Milton Town (part 1 of 3)

Milton Town

Is town 4, North of Range 1 3 E. and N. E. from Janesville. Prairie du LaCj (Lake Prairie,) is mostly in this town and is one of the richest and most beautiful varied and picturesque in the western country. Timber is contiguous and frequently jutting out into the prairie, making the farms conveniently supplied with wood in connection with prairie, or near by. Here are several veiy fine small lakes on this prairie, hence its name. The soil on this prairie is alluvial, deep, rich and productive. Otter Creek runs through the North part, and Lake Koshkonong extends into the North-western part near George W. Ogderi's farm. A small section of Rock River is in this town also ; these together with springs, small streams and small marshes, furnish a good supply of water for all fanning purposes. The northern part of the town is mostly openings and quite roUiiig. Southern part ptairio and openings. The population in 1850 was 1032, in 1655, 1324. It has H School districts and 6 school houses. The number of scholars is 495, This town receives the present year from the State School Fund $335,68. Last year 318,24. Number of Farms in 1835 in this town is 104. This town was organized in 1842, includiug Lima, The first board of oflBcers were: Supervisors, N. ©.Stan's, Chairman; P, A. Cravath, G. W. Ogden, O. W. Norton, Town Clerk.

The village is situated at the forks of the M. & M. Railroad. The inhabitants are noted for their industry, peaoeableness and temperate habits, there not being a place in the township where ardent spirits are sold. Here are five stores, one grocery, two public houses, one saloon, two cabinet shops, two joiner shops, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop with steam pOwer, five carpenters, three masons, three shoemakers, one shoo shop, one saddle and harness maker, one tinman, one daguorreian gallery, one surveyor, one lumber merchant, one livery stable, five wheat buyers, several warehouses for storing produce, three churches and tour ministers. The Congregational church was organized in 1838, and now numbers 38 membei-s.

Here is a new, beautiful and commodious Academy, on an eminence overlooking the village, under the management of Prof. A. C. Spicer, prin., one of the most superior teachers in the western country. This school is in a very flourishing condition, having four teachers and 130 students. Besides this there is a district school in the village.

The Milton Post Office here was established in 1839. The present post master is W. T. Morgan, Esq. Teotsa Post Office near the foot of lake Koshkonong, is within the limits of this town.

Professional Men

Hon. Joseph Goodrich resides and keeps a public house at this place. To. the, enterprise, energy and indomitable perseverance of whom Milton owe* much of her present prosperity. It was mainly through his tact and sup<s-. rior managcmept thet the M. & M. R.R. was located through the place, th,e itnportancQ of which can hardly be reaUzed. Mr. G. is one of those men who is a/ways ready for every good work and reform. This assembly district last year did themselves the honor of sending him to the legislature, an office in which he did credit to himself and his constituents. Here, also, resides our present county treasurer, M. T. Walker, Esq., and his immediate predecessor, E. F. Eraser. Col. J. E. Culver, also post master next previous to the present incumbent, is one of the most enterprising and enlight^ ened citizens of our county.

On the fourth day of March, 1837, a company of us took a team and sleigh and started for Otter Creek, to make claims. D. F. Smith made his claim where the Mil. and Mineral Point Eoad crosses the creek, on the lot where I new reside. It was at that time considered valuable as a waterpower ; was selected for the purpose of building mills, as well as to make a farm. I made a claim on Prairie du Lac, on what is now occupied as a farm by Joseph Goodrich and John Alexander. The 27th of the same month I hired a team and some men to come here and help mo put up a cabin for a family to move into. The weather was cold, and as we had to camp on the ground, we worked lively to make as short a job as possible. In our haste in preparing our camp equipage and eatables we forgot the article to raise our hoecake and were obliged to eat it in an unleavened state. That would have satisfied the most rigid Jew of old,

We put up two cabins, each fourteen feet square, and covered them with shakes as long shingles were then called, the gable ends being finished with logsj and the shingles held to their places by weight poles on top instead of nails. That style of building is fast going out of practice, and if we do not preserve a description of these primitive cabins on paper, the people will soon forget the style of western pioneer cabins. I took up my residence hero the tenth of April in company with a man named Lyman C. Smith, but in one week's time ho tired of our way of living, and I bought him out. My nearest neighbor south was Daniel Smiley, where Col. H. P. Culver now resides, and on the North was John Allen, above Lake Koshkonong. I lived by myself until D. F. Smith moved his family here, about the 25th of May the the same Spring. Like all early settlers, I was pleased to have those seeking locations, call, and if I could show them a place that suited them for a farm, to do so. Sometimes my family was large for a house of this size, as I had no chamber room, and the cabin but /owcieera feet square, and to show you how many can stay in a small house I will give the names of my family. - On one occasion for a couple of nights it consisted of the following persons;

D. F. Smith, L. C. Smith, Simon Smiley, Franklin Griffeth, William Voice, John B. Babcoct and three others. There came up a severe thunderstorm. D. F. Smith had a small Indian pony, that he paid a high price for, said it too bad for the pony to stay out in such a storm, so I moved my dishes and it was led in and tied to my cupboard, or rather a pin in the log, that was part of my cupboard. Eastern housekeepers will be curious to know how we slept, as I had but one bedstead and that, but one post, (wont our friends Morse & Martin laugh,) the logs of the house answering instead of the other three posts. Three of us lay on the bed, and as many under it, while the rest ranged around the fire in one comer, and the pony in the other. The flour that I used was made at Adamsville, in Cass county, Michigan, and hauled on wagons by the way of Chicago and Racine to this place and was current at twenty dollars per baiTel. Pork was worth forty-five dollars per barrel ; Potatoes four dollars per bushel.

One day while I was gone to my former boarding place, where I still had my washing done, a neighbor some eight miles distant, came near my cabin looking for his horses, that had-strayed, and being very hungry, called to get some thing to eat, but finding the door fastened on the inside, (a precautiop that I had taken to keep the Indians from taking my eatables) he looked for another place to enter, thinking if I got out he could get m, so climbing to the top of the house and taking off some shingles, was soonmakinga fire to cook supper for himself, which with what I had on hand and some prairie chickens' eggs that he had found, made a rare supper for a new country. On leaving, he went out as he came in and the next time I saw him, he told me he had helped himself, and of course, it was all right.

I think Jason Walker was the next one that came to this town, and soon after that G. B. Hall, and J. Giblet, settled above us on the creek. N. G. Ston-s, S. D. Butz and G. Tl Mackey came in soon after, but I am unable to say which one first, or at what time. G. W. Ogden was one of the first in the west part of this town.

After our first supply of flour gave out, we were obliged to go to mill, down to Aurora, on Fox river, in what is now Kane Co., or in some cases, to Green's Mills at what is now called Dayton, within three miles of Ottawa, La Salle Co., 111.

Our breaking plow, was made by Mr. Stevens of Pleasant Prairie, near Kenosha, and when worn until it needed a new lay, it could not be had short of Racine, and D. F. Smith took two yoke of oxen and started with it for the shop, sixty-five miles offi The people, at and around Rochester had raised a bridge at that place across Fox River and got one track planked, and when he drove his team on, the leaders were afraid, and seeing the danger of their falling Off he unhooked the chain just in time, for one ox pushed his mate over and he held him by the neck, his mate hanging down toward the water. Smith put his shoulder to the other and tumbled him off too. Both cattle strWk the wAter with their backs down. Then he jumped in, and succeeded in unyoking them and getting both out. After getting the plow fixed he started at noon from Racine, and it was dark when he came to the river, and not liking the bridge thought best to ford it, and found when too late, that the rivef had raised sO' as to make fording dangerous. The cattle had to swiin some and the wagon box was like to leave, but by holding the stakes he kept it on, but the groceries were worse for water that lay in the box.

Getting On A Bust

Janes sent a man to Racine with three yoke of oxen and wagon and when there, he met several of his old acquaintances who had not the practical importance of the Maine Law before their eyes, and after drinking awhile it occurred to the said driver, that it would be wisdom in him to look out well for the cattle, least they should stray while he was drinking with his party. He put a bell on one ox, and to make sure, chained him to a tree, thinking the others would not leave the bell. When he went to yoke his team the bell ox was all that could be foimd. This vexed him much, and he started for the old place where they had been kept before moving to Rock River, and being somewhat cast down with his eiTor he passed a yard in which a man had turned the cattle (as they had started back) but not seeing them he went eight miles to the old place and then to Janesville, thinking they had gone home. He footed it to Janesville and then back, and finally found his team after several days' delay. . A few more of such snaps would make an advocate of the Maine Law, of almost any man.

Histoky Of Miltqn By A. W. Baldwin, Esq

, In giving a brief record of the early settlement,- progress and present con- <dition of this township, I shall be unable to give such an account as will create any great sensation in the historical world, for a number of reasons : first, my own inability ; second, the brief time allotted me to collect such desirable information ao would be necessary ; third, that this portion of the country was settled so recently, that those scenes of savage cruelty and foreign interference, which have lent such thrilling interest to the pages of history in other states, had all passed fi-om its borders. Yet as late as the years 1832-34, the Indian tribes made a few feeble and ineffectual attempts to regain their lost territory. But the campaign of that time, entitled the Sauk war, clearly effaced all their hopes of reclaiming it. At this time this portion of the country was unsettled, then shining forth in all its pristine beauty. It inspired the soldiery with its beauty and fertility, and from their glowing and romantic descriptions of Wisconsin, and in fact of this very township, our first settlers inspired the " malaria " incipient to the true " Wisconsin Fever."

- Milton is located in the Northern tier of Townships in Rock County,, being eight miles North of the City of JanesviUe, thirty-six miles South-east of Madison, the Capitol of the, State, thirteen miles South of Fort Atkinson on Rock River, and sixty miles West of Lake Michigan.

It contains about 2,3000 acres of territory, but owing to a number of small lakes scattered throughout its borders, and a portion of Kpshkonong Lake occupying a portion of sections 5, 6 and 7, about 1000 acres is rendered useless. And still another 1000 acres is marsh land, which reduces the arable land to a little less than 21000 acres. Koshkonong Lake is formed by the expansion of Rock River, being about nine miles in length and three miles in width, and lying principally in Jefferson County ; a small portion only including its outlet being in this township. The mai-sh land above referred to lies principally around this lake. Another lake called Deer Lake (clear, lake) is situated on Section Twenty, and is a beautiful sheet of pure water, of nearly circular form, averaging about half a mile in diameter. Its bed and shore is composed of gravel and white sand, and being clear and deep with dry bluffy shore, it is indeed beautiful as well as of utility to the farming community near it. Other small lakes furnishing water for farming purposes are situated on sections 25 and 26.

The only stream of water of which this town can boast, is a small stream called " Otter Creek." This creek rises in the Township east of this and running through this town in a North-westerly direction, empties into the the above mentioned Koshkonong lake. In consequence of the levelness of the country through which it flows, and generally having low banks, no very valuable water power is obtained. Yet Daniel F. Smith, who by the way was the first settler who brought his family into this town, constructed a dam with a ditch or race, by which means a tolerable water power was obtained, whereupon he built a saw mill, which was of great service and convenience to the first settlers in this part of the country. But from scarcity of suitable timber, and also from opposition by other mills of later origin and of greater pretensions, this has been neglected and is now silent; yet many remember the " old mUV with pleasure, even if supplanted by fast growing " Yo'ing America."

Along the southern boundary of this town lies a small prairie called "Du Lac prairie." This is about five miles in length and ranging from ^ mile to \\ miles in width. Near the centre of this prairie and near the village of Milton is a table land of nearly circular form, of about a mile in diameter, "rising about 75 or 80 feet. The top of this table land is level, and like the rest of this prairie has a rich, black loamy soil, fertile and productive.

The timber in this part, like the most of the Southern portion of this State, is bur-oak, white-oak and black-oak, with an occasional bass, poplar and soft-maple, in and about the low lands. Koshkonong lake together with some of the smaller lakes, produces an abundance of wild-rice, (Zizania Aquatica) vthich although formerly used as an article of food by the Natives, now only furnishes food for wild Geese and Ducks, which frequent these lakes in great numbers.

As I have hetofore stated, the first settlers came to this town in 1836 - among whom, were D. F. Smith, Stephen D. Butz, Aaron T. Walker, Alfred "Walker, Peter McEwan, Geo. W. Ogden, Elias Ogden, I. T. Smith and E. Hazzard. Although some of those came in the years 1 837-'38. These men nevertheless were the first settlers, the pioneers of this settlement. At that time the now city of JanesviUe was only occupied by two cabins. Samuel St. John occupied one, and the other was occupied by H. F. Janes from whom that town took or derived its name. Their place of market was Chicago. Even Milwaukee was of but humble pretensions, and none only those who have tried its realities, can appreciate the pleasures of packmg provisions even in scanty supplies from the frontier settlements, fqr an hundred miles back into a wilderness country, there to gladden the hearts of friends who had frequently felt conscious of other demands of human nature than beautiful country and a clear shy, and before the country itself could support human life, trees had to be felled, cabins reared, and the soil had to be " broken" and prepared, and crops sown ; and even then the laborer had to await the harvest. Many were the days of toil and anxiety attended with deprivations of every kind tending to ease and comfort, that the first settlei-s endured, and they were only rendered tolerahle,\>j smiling Hope as she whispered of comfortable homes and plenty in future. And indeed at this day they have all been realized; The pereon who can claim the honor of having done the first " breaking" (plowing) in this town, is Stephen D. Butz. He, with his sister, constituted the second family in this town. This " breaking" was done in 1836, on section 28. Peter McEwan made the first rail fence in this town, but to the Messrs. Walkers can be ascribed the honor of enclosing the fii'st field, raising the first crop of wheat and potatoes. The wheat was from 2 bushels sowing. The first potatoes were bought by A. T. Walker, from an old miner on Sugar River, and " packed" home on horseback. While on his way home he was offered $5 for, his bushel, by Mr. Janes, of Janesville; but money was no object in comparison to the much coveted potatoes.

I think in the year 1838, the few settlers were favored with that valuable acquisition to all neighborhoods, a blacksmith. Onin Sprague, during that year established a blacksmith shop on Prairie du Lac, near where Mr. Fraser's warehouse now stands. He, being a man of ingenuity and mechanical skill, was just such a man as the times required. He could mend a plow or make one ; or do any other work in his line which was required by the farmer. He made many plows, and made them so faultless that he acquired the reputation of being the only man in this section who could make a "breaking plow'' that would " run to a charm." And without giving him anything more than his due, I can say from personal knowledge, that he fairly and faithfully won <Aa< reputation. About the year 1839, quite a number of families came into this town from Alleghany county, N. Y. Among them was Joseph Goodrich, H. B. Crandall, James Pierce and Ebenezer Phelps. And as Joseph Goodrich has been, and is quite a prominent man in town, it may not be out of place to give a few thoughts to him ptrsonally. He is a man of a bold, energetic character, free and benevolent when occasion demands assistance, and actuated by a high senseof moral integrity and rectitude. Yet he understands about as well how to turn his pennies, to win, as any other man.

He came to this part, with the iirst stock of goods that ever graced this town, although it was not such a stock as the glaring hand-bills of the present day exhibit, yet, it met the wants of the few settlers who then lived here. He also kept the fii'st public House or tavern, and many can testify of his generous hospitality to the poor emigrant as he tendered to them his " substance" free of charge. He is a man of great eccentricity, and for many years clMmed the euphonious title of " mule man" ; in consequence of his great partiality to the use of mules for farming purposes in opposition to horses. But as this novelty wore away, he commenced the construction of " gravel buildings" ; the success of which experiment can now be seen in this tovra, by what is now known as the " GraVel Block" ; also by a number of other buildings in and around the village of Milton. For this reason he acquired the still more novel cognomen of " Oravel Man" ; (perhaps it would be improper to attribute these different titles to the fact of any such personal qualifications^

And as he is noted for his pubho spirit; when Rail Roads began to claim the attention of the public in this vicinity, he at once entered into the subject with energy ; and has since worked in that cause with a hearty good will. And to-day he would claim no higher title than " Railroad Man" - Whether this is the ultimatum of this chain of " odd titles," the future only can reveal. And in conclusion I will say, that almost the entire success of the present village of Milton can be attributed to his efforts and liberality.

This township was not organized until the year 1842, when with many other towns it organized under an act of our territorial Legislature. At that time, this township and the now town of Lima were both united under the name of Milton. Lima was organized separately as a town in 1845.

As early as 1838, the settlers without regard to sectarianism, united and supported religioiis meetings. They gave to their minister such of their substance as they could spare, and their subscriptions for the support of ministerial labors were duly paid in " labor, produce, (wheat, com and oats then being an acceded legal tender) and cash" ; the last of which articles, so scanty, that when it touched the palm of the extended hand of the official, it felt truly spiritual.

But at the present time, with the increase of population and wealth, we are blessed with the salutary influence of 3 organized churches, eaoh having a separate edifice for their devotions. The " Seventh-day-baptist" church (a sect who observe the seventh instead of the first day of the week as the Sabbath) numbers 180 members. The Presbyterian church, numbera about

An Academy was established in this village in the year 1844, by Jos. Gioodrich, its founder and patron, and commenced its work of educating the youth, under the care and guidance of Rev. Betheal C. Church, a man of most exemplary character, and a truly efficient teacher. This institution, though of but humble pretensions, was in fact a great accession and benefit to this town. In the year 1848, it was chartered under the name of Du Lac Academy^ by which name it was known until the year 1854 ; the charter was then renewed under the name of " The Milton Academy," by which name it is now known. A large, spacious and substantial building was erected in the year 1855 ; and it is now in a flourishing condition, and under the guidance of Prof. A. C. Spicer. It can with safety be said, to be sec- 07idto none in the State.

This town now numbers between 1,300 and 1,400 inhabitants, of which between 300 and 400 reside in the so-called village of Milton. We are now .benefited by the " Milwaukee & Mississippi railroad," and also this village being the junction of the " Janesville branch," alias Southern Wis. railroad, with the above mentioned railroad. The benefits of a speedy market, and ready communication with the East and South, are apparent. Property has increased rapidly in value ; money more plenty, and consequently business is brisk; and every branch of industry is on the progressive principle.

This town has ever been noted for its health, and even its morals have not been overlooked. Its fii-st settlers having a tincture of the blood of our Pilgrim Fathers coursing in their veins, have studiously and piously endeavored to keep those hot-beds of sin and iniquity - grog-shops - out of this town. And until the present they have succeeded; and yet they feel like waging war upon the infernal traffic, until not even a solitary jug shall be seen to wend its way to Janesville, there to be filled with the genuine K G., and then return to its bloated-visaged devotee, and through him render an innocent family miserable and unhappy.

Politically, this town has heretofore seen many hard-fought battles between the Whig and Democratic parties, which have been quite equally balanced. But at present, Milton can tell a tale, which though it causes " petty tyrants " to jeer, yet its moral, causes them to quake with apprehensions of danger.

And now in conclusion, considering the steady advancement of this town in wealth and general prosperity, and its success in those few years it has been settled, what may we not expect when another eighteen years shall have rolled away ? Her now many broad acres of uncultivated soil, rich and fertile by nature, then yielding their abundance her many orchards, bending^ under the delicious fruits of this climate; her statalj farm-houses, sending forth the hum of happy families, supplied with every comfort and luxury ; capacious barns and granaries, filled with the fruits of honest toil; herds of fine cattle, and fleet horses, whoso glossy coats bespeak no drouths or fastings; contented porkers, snoring in happy concert over their abundant supply of golden meal; and even voracious Shanghais, standing in moody silence, that their capacious crops can hold no more ; while the industrious farmer, even then, with well-filled purse, can count them aJl mine. And the busy mechanics, actively beating time to the tune of three dollars per day, making our village ring with the chimos of hammer, saw, maWet and plane, while the machine shops are daily changing the rough ore into useful tools and machinery, and the log is metamorphosed into houses, furniture &c., and finally everything bespeaking the blessings of God, and the powers of Man. A. W. BALDWIN,

Supervisors - ^Daniel Babcock, Chairman; Allen Holmes, Joel Wood; Henry Colman, Town Clerk; Joel Wood and James McCuin, Assessors; M. T. Walker, Phillip Marquart, James Pierce and Abel D. Bond, Justices of the Peace.

Town Officers For 1855

Supervisors - Allen Holmes, Chairman; Phillip Marquart, S. D. Butts; A. W. Baldwin, Town Clerk; Silas W. Crandall, Treasurer; Milo Smith and Alfred Walker, Assessoi-s ; H. G. Greenman, Asa Weaver, Phillip Marquart and James Pierce, Justices of the Peace,

Isaac T, Smith raised 50 bush, apples and 100 tons of hay; J. E. Culver raised 10 bush, apples and 6 bush, plums; George W. Ogden raised 40 bush, apples; Luke Holmes raised 130 bush, apples and 100 tons hay; Henry Green made 2300 lbs, cheese and 300 lbs. butter, also raised 30 bush, apples.

Source changes here: from The History of Rock County, Wisconsin; Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., by Wesern Historical Company, Chicago, Pub, published 1879; 38,134 words in this source stream.

Milton Town

and articles of interest were fine. The time appointed for the fair was from the 5th to the 8th of September. Unfortunately, the wea^ther was unfavorable, with rain most of the time. The financial report, however, was more favorable than was expected from these adverse circumstances. The receipts were, §2,686.23 ; paid for premiums, $909.59 ; other expenses, $1,676.63.

The officers of the Society for the year 1878 were : George Sherman, President ; F. S. Lawrence, Secretary, and N. P. Bump, Treasurer. The Treasurer's report shows the receipts of the Society from all sources were $1,695.47, and the disbursements $1,661.57, of which $722.72 were paid in premiums, with a balance of $33.90 remaining.

In the year 1879, the Executive Cpmmittee of the Agricultural Society made an arrangement with the citizens of Janesville for the celebration of the Fourth day of July, and a county fair in connection therewith. The result was not a satisfactory one for the Society, the holding of a fair in the month of July proving a signal failure. A number of guests from abroad were present. Addresses by Gov. W. E. Smith, Hon. C. G. Williams, Hon. W. C. Whitford, and Gen, E. E. Bryant were delivered. Connected with the exercises was a soldier's drill, a gathering of the old settlers of the county, and games and athletic sports, in the grove near the fair grounds. The following pioneers were in attendance, and registered their names as having settled in the years mentioned: 1835 - Virgil Pope; 1836 - J. P. Dickson, Jeremiah Roberts, Mrs. Volney Atwood, M. T. Walker, Alford Walker, Mrs. H. H. Bailey, J. W. Inman, S. C. Carr; 1837--G. H. Williston, Helen M. Bailey, Henry Tuttle, Cornelius Van Tassel, Volney Atwood, Charles Tuttle, E. G. iSTewhall ; 1838 - James McEwan, Mrs. Wood, William McEwan, George W. Lawrence, C. B. Inman, Cyrus Teetshorn, H. J. Warren, Mrs. H. J. Griggs, A. L. Walker; 1839 - T. Gullack Graydell,_Mrs. G. H. Williston, Mrs. R. T. Powell, Ezra Goodrich, George B. Mackey, H. R. Waterman, H. Wood, S. P. Harriman ; 1810 - Thomas E. Stevens, P. E. Stillman, Jacob West, Margaret West, Royal Wood, Mrs. M. S. Pritchard, M. E. Bump, A. Morris Pratt, Mrs. Almeda E. Allen, J. G. Carr (born here), E. C. Dickinson, Alfred Dewey.

The grounds of the Society are situated wholly within the city limits of Janesville, and contain, exclusive of streets, forty-seven acres of land. The buildings are well arranged, and of a substantial and convenient character. The object of the Society is to encourage and promote agriculture, horticulture, domestic manufactures, the mechanic arts, and the breeding and raising of useful animals.

The first fair of the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society was held at Janesville, commencing October 1, 1851. On the second day of the fair, the first annual address was delivered by J. H. Lathrop, LL.D., Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin. By an arrangement entered into with the Rock County Agricultural Society, the proceeds of the sale of tickets of admission to the show grounds were applied, under the direction of that society, first, to the payment of the expenses of the grounds ; and after that, the balance was to be divided equally between the two societies. By this arrangement, each society received $127 as its share of the receipts .

The next State fair held at Janesville began September 28, 1857, and closed October 2. The annual address was delivered by Prof J. B. Turner, of Jacksonville, 111. The income of the Society for the year was $8,804.63, of which amount $2,853.21 was from the receipts of the State Fair ; and the expenditures for all purposes, $8,302.10 - leaving a balance of $502.53.

In 1864, Janesville was again selected for the State Fair, which was held the last week in September. Addresses were made by B. R. Hinkley, President, and ex-Gov. J. A. Wright, of Indiana. The Treasurer of the Society reported that the receipts for the year were $7,759.19 of which amount, $4,103.38 was from the sale of tickets at the fair ; and the expenditures, $5,587.35, with a balance in the treasury of $2,171.84.

Janesville, for the fourth time, was selected for the State Pair for the year 1865, which was held in September. Addresses were made by the President, David Williams, by Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman, ex-Gov. Alexander W. Randall, James R. Doolittle, T. 0. Howe and ex- Gov. J. T. Lewis. The total receipts of the Society for the year were $11,404.90, of which $7,187.50 was for sale of tickets at the fair. The expenditures were $8,330.52, and a balance remaining of $3,074.38.

In September, 1866, the State Fair was held, for the fifth time, at Janesville. The receipts were nearly $15,000, and the expenses, $9,600, with a balance of $5,400 on hand.

In September, 1877, the State Fair was held for the sixth time at Janesville. The annual address was delivered by the President, Eli Stilson. The gate fees were $10,428.83, and the whole receipts of the Society for the year were $20,524.30. The expenditures were $19,363.28, of which $10,561 were paid for premiums.

War Record

The following militia statistics of Rock County show the number in each township subject to draft, exemptions granted and enlistments, to September 24, 1862 :

Rock County's war record is of a character to her people may ever refer with pride and satisfaction. One of the first counties in the State to respond with volunteers in the hour of gravest peril, she never faltered during the entire struggle, weary and disheartening as it ofttimes was. Her old men were not wanting in counsel, nor her young and middle-aged men in true martial spirit. With a firm, unswerving faith in the righteousness of the Union cause, her citizens, with scarce a distinction in age or sex, were imbued with a determination to conquer, or die rather than survive defeat. It was this kind of martial spirit that bore the Union cause through defeat as well as victory, whenever the oft repeated news was brought home of depleted and scattered ranks. Rock County valor is attested upon every street of her hospitable cities and villages, upon her broad sections of fertile lands, and, last, but not least, within the silent inclosures of her dead. It is here that, with each recurring anniversary, the graves of her slumbering heroes are moistened with the tears of sorrow, as loving fingers bedeck them with beautiful flowers.

When the first alarm was sounded of the coming of war, and President Lincoln called for 75,000 men to defend the cause of the Union, Rock County responded Avith the "Beloit City Guards," and thereafter, until the terms of the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, made by Lee to Grant, on the " old stage road to Richmond," in the afternoon of April 9, 1865, were promulgated, Rock County was ever ready to manifest her patriotism and love of country. The draft was enforced three times during the war - November 12, 1863; September 19, 1864. and February 19, 1866 - but filled with recruits, yet the county furnished 2,817 soldiers and upward of a half-million dollars to beat back the foe. Of this number, 1,493, by actual count, was enlisted prior to November 11, '^1861.

The subjoined roster of Rock County soldiers has been undertaken with the view of making it correct. In its preparation, the writer has labored under peculiar embarrassments, which arose from the fact that the lapse of time had, to some extent, dissipated the bold lines on the panorama of events upon which public interest centered. The utmost diificulty was experienced in the procuration of names of soldiers, though all the sources of information in that behalf, accessible to inquiry, were exhausted. This is, in the main, due to the participants. In Mny, 1865, the Legislature of Wisconsin dire^cted the Adjutant General of the State to, procure the roster of each regiment from its original organization to its muster-out. From many of these regiments, this was found impossible, and those sent, in obedience to such directions, were found imperfect. From this and other causes, the readers will appreciate some of the diiEculties encountered, and the reasons why many names of those belonging to companies have been unavoidably omitted.

But the citizens of Rock County require no facts to remind them of their deeds, or recall the names of those who fought the good fight unto the end. On the land and on the sea, they wrought their names in characters that live as monuments to the memories of men who, though dead long ago, will always live, bright and imperishable as the rays of Austerlitz's sun.

Many of the '- boys" who went out from home to battle for the Union, with only the benediction of a mother's tears and prayers, came back to that mother's arms shrived in glory. Many returned, having left a limb in the swamps of the Chickahominy ; on the banks of the Rapidan ; at Fredericksburg, Gettysburg or the Wilderness. Many still bear the marks of that strife which raged at Stone River, luka, Chickamauga, or on the heights of Lookout Mountain, whence they thundered down the defiance of the skies; of that strife which raged before Atlanta, Savannah and in the Garolinas.

But there were many who came not back. They fell by the wayside, or, from the prison and battle-field, crossed over and mingled with the ranks of that Grand Army beyond the river. Their memory, too, is held in sacred keeping.

Some sleep beside their ancestors in the village churchyard, where the violets on their mounds speak not alone of womanly sweetness, but in tender accents of the devotion of those who sleep below. Their memory, too, is immortal ; beautiful as the crown of gold the rays of the sunset lay upon the hill-tops. Some sleep iri unknown graves in the land of cotton and cane. But the same trees which shade the sepulcher of their foemen shade their tombs also the same birds carol their matins to both ; the same flowers sweeten the air with their fragrance, and the same daisies caress the graves of both, as the breezes toss them into ripplino- eddies' Neither is forgotten. Both are remembered as they slumber there, in peaceful, glorified rest.

" Wiucls of Summer, oh ! whisper low Over the graves where the daisies grow, Blossoming flowers and songs of bees, Sweet ferns tossed in the summer's breeze - Floating shadows and golden lights, Dewy morninga and radiant nights - All the bright and beautiful things That gracious and bountiful summer brings. Fairest and sweetest that earth can bestow. Brighten the graves where the daisies grow."

On the 17th of April, 1861, the proclamation of Gov. Randall was published, calling upon " all good citizens to join in making common cause against a common enemy," and inviting the " patriotic citizens of Wisconsin to enroll themselves into companies ready to be mustered into service immediately." The promulgation -of this address was followed by public meetings held at eligible points throughout the county. On the evening of April 20, the largest meeting ever convened in Janesville was held in the Hyatt House Hall. It was composed of men of all degrees and every shade of political belief.' Party appeared to have been for the time forgotten, Democrats and Republicans alike seeming to be impressed with but one purpose - -devotion to the maintenance of the Union, and the enforcement of the laws ; W. H. Ebbetts presided, and, in a brief address, set forth the causes which necessitated the assemblage. He was followed by the Hon. Andrew Palmer, C. G. Williams, W. H. Mitchell, Gov. Barstow, Isaac Woodle, H. N. Comstock and others. J. B.'Cassoday, M. 0. Smith and I. 0. Sloan were appointed a committee to draft an address, inviting the people of Rock County to co-operate with the citizens of Janesville in aiding the subscription of money and enlistment of volunteers to put down the rebels who were then marching on Washington. A series of resolutions introduced by the Hons. Andrew Palmer and Isaac Woodle, expressing the people's determination to rally at once, without distinction of party, to the defense of the country ; to cheerfully respond to the call of the President for troops to aid in the enforcement of the laws, and to contribute to the support of the families of those who shall enlist and enter upon active service, where their pecuniary condition may require it, were unanimously adopted. The most intense and enthusiastic patriotism was manifested, and before the assembly dispersed, the following subscriptions, aggregating 1-3,7-30, were pledged : ]^d. McKay, $200 ; H. Richardson, C. Conrad, Andrew Palmer, Noah Newell, John Mitchell, J. C. Jenkins, J. B. Doe, R. J. Richardson, H. S. Conger, B. R. Doe, H, L. Smith, 0. B. Mattison, J. D. Rexford, J. -T. R. Pease, J. W. Storey and Jackman & Smith, $100 each ; C. R. Gibbs, B. B. Eldredge, James Sutherland, Z. S. Doty^ Dann & Carle, J. M. Bostwick ; Peter Myers, G. F. Moseley, I. C. Sloan, W. G. Wheelock, George Barnes, J. M. May, George A. Young, Daniel Clow & Holt, Bowen & Wilcox, $50 each ; J. B. Cassoday, H. N. Comstock, J. Spaulding, J. L. Kimball, H. Search, C. G. Williams, S. C. Burnham, K. W. Bemis, J. L. Kimball, W. Macloon, S. Holdridge, Jr., E. S. Barrows, Randall Williams, H. N. Gregory, S. J. M. Putnam, C. Miner, J. C. Metcalf, Robert Hodge, B. Bornheim, F. & D. Strunk, A. P. Prichard, William Eager, W. H. Parker, Adam Andre, A. Sutherland ; H. Palmer, J. R. Bennett, G. H. Davis, J. L._ Ford, Charles W. Hodson, Beri Cook, G. Nettleton, Fifield & Bro., Ole Everson, Nash & Ciitts, Hugh Chapin, J. W. Allen, Joseph James, H. E. Patterson, Colwell & Co., Theodore Kendall, D. W. Inman and J. W. Sleeper, $2.5 each ; D. S. Treat, $20 ; John Mohr, A. Wilson, J. M. Riker, W. Winkly, N. Swager, N. L. Graves, Charles Seaton, A. D. Stoddard, G. W. Kimball, L. H. Black, Henry Chapin, Royal Wood, 0. B. Hartley, James Madden and F. Barrere, $10 each ; Henry Powell, $15 ; H. ,Gottman, Lesley Hyde, A. Nellis and 0. W. Monsell, $5 each ; J. B. Doe was appointed Treasurer, in addition to the following Relief Committee, and Ladies' Committee to furnish flags for enlisted companies : T. Jackman, G. R. Curtis, H. W., Collins, Piatt Eycleshimer and Samuel Belton ; Ladies' Committee, Mesdames J. T. Wright, R. B. Treat, Henry Palmer, Z. S. Doty and Peter Myers.

Large Union meetings were also held at Evansville, Footville, Clinton, Afton, Shopiere (at vvluoh $4,640 was subscribed). Magnolia, Johnstown and elsewhere, at all of which the greatest enthusiasm and generous liberality were displayed. On the 25th of April, a county meeting was held in Janesville to take into consideration the condition of the country and adopt such measures as the exigencies of the time demanded.

The city was generally decorated in honor of the event, the stores and public offices closed, and the proceedings were of a character well calculated to excite patriotic emotions.

The meeting was organized by the appointment of B. E. Hale, of Beloit, Chairmiui ; Andrew Palmer, Isaac Miles, Dr. John Mitchell, Z. P. Burdick, J. P. Wheeler and D. Y. Kilgore. Vice Presidents, and W. H. Ebbetts, Hiram Bowen and B. P. Brooks, Secretaries. Speeches were made by Prof. D. Y. Kilgore, of Evansville Senvinary, W. H. Ebbetts, Judge Armstrong, Mr. McAdams, of Milton, J. P. Wheeler and the Rev. I. Codding, and Messrs. Graham, Lawrence, Gibbs, Martin, Calkins, Tilton, May, Williams and others, at an impromptu meeting held on the public square. At this meeting, " The Rock County Union and Relief Society " was organized, and the following oflScers elected : J. D. Rexfbrd, Treasurer ; William Merrill, Secretary, and J. G. Kendall, W. H. Tripp, J. E. Culver, A. Palmer. George Sherman and A. W. Pope, Committee.

The objects of the Society were to enroll, organize into companies and drill such men as were willing to enter into active service as volunteers; to raise funds for the support and relief of such volunteers and their families, and to defray such other expenses as may be proper in carrying out these objects. The labors imposed were onerous, but till the close of the war the Society was untiring in its efforts to promote the cause of the Union and the welfare of the soldier.

In the three-months' service, Pliny Norcross, a student at Milton at the date of the call, enlisted in the Governor's Guards, and is believed to have been the only recruit^ from Rook County who served in the three-months campaigns around Washington, terminating with the battle of Bull Run, excepting, of coursCj the "Beloit City Guards," which were enlisted at Beloit and mustered into the First Regiment. Pliny Norcross subsequently became Captain of Company K, Thirteenth Regiment, and served to the close of the war. He is now practicirii;- law in Janesville.

Value's Battery. - Th\s battery was organized in Beloit in September, 1861, by Capt. John F. Vallee. His Senior First Lieutenant was George B. Easterly ; Junior First Lieutenant, Martin McDevitt; Senior Second Lieutenant, Charles A. Rathbun ; Junior Second

Company D, Second Regiment, was raised in the city of Janesville - the first company of volunteers enlisted for the war in Rock County. The company was enlisted under the call for three months, but when mustered into service on June 11, 1861, was credited to the quota for three years. It left Janesville for Madison on the 6th of May, where it was quartered in Camp Randall. After remaining in camp engaged in drilling and equipping for the field until June 20, the regiment departed for Washington, its officers and privates regarding the change of base in the light of a pleasure trip, confident that their services would not be required beyond a year. After a brief sojourn in the capital, the regiment crossed the Potomac and camped on Arlington Heights, where it was brigaded under the command of the present Gen. W. T. Sherman, and participated in the memorable battle of Bull's Run, at which Marion

F. Hume, of Company F, was killed by a cannon-ball - the first Wisconsin soldier killed in the war. On the 27th of August following, the regiment was transferred to the command of Gen. Rufus King, and composed a portion of the " Iron Brigade." Company D participated in the campaigns against Richmond, in the battles of Gainesville, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Laurel Mountain and at other points, until May 11, 1864. At that date, the regiment was detached from the brigade it had accompanied since its organization, and to whose reputation it so materially contributed (the Second having been reduced to less than one hundred men fit for active service), and employed as Provost Guard of the Fourth Division, Fifth Army Corps, accompanying that Division in the movement to the left, crossing the North Anna River on the 23d of May, and arriving, on the 6th of June, on the Chickahominy. The regiment remained here until the 11th of the same month, when it marched to White House Landing, whence it embarked for Washington, and arrived in Madison June 18, where, on the 2d of July, 1864, it was mustered out of service, and the remnant of Company D returned to Rock County. When the regiment reached Wisconsin, its total number was 155 ofiicers and men, out of 1,050 who entered the service in 1861. The number returned as above did not include 20 veterans or 45 members who were "returned wounded and prisoners."

The original roster of Company D contained the following : George B. Ely, Captain, wounded at the battle of Antietam, September 2, 1862, discharged the service December 24 following; A. B. McLean, First Lieutenant, resigned October 7, 1862; Dana D. Dodge, Second Lieutenant, promoted to First Lieutenant March 18, 1862, resigned April 13 following; Albert F. Wade, Orderly Sergeant ; George F. Saunders (promoted to First Lieutenant April 30, 1862, and resigned), William A. Jameson (promoted January 9 and May 4, 1863, to First Lieutenant) and Henry Silman, Sergeants; John C. McDonald, John C. Little, Charles W. Atherton and Dennison Webster, Corporals. The privates were Ethan Allen, Marion Alexander, John J. Bristow, Gersham A. Bennett, Frederick Breme, Cain Billings, Jeremiah G. Burdick, Chancy Bartholomew, Henry Backus, Andrew Bean (killed at South Mountain September 14, 1862), William Croft, Samuel Creek, Charles H. Cheney, Andrew Douglas, Lorin Davis, Jr., Johnson Dole, John N. Ehle, Chauncev Ehle (died at Richmond, Va., in November, 1862), John F. Foot, William H. Foote, Asahel Gage (killed at South Mountain September 14, 1862), Wendell Fairbrother, John Hamilton (promoted Corporal and died at Richmond, Va.), William Hogan, Albert B. Heath, Joseph Harris, Isaac R. Huggins, John Johnson, Edward Kiilelee, Hiram H. Kimball, Albert B. Kimball, Thomas H. Knill, Oliver Friddle, Daniel H. Loomis, Lucius H. Lee, C. H. Lee, Alexander Lee (appointed Second Lieutenant May 13, 1863), Herman J. Longhoff, Sidney Landers, Charles E. Marsh, Orville J. Miles, William J. McRea, Frederick H. Maine, John C. Malloj, Nathaniel Parks, A. Patterson, Leonard Powell, William Smith (promoted Corporal and died in Richmond, Va., March 14, 1862), Charles Rowland, George L. Scott, Albert H. Stickney, Charles D. Stickney, William L. Schermerhorn, Joslyn Southard, William Seiforth, D. Thoraldson, Lucien N. Turner, Lewis Tramblie, Joseph H. Tramblie (killed at Gainesville, Aug. 28, 1826), David Tramblie, Julius Tramblie, Clark R. Thomas, Oramel Wilcox, Philander Wilcox (promoted Corporal, and killed at Gettysburg July 1, 1863) and Caleb J. Waterman.

Company E, Fifth Regiment, was enlisted in Rock County in May, 1861, and rendezvoused at Camp Randall during the latter part of the following June, where it was mustered into service July 13, leaving the State for the Army of Eastern Virginia, on the 24th of the same month. Arriving in Washington, the regiment became attached to the brigade of Gen. King and encamped on Meridian Hill. On the 3d of the ensuing September, the regiment was moved to Chain Bridge and assigned to Hancock's Brigade, Smith's Division, Army of the Potomac. Company E was a prominent factor in all these movements, including that of the Army of the Peninsula, participating in the battle of Williamsburg, the first engagement of the historic battles about Richmond, including Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, Frasier's Farm, Malvern Hills and Antietam. Also taking part in the battles of Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg (being attached to Gen. Franklin's Division of the Sixth Army Corps, and crossing the rivor on tjie morning of the 12th of December, 1862, in advance of Burnside's Army), and took a position on the left of the battle line at Gettysburg. In the latter part of July, 1863, Company E occupied Kingston, N. Y., where it was stationed until after the draft, when, in obedience to '.rders, it returned to Fairfax Station, Va., and, rejoining the Third Brigade, First Division, Sixth Army Corps, took possession of Warrenton, joined in the charge upon Rappahannock Station and in the engagement at Locust Grove across the Rapidan. In the spring of 1864, Company B again crossed the Rapidan and took part in the battle of the Wilderness, in which, it will be remembered, the Twenty-fifth Virginia Regiment was captured by companies attached to the Fifth- Wisconsin. After the battles of Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg, the regiment assisted in the defense of Washington when menaced by Breckinridge, remaining until the 16th of July, 1864, when it was returned to Madison and mustered out.

The following is the list of officers and privates originally enlisted in Rock County : H. M. Wheeler, Captain, promoted to Major, died in Washington, November 19, 1863, of wounds received at the battle of Fredericksburg ; H. R. Clum, First Lieutenant, promoted Captain February 9, and resigned October 3, 1863 ; James Mills, Second Lieutenant, resigned May 11, 1862 ; H. C. Hern, died of wounds at Williamsburg, in May, 1862 ; E. P. Mills, promoted February 9, and, October 31, 1863, to First Lieutenant, and killed at the battle of the Wilderness May 5, 1864 ; A. W. Hathaway, promoted May 19, 1862, February 9 and October 31, 1863, to Captain ; W. L. Smith and A. L. Cutts (died at Fairfax, Va., March 15, 1862), Sergeants ; G. W. Dutton, W. M. Birt, J. C. Rogers, P. Wilson, J. McDaniels, C. 0. Harrington, G. Thorngate and R. W. Raynor, Corporals ; F. Schermerhorn, drummer, and John Jackson, fifer, with the subjoined list of privates : Louis Anderson, Leslie Anderson, Thomas H. Alverson, W. H. Albon, H. S. Ames, J. Anson, Rosewell Beech (died at Washington, November 25, 1863), Wm. C. Benedict, P. J. Bellesfield, John Beatty, E. C. Bingham, E. P. Bly, J. H. Bliven, W. W. Bradshaw, J. W. Brown, W. Braithwaite (died at Hagerstown, Md., October 29, 1862), A. M. Burdick, Page N. Bulls, James B. Carr, J. W. Coonen (died at Baltimore, December 18, 1862), R. D. Coonen, Henry Curron, B. Courtrighte, R. F. Dutton, M. Dunn, J. D. Dysart, C. M. Densmore, Thomas Evans, W. M. Folsom, A. R. Foster, N. H. Fowle. S. C. Glover (killed at the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864), W. W. Hastings, F. T. Harvey, R. A. Hickox, Thomas Hodson, J. W. Huggins, W. A. Helmes, G. W. Hale (died at Washington September 24, 1862), C. A. Ingersoll, H. Jarvis, R. K. Johnson, J. M. Kimball, John Lahn (died at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864), J. P. Lincoln, W. D. Masterton, J. D. Maxon, W. McClure, Edward Miles, Thomas Miller, Ely Mitchell, M. Newton, Alonzo Nellis, I. B. Newkirk, Timothy Osborn (died at Liberty Hall Hospital, Va., January 27, 1862), E. H. Olison, F. D. Parker, Ezra Pepper, George Peterson (died of wounds received at Cold Harbor June 3, 1864), Joseph Pierson (killed at the battle of the Wilderness May 5, 1864), C. A. Pierce ; B. K. Plats (died at Liberty Hall Hospital, Va., July 18, 1862), G. S. Prior, R. W. Pitts (killed at Fredericksburg, Va., May 3, 1863), C. T. Packard, P. G. Raymond (died of wound received at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864), W. F. Reed, M. Rhoades, D. 0. Ripley, T. G. Richardson, J. B. Russell, H. C. Russell, J. F. Smith, G. F. Seymour, P. A. Shaw, G. C. Sims, S. F. Smith, E. C. Small, W. H. Story, W. Cj Stevens, W. C. Stuck (died of wounds at Washington November 29, 1863), T. T. Stewart, C. M. Taylor, Whitney Tibbals (killed at Spottsylvania May 10, 1864),' W. Tucker, J. D. Valentine, A. N. Vaughn (died at Philadelphia in May, 1862), R. W. Walker, A. Walrath, J. A. Warner, Henry Wagner, F. R. Walker, R. B. Webster, Theodore Weed, G. Westemyer, W. W. Wiggins, D. Williams and G. R. Woodard.

In the campaign against Fredericksburg, the Fifth Wisconsin bore an important part. It will be remembered that the attack upon the heigh s beyond that stronghold was made simultaneously by three columns under Gens. Gibbon, Howe and Newton. " On Sunday morning, May 3," writes an eye witness, and after the first advance had been repulsed, "Col. Allen, with two hundred and twenty-five men, the right wing of the Fifth Wisconsin, deployed as skirmishers fifty yards in advance, covering the Thirty-first New York and Sixth Maine, and ordered his line forward on the double-quick. His men were directed not to fire a musket, but to make use

" This was the most brilliant charge of the campaign. The line of skirmishers darted forward UDon the run, but before they reached the stone fence, which was less than three minutes, /twenty-three were killed and seventy-six fell wounded, but not a man unhurt faltered. Clearing the stone fence under a terrible fire of artillery and musketry, they bayoneted those of the enemy who still resisted their advance, and, rushing forward, captured the heights, taking possession of the rifle-pits and batteries.

" Lieut. Brown, commanding a section of Walton's famous Washington Artillery, surrendered his battery and his men to Col. Allen. All this was done before "any other troops had reached the stone wall. The Sixth Maine came up and planted their colors on the right, and the left wing of the Fifth Wisconsin came up about the same time and raised their colors ,on the left."

C. Keihl, W. Kersher, D. Lord, F. S.Lyon, A. A. Lombard, R. F. Lombard, J. M. Livingston, J. A. Livingston, M. E. Livingston, A. F. Livingston, W. D. McKenney, A. Mussey, A. Mahoney. H. -McRady, C. Miller, M. McNamara, M. 'Miller, J. P. Murray,

Company G, of the Eighth, was made up of recruits from various portions of the county, the Janesville Fire Department, etc., and was recognized as one of the "crack companies" of the nationally famous eagle regiment of Wisconsin. The regimental organization was completed on the 4:th and the regiment mustered into service on the 5th of September, 1861, at Camp Randall. After a brief delay devoted to drilling, the Eighth was armed and equipped, and, on the 12th of October departed for the scene of active hostilities, with which it was so intimately associated during the three years following. The regiment reached St. Louis on the I4th, remaining at Benton Barracks one day, going thence to De Soto, Big River Bridge, Pilot Knob, and finally to Fredericktown, where Jeff Thompson was encountered and put to flight. This was the first engagement in which the boys participated, and was followed by New Madrid, Island No. 10, Farmington, Miss., the siege of Corinth ; the battles of luka, Corinth and Jackson ; the siege and capture of Vicksburg ; battles of Richmond, Ft. De Russy, Henderson Hills, Pleasant Hill, Cloutierville, Mausura and Yellow Bayou, La., Hurricane Creek, Miss., Lake Chicot, Ark., Nashville, the Spanish Fort and Mobile. After campaigning through Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi, the regiment returned to St. Louis, where it was reclothed and accompanied the command of Gen. A. J. Smith in the movement to repel the advance of Hood. After the battle of Nashville, the regiment moved further south, camping at Chalmette, near New Orleans, at Dauphin Island, Mobile, Montgomery and Demopolis, Ala., where it was mustered out of service and returned home, reaching Madison on the iSth of September, 1865, after four years constant service, during which the regiment marched 15,179 miles, campaigned in eleven States, fought nearly forty battles, participated in nineteen skirmishes and innumerable sorties, returning home at the close of its service full of honor and with its "eagle bird" in the enjoyment of excellent health and undiminished appetite. Early in the war, the regiment was assigned to the, First Brigade, Second Division, of the Army of the Mississippi, under the command of Clen. Plummer, but subsequently became a part of the Second Brigade, First Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, Gen. W. T. Sherman, and of the First Brigade, Second Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, Gen. A. J. (Baldy) Smith.

The following is a list of ofiicers, non-commissioned officers and privates of Company G : W. B. Britton, Captain, promoted Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel ; Charles P. King, First Lieutenant, promoted Captain March 28, 1863 ; R. D. Beamish, Second Lieutenant, killed at Farmington, Miss., May 9, 1863 ; William H. Sargent, promoted First Lieutenant March 28, 1863, killed before Nashville December 16, 1864 ; James Croft, Jr., M. H. Doty, M. C. Willialnson (died at luka. Miss., August, 1862), and H. H. Whittier (died at Vicksburg , July 15, 1863), Sergeants. J. A. White (killed at Farmington, Miss., May 9, 1862), A. J. Blood, C. N. Riker, D. H. Slauson, W. J. E. McNair, A. Paul, Jr. (died at Germ'antown, Tenn., March 10, 1863), J. W. Drummond and William Watson, Corporals. Privates P. Anderson, H. E. Bewley, T. Bowles, J. Brittain, C. K. Bryan (died at Cairo, 111., January 29, 1862), John Bray, John Carney, William Culton, John Crymble, A. Cooley, William Conroy (died at Memphis, Tenn., January 5, 1864), L. Davis, Jr., Norman Davis, Edward Drake, John Dove (died at Black River, Miss., October 7, 1863), Frederick Fisher (died at Bear Creek, Miss., August 7, 1863), M. Flynn, John Flagler, E. L. Graves, G. L. Griffith, W. W. Gowens, E. B. Griffin, C. E. Hine, David Harvey, Soloman Harvey, J. B. Huggins, A. Holloway, A. M. Johnson (died at Farmington, Miss., May 24, 1862), Joseph Kane, James Krebs, Charles Kelly, William Kelly, Julius Love, Charles Lee, James Keefe, J. N. Marshall, J. McNair, C. L. Noggle, H. J. Phillips, C. Palm, R. Peters, James Rogers, G. Stickney, A. M. Stickney, J. B. Smith (died at Sulphur Spa, Mo., January 16, 1862), John Stephenson, B. Sentenn, P. W. Tifft, J. Tramblie, A. Thompson, A. Tiedeman, G. Viney, Charles Viney, William Trask,

The Thirteenth Regiment was proposed at the close of the five days' fight around Richmond, at a meeting held in Janesville to devise means for strengthening the Union cause. Before the assemblage dispersed, a resolution, providing for the enlistment of a regiment of infantry from Rock County, was introduced and met with immediate adoption. The preliminaries incident to the business in hand were promptly disposed of, and a committee appointed, consisting of Senator H. Richardson and the Rev. H. 0. Tilton, authorized to confer with the Governor and conclude arrangements for enlisting the soldiers and providing them with officers. The 'Hon. J. J. R. Pease, Senator Richardson and H. G. Collins were appointed to take charge of the camp, and see that the "boys" were comfortably provided for. All things being intrusted to proper authorities, recruiting began, *and before many weeks the regimental roster was completed, and consisted of six companies from Rock County exclusively, the balance from Green and Walworth Counties. The regiment, rank and file, as also the officers, was made up from the farm houses and workshops, with a goodly number from Milton College and the High School at Janesville, and went into camp northeast of the latter city, on what is now the County Fair Grounds, but at that date called "Camp Treadway." It was mustered into service October 17, 1861, and left the State for Fort Leavenworth, Kan. From thence it marched to Fort Scott, "where it remained until March 22, and was transferred to Lawrence, arriving there March 31, 1861. After a month's sojourn, the regiment went to Fort Riley, where it was fitted out for an expedition into Mexico. On the eve of departure to the land of cocoa and palm, the orders were countermanded, and the "Mexican expedition" retraced its steps to Fort Leavenworth, ^oing thence to Columbus, Ky., Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, remaining at the two forts named for upward of a year, the regimental time being devoted to skirmishes, engagements, harassing Forrest and guarding supply steamers between Fort Henry and Hamburg Landing. On the 27th of August, 1868, the regiment marched to Stevenson, Ala. After remaining at this port a short time, it went into camp at Edgefield, near Nashville, where it remained until the expiration of its term of service, and, having re-enlisted, was given a furlough of thirty days, the same being passed in Janesville. Upon entering active service once more, the regiment was assigned to the First Brigade of the Fo.urth Division of the Twentieth Army Corps, and served in the Southwest, remaining at Stevenson, Ala., until after the defeat of Hood at Nashville, when it was assigned to the Third Brigade, Third Division, Fourth Corps; embarked for New Orleans, going thence to Indianola, and serving in Texas until November, 1865, when it returned to Madison via New Orleans, and was mustered out of service. The following is the roster of Rock County recruits :

Company A or the "Ruger Guards," Edward Ruger, Captain, mustered out November 19, 1864 ; L. F. Nichols, First Lieutenant, resigned July 27, 1863; Wm. Ruger, Second Lieutenant, afterward appointed Adjutant on the organization of the regiment; Milton Bowerman, appointed Second Lieutenant, promoted First Lieutenant August 11, 1863, resigned September 30, 1864; Samuel C. Cobb, promoted Second Lieutenant August 11, 1863, First Lieutenant October 18, and Captain November 21, 1864 ; George Hoskins, David H. Whittlesey (died at Lawrence, Kan., April 19, 1862), John B. Johnson and Harvey P. Corey, Sergeants ; John W. FoUensbee, Obey S. Gibbs (promoted Second Lieutenant November 21, 1864), Daniel D. Bemis, Isaac Earl, John Auld (promoted Second Lieutenant October 28 and First Lieutenant November 21, 1864), Myron L. Bentley (died at Leavenworth, Kan., February 11, 1862), and Frank B. Child, Corporals. Albert P. Aldrich, Gideon Aldrich, Elliot Ash, Milo Aokerman (died at Lawrence, Kan., May 6, 1862), George S. Burton, Edwin R. Burton, John S. Butler, James Beveridge, John Bahr, Oliver Bonney, Lewis Beach, W. W. Bowden, E. W. Babcock, A. T. Butts (died°at Leavenworth, Kan., May 10, 1862), Nelson Butler, Nathaniel Case, Noah Chapman, Herman S. Coon, Charles Coalwell, Thomas Claffey, A. P. Cole, S. F. Colby, Hiram Cory, A. C. Denning, H. C. Davis, Daniel Douglas, William Dame, George Fenn, James S. Fuller, Jabez W. Frazier, Joseph Fitzpatrick, George F. Gould, Edward Gern, William M. Green, Joseph Govenal

Pearl, William H. Pierce, John Penn (died at Nashville June 4, 1865), James Pomeroy (died at Lawrence, Kan., May 6, 1862), James Pomey, Talleo Peterson, Joseph Richards, Edmund S. Rositer, James D. Rhodes (died at Paducah, Ky., April 17, 1863), Peter Shaffner (died at St. Louis May 24, 1865), John Spraddles, 0. C. Smith, William H. Shaff, Hiram H. Taylor, Robert B. Taylor (died at Paducah, Ky., April 17, 1863), William Taylor, Jr., Thomas Thompson, R. B. Valentine, George Wenwright (died at Fort Donelson August 17, 1863), and Thomas Williams, privates.

Company E, Twenty-second Infantry, was raised in Rock County, the members being principally enlisted in Janesville, Spring Valley, Fulton, Edgerton, Harmony, Magnolia, Plymouth, La Prairie, Rock, Johnstown and Milton, under Capt. Isaac Miles. The regiment rendezvoused at Camp Utley, Racine, where it was mustered into service September 2, 1862, and, in two weeks after, proceeded to aid in defending Cincinnati against the threatened advent of Kirby Smith. At the conclusion of that campaign, Company E, with the regiment, was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, Army of Kentucky, and performed provost duty in that State until January 23, 1863, when the regiment was transferred to Nashville, and participated in all the important battles in that section of the country, constituting a portion of Hooker's command. After the capture of Atlanta, the regiment, with the balance of the Twentieth Army Corps, was stationed at that city, engaged in strengthening the fortifications. In November, 1864, the regiment proceeded to Savannah, thence to Perrysville, Robertsville and through the Carolinas, Richmond and Alexandria to Washington, taking part in the grand review of Sherman's army, and remaining at Alexandria until June 12, 1865, when it was mustered out and returned to Madison. '

The roster of Company E as mustered into the service was : Captain, Isaac Miles, resigned June 17, 1863 ; First Lieutenant, Calvin Reeves, resigned December 22, 1862 ; Second Lieutenant, Gage Burgess, promoted First Lieutenant December 2, and Captain July 2, ]863. Sergeants, Henry R. Stetson, John B. Bullock, Proctor D. Scofield, Rufus P. Young and Albert 0. Warner. Corporals, Charles H. Dickinson, Hiram H. Dimick, Augustus C. Moore (promoted Sergeant, and died at Nashville February 15, 1865), Edwin H. Pullen, Charles E. Bowles, Cyrel A. A. Leake, Farin E. Osborn and Frederick W. Seymour. Sergeant Major, Francis N. Keeley. Musicians, Oscar W. Warner and Robert W. King. Wagoner, Charles W. Whittier. Privates, Burritt Alcott (died at Nashville May 12, 1863), Edward C. Alden, Albert W. Alden, Edward P. Amber, Azra M. Bowles, Parsons Bump, Charles W. Baird, James H. Bullis, John P. Clossett, Aaron Gulp, Samuel Crawford (died at Nashville February 13, 1863), Christian Dyke, John E. Davidson, Henry H. Davis, Francis E. Downs (died at Brentwood, Tenn., March 1, 1863), Edward F. Dean, Ormond N. Dutton, William Edgar, Jesse Edgerton, Horace W. Fitch (died at Danville, Ky., January 4, 1863), Charles J. Fox, John Q. A. Failing, Henry H. Guernsey, Martin V. Glass, Jonathan Gicker, Orra B. Garrison, Robert W. Harper (died at Nashville March 9, 1863), William H. Harper, Michael Hornett, Benjamin R. Hilt, Jesse B. Harvey (promoted Corporal, and killed at Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June 18, 1864), Joseph A. Jones (died at Nicholasville, Ky., December 26, 1862), Samuel Jones, Ethan A, Jones, George R. Johnson, James A. Kipp, August F. Kleise, Lewis E. Kleise, Seth Knight, Paul Knight (died at Danville, Ky., February 13, 1863), Solomon R. King (killed at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864), John Kay, Thomas Lindawood, Charles Locke, Alexander Lindsay (died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., July 20, 1863), Stephen W. Lement, William Mulligan, Martin Merren, Charles H. Macomber (died at Nicholasville, Ky., .January 9, 1863), Charles H. Mansfield, James McCatheron, John McCatheron, Abram Merrill, Herman S. McKenzie, Claron I. Miltimore, Martin McGill, Nathan Moore, George W. McCoy (died at Sandersville, Ky., November 15, 1862), Warren W. Merrill, Samuel Norton, Willis H. Noyes, Henry R. Osborne, John P. Piefer, William Patterson, Jr. (died at Nashville March 5, 1863), Webster C. Pope, Benjamin F. Pope, John S. Payne, John B. Preston, Eben Reynolds (died at Annapolis, Md., April 12, 1863), Seth H. Reynolds, Martin Rice, Walter Smith (killed at Dallas, Ga., May 26, 1864), Edward P. Smith, Reuben Sprague, David L. Sprague, John R. Sprague, John L. Symonds, Peter Thompson, Edward H. Thatcher, Daniel McS. Terwilliger, Horace E. Warner and Albert Walker (promoted Corporal, and killed at Peach Tree Creek, Ga., July 20, 1864).

Companies E and F of the Thirty-third Regiment were also enlisted in Rock County, and made up of some of the best material which the banner county of Wisconsin contributed to preserve the Union. It went into camp at Racine September 29, 1862, was mustered into service October 18, and departed for the seat of war November 12. Arriving at Memphis, the regiment was assigned to the Third Brigade, Gen. Lauman's Division, Army of the Tennessee, in which capacity it served in the campaigns against Jackson, Vicksburg and Holly Springs, until January, 1863, when it was transferred to the Sixteenth Army Corps, commanded by Maj. Gen. Hurlbut, and participated in the fight at Hernando, where Lieut. Swift, of Company E, was killed; thence proceeding to Young's Point, Snyder's Bluff, Haines' Bluff, Vicksburg and Natchez ; joined in the Red River expedition, returning to Vicksburg and Memphis, repelling the attack at Camargo Cross Roads ; prominent in the fight at Tupelo, after which it went to St. Charles, Ark., and finally, on the 8th of October, 1884, reached St. Louis. On the 1st of November, the regiment proceeded to re^enforce the army of Gen. Thomas at Nashville, where it became part of Gen. A. J. Smith's command. After the retreat of Gen. Hood, the Thirty-third was assigned to guarding the transportation train to Savannah, Tenn., Company F proceeding to that point and Company E to Grand View, rejoining the regiment at Eastport, Miss. Thereafter the regiment was ordered to the Department of the Galf, and went to New Orleans, thence to Dauphin Island, Cedar Point, Spanish Fort, Blakely, Montgomery and Selma, Ala., Jackson, Big Black River Bridge and Vicksburg, Miss. ; Cairo to Madison, where it

The following are the Company muster rolls: Company E - Captain, Ira Miltimore, resigned August 9, 1863 ; First Lieutenant, Henry S. Swift, Jr., killed April 19, 1863, at Hernando, Miss. ; Second Lieutenant, Pardon H. Swift, promoted to First Lieutenant June 24, and Captain August 20, 1863; Sergeants, Henry B. Cornell, (promoted Second Lieutenant June

24, First Lieutenant August 29, 1863 ;) Edward Cook, Bartholomew Quigley, Daniel D. Richards and William Cornell (died at Moscow, Tenn., January 21, 1863), Corporals, Silas B. Crocker, Nathaniel Smith, A. H. Kime, Thomas Quigley, Charles E. Green, Charles W. Nickerson, James Reese and Jacob Smith ; Musician, S. H. Calender ; Wagoner, Levi H. Fountain ; Privates, Franklin Anderson, Adelbert Babcock (died at Memphis December 4, 1862), John B. Bunce (died at Vicksburg July 7, 1862), Warren G. Barber, Anthony Byrnes, Thomas ,Byrnes, Rensselaer Burnham, Otho Craig, James Coffee, Robert W. Clifford, James K. Clark, Boyd Creighton, James Freeman (died at Vicksburg July 6, 1863), John A. Flint (died at Natchez October 9, 1863), Henry Fairchild,' Frederick Feiro, Waldo Goodell, John Goodman, William Gale, Nurve Geroem, Joseph C. Hall, Ira M. Howard, Nathan Havilin, A. N. Hangen, Patrick Hebir, J. C. Johnson, Ingebert Knudson (died at Moscow, Tenn., January 31, 1863), C. A. Kennedy, Hendrick Levorson, Knud Levorson, Tollef Levorson, Alexander Lyons, Charles Looby, Michael Lawler, J. C. Meegen, Valentine Melavin, Alonzo E. Miltimore, William McKee, H. Megorden, Alexander McDonald, Lewis Noe, Thomas Night, Ole Olson (died at Memphis April 30, 1863), Syver Olsen (died at Moscow, Tenn., February 12, 1863,), Hendrick Olson (died at Memphis February 10, 1863), Halgrin Oleson, Emery Patch, Orvill Rhodes, Edmund Robinson, Hiram N. Robinson, Arthur J. Robinson, Brainard Rider, Rufus A. Stafford (died at Moscow, Tenn., February 14, 1863), Prank A. Steele (died at Natchez October

When it again became necessary to augment the Union forces, decimated in the battles of the Peninsula, Eastern Virginia, Tennessee and the Southwest, and a feeling of depression overcame the North at the cheerless prospect. President Lincoln issued his call for " more troops," of which Wisconsin was required to furnish five regiments, the quota of Rock County being two hundred and fifty. Accordingly, a meeting of the citizens of the county was held in the public square, at Janesville, Saturday afternoon, July 26, 1862, for the purpose of devising means for raising such quota in the shortest possible time, at which Isaac Miles, of Fulton, presided, supported by the following Vice Presidents : Hugh Wheeler, of Porter ; the Hon. David Noggle, of Janesville ; W. H. Stark, of La Prairie ; B. E. Hale, of Beloit ; and Henry Wooster, of Clinton ; E. B. Murray, of Beloit, and J. B. Cassoday, of Janesville, acting as Secretaries.

Able and stirring speeches were made by the Hon. Matt H. Carpenter, William H. Ebbetts, H. N. Comstock, C. G. Williams and Judge Noggle, of Janesville ; also by Capt. Crandall, of Walworth County, and Messrs. James M. Burgess, J. R. Bennett, B. E. Hale, J. P. Towne and J. A. Sleeper, of the committee in that behalf, reported a series of resolutions providing for the employment of every man's services (those of slaves included), in the suppression of the rebellion, insisting that no loyal man could be neutral ; advocating the emancipation of the slaves ; profiering to the heroes who were battling for the Union, the warmest of sympathy, and $50, as bounty, to every soldier, who should enlist prior to September 1st, thereafter ; or, $30 to those who enlisted October 1st, until the supply expected from Rock County was filled, were adopted, after which, the meeting adjourned. In the pulpit; at the bar; at the hustings; on the stump ; through the columns of the daily press, and every channel of communication, the public were urged to assist in re-enforcing the army. War meetings were held all over the county, particularly in Janesville, where, on the evening of August 5, 1862, $8,055 was subscribed to the bounty scrip ; $1,040, was subscribed at Lima ; $500, at Milton ; $660, at Harmony ; $500, at Union ; in brief, throughout the county, the greatest diligence was exercised to avoid the draft.

On the 9th of August, E. G. Harlow made application to the Adjutant General of the State for power to enlist an artillery company in the county, and was refused on the ground that that branch of the service was full. A similar request, made by that gentleman to the Adjutant General of the army, met with a similar disposition. Finally, after some further correspondence, Mr. Harlow was commissioned a Lieutenant of artillery, and authorized to enlist fifty men for the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery, then in the field near Corinth, Miss., as a portion of Gen. Hamilton's division ; Lieutenant Harlow immediately opened a recruiting office at the drug store of G. R. Curtis, corner of West Milwaukee and Franklin streets, and, within 48 hours, had filled the complement with twelve men to spare. The recruits went into camp at Madison without delay, and on the 1st of September, or within two days of the date when sworn in, they left Janesville and proceeded at once to the field of action. But little delay attended their initiation into actual warfare, for they participated in the battle of luka, on September 19, and thereafter were constantly in the thickest of the fray, following Price down the Hatchie, participating in the bloody fight thereon, and returning to Corinth, were engaged during the bloody battles of the 3d and 4th of October, and in the siege of Vicksburg, where, after lying in the trenches for fifty days, they were gratified with the sight of the Stars and Stripes substituted for the Stars and Bars. They are next heard of at Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Allatoona Pass, Savannah, Atlanta, through the Carolinas, in Richmond and Washington, which cities were taken in the route to Madison, where they were mustered out on the 26th of June, 1865.

During the war, the battery belonged to the Third Brigade, Second Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee ; also to the Second Brigade, Secoiid Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, and was commanded by Gens. McPherson, Sherman, Osterhaus, Logan and Grant.

The roster of the compnny when it left Janesvillo for its duties in the field was as follows : E. G. Harlow, Jr., First Lieutenant ; Marcus Amsden, Second Lieutenant, died at Allatoona, Ga., October 5, 1864. Privates, Orrin Hubbard, Daniel Skclly, Thomas T, Croft, Wheeler S. Bowen, L. D. Lateer, Alonzo Kibbey, H. A. Robertson, S. Sisson, Owen E. Newton, Thomas H. Harrison, W. H. Palmer, D. R,. "Brand, Jerome Howland, Frederick Miller, J. T. Wilcox, C. Fogle (killed at Allatoona October 5. 1864), J. H. Saunders, J. M. Anderson, C. A. Wilmarth, S. E. Cheeney, S. Eldridge, A. F. Glasscott, R. W. Burton, A. C. Ames, S. H. Doolittle (killed at Allatoona), James Croft, H. T. Wright, W. V. Fox, Joseph Whitman (died in the service), C. H. Brown, W. H. C.Johnson, A. V. Wickoff, W. H. Griffitli (died at Cairo November 14, 1863), Sylvester St. John, Frank Wood, S. P. Dennin, John T. Norton, W. D. Hemingway, H. Cornstock, T. G. Trask, William Packham (died at Corinth in 186:-}), Ellis Shopbell, A. Russell, D. L. Noggle, C. L. Noggle, William E. Ward, Henry Wingate (killed at Vicksburg July 4, 1863), James Gray (died at Cairo July 22, 1863), J. W. Ciiase (killed at Allatoona October 6, 1864), James Plympton (killed at Bcntonville, N. C., March 22, 1865), S. L. Dcy (died at Chattanooga), S. W. Bartow (killed at Allatoona October 5, 1864), David C. Davy (killed at Allatoona October 5, 1864), Alva P. Hamilton (killed at Allatoona October 5, 1864), George Pierce, B. B. Austin, H. B. Sexton; 0. W. Wallace and E. B. Fish.

In the cavalry branch of the service, Rock County furnished the men to make up two companies, M qf the Second and E of the Third Cavalry. Owing to the absence of data, as already cited, the roster of neither company could be procured and the names of the soldiers are thereby unavoidably omitted. The officers of Company M were : Captains, Nathaniel Parker, discharged, and Freeman A. Kimball, mustered out November 15, 1865 ; First Lieutenants, Freeman A. Kimball, promoted Captain, John Baxter, mustered out May 11, 1865, and George W. Walter, mustered out November 15, 1865 ; Second Lieutenants, John C. Metcalf, resigned April 3, 1863, John Baxter and George W. Walter, promoted, and George W. Taylor, mustered out November 15, 1865.

Company E was captained by Ira Justin, Jr., who died June 29, 1862, Alexander M. Pratt, mustered out February 14, and De Witt C. Brown, resigned September 4, 1865. The First Lieutenants were: Alexander M. Pratt, promoted Captain; Leonard House, resigned December 2, 1862; Arthur C. Kent, resigned June 13, 1863; William Culbertson, transferred, to Campany C, and Thomas 0. Drinkall, mustered out September 8, 1865. Second Lieutenants, Leonard House, Arthur C. Kent, William Culbertson and John C. Lynch, promoted, and William Ellis, resigned August 26, 1865.

The first settlers of Beloit brought with them the thrifty habits and the devotion to religious and educational institutions acquired in their hemes amid the granite hills of New Hampshire. To a New England settlement churches and schools were a necessity. With their education, it was simply impossible to hope for progress or enduring prosperity unless they were foundcil on religion find intelligence, and, consequently, one of the first things attempted to be done Avas to secure from the Territorial Legislature an act incorporating a seminary. With this object in view, as early as the fall of 1837, Maj. Charles Johnson and Cyrus Ames were selected to visit the seat of government and procure such legislation as might be necessary in the premises. The Legislature then held its sessions at Burlington, now in the State of Iowa, and these delegates accordingly made their Avny down Rock River in a "dug-out" to Rock Island, and then took steamer down the Mississippi to the then capital of the Territory. Such an appli^'ation from such an infant coraniunify may have excited some surprise, but in December, 1837, the Legislature granted a charter fOr the "Beloit Seminary," and the two delegates returned home 'hii:lily elated at their success.

Uniler this charter, Wiss Eliza D. Field opened a school for young ladies in the spring of 1843. In the fall of the same year, Mr. Abel Wood came from Obcrlin, Ohio, and joined her, and tlic plan of the school was enlarged so as to admit the young of bo*h sexes. The following year, 1844, Rev. L. II. Loss arrived and organized the Beloit Seminary " regularly, with a Board of Trustees, but managed it alone. The Trustees were S. B. Cooper, D. J. Bundy, A. L. Field, L. G. Fisher, Jedediah Burchard, Dr. Jesse Moore and Horace Ilobart. The academic year was divided into three terms - the fall term, beginning the first Monday in September; the winter term, the first Wednesday in December, and the summer term, the first Wednesday in April, and the charges for tuition were:

]\Ir. Loss continued to conduct the Seminary until the fall of 1846, when he was succeeded by ]\lr. S. T. Met rill and a corps of competent assistants, with the same Board of Trustees.

In 1848, there were 77 mtile and 48 female pupils, aggregiiting 125. Among these appear the names of Joseph Collie, now'an eminent divine oi Delavan, in this State; Jontis M Bundy. editor of the New York Mail; Horace White, recently editor of the Chicago Trihunc, and Horatio Burchard, the present Diicctor of the United States Mint, at Philadelphia.

Upon the establishment of Beloit College, for Avhich the Seminary had prepared the way, the male department was merged in 'he prepaiatoiy school of that institution, while the Female Seminary, under the charge of Mr. Merrill, and subsequently of Misses Chapin. Blodgett and White, and of Rev. Blr. Bean, continued a course of high usefulness for sevenil years until the Beloit High School and the Rockford Seminary, established under the same auspices with the Beloit College, were prepared to do its work.

The same educational instinct which produced the Beloit Seminary in the inftincy of that community, Avas woiking thrnugliout the other settlements of kindred blood which were filling tJie region between Lake Jlichigan and the Mississippi. The rapid strides of the NorthAvest had also become a subject of discussion in the commuriity from which the colonists had come, and there Avas a general feeling that the young New England Avhich was rising in the Interior ou"-ht to have a college like those of the mother Ncav England. This Avas particularly tlie case Avith the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches, and A\henever these religious organizations met in convention the subject had a prominent place in their deliberations. Finallv, in conferences of delegates attending a convention of NortliAvestcrn ministers and churches, held at Cleveland, Ohio, in June, 1844, these thoughts and desires began to a?.=ume a moic definite shape, Avhich Avere matured in four successive conventions, held in that and tl.e folIoA\iTig year for the specific puipcEC of considering A\hat could be done for the promotion of higher education in the

At the first convention, which met on the 6th of August, 1844, Wisconsin was represented by sixteen ministers and ten laymen, Illinois by thirteen ministers and fourteen laymen, and Iowa by four ministers. They thought it best that separate provision should be made for Iowa ; but, after two days of earnest consideration of the subject, unanimously resolved that Northern Illinois and Wisconsin ought to unite in a college and a female seminary of the highest order, one in each State and near the border, and appointed a committee of ten leading men from Chicago, Galena, Racine, Milwaukee, Platteville, and other places throughout the region, to study the question of location, and report at another convention in October of the same year.

This second convention, numbering fifty delegates, received a report from the Committee, recommending Beloit as the place for the college, and, after two days' deliberation, re-aflBrmed the decision of the previous convention, but, judging that there should be the utmost care in deciding a matter of such wide and permanent importance, directed that the matter should be laid by circular before the churches, and by committees before ecclesiastical bodies, and referred to a third convention, to be held in May, 1845.

At this third convention, which met May 27, 1845, all the Congregational and Presbyterian bodies of the region were represented as follows :

After most thorough discussion, this convention, with but one dissenting voice, approved the conclusion of their predecessors. Beloit was selected as the location for the college, as being situated in the center of the region for which the college was intended, and as having shown itself a suitable home for such an institution by its already established educational and moral character, and as having proved its interest in such an object by pledge on the part of its citizens of a site and of $7,000 toward a college edifice, together with sympathies, prayers and future eiforts according to their means - a pledge which has been most faithfully made good during all the history of the college.

This convention, after selecting Beloit as the best location for the college, appointed committees to mature measures preliminary to its establishment. These committees reported to a convention which closed its labors on the 23d of October, 1845. This convention approved and adopted a charter prepared by one of the committees, and appointed a Board of Trustees, to whom was committed the future development and care of the enterprise. The same Board was also charged with caring for and promoting the Female Seminary to be established in Illinois, near the Wisconsin line, and, in September, 1850, this Seminary was organized at Rockford, under a charter from the State of Illinois.

Application was made to the Territorial Legislature, and a bill passed granting a charter to Beloit College, approved February 2, 1846, which has continued in force, without alteration or amendment, to the present time. The administration of all the affairs of the College was vested by the charter in a Board of Trustees composed of sixteen members, who were authorized to increase their number to twenty-four, if they deemed such an increase advisable. Seven members of the Board constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. No special qualifications for membership are prescribed, nor is any definite term of service fixed for the Board ; but failure on the part of a Trustee to discharge the duties of his office during a period of one year or longer, may create a vacancy. The original Trustees named in the charter were Revs. A. L.

Chapin, Dexter Clary, Stephen Peet, F. Bascom, A. Kent, R. M. Pearson, J. D. Stevens and C. ,Waterbury, and Wait Talcott, Lucius G. Fisher, C. M. Goodsell, G. W. Hickox,' A. Eaymond, S. Hinman, C. G. Hempstead and E. H. Potter - one-half clergymen and one-half laymen; one-half residents in Wisconsin and one-half in Illinois. Four of these original Trustees, viz., Rev.'?. Dr. Chapin and R. M. Pearson, and L. G. Fisher and W. Talcott, are still members of the Board, which now numbers twenty-four.

The powers vested in these Trustees by the charter are broad and general, subject to no direct supervision or control by the State or municipal authorities ; but the charter directs that the College shall always be open to visitation and inspection by the State authorities, and a subsequent general statute requires that a report of the condition of the institution be made to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. To avoid anything like the appearance of sectarianism, the charter expressly provided that no particular religious belief or opinion should be prescribed as an essential qualification for instructors, or as a condition of admission for students. The charter further provides that the College and all its branches and departments shall be located at Beloit, empowers the Trustees or Faculty to confer on those whom they may deem worthy, all such honors and degrees as are usually conferred by similar institutions, and reserves to the Legislature power to amend or repeal the act of incorporation.

The object of the College was primarily to provide for "the thorough, liberal. Christian education of young men." It was the design to make it especially " a religious College - not denominational, but distinctly and earnestly evangelical." The course of study and discipline corresponds with that of the New England Colleges, known as the "American College course," Yale being regarded, more than any other, as the model. This course embraces a training in language as the great instrument and condition of all culture, civilization or thought ; in mathematics and science, as a most valuable discipline, as well as furnishing the mind ; in tlie histories of nature and of man, as the sources of practical knowledge; and in those philosophic and religious principles necessary to complete the general preparation for a broad and useful life, and, when supplemented by special technical training, for the best success in any desirable profession or occupation. To meet the wants of those who may not contemplate professional life, the College has provided an additional course, called the philosophical course, which combine.-i with such an amount of Latin and Greek as is essential to a liberal education, or to proficiency in any art or science, a more varied range of study and a more extensive culture of science. In order to provide the requisite foundation, a preparatory school is maintained, to give thorough preparation for the respective College courses.

The object of the College and the methods adopted to carry that object into effect having been disposed of, it will now be proper to recur to the material history of the institution and carry it on from the organization of the Board of Trustees, the procurement of the charter ami the final adoption of the location. On the 24th of June, 1847, the corner-stone of the first building was laid. " The day - a great day for Beloit and its infant College - was as bright as ever dawned, and never did the green slopes of broad prairies spread themselves in greater beauty to the eye of man anywhere than as seen that day from the College bluffs," says a report of the occasion. The village people poured out en masse, hundreds more from the vicinitv and many from distant States helped swell the crowd until it numbered fully two thousand souls. A procession was formed and, marshaled by John M. Keep, proceeded to the site selected. Rev. A. L. Chapin gave an account of the steps by which the enterprise had progressed so far. Rev. Mr. Peet gave a statement of the resources of the College, and addresses suitable to the occasion were delivered by Rev. A. Montgomery, Rev. T. M. Hopkins, of Racine ; Rev. F. Bascom and Rev. S. G. Spees. At the conclusion of the speeches, the procession re-formed and " passed to the rising walls near by," when the Rev. A. Kent, President of the Board of Trustees, laid the corner-stone in due form, and Beloit College '- gained a local habitation as well as a name." The College was opened for its first class on the 15th of October following, and five young men were examined and admitted as a Freshman Class and placed for the time under the charge of Mr. S. T. Merrill, the Principal of tlie Seminary, who now sits with one of the members of that first class among the Trustees, who watch over the College of which they were then so large a part. The Faculty was first constituted by the appointment, in May, 1848, of Mr. Jackson J. Bushnell, as Professor of Mathematics, and Mr. Joseph Emerson, as Professor of Languages. The new professors immediately took charge of the class already formed, and they were also charged with the further internal organization and administration of the College. Dr. S. P. Lathrop was appointed Professor of Chemistry and Natural Scieace in September, 1848, but did not enter upon his duties until the September following ; the Eev. M: P. Squier was appointed Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy in July, 1849, and assumed his office in May, 1850; the Rev. A. L. Chapin was elected President in November, 1849, and entered upon the discharge of his duties in February, 1850; Mr.' F. W. Fisk was appointed Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature in July, 1853, and assumed his chair in April, 1854 ; the Rev. William Porter was appointed Associate Professor of Mathematics in July, 1854, entered upon his duties in September, 1854, and was subsequently transferred to the chair of Latin ; Professor Lathrop resigned in July, 1854, to assume a similar position in the Wisconsin University.

Of the first classes, there were graduated in 1851, three; in 1852, one; in 1853, five; in 1854, four; in 1855, four; in 1856, seven, and, in 1857, eight - thirty-two graduates in the first ten years of the existence of the College. The preparatory department of the College Avas inaugurated in the fall of 1848, and, if the number of attendants upon this department be added to the students in the College proper, the whole number of those connected with the institution during the first ten years will reach very nearly to one thousand. At the close of the first decade of the life of the College, a convention of its friends was held July 8, 1857, of which Hon. L. P. Harvey, afterward Governor of Wisconsin, was President, and Hon. William Bross, of Chicago, Secretary. On this occasion. Prof. J. Emerson delivered an address reciting the history and work of the Institution, and the Faculty and Board of Trustees presented a report of the condition of the funds and the prospects of the College.

The site of the College is an elevated plateau, near the center of the city, overlooking, though not immediately on, the bank of the river. The grounds, embracing an area of twenty-four acres, are bounded by streets on every side, the surface diversified by groves and various slopes on the west to the river, from which it is separated by a street and a narrow tier of lots. A number of mounds scattered through the grounds show that the spot must have been held in special honor by the prehistoric races.