Glen Haven Town

Glen Haven Town

The history of this town is included in the history of Cassville up to the year 1859, when the latter town was divided into two parts on the township line, separating Townships 3 and 4. To the northern portion the name of Glen Haven was given. The earliest settler in the town of Glen Haven was A. D. Ramsey, one of the earliest of the little band of pioneers who opened up the hidden riches of Grant County. Some years later on he was joined in the present town limits by James C. Orr, who entered the farm, on which he afterward resided, in 1836 ; and Richard Ray, who came later. From the latter, the present site of the village took the name of " Ray's Landing," by which name it was known up to the birth of the new burg. One by one other settlers began to come in, until the settler's cabin peeped forth from its woody covert, or stood outlined against the prairie sky in every direction.

As early as 1850, a log warehouse was erected on the bank of the broad river that washes the western coast of the town. Mr. Jesse Brooks, now of Bloomington, then teaching school in the Ray Schoolhouse, assisted at the raising. This starting post in the village history was by Dr. Grinter and Mr. George Burroughs, the latter afterward erecting a frame dwelling-house about one-fourth of a mile below the present village, near the river, where he resided for many years.

The village itself was laid out in the year 1857, by a company of six gentlemen - C. P. Goodrich, D. P. Grinter, M. H. Hayes, J. B. Sargent, R. Noble and George Burroughs. Two of these, as has been seen, had already struck the entering wedge. A steam saw-mill was erected this year, and a few dwelling-houses. A small store, the first in the town, was opened by Ed Palmer, but it soon gave way to others keeping more extensive stocks. The succeeding year a number of new buildings were added. The old log warehouse had disappeared, and in its place soon appeared a substantial frame building, large and commodious, at present used by Mr. William Tate. Among those who figured in mercantile pursuits in early times, were Messrs. Boylan and Oliver, who opened larger stocks in their respective establishments than had been brought before the people of this section heretofore. They were followed ere many years had elapsed, by the firm of Scott & Basford. The village in the meantime had continued on in a steady growth, accumulating to itself buildings and population. It became an important point for shipment of stock and farm produce generally. The mill, which had been erected by Mr. Sargent was first run by Mr. Mcintosh, but the building was afterward torn down, and the machinery taken away. After the storm clouds of war had swept over the country and given way to the clear and broadening horizon of peace, a second mill was erected and fitted up with the most improved machinery with a view of making this an important manufacturing point, but it was found to be a non-paying investment, and a few years ago the machinery was sold and removed to other points, while the building passed into the hands of Messrs. Basford & Humphrey, and by them is now used as a warehouse.

July 3, 1874, a destructive conflagration destroyed one-half the village, and only ,by the most strenuous exertions on the part of the citizens was the remaining portion saTed. The fire first broke out in a stone building standing on the present site of Dr. Grinter's warehouse. A strong southwest wind fanned the flames and they swept rapidly on, licking up the buildings standing in its pathway until, with the best portion of the village in ruins, its work was at length stayed. This was a hard blow to the thriving town, but with characteristic energy the inhabitants set to work to replace the burnt buildings with others, and better, and to the visitor of to-day a single dismantled shell tells of the ravages of the red-tongued flames. The village at present contains three stores, two carrying extensive and well-selected stocks, two blacksmith and wagon shops, two hotels of medium capacity, one shoemaker, two physicians, three warehouse firms and other minor industries.

under the regimes of Mr. Jesse Brooks, David Brown and other teachers the younger inhabitants climbed the rude ascents that led to the mount of learning.

The first school taught in the village was held in an old frame building, then and now the property of Dr. D. P. Grinter. The present school building was erected about 1868, and so far furnishes ample facilities for the intellectual advancement of the youth of the village, under the guidance of Mr. Hendershot.

Of churches. Glen Haven, the village proper, can boast of but one - Roman Catholic - which is a substantial structure, standing on a gentle rise of ground on the north of the village. Services are held by a priest from abroad.

A lodge of the I. 0. G. T. was organized December 26, 1876, the charter members being C. C. Basford, Mrs. Ocea Basford, Mrs. M. Scott, Mrs. Lizzie Basford, Mr. A. Humphrey, William Weaks, M. C. Weaks, G. W. Taylor, E. M. Winslow, Mrs. L. Grinter, A. Weaks, J. Burroughs, W. J. Winney, E. Barr, Mrs. A. Barr, Mrs. J. Humphrey. This organization was not very long-lived, and, April 6, 1878, the present lodge of Ancient Order of Mendotas was organized by Grand Sachem P. Bartley, of Bloomington, and the following officers elected : W. J. Winney, W. S.; A. Scott, W. Q.; George Taylor, W. P.; L. Burton, P.; E. M. Curtiss, W. W.; Lizzie Basford, W. T.; Lucy Thomas, W. G. The present officers are F. Weiland, W. S.; W. Kidd. W. Q.; Mrs. L. Grinter, W. T.; P. D. Hendershot, W. W.; Rosa Hampton, P.; William Dortham, W. P.; Mrs. A. M. Knapp, W. G.

The town of Glen Haven was set off by the County Board in 1859, and the first town meeting was held in the "Yellow Schoolhouse," April 3, 1860. The first meeting of the Town Board was held at the same place, April 7, the same year. The following is a complete roster of the town officers from the town organization to the present date :

1860 - Supervisors, A. A. Bennett, Chairman, A. D. Ramsey, Joseph Werry ; Clerk, William Tate; Treasurer, Henry Schneider; Assessor, Matthew Metcalf; Superintendent of Schools, James M. Scott ; Justices of the Peace, George Burroughs, A. A. Bennett, D. Oliver, L. S. Reynolds ; Constables, F. R. Delaware, Ed Doughty, Ed Bownas.

1861 - Supervisors, A. A. Bennett, Chairman, A. D. Ramsey, William Harkins; Clerk, William Tate ; Treasurer, E. A. Kidd ; Assessor, M. Metcalf; Superintendent of Schools, James M. Scott; Justices of the Peace, D. Oliver, L. S. Reynolds; Constables, J. L. Kauffman, J. Ackerman, Ed Doughty.

1862 - Supervisors, A. A. Bennett, Chairman, A. D. Ramsey, William Harkins; Clerk, William Tate; Treasurer, E. A. Kidd ; Assessor, William Curtis ; Justices of the Peace, George Burroughs, A. A. Bennett; Constables, E. Doughty, F. R. Delaware, J. L. Kauffman.

1863 - Supervisors, A. A. Bennett, Chairman, A. D. Ramsey, J. Ackerman ; Clerk, William Tate ; Treasurer, James M. Scott ; Assessor, William Curtiss ; Justices of the Peace, P. Harkins, L. S. Reynolds ; Constables, J. Ackerman, Joseph Werry.

1864 - Supervisors, E. A. Kidd, Chairman, A. D. Ramsey, J. Ackerman ; Clerk, James M. Scott; Treasurer, M. Metcalf; Assessor, E. A. Kidd; Justices of the Peace, George Burroughs, William Curtis ; Constables, George Henderson, J. Ackermann, E. S. Tuttle.

1865 - Supervisors - A. A. Bennett, Chairman, John Ryan, John Ackerman ; Clerk, William Tate ; Treasurer, William Curtis ; Assessor, William Curtis ; Justices of the Peace, L. Reynolds, Peter Thornton ; Constables, J. Ackerman, A. J. Vedder, M. Dolphin.

1866 - Supervisors, A. A. Bennett, Chairman, J. Ackerman, John Ryan ; Clerk, William Tate ; Assessor, William Curtis ; Treasurer, James C. Orr ; Justices of the Peace, George Burroughs, A. A. Bennett, J. Johnson (to fill vacancy). Constables, J. Ackerman, William Hawks, Levi Sixbey.

1867 - Supervisors, E. A. Kidd, Chairman, Jacob Ackerman, John Ackerman ; Clerk, William Tate ; Treasurer, E. W. Banks ; Assessor, William Curtis ; Justices of the Peace, L. S. Reynolds, J. Johnson ; Constables, L. Sixbey, A. Meyers, William Keinbrough.

1868 - Supervisors, E. A. Kidd, Chairman, John Ackerman, E. Wood ; Clerk, William Tale ; Tl-easurer, A. A. Kidd ; Assessor, William Curtis ; Justices of the Peace, William Curtis,

1869 - Supervisors, E. A. Kidd, Chairman, John Ackerman, John Ryan ; Clerk, William Tate ; Treasurer, A. A. Kidd ; Assessor, William Curtis ; Justices of the Peace, J. Johnson, L. S. Reynolds ; Constables, William Bateman, A. Ortscheid, J. Grandrath.

1870 - Supervisors - A. A. Bennett, Chairman, James C. Orr, John Ackerman ; Clerk, William Tate ; Treasurer, J. S. KaufFman ; Assessor, J. Ryan ; Justices of the Peace, A. A. Bennett, William Tate (C. Heilermann to fill vacancy) ; Constables, William Bateman, William Weaks, A. Ortscheid.

1871 - Supervisors, A. A. Bennett, John Ackerman, James C. Orr; Clerk, William Curtis ; Treasurer, J. S. Kauffman ; Assessor, J. Ryan ; Justices of the Peace, Luther Basford, Ira S. Bennett; Constables, W. Bateman, 0. V. Royster, Joseph Bowers.

1873 - Supervisors - D.. P. Grinter, Chairman, Charles Heilermann, Andrew Meyers ; Clerk, William Tate ; Treasurer, J. S. Kidd ; Assessor, J. Ryan ; Justices of the Peace, Luther Basford, J. Ryan (E. Wood to fill vacancy) ; Constables, Richard A. Kidd, C. W. Bushnell, Jac Ackerman.

1871 - Supervisors, D. P. Grinter, Chairman, Charles Heilermann, Andrew Myers ; Clerk, William Tate ; Treasurer, Joseph S. Kidd ; Assessor, John Ryan ; Justices of the Peace, William Curtis, A. J. Long; Constables, R. A. Kidd, William Bateman, C. W. Bushnell.

1875 - Supervisors, D. P. Grinter, A. Myers, C. Heilermann ; Clerk, William Tate ; Treaserer, A. Humphrey ; Assessor, W. J. Winney ; Justices of the Peace, J. Ryan, W. N. Ramsey ; Constables, R. A. Kidd, M. Kidd, A. Ortscheid.

1876 - Supervisors, J. Ryan, Chairman, J. S. Kidd, Jacob Ackerman; Clerk, William Tat^; Treasurer, C. Peacock; Assessor, William Curtis; Justices of the Peace, C. Schwaller, W. A. Sprague ; Constables, R. A. Kidd, G. Myers, .Jac Lepper.

1877 - Supervisors, J. Ryan, Chairman, J. S. Kidd, Jacob Ackerman ; Clerk, William Tate ; Treasurer, C. Peacock ; Assessor, William Curtis ; Justices of the Peace, J. Ryan, W. N. Ramsey ; Constables, R. A. Kidd, G. Myers, J. Lepper.

1878 - Supervisors, Joseph S. Kidd, Chairman, William Wildman, Jacob Ackerman ; Clerk, William Tate ; Treasurer, Anton Vogt ; Assessor, William Curtis ; Justices of the Peace, W. A. Sprague, S. Chandler; Constables, A. Ortscheid, Robert Wood, James Burton.

1879 - Supervisors - Joseph S. Kidd, Chairman, Jacob Ackerman, William Wildman ; Clerk, William Tate ; Treasurer, Anton Vogt ; Assessor, William Curtis ; Justices of the Peace, J. Ryan, W. N. Ramsey (A. H. Bennett to fill vacancy) ; Constables, Robert Wood, Henry Schrader, C. Brookens.

1880 - Supervisors, Joseph S. Kidd, Chairman, William Wildman, Jacob Ackerman; Clerk, William Tate ; Treasurer, Anton Vogt ; Assessor, William Curtis ; Justices of the Peace, W. A. Sprague, A. H. Bennett ; Constables, H. Shrader, Thomas Mernaugh, Ben Mueller.

Town Of Millville

TOWN OF MILLVILLE. This town was first settled by Elihu Warner, Jared Warner, Henry Poster and Isaac Revel, who came with their families in April, 1838, from Ohio, by the Ohio, Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers, in a large keel-boat. Elihu Waruer brought with him a house all framed and ready for erection. This pioneer cabin was principally black walnut, and was put up on Section 2b. It is still standing. William Kidd came from Ohio in 1841 and located on Section 2, Town- ship 6, Range 6 west, and Norman Washburn settled on Section 1, Township 6, Range 5 west, ill 1846. Joseph Horsfall caaie from Ohio in 1849, and settled on Section 2, Township 6, Range 5 west, locating at this time only 40 acres of land. He is still living on this same location, and owns and operates about 400 acres.

This, of course, is not a complete list of those who settled here during these years, as some have died, others have moved away, and their names have dropped from the page of public existence and the memories of their pioneer associates.

The first saw-mill was built by Jared Warner, on Section 34, in 1840. This was intended merely for custom-work. The dimensions was 20x40, with a capacity of about 1,000 feet of lumber per day. The first flouring-mill was erected by William Kidd, in 1844, on Section 2. During this same year, Jared Warner built a second saw-mill, near the site of his first one, of larger dimensions and with a capacity of between 2,000 and 3,000 feet of lumber per day. In 1845, G. 0. Drake, a son-in-law of Elihu Warner, erected a chair and bedstead factory, and, for a few years, carried on an extensive business. Joseph Horsfall built a woolen mill in 1850, the dimensions being 16x44. This was torn down and a new one erected in 1866, the main building being 32x44, with two wings 15x24 each. This was entirely consumed byfirein 1869. Not in the least disheartened by his comparatively heavy loss, Mr. Horsfall erected his third mill in 1871. His misfortunes, however, did not cease here, as this mill was carried away and destroyed by a freshet in 1876 ; but, with renewed energy and perseverance, he constructed his fourth and present mill during the same year, its dimensions being 20x30.

The first school was taught in the summer of 1847, in a room in the dwelling-house of Jared Warner, by Cassanna McDonald (afterward the wife of William Kidd, Jr.). The first schoolhouse was erected in the fall of 1848, by subscription, and is still used for school purposes in District No. 1. There is at present only one whole and two joint school districts in the town.

The first store was opened by Jared Warner in 1849, but was run by him only a short time, and a second one opened by Henry Horsfall in 1855. During this year, also, one Manchester purchased the property of Elihu Warner, and established a horse ferry across the Wisconsin River. This he kept in active operation until 1851, when his ferry-boat sunk and he then disposed of the property to George Schlund, who ran the ferry until 1865, when it was discontinued.

In the year 1853, the present Methodist, and only church in the town, was erected on Section 35, and was dedicated during the same year, Rev. Alfred Bronson delivering the dedicatory sermon. Prior to the building of this church, however, meetings of the society were held as far back as 1845-46, at the dwelling of William Kidd, Jr., and at the schoolhouse, the ministers being J. H. Penman, Enoch Tasker, Frank Smith and a few others.

The post oflice was established in 1855, with C. C. Drake as Postmaster. He was succeeded by William Kidd, Jr. Mr. Kidd's death occurred soon afterward and his wife succeeded him, and held the position until 1867, when Joseph Horsfall, the present incumbent, was appointed.

The town name (Millville) originated from the number of mills that were built at an early day, and which have been referred to above. The town, as it was first organized in 1853, comprised, in addition to its present limits, a portion of the present town of Patch Grove, the upper half of the present town of Wyalusing and the whole of the present towns of Mount Hope and Woodman.

In 1854, Wyalusing was set oflF from Millville and Patch Grove by the County Board of Supervisors. In 1859, still another change took place, and Millville then included Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, of Township 6, Range 4 west. In 1864, Mount Hope and Woodman were set off from Millville, reducing it to its present limits.

It is bounded on the north by the Wisconsin River, on the east by portions of the towns of Mount Hope and Woodman, on the south by Patch Grove, and on the west by a portion of the town of Wyalusing. It now comprises Sections 25, 26, 35 and 36 of Township 7, Range 5

The first election was held in the spring of 1854, at which time the whole number of votes cast was 105, and the following officers were elected : Jared Warner, Chairman, J. A. Kingsley, Charles Blandford, Supervisors ; Waldo Brown, Superintendent of Schools ; R. Burrows, Clerk ; James Ballantine, Treasurer ; Justus M. Dickinson, Assessor ; Preserved Albee, John B. Lynn, Justices of the Peace ; David Brandt, Anson B. Lynn, Constables.

1 855 - Jared Warner, Chairman, Justus M. Dickinson, J. J. Snider, Supervisors ; Orra Garvin, Superintendent of Schools ; R. Burrows, Clerk ; James Ballantine, Treasurer ; M. W. Vanansdale, Assessor ; Joseph Horsfall, J. A. Kingsley, Justices of the Peace ; Anson B. Lynn, C. W. De Lap, H. L. Foster, Constables.

1859 - Levi Brown, Chairman, J. A. Kingsley, John B. Lynn, Supervisors ; William J. Quick, Superintendent of Schools; Thomas Nagle, Clerk; William Kidd, Jr., Treasurer; James Weeks, Assessor ; -John B. Lynn, S. A. Quincy, Justices of the Peace ; Allen Garvin, Alfred Bronson, Cornelius B. Nice, Constables.

1863 - Joseph Horsfall, Chairman, Patrick Coyne, R. G. Humphrey, Supervisors ; A. J. Smith, Clerk ; Theodore Taylor, Treasurer ; John B. Lynn, Assessor ; John B. Lynn, T. S. Sampson, Justices of the Peace ; H. W. Gilliard, C. W. Grimacey. Constables.

1865 - Joseph Horsfall, Chairman, Almond Foster, Cornelius Nice, Supervisors ; J. G. Bishop, Clerk ; George Winsworth, Treasurer ; C. W. Grimacey, Assessor ; George Winsworth, D. H. Ballon, Justices of the Peace ; J. G. Bishop, 0. L. Hart, A. L. Foster, Constables.

1866 - G. H. Washburn, Chairman, Lewis B. Dewey, A. R. Foster, Supervisors ; A. H. Mumford, Clerk ; George Winsworth, Treasurer ; C. W. Grimacey, Assessor ; D. H. Ballou, Robert Wiseman, Justices of the Peace ; Franklin Austin, D. H. McKey, Constables.

1867 - G. H. Washburn, Chairman, A. R. Foster, Lewis E. Dewey, Supervisors; A. H. Mumford, Clerk; George Winsworth, Treasurer ; C. W. Grimacy, Assessor; C. W. Grimacey, George Winsworth, Justices of the Peace; Franklin Austin, George Couillard, Constables.

1868 - George H. Washburn, Chairman, A. R. Foster, Lewis E. Dewey, Supervisors; E. L Kidd, Clerk ; George Winsworth, Treasurer ; A. H. Mumford, Asssssor ; A. R. Foster, Edward Wiseman, Justices of the Peace; R. H. De Lap, Jerome Perry, Constables.

1869 - Edward Wiseman, Chairman, J. S. Markham, I. H. Gibbons, Supervisors; E. I. Kidd, Clerk; A. H. Mumford, Assessor; I. H. Gibbons, Treasurer; Joseph Horsfall, B. H. Tripp, A. R. Foster, Edward Wiseman, Justices of the Peace ; Jerome Perry, R. H. De Lap, Constables.

1870 - Joseph Horsfall, Chairman, J. S. Markham, Lewis E. Dewey, Supervisors; E. I. Kidd, Clerk; I. H. Gibbons, Treasurer; A. H. Mumford, Assessor; E. I. Kidd, J. Creager, R. R. Spraggon, A. R. Foster, Justices of the Peace; E. A. Hackett, G. H. Foster, Constables.

1871 - E. I. Kidd, Chairman, Lewis E. Dewey, J. Creager, Supervisors; A. H. Mumford, Clerk; I. H. Gibbons, Treasurer; A. R. Foster, Assessor; R. R. Spraggon, James Foster, Justices of th# Peace; E. A. Hackett, Jerome Perry, Constables.

1872 - E. I. Kidd, Chairman, Lewis E. Dewey, A. R. Foster, Supervisors; F. S. Kidd, Clerk; L H. Gibbons, Treasurer; William Horsfall, Assessor; A. R. Foster, Jacob Creager, Justices of the Peace; George H. Foster, Edward Beitler, Constables.

1873 - Joseph Horsfall, Chairman, Jerome Perry, A. R. Foster, Supervisors; A. H. Mumford, Clerk; Lewis Beitler, Treasurer; William Horsfall, Assessor; Edward Wiseman, Joseph Horsfall, Justices of the Peace; George H. Foster, Jerome Perry, Constables.

1874 - Joseph Horsfall, Chairman, Joseph Beadle, Lewis E. Dewey, Supervisors; A. H. Mumford, Clerk; Jacob Creager, Treasurer; William Horsfall, Assessor; Jacob Creager, A. R. Foster, Justices of the Peace; Edward Beitler, George H. Foster, Constables.

1874 - E. I. Kidd, Chairman, A. R. Foster, Lewis E. Dewey, Supervisors; A. H. Mumford, Clerk ; Jacob Creager, Treasurer ; William Horsfall, Assessor ; Joseph Horsfall, A. R. Foster. Justices of the Peace; Jeiferson Day, Samuel Goan, Constables.