Reedsburg City (part 9 of 9)

BENJAMIN TEEL, farmer, Sec 7 ; P. 0. Baraboo ; is the oldest settler of the town of Fairfield now residing within its boundaries; he was born in Merrimack Co., N. H., Dec. 12, 1800, therefore is in his 80th year. He married in Wilmot, N. H., Pbtebo Morrill, a native of that place; they came to Wisconsin in 1845, and settled in the town of Fairfield, Sauk Co.; she died in 1869; their children are Joseph, who married Mary Gitchell, who is a farmer in affluent circumstances in this town, Aaron F. married Miss Mary Watt ; Hannah, wife of P. J. Parshall, an extensive farmer. Sec. 12, this town ; Lucy, wife of Benjamin Clark, Nebraska; Susan, wife of P. Buck, Reedsburg, this county; Almena, wnfe of Joseph L. Hackett, of Baraboo. Mr. Teel has been closely identified with the interests of the town of Fairfield from its infancy to the present time, and has taken an active part in her public affairs, being ele(^ted many times by his fellow-citizens to offices of honor and trust, the duties of all of which he discharged with signal ability, and to the entire satisfaction of the citizens. He has of late years retired from active life, and is passing his declining years in peace and plenty, the rewards which a well-spent life is sure to bring.

Toavx Of Bear Creek

T. H. TOLTilFF. farmer. Sec. 17; P. 0. Baraboo ; was born in Belvidere, III, Oct. 24, lS-t4; his parents, 0. Gr. and Ann Tolliff, settled in Illinois in about 1S3S ; they came to the town of Yernon, Dane Co., Wis., in about 1S58, where they now live, T. H., the subject of this notice, coming with them. In December, 1861, he enlisted in Co. I, 15th W. V. I., serving one year, then entered the Quartermaster's Department, Nashville, Tenn.. where he served three years as shipping-clerk ; in 1865, he came to Baraboo, Wis. He married Miss Helen Palmer, daughter of Levi S. and Elizabeth Palmer, old settlers of Fairfield ; they have three children - Nettie, Arthur and Henry. In Baraboo, Mr. Tollift' followed harness-making ; he moved to Fairfield in 1878.

XORRIS C. WILCOX, farmer. Sec. 12 ; P. 0. Baraboo. This esteemed citizen of Fairfield was born in La Fayette, Onondaga Co., N. Y., June 25, 1824, where he remained until 1844, in which year he came West, locating in Clinton, Rock Co., Wis. ; engaged in farming 'there until 1849, when he purchased the farm he now lives on ; moved on to it the same year and commenced the work of improving and building up a home, in which he proved eminently successful. He has been twice married, his first wife was Laura A. D. Losey. she died in July, 1852. His second wife was Charlotte Olds, she is also deceased ; one child, a son. Bishop, by first marriage. He married Sylvia Andrews and is engaged in farming in this town ; by his second marriage there are four children - Norris, Mary A., Ulysses and Minnie. Mr. Wilcox has been a continual resident of Wisconsin since 1844 ; in the town of Fairfield, he has been elected to various local offices of trust; his farm is located a short ride north of Baraboo, is finely improved and very valuable, containing 120 acres.

JOHN WRICwIITMVKR, proprietor of general repair and blacksmith shop, and farmer. Sec- 5 ; P. 0. Baraboo; was born in Prince Edward Township. Ontario District, Canada, Nov. 25, 1832 ; he came to Madison, Wis., in 1850, and there learned the blacksmith trade ; in about 1853, he bame to Sauk Co. and engaged in blacksmithing iu Baraboo until the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, when he enlisted in Co. A, 2d W. V. I. ; was in active service three years, at ihe end of which time he received an honorable discharge ; after his discharge, he worked six months for the Governmc nt in Nashville, Tenn. ; then returned to Baraboo where he remained until 1867, when he came to Fairfield and established a general repair and blacksmith shop in which he does a good business ; he also owns a well-located farm of about 100 acres. He married, in Madison, Wis., Electa A. Ames ; she was born in Oneida Co.. N. Y., and came to Wisconsin with her parents prior to its becoming a State ; her grandfather, Nathaniel Ames, was a soldier of distinction in the Colonial army ; her father, Ira L. Ames, was a soldier in the 17th W. V. I., in ihewar of the rebellion, and died in the service ; two of her 1)rothers also saw .service in thewar, Edgar and Harvey B. Ames, the former dying in the service at Arlington Heights, the latter is now a resident of Illinois. In politics, Mr. Wrightmyer is a Republican.

Town Of Bear Creek

JOHX D. DEWEY, farmer. Sec. 22; P. 0. Spring Green; was born in Westfield, Mass., April 20, 1810 ; when he was 14 years of age, his parents removed to Portage Co., Ohio where he married, in 1833, Miss Mary Ferry; in 1839, they came to Wisconsin, settling in Oconomowoc, Waukesha Co. Oconomowoc at that time contained a population of twenty-seven persons. In about 1845, Mr. Dewey and his faniily returned to Portage Co.. Ohio, where his wife died, leaving six children, the oldest of whom, Benjamin F., now of this town, served in Co. G, Wisconsin Heavy Artillery during the war of the rebellion; Sarah L., the second oldest, is married and lives in Richland Co., Wis. ; lOIiza J., wife of Daniel Miller, of Richland Co., Wis., was the first white female child born in Oconomowoc; .>Ioses F., the fourth oldest, enlisted in Co. K, 23d W. V. I., and died in the service; Mary K., the fifth oldest, is the wife of Henry Fiummcr, Idaho Springs, Colo.; Ellen O.. sixth oldest, is the wife iif S. Shaw, Kent, Ohio. July 25, 1848. Mr. Dewey married his present wife, in Brimfield, Ohio; her maiden name was Loui.'ia Hooper ; she was born in Huntingdon Co., Ptnn.. Sept. !-!0, 1821 ; they have one son. George D., born in Kent, Ohio; he is a leading farmer in this town (Bear Creek). Mr. D(!wey and his present wife came to Richland Co., Wis., in 1854, and lived in that county until 1858, when tht>y moved to their present home; he has at various times been elected to local offices, and. during his residence in Wi.sconsin. has been closely identified with the manuficturing and other interests.

ANDREW DWVER, farmer. Sec. 15; V. O. White .Mound; was born in County Clare, Ireland ; he came to this country in 1852, and lived in the States of New York and Ohio until his cominty to Wisconsin in 1854, locating in the town of Delafield, Waukesha Co.; he afterward moved to

Pewaukee, where he was railroad agent for four years ; in 18G6, he came to Bear Creek, Sauk Co., where he has since liv^ed. He married, in Akron, Ohio, Miss Catharine Dwyer ; they have eight children-* - James, William, Thomas, John, Annie, Bridget M., Mary A. and Andrew. Mr. Dwyer owns 220 acres of well-improved land. He is the present Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors, and was Town Treasurer four years and Clerk five years.

JAMES FER^iJlISON, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Spring Green ; was born near Madison, Wis. April 2, 1855; he has been a resident of Bear Creek since 1869, with the exceptijn of three years, a portion of which he spent in attending school at Chicago, 111. He is at present Town Clerk, and takes an active interest in the public affairs. His father, John Ferguson, married, in County Mayo, Ireland, Bridget Murray; they came to this country in 1845; lived in Massachusetts a short time, then came to Dane Co.;- moved thence to Juneau Co., where he died. He enlisted in Co. A, 47th W. V. I., during the war of the rebellion ; was wounded at Manassas ; was in active service two years, at the end of which time he was honorably discharged. His wife moved to Bear Creek in 1869, and is still living; their children are Mary, Thomas, James, Catherine, Eliza and Emma.

JOHN JOHXStllV, a leading farmer and stock-raiser. Sec. 18 ; P. 0. Lone Rock ; was born in Burlington, Otsego Co., N. Y., March 22, 1815. He married, in his native county, Miss Rachel Brooks; she was born in England ; they came to Wisconsin in 1851, and settled in the town of Bear Creek, Sauk Co., which has been their home since ; they have two children - C. D. Johnson, an enterprising and energetic young man, ai^d Miss Lucy J. In early life, Mr. Johnson followed school-teaching, and taught school several years ia his native county ; he manufactured the first cheese in the town of Bear Creek, a busine^s he was engaged in several years. He owns 280 acres of land ; his ftirm is desirably located and is finely improved ; his residence was erected in 1878, and is one of the finest buildings in the southern portion of Sauk Co.

WILJjIA]fI L<ARK1N, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Spring Green ; was born in Kings Co., Ireland, in 1828 ; he came to Wisconsin in 1851, and settled in the town of Bear Creek, Sauk Co., in 1857. He has been married twice - his first wife, Margaret Faighety, died in Iowa Co., Wis.; his present wife was Electa A. Stratton, a native of the State of New York ; her father, Alfred Stratton, was a pioneer settler of Bear Creek, and she taught the first school in that town ; M. Lirkin's children are Elizi C, wife of John Morgan, of this town ; Adda, Clarvina, Bertha, Lucy and Katie. During the war of the rebellion, Mr. Larkin enlisted in Co. E, 49th W. V. I.; he was in active service and was honorably discharged. He has filled various local offices, and is at present writing Justice of the Peace. He owns a pleasantly located and valuable farm.

AXTOINE MORGA:^^, farmer and stock-raiser. Sec. 26; P. 0. Plain ; born in Bavaria, Germany, Dec. 25, 1819. He came to this country in 1853, and, in 1854, settled in the town of Bear Creek, where he has lived since. He married in Milwaukee, Wis., Miss Josephine Grotz ; they have three children - Adeline, Sophia and Mar}". Mr. Morgan was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Franklin Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and has been a member of the Board of Directors in that company since its organization. He owns l'd2 acres of land ; his farm is well-improved, and in a desirable location.

JOSEPH OCHSXER, proprietor of Bear A^alley Flouring Mills, Sec 31 ; P. 0. Bear Valley. Mr. Ochsner was born in Baden, Germany. May 5, 1817. He came to this country in 1844 ; married in Utica, Miss Mary Rothmund; they came to Wisconsin in 1856; located at Saxonville, Richland Co., where they resided until 1865. in which year they moved to their present home in Bear Creek; their children are Edward, William II., Joseph, Charlie, Benjamin, Arthur, Maggie, Mary, Louisa and Fannie. The first named (Edward), married Carrie Schontz ; they live in Richland Co. ; the second, named William H., married Kittie Schontz; Joseph, the third named, is in Colorado; the rest reside at home. Mr. Ochsner owns 220 acres of valuable land. He erected his flouring-mill in 1871 ; it is substantially built; contains three run of buhrs. His son William H. now manages it, and the flour of his make is wellknown for its superior quality. In April, of the present year, the saw-mill on Mr. Ochsner's farm was converted into a cheese factory, and is run by William H. Ochsner and the Beckwith Brothers. Mr. Ochsner is a member of the Board of Directors in the Franklin Mutual Farmers' Fire Insurance Co. _ He has filled various town offices, and is a leading and energetic citizen.

Toavx Of Franklin Town Of Franklin

JOSEPH BAXDEL,, M. D., Sec. 27; P. 0. Plain; born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Sept. 21, 1830. In eai'ly life, he received an academic education, and afterward entered a medical college at Heidelberg, where he graduated at the end of five years ; then was appointed a surgeon in the military service of his native country, a position he filled for nearly three years. In 1852, he came to Wisconsin, and resided in Madison the greater part of the time until 18(50, when he moved to the town of Franklin, Sauk Co., which has been his home since. During the war of tlie rebellion, he was a soldier in Co. H, 37th W. V. I ; was honorably discharged at the close of the war as Second Lieutenanr. He has been Chairman of the Franklin Town Board of Supervisors four years. He is President of the Franklin Mutual Farmers' Fire Insuranc'3 Co., a position he has filled since its organization in 1877. \ He was also Town Assessor of Franklin three terms. Mr. Bandel was married in Milwaukee, in 1852, to Christiana Pliillip ; they have ten children. He owns over 300 acres of land ; his farm is pleasantly located and well improved

JOHX H. CARPENTER, farmer, Sec. 18 ; P. 0. White Mound ; born in Richland Co., 111., in 1843. He was educated, and spent the most of his early life in Morrow Co., Ohio. During the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in Co^F, 43d Ohio V. I., and served in that regiment about one year. In 1864, he came to Wisconsin, and enlisted in the First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, in which he served until the close of the war. The war records of both States (Ohio and Wisconsin), show for liim a good record, and that he was in active service. He married his first wife, Julia A. Culley, in Morrow Co., Ohio; she died in Wisconsin, leaving one child, Charles. His present wife was of Spring Green (this county), Carrie C. Uttendorfer. Mr. Carpenter owns a pleasantly located and well-improved farm of 95 acres of land. In politics, he is a Republican.

GEORtrE CLARIIXi^E, farmer. Sec. 17; P. 0. White Mound; was born in Leicester, England, in 1843; in 1847, emigrated with his parents, William and Elizabeth Claridge, to Dane Co., Wis., thence to the town of Franklin, Sauk Co., in 1850. During the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in Co. A, 36th W. V. I. ; was wounded at Cold Harbor, and was afterward transferred to Co. A, of the 10th Reserve Corps, in which he served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He married in Richland Co., Wis., Miss Elizabeth Born ; they have six children - Ellen, John W., George H., Annie, Albert L. and Alice A. Mr. Claridge owns 280 acres of land ; himself and wife are leading niembers of the M. E. Church.

E. M. DAVIES, farmer, Sec. 32; P. 0. Plain ; was born in the town of Franklin, Sauk Co., Wis., Nov. 18, 1853; was educated at the high school at Spring Green, Wis. In 1880, was elected Chairman of the Franklin Town Board of Supervisors. He is extensively engaged in farming, being one of the leading agriculturists of the town of Franklin ; his father, R. W. Davies, was a native of Wales ; he married in his native country, Margaret Margans ; they came to this country, and settled in the town of Franklin, Sauk Co., Wis., in 1851, thus becoming early settlers of that town ; he died April 27, 1877; she is still living, and is a resident of the town of Franklin; their children are Thomas, who is married and resides in Franklin ; his wife was Ella Carpenter. E. M., whose name heads this sketch, R. W. Davies, was a leading member of the M. E. Church; he was highly esteemed by all as a liberal and upright man.

RICHARD H. DOUGLAS, Sec. 34; P. 0. Plain; was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1815 ; when he was 14 years of age, he emigrated to Canada; studied surgery, and was appointed a Surgeon in the military service in Quebec, a position he filled several years, afterward went to Toronto, and was in the service of the Government, as Superintendent of Public Improvements, and other ofiicial positions until 1849, when he came to Wisconsin, locating in Sauk Co., Wis., which county has been his home since. He married, in York, Canada, Miss Louisa Ferman ; they have ten children. Mr. Douglas owns 120 acres of land; he is Secretary of the Franklin Farmers'. Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a position he has filled since its organization in 1877.

HEXRY MITCHELL, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Plain; is a nativeof Westmoreland Co., England ; was born Oct. 4, 1832. His first wife's maiden name was Mary Taylor; .she died in England ; his pre.sent wife was Jane Baxter. Mr. Mitchell came to this country in 1869, and lived in Buffalo, N. Y., until his coming to Wisconsin in 1871, in which year he located in the town of Franklin, Sauk Co. ; his children are three - two daughters and a son ; the daughters are married and reside in Buffalo, N. Y. ; the son, Isaac, is home. Mr. Mitchell owns a well improved farm of 120 acres of land. He has been elected to local offices, and takes an interest in the progress and development of the resources of his town.

T. J. lIORGr AXS, a leading citizen and farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Plain ; was born in Breckenshire, Wales, Jan. 24, 1814; when he was 6 years of age, his parents removed to Glenmorganshire, where his early life was spent; in 1841, he came to this country, living in Pennsylvania until 1843; then went to Galena, 111.; thence to Dodgeville, Wis., in 1844, and from there to Spring Green, then known as Helena Bottoms, in the same year, thus becoming one of the first settlers in the south part of Sauk Co. July 7, 1848, he married, in the town of Troy, this county, Phoebe Slauter ; she was born near Williamsburg, Ind., and came to Sauk Co., Wis., with her parents, Dewitt and Phcebe Slauter, in 1845 ; her father, Dewitt Slauter, was the first settler of what is now the town of Franklin, this county; in 1849, Mr. Morgans and wife removed to the town of Franklin, which has been their home since ; they are now the oldest settlers living in that town ; their oldest son, John T., is a minister of the M. E. Church, in Dane Co., Wis.; their second oldest son Dewit, is in Nora Springs, Iowa ; their third oldest son Howell, is also in Nora Springs ; David W., Isaac, Phoebe A. Daniel and Mary are at home. Mr. Morgans' quarter-section of land is most desirably located. He has been Justice of the Peace for over twenty-five years ; is Notary Public, and has been at various times elected to local offices ; he taught the first school in the town of Franklin, held many of the first offices in that town, and has always taken an active part in her public iiffairs.

A. RIEIK, farmer, Sec. 12; P. 0. Plain; was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Sept. 13, 1832; in 1853, he came to this country, living in Michigan until 1855; then came to Manitowoc Co., Wis., where he remained about one year; then went to Richland Co., Wis., and was engaged in milling and farming in that county until 1860, in which year he removed to Franklin, Sauk Co., which has been his home since. His first wife, Elizabeth Lewis, he married at Richland City ; she died in this town (Franklin) ; they had one daughter, Annie, now the wife of Frank Lunenschloss, of Richland Center, Wis.; Mr. Riek mai'ried his present wife, Katrina Schmitz, in Ithaca, Wis. He owns 164 acres of land ; is a member of the Franklin Town Board of Supervisors, of which body he was Chairman twice.

IIU(jrH SCAIiAN, farmer and mason, Sec. 13 ; P. 0. White Mound ; was born in Sherbrooke, Canada, March 20, 1823; in 1838, he came to the United States and worked at the mason trade in various States, until the breaking-out of the Mexican war, when he enlisted in Battery L, U. S. A., and was in active service until the close of the war. In 1849, he returned to Canada, and married, in Sherbrooke, his native town. Miss Mary McKeegan ; in 1853, they came to Boone Co., 111., where they were living when the war of the rebellion commenced. He then went to Beloit, Wis., and enlLsted in the 4th Battery, W. V. A.; he was wounded at Ft. Monroe, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. In the autumn of 1865, he removed to the town of Franklin, Sauk Co., Wis., which has been the home of himself and family since ; they have three children - William, born in Montreal, Canada, in 1853; Mary (now the wife of William Kaley), born in Boone Co., 111., in 1856 ; Hugh, also born in Boone Co., 111., in 1858. Mr. Scallan owns 270 acres of land.

TKMPEST SLINGER, farmer, and proprietor of Slinger's Mill, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Plain ; was born in England, in 1821 ; he came to the United States in 1856, and settled in Wisconsin in 1857 ; he has been a continual resident of the State since. His first wife, Anna Riley, died in England ; the maiden name of his present wife was Margaret Dick ; they have four children living - Henry, John, Fred and Dick. Mr. Slinger owns a pleasantly located farm. In politics, he is a Democrat.

Miscellaneous

SAMUEIi VKEDKR, proprietor of the Juneau House, Wonewoc, Juneau Co., son of Adam and Penelope ( Bradt) Veeder ; was born in the town of Glenn, iMontgoniery Co., N. Y., Aug. 16, 1815; when 12 years of age, moved with his parents to Cortland Co., N. Y. He was married Feb. 12, 1842, to Martha J. Carnes. Mrs. Veeder was born in the State of New York ; they had six children - Frederic S., attorney-at-law, married to Cyrene Horton, living at Mauston ; Charles, married to Ella C. Cook, residing in Richland Co. ; Martha, now Mrs. Chester Moore, of Forest, Vernon Co. ; Harriet, now Mrs. Joseph Snyder, of Woodland ; Mary, died June 3, 1864, at the age of six years, and Frank. In 1852, moved to Cayuga Co., N. Y. ; in May, 1855, came to Sauk Co., Wis., settled on Section 10, Woodland, in what is known as Plum Valley. Mrs. Veeder died Feb. 2, 187U, at the age of 55. Mr. A eeder was married, July 25, 1871, to Mrs. Julia Kelley, daughter of David and Lydia Baird. Julia Baird was married November, 1851, to Dr. H. B. Kelley, and resided in Oneida Co., N. Y. Dr. Kelley died March 1, 1859 ; they have two children - Ella E., who died when 2 years of age, and Everette H. J., residing at Wonewoc. Mr. Veeder was one of the first Justices of Woodland. In Oct. 7, 1879, he moved to his present home, Wonewoc, and entered upon his business of hotel keeping. Politics, Republican. Mrs. Veeder is a member of the Congregational Church of Reedsburg.

CHARLES A. PE1.TOX, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Reedsburg ; son of John and Sarah (Hinckleyj Pelton ; was born in Greene Co., N. Y., Nov. 28, 1831 ; while quite young, went to Columbia Co., N. Y., and remained there till 15 years of age ; spent two years on a farm ; then followed the Hudson River boating for some years; came to Wisconsin in December, 1850, and stopped a couple of years with his father in the town of Winfield, Sauk Co. ; spent about two years in the Yellow River pinery, and then about two years in breaking land and threshing. He was married in January, 1857, at Portage, Wis., to Nancy M. Oakes, daughter of Edward and Nancy Oakes ; there were three children born of this marriage - Olive W. (now Mrs. Charles Powell, married in March, 1879, residence Winfield), May H. deceased, and Charles (living at home). Mr. J^. moved to his present farm. Sec. 25, in 1857 ; he has 138 acres. Mrs. Pelton died March 2, 1868. Mr. Pelton was married, Jan, 17, 1870, to Mrs. Emily Wakefield, daughter of Timothy and Sophronia (^Flint) Temple ; Mrs. Pelton was born in Reading, Mass.; they have one (i\i[\(\ - Willis. Mrs. Pelton is a member of the Congregational Church. In politics, Mr. P. is a Republican.

Source changes here: from A Standard History of Sauk County, Wisconsin, by Cole, Harry Ellsworth, published 1918; 5,237 words in this source stream.

Reedsburg City

Early Private and District Schools - Incorporation of the Village - Reedsduro Public School System - Water and Light Supply - The Star Fire Department - The Reedsburo Public Library - The Churches - The Methodist Church - The Baptists - The Presbyterians - St. Peter's German Evangelical Lutheran Church - St. John's Lutheran Church - Other Reedsburg Churches - Secret and Benevolent Societies - The Women's Organizations - Sauk County Y. M. C. A. - The Reedsburg Newspapers - Financial and Industrial - The Reedsburg Fairs.

Reedsburg, the second city in size and importance in Sauk County, has been considered Baraboo's only serious competitor since its incorporation as a village in 1868. The main facts in connection with the founding of the first settlement on its site, in 1849, known as Shanty Row, have been given. The five log houses composing the row have been often described, commencing with Bachelor's Hall, No. 1, at the west end, to No. 4, occupied by Elder Locke, the first to preach the Gospel in those parts, and No. 5, taken by a Racine family, of some comparative wealth. The saw-log war with Baraboo also had its day. The later growth of the local industries under the promotion of the Mackey brothers, in the '50s, and the rising of the schools and churches of the neighborhood, while Reedsburg was still under the government of the town are matters of special interest. The educational and religious institutions, insofar as they affect the forces of the present, must be sketched at this point.

The first school taught on the present site of the city was by Miss Amanda Saxby, in the winter of 1849-50. She was the daughter of one of the neighborhood parsons with the usual large family, and opened the school in her father's log cabin, already somewhat crowded with the home people. In the following summer Miss Amanda Wheeler taught in a portion of the mill, as well as in the Saxby residence, but in the fall a little schoolhouse was built on Walnut Street to represent the dignity of the recently formed district. The school authorities found a frame house on the property in hloek 7 which they purchased for the district and remodeled it. It served the district for six years, when, in the summer of 1856, the school authorities purchased of the Mackeys a new site on the northwest corner of Sixtli and Pine and erected a schoolhouse, 30 hy 40 feet, which was not so bad as a schoolhouse for those times. J. S. Conger and wife and Miss Emma Tator were the teachers. They were succeeded by A. P. Ellin wood (assisted by Miss Alma Haskell) who resigned the ferule to shoulder a gun in 1861. W. S. Uubbell and wife, Miss Emma Tator, Sarah Shaw, Sarah Flanders, William Gillespie. Frances Smith, Orson Green aud others conducted this district school until the building burned in February, 1868.

In the matter of the schools - at the beginning of. the school year, in 187!), a new department of the village schools was created, known as the Second Primary, and in September of that year the High School department was organized under the provisions of the legislative act lately passed for the establishment of free high schools. A class higher than the grammar grades had been formed in 1875, and in that year graduated seven members. There were no graduates the following year, the 1880 class being the one generally recognized as the real commencement of the high school at Reedsburg. Since then about 550 have gone forth from the Reedsburg High School.

The local public school system of Reedsburg, under Prof. A. B. Olson, now comprises three separate institutions - the high school, the building of which was completed in 1903, with an enrollment of 200; the higher grammar grades in the high school building, numbering 175 pupils, the Second Ward School, with an enrollment of 160, and the County Training School, under William E. Smith, which was established by the County Board for the training of teachers in 1906, and for which a large and modern building was completed in the summer of 1911. The Training School, which has an enrollment of fifty-five, is under the direction of the Training School Board, of which James A. Stone has been president since its organization. He is assisted by the county superintendent of schools, George W. Davies, as secretary, and Frank A. ( "ooper as treasurer.

In the organization and development of the city system at Reedsburg special stress has been laid on the necessity of teaching courtesy and self-control all the way from the kindergarten to the senior class of the high school. In the primary and intermediate grades the larger classes are divided so that no one teacher will have more pupils than can be advantageously taught. For the past four years the upper grades have been organized on what has become known as the departmental plan. Under this system an instructor will teach one subject, or possibly two subjects through the upper three grades, thereby giving an opportunity for greater specialization. In addition to the regular grades there is maintained what is known as an ungraded room. It is under the direction of a specially trained teacher, and is designed particularly to aid backward pupils and to allow the especially bright and enterprising ones to advance faster than can be done through the ordinary grade work. Of course, the high school courses embrace business, domestic science and manual training, or it would not be an institution of the day.

The water supply and electric light and power of Reedsburg are furnished through municipal plants. The electric light plant originated in a private enterprise established by J. G. Heaton in the spring of 1882. The water works were built in January, 1895. Both plants have gradually expanded until they now represent a money value of over $57,000, of which the electric light plant is estimated at $45,000. The system of water distribution comprises over 48,000 feet of pipe, of which 33,000 is four-inch. The water reservoir has a capacity of 63,000 gallons, and the engines can supply 1,250,000 gallons of water every twenty-four hours.

Like its military company, the fire department of Reedsburg has always stood high. In the days when the standing of the volunteer lads was largely determined by individual skill and personal activity, coupled with good "team work," the Reedsburg department carried away several of the most coveted prizes, the contests for which were open to state competition. It has now in its possession the state trophy, which it has won upon three occasions.

The first steps taken to organize other than a bucket brigade at Reedsburg are thus described: In October, 1873, in accordance with a previous resolution of the village board a Babcock fire apparatus was purchased at a cost of $650 for the complete outfit, consisting of a truck, four six-gallon extinguishers provided with twelve chemical charges, four ladders aggregating sixty-eight feet in length, ten fire buckets, two axes, two pike poles, one hook and chain, five lanterns and sixty feet of drag rope. The equipment was temporarily housed in Mrs. Wheeler's barn. On the 15th of November a meeting of citizens was held at which the Babcock Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was organized with Moses Young as foreman ; James Lake, first assistant ; A. R. Rork, second assistant; W. A. Wyse, secretary; W. Warren, treasurer, and A. W. Sallade and O. H. Perry, chemical captains.

In June, 1877, a hand engine was purchased of the City of Fond du Lac for $350, and in the winter of 1879-80 the village board voted to build its first engine house.

Without going into nice distinctions as to those to whom the largest share of credit is due for the founding of the Reedsburg Public Library on a permanent and broad basis, it is sufficient to state that none worked harder, or accomplished more, in the early stages of the enterprise than the Woman's Club of that city and Prof. W. N. Parker, then superintendent of the city schools, now an hoaored citizen of Madison. Early in 1898 Miss Lutie E. Stearns of Milwaukee was induced to visit Reedsburg for the purpose of arousing interest in the establishment of a free public library in the community. After she had addressed a large and representative audience at Brook's Hall, the following were named as a committee to take up the matter at once: Messrs. William Riggert, W. B. Smith and J. A. Stone, Rev. Father Condon, and Mesdames R. P. Perry and I). R. Kellogg. Later, the committee was enlarged so as to include th<* English speaking clergymen of the city, Mrs. A. L. Harris and Patrick Daly. J. II. Hosier was president of the organization from its inception until fourteen years thereafter, when failing health made it necessary for him to resign. William Riggert succeeded him and is still president. Mrs. W. H. Ramsey has been secretary of the board from the first ; others who have served almost as long as members of the board of trustees are Dr. W. F. Doyle, Dr. F. Daly, A. Siefert, Mrs. George T. Morse, and C. A. Clark. Superintendent of Schools A. B. Olson, in virtue of his office, was also on the board for many years. Mrs. N. A. Cushman has been librarian for the past eleven years. Among those who are deceased, whose labors were also invaluable in supplying strength and encouragement to the enterprise in its infantile period were Mrs. A. L. Harris, Mrs. Mary Claridge Schierholz, Peter Byrne, Dr. Carl Kordenat, George W. Morgan, Patrick Daly, W. B. Smith and P. E. Hutchim? (of Madison).

on the shelves and a careful selection of magazines and newspapers in the reading room. Mr. and Mrs. D. 0. Stine donated its first quarters, a block east of the City Hall, for a period of a year. In the autumn of 1899 the library of almost 1,000 volumes was formally presented to the city, and accepted by the mayor and council, to be thereafter maintained and supported upon the same footing and for the same reasons for which a public school system is maintained. The appropriations for the support of the library voted by the village and the city hoards have increased from time to time until $1,500 is now cheerfully given for its maintenance annually.

In the winter of 1901 the library was moved to the pleasant room in the engine house provided by the city, with Mrs. Swetland as regular librarian. In 1910 the gift of the lot on which the building now stands was announced to the board of directors by the donor, Mrs. George T. Morse. It was thankfully accepted and soon afterward steps were taken to secure $10,000 from Andrew Carnegie, under the usual stipulation that the city council raise not less than $1,000 for the maintenance of the library. Everything moved along so smoothly that the beautiful building now occupied was publicly dedicated on New Year's day and evening, 1912. During the year also a gift of $1,000 came from the estate of Mrs. Emma Ward, of Washington, D. C, Mrs. Morse's mother. All books purchased from that fund are therefore labeled "Ward Memorial Collection." The Reedsburg Library, with its more than 4,300 volumes and 1,800 borrowers, fills a large niche of usefulness in the daily and hourly growth of the city.

Reedsburg supports a number of churches and supports them with her usual vim and faithfulness. The Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Lutherans, Catholics, United Brethren and perhaps others who firmly believe that religion is a practical, as well as a spiritual asset to any community, are all united in organizations working for the common good with their own uplift.

The first church organization of the Methodists was effected in November, 1850, at the house of John Clark, the Rev. N. Butler, of Baraboo, officiating. The charter members consisted of J. H. Rork and wife, John Clark and wife, Carrett Rathhun and wife, Zabina Bishop, Phillip B. Smith, Mrs. Willard Bowen, Mrs. A. C. Reed, Mrs. Volney Spink and Mrs. Peter Barringer. In the fall of 1855 the society, which had become quite strong, erected a tabernacle of boards, 20 by 30 feet, at the northwest corner of Fourth and Locust streets. It had a seating capacity of about one hundred and served as a place of worship for about eight years. In 1872 a church edifice, then considered large, was erected at the northeast corner of Pine aud Second streets. It was dedicated and fully completed in February of the following year, and in 1909 the house of worship which now accommodates the membership of nearly 250 was thrown open to religious uses. The successive pastors of the church have been Revs. Nelson Butler, E. P. Sanford, W. P. Delap, J. Beau, E. S. Bunce, A. B. House, E. H. Sackett, J. Bean (second term), R. Rowbotham, John M. Springer, C. C. Holcomb, E. S. Bunce (second term), 0. B. Kilbourn, B. L. Jackson, R. Pengilly, L A. Swetland, John Harris, R. Langley, N. Leach, J. B. Bachman, J. W. Bell, J. H. Whitney, D. Clingman, E. C. Booth, H. P. Blake, J. B. Rickford, S. S. Benedict, H. D. Jenks, A. B. Scoville, G. N. Foster, L. B. Coleman, J. E. Kundert, C. L. Clifford, J. B. Rutter and J. E. Cooke.

The Congregationalists, who organized in 1851, are no longer in existence as a church, but the Baptists, who formed a society in January, 1852, are still active. On the 24th of that month, Elder Peter Conrad, then engaged in missionary work on the frontier, organized a Baptist society at Reedsburg consisting of William J. Bentley and wife, Z. Craker and wife, Amnion Vernoy, Airs. Eber Benedict, Mrs. James Vernoy, Mrs. Daniel Carver, Mrs. II. H. Carver, Mrs. L. O. Sperry and Mrs. J. C. Bovee. Until 1873 they had no settled place of worship, the old schoolhouse, the Alba House, Union Hall, the Congregational Church and the basement of the Presbyterian meeting house being successively occupied. A special home for the patient Baptists was finally completed and dedicated in October, 1873, at a cost of about $2,000. It was used and enjoyed for nearly forty years, or until 1910, when the neat edifice in which the society now worships was erected. The present membership is about 140. The successive pastors of the Baptist Church have been as follows: Revs. Peter Conrad, E. D. Barbour (1852-58), B. D. Sprague, W. J. Chapin, J. II. Roscoe, Mead Bailey, Freeman, J. Seamans (1869-71), E. D. Barbour (second term), G. W. Lincoln, Hill (1877-79), J. Seamans (supply), Kermott, Godwin, J. L. Ambrose (1883-86). G. W. Lincoln (second term. 1886-88), S. E. Sweet (1888- 92), C. I. Mayhew, II. J. Finch (1895-99), H. B. Hemmerly, J. J. Enge, W. A. Lee (supply), F. F. Parsons (1903-05), J. T. Sharman (1906-11), J. Johnson (1911-15) and J. Farrell since the latter year.

house," on the 22d of November, 1857. The original members, gathered by the Rev. Hiram Gregg, of Baraboo, were T. Tait and wife, L. Gilford and wife, Chester Buck and wife and Miss L. Buck. A church edifice, 38 by 60 feet, was erected during the following year, dedicatory services being held in the basement in December, Rev. William Lusk, Sr., preaching the sermon. The house was not wholly completed until 1870. It was finally dedicated in December of that year, Rev. B. G. Riley, of Lodi, officiating. Of the earlier pastors of the Presbyterian ( 'hurch may be named Revs. William Lusk, Sr. and Jr. ; T. Williaton, S. A. Whitcomb, William Lusk, Sr. (second term), D. S. White, H. L. Brown and J. A. Bartlett. The present meeting house of the Presbyterians was erected in 1906.

The German Evangelical Lutheran Church at Reedsburg was organized in 1868 under the local name of St. Peter's, and Rev. August Rohrlock became its first settled pastor. The original society was composed mostly of families from Hanover, Germany. Its members soon pur- I'hased the block north of the old Congregational Church, upon which was a dwelling house which was converted into a parsonage and parochial school. In 1870 a church building was erected at the southeast corner of Fourth and Locust streets, its most conspicuous feature being its eighty-foot steeple. A schoolhouse was built near the church in 1874, and the entire property has since undergone many changes. The pastor of St. Peter's now in service is Rev. William Kansier. The progress of the church has been largely due to the fact that few changes have occurred in its pastorate. Rev. August Rohrlock, founder of the society, was a highly educated Prussian of true culture and benevolence, deeply religious and faithful, with the best spirit of German persistency and thoroughness. He continued his pastorate at St. Peter's from the organization of the church until 1909, when he resigned on account of ill health, being at that time in his seventy-fourth year. It was during the year preceding the conclusion of his long pastorate that the present large church was erected. Mr. Rohrlock died in Chicago in December, 1913, shortly before his seventy-eighth birthday.

A second Lutheran society was organized in 1874, consisting of about twenty-five families under Rev. Woerth. Among its charter members were William and George Stolte, with their wives, John Meyer and wife, Fred Dangel and wife, John Fuhlbohm and wife, Henry Kipp and wife. Fred Niebuhr and wife and William Raetzmann and wife. Until the fall of 1878 services were held in the English Methodist and Episcopal churches, when the society erected a house of worship in the northern part of the village on Market Street. In 1888 the church edifice was erected at the corner of North Park and Sixth Street, in 1890 the parochial schoolhouse was built and, in 1894, the first parsonage at Oak and Sixth Street. The modern parsonage now occupied was erected in 1911. St. John's congregation still owns half a block of the old church property between North Park and Oak streets. Its membership comprises 150 voting families, or 600 single voters and active supporters of the church. The value of its real estate is placed at about $20,000. Successive pastors of St. John's Lutheran Church: Revs. Th. Jahnsen, George Wocrth, Doctor Diechmann, G. F. Engelhardt, H. A. Winter, Ch. Kehsler (1883-88), Julius Keuling (1888-91), died April 19th of the latter year), Hugo Hainfeldt (1891-95). Wilhelm Seidel (1895-1901), Andreas Meyer (1901-11), and Ludwig Schneider, present pastor, since July, 1911.

In the late '70s Mrs. E. F. Buelow headed a movement among the few Catholic families then at Reedsburg to organize a church. Rev. Father White of Baraboo was induced to visit the village and read mass in several residences, but in the spring of 1880 sufficient funds were raised to erect a $1,200 church edifice. The subscribers to the foundation fund and the original members of what became the Sacred Heart Parish were the families of Paul Bishop, Patrick Tierney, Peter Byrne, Stephen Timlin, William Horkan, E. F. Buelow, Edward Timlin, Mrs. Frank Ingalls, William Boehm, Frank Meckler and Mrs. Lassallctte. Rev. Eugene Kiernan is now in charge of the parish.

The first Masonic Lodge at Reedsburg, known as No. 79 and organized in 1856, was transferred to Ironton in 1864. The existing body, Reedsburg Lodge No. 157, was chartered in 1866, with the following officers: Moses Young, W. M. ; Giles Stevens, S. W., and Henry A. Tator, J. W. In the early years of the lodge Mr. Young, Henry A. Tator, Giles Stevens, J. W. Lusk, H. A. Chase and J. N. Parker were worthy masters and prominent in Masonic work.

1865. Its charter members were \V. 0. Pietsch, Doctor Gaylord, John Hagenah, George 0. Pietsch, E. P. Buelow and S. P. Smith. Northwestern Encampment was organized at the same time, but in 1869 both charters were surrendered and the camp was moved to Baraboo. In April, 1877, the subordinate lodge was re-instated, with authority to work in the German language. Of course, the latter privilege has long since been reconsidered and all the proceedings are conducted in English.

The H. A. Tator Post No. 13, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized in April, 1880, by L. O. Holmes of Baraboo. Its first officers were H. C. Hunt, commander; William G. Hawley, senior vice commander; E. F. Seaver, junior vice commander; H. B. Turney, sergeant ; W. A. Wyse, chaplain; James Miles, quartermaster; 0. W. Schoenfeldt, adjutant. The present membership of the post is thirty.

Maplewood Camp No. 470, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized in December, 1887, with the following officers: G. W. Morgan, V. C. ; George Daniels, W. A. ; C. W. Hunt, E. B. ; I. Weaver, clerk. Among those who have been the longest prominent in the affairs of the camp at Reedsburg are Amos Coddington, Daniel Mepham and Peter Burns - the last named holding the record. The organization has a membership of more than 200, with these officers: Frank Camp, V. C. ; R. A. Black, W. A. ; W. H. Hahn, E. B. ; J. H. Claridge, clerk.

Other well known local organizations of a secret and benevolent character are: The Maccabees, Royal Neighbors, Knights of Pythias, Eagles and members of the Equitable Fraternal Union. The Germania Club is also strong.

The good, intelligent and patriotic women of Reedsburg have at least three stalwart organizations. In these times of war they are in the stirring current and doing their part.

The Reedsburg Women's Club came into existence in 1894 with a membership of twelve. Mrs. A. L. Harris was the moving spirit in its organization and became the first president. When the call came for all the clubs in Wisconsin to unite in a federation, the Women's Club of Reedsburg sent representatives to Milwaukee and became one of the charter clubs of the State Federation in 1898. It has steadily been the desire of its members that the Women's Club should be a useful factor in the life of the community, ready to enlist its forces in every worthy cause. The membership at present is fifteen. The officers are: Mrs. 0. R. Ryan, president ; Mrs. C. A: Clark, vice president ; Mrs. J. P. Stone, secretary, and Mrs. Otto Krause, corresponding secretary.

The Fay Robinson Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, of Reedsburg,' the only chapter of this organisation in Sauk County, was organized in 18ft6 with the required number, twelve, with Mrs.

R. P. Perry as regent. This chapter has aided many patriotic causes, the latest act to its account being the purchase of a Liberty Bond, the first organization in the city to so move. The membership at present numbers sixteen. Mrs. N. T. Gill is regent.

The Red Cross Auxiliary of Reedsburg began its activities in the spring of 1917, with a large membership which has steadily increased and now numbers over 500. Miss Mildred Perry became president and associated actively with her were Mrs. D. 0. Stine, Mrs. W. A. Stolte, Mrs. Leo Darrenougue and others.

The headquarters of the Sauk County Young Men's Christian Association were at Reedsburg for some time and later removed to Baraboo. The association is one of a hundred or more similar organizations in the United States, and began its fourth year in the spring of 1917. An allaround programme of Bible study, debates, lectures, athletics, camps and agricultural contests is carried out, through a score of groups of* young men and boys. The leaders in perfecting and carrying out the various programmes are men and the older high school boys, and the head of them all is the county secretary, the only employed officer of the country organization. Back of him is a committee of eighteen business men and farmers from various sections of the county, officered as follows : George Carpenter, chairman ; Professor William E. Smith, of the Training School, vice chairman; George W. Uavies, county superintendent of schools, recording secretary; N. T. Gill, treasurer. The county secretary, W. H. Babcock, has been holding similar positions for a period of fourteen years at Minneapolis, in Iowa, in New Zealand, and other sections of the world where he was sent by the general association as the best man for the place.

The living newspapers of Reedsburg are the Free Press and the Times. Neither is the original representative of its kind. That distinction falls to the Reedsburg Herald, a democratic organ of the Buchanan Democracy first issued October 21 , 1856. The enterprise, ahead of the times - or behind them, according to politics - dissolved in February, 1858.

Some time in the winter of 1859-60 N. V. Chandler, who had been employed in the office of the Herald, and had used some of its material in local job printing, had much of the outfit sold from under him by E. G. Wheeler, who had acquired a controlling interest in the defunct concern. In self-defense, or better to prevent his family from suffering. Mr. Chandler, encouraged by William Shumway, prepared to start an- other newspaper. On a capital of nothing, borrowed money and secondhand press and type, after scurrying around the country for some time, lie finally issued the first number of his Free Press on June 25, 1860. It was a stanch republican sheet and its first number was put out just in time to announce the nomination of Lincoln at the Chicago convention. Mr. Chandler continued to issue the Free Press until September 7, 1861, when he moved to New Lisbon and ran the Juneau County Argus for a year or so. After a sleep of nearly eleven years, the Reedsburg Free Press was resurrected, the new series commencing March 22, 1872, under the guiding hand and mind of Mr. Chandler. In July, 1878, it passed from its founder to John H. Powers, afterward one of the publishers of the Baraboo Republic, and John Blake, the latter becoming sole proprietor in November, 1879. With his son, L. C. Blake, he continued the publication of the Free Press until March, 1893. At that time W. F. Hill purchased it from J. W. Blake & Son, and in 1899 Mr. Hill gave place to the present editor and proprietor, George J. Seamans.

The Reedsburg Times was established by George Conklin, at Prairie du Sac, in 1887. Within the following three years he tried North Freedom and Baraboo, but in 1890 decided that the best field for him was at Reedsburg; and so it proved. In 1891 Mr. Conklin sold the Times to Charles S. Smith and C. A. Johnson. Mr. Smith purchased his partner's interest in the following year, selling the paper in 1895 to B. J. Hager, a former employee of the Free Press. Mr. Hager continued the publication until May 1, 1898, when the plant was sold to W. G. Evans, and in September of the following year he disposed of the newspaper to T. C. Ninman, the editor and proprietor now conducting it.

The local banks comprise the Reedsburg Bank, the State Bank of Reedsburg and the Citizens Bank, mention being made of the institutions in the order of their founding.

It is said that the first banking busineas done in Reedsburg was of the "wild-cat" order; which was no banking at all. The pioneer legitimate enterprise to be established was the private bank established in the winter of 1867-68 by Mackey, Rudd & Company, including as partners Joseph Mackey, E. 0. Rudd and J. W. Lusk. Messrs. Rudd and Lusk soon retired and Mr. Mackey conducted the bank alone until 1877, when he also withdrew and went to Minneapolis. Moses Young was the first cashier of what was known as the Reedsburg Bank, and J. W. Lusk its first president. George T. Morse acted as cashier from 1878, after Mr. Mackey 'fl retirement, until 1887. Then D. B. Rudd and R. P. Perry became the principal stockholders and owners of the concern and, with William B. Smith as cashier. In 1895 it was incorporated under the laws of the state with a capital of $50,000. Although Mr. Rudd was president the active management of the bank devolved on Mr. Perry, who, at the death of the former, in March, 1896, succeeded to the presidency; W. F. Winchester, succeeding Mr. Smith as cashier in 1898. In 1912 Mr. Winchester became vice president of the bank and Otto Krause, who had been assistant cashier, went up a step higher. The bank building still occupied by the institution, with various improvements, was erected in 1877. The following figures give a general idea of the present financial condition of the Reedsburg Bank: Capital, $50,000; surplus and undivided profits, $25,000; average deposits, $625,000.

The Citizens Bank was founded in 1887. Charles Kirth, the first president, was succeeded by George T. Morse. The present vice president is August Siefert, and cashier, William Riggert. Capital stock of the bank, $25,000; surplus and undivided profits, $20,000; average deposits, $440,000.

The State Bank of Reedsburg was organized and open for business on the 10th day of March, 1898. The moving spirit in its organization was William B. Smith, who was cashier from the organization of the bank until April, 1904, when he died very suddenly of apoplexy. John P. Stone has been president and C. A. Rood, vice president of the bank since its organization. At the time of the death of Mr. Smith, N. T. Gill was chosen as cashier, and has served in that capacity ever since. At the time of organization, the capital stock was $30,000, with no surplus or undivided profits. The capital has since been increased to $60,000. The surplus is now $25,000 and the undivided profits about $5,000. For the last three years the average deposits have been a little more than three-quarters of a million. The Board of Directors at the present time is comprised of five men, namely: John P. Stone, C. A. Rood, Martin Hickey, A. S. Winckler, and Charles H. Stone.

Reedsburg has a number of industrial plants deserving of mention as builders of the community. The John Wilde plant for the condensing of milk is one of the largest in the state and," with the establishment of the Central Wisconsin Creamery Company, furnishes a constant market for millions of pounds of milk annually, even monthly. Among the large local industries are also to be noted a flour mill, a branch of the Appleton Woolen Mills, and a canning factory. Reedsburg is one of the leading shipping points for potatoes in a state which is a leader in that produce, and is no small center in the handling of hogs and cattle. It is, in fact, a large and fine market and distributing center for the natural products of an extensive area of country.

past under the auspices of the Baraboo Valley Agricultural Society. It was incorporated in 1903 and ten years later, because of the expansion in the scope and excellence of its exhibits and the solid success of the undertaking, the capital stock of the society was increased from $2,000 to $14,000. Its officers in the fall of 1917 were as follows : E. 8. Powell, president; Ernst Pape, vice president; N. T. Gill, treasurer; W. H. Hahn, secretary ; Peter Henry, superintendent of grounds.