Walworth Village (part 1 of 2)

Walworth Village

Walworth is known in the Government survey as Town 1, Range Ifi east. It was fonnerly, under the act of 1838, a part of the town of Delavan. In ISSV), it was set off, with what is now Sharon, into a separate town and named Walworth. Subsequently, by act of the Legislature, March 21, 1843. Sharon was erected into a separate town, leaving its geographical limits as they now are.

It embraces a single (Congressional township of six miles square. It is bounded north by Delavan: east by Linn: south by the State line, and west by the town of Sharon.

It is largely prairie land. Big Foot Prairie covering the southern half of the town. There the land is a rich, black, alluvial, deposit. The northern ^^art is somewhat broken, was formerly ({uite heavily wooded, and not so valuable as farming land as the prairie. There the soil was a light, clayey loam. It was not at first considered valuable to settlers, and got the not very prepossessing cognomen of Hard Scrabble. Later, its virtues have come to be better appreciated, and some most excellent farms are cultivated within the old tabooed territory.

The town, in some regaixls, is more historic, or pre-historic. than any other part of the county. It had located near the head of Geneva Lake, which nearly covers Section 12 and a part of Section 11. the only considerable Indian village at the tinie the white settlers began to come in in 1836. Big Foot, a chief of the Pottawatomies, had his residence and council house there, and from there he took his final leave of the Walworth County hunting-grounds, in the latter part of that year, when the terms of the treaty whereby his lands were ceded demanded his evacuation. There, it is told, that the body of his son. a youth of some fifteen years, was left, inclosed in a rude log casket, in a tree overhanging the lake. There has been some dispute as to whether the remains were those of ii lad or of an adult person. Some old settlers over that it was the body of an old man, and was that of Big Foot's father, instead of his son. There seems little doubt that the casket hung in the tree when the first white man came, but what became of it - whether desecrated or given more Christian sepulture - is not known.

A fuller account of Big Foot, his village and his final leave-taking, which was witnessed by Mrs. James Van Slyke (the first white woman in the town), is given in the early history of the county.

James Van Slyke made the first settlement, near the Indian village. He built his cabin there and moved his family into it from Geneva, late in the fall of 1836. It is believed that Mrs. Van Slyke was the only woman who spent the winter in the town. There were other men besides Van Slyke, but they were unmarried, or did not bring their families in till the following s]iring. The Williams families were on the south side or the lake, some two miles away. There were no other families nearer than Geneva Village or Delavan. A peculiar case, attended with great hardship and evincing the wonderful nerve and decision of Mrs. Van Slyke, is related as oecmTing that winter. It is related that in Febniai-y, 1837, Van Slyke, with Nathan Disbrow, driving in a di-ove of hogs from Illinois were caught in the memorable sudden cold that came on. They were obliged to leave their drove four miles from the house and make their way to the cabin as rapidly as possible to save freezing to death. They arrived at last, but Disbrow's feet were so frozen that he lost the toes on one foot, which were amputated by Mrs. Van Slyke with the only surgical instrument she had. viz., a pair of scissors and a butcher knife.

The fame of the beautiful prairie became widely known in the spring of 1837, and many settlers came in to po.ssess themselves of the land. The following information concerning the comers of 1837 is believed to be from reliable sources:

T92 History Of Walworth County

Mr. Williaju Bell, who came himself in the sprin"^ of 1837, wrote concerning the settlers of that sprincr, to Hon. C. M. Baker, in September, 1869. He wrote: "I came to the town of Walworth in the s|)ring of 1837, and found in the town Cj'iiis Chui'ch, Jacob G. Saunders, James Van Slyke. Marcus Ru.ssell, Roliert Russell, J. C. Church, Thomas Godfrey, John Reader, James A. Maxwell, Ira Starr, Israel Williams, Amos Bailey and J. Ward."

The whereabouts of these in 1869, when IVIi'. Bell wi'ote, were pai'tially given by him as follows: "Cyrus Church, Thomas Godfrey and Marcus Russell are now in the towTi of Walworth: J. C. Church and John Reader, in Delavan; J. G. Saunders, in Illinois; William Bell, in Elkhorn."

As throwing still more light on the very early settlement of the town, the following j)aper, read at the Old Settlers' Re-union of 1880, is given entire:

By Cykus Church

" About the 1st of February, 1837, I started from my home in Trumbull County, Ohio, with a valise on my Ijack, to find a home in the far West. Passing through Chicago to Crj'stal Lake, where I expected to stop and make a claim on Govermnent land for my futm-e home, I found a few families from Virginia had settled there the yeai- before, and stopjied with one John Mc- Lure for a few days. I expected to stay longer, but one night a very genteel-looking man called to stay overnight, and in conversation told me his home was at the head of Geneva Lake, about twenty miles distant, in Wisconsin Territory. He had been to Chicago and sold a part of his claim for $4,000, getting |2,oOO cash down. He appeared to think it was an almost inexhaustible amount of money, it being in bills of small denominations. He had them loose in his pockets, frequently pulling out a handful of bills and making a wonderful display of them, saying he expected to make a mark in the world yet. He was di-essed in a new suit of clothes, with a tall stovepipe hat: had a mai% and with a string could show us the head of Geneva Lake was in a direct line between Chicago and the Foiu- Lakes at Madison: also between St. Louis and Milwaukee, and so on between aay two places that were likely to be of importance most anywhere in the West, He said it had been the home of Big Foot, the chief of the Pottawatomie Indians, the largest tribe in the West, the trails centering there from every direction, consequently it must be a very important place in the Western country, and urged me very anxiously to come and see Big Foot Prairie, the very Eden of the world, for myself.

"About the '25th of February, it being a clear, cold morning, I started alone for the promised l:>nd. There had been a thaw a few days previous, so as to get the water running in the streams, and then it turned cold, making very fair walking on the crust, the snow being about ton inches deep. I soon came to a stream of running water, with no alternative but wade through, and proliably find more of the same sort, or go back. Pausing for a few moments, I soon decided to go ahead, and on I went, the ice holding me until I reached near the current, then in I went, wading thi-ovigh, the water being about three and a half feet deep for some twenty feet, passing on to find several others to go through the same way. Finally, it began to grow dai'k, and, knowing full well if I didn't find a house within a few minutes, I was doomed to cold lodging for the night - not very pleasant to think of - I hui-ried on, and in a few minutes saw the smoke curling up through the trees from Van Slyke's cabin. I need not say to you it was a very pleasant sensation I found two families living in the cabin, it being about 14x16, and not a sawed board about the place. I was very kindly entertained for the night. The beds being all occupied. I slept on the floor, it being made of split logs laid on the gi'ound, with a small blanket over me, with feet to the fire, the fu'e being at one end of the cabin, and a hole at the top for the smoke to escape.

" I found there, in that rude cabin, kind, warm-hearted friends indeed. After living with one of the families for several years afterward, I ever cherish in my memory the kindest regards for them. The next morning, I went to look around and see what sort of a place I was in, the little cabin in which I had been so kindly entertained being the only one in the town of Walworth. Everything around seemed to have a wild, romantic a))pearanee no mark of civilization to be seen but the rude cabin. The beautiful, clear waters of the lake were hidden under the ice and snow. A little way from tlie house could be seen the deserted wigwams of the Indians, they having been removed some three or four months before. Big Foot's wigwam was far superior to the others. A few rods from there, in the top of a tree which is now standing, was deposited the body of a boy about fifteen years of age, a son of the chief. His remains were in a butternut log, very nicely pr&pared for" that purpose. His featui-es were all perfect at that time, but some ruthless hand had torn it down and robbed him of his ornaments. After looking around a little, my first work was to make a three-story bedstead in the corner of the room, with one post only. The only tools to do it with were two augers and an as. The beds were made of prairie feathers, commonly called marsh hay.

" In a few days, travelers wanted to be accommodated, and. there being a lack of room, we stuck thi-ee poles across the room overhead and took a bark off from Big Foofs tent and laid it across them, and I slept on it for about five months.

" Our post office was at Chicago for the first year, and the next it was at William Phoenix's, a little way from the east end of Delavan Lake; and many a time have I followed an Indian trail there and paid 25 cents postage on a letter from home.

" When warm weather came, emigrants came also, and about the 1st of June I helped build the first house on Big Foot Prairie, for Mr. Thomas Godfi-ey, and in the course of two years ther<? was a goodly number of families in the town of Walworth, but they are not here now. They have gone to another country. "

The persons named by Mr. Bell were the earliest settlers of the town, but were by no means all who came in and took up land that summer. Of those he named as surviving in 1869, only a few are left. Mr. Bell himself died some years ago in Kansas. John Reader, Marcus Russell and Thomas Godfrey have since died.

Among those who came in prior to 1840, the following are remembered, and their first location given, fi-om the memory of those still living: Cyrus Church, oldest living settler, Febmary, 1837, on Section 21: Jake G. Saunders, on Section 22. in 1837, removed to Illinois many years ago; P. Van Slyke, on Section 14. made the first claim made in town in fall of 1836; moved away many years ago; present whereabouts, if living, not known; Marcus Russell, in 1837, on Section r5,'died in 1875; Robert Russell, in 1837, on Section 15, now Hving in Iowa; J. C. Chm-ch, in 1837, on Section 10, died in Delavan; Thomas Godfrey, in 183/, on Section 20, died in 1877 or 1S7S: John Reader, in 1837, on Section 18. died in 1879; James A. Maxwell, in 1837, on Section 27. moved to Nevada; Israel W. Starr, in 1837, on Section 13: Amos Bailey, in 1837, on Section 11; Jonathan Wai-d, in 1837, on Section 13; William Bell, in 1837, on Section 16; moved to Elkhorn, then to Kansas, where he died some yeai-s ago; D. C. Porter, fall of 1837, on Section 24, still living; C. L. Douglass, in 1837. tii-sib on Section 26. now living on Section 15; Drs. H. Clark and L. N. Wood, in 1837-38, both settled on Section 23, first physicians in the town, and among the earliest in the county; both deceased; their widows living; Matthias Molu-, in 1837, bought a part of Van Slyke's claim on Section 14: still living in the town; John Cummings and John Cummings, Sr.. in as eai-ly as 1838; Joseph Bailey, in 1838, moved to Iowa, where he died; Jonathan Fish, in 1838. on Section 33, died in Walworth in 1881; Jesse Bowman, in 1838 or 1839, on Section 18, deceased; place now owned by G. W. Webber; Thomas Waddle, in 1838, section not certain - probably 18; moved to Illinois early; David Davids, in 1839, Section 27, now living in Baraboo. Wis. ; William Reed, in 1838, on Section 14, deceased; son still lives on the old place; Elder P. W. Lake, in 1838 or 1839, on Section 34, died some years since; Mrs. Lake still lives on the place, at the advanced age of ninety years; Beardsley Lake, their son. lives in Harvard. 111. : Lucius Smith, in 1840. on Section 28, now lives in Sharon; Newell Crooks came in with the Douglass family in 1838; married (me of the daughters; settled on Section 15; now living in California: Sylvester Hawvei-, now in California, came in 1838 or 1839; Thadeus Smith, an unmarried man, came in 1838; Henry W^ Stevens, in 1839 or 1840, on Section 28, now in Colorado: William Rumsey, in 1837, on Section 30, now in Iowa: Mills Chm-ch, in 1838, on Section 28, now in Missouri.

The very full biographical sketches of present residents of the town, many of whom are the descendants of eai'ly settlers, will supplement any omissions in the above list, which is as full as could be obtained.

Fikst Occurrences And Things

The cultivation of the land began in earnest as soon as the frost was out in the spring of 1837. James Van Slyke did the first ])lowing. He had broken that season 100 acres. In the early summer. Collins Wadhams broke 500 acres for five settlers on the prairie.

Clara Anna Bell, daughter of William and Susau Bell, was l>oru .July 8. 1837. She was the first white child born iu the town. The first white boy born was Henry Godfj'ey, in the summer or fall of 1S37.

The first death was that of a child of Amo-i Bailey, in the summer or fall of 1837. Mrs. Joy, from Massachusetts, died in the winter of 1838. Mrs. Cummings, mother of Mrs. Van Slyke, died about the same time. There was at the time no minister in the town, and the sad but friendly funeral services were performed by the neighbors. Mr. William Bell related that this was the first burial he attended in the town. There is a tinge of deeper melancholy than usual in his simple recital. He writes: " Mr. Reader and myself were digging her grave, about forty rods from the house, when I was informed that they wanted me to officiate as minister. I left Mr. Reader to finish the grave and went to the house, which I found filled with friends. I was fui-nished with papers containing some sermons, and a hymn book, from which I selected a sermon and hymns appropriate to the occasion. The singing was excellent, Mr. James Maxwell being the leader. The sermon was also pronoiinced very apjaropriate. "

The first schoolhouse was built in 1839, and the first school district organized in the fall of 1840. Dr. L. N. Wood, James A. Maxwell and Beardsley Lake were the Trustees. Mrs. Moses Williams was the first teacher. The school numbered five scholars.

The first post office was estalilished in 1830, and William Bell appointed Postmaster. The mails came in on the south road from Geneva twice each week. Present Postmaster, A. H. Hitchcock.

War Record

The war record of ^^'alworth is inseparable from and so interwoven with that of the other towns of the county as to render it well-nigh impossible to separate it. For personal accounts of her soldiery, the reader is referred to the war history of the county at large. The fiill quota of the town was eighty-five. She fmnished ninety - a larger percentage of excess than any. town in the county except Elkhorn. Of the mmiber furnished, seventy -six were volunteer.s.

In 1881, the number of acres sown to grain was 5,743; there were 259 acres of apple orchard, having 7,350 fruit-bearing trees: 3,410 acres of mowing and pastuj'age, and 2,226 acres of growing timber; the number of milch cows was 859, valued at $19,323. There were, in 1881, eight schoolhouses, vahiedat $4,720. The number of scholars enrolled between the ages of four and twenty years was 386, of which number 282 attended school. Eight teachers were employed, at average monthly wages of $28.28 for male and $22.25 for female teachers. The annual amount expended for schools is ueaidy $2,400.

There are no villages in the town except at the post office at what was formerly known as Douglass Comers, now known as Walworth. Here is the most considerable hamlet in the town. A post office, a good schoolhonse, a church, two general stores, a shoe store, a cheese factory, two blacksmith shops, together with several neat dwellings, make up the little village. The church is that of the Seventh-Day Baptists. That denomination is numerically the strongest in the town, and embraces among its members many of the reliable, intelligent and exemplary citizens.

This church was organized at the house of Dr. Henry Clarke, December, 1845, with seven constituent members, viz. : Deacon Alfred Maxson, John R. Maxson, N. L. Bassett, William Davids, Charles W. Dowse, Mrs. Harriet E. Coon, Mrs. Hannah M. Coon.

The following persons have served the church as preacher and pastor since its organization: Elder Stillman Coon, Elder Daniel Babcock, Elder O. P. Hull, Elder Varnum Hull, Elder William M. Jones, Elder Charles M. Lewis, Elder James Bailey, Elder Solomon Cai-jjenter, Elder L. M. Cottrell, L. E. Livermore, O. M. Whitford.

The meetings, both religious and business, were held in the cobble-stone schoolhouse in the eastern part of the town of Walworth till April, 1855, when they were held alternately in said schoolhouse and at the schoolhouse in the village of Walworth.

In 1857, Big Foot Academy was finished, and an academic school opened therein in December of that year. The meetings were then held in the academy until the completion of the new meetinor- house. The new church edifice was finished and dedicated in March, 1874. The building is gothic in style, has a fine basement room for the Sabbath school and business meetings, and has one of the finest audience rooms above probably to be found in the county.

We do not differ from other evangelical chm-ches in oiu- tenets, exoept on the day of the Sabbath; the only difi'erence between us and the Baptist denomination of oiu' coimtry is upon the Sabbath. W^e keep Saturday, the seventh day^of the week; we believe it to be the Bible Sabbath; that the Fourth Commandment is still binding upon all; that it has never been changed.

" We believe that the New Testament teaches us that Christ and His apostles observed the seventh day of the week, and hence we have the authority of the Fourth Commandment and the example of Christ and His apostles for keeping the seventh day. The change from the seventh day to Sunday observance was made, as we hold, by the chiu'ch and state, imder the rule of Emperor Constantine, A. D. 321, without any divine authority. We give these statements, not as an argionent, but as reasons for oiu- being a separate denomination and called the Seventh- Day Baptists. We are called Jews by many, but we are neither Jews in descent nor in religion, but are as evangelical as the most evangelic church in our land."

There is also a floiu'ishing Baptist Chm-ch in the town. It was organized as early as 1844, by Rev. Hem'y Topping. The church edifice is of brick, and is located on Section 18. The present pastor is Rev. Adams.

Fontana is the name of one of the delightful sununer resorts at the head of Lake Geneva, now owned by Messrs. Montague & Porter. It is being improved by the proprietors from year to year, and is destined to be the nucleus of a large summer population at no distant day. The name is historic. The grounds on Section 14 embrace the site of the old Indian village, and was the fii'st land taken by white men in the town. It was part of the old Van Slyke claim, and was i)iu-chased as early as 1838, of Van Slyke, by Matthias Mohr, Amos Bailey and Dr. Heniy Clark, who platted thereon an embryo village, which they named Fontana. It never existed except in the sanguine imaginations of its projectors. It is not unlikely that, after a lapse of forty years, it may yet become what it was planned to be when named so long ago.

Big Foot Mills, the onlv mills in the town, are located on a small creek on Section 15, which gives a reliable water-power. Thev are owned by Mr. C. L,. Douglass. There was first built there a saw-mill iu 1845. by Richard Mongtague; in 1858. Mr. G. L. Douglass erected a grist-mill on the same privilege, which he has owned and run ever since. He has all the modern improvements, including rollers and other machinery for doing the best merchant work. It is run constantly, and the tlour ranks with the best spring wheat manufactured. The old mill is now used as a feed-mill and saw-mill.

Corpokate History

The first town meeting held in Walworth after its limits were as now established was held at the schoolhouse near John Bowman's, on Big Foot Prairie. Tuesday, April -1, 1843.

Sixty dollars was raised for contingent expenses; $20 for the poor; $100 for schools; and a specialtax for the relief of poor citizens, named in the records, amounting to $80.75.

Roster Of Town Officers

1845 - Supervisors, Philip W. Mink, Chairman; Jonathan Pish (a tie vote prevented the election of the third member of the board); Clerk. James M Clark; Treasiirer. E. Chm-ch.

Biographical Sketches

REV. SPENCER G. ADAMS, pastor of the Baptist Church of Walworth. Mr. Adams was born in Ohio in 1844; he received his literary education at Denison University, Licking Co., and took his theological course at the " Baptist Union Theological Seminary," at Morgan Park, Chicago ; he officiated as student pastor of the Baptist Church at Thompsonville, Racine Co., for a time ; he assumed pastoral charge of his present church May, 1877. Mr. Adams was married to Nancy Alice Williams, daughter of John Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have five children.

ELI AYERS, farmer, Sec. 20 and 21 ; P. O. Walworth. Mr. Ayers was born in Salem Co., N. J., in 1822 ; he was brought up in Cumberland Co. ; he was married to Anna Elizabeth Swinney. Mr. Ayers and his father-in-law came to the town of Walworth in the spring of 1852, and purchased of Mr. A. Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Ayers have two children - Arthur L. ( who married Miss L. Russell), and Julia (wife of Mr. Truman A. Saunders). Mr. and Mrs. Saunders have one son, Arthur B.

REV. ALBERT R. BALDWIN, Baptist minister ; Sec. 18 ; P. 0. Walworth ; he is a native of the town of Orange, Essex Co., N. J., where he was born in 1814 ; he lived in New Jersey until 24 years of age ; he went to Ohio in 1838. In 1840, he entered Granville College, in that State, where he graduated in 1844 ; he then entered Newton Theological Seminary, in Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1847. After the completion of his course there, he preached at Calais, Me., for a few months, thence to North Wrenthan, where he was pastor of a church for one year, thence to Haddam, Conn., for two years, then to WinchendoD, Mass., for about four years. Owing to failing health, he gave up preaching in 1857, came West, and settled on the farm where he now lives. From the spring of 1863, to the fall of 1866, he was pastor of the Walworth Baptist Church ; since that time he has only preached by supply. In December, 1873, Elder Baldwin met with an accident, which at a time threatened to deprive him for a time of the sense of sight, in fact for a time he lost the sight of both eyes, but the sight of one was finally restored. He was married to Sarah H. Rhoades, born in Boston, Mass. ; she has been dead several years. Elder Baldwin has but one child - Albert R., born February, 1859; he lost a daughter. Albert was married to Carrie Ryer, born in Canada. She removed from Canada to Michigan when she was a child, thence to Illinois, and afterward to the town of Sharon, where her parents now live. They have one child - Albert R. (born Aug. 16, 1881).

HIRAM S. BELL, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. O. Walworth ; son of William and Sarah Bell. His father was born in Berne, x\lbany Co. N. Y., in 1806, and his mother at Rensselaerville, N. Y ; the former was born in 1810 ; they came to Walworth Co. from the State of New York, in 1837, and settled on Sec. 17. The parents of Mr. Bell lived on Sec. 17 till 1865, when they removed to Elkhorn ; they afterward returned and removed to Lawrence, Kan., where his father died in 1876 ; his mother still lives at Lawrence. The parents of Mr. Bell had thirteen children, six of whom are living - Hiram S. is the only member of his father's family still residing in Walworth Co. ; three of the children live in Kansas, one in Iowa, and one in Michigan. Hiram S. was born in the town of Walworth, within one-half mile of where he now lives, in 1844; he has always been a resident of Walworth Co. ; he went to Elkhorn, where he resided ten years ; settled where he now lives in 1877 ; bought his farm of Jo.seph Bailey. He was married to Luceila C. Bailey, daughter of Joseph Bailey, in 1869 ; she was born on the farm where she now lives in 1847. They have one son, Clifford W., born in September, 1873. Mr. Joseph Bailey died on this place in 1873. The mother of Mrs. Bell resides at Elton, Walworth Co.

MR. WILLIAM BELL was born in Berne, in 1806, Albany Co., N. Y. He received a good common-school education, and in his early manhood was several years a teacher. In 1828, he moved to Albany, where he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for eight years. In 1829, he married Miss Sarah Mosier, and in 1837, they moved to the then Territory of Wisconsin, making their home in Walworth Co. He took an active part in all the interests of town and State, being the first Justice of the Peace (which office he held for sixteen years), the first Postmaster for fourteen years, and the first County Assessor. In 1847, he was a member of the convention which formed the State Constitution. He was a man of marked character, Hrm and earnest in his opinions, a zealous lover of liberty, and an independent thinker both in regard to religion and politics. During the war he was loyal and patriotic ; two sons fell in the Union cause. In 1870, he moved to Lawrence; since he has been here he has been particularly interested in raising fi-uit. He was a member of the Horticultural Society, in the meetings of which he was interested, and often took an active part. Three years ago, he had a severe sickness, from which it was not thought he could recover. He was not afraid to die; but earnestly expressed a desire to live his three score and ten years, and especially to see the Centennial year. His wish was gratified ; his seventy years were completed, the grand national expo.sition was drawing toils close, when disease laid its fatal hand upon him ; from the first he did not think that he should recover, and talked with his family calmly and hopeful of the future. After a distressing sickness of a little less than five weeks, he passed away, Wednesday morning, Nov. 8. He leaves a wife and seven children to mourn his death. Mr. Bell died in Kansas.

ORSON BILYEA, farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. Walworth; was born in the town of Burlington, Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1837, where he was brought up; he was married to Fannie Litts, born in the town of Richland, Oswego Co., N. Y.; he came with his family to Walworth Co. in June, 1865, and purchased his farm of Lorenzo Maxon. They have one son - Clarence E., born October, 1864.

JOHN BONHAM, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Walton ; he was born in New Jersey, in 1835, where he w;is brought up; he enlisted during the rebellion in the r2th N. J. V. I; he served in the army twelve months, when he was discharged for disability. He came to Walworth Co., October, 1867, and has been a resident of the town of Walworth since that time, except three years that he ived in the town of Sharon ; his wife was Miss Mary West, born in New Jersey ; he purchased the tirm which he now owns of Mr. Phineas Bowen ; his farm contains 80 acres.

MRS. SARAH A. BONHAM, Sec. 17; P.O. Walworth; she is the widow of Daniel Bonham, her maiden name was Sarah Bowen, daughter of John and Anna Bowen ; she was born in the State of New Jersey ; married to Daniel Bonham in 1844, Mr. Bonham was also born in New Jersey. They came to Walworth Co. in 1866, and settled where Mrs. Bonham now lives, purchasing the farm of Mr. Rouse; it was first settled by Mr. William Bell. Mr. Bonham died in August, 1875. Mrs. Bonham has four children - Ellen, William, Frank and Charles ; Ellen was born in New Jersey in 1846; William was born in 1851, Frank in 1863, and Charles in 1868. Mrs. Bonham's farm formerly contained 137 acres, now contains 120 acres.

DANIEL BROOKS, farmer. Sec. 32; P. 0. Walworth; Mr. Brooks was born in New Jersey, in 1828, where he was brought up; he came to Walworth Co. in March, 1869 ; he purchased his present farm in 1875; he has 80 acres. He has been married twice; his present wife was Rebecca Chard, born in New Jersey ; he has two children by his first wife, and has had two by present marriage, one of whom is living - Myrta V.

CYRUS CHURCH, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Walworth ; he was born in the town of Granby Hartford, Co., Conn., in 1817 ; when he was 4 years of age, he removed with his parents to Broome Co. N. Y , and to Loraine Co., Ohio, when 16 years old, and afterward removed to Trumbull Co. in that State. He is numbered with the very earliest settlers of the town of Walworth and of Walworth Co.; he came here in February, 1837; at that time there were but two families in the town of Walworth - those of Mr. James Van Slyke and Jacob G. Sanders. He bought the claim of his present farm of Mr. John Sloan, in the lall of 1838, and it has been his home ever since. He has been married twice; his first wife was Miss Emeline Russell, born in Ohio ; she died Jan. 31, 1853 ; his present wife was Mary Boormaii, born in England ; he had six children by first marriage, five of whom are living - Adelia V., Leonard C., Hiram E., Eugene L. and David B. ; he has three children by present wife - Howard M., Henry S. and Minnie S. He has witnessed the growth of Walworth Co. from a wild and uninhabited country to its present standing ; he is among the most wealthy and progre.ssive in the State of Wisconsin ; he has done his share to this great work ; he owns a farm of 200 acres of the beautiful prairie land of the town of Walworth ; he is successful farmer, has a pleasant home and a competency. Mr. and Mrs. Church are prominent members of the Baptist Church of Walworth.

0. P. CLARKE, farmer. Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Walworth; he is the son of Dr. Henry Clarke, who withDr. Wood were the earliest physicians of the town of VValworth ; they were both prominent physicians, and educated men, and very successful. They both served as members of the Legislature, practiced medicine in company for many years; both reared large families, and both became wealthy. No representative of the family of Dr. Wood resides in the county at this time ; several of his sons have risen to distinction. Dr. Clarke settled on Sec. 16 in 1839, where he resided until his death. His wife was Lorinda Coon ; born in the State of New York. They have twelve children, eleven of whom are living. O. P. Clarke was born on the homestead in 1841 ; he was a member of the 13th W. V. I. during the rebellion, married Lucinda Hulbert, daughter of Silas H.; they have four children - Helen, Edna, Charles and Milton.

WILLIAM 0. CLARKE, farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. O. Walworth ; son of Ephraim and Angeline L. Clarke. His father was born in Rhode Island, married in Madison Co., N. Y., and came to Walworth Co. in the spring of 1857, and settled on Sec. 15, town of Walworth ; he went to Pike's Peak in 1869, and died at Denver on his return the following year. Mrs. Clark purchased and settled on her present farm in 1869, and was bought of Henry Ernest ; the original owner of the farm was Dr. Wood ; has had seven children, six of whom are living - Helen, now Mrs. Elston Dunn; Frank B., Finnette, now Mrs. W. Clarke ; Almeron; Jennie, now Mrs. E. Hyde; and William 0 , who was born in Alleghany Co., N. Y., and resides at the homestead.

LEONARD C. CHURCH, farmer, son of Cyrus Church; he was born at the homestead, in the tDwn of Walworth, January, 1846 ; married Miss Adeline, daughter of D. C. Porter, Esq. Mr. Church resides at the homestead of his father-in-law, on Sec. 24, where Mrs. Church was born in 1848 ; they have three children - Wells D., Nannie J. and Giace. Mr. Church was a member of the 3d W. V. C, during the war of the rebellion, serving three years.

DAVID COON, farmer, Sec. 28; P. 0. AValworth ; Mr. Coon was born in Rhode Island in 1810; his parents removed to Brooktield, Madison Co., N. Y., when he was a child, where he was brought up ; then removed to Jefferson Co., where he lived till 184(.i, when he came to Walworth Co. and settled in the town of Walworth, where he has since lived. His wife was Miss Hannah M. Clark ; she was born in the town of Brookfield, Madison Co., in 1812 ; his father, David Coon, came to the town of Walworth in 1852, and died in 1858 ; his mother died in 187(t. Mr. and Mrs. Coon have two children - Louisa A., Tife of William R. Bonham, and Lucy J., now Mrs. Marcus G. Godfrey.

HARLOW M. COON, farmer, Sec. 22; P. 0. Walworth ; he was born in Otsego Co. N. Y., in 1819, where he was brought up. He came to the town of Walworth in June, 1S43, and purchased a farm on Sec. 25 ; he lived where he first settled ten or twelve years, when he removed to Douglas Corners and engaged in the mercantile trade, in the name of Coon & Crumb. They bought the business of Mr. Warren Mack ; Messrs. Coon & Crumb were together in business about three years, after which Mr. Coon continued ihe business for some time. He built the store now owned by Nathan J. Reed ; he bought the farm which he now owns in 1856 ; it was altogether unimproved when he purchased the farm. His wife was formerly Miss Harriet Crumb. They have three children - Phebe S., Eva H., and Irving H.

JOHN M. CRAMER, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Sharon ; hern in Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1823, where he lived till 9 years of age, when he removed with bis parents to Tompkins Co., where he lived till 22 years of age. He made a claim of the farm where he now lives in June, 1845. He returned to the State of New York, but returned in the fall of 1846, and settled permanently on his place, which has since been his home. He first purchased 640 acres, one-half of Sees. 32 and 33. He now owns over 300 acres. His parents, William and Jane Cramer came to the town of Walworth five years later, and located on Sec. 32, where they resided till their death. His wife was Emily J. Mulford, daughter of Dr. Ezra Mulford ; she died in May, 1880. Mr. Cramer has four children - William, Mulford, John and Freddie. The parents of Mr. Cramer had seven children, four of whom are living - John M., George E. (at Delavan), Philip D. (in Iowa), and Henry A. (at same place).

CHARLES W. CRANDALL, painter and grainer, Walworth, son of Welcome B. Crandall, who was born in Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y. Married Emily Dowse, and came to Walworth Co. and settled in the town of Walworth in 1855. Mr. W. Crandall had five sons, four of whom are living - Roswell, Charles W., William and Paul, all of whom are residents of the town of Walworth, but William ; John was a member of the 13th W. V. I., and died at Columbus, Ky.; Charles W. enlisted in the 22d W. V. I., and served one year, when he was discharged for disability ; Paul was a member of the 40th W. V. I. ; Charles W. was born in 1833; he has followed the business of painting constantly since 1867; also for several years previous to that time. He married Prances Dennison, born in the State of New York. They have two children - Hattie and Fannie.

C. L. DOUGLAS, proprietor of Big Foot Mills, near the head of Geneva Lake, son of Christopher Douglas, one of the earliest settlers of the town of Walworth. His father was born in the State of Connecticut, and removed thence to the State of New York, thence to Michigan and Illinois, and came to the town of Walworth in 1837. He was engaged in the extensive breaking, in 1837, on Big Foot Prairie. He entered the farm now owned by Mr. Merwin on Sec. 28. This farm he afterward sold to Mr. Williams, and settled on the Joseph Crumb farm. This farm he purchased at the land sale. He removed to the present village of Walworth in 1S42, where he kept hotel for several years. He settled at the head of the lake in 1857, where he died in 1866. The parents of Mr. C. L. Douglas had ten children, four sons and six daughters, three sons and four daughters still living. He was born in the State of New York inl827 ; came to Wisconsin with his parents ; he built his present mill in 1857, which he repaired very fully in 1S81, introducing the latest and most approved machinery. He also owns and conducts a farm of 360 acres. His wife was Margaret, daughter of Arthur Stewart, an early settler of Rock Co. They have throe children - Carlos, Horace G. and Lewis C. An older brother, Oscar H. Douglas, residing on Sec. 15, came to the town of Walworth the same year. He was born in Orange Co., Vt., in 1810. Married Sarah D. Goff. They have one son - Oscar W.

CYRUS E. FEROW, farmer. Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Delavan ; was born in the town of Redhook, Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1835 ; his parents were Henry and Leah Ferow. They aft«rward removed to Onondaga Co. He came to Walworth Co. with his parents in June, 1843. Hia father settled on Sec. 5, on farm now owned by David Phelps. He died in this town Aug. 20, 1869. He was born in 1802. The mother of Mr. Ferow was born in 1807, and resides with her son, who settled on his present farm in March, 1860. His wife was Eliza A., daughter of Elias Clark. She died Dec. 12, 1875. He has two children - Emma B. and Jennie M.

ELMER C. FRENCH, farmer, Sec. 30 ; P. 0. Walworth ; he was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., in 1835 ; he went to Green Co., Wis., in 1865 ; he bought the farm where he now resides of Mr. 0. W. Horton in February, 1875. His farm contains 160 acres. It is a fine farm, and his improvements are among; the best in the town of Walworth. The cost of his buildings alone were about $3,500 - $1,300 of which he has expended since be purchased the farm. His wife was Miss Nancy Cameron. His fiither came with him to Wisconsin, and now lives with his son.

ROBERT GODFREY, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Walworth; son of Thomas Godfrey, who was born in England in 1809. He was married in England. He emigrated from Kent Co., England, to New York, and lost his wife about the time of his arrival in this country. She died while the vessel in which he crossed the ocean lay in quarantine in the harbor of New York. He resided in the State of New York for a few years, and came to Walworth Co. in June, 1837, and settled on Sec. 19, in the town of Walworth. He was married again in the State of New York to Mrs. Elizabeth (West) Highland ; he resided on Sec. 19 till his death, which occurred in August, 1878 ; his wife died January, 1881. Mr. Thomas Godfrey had eight children, four of whom are living - Henry, Robert and Elizabeth (^twins), and Charles. The homestead farm is divided between Robert and Charles. The former was born en the homestead in 1845 ; he owns the west 80 acres of the homestead ; he was married to Miss Anna L. Woods, a daughter of John Woods; she was born in England, in 1847 ; they have two children - Robert W. and Caroline E. Charles Godfrey was born in 1849 ; he married Ann Eliza Merenos, daughter of Ira Merenes; they have three children - Clayton, Elsie and Nellie. Elisabeth married Mr. John Lawson ; they have four children - Frank, Mary, Caroline and Ruby.

JAMES HARRINGTON is a native of the State of New York, and was born in 1810. He was elected to the Second Constitutional Convention, residing at the time in Elkhorn. Mr. Harrington removed to St. Paul, Minn., and died there in 1853.

AMOS H. HITCHCOCK, Jr., Postmaster of Walworth. Amos H. Hitchcock, Sr., was born in Hartford, Conn., and removed to Rochester, N. Y. After he was married, he came to Walworth, Walworth Co., with his famil)', in 1851, and settled on Sec. 16, and engaged in farming. He was a carpenter and builder by trade, and worked at carpentry in connection with farming. He now lives in Iowa. Amos H. Hitchcock, Jr., was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 1838. He came to Wisconsin with his parents. He prepared for teaching at the academy at Walworth, and began teaching before the war. He enlisted Aug. 31, 186], in the 10th W. V. I., Company A, and served until November, 1864. His regiment belonged to the Central Department ; he participated in several battles, and was severely wounded in the hand at the hard-fought battle of Perryville. He then went to the hospital, and during the remainder of his term of enlistment acted as Commissary Sergeant. After the war, he again engaged in teaching and farming. He has held several township offices; he was Assessor in 1866, and Treasurer in 1867; he has been Town Clerk since 1868, except two years; was Chairman of the Board in 1876, and has been Postmaster since 1868. His wife was Miss Maria Rrown, daughter of William Brown, formerly of Schoharie Co., N. Y. Mrs. Hitchcock was born in the town of Walworth. They have four children - Loretta, Lavenia, Amos and Maria.

JONATHAN B. HOLMES. Sec. 31, P. O. Sharon. He was born iu Cumberland Co., N. J., in 1833; when 13 years of age. he removed to Wilmington. Del., where he attended school for a time; he then went to Philadelphia and engaged as clerk in a wholesale drj^ goods house; in 18ri2. he went to Madison, Ind. , where he had charge of a dry goods store; thence to Cincinnati. Ohio, where he was engaged with William E. Lee & Co. On the brealdng-out of the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in the (ith Ohio V. L for three months, and. after this, re-enlisted; he jjarticipated in the battle of Rich Mountain, and was present at the death of Gen. Gvu-net; thence to the State of Kentiiokv; spent the winter of 1861-62 at Camp Wickliffe under Clen. Nelson, then was ordered to the sujiport of Gen. Gr.int at Ft. Donelson, i)ut arrived too late to participate in that battle; Feb. 16. 1865, he embarked on the Diana. Cien. Nelson's flag-ship, for Nashville; the 6th Ohio had the honor of raising their colors over the capitol building of that city, in which Mr. Holmes, then an Orderly Sergeant, bore a conspicuous part; he participated in many important battles of the war, including Shiloh and Stone River; was taken prisoner at the battle of Chickamauga, Sept. 19. 1863. and was sent to Libby Prison. Richmond; was paroled in the following March, and soon afterward exchanged ; he was then on the detached duty for some time; he was ordered to Camp Chase, where he ofifieiated as Quartermaster to the detachment of paroled prisoners, which he afterward accompanied t(j the front for exchange; he was mustered out of service Jivne 26, 1864; he enlisted as a private, and was mustered out of service as First Lieutenant. After his return' from the army, he engaged in the fiuTiishing business at Cincinnfiti. with Mitchell & Renmelsborg. until 1868, when he went to Philadelphia and engaged in the manufacturing business. He was married to Mrs. Kate H. Downs, of Philadelphia: settled where he now Jives in 1879.

MENZO HONE, farmer, Sec. 17 ; P. O. Walworth. Mr. Hone was born in the town of Sharon, Schoharie Co., N. Y., March, 1824 ; his grandfather Hone was one of the early settlers of that county, his f;»ther, Harmonius Hone, having also been born there. Mr. Hone came to Walworth Co. with his parents when in his I!lth year ; his father settled on Sec. 9, town of Walworth, where he died in May, 1845 ; his mother, Maria Hone, died July 20, 1880. Mr. Menzo Hone made his first settlement in 184.5, on Sec. 9, the farm now owned by J. Maxon, where he lived nine years; he then removed to Turtle Prairie, town of Darien, where he lived one year. In 1854, he removed to the town of Albany, Green Co., where he lived fourteen years; he bought his present farm in 1868, of Mr. B. D. Cramer. Mr Hone was married to Margaret, daughter of Jacob Deremer, who came to Walworth Co. from Montgomery Co., N. y., in 1843 ; Mr. and Mrs. Hone have four children - Ann E., now Mrs. David Hilton ; Alvina, wife of Larmer Odell ; Adelbert and Cleora, now Mrs. Henry Davis. Mr. Hone's farm contains ninety acres; Mr. and Mrs. Hone are members of the Baptist Church at Walworth.

THOMAS J. LLOYD, farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Delavan; .son of Thomas and Ann Lloyd, natives of England, where they were married in 1832 ; emigrated to Oueida Co., N. Y., in 1842 ; came to Walworth Co. in 1849, where he still resides ; his wife died August, 1881 ; Mr. Lloyd, Sr., has five children - Thomas J, was born in Radnorshire, in 1838 ; came to Walworth Co. with parents; married Martha C. Boorman, daughter of John and Mary Boorman, from County Kent, England ; he purchased his present farm, January, 1880. They have three children - Chester C., Laura L. and Mary L. ; lost one daughter. His farm contains 170 acres.

REBECCA LAKE, Sec. 34; P. O. Big Foot Prairie, McHenry Co., HI. Mrs. Lake is the widow of Phipps W. Lake ; her maiden name was Rebecca Beardsley ; she was born in the town of Richfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., May 6, 1792, and is consequently now (1882) in her 90th year ; she was married Jan. 1, 1812. to P. W. Lake, who was born in Hoosie, Conn., May 1, 1789. Mr. and Mrs. L first settled in the town of Plainfield, Otsego Co.. N. Y., and afterward removed to the town of Virgil, Cortland Co., and thence to Montgomery Co. They came to Walworth Co. in 1839 ; he purchased 640 acres in Sees. 34 and 35, in the town of Walworth where he resided until his death, which occurred Aug. 17, 1860. He was a minister of the Baptist Church, in which connection he preached for thirty-eight years ; his memory is held in the highest respect for his many excellent qualities and Christian virtues. Mrs. Lake had eight children, six of whom are living - Beardsley and Levi, who reside at Harvard, 111.; Mrs. Rebecca Van Wagener, in Chicago ; Waldo owns a part of homestead ; Mary L. Reed, in Janesville, and Sarah M., now Mrs. J. E. Smith ; she lost her two children - Polly and Lucretia Armstrong. Mrs. Lake is remarkably smart for one who has lived so long ; she retains her memory and other mental faculties to a remarkable degree ; s-he resides with her son-in-law, James E. Smith, on a part of the homestead. Mr. Smith was born in the town of Richfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., Oct. 1, 1817 ; he went to Michigan from the State of New York, in 1835 ; thence to Southern Indiana, and returned to the State of New York in the spring of 1838; and in the fiill of 1842, returned to Leavenworth, Crawford Co., Ind., and in the spring of 1843, he came to Walworth Co., but did not settle here permanently until the fall of 1845 ; was married in 1847. Mr. and Mrs. S. have three children living - Rebecca L., wife of Charles H. Coon ; Oliver L., now at Harvard, 111., and James E., Jr.

JAMES MAGSON, farmer. See. 9 ; P. 0. Walworth ; he was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, England, May, 1829, where he was brought up; married Elizabeth Barker, born at the same place March, 1834. They came to the United States in 1855, and have lived in the town of Walworth since that time. Settled on present farm in 1856; he has 80 acres of land.

ASA LEWIS MAXON, farmer. Sec. 27; P. 0. Walwortu ; he was born in the town of Petersburg, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in May, 1802, where he lived until he was 23 years of age, when he removed to Madison Co., thence to Jefferson Co.; he came to the town of Walworth in 1853; his wife was Miss Julia Ann Reed, born in New Labanon, M. Y., in 1804. They have four children living - ^Edgar R., Henry J., Francis W. and Joseph. Mr. Maxon is one of the many early settlers who came to Walworth Co. possessed of but little property, who by industry, and good management have acquired a competence; he has had the pleasure of seeing his sonsall settled about him, three of them the owners of good farms, and numbered among the substantial men of Walworth Co., and the other a prominent and successful physijcian of Walworth. Mr. Maxon's farm contains 140 acres.

History Of Walworth Counts'

CLARK; P. MAXON, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Walworth ; he was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1818; he came to Walworth Co., October, 1844, and settled on Sec. 30, in the town of Linn, where he lived until 1865, when he sold his farm to Mr. Horace E. Green ; he bought his present farm of Mr. Harlow Coon, in 1866 ; he was married to Miss Lucy Ann Kinney, born 1816, in Otsego Co., N. Y. ; she died April, 1879. Mr. Maxon had one daughter - Olive L. His farm contains 110 acres.

EDGAR R. MAXON, farmer, Sec, 33; P. 0. Walworth; oldest son of Asa L. Maxon; he was born in the town of Petersburg, Rensselaer Co., N. Y ., in 1823 ; he came to Walworth Co. Nov. 2, 1849; his father had been here the previous spring and selected a location ; Edgar R. lived on the land located by his father for several years ; he settled where he now lives about 1852, purchasing the farm of E. D. Maxon. His wife was Emily W. Rodgers, daughter of Austin Rodgers. They have three children - C. A., Mary and Jane E. Lost a daughter, Ella J., who died in 1861. Mr. Maxon's farm contains 120 acres, he has also 40 acres of timbered land.

F. W. MAXON, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Walworth; son of Asa L. Maxon; he was born in Jefferson Co.,N. Y., in 1835; came to Walworth Co. with his parents in 1853; his first settlement was on Sec. 27, in 1856. He was married to Mary E. Colburn, a sister of Lucius Colburn. His present farm contains 225 acres ; Mr. Maxon, like many other farmers of Walworth, is engaged quite extensively in dairying ; he makes a specialty of the Holstein breed of cattle, has several fine specimens of that famous breed of thoroughbred - cattle, and a large number of grade cows and heifers; he is a successful farmer and stock-raiser, as his well cultivated farm and fine herd of cattle indicate.

HENRY J. MAXON, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Walworth ; son of Asa L. Maxon ; he was born in Rensselaer Co , N. Y., in 1826 ; became to the town of Walworth in 1852 ; for several years he worked on the farm of his father; he purchased his present farm in the fall of 1856, purchasing of Warren Wood ; he settled here in 1869. His wife was Miss Phebe Howland, a neice of Mr. Jonathan Fish, an early settler of the town of Walworth, Sec. 33. Mr. Fish died Dec. 8, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Maxon have eight children, five sons and three daughters. Mr. Maxon's farm contains 104 acres, he also has 80 acres on Sec. 26.

J. S. MAXON, M. D., Walworth; son of A. L. Maxon; born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1838. Came to Walworth Co. with his parents in 1853 ; he received an academic education at Albion, Dane Co.; studied with Dr. John A. McDonald; graduated at the Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, in 1875, though he had practiced medicine one year with Dr. McDonald previous to his graduation, with whom he also remained a year after taking his degree at Chicago, he afterward attended the Homceopathic Medical College, New York City, and also the Homoeopathic College at Chicago ; he has been in practice in Walworth most of the time since he began his professional career. Bought out Dr. McDonald in 1875, and has been alone since that time. Dr. Maxon is a thoroughly educated physician and surgeon ; he is a gen ial, sympathetic gentleman, and well adapted by nature as well as education for a physician ; he has an extensive practice, and though comparatively young in his profession, possesses a well-merited reputation. Married Anna Goodrich; her father, Anson Goodrich, was an early settler of Rock Co.

IRA MERENES, farmer. Sec. 17, P. 0. Walworth. Mr. Merenes was born in the town of Sharon, Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1820, where he was brought up. He was a resident of his native town till about 40 years of age. His wife was Miss Mary Hanes, born in Schoharie Co. in 1829. Mr. Merenes came to Walworth Co. in 1859, and purchased his present farm of Mrs. Sally Fairchilds. Mr. and Mrs. Merenes have had ten children, eight ot whom are living - Ann Eliza, Catherine, Ida, Jane, William, Emma, Maria and Mary. They lost their oldest child, Helen ; also a son, David. Mr. and Mrs. Merenes are members of the Lutheran Church at Sharon. The ancestral family of Mr. Merenes dates away back to early colonial times. His father was David Merenes ; his great-grandfather Merenes was a soldier in the war for independence, and was killed during that struggle. Mr. Merenes is a cousin of Mr. John Merenes, of Sharon.

STEPHEN MINK, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. Delavan ; was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., in June, 1819, but was brought up in Dutchess Co. ; married to Catherine E. Van Fredenburg, born in Dutchess Co. -They came to Walworth Co. in 1843, and settled on their present place, which Mr. Mink purchased of the Government. His farm originally contained 85 acres. He now has 223 acres. His parents, Mary and Philip Mink, came to Walworth Co. at the same time. His father died in the State of Illinois. Mrs. Mink's parents resided in Dutchess Co until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Mink have seven children - Mary, Julia, Marshall, Phillip J., Jane, Lily andSevillah.

WILLIAM MORGAN, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P. O. Delavan; was born in Wales in 1829; married to Sarah James. He came to the United States in the spring of 1852, and settled in Pennsylvania, where he lived three years; came to Wisconsin in 1855, and located in the town of Genesee, Waukesha Co. ; came to Walworth Co. in April, 1860, and bought 40 acres of his present farm of Mr. Thomas, who was the original settler. He now has 220 acres. They have five children - Thomas, Ellen, Elizabeth, David and Grifiith.

DELOS W. MULFORD, farmer. Sec. 33; P. 0. Big Foot, McHenry Co., 111., is a son of Dr. Ezra A. Mulford. Dr. Mulford was one of the first physicians of Walworth Co. He was born in Albany Co., N. Y. He studied medicine with Dr. James Wade, and attended medical lectures in the city of Albany. He was married to Zilpah Packard, born in June, 1804, in New Hampshire. Dr. Mulford practiced medicine in the State of New York for a number of years. He came to Walworth Co. in 1845, and settled on Sec. 33. Dr. Mulford was a successful physician, and was engaged in the practice of his profession till near the close of his life. He died Nov. 1, 18G1. He had six children, five of whom are living - Mrs. Huldah Mansfield, Delos W., Ezra A., Mrs. Zilpah Clerk and Mrs, Sally Wilkinson. All are residents of Walworth Co. except Mrs. Wilkinson, who is a resident of Illinois. Delos W. was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1832; was married in 1854, to Emeline Finch, daughter of Orren Finch, and step-daughter of Rodolphus Albinus Hutchison. They have three children - Zilpah, Orren and Lydia. He purchased his present farm in 1853.

EZRA MULFORD, of the town of Walworth, was born in 1804, being a native of the State of New York. He was a physician by profession, and served in the second Const itutional Convention. He was a man of ability, but modest and retiring. Mr. Mulford died several years ago.

EZRA A. MULFORD, Sec. 33 ; P. OiBig Foot, McHenry Co., 111. ; son of Dr. Mulford ; was born in Montgomery Co., N Y., in January, 1835 ; he was married to Julia A. Brown, a daughter of Mr. William Brown. They have one daughter - Anna. Mr. Mulford purchased his farm in 1856, and settled on it in 1857.

ROWLAND T. PECK, Walworth ; he was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in June, 1816, where he was brought up; his parents, Eldad and Anna Peck, were residents of that county until their death; he was married to Sarepta S. King, daughter of David and Phebe ( Bunce) King. They came to Walworth Co. in the fall of 1843, and settled on Sec. 7, town of Walworth, purchasing their farm of Mr. Alvin Matteson. They afterward removed to Sec. 17. They located where they now live in the fall of 1879. They have four children - Delana B., Fremont and Freeman (twins), and Henry. Their eldest son, John T., enlisted in the 28th W. Y. I. and died at Helena, Arkansas, December, 1863.

DAVID PHELPS, farmer. Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Delavan. Mr. Phelps was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y.. in 1837 ; he came to Walworth Co. with his parents in 1847 ; his father settled on the farm now owned by Mr. William Dougall, in the town of Sharon ; he bought his present farm of 83 acres of Mr. Amos Safibrd ; his wife was Miss Mary Aucompaugh. They have four children.

M. F. PIERCE, farmer, Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Big Foot, McHenry Co., III. ; was born in Greene Co., N. Y., in 1825. When he was 14 years of age, he removed with his parents to Schoharie Co. ; his father had made a claim on Sec. 32 in the town of Walworth, to which he removed his family from the State of New York, in June, 1844 ; his father died in June, 1847 ; his mother, now Mrs. S. G. Smith, lives in the town of Troy. Mr. Smith died in June, 1878 ; he settled in the town of Troy, in 1836; Maxon Pierce, the father of the subject of this sketch, has three children - George L., who died December, 1846; M. F., and Hannah E., who died in 1854. Mr. Pierce has been married twice, his first wife was Harriet Wheeler, his present wife was Mi.ss Betsy J. Potter; her father, Ira Potter, removed from Erie Co., N. Y., to McHenry Co., 111., in 1848. Mr. Pierce has three children by his first marriage - Lizzie, George W. and Maxon W.; and two by second wife - Ames and Alma; his farm contains 240 acres.

D. C. PORTER, Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Geneva ; farmer and senior partner of the firm of Porter & Montague, proprietors of Fontana Park ; the park here mentioned is situated at the head of Geneva Lake, and comprises 65 acres. The grounds are fitted up in first-class style for pleasure purposes, are supplied with suitable dining halls, etc. A good boat livery is included among the advantages of the place, which is a favorite camping ground for pleasure parties. The lake and its advantages are more fully treated of elsewhere in this work. The grounds were formerly opened in 1875. Mr. Porter has a fine farm of 160 acres, exclusive of the park, situated on Sec. 24. He was born in Franklin Co., Mass., Sept. 16. 1815 ; is the son of Nathan and Elizabeth Porter ; he lived in his native county till 21 years of age, then moved to Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, where he resided three years. In September, 1837, he came to Walworth Co., Wis., visited Sugar Creek and Geneva Lake, and selected the site of his future home near the shore of that beautiful sheet of water. He then returned to Ohio and was married Aug. 14, 1839, at Dover.

Cuyahoga Co., to Miss Nancy J. Hanchet, daughter of Jonah Hanchet. Mrs. Porter was born in Vermont. Immediately after their marriage they proceeded to their new home in Wisconsin. Mr. Porter established himself in the town of Walworth on the site selected by himself on his former visit. After a residence of one year in this place, thinking they could better themselves, they moved to the town of Bloomfield ; three years later they returned to their first love on the old site at the head of Geneva Lake, where they have continued to reside lo this date. They had a family of three daughters and four sons ; the eldest, Dwight W., died in childhood ; Eliza J. is the wife of Charles Stevenson, of Denmark, Iowa ; Amelia is now Mrs. Donald Forbes, of Bloomfield ; Adaline is the wife of L. C. Church, of Walworth ; Doric N. married Vina Canoe, and lives in Walworth; WilHam P. is living in Colorado ; Lester C. is in Dakota, and David W. at home. Mr. Porter has been Supervisor of Walworth four terms and Chairman one term.

THOMAS H. PUGH, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Walworth. Mr. Pugh was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1842 ; he lived in Herkimer Co. till 9 years of age, when he removed to Oneida Co. ; his father, Stephen Pugh, was a native of Wales. Mr. Pugh came to Walworth Co. in the fall of 1870, but returned to the State of New York the following year ; he came back in 1875, and worked the farm which he now owns, till the spring of 1880, when he purchased it of Mr. James Sherburne ; his wife was Miss Mary McCarty, a neice of James Sherburne. They have two children - Mattie and Frank T. Mr. Pugh's farm contains about 180 acres.

CHARLES H. RIPLEY, farmer and mason. Sec. 10; P. 0. Walworth ; he was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1829 ; he came to Walworth Co. in June 1851 ; he made his first location on Sec. 22, in 1856, where he lived until he settled where he now lives, in the fall of 1865. He bought his present farm of Mr. Edgar Topping; the farm was first settled by Jonathan Church. Mr. Ripley was married to Mary, daughter of William Brown. They have three children, all born in the town of Walworth - Edward, born in 1857; Charles L., born in 1862, and Henry," born in 1867. Mr. Ripley is a mason by trade, as is also his son Edward ; the latter was educated at the Academy in Walworth, and engaged in teaching during the winter season. Mr. Ripley's farm contains 80 acres.

FRANCIS RODMAN, farmer. Sec. 19; P. O. Walworth; son of Robert L. Rodman, who was born in the town of Middlebury, now Fulton, in Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1806, and came to Walworth Co. from the State of New York in June, 1846. Mr. Robert L. Rodman is probably the largest farmer in the town of Walworth. He settled on a quarter of Section 20, where he now lives, but his quarter-section has increased to about 500 acres, and as good land as Walworth Co. possesses. He is a natural farmer, as everything connected with his farm indicates. His wife was Rebecca Harsel, born in Schoharie Co. They have six children, three .sons and three daughters - Francis (the oldest of the children was born in the county of Schoharie, N. Y., April, 1836. He came to Walworth Co. with his parents. Married Catherine M., daughter of Benjamin Felter, born in Schoharie Co., N. Y.. in 1842. Her parents removed to Cook Co., 111., in May, 1845. They now reside in Lake Co., 111.

DANIEL H. ROLO, carpenter and millwright, Walworth ; he was born in Otsego, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1810, where he lived to the fall of 1853, when he came to the town of Walworth ; he first engaged in milling for Richard Montague ; he learned the trade of a carpenter when a young man, which he has followed the most of his life to a greater or less extent ; he has also had considerable experience as a millwright ; his wife was Anna Dyer, born in Otsego Co. ; have had three children - Harriet (now Mrs. S. Ward) ; lost two sons; their oldest, Frederic C. ; enlisted in the 1st W. V. C. ; died while in the service September 27, 1862 ; Edwin, born 1856, died in 1858.

LEVI SAWYER, farmer, Sec. 7; P. 0. Walworth; born in Massachusetts in 1832; he removed with his parents to Pennsylvania in 1849, thence to the State of New York, near the city of Elmyra ; he went to Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1850; thence to Racine Co., and to the town of Richmond, Walworth Co., in 1853. He was married to Thankful L. Viles, daughter of Alfred and Thankful (Norton) Viles, who removed from the State of Maine to Richmond, Walwotth Co., in 1850, and afterward to the town of Walworth. Her mother died in 1808. Her father died at Mr. Sawyer's Aug. 6, 1881, at the advanced age of 83 years. The parents of Mr. Sawyer had nine children five sons and four daughters, all of whom grew to maturity, two sons and three daughters are still living. Mrs. Sawyer was born in Maine in 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer have six children - Benjamin W., born in Walworth Co. in 1854 - Frances E., George H., Orrin R., Zebulon B. and Thankful N. Mr. Sawyer removed to Rice Co., Minn., where he remained three years, when he returned to Walworth Co.

DAVID R. SERGEANT, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Big Foot, McHenry Co., III. Mr. Sergeant was born in Orange Co., N. Y., in 1808, where he was brought up. He came West in October, 1843, and settled in the town of Chemung, McHenry Co., 111. ; he purchased the farm where he now lives in February, 1853, where he has since lived. His wife was Miss Mary Ann Tooker, born in the State of New York. They were married in 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Sergeant have eight children, five sons and three daughters. Mr. Sergeant has 50 acres of land ; his farm was first settled by a Mr. Fuller.

EPHRAIM B. SWINNEY, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Walworth. He was born in Cumberland Co., N. J., in 1818. His parents were Joseph and Elizabeth Swinney. He was married in New Jersey to Mary A. Ayers, daughter of Jonathan Ayers, who removed from New Jersey to Marshall Co., 111., but died in New Jersey in 1872. Mr. Swinney went to Illinois June, 1852. In September of that year he came to Walworth ; his father and brother-in-law (Mr. Ayers) came to the town of Walworth in the spring of the same year, they having all left New Jersey at the same time ; they all settled on Sec. 20 ; his father died at Douglass Corners in February, 1865. Mr. Swinney purchased his farm of Mr. A. Brown ; his farm contains 80 acres ; he also owns 80 acres elsewhere. Mr. and Mrs. Swinney have three children - Elizabeth E., now Mrs. E. A. Walters ; Edwin and Joseph ; their oldest son, now in California, served for a time in the army, and during the rebellion as a member of the 40th W. V. I.

S. H. VAN SCHAICK, farmer. Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Walworth ; he was born in the town of Glen, Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1816. His father. John S., was born in New Jersey, but removed to the State of New York when quite young with his parents ; Mr. Van S. went to Illinois in 1842 ; he came to Walworth Co. in the summer of that year, and bought the farm which he now owns, of Thomas Featherstone. He has 200 acres of land ; his wife was Miss Maria Ottman, born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1824; they have three children - - John E., William H., and Clara. He is a man who is highly respected in the community in which he lives, for his sterling qualities as a man, and for his kindly and generous disposition as a friend and neighbor. He is a prominent member and a Deacon of the Walworth Baptist Church.

W. E. VAN SCHAICK, farmer. Sees. 4 and 5 ; P. 0. Delavan ; born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1822 ; he first came to Walworth Co. in 1844, but did not make a permanent settlement in Walworth Co. till some years later; he went to California via the Isthmus in 1852; was absent six years; he settled on his presentfarm in the spring of 1863, which he purchased of Mr. Cyrus Church and of his brother, Henry Van S.; his wife was Miss Harriet Winnie, born in the town of Root, Montgomery Co., N. Y.; they have two daughters - Emma and May ; his farm contains 170 acres ; he has a pleasant home, and for his residence has one of the most beautiful locations in the town of Walworth, being three miles from Lake Geneva, and one mile from Delavan Lake; Mr. and Mrs. Van S. are genial, hospitable people, and at their present home, the stranger as well as acquaintance and friend will be sure to feel the influence of the kindly part of human nature.

W. A. WELSHER, Superintendent of the farm and fisheries of Fairbanks and Leiter, at the head of Geneva Lake; P. 0. Walworth. His father, Harrison Welshcr, was for many years in the employ of Seth Green, of the State of New Y'^ork, where he had a large experience in fish culture, and was afterward Superintendent of the State Fisheries of Wisconsin, which position he resigned July 18, 1881. He derived much of his knowledge in propagating fish from his father; he was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1858, and came to Madison, Wis., with his parents in 1876 ; he was appointed to his present position in 1879. His wife was Maggie J. Morgan.

REV. 0. U. WHITFORD, pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist Church, Walworth ; he was born in the town of Plainfield, Otsejio Co., N. Y., May 12, 1837. His father was Clark W., a native of Otsego Co. ; he came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1858, and became a student of Milton Academy, Rock Co., where he graduated in the summer of 1861 ; he entered the junior class of Alfred University in the State of New York in the fall of that year, graduating in the classical course July, 1863 ; he was married in Allegany Co., N. Y., to Miss Euphemia Allen, of the town of Wirt. For six years following his graduation, he was Principal of the Shiloh Acad«my, Cumberland Co., N. J. From 1869 to the fall of 1870, he labored as a missionary in Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania. In September, 1870, he entered the middle class of Union Theological Seminary of New York City, where he graduated in 1872. He settled as pastor of the Seventh Day Baptist Church at Farina, 111.; in July of that year. About five years thereafter, he resigned and accepted the pastorate of the church over which he is now settled, coming to Walworth in April, 1877. They have two children - Allen C, born December, 1870, and Mary J., born November, 1873.

ROYAL J. WILLIAMS, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Geneva; he is numbered among the very earliest settlers of the town of Walworth. He was born in Franklin Co., Mass., May 1, 1818; his parents were Israel and Lavina (Joy) Williams. Mr. Williams lived in Massachusetts till his 19ih year, or till August,

1836, when he came to Walworth Co. with his younger brother Austin, while two other brothers, Moses D. and Israel, had arrived here in July of that year. Moses, on his arrival, made a claim for Royal J., comprising the north fractional half of Sec. 13 ; as soon as Royal came he took possession of his claim. Moses' wife (LucidaS.), taught the first school in the town of Walworth during the winter of 1838 and 1839. Probably no living settler of the t&wn of Walworth had made a claim at ihat time. At this lime no settlement had been made on the prairies in the town of Walworth, but a few claims had been made on the lake shore. Mr. Williams made his home for a time with his brother Moses, whose claim was across the line in the town of Linn ; his other brother also made claims. Royal Williams is the earliest settlert of the town of Walworth now living, and when he came to Walworth there was but one white man (James Van Slyke) hving in the town ; Indians were living there at this time.* His father came in July, 1837, and brought the remainder of the family, including the children's grandmother, Hannah L. Joy, who died in 1839. The father died in 1846, mother in 1852, and all died at the old homestead where Royal now lives. He purchased the claims of his sons when the land came into market in 1840. Royal J. now owns the farm where his father settled and died in 1846. His brothers, Moses and Austin, died of typhoid fever in 1844. He has three brothers living - Israel (resides in Minneapolis), Francis (a minister of the Congregational Church in Connecticut), and Festus A. (who resides in the town of Geneva). Mr. Williams was married to Lucretia S. Warren, born in Franklin Co., Mass. They have three children - George B., Edward F. and Harley; lost one daughter, Ellen. His farm contains 200 acres ; he has held several town offices ; he was Assessor first in 1860, and has held that ofiice several times since ; was appointed by the Government to enroll the town in 1862 ; he has been engaged as Surveyor since 1842 more or less, and Notary Public lor fifteen years. He went to Virginia in 1865 and leased a plantation, where he remained two years ; he has also passed a number of years since he became a resident of Walworth, in New England.

LEWIS N. WOOD, M. D. (deceased), was born in Cumberland Co., N. ¥., Jan. 12, 1799, eleven months before Washington died; he was educated at Burlington, N. Y.; was married Oct. 21, 1821, to Naomi Davis, and soon after removed to Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y. ; he removed to Waterville, Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1832, where he became Principal of the academy in that place, a position which he held until he removed to Chicago, which place he reached the 28th of May, 1837; he first visited Big Foot Prairie, in Walworth Co., Wis., in the fall of 1837, and located a claim on its eastern border; he moved with his family to Big Foot in February, 1839; he had eight children, all of whom reached maturity and were married - Robert J. is now living at Baraboo, Wis.; David L. died on Big Foot in 1852 ; Joseph W. lives at Baraboo ; Naomi D., who is now Mrs. Crawford, lives at Baraboo ; Clarissa M., who married Calvin B. Lake, M. D., died in Delavan, in 1853 ; Alvinus B. is now living at Ann Arbor, Mich.; Alvina B., who married William Hooker, died at Baraboo, in 1858: Edith E., who married Rev. H. C. Fuller, died on Big Foot in 1874. The mother of the.se children now lives with her daughter, Mrs. Crawford, of Baraboo; she is 82 years of age, is in reasonably good health, and in full possession of her faculties. Dr. Wood graduated in medicine at Geneva. N. Y., in 1837; he was a diligent student all his life - accurate in his scholarships - a friend to reformers, and a hater of shams ; he was deeply interested in science in many of its branches ; he made a large collection illustrating the mineralogy and geology of Central New York, and then again of the Western States. These studies attached him to the soil and he left a lucrative practice in Chicago to take possession of his farm on Big Foot ; here again he was compelled into an extensive practice, the exposures of which, in his tedious rides through the thinly settled country, undermined his health and he was compelled to quit his medical practice in 1843; he organized the common schools of the town of Walworth under the Territorial law, and was for many years their Superintendent, by common consent ; he represented his District in the Wisconsin Assembly, in 1852; he delivered the third annual address before the State Historical Society in that year. He removed to Baraboo in 1856, where he died in 1868; he was for many years a member of the Baptist Church, and died in the full assurance of the Christian faith.

B. F. WRIGHT, carpenter. Sec 16; P. 0. Walworth; son of David and Phebe Gardiner Wright. He was born in Albany Co., N. Y. ; he came to Walworth Co. in 1855, and located at Delavan, and engaged in farming and as a carpenter; he went to Madison, Wis., in the fall of 1856, where he lived until the spring of 1859, when he came to the town of Walworth. He enlisted in the 28th W. V. I., and served three years ; he participated in a number of important battles, including battles of Helena, Spanish Fort, Mobile, etc. He was married to Maria A. Huntley, born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. They have two children - Cora M. and John D.

* In a letter written to us, RoyaTa brother says : " The Indians told him that it was Old Big Foot,' that was buried up in the tree at the ' Head of the Lake,' and father told me after climbing up and examining the corpse,' ' that the teeth were those of an old man. His two quaws are Lmrie I on the farm where Royal now lives, as the ' Indian Gardens' were here; this was their home and they were bur:ed on a srislDg piece of ground overlooking their homes and gardens, and he at the ' Head of the lake,' oyerlooking his fishing ground.

Source changes here: from History of Walworth County, Wisconsin .., by Beckwith, Albert C. (Albert Clayton), published 1912; 3,866 words in this source stream.

Walworth Village

Township i north, range 16 east, was a part of the town of Delavan until February 28. 1839, when it was set off and named for the county. It then for four years included Sharon. Next southward are the towns of Alden and Chemung, in Illinois. The ground is generally high, much like that of Sharon. At the observatory it is one thousand fifty feet above sealevel, and nearly as high for a considerable area about that institution. At the railway station, village of Walworth, the height is one thousand four feet. The lowest point is a short' and narrow area at the end of Geneva lake, from which the ground rises almost precipitously in three directions to the normal height of the town. Big Foot prairie, in the southwestern quarter of the town, and spreading beyond the state line, was early known as one of the largest and richest of the county. The northwestern corner of the town is slightly uneven and was once moderately timbered, as is the land in sections 35. 36 and most of the high margin of Geneva lake.

The streams are few and small. There is, or was, a small lake of very irregular outline in sections 25 and 26. Geneva lake covers nearly the whole of section 12. ahout three-eighths of section 13, and cuts a "huge half-moon. a monstrous cantle" out of sections 11 and 14. When the ancient lake broke through its lower barrier it was so far lowered as to lay bare the irregularly outlined, quickly and unevenly sloping Fontana valley in sections 14 and 15, through the deeper grooves of which a little mill-stream winds its short course to the small arid now shrinking but not useless marsh at its mouth, and at the edge of the lake.

James Van Slyke came with his family from the mill-section at Geneva late in 1836 and was Big Foot's nearest neighbor, who, thanks to Mrs. Van SI) ke's tact and kindness, was friendly and probably in some ways helpful. The high ground on three sides of Fontana valley no doubt made the hard winter of 1836-7 more endurable than at most of the new settlements.

As Cyrus Church remembered and noted, the settlers of 1837 were Amos Bailey, section 11 ; William Bell, 16; Cyrus Church, 21; Jonathan C. Church, 10; Carlos L. Douglass, 26, 2- ; Thomas Godfrey, 20; James A. Maxwell. 2~ ; Matthias Mohr. 14; Doric C. Porter, 24; John Reader, 18; William Rumsey, 30; Marcus and Robert Russell, 15; Jacob Gregg Sanders, 2] : Israel W. Starr. 13; Jonathan Ward, 13. Between 1837 and 1840 Joseph Bailey came to sections 31, 36; Cholister Bartholomew, 14; Mills Church, 28; Dr. Henry Clark, 2^; Newell Crooks, 15; John Cummings, 13; David Davids, 2~j; Jonathan Fish, 33; Sylvester Hawver, - ; Rev. Phipps W. Lake, 34; William Reed, 14; Lucius Smith, 28; Dr. Lewis N. Wood, 23.

Patents of land are recorded from the United States to Samuel Mills Bailey, in section 1; Harvey Birchard, 5, 8; James and John Boorman. 18; Aloysius Brown, 30; Charles Brown, 1, 11; George Brown, Jr., 3; Joseph Burdick. 23; James Carney, 6; William M. Clarke, 25; Michael Clinton, 1; Harlow Merrill Coon, 25; Joseph T. Crumb, 26; Curtis Hector and Elihu G. Eaton, 2; Peter and William Featherstone, 7, 8; Henry Ferow, 5, 9: John Sewell Folds, 1 ; Andrew Gilbert, 24: Elisha Wells Hadley, 1 ; Moses Payson Hadley, 12; Samuel Hale, t; Charles Hone, 5: Amos D. Johns, 3, 4; John Keith, 8; Edmund and John Kitelv. 15: George H. Lown, 4, 5: Chilion Bucklin Matteson, 9; Dr. Philip Maxwell. 15, 2(1, 27: John Meginnis, 6; Truman Pierce, 1; Robert L. Rodman, 30; Sterling Pomeroy Searle, t8; Peter Siperly, 5; George Smith, 11, 21, 29; James Edward Smith. 2^,; William H. Stevens, 15; Catharine Stewart, 30; William Thomas and Jacob Vandervttt, 6; Samuel II. Van Schaick, 7; Joseph D. Whiteley, 35, 36; Sylvanus Wilcox, [8; Austin Williams. 3; Israel Williams, 1. 24; Moses Daniel Williams, 28; Daniel I., and Robert J. Wood, 23: Albert Worcester, 9: John I.. Wyckoff, 4; Seffrenes Young, 9.

5amuel Mills Bailey, born in [825, was son of Enoch, whose American inci 1 1 reckoned Mom himself backward in time, were Charles, Stephen. . John, James, of Massachusetts in 1640.

Thomas Godfrey (1809-1878) married Mrs. Elizabeth (West) Highland, who died in 188 1, and he built the first house on Big Foot Prairie, in l837-

Marcus C. Russell married, November 10, 1844, Rebecca (1825-1910), daughter of Robert A. Potter and Sarah Pine, a niece of the bishops Alonzo and Horatio Potter.

John Lefferts Wyckoff (1808-1892) was son of Rev. H. V. Wyckoff, of Montgomery county. New York. He married, first, Hannah Pettit (died 1848) : second, Anna T. Smith. He came to Walworth in [841.

The road from Southport (Kenosha) to Beloit and that from the foot of Geneva lake, as well as the several trails and roads from southward, soon brought settlers to a township whose smiling face masked no deceit. Mailey,

Bell. Church, Douglass, Lake, the Maxwells, Reader and others of their time were men who chose their new homes with sound judgment and prospered by their choice. Local trading points for a time at Bell's Corners, at the quarterline of sections 16 and 17, and at Douglass Corners at the quarter-line of sections 21 and 22 - the two places separated by the diagonal-length of a square mile. At the state line, on the road from Douglass Corners to Harvard, a hamlet named Bigfoot, with postoffice, began its existence early, but it has not yet become a village, though it has the area of two states for its expansion.

A postoffice was established at Bell's Corners in 1839 and William Bell was postmaster until 1853. when he was followed by Lafayette Chesley. In 186 1 William B. Maxson transferred the office to Douglass Corners, which had been named Walworth, Amos H. Hitchcock, a soldier of the Tenth Infantry, was appointed in 1809, Elisha B. Coon in 1885, Mahlon Colburn about 1889, Mr. Coon again in 1893, Delos Burdick about 1897. Nathan Dwight Maxson, 1898-1912.

Earlier residents of the town and of the East Delavan neighborhood had definite religious and moral convictions. Of these godly folks an unusually large proportion were of the Seventh-day Baptist persuasion, and among them were men of strong character, sufficient means, and practical ability for the conduct of their own and public affairs, and their influence on the town polity was felt throughout their active lives. These men in a manner gave to their community, as seen from without, a somewhat distinctive quality, aspect, or atmosphere. As there were also strong and able men of other religious belief and of no religion, there were enough differences of habit, prejudice, judgment, and interest to keep Walworthian life from stagnation.

Meetings were held in [845, at which a society of Seventh-day Baptists was permanently Formed. At or near the same time a district school house was about to be built - that which was long known and is yet remembered as the "cobblestone school house." Several members of the new society subscribed to the district building fund, but with a proviso thai the house should be >.. enlarged as to permit its temporary use as a chapel. Among the foundi 1 of the society are named Nathan L. Bassett. Hannah M. Cnon. Harriet E. ('(urn. William Davids, Charles N. Dowse. Deacon Alfred Maxson. and John B. Maxson. A considerable number of this congregation became stockholders in the Big Fool Academy, which was built in [856-7, and in 1 Sin ciety 1 oughl this building and held it for its double use as school

Elder Stillman Coon held protracted meetings in 1846, and with Daniel Babcock afterward supplied pastoral ministration. Rev. Phipps W. Lake, of the greater branch of the Baptist church, also contributed his services to these meetings. In March, 1847, Elder Coon came as resident pastor. For two years from 1849 Elder Lake and Thomas Maxson supplied pulpit service. Thereafter were Oliver P. Hull. 1851-9; Yarnum Hull and William M. Jones, six months each. Within the next four years, Charles Lewis, 1863 ; James Bailey, 1865 and 1869; Solomon Carpenter, 1866; Lebbeus M. Cottrell, 1867; Deacon William B. Maxson, 1869 (two months) ; Leander Elliott Livermore. 1871-4; Oscar U. Whitford, Alexander McLearn; Simeon H. Babcock, 1887; S. Lafayette Maxson. 1887; Mazzini G. Stillman; Andrew P. Ashurst to 1912. It is told that forty persons were converted during the Lewis pastorate. The church has now about one hundred members. Its relations with other churches have been harmonious. In 1856 this society made anti-slavery an article of its faith.

Baptists of the larger branch of the denomination formed a society about 1856 and built a church in section 18, one and one-quarter miles westward from Bell's Corners. This is locally known as the "brick church." It was well built and is pleasantly situated. It has always been strong in numbers and in spirit. Its pastors have been: Thomas Bright, 1857; Albert R. Baldwin. 1858; Alexander Hamilton, 1861 ; Edward L. Harris, 1868; James J. Mclntyre, 1869: Ferdinand D. Stone, 1871 ; Spencer G. Adams. 1874; Enoch Pickering, 1882; Levi Parmly. 1886; B. F. Hutchinson. 1888: Alfred Rowland. 1889: S. C. Enos (unordained), 1891 ; J. J. Schuler, 1893; John Y. Montague, 1804: Joseph J. Jenkins, 1895; Henry Tibbets, 1004: W. T. Mc- Gann, 1906: D. W. Porterfield, 1908; Harvey H. Mullan, 1910. This pastoral service from 1857 to 1912 has been, as is understood, without noticeable intermissions.

The Congregational society organized and built its church in 1892 at the village. Its pastor list is: Moulton N. Clark. [892; John Wesley Jordan, 190 1 : Alexander Charles Warner, 1906; William E. Davidson, [910. This pulpit also supplies Fontana and Williams Bay.

Immanuel Evangelical Society was formed in 1883 and built its church at the village in 1891. Its pastors have been: Jacob Schneller, 1883; F. Krueger, 1886; John Schneller, 1889; H. Ninneman. 1890; Samuel J. F.rffmeyer, 1893; J. C. Hoffman, 1897; C. F. Rabehl, 1898; Herman J Prochnowi 1901 ; F. A. Mundt, 1904; George F. Hack, 1906; Johann Carl Etzelmueller, 1910. This church has more than sixty members. Its trustees are Johann Utesch. who is clerk; Carl Schwabe, Ludwig Schacht. It is not a Lutheran church.

In the winter of 1838-9 Mrs. Moses D. Williams taught a private school. The county commissioners appointed, in January, 1840. as school inspectors for Walworth. William Bell. Rev. Phipps W. Lake. James A. Maxwell, William Rumsey, H. Smith Young. A meeting was held at Mr. Maxwell's house in that year, with Mr. Lake as moderator and James M. Clark as clerk, and here Big Foot school district number one was organized. A framed house was bought and moved with ox teams to a point near the house of Christopher Douglass, on the road from Chicago to Madison. John M. Lewis taught a three-months' winter term for eighty dollars. Hannah M. Clark taught through the summer term for eighteen dollars. The house was burned in 1842, and the district bought another frame house, moved it a half-mile by ox-power to a lot within the village plat, and fitted it for school, town hall, and other public purposes. About 1854 the district voted three hundred dollars (the highest sum then allowed by law) for a new house. This sum served to enclose the building, and Howell W. Randolph, Eli Davis and Cyrus Church, who were then trustees, advanced the cost of plastering, seating, painting, and furnishing. The next July school meeting voted a sum of money large enough to meet these expenses. Dr. Henry Clark's land in section 23, at the crossing of section lines, two miles east of the village and a half-mile southward, was the site of the "cobblestone school house" built in [845. District Xo. 6 (jointly with Linn) has a modern school house there.