Liberty Town

Liberty Town

Tliat part of Vernon county known as the town of Liberty,i8situated in congressional township 12, range 3 west, and contains about twenty-four sections of land. It is bounded on the north by the town of Webster, on the east by Kichla;id county, on the south by the town of Kickapoo, and on the west by the town of Viroipia. This town is watered by the Kickapoo river and its braiiches,which flow in a southerly direction. In the eastern part of the town there is a very heavy growtii of timber, while in tin u-estern there are more prairie openings. On( of the striking features of the town is its numei ous springs which gush out from the sides o the high bluffs and rocky ridges, their water finally terminating in streams having sufficieM fall to give fine mil! power.

Kiiist Settlement

Among what may be termed the early set tiers of the town of Liberty, are the following: G. W. Wise, Allen Rusk, George P. Martin, Jonas Groves, John R. Joseph, James Gilman, Samuel Graham, Samuel Fish, Stephen A. Fish, James Schoolery, James W. Hunter, John W. Church, Frederick Groves and Stanley Stout. The first settler was James Gilman, who settled on section .5, in 1853, where he lived for many years, and then moved to Viro(|ua, where he died.

In December, 1S.52, Allen Rusk, then a resident of Lancaster, Grant county, hauled a load of merchandise to Liberty Pole, for Henry McCiulley, who kept a store at the latter phut . ACter delivering the goods, Mr. Rusk went to Virocjua to visit some of his old acquaintaMces who had settled there some time previous. While on this visit, accompanied by some of his friends, he started out to look up a location for his future home. They went east as far as the Kickapoo, then followed the stream down to the mouth of Bishop branch, and the latter stream back to Viroqua. Mr. Rusk did not select any particular piece of land at this time, but concluded that in the near future he would become a resident of the county. He then returned to Lancaster, and in October, 1853, removed his family to Viroqua. In the spring of 1 J54 he pre-empted the southeast quarter of section 10, town 12, range 3 west, of the iouith principal meridian and at once commenced improviiig the same but did not settle here until .\|iril, lsr)5. Allen Rusk is a brother of Gov. .1. M. Rusk, and was born in Perry Co., Ohio, on the 6th day of February, 1S25. When he u as three years of age, the family removed to Morgan county, where the subject of this sketch received a common school education, helped till the soil, and also worked at p'astering. Oct. 23, 1843, he married Mary Newton. She was born in Harrison Co., Va., Nov. 6, 1818. In IsjJ he emigrated to Lancaster, Grant Co., Wis., fidm whence he came to Vernon county, as above stated. Mr. Rusk is a man of considerable natural ability, and no sooner hail he scttiiMl in ihe county, than he was looked ui)on as a leading citizen. It was through his efforts that the territory in which he resides was set off from Viroijua, and organized as the town of Liberty. The n.ame was suggested by Mr. Rusk, and at the first election he was elected chairman of the town board and justice of the peace; he has since held various local offices, and for two terms represented his district in the Assembly. In liJ80 he took the census of the town of Liberty, and is at present postmaster at Liberty Thus it can be seen tliat he possesses the confidence of his fellow men and is highly esteemed, which is far more desirable than riches. In September, 1864, he enlisted in company I, 42d regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until mustered out of service, participating in all the engagements of his regiment. He is a republican in politics, to which party he has adhered since its organization. The children are - Henry M., Hannah Jane, deceased ; Albert J., Jasper B., Jeremiah N. and Romulus A.

H. L. Turner was born in Erie Co., N. Y., on the 9th day of January, 1821. His parents being William and Sally Turner. The family removed 'o Wyoming county, where the father pursued his trade, that of a millwright. H. L. Turner soon became handy in the use of carpenter tools and concluded to become a tirst-class meshanic. J Jut he was a poor boy. He thus worked on the farm, and whenever he had a little spare money, he would invest the same in the purchase of a book treating on mechanical works, and oft when his team was resting on the plow he co ild be seen busily engaged reading and studying. He also desired to travel, and so purchased a book on navigation, which he studied closely and soon became quite well versed in said science. The book is still in Mr. Turners library, and is highly cherished. In 1842 he married Sophia C. Drake, and then followed the trade of millwright. In 1850 he emigrated to Wisconsin, lived a short time at Lake Geneva, then at Lodi, but in 185], returned to New York. In 1854, lie again came to Wisconsin and entered land on the north half of section 24, range -3, town 12, at La Crosse, on the 11th day of April. Mr. Turner was accompanied on the trip by his brother, C. D. Turner and cousin, Jeremiah Turner, who also entered land. They all went back to New York. But H. L. at once returned and erected a log cabin on section 19, town 1', range 2 west of the fourth principal meridian, where he had also entered land, and in the fall of said year, removed his family, wife and two children from the enst. They were also accompanied by his parents, William and Sally Turner, C. D. Turner and family, Salem Rogers, wife and two children, Lyman Jackson, wife and two children, all of whom settled in the vicinity of what is now Viola. In 1856 H. L. Turner erected a saw-mill, and one year later, added a grist-mill, which he operated until 1864, then sold to A. C. Cushman. In ]'-56 or 1857, Mr. Turner removed across the line into Vernon county, whore he now resides. In 1865 he removed to Green Bay, where he was engaged in building steam boats and sailing vessels. He built six steam crafts, one sailing vessel and one yacht. In the fall of 1880, he returned to Vernon county, and now gives his attention to farming. His farm contains 17ti acres, and is one of the best in the vicinity. There are about thirty Indian mounds located on the same. These mounds are of all sizes and shapes, resembling birds, animals, reptiles, etc. In politics, Mr Turner was formerly a whig, and since the organization of the republican party has associated with it. He has often been chosen to hold local offices, but he takes but little interest in this direction. The children, Alice S. and George W. are both deceased.

George W. Wise, one of the first settlers, was born in West Virginia, Dec. 11, 1833. His father died in 1842, and in 1849, the mother with her three children - George W., David and Melinda, emigrated to Wisconsin, and on the 12th of August of that year, arrived at Brookville, where they had relations. In 1855 Mr. Wise married Lucretia Jennings, and then settled on section 11, town 12, range 3, where he was still living in 1884. Mr. and Mrs Wise are the parents of twelve children - Mary E.,

William C. Groves, son of Frederick and Harriet Groves was born in Perry Co., Oliio, Aug. 6, 1819. He is a millwright and carpenter by trade. In 1849 he married Mary Jane McCollough, daughter of Robert McCollough In 1855 they came to Wisconsin, and hr.ve since resided in town 12, range 3, Liberty. He now owns 120 acres. The children are - Harriet, Frederick M., John H. and Olive E. In i>olitics, Mr. Groves is a greenbacker. He has been justice of the peace and a member of the town board. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal C^hurch.

John R. Joseph settled on section 9 in 1855. He remained there about fifteen years and moved to Iowa. He was a native of Ohio, from which State he came to Wisconsin.

Among the pioneers of 1856 was James Scbooley, who settled on section 16. He removed to Kansas just before the Rebellion broke out, but afterwards returned to Liberty town; but still later returned to Kansas.

Samuel Graham settled on section 6 in 1855, where he tilled the soil for a number of years and removed to Colorado, where he was engaged in the hotel business in 1884.

Samuel Fish settled on section 8 in 1855. He enlisted in company C, 18th Wisconsin Infantry, was wounded at Siiiloh and died from its effects soon after. In 1SS4 his widow, Nancy Fish, was still living on the land pre-empted by her husband.

John W. Church came to Vernon county from New York. After a short stay in Richland county, he settled on the southwest corner of section 12 in 1855-6. He was a good mechanic and followed the carpenter's trade until the civil war broke out, when he enlisted in company A, 25th Wisconsin; was wounded during a battle in South Carolina and died from its effects. He was a brave soldier and a good man. He was accounted one of the best marksmen in his company and it was often remarked by his comrades that upon the discharge of his gun there was one less rebel to tightl Jusl before his fatal wound he was seen climT)ing over the earthworks and was told bv Col. Rusk that he was in great danger; but Church replied: "Just let me drop one more of them!"

William Turner was a native of New York atid married Sally Ingalls in that State. He was a millwright an<l carpenter by trade. He came to Wisconsin with his son to assist him in building mills. Mr. Turner died April 1, 1865, and his wife eleven years later. Tiiey were l)otli buried in the cemetery at Viroqua.

Stanley Stout is a native of Erie Co., N. Y., born July 12, 1832. He learned the ding business in the city of Buffalo and subsequently served as drug clerk in Chicago and St. Louis, [n 1857 he concluded to try country life for awhile and so came to Wisconsin and first stopped wiih hisbrother-in-law, John W. Church, who resided on section !2, of what is now Liberty town. In 1858 he married Eliza Groves, daughter of Frederick Groves, since which he has been a resident of Liberty, lie lias, however, at several different intervals clerked at La Crosse and Viroqua. He now resides on section 3 and owns eighty acres with good improvements. Mr. Stout is a well informed and enterprising citizen. He enlisted in the I'niled States service, but was rejected on aicdiint of physical disability. In politics he is republican. Has held the offices ol' chairman, assessor and treasurer. He is a good talker and for many years has acted as auctioneer. The children are - Adelaide, William, McDowell, Rowena, Minnie, George A., Frank and Jnlia.

R. rt. Buchanan, on the 12th day of October, 1859, arrived at Springville and resided near there until 1862, then settled on section 2, Libert}^ where he had entered land in 1855 and he still resides on the same. He was born in Washington Co., Penn., April 22, 1824. In 1828 the family removed to Muskingum county, where R. H. was raised to farm life. Feb. 11, 1847, he married Mary Reed, daughter of Ellis and Margaret Reed, and in 1859 came to "Wisconsin. Mrs. Buchanan died Feb. 2, 1882. She had eight children, five now living - Sarah M., David T., Ardo, William H. and James M. In politics he is a democrat and has held the offices of town clerk, assessor and collector.

Cincinnatus Ward was born in Connecticut in 1804. He removed with his parents to New York and there married Loisa A. Wooster. Aljout the close of the civil war they came to Wisconsin. Mrs. Ward died in 1873 and Mr. Ward now resides with his son, Newton D., who is the youngest of the children. He was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., Nov. 22, 1845, removed with his parents to Erie county, where he resided until 1864, then came to Wisconsin and first stopped at Viola, where his sister, Mrs. C. D. Turner, was living. He clerked in a store for some time and in 1863 enlisted in the 25th Wisconsin, but was rejected on account of his agt>, he being but seventeen. In January, 1864, he enlisted in the 2d Wisconsin Cavalry and served until the regiment was mustered out of service. He then returned to Viola and in 1869 married Sarah A. Brown, daughter of Abner Brown. He then removed to Du Page Co., 111., and subsequently to Missouri. In 1873 he returned to Wisconsin and studied and practiced veterinary surgery for five years with John F. White, in Kenosha, since which time he has practiced at Viola. He is a republican and is at present town clerk. He is a member

Early Evexts

The first death was a child of George P. Martin, who died in 1856, and the remains were buried on their farm on section 9. The same grounds were afterward selected for the town cemetery.

The first marriage in the town was Sanford Hanchett and Ann Harris, who were united in matrimony in 1855 by Allen Rusk, then justice of peace.

Another marriage which occurred about the same date, was that of Johnson Fuller and Sarah Graves. This couple had to present themselves to Robert Wilson, a justice of the peace, whe performed the ceremony under a large oak tree near the Indian mounds around which there hangs so much of mystery.

Organic

Liberty, the smallest town in Vernon county, was last to be organized. It was formerly a part of Viroqua town; but on account of being so far from the village of Viroqua, the people chose to be set off into a separate organization, which was done in 1858; Allen Rusk presenting a petition, signed by many of the citizens, to the county board, requesting them to set off sections 1 to 24 inclusive, of township 12, range 3 west, into a civil town and that Us name should be Liberty. The name was suggested by Mr. Rusk, presenter of the petition. The board granted tlie request, and accordingly an election was held April 6,1858, at the school house on section 9, the former residence of George P. Martin. The following officers were elected: Allen Rusk, chairman, Samuel Graham and George P. Martin, supervisors; Samuel C. Fish, town clerk; John R. Joseph, treasurer; Allen Rusk and Samuel Graham, justices of the peace. Officers of 1883: D. B. Sonimars, chairman, Robert Tate and M. Wilkinson,

The first school in the town of Liberty was held in a building formerly used by George P. Martin as a residence. It was located on section 9. Emily Clauson was the teacher.

In 1884 the town had four school buildings. At this (late a part ot the scholars of lue town attended the schools located in other towns, which had joint districts with Liberty.'

In 1884 there were two cemeteries within the town of Webster, both being situated on section 9. The oldest of these is the one located near the pioneer residence of George P. Martin. The first burials in this cemetery were two children of Mr. and Mrs. Martin. The second hurrying place is on the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section y.

Liberty Postoffice

A postoflice was established at the residence of John R. Joseph, in 1S59 or I860; his wite acting as postmistress. She was followed by Mrs. M. J. Wolford, who was succeeded by Mrs. M. A. Davis. Then Mrs. Wolford was again ' appointed, and in time was succeeded by Allen Rusk, who was postmastet^ in l>^84. 'I'his office has always been kept at the house of the per- | son receiving the appointment of postmaster, or postmistress, and for this reason, has been styled "the office on wheels," but it has always gone by the name of Liberty, and has served I

The first mill erected in the town of Liberty, was a saw mill, built by H. L. Turner, in 1856, which was located on section 24, and was furnished with power by the waters of the Kickapoo river. In 1857 Mr. Turner added a grist mill, the machinery of which he ])urcliased in Buffalo, N. Y. He operated this mill till 1864, when he sold to A. C. Cushman, who operated the combined saw and flouring mill until IHVO, when he built another mill, known as the Viola Mills. This mill was built a few rods down stream from the site of the old one. It is a wooden building, ^2x48 feet, and is three stories high. It contains four run of stone. The river furnishes a head of six feet, which gives ample propelling power for the necessary machinery of the mill. This property is valued at $20,000 including the saw mill, which was still in operation in 1884.

Thb Mounds

There are a number of Indian mounds, a minute description of which is given elsewhere in this work, within this town. There a'e to be seen about forty of these peculiar mounds, on section 24. They represent animals of the larger species, birds, reptiles etc., and are surrounded with no little mystery and curiosity.

Robert and John Tatf, two natives of Fort Wayne, Ind , accompanied their ])arenl8 to this county in 1854. Robert was born Nov. 28, 18.39, and was but fifteen years old when he came into the county. The father liad entered land on section 18, and in 1862, Robert honiesteaded 16i) acres on section 23. He has since lived on this land, and has increased it by a purchase of twenty acres. In 1864 lie enlisted in company

I, 42d regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until be was honorably discharged, in 1865. Mr. Tate has served his fellow citizens as town treasurer and const.ible, also as treasurer of his school district. Mr. Tate married Pruda Downey, of Vernon county, and of their six children, four are living - Margaret, wife of Harmon D. Jennings; Mary, wife of Joseph S. Bond; Estella and Charles. John Tate was born at Fort Wayne, Ind., in 18.51, and was tlierefore only three years of age when his parents came to Vernon county. He owns forty acres of land on section 22. Mr. Tate was united in marriage, in 1870, to Esther Amanda Philpot. They have six children - William S., James W., Laura A., David O., Owen B. and Ida M.

John H. Vumback, a native of Wolfeushausen, Germany, was born in 1827, and emigrated to the United States in 1850. He first settled in Cook Co., 111., where he remained five years. In 1855 removed to Crawford Co., Wis., and one year later, (1856), came to Vernon county and settled 120 acres of land, on section 23, town 12 north, of range 3 west. Mr. Vumback was married, in 1853, to Elizabeth Amos, who was born in Byron, Germany, in 1829. They have seven children - Henry, who married Jeanette Cass; Conrad, who married Rosa Goer; John, Mary, wife of Edward Spitzer; Sophia, wife of Joseph Maple; Minnie and Philip.

Lemuel S. Rabbitt, a native of the "old Dominion," settled in Liberty town, in 1864. He was born in Hancock Co., Va., in 1827, and in 1854 was married at Carrollton, Carroll Co., Ohio, to Elizabeth E. Blazer. In 1855 heremoved his family to Richland Co., Wis., where he resided nine years. Mr. Rabbitt then came to Liberty town, and purchased of John Bryan 160 acres of well improved land on sections 23 and 24. Mr. Rabbitt has been chairman of the town board of supervisors for the past two years. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rabbitt, six of whom are living - Sanford, Anna, Lemuel E., John, George and Jasper. Sanford was married to Lucinda McCarty, April 6, 1882. They have one son - Roy. Mrs. Lucinda Rabbitt, wife of Sanford, is a native of Morgan Co., Ohio. Sanford was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio. Mrs. Elizabeth Rabbitt, wife of L. S. Rabbitt, was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, Feb. 29, 1829, (leap year).

Robert Storer was born in 1831 in Muskingum Co., Ohio. He there received a common school education, and when he was sixteen years of age he went to Perry Co., Ohio, where he remained till the year 1865, and then came to Vernon Co., Wis. He settled near Viroqua, and remained there two years, and then he came to the town of Liberty and purchased a farm of 160 acres on section 5, which he now owns. Mr. Storer was united in marriage to Mary Orrison, in 1857. They are the parents of eight children - John F., Celia A., William, George, Charles, Austin, Emma and Wilbert. The following named children are married: John F., to Catherine Wilson, and Celia to David Buchanan.

Joseph S. Bond, farmer, although quite young, is nevertheless one of the pioneers of the town of Liberty. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was but two years old when his parents removed to Richland Co., Wis. In 1869 they located in Liberty town, the father purchasing 120 acres of land on sections 12 and 23. Joseph S. now owns this land with an additional forty acres purchased subsequently. He was married in 1882 to Mary, daughter of Robert and Pruda (Downey) Tate. Mrs. Bond was born in Vernon county in 1865. Mr. Bond's father, Richard H. Bond, is a native of England, where he was born in 1820. He emigrated to the United States in 1844, and made his first permanent settlement in Richland Co., Wis. In 1852 he removed to Vernon county, and now owns eighty acres of land on section 24, in this town. He was married in Pennsylvania, in 1843, to Susannah Sutton. They had two children - Mary and Joseph.

II. A. Curry, who ve.sides on section 21, was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1845. His father, William Curry, was born in Virginia in 1808, and settled in Ohio about 1831, and there died in 1878. His wife still survives, and resides with her son William, in Ohio, at the advanced age of seventy-one years. In 1870 Mr. Curry removed to Vernon Co., Wis., and purchased 3tiO acres of land in the town of Liberty, of M. Longstroth. He has reduced the size of his farm to 190 acres. He was elected a jtistice of tlie peace in 1878, and served one term. Mr. Curry wbs married in Clinton Co., Ohio, in 1808, to Elizabeth Starbuck. They have three children - Edgar, Charles and Guy. Mrs. Curry's father, Jonathan Starbuck, was born in Clinton Co., Ohio, in 1825, and died in Virginia at the age of thirty-two years. Her mother was born in 1827 and died in Ohio at the age of forty-seven years.

Mons. S. Wilkinson was born in 1848 in Norway, and emigrated to America in 1858. He first settled in Crawford Co., Wis., and in 1874 he came to the town of Liberty. He married

Anna Lee, who was also born in Norway, in 1848. She came to the United States in 1868. They have had born to them two children - Wilbert C. and Herlha J. Mr. Wilkinson does not own any real estate in the county at present, having just sold his farm, which consisted of eighty acres on section 18, where he still resides. Mr. Wilkinson contemplates purchasing another farm on the same section.

Elizabeth Wigdahl was born in Norway in 1818, and came to the United States in 1864. She settled in the town of Christiana, where she lived until 1878, when she removed to the town of Liberty, and bought of John Erikson 160 acres of land on section 19, where she now resides. Mrs. Wigdahl was married in Norway, in 1844, to Peter Wigdahl, who died in Vernon county on the 27th day of July, 1880. Mrs. Wigdahl has five living children - Mary, Betsey, Emma, Anna and Sarah. Hans is deceased. Mary is the wife of Hans Vomburg; Betsey married Nels Swigan; Sarah joined fortunes with Robert Robertson, and Anna is now a widow with three children.