Turtle Town

Turtle Town

This town is South-east from Janesville and east-T-adjoining Beloit - is one of the finest townships in the county, possessing in her own limits a plenty of wood, timber, limestone, clay for bricks, creeks, water-power, and ftQ excellent soil, properly proportioned between timber and openings, all well watered. Turtle Creek passes through this town from North-east to South-west. There are several very fine water-powers on this stream, two or three already improved. Mr. Daniel Bennett has a very good waterpower on his farnt, near the west line of the town.

town and empties into the Turtle. The Kaeine and Beloit Eailroad passes down the valley of this creek. , Egery Creek receives its name from Daniel B. Egeiy, Esq., from Vermont, who first settled on this creek in 1838 - where ho now resides. This creek rises in Milton and runs about South-west through a portion of this town into Illinois and thence emptying into Rock River. Otter Creek also rises in the east part of Clinton, runs west and unites with Egery Creek in Sec. 34. There is a fine water-power on this creek, with a fall of 21 feet in a race of 200 rods, owned by D. B. Egery & Son. Some very fine quarries a^e found on these streams. Mr. John Benedict has a quarry of very fine building stone on his farm, also a limekiln, in which he manufactures annually about one thousand bushels lime. The first settlers in this town were D. B. Egery, Daniel Bennett,- Chancy Tuttle, John Lewis, Abel Lewis, Samuel G. Colley, Richard Dole, and John Hopkins.

Is a beautiful village in this town on Section 3. It is 9 miles South-east from Janesville, on Turtle jCreek, which gives.a water-power here of 9 feet head and fall, and is'. a very reliable' stream for supply of water. Here is a stone flouring mil), 4 stories high, running three pairs of burrs, and is completely finished throughout; cost $18,000i and built and owned by Hon, L. P. Harv6y and J. H. Randall. This mill grinds SOiOOO btishels of grain annually. A saw mill af this place, also, owned by the same; cuts annually'! 50,000 feet of oak lumber ; cdst $'2,000. Turtleville flouring mill is one mile below on the same stream. North of this village stretches Rock Prairie. South an extensive tract of timbered land, extending 7 miles. Abundance of excellent lime Stone is found in this vicinity, from whict the village' receives its name - a corruption of the French Chaux, (Sho,) signifying lime - pierre, signifying stone. Lime is made here of very expellerit quality. The Chicago, St. Pauls aud Fond du Lac Railroad passes through this place, crossing the Turtle on a fine, substantial bridge constructed by Hon. L. P. Harvey. The first settlers of this village were Caleb E. Culver, John Hopkins, J. H. Randall, A. W. Allyn, James Chamberlain and John Spencer. At aa early day, while Wis. was in its transition state from savage to civilized life, a distillery was established here, but wa.s discontinued after a few years, through the exertions and sacrifice of John Hopkins, Esq. ; to his credit be it said.

Churches - A Congregational Church was organized here in 1843 - which has recently erected a stone edifice for worship, at an expense of $2,00(*. Rev. Mr. Wel'lsj Congregational Minister. The Universalists also have contracted for tbe building of a Church here. Here is one Tavern' one Store, one Grocery two Blacksmith Shops, one Wheelwright Shop, two Shoemaker's Shops, and one Tailor Shop.

Hon. L. P. Harvey - State Senator from 18th Senatorial District - resides here. Mr. Harvey has served the public in various capacities - Shaving been a Delegate from this county to form the present State Constitution - represented his district in the Assembly - and one term of two years in the Senate - has recently been re-elected to the Senate. He is held in high esteem bj" the people, and was a candidate in the last Legislature for U. S. Senator.

Town Officers Fok 1854

Supervisors - R F. Murray, Chairman ; Samuel Gardiner, A. W. AUyn ; J. H. Rogers, Town Clerk ; H. J. Murray, Superintendent Com. Schools ; Jacob Dunn, Treasurer; P. M. HinmSn, J. A. Harris, M. P. Cogswell, Justices of the Peace.

Town Officers For 1855

Turtle was organizedln '46, previous to which it constituted a part of Beloit. The population in 1850 was 1005, in 1855, 1271. It has eleven School Districts and 470 scholars over four and under twenty years of age. This town has eight School Houses. It receives $367 88 from the State School Fund the present year.

Sir : - Having received a hne from you requesting me to write the early history of the town of Turtle - although this call from you was quite unexpected, yet I will endeavor to give a few historical facts, more particularly of tbe notthertt part of the town, including Shopiere and Turtleville. The first settlers) it setenls, were a colony from Beloit " For up the Turtle," and consisted of William Smith, Horace Bice, and Hudson Case. This was in 1836, The first Grove on the south side of the Turtle - known as Cross's Grove - was by a mutual agreement claimed by Mr. Smith. Mr. Rice claimed the next Grove on the north side of the Turtle, now owned by Mack and others. Mr. Case claimed the next Grove on the north side of the stream now owned by Stark and others. They, as was usual at that time, each claimed all the land adjoining their several claims. Soon after this settlement was commenced, Mr. Smith had a son born, which was the first child born in this section of Rook County. At, or about this time, a family from Penn., /ormeWy, by the name of Meeks, claimed where Shopiere now is situated, and built a shanty near where Eacher's store now stands. This family, which consisted of Father, Mother, five Sons and five Daughters, was rather remarkable for size - the whole number averaging about 200 lbs each. They belonged to that class, in the western country, that keeps a little ahead of civilization - known as " Borderers," a sort of connecting link between civilization and barbarism. They first stopped in Oliio, then moved to Ind., then to 111., and at this time hauled up here in Wis., on the Turtle, only to again remove - when "neighbors got within 40 miles of them." This class of people can never do too many kindnesses for their fiiends nor too many injuries to their enemies. About this time a company was formed in Connecticut, and claimed on the north side of the Turtle, opposite Shopiere, This colony was composed of people of an entirely different character and disposition, having brought along with them many of those peculiar notions, for which that State is noted. The reader can readily imagine the consequences resulting from the proximity of two such settlements and of such contrasting characters. The Meekers soon dubbed the Conn, people with two quaint sobriquets - " Pussy " and "Whale," - the former from the fact that they brought in a lot of cats and gold to the settlers ; and the other from the fact that some of them had been engaged in a whale"- fishery, and were great at "spinning yams." Things went on without any open rupture until the latter part of the summer of 1837, when both parties commenced cutting hay on the bottoms on the north side of the stream. The yankees proving to be the smartest workers, were like to monopolize all the hay, and thus rob old Brindle - the only stuck possessed by the Meekevs - of her rights, and subject her to a winter of browsing. This was too much for a generous nature to bear, with any degree of equanimity. Uncle John, from his cabin door discovered the true state of things, and sounded the bugle for a general parade of the colony. They got together all the fire-arms about the premises - charged them heavily - and a log, extending Irom one corner of their cabin eight or tan feet, served as a resting place for their muskets and rifles - all ready for a discharge upon the offending yankees - while he, with stentorian voice, worthy of a general officer, ordered them to disperse and leave the hay, or in case they neglected to obey, he would discharge a broadside into them; but the yankees, reckless of consequences, did not heed the threat ; but continued the work of raking and carting off the hay. Matters were now coming to an " awful " crisis. It was thought best to hold a council of war at the "' Meeker fort," when it was thought best to ditipatch a detachment consisting of the old lady and her five daughters to attempt to drive the marauders from the ground, while Uncle John and the five sons were to keep possession of the " fort." The old Lady, armed with a long-tined' pitch fork, the daughters each with a fish speer, actuated by the strongest sympathy for " poor old Brindle," presented no mean battle array on the south bank of the Turtle, each one lull ' six feet in their shoes. Having arrived at the stream theAeroine thus addreasher daughters: "The infernal yankees are the j)est of our lives. We left Penn. for Ohio to get away from them; again we left Ohio for Ind., and then to 111., and at last have arrived at this place, and here they are ; and now I am determined to make a stand and fight, for I will not go any further." " Go it, mother, we will follow you," was the unanimous response ; when, brandishing their weapons, they started to ford the stream. The yankees, observing the warlike movements on the opposite side, had not been idle ; but heroically acting up to the exigency of the circumstances, made choice of " Whale " to command the defense. He at once ordered the hay wagons to be arranged for a breast-work, and thus addressed his compeers : " I sincerely thank you for the honor conferred, in making choice of me for your commander - you who in old Connecticut have been brought up to clam digging and wooden-nutmeg manufacture-^who came all the way from " away down east," to claim the little Territory of Wisconsin - now prepare yourselves to defend your rights; to fight the Meekers mtfwtcZuaWy and collectively - males and females. If in this fearful contest I should be slain, 0, fail not to bear the mournful tidings to my disconsolate widow and fatherless children, and assure them that I fell nobly, defending my rights and those of my fellow citizens," By this time the assailants had approached the breast-works. The old lady ordered her valiant daughters to charge upon the company, while she made an individual onset upon the Captain , which she did, approaching him with the long-tined fork. The Captain drew a pistol and ordered ber to stand - to advance at the peril of her life ; but she was well aware of her safety under cover of the guns as the " fort ; " - 80, rwthing daunted, she pricked him out from behind the raraparte - he continuing to step backwards as she a,dvanced - still threatening to fire if ste advanced " another inch," until ere he was aWare, he backed off the bank of a bayou of the stream, with eight feet of water. She, observing her advantage, gave him a severe thrust as he went down the bank, when he dove and swam beyond the reach of her forki The rest of the company - assailed by the girls-^-stood their ground, courageously defending themselves, until they saw their Captain fall ; and supposing^ that he was killed,; hastily retreated, and left the field to the undisputed victors. They hurrif^d to the settlement to break the sad news to the widow, who, being just in the act of fainting, was joyfully relieved by the presence of the Capt., all dripping with mud and water.

The trophies consisted of three rakes, one fork, one pail of rations, : containing four yankee johnnyeakes, eight cold pota.toes, one jug of w;hisky, &c. From the above mentioned battle the place was ever after known as Waterloo, until changed: - on the establislynent of a Post OflBce - to the present name of Shopiere.

Sometime in the year IBS'? Blodgett purchased the Meeker claim, and soon built a saw mill. The first importation was a distillery. First exports from this place, a load of whisky, sent to Janesville,

About the same time, A. F. Lewis commenced another village, about one mile below on the same stream. Built a saw mill and opened a store; the first one within the present limits of Turtle. These were ever rival towns, and much strife existed between them : Turtleville claiming all the religion and morality; - Waterloo possessing all the whisky, drunkenness and swearings At a meeting of thirty citizens, to agree upon a name for the town, preparatory to an act of incorporation j and separate organization from Beloit, 29 voted for Waterloo* and only one, - B. E. Mack; - voted for the name of Turtle. When the matter went to the Legislature it was found that there was already one town in the State by that name, (Waterloo,) so it was incorporated by its present name. Such are a few early reminiscences of the early times in the history of this town. I am, &c.,

B. E. Mack The Following Ars A. Few Of The Frincpal Farmers In Turtlb

Daniel Bennett raised 130 tons of hay, made 4000 Bos. cheese, sind 600 fts, butter; Daniel B. Egery raised 150 bushels apples, and 70 tons hay; Dwight B. Kgery raised 70 tons hay; B. F. Murray raised 50 bushels apples; Sylvester Murray raised 50 bushels apples; Henry Smith made 400 lbs. butter, and 400 Sis. cheese; Elek Bruce rMsed 47 tons hay.

Source changes here: from The History of Rock County, Wisconsin; Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., by Wesern Historical Company, Chicago, Pub, published 1879; 1,515 words in this source stream.

Turtle Town

The town lies on the south boundary line of the county, in the southeast part, adjoining the town of Beloit on the east. It was organized by act of the Legislature, approved February 2, 1846, and included in its limits Township 1, and the south half of Township 2 north, of Range 13 east. Subsequently, the last half township was set off to La Prairie. Among the first settlers were D. B. Egery, D. Bennett, R. Dole, Chauncey Tuttle, John Lewis, A. Lewis, S. G. CoUey and John Hopkins. The first town meeting was held April 7, 1846. Chairman, James Chamberlin ; Clerk, Horace Rice. The second Chairman was R. Dole, elected in 1847 ; then followed, in 1848, F. A. Humphrey; 1849, P. J. Erkenbrack ; 1850, P. M. Hinman. L. P. Harvey served until 1854, when B. F. Murray was elected. Alexander Bruce held the position during 1855 and 1856. In 1857, A. I. Bennett ; 1858, F. A. Humphrey ; 1859, Alexander Bruce; 1860, A. I. Bennett; during 1861 and 1862, H. J. Murray ; 1863, F. A. Humphrey ; 1864, John Hammond ; 1865, H. J. Murray. From that time, until 1870, the Chair was occupied by Chauncey Ross; then Thomas Holmes held the position until 1874, when J. H. Cooper was elected. In 1875, Chauncey Ross ; 1876, Thomas Holmes ; and last, but not least, S. H. Slaymaker, D. B. Egery, Daniel Bennett, Chauncey Tuttle, John Lewis, Abel Lewis, Samuel G. CoUey, Richard Dole and John Hopkins. The town has two lines of railroadspassing through its territory : The Chicago & North-Western, which runs through Sections 1 and 2, in the northeast corner, passing into the town of La Prairie, and the Western Union, which enters the town on the east boundary on Section 13, and crosses it southwesterly, passing out in Section 31.

The following is a list of a number of pioneer settlers of Turtle and vicinity, their former place of residence, in what town first located, and the date of settlement :

CHARLEI^ HENRY ALLEN, farmer, Sec. 10; P. 0. Shopiere; born in Shopiere July 14, 1856; son of Alonzo A. Allen, who was a native of New York; he came to Wisconsin about 1845 and settled on eighty acres, and, through his industry and thrift, accumulated 113 acres, well improved; he is now living in Shopiere; Charles H. is living on the old homestead, which he is taking care of. Married, on July 4, 1874, Eva Gitchel, of English descent; have had three children - Nettie May (died when 8 months old), Alexander (born in 1877), Archie (born in 1878).

ADAM BELL, retired carpenter, Shopiere; born in Saratoga Co., Aug. 15, 1811; son of William Bell, who was of North of Ireland descent; Adam Bell's mother, Mrs. A. Van Franken, was of old Dutch stock that settled along the Mohawk. Mr. William Bell was in the war of 1812 and died in

1855 at the age of 82. Adam Bell married Jane Yates, daughter of Cornelius Yates, in New York; have had eight children - William D. (went to Washington at his own expense and enlisted in the McClellan Dragoons and served his time faithfully until he was taken sick and came home and died Oct. 11, 1863 ; he was of a most patriotic spirit; the last word he uttered was liberty, and desired to see the stars and stripes), Nettie (died at the age of 27), Samuel (is now a prominent physician in Beloit), Andrew L. (is in Shelby Co., Iowa), Mary M. (is at home), Francellia (died when an infant), Emma (married W. Swingle), Charles E. (is in Iowa teaching school), another died in infancy. Mr. Adam Bell came from Montgomery Co., N. Y.,to Waterloo (now called Shopiere) Jan. 21, 18491; worked at his trade of carpenter most of his life ; now has forty acres of land, a pleasant home and is in comfortable circumstances ; near his house is an immense specimen of the willow-tree, which he set out in 1850 from a little sprout not bigger than a straw ; it has grown to be nine feet nine inches in circumference two feet from the ground, extends north and south fifty-two feet, east and west forty-six and a half feet ; height, fortyfive feet. A singular coiacidence in the life of William D. Bell is that he was born in October, enlisted in October, was discharged in October and died in October.

ORVILIiE BEXJVETT, farmer, Sec. 30; P.O. Beloit; born in Monroe, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, May 15, 1827 ; son of Donald Bennett, who came to Turtle in 1838; the year following, brought his family, July 28, 1839. Orville was then 12 years old ; he settled on 160 acres; at that time there Was not a path nor a fence, all was naked prairie ; Winnebago Indians were occasionally seen in the neighborhood ; the only road to Janesville was along the old Indian trail. Mf. Donald Bennett died Feb. 28, 1875, at the age of 75 ; he was one of the leading spirits of the early days and founder of the town of Turtle. Orville went to Stevens' Point in 1856, and was married, Feo. 23, 1858, to Ellen Dunn, daughter of John Dunn, of Pennsylvania; have had two children - Charles H., born Jan. 6, 1859, and died Aug. 5, 1869 ; George H., born Sept. 12, 1863. Orville went to Colorado in 1860 and returned in 1861 ; has a fine residence and seventy-seven acres under fine cultiva);ion.

CHARLES H. BROWN, farmer, Sec. 16 ; born in Maine, Aug. 22, 1850 ; son of Timothy Brown, who died in Massachusetts, atthe age of 50 years. Charles came to Wisconsin, Rock Co., in 1851 ; first settled about nine miles northwest of Beloit ; afterward moved to Beloit ; was there five years, then Went to Illinois ; after several changes went, with four yoke of oxen and wagon, to Carroll Co., Iowa ; in 1 872, went to Lincoln, Neb.; was there two years ; went on a bufialo-hunt for two months, and, after many wanderings and adventures, Mr. Brown returned to Turtle in 1878. Married, on Dec. 7, 1871, Minerva Jewell, from Carroll Co., Iowa.

E. WIIjSOIV BRUCE, farmer and breeder of fancy stock, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Shopiere ; born in Friendship, Allegany Co., N. Y., Jan. 18, 1830; son of Roswell Bruce, a farmer in that county; became to Turtle in 1844, and settled on 250 acres, partly in Turtle and partly in La Prairie; he died in the lall of 1864, at the age of 75. Mr. E. Wilson Bruce went to Iowa about 1852 ; was there about five months, came back to Turtle and was there two years, then went to Cottage Grove, Washington Co ; was there about ten years, engaged in farming most of the time ; returned to Turtle and has been there ever since, in the old homestead; has 180 acres under cultivation ; has a brick residence; pays particular attention to raising fancy stock ; has fourteen head of as fine Durham short-horns as can, be found in the county ; has taken many premiums at State and county fairs, and has been eminently successful in breeding this fine stock, which he originally purchased of Winstow's sons; some of this stock recently sold' for $1,000 per head; also rai.«es blooded horses, having fine Norman and Clydesdale stock. Married, July 4, 1855, in Prescott, Wis., Angeline Crippen, daughter of William Crippen ; have had three children - ^Wilmarth is in Minnesota ; Ermina and Walter are living at home. Mr. Bruce has been Town Supervisor ; he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Bruce was recently hurt, while riding, by a kick from his horse, and is confined to his room, but is recovering.

E. D. CAWIVON, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Beloit ; born in Palmyra, Wis., May 29, 1849 ; son of Matthew D. Cannon, who was a native of Staten Island and died in 1850 in Palmyra. E. D. Cannon came to Beloit in 1855, and attended school unt^il about 1868 ; in 1869, went into a drug store and remained there about two years ; in 1871, went into the paper business ; traveled through Northern Dlinois and Wisconsin; was successful and made money; afterward went into the drug and notion business with E. R. Smith ; shortly after went on the road again in the notion business, which he continued about four years successfully ; through industry laid up about $6,000, and went into the cigar and confectionery business in Beloit; in 1877, went on to the old Geer farm of 300 acres ; this is one of the best farms in the town ; from the ground near the house there is a fine view of the towns of Beloit, Janesville and Rockton ; Mr. Cannon has a fine breed of horses and good general stock, and will undoubtedly make a successful farmer.