Tomah City

Tomah City

Woven around the adoption of the name of this beautiful city are a number of interesting facts. How and why it was given this name appears a little later in the chapter. "Tomah" is truly an euphonious word, pleasing to hear, giving the idea of gentleness and yet sturdy strength. The village and the city bears the name of that celebrated Menomonee chief whose life and character show him to have been a mighty man among his people and in his time. So the city, his namesake, has become a familiar word throughout the state and stands for sturdy municipal strength and progress.

Contrary to the general belief as to who was the first settler upon the site of the city, credit usually being given to Robert E. Gillett, stands forth the fact that Jesse Boorman was the first actual settler and the first man to acquire title to any portion of the land upon which the city is now situated.

When in 1854 Mr. Boorman, who was then living in Walworth county, was informed by an itinerant preacher that the region to the west, near the Mississippi river, was the "Promised Land," the first idea of the new settlement began to take form. In that year jNIr. Boorman drove through from Walworth county to LaCrosse and entered three forties of land, which are now a portion of the site of the city. He came back and located the land and proceeded to clear a portion of it, going back to Walworth county in the winter and returning in the spring to further improve the land.

To digress from the story at this point it seems fitting to give a short sketch of Mr. Boorman 's life. He was born July 4, 1830, in Kent county, England. When about six months of age he came with his parents to this country, embarking at Liverpool in a sailing vessel and landing in New York on New Year's day, 1831, the voyage having occupied six weeks.

The family soon located in ChautauqvTa county. New York, where they lived for three years, moving from there to Green county, in sight of the Catskill mountains, where they resided for three years more. Mr. Boorman's father then decided to "go "west," left that location and went to Schenectady by way of Buffalo, coming to AViseonsin by the lake route, passing through Chicago and then on to AValworth count.y by teams, arriving there early in June, 1837, when "Wisconsin was still a territory. John Boorman, Jesse's father, entered 320 acres of land in AValworth county; his son, Jesse, remained at home and assisted in working the farm until 1854, when he located the 120 acres of laud wliich Mill be described hereafter, securing a patent signed by James Buchanan, then President.

In 1855 he, with his brother-in-law, came to Madison by rail and then walked from there to the present site of Tomah and established a farm home, where he lived for many years until 1903 when, owing to his advanced age, he retired from active farm life and has since resided in the city of Tomah. He was married to Miss Lucilica Constance Ryland, November 4, 1858.

In 1855 Robert E. Gillett, accompanied by Robert Howie, arrived upon the scene. Mr. Gillett purchased some land which lay south and east of the present location of the city, and went to Walworth county during the Avinter of 1856-57 and offered to trade land with ]\Ir. Boorman. Mr. Boorman requested him to wait until spring, when he would be on the premises again. Accordingly in the spring of 1857 Boorman came back. At that time he had no idea that this location might be a good trading point with the advent of the railroad which it was rumored would be constructed through from ^Milwaukee, and the land he owned not being the best for agricultural puposes, on April 24th he traded with Mr. Gillett. On that day he gave Gillett a deed of the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter, the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter, and tlie southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section four, township seventeen, range one west, which deed was recorded in the office of the register of deeds in volume four of deeds, on page 285, on April 24, 1857. For this land ^Ir. Boorman received an equal amount and sixty acres "to boot," which comprised a portion of the old Boorman farm, upon whicli, with additional purchases, he remained as stated until 1903.

]\rr. Gillett had four forties in section nine, joining section four on tlie south, and the impulse which led to the selection of tliis point for a village is an interesting story. Robert A. Gillett, the son of Robert E., when a young man of twenty years was employed with the surveying party which staked out the route of the Alilwaukee and LaCrosse Railroad from ^Milwaukee to the

City Of Tomah 341

Mississippi river. His father, Kobert E., instructed him to find out from the engineer in charge of the work at what point the line of railroad was most likely to be built to the north, and in tlie course of events it was found that Council House creek was the most likely and logical point for such an extension. Word was sent back to Milwaukee and a movement was immediately started to buy the property necessary for a town site. This was done at what would be considered a trifling cost in these days. The United States government and the state of AVisconsin held title to the land and settlers were able to secure it at very reasonable prices. The land grants were secured by Robert E. Gillett and a tract covering a mile in length and a half-mile in width was secured south of and abutting upon the projected railroad, which the founder often stated, and firmly believed, would some day be a railroad center. His untimely death prevented him from seeing his dream realized even to a small degree.

In 1855 Griswold Gillett, the father of Robert E., took up 160 acres of land adjoining the southeast corner of the original village, on a land warrant for service rendered the United States, government in the war of 1812. This became the homestead of the family, and on this farm the third house in the village was. built. After the trade which had been made between Robert E. Gillett and Jesse Boorman, plans were at once made for laying out the town site. AVhen the plot of ground was selected it was necessary to find a name for the proposed village, and it appears that the son, Robert A. Gillett, after the perusal of an old history of the state in Avhicli a record was found telling that an old and highly esteemed Indian chief, contemporaneous with and friendly to Chief Oshkosh, had at one time gathered his tribe for conference in the council house located on the headwaters of what is now known as Council creek, he chose the name "Tomah," which was accordingly adopted. In connection with this chapter it is eminently fitting that here be given a short account of the founder of the city and his son, remarkable men, both of them, in many ways.

Robert E. Gillett Avas born in Mesopotamia, 0., on the 23rd day of June, 1809. He was one of the three sons of Griswold Gillett and Elvina Tracy, both of whom were pioneer settlers of the western reserve of Ohio. Born in the first decade of the nineteenth century, Robert E. Gillett combined the spirit of the pioneer with an appreciation of the value of education, and was one of the first to become identified with the educational movement of which Oberlin college, Ohio, was the center, and became - thf first financial secretary of the society or group of earnest men antl women who laid the foundation of this Avonderful school. He was a man of sterling character and strong convictions,' and his love of justice prompted him to take up the cause of abolition, and lie Avas known throughout tlie South as a "black abolitionist." Ilis home in Oberlin later ])ecame a station in the t'iiiiious "underground railroad," and tlie shop over his kitclien was used for sheltering negro slaves on their way to Canada and freedom. At one time he Avas chosen by a Southern judge as guardian of five mulatto children. Family records do not sIioav the date of this period in his career, but tliere Avere three ^Miner children and tAVO LalNIar children, the latter being a branch of the family of AA'hich Senator LalMar of late fame belonged. These children Avere taken to Oberlin and their estates administered in a just and satisfactory manner, and all fiA^e in due time graduated from Oberlin college. His activity in tlie cause of abolition Avas cai'- ried on until the election of President Lincoln, of Avhom he Avas a staunch supporter. Just before his death his services Avere recognized by President Lincoln, avIio commissioned him ^Minister to Venezuela, but death came before he could assume the responsibility of this mission. In the early days of the settlement of JMonroe county he Avas one of the fcAV judicial officers in tiie community, holding for a short time the office of justice of the peace.

He AV'as married September 8, 1833, to INIarie Ann Bussell. Tavo children, Robert Arthur anci Mary A., Avere the fruits of this marriage. In 1837 his Avife died and a year later his marriage to Lucy Kellogg took place. The children by this marriage Avere Ruth K., Theodore AV., Julia King and Frederick F. About a year after the death of his second Avife he married Lois Ann Ingraham, October 27, 1849, a AvidoAv Avith tAvo children, a son and a daughter. The son died at an early age. The daughter. Lucy, lived a short time in Tomah, died in early Avomanhood, mourned by a large circle of friends. Robert E. Gillett died at Tomah, September 28, 1861.

No history of Tomah Avould be complete Avithout reference, at least, to "Grandma Gillett," or "Aunt Lois," as she Avas knoAvn to the family, but universally knoAvn and called in the last years of her life "Grandma Gillett" by the people of Tomah. She possessed the true pioneer spirit and it Avas to her qualities of mind and heart that the social life of the neAv settlement OAved much. Her interests were Avith everybody, her charity kncAv no limit except that of the means to do Avith, and her religion Avas of a type which is so rare and sweet that it has left its imprint on all who kneAV her. She survived her husband many years and was known and loved by the children of Tomah for three generations.

Robert Arthur Gillett, son of the founder, was born in Elyria, 0., July 6, 1834. As a mere boy he traveled on horseback and on foot as far as the Indiana line, going two or three times to Boston with his father, who was engaged in the business of drover. He lived in Ohio until about seventeen years of age, when he took his worldly goods, consisting of a team of horses, a wagon and a cow, boarded a steamboat at Cleveland and went west, arriving in Milwauke in due course of time, where he engaged in teaming. During the early period of the settlement of Tomah he owned and operated a sawmill at LaCrosse, and after the panic of 1857 wiped out his resources and his health demanded a change of climate, he again "went west," this time to the gold fields of Colorado, with a wagon train of emigrants composed of Wisconsin people, many of whom never returned to this state. He was located at Pike's Peak and vicinity for about eighteen months, returning home at the beginning of the civil war, being called back to his father's death bed.

As has been stated previously, after reaching Milwaukee and being employed by Kellogg & Strong in teaming, he joined the surveying party which blazed the trail of the Milwaukee & LaCrosse Railroad. As the road building progressed he followed the railroad business and was the first station agent at Iron Ridge, at Horicon and at Tomah for a short time, where the family were located, living in the log house on his grandfather's farm. After the death of his father he became the administrator of the estate, and although his grandfather, Griswold Gillett, was still living, he became the virtual head of the familj^ In 1862 he married Sarah Caroline Turner and took up his residence at Tomah, acting as recruiting agent for the army.

In the spring of 1864 he enlisted in the Forty-third Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, and was commissioned captain of Company K of that regiment. His discharge came with the close of the war. His family consisted of five children, Charles, Matie, Theodore W., who died in 1872; Minnie, who died in 1902, and Sarah Lettie, who died in infancy in 1872. During the few years following the war he endeavored to unravel the tangled afi^airs at Tomah, but in 1866 he was obliged to abandon the task as too big for his limited capital. He was elected chief clerk of the AVisconsin asserablv in 1866, and after the close of the session of the legislature that year he reengaged in the transportation business and was contracting agent for the AVestern Transportation Company for nearly thirty years. During tliis time he also tilled many of the clerical positions at ]\Iadison during the winter months and Avas always active in state politics.

In 1872 his wife died and a year later he married Serepta A. Atkinson, of LaCrosse. He was actively engaged in ])usiness in ^Milwaukee up to 1905, when he again Avent west, this time to Los Angeles, Cal., but returned the same year. His second wife died in December, 1905, at Fox Lake, AVis. His last years were spent with his daughter, ]Matie AVarren, at Fox Lake, at whose home he passed aAvay December 28, 1907, after a most active and useful life.

Resuming our narrative : After completing the trade Mr. Gillett employed AYilliam Spear, a civil engineer, of LaCrosse, who made the original plat of the village settlement on the south half of section four and a part of the north half of section nine, the plat being completed June 4, 1857, and the future city began to be a reality.

The manner in w^hich this original plat was laid out reflected the tendencies and character of Mr. Gillett in a most gratifying manner, Superior avenue being made 100 feet wide and all other avenues running north and south seventy feet wide, and all cross streets sixty feet wide. His generosity was further evidenced by the fact that for a time after the plat was completed he offered to give free lots to any who would build buildings upon them. In the southeast corner of the village he set aside a ten-acre tract, known as the Gillett reserve. Here was to be the home of the founder of the village. This tract, however, was destined never to fulfill its original purpose, and in 1869, or early in 1870, was divided and sold to AYatson Earle and Judge George Graham. Directly north of this plat a piece of ground was set aside for a female seminary, a beautiful place, well wooded and sloping eastward to Council creek. This project was never carried out owing to the death of Islr. Gillett in 1861. His monument, however, is the attractive Gillett park which, through the enterprise of later generations, has been made into a delightful spot.

S. D. Hollister, who came to the village soon after the arrival of Mr. Gillett, owned the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section four, and in August, 1858, platted what is known as " Hollister 's first addition'' to Tomah. The survey was made by C. C. ^Miller, a civil engineer, lately settled in the village, and this plat was added to and became a part of the village proper. This was followed the same year by "Railroad addition," platted by Robert E. Gillett and McLean Stoughton, on August 7, 1858, being also surveyed by C. C. Miller. Then came "Hollister's second addition," which was platted August 19, 1859, so that in the space of two years the little settlement began to take form and shape as a municipality. Buildings sprang up like mushrooms, people came in rapidly from the east to swell the population, and in 1858 Tomah was incorporated into a village having facilities for transportation by the opening of the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, became an important trading point.

The first building of which there is any record built in the village proper was the cabin built by Cady Hollister and occupied by him and his wife and son, Solomon Hollister, which was erected on the hill where the high school building now stands. The cabin built by Robert E. Gillett in 1856, on what is now known as the Benjamin farm, was the second building erected and is still standing, being joreserved as one of the few landmarks still remaining to remind us of pioneer days. This cabin, according to Robert Howie, was originally started by two hunters whose names are unknown, but was afterwards enlarged and finished by Mr. Gillett.

Robert Howie at the writing of this work is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-two years, and deserves more than passing mention in this book. Meeting Robert E. Gillett on his way to the future village they became acquainted, and Mr. Howie came with him and worked for him a great many years. Mr. Howie was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, August 6, 1830. When about twenty-six years of age he left his native country and landed in New York on the Fourth of July, 1856, and came directly to Wisconsin. ]Mr. Howie engaged for several years in farm and mill work, and among his early emploj^ments was that of carrying mail between Tomah and Sparta. This he did on foot through the wilderness, following the Indian trails, and it is related that he made the trip from Tomah to Sparta and back in one day, sometimes carrying as much as $2,000 in orders and cash in his mail sack. This trip he made twice a week.

After leaving the employment of Mr. Gillett he assisted C. C. IMiller in surveying for several months, and then engaged in teaming from Sparta to Tomah and LaCrosse, hauling many of the early families and their goods to Tomah, and was well known throughout all that region. About 1858 Mr. Howie began to farm the land which he had purchased from Gillett and others, con- sisting of 100 aei'es in and around Toniali. lie first erected Ijarns for stock and then built his frame residence, which still stands upon the original site, having been enlarged and improved. In 1871 hf was nian-icd to Agnes Alexander, a native of Scotland, and to tliem Avas born five children. During the course of his life he has had many hardships to undergo. One time his jaws were broken by Ihc kick of a horse; at another time he was run over by a Avagon load of hay. In the winter of 1857, Avhen the snow covered this territory to a depth of five feet on the level, he, in company with Mr. Gillett, befriended the Indians in many ways and Avon their love and friendship.

As early as 1854 AV. AV. Jackson and AVebster Kenyon, Avith several others, settled in the toAvn of Adrian, at a point Avhich they afterAvards called Jacksonville. Tavo years afterAvards Gillett built a saAAmiill in the northern part of the village of Tomali, Avhich Avas run for him by Jackson and Kenyon.

When the surA'cyors Avere coming through the route of the ]\IilAvaukee and LaCrosse Raihvay a keen rivalry existed betAveen the village of Tomah and Jacksonville as to the route of the original line, ^luch pressure Avas brought to l)ear upon the surveying party, but Mr. Gillett in his engaging and logical Avay finally induced the surveyors to nuike the line Avhere it noAv stands, instead of sAvinging farther to the south and going through Jacksomilic ; in th.e meantime a plat had been made of Jacksonville and its inhabitants had full faith that the railroad Avould go through their community and there Avould be established a future city; they Avere doomed to disapjiointment, hoAVever, and Jacksonville dwindled to a mere settlement and later became only a farming community, and thus the dream of a municipality faded aAvay, the victim of circumstances.

To attempt to folloAv out the arrival of the earlier settlers is a task for Avhich no record noAV serves, to name them all in the first fcAv years of pioneer days is noAv an impossible task; many familiar names, hoAvever, are remembered and are here given as Avell as can be done at this time; James Garnock and family came Avith Robert IloAvie in 1855. ]Mr. Garnock soon after opening a blacksmith shop and building a residence on Avhat is still the old (Janioek homestead; William IMunkett came from Walworth county the same y<'ar: AVilliani AlcLauren also came Avith Mr. IIoAvie and -lames (iarnock and settled in the town near tiu' village.

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Joseph D. Cady, who afterwards liought a lot on Superior Avenue and Imilt a house, Alden Cremer, Amasa Meloy, Harvey Bush, who built the third house or cabin in the vicinity, being situated somewhere near the present cemetery, C. C. Miller, the civil engineer, who built a log cabin about where Watson Earle's liouse now stands and afterwards secured the property on the ridge in later days known as the "Beers" place. In 1856 or 1857 Dr. Walker and Dr. Goyer arrived, which was first on the ground is not known, but they came at about the same time and commenced the practice of medicine a few years later. Dr. Rouse Bennett located here and went into the army as a surgeon soon after the commencement of the civil war. The Bradley boys, Josiah, Charles and Henry, came in 1857.

In 1858 James Rockwood and his four sons, Theodore, Delorama, Edgar and James N. moved into the village from Limerick Avhere they had located about two years before, there being at that time a saw mill operated there by Jackson and Kenyon. Mr. Rockwood secured the piece of property where the old Grant house stood and proceeded at once to erect a barn on the back end of it. AVhen the barn was finished he moved and started to keeping boarders. He at once, however, began the construction of a hotel building on the corner and at its completion called it the "Rockwood House," vxhich he ran until 1867 when he sold the property to a man named Smith from Leon or LaFayette ; it being right after the war he changed the name to the "Grant House," in honor of General Grant, and conducted a hotel for a number of years, when the property was sold to Mike Gondrezick.

John Dodge came in 1858 and built a sliop having over it a public hall on the site where the old Dr. Vincent residence stands: afterwards this building was moved down to the St. Paul depot and enlarged, being converted into a hotel, which was known for many years as the "Dodge House."

In every history there must necessarily be the "First Events" which are so often alluded to and concerning which at times there is nuich discussion ; the year 1856 saw the birth of the first white child in the little settlement, being a daughter who came to brighten the home of ]Mr. and Mrs. Amasa Meloy, March 6 ; she Avas named Hattie and grew up to womanhood in the village ; the first male child was Frank, the son of C. C. Miller, born in June of the same year. He now resides at Pasadena. Cal., where he runs a large hotel.

The cause of education received a feel)le start at this time, school being held in a eorucrib for a brief period; afterwards conducted in a building built for the purpose.

The year 1857 was indeed a red letter year for the village, for with it came many new families, including Aslier Ilaynes, Reuben SchafTer and many others; (\ AV. Kellogg, who was a Methodist clergyman, commenced religious services that year, holding church on the first Sunday in July in a new barn erected by Robert E. Gillett, which Gillett said he wanted to have "dedicated"; the first business building Avhicli Avas put up Avas a small store building erected by I!lder Kellogg on the corner now occupied by the Ziegler store ; Kellogg put in a small stock of groceries and drugs. Soon after that Asher Haynes built a store and dwelling combined a little further south in the same block and entered into the mercantile business. The premises w'ere afterwards occupied for a number of years by Dr. J. II. ]Mosele}' ; part of the building is still standing, though the place has been frequently remodeled during these modern times.

A school house Avas built on the site where the home of Harvey M. Sowle now stands and school regularly commenced with an attendance of eight pupils under the direction of Emma Bush, daughter of Harvey Bush as teacher. The old school house stood on that place for a great many years, one of the landmarks, afterwards used for dwelling purposes until torn down by ^Mr. Sowle. Elder Kellogg also built the first frame house in the village in that year upon the knoll on a lot given to him by Mr. Gillett. This house is still standing, although greatly changed in appearance upon what the later generations called '* Kellogg 's Hill," and the editor has many pleasant recollections of coasting down this hill on bright moonlight Avinter nights.

On November 13, 1856, a resolution AA^as passed by the County Board of Monroe County detaching from the toAvn of Adrian all of toAvnship seventeen range one Avest and constituting it a ncAv toAA'n to be knoAvn as the toAvn of Tomah. There Avas at this time only a temporary government in the so called village and this was the beginning of municipal government in the tOAvn and of course the village Avhich Avas then a part of it. This resolution provided that the first election should be held in the house of James Randall on the first Tuesday in April, 1857, for the election of toAvn ofificers; it seems, hoAvever, that Avhen the time came for the election it Avas not held at IMr. Randall's, but in the home of John Sexton, Avho, much to the disgust of the toAvn officers, charged $3.00 for the use of his house ; at that election John J. Stacy was chosen chairman, Benjamin IMeacl and C. A. Adams supervisors, Harvey Bush town clerk, Alden Cremer treasurer.

The following year 1858 the village was incorporated, but the charter, however, was not granted by the legislature until several years later; 1858 saM^ the completion of the railroad from Milwaukee to LaCrosse, with exception of a small strip at Tunnel City ; the rails being laid from the east to the tunnel and starting on the west side of it, going to LaCrosse; the tunnel was not completed until about seven months later and during this interval the company was compelled to run a stage over the tunnel hill to transfer passengers from one side to the other ; the opening of this line to traffic caused a large increase in the population of the village.

The population now demanding it a petition was gotten out and forwarded to the postmaster general asking for the establishment of a post office and this was granted early in 1859 and the office established amidst the rejoicing of the inhabitants; it seems that in those days people did not cpiarrel about who should be appointed postmaster, Cady Hollister Avas appointed to that office which was rated fourth class, at which rating it continued until 1867 when it was made a monej' order office, and the records show that the first money order was purchased by a Mrs. Charles AV. King for the sum of $50.00; by 1860 manufacturing interests began to come and different lines of business to open up, until the time of the breaking out of the civil war when the little village did more than its share in sending to the front a large number of its best citizens.

While there was no company recruited and organized at Tomali Dr. Foote, who had located there some years before, raised quite a number of men and took them to New Lisbon where they enlisted in Company H Tenth AVisconsin Volunteer Infantry of which company Dr. Foote was a lieutenant. A great many enlisted at Sparta, some at LaCrosse, some went to other parts of the state to enlist, so that the record of those who went from the village of Tomah into the great struggle is impossible to compile at this time.

The implements of industry were in great part laid aside for those of war and while business was carried on in all lines in a desultory way, all watched the course of that great struggle, which appeared at times to have no end ; a reign of sadness existed most of the time, from which it slowlv recovered at the close of the war. AVitli the deelaration of peace and tlie return of the soldier lioys who survived, an era of ])rosperity l)egan and a numher of stores and dwellings were erected in lliis and the succeeding years and the people branched out in all kinds of business.

During the war period there were some new arrivals, notably Harry Howard, who came in 1860 and bought a farm next to Robert Howie; Lewis S. Barnes, in IHfil, who innnediately went into business, became one of the substantial citizens and merchants for nearly a half century ; AVatson Earle came in 1868 and built the little feed store which existed for so numy years on the site of the fine block now owned l)y him on Superior avenue, at first he kept a meat market and then Avent into the feed business and later putting in groceries. A. D. Benjamin also came in that year in March, and his brother Tj. S. Beiijainiii in .June of 1863; Edwin Eaton arrived in 1865 and went into business; A. AV. Gibbs, who had oi'iginally settled at Ridgeville, moved to Tomah in 1864 and put up a livery stal)le, purchased considerable property and later platted Gibbs Addition; Sam Gunn also came in 1864 and went at first into the lumlier business; in 1866 Dr. J. F. Richards moved up from ^lilwavdvee and entered into the practice of medicine ; L. S. Griggs moved in from LaGrosse that year; James Tormey also arrived and at onee entered into business, some time later being joined by William Prettyman, and the firm of Tormey & Prettyman was a household word for years; we neglected to mention \ho advent of Col. J. P. Tracy who came in 1861 and erected a store l)uilding down at the lower end of Superior avenue, which was at first used as a sort of a hotel. Thomas McCaul moved here in 1867 and laid the foundation for the large real estate holdings he now enjoys.

In 1866 the legislature granted a charter to the village and in 1867 the first village officers were elected; they were as follows: President, D. C. Proctor; police justice, D. R. ]Meloy; village trustees, William Ruiikel, L. S. Barnc-;, John Dodge, H. L. Crandall, A. AV. Gibbs and Mr. Shepherd; village clerk, W. H. Wright; treasurer. J. 11. Clian-eton; street commissioner, Levi Benjamin. It appears tli.it the new administration started in with a wave of reform right away by j^assing an ordinance imposing a fine of $40.00 upon a i>erson eaught playing cards in a saloon, thus the cause of good government started at once.

In 1867 all of the above otfieials were engaged in business and several other well known names call iliemselves to mind, .). .1. Kil)be, Avho kept a feed store; David Johns, who conducted a wagon factory and blacksmith shop; J. A. Wells, who established the Tomah Journal; George Runkel, who afterw^ards engaged in milling and established the first bank.

In 1871 and 1872 Tomah in common with all new western towns felt the shock of the Jay Cooke failure and business received a setback from which it was many long years in recovering; in 1871, however, the building of the Wisconsin Valley Railroad from Tomah to Grand Rapids in AVood county did much to revive business and marks the beginning of a rapid growth in population ; many families moved in, as they knew that Tomah would be the division point of the new road and the increase in population of the village was nearly five hundred.

One thing in which all Tomahites are interested is the old reliable ' ' Sherman House " ; at the close of the war Joseph McGinnis' father had a little building on the old Sherman House corner which was about 16x24 in which he had a shoe shop in front and lived in the back end ; it is impossible to supply exact dates, but along about the last year of the war Mr. Schultz, father of Adolph Schultz, bought the property of McGinnis and erected a large frame building upon it and commenced keeping boarders; he sold the property to H. G. Boyington after he had improved it by building what was called the north ^ring; in this wing upstairs was the only public hall and stage in town for a number of years; Boyington ran the hotel as the "Boyington House" for a great- many years and when the Opera House Block was built by Thomas ]\IcCaul, Mr. Boyington turned the public hall into sleeping rooms. Along in the early eighties the property was sold by ]\Ir. Boyington to R. F. Parshall who built on what is known as the east wing and rented the place to Frank Sherman, of Mauston, who conducted the hotel up to the time of his death for a long term of years as the "Sherman House" and finally purchased it ; under his management and that of his excellent wife and daughter, Mrs. Altenberg, the hostlery became famous for its excellent home-like cooking, cleanliness and home appearance and became a favorite resort for traveling men, a reputation which has been sustained to this day under Charles Hamilton, the present owner, who clerked for many years for ]Mr. Sherman. In 1907 the Sherman House property was sold to the Tomah Cash Mercantile Company and the buildiiigs were purchased by Charles Hamilton Avho moved them to the present location on the southeast corner of the same block and later added another story, putting in steam heat and improving the entire property so that it is today a modern little hotel in every particular.

In 187ti the old Grant House, then owned by M. Goudreziek, was destroyed by fire. Tlie building had been raised up by Mr. Goudrezick, a basement with a barroom and offices put under it and the building greatly improved. It was destroyed with its contents December 17th of that year.

But to go back to the chronological narrative. The period from 1872 to 1890 did not hold many noteworthy events, perhaps the most important of which was the mustering into the AVisconsin National Guard of Company K on May 28, 1884. Numerous business blocks and residences were built during the time, and in 1883 the city Avas incorporated by the granting of a charter by the legislature, which was known as chapter 134: of the laws of 1883, and the city of Tomali was a reality.

Eighteen hundred ninety-three marked the Thayer bank failure at Tomali and Sparta, which affected the financial interests of so many people of the county and wrought great hardsliip upon many, and adding to this the fact that it was panic year business in all lines suffered in consequence.

Eighteen hundred ninety-four was quite a lively year in politics, especialh^ on the Republican side, for it was the time of the memorable convention in this senatorial district to nominate a candidate for state senate, the district comprising Jackson, Monroe and Vernon counties. It was in this celebrated contest that C. A. Goodyear, D. F. Jones and J. J. Gillivray were candidates, a deadlock causing several adjournments to diflf'erent places.

In September of that year, after considerable agitation, a special election Avas held upon the question of the issuing of $15,000 bonds for a water works system. The election resulted in a majority of 303 for the proposition, and the following year the first water works system was installed.

On September 23, 1894:, occurred the first disastrous fire in the city's history. It started about 9:20 in the evening, breaking out in the second story of the Joe Disper building, in block 25, in the business district on Superior avenue. A high wind blowing at the time soon spread the flames to adjoining buildings and the entire block of business buildings was consumed. A. AV. Rice's small frame building, used as a barber shop and dwelling, was partially wrecked in an attempt to check the flames. The fii'e department consisted of a chemical engine, which was totally inadequate to handle such a fire. The block on the opposite side of the street was threatened but by the heroic efforts of the firemen and citizens it was saved.

City Of Tomah 353

Stocks of goods were moved out into the streets and thievingbegan more or less, and in order to aid the police force in guarding all of this property that night, the men of Company K volunteered for that service and stood guard until morning, when arrangements were made by the several owners to care for their goods. Following is a list of the losses, and it will be noted how small the value of buildings is compared with the present time : Gondrezick building, $2,000; Grutsch building, $2,000; stock, $350; Disper building, $1,000; Johnson & Simpson, hardware, building and stock, $2,800; G. Eeel, building and stock, $4,000; Aller & Button, $1,600; Blome building and stock, $1,800; Barnes building and stock, $4,000 ; Rice building and stock, $1,300 ; Root stock, $200; Johnson & Bongers, stock, $2,000. Building operations were at once begun and the year 1895 saw the block rebuilt with substantial brick business blocks and in better shape than ever.

From this time until 1898 business resumed its normal condition; prosperity reigned, business in all lines was good. In that year the war cloud began to take form early. Trouble with Spain had been brew^ing for some time. The blowing up of the Maine in Havana harbor was the needed touch to fire the American spirit, and war was formally declared by congress. This meant troops and at once. After all the years that Company K had been in existence, after all the criticism that it, in common with other companies of the "Wisconsin National Guard, had received from some classes of citizens who, perhaps, might have been thoughtless in their statements, after all the years of being "tin soldiers" in the minds of some, the opportunity came at last for active service in the field, and how was it met by this little company of home boys? It was necessary as the law then stood, the national guard being state troops, that the men volunteer individually for service in this war. Early in April the company was assembled for this purpose and the proud fact was recorded that sixty-seven out of the entire sixty-eight officers and men volunteered to go to the front.

On April 27, at 4 o'clock a. m.. Captain AVarren received telegraphic orders to proceed to Milwaukee, where the regiment M'ould be mobilized together with the other two AVisconsin regiments. That morning the special train bearing the other companies on this line took Company K, equipped, eager and ready for the business in hand. That they met the issue, every officer and man, and came back with a record to stand for all time to their credit, is told in another chapter.

The eominunity was shocked on June 20th at the shooting of AVilliain AVotzel l)y A. F. l^ynch. Tliis affair resulted in two long and expensive trials, which resultinl finally in Lynch being declared insane and sent to ]\Iadison.

In June, Lieut. Frank L. French, of Company L, Tliird Wisconsin Volunteer Lifantry, was sent back to enlist recruits for the Second battalion, Companies B, K, L and M, and from the 17th of June for a few days enlisted enough men to till up Company K to war strength, they being promptly sent on to Chickaiiiauga pai'lv', whci'c tlic regiment was then in camp.

In August the first note of sadness came from the war with the deatli of Private Paul Curtius, of Company K, ol' tyi)]uud fever, at Cliarleston, S. C. His })0(ly was returned home and the funeral held on August ir)th, which was largely attendetl.

Time dragged slowly on. News came from the boys; now they were at Charleston, then embarking to go to Cuba. Orders changed, they were on their way to Porto Rico, where they arrived in July. After that llie news from the front came only occasionally. ^Many anxious hearts at home Avaited, for they did not know wdiat. The campaign was soon over as far as hostilities were concerned, but danger, greater than ever, of fever in that tropical climate, still remained and wrought havoc in the ranks. At last, however, the latter part of October came the .joyful news that the "boys are coming home." Great preparations were at once undertaken, committees appointed, and a fitting celebration of tlieir return arranged for. On the morning of October 31st the special train l)earing the Second battalion steamed in the station at Tomah amidst the elieers of thousands assembled to greet the boys. They filed out of their coach, each to be greeted by Ids loved ones; then swung into line for their last march of the campaign, to their armoiy. l^ut they were no longer boys. Hardship and suffering had left their mark on every one. The boys of a few months before Avere men now with lines on tlu'ir faces, but - they were "home." After an informal lunch at the armory they dispersed to their families and friends.

On Thanksgiving day, in November, a great banquet was tendered to llie company, an elaborate jirogram was carried out. The company, in common Avith the other companies of the regiment, were placed on furlough for sixty days, and finally mustered out of the service of the United States the following January, dedicated by Bishop Schwebaeh. This handsome structure, erected at a cost of many thousands of dollars, standing on an eminence, is one of the show places of Tomali.

In May, 1899, the Third regiment was reorganized as a state organization, with Orlando Ilohvay as its colonel, and Company K was mustered into the service of the state in May by Col. George Graham, manj^ of the veterans of the Porto Rican campaign going into the company, and its commissioned officers were the same who had recently been mustered out.

On February 12, 1901, a serious fire occurred in the store of the Tomah Cash IMercantile Company, which had succeeded C. A. Goodyear, in Avhicli there was a loss of about $2,000, mostly on the stock.

''"Wash" Snow, as he was familiary called, a veteran engineer in the employ of the Chicago, JMihvaukee & St. Paul Company, and a long-time resident of Tomah, was killed June 25th at Portage. James P. Galiger, at one time county superintendent of schools, passed away on July 21st.

At the school meeting in July the proposition came up to build a new high school building, the old building being overcrowded and it being very evident that a move of that kind was necessary. The meeting adjourned without taking any action until early in August. At the adjourned meeting, after considerable discussion, a resolution was passed appropriating $25,000 for a new high school building, resulting in the erection of the present handsome and well-appointed structure.

The assassination of President ]\IcKinley shocked the community, as it did all others. On September 19th a memorial meeting was held at the armory in which addresses were made by Captain Butters, Rev. Johnathan Smith, Rev. Louis Wurst and others. At about this time the agitation was commenced for a sewerage system and for street paving by the Advancement Association, and went to the extent of consultation, and E. Sands, a civil engineer, as to the cost, etc. This matter came up later on for action and caused considerable heated discussion among the citizens as will be seen.

On the night of November 31, 1902, the post office was broken into and robbed of stamps and cash to the amount of $1,400. The safe was blown open by the burglars and some of the fittings of the office damaged. The robbers made their escape.

(-lul> or gim club had been in existence for a number of years, which had joined the AVisconsin League of Gun CIuIjs, and Toniah was successful in securing the fourth annual tournament of the organization, which was held Alay 25 and 26, 1903. At this meeting there were gun clubs from Appleton, Antigo, Columbus, AVcst Superior, ^Merrill, .Marshlicld, ]\lonroe, the National Gun Clul) and the South Side Gun Club, of ^lihvaukee, Palmyra, Khinelaiuler, Kacine, Sparta, Two Rivers, Viroqua, Waupaca, Wausau and INIarinette, in attendance. There were eighteen contests or events on the program. The big event, however, was the one of twenty-five targets for the championsliip of the state. This was won by Charles D. Johnson, of Tomah, who made the remarkable record of twenty-five straight hits.

During the month of May a unique school institute Avas held at the government Indian school, being an institute conducted somewhat on the lines of public school gatherings. The institute Avas conducted by Superintendent Compton, of the Tomah Indian school, and was participated in l)y about fifty instructors and superintendents from five or more different states. The meeting Avas held May 6th and 7th, and Avas A-ery interesting. As a result of the agitation mentioned before regarding seAverage and paving, the first step Avas taken in September, 1903, Avhen macadam pavement Avas put on tAvo blocks of the business section of the city, a much-needed improvement, as before that \he street had been simply a clay road, requiring constant filling and Avorking, and in Avet Aveather Avas sometimes inches deep Avith mud.

Word was received that R. P. Hitchcock, a former resident, passed aAvay at St. Louis, Mo., on November 20tli. Mv. Hitchcock Avas one of the early merchants of Tomah, and for a great many years prominent in municipal affairs. He was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland, serving one term.

During November of this year tlie city authoriti(^s closed a deal by Avhich the city became the oaviht of the old "Whitfield'' property, for use as a city nmrket. A little later on. however, the dwelling upon it Avas, and is noAv. used for housing the ])ublic library, and the prciuiscs have not been used foi" market purposes. Here Avill undoubtedl.A' be the site of the ncAV "Buckley "" public library building.

On ^lay 11, 1904, Company K inaugurated the custom of celebrating the date when the company Avas mustered into the government service in the S]->miis]i Avai-. A larg(> ]'>arade. headed

])y the Third regiment baud, iiiehidiiig Company K, Spanish War Veterans and others, went to Gillet park, where appropriate exercises Avere had, followed by sports in the afternoon and a large ball in the evening. This custom has been continued since with the exception of one or two years.

Alva Stewart Goodyear, formerly lieutenant and later captain of Company K, died at Chicago, May 13, 1904. He was a graduate of the Tomah High School and a veteran of the Spanish- American war. His funeral was attended by a large delegation of his comrades and friends. An old pioneer in the person of Amos Greenfield passed away on May 16th. Mrs. C. A. Goodyear, mother of Captain Goodyear, soon followed him and departed this life at Chicago, May 25, 1904. In December of this year this section was visited by a very severe blizzard, which resulted in considerable suffering, especially by live stock. It lasted for three days, December 28, 29 and 30, and will long be remembered by the inhabitants. Railroads were blocked, telegraph and telephone communication cut off for some time, and business generally was demoralized.

In January, 1905, on the 6th, Company K indulged in a jollification in unveiling the "Pfister trophy," which the company had won during the past year by its excellent work in all departments. This trophy is given for the best all around company in the state and is held for one year until won by some other or the same company upon its record. In February the Crescent Glee Club, of Sparta, Avith about thirty-five male voices, visited Tomah, gave a short program at the Indian school in the afternoon for the pupils and a concert at the armory in the evening, Avhich Avas greatly enjoyed by a large audience.

February 23rd, the old Advancement Association having passed into history, the business men of the city met in a preliminary session to take steps to organize a new Advancement Association. This Avas brought to a succesful conclusion, the society organized and a formal opening of the rooms secured for it in the Lynch block took place on the evening of ]\Iarch 24th. This organization has been a great benefit to the city in many AA'ays, as it makes concerted action possible on propositions affecting the commercial interests especially. Its committees have been, and are, actiA^e in the interests of the city generally and through their efforts many municipal improvements have been furthered. Another block of macadam paving Avas put in during the spring of 1905 on Superior avenue, betAveen IMonoAva and

Juneau slrei'ts. \Villi tlic coiiiplt'tit)!! ul' tliis the agilatiuii for sewerage and paving was renewed, and this marked the beginning of a long fight in the city council, which resulted in a deadlock in September and nothing was accomplished that year.

On January 23, 1906. Harvey Seymour, a conductor on the Vallo}' division of the Chicago, ^Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, was instantly killed in the yards at Tomah. In February, on the 16th, Oscar Zimmerman Camp No. 20, Spanish-American AVar Veterans, was organized with Capt. AV. AV. Warren as com- '

The spring of 1006 marked a hot campaign for municii^al officers. The long draAvn out fight on the former council regard- '' ing sewerage and paving resulted in a united action of the people who desired those improvements. Hon. Thomas McCaul, under whose administration of former years as mayor the first improvement was inaugurated, that of water works, was drafted as the candidate for mayor of the party in favor of improvements and ' a campaign began which was the most bitterly fought, perhaps, of any in the history of the city. It resulted in the election of Air. AlcCaul and enough members of the council to break the i deadlock which had existed before that, and prospects then began to look bright for paving.

Tomah was now indeed a city with all the things that go to make up municipal life, so there must be a strike; and there was one, not a very l)ig one to be sure, but a number of men employed in the bridge works of the Chicago, Alil- Avaukee and St. Paul company took it into their heads to walk out, which they did, claiming increased pay. The strike was of short duration, however, as men were too easy to get in this locality. The strikers went back to Avork and the industrial war was over. AiM

Lieut. Irving Jones, first lieutenant of Company K during the Sj)auish war, was instantly killed at the tOAvn of Lake, near Alilwaukee. by the cars, on July 2, 1906. Air. Jones had formerly been employed in the bridge shops of the St. Paul company here as a painter. He served with distinction in the campaign in Porto Rico, and when the company reorganized became first lieutenant of tlie company, wliich position he lield for a sliort time until he moved away Avith his family.

during tlie rebellion, and on October 7th and 8tli a reunion of the Tenth AVisconsin was held at Tomah, participated in by a large number of the survivors of that regiment. The sessions were marked by much interest in the way of reminiscences. A banquet closed the meeting fittingly.

The advance of years had began to tell upon the earlier citizens, and one by one they dropped away. January 6, 1907, Capt. Charles K. Erwin, so long identified with Tomah, died at Savanna, 111., the funeral being held at Tomah on January 11th. Captain Erwin came to Tomah in 1868 after a brilliant record in the war of the rebellion. He went into the mercantile business, in which he continued until 1892. In 1881 he was elected state senator from this district, and served in that office until 1888. In 1889 he was appointed postmaster at Tomah and at the expiration of his term of office was made superintendent of the new State Home for the Feeble Minded, which had just been built at Chippewa Falls, which position he held for a number of years. He was prominent in the councils of the head organization of the Woodmen of the AVorld, and was well known throughout the state in his time. He enlisted in the Forty-seventh Illinois on October 22, 1862, and rose through the various grades to the rank of captain. He Avas a member of the Loyal Legion and of Henry W. Cressy Post, G. A. R.

An old land-mark went up in smoke the latter part of January in the old freight depot. This building was the depot and freight house of the St. Paul road in early years. A new building was erected by the company farther west for freight purposes.

At a meeting of the common council, February 19, 1907, plans were adopted for a sewerage system for the city and five and one-half miles was ordered laid. Tomah received a boom in the form of the railroad shops, which were located here and buildings erected during 1907. The works were moved here from Milwaukee and brought a large number of families. This, in connection with the bridge works, which had been moved to the city in 1890, made a large plant employing several hundred men, with a pay roll of several thousand dollars per month, added greatly to the growth and prosperity of the city. Nineteen hundred and seven was a year of tornadoes. On July 5th the city barely escaped the effects of the terrible cyclone which did so much damage in the town of Oakdale. This storm, which wrought so much damage and loss of life in the northeastern part of the county, passed within a short distance of the city, but fortunately, did no damage here. In August, on the 10th, however, the city did not escape so easily. A tornado struck the place witli mii'.-li force, tearing down 1li<' partially completed walls of tlic new Cash Store on the old Sherman House corner, wrecked the hay harn of Henry Meineckc on his fai-ni just west of the city limits, blew down telegraph and telephone lines and did much damage in a minor way to ])uildings in the city.

John Little, an old-time resident, a veteran of tlic civil Avar, and one of the oldest engineers on the St. Paul road, died in Colorado on October 20, 1907. ]\Ir. Little was an old and respected member of the community, a member of Henry W. Cressy Post, and for many years identified Avitli the growth and improvement of the city. He was a strong ^Mason and served in several capacities at dififerent times in that order.

In January, 1908, Tomah people contributed liberally to the relief of the cyclone sufferers and $1,300 was raised by the Business I\Ien's Club and used for that purpose. The old fight on street paving came up in the council in February and was again held up in that body, and the Avar began once more. At a meeting on March 16th plans Avere adopted by the council for paving Superior avenue. At the spring election AV. J. Mc]\Iullen Avas elected mayor and the project Avas again halted after a fight betAveen the mayor and the council. The council meeting of July 6th Avas a Avarm one indeed. Brick paA'ing Avas adopted, hoAvever, by a close vote, but at a later meeting in July the entire project received a body bloAv from Avhicli its advocates did not recover until about the middle of August. By that time the people had practically settled doAvn to Avhat they Avanted, and on August 18th the paving ordinance Avas finally adopted.

The remodeled and enlarged Catholic school building Avas dedicated by Bishop SchAvebach on Septem])er 17, 1910. On July 22nd of this year AVilliam Feitiug, one of Tomah 's solid l)usiness men, passed aAvay at his home. He came to Tomah in 1868 and engaged in the tailoring Inisiness. In 1890 he built the present Feiting block on Superior avoinie. in Avhich the business has ever since been conducted, his sons. AVilliam and Frank, succeeding to the management. ]\lr. Feiting Avas a progressive husincss man, ahvays found on the right side of municipal questions, and highly respected by his business associates and the community generally.

But the Avorst Avas to come, that is. some people might say so, and some say it Avas the best, for after a campaign on the temperance cpiestion Tomah Avcnt "di-y" at the spring election of 1910 by a majority of five votes. This A'ote Avas so close that the gentlemen avIio Imd t In retofor(^ boon engaged in the "Avet goods" business determined to liave a contest upon the matter and accordingly engaged attorneys and brought the matter into court. But after one or two hearings the contest was dismissed and Tomah M^as sure "dry," and it stayed dry, the law being rigidly enforced by the authorities.

This condition existed for a year and in the meantime an election had been held on the amount of the license, which was increased to $800.00. The following spring another election was held on the license question at which license was carried by a fair majority and the city has remained "wet" up to this time.

After all the agitation, turmoil and strife over the paving question the final completion of the brick paving of Superior avenue and the continuation of the macadam road from the head of Superior avenue out to the cemetery, was nevertheless a matter of great pride and rejoicing to the citizens generally, for nowhere in the country can be found a handsomer street ; outside of the business district the boulevarding of the center, with its closely clipped lawn and artistic setting of shrubbery makes a beautiful appearance in the summer months. With this has come the desire of the citizens in some section to improve the side avenues, and with the improvements in Gillett park it can truly be said that no prettier or well-kept 'city can be found anywhere in this great state. In addition to that there is pervading the atmosphere of Tomah a sort of a progressive spirit which can best be described by saying that its people "hang together" when anything important is necessary. It is true that among themselves they have honestly differed upon questions of municipal policy, but let any matter of general interest to the city be proposed and they get into line quickly as one big community and tackle any question which may arise with true "Tomah spirit," and generally carry out what is undertaken. This is a happy condition for any municipality and its benefits are more than demonstrated in this hustling little town. It has increased in population until it is now but a few hundred behind its sister city, the county seat ; its business interests are large and varied and the volume of business transacted in the course of a year compares with that of the county seat most favorably and, in fact, is greater than most cities of its size in the state. Surrounded nearly on all sides by a good farming country, it is the central market for a large region, affords excellent markets for stock and produce, and now has the benefit of transportation over l)oth the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul and the Chicago and Northwestern Eailways. Everything points to a healthy growth in the future, and could old

Chief "Toiiiali"' come l<ack fi-oni llic 'Ihippy Hunting Grounds" and gaze upon his namesake he would surely feel a great thrill of pride that such a city bears his name, wrap his spirit blanket around his tall form, turn and stalk back into the Great Beyond

Containing within its limits, as it did, from the earliest day the village of Tomah, the history of this town naturally is merged in that of the village; for it w&s here that the earlier settlers located and right around the territory of the village were built the first farm buildings of any kind and the first land was taken up for farms, so that the history of the city of Tomah is practically that of the Avhole township, except, of course, the development of the farming communities.

The town was organized by a resolution of the county board on November 13, 1856, with a provision for the election of officers on the first Tuesday in April folloAving; the village then being a part of the toAvn, participated in the election which was held at the house of John Sexton; John G. Staysa was elected chairman; supervisors. Benjamin ]\Iel and C. A. Adams; clerk, Harvey Bush, and treasurer, Alden Cremer.

The early settlement of the town outside of the village was quite rapid, many coming in during the early fifties ; among them were many names which are today familiar not only to the older residents, but to the present generation through their descendants. D. R. ]\Ieloy, who afterwards moved into the village and became a justice of the peace, came into the town in 1854, took up some land and went to farming; Charles Gilson, for so many years one of the most respected citizens of Tomah, came in ]\Iay, 1854, took land near tlie village. Avlii<li lie developed into the old Gilsoii farm, still owned in great part by his deseendants. Of course, Jesse Boorman. who is mentioned in the chapter on the city; Harvey Bush was an 1854 comer, building the second log cabin in tlie town, was its tirst town clerk; Alden Cremer came in 1854, and also Isaac English, Avho took up IfiO acres of land and added to it until lie liad a fine farm of 300 acres, witli a fine frame dwelling and other buildings ui)on it; George I. Bell, afterwards in business, came with his parents in 1854, settling in the town.

Among the 1855 settlers was (". A. Adams, who went to farming; John G. Staysa, also a farmer; .lolin Randall, who developed the Randall farm: Luther Hill, who settled in the eastern part of the town with Indians and wildcats as neighbors, but who, with foresight, selected the farm upon which he and his descendants have ever since lived.

John Ilinemaii ciniic in 1S57 with his family, among them Hon. ]\Iiles Hineman. whn lias acquired (-onsidi'ra])lc prominence in the state and is one of IMonroe county's most ])rogressive citizens. ]\Iany others might be nu^ntioned. all of tliem men of the character of all the early settlers, willing and ready to endure the hardships incident to opening up a new country, confidently relying upon the fact that the future would bring forth its fruit, the result of honest toil, in which they were not disappointed.

At the headAvateis of Coiini il creek in the tov.-n. so it is told, stood the old couiicil house used liy llic Winuebagoes and ]\IenominiM' Irihcs; witliii: whose walls. b(4'ore the coming of the white man. doul)t]ess was heard many stii'ring speeches of Indian eloquence, and it was here, so tradition states, that Tomah. the great ]\Ienominee chief, gathered his tribe in council.

The developmeni of the toAvn has been similar to that of other towns of the county, having th(» advantage, lunvevei-. of the nearness to a market sui)plied by the village and city: it has fine farms, good schools and its people are progressive.

Town Of Wells

Tlie town of Wells was set ofF in the fall of 1871 and the first t<»wn meeting held at the home of O. L. Arnold on the second day of April. 1872. The officeis chosen at this meeting were James AVc^lIs. chairman; John Seymour and George Kind, supervisors; J. Ti. Wolcott. clerk; O. I.. .Xiiiold. assessor, and James Ingles, treasurer. At this inei'ting it was voted to liold future town meeting's at tl'.e home of Henry Bauinbaeli, Avhieh was eontiniu'd until 1890, when the })resent town ludl was built.

Among the earlier settlers was Anton Sehulte, still living; R. E. Lyons. William Thurston, Richard J. J. Swatzlow, James A\"ells, Ilosea Nichols, K. "W. Thurston, Ora Dewitt, Frank Toloek, John J. Smith. Simeon Wells and the Arnold brothers.

The town, being one of the late ones, was comprised in the town of Leon in its early history. AVhen the resolution was introduced in the county board to set ott' this town it i)rovided that it should be called "Charleston," but on motion of Alilton iNIontgomery, then a meml^er of the board, it was changed to Wells.

The present town ot^cers are C. II. Sehulte, chairman ; Frank Selbach and John Baumbach, supervisors; D. M. Murphy, clerk; Mike Ebert, treasurer, and George Brooks, assessor. Population, 664.