Lafayette Town

Organization

At the organization of Walworth County in 1838, the present town of La Fayette, constituted the western half of tiie Town of Spring Prairie, being known in the governmental survey as Town 3, Range 17 East, It was set off from Spring Prairie, under the name of La Fayette by Act of Legislature, March 21, 1813, the territory of the town at that time covering 36 square miles. Subsequently, - Feb. 2, 1846, - one square mile forming the extreme southwestern corner of the town was detached to form the nortiieastern quarter of the Town of Elkliorn, leaving La Fayette reduced to its present geographical limits - tliirty-five square miles. The boundaries of the town are as follows : north by East Troy ; east by Spring Prairie ; south by Geneva and Elkhorn, and west by Sugar Creek and Elkhorn.

Natukal Features

The surface of the country is quite varied, the northern portion being gently undulating, breaking into hills on either side of Sugar Creek, and the southern part quite level. Spring Prairie covering Sections twenty-four and twenty-five, and the eastern part of Section twenty-three.

When the town was first settled, a variety of forest trees were found on some of the land lying south of the Creek. Sections eleven and twelve haviug a growth of elm, maple, bass-wood and butternut. The beautiful groves of oak dotted the country on every side, and the pioneer while seeking his claim, often startled the timid deer, and sometimes shuddered to hear the howl of the wolf and the bear.

The burr-oak openings, and the prairie lands, in the southern portion of La Fayette, have a soil of rich loam, and the white oak openings of light clay. The hilly reo'ion north of Sugar Creek, and the openings of burr-oak are similar in soil to the more southern portions of the town.

La Fayette is watered by Sugar Creek, which, rising in the town of Sugar Creek, enters La Fayette on Section seven, and runs easterly a little north of the center of the town through Sections seventeen, sixteen, fifteen, a part of fourteen and eleven, and enters the Town of Spring Prairie from section twelve. There are no lakes, of any considerable size, and no living stream save Sugar Creek.

First Settlers

Isaiah Hamblin the first settler in the town, was a native of the State of Ohio. He came to La Fayette with his wife in the month of June 1836, and settled on the south- east quarter of Section twenty-five. July 18th, the logs for his house being ready, the settlers from the neighboring towns turned out to assist him in " raising " the first house in the town of La Fayette.

S. A. Dwinnell, from Massachusetts, secured claims for himself and brothers, to 640 acres of land in the western part of the town in November, 1836.

Li company with Mr. Dwinnell was Charles Perrin, - Elias Hicks, who settled upon Section 22, and Isaac Vant also arrived during the year, so that La Fayette commenced to loom up as quite a settled region.

Alexander H. Bunnell came in from Milwaukee in June 1837, to Palmer Gardner's, thence to the western part of Spring Prairie to the place where Solomon Dwinnel then lived, and from there to the log house then owned and occupied by Alpheus Johnson, in the present town of LaFayette. Mr. Bunnell hired Mr. Johnson to go with him to hunt a claim, for which service he was to receive f 1.50 per day and board. Taking a section line, the prospectors went through to Sugar Creek, arriving about noon at the house of Asa Blood, a little log cabin on the bank of Silver lake, built in 1836, by a man named Davis, and at tlie time of the visit of Mr. Bunnell and his companion, still the only house on Sugar Creek prairie. In those early times every man's house was not exactly his " castle," but might more appropriately be called his tavern, so the travelers "ordered dinner." The bill of fare was boiled beans - simple beans ; not "baked beans," the delicious dish which tiie New Englander longs for, "wherever he may roam," but beans guiltless of pork, or even salt. Mr. Bunnell was not discouraged however, but on his return the same day, he made his claims on Section 21. He afterwards relinquished it, settling during the same year on Section 20, where he still resides.

Riley Harrington, witli his wife and family, came from New York in June, and took up one half a Section on Section 30 in La Fayette, and another half in the adjoining Section (25) in Sugar Creek.

H. H. Sterling settled in La Fayette, also in November, upon Section 21. He came with Mr. Hartwell. Mr. Sterling died a few years ago in Iowa.

Charles Heath was a settler of 1837. He moved to the town of La Grange, where he was a leading citizen for many years. He is now a resident of East Troy.

Samuel, Daniel and McDonald Harkness, Nathaniel Bell, Joseph Whitmore, Sen. Morris Cain and Henry Johnson located in the town at about this period.

Recollections Of 1836 And 1837

The first settlers of Walworth County probably experienced as long and severe a Winter in 1836-7 as has ever been known in Wisconsin. It was cold even as early as the middle of November, and on the 20th of December, the cold became intense, and continued through the season - the buds on the oaks not turning green until June. Mr. S. A. Dwinnell, one of the first pioneers of LaFayette, describes his first entrance into the county thus :

" On the morning of the 15th of November, 1836, I took the trail of Black Hawk, at Belvidere, at the point where, four years before, he sunk his canoes in the mouth of the Piskasaw, and, with his army, took the land. His encampments were still visible every six or eiglit miles, as I pi'oceeded northward to Big Foot Prairie, where I entered Wisconsin, at 4 o'clock p. M. The day was cloudy, cold, and cheerless ; the temperature at the freezing point ; the streams swollen by recent rains, and unbridged. Several times 1 was obliged to wade from four to six rods. As night set in, snow fell plentifully. Big Foot Lake was in view at my left. At seven o'clock, evening, I reached the " Outlet of Big Foot," near Geneva, having traveled thirty-five miles without seeing a human dwelling. The settlement consisted of five families, living in rude log cabins, without floors, chimneys or chambers, the roofs covered with shakes, and hardly a nail used in the construction of their dwellings. There were then twenty-seven families in what is now the county of Walworth, and all but four in the eastei-n half of it ; all living in log cabins. All of them had come in since Spring, and had put under cultivation about eighty acres. I settled on Spring Prairie, in what is now the town of LaFayette."

At the time Mr. Dwinnell settled in the county, not an acre had been broken in the present town of LaFayette ; but twent3'-two acres in the old town of Spring Prairie, and eighty-two acres constituted the entire area under cultivation in the whole of what is now one of the richest and most flourishing agricultural counties in the State. The trouble and difficulty of reaching and selecting a claim was so great, that settlers were often obliged to bring in their families before any shelter was provided for them, either camping in their wagons, or remaining at the house of some " neighbor," three or four miles away perhaps, while the logs were prepared for the little cabin, where one room should serve for kitclien, living room, and sleeping room for the family. When the extreme cold weather of the winter of 1836 came on, the settlers in the new country were illy prepared for it. The cabins were often without floors, sometimes with only a hole in the roof for a chimney, so tliat if the cold was shut out, the smoke was likely to be shut in. The few scattered families were so far apart that, except at a few points, any social intercourse was out of the question. In speaking of tlie extreme loneliness of the women, one of the early settlers says :

" For two months, during the first winter we were in Wisconsin, my wife did not see the face of a woman. During the next season a young lady moved into a cabin three miles west of us, with her mother and brother. They were from one of the villages of the State of New York. She was so lonely and became so anxious for society as to render her sick, altliough she did not know the cause of it. Her brother set out one day, with his ox team, to go with her to consult a physician, seven miles distant. They called at our house on the way. After conversing a while with m}^ wife , she felt so much better that she concluded to go no further. Siie spent the day with Iier and returned at night greatly revived and nearly restored to health."

Mr. Dwinnell was entirely alone in liis cabin during the four terril)ly cold days of the last of December, and had hard work to keep himself alive. He says : " It soon became unendurable in our cabin, and building a large fire and hanging up blankets before it, I sat down in front of them to keep from freezing." Notwithstanding the cold, and the deep snow, Mr. Dwinnell got so tlioroughly lonesome that on the twentieth day of January he started on a journey of forty-five miles to have a visit with some friends at Belvidere, 111., then a little hamlet of six families. When he returned from his visit he was accompanied by a young man, John Wadsworth, who was in search of a claim. Mr. Dwinnell assisted him to select one and he settled upon it, making it his home, and the following season the two friends did their breaking together.

The house in which Mr. Dwinnell and his companion lived through his first Winter in LaFayette, was rather an aristocratic one for the day. On the east the nearest family was two and a half miles away, and in all other directions from six to fifty miles distant.

The cabin had received, notwithstanding its pretensions to some extra gentility, the significant cognomen of " Baclielor's Misery." As this bachelor's liall, or bachelor's " misery " was one of the earliest institutions of the town of LaFayette a full description is given from the pen of one of its occupants ;

" It consisted of one room, eighteen by twenty feet in size, made of unhewed logs, with no chamber. It was covered with ' shakes,' a kind of clapboard .about four feet long, rived from the bodies of large thrifty oaks and laid two or three thicknesses in depth, upon legs which were prepared for their reception, the ends of which rested upon the logs composing the gable-ends of the building. Each course of these shakes lapped upon the one below, and were kept in place by small logs placed upon their ends. Such a roof afforded a good protection from rain as also from snow, after it was once well covered. The first storms of Winter, however, drifted througli quite freelj*.

" The floor was of puncheons, a kind of plank, six feet in length by two in width, and four inches in thickness, split from the bodies of white ash trees, hewed upon the upper side and laid ujion sleepers resting upon the earth. The chimney was made of fiat sticks two inches in width, rived also from the trees, and laid upon each otiier cob-house fashion and daubed with mud. Its foundation rested upon two small timbers, six feet apart, running from tlie logs in the north end, three feet from the ground to a joint across the building, four feet south and seven feet from the floor. This cliimney, four feet by six, was made smaller as it passed upwards. A fire back was made by sawing out the logs and inserting in their place a wall of stones and mud. The door was composed of shaved shakes pinned to upright timbers at the sides, hung with wooden hinges, and fastened with a wooden latch, which was raised by means of a buckskin string passed from it through the door to the outside. The string hung out in token of hospitality, and was drawn in to shut out intruders. A few weeks after my arrival, the owner of the hall sent to Chicago, eighty miles distant, for a pine board of which, without planing, he made a new door. He hung it, however, in the same manner as the old one had been, and regarded it as quite ' aristocratic' A window of six panes of glass afforded us light.

" Our food consisted of bread and milk, pork and potatoes. Tea was offered me, but refused and water substituted. The flour from which our bi-ead was made, had evidently been shipwrecked. Much of it was hard as chalk and was crushed with a roller, before kneading into dough. Our bed was of prairie hay, laid upon the floor before a log fire, which burned through the entire night. Our covering was a few coarse blankets. For such faie, I paid $3 per week.

" Before commencing to work on my claim, I was obliged to send to Chicago, eighty miles distant, to purchase an ax, the one which I had in Indiana, was left in my trunk, at . South Bend, and not obtained until the following Spring.

" I have thus particularly described this cabin, because it was as commodious and conveuient as many others which were occupied for months and sometimes for years, by the families of graduates of Eastern Colleges and others who afterward took prominent positions among us in business and professional life. As a result of their toils and sufferings, many of tlieir children, scattered over this Western country as tillei's of its soil and ia its various trades and professions, are permitted to reside in well furnished mansions."

Of those who came in 1837, the following only are living : Daniel Hartwell, A. H. Bunnell, Riley Harrington, and James Harkness, still residing in La Fayette ; Daniel Whitmore, in Spring Prairie, Wis.; and Samuel Harkness in Oregon.

Pioneer Events

The first school kept in La Fayette was in 1840. It was a public school taug>'t. in the chamber of a private log-house on the southwest quarter of Section 20, by Miss Ruth A. Bunnell (sister of Alexander Bunnell).

The first breaking in La Fayette was done on Section 23, in the year 1837, by Alpheus Johnson, and the result was a crop of 1500 bushels of turnips. During this same year also, Daniel Hartwell and Riley Harrington broke land. In 1838, Mr. Hartwell harvested five acres of Winter wheat ; five of Spring wheat ; eleven of corn ; five of oats; two of beans and two and a half of potatoes. James Harkness, Nathaniel Bell, A. H. Bunnell, Joseph Whitmore, Sr., and Charles Perrin each raised crops during the same year.

The first marriage was that of Henry Johnson, son of Alpheus Johnson, to Miss Haniblin, in 1837. Col. Perez Merrick of Spring Prairie, solemnized the marriage.

The second marriage was the somewhat notable one of Mr. Alex. H. Bunnell, Nov. 19th, 1839, an account of which is given elsewhere in this work.

The first saw-mill was built in 1843, by Peter Hinman on Section 12. William Densraore built a grist-mill on the same section in 1856, both mills being now owned by A. M. Foster, and in running order. These are the only mills in operation in town. In 1844, Christopher Payne built a saw-mill on Section 15, which cost him about il,200. It was afterward known as the " Harkness Mills." It has now fallen into decay.

War History

La Fayette did its duty bravely during the war, sending seventy-one of its own citizens into the field, twenty-two of whom sacrificed their lives in the service. The town also raised $11,000 for bounties and $300 for the families of soldiers. The following are the names of the soldiers who enlisted from La Fayette, being actual residents of the town : Sanford Doane, Irwin Harris, Ehenezer Colton, Robert Cheney, George Sewell, James Short, Holley Peck, Plimpton Babcock, Ira Babcock, F. J. Harrington, Henry Wiswell, Eugene Ellsworth, Smith Hartwell, Alexander Seymour, Samuel Bell, Wm. O'Brine, Charles Hide, Nelson Johnson, Martin Shaver, Alonzo Vaughn, Henry v aughn, Anthony Noblet, Alva Hubbard, Fayette Ranney, Charles Stuicht, Henry Wood, Stephen Concklin, Charles Concklin, George Farrar, William Bowman, Duncan Wright, Thomas Pollock, James Coulthard, James Rockwell, Ralph Burr, Leland Doane, John Hodges, John Mountain, John G. Matheson, Daniel Matheson, Albert Daniels, Michael O'Brine, Harvey Shubert, George Holland, John Shubert, Geo. W. Wylie, Jay Randall, Frank Sterling, John Carl, Dwight Stevens, Rual Whitmore, Alvin Gould, Biirnham Gleason, H. P. Frank, George Short, James Wilson, Patsey O'Brine, J. Tomit, Samuel Bentley, Asa Cole, Isaac Waters, Henry Concklin, Moses Ranney, Charles Wiswell, Delos Smith, Charles Bunnell, George Coborn, James Sterling, David Mountain, John Whitton, Edwin Parmalee.

Town Roster

The principal Justices of the town have been S. A. Dwinnell, Alex. Wilson, James Child, E. B. Smith, W. Hendrix, R. B. Flack, and S. R. Edgerton. The principal Assessors : H. M. Curtis, Geo. W. Wylie, and C. M. Wylie.

Churches, Schools, Etc

The only church edifice in the town is " Bishop's Church," erected by tlie Congregationalists, in 1856, on Section 10, at a cost of -$800. There are now eight schoolhouses in the various districts, none of the schools being as yet graded. At Fayette Station, on the Eagle branch of the Western Union Railroad, there is a store in operation which carries a general assortment of all the varieties of goods usually found in country stores. This is the only establishment of the kind in the town. There is but one blacksmitli, and he is also located at Fayette Station. One clergyman ministers to the spiritual wants of the people, and one shoemaker, and three carpenters pursue their several avocations within the limits of the town.

The town has one manufactory which has a reputation throughout the country - viz.: - the sorghum mills, situated on Section 7, and owned and operated by Wm. Hodges. It was built about five years ago, and turns out first-class product. The building is one and a half stories, and is considered one of the institutions of this portion of the county.

The annual acreage of grain exceeds 6,000 acres. There are 241 acres of apple orchard, 2,840 acres of mowing and pasturage, and 3,819 acres of growing timber. The number of milch cows reported in 1880 (the last report made) was 705, valued at $13,225.

every hundred being engaged in any other avocation. The average price of farming land is stated by residents to be $30 per acre. The farms are principally devoted to general husbandry, but the special interest of dairying is becoming quite an important factor in the prosperitj' of the town. There were in 1881, four whole and six joint school districts. The number of scholars between the ages of four and twenty years was 261, of which number 196 attended school. There were eight schools, taught by eight teachers at monthly average wages of S32.37 for male, and $20.87 for female teachers. There were eight school houses, valued at $3,300, inclnding the sites. The amount expended for schools during the year was $2,053.

Biographical Sketches

J. C. ACKER, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. O. Elkhorn ; is a native of Livingston Co., N. Y., born in 1819 ; brought up on a farm ; received but a meagre education, and in 1842 started west to seek his fortune. He came by railroad to Buffalo, N. Y., then by the lakes to Detroit, Nov. 7, 1842, from which place he came on foot to Burlington, Racine County, where he arrived in December, after a weary walk of five weeks duration. Here he stopped two months, when he went to Chicago, and drove team for Seth Payne, who was the president of the Chicago, and the Ottawa Canal, and purchased 160 acres, on Sec. 29, LaFayette, and commenced improving the same ; he also did work for other parties, and in 1843, opened what is now known as the Vore Stone Quarry, Spring Prairie, and burned 200 barrels of water lime. In June, 1845, be was married to Miss Rachel Mosher, then of LaFayette, Schoharie County, N.Y. In 1847, he sold his farm, and purchased 160 acres of his present farm, but he now owns 240 acres, valued at $12,000. The children are : Delia Jane, now Mrs Frank Whitmore, of Crawford County ; George W., a farmer of LaFayette ; Eva lives at home; Bennett, a farmer of Delaware; William R., a farmer of Sugar Creek; Mary, Newton and Walter living at home. The first religious service was held in the log house on his present farm, and the town of LaFayette was organized in the same place.

GEORGE F. BABCOCK, farmer. Sec. 28; P. O. Elkhorn; was one of the earliest settlers as well as one of the most prominent farmers of Walworth County. Is the oldest of ten children, five girls and five boys, of f iseph and Charlotte (Fosdick) Babcock, who were native of New York and inthat State ; the subjectof this sketch was born, March 13, 1825. In 1828, the family removed to Geauga Co., Ohio, here George F. received what was then termed a common school education, and at the age of seventeen, he bought his time of his father, as in those days most boys were obliged to help their parents until twenty-one years of age. In the following Spring of 1S43, came to Wisconsin, purchased eighty acres of land, on Sec. 29, LaFayette, and in the Fall went back to Ohio, but onlv remained a short time, when he returned to Walworth. In the Fall of 1844, he again went to Ohio, and in February, 1845, was married to Julia Barker, when he again returned to Walworth, settled on his farm, and has since followed farming with remarkable success, being a good financier, and buying more land from time to time, he no.w owns 746 acres of real estate in Walworth County, which is well improved, having good buildings, and is worth $50 per acre; he also owns 240 acres in Buffalo County, worth $10 per acre. In the Spring of 1880, he removed to his present place of residence, and is now arranging matters so as to pass his remaining years in a more quiet way. He is a Republican, but as he has always had plenty of business, he has taken no interest in politics, no more than to perform his duties as a citizen. The children are : Henry E., a farmer of LaFayette; Mary Jane, now Mrs. .'Alfred Churchill, of Elkhorn; Frank A., a farmer of T^aFayette ; Fred A., who is single, and roaming about in different localities ; Walter and Bryon living at home.

TRUMAN EARTLETT, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P O. Fayetteville ; one of the earliest settlers of Walworth County, is a native Vermont, born in .Addison County, Aug. 3, 1815; was a resident of that State imtil twenty-one years of age. He then went to Essex Co., N. Y., where he followed lumbering, and in 1838 was married to Serena Strong. He lived two years in Vermont, when he returned to the Empire State, and in October, 1844, came to Wisconsin, first settled in Spring Prairie, where he was engaged in the manufacture of lumber, running a saw-mill for twelve years. During those years he furnished lumber for the fence which formerly surrounded the public square at Elkhorn. In 1856, he purchased his present farm, on which he has since resided, and made farming a business. He now owns 180 acres of land, 100 of which are well improved, and valued at $50 per acre, the remainder is located in the town of Troy, and is valued at $12 per acre. The children are : Mary Jane, now Mrs. James Flint, of LaFayette; Phoebe Elizabeth, now Mrs. R. Moore, of Oconomowoc; and Coris Ann, now Mrs. C. A. Hare; politics. Republican ; religion, Methodist. Mr. Bartlett is a man who has been the architect of his own fortune, as he came to Walworth a poor man ; a family of three children, and but fifteen dollars of money.

WILLIAM B.AUMIS (deceased), was a native of Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1803. He was reared on a farm ; was married ; his wife died, leaving three children, only one of whom is living. He was married again in 1842, came with his family to Wisconsin, and settled on Spring Prairie, when his second wife died, leaving five children, since deceased. In 1858 he was married to Mrs. Lvdia (Beach) Thomas, a native of AVarren Co., N. Y. Mr. Baumis died in 1872, at the age of three score and nine years.

WILLIAM W. BEACH, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Elkhorn ; was born in Warren County, N. Y., in 1821 ; received a common school education, and at the age of 19 commenced work at the carpenter's trade; the next year at the millwright. Not liking the business very well, he returned to carpenter and joiner work. He came West, to Spring Prairie, Wis., in 1845, with limited means : commenced work at once at his trade. There are many buildings in the towns of SpringPrairie, LaFayette and North Geneva that stand as monuments of his labor. He was married to Clarrissa Harriman, Dec. 23, 1849, daughter of Noah and Lucinda Harriman. He moved immediately to Marcellon, Columbia Co., remaining there three years working at the carpenter trade ; then returned to La Fayette, Walworth Co., and purchased the farm he still owns for $1,375, w't'"" very little improvements, and a rude log house ; employed a man to take charge of his farm, and he continued working at his trade; but for the past twenty years he has devoted the most of his time on the farm, which is now in a good state of cultivation, with good buildings; valued at $55 per acre. Religion, Methodist, holding different offices in the Church acceptably. Politically, a Democrat. The children are : Alice L (now Mrs. W. A. Dawson), and William L., of Stratford, Hamilton Co., Iowa; Lucinda I., Mary A., Benjamin H. and Isaac D.. living at home. He was a man well adapted to pioneer work, ever ready to turn his hand to any kind of work to help the needv. manv times leaving his work to make a coffin for a neighbor, when the country could not furnish them, without charges, and many other deeds of charity.

GEORGE BENTLY, farmer. Sec. 5, LaFayette ; P. O. Favetteville ; son of Robert and Maria Burse Bentlv, both natives of Connecticut, and it was in Litchfield County, of said State, that the subject of this sketch was born May 13, 1834; received a common school education, and in June, 1847, the family came to Wisconsin, and settled on Sec. 5, LaFayette. Here young Bently helped till the soil, with the exception of three years, which he spent in different localities, and in October, 1854, was married to Miss Nancy Welch, daughter of Josiah and Louisa Grant Welch, and as his father died in 1854, and willed the homestead to him, he continued to live on the same, and has since erected good buildings, and has made other improvements. He now owns 204 acres, valued at $40 per acres. He is a Republican in politics, and has held local offices. The children are: Frances. Adam and Varmon.

A. H. BUNNELL, farmer. Sec. 20, L.t Fayette: P. O. Elkhoin; one of the earliest settlers of Walworth ; is a son of Salmon and Lois Leete Bunnell, who were natives of Connecticut ; residents of Broome County, N. Y,, in which country the subject of this sketch was born Jan. 12, 1813. When he was but 3 vears old his father died, and his mother, with her family of five children, remoVed into Dutchess County, where her parents resided. Here the family resided until 1832, then to Otsego County two years, when they removed to Onondago. In 1837, came to Wisconsin, and at once took up a claim of 320 acres on Sec. 20, LaFayette. Of said land, he purchased eighty acres for himself, and 160 acres for his mother, at the first land sale, which took place in February, 1839. In the Fall of 1839, he was married to Miss Mary Dyer, daughter of Charles and Mary Galusha Dyer, who were natives of Vermont, and settled in Spring Prairie in 1837, although Mr. Dyer came to Wisconsin and claimed his land in 1836. After marriage, Mr. Bunnell kept improving his land ; but he soon sold the same, and purchased property in Spring Prairie, where he resided about three years, when he purchased his mother's farm of 160 acres. He has always taken considerable interest in education ; is a Republican in politics, and has held local offices. His wife died Feb. 25, 1847, leaving two children, Myron, now married and living at Newport, Washington Co., Minn., and Charles D., deceased, having died in 1862 while in the United States' service, .\pril 14, 1848, he was married to Harriet Dyer, a sister of his first wife. They have two children, Lottie and Julia.

S. V. CURTIS, deceased. This well-known farmer met his sad and tragical death Oct. 2, 1877, on which day he directed his hired man to drive the cattle from the field where the fence was down. After getting the cattle out, Mr. Curtis remained to fix the fence, when just as he had the fence repaired, and turned to go from the place, he saw the bull coming toward him. He raised his hands to frighten back the animal, when it rushed upon him, striking him to the earth, and gored him so terribly in both sides as to break all the ribs, besides cutting the lungs. He ex]Mred on the spot an hour later. The unfortunate man lived just long enough to say a few parting words to his family, who hurried to the spot when they heard of the shocking tragedy. Mr. Curtis was a native of Saratoga County, N. Y.,born Nov. 2, 1819; lived in Monroe County, where, on the 8th of March, 1843, he was married to Miss Jane Blakeman. In 1857, he came to Wisconsin, settled in LaFayette, and engaged in farming. In March, 1871, his wife died, leaving three children - Mary E. (now Mrs. A. M. Owen), L. Ugenia (now Mrs. William Atkinson), and Orville H., a traveling salesman of the Goodyear Rubber Company. In 1874, he married Mrs. J. Canfield, who. with Orville H., now own and have charge of the estate, which contains 120 acres, valued at $60 per acre.

H. M. CURTIS, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Spring Prairie. He is found among the prominent pioneers of Walworth County, having settled in the county in 1840. He is a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., born Oct. 17, 1818; received an academic education, and lived with his mother, his father having died in 1820, until fifteen years of age, he then went to Onondago County, and resided with his uncle, Thomas Clark, who was a farmer, until the Spring of 1840, at which time he came to Wisconsin, and in August of the same year, purchased his present farm of 240 acres, at $5 per acre. He then went to Milwaukee, and clerked in a mercantile business until 1844, when he returned to this farm, and commenced improving the same, and as he was unmarried, he boarded with a neighbor, until 1876, at which date his sister came west, and kept house for him until 1848, when she was married to John Wilcox, he then returned to his old boarding place. In the Spring of 1849, he rented his farm for a year, but remained on the same, built a barn and made other minor improvements. In the Spring of 1850, he was married to Miss Calcina Smith, then of LaFayette, but of Jefferson Co., N. Y. He then commenced keeping house, and continued farming until 1852, at which date his wife died, leaving one child, Harvey. He then rented his farm again for one year, and in the Spring of i854. he was married to Miss Eliza Smith, a sister of his first wife. He again resumed farming, and has since continued the same, meeting with marked success. He now owns 285 acres of land, which is valued at $50 per acre. He is a Democrat, and although he has no political aspirations, he has been on different occasions, been chosen to fill important local offices, and as his party is in the minority, this goes to show that he is highly respected by his fellow citizens. Of the four children born unto his second wife, but one is living, George O., who lives at home.

W. G. DERTHICK, farmer. Sec. 25 ; P. O. Spring Prairie ; he was born in Ohio, December, 1838. His parents, Julius and Esther Monroe Derthick, were natives of Connecticut, and settled in Walworth County in 1854. In 1868, he was married to Mary Bell, and his father died in 1863. He, in partnership with his brother, purchased the estate which contains 310 acres, valued at $45 per acre ; he now has charge of the same, his brother living at Spring Prairie. He is a Republican. Has held local offices, and is at present (18S1) candidate for the Assembly. The children are Malinda, Julius, Bell and John.

G. W. DWINNKLL, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. O- Spring Prairie. Is one of the early pioneers who settled in Walworth County in 1838. He is a native of Worcester Co., Mass., born Oct. 6, i8i8, brought up on a farm; he received a common school education and in 1838, with his brother Soleman, came to Wisconsin, and at once made a claim of 320 acres, on Sees. 23 and 14, LaFayette, and as the first land sale took place in the Fall of that year, he purchased the same at $1.25 per acre, commenced improving the same, and as he was still living a single life, he boarded with his brother, who had settled on land adjoining his. In the Fall of 1843, he was married to Miss A. C. Wilson, daughter of Alexander and Abagail (Bishop) Wilson, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Vermont, who settled in Walworth County in 1841. In 1861, he purchased his present farm of 160 acres, but he now owns 215 acres, valued at $50 per acre. He is a Democrat, but takes little interest in politics, no more than to perform his duty as a citizen.

S. R. EDGERTON, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Spring Prairie ; is the oldest of the two children of Sims and Harriet Bennedict Edgerton. He was born at Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., in October, 1833. His father married Maria Crego in 1845, who had two children, Hiram and Melissa, the family then came to Wisconsin, and settled at Spring Prairie, Walworth County, where the father died in 1S73, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. The subject of this sketch was married to Miss Olive Vaughn, daughter of David and Rebecca Vaughn. He then purchased 190 acres of his present farm, for which he gave $5,000 ; he traded wild land valued at that price, but he now owns 330 acres of real estate, which is valued at $50 per acre. He is a Republican in politics. In 1870, represented his District in the Assembly. The children are: D. S., Bertie, and Evelyn. Mrs. Edgerton died Sept. 22, 1877, and he was married again, to Miss Lila B. Patten, of Spring Prairie.

J. M. ELLSWORTH, farmer. Sec. 20; P. O. Elkhorn ; eldest son of John and Sophronia (Pride) Ellsworth, who were natives of New York, and settled in Walworth County in 1840. He was born m Sugar Creek, Sept. 15, 1845 ; received a common-school eduction. In the Spring of 1855 the family removed to Iowa, where the father died in 1858, and the mother broke up housekeeping. J. M, returned to Wisconsin, and lived at Greenfield, Milwaukee Co., with his uncle, C. F. Ellsworth, until 1864. He then worked by the month in Walworth County until Dec. 4, 1867, at which date he was married to Harriet Baumis, daughter of William and Lydia Baumis; then rented land and followed farming, also ran a threshing machine, and since 1875 has resided on and had charge of the estate of William Baumis. He also owns a "Poplar Fencing Saw," with which he does a great deal of work in different parts of the county. The children are Josephine, AVillie and Herbert. Politics, Republican.

S. D. ELLSWORTH, farmer, Sec 19 ; P. O. Elkhorn ; is the oldest son of S. S. and Nancv (Fields) Ellsworth, natives of Otsego County, N. Y., in which county the subject of this sketch was born Jan. 10, 1835. In 1847 the family came to Wisconsin, and settled on Sec. 19, La Fayette, where they purchased 240 acres of land. Here S. D. helped till the soil until the Winter of 1859, duiing which time, in 1858, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Ranney, a native of Vermont. He then purchased no acres on Sec. t6. La Fayette, where he resided until 1868, when he sold out, and purchased 160 acres of his present farm, which was then owned by his brother, but wliich is the original homestead of his parents. He now owns 200 acres, valued at $60 per acre. The children living are - Frank R., Fred L., Gella, E. Louie and E. Harry. In politics. Republican. Mr. Ellsworth has three brothers - William, Henry and Eugene.

NOAH HARRIMAN, farmer. Sec. 33; P. O. Elkhorn; was born at Bradford, Vt., in 1805. In 1809 the family removed to Canada, and settled near Montreal, where, in 1826, Noah was married to Lucinda Davis. He then engaged in grocery business, and continued the same eight years, when he removed to Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where he purchased land and commenced farming, but in a few years it was discovered that a man had a life lease on his Canada property, .Tnd therefore Mr. Harriman lost the same, which left him financially embarrassed. He was therefore compelled to sell out, and as his friends of Bradford urged him to come to the place of his birth, but finding it a rough, broken country, and he having seen better land, he could not live content. He, therefore, in 1845, came to Wisconsin, arriving in Walworth County a very poor man, having a family of five children and but $5 in money; and as his wife was brought up among the hills of Vermont she was very much dissatisfied to live in the country, abounding in ague and Indians; but he at once set to work and soon rented a farm on Sec. 4, Geneva, on which he resided three years, during which time, in 1847, he purchased his present farm, settled on the same in the Spring of 1849, and he has so improved it as to he valued at $50 per acre. The children with him are - Julia, now Mrs. E. P. Eaton, of Elgin, 111.; Guy, living at home; Clarisse, now Mrs. W. W. Beach, of La Fayette, and Betsy, now Mrs. M. G. Heath, of Sparta, Wis. Politics, Republican; religion, Methodist. Was in 1850 licensed as local preacher, elected trustee, class leader and steward in the Methodist Church in Elkhorn, which offices he has filled with credit to himself and to the perfect satisfaction of the community up to the present time, 1882.

DUDLEY HARRIMAN, farmer. Sec. ^^ ; P. O. Elkhorn; is a native of Canada, born in Montreal, in 1815 ; received a common-school education, and followed lumbering until twentytwo years of age. He then came to the United States and worked on the Wabash Canal, which was then under process of construction. He purchased a piece of land, and in 1839 was married to Marv Corbett, a native of Ireland. In 1842 he came to Wisconsin and lived in Milwaukee, and lived until 1846, when he came to Walworth County, where he has since dealt in cattle, sheep, etc. ; has also dealt in real estate, owning at one time over a section of land. He now owns thirty acres, valued at $1,500. The children are - R. D., of Elkhorn ; Louisa, now Mrs. Phil. Wissell, of Sugar Creek, and Frances, now Mrs. A. L. Vanderpool, of La Fayette. Mr. Harriman is a man who is strictly honest, but has little to do with politics or religion.

A. D. HARRIS, farmer. Sec. 36; P. O. Springfield ; is a native of Windsor, Conn., born June 16, 1820. When he was but three years old his father died; his mother married Justice Graves, in 1834. The family removed to Medina County, Ohio. Here A. D. learned cabinetmaking, which trade he followed till 1845, at which time he came to Wisconsin, purchased eighty acres of his present farm, for which he paid $400, and in June of said year was married to Maria Bell, daughter of William and Harriet Owen Bell, of Medina County, Ohio. He has since made farming his business. He now owns 120 acres, valued at $,60 per acre. The children are - Edwin W., Estelle and Herman S.

H. A. HUBBARD, farmer. Sec. 17 ; P. O. Elkhorn ; is a son of Alfred and Anna Steele Hubbard, who were natives of Connecticut, settled in Livingston Co., N. Y., where H. A. Hubbard was born, Nov. 13, 1882. He received a common school education, with one year at an academy, and in 1854, came to Wisconsin, and settled in Spring Prairie. In 1858, in partnership with William Barlovv. engaged in hardware business at Elkhorn, which they continued under firm name of Barlow & Hubbard, when they dissolved partnership. Mr. Hubbard went to Geneva, where he became a member of the hardware firm of Hubbard & Meigs one year, when they sold out the business, and Mr. Hubbard purchased a farm in Spring Prairie, but only resided on the same one year, when be sold out, and purchased his present farm of 180 acres, at $29 per acre, which he improved, so that it is now worth $55 per acre. He also owns 20 acres of timberland, valued at .$25 per acre. He was married in 1856, to Miss Jennie Carver, a native of Livingston Co., N. Y. They have four children - Fred, Ralph, Marion and Georgia. In politics a Republican, and has held local offices.

R. MACKENZIE, farmer. Sec. 10; P. O. Fayelteville ; one of Walworth County's early pioneers, is a native of Scotland, born in 1825. At the age of fourteen he was left an orphan, and in 1842, with his two brothers and one sister, his older sister having previously started, they came to the United States, and at once came to Wisconsin, where he arrived without money, besides being somewhat in debt for his passage to America, but being an energetic young man, he at once went to work by the month, and soon saved some money, and in 1846, purchased eighty acres of land, on Sec. 9, LaFayette, for which he gave $300. This he at once commenced improving, and in the following year, he harvested twenty-five acres of wheat, which yielded about 900 bushels, a part of which he hauled to Milwaukee, and sold for a $1.05 per bushel, which was the first wheat sold from LaFayette, sold at $1 per bushel. He then sold the land to his brothers, and bought several pieces of land since, and is now living on a farm of 170 acres, well improved, and valued at $40 per acre. In 1850, he was married to Miss Susan, daughter of Thomas and Susan Manderson Pollock, natives of Scotland, emigrated to America in 1831, and settled in Troy, Walworth County, in 1840. They have had four children, one of whom died in 1856, and the other three died in 1858; the last three in seven months. They were then without children, until Feb. 2, 1878, at which time they adopted an infant, which they named Susie R., a bright little girl, and the pet of the family.

P. H. MERRICK, farmer. Sec. 22; P. O. Spring Prairie; is a son of Col. Perez and Jerusha Hutchison Merrick, natives of Delaware Co. N.Y. In 1836, Col. Merrick came to Wisconsin, - andclaimed 320 acres, which consisted of ihe north halfofSec. 28 He then returned to New York, and the following year brought his family to the wilds of Wisconsin, and settled on the claim he had made the year previous. The subject of this sketch was born in Delaware Co., N. Y. Resided with his parents until nineteen years of age, he then went to Galena, 111., where he remained three years, when he returned to Walworth County, and lived with his parents until the Fall of 1 85 1, at which time he was married to Miss M. A. Briggs. He then removed to Jefferson County, and followed milling until 1859, then for nine years following, he was farming at Mount Pleasant, Racine County. Then in partnership with W. W. Vaughn, purchased the Lyons mill, in the town of Lyons, Walworth County, and ran the same three years, then sold his interest to his partner, purchased his present farm of 150 acres, valued at $6,000. He has one child, Orlando B.

Democrat in politics. Col Perez Merrick, died Aug. 25, 1855, at the age of sixty-two years. Mrs. P. Merrick died in August, 1870, aged seventy-four years and nine months.

O. D. MERRICK., farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Elkhorn; is the fourth oldest of the seven children, of Roderick and Rebecca (Gates) Merrick, natives of New York, who settled in Walworth County in 1837, and in Spring Prairie of said county. The subject of this sketch was born Dec. 19, 1838, received a common school education, and lived with his parents on the farm until 1867, by which time he became a little uneasy, and so concluded to see some of the western country, he therefore started for the Rocky Mountains, but after spending six years in Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Washington territories and the States of Oregon, California and Nevada, he returned to Walworth County, and in 1874 was married to Miss Emily Bell, daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah (Cook) Bell, and at once settled on his farm, which he had previously purchased, and has since made farming a business. He owns 180 acres of land, valued at $45 per acre. Politics, Republican.

J. H. NORTON, farmer, Sec. 23 ; P. O. Spring Prairie ; son of Winthrop and Hannah (Cranston) Norton, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Rhode Island, residents of Ohio, in which State, February, 1841, the subject of this sketch was born, in 1842, the family removed to Wisconsin, purchased land on Sec. 25, LaFayette, where they resided until i860, when they removed to Elkhorn, but the following year they went to California, where in 1863, the father (Winthrop Norton) died. John H., with his mother, then returned to Walworth, and settled in LaFayette. In 1866, in partnership witli his brother Abram (who returned from California in 1S65), he purchased their present farm of 160 acres, valued at $45 per acre. From 1875 to 1880, they were also engaged in mercantile business at Spring Prairie Corners, of which Abram C. had charge. Mr. Norton was married Feb. 8, 1871, to Miss Louisa Merrick. They have two children, Irene and Clarence.

THEODORE NORTHROP, merchant; P. O. Fayetteville ; is a son of Theodore and Amy (Jackson) Northrop; the latter is a distant relative of Andrew Jackson, ex-President of the United States; were natives of the State of New York, and it was in Dutchess County, of the old Empire State, on the 25th of November, 1841, the subject of this sketch was born. In 1841, the father came to Wjsconsin, and the following year the mother with her children followed, and the family soon settled on Sec. 27, Town of LaFayette. Here they resided about seven years, then two years in Delevan, subsequent to which they removed to Columbia County, and it is there they experienced the hardships of pioneer life, as they at first lived in a sod house, afterward in a log shanty, with no neighbors in a radius of three miles, except wolves and Indians. Here they undertook to raise sheep, they having brought the first flock to Columbia County ; but the wolves soon took charge of the entire flock. In 1862, Theodore, Jr., enlisted in Co. C., 23d Wis. V. I., where he served three years, and returned home and assumed farming one year. He then went t!o the copper regions of Lake Superior. He taught school and kept books for two years, after which he returned to Walworth County, and remained with his sister on her farm one year. During the following three years he was engaged in mercantile business at Elkhorn; then acted as traveling salesman for a Chicago mercantile firm one year, at the end of which time, in May, 1877, he came to Fayetteville, rented property, and has since been engaged in general mercantile business. He also deals in livestock and grain. He has been station agent, express agent, and Post-master, which latter position he now holds. He is a Republican in politics ; has been Town Treasurer three years, and is now Chairman of the Town Board. On the seventh day of November, 187 1, he was united in matrimony to Miss Josephine Lumsden, then of Elkhorn, but a native of North Adams, Mass. They have six children - Frank, Amy M., Laertes, Rena Belle, Theodora, and an infant.

CHARLES I. PECK, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. Fayetteville; oldest son of J. W. and Adaline E. (Randall) Peck; was born in LaFayette, Aug. 14, 1848; received a common school education, and in 1873 was married to Miss Fannie E. Sewell, daughter of Jirah and Elizabeth (Goddard) Sewell, and has since continued farming on a part of his father's estate. He now owns 486 acres in LaFayette, worth $30 to $40 per acre; 440 acres in Trampeleau County, valued at $20 per acre. The children are Jeddiah, Myron and H. M. Politics, Democrat.

A. POTTER, farmer. Sec. 20; P. O. Elkhorn; is a native of New York, born in 1826. In 1843, he came with his parents to Wisconsin, and lived with them in LaFayette until 1848, during which time, in 1847, he was married to Laura L. Pitkins, then of LaFayette, but a native of Ohio. He then removed to Dodge County, where he resided until 1850, when he returned to

Walworth Coanty, and in 1852 purchased a farm in Geneva, where he resided, with the exception of two years that he lived in Elkhorn, until 186S, in the Spring of which year his wife died, leaving five children - Delia (now Mrs. O. C. Chase, of Furgus Falls, Minn.); Adelbert, also living at that place; Florence (now Mrs. Allison Beach, of Onalaska, La Crosse Co.); Mary, living at Furgus Falls, and H. Orlando, living at home. He then sold his farm, removed to Elkhorn, and in December, 186S, was married to Adalaide Merrick, of Spring Prairie. In March, 1869, he purchased his present farm of 200 acres, which is now valued at $60 per acre. He is a Liberal Republican in politics, and has held local offices.

JOSEPH POTTER, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. O. Elkhorn ; was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., July 25, 1S23; was brought up on a farm, and received a common school education. In 1843, he came with his parents to Wisconsin, landing at Milwaukee, June 9. The family at once proceeded to Walworth County, and here his father, Robert K. Potter, purchased 200 acres of land on Sees. 19 and 18, LaFayette. In 185 i, Joseph was married to Miss Rosina Ellsworth; then rented his father's farm for five years, after which, in 1856, he purchased the same at $35 per acre, on which he has built a fine brick house, valued at $3,000, and made other improvements, so that the farm is now worth $60 per acre. His wife died May 19, 1869, leaving si.x children - Gilbert, now a resident of Nebraska; Laura A. (now Mrs. George Young, of Elkhorn); George, Julia, Mary and Josie. In March, 1872, he married Caroline Randall. They have two children, Lurena and Maud. .Mr. Potter is a Republican in politics, and has held local office.

J. P. POTTER, farmer. Sec. 34; P. O. Elkhorn; settled where he now resides in 1846; is a native of Rutland County, Vt., born Feb. 28, 1812. When he was thirteen years of age his mother died, and as his father broke up house-keeping the family became separated, and the subject of this sketch was left to take care of himself He worked at farming by the month; also attended school for a few terms. In 1839, he, becoming tired of shifting about in single lite, was married to Sylvia Goodspeed ; continued farming by renting land and cultivating the same until 1842, at which date he removed to Sandy Hill, Washington Co., N. Y. Here he worked in a saw-mill during the Summer until 1846. He spent the Winter seasons logging in Esse.\ County. He then came to Wisconsin, purchased forty acres of his present farm, for which he gave $100, to which he added from time to time, so_that his real estate now amounts to 184 acres, valued at $8,500. The children are: Sylvia (now Mrs. E. \V. Gray, of Geneva); Erwin E., a farmer in Kansas; Lola M. (now Mrs. M. Wright, of Darien) ; Hiram H. and Elmer E. Politically he is a Democrat.

E. S. SHEPARD, farmer. Sec. 29; P. O. Elkhorn; is a son of W. S. and Caroline (Beach) Shepard, the former a native of Hartford, Conn., and the latter of New York, and where, in Ontario County, of the latter named State, on the si.Kth day of July, 1832, the subject of this sketch was born. In 1844, the family removed to Little Fort (now Waukegan), III., near which place they purchased a farm. Here E. S. helped till the soil, and, in 1854, was married to Abagail Chandler, then of Waukegan, but a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1831. He still followed farming until 1865, in which year his parents purchased 140 acres of land in Walworth County, Wis,, and as they were moving from Illinois to their new home his wife was thrown from the wagon, thereby receiving a fractured arm and fractured hip, which made her a cripple for life. E. S. therefore removed to Walworth County, and took charge of the farm until 1873, at which date he purchased the homestead. His parents then removed to Elkhorn, where they resided until 1880, in which year they went to Beloit, Kansas, where the mother still lives, but the father died Dec. 26, 1880. E. S. resides on the homestead, which is valued at $50 per acre. He has one daughter, Ellen A. (now Mrs. Edgar Wales, of LaFayette).

ZEPHANIAH SHORT, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. O. Elkhorn; one of Walworth's earliest settlers; is a native of Otsego County, N. Y., born in 1815 ; brought up on a farm. He received a common school education, and, in 1835, was married to Sally Cockett. In 1842, he came to Wisconsin, and purchased the southwest one-fourth of Sec. 27, LaFayette, but returned to the Empire State, where he remained until 1846. He then removed to his new home, and resided on the land he purchased in 1S42, until 1854, when he purchased the east one-half of the northwest one-fourth of Sec. 27, LaFayette, where he has since resided. He now owns 240 acres of land, valued at 850 per acre. The children are : Sally M. (now Mrs. J. V. Hicks, of LaFayette) ; James, a resident of Glendon, Minn.; George W. (deceased), having enlisted in 1S62, in Co. I, 28th Wis., and died at Helena, Ark., in the Spring of 1863; Esther L. (now Mrs. George W.

A. L. VANDERPOOL, farmer, Sec. 32; P. O. Elkhorn; was born in Albany County, N. Y., in 1843. In 1853, the family came to Wisconsin, and settled in Spring Prairie, where they resided until i860, when they removed to the town of Delevan. In 1862, the subject of this sketch enlisted in Co. I, 28th Wis., and served three years. He then returned to Walworth, and, in 1867, was married to Miss Frances Harriman, daughter of Dudley and Mary (Corbett) Harriman. He then followed butchering for one year, at Delevan. They then removed to Clarence, Cedar Co., Iowa, where he continued in the same business for one year. Then he returned to Walworth, and served as a traveling agent for one year. In the Fall of 187 1, he again went to Clarence, Iowa, and was engaged dealing in agricultural implements about one year, and since he has been engaged in farming where he now resides. The children living are Harry and Georgia. Politics, Republican.

JOHN VOSS, farmer. Sec. 34 ; P.O. Elkhorn; is a native of Germany, born in 1835 ; emigrated to the United States in 1858, and first settled in Onondago County, N. Y., where, in 1861, he was married to Sarah Ann Pridmore, a native of England. In 1864, he came to Wisconsin, and, in 1873, purchased his present property. He now owns no acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. He has one son, John F. Politics, Liberal.

DAVID T. VAUGHN, farmer. Sec. 13; P. O. Spring Prairie ; one of the old land-marks of Walworth; is a native of Bridgewater, Vt., born Feb. 28, 1810. When he was but eighteen months old his father died, and his mother died in 1820. He was, therefore, at the tender age of ten years left to the mercy of the world to take care of himself. At the age of seventeen he went to Carver, Mass., where he learned the joiner's trade with his brother Samuel, but as his health did not permit him to continue the same, he returned to Bridgewater, and soon after went to Pittsfield, and here, on the 20th day of January, 1833, he was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Rebecca Dinsmore. In the Spring of 1834 he left his wife with her folks and went to Michigan, and as he was well pleased with that State, he returned to Pittsfield to get his wife ; but as she was an only daughter her parents did not wish to have her go West. So Mr. Vaughan remained in the East, digging away among the stumps and stones for three years, which was very discouraging, as he knew there was much better farming land in the West. He, therefore, sold what property he could spare for $50, and on June 10, 1837, started with his family for Michigan, where they lived one year, then they came to Wisconsin and settled in Walworth County, Aug. 31, 1838. And now came the trials which only the pioneers of a new country can comprehend. When they arrived in Walworth County the family was all sick with the ague. They lived with Mr. Vaughn's brother Dike until November, who cared for them as well as he could. Mr. Vaughn then rented a house, worked at his trade somewhat during the Winter, and the next Summer worked at Perkin's grist-mill at $1 per day, leaving his wife and two children to take care of themselves. She did sewing for Ansil Salisbury, and bought one bushel of beans and two bushels of buckwheat flour. In the Fall of 1839 the house they then occupied was destroyed, which left them almost destitute, as they simply saved the clothes they wore, a brass kettle, and a few minor articles. But they did not despair, and Mr. Vaughn at once went to Burlington, Racine Co., where he ran a saw-mill on shares, and in this way procured lumber to build a house. In the Spring of 1840 he purchased forty acres of his present farm, and to pay for it he borrowed money of Ansil Salisbury at twenty per cent, interest. The first eighty acres of land he purchased by selling a yoke of cattle for $7 2, to which he added his cash, but still lacked $10, for which amount he gave his note of offering twelve per cent, interest, payable in gold. In the Spring of 1840 he purchased a threshing machine, which he ran one year with success, lived in the most economical way, and has now succeeded in accumulating a goodly share of this world's goods, as he now owns 570 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. His wife died June 14, 1876, at the age of sixty-three years and twenty-one days, leaving six children, five of whom are now living - George, Henry, Alonzo, William and Joseph.

JOSEPH VAUGHN, youngest son of David T. and Rebecca (Dinsmore) Vaughn, was born in the town of La Fayette, Walworth Co., in 1850; received an academic education, and in 1875 was married to Miss Alice Sheffield. He is a farmer, lives with his father, and at present has charge of the homestead, which contains 240 acres.

S. T. WEBB, farmer. Sec. 24; P. O. Spring Prairie. He is a native of Columbia Co., N. Y. Born in 1824; received a common-school education, and in 1844 was married to Miss

Ann Eliza Harrington ; followed]farming in his native country until 1848. He then went to Berkshire County, Mass. ; continued farming, but the following year returned to the Empire State, and soon afterward came to Wisconsin, arriving at Elkhorn in September. In December he removed to Columbia County, where his parents resided, but the following year returned to Walworth, and served as a common laborer for three years; then rented some land in Geneva, but at the end of one year, on account of his wife's poor health, again served as a laborer. In June, 1855, his wife died, leaving three small children - Robert B., William A., and Silas O. In 1856 he married Mrs. Elizabeth (Clark) Humpstead, who had two children - Mary, now Mrs. Robert P. Cole, and Nellie C, deceased. Mr. Webb then resumed farming, having previously purchased eighty acres of land on Sec. 35, La Fayette, in connection with which he cultivated eighty acres belonging to his wife. In 1866 he purchased his present farm, which contains 160 acres, and valued at $8,000. The children are Mark T. and Ava J. Republican.

NELSON WEST, farmer. Sec. 6; P. O. Fayetteville ; son of S. G. and Rebeeca (Pike) West, was born at Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., June 23, 1829. His mother died when he was but five years old, and in 1839 he came to Wisconsin. His father having previously settled in La Fayette. Here the subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm. He was married in 1855 to Miss Hannah Maria Hodges, daughter of William and Mary Ann May Hodges. He has since followed farming, and now owns 280 acres of well-improved land, worth $50 per acre. The children are - Henry P., Addie M., Nellie M., Mark H. and Mary Grace. Mr. West is a Democrat in politics, and has held local offices.

8. E. WHITMORE, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Spring Prairie; son of Joseph and Sarah (Edgerton) Whitmore, was born in Spring Prairie in 1855, received a common school education, and lived with his parents on a farm until 1878, when he was married to Clara, d.iughter of Andrew and Rebecca (Freeman) Dike, of Spring Prairie, since which time he has had charge of one of his father's farms, containing 140 acres, valued at $50 per acre. They have one child, Fred.

W. J. WYLIE, farmer. Sec. 25 ; P. O. Spring Prairie; son of Robert and Susan (Humpstead) Wylie, the former a native ot Rutland, Vt., and the latter of Oneida Co.,N.Y.,was born in the latter county March 11, 1824, received an academic education, and in 1842, with his parents, came to Wisconsin. Upon arrival, his father purchased a threshing machine from Ohio, which machine was one of the first in the county. This he run for five years, and as machines were scarce, it furnished him employment nearly the entire time. In those times, the principal threshing was done during the months of May and June. After giving up threshing business, he commenced to deal in cattle, sheep and hogs. In 1849, went into partnership with J. W. Peck, he purchased 2,000 sheep in Ohio, which they drove all the way to Wisconsin, they were the first fine wool sheep brought into the State. Mr. Wylie was also the first to bring Durham stock into the State. He and Mr. Peck were also engaged in hotel business for three years, at what is known as Grove Corners. He also dealt in wild lands in Jackson and Calumet Counties. He still deals in stock, but not so extensively as in former years. In 1867, he took charge of his father's farm, and as he died in 1875, Mr. Wylie purchased the estate, which consisted of 200 acres, valued at $10,000 dollars. He was married in 1855, to Miss Abby Hempstead, daughter of Calvin and Amanda (Wilcox) Hempstead. They have two children, Edith, now Mrs. William Webb, and Nina K. Politics, Democrat.

H. C. WYLIE, farmer. Sec. 35; P. O. Spring Prairie; is a son of John T. and Polly (Hempstead) Wylie, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of New York, and it was in Oneida County, of the latter State, that on Feb. 1, i83i,the subject of this sketch was born. In 1833, the family removed to Chautauqua County, here H. C. received a common school education, and helped to till the soil until twenty-one years of age, he then concluded to seek his fortune in the west, and he therefore came to Wisconsin, and first stopped in LaGrange, Walworth County, where he followed farming two years, during which time his parents came to Walworth, and purchased 160 acres of land, on Sec. 35, LaFayette, he therefore came to LaFayette, and lived with his parents. In 1857, he was married to Harriet E. Houghton, daughter of William and Almina (Cornish) Houghton, the former still living in LaGrange, where he settled in 1838. Mr. Wylie tlien purchased his father's farm, to which he added sixty acres, making a total of 220 acres of real estate, valued at $40 per acre. He is a Republican, but takes no interest in politics, more than to perform his right as a citizen. Their children are : Lora, Chester, W. H. and Charley.

Source changes here: from History of Walworth County, Wisconsin .., by Beckwith, Albert C. (Albert Clayton), published 1912; 1,738 words in this source stream.

Lafayette Town

This town, at first included in Spring Prairie, was set off March 21, 1843. It is town 3 north, range 17 east, less section 31, set off in 1846 to form the town of Elkhorn. Beginning on its north line, and following the direction of the sun, it is bounded by Troy, Spring Prairie, Geneva and Elkhorn, and Elkhorn and Sugar Creek. Its surface varies between 855 and 1,015 feet above sea-level - the lowest point a creek valley in section 8, its highest near Elkhorn, near section 31. Sugar creek crosses from west to east a little north of the middle line of the town, and affords a small amount of mill power, but its several branches are inconsiderable in volume. In the earlier years it was well wooded with the several varieties of oak, and at points along the creek with sugar maples from which the Indian occupants of the/ county hunting ground derived a noteworthy supply of crudely made sugar. A few fine oak groves remain, and these are in themselves more than merely fair to look upon. Taking them with the green levels and the gently rolling fields, in the larger prospects, they make the town well worth a summer-day drive through it, in any direction, to see in what kindly mood was Nature when she formed Lafayette. Nature, however, did not work by town, county, or state lines ; and this town is but a small segment of the Eden-like Mississippi valley. The older forests were cut away to build cabins and fences and for the fuel of town and neighboring village. When the railway was built across the town its demands for ties, timber, and fuel quickened the previously slower spoliation to the pace of a forest fire. But the town is far from treeless, thanks to the valuable and carefully conserved later growth.

The town is underlaid, as supposed by geologists, with Niagara limestone for most of its area, and along its western border with Cincinnati shale. A few borings have reached rock at 800 to 840 feet above sealevel, which may indicate that the glacial drift is from 55 to 175 feet deep. The land area is 22,198 acres. The total value, 19 10, was $1,650,300. The crop acreage was: Barley, 1,188; corn, 3,927; hayfield, 3,124; oats, 2,532; orchard, 98; potatoes, 99; rye, 150; timber, 1,859; wheat, 102. The assessed valuation of all property was 3.66 per cent of that of all property

Neighboring villages and especially Elkhorn account for a small part of this loss of population. Elderly farmers retire from active life and find rest in the village.

Before the establishment of rural free delivery there was a postoffice at Bowers near the junction of two highways from Spring Prairie to Elkhorn, east side of section 26. In earlier times this office was a few rods distant and was named Grove. There was also an office at Fayetteville (which railway men persistently call "Peck's Station"). The town is now supplied with its mail mostly from Elkhorn.

Isaiah Hamblin and family led the immigration to Lafayette in June, 1836. He settled on section 25, and built his cabin immediately. He alsi 1, .bought land in section 13. Within the year Solomon A. Dwinnell, Elias Hicks, Alpheus Johnson, Charles Chauncey Perrin and Isaac Vant followed. Messrs. Dwinnell and Hamblin passed the cold winter of 1836-7 in their new quarters. In the next three years came Nathaniel Bell, William Bohall, Alexander H. Bunnell, Morris Cain, Harvey M<. Curtiss, George W. Dwinnell, David S. Elting, Thomas Emerson, Daniel. McDonough and Samuel Harkness, Riley Harrington, Daniel Hartwell, Charles Heath, Mason \. I licks. Henry Johnson,, Dr. Jesse C. Mills, Anthony Xoblet, Emery Singletery, Duer Y. Smith, Sylvester G. Smith. Daniel Kingsley Stearns, David Tower Vaughn, John Wadsworth. Stephen Gano West and Jesse Pike West, his son.

The census of 1842 shows a few once well known names as: William Baumis, Zebulon Bugbee, Israel Hamblin, Jacob Harkness, Solomon Lewis, Henry Noblet. Theodorus Bailey Northrop, Thomas Pollock, Sherman Morgan Rockwood, Henry H. Sterling, Charles H. Thompson, ancL others who may have been of either part of old Spring Prairie.

Truman B. Bartlett (1815-1907) came from Vermont in 1844, with wife Serena Strong (1823-1890) and settled in Spring Prairie. About 1856 he bought his farm in section 6, Lafayette.

Alexander Hervey Bunnell (1813-1889), son of Salmon Bunnell and Lois Leete, of Broome county, New York, came to section 20 in 1837. He married, first, Mary Dyer in 1839. She died in 1847 and he married in 1848 Harriet N. Dyer (1825-1883). These were daughters of Capt. Charles Dyer and Mary Galusha, and sisters of Dr. Edward G. Dyer.

Harvey Morse Curtiss (1817-1890), son of Harvey Curtiss and Melinda Morse, bought in sections 14, 23, in 1840. He married twice: Calcina A. Smith (1831-1852) and Eliza Almira Smith (1825-1899). They were daughters of John and Caroline Smith. Mr. Curtiss was one of the best men in his town.

Julius Derthick (1795-1863) and wife Esther Monroe v( 1790-1879), daughter of George Monroe and Miss Bennett, came from Portage county, Ohio, in 1854 to section 25. Their sonsjohn H. and Walter G. are named in the official lists of the county.

Isaiah Hamblin (1790-1857) was son of Barnabas and wife Daphne, daughter of William Haynes. (His other ancestors: Sylvanus,4 Elkanah,8 James2 1). He was born in Massachusetts and died in California. His wife died in Iowa in 1847, before which time he had left his home here to rejoin the Mormons, beyond the river.

Albert Dyer Harris (1820-1891), son of Dyer Harris and Temperance Watrous, had earlier ancestors: Ephraim,4 3 Asa,2 James.1 He was born in Connecticut, married in 1845 Maria, daughter of William Bell and Harriet Owen, and came in that year to section 36.

Anson Hendrix (1793- 1849) and wife Cynthia Niles (1799-1871) left a son Wellington (1821-1889), whose wife was Abigail Briggs (1822-1895), and who was long a man of various public usefulness.

Elias Hicks (1800-1885), son of Nathaniel, of Bristol county, Massachusetts, married Eliza Witherspoon in 1822, and came in 1837 to Lafayette. His second wife was named Amanda. He died at Elkhorn. There have been several namesake families in the country, some of whom came from Nova Scotia.

Murdock (1810-1886) and Roderick McKenzie (1825-1898) came from Scotland in 1842 and in 1846 to northern Lafayette. Murdock married Jane Lamont (1827-1857); Roderick married Susan, daughter of Thomas and Susan Pollock. Their sister Barbara was wife of Alexander Matheson.

Winthrop Norton (1800-1863) married Hannah Cranston (1800-1879) and in 1842 came from Ohio to section 25. Their sons, Abraham C, John II. and William C, and daughter, Zilpha M. (Mrs. John C. Keyes), were long active and helpful members of their community. Mr. Norton died in California.

Uriah Payne, son of the pioneer at Geneva Lake, came about 1842 from Duck Lake, and bought in section 15, but left no distinct mark in the town history.

Zephaniah Short (1815 [896) was born in Otsego county; in 1835 married Sally Cockett (1815-1893) ; came to Lafayette, section 27. In their later years they lived at Elkhorn. Their son George died in service as a soldier of the, Twenty-eighth Infantry in 1863.

nory Singletery (1798-1891) was born at Sutton, Massachusetts. He may have been a near relative of Solomon A. Dwinnell, whose mother was Hannah Singletery. He married, first, Lois Pierce; second, Catharine Smith (1800-1875). He lived in section 22.

Ezckiel Brown Smith (1809-1882), son of Willard Smith and Amy, (laughter of Palmer Gardner and Hannah, daughter of Joseph and Mary Xichols - therefore an aunt of the first-comer to Spring Prairie. Her father- line was George.1 Nicholas, 2 3 Sylvester,4 Palmer."' Amy". The other Gardner line was George.' Nicholas,2 3 Sylvester,4 Palmer,5 Sylvester," Palmer,7 of Spring Prairie. In 1840 Mr. Smith married Sophronia (1812-1885), daughter of Amasa Allen, at Ellisburg, New York, and came in 1843 to section 12.

Sylvester Gardner Smith (1796-1878) was a brother of Ezekiel B. Smith, and was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts. He came to sections 11. 12. His first wife was Diana Ward, whose son, Capt. Lindsey J. Smith, of Troy, was serviceable in war and in peace. His second wife was Mrs. Charity Pierce.

Daniel Kingsley Stearns was son of Theodore Stearns and Charlotte Root. He died between 1857 and i860, at his farm in section 21. His wife, Elizabeth Kellogg, was thus descended in father line: Nicholas,1 Thomas.2 Philip." Martin,4 Joseph,3 Nathaniel,6 7 Moses,8 Whiting.9 Her mother was Elizabeth ( 1750-1832), daughter of Aaron and Mary Cross.

David Tower Vaughn (1810-1888), son of Samuel Vaughn and Ruth Bowker, was born in Vermont; married Rebecca Dinsmore (1813-1876); came in 1838 to Spring Prairie, bought in section 13 of Lafayette in 1840, to which he added land in section 18, Spring Prairie, until he owned more than five hundred acres. His brother. Samuel Cole Vaughn, and brotherin-law. Isaiah Dike, came also to Spring Prairie in 1837.

Absalom Williams (1818-1892), son of Absalom Williams and Fanny Root, married Melissa Tiffany in 1840. Tn 1844 he came to section 34. He had sons Emory, Collins M., Frank, George, and Arnold D. From 1853 to 1886 he lived in Spring Prairie, and died at Elkhorn. His wife (1820-1890) died at Lyons.

Alexander Wilson (1802-1873), section 28. married Abigail (1801- [887), daughter of George and Abigail Bishop. They came to the town in 1842.

Christopher Wiswell (1811-1883), son of Capt. Henry Wiswell and Elizabeth Salter, was born at Dalton, Massachusetts, and came from Chenango county in 1N40. first buying in section 5. He married Almira (1817- [883), daughter of Stephen G. West and Rebecca Pike. ' (23) '

The Elkhorn and Eagle branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway crosses sections 4, 5. 8, 18, 19, 31, and has a station in section 8, named by the company for Jedediah W. Peck.

There are seven school districts in the town, of which district 2 is joint with Troy, district 4 with Sugar Creek, district 7 with Spring Prairie (the Bowers schoolhouse). and district 9 with Sugar Creek and Troy.

There is a church in section 10, at the Bishop farm, its service usually supplied from the Congregational church at East Troy, and near it is a wellkept burial ground, laid out in 1848. There are also graves at "Westville."' in section 6, and at the Seymour farm in section 18, laid out in 1844.