Horicon City (part 3 of 4)

* * * I will give you a sketch of Horicon as it was nineteen or twenty years ago. This place was wild, yet beautiful. It was formerly an Imlian planting-grouml, and many of their corn hills are still visible, as they planted in the same hills each year without plowing as our farmers do. And where our beautiful lake now is was a marsh called .Winnebago, after the warlike tribe that formerly occupied this place. Rock River flowed quietly along, and on its eastern bank near the [old] depot lay scattered along a number of mounds ; whether thrown up by the God of Nature or the Indians, I know not, but we called them Indian mounds. They were similar to each other, usually with a large tree in the center of eich. On the bank near the river, was an Indian trail worn deep into the earth; for it had been trodden by Black Hawk and his tribe, as well as ottier tribes for many long years. * * * There was a fine spring on the bank of the river under a large tree ; it was a splendid place, .and for a long time we got all the water from there that we used for drinking or cooking purposes, crossing the river in a small boat to obtain it. I well remember the first night I ever stayed in this place. It was dreary enough. The Indian ponies were grazing around the house all night, and their bells kept up a constjint tinkling. The fear of the Indians troubled me somewhat, as my thoughts would go back to the narratives I had read of Indian cruelties to frontier settlers ; but here they seemed harmless. They called themselves Poltawatomies or Menomonees, and seemed ashamed to be called Winnebagoes, as the latter were considered by the whites to be much more cruel than the former. We could usually distinguish the Winnebagoes by their red blankets, while the other tribes wore white or blue. Ofttiiues, while about my work, I would look up to see black faces peeping in at my window, as that was their habit always before entering a house. Such sights startled me at first, but I became accustomed to it and learned to trade with them, and Ijuy venison, fish, ducks, berries, etc. They usually wished to "swap" for flour or salt. They always seemed much pleased with the salutation bazhu from us, which means, " How do you do?" and would responil with the same word immediately. I had nothing stolen by them except a pie, which I left out to cool ; but they were almost always begging, saying they had no shoneau (money). In the winter the squaws and papooses would come to warm themselves by our fires. I very much disliked to let them in, as the house would smell of smoke for hours afterward ; but they would say, " Heap cold," and look so wretched that I could not say puckachee (go away). During certain seasons of the year [in the winter], there would be a large number of wigwams where the [old] depot now is. We visited them, and found some of the squaws dressing fish, roasting venison or tanning deer-skins. Everything seemed quite comfortable, excepting the smoke from the fires built in the center of each wigwam, which scented the surroundings with an unpleasant smell. They often buried their dead above ground, usually in an old canoe, supported by four posts and covered over with bark, but as the white people came and settled here the Indians were induced to discontinue the habit and also to remove the old sarcophagi. Occasionally the Indians would have a pow-wow, which I always dreaded very much, as at such times they bought whisky, or goodnalush as they called it, from enterprising dealers in Grubville, now Beaver Dam. They would keep up their fires and make night hideous with their yelling, singing and dancing, but such things did not occur very often.

Mrs. Beers' second and third papers treat at length of the realities of frontier life, and the reader will recognize many familiar incidents that, but for the intelligence, ability and foresight of this lady, would now be buried in oblivion. She says :

* * * * I will tell you about the first winter we spent in Horicon. Our house w.as built of boards brought from Watertown. It was very comfortable, although not plastered the first year, and for a long time we used benches instead of chairs, for we could not get the latter article this side of Milwaukee. Chairs had been manufactured in Watertown and Beaver Dam, but the manufacturers had laid aside their business to " shake," as

<he ague unil fever claimed much attention at that time, although it did not trouble us. Our post office was at Oak Grove. We usually sent for mail once a week, the postage on each letter being twenty-five cents. * * * If we needed a jihysiciau, we were obliged to send to Beaver Dam, and get a " quack" at that. Butter was exceedingly scarce, as farmers had but just begun to raise slock. We once sent to Walerlown and purchased a few pounds, which lasted a long lime, although we had a number of boarders ; for most any of us would rather see it sitting on the table than to partake of it, and all admitted it to be very profitable butter. * * * Our Chi- lioarders taught me much about conking in a new country. 1 learned to make a very good mince-pie of dried apples, partially slewed, or pum]ikin slewed in vinegar; but we were blessed with good appetites. During the first winter, as the while man came to settle, witli, progression as his motto, many improvements were made. The grass was burned off the marsh, ready for a lake, and a dam was built across Rock River. This troubled the Indians very much, as they came down the stream, padilling tlieir light canoes. When they reached the obstruction, they were obliged to get out and carry their frail barks around it. At that time, teams had to ford the river, as there was no bridge, only a foot-path across the dam. "' * * The ne.'it work was to build a large double sawmill, and, when completed, "buzz" went the saw, from Monday morning till Saturday night ; sharply rang the axes in the woodland, and hundreds of stately forest trees fell, only to rise again, not as the green and lofty bowers of singing birds, but as the cottage homes of true and loving hearts.

.Many persons still among us will remember seeing an old log-house [William Larrabee's] on Main street, which once served as a dwelling-house, store and church, all at the same time. The Indians called it "heap wigwam." After it was completed, the occupants gave a patty, and nearly all the inhabitants in the place were invited. We had an oyster supper, which wa.s a great treat at that time, when all our extras came from .Milwaukee, a journey of four or five days, * * * The second winter, the grist-mill was put up and finished, ready for the summer harvest. It was hailed witli welcome by every one. A boarding-house was the next greatest need, for the few who had settled here were heavily taxed with boarders. Our house, though small, had accommodated from fifteen to twenty for a long time. This want was supplied in the building of the Horicon House, including a ballroom, as dancing was the chief amusement in those days. Previous to this, a party was given not a thous.and miles from here, in a house buill of logs, wiili hewn limbers, or puncheons, for a floor, which had shrunk considerably, leaving large cracks between. .\ Swede, who boarded with us, attended the party, and not knowing how to express his thoughts in better language, told mc he had been " dancing over canals" all the evening. This Swede afterwards started for (California, but vvas shot by an Indilm with a poisoned arrow, when within three days of his destination. Thus ended his golden prospects.

* * * Our lake was three years in filling, and for a long time afterward, large patches of the sod at the bottom would loosen, rise to the surface and come floating down. After a while it would seem to decay and then disappear. The fisli that this lake and river contained would astonish a stranger. No one who h,au not witnessed the spectacle would believe the truth, but called it a Horicon fish story. We have seen farmers load their wagons with fish in a short time by dipping with a basket. They fed their swine with them, and, in later years, used them for fertilizing their lands. We packed some of the larger ones in ice and sent them East to our friends.

In all this time, the Indians stayed among us. I'hey were far too numerous to be agreeable. So, fourteen years ago last summer, they were gathered in Horicon liy liundreds to be taken across the Mississippi, by Mr. Juneau and others. They had to be carried in wagons, as there were no railroads then as now. A few returned, liowever, not being pleased with their new home. But they did not trouble us until 18bl, when they came by thousands (in imagination), and every poor, harmless cow grazing among the bushes was taken for a dusky warrior, lurking for mischief. The men turned out en masse, some with old, rusty guns, that had lain by for years ; others with pitchforks, axes, hatchets, butcher-knives or anything that would kill an Indian. The farmers turned their scythes into swords, the cannon was mounted and scouts were sent out to reconnoiier. Dispatches for assistance were sent. All things were in readiness for !i great battle : but it passed off victoriously, without a man being hurt.

Before the advent of the iron horse, farmers were obliged to take their grain to Milwaukee in wagons, through the mud and over corduroy bridges. It needed a person of strong nerve to pass over the latter without grumbling. The settlers usually went in companies, so that, if one team got fast in the mud, the others would combine to puU it out. They generally took their provisions with them, for, after tugging and toiling until they reached Milwaukee, they received but a very small price for llieir grain, and by the time they returned home there would be but little left if they failed to exercise the most rigid economy. * * * But the railroad gave a new impetus to all kinds of business. It could be seen in the mans of trade : in the noisy, dusty workshop; in the busy, humming schuolhousc. I often think of the day when the first locomotive was expected in Horicon. At the sound of the whistle, the men and boys ran, pell mell, to the depot to see the great sight. Among the crowd stood a gray-haired old genileman [.lames Anderson, then in his sixties], who h.ad never before seen a locomotive. He had emigrated Westward just ahead of railw.ay improvements; but they overtook him in Horicon. For a time, the value of property was increased ; the population swelled; churches and schools were reared, and Horicon was numbered among the most thriving villages of the State.

Our little frame schoolhonse was used for church purposes as well, until the present place of instruction was built, for the accommodation of our union school, where the children have passed from one department to another, under the fatherly care of Principal Pickett, who has tlie eloquence of the ancient Aaron. He does not approve of using the rod, but laid it aside years ago, not in the tabernacle, but in some grand old forest in Ohio, where, perchance, one might find it budded, blossomed and yielding hickory nuts insteail of almonds.

Permanent Growth Manufactories

One of the first institutions to attrnct the attention of the stranger when he alights from the trJTm at Horicon is the monster motionless windmill which overhangs and overshadows the old brick mill at the south end of the lower bridge. In 1857, William Johnson, Charles H. Larrabee and Alexander Harper associated themselves together for the purpose of erecting a first-class grist-mill on the dam. Their purpose was carried out, and the old brick mill was the result. Mr. Johnson soon sold his interest to James Conkey, and, in consequence of Mr. Larrabee's election to the office of Circuit Judge, Mr. Satterlee Clark became a nominal partner in the concern. The property was subsequently mortgaged to the Bank of Milwaukee, the interests of Messrs. Larrabee and Conkey passing to the hands of Albert Rice and Samuel C. Brown. H. E. Connit afterward became tlie sole proprietor, but being unsuccessful as a miller, the bank foreclosed its mortgage. H. B. Marsh then purchased the property of the bank, and is its present owner. Mr. Marsh has added a large amount of new machinery, making the old brick mill, after all the vicissitudes through which it has passed, one of the permanent institutions of Horicon. lie says he intends to let the big windmill remain where it is, " as a $4,000 monument to the wisdom of Ernest Stolbe, its designer, and the folly of Harry B. Marsh."

The Old Iron Foundry. - In 1853, Martin Rich and Morris Grout built a foundry a short distance below the old brick mill for the purpose of manufacturing bar iron from scraps gathered tliroughout the country by junk dealers, etc. The enterprise was carried on about one year, during which time the Horicon youth harvested their mothers' pothooks and shovels and converted them into cash at the foundry. The building was afterward occupied by William Jones as a foundry and machine shop until the dam was taken out, when he built and removed hi; business above the lower bridge, wiiere he remained till 1873, and then closed out.

Bismarck Mill. - Built by Schoenmann, Rich & Rising, in the fall of 1868 and spring of 1869, as a stave factory, at a cost of about $8,000. The fii'm manufactured staves for two or three years, and then converted it into a flouring-mill, but closed down after a short period of unsuccessful effort. In the mean time, Messrs. Rich & Rising .sold to Mr. Schoenmann, who again commenced the manufacture of flour, but with the same degree of success. In 1878, F. Zollner became the purchaser, and the mill has been in operation ever since.

The Seeder Factories. - The institutions, however, to which Horicon owes its present prosperity and importance, are the manufacturing establishments of Van Brunt & Barber, and Van Brunt & Davis Company. In 1860, D. C. Van Brunt and George W. Van Brunt invented a broadcast seed-sower, the first entirely successful apparatus of the kind, it is claimed, ever invented. Six of these machines were manufactured the first year, and, as an evidence of the immediate popularity which they acquired, tlie following figures, showing the extent of their manufacture, are given : In 1861, the number made and sold was 60 ; in 1862, 500 ; in 1863, about 700 ; in 1864, 1,000 ; in 1865, 450 ; in 1866, 1,300 ; in 1868, 3,200 ; in 1869, 3,800 ; in lS70, 3,000. In 1863, Judge Hiram Barber joined the firm, and in August, 1870, he purchased the interests of the Van Brunts, and conducted the institution alone for three years, during wliich time he built 1,000 wagons and 3,000 seeders. Judge Barber then disposed of the manufactory to D. C. Van Brunt, William C. Wood and R. S. Barber. Mr. Wood subsequently retired, the firm becoming Van Brunt & Barber, its present style. In 1878, 1,500 seeders were manufactured, besides a large number of cultivators, hay-rakes, fanning-mills, etc. Various suits have been brought against this establishment, to recover damages for alleged infringements of patents obtained by other parties upon certain portions of similar machines ; but its tribulations have been so very trifling, in comparison with the profitable results accruing from a good macliine, that the gentlemen at the head of the enterprise have not been deterred from establishing one of the largest manufactories in the State. In the busy season, they give employment to from seventy-five to one hundred men. Their seeders are to be found in almost every part of the United States.

New Van Brunt." - In 1871,Willard A. Van Brunt commenced the manufacture of a patent seeder known as the '- New Van Brunt," possessing all the advantages and improvements - though of different pattern and design, and working under dissimihir methods - hitherto discovered and utilized. The result of Mr. Van Brunt's first year's work was 25C seeders. The woodwork and blacksmithing were done in the shop of John Bushnell, while the castings were made in the fjundry of William M. Jones. In the spring of 1872, Mr. Van Brunt was joined by S. E. Davis, with whom he had been associated for several years previous in the manufacture of double harpoon hay-forks. Together they purchased the old sash-factory building, and established themselves permanently, under the firm name of Van Brunt & Davis. During the same season they made 5'25 seeders, and in 1873, 750 "New Van Brunts" were completed; in 1874, the name was changed to "'The Monitor," and 963 were manufactured; in 1875, 1,373 ; in 1876, 1,500 ; in 1877, 1,833. In June, 1875, the firm purchased the adjoining stone building of A. B. Kellogg, and in August, 1878, D. D. French was taken into the partnership, the style of the firm then being changed to Van Brunt & Davis Company. During that year, 2,203 machines were manufactured. For two years past, the compan}' has also been making the ''Monitor Drill.'' Aside from building seeders and drills, "The People's Mower" and a patent revolving milk-safe have been manufactured by this firm. Seventy-five men are employed when the factory is in full operation. Shipments are made to all parts of the United States, and the more progressive sections of Germany.

The two stone buildings occupied by the Van Brunt & Davis Company were built in 1859 and 1861, respectively- - the first as a sash-factory, carried on by Beers & Gates, and the second as a grist-mill, by E. V. White and M- Hyde. Marshall White and a man named Couzzens purchased the machinery of the latter and removed it to Minnesota.

Horieon Elevator Company. - Elevator established by Jonas Schoenmann, in 1863, at the junction of the two Northwestern Divisions of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. In 1869, Hanf & Hood purchased of Schoenmann, and, in 1872, Hood sold to Charles Miller, who, two years later, disposed of his interest to Charles Herker, the style of the firm becoming and remaining to the present time, Hanf & Herker. In 1879, a "California Combined Smutter and Separator" was placed in the institution, and is operated by a twelve-horse power engine. The bins of the elevator have a capacity of 3,000 bushels. Shipments of grain are made to Milwaukee and Chicago, an average of 45,000 bushels being handled each year.

Breiveries. - In 1858, P. Dierleins built the first brewery, and brewed the first beer in Horieon in April of the following year. In 1864, John Groskop appeared upon the scene as a competitor for the patronage of the Gambrinians. The combined capacity of the two breweries is about one thousand four-gallon kegs a year.

The Railroads

The La Crosse k Milwaukee Railroad Company completed their line from the lake shore to Horieon in 1856. During the same year, the Milwaukee & Horieon Company (Jasper Valeet, J. B. Smith and I. N. Mason) commenced a branch from the La Crosse road to Berlin, in Green Lake County, but this line was afterward absorbed by the La Crosse company. A set of depot buildings was erected on the east side of the river, at Horieon, but Avhen, in 1863, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul got control, the present depot on the west side was located, and the original passenger-depot building was purchased and removed to a site south of the public-school edifice, where it has ever since answered the purpose of a house of worship for the German Methodists. The railroad roundhouse was put up in 1856-5(r, and the car and repair shops were built in the fall of 1861, large numbers of passenger and freight cars being manufactured within the succeeding two years.

The Churches

The investigations of the compiler, wherever made, have not as yet failed to disclose evidences of Christian effort dating back to the earliest period within the memory of the pioneer. According to the records of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Horieon, a class of that denomination was organized in the eastern portion of the town of Hubbard, as early as June, 1845, " near the residence of John Andrews," Mr. Andrews, and his wife and sister Elizabeth, uniting there by letter. The society formed on that occasion was within the Horieon Circuit, which also included Kekoskee, Mayville and Iron Ridge. The Rev. Mr. Burton appears to have been the first minister to preach to the then small congregation. The Rev. Mr. Sinitli's name also appears in the record, soon after the date of organization. In 1850, the Rev. R. W. Barnes filled the appointment; and he was followed in the charge by the Rev. N. S. Greene, who was the first to preach the Gospel from a Methodist standpoint in the village of Horicon. The society was founded in Horicon in 1853, by the Rev. R. Cobban. For awhile, services were held at the residences of members of the congregation, and in the public sciioolhouse. The Bociety continuing to prosper, in 1855 the present church edifice was erected- In that year, the Horicon Mission reported to the Conference fifty-nine members, one probationer and one church. The Pastors, since the time of Mr. Cobban, have been the Revs. 0. E. Hall, D. 0. Jones, R. M. Beach, S. L. Martin, W. J. Olrastead, A. C. Elliott and G. W. Delamatyr, under whose ministry the churcli debt was greatly decreased, wliile the membership grew largely in numbers ; the Rev. R. Blackburn, the Rev. Mr. Moore, the Rev. J. T. Boynton, the Rev. W. J. Olmstead and the Rev. A. J. Marsh, the latter being the present Pastor. The present Trustees of the church are John Wood, H. Gessner, S. H. Palmer, Vincent Roberts and Henry Vi.sgar.

Tlw German Methodists. - A society of German Methodists was organized in Horicon in 1861, with the Rev. Mr. Salzer as Pastor. Henry Gessner and wife, and August Roeder and wife, were among the original members. Services were held in the old Baptist Ciiurchfor a few years, when the society purchased the old passenger depot building and removed it to a site near the public school building, and fitted it up for church purposes. The Pastors, since the time of the Rev. Mr. Salzer, have been the Rev. Henry Schentz, the Rev. Fred Gotschalk, the Rev Philip Walker, the Rev. Mr. Steibler, the Rev. Charles Iwert and the Rev. Chr. Wentz. the latter being the last regular Pastor. A diminished membership, among other things, caused a suspension of regular meetings, in 1872, and the society has not since been re-organized.

The Catholics. - In 1855, the Rev. Father Kundig, belonging to the Beaver Dam Mission, visited Horicon and took steps toward the organization of a parish. During the following year, the framework of a church edifice was constructed by Samuel Wiseman upon a site donated for the purpose by Mrs. Larrabee. The building was completed in the summer of 1857, funds having been raise<l by means of a rafile held on St. Patrick's Day, a fine horse, donated by an enthusiastic member, being the tempting prize. The following Pastors have presided over the spiritual destinies of this parish : The Rev. Fathers Schroudenbach, De Berg, Vahey, Allen, Tierney and Buckley. Minnesota Junction and Burnett are included in the parish. The membership is given at forty-three families. A cemetery, wherein are buried those who die firm in the belief of Catholicism, is situated in the rear of the church. Mrs. John Cottrell is believed to have been the first grown person buried there.

The Baptists. - An organization of tl^is creed was effected in 1854 by the Rev. George W. Freeman, and a church edifice erected during the same year. Among the Pastors who have been called to the charge may be mentioned the Revs. Delaney, 'Knapp and Sweet. The society ceased to e.xist in 1871.

TliB Presbyterians. - From the records of this denomination now in the possession of Elder Enoch Hood, it appears that a preliminary meeting of tlie society was held at Burnett March 28, 1846. The Rev. Moses Ordway was chosen Moderator, and II. C. Glover, Clerk ; Ozias AVoodford was chosen Stated Clerk. The original members Avere Alexander McConnell and his wife Jane, Tunis Voorhees, wife Sarah, and daughter Gertrude, James Anderson and wife Amanda, Henry Glover and Mrs. Sai-ah Brown. The Elders chosen were Messrs. Voorhees, Anderson ami Woodford. The Rev. S. S. Peck was the first regular Pastor. lie was succeeded by the Rev. B. Phillips, and, in 1854, the place of meeting was transferred to Horicon, where services were held in the Baptist Church by the Rev. II. M. Robertson. A church edifice was erected in 1855-56, and dedicated September 28 of the latter year by Rev. J. JM. Buchanan, of Milwaukee. In 1859, the name was changed from the Ciiurch of Horicon and Burnett to the Horicon Presbyterian Church. Mr. Robertson's successors have been the Revs. P. Camp, J. H. Carpenter, J. Lynn Milligan, G. W. Lloyd, David Street, James S. Westcott and Mr.

Wykoft'. The latter preaches in Horicon twice a month, alternating witli a charjre in Juneau. The present Trustees are Henry C. Glover, Enoch Hood and Amos Hart ; Elders - James Anderson, 0. Woodford, Henry Glover and Enoch Hood.

TIw Lutherans. - Society organized in 1807. Among the original pillars were A. Hoernlein, Charles Hanf, Chr. Raasch, Charles Feuerharamer and William Wrucke. The Rev. i\Ir. Multonowsky was the first Pastor. Services were held in a small frame building which now stands in the rear of the Presbyterian Church, at present occupied as a parochial school. The next Pastor was the Rev. Chr. Berner, and his successor, the gentlemanly divine now in charge, the Rev. Chr. Hoist. An imposing church edifice was built in 1875 at a cost of $4,000. The membership is given at sixty families. The present Trustees are Bernard Beck, Charles Dowe, Charles Hanf, Charles Feuerhammer and Chr. Raasch. The average attendance at the parochial school is about eighty scholars.

There are two branch organizations connected with the Horicon Society - one at Brown's Corners, founded in 1866, and at present composed of forty families ; and the other at Burnett, organized in 1869, with forty-two families as its present membership. Parochial schools are connected with each of the above, the number of pupils in attendance at the former being given at fifty, and the latter at forty-five.

Evangelical Association. - Formed in 1871 ; church edifice erected same year. Ministers; Revs. Guelich, Hilster, Clemens, Zimmerman and Liewert. Present Trustees - John Malcho, George and Carl Lindermann, and Aug. Koppitsch.

Secret And Other Societies

Badger Encampment, No. 6, L 0. 0. F. - Re-organized in Horicon ALay 17, 1858, under a charter granted a few years previous to an Encampment at Fond du Lac. First

The Po.St Office

It is reasonable to suppose that the happiest period in the frontier life of the early settlers of Horicon, was on the occasion of the establishment of a post office at that place. This important event occurred in 1847. Prior to that time. Oak Grove was the nearest postal point, and when the roads were bad (which was generally the case) or the weather was cold, nothing but the prospect of hearing from dear relatives and friends in their far-off Eastern homes would induce any of " the neighbors " to make so long a journey. But Uncle Sam's saddle-bags are ever to be seen amidst advancing civilization, and no. amount of hardship has ever deterred his couriers in the performance of their duty. Horicon's first Postmaster was Sylvester Rice. He held the office six or seven years, and it is said the joy he so long experienced in making the hearts of his friends glad by giving them letters accounts for the amiability of his nature. The first post office was kept in Mr. Larrabee's store. Since then it has been located in many different places, as the convenience of the public and each new appointee to the responsible federal position dictated. The list of Postmasters since Mr. Rice is as follows : Dr. Peter Winter, Jonas Schoenmann, John T. Randolph, Henry Bowers, W. H. Butterfield, E. M. Griswold and W. H. Butterfield again, the pre.sent encumbent, appointed June, 1875. The Horicon Post Office became a money-order office September 4, 1807, the first order issued being by Oliver E. Sherwood, of Horicon, to Milton H. Sherwood, of Kenosha, for $10. The total number of orders issued to September 27, 1879, is 10,504. -

As already stated, William Cady and George Gifford built the first hotel in Horicon, the Horicon House, erected in 1848. It was a two-story frame building, containing eight or ten sleeping apartments, and was never known to liave been "crowded," for in those days "three in a bed and two in the middle," was a prevailing custom in all well regulated taverns, that is, where beds were in use. The traveler was not particular about the amount of bed-room allotted to him ; it was enough if he got a place beneath the roof. If the weather was not too cold, he did not object to hanging his feet out of the window, or allowing them to be used as a pillow by a companion.

In 1852, John Devlin "solicited a share of the public patronage," and presided as the host of the Eagle House, "containing all the modern improvements."

The Winter House, however, was destined to be the leading hotel in Horicon. It was built by Dr. Peter Winter, in 1855-56 ; a three-story brick, containing forty or fifty rooms. In improvements and convenience, it was for a long time considered far in advance of the times, and at once became a popular resort for all classes. The managers of the Winter House, since the time of Dr. Winter, have been V. Tolliver, Peter Sellers, Michael Esser, John Mott (who brought "Ripen Boy" from York State), J. D. Flack, F. J. Gen.?, and C. W. Farnham and D. D. Smith. The two latter gentlemen purchased the property in May, 1879. Mr. Smith withdrew in June of the same year, leaving Mr. Farnham in possession of the Winter House until the first of the present year, when the property passed into the hands of the Scottish Loan Company, of Chicago. The house has been overhauled and refitted throughout. Capt. A. P. Lyon, who has been in the hotel business for the past twenty-iive years, is the manager of the Winter House, and the owner of the conventional diamond breastpin.

Horicon, in common with other cities and villages, has not escaped the terrors of the "firefiend." The first notable "blaze" of which there is any recollection was that which destroyed the grist-mill of Messrs. Sullivan & Yale, in the spring of 1857.

Two years later, the hum of many a wheel was hushed by a second visitation of the destroying element. Tlie sash and blind factory, the saw-mill, the rake-factory, the turner and joiner shops, the chair-factory, and, indeed, almost all the manufacturing interests in the place, were swept away.

In 1863, the principal business portion of the village met a similar fate. The Ribble Block (where the Odd Fellows' Hall now stands), Butler's hardware store, the Argus printingoffice and the Masonic Lodge-rooms were all destroyed within a few hours.

The next fire of importance occurred in 1873, on the north side of Main street, burning Straw & Stillman's general merchandise store and Dahl's furniture and Griswold's jewelry stores; also Chase's restaurant and notion store, and J. P. Barnes agricultural warehouse.

In May, 1875, soon after the charter election (one of the issues of which was the question of whether or not measures should be taken for the proper protection of the village from the ravages of fire), the south side of Main street was again visited by the devouring element. The fire originated in Henry Bossman's barn, communicated to Fisher's barn, dwelling and meat market, and tiien to Otto's barber-shop and Carl Guetchow's harness-shop and dwelling, all being destroyed.

In the mean time, the scene of the fire of 1863 had been built up with brick buildings, only to be destroyed in 1877. This time the flames started in Herker's barn, spread to his saloon and dwelling, thence to Hanf's hardware store and a building occupied as a storehouse, and then to Bossman's building, in which was located the dry -goods establishment of Schoenmann & Co. The work of devastation was complete. Upon the ruins have been reared handsome and substantial bricks.

The Fire Department of Horicon, what there is of it, is of good material, as was shown on the occasion of the last conflagration, when a daring fireman stood upon the top of a tottering wall with his hose to prevent the flames from spreading, while his comrades played a stream upon him from below to prevent his suffocation. The citizens did not fail to testify their gratitude to this brave man.

Disasters On Horicon Lake

While Horicon Lake was a navigable body of water, two appalling calamities occurred upon it, recollections of which will ever remain fresh in the minds of the people of Dodge County. The firsi of these took place about four or five miles from the village of Horicon in July, 1857, a scow, containing a crew of seventeen men engaged in rafting logs from Chester bridge, being struck by lightning during a terrible hurricane. Two men, whose names are not remembered, were killed outright, while thirteen others were more or less injured. Among the latter number was William Chisholm, now residing at Fond du Lac. His recovery was almost a miracle, his body being literally roasted.

The second disaster occurred about two years afterward, and was caused by the explosion of a boiler in the steamer M. AVinter. Lawrence Gates, the engineer, was killed, and a young man named Lake so fatally injured that he died in terrible agony a few hours after the explosion. Michael Winter was badly stunned and knocked overboard, but was rescued. The M. Winter was a new steamer, and it is supposed the accident was the result of carelessness. A new boiler was soon afterward put into the vessel, which continued to be used by Mr. Winter until about 1867, when G. H. Beers purchased the boiler for use in his planing-mill. The hull was bought by G. W. Van Brunt & Co., and used as a sailboat to convey lumber from the head of the lake to this point. The boiler and engine did service until recently in the seeder factory of Van Brunt & Davis Company.

Government

Prior to 1855, Horicon was under town government, but on the 29th of March, of that year, a village charter was granted by the Legislature, and on the 2d of August following, an election for village officers was held, at which 99 votes were cast, as follows :

1857 - President, Joel Rich ; Clerk, C. D. Davis ; Assessor, C. L. Reed ; Constable, John Hanff; Treasurer, A. E. Hart; Justice of the Peace, John B. Ribble. Trustees - H. H. Rich, E. Benedict, Peter Winter and W. M. Jones.

1859 - President, William Decker; Clerk, J. B. Butler; Treasurer, H. M. Todd; Assessor, W. H. Sheldon ; Justice of the Peace, John B. Ribble ; Constable, Austin Cole. Trustees - Thomas Barron, John Hanff, E. M. Benedict and Sat. Clark.

1864 - President, A. J. Rising ; Clerk, A. K. Delaney ; Treasurer, John Rich ; Justice, J. B. Ribble ; Constable, Henry Otto. Trustees - J. H. Conkey, A. E. HaH, John Grosskopf and Alexander Harper.

1865 - President, A. J. Rising ; Clerk, A. K. Delaney ; Treasurer, H. H. Rich ; Justice, Hiram Lake ; Constable, Henry Otto. Trustees - A. E. Hart, J. Kastanyan, M. Winter and Ed. Cowen.

1866 - President, A. J. Rising ; Clerk, A. K. Delaney ; Treasurer, H. H. Rich ; Justice, James Pierce ; Constable, Michael Wild. Trustees - A. E. Hart, L. D. Moffatt, Julius Kastanyan and A. T. Rice.

1867 - President, A. E. Hart ; Clerk, A. K. Delaney; Treasurer, W. H. Sheldon ; Constable, J. J. White. Trustees - Ed. Schubel, M. Winter, George Carr and Ferd. Steinke.

1869 - President, J. B. Hays; Clerk, Edward Schubel; Treasurer, Fred Engel; Justice of the Peace, J. F. Randolph ; Marshal, Job D. Francis ; Trustees - Lorenz Wolt'rom, A. E. Hart, Paul Deierlein and Ferdinand Steinke. This was the first election held under the present charter.

1870 - President, A. J. Rising; Clerk, Edward Schubel; Treasurer, Frederick Engle ; Justice of the Peace, James Pierce ; Marshal, J. D. Francis ; County Supervisor, A. J. Rising. Trustees - Andrew Inglis, Philander White, Charles Deninger and Marshall T. White.

1871 - President, A. J. Rising; Clerk, Edward Schubel; Treasurer, Frederick Engle; Justice of the Peace, Edward Schubel ; Marshal, Egbert McLees ; County Supervisor, A. J. Rising; Trustees - A. E. Hart, George Carr, August Zedler and Lorenz Wolfrom.

1872 - President, Charles Allen; Clerk, James Pierce; Treasurer, Frederick Engle ; Justices of the Peace, James Pierce and C. W. Rehfeld ; Marshal, J. J. White ; County Supervisor, Sat. Clark. Trustees - A. E. Hart, Henry Bowers, C. W. Rehfeld and Lorenz Wolfrom.

1873 - President, Amos E.Hart; Clerk, James Pierce; Treasurer, Frederick Engle; Marshal, E. F. Hale ; Justice of the Peace, Julius Hagan ; County Supervisor, Sat. Clark. Trustees - John Fisher, J. D. Francis, Julius Hagan and A. E. Chase.

1874 - President, A. E. Hart ; Clerk, W. H. Butterfield ; Treasurer, Frederick Engle ; Marshal, E. F. Hale ; Justices of the Peace, Frederick Engle and Henry Otto ; County Supervisor, Carl Hanf. Trustees - Bernard Beck, S. E. Davis, A. W. Hall and F. Steinke.

1875 - President, D. C. Van Brunt; Clerk, Hiram Lake; Treasurer, Frederick Engle; Marshal, E. F. Hale; Justices of the Peace, Henry Otto and Carl Dowe ; County Supervisor, Carl Hanf. Trustees - B. Beck, A. W. Hall, Carl Dowe and Frederick Hanft'.

1876 - President, D. C. Van Brunt; Clerk, diaries Allen; Treasurer, Frederick Engle; Marshal, E. F. Hale; Justice of the Peace, J. B. Ribble ; County Supervisor, Carl Hanf. Trustees - Frank Fisher, A. W. Hall, J. R. Freeman and J. D. Francis.

1877 - President, R. Dow; Clerk, Charles Allen; Treasurer, Frederick Engle; Marshal, A. E. Hart ; Justices of the Peace, H. Bowers and Hiram Lake ; County Supervisor, Sat. Clark. Trustees - Charles Miller, ^liles Pluck, August Saecker and Carl Dowe.

1878 - President, W. A. Van Brunt; Clerk, Charles Allen; Treasurer, Frederick Engle; Marshal, A. E. Hart ; Justice of the Peace, Hiram Lake ; County Supervisor, Sat. Clark. Trustees - Frank Fisher, B. Beck, John Dimon and Charles Miller.

1879 - President, D. D. French ; Clerk, Charles Allen ; Treasurer, Frederick Engle : Marshal, A. E. Hart; Justice of the Peace, E. M. Griswold ; Supervisor, Sat. Clark. Trustees - G. F. Randall, Charles Miller, H. B. Marsh and B. Beck. At this election there were 195 votes cast.

Tiie present officers are: H. W. Frost and W. W. Houghton, P. M. W.; J. C. Wilms, M. W.; R.T.Oliver, Recorder; C. Johnson, G. F.; John Fieldsted, Overseer ; Herman Hanisch, Guide ; Richard Goff, Financier; J. R. Viall, Receiver; August Pobuns, I. W.; W. C. Peterson, 0. W. The Lodge meets every Monday evening, at Odd Fellows' Hall. W. W. Houghton was Representative to the Grand Lodge for 1879, and H. W. Frost for 1880. The present Medical Examiner is Dr. J. N. O'Brien. The Lodge now has twenty-three members.

Lehdnh Lodge, No. o-l, I. 0. 0. F. - This Lodge was instituted at Waupun by Deputy Grand Master Lowther, December 25, 1848, with the following named persons as charter members : Isaac Valentine, L. B. Hills, George Howe, W. S. Post and J. Dickenson. It occupied rented rooms until 1852. when a joint-stock company was formed among the members, and an Odd Fellows' Hall was built, at a cost of about $600, which the Lodge continued to occupy for Lodge purposes until 1871, when the old hall was disposed of and a new one was erected as a permanent home for the Order in the city of Waupun. The property is valued at $5,000. The Lodge is and has been in a prosperous condition.

Waupun Lodge, No. 4-S, A. F. if A. M. - A.t some time during the last end of the year 1852, D. L. D. Huntington, L. B. Dodge, Milo Sikes, Andrews Burnkam, Sr., Jeremiah Look. George T. Wood, C. B. Carrington, Joseph Bardwell and Charles Spoor conceived the idea of of instituting a Masonic Lodge at Waupun, and for that purpose petitioned the Grand Master of the State for dispensation. On the 20th day of April, 1853, Hon. H. L. Palmer, then Grand Master, granted the petition, appointing D. L. D. Huntington to be the first Master, L. B. Dodge the first Senior Warden and Milo Sikes the first Junior Warden. August 12, 1853, the Lodge was organized under dispensation with the above named brethren as Master and Wardens. June 20, 1851, the Grand Lodge granted a charter for a Masonic Lodge, to be located at Waupun, to be known as Waupun Lodge, No. 48, appointing C. B. Carrington Master, Joseph Bardwell Senior Warden, and L. B. Dodge Junior Warden. The charter so granted was signed by Henry W. Billings, Deputy Grand Master, attested by William R. Smith, Grand Secretary, under the seal of the Grand Lodge. The first election for all of the elective officers of the Lodge was held June 1, 1855, when C. B. Carrington was elected Master. Since which time the following named brethren have been elected and served as Masters : Cromwell Laithe, William E. Haneard, Ira Hill, Robert Cosgrove, W. H. Taylor, C. W. Henning. M. C. Short, S. J. Sumner, G. W. Stanton, C. S. Gillman, John I. Roberts and F. S. Keech. The Lodge now has an active membership of ninety-two. She has been and now is free from debt.

Waupun Pioneers

" Many of the old pioneers and our former associates are gone from our circle, some to other fields of toil, and others, whose prospects were as bright for a long and happy life as any of us now living, have received their discharge ; their work is done ; they have been called from labor to rest ; and if, while mingling with the busy crowd, we sometimes remember them, let it be with kindness. We see many of the old veterans still with us, whose whitened locks and wrinkled brows tell us that their little bark has been tossed on the billows of life's ocean for many long years ; and that they were ever at their posts, fearless of the cold of winter or the heat of summer, needs no other proof. These are some of the men who left their Eastern homes to assume a life of toil and danger incident to settling in a new country, so that they might provide for themselves and their children homes of independence and freedom, and, though sometimes meeting witli trials and disappointments, yet most nobly have they done their work, and why ? Because tiiey were men of strong minds and determined wills to accomplish, as far as possible, whatever they undertook to do.

" They were not of that stripe of men who hang around the corners all day whittling drygoods boxes and never have courage enough to get away from the end of their mother's apron strings ; but men and women who pitched their nightly tents on the broad prairie or under the spreading oaks, night after night, until they found a resting-place in Waupun and the country around it, where they have labored to build up and improve the place of their choice and make it what it is to-day, the pride of its people ; men who have stood by it in clouds and sunshine, watching with interest its slow but sure growth, ever firm in the belief that there was before it a bright prospect of future usefulness and pi'osperity."

The Waupun Pump and Windmill Works. - Like many another institution, the Waupun Pump and Windmill Works had their origin in the day of small things. In 1852, when Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties were only thinly settled with new-comers, Milo J. Althouse, then a young man just starting to make his way in the world, with no resources but his own hanils and his energetic will, made his first essay in the pump manufacture - a single pump planed, bored, fitted with handle, spout and bucket, and finished by his own hands, and by his own hands then set in a well. Returning from this completed job, he commenced another, to be finished and carried to the customer before a third was entered upon. By these slow steps was first put in motion a business which has since reached across the continent, finding its principal market in a dozen States. Endeavoring always to make his work excel, Mr. Althouse soon found his business and his reputation so growing as to warrant the opening of a shop and the purchase of improved tools. In 1859, he left the little shop, on a farm where he had worked alone, and opened a shop in the village of Waupun. From working by hand he advanced to horse-power for running the augers, and gradually augmented the force as the demand for his work increased. In 1861, Mr. Althouse introduced steam-power, and again enlarged his shop to meet the growing business. He still carefully maintained the quality of his work, and his stamp was a synonym for the best on all work in his line. Every stick of timber used was carefully inspected, and every piece of leather for packing was selected from the best part of first quality sides, all else being rejected and sold for scraps. The same careful selection of material has been continued throughout.

In those days, the wind sweeping overhead was undreamed of as a motive power, or at least not dreamed of in any practical way as a power applicable to the ordinary work of a farmer; but, about 1860, the first windmills, with partially self-regulating devices, were introduced in the Northwest. Their progress was slow for years ; the devices themselves were imperfect. Those who now find such a machine a necessity were not then educated to the knowledge of the benefits to be derived from its use ; and the large stock and dairy interests of Wisconsin, which now more than ever before make this machine necessary, were then comparatively in infancy. But, ten years ago, Mr. Althouse foresaw the growing future of this power, and its intimate connection with the pump business, and made arrangements for manufiicturing one of the best windmills then invented. In 1873, Messrs. George and Albert Raymond having their attention called to the matter, commenced experimenting with wind-engines, and, in February, 1874, in connection with Mr. Althouse, patented the Althouse & Raymond Windmill, which, with some later modifications, is now known through Wisconsin and the Northwest as the " Althouse Vaneless Windmill," and enjoys the reputation of being the most perfect self-regulating wind-engine yet invented. In the following spring, Hon. George F. Wheeler and L. D. Hinkly became associated with Mr. Althouse, under the firm name of Althouse, Wheeler & Co. Since that time, the business has been carried on by the firm, and their trade has extended from Massachusetts to California, and from Canada to Florida and Texas, within the Union, and still further on the west, has reached the Australian fields, and, in the Far East, the winds which ripple the old Euphrates propel the sails of their engines.

Nearly sixty thousand pumps, made in this establishment, are in use in the Northwest ; and nearly three thousand wind-engines bearing their stamp are pumping, churning and grinding.

The pumps made are mostly wooden pumps, of all sizes, from a cistern ])ump of two inches bore to a maiiimotli of six iiiclies. The special feature of these pumps, introduced by Mr. Altliouse, and distingui.shing them from the old wooden pumps, is the making of a detachable hard-maple cylinder in which the bucket works. This simple improvement adds immensely to the durability and ease of working of the pump. Of course, tiie greater part of the windmills made are of the smaller sizes, the most common size for farm use being the ten-foot wheel. They manufacture pumping windmills of eight feet, ten feet, twelve feet, fourteen feet, sixteen feet and twenty-five feet in diameter, and also make geared mills for driving machinery. These are mostly made in sizes of sixteen feet and twenty-five feet. In prosperous times, the business of the establishment lias been $10,000 per month, with a pay-roll of .^3,000 per month, distributed among about fifty men. Like all other business, this has felt the depression of the last three years, in reduced production and sales, and continues its work on a somewhat narrowed scale, awaiting the "good time coming " whicli shall justify more active eft'orts.

This is one of the institutions which has contributed, in no small degree, to give Waupun a steady and solid prosperity when other places have stagnated after premature expansion.

M. K. DaJiVs Plow-Factory. - One of the oldest manufacturing establishments in Waupun is Dahl's Plow-Factory, on the Dodge County side of Washington street. Upper Town. The first building, now occupied by Mr. Dahl, was erected in 1846 or 1847, by Ely & Ely, and had been occupied as a plow-factory since about 18.50. j\Ir. Dahl manufactures plows, land rollers, sulky plows, harrows, cultivators and other farming utensils, in whicli he has built up a large business.

F. F. Zimmerman's Wagon Factory. - In 1865, Mr. Zimmerman began the business of wagon making and repairing, on the Fond du Lac County side of Washington Street, in Upper Town, in a building formerly occupied in the country as a schoolhouse. He manufactures wagons, carriages and cutters, giving employment to from ten to sixteen men. lie now has three large buildings, and carries on an extensive and constantly increasing business.

Morse .f- Morris' Carriage Factory. - In 1876, 0. A. Morse, Jr., erected, on the corner of Franklin and Drummond streets, three commodious buildings for a carriage factory. In 1877, Mr. Morris purchased an interest in the factory, which gives employment to nine men in the manufacture, exclusively, of carriages, phaetons, buggies and cutters.

Tliomas Stoddm-t's Organ Manufactory. - Thomas Stoddart brought his knowledge of organ-building from Scotland, and about 1860, after retiring from the post office and other active business, began the manufacture, in a shop near his residence on Prison street, of pipe and reed organs. He has patent '' coupbos " and resonance boxes, as well as a patent bellows or air pump, and makes all with his own hands the softest-toned instruments extant. He does not manufacture "for the trade," but for musical people only. He has built over fifty instruments, one of which is a " barrel organ," eight feet high. This is an organ which plays by machinery. Mr. Stoddart is one of the only three men in America, who can make a "music barrel," which will play the simplest or most difficult music. The one mentioned plays from Handel, John Sebastian Bach and other distinguished composers.

The Waupun Stone Mills. - The first flouring-mill built in the vicinity of AVaupun, was erected in 1846, by Forest & Smith, at the foot of Mill street, on the Rock River, in the North Ward of Waupun. The lumber for it was sawed the year previous, by the same parties who had a saw-mill near by. In 1848, the mill burned, having caught fire from lumber spread over tlie engine to dry. In the fall of the same year, the present stone mill was begun and finished for business in the early spring of 1840. It is four stories in height, and equipped with both water and steam power, and is the oldest mill in the vicinity. It has three runs of stones, with a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour per day. The mill is now owned by T. W. Markle and W. W. Harris, Mr. Markle having owned an interest in it since 18.57.

Clish/s Stea)ii Mill. - In 1876, Lorenzo Ciisby erected a large steam flouring-mill, near the track of the C, M. & St. Paul Railway, on the Fond du Lac County side of Waupun. It is equipped in modern style, with all the latest improved machinery. It has five runs of stones, with a capacity of 125 barrels per day. It does both custom and job work.

The Waupun Bank. - The first bank of issue, or real banking institution of any sort in Waupun, was the Waupun Bank, which opened for business in 1856, with L. B. Hills as Cashier. Owing to hard times, it suspended in September, 1857, and its business passed into the hands of its creditors. John N. Ackerman was chosen President, and T. B. Hills, Cashier, and the bank resumed operations again in November of the same year. It continued in business until about January, 1859, when it suspended, never to be revived. On searching the safe after the second suspension a pack of cards and two dollars in counterfeit money were found. There were no losses to speak of occasioned by the failure of this bank.

Tlie Corn Exchange Bank. - In 1857, William Ilobkirk was the means of securing a charter, and starting the Corn Exchange Bank, in a stone building on the south side of Main street, erected by him for that purpose. It was organized under the State law as a bank of issue. Andrew Proudfit was President, and William Hobkirk, Cashier. When State Banks were compelled to withdraw their circulation, by high taxes purposely imposed, the Corn Exchange continued on in the general banking business. On the 6th of August, 1875, the bank having been some time without any officer but a cashier, Mr. Hobkirk closed its doors and made a trip to South America. The heaviest loser was Mrs. Margaret Drummond, who had about $60,000 intrusted to the bank. Several years after the failure Mr. Hobkirk returned and settled a portion (5f the bank's indebtedness, but never opened it for business.

The Citizens' Bank. - After the failure of the Corn Exchange Bank, in 1875, the village of Waupun had no bank until early in 1876 when Alraon Atwood, of the town of Waupun, started the Citizens' Bank in the old Corn Exchange building. Almon Atwood was President, and A. Robinson, Cashier. The enterprise not proving satisfactory to its projector, business was discontinued, and the bank closed in February, 1877.

George Jess ^- Company's Bank. - In the summer of 1876, George Jess and David Metcalf began the erection of the handsome two-story brick and stone block on the corner of Main and Prison streets for a bank, and, in the fall, opened for business, under the name of George Jess & Company, with a paid-up capital of $50,000. The firm has a commodious and wellappointed office, and does a general banking business, such as buying and selling inland and foreign exchange, receiving demand deposits without interest, selling letters of credit and selling ocean steamship passages. It is a private bank, having no charter.

Waupun Library Association

In 1858, the following petition circulated in the village of Waupun : " We, the undersigned, agree to pay the sum of $3 yearly, until we withdraw from the society, for the purpose of establishing a Library Association in the village of Waupun, the same to be governed by laws adopted by its members. Books shall be received for the first year's subscription, if said books shall be approved by a committee to be chosen. Said subscriptions shall be paid as soon as the society is organized."

Village of Waui'UN, (' ' ' Whereas, an application has been made to me by five proprietors of the Waupun Library Association, requesting one of their number to be authorized to call a meeting of the proprietors thereof, for the purpose of making a permanent organization of said Association, as provided in Chapter 49 of the Revised Statutes of said Slate. It is therefore ordered that Edwin Hillyer be and is hereby authorized to call said meeting, to be convened at Dodge's Hall, on the 16th of February, 18o8, at 7 o'clock in the evening, and that he give due notice of said meeting.

draft a Constitution. They performed the task, and the Constitution was adopted the same night. The election for permanent officers resulted as follows :

Presilent, H. L. Butterfield; Treasurer, Georci;e W. Bly ; Collector, William Euen ; Clerk and Librarian, Edwin Hillyer. Directors - C. S. Kneeland, David Ferguson, A. II. Rounsville, George Wirt, Geo. Babcock, M. Leary and Ciiarles Smith. Book Committee - L. B. Hills, Jesse Hooker, R. W. Wells, John Ware, George E. Jennings. The latter committee began at once to receive books from membersand purchase others with the funds obtained for fees and dues. The library was opened in Edwin Hillyer's office ; and when lie moved to Thomas Stoddart's stoneblock, corner of Prison and Washington streets, the library was also moved there, where it has since remained. During several years, Mr. Hillyer served as Librarian and gave the use of a large room in his office free of charge. Latterly, a nominal rent has been paid, and the Librarian is now paid $30 per annum for his services. The library contains nearly three thousand volumes of choice books, which may be used by any person not a member of the Association by complying with the rules and by-laws, and paying ten cents per volume. On every Saturday evening the library-room is open, and has always been well patronized. Its financial condition is sound, and new books are constantly added. Since the first year the officers have been as follows :

1862, 1863 and 1864 - President. A. H. Rounsville ; Clerk, W. W. Houghton ; Librarian, E. Hillyer ; Treasurer, G. W. Bly ; Collector, George E. Jennings.

1867 and 1868 - President, Ciiarles Jones : Vice President, W. H. Taylor ; Clerk and Librarian, E. Hillyer; Treasurer, A. H. Rounsville; Collector, G. E. Jennings.

On the 8th day of February, 1875, many citizens of Waupun and vicinity, who had long been residents of the State, met together for the purpose of organizing an Old Settlers' Club. A Club was formed and a committee appointed to draft rules for its government. A resolution was also adopted, that all citizens of Waupun and vicinity, who had been twenty-five years resident of the State, should be entitled to membership. The meeting adjourned to February 15, 1875, for the purpose of perfecting a permanent organization.

On the last mentioned day, rules for the government of the Club were presented and adopted. The Club permanently organized by the election of James McElroy, President; John

Bryce, Treasurer, and W. II. Taylor, Secretary. A resolution was adopted that the Old Settlers' Club hold their first meeting March 2, 1875 ; that a picnic dinner be furnished, and that members of the Club only participate.

Before the meeting, appointed for March 2, 1875, convened, the following named residents of Wisconsin became members, giving the date of their entrance into the State :

These only comprise those who settled in the State previous to the year 1850, yet all who came in that year, were admitted to participation, together with their families.

On the 2d of March, 1875, pursuant to notice and invitations, the old settlers met in Waupun. A large company was present. An old-fashioned dinner of pork, beans and brown bread was served it) abundance. Men and women partook of it with a relish. Old times and old scenes were talked over. The evening was spent in social enjoyment. All were pleased with the first Old Settlers' Club meeting.

On the 25th of November, 1875, the E.xecutive Committee of tlie Club appointed December 4, 1875, as the time for the election of officer.^. On the day last named, James McElroy was re-elected President; John Bryce, Treasurer, and W. H. Taylor, Secretary. A resolution was then adopted, that the Club hold tlieir annual meeting on December 21, 1875. Accordingly, on that day, the second annual meeting of the Club was held in Waupun. It was a success. The banrjuet was enjoyed by about 650 old settlers and their guests. The evening was spent in social intercourse, music and literary entertainments. This meeting, though held in 1875, was really the meeting for 1876.

Owing to the inclement season of 1877, and other reasons, no annual meeting was held. The Executive Committee having previously called a meeting, for the election of officers, on the

6th day of February, 1878, all of the past officers were re-elected. A resolution was adopted that the Club hold their annual meeting for 1878 on February 15, and that all who had been residents of Waupun or vicinity for twenty years, be entitled to membership. On the day last named, the Club held their third annual meeting. The gathering was large. Old men and women, with their families, met and e.xchanged congratulations. A bani[uet was served, and many partook of the repast. The afternoon and evening was spent, by those present, in pleasant intercourse. All were pleased and all voted the meeting a success.

At this time, it was determined that the Club should not hold its annual meetings in the winter ; that the next one should be held in the open air. Consei[uently, on the 15th of June, 1879, the fourth annual meeting of the Club was held in a grove one mile from the city, invitations to all old settlers having been extended. The novelty of an out-door meeting, tlie season of the year, and the pleasure of meeting old friends and faces, brought out a large assembly. A long table had been prepared and was spread, loaded with the good things of life, generously furni.-*hed by the old settlers. It was estimated that at least 1,200 partook of the ample bounty. This meeting was a success, and will be remembered by all present with pleasure. The day was beautiful, and was enlivened by music and addresses.

Wisconsin State Prison

This institution was located in the village of Waupun during the year 1851, and opened for the reception of convicts in the spring of 1852. By a law enacted in 1851, Messrs. John Bullen, John Taylor and A. W. Worth were appointed Commissioners to determine the best point in the State for the location of a State Prison. They examined different points, and, on July 4, 1851, a majority of the Commissioners (Bullen and Taylor) decided to locate at Waupun, Mr. Worth dissenting in favor of Madison.

On July 21, 1851, a contract was made with I. K. Smith for the construction of a main, upright part of a temporary prison for $4,600, the dimensions of which were 26x80 feet, three stories high, of wood, above a stone basement. The Commissioners estimated the sum necessary to continue the erection of the prison and pay indebtedness at $25,000, and also recommended, for the sum of $800, the purchase of an additional twenty acres of land, which recommendation, however, does not appear to have been acted upon.

John Taylor, of Waupun, was, March 28, 1852, appointed Commissioner by the Legislature, but removed by Gov. Farwell before taking possession of the office, and Henry Brown, of Fond du Lac, appointed in his place, who took charge of the prison April 2, 1852.

On July 12, 1853, the Legislature directed the Commissioner to let the contract for the mason work upon the south wing of the prison, and, in December following, Andrew Proudfit contracted to complete the work by December, 1854, for the sum of $12,624; ii was ready for the accommodation of prisoners in January following.

By an act of the Legislature, the management of the State Prison was placed in the hands of a Commissioner, who was elected by the people at the general election in November, to hold his office for the term of two years, from January 1 next succeeding the election. He appointed one person to perform the duties of Deputy and Clerk, and also appointed all other officers. The prison building, at this time, only contained sixty-seven cells ; number in confinement, sixty-one.

The Commissioner, from January 1, 1854, to December 31, 1855, was A. W. Starks, of Baraboo. In accordance with a law passed by the Legislature at the last session, the Commissioner, during the year 1855, let the convict labor as follows :

To Mensink & Boland, for the labor of convicts in shoe-shop, for one year, at 60 cents per day, and 25 cents for apprentices for the first six months.

E. McGarry, of Milwaukee, was the Commissioner from January 1, 1856, to December, 1857 ; John Lowth, Deputy. An appropriation of $10,000 had been made by the last Legislature for the construction of the main or center building, but there being no money in the treasury, the Commissioner had to negotiate the same to purchase material and keep the convicts employed. He also recommended the building of a stronger wall around the prison yard, as the board fence had become much decayed and afforded poor protection against escapes.

Gov. Bashford, in his message, recommended the leasing of the labor of convicts, providing, that they should be fed, clothed and furnished with the usual necessai'ies of life by the contractors, who also should pay all expenses of guarding the prison, and allow the State a reasonable compensation for the services of the convicts.

On account of the meeting of the Legislature early in January, it became impossible to complete the annual report for the preceding year before the meeting of that body. The time for making the annual report was therefore changed to October 1 of each year.

The Legislature also passed a law giving the Commissioner the authority to diminish the term of any convict, sentenced for a specific term, against whom no infraction of the rules had been reported, not more than five days in each month.

The foundation for nearly all the front wall was laid during the year 1861, also iron-work for front wall received, each panel weighing about 800 pounds. The prison report states that the prison continueil to turn out shoes for the soldiers.

Hans C. Heg was re-nominated by the Republican State Convention, for the office of Commissioner, but afterward declined, and Alex. P. Hodges, of Oshkosh, nominated in his place, and elected ; he held the office for the next two years, with Martin Mitchell as Deputy and Henry Cordier, Clerk. Seven hundred and eighty prisoners received to September 30, 1862, of whom 116 remained in prison at' that time.

The next Commissioner was Henry Cordier, of Waupun (formerly of Oshkosh), who held the office for three terms, from January, 1864 to December, 1869. John Wingender, Clerk ; N. H. Palmer, Deputy.

The joint committee of the Legislature on State aifairs, having recommended the construction of a sewer from the prison yard to Rock River, a distance of 2,800 feet, the Legislature appropriated the sum of $2,500 for that purpose, and work was commenced during the spring of 1864, and finished next year.

A number of convicts were let to the Green Bay Stave Company, for making barrels for a term of one year. The contracts did not prove profitable, and was not renewed.

Four thousand dollars were appropriated by the Legislature in 1866, for steam-power, and contract made with Hiner & Co., of Fond du Lac, for an engine of sufficient capacity to be used in the cabinet shop.

The prison buildings at this time consisted of main building (used as Commissioner's residence, office, officers' rooms, chapel and hospital), cell^room, female prison, workshops, washhouse, barn and stable and woodshed. The prison proper, or cellroom, is 200 feet long, 50 feet wide and 50 feet high ; built of dressed limestone ; ten windows on each side, each being

16x5 feet. In the middle part of this room is a stone block containing the cells, four tiers, 280 cells in all, which are 7 feet long, 4i feet wide and 8 feet high: the north cellroom to be a fac-siraile of the south cellroom.

The manufacture of chairs was, duriiig the year 1868, inaugurated at the prison ; a considerable number of the prisoners were employed in quarrying and cutting stone. The prisoners' dress was changed from the striped dress heretofore worn, to one uniform color - light gray - the former being used only as a means of punishment, but has since been entirely abandoned.

On January 1, 1870, George F. Wheeler, of Fond du Lac, assumed the management of the prison, having been elected Commissioner; he appointed C. S. Kelsey. of Montello, Deputy; D. B. Parkhurst, of Berlin, Clerk; Dr. H. Butterfield, Prison Physician.

The workshops were, on the 2d day of May, 1870, destroyed hy fire; also about 300,000 feet of lumber, considerable cord-wood and other property. The shops were immediately rebuilt, and ready about January 1, 1871. They are now .375 feet long, .51 feet wide, two stories high, with engine-house attached, two dry-houses and brick smokestack, 110 feet high.

During the next year, Mr. Kelsey resigned his position as Deputy Warden, and was succeeded by B, F. Bettis : L. D. Hinkley was appointed Clerk, in place of D. B. Parkhurst, resigned. Mr. George F. Wheeler was re-elected Commissioner, and held the office until December, 1873.

The Legislature, during the session of 1873, passed a law, changing the management of the prison, which law went into effect in January, 1874. Three Directors were appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to hold their office for two, four and six years, and thereafter all appointments to be for six years, in place of the Commissioner, heretofore elected by the people at the general election, the Directors appointed a Warden, who had charge and custody of the prison, also appointed the Clerk, both to hold their office for a term of three years ; the Warden appointed all other officers, subject to the approval of the Directors.

The Governor of the State appointed as the first Board of Directors, ex-Gov. Nelson Dewey, of Grant County, for six years ; W. E. Smith, of Milwaukee, for four years; Joel Rich, of Dodge County, for two years. They met at the prison February 12, 1874, and appointed George F. Wheeler, the former Commissioner, as Acting Warden, and L. D. Hinkley, Acting Clerk.

On April 1, 1874, H. N. Smith, of Sheboygan County, was appointed Warden, and Jacob Fuss, of Brown County, Clerk, for a term of three years from January 1, 1874. The Warden appointed S. D. Hubbard, Deputy ; Dr. H. Butterfield, Prison Physician ; Rev. E. Tasker, Chaplain; G. J. Heideraan, Superintendent of Shops.

During the first year of the new administration, arrangements were made with the C, M. & St. P. R. R. to run a side track into the prison yard, for which purpose four and one-half acres of land lying between the railroad track and the prison grounds had to be bought. The manufacture of wagons was also introduced, employing from twenty-five to thirty convicts.

S. D. Hubbard resigned his position as Deputy Warden September 30, 1874, and was succeeded by V. B. Knowles, who remained until April 30, 1875, when he resigned, and Joel Rich, one of the Directors, acted as Deputy until January 1, 1876, when his term of office as Director expired, and he was appointed Deputy.

The Legislature havinji; authorzed the leasing of the labor of convicts, the Warden advertised for proposals for the labor of from fifty to seventy-five men, but no bids were received.

On the morning of February 1, the engine-house burnt,^- down, also about 20,000 feet of lumber, and destroying the engine. It was immediately rebuilt, making it a one-story building, with fire-proof roof. I'he engine was also repaired, and two new tubular boilers put in in place of the old flue boilers worn out.

An experiment was made by employing a number of convicts in the manufacture of brooms, which, however, did not prove satisfactory, and was therefore abandoned.

The convict labor was leased to ^I. D. Wells & Co., of Chicago, for the manufacture of boots and shoes, for five years from January 1, 1878, at the rate of 40 cents per day, nine and three- fourths hours to be a day's work. All other manufacture on the part of the State was therefore discontinued after January 1, excepting a few men kept in the wagon-shop, where it was intended to work up the old material on hand.

H. M. Kutchin, of Fond du Lac, was, in January, 1878, appointed one of the Directors in place of William E. Smith, whose term had expired, and who had been elected Governor of the State.

Alexander AVhite, of Fond du Lac, was, April 10, of the same year, appointed Deputy Warden in place of Joel Rich, resigned. The continued increase of the number of prisoners seemed to make it necessary to complete the north cellroom, which was done during the summer following at an expense of about $8,000.

From the Directors' and Warden's report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1879, the following statistics are gathered : Total number of prisoners received to that time, 2,730 ; total number confined, 309, of which 225 were employed under contract. Age of those confined, 21 under twenty years ; 47 from twenty to thirty ; 65 from thirty to forty ; 56 from forty to sixty ; 20 over sixty. The total number of life prisoners received were : Murder, 54 ; murder, first degree, 29; murder, second degree, 11 ; rape, 2 ; desertion, 1 - total, 97. Discharged on Governor's pardon, 31 ; order of courts, 8 ; order of Secretary of War, 1 ; removal to Insane Asylum, 3 ; died, 6 - total, 49 ; leaving in prison, September 30, 1879, 48. Longest time served, 17 years ; shortest, 2 years and 9 months.

The total amount of appropriations received from the State since the organization of the prison is $1,993,481.23, or an average of $41,240 a year to September 30, 1877. No appropriation was asked for and received, for the two years from October 1, 1877, to September 30, 1879, and none asked for the year ending September 30, 1880, the last annual report showing all bills paid, with cash on hand §11,0',»0.

George W. Carter, of Fond du Lac, was, January 1, 1880, appointed Warden in place of H. N. Smith, whose term of ofiice expired on that day. Jacob Fuss was re-appointed Clerk, Alexander White continued as Deputy Warden; Rev. Victor Kutchin, Chaplain; Drs. H. Butterfield and D. W. Moore, Prison Physicians ; Henry Brooks, Turnkey.

Waupun A Dozen Years Ago

" Waupun, a village containing something over 3,000 inhabitants," says a writer in 1868, "is situated on the Horicon Branch of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. The village lies in the counties of Fond du Lac and Dodge, Main street being the county line. The distance from Milwaukee is about sixty miles; from Green Bay, eighty-five miles; from La Crosse, one hundred and fifty miles, and from Madison fifty miles. There are direct railroad communications with all of these places. Chester, a small station on the C. & N-W. Railway, is situated about two and one-half miles east of the village. The ready commuuication thus aiforded with Milwaukee, Chicago and Green Bay, renders this a better place of market than most inland towns. One great essential to the rapid growth of a place - a good water-power - is wanting here ; and Waupun has been obliged to depend mainly upon the agricultural wealth of the surrounding country, and the enterprise and energy of the early settlers, for its advancement.

" The first white settlers in this locality came here between the years of 1839 and 1841. One of the first buildings, if not the first erected here, was a tavern put up by Mr. Seymour Wilcox. Soon after him, Nathan Newton, John N. Ackerman, Nathaniel Dodge and William

McElroy made settlements here. Since that time, Waupun has grown slowly but steadily, and the wilderness has been converted into rich and well-cultivated farms. In the 'early days' of the settlement, Seymour Wilco.x owned nearly all of the land where Waupun now stands. Gen. Winfielil Scott, the hero of many a well-fought battle with our country's foes, once stopped over night at Mr. Wilco.x's tavern. Before the railroad was laid through this place, most of the farmers carried their produce to Milwaukee with ox teams and heavy lumber wagons, the trip there Tind back taking about five days at shortest.

"I know of no more accurate criterions by which to judge a place than its churches, schools, press and saloons. At the last village election the temperance ticket was chosen, and there is not now a whisky saloon in the place. Of the churches, schools and press, I propose to speak.

" There are six churches in the village. The Congregational Church, Rev. M. J. Williams, Pastor, has a large membership, and exerts an extensive religious influence upon the community. The Methodist Church has been longest organized at this place, and probably has the largest membership. The Pastor, Rev. J. C. Robbins, has labored earnestly among his people, and with good success. The First Baptist Church, Rev. J. 0. M. Hewitt, Pastor, though hardly equal to the others in membership, is not inferior in other respects. The Free-Will Baptist Church, Rev. E. N. Wright, Pastor, prospers well financially and spiritually. There are also the Trinity Protestant Episcopal Mission. Rev. Charles Thorp, Deacon in charge, and the Catholic Church, Rev. G. L. Willard.

" There are three ward schools, all well supported, and all under the direction of well qualified teachers. There has been considerable talk about establishing a central high school here, but no very energetic action has ever been taken about the matter.

" Two weekly newspapers are published here, both strongly Republican. The Waupun Times, John R. Decker, editor, is published every Tuesday, and has now nearly closed its eleventh year. The Prison City Leader has just entered its third year, and is a live local sheet, edited and published by Short & Oliver.

" Western States generally have shown much liberality in the construction of their public buildings, but perhaps none more than Wisconsin. Surely its penitentiary is one that may compare fiivorably with the best institutions of the kind in the Union, and has often been termed the ' model prison of the country.' The convicts are under excellent discipline, the result of the earnest labors of the present Commissioner, Mr. Henry Cordier, who has been three times eleeted to this office. The institution is now nearly self-supporting, and it is expected soon to be entirely so. A prison school, established a little more than a year ago, is now in successful operation.

"The manufacturing interests 'of Waupun are considerable. The Waupun pump, patented and manufectured by Mr. M. J. Althouse, is the premium pump of the Northwest. Mr. A. came here in the ' early days' of the village, worth but little, as far as pecuniary wealth is concerned, but containing within him the indomitable energy and perseverance which have since characterized him as an extensive business manager. He made his first pump with his own hands, and for his own well. Afterward, he made a few for his neighbors, and soon obtained a patent and started a small factory. Enlarging and erecting new buildings, he rapidly won the favor and patronage of the public, and ac(|uired considerable property. But every one must expect reverses in fortune. Mr. Althouse was not an exception. His large manufactory was entirely destroyed by fire last winter, and Mr. A. suffered a loss of Sl'2,000 in stock not easily replaced. Fortunately, he owned a planing-mill separate from this factory, and, building a large addition to tliis, he immediately converted it into a manufactory. He is now doing an immense business. He employs thirty-five hands, besides twenty-three who are engaged in the sale of the pumps throughout the States of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Two teams are kept running continually from each of the points, Madison, Mineral Point, Fond du Lac, Appleton and Waukesha, in this State. Mr. A. usually makes about 6,000 pumps annually, but will turn out 7,800 this year. The timber used in the manuficture of these pumps is white-wood, and is obtained from Michigan. The machinery is all new, and is run by steam. Besides his manufactory, Mr. A. has a large building which he uses for a repository and oiEce.

" The mammoth wagon and carriage factory of Messrs. Wells & Co. is an institution in which Waupun justly feels a pride. This firm succeeded that of A. D. Allis & Co. Mr. Wells employs thirty hands, and makes 300 wagons, 100 carriages and 50 cutters annually, selling them chiefly in the States of Wisconsin and Minnesota. He obtains his stock from the East, and gives special attention to light work.

" Messrs. Zimmerman & Geidel are doing a good business in the wagon and carriage line. This firm employs thirteen hands, and manufactures 1'25 wagons, 30 carriages and about 40 sleighs and cutters annually, and finds a sale for them in this State.

" The Prison City Marble Works of J. S. Gee & Son are worthy of mention. These have been established many years at this place, and work of a first-class character is done.

" The flouring-mills of this place were quite useless in the summer season until Harris & Son put an engine into their mill in order to run it by steam when water was low. The other mill runs the greater part of the year, and Mr. William Warren is doing quite a good business with it. Both mills have two run of stones, one each for flour and feed."

Waupun Fire Company No. 1

Early in 1874, the village of Waupun having suifered several losses from fire which might have been avoided had there been an organized fire department, purchased a Champion Chemical fire engine at a cost of $2,000, and built a neat two-story engine-house on Main street near the railway crossing for its reception. This building cost about $750. On the 6th of October, of the same year, a meeting was held for the purpose of organizing a fire department, when the following persons .signed the by-laws and became members, to serve without pay: 0. A. Morse, Jr., S. J. Morse, Frank Heath, J. E. Stanton, P. M. Pryor, Albert Raymond, George Raymond, Ole Oleson, J. W. Oliver, J. A. Baker, W. E. Warren, C. H. Ackerman, P. Weidner, Isaac Thompson, S. Peterson, W. H. Purcell, E. L. Schofield, D. S. Pryor, H. D. Schulte, P. Thompson, Thomas Purcell, J. F. Jones, W. G. Oliver, C. Christophsen, H. 0. Shipman, W Blosfeldt, Thomas McDonald. D. A. Lober, W. Germain, F. H. Robinson, E. A. Conrad, James McFarland, J. M. Robbins, B. W. Mentrink, F. R. Pierce, W. T. King, H. McRoberts, H. Hanisch, C. A. Pierce, J. Staub, John Fieldstad, Charles Larson, Charles Hainsch, Charles Dahl and T. W. Gee. At the same time, the following oflScers were elected : Foreman, J. A. Baker ; First Assistant, W. E. Warren ; Second Assistant, P. Weidner ; Secretary, J. W. Oliver ; Treasurer, W. G. Oliver.

In 1878, the city purchased a water engine for $500, and caused to be made at a local shop a hose-cart, which is far more light, durable and convenient than those made for that purpose at the regular factories, and its cost was one-third less. The hook and ladder wagon and appurtenances were also made in Waupun, and are models for neatness, durability and effectiveness. The present officers of the Company are: Foreman, Drysdale Ferguson; First Assistant, T. W. Gee; Second Assistant, Frank Heath; Secretary, J. W. Oliver; Treasurer, 0. A. Morse, Jr.

An act was passed by the Legislature and approved April 17, 1852, incorporating the Dodue County Mutual Insurance Company, with Edwin Hillyer, L. B. Hills, Josiah Drummond, B. Hinkley, J. N. Ackerman, George W. Bly, L. P. Preston, N. J. Newton, J. D. Tanner, Joseph T. Hillyer, J. W. Brown, J. Look and Logan Graves, as Directors.

The act declared that "the corporation shall have power and authority to make contracts of insurance with any person or persons or any body, corporate or politic, against loss by fire of any houses, stores or other buildings whatsoever, or of any goods, chattels, or personal estate whatsoever, for such term or terms of time, and for such premium or consideration as may be agreed upon by them, the said corporation, and the person or persons agreeing with them (it), for insurance. * * * Every person who shall at any time become interested in said

Company, by insuring therein, and also his heirs, administrators and assigns, continuing to be insured therein, as hereinafter mentioned, shall be deemed and taken to be members thereof, for and during the terms specified in their respective policies, and no longer, and shall at all times be concluded and bound by the provisions of this act."

The act of incorporation further declared that, when any loss should occur, every stockholder would be compelled to pay his proportion of it, according to the amount of insurance on his property ; and the corporation would have a lien upon that property for the amount, whatever it might be. This was an unconstitutional provision, but it served the desired purpose.

At the first meeting of the Board of Directors, the salary of each was fixed at ^2 per day for services actually rendered. The Company began at once to secure business, which constantly increased during nearly twenty years. Risks were taken in all portions of the State ; losses were paid promptly, the assessments were light, and misfortune alone was the cause of the Company's failure. As high as $2,500 per year salary was paid to the Secretary and $1,500 to the President, with good compensation to the Directors and other officers. In the latter part of 1870,"George W. Bly, the Secretary, conceived the idea of going abroad, and, as he never returned, the Company was finally compelled to go out of business, which it did in 1875, by going into bankruptcy. E. D. Foote was appointed Assignee and E. M. Beach Attorney for the Assignee. About nine hundred premium notes were sued, and a dividend of 10 per cent declared in favor of the stockholders. The notes outstanding amounted to $40,000, but many of them were worthless. The officers, from the organization down to its death, of the Dodge County Mutual Insurance Company have been as follows :

185-1, 1855, 1858 and 1857 - President, Edwin Hillyer; Vice President, C. C. Cheney: Secretary, L. B. Hills; Treasurer, George W. Bly. In October, 1857, the President and Secretary having resigned, John Ware was chosen President and Edwin Hillyer Secretary for the balance of the year.

186.5 - President. George W. Bly; Vice President, Logan Graves; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer ; Treasurer, George Babcock. In July, the President and Secretary resigned, and J. T. Hillyer was chosen President and George W. Bly Secretary for the balance of the year.

1870 - President, J. T. Hillyer; Vice President, 0. L. Omstead ; Secretary, George W. Bly ; Treasurer, Townsend Carpenter. Before this term expired, Mr. Bly went on a tour from which he has never returned, and George Babcock took his place as Secretary.

1871 - President, J. T. Hillyer ; Vice President, George G. Marvin; Secretary, J. A. Baker ; Treasurer, George Babcock. Before the year ended, the President and Treasurer resigned, and William Hobkirk was chosen President, and George F. Wheeler, Treasurer.

1875 - President, William Hobkirk; Vice President, G. G. Marvin; Secretary, J. A. Baker; Treasurer, Townsend Carpenter. In August, Mr. Hobkirk disappeared, and Chester Hazen was chosen President. Mr. Baker resigned in June, and E. D. Foote was chosen Secretary in his place.

There is a marked contrast between the times of thirty-five years ago and now, in and around AVaupun. Those who now live upon the same farms upon which they settled at that time cannot realize the change. Like the years of man, it has been creeping steadily on. Then the entire country was mostly one unbroken wilderness, streams and prairies. About thirty-five years ago, the great majority of land around Waupun was entered or pre-empted. Though the soil was rich and productive, yet what an amount of determination and courage was required to develop the country to make it a suitable abode for man, those who possessed that determination and courage very well know. With an unflinching hand the commencement was made ; there was no putting the hands to the plow and looking back. The cabin was erected, the home, however homely, was started, the grounds were broken ; then, in case there were funds left sufficient to buy the few necessaries for immediate use, that was a happy home.

At that time, there were no roads laid out or opened. The settler was compelled to travel with his o.x team, in some instances, thirty or forty miles to mill, and fortunate was he who had a grist to grind. There were no schools or churches. There were none of the conveniences so requisite to make life in a new country desirable ; there were none of the conveniences and privileges of to-day.

The country was rich in all the natural advantages, yet no country, however fruitful, however rich the soil, can be brought to a satisfactory state of production except by the untiring energies of man.

The commencement was made, the cabins were built, the lands were cleared and broken, and each succeeding year brought in additional numbers, so that in five years there was hardly a piece of Government land to be found.

Many coming in without money sufficient could enter no land. Did they lie down under the misfortune of having no money V No ; a home they would have, and where there is a will there is a way. They pre empted a quarter-section, and soon found an opportunity to sell for money enough to pay for an eighth.

Necessity with many of the older settlers was often great, and often became the mother of invention. Who, of this day, would think of building a wooden house without the use of boards. Our latter-day mechanics would tell you that it would be almost impossible, yet it was sometimes done, with not a board either in floor, door or casing from foundation to ridge, and it was a good, warm and cleaily kept house, and in it hospitality was extended in a regal manner.

Between the old settlers, as they came in and became acquainted (and they did not wait for an introduction), there existed a bond of sympathy, a bond of love. There was a bond of friendship formed which continued for years, and which still exists.

What with all their poverty, their inconvenience, and, in many cases, their entire ignorance of life in a new country, by their determined perseverance and energy they accomplished more than many in more affluent circumstances would.

Agricultural and domestic im])lements were very crude. Contrast the difference between the appliances now used in husbandry and housekeeping with those used thirty-five years ago - those were the days of the bull-plow and crotch-drag, with wooden teeth ; then bone and sinew was the motive power. From earliest morning until late at night the watchword and reply was work, work.

As soon as the land was taken and occupied, so as to have a population sufficient to form a town government, towns were laid out and organized ; roads were laid out and opened ; schoolhouses, however rude, were built, and schools, the great precursor of all good society, were opened.

Those rude schoolhouses served a double purpose : a place where the old settlers held religious service, as well as for schools. Contrast the difference between those attending service and the style and manner of that service, at that time and now.

Thirty-five years ago. those who desired to attend religious service in the style of the day, their conveyance would have been a lumber wagon, drawn by a yoke of oxen, and happy was he who could indulge in that luxury.

Think of a man at this day loading his good wife and family into a lumber wagon, and driving to either of our churches ! No matter how devout ; no matter what the circumstances ; no matter if he had no mortgage upon his farm, and determined to have none, the universal expression would be, that man is a boor, his wife a slave, and both unfit for society.

As the years rolled on, the settler, by his industry and frugality, was enabled to exchange his cabin for a home more commodious. The farms were improved and soon began to return to the husbandman a surplus.

Milwaukee was then the only market. Men, to-day, complain of the prices paid for their produce. Thirty years ago, many a load of wheat was drawn by ox teams to Milwaukee, often requiring ten or twelve days to make the trip, and sold for four shillings per bushel.

Those were times that tried men's perseverance. Some fell by the wayside ; others, with that determination characteristic of the brave pian, met with that signal success born of valor and zeal. Mechancis began to come in, and, in almost every department of mechanism, the artisan had something to do. Mills were built, thereby relieving many of the terrible inconveniences the old settlers had to contend with.

As soon as the farms began to produce more than required for the family, thereby having something to exchange for merchandise, stocks of merchandise were brought in and opened.