Sugar Creek Town

Organization

Sugar Creek was originally the south eastern township of the original town of Elkhorn, and was known by that name till February 2, 1846, at which time it was, by act of the Territorial Legislature, incorporated into a separate town under its present name. It is described in the government survey as town 3 range 16 east. It is bounded on the north by the town of LaGrange ; east by LaFayette and Elkhorn ; south by Elkhorn and Delavan, and west by the town of Richmond. Its area embraces a full Congressional township of six miles square, less one section (No. 36) in the southeast corner, which was set off at the time it was incorporated, as a part of the present town of Elkhorn.

Topography

The surface is varied from level prairie to rolling, which in the northwestern part of the town rises into a low range of hills, running east and west. Nearly nine-tenths of the surface is level or nearly so. When first settled the prairies covered not far from ten square miles. Delavan Prairie, on Sections ol and 3:2, covered the two sections nearly except a tamarack swamp in the northern part of Section 31. Sugar Creek Prairie four and one-half miles long and one and one-half miles wide, was in the north half of the town. About a quarter of the surface was open prairie, half oak openings free from undergrowth, the remaining quarter being more heavily wooded, or marsh land lying along the coui'se of Sugar Creek, a small stream running nearly east through the center of the town. This creek is the only considerable stream in the township, and with several small streams flowing into it, furnishes drainage for the sections lying south of it. It flows through the towns of La Fayette and Spring Prairie, and empties into White River. It was fii-st discovered and explored by the early settlers of Spring Prairie in May 1836. Mr. Daniel Salisbury writes that on May 28, 1836, he, in company with Rowland Cook and Mr. Smith, wandered up tlie stream till they came to heavy timber, interspersed thickly with sugar maple, and came upon a camp of Indians a little west of what is now the west line of Spring Prairie. They had been making sugar at that point, and tiie name of the creek, as well as that of the town, doubtless came from ihe discovery of the sugar maple and the sugar camp on the banks of the stream.

In the northern and more undulating part of the town are several lakes and small ponds. The largest is Holden's Lake, on Sections Sand 6, one and one-half miles long, and half a mile wide in the widest place. It extends east and west through all of Section .5, and to the west half of Section 6. At the western extremity and along the north shore the banks are heavily wooded, as is a long narrow island lying near the north shore in Section 5.

Otter Lake lies mostly in the southern half of Section 2, and is one mile long and one-third of a mile wide. The banks are wooded on all sides.

Silver Lake is a beautiful clear body of water, lying in the northern part of Section 14. It is oval shaped and quite symmetrical in form. It is one half mile long and one third mile wide.

In addition to these are numerous small ponds which abundantly water the adjoining farms. There are a dozen in different parts of the town of sufficient size to be noted in the town survey. *

The soil is a strong clay loam, well adapted for the raising of all cereals common to this latitude. The marsh lands along the Sugar Creek furnish large crops of meadow hay. There are no ledges of rock in the town, and the first settlers found no Indian mounds, graves or other evidences that it had ever been the home of man before their arrival. It lay in all its beauty, jDrepared for them by all-wise Providence, and waitinoonly the magic touch of their hands to bud and blossom as the rose, to bring forth fruit and grain, and to become the home of a prosperous and happy people.

Game, especially deer, were abundant. To the early prospectors, the sight of them was nearly as common as the cattle that now feed in their former pastures or rest in their deserted shades. The lakes abounded in fish, and water fowls covered their surfaces. Smaller game, squirrels and rabbits were plenty ; also about the creeks and streams were to be found the musk-rat, mink, beaver, and occasionally an otter. Prairie chickens were also too common to be considered a luxury. Wolves were sufficient!}' numerous to be a pest to the early settlers, but were not dangerous.

The Settlement

The first settlers came into the town in 1836. The first to make a claim, build a cabin and occupy it, was John Davis. He made his claim on Sections 13 and 14, near Silver Lake. Then he built a cabin, and lived alone, being unmarried. Little is known of him. He came from Indiana. He remained only one year, sold out and moved away, none of the old settlers now living knew whither he went, his present whereabouts, or whether he is still living or not.

Mr. S. A. Dwinnell, who settled in the adjoining town of LaFayette, in 1836, speaks of Davis and his early surroundings, in an account of one of his exploring trips made in November of that year :

" As we were passing out on this trip, we saw, at a distance of two or three miles to the north of us, a beautiful prairie, apparently without an inhabitant. This excited our curiosity to know more of it and a few daj's thereafter we searched it out. It was situated on the north side of Sugar Creek, from which it and the town have since been named. It was four miles in length from east to west, having several beautiful lakes and fine groves of timber upon its borders. Near the eastern verge was a lake of some 160 acres, surrounded by high prairie, since known as Silver lake, near the east bank of which was a cabin, with the door locked and a yoke of oxen near. We afterwards learned that one Davis spent the Winter there, six miles from any other human being. His was the only cabin in the northwest quarter of the county, now consisting of the towns of LaGrange, Whitewater, Richmond and Sugar Creek.

"Soon after leaving Davis' cabin, night and a severe northeast snow storm, set in upon us, and we had to make our way to our lone cabin, six miles, guided by the wind, a feat attended with a good deal of peril to those who had no means of starting a fire in case we should become bewildered and lost. The snow which fell that night remained with us until the following year."

It is believed that Davis - Major Davis he was called - was the only man who spent the entire Winter of 1836-37 in what is now the town of Sugar Creek.

During 1837 and 1888 many settlers came in. It is impossible to fix the exact date at which they all arrived. Many are dead, some have moved away, and the memories of the survivors, and other accessible sources of information are defective.

Daniel Bigelow was one of the earliest comers of 1837. He took u^) his claim, where he still lives, on Section 17, where the first plowing in the town was done, and the first crop of Winter wheat was harvested.

Asa Blood - settled on Section 11. Came from East Troy in 1886. Shantied with Davis, and took up a claim on the adjoining section - Number 14. Moved in his family in 1837. Deceased.

Joseph Barker, and his sons, Russell, Francis, Joseph L., James B., and T. P. Barker, came i 1 1838. They settled on Section 9. One of the younger sons, James B., still lives on the old homestead. Russell and Joseph L. live in Iowa. Timothy P. and Francis are deceased ; also, their parents.

John S. Boyd moved on to the Davis claim in 1838. Had a few groceries in his house, and sold enough to be ranked as the first grocer in town. He died in Milwaukee a few years ago.

James W. Field came in 1839, settled on Section 8, and married a sister of Mrs. Atkins. She died, and he returned East to marry another sister. He still lives in the countv with his family.

William Kendall came in 1839, and settled on a part of the claim of his brother George. He returned to his home in northern Vermont for his family in the Winter of 1839-40. He made the entire journey to Chicago, across Michigan and Canada, a distance of one thousand miles, on foot. He returned with his family in the Spring of 1840. He was not destined long to enjoy the home he had labored so hard to secure.

Henry Atkins and family in 1840 settled on Section 11, where they lived about a year. They afterward removed to Heart Prairie, and lived in the town of LaGrange until Mr. Atkins was elected Register of Deeds in 1854. He then removed to Elkhorn, and is now Assistant Cashier in the bank.

In 1845, H. O. Gibbs and family moved into the town. After residing here four or five years they returned to Vermont. Jeremiah Wilcox, Daniel Nyce and Hulsey Welch also settled during this year. Other early settlers previous to 1846, were Josepli Baker, George Ketchpaw and S. D. Hastings.

Of the early settlers the following are still alive, and living in the town : Daniel Bigelow, John Rand, Freeborn Welch, Joseph Welch, Leonard Loomer, Samuel Loomer, James Bigelow, James Strong, James B. Barker, Dr. Haimon Gray, J. R. Kinne, Hiram Taylor, S. R. Edwards, John A. Pierce, Wm. Parish and John Martin.

Daniel Bigelow and John Byrd did the first breaking on Sections 8 and 17, in the Summer of 1837. They plowed nearly fifty acres which was sown to winter wheat, and was, when harvested in 1837, the first crop of wheat raised in the town. They did their plowing with two yoke of oxen. After it was finished, Mr. Bigelow went with the team to Ottawa, Illinois, a distance of over one hundred miles for tlie seed wheat required. It cost him in Ottawa $2.00 per bushel. So scarce was seed wheat in the newlysettled country that on his return he was offered $5.00 per bushel. Nothing short of the price of his whole expected crop could have bought it. These pioneer farmers lived on the plainest jjossible fare while starting this first field, and it required fortitude, patience, and perseverance to inaugurate farming, even on the fertile fields of Sugar Creek, fortyfive years ago.

Freeborn Welch and Samuel Salisbury are believed to have split the first rails, and to have done the first fencing in the town. Their claims were on Section 15, and during the Winter of 1836-37 they split rails enough to enclose on their claims nearly eighty acres each. This was certainly a fair Winter's work, considering the fact that the young men subsisted, as they aver, on water gruel during tlie entire Winter.

There are no instances of extreme hardship or suffering recorded or remembered by the early settlers further than those unavoidable to those first coming into a new country.

The first Church organized in the town was the Congregational in 1839. It whs in the east part of the town. Tlie membership at the beginning numbered six.

The first school was a public school kept in 1840 by Miss Adaline McCracken who was afterward the wife of T. B. Edwards. She died some years ago.

The first physician was Dr. Harmon Gray, who settled in 1840. He is still a resident of the town, and is known not only there but all over the county as one of the early reliable, and skillful practitioners of the old school.

Julius Edwards opened and kept the first general store in 1840. He was a model business man, an excellent citizen, and an unostentatious giver to the needy.

The first lawyer was C. D. Pulver who came in 1839. His practice was mostly in in justices' courts. He never attained any great distinction in his profession.

Early religious services were held at Mr. Kendall's house, by the Congregationalists and Methodists in tlie Summer of 1840. For some time the well-spring of their religious instruction consisted of a volume of sermons furnished by Julius Edwards. A few months afterwards Rev. Cyrus Nichols came to reside with him, and services were held under more regular spiritual guidance, sometimes at Mr. Edwards' house, at other times at Jeduthan Spooner's or at the school house. On July 20, 1841, a little band assembled at Mr. Spooner's house, the services of Rev. Stephan Peet having been obtained to organize a Presbyterian society. Hiram Humprey and wife, John Rosenkrans, Mrs. Sarah C. Thompson, Mrs. B. R. Spooner and Miss Pauline Spooner joined themselves together as the First Presbyterian Church, of Elkhorn, and Messrs. Rosenkrans and Humphrey were chosen elders.

In August, 1841, Rev. Amon Gaston succeded Mr. Nichols, and in January, 1843, Rev. Cyrus Rosenkrans, brother of John, succeeded to the pastorate. In October, 1844, Rev. D. Pinkerton was engaged, services having been held in the district school house which had been set aside for that purpose aiul for holding town meetings, before the building wai erected in 1840-41. Mr. Pinkerton married Charles Thompson's sister, and remained in Sugar Creek until the society adopted a Congregational form of government. On April 3, 1847, the name of the church was changed from the " First Presbyterian Church of Walworth" to tlie "First Congregational Church of Sugar Creek," Rev. S. E. Miner, the pastor in charge of the already existing Congregational society, taking both flocks under his spiritual wing.

The first casualty was the accidental drowning of Mr. Kingsley while bathing in Silver Lake in the Spring of 1839. His family were on their way to join him when he met his death. They an-ived a few days after, viewed his grave, and bowed with grief returned East.

The first road was the mail route from Milwaukee to Janesville, via Troy, opened in 1838. In 1839, tlie territorial road from Racine was opened through the town.

The first postoflice was established in 1840. Capt. Kendall was the first post-master. He held the ofiice till 1842. He was succeeded by S. H. Tibbitts who was the incumbent till 1852.

The Gravel tavern was begun by Martindale Rubles, and finished by John D. Cowles, who was its first landlord. Tiiere and at Mr. Tibbitts the stages stopped, and it was for many years a famous inn. Near by Mr. Tibbitts kept another excellent tavern.

The first town meeting was held (while known as Elkhorn) April 5, 1842, at the house of Luther Childs. The followinc^ ofQcers were elected :

Siipervhors - -Chairman, Hrtvman Gi'ay ; Clerk, John Fish; TVeaswrer, John Rosenkrans. For the succeeding: three years the followinsf were town officers:

The First Town Meeting

Was held in Sugar Creek at the house of S. H. Tibbitts, April 7, 1846. It was called to order by Perry G. Harrington. William H. Hyatt was chosen clerk of the meeting. One hundred dollars was raised for contingent expenses, and seventy-five dollars for schools.

Roster Op Town Officers

Among the early settlers of the town who were prominent citizens were : Asa Blood, Jeduthan Spooner, Harmon Gray, John S. Boyd, Jesse R. Kinne, S. H. Tibbitts, P. G. Harrington, Wyman Spooner, Freeborn Welch, Joseph Baker. Julius Edwards and others of whom more extended mention is made in the biographical department of this work.

The growth of the town was rapid, the laud being nearly all taken up during the first ten years after its settlement commenced. It has been strictly a farming town from the first, and life has flowed on without the thrilling episodes or exciting events that characterize more mixed communities in village and city. The population is largely of American birth, and the character of the people is such as to mark their eastern origin. Many of the earlier settlers came from the State of New York and New England.

During the war, Sugar Creek did willingly its loyal part, furnishing seventy-three men in all, of whom but four were drafted. The amount of money raised for war purposes was upwards of seventeen thousand dollars.

Stigar Creek In 1881

The town contained, according to the Federal census of 1880, 980 inhabitants, niiietenths of whom are farmers or constitute their families. There is in the town one postoffice - " Millard," formerly " Barker's Corners." There is no mill in the town. There is one cheese factory, owned by a stock company, on Section 1 ; one store at Millard postoffice, kept by E. A. Hastings, who is the post-master.

There is one physician in the town - Dr. Harmon Gray. There are also three carpenters and joiners, six blacksmiths, and a few other artisans whose work is I'equired by the farming cfimmunity. There are no resident clergyman or lawyers in the town.

The Churches

Are as follows : Baptist - at Millard P. O ; Pastor, Rev. Mr. Sweet, of Elkhorn ; Union Methodist - on Section 10 ; no pastor ; Methodist Episcopal - on Section 12 ; Rev. Mr. Sedgwick, pastor, Elkhorn ; Lutheran - on Section 28 ; visiting pastor, none' settled ; Wesleyan Methodist - on Section 29 ; supplied by itinerants.

The Schools

There are in the town five whole and four joint school districts. The whole number of scholars enrolled is 367, of which numl>er 185 attend school. There are five schools, taught by five teachers, at average monthly wages of $26.00 for male and $24.31 for female teachers. There are five school liouses, valued at $3,190, including the sites. The annual amount expended for educational purposes is $2,500.

Agricttltubal Statistics

In 1881, the total number of acres sown to grain was 6,465, and planted to potatoes and root crops, 106 acres. There were 275 acres of apple orchard, having 8,656 fruitbearing trees. There were 3.339 acres of grazing and mowing land, and 3,309 acres of growing timber. About one-fourth of the farms are dairy farms. The number of milch cows reported was 738, valued at $14,000. The farm buildings are excellent. The average value of farming lands in the town is $30.00 per acre. The total tax valuation of farms in the town in 1844 was $50,039. In 1881, it was $459,195, to which was added personal property valued at $111,204. Total, $570,399.

Thus, from the small cabin of the hermit Davis, in 1836, and the first field of Daniel Bigelow, in 1837, have grown the broad acres oF well-tilled farms, dotted with farmhouses, and barns and granaries ; the homes of as thrifty and independent a jjeople as dwells in all the land. Nowhere but in America iiave such marvelous changes been wrought within the span of a single life and the memory of men still living.

Biographical Sketches

DANIEL BIGELOW, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O. Millard. He has 140 acres of land; is the son of Daniel and Emma Bigelow . was born near Halifax, Nova Scotia, July 24, 1815. He came to Milwaukee with his parents in 1834. They made their home in the woods, on the Milwaukee River, four miles above Juneau's trading post, which was about all there was of Milwaukee at that time. There his father built a .saw-mill, and the family resided at that place until April, 1837, when he came to Sugar Creek, Walworth Co.; located on the land which he now occupies until 1841, where he also kept bachelor's hall. Then he went to Ashland, Ohio, and was married, the 2Tst of that month, to Miss Amy McCart, daughter of John McCart. Mrs. Bigelow was born in Richland County, Ohio. They at once proceeded to take possession of the log cabin at Sugar Creek. In the course of time they vifere blessed with four children, three daughters and a son, - Marv, Dora, A. D. and EUa. The oldest daughter married is the wife of Charles Kinne. of Susar Creek. Dora is Mrs. Robert B. Hall, of Vivian, Waseca Co., Minn. A. D. married Miss Melissa Welch, and resides in Sugar Creek. Ella is now Mrs. Osmer Robb, of Sugar Creek. Mr. Bigelow has served two terms as Assessor of Sugar Creek. During the year of 1874. he made a tour of California and Oregon. Fine buildings and a well cultivated farm now greet the eyes in place of the log cabin and woods of 1837, on the site of the old claim.

JAMES B. DOOLITTLE, farmer. Sec. 2 ; P. O. Delavan ; has 230 acres of land. He was born in MHndham. Green Co., N. Y , Jan. 23, 1831; is the son of Edward and Sallie (Tompkins) Doolittle. He was brought up a farmer. When seventeen years of age he was engaged in teaching school, and pursued that vocation six Winters. April 20, 1853, he was married in Windham to Miss Caroline Bell, daughter of Joseph Bell. Mrs. Doolittle was born in Green County, N. Y., in October 1854. Thev moved to Wisconsin, and located in LaGrange, Walworth Co., where thev continued to reside till 1862, when thev removed to their present home. Mr. Doolittle was Town Superintendent of Schools of I-aGrange in 1856, and was engaged two Winters in teaching school. .Since residing in Sugar Creek he has served two terms as a member of the Town Board.

S. R. EDWARDS, farmer. Sec. to; P. O. Elkhorn; has 220 acres of land in Sugar Creek. He is the son of Julius and Theodosia (Lvman) Edwards; was born in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Mass., Nov. 29. 1823. He was brought up a farmer. In May, 1839, he came with his father and brother to Wisconsin, and located on Sec. 10, Sugar Creek, Walworth Co. S. R. returned to his old home in Massachusetts for the purpose of completing his education. He attended the Williston Seminary at East Hampton. In the Fall of 1848, he associated with several others in a company bound for California, with the intention of engaging in mining. Jan 27, 1849, they set sail from Boston for San Francisco, via Cape Horn. They made the voyage successfully, and landed at their destination Aug. 8 of that year. The company at once broke up, and Mr. Edwards with some companions proceeded to the mountains fully equipped for mining. They had onlv just selected their claims when Mr. Edwards was stricken with a severe illness, which lasted two months. The rainy season had then set in, and his onlv hope of recovery was by getting out of the mountains, where he could have suitable care. After a horseback ride of seventy miles, he was so weak that he had to be helped on and off" his horse, they brought him to Stockton. From there he took passage in a small sloop to San Francisco. From there he sailed to the Sandwich Islands for his health. After spending three months in Honolula, he returned to San Francisco in May, T850, with health recovered. He vvas engaged in mining and other business until September, 1853, when he returned to the States, viz., Northampton. In that year. November, 1853. he returned to Sugar Creek with the intention of making only a short stay, and then returning to California ; but fate ordered it otherwise, for on making the acquaintance of Miss Sarah A. Smith, daughter of Augustus Smith, of Troy, Walworth Co., Wis., he changed his plans, and was married to that lady April 12, 1854, and has since made his home in Sugar Creek. They have two children, Julius A. and Helen V. The former was married Oct. 5, 1881, to Miss Lillian E. Thomas, daughter of Harrison Thomas. Mr. Edwards was elected Justice of the Peace of Sugar Creek in 1855; was re elected, and served eleven years. He has be^n Chairman of the Town four vears, and the past two years has been President of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of the town of Sugar Creek.

and Sally Foster, and was born in North Fairfield, Franklin Co., Vt., May 23, 1830. He was brought up a farmer. In September, 1854, he moved to Sugar Creek, Wis. His means being limited, his first investment was the purchase of forty acres of marsh land. By hard work and economy he soon was enabled to secure a title to some dry land, and has gradually increased his possessions until he is now tlie owner of several fine farms, aggregating 500 acres. He was married Sept. 23, T858, in Sugar Creek, to Miss Clarissa Tibbitts, eldest daughter of Samuel Tibbitts. They have had five children, two daughters and three sons. The eldest son died in infancy; L. Emma, William T., Jennie T. and Samuel T. The second son, William T., died in childhood. Mr. Foster purchased the farm onSec. 11, in 1866, where he has since resided. He has served several years as a Supervisor of Sugar Creek, and one term as President of the Agricultural Society.

DR. IIARMAN GRAY, Sec. 8; P. O. Millard; has 270 acres, settled in the town June 10, 1840, on the tract he now occupies. He was born in Arlington, Bennington Co., Vt., June 29, I S06, is the son of Dominicus and Elizabeth (Webb) Gray. While quite young he moved to Georgetown, District of Columbia, and took a course of lectures at the Columbia Medical College, and sub'^equently taught an Academy at Georgetown four years. He then removed to Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., there he studied medicine with Dr. Henry G. Mitchell, and received his diploma at the hands of the examining board of Chenango County, September, 1830. He then practiced medicine in Unadilla, Otsego County, and at New Berlin eight years. He was married at Unadilla, Otsego County, June 2, 1832, to Miss Maria T. Finch, daughter of David Finch. Mrs. Dr. Gray was born in New Haven Co., Conn.; two children were born to them in the East, Helen and Jane, the latter was the wife of George W. Kirchhoeffer, and died April 11, 1876, leaving three children, who are now inmates of the doctor's family. In June, 1840, Dr. Gray and family moved to Walworth Co., Wis., and located on the farm which they still occupy, on Sec. 8, Sugar Creek. Two children were born to them in Sugar Creek, Marcus and Mary, Marcus married Helena Jacobs, and died May 16, 1873. Mary is now Mrs. H. L. Mallory, of Sugar Creek. Dr. Gray was the pioneer physician of Sugar Creek, and several of the neighboring towns. He pursued his profession successfully from 1840 till 1870, when he retired from active practice. He was the first Chairman of Sugar Creek, and held other minor offices. This sketch could not be appropriate without paying a just tribute to Dr. Gray as a skillful physician, sympathetic, and conscientious in the practice of his profession, as a host genial, and hospitable to that extent, that a stranger entering under his roof, is made to feel within the first hour of his stay, as though he were an old friend of the family.

PERRY G. HARRINGTON, was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., Town of Lawrence, July 9, 1812. Moved to Michigan in an early day, wliere he was engaged in the hardware business. He was married to Miss Maryette Eldred, and in 1836 i-emoved to Wisconsin, spent one year in Greenfield, Milwaukee Co., Wis., and in the Spring of 1837, moved to Sugar Creek, Sec. 15. He bought his land directly from the government, and was one of the earliest settlers in that town. Mr. Harrington was a man of superior ability, possessed of a warm heart and generous disposition, his hand and voice were ever ready to help and encourage those in trouble. He was elected Chairman of the Town of Sugar Creek several terms. Was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature in 1854, and served several years as President of the Walworth County Agricultural Association. He was generally known as Commodore Harrington, a title which was given him from the fact that he was named after Commodore Perry. He had a fine farm of 560 acres, where he resided till his death, vifhich occurred Sept. 19, 1876 ; his wife survived him a few weeks, and died Oct. 23, 1876. They had five children, four sons and one daughter - Woodbury, Eldred, Alice, Sherman, and Hobart. Woodbury married Harriet Eldred, and lives in Minnesota; Eldred married Ammorette Powers, daughter of Solon Powers, of Troy ; Alice is the wife of John Beamish, a merchant of Elkhorn ; Sherman lives in Sugar Creek ; Hobart also lives in Sugar Creek.

JOSEPH T. ISHAM, farmer. Sec. 24; P. O. Elkhorn; has sixty acres of land. He was born in Balton, Conn., Aug. 19, 1815. When three years of age, liis family took him to Smyrna, Chenango Co., N. Y., and to Sherburne, N. Y., in 1821, where he learned the blacksmith trade ; was married Jan. 28, 1841, at Earlville, to Miss Mary O. Sturtevant. Mr. Isham worked at his trade until 1847, when he moved to Wisconsin, and settled in the town of Sugar Creek. His family consists of five children living, has lost one, the oldest. Nathan died in childhood ; those livii.g are ; Helen, now Mrs, Wallace Hartwell, of Nebraska ; Fred W. married Miss Julia Weed, and resides at Elkhorn ; Dora, now Mrs. Frank Hendrix, of Darien ; Harry D. and Rata G., unmarried. Mr. Isham has been Chairman of Sugar Creek one term, Assessor two terms, and Treasurer one term. Side Supervisor twelve years. Mr. Isham has a'ways maintained a blacksmith's shop on his farm, where his services have been a convenience to his neighbors. His father, Enoch Isham, settled in the town of Sugar Creek in 1846. His death occurred at the age of ninety-one years.

TORSTEN JACOBSON, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. O. Delavan. He was born in Norway, Jan. 10, 1844; is the son of Torsten and Mary (Lanson) Jacobson. He came to America with his parents in 1846, and direct to Wisconsin. The family settled in the town of Sugar Creek. Mr. Jacobson was married, June 19, 1863, in Sugar Creek, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Solverson. Mrs. Jacobson was born in Norway, and came to America in childhood. They have one child (a daughter), named Ada M. Mr. Jacobson has owned and occupied his present farm eighteen years, and has no acres of land.

AUGUSTUS C. KINNE (deceased) was one of the pioneers 01 Troy, Walworth Co., Wis., where he resided till 1842, when he removed to Sugar Creek, Sec. 7. He finally sold out to his brother and moved to Heart Prairie, Town of LaGrange. In 1848, he sold out and returned to Sugar Creek, making his home on Sec. i. He was a member of the Second Constitutional Convention, that framed the Constitution of Wisconsin. He also held various local offices, serving as Chairman of Sugar Creek, Superintendent of Schools, and Justice of the Peace many years. He was married in the East, and after coming to Wisconsin followed the occupation of teacher and farmer. He was a man of superior intellisence. upright and honorable in his public and private life, and possessed the esteem and confidence of all who knew him. His death occurred in February, 1863. He was a native of Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., and was born Dec. 3, iSoS. The writer has been unable to obtain as full particulars of his life as desired.

JESSE R. KINNE, retired farmer, resides with his daughter, Mrs. R. E. Day, on Sec. 8. Mr. Kinne was born in Norwich, Chenago Co., N. Y., Nov. 26, 1803; is the son of Elias and Lydia (Rundell) Kinne. He was brought up a farmer, and was married Jan. 14, 1S29, in Sherburne, N. Y.. to Miss Sarah Wheeler, daughter of Isaac U. Wheeler, since of Whitewater, now deceased. Mrs. Kinne was born in Dutchess County, N. Y. Thev had three children born in the East - Charles, Lavina and George. Charles married Mary J. Rigelow, and resides in Sugar Creek. Lavina is the wife of R. E. Dav, also of Sugar Creek. George married Mary Field, and is a farmer of Sugar Creek. Mr. Kinne came to Wisconsin in 1841, made a short stay in Troy, Walworth Co., and returned to the East. He moved to Sugar Creek, Wis., in 1843, and made his home on Sec. 7. He had a farm of 370 acres, which has since been sold to his sons. Mr. Kinne has served as Assessor of Sugar Creek two terms, and Chairman one term. He is a member, and one of the Vice Presidents, of the Old Settlers' Association of Walworth County. Mrs. Kinne died Nov. i, 1873. Since A»z. i, t88i, he has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Rav. Mr. Kinne is much respected, and has a large circle of warm friends.

JOHN H. LAUDERDALE, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. O. Millard. He has 140 acres; is a son of James and Margaret Lauderdale, and was born in LaGrange, Walworth Co., Wis., June 12. 1846. He received a common school education, and was brought up a farmer. Jan. 29, 1877, he was married to Maria Tibbet-;, daughter of Samuel and Sally P. Tibbets. Mrs. Lauderdale was born in Sugar Creek. They have one child, M.Clara. Immediately after their marriage, they made their home in the house now east of their present home, where they lived two years, and then moved to the place they now own, on the west half of the Tibbets' estate. Mrs. Lauderdale's people were from Canada, and settled in Sugar Creek in 1840. (See sketch of Samuel Tibbets, deceased.)

J. A. PIERCE, farmer and mill owner, resides on Sec. 9; has land on Sees. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 21, Sugar Creek, and other tracts in LaGrange. Troy and Bloomfield, of this county, aggregating 1,000 acres. He has two flouring mills, one in Genoa, with four run of stone; capacity, fifty barrels per day. The subject of this sketch was born in Williamsburg, near the river St. Lawrence, in Canada West, Dec. 11, i8i6; is the son of John and Maria A. (McFarling) Pierce He came to Wisconsin in 1845, and settled on Sec. 9, Sugar Creek, Walworth Co., where he still resides. He commenced in a small way, with limited means, and has since accumulated a large property. In 1S57, he bought the mill at Genoa Junction, and in 1869, bought the mill in Troy, situated one and one-half miles from East Troy, and three miles from Troy Center. He was married in 1847, to Miss Mj.ry Chambers, dau£;hter of William Chambers,of Geneva, Wis. They had five children - J. Albert, Eliza, George E., William Austin and Guy R. The oldest, J. A., married Anna High, and lives in Eden, Dakota. Eliza died in childhood. Mrs. Pierce died in January, 1870. Mr. Pierce was married in Geneva, in Ajjril, 1871, to Hannah Morehouse, his present wife, daughter of Henry and Mary Morehouse. Mrs. Pierce was born in England. Though not an office seeker, Mr. Pierce has served his time as Town Clerk several terms, two terms as .Assessor, and has been Clerk of his School District, No. 5, six years; was president of the Elkhorn Bank, at Elkhorn, Wis., from 1857 to 1861. Mr. Pierce, in 1853, imjiorted from Canada the first wheat that was sown in Walworth County, of those well known and celebrated varieties of Spring wheat, viz., Scotch Fyfe, Canada Club and China Pearl. He also, in the same year, introduced and successfully used the first automatic self-raking reaper ever used in Wisconsin. He also introduced the first grain sowing drill in Walworth County, and from its continued use he attributes much of his profitable success in raising wheat. Mr. Pierce feels keenly his disappointment of the Air Lme Railroad failing to come to time by not furnishing him with the long promised railroad, which has been for many years graded through his farm in Sugar Creek, on which was to have been a railroad station and depot, which inevitably would have resulted much for pro hon puHico, although he does not despair of yet attaining in the near future the consummation of that desirable project.

N. B. ROBB, farmer. Sec. 32 ; P. O. Delavan, has eighty acres; was born in Windham, Green Co., N. Y., March 30, 1821. Is the son of John and Elizabeth (Nelson) Robb ; learned the stone mason's trade, was engaged in the saw-mill and lumber business. He was married in Windham, N. Y., March ig. 1850, to Miss Julia Bell, daughter of Joseph Bell. Mrs. Robb was born in Windham. They soon moved to Wisconsin, and located in LaFayette, Walworth County, where they resided till the Fall of 1859, when thev moved to Sec. 10, Sugar Creek, and thiee years later, to Sec. 32. Mrs. Robb died in June, 1863, leaving one son, Osmer, now a farmer of Sugar Creek. He was married in September, 1876, to Miss Ella Bigelow. Mr. Robb was married to Mrs. Sally Wilcox, his present wife, in Michigan, April 12, 1866. Mrs. Robb's maiden name was Sally Osborn, daughter of William Osborn ; two children were born to them, George and Amelia J. George died in infancy. Mr. Robb moved to his present farm in the Fall of 1866.

DONALD STEWART, farmer. Sec. 32; P. O. Delavan. The subject of this sketch was born in York. Livingston Co., N. Y., June 5, 1825. He is the son of James and Janet Stewart. His parents were natives of Scotland, and emigrated to the United States in 1803. When sixteen years of age the son started out to see the world. He visited a large proportion of the States of the Union, and was engaged in a variety of employments, as location and circumstances permitted. After spending ten years in this manner he returned to Livingston County, N. Y., and was married Oct. 5, 1850, to Miss Ellen McKenzie, daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth McKenzie. Mrs. Stewart was born in Caledonia, of that county. They immediately set out for the West, and made their home in Troy, Walworth Co., Wis., where they lived till 1855. They then removed to Summit, Waukesha Co., where he was engaged in farming till 1866. He then moved to Waukesha, leaving his family in that village; he went South, and was gone two years. Returning to Wisconsin, he moved to Sugar Creek, Walworth Co., in 1869, and made his home on his present farm. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have two children, daughters, Janet E. and Flora E. Mr. Stewart has been chosen to various offices of public honor and trust. He was Chairman of Summit one term. Has held various minor offices in Sugar Creek, and served as Chairman four terms. In 1881, he was elected to the Legislature as Member of Assembly from the Third District of Walworth County for the term of 1882. Has 160 acres of land.

HARRISON THOMAS, farmer. Sec. 8; P. O. Millard; has 140 acres of land; is a son of Solomon and Sally Thomas; was bom in West Canada, Oct. 28, 1826. Came to Walworth County with his parents in 1843, and settled on Sec. 8, Sugar Creek; was brought up a farmer. He was married May 30, 1852, in Jefferson County, to Miss Margery Jackson, daughter of Josiah Jackson. Mrs. Thomas was born in Canada. They have four children - Mary, Rial H., Lillian E., and Edward J. Mary is now Mrs. Frank Weaver, of Sugar Creek ; Lillian is the wife of Julius A. Edwards ; Rial is a farmer of Sugar Creek.

SAMUEL H. TIBBETTS (deceased) was born in Halifax, Vt., Dec. 6, 1806. When seven years of age he lost his father. His schooling was obtained under difficulties, he having to go two miles to the nearest school. At the age of sixteen, he began teaching, and taught several terms of school. He moved with his mother and sister to Whitby, Canada, while in Canada he engaged extensively in the sale of clocks, having several men, and teams in his employ. During his travels he met Miss Sally Patte, daughter of Dr. David Patte, of Hawksbury, Prescott, Can. to whom Tie was married, Oct. 2, 1837. Mrs. Tibbetts was born in L'Original, Canada. The first three years of their married life was spent in Whitby ; one child was born to them, a daughter, Clarissa, now Mrs. Asa Foster, of Sugar Creek, Wis. In 1840, Mr. Tibbetts having met with some reverses, determined to seek his fortune, in the then promising settlements of southern Wisconsin. On reaching Walworth County, he made a claim in the town of Sugar Creek, healso rented a partially improved farm, and put in some crops. He then returned to his home in Canada, and taking his little family, consisting of wife and child, and a child nephew, whom he had adopted, he set out for his new home, traveling by team through a sparely settled country, which in many places was no better then a wilderness, roads newly cut out, were rough and difficult to pass. Six weeks of tiresome plodding, brought the weary travelers to their destination. Mr. Tibbetts was then obliged to face the bitter disappointment of his hopes, in the loss of his claim, of which some one had dispossessed him in his absence, so seeking in the shelter in a half finished shanty, without floor or windows, they made a temporary home. Their cash capital amounted to $16. The tract often acres was soon bought, and a house built, in which they kept tavern. Good fortune at last favored-them, and Mr. Tibbetts had secured a large tract of land, and was prospering finely, when he met with a severe loss, in the burning of his house, and a portion of his household goods. This happened Dec. 10, 1852, having no insurance, the loss was severe. Three children were born to them in Wisconsin, one daughter died unnamed, Sarah J. is the wife of Azea B. Morris, at Sugar Creek; Hannah M. is the wife of John H. Lauderdale, also of Sugar Creek. Mr. Tibbetts was a Justice of the Peace many years, and Post-master of Sugar Creek Postoffice seventeen years. He was a man widely, and favorably known, a good citizen, and devoted husband, and father. He died April 15, 1872. His wife survived him until Dec. 10, 1878.

SAMUEL TUBBS (deceased) was a pioneer of the tjwn of LaFayette, Walworth Co. He was a native of Lynne, Ct., and was born in 1781. He was married to Miss Polly Frost, and moved to Oneida County, N. Y., in 1801, then a wilderness. He was a soldier of the war of 181 2, and participated in the historic scenes of that time. In 1834, he moved to Victor, Ontario Co., N. Y., where he resided till 1843, when he moved to Walworth County, Wis., and located in the town of LaFayette, Sec. 32, where he was engaged in fanning till 1856, when he retired from active work, and made his home in Elkhorn. His death occurred in 1861. His wife survived him several years, and died in 1874. Their son, James L., is an honored citizen of Elkhorn, of whom a sketch is given elsewhere.

FREEBORN WELCH, farmer. Sec. 10; iias 200 acres; settled in \\'alworth County in May, 1836, and established his claim on the west half of Sees. 10 and 2, Sugar Creek. The subject of this sketch was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., Dec. 28, 1808; is the son of Freeborn and Mercy (Spike) Welch. While quite young he moved to Steuben County, where he lived till 21 years of age. He then changed his residence to Chautauqua County. He was married in Steuben County, in March, 1831, to Miss Caroline Brown, daughter of Phineas Brown. Mrs. Welch was born in Troy, N. Y. Two children were born to them in the East, Nancy and Jerome. Nancy is the wife of Simeon Rosencrans. Jerome died when 32 years of age. In the Spring of 1836, Mr. Welch started with team conveyance to seek a home in the West. After a long and tiresome journey, they arrived in Wisconsin Territory, and located in Town 3, North Range 16 east, now Sugar Creek, Walworth Co., where Mr. Welch made a claim of the west half of Sees. 10 and 2, which he subsequently sold (1838) to Mr. Julius Edwards. Mr. Welch, in speaking of what is now the town of Sugar Creek, as he found it in May, 1836, he says, to the best of his knowledge there were only two other men than himself located there - a Major Davis, who was the first man in, and Asa Blood, who was the second. This being the fact, Mr. Welch is now the only remaining settler of the trio of pioneers of that day. Other authorities differ from this conclusion, as will be j^erceived by examining the early history of Sugar Creek. After selling to Mr. Edwards, Mr. Welch bought a tract on Sec. 14. One child was born to them after their settlement in Sugar Creek, named Henry, He married Lena Monk, and lives in his native town. Mrs. Welch, who was an intelligent and kind-hearted woman, died in March, 1871. Her memory is cherished by her early neighbors and friends, who all speak of her in the highest terms. Mr. Welch was married Jan. 30, 1872, to Ann McDonald, his present wife, daughter of

John McDonald. They have two children, Anna and Malcomb. Mr. Welch has never^been ambitious of public office, but has served his town several years as Supervisor.

Source changes here: from History of Walworth County, Wisconsin .., by Beckwith, Albert C. (Albert Clayton), published 1912; 1,563 words in this source stream.

Sugar Creek Town

Township 3 north of range 16 east retained the name of Elkhorn after Lagrange, Richmond, and Whitewater were set off and new-named, and until a new town of Elkhorn was created February 2, 1846. The larger town, after thus losing section 36, was so called from its principal water course, the name of which translates the Pottawattomie compound, Sis-poquet-sepee. From some immemorial time the numerous sugar-maple trees along the valley of the creek had been tapped and the Indians had practiced at least . me art of white men's civilization - that of sap-boiling. The creek rises near the west line of the town, in section 19, crosses eastwardly to the southeast corner of section 13, turns nearly northward, and leaves the town by section [2. Holden's lake. Otter lake. Silver, and a few pot-holes make up nearly the rest of the drainage and reservoir system of the town. The ancient valley of the creek is wide, and for many years more or less marshy; bul most of it is now usefully occupied. \s a whole, the town is well drained and* contain- several of the finest farms of the county. Among the higher points above sea-level, as officially shown, are those in sections 4. 5, q, 23, respectively 031. 045. 918 and 890 feet.

The only actual settler in [836 was John Davis, who built a cabin near Silver lake in sections [3, 14. passe. 1 the cold winter there, ami a vear later sold his claim to Asa P>lood and went away.

Charles Rand - . same in [838; James \\\ Field, 8; Caleb and William Kendall, 10. in [839; Henry Adkins, 11: Dr. Harmon Gray, 8; Benjamin Rand, and Nelson Weaver. iS. in 1840. Other settlers, within the next five vears, were James Varnum Holden, 14; George Ketchpaw. 23; Horace B. Kinne, Jesse R. Kinne. 7: John A. Pierce, 9. 16; Jonathan Parks. 23; Wyman Spooner. Jr., 14; James and John Strong, 23 ; Hiram Taylor, Hulcy Welch. 22.

Joseph Barker 1 1781-1857) and wife Lucinda had nine children, of whom eight came to Sugar Creek. Joseph Lewis married Phoebe T. Roberta April 2, 1846. Timothy Putnam (1818-1878) married Elvira Shumway 1 1 827-1886). James B. (1823-1898) married his cousin Almeda ( 1824- 1901). daughter of Hugh Barker. Francis ( 1821-1875 ) married Mrs. Maria Baldwin. Russell married Sophia Baker. Adeline (1811-1892) was wife of Booth B. Davis, of Elkhorn ; Mary L., wife of Hiram Taylor; Diana, second wife of Stephen G. West, Sr., married November <>, 1841.

Daniel F. Bigelow (1815-1895), son of Doctor Daniel, was born in Nova Scotia. He married Ann- McCart, a native of Ohio, born 1S24. died 1897. James ( 1819-1899) married Ann Elizabeth bowler.

James Whipple Field, born at Scituate, Rhode Island, March 22, 1814. and now living, in 1912, at Elkhorn with his son-in-law, George Kinne, in fair health and full of memories, is son of Thomas Field and Thankful VVinsor. His older ancestors, reckoned backward, were Thomas. Jeremiah, Thomas, Thomas, and William. He married the half-sisters Angelina and Sarah, daughters oi William Adams.

John Martin married May 18, 1S40. Eliza Ann. daughter of Ebenezer Chesebrough and Anna Griswold. She was born in 1809. and had entered land in her own name in section 33. Mr. Martin died in 1885

John Alexander Pierce ( [817-1887), farmer, mill-owner, and man of many business affairs and very generally prosperous, married, first. Mary Elizabeth 828 870 1, daughter of Deacon William Chambers and Phoebe Gray, of North Geneva. She had five sons. He married, second. Hannah. daughter of Henry ami Mary Moorhouse. He was son oi John Pierce and Maria A. McFarling.

John Rand (1819-1898 - - 1 of Benjamin and Sarah, was born in Nova Scotia. He married. May 2, 1844. Sarah Sophia 1 [817-1900), daughter of Benjamin and Eunice Loonier.

Crowell, of Hardwick, Massachusetts, a printer in Vermont, and an early justice of the peace ' - r Creek, went in 1853 to Allamakee county. Iowa. A nephew of the same name, also of Sugar Creek, a son of Judge muel Holmes TibbetJ 872), bom in Windham county. Vermont, married in Canada. October 2, 837, Sarah (1810-1878), daughter -avid Pattee. Their three daughters were married: Clarissa to \-a Sarah Jane to \ :e1 Bird Morris, Hannah Maria to John Henrv lale.

Jacob Tostenson (died 1887) married Margaret Larson (died 1875). Their sons, Tosten and Ole Jacohson, were substantial citizens. Ole was a soldier and became an officer of the Thirteenth Infantry and was a capable and useful man of public and private business. He was born in 1838 at Skien, Norway, and died January 28, 1912.

Freeborn Welch. Jr.. (1864-1884) was son of Mercy Spike (1785- 1857). He married, first, Caroline, daughter of I'hineas Brown; second, Ann McDonough. For some years he kept the long known Gravel Tavern, at Tibbets Corners. Joseph Welch ( [820-1900) married Eliza Havens (1821-1893). Hulcy Welch (1812-1879) had wife Hannah. Josiah < [805- 1881 ) had wife Louisa, and lived for several years in Geneva. These four Welches were brothers, who bad lived in Steuben county. New York.

Capt. George Washington Kendall kept a tavern in 1839 at the corners, since known as Tibbets. in section 10. He sold ibis place in 1843 to Francis Rublee. who : it by deed to bis son, Francis M. Rublee, in 1845. During the latter's ownership his brother. Martindale, began to build of lime and gravel concrete, as is told; but before his work was finished the place passed by sheriff's -ale in 1853 to John 1). Cowles, who completed and occupied the Gravel Tavern. This landmark fronted northward on the territorial road from Milwaukee to Janesville. and on a section-line road leading to Elkhorn. In [859 Mr. Cowles sold the property to Freeborn Welch, one of the jolliest sons of St. Boniface. When tavern custom wholly ended Mr. Welch made of it his dwelling. His heirs sold the house and ground in 1907 to John and Matthew J. Newman, who pulled clown the ancient walls and built a fine dwelling in present century style and added barn, silo, and other out-buildings suitable to a well-managed dairy farm A few rods eastward along the territorial road Samuel H. Tibbets built a bouse, about [842, which for some time served as a wayside inn. and for ten year- as a postoffice. Captain Kendall had been postmaster from 1840 to 1842

Congregationalists and Wesleyans joined in 1872 to build their union church, next south of the Gravel tavern. In the same year Bethel church, Methodist, was built on land bought of John Cameron, section 12. about seven miles by road from Elkhorn, to which this church ha- usually been attached for pastoral assignments. A store, bricl chool house, blacksmith -hop. and Mount Pleasant cemetery are at the Kendall corner-.

Congregationalists, Methodists, and Presbyterians met as early as 1840 in Christian unity at Captain Kendall's, at their own homes in turn, and at the school house. A society of Presbyterians was formed, but soon became Congregational. This body received its ministrations from those early laborers in newly broken fields: Cyrus Nichols, Stephen Denison Peet, Amnon < laston, Cyrus E. Rosenkrans, David Pinkerton, Samuel Elbert Miner, and other clergymen from Delavan and Elkhorn. Among Wesleyan and Free .Methodist pastors were George Parsons and George L. Shepardson.

A highway parts sections 8 and 9, and where this crosses the territorial road was an early grouping of settlers, with store, postoffice, church, and in later time a cheese factory. All this was long known as Barker's Corners, for the early settlers of that family name. About [852 the postoffice was new-named Millard and the office at Tibbets was for some years discontinued.

Seven persi >ns met at Barker's Corners to found a Baptist society. These were Rev. Henry Topping, of Delavan. Thankful Ballard, Jonathan. Joseph and Sophia H. Loomer, Electa Mason and Christopher Wiswell. At the next meeting, a few days later, James W. Field and six of the Loomer family joined this movement. Mr. Topping divided his well-filled time with the the new society for two or three years. A. B. Winchell relieved him in 1S44; R. Pickett, [846; Moses Rowley. 1847; Jonn H. Dudley, 1840; Albert Sheldon, 1851. and again in 1873 (and died April 4, 1874); A. E. Green. (863 to [868; Nelson Cook, [869; I. C. June-. 1873: Mr. Hicks, Mortimer A. Packer, aboul 1887, and ordained in [889 (remaining to 1894 and returning in [907); S. F. Massett, December, 1894; George Jerome Kyle. [897, and in (899; Eli Packer, [898; Nicholas Wakeham, [901; Anthony Jacobs, 1905; George X. Doody, 1910-12. The first church was built about 1N50. In [892 a better one was built and the old one set aside and backward for Sunday school and other reputable purposes. This societ) laid out a few rods north, in section 9, on James B. Barker's land, a burial ground which has become a public cemetery.

The Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Compaq of Sugar Creek was organized in February, 1873, for business in the townships of Darien, Geneva, Lafayette, Lagrange, Richmond, Sugar Creek. Troy and Whitewater. Its officers in Mile were: James E. Lauderdale, president; fames Parsons, secretary. \t the end of [910 there were [,290 policies in force. $2,566,674, Losses paid in that year, $5,975. Losses paid -ince organizatii m, $69, 1 26.