Warren lived in a small house nearly opposite, on the west side of Broad street. In 1849, he commenced building the store now owned and occupied by T. C. Smith, and had it well under way in the spring of 1850, when he started overland for California. Remaining there about two years, he returned by way of New York, was taken sick on his road from there to Philadelphia, and, after a short illness, died there among strangers.

In connection with the foregoing, it is deemed proper to here insert the obituary of Mr. Charles A. Noyes, who, though not a copartner of those mentioned above, was a former proprietor and became a permanent resid.ent of the village, who, sm-viving all the rest, died in his early home at a recent date.

Charles A. Noyes, Sr., died at Geneva on the 'ioth of November, 1881, at the age of sixtynine years. In his death is broken another link which bound Geneva's present to its past history. He was one of the last survivors of the white men who lirst trod its streets, then unsurveyed and unnamed, and selected the site where om- now bright and tloiu-ishing village is located, foreseeing something of its future in the beautiful lake, the fine water-power and the central position it occupied with relation to the rich countr_y surrounding it. His life has been characterized by many changes and vicissitudes, comparatively few of which can be noticed in this brief sketch. He was born in Otsego County, N. Y.. in the year 1812. His early life displayed the same spirit of self-sacrifice which characterized his maturer years. Very fond of study, and desirous of a thorough education, he yet declined it when within his reach, that he might care for his widowed mother. He did not. however, let slip unimproved the few advantages he had without improvement, but stored his mind with all the information which the duties of a constantly active life permitted, through reading and observation. At the age of eighteen, he took a position as shipping clerk with the then well-known firm of Pratt, Taylor & Co., of Buffalo, where he remained three years. At the end of that time, forsaking a good position and a liberal salary, he sought a home in the far West, and arrived at Chicago May 10, 1836. Thence he proceeded, partly by sloop and partly on foot, to Milwaukee, where he first heard from Solomon Juneau, of Big Foot Lake. Returning to Chicago, he found a cousin, Orrin Coe, and together they started to find a home in the vast wilds of Wisconsin, a waterpower and location for the industries and the population which would naturally cluster around it. They tm-ned their steps toward ovu- lake, then known as Big Foot's Lake, and, after various wanderings and adventures common to travelers in unknown regions, they reached here about the 21st of May, 1836, in time to assist in raising a log house for John Powers, just south of oui- village. There were then three log houses within oiu- present bounds. The possession and right to the water-power created by Geneva Lake was then in dispute between Christoj^her Payne and the party of the Government siu'veyors headed by Hodgson & Brink. Noyes and Coe bought from the latter party an undivided one-fourth interest in their claim. Through their influence, it was decided to carry the water to the site of the mills liy a race located as at present, rather than build a dam across the low ground near the mill. During most of the active warfare between the claimants of the water-power, Mr. Noyes was absent at Milwaukee, yimichasing supplies for the party here and procm'ing niechanics for the construction of a mill. Being eminently a man of peace. Mi'. Noyes disapproved of the violent measiu-es adopted by some of his party to di'ive away Payne, yet participated in some of their struggles to prevent Payne from acquiring a firmer foothold here. His interest was afterward sold out with that of his company to the invading force of Warren and others. He, however, remained for awhile, and, becoming acquainted with Miss Nancy Warren, sister of R. W. Warren, was married to her in the course of that year, but was obliged to go to Milwaukee to find an official or minister authorized to tie the nuptial knot. Not finding sufficient scojie for his ambition here, Mr. Noyes, with some associates, went, in the fall of 1837, to McHenry County. 111., and made a claim of the water-power at Richmond, naming it Montelona. Selling out the Richmond claim to Mr. Pui'dy, he next settled at Tryon's Corners, in Hebron, and, while there, procui'ed a mail route to be established from Chicago to Madison by way of the Corners and Big Foot, and was appointed Postmaster. This was in 1839, before there was any route or office at Geneva. In

1850, he again became a resident of Geneva, and, in April of this year, he started, with G. S. Warren and others, for California. He returned in 1853 and bought an interest in the waterpower at Genoa. In 1858, he again tm-ned his steps toward the Golden West, and until 1872 his home was on the Pacific Coast. Since 1872, he has resided with his children in this vicinity, and for the past two years, with his son, in this village. Mr. Noyes was a man of excellent habits, of pure and upright moral character, and eminently a lover of his fellow-man, ready at all times to sacrifice himself to help others. Taking no thought for himself, he seemed to labor for the good of others. He was extremely gentle and kind to all witli whom he associated, and at the same time utterly fearless, both physically and morally. His death creates a void in the circle of old pioneers, as well as in that of his family, which can never be filled.

Andrew Ferguson, the only surviving original proprietor, was born in Laurens, Otsego Co., N. Y., September 27, 1803. He was bred a farmer, and educated in the common schools. In 1822, he removed to Cooperstown, N. Y., and engaged in the shoe and leather business until 1835. During that period, he ran quite an extensive shoe manufactory and tannery.

In 1835, he came to Chicago and engaged in general merchandising with George L. Campbell and L. B. Goodsell, the latter being a brother-in-law. Their store was on the east side of Dearborn street, north of the Tremont House, toward the river. Here he remained about one year, at which time his attention and interest di'ew him to Geneva Lake, as has been elsewhere recounted. He took up his permanent residence there with his family in May, 1837, where he has continued to live to the present time (1882).

He became a public-spirited citizen, and did his full part in the early development of the town. He built the tu-st fi'ame building in the village of Geneva, in which he opened the first store. He was the first Postmaster, appointed in 1838, and held the office twelve years. He has served on the Board of Supervisors and in other positions of trust, as elsewhere shown in this history. He remained in trade for some twenty years, and then sold out 1o L. D. Hale, and, till 1800, confined his business to the cultivation of a tract of some forty acres of land, lying within the present limits of the village. At that time, he sold out and bought a farm in the adjoining town of Linn, to which he removed, and where he resided till 1866, at which time he returned to Geneva, where he still resides, enjoying a sturdy old age and the earned respect of his fellow-citizens.

Mr. Ferguson was married, April 24, 1824, in Cooperstown, N. Y., to Miss Lucretia Goodsell. They had five children - Mary, an infant, died in Cooperstown; Mary. Mrs. Daniel Austin White, of Whitewater, Wis., died September, 1880; Henry, lately in trade in Geneva; Ann, died in Geneva in 1864; Charles, now a resident of Geneva.

George W. Trimble married the oldest daughter of Christopher Payne in 1832-33. He came with him on his voyages of discovery, and was with him during the spring of 1836 at Geneva. He sold out his claim and moved to Walworth in 1837. He was a resident of the vicin ity for many years. In 1864, he had a farm in Linn, and bought Payne's mill in La Fayette when he left the State. He moved to Minnesota many years ago, where he now lives.

Hon. Charles JM. Baker, deceased ; was born in the city of New Vork Oct. 18, 1804. His parents removed in 1805 to Bridport, Vt., and there he spent his early years in work upon a farm, in study and in teaching. At the age of 18 he entered Middlebury College, but was soon compelled by the failure of his health to resign his plans for a liberal education; he did not however abandon the pursuit of knowledge, but was through life a diligent and thorough student. After three years' study of the law in the office of Judge S. G. Huntington, at Troy, N. Y., he was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice there as a partner of Henry W. Strong, brother of the late Marshall M. Strong, of llacine. Removing to Seneca Falls, he continued a very successful practice for four years, when he was obliged to yield to his old enemy and abandon the profession. In 1838, he emigrated to Wisconsin, bringing his excellent wife, Martha W. Larabee, his three children and his few worldly goods in a light covered wagon, in true pioneer style, intending to devote himself to farming. After some prospecting, he selected a farm on the south shore of Geneva Lake, and in December, 1838 he settled his family at the then infant village of Geneva, in a rough log house, open to wind and storm. His health improving, and the people demanding his services, he again resumed his profession. He was the first lawyer who settled in Walworth Co. In the fall of

1839 he was, unexpectedly to himself, appointed as District Attorney. For thirty-three years, with some short intermissions, his home was at Geneva, where, by his ability, his integrity, and his untiring industry, he acquired a powerful influence, which he ever exerted for the promotion of religion, education, temperance and morality. He held many places of public trust and responsibility in town, county. Territory and State, and in all proved himself faithful and equal to the demands upon him; he was a member of the Territorial Council from 1842 to 1846; a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1846, and chairman of its Judiciary Committee; and was one of the Commissioners to revise the statutes in 1848, and the one to whom was intrusted the revision of the most important laws, and the supervision of the publication of the completed work. In 1856, he very acceptably filled a vacancy in the office of Circuit Judge, but absolutely declined to be a candidate for that office at the ensuing election ; had he been more ambitious, or possessed less modesty and more self-appreciation, he might have grasped and filled any office in the gift of the people. During the war of the rebellion, he was a Commissioner in the office of the Provost Marshal of his district. His first wife died at Geneva, in June, 1843, leaving to him the care of four young children. The following year he was happily married to Miss Eliza Holt, of Madison, who still survives to mourn his lo.ss. Judge Baker possessed talents of a very high order ; a clear and logical mind strengthened and liberalized by extensive reading and observation, and a judgment characterized by great caution and discretion. His integrity and faithfulness to duty were above and beyond reproach or suspicion. Id the profession of the law, he ever sought to promote justice and right; loved peace rather than litigation ; was a peace-maker and a trusted adviser, and preferred at all times the quiet walks of professional life rather than those which are more public and ostentatious - a field requiring no less of learning and ability, and offering equal, if not superior opportunities for usefulness to his fellow-men. His private life was one well worthy of imitation ; he was a religious man, early in life a member of the Baptist Church, and later a member and an Elder of the Presbyterian Church, a leader in all its benevolent and reformatory work, and the right hand man of his pastor. His heart was full of kindness, love and sympathy for his fellowmen, and his life pure and abounding in noble and generous actions. He died of apoplexy, at his residence in Geneva, on the 5th day of February, 1872, in the 68th year of his age. Thus passed away, after a life of great usefulness and honor, one of the purest and best of Christian pioneers.

Thomas W. Hill (deceased ) was one of the earliest settlers of the town of Lyons. The following is a sketch of his life which has appeared before in print :

Thomas Warden Hill was born in the town of Swanton, Franklin Co., Vt., on the 9th day of January, 1817 ; his parents removed from that place to the town of Lewis, Essex Co., N. Y., when he was but 5 years old ; here he met with the great misfortune of losing both his parents, while he was yet quite young, but fortunately he had an uncle, Joseph Wells, of the same town, who oifered him a home and with whom he remained until he was 21 yeaas of age. Having now become his own master, Mr. Hill, in the fall of 1838, started for the far West, traveling the greater part of the way on foot, and arriving in Geneva on the 15th of October of that year. Taking no time for rest or recreation, but manifesting the same diligent and earnest spirit which characterized his whole after life, he on the very next day after his arrival, commenced working for R. W. Warren, continuing with him for some time ; he also, during the first years of his residence in Geneva, worked for A Ferguson on his farm and in his store and for C. M. Goodsell in the original grist-mill. Always temperate, prudent and economical in his habits, he soon found himself able to buy a farm, and in March, 1839, he purchased land in the present town of Lyons, two and one-half miles from Geneva Village, which afterward became his homestead, and was retained by him until his death. At the first town election in the spring of 1840, he was elected to his first pablic office, that of Constable and Collector. This was but a stepping-stone to numerous and more important positions to which his fellow-citizens subsequently called him.

In the spring of 1842, he united with the Presbyterian Church at Geneva, having become hopefully pious during a series of revival meetings held the preceding winter. On the 12th of February, 1843, he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Ferris, and one year from that day they removed to the farm above mentioned, and remained there, with the exception of one year spent in Geneva, until 1868, industriously engaged in improving the farm and bringing it to ideal perfection, in friendly competition with his neighbor Reuben Rockwell, who preceded him by only a few months to the grave. Providence smiled upon these twenty-three years of industry ; his lands became largely enhanced in value, their bounds were enlarged, and his resources generally increased. In the spring of 1808, he again removed to Geneva Village and lived there until the spring of 1870, when he was selected to take charge of the County Poor Farm, and in that position he was retained until his death.

While living in the town of Lyons, he held numerous town offices, the most important being that of Chairman of Supervisors, which gave him a seat in the County Board of Supervisors. In that, as in all other public positions, he was recognized as a man of singular prudence and good sense, and his opinion was entitled to great weight in respect to all questions coming before the board. He was twice elected to represent this assembly district in the State Legislature, namely, at the sessions of 1853 and 1863, and filled that position with honor to himself and his district.

For many years, he was one of the County Superintendents of the Poor, and for more than eight years, as before stated, he had personal charge of the poor farm and of all the deranged and unfortunate recipients of public charity. In this most difficult place, he manifested uncommon patience and singular ability and fidelity to his trust.

Though he had received but a limited education in his youth, he had well improved his opportunities in later years, and was well informed in all matters of general importance.

During all his life after he united with the Cburch, Mr. Hill displayed the Christian graces in an unusual degree. Always firm in his adherence to the truth, and in his advocacy of that which was in his view right and pure, he yet had large charity for those who differed from him, and was eminently a peacemaker. Active, faithful and conscientious in the discharge of all his religious duties, he filled to universal acceptance of the offices of Superintendent of the Sabbath school and Deacon and Ruling Elder of the Church.

On the 26th of May, 1879, while engaged in superintending some improvements at his old homestead, he was stricken down by heart disease, and apparently expired in an instant and without a struggle.

First Things And Occurrences

Geneva Van Slyke was the first child born in the county. She was born between July 2 and 4, at Geneva. She was the daughter of IVIi's. James Van Slyke, who lived in a log house in Geneva at the time that Brinks' men drove Payne away and bvu-nedor destroyed his house. They took good care of IVIrs. Van Slyke, and did not molest her. Her husband, as usual, seemed to be away from home when most wanted, and Geneva was born unattended by her father or a physician. Jason Payne, then a lad of fourteen years, -was the only person recorded as assisting Mrs. Van Slyke in her sickness. Van Slyke put in an appearance the next day, but he seems to have been an unimportant element, except so far as being the parent of the child. Jason Payne remained the nui-se. Mrs. Dr. Hemeuway and her husband came over from Spring Prairie and saw the woman two days after the birth, and she was well looked after by the neighbors as soon as they arrived. The child gi*ew well, and, when something over a year old, had a new christening, being named Geneva, by R. W. Wan-en, and presented by her godfather a village lot. She lived to be some thirty years old, and died unmarried. It is a matter of fact that Van Slyke was never around when he should be. At this birth he was absent. He was away when the Indians had their powwow near his camp in 1836, as is related elsewhere, and in the smumai-y of his life, desired for this history, Van Slyke is still away. Nothing is known of what became of him. He seems to have been unlucky from the beginning - always in debt, always away when he ought to be present, and always present when he ought to be away. He was not of the family of Van Slykes now living in the county.

The first man'iage was that of f Iharles A. Noyes to Nancy Wan-en. It occuned in December, 183(). They were married outside the county limits, but were the first resident coujale married.

The first frame building was erected by Andrew Ferguson, at the corner of Main and Center streets, in 1837. In it he opened the first store. He lived for a short time over the store. It was burned in December, 1844, and rebuilt by him during 1845-46.

The first schoolhouse was built in 1839, by jjrivate subscription, near the present engine house. It was the first frame schoolhouse in the county. Miss Auger taught the first school. A daughter of Mr. Deodat Brewster taught the second school in the new schoolhouse. Dr. John Stacy was the first male teacher. He taught in the winter of 1840 - 41.

In October, 1838, the first grist-mill was started. It was built by Charles M. Goodsell, and was the first built in the county. When first finished, it drew grists from as far north as

Milwaukee, from Kenosha (Southport), and from as far west as the Rock River. There was no other grist-mill within the ai'ea bounded by the ])oints named. This first mill was nearly on the site of the present Red Mill. It ran until 1846 - 47, at which time it was rebuilt by R. W. Warren, who was the master builder, under Goodsell's employ, of the old mill.

The first post office was established in 1838. Andrew Ferguson was the first Postmaster. He held the office till 1849. His successor was James J. Dewey.

The first death was that of an old man who came to Geneva without friends or character, known as Cruiser. He was buried on a knoll east of the village, in the winter of 1837-38.

The first fatal casualty which occurred resulted in the death of William Casporus, who fell from the scaffolding while erecting the Mi-s. Farnum house on Main street in 1838.

It does not appear that any permanent settlements were made in the town of Geneva during the year 1836 except at the outlet of the lake, where the village now is.

The settlers put up several log houses in addition to what Payne and Brink & Hodgson's men had built in the sju-ing, and had completed the saw-mill at the close of the year. It was ready to start Januaiy 1, 1837. The winter of 1836-37 was severe, and one of the extremely cold snaps coming on after a heavy snow-storm had filled the canal and flume with snow, froze the water solid from flume to outlet. It did not thaw out so as to enable the mill to start till late in March, 1837. It was then, however, the first saw-mill Iniilt and set running in the county.

Early Taverns

Diu-ing 1836 and 1837, there were, strictly speaking, no taverns in the village. Everybody kept open house for strangers. That most widely known for its hospitality was the house of R. W. W^arren. The first house built and opened for the purpose was the Geneva House (now the St. Donis), built by G. W. Warren. It was finished and opened by a grand ball, Januaiy 8, 1838. For fifteen months, while it was building, the log house of Warren, which stood near the present site of the St. Denis, was the leading hotel of the place. It was not, however, able to accommodate half the travelers that came in in great numbers diu'iug 1837 and 1838. Andrew Ferguson opened his dwelling as a piiblic hoiise in 1837, and, during the same year, Greenleaf S. Warren built and opened a tavern on the present site of the Lake House.

Mr. S. A. Dwinnell gives an entertaining description of Warren's house, and the general state of affairs in Geneva, in the fall of 1836, when he made his first visit. It is as follows:

"On the morning of the 15th day of November, 1836, I set my face toward the north, from Belvidere, 111., with a view of exploring Wisconsin, At 4 P. M,, I entered Wisconsin at Big Foot Prairie, of 16,000 acres, where not a furrow had been turned, soon after which I left the Indian trail for the white man's dim track through the grass, and proceeded east on the sou h side of Big Foot Lake, which was from time to time in view. As night set in, snow fell jilentifully. At length, a welcome light from a distant window ajipeared, and I soon crossed a stream and a newly made mill-race, upon the north bank of which was a human dwelling.

" I had reached the ' Outlet of Big Foot," as Geneva Lake, in what is now Walworth County, was then called - having traveled, in solitude, thirty five miles without seeing a human dwelling, I knocked at the rude door of an equally rude log cabin, and heard the backwoodsman's welcome ' Come in.' As I entered, there seemed to be a poor chance for my entertainment. About a dozen men sat upon a backless bench before a hot tire of huge logs piled in the north end of the cabin. There was no chimney, and the smoke and sparks made their way through an opening left in the roof for that purpose. The floor of the cabin was the natural earth, and there was no chamber. The roof was made of shakes held in place by small logs laid ujion the ends of them. Not a nail was in any part of the structiure, I think There were two chairs near the northeast corner of the room, iii which two females were plying their needles. After an apology for tlie rude fare I should get, which I supposed was intended as a kind of bar against grumbling, I was permitted to remain. The meals were plain, but bountiful and good.

"" During the evening, I wondered where they would lodge all their family and guests, as there was but one bed in the cabin, and no other room apparent. My fears were removed at bedtime, however, by finding that there was a small room adjoining, over the door to which was hung a blanket, which I had not distinguished fi-om the clothing which hung in profusion around the room. In each corner of this slee];>ing room was a bedstead, which illustrated the truth of the proverb that necessity is the mother of invention; for it had but one leg, the rails at the other ends being inserted in the logs which composed the walls of the building. The bed was made of di-ied grass, called ' prairie feathers,' and laid upon shakes instead of cords. A bedstead thus constructed was known by the name of ' catamount. ' A slight covering for it, to which the clothes of the sleepers were added, fui-nished a more desirable resting-place than the wet gi-ound on a cold, stormy night, of which I then had a recent experience. A comforter was spread upon us before morning in the shape of a mantle of snow, sifted through the shakes of the roof over oiu- heads.

" I have been thus particular in describing this cabin because it was really a hotel, not much inferior to the best at that time in the Teiritory, between the little villages on the shore of Lake Jlichigan and those of the mineral region, of which Dodgeville and Mineral Point were the nearest - a distance of more than one hunch-ed miles. Icwas kept by R. W. Warren, afterward the proprietor of a much more commodious hotel, in what is now an important village, and rapidly becoming a noted watering-place.

" I found foiu- other families in that little hamlet, which had all come in a few months before, and were living in similar circumstances to the one just described. All were waiting for a saw-mill, which they were building, to commence operations before they finished their cabins. Some of the other pioneers scattered over the Territory I found in dwellings equally rude and primitive - a specimen of frontier life at that time in the far West."

In 1837, Payne had moved over to Duck (Como) Lake and started his mill. The lake, as has been stated, lies across the town from east to west, and makes a quite marked division. In early times, the region north of the lake was known as North Geneva, and the inhabitants thereof owed no allegiance to any village, although they were stanch and reliable citizens of the town.

John Dunlap, a man of means and character, who bought large tracts north of the lake on Sections 10 and 11 : he came as early as 1839. Deodat Brewster came in 1839 and took land on Section 2. Deacon Herrick settled on Section 16; his son, Jason, still lives on the old place. Oliver P. and Simeon Standish settled on Section 10; Simeon died many years since; Oliver is still alive. John A. Famham, "William Stork and Harrison Auger were in as early as 1840. Milo E. Bradley took land and moved his family onto Section 2 in 1838.

Thomas McKaig came in 1836; he is still living in the town; he was a surveyor; platted the village of Geneva; was one of the first Justices of the Peace, and, after a residence of over forty-two years, commands the unqualified respect of the community in which he has spent the best years of his life.

Osborn Hand came in 1841; he bought his land on Sections 2 and 3, and built his first house on Section 3; he had been a school-teacher in the East, and from the beginning took an active part in the affairs of the neighborhood. A full biographical sketch appears elsewhere.

Mr. Hand wrote a short historical sketch of North Geneva, which was published in the Western Star November 4, 1846. From his article the following facts concerning that region at the date of publication are deemed reliable:

The lake (Como) makes a natural division of the town, nearly two-thirds of the area lying north of the lake. The inhabitants are all farmers - not a professional man or mechanic residing there. In 1846, there were seventy-five families and five schools; in 1842, there were twenty families and no school. In 1846, there was raised north of Lake Como, in the town of Geneva, 30,000 bushels of wheat. The crops were generally abundant, and the settlers enjoyed good times.

In 1847, the population, by the local census of that year, numbered 1,238, including the villages, and might be considered fully settled, as all the land had been bought from the Government, and only subdivisions could increase the number of freeholders of land.

INIr. Eliphalet Cramer, of Milwaukee, bought large tracts in North Geneva, not pre empted, which he subsequently sold to the settlers coming in iu 184U to 1842. Many of the deeds of present owners trace their abstract to a waiTantee deed from E. Cramer.

The farming portion of the town lies north of the lake, and is one of the finest farming sections of the county. On Section 4 is located the county poor farm, considered the model farm of the State. A full description of it appears in the county history.

Coepoeate Town History

1842. - The first town meeting of which the records have been preserved was held ct the house of R. W. Warren, in the town of Geneva, April 5, 1842. At that time, the town or .nization embraced the fom- present towns of Lyons, Bloomfield, Linn, Geneva, and a section of Elkhorn.

The largest number of votes recorded at the meeting was 162. This was nearly the whole voting strength of the southeast comer of the county at that time.

Supervisors - John M. Capron, Chairman, 85 votes; Jesse Hand, 85 votes; William K. May, 82 votes. Town Clerk - Ljinan Eedington, 84 votes. Assessor - John Stacy, 158 votes; Israel Williams, 155 votes; Hollis Latham, 86 votes. Treasurer - Charles M. Baker, 81 votes; William Potts, 81 votes. The further records do not show which of the above popular citizens served as Treasurer. Collector - Thomas W. Hill, 94 votes. Commissioners of Highways - Deodat Brewster, 86 votes; Langdon J. Filkins, 134 votes; John Farnham, 87 votes. School Commissioners - Leonard Rogers, 87 votes; John W. Capron, 105 votes; James B. Tower, 80 votes. Constables - Thomas W. Hill, 93 votes; Simeon Standish, 85 votes; Simeon Tupper, 78 votes. Overseers of the Highway - Harvey Hand, 157 votes; Allen McBride, 158 votes; Robert W. Warren, 84 votes; William D. Chapin, 133 votes.

The meeting voted to raise one-fourth of 1 per cent on the property valuation for the support of schools, and a like amount for the building and repair of roads; $50 was voted lo be raised for contingent expenses and for the support of the poor.

1843. - The town meeting was held April 4, 1843, at the house of R. W. Warren; $50 was raised for the poor; $368 for schools. The officers elected were: Sujjervisors - Thomas Hovey, Chairman; John A. Farnham, Ebenezer Daj'ton. Clerk - Lewis Curtis. Treasui-er - Charles M. Baker. The highest number of votes cast at this election was 241.

The first Geneva town meeting after the present limits were established by law was held at the house of Abiel Manning, April 2, 1844; Clerk, E. D. Richai-dson; Assistant Clerk, James Sinnnons. The officers elected were: Supervisors - John A. Farnum. Chairman; James Haskins, Jacob Herrick. Clerk - James Simmons. Treasurer - Foster Y. Howe. Collector - James B. Tower. Highway Commissioners - Milo E. Bradley, James A. Flack, George W. Edwards. School Commissioners - Lemiiel Hall, James B. Tower, Osborn Hand. Justices of the Peace - Hollis Latham, Robert Holley, John Diinlap.

In 1881. there were 3.5G0 acres sown to grain; 170 acres of orchard, with 4,360 fruit-bearing trees; 1,800 acres of mowing and pasturage; and 800 acres of growing timber; there were also 700 milch cows, valued at $17,500.

There were four whole and six union school districts. The number of scholars eniunerated between the ages of four and twenty years was 1,023, of which number 625 attended school. There were eight schools, one of which (in the village) is gi'aded. Twelve teachers were employed, at average monthly wages of $37.25 for male and $21.36 for female teachers. There were eight schoolhouses, valued, with sites included, at $24,230. The annual amount expended for school purposes was $6,900.

Source changes here: from History of Walworth County, Wisconsin .., by Beckwith, Albert C. (Albert Clayton), published 1912; 1,481 words in this source stream.

Geneva Town

At the first legislative naming of the towns of Walworth the southeastern quarter of the county took its name from the lake which Mr. Brink had rechristened in 1835, and from the village which began its growth the next year. I le disliked such uncouthness as "Big Foot," and his ear was untrained to the Algonquin euphony of Gee-zihig-waw-gid-dug-gah-bess ; but he found in the scene about him some reminder of Seneca lake, with Geneva at its foot. Since the lake before him was so much smaller than the village-bordered eastern water, one name might serve very well for the lake that always had been and the village about to be. He chose very well, since he might have chosen so much worse. He might have given his own name to the lake, and he had warrant of familiar examples for some such polysyllabic majesty as " Megapi idopolis."

The towns of Bloomfield, Hudson and Linn were set off by one legislative act, human 23, [844, each for its home rule, leaving the name Geneva to town 2 north, of range 17 east. Nearly three hundred acre- of sections 35, 56 lie beneath the bay-like foot of Geneva lake, and nearly a thousand acreare (or have been) covered by Duck lake (which Thomas McKaig newnamed "(.Minn"). In [846 the newer town of Elkhorn took away section 6, \s a small offset to all this subtraction, the city of Lake 1 leneva includes about 1, e acres of section 3] of Lyons, and is likely enough to take part of section 1 of Linn at no very distant time. The outlet of the larger lake, called White river, quickh leaves Geneva to cross Lyons and join the Fox at Burlington. The outlet of Luck lake is a branch of White river, which it meets in section 20 of Lyons, having left section 26 and crossed sections 23, J| of Geneva and section mi of Lyons. Luck lake is about three miles long and its average width is more than a half mile. It was much wider within the memorj ot man. but much of its marsh) border is now mown Jackson's creek in section ;. near the Lafayette line, drams sections ro, 9, 8, 17. 7 and flows south of I horn to Delavan lake. fish are caught near its mouth, and cattle drink ng its threadlike course. The surface of the town, excepting the basin of Dick lake and the rather broad valley of its outlet, is generalh high prairie and opening, with some knobbineSS near the northeastern corner, the south- western sections, between the lakes, and about the city. The highest point in the county is near the northwestern corner of section 19, one thousand one hundred and forty-nine feet above sea level, which slopes easily to the lower levels adjacent. Several years ago the geodetic surveyors made this point a signal station.

The northern and central sections - much the greater part of the town - are among the most fertile of the county and were settled early by competent and prosperous farmers, stock raisers and dairymen. The somewhat rougher sections were once heavily wooded, but are now cleared and cultivated. The county poor farm spreads over nearly two-thirds of section 4. In section 24 are a church, town hall, and store, for a few years a cheese factory (its business now transferred), a postoffice from 1896 until discontinued by the establishment of a rural delivery route from Lake Geneva. This incipient village is still named Como. John Chase's cheese factory, in section 10, in active operation for many years, has been absorbed by the Wisconsin Butter and Cheese Company. About 1837 Christopher Payne built a dam and saw mill at Duck lake outlet and sold it to George W. Trimble, his son-in-law, who sold it to Dr. Oliver S. Tiffany. With the coming of pine lumber the mill fell into disuse, decay and forgottenness. In 1858 a rloocl carried away the relics and the dam, lowering the lake and laying bare many acres of marsh meadow. The forlorn looking cuts and dumps of the old Wisconsin Central Railway Company are yet to be seen, yet a little more strongly marked than the Indian mounds. Their course was across sections 36, 25, 26, 23, 14. 1 r. 10, 9, 8, 5 to the Elkhorn line. In 1-911-12 agents or operators were buying or in other way acquiring a few real or shadowy rights of way along this line for a proposed electric railway from Lake Geneva to Whitewater. New hope has been raised, and though nothing substantial is assured, old and new hope may soon end in fruition.

Patents issued from the land office in the following named persons are recorded at the county seat: Alanson ('lark Well, section 2^,; Harrison Augier, 1. 12: William Werill. 17: John S. Bacon, 2: Lewis Baldwin, 29;

Hiram Beals 1 [809 [880) was son of Daniel Beals (bom 1767) and Hannah Wheat 1 horn 1770), and grandson of Richard Beals; came in 1843 from Cummington, Massachusetts, to section 30, Geneva, with wife Rebecca 1 iris; (1812 [883), daughter of William and Rebecca \xtel. who were cousins

George Coburn (1810-1897) married Charity (1S07-1897), daughter of John and Margaret Reichard, both of Livingston county, New York. He lived for long across the town-line road in section 24, Delavau, and died at Elkhorn.

Samuel Dunbar (1806-1872) came from Belfast in 1833 to New York; to Geneva 1839; married, first, Elizabeth Thompson 1 [809-1852); second, Mrs. Mary (McDougall) Streeter. His family seems to have become permanent in the countv.

John Dunlap (1796-1879) was son of Robert, a soldier of the Revolution, and Mary Letts. He married, first, Cynthia Kinne, who was mother of his children; second, Hannah, daughter of Samuel Armstrong and Mary Gregg.

Daniel P. Handy's will was dated March 4, 1868, and proved June 25, same year. He married successively Maria and Lydia Wheat Beals. daughters of Hiram Beals and Hannah Wheat. Lydia W. died in 1868.

Noah Harriman (1805- 1903) married Lucinda Davis in 1826, - both of Vermont. He lived for several years in Lafayette and died at Elkhorn. He was a farmer and a licensed exhorter of the Methodist church.

Edmund S. Harvey (1819-1899) was son of Thankful, daughter of Bethuel Robinson, of Willington, Connecticut. He came to Geneva in 1840 and permitted himself to forget his father's, step- father's and half-sister's names. His first wife, Nancy A. Fowle, married July 11, 1841, was his children's mother.

John Haskins 1 '1811-1887) married Olivia X. (Vose), widow of John Seymour. John Vose Seymour, of Lake Geneva, was her son. John and James Haskins bought and improved the water power in section 25, and became residents of the village.

William I'. Ross (1812-1887), son of Morris, married Polly Maria. daughter of Jacob Herrick. Their son. Washington (burn [845), was a soldier of the Civil war.

Nehemiah Rouse (1803-1874), son of Anthony, married Maria, daughter of Henry Plate. She died in 1875. One of their eight children was Hannah, wife of Ethan B. Farnum.

Hiram Spencer (1799-1878), son of Noah, came in 1845. His wife, Lois (1804-1883), was daughter of Nathaniel Moseley and Charlotte Dewey. This family had several local connections by marriage.

Many of the early settlers of Geneva, like those of other towns, had large familias, and a minute division of land was avoided by westward emigration. Thus it not seldom happens that they are represented, if at all, at the old homes by the children of daughters. In the sub-pioneer period, too, there appeared many whose names, once heard daily, are already becoming but memories. Among these disappearing- names are Baggs. Bagnell, Case, Chase, Clap]), (iates, Goodspeed, Hand, Howe, Jackson, Lytle, Phelps, Potter. Vincent and Wales. Some of the old families, however, are yet to be found in the villages and the adjacent towns.

In summer automobile tourists from Chicago and the farthest east find one of their principal routes through Bloomfield into Geneva and thence by Elkhorn, Sugar Creek, Lagrange and Whitewater to the sub-polar regions. - literally tearing up the miles and flinging them behind in long-hovering clouds of dust.- tn men of the Civil war a reminder of the march of armies. In their wildest battle-inspired dreams neither Big Foot nor Christopher Payne ever saw an endless procession of invincible "shovers" taking each his imperial right of way across counties ami states. Bui the prophet .Valium may have foreseen the age of gasoline ami rubber-tired chariots.

At the lir^t two elections the original town of Geneva, as yet undivided, was twche miles square. In 1N44 the four towns chose each its own local ifficers, its chain nan being als, > a member of the count) board of supen isors. The return to commissioner government [862-1870 - relieved the chairmen i>f lli.it period from dut) as board members.