Waukesha City (part 4 of 6)

The settlers in this town are largely Germans, or of direct German descent ; and it is one of the most forehanded communities in the county. The farms are thoroughly tilled, debts promptly paid, and taxes hardly ever delinquent in New Berlin.

While the Old Settlers' Club was in existence, some effort was made to preserve the history of this town, which was very fortunate, from the fact that nearly all of its present residents are comparatively new comers, and cannot, consequently, know the early history of the locality. This effort resulted in the following, which is the report of the committee appointed to prepare a sketch of New Berlin for the records of the Old Settlers' Club :

In May, 1836, Sidney Evans and P. G. Harrington and wife left White Pigeon, in the State of Michigan, for Milwaukee, Mr. Evans on 'horseback by the way of Chicago, and Mr. Harrington and wife crossing the lake, meeting in Milwaukee on the 28th day of the mouth, and on the 31st, pushed out into the wilderness in search of homes.

Mr. Harrington, having found a temporary home for his wife in the family of Dr. Chase - now of the town of Lake, Milwaukee County, Evans and Harrington followed an old Indian t rail leading in a southwesterly direction from Milwaukee, reaching what was at first called Mentor, afterward changed to New Berlin, the same day, and made their claims ; Mr. Evans on the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, and Mr. Harrington on the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 13.

Mrs. Harrington being anxious and determined to accompany her husband into the woods, and share with him the hardships and privations of pioneer life, Mr. Harrington, the next morning, the 1st day of June, started for Milwaukee to bring her. Mr. Evans, in the mean time, went to work with a will, and in a very short time had a rude claim shanty constructed of logs about six feet in length, built up on three sides, and open to the fire in front, the roof and floor made of elm bark. Mr. Harrington returned with his wife the same day, June 1, 1836, she being the first white woman that ever stepped upon the soil of New Berlin. The three - Mr. Evans and Mr. Harrington and wife, occupied said shanty two weeks, and until Mr. Evans had biiilt a log cabin about twelve feet square, which was the first house built and occupied in the town of New Berlin.

Mr. Evans, after occupying his farm several years, sold out to his brother John (who still occupies it), to engage in the hotel business, which he followed for several years with varied success, and which he ultimately quitted to re-engage in farming, purchasing for that purpose a farm in the town of Greenfield, Milwaukee County, only a halfmile from his previous farm, where he now resides in easy circumstances, hale and hearty, and good, apparently, for at least another quarter of a century. Mr. Harrington, also, after a year's residence in New Berlin, sold his claim, and removed to Sugar Creek Prairie, Walworth County, where he now resides, a wealthy and influential citizen.

In the month of June of the same year, John H. White, a young man from the State of Michigan, came to New Berlin, and located on the north west quarter of Section 32, where he has ever since resided, and is the earliest settler now living in the town.

Soon after Mr. White made his claim, Almon Osboru, accompanied by one Smith, made a claim of the water power on the southeast quarter of Section 32, for Hugh Wedge and Isaac Dewitt. Wedge and Dewitt came on soon after, and commenced building a saw-mill, which was completed the following spring. It was a poor-paying coucern in those days - little or no sale for lumber, and they disposed of it in 1840. Hiram E. Hale is the present owner.

Late in the season. Waterman Field, lya Stewart, Curtis Davis and a Mr. Ellison settled in the town. The following year [1837] Kanaom Bruce, William Wedge, William S. Parsons, the late George McWhorter, with his sous, Ray and Andrew L., Hiram Hollister, Peter J. Smith, A. W. Morris, John and H. J. G. Palmer, S. R. Hunkins and John Lloyd came into the town and settled. In 1838, Benjamin Hunkins, Edwin and Edward Rogers, and a few others settled in the town. The year 1839, owing to the approaching land sale in the autumn of that year, witnessed a large influx of immigrants into the town, prominent among whom were P. V. Monroe, Daniel Gilbert, William A. Cone, Whipple Newell, Robert H. Hunkins with his sons, James and Hazen H., George Gamboll, and the late Rev. R. Cheney, the pioneer clergyman of the Free-Will Baptist denomination in Wisconsin, and the organizer of the first

Jacob Korn, Caleb Barber, Rufus Cheney, Mark Murray, Richard Hennesy, Peter Goff, Moses Cleveland and many others became residents of the town in 1840.

The first school taught in the town, was during the winter of 1840-41, by a Miss Elvira Hunkins, in the dwelling house of Hiram HoUister. The first sohoolhouse was built of logs in 1841, ia School District No. 1, on a site generously donated for the purpose, by the late P. V. Monroe, one-quarter of a mile east of his residence. The lirst marriaze was that of Alfred Orendorf to Miss Livonia Rathbun, in October, 1837, by a Rev. Mr. Turk, at the house of Waterman Field. The first .Justice of the Peace was Waterman Field, in 1837. The first postoflSce was -established in the same year. Waterman Field being appointed P. M. The first blacksmith-shop was that built by Curtis Davis, in 1837, who employed a Mr. Kline as blacksmith and who died soon after, his being the first death in the town. He was buried on a rise of ground a little east of Prospect Hill, on a farm now owned by Andrew Snyder. The first tavern kept in the town was that of Curtis Davis, in 1837, one-half mile east of Prospect Hill, on the premises now owned by John Superno. Mr. Davis remained in the town only a year or two, hi? "tavern" successively passing into the hands of a Mr. Childs from Milwaukee, William Hare, Colonel Andrews, F. M. Putney, the well tnown and popular proprietor of the Exchange of Waukesha, and W. W. Chaplin. Other '* taverns'' were soon after built. In 1839, Waterman Field, having sold his claim to P. V. Monroe, built a " tavern, " for the accommodation of travelers, on the site of the saloon now kept by George Klaberger. Mr. Field's health failing him, he, at the end of a year,- in pursuance of the advice of physicians, left his wife (now Jlrs. E. F. Bennett) in charge of the tavern, went to New York, and sailed for the West India Islands for the benefit of his health. He died within a year in Illinois, of consumption, on his way home. After a year or two, the above mentioned '* tavern " passed into the hands of Mr. William S. Parsons, who named it the "Farmer's Inn," and who for so many years, made it the most popular tavern ever kept between Milwaukee and Rock River - travelers" frequently driving till late in the night for the purpose of " putting up " with " Bill Parsons." The first team driven through the town was ayoke of oxen attached to a wagon, by MajorAlfred Orendorf, in 1836, from Milwaukee to Mukwonago. Wheat was first raised in the town by Hiram Hollister, Peter J. Smith, William S. Parsons and George JlcWhorter, in 1838. The first election held in the town was that for town officers, on the 5th of April, 1842.

The town now contains four churches. The first built was that of the German Lutherans, in 1847. The second, that of the Catholics, in 1856. The third, that of the Free Will-Baptists, in 1858. The fourth that of the Methodists in 1861. The number of schoolhouses in the town is nine.

This town has the honor of containing the first saw-mill in Waukesha County, as well as Laving the first regularly organized Free-Will Baptist Church in Wisconsin.

It will be noticed that in the history preceding this, the old Wedge (now called Hale's) Mill, is credited to Muskego. It -was so recorded upon the written and oral testimony of many old settlers who were supposed to know the facts ; that they were mistaken, however, is not in the least a matter of wonder. In an early day, the town boundaries were not so well known as now ; and as the present mill, which took the place of Wedge's mill, is in Muskego, and as the first mill was only a few feet north of the line between New Berlin and Muskego, the mistake was easily made. The dam was built in 1836, by Hugh Wedge, and the mill begun the same season. It was ready to saw early in 1837, and was the first mill in the county. In 1868, Hiram E. Hale built a flouring-mill on or near the site. A saw-mill, built by A. W. Cole in 1855, preceded Hale's flouring mill.

In 1841, William P. Hale built a dam across Muskego Creek, first using the power to run a turning-lathe, building a saw-mill two years later, the whole being remodeled into a gristmill in 1846, when Hiram E. Hale bought an interest in the property. An engine was put in, in 1848, and the mill operated until 1860 by steam. It fell into disuse in 1868, and now stands in a ruinous condition as one of the landmarks of the section.

New Berlin Mvtual Fire Insurance Oompany. - This insurance company was organized June 20, 1874, with twenty-five members, who pledged from §1,000 to $2,000 each, in capital stock. The first ofiBcers were John Evans, President ; J. R. Wheeler, Secretary, and Andrew Snyder, Jr., Treasurer. At the next election, Mr. Evans was again made President; A. Snyder, Jr., Secretary and Abraham Kern, Treasurer. These ofiicers have been respectively re-elected since that time. The company numbers 250 members, with 800 policies in force. Nearly every farmer in the town is a member. The capital is now $275,000 ; loss paid to 1880, $1,200. The first Directors were J. R. Wheeler, J. Primrose, John Evans, Andrew Snyder, A. Kern. The three latter are still serving with George Small and George Calhoun.

The old Muskego Mills postoffice was established about 1840 or 1841, and was kept by Cynthia Reynolds in a log house on Section 32, near the line between New Berlin and Muskego. It took its name from Wedge's mill, and received mail from Racine and Milwaukee oncfr a week. It was discontinued in 1849.

The little cluster of houses on the highest point of land in the town, took its name from the name of the postoffice, which was established in 1850. This name was suggested by Elihu Enos, then Postmaster of Waukesha, or by Dr. J. L. Ingersoll, on account of the " beautiful prospect to be seen from its summit." The first Postmaster was Daniel Church; the next P. L. McLean; the third, Daniel Church, and the fourth and present incumbent, T. S Winton.

The first settlers at or near Prospect Hill were John H. White, Hugh Wedge, Daniel Gilbert and Rev. Rufus Cheney. The place contains one church, two stores, two blacksmith shops, schoolhouse, a public hall and a score of dwellings.

The Free Baptist Church was organized July 11, 1840, by Rev. Rufus Cheney (born at Antrim, N. H., in 1780), and in his house. The first members were Mr. Cheney, Aretas Whitcomb and wife, Daniel Gilbert and wife, and Mrs. Rufus Cheney. Mrs. Gilbert is the only one of these now living in New Berlin. The Elders who succeeded Mr. Cheney were P. W. Belknapp, Enoch Jenkins, E. J. Keevill, E. Berry, H. N. Plumb, .0. D. Augir, F. B. Moulton, Roswell Cheney and M. G. Pett, the present pastor. The church was built in 1858-59. Rufua Cheney died in New Berlin aged ninety.

St. Valerius Roman Catholic Church was organized and the edifice built in 1856-57. The first priest was Rev. Tahler. The other priests have been Revs. Mohle, Mellman, Geinsen, Bohnenkam, Seibold, Weining, Felker, Nutzger and Eidelman. The church, which cost $1,100, was built under the charge of A. Snyder and B. Casper. The parochial schoolhouse was built and school begun in 1864. The congregation now numbers sixty families. The first Catholic mass said in New Berlin was at the log house of Andrew Snyder, about 1844, by Father Kundig, of Milwaukee.

The Methodist organization at first comprised two congregations. One met in the Bennett Schoolhouse, and the other in the New Berlin Central Schoolhouse. In 1859, they united, and formed th& organization now known as the Methodist Episcopal Church of New Berlin. W. A. Cone was the first local preacher.

The first services of the German Reformed Church were held in 1842, at the house of Christian Dann. The first preacher was Rev. Smith. The first, a frame church, was built in 1849, and used until the present brick edifice was erected in 1865, at a cost of $800, with the labor of members. The present pastor is August Becker. The first formal organization was in 1846, as a Lutheran Church ; but the majority soon organized the Reform Church.

The first election held in New Berlin was at the schoolhouse in District No. 1, April 5, 1842. The election resulted in choosing Benjamin Hunkins for Chairman ; George Guile and Ransom Bruce, Supervisors ; P. V. Monroe, Town Clerk ; Daniel Gilbert, Lucien Clark, Sidney Evans, Assessors ; S. R. Hunkins, Collector. Daniel Gilbert, Whipple Newell and George Mc- Whorter were the defeated candidates for Supervisors.

Officers for 1880 are : Supervisors, A. E. Gilbert, Chairman ; George Calhoun, Abram Kern ; Town Clerk, Will S. Parsons ; Assessor, William Hanna ; Treasurer, William Graser ; Justices of the Peace, J. J. Punch, John Wright, J. L. Ingersoll, E. J. Loomis ; Constables, Dan D. Church, Chris. Emperor, Alex. Heaton, George Wolf.

The first team of horses was brought into New Berlin by Sidney Evans. The first hotel was built in 1837, by Alvah Hetherington, and was afterward managed by Waterman Field, who purchased it in 1839.

Among the settlers in New Berlin in 1886 were John H. White, Almon Osborn, Mr. Smith, John Potter, Mr. Mcintosh, Hugh Mclntyre, D. S. and L. Ellison, John Brown, Alvah Hetherington, James King, Sidney Evans, Alvah Plumb, Mr. Thompson, Hugh Wedge, Alanson Martin, Waterman Field, Mr. Nye, Ira Stewart, Thomas Copeley and William Wedge, a good list for that early day.

Town Of Oconomowoc

The first settler, Charles B. Sheldon, who stuck his stake in the soil of this town, was induced to come here by a glowing description of the country which he read in the Milwaukee Advertiser, at that time printed and published by Daniel Richards. Mr. Sheldon was on the point of going to California with a party from Platteville, in this State, when he happened, for tunately for him in all probability, to come across that paper. He had no sooner read it than he determined to come here. Very soon after Mr. Sheldon started, coming by way of Janesville, through to Prairieville, where he met a party of surveyors, who informed him that he would find good land in the Oconomowoc Lake district. In April, 1887, he located a tract of land on the east bank of Fowler's Lake. La Belle Cemetery is now located on a portion of this farm. The balance of it Mr. Sheldon lives upon as a homestead. His cabin was the first white man's habitation in the town, John D. McDonald, of Summit, then a young man also, helped him build it. After locating his claim, Mr. Sheldon went to Milwaukee and entered it at the land office on the 21st of April, 1887. While Mr. Sheldon was in Milwaukee, he met two gentlemen who had a plat of the town in the northwest part of what is now known as Waukesha County. Mr. Sheldon looked over it and pointed out on the map the land he had that day entered. They seemed surprised, and one of the gentlemen, H. W. Blanchard, asked him when he was going back to his land. Mr. Sheldon said he intended to return the next day. Mr. Blanchard at once made arrangements to accompany Mr. Sheldon, and the next day started with him for Oconomowoc, and in a few days H. W. Blanchard had made a claim to the west half of Section 83. On the 1st of May, 1887, Mr. Blanchard sold his claim to Philo Brewer.

In the month of June, 1837, Mr. Thomas Salter came to the town, and laid claim to the northwest quarter of Section 84, and settled thereon. Mr. Salter was unmarried, but did not long remain so, for his "sweetheart," whom he had left in England, his native land, came out alone the following summer to cast her lot with his, and brave the dangers of his Western home. Mr. Salter met her in Milwaukee, where they were at once married, after which they came out to the farm, where they have since resided.

In June, 1837, Mathias Morris, since deceased, came here with his family, three sons and four daughters, and son-in-law, Jacob Widderman. Together they made claim to the south half of Sections 27 and 28, and built a cabin on section 28. In 1841, they sold half of this claim to William Campbell and George W. Williams, and afterward sold the balance to Cotton k Ferry.

Mr. Morris was the first married man to settle in the town, and his wife, and daughters Ann, Catharine, Sarah and Elizabeth, were the first white women. The family now resides in Summit.

George W. Pugh, C. Ludden, Charles C. Wilson and perhaps a few others, came here in 1837. In 1888, a few came to the town, of whom may be mentioned T. L. Smith, A. Rowe and Jesse Edsall and family. Mr. Edsall built the second cabin, which was long occupied by Mr. Worthington, who bought out Mr. Edsall. This house stood quite close to the street, in front of Mr. Vilas' present house.

In 1839, there came J. D. Dewey, John Heath, Andrew Wilson and family, John Ferry and family, William Quigley and G. A. Foster. Mr. Foster was quite a prominent citizen, and did considerable in his time to advance the interest of the agricultural part of the community by bringing in fine stock.

In 1842, a very large number came, as follows : Monroe Hatch and family, L. Osborne and family, C. Eastman and family, John Brainard and family, J. S. Hastings, William Chaffee, D. Hastings, Thomas Chandler, Horace and Hamilton Hastings, Samuel Blaine^ Nathan Chaffee, A. Lowe, George Sugden, F. Chase and perhaps a few others.

In 1843, a still greater number arrived. The country by this time had become very much improved, and the first-comers were beginning to feel comfortable. During this year came A. B. Hall and family, L. Washburn and family, I. C. Stratton, H. J. Baker, George W. Hinkley and family, Willard Thompson, E. W. and John Daly, James Williams, R. W. Washburn, 0. C. Olson (Merton), John Forra, Michael Mana, Alexander Coyle and brother, Carl Gasmann and Daniel P. Simonson and others.

In 1844, the increase was still greater, people coming in with a rush. They were as follows, as nearly as can be learned : George W. Fay, Hiram Prosceus and family, William T. Thompson, Silas Coleman, Mrs. Christie and son, James R. Wood, Charles J. Mann, Alexander Madole, Moses demons, W. W. Collins, Ole Petersen, Ole Olson, Charles Throop, B. MWoodrufi"and E. C. Hartwell.

The first birth in the town was that of a son of Thomas Salter, which occurred in the spring of 1839. The child died soon after birth, this being also the first death.

The marriage of Mr. Salter, although consummated ip Milwaukee, places himself and lady at the head of the marriage list among the pioneers of Oconomowoc. v

J. D. Dewey was appointed the first Justice, and Charles Morris was the first Constable. The second Justice was Jonathan Dougherty. He was elected at the first town meeting.

A schoolhouse was constructed in 1841, of logs, on the north side of the Oconomowoe River, not far east of C. M. Bordoe'^ residence. This was the first temple of learning erected in the town, and here Miss Dougherty and Isaac Woodruff taught the first schools.

The Rev. Lloyd Breck is said to have been the first minister to hold religious services in this town, although the Rev. Mr. Frink began coming here at about the same time. These first services were held in the schoolhouse very soon after it was built.

The first road was run through here from Milwaukee to Watertown and Madison, in the winter of 1888-39. Garrett Vliet was the surveyor, and John Richards, of Watertown, and A. Bird, of Madison, were the Commissioners. It was laid out and run through by Mr. Sheldon Schuttler's farm, just north of the city of Oconomowoc.

For the first few years the settlers were obliged to go to Summit Corners for mail and necessaries, such a place as Oconomowoc not being then thought of. But now everything is reversed ; Summit Corners has passed away and Oconomowoc is a thriving city, and the center of a large trade.

The first town meeting was held for the town of Oconomowoc in April, 1844, in the Village of Oconomowoc, at Rockwell & Cotton's Mill. Prior to this time the town had been attached to the town of Summit. Out of this town meeting a strong local feeling was engendered between the two towns, which lasted for a number of years. On the morning of the town meeting day, Curtis Reed, who then lived at what is now known as Okauchee, had a caucus on his own account. This caucus was held in the hollow under the hill, as yoa enter the Brown street valley on the north Okauchee road, and was long after known as Caucus

Hollow. Mr. Reed had assembled, with his brother Orson's help, it is charged, all the recruits he could get, and the story is that he had them from Summit, Merton and Ashippun. A ticket was made out with himself as Chairman, and in a body they all went to the town meeting . They were too many for the balance of Oconomowoc, and Reed's ticket was elected. It was the first packed political caucus ever held in Oconomowoc.

Crasmann's Mill. - Hans Gasmann built a saw-mill on Section 2, and set it running in March, 1844. It stood on the north side of the Ashippun River. It was owned and run by Mr. Gasmann until 1855, when he disposed of the property to C. Hyer. Shortly after, Mr. Hyer became possessor, he tore the mill down and rebuilt it on the opposite side, a little farther down the stream. He continued it as a saw-mill until 1858, when Peter Gasmann, son of the first owner, purchased it, and in the summer of 1859, built a grist-mill by the side of the sawmill, and put in two run of stone for custom work. Philip Zillis, the present proprietor, bought the property in 1870.

Okauehee Mill is located on the southwest side of Okauchee Lake, on Section 35. The first structure was a small saw-mill, built by Orson Reed, in 1839-40. It was known as Reed's Mill, and was operated by him until 1847. A large portion of the lumber used in the construction of the Milwaukee & Watertown Plank Road was furnished by this mill. In 1869, the mill passed into the possession of F. Schraudenbach. In 1877, twenty-five or thirty acres of land, including the dam, was contracted to H. B. Shears & Co., who built a new frame mill, putting in six runs of stone, and machinery for grinding flour by the new process. They conducted the mill until the spring of 1879, when the property reverted back to Mr. F. Schraudenbach. The mill has a capacity of about a hundred barrels of flour per day.

There are several very fine farms and residences in the town and city. The two finest residences are said to be Schuttler's and Schufeldt's. These places show how largely the county can be improved.

Monterey. - Monterey is situated four and one-half miles north of Oconomowoc, on the banks of Ashippun River, on Sections 8 and 9. It is surrounded by a good farming country, and does a good business, there being three stores with mixed stocks of goods, two blacksmith-shops, wagon-shop, shoe-shop, large flouring-mill, hotel, two churches, a cemetery and a good, common school. The name of the village is said to have been given by Mr. Hackly, about the close of the Mexican war, in commemoration of the events then transpiring at Monterey, Mexico. The land where the village stands was entered by C. L. Annis, in 1844. Among the early settlers in the village may be mentioned H. Carter, A. W. Hackly, Rev. Abram Nye, Justin Noble and John W. Dopp and family.

A school was taught here as early as 1844, by Mr. H. Carter, in a private house which stood a few rods west of where Dopp's barn now stands. The first schoolhouse was built of logs, and stood on Section 8, a few rods west of the site of the present school building, and was put up about 1849 or 1850. As the population increased, the demand for more room for the urchins resulted in the erection of the present brick house.

Sanford Cotton built a saw-mill on the south bank -of the Ashippun River, where the dam now stands, in 1844. Cotton ran the mill two years ; then traded it to Justin Noble, who enlarged the usefulness of the mill by adding two runs of stone to do grinding for the neighbors. In 1850, Mr. Noble disposed of the mill to Mr. Beman, who operated the old mill until 1856. During that year he, in company with Mr. Moreland, erected the present mill. Twelve and one-half feet head of water is furnished by the dam. The present proprietors are Dainton & Roth.

D. McDonald came here in 1846, and built a tavern nearly opposite where the present hotel stands. About 1857, Mr. Place, a new-comer, built the present hotel. Its dimensions are 38x44 feet, two stories high, and divided into thirteen rooms. Ezra Vroman is proprietor.

The churches here are the Methodist and what is known as the Union. The last-named church was built by a combination of Congregational, Presbyterian, Universalist and Methodist elements, in 1864. Ten years later, the Methodists withdrew, and built the present church. After that, the difTerent denominations that yet remained, continued to hold services in it until 1878, since which time it has been used by the Congregationalists principally.

The Methodist Episcopal Church edifice was built in 1874, on Section 9, at a cost of about $1,200. Charles Vroman, Joseph Miller, John Coville and Wesley Davy were the first Trustees. It has twenty members. Services are held by the minister from Oconomowoc.

Mapleton. - In this vicinity the first settlements were made in the fall of 1843 and spring of 1844, by Smith Jones, H. J. Baker, James Sampson, Hans Gasmann and family of thirteen children, Daniel Simonsen, James 0. Riley, H. H. Wooledge, H. Baldwin, D. Henevey, Mr. Plumly, Mr. Lenhart, Martin Ryan, Alexander, James and Michael Coyle, Alvah Austin, Harry Lester, and Thomas Riley -with a large family, and perhaps others. Smith Jones built the first house in what is now Mapleton, but sold to Samiiel Breck in 1848, and returned to his home in Massachusetts. Mr. Breck was, really, the founder of Mapleton. Most of the buildings now here are on land formerly owned by him, but were sold cheap to encourage settlement. He built the first grist-mill at Mapleton, in the year 1849, and he also started a store the same year. The mill is now owned by Peter Theobald and Mr. Wehrmuth.

The first blacksmith shop was started by Messrs. Whitehall & Jerenson, who used Mr. Breck's storeroom for the purpose, but during the year a fire destroyed the building and contents. The next shop was started by Mr. Jewison.

The first schoolhouse was built in 1849, on a lot donated by Mr. Breck. It was frame, and was considered quite " nobby " at that time, as most of the schoolhouses in the country were built of logs. But, in the course of time, it became too small for the rising generation, and a new one was built which is a credit to the community. It is 28x56, brick, well finished inside and outside. It is furnished with ventilators, plenty of light, high ceilings, and is also supplied with good furniture.

In early days, the postoffice was at Delafield, and the neighbors would club together and get it by turns about once in two or three weeks. In 1851, Samuel Breck became the first Postmaster, and, in 1855, George Sterzbach succeeded him. In 1859, Anthony Houser succeeded Mr. Sterzbach, and has been Postmaster ever since.

A Catholic Church is a short distance from here, on land donated by Alexander Coyle. Adjoining it is also a cemetery belonging to the church. The resident priest is Rev. M. Monaghan. There is a congregation of about seventy families belonging to the parish.

Town Of Ottawa

Township 6, Range 17 east, was set off and organized into a town separate from Genesee in 1843, in accordance with an act of the Council and House of Representatives of Wisconsin, approved March 21, 1843, and the first election in said town was held at the house of Newman Chub. Before 1839, Ottawa was a part of Mukwonago.

Ottawa was named by Hans Crocker, of Milwaukee, while making a visit at Mr. Dousman's in 1841. At the next session of the Legislature, the name was proposed, and indorsed by special act of that body.

Ottawa is splendidly watered, the country being thickly dotted by small lakes and springs, the latter, many of them, being the heads of several small streams which traverse the town in the north, central and southern parts, and which furnish excellent facilities for stock-raising, cheese manufacturing and milling.

The inhabitants are mostly of foreign extraction, consisting of Welch, Catholic Germans, Protestant Irish, Americans, English, and a few other nationalities.

The first settler in this town was Talbot C. Dousman, who came to this locality in 1836,, in company with three young bachelors like himself, looking for land. Mr. Dousman at that time selected the land, where he now lives, on Section 2, and his companions, George Hosmer, Delos Taft and E. W. Edgerton, the latter now of Milwaukee, fixed upon sites near him, but in towns adjacent to Ottawa, as now laid out. At that time, the whole surrounding country was. called Genesee, after the land of their nativity.

In 1837, Mr. Dousman erected a cabin, a part of which yet remains, and the first permanent resident then established himself. Being a bachelor yet, he was obliged to get a family to occupy his house, or keep house for him. The coming of this family heralds the advent of the first white woman in Ottawa.

In June, 1839, Mr. Dousman married Miss Paddock, one of the few young ladies to be found here in those days. This was probably the first marriage that took place in this town.

Mrs. Dousman's father, George Paddock, came from Ohio in 1838. He passed around the lake via Chicago, and, at last, at Poplar Creek, Milwaukee County, came to the end of the road ; beyond was an unbroken wilderness, apparently, but not certainly. Human nature is the same the world over, for they were no sooner settled than certain stalwart young pioneers put in an appearance, and it may be recorded, that the most delightful labors of their new life then began - together with the knowledge that they were not alone.

The first Germans in this town were the brothers Boniface - Loring, Link and David - who came from Bavaria and settled here in the fall of 1842, building a log house, 14x16 feet, on the corners of Sections 4 and 8, thus holding a claim on each. In June, 1843, they were joined by the Werner brothers and N. Mundchan, and the six families lived for some time in the house of the Boniface brothers.

Wolves and bears were quite plentiful, and kept the pigs of the new-comers close to the house. Occasionally, a pig would bolt into the house, helter-skelter, knocking pots, pa ns, and what-not, every way; but, of course, this had to be put up with, or piggy must become a victim to the ravenous appetites of the surrounding beasts.

Up to 1839, there was no road through Ottawa, but in the spring of this year Mr. Dousman,, Mr. Paddock and Mr. Edgerton opened a road from Waterville to Prairieville, now Waukesha, where the settlers had to go to get Mr. Hine to do their blacksmithing, which certainly could not have been a little when we consider that breaking up the land was with them " the chief end of man." One old settler said : " Between hunting up their oxen and getting their plows mended, they had but little time for breaking." Prairieville was also at that time the one place where they could get mail or provisions, short of Milwaukee.

On Sti Peter's Day of this year, all the people, men, women and children, turned out for a jollification, going to one of the lakes adjacent, riding side by side in a row, on buck-boards, the women taking provisions and the men carrying firearms. Afterward, for many years, the anniversary of this occasion was kept in a similar manner. It may be added that this was one of the first gatherings of the kind in the county.

In 1841, the people of Ottawa were horrified at the death of Patsy Finnegan, who was burned to death while attempting to stay the progress of a prairie-fire. This was the first death in the town, and occurred on Section 12.

Of the first town ofiicers but little is known, except that Mr. Dousman ofiBciated as Chairman for seven successive years, John Meiggs being Clerk.

In 1842, Miss Mary Thayer opened the first school, in a log schoolhouse, on Section 14, directly opposite to where now stands the town hall.

The first post office was kept by Peter D. Giff'ord, now living at North Prairie. Afterward J. Grifieth was Postmaster for several years, and had the office in the old Ottawa House, on Section 34. Then Josiah Elding was appointed and held the office for some time, in the old place. From the keeping of Mr. Elding it passed into the hands of George Davey, who now keeps his office in a rather retired place on Section 28.

Ottawa has at present but one grist-mill, and at one time there was a small saw-mill at what is now Dousman's fish-pond. The present mill was built by B. V. Knight, in 1859, on the Checoopenaw, on the land of T. C. Dousman. The mill has a single run of stone, with a feed-mill. The water head is small, not exceeding seven feet. The general machinery, waterwhee4 and all. are rather original in construction, being the work of a man not trained, apparently, as a millwright, but yet a very capable mechanic.

There are two cheese factories in the town. The Ottawa factory was built in 1877, on Section 17, and has one 5,000-pound vat and curing rooms to match. The proprietor of this factory, Henry Weiner, has also a store on Section 8, built in 1868. The Waterville factory, T. C. Dousman, proprietor, is a fine, well-fitted, three-vat factory, each vat having a capacity of 5,000 pounds of milk. Nothing but the best cream cheese is made here. Mr. Dousman also built a factory in 1871, at the pond before mentioned, but the building has long since ceased to be used for that purpose.

The town gives a fair support to several churches and schools, lyhich is certainly an indication that the people are quite as prosperous as in many other more highly-favored localities.

Ottawa Mutual Fire Insurance Company. - The Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Company in this town, is a very prosperous organization. Early in the year 1873, a petition was circulated by the most enterprising of the citizens until the requisite number of signers were secured to obtain a charter. Then a meeting was held at the house of Jacob Gaul, and the following gentlemen were elected Directors : Helger Helgerson, Samuel Stewart, James Kernan, William Reid, Sr., T. J. Powell, Frederic Dryer and J. J. Lervey. June 28, 1873, the first regular society meeting was held, when Kernan and Stewart resigned, and C. C. Harris and D. Maule were elected in their places. Thomas J. Powell was elected President, and J. J. Lervey, Secretary. Lervey was also appointed to canvass the town for insurance capital. At the canvass that soon followed, $29,000 was subscribed, and 29 policies were issued as shown at the first annual meeting, January 1, 1874. At the last annual meeting, January 1, 1880, there were 114 members, and a showing of 193 policies issued up to that date, amounting to $168,786 capital stock. One assessment only has been made thus far to cover a loss of $225, the tax being a little more than IJ mills per $1,000.

Ottawa Presbyterian Church. - During the month of September, 1860, Rev. R. W. Monteith, preacher at Genesee, began holding meetings, by request of several of the people, in the schoolhouse of District No.l. At that time, there was a Sabbath school which had been under operation for some time, with James M. Forbes as Superintendent. On the 19th of March following, a meeting was called at the house of Mr. Forbes, and after preliminary resolutions a church was organized, to be called the First Presbyterian Church of Ottawa, " Old- School " discipline. James Stewart, Daniel Don, Elvira Boon, D. D. Robertson, Catharine Robertson, Jane Don, Elvira Stewart, James M. Forbes, Lucinda Forbes, Samuel Stewart, Jannet McKinley, Nancy Stewart, David Stewart and Jane Reid became members at that time. They immediately went to work and as a result had the present house of worship ready for use bv the 13th day of October, 1861, when it was dedicated. At the dedication, two sermons were preached - one by Rev. Monteith - Genesis, xxviii-22, " And this stone which I have set for a pillar shall be God's House, " and one by Rev. 0. Park. Text, Genesis xxviii-17 - " And he was afraid, and said how dreadful is this place." The first pastor was Rev. J. W. J. Monteith ; second, J. H. Potter ; third, J. Martin ; Elders, Samuel and John Stewart ; present number of members, thirty.

Dousman's Fish-Pond. - One of the many beautiful places peculiar to Waukesha County, of which the people are justly proud, is the trout pond of Dousman. To see this spot is to see one of the superlatively fine sights of the county. Here, in primitive retirement, surrounded by gently undulating forest-covered hills and dales, twenty or more splendid springs burst forth and pour their crystal streams into a basin or dam, covering an area of several acres. This dam constitutes at once the head of a fine stream, called the Scuppernong, an'd the present trout pond, and here, or in immediate connection with the dam, are the flumes, races, hatching-house, feed-mill, storage-rooms, hotel and various appliances required to propagate the fish and to entertain visitors. On either side, bright springs are bubbling up, and speckled beauties speed by in swarms of thousands, darting hither in sportive abandon and thither with the reckless freedom that well-fed fish so well display.

A brief description of the system of propagation followed here may not be inappropriate, as this is the representative trout-pond of the country and the largest in the United States. There are several flumes with spawning races attached. These flumes are about a rod wide and vary in length from twelve to fifteen rods. The spawning races are about four feet wide, varying in length. These flumes are made by setting posts in the ground and fastening them across the top by timbers and planking them, as is usually done. They are graveled in the bottom and so arranged that a current of clear cold water is constantly passing through them ; these are the homes of the flsh, as prepared for them, although there are myriads of lusty fellows running at large in the waters of the pond, or in the stream below the pond, where there are large numbers, many having been allowed to escape years ago on account of there being too many in the pond.

The fish go to the spawning races in October, this being the season for spawning.. Then the males and the females are separated. There is no difiiculty in detecting the sexes at this season, the female having quite a rotund form that the male does not possess.

After the hatching apparatus and the filtering tanks and boxes have been put in order, and the gravel to be used has been sifted to a proper size, and washed, boiled, and re-washed to destroy insect life, then begins the work of capturing the fish. This is done with nets made of coarse bagging, with appropriate frames and grooves, which are in proximity to the spawning beds.

The party who superintends the work takes the fish by hand from their place of captivity, and by means of a gentle pressure with the thumb and middle finger, the eggs, which average about one-sixth of an inch in diameter, emerge from the fish. The male fish is similarly handled. The eggs from the female are immediately placed in dry pans, this being the Russian method, and considered preferable to any other. In the pans about half an inch of water is placed ; the male fish is held over these, and the milt being gently pressed from him, and evenly distributed over the eggs, and thoroughly mixed therewith, the process of impregnation begins. All this preliminary work occupies less than a half-hour, and in this condition the material is transferred to the "nets" in the hatching troughs, which are simply little board brooks, ten or twelve feet long and one foot wide and which are divided into twelve compartments one foot square. These troughs are properly graveled and supplied with fresh cold water from a large spring but a few feet away. Each trough will hold about 30,000 eggs, about three-fourths of which hatch.

Within ninety days from the time the eggs are deposited in the troughs, the little fish about an inch in length, begin to appear. Up to this time all that is requisite is to keep the gravel where the eggs are deposited free from foreign substances and to remove any eggs that may from any cause lose life, as, if they are not removed within forty-eight hours, they will cause the death of many more. They are detected by the color, a dead egg being white, and a live one being of a pinkish shade. They must be supplied with pure water constantly, at an average temperature of 50°, and the light must be excluded while the hatching process is going on. Very soon after they hatch out, the troughs begin to become too contracted for the little finny tribes, and their food being chopped up fine for them two or three times a day, they develop rapidly, and at the end of a few weeks they are transferred to the rearing-boxes in finely woven nets or wire scoops, where they find more scope for disporting themselves.

From the rearing-boxes, the fish are transferred to the ponds, when great care must be exercised to keep the larger fish separate from the smaller ones, as they have naturally voracious tendencies, and destroy their younger brethren to an alarming extent when unchecked. To prevent this, the ponds are graded, so as to contain fish of pretty nearly the same size.

The food of the trout is pork, and beef liver, the beef liver being the best. The chopping or grinding apparatus is run by water-power. Here the liver is ground into an impalpable mass, then strained through cloth, the coarse part being fed to the large fish, the fine to the small ones. There are about 1,500,000 fish here now, according to estimate, varying in size from a third of the length of the little finger to two pounds or more in weight.

The Roman Catholic Church was the first in the town, and was originally a log structure, but has been rebuilt these many years. The Priest who presides here also attends to another church in Jefferson County. There are two Welsh churches on Section 30, one of which is called Bark River Church. A new church was recently erected and dedicated by the Bible Christian Society at Pond Island.

The present town officers are Henry Weiner, Chairman ; F. G. Tytherleigh and W. D. Owens, Side Supervisors ; E. M. Deck, Town Clerk ; Thomas E. Jones, Assessor ; Thomas J. Davies, Treasurer ; D. E,. Davies, John Martin and William Blett, Justices of the Peace ; Walter Stewart and T. M. Edwards, Constables.

In 1845 or 1846, Messrs. Smith & Williams built a saw-mill here, the power being furnished by the springs. The mill was called the "Buttermilk Mill." As there was no pondin sight, it was said that the mill would be as apt to be run by that fluid as any other.

About sixty rods from the hotel is the only artificial cranberry marsh in this section. It was never flooded until the winter of 1879-80, and promises to become a success.

Town Of Pewaukee

The town of Pewaukee, named after the lake within its borders, of the same name, called by the Indians Pewauk-ee-we-nink, is, historically speaking, the oldest town in the county, next to Waukesha. The Cutler brothers and Henry Luther passed the summer of 1834 in the town of Waukesha, but notthe winter of 1834-35. In the spring of 1835, people began settling in Pewaukee within a few weeks of the time when the Cutlers and others returned permanently to Waukesha.

The town is in a rich and thrifty agricultural district, which is neither hills, swamps, nor prairie. It is composed largely of glacial drift, and therefore has a more thoroughly diversified soil than any other in Waukesha County. One farm may be excellent for fruit, the adjoining one for wheat, the next for grazing, and the next for meadows. This is a valuable characteristic in any town. Timber was originally found in goodly quantities, though Pewaukee never was as heavily timbered as some of the other towns. With good timber, a diversity of soil, excellent

Pewaukee was set off and organized as a separate town by an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved January 13, 1840. As will be seen by the following act, the town has no legal right to the name under which it now exists, holds elections, and transacts business :

Section 1. That all that part of the Town of Brookfield, in the County of Milwaukee, eompriaing Township seven, north, of Range nineteen, east, be, and the same is hereby set off into a separate town, by the name of Peraukee.

It will thus be seen tjiat the town was named "Peraukee," and in subsequent acts of the Legislature - except those in regard to preserving fish in the lake, passed in 1866, and one relative to' school moneys - the town is referred to as "Peraukee." This may be safely set down as an error, though the historian has no means of knowing how the error, if such it was, occurred.

The first recorded town meeting or election was held at the house of E. P. Maynard, April 6, 1842. Asa Clark was chosen Moderator, and D. W. Reed, Secretary. A committee of five was appointed to report on the various sums necessary to defray the town expenses. The committee decided that the Assessors, Highway Commissioners and Supervisors should receive each $1 per day for services; that the School Commissioners should receive 75 cents per day, and that the Town Clerk and Treasurer should receive such compensation as the Supervisors saw fit to allow. They also reported in favor of raising $200 for incidental expenses, and for levying a tax of one-half of one per cent on the taxable property of the town, for the support of schools. These resolutions were all adopted. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : Morris S. Barnett, Chairman of Board of Supervisors; Asa Clark and Allen Clinton, Side Supervisors; David W. Reed, Town Clerk; Hamilton Nelson, Treasurer; Charles Bell and Seth Riford, Assessors ; Israel W. Porter, Setli Riford and Waldo Rosebrook, Commissioners of Highways; David W. Reed, Thomas H. Olin and Timothy W. Lyman, Commissioners of Common Schools; John Nelson, Constable and Collector; Harvey Church, Sealer of Weights and Measures; Cromwell Hills, Overseer of Highways, District No. 1; James N. Heath, Overseer in District No. 2; Seth Riford in District No. 3; D. W. Reed in District No. 4; Leland Crocker in District No. 5 ; Samuel Bissell, Hiram Wheeler and Spencer Allen, Fence Viewers.

The first road surveys recorded, occurred in June, 1842, Rollin Blount being the surveyor. There were six roads surveyed this year, and opened by the Commissioners. In 1843, the road districts were increased from five to nine, and in 1844, increased to thirteen. The total expenses for services of town officers and surveyor's fees and incidentals during 1842, amounted to $82.03.

In 1843, there were 130 school children, with a school fund of $150. There are now 806 pupils. In 1880, there was $3,720.62 appropriated for school purposes in five whole districts and nine joint district's. There were in 1843 four whole and two joint districts.

Charles Bartlett. Among these, D. G. Deissner, owner of the saw-mill, was the heaviest tax-payer, being assessed $32.66, and Asa Clark, owner of the sa«v-mill at Pewaukee, with a tax of $21.49, was the next heaviest.

In 1844, a novel vote was taken, it being decided by ballot to appropriate $75 for the support of the poor, if any be found in the town during the year.

The first settlement was made in the southwest quarter of Section 34, which is opposite Waukesha Village, by Elon Fuller, a single man, and Isaac B. Judson and his family. They made their camp, in June, 1835, on a gravel knoll near a sulphur spring, on the farm now owned by Henry B. Bidwell, quarter and section above named. This camp was their home until a log house was erected near where John Russell now lives, a short distance from the original stoppingplace. Elon Fuller's present residence is only a few rods from the knoll on which he first lighted his camp-fire in Waukesha County.

In 1836, Zebulon Bidwell and his family settled on the farm now owned by the son, Henry B. Bidwell, Section 34. The next settler was probably Israel W. Porter, who built a dam near where Deissner's Mill now is, in 1836, and a mill in 1837.

At about the same time, John M. Woodworth settled in the south part of the town. Mr. Woodworth was a small man, and Cephas L. Rockwood, a Prairieville lawyer, was a very large one. The latter settled on one of the former's claims, and was ordered off, without success. Mr. Woodworth went out one day, and finding Mr. Rockwood preparing to build a log house, again ordered him to leave. He was still unsuccessful, and then began a series of strange and astonishing maoneuvers, jumping and squatting on all sides of Mr. Rockwood, standing on his head, making frightful grimaces and falling prone on his face with astonishing rapidity, the while keeping up an uninterrupted flow of gibberish which no one could understand. Mr. Rockwood thought Mr. Woodworth, who was always known as " Crazy Woodworth " on account of his strange actions, was possessed of a devil, and dropping his ax, took to the deeper woods, leaving the claim to the quasi juggler. Afterward, Mr. Rockwood had many a laugh over the novel manner in which he was frightened out of a claim.

In the vicinity of Pewaukee Village, T. Lyman Clark was the first settler, building or commencing a log house on the shore of the lake, a short distance above the present village. This was in June, 1837. A few weeks later Asa Clark, his father, A. M. Clark, his brother, and the balance of the family, arrived and occupied the house. The claim, including the waterpower at the outlet of Pewaukee Lake, had been examined and secured by Asa Clark in 1836, who began the present dam, which is the road bed of the street, in 1837, and erected a saw-mill during the following year. This was the second saw-mill in the town', Israel W. Porter having begun one the year before, which was the second in the county.

The first death was Edgar T., a son of Ethan Owen, who was killed accidentally, in the winter of 1836, while at work in the woods. The accident was an exceedingly sad one, young Owen's head being split open by the blow of an ax in the hands of his brother.

The first Pewaukee couple who committed matrimony were probably Hamilton Nelson and Mrs. Caroline Eggleston, but they were obliged to go over into the town of Waukesha to find a person competent to tie the knot, which was done August 12, 1838.

The first schoolhouse was probably built where Pewaukee Village is, in 1842. The first school-teacher was a young woman, who taught in Asa Clark's house. The first one to teach in the schoolhouse was probably Mr. Waterman, who was paid $12 per month.

The first store in Pewaukee was kept by David Miller, at the village. He also distributed mail gratis, the residents clubbing together to pay for fetching it from Waukesha, or some of them volunteering to fetch it free.

The dam for Deissner's flouring-mill was built in 1836, by Israel W. Porter. The saw-mill was built in 1837, and began sawing early in 1838. The saw-mill ceased to pay in a few years, and the Deissners erected a flouring-mill on the site. The mill is still managed by a member of the family and has a good business. It is a water-mill, that is, has water for its motor power, and is well equipped with modern milling machinery.

In 1873, N. P. Iglehart and J. M. Heath launched a screw propeller, but the engine was worthless, and the boat was made into a sailing yacht.

In the summer of 1873, N. P. Iglehart went to Oconomowoc and purchased the "Surprise," and chartered a special train of cars, on which he transported the boat to Pewaukee. Her owner now is Capt. Davy, and her name " Lady of the Lake." She is a side-wheel steamer with fifteen-horse-power engine, registered to safely carry 150 passengers.

The " Oriole " is another side-wheel steamer, owned also by Capt. Davy. The steamer " Lady of the Lake " was the making of Pewaukee as a summer resort.

The first hotel was opened at what is now Pewaukee Village, in 1844,by Theodore Sheldon. The building was erected by A. M. Clark, still a resident of the place, and was called the Pewaukee House.

Chauncey H. Heath was the first Postmaster, receiving his appointment from James K. Polk, in 1846 or 1847. The office was called Pewaukee, and was located at what is now Pewaukee Village.

Matthias Schock built the first brewery in Pewaukee in 1876, not far from the village of Waukesha. It is of stone, 55x25 feet, and is called " Fountain Brewery." It is fitted with patent coolers, a fine cellar, large ice-house and all modern improvements. In connection with the brewery is a summer garden and beer-bottling works.

The town officers for 1880 are as follows : Supervisors - John Ross, Chairman ; August Jessie, J. W. Wilkins ; Town Clerk, Alexander Caldwell ; Assessor, J. A. Gauthie ; Treasurer, Casper Linder ; Justices of the Peace, John W. Gentz, J. A. Griswold ; Constables, Alexander Parsons, F. W. Dick.

Pewaukee Village. - The first settler within the limits of the village was Asa Clark, a Vermonter known everywhere as Deacon Clark. The village is comprised of Section 9, and the east half of Section 8. It was originally claimed by the following : Asa Clark, southwest quarter of northwest quarter, and the south half of Section 9 ; S. T. Bolles, east half of Section 8, and east half of northwest quarter of Section 9 ; Lyman Griswold, northeast quarter of Section 9, and the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 9, by Lyman Morley.

The first store after David Miller's pin and needle stand, was erected in 1844, by L. Swift. J. F. Morse remedied the structure, and C. McVean opened a large stock of goods in it.

1840 or 1841. The stone quarry, whence stone for the kiln was hauled, was opened on D. G. Ormsby's present farm. The credit of making Pewaukee a lime and stone-producing point to a large degree, is due to W. J. Bolles, who began to push the business about twenty-eight years ago. It is still a very important branch of business.

The first Postmaster was David Miller, who had no commission, but simply allowed the mail of the " Pioneer Club Postoffice," to be kept in his store. The mail was brought to him from Waukesha by some member of the club. The first commissioned Postmaster was Chauncey G. Heath, appointed in 1846 or 1847, by President Polk. When the Whigs came into power, in March, 1849, President Taylor appointed S. T. Bolles to succeed Mr. Heath as Postmaster. B. F. Goss is the present Postmaster.

Israel Wheeler began wagon-making in 1841. The first real wagon-shop was started by Steele & Son. George W. Steele has since built a shop and continues in the business.

Village Incorporated. - The village of Pewaukee was incorporated by fin order from David W. Small, Judge of the First Circuit, April 3, 1876. The first charter election was held May 2, 1876. At that and subsequent elections, the following officers have been elected : Presidents, S. T. Bolles, 1876-77 ; B. F. Goss, 1878 ; A. M. Clark, 1879 ; Joseph Bull, 1880. Trustees,

In 1842, the first schoolhouse was built, where the Baptist Church now stands. It did good service, and accommodated a large number of scholars, until the present stone schoolhouse was erected. An exceedingly good village school is maintained here. The chapter on " General Educational Interests" will furnish further statistics as to the number of students and kindred matters.

In 1876, B. F. Goss commenced on a cabinet of the eggs of North American birds. It now numbers about 260 varieties, and more than two thousand specimens. It is, doubtless, the largest collection of eggs in Wisconsin, and, in some respects, cannot be equaled anywhere. It is excelled by ho private collection. Mr. Goss has also, while making a specialty of Wisconsin birds and eggs, made large collections from other States, for himself and various scientific societies.

Pewaukee Lake Mills. - This is one of the landmarks of Waukesha County. In 1837, the the dam was built across the outlet of Pewaukee Lake, by Asa Clark, and the following year, on account of trouble made by persons making claims near the lake, he secured an enactment of the Legislature, allowing him to maintain this dam, with six leet of water above the natural level of the lake. Mr. Clark built a saw-mill during that year, 1837, and got it to running. It stood where the Oakton Springs House bowling alley now stands. In 1845, after the stone quarry had been opened, Mr. Clark erected a stone grist-mill, three stories in height. The original building, with two additions erected by B. Boorman, still does service. After Asa Clark, this mill was owned by Cogswell & Davidson; then again by Mr. Clark, who sold to Benjamin Boorman, in 1854. Mr. Boorman ran the mill until 1878, when he rented it to his sons, A. and F. Boorman. The water head is six feet, which runs a forty-inch Brooks wheel and three runs of stone. The mill has a steam engine, but it has not been required in five years. High and low water come in cycles of about seven years each In 1857, the dam was swept away, resulting in a damaging flood to the country below. In 1879, Joseph Johnson, backed by several of his neighbors, began suit against the Boormans for damages to lands overflowed by the dam. Several similar suits have been begun, and always decided in favor of the mill owners.

Best Brewing Company's Ice House. - By far the largest building in Pewaukee is the ice house built by the Best Brewing Company, of Milwaukee, in 1878. It is 450x50 feet. From it, eight car-loads of ice per day are shipped, during the summer, to the breweries in Milwaukee. This, with the business of filling them, gives employment to a large number of men.

Pewaukee Lodge, No. 186, I. 0. 0. i?'.^-This lodge was instituted December 12, 1869, with S. T. BoUes, James Ormsby, John M. Heath, D. F. Cogswell and John Dieman as charter members and first officers. The growth of the lodge was rapid, and its condition exceedingly prosperous. From this lodge have branched off the Bark River, No. 204, and Sussex, No. 205, lodges, which weakened it materially. In 1876, the lodge erected a fine two-story building, the upper portion being used as a lodge-room, and the ground floor for a public hall. The present officers are S. T. BoUes, N. G. ; R. Kensley, Secretary ; and the number of members about forty. There is a debt of $800 on the building, but the lodge has money to pay a portion of this. It is one of the finest lodge buildings in the county.

Congregational Church. - This church society was organized in 1840, by Asa Clark, Charles Bell, William C. Gates, Lyman Clark, and others from Lisbon. The church people of Pewaukee and Lisbon met together and formed a church in 1840, and continued to so meet during four or five years. The Pewaukee people then took the records and perpetuated this old church, the Lisbonites forming a church in that town. Mr. Bell is the only one who is now living in Pewaukee of the original organizers. The first pastor who was settled at Pewaukee was Mr. Bridgeman ; but the first preacher was Mr. S. Baker, who resided in Lisbon. He preached for this people even before a church was formed. The church edifice was erected in 1856 and cost about $1,500. The same building, repainted and repaired, is still in use. It is of wood. There are thirty-one members and a good Sabbath school. The present pastor is Rev. J. H. Cameron, who has been in charge during the past four years. He was preceded by Rev. George W. Sargeant, who preached here two years, although residing in Milwaukee.

First Baptist Church. - Before the formal organization of the present church, there was a church society of some kind which went out of existence, as it had no church edifice. The present society was organized June, 1855, with the following members : Elder Timothy Palmer, pastor ; Abel Brown, Henry Smith, Daniel German, Elizabeth Hartwell, Fanny Boorman, Eliza Davis and Maria J. Smith. Mrs. Boorman, now of Waukesha, is the only one of the original members now living. The second pastor was Elder R. Griffin, who came in January, 1861, and continued in charge until 1871. He was succeeded by Elder D. H. Drake, who, on going as missionary to foreign countries, was succeeded in 1872 by H. B. Davis. Mr. Davis was in charge but a brief period, and was followed by Rev. Henry Clark. A young man named Evans acted as supply after the pulpit was vacated by Rev. Clark. The next pastor was Rev. William Parker, who came in February, 1876, and who was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Fuhrman, in September, 1878. Mr. Fuhrman is the present pastor. The church at its most prosperous time had sixty-one members. The edifice, of wood, and a neat building, was built in 1859, and was opened for worship December 21 of that year. The parsonage, an unusually good building, was erected in 1876. Both are in excellent repair, and the church society is free from debt.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - At the first quarterly conference for the Pewaukee charge, held in April, 1870, there were reported twenty-four members and $1,850 in hand with which to erect a house of worship. J. C. Wheeler and Stephen Smith were chosen leaders ; D. G. Ormsby, J. C. Wheeler, William Chester, John Pope and Stephen Smith, Stewards; James Ormsby, J. C. Wheeler, J. Parker, J. Wildish, J. H. Rhodes, W. H. Steel, Stephen Smith, William Chester and A. A. Akin, Trustees. The edifice was erected in 1870 at a cost of about $4,000. It is of brick, nicely finished and furnished. The parsonage was erected in 1876 at a cost of $1,200. All the church property is free from debt. The difi"erent pastors have been

Revs. S. Halsey, W. W. Painter, Mechesney, E. T. Eaton, W. L. Walker, W. B. Robinson, R. J. Judd and George W. Burtch, who is now in charge. The present oflScers are as follows : Mrs. D. G. Ormsby, John Parker, John Hodgson, Sarah Bolles, Emily Hodgson, H. Anderson, D. Roberts and S. Smith, Stewards ; S. Weaver, John Parker, D. G. Ormsby, W. C. Window, G. H. Parks, William Haskins, Joseph Cooper, Trustees. The church, which has about fifty-five members, maintains a flourishing Sunday school. Merton. belongs to the Pewaukee charge.

Heath's Hotel. - This hotel building was erected by Lucius Swift, and was first used by J. F. Morse as a store. John M. Heath, after whom the hotel was nam,ed, converted it into a public house, which he kept open until his death, in 1879. Since that time it has been managed by Mrs. John M. Heath. The building is a good one and conveniently located. The rooms are well furnished and large. Its principal business is during the summer, when the influx of pleasui-e-seekers is very great.

Oakton Springs House. - This large, flne and popular summer-resort hotel was built in 1873 by N. P. Iglehart, who also purchased the lands on which are located the Oakton Springs, adjoining the northern boundary of the village. He had an analysis made of their waters, which resulted in discovering them to be of such medicinal value, that he at once began to advertise them and the hotel. Col. Iglehart spent a large sum of money in making known abroad the advantages of Pewaukee as a summer resort, and was the principal person in establishing its present reputation. The present proprietor of the Oakton Springs House, B. Boorman, took the property in 1877. He rents it to J. P. Vedder, who has made a success of the business. The hotel has a bath, barber shop, bowling alley, 100 fine rooms and all other firstclass hotel accompaniments. The guests are largely from the South.

Parsons' Hotel. - This is a regular hotel, kept by A. M. Parsons, and is open all the year through. The property is owned by Mr. King, who formerly managed the hotel. It has a good share of the traveling patronage.

Tovpn Of Summit

The town of Summit, by an act of the Legislature,, passed January 2, 1838, was set apart and named, and comprised the present towns of Summit, Delafield, Oconomowoc and Merton. Then by an act approved March 9, 1839, it was shorn of what is now Merton and Delafield, and January 23, 1844, Oconomowoc was cut off', leaving the town as it now is.

Summit received its name from the fact that Summit Prairie was supposed to be the highest elevation between the Fox and Rock Rivers. Here are found, combined in great completeness, the chief requisites to success in farming - a most excellent soil, high, dry and well watered.

The roads in this town are very good, and it is really a pleasure to ride over them. The people evidently take pride in keeping them in good condition. B. R. Hinkley has been for many years Roadmaster in this section.

The population consists principally of Americans and English, with a sprinkling of other elements. The first claimant and settler in the town was Andrew Baxter. He settled near Summit Center, coming here from Michigan, about the middle of March, 1837. Summit Prairie was then, and for several years subsequently, called Baxter's Prairie. His wife and family came with him, and were the first woman and children in this section of country, which then included Oconomowoc, Merton and Delafield. The next that came into Summit was John D. McDonald. He came into the county about the 20th of March, 1837, and, on the 7th of April following made the claim where he now lives, in the center of the town. He then boarded with Mr. Baxter, and helped him finish his cabin and dig a well, and did such other work as there was to be done. About the 1st of June, 1837, Delos Taft, E. W. Edgerton and Richard Hardell and family came, to be followed soon after by C. B. Brown and family. Orson and Curtis Reed came about the same time, their father and mother coming later in the season. They settled on the farm now owned by William Robinson. During the fall of this year, the families of Mr. Leavitt, Mr.

Histoky Of Waukesha Couxty

Hildreth, Gardner Brown and Mr. Fultz came in. Jacob Regular also came in 1838, bringing a large family with him, to endure. privations and dangers, being at that time in very destitute circumstances. Mr. Fairservice came this fall, bringing with him some young ladies, a scarcity in a new country and very much in demand. He settled on the banks of the beautiful Nemahbin Lake. Some young men, according to the town chronicles, made claims here at this time, but could not stand the pressure of going without food, and left.

In 1838, the families of Messrs. Merrill, Denney and Schuyler (who was the first claimant at Delafield), and Sanborn, Metcalf, Paine and Newnham, came.

The first death was a child of B. C. Hildreth, in the fall of 1887, and the second was Gardner Brown, father of Mrs. McDonald. He was killed on Pox River while at work drawing logs to Porter's saw-mill, on the 1st of February, 1838. He was buried on the farm now owned by E. W. Barnard.

Another heart-rending accident was the drowning of three boys of Russell Frisby, in 1839, while crossing Oconomowoc Lake to an island for the purpose of making maple sugar. Their remains were interred on the bank of the lake, on the farm now owned by Charles Hartwell.

Andrew Baxter, the first settler, died December 7, 1849, after a short but eventful career upon the frontier. Charles Keeler built the Congregational Church in 1844, and owned it until 1870. Its first pastor was a man by the name of Parker. It now belongs to the Nashotah Mission.

The Rev. H. W. Frink held the first Methodist Episcopal services in the first schoolhouse on Section 15, and which was built in 1839, by Messrs. Baxter, Reed, Leavitt, McDonald and Brown.

The year following, the devoirs of Orson Reed were crowned with success, in the person of one of the Misses Fairservice. These were the early examples, and well have they been followed since.

The first store in Summit was opened at Summit Corners, in 1839, by William Plumley, and, as is always the case in a new country, it was an event of no small importance in the estimation of the early settlers.

The election polls were first opened in what is now called Delafield, at a house kept by a man named Piermain, who afterward became tired of living and blew his brains out with a pistol. At this election, J. D. McDonald was elected Pathmaster of Road District No. 1, which then comprised the four towns mentioned above.

Dr. Goodnow, who came in 1839, was the first physician, and established himself on the farm now known as Danforth's ; but, alas for physicians in those days, as a gentleman remarked recently, "folks seemed not to get sick - health was the prevailing epidemic in Summit."

The first blacksmith-shop - an institution of unusual importance in a new country - was started by Jacob Johnson, in 1843, at Summit Corners. Previous to that, for some time, the settlers were compelled to tramp over the trails to Waukesha, to get their plows and chains mended.

According to town records, one of the first, if not the first, town meetings was held in Summit in 1842, when there were in all only seventy-four voters in the town. Curtis Reed, who figured quite conspicuously in local politics at that time, and who subsequently organized the town of Oconomowoc in rather a novel manner, was elected Chairman; the Side Supervisors were Jesse Hildreth and G. A. Foster; Clerk, Russell Frisby; Treasurer, E. Willie; Collector, S. M. Wells; Assessor, S. C. Leavitt; Commissioners of Common Schools, Jonathan Dougherty,

William Wentworth and E. W. Edgerton; Commissioners of Highways, C. B. Sheldon, Richard Hardell, and Orson Reed; Fence Viewers, Chauncy Ludder, William Wentworth and Phil. Schuyler; Constables, Charles Morris, L. B. Sanborn and Samuel M. Wells; Sealer of Weights and Measures, Curtis B. Brown; Overseers of Highways, B. W. Edgerton and George Williams.

It is said that at this election Mr. Reed was elected by a majority of one only, and this one he gained by sending a friend post-haste down the Territorial road to meet a man who had agreed to be on hand to vote for him. The fellow jumped on to the horse and came on, getting to the polls just in time.

The town meetings were held in various schoolhouses and dwelling-houses until John D. McDonald erected a hall opposite to his residence, this being the center of the town. The hall is in the very best spot that it could be placed, away from any village and attendant bummers.

A Good Templar's lodge was started in Summit as early as 1856, and the meetings were held in Mr. Westover's barn first, then in Cobb Schoolhouse, and then in Mr. Bailey's shop at Summit Corners. After this lodge went up another was started, but failed some time previous to the establishment of the present lodge. This organization is now in a thriving condition, although at first there was some difficulty experienced by the projectors in getting a large enough number of signers to secure a charter. After overcoming this difficulty, the lodge has been growing steadily stronger and more influential. Summit Center Lodge, No. 68, 1. 0. G. T.", was granted a charter in 1876, from the Grand Lodge, in response to the petition of A. I. Story, Mrs. J. M. Putney, S. A. Kidder, J. D. McDonald, D. McDonald, J. D. McDonald, Jr., Misses Mellie and Maggie McDonald, Kittie Story, Minnie Hale, Susan Hale, E. Hale, Charles Van Brunt, J. M. Crummey, J. C. Otes, David Hill, Libby Debnam, Ettie Williams, Lena Ericksen, Harry Story, William Moore, Jacob Hill, L. A. Hill, Mary Story, George Newgent, E. W. Barnard and P. F. Hall. There are now sixty-nine members, in good standing. Weekly sessions are held at the town hall.

There are now in Summit two or three Episcopal chapels where the students of Nashotah hold services at different times, besides a general association, without any very pronounced denominational head, which holds Sunday school, and services occasionally, at the town hall.

Manufacturing and commercial enterprises are not largely represented in this town at the present time, although all of the old inhabitants remember when Summit Corners was the commercial and stage center of this district. But now agriculture and agricultural interests are the chief objects, and consequently the butter and cheese factories take the place of other enterprises.

Summit Cheese Factory, on Section 16, was built about 1870, by B. R. Hinkley, Curtis Mann, Capt. Stone and James Leavitt. It is 30x70, two stories high, and cost to erect about $3,000. There are two 600-gallon vats and eighteen presses. B. R. Hinkley rented the factory at first, and subsequently bought out the other stockholders. In 1873, during the panic, he had 1,275 cheeses on his hands, which he shipped to St. Louis, and, after holding for a few months, he sold all at a handsome profit, while many other manufacturers lost tremendously.

The butter factory company of Summit was organized in the spring of 1877. There are seven members. A. J. W. Pierce, of Milwaukee, A. J. Kidder, Jacob Hill, William Cumro, R. C. Hildreth, Daniel Williams and J. D. McDonald, A. J. W. Pierce being the largest stockholder. The factory is very thoroughly fitted up, having all the machinery that is necessary to care for the milk from four hundred cows.

Wheat was first raised by Mr. Fultz on the Baxter farm in 1838. From this time until 1850, the farmers had to cut their grain with the cradle, and nearly all of them for a long time after; but that season Phillip Haune brought in a reaper, and very many of the farmers availed themselves of the opportunity and hired their grain cut by it.

The traveler, in passing over Summit Prairie, either on the old Territorial road, east or west, or on the turnpike running north and south, will come to four corners on as beautiful a part of the prairie as can be found, and centrally located between Sections 10 and 15. There is nothing to attract particular observation here except the magnificent landscape, and here and there a farm-house labbrer's cottage; consequently one might pass on unconscious of the fact that from 1840 to 1850 this spot was the commercial metropolis and stage center for the surrounding country - the Summit Corners of other days. Here in 1837, on the northwest corner, C. B. Brown built a tavern, and this was the nucleus of the "Villa."

In 1838, the first postoiBce was established here, with Curtis Reed as Postmaster, there having been a mail carrier through from Milwaukee to Mineral Point as early as 1837. The store already mentioned was there, and within a short time the blacksmith-shop, and, accordiag to B. R. Hinkley, who lives at the Corners now, and who lived there in its palmy days, there was, as early as 1846, three hotels, two frame and one of logs, three thriving stores, two' blacksmith shops, a wagon shop, a tailor and shoe shop, with inhabitants to correspond. This point was then a sort of headquarters for news, political meetings, frontier horse-racing and circuses. Very many of the young men had fast horses, horse-racing being the standard amusement of the times. A number of the Lush family lived here, heirs of Lush, of Albany, said to have been the largest landholder in the State of New York in his day. These were said to be the chief money spenders of the town. One of the hotels was a fine edifice for those days, and in connection had a large stage barn. The other hotels were also well supplied with stable room, for there was an enormous amount of travel, as many as four hundred teams a day having passed over the Territorial road. The village held its own until about the time the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway passed through the county. At that time a terrible tornado swept through this section and struck Summit Center, destroying houses, barns, etc., and also causing the big hotel to catch on fire. From this disaster and the efiect of the railroad, it was impossible for Summit to recover, and within a short time the place was no more. The little place called Utica had at one time a store, kept at first by R. St. Helen, and a tavern kept by Phil Holland.

Waterville, in 1845, was quite a little burg, and had its store, postoffice, public house, shops and comcomitants; but a change has come over the scene, and what was, is no more.

Notwithstanding the cost of everything, hotel charges were very much more reasonable then than they now are. This was owing in part, in all probability, to the general hotel competition, for almost every one wanted to turn a penny by keeping travelers. To illustrate : When the taverns at the Corners were charging five shillings per night for supper, lodging and breakfast, with horse feed thrown in, J. D. McDonald, who kept a competition inn near where he now lives, charged 50 cents for the same. How this could be done and the parties make anything, remains a mystery.

The cemetery in Summit, near the center on Section 15, is well located, and is kept in very good order, there being shade trees, shrubbery and flowers about or above nearly all of the graves. One of the first buried here, the grave with its age-browned stone standing in a conspicuous spot, was Miss R. B. Cross, in 1844. The cemetery is maintained by the town, and a hearse and horses and driver are employed.

For several years prior to 1866, the farmers had been greatly bothered by having sheep killed by what they supposed were wildcats and lynxes. Accordingly, at the town meeting of 1866, it was voted to pay $10 per head for each of these animals killed. But this did not abate the nuisance, for the losses of sheep kept growing continually greater, until, about 1868, it was discovered that wolves were the perpetrators of the mischief, and their " stamping " grounds and runways were on the school section and about Genesee and Silver Lakes. No sooner was this discovered, than a subscription was taken, and a bounty of $100 per wolf ofiered for every wolf killed in the town ; and very soon after a permanent bounty of- $50 was voted by the town, and an additional bounty of $25 was offered by the county.

No sooner had this bounty become a settled thing, than hunting wolves became a good business, and, forthwith, several men went at the work of extermination. One party was formed, consisting of Charles Smith, Lewis Rowell, Mr. Griswold, of Pewaukee, and another man. This party hunted together, as did Messrs. Hill and Bartlett, and, also, Mr. Andrews went into the business. Very soon after this, the wolves in Summit were non est; but the hunters were equal to the emergency. Therefore, wolves were hunted from adjoining localities, and chased into

Summit to be killed. One in particular was worried and hunted, for several hours, back and forth between Summit and Ottawa, on Sections 5 and 32, until, finally, he was shot in Ottawa, and dragged over into Summit to die.

A document which was handed in at the town meeting in 1859, and which is known as "James Ashbv's Fox Bounty Bill," created so much amusement at the time, and is so novel in character, that a summary of the contents is given, as presented at the meeting, and as placed on file by the Town Clerk : "Whoever kills one old fox, and brings his head to the Town Clerk, for him to inspect it, the same is to have $1 for each old one, and 50 cents each youijg one, if he can' see; if not, be paid 25 cents each by the Town Clerk. The Town Clerk is to see that it is defraid, but just and right, the only way to get rid of these troublesome fellows. Any one letting them breed is to be fined $5."

The following is an extract, taken from a paper presented by J. D. McDonald, the oldest settler now in Summit, and published as written by him :

" I will relate some incidents which transpired the first year of our settlement. In the summer of 1837, there were several young men boarding at Curtis Brown's. One Sunday morning we went down to the lake, now known as Genesee Lake, about two miles from Summit Corners, and when we got ready to return there was one by the name of Lonsbury, who said he would stay and wash his shirt, and so we left him ' to do his washing.' When he had dried and ironed his shirt, he started for home, but, instead of going home, he got lost and wandered down into a tamarack swamp. Night set in, and he, was obliged to 'lay out' all night. It was a dark, rainy night, and the wolves howled, and the owls screeched, and I think he has never recovered from his fright. It was about four miles from our boarding-house, and he arrived there about noon the next day. In the month of April, 1837, a man by the name of Milenda came out from Milwaukee and stopped at Hayopolis, and persuaded me to go with him to make a claim for some parties in Milwaukee. The claim he was to make was on the Upper Rapids of Rock River, on Section 10, Town 10, Range 16, now known as Hustisford. There were no settlers between Hayopolis and Fort Winnebago.

" We followed an Indian trail running between the Twin Lakes, thence between La Belle and Fowler Lakes, and then forded the Oconomowoc River below where the dam now is, and then followed section lines through the woods to that point. We dared not leave the section lines for fear of being lost, and we therefore were obliged to wade marshes and streams sometimes in water up to our waists, as the water was very high at that season of the year. We struck the rapids the second night, and met an old squaw, who told us by signs that the Indians would kill us when they came home that night ' squiby ' (that is, drunk), and we found that they did return ' squiby.' They had been to Fort Winnebago to receive their payment. There were about 200 of them, and they held a ' war dance ' that night.

" We lay on our side of the stream, now called the Wildcat, and they on the other. They had fires, so we dared not have any. We could see them, but they could not see us. They yelled and danced all night while we lay and watched them. They left the next day, and we made the claim and returned to Hayopolis in six days.

" In the winter of 1837, C. B. Sheldon, a man by the name of Green and myself, started from Summit, about the 20th of December, for Mineral Point. We stopped the first night at Aztalan, with a man by the name of Atwood. We started the next morning for Madison, the distance being forty miles. The snow was about six or eight inches deep, and there had been but one horse* through. There'were no settlers between Aztalan and Madison at that time. About sundown, Sheldon ' tired out,' and Green and myself supported him, one on each side. Whenever we stopped to rest, he would fall asleep, and whenever we would wake him up, he would beg of us to let him lie. It was a bitter cold night, and, having no means to make a fire, we knew that we must keep him on the move, and so dragged him along until we reached Madison, about 11 o'clock at night. There were but two shanties at Madison at that time. The next day we proceeded on our journey, and arrived at Mineral Point about the 25th of December. We procured work, chopping and splitting rails, until about the 20th of February, 1838, when we started to return. The third day after leaving Mineral Point, expecting to reach Madison, we got lost, and were obliged to lie under an oak tree. We had no means to build a fire, and soon fell asleep. We were awakened by the excessive cold. Before leaving Mineral Point, we had secured a flask of good brandy. Although our temperance people do not think brandy of any benefit, we thought it was a benefit to us on that occasion. The next morning, we found our way into Madison, started for Summit, and arrived there about the last of February. We dctiended on the money we earned to buy provisions with, but were paid off in Michigan wildcat money, which, when we got home, was not worth one cent on the dollar.

" Go into our cemetery, and there you will see where the most of our old settlers are at rest, and our gray hairs admonish us that in a few years we will be deposited there with the rest.

" In writing this communication, I have confined myself to the first settlement of the town of Summit, and, not having time for consideration, it could not be expected but that I should make some errors. Wishing to be excused for imperfections, I submit this paper, not for its merit or perfection, but as something to keep alive recollections of other days."

Summit Mutual Fire Insurance Company. - The citizens of Summit, in conformity with previous preparatory meetings, met at the town hall, Tuesday, March 24, 1874, and effected a permanent organization. The subscribed capital was $-39,000, and the following gentlemen were elected Directors: Daniel Williams, J. D. McDonald, C. M. Neff, Abram Hardell, J. S. Nichols, B. C. Hildreth, P. K. Tucker, Jacob Hill and Azro Hamlin. J. D. McDonald was elected President, and Daniel Williams, Secretary and Treasurer. The company began business March 31, 1874. Up to the present time, two losses have been sustained, amounting to $69.02. Number of policies issued up to January 1, 1875, 42 ; amount of insurance at that time, $57,577. Number of policies January ,1, 1876, 74 ; amount insured, $102,576. Number of policies January 1, 1877, 104 ; amount insured, $158,021. Number of policies January 1, 1878, 130 ; amount insured, $187,400. Number of policies January 1, 1879, 148 ; amount insured, $215,360. Number of policies January 1, 1880, 164; amount insured, $242,174. The officers remain the same, with a few slight changes in Directors.

There are a large number of splendid farms, estates and country residences in Summit. Among the finest of these, especially in residence? atid fittings, are Capt. Parker's, Mr. Mc- Dowell's, Mr. Hill's, Mr. Hardell's and Capt. Stone's.

The town officers for 1880 are as follows : Supervisors - Daniel Williams, Chairman ; W. H. Kummrow, William Griffith ; Town Clerk, D. McDonald ; Assessor, B. R. Hinkley ; Treasurer, A. I. Story ; Justices of the Peace, Daniel Williams, A. G. Hardell, Thomas Breakfield, J. A. Oestrich ; Constables, Charles Denny, James GriflBth, E. W. Barnard.

Town Of Vernon

Township 5 north, of Range 19 east, was set apart and organized into the town of Vernon by an act of the Legislature, passed March 8, 1839. Before that time, it had formed a part of Muskego.

The growth of maple timber, especially on or near the banks of the Fox River, is very heavy and valuable, both for firewood and for sugar making. The growth becomes lighter in the south, until it finally almost disappears as we approach Caldwell's Prairie.

The first actual settlers in the town were John Dodge, Prucius Putnam and the brothers Curtis B. and Orien Haseltine. These men came from Andover, Vt., in 1835, and went into the then undisturbed wilderness of Vernon, in November of that year, and made claims on Sections 27 and 34. They also built a cabin at this time, 15x16 feet, a few rods west of the present schoolhouse at Dodge's Corners. Besides these four, Ira Blood, Gaius Munger, Asa A. Flint, N. K. Smith, Leonard Martin and others came in this fall, and selected claims, and some of them built, but did not winter here.

In the spring of 1837, Jesse Smith, John Thomas, Aaron and Amos Putnam, Col. Orien Haseltine, father of the Haseltine family, Isaac Flint, Almon Welch, Lazarus Whipple, Capt. Pierce, Joel Day, J. H. Stickney, the Plumb family, and perhaps a few more came.

It is related of Gaius Munger (now deceased), that, after he had been here with his family a few months, they fell short of provisions, and, while he was gone to get more, they had to live on potatoes and salt.

N. K. Smith, who came in May, 1837, with wife and two children, brought the first family into Vernon, Mrs. Smith having been the first white woinan here for six weeks.

The town received its name from the first four settlers, who were all Vermonters, as were very many of those who came in subsequently, the first syllable of their native State being incorporated in the new name.

For the first few years, the town meetings were held at the old log schoolhouse erected at Vernon Center in 1841 or 1842, but after awhile the north part of the town, through the influence of A. Welch, gave up permitting the town meetings to be held at L. Martin's, in the southern portion, near Muskego ; but, after they had been held there awhile, the north part of the town concluded that they would have the meetings at the "burg" again, and, in spite of the resistance of the southern element, succeeded in their wish.

Mr. Munson put up a tavern finally, on the old Mukwonago plank road, near the center of town, and the rival factions compromised their diiferences and held the town meeting there for several years. Subsequently, when L. Martin put up his new hotel, the voters agreed to meet there, where they could have a good time. The town meetings are now held there.

According to record, the following ofiicers were elected in 1842 ; N. K. Smith, Chairman and Town Clerk, with Jesse Smith and Joseph M. Stilwell as Side Supervisors ; Commissioners of Common Schools, J. A. Plumb, J. H. Stickney and Henry Moon ; Commissioners Highways, Alva Plumb, Ira Blood and John S. Moon ; Assessors, Anson Morgan, Roswell Hill and Asa Hollister ; Collector, James B. Stilwell ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, Adam Putna m ; Treasurer, Isaac Burley. J. M. Stilwell removed from town this year, and Bailey Webster was elected in his place as Supervisor.