Poynette Village (part 2 of 2)

N. B. Dunlap and Jacob Ulrich began the erection of business houses about the same time in November, 1864. There was quite a strife between them as to which should complete and first occupy his building. Sixteen years after, each party was confident he was the first. The only building that had previously been erected was that of a small warehouse built by Mr. Welch, for the storage of grain. This warehouse was also used by the railroad company, until the completion of their depot, in the fall of 1865.

The first lot sold was purchased by Jacob Ulrich, on which he erected a hotel, to which was given the name of Rio House. The house was opened in December, 1864, and continued in successful operation until May, 1875, when it was destroyed by fire. In July, following, Mr. Ulrich began the erection of another house, which was completed and opened for the accommodation of the traveling public, November 10, 1875. The new house was larger than the old,

Tlie first dwelling-house was built by John Baw, a German shoemaker, who came here early in the spring of 1865. A daughter was born to him in May, of that year, being the first born in the village.

The village post office was first established in the northeast corner of Lowville, in the year 1852. It was given the name of Rio. When the new village was located, one-half mile from this office, it was thought best it should take the same name, as the office would undoubtedly be moved there. Delos Bundy at that time was running a small country store, and was Postmaster at Rio. In the spring of 1865, he moved his store and office into the village, and consequently was the first Postmaster. Mr. Bundy held the office for a few years, and was succeeded by Mr. Emerson, and he in turn, in 1872, by M. J. Leffingweil.

In the winter of 1864-65, Robert Williams and Kennedy Scott started here a lumber-yard, being the first to engage in the sale of lumber ; Delos Bundy opened the first stock of general merchandise ; Dr. Vincent was the first physician : John J. Brown the first legal adviser. In the fall of 1866, W. Davidson put in the first hardware store. In the spring of 1866, Warren Bundy, in company with Delos Bundy, put in the first drug store.

D. Buchanan, in July, 1865, commenced the erection of an elevator, with a storage capacity of 10,000 bushels of grain, which was completed and ready for use September following. Mr. Buchanan continued in the grain business for two years, when he sold the elevator, it passing through many hands, and in 1879, was purchased by F. R. Morris & Co. Mr. Welch, in the fall of 1865, also commenced to build an elevator, but before completion it was sold to Knowles & Binnie. It afterward passed into the hands of Samuel D. Curtis, and was destroyed by fire November 30, 1872.

A joint school district was organized in 1849, composed of a portion of the towns of Lowville and Otsego, the schoolhouse being erected in Lowville. Here the children of the village have been sent. They now have a graded school of two departments.

MetJiodist Episcopal Church. - A class was organized in 1863, at the schoolhouse in the northeastern part of the town of Lowville. Here religious services were held until the fall of 1868, when services were held in the Congregational Church in the village. In 1869, together with the Baptists, a small building was fitted up for church purposes. The greatest era of prosperity attending this church was in 1872, when they had thirty-two members on the classbook. In 1879, the number had been reduced to about ten, caused by removals, death and withdrawal.

Congregational Church. - This church was organized in 1863, at the house of David Palmer, two miles east of the village, with 0. C. Howe, Juliet Howe, William Scott, Jane Scott, David Palmer, Mehitable Palmer and Catherine McKenna. For several years, the congregation worshiped in the schoolhouse. In the summer of 1867, they began the erection of a church building, which was completed and formally dedicated in October, 1868, Rev. S. B. Doe, Secretary of the Home Mission Society, preaching the sermon. Previous to this, a sermon was preached in the church on the occasion of the death of Abram Van Aernam, in the spring of 1868. This was the first sermon preached in the house. The church has had the services, as Pastor, of Revs. Donaldson, Thompson, Brown, Fairfield, Logan, Cheney, Powell, Demarest and Ball. In 1879, Kennedy Scott held the positions of Trustee, Deacon and Treasurer ; Caroline C. Scott, Clerk. A union Sunday school was organized in 1865. In 1879, Kennedy Scott was Superintendent ; Mrs. John AVeyant, Assistant ; Arabella Tifl't, Secretary.

Baptist Church. - This church was organized June 29, 1867, with D. Buchanan, Mrs. Buchanan, H. Blemis, M. E. Mosher, L. H. Palmer and wife, J. A. Eliot, Mrs. Wm. Gaskill, N. A. Palmer and wife, Mrs. Herring and Miss Buchanan. M. E. Mosher was elected Clerk. The organization was effected by Rev. Nathan Wood, of Wyocena, who, in 1880, had served thirteen years, being the first and only Pastor. The first meetings of the church were held in the schoolhouse, and were continued there until the house was refused them for religious services, when they niet in various halls in the village, and for a short time in the Congregationalist Church. In 1873, a building was purchased and fitted up for their use. In 1879, the officers of the church were: C. C. Holly, Clerk; Sylvester Noble, C. C. Holly, William Gaskill, J. B. Carter, Seth Allen, G. Palmer, Trustees ; Roswell Palmer, Seth Allen, Deacons. A Sunday school was organized in 1868, which has had a flourishing existence. In 1879, Roswell Palmer was Superintendent.

Village Of Doylestown

On the 16th day of March, 1865, Lemuel H. Doyle purchased of Damon C. Starr 120 acres off the southeast quarter of Section 11, and, on the 2.5th day of March, purchased of Eason Starr 115 acres oif the northeast quarter of Section 14. The main object of the purchase was to locate thereon a village. On the 26th day of August, 1865, Alfred ToplifF, County Surveyor, completed and had recorded the plat of the village of Doylestown.

David Metcalf, a former resident of Columbus, erected a store here in the summer of 1865, being the first in the village. He operated it for about four months, or until it was burned. From that time until 1868, no improvements were made in the place, and, in January of that year, only four families resided here. Mr. Doyle determined the place should have a start, and made a public offer to give a lot free to any who would build thereon. His offer was accepted, and during the year 1868, about thirty houses were erected. Eaton & Canfield built at the time a $2,500 elevator, with a storage capacity of 15,000 bushels of grain. Mr. Eaton died shortly after, and the elevator was burned in July, 1876.

The first lot sold was purchased by Thornton Thompson, who erected the first house in the village. This house was afterward sold to Joseph Doyle, who, in 1868, built an addition to it, and opened the first hotel.

The first freight was received by J. H. Davis September 19, 1865, consisting of two bundles of sash, the charges on which were 25 cents. The first shipment was two cars of bulk wheat to Curtis & Mann, Milwaukee, sent by Metcalf & Starr September 16, 1865. First ticket was sold May 22, 1866.

D. Metcalf was the first station agent, serving from September, 1865, to November 1, 1866. L. H. Doyle was then appointed, serving until November, 1873, when Charles A. Doyle received the appointment. From the building of the road to March, 1880, D. Reed, J. A. Doyle. F. W. Whitcomb, Julia Williams, C. A. Doyle. C. S. Bensted, L. W. Davis, D. E. Moore, J. W. Hancock, H. A. Doyle, S. C. Budlong, F. N. Mills, S. B. Morse, George C. Wright, L. H. Martin, J. 0. Baker, P. Vandercook and E. J. Conner have served as telegraph operators.

The original plat was composed of nine blocks off the northeast quarter of Section 14. The first addition was made, June 13, 1868, and was also off Section 14. The second addition was made, June 18, 1869, and was off the southeast quarter of Section 11, and comprised about forty acres. Isaac B. Downs, about this time, also made an addition, of about fifteen acres, to the plat of the village, off southeast quarter of Section 11.

The first schoolhouse built near where the village was laid out was in 1859. In 1869, a larger and better house was erected, at a cost of $1,250. The first teacher in the new schoolhouse was Miss Emma L. Holmes. In the winter of 1879-80, Peter F. McMahon was the teacher.

Catholic Church. - In 1865, Father McGurke organized a society in this place, and in 1866 a church was erected, at a cost of $1,500. The congregation increasing in numbers, the house became too small to accommodate those who desired to attend ; therefore, in 1874, it was enlarged, at an additional cost of $700. In 1877, a parsonage was erected, adjacent to the church, at a cost of $750. A Sunday school has usually been maintained during the summer months. Fathers McGurke, O'Kiefe, Gray, Roche and Murphy, have ministered to the spiritual welfare of the congregation, from its organization up to 1880. At that time, eighty families were represented in its membership.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - A chiss was organized here at a very early day, religious services being held in private houses and in the schoolhouses in the neighborhood. The church having become numerically strong, in 1870 determined to erect a church edifice. In order to best carry out their intentions, David Edwards, David D. James, James S. Hallock, George Ormsbee, John J. Scott, George Young, Norman B. Dayton, Lester Hoard and Lemuel H. Doyle were elected Trustees, by the congregation. The first meeting of the Trustees was held in the shop of L. H. Doyle, January 8, 1871, Rev. B. M. Fullmer, presiding, all the Trustees being present. It was then voted to erect a church edifice, which was completed and dedicated Sunday, October o, 1873, by Rev. Samuel Fallows, D. D., of Madison, Wis., Rev. J. B. Cole being then preacher in charge. The cost of the church was $2,000. L. H. Peck, Lester Hoard and L. H. Doyle were the building committee. The first funeral held in the church was that of an infant child of Ferdinand and Kate Pinkrou, in the fiiU of 1873, Rev. Oppen, of Columbus, a German preacher, ofliciating. The first marriage in the church was that of D. W. Edwards and Mattie James, October 21, 1874.

Protestant Episcopal Church. - Rev. F. C. Eldved organized the church here November 21, 1877, with the election of George Hall, Warden ; J. G. Smith, Treasurer ; Niels Rasmus, Secretary. Mr. Eldred discharged the duties of Pastor of the church, until the summer of 1879, when he was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Burlsora. For the first two years, services were held every Friday evening, with occasional visits from the Minister at other times. In the fall of 1879, the time of services was changed to each Sunday evening.

Patrons of Husbandry. - Union Grange, No. 430, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized March 5, 1874, by Deputy Kennedy Scott, assisted by John Sanderson, of Cambria. The first officers and charter members were Lemuel H. Doyle, Master ; George Hall, Overseer ; John J. Scott, Treasurer ; Peter Morse, Secretary ; Jerome R. Nasholds, Lecturer ; Franklin Andrews, Steward ; Charles Peck, Assistant Steward ; Edward F. Palmer, Chaplain ; F. C. Councilman, Gate Keeper; Mary V. Andrews, Stewardess; Ellen M. Titcomb, Ceres; Harriet Palmer, Pomona ; Sarah Youngs, Flora; Cora A. Downs. Mary J. Doyle, Ida Andrews, George Youngs, Lyman B. Ward, Dexter Titcomb, George Williams, Sarah A. Hall, Mary E. Doyle, Thomas W. Davis, Demosthenes Nasholds, Anthony Snowdeii. The first meetings of the grange were held in Hoard's Hall, afterward in Methodist Episcopal Church. A grange store was started in 1877, but both grange and store were discontinued in 1878.

" In 1848, Owen Kincaid entered a tract of land about ten miles west of Columbus (it is now owned by H. A. Whitney) and is not far from the station and village of Doylestown, and was the first entry in that vicinity. Daniel James was the first settler adjacent to the present site of the little village, his duplicate bearing date May 9, 1848, though Mr. Moses Roberts, in 1847, entered forty acres, and built a cabin near where Joseph G. Smith lives. Damon C. Starr secured his land and arrived two weeks later, his patent, dated September 1, 1849, having the signature of President Taylor. He built a log house that year, which was the first structure in that locality. The frame building with which he replaced it was five years ago the only building near where the village now is. In the same year, William Chamberlain settled on land which is now owned by Daniel Tompkins. Eason Starr, in 18.50, purchased of speculators a quarter-section adjoining his brother, and Dr. Edward Heath arrived the same year. Most of the village is situated upon which was originally bought by the former. The depot and watertank were built in 1865. L. H. Doyle arrived in June, 1865, and purchased the lands of the two Starrs, between two and three hundred acres.

" A village was platted that year, and David Metcalf, a previous resident of Columbus and now general roadmaster of the La Crosse & North-Western Division, erected a store which he operated for four months, or until it was burned. No progress was made for two or three years. In 1868, there were but four families living on the village plat. That year, Eaton & Canfield built a $2,500 elevator.

'* The village now has a population of 200. D. D. Fox and D. D. Jones have each a good general store well stocked with dry goods, groceries, etc. Hoard & Earle are engaged in the lumber trade, and they also purchase wheat and produce. The elevator has a capacity of 15,000 bushels of grain. Not long after its erection, one of its owners djed, and it has since been closed. R. Elliot, of Milwaukee, holds a mortgage on it, and the building is for sale on favorable terms. Residents claim that 40,000 bushels of grain would find a market there, under favorable circumstances. Joseph Doyle, father of L. H. Dowle, is the proprietor of the Doyle House, the village hotel, which he manages successfully. John Bau is the boot and shoe maker of the hamlet, and does his work well. He runs a saloon in connection with his shop I. Gormley, a new-conjer, is also proprietor of a saloon. .James Riley is the village blacksmitii. Dr. Henry Allen is the resident physician, and, though he only came to Doylestown a few months ago, is acquiring an extensive practice. He went thither from Hartland, though for six years he was Superintendent of an eye and ear infirmary at Chicago. L. H. Doyle is the station agent, express agent and Postmaster. Becoming the owner of the village site, he has shown an irrepressible desire to build up the town, and has given away acres to persons desiring to become permanent residents. In connection with other business, he established a nursery ia 1868, and he now has about eight acres set out with choice trees and shrubbery. Last year, he manufactured about three thousand brooms. It is not to be denied that he has shown much enterprise and liberality in promoting the growth of the village which bears his name. A lodge of Good Templars is in Doylestown ; it has sixty members, and Dr. Allen is its Worthy Chief. A Catholic Churcli is the only building at present that has been erected for the purpose of worship. The priest at Columbus conducts services periodically. One of the best schoolhouses in the county was built here some years ago. The Baptist and other denominations have worshiped here. The Methodists are about to erect a new church, 30x40, and have the stone for the foundation already on the ground.

" It is now about three years since the leftd excitement broke out in the vicinity of Doylestown. A point a few rods west of that station is, by survey, the highest elevation on the railroad between the Wisconsin River and Lake Michigan. To the northeast, the land is broken into hillocks of reddish clay, though lime and sandstone frequently appear. On the Hallock farm, two miles and a half away, men at the plow brought up rich fragments of ore, and, while building fences across the land, found very promising specimens of that material. Carpenter, of Rio, has made numerous excavations upon the farm, and has secured ore in paying quantities. He is still at work under a lease. About a year ago, the farm was sold to a company at Sparta, and they have been since sinking a shaft. It had reached a depth of eighty-five feet the other day when we visited the spot, and the work is still in progress. They have been constantly taking out good ore, but in very small quantities, yet the indications are that lead exists in large amounts, if it can only be struck. The State Geologist has inspected the locality and adds the weight of his opinion to this statement. The formation is peculiar, those clay hills being approached on both sides by sand or by prairie. It should also be stated that evidences have been found which lead to the belief that silver exists in those ledges. If the secrets of nature shall be successfully read in this vicinity, it would make Doylestown a busy station and give an impetus to the business of the county even."

Town Of Pacific

This town is located in the central part of the county, its northwest corner adjoining the city of Portage. It comprises the east half of Township 12, Range 9, and a fractional part of Sections 4, 9, 16, 21, 28 and -33, of same township and range, lying to the east of the Wisconsin River, which river forms its western boundary. It is watered by the Fox River, which enters the town on the east through Swan Lake on Section 1, flows west and northwest to Portage City. It is also watered by Duck Creek in the central part. About one-half of the town is marsh land, 'the remainder is oak openings. The land is generally sandy and low, the surface altitude being from 200 to 250 feet. The town was set off in 18-54 from Portage City, much to the delight of its inhabitants, avers a local writer, for the reason of the high assessment of its lands.

N. H. Wood, who had entered and purchased a large portion of the land lying within the present limits of the town, and had also established a store on Section 16, had the honor of naming the town.

The first election showed about fifty voters ; the number has not since materialh' increased. Among the first settlers were Henry Jennings, who came in 1849, Stephen Calverly, H. Holden John \V. Lawrence and Benjamin Dow, in 1850 ; N. H. Wood, 1851 ; William Bates, J. W. Porter, Moses Bump, Daniel Marston and Jonathan Pegg, in 1854 ; Amasa Porter, Joshua Calkins, J. L. Porter and Griffin Smith, in 1856.

There are no villages in the town, though numerous attempts have been made to establish one, and paper cities have flourished. On an old Territorial map, issued in 1837, on the north side of Swan Lake is marked the village of " Ida." The proverbial '' oldest inhabitant," living in the spring of 1880, had never heard of its existence. In 1838, a magnificent " city " was laid out on the same site, which was given the name of Wisconsinapolis, and so well was it platted, the lake being crowded with such magnificent steamers, that in the East a large number of lots were sold at almost fabulous prices. The success of this venture encouraged the owners of the land on the south side of the lake also to plat a city which was to bear the name of "Winnebago City." Lots here brought good prices. Henry Merrell relates that upon one occasion a gentleman came into his store at the fort, and inquired at what hour steamboats left for Winconsinapolis. He was told that at the time boats were very irregular, but lie could direct him to the place. The man then inquired which was the best hotel. Mr. Merrill declined to answer that question, as he did not wish to injure his popularity as a business man by showing partiality in the case. A few hours afterward, when he returned from the " city," where no building larger than an Indian wigwam had ever been erected, and where twenty-five white men had probably never set foot, he drove rapidly by, neither looking to the right or left, his curiosity having been abundantly satisfied.

In 1838, an act was passed by the Territorial Legislature, incorporating the Marquette and Swan Lake Canal Company. James Duane Doty, Lieut. Hovey and others were the incorporators. It was the intention of the company to run a canal from Swan Lake into Lake George, and down Duck Creek to the Wisconsin River. A tavern was built at the west end of Swan Lake, and a ferry run across the neck of the lake. This canal was in opposition to the one connecting the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers at Fort Winnebago, and, it was thought by its incorporators, would tend to build up the villages of Wisconsinapolis and AVinnebago City.

" Baltimore City " was another paper city which never had an existence in fact. It was laid out on Section 33, where Duck Creek empties into the Wisconsin River.

Says a local writer : " Cities have not flourished in Pacific, but industry has, and no where in the county is there less ostentation or more promptness to meet obligations than Pacific. It is one of those towns where from a variety of agricultural resources, nnd a strict economy, its population seem to ' come out all right in the spring.' When its population quadruples, and the land is drained and occupied, Pacific will he a very prosperous and popular town, and to-day. for a high order of intelligence, morality, industry, and moderate thrift, it is at least a good average of the county."

By William T. Whirry

The first settler in this town was George Knowles, who came from the city of New York, selected his land in the fall of 1843, on Section 13, and entered it in February, 1844, and erected the first building in town at the same time, in the form of a board shanty, with whitewood boards brought from Fond du Lac ; broke up some land in May, 1844, and claims it was the first land broken in town ; planted the first crop, and raised a good one, without any fence ; put up his log house in August, 1844, and resided on the same place until about 1860, when he removed to Milwaukee.

S. S. Torbert came from Illinois March 16, 1844, in company with John Langdon and Benjamin Williams. Mr. Torbert raised the first log house on Section 15. B. Williams being a single man, lived with him. They lived for a long time on succotash (green corn and beans), without anything else. He broke, as he claims, the first land, but that point is disputed by Mr. Knowles. His first crop of wheat was seventy bushels, from two acres, and two bushels in sowing, which had been dragged in with a wooden-toothed drag. At that time, there were only three log cabins at Fo.x Lake, and no building between there and Fort Winnebago, except Powderly's, near the latter place.

John Langdon put up his log house very shortly after Torbert, on Section 29, but finished it first, making it the first log house in town. He brought in the first span of horses, and as Torbert and Williams came with him, and as they all brought cattle, they must all have the credit of bringing in the first oxen and cows ; and they were called a very superior lot of cattle. He also brought some hogs, and came fully equipped to break up land, and did break up a good (leal for others. He started Cambria - built the dam and put up a saw-mill, in company with Samuel Langdon, in 1845, and for several years it was called Langdon's mill ; but he became involved, and allowed a sharper, named Bell, to get hold of his property, who converted it to his own use, and changed the name of the place to Bellville (it was afterward called Florence, then Cambria). John Langdon was thus financially ruined ; and the loss of his hard-earned property probably shortened his days. He removed to Bad Axe (now Vernon County), and died there in 1852.

Benjamin Williams located a piece of prairie on Section 32, but did not build right off. He sold to Joseph Kerr, who came here in the foil of 1846 ; he then built on a piece of land adjoining Cambria ; was Sheriff for one term ; now lives in the fruit region of Michigan.

Alvin B. Alden came from Connecticut in July, 1844, and put up a hay shanty, with wings for bedrooms, on a splendid quarter-section of openings, on Section 24, being the first land selected in town ; built his log house in November, 1844 ; claims that he put in and harvested the first winter wheat. He was clerk of the Board of Supervisors for several years ; now resides in Portage.

John Converse came from Connecticut in October, 1844 ; boarded about six months with his son-in-law, Alvin B. Alden ; put up his log house in the spring of 1845, on a clay knoll, on Section 25: had a mill privilege, which nature had done a good deal for, except supplying it with water - if we except a few springs ; but Uncle John, nevertheless, not to be balked by such a trifle, built a dam and a small mill, and put in a run of stones, bolts, etc. Feed is still ground there, when we have a wet time. Uncle John kept the first house of entertainment for man and beast, and scores are now living who remember with pleasure the kind, liberal and motherly attentions of Mrs. Converse ; though not kept in the style of the Fox House, yet everything that was substantial was in abundance, and all left satisfied - style was not expected in a log house. He was the first Postmaster in town; kept the first post ofiice, called Polk Prairie, a misnomer, as it was situated in the openings. The name was afterward changed to East Randolph.

He was the founder of the village of Randolph, in Dodge and Columbia Counties, for which he is entitled to the gratitude of the whole community, having labored almost single handed against the combined efforts of Cambria, Fox Lake and the railroad company. The opposition he encountered would, doubtless, have deterred almost any other person ; but, after repeated refusals, in February, 1857, he obtained permission from the railroad company to put up a shanty on the prairie for the reception of grain, the company agreeing to stop the cars whenever he succeeded in getting a car-load, on being signaled, and providing the train was not detained over ten minutes. A poplar pole, with an old neck-scarf attached, was the signal used ; now it is about the greatest wheat station on the line of the road. He built the Russell House, and when he removed there he took the post office and its name with him, which was the cause of the station being called Randolph. He was our first School Superintendent, and now resides at Portage.

The first Welsh people in this section of our State settled a few rods east of our town line, and the first in this town were the Rev. Thomas H. Roberts, David Roberts, and John Evans. The two former settled on Section 4, and the latter on a poor eighty acres, on Section 15, now used as a pasture by William Harris ; his log house, with a stick chimney on the outside, stood near the road, on the north end ; and the first sermon delivered in the town was preached there, in the winter of 1844 and 1845, by the Rev. T. H. Roberts, at which time the Welsh church of Blaen-y-cae was organized, and also the Sabbath school, and religious services were held alternately at James Evans', near Lake Emily, Catharine Roberts, Blaen-y-cae, and John Evans', on Section 15 ; the first is now living at the same place, and aged about eighty-four years, the second died in May, 187 1, aged eighty-three years, and the last has removed to Iowa.

The said Thomas H. Roberts, immediately after his arrival here, wrote letters to his friends in Wales, describing the country and its advantages, which were read in the mines there, and created quite a furor ; the result was that the next spring witnessed the departure of a great many families to Wisconsin, who settled at Lake Emily, and what is now Courtland, Springvale and Randolph, all brought here by these letters. Mr. Roberts, like most of the Welsh preachers, is also a farmer, and has resided, until a few years since, on his first location, and owns it now, but resides on the town line, in the town of Manchester, and is still a preacher and farmer, and very much respected by all. At one time, while he was in the woods splitting some rails, a noble-looking stag came near where he was at work, stopping under a tree and appearing to lean against it ; Mr. Roberts, rightly conjecturing that he had been wounded by some hunter, went up to him and caught him by the horns and secured him ; he had been shot. David Roberts, mentioned above, settled near Lake Sarah in 1844, and left in the spring of 1850 for California, and died just as he came in sight of it. He located the first settlers in Springvale, etc.

The most of our first Welsh settlers had spent what little money they had by the time they had become settled here; some paid their last sliilling for their land, a yoke of oxen or a cow; one fiimily paid out their last sovereign for an old lame sow, but which proved a good speculation afterward in the sale of pigs ; but, with no money, or anything to exchange for groceries, they fared hard indeed ; ami some recollect well how thankful they were to receive from an acquaintance, who was fortunate to own a cow when they had none, a small piece of butter or a little milk occasionally, and they would go a long distance to get it, and live a long time on its recollections - for from that time they began to live, as they could exchange butter for what they needed, and, with the good pasturage the land afibrded, they would make about nine pounds of butter a week from a good cow, and felt comparatively independent.

For a long time after they came here, not one of them owned a wagon ; but nothing prevented them from attending their religious meetings regularly, week days as well as Sundays - and they went mostly afoot: and when the creeks were swollen in the spring, or overflowed the low bridges, the women would take oiF their shoes and stockings, wade through, and re-dress on the other side, and go on to meeting. Would any American woman do that ? Some went to meeting with a yoke of oxqu and a low, log sled, similar to a stone-boat, winter and jmmer, and some used, for several years, low truck wagons, with the wheels cut from the ends of a large log, the stjueaking of which could be heard for a mile when they went to and fro to meeting. Now, some of those very individuals drive as handsome a turnout as any one.

Our Welsh people started the poultry business under rather discouraging circumstances. A friend of John Roberts (Bontnewydd), had brought with him a pair of chickens to commence with, but they proved to be both roosters, and, as there were no hens to be found anywheie, the prospect for fresh eggs or chicken pie was poor indeed ; but a trade was struck vup, by which John Roberts was to have one, if he would help to procure a hen ; so they posted oif together to Columbus, and, after a good deal of travel and more persuasion, and representing the very bad fix they were in, they procured two hens.

The following incident will give some idea of the loneliness of some of ourl early settlers (the neighbors being few and far between) : The family of the above-named John Roberts had resided here nearly one year before they saw a single individual, excepting their town people, when one day, one of the boys came running in, shouting at the top of his voice, " Mother I m jther ! there's a man coming ! " and they were almost as much astonished as Robinson Crusoe was when he discovered the footprints in the sand.

The first celebration of the anniversary of American independence, in town, was celebrated by the Welsh people July 4, 1848, on Section 4, by singing, and short lectures on temperance.

Job W. Perry, though not one of the earliest settlers in this town, yet located his land in 1844, and deserves notice here. He lived a short time a few miles beyond its limits ; built a large, good log house on Section 12, in the spring of 1845 ; came originally from New York, then Ohio, then Walworth County ; was a good specimen of the old-fashioned pioneers, who have done so much to build up this country ; had always lived at the western end of civilization, and, as soon as land became improved, so that his cattle did not have a wide range, he was uneasy, and would sell out and be off further West. He had sold here in 1852, and had located in Minnesota, and was preparing to remove his family when death put in his veto. I am afraid there were Ku-Klux or Wide- Awakes in those days, although they did not go by these names; but, as Shakespeare says, " What's in a name? " The early settlers generally respected claims. Uncle Job had jumped some claim and refused to give it up ; he was Ku-kluxed one night by a delegation disguised, and, after a bold resistance by the family, in which an old sword and hot water were freely used, he was taken off to Lake Emily, to be put under the ice, but at the last moment a compromise was effected.