Iron Ridge Village

Iron Ridge Village

This village sprang into existence on the completion of the railroad. John Graves and Solomon Crandall built the first house on its present site in 1848, the one built by Mr. Graves yet standing on Block 8, a little north of the residence of Mr. Isaac S: Allen, to whom we are indebted for the information here given. Like all the first houses, it was of logs, though Mr. Graves has also the credit of erecting the first frame house, which also yet exists, having been moved to the south part of the village.

In 1855, a schoolhouse was built about one-half mile west of the present village, which has served ever since for school purposes, the English-speaking element of the place not being sufficiently numerous to make necessary the erection of another building. The Germans of the place employ a teacher for the purpose of teaching that language.

In 1859, the Methodist Episcopal Church Society built a house of worship, at a cost of $2,000, and for some years divine service was held regularly therein by that denomination, but in consequence of the removal of nearly all the English-speaking people from the neighborhood, the society has disbanded. The German Methodists now have control of the house, underlease, and hold regular service in that language.

The first and only hotel in the village was erected in 1860 by Nathaniel McDuffy, who in time sold to S. Nehls, the present proprietor. It is known as the American House, and has a good reputation.

Within one mile of the village is located the furnace of the Wisconsin Iron Company, which was formed July 1, 1869, by the Milwaukee Iron Company, the North Chicago Rolling Mill Company and the Wyandotte Rolling Mill Company, which companies at that time purchased the Swedes' Iron Company, consisting of 1,100 acres of land and a blast furnace at Old

Iron Ridge, near the eastern boundary of Hubbard Township. It was long known that the ore existed in paying quantities. In 1868, a furnace was built, and the ore taken from the bank. In 1869, when the present company obtained possession of the land, mining was resorted to. In 1871, the Company mined 81,642 gross tons, the greater amount of which was shipped to their furnaces in Milwaukee and Chicago. It is estimated that it would require thirty-one cars per day for 800 days in the year to carry it away. After the panic of 1873, for a period of nearly six years, the Company did but little, in comparison with former years, but in the fiill of 1879, when iron began to take an upward tendency, active operations were resumed on a large scale, so that it is thought in the future their best year's work will be eclipsed. Their pay-roll for help, exclusive of expenses for wood or cliarcoal, amounts to over $3,000 per month. For wood they pay upward of $30,000 per year. The vein of ore ore is said to be from ten to thirty feet thick, and is almost inexhaustible. Every foot of land owned by the Company, aside from that on which their buildings stand, is used for farming purposes, being rented to their workmen, who tend from two to twenty acres each. From this it will be seen the works are of great public benefit, especially when the greater amount of their earnings are spent in Dodge County, and thus directly benefit her citizens. The general office of the Company is 37 Mitchell Building, Milwaukee.

Burnett Junction

This village is located in the center of Burnett Township, one of the best towns in the county. It was not laid off until the completion of the C, M. & St. P. R. R. in 1860.

R. J. Andrews built the first house, as a public house for the benefit of the traveling fraternity. The same house yet stands, with additions made since, and is the well-known Burnett House, now owned and controlled by George R. Mayhew.

S. H. Childs erected the first store building and opened a stock of general merchandise about the same time. He has continued in the business ever since, and now carries a complete and well-selected stock of goods suitable for country trade. He is a man well qualified for business in every respect. In 1862, in addition to his mercantile business, he commenced the purchase of grain, and remained in that line of trade some years, doing a large and lucrative business. He has paid as high as $3 per bushel for wheat delivered at tiiat station.

An elevator was erected here in 1864, by a Mr. Barrett, who afterward disposed of it to one of the Shermans. It is now controlled by George Lawrence & Co., who are doing a very heavy business in grain, lumber, etc.

This village is a strictly temperate one, no saloons being allowed in the place. One of the conditions of the deed made by the original owner is, that the ground sold shall not have upon it a saloon, and in case of a violation of the contract it reverts back.

The first Postmaster in the village was William Curtis, followed by R. J. Andrews, and then by S. H. Childs, who yet holds the position. At present, the office is not a money-order one, but it doubtless should be, judging from the number of registered letters there mailed, amounting to some 400 or 500 per year.

Two good hotels are in the place. The Burnett House we have already referred to. The other is kept by W. S. Cole, and is known as the Union House. Travelers will find it a good, home-like place to stop.

The Good Templars have a flourishing Lodge in the place, organized in 1872, with fourteen charter members. It has now a membership of fifty-six in good standing. It is known as Burnett Lodge, No. 133 ; meets every Tuesday evening. Edgar Merrill, \V. C. T.; George Merrill, W. S.

The Methodist Episcopal Church is the only religious denomination represented in the village, though others have churches within convenient distance. The Church is weak, numbering but eighteen members at present. It was organized in 1871, and a building erected in 1878 at a cost of §800.

There are in the village two general stores, one shoe-shop, one wagon-shop, two blacksmithshops, two hotels, one meat-market, one lumber-yard.

Surrounded by a splendid farming country, and with an intelligent and moral community, it is certainly a good place for one seeking a home to locate.