Rochester Village (part 1 of 4)

Rochester Village

Levi Godfrey was the first white settler in the town of Rochester. He came into the country on foot, accompanied by John B. Wade, and arrived in the fall of 1835. He was looking for a waterpower, and upon finding it at the present site of Rochester village, he made a claim on the west side of Fox river. He built a shanty sixteen feet square, the first structure erected for human habitation in the town, and brought out his family to their future western home, in 1836. Mrs. Godfrey did not see a white woman during the first six weeks she spent in her new residence. Her nearest female neighbor at that time, was Mrs Betsey Call, at Call's Grove. G. W. Gamble, Gilman Hoyt, Martin C. Whitman, L. 0. Whitman, and Mary Skinner came into Rochester in 1836, but general emigration to the town did not begin until 1837. Philo Belden came in June of that year but remained only a short time, returning to Rochester, however, in June, 1839, when he made it a permanent home.

The settlers of 1837, were George E. Duncan, George Stebbins, James H. Gipson, Benj. Flanders, Alonzo Snow Philander Bartlett, Benj. Bartlett, Thaddeus Earl, G. W Hoyt, John Freelove, David M. Fowler, Philander Cole, Wm. Creirston, Sela Whitman, Joseph Clark, Horace Frost, Patrick Laughrin, Seth Warner, Royal Flanders, and Trystam C. Hoyt.

The settlers of 1838, were Horace Andrews, William G. Lewis, H. S. Hulburd, I. 0. Parker, Calvin Earl, Hilliard Hely, and Mrs. Robert Adams, who was one of the pioneer women in the western part of the county.

In '39 Qbed Hurlbut, Eleazer Everit, Jacob L. Myers, Jedediah Healy, J. H. Hickox, Abial Whitman, Pinkston Wade, Luther Whitman, G. M. Hely, Richard E. Ela and Henry Cady made their settlements in the town. William S. Hoyt, and F. E. Hoyt made permanent settlement in 1840. William S. Hoyt was in Rochester in '37, but returned to Vermont where he remained three years before coming west to remain permanently.

Mr. Eleazer Everit purchased two hundred and forty acres of land at the land sales. There was a saw mill at Rochester, and preparatory to the erection of a dwelling on his farm, he hauled two saw logs to mill and got them sawed into lumber. He hauled the lumber back to his farm, cut down some trees for corner posts, and with this material he built his shanty, which constituted the first place of shelter and abode for himself, his wife and two children, in the wild interior region where he was destined to build up a fine estate.

The first season that Mr. Everit was on his farm, he broke up six acres upon which he sowed his first wheat, which produced a good crop. He sold his first load at Southport for $13, and was paid for it in the currency of a bank, which he afterwards discovered had failed two years before !

Levi Godfrey kept the first hotel in Rochester which was opened in 1837. It was at his log house, in October 1836, that the celebrated " God-fry " convention was held. Delegates came from a great distance on horseback, and staid with him two nights, though it is said to this day that some of those who left their homes got lost in the wilderness and never found Godfry's cabin. The convention was evidently anticipated as a great event, for preparatory to it, Mr. Godfry went to Skunk Grove and bought an ox for beef with which to feed the delegates. Dr. Cary was president of the convention; its members slept in their blankets on the floor at night, and dreamed over democratic resolutions, as sweetly as if Pottowatomie Indians were not slumbering in an adjoining camp.

In the winter of 1836, Wm. II Waterman, of Racine, made a claim in behalf of himself, Elias Smith, Henry F. Cox, Amaziah Stebbins and John M. Myers to the lands in Rochester village east of Fox river, and north of Main street; and, in 1839 and 40, they operated a mill on Muskego creek.

On the 26th of October, 1839, Martin C. Whitman, Levi Godfry, Obed Hurlbut, Hiland Hurlbut and Philo Belden, as proprietors, caused to be platted, all the village property in

On the 9th day of May, 1840, Elias Smith, Consider Heath, David Anderson and Margaret A. Cox, as proprietors? caused to be platted that portion of the village tract situated east of the river and north of Main street. The village was first called the " Upper Forks."

In the earliest years of the settlement, the settlers experienced the usual hardships of a new country. The storms would beat into their cabins; the deep snows of long winters put an embargo upon travel, and fish and game were at times the chief means of subsistance.

In the summer season, women walked four miles following Indian trails, and carrying their babies in a basket, to visit their neighbors. Mrs. Adams tells me that the women of those days made light of jaunts like these, and that a pan of johnny cake and a good supply of Old Hyson made a feast for many a tea party in those wild times. The country was singularly free from underbrush, and travel through the woodland was therefore free from obstruction or difficulty. As new settlers came in, they were welcomed to the cabins of the earlier inhabitants, and when night came on they would take their resting places on the floor, in rows, and sleep as sweetly as if reposing on pillows of down, with angels expressly commissioned to watch over them.

Richard E. Ela established, in Rochester in 1889, the first fanning mill establishment in the county. He built his first mills in the cellar under his house.

thirteen years of age, came to Rochester with her father and brother, in 1837. She was their housekeeper, while they were making improvements preparatory to the removal of the remaining members of the family to their western home.

During the mornings of the summer of 1837 she was in the habit of rising early, to prepare breakfast for her father and brother. The morning meal over, and while the oxen were being placed before the plow, she would hastily finish her work, fasten the door of their rude cabin, go with the team in company with her father and brother to the breaking field, and there from morning until night, she followed the plow in wearisome rounds, rather than remain alone in the cabin, exposed to dangers from the Indians who were prowling about in great numbers.

Mr. Oren Wright settled in Rochester on the 2d of January, 1840. He established a turning lathe, and manufactured the first chairs and bedsteads that were made at any place within a distance of sixty miles west.

The first death in Rochester was that of Mrs. Wade, which occurred on the 1st day of January 1837 ; and the first white child born in the town, was Henry Warner, son of Seth Warner.

Mr. Cole and Miss Fowler were the first persons married in the place. In those days a license was required, and Mr. Cole journeyed to Racine, on foot, for his license, which cost him <$4.00.

The first Justice of the Peace in Rochester was Seth Warner, the first doctor, Solomon Blood, and the first religious society, Baptists, organized in 1837.

In 1839, the principal Indian trail run west from Rochester to Spring Prairie. In that year and in 1840, there Avas a great contest among the people, concerning the establishment of roads, and the lines upon which they should run, and there were not wanting many persons, who believed an4 urged, that the Indian trails would and should be adopted, as the lines for highways and thoroughfares of travel.

I think the most marked Indian trail to be now found in the county, crosses the Rochester & Burlington road, southwest of Rochester village, and winds along the crest of the bank of Fox River for a considerable distance, among forest trees that stood where they now stand, before Levi Godfrey's adventurous spirit had guided him to his early home in Wisconsin.

Source changes here: from The History of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin .., by Western Historical Co, published 1879; 52,366 words in this source stream.

Rochester Village

The settlement of Rochester and Waterford was begun almost at the same time, the first arrivals in what is now the former village being Levi Godfrey and John Wade. They reached their new home in the spring of 1836, and perfected title to their claims by erecting a log house. No sooner' was the cabin inclosed and roofed for the protection of its owners than they began, and, in due time, completed a commodious hotel. In the year following, they laid out the village and welcomed the arrival of Alonzo Snow, who opened a general store. With a hotel and a store came a desire to get something better, and, in order to gratify that desire and make a little money, Martin C. Whitman, in the latter end of 1837, built up a saw-mill which he controlled for two years, finally losing it by fire in 1839. Very soon after the mill started, Godfrey built the first frame house erected in the settlement.

2%6 First Marriage was solemnized in 1836, the contracting parties being John Cole and a Miss Fowler. Mr. Cole had to go to Racine for a license, which cost him the snug sum of $4, and was considered a luxury in those days to be indulged only at occasional intervals.

The First Death, always a sad event, occurred in February, 1837, the victim of the pale man on horseback being Mrs. John Wade. Her remains were safely laid away under the green trees and flowers on the Wade farm, but were afterward taken up and re-interred in the Rochester Cemetery.

The Manufacturing Interests, - By the erection of the first mill, a "starter" was given to the village, which eventually proved of incalculable benefit, for after the mill was consumed by fire in 1839, Mr. Belden rebuilt it on the Muskego River. In connection with the first saw-mill, there was an iron foundry erected by a man named Ford, which was purchased by Belden in 1844. In 1842-43, he built the first flouring-mill, a frame building, which cost ^13,000. He ran that mill as sole proprietor until 1846, when he sold out to Messrs. Hulburt & Royce. They kept it until 1850, and sold it in that year to James and Robert Scott, the present proprietors. In 1858, it burned down, but was rebuilt, and is now owned by the Scotts. At one time Mr. Richard Ela had a large wagon manufactory, which stood on the bank of the river, bat at present it is included among the past glories of the place.

The First Brick ITotise in the village was built in 1843 by Peter Campbell, and he kept it as the Union Hotel until 1856, when he died. In 1858, Edward Reynolds rented it, and at the end of a year surrendered his lease, which was taken by Peter Silyemale, who dispensed its hospitalities for a year. Silvernale's widow then resumed occupation, and, in 1863, it was purchased by James H. Gibson, who still retains possession.

Religiovs Interests, - The Congregational Church was organized in 1840 with about fifty members. Until 1845, they held their meetings in the schoolhouse, but in that year they built the present brick church. A Mr. Cadwell, from the eastern portion of the State of New York, was the first minister called to officiate, and Calvin Earl and Reuben Clark were the Trustees. When first completed, the building cost $2,000, and had a very large congregation, but the congregation at present numbers only twenty. The Rev. Mr. Pett, a Baptist minister, officiates there occasionally. The ground upon which the building stands, a quarter of an acre in extent was donated by Mr. Ovid Hulburt.

The tS'chooh. - The first school-building was raised in 1840, but the first school opened was that taught in 1837 by Miss Dyer, a sister of Dr. Dyer, of Burlington. In 1848, in School District No. 2, a wooden building was erected, the first teacher employed, of which there is any record, being Miss Sarah Whitman, the present wife of Mr. Henry Cady, the genial Postmaster of Rochester.

In 1867, a Seminary was opened in a building formerly occupied by Mr. Richard Ela as a wagon factory, the prime mover being a Free- Will Baptist Minister, J. S. Bradley by name, who stated to other members of the faith that their organization required a school, and that there would be a good place to have it. Accordingly, $2,500 were raised by subscription, and the building purchased from Levi Godfrey. J. S. Bradley was installed as Principal, and operations were begun, with about one hundred scholars. He remained there two years, and was followed by the Rev. Nathan Woodworth,who served three years. Prof. J. H. Gould succeeded to the head of the school, in turn, each remaining three years. But hard times intervened to prevent success, and the school finally closed, though there is some talk of re-opening it daring the current year. The first School Commissioners were elected in 1842, and are as follows : Phillip Mygatt, Nathaniel Moulton and Benjamin Bayley. The present Board of School District No. 1 is R. S. Jackson, E. B. Adams and J. Jackson, the latter Treasurer, with M. L. Lee as Principal. Of No. 2, the Board is John Zicks, Director ; J. D. Wright, Clerk ; , Treasurer, and Miss Sarah Whitman, Principal. The building itself is a frame, and cost ^700. Miss Whitman has the training of about one hundred pupils, by all of whom she is held in high esteem.

Secret Societies. - In April, 1849, Jessie Stetson, Deacon Brittain and others, called meetings at tlie schoolhouse, at which secret societies in general and Odd Fellows in particular were denounced in no measured terms, they holding that such organizations were hypocritical and the reverse of philanthropical. Mr. C. J. True and Henry Cady, having discussed the matter, determined to attend and repel these charges. When the resolutions condemning secret organizations were introduced, these gentlemen assailed them with the utmost vigor. The meeting continued for about three nights, but, failing to secure an adoption of the resolutions, the movers fled.

On July 18, of the same year, a Lodge of sixty members was formed. The principal officers were: Hyland Hulburt, N. G. ; Wallace Hulburt, Vice Grand, and Dr. Boyce, Secretary - these gentlemen being the only three who understood the matter at all. Since then the Lodge has prospered abundantly, increasing in numbers and influence yearly.

War Record

A Temperance Lodge^ composeil of both sexes, was fully organized in January, 1872. The officers were: J. D. Wright, W. P.; Lucy E. Nash, Worthy Associate; John Gleason, R. S. ; J. E. Jackson, F. S. ; II. R. Adams, Treasurer ; Robert Adams, Chaplain ; J. S. Harris, Conductor ; Mrs. M. Tucker, Assistant Conductor ; Inside Sentinel, A. Coci-aft ; Outside Sentinel, Albert Thompson. The present officers, so far as they could be obtained, are H. R. Adams, W. P., and Lizzie Cady, R. S.

On November 16, 1876, the Temple of Honor was organized with thirty-one members and the following officers: W. B. Stetson, W. C. T. : John Wood, Deputy ; G. H. Blake, W. R.; J. E. Jackson, W. A. R. ; E. B. Adams, W. F. R. ; Robert Adams, W. T. ; Joseph Summers, W. W. ; F. Hoyt, W. D. W. ; B. F. Fowler, W. S. ; James Bell, W. G. ; John Gleason, W. V. T. The present Worthy Chief is Henry Nobles.

The scenes witnessed in Racine and Kenosha during the spring of 1861, were similar in many respects to those which transpired throughout the loyal North, but the details are interesting, because they rc^veal individual patriotism, and preserve the minor evidences of devotion to principle which would be engulfed in the mighty tide of subsequent events. The press, the pulpit, the bar, the public and private assemblies of men in every department and walk of life, burst forth with one accord in the grand rallying cry for the defense of national integrity. Those institutions which had jealously guarded the utterance of words which might be construed to - offend the sensitive ears of Southern oligarchists, were thrown open to the untrammeled expression of loyal thoughts. There was no longer a possibility of currying favor by a policy of conciliation towards the South, when for the first time the voice of prophecy was drowned in the harsh clangor of rebellious arms. The pulpit, which had for so long a time deprecated the impolitic intrusion therein of agitating topics, and maintained a gentle attitude toward those who spurned alike the truth and the justice of human freedom, was transformed, as in a single hour, into the birth-place of wildest excitations. From sacred desks, where but a few brief years before men had been driven forth because they spoke the truth, such ringing sentences of exhortation arose that the excited audience, ignoring the customs of the hour and place, shook down the dust of prejudice and falsehood from above the speaker's head with the reverberations of their unrestrained applause. The bar, which meekly bowed before the infamy of the Fugitive-Slave Law, lifted its voice in defense of national existence. With few exceptions, the the press joined in the appeal to arms, and urged a realization of the gravity of the occasion. The morning of that era in the history of this nation, when the question of man's ability to maintain a government of the people was so boldly propounded, dawned dark and foreboding. No one could penetrate the gloom which overcast the horizon. The experiment of a republican government was to be submitted to the crucial test of arms.

Saturday, April 20, 1861, the people of Racine were astonished to see the stars and stripes floating from the spire of St. Patrick's Church, a demonstration of loyalty which was made by Father Gibson. By order of Rt. Rev. Bishop Henni, of Milwaukee, every Catholic church in his diocese was instructed to make that demonstration of loyalty to the Government which had done so much to expand personal and religious liberty.

A large concourse of people assembled in front of the church and cheered the flag. April 17, 1861, saw the proclamation issued by the President of the United States, calling for the enrollment of one regiment from each of the States, among them Wisconsin, given forth to the world, and on the 23d the *' Belle City Rifles*' completed their organization by electing the followingofficers : Captain, W. E. Strong; First Lieutenant, A. 0. Doolittle; Second Lieutenant, W. L. Parsons ; Sergeants, H. W. Hurlburt, W. E. Bingham, W. J. Field, and M. P.

Barry ; Corporals, F. L. Graham, M. Rodman, G. Bowman, and D. R. May. The roll showed sixty privates who, with their oflScers, were subsequently assigned to the Second Regiment, which left Madison for the seat of war, June 19, 1861. Prior to their departure, viz: on April 29, the young ladies of Racine presented the Company, through Senator Doolittle, with a handsome flag. April 26, the Carroll Guards, an artillery company, was organized, with sixty-nine privates and the following officers : Captain, W. W. Carroll ; First Lieutenant, Norman D. Smith; Ensign, John D. Lyons ; Sergeants, G. W. Scanlan, Henry Nield, Charles B. Bueter and Thomas Weldon ; Corporals, 0. D. Bassinger, Henry Irish, A. Doyle, and C. Hermes.

About May 13, the " Scott's Grays," which was organized April 29, tendered their services to the Government for three years, which were gladly accepted. They numbered eighty privates, their oflScers being : Captain, Hon. W. D. Lyon ; First Lieutenant, J. Cheshire; Second Lieutenant, R. C. Tate ; Third Lieutenant, J. W. English ; Sergeants, H. A. Bailey, H. B. Foster, J. A. Carey, and S. D. Cotton ; Corporals, D. C. Smith, Wm. White, Thomas Graham, and Wm. Powles.

On May 16, a meeting was held in the town of Raymond, for the purpose of organizing a volunteer company, but, though several enlisted, it does not appear that a company was sent out.

On May 20, the inhabitants of Mount Pleasant organized a company for home service, but no record appears to have been kept of their officers or the number of men enlisted.

In that month, also, the ^^ Racine Union Guard" completed their organization by electing the following commissioned officers: Captain, E. A. Cram; First Lieutenant, H. F. Fuller; Second Lieutenant, James F. Lewis.

. In addition to the excitement incident to the enlistment of volunteers, the organization of Loyal Clubs and the news of the commencement of hostilities in the South, the stem realities of war were brought home and made more apparent to the eyes of the citizens of Racine by the establishment of a military camp thereat by the Fourth Regiment. Col. Paine selected a beautiful site adjacent to the college grounds, on the farm of T. G. Wright. The buildings, which were designed by S. D. Clough, were more substantial than those ordinarily erected for such purposes, and were constructed under the supervision of Jacob Wratten. The sanitary conditions of the camp, which was christened " Camp Utley,*' were exceptionally good.

July 4, 1861, will long be remembered in Racine, on account of the impressive ceremonies with which its celebration was attended. The Rev. C. D. Pillsbury officiated as Chaplain, Col. Paine, Capt. Hobart and others delivered addresses, and J. G. McMynn read the Declaration of Independence. A grand dinner was served up by the ladies in the afternoon.

Up to July 14, Mars and his satellites had possession, but on that day they gave way for a brief interval to the rosy God of Love, who straightway marched two willing victims - Capt. 0. H. Lagrange, of Company B, ** Ripon Rifles," and Miss Jennie Stowell, of Hastings, Minn., to the shore of Lake Michigan, where they were united in the holy bonds of matrimony, by Rev. A. C. Barry, Chaplain of the regiment. On the following day, the Fourth Regiment, over one thousand strong, of which his company was a part, left for Virginia.

Next came the news of the defeat at Manassas, which occurred on July 21, and there were many sad hearts in Racine County, for, among the first sacrifices on the altar of patriotism were recorded the names of William H. Upham, Charles Filer, Henry E. Benson and Marion C. Hamer. After nearly a year of suspense, however, the friends of the first named, W. H. Upham, were rejoiced at his safe arrival home on February 3, 1862. He thus had the satisfaction of reading the eloquent and kindly sentiments said about him, for eloquent indeed were the discourses of the clergy when the direful news was told.

The defeat at Manassas and the death of so many of the brave boys only roused the people to greater energy and enthusiasm, which found expression in the raising of $8,000, and the declaration that another company must and should be formed. Accordingly, on Saturday, September 7, the Racine County Volunteers completed their organization, by the election of the following oflScers: Captain, William P. Lyon, Racine; First Lieutenant, Albert E. Smith,

War Record 489

Springfield ; Second Lieutenant, James 0. Bartlett, Racine. This company was assigned to the Eighth Regiment. During that summer and fall, Camp Utley was appropriated to companies of artillery.

On Wednesday evening, October 2, at a meeting of the Irish citizens of Racine, Patrick Geraughty, Gregory Flynn and James Fielding were appointed a committee to superintend the organization of a company for Col. Mahoney's regiment, to be called ^^ The Mulligan Guards.'* About the same time, the Burlington '' Utley Guards '* were organized, with a full complement of men, and the following officers ; Captain, Robert Hill, Burlington ; First Lieutenant, William E. Gipson, Waterford ; Second Lieutenant, H. A. Sheldon, Burlington. The company was assigned to the First Regiment.

On Saturday evening, September 21, a war meeting was held in the Waltermire Schoolhouse, in the town of Norway, for the purpose of raising a military company in the center of Racine County. Mr. W. Whiteley and Capt. Johnson, of the Randall Flying Artillery, addressed the meeting, after which several young men signed the muster-roll.

Li February, 1862, Capt. P. Bennett raised thirty men in Waterford, toward a company for the Nineteenth Regiment, but the company was never formed, the men being drafted into another company whose ranks had been thinned.

In the same month, the ^^Bear Hunters,'' a Scandinavian company, afterward attached to the Fifteenth Wisconsin Regiment, and known as Company C, was organized principally in the town of Norwayl The officer^ were : Captain, Fred R. Berg ; First Lieutenant, Hans Hansen, Second Lieutenant, J. F. Rice.

Tuesday, March 18, saw the departure for the scene of the war, of the Eighth and Tenth Batteries of Artillery, which, owing to no fault of their own, had been lying inactive at Camp Utley for some months. On the same day, the Randall Battery of Flying Artillery left Burlington for Racine, but on reaching tlie Junction, and finding the Eighth and Tenth just leaving, for St. Louis, they also departed. Tuesday evening, April 2, the Racine Soldier's Relief Society, with A. G. Hartshorn, President, C. H. Upham, Treasurer, and Mr. George S. Wright, Secretary, was formed, and on Monday, May 12, the people of Caledonia organized a Soldier's Aid Society, with Edward Burbeck, President; J. B. Richards, Treasurer, and George R. Elliott, Secretary.

In August, 1862, the war fever was at its height, the reports of bloody battles being fought only serving to stimulate the heroism of the masses. There was no fear, but the shrieks and cries of the wounded, as they were chronicled by the daily press in the account of engagements, having taken place, called out the noblest feelings of their nature, and made them ready and willing devotees on the altar of patriotism and subsequent sacrifice.

On Saturday, August 2, a meeting was held under the auspices of the Racine Board of Trade, and recruiting for the Racine Union Guards, was commenced at the same time. Mr. J. I. CabC stepped forward and announced his intention of giving $10 in addition to the bounty, promised by the Government, to every man of the first company raised for Colonel Utley's regiment.

On Wednesday, August 13, it was announced that the Racine Union Guards, under the captaincy of George Williamson, had raised their quota of 101 men, and a few days after, they elected their remaining officers, who were : First Lieutenant, Frank Mead, and Second Lieutenant, George Beaumont. They had the honor of being attached to the Twenty-second Regiment.

About the same time, the Cambrian (Welsh) Guards came to the front, with Captain, Owen Griffith ; First Lieutenant, Nelson Darling ; First Sergeant, Evan 0. Jones. September 16 saw the gallant Twenty-second, after a long spell at Camp Utley, leave for the front, under the command of Col. Utley.

As showing the temper of the people at that most trying time, the following incident, which was made at the time of the occurence the subject of some comment, appears worth narrating ; about August 3, a man named David Wettsie, who had "looked upon the wine when it was red," began talking quite loudly about the policy of the Government : claiming that it was only '* a Black Republican war," and concluded by stating that every man who enlisted in it should be shot. Some of the "boys in blue** were near, and when one of their number suggested "rail" they were prompt to act, and, notwithstanding Wettsie's endeavors to escape, rode him on a rail, much to the amusement and gratification of those present. It subsequently transpired that he was a good Union man, but, unfortunately for himself, had on that occasion "put an enemy into his mouth to steal away his brains.**

Peace meetings occasionally were held, bu: made no impression on the public mind, as was evidenced by the fact that on Monday, September 15, the Welsh ladies of Racine, through Senator Doolittle, presented their brave boys, the " Cambrian Guards,** with an elegant blue silk flag, bearing on one side the National Eagle, with the motto, "Union and Liberty, one and inseparable,** and on the other an appropriate presentation inscription.

On Wednesday, October 1, the press of Racine chronicled the fact that the Racine County Militia of the Eighth Wisconsin had been engaged in the "big'* fight at Corinth, and had done excellent service. About the same time, what was afterward known as Company C, was raised in Burlington, under the command of Capt. Sheldon, a son of Mr. Orson Sheldon, of that town.

In October, the Twenty-second Regiment was quartered at Camp Utley. It consisted of Companies A, Capt J. C. Moore ; B, "Death to traitors,*' Capt. George H. Franke; C, "Through God we shall do valiantly,** Capt. John E. Gurley; D, Capt. W. S. Eamheart; E, Capt. Ira Maltimore ; F, Capt. A. Z. Wemple ; G, " The Union must and shall be preserved,** Capt. F. B. Burdick ; H, " In prosperity or adversity we are with our country,'* Capt. Joseph S. Lunsley ; I, "We conquer or die,*' Capt. Walter Cook, and K, "Onward to victory,*' Capt. Adneram Wetcher.

When the President's emancipation proclamation was issued, the people of Racine met in Titus Hall, and with one accord joined in adopting resolutions of indorsement thereof.

In November, 1862, a draft was made to fill the quota of Racine County. In Dover Township, it is reported in the Advocate^ a man named Patrick Brady objected to the man designated to draw the names from the box. Commissioner Blake thereupon delegated Brady to do the drawing, and he accepted the position. The quota of that township was twenty-four. The twenty-second slip drawn by Brady was his own name, which fully proved the fairness of the drawing. The entire draft numbered 184 men, divided as follows : Racine city - First Ward, 7 ; Fourth Ward, 14 ; Fifth Ward, 1 ; Mount Pleasant, 47 ; Caledonia, 47 ; Raymond, 27 ; Dover, 24 ; Yorkville, 5 ; Rochester, 8 ; Burlington, 4.

On the 4th of December, 1862, while some of the drafted men were occupying Camp Utley, the old barracks were set on fire and totally destroyed.

On Tuesday evening, February 24, 1863, a war meeting was held at Mount Pleasant, at which the Administration was cordially indorsed by resolutions which were passed to that effect. Toward the latter end of March, the ladies of Racine, after casting about for a way in which to assist their " boys," decided upon forming an organization called the " Racine Loyalists," which was accordingly done, and day after day those angels in disguise occupied their time in making little articles for the comfort of their loved ones, who were far away. Could those articles have spoken, they would have told a tale of weary hours, heartaches and bitter tears.

In June, 1863, calls for troops, as is a matter of history, were not responded to by the peoplein proportion to llio dcMimnds of the service, and another draft was necessitated to recruit the armies to their usual complement of numbers. In accordance with orders, the draft for Racine County was drawn at Milwaukee, with the following results: Racine County furnished 60 men; Yorkville, 32; Dover, 2*.^; Burlington, 48: Rochester, 22; Waterford, 36; Norway, 12 ; Raymond, 31, and Caledonia, 55, making a total of 504.

On Wednesday, October 1, 1863, the Racine Advocate published the following tables, showing the number of men who volunteered up to that date, the whole number enrolled, etc. :

Wards And Towns

In May, 1863, the Soldiers* Relief and Aid Society submitted a report of its labors and financial condition from November 1, 1862, which was most gratifying to the soldiers' friends and the public. There had been received from subscriptions, entertainments, fairs and other sources, jl, 066.53, all of which had been expended in the relief of the soldiers.

In the winter of 1863-64 Camp Utley was improved by the erection of three new barracks, the repairing of the old buildings and the renovation of the camp generally.

The smallpox prevailed to considerable extent during the summer of 1864 among the soldiers in the camp, and soon spread throughout the city. Precautionary measures were not taken in time to prevent the infection of a large portion of the town; but the Board of Health became aroused at last, and checked the further ravages of the disease.

In September, 1864, the third draft was made in such towns as had not filled their quota under the call for the last ^00,000 men. The list of drafted men was divided among the following wards of Racine and towns of the county : Third Ward, 23 ; Fourth Ward, 40 ; Fifth Ward, 17; Caledonia, 36 ; Burlington, 14; Raymond, 16; Rochester, 17; Mount Pleasant, 17 ; Dover, 22. The provisions of this draft were far more stringent than those of the preceding ones. One hundred per cent was added to each of the quotas above given, making a total draft of 404 men. This additional number was selected to make up deficiencies in the ranks, and provide against losses of all kinds, so that the State quota might be made up without another draft being resorted to. Even these were found to be hardly required, for soon after came the news of the final action in Virginia which inaugurated the short, pithy, ever-to-be-remembered correspondence between Gen. U. S. Grant and Gen. Lee, by which that brave man surrendered his entire army, thus ending one of the most terrible and unhappy wars of which the pages of history record. The surrender of Appomattox Court House was followed by the cold-blooded assassination of President Lincoln, the disbandment of the army, and the return of the soldiers to their homes.

In both the city of Racine and Racine County the tombs of the sleeping soldiers- are all that is left to remind the casual observer of the part taken by the living (now the dead) in the late war. The graves are twenty-nine in number, divided between Mound and Evergreen Cemeteries, and are erected to the memory of the following volunteers : Walter J. Hood, Samuel J.

0. Gavelle, H. T. Sanders, Freeman D. Erkine, Henry C. Doolittle, James H. Hinds, Seneca Flint, George Janes, and thirteen graves containing the remains of unknown heroes.

Introductory

Not quite half a century ago, the present site of Kenosha was a wild, unbroken wilderness, the occupation of which was contested for by the Indian and the beasts of the forest. The coming of the white man in 1835, inaugurated the advance of progress and civilization, which has transformed that wild, unbroken wilderness into one of the most flourishing towns on the chain of lakes connecting the East with the West. It is less than fifty years ago, since the first home of the enterprising settler was erected in Kenosha County, and many of those who followed in the footsteps of the adventurous pioneers and established themselves on the remotest borders of civilization still live to tell of the events of those eventful days. Not half a century has passed since the Indians exercised exclusive dominion over the broad prairies and shady groves of Kenosha, and, within that time, they have disappeared, gone to reservations apportioned them by the Government, or have crossed the beautiful river and are presumably in active possession of the happy hunting-grounds. The days between the death of savagery and the growth of civilization, have been, as it were, a span long. But brief as the space has been, it has afibrded abundant opportunity for the sowing of seeds which will bear, nay, have borne, a plenteous harvest. But yesterday, and the hand of man was utilized to develop the resources of this bountiful land. To-day, cultivated acres, fruitful orchards and substantial interests pay tribute to a growing city wherein no rivalry exists but that found in the pursuit of truth, intelligence, integrity and Christian morality. The indebtedness to the hardy band of pioneers who prepared the way for the degree of perfection which exists to-day, should live in the memory of coming generations until the human race has run its course and the wide firmament is rolled up like a scroll. It can never be discharged. All honor to those grand old soldiers, who, in their pioneer lives, displayed more of discipline and steadiness, hardihood, patience and endurance, than the soldier whose paths of duty lead through hardships, and pains and perils to unknown graves. No monument can record their pilgrimage down the checkered aisles of time, from the day when they landed here until they went hence and were seen no more forever. No sculptured marble can commemorate their bravery, their humanity, or their endurance forged in the flame of adversity. The brightest pages of history alone can record a truthful narrative of their trials and triumphs ; the noblest flights of orators can alone draw illustrations from their patriotism and self-imposed exile, and the sublimest strains of poetry, their inspirations from the lives of these truly great men. Monuments to their honor will crumble into dust, but their virtues will be remembered in the hearts of their descendants, in the hearts of those who. to-day profit by their venturesome labors, and that memory can never be destroyed, either by the flight of time or the corroding storms of heaven. Their enterprise gave birth to the railroads which net the State from center to circumference ; to the villages which have sprung up in a night ; to the towns and cities which flourish and dictate a policy adapted to every emergency. But they have gone, and the flowers, which deck their silent resting places, smile sadly over the patient face of the sleeper as they nod in the breezes toward the city created by the cofiined pioneer. They are gone, but their labors live after them, and the heirs of an inheritance so priceless should discharge the trust committed to their care with the greatest diligence, that generations may, too, rise up to call them blessed, and when life's pilgrimage is ended, the Steward of the world may bid them enter into joys that await the faithful servant. .

The history of the first settlement of Kenosha is the duplicate of every settlement undertaken in the West since the nomadic disposition of Eastern enterprise first manifested its existence.

In April, 1836, John Bullen, William Bullen.and E. C. Hart, a trinity of adventoroiis explorers, bade adieu to family ties and friendly associations, and set out from Hannibal, N. T., for the land of promise, located in the West. They traveled overland to the mouth of Grand River, Mich., in a one-horse chaise, which also transported their baggage, and reached their destination without encountering any of the embargoes incident to similar undertakings in those primitive days. After a brief sojourn at the point indicated, the travelers disposed of their horje and conveyance and embarked on board a schooner, commanded by Capt. Clark, formerly of Oswego, bound for Chicago. The present "wonder of the continent'* was then in its infancy, and offered no inducements that served to attract the emigrants to select Fort Dearborn as a point available for permanent occupation. They desired to extend their iSeld of observation, and at some more eligible site in the wilderness permanently establish themselves for all coming time. With this object in view, a French Indian guide acknowledging the name of " Wilmot,'' was employed, a double wagon, with such auxiliaries to travel as were accessible to purchase procured, and the journey westward continued from Chicago to Racine. They halted at this point for an inconsiderable length of time, and explored the country in the vicinity for the purpose of fixing upon a place of settlement. After some delay, the gentlemen above named, about the 6th of June, 1835, located their claims upon lands about the mouth of Pike Creek, and a short time thereafter settled on the north side of the stream on land now comprehended within the survey of the city of Kenosha. C. W. Turner joined the party west of Racine, and, on arriving at Pike Creek, located on Pike River. Mr. Hart returned to Oswego, and never came back. Mr. William Bullen revisited Hannibal on business, but returned to Southport the following season, Mr. Edgar Hugunin holding possession of his property meanwhile, and, settling upon his claim on the island, built a residence. Mr. Bullen represented the *' Western Emigration Society," an organization effected at Hannibal in February, 1835, claiming as such the territory embraced in Kenosha, and hiring parties to protect such claims for the company. The settlement thus established was soon .after increased by the arrival of J. G. Wilson and family, Deacon Weed, the Fosters, Doolittles and the Caldwell family (second family), A. Kellogg, D. Crosit, 0. Jerome, the Rev. Jason Lathrop, N. R. Allen, 8. Ressique, H. Bacon, A. Grattan and others. Mr. Bullen hired H. Bacon to hold and protect the company's claim next north of the creek, and J. G. Wilson the claim adjoining, reporting these claims and his action in connection therewith to the Board of Directors of the company. Mr. Bullen knew very ttttle of their subsequent history, except that they were sold to various purchasers, including H. Bacon, S. Hale and himself. D. Crosit bid in the quarter-section south of the creek for other parties, and conveyed the same ; H. Bacon and S. Hale also acting as agents and transferring the interest thus acquired.

Time swept on, the soft airs of summer faded away, and the chilling winds of autumn bore premonition of winter's coming. Late in the fall of 1835, J. Bullen realizing the necessities of the settlers, and appreciating the entire absence of commodities, as also the difficulty consumers experienced in their procuration, erected a store in Southport, and began the business of '* merchandising." Remaining at the " village store " long enough to become assured of the success of his venture, Mr. Bullen made a visit to Oswego, N. Y., leaving his business and other affairs in charge of N. B. Allen. The trip East was made via Chicago, where the traveler purchased an invoice of ten barrels of flour and shipped the (at that day a very valuable) consignment to Mr. Allen to be delivered, one barrel to H. Bacon, one to A. Grattan, etc., the remaining eight barrels supplying the necessities of settlers generally. But for the timely arrival of this flour, the inhabitants would have been short of provisions, notwithstanding the presence of herds of deer, which chroniclers quote as remarkably plenty in 1835, ordinarily to be found without extended search, feeding on the prairie grass in the vicinity of water. It might also be mentioned that Indians were very numerous during the fall of 1835. At one time, the vicinity of Pike River was over-run by several hundred red men, weather-bound, while on their return from Chicago, whither they had gone for their annual payments. They became unpleasantly familiar during their stay, and though the familiarity indulged, which included the theft of several head of cattle from settlers, caused considerable annoyance, no serious outbreak resulted. At Oswego, John and William BuUen purchased the " Martin Van Buren," a schooner of about one hundred tons capacity, and freighting her witli seeds, provisions, implements, etc., dispatched her to Southport, the shippers visiting Southern Illinois, where they purchased a drove of cattle, and with the vessel arrived home about the 8th day of May, of 1836. The cargo and cattle netted the owners not less than $7,000 cash, in addition to what was sold on time.

At this point it might be proper to observe that the Mr. Grattan mentioned in the foregoing was the blacksmith, Amos Grattan, of those days. He was a man of most excellent habit - honest, industrious and thoroughly reliable - though considered by some as a " chronic grumbler." At one time, he was the partner of Elbridge G. Ayer, an early resident of Kenosha, but now passing the closing days of his life at Harvard, III.

The settlers, as above stated, in a majority of instances located immediately upon their arrival. Deacon Cephas Weed settled upon land next west of the present residence of Hiram Bacon ; Austin Kellogg located about three miles from the city on Pike Creek ; Orrin Jerome on a claim south of, the city near what is now known as ^^ Jerome Creek,'* named after him. Seth and Alfred Doolittle built the Wisconsin House, which they opened and maintained as a hotel. The latter also officiated in the double capacity of a surveyor and dancing master. The second survey and plat of Kenosha, adopted in 1839, was made by him. Mr. Caldwell, at one time, owned property near the present residence of Andrew Schoifen, in the Second Ward ; he is now a farmer, residing west of Waterford, in Racine County.

Another account of the settlement of Kenosha is that furnished by George W. Pierce, at present residing in Davisville, N. Y. He landed at Pike Creek on the 8th day of July, 1835, where he says he was greeted by six or eight men and one woman, Mrs. W^ilson. He worked as a carpenter, and, in addition to assisting in '^ rolling up *' the first log house; got out the timber for the first frame house erected in the city of Kenosha. He then went to Racine, where it so happened that he put up the first frame building in that city.

According to the accounts furnished by Mr. Pierce, Resigue & Noble were the first merchants in Kenosha. Dr. Carey was the first practitioner, and the father of the first boy born in the settlement. Crosit & Grattan were the first blacksmiths ; the Rev. Jason Lothrop, the first minister, and the Episcopal denomination erected the first house of worship. Singing was first tanght by Nathan Dye ; the first hotel was maintained by Deacon Whitney ; the first pair of boots made by Nelson Allen or Lewis Hedges, and the first attempt at harbor construction made by A. D. Northway. In conclusion, he states that Walter Towslec was the original Postmaster.

C. L. Sholes edited and published the first paper, the Southport Telegraphy and the relator was the first that had the old-fashioned hand-shaking ague. Ho resided in Kenosha for seventeen years, and, as above stated, removed to York State.

An interesting paper on the first settlement of Kenosha was prepared by Wallace Jlygatt for the historical collections of Wisconsin, from which the following abstract is appropriated. He says: "John Bullen, Esq., as the representative of a number of i|dividuftls of Oswego County, N. Y., who desired to emigrate to the West, arrived at Kenosha on Sunday, the 16th day of June, 1835. With Mr. Bullen came also Messrs. Edwin C. Hart, William Bullen and C. W. Turner, and, on the following day, Messrs. Hudson, Bacon, Gardner, Wilson and Cephas Weed - part of whom were associated with Mr. Bullen in looking up a location, and a part, perhaps, of the number, taking advantiige of the opportunity to look up a new home for themselves, on their own individual account. These were the first white men who were known to have visited the place.

" Mr. Bullen and his associates soon determined to make Kenosha the point of location. They had with them, however, no tools with which to construct even a temporary shelter, and, consequently, they encamped for several days on the north side of the harbor, and in what is now the Second W^ard of the city. They were also destitute of cookingimplements, and Mr. Bacon, who did the duties of steward on that occasion, dug a trench with his knife in the body of a fallen tree, into which he placed the meat and other articles of food, as they were taken out of the fire, and from that trench the party severally helped themselves to food.

*- At this time, there were three or four Indian villages within a range of three miles of the place, but the principal one of which was situated on the east bank of Pike Creek, opposite the present Lake Shore Railroad Bridge. This village was mainly built on the creek bottom, and extended for some distance on that stream. The land now embraced in Fractional Block 09 was the focus and center of this Indian metropolis. There were also upon the island fourteen or fifteen graves of Indians, on two of which the Indians had erected poles, that were painted, and from the top of one of these poles was still to be seen a white flag, the ample folds of which were waved by the breeze. In close proximity to these graves were the bodies of two Indians that were set in the ground, in a standing or upright posture, and all of their bodies, above their waists, protruded above the surface of the ground. The progress of decay had already deprived one of the bodies of its head. In the same vicinity, also, it was found that the Indians had split open a part of a body of a tree, of suitable length, <iug out the inside of the same, and placed in it the remains of an Indian, and then withed the parts carefully together and elevated the whole into the top of a tree, hoping thereby, no doubt, to shorten the journey of their brother to the 'better world.'

'' There are circumstailces which would seem to warrant the conclusion that Kenosha was at one time the resort of one or more tribes of Indians for the purpose of manufacturing arrowheads. Block No. 80 and its vicinity in the Second Ward, appears to have been the place selected for this Indian armory, for upon these grounds large deposits of finished and unftnished arrow-heads have been found. Excavations have been made in the ground, which, after being filled with these implements of warfare and the chase, were covered, first with bark, and then with the original sward, or by rolling on them large bowlders. As many as six quarts of arrow heads have been taken out of one of these places of deposit. In the same vicinity, Messrs. Hannahs Brothers, in making some excavations in the engine-room of their flouring-mill, found a stone battleax, which, by the politeness of Mr. William H. Hannahs, I am permitted to forward to the State Historical Society, as a present from him. The materials, however, of which the arrow-heads and other implements were made, must have been mainly brought over from the Island, as, at no other place, could the proper stone be found in the same abundance, or, indeed. of the same quality.

*' The first double teams that came to Kenosha arrived on Sunday, June 21, 1835. There were two wagons, to one of which was attached a span of horses, and to the other three yokd of oxen. With those teams came Mrs. Gardner Wilson, Jonathan Pierce, Orrin Jerome and Nelson Gratliflf. On the day after the arrival of these teams, the party commenced the erection of a building where Main and Union streets now intersect each other, in the Second Ward. This was the first building put up in Kenosha, but the building more nearly resembled an Indian wigwam than a habitation for civilized men. The main sides were laid up with what might more properly be called poles than logs, and the roof was covered with bark. The floor was also composed of the same material as the roof.

" Mrs. Wilson, who was the first white woman who lived at Kenosha, used one of the wagons for her sleeping apartment for the first two weeks. after her arrival, and cooked for the party in the open air. The table was made of split logs, and the cooking and other furniture was all nearly of the same primitive character as the table.

^' For the purpose of marking the bounds of the company's claim on the north, it was thought best to make something that would have the appearance of an inclosure, and accordingly an inclosure was commenced on the 2dth and completed on the 28th day of June. The inclosure commenced about three-fourths of a mile west of the lake, on Pike Creek, and terminated on the lake at Pike River, making a distance altogether of something over a mile. It was constructed by felling trees in the line of the proposed route, wherever trees could be found standing in the proper position, and by drawing and carrying on the bodies of fallen trees and brush. The time from the 28th of June to the 4th of July, was occupied in marking and defining, in one way and another, the outlines of claims on the south side of the harbor, and perhaps also on the west.

'* The harbor at Kenosha, as is known to all who have visited the place, lies in the form of a crescent, having two outlets into the lake, one distant about three-fourths of a mile from the other. The harbor also receives a small tributary, from the northwest, called Pike Greek. The estuary which forms the principal harbor surrounds a piece of land, on all sides except on the east, and on the east the land borders on the lake, thus forming an island. This island had not escaped the attention of the Company, in establishing the limits of their claims.

^' On Monday, the 6th day of July, Mr. Builen commenced the erection of a log house on the lake shore, about fifty rods north of the northern outlet of the harbor. In 1836, this building, with a small piece of land adjoining, passed into the hands of James R. Beard, who then commenced manufacturing brick. The log house, after being occupied for a period of about twelve years, was supplanted by one of greater durability and pretension.

^' On the 7th day of July, Mr. Samuel Resique arrived at Kenosha, and, to use a squatter phrase, ^jumped the island.' Mr. Resique brought with him a number of brothers, of the name of Woodbridge, and others ; and he accordingly had quite a formidable force to' sustain him in holding possession. This circumstance occasioned the first dispute about the right of property that had occurred at this place. But the dispute, which at one time threatened to cause some disturbance, was finally amicably settled, and Mr. Resique retained a portion of the island, either by purchase or by some other compromise. After camping upon the island for about two weeks, Mr. Resique commenced the erection of a log house, and shortly after completing it opened it as a tavern. Although the accommodations that a public house is supposed to hold forth were not in much requisition at that early day, yet the ^ Resique House ' became, after a time, quite noted as a public inn.

About the time that Mr. Resique jumped the island, Mr. Gardner Wilson commenced the erection of a log house on the lake shore, opposite the north end of the island. This was the third building put up. This building was occupied several years by Mr. Wilson, when he moved back East. The last vestige of the Wilson house, and also of the Resique house has long since disappeared. Not a stone, a piece of wood, or an indentation of the soil marks the former foundations of these buildings, once so famous in the history of the place.

^' Mr. Builen, on behalf of the company which he represented, commenced putting up a log house on the south side of the harbor, about the middle of July. This was the first building put up on that side of the harbor, and it stood on what is laid down in the city map, at the present time, as Lot 1, Block 4, in the First Ward. The building was put up for the purpose of holding the claim. A day or two after this building was commenced, Mr. Timothy Woodbridge commenced putting up a small log shanty, a few rods south, and on what is now called Block 5, for the purpose of jumping the claim. He finished his building, but abandoned any pretension to the claim.

'' In the latter part of July, Mr. Bacon put up a log house near his present residence, on Block 80, in the Second Ward ; and on the 29th of July, Mr. Jonathan Pierce commenced hewing the timber for the first frame building ; but after the frame had been completed, owing to some apprehensions that a claim the company had made, about one mile northwest, would be jumped, the timbers were transferred to that claim and put up.

'^ The place was destined, however, not to be long without a frame building, and accordingly another building was commenced in the first part of August, which was put up on the lake shore, on the south side of the harbor. This building stood on what is now called Lot 4, Block 4, in the First Ward. It was built by Mr. John Builen, and was used by him for a store, and was the first establishment of the kind in the place.

^'The first cargo of any kind that ever landed at Kenosha, arrived on the 10th day of July, 1835. It consisted of 50,000 feet of lumber. The lumber had been purchased at Sheboygan, for Mr. Builen, at a cost of $20 per thousand. It was thrown into the lake and floated ashore

*^ AU^ut the middle of Auga^t, Mr. Jonathan Pierce and Mr. Aostio KeOo^^. b*K£ atrangent to each other, happening to meet on the island, agreed to call a religiocB meeczn^r ^t^ the habliath next ensuing, and which meeting was accordingly held in the log cabin oo the lake abore, on the south side of the harbor, that was first put on that side. There were present i: tliat meeting twentv eight persons, of whom twenty-one spoke at more or less length. Dvnug imiat of the year 18%, the religions meetings were all held at the house of William Bnllen. on the island. In the latter part of the season of 1837, a block building wms pat up oo Somk Main street, and near the present market square, for a schoolhouse, and a place of worship free to all denominations. In 1839, a frame building of considerable size was erected in the Seeond Ward for an academy and a place of worship, also free to all denominations. Ihiring the e years, no regular clergyman was employed, but services were performed by itin^^nt and mi^- aionary preachers, and, when no clergymen were present, prominent members of the church read sermons from a printed volume. K. H. Deming and Rev. Abner Barlow also preached at Kenosha frequently.

^^ In 1840, the Methodist society built the first church edifice that was erected in Kenosha. This building originally stood in the center of Main street, at that point where it intersects with Kenosha street, and fronted north. This church, in 1855, was moved south of this original site, about twenty ro<ls, and fronts on the park.

^* In 1848, the Congregational society built a respectable-sized church on Lot 4« Block 84. in the Hec^>nd Ward, which, ten years after, they moved into the First Ward, and located on fjot 4, Block *M. Lot 4, Block 84, however, seemed destined to be the foundation of a church, for a neat (jennan Protestant church occupies the ground left vacant by the removal of the Congregational edifice. The Baptist society also erected a handsome church in the same year that the (Congregational Church was built. A few years later, the Episcopal society erected a small but neat church in the First Ward. In 1845, the Irish Catholics built a brick church, of good size and proportions, in the Third Ward.

'' In 1848, a new religious denomination was inaugurated at Kenosha by Messi?. C. L. Bholes, II. (J. Tram, Sheldon Fish and others. It was called the 'Excelsior Church,* and it was chiimed to he founded upon purely democratic principles. Whatever a man's religious principles wore, it was no bar to his admission into this Church. Indeed, it united together the most disconlant elements, and each one regularly attending had the right to advocate with perfect freedom whatever doctrine he may have chanced to hold. All classes, the high and the low, the heliever ami the unbeliever, here met upon one common platform. Such discordant materials could not long mingle in harmony together, and this Church, after two years' duration, added another proof to the many that had gone before, that ^ a house divided against itself cannot stand.' Mr. Jason Lothrop, who, while living East, had served as a Baptist minister, and, afterw^ird, as a school-teacher, finally found himself a boarding-house keeper at Kenosha in September, 188*0, performing all the duties incident to such an establishment, including cooking, washing and Miousewifery,' as, also, the accustomed duties of 'host,' with aptness and a(ldresH.

** After the organization of a Baptist Church at Kenosha, Elder Lothrop was employed for several years as its minister, but resigned that position to devote his time to study and literary pursuit-s.

** TIh^ first wedding occurred in September, 1835, when Nelson Lay was united in marriage to Miss Marietta, daughter of Waters Towslee ; Mr. Bull en, Justice of the Peace by npp()i!itnu'nt of the Governor of Michigan, officiating."

Tlio first cargo of provisions received at Kenosha was that shipped by Mr. Bullen, as above indicated, from Oswego, and were landed at their destination on the 10th of May, 188t).

History Of Kenosha

Previous to that time, provisions had been brought on pack-horses from Chicago, and the arrival of this invoice opened up a new channel of communication to which, owing to the difficulty experienced in effecting a landing at Kenosha, and other causes, the inhabitants had been strangers. For some years after the first settlement was made at Pike River, much difficulty was encountered in landing passengers and freight from the boats which called at the place. In 1835, schooners from the lower lakes ventured within a mile of the shore, and some even nearer than that, and landed their freight bj means of lighters at the risk of loss. Only the smaller craft ventured near the shore. Capt. Robin^^on, of the schooner Hiram, brought lumber in

1835, and the schooner Fly brought potatoes from Michigan that fall. In 1836, the steamer Detroit succeeded in landing passengers and provisions, and was the first to thus experiment. In 1837, the Daniel Webster came, and, after that, there were numerous arrivals. In the summer of 1836, A. G. Northway built the first lighter.

An old settler relates how the first Fourth of July celebration ever held in old Racine County passed off in Southport. It was in the year 1836, and the people assembled until nearly all the population of the region was upon the ground. Rev. Jason Lothrop was chosen orator. Among the delegations was one from Pleasant Prairie, which consisted of men, women and children to a considerable number, who came riding on an immense wagon, drawn by twenty yoke of oxen. Dinner was served on the bank of the lake, under the direction of Rlr. Tobey, who then kept the Resique House, and the day was generally kept more appropriately with regard to the ^^ fitness of things " than is observed to-day in the towns and cities of States overflowing with patriotic devotion to the Federal Union.

In the month of July, Hiram Towslee, son of Waters Towslee, was drowned in the harbor, and is remembered as the first death in Kenosha. In the summer of 1835, Miss Mary Ayer, daughter of Elbridge G. Ayer, was born, and is claimed by some to have been the first birth in the new settlement. However, authorities differ on that point.

Continuing, Mr. Mygatt refers to Mr. George Kimball, who was born in one of the Eastern States, whence he emigrated to Canada, where he advocated liberal political sentiments too freely for the Government, and was banished from the Provinces. He arrived at Kenosha in the summer of

1836, and purchased eighty acres of land from the Emigration Company on the south side of the harbor. What differences of opinion might have obtained at the time, it is now manifest that Mr. Kimball displayed liberality and good foresight in the dispo<>al of his lands. He had a certain sturdiness and independence of character which rendered him unpopular with some, and for that reason, he was once defeated when candidate for President of the corporation, as also when a candidate for Mayor of the city. Mr. Kimball had no disguises to cover up his views or compromises of them to make, whether in or out of the political field.

" The Hon. Charles Durkee arrived in Kenosha in 1836, and bought lands next south of and adjoining the lands of Mr. Kimball. Mr. Durkee was for many years prominent in every useful enterprise. He was also a member of the first Territorial Legislature that convened in Wisconsin, and subsequently United States Senator.

"In the month of October, 1837, the steamboat ' Detroit* was wrecked at Kenosha; she had on her upper deck a protuberance called a ladies' cabin, which was about twelve by sixteen feet in size. This was purchased by William Seymour, and placed on lot one, block fourteen, on the harbor, where it was occupied by Joseph Hobbs, a colored man, who divided it into two apartments, the front of which he used as a barber's shop, but the rear for telling fortunes ; and, between the necessities of one class and the credulity of the other, he managed to make a living. The ^ cabin,' however, was afterward opened as a medical ofiice and botanical drug store by an ignorant pretender who called himself Dr. McGonegal, but, in the course of two years, the place became too much settled up to suit the Doctor, and other physicians coming in, whose theories and practice Daniel McGonegal, M. D., looked upon with disgust, the latter left Kenosha with a full determination to find the ^ Far West,' if there was such a place.

" In the winter of 1838, the entire business establishments of the place (with the exception of a block-tavern, on Main street, kept by Deacon H. Whitney), were situated on Lake and Pearl streets.

" There were four mercantile establishments : Hale & BuUen, Francis Quarles, R. H. Denning and William Bullen & Co., all situated on Lake street, north of Pearl. The post office was kept in the store of William Bullen & Co. On Pearl street, was located the *" Kenosha Cepee House,' kept by J. H. Boardman; a blacksmith-shop by David Crosit, a tailor-shop by Philander Dodge, a boot-shop by Nathan Dye, and a harness and window-sash shop by R. B. Winsor. Mr. Dye made it a rule to assume no pretensions that were not substantially warranted by facts, not to mislead the public as to the article they would obtain at his shop, put no other letters on his sign-board except thoF.e composing the two words, 'coarse boots.' But the business of boot-making was not in harmony with Mr. Dye's tastes. Singing and teaching others to sing were his peculiar delights. It mattered not how pressing the work in his shop might be, he would gather into it all the little children in the neighborhood and practice them in a knowledge of his favorite airs.

'^ The Hon. Samuel Hale, since widely known as an enterprising and successful business man, and also in political life as a member of the Leislature, then held the office of Justice of the Peace, under appointment of the Governor of the Territory.

'' In the spring of 1838, a bill was introduced in Congress to grant a special pre-emption of the lands embraced within the corporate limits of Kenosha. The main features of the bill were that no one individual could enter more than ten acres, and the money to be derived from a sale of the lands to be used in improving the harbor. It was supposed that any one who had ten acres inclosed at the time of the final passage of the act would obtain a pre-emption. This circumstance led to more or less alarm among the owners of real estate, lest they might, by some fraud, lose a portion of their lands, and the uneasiness felt was not a little increased by reports that obtained currency, that parties outside the limits were preparing materials for making inclosures. Owing to these circumstances, a public meeting was called, and, after proper deliberation, it was agreed that all parties should turn out and split rails, and make a general inclosure ; consequently, all the available inhabitants of the place were engaged for the next several days in splitting rails in all parts of the corporation. But the bill being defeated in Congress, the inclosure was not made. This year, the 4th of July was celebrated at the Kenosha Cepee House.

'^ In 1839, the principal mercantile establishments, before mentioned, were transferred from the south to the north side of the harbor. The post office was also removed from the former to the latter locality, and the Wisconsin House, also on the north side, was opened as a tavern, also as the ^ stage house.' The object was to transfer the business of the place from the south to the north side, which was measurably accomplished for a time. But some difierence arising among the business men on the north side about the location of a bridge, and other causes, the business receded again, in 1841-42 to the south side, and settled on Main street. The post office was removed from the north to the south side, on the 12th of April, 1841.

"In 1839, Messrs. Devine, Lovell and French were practicing attorneys at Kenosha. In this year, also, Mr. Isaac George, familiarly known as 'Bishop George,' arrived at Kenosha, and opened a gunsmith-shop. He was an original and eccentric character. His life was so near a serious mixture of seriousness and jest, that one could hardly tell which predominated over the other. He could preside over a meeting at one moment with dignity and gravity, and at the next sing comic songs to the boys gathered about the door of his shop, acting out the spirit of his song with more than common appropriateness.

'^ Mr. George found that the business of gunsmithing in a place containing only a few hundred inhabitants, would produce scarcely sufficient to answer the demands of a growing family, and consequently, he added the business of locksmithing, repairing traps for muskrat hunters, and the practice of medicine according to the school of hydropathy, including the art of dentistry. The first surgical case he was called upon to attend was that of a man universally known by the name of ' Scip,' but whose real name was George Rodgers Barlow. Scip had fallen asleep while engaged in shingling the roof of Mr. Cahoon's warehouse, and while thus occupied fell to the ground, fracturing both ankles and sustaining other injuries of a serious character. He was conveyed to his lodging-house and sent for Mr. George, with no very definite idea as to what constituted a surgeon, as contradistinguished from a regular practitioner. The patient was treated to applications of cold water, according to the most approved directions of this modern edition of Paracelsus, and submitted quietly, though he was unable to fiilly comprehend how the remedy employed could accomplish a perfect cure. Nor did it, but after a time, Scip found that if he could not walk gracefully, his ankles were sufficiently healed to serve the purposes of locomotion, and enabled him to reach the lake, when he again fell asleep on the support of a dock convenient to the water, into which he was accidentally precipitated, and from which he was rescued after a perilous experience.

''Soon after this latter event, Scip formed the acquaintance of a man named Brown, who, on account of domestic infelicities, had left his home in Kinderhook, N. Y., and emigrated to Kenosha. Great troubles cemented the friendship of these two men, who boarded together at a small, mean-looking house, corner of Lake and Pearl streets, known as the ' Astor House.' They were inseparable companions, sitting together at the table, in the bar-room, etc., and occupying one bed. But this intimacy was destined to come to a sudden conclusion; so sudden, indeed, as to preclude the possibility of even a friendly recognition at parting. One stormy night, the Astor House was struck by lightning; the fluid passed down the chimney, over Scip, who was nearest to it, and struck Brown, killing him instantly. In the morning, Scip gazed upon his friend, cold and motionless in death, and, in harmony with his habit of leaving places of danger immediately after the danger had passed, took his departure from the Astor House.

"The year 1840 was one of events of notable significance in the departments of trade and prosperity of the future city. The business interests of the villa^i^e at that date consisted of nine stores, four taverns, four tailor-shops, two tin-shops, two shoe-shops, two blacksmith-shops, a bakery, a jeweler, a cooper-shop, a fanning-mill factory, a drug store, a cabinet-maker, a wagon and plow maker, a printing oflSce, sixteen carpenters, two painters, two masons, and minor enterprises. There were five clergymen, four lawyers, and four organized churches. There were twenty-four buildings erected during the year, not including the Methodipt Church edifice in process of completion, and the population of the township was quoted by the census at 719.

'' The material interests of the community, as stated above, received a strong impetus during the year. The subject of roads to the west engrossed public attention, and the leading citizens were earnest in their advocacy of such means of communication with Beloit as would command the support and patronage of that region. The lumber trade was also extensive, and, during the summer of 1840, over one million feet of pine lumber and half a million shingles were landed at Southport, and largely supplied the growing demand of the country west.

The Fourth of July was celebrated in a style becoming the occasion by the citizens of Southport and vicinity. The arrangements for a proper observance of the event were intrusted to a committee consisting of Messrs. C. Davis, E. R. Hugunin, H. Durkee, D. P. Stryker and H. B. Towslee, who prepared a programme that was complete in all its details, and elicited the commendation of ail interested. An oration was pronounced by the Hon. M. Frank. lion. Samuel Hale read the Declaration of Independence, and the Rev. S. Stebbins officiated as Chaplain. The exercises were rounded off with a dinner, and the proceedings were concluded without accident or incident calculated to mar the festivities.

'' During the year, Michael Frank was commissioned Colonel of the Fourth Wisconsin Militia by the Governor, and Volney French was appointed Commissioner for the State of New Hampshire in the Territory of Wisconsin.

'* Mr. C. L. Sholes arrived at Kenosha in the spring of 1840,*' continues Mr. Mygatt, --and issued the first number of his paper, the Southport Telegraphy on the 16th of June following. This was the first paper published in the place. Soon after commencing the publication, Mr. Sholes associated M. Frank, Esq., with him in the editorial department. They were both men of high tone, of moral character, good education and abilities, and the Telegraph soon occupied a respectable position among the Western papers.

^^ Up to and including most of 1840, there had been no regular grain buyers at Kenosha* and it was seen that the season of 1840 would produce considerable surplus grain ; consequently , the temperance societies, both at Kenosha and in the adjoining towns, apprehending that the surplus grain would be manufactured into whisky, passed strong resolutions against distilling, and the conversion of grain into liquor. The general meeting of the temperance society, which con - vened at Kenosha on the 18th of August, 1840, in their report insist that ' the increase of prod - ucts, without a market, will afford strong temptations to convert it into poisons.'

'* Some grain, however, was bought for an Eastern market by merchants and dealers during the fall of 1840 ; and the schooner 'Major Oliver ' left Kenoaha on the 15th of September o that year with a cargo of 800 bushels of wheat.

''In January following, Mr. Whiting issued a notice announcing that 'he would be on hanA to receive good merchantable wheat at Durkee's warehouse at Southport on the 24th of January. 'Durkee's warehouse' was the upper story of Jared Lake's store, situated on the comer o Main street and Market Square, capable of holding about 1,500 bushels of grain.

" It may be proper here to remark that Kenosha was first known as Pike River, and after ^ ward, until it was incorporated as a city, in 1850, it was called Southport. A portion of th^ inhabitants desired at all times to call the place after the Indian name of the stream which her^ empties into the lake. Kenosha was at that time almost as variously spelled as there were different writers ; by some it was spelled 'Kenosia,' by others 'Kenozia,' and by others again , ' Kenozha.' Some spelled the word as it is now spelled - ' Kenosha,' which manifestly gives the Indian pronunciation most clearly. It may also be well to add that Kenosha, in the Indian, signifies Pike, and ce-pee, creek.

" This explanation is made for the purpose of stating that what is now called Kenosha, was incorporated into a village under the name and title of Southport, in February, 1841 ; and officers were first elected under a village charter on the 5th day of April next ensuing. The village was divided into two wards - the North and the South. The North Ward embraced all lands within the corporate limits on the north side of the harbor ; the South Ward, in a like manner, all on the south side of the harbor. No ordinance could be passed under this charter by a majority vote ; but five of the six Trustees must give their assent to a measure before it could become a law. The greatest peculiarity of the charter, however, was that it constituted the Trustees of each ward a corporate body of itself, for the transaction of the business of the corporation. The Trustees of the two wards, with their President and Clerk, met regularly for the transaction of business, and the Trustees of the North Ward held stated meetings, by ordinance, on the first Monday of every month. They had also a Clerk, and in no way difiered from the general corporation, except in not having a regular President or Moderator.

" They also passed ordinances which appear to have been of much the same general nature as those passed in joint meetings of the two wards. The same organization, and the same separate proceedings also took place in the South Ward ; consequently, three legislative bodies are found to be in successful operation at one time, in doing the political business of the place.

" Some differences having arisen as to the powers and duties of these several corporate bodies, the North Ward enacted fines and penalties for the violation of any of their ordinances."

The first number of the Southport American was issued on the 23d of September, 1841. Its editors were Messrs. N. P. Dowst and Wallace Mygatt. The American was Whig in politics, and the Telegraphy which had hitherto been conducted as a neutral paper, soon took the opposite ground.

The census of Southport, taken in 1841, showed a population of 642, of which 194 resided in the North Ward and 448 in the South Ward. During that year, the Governor appointed Albert G. Knight Lieutenant Colonel ; Henry F. Cox, Major; E. R. Hugunin, Paymaster; E. G. Dyer, Surgeon, and Solomon Blood, Surgeon's Mate, in the Fourth Wisconsin Militia.

'' In 1840," as cited by Mr. Mygatt, " B. P. Cahoon commenced the construction of an outside pier, which was finished in 1842, and made available for receiving and shipping freight.

The first boat landed at the outside pier on the 20th of April, 1842. Previous to that time, all goods and passengers landing from vessels on the lakes at the port of Kenosha, had to be transferred by means of a scow that was kept for that purpose by an association, and, when not in use, was drawn up onto the beach beyond the action of the waves. This outside pier, built by Mr. Gaboon, was the first pier of the kind built on the lakes, and the project was considered eminently chimerical by most people at Kenosha and elsewhere. The papers generally on the lake ridiculed it in the most extravagant manner. The Captain of the steamboat *- Wisconsin,' falling in with these general conclusions, on his way to Chicago gathered some of the business men from the ports north to witness the crash, came alongside of the pier, and, after making fast his best lines, started the boat. The engines caused no perceptible motion to the pier, and the Captain witnessed his lines part, the obstinate pier still ' holding its own.'

'^The population of Kenosha in June, 1842, was 875; but, from 1842, Kenosha made rapid advances in her business and population. Between November, 1842, and November, 1843, 175 buildings were erected in the place, and by November 18, 1843, the population had increased to 1,820. The increased business of the place cah also be estimated from the fact that 71,500 bushels of wheat were shipped from the port of Kenosha in the fall of 1843. The lumber trade was 2,250,000 feet, and 1,000,000 of shingles. There were 364 buildings in the place, one of stone and but three of log, and the capital invested in business aggregated $378,000.

^* Previous to 1843, it was supposed that lead and copper would be the principal articles of exportation from Kenosha. Where the copper was to come from was more than at that time appeared, but the books of dealers show some shipments of lead during the years 1841 and 1842. In 1842, C. I. Hutchinson & Co. gave notice of their readiness to *' make liberal advances on lead and copper destined for an Eastern market.'

'^ The winter of 1844 appears to have been prolific in the formation of new political, social and other organizations in Kenosha. The ^ Wisconsin Phalanx,' a Fourier association, was established during the winter under the guardianship of Messrs. Warren Chase and Lester Rounds ; the Irish Repeal party held meetings as often as once a week, and the first convention of the Liberal party that ever convened in Wisconsin was held at Kenosha on the 13th of February, 1844.

'' In the spring of 1844, a new outside pier and warehouse went into successful operation under the management of Messrs. Fisk, Lake and Lay. During the same season, Kenosha obtained the first appropriation from the Government for its harbor, and Simeon King opened the first bookstore in the village."

Edward Bain established a hardware store in Southport, and advertised in the Telegraph. Mr. Bain did not resort to the staid methods of announcing his wares, but employed more humorous and attractive plans. In 1845, the following advertisement appeared :

*' Farmers, at the hardware store may be found The goods you want, both cheap and sound ; Where, 'tis a fact, 'mongst other things, You'll find his well-made staples and rings. 'Tis said his drag- teeth, chains and axes Will money make to pay your taxes. Stoves, wedges and tough beetle-rings Can there be bought, near D. C. King's. Oh, that I had the pen of Byron I'd write about my heaps of iron ; And tell how I, 'twixt King and Fitch, Will sell so cheap you'll all get rich."

"From 1848 to 1850," says Mr. Mygatt, "Kenosha realized serious reverses. The merchants of the place had adopted, or yielded to the credit system in disposing of their goods more generally than the merchants of other places, and the failure of two crops oi wheat in succession rendered those to whom credits had been given unable to meet their engagements, and ageneral crash among merchants was the necessary result. Time, however, wrought changes, and ELenosha soon again resumed her accustomed business and prosperity.

^^In 1850, Kenosha County was first organized as a separate county, and Kenosha itself incorporated as a city, since which time the prosperity and progress of the municipality have been most gratifying. The officials to whom have been intrusted the city affi&irs, were pecaliarly adapted as the officers of an ambitious and growing city, for the discharge of their executive duties, and as men of integrity, capacity and true worth, contributed in no small degree to the future welfare and permanent prosperity of the city by the lake. A few of the earlier settlers of Kenosha yet live to rejoice at the success which has attended the. efforts inaugurated forty years ago for homes in the West ; and many of those remaining, in comfortable circumstances and a happy old age, having almost reached the Biblical limits of human life, are waiting to say, 'Now let thy servant depart in peace.* But the great majority have gone hence to sleep the sleep of peace, from which they will be again quickened into life in the brilliance of the eternal morning. The Hon. William BuUen, Gen. John Bullen, Elder Jason Lothrop, R. H. Deminj^, C. C. Sholes, J. B. Jilsun, Thomas D. Parsons, Jonathan Pierce, Dr. Walker, William B. Slocum, 0. S. Head, J. J. Pettit, Isaac W. Webster, Jabez H. Boardman, Beach G. Spencer, B. P. Gaboon, George C. Manny, Frederick S. Lovell, D. 0. Gaskill, Joseph V. Quarles and Hiram Tuttle, ex-Consul to Montevideo, all died in Kenosha ; John V. Ayer and Samuel Hale died in Chicago ; Deacon Justin WeeA in the town of Somers, Kenosha County ; Waters Towslee moved to Whitewater, Wis., where he was thrown from a wagon and killed ; Dr. B. B. Cleary died at Racine ; Samuel Resique, at San Francisco ; the Hon. Charles Durkee, having served out his term as Governor of Utah, was taken sick en route home, and left the cars at Omaha for rest and treatment, but died there ; Deacon HoUis Whitney died in Minnesota ; Charles W. Turner, at the outlet of Pike Creek, about one mile north of Kenosha ; Mark Noble, in Texas ; Gardner Wilson and wife, in Oswego County, N. Y. ; Samuel Francis was supposed to have stepped overboard from a steamer transporting troops during the war, and drowned ; a similar fate befell Gov. L. P. Harvey at Pittsburg Landing after that battle, in 1863 ; Jared Lake died en route from Kenosha to California ; Hudson Bacon, at Green Bay ; N. P. Dowst, at Waukegan ; Dr. Jenks, at Racine ; William Strong, in Chicago, and Joseph I. Ehle, in Minnesota.

John Bullen is a merchant residing at Elba, Minn. ; Champion I. Hutchinson resides at Sacramento, Cal. ; John Noble, in Chicago ; Ira M. Waite, at Kansas City, Mo. ; Michael Frank is employed as a Clerk in the Treasury Department at Washington ; L. L. Pierce is a nephew of P. T. Barnum, and supposed to be with the discoverer of the woolly horse ; R. B. Winsor resides at Lyons, Walworth Co., Wis. ; George Bennett is a merchant at Ottawa, HI. ; John T. Shepherd resides at Winnetka, Til. ; Elbridge G. Ayer, at Harvard, HI. ; Luther Whitney and Joshua Davis, at Muskegon, Mich. ; Gideon Truesdell, at Silver City, New Mexico; Jonn Mansfield, in San Francisco; W. Guild, in Kansas; Mason Woodruff and William Lay, in Chicago ; C. Latham Sholes, in Milwaukee ; Amos Grattan, in Sterling ; Nathan Dye teaches music in Chicago ; Nelson Allen resides in Minnesota, and Wallace Mygatt, one of the original eight, ''still lives " in Kenosha.

The settlement at Southport, as has been observed more particularly above, made rapid strides in the direction of population, business enterprise and wealth, almost from the day when its site was claimed on behalf of the " Western Emigration Company," in 1835. It will also be remembered, that public sentiment first found expression through the columns of the Southport American^ within six years from the date when the settlement was first established. But the future city had not attained to more than local prominence, prior to its incorporation, by an act of the Legislature approved February 9, 1841, and its election of village oflScers as follows :

1846 - President, Theodore Newell ; Trustees, Alonzo D. Northway, George Bennett, Levi L. Pierce, Frederick A. Marshall, David Crosit and George C. Manney ; Recorder, J. B. Jilsun.

Early in 1850, Racine County was divided, the north half being called Kenosha County, and the village of Southport was incorporated by a special act of the Legislature, approved February 8, of that year, after which it was known as a city, its name changed to Kenosha, and both county and city being thereafter governed by the following roster of officers. It should be said, in this latter connection that, when the division of Racine County was accomplished, a special election was ordered, for officers to hold, until the election provided for by the act of incorporation, which should occur biennially in November. At the special election held in April, 1850, Obediah P. Hale was elected a member of the General Assembly ; Leonard Crocker, Sheriff; Oscar F. Dana, Clerk of the Circuit Court; John B. Jilsun, District Attorney ; William L. Hinsdale, Register of Deeds ; George M. Robinson, Treasurer ; Thomas J. Rand, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors ; John M. Jones, Surveyor ; Daniel C. Burgess, Coroner ; and Isaac N. Stoddard, Judge.

At the regular election, held in November, 1850, the following ticket prevailed : Senator, Orson S. Head; Sheriff, N. R. Allen; Clerk, 0. F. Dana; Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Thomas J. Rand ; Register of Deeds, W. T. Hinsdale; District Attorney, John R. Sharpstein ; Treasurer, Chauncey Kellogg; Surveyor, Meredith Howland; Coroner, Adolph Reilbrook.

In November, 1851, John R. Sharpstein was elected Senator; C. L. Sholes and Lathrop Burgess, members of the General Assembly; H. B. Hinsdale, Treasurer; and John Erickson, Coroner.

As stated, Kenosha was duly incorporated as a city early in 1850. On the 5th of April, of that year, the Village Board convened in special session, for the purpose of transferring the town government to the newly-elected Mayor and city oflScers. W. S. Strong presided, C. C. Sholes officiated as Secretary, and there were present Messrs. Parker, Glover, Kittredge and Bond, Trustees. At the conclusion of the preliminary business incident to such occasions, Michael Frank, Mayor-elect, duly qualified, and administered the oath of office to the following persons, declared by the Town Board to have been *'propferly elected:** Charles C Sholes, City Clerk ; E. G. Runals, J. V. Ayer and John English, Aldermen of the First Ward ; J. W. Kittredge, J. P. Glover and George Bennett, Aldermen of the Second Ward, and J. Parker^

The Common Council convened in special session, April 29, to canvass the returns of an election for Assessors for the city and tor Constable of the Second Ward, and announced the following result : J. R. Phelps, N. Lay and L. B. Nichols, Assessors ; and Hudson Bacon, Constable.

The foregoing is a transcript of the proceedings of the City Council for the first two years subsequent to Kenosha*s incorporation. The records complete and the ordinances adopted by the Council, revised and corrected to date, are on file in the City Clerk's office, and accessible to inquiry.

C. C. Sholes ; City Clerk, Joseph Murray ; Treasurer, Daniel M. Clarkson ; Marshal, Richard 6. Winsor ; School Superintendent, Michael Frank ; Justices of the Peace, John Mansfield and Otis Colwell ; Supervisors - David Crosit and R. Deming ; Aldermen - J. P. Merrill, Frederick Robinson and John Dufiy, of the First Ward, Alonzo White, Hudson Bacon and Paul Hammang, of the Second, and Ezra Simmons, 0. S. Head and Leonard Hatch, of the Third; Assessors - J. R. Phelps, of the First Ward ; Reuben SnilTen, of the Second, and L. B. Nichols, of the Third ; Constables - Hiram Holbrook, of the First Ward, A. W. Richmond of the Second, and Rufus Marston of the Third.

City officers for 1853 were: Mayor, C. C. Sholes, re-elected; City Clerk, Joseph Murray, re-elected ; Treasurer, Abraham Hanson ; Marshal, William H. Scott ; School Superintendent, Michael Frank, re-elected ; Assessor, John R. Phelps ; Justices of the Peace, L. B. Nichols and F. J. Whitlock. Aldermen - David Crosit and Asa Lewis, of the First Ward ; Hudson Bacon and Peter M. Simon, of the Second, and Seth Doan and Josiah Bond, of the Third. Constables - Hiram Holbrook of the First Ward ; Asa W. Richmond, of the Second, and S. E. McCarthy, of the Third.

In accordance with an amendment to the city charter, Messrs. Lewis, Bacon and Bond were re-elected by lot, to serve one year ; Messi-s. Crosit, Simon and Doan to serve two years.

At an election held on the 14th of May, the citizens decided to aid in the construction of the Kenosha & Beloit Railroad, and the mayor was authorized to issue city bonds to the amount of $150,000 for that purpose.

City officers for 1854 were: Mayor, Charles C. Sholes, re-elected ; City Clerk, Joseph Murray, re-elected; Treasurer, Abraham Hanson, re-elected; Marshal, Joseph White ; School Superintendent, Michael Frank, re-elected ; Assessor. Lansing B. Nichols ; Justice of the Peace, John Mansfield. Aldermen - S. F. Comstock, of the First Ward ; Reuben Snifien, of the Second, and Anson Stebbins, of the Third ; Constables - Michael O'Donnell, of the First Ward ; E. F. Morris, of the Second, and S. E. McCarthy, of the Third. John Mansfield subsequently removed from the city, and John M. Coe was elected to fill the vacancy.

City officers for 1855 were: Mayor, C. C. Sholes, re-elected; City Clerk, Joseph Murray, re-electeid ; Treasurer, Abraham Hanson, re-elected ; Marshal, J. E. Henry ; School Superintendent, J. B. Jilsun ; Assessor, J. L. V. Yates ; Justice of the Peace, Silas Ames ; Aldermen -

D. Crosit, of the First Ward ; S. Fish, of the Second, and R. H. Deming, of the Third ; Constables - E. L. Smith, of the First Ward ; E. F. Morris, of the Second, and S. E. McCarthy, of the Third.