Oconomowoc City (part 2 of 3)

The report of the committee of clergymen appointed by the Bishop, above alluded to, is also printed in the letters of Dr. Kip. It gives a very full exhibit of the finances of the institution from its commencement, September 12, 1841, to June 17, 1847, the date of the report. It showed that the total sum donated from the beginning had been $13,007.34. Of this had been expended for land, f 1,180. 30; for buildings, $3,870; for clearing, plowing and fencing eighty-two acres of land, $820 ; for furniture, tools, live stock and other property, $2,487.31. The number of students actually supported had been equal to ninety-six for one year. Their cost had been found to be $75 per year and labor, instead of $25 and $50, as supposed. The labor done had been found to be worth $2,512.77, but had fallen short of their support $4,649.73.

The mode of life and the nature of the work at Nashotah during the first period of its existence will be understood from what has already been written. It continued the same in its general features until 1850 ; but for several years succeeding the time to which our history has been brought up in the last chapter, the surrounding circumstances were in a state of gradual but rapid change, which could not help but modify, eventually, the general character of the institution itself.

In the first place, the influx of population was much greater than had been expected when the association was formed ; and, as the country became more thickly settled,* the newness and strangeness of its life wore ofi", and the settlers reverted to the habits and customs of the older States from which they had emigrated.

In like manner the internal economy of the mission felt the influence of the movement around it. By the time the area of land cleared for cultivation was a hundred acres, it became necessary to place it under the supervision of an experienced farmer, that it might be turned to the best account. This was done in 1847.

Now, so far as the labor of the students was productive, its result must appear in the supplies the farm could furnish ; and this, we have seen, was charged with the support of the farmer, and very little could be done upon it with advantage by the students, now that it was cleared and fenced and plowed, except in the harvest season, when the coincidence of the Vacation with the stress of work to gather in the crops, made their help both profitable and necessary. The only result to be expected from the labor, then, was that kind of indirect productiveness which saves expense by performing services in the institution which must otherwise be paid for. But not only did this leave the whole question of support untouched, but as the country became settled and civilized, and help was to be hired at a reasonable rate, the popular feeling became more and more prejudiced against the employment, in domestic work, of men studying for the ministry. So that in this way also, the labor theory broke down, and a change in the institution was imminent, if it would go on and prosper.

Upon the resignation of Mr. Breck, in 1850, which was sudden and unexpected, it was at first feared that the institution would go down. There was some $3,500 of indebtedness, against about $15,000 of assets, real and personal; but the difiiculty was that the assets were unavailable, whilst the debts were pressing. Mr. Adams, who had confined himself to his duties as instructor, and to clerical work, and who was now rising in reputation in the American church as a writer and theologian, was looked upon at the mission as a mere scholar, and it Was to the surprise of every one that he manifested a business ability fully equal to the emergency, and successfully filled the gap until a new head was found for the work.

On the 1st of September, 1850, the Rev. A. D. Cole, one of Dr. Adams' classmates, arrived to take charge of the mission. He has continued from that time to this as manager of Its afiairs.

The principal changes since 1850 have been the substitution of comfortable buildings of stone and brick for the humble wooden cottages of Nashotah's infancy, the increase of the library to 7,000 volumes, and the enlargement of the corps of clerical instructors from two to five. The departments of instruction are Systematic Divinity, Pastoral Theology,

The lakes and the land remain about Nashotah, but all else is new. The Indian trail, and even the later stage-road, have become obsolete, and in their place the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, one of the great continental thoroughfares, passes by the mission at the distance of a mile. The great forests have shrunk to groves standing here and there upon the hillsides or lake-shores, and the fields of the farmer, with their grass and grain, fill up the broad spaces of the landscape. Milwaukee, twenty-five miles distant, has grown to be a city of 116,000 inhabitants, and within one hundred miles is Chicago, the emporium of the West, whose population numbers more than half a million.

In 1854 - 55, the first permanent building of Nashotah was ready for occupancy. It is a brick structure of three stories and attic, containing thirty-two rooms ; and is named Bishop White Hall, in honor of the first presiding Bishop of the American church. Its cost was $9,000, about half the sum which would have been required to erect it ten years later. Another, called Shelton Hall, a large stone edifice, has also been built.

The routine of the student's daily life is now not so rigidly prescribed as when the mission was a brotherhood. Its course of instruction is indeed thorough, and the institution ranks third of its class in the Union.

The whole number of graduates from the beginning has been 181 up to 1878, that year not included ; and more than one-fourth as many more received instruction for various periods, but did not become full graduates.

A circular, issued in 1879, states that if " to-morrow the affairs were to be peremptorily closed, all her debts would be paid and a balance left for whomever it might concern."

It is an old and a famous institution, and its Faculty, consisting of Revs. A. D. Cole, D. D., President, William Adams, D. D., Lewis A. Kemper, D. D., and John H. Egar, D. D., is also long-tried, earnest, faithful and able. In Biblical and Ecclesiastical lore, the library is an exceedingly rich one.

Oconomowoc Seminary

This admirable seminary for young ladies is at Bordulac, Oconomowoc, and the only one of the kind in Waukesha County. It is delightfully situated, with La Belle Lake a few rods in front and Fowler Lake equally near in the rear of the ample and neatly kept grounds. Its career has been one of uniform success. Following is a transcript of the initial proceedings :

Oa the 21st of March, 1855, a meeting was held in Zion Church, Oconomowoc, by the appointment of the Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper, D. D., at the request of several gentlemen of the place, to take into consideration the best plan and means for the establishment of a female seminary, under the supervision, direction and patronage of the Protestant Episcopal Church. There were present the Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper, Rev. E. Steele Peake, John S. Rockwell, William H. Warner, M. 0., J. M. Lewis, M. D., Mrs. A. H. Whitney, James Luck, Samuel Dodge and D. H. Rockwell - the Bishop presiding.

The Rector briefly stated the objects of the meeting. It was suggested that a suitable building could probably be erected for |2,400, and that if one. half should be subscribed, the other |1,200 could be obtained by a loan at 10 per cent. A plan was described, and Samuel Dodge was appointed a committee to estimate and report the probable cost of a building erected upon the plan proposed. The following resolutions were then unanimously adopted :

Resolved (2), That the Bishop of the diocese, the President of Nashotah House and the Rector of the parish, be a Board of Visitors to the institution, and the plan and manner of conducting the school be such as they shall approve.

Resolved (4), That the Rev. Mr. Peake and Dr. J. M. Lewis be a committee to draw up a statement of the principles embraced in the above resolutions, and report the necessary steps for procuring a charter.

The above is a transcript of the minutes of the first meeting held for the establishment of a diocesan school for girls in Wisconsin. The founders wished an institution of the highest order, and interested a number of gentlemen in the enterprise. Among the laymen, the largest contributor was John S. Rockwell, and this fact secured the establishment of a diocesan school in Oconomowoc, in preference to other places in the State, which proved fortunate for it, as a finer location in any State cannot be found. A charter was obtained by act of Legislature in January, 1856. The following is the legislative enactment which chartered the Oconomowoc Seminary:

Section 1. That Jackson Kemper, Azel D. Cole, William H. Warner, Talbot C. Dousman, B. R. Hinckley, E. W. Edgertou, A. H. Whitney, D. Henry Rockwell, Thomas Salton, George W. Pugh, James Luck, James M. Lewis, Samuel Dodge, John S. Rockwell, A. L. Prichard, L. Wilson Davis, together with such persons as may hereafter become associated with them, are hereby created a body politic and corporate, with perpetual succession, by the title and name of " Oconomowoc Seminary," by which name they and their successors shall be known, and shall have power to sue and be sued, to contract and be contracted with, to plead and be impleaded, defend and be defended, in all courts of law and equity ; and, further, shall have power to borrow any sums of money for the purposes of said corporation, not exceeding the corporate stock of said corporation, may have and use a common seal, and shall have power to receive as a gift and to purchase and hold any real estate or personal property, consistent with the interests of the institution, and the same to sell and convey, or otherwise lawfully dispose of, at pleasure. Any three of the above-named persons may call a meeting of said corporation, to be held at Oconomowoc, where said corporation is hereby located, by giving ten days' notice thereof, by posting up notices in three public places in said village. The stock of said corporation shall be divided into shares of 1100 each, which shall be deemed personal property, and shall be transferable on the books of said corporation, in such manner as shall be provided by the by-laws of the same, and any person holding one or morfr shares of such stock, and subscribing to the by-laws and constitution of said corporation, shall be a Trustee and have one vote for each share so held at all meetings of said corporation for the transaction of business ; and any person paying to taid corporation a sum not less than $5, and subscribing to the constitution and by-laws of the same, shall be deemed a member thereof.

Sec. 2. The Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Wisconsin shall be ex officio President, and shall preside at all meetings of said corporation. The Vice President shall be a presbyter of said church and diocese and shall be elected by the Board of Trustees at their annual meeting, and shall act in the absence of the President. The Rector of " Zion Church" shall be ex officio Secretary, and shall keep a correct record of all the proceedings of said corporation.

Sec. 3. The President, Vice President and Secretary shall constitute and be a Board of Visitors to said seminary, who shall appoint requisite teachers, prescribe the course of study and discipline, and confer such degrees as are usual in institutions of learning, and issue and grant diplomas for the same.

Sec. 4. There shall be an annual meeting of the Trustees, at which meeting they shall elect a Treasurer, who shall receive and disburse the funds of the corporation, and issue certificates of stock to such persons as shall be entitled to the same : they shall also elect an Executive Committee of five from their own body, designating the Chairman thereof, which committee shall execute the resolutions of said Trustees;, and manage generally the business affairs of said corporation. Said Trustees may also hold special meetings, to be called by the Executive Committee or by the President, upon the application of any five members of said corporation, in the manner as may be prescribed in the by-laws ; and said Trustees are hereby authorized to make such by-laws as they may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this charter, with full power and authority to execute the same, provided the same be not inconsistent witli the laws and constitution of this State.

The school opened in the following autumn. Some money was subscribed in Oconomowoc toward the purchase of property, but the most liberal donor was J. S. Rockwell, and, from time to time, he enlarged and improved the building, which was purchased by the Trustees of Dr. J. M. Lewis. While he lived, he gave generous aid to the school by liberal patronage, and at his death the institution lost one of its most valued friends.

Bishop Kemper, who was President of the Board of Trustees, was a liberal benefactor of the school, purchasing several trusteeships and bestowing them upon the clergy. The Board was increased in members yearly, from among prominent clergymen and laymen in the State. The Executive Committee was composed of gentlemen residing in and near Oconomowoc, viz.: J. S. Rockwell (until his death), D. W. Small, James Luck, D. H. Rockwell, Talbot C. Dousman, William H. Warner, M. D., and, later, Daniel Jones, of Watertown. Rev. A. D. Cole, D. D., Vice President of the Board of Trustees, was always active in furthering the interests of the school, and never absent from the meetings. The venerable Bishop took the deepest interest in its welfare, which he evinced by donations to its fund, by frequently visiting it and by always presiding at the annual commencement exercises.

By the terms of the charter, the Rector of the parish was Rector of the school. The first five years. Rev. L. W. Davis was Rector ; he was succeeded by Rev. Lyman Phelps, who

The first Principal of the seminary was Mrs. Camelia Mason, who remained in charge for three years, when she was succeeded by Miss Grace P. Jones, still at the head of the institution, who entered upon her duties in September, 1859.

On February 3, 1863. Mr. Rockwell, the kind friend and patron of the institution died, after which, the Trustees, from time to time, tried, by repeated appeals to parishes and individuals, to raise an efficient sum to pay the indebtedness on the property, due to the administrators of Mr. Rockwell's estate. Failing to accomplish this, they discussed, in a meeting held on the 2d of December, 1867, the expediency of transferring the property to Miss Jones, and the following resolution was passed by a unanimous vote :

Resolved, That the Executive Committee of the Ooouomowoc Seminary be hereby anthorized to conTey to Miss Grace P. Jones all their interest in the present seminary lots and property, under such conditions as they shall deem proper.

Before January 1, 1868, Miss Jones came into full possession of the property, and, in the following spring, made many improvements on the grounds and additions to the buildings, which had been long needed. Since that, she has, from time to time, improved the place, until one no longer recognizes the original seminary of 1859.

Miss Jones has continued the work of the school, not essentially changing -its character, but advancing as the demands of the times require, and constantly laboring to bring it up to a higher standard. There is thorough instruction in every branch of study. Girls are received into a Christian home and put under a course of training to fit them for useful and accomplished women.

The institution has accommodations for thirty boarding pupils. A more delightful spot than this for a school cannot be found. Nature smiles in fullest loveliness. The surroundings are charming - changeful yet restful, in lake and wood and hillside - while the clear, bracing atmosphere gives health and pleasure to all who seek it. The internal arrangements of the seminary are pleasant and cheerful, with the air of home pervading the whole. The grounds are situated on Fowler's Lake, and boating in summer and skating in winter are pleasant features of recreation hours.

During Miss Jones' principalship, seven classes have graduated in a full course of study, and a larger number have pursued a partial course. The institution is a permanent one, and no efibrt will be spared to make it among the best of the land.

Carroll College

Our American population, as it moves westward into new Territories, carries with it the love of religion and of a sound education, which has so long characterized it in its Eastern home. Knowing that the greater number of those who seek a high grade of intelligence could not return to the institutions whose benediction rested upon their fathers, they early began in this, as in all the Western States, earnest eiforts to add to the system of common schools those of a higher grade, even to the college.

Carroll College was one of the fruits of these efforts. Christian men, in and out of the ministry, in connection with the Presbyterian Church (old school), set the enterprise on foot. It is said to have been born in the basement of the Pastor's residence at Cambridge. It was first chartered by the Legislature of the Territory of Wisconsin as " The Prairieville Academy," February 19, 1841. It was first conducted in what is now known as "The Old Female Seminary, or Old Prairieville Academy Building," on Wisconsin avenue. The first Board of Trustees appears to have been constituted January 1, 1844, with Peter N. Cushman, Chairman, A. W. Randall, Secretary, Morris D. Cutler, Treasurer, and Barzillai Douglass, Collector; William A. Barstow and Edmund D. Clinton were also members of the board, as well as J. Y. Watson, C. R. Dakin, C. Burchard, W. P. Sloan, N.JWalton and S. Cummings. In 1846, upon petition of the trustees, the name of the institution was changed into that of " Carroll College," and appropriate changes made in the charter by the Legislature. The name was in honor of a wealthy and benevolent gentleman in Brooklyn, N. Y. This was really the beginning of CarroU College.

Thus constituted, Bleazer Root was appointed Professor of Languages and Rhetoric, and Henry Barnes, Professor of Mathematics. Soon afterward. Rev. John W. Sterling was appointed Professor of Ancient Languages, and Abraham Miner, Professor of Moral Philosophy. Rev. Dr. Youmans appears to have acted for a short time as President. Measures were at once set on foot to raise funds for building purposes. Professor Sterling going Bast for that purpose, and Professor E. Root laboring in this State. For a time, Rev. J. Buchanan also acted as agent, going East for funds. The salaries of the Professors were fixed at $500 for the first two years, to be then increased to $800 for each. When 1849 arrived, $6,000 had been raised or subscribed, and M. D. Cutler and C. R. Dakin and other trustees gave tracts of land for the use of the college. George W. Lawrence, R. W. Wright, Jacob L. Bean and W. L. Ward, in the meantime, were chosen trustees. The board had placed the institution under the fostering care of the Presbytery of Milwaukee.

In 1850, the Presbytery recommended the appointment of Rev. John A. Savage, of New York, as President and as fiscal agent, which Was done. He accepted the position, and entered at once with energy upon its responsible duties. During this year, also, A. C. Nickell, A. G. Hanford and William H. Watson, of Milwaukee, were chosen Trustees. For eleven years. Dr. Savage was President, and for thirteen, fiscal agent. In every direction, and by every honorable means, did he labor to secure the endowment needed to render the institution permanent. But it was necessary, or deemed so, to keep a full corps of Professors, and the efibrts to obtain means for their support appear to have crippled the other object. The Presbyterian Board of Education gave substantial aid, and something was obtained from the State, in view of the normal work done by the college.

The college building was ready for use by January, 1853, and the basement of the Presbyterian Church was fitted up for the Preparatory Department. President Savage was assisted at different times by such able instructors as Revs. L. I. Root, William J. Monteith, Lowman Hawes, Edward P. Evans, Charles D. Pigion, Jesse Edwards and Sidney A. Bean. For a time, also, Andrew Watson (now reverend) acted as tutor. From 1857 to 1860, Rev. Oscar Park, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, gave instructions in some branches, for which the trustees expressed hearty thanks, and voted him a perpetual scholarship. Among the assistants of Prof. Savage on the Board of Trustees, besides some of those already mentioned, are found the names of Jason Downer, William P. Lynde, I. A. Lapham, all of Milwaukee ; C. J. Pettibone, of Portage; J. D. Rexford, of Janesville ; Alfred L. Castleman, M. D., and H. N. Davis, of Waukesha.

In 1857, the first class graduated with the degree of A. B., and, for four successive years, classes were sent forth from Carroll College, which would have been an honor to any institution of learning in the land. It is worth giving their names : Class of 1857, Irving M. Bean, C. D. W. Gage, George W. Burchard, Moses Bryant, Jr., and Andrew Watson. Class of 1858, John H. Carpenter, John P. Story,. Charles L. Thompson and S. M. White. In 1859, J. K. Bengster, John Hintonj Louis A. Proctor and H. K. Smith. In 1860, Franklin Dolph, Thomas S. Johnson, William B. Marsh, Edward Savage and Frederic Wardrobe.

From 1852, the college passed under the care of the Synod of Wisconsin - the proper successor of the Presbytery of Milwaukee. Regular collegiate instruction ceased with 1860. After having been closed for two years. Dr. Savage still acting as fiscal agent, the college was re-opened in 1863, upon a somewhat dilFerent plan. Ladies were admitted to its privileges, and a female teacher employed. Rev. William Alexander was appointed President'; Rev. C. C. Hersman, Professor, and Miss Julia M. Willard, Assistant. With some success, much hard work, and many difiiculties, this plan was carried on for two years. For a part of the time, Rev. David Hull was chosen fiscal agent at a salary of $1,000 per annum ; but the historian did not learn of much success in the raising of funds. At least, no beginnings appear to have been made upon a permanent endowment. Money and lands were given for perpetual and for single scholarships, by individuals and by churches, East and West, during all the preceding years ; but never in large enough sums, single or in the aggregate, to more than sustain the running expenses.

from about 1860, death and removals had made necessary the appointment of new men as Trustees, and while George W. Allen, of Milwaukee, and A. P. Waterman, of Beloit, were added from abroad, the active work at home fell upon William R. Williams, R. B. Hammond, M. S, Hartwell, Henry Davis, John Forbes, Edward Chester and 0. Z. Olin, to whom Rev. C. L, Thompson, an alumnus of the college, was soon added.

During 1865, occurred another interregnum in the course of instruction. In March, 1866, began a renewed and earnest effort to resuscitate the college. Walter L. Rankin, of New Jersey, a graduate of Princeton College, was invited to take charge and conduct such a school as seemed best under the circumstances. He began with only fifteen pupils, but in one year the number had reached sixty, and continued to increase till the rooms devoted to the school work were filled. Edward Rankin and others were called in to assist, and all that the most thorough instruction and faithful administration of the institution could do was done. In the mean time, Rev. C. L. Thompson was appointed fiscal agent, and through his zealous efforts, together with some efficient help from Rev. John C. Rankin, of Basking Ridge, N. J., father of the Principal, a debt of $.3,000 was lifted from the institution. Daring these five years, Rev. J. H. Barnard was an active member of the Board of Trustees, and Vernon Tichenor and William A. Nickell began a long and faithful service. But the tuition charged for instruction was necessarily low, and even a full school was unable to afford the salary needed by the Principal and his assistants.

Therefore, in 1870, renewed efforts were put forth to secure a permanent endowment. Prof W. L. Rankin, who was also President of the Board of Trustees, acted as fiscal agent during his summer vacation, after which Rev. William C. Turner was chosen to that position, and appears to have worked hard. Subscriptions to the amount of $5,000 were secured by him ; but as this was the limit of his apparent ability to raise funds, and as these subscriptions were conditioned upon the raising of- $15,000, he resigned his position at last, and the effort was abandoned.

In 1873, forty citizens of Waukesha and Milwaukee, appreciating the noble work done by Prof W. L. Rankin, agreed to give $10 a year, each, for three years, in order to secure him a definite salary,, if he would return. John Beveridge, of New York, also left a legacy, which enabled the Trustees to pay some debts which had accrued, and also materially repair the college building. Prof Rankin returned, and opened with a large school, which increased till the rooms were well filled. Chiefly by his efforts, the three years' subscription was increased to four years, and the number of subscribers increased to nearly one hundred. With able assistants, at' different times, such as Mr. G. W. Howard, Miss Lillie Camp, Miss Alice Perry, Mrs. Mary Wolcott, Miss Kittie North, Miss Louie Park, and Dr. Hugo Philler, an admirable school of high grade was sustained until the summer of 1879, soon after which Prof. Rankin resigned, m order to accept a position as Principal of the Preparatorv Department of Lake Forest University.

During this period, the efforts to secure endowment were renewed upon a different basis, and a real commencement made. The Board of Trustees adopted a resolution, that, in view of the growth of other colleges since this one was founded, and of the greatly increased funds now needed to sustain such an institution, in competition' with the State University, and especially in view of the great demand in the whole Northwest, for academies of high grade, it would best subserve the interests of a Christian education, if we abandon all effort, at present, to obtain a full collegiate .endowment for Carroll College, and, instead, put forth

This action, substantially as above, was approved by the Synod of Wisconsin, and the board - was advised to appoint a fiscal agent to visit the churches of this and other synods, to obtain $25,000, as a beginning.

The great financial depression of 1873-79, threw a damper upon the new hopes entertained by the friends of Carroll College. However, several hundred dollars were realized for endowment from the ten-dollar subscription referred to ; and in April, 1876, the board appointed Rev. T. G. Watson, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, and Secretary of the board, its fiscal agent ; and, the church consenting to his absence for one month, he visited the churches of Janesville, Beloit, Fond du Lac and Beaver Dam, besides canvassing for a week in Waukesha Village. The result was that there is now about $2,000 held by the board, and invested as an endowment fund. But the hard times made it imprudent to extend the effort by seeking a paid agent to carry it on.

Prof. George H. Reed, has now taken charge of the college, and is faithfully carrying on the grammar school and high school departments, as has been done during the past eight years. Besides preparing quite a number for college, many have graduated with a fair education, who did not expect to pursue their studies further ; and a noble work has been done in providing competent teachers for the common schools of the county. A much greater work will be done when the wise and good men are found who will build a grand monument for themselves by giving to Carroll College a liberal endowment, which it truly deserves.

Vernon Tichenor is President of the Board of Trustees, and Revs. T. C. Kirkwood, B. G. Riley and C. W. Camp, and Messrs. John S. McDonald, J. K. Anderson, Edward. Porter, Richard Street, W. D. Bacon, M. S. Griswold, A. V. B. Dey and Willard Farr are among the newer, acting and active trustees.

General Educational Interests

The general supervision of the educational interests of Waukesha County have always been in remarkably good hands. Several of the ablest and most conscientious educators in the State have devoted themselves, at various periods, to the schools of the county, and the results of these labors are plainly apparent. During many years, it was the custom of Superintendents, as long as the publishers would do so gratis, to publish every week lengthy reports of their doings and of the condition of the schools visited. This stimulated teachers and scholars alike to deserve the best possible report, and all awaited eagerly the next issue of the papers, always showing the reports with pride to their friends. -^

The first schoolhouse, elaborately described elsewhere, was erected in 1837, at what is now Waukesha, and, during that fall and winter, William T. Bidwell taught a school with twentyodd scholars in it. That was the first public school in what is now Waukesha County, though, a year or two before, small private schools were taught at the homes of John Weaver, in Lisbon, and Nathaniel Walton, near Waukesha.

Forty years have wrought a wondrous change in the matter of educational facilities in every part of the county. That change cannot be made more striking than by a jump from an imaginary picture of the first tamarack schoolhouse, with its rude seats, scant furniture and -comparative absence of school-books, to the report for 1879 of County Superintendent Howitt. In making his report to the Board of Supervisors for that year, he says :

" Your attention is first called to general statistics. Number of joint districts with schoolhouses in the county, 43 ; number of regular school districts, 84 ; total, 118. Number of parts of districts, 103 ; number reported, 103. Number of male children as reported, over four and under twenty years of age, in the county, 5,455 ; females, 5,155 ; total number of male and female children over four and under twenty, 10,610. Number of days school has been taught by a -qualified teacher, 18,627. Number of pupils over four and under twenty years of age who have attended public schools, 6,713 ; under four years of age, 13 ; over twenty years of

Attorneys and Counselors at Law, seven, viz. : Vernon Tichenor, A. Cook, Wm. Soper, J. Bourbon Hunt, Wm. S. Hawkins, S. A. Randies, F. W. Monteith.

Surgeons and Physicians, nine, viz. : John G. Cook, R. Dunlap, Moses Barrett, J. Smith, Hugo Philler, A. Kendrick, V. L. Moore and A. Fowler & Son.

In manufacturing importance, Waukesha has not grown to any appreciable extent since the erection of the woolen factory. She has been rapidly growing as a sunlmer resort, however ; has more guests this year than ever before, and has more facilities for their accommodation. The population has also grown, as each succeeding census since the village was incorporated shows. For the decade ending June 30, 1880, the increase has been equal to that of former periods, notwithstanding the panic which laid an iron hand on all industries during a large portion of that time. The population is 2,980, an increase of 347 since the census of 1870. The number of dwellings is 635, which is but a small increase since 1870, though more than a million dollars have been expended in building. Since 1870, the Fountain House, the largest hotel in Wisconsin, has been twice built, the largest portion of the Mansion House erected, and various other buildings, aggregating a greater cost than number, have appeared in the village. On the whole, therefore, the growth of Waukesha Village has been more in wealth and value than in the number of its residents.

Notes And First Things

The first white settlers on lands now in Waukesha Village were Morris D. and A. R. Cutler and Henry Luther. The latter was here but one summer - that of 1834.

The first buildings were three frame shanties - one erected near Blair's foundry ; one where M. D. Cutler now resides, and one near Bethesda Spring. The first-mentioned was built first.

The first frame building was built in 1838, and is now occupied by J. Austin Waite, near Wisconsin avenue. It was also the first frame house in the county. Concerning the manner and time of its building, Lyman Goodnow writes as follows : " In 1888, my brother Edward W., and I, with teams and axes, started for the woods to cut and draw timber twenty feet long to the saw-mill, which had just started. Wm. T. Bidwell sawed and Allen Clinton framed this lumber, for the first frame house built in Prairieville. The house was post and beams. All the material was sawed in this mill, and used green. We got our lime of Deacon Mendall, and for a plastering trowel we had to use a common mason's trowel. This house was built by Edward W. Goodnow and Deacon Allen Clinton, and is now occupied by Austin Waite. It was taken from the stump, put up, finished and moved into, in less time than any house in this town, before or since."

The first carriage brought to Waukesha was owned by Charles R. Dakin. - The second was brought by Geo. A. Hine, and the third by Joseph Turner.

The first white woman to settle in what is now Waukesha was probably Mrs. B. S. McMillan, as Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. Isaac Smart settled outside of the village limits.

In May, 1866, a Young Men's Association was formed for the purpose of establishing a public library. The first officers were as follows : President, 0. M. Tyler ; Vice President, W. Story ; Secretary, A. Holbrook ; Treasurer, A. J. Frame ; Trustees, A. Tyler, M. L. Butterfield, Geo. Lawrence, 3d, A. F. Pratt, F. H. Putney, R. L. Gove, L. B. Wright. Committee in Library and Reading Room, Story, Pratt and Putney. On Finance, Gove, Wright and Lawrence. On Lectures, A. Tyler, Butterfield and Frame. Committee on Solicitation, Pratt, A. Tyler and Lawrence. The association died, and the village has no public library.

A certain Thursday in October, 1865, was a great day for Waukesha. A public dinner was spread for all the soldiers in Waukesha County and vicinity, at which 4,000 people were in attendance. Speeches were made by A. W. Randall, Isaac Lain, C. C. White and J. A. Williams. -»

The " Forty Thieves," dubbed for short, after a time, the "Forties," was an imaginary organization of the leading Democrats of Waukesha. How the name arose is not precisely known, but it was common as long as W. A. Barstow, A. F. Pratt and their friends were alive.

The first Fourth of July celebration of any note was held in the half-finished Prairieville academy building in 1840. It cost $30. Speeches were made by Rev. 0. F. Curtis and W. T. Bidwell.

The Ucho was a mysterious little newspaper, said to have been printed " under the bridge " in an early doy. It gave the local politicians a thorough hetcheling.

In early days, Prairieville was famous as the headquarters for fun of all kinds. The equal of those who gathered here will probably never be found. The leader in all " sells," fun, practical jokes and hilarity was "Aleck " Randall, as everybody called him, even after he became Governor and Postmaster General. His companions were Harrison Ward, Charles R. Dakin, Andrew E. Elmore., E. M. Randall, William A. and Samuel H. Barstow, A. F. Pratt and a few others. Where two or three of these gathered together, not the Lord but the " Old Nick " was in the midst of them ; and for many years, whenever any trick was played upon anyone, or any monstrous practical joke was perpetrated, it was always charged to " Aleck " Randall and his friends. They have thought of things that never were dreamed of before, and there is not a judge, justice, prominent official or public man living in Waukesha County, who was in public life during their time, who has not been the victim of some extraordinary trick or joke. No occasion was too great and no business too important to be forgotten instanter if an opportunity for a "sell" presented itself. The days of Randall and Barstow will never be forgotten in Waukesha.

The first saloon was opened by Mrs. B. S. McMillan ; or rather the first liquor was sold by her, in 1835. The Indians had liquor from Janeau's trading post before that date.

The village is lighted by kerosene oil lamps on all the main streets. The attempt to secure the erection of gasworks ended, as it began, in talk. The lamps were put up in 1877.

The principal materials used for sidewalks in Waukesha Village are limestone. They were the pride of the village in an early day, and those laid thirty-five years ago are as good as those laid as many days ago. On account of their roughness, walks are now being laid of planks instead of Waukesha limestone. The stone walks are considerably over thirty miles in length. The first sidewalk in Waukesha was built from Austin Waite's mearmarket to George C. Pratt's residence. The second was laid around Morris D. Cutler's park. Richard Walker did the work.

In 1839 and '40, David Jackson's house and the Prairieville House were supplied, through hand-bored pump-logs, with mineral water from the Silurian and S. A- Randies' springs.

Lyman Goodnow was the first Collector, the tax being one imposed to pay the school teacher. One man refused to pay, and the Collector took corn enough for the tax, and paid the cash - about $4 - out of his own pocket.

The first village platting was done for Morris D. Cutler, by George S. West, of Cleveland, in the fall of 1835. In the summer of 1836, Martin Field platted a tract for David Jackson, which was never recorded.

One of the remarkable characters of the present time is S. B. Needham, a shoemaker, who preaches "pure Bible doctrines" to assembled crowds on the streets and in public halls. He also circulates thousands of tracts, the matter for which he writes and has printed at his own expense. He has educated himself while working at the bench where he evolves all his sermons, lectures and tracts.

City Of Oconomowoc The Name

Before entering upon a history or description of Oconomowoc and surroundings, it will doubtless be well to give those translations of the word which are usually accepted as being correct. That there should be a difference of opinion existing among the oldest settlers, regarding the meaning of the term, does not seem singular when considering that the aboriginals themselves have gone not only, but very much else that was intimately connected with the lives of the pioneers is also gone; buried in an oblivion from which there is no resurrection through the memory of man.

The untutored savages that once called these lovely scenes their own, when nature reigned supreme, have disappeared, and with them all absolute certainty as to the meaning of their names ; yet the very mystery that invests them possesses for their successors an inexpressible charm. They cling to the lakes and streams they loved, like an invisible presence, and carry us back by fancy and association, to an unsubdusd wilderness, savage beasts, and perhaps more savace men. These Indian names are all that are left to us of nature in her virgin state and man in a primitive condition. They reflect the image of the past ; the conceptions of such minds as "see God in the clouds and hear Him in the wind."

Tourists and visitors are usually informed, by the regular residents here, that Oconomowoc, spelled as above, signifies "the place of the beaver," as when the whites first came here the evidence of beaver work abounded here, although not so extensively as in many oflier localities in the State ; and it has also been asserted that this is a literal translation of the word as given by the Indians themselves. However, the story of Mr. Charles B. Sheldon, the first settler, who enjoyed the earliest and probably best opportunities for learning the exact truth regarding this name, is entirely at variance with the usually received interpretation.

He says that when he first came here he became very well acquainted with a man by the name of John Dority, either white or half breed, who had married a squaw, with whom he lived as one of the band of Whirling Thunder, a Winnebago chief. This man Dority, who understood the Indian as well as the English language, told Mr. Sheldon that Oconomowoc, pronounced as here spelled, meant " the River of Lakes," and when one observes the manner in which the lakes in this vicinity are united by Oconomowoc River, that version seems quite reasonable. It is not the purpose of this work to do away with old and generally received opinions, or to set up new ones merely for the purpose of acquiring notoriety ; but there is undoubtedly as good if not better grounds for this latter than for the former definition. Another story is, to the effect that the name signifies " beautiful waters." Though this opinion is well founded in so far as the waters are concerned, yet the term smacks of other " beautiful waters," and seems to be more appropriately the creation of a certain poet's fancy than that of the " poor Indian's." A ratl;ier amusing story prevails (probably the invention of some frontier story-teller) to the effect that a white man once came across an Indian who was just on the point of shooting a coon ; the shot was fired, and down came the corn poacher. The Indian thereupon threw up his hands and cried, " 0, cooney, no mo' walk ! " The great number of " literal translations " given by various parties of the term originally applied to this locality by the Indians shows that some of them, at least, must be inventions. What Oconomowoc means, the Indians themselves cannot tell ; but Vieau,' who has been in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties about three-score years, says " Cou-no-mo-wauk " means "water-fall," or place where the river falls. The term seems to have been a Winnebago corruption, wauk meaning river or moving water, e. g., Manitou-wauk (now Manitowoc), Bad Spirit River.

The question will be left unsettled, the best authority apparently being Vieau, who, although not a full aborigine, is practically a Pottawatomie.

Village And City Government

The first village charter was granted and published in chapter 231 of the laws of Wisconsin for 1865 - an act to incorporate the village of Oconomowoc, approved March 28, 1865.

This charter includes in its grant and provisions the east fractional half of Section 32, and the west fractional three-fourths of Section 33, of the Town of Oconomowoc ; and the northwest fractional fourth of Section 4, of the Town of Summit ; containing in all about 900 acres ; but, owing to the position of La Belle and Fowler Lakes, which encroached upon a large portion of the village grant, there was only a little more than 700 acres pf land that could be used for building and farming purposes. Of this amount, at that time, about . 390 acres were used as farming lands, leaving of land occupied by buildings, or in building lots, only a little more than 300 acres.

Prior to securing this village charter, for several years, there had been a constantly increasing demand, among the inhabitants of the village, for a village government separate from the town, which was at last realized in this charter, to a somewhat limited extent. The chief reason urged by the people for the change was the necessity of better streets and sidewalks, which were then, and had been since the first settlement, in a sad condition, for a place possessing such fine natural advantages for good walks and roads. The town authorities had not sufiicient power to compel lot-owners to grade and construct such sidewalks as were needed ; besides, the law allowed an appropriation of but 25 per cent of the highway tax, which could not exceed 7 mills on the $1, assessed value, a sum entirely inadequate to maintain and improve the condition of the streets, in conformity with the public demands and growth of the village.

This tax was payable at the discretion of the tax-payer, either in labor or money, a condition maintained by the first, second, fourth or last charter.

This charter granted such distinct and special powers as are usually extended to village corporations, as the provision of special ordinances for various purposes, and elections of oflScers, in whom were vested the management of its fiscal, prudential and municipal concerns. These officials were one President and five Trustees, and a Police Justice, elected by the people. The Clerk, Treasurer, Street Commissioner, and one Constable, who was also ex officio Marshal, were appointed. The village was thoroughly empowered and independent of the town in the election of the Trustees, in the establishing of ordinances, and in the raising of funds by tax to improve their thoroughfares ; yet they were connected with the town in town government, in the election of town, county and State ofiScers, and in all the various general details pertaining to town afiairs, the same as they were before getting a charter.

The town meetings, as well as village meetings, were convened in the village for the purpose of elections and other public objects, for two years subsequent to the granting of the charter, without any particular allusion having been made to any project for building a town hall ; yet it appears that such a desideratum had been contemplated by the more ambitious of the villagers, and, as a result, in the spring of 1867, at the annual town meeting, without previous notice having been given to the voters, of the order of business, as by law provided, a motion was made in the afternoon, by one of the prominent politicians and leaders, to raise $3,000, for the purpose of building a town hall in Oconomowoc Village. There being but few of the tax-payers present, and those seemingly by pre-arrangement from the village, as a consequence the motion was carried.

A few of those who were present at the vote, thinking that the proceeding Avas not legal (as appears in Section 25 of the Revised Statutes of 1858). and supposing that no attempt would be made to collect the money, said but little, although opposed to the measure ; so the whole transaction was almost entirely ignored. But this indiflPerence vanished when the time came for paying taxes in the latter part of December following. Then, the tax being unusually large, an inquiry was made, and it was discovered that the Town Clerk had calculated the $3,000 Town Hall tax, which was being collected. The people at large were terribly incensed at this, and a meeting was immediately called, and attended by a majority of the tax-payers of the town, who nearly unanimously resolved to employ counsel and resist the collection of that part of the tax. This was done, but not until a considera-ble portion of the tax had been collected ; yet the injunction had the eifect to delay any further collection until the Legislature of the State had time, on a large petition of the tax-payers, to pass an act submitting the question to the voters whether tlie money which had been collected for the Town Hall should be refunded or not. This, of course, occasioned considerable trouble and expense ; however, the extra tax collected was calculated, and all who had paid received their money back. As a result of the whole proceeding, a breach of such magnitude was created between the town and village that nothing less than a total separation would suffice. On the one hand, a portion of the villagers were persistent for the hall, while the town population were equally determined against it, as, the village being on the extreme edge of the town, it only would be benefited, it was thought, while the town people would have to pay the same and yet not have the hall centrally located. Consequently the villagers decided to become entirely separated from the town, and thereupon a new charter was drawn up for that purpose and submitted to the Legislature in 1869. Then another difficulty arose : The town of Summit opposed letting that part of the village which was in Summit be included in the new charter, and in order to get the bill through (Chapter 327 of Private and Local Laws, that territory had to be detached, to the great chagrin of the villagers residing in that town. Subsequently an independent village called " Summitville " was established and incorporated under Chapter 70, R. S., and General Laws of the State, with more territory added in Summit. Although this new phase of affairs was very well, so far as Oconomowoc was concerned, yet Summitville was not satisfied ; having to go three miles to the Town Hall in Summit to vote was a great annoyance and seemed entirely uncalled for ; besides, Summitville, under the new regime, was in such a shape that she could not keep pace with her big sister, Oconomowoc. Then to re-unite the two villages again became the question of the day, and every means was Suggested and tried that could 1)6 thought of, to bring about this result, but without avail. While the subject of annexation was yet being discussed, pro and con, the constitution of the State was amended, placing that hoped-for consummation further out of the power of the people than before, as will be seen in Section 31, and 32, amending Article4 of the Constitution, viz. : The Legislature, among other things, is prohibited from enacting any special or private laws for incorporating any town or village, or to amend the charter thereof, and for granting corporate powers and privileges exeept to cities. This put an entirely different aspect on the affair, but not more favorable. By this time, the people of Summit, having become thoroughly satisfied of the justice of the demands of Summitville, gave a reluctant consent to let that part of their town be separated from them, and united with the village of Oconomowoc as before. But, as the two sections could not be united by a village charter, the only alternative now left was to petition for a city charter. This was at once done ; an almost unanimous appeal being sent to the Legislature. As a result, a new charter was granted, organizing a city government under Chapter 59, of the laws of Wisconsin for 1875. Previous to this time, it will be remembered, the highway tax was paid either in labor or money, at the option of the tax-payer. But by virtue of this charter the highway tax in the village, was to be paid in money only. The corporate limits were extended to include the whole of Section 32, and the west three-quarters of Section 33 of Oconomowoc and the west three-quarters of the north half of Section 4, and the north half of Section 5, of the town of Summit ; being in all about 1752 acres, but only about 1472 acres of this grant was fit for use.

This territory- was divided by said charter into three wards, of as nearly equal dimensions and population as convenient. The officers of the City were a Mayor, a Clerk, Treasurer, and one Assessor, who were elected at large in the city ; one Justice of the Peace, one Constable and three Aldermen were to be elected from each ward ;; the Street Commissioner and Marshal were elected by the Common Council, who were composed of the Mayor and aldermen of the different wards. Previous to the grant of the city charter, School District Number 3, the largest part of which is composed of the south part of the city, the balance being parts of the towns of Oconomowoc and Summit, and part of District Number 10, which is composed of the north part of the city and a small portion of the town of Oconomowoc, were governed by the general laws of the State. But an attempt was made, by provision of said charter, to re-organize and unite these two districts, they to be governed by what was known and called the Oconomowoc City School Board. This board was composed of the Director and Treasurer of District Number, 3 and the Director of District Number 10, together with two representatives, to be appointed by the Council. A City Superintendent was to be appointed by the above board, in conjunction with the Mayor, he becoming a member of the Board, having exclusive authority over the city schools, in place of County Superintendent.

By virtue of special provision, this joint district was to be exempt from electing a County Superintendent, and was therefore not subject to the office (contrary to Chapter 179, of the general laws of 1861, creating the office of County Superintendent of Schools). One of the objects had in view, in making this school arrangement, was the erection of a large high school building, and provisions were made in the charter for raising funds for this purpose ; but they were not acted upon.

The school system, as here inaugurated, proved to be entirely too complicated for efficient work, so much so, indeed, that a general dissatisfaction soon prevailed ; one wanted. one thing, and another, another, while the officials scarcely knew what they ought or ought not, or what they could or could not, legally do, in many cases, in the premises. After much discussion, in private as well as public circles, and through the press, in trying to untangle the skein, which seemed in consequence to become only the more knotted, - they were finally obliged, in order to stop the dissention and bickering, and secure peace, to appeal to the Legislature for a repeal of that part of the charter authorizing the system (Chapter 53 of law of 1877). The schools were conducted on this plan for two years - probably as unsatisfactory years as any'in the history of the city schools. There were too many conflicting elements and interests at work ; and as a rule attempts to interest outsiders in city improvements proves futile. Nearly all of the town people wanted to withdraw from the first, and they, in conjunction with some of the city people, kept up a constant fight until they accomplished thfeir object. After the Legislature had abolished the school law in the charter, the city affairs went on for the next four years without any great dissension, but not satisfactorily. The draft of the charter being imperfect, considerable unnecessary trouble was caused in conducting the city government. The wording of the charter was ambiguous, and repetitions frequently occurred ; besides, some of the provisions made were contrary to the laws and constitution of the State, and in fact, the general difficulties presented were such, especially in collecting the highway tax, that at last a committee was appointed by the City Council, to meet in the town Clerk's office, and give the city charter a thorough examination, and report upon the propriety of having it revised and amended. The committee - Horace Kellogg, D. G. Munger and C. B. Johnson - as directed, made the examination, and reported that the charter certainly ought to be altered. A meeting of the citizens was then called, and various propositions discussed and voted upon, relating to a remodeled and improved charter. They finally resolved that the charter should be revised and condensed, but remain the same in all general features, with the exception of two amendments, one providing that the Marshal, Constable and two Justices, should be elected by the people hereafter instead of being appointed by the Council, and the other, that the higheway tax should again be paid in money or labor at the option of the tax-payers. R. C. Hathaway, the Town Clerk at that time, was authorized to draw up the new charter, which he did, employing the greatest brevity, without repetition, consistent with a clear expression of the various provisions and details. All matters provided for by the general laws were left out, leaving those laws for guidance. As a result of this plan, when the new charter was completed It was nearly one-half smaller than its predecessor, and, while it embraced all of the salient points; was much clearer, and more definite and methodical in manner. It was then submitted to the Council, by the committee ; who immediately adopted a resolution, asking the Legislature to make It a law. The charter was sent to Madison at once, and Mr. Hathaway was employed to go out and see it through; it passed in due form and is known as Chapter 239, of the Laws of Wisconsin for the year 1879 ; according to this chapter, one Mayor, Clerk, Assessor, Treasurer, one Marshal, one Constable, and two Justices are elected at large in the city, and one Supervisor and three Aldermen from each ward. All of these hold office for one year, with the exception of the Justices and Aldermen. The former are elected for two years, the latter for three years, one being elected each consecutive year. The Common Council (of Aldermen and Mayor) on the first Tuesday of April, after the city election, appoint a President of their body.

The first charter election of the village of Oconomowoc was held in the store of C. Y. Read^ Esq., on the 22d day of April, A. D., 1865, at which the following officers were duly elected : Wiljiam Thompson, President; I. C. Stratton, A. B. Hall, C. M. Hartwell, Trustees, and J. R. Carpenter, Esq., Police Justice.

The first meeting of the Board of Trustees of the village was held on the 26th of April, 1865, at which time David Brokaw was appointed Village Clerk; Alfred Harden, Street Commissioner, and J. W. Place, Constable.

The second village election was held on April 9, 1866, at the village hall, the following ofiicers being elected: Edwin Hurlbut, President; Cyrenus Munger, C. M. Hartwell, Charles Hubbard and Walter Dibble, Trustees ; and Samuel March, Police Justice.

At the next charter election, held in April, 1867, D. H. Rockwell was elected President ; C. M. Hartwell, Frederick Bender, William Wentworth, Lyman Kellogg and Delos Hale were elected Trustees, and C. M. Smith, Esq., Police Justice.

At the fourth annual village election, held on April 13, 1868, the following officers were 'elected : President, Dr. J. A. Henshall ; Trustees, George W. Fay, Lyman Kellogg, Jacob Weltner, Samuel March and L. A. R6well ; Police Justice, C. M. Smith, Esq.

At the fifth annual election, held in April, 1869, the following officers were elected : President, J. A. Henshall ; Trustees for one year, Orville Hathaway, Jacob Weltner ; for two years, Cyrenus Munger and J. M. Brown ; Justices of the Peace, C. M. Smith and R. C. Hathaway ; Assessor, John McPherson ; Treasurer, D. H. McArthur ; Village Clerk, J. R. Carpenter ; Marshal, Henry Ludington.

The following year of 1870, the village officers were elected as follows : President, William Thompson ; Trustees, Copeland Townsend and H. F. Lyke ; Village Clerk, Joel R. Carpenter ; Assessor, R. C. Hathaway ; Treasurer, H. G. Jones ; Marshal, Henry Ludington.

In the year 1871, the officers of the village were as follows : President, Orville Hathaway ; Trustees, J. A. Henshall, J. L. Hastings, B. M. Woodruff, H. K. Edgerton, Edwin Hurlbut and Lawrence Rinney ; Clerk, R. C. Hathaway ; Assessor, C. M. Smith ; Treasurer, H. G^ Jones ; Marshal, Henry Ludington ; Justices of the Peace, C. M. Smith and W. J. Brown.

At the charter election of 1872, the elected officers were as follows : President, William Thompson ; Clerk, J. R. Carpenter ; Treasurer, H. G. Jones ; Assessor, D. R. Thompson ; Marshal, E. Thayer ; Trustees, J. C. Starkweather, C. B. Johnson and Gabriel Erricson.

In the year 1873, the officers of the village were as follows : President, Lyman Kellogg ; Trustees, Ole Halverson, Job B. Mills, E. D. Parsons ; Clerk, J. R. Carpenter ; Treasurer, H. G. Jones ; Assessor, D. R. Thompson ; Marshal, Henry Ludington ; Justices, D. R. Thompson and J. R. Carpenter.

In the spring of 1874, at the last election held under the village charter, the following officers were elected : President, Lyman Kellogg ; Trustees, J. C. Starkweather, H. K. Edgerton, Lawrence Kinney ; Treasurer, H. G. Jones ; Assessor, D. H. McArthur ; Clerk, J. B. Carpenter ; Marshal, H. Ludington. It was at this election that the ordinance duly adopted by the President and Trustees of the village of Oconomowoc, entitled " An Ordinance providing for the annexation of the village of Summitville to the village of Oconomowoc, was submitted to the voters of the last-named village and adopted by a vote of 151 votes " For," and eighty-two votes '"against union ordinance."

Past Condition And General Growth

Although very many incidents that were intimately connected with the early history of Oconomowoc Village and surroundings are irretrievably lost - forgotten, never to be recalled - that would have contributed largely to the interest of this work, yet enough facts are preserved in vivid recollections and reminiscences among the few early settlers who yet remain, to give a faithful reflex of its early condition and growth, and of the enterprise and achievements of the pioneers, as well as of later comers.

At that time there were no streets or roads - only the Indian trails leading from point to point. Mr. Sheldon, the oldest as well as first inhabitant, says that these trails formed a junction at about where the old La Belle House stood, on the northeast corner of Main and Milwaukee streets, diverging from that point about as those streets now do. Very much of the land that is now occupied for business purposes and dwellings, was then a tamarack and ash swamp. From the point where Zion Church stands, across to a point a very little south of the Townsend House, a lin# might be drawn ; from this line south, where a beautiful sheet of water now lies, was all swamp, and from this swamp a slough extended south across Milwaukee street, back of the Summit Bank property, and the whole scene in this vicinity then gave but little promise of its present development. Soon after Mr. Brewer built, A. W. Hatch and J. S. Rockwell came here and bought a two- thirds interest in Mr. Brewer's property, and, in conjunction with him, set men at work building a mill-dam across the Oconomowoc River, where the wire bridge now is. The mill (a saw-mill) is said to have been located a little west of the dam on or near the banks of La Belle Lake. The work was continued through the winter of 1837-38, and in the spring it was completed, so that as soon as the mill was done, business could be commenced. But just at this juncture a most unfortunate disaster occurred. With the breaking-up of winter, and the melting of snow and ice, came a freshet, and the dam, which had not been very substantially built, gave way, putting matters hors du combat. The only thing to do then was to fill up the gap, which was immediately done, only to have it swept away again in July. However, the proprietors were not to be discouraged by this misfortune, but at once rebuilt in a more substantial manner. In the mean-time, while the dam was being so constructed, an addition was built to the saw-mill, to be used as a grist-mill. Mr. Jesse Edsall, and his father-in-law, Mr. Noble, came on in August of this year to fit up an^ run the grist-mill. While they were on the trail, going through the woods, they got lost, and finally, quite late in the evening, came upon the cabin of Mr. Sheldon, and asked for supper and lodging, stating that they were trying to find Oconomowoc Village, having been employed to go there to attend to the new grist-mill. They were kindly cared for, and the next morning saw them on the scene of their future operations. Curtis Brown was employed to go with a team and bring on the grinding apparatus, and within a short time thereafter, to the great of the settlers, the mill was in operation. About this time a turning-lathe was also added.

In 1839 or 1840, John Heath was placed in charge, having a Mr. Palmer as assistant. In 1840, Mr. Brewer sold his interest in the mill property and village site to G. A. Foster. In the summer of 1841, the water undermined the dam, which was located on a yielding, marshy soil, and swept the whole institution away, dam, mills and all. So ended the first mill enterprise. Nothing was done toward reconstruction until the following spring, when a Mr.

Anderson-was employed to build a dam where the present dam is, he guaranteeing the work for five years. During this season, 1842, a new saw-mill was built also, and by autumn was ready for work.

The second house in the village was the Worthington cabin, a small affair, built by Mr. Edsall in 1839. Here he and family afterward lived until Mr. Worthington purchased it. This was the first family that settled in Oconomowoc Village. This year brought quite an accession to the village population. William Quigley came and built a small plank house on the lot now occupied by the Summit Bank, and Day Dewy and John Ferry erected the first frame house on the lot recently owned by Clark Hartwell, and just south of the house now owned by Harold Peck.

George W. Pugh, George Brooks and Charles Wilson settled here this season, also. During the ensuing winter, George Brooks built a house, Charles C. Wilson doing the carpenter work, such as was to be done ; and in the spring, or early part of the summer, of 1840, Mr. Brooks moved in and opened the first tavern. This stood on the lot now owned by Mrs. Bruce. In 1840, Wilson built another house, the red house that stood on a part of the present Seminary grounds, and which W. W. Collins occupied for several years.

During 1840, or 1841, J. Dougherty, Day Dewy and Mr. Barton, three bachelo s, began a manufacturing enterprise, in the shape of a chair-factory and cabinet-shop, there being a demand among the new-comers for furniture. The work done here was certainly good', for many of the oldest settlers have chairs and other articles of furniture, which they are now using, that were made at this factory. The business was discontinued after a few years, as it did not pay.

In 1840 or 1841, A. Rowe built the house now owned and occupied by H. M. Peters. This is said to be the oldest building in the city. Mr. Howe soon after started his blacksmithshop on the lot where the Town Hall now stands. It was used for a blacksmith-shop until 1851.

In 1840, the first child was born in the village, Eliza J. Dewy, daughter of D. Dewy and wife. She was born in the first frame house built in the place, January 17, 1840. The following year, January 16, 1841, Charles H. Ferry, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Ferry, was born. He was the first male child born in the village.

In the month of March, 1841, the first death was announced to the little community, and many there were who sincerely lamented the sad occasion, for in this death the village lost an esteemed lady, Mrs. G. A. Foster. She was buried near where Zion Church now stands, but was afterward removed to Nashotah Cemetery. Mr. G. A. Foster died a few years later and was interred in the same cemetery.

In the Winter of 1842, J. S. Rockwell, in conjunction withE. P. Cotton, made arrangements to build a new grist-mill, which was begun in the spring, and finished in 1843. The lumber and site were furnished by J. S. Rockwell, and Cotton furnished the machinery and attended to the labor. This mill was known as the " old red mill," and stood on the banks of La Belle Lake, nearly opposite Draper Hall. A. B. Hall and I. C. Stratton were among the principal carpenters employed on the work.

The chief difiiculty experienced in those days when building, was in getting enough hands to do the raising. But, although they entertained apprehensions on that score, they were set at rest on the day of the raising, for the people were only too glad to help to get a mill up, and came in from far and wide, until there was no lack of help. It may be remarked here that at that time " help one another," was the rule, for in no other way could they get along.

An account of a Fourth of July celebration that came off in 1843, will not come amiss here, as it aptly illustrates the spirit that actuated the people then, when a celebration was more a matter of patriotism than parade, and less a matter of business than recreation (features connected with our national anniversary /ete that are not now the same). The story as related in the Free Press, is given with a few interpolations:

It occurred in July, 1843, quite a number of families having by that time settled in and around Oconomowoc. Emulous P. Cotton was President of the day ; Elder Wheelock was Chaplain ; Jonathan Dougherty was the Orator ; George W. Pugh was Marshal ; Chaiuncey C.

Ludden was to read the Declaration of Independence, but he got mad about something and at the last refused to do so. Upon that John Barton was appointed, and, according to some acounts, read it. There was also a fine band of martial music. John Ferry was fifer, Chauncey Osborn tenor drum, and Conrad Osborn base drum. The committee on toasts were John Metcalf and . David Findley. There were no short-hand newspapers reporters present, or we might now have been in possession of detailed reports of the oration and toasts. The dinner was a picnic one, prepared by the ladies, and the tables were set on the bank of the lake near where Mr. Peck's new house now stands, and in the afternoon a large party of Indians, who were encamped at the foot of the lake, came up to see the pale-faces' " pow-wow." At that time the Indians infested the country here largely, and continued to do so for a few years. They were ordinarily peaceful when not squibbe (drunk), and were great beggars.

Some time in 1842 or 1843, the mill property interest of Hatch Foster is said to have been purchased by J. S. Rockwell, or his father-in-law, a Mr. Hard. During the summer of this year, J. S. Rockwell began building a hotel opposite to where the seminary building now stands. It was finished this year, and in 1844 opened by Charles Chaffe. From him it passed into the hands of a Mr. Willie, who kept it for a short time, when Mr. Charles C. Wilson became permanent manager. This hotel was for a long time the only one in the village worth mentioning, and in the person of Mr. Wilson was presided over by a jolly and popular landlord, who was remarkable for two qualities. He was a great story-teller, and yet had such a bad memory as to business matters that he could not remember any debts he owed. He used to say that " when he died he wanted to be buried near the bank of the lake, so that he could hear the loons screaming in the spring." His wish was gratified as to the place of his burial, but whether he heard the loons has not yet been ascertained. He died in 1858. He was a kind, good-natured man, and his death was much regretted. Many a story is told of the sports indulged in by the bachelors who made this place their chief rendezvous during his time. He was succeeded by A. R. Moore, who kept the hotel during the latter years of its existence. It was finally burned.

In 1844, George W. Fay and W. W. Collins opened a store, an event of considerable importance, as it supplied a want long felt, and relieved the inhabitants from the necessity of going to Summit, the rival town, for the many things they were constantly needing. Although this may be regarded as the first regular store, yet Mr. Rockwell had brought in a few articles some time before, that were kept at his house, which was very early used as a sort of boardinghouse and hotel, Deacon Goodell being the landlord.

The store of Fay & Collins was kept in a frame building on the lot where Mr. F. Peck, of Chicago, is now building a summer residence. The stock of merchandise was general, including drugs and liquor for medicinal use, or otherwise. There being no "internal revenue" then, the best of brandy sold at $2.50, and whisky as low as 25 cents per gallon. That which preponderated in their stock, according to the best authorities, singular to relate, was crockery. " Big mug et little mug " being hung up conspicuously around the room. The firm continued in this place until 1849 or 1850.

Loan Saxe & Co. came in 1845 and rented a little building owned by Mr. Beaman, who had it fitted up for them as best he could. They brought in a pretty fair stock of goods, said to have been in part the residue of an old establishment in the East. Although Loan Saxe was the figure-head of the company, yet his partner Samuel March was the moneyed man. About a year and a half after this store was opened, J. Dougherty, who had put up a small building where the north end of Draper Hall now is, got a young man by the name of Packard to come in with a stock of goods, he thinking at the time that they might possibly run out Loan Saxe & Co. So at that early day, competition and stride had already begun.

Packard was an auctioneer from New York, and his uncle, a Mr. Ranney, of Racine, furnished him with goods. There was a large quantity, but mostly old, shop-worn stuff". C. Eastman hauled them from Racine. This firm lasted not more than a year or two, as, the young man not paying, his worthy uncle shut up the shop.

In 1846, Saxe & Co. put up a new building near the site of the old one. This they occupied for. a few years, then moved it to where it now stands, on Main street, where they kept a store until Saxe's death, and after which Samuel March perpetuated the institution for a feyf years. This store is now known as the red front.

After Saxe & Co. ha<f moved into their new building, in 1846 or 1847, Mr. Beaman stocked ' up the shop with dry goods and books. He was not here long before he traded with a man at Monterey for a mill privilege.

Soon after coming to Oconomowoc, George W. Fay, a man of considerable enterprise and influence, proposed to the citizens of the place that they should go at it and improve Main street, as it was in a miserable condition, being so low in front of where the present mill stands, that the going was often very bad. A subscription was taken and $800 raised, for which sum Mr. Pugh graded the street from Draper Hall nearly to Johnson's harness-shop. After that, a Norwegian was employed to grade on from Draper Hall to the old mill, several parties pledging themselves to Mr. Fay to pay, but at the end not doing so, probably for want of money. Mr. Fay also at one time employed a large number of men to clear land, who came from far and near, glad to work for 50 cents per diem, store pay, to get food.

About 1845, the first village plat was surveyed, and extended from north line of Section 33, to about where Johnson's harness-shop now is, Main street being laid out very crookedly, to accommodate the lay of the land on either side. A number of lots were bought and buildings erected by this plat, but Mr. Rockwell, being satisfied, that it would be to the future advantage of the entire community to have the road laid out straight, secured an act of the Legislature vacating this plat. A new plat was laid out by J. S. and L. R. Rockwell and D. M. Hard, and surveyed by J. A. Farnham in January, 1848. This plat straightened the street and changed the boundaries of several of the lots, and extended from north to south line of Section 33 ; it was recorded in the spring of 1849 ; there was some difiiculty experienced in fixing the new boundaries, one man in particular, a shoemaker by the name of Daniels, making a good deal of trouble. Sometime during this season several of the prominent citizens met, and by common consent agreed that Main street should be widened eight feet, the plat allowing only fifty feet. This arrangement brought the boundary line of the road directly up to Daniels' dwelling house, and necessitated the moving of his fence ; this he refused to do. Very soon after, upon getting up one morning, he discovered his fence had been moved to the back of the house, near La Belle Lake. Seeing that he would only have trouble, if he refused to comply with the wishes of his neighbors, he yielded.

The old barracks, so called from being a huge three-story shell, were built about 1845, and figured quite generally in the history of the settlement for years, as blacksmith-shop, carpenter shop, tenement house, schoolhouse, and, it may be added, hospital. Here the first fire occurred; there having been some sort of a meeting in the evening, it was discovered, after the folks left, to be on fire in the second story. Water was brought and the fire drowned out, as were the family that occupied the lower story. H. McCoy, the builder, fled the country many years ago, under the suspicion of having been a counterfeiter and general rogue. The barracks stood a little north of the present mill. It is now used as a cooper-shop by George Stephens.

In 1847, the people here began to be afflicted with that miserable disease, fever and ague. It continued for the next three or four years, and became so prevalent that at times there werfr scarcely any more well ones than were needed to care for the sick. The old barracks then came into play as hospital, for nearly all living in it were shaking and had to be nursed. There was but one physician living in the village then, unless mention be made of William Quigley, who could give a dose of physic or prescribe a sweat.

During the constitutional campaign of 1846 a mass meeting was held here, and A. !> Smith, since Judge of the Supreme Court, and Curtis Reed, were opposing speakers. The town was in a perfect furor, and half of the men in it were either tight or getting so as fast a& they could. Smith stood in a wagon in such a breezy condition that he had to be held up while he denounced Reed to a crowd of men, who were cheering him, while the man who held Smith up kept saying, " 'Ear 'im ! 'ear 'im !" On the other hand, Reed waa entertaining a crowd by pouring forth his eloquence against all dissenters to his doctrine, and especially emptying the vials of invective upon the head of the devoted Smith - this being the style of argument often employed at that time.

In 1849, the first brick building was erected, E. P. Cotton and Fay and Collins being the builders. It was divided into two stores, Fay and Collins moving into one-half, and E. P. Cotton and P. A. Woodruff taking the other, and putting in a new stock of goods. Fay & Collins continued for five or six years, then ceased to operate. Cotton & Woodruff continued for a short time and failed.

In 1850, R. C. Hathaway started a wagon-shop in the building vacated by Fay & Collins, continuing there for a short time. Subsequently this building was moved across the road, and was eventually purchased by Martin Draper, and canverted into sleeping-rooms.

From 1849 to 1853, there was a large amount of building done in Oconomowoc. In 1850, Loan, Saxe & Co. put up the old LaBelle House, which was completed in August, and was formally opened to the public by Dyer Topliff, who, in his prime, was the prince of landlords. A grand party was given to commemorate the opening of the hotel. It was as gay a party as has ever assembled ; they met together on the evening of the 11th of September, 1850. Everybody came. There were no old people in Oconomowoc then, and society had not become divided. It was the first public gathering of the kind in the place, for the reason that, previous to the building of the La Belle House, there was no building of sufficient capacity in the village to entertain a large party. That party was nearly thirty years ago. There were about 140 guests, with not a single gray-headed one among them. How would the surviving members of that party look to-day if they could assemble together again? The hotel stood on the large vacant lot on the corner of Main and Milwaukee streets, and was eventually burned.

In 1848 or 1849 the first frame schoolhouse in the village was built by subscription, on the north side of the Oconomowoc River, familiarly called, " Canada." It is still used as a schoolhouse. Isaac C. Stratton was the builder of this temple of learning.

In 1850 or 1851, the red brick building that stood where Mann's Block now is, was built by Mr. Humphrey for a hotel, and was opened as such by Mr. Janes, who was succeeded by Mr. Clock. This hotel was called the Globe. After being run for about two years it was converted into a store and dwelling-house, being occupied by the firm of P. A. Woodruff & Co. It was afterward used for various business purposes until it was torn down. At this time there was a saloon in full blast on the opposite side of Milwaukee street, one Hovey being the keeper. This was the first saloon started, and was begun about 1848 or 1849. Previous to this time the " needful " was purchased at the stores and hotels.

In 1849 or 1850, E. Murphy put up a black smith-shop, then close to the edge of Fowler Lake. This and the building next to it are two of the oldest in town, as may be readily seen by their exteriors. They are now used for barber shops and jewelry stores.

In 1850, the Watertown and Milwaukee plank-road reached Oconomowoc, and proved of great benefit to the village. One Nottingham was the originator of the scheme. When the time came for organizing the company and electing officers, the people about Ooonomowoc, with J. S. Rockwell as leader, turned out en masse, ostensibly for the purpose of subscribing for stock, but really to elect the President. How well they succeeded, is well known. The fight for locating the plank road was a hard one. On the north, the people of Neosho, Stone Bank, Monterey, and other localities, were working with might and main. On the south. Summit and Delafield were exerting themselves in like manner, but without avail, for the man at the fore was one too many with his supporters, for all competitors. When the Watertown plank-road came through, the slough across Main street, east of the Summit Bank, was bridged to accommodate the road, and people began taking lots along Milwaukee street. Edwin Hurlbut subsequently circulated a subscription paper, and obtained money with which a dam was run across the slough next to Fowler Lake, to keep back the waters of the lake while the low ground was being filled in. In process of time this was done, the street becoming, in consequence, as it now appears.

No sooner had the Watertown plank-road reached the village, than the Mayville plank road project was set afoot. The Company was incoiporated in 1850 or 1851, with J. S. Rockwell as President. Stock to the amount of $12,000 was sold along the route, and J. S. Rockwell invested $3,000, and some of the company at the other end of the line put in as much more ready cash. The road work was bei^un and completed, and did very much to open and improve the country ; but it was a dead loss to the stock-holders, as it never paid a cent. John Metcalf superintended the work on this route.

About the time the plank-road was completed through to Watertown, the necessity for a railroad running through the village west, from Brookfield, on the Prairie du Chien Railroad, was being generally agitated, J. S. Rockwell being, as ever, the moving spirit in the enterprise. Very soon the discussion took material shape in the organization of the Milwaukee & Watertown Railroad Company, with Mr. Rockwell as President. This was a large undertaking, and it required a great deal of influence and sagacity to so manage the wire-pulling as to get the road through here, for this was by no means the most direct route. However, in spite of all opposition, Oconomowoc got the road, and from that time the certain growth and future prosperity of the place was insured. In the summer of 1854, a depot was constructed, it being built of red brick from Pugh's brickyard. In December following, the first engine and construction train put in an appearance, and this point became the western terminus of the road, and remained so for about a year after, the workshops being here during that time.

In May, 1879, a new depot was begun, the old one having been demolished, and by the 1st of July was completed and ready for use. The want of this depot had been long felt, especially during the summer season and fall, when the large throngs of visitors were coming and going.

The building now owned and occupied by E. D. Parsons, was built in 1852, by C. M. Smith. It was originally built to provide the Masons and Sons of Temperance with a hall. J. S. Rockwell put in the first stock of goods, and called it the " Plank Road Store."

In 1853, the old oil mill of Cotton & Rockwell, was built. It was three stories high and well fitted with machinery for making linseed oil, but the sinews of war being wanting in the shape of flax-seed. The mill proved a failure and was sold, the building being converted into a dwelling-house and saloon. It finally furnished material for a fire. Cotton afterward went to Adams County.

The store of Rockwell & Randall was built about 1854. The post ofiice was kept here for a long time after W. W. Collins relinquished it, Rockwell being Postmaster.

About 1855, the village was electrified by the report that C. Y. Reed, who not long before had come here from the East and started in business, had been robbed, his store having been entered by burglars and $1,000 or $1,500 having been taken from the safe. This being the first robbery of any consequence that had ever been perpetrated here, it created an intense excitement, and all sorts of methods of investigation were suggested. Among other things it was proposed to send for a young fellow said to be a remarkable clairvoyant. As there was not a trace left by which to track the thieves, something of this kind seemed to be the only means by which the treasure could be found. The young man was therefore sent for, and came and was mesmerized by a well-known citizen of the place. No sooner had he passed into an apparently abnormal condition, than he said a man had entered the house and taken the key to the store or safe and given it to another, who had gone into the store and taken the money, and with still another had gone some distance and concealed it in a holIoW tree. The following day, the young fellow professed to identify certain highly respected citizens of the place, as the ones he had seen while mesmerized. This further development caused still greater excitement. When the young fellow was again mesmerized, he said the parties had become frightened and had moved the money, but in doing so had dropped a $2 bill. He went with others, according to his story, to this place, and lo! the money. He then said the stolen money had been sunk in a can to the bottom of the lake. The next thing was to drag the lake ; but to no purpose. A detective was soon after brought from New York, who professed to find a gang of horse thieves and counterfeiters located here. Then the people became frightened, suspicious, and red-hot with anger at the imputations thrown out by the detective, who implicated some of the most prominent men in the county as being connected with the gang ; however, nothing came of the whole proceeding, except hard feelings and political rancor, for the politics of the county were for awhile largely affected by these circumstances.

There was for many years a bridge over a waste weir almost directly in front of the present mill, but it was torn away a long time ago, having become a rickety old affair, and the hollow was filled in. An improved weir was introduced, and suitably covered so that no one would ever know, unless he were told, what a miserable spot on the street that place had been. During the next few years the village built up gradually, there being no very marked changes until 1859 or 1860, when the Dodge building was constructed. It was a fine three-story brick edifice, and stood on the ground occupied now by the Metcalf Block. D. W. Small furnished most of the means for putting up this building. It subsequently burned. During 1859, David W. Small erected the building now owned and used by the city for a city hall. It was built to be used for banking purposes, and during this year the Summit Bank was established. It was a stock bank and was incorporated September 1, 1859, under the State law. The stock-holders were H. K. Edgerton, J. S. Rockwell, D. W. Small, E. W. Edgerton, B. B. Hinkley and E. S. Stone. The original capitial was $25,000. A robbery of the bank was attempted in 1868, but proved unsuccessful. May 1, 1869; the company relinquished its charter, as a stock bank. H. K. Edgerton then purchased the fixtures and good will of the old institution and perpetuated it as a private bank. The bank was moved from the old stand about 1870 into Fay's Block, on the southeast corner of Main and Milwaukee streets. This substantial building was erected by George W. Fay in 1869.

During 1859, Col. Birchard, probably the oldest merchant in the county, having been engaged in business here for thirty-five years, came to Oconomowoc from Waukesha and bought a bankrupt stock of goods owned by Marsh & Reed, successors to Loan, Saxe & Co., and in June of 1860 moved from the old red front into Dodge's Block. In 1869, he built his present fine store, and moved into it in 1870.

During the war, business flourished here as it never had before. Although it proved a great calamity to very many, yet the merchants often sigh for such another harvest, if it would only come without bringing with it so much misfortune. About this time, summer visitors began putting in an appearance, the first of whom, it is said, were Messrs. Cofiin and Schufeldt. From that time on, the theme of greatest interest to Oconomowoc people, in all relations, has been " Oconomowoc as a summer resort; " and certainly they are justifiably proud of that distinction, for it is a beautiful place to live in, as well as being an unusually good point for nearly all kinds of business.

In 1864 or 1865, the first sidewalk was laid here. Soon after, one was laid in front of the stores on the east side of Main street. A deal of trouble was caused by this walk. Each one wanted it to fit the door step in front of his store ; so at first it was up and down all along, but eventually they consented to have the grade established as it yet remains.