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LUMBERING.

AGRICULTURE.

MINING.

S OF WISCONSIN.

GREAT INDUSTRIF

THREE

THE
AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

OF

THE STATE OF WISCONSIN,

BEING

A COMPLETE CIVIL, POLITICAL, AND MILITARY WISTORY OF
THE STATE,

FROM ITS FIRST EXPLORATION DOWN TO 1875;
INCLUDING

A CYCLOPEDIA OF LEGISLATION DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF EACH
GOVERNOR, FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE TERRITORIAL
GOVERNMENT DOWN TO GOVERNOR TAYLOR;

WITH

HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCHES OF EACH COUNTY IN
THE STATE SEPARATELY, EMBRACING INTERESTING NARRA-
TIVES OF PIONEER LIFE; INCLUDING AN ACCOUNT OF
THE COMMERCIAL, AGRICULTURAL, AND
EDUCATIONAL GROWTH OF
WISCONSIN.

BY CHARLES R. TUTTLE,

Author of  Mlustrated History of the State of Indiana,” “Illustrated History of the Border Wars
of Two Centuries," “ Illustrated History of the State ot Michigan,” &c.

ILLUSTRATED.

SOLD ONLY BY CANVASSING AGENTS.

 

PUBLISHED BY B. B. RUSSELL, BOSTON, MASS.
MADISON, WIS.: B. B. RUSSELL & CO,

1875. *
)
Als TRG
YR REVET
YEAR

A. S404%

Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1875, by
B. B. RusseELL AND CHARLES R. TUTTLE,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.

Boston:
STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY
RAND, AVERY, & Co.
TO

WILLIAM RUDOLPH SMITH

AND

LYMAN C. DRAPER,

TO THE JOINT LABORS OF WHOM THE AUTHOR IS INDEBTED FOR
VALUABLE MATERIALS,

THIS VOLUME

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.
PREFACE,

 

In the preparation of this volume, I have not aimed so much
at literary excellence as to produce a work of usefulness. The
materials for its pages were ripe in abundance; and it has been
a work of no little difficulty to select from these contemporaries
subjects most appropriate for a History of Wisconsin, and to
group them in the order best calculated to make their presenta-
tion acceptable. In the pursuit of this end, the following
range of general subjects has been considered in the order
designated.

The opening chapters are intended to familiarize the reader
with the physical and antiquarian features of the Territory now
embraced within the limits of the State. This is not only
necessary to a better understanding of the events that have
transpired upon it, but furnishes in itself much of interest and
instruction. p

The EARLY History of Wisconsin constitutes the second dis-
tinguishing feature. In this part, pains have been taken to
present a strictly chronological narrative of all the important
events in the early history of the Territory, covering a period
from its first exploration by the French down to the organiza-
tion of the Territorial Government, in 1836.

The third division of the work may be designated by a cyclo-
pedia of legislation during the administrations of each of the
governors, from Dodge to Taylor inclusive. It is believed that
the vast amount of labor which has been expended in condensing
this digest from the official documentary journals will result in

the enlargement of useful information among the people of the
5
6 PREFACE.

State, — information tending to familiarize the citizen with the
statutory laws, as well as with the legislation by which they
were enacted. This phase of the volume includes a review of
Wisconsin’s record in the war for the Union, as also a brief
mention of the consecutive political contests that have char-
acterized the State and Territorial Governments.

The volume closes with statistical and descriptive sketches
of each county in the State, presenting at a single glance the
present condition of every county, with its facilities for future
growth and development.

I have been assisted in the compilation of this work by
Daniel S. Durrie, Librarian of the Wisconsin State Historical
Society, especially in the legislative and war records of the
State, with which he had become familiar. I am also largely
indebted to the Collections of the Historical Society, and indi-
rectly, through these Collections, to the labors of Dr. Lyman
C. Draper, who has for more than forty years spent much time
and means annually in enlarging the usefulness of the society.

With each edition of this work, additional chapters will be
added, bringing the records down to the latest possible date,
thereby keeping pace with the march of events.

CHARLES R. TUTTLE.
Manson, Wis., September, 1875.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

  

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CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
PAGE.
Physical Features— Geology and Minerals — Climate, Soil, and Productions
— Antiquities . oS 5 Ne oe. : a)
CHAPTER I.
CHRONOLOGY OF WISCONSIN FROM 1639 To 1848. .  » 62
CHAPTER III.
INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. . . . * - 72
: CHAPTER IV.

EARLY HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The French in America — The Fur Trade — Jesuit Missionaries — Jean
Nicollet — Green Bay —Its Early History — Labors of Father en
Dablon, André, Marquette, and others — La Salle, &c. . : 4 83

CHAPTER V.
EARLY HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Green Bay and Prairie du Chien— Early Jesuit Missionaries— The Fox,
Sauk, and French Wars — Growth of the French Settlements — Green Bay
in 1745 — End of French Dominion — British Supremacy . 6 26 «+ 90

CHAPTER VI.
EARLY HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Green Bay and Prairie du Chien — Charles De Langlade — Conflict between
the Americans and British in the North-west — A Glance at the Settle-
ments in Wisconsin at the Close of the Revolutionary War — The Surren-
der to the United States by the British ; . . ee i. 7 . 99

7
\
8 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VII.

GREEN BAY FROM 1796 To 1836.
PAGE.

The War of 1812— Erection of Fort Howard — The Early Settlement of
Green Bay — Travels and Adventures — Number and Condition of the
Indians — The Embryo City of Green Bay — Arrival of Government Troops
—The Early Lead Traffic — Green Bay i: 1824— Indian Troubles — Murder
— Formation of the Wisconsin Territory, &c. . ‘ . ‘ . 102

CHAPTER VIII.
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN FROM 1796 To 1836.

Description of Prairie du Chien in 1805—The Fur Trade—War of 1812—
Capture of Prairie du Chien — Determined Resistance — The Fur Trade after
the Peace of 1815 — Major Long’s Observations of the Fort and Village, &c., 113

CHAPTER IX.
EARLY HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The War of 1812 in the North-west— Operations at Prairie du Chien — Col.
McKay and his Forces — An Account of the Capture at Prairie du Chien by
Col. McKay — Scenes and Incidents of the Surrender : i z . » 119

CHAPTER X.
EARLY HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The Early History of the Lead Mines —The Lead Excitement — Slavery in
the Mines — Description of the Country — Insults to the Winnebagoes —
Shocking Murders at Prairie du Chien — The Winnebago Outrages — Great
Excitement at Prairie du Chien — Arrival of Troops : 2 fs ‘ . 128

CHAPTER XI.
EARLY HISTORY — WINNEBAGO WAR.

Major Whistler’s Operations — The Surrender near the Portage — End of the
War— Treaty of Peace—<An Indian prefers Honor to Life—A Native
prizes his Word higher than Life — A Well-merited Reprieve -  .  . 136

CHAPTER XIL
PIONEER RECOLLECTIONS.

Early Settlers — Pioneer Agriculture — Mills — Prices and Features of Traffic
— Interesting Reminiscences — Sketches of Travel and Adventure . . 143

CHAPTER XIII.
THE PIONEERS OF WISCONSIN. . . . .  . 149

CHAPTER XIV.
THE BLACK HAWK WAR.

The Sauks and Foxes — British Interference — Black Hawk and his Wrongs
— Battle of Stillman’s Run — Battle of the Pecatonica — Battle of Wiscon-
sin Heights — The Battle of Bad Axe— Capture of Black Hawk, &c. . . 153
CONTENTS. 9

CHAPTER XV.

THE NORTH-WESTERN TERRITORY.
PAGE.

The Old North-western Territory — Virginia’s Jurisdiction — Ordinance of
1787 — Organization of Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin Terri-
tories — The First Settlers of Wisconsin— Green Bay — Military Govern-
ment—Courts and Trials. e : mS . 7 ‘ - . - 176

CHAPTER XVI.
TNE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.

Wisconsin Territory —Its Original Boundaries — Civil Rights, &c.— Elec-
tions — Early Legislation —Gov. Dodge — Banks— The Capital — Specula-
tion — Madison — The Fight over the Location of the Seat of Government, 189

CHAPTER XVII.
THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.

Building Commissioners — Their Journey from Milwankee to the Site of
Madison — Condition of the Territory — The Routes and Modes of Travel —
Early Land Sales — The Squatters and their Exponents —Second Session of
the Territorial Legislature — The Wisconsin University — Educational —
Early Schools— The Milwaukee and Rock River Canal Company — Special
Session of the Legislature. . a a ¢ ae en a a OT

CHAPTER XVIII.
THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.

Population and Apportionment — The First Legislative Assembly at Madison
—The Condition of the New Capitol — Hogs and Assembly-Men ia the
Same Pen — Amusing Reminiscences —The New (Old) Capitol Wrangle —
Investigating Committees — Recess— Second Session — Laws passed, &c. . 209

CHAPTER XIX.
TNE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.

Land and Boundary Questions —Courts—A Contested Election Case —The
Jineral Point Bank — Its Failure — Capitol Improvements—The ‘ Baxter
Claim’? — Gen. Dodge succeeded by James Duane Doty — The Latter’s
Views — Difficulties — The Loan Agent and his Differences with the Canal
Comuissiouers — Iujurious Effects. é 3 * i . ‘ 3 » 219

CHAPTER XX.
THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.

Gov Doty’s Conflicts with the Legislature — The Canal Company Tragedy
in the Council Chamber— Hot Debate—One Member shoots Another—
Population — New Apportioument — Bankruptcy Laws, &c. . . + 226
10 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXI.

THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
PAGE.

War between the Governor and the Legislature — The Governor prevents the
Session of the Legislature by refusing to co-operate— A Joint Resolution
is passed, praying the President to remove the Governor —The Session of
Vetos— Lively Conflicts —Interesting Reminiscences — Second Session — A
State Government desired — The Governor’s Orthography — The Debt —
The First Tax — Govs. Talmadge and Dewey — Henry Dodge again ap-
pointed Governor — Provisions for forming a State Government . . 231

CHAPTER XXII.
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.

Gov. Dodge’s Second Administration —Indian Troubles — Vote on having a
State — Congressional Measures enabling the People of Wisconsin to form
a State Government — First Constitutional Convention —Its Work rejected
by the People . ‘ ; ‘ ‘ é ‘ F ‘ 6 a * . 240

CHAPTER XXIII.
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT — GOV. DODGE’S SECOND ADMINISTRATION.

The Second Constitutional Convention— The Supreme and other Courts —
Congressional Legislation — The Work of the Second Constitutional Con-
vention ratified by the People — Wisconsin admitted into the Union as a
Sovereign State — Statistics — Review . ‘i a . . ‘5 < . - 246

CHAPTER XXIV.
ADMINISTRATION OF NELSON DEWEY.

Organization of the State Government — Revision of the Statutes — Organiza-
tion of the State University — The Presidential eee — The Free-Soil
Party . e « 3 Bo os 7 5 * é : F . 254

CHAPTER XXV.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. NELSON DEWEY.

Second Session of the State Legislature —Gov. Dewey’s Message — The Slave-
ry Question — The State Legislature outspoken on the Subject —Dewey’s
Re-election — Election Statistics — Great Increase of f Population — The
Winnebago Scare — The Opening of the University — State Prison, &c.  . 260

CHAPTER XXVI.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. L. J. FARWELL.

Events of 1852 — Governor’s Message — Land Grant Difficulties — Legislation
Statistics — A Cyclopedia of Events during the Year 1852. 3 . - 273

CHAPTER XXVII.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. L. J. FARWELL.

Events of 1853 — Legislation — Trial of Sie Hubbell—- State Historical
Society — Election Contest, &c.  . 3 . . . . . + 279
CONTENTS. . j1

CHAPTER XXVIII.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. BARSTOW.
PAGE.
Events of 1854— Legislation — Newspaper Criticisms on the Legislature —
Great Excitement in Milwaukee and Racine over a Fugitive Slave — His
Arrest and Capture — Litigation—The School Board Fraud . . .  . 287

CHAPTER XXIX.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. BARSTOW.
Events of 1855 — Legislation — General Progress of Private and Public Affairs, 299

CHAPTER XXX.
GOV. BARSTOW’S SECOND TERM.
Events of 1856-—- The Gubernatorial Fight — Barstow vs. Bashford . . . 809

CHAPTER XXXI.
THE BARSTOW-BASHFORD CONFLICT CONTINUED.

Events of 1856— Decision of the Supreme Court — Resignation of Gov. Bar-
stow — Pluck of Lieut.-Gov. McArthur — Gov. Bashford gains the Day, and
is placed in Charge of the Executive Office — Legislation, &. . . . 320

CHAPTER XXXII.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. BASHFORD.

Events of 1857 — Legislation — Election of United States Senator — Legisla-
tion — The Capital — Election Contest, &c. eR eae BBB

CHAPTER XXXITII.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. RANDALL.

Events of 1858 — The Governor’s Message — Alleged Frauds concerning Land
Grants — The Investigation — Bill for the Removal of the Capital to Milwau-
Kee— Legislation . - . © « . hoe 6 ow oe a Bee

CHAPTER XXXIV.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. RANDALL.

Events of 1859— Legislation — The Bashford Investigation — The State Insti-
tutions — Death of Chief-Justice Wheaton ee a a Oe CBS

CHAPTER XXXV.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. RANDALL.

Events of 1860 —Statistics — Legislation — Presidential Election — Congres-
sional Election, &c. 2 CaS MAG ote. dal Wel. ae. te » a 860
12 , CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. RANDALL.
PAGE,

Events of 1861 — Legislation — The Thunders of Civil War breaking over the
State — The President’s Proclamation — Gov. Landall’s Proclamation —
Preparations for War. =e 8 a ‘ 5 . a Z - 368

CHAPTER XXXVIL
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1861— Movements in Behalf of Soldiers’ Families — Liberal Sub-
scriptions — The First Regiment — Its Three-Months’ Record — The Second
Regiment — Camp Randall — The Third Regiment — The Fourth, Fifth,
Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Toe Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth
Regiments . , a ; ‘ $ . ‘ f . i . . 875

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1861, continued — Regimental History — Gov. Randall’s Proclama-
tion calling a Special Session of the Legislature — Legislation —The War, &c. 387

CHAPTER XXXIX.
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1862 —Administration of Gov. Harvey and Lieut.-Gov. Edward
Salomon — Sad Death of Gov. Harvey —Consternation throughout the
State at his Death — Legislation — Investigations, &c. . ji . «  . 896

,
CHAPTER XL.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. SALOMON.

Events of 1862 — Legislation —The Draft — Opposition to the Same — High
Pitch of the War Excitement — Indian Troubles in Minnesota and on our
Western Border . ‘ ‘ % * ‘ i i ‘ , é - 406

CHAPTER XLI.
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1862, continued — Regimental History —Incidents and Accidents
of the War r . : x . ¢ . Z ‘ ‘ 3 ‘ . 411

CHAPTER XLII.
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1862, continued — Regiinental History — Bravery of Wisconsin
Bioline. Rehees from the Battle-Fields . 5 P a ° ; : . 422
CONTENTS. 13

CHAPTER XLII.

WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.
PAGE.
Events of 1862, continued — Regimental History —The War Record to the
Close of the Year 1862— Memories of the Battle-Field . : ‘1 ‘ . 435

CHAPTER XLIV.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. SALOMON.

Events of 1863— Administration of Gov. Salomon — Legislation — Election
Contest of 1863— Election of James T. Lewis as Governor —Triumph of
the Republican Party . ° a 5 ‘i "i . 7 . < i » 460

CHAPTER XLV.
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1863 — Regimental History —- Progress of the War — Triumphs and
Defeats — Echoes from the Battle-Fields — Bravery of Wisconsin Soldiers . 467

CHAPTER XLVI.
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1863, continued — Regimental History —The Progress of the War
— Battle-Field Incidents 2 . . : : : ; w A . « 479

CHAPTER XLVII.
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1863, el eaten: Semen d of Wisconsin during the Year
1863 — Regimental Records — The Cavalry . i ‘ A - : . 491

CHAPTER XLVIII.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. LEWIS.

Events of 1864— Legislation — War Measures — Military Operations within
the State . . * . ‘i ‘ x . x . ‘ ‘ , » 504

CHAPTER XLIX.
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1864— Regimental History — Sketches of the First, Second, Third,
Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh eh
ments — Their Operations in 1864 . 4 % . ‘ . » 512

CHAPTER L.
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1864, continued — eee History — Army Movements— Battle-
Field Incidents . ‘ ‘ ‘ c ‘i ‘ a ‘ , - 7 » 625
14 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER LI.
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.
PAGE.
Events of 1864, continued — Regimental History — Accidents and Incidents
of War—Movements of Wisconsin Troops . . - + «© + + 540

CHAPTER LII.
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1864, concluded — Military Matters — Regimental History — Battle-
Field Pictures — Home Politics — Election i 7 . 3 . 7 - 552

CHAPTER LIU.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. LEWIS.

Events of 1865— Legislation — Message of Gov. Lewis— War Measures—
Surrender of Gen. Lee— The Draft, &c. . . . 7 . . i . 567

CHAPTER LIV.
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1865, continued — Regimental History — Battle-Field Scenes and
Incidents — The Last Year of the War -. So tar. eee te 3 »  . 573

CHAPTER LY.
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1865, continued —Conclusion of War History — Battle-Field
Echoes — Wisconsin’s Name and Fame . : . oe . . 586

CHAPTER LVI.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. FAIRCHILD.

Events of 1866— Legislation — Full Reports from the State Institutions —
Statistics — The Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home — Public Services of Mrs. Harvey, 598

CHAPTER LVI.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. FAIRCHILD.

Events of 1867 — Legislation — Statistics — Death of Senator Hadley — Con-
test for the United States Senatorship — Criticisms on the Legislature. . 604

CHAPTER LVII.
SECOND ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. FAIRCHILD.

Events of 1868 — Legislation — Statistics — Description of the State Capitol —
Election Contest — Presidential Election . . . Gua’ ag - 610
CONTENTS. 15°

CHAPTER LIX.

SECOND ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. FAIRCHILD.
PAGE.

Events of 1869 — Legislation — Statistics — State Election of 1869 — Contest
in the Legislature for the United States Senatorship — M. H. Carpenter
Successful. 2. 2. © «© © © © © «© «© «© « «© « 616
CHAPTER LX.
THIRD ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. FAIRCHILD.

Events of 1870— Legislation and Statistics—A Movement to remove the
Capital to Milwaukee fails — View of the State Institutions . . . . 620

CHAPTER LXI.
THIRD ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. FAIRCHILD.

Events of 1871 —Cyclopzdia of Legislation — Statistics — Election Contest —
Election of Washburn for Governor — Defeat of Doolittle . Cae . 623

CHAPTER LXII.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. WASHBURN.

Events of 1872 — An Account of the Great Fires of 1871— Legislation, &c. —
Election — Statistics . i 5 “ ‘i a q a * * a » 629

CHAPTER LXIII.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. WASHBURN.

Events of 1873 — Legislation — Statistics — Closing Events of Gov. Wash-
pburn’s Administration — The Election of 1873— Defeat of the Republican
Party . z ry < . . . 5 _ . 6 . Ci > *5 + 636

CHAPTER LXIV.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. W. R. TAYLOR.

Events of 1874— First Message of Gov. Taylor — Legislation — Statistics —
Railroad Litigation. =. 7 ww we ee
CHAPTER LXV.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. W. R. TAYLOR.

Events of 1875 — Legislation — State Institutions —The United States Senator-
ship Contest — Defeat of Carpenter — Triumph of Cameron . .  .  . 650

CHAPTER LXVI.
SKETCHES OF COUNTIES.

The Agricultural, Mineral, Lumbering, Educational, and Manufacturing Re-
sources and Developments of Wisconsin by Counties — Notes and Statistics
of the leading Cities of Wisconsin ‘ “ ‘ . ‘ . ~. + 656
16 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER LXVII.

WISCONSIN’S WOMEN.
PAGE.

Short Biographical Sketches of the Pioneer and Prominent Women of Wis-
consin ‘ ‘ 0 . a 5 : . : s js . ° : . 698

CHAPTER LXVIII.
WISCONSIN’S MEN.
Brief Biographical Sketches of the Pioneer and Prominent Men of Wisconsin, 720
Adams . .
Ashland a
Bayfield .
Barron .
Brown . :
Buffalo .
Burnette
Calumet 5
Chippewa .
Clark . ‘
Columbia .
Crawford
Dane . ‘
Dodge . 7
Door . -
Douglas
Dunn

Eau Claire .
Fond du Lae
Grant . ‘
Green . :

Green Lake .
Iowa . A

Jackson ‘
Jefferson. :
Juneau . .
Kenosha 7

Kewaunee .
La Crosse .
Lafayette .
Manitowoc .
Marathon .

INDEX TO COUNTIES.

WW

PAGE.
. 656
. 657
. 657
. 658
. 659
. 661
. 662
. 662
. 662
. 664
. 664
- 665
. 666
. 666
. 667
. 668
. 668
- 668
. 669
- 670
. 671
- 671
. 672
. 672
. 673
. 673
. 673
. 674
- 675
. 676
. 677
. 678
18 INDEX TO COUNTIES.

PAGE.
Marqustio 4. «= = «© @ & & = # * & 4 679
Milwaukee . . 5 ‘i : : ‘ : 2 3 ‘ . 679
Monroe . . . . 680
Oconto. . . a, @. “ae $s Bo ws ‘ . 681
Outagamie . ‘ . é i . 3 2 - : ; . 682
Ozaukee A i 5 3 ‘ “ 3 2 ‘ e . 684
Pepin . - & ‘i z= ; é . 5 7 3 a . 684
Pierce . ‘ - ‘i ‘ 3 ‘ 5 ‘ 3 ‘ ‘ . 685
Polk . ‘ : ‘ : - ‘i . ‘ _ 3 2 . 685
Portage : z 2 5 ‘ 3 7 . ‘ 3 ‘ - 685
Racine . ‘ ‘ - 7 5 S c z . 7 : . 686
Richland 3 ‘ A - 3 ‘ : 3 ‘ s ‘ . 687
Rock . 7 ‘i é . ‘ ‘ ‘ 7 r ‘ a . 687
St. Croix . . 3 * 3 : ‘ ‘ ‘i 5 é . 689
Sauk . . ‘ é 5 . ‘ - - ‘ ‘ 3 . 689
Shawano ‘ . 7 . ‘ 3 - i , J . 690
Sheboygan . é “ : . - : . : fi - 690
Taylor . A 3 ° . ‘ . . . 7 é 3 . 692
Trempealeau . z . is - : i . é 3 3 . 692
Vernon . i ‘ 5 ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘i 7 . 692
Walworth . ‘ ‘ : ; : . . a ‘ * . 693
Washington . , : . 7 : 7 ‘ : : - 694
Waukesha . . 5 3 . 5 _ 5 - . . 694
Waupacca . Z a . ‘ 3 A 7 ‘ - i . 695
Waushara . . . ‘ 7 7 . ‘ ° 7 ‘i . 695
Winnebago . . . é 7 . ; . . e : - 696
Wood . 5 ‘ . é 3 ‘ ‘ . F 5 ‘ . 697
INDEX TO WISCONSIN’S WOMEN.

Pace.
ANNEKE, Mrs. é : ; ‘i ; F 5 : ‘ : . 702
Barstow, Mrs. Maria . : é é 5 - . ‘ ‘ . 719
Brrp, Mrs. Prosper - : : ‘ . . . . - 708
Brunson, Mrs. Emma . : - A i 2 , 3 . 174
CaMpBELL, Mrs. Lorinda  . ‘ r 3 is 3 3 3 . 711

‘Cott, Mrs. Henrietta L. - : é ‘ r . , i . 17
Dopce, Mrs. Dorothea G, .- ; , . ‘ ‘ : ‘ . 715
Dopvaeg, Mrs. Gov. Henry . ‘ ‘ : - 3 7 . . 699
Doty, Mrs. Sarah C. . ; ‘ é ‘i . 3 a . 107
Faircnmixp, Mrs. Sally ‘ : : - . 7 . . - 698

FarweE tu, Mrs. Frances A. . , ‘ i : : z - . 715
Harvey, Mrs. Cordelia A. P. r : z ‘ s : : . 699
Hazextine, Mrs. Dorcas 5 ‘ : : 3 ‘ ; ‘ . 718
JUNEAU, Mrs. Josette . i A ‘ ‘ ‘ é 3 ‘ - 712
Kune, Mrs. Elizabeth . F ‘ ‘i 7 . ‘ ‘ F 2 112
Lewis, Mrs. Oriina ‘ < - ‘5 : 3 : j - . 719
Mewarp, Mrs. Mary A. , : 3 s ee : ‘ . 714

Mitts, Mrs. Maria Louisa . : ; : 3 : 7 : . 716
Parkrnson, Mrs. Rebecca . ‘ , ‘ ‘i : 5 é . 711
Pecr, Mrs. Rosaline . ad . é 5 7 : & F . 710
Pennock, Mrs. Elizabeth J. . ‘ is : é i é ‘ . 791
Roy, Mrs. Amable : 5 : zi . 7 : ‘3 : . 718
Rusx, Mrs. Mary J. . é : ‘ : : a . : - 703

Satomon, Mrs. Eliza . 3 ‘ ‘ 4 5 ‘ ‘ 3 . 708
ScuinpLER, Mrs. Therese . z 5 : ‘ ‘ : ‘ . 719
Suirn, Miss Nancy 7 x ‘i é « s ‘ , . 715
Sr. Joun, Mrs. Samuel 3 ‘ ‘ « F . : . 713
Ticnenor, Mrs. Abby . : . ‘ - . . : ‘ - 706

WHEELER, Ella . ‘ : 3 3 : 3 F : j . 704

Witson, Mrs. Gardner . 3 ‘i ‘i : ‘i ‘ : . 718
19
INDEX TO WISCONSIN’S

ALLEN, Hon. George W. .

ARNOLD, Col. James Middleton

Atwoop, Hon. David 3
Bairp, Hon. Henry 8...
Barron, Hon. Henry D .
BintuirF, Gen. James.
Buarr, Hon. Franklin J. .
Brake, Hon. Lucius S. .
Braaa, Edward 8. . ‘
Brayton, Alfred Augustus
Brayton, Judge Thomas
Bropueap, E. H., C. E. .

Brunson, Rev. Alfred, AM., D.D.

Brunson, Hon. IraB.
CAMPBELL, Hon. James .
Cass, Hon. Jerome I. ‘
Caruin, Hon. John . .
Cuarin, Hon. E. E. . .
Cuapman, Hon. T. A. .
Cuasez, Hon. Enoch, M.D.
Cuasez, Hon. Horace .
Conapon, G. B. ‘

CoTzHAUSEN, Frederick William

Dauiman, John. a
Davis, Hon. Horatio Nelson
Donee, Hon. Henry .
Doty, Hon. J.D. . ‘
Dovaetass, J.S., AM. .
Drarer, Lyman C.. .
Exwitt, Hon. E. le -
FariRcuHILp, Gen. Cassius

Farrcuixp, Hon. Jairus Cassius

20

MEN.

PAGE.
. 790
» 788
~ 777
. 730
. 789
» 785
» 754
- 785
- 175
- 795
. 795
. 787
. 773
. 786
. TAL
- 745
- 767
» 771
- 770
. 786
- 792
- 771
- 786
- 783
- 743
- 743
- 744
- 743
+ 797
- 789
- 724
» 724
INDEX TO

Farrcuitp, Hon. Lucius .
FarwELt, Gov. Leonard J.
Fisx, Hon. Joel S. . 3
Fisk, Hon. W.J. :
Frank, Hon. M. ‘ .
Frissy, Hon. Leander F.
Gace, Dr.M.R. . .
Granam, Hon. Carson .
Guprey, Gen. Joshua J. .
HARRIMAN, Joseph E.
Harrison, Hon. Jerome B.
Harvey, Hon. Louis P.
Hennt, Archbishop John M.

WISCONSIN’S MEN.

Horxiys, Hon. Benjamin Franklin . . . .

Hovueuton, Charles E., M.D.
Hunt, Dr. John Warren .
Hurusvt, Hon. Edwin
Iriso, Rev. Joseph E.  .
JUNEAU, Hon. Paul . ‘
JUNEAU, Hon. Solomon .
Kewttoae, Hon. Levi H. .
Kexty, David Marsh ;
Kineston, Hon. John Tabor
Kueasn, Hon. Ferdinand .
Lewis, Hon. James T.
Locxwoop, Hon. James H.
Macrar Lane, Hon. Hugh
McInpoz, Hon. Walter D.
Mann, Judge J. E. . -
Martin, Hon. Morgan L.
MERRILL, William P.

Morrartt, Judge John Shaw

Mitts, Hon. Simeon i
Myrricx, Nathan . 7
Nazro, John . 2
Noageus, Hon. David
Parpy, Judge William S.
Parker, Hon. Charles D.
Parxinson, Col. Daniel M.
Paut, Hon. George H.  .
Pennock, Rev. Amos C. .
Prrtitr, Hon. Milton H. .
Pore, Hon. Carl C. .
Prentiss, Hon. Theodore
RanpaLt, Hon. Alexander W.
RicHarpson, Rev. H. Stone

.

.

21

PAGE.

- 720
. 735
- 779
- 780
- 782
- 772
- 764
« 793
. 768
- 775
. 759
- 735
. 137
- 742
- 790
. 734
« 755
- 775
- 800:
. 731
- 793:
- 794
- 799
- 770
- 779:
. 738
- 759
« 799°
. 769
- 799
- 792
« 769:
- 740:
- 739:
- 794
- 758:
- 786
- 767
- 740
- 729
- 791
- 727
- 769
- 795
+ 726
. 779
22 INDEX TO WISCONSIN'S MEN.

PAGE.
Rountree, Hon. John H. e. wy wap Fe ot . . 157
Ryan, Col. Samuel . 3 ‘ - é ‘ ‘ . 761
Satomon, Gov. Edward . - 736
Srymour, Daniel E. et, cat, ote chs: ext fee can ab : ea
S1tsBeEE, Amzi. 7 . : 5 2 : 3 : - 759
Sma 1, Judge David W. : ) one of 8 ‘ a - 796
Smira, Angus . - . . : : é . 7 . 197
Situ, Hon. Augustus Ledyavd . . - : . : 7 . 765
Smiru, Rev. Reeder . : . 5 5 3 . < ‘ ° . 781
Smrru, Gen. William R. . i 3 ‘ 7 : ‘ é ‘ . 733
Situ, Hon. William E. . . ; 5 ‘ ; ‘i ; 3 » 750
Srooner, Hon. Wyman . @ - . . . ‘ 2 . - 796
Srarr, Hon. William . . ‘ : F : . ‘ ‘A . 167
SUTHERLAND, Hon. James é : - ‘ - F ‘i ‘ - 732
Taytor, Hon. William R. ‘ 5 5 , : - : a - 747
Tyrer, Hon. Thomas B. . i ; ‘ é . , r . . 763
Upruam, Hon. Don A. J. . ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ . r 3 . 165
Vixas, Hon. Levi B. . . - 7 3 j ‘ 7 : » 725
Waker, Hon. J. P. 5 ‘ 3 . “ ‘ ‘ . : . 727
Watworrta, Rey. John . ‘ 2 3 si a 3 F . . 763
Wetp, Prof. Allen Hayden. , a ae os ve . - 768
WHEELER, Lucius A. : “ 3 a ‘ 5 ‘ ; - 796
WaHitrorpD, William C., A.M. . 5 § ‘ F - 3 5 . 728
Wuiton, Hon. Edward V. ‘i s * ‘ ‘i , . ‘i . 732
WuittTLesey, Hon. Asaph, Sen... ‘ 5 6 : ‘ ‘ - 762
Wieaut, Orland W., A.M., M.D. . i é ‘ 3 3 . - 774
Wituiams, Hon. Charles G. . . . 3 3 ‘ - ‘ - 761
Wine, Alonzo . ‘ . - . % > s . . 755

Wotcortt, Gen. Erastus B, MD. ‘ A - ‘ A ‘ 5 . 760
Youman, Hon. Henry A., MD. So ah wp lor oe. oR « . 795
INDEX TO PORTRAITS.

J. R. Doolittle

Philetus Sawyer

Hon. William R. Taylor
James T. Lewis

J.I. Case. . .
H. Ludington . .
John Nazro . . .
Hon. J. T. Kingston

A. H. Wild .

Lucius Fairchild
Cassius Fairchild .
Gen. E. S. Bragg .

W. E. Smith

J. A. Lapham

G. W. Allen . .
Edward Elwill

E. P. Allis i 3 x ‘ i
D. A. J. Upham . ‘ 7 c . .
H. N. Davis . s s s * * 3
L. A. Wheeler. * : 7 < .
E. H. Brodhead . A é ‘i a .
L. F. Frisby ; . 7 é a 3
James Kneeland ‘ ‘ -

George H. Paul . : . ° 5 ‘
William P. Merrill ‘ - : i

Enoch Chase

Levi H. Kellogg -.

John Dahlman

F. J. Blair

H. S. Allen .

Theodore Prentiss .

Horace Chase . s 7 4

. 103
* . 109
. 115
- 121
- 127
- 133
. 189
. 145
. 151
. 157
. 163
- 169
- 175
- 181
. 187
. 193
- 199
- 205
- 211
. 217
» 223
. 229
- 235
- 241

PAGE.

55
61
67
73
79
85
91
97
24

Edwin Hurlbut
David W. Small
David Atwood
Angus Smith .
Rev. R. Smith

R. M. Gage .

M. Frank. .
Charles G. William:
David Noggle
Alonzo Wing .
Lucius S. Blake
M. L. Martin .
Thomas B. Tyler .
J. E. Harriman .
Hugh Macfarlane .
W. Starr ‘ 7
W. C. Whitford .
J. E. Mann . ‘
C. D. Parker ,
J. J. Guppey ‘
W.H. Chandler .
J. M. Bennett
Carl C. Pope 7
W. J. Fisk
Charles L. Pierce
Carson Graham

O. W. Wight ,
T. A. Chapman .
George B. Congdon
D. E. Seymour .
D. M. Kelly .

F. W. Cotzhausen.
C. E. Houghman .
G. T. Mandt ‘
Hon. John Shuette
John S. Jenkins

Hon. Alexander Mitchell

Rey. A. C. Pennock
Rev. J. E. Irish

Gen. J. C. Starkweather

Hon. Peter Doyle .
Hon. L. B. Vilas .
Hon. L. H. Youman
Hon. Nathan Myrick
Lyman C. Draper .
J. 8S. Douglass .

TO PORTRAITS.

PAGE.
. 247
. 253
. 259
. 265
. 271
. 277
. 283
. 289
. 295
. 801
. 807
. 813
. 819
. 825
. 831
. 887
. 843
. 849
. 855
. 361
. 367
. 873
. 879
. 885
. 891
. 897
. 403
. 409
. 415
. 421
. 497
. 433
. 439
. 445
. 451
. 457
. 463
. 469
. 475
. 481
. 487
. 493
. 499
. 505
. 611

- 517
INDEX TO PORTRAITS.

John H. Rountree ;

Joel S. Fisk . ‘ ¥ = ‘ ‘

W. S. Purdy ‘i 2 : 4 . =

A. Bronson . a . é 3 e . ‘i “
J. S. Moffatt < : F ‘ A . ‘
E. B. Walcott ‘ . . . ‘i 3 :

D. E. Reed . ‘ ‘ ‘ . é : :
Hon. John E. Thomas .

H. D. Eaton . - é

Archbishop Henni 3 ; : i ‘ é ys ;
Robert E. Spencer é ‘ ‘ ‘ a a é
Hon. Frederick Kuehn . c : 7 é . ‘ ; :

Hon. A. Ledyard Smith
Rev. G. M. Steele
Gen. John Bintliff
R. H. Stone Richardson

H. D. Barron 3 . : ‘i . ‘

J. M. Amold ‘ a

W. G. Ryan r - ; ; 4 : : :
J.B. Harrison . 3 = ‘ 5 ‘ 3 P
Dr. D. W. Perkins P

Ira B. Brunson . s s . - . $ c

P. J..MacBride . . . . ‘ . . J
Asaph Whittlesey . e ‘ . . ‘ . .

25

PAGE.
- 523
- 529
- 585
- 541
. 547
- 553
. 559
- 565
- 571
. 577
- 583
« 589
- 595
- 601
- 607
- 613
. 619
- 625
. 681
- 685
- 639
. 643
. 647
. 651
Missing Page
Missing Page
 

 
INTRODUCTORY.

“Wisconsin, although not the greatest State in the Union, is among
the greatest ; and, with her present developments and vast resources,
she may be considered in most essentials as second to none. Al-
though young in years, she is by no means obscure in those events
which render history full of interest and instruction; nor have the
great industries of the State lagged in their march to prosperity.

Agriculture is and must continue to be the chief object of industry,
and the foundation of much of the wealth of the people of the State ;
but we have said so much on this great and leading industry in the
county sketches, in the. latter part of this volume, that a lengthy
notice of it in this place is made superfluous.

Manufacturing, and particularly lumbering, constitute the second
great industry of the State. In fact, lumbering has so thoroughly
entered into the history of the State, that, did we not make some
mention of its rise and progress in. this Introduction, the following
chapters would seem, at least in this respect, void of that complete-
ness demanded. Mr. Augustin Grignon, in his ‘‘Seventy-two Years’
Recollections of Wisconsin,’’ published in vol. iii. of the Collections
of the State Historical Society, says, that the earliest mill in the
present State of Wisconsin was erected by Jacob Franks, about the
year 1809. He first built a saw-mill, and then a grist-mill. They
were located on Devil River, two or three miles east of De Pere, in
the present county of Brown, and were erected for Mr. Franks by an
American named Bradley. In 1813 a brother of Mr. Grignon erected
a grist and saw mill on Reaume’s Creek, on the west side of Fox
River, about four miles above Green Bay. In 1816, after the Ameri-
cans had taken possession of that place, the government, having use
for a large quantity of lumber for buildings in the garrison and other

29

.
80 INTRODUCTORY.

fort purposes, caused a saw-mill to be built on the Fox River, at the
Little Kankalin.

The next attempt to erect a saw-mill was made by Col. John Shaw,
who, in the year 1819, proceeded up Black River to the first fall,
about six feet in descent, and erected a mill on the south-eastern
bank of the stream. He had scarcely succeeded in getting it fairly
in operation, when hundreds of Winnebagoes came there in a starving
condition, and importuned him for every thing he had for eating or
wearing purposes. And he was soon left without supplies, and
returned to Prairie du Chien. The next spring he went up there
again, and found the Indians had burned the mill. Mr. Shaw then
rafted down a quantity of pine-logs he had cut the previous year.
This is believed to be the first saw-mill erected in Western Wisconsin.
During the same year, Wilfred Owens of Prairie du Chien, then con-
nected in business with the late Gov. McNair of Missouri, associated
with two other men by the name of Andrews and Dixon, built a saw-
mill on Black River, and commenced sawing lumber; but, before they
had done much business, the mill was ‘burnt, supposed to have been
set on fire by the Winnebagoes. The mill was not rebuilt, owing to
the declared hostility of the Winnebagoes to it.

The next effort at lumbering, as far as can be ascertained, was
made in the year 1822, when a man by the name of Harden Perkins,
from Kentucky, eame to Prairie du Chien for the purpose of building
a saw-mill in the Indian country, and obtained permission from Major
Taliaferro, then agent for the Sioux Indians, with the consent of the
Indians, to erect a saw-mill on their land on the Chippewa River and
tributaries; but Perkins not having the capital to carry out his
project, or sufficient influence to obtain the permission of the Indians
to erect this mill, solicited Joseph Rolette and J. H. Lockwood of
Prairie du Chien to join him, which they did, and contracted with
Wabashaw’s band of Sioux, who claimed the Chippewa country, for
the privilege of erecting a mill, and cutting timber for it, paying them
about one thousand dollars per year-in goods, and furnished Perkins
the necessary means for the purchase. He proceeded to the Menomo-
nee River, and on a small stream running into that river, about
twenty miles above its mouth, erected a saw-mill, and had it so near
completed, that he expected to commence sawing in a very few days,
when one of those sudden freshets to which hilly countries are sub-
ject came upon him, and swept away the dam, mill, and appendages ;
ond Perkins returned to Prairie du Chien with his family and hands.

Owing to ill-feeling manifested by Col. Snelling at Fort Snelling,
against Mr. Perkins in his efforts to erect and carry on his mill, and
INTRODUCTORY. 81

a hostile feeling to Mr. Rolette entertained by the colonel, Mr. Per-
kins concluded not to rebuild until he could be authorized by the
authorities at Washington. In the year 1829 permission was received
from the secretary of war to erect mills, &c., provided the consent
of the Indians could be obtained. The contract with the Indians
was renewed, and in May, 1830, a mill-wright, superintendent, and a
proper force to build on the Chippewa River, were procured. The
first site was selected on the Menomonee River, and a canal dug across
a point of land from what is known as Wilson’s Creek. The owners
had much difficulty with some of their employees, and with the In-
dians, who were very troublesome. The mill was ready to commence
in March, 1831, and, by the 1st of June following, had sawed about
a hundred thousand feet of lumber.

Judge Lockwood, in his paper on Early Times and Events in Wis-
consin prepared for the Historical Society, gives a full account of the
difficulties encountered by those who began the lumbering business in
the State.

Prior to the efforts made in lumbering by Perkins, and in 1829,
Col. Z. Taylor, commandant at Prairie du Chien, sent a body of men
to the pineries of Menomonee River to cut logs, hew square timber,
and to make plank and shingles to be used in the construction of the
fort and its defences. The party left in seven Mackinaw boats, with
ten men in each boat, and were officered by Lieuts. L. Gale and
Gardenier, Sergeant Melvin, and J. H. Fonda of Prairie du Chien
as pilot.. The latter person has given a full account of this expedi-
tion (Historical Society Collections, vol. v.). The party returned
with the timber to Prairie du Chien, after enduring much suffering
from cold weather and want of suitable provisions. Another party,
in 1829, under the charge of Lieut. Jefferson Davis, was detailed to
ascend the Mississippi in birch-bark canoes. They proceeded to the
mouth of the Chippewa River, which stream they ascended until they
came to the mouth of what is now called the Red Cedar, and ascended
some forty miles. At this point, where the thriving village of Menom-
onee now stands, and where the mammoth mills of Knapp, Stout, and
Company, are located, they disembarked and went into camp, and
began their work. The required amount of timber was cut, however,
rafted, and floated down to Prairie du Chien, and was used in the con-
struction of Fort Crawford. The following summer, it became neces-
sary to use a larger amount of timber and lumber at the fort. A similar
expedition was fitted out, except on a much larger scale; and it was
provided with every thing necessary to build a small saw-mill; and
Lieut. George W. Garey was put in command. The party arrived
32 INTRODUCTORY. ‘

early in the season, and stopped a month at what is now called Gilbert
Creek, where they built a dam, and erected a saw-mill. This was
known as the Government Saw-mill. It was on a small scale, having
but a single sash-saw, and a capacity of about one thousand feet per
day. The return of the party in the fall of 1830, and the reports
of the superior pine-forests on the banks of the Chippewa and its tri-
butaries, created much interest ; and Mr. Lockwood and his associates
commenced their operations as before referred to. The government
expedition, as far as we have knowledge, was not annoyed by the
Indians as those that followed, which were private enterprises.

The mill at Gilbert’s Creek, previously referred to, was placed in
charge of George Wales, an ex-lieutenant of the regular army, who
continued to conduct the business for the company until 1835; and,
in the mean time, the same parties had caused to be erected another
mill at Gilbert’s Creek, about a mile from the mouth. In 1835
Messrs. Street and Lockwood sold both these mills to H. S. Allen,
with the permit of the Indians. Lieut. Wales, before referred to,
passed over to Eau Galle, and built a mill on the site where the pres-
ent mill of Carson and Rand now stands. In 1837, after the treaty
at Fort Snelling, and the cession of these lands by the Indians, a
number of persons connected with the American Fur Company,
including H. L. Dousman, Gen. Sibley, Col. Aiken, and Lyman
Warren, fitted out an expedition to erect a saw-mill at the Falls of
the Chippewa. The work of building the mill progressed slowly. A
great many unexpected obstacles impeded the undertaking. Owing
to the intense hardness of the rock in excavating the race, the mill
was a costly enterprise to all who had an interest in it.

In 1839 H. S. Allen built another saw-mill on the west side of the
Red Cedar, two miles below Gilbert’s Creek, which was rebuilt in
1841. This was the third mill owned and run by him at the same time.
In the year 1827 Col. Ebenezer Childs, with Judge J. Parnett,
received permission from the secretary of war to build a saw-mill on
the Indian lands, provided the principal Menomonee chiefs would give
their consent. This was obtained on the chiefs receiving three bar-
rels of flour per annum for the privilege. They commenced the erec-
tion of a mill twenty-six miles below Fort Howard, on the west of
Green Bay; the partners making a contract with a party to put up
the mill, and erect adam. When the mill was completed, word was
sent to the owners to come down and receive it. On arriving at the
building, they found the doors and windows barred and bolted, and
were told that the Indians had threatened the lives of themselves and
party, and’ declared they would burn the house and mill; and the
INTRODUCTORY. 83

whites had to keep guard all the time to prevent the Indians from
burning the property. They succeeded, however, in making friends
with them by feeding them when hungry, and treating them kindly.

In 1826 pine-timber was made into boards, with whip-saws, by
the United States soldiery at the building of Fort Winnebago, from
timber cut on a small island about ten miles above the Wisconsin
portage.

In the winter of 1827-28 Daniel Whitney obtained permission of
the Winnebagoes to make shingles on the Upper Wisconsin. He
employed twenty-two Stockbridge Indians, and one white man to
superintend the party; and Col. Childs was engaged to take the
party up the Wisconsin, and supply them with provisions. He con-
veyed them to the mouth of Yellow River, where he left them. On
his return, subsequently, he was informed by Major Twiggs, com-
manding officer at Fort Winnebago, that Whitney’s men must be
sent out of the country, and, if he went up the river, he would get
into trouble. Disregarding all the advice of Twiggs, Childs went up
to where the men were at work. They had made about two hundred
thousand shingles. Major Twiggs, not long after, sent up the Wis-
consin, and took away a part of Whitney’s shingles, and burnt the
balance. Mr. Whitney is said to have lost not less than a thousand
dollars by his shingle-operation, all through Twiggs’s malice. Mr.
Whitney, in the year 1831, obtained a permit from the war depart-
ment to erect a saw-mill, and cut timber on the Wisconsin, and built
the first mill at Whitney’s Rapids, below Point Bausse, in 1831-32.
Messrs. Grignon and Merrill obtained a similar permit, and put up a
mill at Grignon’s Rapids in 1836. These two establishments were
the pioneers in the lumbering business on the Wisconsin River. In
1836 Gov. Dodge made a treaty with the Menomonee Indians at
Cedar Point, on the Fox River ; and the Indian title was extinguished
to a strip of land six miles wide, from Point Bausse, forty miles up the
stream. This was done specially to open the country to the lumber-
men. The high price and great demand for the article quickened the
business ; and the river was explored from Point Bausse to Big Bull

Falls that year; and the occupation and claiming of the most eligible
sites quickly followed. Two mills were soon established at Grand
Rapids, one at Mill Creek, and others on same stream; one at
McGreer’s Rapids, on the Plover; one at Conant’s Rapids (these
were built in 1837). In 1839 one at Big Bull Falls, and one at Little
Bull Falls, were put up. The Indian title to the Indian land was
extinguished in 1848. This opened the whole Upper Wisconsin coun-
try to the settler.
34 INTRODUCTORY.

Such is a brief sketch of the early efforts in the lumbering business
in Wisconsin, which might be brought down toa later period; and it
may be proper to say the timber of Wisconsin consists of white, yel-
low, and Norway pine, rock and soft maple, nearly all the varieties
of oak, balsam-fir, white and red cedar, spruce, hemlock, ash, pop-
lar, basswood, hickory, &c. The most northern portion abounds in
those varieties most essential to the use of man; and such is the sit-
uation of the country with respect to water-communication and rail-
roads, that nearly all parts of it may be supplied with pine-lumber at
a moderate price. The home-demand, however, is but an insignifi-
cant part of what is used, as the markets of all the States west of the
Mississippi are dependent for their supplies upon this State.

The pineries of Wisconsin may be divided into four distinct
sections. A large amount of lumber in the north-west part of the
State finds its way out through the Chippewa, the Black, the St.
Croix, and other rivers flowing into the Mississippi. The “ Wiscon-
sin Pinery,’’ so called, lies along the Wisconsin River, in the central
part of the State. The lumber from that region also goes out mostly
to the Mississippi market. The Wolf-river Pinery lies in the valley
of the Wolf and its tributaries. By the construction of new lines of
railroads, its lumber is now sent to the interior of the State on the
cars. The Green-bay Pinery includes all that region extending from
De Pere seven miles up to the Fox River, along both shores of the
bay, northward to the upper waters of the Esconawba, which flows
into Bay de Noquet, at the northern extremity of Green Bay. Of
this particular pinery, Hon. C. D. Robinson says, —

“Its principal lumbering-points, where mills are located, are'at De Pere and
Green Bay City on the Fox River; Big Suamico, Pensaukee, Oconto, Peshtego,
Menomonee, Ford, and Cedar Rivers, on the west shore; Bay de Noquet, at the
northern extremity of the bay; Little and Big Sturgeon Bay, on the east shore;
and Chambers Island on the Bay. The whole number of mills at these points in
the year 1860 was about forty; having a total sawing-capacity of about one hundred
and thirty millions of feet per year. For several years previous, the aggregate
sawing has averaged about eighty millions of feet.”

The limits of the Wisconsin land district are, Township Fifteen to
the State line, Range Two to Eleven east inclusive. The highest
estimate of the number of acres of pinelands within the area mentioned
‘does not exceed two millions. The Wausau District comprises at
‘least one-fourth the pinelands of the State; and, allowing two millions
-of acres within that district, we have a total of eight millions of
acres. Average pine yields five thousand feet to the acre. Asa grand
total, then, of the stumpage of Wisconsin, we have forty billions.
INTRODUCTORY. 35

This estimate includes a vast amount of pine-timber that can never
be utilized. And it is thus demonstrated that the entire pineries of
the State will last at least fifty years.

The city of Oshkosh is extremely well situated for the various lum
ber-interests that concentrate there. The Wolf River, with its tribu-
taries, extending through and into the counties of Oconto, Shawano,
Marathon, Waupacca, Outagamie, and Winnebago, drain a territory
of not less than three thousand square miles in extent, embracing one
of the finest pineries in the West. A gentleman who visited that
place in 1873 states the machinery then in use was capable of cutting
annually three hundred millions of feet of lumber. At that time, the
mills were running at about one-half their actual capacity, while the
shingle-mills were doing proportionally a much larger business. The
year 1873 was an unfortunate one for the lumbermen; and the
amount cut and manufactured was much reduced.

One of the important mills located in the Chippewa country is that
of the North-western Lumber Company, having a paid-up capital of
four hundred thousand dollars. This company was organized for the
facilitating and carrying-out their immense business, and is composed
of first-class business-men. The office of the company is at Eau
Claire. A

The size of their present lumber-mill (1873) is fifty-four by a
hundred and thirty-six feet, two stories high, with engine and boiler
rooms twenty-three by thirty-six feet, using four boilers and three
engines. One hundred thousand feet of lumber, thirty thousand feet
of lath, and fifty thousand shingles are cut daily. During the run-
ning-season of six months and a half, fifteen million feet of lumber
are cut; two circular and one gang of saws doing all the work, and
giving employment to a hundred and twenty men. The shingle-mill
is three stories high, and is one of the most unique and convenient
mills in the State.

The La Crosse Lumber Company have a building eighty-six by a
hundred and fifty-six, with a capacity of manufacturing two hundred
thousand feet of lumber, sixty thousand shingles, and fifty thousand
lath in ten hours. They cut fifteen million feet of lumber per year.
The machinery is operated by two engines of six hundred and one
hundred horse-power respectively.

Reference has been made to the firm of Knapp, Stout, and Company.
This firm have three mills at Menomonee, and one at Downsville ;
own a foundery and machine-shop, several grist-mills and stores,
three steamboats. Their hog-pen costs them fifteen thousand dollars.
Twelve hundred men were on their pay-roll in 1874; and instead of
36 INTRODUCTORY.

the single saw, with which they first commenced business, they have
now about a hundred and fifty running in their four mills. The com-
pany own a hundred and fifteen thousand acres of the choicest pine
and hard wood lands, and thousands of acres of farming-land. Sixty
million feet of lumber, twenty-five million shingles, and twenty
million lath and pickets were manufactured 1873-74 by the com-
pany.

The Eau Claire Lumbering Company own four mills, besides
grist-mill, store, shops, &c. They manufactured (1873) forty-five
million feet of lumber and twelve million shingles. They own three
steamboats, and give employment to about eight hundred men.
Their retail sales are about five hundred thousand dollars yearly.
The capital stock of the company is two millions of dollars.

The saw-mill of the Union Lumber Company of Chippewa Falls is
claimed to be the largest of its kind in the world; that is, capable of
sawing more lumber than any other mill. The building is wooden,
fifty feet wide by one hundred feet long. There are four gang-saws,
each containing twenty-four saws, and capable of sawing a log a foot
and a half square into twenty-three boards in four minutes; three
rotary saws, each of which will saw a board in a minute; one muley,
for sawing joist; five sets of edgers, eight trimmers, two lath-mills,
one picket-mill, one header, and three slab-grinders: the latter are
used for grinding all the slabs and waste material into sawdust.
The mill has a capacity of sawing a hundred and eighty thousand feet
of lumber per day, or fifty-five million feet per year. This year
(1875) only about thirty million feet will be sawed. Now only a
hundred and sixty men are employed in running it; but when in full
running-capacity (night and day), three hundred men are employed.
The mill is run by water-power, ten water-wheels being used. The
lumber is rafted on the Chippewa River to the Mississippi, and
distributed at points along the river at the principal cities. Shingles
are also manufactured to a large extent. The boom-works of the
company extend up the river a distance of six miles: here the logs
are assorted, the Union Company retaining its own, and letting the
logs of the other companies pass down the river. One hundred men
are employed in the sorting of logs. The capital stock of the com-
pany is $1,500,000. Hon. Thaddeus C. Pound is president; D. M.
Peck, vice-president ; and N. Pierce, secretary. §. Bernard of New
York, Senator Wallace, and F. Coleman of Pennsylvania, are direc-
tors. In the winter, the mill is idle; and all the men go up the
river to the logging-camps, and sufficient timber is cut for the next
season.
INTRODUCTORY. 37

Among the other mills in this section may be mentioned one of
Stanley Brothers, on the Chippewa, above the falls, who manufac-
ture eight million five hundred thousand feet of lumber, and one mil-
lion five hundred thousand lath yearly. They have, also, a grist-mill
and a large store, employing about a hundred men. Jackson Phillips
has a mill at Jim’s Falls, above Chippewa Falls, cuts about five mil-
lion feet of lumber, and employs about fifty men. John Robinson’s
mill is about three miles below Chippewa Falls. He cuts about four-
teen million feet annually, and four million lath, and employs a hun-
dred and fifty men. The French Lumbering Company has a mill
situated farther down the river, and six million feet of lumber, and
two million of lath are manufactured; employs fifty men; office at
Chippewa Falls. Ingram and Kennedy operate five saw-mills, and
cut last year (1873) twenty-six million feet of lumber, eight million’
shingles, and three million two hundred and fifty thousand lath.
They own a large store; and their retail sales amount to over three
million dollars. They give employment to about four hundred men,
and own two steamboats. D. Shaw and Company cut thirteen million
five hundred and eighty-four thousand feet of lumber, three million
two hundred and fifty thousand lath, and three million one hundred
and ten thousand shingles. They own a store and shops, and a fine
grist-mill. They employ two hundred men. Carson and Rand of’
Eau Galle cut, last season, eleven million feet of lumber, and will
soon close operations, as the lumber on the stream is exhausted.

To sum up the business: in the valley of the Chippewa, for the year
1873-34, there was cut by the mills in the valley 297,759,000 feet of
lumber, 82,900,000 lath, and 72,600,000 shingles. About $4,470
were received by these men, whose wages will range from twenty-eight
dollars to a hundred dollars per month, and will average about forty:
dollars, board included.

‘The Wisconsin Lumberman” of February, 1875, gives the fol-:
lowing statistics for the year 1874: ‘*Chippewa River, — lumber
manufactured, 278,000,000 logs; cut into shingles, pickets, and lath,
86,910,000 feet. Black River, lumber manufactured, 60,500,000
feet. Wolf River has fifty-nine saw-mills; of these, Oshkosh has’
twenty-two, and five shingle-mills. Fond du Lac has eleven saw-
mills: lumber and shingles manufactured in 1874, 152,600,000.
Wisconsin River manufactured 119,600,000. Menomonee River manu-
factured 128,837,535 feet. Oconto River manufactured 50,000,000.”

From what has been written, the reader can form some idea of the
business of lumbering as now carried on in this State. Capital has
not been spared in introducing new improvements in'machinery ; and'
38: INTRODUCTORY.

the business has been so great, that the greatest inventive talent has
been called into requisition to provide machinery to simplify and ex-
pedite the work required at the mills. Those who were familiar with
the simple machinery that was used in the manufacture of lumber
some twenty-five or thirty years since would be surprised, indeed,
to see to what extent improvements have been made, and how much
more work can be performed, in a given time, by improved facilities.
Few States have the same valuable resources as Wisconsin. Her
agricultural products are equal to. any ; her lead mines inexhaustible ;
and her lumbering facilities adequate to supply the wants not only
of her own people, but of those States to whom Nature has withheld
this valuable product.

Other manufacturing interests of the State might be mentioned,
outside of that of lumbering ; but this is the most important, and
demands a conspicuous place in this volume.

But Wisconsin has a history of progress in her educational and
moral departments, as well as in her material resources. Perhaps no
State in the Union, in respect to population and resources, has ex-
pended as much money in the way of permanent improvements for
benevolent, educational, and charitable institutions, as the State of
Wisconsin. These improvements have been carried forward in an
enlightened public spirit; and those of her citizens who have, by
misfortune, lost their reason, eye-sight, or been deprived of the organs
of speech, can have all such assistance as may be needed for their
improvement, furnished gratuitously, with the aid of experienced and
qualified persons.

Reference has been made, in this volume, to the State Capitol
building, — one of the finest of the State buildings. It is an elegant
structure, and was built in an economical manner. It could not be
rebuilt, probably, for double the original cost. The whole cost was
about five hundred thousand dollars.

The University of Wisconsin is one of the State institutions that
the State justly takes pride in. An account of the erection of the
buildings has been heretofore given. They are beautifully situated
on University Hill, one mile west of the State Capitol. The institu-
tion is governed by a board of regents, ten in number, and has
twenty-seven professors and instructors. John Bascom, LL.D., is
president. It was founded upon a grant of seventy-two sections of
land, made by Congress to the Territory in 1838, and subsequent
grants, including the Agricultural College Grant. These lands are
sold, and the income arising from the sale appropriated to the wants
of the university. It has experienced all the vicissitudes of similar
INTRODUCTORY. 39

State educational institutions, but is now firmly established, and has
the confidence of the community. The institution has been repeatedly
re-organized, and at present consists of (1) a college of arts, in-
cluding the department of agriculture, the department of mining and
metallurgy, the department of military science and of civil engineer-
ing; (2) the college of letters, with a preparatory department; (3)
law college; (4) female college ; and (5) post-graduate course.

By the law of 1872 all graduates of graded schools who shall have
pursued a regular course, and shall have passed an examination satis-
factory to the faculty of the university, shall be entitled to free tui-
tion in all the colleges of the university. In the year 1875 the total
number of students in attendance, at the opening of the fall term
of 1874, was four hundred and eleven.

The State Normal Schools of Wisconsin are under the direction of
a board of regents, and are supported by a portion of the income
of the school-fund, and twenty-five per cent of the proceeds arising
from the sale of the swamp and overflowed lands. In February,
1866, Platteville was selected as the site of a school; and in the
month of May of the same year, Whitewater was selected as another.
The school at Platteville was opened in October, 1866. It is now
in charge of Prof. E. A. Charlton. The school at Whitewater was
opened April 21, 1868, under the charge of Prof. Oliver Arey. A
third normal school was projected and located at Oshkosh. It was
completed in 1870, and opened in September, 1871. It is in charge
of Prof. G. E. Albee. These three schools have in training an ave-
rage aggregate of about six hundred normal students, and possess
superior buildings for their accommodation. A fourth school has
recently been located at River Falls, Pierce County, and will be
opened in the fall of 1875.

The Institution for the Education of the Blind is located at Janes-
ville. It was first supported by the citizens of Janesville; and in’
1850 the State adopted it, and erected a suitable building for its use..
It is under the charge of five trustees, with a superintendent. The
institution was first opened in October, 1850. On the first of Octo--
ber, 1873, it. had seventy-seven pupils in attendance. The building’
occupied by the institution was destroyed by fire in 1874; and a new
building is in process of erection.

The Institute for the Deaf and Dumbd is located at Delavan, Wal--
worth County, on the Western Union Railroad. It was incorporated.
in 1852, and is in charge of five trustees. Instruction is given by
signs, by the manual alphabet, by written language, and to one elass:
by articulation. Two trades are taught, — cabinet-making and shoe-
40 INTRODUCTORY.

making. The whole number of pupils who have been instructed in
twenty-one years is three hundred and seventy-four, of whom one
hundred and forty-eight were in attendance Oct. 1, 1873. The insti-
tution is in charge of George L. Weed, jun., as principal.

The Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane is located near Madi-
son, and near Lake Mendota; the railroad to Barraboo passing near
the grounds. It is in charge of a board of trustees. It has an elegant
and substantial hospital building, with longitudinal and transverse
wings, and all surrounded by ornamental grounds and farming-
lands, to the extent of three hundred and ninety-three acres. The
institution is in charge of A. S. McDill,.M.D. In 1873 the whole
number of patients was five hundred and eighty-five, and the average-
number three hundred and twenty-nine. i

The Northern Hospital for the Insane is located at Oshkosh, and
includes three hundred and thirty-seven acres of land. The north
wing and central building have been recently completed, and the first
patient was admitted on the 21st of April, 1873. Room is afforded for:
the reception of about two hundred and fifteen patients. The build-
ing will be immediately enlarged to accommodate the wants of the
people. The whole number of patients received was two hundred and
fourteen, and two hundred and five remained on the 30th of Septem-
ber, 1873.

The Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home was opened Jan. 1, 1866; the ne-
cessary means being contributed by private subscription. The prop-
erty became the property of the State in March, 1866, and was for-
merly known as the Harvey Hospital for the Care and Treatment of
Sick and Wounded Soldiers. In 1873 there were one hundred and
fifty-three children in the Home. A law was passed subsequently,
authorizing the board of trustees to secure homes, for those remain-
ing, with farmers and others; and in 1875 the institution was closed, |
and the property transferred to the regents of the State University,
to be used by them, as they may think best, for the interests of that
institution.

The Wisconsin State Prison is located at Waupun, and was occu-
pied in 1852. It is a fine stone structure, and has all the appliances
for carrying out the workings of an institution of this kind. The
number of convicts in the prison, on Sept. 80, 1873, was one hundred
and eighty.

The Wisconsin Industrial School for Boys is situated about three-
quarters of a mile west of the railroad depot, at Waukesha, in the
county of the same name. It was organized as a house of refuge, and
opened in 1860. The name was afterwards changed to State Reform
INTRODUCTORY. 41

School, and again to Wisconsin Industrial School for Boys, its present
title. The buildings are located on the southern bank of the Fox
River. The object of the institution is to afford a place of confine-
ment and instruction to all male children between the ages of ten and
sixteen years, who shall be legally committed to the institution as
vagrants, or on conviction of any criminal offence, or for incorrigible

‘and vicious conduct, by any court having competent authority to make
such commitment.

The whole number of inmates since it was opened, in July, 1860, to
Sept. 30, 1873, is nine hundred and sixty-six. The whole number of
inmates at the beginning of 1873 is three hundred and sixty-two;
and, at the close of the year, two hundred and eighty-one.

The State Historical Society of Wisconsin, although an incorpo-
rated society, is, to all intents and purposes, a State institution,
supported mainly by a State appropriation, and may be regarded as
the miscellaneous department of the State Library. It has rooms on
the second story of the south wing of the Capitol, comprising two
large rooms and a hall, all having connecting galleries. The hall is
devoted, on the main floor, to the cabinet and museum ; and the rooms
and galleries, to the library proper. From the Annual Report for the
Year 1874, it appears that the additions to the library were 1,945
volumes of books, 1,186 documents and pamphlets, or, by titles,
8,131. The whole number of books and pamphlets, to Dec. 31, 1875,
is 60,385. The additions to the 15th of August, 1875, will increase
the whole number to sixty-five thousand.

The library is the best in its department in the North-west. D.S.
Durrie is librarian, with two assistants.

The Wisconsin State Library occupies the east half of the second
story of the north wing of the Capitol building ; the west half is used
by the Supreme Court; and two rooms communicate. This library is
devoted to law-books and law literature, and is very complete and
valuable in English and American works of referencé. The library
is in charge of Frank Massing, librarian.

Aside from the State institutions, those supported by the State,
there are a large number of endowed institutions of learning in
Wisconsin, most of which are in a very flourishing condition. There
are many of these under the patronage of the Catholics, all of which
are a credit to Wisconsin. Besides these, the Protestants have
several well-established colleges, among which we may mention the
following : —

Lawrence University. — This institution had its inception in the
offer (about 1846) of Hon. Amos A. Lawrence of Boston, Mass., to
42: INTRODUCTORY.

give ten thousand dollars towards the foundation of a school to be
located in the Lower Fox Valley, provided the Methodists of Wis-
consin would raise an additional ten thousand for the same purpose.
The offer was accepted. A charter was secured from the Territorial
legislature, under the title of the Lawrence Institute of Wisconsin.
The bill granting the charter was signed by Gov. Dodge, Jan. 17,
1847. The organization of the board of trustees was effected: the
same year. After considerable canvassing, the location of the new
institution was fixed near the Grand Chute, now the city of Appleton.
The place where the city stands was then a wilderness; and the
original building for the institute was one of the very first that were
undertaken. In 1849, Nov. 12, the school opened, with Rev. W. H.
Sampson as principal, R. O. Kellogg, A.B., professor of languages,
James M. Phinney, professor of mathematics, and Miss Emeline M.
Crooker, receptress. The number of students during the first year
was about sixty. The accommodations were meagre, the surround-
ings, in many respects, disagreeable, and the means very scanty. But
the school had a good reputation from the start, and increased in
popularity. The sacrifices of those who had the immediate manage-
ment were very great, and at times the prospects very discouraging.
In the latter part of 1852, Rev. Edward Cooke, D.D., of Boston,
Mass., was elected president. The charter had been altered, so as
to confer collegiate powers upon the institution; and it had taken the
_legal title of the Lawrence University of Wisconsin.

Dr. Cooke was installed in office at the annual commencement,
the last of June, 1853. At the same time the corner-stone of the
main building of the college was laid by Dr. M. C. Darling, president
of the board of trustees. This structure was completed about three
years after, but not before the frame-building previously occupied '
had been destroyed by fire. The present college-building is a hun-
dred and twenty feet long by sixty wide. It is built of stone, and is
three stories and a half high above the basement, containing a com-
modious chapel capable of seating eight hundred or a thousand
people, six recitation-rooms, a large library-room, two fine society-
halls, large cabinet and reading-rooms, apparatus-rooms, and dormi-
tories for about fifty students.

The first college-class was graduated in 1857, and consisted of
seven members, — four gentlemen and three ladies. The whole number
of graduates up to this time (1875) is one hundred and sixty-two, of
whom one hundred and six are gentlemen, and fifty-six are ladies.
From the beginning, ladies, as well as gentlemen, have had the privi-
leges of the institution in all its departments; and for the last ten
INTRODUCTORY. 43

years there has been no discrimination in any respect between’ the
sexes as to advantages and opportunities. —

Like many other institutions East and West, this one has had
experience of great hardships and much poverty. There were many
mistakes, as was almost inevitable, in the early management of its
affairs; and some of these proved nearly fatal. It had, for a long
time, an exceedingly small endowment-fund, although a large number.
of scholarships had been sold, thus cutting off the tuition-fees. The
present property of the institution amounts to nearly two hundred
thousand dollars. Of this, about sixty thousand dollars constitutes.
a perpetual endowment-fund, in addition to which a recent but:
not yet effectual conversion of unproductive property will probably
give forty thousand dollars; making the whole endowment nearly
a hundred thousand dollars. There are, however, some liabilities
and contingencies connected with a part of this, which is likely to
diminish the amount. There is, also, a fund of ten thousand dollars
donated by Hon. Samuel Appleton of Boston as a library-fund, the
income only to be used for the benefit of the library of the college,
which from him takes the name of the Appleton Library.

This library now numbers over seven thousand volumes, and is one
of the largest, as well as, perhaps, one of the best, working college-
libraries in the West.

The institution has a good collection of apparatus, and a valuable
cabinet and museum.

Besides the collegiate department, with its four years’ parallel
courses of study, — classical, scientific, and civil engineering, — there
are a preparatory and an academical department, a commercial school,
a conservatory of music, and a school of drawing and painting. The
number of different students in all departments found in the. last.
catalogue is three hundred and seventy-two, of which ninety are
reckoned in the regular college-classes. The faculty consists of
fourteen professors and instructors. ,

The presidency of Dr. Cooke terminated in 1861. He was suc-
ceeded by R. Z. Mason, LL.D., who resigned in 1865, and was
succeeded by Rev. G. M. Steele, D.D., the present head of the insti-
tution.

Ripon College. —In the year 1851, at the first settlement of the
town, the citizens of Ripon began a movement to establish an insti-
tution of learning of a high order. A charter was obtained, and in
the first-year the building, now East College, was erected and
enclosed. After this beginning, the trustees, aiming at a larger
usefulness for their new institution, transferred the entire property:
44 INTRODUCTORY.

to the care of the Winnebago District Convention of Presbyterian
Ministers and Churches. The churches in the region being very
weak at that time, the Convention, deeming it not practicable to raise
the small sum ($400) expected in the transfer, requested Rev. J. Ww.
Walcott to hold the property in trust until the churches could raise
the money to take it legally and formally off his hands. Mr. Walcott
consenting, according to agreement, completed the college-building
so far as was then needed, and opened a school in the summer of
1853. Under Mr. Walcott’s administration, the school was continued
with a good degree of success. The college-grounds were enlarged ;
and a second building, Middle College, was erected in 1857. The
financial disasters of this year affected the resources of the institu-
tion very severely. For about five years it struggled with great
financial difficulties, in consequence of which, at the opening of the
war, the school was suspended for a year.

In 1862 a subscription to pay the debts of the college was so far
successful, that the trustees re-opened the school; and, in September
of that year, Mr. E. H. Merrell, now professor of Greek, assumed
the charge of it. The college, from that date, has had a uniform and
rapid growth. In July, 1863, Rev. William E. Merriman of Green
Bay was elected president, and E. H. Merrell, professor of ancient
languages. At the opening of the term in September, 1863, the first.
college-class was formed. In that year the debts of the college were
all paid, the two college-buildings were completed, and the library
was begun. Since its permanent organization for collegiate work, the
number of students has steadily increased; a full faculty has been
organized ; and the college has constantly progressed, not only in
facilities for instruction, but also in reputation and influence in the
State. In 1866 it had outgrown its accommodations; and in 1867
the West College building, larger and better than either of the others,
was erected and occupied. Sixty-eight have graduated from the
courses. The total number of students last year (1874-75) was three
hundred and forty, of whom seventy-five were in college-classes.

The design and policy of Ripon College are clearly defined. The
two sexes are educated together, and may take the same courses
of study, and enjoy the same privileges. The managers of the col-
lege do not regard this as an experiment, but are satisfied from expe-
rience, as they affirm, that the co-education plan is in every way
best. It requires better conditions, and produces better results, than
the education of the sexes separately.

Health, Christian character, and Christian usefulness are made
prominent ends of instruction as conducted at Ripon. The instruct-
INTRODUCTORY. 45

ors seek to have the college pervaded with a Christian spirit, and
characterized by Christian principles; and, as a result, they hope to
secure a proper Christian morality in their students, and a devotion
to service in Christian lives. An academical department is con-
nected with the collegiate. The institution is open to all students
of suitable age, when they have concluded their studies in the higher
public schools. There are two courses of study in the collegiate
department, — the scientific and the classical, differing chiefly in the
relative attention given to sciences and classical studies. In extent
and thoroughness of study, the standard of a liberal education is
maintained, while instruction is studiously adapted to the wants
of the times.

The site of Ripon is among the most beautiful in this beautiful
State. The college-grounds include nearly twelve acres, and are
high, convenient, and pleasant. The three college-buildings are built
of stone, and afford room sufficient for the instruction of four hun-
dred and fifty students, of whom about two hundred may reside in
the buildings. There are no encumbrances of any kind on the college-
property ; and its financial management has been remarkably thrifty
and economical. Since the organization of the institution as a col-
lege, in 1863, it has been operated on its own earnings and the income
of its limited endowment. Every dollar contributed to it has been
used in building up the college, without any diminution for current
expenses, or for management, or for raising money.

The design of the trustees is to keep the college near to the poor.
The expense of education is very low. The entire cost of board,
room-rent, tuition, and incidentals for a school-year, is less than $135.
Besides, students are encouraged to help themselves. The last cata-
logue has the following, ‘‘It is the purpose of the college to afford
every possible encouragement to worthy students of limited means.
Young ladies who wish may assist in the domestic department, and
thus pay, in part, for their board. None are required to render any
domestic service, and none are allowed to work more than-two hours
and a half a day, except in special cases. . . . Persevering stu-
dents of economical habits and good health may, by taking time
enough, complete the course, and earn a large portion, or even the
whole, of their own support. . . . Those who are in earnest for an
education, and have tact in helping themselves, need not be deterred
for want of means.”

One of the prominent features of the college is the musical depart-
ment. In 1868 the trustees decided to appoint a-professor of music,
under whose direction the most thorough instruction should be
46 i INTRODUCTORY.

secured. Accordingly, Mr. John C. Fillmore, a pupil of the Conser-
vatory of Music of Leipzig, Germany, then in charge of the Conser-
vatory of Music of Oberlin College, was appointed to the place.
The department was thoroughly organized, providing instruction in
piano-playing, theory, vocal culture, and chorus singing. It is the
steady aim of the professor and his assistants to make his department
one of scholarship and intellectual discipline, as much as that of
Latin or mathematics. The most profound compositions of the great
masters are studied; and while the most thorough technical training
is provided, yet this is made a means to the end sought; viz., the
ability to understand and interpret the best compositions. Three
courses of study are provided. The rates of tuition, as in the
literary departments, are very low. The chorus of mixed voices,
called the Mendelssohn Society, studies weekly selections from the
best oratorios and other compositions.

This sketch furnishes but a glimpse of one of the best organized
institutions of Wisconsin, and one which is contributing its full share
toward making the history of the State honorable. It has about it
the signs of vigorous growth and permanent usefulness.

Beloit College originated in the deliberations of ministers and
laymen of Congregational and Presbyterian churches in Wisconsin
and Northern Illinois. In May, 1845, a convention of sixty-nine
members, after prayerful deliberation, decided unanimously that the
exigencies of Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, in the matter of pro-
viding for the liberal education of the youth of that region, required
the establishment of a college for young men, and a female seminary,
of the highest order, on either side of the State line. . Beloit, in
Wisconsin, was fixed upon as the place for the college ; and Rockford,
in Illinois, for the female seminary. A self-perpetuating board of trus-
tees for the college was then elected, and incorporated by charter from
the Territorial legislature of Wisconsin in 1846. The corner-stone
of the first building was laid in June, 1847; and in the fall of the
same year five young men were received to the first college-class.
Jackson J. Bushnell, A.M., and Joseph Emerson, A.M., both gradu-
ates of Yale College in the class of 1841, were the first regularly
appointed professors, in the spring of 1848. Rev. Aaron L. Chapin
of Milwaukee, also a graduate of Yale, was elected first president in
1849, and continues still in that office.

The institution embraces a collegiate department and a preparatory
school. The collegiate department offers two parallel courses of four
years, called respectively the Classical and the Philosophical Course.
In the classical course, the branches of study, and the standard of
INTRODUCTORY. 47

scholarship, correspond with those of the best colleges in New Eng-
land. The philosophical course combines, with such an amount of
Latin and Greek as is considered essential to the best proficiency in
any art or science, a more varied range of study and a more exten-
sive culture of science. In the preparatory school, also, two parallel
courses are defined, called respectively the Classical Course and the
Elementary Scientific Course. These courses occupy three years, and
are adapted to meet the requisitions for admission to the courses of
the collegiate department. For such as do not contemplate entering
college, they offer opportunities for advanced general culture, well-
balanced and thorough as far as it goes. The faculty of the college
is now (1875) composed of the president, eight professors, and two
instructors of the preparatory school. °

About two thousand young men have received more or less of cul-
ture in the institution; and the graduates of the full course number
two hundred and twelve. Its graduates occupy positions of influence
in our own country and many foreign lands. Nearly one-half of
them have chosen the clerical profession.

For its endowment and support, this college has depended entirely
on private benefactions. Generous donations have been received
from friends in both the East and the West; and its property is now
estimated at something over two hundred thousand dollars. It has a
beautiful location on the banks of Rock River. Its most prominent
building is the Memorial Hall, erected in honor of the sons of the
college who fell in the late war, and devoted to the collections of
the cabinet and library.

The sister institution at Rockford has had a successful career, and
done a noble work for the young women of the region, having sent
forth two hundred and fourteen graduates from its full course, and
thirty-eight normal graduates, and having had more than three thou-
sand pupils under its instruction.

Both institutions have contributed much to elevate the general
standard of scholarship, and to propagate right ideas of education in
these new States.

In this somewhat lengthy Introduction, I have departed from the
usual course, and instead of telling what was not included in the
volume, that should have been, I have used the space for the present-
ation of those features that were unavoidably crowded out of a more
proper location.

In conclusion, let me say, that, in giving my fourth work to the in-
telligent reader, I am not only sensible of past failures, but impressed
with the belief that the future offers much room for improvement,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

 

CHAPTER I.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

Physical Features — Geology and Minerals— Climate, Soil, and Productions ~
Antiquities,

PROPERLY speaking, there are no mountains in Wisconsin :
on the contrary, the distinguishing features are the uniformity
of its elevation, and the condition of its surface, which is, for
the most part, gently rolling. The whole surface may, with a
few unimportant exceptions, be regarded as a vast plain, broken
only by the cliffs fringing the streams and lakes. This plain
has an elevation of from six hundred to fifteen hundred feet
above the ocean. The highest lands are located along the head-
waters of the tributaries of Lake Superior, which, near the
sources of the Montreal River, are about eighteen hundred
feet above the level of the sea. From this important water-
shed, the land slopes continuously toward the lake, as also
toward the south, to the Lower Wisconsin River. From the
latter point, there is another slope, still to the south, drained
by the waters of Rock River and its tributary streams.

The waters of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers approach and
mingle at Portage City. Near this point they are connected by
a canal, from which there is a descent of a hundred and ninety-
five feet to Green Bay, and a hundred and seventy-one feet
to the Mississippi at Prairie du Chien.

In the south-western part of the State there are numerous
mounds, some of them of considerable proportions. Among

49
50 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

the latter are the Blue, seventeen hundred and twenty-nine
feet above the sea; the Platte, twelve hundred and eighty-
one feet above the sea; and the Sinsinewa Mounds, eleven
hundred and sixty-nine feet above the sea. These elevations
formerly served as guides to the adventurer, marking certain
well-known points, which accounts for their frequent mention
in the early annals of the Territory. There is also a class of
ancient earthworks still visible in Wisconsin, containing many
peculiarities. They have been made to represent quadrupeds,
birds, reptiles, and even the human form. In the vicinity of
the well-known Blue Mounds, there is a specimen of these
earthworks, representing a man. It is a hundred and twenty
feet long, with a body over thirty feet wide, and a well-shaped
head. Its elevation is six feet above the surrounding prairie.
The mound at Prairieville is a very faithful and interesting
representation of a turtle. The body is nearly sixty feet in
length, and the shape of the head is still well preserved. Not
far from the Four Lakes, there are over a hundred small mounds,
of various shapes and dimensions ; and, in the same neighbor-
hood, fragments of ancient pottery, of a very rude kind, have
been found. A well-formed mound near Cassville represents
the mastodon ; which has given rise to many speculative opinions,
among which is that very reasonable one, that the ancients
who built these earthworks were contemporaries with that
huge animal. This theory is strengthened by the presence of
mastodon bones in these mounds. But we will return, for the
present, to notice more particularly the surface of the country.

The south-eastern portion of the State is broken by ravines
bordering the streams ; but these are depressed only a little below
the surrounding level. The prairies are destitute of trees or
shrubs, and are richly covered with grass, interspersed with beau-
tiful flowers of all shades and colors. The oak-openings are also
a remarkable feature of this portion of the State, as also the tracts
of woodland which border the streams, and the natural mead-
ows. As one proceeds north to the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers
and Green Bay, the timber increases in quantity and value, and
the soil changes gradually from the vegetable mould of the
prairie to the sandy loam. The surface of the country becomes
comparatively uneven, changing from forest to rolling prairie,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 51

from prairies to swamps, and from swamps to extensive marshes.
And still north, in the vicinity of Lake Superior, it partakes
somewhat of a rugged, mountainous appearance.

In the geological structure, there is nothing remarkable,
beyond that met with in the surrounding States. Limestone
underlies a great portion of the southern part of the State.
In the mineral districts we encounter the cliff limestone, and in
other parts the blue.! The northern part seems to be composed
of primitive rocks, for the most part of granite, slate, and sand-
stone. Commencing a little south of the Wisconsin River, and
along the Mississippi as far back as the falls of its tributaries,
sandstone, with layers of limestone above and below, is the
principal rock, and forms the cliffs on the Mississippi below St.
Anthony’s Falls for over thirty miles. The streams in this region
are considerably obstructed by changing beds of sand. ‘ From
Lake Michigan, westward to the other sections named, is a
limestone region, in many parts well timbered, while in others
a considerable portion is prairie. Underlying the blue lime-
stone is a brown sandstone, which crops out on the sides of the
hills; but no lead has ever been found init. A section through
Blue Mound would give the following result, descending verti-
cally: hornstone, 410 feet; magnesian lime, or lead-hearing
rock, 169 feet; saccharoid sandstone, 40 feet; sandstone, 3
feet; lower limestone (at the level of the Wisconsin), 190
feet. The elevations of different parts of the southern section
of the State are given by Chancellor Lathrop: at Blue Mounds,
1,170; head waters of the Rock River, 3816; egress of the
same river from the State, 1,280; and the portage between the
Fox and the Wisconsin Rivers at 223 above the level of
Lake Michigan and the Wisconsin River.

The minerals of Wisconsin constitute one of its most dis-
tinguishing features. A portion of the celebrated lead region,
extending from Illinois and Iowa, is included in the south-west
part of Wisconsin. The whole region occupies an extent of
nearly 2,880 ‘square miles, about three-fourths of which is in
Wisconsin. And we may add, that the portion of this valuable
mineral region included in Wisconsin is as rich and remunera-
tive as that in the other States. The lead is mixed with copper

1 Lippincott’s Pronouncing Gazetteer. 2 Thid.
52 HISTORY OF: WISCONSIN.

and zinc, the latter in large quantities, together with some
silver. Copper is also found in La Pointe, Chippewa, St. Croix,
and Iowa Counties. “In Dodge County, at the so-called Iron
Bridge, is the most promising locality of iron ore in the State
yet discovered; but on the Black River, and other branches
of the Mississippi, good iron ore occurs. The iron ores of the
Lake Superior region extend from Michigan into this State in
abundant deposits of the richest quality. The other metallic
substances are magnetic iron, iron pyrites, and graphite, or
plumbago. The non-metallic earths are agate, carnelians
(found on the shores of the small lakes), bitumen, peat. Mar-
ble of a fine quality, some gypsum, saltpetre, and other miner-
als, have been found. A vein of copper ore was discovered in
1848, near the Kickapoo River, which yields about twenty per
cent. of copper; but to what extent the bed runs has not been
ascertained. Mines were also worked at the Falls of Black
River, and in its vicinity; but they have been abandoned.
Facts do not justify any expectations of great deposits of
copper in the north-west part of the State. - A great bed of
magnetic iron ore lies south of Lake Superior, near Tyler’s
Fork of the Bad River, in strata of metamorphic state. The
amount of lead received at Milwaukee for the year 1863 was
848,625 pounds. On the completion of the Southern Wiscon-
sin Railroad to Dubuque, it is estimated that 25,000,000 pounds
will seek an outlet at Milwaukee. Beautiful varieties of mar-
ble have been recently discovered, or made known to the public,
in the northern part of Wisconsin. According to Messrs. Foster’s
and Whitney’s report, they are found on the Michigamig and
Menomonee Rivers, and afford beautiful marbles, whose pre-
vailing color is light pink, traversed by veins or seams of deep
red. Others are blue and dove-colored, beautifully veined.
These are susceptible of a fine polish; and some on the Me-
nomonee are within navigable distance from the Lakes.”’!

The lakes and rivers of Wisconsin are invested with much
of beauty. Besides the Great Lakes, Superior and Michigan,
which bound the State of Wisconsin on the north and east,
the State contains a number of smaller lakes. Many of these
are noted for unrivalled natural scenery. The principal of

1 Lippincott’s Gazetteer, the best work of the kind in America.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 53

these is Lake Winnebago, a short distance south-east from the
centre of the State. It is about twenty-eight miles long, and ten
miles wide, and communicates with Green Bay, a north-western
arm of Lake Michigan, through the Fox, or Neenah River.
* These small lakes are most abundant in the north-west, and
are generally characterized by clear water and gravelly bottoms,
often with bold, picturesque shores, crowned with hemlock,
spruce, and other trees. They afford excellent fish. In the
shallow waters on the margins of some of them grows wild
rice, once an important article of food with the savages of this
region.” ! :

The rivers which traverse the interior, for the most part,
flow generally in a south-west direction, discharging their waters
into the Mississippi. The latter river bounds Wisconsin on the
south-west for more than two hundred miles. Commencing on
this line at the south, we have, in their order, the Wisconsin,
Bad Axe, Black, and Chippewa Rivers. Of these, the largest
is the Wisconsin, which flows nearly directly south for over two
hundred miles, and then west about a hundred miles, intu the
Mississippi. It is navigable for steamboats for nearly two
hundred miles. The Chippewa is about two hundred, and the
Black about a hundred and fifty miles long. The Fox River, or
Neenah, is the outlet of Winnebago Lake, and connects it with
Green Bay. The Wolf River, from the north, is the main
supply to this lake. The Menomonee emptying into Green
Bay, and the Montreal into Lake Superior, are very serviceable
streams for manufacturing purposes. These rivers form part
of the north-east boundary of Wisconsin. ‘The Menomonee
has a descent of 1,049 feet. The St. Louis (considered as the
primary source of the St. Lawrence) coasts this State for twenty
or thirty miles on the north-west, and is full of rapids and falls
in this part of its course. These rivers are not generally favor-
able to navigation without artificial aid. The Wisconsin may
be ascended by steamboats to the rapids, where it approaches
a tributary of Lake Winnebago, within a mile and a half,
where a canal is being constructed, which, when completed,
will open an entire inland navigation from New York to the
Upper Mississippi. The Rock River is sometimes, at high

+ Lippincott’s Gazetteer.
54 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

water, ascended by boats to within the limits of Wisconsin.
The Bad Axe, Black, Chippewa, and St. Croix are important
channels for floating timber to market from the pine regions in
the north-west of the State. The rivers flowing into Lake
Superior are small; and, though unfavorable for commerce, their
rapid courses make them valuable for mill-sites. Col. Long
estimates that the Chippewa, Black, Wisconsin, and Rock
Rivers are respectively capable of a steamboat navigation of
seventy, sixty, a hundred and eighty, and two hundred and
fifty miles ; but at present they are a good deal obstructed by
shifting sand and rapids.” }

The climate, though quite severe in winter, is free from those
sudden changes that prevail farther south. The summers are
warm ; the winters, cold, and usually very long: but upon the
whole, for general health, Wisconsin may be regarded as the
most desirable place of residence. The natural scenery is not
excelled for beauty in North America; while, on the other
hand, in many of its rivers, inland lakes, and mounds and dells,
it presents features of marvellous beauty far surpassing other
localities.

The soil and productions of Wisconsin are considered at
length in the chapters on agriculture, farther on in this volume:
hence the absence of any mention of them here.

We now come to notice briefly, and more particularly, some
of the principal features of the ancient earth-works, or antiqui-
ties, of Wisconsin. These are found in numerous localities, —
near the borders of the lakes, or on the margin of water-
courses, — all over the State. It is curious to notice, says Rev.
William Barry, that they are chiefly found at points already
selected as the most favorable sites for modern settlements,
showing that the instincts of both civilized and uncivilized are
alike attracted to those localities which combine at once the
beautiful and the useful. ?

We are further informed by Mr. Barry, that, in proceed-
ing north on Lake Michigan, the first point noticeable for its
remains is a few miles south of the Wisconsin line, in Illinois,
where are found some nine conical or round mounds, from

1 Lippincott’s Gazetteer.
2 From a review of Dr. I. A. Lapham’s work, by Rev. William Barry, Chicago.
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56 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

three to five feet in height, and about thirty feet in diameter.
These are disposed in a serpentine row along the crest of a
ridge of sand, and were, undoubtedly, burial-places of the dead.
At Kenosha were found indications of a manufactory of arrow-
heads and other articles of flint, for which abundant material
was furnished by the bowlders and pebbles along the lake
beach and shore. At Racine, there are a number of very inter-
esting remains, chiefly on the high ground near Root River,
from one to two miles from the lake. Here are numerous
circular burial-mounds, though of small size and elevation, em-
braced in one circular enclosure, with several tapering ridges.
The mounds are without systematic arrangement, from five to
fifty feet in diameter, and from one to seven feet in height.
Dr. Hoy of Racine opened one, in which were found the
skeletons of seven persons, in a sitting posture, facing the
east, but unaccompanied with ornaments. In another he dis-
covered two vases of pottery, one made of cream-colored clay
and white sand, like pale brick, of the capacity of five quarts:
the other, which was of a red brick color, was smaller. Both are
thought to resemble those in culinary use among the Burmese.
The great antiquity of these remains is made clear by the
gigantic size of the trees now standing upon them; one with
three hundred rings showing, as Dr. Hoy estimates, an an-
tiquity of a thousand years. But the most numerous group of
these mounds lies about a mile west of Racine; and a part
of them has been embraced in the modern cemetery of that
beautiful city. 2

The numerous earth-works about Milwaukee attest at once
the attractiveness of that favorite locality to the aboriginal
inhabitants. They extend from Kinnickinnic Creek, near the
‘Indian fields,” where they are most abundant, to a point six
miles above the city. They occupy the high grounds contigu-
ous to the lake and streams, but not the immediate shore; and
a considerable number are appropriately enclosed in the “ For-
est Home” cemetery of Milwaukee. Many of the mounds in
this region are of large extent, chiefly from one hundred to
four hundred feet in diameter; and are laid out in fanciful
forms, resembling the figures of turtles, lizards, birds, the
otter, and buffalo: not a few have the form of a war-club. In
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 57

some instances, one mound is elevated so as to overlook or com-
mand many others, which has led to the conjecture of its being
either an observatory, or, more probably, an altar-mound for
sacrificial or religious rites.

At Sheboygan and Manitowoc, similar antiquities are found,
though to a smaller extent. Many bear resemblance to simple-
breastworks for defence; being about four feet in height, and
twelve feet broad at the base.

On leaving the lake-shore, fine remains are to be found on the
borders of the interior waters of Wisconsin. On the Fox or
Pishtaka River are several interesting localities, — one a little
north of west from Chicago, where were counted on the brow
of a hill twenty-seven mounds from a foot to four and a half feet
in height, and from fifteen to twenty-five feét long. The prin-
cipal points of interest on the Pishtaka are at or near Wauke-
sha, where have been disinterred many pipes and specimens of
pottery, and in the neighborhood of the village of Pewaukee, ,
where is a remarkable collection of lizard and turtle mounds;
one having a length of four hundred and fifty feet.!

‘‘ The basin of Rock River, with its tributaries, is, perhaps, exceeded by
no part of the North-west in the interesting character of these aboriginal
remains. Without particularizing those found a few miles above Fulton,
where the river expands into a beautiful lake, abounding in fish, a natural
attraction to the red man, it may be worth while to notice more at length.
the very remarkable remains found at what has been termed the ‘ ancient
city of Aztalan.’ This locality has attracted much notice as one of the
wonders of the West; and exaggerated accounts have gone forth of its brick
walls and buttresses, its stone arches, &c., in all of which there is hardly
a shadow of truth. These remains were first discovered in 1836, and has-
tily surveyed by N. F. Hyer, Esq., the year following.

‘¢On the west branch of Rock River may be seen a ridge of earth (not of
brick) extending around three sides of an irregular parallelogram, the river
forming the fourth side. Its length at the north end is 631 feet; on the
west side, 1,419 feet, and 700 feet on the south side ; making an aggregate
length of 2,750 feet, and enclosing an area of seventeen and two-thirds
acres. The ridge is about twenty-two feet in width, and from a foot to
five feet high, the corners not rectangular, and the embankment not
straight. The so-called ‘ buttresses’ are simple enlargements, about forty
feet in diameter, at intervals varying from sixty-one to ninety-five feet,
giving the appearance of so many mounds with a connecting ridge. Irreg-

1 From Rev. William Barry’s Paper on the Antiquities of Wisconsin.
58 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

ular masses of red clay in the embankment, in some instances partially
baked by burning grass or straw, have led to the popular belief of the
employment of brick in its construction.

‘ At the south-west corner of the interior is found a square truncated

mound, having a level area on the top fifty-three feet wide on its west side,
and, seen from high ground near, has the appearance of a pyramid ‘rising
by successive steps, like the gigantic structures of Mexico.’ This is sup-
posed to have been the most sacred spot, as well as the highest. The exte-
rior wall curves around this pyramid, and is ulso protected by two parallel
walls outside the principal embankment. A similar pyramidal elevation is
found at the north-west corner ; while various low and smaller ridges are
to be seen within the enclosure, with connecting rings or circles, supposed
to be the remains of mud-houses. That the structure above described was
intended for sepulchral ‘or other religious uses, rather than for military’
defence, is made probable by the disinterment of half-burned human
remains from one of the buttresses, together with fragments of pottery and
charcoal. It is confirmed by the material fact, that the whole structure is
commanded, in a military point of view, by a parallel ridge, extending
along the west side, within arrow-shot distance.
_ ‘The strong resemblance this structure bears to the temple mounds of
Ohio, and the States south, places it in the same family with that class,
which finds its highest type in the finished monuments of Mexican art.
Hence the name given to this locality of Aztalan, —a derivative from the
Aztecs of Mexico, among whom existed the tradition of a migration from
the north. The dissimilarity of these remains to the animal-shaped mounds
commonly found in the West is worthy of notice ; and it may have been,
as Mr. Lapham supposes, a sort of Mecca, —the periodical resort of the
race that constructed it. It is sad to say, however, that this highly-inter-
esting work of antiquity, like many others, is suffering injury at the hands
of civilized man, who is furrowing it for grain, or digging for its hidden
treasures. Cannot this work of the destroyer be stayed, and these precious
monuments of a race that no longer lives to tell its story be preserved?

‘¢ Besides the antiquities of Aztalan there are yet others in the valley of
Rock River, beyond Ixonia, at Wolf Point (memorable as the point where
Black [awk made his stand in 1832), at Hartford, where has been found a
bird-shaped stone, much revered by the Winnebago Indians, and, five miles
farther, a ridge one thousand feet in lensth. But the most extensive and
varied group is at Horicon, numbering about two hundred common mounds,
among which are modern graves of the Pottawattomies. Sixteen of the
mounds are of a cruciform shape.

‘It would require more space than propriety allows to give in detail the
various works of antiquity on the Neenah or Fox River of Green Bay; on a
branch of Grand River, where are some one hundred mounds, one called,
from its figure, ‘the man,’ though with some inequality in the length of
its members ; on the basin of the fine River Wisconsin, where, at the ‘ Dells
of the Wisconsin,’ is an enclosure with an area of forty-five thousand
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 59

square feet, large enough to hold two thousand persons, fortified by double
walls, which may have been protected by palisades; and at Iron Creek is
still another fort surrounded by a fosse, or ditch, in the form of a parallelo-
gram, and symmetrical in its figure. We might pass on to notice the
curiosities of the Lake Vieux Desert, with its beautiful island so favorable
for cultivation and defence to the primitive race, and showing an interesting
elliptical embankment in its centre; and the yet more attractive remains in
the region of Lake Superior, where have been found mounds in the forms
of mathematical figures, one a regular pyramid, like that within the walls
of Aztalan.

‘‘Should the reader desire a more detailed account of these relics of
American antiquity, and others we have not particularly referred to, at
Madison and elsewhere, he will find them in Mr. Lapham’s valuable Me-
morials, from which we have freely drawn. It is gratifying that public
attention is directed to these remains, which deserve a thorough examination
from men of science. It is clear, that but little is yet known of them.
Further and more careful examination may throw a flood of light upon the

_Yace who have left them to us, of whom we now know little more than what
a glimpse at these remarkable earth-mounds reveals. A few bones, a few
bits of pottery, pipes wrought sometimes in artistic forms, a few rude im-
plements,—this is all. A single example of hieroglyphic characters is
given us at Gale’s Bluff, near La Crosse, on the Mississippi, forbidding the
hope of learning much, save by inference and comparison. Yet much is
possible to scientific research, as is witnessed in the long obscured monu-
ments of Egypt and Babylon.’’ }

Dr. IJ. A. Lapham suggests, that the people who left these
monuments were the progenitors of the fast-fading Indian
tribes of North America, and that this is made probable by the
resemblance of the pots and vases in figure, &c., to those
afterwards found in old Indian villages, and to those still
made by the women of the Mandan and other tribes. “He
also supposes there was a gradual transition in the form of
the mounds. They are found in all figures, from the full
circle, through the oval and elongated mounds, to the oblong
and long ridges. He considers the oldest to embrace those
formed in the figures of animals, and the great works at
Aztalan; that the next in the order of time were conical
mounds erected for sepulchral uses, these coming down to
a recent period. Indications of garden-beds have been found
in connection with some of the mounds, which are planted
in geometrical figures, or in right lines. These he places

1 Mr. Barry’s Paper.
60 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

later. The most recent are those bearing marks of planta-
tions by modern Indians, with no observance of regularity or
order. This theory supposes a singular and sad degeneracy
in the latter race of the red men. It is worthy of notice,
that the animal-shaped mounds are chiefly confined to the
territory embraced in the State of Wisconsin.”? And we may
add, that the antiquities of the State, in all their varied features,
present a wide field for scientific research,—a labor that
ought to, as it no doubt will, receive, as it has in the past,
ample government support.

1 Rev. William Barry’s Paper.
 

 

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CHAPTER II.
CHRONOLOGY OF WISCONSIN FROM 1639 TO 1848.

1689. Tue country as far as the head of the Wisconsin
River was explored by Nicolet.

1654. The territory now embraced within the limits of the
State in the vicinity of Green Bay was occupied by fur-traders.

1660. René Menard explored the country to Chegoimegon
Bay, Lake Superior, where a mission was afterwards estab-
lished.

1661. The same traveller crossed the country from Lake
Superior to Black River Falls.

1664. The French minister officially orders, or grants, the
sale of brandy and other liquors to the Indians.

1665. Claude Allouez, an eminent pioneer missionary, estab-
lished a mission at La Pointe, Lake Superior.

1667. Louis Nicholas joined Allouez at the mission at La
Pointe.

1669. Father Allouez established a mission at Des Peres, or
Green Bay. This mission was at the Rapids of Depere, a short
distance above the present city of Green Bay.

1670. Father Allouez made a voyage of the Fox and Wis-
consin Rivers to within a short distance of the Mississippi, —
a near approach to the discovery of the Father of Waters.

1671. In this year the French took formal possession of the
whole North-west.

1673. Father James Marquette discovered the Mississippi
River.

1674. The same explorer coasted Lake Michigan, from Green
Bay, by Milwaukee, to the site of the present city of Chicago.

1676. Father Allouez made a voyage to Chicago by Mil-

waukee.
62
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 63

\

1679. “The Griffin,” a schooner built by La Salle, and the
first to make a voyage of the lake above the Niagara, arrived
at Green Bay.

1679. La Salle made a voyage on Lake Michigan, from Green
Bay to the St. Joseph River.

1679. Capt. Du Lath held a council, and concluded a peace
with the natives of Lake Superior.

1680. Tonti established a military port and garrison at Green
Bay.

1681. Marquette’s journal and map of his travels and explo-
rations in the North-west were published in France.

1683. Le Sueur made a voyage of the Fox and Wisconsin
Rivers to the Mississippi.

1685. Durantaye erected a fort at Checagua.

1688. Fort St. Nicholas was built at the mouth of the
Wisconsin.

1688. La Hontau made a voyage through the country, making
valuable observations. .

1688. Parret established a trading-station on Lake Pepin.

1688. Fort St. Antoine was erected at the mouth of the
Chippewa River.

1688. A military port named Beauharnois was erected on
the north side of Lake Pepin.

1695. Le Sueur built a fort on an island in the Mississippi,
below the St. Croix.

1699. John Buisson de St. Comes made a voyage of Lake
Michigan, stopping at Milwaukee.

1700. Le Sueur made a voyage up the Mississippi in search
of copper ore.

1714. Le Louvigny’s battle with the Fox Indians at Butte
des Morts.

1719. Francis Renalt explored the Upper Mississippi with
two hundred miners.

1721. P. de Charlevoix made a journey through Wisconsin.

1726. A French fort was established at Green Bay.

1727. The French established a fort on Lake Pepin, with
Sieur de Lapperriere commandant.

1728. There was a great flood in the Mississippi; and Fort

Beauharnois was submerged.
64 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

1728. A French expedition, under De Lingnery, from Green
Bay, punished the Foxes.

1734. A battle took place between the French, and the Sauks
and Foxes.

1745. Green Bay was settled by Augustus and Charles De
Langlade.

1747. Capt. De Vorcheres takes command at ‘Green Bay.

1754. Sieur Martin, in command at Green Bay, makes a
peace with the Indians.

1755. A French post, or fort, was established at Prairie du
Chien.

1760. Capt. Balfour and Lieut. Gorrell, with English troops,
took possession of Green Bay.

1762. A deputation of Indians went from Milwaukee to
Green Bay to complain of dishonest traders.

1763. The English, under Lieut. Gorrell, abandon Green Bay
in consequence of the approaching Indian war.

1763. The great Pontiac war.

1763. Treaty of Paris, by which all the territory of New
France, including Wisconsin, was surrendered to the English.

1764. Green Bay re-occupied by the British under Capt.
Howard.

1764. Louisiana ceded to Spain by the French.

1766. The laws of Canada were extended over the north-
west.

1766-68. Jonathan Carver makes an extended tour through
the country.

1774. Organization of the North-western Fur Company.

1774. A civil government was established in the North-west,
by the celebrated ‘Quebec Act.”

1777. Indians from Wisconsin joined the British against the
Americans.

1780. Lieut.-Gov. Patrick St. Clair of Canada purchased
Green Bay, Prairie du Chien, &c., from the Indians.

1785. There was a great flood in the Mississippi River.

1786. Julian Dubuque explored the lead region of the
Upper Mississippi.

1787. The well-known Ordinance of 1787 was passed by
Congress for the government of the North-west.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 65

1788. There was an Indian council at Green Bay.’ Permis-
sion to work the lead mines was given to Dubuque. :

1796. Green Bay, Prairie du Chien, &c., were surrendered by
the English to the United States.

1796. Laws of the Ordinance of 1787 extended over the
North-west.

1800. Indian territory organized, including Wisconsin.

1800. Louisiana ceded to France by Spain.

1803. Antoine Barth settled at the portage of the Fox and
Wisconsin Rivers.

1803. Louisiana ceded to the United States by France.

1804. Indian treaty at St. Louis; Southern Wisconsin pur-
chased. :

1805. Michigan Territory organized.

1805. Lieut. Pike ascended the Mississippi River.

1809. Thomas Nuttall, the botanist, explored Wisconsin.

1809. Illinois Territory was organized, including Wisconsin.

1809. First saw-mill built, near Green Bay.

1812. Indians assembled at Green Bay to join the English.

1814. Gov. Clark took possession of Prairie du Chien.

1814. Prairie du Chien surrendered to the British.

1815. The American Fur Company began to establish trad-
ing-posts.

1815. United States trading-post established at Green Bay.

1816. Indian treaty confirming that of 1804.

1816. United States troops took possession of Prairie du
Chien.

1816. Col. Miller commenced the erection of Fort Howick
at Green Bay.

1816. Indian treaty ; lands relinquished to Indians.

1816. Jaques Vieux settled at Milwaukee.

1817. Indian treaty at St. Louis.

1817. Major S. H. Long ascended the Mississippi.

1818. State of Illinois was organized-; Wisconsin attached to
Michigan.

1818. Solomon Juneau built his cabin.

1818. A saw-mill built four miles above Prairie du Chien.

1818. Brown and Crawford Counties organized, including the

whole State.
5
66 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

1819. A saw-mill erected at Black River Falls, by C. A.
Andrews.

1819. Fort Snelling built and occupied.

1820. United-States commissioners adjusted land-claims at

Green Bay.
1821. Oneida and Stockbridge Indians settled near Green
Bay.

1821, First post-office established at Green Bay.

1821. Fort Crawford built at Prairie du Chien.

1822. The New York Indians purchase lands east of Lake
Winnebago.

1822. James Johnson obtained from the Indians the right to
dig for lead by negro slaves from Kentucky.

1823, January. Wisconsin made a separate Judicial District
by Congress.

1823. First government leases to lead-miners.

1823. Land-claims at Prairie du Chien adjusted by the gov-
ernment.

1823. Major S. H. Long’s expedition to the Upper Missis-
sippi.

1823. First steamboat on the Upper Mississippi, with Major
Taliafero and Count Beltrami.

1823. Lieut. Bayfield of the British navy made a survey of
Lake Superior.

1823. An Episcopal mission established near Green Bay.

1824. James D. Doty appointed judge by Pres. Monroe; held
the office nine years.

1824, July 12. First court held in Brown County.

1824, Oct. 4. First term of United-States Circuit Court held
at Green Bay.

1825, Aug. 1 and 19. Indian treaties at Prairie du Chien.

1825. The Carver grant of land rejected by Congress.

1826. First steamboat on Lake Michigan.

1826. Indian treaty at St. Louis.

1826. Great flood in the Mississippi, twenty-six feet above
low water at Prairie du Chien.

1827. A rush of speculators to the lead-mines.

1827. Difficulties with the Indians. Troops sent to settle
them.
 

 

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68 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

1827, Aug. 11. Treaty with the Menomonee Indians at
Butte des Morts.
1828. Fort Winnebago built at ‘the portage.”
1828. Indian treaty at Green Bay; the lead-region pur-
chased.
1828. Lead ore discovered at Mineral Point and Dodgeville.
1829, July 29. Winnebago treaty at Prairie du Chien.
1829. A Methodist mission established at Green Bay.
1830.. A Methodist mission established at La Pointe.
1830, May. The Sioux killed seventeen Sauks and Foxes
near Prairie du Chien.
1831, Feb. 8. Menomonee treaty at Washington.
1831. Public lands in the lead-region surveyed by Lucius
Lyon and others.
_ 1832, June 16. Battle: with the Sauk Indians on the Peka-
tonica.
- 1882, July 21. Battle on the Wisconsin River.
“1832, Aug. 2. Battle af: mouth of the Bad Axe; Black Hawk
defeated.
1832. First arrival of steamboat at Chicago.
1832. Schoolcraft discovered the true source of the Mis-
sissippi.
1832, Sept. 15. Winnebago treaty at Fort Armstrong.
1832, Oct. 27. Treaty with the Menomonees.
1832. High water in the Mississippi.
1833. A Methodist mission established at Ottawa Lake
(Chippewa River).
1833, Sept. 26. Indian treaty at Chicago ; lands south and
west of Milwaukee ceded to the government.
1833, Dec. 11. First newspaper (*‘ Green Bay Intelligencer ”’)
published.
1834. Public lands near Green Bay surveyed by A. G.:
Ellis.
_ 1834. Land offices established at Mineral Point and Green
Bay..
1834. Population by census taken, 4,795.
18385. First settlement, at Milwaukee, Samuel Brown and
family.
1835. George W. Jones elected delegate to Congress.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 69

1835. J. N. Nicollett commenced scientific exploration.
1835. Public lands at Milwaukee surveyed by William A.

Burt.

1836, Jan. 9. The legislative council of Michigan met at

Green Bay.

1836, April 30.. Henry Dodge appointed governor by Pres.

Andrew Jackson.

1836, July 4. Territory of Wisconsin organized.
1886, July 14. “Milwaukee Advertiser” published at 871

Third Street. .

1836, Sept. 3. Treaty with the Menomonees at Green Bay.

1836, Oct. 10. George W. Jones elected delegate to Con-
gress.

1836, Oct. 25. First legislature of Wisconsin convened at
-Belmont, .Wis..

1836, Dec. 3. Seat of government established at Madison,

1836. First school opened in Milwaukee (at No. 371 Third

Street).

1836. United States land-office opened at Milwaukee.

1837, Jan. 26. Michigan admitted as a State.

1837, July 29. Chippewa treaty at Fort Snelling.

1837, Sept. 29. Sioux treaty; lands east of the Mississippi
ceded.

1837, Nov. 1. Winnebago treaty ; lands ceded.

1837, Nov. 6. Legislature met at Burlington, Io.

. 1838, June 11. Special session of the legislature at Burling-

ton, Io.

. 1838, Sept. 10. James D. Doty elected delegate to Congress.
1838, Nov. 26. First session of the legislature at Madison.
1839, Jan. 21. Legislative session ; statutes enacted.

1839. Indian (Sioux and Chippewa) battle; two hundred
killed. .

1839, September. James D. Doty re-elected to Congress.

1839, Dec. 6. Legislative session commenced.

1840, Aug. 8. Extra session of the legislature.

1840, Dec. 7. Legislative session.

1841, Sept. 27. Henry Dodge elected delegate to Congress.

1841, Sept. 80. James Duane Doty appointed governor by
Pres. John Tyler.
70 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

1841, Dec. 6. Legislature met.

1842, Oct. 4. Chippewa treaty at La Pointe ; lands ceded.

1842, Dec. 6. Legislative session commenced.

1843, Sept. 25. Henry. Dodge re-elected delegate to Con-
gress.

1848, Dec. 4. Legislative session commenced.

1844, June 21. Nathaniel P. Tallmadge appointed governor
by Pres. John Tyler.

1845, Jan. 6. Legislative session commenced.

1845, April 8. Henry Dodge appointed governor by Pres,
James K. Polk.

1845, Sept. 22. Morgan L. Martin elected delegate to Con-
gress.

1846, Jan 5. The legislature met.

1846, April. A vote of the people in favor of a State
government.

1846, Aug. 6. Act of Congress. authorizing a State govern-
ment.

1846, Dec. 16. A State constitution adopted in convention.

1847, Jan. 4. The legislature met.

1847, April. The proposed State constitution rejected by
vote of the people.

1847, Sept. 27. John H. Tweedy elected delegate to Con-
gress.

1847, Oct. 18. Special session of the legislature.

1848, Feb. 1. A new State constitution adopted in conven-
tion.

1848, Feb. 7. Sixteenth (and last) session of the Territorial
Legislature.

1848, March 18. The State constitution adopted by a vote
of the people ; and Wisconsin became one of the States of the
American Union, being the seventeenth admitted, and the
thirtieth in the list of States.
CHAPTER III.
INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN.

Ir is not our intention, in this chapter, to write any extensive
notice touching the manners and customs of the native tribes
of Wisconsin: such would be foreign to the scope of this
volume. Nevertheless, a list of the tribal names of the Indians
who inhabited the Territory, together with a few hints as to
their location and successive removals, will be expedient. In:
this, as in some of the succeeding chapters, our remarks will be:
statistical rather than descriptive.

We may, with good results, give a list of the different names-
by which the Indian tribes of Wisconsin have been known: —-

Ainoves = owas.
Assistaeronons = Mascontins.
Ayauways = Iowas.
Bay Indians = Winnebagoes.
Brothertowns.
Bevau-acs = Sioux.
Bewauacs = Sioux.
Chippewas = Sauteurs = Ojibbeways.
Courterrielles = Ottawas.
Cynagos = Sinagoux.
Dacotahs = Sioux.
Folles Avoines = Menomonees.
Foxes = Reynard = Outagamies.
Gens de Feu = Mascontins.
Howahs = The Sioux name for Jowas.
Hotauke = Sioux name for Winnebagoes.
Hurons = Wyandotis. ,
Tllinois.
Towas.
Tsle aux Noix = Dllinois.

71
72 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Keinouches.
Kickapoos.
Kiskakons.
Kitchigamick.
Mascontins = Gens de Feu.
Makou.
Makoueone.
Marameg.
Menomonees. ‘
Miamis.
Mikissoua.
Musquakies = Outagamies = Foxes.
Nadowessi = Sioux, their Chippewa name.
Noquets.
_, Ojibbeways = Chippewas.
‘Oneidas.
Ontehibouse = Chippewas.
 Osaukies = Sauks = Sacs.
' Othun-gu-rahs = Winnebagoes in their own language.

Ottawas.
Outagamies = Foxes.
Pottawattomies. °

Puans or Puants = Winnebagoes of Green Bay.
Reynards = Foxes.
Sakis = Sauks.

Sauls. .
Sauters = Chippewas.
Sinagoux.

Sioux.

Stockbridges.

Tawas = Ottawas.
Winnebagoes.

Wyandotts = Hurons.

By reference to the above list, the reader will be enabled to
trace the connection between some of the half meaningless
Indian names used, and the nations or tribes to which they
belong. We can only mention, however, the names of those
tribes, or families, over again, giving the dates at which they
occupied certain lands.

In the early part of the last century, says Dr. Lapham, the
Chippewas numbered about one hundred and fifty warriors at
Chegoimegon Point, Lake Superior; the Menomonees, at the
north of Lake Michigan, one hundred and sixty; the Sioux, at
 

Hon. Jas. IT. Le

Governor of Wisconsin, 1864-6.

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74 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

the head of lake Superior, three hundred ; the Pottawattomies,
at the outlet of Green Bay, twenty ; the Sauks, at the head of
Green Bay, one hundred and fifty ; the Foxes, on the river that
still bears their name, one hundred; the Kickapoos, about
eighty; and the Mascontins, about sixty men capable of bear-
ing arms. The whole Indian population within the district
under consideration was then estimated at about fifteen thou-
sand souls.

Three tribes are known to have, at one time, resided at or
near Milwaukee; viz., the Menomonees, the Pottawattomies, and
the Ottawas. The first-named occupied the lake-shore to the
northward ; the second and last, the country to the southward.
The Ottawas were residing near where Milwaukee now stands
as early as 1762.

When Jonathan Carver made his journey through Wisconsin,
he found the Menomonees occupying the western border of
Green Bay; the Winnebagoes, on the Upper Fox River; the
Sauks and Foxes, on the Wisconsin; and the Mascontins were
believed to have possession of the southern and interior portions
of the State. ‘ Were we able,” says Dr. Lapham, “to trace
accurately the history of the Indian nations, we should find,
upon a small scale, a counterpart of the written history of the
Caucasian race. One, by fortunate location, good government,
and peaceful habits, becomes prosperous, and therefore ambi-
tious: without international law, and with no respect for the
rights of others, they crowd upon and soon displace their less
fortunate neighbors. These are hence compelled to encroach
upon the hunting-grounds of other tribes; and in this way the
map of North America, like that of Europe, required adjust-
ment from time to time. Thus the names of places, of rivers
and lakes, handed down to us, may be those given by tribes
long since driven from their vicinity ; and we may, perhaps,
understand why, in all the modern Indian languages, we can
find no explanation of the origin of the name of our State.
They must be names applied by some tribe now extinct, or to be
found in some far distant country.”

The Indian tribes of Wisconsin may be classed under two
great national names; but it must be remembered that the tribes
we have named as residing within the, boundaries of the State
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 75

constituted but a small fraction of these nations. These
nations are the Algonquins, or Algonkins, and the Dacotas.

In 1821, and even later, Wisconsin, and a portion of Illinois,
were inhabited, for the. most part, only by Indians. “On the
occasion of a treaty held at Chicago in 1821, they assembled
from all quarters to the number of three thousand souls.
Straggling parties were seen everywhere, proceeding to the
appointed place, usually on horseback, and decorated, according
to the Indian taste, with medals, silver bands, and feathers.”
Schoolcraft tells us, that ‘the gaudy and showy dresses of these
troops of Indians, with the jingling caused by the striking of
their ornaments, and their spirited manner of riding, created a
scene as novel as it was interesting. Proceeding from all parts
of a very extensive circle of country, like rays converging to
a focus, the nearer we approached, the more compact and con-
centrated the body became; and we found our cavalcade rapid-
ly augmented, and consequently the dust, confusion, and noise
increased at every by-path which intercepted our way.”

But we have no space for the long and interesting chapters
that might be compiled on the manners and customs of the
Wisconsin Indians, and must, therefore, confine ourselves to a
brief mention of the important events in the history of the
several tribes, their migrations, and their final disappearance.
For our materials in this particular, we are indebted to a pam-
phlet edited by I. A. Lapham, Levi Blossom, and George G.
Dousman, now among the Collections of the Wisconsin His-
torical Society. Indeed, we shall take the liberty of quoting
from.said pamphlet, as the following paragraphs cannot easily
be improved upon, for the purposes which they will serve in
this chapter.

‘‘ The Mascontins, as before remarked, early disappeared. Their record is
fully made up ; their decline and fall is complete : but what has become of
them — whether removed to some distant part of the country, amalgamated
with some other tribe, or destroyed by poverty and disease — we are not per-
mitted to know. Alas! the destiny of the Mascontin is the destiny of the
red man.

‘¢ The Kickapoos were removed at an early date, west of the Mississippi
River ; and their name does not appear among those tribes that disposed of
their lands to our government.

‘‘ The Sauks and Foxes appear at one time to have joined the Sioux in

~
76 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

their effort to maintain a footing upon the east bank of the Mississippi,
against the Chippewas. In 1766 they were upon the Upper Wisconsin,
occupying the country from Green Bay to Lac de Flambeau, and even to
Lake Superior and Upper Mississippi, giving their name (Sauk) to a river
and rapids in Minnesota. From this position, which they occupied but a
short time, they were driven back by the Chippewas, under the leadership
of their famous chief, Wah-boo-jeog (White Fisher), who died at Chegoime-
gon in 1793. The decisive battle was fought at the Falls of the St. Croix.
They were thus forced to the Lower Rock River, beyond our border ;
and they do not appear as claiming any share of Wisconsin in the general
apportionment among the Indian tribes at Prairie du Chien, in 1825.

‘¢ The Winnebagoes are supposed to be an offshoot of the great Sioux
nation: they have figured largely in the Indian history of Wisconsin. They
were but a small tribe when first encountered by the French on the shores
of Green Bay, and named by them Puans (Stinks), on account of their filthy
habits. They afterwards became a very bold and warlike tribe. They
joined Pontiac in his effort to eradicate British rule in the North-west, in
1763, and afterwards fought with the British against us (the Americans)
in 1812. In 1837 they sold their lands in Wisconsin to the government,
and were removed, in the spring of 1849, to their ‘ reservation ’ at the West,
where it is supposed they are to remain permanently.

‘¢ The Sioux struggled manfully for their ancient hunting-grounds on the
St. Croix River, and only relinquished them in 1837 to the United States
Government by treaty. The Chippewas on the north, and the Winnebagoes
on the south, had already crowded them into a very narrow space along the
east bank of the Mississippi, between Prairie du Chien and Lake St. Croix.
It is supposed that they extended much farther eastward, along the southern
borders of Lake Superior, whence they were driven by the Chippewas,
who were themselves crowded by other still more eastern tribes. Their
very name, in the language of the Chippewas (Nada wessy), signifies an
enemy; and these two tribes, like British and French, were always at war.

‘¢The Chippewas have persistently maintained their position on the
south shore of Lake Superior, stretching, in 1832, to the head waters of
Chippewa and Wisconsin Rivers. At this time they numbered 2,826,

‘« Among them were thirty-five trading-posts, visited annually by traders
licensed under the Act of Congress of May 26, 1824. The Chippewas sold
their land to the government in 1837 and 1842, except a small reservation
near the mouth of Bad River, on Lake Superior, which is still occupied by
them, though the great body of the tribe have been removed to Minnesota.

‘‘From the Report of the Commissioners of Indian Affairs from 1856,
we learn that the Chippewas of Lake Superior, including the band on Bad
River, in the northern part of Wisconsin, have been furnished with a liberal
supply of farming-implements, carpenter's tools, household furniture, and
cooking-utensils; and every Indian having a house, and residing in it, has
been supplied with a-good cooking-stove and the usual cooking utensils, a
table, a bureau, chairs, bedstead, looking-glass, and many small articles for
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 77

household use. The effect of this policy is quite perceptible and salutary,
and has stimulated many to erect, and provide for erecting, new houses at
Bad River and several other places. This is evidently a move in the right
direction, and one that might have been adopted with advantage at an
earlier date.

‘“The Menomonees, or Wild Rice Eaters, appear to have been a quiet,
peace-loving people, usually ranked above the average of Indian tribes in
personal appearance and intellectual qualities. Fora long time the Milwau-
kee River was the boundary separating them from the Pottawattomies at the
south. Tomah appears to have been, in former times, a good and great
chief among them, advising always against war and all other kinds of wick-
edness. He has been very properly remembered in the name of one of our
flourishing towns.

‘In 1848 the Menomonees ceded their entire country in this State to the
General Government, and were to be removed to Minnesota; but, the district
assigned them not being found suitable to their wants, they were, with
the consent of the Wisconsin legislature, allowed to remain upon a small
reservation (276,480 acres) on the Wolf River. In 1852 they were removed
to this reservation, which it is expected will remain their permanent home
so long as they shall maintain their organization as a distinct tribe.

‘*In August, 1853, Oshkosh, the renowned chief of this. tribe, whose
name is very properly perpetuated in the beautiful city on the shores of
Lake Winnebago, represented to the government that his tribe had never
been so poor and destitute of provisions, having fallen almost to a condition
of starvation. About half of the tribe were devoted to agriculture: the
remainder still adhered to the roving life of the hunter. The government
aid extended to this tribe as a compensation for their lands appears to have
been administered with very little care and judgment. Mrs. Dousman and
her daughter resided upon the reserve; the latter as a teacher, occupying
temporary buildings, entirely unfit for the purposes for which they were
used.

‘¢The Pottawattomies were one of the largest and most powerful of the
Indian tribes, They were represented, in 1821, as thinly scattered in tents
over a very great extent of country, stretching, on the south, along both sides
of the Illinois River, on the western shore of Lake Michigan, ‘to-the
Menomonees of Millewacky, and to the Winnebagoes of Green Bay ;’ on
the east, beyond the St. Joseph to the headwaters of the Maumee and the
Wabash; and towards the west their territories extended to Rock River,
and to the lands of the Sauks and Foxes on the Mississippi. At the treaty
held in Chicago in 1833, they relinquished to the government all their lands
in this State south and west of the Milwaukee River, which then became
public land, and was open for settlement and improvement by white people.

‘Jn 1853 the remnant still remaining of this once powerful tribe were
removed to their ‘ permanent homes’ west of the Upper Mississippi.

‘© The Ottawas appear to have been intimately associated with the Potta-
wattomies: they joined in relinquishing the lands south and west of Milwau-
78 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

kee. Their proper home seems to have been upon the east of Lake Michigan.
On Charlevoix’ map, the Chippewas are set down as Ottawas.

‘©The Brothertowns were removed to the east bank of Lake Winnebago
from the State of New York. They have relinquished their tribal organiza-
tion, and have been adopted with full privileges, as citizens of the United
States.

‘The Stockbridges were also removed to the east banks of Lake Win-
nebago, from the State of New York. They were but few in number, had
made some considerable advance in civilization, the arts, &c.; and in 1856,
after some difficulties with the government, they were induced to remove
to a tract of land adjoining the Menomonee reservation on Wolf River.

‘¢ The Oneidas, a mere remnant of a once important tribe, were removed
to a reservation near Green Bay, from the State of New York. They still
retain their Indian organization and government distinct from that of the
State; have made considerable advances in the right direction. Their patches
of cultivated land have become farms; their log-huts have been replaced by
good substantial buildings; and they have blacksmiths, carpenters, &c.,
from among their own people.

‘¢Tt seems proper here, to say a few words of the action of our National
and State Government with reference to the Indian. Before the law, an
Indian is regarded as an alien, and treated as such. Indians not taxed are
not enumerated, and included as a part of the population, as a basis of
representation in tha, Congress of the United States.

‘‘The celebrated ordinance for the government of the territory of the
United States north-west of the Chio River, adopted in Congress in July,
1787, provided, that ‘the utmost good faith shall always be observed
towards the Indians: their lands and property shall never be taken from
them without their consent; and in their property, rights, and liberty, they
never shall be invaded or disturbed, unless in just and lawful wars,
authorized by Congress. But laws founded in justice and humanity shall
from time to time be made for preventing wrongs being done to them, and
for preserving peace and friendship among them.’

‘‘ This eminently just and humane policy has ever been held in view by
our government; and, had the Indian department been a little more fortu-
nate in preventing individuals from committing some of the most flagrant
wrongs to these ‘ nations,’ all would have been well, and the Indians of to-
day would not have been the degraded beings we now, unhappily, see about
us.
| “By the statute law of the Territory of Wisconsin of 1839, it was made a
punishable offence to furnish spirituous liquors to the Indians. As a sample
of local legislation so common in this State, we may cite the law of January,
1840, in which it was gravely enacted that it should be unlawful to keep within
Jive miles of the mouth of Wolf River, in Brown County, any intoxicating liquors
for the purpose of supplying the Indians. To show that our law-makers
were entirely in earnest in the matter, it was further enacted, Jive years
afterwards, that the offender might be indicted ; and it was made the
 

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80 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

imperative duty of the courts to give the matter specially in charge of the
grand jury. Still, Indians would get drunk; the temptation of white
men to sell whiskey to them being too strong to be thus easily overcome.

‘ The constitution of the State of Wisconsin, adopted in 1848, recognized
the rights of Indians who had once been declared by law of Congress to be
citizens of the United States, and of civilized Indians not members of any
tribe or ‘nation,’ to vote at all clections. The property of Indians was
exempted from taxation ; and they were allowed the privilege of suing and
being sued, with the same judicial rights as other inhabitants.”

We are not prepared to follow the gentlemen named in our
quotation, through their criticism of the United States Govern-'
ment in its relations with the Indian tribes. It is certain, that
if the government could have had any valuable precedents,
either in history or in contemporary governments, from which
a wiser policy than that pursued might have been drawn, the.
results would have been more salutary to the interests of the
natives, as well as a lighter burden upon national blood and
treasure. That the Indians as nations have been shamefully
treated is an unwelcome truth. The solemn engagements
into which they have entered with their Great Father have,’
for the most part, received greater respect and compliance from.
the Indians, who were generally forced to make them, than from
the government, which, in nearly every case, dictated its own
terms. And yet, after all, it seems to have been within the
scope of a divine providence that the aborigines of North
America should vanish before civilization. Nor does the
writer believe that any policy of the United States Government,
no matter how deeply fraught with forces calculated to foster
and perpetuate this dying race, could have saved them from
the extermination which they have already suffered. It is,
however, a stigma upon our national honor, that the decline
and rapid disappearance of the natives is so heavily freighted
with unnecessary cruelty.

—_—

We may properly close this chapter with the following list!
of Indian treaties, all of which have to do, either directly or
indirectly, with the relinquishment of the territory now in-
cluded within the boundaries of the State of Wisconsin.

* We are indebted to the Collections of the Wisconsin Historical Society for
this list.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 81

1804, Nov. 8, at St. Louis, between Gov. William H. Harri-
son, and the Sauks and Foxes, at which Southern Wisconsin
was purchased.

1816, May 18, at St. Louis, confirming that of Nov. 8, 1804,
with a portion of the Winnebago tribe, residing on the Wis-
consin River.

1816, Aug. 24, at St. Louis, with Ottawas, Chippewas, and
Pottawattomies residing on the Ilinois and Milwaukee Rivers,
&c. Lands relinquished to the Indians, except nine miles
square, at Prairie du Chien.

1817, March 30, at St. Louis, with the Menomonees. A
treaty of peace, friendship, &c.

1821, the Oneida and Stockbridge Indians settled near Green
Bay.

1822, Sept. 3, at Fort Armstrong, with the Sauk and Fox
tribes.

1825, Aug. 1 and 19, at Prairie du Chien, with Sioux and
Chippewas, Sauks and Foxes, Winnebagoes, Ottawas, Pottawat-
tomies, &c. Boundary between Sioux and Chippewas agreed!
upon; also between the Chippewas, and between the Winne-
bagoes and other tribes. ,

1826, Aug. 5, at Fond du Lac, with the Chippewas, who
assent to the boundaries agreed upon at Prairie du Chien.

1827, Aug. 11, at Butte des Morts, with the Menomonees,
in which they relinquish their right to a tract of land near
Green Bay.

1828, at Green Bay. Purchase of the lead-mine region.

1829, July 29, at Prairie, with the Winnebagoes. Purchase:
of the lead-mine region confirmed.

1831, Feb. 8, at Washington, with the Menomonees, who:
ceded to the United States all their lands east of the Milwaukee:
River, Lake Winnebago, and Green Bay.

1832, Oct. 27, with the Menomonees. Lands purchased for
the New York Indians.

1833, Sept. 26, at Chicago. Lands south and west of the
Milwaukee River purchased of the Chippewas, Pottawattomies,
and Ottawas.

1836, Sept. 8, at Green Bay, with the Menomonees. Lands
purchased west of Green Bay, and a strip on the Upper Wis-
consin River.
82 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

1887, July 29, at Fort Snelling, by Gov. Dodge, with the
Chippewas. Lands south of the divide between the waters of
Lake Superior and those of the Mississippi ceded to the
government.

1837, Sept. 29, with the Sioux. Lands east of the Missis-
sippi ceded to the government.

1837, Nov. 1, with the Winnebagoes, who ceded all their
lands. east of the Mississippi River to the government.

' 1842, Oct. 4, at La Pointe, with the Chippewas. Lands
ceded, &c.

1848, Oct. 18, with the Menomonees, who ceded all. their
lands in Wisconsin.

1848, Nov. 24, with the Stockbridges; purchase of their
reservation on the east shore of Lake Winnebago.
CHAPTER IV.

EARLY HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The French in America — The Fur Trade — Jesuit Missionaries — Jean Nicollet
—Green Bay—Its Early History—Labors of Father Allouez, Dablon,
André, Marquette, and Others —La Salle, &c.

THE territory now embraced within the limits of the
State of Wisconsin was, according to the best authority, first
visited by Europeans in 1639, nineteen years after the Puritans
arrived in ‘‘ The Mayflower” on the shores of Massachusetts.
Charles I. was then king of England, and was engaged in his
war against Scotland; and at the same time Louis XIII. was
king of France, having nearly closed his reign. Europe was
in great commotion. The French Government had already
manifested a disposition to extend her territory in America by
conquests, and, as early as 1604, had colonized Acadia. In
1608 Quebec was founded; and in 1663 Canada, or New France,
was made a royal colony.

The reports circulated in France concerning the advantages
of the fur-trade with the Indians were such as to induce many
of the nobility and gentry of that nation to invest their for-
tunes in the New World. With this patronage, and the con-
stantly increasing number of colonists, New France grew rap-
idly in commerce, extending its nominal dominion far towards
the Great Lakes.

Hand in hand with the traders came the Jesuit fathers, ever
anxious to carry the news of the gospel to the native tribes of
the North-west. As early as 1660 they established a mission
on the south side of the western extremity of Lake Superior,
at a place called, in the Indian tongue, Che-go-ime-gon ; and in

1669 Father Allouez, whose name is deservedly identified with
33
84 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

the early history of the lake country, organized a mission at
Green Bay.

A Frenchman named Jean Nicollet is supposed or believed

to have been the first white person who visited the territory now
called Wisconsin. In 1639 this enterprising explorer visited
Green Bay, and concluded a peace with the Indians 1689
then residing there, in the interests of the government ;
of New France. In the same year he ascended the Fox River
to the portage. Crossing this, he embarked on the Wisconsin
River, and explored that stream within a few days’ sail of the
Mississippi. In 1642 this faithful French explorer lost his life
while on a benevolent mission to rescue a poor Abenaqui from
the Algonquins. He served a valuable part on the early stage
of action in this region, not only in reporting the favorable
condition of the country to his countrymen, but in furnishing
information in regard to the names and situations of the native
tribes, which formed the basis of subsequent explorations.
_ From this time, 1639 to 1678, we have but little to record
that transpired in Wisconsin. Now and then a zealous mis-
sionary endangered or lost his life by penetrating the country;
and, perchance, an occasional fur-trader was seen among the
natives at Green Bay. But aside from this, and the constantly
recurring conflicts between the Indian nations, there is nothing
authentic that can be presented in these pages; and even
accounts of these come to us on the winds of uncertain tradi-
tion. However, there is now and then a ray of light from this
arly chaotic period. In 1654 Father Mercier visited the
Indians at Green Bay, and remarks concerning them, to his
superior at Quebec, that, “‘at the islands of the lake of the
people of the sea known as ‘ Stinkards,’ there are many tribes,
whose language closely resembles the Algonquins, and that
they are only nine days’ journey from the Great Lake; and
that, if the government would send thirty Frenchmen into that
country, not only would they gain many souls to God, but
would receive a profit above the expenses incurred.”

A little later, in 1655, Jean de Quens, a missionary, writes
concerning the same place (Green Bay), saying that the
nations located there were very large and powerful. One

of them, according to this authority, numbered sixty villages,
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86 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

another forty, and another thirty. These Indians were then
living in a state of complete barbarity, making war on the
nations, or tribes, west of them; conducting their councils
with all the curious ceremonies and formalities peculiar to their
ancient traditions. In the same year, fifty canoes of these
Indians visited Quebec for the purpose of establishing a trade
with the French. They were successful in this mission, as
might have been expected, and returned with thirty French
traders and two priests.

In 1669 an effort was put forth to found a mission at Green
Bay; and, on the 2d of November, Father Claudius Allouez
left Sault Ste. Marie to execute this purpose, accompanied by
two Frenchmen and two canoes of Pottawattomie Indians.
After a journey fraught with much of hardship and danger,
the venerable Jesuit reached the end of his journey, and spent
the winter preaching to the Pottawattomies, Menomonees, Sacs, .
Foxes, and Winnebagoes, whom he found mingled there. He
established a mission on the Fox River, at the Rapids des-
Peres. He said his first mass Dec. 8, the festival of St.
Francis Xavier, and called the mission by his name. Allouez
found quite a respectable number of Indians at the rapids.
They comprised four nations, numbering, .in all, six hundred
souls. These Indians were living in a state of progress, prac-
tising agricultural industry, raising large fields of corn, beans,
tobacco, &c. The surrounding forests were alive with’ excel-
lent game, and we may infer that these Indians were, in.many
respects, peculiarly blessed.

In September, 1669, Allouez was joined by Father Marquette,
whose name will ever justly live in the’ names of streams,
counties, towns, and cities in the North-west, as a tribute to
his heroic services as an’ explorer, and missionary among the
Indians. This pious father, in company with Claude Dablon,
had, in 1667, visited the Chippewas at the Sault, and established
the mission of Ste. Mary’s, the oldest settlement begun by
Europeans within the bounds of the State of Michigan.: And
now, two years later, filled with a spirit of enterprise and
duty, wrought up to impatience by the highly-colored repre-
sentations of the savages, he determined to reach the Father of
Waters. But he was frustrated in his designs until 1673,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 87

owing partly to the want of patronage from the French  colo-
nial government, which was withheld only because of its own
feeble condition, and partly to the many unfavorable circum-
stances arising from the ever-recurring difficulties with the
Indians. But in this year the venerable father, accompanied
by Joliet and five other Frenchmen, embarked in
two frail bark canoes, arriving at Green Bay in
June. This party, with two Indian guides, passed up the Fox
River to the portage, and crossed over to the Wisconsin, and
slowly sailed down its current, amid its vine-covered isles,
encountering, of course, its countless sandbars. No sound,
save the songs of the wild birds, broke the wearisome stillness ;
no human form, civilized or savage, appeared: but at length,
after a voyage of seven days, and on the 17th of June, they.
floated out into the majestic current of the great river. After
an absence of four months, Marquette returned to Green Bay,
by way of Lake Michigan, having travelled about 2,549 miles.
From this date until the war between the Sacs and Foxes,
which extended over the first quarter of the eighteenth centu-
ry, we have but little of importance in the history of Wiscon-
sin. Yet there are a few incidents in the chain of events
worthy of mention here, if for nothing else than to complete
the record. These things are, for the most part, of no very
great importance. The missionary work among the native
tribes went steadily on. In this year the Indians of Green
Bay were under the excellent ministration of Fathers 1671
Allouez and André. They had many souls for their ‘
hire ; and the enthusiasm and zeal which characterized their
labors come up to us from those early days like the deeds of
divinely-inspired prophets. Allouez, leaving André to conduct
the routine of worship at the regular mission at the Bay,
pushed out to the neighboring tribes in the surrounding forests.
In its immediate results, their work was successful. Two years
later, when Marquette passed through the country on his mem-
orable voyage of discovery, of which we have already spoken,
they had baptized over two thousand souls; nor did their
work cease here. No obstacle, no discouragement, turned them
aside. The missions went steadily on; and in this
year, notwithstanding that Father André’s house at

1763.

1674.
88 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Green Bay had been destroyed by fire, he continued his Chris-
tian work with undiminished zeal. His little church of five
hundred native converts was quite prosperous in good words
and works. Living, for the most part, in his canoe, and travel-
ling in sunshine and storm, from point to point in his wild par-
ish, he continued to care for the spiritual needs of his six tribes,
the number included in his charge. Allouez continued his
work, reaching out farther and farther, planting mis-
sions in new quarters, and rearing the cross among the
wigwams of new tribes, disregarding danger, and disobeying
the voice of obstacle. This year is memorable on account
of the death of Father Marquette, who went to his reward
from the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, near the river that
-now bears hisname. He lived a true hero, a humble but aggres-
sive Christian worker, and died in the midst of his good deeds,
in a rude camp in the wild forest.
In the same year, or that following, the venerable Father
1676. Charles Albanel became Superior of the western
missions, and took up his post at Green Bay, where
a second church was raised near the ruins of that occupied by
Father André. It stood near the Rapids des Péres. This
church comes up in the memory of this, as it will to that of
all succeeding generations, as a monument to the enterprise
and benevolence of Nicholas Perrot, well known as an early
Western explorer, and one of the Western traders of that day,
as well as of the praiseworthy zeal of Father Albanel. We
should observe, in this connection, that Father Allouez was
assigned to the post made vacant by the death of Marquette.
This was among the Illinois Indians. The good and pious
Father Allouez left Green Bay for this centre of savage tribes
in October, 1676.
We can only glance at the great work of La Salle in this
short chapter. This celebrated explorer, accompanied by Henry
TT De Tonty, Father Louis Hennepin, and others, made
a voyage up the lakes in 1679, in “ The Griffin,” the
first vessel built above the Falls of Niagara, and arrived at
Green Bay on the 2d of September. While at this point, La
Salle collected a load of furs, and sent the vessel back; but
it was unfortunately lost in a storm on the lakes. La Salle,

1675.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 89

with his company of seventeen men and priests, continued
their route by canoes to the St. Joseph River, of Lake Michi-
gan, when they entered the country of the Miamis, and con-
tinued their explorations southward, an account of which is
foreign to the subject of this volume.
CHAPTER V.

EARLY HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Green Bay and Prairie du Chien — Early Jesuit Missionaries —The Fox, Sauk,
and French Wars— Growth of the French Settlements — Green Bay in 1745 —
End of French Dominion — British Supremacy.

In the previous chapter, the incidents considered, in so far
as they related to Wisconsin, centred round Green Bay; but
from this point, and for a considerable period, our attention
will be directed, on the one hand, to that point, and, on the
other, to Prairie du Chien. From this date to the
formation of the Territorial Government, in 1836,
both civilized and savage commerce in Wisconsin was con-
fined, for the most part, to these points.

Father Louis Hennepin, who accompanied La Salle on the
expedition mentioned at the close of the previous chapter,
parted with him on the twenty-ninth day of February in this
year, and made a journey up the Mississippi, and was the first
to discover the falls, which he named the “Falls of St. An-
thony of Padua.” After a series of remarkable adventures
among the Indian tribes, he returned to Green Bay by way of
the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers. At the latter point he found
Frenchmen trading without a license. ‘The published narra-
tive of his journeys is full of contradictions and misrepresenta-
tions; and, while his account of Wisconsin and the upper
country may be regarded as truthful, a large part of his work
cannot be depended upon.’? During this year the mission at
Green Bay was ably sustained by Father Enjalrau; and a
remarkable incident in the history of the place during the

1680.

+ From a paper by Daniel S. Durrie, A.M., librarian of the Wisconsin State
Historical Society.
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92 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

same period was the establishment of a military post and
garrison by De Tonty.

The exact time at which a military post was established at
Prairie du Chien has been, and still is, the subject of
‘much speculation; some putting it as late as 1775,
while it is stated in a report of a committee of Congress to .
have occurred in 1755, which was the year following the
reconciliation of the French, and Sauks and Foxes. The latter
date may be the correct one, as the French surrendered Canada
to the English in 1760; but it is very evident that there must
have been a post, at a much earlier date, upon or near the prairie.
The evidence of this early occupation is found in the official
document of the taking possession of the Mississippi Valley, in
the name of the French king, by Nicholas Perrot, ** command-
ing at the post of the Nadoussioux,” at the post of St. An-
thony, May 8, 1689, “to which documents among the names
of witnesses was Mons. De Borie-Guillot, commanding the
French in the neighborhood of Ouiskonche, on the Mississippi.
No more suitable place could have been selected for a military
post than Prairie du Chien; and, from all the information thus
* far obtained, its location must be conceded as an established
fact. Judge George Gale, in his work on the Upper Mississippi,
says, ‘We may safely infer that the country about Prairie du
Chien was occupied as a French post at least as early as April
20, 1689, and possibly the previous fall.’”

In the year 1683 Perrot visited the tribes west of the Missis-
sippi, and established friendly relations between them and the
French ; and it is believed that the information which he fur-
nished touching the geology of the Des Moines and Fevre
Rivers led to the discovery of the lead-mines in that vicinity.
In 1689 Le Hontan visited the site of Prairie du Chien, while
on an exploring-expedition up the Mississippi.

In 1683-84 Le Sueuer went, for the first time, up the Fox
River from Green Bay, and down the Wisconsin, to visit the
Sioux tribes; and about the same time Nicholas Perrot took
command at the post at Green Bay; and in the year following,
or in 1684, Lieut. Duluth arrived, and assumed military occu-
pancy of the post, under the superintendency of the command-
ant at Mackinaw. Duluth began his preparations for war

1681-89
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 93

against the Iroquois, and was assisted by Perrot, who was then
engaged in active and profitable trade with the Foxes near
Green Bay.

From this point, and for a considerable time, we have no
further accounts of the missionaries in this section, which is,
in some measure, due to the opposition which they received
from La Salle, and to the violent dissensions among the Indians
which followed. The French began to lose their hold on the
affections of the Indians. England had begun to contest with
France for the supremacy of the North-west; and, as the con-
test merged into action, the missionaries retired. °

On the 8th of May, 1689, Perrot — who was then commanding
for the king at the post of the Nadoussioux, commis-
sioned by the Marquis De Denonville, Governor of
Canada, to manage the interests of commerce among the
Indian tribes and people of Green Bay and vicinity — took
possession, in the name of the king, of the countries inhabited
by said tribes. The records inform us, that the papers were
signed in duplicate, — one at the post of St. Anthony, and the
other at Green Bay. Le Hontan visited Green Bay in Septem-
ber, 1689, and was entertained in a distinguished manner by
the Sauks, Pottawattomies, and Menomonees. He passed up
the Fox River, and noticed in his travels some of the features
of the country, and many of the characteristics of the Indians.

From this time, until the Sauk and Fox war, there is little
or nothing to record. During the first quarter of 4700-80.
the eighteenth century, however, these Indians,
occupying the valley of the Fox River, became so exasperated
against the French, that they cut off all communication be-
tween the posts on the frontier, extending from Detroit on the
east to Green Bay, on Lake Superior, on the west. The numer-
ous acts of barbarity in killing and plundering all who came
within their reach caused the French Government to send
several expeditions into the valley of the Fox River, to chas-
tise these nations. These expeditions were as follows: that
of De Louvigny, in 1716; De Lingnery, 1728; Martin, in
March, 1730; and De Villiers, in September of the same year.
By these expeditions, the hostile Indians were severely pun-
ished, and the beautiful valley occupied by them opened up to

1685-89.
94 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

adventure, exploration, and settlement. This war and its good
results formed the basis of the claims of France to the Green
Bay country.?

In 1726, says Rev. Dr. A. Brunson, a man named Cardinell
settled near the site of Prairie du Chien. He was a hunter
and trapper; and we suppose he may be regarded as the first
settler in that locality. He came from Canada with his wife ;
and the latter is supposed to have been the first white woman
who visited the prairie. He probably came to Green Bay with
the French troops to punish the hostile Foxes ; and, being in-
formed by the traders of the attractive hunting-grounds on the
Mississippi, he set out for that section, filled with the heroism
of the pioneer French fur-trader. The next settler at Prairie
du Chien was a Frenchman by the name of Garnier, whose
descendants are still found in the vicinity. .

The settlement at the prairie, from this time, increased quite
rapidly ; and in 1755 the government of France established a
permanent military post near the mouth of the Wisconsin, and
near the site of the present city. Following this came a num-
ber of French families; and in a short time quite a prosperous
French village grew up, and attracted around it a very consid-
erable traffic in peltries. The fort near the Wisconsin, estab-
lished in 1689, had been abandoned some time enya to the
establishment of this post.

Turning our attention again to Green Bay, we may -Sbsereb,
that, in 1721, Father Charlevoix, the distinguished historian of
New France, visited that section, in company with Capt. De
Montigny, who was appointed to take charge of the fort. We
learn from this early writer, that the post at Green Bay, at that
time, stood on the west side of the Fox River, half a league
from its mouth. There were a number of Indian villages both
above and below the post; and the good missionary was then
still laboring among them, but with ill success. In 1826 we
find Fathers Amiton and Chardon both laboring as missiona-
ries at Green Bay; and, two years later, Father Emanuel Cres-
pel, but the war against the Foxes interfered with their labors:

2 An account of this war would, we think, occupy more space in this volume
than its importance deserves ; hence the reader is referred -to the documents of
the Wisconsin Historical Society on this matter,
HISTORY .OF WISCONSIN. 95

hence they were among the last of the early French mission-
aries who held up the cross to the tribes in the vicinity of the
bay.

The first permanent settlement at Green Bay, and also of
Wisconsin, was made in 1745. In this year Augustine De
Langlade and his son Charles migrated to Green Bay from
Mackinaw, and became the principal proprietors of the soil.
They settled on the east side of Fox River, near its mouth,
somewhat above and opposite the old French post, and near
where the residence of the late Judge J. P. Arndt afterwards
stood. They were accompanied by M. Sauligny (the son-in-law
of the Sieur Augustin De Langlade) and his wife. These per-
sons were afterwards joined by Mons. Carron, who had been
for more than twenty years an Indian trader, and others. This
first colony in Wisconsin was composed of probably not more
than eight persons. Capt. De Velie was commandant of the
little garrison ; and the infant settlement moved along slowly.
It appears that the garrison was withdrawn shortly after the
settlement was founded, and not long before the commencement
of the old French and Indian war of 1754: nevertheless, the
little hamlet struggled on, Augustin De Langlade continuing
in the Indian trade, and Charles De Langlade as Indian agent.

It is impossible to present now a complete history of this
post. We find Capt. De Vorchieres commanding in 1747, and
having very good success in quieting the Indians. In 1754 the
Sieur Perrier Marin commanded, and effected a valuable treaty
with the Indians. In 1756 Capt. Dumas, commanding at
Green Bay, concluded a peace with the Illinois Indians, in
behalf of the traders in the vicinity of the post. The French
and Indian war had now commenced, although it does not
appear that it had any special influence for good or evil upon
the Green Bay settlement, as it was probably too remote from
the scene of action to receive any sensible effects from the
operations of the combatants. It, however, opened a new field
for the enterprising spirit of Charles De Langlade. In 1755,
with a strong army of Ottawas, Chippewas, Menomonees, and
other tribes, he set out for the defence of Fort du Quesne, in
which contest he was a commanding officer. In 1757 he
served under Montcalm, in the capture of Fort William Henry,
96 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

at the head of Lake George. Indeed, this active pioneer of
Wisconsin took part in the contests of Ticonderoga and Crown
Point, and at the last great conflict that sealed the question of
supremacy on the Plains of Abraham, where his truly great
commander fell mortally wounded.

In 1758 a sad event transpired at Green Bay in the wretched
slaughter, of eleven Frenchmen by the Indians. The com-
mandant escaped ; and the storehouse was plundered.

With the fall of Canada, in 1759, the whole country passed
into the hands of the British. At the close of the war, Charles
De Langlade was by the government of Canada, Sept. 3, 1760,
ordered to take charge of and conduct the Canadians under his
command to Mackinaw, the Indians to their villages, and for-
ward two companies of English deserters to Louisville. Thus
the way was opened for English occupancy ; and on the 12th
of October, 1761, Capt. Balfour and Lieut. Garrell, with British
troops, took possession of Green Bay. The English found the
old fort quite rotten, and the stockade fast falling into decay.
Lieut. James Garrell was made commandant, Capt. Balfour,
retiring ; leaving a detachment under the former of one ser-
geant, one corporal, and fifteen privates, in possession of the
fort, which was slightly repaired, and called Fort Edward
Augustus. This fort was abandoned two years later, when
the memorable Pontiac war was raging.

Charles De Langlade was re-appointed Indian agent, and re-
instated in command of the militia; but there is no evidence
that the fort at Green Bay was ever re-occupied by a garrison
during the period of British dominion, or until after the war
of 1812. When the celebrated traveller, Capt. Jonathan Car-
ver, reached Green Bay, in 1766, there was no garrison there;
nor had the building been kept in repair since it had been
abandoned by Lieut. Garrell. Mr. Carver found a few families
living at the fort; and opposite to it, on the east side of the
river, there were also a few French settlers still remaining,
who cultivated the land, and appeared to live comfortably.
This distinguished traveller passed on to the west and north,
making valuable observations of the territory of the Upper
Mississippi.

Following our distinguished traveller from Green Bay, our
98 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

attention is properly drawn to Prairie du Chien, which had
made but little or no progress since our last mention of its first
“settlers. Mr. Carver observed the ruins of a large settlement
in a very pleasing situation on the east bank of the Mississippi,
evidently the site of the ancient Outagamie town, from which
place that singular tribe had removed, professedly at the
bidding of the Great Spirit, to the opposite bank. At the
Prairie or Dog Plains, he found a large town containing about
three hundred families. The houses were well built, after the
Indian manner (log-cabins covered with bark), and pleasantly
situated on a very rich soil, from which they raised a profusion
of every necessary of life in great abundance. He also observed
many horses of good size and great beauty. It appeared to
this traveller, as it was no doubt the fact, that this town was
the great mart where all the adjacent tribes, and even those
who inhabited the most remote branches of the Mississippi,
annually assembled about the latter end of May, bringing with
them their furs to dispose of to the traders. It is a singular
fact, that when Carver was at the prairie, in 1766, he found no
white inhabitants: at least he does not speak of meeting with
any, although he describes the large Indian town and its com-
mercial importance.. He tells us, however, that the traders
who accompanied him took up their winter residence on the
opposite side of the river: this they would not have done, if
there had been, at that time, a settlement of whites near the
mouth of the Wisconsin. This may be accounted for by the
fact, that, inasmuch as Canada had been surrendered to
England, the French had, of course, evacuated their fort;
which tradition says was burned the second year of the Ameri-
can Revolution.
CHAPTER VI.

EARLY HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Green Bay and Prairie Du Chien—Charles De Langlade—Conflict between
the Americans and British in the North-west — A Glance at the Settlements
in Wisconsin at the Close of the Revolutionary War— The Surrender to
the United States by the British.

Durine the last quarter of the eighteenth century, but little
is presented worthy of consideration in the history of Wiscon-
sin, either at Green Bay or at Prairie du Chien, the only
points around which much either of civilization or of barbarism
centred. Both places were under British rule. There were but
few families residing at Green Bay; and the only business
transacted was in furs and peltries. Upon the breaking-out of
the Revolutionary wat, Charles De Langlade, then fifty-two
years of age, was persuaded to take an active part, should his
services be needed. He had fought gallantly in the interests of
France in the old French and Indian war, but on this occasion
was ready to take a place in the army for the English cause. It
is said, however, that he was not called into open battle during
the war, though he served a valuable place in the Indian
department. During this war, nearly all of the French and
English inhabitants at Green Bay, though virtually Ameri-
can citizens, were found in active work in the ranks of the
enemy; and the few Americans that resided there were at
the mercy of the English. Some were taken prisoners, and
conveyed to Detroit ; and some made captive by the Indians.

Turning our attention to Prairie du Chien, we find no
further accounts of visits of travellers, or doings of residents,
until 1780. At that date, Capt. J. Long, while at Mackinaw,

was sent by the commanding officer to accompany a party of
99
100 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Indians and Canadians to the Mississippi. Information had
been received at Mackinaw, that the Indian traders had depos-
ited their furs at Prairie du Chien, where, we are informed,
there was, at the time, a town of considerable note, built
under the command of Mons. Langlade, the king’s interpreter ;
and the object of the expedition was to secure these furs, and
keep them from the Americans. Capt. Long left Mackinaw
with thirty-six Indians of the Outagamies and Sioux, and
twenty Canadians in nine large birch canoes, laden with Indian
presents. The party arrived at Green Bay in four days, and
proceeded through the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers to the forks
of the Mississippi, where they met two hundred of the Fox
Indians, and had a feast of five Indian dogs, bear, beaver, deer,
mountain cat, and raccoon, boiled in bear’s grease, and mixed
with huckleberries. They proceeded to Prairie du Chien, where
they found the merchants’ peltries in packs in a log-house,
guarded by Capt. Langlade and some Indians. They took three
hundred packs of the best skins, and filled the canoes. Sixty
more were burned to prevent the Americans from taking them.
They then returned to Mackinaw via Green Bay.

In the year 1781, Lieut.-Gov. Patrick Sinclair of Upper
Canada held a treaty with the Indians, at Mackinaw, for the
: purchase of that island, Green Bay, and Prairie du

* Chien. Pierre La Pointe testified before Judge Lee,
in 1820, that he was interpreter at the treaty. The present
settlement of Prairie du Chien was begun in 1783, by Mr.
Girard, Mr. Antaya, and Mr. Dubuque. There had formerly
been an old settlement about a mile below the
present city, which existed during the time the
French held possession of the Canadas, and of’ which we have
already spoken; but it was abandoned, chiefly on account of
the unhealthy situation, being near the borders of an extensive
tract of overflowed land. At this time, or soon after, Says
Rev. Dr. Brunson, “ twenty or thirty settlers constituted all the
white representatives of the place; and, previous to 1798, the
whole prairie was claimed and occupied, amounting to forty-
three farms, and thirty or forty village lots, most or all of which
had previously been built upon.” This fact was established in
1823, by testimony taken before Judge Lee, who was appointed

'

178

1783.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 101

to take testimony for the government on the private land
claims of parties at the village. The greater part of the set-
tlers came as hunters, or employees, and, taking wives of the
natives, commenced farming on a small and primitive scale ;
cultivating the land with rough ploughs ironed at the point,
while they also hunted, trapped, and voyaged.

From a report made to Congress Feb. 25, 1818, we learn
that the village and fort were formally surrendered 1794-
by the British to the United States on the first day 1800.
of June, 1786. Gen. W. R. Smith thinks there is a doubt
about the formal surrender being made at that time. It is well
known that the general surrender of the western outposts took
place in July of that year.

In April, 1785, there was a great flood in the Mississippi: the
waters rose from fifteen to twenty feet above the highest mark
they had ever been known to make before; and the whole
region of country drained by the river presented the aspect of
an immense sheet of water studded with islands,

In settlement, Green Bay, from its inception (in 1745) to
1785, had made but little progress; but, as we have seen, it
struggled along, sometimes without a military garrison, and
sometimes with a well-fortified post. But at length, in’ 1796,
the settlement, with its improvements, which were few indeed,
was surrendered to the American authorities by the British,
from which time the United-States Government has controlled
the interests of Wisconsin.
CHAPTER VII.

GREEN BAY FROM 1796 TO 1836.

The War of 1812— Erection of Fort Howard—The Early Settlement of Green
Bay — Travels and Adventures— Number and Condition of the Indians —The
Embryo City of Green Bay — Arrival of Government Troops — The Early Lead
Traffic— Green Bay in 1824—Indian Troubles — Murder — Formation of the
Wisconsin Territory, &.

WE have noted, in the foregoing chapter, some of the impor--
tant incidents in the history of Wisconsin, from its first explo-
ration by Europeans, to the end of British rule in the Territory,
in 1796. At the latter date, as through the whole narrative,
there were but two points of interest, — Green Bay and Prairie
du Chien; nor does the narrative change in this regard until
the organization of the Territorial Government, in 1836. It is
therefore the purpose of this and the following chapter to follow,
first, Green Bay, and, secondly, Prairie du Chien, in the prin-
cipal events of history, from 1796 to 1836. This chronological
record will not include any elaborate notices of pioneer life in
Wisconsin, nor even an account of the memorable Black Hawk
war. These and other important features of the early history
follow these chapters in their regular order. The object in the

‘chapters named is to present a skeleton of events in the period
mentioned, as free as possible from remark or embellishment.

First, then, as to Green Bay. Soon after the declaration of

1si2, Wa in June, 1812, Col. Robert Dickson, an English

trader at Prairie du Chien, and agent, collected a
considerable body of Indians at Green Bay for the purpose of
rendering assistance to the British forces in their operations on
the Great Lakes of the North-west. At the taking of Macki-
naw by the British (July 17, 1811), we find this Col. Dickson

very prominent, and also Capt. Rolette of Prairie du Chien.
102 ,
TA
5 al

 

 

 
104 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The official report of the surrender of that post shows that four
hundred Indians of the Sioux, Folle Avoines, Puans, and Chip-
pewas, were engaged in the British interest. After the taking
of Mackinaw, Col. McKay of the British army proceeded west
to Green Bay, passing up the Fox River, and down the
Wisconsin, with a large force of British and Indians, and, cap-
tured the Fort at Prairie du Chien after a desperate resistance.’
But this renewal of English rule in Wisconsin
was only temporary; and, in 1815, a United States
trading-port was established at Green Bay, and Col. John
Bowyer appointed Indian agent.
On the 16th of July, 1816, Col. John Miller commenced the
1816. erection of Fort Howard with the troops which had
arrived. He subsequently returned to Mackinaw,
leaving Col. Talbot Chambers in command. The only survivor
of those who went there with the troops is Moses Hardwick, a
native of Kentucky, now nearly eighty years of age, residing in
the town of Scott, a few miles from the city. He came in the
first American vessel laden with troops and supplies, in August
or September, and anchored in Fox River. In the same year,
Judge J. H. Lockwood arrived at Green Bay, finding forty
or fifty Canadians of French extraction cultivating the soil.
The country then, as also for some eight .years following, was
under military rule, and extremely arbitrary. Green Bay was
then a portion of Indiana Territory ; Vincennes being the seat
of government. American settlers began to come in. Previ-
ous to this year, there was no regular physician nearer than
Mackinaw.
S. A. Storrow, judge-advocate in the army of the United
States, was sent by Gen. Jacob Brown to visit the North-west-
1817, 2 Posts, and on the 19th of September arrived in
an open boat at Fort Howard. He found Major
Zachary Taylor in command, by whom he was kindly enter-
tained, and by the officers of the Third Regiment. While there,
he made observations on the ebb and flow of the lake tides.
From Fort Howard, he proceeded south, through the eastern
tier of counties of Wisconsin, to Milwaukee and Fort Dearborn,
at Chicago. Two young men by the names of Smith and

1 See account of the capture of Prairie du Chien farther on in this volune.

1815.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 105

Gunn, grandsons of Capt. Jonathan Carver, left Green Bay
this year in a bark canoe for Prairie du Chien, by way of the
Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, at which place they met Major S. H.
Long, and proceeded with him up the Mississippi to the Falls
of St. Anthony, with a view to establish their claims to the
lands granted by the Indians to their grandfather.

In the summer of this year, William Farnsworth, now of
Sheboygan, and Ramsay Crooks of the American 1818
Fur’ Company, embarked in a birch-bark canoe from ,
Mackinaw, passed up the lake and Green Bay, to the mouth of
Fox River, thence through the Fox, Wisconsin, and Mississippi
Rivers, to St. Louis. Col. Abraham Edwards of Detroit ar-
rived at Green Bay in May; while there, Inspector-Gen. John
E. Wool arrived. The post was then in command of Major Z.
Taylor, with John Bowyer as Indian agent.

In 1819 a census of the Indians was taken, showing that
there were forty-eight hundred natives in the Green Bay
agency. One year later H. R. Schoolcraft, as one 1820
of the expedition under Gov. Lewis Cass, appointed ,
by the government to visit the North-western posts, &c.,
arrived at Green Bay, by way of the Wisconsin and Fox
Rivers, on the 20th of August. The expedition consisted of
Gov. Cass, Dr. Alexander Wolcott, Capt. D. B. Douglas, Lieuts.
A. McKay, R. A. Forsyth, C. C. Trowbridge, A. R. Chase,
H. R. Schoolcraft, and J. Duane Doty, secretary. He says of
Green Bay, that there were over sixty dwellings and five
hundred inhabitants, occupying about eighty buildings. The
Algonquin name of the place is Boatchweewaid, a term which
describes an eccentric or abrupt bay or inlet. Of the fort, he
says, ‘“‘ Log barracks facing three sides of a square parade,
surrounded by a stockade of timber thirty feet high, white-
washed, and garrisoned by three hundred men, under Capt.
William Whistler, in the absence of Col. J. L. Smith; also that
there was at Camp Smith, three miles above Fort Brown, three
hundred infantry. Preparations were being made to erect a
permanent fortification of stone.” oe

Daniel Whitney, for many years one of the most enterprising
men of Green Bay, arrived in this year, and soon 1820
after purchased a large tract of land, on which he ;
106 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

laid out the embryo city of Green Bay, now constituting. the
second and third wards. His widow and family are still resi-
dents of the city. In the same year, Isaac Lee was appointed
agent, and visited Green Bay to collect evidence of titles and
claims to lands held by the French settlers under Jay’s treaty,
and to report them to the United-States commissioners sitting
at Detroit. None were allowed, except such as were occupied
in July, 1796; and few came within the provisions of the Act
of Congress. A subsequent Act, passed in 1823, made provision
for donation of all such as were occupied July 1, 1812.

In this year, the steamer “ Walk in the Water,” which has
justly become celebrated in the history of the lake region, left
Detroit for Mackinaw and Green Bay, July 31,
1821, with two hundred passengers and government
troops, and arrived at Green Bay, Aug.5. Among the number
was Rev. Eleazar Williams, missionary to the Oneida Indians,
with a deputation of the Six Nations. Gen. Albert G. Ellis
of Stevens’s Point, Wis.,accompanied the party, and was, for a
time, school-teacher for the mission school of the New-York
Indians. Difficulties, however, occurred with the Menomonees,
who gave the Oneidas their land; and nearly ten years were
spent in negotiations, which were concluded in 1832; and soon
after the most of this band, and a part of the St. Regis band,
removed, and settled in Wisconsin.

On the 12th of September, 1822, the schooner “ Tiger” arrived
at Detroit, from Green Bay, with twelve thousand pounds of
lead, transported from the lead-mines, the whole distance
by water, except the portage. The other events of this
year are as follows: Col. Ebenezer Childs, an early settler,
arrived May 20, and made a trip to St. Louis in a birch
canoe. The first post-office at Green Bay was established
this year, with Robert Irwin in charge. The mail was carried
from Green Bay to Detroit, in the winter season, by sol-
diers; and generally two mails within six months were all
that were received. A Frenchman named Ulrich was stabbed
in October, near Camp Smith, by a Menomonee Indian named
Kewabiskim, and another, named Pierre Grignon, was mur-
dered near the portage by a Menomonee. The murderers of
Ulrich were caught, tried, and convicted at Detroit, and sen-

1821.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 107

tenced to be hung Dec. 27, 1821, at which time a Chippewa
Indian named Ketaukah was also hung for the murder of Dr.
William S. Madison, near Manitowoc. Father Gabriel Richards
of Detroit visited the bay this year. He was afterwards the
delegate of Michigan Territory in Congress.

In July of this year, Hon. Henry S. Baird became a ceitieat
of Green Bay, where he remained an active and 1894
respected citizen until 1875, when he died. In his -
“Karly History of Northern Wisconsin,’ he speaks of Green
Bay, as it appeared in 1824, as follows: “The grounds around
Fort Howard were used mostly for fields of grain, and gar-
dens. A portion of the present town of Fort Howard was
used as,a parade or drill ground. The garrison consisted of
four companies of the Third Regiment of United States infan-
try, and was commanded by the late Gen. John McNeil. The
settlement, so called, extended from Fort Howard on the west,
and from the premises of the late Judge J. P. Arndt on the east
side of Fox River, to the present village of De Pere, a dis-
tance of about six miles; and beyond De Pere, south or west,
there was no white settlement, with the exception of two or
three families, until you reached Prairie du Chien, a distance
of two hundred and fifty miles. There were six or eight
resident American families; and the families of the officers
stationed at Fort Howard, in number about the same. On the
23d of August, J. H. Lockwood was admitted to practice as
an attorney by Judge Doty, the first lawyer in the State. He
had previously received a commission from the government as
prosecuting attorney for the counties of Brown and Crawford.
The first term of the United States Court was held in October
of this year,and Hon. H. 8. Baird admitted to practice, and
appointed prosecuting attorney pro tem. The first grand jury
of Brown County was impanelled, and found one indictment
for murder (a man named Joice, who was tried, and convicted
of manslaughter), and forty-two for lesser offences.

Col. W. G. Hamilton arrived at Green Bay on the 28th of
June, 1825, with a drove of cattle, which he had
contracted with the government to deliver at the
fort. He found Major Whistler in command of the fort,
and Col. Brevoort acting in the capacity of Indian agent.

o

1825-29,
108 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Col. E. Childs says he built the first frame house at Green
Bay, in this year; which was, probably, the first house of the
kind erected in the State. The Episcopal Church established a
mission in 1825, under the superintendence of Rev. Mr. Nash, a
worthy missionary; but it was discontinued in 1827. It was
revived in 1829, under the care of Rev. R. Cadle, and again
discontinued in 1837. Dec. 2, 1838, Rev. Bishop Kemper con-
secrated a church at Duck Creek, erected by Oneidas, the funds
being received from the government; and the following year
Rev. Solomon Davis was placed in charge. Gen. Lewis Cass
and Col. T. L. M‘Kenney, commissioners appointed to treat
with the Indians at Butte des Morts, met at Green Bay in 1825.
J. H. Fonda of Prairie du Chien was there at the same time.
He says, “ There were seven or eight hundred persons here, from
the native Indian to the sons of Africa, and of all shades of
color.” ‘The Indian affairs throughout the Territory had assumed
a threatening aspect. Reports of murders and disturbances
had spread through the settlements. Mr. Fonda, at the request
of the United States quartermaster, carried the mail to Fort
Dearborn through the eastern tier of counties.

During the year 1827, the missionary society determined to
erect extensive buildings for a boarding-school, in which they
might educate “children of full or mixed blood.” Rey.
Richard Cadle was selected to conduct the enterprise. This
gentleman labored devotedly as teacher and missionary at
Green Bay and its vicinity, and became afterward chaplain at
Fort Howard, and, a few years later, at Fort Crawford. The
buildings which were erected in 1829 were situated on a high
plateau overlooking Fox River, and cost nine thousand dollars.
The institution was not a success, and was, closed in 1839.

This year Judge Arndt built the first saw-mill on Indian
land, with the consent of the war department. During the
year, a party of men from Green Bay went up the Fox River
to Fort Winnebago, co-operating with a force of men under
Gen. Atkinson in boats, and Gens. Dodge and Whitesides, with
companies of volunteers coming from below. The ‘Indians,
finding a formidable army in the midst of their country, con-
cluded a treaty of peace, and surrendered Red Wing, who had
a year previous massacred a family near Prairie du Chien,
 
110 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

In the fall of this year, the Fifth Regiment of United States
infantry came in barges from St. Louis up the

ems Mississippi and Wisconsin, and down the Fox
Rivers, to Fort Howard, without unloading., The high water
enabled them to cross from the Wisconsin to the Fox River, at
Portage,-fully laden, and to run the rapids of Fox River. A
remarkable case of attempt to murder occurred at Fort How-
ard in this year. William Prestige, a soldier, entered the
quarters of the notorious D. E. Twiggs, then a major, and in
command at the post, while he was taking his after-dinner nap.
Prestige was armed with a musket, the muzzle of which he
put to Twiggs’s ear, and pulled the trigger, intending to be,
and supposing he was, sure of his victim. The gun missed fire ;
but the click of the lock awoke Twiggs, who sprung up and
seized the gun, and struck his assailant over the head, inflicting
a terrible wound, fracturing the skull, and laying him senseless
upon the floor. Prestige had about six months more to serve
out his enlistment; and Twiggs, instead of turning him over to
the civil authorities, to be tried and punished for the offence,
detained him a prisoner under his own control, and subjected
him to every species of torture he could devise. In the following
year (1829), his term of service as a soldier having expired, he
was indicted, tried, and, on conviction, sentenced to five years’
imprisonment. The President (Adams), upon representations
to him of the brutal treatment to which Prestige had been
subjected by Twiggs, immediately pardoned him.

A log schoolhouse was built this year. Miss C. Russell
taught, and was succeeded by Miss F. Sears. Fort Winnebago
was established this season by Twiggs. His prisoner, Prestige,
was kept chained to a tree, with no shelter or bedding, and
without comfortable clothing.

In 1829 a Methodist mission was established at Green Bay,
by a young Mohawk, who had been converted
Canada. In the month of May, J udge Doty, M.
L. Martin, and H. 8. Baird left Green Bay on horseback,
and travelled over the country to Prairie du Chien; being
the first party of white men that had attempted and accom-
plished the journey. In October the first public meeting of the
inhabitants of Green Bay was held,— Louis Grignon, chair-

1829.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 111

man, M. L. Martin, secretary, — to represent to Congress, among
other matters, the necessity of a road from Green Bay to
Chicago, and the improvement of the navigation of the Fox
River.

In August of this year, Hon. Erastus Root, John T. Mason,
and J. McCall, United States commissioners, arrived
to settle Indian difficulties, but did not succeed.
The commission broke up without accomplishing any thing.
A little “ster, a Catholic mission school was opened by
Rev. Samuel Mazzuchelli, an Italian priest. The mission was
aided by the government, out of the annuities paid to the
Menomonee Indians. In the same year, the town of Navarino,
now known as the north ward of the city of Green Bay, was
laid out by Daniel Whitney. Col. Stambaugh, Indian agent,
went to Washington with a delegation of the New York
Indians, and Menomonees, to settle a difficulty between these
nations on the boundaries of their lands. A census report
shows that the population of Brown County, in the same year,
was fifteen hundred.

In 1831 the government purchased from the Indians the
country lying between Lake Michigan and the Mis-
sissippi, Fox, and Wisconsin Rivers. Hitherto these
lands, except a narrow :strip on both sides of the Fox River at
Green Bay, and the reservation of the New York tribes, were
owned by the Menomonees and Winnebagoes. The tardiness
of the government in acquiring titles to these lands was a great
drawback to the settlement and improvement of the country.
In the same year, Judge J. D. Doty and Lieut. Centre were
appointed commissioners for surveying and locating a military
road from Green Bay to Chicago, and west to Prairie du Chien.
The year 1832 is memorable on account of the Black Hawk war,
which is spoken of at length hereafter. Green Bay was not
particularly affected, as the government had made necessary
preparation at its post at Fort Howard. It is well known that
Black Hawk had invited the tribes at the bay to join the
confederacy. This war, for a brief period, retarded immi-
gration, and the settlement of the State.

In 1833 the first newspaper published in Wisconsin made its
appearance at Green Bay; viz., “The Intelligencer.” J. V.

1830.

1831-32.
112 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Snydam and A. G. Ellis were the publishers. The importance
of the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers was
realized by the people of Green Bay; and a second public
meeting was held Nov. 10, 1833, to memorialize Congress on
the subject. There were eight murder-trials in the five years
terminating in 1833: only three of the parties were executed,
all soldiers from the garrisons at Fort Howard and Mackinaw.
In July, Daniel Le Roy, M. L. Martin, and P. B. Grignon
explored the country from Green Bay, south, as far as Mil-
waukee. There were only Indian villages at Milwaukee, She-
boygan, Manitowoc, Waukesha, and Fond du Lac. S. Juneau
was trading at Milwaukee. He was the only white on the
whole route. A United States land-office was opened at Green
Bay in 1834; and in the same year Judge Arndt shipped the.
first cargo of lumber from Green Bay to Chicago. It was
shipped on Devil River, at the mouth of Hell Creek, and, as
My. Durrie remarks, was doubtless well seasoned. In 1835 the
town of Astor, now known as the south ward of the city, was
opened and laid out by John Jacob Astor and others, on the
land formerly owned by John Lawe and the Grignon family,
and originally owned by the American Fur Company. Thus we
reach 1836, the year in which the first session of the legisla-
tive council of Michigan convened at Green Bay, at which a
memorial to Congress was drawn up for the formation of the
new Territory of Wisconsin. The Territorial Government was
established by Congress April 20, 1836, and was fully organ-
ized July 4, 1836, as hereinafter recorded. We have in this
manner run abruptly over the noticeable events in the early
history of Green Bay. Many of these same events are treated
of at greater length in the chapter succeeding that which
immediately follows. We have given this brief and pointed
chain of events merely as a framework. And we may now
turn to Prairie du Chien, and present some of the principal
features in the history of that place in the same manner.
CHAPTER VIII.

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN FROM 1796 to 1886.

Description of Prairie du Chien in 1805 — The Fur Trade — War of 1812 — Cap-
ture of Prairie du Chien— Determined Resistance —The Fur Trade after
the Peace of 1815 — Major Long’s Observations of the Fort and Village, &c.

In the year 1805, Major Z. M. Pike, having been appointed
to the charge of an expedition to explore the Upper Mississippi,
left St. Louis in August with a party of twenty officers and
privates, in a keel-boat. He arrived at Prairie du Chien on the
4th of September, and found Capt. Fisher in com- 1806
mand at the fort. He proceeded up the river, and i
returned to Prairie du Chien April 18, 1806. On the 20th, he
made a speech to the Puants, and demanded the murderers of
two Americans. These the Indians promised to deliver at St.
Louis, and to return all British flags and medals in their posses-
sion. The following is his description of the village: “ Situ-
ated about a league from the mouth of the Wisconsin. On the
east bank is a small pond, or marsh, which runs parallel to the
river in the rear of the town, which, in front of the marsh,
consists of eighteen dwelling-houses in two streets (near the
present Dousman House), sixteen in Front Street, and two in
Second Street. In the rear of the marsh (east of the Marais
de St. Ferriole, and near Kane’s Hotel) are eight dwelling-
houses. Part of the houses are framed ; and, in place of weather-
boarding, there are small logs let into mortises made in the
uprights, joined close, daubed on the outside with clay, and
handsomely whitewashed within. There were eight houses
scattered around the country at a distance of one, two, three,
and five miles; making, in the village and vicinity, thirty-seven

houses, which, at ten persons to each house, would make a popu-
113

t
114 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

lation of three hundred and seventy souls. In the spring and
fall, owing to the concourse of traders and their engagees, there
are between five hundred and six hundred. A fair is usually
held in the spring, when three hundred or four hundred Indians
are here to exchange peltries for goods.” He speaks of the old
village, which was a mile below the present one, which had
existed during the French occupancy of the country. The
present village was settled under the English Government,
and the ground purchased of the Indians. The prairie on
which the village is situated is bounded on the rear by
high, bald hills. While there, he selected a location for a
fort.

In this year, a trader named Campbell was appointed by the
government sub-Indian agent, and by the governor of IIlinois
ag justice of the peace of Prairie du Chien. His
price for marrying was one hundred pounds of flour,
and, for dissolving the marriage-relation, two hundred pounds.
On the 18th of June, 1812, the declaration of war against Great
Britain was made by Congress. The protection of this part of
our frontiers was considered of great importance to ourselves,
as its possession was to the British. Early in 1814, the govern-
ment authorities at St. Louis fitted out a large boat, having on
board all the men that could be mustered, and despatched it
up the Mississippi to protect the upper country. This boat
reached Prairie du Chien; and on its arrival the men com-
menced putting the old fort in a state of defence by repairing
the outworks, and fortifying it. Not long after taking posses-
sion, Col. McKay of the British army descended the Wiscon-
sin with a large force of British and Indians, piloted by Joseph
Rolette of the village. The fort was captured after a deter-
mined resistance against an overwhelming force; and the
utmost exertions of Col McKay were required to prevent an
indiscriminate massacre of the Americans by the infuriated
Indians. The prisoners were finally put into a boat, and sent
down the river. The fort was left in command of Capt. Pohl-
man with two Mackinaw companies under Capt. Anderson and
Lieut D. Graham.’ He continued in command till after the

1806-15.

1 See account of the capture of Prairie du Chien farther on.
 
116 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

peace, which ensued the following year, when the fort was
evacuated by the British.

After the peace of 1815, a profitable business was carried on
between the merchants of St. Louis and the traders and Indians
of the Upper Mississippi. Goods were periodically sent up to
the traders, who, in return, transmitted by the same boats pel-
tries and lead. In the period between 1815 and 1820, Col.
John Shaw made eight trips in a trading-boat between St.
Louis and Prairie du Chien, and visited the lead-mines where’
the city of Galena now stands. At one time he carried away
seventy tons of lead. On the 21st of June, 1816, United
States troops took possession of the fort at Prairie du Chien.
Brevet Gen. Smythe, colonel of the rifle regiment, in the
month of June selected the mound where the stockade had
been built, and the ground in front, to include the most
thickly inhabited part of the village, for a site to erect Fort
Crawford. During the ensuing winter, or spring of 1817, Col.
Chambers arrived, and assumed the command; and, the houses
in the village being’ an obstruction to the garrison, he ordered
those houses in front and about the fort (near Col. Dousman’s
residence) to be taken down by their owners, and moved to the
lower end of the village, where he pretended to give them lots.
Judge Lockwood arrived Sept. 16, 1816. He says the village
at that time was a traders’ village of between twenty-five and
thirty houses, situated on the banks of the Mississippi, on
what is in high water an island, now called the “Old Village,”
as it was at the time. There were on the prairie at that
time about forty farms cultivated along under the bluffs, and
enclosed in the common field, each farm divided by a road or
highway. This year, there were four companies of riflemen
under command of brevet Major Morgan, building the old
fort, which was constructed by placing the walls of the quar-
ters and storehouses on the lines, the highest outside, and the
slope of the roof descending within the fort, with block-houses
at two corners, and large pickets on the others, so as to enclose
the fort. This fort was erected on the island formed by the
river and the Slough of St. Ferriole.

In 1817 Major S. H. Long made some observations of the
fort and settlement. He says of Fort Crawford, that it was a
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 117

square of three hundred and forty feet each side, of wood, with a
magazine (twelve by twenty-four) of stone; that it-would accom-
‘modate five companies. The block-houses were two stories high,
with cupolas or turrets. The building of the works was com-
menced July 3, 1816, by troops under command of Col. Hamilton,
previous to which time no timber had been cut, or stone quarried,
for the purpose. Exclusive of stores, workshops, and stables,
the village contained only sixteen dwelling-houses occupied by
families. In the rear of the village, about three-quarters of a
mile, were four others; two miles and a half above were five;
and at the upper end of the prairie were four, and seven or eight
scattered over the prairie; so that the whole number of family
dwellings then occupied did not exceed thirty-eight. The
buildings were generally of logs, plastered with mud or clay;
and he thinks the village and inhabitants had degenerated since
Pike was there (in 1805). The inhabitants. were principally
of French and Indian extraction. One mile back of the village
was the “ Grand Farm,” an extensive enclosure cultivated by the
settlers in common. It was about six miles in length, and one-
quarter to one-half a mile in width, surrounded by a fence on
one side, and the river-bluffs on the other, thus secured from
the depredations of cattle. He speaks highly of Capt. Duffhey,
the commanding officer. He says of the name of the village, that
it derived its name from a family of Indians formerly known by
the name of “ The Dog ;” that the chief’s name was “ The Dog.”
This family, or band, had become extinct. The following tradi-
tion concerning them came to his knowledge: “that a large
party of Indians came down the Wisconsin from Green Bay;
that they attacked the family or tribe of ‘The Dogs,’ and
massacred almost the whole of them, and returned to Green
Bay; that the few who had succeeded in making their escape
to the woods returned, after their enemies had evacuated the
prairie, and re-established themselves in their former place of
residence ; and that they were the Indians inhabiting the prairie
at the time it was settled by the French.”

In the spring of this year, a Roman Catholic priest from St.
Louis, named Pére Priere, visited Prairie du Chien. He was
the first who had visited the place for many years, and perhaps
since the settlement. He organized the Roman Catholic Church,
118 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

and disturbed some of the domestic arrangements of the inhab-
itants. He found several women who had left their husbands,
and were living with other men: these he made, by the terror
of his church, to return, and ask pardon of their husbands, and
to be taken back by them, which they, of course, could not
refuse.

From this time to 1886, when the Territorial Government was
organized, the record of Prairie du Chien is a dull routine of
unimportant events. The early courts and court-decisions of
the place present much of interest; but these are noticed else-
where.
CHAPTER IX.

EARLY HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The War of 1812 in the North-west — Operations at Prairie du Chien —Col. McKay
and his Forces—An Account of the Capture of Prairie du Chien by Cul.
McKay — Scenes and Incidents of the Surrender.

Havine referred to the early history of what is now the
State of Wisconsin, more particularly in reference to Green
Bay and Prairie du Chien, which, in reality, comprised all
there was of civilization in this section, it is only necessary to
state that the rest of the Territory was occupied almost exclu-
sively by Indians, who held the title of “eminent domain ”
by actual possession, although the United States held the
supremacy.

The declaration of war on the part of our government against
Great Britain was made by Act of Congress on the 18th of
June, 1812; and on the following day a proclamation of the
contest was made. By some unaccountable neglect or misman-
agement on the part of the officers of the -government, the
information of this important event did not reach the North-
western posts until some days after the British authorities in
this region had full knowledge of the fact, and were enabled to
act accordingly. This egregious blundering, or reprehensible
omission of duty, on the part of the officers of the General
Government, proved disastrous in the extreme.

Without going into details of the taking of Mackinaw on the
17th of July with a force of British, Canadians, and savages,
and the crowning misfortune that befell the American cause in
this quarter of the seat of war by the unparalleled act of the
surrender of Detroit by Gen. Hull, together with fourteen hun-

dred brave men longing for battle, to three hundred English
119
120 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

soldiers, four hundred Canadian militia disguised in red coats,
and a band of Indian allies; of the unfortunate fate that befell
the garrison of Fort Dearborn at Chicago, —it is only neces-
sary to say that Wisconsin took a part in this contest, even
though it presented a small theatre for action. The protection
of this part of our frontier was regarded as of great importance
to ourselves, as its possession was to the British. Early in 1814,
the government authorities at St. Louis had fitted out a large
boat, bullet-proof, having on board all the men that could be
mustered and spared from the lower country, under command
of Capt. Yeiser, and despatched it up the Mississippi, to protect
the upper country and the few settlers that were then in it.
This boat reached Prairie du Chien; and, immediately on their
arrival, the men commenced the work of putting the old fort in
a state of defence by repairing the outworks, and fortifying it
in the best manner they were able. Lieut. Perkins, who accom-
panied the troops, was directed to take and retain possession
of the place; and he built a stockade on a large mound near
the residence of the late H. L. Dousman. In the mean time, the
traders in the British interest, resorting to Mackinaw as the,
British headquarters of the North-west, learning of the American
occupation of Prairie du Chien in 1814, and anticipating, that,
so long as this force should remain there, they would be cut off
from the trade of that place, its dependencies, and the Sioux
country, at once set on foot an expedition for its recapture.
The command of the same was confided to Lieut.-Col. William
McKay, a man of.intelligence, activity, and enterprise, and well
fitted to command the contemplated expedition. The party
consisted of a sergeant of artillery, with one brass six-pounder
(another authority says three pieces of artillery), and three
or four volunteer companies of the Canadian voyageurs, com-
manded by traders, and officered by their clerks, all dresséd in
red coats, with probably, in all, not less than five hundred, and
perhaps more, Indians and half-breeds. A small party of regu-
lars, under Capt. Pohlman, was placed under McKay’s com-
mand. The Indians were composed of three bands of Sioux,
under their chiefs, Wau-ba-shaw, or “The Leaf,” Red Wing,
Little Crow, and others; and the Winnebagoes were in charge
of Pe-shen, or “The Wild Cat,” Tar-cel, or “The Teal,” Car-
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122 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

ry-marr-nee, Wino-sheek, Sar-ro-chan, Neo-o-kantak, or “ Four
Legs,” and Black Wolf.

Col. McKay came with his force in boats to Green Bay, where
he tarried to increase his numbers, and make all necessary prep-
arations. A company of the Green Bay militia, of about thirty
persons, and many of them old men unfit for service, was
raised, of which Pierre Grignon was captain, Peter Powell and
Aug. Grignon, lieutenants. Here about seventy-five Menomo-
nees, under Ma-cha-nah, or “The Hairy Hand,” I-om-e-tah,
Kish-kon-nan-wan-kan-hom, or “ The Cutting Off,” and a party
of about twenty-five Chippewas mixed with the Menomonees,
joined the expedition. Mr. Grignon, in his “ Recollections of
Wisconsin,” says, “ Our entire force now consisted of four hun-
dred Indians and one hundred and fifty whites.” Such was his
understanding ; and, if the newspapers of the day represented it
larger, it was for effect on the part of the British to impress the
Americans with an idea of their great strength in the North-
west, and, on thé part of the Americans, in palliation of their
loss at Prairie du Chien.

At length the expedition moved forward up Fox River, the
whites in six boats or barges, and the Indians in canoes; and,
carrying their craft over the portage, they descended the Wis-
consin. Reaching the old deserted Fox Village on the Wiscon-
sin, twenty-one miles from Prairie du Chien, the force stopped ;
while Michael Brisbois, Aug. Grignon, a Sioux, and a Winne-
bago Indian were despatched to Prairie du Chien in the night
to obtain a citizen, and bring him to Col. McKay from whom to
obtain intelligence. Descending the river to where the ferry
has since been located (Wright’s Ferry), some five or six miles
from the prairie, they went across by land, and reached the place
without difficulty. They saw the sentinel on duty at the fort.
They went to Antoine Brisbois, the uncle of Michael Brisbois,
one of the party, who lived three miles above the town, and
took him to where they had left the canoe (the present ferry),
then called “ Petit Gris.” There they awaited the arrival of
Col. McKay and his force, who made their appearance the next
morning early. Mr. A. Brisbois reported the American strength
in the garrison at sixty. The party then proceeded down to the
mouth of the ‘Wisconsin, and thence up to Prairie du Chien,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 123

through a channel, or bayou, between a continuous number of
islands and the Mississippi.’ From Mr. Grignon’s valuable
paper: before alluded to, we take the following detail of the
capture of the place. The old gentleman was an active parti-
cipant in the affray on the British side ; and his memory is very
clear on the details, which are the only full accounts we possess
of the taking of Prairie du Chien.

‘They reached the village at ten o’clock, unperceived. The day was
Sunday, July 14, 1814, and a very pleasant one. The officers of the garri-
son were getting ready to take a pleasure-ride into the country, and, had
McKay been an hour or two later, the garrison would have been found
without an officer. Nicholas Boilvin had directed a man to go out and
drive up his cattle, as he wished to kill a heifer that day, and have some
fresh meat.

‘«The man went out, and soon discovered the British approaching, and
knew, from the red coats worn by the regulars and Capts. Rolette and
Anderson (for none of the rest had any), and the dozen British flags dis-
played by the Indians, that it was a British force. He returned, and
informed Mr. Boilvin, who went and found the report a correct one. Mr.
Boilvin, who was the American Indian agent at Prairie du Chien, now
hastened to his house, and conveyed his family and valuables to the gun-
boat belonging to the fort, for safety. All the citizens now left their houses,
and fled from the impending danger, —some to the fort, but mostly to the
country.

‘‘Upon arriving at the town, and making a very formidable display for
that quiet place, Rolette and Anderson, with their companies, the Sioux
and Winnebago Indians, were directed to take post above the fort; while
Col. McKay himself, with the Green Bay Company, the regulars, the Me-
nomonees, and Chippewas, encompassed it below. A flag was sent, borne
by Capt. Thomas Anderson, demanding the surrender of the garrison, with
which demand Lieut. Perkins, the commandant of the post, declined to
comply. The six-pounder, under the management of the regulars, was now
brought to bear on the gunboat of the Americans. The first shot, however,
fired by it, was a blank charge, intended as a sort of a war-flourish, or
bravado. But our men did not take a near position, and were, probably, half
a mile from the gunboat, if not more; and hence the firing upon the boat
by the cannon, and the firing by the guns, were generally ineffectual. When
the firing first commenced on the gunboat, Capt. Grignon, with a part of
his company, and several Menomonees, was directed to cross the river in
two boats, and take a position on land, so as to annoy, and aid to drive off,
the gunboat, the position of which was at first near the middle of sie
river, but, when fired upon, had moved over nearer the western shore,
During the day, the gunboat was at least once or twice hit by the balls of
the six-pounder, which caused a bad leakage; and which, when the sun was
124 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

about half an hour high, induced Capt. Yeiser to move down stream.
Seeing this movement, the Americans on the fort called out to them not to
go off ; but, this being unheeded, they fired their cannon at the boat. to stop
it. Meanwhile, Capt. Grignon and his party over the river had been
annoying the boat. One writer says that this party had taken position on
an island opposite Prairie du Chien, covered with timber, which served to
screen thern from the shots of the gunboat. Had we (the British)
manned some of our boats, and pursued, we could, undoubtedly, have taken
it, as we afterwards learned that it leaked so badly, that the Americans
had to stop at the mouth of the Wisconsin to repair it. The only injury
the firing of the latter vessel did was, a ball, before noon, striking a fence-
post, some-of the slivers of which inflicted a flesh-wound in one of the
Menomonees.

‘‘While this contest was progressing with the gunboat, McKay’s party
of whites and Indians, on all sides of the fort, kept up an irregular firing
of small-arms, which, from their great distance from the fort, was harm-
less ; and thus, if they did no harm, they were out of the way of receiving
any in return. At length, towards noon, Col. McKay ordered his men to
advance over the Marais de St. Ferricle, a swampy spot, and take a position
much nearer the fort, —not more than a quarter of a mile distant. This
was obeyed by those on the lower side of the fort, who had a sufficiency of
houses to shield them from the guns of the garrison. From this new posi-
tion, the firing was somewhat increased. In the fort were four iron cannon,
somewhat larger than six-pounders; and these were occasionally fired.
It was well known that the gunboat contained the magazine of powder,
and that had gone down the river with Capt. Yeiser. A couple of Winne-
bagoes, discovering that there were some hams in a house which had been
deserted, and to which they could not gain an entrance, mounted upon the
roof, intending to tear off some shingles, when they were espied from the
fort, and each wounded in the thigh, when they quickly retreated.

‘«The second day, the men and Indians amused themselves with some
long shooting; but Col. McKay and his officers spent the day in counselling
as to the best course of procedure.

“Tt was about resolved to make an assault, and they towards evening
assembled the leading Indian chiefs, and laid the plan before them; but the
Winnebago chief, Sar-cel, remarked that he and his people had had some
experience in assaulting American forts (referring to the attack on Fort
Recovery, in 1793), and that they would not like to resort to so hazardous
an experiment, but proposed a plan of springing a mine from the river-
bank to blow up the garrison; to which suggestion, Col. McKay answered,
‘Go at it.’ After spending a part of the evening, and penetrating a dozen
or fifteen feet, they gave it up as a bad job, as the fort was several hun-
dred feet from the river-bank.

‘‘ Nothing of moment occurred the third day, except some occasional
firing. Col. McKay sent into the country about three miles for a load of
straw, which was made up in small bundles to have in readiness to place, in
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 125

the darkness of the night, with kegs of powder, near the fort, and fire a
train of straw leading to the powder, and thus make a breach on the enclo-
sure. But this was only designed as a dernier ressort.

“ During this day, or the preceding one, a Fox Indian received a spent-
ball, which lodged between his scalp and skull. It was cut out; and the
wound did not interfere in his sharing in the further events of the siege.
On the fourth day, Col. McKay resolved to accomplish something more
decisive. About three o’clock in the afternoon, with his troops properly
stationed, and cannon-balls heated red-hot in a blacksmith’s forge, I was
sent to go around and specially direct the interpreters to order the Indians
not to fire on the fort till the cannon should commence playing the hot-shot,
and the fort should be set on fire. Scarcely had these directions been given,
when the Americans, probably seeing from indications that a severe assault
of some kind was about to be made, raised the white flag. Two officers
now came out, and met Col. McKay; strict orders having been given to the
Indians not to fire on these Americans, on the pain of being themselves fired
upon by the British troops. The result was, that a surrender was agreed
upon. Col. McKay should have possession of the fort and public stores, and
the Americans be permitted to retire unmolested in boats down the river.
By this time, it was too late to go through a formal surrender, which was
postponed till next morning. When the American flag was hauled down,
Col. McKay was the first to observe the singular fact, that, though it was
completely riddled elsewhere with balls, the representation of the Ameri-
can eagle was untouched. The Indians, during the whole four days, had:
directed many shots at the flag, and had shot off one of the cords, which
let the banner part way down on the flagstaff; and there it remained till
the surrender.”’

Several days elapsed before arrangements were completed by
which to send the prisoners down the river. Col. McKay gave
the Americans their arms as they embarked. Gen. Smith, in
his “ History of Wisconsin,” says, ‘‘ The utmost exertions of Col.
McKay were required to prevent an indiscriminate massacre
of the Americans by the infuriated Indians, and the lives of
the prisoners were for some time in the most imminent danger,
as the exertions of Col. McKay in behalf of humanity were
doubtful in their results.” Mr. Grignon, in his “ Recollections,”
further says, that Col. McKay had given such strict orders to
the Indians against massacring or molesting the Americans,
and to the regulars and militia to keep the Indians in awe,
_ that nothing, as far as he knew, transpired that had the least
appearance of treachery on the part of the natives. Capt. Pohl-
man, with his regulars, remained in command with the two
126 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Mackinaw companies until after the peace, which ensued the
following year, when the fort was evacuated.

In connection with the taking of Prairie du Chien, it may be
remarked, that Major Campbell had ascended the river from
St. Louis, with a squadron of boats and a detachment of United
States troops, for the purpose of re-enforcing the garrison at
Prairie du Chien. When he arrived at Rock Island, he held
some communication with Black Hawk, who was apparently
neutral, at least not openly inimical; but a party of Indians
came down Rock River with the news of the capture of Prairie
du Chien; and, as the boats of Major Campbell had by this time
departed, they were immediately pursued by Black Hawk’s
band, and a severe fight took place, in which the Indians
captured one of the boats, and Major Campbell himself was
wounded. The expedition continued down the river, having
lost several men killed, and others wounded, in the fight.

A short time after this event, the British commander at Prai-
rie du Chien, then called Fort McKay, descended the river to
Rock Island, taking with him two field-pieces and a detachment
of. soldiers: these he placed in position to check, or at least
annoy, any force that might attempt to pass up the river.
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CHAPTER X.

EARLY HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The Early History of the Lead-Mines—The Lead Excitement— Slavery in the
Mines — Description of the Country —Iusults to the Winnebagoes — Shocking
Murders at Prairie du Chien— The Winnebago Outrages — Great Excitement
at Prairie du Chien — Arrival of Troops.

THERE was little of general interest that transpired in this
section of country until after the peace of 1815. When that
event was made known to the Indian tribes, many were willing
and eager to make treaties of peace and friendship with the
United States; and Black Hawk and his band were particularly
urged to such a measure by all their friends. Several treaties
were entered into at the Portage des Sioux, in 1815, between
the United States commissioner and various bands of Indians;
and in May, 1816, by the treaty at St. Louis, Black Hawk con-
firmed the treaty of 1804, thereby ceding the lands on Rock
River, on which his village was located.

The settlements of the whites continued to increase in the
Indian country; and, doubtless, many outrages were committed
by them on the persons and effects of the Indians, in order to
hasten their voluntary departure from the country which they
had ceded to the United States, and in which already govern-
ment surveys had been made, and certificates of land entries
issued; but these matters did not extend in any objectionable
manner beyond the northern boundary of the State of Illinois.
A lucrative business was carried on between the merchants of
St. Louis and the traders and Indians of the Upper Mississippi.
Goods were sent to the traders, who, in return, transmitted
peltries and lead. At Galena, the Indians had about twenty

furnaces, which they managed in their unskilful manner;
128
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 129

and Col. John Shaw, formerly of this State, states, that, between
1815 and 1820, he made eight trips from St. Louis to Prairie du
Chien, visiting the lead-mines at Galena; and at one time car-
ried away seventy tons of lead.

The exact date of the discovery of lead in Wisconsin does not
appear; but Capt. Jonathan Carver visited the Blue Mounds in
1766, and speaks of lead as abounding there at Sauk Prairie, on
the Wisconsin River. He says, “So plentiful is lead here, that
I saw large quantities of it lying about the streets in the town
belonging to the Saukies.” In 1822 the lead-trade began to
attract attention; and Mr. James Johnson, a government con-
tractor for the army, made a treaty with the Indians, and ob-
tained leave to work the mines for a limited time, probably four
years, as they left in 1826. Mr. Johnson let in other parties to
dig; and one firm of the name of Ware brought from fifty to
four hundred negro slaves. In 1826 there was a great rush of
miners to Galena, somewhat like the California excitement at a
later period. Mr. J. 8. Miller located at Gratiot’s Grove; John
Ray, near Platteville; William Adney, near Hazel Green; J.
Armstrong and J. W. Shulls, at Shullsburg; and Ebenezer
Brigham and John Ray, at the Blue Mounds.

This advent of the miners upon the territory of the Winne-
bago Indians, without any treaty, deprived them of their previ-
ous profit in the lead-trade, and, with other difficulties, was the
cause of much trouble.

Col. Charles Whittlesey, who made a tour through Wiscon-
sin in 1832, writes as follows in reference to the mining-coun-

try: —

‘¢ On the second day we passed the foot of the Blue Mound. It is a high
hill of regular ascent, overlooking the country, and serves as a beacon to
the traveller thirty miles distant. At night we slept in a block-house in the
mining-district. Within sight of the station, a newly-made grave lay at the
roadside, in the midst of a solitary prairie. The person over whom it was
raised had ventured too far from the house, and approached a thicket of
bushes. Suddenly a band of concealed Indians sprang upon him, with the
fatal whoop on their tongues. His scalp, heart, and most of his flesh, were
soon stripped from the body, and a savage dance performed about the
remains.

‘‘ The country is still prairie, with scattering tufts of inferior timber.
The huts of the miners had been deserted on account of the difficulties now

9
180 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

terminated; and the business of making lead was about to recommence.
Occasionally a farm might be seen running out from an island of timber,
and supplied with comfortable buildings. But most of the improvements
were of a temporary nature, consisting of a lead-furnace and the cabins
adjacent. The process of reducing lead-ore is very simple and rapid. The
furnace is a face-wall, about two feet thick, located upon a gentle slope of
the ground, with an arch or passage through the centre. On each side of
the arched opening, and in the rear or up-hill side, two wing-walls run out
transversely to the face-wall, between which the wood is laid. The ore is
placed upon it, and a continual fire kept up. The lead gradually separates
from the dross, and runs into a cavity in front of the arch.

‘The ‘mining-district’ east of the Mississippi must include ten thou-
sand square miles. Galena, or lead-ore, is found in veins, or threads, more
often in a square form, of various sizes, and running in all directions with
the horizon. They are liable to disappear suddenly, to enlarge and dimin-
ish in size, to combine with other materials, rendering the operations of
mining very uncertain. Their course is generally straight, and not curved,
seldom exceeding a foot in breadth. The analysis yields eighty-five to
ninety per cent of lead, of which the first smelting of the furnace extracts
about seventy-five per cent. It requires skill and experience to discover the
vein, but very little of either to work it when discovered. The limestone
formation of Green Bay and Lake Michigan extends to this region, embra-
cing copper ore at Mineral Point, and at other places. At this time the
government leased the ground to practical miners, who rendered a propor-
tion of the product in kind. In consequence of the derangements of the
times, although the supply was small, lead was then dull at three cents per
pound. The supply appears to be inexhaustible. In one respect, this
region differs from the mineral regions of other countries. There are but few
veins that justify a pursuit to great depths; and, although they are very
numerous, the pits and trenches are easily filled up, and the rich soil left in-
capable of cultivation. The great drawback upon the agricultural prospects
of the mining-district arises from the consumption of the little timber that
grows there in melting the lead. How long the presence of this mineral has
been known, and its value understood, is not exactly known; but there are
mines which were worked by the French soon after they ascended the
Mississippi. The Indians could scarcely have found use for it before the
introduction of fire-arms among them.

‘* Arriving at-Galena, we found the place crowded with people. The
mineral riches of the Dubuque country were well known; and it was ex-
pected that Gen. Scott would secure the title to a considerable tract west of
the river, including the richest mines. The negotiation was still pending
at Rock Island relative to the purchase. Thousands of adventurers lined
the eastern shore of the Mississippi, ready to seize upon the possession and
pre-emption rights in the new Territory the moment they became perfect.
In this case, as in many others, guards of soldiers were necessary to keep
the whites from taking unlawful occupancy of Indian lands. It has become
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 131

fashionable to abuse the government for its conduct toward the red men.
My observation has, on the contrary, led me to admire, rather than to con-
demn, the practice of the Federal authority in this respect, believing, that
in general, its magnanimity, kindness, and protection demand the lasting
gratitude of the Indian race.”

In the early part of the year 1827, a party of twenty-four
Chippewas, being on their way to Fort Snelling, at the mouth
of St. Peter’s River, were surprised and attacked by a war-party
of the Winnebagoes ; and eight of them were killed. The com-
mandant of the United States troops at the fort took four of
the offending Winnebagoes prisoners, and (certainly with great
imprudence) delivered them into the hands of the exasperated
Chippewas, who immediately put them to death. This act was
greatly resented by a chief of the Winnebagoes, named “ Red
Bird,” and in addition to this source of enmity was to be added
the daily encroachment of the whites in the lead-region; for at
this time they had overrun the mining-country from Galena to
the Wisconsin River. In the spirit of revenge for the killing
of the four Winnebagoes, Red Bird led a war-party against the
Chippewas, by whom he was defeated, and thus, having been
disappointed, he turned the force of his resentment against the
whites, whom he considered as having not only invaded his
country, but as having aided and abetted his enemies in the
destruction of his people.

Some time previously, a murder by the Winnebagoes had
been committed in the family of a Mr. Methode, near Prairie du
Chien, in which several persons had been killed. It was appar-
ent that a spirit of enmity between the Indians and the whites
had been now effectually stirred up; and, for the first time since
the war of 1812, disturbances were daily looked for by the
settlers and miners.

On the 28th of June, 1827, Red Bird, We-Kaw, and three of
their companions, entered the house of Registre Gagnier, about
three miles from Prairie du Chien, where they remained several
hours. At last, when Mr. Gagnier least expected it, Red Bird
levelled his gun, and shot him dead on his hearthstone. A per-
son in the building, by the name of Sip Cap, who was a hired
man, was slain at the same time by We-Kaw. Madame Gagnier
turned to fly with her infant of eighteen months. As she was
132 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

about to leap through the window, the child was torn from her
arms by We-Kaw, stabbed, scalped, and thrown violently on the
floor as dead.

The murderer then attacked the woman, but gave way when
she snatched up a gun that was leaning against the wall, and
presented it to his breast. She then effected her escape. Her
eldest son, a lad of ten years, also shunned the murderers; and
they both arrived in the village at the same time. The alarm
was soon given; but, when the avengers of blood arrived at
Gagnier’s house, they found in it nothing living but his mangled
infant. It was carried to the village, and, incredible as it may
seem, it recovered. :

Red Bird and his companions immediately proceeded from
the scene of their crime to the rendezvous of their band. Dur-
ing their absence, thirty-seven of the warriors who acknowl-
edged the authority of Red Bird, had assembled, with their
wives and children, near the mouth of the Bad Axe River.
They received the murderers with joy, and loud approbation of
their exploit. A keg of liquor which they had secured was set
abroach; and the red men began to drink, and, as their spirits
rose, to boast of what they had already done and intended to do.
Two days did they continue to revel; and on the third the
source of their excitement gave out. They were, at about four
in the afternoon, dissipating the last fumes of their excitement
in the scalp-dance, when they descried one of the keel-boats,
which had a few days before passed up the river with provisions
for the troops at Fort Snelling, on her return in charge of Mr.
Lindsay. Forthwith a proposal to take her, and massacre the
crew, was made, and carried by acclamation. They counted
upon doing this without risk; for they had examined her on the
way up, and supposed there were no arms on board.

Mr. Lindsay’s boats had descended the river as far as the
village of Wa-ba-shaw, where they expected an attack. The
Dakotahs on shore were dancing the war-dance, and hailed
their approach with insults and menaces, but did not, how-
ever, offer to obstruct their passage. The whites now sup-
posed the danger over; and, a strong wind at that moment
beginning to blow up stream, the boats parted company. So
strong was the wind, that all the force of the sweeps could
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134 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

scarcely stem it; and, by the time the foremost boat was near
the encampment at the mouth of the Bad Axe River, the crew
were very willing to stop and rest. One or two Frenchmen, or
half-breeds, who were on board, observed hostile appearances on
shore, and advised the rest to keep the middle of the stream ;
but their counsel was disregarded. Most of the crew were
Americans, who, as usual with our countrymen, combined a pro-
found ignorance of Indian character with a thorough contempt
for Indian prowess. They urged the boat directly toward the
camp with all the force of the sweeps. There were sixteen men
on deck. It may be well to observe here, that this, like all keel-
boats used in the Mississippi Valley, was built almost exactly
on the model of the Erie and Middlesex Canal boats.

The men were rallying their French companions on their ap-
prehension, and the boat (named * Oliver H. Perry)” was within
thirty yards of the shore, when suddenly the trees and rocks
rang with the blood-chilling, ear-piercing tones of the war-
whoop; and a volley of rifle-balls rained upon the deck. Hap-
pily the Winnebagoes had not yet recovered from the effects of _
their debauch, and their arms were not steady. One man only
fell from their fire. He was a little negro named Peter. His leg
was dreadfully shattered, and he afterwards died of the wound.
A second volley soon came from the shore; but, as the men were
lying at the bottom of the boat, they all escaped but one, who
was shot through the heart. Encouraged by the non-resistance,
the Winnebagoes rushed to their canoes, with intent to board.
The whites, having recovered from their first panic, seized their
arms; and the boarders were received with a very severe dis-
charge. In one canoe, two savages were killed with the same
bullet, and several were wounded. The attack was continued
until night, when one of the party (named Mandeville), who
had assumed command, sprang into the water, followed by four
others, who succeeded in setting the boat afloat, and went down
the stream.

Thirty-seven Indians were engaged in this battle, seven of
whom were killed, and fourteen wounded. They managed to
put six hundred and ninety-three bullets into and through the
boat. Two of the crew were killed outright, two mortally, and
two slightly wounded. The presence of mind of Mandeville
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 135

undoubtedly saved the rest, as well as the boat. Mr. Lindsay’s
boat, the rear one, did not reach the mouth of the Bad Axe
until midnight. The Indians opened a fire upon her, which was
promptly returned; but, owing to the darkness, no injury was
done, and the boat passed on safely.

The date of the attack on these keel-boats is stated by Judge
J. H. Lockwood to have been June 26. Gen. Smith’s “ History
of Wisconsin” says June 30, on the authority of Judge Doty.
It is, however, quite certain, that‘ the murder of the Gagnier
family, and the boat-attacks, were on the same day.

Great was the alarm at Prairie du Chien when the boats
arrived there. The people left their houses and farms, and
crowded into the dilapidated fort. An express was immediately
sent to Galena, and another to Fort Snelling, for assistance. <A
company of upwards of a hundred volunteers soon arrived from
Galena, and the minds of the inhabitants were quieted. In a
few days, four imperfect companies arrived from Fort Snelling.
The consternation of the people of the lead-mines was great, and
in all the frontier settlements. This portion of the country then
contained, as is supposed, about five thousand inhabitants. A
great many of them fled from the country.
CHAPTER XI.

EARLY HISTORY — WINNEBAGO WAR.

Major Whistler’s Operations—The Surrender near the Portage—End of the
War — Treaty of Peace—An Indian prefers Honor to Life — A Native prizes
his Word higher than Life — A Well-merited Reprieve.

On the Ist of September, 1827, Major William Whistler, with
government troops, arrived at the portage; and, while here, an
express arrived from Gen. Atkinson, announcing his approach,
and directing the former to halt and fortify himself at the port-
age, and wait his arrival. The object of the joint expedition of
Gen. Atkinson from Jefferson barracks, below St. Louis, and
of Major Whistler from Fort Howard, on Green Bay, was to cap-
ture those who had committed the murders at Prairie du Chien,
and put a stop to any further aggression. At the opening of
the council at La Butte des Morts, between the government
and the Indians, the Winnebagoes were advised that the secu-
rity of their people lay in the surrender of the murderers of the
Gagnier family. While Major Whistler was at the portage, he
received a call in a mysterious way. An Indian came to his
tent, and informed him, that, at about three o’clock the next
day, “they will come in.” In reply to the question, “ Who will
come in?” he said, “Red Bird and We-Kau.” After making
this answer, he retired by the way he came. At three o’clock
the same day, another Indian came, and took position in nearly
the same place, and in the same way, when, to like questions,
he gave like answers; and at sundown a third came, confirm-
ing what the two had said, adding that he had, to secure that

, object, given to the families of the murderers nearly all his
‘property.

Col. McKenney in his “ Tour of the Lakes,” 1827, who ac-
136
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 137

companied Judge Doty as one of the commissioners to meet the
Indians at La Butte des Mort, and who was of Major Whistler’s
party, referring to this matter, says, —

‘¢ There was something heroic in this voluntary surrender. The giving-
away of property to the families of the guilty parties had nothing to do with
their determination to devote themselves for the good of their people, but
only to reconcile those who were about to be bereaved to the dreadful expe-
dient. The heroism of the purpose is seen in the fact that the murders com-
mitted at Prairie du Chien were not wanton, but in retaliation for wrongs
committed on this people by the whites. The parties murdered at the prai-
rie were, doubtless, innocent of the wrongs and outrages of which the In-’
dians complained; but the law of Indian retaliation does not require that he
alone who commits a wrong shall suffer for it. One scalp is held due for
another, no matter whose head is taken, provided it be torn from the crown
of the family, or people who may have made a resort to this law a neces-
sity.)

About noon of the day following, says the same writer, —

‘¢ There were seen descending a mound on the portage a body of In-
dians. Some were mounted, and some were on foot. By the aid of a glass,
we could discern the direction to be towards our position. They bore no
arms, and we were at no loss to understand that the promise made by the
three Indians was about to be fulfilled. In the course of half an hour, they
had approached within a short distance of the crossing of Fox River, when
on a sudden we heard a singing. Those who were familiar with the air
said, ‘It is a death-song.” When still nearer, some present, who knew him,
said, ‘It is Red Bird singing his death-song.’ The moment a halt was
made, preparatory to crossing over, two scalp-yells were heard.

‘¢ The Menomonees and other Indians who had accompanied us were
lying carelessly about the ground, regardless of what was going on; but,
when the ‘scalp-yells’ were uttered, they sprang as one man to their feet,
seized their rifles, and were ready for battle. ‘They were at no loss to know
what these ‘yells’ were; but they had not heard with sufficient accuracy to
decide whether they indicated scalps to be taken or given, but doubtless in-
ferred the first.

‘‘ Barges were sent across to receive, and an escort of military to accom-
pany them within our lines. The white flag which we had seen in the dis-
tance was borne by Red Bird.

‘¢ And now the advance of the Indians had reached half up the ascent of
the bluff on which was our encampment. In the lead was Car-i-mi-nie, a
distinguished chief. Arriving on the level upon which was our encamp-
ment, and order being called, Car-i-mi-nie spoke, saying, ‘ They are here.
Like braves they have come in; treat them as braves; do not put them in
jrons.’? This address was made to me. I told him I was not the big: cap-
tain. is talk must be made to Major Whistler, who would, I had no doubt,
138 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

do what was right. Mr. Marsh, the sub-agent, being there, an advance was
made to him, and a hope expressed that the prisoners might be turned over
to him.’

For the remainder of the incidents connected with this sur-
render Mr. McKenney quotes from a letter addressed by him to
Hon. James Barbour, secretary of war :—

‘The military had been previously drawn out in a line. The Menomo-
nee and Wabanackie (Oneida) Indians were in groups, upon their haunches,
on our left flank. On the right was the band of music, a little in advance
of the line. In front of the centre, about ten paces distant, were the mur-
derers. On their right and left were those who had accompanied them, .
forming a semicircle; the magnificent Red Bird and the miserable-looking
We-Kau a little in advance of the centre. All eyes were fixed on the Red
Bird, as well they might be; for, of all the Indians I ever saw, he is, without
exception, the most perfect in form, face, and gesture. In height he is
about six feet, straight, but without restraint. His proportions are those
of most exact symmetry; and these embrace the entire man, from his head
to his feet. During my attempted analysis of this face, I could not but
ask myself, Can this man be a murderer?

‘‘He and We-Kau were told to sit down. At this moment the band
struck up Pleyel’s Hymn. Every thing was still. Red Bird turned his
eyes toward the band. The music having ceased, he took up his pouch, and,
taking from it kinnikinnic and tobacco, cut the latter in the palm of his
hand, after the Indian fashion; then, rubbing the two together, filled the
bowl of his calumet, struck fire on a bit of punk with his flint and steel,
lighted, and smoked it. All sat, except the speaker. The subject of what
they said was as follows :—

‘‘ We were required to bring in the murderers. They had no power
over any, except two: the third had gone away; and these had voluntarily
agreed to come in, and give themselves up. As their friends, they had come
with them. They hoped their white brothers would agree to accept the
horses, of which there were, perhaps, twenty; the meaning of which was,
to take them in commutation for the lives of their two friends. They asked
kind treatment for them, and earnestly besought that they might not be put
in irons, and concluded by asking for a little tobacco, and something to eat.

ee They were answered, and told in substance that they had done well thus
to come in. By having done so, they had turned away our guns, and saved
their people. They were admonished against placing themselves in a like
situation in the future, and advised, when they were aggrieved, not to resort
to violence, but to go to their agent, who would inform the Great Father of
their complaints, and he would redress their grievances ; that their friends
should be treated kindly, and tried by the same laws by which their Great
Father’s white children were tried ; that, for the present, Red Bird and
We-Kau should not be put in irons; ‘that they should all have something to
eat, and tobacco to smoke.
 

 

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140 ' HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

‘“‘ Having heard this, Red Bird stood up; the commanding officer, Major
Whistler, a few paces in front of the centre of the line, facing him. After
a moment’s pause, and a quick survey of the troops, he spoke, saying, ‘I
am ready.’ Then, advancing a step or two, he paused, saying, ‘I do not
wish to be put in irons. Let me be free. J have given away my life: it is
gone’ [stooping, and taking some dust between his finger and thuinb, and
blowing it away], ‘like that,’ eying the dust as it fell and vanished from
his sight, adding, ‘I would not take it back : itis gone.” Having thus spoken,
he threw his hands behind him, and marched up to Major Whistler, breast
to breast. A platoon was wheeled backwards from the centre of the line,
when, the major stepping aside, Red Bird and We-Kau marched through
the line, in charge of a file of men, to a tent provided for them in the rear,
where a guard was set overthem. The comrades of. the two captives then
left the ground by the way they had come, taking with them our advice, and
a supply of meat, flour, and tobacco.

‘¢We-Kau, the miserable-looking being, the accomplice of the Red
Bird, was in all things the opposite of that unfortunate brave. Never
were two persons so totally unlike. The one seemed a prince, and as if
born to command, and worthy to be obeyed ; the other, as if he had been
born to be hanged, — meagre, cold, dirty in his person and dress, crooked in
form, like the starved wolf, gaunt, hungy, and bloodthirsty; his entire ap-
pearance indicating the presence of a spirit wary, cruel, and treacherous.
The prisoners were committed into safe keeping at Prairie du Chien, to
await their trial in the regular courts of justice for murder.”

In the course of the year, the people of the lead-mines in-
creased in numbers and in strength, and encroached upon the
Winnebago lands. The Winnebagoes complained in vain. The
next spring the murderers of Methode and the other Indian
prisoners were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. A
deputation of the tribe went to Washington to solicit their
pardon. President Adams granted it on the implied condition
that the tribe would cede the lands then in the possession of
the miners. The Winnebagoes have kept their word, and
Madame Gagnier has been compensated for the loss of her
husband and the mutilation of her infant. At the treaty held
at Prairie du Chien in 1829, provision was made for two sec-
tions of land to Madame Gagnier and her two children; and
the government agreed to pay her the sum of fifty dollars per
annum for fifteen years, to be deducted from the annuity to the
Winnebago Indians.

Red Bird died in prison; and We-Kau died of the small-pox
at the prairie, in 1836. In closing this account of the troubles
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 141

at Prairie du Chien, we give an anecdote which places the
Winnebago character in a more amiable light than any before
related. The militia of Prairie du Chien, immediately after the
affair of the boats, seized the old chief, De-kau-ray, and four
other Indians; and he was informed, that, if Red Bird should not
be given up within a certain time, he and the others were to
die in his place. This he steadfastly believed. A messenger,
a young Indian, was sent to inform the tribe of the state of
affairs; and several days had elapsed, and no information was
received of the murderers. The dreadful day was near at hand ;
and De-kau-ray, being in bad state of health, asked permission
of the officer to go to the river to indulge in his long-accustomed
habit of bathing in order to improve his health; upon which
Col. Snelling told him, if he would promise, on the honor of
a chief, that he would not leave town, he might have his lib-
erty, and enjoy all his privileges, until the day appointed for his
execution. Accordingly, he first gave his hand to the colonel,
thanking him for his friendly offer, then raised both hands aloft,
and in the most solemn adjuration promised that he would not
leave the bounds prescribed ; and said, if he had a hundred lives,
he would sooner lose them all than forfeit his word. He was
then set at liberty. He was advised to flee to the wilderness,
and make his escape. “But no!” said he: “do you think I
prize life above honor?” He then complacently remained until
nine days of the ten which he had to live had elapsed, and
still nothing was heard promising the apprehension of the
murderers. His immediate death became apparent; but no
alteration could be seen in the countenance of the chief. It
so happened, that, on that day, Gen. Atkinson arrived, with his
troops, from Jefferson barracks; and the order for the execution
was countermarided, and the Indians permitted to return to
their homes. “There can be no doubt,” says Judge Doty,
“that the murder referred to was intended by the Winnebagoes
as the first act of hostility in the commencement of a war upon
the whites.”

It is an error that many writers have fallen into, in saying
that some of the Indians implicated in this tragedy were exe-
cuted. This is not so: no one was executed.

This outbreak was generally termed the “Winnebago War,”
142 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

in contra-distinction to the Black Hawk war of 1832. This
first outbreak was soon quieted. The restoration of tranquil-
lity brought with it, as before remarked, an influx of miners
and settlers in the lead-region; and an impulse was quickly
given to a great portion of Western Wisconsin, which afforded
every prothise of future prosperity. The lake-shore and the
interior of the Territory did not, as yet, in any considerable

degree, receive the benefits of industrial immigration.
\
\
CHAPTER XII.
PIONEER RECOLLECTIONS.

Early Settlers — Pioneer Agriculture — Mills — Prices and Features of Traffic—
Interesting Reminiscences — Sketches of Travel and Adventure.

SoME account of the manner and customs of the early
settlers of the Territory will prove interesting. It will be
remembered that Green Bay and Prairie du Chien were the
only places where the whites cultivated the arts of peace,
before the lands in other portions came into possession of the
government. At Prairie du Chien the farmers were a thrfity
and industrious people, perhaps more so than at Green Bay.
They raised a large quantity of small grain, such as wheat,
barley, oats, pease, and also some potatoes and onions. Every
two or three farmers, says Judge Lockwood, had a horse
flouring-mill; the stones being cut from the granite rock found
in the country. There they ground their wheat, and sifted the
flour by hand. The surplus flour was sold to the Indian traders
for goods, or exchanged with the Indians for venison, ducks and
geese, or dressed deer-skins, as there was no money in circula-
tion in the country. Any purchase made was payable in goods
from the traders, or flour from the inhabitants. The manner in
which the traders dealt with the farmers was as follows: They
let the farmer set his price on any thing he had to sell, without
grumbling, or saying any thing about its being high, as it was
payable in goods, the trader charging his price for the goods;
so that each party got all he asked, and neither had cause
for complaint: but, of course, the trader was not the loser by
the transaction. Mr. M. Brisbois related a transaction to
Judge Lockwood, which took place between himself and a

farmer by the name of Lariviere. This man was ambitious
143
144 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

to pass with his neighbors for the best farmer in the country,
and went to Mr. Brisbois to see what he was paying for
flour, which at that time was worth six dollars per hundred
pounds. But Mr. Lariviere, desirous of the opportunity of
boasting to his neighbors that he had gotten more for his
flour than they did, expressed a wish that Mr. Brisbois would
pay him more than the market-price for the same; which the
former declined to do. “Oh!” said Mr. Lariviere: “ you can
make it up by charging more for the goods with which you
pay me;” and so they closed the bargain, not to Mr. Brisbois’
loss. The prices compared somewhat like this: when flour
was worth eight dollars per hundred pounds, hyson or young
hyson tea was worth eight dollars per pound; if the flour
was worth only six dollars, tea would remain the same price.
When the farmer got nine dollars per bushel for onions,
and one dollar per dozen for eggs, he paid the above price
for tea. The women at the prairie, mostly daughters of the
Indian traders, had been raised in the habit of drinking a great
deal of tea in the Indian country, where other beverage for
children could not be procured; and it thus became, from long
habit with them, almost a necessary of life, and they would
make any sacrifice to obtain their favorite beverage. When
eggs were worth one dollar per dozen, rosin soap was worth
one dollar per pound; and calico that at this date would be sold
for ten or fifteen cents per yard was then sold at two dollars
per yard, clay pipes at forty cents each, and common tobacco
at about two dollars per pound. So much flour was made at
Prairie du Chien at this time, that in 1820 Joseph Rolette
‘contracted with the government to supply the two companies
at Fort Crawford with it; they preferring the coarse flour of
the prairie, which was sweet, to the fine flour transported by
keel-boats on the long voyage from Pittsburg, which would
be sour on its arrival.

The lands about Prairie du Chien were not purchased from
the Indians, and none surveyed, except the private claims on
the prairie, for many years after the government took posses-
sion of it as a military post. There were not, until 1835, any
Americans who emigrated to the prairie for settlement; and
even then, as the country about was not in market, very few
came.
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146 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

It may be remarked, that, of all the foreigners that came to
this section of the country, the Canadians of French extraction
seemed to have the least idea of the privileges of American
citizenship. It appeared almost impossible to instil in their
minds any thing of the independence of self-government; and
this was not entirely confined to the uneducated, but would
apply more or less to the partially-educated classes. They did
not consider it a privilege to vote for the officers who were to
govern them, and considered it only desirable to use the elective
franchise in order to gratify some friend who has asked them
to vote for himself or his candidate; and, when so requested,
they were too polite to refuse, unless a previous promise had
been made to some other.

The early inhabitants of Green Bay were very much the
same as at Prairie du Chien. In 1824 there were but six or
eight resident American families; and the families of the
officers stationed at Fort Howard, in number about the same.
The character of the people was a compound of civilization
and primitive simplicity, exhibiting the polite and lively charac-
teristics of the French, and the thoughtlessness and improvi-
dence of the aborigines. Possessing the virtues of hospitality,
and the warmth of heart unknown to residents of cities,
untrammelled by the etiquette and conventional rules of
modern “high life,” they were ever ready to receive and enter-
tain their friends, and more intent upon the enjoyment of the
present than to lay up store, or make provision, for the future.
With few wants, and contented and happy hearts, they found
enjoyment in the merry dance, the sleigh-ride, and the exciting
horse-race, and, doubtless, experienced more true happiness
and contentment than the plodding, calculating, and money-
seeking people of the present day. This was the character of
the settlers who occupied this country before the arrival of the
Yankees, — a class now entirely extinct, or lost sight of by the
present population ; but it is one which unites the present with
the past, and for whom the old settlers entertain feelings of
weneration and respect.

Hon. H. 8. Baird says, —

‘‘ During the early years of my residence here, the social circle, although
‘limited, was by no means insignificant. It was composed of the families
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 147

of the garrison and the Americans, and several of the old settlers. If it
was small, it was also united by the ties of friendship and good feeling.
Free from the formalities and customs which are observed by the ¢lite of
the present day, we met to enjoy ourselves, more like members of one family
than as strangers. The young people of that period (and all felt young
then) would assemble on a few hours’ notice at the house of a neighbor,
without form or ceremony. Young ladies were then expected to appear
at an early hour in the evening, and not at the usual hour of retiring to
rest ; nor were they required to appear in court or fancy dresses. The
merry dance followed, and all enjoyed themselves until the early hours in
the morning. One custom prevailed universally among all classes, even
extending to the Indians, — that of devoting the holidays to festivity and
amusement, but especially that of ‘calling’ on New Year’s Day. This
custom was confined to no class in particular. All observed it; and many
met on that day, who did not again meet until the succeeding year. All
then shook hands, and exchanged mutual good wishes. All old animosities
were forgotten, all differences settled, and universal peace established.
During the winter season, Green Bay was entirely insulated. Cut off from
communication with all other parts of the civilized world, her inhabitants
were left to their own resources for nearly half a year. The mails were few
and far between. Sometimes but once a month, never more than twice, did
we receive them ; so that the news when received here was no longer news.
The mails were carried on a man’s shoulders from Chicago to Green Bay,
through the wilderness, a distance of about two hundred and fifty miles,
and could not contain a very great quantity of interesting reading-matter.
Under such circumstances, it became necessary that we should devise some
means to enliven our time, and we did so accordingly; and I look back upon
those years as among the most agreeable of my life. The country at that
early day was destitute of roads or places of public entertainment. Nothing
but the path, or ‘ Indian trail’ traversed the wide expanse of forest and
prairie from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi; and the travel by land was
performed on foot or on horseback. But there was then another mode of
locomotion, very generally adopted by those who took long journeys, now
become obsolete, and which would be laughed at by the present fast-going
generation, —that of the Indian or bark canoe. The canoe was used in all
cases where comfort and expedition were desired. These may appear strange
words, when you reflect that the traveller sat cooped up all day in a space
about four feet square, and at night encamped on the bank of the stream,
cooked his own supper, and slept upon the ground, with no covering but a
tent and blanket, or, oftentimes, nothing but the wide canopy of heaven,
having, after a day of toil and labor by his crew, accomplished a journey of
thirty or forty miles. But these journeys were not destitute of interest.
The voyageur was enlivened by the merry song of his light-heérted and
ever-happy Canadian crew, his eye delighted by the constant varying
scenery of the country through which he passed, at liberty to select a spot
for lis encampment, and to stop wher fatigued with the day’s travel, and,
148 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

above all, free from care, and from the fearful apprehensions of all modern
travellers on railroads and steamboats, — that of being blown up, burned,
or drowned. :

“T can better illustrate this early mode of travel by giving an account of
a party of pleasure undertaken and accomplished by myself. In May,
1830, being obliged to go on the annual circuit to Prairie du Chien, to at-
tend court, I concluded to make it a matter of pleasure, as well as business.
I accordingly obtained a good-sized and substantial north-west bark canoe
(about five fathoms, or thirty feet, in length, and five feet wide in the centre),
a good tent, or ‘marquee,’ together with mattresses, blankets, bedding,
mess-basket, and all things required as an outfit on such expeditions. The
party consisted of my wife, self, two small children, two young ladies as
companions, and a servant-girl; my crew, of four Canadians (experienced
men, and good singers) and two Menomonee Indians as bow and steers men.
The canoe was propelled both by oars and paddles. We ascended the Fox
River to Fort Winnebago, and descended the Wisconsin to the Mississippi,
and thence up the latter, four miles, to Prairie du Chien. The voyage occu-
pied eight or nine days in going, and about the same length of time in re-
timing, during which the ladies camped out every night save two. They
did all the cooking and household work. The former was no small item;
for with appetites sharpened by pure air and exercise, and with abundance
of fresh venison, with fowl and fish to satisfy them, the quantity of viands
consumed by the party would have astonished modern epicures, and, perhaps,
shocked the delicate tastes of city belles. We frequently encamped early in
the afternoon, — at some spot which attracted our attention from its natural |
beauty or romantic appearance, — and strolled along the bank of the stream,
plucking beautiful wild flowers, which abounded; or, clambering up some
high bluff or commanding headland, cbtained a view of the surrounding |
country, and traced the meandering stream through its high banks, far in
the distance. It was in the merry month of May, when the forest was
clothed in its deepest verdure, the hills and prairies redolent with flowers,
and the woods tenanted by melodious songsters. It was truly a trip of
pleasure and enjoyment. Many trips for pleasure have been undertaken,
where parties may have experienced the refinements and accommodations,
and enjoyed the luxuries, to be found in the present day in old and long-
settled countries; but I believe few, if any, realize more true delight and
satisfaction than did this party of pleasure in a bark canoe.” ‘
CHAPTER XIII.

THE PIONEERS OF WISCONSIN.

WE might further illustrate the manner of life and living of
the settlers who were here in the pioneer days, at these two early
outposts of Wisconsin ; but what has been written, it is believed,
will suffice. As time passed along, many changes took place.
Other men and their families came in, and became a part and
parcel of the community, introducing new ideas, and bringing
with them the customs and habits of the places from which they
removed. The title acquired by the government, by treaties
with the Indians, and these lands being surveyed and brought
into market, and offered at a mere nominal price, increased the
number of settlers from the Eastern and other States. By
energy and perseverance, they surmounted all obstacles, and by
their courage and firmness; and to them is owing the develop-
ment of the country, the opening the way for the introduction
of civilization, education, and the arts and sciences ; and to them
should be awarded the merit of having largely contributed, by
their talents and labor, to the formation and organization of
the Territory, now State, of Wisconsin. Less than fifty years
ago, the whole State of Wisconsin, except Green Bay and
Prairie du Chien, was a wilderness, with here and there a set-
tler, and those in the lead-region in the south-western part. It
seems almost incredible to think, or in any way realize, what has
since taken place, as it seems almost like enchantment. The
narratives of the early settlers of Wisconsin, that have been
published in the Collections of the State Historical Society and
in the newspapers, where details are frequently given, and
incidents related at the pioneer meetings held in the various

portions of the State, all show what difficulties and hardships
149
150 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

these settlers had to pass through, before they could live with
any tolerable degree of comfort. Hon. C. M. Baker, in his
address at the old settlers’ meeting of Walworth County, 1869,
says, —

“T have spoken of the men who first settled old Walworth; but what, old
comrades in this life-battle in the wilderness that was, — what of our com-
panions, the women?

‘Most of them had been delicately reared, and were accustomed to the
luxuries and refinements of cultivated society; and most, or all, had good
homes, with the necessaries and conveniences ‘of life in abundance, and
were surrounded by kind friends and dear relatives. To these they had
been bred; to all these they were strongly attached. But these ties were
sundered, these homes were left behind, when, after the last’ trunk was
packed, and the last farewell was sadly uttered, they set their faces west-
ward for a new life and a new home, they knew not whither; but they knew
it must be among strangers. They shared with us the toils of the journey,
the weary miles of sunshine and storm, as we journeyed on and onward.
They partook with us of the coarse fare and rude accommodations of the
wagon and wayside, the canal-boat and the steamer, the log-tavern, and the
bivouac under the open heavens, — all this they encountered without mur-
muring, and cheerfully.

« And when, late in autumn or early spring, it may be, in the cold storm,
or driving mists and chilly winds that cut to the bone, they took their de-
parture from Chicago or Milwaukee, the last outposts of civilization over
those low, lonely prairies which surrounded the one, or through the gloomy
forests which enveloped the other, over dismal roads beset with ruts or
stumps, without sign of cultivation or human habitation, — then it was that
the hour of bitter trial came to their hearts; then it was, that, amid their
loneliness and utter heart-desolation, the dear homes and kindred they had
left, rose up before them, and, through their tears, they looked down upon
the little ones who clung to them. But.not a murmur, not a word of regret
or repining, escaped them. The feelings, too deep for utterance, which
swelled within them, were smothered in their bosoms. When we, at last
(some later, some earlier), had found a place where to make a home in these |
pleasant groves and prairies,— pleasant to us men; for here there were
herds of bounding deer, and flocks of wild fowl, the wolf and the sand-hill
crane, and game, large and small, to givé us sport. The lakes and streams
abounded in fish, and we could take them at our will. The country was
all open, and free to roam over as one great park. There was excitement for
us in all this, suited to our rougher natures and coarser tastes. We could
roam and fish or hunt as we pleased, amid the freshness and beauties of
Nature. But how was it for our wives? From all these bright, and, to us,
fascinating scenes and pastimes, they were excluded. They were shut up
with the children in log-cabins,—when they were fortunate enough to get
them, — rude huts, without floors often, and, not unfrequently, without doors
 

 

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152 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

or windows, while the cold, bleak winds of March and December whistled
through them. Frequently they were covered with shakes fastened on with
poles, between which the stars at night looked down upon the faithful
mother and her sleeping infants. Here, in one small room, filled, perhaps,
with smoke; without furniture, except a little of the rudest kind, —rough
slab stools, an equally rough table, and a bedstead, if any, made of poles
fastened into the house; without kitchen-utensils, save, perchance, a kettle,
a skillet, and a frying-pan; destitute of crockery, and with a little tinware,
—they were called upon to do, unaided, the duties of a housewife. With
these conveniences and these surroundings, they took upon them for weeks
and months, and even for years, the burden of their households in a con-
tinued struggle with hinderances and perplexities. These were the heroic
women to whom our hearts did homage; and I should fail in my duty at
this time, if, in the roll-call of worthy and honorable names, they should
not be remembered.”

In writing the above, Judge Baker spoke from actual expe-
rience. He knew well the privations of the early settlers and
their families, and could sympathize with them in their early
experiences of pioneer life. The experience of the settler in
Walworth County, however, was no worse, and in some respects
better, than those who lived farther in the interior of the State.
Some of these pioneers have passed away: many are still
living, and are enjoying, in the evening of their days, wealth,
and the comforts obtained by honorable toil and industry.
Their conduct and action as public servants will bear the scru-
tiny of posterity, and they will lose nothing in comparison with
legislators or rulers of the few past years. May those who suc-
ceed them in either capacity follow their example, and prove as
true to the interests of the State as did the old settlers in their
time! and may the present and future legislatures, by their
acts, retrieve the character and credit of the country from the
odium brought upon it by reckless and inconsiderate legislation !
CHAPTER XIV!

THE BLACK HAWK WAR.

The Sauks and Foxes — British Interference—Black Hawk and his Wrongs —
Battle of Stillman’s Run — Battle of the Pecatonica — Battle of Wisconsin
Heights — The Battle of Bad Axe— Capture of Black Hawk, &c.

THE acquisition of territory has always been a fruitful source
of trouble. In ancient as well as in modern times, the stronger
have generally overpowered the weaker nations, appropriated to
their own use the territory of the latter, and resorted to arms
in defence of their enlarged dominions.

In this, no more fitting example can be found than that which
is afforded by the United States in its intercourse with the
aboriginal tribes whose hunting-grounds and burial-places were
within its boundaries; and when the victims have mustered
courage and numbers sufficient to assert their rights, and
endeavored to maintain them, the entire strength of the con-
federacy, as well as that of the border States, has generally
been brought into requisition, and the audacity of the savages
has been visited with the severest penalties.

Among those tribes with whom the Federal Government has
been in trouble are the Sauks and Foxes, — powerful nations,
whose homes were then on the banks of the Mississippi, in the
present States of Wisconsin and Illinois, — with some portions
of whom, on the 3d of November, 1804, a treaty was signed at
St. Louis, ceding to the United States a large district of their
territory. These negotiators had not visited St. Louis for such
a purpose, however; and the act of cession was promptly

1 This chapter, written by Henry B, Dawson of the New York Historical
Society, is taken from a work entitled “ Battles of the United States by Sea and
Land,” by permission of the author.

153
154 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

repudiated by the greater part of both nations. For many
years, a series of troubles, based on the rival claims of the
parties, occurred between the government and the nations ; and
these troubles increased with the influx of settlers into that
portion of the mighty West at a later date. Taking advantage
of this disaffection, Tecumseh, and the agents of the British
Government, at an early day prompted them to move, with
other nations of the West, for the redress of the grievances
under which they lived; and a series of “ wars” occurred, of
which the reader has been informed in preceding chapters of:
this volume.

The troubles which this state of affairs produced grew
more and more serious until 1831, when, in accordance with
subsequent treaty stipulations, all, including Black Hawk,
removed from Illinois, and settled on the western bank of the
Mississippi. During that year, however, with his band of
warriors and his family, he appears to have returned to his
former home, and caused much annoyance to the settlers,
although he showed no disposition to resort to hostilities.
After a display of the military forces of the State under Gen.
Duncan, and of the United States under Gen. Gaines, the
troubles were settled by another treaty ; and Black Hawk and
his party returned to their new homes west of the Mississippi.

Notwithstanding the apparent settlement of the troubles in
1831, the emissaries of the British Government in Canada
appear to have continued the agitation of the treaty question
among the Indians; and in the spring of 1832, encouraged by
their promises, Black Hawk prepared for another visit to his
former home in Illinois. Still he assumed no warlike attitude ;
but with his band of warriors on horseback, and their families
and property in canoes, they crossed the Mississippi at the
Yellow Bank, on the 6th of April, and moved slowly towards
Rock River. It is difficult to conceive how sucha cavalcade
could have been considered an Indian invasion, especially since
the squaws and children never accompanied war-parties on their
excursions; yet the people of Illinois considered it in that
light, and treated their visitors as enemies. The governor called
for volunteers to repel the invaders. Gen. Atkinson, then on
his way up the river with six companies of the Sixth infantry,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 155

to demand some murderers from the Sauks, joined in the eru-
sade ; three companies of the First infantry were ordered from
Fort Crawford; the militia of North-western Illinois and of
Michigan were ordered to be held in readiness for active duty ;
the co-operation, of the Dakotas and Menomonees, hereditary
enemies of the Sauks, was solicited by the Federal authori-
ties ; and stores and supplies were ordered from St. Louis to be
in readiness for the campaign. In the mean time the Indians
pursued their way quietly but steadily, interfering with none,
and without inflicting any injury on the settlers. To the
messengers who were sent after them, they replied, they would
not go back, as they were acting peaceably; and when the
messages became more urgent, threatening to drive them back,
they were informed, if Gen. Atkinson “ wished to fight,” he
could “ come on,” as they were determined never to be driven,
and, equally so, “ not to make the first attack.”

While the cavalcade, under Black Hawk, was thus pursuing
its way up the Rock River, Gov. Reynolds and Gen. Whitesides,
with about eighteen hundred volunteers, were mustered into
the service of the United States, when Gen. Atkinson detached:
them in pursuit of the Indians; while, with his regulars and
the stores, he followed in boats in the rear, but at too great a
distance to afford any support to the former. On the 12th of
May, this detachment, eager for action, reached Dixon’s Ferry,
where it was joined by Major Stillman with two hundred and
seventy-five men from the northern counties. The major, con-
sidering the command an independent one, declined to join
Gen. Whitesides’s brigade; and on the next day he solicited
from the governor, as commander-in-chief, an order to go out on
ascout. In accordance with that request, with Major Bailey,
he received orders to march to the Old Man’s Creek, and to
ascertain, if possible, the movements of the Indians; and the
two battalions, after wading through unusually muddy roads,
encamped in company, but independent of each other, some
eight or ten miles from the ferry. On the following morning
(May 14), the two battalions were temporarily placed in com-
mand of Major Stillman; and under his orders they continued
the pursuit until sunset, when they encamped in front of a
small creek known as the Kish-wau-kee (since then known as
156 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Stillman’s Run), in the vicinity of Sycamore Creek, and about
thirty miles above Dixon.

In the mean time, Black Hawk had learned that the promised
assistance of the British would not be available; and he began
to relent. At the same time, intelligence of the approach
of the two battalions under Majors Stillman and Bailey
reached him; and he “immediately started three young men
with a flag,” to meet them, and conduct them to his camp,
that a council might be held, and that he might descend Rock
River again, probably with the design of returning to the
western bank of the Mississippi. Five others were soon after-
wards detached after the former messengers, as a party of ob-
servation. The first party, it is said, reached Major Stillman’s
encampment in safety, and were taken prisoners, notwithstand-
ing their flag; and when the second party came in sight, also
with a flag, with their guns held horizontally over their heads,
and knocking the priming out as a signal of peace, they were
pursued, and two of them were killed. On the arrival at Black
Hawk’s camp of the three messengers who had escaped, all
ideas of flags and truces ended. Blood had been shed by the
whites while the victims were extending assurances of peace ;
and those who, before, had merely travelled over the soil of
Illinois, without committing any offence, were instantly changed
into active and determined enemies.

At this time, Black Hawk had only about forty men with
him, the greater part of his party being ten miles distant; and
with this small force he started back to meet the assailants.
There is no evidence whatever that the chief had either desired
to engage in hostilities, or expected the whites would do so;
and it is equally clear, that, in this invasion, the first act of
aggression was committed by those among whom the Indians
moved. What wonder, then, need there be, when his flag had
been disregarded, and its bearers seized as prisoners, when his
messengers of peace, subsequently despatched, had been shot
down, or pursued with that intent, that Black Hawk, with the
forty who were with him, should turn on his pursuers, sound
the war-whoop, and sell their lives as dearly as possible? He
did so; and he did that only which any one, unless the veriest
poltroon, would have done under the same circumstances.
 

 

 

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Rushing upon the cowardly pursuers of the peaceful embassy
with his handful of braves, and sending the shrill war-whoop
into their ranks in advance of his rifle-balls, or tomahawks, the
indignant Black Hawk accomplished in a few minutes what
had been considered the work of a host: he scattered them in
every direction, and filled their minds with the greatest alarm.
A few minutes afterwards, the main body of Major Stillman’s
command also came in sight, having followed in pursuit of
the fugitive embassy; when the chief concealed his forty
braves among “some brushes,” and in concealment awaited its
approach, shrewdly intending to have the first fire, — knowing its
effect on militia, “when it approached close enough.” As
Major Stillman halted on the prairie before he came within gun-
shot distance of the ambuscade, it is probable he had discovered
the Indians; but the latter did not wait for a development of
his plans, or for his fire. Giving another of their terrible yells,
the chief and his little party rushed from their hiding-places,
and charged on the irregular mass of mounted men; and that
also— unnerved by the injustice of the cause in which it was
engaged, and magnifying every Indian warrior tenfold —also
turned and fled in the greatest confusion. The Indians, of
course, pursued; but, although twenty-five of his braves con-
tinued it, the chief found it useless to follow, as they rode so
fast; and, after returning to his encampment, he “lighted his
pipe, and sat down to thank the Great Spirit for what he had
done.”

On the following day, incited by the terrible stories of the
fugitives, as they reached Dixon after a flight of fifty miles,
Gov. Reynolds issued a proclamation calling for an additional
force of two thousand mounted volunteers; and, throughout
the entire West, the exaggerated stories of Major Stillman
and his followers, enlarged in the proclamation of Gov. Rey-
nolds, and increased in horrible incidents in every subsequent
version, were creating the greatest alarm.

On the day after the battle, after burying the two Indians,
belonging to the second party, who had been shot, and one of
the first party, who had shared the same fate, Black Hawk vis-
ited the deserted camp of Major Stillman’s party, and found
“arms, ammunition, and provisions, all of which, éspecially the
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 159

latter, he was in want of;” the empty whiskey-kegs which he
found there creating the greatest surprise, as he had understood
that all the pale faces belonged to the temperance societies.

In this action (“the battle at Stillman’s Run,” May 14, 1882),
and in the pursuit which followed it, the Indians lost none.
The volunteers lost Major Perkins, Capt. Adams, and nine
men, and, perhaps, twenty horses killed; and five men were
wounded. On the morning of the 15th, Gen. Whitesides,
with his brigade of volunteers (fifteen hundred in number),
moved forward to the battle-ground, on Stillman’s Run, and
buried the dead; when he, too, without venturing beyond the
bounds of acknowledged safety, returned to Dixon. The troops,
in the mean time, having become “ dissatisfied, wished to be
discharged from the service.” On the 17th, Gen. Atkinson
reached Dixon’s Ferry, with his regulars and a supply of
provisions; and on the 19th, with the entire army, twenty-
four hundred in number, he also advanced up the Rock
River, towards the scene of the late battle. The disaffec-
tion of the volunteers continued, however, and on the 27th
and 28th of May, they were disbanded and discharged at
Ottawa, by Gov. Reynolds, leaving the defence of the fron-
tiers with the regular troops, and with a small body of citizens,
who volunteered, temporarily, for that purpose.

In the mean time, the Indians were waging war in accord-
ance with their usages. The settlements were visited and
destroyed; the settlers and their families were butchered, or
carried away captive; and, as has been said elsewhere, “the
Indians had now shown themselves to be a courageous, active,
and enterprising enemy.” They had scattered their war-parties
over all the North, — from Chicago to Galena, and from the IIli-
nois River into the Territory of Wisconsin: they occupied
every grove, waylaid every road, hung around every settlement,
and attacked every party of white men that attempted to pene-
trate the country. .

Among those who temporarily volunteered to defend the
frontiers on the discharge of the troops at Ottawa, was Adam
M. Snyder, to whom was assigned the command of a company.
In the night of the 17th of June, while he was encamped
near Burr Oak Grove, thirty-five miles east from Galena, he
160 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

was fired on by the Indians; and on the following morning
(June 18) he went in pursuit of them. After a spirited chase,
he overtook them (four in number); and after a warm engage-
ment, and a vigorous charge, he succeeded in killing all of
them, with the loss of one of his own command. It appears,
however, that later in the day, while Capt. Snyder’s company
was returning to its encampment, the action was renewed by
a large body of Indians (seventy or eighty, it is said); two
“gentlemen” of Capt. Snyder’s command being killed, and one
wounded, at the first fire. The suddenness of the attack, and
the loss which the company experienced, filled it with alarm;
and many of the men, terror-stricken, commenced a retreat.
The captain, with great presence of mind, halted, and endeav-
ored to form them for action; but so completely were they
overcome with fear, that it was only after Gen. Whitesides —
who was acting as a private in the company —had threatened
to shoot the first man who attempted to run away, that any
thing like order could be restored.

At length they formed; and taking to the trees, as the Indians
had done before them, the action was carried on with great
warmth, until the fall of the leader of the Indians dispirited
them, and they retired. Besides the loss referred to (one
killed), the Indians appear to have sustained no loss in this
affair ; while the whites, besides the two “gentlemen” who were
killed, are said to have had one wounded. Capt. Synder im-
mediately marched to headquarters (Fort Wilbourne) ; and as
the levy under Gov. Reynolds’s “ proclamation” had assembled,
and was ready for duty, the temporary force of volunteers, of
which Capt. Snyder’s company was part, was disbanded.

While these proceedings of the temporary volunteer force in
the vicinity of Kellogg’s Grove were adding to the interests of
the struggle, on the 14th of June, a party of men were attacked
in a cornfield near the mouth of Spafford’s Creek, and five were
killed. Information of the affair was immediately conveyed
to Fort Defiance, when Capt. Hoard despatched an express to
Col. Henry Dodge at Dodgeville, with the intelligence; while,
at the same time, Lieut. Charles Bracken, the second officer of

the garrison, was despatched to the scene of the massacre with

eleven men, —all for whom horses could be obtained. Stopping
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 161

all night at Fort Hamilton ( Wiola, Wisconsin), on the following
morning he was joined by nine men; and, with his entire com-
mand of about twenty men, the lieutenant proceeded to Spafford’s
cornfield. After burying the victims, the expedition returned
to Fort Hamilton, where it found Capt. Gentry with a few men;
and on the next day (June 16, 1882), Col. Dodge came in, and
assumed the command.

As the colonel with two friends approached Fort Hamilton,
they met a German, named Apple, a settler in that vicinity,
who was returning to his log-cabin to prepare for active service ;
and immediately afterwards he was shot by an enemy concealed
in the bushes. As soon as the colonel reached the fort, there-
fore, he sallied out again at the head of the party which Lieut.
Bracken had commanded, and of Capt. Gentry’s party, twenty-
eight men in all; and, taking their trail, he pursued the In-
dians, overtaking them on the bank of the Pecatonica, behind
which they had concealed themselves under a sand-bank and in
the bushes. Having “told off” in sections of seven, the fourth
or central man of each section remained on horseback, and took
charge of the horses of the other six; while four others were
sent on the neighboring height as lookouts; and the remainder
dismounted, and prepared for the attack by renewing their
flints, repriming their guns, unbuttoning their shirt-collars, and
tightening their belts. When all were ready, Col. Dodge ad-
dressed them in a few homely sentences; and the party in line
waded the stream, and entered the thicket. As soon as the
position of the enemy was seen, he occupied the bed of a pond,
in front of which was a natural breastwork three feet in height.
The order was given to “ Charge ’em, boys: charge em!” Mount-
ing the embankment after having received the enemy’s fire, the
whites engaged with the Indians in a hand-to-hand conflict,
before the latter could reload their pieces; and with such spirit
was the attack conducted, that in a few minutes, with the loss
of three men, the enemy was completely overpowered; eleven

‘having been killed on the spot, while two others, wounded, were
tracked up the bank of the stream, and were scalped; and four
others crept beneath the surrounding brushwood, or into the
long grass on the neighboring prairie, and died of their wounds ;
not one of the seventeen assailants escaping to tell the story of
the Battle of the Pecatonica.
162 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

While Col. Dodge was thus engaged with the enemy at Peca-
tonica, Capt. James W. Stephenson, with the Galena Company
of volunteers, was on the lookout for Indians near the head of
Yellow Creek, where he discovered a party of them, and pursued
them into the bushes. The Indians, having secured the advan-
tage of position, immediately stood on their defence; and, having
lost three of his men, Capt. Stephenson, after a spirited attack,
was obliged to order a retreat.

He appears to have changed his mind after withdrawing from
the action, however, and returned to the thicket, charging a
second and a third time on the hiding-places of the enemy, with
greater determination than success, until, having received a
severe wound, he was compelled to retire. It is not known
what was the strength of the enemy, or his loss; and, although
the assault was spirited and well contested, the loss of the
volunteers indicated a spirited and gallant defence.

On the 24th of June, Black Hawk, with one hundred and
fifty Indians, made an attack on Apple River Fort, near the
present village of Elizabeth, Ill., and twelve miles from Galena.
This work was a square stockade of logs driven into the ground,
and strengthened with a block-house at each angle. It was
garrisoned with twenty-five men under Capt. Stone; and was
designed as a place of refuge, during the night, for the miners
and their families, although, during the day, they attended to
their affairs outside the walls, as they had done before the war.
In the afternoon of the day in question, an express of three
men, on its way from Galena to Dixon’s Ferry, passed the fort,
and had not proceeded more than three hundred and fifty yards,
before it was fired on by the Indians, who were concealed in the
bushes. One of the three was wounded; and, although all were
intoxicated, his comrades covered his retreat to the fort, afford-
ing an opportunity, at the same time, for the miners and their
families to secure their safety in the same manner. As the ex-
press entered the fort, the enemy dismounted, hitched his horses,
and opened a heavy fire on it for upwards of an hour, without
inflicting any injury beyond killing one man, and wounding
another. At length the Indians entered the log-houses which
stood near the fort, and, having knocked holes in the walls for
portholes, they continued the fire, without exposing themselves
 

 

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164 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

to that of the garrison. Finding that his rifles were useless in
such an attack, and fearing to set fire to the fort, or to the
houses, lest the light or the smoke should discover their position,
and direct the army or the people in their pursuit, Black Hawk
“thought it more prudent to be content with what flour, pro-
visions, cattle, and horses he could find,” and to retire. Before
doing this, however, it is said, the Indians plundered the houses,
“ chopping, splitting, and tearing up a quantity of fine furni-
ture.” Itis said by an eye-witness, that “there was scarcely a
man or woman that was left with a second suit of clothing.”
They went into my father’s house, “he continues. There was a.
large bureau full of fine clothes; and they took six fine cloth
coats and a number of fine ruffled shirts. With their tomahawks
they split the drawers, and took the contents. They ripped
open the bedticks, emptied the feathers, took all the bed-cloth-
ing, and broke all the delf in the cupboards. Some of the out-
houses were kept for the purpose of storing away provisions.
They got into those houses, where a number of flour-barrels were
stowed away. They would lie down on their faces, and roll a
barrel after them until they would get into a ravine, where they
were out of danger, and then would empty the barrels of flour.
After they had destroyed this necessary article, and when they
found they could not succeed in taking the fort, as they ex-
pected, they commenced a warfare upon the stock. They killed
all the cattle that were near the fort, and took a number of fine
horses, to the number of about twenty, which were never got
again by their owners.” At length, having remained before the
fort fifteen hours, and done all the damage they could, the
Indians retired with the loss of several of their number.

In the mean time, the volunteers which Goy. Reynolds had
called for had assembled at Fort Wilbourne, been organized into
three brigades, mustered into the service of the United States,
and ordered to rendezvous at Dixon’s Ferry. The battalion
of spies, commanded by Major John Dement, and attached to
the first brigade, was ordered to move forward as an advance-
guard; and it had reached Kellogg’s Grove, when, on the
morning of the 25th of June, an express reached that place,
reporting the existence of a heavy trail on the north side of the
grove. At daylight, the major went out with twenty-five men
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 165

to reconnoitre, at the same time directing the remainder of his
battalion to saddle their horses, and hold themselves in readi-
ness to act as circumstances might warrant. He had not pro-
ceeded far from his encampment, before he discovered a small
party of Indians, when part of his men, disregarding his orders,
pursued it, and were drawn into an ambuscade. The major
immediately formed those who remained with him, together with
a few who had followed from the encampment, into a covering
party ; and with them he gallantly endeavored to rescue those
who had been led into danger. The yells of the enemy, as he
rushed from his coverts, intimidated the greater part of those
who were with him; and they fled, leaving the major to contend
with the enemy, with but few supporters. With these he gal-
lantly resisted the Indians, while, at the same time, he fell back
on the main body, and occupied a line of log-houses, from which
he was enabled to hold them in check, until, an hour afterwards,
they retired, with the loss of nine of their number. Although
the strength of the whites was much greater than that of the
" Indians (the latter being the same party, under Black Hawk,
who had attacked the Apple River Fort on the preceding day),
and although the personal gallantry of the Major called forth
the admiration of the chief who opposed him, and afforded an
example to his men which they did not imitate, this affair has
properly been considered a defeat of the whites, of whom five
were killed, and three wounded. Upwards of sixty horses be-
longing to the battalion were also killed.

While Major Dement was thus engaged, one of his men was
sent back to Gen. Posey for assistance, and met him on the
road; but, notwithstanding his march was quickened, the
Indians had retired in the direction of Lake Koshkonong before
he could reach the field of battle.

During the succeeding three or four weeks, the several divis-
ions of the forces appear to have succeeded in none of their
undertakings. At one time they concentrated their strength in
the vicinity of Koshkonong Lake, probably for the purpose of
enclosing the enemy, who was supposed to have been there ; and
at another, finding that Black Hawk had slipped away from them,
and scattered his forces, they, too, separated, and went in differ-
ent directions in pursuit of the fragments of their enemy’s party.
166 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

At one time, the several divisions, in full pursuit, promised a
speedy termination of the conflict: at another, a few days after-
wards, they were brought to a sudden halt for the want of sup-
plies, or the victims of Indian shrewdness (the deception of an
enemy can be called nothing more than this), in leading them
into quagmires and over streams, which, without bridges, were
impassable.

At the same time, the Indians were not in a condition to take
complete advantage of these delays and mistakes. Originally
entering Illinois without a hostile intent, and accompanied with
their women and children, and all their worldly effects, — a peo-
ple returning to the homes of their fathers, as the Israelites re-
turned from Egypt,—they had been forced into a war without
preparation, or the opportunity to disencumber themselves of
their families; and they were not only checked in their move-
ments from this cause, but they were also suffering for the
means of subsistence. A gallant officer of the army, then. with
the troops, has recently alluded to the position of the Indians on
the White Water and Rock Rivers, and said that “here they
found some game, roots, and vegetable substances, on which
they had subsisted or existed. But our delays, our marches and
countermarches, had misled and deceived them, and prevented
them from separating to hunt or fish: hence their supplies were
exhausted, and they were actually in a state of starvation. Our
masterly inactivity, occasioned by treacherous advice, and want
of stores, had already conquered them; but we were not yet
aware of this fact.” The brave but unfortunate Black Hawk
also bears testimony to the same sad truths. “During our en-
campment at the Four Lakes,” he says, “we were hard put to
to obtain enough to eat to support nature. Situated in a swampy,
marshy country (which had been selected in consequence of the
great difficulty required to gain access thereto), there was but
little game of any sort to be found; and fish were equally scarce.
The great distance of any settlement, and the impossibility of
bringing supplies therefrom, if any could have been obtained,
deterred our young men from making further attempts. We
were forced to dig roots, and bark trees, to obtain something to
satisfy hunger, and keep us alive. Several of our old people
became so much reduced as actually to die with hunger.”
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 167

The singular spectacle was thus seen of two contending forces
severally held in check by the want of the means of support,
and of each being ignorant of the position or condition of the
other. For the purpose of relieving the wants of the whites,
Gens. Henry and Alexander, and Col. Dodge, with their
commands, were detached to Fort Winnebago for a supply of
provisions for twelve days; while, for the relief of the Indians,
soon afterwards, Black Hawk “ concluded to remove his women
and children across the Mississippi, that they might return to
the Sauk nation again,” while, it is probable, he with his braves
intended to continue the contest.

It appears that Gen. Alexander returned to the camp with
the stores, while Gen. Henry and Col. Dodge, with their com-
mands, moved towards the Rock River Rapids in search of the
enemy. Without knowing that the escort had not included the
entire detachment, Black Hawk immediately moved towards
the Wisconsin River, with the purpose of descending that
stream to the Mississippi, and was hastening in that direction
when Gen. Alexander and Col. Dodge struck his trail. The
bones of horses which had been killed to prevent the star-
vation of the women and children were hourly passed, and
eventually a few stragglers in their rear were discovered in the
vicinity of the Wisconsin.

At this moment, the force of the whites, under Gen. Henry
and Col. Dodge, embraced a thousand men, besides a battal-
ion of volunteers from Michigan and Galena, and was well sup-
plied with stores, and anxious for the engagement; while that
under Black Hawk numbered less than three hundred half-
starved and dispirited warriors. A rear-guard of twenty men,
under Ne-a-pope, had been thrown back, to give notice of the
approach of the whites; and the yemainder of the party was bu-
sily employed in transporting the women and children, the aged
and the infirm, to an island in the river, when suddenly (the
outpost having been avoided) the head of the American col-
umn came in sight. Black Hawk was then compelled to fight,
or to sacrifice his women and children, and the helpless of his
party; and he appears to have acted promptly and honorably in
the emergency. Leaving the greater part of his party to con-
tinue the removal of their families, with fifty braves he went
168 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

out to meet Gen. Henry, and dispute his progress. He was
well mounted ; and, after addressing his warriors in a few well-
timed remarks, he moved forward, and endeavored to secure a
position on a high ground near by, “that he might have some
advantage over the whites.”

In the mean time, Gen. Henry had formed his troops, and was
ready for action. His first line was formed with Major Erving’s
“Spy Battalion” in the centre, the companies under Capts.
Gentry and Clark on the right, and those under Capts. Camp
and Parkinson on the left. His second line was composed of
Col. Collins’s regiment in the centre, with that under Col. Fry
on his right. His men were all dismounted, and his horses were
left in the rear, the central man of each section of seven having
been detailed for that purpose; and he had formed his men on
foot, in the order referred to, and had prepared for action.

‘Against this force, Black Hawk and his fifty braves moved,
without wavering, or manifesting the least fear, “raising the
war-hoop, screaming and yelling hideously, and rushing forward,
meeting it with a heavy charge.” The superior force of the
whites, however, insured the safety of their positions; and
“with a tremendous volley of musketry, accompanied with
the most terrific yells that ever came from the head of mortals,
except from the savages themselves,” they succeeded in occu-
pying the high ground which Black Hawk aimed to secure,
and in driving the fifty Indians into a deep ravine, notwith-
standing the determined attempts of the latter to turn, first the
left of the American line, and then its right. With the utmost
determination the fifty “savages” withstood the three regi-
ments and two battalions of whites (but little less savage than
the former, in their habits and mode of warfare, and much
more so in the spirit which actuated them) until sunset, when,
“finding that the whites would not come near enough to receive
his fire in the dusk of the evening, and knowing that the women
and children had had sufficient time to reach the island in the
Wisconsin,” Black Hawk ordered his warriors to disperse in
different directions, and to “meet him at the Wisconsin ;” and,
strange as it may appear, the victors “were not disposed to
pursue them.”

The loss of the whites in this action was one killed and eight
 

 

 

 

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170 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

wounded ; and although the army supposed that of the Indians
to have been “about sixty killed, and a great number wounded,”
there is no reason to disbelieve Black Hawk when he says, “I
defended my passage over the Wisconsin with the loss of only
six men, though opposed by a host of mounted militia.”

In recording the result of this engagement, the battle of Wis-
consin Heights, July 21, 1832, it is difficult to determine which
to admire most,—the self-sacrificing spirit of the chief and
his fifty braves, or the skill and determination with which they
accomplished their purposes. And Black Hawk, in referring to
it, was excusable in indulging in a little self-gratulation, when
he remarked, ‘“‘ Whatever may be the sentiments of the white
people in relation to this battle, my nation, though fallen, will
award to me the reputation of a great brave in conducting it.”

During the succeeding day, the troops remained on the field
of battle; and, early on the morning of the 23d, they were
terrified by the sound of something on a neighboring hill-top,
which, in their fright, they supposed was an Indian chief giv-
ing orders to his men. In the mean time, while part of the
Indians descended the Wisconsin, with the hope of reaching
the Mississippi more speedily, Black Hawk and his band started
over the rugged country for the same purpose. His progress
was necessarily slow; and, having no means of support, several
of his old men and little children perished from hunger on the
way. Soon afterwards, Gen. Atkinson, with the main body of
the army, joined in the pursuit of the famishing “invaders” of
Illinois; and following their trail over the “rugged country”
of which the chief speaks, as will be seen, he came up with
them near the mouth of the Bad Axe.

While the Indians and their pursuers were thus traversing
the wilderness towards the Upper Mississippi, intelligence of
the action at the Wisconsin Heights was conveyed to Prairie
du Chien by express; and Col. Loomis, the commander of that
post, immediately employed a steamboat to cruise on the river,
and to cut off the retreat of the miserable fugitives. This ves-
sel (“The Enterprise”) soon gave place to a faster one (“ The
Warrior”); and on the 1st of August she discovered the
Indians on the bank of the river, near the mouth of the Bad
Axe, making preparations to cross the river. The chief was ac-
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 171

quainted with the captain of the vessel, and ordered his war-
riors not to fire, “as he intended to go on board of her, so that
he might save their women and children;” and, with this pur-
pose, he displayed a white flag, “and called to the captain of
the boat, telling him to send his little canoe ashore, and let him
come on board.” He was hailed from the boat with the in-
quiry if they were Sauks, or Winnebagoes; and, when he an-
swered they were Sauks, a fire was opened on him and his
party, with a six-pounder, by Lieut. Kingsbury, and a detach-
ment of regular troops, who occupied the-forward-deck of the
boat. As Lieut. Kingsbury and Capt. Throckmorton of “The
Warrior” have stated that they saw the flag, this fire appears
to have been a wilful violation of every rule which governs
the actions of military men; and when Black Hawk’s party
returned the fire with their small-arms, they were justified by
every law both civil and military.

After the first discharge of the six-pounder, the Indians took
to the trees, and returned the fire, keeping it up until “The
Warrior” found it necessary to return to Prairie du Chien for
another supply of fuel.

It is said that twenty-three warriors were killed in this dis-
graceful affair; while of the crew of “The Warrior,” and the
troops on board of her, only one was wounded.

On the following morning (Aug. 2), Gen. Atkinson and
his force approached the Mississippi; and at an early hour the
spies came in sight of the Indian outposts. The latter imme-
diately attempted to surrender by exhibiting.a white flag ; “ but
the whites paid no attention to their entreaties, and -com-
menced slaughtering them.” When forced to resist, or submit
to the sacrifice, they resolved to sell their lives dearly, and re-
turned the fire. The main body hastening forward to support
its light troops, the Indians slowly retired, firing as they re-
treated, and fell back on their main body, which was on the
bottom, busily employed in transporting the women and chil-
dren, and the aged and infirm, over the Mississippi.

At this moment, the scene was a touching one. In front were
a people who had been led, by influences which controlled their
action, to seek the recovery of the homes of their fathers, which
had been fraudulently taken from them by the whites; and who,
172 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

in the course of their journey, without provocation on their
part, and without any overt act of hostility, had been forced to
resort to arms in defence of their lives and the lives of their
families who accompanied them. Without friends to counsel
them, without aid to strengthen their force, without food to sus-
tain the demands of nature, without sympathy, and denounced
as “monsters” of the most hideous character, they had been
hurled from one point to another with all the power of the
Federal Government, with all the voluntary strength of Illinois,
Michigan, and Wisconsin, and with all the energy of indi-
vidual cupidity. Seeking shelter in the swamps, they had
sought existence among the roots which they could dig up, or
the young grass, which they boiled for their little ones, or the
bark which they pulled from the trees for those who required
more delicate nourishment; or flying anxiously towards the
Mississippi, the boundary of their new homes, they had killed
their horses for their families’ nourishment, leaving nothing but
the bones and the hair of the animals to tell the story of their
sufferings. Those who, from any cause, had fallen into the
hands of their pursuers had been “left behind,” as it was
heartlessly called, notwithstanding their “pleas for quarters ;”
and when they had begged for peace and shelter, and had urged
the acknowledgment of the sacred character of a white flag, a
Federal cannon, and Federal grape and canister, had communi-
cated the answer of the Federal Government to their mercy,
and the indorsement of the Irederal Government of the acts of
their spoilers. They were now busily engaged in removing
their families to their acknowledged homes. With canoes and
temporary rafts, on horseback, or being towed over by their
faithful steeds, and even by swimming, bearing their little ones
on their backs as they went, the women were eagerly pressing
forward to a place of supposed safety, while their husbands and
fathers and brothers, as Black Hawk had done at the Wiscon-
sin, covered the retreat by preparing for battle.

Behind these, five times more numerous than they, were the
Federal troops and the volunteers; the latter not less savage,
in every respect, than the Indians, who were the instruments of
their spoliation, or the supporters of the wrong. The former,
under their experienced and gallant officers, were but the instru-
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 173

ments of an unjust policy of the government under whose orders
they acted; while the latter, moving in their own cause, were
regardless of discipline or order, relentless in their animosities
against an unresisting or an overpowered enemy, unreliable, if
not cowardly, before a determined opponent, and anxious for the
slaughter rather than the battle. The latter had been formed
-in order of battle, Gens. Pasey and Alexander, with their
brigades, being moved to the extreme right, up the river, to
prevent the escape of the Indians in that direction; Cols.
Jones and Collins, and Major Erving, with their regiments,
under Gen. Henry, in line, moving down against the Indians;
Gen. Dodge with his volunteers, and Col. Zachary Taylor
with the regular troops, on the right, being engaged with the
outposts of the Indians; and Col. Fry,with his regiment, cover-
ing the rear. After a short contest, Gen. Dodge and Col. Tay-
lor, with their commands, moved to the left, and joined the line
in its attack on the main body of the Indians; and with such
resolution did the latter defend themselves, and cover the
retreat of their families, that soon afterwards the companies
commanded by Capts. Gentry, Gruer, and Richardson, and the
regiment of Col. Fry, — the former generals, Dodge and Alexan-
der, on the extreme right; the latter, from the rear, — were
found necessary to support and strengthen the line of attack.
The action on the river-bottom continued but little longer,
when the Indians, overpowered, either fell before the rifles of
their pursuers, or fled to one of the islands, with which the
Mississippi, at this place, abounds, vainly hoping that they
would not be pursued.

Unfortunately for the luckless fugitives, at this moment (ten
in the morning) the steamboat “ Warrior” returned to the
scene of her exploit on the preceding evening, and opened fire
with her cannon on the fugitives (men, women, and children),
who were huddled together on the islands referred to; and at
the same time she sent her two boats to transport the regular
troops, under Col. Taylor, to the islands, to complete the work
of destruction. As may be readily supposed, the scene no
longer deserves the name of a battle, as it possessed none of the
characteristics of one. It was, in truth, a massacre of unresist-
ing Indians of every age and sex; and, of the entire party, only
one escaped.
174 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

In this important engagement, the battle of the Bad Axe,
Aug. 2, 1832, the whites lost twenty-seven killed and wounded ;
while of the Indians it is supposed that one hundred and
fifty were killed. It is said by an eye-witness, that, “ when
the Indians were driven to the bank of the Mississippi, some
hundreds of men, women, and children, plunged into the river,
and hoped, by diving, to escape the bullets of our guns. Very
few, however, escaped our sharpshooters; and those who did
escape to the western bank of the Mississippi were butchered
in cold blood by a party of Dakotas,—their hereditary ene-
mies, — who had been brought there for that purpose by the
Federal officers.

This was the finishing stroke of the war. The vengeance of
the government, like the mutterings from Moloch in the Valley
of Tophet, having been appeased by the sacrifice of the squaws
and their children, if not by that of the braves who had fallen
by hunger or the rifle-ball, no longer asked for blood; while the
settlers in Illinois and Wisconsin, no longer annoyed by “the
monsters” who had dared to ask a restoration of the homes and
the graves of their fathers, turned back to enjoy the plunder of
which their cruelties had confirmed the possession. Soon after-
wards, the gallant chief— worthy a better fate — surrendered
himself into the hands of the Federal authorities; and, like
many a patriot in ancient times, he was chained to the car of
the victor, and gave éclat to the triumphal march of the con-
queror through the country.
om

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CHAPTER XV.

THE NORTH-WESTERN TERRITORY.

The Old North-western Territory — Virginia’s Jurisdiction — Ordinance of 1787 —
Organization of Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin Territories — The
First Settlers of Wisconsin —Green Bay — Military Government — Courts and
Trials.

THE judicial and legislative history of what is now known as
the State of Wisconsin is so intimately connected with that of
the adjacent Territory, that it will be necessary to give, in an
abridged form, a history of the whole, or what is usually known
as the North-western Territory:

In consequence of the conquest of the Illinois country by
Col. George Rogers Clark, Virginia claimed the Territory of

17838 which what is now Wisconsin formed a part, but
* ceded it to the General Government March 1, 1784.
At the pacification of 1783, Great Britain recognized the north-
ern lakes as the boundary; but, as several of our States passed
acts thwarting the collection of British debts, Great Britain
refused to surrender the North-west Territory until 1796, when
it was yielded, under provision of Jay’s Treaty, the preceding
year.

Meanwhile, a government was provided for the territory
north-west of the Ohio River by the celebrated ordinance of
July 13, 1787. On the 7th of August, 1789, an act of Congress
was passed to give full effect to the ordinance of 1787, and to
adapt it to the Constitution of the United States, providing for
the organization of a government consisting of executive, legis--
lative, and judicial departments.

By the Act of Congress approved May 7, 1800, it was pro-
vided that all that part of the territory of the United States

lying north-west of the Ohio River, with certain specified boun-
176
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 177

daries (including Wisconsin), should be constituted a separate
Territory, called the Indiana Territory; and by an act of Con-
gress of Jan. 11, 1805, the latter Territory was divided, and
the Territory of Michigan was organized; and the same pro-
visions were made respecting the tenure of office of the judges,
and other offices, as in the original ordinance. By this organi-
zation, what is now Wisconsin was not included in the Michi-
gan Territory, but remained a portion of Indiana Territory.

By an Act of Congress approved Feb. 8, 1809, a division
was made of Indiana Territory, and a separate Territory consti-
tuted, called Illinois; and, by the provisions of this
act, Wisconsin then became a part of the new organi-
zation. Illinois was admitted as a State by act of Congress of
April 18, 1818, which established the north boundary of that
State at forty-two degrees and thirty minutes north latitude, and
provided that all the remaining part of the North-west Territory
lying north of such northern boundary should be attached to,.
and made part of, Michigan Territory ; including all
of the present State of Wisconsin, part of Iowa, all of
Minnesota, and a part of what now constitutes the Territory of
Dakota. The only settlements which had been made up to:
this time, within what now constitutes the State of Wisconsin,.
consisted, principally, of French and English traders, and. were’
at, and in the vicinity of, forts and trading-posts;, those at:
Green Bay and Prairie du Chien being the only ones of any
particular importance. By the treaty of peace of 1783, and by
Jay’s Treaty of 1795, it was stipulated by the English Govern-
ment, that the North-western Territory, with its forts, trading-
posts, and dependencies, should be surrendered and transferred.
to the’ United States; and all the inhabitants, of whatever
nation, then residents of the country, were to be protected in
the full and peaceful possession of their property, with the
right to remain in, or, at their option, to withdraw, with. their:
effects, from the country; and one year was allowed them to
make their election. All who did not withdraw within that.
period were to be deemed American citizens, allowed to enjoy
all the privileges of citizenship, and to be under the protection:
of the government.

But few of the settlers left the country; but of those who

12

1809.

1818..
178 ‘HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

‘remained nearly all who were French or English were subse-
quently found in the ranks of the enemies of the United States.
Several bore commissions under the King of England, and, with
their English allies, assisted in taking Mackinac, Detroit, Prai-
rie du Chien, and other places during the war of 1812-15.
“Notwithstanding these treaty stipulations, the jurisdiction
which the United States exercised in the Territory previous to
the war of 1812 was nominal rather’than real; and, during the
war, nearly all of this portion of the North-west was in the pos-
session of the British; and the few Americans who resided here
were, in fact, subject to their authority. At the termination of
the war, actual possession was taken by the American troops in
the North-west.
Iion. H. 8. Baird of Green Bay,! who settled at that place
in 1824, says, “At that date there were at the ‘Bay’ but six
or eight resident families, and the families of the officers sta-
tioned at Fort Howard, in number about the same.
The character of the people was a compound of civili-
zation and primitive simplicity, exhibiting the polite and lively
characteristics of the French, and the thoughtlessness and
improvidence of the aborigines. With few wants, and contented
and happy hearts, they found enjoyment in the merry dance, the
sleigh-ride, and similar amusements, and, doubtless, experienced
more true happiness and contentment than the plodding, caleu-
lating, and money-seeking people of the present day. The

1824.

‘ Mr. James W. Biddle of Pittsburg, Penn., states, that, in the fall of 1816, he
was connected with Col. James Thomas in the supply of the truops at Detroit,
Mackinaw, Chicago, and Green Bay, with an understanding that a military post

_ Should be established at the latter place within the year. The post at Mackinaw
was then under command of Col. Talbot Chambers; but in Angust, or there-
abouts, Col, John Miller, afterwards Governor of Missouri, arrived, and, taking
command, determined on establishing a post at Green Bay. Vessels were accord-
ingly chartered; and three companies of riflemen and infantry were put on board.
Mr. Biddle supplied the provisions. In the month of October, 1816, the troops
were occupying quarters prepared for them by Col. Gratiot, the engineer who
accompanied Col. Miller to the post. The fort at Green Bay, called “Fort How-
ard,” was built lower down Fox River, and nearer the lake, than any of the settle-
ments, and on the right as you ascended the river. This fort was an important
point.in Wisconsin; and its history under the various military officers of the
United States, some of whom were subsequently prominent and distinguished in
the Mexican war, would make an interesting chapter, if it could be written out,
of early frontier times.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 179

buildings and improvements in the country were then few, and
circumscribed within a narrow compass, and, in a great degree,
partook of the unpretending and simple character of their occu-
pants.”

At the time Wisconsin became a part of Michigan Territory,
in 1818, Gen. Lewis Cass was its governor, and continued to
hold that office until 1832; but though a part of Michigan,
which had been fully organized as a Territory, with its laws and
courts, and officers to administer and execute them, still the
rule that bore sway was substantially military until 1824, when
civil authority became fairly established in this part of the
North-west. While this state of affairs continued, offenders
against the laws were sent from these remote settlements to
Detroit for trial, or, perhaps, more usually escaped prosecution.

The military code, such as it was, more than supplied the
deficiencies of the civil; and it not unfrequently happened that
military commandants would so arbitrarily exercise the powers
which they practically possessed, as to produce great injustice
and oppression, and render the condition of the citizen ex-
tremely uncomfortable.

The proceedings of these military tribunals were speedy,
short, and decisive; and their decisions were rigorously exe-
cuted. The delinquent debtor or unfortunate culprit had little
to hope from “the law’s delay;” and, while the proceedings
of these tribunals were summary and exceedingly arbitrary in
their character, it is probable, that, in many instances, the ends
of justice were substantially attained.

Col. Ebenezer Childs, in his “ Recollections of Wisconsin,”
published in vol. iv. of the “ Collections of the State Historical
Society of Wisconsin,” gives many instances of.the tyranny of
the military officers at Fort Howard over all civilians. Judge
J.P. Arndt was refused the privilege. of maintaining a ferry
across Fox River, for which he had obtained a license from the
proper authorities, and, on his crossing the river, was arrested,
and carried by numbers of the troops to the fort. Judge
Arndt subsequently commenced suit against the commanding
officer for false imprisonment; and the latter was fined fifty
dollars and costs; and the court decided that Fox River was
a public highway, and any properly-licensed persons could
180 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

maintain a ferry, and the military had no right to interfere.
Numerous cases of the military tyranny of Major, afterwards
Major-Gen. Twiggs are reported.

Although the country was principally subject to military rule
for eight years prior to 1824, it was not entirely so, as there
was a species of civil authority occasionally exercised in a few
places by justices of the peace, and judges of the county
courts of Brown and Crawford Counties; but they seem to
have enjoyed, for the most part, only a divided authority with
the military commandants. Among these early judicial func-
tionaries was the notable Charles Reaume, concerning whose
proceedings many amusing anecdotes are recorded in the Col-
lections of the State Historical Society, and in Mrs. Kenzie’s
“ Waubun;” but it is a matter of doubt as to the source whence
he derived his appointment, if, indeed, he ever had any. It is
said by some, that he was appointed by Gen. Harrison, then
the governor of Indiana Territory, in 1802 or 1803, while Wis-
consin was included within its limits. That he was de facto
judge or justice, history abundantly testifies, as well as that his
authority was tacitly acquiesced in by all.

Until 1828, all that part of the Territory of Michigan now
forming the State of Wisconsin had no separate courts, except
county courts of very limited civil and criminal jurisdiction,
and justice’s courts. All important civil cases, and all criminal
cases, except for petty offences, were tried by the Supreme
Court at Detroit. Suitors and witnesses were consequently
compelled to travel, at a great expense, a distance of from four
hundred to eight hundred miles to attend court. The only
mode of conveyance in those days was by sail-vessels during
about six or seven months in the year: the remainder of the
. year there were no means of travel either by land or water.

In January, 1823, an act of Congress provided for the
appointment of an additional judge for the counties of Brown,
Crawford, and Michilimackinac. That court had concurrent
civil and criminal jurisdiction with the Supreme Court of the
Territory, subject, however, to have its decisions taken to the
Supreme Court by a writ of error. The law provided for hold-
one term of court in each year in each of the counties named
in the act. The late Hon. James Duane Doty, was appointed
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182 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

judge of this court at its organization, and held the office until
May, 1832, when he was succeeded by Hon. David Irvin. This
court continued until 1836, when it was abrogated by the
organization of the Territory of Wisconsin.

On the 16th of October, 1818, all the country now included
in and constituting the State of Wisconsin, being then a
part of Michigan Territory, was divided into two counties,
Brown and Crawford, by an act of legislative council of
that Territory. Brown County included all the territory east
of a line drawn due north from the northern boundary of Illi-
nois, through the middle of the portage, between the Fox and
Wisconsin Rivers. Crawford County embraced the territory
between the Mississippi River and the western boundary of
Brown County. And on the 9th of October, 1829, by act of
the Legislative Assembly of Michigan, Iowa was formed from
that portion of Crawford County lying south of the Wiscon-
sin River; and on the 6th of September, 1834, the western
boundary of Iowa County was changed to the line between .
the Green Bay and Wisconsin land districts, which was a
north and south line from the northern boundary of Illinois
on the range line between ranges eight and nine.

It may not be improper to notice, that within the boundary
of Crawford County, as originally constituted, is included what
is called the “ Carver Grant,” which has excited considerable
attention, and to which, probably, thousands had acquired titles
within the last fifty years. The pretended grant was from the
Falls of St. Anthony, running along the east bank of the
Mississippi, nearly south-east, as far as the mouth of Lake Pepin,
where the Chippewa River joins the Mississippi, and from
thence eastward five days’ travel, counting twenty English
miles per day, and from thence north six days’ travel, and from
thence back again to the Falls of St. Anthony on a direct
straight line. Within these boundaries would be at least six
millions of acres, or about ten thousand square miles. This
grant is said to have been made to Capt. Carver on the first
day of May, 1767, for and in consideration of his services to
the Nan-do-wissies, the Dakota or Sioux, by Haw-no-paw-ja-
tin (the Turtle), and O-toh-ton-goom-lish-can (the Snake), two
chiefs of that tribe or nation.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 183

Without going into full particulars of the history of this
claim, it is only necessary to say, that every effort was made by
the heirs of Capt. Carver to obtain a confirmation of this grant
from the government of Great Britain, and the Congress of the
United States; but neither government would acknowledge it.
A history of this claim, the evidences upon which it is based,
and the reasons for disallowing it, may be found in an article
by D. 8. Durrie, published in vol. vi. of the “ Collections of the
State Historical Society of Wisconsin.”

On the 6th of September, 1834, Milwaukee County was
established, and set off from Brown County, and fully jeak
organized, including within its limits all the territory °
bounded by the south and east lines of the present State, north
to the north line of townships numbered twelve, and west to
the range line between ranges eight and nine.

The terms of the District Court for the counties of Michili-
makinac, Brown, and Crawford, which was established by the
Act of 1823, were held once in each year in each of those
counties.

Although Judge Doty had received his appointment in 1828,
yet he did not arrive in the district until midsummer; and no
regular term of court was held that year. In October, 1824,
he appointed and held a special term, for the trial of criminal
cases at Green Bay. At this term the first grand jury was
empannelled in Brown Country ; and Hon. Henry S. Baird, who
was the pioneer lawyer of Wisconsin was appointed district
attorney. A large amount of criminal business was brought
before the Grand Jury. Forty-five indictments were found and
presented to the court, — one for murder, on which there was a
conviction ; some for assault and battery, larceny, selling spiritu-
ous liquors to the Indians, and last, but not least, twenty-eight
cases for illicit cohabitation. The large number of the latter
class arose from the practice, adopted by the traders and French
inhabitants, of taking Indian women as wives, according to the
custom of the natives. Those cases were generally disposed
of in this manner: The defendants were brought into court
on a warrant: most of them pleaded guilty, when the Court
suspended sentence until the close of the term, with the intima-
tion that all who presented the Court, in the interim, certificates,
184 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

of legal marriage, would be let off by paying a nominal fine ;
which fine was afterwards fixed at one dollar and the costs of
prosecution. Some of the delinquents refused to marry, and
were fined fifty dollars and costs, with the further intimation,
that should they continue to live in the same condition, and be
again indicted, they would be subjected to the highest penalty
of the law, — fine and imprisonment. One case excited consid-
erable amusement in court. A party who had been indicted at
the first term, and refused to marry, and paid a fine of fifty
dollars, not having the fear of the statute in such cases made
and provided before his eyes, and disregarding the friendly
admonition of the Court, continuing to live in the same
primitive style of connubial felicity, was again indicted at a
subsequent term. Before the grand jury had returned the
indictment into court, the delinquent was informed of the find-
ing of the bill, and advised to marry before the opening of the
court.on the next morning, otherwise he would be severely
dealt with. On reflection, he thought it prudent to take his
friend’s advice. Accordingly, early in the morning, he called
in a justice of the peace, and had the ceremony duly performed.
At the opening of the court, he appeared, and presented the
marriage-certificate ; and, as he retired, he audibly exclaimed,
“ There, I suppose you are satisfied, as I have married the
squaw.” This being satisfactory, he was permitted to “go
without day.”

James W. Biddle of Pittsburg, Penn., in his “ Recollections
of Greén Bay, 1816” (Collections State Historical Society, vol.
i.), says of the settlers then residing there, —

“They were mainly old engagés, Canadian boatmen, who had with-
drawn from the employment of the fur companies, and fixed themselves
down on a piece of land fronting on the river, and married to whole or half
breed Indian women. The custom prevailing here was somewhat unique of
its kind as a leading feature of the community, though something of the
kind still exists at New Orleans among a distinct class. The young people
then were generally a cross between the French Canadian and Indian; and
marriage between girls of this class and the white men arviving was of a
conventional or business kind, to suit the convenience of the ease; the resi-
dence of the men not being permanent, or intending to be so. Marriage,
‘therefore, was limited as to time, and was contracted — either for life, or for
‘six or twelve months, as the case might be —with the white men. arriving.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 185

It was generally of the latter kind. The lover, having made choice of a
companion, applied to her parents, with whom he entered into a limited
marriage-contract, specifying the amount to be paid them for deprivation
of her services, the amount to be paid her in hand for her own benefit, and
the amount per week for her boarding and rent of a room in the house, if to
remain in the dwelling of her parents. These payments generally were
made in provisions, clothing, &. In case the lover or husband removed
from the place before the expiration of the time agreed on, he had the
right —as in the case of the engagee —to transfer his marital claims thus
acquired to another; so that, during the term of the stipulated coverture,
the girl might find herself the wife of two or more husbands. The con-
tracts entered into in this manner were regarded by them as sacred; and no
evidences were adduced or known of infidelity on the part of the women,
and were consequently highly resented if occurring on the part of the
spouse.”

Hon. M. L. Martin, in his address before the State Historical
Society, Jan. 21, 1851, says of the people of Green Bay in
1824, —

“The laws of Michigan were introduced, and among them the marriage
act, of which they had no knowledge. The first exercise of judicial authori-
ty was to enforce that enactment. Not a marriage had been celebrated ac-
cording to the requirements of that law or any other, except the customs in
force in the country; and thereupon the whole community was declared
amenable to the penalties of the statute. Men of venerable age, who were
themselves the fruit of these connections, now, for the first time, were de-
clared incestuous, and whose children and grandchildren had sprung up
under their care and protection, and whose conduct and social relations
were every way reputable in the highest degree, were brought before this
new tribunal, and sentenced to the penalties the law inflicted.”

The first term of the court held by Judge Doty continued
for two weeks, during which nearly all of the business was dis-
posed of.

In those early days, the accommodations for holding the court
were neither extensive nor elegant. There were no regular
court-houses or public buildings; and the courts were held in
log schoolhouses, where there were such, or in! rooms provided
for the special occasion, destitute of comfortable seats and other
fixtures for the convenience of the court, bar, and jurors. In
May, 1826, when the term of the court was to be held at Prai-
rie du Chien, on the arrival of the judge and attorneys from
Green Bay (which trip was made in a birch or bark canoe, by
186 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

the way of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers), they found the old
town entirely under water ; the inundation being caused by the
overflowing of both the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers. The
troops of the fort had abandoned the same, and the inhabit-
ants had fled to the high grounds near the bluffs: but two
or three houses were occupied, and only the upper stories in
those.

After the organization of Iowa County in 1830, the county
of Crawford was attached to Iowa County for judicial purposes,
and remained so until Wisconsin Territory was organized in
1836. In the spring of 1835, the legislative council of Michi-
gan passed an act authorizing the people of the peninsula to
form a constitution and State government for Michigan. By
this act, all that part of the Territory of Michigan lying west of
Lake Michigan was left without organization, though measures
were being taken in Congress for the organization of Wisconsin
Territory. In the inter-regnum, John 8S. Horner, secretary of
Michigan Territory, as acting governor, issued a proclamation
on the 9th of November, 1835, convening the legislative coun-
cil of Michigan (comprising the excluded Territory referred to)
at Green Bay, Jan. 1, 1836. The following were the members:
First district, John Lowe, George H. Walker, Gilbert Knapp,
William B. Slaughter, and B. H. Edgerton; second district,
William S. Hamilton and James R. Vineyard; third district, T.
P. Burnett; fourth district, Allen Hill and J. Parker; fifth
district, J. B. Teas and Jeremiah Smith. Col. William S.
Hamilton was elected president; A. G. Ellis, secretary; Levi
Sterling, sergeant-at-arms; and W. B. Long, recording secre-
tary.

Mr. Burnett, from a committee appointed to notify the gov-
ernor that the council was organized, and prepared to receive
any communication he had to make, reported that Gov. Hor-
ner was absent, probably at Detroit, and that the committee
had no definite knowledge on the subject of his return. A
memorial to Congress on the organization of Wisconsin Terri-
tory was presented by Col. W. B. Slaughter, from a commit-
tee appointed to draw up the same, which memorial was
adopted ; also a memorial on the subject of Indian titles on the
‘Lower Iowa River.
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Owing to the absence of the governor, who did not come near
the council, nor send any written communication, no laws were
passed. An appropriation of nineteen hundred dollars was
made to defray the expenses of the session.

The legislative council adjourned March 5, 18386.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.

Wisconsin Territory —Its Original Boundaries — Civil Rights, &c.— Elections —
Early Legislation — Gov. Dodge — Banks — The Capital — Speculation — Madi-
son ~The Fight over the Location of the Seat of Government.

THE act of Congress “establishing the Territorial Govern-
ment of Wisconsin” was approved April 20,1836. It provided
that all the country included within certain prescribed bounda-
ries, including all the territory now embraced in the 1886
States of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, and a part :
of the Territory of Dakota, should form, and after the third
day of July, 1836, constitute, a separate Territory, for the pur-
poses of the temporary government of Wisconsin; at which
time all the power and authority of the government of Michigan
in and over the said Territory ceased.

The executive power over the Territory was vested in a gov-
ernor, who was also superintendent of Indian affairs, and whose
approval of all laws was necessary before they should take
effect.

The act provided for a secretary, whose duty it was to record
and preserve the laws and proceedings of the legislative as-
sembly, and the acts and proceedings of the governor, and who
was to execute and perform the powers and duties of governor,
in certain contingencies mentioned in the act.

The legislative power was vested in the governor and a legis-
lative assembly, consisting of a council of thirteen members,
elected every four years; and a house of representatives of
twenty-six members, elected every two years. And it was pro-
vided by the organic act that the governor should appoint the

time and place of the first meeting of the legislative assembly ;
189
190 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

that he should cause a census of the inhabitants to be made
previous to the first election, and should make an apportionment
among the several counties, for the election of members of the
council and house of representatives.

The act further provided “that every white male citizen of
the United States, above the age of twenty-one years, who shall
have been an inhabitant of the Territory at the time of its
organization, shall be entitled to vote at the first election, and
should be eligible to any office within the said Territory.”

The organic act further directed, that the judicial power of
the Territory be vested in a supreme court, district courts,
probate courts, and in justices of the peace. The supreme
court to consist of a chief justice and two associate justices ;
any two of whom to constitute a quorum, and to hold a term at
the seat of government of the Territory annually. The clerks
of all the courts were appointed by the judges thereof. The
act also provided for the appointment of an attorney and
marshal. The governor, secretary, chief justice, associate
judges, attorney and marshal, it was provided, should be
appointed by the governor and council, or elected by the
people. Such is a brief synopsis of the principal provisions of
the act organizing the government of the Territory.

The first appointments made by the President and Senate, of
the several offices, were : —

April 13, 1836, Governor, Gen. Henry Dodge.

May 6, 1836, Secretary, John S. Horner.

August, 1836, Chief Justice, Charles Dunn.

September, 1836, Associate Justices, David Irvin and William C. Frazer.
1836, Attorney, W. W. Chapman.
1836, Marshal, Francis Gehon.

The machinery of a complete temporary government, and
the instruments for its proper working, were thus provided;
and it only remained to set the machine in motion. And on the
fourth day of July, 1836, the governor, secretary, and judges
took the prescribed oath of office at Mineral Point, which
event contributed a novel and interesting element to a grand
celebration of the national jubilee, which was very generally
participated in by the inhabitants of the lead-mine region, of
which that hamlet was the then recognized metropolis.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 191

The first important thing to be done to complete the forma-
tion of the embryo government was the organization of the
legislative assembly, preliminary to which a census was to be
taken by the sheriffs, and an apportionment of members of the
two branches made by the governor, among the several counties.

That portion of the Territory which comprises the present
State consisted of four counties, — Brown, Crawford, Iowa, and
Milwaukee. Brown County embraced all the territory east of
the Wisconsin River and range eight, and south as far as, and
including, town Twelve and the State of Illinois, extending
west to, and including, range Nine. Iowa County was bounded
north by the Wisconsin River, east by the line between ranges
Eight and Nine, south by Illinois, and west by the Mississippi
River; and Crawford County embraced all the remainder of the
Territory east of the Mississippi. The census, which had
been taken agreeably to law, exhibited the following figures:
Brown County, 2,706; Crawford County, 850; Iowa County,
5,284; and Milwaukee, 2,893. Total, 11,683.

The apportionment made by the governor gave to the differ-
ent counties representation as follows : —

Members of House of

Council. Tepresentatives.

Brow! ois Soniee sees ose eevee ecards aes
CrawiOrd |; socsaisiieiewis sieieie's sige e greepein sinew 0 2
Milwatikee ..é.sisy sew cs side's varwe cs sew even 2 3
TOWaiss cic sa hairs siaeuie a namiea atin arate aeere 3 6
Dubuque... ..csccseveccsccscccncescens 3 5
Des(Moines i.e secdview seeeeuecwas ateeaies 3 7

13 26

The time fixed by the governor for the election was the 10th
of October, 1836. The election excited a very considerable
interest, growing, chiefly, out of local considerations. The
permanent location of the “seat of government,” the division
of counties, and the location of county seats, were the ques-
tions that chiéfly influenced the elections; while the views of
candidates in relation to national politics had little or no influ-
ence upon the results.

Mr. John Atchinson, an enterprising citizen of Galena
during the summer and autumn of 1836, having laid out a
192 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

town plat between the two Platte Mounds, to which he gave
the name of Belmont, erected there several buildings designed
for the accommodation of the legislative assembly; and the
governor, by his proclamation, appointed that place, and the
25th of October as the time, for the meeting of the first session
of the assembly.

A quorum of each house was in attendance at the time fixed
for the meeting; and the two houses were speedily organized by
the election of Hon. Henry S. Baird of Green Bay, president
of the council; and Peter Hill Engle of Dubuque, speaker of
the house of representatives. Tach of the three branches of
the infant government was now in working order, except that
it remained for the legislative assembly to divide the Territory
into judicial districts, and make an assignment of the judges.
This was speedily done. Crawford and Iowa constituted the
first district, to which the chief justice was assigned ; Dubuque
and Des Moines the second, to which Judge Irvin was assigned;
and Judge Frazer to the third, consisting of Milwaukee and
Brown Counties.

Gov. Dodge, in his first message, directed attention to
defining the jurisdiction and powers of the several courts,
and of matters connected with their administration; recom-
mended memorializing Congress on extending the right of pre-
emption to actual settlers, and to miners on the mineral lands,
the removal of the obstructions in the rapids of the Upper
Mississippi, the construction of harbors and light-houses on
Lake Michigan, the improvement of the navigation of the Fox
River, and a survey of the same from Green Bay to Fort
Winnebago, the improvement of the Rock River, the increase
of lands to the Territory for school-purposes, and for organi-
zing and arming the militia for the protection of the frontier
settlements.

The first act passed by the legislative assembly was one
which privileged the members from arrest, and conferred on
themselves power to punish for contempt. The next one, with
the exception of that already referred to, establishing judicial
districts, was “‘to borrow money to defray the expenses of
the first assembly.

Three banks were incorporated,—the Miner’s Bank of
 

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194 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Dubuque, the Bank of Mineral Point, and the Bank of Mil-
waukee, all of which were organized and went into operation,
and all failed, and became utterly bankrupt; and one of ‘them,
the Bank of Mineral Point, with a loss to the community of
over two hundred thousand dollars.

The protection of the lands donated to Wisconsin by the
United States Government for school-purposes, and the crea-
tion of a common school fund, first called the attention of our
public men to the cause of education. The first resolution on
school-matters ever introduced into the legislative assembly,
was at this session, and referred to the report of a bill, to
“Prohibit persons from trespassing on the school-lands in the
Territory, by cutting and destroying timber.” A memorial to
Congress was adopted, requesting that body to authorize the
sale of the school-section in each township, and to appropriate
the money arising, towards creating a fund for the support of
common schools.

All the territory south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox
Rivers was subdivided into counties as they now exist, except
that Ozaukee, Waukesha, Kenosha, and Lafayette have been
formed out of Washington, Milwaukee, Racine, and Iowa. In
most of the counties, the county-seats were located at the same
session. These questions, however, did not create much dis-
cussion, as the questions, where any existed, had been mainly
decided at the elections; and the members had only to give
effect to the expressed will of those citizens by whom they had
been elected.

The great and paramount question of the session was the
location of the seat of government. To this, all others were
subordinate and made subservient. The wild spirit of specula-
tion, — which, in the earlier part of the year 1836, had, like a
tornado, swept over the whole country, and which, having
invaded and unsettled the prices of every species of personal
property, seized upon the unsold public domain, which was
transferred by millions of acres from the control of the gov-
ernment and the occupation of the settler, to the dominion of
the speculator, — although on the wane in the last months of
that year, was still omnipotent, and exerted a marked influence
upon many of the members of the Belmont legislature.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 195

Numerous speculators were in attendance, with beautiful
maps of prospective cities, whose future greatness was por-
trayed with all the fervor and eloquence which the excited.
imaginations of their proprietors could display. Madison, Bel-
mont, Fond du Lac, and Cassville were the points which were
most prominently urged upon the consideration of the members.
Hon. James Duane Doty, afterwards a delegate in Congress,
and governor of the Territory, and more recently governor of
Utah (where he died) had resided for many years at Green
Bay, as additional judge of Michigan Territory. His frequent
journeys in the discharge of his judicial duties, in the different
parts of the Territory, had rendered him familiar with its geog-
raphy and topography, and had given him superior advantages
_for judging of the eligibilities of different points as sites for the
capital of the Territory and future State. Judge Doty fixed
upon the isthmus between the third and fourth of the Four
Lakes, and in connection with Stevens T. Mason, the governor
of Michigan Territory, purchased from the government about
one thousand acres of land, in Sects. 18, 14, 23, and 24, upon the
common corner of which the capital now stands. Upon this
tract of land, a town plat was laid out, called Madison, and,
under the auspices of its founder, became a formidable competi-
tor for the honors and advantages of being selected as the seat
of government. Madison town-lots in large numbers were
freely distributed among members, their friexids, and others
who were supposed to possess influence with them. ;

Nearly four weeks were spent in skirmishing outside the legis-
lative halls, when, on the 21st of November, the battle was
formally opened in the council, and the bill considered in com-
mittee of the whole until the 23d, when it was reported back
in the form in which it became a law, fixing on Madison as the
seat of government, and providing that the sessions of the
legislative assembly should be held at Burlington, in Des
Moines County, until March 4, 1839, unless the public build-
ings at Madison should be sooner completed.

When the bill was reported back by the committee of the
whole, and was under consideration in the council, where the
ayes and nays could be called, a spirited attack was made
upon it; and motions to strike out Madison, and insert some
196 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

other place, were successively made in favor of Fond du Lac,
Dubuque, Portage, Helena, Milwaukee, Racine, Belmont, Min-
eral Point, Platteville, Green Bay, Cassville, Belleview, Koshko-
nong, Wisconsinapolis, Peru, and Wisconsin City, but all with
one uniform result,— ayes, six; nayes, seven, —and the bill was,
by the same vote, ordered engrossed, and next day passed the
council. In the house of representatives, the opposition was
not so formidable; and on the 28th, the bill was ordered to a
third reading by a vote of sixteen to ten, and passed, the same
day, fifteen to eleven, thus ending one of the most exciting
struggles ever witnessed in the Territory of Wisconsin.

It was quite evident that the Des Moines County delegations
in both houses favored the location at some central and con-
venient point between the Mississippi and Lake Michigan,
anticipating the early division of the Territory of Wisconsin,
and the organization of the Territory of Iowa, when they appar-
ently hoped to secure the location of the capital in their por-
tion of Iowa Territory, which they eventually accomplished.
Aside from any douceur consideration, this alone was a suf-
ficient inducement for the solid vote of that delegation for
Madison as the seat of government.

This question having been disposed of, but little remained
which was thought expedient to act upon at that session. A
proposition for a commission to codify the laws was made; but,
as the opinion was prevalent that the Territory would soon be
divided, it, and others of a similar character, met with but little
favor.

The first legislative assembly having enacted that the annual
sessions should thereafter be held on the first Monday of
November, adjourned, sine die, on the ninth day of December,
1836, having been in session forty days, and passed forty-two
laws, about one-half of which were of a private nature.
CHAPTER XVII.

THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.

Building-Commissioners — Their Journey from Milwaukee to the Site of Madison
—Condition of the Territory —The Routes and Modes of Travel—Early
Land Sales— The Squatters and their Exponents—Second Session of the
Territorial Legislature— The Wisconsin University — Educational — Early
Schools — The Milwaukee and Rock River Canal Company —Special Session
of the Legislature.

By Sect. 3 of the act locating the seat of government at
Madison, it was enacted ‘That there shall be three commis-
sioners, elected by joint ballot of the council and house of
representatives, whose duty it shall be to cause the necessary
public buildings to be erected at the said town of Madison for
the accommodation of the assembly, and other officers of the
Territorial Government. The said commissioners, or a majority
of them, shall agree upon a plan of said buildings, and shall
issue proposals, giving due notice thereof, and contract for the
erection of said buildings without delay. One of their num-
ber to be treasurer, who shall be authorized to draw on the
treasury of the United States for such sums as may be needed
out of the congressional appropriation for the erection of said
building, giving proper security; another to be acting com-
missioner, whose duty shall be to superintend in person the
erection of the buildings; the commissioners to receive such
compensation for their services as may hereafter be allowed by
law.”

In pursuance of this section, the legislative assembly, on the
7th of December, 1836, in convention, elected Augustus A.
Bird, James Duane Doty, and John F. O’Neill commissioners ;
which board at their first meeting elected Mr. Bird acting

commissioner, and Mr. Doty treasurer. On the 10th of June,
197
198 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

1837, the acting commissioner, accompanied by a party of
thirty-six workmen, arrived, to commence the work.
They were ten days on the route from Milwaukee,
making their own roads, travelling through a country without
settlers or any evidences of civilization.

The workmen, after the erection of temporary houses and
cabins, commenced the excavation for the foundation-walls ; and
the work was so far advanced, that preparations were made to
lay the corner-stone with appropriate ceremonies on the 4th of
July, and a celebration was had. Among the guests was a
party of Winnebago Indians with their chief, Dandy.!

Of the twenty-one members from the counties east of the
Mississippi, it is believed that only five survive at this date
(1875), — Gilbert Knapp, Alanson Sweet, and J. B. Terry of
the council, and Gen. A. G. Ellis and Thomas Shanley of the
house. But few persons realize the condition of things as they
were in 1836. In recalling the changes that have taken place
in the Territory and State since that date, it seems almost like
adream. It is not forty years since the Territory was organ-
ized ; and yet, in that length of time, a State has grown into
existence of at least a million of inhabitants. In 1836 there
were but three newspapers published west of Lake Michigan,
and north of Illinois, in the vast territory extending to the
Pacific, — one at Milwaukee, ‘“‘ The Advertiser,” established in
July, 1886; one at Green Bay, in August, 1836, “The Green-
Bay Intelligencer ;” and one at Belmont in the present county
of Lafayette, in the fall of the year, called “The Belmont
Gazette ;” the latter being established merely to do the Terri-
torial printing, the first legislature having been summoned to
meet at that place. What is now Iowa — with the exception
of two or three points on the Mississippi, Dubuque, and Bur-
lington —was an unknown wild, without even a name, as was
Western Wisconsin, and the country extending north to the
British Possessions. The lead-mines in the west, and the
military establishments of Forts Howard, Winnebago, and
Crawford, and the villages of Green Bay and Milwaukee, and the
few mining-settlements, — numbering an estimated population,

1837.

1 Dandy was a prominent Winnebago chief, son of old Four Legs, and died at
the Tunnel, we believe, in 1873.
Minn
Min,
Lily ,

 

 
200 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

in all, of some ten thousand inhabitants, — were all there was
of this vast Indian country unexplored and unknown except
to its native people, to its scarcely less wild traders and trap-
pers. There were no regular routes of travel in the interior;
and all communication between distant points was either
through exploring-parties made on foot or on horseback, along
well-worn Indian trails, or under the direction of Indian
guides. From one military station to another, the government
had opened passable roads; but elsewhere the routes of travel
were neither direct nor comfortable, being such as the Indian
or the lazy half-breed had opened at the least expenditure of
labor, regardless of distance or convenience.

In the year 1836, there was no land in market, save a narrow
strip along the shore of Lake Michigan and in the vicinity of
Green Bay, at which place the government land-office was
located ; the balance of the surveyed portion of the Territory
being open only to pre-emption. Settlers were governed in
the possession of these lands by laws and regulations adopted
at public meetings ; and these were faithfully adhered to, as a
matter of common safety. When the lands finally came into
market, these settlers, or “trespassers,” as they were held
under the law, bid off the tracts to which they respectively
laid claim ; no interference or over-bidding on the part of out-
siders being permitted. At the first land-sale at Milwaukee, a
citizen speculator of that place was taken to the river and
thoroughly ducked, because of his having bid against a settler.
These settlers were mostly Eastern men, who, leaving their
families, came to the Territory to lay the foundations for new
homes. They went to the wilderness, built themselves cabins,
improved the land, and, when they became owners of their
claims, brought their families to the enjoyment of their new
possessions, which have since grown into beautiful homes, or
theatres of active business. The land-claimants were a hardy,
enduring, hopeful class of people; but many of them only
opened the way for others, falling back before the tide of
immigration to other undeveloped portions of the West.

Such was the state of matters less than forty years ago. A
country rich in natural resources had passed into the hands of
young, energetic men for development; and undertakings were
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 201

entered upon then that would seem impossible to less hopeful
and less self-relying minds than are generally possessed by early
settlers.

The second session of the legislative assembly convened at
Burlington on Monday the sixth day of November, 1837, and
continued in session until the 20th of January, 18377
1838, when it adjourned to meet again on the second .
Monday in June. The two houses were composed of the
same members as at the previous session, with the exception of
four persons elected to fill the places of four who had resigned.
Of the council, Arthur B. Ingraham was elected president;
George Beatty, secretary ; and Levi Sterling, sergeant-at-arms.
And of the house of representatives, Isaac Leffler was chosen
speaker; John Catlin, chief clerk; and William Morgan, ser-
geant-at-arms. The governor, in his message, recommended, as
he had at the previous session, a codification of the laws, the
organization of the militia, the improvement of rivers and
harbors, and other measures which had not been considered by
the legislative assembly. This session was not marked by any
events of peculiar interest. The whole number of acts
passed was a hundred and six. Of these, eighteen related to
the laying-out and organization of counties, locating county-
seats, and to town, village, and city organization; ten, to the
establishment of eighteen different seminaries and universities ;
nine, to the location of roads; and thirty-six, to the general
conduct of the public affairs of the Territory. There was also
passed thirty-two private acts, of which one was to incorporate
a bank at Prairie du Chien, which was disapproved by Con-
gress, and never went into effect ; and six to grant divorces, all
of which took effect immediately after, and some, perhaps,
before, their passage.

Of the public acts, the two most important were the act
providing for taking another census, and the act abolishing
imprisonment for debt ; which relic of barbarism had continued
in force, by operation of the laws of Michigan upon the
organization of the Territory. Among the eighteen universi-
ties and seminaries established was the University of the
Territory of Wisconsin at Madison, to which Congress was,
by joint resolution, urged to make an appropriation of twenty
202 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

thousand dollars in money, and two townships of land. The
money was net appropriated. But on the 12th of June, 1838,
Congress made an appropriation of the amount of land asked
for, —two townships, or 46,080 acres, which was the fundamen-
tal endowment of that noble university, whose spacious build-
ings now adorn the capital of the State, and whose facilities
and capacity for educating its youth reflect so much credit
upon those who have manifested so great an interest, and such
untiring perseverance, in promoting its welfare. Some account
of this act, and of the early history of the university, will
prove of interest. The following is a synopsis of the original
charter of the university, which was approved Jan. 19, 1838: —

Section 1. “That there shall be established at or near
Madison, the seat of government, a university for the purpose
of educating youth, the name whereof shall be the ‘ University
of the Territory of Wisconsin.’ The said university to be
under the government of a board of visitors, not exceeding
twenty in number, of whom the governor and secretary of the
Territory, the judges of the Supreme Court, and the president .
of said university, shall be a part, and Bushnell B. Cary,
Marshall M. Strong, Byron Kilbourn, William A. Gardiner,
Henry Stringham, Charles R. Brush, Charles C. P. Arndt, John
Catlin, George H. Slaughter, David Brigham, John F. Scher-
merhorn, William A. Coryell, George Beatty, Henry L. Dodge,
and Augustus A. Bird, the remainder, who shall hold their
office during the pleasure of the legislature, by whom all va-
cancies shall be filled.”

Sect. 2 creates the Board a body politic and corporate, with
perpetual succession, under the name of the “ Board of Visit-
ors of the University of the Territory: of Wisconsin,” with all
the usual powers of a corporation; eleven to be a quorum for
all necessary business.

Sect. 3 provides that it shall be lawful for such Board,
from time to time, to apply such part of their estate and funds
in such a manner as may be the most conducive to the promo-
tion of literature and the advancement of useful knowledge
within the Territory; providing, that, when grants shall be
‘made to them for certain uses and purposes therein expressed
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 208

and declared, the same shall not be applied, either in whole or
in part, to any other uses, without the consent of the grantor.

Sect. 4 provides for the election of secretary and treasurer,
by ballot, by the Board, with the usual power, duties, and
responsibilities.

Sect. 5 authorizes said Board of Visitors, from time to
time, to establish such colleges, academies, and schools, depend-
ing on the said university, as they may think proper, and as
the funds of the corporation will permit; and it shall also be
the duty of said Board of Visitors to visit and inspect acade-
mies and schools, to examine into the state and systems of edu-
cation and discipline therein, and to make a yearly report
thereof to the legislature.

Sect. 6 provides that persons of every religious denomina-
tion shall be capable of being elected visitors; nor shall any
person as president, professor, instructor, or pupil, be refused
admittance for his conscientious persuasion in matter of reli-
gion, provided he shall demean himself in a proper manner,
and conform to such rules as may be established.

Sect. 7 provides that the act of incorporation may be re-
pealed or modified by the legislative power of the Territory,
provided that such power of repeal shall never be extended to
divert to any other purposes than those expressed therein, if
any shall be expressed in any grant of property to such corpo-
ration. But such property, in the event of the dissolution of
such corporation, or in case such grant shall be disapproved
by the legislative power, shall revert to the grantor or his heirs.

Sect. 8 requires the first meeting under the act to be held
on the first Monday in July, 1838, and, if a quorum should not
be in attendance, to adjourn from time to time until a quorum
shall attend.

Sect. 9 provides, that, whenever the word ‘“‘‘ Territory’
occurs in the act, it shall be read ‘State,’ after the Territory
becomes a State.”

A few more items relative to the territorial history of the
university may be desirable at this time.

A full meeting of the Board was probably held in July, 1838,
as required by the act of incorporation.
204 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The first record of any such session is the following, which
is taken from “ The Wisconsin Enquirer” of Dec. 8 of that

year.

“ A meeting of the ‘board of visitors of the University of the Territory
of Wisconsin’ was held at Madison, Dec. 1,1888. Present: Henry Dodge,
William B. Slaughter, Marshall M. Strong, David Brigham, George H.
Slaughter, Augustus A. Bird, George Beatty, and John Collins.

“On motion of William B. Slaughter, the Board proceeded to elect a
treasurer and secretary by ballot; and, the votes having been taken, it ap-
peared that Henry Dodge had received a majority of all the votes for the
office of treasurer, and that John Catlin had received a majority of the votes
cast for the office of secretary ; and they were declared duly elected.

“On motion of M. M. Strong, Ordered, That a committee be appointed to
examine the lands proposed to be donated by Josiah A. Noonan and Aaron
Vanderpoel, and the lands generally in the vicinity of Madison, and
report to the Board at their next meeting a suitable site for the location of
the university; and Messrs. A. A. Bird, David Brigham, and George H.
Slaughter were appointed such committee.

“On motion of D. Brigham, Esq., it was Resolved, That a committee of
three be appointed to request the legislative assembly, at the present session,
to memorialize the secretary of the treasury of the United States to locate
the lands donated by the act of Congress, approved 12th of June, 1838,
for the use and support of a university within this Territory, in pursuance
of said act; and to request the legislative assembly that the same be appro-
priated for the benefit of the University of the Territory of Wisconsin, to be
located at or near Madison, in the county of Dane.

“On motion of Col. William B. Slaughter, the Chair appointed the
following committee: William B. Slaughter, George Beatty, and Marshall
M. Strong.

“ On motion of Mr. George Beatty, it was Resolved, That the secretary be
authorized to procure a seal, with suitable devices, for the use of the board
of visitors, as early as practicable.

“On motion of M. M. Strong, Ordered, That the proceedings of this meet-
ing be published in the Madison ‘ Enquirer ;’ and, on motion of Col. W. B.
Slaughter, the Board adjourned to meet on Saturday next, at three, P.M.”

There is no further record of any meetings following this
adjournment. The legislature, at its January session in 1839,
adopted a joint resolution providing for the selection of the
lands, appointing J. V. Suydam of Brown County, F. O. Kirk-
patrick of the county of Iowa, and J. B. Zander of the county
of Milwaukee, commissioners to locate a portion, not exeeeding
two-thirds of all the lands donated by Congress by the act
 

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Hon. E

 

 
206 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

approved June 12, 1838, for the use and support of the univer-
sity ; requiring them to meet at Madison, in the county of
Dane, on the first Monday in May, and proceed to examine
and select equal quantities of such lands, within the limits of
the United States land district in this Territory, as would best
promote the interests of the university.

Within thirty days after making ‘such selection, public
notice was required to be given of the same for six successive
weeks; and, on completion of the same, a report to the gov-
ernor, to be by him transmitted to the treasurer of the United
States, with a request that the lands so selected be set apart
and reserved for the purposes mentioned in the said act of
Congress.

This commission, for some reason, did not at the time, or even
afterwards, select the lands authorized by the foregoing resolu-
tion.

At a later period, we find the work .was performed by
Nathaniel F. Hyers.

The history of the university will be continued hereafter.

At this second session, a bill was passed to “‘ regulate the sale
of school-lands, and to provide for organizing, regulating, and
perfecting schools.” It was provided, that, as soon as twenty
electors should reside in a surveyed township in which was
a school-section, they should elect three commissioners of
common, schools, who should hold their office for three years,
apply the proceeds of the leases of school-lands to pay the
wages of teachers in every township, and call school-meetings ;
each district to elect three directors. And five inspectors were
elected annually to examine schools, and inspect teachers. '

The first school-district in the State was organized under the
old Michigan school-law, in Milwaukee, in the fall of 1836,
about the same time that the first session of the legislative
assembly was held. The first public school was kept by a Mr.
West, in a framed schoolhouse in the second ward of that city,
—the first in the State.

On the 16th of February, 1837, Col. William B. Slaughter
was by Pres. Jackson appointed secretary of the Territory, in
the place of John S. Horner removed. ,

It was at this session that an act was passed “ to incorporate
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 207

the Milwaukee and Rock River Canal Company,” which con-
tained, among other things, an authority to the company to
apply to Congress for an appropriation, in money or lands, to
aid in the construction of its works. In pursuance of this
authority, application was made, and an appropriation obtained
in June, 1888, of the odd-numbered sections on a belt of
territory five miles in width on each side of the line of
the proposed canal. This grant of land, if it had been
judiciously managed, would have produced a fund adequate
for the construction of a canal connecting Rock River with
Lake Michigan, which would have been followed, no doubt,
by slack-water navigation on Rock River, providing a cheap
means of transit to market, of the bulky agricultural products
of the extensive and fertile valley of Rock River and of
other parts of the State and of Illinois. But, instead of
the blessing it might have been, it proved a curse and a
blight upon the early prosperity of the Territory, owing
mainly to the antagonisms which grew up between the
officers of the canal company and the Territorial officers
intrusted with the disposition of the lands granted by Con-
gress and of their proceeds, and to the conflicts between the
beneficiaries of the land grant, and some of the leading
politicians of the times.

A special session of the legislative assembly was held at
Burlington, June 11, 1838, and was a short one, last-
ing only two weeks, adjourning on the 25th of June.
The only change in the officers consisted of William B. Sheldon
being elected speaker of the house of representatives.

The session was held mainly for the purpose of making a
new apportioment of members of the house, based upon the
census taken in May. Thirty-one acts were passed, of which
six related to counties, five to roads, seven to the conduct of
public affairs, and the remaining thirteen to private matters, of
which four were to grant divorces. Among the public acts
was one postponing the general election from the first Monday
of August to the second Monday of September; and another
making a new apportionment of the members of the house of
representatives to be then elected. Of the twenty-six mem-
bers, twelve were apportioned among the counties east of the

1838.
208 HISTORY, OF WISCONSIN.

Mississippi River, and fourteen among those west. This
apportionment was, however, to be contingent upon the divis-
ion of the Territory; upon which contingency it was made
the duty of the governor to make an apportionment. This act
was approved on the 23d of June; and the act to divide the
Territory, and establish the Territorial Government of Iowa,
was approved on the 12th of June, twelve days previous; but
in those days of slow mails, and while the electric telegraph
was an experiment, the news of its passage did not reach
Burlington until after the passage of the apportionment act.
Having provided that the next session should be held at
Madison, the first legislative assembly of Wisconsin Territory
adjourned June 25, 1838. On the 20th of February, 1848, the
commissioners of public buildings advertised that they would
receive proposals for the erection of the public buildings, and
gave specifications of the plan of the Capitol and its interior and
exterior work; in reply to which, bids were received, ranging
from $24,450 to $125,000; and the contract was awarded to
James Morrison for $26,200 on the 17th of April. By an
act of Congress, approved June 18, 1838, the further sum of
$20,000 was appropriated for finishing the work.
CHAPTER XVIII.

THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.

Population and Apportionment— The First Legislative Assembly at Madison —
The Condition of the New Capitol — Hogs and Assembly-Men in the Same Pen
—Amusing Reminiscences— The New (Old) Capitol Wrangle — Investigating
Committees — Recess — Second Session — Laws Passed, &c.

By the act of Congress to divide the Territory, it was pro-
vided that the terms of the members of the council and house
of representatives be deemed to have expired, and that a new
election of members should be had upon an apportionment to
be made by the governor, and that they should meet at Madi-
son at such time as the governor should appoint.

The population of the Territory in May, 1838, as shown by
the census, was as follows : —

Counties, Population.
Brown : is . : ‘ > phe i - 938,048
Crawford . 3 ‘ e é é é ‘ : . 1,220
Dane 3 . : 3 : . . 5 5 . 172
Dodge a . é . . . . . 5 , 18
Green r : 3 ‘ : ‘ : ‘ ¢ F 404
Grant . a) . se . - + 2,768
Towa 5 3 3 ‘ ‘ ‘ 3 ‘ 3 . 8,218
Jefferson . . - : , : ‘ ‘ é : 468
Milwaukee . ‘ : ° - ‘ é ‘ ‘ . 3,181
Racine é é : - ; 7 ‘ ; ‘ . 2,054
Rock 5 - - : . ‘ : s 3 . 480
Walworth . $ ‘ . r . 4 2 3 . 1,019
Washington. % . 3 : é 7 7 % z 64

 

Total . A . : - 7 . 7 ‘i . 18,149

The time fixed by the governor for the meeting of the first

session of the second legislative assembly, and the first under
14 209
210 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

the re-organized Territorial Government, was the twenty-sixth
day of November, 1838.

On the 8th of November, 1838, Hon. Andrew G. Miller of
Pennsylvania was appointed associate justice of the Supreme
Court to succeed Judge Frazer, then recently deceased; and
Chief Justice Dunn, and Associate Justices Irvin and Miller,
constituted the Supreme Court until the organization of the
State Government in 1848.

At the July term of 1839, Franklin J. Munger was appointed
attorney-general for. that term, in the absence of that officer
(CH. N. Wells); and the clerk, John Catlin, having resigned,
Simeon Mills was appointed to fill his place; and Lafayette
Kellogg, now and for many years the faithful and efficient
clerk of the Supreme Court of the State, was appointed deputy
clerk, and attended to the duties of the office. From that
time, a term of the court was held annually, as provided by
law, until Wisconsin was admitted a State. Mr. Mills having
resigned the office of clerk in 1840, Mr. Kellogg was appointed
to fill the vacancy.

Party lines had not yet been drawn in the Territory ; and the
members were elected without reference to, and perhaps with
out a public knowledge of, their views upon national politics.
Among the members elected were Edward V. Whiton, Nelson
Dewey, Daniel Wells, jun., Morgan L. Martin, and Marshall M.
Strong.

Upon the convening of the legislative assembly, it was
found that the Capitol was in an unfinished state; and so much
dissatisfaction existed with the accommodations at Madison,
that it was a matter of doubt for two weeks, whether or not
a temporary adjournment to Milwaukee would be effected. A
committee appointed for the purpose of investigating the extent
of the accommodations reported “ that at the Madison House
there was one room that would accommodate six persons; at
the Madison Hotel, two rooms that would accommodate four
persons; and, at the American Hotel, eight rooms, sufficient to
accommodate twenty-six persons: but they could not ascertain
‘that more than fifty persons could be accommodated with suff-
cient rooms for the transaction of business. The session was
organized in the council by the election of William Bullen,
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212 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

president ; George Beatty, secretary; and S. N. Ives, sergeant-
at-arms; and in the house, by the election of John W. Black-
stone, speaker; John Catlin, chief clerk, and Thomas Morgan,
sergeant-at-arms.

Gov. Dodge, in his message, recommended the investigation
of the banks in the Territory, memorializing Congress for a
grant of lands to be sold, and applied to the improvement of the
Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, the revision of the laws, the divis-
ion of the Territory into judicial districts, the claims of the
miners, and the improvement of the harbors on Lake Michigan,

Col. Ebenezer Childs, who was a member of the legislature,
in his “ Recollections of Wisconsin,” published in vol. iv. of
“Collections of State Historical Society” says, —

‘¢ The new Capitol edifice was not yet in suitable condition to receive the
legislature : so we had to assemble in the basement of the old American
House, where Gov. Dodge delivered his first message at the new seat of gov-
ernment. We adjourned from day to day, until we could get in the new
Capitol building. At length we took possession of the new Assembly Iall.
The floors were laid with green oak-boards full of ice. The walls of the
room were iced over; green-oak seats, and desks made of rough boards,
one fireplace, and one small stove. In a few days the flooring near the stove
and fireplace so shrunk, on account of the heat, that a person could run his
hands between the boards. The basement-story was all open ; and James
Morrison’s large drove of hogs had taken possession. They were awfully
poor ; and it would have taken two of them, standing side by side, to have
made a decent shadow on a bright day. We had a great many smart mem-
bers in the house, and sometimes they spoke for Buncombe. When mem-
bers of this kind would become too tedious, I would take a long pole, go at
the hogs, and stir them up; when they would raise a young Pandemonium
for noise and confusion. The speaker’s voice would become completely
drowned; and he would be compelled to stop, not; however, without giving
his squealing disturbers a sample of his swearing ability. The weather was
cold; the halls were cold; our ink would freeze: so, when we could stand it:
no longer, we passed a joint resolution to adjourn for twenty days. I, was
appointed by the two houses to procure carpeting for both halls during the
recess. I bought all I could find in the Territory, and brought it to Madison,
and put it down, after covering the floor with a thick coating of hay. After
this, we were more comfortable. We used to have tall times in those days,
— days long to be remembered. Stealing was carried on in a small way.
Occasionally a bill would be fairly stolen through the legislature; and the
legislature would get gouged now and then.”’

Judge J. G. Knapp, also, in referring to this session, says, —
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 213

‘ Having organized the legislature, the next question was for members,
officers, and lobbyists to find places to eat and sleep in. Though we paid
metropolitan prices, it cannot be said that we had exactly metropolitan fare.
But men were remarkably accommodating in those days, and could eat ‘hog
and hominy ’ or ‘common doings,’ when ‘ chicken fixens’ could not be had.
A frontier life is a mighty leveller,— much like poverty, making men
acquainted with strange bed-fellows. The ‘school section’ of the ‘ Ameri-
can,’ embracing most of the garret, was marked into lodging-places by
cracks in the floor; and its other rooms were equally crowded. At the Mad-
ison House, only six men were placed in a room sixteen feet square; and four
others had a place at the fire during the day and evening. The floors were
also nightly covered with shake-downs for travellers and transient visitors.
Happy were those men who could find places in the few private houses,
where four men might find two beds in a cold room ten or twelve feet
square.”’

Owing to the want of suitable accommodations, the legisla-
tive assembly remained at Madison about four weeks, when they
adjourned from the 22d of December to the 21st of January,
1889.

The attention of the assembly had, however, during this short
session, been directed to several matters then consid-
ered of great importance. Among these were, an
investigation of the mode in which the commissioners of public
buildings had discharged their duties; an investigation of the
three banks then in operation at Green Bay, Mineral Point, and
Milwaukee ; a plan for constructing the Milwaukee and Rock
River Canal, in aid of which a grant of land had been made by
Congress ; and, what was of greater importance than all else, a
revision of the general laws of the Territory.

The governor also took occasion to speak of Wisconsin and
her prospects. He said, —

1839.

‘‘ From the great extent of this Territory, the fertility of her soil, the
salubrity of her climate; with the great lakes Michigan and Superior on the
east and north, and the ‘ Father of Rivers’ on the west; with her inex-
haustible treasure of minerals of lead and copper; with her extensive for-
ests of pine, and abundantly supplied water-privileges; with every natural
facility for forming a general system of internal improvement between the
Mississippi and the Lakes (our inland lakes), supported by the fostering
care of this patriotic and enlightened administration ; with the intelligence,
industry, and enterprise of her citizens, —her march will be onward; and
the time is not distant when she will form a strong link in the chain of
States in the great Valley of the Mississippi.”
214 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

At that session, a new assignment of judges for holding dis-
trict courts was made. Judge Dunn was assigned to the first
circuit, composed of the counties of Iowa, Grant, and Crawford ;
Judge Irvin, to the second district, composed of the counties of
Dane, Jefferson, Rock, Walworth, and Green; Judge Miller, to
the third district, composed of the counties of Milwaukee,
Brown, and Racine. At that session, the legislative assembly
annexed to the several districts a number of unorganized coun-
ties for judicial purposes.

The investigations furnished no valuable practical results.
They showed that the building commissioners had misapplied
the money appropriated by Congress for the construction of the
Capitol; and, as a consequence, the old commissioners were
removed, and N. C. Prentiss, J. L. Thayer, and L. H. Colton
were appointed to fill the vacancies.

Mr. Bird, in his examination before the Territorial legislature
(Feb. 15, 1839), states, that, at the first meeting of the commis-
sioners, they adopted a plan of the building estimated to cost
from forty thousand dollars to forty-five thousand dollars; that
they did not advertise for proposals agreeably to the provisions
of the act, because they were of the opinion that it could be
built much cheaper than any one would be willing to contract
to doit. They, therefore, in the exercise of their discretionary
power, concluded to commence and continue the work until
they were able to ascertain how it could be done with the least
expense and best advantage to the Territory. The construction
of the work was continued by him until the month of Septem-
ber following, when notices for proposals were issued for the
first time, and a number of bids presented. None of them
were accepted; and the work was continued as before, until
April 25, 1838.

The work was continued by Mr. Morrison until 1841, at
which time the work was unfinished ; and Mr. Prentiss, as build-
ing commissioner for and on the part of the Territory, entered
into a contract with Daniel Baxter, by the terms of which he
was required to finish the work as specified in the contract, for
the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be completed on or before
December, 1845. It is not necessary to give further details of
the history of the Capitol building. Much contention arose
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 215

between the first board of commissioners and their successors,
as well as the contractors, Messrs Morrison and Baxter, and the
Territorial legislatures. Mr. Baxter has since died, leaving an
unsettled claim against the State for alleged damages.

The investigations of the banks resulted in an official prom-
ulgation of the previously. well-known insolvency of the
Bank of Wisconsin at Green Bay, and a whitewashing of the
Bank of Mineral Point, declaring it to be “in a solvent condi-
tion,” when the experience of a short time demonstrated its
utter insolvency.

The opportunity which the recess afforded enabled those who
took an immediate interest in the matter, to devise a plan for
aiding in the construction of the Milwaukee and Rock River
Canal, by disposing of the land-grant, which, upon the re-
assembling of the legislative assembly, assumed the form of a
law, that would, probably, have resulted in completing that
important work, but for the unfortunate difficulties already
referred to.

The legislative assembly at this session revised the school-
law of the Territory; and the office of town commissioners:
was abolished, and their duties were transferred to the inspec-
tors, who had bestowed upon them the additional power to
listen to complaints against teachers, and discharge incompetent
ones, to keep the schools in repair, and to make returns of the
number of scholars in the towns to the county commissioners..
It was also made the duty of the last-named officers to levy a
school-tax on the whole county, and to appoint inspectors in.
the towns which refused or neglected to choose them. The
name of district officers was changed to trustees. Every town.
with not less than ten families was required to become a school
district, and provide a competent teacher ; and, with more than
ten families, it was to be divided into two or more districts. It
will be seen, that although the Territory was but recently organ-
ized, and with a limited population, the settlers were awake to
the importance of educational privileges.

The most important work, however, of that session, or of
the two sessions (for there was a complete re-organization of
both houses upon their re-assembling), was the revision of the
laws, which was perfected during the recess, and submitted to
216 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

the two houses at their second meeting. The committee for
this purpose consisted of Messrs. Martin, Marshall M. Strong,
and Collins of the council, and Messrs. Whiton, Story, and
Shackleford of the house of representatives. They were
required by the resolution to make a division of the labor of
revision; and the portion allotted to each branch of the com-
mittee was to be reported to the house of which they were
members. The committee, during the recess, prepared, and, at
the succeeding session, reported, numerous bills, which were
passed by that body, and compose the principal part of the
laws contained in the volume of the Revised Statutes published
in 1839, and which took effect om the 4th of July of that
year.

Hon. Edward V. Whiton, the late able and upright chief
justice of the State, was intrusted by the legislative assembly
with the care of the printing and publication of this volume,
and the preparation of marginal notes and indexes.

Before lands were brought into market by the President’s
proclamation, the settlers had adopted a system for their mutual
protection. The settler who first entered on a quarter-section
of land, or a fraction of a section, was protected in his posses-
sion, against jumpers of his claim. By the settlers’ code, the
jumper was summoned before their committee, who summarily
disposed of the case. If the complainant was found to be an
actual settler, and entitled to his claim, the jumper had to sur-
render without delay. There was no resisting the judgment
of the committee ; for the whole town formed a posse to enforce
the execution. This was, under the circumstances, a wise and
humane provision for the early settlement and improvement of
the country; and, in many instances, personal quarrels were
thereby prevented. At this session, two other committees, of
three members each, were appointed to investigate the banks
in the Territory, which they were required to visit in person.
It was at this session the act was passed to incorporate the
Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company, which, under
the power to “receive money on deposit, and loan the same,”
filled all the channels for money circulation in the ¥alley of the
Mississippi for years with its certificates of deposit, in the
similitude of, and which supplied the place of, bank-notes;
 

 

 
218 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

although the charter expressly provided that nothing therein
contained should give the company banking privileges. This
is a striking illustration of the futility of legislative restrictions
upon the exercise of corporate powers, especially when sus-
tained, as that company was, by popular sentiment.

Other questions, of more or less temporary interest, occupied
the attention of the legislative assembly during its long and
laborious session, which it is unnecessary to refer to in
detail ; and it may with truth be said, that, as a whole, no ses-
sion during the existence of the Territorial Government ever
performed more labor, or in a more satisfactory manner, than
the one of which we now take our leave.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.

Land and Boundary Questions — Courts — A Contested Election Case —The
Mineral Point Bank — Its Failure — Capitol Improvements —The “Baxter
Claim ’’ — Gen. Dodge succeeded by James Duane Doty — The Latter’s Views
-— Difficulties —The Loan Agent and his Differences with the Canal Commis-
sioners— Injurious Effects.

THE next session of the legislative assembly commenced on
the second day of December, 1839. James Collins was chosen
president of the council, George Beatty secretary; and Edward
V. Whiton speaker of the house of representatives, and John
Catlin chief clerk. The term for which the members of the
house were elected was about to expire; and a new apportion-
ment was desirable. The census to be taken the ensuing June
by the United States marshal presented a favorable oppor-
tunity of basing a new apportionment upon a fresh enumeration
of the inhabitants. For this purpose, a short session was
resolved on, and an adjournment to August, when it was
expected the census would be completed; and the two houses
consequently adjourned on the 18th of January to the 3d of
August, 1840, having been in session forty-three days.

But little of public interest transpired at this session. Two
subjects occupied most of the attention of the members. One
was the condition of the Capitol, and the conduct of the com-
missioners intrusted with the money appropriated by Congress
to defray the cost of its construction; the other, the Milwaukee
and Rock River Canal, and the claims of settlers upon the lands
granted to aid in its construction.

' The history of the early measures taken to secure the erection
of a building in which to hold the sessions of the Territorial

legislature is a history of speculation with the appropriations
219
220 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

made for that purpose, as disgraceful to those concerned in it
as it was destructive of the manifest intentions of Congress.
It is not necessary to enter into particulars in reference to this
matter: all steps were taken which could be to recover by law
from the first board of commissioners, and from the contractor,
the funds which they had misapplied; and, after several years
of litigation, the suits were settled by authority of a subse-
quent legislature.

The grant of lands by Congress to aid in the construction
of the Milwaukee and Rock River Canal was of the odd
numbered sections on a belt of ten miles in width from Lake
Michigan to Rock River, which amounted to 139,190 acres.
The commissioners reported to the legislative assembly at this
session, that they had sold 43,447 acres at two dollars and a
half per acre, amounting to $108,616, for which they had
received in cash $12,277; and the remainder was payable in
five, six, seven, and eight years, with seven per cent interest.
There was also remaining unsold 95,748 acres, the proceeds of
which, it was estimated, might amount to four or five hundred
thousand dollars.

The act making the grant provided that the alternate sec-
tions should not be sold less than two dollars and a half per
acre, nor be subject to pre-emption. This was regarded by
the settlers upon them as a great hardship; and they presented
their complaints to the legislative assembly, who memoralized
Congress to grant a pre-emption right to all who had settled on
these alternate sections, previous to the grant, at a dollar and a
quarter per acre. ,

The question of the southern boundary of the future State
of Wisconsin was one which had occupied the thoughts of
many, who felt an interest in its prosperity, at a period as
early as the “ Toledo war,” which originated in the same ques-
tion, and grew out of the rights of boundary secured to the
States of Michigan and Wisconsin by the ordinance of 1787,
which was’ older than, and was claimed to be paramount to, the
Constitution of the United States. The right of the State of
Wisconsin, when it should be admitted into the Union, to em-
brace all of the territory north of a line running west from the
southern bend of Lake Michigan, was believed to be inviolable,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 221

and that the act of Congress, admitting Illinois into the Union,
so far as it violated that right, was a usurpation of power, and
a nullity. This belt of territory embraced the entire valley of
Rock River, and the cities of Chicago and Galena. A joint
resolution was passed, taking preliminary measures for ascertain-
ing by vote the sentiments of the people upon the disputed
territory, in relation to which State they preferred to give their
allegiance ; but the question did not elicit such interest as to
call out a general expression of opinion ; and no prac-
tical results were effected. At an adjourned session,
commenced on the 3d of August, 1840, but little business was
transacted. James Collins was elected president of the coun-
cil, and Edward V. Whiton speaker of the assembly.

A new apportionment of members of the house of repre-
sentatives was made, and but little business transacted. The
session lasted but twelve days; and only thirteen acts were
passed, generally in relation to the organization or boundaries
of towns or counties, or the holding of courts, and a few of a
private nature.

The census showed a population of 80,744 against 18,180
two years previously. Some changes were made in the appor-
tionment of members of ,the house of representatives. The
counties of Brown, Iowa, and Grant, each lost amember ; while
Rock and Walworth and the Dane districts gained.

At the term of the Territorial Supreme Court for 1840, the
common law rules of practice for all the district courts were
adopted. These rules were uniform throughout the Territory,
and were acceptable to the profession. The same rules, more
in detail, were adopted as the rules of the Federal Court. The
Constitution of the United States recognized the distinction
between law and equity; and the Territorial courts enforced
it, independently of the provision of the organic law. These
courts pursued equity and common law practice with techni-
cality, but with liberality as to amendments. Many valuable
precedents and principles of law were established by the Terri-
torial Supreme Court.

The first session of the third legislative assembly commenced
Dec. 7, 1840, and was adjourned on the 19th of February, 1841,
having continued seventy-five days, the maximum time limited

1840.
222 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

by the organic act. James Maxwell was president of the coun-
cil, and David Newland speaker of the house. The members
of the latter body had been recently elected under a new
apportionment, and were all new members, with three excep-
tions.

The extreme length of this session was owing, in a great
degree, to a very interesting contested election-case between
Messrs. Bruce and Ellis from Brown County, which elicited
very considerable feeling. Each of the contestants had em-
ployed counsel ; and, by resolutions of the assembly, the attorney
for each contestant constituted a joint travelling commission, to
take the testimony of all the witnesses which either party might
desire. The commission travelled over the district embracing
Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Oconto, Portage, and the Wisconsin
Pinery, and necessarily consumed much time; so that a final
result was not reached: until the last of January, 1841, only
nineteen days before the adjournment. The most
important question involved in the contest was the
right of the Brothertown Indians to the elective franchise.
The decision was in favor of the night, which has never since
been questioned.

Most of the session was devoted to the ordinary routine of
legislation. There was, however, a departure, in the passage
of two acts granting divorces, —a species of legislation which
had been tabooed ever since the Burlington session, and which
was indulged in now expressly as exceptionable.

The Bank of Mineral Point, having gone into operation with
no capital except its charter and the financial ability of its
cashier, had managed to throw upon the community a circula-
tion of about two hundred thousand dollars, and was regarded
by many with great distrust. The governor, in his Annual
Message, directed the attention of the legislature to it, and
recommended measures to avert the threatened danger. It was
of no avail. A bill was introduced by Mr. Whiton, designed to
protect the people. But the money-power of the bank was
omnipotent. The bill was defeated ; and, within six months, the
bank failed, with liabilities to the amount of a quarter of a
million of dollars, none of which have ever been, or ever will
be, redeemed.

1841.
va

 
224 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The interest of the Milwaukee and Rock River Canal of
course demanded attention. The former legislation had author-
ized the issue of Territorial bonds for fifty thousand dollars,
at six per cent interest, and had required them to be sold at
par, and the proceeds deposited in the city of New York. It
was found impossible to negotiate them; and the rate of interest
was increased to seven per cent, and the deposit of the proceeds
authorized in any sound specie-paying bank which should be
selected by the commissioners and the governor. The amount,
also, was increased to one hundred thousand dollars.

No material improvement had been made up to the com-
mencement of this session, in the conveniences and comforts
which the Capitol building presented to the members; and a
large majority were ready to remove the seat of government to
some other place ; and nothing but the inability of the majority
to agree upon that other place prevented its removal. The
prospect of obtaining from the old commissioners any part of
the funds they had received and retained, appearing hopeless,
the legislative assembly authorized the issue of seven thousand
dollars Territorial bonds for the purpose of completing the Capi-
tol. With this fund as a basis, Daniel Baxter undertook the
work, and was, in a great measure, successful, not without a con-
tingent claim, which at every subsequent session has served to
impress upon the members investigating the “ Baxter Claim,”
some of the events of Territorial legislation. Mr. Baxter died
some years since; and his family still think they have a valid
claim against the State, which is unsettled.

In the interim between this session and the next, Gen. Har-
rison, the President of the United States, had died, and John
Tyler had been inaugurated as his successor. One of the early
acts of the new President was the removal of Gov. Henry
Dodge, and the appointment of Judge James Duane Doty
(Sept. 80, 1841), and Augustus P. Field as secretary of the
Territory. Most unfortunately for the Territory, Gov. Doty
entertained ideas in relation to the relative rights and powers
of Congress and the Territorial legislature which tended, for all
useful purposes, to destroy the powers of the legislative as-

_Sembly.
He boldly avowed, in his message and elsewhere, that no
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 225

law of the Territory was effective, until expressly approved by
Congress ; thus giving to Congress directly the power of legislat-
ing for the Territory; while the organic act provided that “ the
legislative power should be vested in the governor and legisla-
tive assembly, but that the laws should be submitted to, and, if
disapproved by Congress, should be null, and of no effect.” Act-
ing upon this theory of the invalidity of Territorial laws, Gov.
Doty disregarded such as conflicted with his supposed interests
or his wishes; the result of which was a continued warfare be-
tween the governor and the legislative assembly.

During this interim, there also arose a serious feud between
the loan-agent appointed by the governor to negotiate the loan
of one hundred thousand dollars, for the benefit of the Milwau-
kee and Rock River Canal, and the canal commissioners. The
agent reported that he had negotiated fifty-six thousand dollars
of the bonds; but he did not report that the money to be re-
ceived for them was the notes of “sound specie-paying banks.”
The commissioners claimed that it was their right and duty not
to recognize any loan made for currency of which they disap-
proved. The loan-agent denied that the commissioners had
any such rights or duties, and claimed that he was the sole
judge of the kind of money which should be received in ex-
change for the bonds.

Whatever were the merits of the dispute, the effect was to
defeat the loan, and, as a further consequence, to stop all further
work on the canal.
CHAPTER XX.

THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.

Gov. Doty’s Conflicts with the Legislature — The Canal Company Tragedy in the
Council Chamber — Hot Debate — One Member shoots Another — Population
—New Apportionment — Bankruptcy Laws, &c.

THE second session of the third legislative assembly convened
on the 6th of December, 1841, and adjourned Feb. 19, 1842.
James Collins was elected president of the council, and David
Newland speaker of the assembly. About the only matter
ef public. interest, except the quarrel between the legislative
assembly and the governor, was the disposition of the various
questions growing out of the connection between the Territory
and the canal and Canal Company. Congress had made a valu-
able grant of lands to the Territory in trust. The Territory was
the trustee, the Canal Company the cestwi que trust. The
trust had been accepted; and a large portion of the lands had
been sold, one-tenth of the purchase-money received, and ample
securities held for the balance: The Territory was in a dilemma:
it could not go forward, and had no right to go backward, with-
out the consent of Congress and the Canal Company. The
result was, that it repealed all laws authorizing a loan, and all
which contemplated the expenditure of any money by the
Territory in constructing the canal. It remitted and dis-
charged to the purchasers of the canal-lands all interest on
their purchases, which had or might become due, except the
small sum which might be necessary to pay interest on loans
and expenses, not exceeding three hundred dollars, but took
care that the principal of the securities received for the sale of
lands should remain intact, to await the result of future events.

The legislative assembly also declared, by joint resolution, that
226
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 227

all connection with the Canal Company ought to be dissolved,
and the work of the canal by the Territory be abandoned, and
that the Territory ought not further to execute the trust; that
Congress be requested to divert the grant to such other inter-
nal improvements as should be designated by the Territory,
subject to the approval of Congress ; and that, if Congress should
decline to make this diversion, it was requested to take back
the grant, and dispose of the unsold lands as other public lands
are sold.

In the council chamber, on the 11th of February, a scene
occurred which caused great excitement in the Ter-
ritory, and over the whole country. On that day
Charles C. P. Arndt, a member from Brown County, was in-
stantly shot dead by James R. Vineyard, a member from Grant
County. From the testimony before the coroner’s inquest, the
following facts in relation to the same are obtained. The
difficulty grew out of a debate, on motion to lay on the table
the nomination of E. 8. Baker. Mr. Arndt opposed it, be-
cause the gentleman from Grant (referring to Mr. Vineyard)
had given the highest testimonials as to the character of the
nominee. Upon his making that remark, Mr. Vineyard turned
partly around in his seat, and said it was a falsehood. Some
words passed, and order was restored. Soon after, a motion to
adjourn was made, and a division had thereon; and imme-
diately after the members had arisen in the negative, before
announcement by the Chair, most of the members and by-
standers arose, as Mr. Arndt had passed over to Mr. Vineyard’s
desk. Many words, in a high key, were passed between the
two parties. Mr. Arndt demanded from Mr. Vineyard an ex-
planation. The parties were parted by the bystanders, when
Mr. Arndt moved about eight feet towards the fireplace. He
stood there, and Mr. Vineyard at his desk, until the Chair an-
nounced an adjournment; after which, Mr. Arndt came up to
Mr. Vineyard’s desk, when the former asked the latter if he
imputed to him falsehood in his remarks. Mr. Vineyard replied,
“Yes,” or, that they were false; on hearing which, Mr. Arndt
struck at Mr. Vineyard’s face or forehead, the parties being
about three feet apart. While this altercation took place, Mr.
Vineyard levelled a pistol, and fired at Mr. Arndt, when the

1842.
228 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

latter reeled around, and moved several steps, with his hands on
his breast, and soon fell-in the arms of Mr. Derring, and died
in a few minutes. He said nothing, and did not appear to be at
all conscious. It appears from the evidence that Mr. Vineyard
was defending himself against the assault, although by means
of weapons of death, which the occasion by no means de-
manded. He immediately surrendered himself to the sheritf,
waived an examination, and was committed to jail. After a
short confinement, he was brought before the chief justice of
the Territory, on habeas corpus, and admitted to bail. He was
afterwards indicted for manslaughter, and was tried, and ac-
quitted. Immediately after the homicide, Vineyard sent his
resignation to the council; which body refused to receive it, or
have it read, and immediately expelled him.

After a few days spent with heavy hearts in the mournful
task of finishing up the work, in much of which the two mem-
bers whose seats were now vacant had taken a part, the second
and last session of the third legislative assembly adjourned on
the 18th of February, 1842, to give place to new members in
both houses, to be elected under a new apportionment, to be
made by the governor, based upon a census to be taken the
next June by the sheriffs of the several counties. The census
of this year showed a population of 46,678,— an increase of
9,934 since 1840.

The representation in both houses was increased in Mil-
waukee and the central counties, while it was correspondingly
reduced in the counties of Brown and Iowa. In most of the
districts, the elections were conducted on political issues; and
the result. showed a very decided Democratic majority in each
house. The governor professed to belong to the Whig party.

The second act of Congress to establish a uniform system of
bankruptcy throughout the United States was approved Aug.
19, 1841, and took effect from and after the first day of Febru-
ary, 1842. Jurisdiction of cases in bankruptcy being, by the
act, conferred upon the Supreme or Superior Courts of the Ter-
ritories, the Supreme Court of this Territory discharged three
hundred petitioners out of three hundred and fifteen. A ma-
jority of these petitioners had failed in business in the Eastern
States, in consequence of inflation of the currency, and of
 

ALLEN

Ss

-

H.

HON

 

 
230 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

speculation, in the year 1836. It was estimated that the debts
of those three hundred bankrupts exceeded two millions of dol-
lars. The judges were empowered, by the act, to form the rules
of their court in bankruptcy, and to establish the fee-bill, under
the fee-bill of the Supreme Court. The fees in cases did not
average twenty dollars. The act was repealed on the 3d of
March, 1848, having been in operation thirteen months.
CHAPTER XXI.

THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.

War between the Governor and the Legislature—The Governor prevents the
Session of the Legislature, by refusing to co-operate—A Joint Resolution is
passed, praying the President to remove the Governor — The Session of Vetos
—Lively Conflicts — Interesting Reminiscences—Second Session—A State
Government desired —The Governor’s Orthography — The Debt — The First
Tax — Govs. Talmadge and Dewey — Henry Dodge again appointed Governor
— Provisions for forming a State Government.

THE first session of the fourth legislative assembly organ-
ized on the fifth day of December, 1842, by the election of
Moses M. Strong as president of the council, and J. V. Inger-
soll secretary, and Albert G. Ellis, speaker of the house of
representatives, and John Catlin clerk. The convening of
this legislative assembly exhibited a contest between the gov-
ernor, on the one hand, and the two houses on the other, which
threatened to result in anarchy, and the disruption (tempo-
rarily at least) of the Territorial Government. The law of the
Territory required that the annual session of the legislative
assembly should commence on the first Monday of December.
On that day the members elect convened at the Capitol, and,
after organization, waited upon the governor, by a joint commit-
tee, in the customary way. He was informed that the two houses
were organized, and ready to receive any communication he had
to make. The governor replied, that, “not conceiving that the
legislative assembly had authority by law to meet at the pres-
ent time, he had no communication to make to them.” The
subject was referred to a joint select committee of three mem-
bers of each house, of which Hans Crocker was chairman, and
of which Morgan L. Martin, M. C. Darling, and others, were

members, who made an elaborate report, showing that the pre-
231
232 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

tence of the governor for refusing to co-operate with the legis-
lative assembly was, that no appropriation had been made by
Congress to defray the expenses of the session, and, conse-
quently, no session could be held. An appropriation had been
made May 18, 1842, which the governor claimed was only ap-
plicable to the expenses of the past session, but which the com-
mittee demonstrated was applicable to the expenses of this
session, and that there was no valid reason why a session could
not lawfully be held at that time. Many members, among them
the late Chief-Justice Whiton, were in favor of proceeding with
the work of legislation, and throwing upon the governor the
responsibility of defeating it; but it was finally decided to
make a representation to Congress, then in session, of the ob-
jections of the governor, and to adjourn a few weeks, thinking,
that perhaps another appropriation would be made, and thus
all objections to the session be removed.

, Amemorial to the President of the United States, praying
‘for the removal of the governor, was adopted by the unanimous
vote of the council, and with only a few dissenting votes in the
house. Whigs joined with Democrats in this emphatic con-
demnation of the factious course which he had adopted. The
two houses then adjourned on the 10th of December to the
80th of January, 18438.

On the 24th of December, 1842, Congress made another
appropriation for the expenses of the legislative assembly,
which, it was supposed, would remove all conflict about the
legality of the session. Both houses met at the day appointed ;

but there was no quorum in the council until the 4th
of February. On the 30th of January, the governor
issued a proclamation, convening a special session on the 6th of
March.

On the 4th of February the two houses again waited on the
governor, through a joint committee; and he again informed
the committee that he had no communication to make, except
a copy of his proclamation.

Mr. Whiton, the late chief justice, offered a resolution, “ that
the legislative assembly will now proceed to discharge its
duties, without regard to any course that has been or may be
pursued by the governor.” This was lost by a tie vote. Reso-

1843.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 233

lutions were then adopted, by the unanimous vote of the coun-
cil and a large majority of the house, declaring, among other
things, that the only excuse for the conduct of the governor
could be found “in his determination to prevent all legislation,
and sacrifice, for his own private purposes, the welfare of the
Territory,” and that his conduct was “another evidence of his
violation of law, and utter disregard of the duties of his station,
and of the wishes and interests of the people.” And then, by a
divided vote in each house, the legislative assembly adjourned
until the 6th of March. On the 6th of March both houses met,
and sent the usual committee to wait on the governor; and,
on the same day, he delivered his message, which was referred
to the appropriate committees, and harmony was apparently
restored between the governor and the two houses. But the
harmony was only in appearance, and the conflict was again
renewed. After the session had continued several days, and a
printed copy of the journal of each house had been daily fur-
nished the governor, he took exceptions to the journal of the
first day, which did not state that the two houses had met in
pursuance of his proclamation ; while the journal of the council
stated that the meeting was in pursuance of adjournment.
Finally, on the 18th of March, both houses passed a joint reso-
lution, declaring that they were holding “the special session
appointed by the proclamation of the governor.” Thus ended
this conflict, which was only renewed in the legitimate form of
veto messages, which were sent to each house in the utmost
profusion ; Congress having amended the organic act changing
the executive veto from an absolute to a qualified one. Only
fifty-four acts were passed; and, of these, six were passed by a
vote of two-thirds, notwithstanding the governor’s veto. The
session was a long and an acrimonious one; and, wherever
‘impartial history shall affix the blame, it cannot record a large
amount of good accomplished.

The second session of the fourth legislative assembly com-
menced on the 4th of December, 1843, and terminated the
31st of January, 1844, having occupied a period of fifty-nine
days. Of the council, Marshall M. Strong was chosen presi-
dent, and B. C. Eastman secretary; and, of the house, George
H. Walker was chosen speaker, and John Catlin clerk.
234 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The most important act of this session was the one which ex-
tended to persons of foreign birth a right, in common
with all others, after a residence of three months, to
vote upon the question of forming a State government, and for
the election of delegates to a convention to form a State consti-
tution. This question had excited much interest among the
people, and produced an animated conflict of opinion among
their representatives; which resulted in the adoption of the
measure by a decided majority, composed, chiefly, of the Demo-
cratic members. It was the germ of that provision of our Con-
stitution which has given a similar extension to the right of
suffrage in this State.

At this session was also submitted the question of the forma-
tion of a State government, by authorizing a vote to be taken
at the general election in September, and the returns to be
made, through the secretary, at the next session of the legisla-
tive assembly.

Questions connected with the Milwaukee and Rock River
Canal, of course, occupied much attention; and the members
spent much time upon matters pertaining to the general public
laws of the Territory.

Of this session of the legislature, a Milwaukee paper re-
marks, “ About sixty acts and memorials to Congress, of a gen-
eral and private nature, were passed, many of which, we believe,
will prove very beneficial to the Territory: It is to be regretted
that the public debt could not have been ascertained, and some
provision made for its prompt payment. The legislature la
bored faithfully, during the greater part of the session, to ascer-
tain the financial condition of the Territory; but owing to the
absence of the secretary, and the loose manner in which the ac-
counts have been kept by the secretaries, no definite result was
arrived at. During the session, the auditor and treasurer were
required to report, at the succeeding session, the amount and
nature of the debts against the Territory. This report was with-
held till within a few days of the close of the session.”

It must not be supposed that the dignified attention of the
members to their ordinary duties was not occasionally relieved
by some displays of wit, and exhibitions of mirth. As an illus-
tration, the following incident is mentioned: A self-important,

1844.
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236 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

bombastic member, from one of the western counties, had intro-
duced into the house of representatives a memorial to the sec-
retary of the treasury, for the purpose of correcting some abuses
which were complained of in the manner in which the United
States marshal disbursed, or failed to disburse, the public mon-
eys provided for paying expenses of the courts. The language
of the memorial was mere fustian and rhodomontade, and con-
tained, among other things, the expression, that, during a cer-
tain period of time, the marshal had not paid out “one solitary
cent.” It was allowed to pass the house as an act of courtesy
to the member who introduced it. When it came before the
council, Col. Crocker moved to amend, by inserting between
the words “solitary” and “ cent” the word “red,” so as to read,
“one solitary red cent.” The amendment was adopted, and the
memorial returned to the house with the amendment. The
house refused to concur, and the council refused to recede; and
the bombastic memorial was lost.

The time for the annual meeting of the legislative assembly
having been changed from December to the first Monday in
January, the next session commenced on the 6th of
January, 1845, and adjourned on the 24th of Febru-
ary, —a session of fifty days.

Of this session, Moses M. Strong was president of the coun-
cil, and George H. Walker speaker of the assembly. A new
election for members of the house of representatives had been
held, which resulted in a very general change; only three of
the former members having been re-elected. In some districts,
especially in Grant County, the repeal of the law of last session,
in relation to the qualifications of voters on the question ef State
government, had made an issue in the election. A bill was
introduced to repeal the law without qualification; but, on a
test-vote, the friends of the law were found to be in a majority,
and amended the repealing bill by extending the period of resi-
dence from three to six months, and requiring a declaration of
intention. The bill, in this form, passed both houses; and,
under its provisions, the vote was ultimately taken.

A bill passed the council to again submit to the people the
question of forming a State government; but it was defeated in
the house of representatives, and the only measure adopted

1845.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 237

this session, upon that subject, was a joint resolution requesting
our delegate in Congress to ask for an appropriation to defray
the expenses of taking a census, and of holding a convention to
form a State government.

Gov. Doty had persisted in spelling Wisconsin with a “k”
and an “a” (Wis-kon-san), and some of the newspapers and
his admirers imitated his example; so that the legislative assem-
bly thought it a matter of sufficient importance to pass a joint
resolution, declaring that the orthography should be that
adopted in the organic act, which has ever since universally
prevailed.

A Territorial indebtedness, from various causes, had grown up
during the eight years of the Territorial government, which was
estimated to amount to about fifty thousand dollars. No means
had been provided for its payment; and at this session a Territo-
rial tax was for the first time levied. The tax was only a
mill and a half on the dollar. The assessment was very low;
lands being assessed at about two dollars per acre, excluding all
improvements. The object of exclusion was to assess the unim-
proved lands of speculators as high as the improved lands of the
actual settlers.

At this session, the unsold lands granted to aid in the con-
struction of the Milwaukee and Rock River Canal were author-
ized to be sold,—a measure adopted chiefly to enable those
who had settled upon them, and who desired to do so, to secure
titles. The effect of this was, as was anticipated, that those
portions of Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Jefferson Counties
covered by the canal-grant, were rapidly occupied by an indus-
trious and wealth-producing population. Before the meeting of
this session, Gov. Doty had been superseded by Gov. N. P.
Tallmadge (appointed June 21, 1844), between whom and the
legislative assembly the utmost harmony prevailed; and the
session was short, pleasant, and not without some beneficial
results.

James K. Polk was inaugurated President March 4, 1845.
He removed Gov. Tallmadge, and, on the 8th of April,
re-appointed Gov. Henry Dodge, under whose admin- j 54g
istration the fourth and last session of the fourth
legislative assembly convened on the 5th of January, 1846.
238 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Nelson Dewey was elected president of the council, B. C.
Eastman secretary, Mason OC. Darling speaker of the assem-
bly, and Lafayette Kellogg clerk. This session lasted but
thirty days, having adjourned on the 3d of February; but, by
taking the preliminary steps for the formation of a State gov-
ernment, it was the most important session ever held. An act
was passed, not without some opposition, providing, “that, on
the first Tuesday in April next, every white male inhabitant
above the age of twenty-one years, who shall have resided in
the Territory for six months previous thereto, and who shall
either be a citizen of the United States, or who shall have filed
his declaration, &c., ... shall be authorized to vote for or
against the formation of a State government.” The act pro-
vided for taking a census, and, in the event of a vote in favor
of a State government, for an apportionment of delegates by the
governor, on the basis of one delegate for every thirteen hun-
dred inhabitants, and for every fraction exceeding a moiety of
that number, and one to every organized county. The governor
was to issue his proclamation announcing the apportionment,
and calling an election at the time fixed for the next annual
election, which, by an act, was changed from the fourth to the
first Monday in September. The delegates were to assemble in
convention on the first Monday in October, and to have full
power and authority to form a republican constitution for the
State of Wisconsin, to be submitted to a vote of the people
before it should become effective.

Numerous interesting questions arose during the progress of
the bill, among which was a proposition by Mr. Whiton, in the
council, to give colored persons the same right to vote as white
persons; which was laid upon the table by a vote of seven to
six. In the house, a motion was made to strike out the word
“white ;” but it was defeated, —ayes ten, noes sixteen. This
was almost thirty years ago, before the negro-question had
been much agitated.

With the close of this political year, the terms of members of
the council who had been elected for four years, and of the
house for two years, closed also. The legislative assembly,
therefore, re-organized the election districts, and conferred on
the governor the power and duty of making an apportionment
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 239

based upon the census which it had authorized to be taken. An
act was passed, repealing unconditionally the charter of the
Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company, granted Feb.
28, 1839. Several memorials to Congress were adopted, among
which was one asking for an appropriation for a penitentiary.

A gloom was thrown over the closing days of this session by
the awful news that the dwelling-house of one of the members,
Marshall M. Strong of Racine, had been consumed by fire, and
his only two children had perished in the flames.
CHAPTER XXII.

TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.

Gov. Dodge’s Second Administration—Indian Troubles—Vote on having a
State — Congressional Measures enabling the People of Wisconsin to form
a State Government — First Constitutional Convention —Its Work rejected by
the People.

In the winter of 1845-46, and while the legislature was m
session, a rumor that an Indian war had broken out came with
fearful forebodings, and produced great excitement at the Capi-
tol. From a communication sent by the governor, it appeared
that the citizens of Muscoda, on the Wisconsin River, in Grant
County, and the surrounding country, having been for several
months annoyed and harassed by the depredations of the Win-
nebago Indians, were forced to take up arms for their protec-
tion. On the Ist of February, 1846, a skirmish took place
between the Indians and the citizens, in which four of the for-
mer were severely if not mortally wounded, the Indians having
first fired their guns without doing any serious injury.

The two houses of the legislature held an evening session to
receive the communication of the governor, and to devise ways
and means for the public defence. The militia-law, which had
been abolished, was re-enacted, and approved by the governor;
and immediate measures were taken to chastise the supposed
marauders. Subsequent information showed that the state-
ments first received were much exaggerated. The excitement
soon died away, and no more trouble was anticipated.

On a vote of the people, taken in April, 1846, there was
12,334 votes for State government, and 2,984 against it. The
result of the vote taken indicated strongly that the people of
the Territory desired a State government; and, until this was

effected, it was evident that the people could not have, among
240
orace Chase.

15.0

 

 

ol mM ing am iar
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242 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

other things, a good system of common schools. When the
State government was organized, the funds accruing from the
sale of the school-lands could be received from the General Gov-
ernment, and the income of this fund be applied toward main-
taining schools, and not before. The benefit of obtaining aud
using this immense fund supplied one of the main arguments in
favor of State government.

Agreeably to a joint resolution of the legislative assembly,
Hon. Morgan L. Martin, delegate to Congress, on the 9th of
January, 1846, in the house of representatives, gave notice for
leave to introduce a bill to enable the people of Wisconsin to
form a constitution and State government, and for the admis-
sion of such State into the Union. On the 138th, he intro-
duced such bill; which was read twice, and referred to the
committee on territories. On the 11th of May, S. A. Douglas,
from said committee, reported an amendatory bill, which was
committed. On the 8th of June, the bill was taken up in the
committee of the whole, when an ‘exciting debate ensued:
The question turned on whether the ordinance of 1787 was or
was not obligatory on .Congress, or that part of it which
restricted the number of States to be formed:.out of the North-.
western Territory to five: It was contended, on one hand, that.
it did bind Congress, because Congress had accepted the‘cession
from Virginia with that condition in it..:\On the other hand, it
was maintained that other States also claimed the. Territory, and’
also ceded it, and in their deeds: of cession:no such condition
was found; that Virginia had no more right to bind the United
States than they had; that it was doubtful whether the Terri-
tory belonged to Virginia at all, or, at least, whether she had'a
better title to it than the other States which. claimed it; and,
finally, that whether the deed of cession had or ‘had not once
been binding, it was superseded and virtually annulled, as to
the restriction of new States, by the clause in the Constitution
which allowed Congress to admit new States into the Union,
without any restriction as to number or size.

After the addition of two amendments, the bill was reported
back to the house on the day following (June 9), and the
amendments adopted, and the bill passed. On the 10th of
November, Mr. J. A. Rockwell moved to reconsider the vote
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 243

passing the bill, on the ground that the bill contained provisions,
and gave power to the convention of Wisconsin, of which the
house had not been aware, and: which, when understood, it
never would sanction; that the proviso left it discretionary
with the convention to fix such boundaries on the, north and
west as it should deem expedient; and that the phraseology
was loose, and the terms employed ambiguous. ‘The question
was discussed by M. L. Martin, Mr. Vinton, Mr. Douglas, and Mr.
Dillingham. The house, by.a vote of a hundred and twenty-
five ayes to forty-five noes, reconsidered the passage of the bill,
and also its engrossment, The proviso relative. to boundaries
was stricken out, when the bill was ordered to be engrossed, and:
was again read a third time, and was passed, and was sent to
the senate for concurrence. On the 11th of June, the bill was:
received in: the senate, read twice, and referred to the commit-:
tee on territories, and was reported back on the 14th without
amendment, and on the 5th of August. passed: through: the
committee of the whole.; ordered to a ee 3 Was so
read; and the bill was concurred in.

The census taken-in June, 1846, dhowed a soupanaoay Of
155,277 ; excluding Chippewa, La Pointe, and Richland Coun-
ties, from which there were no returns. : «:

‘The governor issued his proclamation for the: dlbciton of -
a hundred and twenty-five members. to a convention to form a
State constitution. The estimate of population assumed by
the legislative assembly for fixing a basis was a hundred and.
seventeen thousand; but the excess exhibited by the: census
over this estimate resulted in a more numerous body than had
been anticipated.

The convention met at Madison on the fifth day of October,
1846. D, A.J. Upham was elected president, and Lafayette.
Kellogg secretary; and after forming a constitution, and adopt-:
ing it, they adjourned on the 16th of December. This. consti-
tution was submitted to popular vote on the first Tuesday of
April, 1847, and was rejected,— ayes 14,119, noes 20,233.
It contained several new features. Those which were made
the chief points of attack by its. opponents were the prohi--
bition of all banks and the circulation of small bills, the
homestead exemption, the. woman’s rights: article, and the
244 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

elective judiciary. The united opposition to these several
features was sufficient to defeat the entire constitution ;
although it is believed, that, if they had been separately sub-
mitted, all would have been adopted. At the same election,
the vote on negro suffrage was, ayes 7,604, noes 14,615.

The first session of the fifth legislative assembly met on the
fourth day of January, 1847, of which Horatio N. Wells
was president of the senate, and Thomas McHugh
secretary ; and William Shew speaker of the assem-
bly; and Lafayette Kellogg clerk. New election districts
had been formed, and a new election of members in both
branches had been held under a new appointment. The result
was, that both houses were almost entirely composed of men
without legislative experience. In the council, there were but
three members, and in the house but one, who had ever before
held a seat in the legislative assembly. Wisconsin was in a
transition state. A convention had framed a constitution,
which was then before the people for their consideration, and
was about to pass the ordeal of their suffrages. It was wisely
thought that but little legislation was expedient under the
circumstances ; and hence but little was attempted, except tem-
porary and local measures, and to provide for the holding of
another convention to frame a new constitution in the contin-
gency of the defeat of the one then pending before the people.
For this purpose, a bill was reported in the council. It was
opposed in both houses, chiefly on the ground that its passage
would tend to prejudice the pending constitution. The bill
was passed in the council by the close vote of seven to six, and
indefinitely postponed in the house by eighteen to eight.
Quite a number of private acts were passed, among which were
five granting divorces. After a short session, the legislative
assembly adjourned on the 11th of February, 1847.

On the 25th of January, the President of the United States:
sent to Congress a communication received from the president
of the constitutional convention, informing that body of the for-
mation of the constitution of the State of Wisconsin by the con-
vention which had finished their work on the 16th of December,
1846, with a certified copy thereof; which was referred to the
committee on territories. On the 9th of February, Mr. Doug-

1847.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 245

las, from said committee, reported a bill to admit the Terri-
tory of Wisconsin into the Union as a State; which was read
and committed. On the 15th of February, the house, in com-
mittee of the whole, reported the bill back without amend-
ment; and in the house it was proposed by Mr. Rockwell to
amend by adding a section donating to the new State the
thirty-sixth section in addition to the sixteenth section of all
townships for school-purposes. A vote was taken on the
16th, and the proposed amendment was rejected, — ayes fifty-
eight, noes eighty; after which the bill was ordered to a
third reading, and passed. On the 20th of February, Senator
Ashley, from the committee on the judiciary, reported back the
bill without amendment, which, after going through the ordi-
nary routine of business, was concurred in.

On the 27th of September, 1847, the governor issued his
proclamation convening a special session of the legislative
assembly, to be held on the 18th of October, to take such action
in relation to the early admission of Wisconsin into the Union,
and adopt such other measures, as in their wisdom the pub-
lic good might require. On the day named in the proclamation,
the two houses assembled, and were immediately organized. A
bare majority of the house of representatives were in favor
of entering upon the work of promiscuous legislation; but a
large majority of the council was opposed to it, and the work
'-was confined to the passage of a law for the holding of
another convention to frame a constitution, and fixing a time
for the next session of the legislative assembly. The special
session adjourned on the 27th of October, 1847, after nine days’
labor.

The act in relation to the convention provided for a body of
sixty-nine members, which were apportioned among the'several
counties. It differed from the act providing for the first con-
vention, in ignoring representation of counties as such, and
basing it exclusively on population. The time fixed for the
election of delegates was the last Monday in November; and
the time for the meeting of the convention, the third Wednes-
day in December, 1847.

The population of the Territory on the 1st of December,
1847, excluding St. Croix and Chippewa, from which no reports
were received, was 210,516.
CHAPTER XXIII.

TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT. — GOV. DODGE’S SECOND ADMIN-
ISTRATION.

The Second Constitutional Convention— The Supreme and other Courts — Con-
gressional Legislation — The Work of the Second Constitutional Convention
ratified by the People — Wisconsin admitted into the Union as a Sovereign
State — Statistics — Review.

THE second constitutional convention met at the Capitol
on the 15th of December, 1847, and was organized by the
election of. Morgan L. Martin as president, and Thomas
McHugh secretary, and continued in session until the first day
of February. The result of its labors was the constitution
submitted to the people on the second Monday of March ensu-
ing (1848), which, having been duly ratified, constitutes the
present fundamental law of the State; the vote being 16,667
for its adoption, and 6,252 against it. The second and last
session of the fifth legislative assembly, and the last legislative
assembly of the Territory, convened Feb. 7, 1848, of which
Horatio N. Wells was president of the council, and
Timothy Burns speaker of the house, and adjourned
on the 13th of March, having held a session of thirty-six days.

Immediately after the adoption of the second constitution
submitted to the people, so great was the demand for changes
in the school law, that the first State legislature enacted laws
which carried out, in a certain form, the provisions of the
article in the Constitution on education. At this session, three
commissioners were appointed ; viz., Hon. M. Frank, Hon. Charles
S. Jordan, and Hon. A. W. Randall, to collate and revise the
statutes. A.W. Randall declining to act, Charles M. Baker was
appointed by the governor in his stead. Their labors were

divided, and among other portions assigned to Mr. Frank was
246

1848.
 

win Hurlbut.

t
t

Hone

 

 
248 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

the laws relating to schools. This work was carefully done;
but several features were in direct conflict with those adopted
at the previous session of the legislature.

One of the most remarkable events in the history of the
State was the adoption of the free-school system by the people,
and the readiness with which, in most sections, it was put in
operation. The principles involved in this system had been
violently and persistently opposed in others States. Col. Frank
says, that, “prior to the acceptance of the State constitution,
wherever, in the south-eastern part of the State, the measure
was introduced of supporting the schools by taxation on the
assessed property of the districts, it encountered the most
determined opposition;” but, when voted upon, scarcely a
prominent voice was raised against it. It is believed that the
question which overshadowed all others in the constitutional
conventions so engaged the thoughts of the people, that the
free-school provision was almost lost sight of in the heated dis-
cussion. The reason for the ready acquiescence is more obvious.
The people had become somewhat accustomed to paying taxes
in the counties to maintain schools; the income of the magnifi-
cent school-fund could lessen very materially the burdens of tax-
ation; and the noble utterances of Govs. Dodge, Doty, Talmadge,
and Dewey, in their-annual messages, in favor of the broadest
education of the people, had prepared them, to some extent, to
accept the measure. It is a generally-received opinion, that
the school system of Wisconsin was framed after that of the
State of New York. This is a mistake. Ourstatute laws were
copied, even in their principal headings, their arrangements,
their wordings to a great extent, and, of course, their sub-
stance, from those of Michigan. A few minor provisions were
taken from the New York statutes; such as those creating the
office of town superintendent (now abolished) and the district
library, which first originated in that State. The other features
differed widely from those of the New York system in many
respects.

The last term of the Supreme Court adjourned on the second
day of August, 1847; but the several district courts continued
in operation until the admission of Wisconsin as a State of the
Union, which occurred March 29, 1848, when the Territorial
Government was merged into that of the State.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 249

The people of Wisconsin, in Territorial times, were particu-
larly fortunate in that the judges who administered the law
were educated, intelligent, learned in the law, of undoubted
integrity, and diligent and faithful in their trusts. They
usually prepared their opinions the same week, or within a few
days after, the arguments; and while, in some instances, they
may seem meagre and unsatisfactory to the profession, yet the
judges sought to arrive at correct results more especially than
to write long and elaborate opinions. Aided by a bar which
was constantly increasing in numbers, very many of whom, in
point of intellectual power and legal training, would have occu-
pied high positions at the bar of the State, the record of their
rulings may be regarded by the people and profession with
satisfaction and with pride.

The very general conviction, amounting almost to a certainty,
that the constitution, formed but a few days before the com-
mencement of the session, and voted upon by the people on the
day of its adjournment, would be ratified, seemed to render it
unnecessary that any extensive schemes of legislation should
be entered upon, and to suggest the wisdom of deferring to
the legislature of the coming State Government the work of
perfecting and revising the laws affecting the general welfare
of the people. Such was the opinion of the legislative assem-
bly now assembled; and consequently, with the exception of
some legislation in regard to the canal and canal-lands which
was ‘deemed necessary, their work was confined almost exclu-
sively to laws of a private nature. The two first of these, and
afterwards twenty-one others (in all, twenty-three) were acts
granting divorces from the bands of matrimony, — one of which
was to divorce the wife of John Smith, without reference to
his residence or other circumstances to identify which of the
thousands of John Smiths was intended. This last session
appeared to be prolific in divorces; a greater number having
been granted than at all previous sessions since the organization
of the Territory, which may have been owing to the fact, that
the new constitution prohibited the legislature from granting
any divorce.

Previous to the new constitution being acted upon by a vote
of the people (the first constitution having failed of confirma-
250 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

tion), another bill was introduced in Congress on the 20th of
March, 1848, by J. H. Tweedy, delegate to Congress from
Wisconsin, for the admission of Wisconsin into.the Union. It
was referred to the committee on territories, reported upon
favorably, and made a special order for May 9 ensuing, when it
came up in the committee of the whole; when Mr. Smith of
Indiana moved to amend the first section by adding at the
end thereof, the words, “with the boundaries prescribed by the
act of Congress, approved Aug. 6, 1846, entitled, ‘An Act to
enable the People of Wisconsin Territory to form a Constitu-
tion and State Government, and for the Admission of. such
State into the Union.” Mr. Smith of Illinois proposed to
amend the amendment by defining the boundaries of the new
State. A spirited discussion took place; in which Mr. Bowlin,
Messrs. Smith of Illinois and Indiana, Mr. Tuck, Mr. Vinton,
Mr. Collamer, and others, participated. Mr. Tweedy stated
that Wisconsin preferred Rum River as the northern boundary,
but would acquiesce if the St. Croix route was decided upon.
The bill finally passed the House May 11, 1848, and concurred
in by the Senate June 1. On the 18th of July, Senator
Walker of Wisconsin succeeded in having the fourth clause
of the bill modified.

Wisconsin was admitted into the Union, with an equal foot-
ing with the other States, on the 29th of May, 1848.

It may be here remarked, that the western boundary of the
new State, by the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers, left out.a
full organized county, with a sheriff, clerk of court, judge of
probate, and justices of the peace, which had formerly been
included within the limits of the Territory, under its govern-
ment and laws. A bill had been introduced at a previous
session in Congress, by Hon. Morgan L. Martin, the delegate
from Wisconsin, to organize a Territorial government for Min-
nesota, including the district left out on the admission of Wis-
consin; but which failed to become a law on account of the
slavery question, which was then agitating Congress. The
citizens of what is now Minnesota were very anxious to obtain
a Territorial government; and two public meetings were held,
—one at St. Paul, and the other at Stillwater, — advising Hon.
John Catlin, who was secretary of Wisconsin, to issue a proc-
lamation as the acting governor, for the election of a delegate.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 251

On consulting with Gov. Dodge, who had been elected to
the senate (and consequently had vacated the office of gov-
ernor), and on the resignation of Hon. John H. Tweedy of the
office of delegate, Mr. Catlin repaired to Stillwater, and issued
a proclamation for the election of delegate. Hon. H. H. Sibley
-was elected; and nearly four hundred yotes were polled at the
election. Gen. Sibley presented his certificate of election to
Congress, which was referred to a committee, which reported in
favor of the admission of the delegate; the committee taking
the same view Mr. Catlin had taken. Gen. Sibley was admit-
ted to his seat on the floor of Congress by a vote of two to
one; most of the Southern members opposing, contending that
the Territorial government fell on the admission of Wisconsin.
The admission of Gen. Sibley facilitated and hastened the pas- .
sage of a bill for the organization of a Territorial government
for Minnesota; which Gen. Sibley was enabled to get passed,
notwithstanding the opposition of Southern members.

An election for officers of the new State of Wisconsin was
held on the 8th of May, 1848. From the report of the board of
state canvassers, it appeared, that, for governor, Nelson Dewey
received 19,538 votes, and John H. Tweedy 14,449; for lieu-
tenant-governor, John E. Holmes received 19,537, and John H.
Rountree 14,355; for secretary of state, Thomas McHugh
received 19,485, and Chauncey Abbot 14,584; for treasurer,
Jairus C. Fairchild received 18,886, and Charles G. Collins
14,353; for attorney-general, James S. Brown received 17,778,
and N. 8. Baird 18,975.

In closing this account of the Territorial history of Wiscon-
sin, it may be proper to say, that Wisconsin has successively
been under the government of Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
and Michigan. The Territory once belonged to Virginia; or, at
least, she has now the full credit of having ceded it, together
with all the territory north-west of the Ohio River, to the United
States. Up to the year 1800, Wisconsin was under the authori-
ty of the Territorial government established in Ohio. In that
year she was attached to Indiana Territory, and remained so
until 1809, when.the Illinois Territory was organized, extend-
ing north to Lake Superior, and, of course, including Wis-
consin. When Illinois took her place in the Union, in 1818, our
252 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Territory was finally attached to Michigan, and remained so
until the organization of the Territorial government of 1836.

It will thus be seen, that, within the space of one hundred
and sixty-six years, Wisconsin has been successively ruled by
two kings, one State, and four Territories, and is now in a con-
dition to govern herself, and all brought about without any
great internal exciting events to produce these revolutions,
The people have submitted to each change without a struggle
oramurmur. To summarize: Wisconsin has been under the
government of France from 1670 to 1759, eighty-nine years; of
Great Britain, 1759 to 1794, thirty-five years; of Virginia and
Ohio, from 1794 to 1800, six years; of Indiana, from 1800 to
1809, nine years; of Illinois, 1809. to 1818, nine years; of
Michigan, 1818 to 1836, eighteen years: total, one hundred
and sixty-six years.
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CHAPTER XXIV.

ADMINISTRATION OF NELSON DEWEY.

Organization of the State Government — Revision of the Statutes — Organiza-
tion of the State University — The Presidential Campaign — The Free-Soil
Party. 3
THE new State government of Wisconsin was organized on

the fifth day of June, 1848, with the following officers: gov-

ernor, Nelson Dewey; lieutenant-governor, John E. Holmes;

secretary of State, Thomas McHugh ;- State treasurer, Jairus C.

Fairchild ; attorney-general, James 8..:Brown. These officers:

were chosen at the eee election, held: on the 8th of May,

1848. *

On the same day, iia first. session of the legislature was held
at the Capitol, pursuant to the constitution ; and. the apportion-:
ment of senators and representatives was also made..under the
provisions of the same oe ame so. to: continue until
otherwise declared by Jaw... viv 0...

The senate was composed of -nineteen Ede bean and was

18a, organized by the chair: being occupied by the lieu-
tenant-governor, and ‘the election of Heury G. Ab-:
bey as chief clerk, and Lyman H. Seaver sergeant-at-arms.

The assembly was composed of sixty-six members. Hon. N..
E. Whiteside was chosen speaker, Daniel Noble Johnson chief
clerk, and John Mullanphy sergeant-at-arms.

The two houses held a session of eighty-five days, adjourn-
ing on the 21st of August.

The message of Gov. Dewey recommended many measures
incident upon a change of government ; among other things,
the revision of the statute laws, the election of a State ‘super-

intendent of schools, the collection and investing the funds
254
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 255

appropriated by the constitution to create a school-fund, the
setting-apart of the five hundred thousand acres of land donated
to the State by Congress, a change in the system of county
governments, the erection of a state-prison, revision of the
militia laws, the canal lands, and the subject of taxation. .

From the report of the secretary of state, it appears. that
that officer had estimated the’ expenses of the State govern-
ment for the current year at $29,898.26, not including the sala-
ries of judges, and some other items,-which would raise: the
amount to about $35,000.

The valuation of taxable: property of the Territory assessed
for 1847 was $14,025,631.24, an-increase of nearly two million
and a half over that assessed for the preceding year.

' The first business of the legislature was the election of two
United States senators for the State. Isaac P. Walker and
Henry Dodge, having received the largest number of votes, were
declared elected. They served until the next general election.
Among the bills passed at this session were those for prescrib-
ing the duties of the State officers, dividing the State into con-
gressional districts, the election. of judges, the revision of the
laws, the location of school and other lands; the improvement
of the Fox River, appraisal of university lands in relation to
the organization of schools, the construction of plank-roads,
the salaries of State officers, some forty acts relative to the
organization of towns and counties and local taxes, ‘thirty for
State roads, thirty-eight appropriation bills, and ten for the
incorporation. of villages and. cities: and other organizations.
Among the important acts, were one for the establishment of .
the State university, consisting of a board of regents, — com-
posed of a president and twelve members,'to be divided into
three classes, and who shall serve one, two, or three years, —a
secretary, and treasurer (this bill repealed the one passed by the
previous session of the legislative assembly); another, an act to
exempt a homestead from forced sale, by the provisions of which
a homestead, consisting of any quantity of land, not exceeding
forty acres, used for agricultural purposes, and the dwelling
thereon, and its appurtenances, to be selected by the owner
thereof, or instead, thereof, at the option of the owner, a quan-
tity of land, not exceeding one-fourth of an acre, within the
256 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

recorded plat of any village or city, with the dwelling-house
thereon, should not be subject to forced sale on execution of
any final process from a court, for any debt or liability con-
tracted after the first day of January, 1849. In the latter part
of the session, another act was passed, exempting from forced
sale a certain number of cows, swine, oxen, horses, sheep, and
farming implements; also the provisions of a debtor, the tools
and implements of any mechanic, libraries, family pictures,
beds, bedding, and all necessary wearing-apparel, besides sun-
dry other exemptions.

The act to provide for revising the statute laws of the State
was an important one, by the provisions of which three com-
missioners were to be chosen, who were authorized “ to collate
and revise all such public acts of the legistature, which shall
be in force at the close of the present session, as are general
and permanent in their nature;’’ that they should lay before
the legislature the acts so revised and arranged by them at the
next session ; and that the laws so revised should be submitted
and approved by the said commissioners, who should prepare
the same for publication. In July, 1848, the legislature elected
M. Frank, C. S. Jordan, and A. W. Randall commissioners.
The last-named, however, declined to serve; and the governor
appointed C. M. Baker to fill the vacancy. The commissioners
immediately entered upon the work; and the same was so far
completed, that they were enabled to report to the next session
a large part of the work; which, having been examined by the
legislature, was adopted with some few amendments. The law
authorizing the publication directed Hon. C. M. Baker, one
of the commissioners, to arrange the chapters into parts and
titles, to unite or divide the work into subdivisions as should
be necessary.

“The Revised Statutes of Wisconsin,” as thus revised, was
passed at the second session of the State legistature which com-
menced its session in January, 1849, and was printed at Albany,
1849, and published by C. L. Sholes, who had the contract for
publishing the same. It made a volume of eight hundred and
ninety-nine pages octavo.

The legislature adjourned its first session without electing
regents of the university, having passed a bill authorizing the
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 257

governor to fill all vacancies, which included the whole Board.
In the month of September, the governor made the following
appointments for the university: A. L. Collins, T. W. Suther-
land, J. Catlin, J. T. Clark, J. H. Roundtree, J. Bannister,
E. Root, Rufus King, Henry Bryan, Cyrus Woodman, E. V.
Whiton, and Hiram Barber, regents.

The passage of the Homestead Exemption Bill caused’ much
discussion, not only in the State, but over the country. It was
the most liberal law passed by any State authority. One news-
paper at Madison, the leading paper of the dominant party in
the State, said, —

“The legislature has passed a bill, which, if not immediately repealed,
will work some most wonderful changes in the business transactions of our
new State. This, toa majority of our people, was the most odious feature
in the condemned constitution. We can regard it as nothing more or less
than a covert, under which villany can practise its devices unmolested, as
it is a permission for rascals to get in debt, if they can, and pay when they
please, not when they ought, as justice demands.”

On the other hand, it was contended that governments are
organized to restrain the oppressor, and protect the oppressed ;
that it is not an uncommon thing to see the rich and powerful
oppress his brother-man, because the law gives him authority ;
and that cases of forced sale have taken place which make the
heart bleed to reflect on ‘man’s inhumanity to man ;” and that
proper exemption laws injure no one, as both parties were
aware of the law, and contracts could be made which work no
hardship. ,

The board of regents of the University of Wisconsin held
their first meeting, at which time it was decided to open a pre-
paratory department for the reception of pupils in February,
1849.. John W. Sterling was elected professor of mathemat-
ics, and appointed to take charge of the preparatory depart-
ment at the time designated. The present site was selected,
and the purchase consummated the following year. The tract,
which was purchased of Hon. Abram Vanderpoel, was the
north-west quarter of section twenty-three, town seven, range
nine, except block nine in the village of Madison. The price
stipulated was five dollars per acre, and the taxes of 1849. At
258 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

the same meeting of the board of regents, John H. Lathrop,
LL.D, was elected chancellor, and his salary fixed at two
thousand dollars. In the fall of 1848, the election for presi-
dent of the United States took place. The Free-soil party was
organized this season, and an energetic political canvass was
had. The Democratic electors, F. Huebschman, W. Dinwid-
die, S. F. Nichols, and D. P. Mapes, received 15,000 votes,
the Whig electors 18,747, and the Free-soil electors 9,548.
The Democratic electors held a meeting on the 6th of Decem-
ber, and cast the vote of Wisconsin for Lewis Cass for presi-
dent, and W. O. Butler vice-President. As is well known, at
this election in the United States, Gen. Zachary Taylor was
elected president, and Millard Fillmore, vice-President.

Charles Durkee, Orsamus Cole, and James D. Doty were
elected members of Congress from Wisconsin at this election.
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CHAPTER XXV.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. NELSON DEWEY.

Second Session of the State Legislature—Gov. Dewey’s Message —The Slavery
Question — The State Legislature outspoken on the Subject —Dewey’s Re-
election — Election Statistics — Great Increase of Population — The Winne-
bago Scare — The Opening of the University — State-Prison, &c.

THE second session of the State legislature met, according to
law, on the 10th of January, 1849, and adjourned April 2,
1849, holding a session of eighty-three days.

In the senate, Lieut.-Gov. J. E. Holmes was president, Wil-
liam R. Smith chief’ clerk, and F. W. Shollner sergeant-at-
arms. In the assembly, Harrison C. Hobart was elected
speaker, Robert L. Ream chief clerk, and Felix McLindon
sergeant-at-arms. Gov. Dewey in ‘his message referred to the
rapidly increasing population of the State, and the indomitable
energy displayed in the development of its productive capa-
city. He said that the government had effected a treaty
with the Menomonee Indians, by which their title had been
extinguished to that part of the State lying north of Fox
River, embracing all the lands belonging to them; that
on the 29th of June, 1848, he had selected the alternate.
sections of unsold lands (odd numbered) donated by Congress
for the improvement of the Fox River, to the amount of
a hundred and twenty-five thousand acres, and that the residue
could not be located without further action of Congress;
that two hundred thousand acres of the five hundred thousand
acres donated by Congress to the State had been selected, but
that the approval of the selection had not been made by the
government. He recommended the sale of the university lands
on a long credit, the locating and erection of a state-prison,

and the modification of certain laws.
260
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 261

‘ ‘On the 17th of January, the two houses met in council, and
proceeded to the election of a senator to the Congress of the
United States; when it appeared Isaac P. Walker received
forty-five votes, Byron Kilbourn eighteen votes, Alex. Botkin
eighteen votes, and four votes scattering. Mr. Walker was
declared duly elected.

One of the first acts passed was “ An Act relating to Inter
est,” by the provisions of which any rate of interest agreed upon
by parties in contract, specifying the same in writing, shall be
legal and valid, and that, when no rate of interest is agreed
upon or specified in a note or contract, seven per cent shall be
the legal rate. This was a step forward beyond any thing
taken by any State legislature. It had the effect to bring
capital into the State, and to stimulate private improvements
and the development of the country. The law, however, was
subsequently repealed. An act was also passed relative to the
sale and superintendence of the school and university lands,
prescribing the powers and duties of the commissioners who
were to have the charge of the same.

Of the acts passed at this session, ten are relative to the
boundaries of counties; fifty-five, to the laying-out of roads;
eighteen, on the organization of towns; eight relative, to
courts; five, organizing school-districts; fourteen, authorizing
special taxes ; fourteen, changing the names of towns and indi-
viduals; and a large number of appropriation bills.

The question of “slavery in the Territories” was one that
engrossed the public mind in Congress as well as the indi-
vidual States; and the State legislature adopted a joint resolu-
tion on the 8th of February, 1849, instructing the senators in
Congress, and members of the house of representatives, of
Wisconsin, to oppose the passage of any act for the government
of New Mexico and California, or any Territory belonging
to the United States, or which may hereafter be required,
unless it shall contain a provision forever prohibiting the
introduction of slavery, or involuntary servitude, into said
Territories, except as punishment for crime; also to oppose the
admission of any more slave States into the Federal Union;
and also to exert their influence to procure the repeal of all
laws permitting slavery and the slave-trade in the District of
Columbia.
262 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

On the 31st of March, joint resolutions were passed by the
legislature, to the effect that “Hon. I. P. Walker, one of the
senators of this State in Congress, in presenting and voting for
an amendment to the general appropriation bill, providing for a
government in California and New Mexico, west of the Rio
Grande, which did not contain a provision forever prohibiting
the introduction of slavery or involuntary servitude in said
Territories, has violated his pledges given before his election
on that subject, outraged the feelings of the people, misrep-
resented those who elected him, and has openly violated the
instructions contained in the resolutions passed by this body
on the subject of slavery at the present session; and is hereby
instructed to immediately resign his seat.” At the same time,
the course of Hon. Henry Dodge, the other senator from
Wisconsin, in voting against the proposition of Mr. Walker,
received the cordial approval of the legislature. The report of
the secretary of State estimated the expenses of the fiscal year,
commencing Jan. 1, 1849, at $46,980.

The discovery of gold in California produced in Wisconsin,
as in other States, a powerful excitement; and the emigration to
the Pacific coast was very large. In the mining-districts in
South-western Wisconsin, there was a large depopulation. The
reports received gave accounts of the distress and sufferings
experienced by those who left the State, and, in some cases,
death for want of the common necessities of life. While a few
returned in better circumstances than when they left, large
numbers returned broken in health, and in a destitute condition.

The first session of the Supreme Court of the State of Wis-
consin commenced on the 8th of January, 1849: present, Hon.
A. W. Stow chief justice, Hon. E. V. Whiton, Hon. M. M.
Jackson, Hon. Charles Larrabee, and Hon. Levi Hubbell, asso-
ciates. There were about fifty cases on the docket.

From the report of the board of public works made to the
legislature, it appears that the quantity of land within the Fox
River reserve, surveyed and located up to that time, was
123,988 acres; lands on the reserve, previously sold by the
government, in lieu of which other lands were to be located by
the State, 98,370 acres ; lands within the reserve recently ceded
by the Menomonees, and granted to the State, 75,000 to 80,000
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 263°

acres: total number of acres about 300,000. The estimated
cost of the Fox River improvement and the. canal across the
portage was estimated at $373,706.09.

On the 80th of January, the first organization of the State
Historical Society was made. Hon. Nelson Dewey was elected
president, one vice-president from each of the organized coun-
ties of the State, Rev. Charles Lord recording secretary, I. A.
Lapham corresponding secretary, E. M. Williamson treasurer,
John Catlin, Beriah Brown, and Alexander Botkin, executive
committee. Gen. William R. Smith was invited to deliver an
address before the society at its next annual meeting, and I.
E. Arnold, Esq., as substitute.

At the. general State election held in November, Nelson
Dewey was elected governor, S. W. Beall lieutenant-governor,
William A. Barstow secretary of state, Jairus C. Fairchild
treasurer, and Eleazar Root superintendent of public instruc-
tion. On the question of suffrage to colored persons, 5,625
votes were given for suffrage, and 4,075 against it. Charles
Durkee, Orsamus Cole, and James D. Doty were elected mem-
bers of Congress 1849-51. During the year 1849, the
preliminary steps for the organization of the institution for the
education of the blind were taken at Janesville. A school for
the blind had been supported by the voluntary effort of the
people of that place and vicinity. Its operations having been
brought to the notice of the législature, that body, by act
approved Feb. 9, 1850, organized the Wisconsin Institution
for the Blind, the object of which was declared to be “to
qualify, as far as may be, the blind for the enjoyment of the
blessings of a free government, obtaining the means of subsist-
ence, and the discharge of those duties, social and political,
devolving upon American citizens.” The institution was to be
under the charge of five trustees appointed by the governor,
who were empowered to employ a superintendent and teachers
necessary to conduct the school, and to perform other duties
necessary for the proper management of the same. Like
almost all the schools of the kind in the country, it opened free
of charge to those who required its advantages. The funds
for its support were for the first year derived from a tax of one
fifteenth of a mill on each dollar of taxable property, since
264 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

which time it has been supported by an annual appropriation.
The institution was first opened on the first Monday of October,
1859, when eight pupils were admitted. The estimated
expense for the year commencing Oct. 1, 1850, was fifteen
hundred dollars.

The State superintendent of schools, Hon. Eleazar Root, was
chosen by the people in 1849. He was nominated by the State
central committee of both political parties, and elected without
opposition. He was favorably known as a firm friend and
devoted advocate of the cause of education. His first term
consisted of one year. He was re-elected, his second term
being two years., From his first report, issued in 1850, we learn
that there were estimated to be 80,445 children between four
and twenty years of age in the State, of which 46,136 were
attending school; that the average wages of male teachers per
month were $15.22, and of female teachers, $6,92; that there
were 704 schoolhouses, 859 being constructed of logs; and that
there were ninety-six unincorporated private schools. During
Mr. Root’s administration, besides issuing a publication of the
school-laws with notes and instructions, accompanied with
suitable forms for conducting proceedings under them by the
different school-officers, he gave much attention to the forma-
tion of graded schools in various parts of the State.

The settlement of Wisconsin from the time of the organiza-
tion of the State government was marked in a very extraordi-
nary degree; transcending all that had been witnessed in the
creation of new political communities, by the peaceful migra-
tion of men and of the arts, distancing even all previous expe-
rience in the settlement of the New World. During the decade
from 1840 to 1850, the population advanced from 80,000 to
305,000, while at the corresponding decades of its growth,
Ohio presents an increase only from 45,000 to 212,000, and
the corresponding increase of Indiana and Illinois was in a
much smaller ratio. The migration to Wisconsin, unparalleled
as it was in the experience of States, has not been the fitful
result of the gambling mania which lured its hordes of victims
to the Pacific coast: it has been the steady and persistent
flow of men and capital, seeking permanent homes for them-
selves and their families. Of those of this number may be
 

 

 
266 ‘HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

named the German and the Scandinavian ; both nationalities
soon becoming thoroughly Americanized in thought, feeling,
and language. From these sources, Wisconsin derived large
accessions of numbers, of wealth, and of enterprise, owing to
its excellent advantages of rich, productive soil, at the nomi-
nal government price of a dollar and a quarter per acre, its
valuable mines of lead and other mineral, its forests of pine-
timber, as well as the unlimited water-power of its streams for
all the demands of industry.

The third session of the State legislature convened Jan. 9,
1850, and adjourned Feb. 11, 1850, after a short session of
thirty-four days; Hon. §. W. Beall, lieutenant-governor, pre-
siding in the senate, William R. Smith chief clerk, and James
Hannahan sergeant-at-arms. In the assembly, Hon. Moses M.
Strong was elected speaker, Alexander T. Gray chief clerk,
and E. R. Hugunin sergeant-at-arms.

The governor, in his message to the legislature, refers to the
continued immigration to the State, to the work prosecuted on
the Fox River, and to the contracts that had been entered into
for the construction of the portage canal between the Fox and
Wisconsin Rivers, and the improvement of the Fox River,
Rapids des Pére, and Rapid Croche, for the sum of $60,401;
also refers to the necessity of a state-prison, the action of the
board of regents of the university in proposing to erect one
of the university buildings the present season, the business
conducted by the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Com-
pany in the issuing of certificates of deposit, which, in his
opinion, were unlawful under the Constitution, and other sub-
jects connected with the management of the financial affairs
of the State.

The secretary of state reports the total receipts in the
treasury the year past (1849), $58,059.94, and estimates the
expenses for the year 1850, including deficiencies, $68,950.79 ;
that the number of sections of university lands appraised is 684}
acres, and the appraised value $117,691.46; total number of
school-sections, 405; appraised value, exclusive of expense, of
appraising, $964,924.72; taxable property, $27,450,000. The
board of regents of the university, in their report to the legis-
lature, refer to the site selected as being one of great beauty,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 267

-consisting of about fifty acres, bounded on the north by Four
Lake (Lake Mendota), and that a portion of the residue of the
tract had been surveyed, and laid out in streets and town-lots.
Plans and estimates for the buildings were submitted; the
principal features being a main edifice fronting towards the
Capitol, three stories high, to be a hundred and forty feet in
length, with an extreme depth of sixty feet, to contain thirteen
public rooms, four dormitory buildings, two on each side of
the main building, each to be four stories high, a hundred and
ten feet in length, and forty feet in breadth, containing thirty-
two study-rooms for the use of students. The plan as reported
was adopted by the Board, subject to the approval of the legis-
lature. According to the estimates of the architect, J. F.
Rague, Esq., the buildings would cost nearly seventy thousand
dollars. At a subsequent meeting of the Board, held in 1850,
proposals were received for the erection of one dormitory
building ; and the contract was awarded to Varney Parker for
seventeen thousand dollars. The legislature in joint conven-
tion, Jan. 20, elected H. L. Dousman, Caleb Croswell, and
Albert S. Story, commissioners of the board of public works.

There appears to have been but little business of an impor-
tant nature transacted at this session, though some three hun-
dred bills passed both houses. A large part of the business
was of a local character; such as the incorporation of plank-
road companies, bridge companies, and laying out of roads.
There were some twelve laws amending the revised statutes,
four on locating county seats, twenty-two road-bills, sixteen on
the subject of local taxation, twelve charters for bridge com-
panies, seven in reference to Indians, fourteen plank-road
charters, four amending the charters incorporating railroads,
and about ninety appropriation bills. One act was passed
fixing the salaries of the State officers.

The population of the State in 1850, as taken by the govern-
ment, was 405,121, an increase, since 1848, of 94,575.

At the congressional elections held this year, Charles Dur-
kee, Benjamin C. Eastman, and James D. Doty were elected
members of Congress.

By an act of Congress approved Sept. 28, 1850, all the
swamp and overflowed lands in the State were donated to the

State.
268 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

During the winter and spring of 1851, serious apprehensions
of danger were entertained by many citizens residing north of
the Wisconsin River, from the return of numerous bands of
the Winnebago Indians to their old hunting-grounds ; and the
military arm of the State was strongly solicited to protect
our people, and remove them from the State. Gov. Dewey,
not participating in these alarms, and desirous of obtaining cor-
rect information relative to the presence and intention of these
bands, employed an agent — unknown to them, and acquainted
with their character — to visit the localities occupied by them,
for the purpose of persuading them to leave the State, and
quiet the fears of the people. The course pursued practically
accomplished the desired object. This nation have since been
nearly all removed from the State by the agent of the General
Government employed for that purpose; and it is believed that
the mode adopted by the governor at the time of which we
are speaking was effective.

The fourth session of the State legislature convened at the
Capitol Jan. 8, 1851, and adjourned March 18, 1851, after a
session of seventy days. In the senate, Lieut.-Gov. S. W.
Beall was president, William Hull chief clerk, and E. D.
Masters sergeant-at-arms. In the assembly, Frederick W.
Horn was chosen speaker, Alexander T. Gray chief clerk, and
Charles M. Kingsbury sergeant-at-arms.

Gov. Dewey, in his message, referred to the death of
Pres. Taylor; said that the treasury and finances of the
State were in a sound condition; that all liabilities authorized
by law to be paid had been promptly met, with a surplus at the
close of the year; that the total receipts into the treasury since
the organization of the State government were $160,218.53,
and the expenditures during the same period, $152,969.61; bal-
ance in the treasury Jan. 1, 1851, $7,248.92; that the estimated
expenditures for 1851 were $80,193.69. He recommended some
changes in the assessment of taxes, gave full statistics of the
school and university lands, spoke of the necessity of a state-
prison, and the system of literary exchanges proposed by M.
Vattemare, which he highly approved. He also referred to the
operations of the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Com-
pany, which, he stated, were in “derogation of the express pro-
A

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 269

vision of its charter, the constitution, and general law of the
State.” He referred to the question of “banks, or no banks,”
which was to be introduced for legislative action at the succeed-
ing session, and expressed his opinion strongly against the
banking system. He also referred to the Fugitive Slave Act,
which was then agitating the public mind, and many other sub-
jects of minor importance. The message is a lengthy docu-
ment, and, like all that have emanated from Gov. Dewey’s pen,
is ably and carefully prepared. His recommendations were
always entitled to proper consideration.

The first important measure of the session was the election
of a United States senator to fill the place of Hon. Henry
Dodge, whose term of office expired March 4. In a joint con-
vention, held Jan. 20, a ballot was taken, and Henry Dodge re-
ceived sixty-nine votes, James D. Doty seven, Alexander L.
Collins three votes. Gen. Dodge was declared elected senator
for six years, from March 4, 1851.

On the 26th of February, the two houses, in convention,
elected A. Hyatt Smith, Alonzo Wing, G. Aigner, and J. Duane
Ruggles, regents of the State University. Among the important
acts of the session was one providing for the location and erec-
tion of a state-prison, —a matter that Gov. Dewey had, in his
previous message, strongly recommended.

Three commissioners were to be appointed by the governor,
who should, at their first meeting, decide upon all sealed com-
munications, specifying the advantages of certain localities, ad-
dressed to them, and were empowered to purchase, or accept as
a donation, on the part of the State of Wisconsin, and receive
deeds for such lands, not to exceed, in the whole, twenty acres ;
one of their number to be acting commissioner. The Board was
required to procure plans for a prison to accommodate two
hundred prisoners, with separate cells; such plan as adopted to
be approved by the governor. Ten thousand dollars was ap-
propriated for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions
of the act.

By this law, Messrs. John Bullen, John Taylor, and A. W.
Worth, were appointed commissioners to determine the best
point for the location of the new pris n. They examined
Madison, Portland, Genesee, Horicon, Kaukauna, and Waupun ;
270 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

and on the 4th of July, 1851, a majority of the commissioners
decided to locate at Waupun. Seymour Wilcox of Waupun
donated twenty acres of land as a site for the prison buildings.
On the 21st of July, 1851, a contract was made with James K,
Smith for the construction of the main upright part of a tempo-
rary prison, for $4,600. The commissioners estimated the sum
necessary to continue the erection of a state-prison, and pay
indebtedness, at $25,000, and also recommended the pordlisee
of an additional twenty acres for the prison site.

On the 13th of February, the legislature, in sane:
elected D. M. Loy, Timothy Burns, and Caleb Croswell, board
of public works, B. 8. Henning register of State land-office, and
James Murdoch treasurer.

The judges of the Supreme Court on the 18th of June elected
Hon. Levi Hubbell chief justice until the election in August,
1842. From the report of this Board, made in 1852, it appears
that the offices of the register and receiver of the State land-office
were opened March 20, 1851, since which time 8,194.73 acres
have been sold. Amount still on hand belonging to the im-
provement, and subject to entry, 36,281.21 acres; amount re-
ceived for quauiity sold, $10,363.59.

There were four hundred and seven acts passed, two joint
resolutions, and fourteen memorials to Congress. Of the acts,
seventy-two were appropriation bills, ten incorporating colleges
and academies, twenty-seven charters for bridge companies,
eighteen for plank-road companies, twenty-seven bridge com-
panies and amendments to previous charters, fifty incorporating
cities, towns, and villages, sixteen relative to counties, seven-
teen ferries and mill-dam, thirty-six State and town roads, ten
railroad charters and amendments to charters, and thirty amend-
ments to revised statutes. A joint resolution of the legislature,
rescinding a vote of censure on Hon. I. P. Walker, United
States senator, March 31, 1849, was also passed.

In relation to the business of the session, one newspaper re-
marks, “ An immense number of new laws have been created,
and pretty much all of the old ones altered or amended in some
shape; so that the presumption that every one knows the law
is rebutted by a violent suspicion, at least, that they do not
know any such thing. A number of unimportant ones have

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been passed. The principal measure of the session, the appor-
tionment bill, was passed on the last day of the session, but was
vetoed by the governor as unconstitutional. A bill for the im-
provement of the State Capitol was also vetoed.”

The trustees of the Institution for the Blind, in their second
annual report, stated that the expenses for conducting the institu-
tion for the year ending October, 1850, was $1,830. In pursuance
of the law of March 15, 1851, they had caused a building to be
erected, twenty-six feet in width and forty-two feet in length,
of faced stone, which would accommodate twenty pupils. Dur-
ing the year, eight pupils were in attendance. The dormitory
building erected for the State University was completed during
that year; and the first term of the year 1851-52 was opened in
the new edifice, on the 17th of September.

The Democratic State Convention was held on the 19th of
September, 1851 ; and the following persons were placed in nom-
ination: for governor, Don A. J. Upham; lieutenant-govern-
or, Timothy Burns; secretary of state, William A. Barstow;
treasurer, Edward Jannsen; attorney-general, Charles Billing-
hurst; and State superintendent of schools, Azel P. Ladd.

The Whig State Convention met on the 24th of September,
and nominated for governor, Leonard J. Farwell; lieutenant-
governor, James Hughes; secretary of state, Roberf W.
Wright; treasurer, Jefferson Crawford; attorney-general, John
C. Truesdell.

At the general election in November, the Democratic ticket
was elected, with the exception of D. J. A. Upham for gov-
ernor. L. J. Farwell, the Whig candidate, had a majority of
560 votes.
CHAPTER XXVI.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. L. J. FARWELL.

Events of 1852—Governor’s Message—Land Grant Difficuities — Legislation
Statistics — A Cyclopedia of Events during the Year 1852,

THE administration of Gov. Leonard J. Farwell commenced
on the fifth day of January, 1852; and, in accordance with the
constitution, the legislature met on the 14th of January, at the
fifth annual session.

Hon. Timothy Burns, lieutenant-governor, took his seat as
president of the senate. John K. Williams was elected chief
clerk, and Patrick Cosgrove sergeant-at-arms. In the assem-
bly, James McMillan Shafter was elected speaker, Alexander
T. Gray chief clerk, and Elisha Starr sergeant-at-arms. The
legislature adjourned April 19, after a session of ninety-six days,
— the longest ever held under the Territorial or State organi-
zation up to this date. The governor, in his message, says that
the expenses of the State for the fiscal year ending the 81st of
December, 1851, provided for by permanent appropriations, in-
cluding sundry prior indebtedness, was $101,885.98; unpaid
appropriations and salaries for 1851, $27,985.88; and the esti-
mated expenses for the year 1852, $109,283.29. He said that
complaints had been made that loans of the school-fund had, in
some instances, been made on insufficient securities, and recom-
mended a commission to make examination of the title of land
mortgaged, to ascertain whether the security was adequate. He
also made the following recommendations: to memorialize Con-
gress to cause the agricultural lands within the State to be sur-
veyed, and brought into market; to cause the mineral lands in
the State to be surveyed, and geologically examined, and offered

for sale ; to make liberal appropriations for the improvement of
273
274 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

rivers and harbors. The question of “bank, or no bank,”
having been submitted to a vote of the people, and decided in
favor of banks by a large majority, he recommended the neces-
sary measures to carry into effect this constitutional provision,
and urged that every safeguard and precaution be taken for
the safety of the bill-holder.

Many important measures were introduced, and became laws,
—a larger number than had been passed at previous sessions.
Some five hundred and four bills were passed, and twenty-six
memorials to Congress adopted. Among other acts was one
for the completion of the improvement of the Fox and Wiscon-
sin Rivers, by which act all the unsold lands granted by Con-
gress, estimated to be about two hundred thousand acres,
should be selected, and brought into the market at a minimum
price,—not less than two dollars and fifty cents per acre, —
the lands to be disposed. of as the improvements progressed ;
or “so much of said lands may be sold as will produce twenty
thousand dollars, and until one-half of said sum shall be
expended, when a further sale shall be made to re-imburse the
amount expended; and the fact of such expenditure shall be
properly certified to.” This bill was vetoed by the governor,
but was passed, and became a law, by a majority of votes of
both houses.

An act was passed to provide for the organization of a sepa-
rate Supreme Court, and for the election of justices thereof;
providing, that on the last Monday of September, after the pas-
sage of the act, an election for one chief justice and two asso-
ciate justices should be had, whose term of office should
commence on the first day of June, 1853; the term of office of
the chief justice to expire the last day of May, 1857, associate
justice to serve until May, 1855, and the other until May, 1859;
the terms of the two latter justices to be decided by lot. The
salary of the chief justice and associates was fixed at two thousand
dollars. A bill was passed to provide for the establishment of a
commissioner of emigration for the State, in the city of New York.
The salary of the commissioner was fixed at fifteen hundred dol-
lars, and the sum of $12.50 to be expended in printing informa-
tion of the State in the English, German, and other languages
for gratuitous circulation. A bill was passed to authorize the
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 275

business of banking; a bank comptroller to be appointed, after
the passage of the law, by the governor, to hold his office for
two years, with a deputy comptroller, who should provide blank
notes to be engraved and printed, and who should deliver the
same to any “person, or association of persons, formed for the
purposes of banking under the provisions of this act, on their
duly assigning and transferring in trust to the State treasurer
any portion of the public stocks of the United States, or any
State stocks on which full interest is annually paid, said stocks
to be valued at the average rate at which the stocks may have
been sold in New York within six months previous to the time
they are deposited with the bank comptroller.” By the provis-
ions of the act, railroad bonds of the State would be received
by the State treasurer in lieu of public stocks, with certain pro-
visos. An act was passed to apportion and district anew the
members of the senate and assembly, by which the number of
the members of the legislature was increased from eighty-five
to one hundred and seven. Also the following: a bill to regulate
licenses for the sales of ardent spirits, one to quiet tax titles,
one to borrow the sum of fifty thousand dollars on the faith and
credit of the State to defray extraordinary expenditures, and
one to effect the completing of a documentary history of Wis-
consin, and Gen. William R. Smith of Iowa County was by the
act appointed to compile said history. Among the railroad
incorporations was the Milwaukee and La Crosse Company, the
doings of which company in subsequent years was the occasion
of much comment. Of the number of bills passed, there were
thirty-one plank-road charters, thirty charters for railroads,
villages and cities, bridges and ferries, eighteen amendments to
general and session laws, eight academies incorporated, twenty
in reference to counties, nine to courts and legislation, fifteen
change of names of towns and individuals, one hundred and
ninety-two appropriation bills, twenty relating to schools and
school-lands, and others not enumerated.

The most important subject acted upon, as before stated, was
the bank question. The people had by a large majority de-
clared in favor of banks; and most of their representatives came
to the Capitol backed by positive instructions to take such pre-
liminary steps as would secure the constitutional establishment
276 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

of such institutions. The provision of the bill as to receiving
railroad bonds as a basis for security of the circulating medium,
it was thought would give an impetus to the railroad enterprises
of the State. The provision, also, of individual liability was
supposed to perfect the bill. .

The trustees of the Blind Institution, in their report, stated
that the building provided for by act of the legislature of March
15, 1851, was completed in May, 1852, and was furnished
throughout, and fitted for the reception of. pupils, on the first
of June in that year.

The judges of the Supreme Court on the 7th of January, 1852,
elected Hon. M. M. Jackson chief justice, who declined the
position, when Hon. E. V. Whiton was elected.

On the 15th of March, P. H. Prame, William Richardson, and
Andrew Proudfit were elected by the legislature a board of
public works.

The Wisconsin Institute for the Education of the Deaf and
Dumb was incorporated by act of the legislature, approved
April 19, and was located on a valuable and eligible site near
the village of Delavan, in Walworth County. The original
site of 11-84, acres was donated to the State by Mr. F. K.
Phoenix, a member of the first board of trustees; and in 1857
the trustees purchased twenty-two acres of land lying on three
sides of the original site. The organization of the institution
was effected in June, 1852. An appropriation of a thousand
dollars per year for three years was made, and a contract entered
into for a building thirty-four by forty-four feet in size, of two
stories besides the basement and attic, to be completed by June,
1854. At the organization, the number of deaf-mutes in the
State was a hundred and seventy-five. Eight scholars were
then in attendance, who were temporarily cared forin a rented
house.

The railroad mania in Wisconsin in 1852 was at fever-heat.
Engineers were engaged in surveying roads from Beloit to Mad-
ison, Janesville to Milwaukee, Milwaukee to La Crosse, Chicago,
Green Bay, and Fond du Lac, from Racine to the Illinois State
line; and their speedy construction was confidently predicted.

At the fall elections of 1852, E. V. Whiton was elected chief
justice of the Supreme Court, and Samuel Crawford and A. D.
 

 

 
278 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Smith, associates: the opposing candidates were Charles H. Lar-
rabee, Marshall M. Strong, and James H. Knowlton. B. C.
Eastman, J. B. Macy, and Daniel Wells, jun., were elected mem-
bers of Congress, and the Democratic electoral ticket chosen,
which electors, at a meeting of the electoral college, afterwards
gave the five votes of Wisconsin for Franklin Pierce for Presi-
dent of the United States.
CHAPTER XXVII.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. L. J. FARWELL.

Events of 1853 — Legislation — Trial of Judge Hubbell — State Historical Society
Election Contest, &c.

THE sixth session of the legislature convened on the twelfth
day of January, 1853, and adjourned on the fourth day of April,
until the sixth day of June following, when it again met, and
adjourned sine die, on the 18th of July; the whole length of
the sessions being one hundred and thirty-one days. In the
senate, Hon. Timothy Burns, lieutenant-governor, took his seat
as president. J. K. Williams was elected clerk, and Thomas
Hood sergeant-at-arms. In the assembly, Henry L. Palmer was
elected speaker, Thomas McHugh secretary, and Richard F.
Wilson sergeant-at-arms.

Gov. Farwell’s message was a short one. He says, “ that,
during the past season, our citizens have enjoyed unusual pros-
perity in ample products and remuneration of their industry
and enterprise, abundant harvests and high markets, and a
downward tendency in rates of interest, with prevailing confi-
dence among business men and in business enterprises.” In
reference to the finances of the State he says, ‘‘ The receipts
into the general fund, from Dec.. 31, 1851, to Dec. 31,
1852, were $133,652.62, and the disbursements, $134,593.33 ;
overpaid from this fund, $940.71. The estimated expenses and
liabilities to be defrayed for 1853 were $99,275.04, and the
means applicable to the payment of the same estimated at
$118,557.65.” The total value of the taxable property of the
State at this date was $27,017,502.43. The report of the
superintendent of public instruction gives the whole number

of school-children, in 1853, as 144,788; whole amount of
279
280 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

money received, $127,718.42; due on school-lands sold, $681,-
931.71. The governor also refers to the progress of work on
the Milwaukee and Mississippi Railroad, and the importance of
having the general banking-law so amended as to prohibit,
under severe penalties, the receiving, paying out, or passing as
money in this State, circulating paper, of any form whatever,
in the similitude of bank paper, by any person, or body corpor-
ate, that is not, at the time of such receiving, paying out, or
passing, authorized by some express law of the United States,
or one of the United States, or of Canada; and declaring all
contracts, the consideration of which, in whole or in part,
consists of such circulating paper, absolutely null and void for
any purpose whatever.

At this session, there were one hundred aud twelve laws
passed of a general nature, and four hundred and nine of a
private and local character. Of the first, fourteen were in
reference to counties, sixteen on the courts of the State, ten
in reference to school-lands and school-matters, six joint resolu-
tions, and twenty-four memorials to Congress generally for
postal service. Of the latter, twelve were for incorporation of
academies, twenty-four authorizing towns and organizations to
perform certain acts, nine incorporating and amending bridge
charters, eight to change the names of persons, fourteen for
construction of dams, fourteen in reference to ferries, sixteen
to incorporate insurance-companies, ten to legalize certain acts,
seven charters to manufacturing-companies, nineteen acts
relative to the city of Milwaukee, thirteen mining-companies
incorporated, five to organize certain towns, thirty-one plank-
road ‘charters, forty-five chartering and amending charters to
railroads, ten to amend session laws, thirty-five to lay out State
roads, and five in reference to taxation.

At no previous session of the legislature had as many local
measures been enacted. The people of the State were much
interested in railroad enterprises, as will be shown by the large
number of charters granted. On the 28th of March, the two
houses, in convention, elected John Taylor state-prison com-
missioner. He was subsequently removed by the governor, and
Henry Brown appointed in his place. Herman Haertel was
elected emigrant commissioner; R. P. Eighme, register of State
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 281

land-office ; James Murdoch, receiver 3, Charles Dunn, Rufus C.
Parks, J. K. Williams, and Nelson Dewey, regents of the State
University ; L. M. Miller, Benjamin Allen, and Andrew Proud-
fit, commissioners of board of public works.

On the 26th of January, 1848, William K. Wilson of Mil-
waukee preferred charges in the assembly against Hon. Levi
Hubbell, judge of the second judicial circuit of the State, of
divers acts of corruption and malfeasance in the discharge of
the duties of his office. The assembly appointed a comtnittee
of five to examine the same; and, on the 25d of February, they
reported that they had the same under consideration, and had
taken testimony upon the subject of said charges, and the
Judicial conduct of said Judge Levi Hubbell; and, upon the
proofs so taken, found that the said Levi Hubbell had been
guilty of divers acts of corruption and malfeasance in the
discharge of the duties of his said office, as set forth in the
charges and specifications against him, and that public justice
required that the said Levi Hubbell should be removed from
his said office of judge of the second judicial circuit.

On the 4th of March, a resolution was adopted, appointing
a committee to report articles of impeachment, and that “ said
committee are hereby directed to go to the senate, and at the
bar thereof, and in the name of the assembly and of the people
of the State, to impeach Levi Hubbell, judge as aforesaid, of
corrupt conduct and malfeasance, and acquaint the senate that
the assembly will, in due time, exhibit particular articles of
impeachment against him, and make good the same.” On the
22d of March, the committee reported that they had performed
the duty assigned them. On the 26th of March, a joint resolu-
tion was adopted, that “the two houses will, on the 4th of
April next, take a recess until the 6th of June,” at which date
the two houses re-assembled. On the 8th of June, the senate
sent a message to the assembly, informing them that they were
ready to proceed with the trial of Hon. Levi Hubbell in the
senate-chamber.

In the senate, the trial of the impeachment was carried on,
on the part of the State, by a committee of the assembly, who
secured the services of Edward G. Ryan, Esq., as attorney ; and
the respondent retained Jonathan E. Arnold and James H.
282 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Knowlton, Esqs., as his attorneys. There were eleven articles
of impeachment, and sixty-eight specifications to the same.

Without going into further details of this trial, which created
great interest throughout the State, it may be stated, that on
the 9th of July, after a full trial, the senate announced, that
judgment had been taken upon all the articles of impeach-
ment, and upon all the specifications thereunder respectively ;
and it appeared that not a sufficient number, according to the
provisions of the constitution, had voted to find the respondent
at the bar guilty of any one of the said charges and specifica-
tions. The president of the court arose, and declared that
Levi Hubbell, judge of the second judicial circuit of this
State, was acquitted of all the charges preferred against him
by the Honorable the Assembly of Wisconsin, in their several
articles of impeachment. When the court adjourned sine die.

Among the acts of a general nature passed at this session
was one for the incorporation of the State Historical Society
of Wisconsin. The object of the society was to collect, em-
body, and preserve in authentic form, a library of books, pam-
phlets, maps, charts, manuscripts, paintings, papers, statuary,
and other materials illustrative of the history of the State; to.
rescue from oblivion the memory of its early pioneers, and to:
obtain and preserve narratives of their exploits, perils, and ad-
ventures ; to exhibit faithfully the antiquities and the past.and
present condition and resources of Wisconsin ; to promote the
study of history by lectures, and to diffuse and publish infor-
mation relating to the description and history of the State.
An act was passed to provide for the geological survey of the
State, providing that the governor should appoint a State
geologist, who was to appoint an assistant. It was provided
that the work should commence in that portion of the State
known as the “ Lead-mines,” the State geologist to report
to the governor from time to time during the progress of
the survey. All specimens.of minerals and of geology were
to be deposited in the cabinet of the State University ; and the
sum of twenty-five hundred dollars was appropriated annually,
for four years, to carry into effect the provisions of this act.

An act to submit to the people the question of a prohibitory
liquor law was also passed. The question was to be voted upon
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284 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

at the general election, on the first Monday of November ; and
also an act to provide for the punishment of murder in the
first degree, and to abolish the penalty of death, by the provis-
ions of which the penalty of murder shall be imprisonment in
the State-prison during the life of the person convicted.
Another act was passed, to submit the question to the people,
to hold biennial sessions of the legislature. The regents of
the State University reported that the foundation of the second
dormitory building had been carefully protected from injury,
and asked for a State appropriation of fifteen thousand dol-
lars to complete the work on the building; that the uni-
versity grounds had been suitably enclosed, and about seven
hundred trees set out. Of the six departments of instruction
marked out by the Board, the chair of ethics, civil polity, and
political economy, was occupied by the chancellor; the chair
of mathematics, by Prof. John W. Sterling; that of ancient
languages, by Prof. O. M. Conover, with 8. H. Carpenter em-
ployed as tutor. Prof. E.8. Carr, late of Castleton Medical
College, had been elected to the chair of chemistry and natural
history.

The trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Institution reported
that they had engaged the services of Louis H. Jenkins as prin-
cipal; that the institute building had been put under contract
(a brick building two stories, thirty-two by forty-four feet in
size), and were satisfied, that, when completed, it would be
inadequate for the purpose. They asked the legislature for
an appropriation of five thousand dollars for the erection of
the east transverse wing according to the plan adopted by
the Board, and approved by the governor.

The report of the bank comptroller showed that there were
twelve banks doing business under the general banking-laws
during the year 1853; that the total amount of circulating
notes issued to such banks, outstanding on the 81st of
January, 1854, was $593,066, for the redemption of which,
securities had been assigned to the State treasurer, amounting,
in the aggregate, to $608,000.

The Annual Report of the State-prison commissioners showed
the number of convicts confined on the 81st of December,
1853, to have been sixty-one. The prison building contained
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 285

but sixty-seven cells, showing room only for six additional
convicts. He also reported, that, on the 14th of December, he
entered into a contract with Andrew Proudfit for doing the
mason-work of the south wing of the main building, to be com-
pleted by Dec. 20, 1854, upon an enlarged plan of the Albany
County Penitentiary, which would contain 280 cells. The
indebtedness of the prison on the 31st of December, 1853, was
$12,880.28.

The Democratic State Convention was held on the 9th of
September, at Madison, when the following persons were put.on
nomination for State officers: for governor, William A. Bar-
stow; lieutenant-governor, James T. Lewis; secretary of state,
Charles D. Robinson; state treasurer, Edward H. Janssen ;
attorney-general, George B. Smith; superintendent of public
instruction, Hiram A. Wright; state-prison commissioner, A.
W. Starks; and William M. Dennis, bank comptroller.

On the 18th of September, the Whig State Convention was
held, which nominated Henry 8S. Baird for governor; Bertine
Pinckney, lieutenant-governor; J. A. Hadley, secretary of
state; James Maxwell, treasurer; Orsamus Cole, attorney-
general ; J.G. McMynn, superintendent of schools ; B. F. Pixley,
bank comptroller; and Elisha Starr, state prison-commissioner.

On the 10th of October, another convention was called by
Free-soilers and others, known as the ‘“ People’s Convention,”
at Watertown, which put in nomination the following ticket:
for governor, Leonard J. Farwell; lieutenant-governor, Edward
D. Holton ; secretary of state, J. A. Hadley ; treasurer, Samuel
D. Hastings; attorney-general, James H. Knowlton ; superintend-
ent of public instruction, John G. McMynn; bank comptroller,
James S. Baker; and state-prison commissioner, Selah Booth.

Gov. L. J. Farwell declined being a candidate for re-election :
Edward D. Holton was substituted in his place, and Bertine
Pickney for lieutenant-governor. Ata subsequent date, James
H. Knowlton declined the nomination of attorney-general ; and
Orsamus Cole was placed on the ticket in his place, and B. F.
Pixley as bank comptroller, vice James H. Baker, declined.

Before the election in November’, the nominees of the Whig
Convention withdrew their names as candidates, except Henry
§. Baird for governor; and the Whigs generally united with
286 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

the Free-soilers, and those dissatisfied with the Democratic
ticket, in voting for the People’s ticket.

The official vote of the State showed the following figures:
for governor, W. A. Barstow, 30,405; E. D. Holton, 21,286 ;
H. S. Baird, 3,304. Lieutenant-governor, J. T. Lewis, 32,176 ;
B. Pinckney, 23,378; scattering, 270. Secretary of State, A.
T. Gray, 81,848; J. A. Hadley, 23,599; C. C. Sholes, 215.
Treasurer, E. H. Janssen, 31,992; S. D. Hastings, 20,811, James
Maxwell, 2,778. Attorney-general, G. B. Smith, 81,705; Or-
samus Cole, 23,776. State superintendent, H. A. Wright,
30,904; J. G. McMynn, 23,061. Bank comptroller, William M.
Dennis, 30,750; B. F. Pixley, 24,363; scattering, 211. The
vote on the prohibitory liquor law was, for the law, 27,519;
against it, 24,109. There was no party issues particularly
involved in this election. The issues were all confined to ques-
tions of State-policy. The prohibitory liquor law was promi-
nently discussed in the canvass.

In April, 1853, Gov. Farwell appointed Edward Daniels
State geologist; and the latter selected H. A. Tenney as
assistant.
CHAPTER XXVIII.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. BARSTOW.

Events of 1854 — Legislation — Newspaper Criticisms on the Legislature — Great
Excitement in Milwaukee and Racine over a Fugitive Slave — His Arrest and
Capture — Litigation —- The School Board Fraud.

On the second day of January, 1854, the administration of
the State government passed from the hands of one set of men
to those of another, and this without parade, military display, or
ostentatious demonstration. In the morning, Leonard J. Far-
well called at the room of William A. Barstow, governor-elect,
and, after exchange of friendly greetings, informed him that he
was ready to commit to his hands the high trusts of the State at
twelve, M. ‘The State officers elect repaired to the Executive
office, accompanied by most of the retiring officers, and many
citizens, when the oath of office was administered by Judge N.
B. Eddy to all, except Lieut.-Gov. James T. Lewis, who was
absent. George P. Delaplaine, Esq., who had been private
secretary to Govs. Tallmadge, Dodge, and Dewey, was re-ap-
pointed to that position.

The seventh session of the legislature convened on the 11th
of January, 1854, and adjourned on the 8d of April, after a ses-
sion of eighty-three days. Lieut.-Gov. J. T. Lewis was presi-
dent of the senate, Samuel G. Bugh was elected secretary, and
J. M. Sherwood sergeant-at-arms. Inthe assembly, Frederick
W. Horn was elected speaker, Thomas McHugh chief clerk,
and William H. Gleason sergeant-at-arms. Gov. Barstow in
his message referred to the unusual health, and unparalleled
prosperity of the people of the State, saying that every branch
of industry had prospered, the internal improvements conduct-

ed by private enterprise had steadily progressed, and were mani-
287
288 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

festing their importance by substantial benefits to the people. He
referred to the death of Hon. William R. King, Vice-President
of the United States, recommended a change in the system of
county governments, and gave an exhibit of the condition of
the treasury for the year 1853: general fund, $152,565.32 ; prin-
cipal of school fund, $67,704.76 ; principal of university fund,
$11,095.47 ; income of school and university fund, $80,267.06.
The disbursements were, general fund, $160,786.64; school
funds, loans, and income, $89,795.55; university fund and
income, $3,903.94; overpayments of general fund, $8,281.82.
The secretary of state estimated the probable amount to be
drawn from the treasury during the year 1854 for the general
expenses of the State at $147,210.70, and the means applicable
to meet the same; viz., State tax (six mills on the dollar),
$150,000; arrearages due from counties, $9,332.74; and mis-
cellaneous, $7,685: total, $160,017.74. He referred to the
vote on the prohibitory liquor law, and suggested such legis-
lation as would subserve the true interests of the State. The
State superintendent of schools reported that there had been
expended in the erection of schoolhouses $289,346.89, of which
$45,071.84 were expended in 18538, and that, of the forty-five
counties in the State, reports had been received from thirty-nine.
The whole number of school-districts reported in the State was
2,072 and parts of districts, 9382; number of children over four
and under twenty years, 188,279; increase over preceding
year, 13,496. The amount expended for schools in 1853 was
$175,184.17.

Among other bills passed at this session was one for the con-
struction of the south wing of the State-prison (and twenty-five
thousand dollars were appropriated for that purpose); one to
prohibit the circulation of unauthorized bank-paper; one to pro-
vide for a State lunatic asylum, commissioners to be appointed,
who were to select and purchase not less than one hundred
acres of land, and, with the advice and consent of the governor,
to cause to be erected suitable buildings for the use of said insti-
tution, to be constructed in accordance with the plan of the
Worcester Hospital for Insane. The sum of fifteen thousand
dollars was appropriated to defray expenses incurred under the
provisions of this act. As will eventually be seen, this act was
 

 

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290 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

repealed, and the work commenced on the building discon-
tinued. An act to amend Chapter 19 of the Revised Statutes,
and to compile the school-laws of the State; an act to provide
for international literary exchanges with Alexander Vattemare
of Paris, providing that fifty copies of such State publications
as may be designated by the governor be procured annually,
until otherwise provided, and sent him, under the directiou of
the governor, and through the medium of the State Historical
Society. The sum of one hundred dollars per annum was appro-
priated to defray the expenses of transmission of such books and
exchanges, and a bill providing for a final settlement with the
Milwaukee and Rock River Canal Company. There were one
hundred general laws passed, six joint resolutions, and thirty-
five memorials; three hundred and thirty-seven laws of a pri-
vate and local character, of which eleven were relative to acad-
emies, twenty-four counties and county-seats, ten authorizing
the erection of dams, five for ferries, six insurance-companies
and four iron companies chartered, thirteen relative to the city
of Milwaukee, twenty-five charters and amendments to rail-
roads, thirty-three plank-road charters, forty-five for State
roads, ten on schools, nine for extending the time for collection
of taxes, and a large number of appropriation bills.

Of the business of the session, there appears to have been a
diversity of opinion as to the merits of the bills passed, and the
refusal of the legislature to pass others which were before that
body for consideration. One newspaper, referring to the legis-
lature, says, “‘ The session has been much longer than was anti-
cipated, and its expenditures much greater than could have been
expected at its beginning, exceeding those of the preceding ses-
sion, although quite an amount was appropriated to pay
expenses incurred by the impeachment trial. The people worked
confidently for a prohibitory liquor law, as there was a majority
of the vote of the people in favor of it at the election of 1858.
A bill for a more equitable system of assessment and taxation,
cne to protect the extortionate and illegal fees which it was
claimed the commissioner of school and university lands exacted
from purchasers, and one providing for the creation of the office
of State auditor, to protect the State against numerous unjust
and exorbitant claims which are liable, without such an officer,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 291

to pass the legislature without due investigation, were de-
feated.”

Another paper says, “The great majority of the assembly
were elected on the ‘Maine Law’ issue. They were good and
honest men. They had, however, an eye single to the end of
passing that law; and their zeal and their uncompromising ear-
nestness blinded them as to the best way to accomplish this
object. They were elected to pass some kind of a prohibitory
liquor law, and would take none but the one modelled upon their
first crude and undigested idea of one. When that was defeated,
they declared that their responsibility no longer existed, and
they would have no law. Take it all in all, it has, perhaps, done

as well as the majority of legislatures do, neither worse nor bet-
‘ter. Government is an evil at best, and only tolerable so far as’
necessary to insure order, to protect right, and to regulate soci-
ety.”

There was a great excitement in Milwaukee and Racine in
the early part of March of this year, growing out of the first
case under the Fugitive Slave Law in Wisconsin. From the
newspapers we have a brief statement of the facts connected
therewith. A colored man named Joshua Glover had been for
some time employed in the mill of St. Claire and Rice, near
Racine. He was the slave of B.S. Garland of Missouri, and
who, hearing of his whereabouts, came on, procured a process in
the United-States District Court, and, with the assistance of
Deputy Marshals Cotton and Carney, proceeded to the shanty
of Glover to make the arrest. They found him, with three or
four other colored men, playing cards. The marshal and his
posse knocked at the door of the shanty. One of the negroes
inside opened the door, and admitted them. As they proceeded
to arrest Glover, he made some demonstrations of resistance,
when Marshal Cotton presented a pistol. Glover raised his
hand either to ward it off, or to snatch it, when Marshal Carney
struck him with a club that knocked him down. He was then
secured, and placed into a wagon, when, with his captors, he was
started off to the southward, for the purpose of misleading the
mob which they expected after them. After travelling south a
few miles, they struck off to the west, and reached Milwaukee
by a circuitous route, at about three o’clock on Saturday morn-
292 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

ing, and lodged Glover in the county jail. In the mean time,
alarm had been given in Racine by a negro present at the
arrest, and searches were instituted in various directions for the
officers and fugitive. As soon as it became known in Milwau-
kee that a fugitive was in the jail, that building was surrounded
with people, and a great excitement ensued. Lawyers set to
work to devise some plan for releasing the prisoner by legiti-
mate means. <A writ of habeas corpus was applied for by Gen.
Paine, which was issued by Judge Jenkins, county judge of
Milwaukee, and a telegraphic despatch was also sent to Racine
for a warrant to arrest the men who had assaulted and beaten
him in the shanty. Meanwhile the thousands congregated
about the court-house and jail were called to order, a meeting
organized, addresses calculated to fan the flame of indignation
already kindled were made, and resolutions passed asserting the
right of every person to a habeas corpus and a trial by jury. A
vigilance committee was appointed to see that the fugitive was
not secretly taken away. <A writ of habeas corpus was got out
by the negro’s counsel, C. K. Watkins, Esq., and served upon
the United States marshal. This was about five o’clock in the
afternoon. About this time, the steamer from the South landed
nearly a hundred men from Racine, who marched in solid pha-
lanx to the jail. The excitement of the multitude became over-
powering. Demands for the prisoner were made, and, on refusal
to comply, the door of the jail was attacked with axes, planks,
&c., broken in, the negro rescued, put in a wagon, and driven
towards Racine. Anattempt to call out the militia proved a
failure.

The steamer also brought the sheriff of Racine County, who
arrested Garland and his accomplices for assault and battery.
A writ of habeas corpus was issued from the United States Dis-
trict Court. An understanding was finally entered into, that
Garland should be forthcoming on Monday morning, and he was
left with the United States marshal, to be delivered over at that
time.

Such was the termination of the first attempt in Wisconsin to
enforce the Fugitive Slave Law. Sherman M. Booth, editor of
the “ Milwaukee Free Democrat,” took an active part in the
rescue of Glover; and on the 8th of July, the grand jury of the
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 293

United States District Court found a true bill of ‘indictment
against him, with two others, for being engaged in this case.
On the 27th of May, 1854, while Mr. Booth was in confinement
in charge of the United States marshal, he made application to
Justice A. D. Smith of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, in
vacation, for a writ of habeas corpus, and a release from
imprisonment. This application was brought before the Su-
preme Court at its June session; and on the 19th of July the
decision was given. Each of the judges read an elaborately pre-
pared opinion on both the purely technical points at issue and on
the constitutionality of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. Chief-
Justice Whiton disagreed with the opinion of Judge Smith as
to the power of Congress to legislate upon the subject, but
agreed with him that the law was constitutional, inasmuch as it
conferred judicial powers on court commissioners, and deprived
the alleged fugitive of a right of trial by jury. Judge Crawford
read an able opinion, in which he held that power to legislate
upon the subject was possessed by Congress and the States con-
currently. The reasons urged on the subject of the judicial
powers of the commissioners were not, he said, sufficient to cre-
ate in his mind a belief that the law was unconstitutional. He
considered the case of a fugitive slave as analogous to the case
of a fugitive criminal, and that a trial by jury, not being pro-
vided for the claim of the owner, did not invalidate the law.
Judge Smith also read an opinion affirming the previous position
-assumed by him on the unconstitutionality of the law. The court
were unanimous in the opinion that Booth was entitled to his
discharge on the ground of irregularity in the warrant. The
further history of this case, as found in the judicial records, will
be referred to hereafter.

Among the matters that took place this year (1854) was
one that created much excitement throughout the State, and
had the effect, indirectly with subsequent events, to materially
injure the Democratic party then in power. The following is
believed to be the history of what is known as the “School-
Land Fraud.” In April, 1854, the leading Democratic paper,
“The Argus and Democrat,” announced as authority that all
the school-lands subject to entry were purchased on the 20th
of April at the appraised value. The amount included all in
294 HISTORY OF. WISCONSIN.

the market of the 16th Section, and five hundred thousand
acre tract. James Ludington, president of the Bank of the
West, was the purchaser. In reply to another newspaper’s com-
ments on this sale, this paper took issue as to the number of
acres included in the purchase, and stated the amount to be
about one hundred and sixty thousand acres, instead of over a
million, as had been published. Mr. Chapman, cashier of the
Bank of the West, stated that the amount would be from one
hundred and fifty thousand to two hundred thousand acres.

On the 1st of June following, it was announced that the
parties interested had said “they never intended to take all
these lands,” they should take what they considered desirable,
and leave the rest. The commissioners, in a published state-
ment of May 19, state that Mr. Ludington made application to
purchase seventy thousand acres of school-land, and was in-
formed that such an amount would probably comprise nearly
all, or quite all, that there was in the market; and he, in reply,
stated he would take all there was for sale, and requested the
papers to be made out. A thorough investigation of the books
in the land-office showed that the amount still for sale was
greater than was estimated; but the fact was not discovered
until some weeks after the application was made, as it took that
length of time to make the examination.

It was confidently affirmed by some parties, that no one was
allowed to enter any lands, as the agents of Mr. Ludington were,
through their agents, selecting the lands; and, until his pur-
chase was completed, others would have to wait. On being
informed of the amount of lands on sale exceeding seventy
thousand acres, Mr. Ludington remarked that he would take
the quantity applied for as above, and would pay for it accord-
ing to the rules of the land-office. According to Section 32 of
the Revised Statutes, every person making application for the
purchase of any school or university lands should produce to
the secretary of state an application in writing, describing the
tract or lot which he proposed to purchase by the proper
number of the section, township, and range, and the subdivis-
ion of the section, and his name subscribed thereto, which
application the secretary was to file and preserve in his office.
The commissioners claimed that they acted in good faith; that
 

 

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296 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Mr. Ludington, after receiving the lists prepared by the office,
proceeded to select about seventy thousand acres, and the
remaining lands were put again in the market as rapidly as he
could make selections, and the certificates could be prepared
for him, and the lands entered in his name on the books; that
no favoritism had been shown him, and that he was treated in
all respects as other purchasers, and in accordance with the
laws of the State. It was claimed, on the other side, that while
Mr. Ludington may have deposited money to cover all the pay-
ments required, a general deposit of money on a blank appli-
cation was illegal and void; and that other parties desirous
of purchasing for actual improvement found the land-office
doors closed against them, and the officers helping a speculator
make his application from their books; and that such a sale
was an outrage on the people, and should not have been per-
mitted by those whose duty it was to protect the people in
their rights, and that the best interests of the State were seri-
ously injured thereby.

The Milwaukee and Mississippi Railroad Company completed
their road as far as Madison, in the month of May; and on
the 23d a great celebration was held at the seat of govern-
ment. The opening of this road gave an impetus to emigra-
tion, and to the development of the country. When it is
remembered, that, before this road was commenced, all the grain
raised in this section of the State had to be drawn to Milwau-
kee by teams, and that the expenses on the road often absorbed
the price received therefor, it will be seen that it was a cause
of congratulation that such an easy and cheap mode of trans-
portation was available. In the summer of 1854, Prof. E.
Daniels, State geologist, was superseded by Dr. J. G. Percival,
by appointment of Gov. Barstow.

At the election, in November, 1854, C. C. Washburn, Charles
Billinghurst, and Daniel Wells, jun., were elected members of
Congress from this State.

Mr. Haertel, commissioner of emigration, in his report says
he entered upon the duties of his office on the first of May,
1853, and appointed John A. Byrne his assistant; that he had
prepared a series of articles descriptive of Wisconsin, and its
desirability as a place of residence in an agricultural point of
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 297

view, its valuable mines, and inducements to emigrants to
emigrate to this State. He received three hundred and seven-
teen letters within eight months, making definite inquiries.
During the same period, three thousand persons visited his
office at New York City, of whom two thousand came from
Europe. The visitors were mostly Germans. Some thirty
thousand of these pamphlets were distributed, and sent abroad.
It is computed that the number of Germans arriving in Wis-
consin in 1853 was between sixteen thousand and eighteen
thousand; number of Irish between four thousand and five
thousand; and the whole number of emigrants to the State,
from fifteen thousand to thirty thousand. In the year 1854,
some fifteen thousand Norwegians and Swedes came to Wis-
consin. They have maintained, at their own expense, an agent
at Quebec, who attends to their transportation and location in
the United States.

The regents of the State University, in their report, stated
that the second dormitory building will be completed during
the present season. Prof. 5S. P. Lathrop of Beloit College was
added to the faculty as professor of chemistry and natural
history in February; and, in September, Daniel Read was
elected professor of mental philosophy, rhetoric, and English
literature, though he did not enter upon the ee of his
duties until August, 1855.

Reference has been made to the passage of a ty for the
construction of a building for a hospital for the insane. In
pursuance of this law, Gov. Barstow appointed 8. G. Bugh, D.
S. Vittum, and A. 8. Sanborn commissioners; and Dr. George
R. McLane was appointed superintendent. The commissioners,
on the 9th of August, caused to be published a notice for pro-
posals for furnishing materials and doing the work for the.
erection of the lunatic asylum building, or such a portion
thereof as the governor and commissioners might deem advisa-
ble to have erected; proposals to be received and opened on
the 20th of October, which was subsequently postponed until
the first day of November, and the reception of the same until
Oct. 20.

From the report of a committee of the legislature in 1855,
it appears that two separate proposals were received by the
298 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

commissioners, on or about the thirty-first day of October, 1854,
one of which proposals was signed by Andrew Proudfit, and
the other by Lamar and Resley, dated Oct. 31, on which last
day the contract for the erection of the building was awarded
to Andrew Proudfit, and the work was commenced. Upon
the assembling of the legislature of 1855, however, the ques-
tion was raised as to whether the commissioners had acted in
conformity to the law, either in respect to the plan of the
building, the cost of construction, or the manner of letting
the contract; and the whole subject was, as before alluded to,
referred to a select committee.

The committee made a voluminous report, and found that
the plan adopted by the commissioners was much more exten-
sive than had been authorized, and bore no particular resem-
blance to the Worcester (Mass.) Asylum, which the legislature
had adopted as a pattern. They also found that the work had
been contracted by the piece, with no footings or statement of
the aggregate amount; and, consequently, the total amount for
which the State would be liable under the contract was entirely
uncertain. The committee procured the assistance of archi-
tects and, builders, who made an estimate of the cost of the
proposed structure, upon the basis of the rates agreed upon
in the contract; and the result of their figures was $452,140.42,
while the cost of the Worcester Asylum, to which they were
limited, was less than $100,000. The result of the investiga-
tion was, that the legislature annulled the contract. Mr.
Proudfit had ‘expended $27,102.26 on the work when it was
suspended.
CHAPTER XXIX.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. BARSTOW.
Events of 1855 — Legislation — General Progress of Private and Public Affairs.

THE eighth session of the State legislature assembled at the
capital on the 10th of January, 1855, and adjourned April 2,
after a session of eighty-three days. In the senate, Lieut.-Gov.
James T. Lewis presided ; 8. G. Bugh was elected chief clerk,
and William H. Gleason sergeant at arms. In the assembly, C.
C. Sholes. was elected speaker, David Atwood chief clerk,
and William Blake sergeant-at-arms. The Republican party
had been organized in the preceding year, and a majority of
the assembly were of that party.

Gov. Barstow, in his message, opens with an appropriate
reference to the results of the past year as affording reasons
for the people of the State to indulge in congratulations to an
extent never before warrantable ; that there was a balance of
$22,967.47 in the State treasury on the Ist of January, and
that the secretary of state estimated the amount necessary to
be drawn from the treasury during the following year, to meet
accruing liabilities, at $253,059.52, to meet which the resources
of the State were estimated at $288,829.91; that the expenses
of the State for the previous year, exclusive of the accounts of
the school and other funds, were $222,154.12. Of this amount,
$80,000 is included in the extra appropriations of the
previous year for the Deaf and Dumb, and Lunatic Asylums
and for the State-prison ; and that the actual current expenses
of the State were but a trifle over $140,000.

The condition of the school-fund he reported as highly flat-
tering, — that there would be for distribution the following year

$142,431.29, or about ninety-three cents to every child in the
: 299
300 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

State; that the increase had been over a half a million of
dollars; and, in connection with this subject, he recommended
the passage of a law restricting the sales of school-lands in
limited quantities to actual settlers. In reference to banks, he
stated that the bank comptroller’s report gave the amount of
bank circulation as $937,592, which is secured by the deposits
of stocks to the amount of $1,033,000, leaving a margin of
$95,408 for depreciation and loss.

The governor also referred to the institutions of the State as
being in a promising condition, and that all the public im-
provements were being carried forward as rapidly as possible.
The State-prison, he reported as nearly finished, and of a
permanent and substantial character, being fire-proof, two
hundred by fifty feet, four stories high, and containing two
hundred and eighty-eight cells. He urged liberal provision for
the deaf and dumb, and blind institutions; and reported that
the State geologist, Dr. J. G. Percival, had prosecuted his
labors with great energy, which had been confined, thus far, to
the lead districts. The Fox and Wisconsin Improvement
Company had pressed the work undertaken by them with
energy; and the expenditures as reported by the president
after the transfer of the work by the State, and up to the
20th of December, 1854, were $183,460.53; and that the sum
estimated as necessary to complete the work was $32,388.84.
He also referred to his former message, on the importance
of making provision for the sale of the swamp and overflowed
lands granted to this State by act of Congress, approved
Sept. 28, 1850, numbering about 1,651,062 acres, and recom-
mended. that the lands should be sold, and a portion of the
proceeds used in the erection of public buildings, such as the
completion of the penitentiary, the construction of the build-
ings for the various charitable institutions, and, at no distant
day, of a new Capitol edifice, or the enlargement of the one
then in use, which even then, owing to the insufficiency of
room for offices, seemed to be demanded.

The superintendent of public instruction reported the whole
number of children in the State over four, and under twenty
years, at 155,125, an increase of 16,467 over the number
reported in 1854; and the amount of money expended during
 

 

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302 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

the year for common schools, at $242,116.54, of which amount
$163,485.64 were for teachers’ wages, and $55,309.38 for
building and repairing schoolhouses. The total value of
schoolhouses was $347,542.55.

The board of regents of the State University reported that
the building committee, in accordance with instructions of the
Board, advertised for bids for the construction of the second
dormitory building on the foundation previously laid. The
contract was awarded to Messrs. A. A. Bird and William Lar-
kin, who, with good and sufficient securities, undertook to
complete the building by the first day of June, 1855, for the
sum of eighteen thousand dollars; that the work had pro-
gressed under the supervision of a competent superintendent,
and no doubt was entertained of its completion to the accept-
ance of the committee.

At the meeting of the Board in February, 1855, the
department of medicine was ordained by the board; and Dr.
A. L. Castleman was elected professor of the theory and prac-
tice ‘of medicine. In July following, Dr. D. Cuvoper Ayres
was elected professor of obstetrics, &c., and Dr. George D.
Wilbur professor of materia medica. To continue the his-
tory of this department of the university, it may be added,
that in January, 1856, Dr. L. W. Thayer, jun., was elected pro-
fessor of anatomy ; and, in July of the same year, the following
additions were made to the medical faculty: Dr. Joseph Hob-
bins, professor of surgery; Dr. Alexander Shue, professor of
the institute of medicine; Dr. J. M. McCabe, demonstrator of
anatomy. Dr. Castleman at the same time resigned the chair
of theory and practice of medicine, but was re-elected in
January, 1857. Dr. McCabe appears to have declined the
honor conferred on him; and, at the time of Dr. Castleman’s
re-election, the void was filled by the election of Dr. J. H.
Lewis.

The medical department seems to have perished for want of
nutriment. It was thrown upon its own resources from birth.
At one time an appropriation of two thousand dollars was
voted for its benefit; but, after six hundred dollars of this
amount had been drawn, the appropriation was rescinded.
And from that time the Board seems to have done little else in
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 303

regard to this department than to institute semi-annual inquiries
as to the use made of the six hundred dollars above referred
to, and request the parties who drew the same to return it to
the treasury. Aside from a course of lectures delivered by
Dr. Castleman, no instruction was given under the ordinance
establishing the department. In 1859 a chair of physiology
and hygiene was established, not as a separate department, but
simply as an accessory to the common course. Dr. David B.
Reid was elected to fill this chair, with a salary of fifteen
hundred dollars, who, after a year’s residence, resigned, and the
chair was vacated.

The trustees of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, in
their report for the year 1854, say, that, of the appropriation
made by the last legislature, of nine thousand dollars, two
thousand were devoted to the support of the institution, two
thousand for the erection of outbuildings and other needful
fixtures, and five thousand for the erection of the east trans-
verse wing. Unfortunately, when ready to carry out these plans,
they were informed that there was no money in the treasury,
and that the amount to which they were entitled could not be
paid until the next year. They, however, raised the sum of
two thousand dollars upon their own, note, which enabled them
to keep the schools going, and to pay debts which had been
necessarily incurred. The erection of outbuildings, fences, &c.,
they were obliged to defer until they were in possession of
funds to pay the same. The whole number of pupils who
were under instruction for the year 1854 was thirty-one. The
trustees of the Blind Institution reported that the number of
pupils in attendance in 1855 was sixteen, which was all the build-
ing would then accommodate. Twelve thousand dollars were
appropriated for the construction of the central main building ;
but, inasmuch as none of the funds so appropriated could be
realized until after the first day of January ensuing, the
trustees determined to commence the work themselves, and to
prosecute it as far as possible that season.

The first Annual Report of the State Historical Society was
published this year for the year 1854, showing that there had
been received one thousand and fifty volumes for the library, and
a number of paintings, autographs, and antiquarian specimens,
304 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

and that there had been expended of the State appropriation
$497.10. This was a beginning of the successful efforts of Dr.
Lyman C. Draper, its corresponding secretary. The society at
this time occupied a small room in the basement of the Baptist
church at Madison. Of the growth and prosperity of this
institution, unsurpassed by similar organizations in the United
States, reference will be had in the further progress of this
work.

The legislature, at this session, passed: one hundred general
laws, four hundred private and local laws, and thirty-six memo-
rials to Congress, which may be divided as follows: of the
general laws, twenty were amendments to laws in force, three
in reference to counties, eight changing the time of holding
circuit courts, five relative to county courts, twenty changing
names, six relative to school-lands, &c. Of the private and local
laws, fifty-eight were amendments to railroad, plank-road, and
insurance-company charters; eight to incorporate bridge compa-
nies; one hundred dnd forty-four charters to railroads, educa-
tional institutions, and manufacturing companies; ten authoriz-
ing the erection of dams; twelve ferry-companies; eight in
reference to Milwaukee City; twenty-one organizing school-
districts ; sixty-one for State roads; and twenty-eight in refer-
ence to taxes. Among other bills passed. of a public nature,
was one to abolish the office of commissioner of emigration,
and travelling emigrant agent; one to suspend the sale of
school and university lands, except for purpose of settlement
and cultivation ; an act relative to the rights of married women,
providing that any married woman whose husband, either from
drunkenness or profligacy, should neglect or refuse to provide
for her support, shall have the right, in her own name, to
transact business, receive and collect her own earnings, and
apply the same for her own support, and education of her
children, free from the control and interference of her husband;
an act to repeal an act to provide for a State lunatic asylum,
and to provide for a compromise with the contractor; an act to
provide for levying a State tax for the year 1855; an act to
provide for taking a census of the people of the State; an act
to provide for protection of swamp and overflowed lands, and to
grant pre-emptions thereon.

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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 305

This session of the legislature was far from being harmo-
nious: there was much party feeling displayed; and the inter-
course between the governor and the assembly was not a
pleasant one. The assembly had a Republican majority ; and
the governor was a Democrat. In a notice of the adjournment,
the editor of “ The Madison Democrat” says, “A body pos-
sessing a less amount of talent never met at the capital. It
came with professions of industry, economy, and short sessions
upon its lips. An idler, more lavish, and dilatory body has not,
since the organization of the State, assembled within the walls
of the Capitol ; and the following is the result, in brief, of their
labors, —an amount of local legislation unparalleled in the
history of the State, a failure to enact a single law which
will accomplish a reform in public affairs, time devoted to
the pursuit of partisan and sinister objects to the total neglect
of good and wholesome legislation, an amount of appropria-
tions never before equalled in a single session, and a State tax
of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, seven dollars to
every voter, and seventy-five cents to every man, woman, and
child in the State.”

This is pretty strong language. ‘The Madison Journal,” in
reply, says, “‘ The legislature passed a prohibitory liquor law:
the governor vetoed it. It passed a law to investigate the
affairs of the State departments: the governor vetoed it. In
short, with scarcely a single exception, every law to accom-
plish a reform in public affairs found an unscrupulous and active
enemy in the governor, and was either vetoed, or— what is
still more outrageous — pocketed. And that, as far as the State
tax of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars is concerned,
the late legislature was not responsible for it; and, in every
contingent expense of the legislature, that body has been the
most economical, perhaps, that ever assembled here.” From
these two extracts, from the two prominent opposing papers at
the seat of government, one can form his own conclusions on
the merits or demerits of the session of 18565.

On the 1st of February, Charles Durkee was elected United
States senator; and N. W. Dean, 8. L. Rose, and Dr. A. L.
Castleman, on 2d of April, were elected regents of the uni-
versity.

20
306 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The United States District Court by its grand jury having
found a bill against Sherman M. Booth and John Ryecraft in
the matter of the rescue of Glover, a fugitive slave, the case
came before the court in January, 1855. The parties were
tried, and found guilty of a violation of the Fugitive Slave
Law. The sentence of Mr. Booth was imprisonment in the
county jail one month, and a fine of one thousand dollars, and
costs of prosecution; and, of Mr. Ryecraft, ten days’ impris-
onment, and two hundred dollars fine, without costs. On the
26th of January the defendants made application to the
Supreme Court of Wisconsin for a writ of habeas corpus. On
the 4th of February, the court pronounced its decision in
favor of the application. Judges Whiton and A. D. Smith
gave lengthy opinions on the case. Mr. Garland, the owner
of Glover, commenced a prosecution against Mr. Booth in the
United States District Court, for the loss of his slave. The
case came up for trial on the 5th of July, at Madison, and
was argued on the part of Mr. Garland by J. E. Arnold, and
J. T. Mills on the part of Glover. The jury, under instructions
and law given by the court, brought in a verdict of one
thousand dollars, the value of a negro slave as fixed by act
of Congress of 1850.

The Democratic State Convention for the nomination of
State officers was held at Madison Aug. 31,1845. The follow-
ing persons were nominated: for governor, William: A. Bar-
stow; lieutenant-governor, Arthur McArthur; secretary of
state, David W. Jones; state treasurer, Charles Kuehn;
attorney-general, William R. Smith; superintendent of public
instruction, A. C. Barry; bank comptroller, William M. Den-
nis; state-prison commissioner, Edward McGarry.

The Republican State Convention met at Madison Sept. 5,
1855, and the following ticket was nominated: for governor,
Coles Bashford ; lieutenant-governor, C. C. Sholes; secretary
of state, 8. D. Hastings; attorney-general, Alexander W. Ran-
dall; state treasurer, Charles Roesser; superintendent of public
instruction, J. G. McMynn; bank comptroller, F. H. West;
state-prison commissioner, James Giddings.

‘The State census, as authorized by act of legislature, was
taken this year: the result showed a population of. 552,109.
 

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808 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Orsamus Cole was elected Supreme Court judge, at the election
in April, over Hon. Samuel Crawford, the retiring judge.

A. C. Barry was appointed by the governor superintendent
of public instruction, to fill the place of Hiram A. Wright
deceased.

A very spirited canvass was held in November, resulting in
the election of the whole Democratic ticket. The vote on Gov.
W. A. Barstow was very close; but the State canvassers
declared him elected by one hundred and fifty-seven majority.
CHAPTER XXX.

GOV. BARSTOW’S SECOND TERM.
Events of 1856— The Gubernatorial Fight — Barstow vs. Bashford.

In reference to the fact that the board of State canvassers
had declared Gov. Barstow to have received a sufficient number
of votes to entitle him to a certificate of his re-election to that
office, the newspapers of the day gave expressions to their
‘opinions in decided language. The Republican papers intimate
that there had been, for weeks after the election, unerring indi-
cations that Gov. Barstow had friends at work, who would fur-

‘nish the State canvassers the means of arriving at the decision.

they would reach, even though that decision should conflict
with the honest vote of the State, and annul, so far as the can-
vassers can annul, the real will of the people. To what extent
they were privy to these labors, or instigated them, we have no
means of knowing; but says one, though, possibly, unjustly,
“No injustice is done them, when it is asserted that the grant-
ing of the certificate to Gov. Barstow was a foregone conclu.
sion, and that the knowledge coming to them in their official
character has been used for the sole benefit of their personal
and political friends.”

On the 7th of January, Gov. Barstow and the newly-elected
State officers were sworn into office. Great preparations had.
been made to have an imposing celebration on the occasion. A.
large party from Milwaukee came on by special train to partici-
pate. There were five companies of the Milwaukee battalion,.
and two companies from Watertown. These companies, on:
their arrival, with the friends of the governor, marched in.
procession to his residence, where he and the other State officers

entered a barouche, and were driven to the Capitol. Some two
309
310 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

thousand persons were present. Entering the senate-chamber,
the newly-elected officers arranged themselves in front of the
clerks’ desks, and a statement and certificate of the State can-
vassers was read by Hon. Alexander T. Gray, which certificate
was the legal evidence of authority of the State officers elect to
assume the obligations; and the oath of office was administered
by Judge A. L. Collins, first to Gov. Barstow, and then to the
other officers. During the day, Coles Bashford, with a few of
his friends, called at the Supreme Court room, and took the oath
of office of governor, from Chief Justice Whiton. On the 10th
of January, Mr. Bashford called at the executive office, and
made a formal demand for the office of governor, of Gov.
Barstow, which the latter declined to yield. Mr. Bashford
secured the services of E.G. Ryan, J. H. Knowlton, T. O.
Howe, and Alexander W. Randall, Esqs., as counsel in the
suits which he instituted to obtain possession of the office.

The ninth session of the State legislature convened on the
9th of January, 1856, and was organized on that day; Lieut.
Gov. A. McArthur president of the senate, Byron Paine chief
clerk, and Joseph Baker sergeant-at-arms. In the assembly,.
Hon. William Hull was chosen speaker, James Armstrong
chief clerk, and Egbert Moseley sergeant-at-arms. The session
took a recess from March 31, 1856, to Sept. 3, and adjourned
Oct. 14. The whole length of the session was a hundred and
twenty-five days; the political status of the legislature being
as follows: senate, eleven Republicans, twelve Democrats, and
two Independent; and in the assembly, forty-four Republicans,
thirty-one Democrats, and seven Irfdependent. In the senate,
that body voted to receive a message from Gov. Barstow, and
decided to recognize him as the governor de facto until the
decision of the Supreme Court; and a joint resolution to meet
in convention, to hear the message, was concurred in by the
assembly.

On the 11th of January, the message of Gov. Barstow was
read in joint convention, from which the following extracts are
taken: The whole amount paid into the treasury to Dec. 31,
1855, was $506,973.90, and the total disbursements, $486,714.73;
leaving a balance in the treasury on the first day of January,
1856, of $42,526.26. The secretary of state’s estimate for the
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN 811

year was $274,044.50; which amount, deducted from the State
tax levied and equalized, under the act of 1855, of $350,000, and
adding to which balance the estimated receipts for bank, rail,
and plank-road tax, and miscellaneous resources of $62,476.54,
left an estimated surplus, on the 1st of January, 1857, of $138,-
432.04. He stated that the five per centum of the net proceeds
arising from the sales of government lands, and belonging to
the school-fund, was yet unadjusted, and the money withheld
by the government. Efforts had been made to procure an ad-
justment of this claim, while counter-efforts, it was believed,
had been put forth by some parties whose duty it was, and
whose object it should have been, to assist the State in obtain-
ing her just dues. He stated, that from the report of the bank
comptroller the whole number of banks in operation on the
first day of January was thirty-two, with an aggregate capital
of $1,983,000; of the number of banks, four were closing up
their business; that the stocks and specie on hand, aside from
individual bonds to secure the redemption of circulating notes,
amounts to $1,243,898.75, with a circulation of $1,153,534. He
recommenced appropriations for the State-prison, and for the
erection of a State lunatic asylum, taking occasion to criticise
the action of the last legislature for the hasty manner in their
repeal of the law then in force, under which the work had been
commenced, without making provision for discharging the
liabilities of the State already incurred. He recommended
the appointment of a committee of the legislature to visit the
humane and benevolent institutions of the State, and report on
appropriations needed for their successful management. He
referred to the importance of a railroad to the Pacific, and rec-
ommended memorializing Congress on the subject. He recom-
mended that no further legislation be had on the subject of a
prohibitory liquor law, believing such a law unconstitutional,
and that it could not be enforced, and a number of other impor-
tant measures for their consideration.

On the 11th of January, 1856, the counsel for Mr. Bashford
called upon the attorney-general, and requested him to file an
information in the matter of a quo warranto against Mr. Bar-
stow, who desired them to present their demand in writing,
when he would take it under consideration. On the 15th, that
312 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

officer filed an information in the Supreme Court, in the follow-
ing words: On the 15th of January, William A. Barstow, hav-
ing been inaugurated into office on the 7th of said month, and
Coles Bashford having taken the oath of office the same day,
the following information was filed : —

‘¢ State oF Wisconsin, Dane Co., ss.

‘‘ William R. Smith, attorney-general of the State of Wisconsin, who sues
for the people of the State in this behalf, comes into the Supreme Court
of the said State, before the justices thereof, at the Capitol, in the village of
Madison, in the county of Dane, in the said State, on the fifteenth day of
January, A.D. 1856, and for the said people of the State of Wisconsin, at
the relation of Coles Bashford of the city of Oshkosh, in said State of Wis-
consin, according to the form or the statute in such case made and provided,
gives the said Court here to understand and be informed, that William A.
Barstow, for the space of one day and upwards now last past, hath held,
used, and exercised, and still doth hold, use, and exercise, the office of gov-
ernor of the State of Wisconsin, without any legal election, appointment,
warrant, or authority whatsoever therefor. And the said attorney-general
further gives the Court here to understand and be informed, that at a gen-
eral election for State officers of said State, held at the several election dis-
tricts of said State, in the several counties thereof, on the sixth day of
November, A.D. 1855, the said Coles Bashford was duly elected and chosen
governor of the said State aforesaid ; and that the said Coles Bashford hath
ever since been and still is rightfully entitled to hold, use, and exercise said
office, which said office of governor of the State of Wisconsin, aforesaid,
thé said William A. Barstow during all the time aforesaid, and since
the time of his election, hath usurped, intruded into, and unlawfully
held and exercised, to wit, at Madison, in the county of Dane aforesaid ;
and still doth usurp, intrude into, and unlawfully hold and exercise, 6
wit, at Madison, in the county of Dane, aforesaid, in contempt of the peo-
ple of the State of Wisconsin, and to their great damage and prejudice.
Whereupon said attorney-general prays the Court now here for due advice
in the premises, and for due process of law against the said William A.
Barstow, in this behalf to be made, to answer to the said people by which
warrant he claims to hold, use, exercise, and enjoy the aforesaid office of
governor of Wisconsin.

(Signed) “Wa. R. Situ, Attorney-General.”’

On the 17th, a summons was issued from the Supreme Court,
to W. A. Barstow, to appear before said court on the fifth day °
of February ensuing, to answer unto the State and to the infor-
mation of C. Bashford. On the 22d of the month, J. H.
Knowlton presented a motion on the part of Mr. Bashford:
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814 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

‘that the information filed by the attorney-general be discon-
tinued, and that the said Bashford be thereupon at liberty to
file in this court, in lieu thereof, an information in the nature
of a quo warranto on his own relation, whereof a copy was
delivered to the said attorney-general by J. H. Knowlton, on
behalf of said Bashford, on the twelfth day of January
instant; and that upon and from the filing thereof, the said
Bashford be at liberty to prosecute and control the same by
himself, or his counsel, as he shall deem advisable, and for such
other or further order as the court shall deem proper in the
premises.”

The motion was argued before the court by J. H. Knowlton,
Jonathan E. Arnold, H. 8. Orton, and E. G. Ryan; and on the
24th of January, the decision of the court was announced,
denying the motion.

On the second day of February, 1855, the respondent, by his
attorneys, Arnold, Orton, and Carpenter, moved in the said
Supreme Court to quash the summons issued therein, and to
dismiss the same, and all proceedings therein, for the reason
that the court has no jurisdiction in the premises. The motion
was filed, and the argument set down for the 11th of February;
on which day the argument commenced, and was argued at
great length by Messrs. Carpenter, Arnold, and Orton for the
motion, and by Messrs. Randall, Howe, and Knowlton in oppo-
sition. The motion was denied by the court.

On the 21st of February, the time appointed for pleading to
the information, the counsel for the respondent presented a
stipulation signed by the attorney-general, and all the counsel,
for their respective parties. ‘‘ The counsel for respondent exhib-
ited in court a certificate of the board of canvassers, on file in
the office of the secretary of state, of the canvass of votes
returned to said Board as having been cast for governor at the
last election, in and by which it appears that the said board of
canvassers determined that William A: Barstow was elected
governor for two years from the first Monday of January, A.D.
1856. Also a certificate of election made out by the secre-
tary of State, and transmitted to said Barstow, which certifi-
cates are in proper form, and the oath of office taken and sub-
scribed by said Barstow on the seventh day of January, A.D.

\
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 315

1856. And the respective counsels submit to the court, whether
said court have any jurisdiction to inquire beyond said certifi-
cates and the said canvass, as to the actual number of votes
given at said election for said Barstow for governor.” The
counsel for the relater offered to prove that said certificates
were made and issued through mistake and fraud, and also
that Coles Bashford, at said election for said office of governor,
did receive the greatest number of votes; all of which the said
counsel offered to prove by competent evidence, and asked
the decision of the court upon the question raised thereby ; viz.,
whether the court had any jurisdiction to go behind the state-
ment of returns and certificates thereof, and the certificate of
election issued to the respondent by the board of State canvass-
ers.

The court declined to enter the stipulation and to pass upon
the questions suggested, as they were not presented in legal
form, as no issue of law or fact was made: hence the usual
and regular forms of pleading would be required until an issue
was formed ; and time was given the respondent, until Feb.
25, to file a plea to the information. On that day, the
respondent by his counsel made a plea, to the effect that he
ought not to be compelled to answer, because, by the laws of
the State regulating the conducting general elections, and the
canvass of votes thereat, applicable to the election stated in
said information, it became the duty of the board of State can-
vassers, upon a statement of the whole number of votes polled,
and for whom given, for said office of governor, to determine
what person was by the greatest number of votes duly elected
to the said office, and make and subscribe in such statement
a certificate of such determination, and deliver the same to the
secretary of state, whose duty it was, under the law, to make
out and transmit to the person declared to be elected to said
office a certificate of his election ; and, further, that the secre-
tary of state, state treasurer and attorney-general, did as such
Board, on the 15th of December, 1855, perform the duties
assigned them by the laws of the State, and determined that
William A. Barstow was duly elected to the office of governor ;
and that they did make and subscribe on such statement a cer-
tificate of such determination.
316 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN

Annexed to the plea was a tabular statement of the votes
polled for governor and the other State officers; viz., for gov-
ernor, 72,598 votes were polled; of which number, William A.
Barstow received 36,355, Coles Bashford received 36,198, scat-
tering 45.

To this plea a demurrer was interposed, assigning causes ; and
the attorney-general states and shows the following causes of
demurrer to said plea: Ist, Because the matter, stated to the
said plea, as therein pleaded, are not a legal answer in bar to
the said information, and do not disclose a want of jurisdiction
in this court further to proceed upon the said information ; 2d,
Because the defendant having, by his motion to that effect,
raised the question of the jurisdiction of this court, and sub-
mitted the same to the adjudication of this court, and this court
having thereupon by its order passed upon and adjudicated the
question of its jurisdiction, the jurisdiction of this court to
entertain, hear, and determine this cause, has become res adjudi-
cata, and it is not competent for the defendant to plead the
above plea to the jurisdiction ; and for the further reason that
the said plea is not verified by affidavit, and is in other respects
informal and insufficient.

On the 29th of February, the argument of the demurrer
came on, and was argued by Messrs. Ryan, Knowlton, Orton,
and Howe.: Judge Whiton gave his decision, sustaining the
demurrer, and the respondent was: required to answer over; in
which decision Judge Smith concurred ; and the respondent was
then ruled to plead over within four days.

On the day fixed by the rule for the respondent to plead,
Mr. Carpenter addressed the court, to the effect, that, with Mr.
Arnold and Mr. Orton, he appeared at the bar of the court at
the commencement of these proceedings, as the counsel for
Gov. Barstow, to object to the jurisdiction of the court; and have
presented the objection in all the forms known to the law; and
that the court had asserted and re-asserted its determination to
proceed with the cause, and hold and exercise full and final
jurisdiction over it; and that he and his associates can take no
further steps without conceding the jurisdiction of the court,
and have so informed the governor; and in reply he has directed
me to withdraw from the cause, and to present to the court a
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 317

communication from him as governor of the State, which he
then presented. Whereupon the counsel for the relater moved
for judgment upon the default of the respondent.

The attorney-general desiring time to consider what should
be done on the part of the people, the further hearing was post-
poned until March 18, on which day he appeared, and presented
to the court a paper, in which he protested against the action .
taken by the court in the name of the people of the State of —
Wisconsin, whom he represented ; and, by virtue of his authority
as attorney-general, thereby dismissed the information, and in-
formed the court that he would no more prosecute the same in
the name of the State; and asked the court that the written
dismissal should be filed among the records of this information.
The counsel for Mr. Bashford protested against the right -or
power of the attorney-general to dismiss or discontinue the
case to the prejudice of his personal rights; that whatever
might be his power or discretion to dismiss the proceeding so far
as the people were concerned, he should not be permitted to
turn.the relater out of court without his consent.

On the 19th of March, the court proceeded to the decision of
the motion of the relater’s counsel for judgment of ouster
against the respondent, and in favor of the relater, as well as
upon the motion of the attorney-general to dismiss the suit.

Judge Cole gave his views at length on the question, and the
several steps taken of its progress from the commencement of
the suit, and, closing his opinion, said, “I believe that the
relater is now entitled to a judgment establishing his right;
and though this is so, and notwithstanding the practice may be
anomalous, I do not think it an undue caution, an unreason-
able exercise of the discretion of the court (if we have such
discretion ; and I think we have) to require of the relater some
proof which will show, that, prima facie, he has a right to the
office before we give final judgment.”

Judge Smith gave his opinion also at length, and concurred
with Judge Cole, that the relater should be required to show
by proof at least a prima facie title.

On the 20th of March, Chief Justice Whiton said, “ We in-
timated that we would indicate the amount of proof necessary
to establish the claim of the relater. We assume the statement
318 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

of the board of canvassers to be true and correct until dis-
proved.”

Mr. Ryan, for the relater, intimated his readiness to produce
his proofs; but Attorney-General Smith addressed the court on
the position he held at that juncture, and asked the opinion of
the court.

The court then proceeded to hear testimony at length, touch-
ing the character of the returns made to the State canvassers,
showing, as they said, gross frauds and forgeries in such returns
to the State Board, &c.; from all which it appeared, by the find-
ing of the court, that Coles Bashford, the relater, had received
a majority of the legal votes cast and returned in conformity to
law.

Chief Justice Whiton, in conclusion, gave the opinion of the
court, that there must be a judgment of ouster against the re-
spondent, and also one in favor of the relater; and judgment was
rendered accordingly.
 

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CHAPTER XXXI.

~

THE BARSTOW-BASHFORD CONFLICT CONTINUED.

Events of 1856 — Decision of the Supreme Court— Resignation of Gov. Barstow
— Pluck of Lieut.-Gov. McArthur—Gov. Bashford gains the Day, and is
placed in Charge of the Executive Office — Legislation, &c.

On the 21st of March, Gov. Barstow sent a message to the
legislature, in which he announces his resignation of the execu-
tive office, and giving his reasons for the same. He said he
could not yield the independence of his department to judicial
control without violating his known duty, and submitting to
what he solemnly believed was an infraction of the constitution
of the State; and that, from the time that the chief justice ad-
ministered the oath of office to Mr. Bashford, to their announce-
ment of their determination to decide who had received the
greatest number of votes by an ex parte investigation, he had
seen no indication that led him to hope for a just determination
at their hands. With these views, and influenced by these and
other considerations, he tenders the legislature his resignation
as governor.

On the 28d of March, Lieut.-Gov. A. McArthur sent a mes-
sage to the legislature, announcing that the resignation of the
governor made it his duty to take the reins of government, and
his determination to perform those duties in the best manner in
his power.

On the 25th of March, Coles Bashford, accompanied by some
friends, visited the executive chamber, then occupied by Gov.
McArthur, when Mr. Bashford demanded of the latter posses-
sion of the office, which was by him declined, until his rights
had been passed upon by the Supreme Court; and inquired

whether he would attempt to put him out by force, if he could
820
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN, 321,

not otherwise. He was informed by Bashford, that, while it
would afford him pleasure to.see him.(McArthur) as one of the
citizens of the State, he was the only. governor; and that the
people had invested him with certain rights, which he, intended
to exercise, without the employment of force if ‘possible, but
with force if necessary.. To.which McArthur replied, that this
was virtually ejecting him by force, and so. construed it. .He
should retire, protesting-against. Bashford’s: right ;, ‘WhereAD es
preceded by his private secretary, he withdrew. “5

Gov. Bashford, upon taking. possession .of the office, dent a
message to the legislature, in which he referred to. the difficul-
ties he experienced in obtaining his right to the office, and of.
the. proceedings which had.been ,taken in the courts by him to

‘obtain such. right, and transmitting an. authenticated copy of
the judgment of. the Supreme, Court, determining. the case
between himself and the late-incumbent.,

.Lieut-Gov. McArthur, on. retiring from ‘the. Hacins cham,
as returned to the senate, and resumed. his duties, as president
of that. body, which he had vacated on, the resignation,.of Gov,
Barstow. . He stated to. that body, on taking.the chair, that. in-
asmuch as both branches of the legislature, and the subordinate
branches.of government (the, secretary of. state, treasurer, &c.),
acknowledged, Gov. Bashford, he had concluded that, it. was
useless-to hold out longer. , And.on the 27th of March, the as-
sembly recognized. Goy..Bashford, which that body had before
declined to do, and. had refused.to receive the message, which he
had sent them on his taking possession.

, Such isan account. of. the famous, case of' ‘Bashford vs. Bar-
saw as far as it relates to the action of the ‘Supreme Court, and
the legislature. It has been thought advisable to give at some
length the points.of the case as adjudicated, by the court; and
the judicial record has been: faithfully examined, and. the mate-
rial facts noted. This case, as is well known,’ created much ex-
citement throughout the State, and, ‘in; fact, throughout the
United States... It must be remembered, also, at the date of.
these occurrences,; that party, feeling was very high. ‘The Dem-
ocratic party, which had the control of the. political affairs .of
the State and Territory mostly; from the first organization, was
losing its power; and, the Republican party,.then but recently

at
322 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

organized, was to take its place. Gov. Barstow came in for e
full share of the abuse and opprobrium of his political opponents '
and nothing could be said of him or his administration by this
class, except that every principle of honesty and integrity had
been violated in the transaction of public affairs. The whole
burden of the informalities and irregularities in reference to the
recent State canvass was placed upon his shoulders, and there
can be no question that he bore much more than he was justly
entitled to.

It will be necessary now to note the acts of the legislature,
a consideration of which has been deferred, owing to the case
before the courts.

The legislature continued in session until the thirty-first day
of March, 1856. It passed a hundred and six general laws,
and four hundred and fifty-six private and local. laws. Of the
former, there appears to be but few of general public interest ;
and, of the latter, most of the acts were the amendment to
charters, and charters to various railroad, plank road, and other
incorporations. Of the general laws, the most important was
an act providing for a revision of the laws then in force, and to
prepare a code of practice and pleading for the government of
civil actions in the State, which code was to conform somewhat
to the code then in use in the State of New York; and the
governor was authorized to appoint three competent persons
as revisers, who should prepare the same for publication, and
who should report the same dt the adjourned session of this
legislature.

In pursuance of this act, Gov. Bashford appointed Timothy
O. Howe, James R. Doolittle, and Samuel J. Todd to the
work. These gentlemen on the 16th of May sent a communi-
cation to the governor, declining the appointments ; the reasons
given being that the time prescribed was inadequate to accom-
plish such a revision as would meet with the views of the legis-
lature, or the wants of the State ; in addition, they were by the
act required to execute another task, which would render use-
less a large portion of the former labor; that the adoption of
the New York code of procedure to the constitution of this
State would render the revision and amendment of at least four
very important titles, embracing some thirty-six chapters of the
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN 323

previous edition of our laws, quite unnecessary and useless.
For these reasons, they declined to act under the appointments,
and returned their commissions. =

The legislature re-assembled, agreeably to adjournment, on
the 8d of September, 1856. In the assembly, three hundred
copies of an act entitled “ An Act granting Public Lands to the
State of Wisconsin to aid in the Construction of Railroads in
the State,” was ordered printed. Gov. Bashford sent a message
to the legislature. He said he did not feel it his duty to call
their attention to any new business, except some matters that had
arisen since the adjournment. He referred to the déath, in the
month of May, of Dr. James G. Percival, State geologist, and
said that his report of the survey of 1855 was nearly completed
at the time of his decease, and was forwarded to the governor
by Dr. Jenckes of Hazel Green. This manuscript was placed
in the hands of I. A. Lapham, to be prepared for publication.
He called attention to the grant of lands by Congress to the
State to aid in the construction of a railroad from Madison or
Columbus to St. Croix River, and to the west end of Lake
Superior. The amount of land donated, he thought, would
exceed two millions of acres; and he recommended suitable
legislation in connection therewith.

On the 12th of September, 1856, the joint select committee
of the legislature, appointed “to investigate the offices of the
state treasurer, secretary of state, and school and university
land commissioners from the commencement of the. State
government” made a report. From this report, which is a very.
full one, it appears the committee found that the books in the:
offices of the treasurer and school-land commissioners had been
kept in a loose and careless manner; and, in the latter office, the
books were disfigured and defaced with erasures of names and.
figures, and other names and figures substituted with interpo-
lations, remarks, and alterations, which, in many instances,
rendered it impossible to ascertain either the original entries,
dates, or the amount of principal and interest paid; that the
entries on the journal of the treasurer were made without any
regularity of date, entries being made first as late as July or
August going back to January of the same year. The vouchers:
of the treasurer were also found in great confusion, there
824 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

being no arrangement either of name or date, but being thrown
into one confused mass. These, extending through a period
of eight years, had to be arranged and. compared with. the
corresponding entries on the journal of the treasurer. Many
of the vouchers were missing ;,and many of. those laid before
the committee as vouchers.were rejected, because they offered
no evidence of the payment of money to any person. A list
of such missing and rejected vouchers accompanied the report.
It also appeared, by the report on the testimony of competent
parties, thatthe State officers and clerks were allowed to take
money from the treasury in anticipation of. their salaries, leav-
ing no other. evidence of indebtedness than a slip of paper
upon which was written, “ Good for - dollars,” mention-
ing the amount taken, and signing their names. One party
had ‘borrowed. money from the assistant treasurer on his own
due-bill. A full account of the defalcation of E. H. Janssen,
state treasurer, is given; and the blame attached to that
officer is due to Mr. D. H. Seaver, assistant treasurer, as the
treasurer was absent from the Capitol, owing to sickness and
death in his family; and the business of the office was left
exclusively in the charge of. his assistant.. His defalcation is
estimated at $8,628.70.

The details of the sales of lands in the office of the commis-
sioners of school and university:lands are given ; and charges.are
made of favoritism, and that‘many re-sales of forfeited lands were
sold a second time to purchasers for a less amount than they were
sold for originally, thus making it an object for purchasers to
forfeit their lands;.and that the fund granted for the purpose
of insuring the lasting establishment of our common school
system, instead of working the beneficial results intended,
the committee were compelled to say that the result of their
investigation showed that there was no foundation for such hope
or belief; that tens of thousands of dollars of this fund had
been embezzled, and many hundred of thousands “lost and
squandered,” whatever may have been the hope of every citizen
of the State who loves the sacred cause. of education, to the
contrary; that criminal negligence, wanton recklessness, and
utter disregard for the most responsible duties which could be
imposed upon man, had distinguished the management of this

 
a —— ew

BIS

 

 

I»

i uy :
A See

 
326 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

fund. Appended to this report are affidavits, and statistics of
the condition of the offices referred to.

In reply to this report, and charges against the late State treas-
urer and commissioners of the school and university lands, those
gentlemen, on the 19th of September, sent a reply to the legis-
lature, vindicating their conduct against these charges. They
stated, that, notwithstanding repeated applications to the inves-
tigating committee for the privilege of examining the testimony
taken before them, they had not been allowed to see it; but,
on the contrary, such privilege had been positively refused,
and they had been able only to gather some conception of the
import from common rumor, by which they were given to
understand that it contained matters reflecting severely upon
their integrity as men and as public officers; that, upon read-
ing the report of said committee, but one impression can be
made, and that is, that all the irregularities, of whatever descrip-
tion, that are alleged to have occurred in the management of the
school-fund and sale of school-lands during a period of eight
years are chargeable to them.

In reply to the charge “that the books are disfigured and
defaced with erasures of names and figures, and other names
and figures substituted with interpolations,” &c., they have
to say that the books in the land-office since the re-organ-
ization of the system of managing the affairs of that office, in
the summer of 1854, are not justly liable to any such censure,
and that there is not any thing in the exhibits, or the proof sub-
mitted with the report, to justify the remark. To the remark
that the State officers and clerks were allowed to take money
from the treasury in. anticipation of their salaries, leaving
no other evidence of their indebtedness than a slip of paper
upon which was written, “ Good for dollars,” it ‘was an
accommodation to the treasurer to pay moneys in this way to
cfficers who kept their accounts with him, and settled once a
year. It was his business to see that we did not overdraw our
accounts; and, so far as they were concerned, there was nothing
in the report of the committee, or in the testimony, to show
that they were at any time overdrawn. The books in the secre-

itary’s office show when they receipted for their salaries ; and it
‘was not against these we made drafts. The treasurer accounted

 

2
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. $27

to them for their fees, he having received them; and their set-
tlements with him always showed that they had kept very far
from overdrawing their accounts. They were not allowed, as
the report states, to take money from the treasury ; but, when
the treasury was indebted to them, the treasurer paid a part
that was due upon their giving an acknowledgment for the
amount. so paid.

The commissioners also go into minute details relative to the
purchase of school-lands by various parties, whenever they are
charged with irregularities and wrong-doing, which we will not
repeat, more than to say that they claim to have refuted all
charges against them.

To this document, the investigating committee on the 10th of
October, made a reply to the legislature, re-affirming the position
taken by them on their first report, and denying the statements
set forth by the late school-land commissioners.

The session closed on the 13th of October. Of the important
measures passed at this adjourned session, there was one to
apportion and district anew the members of the senate and
assembly, by which the number of the members of the assem-
bly was increased from one hundred and seven to one hundred
and twenty-seven; one to secure the enlargement and immedi-
ate completion of the improvement of the navigation of tho
Fox and Wisconsin Rivers; one to provide for determining, and
finally settling and paying, the claim of Andrew Proudfit for
work done and materials furnished under his contract for build-
ing the State Lunatic Asylum; one to accept the grant, and
execute the trust conferred on the State by act of Congress,
entitled “ An Act granting Public Lands to the State of Wiscon-
sin, to aid in the Construction of Railroads in the State ;”
to simplify and abridge the practice, pleadings, and proceedings
of the courts of the State; an act comprising three hundred and
sixty-eight sections; an act to grant certain lands to the La
Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad Company, and to execute the
trust created by the act of Congress before alluded to; an act )
to provide for the disposal and sale of the swamp and overflowed .
lands ; an act to provide for the revision of the general laws 0
the State ; an act for levying a State tax for the year 1856, of
three hundred thousand dollars; an act to execute the trust

 
  
  
828 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.’ .

i seebee by act of Congress, &c., by incorporating the Wisconsin
and Superior Railroad Company, and. granting ‘s portion of said
lands thereto ; also an amendatory and supplementary act, &e.,

‘ to the same company.

‘The bill to accept the grant of lands, and to execute, the trust
" qoutared on the State by Congress, to aid in the construction
of railroads in the State, was one of great infportance, and
odeupied the closing'days of the session! Much “difference of
opinion ‘was: entertained on the merits of the bill. introduced,
known as the’ “ Milwaukee and La Crosse Railroad Bill. » The
various sections of the State had an interest in thig- land-grant,
and the benefits to arise from it; and it was after a long’ debate
that a dill designed as a‘compromise was passed, but tas vetoed
by the governor; and another bill'similar to the first Was intro-
duced ‘to obviate the objections ‘of the Executive. ‘This bill
passed, and received his approval. It will be necessary to recur
to this measure hereafter, as the history of this land-grant, and
of the La Crosse Railroad, has hada famous reputation?

It will be seen while the business of the first part of the ses
sion was limited, and but little accomplished, the latter part was
an active one; atidematly important measures were considered
an enacted. ae

‘To summarize the business of the whole session, we find one
inmidredl and forty-five general laws ‘passed, threé joint resolu-
tions, and twenty-seven ° memorials to Congress: Of the laws,
fourteen were amendments to general laws, fifteen appropriation
bills, thirteen concerning courts, twenty-nine change of name,
ten amendments to Revised Statutes, eight on rillroade, twelve
authorizing the secretary ‘of state to‘audit accounts, six on
schools, three on taxation; and, of the private and-local laws,
seventy are amendatory acts to charters of rail: and plank
roads, ten to booms, thirteen to bridges, one hundred and thirty-
five charters to institutions and corporations, nine to cemeteries,
eleven to mill-dams, twenty-four ferries; ‘tiventy-two concerning
Milwaukee, ' thirty-six to school-districts, seventy- -two State
roads, nine organizing towns, and thirteen ‘to villages: The
superintendent of public instruction reported ‘that’ the whole
number of children in the State on the first day of. September,
1855, between the ages of four and twenty, was'186,085 ; increase
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 829

since 1855, 30,960. - Amount received for the year 1855 for
school-purposes, $264,764.08, of which amount $216,542.72 was
for teachers’ wages. The regents of the university reported
that the second dormitory building, which was under contract,
and in process of erection, at the date of the last report, was
completed and accepted in June, 1855. The contract price of
the building was eighteen thousand dollars. The whole cost,
including furnace, additional fixtures, and extras, was estimated
to be about twenty thousand dollars. The trustees of the Deaf
and Dumb Institution stated that it would be necessary

. to commence as early as possible the erection of the main build-
ing, which would cost not less than thirty thousand dollars. The
whole number of pupils in attendance during the year 1855,
thirty-four.

The trustees of the Blind Institution reported that the erec-
tion of the main edifice, and the east wing connected with it,
had progressed with all possible speed, with strict reference to
durability ; and, further, that they expected to finish the building
at an early day, should the legislature furnish the necessary
means for that purpose. The number of pupils in the institu-.
tion was fourteen.

Agreeably to the act providing for a settlement with Andrew
Proudfit for work and materials on the State Lunatic Asylum
under his contract, the governor appointed Timothy O. Howe,
Fred. §. Lovell, and William Pitt Lynde, commissioners to hear
the testimony in the case, and to determine the amount of dam-
age which he had sustained by reason of the legislature annull-
ing said contract. The governor appointed James R. Doolittle,
J. A. Sleeper, and C. Abbott, attorneys on the part of the State ;
and Mr. Proudfit secured the services of E. G. Ryan, Orton &
Hopkins, and Samuel Crawford, as his attorneys. The commis-
sioners, after a careful and impartial investigation of the whole
subject, and arguments of counsel, on the 1st of January, 1857,
awarded him the sum of $7,400. The opinion of Mr. Howe,
which was concurred in by Messrs. Lovell and Lynde was clear
and conclusive, and was published in the newspapers of that day.
The high character of the gentlemen composing the commission
has given the public assurance that justice would be done by
them, regardless of all party feeling; and their award demon-
strates that that confidence was not misplaced. :
830 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The presidential election took place in November of this year
(1856) ; and the canvass was as exciting as in other parts of the
Union. The result was, that the Republican party was success-
ful in the State; and the Republican electors —E. D. Holton,
James H. Knowlton, Gregor Menzel, W. D. McIndoe, and B.
McWilliams — had.a majority of 13,247. John F. Potter, C.C.
Washburn, and C. Billinghurst, Republicans, were elected con-
gressmen over Jackson Hadley, Samuel Crawford, and H. C.
Hobart, Democrats.

The electoral college met on the 4th of December, 1856, and
cast the vote of the State for John C. Fremont for president,
and William L. Dayton vice-President. :
 

 

 
~ CHAPTER XXXII.
. ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. BASHFORD.

Events ‘of. Tae tae ala ion =e tion of United: States Senator — Legislation
~', «The Capital — Election Contest, &c.

‘> Tue tenth session of the legislature: convened on the 14th
of Jatuary, 1857, and was organized in the senate, Lieut.-Gov.
A. McArthur being president, and. the election of William
Henry Brisbane as chief clerk, and-Alanson Filer sergeant-at-
arms. The assembly was.organized by the election of Wyman
Spooner as speaker, Willian: C. Webb chief clerk, and. William
C.. Rogers sergeant-at-arms. ‘The legislature held a short ses-
sion of fifty-four days, and. adjourned on. the 9th of March.
The Republican party had a majority in both houses. .

Gov. Bashford in his. message:said, “At no time since our
existence as a ‘State has a greater measure of prosperity and
happiness been enjoyed among.the people :than.during the year
just terminated.” He neportad the condition of the several
funds.as follows :—

The general fund was indebted to the other funds on Jan. ty

1856 0:9:5:seie's sierece aegis seoUlecraaeanamenerendeers $13,946.88

The dnBeisney: ol the previous-state treasurer was ..... easier) 82,358.54
The disbursements during the year from the penta fund

amounted to... ...... ee ee jawieniwasaains 849,350.45

Rtas uldesuesieas eusiasetce . $395,655.87

The amount of receipts during previous year............... 888,053.59

Balance due other funds from the general fund, Ja an. 1, 1857. $7,002.28

The total capital of the school fund, Jan-1,:1857:........ ++ 2;047,903.74

The total capital of university fund ..........seseeeeesee8s 810,887.35
332
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 333

He also reported that the convicts in the State-prison on
Dec. 3, 1856, was a hundred and eight, and the current ex-
penses during the year, $27,384.66; that the number of banks
organized and doing business was fifty, the aggregate. capital
amounting to $3,290,000,000, an increase of $1,320,000 over
preceding year. The whole amount of circulating. notes
issued to banks was $1,950,967, which notes were secured by
stocks, &c., for their redemption, valued. at $2,208,476; and
that several banks had been closed up without any loss to the
bill-holder. He also referred to the State University, and
solicited attention to their report; from which it appears that
the whole number of students in attendance during the year
1856 was a hundred and sixty-nine; that several new depart-
ments had been created and established; and that it was pro-
posed soon to organize.the law-school, and the department of
civil engineering. He said that the report of the Deaf and
Dumb. Institution gave evidence of an able and economical
administration of its affairs, and that it was in a flourishing
condition, and that the rapid accession to the number of its
pupils rendered necessary the early erection of the main build-
ing ; that the Blind Institution had nearly completed a spacious
and beautiful edifice, and asked for an appropriation to finish
and furnish it in a proper manner, and to improve the grounds,
He reported a very favorable condition of the affairs of the
State Historical Society, whose library.on the 1st of January
contained 3,120 volumes, besides a fine collection. of oil
paintings, and valuable memorials of the early, history of the
State and Territory. He stated, that, in. pursuance of law,
he had appointed John F. Potter, Samuel J. Todd, and B.
McWilliams commissioners to revise the General Statutes, of
the State.

Among other subjects which he suggested for the considera-
tion of the legislature, none, he said, seemed to demand more
attention than a law to diminish the excessive amount of
special legislation which was demanded. at each session, and
that a strict compliance with the provisions of the constitu-
tion of the State, in this regard, would greatly shorten the
sessions of the legislature, and diminish the expenses of the
State. He remarked that nearly two-thirds of all the legisla-
834 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

tion of previous sessions might have been attained through
general laws: he also remarked that a general railroad law
would be productive of great benefit.

He recommended that power be granted to the secretary of
state to audit and allow all accounts against the State, where
the same could be ascertained by computation. He referred to
the State Lunatic Asylum, and the settlement with Mr. Proud-
fit, and recommended immediate steps for the erection of a
suitable asylum. He also recommended some changes in the
laws for the assessment and collection of taxes, and also to the
‘claims of the State against the General Government for the five
per centum of the net proceeds of the sale of government lands
within the State, which amount he estimated at two hundred
and fifty thousand dollars, and which is withheld from the
State. He said that patents had been received from the gen-
eral land-office, in part for the swamp and overflowed lands
donated to the State, to the amount of 1,477,545,49, acres, and
the State would ultimately receive in all about two millions
five hundred thousand acres. He said the work on the Fox
and Wisconsin River Improvement had progressed favorably
by the company who had the same in charge, and that con-
tracts had been let for the entire work, between Portage City
and Green Bay. He closed with referring to the troubles in
Kansas, and by transmitting to the legislature a petition of six
persons, formerly residents of this State, who emigrated to that
Territory, and had been thrown in prison at Lecompton upon
charges of high crimes and treason, for defending their proper-
ty against an organized band of armed marauders from
Missouri.

On the 23d of June, agreeably to the constitution of the
State, the legislature met in joint convention for the purpose
of electing a United States senator in place of Hon. Henry
Dodge, whose term of office expired March 4 of that year;
and, a vote having been taken, James R. Doolittle received
seventy-nine votes, and Charles Dunn thirty-six votes, two
scattering ; whereupon the president declared the votes given
for James R. Doolittle were out of order and void, and that,
no person having received a majority of the votes, there was
on election, and proceeded to give the reasons for his decision,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN 335

to the effect that Mr. Doolittle having been chosen a circuit
judge in 1853, and the term for which he was chosen not
having expired, he could not be voted for at that time: where-
upon an appeal from the decision of the chair was taken; and,
a vote being taken, it appeared that forty votes were for sus-
taining the president, and seventy-one votes against it. So
the decision of the chair was not sustained. In the Republi-
can caucus on the first ballot, Mr. Doolittle received twenty-
five votes, Timothy O. Howe twenty-five votes, and E. D.
Holton twenty-one votes. On the 16th of February, the legis-
lature in joint convention elected Horace A. Tenney, E. S.
Carr, J. G. McMynn, and J. L. Pickard, regents of the State
University.

A number of important bills were passed at this session.
Among them were the following: a bill relating to the writ of
habeas corpus to persons claimed as fugitive slaves, the right
of trial by jury, and to prevent kidnapping. This was known
as the Personal Liberty Bill, and designed to invalidate the acts
of Congress on that subject. An act providing for the erection
of the main edifice of the State University, and the sum of
forty thousand dollars appropriated for its construction. An
act authorizing the enlargement of the State Capitol, and pro-
viding and appropriating means for the payment of the same,
by the provisions of which the commissioners of school and
university lands were directed to sell the ten sections of land
appropriated by Congress for the completion of the public build-
ings. This act, in addition to securing the funds that would
arise from the sale of such lands, also provided that the city
of Madison should donate the sum of fifty thousand dollars in
city bonds, payable in twenty years, to the same object. An
act to provide for a geological and agricultural survey of the
State. To carry out this act, James Hall of Albany, N.Y.,
Ezra S. Carr and Edward Daniels of Wisconsin, were appointed
commissioners ; and six thousand dollars per annum were appro-
priated for the term of six years for salaries and expenses in
connection with the survey. An act to extend the right of
suffrage to male persons of African blood who shall have
attained the age of twenty-one years, the act, before taking
effect, to be submitted to a vote of the people in November,
336 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

1857. An act to consolidate the rail and plank roads in the
State. . An act to provide a State hospital for the insane; and
the sum of thinty-five thousand dollars appropriated. to carry
into effect the provisions of the act. To provide for the levy-
ing of a State tax of three hundred, thousand dollars for the
year 1857. An act to authorize the State Historical Society to
publish an Annual Report and Collections of two thousand
copies.. An act to encourage academies and normal schools,
and for the appointment of a board of regents of. normal
schools. An act to establish a house of, refuge for: juvenile
delinquents (subsequently known as the State Reform School).
An act to provide for the appointment of a superintendent of
public property, and to define his powers and duties. The whole
number of general laws passed was a hundred and two, six joint
resolutions, and twenty-six-memorials to Congress, and four
hundred and fifteen private and local laws. . The recommenda-
tion of the governor on this latter class of legislation did not-find -
much favor with the members of the legislature. To summa-
rize, there were fourteen amendatory:laws to acts passed in 1855
and 1856, thirteen authorizing the erection of. dams, seven for
ferries, sixteen incorporating insurance-companies, twenty-eight
in reference to Milwaukee, seven for plank-roads, sixty-three
incorporating and amending railroad charters, fifty-four on
State roads, seventeen relief of. school-districts, seventeen
extending the time for collection of taxes, and many others of,
more and less importance. At the spring elections of 1857,
Edward V. Whiton, Republican was elected. chief justice of the
Supreme Court, by about twelve thousand majority over Mont-
gomery M. Cothren, Democratic candidate. .

The governor appointed Ex-Gov. L. J. Farwell, Levi: Sterling,
and J. P. McGregor, commissioners of State Lunatic Asylum;
and on the 30th of March, Martin Mitchell, W. D. Bacon,.and
Edwin Palmer, commissioners to select a site for the House of
Refuge for Juvenile Delinquents.

Very soon after the organization of the. ‘State government,
the Capitol building became inadequate to the proper accommo-
dation of the several departments which -had been brought
into being, and the business of which rapidly. increased with
the growth of the State. Still, by renting rooms in. other
 

 

 

ecto aN ATT i

 
338 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

buildings, it was made to answer the purpose for ten years after
Wisconsin was admitted into the Union.

At this time, it had become apparent that a new Capitol must
be built without further delay; and the necessity gave rise to a
proposition in the legislature to remove the seat of government
from Madison to some other point. Whether there was any real
danger of the success of the proposition, or not, the people of
Madison became alarmed, and voted to donate to the State
fifty thousand dollars in city bonds to aid in the construction of
a new Capitol on the old site. This proposition was accepted
by the legislature; and on the 3d of March, 1856, an act was
passed, as previously referred to, authorizing the enlargement ,
of the State Capitol.

By the act of the legislature, approved Feb. 28, 1857, the
governor and secretary of state were authorized to adopt a
plan, and contract for the east wing of the building. On the
27th of April, plans were received from seven architects; and
the one submitted by Messrs. Kutzbock and Donnell was
accepted; and after the time elapsed for receiving proposals
from contractors, and the same being opened, the contract was
awarded to John Ryécraft of Milwaukee, as being the lowest
bidder, at ninety-two thousand dollars. Mr. Ryecraft subse-
quently gave up his contract; and it was awarded to A. A.
McDonnell. The work was immediately commenced, and was
completed, and occupied by the assembly, in 1859. A particular
account of this wing will hereafter be given.

The Milwaukee and Mississippi Railroad Company completed
their road to the Mississippi in the month of April, 1857. It
was an occasion of great rejoicing. On the 16th of that month,
an excursion-trip was made, which was largely attended. The
opening of this road promised great results to the western part
of the State, which had been entirely cut off from railroad
communication with the lake shore. In a accordance with
the act of the legislature, approved Feb. 28, 1857, enabling the
regents of the State University to borrow forty thousand dollars
from the principal of the university fund for the construction
of the main edifice of the university, to which reference has
before been made, the board of regents, after due consulta-
tion, adopted a plan for the edifice of the Roman Doric style
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 339

of architecture, combining beauty of outline with convenience
of internal arrangement. The drawings were furnished by
William Tinsley of Indianapolis, an architect of experience
and reputation. The edifice was to contain a chapel, a lecture-
room for each department, with study annexed for the use of
the professor, apartments for library, apparatus, cabinet, and
for collections in natural science and in art.

The plan was accepted, and the contract for the building
awarded to James Campbell for the entire work, to be
complete at $36,550; he being the lowest bidder. The stone-
work of the basement story was in an advanced state of
forwardness in the fall of 1857; and it was expected that it
would be completed before winter, so as to enable the building-
committee to complete the whole structure before the first day
of November, 1858. The committee in their report say, “The
exterior plan of the building is a model of architecture, impos-
ing and massive; and the internal arrangements are such as
to most fully meet the wants and necessities of the institution
in all its several apartments. The ground was broken for the
construction of the building on the Ist of June, 1857. The
following is a brief account of its arrangement. It stands on
the highest point of ground in the university park, one
hundred feet above the level of Lake Mendota, and the water
table of the structure will be more elevated than the dome of
the present (old) Capitol. The general design of the building
is a parallelogram, one hundred and forty by seventy feet, and
about sixty feet to the cornice, to be surmounted by a dome
whose extreme height will be nearly one hundred and fifty feet.
It is not, however, a building of plain surface, like those now
erected, but is broken by angles and projections, securing
additional convenience, and higher architectural effect; giving
adequate space for its cabinet collections, laboratory, scientific
apparatus, libraries, reading-rooms, society-rooms,” &c.

At the first meeting of the commissioners of the State
Lunatic Asylum, held May 5, 1857, L. J. Farwell was elected
president, J. P. McGregor secretary, and Levi Sterling build-
ing-superintendent; and they employed Stephen V. Shipman as
architect. After the adoption of plans, specifications, and
detailed drawings, notice was published in every city in the
340 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

State, that proposals would be received until Sept 1, 1857,
for doing all the work, and furnishing all the materials, in
accordance with the plan and specifications.

On the 1st of September, the bids were opened, and the
contract awarded to Nelson McNiel of Portage City, as the
best bidder, for building the central or main building, one
longitudinal, and one transverse wing for the sum of seventy-
three thousand five hundred dollars. Mr. McNiel, after making
some progress on the work, finally abandoned the same, and
threw up his contract, which caused much delay in the comple-
tion of the building.

From the first annual report of the commissioners appointed
to locate and erect a house of refuge for juvenile delinquents,
the commissioners inform us that they accepted an invitation
to attend a convention at the New York House of Refuge in the
month of May, where seventeen institutions were represented,
and also the institutions located at Rochester, N.Y., Massachu-
setts Reform School at Westborough, and other institutions,
from which they received much valuable information. On their
return, they adopted the plan of the Maine State Reform
School, The plan of building consisted of three detached
parallel buildings, each fifty-nine feet distant, and all united by
a narrow corridor nine feet wide, set in the centre, and across
each building, extending through the whole, adapting all in their
internal accommodation, and external view, in appearance, to one
building. The central building was sixty-four by one hundred
feet, four stories high above the basement. The side-buildings
were to be fifty-seven by ninety-four feet, and three stories
above the basement; the corridor two stories above the base-
ment, to be built of Waukesha stone. The whole cost of the
structure, when completed, it was thought would exceed largely
the appropriation of twenty thousand dollars. The institution
is located at Waukesha, twenty miles west of Milwaukee, and
situated on the Milwaukee and Mississippi Railroad. Sixty
acres of land were to be donated to the State for the purchase
of the location; and eleven acres additional were to be pur-
chased. A portion of the work was put under contract to be
completed the same season so as to afford accommodations for
eighty boys.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 341

Agreeably to law, the plan adopted, and the contract for
building, were approved by Hon. Coles Bashford, governor,
David W. Jones, secretary of state, and William R. Smith,
attorney-general.

The Democratic State Convention for the nomination of State
officers was held at Madison, Aug. 28,1857. Quite a spirited
time was had. On the third formal ballot, James B. Cross
received eighty-nine votes for governor; J. C. Fairchild, thirty-
seven votes; F. Huebschmann, fourteen; and a number scatter-
ing. Mr. Cross was nominated. Edward D. Campbell received
eighty-three votes for lieutenant-governor, and Henry M.
Billings, fifty-one. Mr. Campbell was declared nominated. The
other candidates put in nomination were David W. Jones for
secretary of state; Charles Habich, state treasurer; Gabriel
Bouck, attorney-general ; Lyman C. Draper, superintendent of
public instruction; J.C. Squires, bank comptroller; Edward
McGarry, state-prison commissioner.

The Republican State Convention met on the 2d of Septem-
ber. The following persons were nominated: governor, Alex-
ander W. Randall; lieutenant-governor, Carl Schurz; sec-
retary of state, J. L. V. Thomas; treasurer, S. D. Hastings ;
attorney-general, M. M. Jackson; bank comptroller, J. P.
McGregor; superintendent of public instruction, J. G.
McMynn; state-prison commissioner, E. McGraw.

At the election in November, A. W. Randall, Republican,
was elected governor by 454 majority ; E. D. Campbell, Demo-
crat, lieutenant-governor by 107 majority; D. W. Jones,
Democrat, secretary of state, 1,886 majority; S. D. Hastings,
Republican, treasurer, 379 majority ; Gabriel Bouck, Democrat,
attorney-general, 516 majority ; L. C. Draper, Democrat, super-
intendent of public instruction, 391 majority; J. C. Squires,
Democrat, bank comptroller, 835 majority; and Edward M.
McGraw, Republican, State-prison commissioner.

The year 1857 will be remembered by many as a disastrous
one in a financial point of view. Early in the fall, what is
known as a monetary panic came over the country; and the
Western States felt it severely, and Wisconsin among the num-
ber. A number of prominent merchants were obliged to yield
to the pressure and scarcity of money, and close up their places
342 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

of business. The following statistics are from the report of the
secretary of state for the year 1856 : —

Ageregate number of acres of land assessed . ‘ ‘ 11,891,920
Aggregate valuation per acre . . : . ‘ : $3.22
Aggregate valuation of land assessed . : . , - $88,268,908
Aggregate valuation of city and village lots . 7 . . 10,423,839
Aggregate valuation of ete property ; : : : 5,524,455
Aggregate assessed a‘ s : ‘ 54,217,202 |
Valuation equalized . F i ‘ . : + 150,000,000

State tax, ratiotwo mills . ‘ ° . . 2 ‘ 800,000
 

 

 
CHAPTER XXXIII.
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. RANDALL.

Events of 1858— The Governor's Message — Alleged Frauds concerning Land
Grants — The Investigation — Bill for the Removal of the Capital to Milwaukee
— Legislation.

THE administration of Coles Bashford as governor of the
State closed on the fourth day of January, 1858. On that
day, the inauguration of the new State officers took place at ten,
A.M. Only the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer,
and superintendent of public instruction, were present, of the
new officers. Quite a number of the citizens of Madison were
present, though not as many as usual, owing to a misunder-
standing as to the time of the inauguration. The oath of office
was administered to Alexander W. Randall, governor; David W.
Jones, secretary of state; Samuel D. Hastings, state treasurer ;
and Lyman C. Draper, state superintendent of public instruc-
tion ; and, subsequently, to William H. Watson, Gov. Randall’s
private secretary, by Hon. Orsamus Cole, one of the justices of
the Supreme Court. The other officers elect were expected to
arrive during the day. Gov. Randall appointed Rufus Parks
superintendent of public property, and Horace Rublee, state
librarian. Gen. J. Duane Ruggles was appointed assistant
secretary of state; F. A. Scofield, assistant state treasurer; and
S. H. Carpenter, assistant superintendent of public instruction.

The eleventh session of the legislature was held on the 18th
of January, 1858, and adjourned on the 17th of March, after an
unusually long session of one hundred and twenty-five days.

In the senate, Hon. E. D. Campbell, lieutenant-governor
elect, took his seat as president, and J. L. V. Thomas was

elected secretary, and Nathan L. Stout sergeant-at-arms. In
34d
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 345

the assembly, Frederick S. Lovell was elected speaker, L. H. D.
Crane chief clerk, and Francis Massing sergeant-at-arms. The
political complexion of the legislature was as follows: senate,
eighteen Republicans and twelve Democrats; the assembly,
fifty-one Republicans and forty-six Democrats. Gov. Randall
in his message gives the following statistics: estimated receipts
for the year 1858, $525,824.25, and the revenue to meet the
same, $455,478.59, — a deficit of $70,345.66 ; and says in regard
to the same, “ The report presents a gloomy prospect for the
tax-payers of the State, especially in the present time of great
financial distress ;’’ but he added, “ This deficit will be reduced
by the issue and sale of fifty thousand dollars of State bonds to
replace that number which are due the present year, and for
the payment of which the new bonds will be issued and
sold.” He reports the whole number of school-children in the
State as 241,647, an increase of 27,761 over the number reported
for the previous year; the number of children who had attended
the public schools, 153,613; and the amount apportioned to the
schools in March, 1857, sixty-six cents to each scholar; and the
apparent amount to be apportioned the present year, about
$230,000, nearly ninety-five cents to each pupil. He further
reported that there were fifty-seven pupils in the Deaf and
Dumb Institution, and twenty in the Institute for the Blind;
that the commissioners of the Hospital for the Insane had let the
contract for the building, and progress had been made in the
work; that the productive fund of the university was $315,918.46,
giving an income of $22,116.74. The institution had one hun-
dred and sixty-four students in attendance. He said that the
State Historical Society had a library of over four thousand
volumes, and about the same number of unbound documents
and pamphlets, a collection of forty oil portraits, and a cabinet
of geological and antiquarian specimens ; and he recommended
every reasonable facility for its substantial prosperity. He
gave a few statistics of the agricultural productions of the
State for the year, as reported to the secretary of state; viz.,
barley, 409,000 bushels; corn, 5,100,790 bushels ; oats, 6,312,304
bushels; potatoes, 2,818,694 bushels; wheat, 8,717,756 bushels ;
butter, 6,655,686 pounds; and 22,706,700 pounds of lead ; and
he recommended important amendments to the banking-law.
346 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

He reported that the whole number of banking associations
organized and doing business in the State was seventy-five, of
which number twenty-seven were organized in 1857; the whole
amount of circulating notes to January, 1858, was $3,215,488,
which were secured by the deposit of public stock and specie
in the sum of $8,862,041; that the revision of laws under the
law of 1857 was nearly completed. He referred to excessive
local legislation, and to the enforcement of the laws on that
subject, and recommended a change in the assessment laws. He
referred to the Pacific Railroad, which he heartily recom-
mended, and to the slavery question, which was greatly agitating
the country, and took strong party grounds against its extension
into new Territories. He also referred to the grave charges that
had been made the previous year, of corrupt conduct in the
legislature, which disposed of the grants of iand donated to the
State for railroad purposes, and recommended a thorough inves-
gation of the same.

On the 21st of January, the select committee of the assembly,
to whom had been referred that portion of the governor’s mes-
sage relating to alleged frauds and corrupt conduct in relation
to land-grants, made a report, and recommended the adoption of
the following resolution : —

“ Resolved, by the assembly, the senate concurring, that a committee of
three members of the senate, and five of the assembly, be raised, whose duty
shall be fully and impartially to investigate into the frauds, bribery, and
corrupt acts reported or alleged to have been perpetrated or committed by
members of the legislature or others, in the disposal, or procuring the dispo-
sal by the legislature of 1856, of the lands granted to the State to aid in the
construction of railroads, by act of Congress approved June 3, 1856, &c.;
and that same joint committee and a majority thereof are hereby vested
with plenary power to perform and discharge this duty, and may send for
and compel the attendance of witnesses, and the production of papers,
documents, and records, with power to employ one or more clerks, to
administer oaths, and to report to the legislature the facts found, and the
testimony taken by them.”

This resolution was passed by the assembly, and concurred in
by the senate, and the committee appointed, of which Hon.
Denison Worthington was chairman. On the 18th of May, the
committee made a voluminous report on the subject, with the
testimony taken in the case. Many persons of political and
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 347

personal high standing were involved more or less by the
report. How far all the charges, light or heavy, are sustained
by the testimony, must be left to the judgment of the people
of the State. Many who had been supposed to have been
deeply implicated were but little, if any, involved in any crim-
inal action ; and others, whose purity had been regarded as
above suspicion, were believed to be guilty.

The members of both political parties were involved in the
charges preferred and in the result. It appears by the report,
that thirteen senators and fifty-nine members of the assembly
were implicated ; also the bank-comptroller, lieutenant-governor,
private secretary of-the governor, a judge of the supreme
court, three officers of the assembly, and some twenty-three
prominent lobbyists and public men interested in the land-
grant. Bonds and stock to the par value of one hundred and
seventy-five thousand dollars were given or assigned to the sena-
tors ; four of whom received or were assigned the sum of twenty
thousand dollars, and the remainder ten thousand dollars each.
In the assembly, bonds and stock were assigned to the value of
three hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars; one of which, to
the amount of twenty thousand dollars; eight, ten thousand dol-
lars each; and the remainder, five thousand dollars each. One
senator who voted for the land-grant bill in the senate declined
receiving his share; and in the assembly four members voted
for the bill who had no bonds assigned them; and in the sen-
ate four members voted for the bill, but had no bonds. Those
who voted against the passage of the bill in both houses, to
the number of eighteen, were excluded from any participation
in the benefits being distributed. The three State officers
received ten thousand dollars each, and the private secretary
of the governor five thousand dollars.

In making out the list of persons who were to be the recipi-
ents of bonds, the amount designated on the book was given
opposite their respective names. The committee report that the
figures indicated the number of bonds, of one thousand dollars
each, that were to go to some one; making in all the sum of
fifty thousand dollars. In the list were,five dashes. These dashes
were intended to represent the governor, Coles Bashford. This
is quite evident from a reply to a question propounded to
348 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Byron Kilbourn, as to who was the person thus indicated. He
was asked if it was the governor. He replied that the inquirer
“‘ was a very good guesser.”

It is not necessary to go further into details in relation to
this affair. It created great excitement all over the State, as
well as at the East, much to the discredit of the people of
Wisconsin. It may be proper to give the names of some of
the parties whose names are given as the recipients of these
pecuniary favors, who subsequently denied receiving them;
but we forego the temptation.

Among other measures that were before the legislature was
a bill, introduced toward the close of-the session, for the re-
moval of the State capital, temporarily, to Milwaukee. The
bill came up on its passage, the 15th of May, in the assembly,
having been ordered to a third reading the day before. The
closest vote of the session was had on it. On the first vote
there was a tie, the speaker not voting. Mr. J. H. Knowlton
(opposed to the bill) changed his vote for it, which carried it,
and immediately moved a reconsideration. The reconsidera-
tion was carried by one majority, — thirty-nine to thirty-eight.
The final vote was then taken; and there was an exact tie,
every man voting. As it requires a majority to carry a bill, it
was of course lost.

The history of this movement is a singular one. It was
begun only in jest; but, by one means or another, it grew into
a serious matter, and came so near success, that, on the day pre-
vious, the proposition had a majority of six in the assembly.
The attempt only anchored more firmly the capital at its pres-
ent advantageous location.

There was considerable feeling in the legislature in reference
to the management of the affairs of the State University ; anda
committee, of which Temple Clark of the senate was chairman,
made a report on the same, to the effect that certain changes
should be made. In consequence of the public sentiment ex-
pressed, the board of regents, at their meeting on the 2d and
3d of June, 1858, passed an ordinance embodying the plan of
organization, in its main features, of the assembly bill on the
subject ; organizing the department of “science, literature, and
the arts,” of the following schools: agriculture, commerce, engi-
 

 

 
e
350 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

neering, natural science, philology, philosophy, and polity ; the
establishing of five scholarships yielding one hundred dollars
per annum each, to be awarded, on examination, to meritori-
ous young men desirous of pursuing an extended course in any
of the university schools. The department of “science, liter-
ature, and the arts” was to report to the Boarda system of
higher graduation. All schools or chairs of instruction pre-
viously established in the university, by ordinance or otherwise,
were abolished; and all appointments in the same were de-
clared to be null and void. This ordinance was to go into
full force and effeet at the opening of the next academic year,
on the fourth Wednesday of September, 1858. A committee
of correspondence was appointed to report to the July meeting
of the Board. At the adjourned meeting, July 29, Chancel-
lor Lathrop resigned his position; which was accepted, and
resolutions adopted, testifying to his untiring devotion to the
interests of the institution, and that his long and faithful
administration met with their unqualified approval. On the
day following, the regents elected the following persons as
professors: Hon. J. H. Lathrop, LL.D., professor of ethical
and political science; Daniel Read, professor of mental phi-
losophy, logic, &c.; J. W. Sterling, professor of mathematics
and natural philosophy; Ezra Carr, professor of chemistry
and natural history; J. D. Butler, professor of ancient lan-
guages; J. C. Pickard, professor of modern languages; and
Henry Barnard, LL.D., of Hartford, Conn., as chancellor.

The legislature passed one hundred and fifty-five bills of a
general nature, and two hundred and eighty-one of a private
and local character, five joint resolutions, and forty-one memo-
rials to Congress. The following are a few of the more impor-
tant general laws passed: to authorize the borrowing of money,
on the faith and credit of the State, for the purpose of defray-
ing extraordinary expenditures, and fifty thousand dollars of
State bonds to be issued and sold for that purpose ; for the for-
mation of county agricultural societies; to provide for the
incorporation of academies and other institutions of learning;
to provide for disposing of the drainage fund, and the distribu-
tion of the interest thereof ; for the organization, enrolling, and
discipline of the militia of the State; to amend an act entitled
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 351

“An Act to authorize the Business of Banking ;” an act relat-
ing to the public printing ; to amend the law relating to the as-
sessment and collection of taxes ; to amend the law on offences
against the public policy ; a strong anti-gambling law; to pro-
vide for levying a State tax for 1858, of three hundred and
fifty thousand dollars; to authorize the governor to visit the
several State and public institutions in other States, and to
appropriate seven hundred and fifty dollars for services and
expenses incurred in so doing ; and in relation to the publica-
tion of the revised statutes. To summarize: there were thirty-
eight laws amending general laws, ten relative to circuit courts,
eighty-three amendatory to private and laws, twelve on rail-
toads, twenty on schools, twenty-six State roads, fourteen on
taxation.

In relation to this session of the legislature, “‘ The Madison
Patriot ” says, —

“The legislature which closed its labors on the 17th will long be remem-
bered as one of the most remarkable, in many respects, of all those that
preceded it. That a large majority of the members were men of in-
tegrity, and disposed for the public weal, cannot be doubted; but they
were nearly all new members, and without former legislative experience.
They set out to accomplish a great good, by holding up to public scorn and
execration the wholesale briberies and iniquities of the immediate past:
but they lacked concentration of effort; and, for want of union and precon-
certed action, they failed to achieve the great triumph they sought, by pro-
viding a ‘sovereign remedy’ for the evils they exposed. Although the
business of legislation was greatly retarded by the various investigations,
still the revision of the statutes consumed less time than was reasonably
expected. This massive work passed through the forms of legislation
nearly as perfect as it came from the revisers,—a compliment to the com-
mission, of no mean magnitude.”

On the 15th of June, bids were opened for the printing of the
Revised Statutes as authorized by the legislature ; and the same
was awarded to W. B. Keen of Chicago as the lowest bidder.

The governor appointed, on the 7th of June, H. A. Tenney,
state comptroller. Subsequently the law under which the
appointment was made was declared unconstitutional by the
Supreme Court.

An exciting criminal case took place at Portage City in the
month of April. John B. Du Bay was charged with killing a
352 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

man by the name of Reynolds. The jury, however, disagreed ;
and the case adjourned to next term of the circuit court at
Madison, when another trial was had with the same result.

At the fall elections of 1858, John F. Potter, Cadwalader
C. Washburn, and Charles H. Larrabee were elected members
of the Thirty-sixth Congress. The opposing candidates were
Beriah Brown, Charles Dunn, and Charles Billinghurst.
Messrs. Potter and Washburn were Republicans, and Mr. Lar-
rabee, Democrat; and of the members of the legislature of
1860 elected, in the senate there were fourteen Democrats and
sixteen Republicans; and in the assembly, forty-seven Demo-
crats, forty-nine Republicans, and one Independent.
CHAPTER XXXIV.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. RANDALL.

Events of 1859 — Legislation — The Bashford Investigation—The State Institu-
tions — Death of Chief-Justice Wheaton.

THE work on the east wing of the new Capitol had sufficiently
progressed to admit of occupancy by the legislature in 1859.
The legislature convened on the 12th of January, and adjourned
on the 21st of March, after a session of sixty-nine days. The
officers were as follows : —

Hon. E. D. Campbell, lieutenant-governor, president of the
senate, Hiram Bowen secretary, and Asa Kenney sergeant-at-
arms. In the assembly, William P. Lyon was chosen speaker,
L. H. D. Crane chief clerk, and Dr. Emanuel Munk sergeant-
at-arms. Gov. Randall, in his message, stated that the total
receipts into the general fund during the calendar year 1858
(excluding the bank-tax due Jan. 1, 1859, which belonged
to the revenue of the following year) were $358,058.11, being
largely below the amount estimated by the secretary of
state in his last annual report; and the disbursements from the
general fund for the year 1858 were $440,253.16. The esti-
mated income into the general fund from all sources for the
year 1859, including arrearages due the State, and excluding the

. deficiency in the account of Treasurer Janssen, was $632,156.55.

The following are statistics from reports of State officers and
benevolent institutions. The whole number of banking asso-
ciations on Jan. 1, 1858, was seventy-four, having an aggregate
capital of $5,940,000; thirty-two new banks had been organ-
ized in 1858, with an aggregate capital of $2,240,000; and seven
banks had increased their capital to the amount of $275,000.

Eight banks had relinquished business, leaving the whole num-
23 353
354 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

ber in operation Jan. 1, 1859, ninety-nine, with an aggregate
capital of $8,045,000. The whole amount of countersigned
notes in circulation was $4,882,442, which were secured by the
deposit of stocks and specie to the value of $5,439,576.95.

The whole number of children in the State, between the ages
of four and twenty, was 264,078; an increase over 1857 of 22,-
669. Value of schoolhouse property, $863,478.49; and the
amount expended for teachers’ wages, over $334,000.

The Deaf and Dumb Institution reported fifty-two pupils in
attendance, and that the main building required some ten
thousand dollars to complete the same.

The Blind Institution reported an attendance of twenty-five
pupils, and asked nine thousand dollars for its support, and about
thirteen thousand dollars for fencing, grading, school-apparatus,
and a workshop for male pupils.

The House of Refuge reported progress in the erection of
their buildings, and recommended a change of name, so as to
give the institution the name of “State Reform School.”

The Hospital for the Insane reported December, 1859, that on
the 22d of June they appointed J. Edwards Lee, M.D., late of
Pennsylvania Hospital of the Insane, superintendent ; that the
portion of the building which had been in course of erection
was approaching completion ; and that, as soon as the necessary
appropriations could be made for the support of the institution,
the house could be opened for the-reception of patients.

The whole number of convicts in the State-prison was two
hundred and eighty-seven; and the appropriations required for
current expenses were thirty thousand dollars.

The governor referred to the land-grants and the La Crosse &
Milwaukee Railroad, and gave his reason for refusing to execute
deeds of conveyance of lands to which the company claimed it
was entitled ; and said that the company had failed to build the
road from Madison and from Portage City according to law, and
recommended some action by the legislature in regard thereto.
He recommended a change in the interest law, so as to limit
the rate to seven per cent. He also reiterated his views in
regard to the relative powers and duties of the Federal and
State governments, and in regard to the power and duty of
Congress to prohibit slavery in the Territories by positive enact-
 

 

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356 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

ment. He recommended a short session, adhesiveness to the
laws of the State on special legislation ; and reported that the
credit of the State was unimpaired, that the State had been
guilty of no repudiation, and that there was no stain upon its
honor, although individuals or corporations had been corrupt
or unfortunate, and failed of their promises. “ Unlike other
States, Wisconsin makes no concealment of public crimes, and
has no hiding-place for unfaithful servants.”

On the 2d of February, Harrison C. Hobart, Moses M. Davis,
Nelson Dewey, O. M. Conover, and Carl Schurz were elected by
the legislature regents of the State University. On the 3d,
Coles Bashford, late governor of the State, sent a communication
to the assembly, asking an investigation of the charges that had
been preferred against him in the public prints and elsewhere,
and that he was prepared to purge himself of each and every
charge of corruption which had been made against him, in rela-
tion to, or growing out of, the grant of lands to the State for
railroad purposes. On the receipt of this communication, a
committee of five was appointed to examine and report on the
same; which committee on the 9th of March reported that they
had given the memorial consideration, and had taken a large
amount of testimony relating to all the charges which had been
brought against Gov. Bashford touching the disposition of said
grant, and were of the unanimous opinion that the evidence
shows that the fifty bonds referred to in the report of the inves-
tigating committee were received by Gov. Bashford, as a gratu-
ity from the La Crosse Company, after the grant had been
disposed of, and without any previous understanding that he
was to receive the same, or any favor whatever, from said com-
pany; but the committee strongly disapproved of the accept-
ance of said gratuity, or a similar acceptance by any public
officer, of favors from those having business-relations of an
official character with him. The committee, however, believed
it due to Gov. Bashford to say, that they could not find that he
was influenced, in his official action in the disposal of the grant,
by any favor from the La Crosse Company; nor do they believe
that he ever intended it should influence his action in the dis-
charge of his official duties ; and in conclusion they stated that
the evidence during the investigation showed that he was actu-
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 857

ated by good motives in the disposition of the grant, and that,
in regard thereto, he meant to guard and protect every interest
of the State which might be affected by it.

The legislature adjourned March 21, having passed two
hundred and twenty-three general, and two hundred and forty-
seven private and local laws. In reference to this session, it is
said by one of the local papers at the capital, ‘that, of all we
have seen assembled here, none has seemed actuated by a more
earnest desire to promote the public good, and none has sur-
passed it in the intelligence and general good sense of its mem-
bers ; and, while it has sought to reduce the general expendi-
tures of the State, it has been generous towards all public
charities; and, in providing for the completion of the asylums of
the deaf and dumb, the blind, and the insane, and for public
libraries in the several towns of the State, has shown that it
was governed by wise and enlightened principles of legisla-
tion.”

Among the most important subjects which this legislature
considered and disposed of were the amendments to the Revised
‘Statutes, some sixty-six acts; the mortgage law, authorizing
the redemption of lands sold under foreclosure of mortgages
by judgment or decree of court; the assessment law, a meas-
ure beyond many others difficult to frame, and which it was
believed would prove of great value to the State; to prescribe
and limit the rate of interest; and an act to provide for the
government of the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane.
Five joint resolutions and twenty memorials were also passed.
Of the private and local laws, sixty-four were amendments to
charters, twenty-two relative to the city of Milwaukee, twenty-
six to State roads, eighteen to school-districts, and others
of more or less importance.

The act to provide for levying a State tax for the year 1859
was satisfactory to the people, from the fact that only one
hundred and fifty thousand dollars were levied, — about one-
third the amount the State had annually paid for the previous
six years.

Among the measures that were brought before the legisla-
ture was one providing for the erection of the west wing of
the Capitol, and appropriating fifteen thousand dollars towards
358 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

the work. Up to this date, the city of Madison had contribut-
ed more than one-half the amount expended on the Capitol
enlargement. While a general approbation was expressed and
felt in regard to the new Capitol, it was nevertheless thought
by many, that in view of the hard times, and heavy taxes of
the previous year, it was inexpedient to make any appropria-
tich for continuing the work that season. The bill making the
appropriation was not introduced until late in the session. It
did not reach the senate until the bill fixing the State tax at
a hundred and fifty thousand dollars had passed, and become
a law. i

The amount of money that had been appropriated by the
legislature was $221,575.03, of which amount $63,210 was
for the Insane Hospital, $34,775 for the Deaf and Dumb and
Blind Institutes, $10,000 for the Reform School, $49,500 for the
State-prison, $13,273.17 to the contractor on the east wing of
the Capitol, $10,000 contingent fund, and $4,000 for station-
ery.

On the 12th of April, 1859, Hon. Edward V. Whiton, LL.D.,
chief justice of the supreme court, died at his residence at
Janesville, in the fifty-fifth year of his age. A biographical
memoir of this distinguished jurist will be found in another
part of this volume.

The Democratic State Convention for the nomination of
State officers was held on the 24th of August, 1859. F. W.
Horn was elected president on the eleventh ballot, Harrison C.
Hobart was nominated for governor, and the balance of the
ticket nominated as follows: A. S. Palmer lieutenant-governor,
A. B. Alden secretary of state, Lion Silverman state treasurer,
J. C. Squires bank comptroller, Samuel Crawford attorney-gen-
eral, L. C. Draper superintendent of public instruction, H. C.
Fleck state-prison commissioner.

The Republican State Convention met on the 31st of August,
H. H. Giles president. The following ticket was nominated:
governor, Alexander W. Randall; lieutenant-governor, B. G.
Noble ; secretary of state, L. P. Harvey; state treasurer, S. D.
Hastings ; attorney-general, James H. Howe; bank comptroller,
G. Van Steenwyck; superintendent of public instruction, J-
L. Pickard ; state-prison commissioner, H. C. Heg.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 359

At the election in November, the whole Republican ticket
was elected. The whole number of votes polled for governor
was 122,982, of which number, Gov. Randall received 63,466,

and H. C. Hobart 59,516 ; the majority for the former being
8,950.
CHAPTER XXXV.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. RANDALL.

Events of 1860 — Statistics — Legislation — Presidential Election — Congressional]
Election, &c.

On Monday, Jan. 2, 1860, the State officers elect were
inaugurated at eleven o’clock, A.M., at the assembly chamber;
the oaths of office being administered by Chief Justice L. 8.
Dixon. Quite a number of citizens were present to witness
the ceremony. In the evening, an informal levee was held at
the Assembly Hall, which was quite crowded with a concourse
of citizens to meet and congratulate the new officers. The
Governor’s Guards, under the command of Capt. George P.
Delaplaine, and the Madison Guards, commanded by Capt.
Samuel Crawford, appeared in full uniform, armed and
equipped, upon the floor, and, after going through with
various evolutions, were introduced to the governor and other
State officers.

The thirteenth annual session of the State legislature con-
vened Jan. 10, 1860, and adjourned April 2, 1869, holding a
session of eighty-two days. Butler G. Noble, lieutenant-
governor elect, being president of the senate, J. H. Warren
chief clerk, and Asa Kinney sergeant-at-arms. In the assem-
bly, William P. Lyon was re-elected speaker, L. H. D. Crane
chief clerk, and Joseph Gates sergeant-at-arms.

Gov. Randall, in his message, said that the difficulties and
embarrassments under which the State had labored had been
outgrown. He gave some statistics from the annual report
of State officers, and trustees of benevolent and humane insti-
tutions; viz., that there was a balance in the State treasury,
Sept. 80, oe (the end of the fiscal year), belonging to the gen-
 
362 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

eral fund, of $11,205.11; and, up to that date, all demands. upon
that fund had been promptly paid on presentation, and that the
State owed no floating debt. He referred to the demand against
the State by James Ross, state printer, which had been audited
by the secretary of state, the legality and correctness of which
was denied by the state treasurer, and which, therefore, he re-
fused to pay. The amount claimed, and unpaid for the above
reasons, was $38,762.16, of which $16,884.06 were claimed from
the general fund. The aggregate receipts into this fund dur-
ing the calendar year ending Dec. 31, 1859, were $534,051.28,
and the aggregate disbursements, $490,522.96: of the amount
expended, the sum of $176,875.65 was for charitable institutions,
Capitol extension, and State-prison; and the sum of $124,768.85
was for charitable institutions, certified accounts, &c., belonging
to accounts existing previous to Jan. 1, 1859. In reference to
this he said, —

‘It is a matter of congratulation, that the finances of the State are in so
sound a condition. Unlike most new States, Wisconsin has paid for her
public improvements, without creating a permanent State debt for such
purposes. The school fund, on the 1st of October last, amounted to $3,001,-
297.30, producing, on interest at seven per cent, $210.090.81; and the amount
to be appropriated in March next is $245,272.41. The University fund at
the same date amounted to $300,725.22 ; and the interest therefrom, $21,-
050.76 ; which amount is the income of the University, adding $501.04, the
balance in the treasury. The swamp-land fund amounted to $988,712.88,
and the interest, $69,209.90. The number of acres of land in the State,
assessed last year, was 17,411,418; and the equalized valuation, $6.78 per
acre; the aggregate valuation of personal property is $13,607,893 ; and
the total value of all property as equalized, $168,620,233. The total taxation
levied last year was one and four-tenths mills on the dollar valuation, pro-
ducing in the aggregate the sum of $234,310.11 of revenue.’’

This was two hundred thousand dollars less than the previous
year, and less than any year for the previous six years. He
reported the number of persons of school age for 1859 at 278,-
871; the average length of time schools had been taught, five
and one-half months; number of school districts, 4,831; value
of schoolhouse property, $1,185,181; wages paid to male
teachers $22:93, and female $14.29; and the whole amount paid
for teachers’ wages, at $536,860.

The whole number of banking associations doing business
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 363

Jan. 1, 1859, was ninety-nine, with an aggregate capital of
$8,045,000. Fifteen new banks had been organized during the
year, with an aggregate capital of $575,000. On the 1st of
January, 1860, the whole number of banks was one hundred and
eight, with a capital of $7,760,000; amount of notes issued and
in circulation, $4,609,432, which were secured by deposit of
specie and public stocks, valued at $4,975,120.

The buildings for the State Hospital for the Insane, he said,
would not be prepared for patients before the following spring ;
that the trustees estimated the amount of money required for
the year 1860 at $28,096, and for the extension of the build-
ings $20,000; that work on the State Reform School was pro-
gressing, and that the sum of $15,029.84 would be required that
season, according to the estimates of the commissioners; that
the buildings of the Deaf and Dumb Institution were nearly
completed, and that $24,500 were required for the support of
schools, and repairs, for paying indebtedness on main building, -
and for sewerage, drainage, fencing, &c. The estimates for the
support of the Institute of the Blind, for current expenses,
were $19,200, and there were twenty-two pupils in the insti-
tution. The number of convicts in State-prison, Jan. 1, 1860,
was one hundred and eighty-two. He recommended the erec-
tion of the west wing of the Capitol, and an appropriation for
laying the walls immediately. His views on the interest question
were given at some length: he urged a change in the law, re-
ducing the rate, and concluded his message by expressing his
feeling on the question of slavery at length, saying that peace-
able and legal remedies alone could relieve us of slavery exten-
sion and slavery agitation.

On the 2d of April, the legislature adjourned. In reference
to the session, “‘ The Madison State Journal” said, —

‘¢ Quite a large number of bills remained in the general file unacted upon.
Of these, the most important were those providing for the reduction of the
rate of interest taken by banks, and authorizing the State University to issue
bonds to satisfy the loans which it had made, and which are nearly matured.
The failure of the others is not a subject of much lamentation. Of the
wisdom or the folly of the acts of the session just closed, it is as yet impossible
to speak with any degree of certainty. That verdict can only be rendered
when they have been published and tested. If it does not turn out that some
unwise laws have been enacted, the late legislature has been more fortunate
864 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

than its predecessors : if it is not found that some good and wholesome acts
were passed, we shall be much disappointed. The new assessment law, we
class among these. It is doubtless the most important measure of the
session ; and it is believed that it will be received with very general satis-
faction by the people, and be found in its practical operations to distribute
the burdehs of taxation in a more fair and equitable manner than any
previous law upon this difficult subject.”’

The session was a long one,— much longer than the amount
of business to be transacted would seem to warrant. The diffi-
culties, however, originated, not through lack of ability, but in
consequence of the unfortunate disposition of the people of the
State, to send up to the capital annually, with a few excep-
tions, an entirely new body of men to the assembly. Thus it
happened that the great mass of the members of that house
were wholly destitute of experience; and six or eight weeks
would pass away before they were sufficiently familiarized with
the forms and routine of legislation to begin upon the real
business of the session. Every session, the legislature, under
that system, had to pass through a long novitiate, and become
versed in rules and parliamentary tactics, by a series of animated
contests on such momentous questions as the chaplaincy, the
mode of taking newspapers, and the distribution of postage-
stamps, before they were prepared to do any thing better. The
necessity of some change by which half of the members of this
popular branch should hold over, as the members of the senate
did, was beginning to be generally felt.

The legislature passed three hundred and eighty-six laws sitin a
general nature, and one’ hundred and three private and local
laws. In addition to the assessment law alluded to, some of the
other important acts were, to amend the law relative to the
enlargement and completion of the improvement of the Fox
and Wisconsin Rivers ; an act to provide for the government of
the Wisconsin Hospital for the Insane, and repealing the law
of 1859; to provide for levying a State tax ($150,000) for the
year 1860; to provide for letting the public printing by contract,
and to establish maximum prices for the execution thereof;
and many others. Forty-eight of the general laws were amend-
ments to the Revised Statutes; twenty-nine, amendments to
general laws ; and ten, to private and local laws; twenty-one,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 365

appropriation bills; twenty-three in reference to appeals; forty
relative to courts; twenty-one, to lands; ten repealing certain
laws ; twenty-three, to roads; nine, to railroads; thirty-four, con-
ferring certain powers on the secretary of state; and forty-five,
on taxation, and extending the time for collection of taxes. Of
the private and local laws, forty-six were amendments to incor-
porations, thirty-one authorizing banks to reduce their capital
stock, seven incorporating and amendment charters to insur-
ance companies, &c.

On the 20th of May, 1860, the trustees of the State Lunatic
Asylum elected Dr. John P. Clement as medical superintend-
ent; and he appointed Dr. John Favill as his assistant. The
first patient was admitted to the hospital on the 14th of July
of this year. It had been ascertained that the number of insane
persons in the State, of both sexes, exceeded two hundred; and
the trustees were obliged to apportion the few that could be
accommodated, among the counties presenting the most urgent
cases, from one to three each, while many counties were neces-
sarily excluded entirely. In view of the pressing demand, the
medical superintendent, with the executive committee of the
board of trustees, consisting of Dr. A. I. Bennett, Simeon
Mills, and Thomas Haad, set about re-arranging and economiz-
ing the apartments; and so successful were they in their efforts,
that, on the seventeenth day of December of the same year,
eighty-nine patients had’ been received, and only eleven dis-
charged.

At the Republican convention, held in the month of April,
A. Scott Sloan was nominated for chief-justice of the supreme
court; and Luther 8. Dixon was brought forward as an Inde-
pendent candidate for the same office. The latter was elected.

Henry Barnard, LL.D., chancellor of the University, resigned
his position in June, 1860. The board of regents, however,
did not accept of the same until January, 1861.

On the 10th of October, 1860, Gov. Randall appointed Henry
D. Barron, of St. Croix Falls, circuit judge of the north-west
judicial district, in the place of Judge Fuller, resigned.

During the year, there was considerable feeling manifested ~
in the eastern portion of the State, by parties who had mort-
gaged their farms for the building of railroads. Some of the
366 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

companies who received these mortgages failed to build these
roads, but had disposed of, and realized funds on, these evi-
dences of debt. The matter went into the courts, and was the
cause of much litigation. A meeting of an association, known
as the Grand League of Farm Mortgagers, was held at Water-
town, Wis., on the 12th of October, to discuss matters relative
to the organization. The fall of 1860 was an exciting one all
over the State, owing to the presidential election. W.D. McIn-
doe, Bradford Rexford, W. W. Vaughan, J. Allen Barber, and
H. Lindeman were put in nomination as Republican electors.
Samuel Elmore, N. B. Van Slyke, 8. J. Ullman, H. D. Barron,
and H. §. Pierrepont were electors on what is known as the
Breckenridge ticket; and Edward G. Ryan, Charles Dunn, J.C.
Fairchild, Emil Rothe, and Benjamin Ferguson, as electors on
the Douglas ticket. The contest was a lively one: public meet-
ings were held all over the country, and addresses made by the
ablest men of all political parties. At the election in Novem-
ber, the Republican electors received 86,110 votes; the Douglas
electors, 65,021; the Breckenridge electors, 881; and 161 votes
for electors who favored John Bell for the presidency. The
Republican majority was 21,089 over Douglas. The electors,
at a subsequent meeting in the electoral college, cast their
votes for Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin. At the same
election, John F. Potter, Luther Hanchett, and A. Scott Sloan,
Republican candidates for Congress, for the first, second, and
third congressional districts, were elected, over J. E. Arnold,
J. D. Reymert, and Charles H. Larrabee, Democratic candidates
for the same position. The Republican party came strongly into
power at this election; and all the subsequent State elections,
until Jan. 1, 1864, were in the interest of this political organi-
zation. In the senate of 1862, there were twenty-two Repub-
licans and eight Democrats; and, in the assembly, seventy
Republicans and twenty-seven Democrats.
A

 

 

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CHAPTER XXXVI.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. RANDALL.

Events of 1861—Legislation —The Thunders of Civil War breaking over the
State-— The President’s Proclamation — Gov. Randall’s Proclamation — Prep-
arations for War.

Tue fourteenth session of the State legislature convened on

the 9th of January, 1861, and adjourned April 17, and, in pur-
suance of a proclamation of Gov. Randall for an extra session,
convened again May 15, and finally adjourned May 27, 1861,
-after a session of one hundred and twelve days. Lieut.-Gov.
Noble was president of the senate, I. H. Warren chief clerk,
and J. A. Hadley sergeant-at-arms. In the assembly, Amasa
Cobb was chosen speaker, L. H. D. Crane chief clerk, and
Craig B. Beebe sergeant-at-arms. On the day following, the
governor in person delivered his message before the two
houses in joint convention. The message is a lengthy one, and
gives an excellent synopsis of the governmental operations of
the State for the year 1860. It contained also recommendations
and suggestions for the consideration of the legislature at that
session. Some of the statistics given by him, derived from the
reports of State officers and trustees of benevolent institutions,
are here given. These statistics may appear to many as super-
fluous; but they are given, as showing the growth and pros-
perity of the State from year to year. He says, —

“The aggregate receipts into the general fund during the year 1860
were $416,286.12; and the aggregate disbursements from.the same fund
were $359,580.29 ; leaving a balance in the treasury, Jan. 1, 1861, of $56,-
705.83. Of the expenditures from this fund, the sum of $169,809.23 was for
the State prison, the various benevolent institutions, payment of interest on
State loan, &c.; leaving, as properly, the cost of carrying on the State gov-

368
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 369

ernment. The estimates of the secretary of state for the fiscal year ending
Oct. 1, 1861, amount to $469,331.04; and the expenditures for all necessary
expenses of the State government are estimated at $360,742.50. He states,
that owing to the forfeiture of very large quantities of land (heretofore
sold, and estimated as a portion of the productive school-fund, bearing
seven per cent interest), this fund exhibits a large diminution on its nominal
capital and actual revenue ; and that, with the return of prosperous times
in the course of the succeeding years, these lands will again be sold, and
added to the productive fund. This fund, on Oct. 1, 1860, was estimated
at $2,339,694. The University fund is reported at $286,725.92, the annual
interest of which is $20,070.08. The swamp-land fund amounts to $813,-
820.34; and, during the past year, approved lists of swamp lands coming
to the State under the act of 1850, amounting to about five hundred thou-
sand acres, have been received at the executive office; and requests have
been transmitted to the general land-office, that patents therefor should be
issued to the State.”

The governor calls attention to the necessity of commencing
the enlargement of the Capitol, and says, —

‘¢The public necessities daily require that this work should be com-
menced immediately. Millions of dollars in value of public and private
property are constantly risked and perilled for want of this permanent
public improvement.”’

He reports the equalized valuation of property in the State,
last year, as follows : —

Value of real estate 5 s ‘ F é . $156,555,774
Value of personal property . : . . . 27,506,761

 

$184,062 ,535

The State census was reported, in 1860, at 777,771; an in-
crease in population of 572,380 in the previous ten years, and
225,662 in the previous five years. In 1850 Wisconsin was
the twenty-fourth State in population, and was, at this date,
the thirteenth. In consequence of the census being taken, a
new apportionment of congressional and legislative districts
was urged on the legislature of 1861. The number of persons
in the State, between the ages of four and twenty, as returned
to the superintendent of public instruction, was 288,984.
Schools had been taught on an average of six and two-
tenths months in the year; the whole number of school dis-
tricts was 4,211; valuation of school-houses, $1,314,716.09 ;
average wages for male teachers $24.20, and female teachers
$15.30; amount paid for teachers’ wages in 1860, $367,481.10.
370 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The report of the board of normal schools informs us that
the funds at their disposal, arising entirely from the sale of
swamp lands, had been much abridged by the decrease in the
amount of lands sold from year to year; while the amount
appropriated directly to the institution in which normal classes
had been taught was lessened by the payment of agencies,
employed by the board in carrying forward the cause of
education.

The total number of banks in operation on the Ist of Jan-
uary, 1861, was one hundred and ten, with capital amounting
to $7,237,000; and the amount of circulating notes issued to
banks, and outstanding at that date, $4,580,832; which circula-
tion was secured by the deposit of specie and public stocks to.
the amount of $5,208,805.

The number of pupils in attendance at the Deaf and Dumb
Asylum during the previous year was eighty-seven. An ap-
propriation of $20,450 was asked for, $13,500 for support and
current expenses, and the remainder for additional buildings,
steam-heating apparatus, &c., for the institution.

The trustees of the Blind Institution reported thirty-six pupils
in attendance in 1860, and asked an appropriation of sixteen
thousand dollars, of which amount ten thousand dollars was to
be devoted to the support of the institution, and the remainder
to complete existing contracts.

In the State-prison there had been, from Jan. 1, 1860, to Oct.
1, 1861, two hundred and forty-five convicts; and at the last-
named date there were one hundred and seventy confined.

The whole number of persons subject to military duty ex-
ceeded a hundred and thirty thousand; and the governor rec-
ommended that steps be taken to place the volunteer militia
upon a more efficient footing. He concluded with giving his
views on the slavery question, the state of feeling at the South
on the election of Mr. Lincoln as President, and the right of
the Southern States to secede, as was agitated at this time, and
said, —

«The hopes of civilization and Christianity are suspended now upon the
answer to this question of dissolution. The capacity for, as well as the
right of, self-government, is to pass its ordeal, and speculation to become

certainty. Other systems have been tried, and have failed ; and all along the
skeletons of nations have been strewn as warnings and landmarks upon the
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 371

great highway of historic government. Wisconsin is true, and her people
steadfast. She will not destroy the Union, nor consent that it shall be done.
Devised by great and wise and good men in days of sore trial, it must stand.
Like some bold mountain, at whose base the great seas break their angry
floods, around whose summit the thunders of a thousand hurricanes have
rattled, strong, unmoved, immovable, so may our Union be, while treason
surges at its base, and passions rage around it. Unmoved, immovable,
here let it stand forever.”’

Agreeably to the constitutional requirement, the legislature
met in convention Jan. 28, 1861, to elect a United States
senator to fill the place of Hon. Charles Durkee, whose term
of office expired March 4 ensuing. Hon. Timothy O. Howe
received ninety-two votes, and H. L. Palmer thirty-four votes.
The former was declared elected for six years.

Prior to the adjournment of April 17, 1861, the legislature
passed three hundred and nine general laws, and three hundred
and six private and local laws. Of the former, the following are
among the most important: an act to provide for continuing the
work on the State Capitol, by the provisions of which, the State
officers, as building commissioners, were authorized to advertise
for proposals, and let to the best and lowest bidder the erection
and completion of the west wing of the State Capitol, in con-
formity with the plan commenced; the foundation of the wing
to the top of the water table to be completed by Oct. 1, 1861,
and the remainder of the building to be completed by the first
of December, 1862; and, for the payment of the work, the
sum of twenty thousand dollars was appropriated for the year
1861, fifty thousand dollars for the year 1862, and the remain-
ing amount on the contract on or before Feb. 1 succeeding ;
the whole work not to exceed the sum of a hundred thousand
dollars. An act was passed to apportion the State into senate
and assembly districts, by which act three additional senate
districts were created, the whole number of members of the
legislature to be one hundred and thirty-three, instead of one
hundred and twenty-seven, as heretofore; also an act to provide
for the enlargement of the Wisconsin State Hospital for the
Insane; viz., to provide for the construction of a longitudinal
and transverse wing in connection with the west side of the
main building, corresponding in dimensions and general style of
372 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

architecture with the wing previously erected on the east side
of said building, and the sum of forty thousand dollars appro-
priated for the construction of the same, — twenty thousand dol-
lars in the year 1861, and the remainder or balance as may be
required, in the year 1862; an act for the government and
management of the State Reform School ; an act to provide for
the defence of the State, and to aid in enforcing the laws, and
maintaining the authority of the Federal Government, pro-
viding, in case a call should be made by the President of the
United States upon this State to aid in maintaining the Union
and the supremacy of the laws, or to suppress rebellion or in-
surrection, or to repel invasion, the governor was authorized
to take such measures, as, in his judgment, would provide the
speediest and most efficient manner for responding to such call ;
and to this end he was authorized to accept the services of
volunteers for active service, to be enrolled in companies of not
less than seventy-five men, and to commission officers for the
same. He was also authorized to contract for uniforms for such
of the volunteers as were not provided therewith, and for such
other equipments as were necessary for putting said companies
into condition for active service; and the sum of a hundred
thousand dollars, or so much thereof as might be necessary,
was appropriated out of any money in the treasury not
otherwise appropriated, for carrying the law into effect. He
was also authorized to prepare and sell State bonds, with
necessary coupons, for the sum of one thousand dollars each,
to the number of one hundred, redeemable five years from
Jan. 1, 1862, the proceeds arising therefrom to be used for the
purposes specified in this act.

An act was also passed to enable the regents of the State
University to complete and furnish the University Hall; and
the commissioners of school and university lands were au-
thorized to issue thirty-five bonds of the amount of one thou-
sand dollars each, bearing interest at seven per cent per annum;
and the regents of said university were authorized to dispose
of said bonds, and apply the proceeds to any indebtedness which
had been, or might be, incurred in the erection of said Univer-
sity Hall. An act was also passed to amend an act to provide
for the defence of the State, passed at the early part of this
 

 

ain

Si
LATTA ATT nce eS

 
874 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

session, whereby the sum of two hundred thousand dollars, or
such amount thereof as might be necessary, was appropriated,
not otherwise appropriated, or out of any money lying idle in
the treasury not belonging to the school fund, for the purpose
of carrying the provisions of this act into effect, and to defray
the expense of transporting troops, &c., and, in addition to
this amount, the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars for the
governor’s contingent expenses as commander-in-chief; and
another act to declare the rights and privileges of such per-
sons as may enroll themselves into the service of the country,
such persons to be exempt from all civil process, and all pro-
ceedings in any action before the civil courts to be suspended
while in the government military service.

The scene in the House immediately after the adjournment was
one, which, for impressiveness, is seldom surpassed. Members
and outsiders united in singing the “Star Spangled Banner ;”
every heart swelled with patriotic emotions ; and the most intense
feeling pervaded the assemblage. At the close, nine cheers
were given for the Union, and three more for the ‘‘ Governor’s
Guard,” a military company at Madison, which had just before
called upon the governor, and tendered their services to the
government. ,

On the 17th of May, Gov. Randall issued a proclamation in
which he said, —

‘¢ For the first time in the history of this Federal Government, organized
treason has manifested itself within several States of the Union, and armed
rebels are making war against it. The proclamation of the president of
the United States tells of unlawful combinations too powerful to be sup-
pressed in the ordinary manner, and calls for military forces to suppress
such combinations, and to sustain him in executing the laws. A demand
made upon Wisconsin by the president for aid to sustain the Federal arms
must meet with a prompt response. One regiment of the militia of this
State will be required for military service, and further service will be re-
quired as the exigencies of the country may demand. Opportunities will be
immediately offered to all existing military companies, under the direction

of the proper authorities of the State, for enlistment to fill the demands of
the government.”’

The governor invited the patriotic citizens of the State to
enrol themselves into companies of seventy-eight men each,
and to advise the Execttive of their readiness to be mustered
into the service of the States immediately.
CHAPTER XXXVII.

WISCONSIN'S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1861— Movements in Behalf of Soldiers’ Families — Liberal Sub-
scriptions— The First Regiment —Its Three-Months’ Record—The Second
Regiment — Camp Randall— The Third Regiment — The Fourth, Fifth, Sixth,
Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Regiments.

It will be necessary, at this point, to leave, for the present,
the domestic history of the State, and to refer to the moment-
ous events which were close at hand, in which the people in
every section of the State took a deep interest. It is not
necessary to recount the causes, running through a long term of
years, which led to the insurrection of the people of a portion
of the States of the Union against the General Government, and

arrayed more than a million of citizens in arms,—a most
bloody war of four years’ duration, involving the expenditure
of almost untold treasure, and the loss, on either side, of hun-
dreds of thousands of the country’s bravest and best men. The
State of South Carolina, as is well known, on the 12th of April,
passed an ordinance of secession from the General Government,
and commenced hostilities by firing from James Island upon
Fort Sumter, garrisoned by Major Robert Anderson, and about
seventy men. The fort was surrendered on the 14th of April.
On the day succeeding (15th), Pres. Lincoln issued his
proclamation, declaring the Southern States in insurrection,
and issued a call for seventy-five thousand three-months’
volunteers to aid in suppressing the rebellion. In Wisconsin,
as in all the Northern States, the public pulse quickened under
the excitement; and on every hand the national flag was dis-
played. Public enthusiasm knew no bounds; and in city, town,
and hamlet, the burden on every tongue was. for a vigorous

prosecution of the war.
375
376 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

On the 15th of April, an informal meeting was held at Madi-
son, at the executive office, to consider the events, Judge O.
Cole of the supreme court in the chair. He made a speech
full of patriotism and the noblest sentiments. On the day
following, Gov. Randall notified Capt. George E. Bryant that
the services of the Madison Guards had been accepted, and he
was authorized to fill up his company; and, on the same day,
the governor issued a proclamation for the organization of the
First Regiment of Wisconsin volunteers. The enrolment of
men for this company began on April 17, on which day twenty-
eight names were enrolled, which on the, 20th were increased to
one hundred and eighteen. On the 17th, the Governor’s Guard,
a military organization at Madison, by their captain, Judge J.
P. Atwood, tendered their services, which were accepted on the
18th. The company had seventy-three names enrolled ; and on
the evening of that day, a large and enthusiastic meeting was
held at the assembly room in the State Capitol, at which Hon.
H. 8. Orton presided. A committee was appointed to receive
from the citizens, and those in the vicinity, subscriptions for the
support of families which should need aid. At this meeting,
$7,490 were voluntarily subscribed. The two Madison com-
panies, with the other companies composing the First Regiment,
rendezvoused at Milwaukee on the 27th of April; and, on the
17th of May, the organization of the regiment was completed,
and mustered into the United States service, and the war
department informed that it awaited marching-orders. The
troops remained in camp until the 9th of June, when, in obedi-
ence to orders from Washington, they left the State for Harris-
burg, Penn., fully equipped by the State, with the exception of
arms. The commissioned officers were John C. Starkweather,
colonel; Charles L. Harris, lieutenant-colonel; D. H. Lain,
major; A. R. Chapin, adjutant; D. W. Keyes, quartermaster ;
B. F. White, surgeon; L. J. Dixon and J. Crugom, assistants ;
J. W. Plows, commissary; Charles Fairchild, assistant. The
regiment was composed of four companies from Milwaukee
County, two from Dane County, one from Rock, one from
Kenosha and from Fond du Lac Counties. The regiment
was quartered for a time at Hagerstown, Md., under the com-
mand of Gens. Nagley and Abercrombie respectively, was
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 3877

assigned to the division of Major-Gen. Patterson, July 2; led
the advance on Martinsburg, participated in the battle of Fall-
ing Waters, and won a reputation for bravery and veteran-like
conduct excelled by no other regiment. After serving out the
time for which it was enlisted, the regiment returned to Fort
Scott at Milwaukee, and was mustered out of service Aug.
22, 1861. A portion of the Madison companies, on their arrival
home, were marched to the State Capitol, and a welcome address
delivered to them by the governor.

The next day after the mustering-out of service of the First
Regiment, its late colonel, J. C. Starkweather, was commissioned
as commanding officer of the “ Three Years First Regiment.”
The enlistment went on rapidly ; and the companies soon began
to rendezvous at Camp Scott. It was fully organized and
equipped by the State, with the exception of arms,.and was
mustered into service by companies, Oct. 8 to 19, by Capt.
Trowbridge. The regiment broke camp on the 28th of Octo-
ber, and started for Louisville, Ky., and arrived on the
30th. The numerical strength of the regiment was: field and
' staff, 9; company officers, 30; non-commissioned officers ap-
pointed by the colonel, 9; non-commissioned officers, musicians,
and privates, 888; total, 935. Here we will, for the present,
leave the First Regiment.

The governor, having determined to organize more regiments
as areserve for further calls, accepted the proposition of the
State Agricultural Society, tendering the use of their fair-
grounds as one of their camps. These grounds were already
enclosed with several buildings, which could be fitted up for use
until more substantial ones could be built. Carpenters were
employed on April 27, and the grounds prepared for use, under
the direction of Major H. A. Tenney. W. W. Tredway was
commissioned quartermaster-general, and preceded to procure
clothing, &c., for the Second Regiment, and for the six infantry
regiments subsequently raised under the proclamation of the
president. Simeon Mills was about the same time commis-
sioned paymaster-general, and paid the several regiments from
the date of enlistment up to the time of their departure for the
field.

The Second Regiment was ordered to move into camp at
878 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Madison on the 1st of May, 1861, which was by S. Park Coon
(who was appointed by the governor colonel of the regiment),
named Camp Randall, in honor of the governor. This regiment
was first organized for three months’ service ; but, on the 7th of.
May, orders were received to recruit the regiment for three
years, or the war; and the governor, wishing to gratify the
wishes of the companies who had tendered their services, pro-
ceded, also, to organize the Third and Fourth Regiments. The
Second Regiment was called out to muster into the United
States service, and received orders to move forward to Harris-
burg, Penn., and started on the 20th of June, arrived at Wash-
ington June 25, and went into camp near the city. After
remaining in camp some time, Col. Coon was detached, and
placed upon the staff of Gen. Sherman; and the command of
the regiment devolved upon Lieut.-Col. Peck.

The numerical strength of this regiment when it left Camp
Randall was as follows: field and staff, 9; company officers,
30; band, 24; non-commissioned officers, musicians, and pri-
vates, 985; total, 1,048.

The fate of the Second Wisconsin, from its very inception,
was one of privation and hardship. It was called into camp at
an inclement season of the year, amid constant storms and cold
winds, without shelter or proper clothing. It was in the
“onward to Richmond” movement, participated in the skirmish
at Bull Run July 19, took an active part in the memorable bat-
tle of July 21, and won a fine reputation for bravery and soldier-
like conduct. It took an exposed situation, faced the enemy
for hours, and was among the last to leave the field at the dis-
graceful finish. The thinned ranks at roll-call the next day
proved the part it acted. As an evidence of what this regi-
ment had been through, it is sufficient to state, that it left the
State, June 20, over one thousand strong, and, Oct. 1, reported
for duty only 689 men. After this battle, a number of changes
took place in the officers of this regiment. Lucius Fairchild,
formerly captain of Company K of the First Regiment, was
appointed lieutenant-colonel, and many others were promoted.
Among the companies composing this regiment was one from
Fox Lake, Dodge County, one from La Crosse County, one from
Grant, one from Janesville, one from Oshkosh, one from Racine,
 

 

 
380 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

one from Portage City, one from Madison, and one each from
Mineral Point and Milwaukee.

The Third Regiment was .called into camp at Fond du Lac
about the 15th of June, 1861, and was placed- under the com-
mand of Col. Charles 8. Hamilton, a graduate of West Point,
who had served his country with credit to himself during
the Mexican war. Of this regiment, Thomas H. Ruger was
lieutenant-colonel; Bertine Pinkney, major; L. H. D. Crane,
adjutant. It was composed of companies from Watertown,
Oshkosh, Monroe, Waupun, Mayville, Boscobel, Neenah, Dar-
lington, Shullsburg, and Madison. Its numerical strength was
979 men, and it was mustered into the United States service
June 29, 1861, by Capt. McIntyre, United States Army ; received
marching-orders July 6, and started for Harrisburg July 12.
This regiment, like the First and Second Regiments, was fully
equipped, with the exception of arms. It was stationed, most
of the time after its arrival at the seat of war, at Fredericks-
town, Md., and had but little opportunity to exhibit its bravery
on the battle-field during the year. Three of the companies
(A, C, and H) were engaged in the fight at Bolivar, early in
October, in connection with two companies of the Massachu-
setts Fourth, against more than three times their number of the
enemy in position. During the engagement, a charge was made
by the Wisconsin companies; and a heavy field-piece was cap-
tured, which was afterwards retaken by the enemy. The battle
was terminated by another heroic charge by the three Wiscon-
sin companies, led on by Capt. Bartram and Lieut. O’Brien.
Under command of Major Gould of the Fourth Massachusetts,
the enemy was routed and forced from his position, and put to
flight; and again the same field-piece was captured from the
enemy, and brought off the ground by volunteers of the Third.

On the arrival of the Third Regiment in Maryland, Col. Ham-
ilton was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general; Lieut.-Col.
Ruger was promoted colonel; Major Pinkney, lieutenant-
colonel ; and Adjutant L. H. D. Crane, major.

The Fourth Regiment was called into camp at Racine, about °
the 6th of June, 1861, and placed under the command of Col.
Halbert E. Paine. Sidney E. Bean was lieutenant-colonel;
Frederick Boardman, major; L. D. Aldrich, adjutant; D. J.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 381

McCloy, quartermaster; Dr. A. H. Van Norstrand, surgeon ;
S. Compton Smith and S. W. Wilson, assistants; and Rev. A.
C. Barry, chaplain. The companies were from Whitewater,
Ripon, Sheboygan, Kilbourn City, and Columbia County, Jef-
ferson County, Geneva, Hudson, Oconto County, Monroe
County, and Calumet County. The numerical strength of the
regiment was 1,053. On its organization and equipment, it pro-
ceeded to Maryland, and was stationed at the Relay House, and
— with two other regiments of infantry, one company of cavalry,
all under the command of Col. Paine — made a brilliant march
through Accomac and Northampton Counties, on the eastern
shore of Virginia. A large force of rebels was gathering within
these counties; but, on the approach of Col. Paine and his force,
they fled, leaving behind some guns and camp equipage. After
this expedition, the regiment was stationed at Drummondtown.

The Fifth Regiment was called into camp at Madison, from
the 21st to the 25th of June, and placed under the command of
Col. Amasa Cobb. The officers under him were, H. W.
Emery, lieutenant-colonel; Charles H. Larrabee, major; Theo-
dore S. West, adjutant; J. G. Clark, quartermaster; A. L.
Castleman, surgeon; George D. Wilbur and C. E. Crane,
assistants; Rev. R. Langley, chaplain. The companies were
two from Milwaukee, and one each from Manitowoc, Beaver
Dam, Janesville, Waukesha, Berlin, Richland, Taycheeda, and
Menomonee. Its numerical strength was 1,057. The regiment
was fully equipped by the State (with the exception of arms),
except Company B, which had ninety-nine Minie muskets with
accoutrements complete from the State. The regiment was
mustered into the United States service July 13, by mustering-
officer Capt. McIntyre, United States Army; and on the 22d
received orders to move forward to Washington. On the 24th
they were on the way, and, on arriving at their destination, were
attached to Gen. Rufus King’s brigade. This regiment was
detailed for advance duty most of the time after its arrival.

The Sixth Regiment was called into Camp Randall, at Madi-
‘ gon, about the 25th of June, and was under the command of
Col. Lysander Cutler of Milwaukee. The field and staff officers
were, J. P. Atwood, lieutenant-colonel; B. F. Sweet, major;
Frank A. Haskell, adjutant; J. N. Mason, quartermaster; C.
382 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

B. Chapman, surgeon; A. W. Preston and A. D. Andrews,
assistants; and Rev. N. A. Staples, chaplain. The companies
forming the regiment were from Sauk County, Pierce County,
Crawford County, and two from Milwaukee, Fond du Lae,
Beloit, Buffalo County, Monroe and Juneau Counties. The
numerical strength of this regiment when it left Camp Randall
was 1,084 officers and privates. It was fully equipped by the
State, arms excepted ; was mustered into the United States ser-
vice July 16; received marching-orders July 22; broke camp
on the 28th, and started for Washington; arrived at Baltimore
Aug. 8; encamped in Patterson’s Park. On the 29th of
August, it was attached to Gen. King’s brigade, and moved for-
ward.

This regiment was afterward in camp at Camp Kalorma, also
at Camp Lyon, near Chain Bridge, and also at Arlington
Heights. Lieut.-Col. J. P. Atwood resigned in the month of .
September, owing to ill health. Many changes took place in
this regiment during the year among the commissioned officers,
by resignation, and otherwise,— more than all the other regi-
ments combined.

The Seventh Regiment was called into camp during the
month of August, 1861, and placed under the command of Col.
Joseph Vandor. His associate commissioned and staff officers
were, W. W. Robinson, lieutenant-colonel; Charles A. Ham-
ilton, major; Charles W. Cook, adjutant; H. P. Clinton, quar-
termaster; Henry Palmer, surgeon; D. Cooper Ayres and
Ernst Kramer, assistants; and Rev. 8. L. Brown, chaplain.
The companies were from Lodi, Columbia County, Platteville,
Stoughton, Marquette County, Lancaster, Grand Rapids, Grant
County, Dodge, Green Lake, and Rock Counties. When the
regiment left the State, its numerical strength was 1016.

This regiment, unlike those that had gone before it, was mus-
tered into the United States service by companies, by muster-
ing-officers Brevet-Major Brooks and Capt. McIntyre, after
being fully equipped by the State (arms excepted); and on the
4th of September received orders to move forward to Washing-
ton City, where it arrived on Oct. 1, and was assigned to Gen.
Rufus King’s brigade, McDowell’s division. Col. Vandor is a
native of Hungary, and had seen service in the old country, and
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 383

was a thorough disciplinarian. The regiment was in camp at
Arlington Heights in 1861.

The Eighth Regiment was called into camp from the Ist to
the 16th of September, 1861, and placed under the command of
Col. Robert C. Murphy of St. Croix Falls. The other field and
staff officers were, George W. Robinson, lieutenant-colonel ;
J. W. Jefferson, major; Ezra T. Sprague, adjutant; F. L. Bil-
lings, quartermaster; S. P. Thornhill, surgeon; W. Hobbins
and J. S. Murta, assistants; and W. McKinley, chaplain. The
companies were from the Counties of Waupaca, Sheboygan,
Eau Claire, Crawford, La Crosse, Racine, and from Fox Lake,
Fitchburg, Janesville, Belleville. The numerical strength of
the regiment when it left Camp Randall was 966 men, and it
was mustered into service by companies, by Major Brooks.

After being fully equipped (with the exception of arms), on
the 30th of September, Col. Murphy received notice that he
had been assigned, with his command, to Major-Gen. Fremont’s
division. On the 1st of October, orders were received to move
forward to St. Louis, at which place they arrived Oct. 13.
The fine appearance of the regiment elicited universal praise.
It was received at St. Louis by the secretary of war, Hon.
S. Cameron, and Adjutant-Gen. L. Thomas, who paid it a high
compliment. This was the first regiment that had passed in
that direction from the State. The next day after their arrival,
an order came for them to move forward to Pilot Knob with
the certainty of meeting the enemy. They went forward, and
on the 21st took part in the battle of Frederickstown. The
regiment was held as a reserve.

The Ninth Regiment was organized under a general order
dated Aug. 26, 1861, giving the supervision of the organization
to Lieut. W. Finkler of Milwaukee, who acted as quarter-
master to the regiment. The Ninth was organized on a
somewhat different plan from the other regiments of this State.
The men were recruited, and sent into Camp Sigel, and organ-
ized into companies, to a certain extent. The regiment was
made up of Germans exclusively, and was placed under the
command of Col. Frederic Salomon. The different companies
were formed generally from the eastern counties of the State;
viz., Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine, Fond
384 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

du Lac, and a portion from Dane, Monroe, and Sauk Counties.
The regiment was at Camp Sigel, and was fully equipped by
the State.

On the 28th of ewenibar, the regiment was full, and await-
ing marching-orders. The Tenth Regiment was organized
under a general order from the adjutant-general’s office, of
Sept. 18, 1861, and called into Camp Holton at Milwaukee, and
mustered into the government service in the month of October,
and was placed under command of Col. A. R. Chapin. His
associate field and staff officers were, Joshua Guppy, lieutenant-
colonel; J. G. McMynn, major; W. A. Collins, adjutant;
Solon Marks, surgeon; R. Mitchell and J. T. Reeve, assistants ;
and J. L. Coffin, chaplain. This regiment was fully equipped
by the State (arms excepted), and was mustered into the ser-
vice of the United States by companies, by mustering-officer
Capt. Trowbridge, Oct. 5 to 14. This regiment, although not
composed of as heavy men as some that had gone before it,
was, nevertheless, a splendid regiment. It received orders to
move forward to Louisville, Ky., Nov. 1, 1861, and started on
its way Nov. 9.

The companies of this regiment were from Waupun, Platte-
ville, Juneau County, Jackson County, Grant County, Dodge
County, Menosha and Walworth Counties.

The Eleventh Regiment, like the Tenth, was organized
under a general order, Sept. 18, 1861. It was intended at
the outset to be a Dane County regiment; but it was soon
ascertained that Dane County had already honored too many
drafts upon her citizens to be able to fill up the regiment, and
it was determined to fill up the regiment outside of the county.
It was called into Camp Randall during the month of October,
and placed under the command of Col. Charles L. Harris, with
the following field and staff officers: Charles. A. Wood, lieuten-
ant-colonel ; Arthur Platt, major; Daniel Lincoln, adjutant;
Charles G. Mayer, quartermaster; H. P. Strong, surgeon;
E. Everett and C. C. Barnes, assistants ; and Rev. J. B. Britton,
chaplain. The companies were from Dane, Jefferson, Richland,
and Iowa Counties, Fox River, and Neenah. Its numerical
strength when it left Camp Randall was 1,046 men. It was
fully equipped (with the exception of arms) by the State, and
was inustered into the service by Capt. Lamont, United States
 
886 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Army. The regiment was unavoidably detained in camp some
days after receiving orders to move forward.. The delay gave
an opportunity to perfect the drill. Col. Harris was a gradu-
ate of West Point, served with credit in the three-months’
campaign as lieutenant-colonel under Col. Starkweather of the
First Regiment. The Eleventh broke camp Nov. 20, started
for St. Louis, and went into quarters twenty miles below that
city.

The Twelfth Regiment was called to Camp Randall in the
month of October, and placed under the charge of Col. George
E. Bryant, formerly captain of Company E, First Regiment
(three months), with the following field and staff officers:
D. W. C. Poole, lieutenant-colonel; W. E. Strong, major;
A. Sexton, quartermaster; J. K. Proudfit, adjutant; L. H.
Cary, surgeon; E. A. Woodward and A. F. S. Lindsfelt, assist~
ants; and Rev. L. B. Mason, chaplain. The companies were
enlisted in the counties of Pierce, Sauk, Iowa, Washington,
Columbia, Oconto, Wood, Brown, Richland, and Grant. On
the 12th of November, they were still at Camp Randall, and
had been detained for some time for want of money to pay them
off. The regiment was assigned to Fort Leavenworth, and was
fully equipped by the State, with the exception of arms.

The Thirteenth Regiment was organized under a general
order dated Sept. 17, 1861, giving the counties of Rock and
Green the authority to organize a regiment. The regiment ren-
dezvoused in Janesville, and was placed under the command of
Col. Maurice Maloney, with the following field and staff officers:
James F. Chapman, lieutenant-colonel; Thomas O’Bigney,
major; W. Ruger, adjutant; P. Eydesheimer, quartermaster ;
John Evans, surgeon; E. J. Horton and S. L. Lord, assistants ;
and Rev. H. C. Tilton, chaplain. This regiment, like all the
others that preceded it, was fully equipped by the State,
except arms. It was the design to make up the regiment from
the two counties named (Rock and Green); but, as in the case
of Dane, it was found that these counties had already: honored
‘too many drafts upon their citizens to render it an easy thing
to furnish one full regiment more: consequently some aid was
extended from other counties, yet Rock County alone furnished
five hundred for this regiment. The Thirteenth was ordered
to Kansas.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.

‘WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1861, continued — Regimental History —Gov. Randall’s Proclamation
calling a Special Session of the Legislature — Legislation — The War, &c.

THE Fourteenth Regiment was organized, and called into
Camp Wood at Fond du Lac, during the month of November,
1861, and placed under the command of Col. David E. Wood.
The following were the field and staff officers: Isaac E. Mess-
more, lieutenant-colonel ; John Hancock, major; B. E. Bower,
adjutant; J. F. Conklin, quartermaster; W.H. Walker, sur-
geon; D. D. Cameron, assistant; and Rev. J. G. Rogers,
chaplain.

The companies were enlisted from the counties of Wood,
Waupacca, Portage, Winnebago, La Crosse, Manitowoc, Ke-
waunee, Brown, Calumet, Sheboygan, Jackson, Dane, and Sauk.
Its numerical strength was 859.

The regiment was fully equipped by the State, without arms,
and was awaiting marching-orders.

The Fifteenth or Scandinavian Regiment was, on the 15th
of December, in course of organization at Camp Randall.
Hon. Hans Heg was commissioned as colonel of this regiment.
As the duties of his office confined him to his former office, as
state-prison commissioner, until Jan. 1, 1862, the organization
was for some time under the supervision of Lieut.-Col. K. K.
Jones. ‘ The other field and staff officers were, H. Borcheenius,
adjutant ; Ole Heg, quartermaster; S. J. Himoc, surgeon; 8. J.
Hansen and G. T. Newell, assistants; and Rey. C. L. Clausen,
chaplain. On the 15th of December, about six hundred had
been mustered into service. The Sixteenth Regiment was

organized, and ordered into camp at Madison early in Novem-
B87
388 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

ber; Benjamin Allen, colonel. The field and staff officers were,
Cassius Fairchild, lieutenant-colonel; Thomas Reynolds, major ;
George Sabin, adjutant; J. E. Jones, quartermaster; G. W.
Eastman, surgeon; I. H. Rogers and Ira A. Torrey, assistants.
The companies were filled up from the counties of Waukesha,
Ozaukee, Waushara, Green Lake, Adams, Chippewa, Dodge,
Dane, and Lafayette. The regiment was nearly full on the
26th of December, and was afterward fully equipped by the
State, as were also the other regiments. The numerical strength
of the Sixteenth at the above date was about nine hundred.

The Seventeenth, or Irish Regiment so called, was in the
month of December in an incipient state. No organization had
then been formed, except the field and some of the staff
officers. John L. Doran of Milwaukee had been commissioned
as colonel. The recruiting was rapidly progressing. Of this
regiment, A. G. Mallory was lieutenant-colonel ; Thomas Mc-
Mahon, major; William Plunkett, adjutant; John Gee, quar-
termaster.

The Eighteenth Regiment was organized in the latter part of
October, and was called into camp at Camp Randall, and placed
under the command of Col. James §. Alban. It occupied the
camp immediately after the Twelfth Regiment moved forward.
The staff and field officers were, S. W. Beall, lieutenant-Colo-
nel; W. H. Torry, major; G. L. Hart, adjutant; J. D. Rogers,
quartermaster; George F. Huntington, surgeon; L. G. Mead,
assistant. This regiment was very nearly full at the close of
this year, and was filled up mainly from the northern counties.

The Nineteenth Regiment was being organized at the close
of this year (1861), under the special direction of Col. H. T.
Sanders of Racine, who obtained his commission direct from
the General Government, subject to the approval of Gov.
Randall, which approval had already been granted. The regi-
ment was called into camp of rendezvous at Racine. Supplies
were drawn direct from the General Government for the
regiment, under the direction of Capt. Trowbridge, United
States mustering-officer, who had special charge of subsistence
and transportation.

In addition to the infantry regiments heretofore noticed,
there were in camp Utley, Racine, at the close of this year,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 389

seven batteries of artillery, each battery comprising about one
hundred and fifty-five men.

A special permit from the war department was obtained by
Edward Daniels to raise a regiment of cavalry ; and he received
from Gov. Randall, on the 30th of June, 1861, a commission as
lieutenant-colonel, as an indorsement of his commission from
the General Government. He immediately commenced recruit-
ing, and formed a camp of rendezvous at Ripon, and soon drew
together over one thousand men. He soon after broke camp
at Ripon, and moved to Kenosha, at which place the regiment
was camped at the close of 1861. The field and staff officers
were, Edward Daniels, colonel; O. H. Lagrange, first major ;
Henry Pomeroy, second major; H. N. Gregory, surgeon;
Charles Lord and H. W. Cansall, assistants; and J. E. Mann,
quartermaster. The second cavalry regiment, like the first, was
organized under a special permit from the General Government,
granted to Hon. C. C. Washburn. Col. Washburn received
his commission from Gov. Randall, indorsing the action of
the General Government, Oct. 10, 1861, and immediately com-
menced recruiting for his regiment, and formed a camp of
rendezvous on the Fair Grounds at Milwaukee. The original
field and staff officers, as far as known were, Thomas Stevens,
lieutenant-colonel; H. E. Eastman, major; Levi Sterling, third
major; W. H. Morgan, adjutant; C. G. Pease, surgeon; A.
McBean, assistant; W. H. Brisbane, chaplain.

On the 28th of December, the second cavalry numbered
about six hundred men.

The third cavalry, like the two former regiments, was organ-
ized by special commission from the General Government to
_ Ex-Gov. William A. Barstow. He was confined to a very
limited space of time to fill up his regiment; but he was able
to do so. The regiment was called into camp at Janesville.
The original numerical strength of this regiment was about
twelve hundred. Of the field and staff officers, E. A. Calkins
was major; B. S. Henning, second major; B. O. Reynolds, sur-
geon; W. H. Warner, assistant.

A Milwaukee cavalry company, consisting of eighty-four
members, was raised in that city by Capt. Gustav Von Deutsch.
consisting mostly of Germans. The company had all seen
890 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

service. It was accepted by Gen. Fremont, and left Wisconsin
for St. Louis in October. A company of sharpshooters was
enlisted and raised, under a call of Col. Berdan, by Capt. W. P.
Alexander of Beloit. The company left Madison the middle
of September ; was mustered into the United States service at
Weehawken Sept. 23, 1861; and at the close of 1861 was on
the Potomac in the discharge of its duties.

The number of men in the first thirteen regiments, including
the First (re-organized), the company of sharpshooters, and
Milwaukee cavalry, was,.in the aggregate, according to the
report, 14,002; and the estimated strength of the five addi-
tional regiments of infantry being raised at the close of 1861
, in the State was 5,230. This, with the number of artillery then
in camp, and the cavalry rapidly filling up, made the number
23,232, an excess of the quota required of Wisconsin (20,000)
of 3,232.

Having given, in as condensed a form as possible, a history. of
the organization of the different regiments that were fitted out
by the State in 1861, and sent forward to aid in the suppression
of the Rebellion, it will be necessary to return. in our narrative,
and bring forward: the legislative history.

On the 9th of May, Gov. Randall issued a proclamation in
the following words: “The extraordinary. condition of the
country, growing out of the rebellion against the government
of the United States, makes it necessary that the legislature
of the State be convened for making the power of the State
useful to the government, and to other loyal States; and, in
pursuance of the authority vested.in me by the Constitution
of the State of Wisconsin, I do hereby convene ‘the legislature
of the State,for a special session thereof, to be held at Madison
on Wednesday, May 15, 1861.” ;

‘In. accordance with this proclamation, the legislature con-
vened on that day. The same officers that held positions at
the:regular session were re-elected.

The governor met the two houses in joint convention, and
read his message. He stated, that, within ten days after he
issued his first proclamation, a sufficient. number of companies
containing the requisite number of men responded, — sufficient
to.make up, at least, five regiments instead of one. He recom-
 

 

 
392 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

mended, at least, six regiments be put into camp, to learn the
duties of a soldier, and be ready for subsequent calls; and sug-
gested a calm, firm, deliberate, unimpassioned, yet bold consid-
eration and action on measures designed to preserve the Union,
and the putting-down of the Rebellion. “These gathering
armies throughout the loyal States,” says he, “are the instru-
ments of God’s vengeance to execute his just judgments: they
are his flails, wherewith, on his great Southern threshing-floor,
he will pound Rebellion for its sins.”

The extra session adjourned, sine die, on the 27th of May.
With the exception of an act amendatory of the banking-law,
the measures adopted all pertain to the military exigencies of
the times. The following is a synopsis of the work accom-
plished: An act to provide a military force for immediate ser-
vice to aid in protecting and defending the Union, authorizing
the governor immediately to call into the service of the State
three regiments, in addition to the three already called for by
the General Government. It further authorized the governor,
when the three regiments should be called into the service of
the United States, to call out two more regiments, and hold
them in readiness for any subsequent demand that might be
made on the State by the National Government, and so on, dur-
ing the war; holding two regiments in camp ready to be mus-
tered when needed into the service of the United States. An
act to provide for borrowing money to repel invasion, suppress
insurrection, and defend the State in time of war. This act
appointed the governor, secretary of state, and state treasurer,
a committee to negotiate a loan upon State bonds, bearing six
per cent interest, of one million of dollars, to be used as a war-
fund ; sixty per cent of this loan to be negotiated for specie;
the balance might be exchanged for fully-secured bank-paper.
These were the leading measures of the session. Two acts
were passed in regard to the maintenance of families of
volunteers, one appropriating from the war-fund five dollars
per month to each family; and the other authorizing counties,
towns, cities, and villages to levy special taxes for the same
purpose. Another act amended the laws of the previous
session, so as to exempt volunteers from civil processes as soon
as accepted by the State. An act to provide for the payment
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 393

of discharged volunteers gave such as may have been called
into service, and subsequently discharged (in consequence of
‘the extension of time for which they were called,— from three
months to three years), the regular army pay for the time they
were in service.

The sum of fifty thousand dollars was appropriated for the
purchase of arms and equipments for the State; the purchase
to be made by three commissioners, appointed by the governor.
A sum not to exceed ten thousand dollars was appropriated to
pay for extra clerk hire, messengers, and other extraordinary
expenditures in the executive department. An act to prevent
the rendering of aid to rebels contained stringent provisions for
the prompt punishment of offenders coming within that cate-
gory. The act amending the banking-law prohibited the bank
comptroller from receiving, after the Ist of December, 1861,
as security for circulating bank-notes, any other public stocks
than those of the State of Wisconsin and the United States.

These were all the measures passed, except appropriations to
the chaplains, and to the clerk of the special committee, which
reported a bill (that did not pass) in regard to re-organizing
the militia of the State, and the act providing that the expenses
of the extra session should be chargeable against the war-fund.
Three joint resolutions were passed and signed by the governor;
viz., authorizing the governor to be absent from the State
during the present war, recommending the war department to
form a brigade of Wisconsin volunteers, and appoint Gen.
Rufus King to its command.

Some excitement was had in the month of May, from the
fact that many of the Wisconsin banks were discredited in
Chicago, and that there was so much currency in. circulation
from banks in remote places, whose responsibility was ques-
tionable, that meetings were held at some places at which
farmers declined to receive for their produce Wisconsin cur-
rency in good repute. Many of the banks reduced their circu-
lation; and bills were destroyed the last week in May to the
value of $108,469. The bank comptroller, in April, made a
call of two per cent additional security, as many of the bonds
held as collateral for the circulating notes in circulation had
depreciated in value.
394 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

In accordance with the act of the legislature, approved May
11, 1861, appropriating forty thousand dollars: for the enlarge-
ment of the State Hospital for the Insane, the executive com-
mittee of the board of trustees advertised: for proposals for
erection of the buildings required; and, upon opening the same
at the advertised time (June 6, 1861), the contract was awarded
to Joseph. Perkins, for the sum of twenty thousand and five
hundred dollars, for furnishing the materials, and doing the
mason-work; and the painting and glazing, with the material
therefor, to Bradley and Norton, for nine thousand and fifty
dollars,. .The heating-apparatus, gas pipes and fixtures, regis-
ters, and sewerage, are not included in either of the above-
mentioned contracts. The board of -trustees, in their annual
report for 1861, speak of the commendable zeal of the contract-
ors in the prosecution of their work, which was commenced on
the first of June of that year, and which was so far advanced
as to be roofed and enclosed before the winter set in. The
‘Board also report the whole number of patients in the hospital,
since it was opened, in July, 1860, to October, 1861, one hun-
dred and. forty-five.

At the spring election of 1861, Orsamus Cole was re-elected
justice of the supreme court.

Agreeably to an act of the legislature, approved March 9,
1861, authorizing the construction of the west wing of the State
Capitol, the State building-commissioners advertised for pro-
posals for doing the work. On the Ist of May, the bids were
opened, of which there were fourteen, the price varying from
$78,300 to $96,500. The lowest bid was that of A. B. Moxley,
at the first-named price, who was a partner of J. W. Harvey;
and the contract was to be carried out by them. Work was
immediately commenced.

The administration of Gov. Randall closed with the year
1861; and, as he was not a candidate for re-election, there was
much interest felt as to his szccessor and the remainder of the
State officers. There was a strong disposition, in some portions
of the State, to-ignore party nominations; and, accordingly, a
convention of Union men was called on the 24th of September,
to nominate a State ticket.. The following ticket-was put.in
nomination: governor, Louis P. Harvey; lieutenant-governor,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 395

Henry L. Palmer, who subsequently declined, James T. Lewis
being substituted in his place; William C. Allen, secretary of
state: S. D. Hastings, state treasurer; J. H. Howe, attorney-
general; John Bracken, bank comptroller; Hans C. Heg, state-
prison commissioner; and J. L. Pickard, superintendent of pub-
lic instruction.

On the 26th of September, the Republican State Convention
was held at Madison, which made the following nominations:
governor, L. P. Harvey; lieutenant-governor, Edward Salomon ;
secretary of state, James T. Lewis; state treasurer, 8. D.
Hastings ; attorney-general, James H. Howe; bank comptroller,
W. H. Ramsay; superintendent of public instruction, J. L.
Pickard ; and state-prison commissioner, A. P. Hodges.

The Democratic State Convention met at Madison, Oct. 2,
and made the following nominations: governor, Benjamin
Ferguson ;. lieutenant-governor, H. M. Billings; secretary of
state, Charles H. Benton; state treasurer, H. L. Dousman;
attorney-general, P. A. Orton; bank comptroller, J. Vollmar;
superintendent of public instruction, H. G. Winslow; state-
prison commissioner, J. J. Cilley. At the election in Novem-
ber, the Republican State ticket was elected, Gov. Harvey by
nearly. eight thousand majority; J. T. Lewis, secretary of state,
by over ten thousand ; and the remainder of the ticket ranging
from five thousand to ten thousand. Of the members of the
legislature elected at the same time in the senate, the Repub-
licans were twenty-two, and the Democrats eleven; and in the
assembly, forty-three Republicans, thirty-four Democrats, and
twenty-three Union. Of the latter, seventeen were of Demo-
cratic antecedents.
CHAPTER XXXIX.

WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1862 — Administration of Gov. Harvey and Lieut.-Gov. Edward Salo-
mon— Sad Death of Gov. Harvey — Consternation throughout the State at his
Death — Legislation — Investigations, é&c.

THE ceremony of the inauguration of the new State officers
was held on Monday, Jan. 6, 1862, at 12, m., and was quite
imposing, in consequence of the military display which attended
it. The Twelfth, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth Regiments escorted
the officers elect (who, with the retiring governor, were seated in
an elegant sleigh) around the park, when they proceeded to the
east front of the Capitol, the regiments being drawn up before
it. A large number of ladies and gentlemen were present. The
oath of office was administered by Chief-Justice Dixon. All
the officers were present, except Mr. Hodges, the state-prison
commissioner. At the conclusion of the ceremonies, ex-Gov.
Randall came forward, and, in a brief and appropriate speech,
introduced his successor, Hon. Louis P. Harvey, to the troops;
and a salute of cannon was fired. Gov. Harvey responded
briefly. In the evening, the State officers held a public recep-
tion at the assembly chamber.

Gov. Harvey took an active interest in the important events
then occurring, and particularly in the welfare of the soldiers
who had gone into the government service from this State.
Soon after the battle at Pittsburg Landing (on the 7th of April),
the certainty that some of the Wisconsin regiments had suffered
severely, induced the governor to organize an expedition for the
relief of the wounded and suffering soldiers. In less than
twenty-four hours, supplies were gathered; and on the 10th the

party started on their benevolent object, the governor among
396
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398. HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

the number. On their arrival at Chicago, they found ninety
boxes of supplies, &c., furnished, which were forwarded to
‘accompany the party. Of this large number, sixty-one were
from Milwaukee, thirteen from Madison, six from Beloit, and
the remainder from various parts of the State. On their arrival
at Mound City, they administered to the wants of some thirty
soldiers, and also at Paducah and Savannah, where the presence
of the governor, and the benefactions of Wisconsin friends, did
much to alleviate the sufferings of the sick and wounded. It
appears that the party had very nearly completed its labors, and
was intending to take a boat for Cairo on their homeward trip,
when a disaster occurred, which brought sorrow to many hearts,
and the loss to Wisconsin of its patriotic governor. It appears,
from the published accounts in the newspapers, that, at first, it
was intended to go on board of “ The January;” but that boat
had started a little too early. The steamer “ Dunleith”, was
lying at the wharf; and the party went on board of her to wait
until “ The Minnehaha” arrived, upon which they were to come
as far as Cairo. It was not expected that the boat would call
for them before morning; and many of the party had lain down
torest. But, about ten o’clock in the evening, “The Minnehaha”
hove in sight, and the party were atoused; Gov. Harvey and
others taking a position near the edge and forepart of the boat
“Dunleith.” As “The Minnehaha” rounded up, her bow com-
ing near the ‘‘Dunleith,” the governor. took’ a step backward,
apparently to get out of the way; but, the night being ‘yery
dark and rainy, he made.a misstep, and fell overboard between
the two steamers. Dr. Wilson of Sharon, being present, imme-
diately reached down his cane. The governor grasped hold of it
with such foree as to instantly pull it from the doctor’s hands.
Dr. Clark of: Racine immediately jumped into the water, and
made every effort to save the governor, but without success.
He made himself fast to the rigging about the wheel of “ The
Minnehaha,” and threw his body out in the directiom of. the
governor as far as possible. At one time, he thinks, the govern-
or came within a few inches of getting hold of him, but was
finally washed down the current, —it being very strong, — and
is supposed to have passed under a flat-boat that lay just below.
Every assistance was given, all persons (acquaintances or
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 399

strangers) doing all in their power to aid, first, in saving the
life, and afterwards to procure the corpse; but all efforts were
unavailing. A reward of one thousand dollars was offered by
Gen. Brodhead for the recovery of the body; and the offer was
ratified by the State authorities. ‘The body was recovered about
the 8d of May, about sixty miles below Pittsburg Landing, and
was identified by his watch, pencil, and papers found on his
person. Every thing was secured, including his money. The
remains were sent on by express, and special train from Chicago,
and arrived on the 7th, and conveyed to the State Capitol, and
placed in the assembly chamber, under a military guard of
honor. The funeral services took place the day following, with
imposing and impressive ceremonies. The body was buried in
Forest Hill Cemetery.

No event of public importance ever occurred in the State that
created such a profound impression as the death of Gov. Har-
vey under such distressing circumstances. Public meetings
were held in different cities and towns, and resolutions adopted
expressing the great loss the State had sustained by his death,
and passing resolutions of sympathy for his bereaved family.
“He was,”-says one writer, “a man of incorruptible integrity,
an earnest patriot ; and Wisconsin was fortunate in having such
a man at the head of her affairs. He was earnest and zealous in
calling her sons to the field, and in securing fidelity and thor-
oughness in every detail of their equipment; and, when there
came from the battle-field a call for humanity in behalf of her
wounded soldiers, Gov. Harvey was the first to answer to the
appeal, and it was the closing act of his useful and honored life.
In the prime of life, upon the very threshold of the honors to
which he had nobly aspired, the bubbling waters closed over
him, and he is lost to human vision forever.”

The following is believed to be an extract from the last letter
he wrote, addressed to his private secretary, W. H. Watson,
Esq., “Thank God for the impulse which brought me here! I
am doing a good work, and shall stay as long as I am so profita-
bly employed.”

On the 22d of April, Hon. Edward Salomon, lieutenant-
governor, issued a proclamation announcing’ the death of Gov.
Harvey, and that he had by constitutional requirement as-
400 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

sumed the duties of the office which had devolved on him by
this event, and, in behalf of the State, tendered to the bereaved
widow the deep and sorrowful sympathy and condolence of the
people. He also recommended, that for thirty days all public
offices, court-houses, and other public buildings, be clad in
mourning, and that during that time the people of the State
wear the usual badges of mourning. He further appointed
the first day of May, A.D. 1862, as a day of public rest and
cessation of business, and recommended to the people of the
State, that on that day, between the hours of ten and twelve
o’clock in the morning, they assemble in their respective towns,
cities, and villages, then and there to commemorate the death
of the late governor, Hon. Louis P. Harvey by such public .
demonstrations as may be appropriate to the occasion.

The fifteenth session of the State legislature convened Jan.
8, 1862, and adjourned April 7, 1862, to meet again June 3:
after a short session, it again adjourned, June 17. The
governor (Edward Salomon), on the 28th of August, issued a
proclamation, stating that business of great public importance
rendered a special session necessary, and calling a special ses-
sion of the legislature to meet on the tenth day of September.
The legislature, in accordance with the proclamation, met at the
specified time, and adjourned Sept. 26, 1862.

The following persons comprised the officers at the session of
Jan. 8: Hon. Edward Salomon, lieutenant-governor, president
of the senate, J. H. Warren chief clerk; and B. N. Caswell
sergeant-at-arms ; and, in the assembly, J. W. Beardsley speak-
er, John 8. Dean chief clerk; and A. A. Huntington sergeant-
at-arms. On the 10th of January, Gov. Harvey read his mes-
sage to the legislature in joint convention. In opening he
said, —

‘« No previous legislature has convened under equal incentives to a dis-
interested zeal in the public service. The occasion pleads with you in
rebuke of all the meaner passions, admonishing to the exercise of a con-
scientious patriotism, becoming the representatives of a Christian people,

called in God’s providence to pass through the furnace of a great trial of
their virtue, and of the strength of the government.’’

He reported the receipts into the general fund for the year
1861, $435,536.97, and the disbursements from the same, $418,-
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 401

960.44; leaving a balance in the State treasury on the 31st of
December, 1861, of $16,568.58. Of the war-fund there had been
received from the sales of bonds, and payments from the United
States, and other sources, for the expenses of the first six regi-
ments, $957,368.79, which was duly applied. He also recom-
mended the suggestions of the officers of the benevolent and
humanitarian institutions of the State, and stated that the
appropriations asked for in their reports had his cordial indorse-
ment. He also referred to the progress of enlistment in the
fourteen regiments that had been made in the State, and gave
at length statistics of the quartermaster and commissary-
general’s departments. He also devoted much attention to the
subject of taxation, and suggested some important changes in
the law on that subject. On the Tth of April, the legislature
adjourned until the 3d of June following. A committee on the
assessment and taxation laws had been authorized to sit during
the recess. A committee was also appointed to investigate
the war-fund, to report also at the adjourned meeting.

Among the bills passed at the session was one to suspend
the sale of certain lands mortgaged to the State, or held by
volunteers; also to establish a system of graded teachers’
certificates; to authorize a collection of agricultural, mineral,
and manufacturing statistics; to provide for the adjustment of
the government tax for 1862; to authorize the borrowing of
money on the faith and credit of the State, to defray extraordi-
nary expenditure, by which a loan of fifty thousand dollars was
authorized for expenses of enlargement of the Capitol, and
work on the Hospital for the Insane; to authorize the issuing
of State bonds, for war and other purposes, fo the amount of
two hundred thousand dollars; to relieve the holders of rail-
road mortgages made in aid of railroad companies; and an act
to ascertain and settle the liabilities of the State of Wisconsin
to the Milwaukee and Rock River Canal Company, and to
appoint a board of commissioners to adjudicate the same.

On. the third day of June, the legislature met pursuant to
adjournment. The acting governor sent a communication to the
two houses, informing them of the death of the late Gov. Har-
vey, and the circumstances attending the finding of his body.
He also referred to a number of bills passed prior to the adjourn-
402 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

ment, and presented to Gov. Harvey for approval, which had
not been signed by him, and stated, that, after due reflection,
he had come to the conclusion, that the bills had failed to be-
come laws, and that he had no power to act upon them. He
stated that it had been a source of embarrassment that no provis-
ions had been made for contingencies, which had arisen since
the adjournment, concerning the sick and wounded soldiers
from the State, and recommended that provision be made for
such emergencies. He recommended that the number of
judges of the supreme court be increased to five.

Among the acts passed, was one to provide for levying a State

tax for the year 1862 (a hundred and fifty thousand dollars); to
authorize the state treasurer to pay for transporting troops; to
discontinue the active services of certain military officers, and
to provide for the execution of certain duties by the secre-
tary of state and state treasurer for the relief of Mrs. Cordelia
Harvey, widow of the late governor, Louis P. Harvey, to the
amount of twenty-five hundred dollars; to authorize the acting
governor to care for the sick and wounded soldiers of Wiscon-
sin volunteers, and to appropriate money for that purpose; to
authorize the quartermaster-general to order bills for subsisting
and transporting volunteers.
The joint select committee, appointed under a joint resolution
of the assembly,—to whom was referred that portion of the
governor’s message relating to and connected with the military
operations of the State, the raising of troops, uniforming, sub-
sisting, and transporting the same, the negotiation of the war-
bonds, and the disbursement of the ten thousand dollars appro-
priated to extraordinary expenditures in the executive depart-
ment, — made a lengthy report on those subjects, in which they
commented severely on the manner in which the work had
been performed; among other things, that Ex-Gov. Randall
appeared to have selected persons to occupy the several home
offices, to act for the State in the formation of the regiments
raised within its borders, without the slightest reference or
regard to their qualifications therefor, either physical, mental,
or moral, een 8

The committee also stated that the negotiation of the war-
bonds of the State was not conducted agreeably to law, and
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404 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

that the same were sold to Wisconsin bankers at a depreciation,
without any effort to negotiate them in Eastern cities ; and that
the treasurer and other officers preferred the bonds should be
negotiated in their State for banking-purposes; and, in conse-
quence of this action, the State was defrauded out of a large
amount. The manner in which army supplies were procured
was severely censured, also the the employment of State agents
whose services were not needed. The committee also held that
much money had been squandered for this purpose, also that
the business in the commissary department was injudiciously
transacted. Attached to the report is the testimony taken in
connection therewith. This report was signed by F. O. Thorpe
and T. R. Hadd, committee of the senate; and J. V. V. Platto,
F. S. Ellis, H. T. Moore, and H. C. Hamilton, committee on part
of the assembly.

A minority report of the joint select committee on the same
subjects was also made, in which they said that the report of
the majority of the committee, as far as the negotiation of the
war-bonds is concerned, was a gross misrepresentation of the
facts, a perversion of the testimony, and misquoting of the laws,
by which the most astounding conclusions have been reached.
The minority gave their views on what they considered the
true construction of the law, and sustained the course taken by
the State officers therewith. The charges of waste and extrava-
gance in the management and disbursing of funds in the offices
of the quartermaster and commissary-general’s departments were
grossly exaggerated; and they concluded by saying the ma-
jority of the committee, in their report, had discovered no facts
or evidence reflecting in the slightest degree upon the integ-
rity or capacity of the loan commissioners; but, on the contrary,
the minority of the committee believed that in the sale of such
bonds, as large, if not a greater sum was realized than could
have been obtained in any Eastern market; and that, in refer-
ence to Gov. Randall, six months of labor had failed to impli-
cate him in a single dishonorable transaction in the discharge
of the duties of his office. That he had committed errors was
true: what man could avoid it, they asked? But in all the
charges of waste and extravagance preferred against him, said
they, with but trifling exceptions, the volunteers of our State
were benefited.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 405

In reference to this legislature, the newspapers of the day
had much to say, and that not in the most complimentary man-
ner. It was said that a brief and economical session was de-
manded and expected, and that at no previous session had the
- people sent up so few petitions for legislative action; and yet
the session was prolonged till April. In the assembly there
was no controlling element; no party or organization was
responsible for what was done. Neither Republicans nor Demo-
crats had a majority ; but the balance of power was held by the
so-called Union members, — men, as a class, without positive
views, desiring to be on good terms with the two parties, and
hesitating whether to remain on one side or the other.
CHAPTER XL.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR SALOMON.
Events of 1862— Legislation — The Draft — Opposition to the Same — High Pitch
of the War Excitement — Indian Troubles in Minnesota and on our Western
Border.

Inasmucg as Gov. Harvey, in his message in January, 1862,
gave no statistics of the institutions of the State, it will be
necessary to give a few statistics in this regard, taken from the
reports of that year.

The bank comptroller states that the whole number of banks
on the first day of October, 1861, according to last annual re-
port, was one hundred and seven, of which sixty-eight were doing
business on an aggregate capital of $4,247,000, and thirty-nine,
whose circulation was discredited, with an aggregate capital of
$2,260,000 ; total $6,507,000. The whole of banks doing busi-
ness Oct. 1, 1862, was sixty-five, with a capital of $3,298,000,
showing a decrease in capital, in twelve months, of $3,209,000.
The whole amount of circulating notes delivered to banks, and
outstanding Oct. 1, 1862, was $2,240,384; which were secured
by deposits of stocks at par value, and specie in the sum of
$2,449,361.53.

The number of students in the State University during the
year 1862 was one hundred and twenty-nine. Twenty-six had
been taken out of the classes to enter the army. The regents
of the university established a normal department this year;
and Prof. C. H. Allen was appointed principal. It was opened
March 16; and the entire south wing was set apart for the pur-
poses of this school.

The whole number of pupils in attendance at the Institution

for the Blind for 1862 was fifty. Some changes were made in
406
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 407

the instructive force, and the institution had a year of prosper-
ity.

The total number of convicts in the State-prison Oct. 1, 1862,
was one hundred and seventy-three ;- and the total number from
the organization to that date was seven hundred and sixty-four.
The appropriation to the institution for 1862 was twenty thou-
sand dollars. The whole number of inmates in the State Reform
School was eighty.

The trustees of the Hospital for the Insane reported that the
work on the west wing had been carried forward to the entire
satisfaction of the Board ; and the whole building was completed,
and ready for occupancy, on the first day of June, 1862. The
internal management of the institution from and after its open-
ing in June, 1860, was under the control of Dr. J. P. Clement
as superintendent, with an assistant physician, matron, and a
competent board of assistants. Up to Oct. 1, 1861, there had
been admitted one hundred and forty-five patients; and from
that date to Oct. 1, 1862, the number of patients admitted was
eighty-nine; the whole number from the opening to that date
was two hundred and thirty-four.

The trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Institution reported that
there had been in attendance during the year 1862 eighty-two
pupils, of whom six graduated at the close of the term, having
attended the prescribed number of years.

From the report of the superintendent of public instruction,
we have the following statistics: the whole number of children
between the ages of four and twenty, 308,056; average wages
paid male teachers, $25.45; female teachers, $16.61; State fund
apportioned during the year, $149,891; whole number of
schoolhouses, 3,909, of which 2,324 are framed, 1,227 log-houses,
and 358 stone and brick; the total valuation of all $1,255,852 ;
the highest valuation twelve thousand dollars, and the lowest
reported at one cent.

A synopsis of the report of the adjutant-general will be
found in the history of the war for the year 1862.

The extra session of the legislature commenced on the 10th
of September, the day appointed by Gov. Salomon in the call
for the same. The same officers were elected as at the former
sessions. Gov. Salomon sent to the two houses his message.
408 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

He. referred to the fact, that, since the adjournment of the pre-
vious session, six hundred thousand men had been called for by
the government for putting down the Rebellion, and that it had
become necessary to rely upon a system of drafting to furnish
the quota called for from this State. He referred to the attack
of the savages upon the whites in Minnesota, and to the conse-
quent massacre of a number of the inhabitants, and said that
he wa. called upon by the people in the frontier settlements for
arms, ammunition, and men; that he had promptly answered
these calls by sending all of the State arms and ammunition at
his disposal into the regions threatened with danger. He rec-
ommended an effective organization of the State militia, and a
supply of arms and ammunition for emergencies. He recom-
mended the enactment of a law to give soldiers then in the
army from this State the right to vote at the next general elec-
tion. He referred, also, to the condition of the Volunteer Aid
Fund, and recommended a special tax to meet deficiencies for
that purpose.

The extra session adjourned on the 26th of September, hav-
ing been in session sixteen days, and enacted seventeen laws.
Of the bills passed was one for levying and collecting for the
year 1862 a special tax of $275,000 to apply for the aid of
volunteers; one to enable the militia and volunteers of this
State, when in the military service of the United States, or in
this State, to exercise the right of suffrage; one to empower
towns, cities, and counties to raise money for the payment of
bounties to volunteers; and one to empower certain towns to
levy a tax for a similar purpose.

From the tone of the newspapers at that time, it would seem
that the extra session did not fulfil the wishes of the people in
their enactments. The law that was passed for a tax of $275,-
000 could not be made available until February, 1863 ; and there
was a present necessity for the regular and prompt payment of
the five dollars per month pledged by the State to the families
of volunteers.

No measure was adopted furnishing this relief; and it was
claimed that a bill could have been enacted, but for the op-
position of certain members, who, by political manceuvring,
managed to prevent it.
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410 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

In the fall of the year, it was found necessary to resort to a
draft to raise the number of troops required under the
recent calls of the government; and, in the month of November,
serious disturbances took place in one of the counties of the
State at the time of the executjon of the draft. The proceed-
ings of the draft were interrupted by a large and numerous body
of armed men, who destroyed the militia-rolls and ballot-boxes,
drove away and maltreated the drafting-commissioner, demol-
ished his house, injured many other peaceable and law-abiding
citizens, and destroyed the property of many persons who were
obnoxious to them. On being apprised of these disgraceful
proceedings, the governor took prompt measures to restore peace,
and enforce the draft. A large number of persons, most of
them taken with arms in their hands, were arrested, and turned
over to the United States military authorities, that they might be
dealt with as ordered by the President of the United States,
who had commanded that all persons resisting military drafts
should be tried by court-martial or military commission.
CHAPTER XLI.
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1862, continued — Regimental History — Incidents and Accidents of
the War.

Ir will be necessary now to renew the history of the regi-
ments that were called into camp, and from thence proceeded
to the seat of war to take their part in the great conflict then
existing. At the commencement of the year 1862, there had
been organized, equipped, and sent from the State, ten regi-
ments of infantry, one company of cavalry, and one company
of sharpshooters, exclusive of the three-months’ regiment.
There were at that date remaining in the State, either already
organized, or in process of formation, the Ninth, and from the
Twelfth to the Nineteenth inclusive, of infantry, three regi-
ments of cavalry, and ten batteries of artillery. Of these, the
Ninth or German Regiment, recruited mostly from Milwaukee
and the Lake Shore, was completed. The Twelfth, sta-
tioned at Camp Randall, was in readiness, and awaiting orders.
The Thirteenth, encamped at Jamesville, also in readiness,
and the first to receive marching-orders. It left the State on
the 9th of January, 1862, for Fort Leavenworth. The Four-
teenth, rendezvoused at Fond du Lac, was yet engaged in
recruiting companies to reach the maximum. The Fifteenth —
recruited under Col. Heg, late state-prison commissioner, and
composed mainly of Scandinavians — was engaged in recruiting,
and was mustered at Camp Randall on the 13th of February.
The Sixteenth, already above the minimum, was still adding to
its numbers while awaiting orders. The Seventeenth — being
recruited under the immediate auspices of Col. John L. Doran,

and made up almost entirely of persons of Irish birth — was
411
412 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

mustered at Madison, on the 18th of March. The Eighteenth,
yet organizing and mustering companies, was ordered into camp
at Milwaukee, on the 16th of January. Col. H. T. Sanders,
having, just at the close of the preceding year, been commis-
sioned, with special permission from the war department, to
raise the Nineteenth Regiment as an “independent acceptance,”
entered immediately upon the work, and, having met with
signal success, encamped at Racine in the month of March.
The three regiments of cavalry, and seven batteries of artillery,
were already in camp, and completing their organization; the
regiments of cavalry being located respectively at Kenosha,
Milwaukee, and Janesville, and the artillery at Racine. The
Eighth and Tenth batteries were soon added at Racine; the
Ninth being at Burlington.

In the organization of the Department of the Mississippi,
under Major-Gen. Halleck, nearly all these troops were ordered
to report at St. Louis, and left the State before the Ist of April.
The dates and items in connection with their departure will
appear in further mention of their movements. Up to the last
requirements to complete the foregoing organizations, there
was no lack of recruits. The enthusiasm of the people was un-
abated, and volunteering had suffered little if any decline.
The last regiments leaving the State were in no wise inferior to
those which had preceded them, in number, patriotism, or
physique. Under the call of the President for seventy-five
thousand additional men, requisition was made upon this State
for but one regiment. Measures were immediately adopted for
its organization. The subsequent order for five additional regi-
ments, and, still later, the order for a draft of our quota of three
hundred thousand troops, convinced the people that there was
an earnest occasion for another rally. The work was at once
commenced throughout the State with a rapidity before un-
equalled, and resulted in leaving but a fraction over four regi-
ments to complete our quota under the order for the draft. If
the time for volunteering had been extended for at least fifteen
days, the entire quota could, without doubt, have been com-
pleted. The force recruited during this period formed the
materiel for fourteen regiments, — from the Twentieth to the
Thirty-third Regiment inclusive, — all of which, except three,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 413

were now in the field; and the others were in readiness to
follow.

The aggregate number of volunteers raised in the State for
the United States service, as shown by the muster-rolls of each
regiment at its departure, was 38,511.

In presenting the following record of the movements and
actions of the regiments from this State in the year 1862, it
cannot be expected that any extended notice would be given
within the limits of a volume of the present size. Those who
take an especial interest in the detailed war history of Wiscon-
sin are directed to the valuable works of E. B. Quiner and W.
DeLoss Love, on Wisconsin in the Rebellion. These works are
very full in their accounts of the incidents of the war, and the
personal prowess of our State volunteers, and are very valuable.

The First Regiment was re-organized after their return from
the three-months’ service under Col. Starkweather; and from
their arrival at Louisville, Oct. 30, 1861, to Feb. 18, 1862, they
were principally engaged in repairing and guarding the line
of railroad extending south from that place to Nashville, Tenn. ;
the headquarters of the regiment being, most of the time, at
Camp Wood, near Munfordville, on the Green River.

Immediately after the evacuation of Bowling Green by
the rebels, they were ordered to that place, whence, on the
27th of February, they took up their line of march for Ten-
nessee, sixty-four miles from Bowling Green, encamping on
the 2d of March at Edgefield, directly opposite Nashville, and
separated from it by the Cumberland River. On the 8th of
March, they crossed the river, and went into Camp Andy
Johnson, near Nashville; and five companies set out on out-
post duty. The next day, one of these companies (B) was
attacked by rebels; and, during the skirmish which ensued,
private J. W. Greenly of that company was killed, the first
Union soldier who gave his life for the Union in Tennessee.

From Nashville, they marched, on the 5th of April, to Colum-
bia, on the line of the Nashville and Decatur Railroad, and
forty-six miles distant from the former place. Company K was
here detached as provost-guard; and the regiment went into
Camp Walker, near that city. From their arrival at Columbia,
until the 28th of May, they were almost incessantly engaged
414 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

in expeditions, of greater or less magnitude, against the nu-
merous bands of rebel forces which then infested the vicinity
of their camp. In one of these expeditions, Gen. Negley’s
brigade, of which this regiment formed a part, marched from
Pulaski, the county-seat of Giles County, in Tennessee, to
Florence, on the Tennessee River, in Alabama, arriving at
that place on the 16th of May, having driven the rebels from
their ferry-boats, and shelled them out of their camp; and
thence returned to Columbia on the 20th, having marched a
hundred and eighty miles in ten days. On the 24th of May,
Company K was relieved by Company C as provost-guard at
Columbia, and on the 28th, Companies A, B, G, and K, were de-
tailed to go with an expedition against Chattanooga in Tennessee.
The rest of the regiment were occupied during the month of
June, principally in guarding railroad-bridgés between Columbus
and Pulaski. They were marched to Huntsville, Ala., on the 28th
of July, from which time until the 18th of August, — when they
were ordered to Nashville, — they were engaged in performing
around Huntsville the same kind of duty that they had so well
discharged previously in the vicinity of Columbia; preventing,
by rapid and decisive assaults, any organization or concentra-
tion of rebel forces in their vicinity. On the 6th of September,
they were again ordered to Bowling Green in Kentucky, at
which place they remained until called upon to participate in
the general movement of the army, which resulted, on the 8th
of October, in the memorable battle of Perryville, where the
rebel forces under Gen. Bragg were defeated by the Union
troops under Gen. Buell. The gallantry of the men and officers
in this battle deserves special mention. Three times advanced
upon by the rebels, who were as often repulsed, they stood
without wavering, and delivered an effective and withering
fire. Among their trophies were the colors of the First Ten-
nessee, which they captured in a bayonet-charge. That the
First Wisconsin did its whole duty is abundantly proved by
the record of casualties. Their loss in killed was fifty-seven ;
in wounded, one hundred and twenty-seven ; in prisoners, seven ;
and missing, seven. The prisoners— among whom was Lieut.
Caliger of Company B — were all taken at night, while search-
ing the field of battle for their dead and wounded. Major
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416 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Mitchell, Capt. Green of Company K, and Lieuts. Wise of
Company F, and Hambrook of Company E, were severely
wounded.

The regiment, at the last reports (in 1862), was in Murfrees-
borough, in Negley’s division of the Army of the Cumberland.

The Second Regiment — which had been identified with
the Army of the Potomac from its first organization to the
present time, and which was the representative of Wisconsin
at the first battle of Bull Run — was joined, later in the season,
by the Sixth and Seventh Regiments. On the re-organization
of the army by Gen. McClellan, these regiments, together with
the Nineteenth Indiana, were organized as a brigade, and
assigned to the command of Brig.-Gen. Gibbon; Gen. King
having been promoted to the command of a division. Thence-
forth their history is identical; and Wisconsin may well be
proud of their record, which has procured for them the name
of the * Iron Brigade of the West.”

The winter was spent in camp at Arlington, Va., preparing
for the spring campaign. In the grand review of the 27th of
March, the Wisconsin troops, particularly the Second, were
complimented for their soldierly appearance, and thorough
acquaintance with military drill.

They participated in the advance on Richmond, under the
command of Major-Gen. McDowell; and subsequently, under
Major-Gen. Pope, acted as rear-guard to the Army of the
Potomac at the time it fell back on Washington. In the per-
formance of this duty, the Sixth Wisconsin, the very last to
retire, marched slowly and steadily to the rear, faced to the
front again as they reached their new position, and saluted
the approaching enemy with three rousing cheers and a
rattling volley.

In the three-days’ fight of the 28th, 29th, and 30th of
August, at Gainesville and Bull Run, Gibbon’s brigade suf-
fered terribly. The Second went into the fight with about
four hundred and thirty men, and lost in killed, wounded, and
missing, two hundred and eighty-six; the colonel, and one
captain being killed, and Major Allen, Capt. Smith, and Lieuts.
Baldwin, Bell, and Esslinger wounded. Col. O’Connor fell,
fighting bravely. He was dearly beloved by his regiment.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 417

The loss of the ‘Sixth was seventeen killed and ninety-one
wounded; and the Seventh lost, in killed and wounded,
seventy-five men, including Capt. Brayton, Company B, killed,
and Capts. Walker and Walthers, Lieuts. Bird - and Hobart,
wounded.

Afterwards, in the short campaign in Maryland, under com-
mand of Gen. McClellan, they nobly sustained their reputation:
at the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, which termi-
nated the campaign ‘by forcing the rebels to retire across the
Potomac. In the battle of Sharpsburg, Sept. 14, Capt. Col-’
well of Company B, Second Regiment, was killed while in
command of the line of skirmishers. The Second went into
the battle of Antietam Sept. 17, one hundred and fifty strong,
and came out with fifty-nine.

These regiments were now in the forth: brigade, left grand
division of the Army of the Potomac. Of this brigade, Gen.
McClellan wrote, —

“T beg to add to this indorsement the expression of my great admiration
of the conduct of the three Wisconsin regiments in Gen. Gibbon’s brigade.
I have seen them under fire, acting in a manner that reflects the greatest
possible credit and honor upon themselves and their State: they are equal
to the best troops‘in any army of the world.”?

The Third Regiment passed the winter of 1861-62 principally
at Alexandria, of which place Col. Ruger was appointed pro-
vost-marshal. In the spring campaign, they were assigned to
the command of Major-Gen. Banks, entering Winchester, Va.,
on the 12th of March, and accompanied him in the sudden
retreat towards Washington, which commenced on the 25th of
May. ‘They acted as a portion of the. rear-guard, and lost, in
the various conflicts occurring by the movement, about one
hundred and twenty men in killed, wounded, and missing.
The retreat was conducted with the most admirable coolness,
the men facing about: in line, three several. times giving the
enemy a number of volleys.

This division returned soon afterpards to Winchester to co-
operate-with the commands of Gens: Fremont and Sigel, and on
the 9th of August; took part in.the ‘battle of Cedar Mountain:
The regiment went into battle with four hundred and twenty~
418 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

three men, of whom one hundred and seven were either killed,
wounded, or missing. In the official report of Gen. Gordon,
who commanded the brigade, special praise is awarded to the
Third Wisconsin and a Massachusetts regiment for displaying
great coolness under the terrible fire they were ordered to face.
During this action, Lieut.-Col. Crane was killed, who fell gal-
lantly leading his men upon the enemy. Capt. O’Brien of
Company I was wounded early in the day, but refused to leave
the field. Later in the day, he received a mortal wound, and
died three days afterwards. Capt. Hawley and Lieuts. Snow
and Derring were also wounded, and Lieut Widney taken
prisoner.

Subsequently, they took part in the short and brilliant cam-
paign under McClellan, in which Antietam was the finishing
stroke to the invaders in Maryland. They took into action
about three hundred and forty-five men, and lost, in killed and
wounded, one hundred and ninety-seven. In this battle, Lieut.
Reed was killed, and Col. Ruger, Capts. Stevenson and Whit-
man, Lieuts. Field, Shepard, Parks, and Dick were wounded.
On the 7th of December, the regiment was in Gen. Gordon’s
brigade, headquarters near Antietam Ford, Md.

The Fourth Regiment (Col. H. E. Paine) remained at Wis-
consin Barracks, in Baltimore, during the winter, performing
garrison-duty, and perfecting themselves in drill and thorough
military organization. On the 19th of February, they left Bal-
timore for Newport News; at which place they embarked, on
the 6th of March, for Ship Island, as a part of the expedition to
New Orleans, under Gen. B. F. Butler. Arriving at their des-
tination, they were assigned to the second brigade, under com-
mand of Brig.-Gen. Thomas Williams. They remained at Ship
Island until the 15th of April, when they were placed on board
“The Great Republic” for transportation to New Orleans.
From the 17th to the 27th, they were at the south-west pass of
the Mississippi. During this time, Forts Jackson and St. Philip,
the rebel defences of the river, were bombarded by the mortar-
fleet of Com. Porter. Com. Farragut having succeeded in pass-
ing the forts with his fleet, before their surrender, a part of the
regiment was sent in small boats to land above and in the rear
of Fort St. Philip, for the purpose of cutting off the retreat of
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 419

the rebels from that place. To accomplish this, they were com-
pelled to wade several miles, dragging their boats with them.

The expedition was entirely successful ; between four and five
hundred of the enemy being captured while attempting to
escape to New Orleans. For the manner in which they per-
formed their duty, they were complimented by Gen. Butler.
They were the second regiment to enter the city on the Ist of
May. On the 8th, they again embarked for Vicksburg, taking
possession of Baton, Rouge, the capital of Louisiana. On arriv-
ing at Vicksburg, Gen. Williams found his force too small to
risk an attack upon that city, and returned to Baton Rouge.
On the 19th of June, the Fourth again left this place, to parti-
cipate in the second attack on Vicksburg. The fortifications
having been materially strengthened, it was decided to open the
navigation of the river by cutting a new channel. They were
engaged at this work for twenty days. The low stage of water
having defeated this project, they returned to Baton Rouge
on the 28th of July. Baton Rouge was evacuated on the 23d
of August, when they returned to Carrollton, and were stationed
at the parapet which forms the defences of New Orleans. In
September, they were sent up the river in pursuit of guerillas;
and, having ascertained the whereabouts of a band of Texan
“ Greasers,” they attacked, and pursued them three miles, into a
cypress-swamp, capturing four hundred horses and forty prison-
ers. Few regiments had done less fighting than the Fourth:
no regiment had undergone more hardship and privations. In
an expedition up the Yazoo River, Capt. J. W. Flynn of Com-
pany I, and six men, were killed by a shell while detailed
as sharpshooters upon the gunboat “Tyler.” The regiment
encamped at Carrollton, about eight miles above New Orleans.

The Fifth Regiment (Col. Amasa Cobb) left their winter-
quarters at Camp Gritflin, near Lewisville, Va., where they had
been stationed during the winter, and marched, on the 9th of
March, to Flint Hill, two miles from Fairfax Court House,
whence they were marched to the Potomac, within four miles
of Alexandria. There they embarked, on the 23d, to take part
in the great expedition against Richmond, under the command
of Gen. McClellan.

From their arrival at Hampton in Virginia, on the 26th of
420 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN..

March, to the day of the final retreat, their history is thoroughly:
identified with that of the Army of the Peninsula. . Their
conduct in the battle of Williamsburg, on the 5th of- May,
where Capt. Bugh was severely wounded, was such as to elicit;
a flattering encomium from Gen. McClellan, who, on the 7th of
May, addressed the regiment as follows: —

‘« My lads, I have come to thank you for your gallant conduct the other
day. You have gained honor for your country, yourselves, your State, and
the army to which you belong. Through you, we won the day; and Williams-
burg shall be inscribed upon your banner. I cannot thank you enough for what
you have done. I trust in you for the future, and know that you will sus-
tain the reputation you have won for yourselves. By your actions and
superior discipline, you have gained a reputation. which shall be known
throughout the Army of the Potomac. Your country owes you its grateful
thanks. As for myself, I never can thank you enough:”’

While on picket-duty near Golden. Farm, on the 28th of
June, Capt. Evans of Company K received a severe wound, from
the effects of which he. died on the 1st of. August. Capt.
Walker was also wounded at the same time.

The regiment bore its full share in the great series of battles
from June 29 to July 4. Col. Cobb led his regiment success.
fully and bravely through all its actions; but at this juncture, he
was lost.to the regiment, having. been elected to. Congress. .

Lieut.-Col. H. W. Emery died at his native place, in Lisbon,
N.H., on the 18th of October. He was appointed lieutenant.
colonel at the organization of the regiment. He entered upon
the discharge of his duties with an ardent zeal. The privations
and exposure of camp-life to one of his physical constitution was
more than he could endure; and his constitution finally gave
way. At the battle of Williamsburg, in command of five. com-
panies of his regiment as skirmishers, he manifested a discipline
and intrepidity which showed him worthy to command Wiscon-
sin troops. ;
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CHAPTER XLII.
WISCONSIN’S WAR-RECORD.

Events of 1862, continued — Regimental History — Bravery of Wisconsin Soldiers
— Echoes from the Battle-Fields.

Tue Eighth Regiment (Col. R. C. Murphy), from the time of
their departure from the State, up to the middle of January,
with the exception of the skirmish at Frederickston, in the
autumn of 1861, was principally engaged in guarding railroad
bridges and other general duties in the southern portion of Mis-
souri and in Arkansas. On the 16th of January, they left Camp
Curtis, arriving at Cairo the next day. From Cairo they were
ordered to Mt. Pleasant, Mo., to participate in the attack on
Island No. 10, whence they marched, on the 7th of April, to
New Madrid.

Shortly after the reduction of this island, they were ordered
to Corinth, and arrived at Pittsburg Landing on the 22d of
April, when they at once took their place in the army destined
for the reduction of Corinth. On the 9th of May, at the battle
of Farmington, the Eighth Regiment, under the command of
Lieut.-Col. Robbins, lost in killed three (of whom two were com-
missioned officers), and sixteen wounded, and one missing. On
the 28th of May, leaving Farmington, the regiment, under the
command of Lieut.-Col. Robbins, — Col. Murphy being in charge
of the brigade, — went into action before Corinth, and, by their
steady courage and demeanor, demonstrated their bravery under
a heavy fire, losing, in this action, two killed and five wounded.
This was the last effort of the rebels to defend the city, which
was entered by our troops two days afterwards.

Subsequently they were ordered to Iuka, where they remained

until the approach of the rebels under Price and Van Dorn,
422
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 423

when they were again ordered to Corinth, and took part in the
second battle of Corinth, on the 8d and 4th of October. During
this battle, while Col. Murphy was absent, Lieut.-Col. Robbins
and Major Jefferson were wounded, and carried from the field;
and the command of the regiment devolved upon Capt. Britton,
who nobly conducted the action. Their loss in this battle was
fourteen killed, seventy-five wounded, and two missing. After
joining in the pursuit of the rebels which followed this battle,
they returned to Corinth on the 14th of October, after which
time they were stationed in the vicinity of Waterford, Miss.

The Eighth nobly earned the encomiums bestowed upon it.
Its record is such that Wisconsin may well feel proud of the
Eagle Regiment.

On the 8th of December, the regiment was at Waterford,
Miss., in the left wing of the Army of the Tennessee, under the
command of Major-Gen. U. 8. Grant.

The Ninth Regiment left Camp Sigel, at Milwaukee, under
command of Col. F. Salomon, on the 22d of January, 1862, num-
bering thirty-nine officers and 884 men. Though this regiment
was raised under the special promise of Gen. Fremont that it
should compose a part of the division of Gen. Sigel, the heroic
compatriot of its members, the successor of Gen. Fremont did
not feel under any obligation to carry out such a promise; and
the regiment left for another destination. None of the Wiscon-
sin regiments embraced so large a number of officers and soldiers
of military experience as the Ninth. The eagerness of the regi-
ment to encounter the enemy was not gratified until the 30th
of September, at Newtonia. In the first part of the battle, but
four companies were engaged against an enemy of a far superior
number, strongly intrenched. The balance of the regiment,
with Gen. F. Salomon’s brigade, arrived later, and also took a.
part in the fight. Four days after this battle, the Ninth Regi-
ment, with the brigade, were again on the march for another
attack on Newtonia, which, however, had been evacuated by the
enemy, who had experienced heavy losses, and did not feel
strong enough to resist another attack. The retreat of the
rebels was so hasty, that a part of their camp equipment and a
rocket-battery fell into the hands of our forces. The official
report of the regiment in this battle shows a loss of a hun-
424 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

dred and eighty-eight in killed, wounded, and missing, of which
only eight. were named ‘as killed. In the battle. at Prairie
Grove, the Ninth Regiment was in the rear-guard, without tak-
ing part actively in the fight.

The last report from the regiment in 1862 showed that it was
eneamped at Rhea’s Mills, Ark. ‘The Tenth Regiment (Col.
A.R. Chapin), when last referred to, was at Camp Jefferson,
near Bacon Creek, in Kentucky; at. which place they were
stationed during the winter, and until the 26th of April. Gen.
O. M. Mitchell, in. the following order of that date, addresses
them as follows : —

‘ Souprers, — Your march on Bowling Green won the thanks and confi-
dence of our commanding general. With engines and cars captured from
the enemy, our’ advance-guard precipitated itself upon Nashville. It was now
made your duty to. seize and destroy the Memphis and Charleston Railway,
the great military road of the enemy. With a supply-train only sufficient
to feed youat a distance of two days’ march from your depot, you under-
took the herculean task of rebuilding twelve hundred feet of heavy bridging,

which, by your untiring energy, was accomplished in two days. Thus, by a
railway of your own construction, your depot of supplies was removed from
Nashville to Shelbyville, sixty-three miles, and in the direction of the. object
of your attack. The blow now. became practicable. Marching: with a
celerity such as to outstrip any messenger who might have attempted. to
announce your coming, you fell upon Huntsville, taking your enemy com-
pletely. by surprise, and capturing not only his great military road, but all
his machine-shops, engines, and rolling-stock.: Thus providing yourselves
‘with ample transportation, you have struck blow after blow with a rapidity
unparalleled. Stevenson fell sixty miles east of Huntsville. Decatur. and
Tuscumbia have been, in like manner, seized and captured. In three days,
you have extended your front of operations more than a hundred and twenty
miles; and your morning gun at Tuscumbia may now be heard by your
comrades on the battle-field made glorious by their victory before Corinth.
A communication’ of these facts to headquarters has not only won the thanks
.of the commanding; general, but: those of the department of war, which’:1
announce to you, with proud satisfaction. Accept:the thanks of your com-
-mander, and let your future deeds demonstrate that you can surpass your-
selves.”’

From this time, they were engaged in guarding, and keeping
in repair, the Memphis and Charleston Railway, until they were
called upon to join:in the general movement of our troops to
the northward, rendered necessary: by the advancve of Gen.
‘Bragg towards. Cincinnati, a movement which resulted,:on
HISTORY:-OF WISCONSIN. 425

the 8th‘of October, in the battle of Perryville. In this action,
the Tenth greatly distinguished themselves; for two hours
holding their position without relief, and long after their am-
munition was expended. During this engagement, Major H. O.
Johnson was killed; and, of the three hundred and seventy-
two men whom they took into battle, thirty-six were killed, a
hundred and eight were wounded, and three were missing, —
brave men all, who nobly won honor to themselves, their State,
and. their country. They subsequently moved to the vicinity
of Nashville, where they were at the close of 1862.

The Eleventh Regiment (Col. Charles L. Harris) was stationed
during the greater part of the winter, at: Camp Curtis, near
Sulphur Springs, in Missouri, guarding, and keeping in repair, a
line of railroad, extending over sixty miles; thence to Pilot
Knob, which they left on the 23d of March, arriving at Reeves
Station, on the Black River, on the 27th. From Reeves Sta-
tion, they marched one hundred and eighty-five miles, to Jack-
sonport, in Lawrence County. On the 19th of May they were
at Batesville, in Arkansas, which place they left on the 22d of
June, crossing the Black River at Jacksonport, where they left
their sick, and pushed forward to Augusta, In this vicinity
they remained until the 6th of July, when they marched
fifteen miles, to ‘‘a place where the rebels had made another
blockade,”’ followed, the next day, by the battle of Bayou
Cache, in which the Eleventh lost four killed and fifteen
wounded, the latter number including the colonel, one captain,
and one lieutenant. From Bayou Cache, they marched to
Helena, in Arkansas, arriving there on the 13th of July.

A glance at their route through Missouri and Arkansas will
convey some idea of the privations they must have been called
upon to undergo in a march through a comparative wilderness.
‘Their conduct at Bayou Cache was a sufficient indication as
to what their conduct would be when called upon to assert
Wisconsin valor on the battle-field.

From Helena, they marched to Patterson, in Missouri, where
they were at the close of 1862, in the first division of the
Army of South-east Missouri, under command of Brig.-Gen.
J. W.: Davidson.

. The Twelfth Regiment was organized under the direction

+
426 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

of Col. George E. Bryant, formerly a captain in the three-
months’ volunteers, where he distinguished himself for gal-
lantry, and thorough acquaintance with the duties of a soldier.
They left Madison on the 11th of January, arriving at
Weston, Mo., on the 17th. On the 15th of February, they
marched from thence to Leavenworth City, in Kansas, which
place they left on the 1st of March for Fort Scott, accom-
plishing the distance, one hundred and fifty miles, in six days;
from Fort Scott to Lawrence, and from Lawrence back to Fort
Leavenworth, on the Missouri, arriving on the 27th of May.
Here they embarked on the 29th for St. Louis. On arriving at
that place, they took a steamer for Columbus, Ky., arriv-
ing at the latter place on the 4th of June. During the months
of June, July, August, and September, the Twelfth was en-
gaged in repairing and guarding the railway in South-west
Kentucky and North-west Tennessee. In the beginning of
October, they were moved to Bolivar, in Tennessee.

The Twelfth was a marching regiment, and was not engaged’
in any of the great battles which occupied a prominent place
in the eyes of the country. On the 1st of December, 1862,
they were in camp, near Waterford, Miss., in the fourth
division of the Army of the Tennessee, under command of
Major-Gen. U.S. Grant.

The Thirteenth Regiment (Col. William P. Lyon) left Camp
Medway, at Janesville, under orders for Kansas. From Wes-
ton, Mo., they marched to Leavenworth City, where they staid
three weeks, thence to Fort Scott, and afterwards to Lawrence.

They were subsequently ordered to Columbus in Kentucky,
at which place they arrived in the beginning of June; and
about the middle of August were transferred to Fort Henry,
in Tennessee, where they remained in garrison during the year.

On the Ist of September, Col. Maloney was recalled by the
war department to his former command in the regular service;
and Capt. William P. Lyon of the Eighth was promoted to the
coloneley of the regiment. The regiment was, at the close
of 1862, in the district of Columbia, department of West
Tennessee, commanded by Gen. U. S. Grant.

The Fourteenth Regiment (Col. John Hancock) made up
principally of companies from the northern line of frontier
 

 

 
428 : HISTORY. OF WISCONSIN.

counties, left Fond du Lac on the 8th of March, arriving at
St. Louis on the 11th. They remained in Benton Barracks two
weeks, and moved thence up the Tennessee River, with orders
to report to Gen. Grant at Savannah.

On the 6th of April, they marched from Savannah to Shiloh,
arriving about midnight, where they were compelled to stand
in the storm, without shelter, until daylight, and took part in
the memorable battle of the 7th of April. In this engagement,
the regiment charged three. successive times upon a rebel
battery, and, after a terrible contest, captured it. One of the
pieces was spiked by Lieut. Staley of Company D, and pre-
sented to the regiment by Major-Gen. Halleck ; and is now kept
by the State as a trophy of the gallant action of hersons. In
this battle, Capt George E. Waldo of Manitowoc was killed;
Col. Wood, Lieut.-Col. Messmore, and Lieuts. M. M. Hurlbut
and J. D. Post, were wounded, from the effects of which the
latter died, on the 27th of May. The total loss of the regi-
ment was fourteen killed, seventy-two wounded, and seven
missing. Lieut. M. K. Barnes died of disease, at Hamburg,
‘Tenn., Aug. 3.

The hardships:and exposure incident to this battle, and Col.
Wood’s position afterwards as provost-marshal at Pittsburg
Landing, induced disease, by which he was prostrated. He
was taken home to Fond du Lac to die, and add another noble
victim to this war brought on by an unholy rebellion.

At the second battle of Corinth, on the 3d and 4th of Octo-
ber, the regiment, under the command of Col. Hancock, dis-
played signal bravery, and by its unflinching. courage. sustained
the reputation: they had acquired at Shiloh, where they had
earned the name of the “ Wisconsin Regulars.” Their brigade
was commanded by Col. John M. Oliver of. the Fifteenth
Michigan, from whose official account of the battle the follow-
ing extract is taken : — .

‘‘ This regiment was. the one to rely upon in any emergency... Though
suffering more loss than. any other regiment in the command, they main-
tained their lines, and delivered their fire, with all the precision and coolness
which could have been maintained upon drill. '

‘‘T would. call your attention to the death of Capt. Vaughan of the
Fourteenth Wisconsin, who fell.at the end of the old line of the enemy’s
breastworks, nobly supported by Capt. Harrison of the same regiment.
HISTORY. OF WISCONSIN. 429

They steadily held the party of skirmishers on. our right and front, at
the foot of the hill, where we had so long and fierce a fight. On Friday,
Capt. Harrison lost a leg (since died). Capt. Vaughan gave his life for his
country. First Lieut. s. A. Tinkham, promoted for meritorious conduct at
Shiloh, who was killed about the same time on Friday, deserves honorable
mention for his services. Capt. Asa Worden and First Lieut. E. F. Ferris,
particularly distinguished for their bravery and coolness, were wounded
while in the.active discharge of their duties.’

In this action, they lost in killed, wounded, and missing,
ninety-eight men. Col. Hancock, then commanding: officer,
had been actively engaged in four of the great battles of
this war; viz., Blackburn’s Ford, Bull Run, Shiloh, and. Corinth,
in each of which he had proved himself a worthy inheritor of
the honored name he bears. The regiment was then (Dee: 8)
near Abbyville, Miss., in the left wing of Army of the Ten-
nessee, under command of Major-Gen. U. 8. Grant.

The Fifteenth Regiment (Col. Hans. C. Heg) was raised
principally from the Scandinavian population of the State,
and on the 2d of March left Camp Randall. They proceeded
to Chicago and to the Mississippi River, moved down that
stream, and were incorporated with the force operating against
Island No. 10. On the 8th of April, the Union forces took
possession; and the Fifteenth was put in garrison there. On
the 11th of June, Col. Heg was ordered to proceed in the
direction of Corinth with eight companies, leaving two com-
panies at the island as garrison; where, according to last
reports (in 1862), they still remained. Subsequently, the eight
companies were removed from place to place, through Ten-
nessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Kentucky, taking part in
several skirmishes and scouting-parties. In one expedition,
two infantry regiments, under Lieut.Col. McKee of the Fif-
teenth, returned with forty-six prisoners, a hundred small-arms,
eighteen horses, and twenty mules, taken from guerillas.

The Fifteenth was also engaged in the Battle of Perryville.
The regiment, Dec. 20, was near Murfreesborough, Tenn., in
the ninth division of the Army of the Cumberland, under
command of Major-Gen. W. 8. ‘Rosecrans.

The Sixteenth Regiment (Col. Benjamin Allen), one of the
largest which left the State, had completed its organization.
about the middle of February, and left Camp Randall, Madi-
430 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

son, on the thirteenth day of March, under orders for St. Louis.
Here they remained but one day, embarking on the 15th for
Fort Henry, Tenn., to join Gen. Grant’s command. Previous
to their arrival, Gen. Grant had moved his command to Savan-
nah, at which place the rcgiment joined him, on the 20th of
March.

They took part in the battle of Shiloh, on the 6th and 7th
of April. They were posted as the advance-guard of the army,
in which position they exchanged the first shot with the enemy,
and afterwards nobly did their duty during that terrible first
day’s battle. Capt. Saxe was killed at the first fire; and Capt.
Pease received a mortal wound, from the effects of which he
died on the 22d of April. Col. Allen, Lieut-Col. Fairchild,
and Capts. Train and Wheeler were wounded. The total loss
in killed and wounded at this battle was two hundred and
forty-five. In no action of Wisconsin regiments had more
bravery and determined resistance been shown than in the
action of this regiment in that memorable contest. The cool-
ness and intrepidity of the field-officers—in connection with
whom should be mentioned Adjutant Sabin, and in which they
were nobly supported by the whole regiment—has already
become a prominent item in the history of this war. The
many attempts of the enemy to entrap the regiment on the
morning of the 6th instant were most gallantly repulsed, and,
by the coolness of the colonel, most ingeniously thwarted.

They participated in the siege of Corinth, under command
of Gen. Halleck, and, after its occupation by our troops, were
stationed in the vicinity during the summer, and took part in
the battle of Corinth, on the 8d and 4th of October, where
their loss was thirty-five in killed and wounded.

After their return from the pursuit of the enemy which fol-
lowed this battle, they were stationed for a short time at
Grand Junction, from which place they marched, on the 28th
of November, in the direction of Holly Springs. On the 80th,
they were engaged in the battle in front of the rebel strong-
hold on the Tallahatchie, which resulted in the surrender of
the enemy’s fortifications at that place, which were entered by
our troops on the 1st of December. The regiment at this
date numbered four hundred and ninety-nine. Having become
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 431

so reduced, it was deemed advisable by the commanding gen-
eral to consolidate the ten companies into five, which was done.
Col. Allen returned to Wisconsin, where, assisted by his surplus
line officers, he recruited five additional companies from among
the drafted men in camps of rendezvous. At the close of 1862,
this regiment was near Grand Junction, Tenn.

The Seventeenth Regiment (Col. Adam G. Malloy), composed
mainly of Irishmen, was recruited at large throughout the State,
and, having completed its organization, left Camp Randall in
two divisions; the first on the 20th of March, and the second
on the 23d, for St. Louis. Here they were placed in Benton
Barracks, and were soon ordered to Corinth, in the vicinity of
which place they were stationed during the summer.

They took part in the second battle of Corinth, on the 3d and
4th of October. Up to this date, the regiment had not been
called upon to participate in any general engagement. They
fought gloriously. To defeat an attempt of the enemy to out-
flank our forces, the Seventeenth was ordered to “charge bay-
onets.” With a deafening cheer of their national “ Faugh a
ballah!” heard so often on the battle-fields of old Europe, they
rushed upon the rebels, routing and dispersing them in wild
disorder. Their behavior merited the encomiums of Gen.
McArthur, who said, “Boys of the Seventeenth, you have
made the most glorious charge of the campaign.” In this
action, the regiment lost in killed, wounded, and missing,
forty-one men. Among the wounded were Capt. H. McDermott
of Company B, who was shot through the shoulder while lead-
ing his company. ;

On the resignation of Col. John T.. Doran, Lieut.-Col. A. G.
Malloy was promoted to the command of the regiment; Major
McMahon was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, and Adjutant
William H. Plunkett major, — promotions worthily bestowed,
and which materially increased the efficiency of the regiment.

At the close of 1862, they were near Waterford, Miss., in the
left wing, Army of the Tennessee, under command of Major-
Gen. Grant.

‘The Eighteenth Regiment (Col. Gabriel Bouck), about the Ist
of February, was in camp, although, as yet, scarcely full to the
minimum. The weather was inclement, and prevented their
432 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

attaining much proficiency in drill during the short time:which-
intervened between their. organization as a regiment and their
departure from Milwaukee, on the 80th of March. They merely.
touched at: St. Louis, being hurried forward to join the main
army at Pittsburg Landing. On the morning: after their arrival
(the memorable 6th of April), just one week from their departure:
from Milwaukee, they were called. upon to take part in the
battle of Shiloh. Their loss.in this and the succeeding, day’s
conflict, was in killed, twenty-four, among whom were. Col.
Alban, Major Crain, and Capt. Compton; wounded, eighty-two,
including Lieuts. Coleman :and Potter; and in prisoners, a hun-
dred and seventy-four, among whom were four captains and
four lieutenants. »

The following extract from a letter from Gov. Harvey,
written at Cairo, while on his errand of. mercy to the sick and
wounded Wisconsin ‘soldiers, should form a portion of. the
record of the Eighteenth: — .

‘«My heart bleeds at the sad fortune of this regiment, the most recently-
gathered of all our regiments; Encamped at Milwaukee in an inclement
season, affording no opportunity for either company or regimental drill,
without a single regimental’ officer, and, I believe, no company officer of
military experience, they were ordered from Milwaukee to St. Louis, with
the expectation of passing some time at. Benton Barracks in becoming
familiar with their duties. But they were hurried from the cars to a boat;
disembarked at Pittsburg Landing Saturday night, and sent from the river
directly to the‘front of Sherman’s division, and plunged into the hottest of
the fight on Sunday morning. Many of the men heard the order to load
and fire, for the first time in their lives, in the presence of an enemy.. They
did all that men could do. Many regiments of that fight may well covet
the impressions which the Eighteenth Wisconsin left of personal bravery,
heroic daring, and determined endurance.”

Capt. Gabriel Bouck of Company E, Second Regiment, was
promoted to command of this regiment on the 22d of. April.
During the summer, they were stationed at Corinth. On the
3d and’ 4th of October, they participated in the battle of
Corinth. Here “Col. Bouck, cool and sagacious, with his
gallant Eighteenth Wisconsin, did most effectual service; was
detached to guard Smith’s Bridge, which. he . afterwards, ‘by
order, destroyed; and brought his command into the. division
in excellent order.”
 

 

wT

 
434 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Capts. Millard, Layne, Fisk, Bremmer, and Saxton, and
Lieuts. Wilson, Ford, Woodruff, Stokes, and Southmayd, taken
prisoners at Shiloh, were exchanged, and again returned to
their regiment.

At the close of 1862, the regiment was (Dec. 8) near Abby-
ville, in the left wing, Army of the Tennessee, under command
of Major-Gen. Grant.
CHAPTER XLIII.

‘WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1862 continued — Regimental History —The War Record to the Close
of the Year 1862 — Memories of the Battle-Field.

AND now as to the Nineteenth Regiment, Col. H. T. San-
ders. By special authority from the war department, the or-
ganization of the Nineteenth as an independent regiment was
commenced in the month of December, 1861, and completed
in the beginning of April, 1862.

On the 20th of April, they were ordered to Camp Randall,
at Madison, to take charge of the rebel prisoners sent to Wis-
consin after the fall of Fort Donelson. Upon the transfer of
the prisoners to Chicago, they were ordered to the Potomac,
and left Madison on the 2d of June, arriving in Washington
on the Sth. From Washington, they were ordered to Norfolk,
in Virginia, where they still remained in 1862. The following
extract from “The Norfolk Union” will show in what
estimation they were held there : —

‘*We do not wish to detract from, or in any respect call in question, the
claim to the brave, moral, and high-toned qualities of the people of the good
old State of Connecticut, so renowned in all that gives dignity to a Chris-
tianized civilization of the highest order ; but we think a part of the great
North-west will be entitled to be known as the Connecticut of the West in
this respect ; and we are led to these remarks by the exemplary conduct and
quiet bearing of the Wisconsin regiment now stationed here, under com-
mand of its gallant leader, Col. Sanders. Our people had become favorably
impressed with the Delaware First, and sincerely regretted its removal ; but
we believe that they are fully compensated by the substitution of the Nine-
teenth Wisconsin, which has won the entire confidence of the people.’’

Col. Sanders at that time occupied a triplicate position, —
as president of the military commission, commander of the

provost-marshal’s guard, and colonel of the Nineteenth.
435
436 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The Twentieth Regiment (Col. Henry Bertram) was organ-
ized under the call for seventy-five thousand. The men were
recruited during the months of June and July. The organiza-
tion was completed, and the regiment mustered into the United
States service, in the beginning of August.

The field officers of this regiment were all promoted from
the old regiments in the field, — Col. Bertine Pinkney, for-
merly lieutenant-colonel of the Third, Lieut.-Col. Bertram,
captain of Company A.in the same regiment, and Major H.
A. Starr, captain in the First, all of whom were capable men,
and officers of experience.

On the 30th of August, they left Camp Randall under orders
for St. Louis, where they arrived on the 31st. On the 6th of
September, they were ordered to Rolla, at which place they
remained for ten days, when they marched to Springfield, on

“the 22d.

Quartermaster J. A. Douglas, whose health had been declin-
ing for some time previous, died on the 14th of October. He
was universally esteemed by the regiment.

They remained in the vicinity of Springfield until the
beginning of December, when they were called upon to take
part in the movement of Gen Herron’s forces for the purpose
of effecting a junction with Gen. Blunt (who was holding the
enemy in check near Cane Hill, Ark.), thereby preventing.
the rebels from entering Missouri. On Sunday, the 7th of
December, they came in sight of the enemy at Prairie Grove,
Ark., having marched one hundred miles in three days. Their
conduct during the terrible fight which followed showed they
did not need their general’s reminder, as he placed them in
position, that ‘‘ Wisconsin had never been disgraced by her
sons fn arms.” ‘They charged upon and took a rebel battery
of six guns at the point of the bayonet, and, being unable to
take the guns from the field, disabled them, and slowly retired,
without confusion, under the fire of five rebel regiments.
Capts. John McDermott and John Weber, and Lieut. Thomas
Bintliff, were killed in this fearful charge, and Lieut.-Col.
Henry Bertram, Capts. O. Gillett and H. C. Strong, with
Lieuts. Jackson, Bird, Butler, Blake, Ferguson, Root, and’
Miller, wounded. The total loss was forty-nine killed, one
hundred and forty-eight wounded, and eight missing.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 437

This sketch may be properly concluded by quoting the
following brief order of the commanding general : —

“Camp PRAIRIE GROVE, ARKANSAS,
Dec. 10, 1862.

Gov. E. Satomon, —I congratulate you and the State on the glorious
conduct of the Twentieth Wisconsin Infantry in the great battle of Prairie
Grove. Nobly have they sustained the reputation of the State. I earnestly
recommend the immediate promotion of Lieut.-Col. Bertram to the
coloneley.

(Signed) F. J. Herron, Brigadier-General,
Commanding 1st and 8d Divisions.

‘Col. Pinkney having resigned on account of ill health,
Lieut.-Col. Bertram was promoted to the command of the
regiment on the 10th of December, 1862.

The Twenty-first Regiment (Col. Benjamin J. Sweet) was
recruited and organized during the months of July and
August, under the President’s last call for three hundred
thousand men, and was formed of companies recruited from
Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Waupacca, and Outagamie Counties.

The field officers were all promoted from service in old regi-
ments, — Col. Sweet, formerly lieutenant-colonel of the Sixth,
Lieut.-Col. Hobart from the Fourth, and Major Schumacher
from the Sixth.

They left Camp Bragg, under orders for Cincinnati, on the
lith of September, and, immediately on their arrival in that
city, were transferred to the Kentucky side of the river, and
took their position in the defence of Cincinnati. They
remained in this vicinity until the approach of the rebel army,
under Gen. Bragg, when, on the 8th of October, they took part
in the battle of Perryville, less than one month after they left
the State. Placed in the front of the batteries: of the right
brigade, they met the approach of the enemy with a withering
fire, which they sustained with the greatest coolness, until
overpowered, and compelled to retire. In this battle, they lost
in killed forty-one, including Major Schumacher, Capt. Gibbs,
and Capt. George Bentley of Company H, Lieut. E. D.
Kirkland of Company H, and Lieut. Mitchell of Company C;
in wounded, one hundred and one, including Col. Sweet, one
captain, and two lieutenants; in prisoners, one hundred and
438 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

twenty-one, among whom was Lieut. J. C. Crawford of Com-
pany G, taken prisoner while looking after the dead and
wounded on the field of: battle, at night. There were also
missing fifteen, who were supposed to have been killed, or
taken prisoners.

At the close of 1862, this regiment was (Dec. 15) near
‘Nashville, Tenn., in the third division of the Army of the
‘Cumberland, under command of Major-Gen. Rosecrans.

The Twenty-second Regiment (Col. William L. Utley) was
made up almost exclusively of men from the counties of Racine,
Rock, Green, and Walworth. Col. Utley had been for many
years prominent in military matters of the State, and twice
occupied the position of adjutant-general. The task of organ-
izing the first volunteer regiments of the State, in the year
- 1861, devolved upon him. In this work, new to Wisconsin,
and without precedent or experience, his military knowledge
and energy contributed largely to the efficiency and fame of
Wisconsin soldiers.

The regiment was ordered to Cincinnati, and left Racine on
the 16th of September, arriving at Cincinnati on the 18th.
They were encamped in Kentucky, about five miles south-west
‘of the city, until the last of November, when they removed to
Nicholasville, below Lexington.

The Twenty-third Regiment (Col. Joshua J. Guppy) was
composed principally of Dane and Columbia County men.
Col. Guppy is a well-known resident of Portage City. He
was lieutenant-colonel of the Tenth Regiment, and had. the
advantage of a military education, and of one year’s service
in the field. Lieut.-Col. Jussen was a member of the State
legislature of 1861 and 1862.

The regiment was, for the time it had been in camp, the best
‘drilled of any from the State.

They left Camp Randall, en route for Cincinnati, on the 18th
of September, and established their headquarters at Camp Bates,
in Kentucky, about five miles above the city, on the Ohio River.
They were subsequently moved near Paris, in Kentucky. Here
they remained until the last of October, when they marched to
Nicholasville. Thence they marched to Louisville, arriving on
the 15th of November; having accomplished the march of
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eighty-five miles in four days. At Louisville, they embarked
on the 18th of November, under orders for Memphis, at which
place they arrived on the 27th, where they were at the close of
1862, in the first brigade, first division, Brig.-Gen. A. J. Smith
commanding, and were unattached to any army.

Capt. Frost, Company K, died on Dec. 18, in hospital, at
Memphis.

The Twenty-fourth Regiment (Col. Charles H. Larrabee) was
properly called a Milwaukee Regiment. Fully nine-tenths of
its members were from that city. To form it, she gave from the
flower of her youth, and her best and most influential citizens.
Col. Larrabee was the former popular major of the Fifth Regi-
ment; Lieut.-Col. Buttrick, a prominent citizen of Milwaukee ;
and Major Hibbard, the well-remembered captain of the Mil-
waukee Zouaves of the Fifth.

This regiment left Milwaukee for Louisville, Ky., on the
5th of September. On their arrival at that place, they were
placed in Camp Jo. Holt. -Here they remained until the 10th,
when they were ordered to Cincinnati to assist in the defence
of that city. They reached Cincinnati the next day, and were
placed in position at Covington, Ky.

They returned to Louisville about the 20th, and on the 1st of
October commenced their march towards Perryville. They took
part in the battle fought at this place on the 8th of October.
They were held as a reserve until about three o’clock in the
afternoon, when they were ordered to support a battery. While
performing this duty, they lost one man, who was instantly
killed.

They took part in the pursuit of Bragg, which followed, and,
after various marchings and counter-marchings, went into camp
at Nashville, where they were December, 1862, in the right
wing of the Army of the Cumberland, under command of
Major-Gen. Rosecrans.

The Twenty-fifth Regiment (Col. Milton Montgomery) was
made up of companies from Grant and the river counties. Col.
Montgomery is a prominent citizen of Sparta, Monroe County.
Lieut.-Col. Nasmith was promoted to his present position from
a captaincy in the Sixth.

Under orders from Major-Gen. Pope, commanding department
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 441

of the North-west, this regiment left La Crosse on the 20th of
September, for St. Paul, Minn., and from thence to aid in
quelling the Indian troubles in Minnesota; one company being
assigned to Sauk Centre, two companies to Painesville, two
companies to Acton, two companies to New Ulm, one to Leav-
enworth, one to Fairmount, and one to Winnebago City ; the
headquarters of the regiment being established at New Ulm.
After the capture of the Indians, they were ordered to ren-
dezvous at Winona, and arrived at Madison on the 18th of
December. By special authority from Brig.-Gen. Elliott, com-
manding department of the North-west in the absence of Gen.
Pope, furloughs were granted to almost the entire regiment
to enable the soldiers to spend Christmas at home.

They were, at close of 1862, at Camp Randall, Madison,
awaiting orders. :

The Twenty-sixth Regiment, Col. William H. Jacobs. Not-
withstanding the Germans had already sent an entire regiment
into the field, besides the number of German companies in the
various regiments of infantry, cavalry, and batteries of artillery,
the last call for three hundred thousand was no sooner issued
than the German patriotism of Wisconsin declared its intention
of being represented in that body of men by another German
regiment. This desire was universal. Recruits poured in; and
but a short time had elapsed, when so many volunteers were
enrolled, that the Twenty-sixth was full to the maximum, and
it became necessary to assign companies to other organizations.

Among the officers were thirteen who had seen service, eleven
of whom had been in war, either in this country or in Europe.
About one-half of the commissioned officers, and perhaps one-
fifth of the privates, had been in military service before. Col.
Jacobs, although without previous military experience, devel-
oped such zeal and energy while in the State as to give earnest
of his soon becoming a skilful officer.

It was the intention of the department to order the regiment
to the South-west ; but the personal influence of Gov. Salomon,
with a representation of the fact that the general understand-
ing during the time of enlistment was, that the regiment
would be attached to the command of Major-Gen. Sigel, pro-
cured a reversal of the original design; and they were ordered
to Washington.
442 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

In accordance therewith, they left Camp Sigel, Milwaukee,
on the 6th of October, and, on their arrival at Washington,
were at once sent forward to Gen. Sigel’s corps.

In a review which took place soon after their joining the
command, their action was such as to call forth the highest
encomiums from their commanding general, who pronounced
them the best disciplined body of troops in his corps, consider-
ing the time they had been in camp.

At the close of the year, they were (Dec. 20) near Stafford
Court House, Va., in the Eleventh Corps of the Army of the
Potomac, under command of Major-Gen. Burnside.

The Twenty-seventh Regiment (Col. Conrad Krez) was com-
posed of six companies raised in the counties of Sheboygan,
Manitowoc and Kewaunee, with others from various localities.
In the assignment of companies to this regiment, many fell short
of the minimum, by which it was delayed in its organization
and readiness to leave the State. By request of the governor,
special permission from the war department was given to con-
tinue recruiting for this and the Thirty-first Regiment, also in
a similar position. :

The organization was completed in 1862, and they anxiously
awaited orders to take their place beside others of Wisconsin’s
sons in doing battle for liberty and the Union.

The Twenty-eighth Regiment, Col. James M. Lewis, was com-
posed principally of men from the counties of Waukesha and
Walworth ; left Camp Washburne, Milwaukee, on the 20th of
_December, under orders for Cairo, where they arrived next day.
They were immediately placed on board a steamer, and sent to
Columbus, Ky., where they were December, 1862.

The varied experience of Col. Lewis as surgeon of the Second
Regiment, and during his captivity as prisoner at Richmond,
together with the general confidence in the ability of himself
and the officers of his regiment, will lead us to follow the move-
ments of this regiment with no common interest.

The Twenty-ninth Regiment, Col. Charles R. Gill, made up
mainly of volunteers from Dodge, Jefferson, Dane, and Wash-
ington Counties, left Camp Randall on the 2d of November,
under orders to report at Cairo. On their arrival, they em-
barked on the steamer “‘New Uncle Sam,” and proceeded to
‘HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 443

Helena, Ark., where they were Dec. 19, 1862. This regiment
as in the second brigade, Army of the South-west, Brig.-Gen.
Steele commanding.

The Thirtieth Regiment (Col. Daniel J. Dill) was composed
of six companies from the St. Croix and Chippewa valleys, two
from Waushara, and two from Iowa Counties.

The material composing it was equal to that of any which

shad left Wisconsin, as may be inferred from the duties it was
called upon to perform within the State; for as “‘a prophet
is not without honor, save in his own country,” it may well be
supposed that its conduct was meritorious to call forth the
encomiums so freely bestowed on it in the performance of duty
at home.

Col. Dill was promoted to the command from a captaincy in
the Sixth Regiment, where he had the experience of nearly a
year’s campaign in the field.

The Thirty-first Regiment (Col. Isaac E. Messmore), like the
Twenty-seventh, was left, by the order of the war department
prohibiting recruiting, with less than the minimum. Six com-
panies from Iowa, Lafayette, and Crawford Counties, were
ordered into camp at Prairie du Chien; and special permission,
before alluded to, was obtained to continue recruiting for this
regiment. At the close of the year, it was much above the
minimum strength, and of good materiel.

On the 14th of November, it was removed from Prairie du
Chien, in charge of the camp of rendezvous for drafted men at
Racine, where it remained, awaiting orders to join the army in
the field. :

Col. Messmore was formerly lieutenant-colonel of the Four-
teenth, and took active part in the memorable battle of Shiloh,
on the 7th of April.

The Thirty-second Regiment, Col. James H. Howe. This
regiment, composed of volunteers from the northern line of
counties, left their camp at Oshkosh on the 30th of October,
under orders for Cairo, where they arrived next day. From
Cairo, they were immediately sent forward to Columbus, Ky.,
and subsequently to Memphis, where they were attached to
Gen. Sherman’s command.

Col. Howe resigned his position as attorney-general of the
444 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

State, to which office he had been re-elected for a second term,
to take command of this regiment.

Lieut.-Col. Bugh was promoted to his position from a cap-
taincy in the Fifth Regiment. He was severely wounded in
the battle of Williamsburg, on the 5th of May, in which he
displayed signal coolness and bravery.

The Thirty-third Regiment (Col. Jonathan B. Moore) was
raised from the southern tier of counties of Wisconsin. Th
men of this regiment were wholly from the families of the well-
to-do farmers of that locality, and constituted one of the best
drilled and disciplined regiments from the State.

“Old Grant” was again most worthily represented by. the
colonel, and her other sons of this regiment. Lieut.-Col. Lovell
-was one of the oldest citizens of the State, and a prominent
lawyer of Kenosha. He was a member of the first and second
Constitutional Conventions, and was speaker of the assembly.
in 1858-59. He made a most accomplished drill-officer.

The regiment was mustered into the United States service in
the beginning of October, and left Camp Utley, Racine, for
Cairo on the 11th of November. From Cairo they were ordered
to Helena, and from thence to the Tallahatchie, where they
were December, 1862.

The Thirty-fourth Regiment, drafted militia, Col. Fritz An-
neke. This was the first regiment organized from the drafted
men of this State for nine months’ service. Col. Fritz Anneke
had the reputation of a skilful officer in the old country, and
was promoted from Major-Gen. McClernand’s staff to this regi-
ment. :

Lieut.-Col. Orff was formerly lieutenant-colonel of the Ninth
Wisconsin Infantry.

Company G, Berdan’s sharpshooters, Capt. Frank E. Marble.
Wisconsin contributed one company to this regiment, which,
on its organization, was assigned to position as Company G.
They passed the winter principally in camp of instruction, near
Washington, and accompanied the army, under Gen. McClellan,
in its advance on Richmond, from the debarkation near York-
town, until the final withdrawal, and return towards Washing-
ton.

They took part in the grand series of battles before Rich-
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446 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

mond, in one of which, that of the 30th of June, Capt. Drew
was instantly killed while rallying his men after a temporary
confusion, caused by the sudden falling-back of a Pennsyl-
vania regiment. Sergeant Staples, also, well known in the
vicinity of Madison, was killed while assisting his captain.

Subsequently they participated in the movements of the
army under Gen. Pope, and bore their share in the battles of
Gainesville and Bull Run on the 28th, 29th, and 30th of
August, where six of their number were wounded.

The record of this company is such that they cannot receive
justice in a sketch like this. They have done their whole duty.

They were (Dec. 8) near Falmouth, Va., in the centre
grand division of the Army of the Potomac.

First Regiment of Cavalry, Col. Edward Daniels. The com-
plete organization of this regiment was effected in February ;
and on the 17th of March they left Camp Harvey, under
orders for St. Louis. On their arrival, they were transferred to
Benton Barracks, where they were furnished with horses, and
otherwise completely equipped. Thence they were ordered to
Cape Girardeau, and left St. Louis on the 27th of April. From
Cape Girardeau, the headquarters of the regiment were removed
to Bloomfield ; and detachments were constantly sent out in
various directions through the country, which performed good
service in preventing any organization of the rebels in their
vicinity.

On one of these excursions, parts of Companies A and D,
under command of Major La Grange, attacked and dispersed a
body of rebel guerillas at Chalk Bluffs, in Arkansas. Their
loss was two killed, including Lieut. Phillips of Company A,
and six wounded, among whom was Lieut. Merrill of Com-
pany D.

Subsequently the regiment penetrated the swamps of ,the
“ Panhandle,” reaching Little River at Homersville, where they
captured the rebel steamer ‘‘ Daniel Miller,” worth about fifteen
thousand dollars, loaded with sugar, molasses, whiskey, and
rebel officers.

On the Ist of August, a detachment of twenty-three men
from Company I, under command of Capt. Porter, surprised a
rebel company of eighty-five men at Jonesborough, and took
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 447

eleven prisoners, together with some arms, horses, and wagons.
The next day, after a desperate fight against overwhelming
numbers, Capt. Porter was forced to capitulate, having lost, in
this adventure, killed, five ; wounded, two; paroled as prisoners,
eight; and missing, eight.

From Bloomfield, the regimental headquarters were trans-
ferred to Madison, Ark., the regiment being scattered over
about two hundred and fifty miles of territory.

This meagre sketch falls far short of doing justice to the
brave men of this regiment, who have suffered great privations
in the making of a record which should find a place among our
historic treasures.

Owing to the continued illness of Col. Daniels, the regiment
had been in 1862, for some time, in command of Lieut.-Col.
La Grange, a very popular and efficient officer.

They were at Patterson, Mo., attached to the Army of
South-east Missouri, commanded by Brig.-Gen. Davidson, at
the close of 1862.

The Second Regiment of Cavalry (Col. Thomas Stephens),
on the 24th of March left Camp Washburne, under orders for
St. Louis; at which place they arrived on the 26th, and were
quartered in Benton Barracks. Here they were mounted and
completely equipped; and, on the 15th of May, the first battal-
ion left for Jefferson City, followed, on the 19th, by the second
and third battalions. They left Jefferson City on the 28th en
route for Springfield, where they arrived on the 10th of June.
From Springfield they were ordered, on the 18th, to join Gen.
Curtis’s command. The junction was effected at Augusta.
They were present at the battle of Bayou Cache, on the 7th of
July, and afterward accompanied Gen. Curtis’s command to
Helena, Ark., in the vicinity of which place they were at the
close of 1862.

This regiment was familiarly known as ‘“‘ Washburne’s Cav-
alry,” having been recruited by the Hon. C. C. Washburne.
He was retained in its immediate command but a short time,

‘having been promoted to the position of brigadier-general.
Col. Stephens, afterwards in command of the regiment, was
former inspector-general of this State. It was now in the third
division of the Army of Eastern Arkansas, under command of

Gen. Gorman.
448° HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The Third Regiment of Cavalry (Col. William A. Barstow)
was fully organized, and accepted into the United States ser-
vice by the muster of the colonel and field-officers on the 28th
of January, and left Camp Barstow, Janesville, on the 26th of
March, for Benton Barracks, St. Louis. A railroad accident,
on the same night, resulted in the instant death of ten men,
mortally wounding two, and slightly injuring twenty-eight.

They left St. Louis, under orders for Fort Leavenworth,
Kan., on the 22d of May, and arrived at their destination on
the 27th. Here they received their horses and horse equip-
ments, having previously been fully equipped, with these
exceptions.

About the first of June, Col. Barstow was appointed pro-
vost-marshal-general of Kansas, and ordered to disperse his
regiment, one ‘company in a place, in various parts of Kansas,
extending from near the Nebraska line on the north, to Fort
Scott on the south. The regiment was thus scattered until the
8th of September, when Col. Barstow was relieved from duty
as provost-marshal, and ordered to concentrate his regiment at
Fort Scott.

Up to this date, the regiment had been engaged in no general
battle, but had been on constant picket and scout duty, and:
employed in fighting scattering bands of guerillas, and protect-
ing the people and property on the borders of Kansas for a dis-
tance of nearly two hundred miles. Since then, in 1862, it
_ participated in the battles of the Army of the Frontier.

The Milwaukee Cavalry was organized at Milwaukee during
the month of October, 1861, and joined Gen. Fremont’s army
at St. Louis as an independent acceptance. The officers in
charge were, captain, Gustave Von Deutsch; first lieutenant,
Charles Lehman ; second lieutenant, Albert Galogkowski.

Subsequently, the company became identified with the Fifth
Regiment Missouri Cavalry, its captain having been made
lieutenant-colonel of the regiment.

The First Heavy Artillery, Capt. A. J. Langworthy. On the
9th of December, 1861, Company K of the Second Regiment
(Capt. A. J. Langworthy) was detached from the regiment for
‘heavy artillery duty,” under Special Order No. 172, from the
headquarters of the army. In pursuance of this order, they
HiSTORY OF WISCONSIN. 449

moved the same day into Fort Cass, on Arlington Heights,
Va., to which they had been assigned for garrison-duty. Their
number was largely augmented by recruits from the State;
and, at the close of 1862, they still remained in charge of Fort
Cass, at Arlington, Va.

Lieut. Caleb Hunt died Dec. 1, 1862, at Milton Junction,
the result of injuries received in an attempt to get on a railroad-
car while in motion.

The First Battery, Capt. Jacob F. Foster. On the 23d of
January, this battery left Racine, under orders for Louisville,
Ky. On their arrival, they were placed in camp of instruction
near the city, where they remained until the beginning of
April, when they marched in the direction of Lexington, and,
after performing duty at various places to which they were
ordered in that part of the State, took possession of Cumber-
land Gap, after its evacuation by the rebels, on the 17th of
June. To move these heavy guns a distance of thirty miles
across the Cumberland Mountains, and in places which the
enemy had pronounced impracticable for light artillery, was
indeed an herculean task; but it was accomplished, and the
La Crosse Artillery had the honor of hoisting and saluting the
stars and stripes on the strongest of the enemy’s forts. They
participated in the retreat from this place, and on the 21st of
November arrived at Cincinnati. Here they remained until the
26th, when they embarked for Memphis, where they were
at this date.

Capt. Foster was made chief of artillery by Gen. Morgan on
the 26th of April, giving him command of twenty-six guns.

They were now in the right wing, Thirteenth Army Corps,
under command of Major-Gen. Sherman.

The Fourth Battery, Capt. John F. Vallee. The Second
and Fourth Batteries left Camp Utley, Racine, on the 28th of
January, for Baltimore, where they arrived on the 31st, and
were immediately ordered to Washington. They remained
but a few hours in Washington, as they were ordered to For-
tress Monroe via Baltimore. They arrived at Fortress Monroe
on the 8d of February, and were placed for duty in the water
battery, where they were December, 1862.

The Third Battery, Capt. L. H. Drury. The Badger Bat-
450 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

tery left Camp Utley, Racine, under orders for Louisville, Ky., ©
on the 22d of January. On their arrival, they were ordered
into camp of instruction near Louisville; and, while there,
their armament was changed by the substitution. of rifled
thirty-two-pounders for their light guns. On the 10th of
March, they left Louisville for Nashville, arriving on the
14th. Here they went into camp, and remained until the 29th,
when they took up their line of march for Savannah, Tenn. :
thence they were transferred to Pittsburg Landing in the
middle of April. From Pittsburg Landing, they marched,
during the summer, from place to place in Tennessee and
Kentucky, and, on the 2d of October, left Louisville, coming up
with the rear-guard cavalry pickets of the enemy on the fol-
lowing morning. These were dislodged by a few shell from
the long-range Parrotts; and the battery pressed forward to
Perryville. They were present at, though they took no part
in, the battle at this place, but were employed in the pursuit
of the retreating enemy, and took part in the skirmish near
Stanford on the 15th of October, and subsequently encamped -
at Mount Vernon. ‘

Capt. Drury of this battery was appointed chief of artil-
lery in Gen. Van Cleve’s division, with the charge of threé
batteries.

The Badgers were, at the close of this year, near Nashville,
in the left wing of the Army of the Cumberland, under com-
mand of Major-Gen. Rosecrans. nO

The Fifth Battery, Capt. Oscar F. Pinney. This battery _
left Camp Utley, Racine, on the 15th of March, for St. Louis,
and arrived at that place next day. On the 19th, they took
their departure from St. Louis, with orders to report at New ,
Madrid, where they were employed in building forts. In the
latter part of April, they were moved to Hamburg, Tenn.
They participated in the battle of Farmington, on the 9th of -
May. Four guns of the battery, under Lieuts. Hill and Gard- —
ner, were ordered to the extreme front to defend a bridge,
across which the rebels must pass in order to make the attack. .
They remained here three days, and fell back in compliance
with the order of Gen. Pope. From this place, they marched .
from point to point in Northern Mississippi and Alabama. On
the 23d of August, Lieut. A. Smith died at Iuka Springs.
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They left Louisville on the 1st of October with Buell’s army.
On the evening of the 7th, two of their guns engaged three of
the enemy’s, and, after a battle of several hours, silenced and
drove them from the field. On the morning of the battle of
Perryville they were held as reserve, and, at five in the after-
noon, were ordered to support Gen. McCook’s division, as they
were driven back by the enemy. In this position they had
room to use only five guns, the sixth being silent. Their
steady and accurate fire compelled the enemy’s battery to
change position. The rebels attempted three times to take the
battery, but were as often repulsed by the sturdy valor of the
support, and the destructive fire of the battery. Here they
lost one killed and one wounded. Gen. McCook, in presence
of his staff, thanked the captain and battery for their gallantry,
saying that they had saved the division from disgraceful defeat,
and that he could not appreciate their services too highly.

They continued in pursuit of rebels until the 15th of Octo-
ber, at Crab Orchard, where they rested a short time, and, on
the 20th, commenced their march to Nashville, by way of Lan-
caster. They arrived at Nashville on the Tth of December,
having marched above five hundred miles.

They were (Dec. 8th) near Nashville, in the Fourteenth
Army Corps (Army of the Cumberland), under command of
Major-Gen. Rosecrans.

The Sixth Battery (Capt. Henry Dillon) left Racine on the
15th of March for St. Louis, arriving at that place next day.
They embarked for New Madrid on the 19th, and took part in
the siege of Island No. 10. After Island No. 10 fell into our
hands, they remained there, doing garrison-duty, until about
the 10th of June, when they were ordered to Pittsburg Land-
ing, and were in the vicinity of Rienzi during the greater part
of the summer.

They took part in the battle of Corinth on the 8d and 4th
of October, and lost in killed, six, including Lieut. Daniel T.
Noyes, and in wounded, twenty-one.

The Sixth Battery went into the fight with ninety-three men
all told, and that number made up partly of men detailed from
infantry regiments of three different States. They were con-
sidered a “forlorn hope ;” but, by their severe fighting and
: HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 453

dogged bravery, they actually turned the tide of battle in our
favor, and won the fight. Officers and men, loyal and rebel, all
agree, that no more desperate or better fighting was ever done
than by that battery at the battle of the 4th. Well may our
State be proud of her troops.

They were (Dec. 9) at Oxford, Miss., in the left wing of the
Army of the Tennessee, under command of Major-Gen. Grant.

The Seventh Battery left Camp Utley, Racine, on the 15th
of March, and arrived at St. Louis next day. On the 19th
they left St. Louis for New Madrid, which place they reached
on the 21st. They performed their share in the siege of Island
No. 10, and, after its reduction, remained there as garrison
until the 18th of June, when they embarked for Hickman,
Ky., and joined Gen. Mitchell’s brigade at Union City. In
the latter part of June, they marched to Trenton, where the
battery was divided, three guns being stationed at Humboldt,
and three at Trenton.

They were (Dec. 5) at Humboldt and Trenton, in the dis-.
trict of Jackson, Army of the Tennessee, under command of
Major-Gen. Grant.

The Eighth Battery (Capt. Stephen J. Carpenter) left Camp:
Utley, at Racine, for St. Louis, on the 18th of March, arriving
on the 20th. At St. Louis, they embarked for Fort Leaven-
worth, Kan.,on the 4th of April. On the 10th of May, they
commenced their march to Fort Riley, at which place they
remained two days, and set out on their return to Fort Leaven-
worth on the 17th. There they embarked, on the 27th, for
Columbus, Ky., arriving on the 4th of June. From Colum-
bus, they were ordered to Humboldt, at which place they
remained from the 18th of June to the ‘1st of July, when
they commenced the march to Corinth, reaching the latter
place on the 9th. From Corinth, they were sent on a scouting
expedition to Jacinto and Bay Springs. At the latter place
they came up with the enemy on the 12th of August, and.
skirmished with him till dark. Thence to Iuka Springs, on:
the 14th. From Iuka Springs, they were ordered to Nashville,,
at which place they arrived on the 4th of September. Thence:
they marched to Louisville, arriving on the 26th. They left
Louisville on the 1st of October, to take part in the movement
454 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. ~

of our army to meet Bragg, and, on the 8th of October, took
part in the battle of Perryville.

They participated in the pursuit of the enemy which: fol-
lowed the battle, overtaking him, near Lancaster, on the after-
noon of the 14th. They were engaged in the skirmishes of
the next day, shelling the enemy out of Lancaster, and follow-
ing him up to Crab Orchard. From Crab Orchard, they
marched to Lebanon, arriving on the 22d; from Lebanon, to
Bowling Green, arriving on the 1st of November; thence to
Nashville, where they encamped on the 7th, after a skirmish
with Morgan’s forces at Tyree Springs, on the morning of the
same day.

The centre section of the battery, under command of Lieut.
John D. McLean, was left at Eastport, Miss., by order;
thence they marched to Iuka Springs, Sept. 12, and to Cor-
inth, Sept. 18. Again returned to Iuka Springs, where they
were engaged in the battle of Iuka. After this battle, marched
to Corinth, and took part in the battle of Corinth, on the 2d
and 4th of October.

They were (Dec. 9) near Nashville, in the right wing of
the Army of the Cumberland, under command of Major-Gen.
Rosecrans.

The Ninth Battery, Capt. Cyrus H. Johnson. The Randall
Battery left Camp Utley, Racine, on the 18th of March, and
arrived at St. Louis on the 20th. Here they were fully equipped
with six guns captured at Fort Donelson, and ordered to Kan-
sas. They disembarked at Fort Leavenworth on the 14th of
April, and remained until the 26th, when they commenced their
long march to Denver City, Col. Ter., where they arrived
on the 2d of June. On the 5th, Lieut. J. H. Dodge, with
lis section, was ordered to Fért Union, in New Mexico,
whence he subsequently marched to Fort Lyon, Col. Ter.
On the 14th, Lieut. W. D. Crocker was ordered to Fort Lyon,
whence ‘he afterwards (July 12) marched to Fort Larned,
Kan. The ‘balance .of the battery, under command of Capt.
Jobnson, marched, on the 22d of June, to Fort Lyon, Col.
Ter., whence ‘he returned to Denver City.

‘The ‘battery was (Dec. 18) at Fort Lyon, Col. Ter., except
Lieut. W. D. Crocker, with his section, who were at Fort
Larned, Kan.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 455

The Tenth Battery, under Capt. Yates V. Beebe, left Camp
Utley, Racine, on the 18th of March, under orders for St. Louis,
at which place they arrived on the 20th. While at St. Louis,
Lieut. Toner and twenty-five men were transferred to the
Eighth, and Lieut. Hicks, with forty-five men, to the Ninth
Battery, by order of Major-Gen. Halleck.

They remained at Benton Barracks some time, and were or-
dered to Corinth, via Cairo, with four guns. While at Corinth,
their numbers were augmented by recruits from Wisconsin, and
their armament increased to six guns. During the summer
they were stationed at Corinth; and they participated in the
battles around that place on the 3d and 4th of October, after
which they were transferred to Nashville, where they took
part in the skirmish before that place on the 5th of November.
Their duty was principally guarding important points. They
were also frequently employed in scouting-parties.

The battery was (Dec. 14) at Nashville, Tenn., detailed
for garrison-duty, under Gen. Mitchell, who commanded the

st.

The Eleventh Battery, Capt. John Rourke. The greater
portion of the volunteers in this battery, almost without ex-
ception of Irish birth, were recruited by Lieut. John McAfee
for the Seventeenth; but, the company organization of the
regiment having been completed, this company was left de-
tached.

At the request of Col. Mulligan of the Illinois Irish brigade,
they were organized as a battery of artillery under Capt. John
Rourke of Milwaukee, and attached to his command; the
number necessary to complete the organization being provided
in Illinois.

They left Camp Randall on the 6th of April, and went into
camp at Chicago, where they remained until the brigade was
ordered into active service.

Since that time (in 1862) they remained under the imme-
diate command of Col. Mulligan.

The Twelfth Battery, Capt. William Zichrich, was recruited
under the auspices of Capt. William A. Pile of Missouri, by
special permission of Gov. Harvey. The men were sent to
St. Louis in squads, as fast as enlisted, with the under-
456 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

standing that they there would be organized and equipped
as a Wisconsin battery. Capt. Pile appears to have abused
the confidence of the governor, and deceived the men he
enlisted, by assigning them, in part, to infantry companies,
and elsewhere, as he saw fit, and completing his battery with
other recruits, under the name of the First Missouri Ar-
tillery.

By special request of Gov. Salomon, the matter received the
attention of the general commanding ; and subsequently, with
the consent of the war department, the governor revoked Capt.
Pile’s commission, and he was removed from command. The
battery was then re-enforced by a fine body of about sixty men
which left Janesville on the 1st of September, and was one of
the most efficient in the department to which it was attached.

When joined by this detachment they were transferred: to
the vicinity of Corinth, Miss. They took part in the battle at
that place on the 8d and 4th of October. Gen. Sullivan, riding
up to the battery on the field, said, ‘Boys, I am proud of you,
you have done nobly. The dead in front of your battery
show the work you have done.”

They joined in the pursuit of the enemy after the battle, re-
turning to Corinth on the 8d of November. They were (Dee.
9) at Oxford, Miss., in the left wing of the Army of West
Tennessee, under command of Major-Gen. Grant.

The record of Wisconsin’s noble dead for the year 1862
includes not only her many sons who had “fallen in the front
of war,” and the suffering brave in camp and hospital, but the
name of one who laid himself a sacrifice upon the altar of
liberty, — her chief magistrate, the Hon. L. P. Harvey. Wis-
consin alone has given such a sacrifice.

Thanking God for the impulse which had led him to a com-
pleted work, his name is inscribed among the fallen, — a noble
martyr in this war, brought upon us by an unholy rebellion.

The widow of our lamented governor, fully imbued with the
spirit of her husband in his mission to the sick and wounded,
carried forward the work he was compelled to lay down.

To the brave men who have gone from us the grateful
thanks of our State are due.

Reference has been made to the Eagle Regiment. the
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458 HISTORY. OF WISCONSIN.

Eighth Wisconsin. Some account of this “eagle,” from whom
the regiment derived its name, will prove interesting. This
eagle still lives at his comfortable quarters in the basement of
the State Capitol at Madison. In pleasant weather he can. be
seen on his perch near the building. Among the many attrac-
tions of the Capitol of Wisconsin, not the least is this veteran
of the war.

‘©¢Qld Abe’ was captured in the spring of 1861, in Chippewa County,
Wisconsin, by an Indian by the name of A-ge-mah-me-ge-zhig, of the Lake
Flambeau tribe of the Chippewa Indians. The Indian sold the eagle to
Mr. D. McCann, for a bushel of corn. Mr. McCann concluded that his
eagle should go to the wars. He took him to Chippewa Falls, and from
thence to Eau Claire. The eagle being then about two months old, he sold.it
for two dollars and fifty cents to Company C, Eighth Wisconsin Regiment.
The eagle was soon sworn into service by putting around his neck red-
white-and-blue ribbons, and on his breast a rosette of the same colors.
The company, commanded by Capt. J. E. Perkins, and James McGennis,
the eagle-bearer, left for Madison on the 6th of September, 1861. They
arrived at La Crosse in the evening of the next day. The fact that a com-
pany was coming with a live eagle brought a great crowd to the wharf. A
salute from the First Wisconsin Battery was fired, followed by cheers from
the crowd and soldiers, ‘The eagle, the eagle! hurrah for the eagle !’
Arriving at Madison on the 8th of September, the company marched direct
to Camp Randall, the band playing Yankee Doodle, amidst great shouting
from the Seventh Regiment and part of the Eighth. The company entered
the gate ; and the eagle, as by instinct, spread his wings, took hold of one of
the small flags attached to his perch, in his beak, and carried it in that
position to the colonel’s quarters. The excitement knew no bounds : shout
after shout was heard from the crowd. Deep and strong was the conviction
that the eagle had a charmed life. '

‘In camp he was visited by thousands, among them the highest digni-
taries of civil and military life. Capt. Perkins named him ‘ Old Abe,’ in
honor of Abraham Lincoln. By a vote of the company, the Eau Claire
Badgers, its original name, was changed to Eau Claire Eagles ; and, by
general expression of the people, the Eighth Wisconsin was called the
Eagle Regiment. ‘

‘(On the 12th of October, 1861, the regiment left Camp Randall. At
Chicago, St. Louis, and in fact everywhere, ‘Old Abe’ attracted great atten-
tion. Five hundred dollars were at one time offered for him, and at
another a farm worth five thousand dollars, but, of course, in vain. His
feathers are scattered all over the Union, so great the demand for them.
‘Old Abe’ was seen in all his glory when the regiment was engaged in battle.
At such times, he was always found in his place at the head of Company C.
In the midst of the roaring of cannon, the crack of the musket, and the
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 459

roll of smoke, ‘Old Abe’ with spread pinions, would jump up and down on
his perch, uttering wild and fearful screams. The fiercer and louder the
storm of battle, the fiercer, wilder, and louder the screams. ‘Old Abe’ was
with the command in nearly every action, —about twenty-two battles and
sixty skirmishes. It is a remarkable fact that not a color or eagle bearer of
the Eighth was shot down. The veterans were mustered out of United-
States service, at Memphis, Sept. 16, 1864. It was there decided that ‘ Old
Abe’ should be given to the State of Wisconsin. They arrived in Madison
on the 22d ; and on the 26th, ‘Old Abe’ was received by the governor from
Capt. Wolf."’
CHAPTER XLIV.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. SALOMON.

Events of 1863 — Administration of Gov. Salomon — Legislation — Election Con-
test of 1863— Election of James T. Lewis as Governor— Triumph of the
Republican Party.

THE sixteenth session of the State legislature convened on
the 14th of January, 1863, and adjourned April 2, 1863,
holding a session of seventy-nine days.

In the senate, Hon. Wyman Spooner was elected president
pro tempore, Frank M. Stewart chief clerk, and Luther
Basford sergeant-at-arms. In the assembly, J. Allen Barber
was chosen speaker, John 8. Dean chief clerk, and A. M.
Thomson sergeant-at-arms. In the senate there were seven-
teen Republicans and fifteen Democrats, and in the Assembly
fifty-three Republicans, forty-five Democrats; and two Inde-
pendents. On the 15th, the two houses met in joint con-
vention; and Gov. Salomon read his message, and in opening
said, —

“Our State has during the past year, with the single exception of a
serious disturbance in one of the counties, enjoyed peace within its borders,
and been free from the horrors of war surrounding us, and interrupting the
quiet of many of our sister States ; and our commerce, which, in common
with that of all other States, has suffered much for years from the effects of
the financial and commercial crisis of 1857, has, during the past year, even
under the disadvantages of the war, been prosperous, and is now conducted
on a safer basis than it was before 1857, when the spirit of speculation,
and an unsound and too expensive system of credit, led to the financial
ruin of many.’’

He referred to the enlargement of the Erie Canal, and Fox

and Wisconsin River Improvement, and suggested that the
460
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 461

legislature memorialize Congress upon these two important
national improvements. He gave the following summary of
the financial condition of the State. Receipts into the general
fund for 1862, $669,661.84, and the disbursements, $549,-
746.17; leaving a balance in the treasury of $119,915.67.
The total productive fund of the school-fund, which on the
previous year was $2,458,351.49, had been decreased to $238,-
445.90.

The whole number of children reported of school age was
308,056, and the whole number of pupils attending during
the year was 191,364. The total school taxes raised was $708,-
262.52. . The State fund apportioned during the year was
$149,891. He recommended the State University to the fa-
vorable consideration of the legislature, and remarked, that
‘Wisconsin has not acted the part of a kind parent in
exacting payment for the management of its funds, and has
not shown that liberality and encouragement which it should
have done.” He recommended the ingrafting on the uni-
versity a professorship of military engineering and tactics. He
congratulated the legislature on the prompt completion of the
west wing of the State Capitol, which work had been faithfully,
well, and cheaply done. The cost of the west wing, including
all extras, amounted to $87,591.32, being $12,408.68 less than
the appropriation made for that purpose, and $16,042.64 less
than the cost of the east wing, which was cqnsiderably smaller
in size than the west wing. He further recommended the
continuance of work on the north and south wings.

He reported that he had visited the Institution for the Blind,
and the Deaf and Dumb Institution, both of which were in
excellent condition, and well managed, and that the appropria-
tions asked for the ensuing year were reasonable, and such as
were absolutely necessary for their maintenance. The number
of pupils in the former institution was fifty, a larger number
than ever before in one year. At the latter institution, the
number of pupils in attendance was eighty-two.

The west wing of the Hospital for the Insane was completed
about the 1st of June in 1862, giving much needed additional
room. Up to the 1st of October, 1862, 234 patients had been
received, of which forty-one had recovered, fifteen had been
462 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

discharged improved, fifteen were unimproved, and thirty-two
had died. :

The State Reform School reported an attendance of seventy-
two inmates during the last fiscal year; and the governor
recommended a repeal of the existing law, taxing counties
with the support of the inmates. He also recommended that
the necessary appropriations'be made for the support of the
school during that year. A substantial building of stone had
been put up at the State-prison for the accommodation of
female convicts, and a durable wall around the female prison-
grounds. The total number of convicts confined during the
year, from Jan. 6 to Oct. 1, 1863, was one hundred and
seventy-three, of which fifty-seven had been discharged, leay-
ing one hundred and sixteen in the prison at the last-named
date, of whom one hundred and twelve were males, and four
females.

The governor gives a summary of the transactions of the
war-fund, viz., —

Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1861 ..... ccc cces cece ec ceesccecens $50,227.09
Receipts.......seee scenes eee eeeeees se eeeesneeeennenceeeaees - 757,700.00
Total amount...-......00. aateee ie se ARGO SES Bee eA $807.928 09
Disbursementssscssjseies ssienscaeweds cows ewes a alee As Reena vere es 760.929.72
Balance in treasury Dec. 31, 1862.......0. cee cceesceececrences $46,998.35

The message refers at length to matters connected with the
military history of the State, and pays a proper tribute to the
several aid societies, mostly the women of the State, who have
incessantly labored to supply the wants of the sick and
wounded soldiers. It also gives the amount allotted by our
soldiers in the field, through the allotment COMUNASIPAER, up to."
Dec. 15, to be $1,783,705.92.

A large number of the bills passed by the legislature were .
designed for the benefit of soldiers and -their : families, and for
providing means therefor. The following were the most im-
portant bills of a military character. *.

To establish the manner of commencing’ and prosecuting
suits against persons in the military service; to appropriate
funds for damage done by rioters in Ozaukee County; to
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464 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

amend the act granting soldiers in the field the right of
suffrage ; to authorize the levy of a State tax of two hundred
thousand dollars for the support of families of volunteers ; to
appropriate to the governor five thousand dollars for con-
tingent expenses, and three thousand dollars for a military
contingent fund; authorizing the governor to furnish tour-
niquets for the use of volunteers; to authorize the issue and
sale of bonds for three hundred thousand dollars; to amend
the act granting, aid to families of volunteers, defining more
fully the rights of families ; to amend the act suspending sales
of mortgaged lands to the State or held by volunteers, extend-
ing the time of application to May 30, 1863; to give volun-
teers the right to redeem lands sold for taxes within two years
from April 1, 1863; to authorize the governor to take care of
the sick and wounded soldiers of the Wisconsin volunteers,
and appropriating fifteen thousand dollars for that purpose;
to purchase flags to replace flags of regiments in the field,
injured or destroyed in battle; to extend volunteer aid to
families for six months after the death of the soldier; to
provide for the collection of subscriptions made to pay bounties
to volunteers, and the support of families of volunteers; a
joint resolution adopted asking for the promotion of Cols. J.
C. Starkweather and George E. Bryant to brigadier-generals ;
a memorial asking for the establishment of a military hospital
in the State of Wisconsin, for sick and wounded soldiers; and
a multitude of special acts authorizing towns to raise bounties
for volunteers. In addition to the above bills, some sixty-two
laws were passed amending general laws, twenty-eight amend-
ing private and local laws, and nineteen amending the Revised
Statutes; a bill to provide for continuing the work on the
State Capitol, and sixty-three thousand dollars appropriated to
the erection of the foundation of the south wing, and of the
rotunda to the top of the water-table, and the erection and
completion of the north wing; to codify the school laws of
the State ; twenty-three acts incorporating and amending rail-
road charters; and a large number of appropriation bills.

On the 22d of January, the legislature in joint convention
proceeded to vote for a United States senator to succeed Hon.
James R. Doolittle, whose term of office expired March 4,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 465

1864. Hon. J. R. Doolittle received seventy-three votes; and
Edward G. Ryan, fifty-seven votes. The former was declared
elected; and, on the 13th of February, the joint convention
met to elect four regents of the State University in place of
J. G. McMynn, Carl Schurz, H..A. Tenney, and Levi B. Vilas,
whose term of office had expired; and Rev. George B. Eastman,
Dennison Worthington, Henry D. Barron, and Levi B. Vilas
were declared elected.

The Madison “State Journal,” referring to the session,
says, —

“ The legislature adjourns, leaving a record that will compare favorably
with any of its predecessors. The most important measures that have been
enacted are the acts organizing the militia of the State; the repeal of the
State Rights resolutions of 1859 ; the acts authorizing the investment of
the school-fund in any bonds issued by the State, and providing for the
continuation of the work on the State Capitol; the compilation of the
school laws ; and the issuing of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars in
bonds for the volunteer family aid fund. In point of ability, it exceeded

the average standard; and, as a general rule, it has manifested a disposition
to retrench public expenditures and to lighten the burdens of taxation.”

The building commissioners of the State, agreeably to the
law providing for continuing work on the Capitol building,
advertised for proposals for doing said work. On the 9th of
May, the bids were opened, and the contract awarded to James
Livesey, for $50,855, as the lowest bidder.. The work of demol-
ishing the old Capitol was soon commenced; and the building
which had been the scene of so many interesting events in the
early history of the Territory was soon brought to the ground.

In the spring of the year, some interest was taken in the
election of a chief justice of the supreme court to fill the
place of Hon. Luther S. Dixon, whose term of office was soon
-to expire. In February, a call, signed by many prominent
attorneys, was extended to Judge Dixon to consent to have his
name used as a candidate for re-election. To this call, Judge
Dixon consented to run as an Independent candidate. At'a
meeting of the Democratic Convention, called to nominate a
candidate for that office, Hon. Montgomery M. Cothren received
the nomination. At the election in April, Judge Dixon was
re-elected by a majority of about four thousand, including the
vote of the soldiers in the field and camp.
466 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The question as to the legality and constitutionality of the
vote of soldiers while in the field, and of the draft, was
brought before the supreme court, which court decided the
draft constitutional, as well as the right of soldiers to the
elective franchise, declaring, also, that those who held office
were subject to military duty.

The Democratic State Convention for the nomination of
State officers met on the 6th of August, Hon. 8. Orton, presi-
dent. The following ticket was nominated: governor, Henry
L. Palmer ; lieutenant-governor, Nelson Dewey; secretary of
State, Emil Rothe; state treasurer, Charles S. Benton ; attorney-
general, Eleazar Wakeley; bank comptroller, H. 8. Pierre-
‘pont; state superintendent, Volney French ; state-prison com-
missioner, John R. Bohan.

At the fall elections of 1862, James S. Brown, Ithamar C.
Sloan, Amasa Cobb, Charles A. Eldredge, Ezra Wheeler, and
Walter D. McIndoe were elected members of Congress for two
-years, from March 4, 1863.

The Union Republican Convention for the nomination of
State officers convened Aug. 19, when the following persons
were put in nomination: governor, James T. Lewis; lieu-
tenant-governor, Wyman Spooner ; secretary of state, Lucius
Fairchild; state treasurer, Samuel D. Hastings; attorney-
general, Winfield Smith ; state superintendent, Josiah L. Pick-
ard; bank comptroller, William H. Ramsay; state-prison
commissioner, Henry Cordier.

At the election held in November, James T. Lewis received
72,717 votes for governor, and Henry L. Palmer, 49,053. A
number of votes for both candidates-were rejected for infor-
malities. The whole Union Republican ticket was elected. At
the same election for members of the legislature, in the senate
for 1864 the party strength was, Republican and Union,
twenty-two; Democrats, eleven: in the assembly, Republican
and Union, seventy-one; Democrats, twenty-nine.
CHAPTER XLV. -

WISCONSIN'S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1863 — Regimental History — Progress of the War — Triumphs and
Defeats — Echoes from the Battle-Fields — Bravery of Wisconsin Soldiers.

THE history of the organization, equipment, and subsequent
events connected with the volunteer regiments of this State,
has been given to the thirty-first day of December, 1862. At
that date, there had been organized and sent into the government
service thirty-one regiments of infantry (exclusive of the old
first three-months’ men), three regiments and one company of
cavalry, twelve batteries of light artillery, one battery of
heavy artillery, and one company of sharpshooters, connected
with and known as Company G of Berdan’s Regiment.

There were remaining in the State at that date, yet incom-
plete, three regiments of infantry ; to wit, the Twenty-seventh,
Thirty-first, and Thirty-fourth Volunteers, and the Thirty-
fourth drafted militia (nine months’ men). The first two men-
tioned would have been completed, and have gone from the
State, before that date, if the time for volunteering could have:
been extended a few weeks. The Thirty-first left the State
on the 1st of March, 1863, under orders for Columbus, Ky., for
which place, also, the Twenty-seventh followed, on the 16th.
of said month. The Thirty-Fourth was formed exclusively of
conscripts obtained from the draft ordered from the war de-
partment, Aug. 4, 1862, and made by the State authorities in
conformity to General Orders. Col. Fritz Anneke was commis-
sioned and assigned to thisregiment. The regiment, when com-
pleted, numbered 961 men, and left the State on the 24th of
January, for Columbus, Ky. The term of service of this regi-

ment expired on the 17th of August, at which time it returned,
, 467
468 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

and was mustered out of the service on the 8th of September.
No additional regiments to those above enumerated were raised
during the year 1863.

By consent of Gen. Barry, inspector of artillery of United
States Army, Capt. C. C. Messerve was authorized to raise a
battalion of heavy artillery, to consist of four companies from
this State, to constitute the basis. Batteries B, C,and D were
soon raised and mustered into service, constituting the battal-
ion. Company B left the State in October, with orders to
report at Louisville, Ky. Companies C and D were still in
camp at Milwaukee, awaiting orders, at the close of 1863.

Authority was also given for raising another, the Thirteenth
Battery of Light Artillery; and recruiting commissions issued
accordingly. But slow progress was made; and, at the close of
1863, some ninety men only were mustered in under a first
lieutenant.

Upon the return of the Thirty-fourth Regiment ‘(nine

months’ men), authority was given to recruit the Thirty-fifth
Regiment, and recruiting appointments issued. On the Ist of
November, some two hundred men were enlisted.
‘ The adjutant-general, in his report, states that the total
number of troops furnished the General Government from this
State, and mustered into the service, from the commencement
of the war to the 1st of November, 1863, exclusive of three
months’ regiments (for which the State received no credit
numerically), was as follows: total strength of regiments and
batteries at departure from the State, 88,878; total number
of recruits since mustered, 2,897; total, 41,775. Or less nine
months’ militia, 961; men reduced to three years’ basis, 721;
total volunteers on a three-years’ basis, 41,054. The military
officers of the State, on the opening of the year 1863, were as
follows: —

His Excellency, Epwarp Satomon, Governor and Commander-in- Chief.
Brig.-Gen. Augustus GayLorp, Adjutant-General. |
Col. S. Nye Gress, Assistant Adjutant-General.
Brig.-Gen. Narwanten F. Lunp, Quartermaster-General.
Brig.-Gen. E. B. Woxcorr, Surgeon-General. .
Col. Wittram H. Watson, Military Secretary.

The following is a history of the regiments in detail, from
 

Rey. A. C. Pennock.

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470 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

the close of 1862, when they were dropped in the chapter pre-
ceding the last. The First Regiment, at the close of the year
1862, was encamped at Murfreesborough, Tenn. On the 9th of
January, 1863, three corps were organized in the army, — the
Fourteenth, Gen. Thomas; the Twentieth, Gen. McCook;
Twenty-First, Gen. Crittenden. Rousseau’s division was num-
bered the first in the Fourteenth Corps; and Starkweather’s
brigade numbered third in the division, but was changed to
second on the 28th of April.

Col. Starkweather, in January, returned the flag of the First
to Gov. Salomon. It was presented to the regiment by Gov.
Randall in 1861, and now stands in its place, with other State
flags used in the Rebellion, in a case in the rooms of the State
Historical Society at Madison.

On the 24th of June, the First Wisconsin, with the brigade
and division, took part in Rosecrans’ movement against Gen.
Bragg, driving his troops from Hoover’s Gap, turning his
position at Tullahoma, and following his fleeting forces to the
foot of the Cumberland Mountains, permitting him to retire to
Chattanooga, while the victorious army of Rosecrans congre-
gated around Cowan’s Station on the Nashville and Chat-
tanooga Railroad, where a halt was made in order to establish
railroad communications, and prepare for a future demonstra-
tion. On the 17th of July, Col. Starkweather was appointed
brigadier-general, and was mustered out of service as colonel
of the First Wisconsin. The next move of Gen. Rosecrans
against the enemy commenced on the 2d of September, when ~
the Fourteenth Corps, to which Gen. Starkweather’s brigade
belonged, began its march across the Tennessee River, and
over the mountains, into the vicinity of Trenton, Ga., where
it arrived on the 10th, and camped near Stevens’s Gap. On the
next day, the brigade with the division was ordered forward to
the support of Gen. Negley’s division, about five miles in
advance near Dug Gap. Skirmishing as they advanced, the
‘brigade attained a position between Negley’s troops, and the
enemy under a severe fire. This position they gallantly held,
resisting the repeated efforts of the enemy to dislodge them,
until three o’clock in the afternoon, when a retrograde move-
ment commenced ; and the brigade was ordered to cover the
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 471

retreat. This duty was admirably performed; Gen. Stark-
weather succeeding in resisting all attempts of the enemy to
break his lines, or drive in his skirmishers, and successfully
covering the retreat of Gen. Negley’s force, and securing the
safety of his own command, with only the loss of two killed.
One of them, however, Lieut. R. J. Nickles, was a serious loss
to Gen Starkweather, being a member of his staff, and highly
esteemed by him.

The brigade bivouacked in line of battle near Stevens’s Gap,
where they remained until the 17th, when the division moved
to Owen’s Gap, and next day to Crawfish Spring, and on the
19th took position on the battle-field of Chickamauga.

In this battle the First Wisconsin, with the brigade, went to
the relief of Col. Croxton of Branman’s division, who was out
of ammunition, and took position in front, where they were
attacked by an overwhelming force of the enemy, who ap-
proached on the right flank, and compelled a change in the
position of the brigade. Here the enemy struck the line on
the right and front, with such overwhelming force as to
compel the command to retire to a ridge directly in the rear,
leaving a part of their artillery. The enemy was attacked on
the rear and flank, and driven from the field; and the missing
guns were recovered. The brigade closed on the first and
third brigades of Baird’s division, to the support of Gen. John-
son’s division. Being ordered to the support of the first line
in front, whose ammunition was failing, the movement of the
' brigades of the division in the darkness became confused.
The darkness was intense ; and, by mistake, one of the brigades
opened fire on Starkweather’s brigade from the rear and flank,
which occasioned a portion of Johnson’s force to fire into their
right, mistaking them for the enemy. The brigade was there-
fore compelled to retire in order to re-form, which was done ;
and it bivouacked in an open field near Gen. Johnson’s train.
On the morning of the 20th, the command moved to a ridge,
and took position, forming two lines, and throwing up barri-
cades of trees in front of each line, with the artillery in the
centre and on the left, and covered on the right by an Iowa
battery. This position was held by the brigade nearly all day,
until peremptory orders were received to fall back as well as
472 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

possible. In doing so, the second line retired first. Just as
this was discovered by the first line, the enemy charged in
front with bayonet, supported by his batteries, which occasioned
the first line to give way ; and a portion only rallied at a point
where Gen. Willich’s command rested, about sunset. From
there, the command moved to Chattanooga. On nearing the
town, the order was countermanded; and a position was re-
assigned the brigade in front, where it remained until the 22d,.
when, with the balance of the division, it was ordered to cover
the retreat of the army to Chattanooga, going into bivouac:
near that place.

The casualties of the First Regiment in the battles of
Dug Gap and Chicakmauga, as reported officially, are, killed, or
died of wounds, thirty-four ; wounded, seventy-nine. Seventy-:
six were missing, mostly taken prisoners. The number of,
officers killed was one-seventh of all killed and wounded in the
Fourteenth Army Corps.

Gen. Starkweather was wounded in the leg by a piece of a
shell, but remained in command of the brigade until the army.
retired into Chattanooga.

In the movement on Mission Ridge, on the 25th of Novem-
ber, the brigade was held as a reserve, and joined in the pursuit
of the flying enemy as far as Stevens’s Gap, when they returned.
to Chattanooga. Late in 1863, about four hundred drafted
soldiers were assigned to the regiment, and about seventy
recruits joined it early in 1864. But these did not increase the
aggregate of the regiment sufficiently to warrant the muster
of a colonel ; and, consequently, it remained under the command
of Lieut.-Col. Bingham, though he was commissioned as a.
colonel.

The Second Regiment, as last noticed, was at Falmouth, Va.
In the winter of 1868, several changes were made in the officers,
and arrangements in connection with the Iron Brigade; and.
it was now attached to the first division of Gen. Wadsworth,
and First Army Corps, Gen. Reynolds. They proceeded to
Fredericksburg, and opposite the enemy’s pickets across the
river, where, in twenty minutes, they possessed the enemy’s
works with two hundred prisoners. Twenty-nine of the
enemy were also killed. This regiment and the brigade
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 473

took an active part at the battle of Gettysburg, and fought
nobly. Our space forbids giving the movements and details of
this battle; and it is only necessary to say that the regiment
lost, by killed and died of wounds, forty-four; wounded, a hun-
dred and thirty-eight ; and fifty-three missing, most of whom
were taken prisoners. The regiment was in active service
all the summer of 1863. In December, forty soldiers re-
enlisted, and came home on veteran furlough.

The Third Regiment, in January, 1863 encamped at Stafford:
Court House. Lieut.-Col. Hawley was promoted to the com-
mand in March, and other changes made. The regiment took:
part in the operations of Gen. Hooker near Chancellorsville ;'
and, in the battles that took place from April 27 to May 6,
they had nineteen killed or died of wounds, and seventy-four
wounded. On the 6th of June, the regiment was detached to
accompany a cavalry expedition up the Rappahannock, and,
as skirmishers and sharpshooters, contributed to the victory
gained by our troops; in which engagement the regiment had
two killed, and fourteen wounded. They passed the summer
and fall in railroad guard-duty, picket-duty, &e., at various
points in Tennessee. Being transferred to the Army of the
Cumberland, they proceeded to Columbus, O., thence to
Stevenson, Ala., where they arrived Oct. 8. A _ sufficient
number having re-enlisted as veterans, the veteran Third, on
the 25th, left for Wisconsin on furlough. The Fourth Regi-
ment took an active part in the assault on the enemy’s works
at Port Hudson, losing thirty-nine killed, seventy wounded,
and thirty-one missing. After this engagement, the regiment
remained in the vicinity of Port Hudson, while Gen. Banks was
perfecting a plan for the capture of that place. On the Ist of
September, 1863, the regiment was changed fo a cavalry regi-
ment, known as the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, of which Frede-:
tick A. Boardman was colonel. After this organization, the
Fourth was engaged in scouting, picketing, and foraging in the
vicinity of Baton Rouge; and, on one occasion, a small party
of them captured seventeen of the enemy, and, on another
occasion, seized large quantities of goods intended for the
enemy, capturing eighty-five rebel soldiers, with a loss to
themselves of eight men taken prisoners.
474 -HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The Fifth Regiment went into winter-quarters at White-oak
Church, near Belle Plain; and Col. Amasa Cobb, being elected
to Congress, resigned, and Lieut. Thomas S. Allen of the
Second Regiment was made colonel. This regiment performed
some daring deeds under Col. Allen, taking the Washington,
Battery of New Orleans, whose commander surrendered his
sword to the colonel, complimenting him for his daring and
the bravery of his men, In this engagement, the Fifth lost
three commissioned officers and forty-one enlisted men killed
or mortally wounded, and eight commissioned officers and
eighty-four enlisted men wounded, and twenty-three missing,
out of a force of four hundred men. The regiment also par-
ticipated in the charge on the enemy’s works at Rappahannock
Station, in which it lost twelve killed and thirty-two wounded.
The regiment returned to winter-quarters at Brandy Station,
where it remained until the opening of the campaign of 1864.

The Sixth Regiment was a part of the Iron Brigade, of
which the Second, Seventh, and Nineteenth Indiana composed
the remainder. The history of this regiment is identical with
that of the Second, and need not be repeated. The Seventh
Regiment being a part of the brigade, its history for 1863 has
been referred to. These regiments, when their time expired,
returned to Wisconsin, re-enlisted, and returned to the field.

The Eighth Regiment, in January, 1868, moved from La
Grange, by way of Corinth, to Germantown, Tenn., where
they were employed in building fortifications, and guard-duty,
until March 11, when they marched to Memphis, and joined
the forces intended by Gen. Grant to operate against Vicks-
burg, which were being concentrated near Helena. Lieut.-
Col. Robbins was commissioned as colonel in the place of Col.
Murphy dismissed. The regiment with others attacked the
enemy, and, on the 14th of May, took possession of Jackson, the
capital of Mississippi. They then proceeded to Walnut Hills,
forming the extreme right of the investing force around Vicks-
burg. Here they took a part in the assault on the enemy’s
works. The regiment participated in many skirmishes with
some loss, and, on the 26th of September, moved to Black
River Bridge, and went into camp, and remained until Oct. 13.
They subsequently proceeded to Vicksburg, to Memphis and
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476 _ HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

La Grange, Tenn., and encamped. At this place and Salis-
bury, the regiment was stationed until January, 1864, engaged -
in guard-duty, skirmishing, and in expeditions towards Poca-
hontas, against the forces of the rebel Forrest.

“The Ninth Regiment, in December, 1862, was near Prairie
Grove, Ark., but not in time to participate in the battle. On
the 10th of December, they returned to Rhea’s Mills. A raid :
was made from there on Van Buren; the regiment marching
sixty miles in two days, and returning to Rhea’s Mills. From
this time till Feb. 20, the regiment was engaged in marching.
to various points, performing a sort of patrol duty, when they
went into winter-quarters at Stahl’s Creek, thirty-six miles
west of Springfield, Mo. The regiment was stationed at
different points in Missouri, engaged in guard-duty, and on
foraging parties in the vicinity of Rolla and Springfield, until.
July 8. On that day they moved by railroad to St. Louis, :
where they were engaged in guard-duty until the 12th of Sep-:
tember, 1863, where they remained until the 10th of October. :
They then marched to Little Rock, and went into winter-
quarters about the Ist of November.

The Tenth Regiment, on the 5th of January, 1863, was
encamped at Murfreesborotgh. A number of changes took
place in the regiment. Col. McMynn resigned on the 16th
of June, which left place for the promotion of the junior
officers. On June 24, the regiment joined in the advance of
Gen. Rosecrans’ army against Gen. Bragg at Tullahoma, but
was not seriously engaged with the rebels, and, on the 14th of
July, went into camp at Cowan’s Station. In August they
removed to Anderson, and on the 2d of September commenced
their march into Georgia, and, on the 11th, took part in the
movement to assist Gen. Negley at Dug Gap. On the 19th
of September, at the battle of Chickamauga, the regiment
advanced to the left of the line, and moved forward in two
lines of battle, about half a mile, and drove the enemy before
them, capturing a number of prisoners. On the 20th, two
attacks were made, in which they were unsuccessful, not being
properly supported ; and about all of the regiment on the field
were captured,—twelve officers and one hundred and eleven
men. Lieut.-Col. Ely, commanding the regiment, was mortally
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. ATT

wounded. On the 21st, the regiment numbered three officers
‘and twenty-six men. They moved to the front, formed in line,
and on the 22d returned to Chattanooga. Although it was
obliged to surrender, not a particle of censure can be attributed
to it. The casualties, as reported by Capt. Roby, were twenty-
eight killed, thirty-eight wounded, and one hundred and
twenty-one missing.

The remnant of this gallant regiment remained in camp at
Chattanooga, employed in guard-duty, and labor on the fortifi-
cations, until the famous assault on Mission Ridge, where it
acted as a support to Loomis’s Battery, after which it returned
to camp at Chattanooga, and remained during the winter.

The Eleventh Regiment, which had been in camp at Middle-
brook, Mo., during the winter of 1862-63, was ordered to join
the forces of Gen. Grant, who was concentrating his forces at
Helena, preliminary to the attack on Vicksburg. Marching to
St. Genevieve, the regiment embarked with the rest of the
brigade, and proceeded to Memphis, thence to Helena, and, on
22d of March, landed at Milliken’s Bend, a few miles above
Vicksburg. Taking part with the Thirteenth Army Corps,
across the river, it arrived at Bruinsburg, April 30, and pro-
ceeded onward to where the enemy were found in force, near
Magnolia Church, four miles from Fort Gibson. In this
engagement, the brigade occupied in the centre ; and the fight
became severe. They advanced close to the enemy’s line, and
opened fire with such rapjdity and precision, that the rebels
soon broke and fled. They soon, however, formed again, and
another engagement took place; and the rebels were again
driven from the field. The commander of the brigade compli-
mented the Eleventh on their bravery on these occasions.
The casualties reported were six killed and fifteen wounded.
On the 2d of May, the enemy having evacuated Grand Gulf,
the second brigade was sent to that place. At the battle of
Black River Bridge, the Eleventh took an active part, and
alone took more than one thousand prisoners. In this en-
gagement, three were killed, and eight wounded. Among the
former was Capt. D. E. Hough of Company A.

Moving from the Bridge the next day, the Eleventh and the
brigade took its position in the trenches before Vicksburg. In
478 HISTORY OF, WISCONSIN.

the assault on May 22, thirty-eight were killed, and sixty-nine
wounded. The regiment was engaged on guard and fatigue
duty until July 2, when they returned to Black River Bridge.
On the 3d of July, the city surrendered. The Eleventh, with
Carr’s division, took part in the march of Gen. Sherman on
Jackson, after the surrender of Vicksburg. On July 13, the
enemy was driven to his works, and on the 17th the city was
entered by our troops. They were also sent south, performing
a toilsome march of two hundred and fifteen miles. Taking a
part in Gen. Banks’s operations in Texas, the Eleventh, with
Gen. Washburn’s division, embarked for Brazos, Santiago, on
the 23d, and, after repeated marchings, proceeded to Indian-
ola, and took possession of that place.
CHAPTER XLVI.

WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1863, continued — Regimental History —The Progress of the War—
Battle-Field Incidents,

THE Twelfth Regiment left Lumpkin’s Mills Jan. 8, 1863,
and marched to Holly Springs, and thence to Colliersville,
to Neville Station, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad,
where they were engaged guarding the railroad until March
14, when the division marched to Memphis. During much
of the time, Col. G. E. Bryant was in command of the brigade.
Subsequently they took part in an expedition through the
centre of Mississippi, and returned to Memphis, and, on the 11th
of May, moved down the river to take part in the operations
against Vicksburg. Disembarking at Sherman’s Landing, they
marched across the peninsula, and taking a transport landed
at Grand Gulf on the 18th. Here Col. Bryant was placed in
command of the post; and the brigade engaged in guard and
fatigue duty. After the taking of Vicksburg, they proceeded
to assist in the taking of Jackson, but subsequently returned to
Vicksburg. On the 15th of August, the brigade embarked for
Natchez, where the Twelfth remained until the latter part of
November without any thing occurring of special note, except
an expedition to Harrisonburg, La., where they found an aban-
doned fort ; when they returned to Vicksburg, going into camp
ten miles east of the city. On the 4th of December, they made
an expedition after Adams’s Cavalry, from which they returned
Jan. 238, 1864, and went into camp at Hebron, where the regi-
ment was re-organized as a veteran regiment, five hundred and
twenty men having re-enlisted.

The Thirteenth Regiment took part in pursuing the rebel
479
480 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

general, Forrest, through Western Tennessee, driving him to-
wards Corinth, where his command was defeated and dispersed
by Gen. Sullivan. In this expedition, the Thirteenth marched
one hundred and twenty miles, and returned to Fort Henry Jan.
1, 1863. During the month, they were employed on the river
between Fort Henry and Hamburg Landing, Tenn., in guarding
steamers laden with stores and supplies. On the 3d of Febru-
ary, in the afternoon, they learned that Fort Donelson was
attacked, and that a severe fight was going on. In half an hour,
the regiment was on the road to re-enforce the Highty-third
Illinois at that important point. After driving the enemy’s
skirmishers five miles, they arrived in the vicinity of the Fort
at ten in the evening, with the loss of one man on the march.
Meanwhile the garrison, assisted by the gunboats, had repulsed
the enemy with severe loss, and gained a victory at Fort Don-
elson on the 3d of March, holding the extreme right and front
of the Army of the Cumberland.

During the spring and summer, they were in detachments,
scouting and scouring the surrounding country, taking many
prisoners. Participating in the forward movement of the
Army of the Cumberland, they left Fort Donelson Aug. 27,
and by way of Columbia, Tenn., arrived at Stevenson, Ala., a
distance of two hundred and sixty miles, on Sept. 14. Col.
William P. Lyon was placed in command of the post and the
whole body of troops stationed there. The regiment joined the
brigade to which it belonged, at Nashville, in the latter part of
October, and went into winter-quarters at Edgefield, where it
was employed in picket and guard duty until February, 1864,
when, more than three-fourths of the men having re-enlisted,
the regiment proceeded to Wisconsin on veteran furlough.

The Fourteenth Regiment, on the 10th of January, 1863, left
Moscow, encamping, on the 13th, at Memphis; and on the 17th
embarked for Vicksburg, where they landed, and engaged in
guard and fatigue duty. Col. Hancock, having become disabled
by ill-health, resigned Jan. 23, and was succeeded by Lieut.-Col.
Ward. On the 8th of February, they embarked on transports
for Lake Providence, seventy-five miles above Vicksburg, with
other forces, arriving there on the 10th.. Here they remained
until the 20th, engaged in sundry reconnoissances, seizures of
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cotton, supplies, &c., when they proceeded down to Milliken’s
Bend. Marching across the peninsula, they reached Grand
Gulf May 13, and joined the Seventeenth Army Corps at Ray-
mond. They reached there while the battle of Champion’s
Hill (on the 16th) was in progress, five miles to the left. On
the 17th, they were put in motion towards Vicksburg, and
reached Big Black River, where the battle had just been fought,
and assisted in the construction of two floating-bridges, and the
next day arrived at Vicksburg, and advanced to a position
within range of the enemy’s guns, in the line of the Seventeenth
Army Corps. In the assault on the enemy’s works on the 19th,
they attained a position within eighty rods of the enemy’s lines,
after two days in skirmishing; and on 22d of May, the Four-
teenth took a conspicuous place in the terrible charge, penetrat-
ing a considerable distance beyond any other regiment of the
brigade, and attaining a position in front of the enemy’s fort,
where no other regiment was near them. Here they were
obliged to seek cover until night, before they could escape. In
this charge, the Fourteenth lost one hundred and seven in
‘illed, wounded, and missing. The regiment remained engaged
in the duties of the siege until the surrender of the city, July 4,
when it was assigned the position of honor on the right, and
ordered to take the advance in the triumphal entry of our troops
into the city; the general (Ransom) complimenting them with
the remark, that “every man and officer of the Fourteenth was
a hero.” On the 12th of July, the regiment embarked with the
brigade, and proceeded to Natchez, of which place they took
possession on the 14th. Here they remained until Oct. 9, when,
pursuant to orders, they proceeded to Vicksburg, and encamped
for the winter. Medals of gold and silver were awarded by a
Board of Honor to five non-commissioned officers of the regi-
ment for gallant services.

More than two-thirds of the regiment re-enlisted on the 11th
of December, constituting it a veteran regiment, being the first
regiment to re-enlist in the Army of the Tennessee. The
regiment embarked for Wisconsin Jan. 3, 1864, on furlough;
arrived at Madison on the 20th; on the 26th were paid, and
received furlough for thirty days.

The Fifteenth Regiment, after the battle of Stone River, in
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 483

which they did noble service, went into camp near Murfrees-
borough early in January, 1863. While here, they suffered
much for want of comfortable clothing, provisions, and tents.
The enemy had obstructed the railroads, and supplies were with
great difficulty moved forward. They remained in camp until
June 23. On the 1st of May, the regiment was transferred
to the third brigade, of which Col. Heg had been placed in
permanent command. In consequence of this appointment, a
number of changes were made among the commissioned officers.
On the 24th, the brigade (including the Fifteenth) accompanied
the movement against Gen. Bragg at Tullahoma. As this
expedition has before been referred to, it is only necessary to
say, that, after driving Bragg out of Tennessee, the onward
march was commenced to Stevenson, Ala., crossing the Cumber-
land mountains, at which place they remained until the 28th,
when they led the advance of Rosecrans’ army against the enemy
in the Chickamauga campaign. In this engagement, owing to
want of proper re-enforcements, the regiment was compelled to
break with considerable loss. Col. Heg died the day following
of wounds ; and a number of officers were killed. The official
report says eleven killed, thirty-seven wounded, and forty-
eight missing, mostly taken prisoners. On the 21st, two com-
panies of the regiment which had been stationed at Island
No. 10 joined the regiment; and the brigade proceeded to Chat-
tanooga, and, on their arrival, commenced throwing up breast-
works. Here they suffered for want of provisions and clothing,
as the line of communication was continually interrupted by
the rebel cavalry. On the 11th of October, the Fifteenth was
assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and, on the 23d of
November, moved out of their works to attack the rebels on
Mission Ridge, in which they were successful. On the 28th,
they marched to Knoxville in East Tennessee, which place
they reached Dec. 7, after a march of one hundred and ten
miles. The service of this regiment in this campaign was one
of great hardship. It was marching and counter-marching over
intolerable roads, from place to place, remaining only long
enough for the men to indulge in the hope that they would be
allowed once more to pitch their tents, and enjoy a little rest,
when the same scene would be re-enacted. So disgusted and
484 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

disheartened did the men become, that only seven of the whole
regiment finally re-enlisted as veterans. No engagement. of
importance took place in East Tennessee, except one, in which
a detachment of the Fifteenth took part.

The Sixteenth Regiment left Moscow, Tenn., on the 10th
of January, 1863, and engaged on duty on the Memphis and
Charleston Railroad; was subsequently transferred to Lake
Providence, and took part in cutting a canal to the lake, where
they remained until about Aug. 1, at which time they moved
down the river to Vicksburg, and, on the 28th of September,
marched to Redbone Church, twelve miles from Vicksburg.
Here Lieut.-Col. Fairchild was placed in command. They
remained until February, 1864, when they moved into the
fortifications at Vicksburg, and acted as part of the garrison.
On the 4th of March, they were joined by three companies
which had been recruited in Wisconsin.

The old companies re-enlisted, and on the 6th left Vicksburg »
for Wisconsin, on veteran furlough, arriving at Madison on the
16th, where they were publicly welcomed by the State officers,
and members of the legislature. After their thirty days’ respite
from military matters, they rendezvoused at Camp Randall, ©
on. April 18, and reached Cairo on the 22d.

The Seventeenth Regiment, in December, 1862, was at Grand
Junction. Here it remained until Jan. 3, 1863, when it
rejoined the division at Moscow, Tenn. On the 10th, the
whole command proceeded to Memphis, arriving on the 13th,
and on the 18th embarked on transports, and moved down the
Mississippi, landing at Young’s Point, near Vicksburg, on the
25th, where they were employed on the canal, by which Gen.
Grant proposed to run the rebel batteries. On the 8th of Feb-
ruary, they moved up the river to Lake Providence, engaged in
cutting a canal from the river to the lake. Here they remained:
until the 20th of April, when they moved down the river to
Milliken’s Bend.

In company with other forces, they crossed the peninsula to
Carthage, near which they encamped until 10th of May, when
they crossed the river at Grand Gulf, and on the 16th reached
Raymond, while the battle of Champion Hills was in progress,
and hurried forward, but did not arrive until the battle was over.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 485

Here the Seventeenth was ordered to the support of a battery.
The enemy retiring, they were ordered forward in pursuit, and
marched till midnight. In the morning the pursuit was con-
tinued, and the regiment reached Black River Bridge soon after
the capture of the enemy’s position. Here they were engaged in
the construction of military bridges, over which they crossed
on the 18th, and marched to within half a mile of the enemy’s
position, in the rear of Vicksburg. On the 19th of May, the
Seventeenth took part in the assault on the enemy’s works. In
this engagement, the Seventeenth had fourteen killed, and fifty
wounded. After the taking of Vicksburg, the brigade went
into camp within the old line of works, where they remained
until the 12th, when they embarked, and proceeded to Natchez.
Here the regiment was employed in picket and guard duty,
and, on the 24th of August, was furnished with horses, and
employed as mounted infantry-men. On the 1st of September,
a part of the regiment moved to Trinity in the State of Louisi-
ana. Here the rebels gave them a warm reception; but they
were soon routed. A rebel steamer, with commissary and
quartermaster’s stores, was taken possession off, and destroyed.
On the 4th, they arrived at Fort Beauregard, and took posses-
sion of the same, capturing three brass six-pounders, two
thirty-two-pound siege-guns, and twenty four-pound howit-
zers, besides caissons and ammunition. They subsequently
destroyed a grist-mill in the vicinity, and a lot of Confederate
cotton and commissary stores, after’ which they rejoined the
brigade, and returned to Natchez, where they remained until
the last of October, when they moved with the brigade to
Vicksburg, where they were occupied during the winter in
camp and guard duty.

The Board of Honor established by the Seventeenth Corps
presented four silver medals to non-commissioned officers of
the regiment for distinguished gallantry and services.

The Eighteenth Regiment left Moscow on the 10th of Jan-
uary, 1863 ; marched to Memphis, where they embarked for,
and proceeded to, Young’s Point, near Vicksburg, subsequent-
ly to Lake Providence, to Milliken’s Bend, to Raymond, and
joined in the attack on Jackson, Miss. They took part in the
assault; gallantly charged upon the enemy, and, after a severe
486 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

contest, drove him from the field, leaving the city in possession —
of our forces. In this engagement, the casualties were six
killed and sixteen wounded. The next day they started for
Vicksburg, and on the 16th took part in the battle of Champion
Hills.

‘The regiment was in the reserve, and was not actively en-
gaged, although exposed to a severe fire. Subsequently they
crossed Black River on a floating bridge, and took a position
with their division, in front of the enemy’s fortifications at Vicks-
burg. On the 22d, they took no part in the assault, but acted
as sharpshooters. On May 26, the brigade did much service
in a reconnoissance between the Black and Yazoo Rivers, captur-
ing a large amount of property, destroying several mills, and
subsequently returned to their duties in the trenches before
Vicksburg, where they remained in skirmishing-duty until the
surrender of the city, when they entered, and engaged in guard
and provost duty until Sept. 11. The regiment marched
two hundred and fifty miles on an expedition, passing through
Northern Mississippi and Alabama, and Southern Tennessee,
and on the 24th took part in the attack on Mission Ridge, and
subsequently joined in the pursuit of the enemy as far as Ring-
gold, Ga., returning to Chattanooga on the 28th. They were
subsequently at Huntsville, Ala., where they were engaged in
guard, outpost, and provost duty, until May 1, 1864.

The Nineteenth Regiment remained at Norfolk, Va., until
April 11, 1863, when a detachment marched to Elizabeth
River, and built fortifications until the 14th, when they re-
moved to Suffolk, the extreme advance of the Union lines.
Thence they marched to Jericho Creek, and encamped, and
were subsequently employed at different points, constructing
rifle-pits and corduroy roads, and other duties. They returned
to Suffolk April 26. Here they remained until June 17, when
they marched to Norfolk, and the next day encamped near the
fortifications. Passing up the river, they reached West Point,
and remained until July 8, and then returned to Yorktown, and
engaged in garrison-duty until the middle of August. From
thence they moved to Newport News, where they remained
until Oct. 8, when they embarked for Newbern, N.C., where
they arrived Oct. 11. Here the regiment was assigned to out-
 

 
488 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

post and picket duty in companies, —one party, two miles from
Newbern, with two pieces of artillery ; and others twenty miles
distant, and on the south side of Trent River. The regiment
was thus employed until Feb. 1, 1864.

The Twentieth Regiment fought nobly at Prairie Grove
Dec. 6, 1862, and lost heavily, and remained in camp at
that placé until Dec. 27, when they were ordered to make a
reconnoissance in force to Van Buren, on the Arkansas River.
They returned to camp on the 31st, having marched one hun-
dred and twenty miles in five days. Shortly after, they
marched into Missouri, where the balance of the winter was
spent, the regiment moving from place to place in the south-
western part of the State, and on the 31st of March, 1863,
going into camp at Lake Springs, near Rolla, where they
remained until June 3, when they marched to Rolla, and, tak-
ing cars, proceeded to St. Louis, where they embarked for
Young’s Point, crossed the peninsula to Warrenton, and took
position in the line of investment in the front of Vicksburg,
on the extreme left of the investing forces. Here they
remained until the capitulation of the city, engaged in picket-
duty, and labor on intrenchments.

On the 12th of July they embarked, under orders to re-
enforce Gen. Banks at Port Hudson. Before leaving, they
heard of the surrender of that place, and were sent to accom-
pany an expedition up the Yazoo River. Arriving within
three miles of Yazoo City on the 13th, skirmishers were dis-
embarked, and sent forward. After the exchange of a few
shots, our troops took possession of the place; and, while there,
the regiment acted as provost-guard.

The whole expedition returned to Vicksburg on the 21st,
and, after a delay of two days, proceeded down the river to
Port Hudson, where they went into camp on the 25th. About
the middle of August, they left Port Hudson, and proceeded
down the river, and went into camp at Carrollton, La., near
New Orleans. On the 5th of September, accompanying an
expedition up the Mississippi, they proceeded up the river to
Morganzia, La., and moved forwardon the Simmsport Road
as far as the Atchafalaya River, where the enemy was found
strongly intrenched, and then returned to Carrollton. Embark-
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 489

ing on the steamer, they left Carrollton, and proceeded to the
head of the passes, and waited for the rest of the fleet, which,
to the number of twenty-seven, stood out to sea on the 27th
of October. Encountered a severe storm on the 29th, and
arrived at Brazos Santiago on the 1st of November, and pro-
ceeded to the mouth of the Rio Grande. Not being able to
land, they returned to the former place, and went into camp at
Brownsville. Here they were employed in garrison, picket,
and fatigue duty at Fort Brown. Here the regiment remained
until it was evacuated by the Union forces, July 28, 1864.

The Twenty-first Regiment on the 5th of January, 1863, went
into camp near Murfreesborough, foraging, drilling, fortifying,
and skirmishing with the enemy. The regiment then moved
with the army upon the enemy, who were encamped near Tulla-
homa; and, on the 26th of June, the regiment was engaged in
driving the rebels from a strong position at Hoover’s Gap, and
afterwards followed the retreating enemy to the Tennessee
River. On the 1st of September they crossed the river, and
joined in the march to Dug Gap, where the enemy were found
ingreat force. On the 19th, the third brigade with the Twenty-
first Regiment was moved to a position near one of the gaps at
Mission Ridge, and near the fords of the Chickamauga. The
day following, the terrible battle at Chickamauga took place, in
which Lieut.-Col. Hobart of this regiment, and about seventy
officers and men, were captured. At this battle, the regiment
lost, killed or died of wounds, nine; wounded, thirty-four.
After the battle, the regiment, with what remained of the
brigade, retired to a line of defence near Mission Ridye,
and Sept. 22, it fell back to Chattanooga, where it remained
in the defence of that place. During the winter of 1863-64,
it held the outpost upon Lookout Mountain, and remained in
this position until May 2, 1864. Col. Hobart, having escaped
from Libby Prison, after four months’ close confinement, re-
turned to the regiment at this place.

The Twenty-second Regiment, on the 12th of December, 1862,
were at Danville, Ky., from which place they proceeded in vari-
ous directions, through the surrounding country, to meet and
foil the movements of the enemy. The order for the return of
such fugitives from labor as came into the camp was repugnant
490 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

to the feelings and principles of Col. Utley and his men. In
response to such an order, he utterly refused to be instrumen-
tal in returning a colored man to the man claiming to be his
master. At one time, the colonel was indicted by a Kentucky
court, and the sheriff was ordered to arrest him. The attempt
was not made, however; and the regiment was allowed to
depart from Kentucky without any disturbance.

They left Danville on the 26th of: January, 1863; arrived at
Louisville on the 80th; and reached Nashville Feb. 7; from
thence to Franklin; and on the 3d of March were ordered
to make a reconnoissance toward Spring Hill, where an engage-
ment took place at a place known as Thompson’s Station, in
which the regiment was badly defeated. Three hundred and
sixty-three men went out with this expedition, of which about
one hundred and fifty escaped, and the rest were killed,
wounded, or taken prisoners; Col. Utley and eleven commis-
sioned officers among them.

On the 8th of March, the remainder of the regiment (about

five hundred men), under Lieut.-Col. Bloodgood, was ordered
to Brentwood Station. On the 25th, while on the way to assist
a Union force two miles south, they were attacked by over-
powering numbers, and completely surrounded by the enemy,

under Gen. Forrest. Finding that resistance was useless,

Lieut.-Col. Bloodgood surrendered his whole commana.

The officers and men captured in these two engagements
were sent to Southern prisons. The enlisted men were soon
exchanged ; and the officers who had been sent to Libby Prison
were exchanged on the 5th of May. It has since been ascer-
tained that the rebels had a force of over twelve thousand at
Thompson’s Station, who surrounded and captured Coburn’s
forces.

After the release of the 22d, a rendezvous was established
at St. Louis, where the regiment was re-organized, and newly
equipped, and on the 12th of June returned to the field. Pro-
ceeding to Nashville, arriving there on the 15th, they were
sent to Franklin, from whence, on the 8d of July, they pro-
ceeded to Murfreesborough, and went into camp within the
fortifications. A detachment was sent in December to near
Tullahoma.- Here they remained in the performance of pro-
vost and guard duty until February, 1864.
CHAPTER XLVII.
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1863, continued — Military History of Wisconsin during the Year
1863 — Regimental Records — The Cavalry.

THE Twenty-third Regiment was at Milliken’s Bend, Jan. 1,
1863. On the 10th of the month, they disembarked within
three miles of Arkansas Post, on the Arkansas River. While
moving forward to obtain position, they were assailed by a
destructive enfilading fire from the enemy’s rifle-pits and
artillery, rendering necessary a change of front. This having
been effected, three companies were employed as skirmishers,
and captured several block-houses ; while the balance of the
regiment attacked and carried the rifle-pits. After an engage-
ment of about three- hours, the post, with its garrison, uncondi-
tionally surrendered. In this engagement, the Twenty-third
sustained a loss of six killed, and thirty-one wounded. Jan.
15, the regiment again embarked, and arrived at Young’s
Point, La., where they encamped. In this unhealthy location,
the regiments suffered severely from the effects of malaria and
exposure, and it was until the middle of February before the
regiment could muster two hundred and fifty men fit for duty.
From the middle of February to the 8th of March, they were
engaged in several minor excursions against the enemy at
Greenville, Miss., and at Cypress Bend, Ark., where they had
a severe fight, in which the Twenty-third succeeded in captur-
ing several prisoners and pieces of artillery. After a foraging
expedition to Princeton, Miss., they ascended the river to
Milliken’s Bend, where the health of the regiment greatly
improved. Following the Thirteenth Army Corps in its march

to the rear of Vicksburg, they proceeded to Hard Times
491
492 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Landing, below Grand Gulf. Crossing the river to Bruinsburg,
the division commenced the march towards Vicksburg, reaching
the battle-ground of Port Gibson May 1. In the action at
this place, the regiment, with the brigade, captured twenty
prisoners, and on the day following took the advance, and,
pushing forward, was the first of our army to enter the village
of Port Gibson. After several days’ skirmishing, the regiment
joined the movement on Raymond, and on the 16th took
part in the battle of Champion Hills. It took the advance,
and forced back the enemy’s skirmish-line to the main body,
a distance of two miles; and, in the battles of the 20th
and 22d, the regiment and brigade did excellent service. The
Twenty-second lost, in these engagements, seventeen killed,
and thirty-six wounded.

The regiment was subsequently occupied in siege-duty until
the final surrender of Vicksburg, July 4. Up to the 5th of
June, the regiment had been commanded by Col. Guppy, when
continued ill health compelled him to turn over his command
to Lieut.-Col. Vilas, who had the charge of the regiment
during the subsequent progress of the siege of Vicksburg, and
for nearly two months after the surrender. On the 10th of
July, the regiment took position before Jackson, Miss., and
were there until after the capture of that place. They returned
to Vicksburg July 21, and encamped until Aug. 24, when
the regiment proceeded down the river to New Orleans,
and from thence to Berwick City. On the 25th of August,
Col. Vilas resigned, and Major Hill was appointed lieutenant-
colonel. On the 7th of October, the regiment took part in
the expedition to South-western Louisiana, passing through
Centreville, New Iberia, and Vermilion, at which place they
remained until the 21st. Passing through Opelousas to Barr’s
Landing, they moved, Nov. 1, to Bayou Bordeaux, where, on
the 3d, the enemy made a fierce assault. In this engagement,
they lost seven kilied, and thirty-eight wounded, and eighty-
six taken prisoners. After the battle, the regiment, on the
8d of November, retired to Carrion Crow Bayou, and thence
proceeded to New Iberia, which it reached on the 8th, and the
regiment was assigned provost-duty; Col. Hill being placed in
command of the post of New Iberia. The regiment subse-
 

VILAS

B.

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494 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

quently went to Texas, and embarked at Algiers for Matagorda,
arriving on the 29th off De Crow’s Point, where they landed,
and went into camp Jan. 1, 1864.

The Twenty-fourth Regiment was at Murfreesborough on the
80th of December, 1862; and on the 31st took part in the
battle of Stone River, and fought bravely. The casualties of
the regiment, as reported, were thirty-one killed, and forty-six
wounded. Lieut.-Col. Buttrick having resigned, Major Hib-
bard was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Several changes
took place at the re-organization of the army for the summer
campaign. On the 24th of June, the regiment removed from
Murfreesborough, reaching Tullahoma on July 1, and encamped
at Cowan, Tenn., on the 3d, where they remained until the
forward movement began against the enemy at Chattanooga,
on Sept. 2, when they crossed the Tennessee River at Bridge-
port, marched across the mountains to Trenton, thence to
Will’s Valley to Alpine. Learning that Gen. Bragg was at
Lafayette, Gen. Rosecrans ordered the concentration of all the
forces near Gordon’s Mills, and along Chickamauga Creek. On
the morning of Sept. 19, the Twenty-fourth marched under
the command of Lieut.-Col. West. On the 20th, the brigade
fought the enemy for nearly half an hour; and Lieut.-Col. West
was taken prisoner, and carried to Libby Prison, whence he
made his escape in company with Col. Hobart. The list of
those killed and wounded is taken from the records; viz.,
killed, or died from wounds, eighteen; wounded, sixty-one;
and thirty-six missing, mostly taken prisoners. After the
battle, they removed to Rossville, and subsequently returned to
Chattanooga, remaining in camp, and employed in guard and
fatigue duty, until the campaign of Gen. Grant against Mission
Ridge. The Twenty-fourth left camp at Chattanooga Nov.
238, and took position in line of battle, and on the 25th were
advanced to the assault. They carried the rifle-pits, resuming
the ascent of the hill; and, after a severe engagement, the
rebel position was captured. In this engagement, the regiment
lost, in killed five, and wounded thirty.

After the battle, the army was re-organized by Gen. Grant;
and the Twenty-fourth was attached to Gen. Sheridan’s
division, and was ordered to take part in the expedition of
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 495

Gen. Sherman for the relief of Gen. Burnside at Knoxville.
Starting on Nov. 28, the army arrived near Knoxville on the
Tth of December, after a march of one hundred and thirty
miles, raising the siege of that place, which had been closely
invested by Longstreet. During the winter, they were
stationed at points in proximity to Knoxville, and subsequently
at Loudon, where they were engaged in provost-guard-duty
until the spring campaign, under Gen. Sherman.

The Twenty-fifth Regiment left Camp Randall Feb. 17,
1863, under orders to report at Cairo, Ill. They arrived on
the 19th, and next day proteeded to Columbus, Ky. Here
they were attached to the Sixteenth Army Corps; and the
regiment proceeded to Cape Girardeau. Returning to Colum-
bus on the 25th, they resumed their former post and picket
duty, until the 31st of May, when they left on transports down
the river to Memphis, from whence they were ordered to
Young’s Point, where they arrived June 4. From thence
they proceeded up the Yazoo River, to Satartia, where they
landed and encamped. Leaving this last place June 16, the
brigade marched down the Yazoo Valley to Haine’s Bluff, and
from thence four miles to Snyder’s Bluff, where they arrived on
the 11th. This position formed the extreme right of the line
of investment around Vicksburg. Here they remained engaged
in picket-duty, when the regiment, under Lieut.-Col. Nasmith,
took part in an expedition up the Mississippi for the purpose
of driving off guerillas who were stationed at several points,
and firing into the passing boats. They returned unsuccessful,
as the rebels fled on their approach. They remained on the
Yazoo River until July 25. They were placed in a sickly lo-
cality ; and the regiment suffered severely; over five hundred
men being sick, and very few fit for duty. From thence they
moved up the river to Helena, and the regiment was placed on
duty as provost-guard. Owing to the hardships of the rapid
march from Satatia to Snyder’s Bluff, the excessive heat, and.
the unhealthy position they were placed in, the regiment
suffered to a frightful extent. On the 16th of August, only
ninety men were reported fit for duty.

The regiment remained at Helena, engaged in provost-guard-
duty, until February, 1864.
496 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The Twenty-sixth Regiment spent December, 1862, at Staf-
ford Court House. In January, 1863, they joined the expedi-
tion known as the “Mud Campaign,” but soon returned to
Stafford. On the 27th of April, the regiment and the rest of
the Eleventh Corps broke camp, crossed the Rappahannock at
Kelley’s Ford, and on the 29th crossed the Rapidan at Ger-
mania Ford, and by hard marching reached Locust Grove, near
Chancellorsville, April 80. In the battle that took place, the
Twenty-sixth participated, but were obliged to retreat. The loss
by killed and wounded was large. Fifty-three were reported
killed, and ninety-six wounded. “After the battle, the Eleventh
Corps returned to Stafford Court House, where they remained
until the 12th of June, when they received orders to march,
as information was received that the enemy was marching into
the loyal States. The regiment proceeded to Centreville,
thence to Edward’s Ferry, and reached Emmettsburg, Md.,
June 29, where the Eleventh Corps encamped. On the Ist of
July, they marched towards Gettysburg, in which battle the
Twenty-s:xth took an active part. At this battle, the Twenty-
sixth had fifty-three killed, and a hundred and fifteen wounded.
Afterwards set out on its return to Virginia, and marched to
Boonsborough, to Funkstown, to Williamsport, thence to Berlin,
crossing the Potomac, on the 19th took the line of march to
Warrenton Junction, where they arrived July 25. The regi-
ment was much reduced by the casualties of battle and the
hardships of the campaign, and was temporarily organized into
five companies. They remained here until Sept. 17, engaged
in picket and patrol duty, when they removed to Rappahannock
Station, where the regiment assumed its rightful organization,
and remained until the 24th, when the Eleventh Corps marched
to Manassas Junction. Having been transferred to the Army
of the Tennessee, they proceeded to Columbus, and thence to
Bridgeport, Ala., arriving Oct. 2. On the 23d, 24th, and
25th, the regiment was engaged in the brilliant action at
Mission Ridge, and on the 26th joined in the pursuit of the
enemy until the 28th, returning to Parker’s Gap. After a
number of marches and countermarches, the regiment marched
back again to its old camp in Lookout Valley, where it re-
mained until Jan. 25, 1864.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 497

The Twenty-seventh Regiment was mustered into the ser-
vice on the 7th of April, 1863. It left the State March 16, un-
der orders to proceed to Columbus, Ky. Here it remained,
engaged in garrison-duty, until the 30th of May, when it moved
with other forces to Memphis, from whence the regiment was
ordered to Vicksburg. On the 4th of June, they proceeded up
the Yazoo River to Satartia, where an action took place between
the rebel artillery and the gunboats. They marched down
the river thirty miles, to Haine’s Bluff, where they arrived
next day. Subsequently they moved to Snyder’s Bluff, and
engaged in picket-duty, and work on the fortifications, until
after the capitulation of Vicksburg, when they moved to
Helena, Ark. Thence they proceeded up White River to
Duval’s Bluff, and marched to Little Rock, and assisted in
the capture of that place. On the 23d of March, 1864, they
accompanied the march of Gen. Steele to co-operate with Gen.
Banks in the celebrated Red River Expedition. ‘é

The Twenty-eighth Regiment left the State for Columbus,
Ky., on the 20th of December, 1862, and were sent forward by
railroad to Union City; but, meeting no enemy, they returned
to Columbus until Jan. 5, when they embarked for Helena,
Ark., and on the 11th were assigned to the second brigade.
Arriving at Saint Charles, the Twenty-eighth, with a squad
of cavalry and artillery, were landed to hold the place. Subse-
quently they went with an expedition fitted out at Helena on
Feb. 24, known as Yazoo Pass Expedition, after which the regi-
ment returned to Helena. They suffered much from the dis-
eases engendered in the malarious district of Tallahatchie. In
July an expedition was made towards Cotton Plant, Ark. At
Helena, they completed a line of fortifications around the place ;
and on the 4th of July a force of about fifteen thousand
strong of the enemy made its appearance under Gen. Holmes.
After a continuous fight of five hours, the enemy fell back, and
gave up the contest, leaving his dead, — over four hundred, —
besides over eight hundred prisoners, in our hands. Gen.
Salomon and the brave men of his brigade are entitled to the
credit of the repulse of the enemy at Helena. With a force
of about thirty-five hundred men, he succeeded in holding
at bay and driving off a force of at least fifteen thousand.
498 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Being protected behind their works, the casualties were
light, —killed two, and wounded four. The regiment left
Helena on the 11th, accompanying Gen. Steele in his expe-
dition against Little Rock, which place they reached Sept.
10, where they remained until Oct. 26, when they joined
in Marmaduke’s forces towards Saline River, proceeding! to
Rockport on the Washita, where further pursuit was aban-
doned ; and the regiment returned to Little Rock on the Ist of
November. From this place they were ordered to Pine Bluff,’
sixty miles from Little Rock, on the Arkansas River: here, on
the 10th of November, they went into winter-quarters, and'were
engaged in picket and garrison duty until the 27th of March
1864.

-The Twenty-ninth Regiment was at Friar’s Point in
December, 1862, in charge of Col. Gill, who endeavored: to
put a stop to the cotton traffic then carried on in that neigh-
borhood,with the rebels.. In doing so, he incurred the ill-will .
of Gen. Gorman, who placed him under arrest. In January,’
1863, his sword was returned; and Gen. Gorman was. soon
after superseded. The regiment was aiterward engaged in an
expedition up White River, and was part of the force employed
in opening a pass to the Yazoo River, and similar duties, until
March 1, afterwards proceeding to Grand Gulf and to Port
Gibson, in which they took an active part in the engagement
at that place. The casualties were twenty-one killed, and
fifty wounded. Shortly afterwards, the battle of Champion
Hills was fought; and the regiment was highly complimented
for its bravery in that battle. The regiment lost thirty-
two killed and seventy-nine wounded in this last battle. The
Twenty-ninth was engaged till the 19th of May in burying
the dead, collecting arms, and constructing bowers for the
wounded, when they marched to Vicksburg, and took 4 posi-
tion in the trenches. After the capture of that place, the
brigade participated in the taking of Jackson. The regiment
‘was actively engaged in the fall of this year, marching. and
countermarching on various expeditions along the river to
Natchez, thence to Carrollton and Algiers, to Brashier City, to
New Iberia and Vermilionville, to Opelousas, to Barrs’s Land-
ing, to Carrion Crow Bayou, Vermilion Bayou, and, Spanish
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500 HISTORY OF WISCONS

Lake. The regiment returned to New Iberia on the 17th of
November. From that place, they moved to Berwick City
Dec. 21, and by rail to Algiers, where the regiment was assigned
* a place in the Texas expedition under Gen. C. C. Washburn.

The Thirtieth Regiment, during 1862, was retained in the
State of Wisconsin, in the performance of duties pertaining to
the enforcement of the draft. In the month of May, four
companies were sent to St. Louis as guards for transports in
the Indian expedition, under Gen. Sully, in which they were
engaged until April 10. Two regiments were sent to the Lake
Superior country, where they remained until Aug. 21; and,
on their return, were sent to protect the enrolling officers in
Washington and Dodge Counties. In July, they were sent to
Lafayette County for the same purpose; and one company
was sent to New Lisbon, Juneau County, to protect the citizens
against threatened Indian attacks. In August, a detachment
was sent to Brown County to protect the enrolling office. In
this and similar duties, the regiment was engaged until March,
1864.

The Thirty-third Regiment, on the 18th of April, 1863,
formed a part of a fozce of infantry, cavalry, and artillery,
under the command of Col. E. E. Bryant of the Twelfth Wis-
consin, who marched to Coldwater, with a force under Gen.
Smith, from LaGrange. Reaching Hernando after a journey of
almost continuous skirmishing, the rebels were encountered ;
and, after a sharp fight, the enemy retired, losing fifteen killed,
and seventy-five prisoners. Pursuing the enemy to Coldwater
River, the Thirty-third, opening a brisk and destructive fire,
drove them in confusion across the stream. On the 17th of
May, they embarked, and proceeded down the river to join the
army at Vicksburg.- The guerillas having fired into the
transports, the Thirty-third and two other regiments were
landed, and pursued the rebels for five miles, but did not over-
take them. Thence to Snyder’s Bluff, where they remained
till May 25, when they marched to the rear of Vicksburg, and
took position. This place they kept until the surrender of the
city. The regiment did much service in the operations con-
nected with the siege, and took part in the second attack on
Jackson. After a number of skirmishes, they moved down the
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 501

river to Natchez, on the 18th of August. Subsequently return-
ing, they encamped at Milldale, engaged in the usual routine
of camp, guard, and drill duty, and were thus engaged until
Jan. 31, 1864.

The Thirty-fourth Regiment was mustered into service by
companies for nine months. They left the State Jan. 31,
1863, Col. Fritz Anneke being in command. The regiment
arrived at Columbus, Ky., in February, where they remained
until the latter part of August. Their term of office having
expired, they returned to Camp Washburn, Milwaukee, and
were mustered out on Sept. 8. The Thirty-fifth Regiment
was mustered into service Nov. 27, 1863, and the muster
completed Feb. 27, 1864. The Thirty-sixth Regiment and
other regiments were not organized until 1864.

The First Cavalry Regiment in the beginning of 1863 was
stationed at West Plain, Pilot Knob, St. Genevieve, and Cape
Girardeau. The latter part of May, it arrived at Nashville,
Tenn., and on the 14th was assigned position in the cavalry
corps of the Army of the Cumberland. During the summer,
it was stationed at various places in Tennessee, taking part
in the general movement of the army during the battle
of Chickamauga. They subsequently marched to Larkins-
ville, Ala. They were engaged actively in skirmishing with
the enemy, at Anderson’s Gap capturing eleven prisoners ;
and, during the same day, thirty-seven of the enemy were
killed and wounded, and forty-two made prisoners. As the
movements of cavalry regiments were so active, it is impossible
to give fuller particulars concerning them. On the 14th of
January, 1864, they marched to and encamped near Dandridge,
and were engaged next day with the enemy, losing one man
wounded.

The Second Cavalry Regiment in February, 1863, was at
Memphis, Tenn., and remained there until the month of May,
Lieut.-Col. Thomas Stephens in command. In April, a detach-
ment took part in the action at Cold Water, and did very
active service. On the 10th of June, Major-Gen. Washburn was
placed in command of all the cavalry forces at Memphis, and
received orders to report to Gen. Grant at Vicksburg. On the
13th of June, the regiment was at Snyder’s Bluff, engaged in
502 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

scouting, up to July 4. On that day, they moved to the forks
of Deer Creek and Big Black River. On their way, they
received information of the surrender of Vicksburg. They
took part in Gen. Sherman’s expedition to Jackson, and on
their return encamped (June 29), within a short distance of
Redbone Church. The Third Cavalry was, in the latter part
of 1862, at Fort Blunt, and on the 16th of July, 1863, marched
southward, under command of Gen. Blunt. The next day, they
were engaged in the battle of Honey Spring, in which the
rebels were utterly routed, with the loss of many prisoners,
On the 16th of August, they routed a superior force of the
enemy; and, the day ensuing, attacked a large body of rebel
Choctaw Indians, capturing their stores, and putting the whole
force to flight.

The Thirty-first Regiment was fully organized at Prairie du
‘Chien, and left the State for service in the field on the Ist of
March, 1863, under orders to report at Columbus, Ky. Pro-
ceeding by way of Cairo, Il., they arrived at Columbus on the
8d, and went into camp at Fort Halleck. Here the regiment
was stationed, and was engaged in the performance of garrison-
‘duty, until Sept. 24, when it left Columbus, with orders to
report at Louisville, Ky., which place it reached on the 27th.
‘On the 5th of October, it marched to La Vergne, Tenn., and
‘guarded the road until the 25th, when it marched to Murfrees-
borough. Three companies were detached, and stationed at a
point where the railroad passed Stone River. Here they threw
up fortifications, and guarded this important bridge during the
winter.

The Thirty-second Regiment, on the 7th of January, 1863,
was at Jackson, and on the 2d of February returned to
Memphis, where it remained until the third day of November,
engaged in provost-duty. The regiment went on an expedi-
tion to Germantown on the 3d of November. On the 26th, it
again left Memphis, and proceeded to Moscow, Tenn., when
Col. J. H. Howe was placed in command at the post. The
regiment remained, engaged in duty in Tennessee and North-
ern Mississippi, looking after Gen. Forrest, until Jan. 27, 1864.

In October, Company I was attacked by five hundred 1ebels
near Baxter’s Springs, led by the infamous Quantrell, and
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 503

disguised in Federal uniforms. After a brave but ineffectual
resistance, the escort of sixty-five gave way, while Company I
held its ground, and the fiendish pursuers slew them without
mercy. A number were killed after their surrender, and the
bodies burned. Among the number killed, was A. W. Farr,
quartermaster of the regiment.

The Fourth Cavalry was in charge of Lieut.-Col. Bailey on
the Ist of August, 1863, having been changed from an infantry
toa cavalry regiment. After the organization, it was actively
engaged in scouting, picketing, and foraging in the vicinity of
Baton Rouge, but took no part in pitched battles. On Col.
Boardman’s arrival, he made a reconnoissance of the country ;
and Lieut. Earll, with a small party, captured seventeen of the
enemy. During the fall and winter of 1863-64, their operations
were chiefly in the country lying between the Comite, Amite,
and Mississippi River.

The thirteen batteries of artillery, and four of heavy artillery,
performed excellent and valuable services during the year..
The limits of this volume must be our apology for not’
noticing many of the prominent engagements or actions im
which they participated. Full justice has been done to these
artillery and infantry companies in the two Military His-
tories of Wisconsin, to which the reader is referred for further.
details. :
CHAPTER XLVIII.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. LEWIS.

Events of 1864-— Legislation — War Measures — Military Operations within the
State.

Tue term of the newly-elected State officers commenced on
Monday, Jan. 4, 1864; at which time Gov. Salomon resigned
the duties of his position to his successor, Hon. James T. Lewis
of Columbia County. At the hour ‘of twelve, M., on that

, day, the oath of office was administered in the Assembly Hall

to such State officers as were in the city, by Hon. Luther 8.
Dixon, chief justice of the Supreme Court. A considerable
number of ladies and gentlemen were present to witness the
ceremony. Immediately after taking the oath of office, Gov.
Lewis delivered a brief and patriotic inaugural address. At
its close, a salute of fifteen guns was fired in the park by the
gunner.

In consequence of the blockade of the railroads by snow-
drifts, Lieut.-Goyv. Spooner, Attorney-Gen. Smith, Bank Comp-
troller Ramsay, and State-prison Commissioner Cordier, were
not present. Gov. Salomon was also absent, having gone to
Milwaukee prior to the 1st of January, and was not able to
return on account of the snow-drifts.

In his inaugural address, Gov. Lewis pledged himself to use
no patronage for a re-election, to administer the government
without prejudice or partiality, to observe economy, to promote
agriculture and the arts, to inculcate morality, to foster educa-
tion and benevolence, and emphatically to employ all his
executive power to suppress the Rebellion, and terminate the
war.

Having previously served as lieutenant-governor and _secre-
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tary of State, he was well acquainted with the duties of his
new office, and entered upon it with ease and vigor.

The seventeenth session of the State legislature convened
Jan. 18, 1864, and adjourned April 4, 1864, holding a session
of eighty-three days.

The senate, after the usual preliminaries of presenting cre-
dentials, and taking the oath of office, by the new members,
was organized by Hon. Wyman Spooner, lieutenant-governor,
taking his seat as president, and the election of Frank M.
Stewart as chief clerk, and Nelson Williams as sergeant-at-
arms; and, in the assembly, W. W. Field was elected speaker,
John S. Dean chief clerk, and A. M. Thomson sergeant-at-
arms. P

The governor, in his first annual message, gives condensed
statements of the different funds of the State, and a synopsis
of the reports of the State officers and State institutions, from
which a few extracts are taken. The receipts into the general
fund during the previous fiscal year was $850,376.12. The
balance remaining in the fund at the close of this fiscal year,
after paying all demands against it, was $205,958.61. The
receipts of the school-fund were $292,423.51. The whole
amount of State indebtedness on the 1st of January, 1864, was
$1,775,000. The debt was created pursuant to provisions of
law by the issue of State bonds and certificates of indebted-
ness.

The amount paid to families of volunteers from the com-
mencement of the war to Jan. 1, 1864, was $1,197,044.70;
amount paid on United States tax, $441,735.87; amount paid
on Capitol enlargement, $100,000; amount advanced by the
State for boarding and equipping soldiers, caring for the sick,
and other war expenses not enumerated, $200,000.

The whole number of persons in the State between the ages
of four and twenty years was 320,965. Number of school-
districts, 4,768; value of schoolhouses, $1,326,753; whole
amount raised for teachers’ wages, $334,446.85; total’ tax for
school-purposes, $679,000,000. Number of banks doing busi-
ness Oct. 1, 1862, 65 ; aggregate capital, $3,298,000; number of
banks Oct. 1. 1863, 68 ; aggregate capital, $3,488,000; receipts
into the State treasury on account of all funds during the year,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 507

$2,658,095.08; and disbursements, $2,602,386.25. Number of
patients in the Insane Hospital, 188 ; admitted during the year,
123; appropriations for the institution, $38,790.90. Pupils in
Deaf and Dumb Institution, 78; expenditures for the institu-
tion, 1863, $12,683.81. Pupils in Blind Institution in 1863,
54; expenditures for the institution, $13,848.18. Convicts in
State-prison, 116; expenses of prison, $35,920.54, with an
indebtedness of $9,255.48.

The governor recommended the continuance of a generous
policy by the State for her citizens in the army and their
families at home. He recommended the completion of the
south wing of the Capitol (the cost not to exceed thirty thou-
sand dollars), the immediate selection of the Agricultural
College Lands donated to the State by the General Government,
the encouragement of the mining and agricultural interests of
the State, and suggested the propriety of further legislation
for the maintenance of the purity of the ballot-box.

Of this session of the legislature, one writer says, —

‘Tt was one of the most intelligent and harmonious public bodies that
ever convened in the State. There was less political discussion, and fewer
exhibitions of party feeling, than we have witnessed in any previous legis-
lature. The measure which excited most public interest was the pro rata
bill. It failed to pass. Its death, however, was not solely attributable to
railroad opposition. As the subject was discussed, quite a powerful hos-
tility was developed from sections of the State interested in unfinished or
projected railroads, and from the districts of the State lying upon portions
of completed railways distant from the markets. These found, that, under
a pro rata bill, their freights were likely to be increased : the others feared
the bill would retard and discourage the building of roads. The agitation
of the subject, however, will not be without beneficial results. Its effect
will be to restrain the railroads from adopting exorbitant tariffs, and will
exert a wholesome influence, and may render legislation uunecessary.’’

Among the acts of a general nature passed at this session,
except those relative to the war of the rebellion, which will be
referred to hereafter, were, an act to provide for continuing the
work on the State Capitol, by which the State Board of Build-
ing Commissioners were authorized to contract for the comple-
tion of the south wing of the Capitol (except the finishing ‘of
the basement), and for the completion of the centre part and
rotunda, up to the top of the roof of the east and west wings,
508 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

to be completed before the thirty-first day of December, 1864
(the sum of sixty thousand dollars was appropriated for the
same); an act granting pre-emption rights to occupants of
swamp and overflowed lands, to establish lumber districts, and
to regulate the traffic in logs, timber, and lumber, in said
districts; an act to guard against the abuse of the elective
franchise, and to preserve the purity of electors by a registra-
tion of electors; and an act to provide for levying a State tax
for the year 1864, of two hundred and thirty-five thousand
dollars.

The following acts passed were relative to military matters:
three acts to authorize towns, cities, and villages to raise money
by tax for the payment of bounties to volunteers, and to pro-
vide for levying and collecting the same; an act revising,
amending, and consolidating all laws relative to extra pay to
Wisconsin soldiers in the service of the United States; provid-
ing for the relief of families; providing for the proper recep-
tion, by the State of Wisconsin, of volunteers returning from
the field, or service of the United States (under this law,
veteran regiments returning home on furlough, or regiments
returning on expiration of term of service, were received and
entertained by the State authorities) ; an act repealing the law
relative to allotment commissioners ; to authorize the governor
to purchase flags for regiments or batteries whose flags were lost
or destroyed in service; an act amending the law suspending
the sale of lands mortgaged to the State, or held by volunteers,
so as to apply to drafted men; providing for levying a State
tax of two hundred thousand dollars for the support of families
of the volunteers ; authorizing the governor to take care of the
sick and wounded soldiers, and appropriating ten thousand
dollars for that purpose ; two acts authorizing the borrowing
of money for repelling invasion, suppressing insurrection, and
defending the State in time of war,— one for three hundred
and fifty thousand dollars, and the other for three hundred
thousand dollars ; an act prohibiting the taking of fees for pro-
curing volunteers extra bounty ; an act defining the residence
of ‘certain soldiers from this State in the service of the United
States, who had received local bounties from towns other than
their proper place of residence. To summarize: forty-three
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 509

iaws were amendatory to general laws; twenty-one amending
private and local laws; eighteen amending the Revised Stat-
utes ; eighty-five authorizing towns to pay bounties to soldiers ;
ten charters for bridge; thirty relative to courts ; twenty-two
conferring certain powers and duties on the governor ; sixty-
three legalizing bounty-tax proceedings ; thirty-three conferring
powers and duties on the secretary of state ; thirty, same on state
treasurer ; and a large number of appropriations and other bills.
On the 18th of February, 1864, Gov. Lewis sent to the legis-
lature a message, and a document from W. Y. Selleck, military
agent of Wisconsin, at Washington, D.C., in reference to the
establishment of a soldiers’ national cemetery at Gettysburg,
stating that the governors of the various States which had lost
at that battle took a deep interest in the undertaking. A
meeting of the governors was subsequently had, and a plan of
association formed. The legislature of Wisconsin, in aid of
this organization, appropriated the sum of $8,523. On the Ist
of February, Pres. Lincoln issued a call for five hundred
thousand volunteers, which was to be considered as including
the three hundred thousand called for on the 17th of October,
1863. At the beginning of the year, the system of extra
bounties by towns gave great impetus to recruiting for old and
new organizations; so that no draft under the calls of Feb. 1
and March 14 was necessary. The history of the organization
of new regiments will be noticed hereafter.

On the 21st of April, a proposition was made to the Presi-
dent by the executives of the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
Iowa, and Wisconsin, tendering for extra service eighty-five
thousand troops for the term of one hundred days; the organ-
izations to be governed by the regulations of the war depart-
ment. This proposition was accepted; and Gov. Lewis pro-
ceeded at once to issue orders to carry out the arrangement.
The Thirty-ninth, Fortieth, and Forty-first Regiments were
organized, and left the State in the middle of June for Mem-
phis, Tenn. On the 18th of July, Pres. Lincoln called for
five hundred thousand volunteers for one, two, and three years’
service. The quota of Wisconsin was given as 19,032. There
being a difference of opinion as to the number of troops re-
quired from this State, Adj.-Gen. Gaylord proceeded to Wash-
510. HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

ington to consult with the authorities on the subject. He
succeeded in bringing the quota to 15,341, being less 3,691
than the quota first required. On the 14th of September, the
governor was authorized to organize eight companies to com-
plete the First Regiment of Heavy Artillery. The companies
were soon full, and were en route for the field before Nov. 12. °
The quota of the State not being filled by volunteering, a draft
took place on the 19th of September, which resulted as follows:
total number subject to draft, 94,068; number drafted, 17,534;
mustered in, 2,494; substitutes after draft, 945; discharged
after draft, 6,724; failed to report, 7,367; paid commutation, 4;
amount of commutation, $1,200.
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CHAPTER XLIX,

WISCONSIN'S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1864— Regimental History —Sketches of the First, Second, Third,
Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Regi-
ments — Their Operations in 1864.

Tue following is an historical record of the marches, skirm-
ishes, battles, and various actions of the regiments during the
year 1864. The record is, in many, instances based upon infor-
mation compiled from the reports of the adjutant-general and
the military histories of the State.

The First Regiment. On the 13th of January, 1864, Gen.
Starkweather was ordered to Washington on court-martial
duty; and all his connection with the First Wisconsin ceased.
The regiment accompanied the Fourteenth Corps, in February
1864, in the feint on Dalton, to favor Gen. Sherman’s Meridian
expedition, and subsequently encamped at Graysville, Ga., until
the 2d of May.

In the re-organization of the army in 1864, the First Regi-
ment, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Bingham, retained its
position in the third brigade, first division, Brig.-Gen. R. W-
Johnson, Fourteenth Army Corps, and moved to Ringgold, Ga.,
where the Fourteenth Corps was concentrating preparatory to
the commencement of the celebrated Atlanta campaign.

On the 7th of May, the march commenced; and the division
occupied a position in the vicinity of Dalton, exposed to the
occasional fire of the enemy, until the 12th, when the Four-
teenth Corps marched to Resaca by Snake Creek Gap, and took
position in the intrenchments before that place. On the 14th,
the brigade advanced to charge the enemy’s works in two

lines, but, being unsupported, were unable to carry the position.
512
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. — 513

The First, being in the second’ line, suffered a loss only of
five wounded. The enemy evacuated Resaca on the night of
the 15th, and were soon followed by the Union forces. The
First, with the brigade, followed in the pursuit, and confronted
the enemy at Pumpkin-vine Creek, near Dallas, on the 27th,
and on the next day advanced, driving in the rebel skirmishers.
On the 380th, an attack was made by a part of Hood’s corps on
their position, which was repulsed after a severe engagement ;
the First losing four killed, and twenty-eight wounded.

From the 1st of June till the 17th, the regiment with the
brigade occupied several positions near Ackworth, for the most
of the time in line of battle. On the 17th, they took part in a
severe skirmish of the picket-lines near Big Shanty ; and next
day drove the enemy’s skirmishers to the main line, taking
many prisoners. The enemy retreated; and the army moved
forward in front of their new position, near Kenesaw Moun-
tain. Here they remained until the 8d of July, under the
most terrific fire of artillery and sharpshooters, changing posi-
tions frequently, but were not engaged in any of the charging
columns which have rendered this position famous for bloody
warfare.

The Fourteenth Corps (including the First Regiment) moved
in pursuit of the enemy towards the Chattahoochee on the 5th
of July, and was ordered to push the enemy across the river,
which was accomplished without loss; and advancing, drove
the enemy to Peach-tree Creek, at which place an attack
occurred on our lines on the 20th. In the investment of
Atlanta, the regiment was employed in fatigue and skirmish
duty until Aug. 28, when they left their trenches, and took part
in the movement to the west and south of Atlanta. In this
grand movement, the First Wisconsin took part in the destruc-
tion of the railroad, and, on the 30th of August, moved on
towards Jonesborough, which place they reached on the Ist of
September. Here a battle was fought by the First Regiment,
led by Major Green. They went rapidly forward under a severe
fire, and drove the enemy from the front, and held the position
until dark; the enemy retiring to Lovejoy’s Station. This regi-
ment remained in line of battle until the 6th, and returned to
Atlanta on the 8th of September. The casualties of the regi-
514 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

ment in the month of August were two-killed and twenty-eight
wounded. On the 1st of September, 1864, the regiment was
assigned to the fourth division; and on the 21st it left Atlanta,
moved to Bridgeport, and thence to Nashville, where it went
into camp. The term of service of the regiment having ex-
pired, they left Nashville on the 6th of October, and arrived on
the 8th at Milwaukee, where they met with an enthusiastic
reception on the part of the citizens.

The Second Regiment, including the Sixth and Seventh Regi-
ments, known as the “Iron Brigade,” were all returned from
furlough on the 1st of March, 1864, and, in the re-organization,
were asssigned as the first brigade of the Fifth Army Corps. :
Col. L. Fairchild suffered the amputation of his left arm; and
he therefore resigned on the 20th of October, 1863. There not
being a sufficient number of men in the Second Regiment,
Lieut.-Col. Mansfield was not mustered as colonel, although
appointed. The brigade broke camp at Culpeper Court House,
on the 3d of May, 1864, and commenced the Wilderness cam-
paign. On the 5th, the division moved forward in front of the
old Wilderness Tavern, and soon encountered the enemy in
position. In this battle, the Second took an active part; and
all the Wisconsin regiments suffered severely in this day’s fight.
The battle was resumed on the 6th in which the division parti-
cipated in the grand charge, forcing the enemy back until he
was re-enforced with artillery, which compelled the attacking’
force to fall back in turn. In the last assault, Gen. Wads-
worth, the division commander, was killed; and Gen. Cutler
took command, On the 7th, a change of position was effected
in the direction of Spottsylvania Court House; the brigade
reaching Laurel Hill about eight o’clock on the morning of
the 8th, having marched fifteen miles. In the engagements
that took place between the 8th and 11th, the brigade took
an active part, and lost many of their number. On the 11th,
the Second Regiment had become reduced below the number
of a hundred men present for duty ; and, its field-officers being
in the hands of the enemy, it was detached from the brigade,
and detailed as provost-guard of the fourth division Fifth Army
Corps, in consequence of which its connection with the “Iron
Brigade”’ was thereby severed. The remainder of the brigade
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 515

was engaged in the subsequent action, when the whole corps
joined in the movement to the left, crossed the River Po twice
on the march; and on the 14th they went into position behind
works, a mile and a half from Spottsylvania Court House.
Subsequently, they marched south-easterly, and followed the
retreating enemy as far as Wolf’s Church; crossed the North
Anna River, at Jericho Ford, where: another action was had;
and the brigade succeeded in driving the enemy back half a
mile. After some skirmishing, they marched to Magnolia
Church. On the 28th they crossed Pamunkey River, near
Newcastle, and on the 1st of June took position near Bethesda
Church. Here the division remained, when it moved to Cold
Harbor and to Chickahominy. The casualties from May 5 to
June 10 are reported: Second Regiment, killed, ten ; wounded,
seventy-three; Sixth Regiment, killed, forty-four; wounded,
one hundred and ten; Seventh Regiment, killed, ninety-two ;
. wounded, one hundred and eighty-four.

On the 10th of June, the Second Regiment, having served
the time of their enlistment, embarked for Washington, D.C.,
and thence to Madison, where they arrived June 18, and the last
company was mustered out July 2. Thus this pioneer three-
years’ regiment closed its honorable and brilliant service, and,
with the gallant Sixth and Seventh veteran Regiments, estab-
lished a reputation equal to the best troops in the world.

Continuing our narrative of the Iron Brigade, we find, that,
on the 12th of June, they crossed the Chickahominy, and
marched to James River, and proceeded to Petersburg, where
they erected breastworks on the 17th of June. In the engage-
ments at this place, the Sixth and Seventh suffered terribly.
The Seventh lost twenty-one killed and thirty-seven wounded.
The Sixth lost seventeen killed and thirty-one wounded.
From this time to July 30, the division and brigade were
constantly engaged in the duties of the siege, and took part
in the operations connected with the explosion of the mine.
On the 18th of August, they left Petersburg, and marched to
Yellow House, near Reams Station, on the Weldon Railroad ;
and, at the action at the last-named place, the Seventh captured
twenty-seven prisoners without sustaining any loss. Until
Oct. 27, the brigade was engaged in siege-duties, when they
516 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

were transferred to Crawford’s third division, and took a part
in the engagement at Hatcher’s Run. Subsequently they
returned to their position in the trenches at Petersburg, where
they remained until Feb. 6, 1865.

The Third Regiment was encamped at Fayetteville on the
18th of February, 1864. During the winter, they were joined
by recruits, increasing their number to five hundred and
seventy-five. On the re-organization of the Army of the Cum-
berland, in April, the Third was placed in the second bri-
gade of the first division. The regiment joined its brigade
in Georgia, May 12, and, on the 18th, took position in
front of the enemy at Resaca. On the 15th, they took
part in the battle, and took forty prisoners. The casual-
ties were ten killed and nineteen wounded. After a long
march, on the 25th, the brigade formed in a line of battle
at the crossing of the Marietta, Dallas, and Acworth Roads.
Here a severe struggle. ensued; and the Third fought nobly,
though half. the regiment were new recruits. At this battle,
the casualties were, eighteen killed and ninety-two wound-
ed: among the latter was Col. William: Hawley. The Third
remained in position near the battle-field until June 3, when
they moved forward, and on the 11th were at Pine Knob,
where the enemy was strongly intrenched. But they left
during the night, and abandoned Kenesaw Mountain; and
the division followed his retreat to the Chattahoochee River.
Advancing, the regiment, on the 22d, took position opposite
Atlanta, where they remained until Aug. 25. That city was
evacuated on the 1st of September; and our forces marched
through the city, and encamped near the Augusta Railroad on
the 2d. Here the regiment remained until Nov. 15, when it
accompanied the Twentieth Corps on the march, under Gen.
Sherman, towards Savannah. Arriving at Milledgeville, Col.
Hawley was ordered to occupy it with his regiment and the
One hundred and Seventh New York, which he did until the
80th. On the 12th of December, the regiment succeeded in
capturing the rebel-armed tender ‘‘ Resolute,” with its entire
crew. At Argyle Island in the Savannah River, a large quantity
of stores were captured. Subsequently five companies crossed
to the South Carolina shore, driving the enemy before them,
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penetrating inland two miles, where the enemy were met in
strong force, and the companies returned to the island, and
thence to the Georgia shore, where they went into camp.

The Fourth Regiment, by special order of the war depart-
ment, was, on the 1st of September, 1863, changed to a cavalry
regiment. The balance of the history of the Fourth will
be completed under the head of cavalry organizations.

The Fifth Regiment, during the winter of 1863-64, were at
Brandy Stations; and some two hundred and four veterans
re-enlisted. After a visit to Wisconsin, they returned in time
for the spring campaign. The regiment left camp May 4, 1864,
and took part in the Wilderness campaign. They crossed the
Rapidan at Germania Ford, marched eighteen miles, and biv-
ouacked. They followed the movements of the Sixth Corps,
and were engaged in the various actions from the 7th to the
11th of May. After leaving Spottsylvania, they engaged in’
destroying the Virginia Central Railroad, and advanced to Cold
Harbor, arriving June 1. They took part in the charge on
the enemy’s works at Cold Harbor, capturing the intrench-
ments with a number of prisoners. They remained here until
the 12th, constantly exposed to the enemy’s fire, when they
marched to and crossed James River, and took their position in .
the trenches before Petersburg. In the charge of the 22d, they
participated, proceeding on the 29th to Reams Station, where
they engaged in fatigue and picket duty until July 11.

The casualties for May and June were, forty-eight killed
or died of wounds, and one hundred and forty-four wounded.
The Fifth accompanied the movement of the Sixth Corps to
Washington to assist in the defence of that city, arriving on
the 12th; on which day, the three-years term of non-veterans
having expired, they volunteered for the defence of the capital.
The danger having passed, they left, on the 16th, for Wash-
ington, and arrived at Madison on the 22d, where they received
a hearty welcome from the State authorities, and were finally
mustered out on the 8d of August. Thus ended the service of
the original Fifth Regiment.

The re-enlisted veterans and recruits were organized into an
independent battalion of three companies, under the com-
mand of C. W. Kempf of Company A, Capt. J. H. Cook,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 519

Company B, and Capt. M. L. Butterfield, Company C. On
the 13th of July, they moved, with the Sixth Corps, to the
Shenandoah Valley, in pursuit of the enemy, participating in
the engagement at Snickers Gap. On the 18th, they returned
to Washington ; and, on the 26th, they proceeded to Harper’s
Ferry, and united with the movements of the Sixth Corps,
participating in the action at Charleston, having one man
wounded. They remained at Charleston, performing picket
and guard duty, until the 18th of September, when they moved
forward, and took part in the battle of Cedar Creek, losing
four killed, and eleven wounded ; and afterwards, with the
brigade, they went to Winchester in the performance of gar-
rison-duty.

On the muster-out of service of the “Old Fifth,” Gov.
Lewis authorized its re-organization, and recommissioned
Thomas §. Allen as colonel. Under his supervision, seven
companies were rapidly recruited, organized, and mustered into
the United States service, and left the State on the 2d of
October, 1864. They arrived at Washington, received arms,
and were sent to Alexandria, where they remained, doing
provost-duty, until Oct. 20, when they proceeded, by way
of Martinsburg and Winchester, to Cedar Creek, where they
joined the battalion and the forces under Gen. Sheridan, and
remained at that place until Dec. 2. They rejoined the forces
under Gen. Grant, in the trenches before Petersburg, on
the 4th of December, where they remained until the 5th of
February, 1865, when they took part in the extension of the
lines at Dabney’s Mills on Hatcher's Run, suffering little loss,
being held in the reserve.

The Eighth Regiment, on the 27th of January, 1864,
proceeded to Vicksburg, by way of Memphis, and encamped
near Black-river Bridge on the 8d of February. They took
part in Sherman’s famous Meridian expedition, marching as far
as Canton, Miss., and returning to Black-river Bridge, thence
to Vicksburg, on the 5th of March. Here the regiment
consented to remain, and take part in Gen. Smith’s projected
expedition up the river to co-operate with Gen. Banks. The
regiment expected to be sent home on veteran furlough, but
remained at the especial request of Gen. Sherman. Leaving
520 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Vicksburg March 10, they passed down the Mississippi, and
up the Red River, to Simmsport, and landed. The brigade
advanced, and charged upon the rebels at Fort Scurvy, captur-
ing several prisoners, and some military stores. Continuing up
the river, they attacked and captured Fort de Russy, after a
short resistance. Here they were joined by the fleet, when
they proceeded to Alexandria, and thence to Henderson Hill,
where they found the rebels posted with artillery. A détour
of fifteen miles was made in order to attack the enemy on the
rear. About midnight, Gen. Mower succeeded in capturing the
whole rebel force (three hundred and fifty strong), with four
guns and four hundred horses, and other munitions of war.
After a number of marches with Gen. Smith’s army and a part
of Gen. Banks’s force, they received the attack of the enemy,
and, after four hours’ hard fighting, drove him from the field.
Our forces subsequently retreated to Grand Encore, and
thence to Alexandria. The Eighth participated in an action at
Natchitoches, and also at Cloutierville, where the rebels were
driven back in confusion. On the 4th of May, the Eighth
were deployed as skirmishers, and drove the enemy ten miles.
At Bayou La Moore, the enemy annoyed them by continuous
artillery and musketry fire. They also took part in an action
at Mansura, and also Calhan’s Plantation, and Bayou De
Glaize; after which Gen. Smith’s army returned to the
mouth of Red River, and, embarking, reached Vicksburg on
the 24th, and went into camp. The rebels having attempted
to blockade the Mississippi at Columbia, Ark., on the 6th of
June, Gen. Smith sent forward a division of fifteen hundred
infantry, and a battery in charge of Gen. Mower. The enemy
were found, and an engagement ensued. The enemy were
driven from their position, and pursued several miles. In this
action, known as the ‘Battle of Chicot,” the regiment had
three killed, and sixteen wounded. The command proceeded
up the river to Memphis, and went into camp. Here the
veterans were allowed to proceed to Wisconsin on thirty days’
furlough. The remainder of the regiment moved to La
Grange, and in July took part in the expedition into Missis-
sippi, and participated in the engagements near Tupelo. They
returned to Memphis after a march of two hundred and sixty
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 521

miles. Here they were rejoined by the regiment from veteran
furlough. Subsequently the Eighth marched from Memphis
to Mississippi with the forces of Gen. A. J. Smith. On the
2d of September, they proceeded to White River and to Duvall’s
Bluff, thence to Brownsville, in pursuit of Gen. Price, and
reached Cape Girardeau Oct. 1. On the 5th, they left for
St. Louis, where the regiment was newly clothed and equipped.
Re-embarking on transports, they reached Jefferson City, and
thence to Lamoine Bridge. From this place, they were assigned
on the expeditionary army against Gen. Price through Kansas.
Learning of the defeat and dispersion of Price’s forces, they
returned, reaching Benton Barracks Nov. 15. On the 23d
of November, they proceeded to Nashville to re-enforce Gen.
Thomas, and took part in the battle on the 15th and 16th of
December. In this action, the regiment captured a six-gun
battery, about four hundred prisoners, and two stands of colors.
Their losses were, killed, ten; wounded, fifty-two. The
regiment joined in the pursuit, marching one hundred and fifty
niles, and finally encamped at Clifton, Tenn., on the 22d of
January, 1865.

The Ninth Regiment was at Little Rock, Jan. 1, 1864; and
two hundred and thirty re-enlisted men returned to Wisconsin
on furlough early in February.

The regiment participated in the Red-river Expedition, and
was assigned to the first brigade. They left Little Rock
March 23 ; and nothing occurred of note until the 1st of April.
A number of engagements took place until the 24th, when
they camped at White Oak Creek. On the 15th, another
engagement took place; and the enemy were driven back, when
the brigade entered Camden. Up to the 28d, the Ninth was
detailed to guard the bridge across the Washita River. At Jen-
kins’s Ferry the brigade was re-enforced, as Gen. Kirby Smith
of the rebel army was near with an army of twenty thousand.
Here a battle was fought, and the regiment fought bravely.
The casualties were, killed, forty-seven; wounded, fifty-two.
After the battle, the regiment returned to Little Rock. Two
companies were absent on furlough during the Camden cam-
paign. On their return, two other companies were sent home
on veteran furlough; and on Nov. 17, the non-veterans whose
522 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

terms of office had expired were mustered out, together with a
portion of the commissioned officers; and the veterans and
recruits were consolidated into an independent battalion of
four companies as veterans, under the command of Lieut.-Col.
Jacobi. The non-veterans returned to Milwaukee, where they
were cordially received, paid off, and disbanded.

The Tenth Regiment was at Chattanooga in the winter
of 1863-64. In February, they took part in the feint on
Dalton, Ga. Thence they removed to Tynor Station, on the
East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad, and were employed in
railroad guard-duty until May 24. In the re-organization of the
army in 1864, the Tenth was in the first brigade, Gen. Carlin,
of the first division. Eighty-five recruits joined in the spring,
which, with the remnant of the regiment left after the battle
of Chickamauga, left but a small command. They rejoined the
brigade near Dallas, and took part in the battles of Dallas,
Kenesaw Mountain, and Peach-tree Creek. After the battle
at the last-named place, the Tenth was sent forward toward
Chattahoochee. Shortly after the arrival of the enemy before
Atlanta, the regiment was detached from the brigade, and
stationed at Marietta, Ga., where they remained until Oct. 3,
when they were ordered to occupy the old rifle-pits near
Kenesaw Mountain, and guard the road at that point from the
depredations of Gen. Hood, who was then marching north.
Here they remained until Oct. 16, when the recruits and
re-enlisted men were transferred by the war department to the
Twenty-first Regiment; and the remainder of the Tenth
started northward, passed through Nashville, and reached
Milwaukee on the. 25th, where they were subsequently mus-
tered out of service. Those who were taken prisoners at
Chickamauga remained in rebel prisons for thirteen months, and
many of them were not exchanged until March, 1865; while
not a few were destined to become martyrs in the rebel prison-
pens at Salisbury, Millen, and Andersonville. ,

The Eleventh Regiment remained on duty in the vicinity of
Matagorda Bay and Indianola until the 11th of February, 1864,
when upwards of three-fourths of their number having re-en-
listed, the regiment was mustered as a veteran organization.
The non-veterans were temporarily transferred to the Twenty-
 

 

SS

SSS
524 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

third Regiment ; and the remainder embarked for New Orleans,
on their way on veteran furlough. They reached Madison on
the 21st of March, where they were welcomed by the State
authorities, and received a new set of colors. On the 23d of
April, the men re-assembled at Camp Washburn, Milwaukee,
and again left the State, reaching Memphis on the 29th. Here
they took part in Gen. Sturgis’s expedition into Western
Tennessee and Northern Mississippi, also participated in that
general’s skirmish with Forrest’s cavalry, and returned to
Memphis on the abandonment of the expedition. From
Memphis, they moved down the river to Carrollton, whence
they proceeded to Brashear City, where they arrived May 19.
The regiment remained here until Feb. 26, 1865. During its
occupation here, for nine months, the Eleventh Regiment was
employed in the usual guard and outpost duty, and in making
reconnoissances in the surrounding country. The non-veterans
of the Eleventh arrived at Madison on the 25th of October,
1864, and were mustered out of service.
CHAPTER L.

WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1864, continued — Regimental History — Army Movements — Battle-
Field Incidents.

THE Twelfth Regiment in January, 1864, was at Hebron,
near Natchez. In February, it took part in Sherman’s
Meridian Expedition. At Buker’s Creek, the Twelfth fought
nobly, and were highly complimented by the division com-
mander. They assisted in the taking of Jackson, destroyed
the dépdts and bridges at Brandon, and had a skirmish at
Decatur, and from thence proceeded to Meridian, and
captured the town of Enterprise, twenty miles south, on the
Mobile and Ohio Railroad, destroying it with its depots,
machine-shops, &c. On the 17th of February, they destroyed
along bridge at Quitman, returning to Meridian, tearing up the
railroad-track as they returned. The expedition returned to
Vicksburg. While near Canton, the regiment had a skirmish
with the rebels, driving them three miles without loss. On the
4th of March they re-entered their camp. On this trip they
marched four hundred and sixteen miles in thirty-one days.

The veterans of the regiment on the 13th of March left for
Wisconsin on veteran furlough, and arrived at Madison March
21, where they were publicly received by the State authori-
ties and the members of the legislature; and on the 31st
dispersed to their several homes on furlough. In the month
of April, Gen. Sherman ordered all soldiers on furlough, veter-
ans and non-veterans, to join him in Tennessee. Accordingly,
on the 80th of that month, the Twelfth proceeded to Cairo,
where they were joined by the non-veterans from camp near

Vicksburg. Accompanying the forces of Gen. Gresham, the
525
526 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

regiment proceeded up the Tennessee River, and landed at
Clifton, Tenn., and, on the 14th, marched by Huntsville and
Decatur, Ala., to Rome, Ga., nearly three hundred miles, and
joined the Army of the Tennessee at Acworth, Ga., on the 8th
of June. On the 10th, the division took its place in the ad-
vance, and on the 11th arrived within two miles of the enemy’s
position at the base of Kenesaw Mountain, and began throwing
up intrenchments. On the 14th, another line of breastworks
was thrown up nearer the enemy, about a thousand yards from
the enemy’s rifle-pits; and on the 15th an engagement took
place, and the regiment succeeded in driving a brigade out of
their rifle-pits, and holding the ground, in face of all opposi-
tion, for twenty minutes, with a force of only a hundred and
fifty men. In this action, the regiment lost two killed and
twenty wounded. On the 2d of July, the regiment took a
position on the Chattahoochee, forcing the enemy across the
stream to his main works. On the 12th, the regiment was
transferred to the third division (Gen. Leggett), and, accompa-
nying the division, passed through Decatur July 20, and took
position on the south side of the Augusta Railroad, eighty
rods from the rebel intrenchments. Here a severe battle was
had, the Twelfth and the division fighting bravely. In fifteen
minutes, out of less than six hundred men engaged, they lost
one hundred and thirty-four killed and wounded, and captured
more small-arms than they had men engaged; many of them
loaded and capped. Five color-bearers were shot, and the two
flagstaffs were shot off. The next day, the fighting was
resumed ; and the first brigade fought nobly. Engagements
took place until the 1st of September. On the 5th they
marched towards Atlanta, and encamped near Eastport on the
8th of that month. The casualties from July 28 to Sept. 10
were nine killed and thirty wounded.

On the 12th of October, the regiment with its valiant colonel,
George E. Bryant, marched with the Seventeenth Army Corps,
in search of the rebel general, Hood. The pursuit was con-
tinued until Oct. 21, when the regiment went into camp at
Little River, Ala. Here orders were received that the non-
veterans whose terms of service expired before Nov. 7 should
return to Chattanooga, and be mustered out. Four officers and
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 527

eighty-three men of the old Twelfth responded to this order.
The remainder of the regiment moved to Marietta and to At-
lanta, and on the 15th commenced the grand march to Savan-
nah, and, with the rest of the army, entered that city on the
21st of December.

The Thirteenth Regiment arrived at Janesville, Wis., on
the 18th of January, 1864, and was warmly welcomed and
hospitably entertained by the people of the city, and from
the adjacent country, who had assembled to greet them. The
regiment re-assembled at Camp Utley, Racine, on the expira-
tion of their furlough, and proceeded to Nashville on the
31st of March, encamping at Edgefield, engaged in guarding
trains from Louisville to Chattanooga. Here they were as-
signed to first brigade, fourth division, and designed to operate
against Atlanta; but their destination was changed, and the
brigade assigned the duty of guarding the Tennessee River
between Stevenson and Decatur. On the 4th of June, they
marched to Claysville, Ala., and erected earthworks; and, while
here, they made frequent excursions across the river, capturing
prisoners, and seizing confederate stores, with several skir-
mishes with guerillas and rebel outposts. From this place, they
proceeded to Woodville, and thence to Huntsville, where Col.
Lyon was placed in command of all troops and railroad
defences from Huntsville to Stevenson, a distance of sixty
miles. During most of the summer, and into September, much
sickness prevailed in the regiment; and, on Oct. 1, the balance
of the regiment proceeded to Larkinsville, and returned to
Huntsville, and thence to Decatur.

One hundred. and sixty of the non-veterans, including the
lieutenant-colonel and several officers, were mustered out on
the expiration of their term of office. On the 23d of Novem-
ber, they proceeded to New Market, where they dispersed the
Fourth Alabama Cavalry, destroying their camps and provis-
ions, and killing and wounding thirteen. The Thirteenth
remained at Stevenson until Hood’s defeat at Nashville, when
they returned to Huntsville, resuming duty on the railroad,
repairing and rebuilding defences. On the 31st of December,
Company G, stationed at Paint Rock Bridge, was suddenly
assailed by about four hundred rebels; and Lieut. Wagoner
528 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

and thirty-five men were captured, and two were severely
wounded.

The Fourteenth Regiment came to Wisconsin on veteran
furlough in January, 1864, and was ordered to rendezvous
at Camp Washburn, Milwaukee; but owing to the severe
snow-storms which blocked the railroads, and impeded the
general travel, many of the men failed to report promptly on
the day their furloughs expired. A peremptory order to the
colonel to rejoin the corps at Vicksburg compelled him to
leave with only a portion of his command. The regiment
arrived at Vicksburg just in time to participate in the
ill-fated Red River Expedition. The regiment was not in
a fit condition to take the field, but twenty-five hundred
men were to be made up from the Seventeenth Army Corps,
to be composed, as far as possible, of troops that had not
accompanied Gen. Sherman on his Meridian Expedition, from
which he had just returned. The Fourteenth was, therefore,
included in the quota of the Seventeenth Corps, and was
assigned to a provisional division under the command of Gen.
Thomas K. Smith. Accompanying the command, the expe-
dition proceeded down the Mississippi, and up the Red
River. The Fourteenth was present at the capture of Fort de
Russey, on the 14th of March, and, on the advance of Gen.
Banks above Alexandria, proceeded to Bayou Cotile, and
thence by transports to Grand Encore. From thence they
went to Shreveport, from which place they were ordered to
return to Grand Encore. On the 12th, the fleet was attacked
by the enemy in force at Pleasant Hill Landing. A severe fight
ensued, lasting an hour, in which the enemy was repulsed with
great slaughter. The army proceeded to Alexandria, halting
till the dam could be built by Col. Bailey to enable the gun-
boats to pass the rapids. The Fourteenth took part in the
engagements at Cloutierville, Marksville, and Yellow Bayou,
and in several minor skirmishes. With the rest of Gen Smith’s
command, the Fourteenth proceeded to the mouth of Red
River, and thence up the Mississippi to Vicksburg, where it
arrived on the 22d. That portion of the regiment which was
left at Washington reached Vicksburg, six days after the
departure of the regiment, in the Red River division. It moved
 

FISK

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530 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

up the river, and subsequently joined Gen. Sherman’s Grand
Army at Acworth in the month of June, and performed gallant
service in the campaign against Atlanta.

It became known as *“ Worden’s Battalion,” and was com-
posed of Company E, and portions of each of the nine other.
companies of the regiment. The fragments of companies:
rejoined their regiment at Nashville, in November, 1864. The
regiment moved to Memphis in May, and in July took part in
the “ Tupelo Expedition” under the command of Gen. A. J.
Smith. On the 13th, the train was attacked by a brigade of
the enemy’s cavalry, but were repulsed by the Fourteenth and,
Thirty-third Wisconsin Regiments. The Fourteenth took part
in the battle of Tupelo on the 14th, which resulted in the defeat.
of the rebel generals, Forrest and 8. D. Lee. Returning to
Memphis, they were ordered to Duval’s Bluff; and a portion
sent to Augusta on a reconnoitring expedition, from which place.
they moved by rail to Brownsville, twenty-five miles from Little
Rock, on the Tth of September. On the 17th, they participated,
in the pursuit of the rebel general, Price, who was then in
Missouri; and, after a hard march of three hundred and forty
miles, they reached Cape Girardeau without meeting him.
While here, they learned of the defeat of Price and the disper-
sion of his forces. About the middle of November, they re-
turned to St. Louis: from this place they proceeded to Nashville
to re-enforce Gen. Thomas. At the battle of Nashville, two
hundred and eighty prisoners were captured ; and the next day
they pursued the enemy, and reached Clifton, on the Tennessee,
on the 3d of January, 1865, and from thence to Eastport, Miss.,
where they arrived on the 11th.

The Fifteenth Regiment left Strawberry Plains on the 14th
of January, 1864, aati marched eighteen miles, arriving, on the
following day, at Dandridge, hex they were joined in the
evening by a detachment of convalescents, which had been left
at Chattanooga at. their departure from that place on ‘the 28th
of November.

While en route, the detachment took part in a severe engage-
ment with Wheeler’s cavalry, at Charleston, Tenn., which
resulted in the defeat of the enemy, with a loss. of ten killed;
and one hundred and sixty-seven wounded and prisoners.

|
H
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 531

' The regiment left Dandridge on the night of the 18th,
arriving on the 21st at Knoxville, marching thence on the 24th,
by way of Marysville, to McKee’s Ferry, whence they returned,
during the night of the 29th, to Marysville, nda orders to
proceed to Wisconsin on veteran furlough. :

They reached Loudon, twenty-eight miles distant, on the

‘81st, and, owing to the threatening movements of the enemy,
were met by orders to return immediately to Marysville, where
they again encamped on the evening of the 1st of February,
having suffered greatly from fatigue during the march. They
remained in the performance of guard-duty at this place until
the'evening of the 16th, when they were put in motion, arriv-
ing next day at Knoxville, where they remained a week,
marching on the 24th to Strawberry Plains. Leaving this place
on the 27th, they crossed the Holston River, and, proceeding
by way of New Market, arrived on the 29th at Morristown.
They returned to New Market on the 3d of March, and thence,
on the 9th, to Strawberry Plains, where the regiment was
stationed as guard to the railroad bridge, and employed in
picket-duty and labor on the fortifications, until the 7th of
April, when they left Strawberry Plains under orders to join
the Army of the Cumberland, and, having marched a distance
of one hundred and eight miles, encamped on the 16th at
McDonald Station, Tenn., on the East Tennessee and Georgia
Railroad, between Chattanooga and Cleveland.

Here thorough preparations were made for the spring cam-
paign ; and on the 8d of May they left McDonald, and, accom-
panying the movement of the Fourth Corps, joined Gen.
Sherman’s army, on the 5th, near Ringgold, Ga. From this
place, the army was put in motion on the 7th; and, after severe
skirmishing during the day, our troops Somunindl Tunnel Hill
in the evening. The Fifteenth Wisconsin was employed during
the night on pickét-duty in front of Willich’s brigade,’ and
next morning was ordered forward to reconnoitre the enemy’s
position on’ Rocky Ridge, near Dalton. The regiment: advanced;
with four companies, under Capt. Gordon, deployed in front as
skirmishers, and, after a severe skirmish, succeeded in dislodg-
ing the enemy from his strong position on ‘the summit of the
ridge, which was immediately occupied-by ‘the reserve compa
582 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

nies, and retained by the regiment until relieved onthe morning
of the 13th, when the troops were hurried forward in pursuit
of the enemy, who had evacuated Dalton during the night..,
. On the following day, they came up with the. rebels at
Resaca, when a charge was ordered, and a fierce action ensued,
in which the first line of rebel intrenchments was carried,
the Fifteenth sustaining a loss of four killed, and fourteen
wounded.

During the night of the 16th, the enemy | his

osition at Resaca, burning the railroad bridge as he withdrew.

On the 17th of May, our troops moved forward in pursuit. The
Fifteenth, crossing the Coosawattee at noon, and pressing for-
ward with constant skirmishing as the enemy retreated, arrived
on the 25th before the enemy’s position at Dallas. The Fourth
Corps immediately moved to the support of the advance, under
Gen. Hooker, which had been engaged in a severe fight with
the enemy. They arrived on the battle-field near midnight,
and next morning-moved into position, which they proceeded
to fortify. On the 27th the third division, to. which the
regiment belonged, was relieved from this position, and imme-
diately moved to the extreme left. of the army, where. they
were ordered to attack the enemy’s works. In this, “ the most
desperate charge of the campaign,” many of the regiment were
killed on the rebel fortifications ; and our line was established
within fifteen yards of the enemy, sheltered from his fire only
by the slope of. the hill upon which his batteries were planted.

Although exposed to a:galling fire of musketry, they retained
this position for five hours, when the enemy was re-enforced,
and charged upon their weakened. ranks, forcing. them to
retire, leaving their dead and mortally wounded in the hands
of the rebels. In this sanguinary engagement, the regiment,
which went into action with one hundred and sixty muskets,
lost eighty-three officers and men, killed, wounded, and pris-
oners. They afterwards accompanied the movements of the
army toward Marietta, almost constantly under fire, and forcing
the enemy slowly, back from their front. On the 23d of June,
they participated in the, assault upon the. enemy’s position on
Kenesaw Mountain,, with a loss of six killed, and eleven
wounded.. They remained in the trenches before these works
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 533

until the 8d of July, when they again moved forward. in
pursuit of the enemy, who had withdrawn from his works
during the previous night. They crossed. the Chattahoochee
on the 17th, and accompanied the general movement of our
forces to Atlanta, before which place they were employed in
siege and fatigue duty, near the extreme left of our line, until
the evening of the 25th of August, when they left the trenches,
accompanying Gen. Sherman’s movement to intercept the
enewy’s communications on the south and east of Atlanta.
Having marched about forty miles in a circuitous direction,
they arrived, on the 31st, at Jonesborough, twenty-two miles
from Atlanta, where temporary intrenchments were thrown up,
and the troops bivouacked for the night.

They participated in the engagement at this place on the Ist
of September, after which they marched through the town in
‘pursuit of the retreating enemy, and encamped on the 8d near
‘Lovejoy’s Station. They broke camp on the evening of the
5th, and marched on the return to Atlanta, going into camp on
the 8th, four miles from the city, on the Atlanta and Augusta
Railroad. On the 29th, they left camp near Atlanta, under
‘orders to report at Chattanooga, Tenn., at which place. they
arrived on the 1st of October, and were engaged in provost-
duty until the 18th, when they were ordered to guard railroad
bridges between Chattanooga’ and Whitesides. At. the latter
place, they remained until mustered out of. service. Lieut.-
Col. Johnson, having succeeded in escaping from the: rebel
prison, rejoined the regiment on the 24th of July, 1864. Three
‘companies were mustered out Dec. 1, 1864, and the remainder
in January and February, 1865.

The recruits and veterans of the regiment were transferred
to the Twenty-fourth Wisconsin, and subsequently to the
‘Thirteenth. The several companies, as they. mustered out,
returned to Wisconsin, were paid off, and disbanded. Thus
closes the history of the Fifteenth Regiment, one of. the
‘bravest and most efficient regiments that Wisconsin has sent to
the field. ms

‘The Sixteenth yee nais after. their furlough, started for
Cairo, on the 18th of April, and arrived on the 22d. A number
of changes took place in the regiment; Lieut-Col. . Cassius
1
Vos

‘584 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Fairchild being promoted colonel. On the 4th of May, it being
attached to. the first’ brigade, third division, left Cairo, and
‘proceeded by transports to Clifton, Tenn. Taking up their line
-of march to join Sherman’s army, they proceeded. by way of
Huntsville, Warrenton, Ala.,,and Rome, Ga., and reached
Acworth on the 8th of June, after a march. of three hundred
and twenty miles. Here they took’ position, and began their
advance southward. The enemy were first, encountered on the
15th, near. Kenesaw Mountain. The regiment took part in
the movements in that vicinity, including Bald Bill, driving the
rebels out of and beyond their intrenchments. The Twelfth
and Sixteenth Regiments were inseparably connected in the
bloddy fight of the 22d of July, both regiments exhibiting the
‘greatest valor'and bravery. Thence’they proceeded towards
Atlanta, and took part in destroying the railroad from that
‘place to Jonesborough. They took part in the skirmish near
that place, and also at Lovejoy. The casualties from June.9
to Sept. 9, 1864, of the Sixteenth, were, killed thirty-eight,
ywounded seventy-two. The regiment remained at Atlanta
‘until Oct. 8, and. participated in the Savannah campaign.
From Savannah ‘they went to Goldsborough, and thence. to
Raleigh, where the rebel general, eee surrendered on the
26th of April, 1865.

The march homeward was by. way of Richmond and Wash-
ington City, where the regiment took part in the grand reviews.
‘Proceeding from thence on the 7th of June, they were ordered
‘to Louisville, Ky., reaching there on the 12th of July, and
going into camp, when they were mustered out, and on the
14th took the cars for Wisconsin, reaching Madison on July
16, where they were. publicly teceived by the State. officers.
‘They were paid off on the 19th of August, and the regiment
was disbanded. Col. Fairchild was brevetted Parner
for meritorious services in the war.

‘The Seventeenth Regiment: became a veterati meetment in
January, 1864; seven-eighths of their number ‘having ~ re-
enlisted. On the 8th of March, they left Vicksburg for
“Wisconsin on vetéran furlough, and arrived at’ Madison on the
‘18th,: where. they were. welkomed by the State authorities and
-cilizens. . They dispersed to :their homes, and re-assembled at
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536 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Camp Washburn, Milwaukee, on the 20th of April. The next
day they proceeded to Cairo, where they found the Seventeenth
Corps, to which they were attached, and which was on its way
to join the forces of Gen Sherman in the Atlanta campaign.
Here the regiment was assigned to the second brigade of Gen.
Gersham’s forces. On the 5th, they commenced their long
march to join the forces of Gen. Sherman, and reached
Acworth on the 8th of June. As we referred frequently to
the movements of this army in this campaign, it is not neces-
sary to repeat, only to state that this regiment was engaged
in the operations against Kenesaw Mountain, Bald Hill,
Atlanta, Jonesborough, and Lovejoy’s Station, returning with
the Seventeenth Corps, and camping near Atlanta on the 9th of
September. With the Seventeenth Corps, they crossed the
Chattahoochee in pursuit of Gen. Hood. From this pursuit,
they returned to Marietta, and encamped Nov. 4, remaining
until the 13th, when they moved to Atlanta, and on the 16th
began the grand march for Savannah, where they remained
until January, 1865. The Eighteenth Regiment left Hunts-
ville on the 1st of May, 1864, and proceeded to Whitesburg,
Ala., and thence to Allatoona, on the line of the Western
and Atlantic Railroad, ninety miles south of Chattanooga,
arriving July 18, and were employed guarding railroad-bridges,
and occupied in camp-duty at Allatoona, until Aug. 22,
when they marched to Chattanooga, and into Eastern Ten-
nessee, in pursuit of the rebel general, Wheeler, who was on
his raid against Sherman’s communications. Returning, they
encamped at Cowan, Tenn., until Sept. 19, when they
rejoined the brigade at Allatoona. After the surrender of
Atlanta, Gen. Hood attempted a raid on Sherman’s railroad
communications. At the battle at Allatoona, which was a
severe and bloody one, the Eighteenth was engaged. The
enemy, finding it impossible to capture that place, finally
retreated, leaving at least fifteen hundred of his killed and
wounded on the field. In this sanguinary engagement, the
Eighteenth had, killed four, wounded eleven, prisoners seventy-
three. After this battle, the non-veterans and recruits were
assigned to. the Ninety-third Iinois,.and accompanied Gen.
Sherman on his march to Savannah and Goldsborough. The
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 537

veterans were furloughed on the 28th of November. Re-
assembling at Milwaukee on the 28th of December, they
reached Nashville on the 11th of January, 1865.

The Nineteenth Regiment was encamped on Trent River,
N.C., in January, 1864. On the Ist of February, the enemy
made an attack on Newbern, but was unsuccessful. On the
19th of April, a portion of the regiment was sent to re-enforce
the garrison at Plymouth; but that post was surrendered: before
re-enforcement could reach them; and they returned on the
24th. On the 26th of April, the regiment left Newbern with
orders to report at Yorktown, Va. Arriving there, they were
assigned to the third brigade, and proceeded up the James
River, and joined the Army of the James, commanded by Gen.
B. F. Butler; and on the 6th marched to Point of Rocks, where
they engaged in building fortifications until the 9th, when they
took part in the movement to Waltham Junction. On the
12th, they took part in the action against Fort Darling; and
in the month of June were in the advance of Gen. Grant’s

‘army upon Petersburg. On the 18th of August, the re-enlisted
men of the regiment, two hundred and fifty in number, were
relieved from duty at the front, and left for Wisconsin,
arriving at Madison on the 22d, and received a furlough of
thirty days. Re-assembling, they left the State on the 3d of
October, and proceeded to James River, and were assigned to
the third brigade. On the 27th, with the division, it joined a
reconnoissance in force, and reached the old battle-field of
Fair Oaks, and was sent forward to charge a six-gun fort, and
in doing so had to pass over an open plain. When within
a hundred yards of the fort, they lay down, waiting for
e-enforcements, which they did not receive; and the enemy
charged out of their works, and captured nearly the whole of
the regiment. It went into the battle with a hundred and
eighty men and nine officers, and lost a hundred and thirty-six
men and eight officers. After this battle (Fair Oaks) the
remnant of the regiment, consisting of about eighty men,
returned to Camp at Chapin’s Farms, where they were joined
by the non-veterans of the regiment, who had been for a time
engaged in provost-guard-duty at Norfolk.. From this time
until the 2d of April, 1865, the regiment was engaged in picket-
duty on the lines in front of Richmond.
538 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The Twentieth Regiment left Carrollton, near New Orleans,

on the 7th of August, 1864, and proceeded, with the land-
forces attached to the expedition of Admiral Farragut, against
the forts commanding the mouth of Mobile Harbor, landing on
the 10th at Mobile Point. Fort Morgan surrendered on the
23d. Forts Powell and Gaines had been captured or destroyed,
by the navy. The Twentieth Wisconsin and Thirty-fourth
Iowa received the garrison as prisoners-of-war, and marched
them on shipboard for New Orleans. On the 8th of Sep-
tember, a detachment of the Twentieth proceeded up. the bay,
and destroyed some large salt-works, capable of making a
thousand ‘barrels per day, and brought down a large amount of
lumber for building of commissary and quartermaster depots.
‘The regiment was camped at Navy Cove, in October, engaged
in constructing a telegraph, and building a railroad to Fort
Morgan.
’. The regiment left Navy Cove on the 14th.of December, and
proceeded to Pascagoula; moved up the river a few miles,
landing at Franklin Creek. Here .a large amount of pine-
lumber, cotton, and rosin, was seized. The lumber, some eight
hundred thousand feet, was rafted through the enemy’s terri-
tory, besides a large quantity of cotton. On the 25th, they
reached Griffin’s Mills with the lumber.and cotton, and seized
additional lumber to. the. amount of one million five hundred
thousand feet. Here they remained until the evacuation of
East Pascagoula, on the 31st, when they proceeded to their ole
camp at Navy Cove on Mobile Point.

.The Twenty-first Regiment left Lookout Mountain May 2,
1864, four hundred strong, and marched to join the advance on
Atlanta. At Resaca, on the 14th May, a battle was fought;
and, although not successful, the brigade held its position near
the enemy’s line until dark; and the Twenty-first was the last
to retire. The list of killed and wounded, as published, is,
killed eighteen, wounded thirty-one. On the 27th of May, they
went into position near Dallas, and participated in the engage-
ment at that place, the enemy retiring: on the 30th. After
further skirmishing, the regiment took position in front of
Kenesaw Mountain. Here a battle was sustained four days,
and the enemy driven from his position. The regiment was

t
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. - 539

constantly engaged in various engagements connected with the
siege of Atlanta. After the battle of Jonesborough, the enemy
having evacuated Atlanta, the Twenty-first went into camp at
the latter place on the 8th of September, just four months
from the opening of the campaign, having fought their way for
a distance of a hundred and thirty miles. The loss of the
regiment was one hundred and twelve killed and wounded,
and one hundred and ten. disabled , by disease and fatigue,
leaving only about one-third of the arms-bearing men to enter
Atlanta. The regiment took part in the pursuit of Gen. Hood,
and, after an unsuccessful chase, went into camp at Kings-
ton, Ga.

On the 12th of Wuyenibes the Fourteenth Corps, in charge
of Gen. Jefferson C. Davis, commenced.the “march to the sea,”
to which it is not necessary to refer particularly. The Twenty-
first marched with the columns, and participated in all the
movements of the army. On the 4th of March, 1865, the
regiment entered North Carolina.
CHAPTER LI.
WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1864, continued — Regimental History — Accidents and Incidents. of
War—Movements.of Wisconsin Troops.

Tue Twenty-second Regiment moved from Nashville in April,
1864, camping for a, time in Lookout’ Valley, and proceeded
to Dalton, through Snake-creek Gap, and arrived in front of
Resaca on the 18th, forming in line of battle; in which battle
the Third, Twenty-sixth, and Twenty-second Wisconsin Regi-
ments took an active and conspicuous part. The Twenty- |
second lost heavily, many of the men being killed in the
enemy’s works. This was their first battle, and they covered
themselves with honor. The casualties were, twenty-four killed,
and forty-nine wounded. Following up the enemy, on the
25th of May he was found near Dallas, where an engagement
took place ; the regiment losing six killed, and thirteen wounded.
The position was fortified, and held until June 1, when the
brigade accompanied the movement of the Twentieth Corps
to the left, and took position in front of the enemy’s lines, at
Pine Knob and Lost Mountain. Here they took part in the
operations of the corps, and had ten killed, and twenty-three
wounded. On the 2d of July, the enemy left their works.
Col. Utley resigned, and was succeeded by Lieut.-Col. Blood-
good. The regiment also took part in the battle of Peach-
tree Creek, and had eleven killed, and thirty-three wounded.
They then took position before Atlanta; and the movements
of Gen. Sherman caused Gen. Hood to abandon that city,
destroying property to the value of two millions of dollars.
The Twenty-second and Twenty-sixth Wisconsin were among

the first to enter the city, and take possession.
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The regiment encamped near Atlanta, and were employed as
train-guard most of the way to Savannah. They entered that
city with the rest of the army, and continued their march to
Bentonville, where the enemy was driven before them. They
were also at Averysborough on the 19th, and assisted in
driving the enemy from that point, and proceeded on their way
to Raleigh. The subsequent history of the closing services of
Sherman’s grand army has been given in the narratives of other
regiments. After the surrender of Gen. Johnston, the corps:
proceeded to Richmond, thence to Washington, until June
12, when they were mustered out, and left for home, arriving
at Milwaukee, where they were paid off and disbanded.

‘The Twenty-third Regiment were at Matagorda in January,
1864, from which place they returned to Louisiana, and to
Berwick City. They took a part in Banks’s Red-river Expe-
dition, of which we have given an account in our record of
other regiments. The Twenty-third participated in all the
movements and engagements of the expedition. Making long
marches, and descending the Mississippi, they landed, on the
24th of April, at Baton Rouge, where they encamped. From
the 8th to the 26th of July, the regiment was encamped at
Algiers, opposite New Orleans. Here they engaged in skirmish-
work, making reconnoissances of the surrounding country, also
making an expedition, on the 8d of October, to Bayou Sara,
and marching sixteen miles, to Jackson, La., and returning the
next day.in transports. On the 5th of October, they entered
camp at Morganzia, and reached Helena Nov. 3, and went into
camp there.

The Twenty-fourth regiment, on the 8d of May, 1864, took
part in the attack on Rocky Face Ridge, opposite Dalton, Ga.,.
and succeeded in carrying a portion of the crest of a hill, and.
remained until the morning. of the 13th, when it was found
that the enemy had ahautloned his fortified position. _ They
took part in the battle at Resaca, having seven men killed, and
thirteen wounded. They also had an action at Adairsville, or
Pleasant Hill; and at Dallas were eleven days exposed to the
rebel fire. At Dallas they had seventeen wounded. They
subsequently took part in the operations at Acworth, and, on
the 20th of June, at Kenesaw Mountain, where ten were
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 543

killed, and twelve wounded. On the 8d of July, they passed
through Marietta, took position in front of Atlanta on the
22d, and participated in the movements at that place. In Sep-
tember, they were ordered to Chattanooga, where they were
employed in garrison-duty ; after which they were called to
take part in the movements of Gen. Thomas against Hood, of
which we have already given an account in our records of -
other regiments. The Twenty-fourth participated. in the
decisive battles of the 15th and’ 16th of December, before
Nashville, and in the pursuit of the rebel army, arriving at
Lexington, Ala., near Florence, from which place they set out
to return on the 31st, and crossing Elk River on the 3d of Jan-
uary, 1865, reached Huntsville, Ala. on the 5th, and went into
winter-quarters.

The Twenty-fifth Regiment were at Helena on the- Ist of
January, 1864, when they moved down the river to Vicksburg,
rejoined the Sixteenth Army Corps, and accompanied it on
the celebrated expedition to Meridian, under the command of
Gen. Sherman. They proceeded to Meridian, and assisted in
the destruction of the railroads and other rebel property, and
returned to Vicksburg on the 4th of March. On the 18th of
March, the fourth division, including the Twenty-fifth, proceeded
up the river, arriving at Cairo on the 20th. From thence they
proceeded to Chany Landing, Ala., and to Waterloo, Ala.,
where they disembarked on the 2d of April, and marched by
way of Florence, Athens, and Mooresville, to Decatur, Ala.
Here they remained, engaged in guard-duty, until May 1, when
they marched to Huntsville, and thence to Chattanooga, and
joined the forces of Gen. Sherman. ' They marched to Resaca,
and on the 9th of May made a demonstration on the enemy’s
works, and took part in the engagement at that: place. The
regiment pursued the enemy, arriving at Dallas on the 26th
of May.

In the battle at'that place, the iene ae took part, and
also at the skirmish’ at Peach Orchard, and the movements’
immediately following. On the 9th of July, the Sixteenth Corps:
marched to the rear, passing through Marietta, and along the:
banks of the Chattanooga, and onward to Decatur, which
place they reached on the 19th; and an engagement ensued, in
544 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

which the Twenty-fifth lost twenty killed, forty-four wounded,
and twenty-five missing. On the 25th, the brigade marched;
from Decatur, and took position before Atlanta, and in the.
attack on the enemy on the right of the Fifteenth Corps.

The casualties from July 22 to Sept. 16 were three ra
and twenty-two wounded.

The regiment remained in camp at East Point, Ga., sit
Oct. 4, whan they marched north with the Seventeenth Corps in.
pursuit of Gen. Hood. The pursuit was abandoned, and the
corps turned toward Atlanta, which was to be the point of
departure of another great expedition. They reached Atlanta.
on the 10th of November. On the 15th of that month, they;
left Atlanta, and proceeded to Monticello, and were engaged in,
destroying railroads. On the 26th, they arrived at Tooms-,
borough, On the 9th of December, they met a few of the
enemy, who retired without battle. On the 12th, they took,
position at Dillon’s Bridge, which they held until the 3d of.
January, 1865, when they marched through Savannah, and,
embarked for Beaufort, $.C., and encamped.

The Twenty-sixth Regiment left Lookout Valley on the
25th of January, when they moved to Whitesides, a few miles
from Chattanooga, and remained until April 28. In the organ-
ization for the Atlanta campaign, the regiment was transferred,
to the third brigade, third division of Twentieth Army Corps. .
They joined the brigade with a force of four hundred and seven-
teen muskets. With the division, on the 7th of May, they ad-
vanced towards Dalton, and took part in the reconnoissance the
next day, and subsequent skirmish, and thence proceeded to
Resaca, and formed in line of battle on the 18th. The next
day, in a skirmish, one man was killed, and three wounded; and.
on the 15th took part in the battle which then occurred, in
which they lost three killed, and thirty-six wounded ; and were
engaged in the actions immediately following, near Dallas, losing .
seventeen killed, and twenty-three wounded. Subsequently
they assisted in the taking of Alatoona, Pilot Knob, and Lost
Mountain, and took part in the battles at Kenesaw Moun-:
tain, in which they had eleven killed, and thirty-six wounded:
On the 20th of July, they moved toward Atlanta, and at the
battle of Peach-tree Creek took an active part, in which they .
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 545

had six killed, and thirty-nine wounded. In these engagements,
the regiment fought bravely, and received high praise from their
pommmanding efter, On the 22d, the corps advanced, and took
position in the investment of Atlanta, and, on the 2d of Sep-
tember, entered that city with the brigade. On the 15th of
November, the Twenty-sixth moved forward with Gen. Sher-
man’s forces in his march to the seacoast. The labors and
services performed during this movement did not differ from
those of other regiments; and, the description of the march
having been given, it is unnecessary to repeat it. They reached
Savannah on the 21st of December, and in January, 1865,
started towards Goldsborough.

The Twenty-seventh Regiment was in the march of Gen.
Steele to co-operate with Gen. Banks in the Red-river Expedi-
tion, and attached to the third brigade, third division, Seventh
Army Corps. Leaving Little Rock on the 28d of March, noth-
ing of importance occurred until April 1, when the division was
attacked by the enemy, near the Washington and Camden Roads.
In this attack, the Twenty-seventh were detached to aid in
protecting the train. The division was engaged in skirmishing
without important results. On the 12th of April, advanced to
Camden, through Moscow, and entered the former place on the
16th. Hearing of.the disastrous termination of Gen. Banks’s
Red-river Expedition, Gen. Steele and his army set about
returning to Little Rock. Leaving Camden on the 26th, they
proceeded to Saline Bottom; and an engagement took place at
Jenkins’s Ferry, against the force of Kirby Smith, of some
twenty thousand men, in which the enemy was punished
severely, and several of his guns, and three battle-flags, were
captured. From Saline River, they marched to Little Rock, at
which place they arrived on the 3d of May. On the 3d of
October, they descended the Arkansas to Pine Bluff to re-
enforce Gen. Magruder, who was threatened with an attacks.
and returned to Little Rock on the 22d. The regiment. was
stationed at various points, detailed to guard-duty on the Little
Rock and Memphis Railroad, and was thus engaged until Feb.
7, 1865.

- The Twenty-eighth eae remained at Little Rock, Ark.,
until the 26th of October, 1863, when they accompanied the
546 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

march of the brigade in pursuit of Marmaduke’s forces, which
had been defeated by our troops at Pine Bluff. On the fol-
lowing day, they arrived at Benton, on the Saline River, reliev-
ing, at that place, a force of cavalry which was sent in pursuit
of the enemy. On the 29th they advanced to Rockport, on
the Washita, where further pursuit was abandoned; and, re-
turning by way of Benton, they re-entered camp at Little
Rock, on the 1st of November, having marched about one hun-.
dred miles.

The regiment were detached from the second brigade on the
7th of November, and ordered to join Col. Clayton’s command
at Pine Bluff, sixty miles distant on the Arkansas River, where
they arrived on the 10th. At this place, comfortable winter-
quarters were erected ; and the regiment were occupied in post
and garrison duty until the 27th of March, 1864. Lieut.-Col.
Gray was placed in command of this post; and companies A,
D, F, G, H, and I, under command of Capt. L. J. Smith, with
an additional force of infantry and cavalry, left Pine Bluff on
an expedition intended to destroy the pontoon-bridge at Long-
view, on the Saline River. On the following day, the expedi-
tion arrived at Mount Elba, at which place the infantry was
left to guard the bridge laid at that point, while cavalry pushed
forward to Longview. The infantry, less than five hundred in
number, were attacked on the 30th, at Mount Elba, by a force
of the enemy fifteen hundred strong.

The six companies of the Twenty-eighth, deployed as skirm-
ishers, held the enemy in check until recalled to the main body.
Shortly afterward the rebel charge was gallantly repulsed; the
enemy leaving one hundred killed and wounded on the field.
At this juncture, the cavalry which had been sent to Longview
came up; and the enemy was closely pursued, a distance of ten
miles, to Centreville. Next day the expedition returned to
Pine Bluff, bringing in three hundred and twenty prisoners; the
infantry having marched eighty-two miles.

A detachment of three hundred and fifty men of the regi-
ment, under Lieut.-Col. Gray, left Pine Bluff on the 28th of
April, under orders to proceed to Mount Elba, lay a pontoon-
bridge across the Saline River, and guard the pass until the
arrival of the expedition intended to convey supplies to our
 

 

 
548 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

forces at Camden. Information having been received that Gen.
Steele’s forces were retreating in the direction of Little Rock,
the regiment returned to Pine Bluff on the 30th. Since the
re-establishment of the army on the line of the Arkansas, the
regiment had furnished heavy details for outpost and guard
duty; ar 1, during the months of June and July, they were
occupied day and night, in labor on the defences of the post.
The Twenty-ninth Regiment, which had been stationed some
days on the shore of Berwick Bay, opposite Brashear City,
broke camp on the 2d of October, 1863, and commenced the
movement to Opelousas. They arrived on the 6th at New
Iberia, sixty miles from Berwick, and, on the 10th, marched
twenty-four miles, to Vermilion Bayou, and thence, on the 15th,
eighteen miles, to Grand Chateau Bayou. The march was
resumed on the 21st, when they met the enemy at Opelousas,
and after a skirmish, in which they sustained no loss, pressed
forward to Barre’s Landing, eight miles beyond Opelousas,
where they went into camp, and were employed in picket and
guard duty until the 29th, at which date they returned to
Opelousas. On the Ist of November, they marched ten miles,
to Carrion Crow Bayou; and on the 8d were ordered up to
re-enforce Gen. Burbridge’s command, four miles distant, which
had been attacked by the enemy. During the battle they
acted as support to a Missouri battery, but were not actively
engaged, and returned on the same evening to camp on Carrion
Crow Bayou. They moved on the 5th to Vermilion Bayou,
from which place they marched on the 16th, and, proceeding
by way of Spsnish Lake, arrived on the following day at New
Iberia. On the 20th they accompanied the brigade, with a
small additional force of cavalry and artillery, on a secret
expedition, which resulted in the capture of a hundred and
fourteen prisoners at Spanish Lake. They returned on the
same day to New Iberia, where they were employed in picket-
duty, and guarding forage-trains, until the 19th of December,
when they were again put in motion, and, passing through
Franklin and Centreville, arrived on the 21st at Berwick,
having marched, during the whole expedition, about two
hundred and sixteen miles. They crossed Berwick Bay on
the following day, and, moving by rail from Brashear City, went
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 549 -

into camp on the 25th at Algiers. Participating in the cele-
brated Texas Expedition, they embarked at Algiers on the
5th of January, 1864, and arrived on the 11th off Pass Cavallo,
Tex., where they disembarked on the following day, and
encamped on De Crow’s Point, near the mouth of the Rio
Grande. At this place, they were employed in guard-duty
until the 20th of February, when they re-embarked, on their
return to Louisiana. They arrived at New Orleans on the 23d,
and next day went into camp at Algiers, where they were
stationed until the 5th of March, at which date they proceeded
by rail to Brashear, and, crossing Berwick Bay, encamped on
the following day at Berwick.

The spring campaign commenced on the 13th, at which date
they left Berwick, forming part of the celebrated Red-river
Expedition. Inasmuch as this expedition has frequently been
referred to in the movements of the other regiments, it is not
necessary to describe it. The Twenty-ninth Regiment took
an active and decisive part in all the movements and engage-
ments of that expedition. On the 22d of May the regiment.
went into camp at Morganzia. At this point they were em-
ployed in guard and picket duty, with frequent expeditions
against guerillas, until the 13th of June, when they embarked,
and, proceeding down the Mississippi, landed next day at
Carrollton, where they went into camp. On the 21st, they
moved sixteen miles to Connersville, and thence, on the 26th, to
Thibodeaux, where they were stationed for the performance of
outpost and guard duty. On the 8th of July, Col. Greene
was appointed post-commandant, and Company K of the regi-
ment detailed as provost-guard. The same evening, orders were
received to move immediately to Algiers, where they arrived
on the following day. Here all transportation was turned over,
and every preparation made for transfer to the Army of the
Potomac. The regiment was assigned to the first brigade, pro-
visional division; and, while awaiting the final order to move,
the brigade was ordered to Morganzia, and, embarking on the
morning of the 26th, reached that place on the following day.
On the 28th the regiment took part in a reconnoissance to the
Atchafalaya River; and after a severe skirmish with the enemy,
who was advantageously posted on the opposite bank, they
550 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

returned to camp, having sustained a loss of one killed, and
one wounded. While stationed at this place, the regiment was
assigned to the second brigade, second division, Nineteenth
Army Corps. After sundry movements they returned to Port
Hudson on the 29th of July.

The Thirtieth Regiment, in the month of March, 1864, was
employed in Dacotah Territory and North-western Minnesota,
and took part in the campaign against the Indians under Gen.
Sully. Four companies proceeded to St. Louis, and embarked
on the 25th of April, 1864, on three steamers, and moved up
the Missouri River, and reached Fort Rice on the 15th of July,
having encountered vexatious detentions by snags, sand-bars,
&c. This fort -was located four hundred miles west of St.
Paul, and about eight hundred miles above Sioux City. The
detachment, under Col. Dill, left Fort Rice on the 12th of Octo-
ber, 1864, and descended the Missouri River to Sioux City, and
were joined by Company D, and proceeded down the river to
St. Josephs, Mo.; and, leaving on the 24th, they came by way
of Quincy and Indianapolis to Louisville, Ky., and went into
camp. The remaining companies of the regiment moved from
Fort Wadsworth, Dacotah, Sept. 29, and marched across the
country to Fort Snelling, Minn., and arrived on the 12th of
October, having marched over three hundred miles. Embark-
ing, they left Fort Snelling on the 20th; and reached St.
Louis on the 26th. They re-embarked, and proceeded down
the'river to Paducah, where they remained on guard-duty until
Dec. 6 when they proceeded up the Ohio River, to Louisville,
where they rejoined the balance of the regiment. On the 12th,
the regiment moved by rail to Bowling Green, Ky., and on the
10th of January, 1865, returned to Louisville, where they were
assigned to guard-duty at the military prison. Three com-
panies of the Thirty-first Regiment were engaged in the winter
of 1863-64 guarding the bridge at Stone River. On the 2d of
April, they rejoined the regiment at Murfreesborough, and were
engaged during the month along the road between that place
and Normandy, Tenn., doing outpost-duty. On the 6th of
July, they were ordered to Nashville, and on their arrival had
quarters assigned them west of the Nashville and Chattanooga
Railroad. From Nashville, they proceeded by rail for Marietta,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 551

Ga., which they reached on the 19th. While on the road,
near Kingston, one of the trains ran off the track, wounding
two officers, killing one man, and severely wounding ten
others. On the 22d of July, the regiment moved with the
army upon Atlanta, and were placed in the front line ; and here
they lay under fire until Aug. 25, when they took part in the
movement of the corps. They then returned to the railroad-
bridge across the Chattahoochee, while the rest of the army.
swung around to Jonesborough.

On the 4th of September, the skirmishers ‘of the Thirty-first
were among the first to enter the city. The next day, the regi-
ment moved within the fortifications, and was assigned quarters
in the city. In addition to other-duties devolving upon troops
in an enemy’s country, the regiment were engaged in protecting
forage-trains, and were very successful furnishing grain for the
famishing horses and mules of the army. The Twentieth
Army Corps broke camp on the 15th of November, and filed
out of the burning city, which proved to be the march to the
sea. The fatigues and dangers to which all were exposed were
endured by the Thirty-first during the march through Georgia.
They took part in an engagement ten miles from Savannah,
capturing the works and the camp of the enemy; having one
man killed, and three wounded. The regiment took part in the
siege of Savannah, and after its capture was assigned quarters
within the fortifications. Here they remained until the 18th
of January, 1865.
CHAPTER LII.

WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD. 4

Events of 1864, concluded — Military Matters — Regimental History —Battle-
Field Pictures — Home Politics — Election.

: THE Thirty-second Regiment remained at Moscow until Jan.
27, 1864, when they returned to Memphis, and on the 31st moved
down the river, landing at Vicksburg on the 2d of February.
On the 2d, they commenced the march to Meridian, passing
through Jackson, from which place the rebels were driven, to
Morton and to Lockport. Having satisfactorily accomplished
the object of their mission, they returned to Vicksburg, arriving
on the 4th of March. On the 17th, the regiment moved to join
the forces of Gen. Grant, and proceeded by the river to Cairo,
thence to Columbus, and returned to Cairo. From here, they
moved to Paducah, and, re-embarking, proceeded up the Ten-
nessee River on the 27th, and landed, near Waterloo, Ala.,
from thence to Florence, Prospect, and Athens, reaching Deca-
tur, Ala., on the 10th of April. On the 28th of June, the
brigade marched to Courtland, and surrounded a body of four
hundred rebels, of which they killed and wounded seventeen,
and took forty-nine prisoners, with a number of wagons, horses,
and camp-equipage. They returned to Decatur on the 29th, and
resumed picket-duty, and labor on the fortifications. Subse-
quently they took part in a skirmish near Courtland, in which
twenty-five prisoners were taken. On the 4th of August, they
proceeded to Atlanta, where they remained during the two
days of the battle, losing seven killed, and fifteen wounded.
The regiment, on the 2d of September, returned to Atlanta,
and went into camp until early in October. They took part

in the grand march to Savannah, to which movement we have
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554 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

frequently referred, and camped near that city Jan. 5, 1866,
when they embarked for Beaufort, 8.C.

The Thirty-third Regiment, on the 31st of January, 1864,
moved to Hebron, with the Meridian Expedition of Gen. Sher-
man. Their experiences and labors were similar to those of
other regiments attached to the expedition. They returned to
Hebron March 4, after an absence of twenty-nine days, having
marched three hundred and seventy miles. On the 9th of
March, they joined the Red-river Expedition, and participated
in a number of skirmishes with some losses. They returned to
Vicksburg, and thence to Memphis, remaining in camp until
June 22; thence to the interior of Mississippi. At Camargo
Cross Road, near Tupelo, the enemy attacked a train, and were
routed. Thence they went to Harrisonburg, and drew up
in line of battle before Tupelo. The enemy was driven from
the field. Another engagement took place at Oldtown Creek,
from which the enemy was driven with great loss. The march
was resumed, and La Grange reached on the 21st. On the 22d,
the regiment went into camp at Memphis. In this expedition,
the casualties were, killed eight, wounded thirty-four. On the
3d of August, the Thirty-third proceeded to St. Charles, Ark.,
remaining until the 1st of September; thence to Duvall’s Bluff”
and to Brownsville, where they remained until the 17th, when
they were attached to Gen. Mower’s command, in pursuit of
Gen. Price. They arrived at Cape Girardeau on the 5th of
October, and ascended the Mississippi to St. Louis, and thence
to Jefferson City. On the 17th, they proceeded by rail to
Lamoine Bridge. Leaving this place on the 22d of October,
they marched to Warrensburg, fifty miles, where the regiment
was employed in garrison and provost duty. Gen. Price having
been driven into Arkansas, the regiment returned to St. Louis,’
having in charge a body of rebel prisoners. After being re-
equipped, they left with forces of Gen. A. J. Smith to
re-enforce Gen. Thomas. Arriving on the 30th at Nashville,
they took position three miles south of the city. Here they
were engaged in strengthening the defences until Dec. 15, and
finally took a part in the battle at that place, when the enemy
were driven across the Tennessee River.

The Thirty-fourth Regiment were mustered into the service
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 555

for nine months, and were stationed at Columbus, Ky. Their
term of service expiring, they returned home, and were mus-
tered out in September, 1868.

The Thirty-fifth Regiment left the State on the 27th of Feb-
ruary, 1864, with orders to report to Gen. Steele, at Alexandria,
La. They left Milwaukee on the 18th of April, and proceeded
to St. Louis, where they were fully equipped for active service.
On the 26th, they proceeded down the river to the mouth of
Red River. Failing to procure transportation to their original
destination, they proceeded to New Orleans, and received orders
to report to Gen. Ullman, at Port Hudson, at which place they
disembarked on the Tth of May. At this place they remained
until June 26, being engaged in guard and fatigue duty. At
that date, they moved up to Morganzia, La., where the regiment
was assigned to the first brigade, third division, Nineteenth
Army Corps. From Morganzia, the regiment proceeded to
Port Hudson and St. Charles, Ark, arriving July 24. Here
they remained until the 7th of August, engaged in guard-duty
and scouting, when they returned to Morganzia. On the 1st

.of October, they took part in an excursion to Simsport, in
which several skirmishes with the enemy were had. They
subsequently returned to Duvall’s Bluff, where they remained
until the 7th of February, 1865.

The Thirty-sixth Regiment were organized at Camp Randall
(Frank A. Haskell, colonel), and mustered into the service on
the 10th of May, with orders to report at Washington, D.C.
Arriving at Washington May 14, they proceeded down the
Potomac to Belle Plaine Landing, and from there proceeded to
Spottsylvania by way of Fredericksburg. On the 18th they
acted as a reserve in the engagement of that day, and on the
19th joined the first brigade, second division. On the 20th
they accompanied Gen. Hancock in his march to North Anna,
crossing the Mattapony and North Anna. On the 23d they
were antioned to the support of a battery. They crossed
the stream, and threw up a line of works. Accompanying the
movement across the Pamunkey, on May 380, they found the
rebels drawn up in line of battle near Tolopotomy Creek. At
the battle at that place, the Thirty-sixth suffered severely.
During the night, the regiment marched to Cold Harbor; and,
556 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

on the morning of the 3d, the whole line marched on the
enemy’s position by brigades, when the Thirty-sixth again lost
severely, and Col. Haskell was killed. The losses of the regi-
ment from May 26 to June 7, as officially reported, were,
sixty-four killed, or died of wounds, and one hundred and
twenty-six wounded. Taking part in the general movement
of the army of Gen. Grant across the James River, the Thirty-
sixth with its corps crossed the peninsula to Charles City Court.
House, and on the 15th marched to Petersburg. In the gen-
eral charge on the enemy’s works, they formed in line of,
battle, and fought nobly; Col. John A. Savage being mortally
wounded. In this engagement, the regiment lost forty killed,.
or died of wounds, and eighty-one wounded.

On the 21st the regiment moved to the left of Petersburg.
On the 24th they went into camp, and, for the first time in
four weeks, had a good night’s rest. In this vicinity, they
remained until July 25. On the 26th they broke camp, and
crossed the Appgmattox and James Rivers, near Malvern Hill,
to Strawberry Plain. Here a few guns were captured. The
corps subsequently returned, and made a forced march to.
Petersburg on the 29th, arriving in time to witness the tremen-
dous cannonading, and the deplorable failure of the under-
taking of the mining operations. On the 24th of October.
the regiment marched to the enemy’s position at Hatcher's
Run, and, in the engagement which took place, captured a
larger number of prisoners than it had men engaged. Capt.
Fish and his regiment were highly commended by Gen. Egan
for gallantry and daring coolness in charging, and driving back.
a greatly superior force.

After this affair, the regiment returned to its old camp,.
where it remained until the 5th of February, 1865.

The Thirty-seventh Regiment was organized under the call
of the President of Feb. 1, 1864, and Samuel Harriman commis-,
sioned colonel. Six companies were mustered into service the
latter part of March; and, their services being needed, they
were sent forward, under command of Major Kershaw, and
reported at Washington on the 1st of May. The six com-
panies went into camp on Arlington Heights. On the 30th
they embarked at Alexandria, and proceeded, by way of For-.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 557

tress Monroe and York River, to White House, Va., arriving
on the 2d of June. They were sent forward as guard to a
supply-train, and at Cold Harbor were assigned to the first
brigade. On the 12th they took position in the first line of
works; and, on the evening of that day, took part in the
general movement of Grant’s army. across James River, ‘to
Petersburg, before which place they arrived on the afternoon of
the 16th. On the 17th and 18th two severe engagements took
place, in which the Thirty-seventh took an active part, and
suffered severely. The regiment behaved with great gallantry ;
and: Gen. Grant issued a complimentary order, ‘praising the
division for their endurance and success. The casualties show
the manner in which the Thirty-seventh stood up under a
heavy fire at the first battle in which they were engaged.
Killed, or died of wounds, sixty-five ; wounded, ninety-three.

On the 22d of June the regiment returned to its old posi-
tion near the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad, where they
remained until July 10, doing picket and fatigue duty. The
explosion of the mine under the enemy’s fort on the 30th of
July, and the disastrous failure of the whole scheme, have
become matters of history. The third division suffered greatly.
Out of two hundred and fifty men who went out in the morn-
ing, but ninety-five answered at roll-call that evening. The
casualties, as reported, were fifty-seven killed, and fifty-three
wounded. After the battle, the regiment was relieved from
the front line, and withdrew to the rear, where it remained
until the 19th of August. From the 19th to the 21st of
August, there were a number of engagements on the Weldon
Railroad, in. which the regiment had four killed, and twelve
wounded. On the 29th the brigade marched to Poplar-grove
Church, at which another engagement took place. In Novem-
ber the brigade moved to the mine, or crater fort, which they
had occupied on the 30th of July. In December the regiment,
with others, marched to Hawkins’s Tavern to re-enforce the
Second and Fifth Corps, under Gen. Warren, who, a few days
before, made a raid on the Weldon Railroad. They met the
corps on their return, and went into their old camp, on the
Baxter Road, where they remained until the spring campaign
opened.
558 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The Thirty-eighth Regiment began to organize March, 1864,
under the supervision of Col. Bintliff. Before the regiment
could be filled, the government discontinued the payment of
bounties, when recruiting fell off, and almost entirely ceased:
In consequence of this, only four companies could be organ-
ized, which, having been mustered into service, left Camp
Randall, Madison, on the 38d of May, 1864, for Washington.
Another company was sent forward in July, and other compa-
nies in September. Col. Bintliff took command on their arrival
before Petersburg, on the 1st of October, thus completing the
regiment. On their arrival at Washington, they encamped on
Arlington Heights. On the 30th they marched to Alexandria,
and embarked for White House, at that time the base of sup-
plies of Gen. Grant’s army. On their arrival, they were tem-
porarily consolidated with the First Minnesota, and assigned to
the provisional brigade of Gen. Abercrombie, and were engaged
in escorting supply-trains to Cold Harbor. On the 12th they
moved to the front line of the works; in the evening com-
menced Gen. Grant’s grand flank movement to the rear of
Richmond, arriving, on the 16th of June, in front of Peters-
burg, and moving out under fire to the battle-field. They took
an active part in the engagement on the 17th and 18th,
in which the regiment had fifteen killed, and thirty-five
wounded. They remained in the front lines till the 4th of
July, fighting by day, and working by night. On that day they
returned to the second lines, the battalion being reduced to
forty men fit for duty. Here they encamped until the 19th,
when they moved to the front, and assisted in repulsing an
attack of the enemy. On the 380th of July, when the order
was given to advance, after the explosion of the mine, the
regiment which was selected to lead the charge faltered. Gen.
Hartruft ordered the Thirty-eighth, scarcely numbering a
hundred, to take the lead. Here they had nine killed, and ten
wounded. Subsequently, the battalion was relieved from the
front lines, and encamped behind the second line, where it
remained until Aug. 6, when they returned to the first line,
and were engaged in siege and picket duty until Aug. 19,
when they moved towards the Weldon Railroad, and took part,,
with the Fifth Corps to obtain possession of the medium of
 

 

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560 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

supplies to the enemy. In the engagements that followed, the
enemy were driven back, and, in the attempt to regain posses-
sion of their works, were repulsed with great slaughter. The
battalion proceeded to Reams Station, to re-enforce the Second
Corps, and on the 26th fell back to near Yellow House,
where they’ were engaged in ordinary duties until Sept. 26,
when they moved toward Poplar-grove Church. In the engage-
ment at that place, they took part, and also near Hatcher’s
Run. In the latter part of November, they moved opposite
to Petersburg, and remained in their rifle-pits, under the heavy
fire of the enemy, until the spring campaign opened.

The Thirty-ninth, Fortieth, and Forty-first Regiments of
infantry, comprising Wisconsin’s contribution to the ‘hundred
days’”’ service, were recruited principally in the latter part of
May, and beginning of June, 1864, and organized under the
supervision of Col. Edwin Buttrick of Milwaukee, Col. W.
Augustus Ray of Delavan, and Lieut.-Col. George B. Goodwin
of Menasha respectively.

The Thirty-ninth left Camp Washburn, at Milwaukee, on
the 18th of June, and were followed on the 15th by the
Forty-first. Proceeding by way of Cairo, IIl., they arrived on
the 17th at Memphis, Tenn., where both regiments were
assigned to the third brigade, which was placed under com-
mand of Col. Buttrick.

The Fortieth left Camp Randall on the. 14th of June, and,.
moving by rail to Alton, Ill, proceeded thence by steamer
down the Mississippi, landing on the 19th at Memphis, Tenn.,.
where they were assigned to the second brigade, district of
Memphis.

The regiments were placed in camp within the fortifications,
and employed principally in garrison, picket, and railroad-
guard duty, participating in occasional skirmishes on the
picket-line. On the 21st of August, the rebel general, Forrest,
with a force of about five thousand cavalry, made a dash upon
the city at daylight, and succeeded, at one point, in passing
through the lines. Our regiments were promptly hurried to:
the front, and, in the action which ensued, behaved with
gallantry, sustaining slight loss. The rebels soon retired, with
a few prisoners whom they had captured; and, after a march
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 561

of two miles, our troops returned in the afternoon to camp.
The term of service of these troops having expired in the
beginning of ‘September, they were ordered to return to Wis-
consin for muster out of service. The Thirty-ninth and Forty-
first were discharged at Camp Washington; and the Fortieth,
which arrived on the 14th of September, was soon afterwards.
mustered out at Camp Randall.

The Forty-second Regiment, organized under the superin-
tendence of Col. Ezra T. Sprague, formerly adjutant of the
Eighth Infantry, under the call of July 18, 1864, were finally
mustered into the United States service on the 7th of Septem-
ber, 1864. From Camp Randall, they proceeded by rail to
Cairo, Ill., at which place they arrived on the 22d of Sep-
tember, and engaged in the discharge of post and garrison
duty. On the 24th Col. Sprague was assigned to the command
of the post, and Lieut.-Col. Botkin put in command of the
regiment.

The Forty-third, Forty-fourth, and Forty-fifth Regiments
were organized in the latter part of the year.

The First Cavalry, on the 14th of January, 1864, moved i
Dandridge. They participated on the 17th in the battle at this
place, sustaining a loss of thirty-two men killed, wounded, and
missing. During the night, they fell back toward Knoxville,
through which they passed on the 19th, encamping on the road
to Sevierville. On the 21st, camp was moved sixteen miles
beyond the latter place, on the Fair Garden Road, from which
point, having effected a reconnoissance of the surrounding
country, they returned on the 25th, with a number of prisoners,
to Sevierville. In the engagement near this place, on the 27th,
the regiment occupied the extreme left of our line, and
sustained but trifling loss.

During the next three days, they marched to various points
in the vicinity, going into camp on the 31st at Marysville,
where the regiment was stationed as guard until the 9th of
February, at which date they moved to Motley’s Ford, on the
Little Tennessee River. On the 24th they marched to Madi-
sonville, and moving thence on the 10th of March, by way of
Calhoun and Athens, encamped on the 12th at Cleveland,
where they were joined on the 26th by Lieut.-Col. Torrey,
with a large number of recruits from Wisconsin.
562 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Here the regiment was employed in guard-duty with frequent
reconnoissances, as skirmishers, with the enemy, until the 3d of
May, when they marched with the division, arriving on the
Tth at Varnell’s Station, on the Cleveland and Dalton Railroad.
On the 9th the second brigade, under command of Col. La
Grange, was ordered forward to develop the position of the
enemy on the railroad, three miles from Varnell’s. Nearly the
whole of Gen. Wheeler’s force, supported by a division of
infantry, were drawn up in a strong position; and, after a
severe engagement, our forces returned to camp, the principal
loss sustained being prisoners captured by the rebels. Thence-
forward the regiment, with the first cavalry division, accompa-
nied the march of Gen. Sherman’s forces, covering the left
flank of our army, and taking part in daily actions with the
enemy. On the 26th five companies, with a portion of an
Indiana regiment, attacked a brigade of rebel cavalry near
Burnt Hickory, seven miles from Dallas, routing the enemy
with great loss, and capturing three officers and forty-four
men; and on the 4th of June a detachment of the regiment
occupied Ackworth, having previously defeated a small body
of rebels who held the place. On the 6th, with the brigade,
they participated in a sharp skirmish, and occupied Big Shanty,
whence they marched on the 9th, on a reconnoissance to the
front, and on the 16th moved with the left of the army to
position before the enemy’s lines on Lost Mountain, in which
vicinity they remained, taking part in frequent engagements
until the Ist of July, at which date they moved to Howell’s
Ferry, on the Sweetwater River. On the 3d they participated
in a sharp skirmish near the Chattahoochee River, and next
day returned to position near Lost Mountain. After the
enemy’s retreat across the river, they were employed in several
reconnoissances and scouting-expeditions on the left of the
army, and crossing the Chattahoochee on the 22d, near the rail-
road-bridge, took part in a skirmish with the enemy on the
right flank of the army, three miles south of Beechtown Creek.
Forming a part of Gen. McCook’s expedition to the rear of
Atlanta, they crossed the Chattahoochee on the 27th, and,
marching in a south-westerly direction, recrossed the river six
miles below Campbelltown, where the regiment was detached
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 563

from the main body, and, passing through the town, attacked
the advance of the rebel general’s (Armstrong) force, two thou-
sand strong, at a point two miles and a half east of Campbell-
town, on the Atlanta and West Point Railroad. After a severe
engagement, they were compelled to withdraw, and returned to
Marietta on the 31st, as escort to a pontoon-train and battery,
having sustained, during the raid, a loss of thirty-one men.
From Marietta, they moved ten miles south-west, where they
were stationed, covering the return of stragglers from Gen.
McCook’s forces, until the 7th of August, when they marched
to the railroad-bridge across the Chattahoochee. On the 10th
they were put in motion towards Cartersville, at which place
they arrived on the 12th, and were employed in scouting and
forage-duty. On the 17th of October they again marched
to Calhoun, and on the 4th of November were ordered to
Louisville, Ky. Here they remained until the 4th of Decem-
ber, when they proceeded to Bowling Green, and thence to
Hopkinsville, where they drove the enemy from the town,
capturing two pieces of artillery and fifteen prisoners. They
pursued the enemy to Elizabethtown, where they captured
eleven prisoners, when the pursuit was abandoned. The
campaign being closed, the regiment went into winter-quarters
at Waterloo, Ala., where they remained until the 10th of
March, 1865.

The Second Cavalry, on the 27th of May, 1864, moved to
Vicksburg; and, on the 11th of May, the veterans returned
from Wisconsin, Col. T. Stephens in command. The regiment
were engaged in scouting in South-western Missouri and North-
western Arkansas during the summer, and on the Ist of Sep-
tember returned to Vicksburg, and were engaged, in the months
of October, November, and December, in heavy scouting-duty.
On the 2d of December Lieut.-Col. Dale, with two hundred
and fifty men of the Second Cavalry, encountered a large body
of the enemy near Yazoo City, on the Vicksburg Road, where
two were killed, eight wounded, and twenty-seven reported
as taken prisoners. On the 8th of December the regiment
moved. up the river to Memphis, and were engaged in scouting,
&c., to the last of April, 1865.

The Third Cavalry, on the 30th of March, 1864, moved from
564 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Van Buren, and arrived:at Little Rock on.the 16th of April,
1864, when seven companies returned to Wisconsin. on veteran
furlough. They re-assembled on, the 19th of June, and were
again in camp at Duvall’s Bluff, whence they subsequently
moved to Huntsville, and were engaged in picket and guard
duty, and as escort to trains between Little Rock and Duvall’s
Bluff. In August a detachment of one hundred and four men,
under Major Derry, joined an expedition in pursuit of the rebel
general’s (Shelby) force. .The other five companies were sta-
tioned in Kansas and Missouri, engaged in scouting, picketing,
forage, and escort-duty. Major Derry, on the 25th of Septem-
ber, left on an expedition to Fort Smith, and returned to Little
Rock on the 18th of October, 1864, where the regiment remained
during the winter. °
Lieut. Earll of the Fourth Cavalry. on the 10th of January,
1864, left camp on a scouting-expedition, with a party of seven-
teen men, and surprised a party of fifty rebels.at Olive Church,
twenty-three miles from Baton Rouge, and, gallantly charging
upon them, succeeded in capturing twenty-five men and all the
horses. In endeavoring to return to camp, they fell in with
two parties of rebel cavalry, who succeeded in recapturing the
‘men, and in taking Lieut. Earll prisoner. In February Col.
Boardman and Capt. Keefe were engaged in-scouting-expedi-
tions in Louisiana; and, in an expedition made in the month of
‘May, Col. Boardman was struck by four balls, the last penetrat-
ing the skull, and causing instant death. On the 27th of June
the regiment embarked in transports, and moved up the river
to Morganzia, where they went into camp. On the 25th of
August they accompanied. an. expedition to Clinton, which
accomplished its object, and returned. They also made two
other movements on Clinton in the months. of October and
November, which were both highly successful. On. the 27th
the Fourth Wisconsin, with eight. other cavalry regiments with
pontoon-trains, left Baton Rouge for the purpose of making a
feint on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, with the object of. keep-
ing the forces in the vicinity of Mobile from making a.demon-
stration on. Gen. Sherman’s army. Taking seventeen. days’
rations, they marched three hundred miles. Arriving within
two miles-of Mobile, they took a south-westerly course; and
 

 
566 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

struck the Gulf of Mexico one hundred and forty miles east of
New Orleans, when they embarked, and arrived at Baton Rouge
on the 5th of January, 1865, without losing a man.

The thirteen batteries of light artillery were engaged during
the year 1864 in active duty. Space will not admit of further
details of the movements of this branch of the military service,
including batteries A to M of heavy artillery. Both performed
excellent service in their fields of labor.

Such is a brief account of the services of the Wisconsin
regiments who served in the war in 1864. No State in the
Union furnished better men, or men who fought more valiantly
in the defence of the Union.

On the 15th of September, 1864, Gov. Lewis appointed Jason
Downer, Esq., judge of the Supreme Court, to fill the place of
Hon. Byron Paine, who had resigned his position, to take effect
Noy. 15, 1864, in order to his accepting the position of lieu-
tenant-colonel of the Forty-third Regiment, to which he had
been commissioned on the 10th of August, on the organization
of that regiment.

The November elections of this year were entered into with
enthusiasm, as a President of the United States had to be
chosen. The Republican Union electors were, W. W. Field,
George C. Northrop, Henry Blood, Jonathan Bowman, Allen
Worden, H. J. Turner, H. F. Belitz, and A. S. McDill. The
Democratic electors were, Theodore Rodolph, Randall Wilcox,
J. W. Webster, G. T. Thorn, J. 8. Tripp, F. W. Horn, C.
Morgan, and H.T. Ramsey. The Republican ticket was elected
by an average majority of sixteen thousand.

At this election, the Republican Union party elected sixty-
nine members of the assembly, and, with the held-over senators,
had twenty-three members of the senate. The Democrats had
thirty-three members of the assembly, and ten senators.

The electoral college, at a subsequent date, cast the vote of
the State for Abraham Lincoln, President, and Andrew John-
son, Vice-President.
CHAPTER LIII.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. LEWIS.

Events of 1865— Legislation — Message of Gov, Lewis — War Measures — Surren-
der of Gen. Lee — The Draft, &c.

Tur eighteenth session of the State legislature convened at Madison on
the eleventh day of January, 1865, and adjourned on the tenth day of April,
after a session of ninety days. The officers of both houses were similar to
the preceding one of 1864. In the senate, Wyman Spooner, lieutenant-
governor, presided; Frank M. Stewart was elected chief clerk, and Nelson
Williams sergeant-at-arms. In the assembly, William W. Field was
elected speaker, John S. Dean chief clerk, and Alonzo Wilcox sergeant-
at-arms.

Gov. Lewis, in his message, said, —

“The financial condition of the State, considering the drafts that have necessa-
rily been made upon the treasury, is very flattering. . . . Great credit is due to
the secretary of state and state treasurer for their management in bringing about
this result, and for the able and efficient manner in which they have discharged
the duties of their respective departments.”

The following is a list of the important measures passed by the legisla-
ture, omitting those of a military character, which will be noticed here-
after : — s

An act to facilitate the conversion of the State currency, and to provide for tak-
ing up certain State bonds; an amendatory act to guard the abuse of the elective
franchise, and to preserve the purity of elections by a registration of electors; an
act in relation to insurance-companies doing business in the State; to previde
‘more effectually for the protection of State lands; an act to extend the right of
‘suffrage, conferring this right on colored persons, provided, that at the next gen-
‘eral election, held in November, 1865, a majority of the votes polled shall declare
for such right; to provide for levying and collecting a State tax for the year 1865
(three hundred and fifty thousand dollars); to provide for taking a census, or
enumeration of the people of this State; to authorize the conversion of State banks
to national banking associations; to provide for completing the work on the State
Capitol, by which the building-commissioners were authorized to contract for the
continuation of the work on the south wing, and twenty-five thousand dollars
appropriated for said work; to dispose of the swamp and overflowed lands and
the proceeds thereof, by the provision of which act, the proceeds of the sales of

567
568 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

such lands are to be divided in two parts, —one to be known as the ‘‘ Normal
School Fund,” and the other as the ‘‘ Drainage Fund,” the income from the for-
mer to be applied to establishing and supporting normal schools, and the latter
to be apportioned to the counties in proportion to the amount sold in each
county with certain restrictions; to codify and consolidate the laws relative to
the assessment and collection of taxes,

The following is a summary of the laws passed of a military charac-
ter: —

To authorize cities, towns, and villages to pay bounties to volunteers; to in-
corporate the Wisconsin Soldiers’ Home (of which notice will be given hereafter);
to amend the act relative to the commencement and prosecution of civil actions
against persons in the military service of the country; to authorize the payment
of salaries, clerk-hire, and expenses of the offices of the adjutant-general and
quartermaster-general from the war fund; to amend an act authorizing commis-
sioned officers to take acknowledgments of deeds, affidavits, and depositions; to
amend the act extending the right of suffrage to soldiers in the field; to provide
for correcting and completing the records of the adjutant-general’s office relative
to the military history of the members of the several military organizations of
this State; fixing the salary of the adjutant-general and quartermaster-general,
and their clerks and assistants; to prohibit volunteer or substitute brokerage; a
supplementary and explanatory bill authorizing towns and villages to raise
money to pay bounties to volunteers; amending a law relating to the relief of
soldiers’ families; to provide for the establishment of State agencies for the relief
and care of sick, wounded, and disabled soldiers; to authorize the borrowing of
money to repel invasion, suppress insurrection, and defend the State in time of
war, not exceeding eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

To summarize: there were fifty-four bills passed amending previous general
laws, twelve amending private and local laws, twenty-seven relative to banks,
seventy-three relating to bounties, twenty conferring powers on the governor,
and seventeen on the secretary of State, nine granting lands for railroad and
other purposes, fifteen legalizing certain acts of town-officers, twenty-three relat-
ing to the city of Milwaukee, twenty-five incorporating petroleum-companies,
twenty-one relating to railroads, thirty extending the time for the collecting of
taxes. Five hundred and thirty-nine bills were enacted of a general character,
nine joint resolutions, eleven memorials to Congress, and a large number of
appropriation bills. :

Of this session ‘‘ The State Journal ’’ says, —

“About all the important measures brought before the legislature were
disposed of. The appropriation-bills all passed, except that of thirty thousand
dollars for the enlargement of the Hospital for the Insane, and also the bills for a
‘temporary loan and special tax of eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars for
war-purposes, and a general tax of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars for
general expenses. The bill increasing the rate of interest was defeated in the
assembly, also the bill allowing the Racine and Mississippi Railroad to build
branches to Milwaukee and Chicago.”

On the 10th of April, the last day of the session, Gov. Lewis sent to the
legislature the following message: —

_ “Four years ago, on the day fixed for adjournment, the sad news of the fall of
Fort Sumter was transmitted to the legislature. To-day, thank God! and, next to
him, the brave officers and soldiers of our army and navy, I am permitted to
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 569

transmit to you the official intelligence, just received, of the surrender of Gen. Lee
and his army, the last prop of the Rebellion. Tet us rejoice, and thank the
Raler of the Union for victory, and the prospects.of an honorable peace.
Signed,
“ James T. Lewis.”

* The accompanying despatches of the correspondence between Gens. Grant
and Lee, and Secretary Stanton and Gen. Grant, were then read by the
clerk, and received most enthusiastically. On their conclusion, the senate
gave three cheers for Gen. Grant'and the army under his command. ‘

On the 7th of February, 1865, Gov. Lewis submitted to the legislature the
proposed constitutional amendment abolishing slavery in the United States;
and in his message he said, —

“Upon its adoption hangs the destiny of four millions of human beings, and, it
may be, the destiny of the nation. I trust, and doubt not, the legislature of Wis-
concin will record its decision firmly, and IT hope wnanimously, in favor of the
amendment. Let us wipe from our escutcheon the foul blot of human slavery,
and show by our action that we are worthy of the name of freemen.”

In the senate, on the 21st of February, the question came up in a joint
resolution to ratify the constitutional amendment. On a vote being taken,
the resolution was adopted; — ayes 24, nays 5. On the 25th, three senators
asked to have their votes recorded in favor of the same, and two against it;
making the vote in the senate, ayes 27, nays 7. On the receipt of the reso-
lution in the assembly, a vote was taken on the 24th of February, with the
following result: ayes 71, nays 21, 2 absentees; and the assembly concurred
in the same.

On the 17th of May, Gen. Winfield Smith, attorney-general of the State,
and Gov. Lewis, succeeded in effecting a settlement with the General
Government for the claim of the State for the five per cent due from the
Government on sales of public lands within our State. This claim had
been withheld many years. The State was trustee for a grant of lands made
to build a canal from Milwaukee to Rock River, and sold one hundred and
twenty-five thousand acres, while the canal never was built. The Government
had held on to their five per cent fund until the State settled for this amount
of land sold; and what the State paid over to the Government would go to the
Milwaukee and Rock River Canal Company. The negotiations between the
State and the Government occupied a great length of time, but were now
satisfactorily settled. On the 17th of May the balance due the State to that
date, amounting to $148,784.06, was paid. In the month of November
the further sum of $5,670.28 was sent to the State authorities, being the
amount which had accrued sirice the date of settlement.

The governor, by special order, was authorized to raise two new regi-
ments; and on the 3d and 5th of January, 1865, he directed the organization
of the Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh.

‘ The quota, under the call for three hundred thousand on the 19th of
December, was put at seventeen thousand eight hundred. This amount
was considered excessive; and a correspondence ensued with the provost-
570 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

marshal-general. After a full examination was made, the revised quota
was ascertained to be twelve thousand three hundred and fifty-six; which
number was apportioned among the six congressional districts. The sixth
district protested that the quota assigned that district was excessive. The
provost-marshal-general, however, declined making any change.

On the 26th and 27th of January, 1865, the governor ordered the Forty-
eighth and Forty-ninth Regiments to be organized; and in February the
Fiftieth Regiment was ordered into camp, and organized. As the draft was
ordered to take place on the 27th of March, and a new impetus was thereby
given to recruiting, Gov. Lewis gave directions for the organization of the
Fifty-first, Fifty-second, and Fifty-third Regiments at Camp Randall; and
the Forty-sixth, Forty-seventh, Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth, and Fiftieth were
all filled. to the minimum, and left the State in March.

The surrender of Gen. Lee and his army on the 9th of April was virtually
the close of the war. The surrender of Gen. Johnston and his army to Gen.
Sherman followed as a natural consequence. Thereafter the rebel army lost
its identity; and such fragmentary portions of it as were scattered through-
out the Southern States entered into negotiations with the United States
authorities, surrendered, and disbanded; the last to do so being the army of
Gen. Kirby Smith in Texas. Orders were received, on the 13th of April,
to discontinue recruiting, and discharge drafted men who had not been
taustered in; and, about the 1st of May, orders were promulgated for the
muster-out of all organizations whose term of service expired on or before
the 1st of October, 1865. Many of our Wisconsin troops coming under the
operations of this order, they were soon on their way home. During the
summer, the State officers were engaged in attending to the reception of
returning regiments, their payment by the United States, and the settle-
ment with those who were entitled to extra pay from the State. During
the same period, the mustering-out of the several regiments continued, ex-
tending into the winter, many of them being sent to the Rio Grande or the
north-western frontier.

The total number of troops raised during the term of Gov. Lewis’s ad-
ministration, up to April 30, 1865, amounted to thirty-eight thousand six
hundred and eighteen, which includes volunteers for new regiments and
batteries, recruits for old organizations, veteran re-enlistments, drafted men,
and the one-hundred-day troops.

At the election in the month of April, Hon. Jason Downer was elected
judge of the Supreme Court, to fill the unexpired term of Hon. Byron Paine,
resigned. The 20th of April, 1865, was appointed by Gov. Lewis as a day
of thanksgiving for the overthrow of the Rebellion, and restoration of
peace.

The news of the assassination of President Lincoln, on the 14th of April,
was received in Wisconsin, as in all the loyal States, with great sorrow.
Public meetings were held in the prominent cities and villages of the State,
and sermons and addresses delivered. '

On the 28th of June Josiah L. Pickard was, by the regents of the State
University, elected chancellor; which position was declined.
 
*

572 HISTORY: OF WISCONSIN.

-The Union Convention to nominate State officers for two years, com-
mencing Jan. 1. 1866, was held at Madison, on the 6th of September, Hon.
M. L. Martin, president; at which time the following ticket was nominated:
Governor, Lucius Fairchild; Lieutenant-Governor, Wyman Spooner; Secretary
of State, Thomas 8. Allen; State Treasurer, William E. Smith; Aétorney-
General, Charles R. Gill; Bank Comptroller, J. M. Rusk; State-Prison Com-
missioner, Henry Cordier; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Josiah L.
Pickard.

The Democratic Convention was held at Madison Sept. 20, H. L. Palmer,
president. The following ticket was nominated: Governor, Harrison C.
Hobart; Lieutenant-Governor, D. W. Maxon; Secretary of State, L. B. Vilas;
State Treasurer, J. W. Davis; Bank Comptroller, Thomas McMahon: State-
Prison Commissioner, C. Horneffer; Superintendent of Public Instruction; J.
B. Parkinson. :

The Union Republican ticket was elected by an average majority of nine
thousand. At the same election, the Union and Republicans elected sixty-
eight members, and the Democrats thirty-two. The senate of 1866 had
twenty-three Unions and Republicans, and twelve Democrats.

L
CHAPTER LIV.

WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

t

Events of 1865, continued — Regimental History —Battle-Field Scenes and In-
cidents. — The Last Year of the War.

THE ‘Tron Brigade,’’ on the 6th of February, 1865, broke camp, and took
part in the engagement near Dabney’s Mill, on Hatcher’s Run. In this
affair, the third division of Gen. Crawford, of the Fifth Corps, took the ad-
vance, and bore the brunt of the fight on the 6th and 7th of February. Our
Wisconsin regiments fought with their accustomed gallantry; aud their loss
was very severe. The loss of the division was about thirty-seven officers
and eleven hundred and forty-three men, an aggregate of eleven hundred
and eighty out of about four thousand who went into action. The loss of
the Seventh Regiment in the battle at Dabney’s Mill, on the 6th and 7th of
February, 1865, as reported oy Lieut.-Col. Richardson, is as follows, four
killed, and nineteen wounded. Returning to camp near the Military Rail-
road, they remained until ordered, in the middle of February, to proceed to
Baltimore. On arriving at City Point, the order, so far as it related to the
Sixth and Seventh Regiments, was countermanded; and the two regiments
were ordered to return to their old camp, when, by order of Gen. Crawford,
they were re-urganized as the ‘‘ First Provisional Brigade,’’ and placed under
the command of Col. Kellogg of the Sixth, Lieut.-Col. Kerr assuming com-
mand of the regiment. March 5, the Ninety-first New York Heavy Artillery
were added, making the brigade about three thousand men, Here they
remained until the opening of the final campaign, which resulted in the
capture of Gen. Lee.
~' On the morning of the 29th of March, 1865, the brigade broke camp near
the Military Railroad, and moved to near the Boydtown Plank-road. Here
line of battle was formed; the Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin forming the
first line, in rear of the second brigade. The enemy being driven from his
position, the brigade was ordered to a point near the road; the Seventh
Wisconsin, under Lieut.-Col. Richardson, being placed-on the road, and the
balance of the brigade about eighty rods to the rear, in line of battle,
where they remained during’ the night, and next day advanced to the road,
and threw up breastworks. On the 81st the brigade moved from the
breastworks, in a north-westerly direction, across Gravelly. Run, where it

578
574 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

was massed in column of regiments for a short time, when it was ordered
to deploy into line of battle to the right of the second brigade. Before
this movement was accomplished, only the Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin
being in line, Col. Kellogg, in command of the brigade, was ordered to arrest
the men from the front line, who were falling back in confusion. This could
not be done, as the flying troops broke through his line, and threw it into
confusion. The Sixth and Seventh were ordered to close their intervals, form
into line of battle, and open fire on the enemy; which was done, and con-
tinued until the enemy had turned both flanks, and were firing on the flanks
and rear. The Seventh Wisconsin changed front, so as to meet the fire on
their flank; but, the enemy appearing in strong force in the rear, the brigade
retired across Gravelly Run in as good order as possible, being somewhat
broken up by being compelled to fight their way back. The Sixth and Seventh
were formed on the front line next to the creek, near the bridge, where they
remained during the rest of the engagement. The brigade was re-formed in
the rear of their first position, and ordered to lie down, and were afterwards
moved forward on the battle-field, and encamped. The Fifth Corps had been
ordered to report to Gen. Sheridan at Dinwiddie Court House. On the
Ist of April, the brigade moved in line of battle in a westerly direction to
the vicinity of the Gravelly Run Church. In the afternoon the Seventh
Regiment occupied the advance line on the left of the brigade, with the
Sixth Wisconsin on the right. Companies B and E of the Seventh were
deployed as skirmishers, covering the brigade front, advancing in line
of battle. The enemy's advance was driven through the woods, back
upon their intrenchments at Five Forks. Gen. Sheridan ordered Col. Rich-
ardson to move over the enemy’s works, which the gallant colonel obeyed,
wheeling to the right, and charging the enemy through the open field, driv-
ing them through the woods, following their retreating columns, and again
charging them through a second open field. Night coming on, the brigade
fell back two miles, and went into position behind the breastworks captured
from the enemy. This was the part taken by the Sixth and Seventh Wis-
consin in the famous battle of Five Forks. On the 2d the brigade, advan-
cing to the South Side Railroad, found the position abandoned by the enemy.
This was about thirteen miles from Petersburg. Continuing to advance
rapidly in a westerly direction, the enemy were found intrenched on the
Burkesville Road. The brigade was deployed to the right of the road, in
two lines; and the Seventh, under Col. Richardson, were deployed as skir-
mishers, with orders to cover the entire front of the line of battle. The
enemy, after dark, opened fire on their lines, which was replied to; and the
command advanced, and halted within a few rods of their breastworks, where
they lay on their arms all night. During the night the enemy abandoned
their works. Pursuit was made; but they were not overtaken, and the bri-
gade went into bivouac. On the morning of the 4th pursuit was resumed;
and Jettersville Station, on the Danville Railroad, was reached in the after-
noon, which was found occupied by Gen. Sheridan’s cavalry, and the enemy
in strong force just beyond. Here the brigade formed in line of battle, the
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 575

men weary and footsore, having travelled all day, and labored all night,
throwing up breastworks. Here they rested, waiting for an attack, until
the 6th, when the enemy was found to have again taken flight. Following
him during the 6th and 7th, on the west side of the Appomattox, they
reached High Railroad Bridge, where they found the enemy had crossed,
and set the bridge on fire. On the 8th, a long and tiresome forced march
was made by the brigade, being much impeded by the wagon-trains of the
Twenty-fourth Corps. They encamped in line of battle that night. On the
Sth, pursuit was again resumed; and the gallant ‘‘Iron Brigade’? had the
proud satisfaction of assisting in the capture of the famous army of Gen.
Lee at Appomattox Court Honse.

In the short campaign from March 29 to April 9, the casualties in the
Sixth and Seventh Regiments were as follows: Sixth Regiment, killed, or died
of wounds, sixteen; Seventh Regiment, killed, or died of wounds, eighteen;
wounded, fifty-two. After the surrender of the rebel forces under Gen.
Lee, the brigade, on the 11th of April, moved to Black and White’s Station,
on the Petersburg and Lynchburg Railroad, and went into camp, where they
remained until the corps commanders were ordered to march their respective
commands to Washington. They arrived there, and participated in the
grand review on the 23d of May, and went into camp till the 17th of June,
when they left Washington to report ‘to Major-Gen. Logan, at Louisville,
Ky., where they arrived on the 22d of June. Here they were organized
into the ‘‘ Provisional Division’’ of Gen. Morrow, —the Seventh Regiment
in the first brigade, and the Sixth in the second brigade; the latter
being placed under the command of Col. Kellogg of the Sixth, who, at the
muster-out of Gen. Morrow, was assigned to the command of the division.
The Seventh was mustered out, and started for Wisconsin on the 2d of
July, arriving on the 5th at Madison, where it was received by the State
authorities, and was soon after paid off, and the regiment disbanded. The
Sixth was mustered out on the 14th, and arrived at Madison on the 16th,
and were publicly received, paid, and the regiment disbanded. Col. Kel-
loge, the last brigade commander, issued a final order, dissolving the organi-
zation of the ‘‘ Iron Brigade;’’ and the gallant corps, which had become the
pride of our State, ceased to exist. Its history forms one of the brightest
pages in our national records. Col. Kellogg of the Sixth was subsequently
brevetted brigadier-general, and Lieut.-Col. Richardson of the Seventh
was brevetted colonel, and subsequently brigadier-general, for gallant and
meritorious services in the final operations of the Army of th2 Potomac,
particularly at the battle of Five Forks. The regiment under Lieut.-Col.
Stephenson, with the brigade under command of Col. Hawley, left Sa-
vannah on the 17th of January, 1865, in continuation of the march towards
Goldsborough. The march was without any historical interest until the
29th of January, when the regiment, in advance of the division, entered
Robertsville, S.C., encountering the enemy about a mile from the village.
Two companies went forward as skirmishers, and the firing soon became
sharp; but the enemy was sent flying through the town. The regiment had
576 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

three wounded. March was resumed. on the 2d of February, which was
continued, the regiment engaged in guarding trains, and destroying railroad-
track, passing Columbia, and proceeding to Winnsborough, and, on the
5th of March, camping at a place eleven miles from Chesterfield, where it
was inspected, and found to be in rough condition, -— clothing in shreds,
and shoes worn out. Thence they proceeded to Cheraw, S.C., building
corduroy road, and guarding trains, reaching Fayetteville, N.C., on the
11th of March. On the 15th and 16th, when near Bluif Church, the regi-
ment, with the brigade, marched to the support of the cavalry division,
forming line of battle to attack.the enemy, who was found strongly posted.
The skirmishers became hotly engaged, and held the position several hours,
until relieved, The casualties of. the regiment were twenty-seven killed
and wounded. During the remainder of the day, the regiment was held in
reserve, without further casualties, and was relieved at dark by a brigade of
the Fourteenth Army Corps. On the 18th and 19th the brigade marched, and
arrived near the Fourteenth Army Corps, who were engaged with the.enemy,
After some changes of position, the regiment occupied, with the brigade, a
position on the left of the Fourteenth Army Corps, facing the west. Breast-
works were soon completed; and the brigade remained without any thing
worthy of note occurring until the 22d, when, the enemy having retreated,
march was resumed; and, on the 24th, the brigade, with the rest.of the
army, went into camp near Goldsborough. These affairs are known as the
battles of Averysborough and Bentonville. Lieut.-Col. Stephenson reports
the following casualties in the regiment from Jan.. 17 to. April 6, 1865;
killed, four; wounded, twenty-six. Moving with the rest of the army in
pursuit of the rebels, under Johnston, thé regiment reached Raleigh, where
it remained until the 27th, being present at the surrender of the rebel army.
On that day it moved on its homeward march, passing through Richmond,
and reaching Alexandria on the 16th of May. It participated in the grand
review of Sherman’s army at the national capital, encamped a few miles
from Washington, from whence that portion of the Third whose term of
service expired before the 1st of October was sent to Madison, and mus-
tered out. The balance of the regiment, to which was added several hun-
dred members of other regiments, whose terms did not expire with their
respective organizations, were sent to Louisville, Ky. Here they remained
until the 21st of July, when they moved. by rail to Madison, arriving on
Sunday evening, July 23, when they were mustered out of service, and
paid off. For meritorious services during the war, Col. Hawley was bre-
vetted brigadier-general, and Lieut.-Col. Stephenson as colonel.

The Fourth Regiment, as has been before remarked, was changed into a
cavalry regiment; and its history as the Fourth Cavalry will be referred to
hereafter. The Sixth Regiment, on, the 25th of March, 1865, participated
in the general skirmish along the whole line, and succeeded in driving in
the rebel outpost, then in front. Here Sergeant William Hall, Company G,
was killed, and Corporal James D. Splain, Company G, Edward Martin,
John Morrison, and H. 8. Otis, Company D, and Charles O. Foot, Com-
pe
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ARCHBISHOP J

 
578 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

pany K, wounded. Edward Martin is reported as having died of
wounds.

In the charge on the enemy’s works at Petersburg, April 2, the Fifth
Wisconsin and Thirty-seventh Massachusetts, led by Col. Allen, were in
the extreme front, supported by two lines in the rear. At four, A.m., the
signal for the charge was given; and the colors of the Fifth were the “frst
planted on the enemy’s works, that regiment. being the first to enter the
captured works of Petersburg. Col. Allen led a portion of the regiment
two miles through the abandoned lines of the enemy to the left, inside of
the late rebel works, capturing many prisoners, then back to the right,
where the regiment was engaged in skirmishing till night. The losses, as
officially reported, were, killed, eight; died of wounds, nine; wounded,
seventy-one.

The loss of the regiment was about one-tenth of that suffered by the
whole corps, consisting of fifty regiments.

On the afternoon of April 3, they joined in the sariveuait of Lee; the Sixth
Corps encountering Gen. Ewell’s forces at Little Sailors’ Creek on the 7th.
The lines were hurriedly formed, and pushed forward at a double-quick;
the regiment marching with unbroken line through a swamp waist-
deep, under fire of the enemy’s musketry. . They moved to the brow of
a hill, where the enemy was discovered but a few paces distant, admirably
posted, and fighting with the energy of despair. The regiment was in an
extremely hazardous position, being subjected to a severe flank and cross
fire. Col. Allen rode in advance of the line as calmly as though danger
were unknown. Company G (Capt. Henry Curran) and Company C (Lieut.
Evan BR. Jones) were deployed as skirmishers. Lieut.-Gen. Ewell and staff
surrendered to six men of the skirmishers, under command of Sergeant Cam-
eron, Company A, who was promoted lieutenant on the field for gallantry.
The action of the regiment elicited high encomiums from the corps, division,
and brigade commanders. In the action of April 7, the regiment had six-
teen killed, seventy-nine wounded, and three died of wounds. The pursuit
was continued until the 9th, when Lee surrendered. On the 10th the regi-
ment commenced its return, and reached Burke’s Station on the evening of
the 18th. They encamped till the 23d of April, and marched to Danville,
arriving on the 27th, and reaching Richmond on the 20th of May. Leaving
Richmond on the 24th for Washington, they arrived there June 2, after a
long and tedious march. On the 16th of June they left for Madison, Wis.,
arrived on the 20th, and were soon after mustered out, thus closing the
record of the ‘‘ Fighting Fifth.”? Col. Allen was brevetted brigadier-gen-
eral for gallant and meritorious services during the war. The record of the
Sixth and Seventh Regiments has been given in the account of the ‘Iron
Brigade;’’ and it is not necessary to repeat it at this time.

The Eighth Regiment joined the pursuit of the enemy after the battle of
‘Nashville, marched one hundred and fifty miles, and encamped at Clifton,
‘Tenn. On the 2d of January, 1865, they moved to Eastport. Embarking
ron the 6th of February, they proceeded, with the Sixteenth Corps, down the
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 579

Tennessee, to Cairo, and thence to New Orleans, and went into camp five
miles below that city. On the 5th of March they moved in transports to
take part in the investment of the defences of Mobile, landing at Dauphin
Island, and from thence proceeded up Fish River, ten miles, and went into
camp. On the 25th they moved, and took position in lines before the
Spanish Fort. Here they were engaged in fortifying, and the performance
of picket-duty, until the evacuation of the fort, on the 9th of April, when
they moved to a position before Fort Blakely, and took part in the charge
on that place with a small loss. After the surrender, the regiment marched
one hundred and eighty miles to Montgomery, Ala., where they remained
until the 10th of May, when they marched by way of Selma, and took cars
for Uniontown, on the Alabama and Mississippi Railroad. Here they went
into camp, and remained until orders were received for their muster-out.
This was done at Demopolis, Ala., on the 5th of September; and the regi-
ment reached Madison on the 18th, where they received their pay, and were
formally disbanded.

The Eighth was known as the ‘‘ Eagle Regiment,” from the fact that a
live eagle was carried through all its campaigns, up to the return of the
non-veterans in 1864. This noble bird was taken from the parent nest in
Chippewa County, Wisconsin, by an Indian, who disposed of it to a gentle-
man in Eau Claire County, from whom it was purchased by members of Capt.
Perkin’s company, Eau Claire Eagles, by whom it was presented to the regi-
ment while organizing in 1861. It is needless to say that it was instantly
adopted as the regimental pet, and was christened ‘‘ Old Abe.”? A perch
was prepared and the royal bird was: borne with the regiment on all its
marches, and into every battle in which the gallant Highth was engaged, up
to the muster-out of the non-veterans. Perched on his standard, above the
heads of the men, the bird was more than once the mark for rebel bullets,
but, luckily; escaped unharmed, with the exception of the loss of a few
feathers shot away. He returned with the non-veterans in 1864, and was
presented to the State, and placed in charge of the quartermaster’s depart-
ment, and every care necessary bestowed on him. At the great Chicago
Fair in 1863, ‘Old Abe’’ was exhibited, and his photograph disposed off,
realizing the amount of about sixteen thousand dollars. He was also
exhibited at the Milwaukee fair with profitable results. We are told that
the sum netted to these charitable objects was about twenty thousand dol-
lars. He occasionally breaks from his fetters, and soars into his native
element; but he has become so far domesticated, that he is easily recovered.
Occasionally the music of a band, or the noise of a drum, will reach his ear,
when he will instantly listen, and will respond with his characteristic
scream, probably recognizing the strain as one with which the battle-field
has made his ear familiar. ‘‘ Old Abe’’ has become celebrated in our mili-
tary annals; and his history is inextricably interwoven with that of the
brave and gallant regiment who bore him triumphantly through the field of
strife.

The Ninth Regiment was located at Little Rock, in December, 1864. A
580 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

portion of the regiment had been mustered out; and the remainder were
consolidated as an independent battalion, under the command of Lieut.-Col.
Jacobi. They remained at Little Rock until the close of the war; the only
operation being an expedition to the Saline River in January, 1865. In
June the command proceeded to Camden, one hundred miles south of Little
Rock, where they remained until August, when they returned overland,
occupying their old quarters at Little Rock. The Independent Battalion
remained on duty until February, 1866, when they returned to Wisconsin,
and were mustered out. The Tenth Regiment, in October, 1865, were in
part transferred to the Twenty-first Regiment; and the remainder returned
home to Wisconsin, and were mustered out. Those who were taken pris-
oners at Chickamauga remained in rebel prisons thirteen months; and some
were not exchanged till March, 1865.

The Eleventh Regiment, in January and February, 1865, were engaged
in building fortifications at Brashear City, one hundred men being detailed
daily for that purpose. On the 26th of February, they left for New Orleans,
were assigned to the third brigade, and designed to operate against the city
of Mobile. On the 9th of March the Sixteenth Corps embarked for Mobile,
and reached Dauphin’s Island on the 11th. Proceeding up Fish River, and
thence to Blakely, the regiment acted as guard to the train, while the main
column of the Sixteenth Army Corps joined in the investment of Spanish
Fort. On the 8d of April marched to the support of Gen. Steele at Blake-
ly, and took position in the investment of the place. In the battle that
took place at Blakely, the Eleventh took an active part, succeeded in break-
ing the rebel lines, and were the first to plant their flag upon the works.
In this engagement, Lieut. A. R. McDonald was highly commended for his
gallantry in a hand-to-hand fight before the enemy’s works. He had noth-
ing but his sword, and succeeded in felling several of his foes, when he was
shot in the thigh, and wounded in the shoulder. In this engagement the
regiment lost twenty-one killed, and forty wounded. After the capture of
Blakely, the regiment marched to Montgomery, Ala., where it remained,
doing garrison-duty, until July 23, when it returned to Mobile, and was
assigned to provost-guard-duty, till mustered out on the 5th of September,
when the regiment embarked for home, reaching Madison on the 18th of Sep-
tember, were welcomed at the depot by Gov. Lewis, but declined a public
reception as they were much fatigued, and desired to reach home.

The Twelfth Regiment left Savannah, Ga., on the 4th of January, 1865,
and proceeded with the Seventeenth Corps to Beaufort, S.C., on the 13th.
The next day they marched six or seven miles, and engaged the enemy,
driving them back to their works. On the 20th, the regiment moved to
Salkehatchie, where they had a heavy skirmish with the enemy, and pro-
ceeded on till the 11th of February, when the enemy made a stand at
Orangeburg, and engaged our troops. They marched in line of battle, and,
charging upon the rebels, drove them out of the town. Proceeding on their
way, they passed Cheraw and Fayetteville, and arrived at Goldsborough on the
24th of March. They remained in camp till the 10th of April, when they
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 581

joined in the advance towards Raleigh in pursuit of Gen. Johnston’s army.
It is not necessary to reiterate the particulars of the surrender of the rebel
general, or the subsequent action of the heroes of the ‘‘ grand march,” fur-
ther than to say, that, after the surrender, the Seventeenth Corps proceeded
to Washington by way of Richmond, and was present at the grand review
at the national capital, soon after which the regiment was ordered, with
other Western organizations, to Louisville, where it was mustered out, and
came home about the 20th of July, 1865, when it was disbanded and
paid off.

The Thirteenth Regiment, on the 20th of March, were assigned to the
second brigade; and Col. Lyon resumed the command. They proceeded by
rail to Knoxville, in East Tennessee, on their way to Virginia; thence
they marched, by way of Newmarket and Bull’s Gap, to Jonesborough. On
the 20th of April they received news of Lee’s surrender, and President Lin-
coln’s assassination. The corps were ordered back to Nashville; and on
the 20th the regiment left Jonesborough, and proceeded to that city by way
of Chattanooga, arriving on the 22d.

Here those men whose terms expired on the 5th of October were dis-
charged; and a part of the Twenty-fourth Wisconsin was assigned to the
Thirteenth, to complete their term of service. On the 16th of June the
Thirteenth proceeded, by way of the Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers,
to New Orleans and to Chalmette. In July the regiment embarked for
Texas, and arrived at Indianola on the 14th, from which place they went to
Green Lake. They remained in this camp until Sept. 11, having suffered
much from sickness produced by the heat of the climate and the lack of a
vegetable diet. Many died here who had gone through the whole war
without being sick. On the 11th the brigade started on a march of a
hundred and forty-five miles, to San Antonio, arriving on the 24th of Septem-
ber, and went into camp, where they remained until orders came, in Novem-
ber, to muster out the regiment, to proceed to Madison to be discharged
from service. Col. Lyon’s term of service having expired, he left for
Wisconsin on the 10th of September; and the command devolved on Major
Noyes. On the 27th of November the regiment began its march to Indi-
anola, a hundred and sixty miles, and from there embarked for New
Orleans, which place they reached on the 13th of December, steamed up
the Mississippi, reached Madison on the 23d, and were discharged from
service on the 26th of December, 1865.

The Fourteenth Regiment left Eastport, Miss., on the 3d of January,
1865, and arrived on the 11th. On the 18th an expedition to Corinth
routed out the rebel Gen. Ross’s brigade from that place, and returned to
Eastport on the 22d. On the 8th of February the division left that place
on transports, disembarked at Vicksburg, and proceeded to New Orleans,
where they arrived on the 22d of February. Taking part in the operations
against Mobile, they left New Orleans on the 12th of March, proceeded to
Dauphin Island in Mobile Bay, debarked eight miles up Fish River, and,
on the 27th, invested Spanish Fort. From this time the Fourteenth was
582 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

constantly engaged as skirmishers and sharpshooters until the surrender
of Spanish Fort, and the evacuation of Mobile, sustaining considerable loss.
On the 9th of April they marched to Blakely, and thence to Montgomery, |
Ala., where they arrived, and went into camp on the 23d. On the 27th
of August they moved to Mobile; and, on the 9th of October, they were
mustered out by reason of their services being no longer required. They
returned to Wisconsin, and were disbanded.

The Fifteenth Regiment was mustered out by companies in 1864 and 1865,.
the last company on the 13th of February, 1865.

The Sixteenth Regiment returned home on the expiration of their term
of service, on the 19th of August, 1865. They were paid, and the regiment
disbanded.

The Seventeenth Regiment left Savannah in January, 1865, and were
ordered to rendezvous at Stevenson, Ala., on the 13th. Thence they moved
to Nashville; and the various commands were organized in three brigades,.
all of which embarked on steamers en route to join their commands in Sher-
man’s army by way of the Cumberland and Ohio Rivers, and proceeded, by
way of Pittsburg and the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, to Annapolis, where
they took steamers, and proceeded to Beaufort, N.C., arriving there on the
8th of February, 1865, whence they moved by rail to Newbern on the 12th.-

On their arrival, Gen. Meagher assumed command of the provisional divis-
ion. He was relieved from duty on the 2d of March. Reaching Goldsborough
on the 21st of March, the forces of Gen Sherman made their appearance,
when the provisional division was broken up by that general’s order, and
the members sent to their respective regiments. In this provisional division,
about a thousand. Wisconsin men were incorporated, including the veterans
of the Eighteenth Regiment, and accompanied it on the march to Raleigh.
After the surrender of Johnston, they proceeded to Richmond and Wash-
ington, where they took part in the grand review of the troops of Gen..
Sherman in May, and thence proceeded to Louisville for muster-out. They
left that city on the 14th of July, and reached Madison on the 17th, where
they were publicly received and paid off, and the regiment disbanded. The
veterans of the Eighteenth Regiment moved from Milwaukee, and reached
Nashville on the 11th of January, 1865. They proceeded to Cincinnati, and.
by rail to Pittsburg and Baltimore, where they embarked on steamers on
the 2d of February, and arrived at Beaufort. On the 8th they took cars to,
Newbern, where they encamped till the last of March, when they joined the.
forces of Gen. Sherman at Goldsborough, and rejoined their comrades of the
first brigade of third division, Fifteenth Army Corps. They accompanied
the subsequent movements of Gen. Sherman to Raleigh, whence, after.
the surrender of Johnston, they moved with the corps, by way of Richmond,
to Washington, taking part in the grand review. They then proceeded to
Louisville, and were mustered out on the 18th of July, and reached Madison
on the 29th, where they were publicly received, and disbanded.

The Nineteenth Regiment, on the 2d of April, 1865, were engaged in
picket-duty on the lines in front of Richmond. The regiment was connected
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with the third division of the Twenty-fourth Army Corps. On the 3d of
April the division was ordered to assault the enemy’s works in front of
Richmond. The advance commenced at daylight, the Nineteenth being the
third regiment in column, and entered the city about eight o’clock, a.m.
Lieut.-Col. Vaughn planted the colors of the regiment. upon the City Hall,
being the first regimental colors raised in the city by the conquering forces
of the Union. The regiment was placed on provost-duty in the city, and
continued until the 28th of April, when it moved to Fredericksburg, Va.,
and ordered on duty until the 24th of July, when it proceeded to War-
renton, and engaged in provost-duty, and remained until the 4th of August.
The regiment was then sent to Richmond, where it was mustered out of
service on the 9th, and on the same day ordered to report at Madison, Wis.
It arrived at that place on the 15th, and was paid, and:received final dis-
charge on the 27th of August, 1865.

The Twentieth Regiment moved from their camp at Navy Cove, on
Mobile Point, on the 8th of March, 1865, and took part in the movements
of Gen. Canby. On the 26th, they marched out six miles, near the Spanish
Fort, and in a skirmish had seven men wounded. They remained in the
lines before this place until April 9, when, the enemy having abandoned
the fort, the regiment entered. Here they were stationed until the 21st
of April, when they marched to Blakely, and, moving down the river,
camped near Mobile. That city surrendered on the 12th of April, thus
closing the Rebellion in the Valley of the Mississippi. The regiment re-
mained near Mobile until the 22d of June, when five companies embarked
at Mobile, and proceeded to Galveston, Tex., arriving on the 25th. They
were joined by the other wing on the 28th. Here they were employed in
garrison and guard duty until July 14, when they were mustered out. On
the 17th the regiment embarked for home. Arrived at Madison on the
30th of July, and were paid off and disbanded on the 9th of August.

The Twenty-first Regiment, on the 11th of March, 1865, encamped at
Fayetteville, on Cape Fear River. Leaving that place, they were in the
advance brigade, which encountered the enemy in force on the 19th of March,
near Bentonville. In this sharp engagement, which was the last of Sher-
man’s battles, the Twenty-first took an active part. They lost five killed,
and twenty-five wounded. The enemy having retired, the regiment moved
to Goldsborough, which place they entered on the 23d of March, thus closing
the memorable campaign in the Carolinas.

On the 10th of April the regiment joined in the campaign to Raleigh,
and on the 13th was the first brigade of infantry which entered the city.
The flag of the Twenty-first was placed upon the Capitol, where it floated
until the first brigade left the city. During the negotiations between
Sherman and Johnston, the Twenty-first formed the extreme left of Sher-
man’s army. On the 28th of April, the war being announced as closed,
the Twenty-first, with its corps, commenced its march home, and proceeded
to Richmond and Washington, and went into camp on the Potomac. In the
grand review of the armies at Washington, the Twenty-first participated :
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 585

no regiment in the Fourteenth Corps commanded more attention for its
soldierly bearing and fine appearance. On the 10th of June they left for
Milwaukee, passing through Pittsburg, Cleveland, and Grand Haven. On
the 17th of June, at Milwaukee, two years, nine months, and twelve days
after being mustered into the service of the United States, the officers and
men were honorably discharged. Of nine hundred and sixty men who left
the State in the regiment, only two hundred and sixty returned with it.

The history of the Twenty-second Regiment was closed up in account of
operations of 1864. The regiment was mustered out in June, 1865, and,
returning to Wisconsin, was paid and disbanded.

The Twenty-third Regiment remained at Helena, Ark., until the 23d of
February, 1865, at which date they were placed on transports, and proceeded
south, reaching New Orleans on the 27th, and encamped at Algiers. On
the 1st of March they moved to Hickox’s Landing, on Lake Pontchartrain,
to unite with the forces designed for the reduction of Mobile. They reached
Spanish Fort on the 27th of March, and took position with the brigade,
and on the 30th were ordered on an expedition toward Blakely. In the
final assault, they acted as support to the attacking column. After the cap-
ture of that place, they crossed the bay, and encamped five miles below
Mobile. On the 4th of July the Twenty-third was mustered out of service,
and the next day set out for Wisconsin, arriving at Madison on the 16th.
On the 24th they were paid, and formally disbanded.

The Twenty-fourth Regiment left Huntsville, Ala., on the 28th of March,
and proceeded to Bull’s Gap, East Tenn., on the 31st, and from thence to
Blue Springs, where they were employed in repairing the railroad. There
the news of Lee’s surrender and Lincoln’s assassination was received, when
orders were given to return. On the 19th of April they returned to Bull’s
Gap, and from thence proceeded to Nashville, and went into camp four
miles north of that city, where they remained until mustered out of service,
on the 10th of June. On the 15th they reached Milwaukee, Wis., where
they were shortly afterwards paid, and formally discharged.
CHAPTER LV.

WISCONSIN’S WAR RECORD.

Events of 1865, continued — Conclusion of War History — Battle-Field Echoes —
Wisconsin’s Name and Fame.

Tue Twenty-fiftth Regiment moved on the 3d of January, 1865, through
Savannah, and embarked for Beaufort, §.C., where they encamped. On
the 13th commenced the march through the Carolinas. This march has been
given in the history of other regiments; and the experience of the Twenty-
fifth differed only in a few particulars from others. On the 23d of February,:
they crossed Neuse River, and entered Goldsborough. On the route they had
a number of skirmishes, and lost afew men. On the 10th of April they
joined in the advance of the army towards Raleigh, where they arrived on
the 14th. On the surrender of Johnston’s army, joining in the homeward
march, they reached Richmond on the 13th of May : continuing their march,
they crossed the Potomac, at Washington, on the 24th of May, and took part
in the grand review of Sherman’s army; after which they encamped at
Crystal Springs, where the regiment was mustered out of service on the 7th
of June, and set out for home, arriving at Madison on the 11th, where they
were shortly afterwards paid off, and the regiment disbanded.

The Twenty-sixth Regiment, in January, 1865, marched with the third
division to the assistance of Kilpatrick’s cavalry, and at the engagement at
Averysborough, on the 16th of March, lost eleven killed, and twelve wounded.
With the rest of the army, the regiment reached Goldsborough on the 24th,
and went into camp. Taking part in the subsequent movements of Gen.
Sherman, they proceeded to Raleigh, and on the surrender of Gen. John-
ston, with the Twentieth Corps, moved to Richmond, thence to Washington,
where they took part in the grand review, in May. Leaving Washington on
the 13th of June, they arrived at Milwaukee on the 17th, and were enthusi-
astically received by the citizens of that place. After passing through the
principal streets, they proceeded to Turners’ Hall, where a splendid banquet
was prepared for them by the German citizens. They were welcomed by
Gov. Salomon, and, after marching to Camp Washburn, were paid off, and
discharged on the 29th of June, 1865.

The Twenty-seventh Regiment, on the 7th of February, 1865, left Little

586
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 587

Rock, Ark., on transports, and, passing down the Arkansas and Mississippi
Rivers, reached Algiers, opposite New Orleans, on the 12th, from whence
they re-embarked on the 20th, and arrived at Navy Cove, on Mobile Bay.
Accompanying the forces of Gen. Canby, they left on the 17th of March,
and on the 27th took position in the trenches before Spanish Fort. Here
they were occupied in the usual duties until the termination of the siege.
The enemy evacuated the Fort on the night of the 8th of April; and the
next morning the regiment proceeded to Fort Blakely, before which they
arrived in time to witness its capture by the forces under Gen. Steele.
The regiment subsequently moved to Whistler’s Station, where they rejoined
the brigade, and encamped. Remaining till the 19th, they marched sixty
miles up the Tombigbee River, to McIntosh’s Bluff, where they were engaged
in building fortifications. The surrender of Dick Taylor’s army rendered
further occupation of the post unnecessary; and the regiment, on the 9th of
May, proceeded by transports to Mobile, at which place they remained until
the 1st of June, when they again embarked, and proceeded through the
Gulf to Brazos Santiago, Tex., where they arrived on the 6th of June.
They marched subsequently to Clarksville and to Brownsville, where they
were mustered out of service, and set out on their return home on the 29th.
Reaching New Orleans on the 5th of September, and ascending to Cairo,
they took the cars, and arrived at Madison on the 17th of September, where
the regiment were shortly after paid off and disbanded.

The Twenty-eighth Regiment left Pine Bluff on the 22d of January, 1865,
accompanied Gen. Carr to Mount Elba, on the Saline River, marching seven-
ty-five miles, and started on their return to Little Rock on the 30th,
reaching camp on the 4th of February. On the 11th they embarked on
transports, reaching Algiers on the 16th, and, re-embarking, landed on
Mobile Point, where the regiment was assigned to the third brigade,
third division, Thirteenth Army Corps. Taking part in the movement
against Mobile, on the 17th of March, the Twenty-eighth marched to Fish
River, and on the 27th took position before Spanish Fort, where they re-
mained, engaged in siege and picket duty, until the evacuation on April 8.
The next day they proceeded to Blakely, reaching there too late to take a
part in its capture. The movements of the regiment after the capture con-
sisted in the occupation of McIntosh’s Bluff. They left on the 9th of May,
and proceeded to Mobile, where they embarked, and arrived at Brazos San-
tiago June 6. On the 16th, they marched to Clarksville, and, on the 8d of
August, to Brownsville, where they were mustered out of service. Embark-
ing on transports on the 23d of August, they reached Madison on the 15th
of September, where, on the 23d, they were paid off, and disbanded.

The Twenty-ninth Regiment left Port Hudson July 29, 1864, and moved
on transports to Morganzia. On the 3d of September they proceeded to
St. Charles, where they remained until Oct. 23. From this time till Nov.
12, they were on an expedition to Duvall’s Bluff; returning from which,
they moved to White River on an expedition for the capture of mules
for the quartermaster’s department, and they were engaged in sundry
588 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

expeditions, until the 20th of December, when they removed to Memphis.
The regiment was connected with Gen. Canby’s forces, and, with the force,
proceeded to Dauphin Island, near Mobile, where they participated in the
general movement, and advanced to Spanish Fort. Here they remained
until April 3, when they took position with the forces besieging Blakely.
In this engagement at Blakely, the Twenty-ninth did not participate, as
they were on the return from the Spanish Fort at the time. On the 12th
of April the regiment was the second to enter the long-beleagured city.
Pursuant to orders, the Twenty-ninth embarked at Mobile, and arrived at
New Orleans on the 30th, and thence to Shreveport, La., arriving there
June 8, On the 22d they were mustered out of service, and embarked
on transports, homeward bound. On the 13th of July they reached Madi-
son, where the regiment was paid off, and formally disbanded.

The Thirtieth Regiment were at Louisville, Ky., in January, 1865, and
were engaged in detachments during the summer, doing guard-duty at the
military prison, and other work; and on the 20th of September were mus-
tered out, and started homeward, arriving at Madison on the 25th, when
they were disbanded.

The Thirty-first Regiment, on the 18th of January, 1865, crossed the Sa-
vannah River, and rejoined its division at Parisburg, 8.C., twenty-five miles
distant from Savannah. Owing to rains, they were water-bound until the 28th.
The regiment marched with the army through South Carolina, doing its
share in burning and destoying, tearing up railroads, and similar duties, to
drive back the enemy’s rear-guard. On the 16th of March they took posi-
tion in the front, at the battle of Averysborough, and were under fire until
night. They lost two men killed, and ten wounded. On the 19th the
Thirty-first was at the battle of Bentonville, in which ten were killed, and
forty-two wounded. The regiment reached Goldsborough on the 24th of
March, having been on the tramp sixty-five days, twenty-three of which the
rain fell without cessation, many of them barefoot, and often hungry for
twenty-four hours. On the 10th of April the army was again in motion,
in the direction of Raleigh, when they heard of the surrender of Johnston
to Gen. Sherman. The regiment went into camp at Raleigh. On the 30th
of April the Twentieth Army Corps started for Washington, passing
through Richmond, Va., on the 11th, and arrived at Alexandria May 20.
On the 24th they took part in the grand review at Washington. On the
2d of June they were ordered to Louisville, where quarters were assigned
to them. Six companies were mustered out, to date from June 20, and left
for Madison June 21. They were paid off, and went to their homes July 8,
1865. The remaining companies remained in camp until July 8, and were
mustered out, reaching Madison on the 12th, and were paid off and dis-
charged July 20, 1865.

The Thirty-second Regiment left Pocotaligo, §.C., on the 80th of Janu-
ary, 1865, on which day the “grand march’? through the Carolinas was
commenced. On the lst of February, the regiment, with the division, took
part in the battle at Rivers Bridge, on the Salkahatchie, in which the regi-
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ment had eleven killed, and thirty-eight wounded. They also took part in
the engagement at Binnaker’s Bridge, losing one killed, and six wounded.
The regiment was engaged in skirmishing, and had engagements near
Cheraw and at Fayetteville with small losses. They also took part in the
battle at Bentonville, where two were killed, and twenty-three wounded;
and were engaged, also, in the advance from Goldsborough on the 10th of
April, on Raleigh, from which place they marched fifteen miles in a westerly
direction, returning on the 27th of April to Raleigh. After the surrender
of Johnston’s army, with the Seventeenth Corps they marched to Richmond,
on their way homeward; thence to Alexandria, where they camped until
the 23d of May, when they moved to Washington, and took part in the
grand review of Sherman’s army, and were mustered out on the 12th of
June. The same day they commenced the journey to Wisconsin, arriving
at Milwaukee on the 16th of June, where they were paid and disbanded.

The Thirty-third Regiment, with the forces of Gen. Smith, reached Clif-
ton, Tenn., on the 2d of January, 1865. From this point, they proceeded
by transports to Eastport, Miss., and were detailed to guard the transporta-
tion train to Savannah, Tenn. The roads being in a bad condition, they
were greatly delayed in their progress. With six companies, Lieut.-Col.
Lovell succeeded in getting a portion of the train to Savannah; and Major
Virgin, with the other companies, took the balance of the train to Grand
View. At these places they found transports, and reached Eastport on the
14th of January. The command left this place on the 6th of February,
and proceeding down the Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers,
reached Vicksburg, where they went into camp. They re-embarked on the
20th, and proceeded to New Orleans, thence to Dauphin Island, near Mo-
bile, thence to Cedar Point and Spanish Fort, where, on the 27th, they drove
the enemy into his intrenchments. The regiment assisted in the capture of
Spanish Fort, and was the first regiment to enter the main fort, where it
took two Napoleon guns and a number of prisoners. In the operations be-
fore Mobile they had nine killed, and twenty-three wounded. On the 9th,
they moved to Blakely, and were held in reserve during the assault. After
the capture, they moved to Montgomery, Ala., thence to Tuskegee, where
they remained till the 19th of July, when they returned to Montgomery.
They were ordered to proceed to Vicksburg for muster out, where they
arrived July 31. Here they were mustered out of service on the 8th of
July, and, embarking for home, reached Madison Aug. 14, where they
were soon after paid off, and formally disbanded.

The Thirty-fourth Regiment was mustered into the government service
for nine months. The mustering was completed on the 81st of December,
1862; and the regiment left the State Jan. 31, 1863. After spending their
time in garrison and fatigue duty, they returned to Camp Washburne, and
were mustered out on the 8th of September.

The Thirty-fifth Regiment removed from Duvall’s Bluff, Ark., on the
7th of February, 1865, to Algiers, La., and encamped. On the 22d of
February they embarked, with Gen. Canby’s forces, for Mobile Point, and
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 591

on the 17th of March commenced the march to Spanish Fort, taking posi-
tion in the front of the fort on the 27th, and were engaged in siege and
fatigue duty until the evacuation on the 8th of April. The next day they
proceeded to Fort Blakely, but did not arrive in time to participate in the
attack. Crossing Mobile Bay, they moved to Whistler’s Station, thence to
Mannahubba Bluff, and on the 26th to McIntosh’s Bluff on the Tombigbee
River, and were engaged in building fortifications. On the surrender of
Dick Taylor’s forces, they proceeded to Mobile, arriving June 1, and thence
to Brazos Santiago and Brownsville, opposite Matamoras, where they re-
mained till about March 1, 1866, when orders were received for muster out
of service, and return home.

The Thirty-sixth Regiment, with the Second Corps, on the 5th of Febru-
ary, 1865, moved near Hatcher’s Run, and met the enemy. In the battle at
Dabney’s Mills, they were exposed to a heavy artillery fire, in which they
had two men killed, and three wounded. Crossing Hatcher’s Run, the corps
formed in line of battle, advanced, and occupied the enemy’s first line of
works, and next day advanced to the second line, and occupied them. The
regiment participated in the movement before Petersburg, and the surrender,
with the Second Corps. The Thirty-sixth joined in the pursuit of Lee, and
on the 9th of April had the satisfaction of being present at the surrender
of the entire army near Appomattox Court House. After the surrender,
they returned to Burkesville, where most of the captured officers returned
to the regiment; and on the 2d of May they started for Washington by the
way of Richmond, participating in the grand review of the Army of the
Potomac, June 17. They subsequently left for Louisville, Ky., where they
arrived on the 21st, and went into camp at Jeffersonville. The regiment
was mustered out of service on the 12th of July, and arrived at Madison on
the 14th, where they were paid and finally discharged.

The Thirty-seventh Regiment, with the first brigade, on the 2d of April,
1865, marched and formed in front of Fort Sedgwick, from which place they
moved for Fort Mahone, one of the enemy’s strongest positions, and drove
the enemy out on the other side, and turned the guns of the fort upon their
late proprietors. Attempts were made during the day by the rebels to regain
possession, but unsuccessful. The next day the brigade proceeded toward
Petersburg and Richmond, and learned of their surrender. In the assault on
Fort Mahone, the regiment lost fifteen killed, and fifteen wounded. Re-
maining in the vicinity of Petersburg until the 20th of April, the regiment
broke camp, moved to City Point, and took transports for Washington, ar-
riving on the 26th. They were present at the grand reviews on the 23d and
24th of May, and on the 26th were mustered out of the United States ser-
vice, and embarked on the cars for Wisconsin, reaching Madison on the 31st
of July, where they were publicly received by the State authorities, and
furloughed fifteen days, till their pay-rolls could be prepared, at the end of
which time they were paid off, and the regiment formally disbanded.

The Thirty-eighth Regiment were in the rifle-pits before Richmond in
the month of January, 1865. In the assault on Fort Mahone, or ‘ Fort
592 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Damnation’? as it was nicknamed, the Thirty-eighth had eight companies
engaged with other regiments. The fort was taken, as referred to in the
account of the Thirty-seventh Regiment. The Thirty-eighth suffered se-
verely, having seventeen killed, and forty-seven wounded. The records of
the adjutant-general show that fourteen were killed, or died of wounds in
the trenches, and thirteen wounded. On the 4th the Thirty-eighth moved
out on the Southside Railroad, in pursuit of the rebel army, capturing many
prisoners. On the 6th of June a part of the regiment (one year’s men)
were mustered out, and returned to Wisconsin. The remainder of the
regiment was on duty at the arsenal during the trial and execution of the
assassination conspirators, and on the 26th of July were mustered out of
service, and started for Madison, where they were paid off and discharged
on the 11th of August, 1865.

The Thirty-ninth, Fortieth, and Forty-first Regiments were known as the
one-hundred-day regiments. Their services have been referred to. They
returned home in the fall of 1864.

The Forty-second Regiment were engaged in Southern Illinois; and a por-
tion of them were employed at Springfield in provost-duty; and the re-
mainder were detached to points in that part of the State where military
surveillance was necessary. The regiment returned, on the expiration of
their term of service, to Madison, on the 20th of June, 1865, and were soon
after mustered out and disbanded.

The Forty-third Regiment left Nashville on the Ist of January, 1865, and
moved to Deckerd, Tenn., by rail, where six companies went into camp, and
four companies were detached to guard Elk-river Bridge. In the beginning
of June they returned to Nashville, and were mustered out of service on the
24th of June. They soon after returned to Milwaukee, and were disbanded.

The Forty-fourth Regiment arrived at Nashville February, 1865, and were
employed in post and guard duty. In March they proceeded to Eastport,
Miss., from which place they returned to Nashville. Embarking on the
3d of April, they proceeded to Paducah, Ky., and were employed in picket-
duty until Aug. 28, when the regiment were mustered out of service, and
left on the 80th. They arrived at Madison on the 2d of September, where
they were paid and disbanded.

The Forty-fifth Regiment, after leaving the State, proceeded to Nash-
ville, Tenn., and were stationed there until the 17th of July, 1865, when
they were mustered out of service, and embarked for Wisconsin, where they
arrived on the 23d, and were shortly after paid off and disbanded.

The Forty-sixth Regiment left the State on the 5th of March, 1865, and
proceeded to Louisville, Ky., arriving there on the 10th of March. From
thence they proceeded to Athens, Ala., arriving on the 24th. The regi-
ment engaged in railroad guard-duty on the Nashville and Decatur Railroad
until the latter part of September, when they moved to Nashville, and were
mustered out on the 27th, and set out for home, arriving at Madison on the
2d of October, where they were shortly afterwards paid and disbanded.

The Forty-seventh Regiment was organized, and left the State on the
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 593

27th of February, 1865. They arrived at Louisville on the 28th, whence
they proceeded to Nashville, Tenn., and thence to Tullahoma. Here they
were employed in guard-duty until the latter part of August, when they
moved to Nashville, were mustered out, and returned to Wisconsin, arriving
at Madison Sept. 8, 1865, where they were paid and disbanded.

The Forty-eighth Regiment was organized in February and March, 1865.
Eight companies were mustered in, and left Milwaukee, March 22, to report
at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, whence they proceeded to Paoli, Kan.,
which place they reached on the 18th. Here the regiment was broken up
in detachments; one company going to Lawrence, one to Olathe, two re-
mained at Paoli, and four were ordered to Fort Scott. The other com-
panies left Milwaukee March 8, and marched to and reached Fort Scott
April 28. After the performance of the ordinary duties, the regiment pro-
ceeded to Lawrence, Kan., where they arrived on the 25th. Here they were
paid, and the men expected to be mustered out; but the exigencies of the
service demanded a force to escort the trains and mail through hostile Indian
country, and the regiment was ordered on that duty. The regiment, on
the 6th of September, commenced the march to Fort Zarah, two hundred
and fifty miles west of Lawrence. Two companies were left at that place;
and the other eight proceeded to Fort Larned, twenty-eight miles farther
west, where headquarters were established, and two companies were sta-
tioned. Two companies were sent to Fort Dodge, sixty miles from Fort
Larned; two companies to Fort Aubrey, one hundred and sixty miles from
Fort Larned; and two companies to Fort Lyon, Col., two hundred and ten
miles from Fort Larned.

Four companies returned to Leavenworth in December, were mustered out
of service, and returned to Madison, Wis., on the 3d of January, 1866,
where they were paid and disbanded. The remaining companies were sub-
sequently mustered out at Leavenworth, the last of them arriving the latter
part of March, and were disbanded.

The Forty-ninth Regiment left the State on the 8th of March, 1863, pro-
ceeded to St. Louis, were sent to Rolla on the 13th, and were engaged in guard-
duty and as escort to trains. Here they remained until Aug. 17, 1865, when
they returned to St. Louis. Three companies were mustered out Nov. 1,
and the balance of the regiment on the 8th, when they returned to Madison,
“where they were paid and disbanded.

The Fiftieth Regiment left Madison by companies in the latter part of
March, for St. Louis. From St. Louis they proceeded to Fort Leavenworth,
and were ordered to Fort Rice, in Dakota Territory, arriving Oct. 10, where
they were stationed up to Feb. 15, 1866. They shortly afterwards were
mustered out, and returned to Wisconsin.

The Fifty-first Regiment was organized at Milwaukee in the early part of
1865. It proceeded to Warrensburg, Mo., and was employed in guard~
ing the construction of a part of the Pacific Railroad. On the 11th of June
the Fifty-third Regiment (four companies) was consolidated with the Fifty-
first. The regiment returned to Madison on the 5th of August, 1865,
594 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN:

where they were mustered out by companies, completing the same on the
80th.

The Fifty-second Regiment never was fully recruited. Five companies
were mustered into service, and were sent forward by companies to St.
Louis, in April, 1865. The battalion was sent to Holden, on the Pacific
Railroad, and was employed in guarding workmen on the railroad. It
moved to Leavenworth, Kan., in June, where it was assigned to duty. The
battalion was mustered out of service on the 28th of July, arrived at Madi-
son on the 2d of August, and was paid and disbanded.

The Fifty-third Regiment (four companies of which were organized before
the order came to discharge all unmustered recruits) were sent to St. Louis,
and thence to Leavenworth, Kan., where they were transferred to the Fifty-
first Regiment, by order of the war department, on the 10th of June, 1865.
These companies were mustered out with the Fifty-first Regiment.

The First Cavalry spent the winter at Waterloo, Ala., where they re-
mained until March 10, when they moved to Chickasaw, and took up their
line of march for the interior of Alabama. One battalion’ moved forward to
Centreville, where they captured fifteen prisoners. On the 2d of April they
encountered Jackson’s division of rebel cavalry, and had a severe engage-
ment. After marching some two miles, they arrived at Selma on the 6th,
where they rejoined the main column. On the evening of the 12th, they
occupied Montgomery, which was surrendered to the brigade. Passing
through Tuskegee and Auburn, they reached West Point, Ga., on the 16th
of April. The brigade assaulted and captured Fort Tyler, with its garrison
of two hundred men. The casualties at West Point were six killed, and
fifteen wounded. The last active duty which the regiment was called upon
to perform in the closing scenes of the Rebellion has already become his-
toric, by its association with the capture of Jefferson Davis, president of the
so-called Southern Confederacy. It is not necessary to give a full account
of this affair, more than to say that Lieut.-Col. Harnden went to meet Col.
Pritchard of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, to inform him of the proximity
of the train of Davis, which he had pursued for a long distance, and that
his command had gone forward in pursuit. Col. Harnden and his force con-
tinued the pursuit until nine o’clock, p.m., when he halted, with orders for
an early start. At three o’clock in the morning, May 10, he proceeded
about a mile, when the advance guard was ordered to halt by a party of
men concealed behind trees. Supposing he had run upon rebel pickets, they
attempted to retreat, when a heavy volley was fired upon the party, wound-
ing three out of his seven men. It was soon found that the opposing force
was Col. Pritchard; and also that the latter, after his interview with Col.
Harnden, had selected a number of his best. mounted men, pushed rapidly
forward on the run to Irwinville, which place he reached before the arrival
of Davis and his train. He had then sent a small force, dismounted, around
to the rear of the train; and, as he moved.upon it with his principal force
from the Irwinville side, Col. Harnden encountered his dismounted men, as
before related. While this unfortunate collision was in progress, a portion
of Col. Pritchard’s force captured the train.
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The reward offered for the capture of Jeff. Davis was subsequently divided
between the officers alluded to, and others of the party. Col. Harnden re-
turned to Macon, and re-entered camp on the 18th of May. From Macon,
the regiment marched northward, and, on the 2d of June, arrived at Chat-
tanooga, and encamped on the 15th at Edgefield, Tenn., opposite Nashville.
Here the First Cavalry were mustered out of service on the 19th of July,
and shortly afterwards paid and’ disbanded.

The Second Cavalry were at Memphis the latter part of May, 1865, scout-
ing, when they were put upon the duty of guarding citizens from depreda-
tions of rebel soldiers and bushwhackers.

They were engaged in this duty until in June, when they were ordered
to report to Gen. Sheridan at Alexandria, La. On the 3d of July Col.
Stephens and the men whose term expired Oct. 1, 1865, were mustered
out, embracing about two hundred men. The remainder of the regiment
moved from Memphis to Alexandria, thence by way of Jasper, Livingston,
and Swartwout, to Trinity River, thence to Danville, Montgomery, and
Hempstead, Tex., where they arrived on the 26th of July, after a march of
three hundred and ten miles in nineteen days. Here they were employed
in drilling and camp-duty until the 30th of October, when they commenced
their march to Austin, where they arrived on the 4th of November. They
were mustered out on the 15th, and on the 17th set out for home, arriving
at Madison Dec. 11, 1865, and were paid off and disbanded.

The Third Cavalry were encamped at Little Rock in March, 1865. A
small detachment was sent to Clear Lake to capture a band of guerillas.
As they approached the canebrake, the guide treacherously gave a signal,
and disappeared. A volley of musketry assailed the head of the column.
Capt. Geisler fell, mortally wounded, with five gunshot wounds in his body,
and died the next day. The force of Capt. Geisler numbered about forty:
the force of the enemy in ambush was estimated at two hundred. The
detachment returned to Little Rock ; and a larger force of cavalry was sent
out to secure the body of Capt. Geisler, and capture the guerilla by whose
hand he was betrayed to his death. On the expiration of the term of ser-
vice of the original organization, the regiment, on the 19th of April, 1865,
was re-organized by order of the general commanding the department. One
battalion left Little Rock April 21, and proceeded to Duvall’s Bluff, where
they remained until the 8d of June, when they proceeded down White
River, and up the Mississippi to St. Louis, thence to Rolla by rail, and
marched to Springfield. Here they remained until the 18th of J uly, when
they took their line of march to Fort Leavenworth, reaching there Aug. 2.
Here the battalion was mustered out on the 8th of September, and returned
home, arriving at Madison on the 14th, where they were paid and dis-
charged. Four companies were mustered out the 29th of September, at
Fort Leavenworth, and arrived at Madison Oct. 2. The varied character of
the services in which most of the companies of the Third Cavalry were en<
gaged, being stationed at various points in Missouri and Kansas, makes it
difficult to give much of their history.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 597

The Fourth Cavalry, while on a foraging expedition in the early part of
March, had two killed, and four wounded. With other cavalry forces, the
regiment was in the vicinity of Mobile when that city capitulated; after
which an expedition (including the Fourth Cavalry) proceeded through
Alabama into Georgia, and returned by the way of Montgomery, Ala., to
Columbus, Miss., whence they marched across the State of Mississippi to
Vicksburg, where they arrived on the 1st of June, having been seventy days
in the saddle and on the march. On the 26th of June, the regiment left
Vicksburg, and proceeded to Shreveport, on the Red River, and on the 9th
of July took up their line of march to Texas, and encamped at San An-
tonio. The regiment was in service on the 20th of March, 1866, with head-
quarters at Ringgold Barracks, Texas, and not long after was mustered
out, and returned home.

lt has been the intention to give a brief account of the operations of the
Wisconsin regiments from their first mustering-in to their final mustering-
out of the service; and, in doing so, abstracts have been taken from the
reports of the adjutant-generals of the State, and the military histories of
E. B. Quiner, Esq., and Rev. W. De Loss Love. The history of the part
taken by Wisconsin in the war has found able writers in the gentlemen
referred to; and those desiring further and more particular information
on this subject are referred to their valuable Histories.

Mr. Quiner, in the introduction to his work, justly says, —

“Wisconsin may well feel proud of her record made in the defence of the na-
tional existence. Shoulder to shoulder with the other loyal States of the Union,
she has stood in the front ranks. From her workshops, her farms, and her vast
prairies, have poured forth the stalwart men who have filled up the organizations
which she has sent to the field. The blood of those brave men has drenched
almost every battle-field of the Rebellion, from Gettysburg to the valley of the Rio
Grande. Establishing at an early day a reputation for gallantry and endurance,
Wisconsin regiments always occupied positions where hard fighting was to be
done; and those who placed them there never were disappointed in their not per-
forming their whole duty.”
CHAPTER LVI.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. FAIRCHILD.

Events of 1866 — Legislation — Full Reports from the State Institutions —Statis-
tics — The Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home — Public Services of Mrs. Harvey.

On Monday, Jan. 1, 1866, the newly-elected State officers were inaugu-
rated, and entered upon their official duties. Gov. James T. Lewis retired,
and was succeeded by Gen. Lucius Fairchild, late secretary of state, who
was succeeded as secretary by Gen. Thomas S. Allen. Both of these gen-
tlemen fought nobly in the army during the Rebellion, the former losing an
arm at Gettysburg. Lieut.-Gov. Wyman Spooner was continued for
another term in the position which he had filled with so much dignity and
propriety. Hon. 8. .D. Hastings retired from the office of state treasurer,
which he had held continuously for eight years past, and was succeeded by
Hon. W. E. Smith, a gentleman who had had much legislative experience,
and was eminently qualified to transact the duties of his office. Attorney-
Gen. Winfield Smith gave place to Col. Charles R. Gill; and William H.
Ramsey, bank comptroller for four years past, was succeeded by Col. Jere-
miah M. Rusk. Col. J. G. MeMynn was continued as superintendent of public
instruction. Cols. Gill, Rusk, and McMynn were officers in the recent war.
Mr. Henry Cordier was continued another term for state-prison commissioner.

Thée' inauguration ceremonies took place on the evening of the 1st of Jan-
uary. The main floor and galleries of the assembly, where the ceremonies
were held, were densely packed at an early hour, with a very general repre-
sentation of public men from all parts of the State, and of the citizens of
Madison. At eight o’clock the outgoing and incoming officers entered the
hall in a body, when Gov. Lewis read a valedictory address. At its conclu-
sion Gov. Fairchild appeared, and took the oath of office, which was admin-
istered by Chief Justice Dixon of the Supreme Court, after which the gov-
ernor delivered his inaugural address. Subsequently, the several State
officers elect came forward separately, and took the oath of office, which was
administered to each separately by Chief Justice Dixon. ‘The State Jour-
nal,” referring to the administration of Gov. Lewis, says, —

“The administration which has just expired has had the direction of the affairs
of State during a period of the greatest difficulty and trial. It has been coun-
598
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 599

pelled to assume great responsibilities, and to confront many perplexing and em-
barrassing problems. The burdens entailed by the war have enormously in-
creased the expenditures of the State, and rendered necessary a corresponding
increase of taxation. The credit of the State, and the soundness of its currency,
have been at times in great peril. At one time a wide and calamitous financial
revulsion seemed inevitable. During the session of 1865, probably a majority of
the business-men of the State regarded a panic as unavoidable, growing out of
the change from State to National currency, which would seriously disturb the
currents of trade, which would necessarily involve the people in the loss of hun-
dreds of thousands of dollars, which would largely depreciate the value of the
State bonds, and bring bankruptcy and ruin upon many citizens. These calami-
ties were averted by the prumpt, firm, and wise action of the administration,
aided by the legislature. Gov. Lewis, it is believed, retires from the executive
office with the respect and confidence of the whole people; and, in his voluntary
retirement from public life, he will be followed by the esteem and good wishes of
the people.”

The nineteenth session of the State legislature convened on the tenth day
of January, 1866, and adjourned on the 12th of April, holding a session of
ninety-three days. The senate was called to order by Lieut.-Gov. Spooner.
Frank M. Stewart was elected chief clerk, this being the fourth time he had
been chosen; and Nelson Williams was re-elected sergeant-at-arms. In the
assembly, Hon. H. D. Barron was elected speaker, E. W. Young chief clerk,
and M. L. Hammond sergeant-at-arms. Gov. Fairchild, in his message, be-

gins by saying, —

“Our first duty is to give thanks to Almighty God for all his mercies during
the year that is past. The people of no nation on earth have greater cause to be
thankful than have our people. The enemies of the country have been over-
thrown in battle. The war has settled finally great questions at issue between
ourselves; and there seems to be an abundant reason to hope that a peace which
shall never more be broken by internal strife is at length vouchsafed to us.

“The finances of our State,’ he remarked, “are in a good condition. By the
timely and wise legislation of your predecessors, the financial panic which threat-
ened us the early part of last year was successfully avoided, our people were
saved from loss, and the State was enabled to pay promptly all demands against
it. Our credit is good, and our State debt so small, that it can be easily paid
whenever it is necessary.”

The governor’s message contained a number of important recommenda-
tions. Among these may be classed the proposition to cancel the State
bonds now invested in the trust-funds, substituting unnegotiable certificates
of indebtedness in their place, and so to amend the constitution as to enable
the State to create a permanent debt to the trust-funds. The exigency
having passed which required the calling-in of dues to the school and
university funds, the governor recommends repealing the act of last year,
requiring their immediate payment. The recommendations respecting
assessments and taxation, the re-surveying of the swamp-lands, and a reform
in the auditing of accounts against the State, demand, he says, careful and
early consideration. The revision of the statutes is recommended, and the
fact that some six hundred amendments have been made since the last
600 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

revision quoted as an evidence of the necessity for such a step. The com-
pletion of the Capitol, the acceptance of the Agricultural College grant, and
compliance with its terms, the enlargement of the Hospital for the Insane,
and the foundation of a home for soldiers’ orphans, are the most prominent
recommendations of the message. The message closes with a just and
eloquent tribute to the services of the brave and patriotic men by whose
valor and sacrifices the Union has been maintained, and republican insti-
tutions perpetuated. ;

The following are some of the important measures passed at this session
of the legislature: —

An act to authorize the commissioners of school and university lands,
with the governor and superintendent of public instruction, to settle and
compromise certain indebtedness of the State; to provide for the manage-
ment of the trust-funds of the State of Wisconsin; to provide a home for
the orphans of Wisconsin soldiers; to provide for completing the State
Capitol, and heating the same, and appropriating one hundred and ten
thousand dollars for the same, to be paid in the years 1866 and 1867; to
provide for the enlargement of the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane,
and ninety-eight thousand five hundred dollars appropriated for the same;
to provide for levying and collecting a State tax, for the year 1866, of one
hundred thousand dollars; to apportion the State into senate and assembly-
districts; to re-organize and enlarge the University of Wisconsin, and to
authorize the County of Dane to issue bonds in aid therefor; to incorporate
the board of regents of normal schools, and to define the duties thereof; to
‘amend the general: law of 1859, entitled ‘* An Act to prescribe and limit
the Rate of Interest;’’ to provide for the sale of the Agricultural College
lands; to provide for a revision of the laws in relation to the assessment and
collection of taxes; to provide for the rebuilding of the State Reform School,
destroyed by fire.

During the session, there were four hundred and seventy bills introduced
in the senate, and six hundred and forty-four in the assembly; and there
have been five hundred and eighty-seven local and private laws, one hun-
dred and forty-six general laws, one hundred and ten appropriations, seven-
teen memorials, and eight joint resolutions passed, making eight hundred
and sixty-seven enactments in all, Of the joint resolutions, three were for
instructing our senators and representatives in Congress to secure the
passage of acts of Congress at the earliest practical moment; giving their
approval and consent to certain routes for railroads in the State; one sub-
mitting the question of a constitutional convention to the people of the
State; one declaring itto be the duty of Senator Doolittle to resign the
office of United States senator; and one in reference to an artesian well in
the Capitol park. The memorials were mainly for increased mail facilities,
and for grants of lands for railroad purposes.

A stringent maximum freight-bill passed the assembly by a very large
majority, but failed to secure the concurrence of the Senate. The latter
body passed a bill, mild and moderate in its terms, that likewise failed to
CAAA

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602 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

receive the sanction of the assembly. By this disagreement between the
two houses, all legislation on the subject was defeated.

Reference has been had to a bill passed to provide a home for the orphans
of deceased soldiers. Some further account of this institution will be given.
The first bill for a soldiers’ orphan home was introduced in the assembly
in 1865; but the law authorizing the present establishment was enacted
recently, although the Home was opened Jan. 1, 1866, the necessary means
being contributed by private subscription. The Home was projected by Mrs.
C. A. P. Harvey, who conceived the idea of converting the well-known
Harvey U.S.A. General Hospital into a home for the class of children its
name indicates. This lady obtained from Messrs. Marshall and Isley a prop-
osition to sell the property lying on the shore of Lake Menona, formerly
‘the property of ex-Gov. L. J. Farwell, at a price of ten thousand dollars,
provided that the General Government would donate its share of the build-
ings and improvements made thereon (at a cost of about twelve thousand),
and provided, also, that it should be fitted up and furnished in readiness for
the orphans of soldiers from Wisconsin who have died in the service during
the late Rebellion, such fitting-up and furnishing to be done by private sub-
scriptions, and then as a whole donated to the State, in which the title should
be vested; all with a view to its permanent establishment under the auspices
of the State, to be classed with its other benevolent and charitable institu-
tions. The plan having been submitted to the secretary of war, by his
order possession was given to Mrs. Harvey, subject to the conditions of
Messrs. Marshall and IIsley’s proposition. The amount raised by subscription
was $12,834.69. The grounds are situated about a mile from the Capitol
Square, and the building was erected by Gov. Farwell in 1856.

The Home became a State institution March 31, 1866. Prior to the pur-
chase of the property by the State, the institution had been opened by Mrs.
Harvey and a temporary board of trustzes. Under their direction, the build- _
ing was thoroughly refitted and furnished; and, at the time the State took
possession, there were eighty-four orphans duly admitted, and properly cared
for. Mrs. Harvey was the first superintendent. On the Ist of May, 1867,
she resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. F. B. Brewer, who occupied the
‘position until Jan. 1, 1868, when Rev. I. N. Cundall was elected to the
position. After filling the place over a year, he resigned, and was succeeded
by William P. Towers, who staid till March 1, 1872, when R. W. Burton
succeeded. The latter gentleman occupied the position until the closing-up
of the institution, in the year 1874. The history of the Home will be con-
tinued in subsequent pages. In the year 1866 the State University was
completely re-organized, so as to meet the requirements of the laws of Con-
gress granting the lands for agricultural colleges; and there were appropri-
ated for the endowment and support of the university the income of the
university-fund, and the income of a fund to be derived from the sales of
the two hundred and forty thousand acres of land granted by Congress to
the State of Wisconsin. In pursuance of a law passed at the session of the
legislature of this year, the county of Dane issued bonds to the amount of
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 603

forty thousand dollars for the purchase of about two hundred acres of land,
lying contiguous to the university grounds, for an experimental farm, and
for the erection of suitable buildings thereon.

The proposals for sinking an artesian well in the Capitol Park, as author-
ized by a resolution of the legislature, were opened on the 21st of May, 1866.
The proposals were for sinking a well to the depth of five hundred feet,
within which distance it was expected that water in sufficient quantity would
be found. The contract was awarded to J. H. Underwood, for forty-nine
hundred and fifty dollars.

The proposals for building two additional wings to the Hospital for the
Insane were considered by the board of trustees on the 23d of May. Some
thirty proposals were received, most of them for only parts of the work.
The proposition of A. R. Moxley (one hundred and three thousand and seven
hundred dollars) being the lowest, the executive committee were author-
ized to accept his bid, and enter into a contract for doing the whole work.
The two wings were to be completed by the Ist of July, 1867. Mr. Moxley
subsequently declined accepting the contract; and the work was advertised
again for the reception of proposals, certain changes having been made in
the details. On the 19th of June, the bids were opened (sixteen), and the
contract awarded to Andrew Proudfit, and Anderson, Davidson, & Co.; the
former doing the mason-work, and the latter the carpenter-work. The
aggregate cost of the work by the contract was to be ninety-eight thousand
dollars. The apparatus for heating the new wings was provided for under
a separate contract.

The board of Capitol building-commissioners, at a session held on the
21st of July, decided, that under the law of last winter, limiting the amount
for completing the Capitol to eighty-five thousand dollars, while the bids for
doing the work ranged from one hundred and fifty-one thousand five hun-
dred dollars to two hundred thousand dollars, they would not be justified in
letting any contract the present season. The whole matter would have to
be referred to the next legislature.

The board of regents of the university, at their meeting in August, 1866,
elected Prof. Paul A. Chadbourne of Williams College, Mass., president
of the university. At the congressional election in November, 1866, Hal-
bert E. Paine, Benjamin F. Hopkins, Amasa Cobb, Charles A. Eldridge,
Philetus Sawyer, and C. C. Washburn were elected members of Congress.
The vote for a constitutional convention was, —for convention, 22,431 ;
against convention, 30,862.
CHAPTER LVII.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. FAIRCHILD.

Events of 1867 — Legislation — Statistics —Death of Senator Hadley — Contest
for the United-States Senatorship — Criticisms on the Legislature.

Tur second year of the administration of Gov. Fairchild commenced Jan.
1, 1867. On the 9th, the twentieth session of the State legislature con-
yened, and was organized in the senate by Hon. Wyman Spooner, lieutenant-
governor, taking the chair as president, and the election of L. B. Hills as
chief clerk, and Asa Kinney as sergeant-at-arms ; and in the assembly by
the election of Angus Cameron as speaker, E. W. Young chief clerk, and
Daniel Webster sergeant-at-arms. The session continued till April 11,
when it adjourned, after ninety-three days’ service. The annual message
was read in person by the governor, on the 10th of January. A large por-
tion of the document is occupied with a summary of the facts contained in
the reports of the several State officers and the trustees of public institu-
tions. Few of those reports are seen and read by the masses of the people;
and, unless the information they give is thus reproduced by the governor, it
does not get disseminated through the State. He reiterates his approbation
of the policy of investing the trust-funds in non-negotiable securities ;
recommends memorializing Congress in favor of the assumption of the war-
debts of loyal States by the General Government; an amendment to the
insurance-law, so as to require all companies to report annually to the secre-
tary of State; the limitation of the number of notaries public, and the
requirement of a reasonable fee for their commissions; the fostering of the
agricultural and other interests of the State by appropriate legislation; a
thorough inquiry, with a view to ascertain precisely what course should be
pursued, consisting with equity and sound State policy, in regard to the
complaints against railroad-corporations; the adoption of measures to
induce emigration from Europe; a liberal policy towards the several benev-
olent institutions of the State, the State University, and the State Iistorical
Society; a more efficient military law, which shall provide for the mainte-
nance of at least ten thoroughly-organized companies of militia; an increase
of the salaries of the judges of the Supreme Court; and an appropriation of
the proportion due from this State for the completion of the national ceme-

teries. He also renews his remonstrances against special legislation. The
604
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 605

message closes with an earnest recommendation for the adoption of the con-
stitutional amendment, and a brief reference to the subject of reconstruc-
tion, declaring it to be the duty of Congress to provide for the establishment
of provisional governments over those portions of the country lately in
rebellion, where the people have refused to acquiesce in the amendment.

On the 28d of January, the two houses met in joint convention, at which
time the chief clerk of the senate proceeded to read so much of the journal
of the senate as related to the action of the senate on the preceding day in
the matter of an election of a senator in Congress from the State of Wis-
consin ; from which it appeared that Timothy O. Howe received twenty-
three votes, Charles A. Eldredge received nine votes, and E. 8. Bragg
received one vote, of the votes of the senators for senator in the Congress of
the United States from said State.

The chief clerk of the assembly then read so much of the journal of the
assembly as related to the said subject ; from which it appeared that Timo-
thy O. Howe received seventy-two votes, Charles A. Eldridge received
thirty-one votes, E. S. Bragg one vote, and J. J. Guppy one vote, of the
votes of the members of the assembly; whereupon, it appearing that Tim-
othy O. Howe, had recetved a majority of all the votes in each house, the
president of the joint assembly declared the said Timothy O. Howe duly
elected senator for the term of six years, commencing the 4th of March,
1868.

A joint resolution of the two houses was adopted, and approved by the
governor, on the 26th of January, — that Hon. James R. Doolittle, United
States senator from Wisconsin, having disregarded the resolution of the
legislature of 1866, declaring it his duty to resign the office of United States
senator for certain reasons set forth in said resolutions, is hereby instructed
to resign the senatorial office.

On the 3d of March, Hon. Jackson Hadley, senator of the fifth senatorial
district, died at his residence in Milwaukee. He had attended the session
of the legislature until within a few days of his death. Though his limbs
were paralyzed, and he was unable to walk, he took an active part in the busi-
ness of the senate. His death was sudden, though not unexpected. Appro-
priate resolutions were passed by the two houses, and the legislature
adjourned to attend the funeral solemnities.

At a subsequent date, Henry L. Palmer was elected senator to fill the
unexpired term of office of Senator Hadley. The legislature passed one
hundred and eighty-one general laws, six hundred and nine private and
local laws, and twenty-two joint resolutions. Of the latter, is one request-
ing Senator Doolittle to resign; ratifying the Fourteenth Amendment to the
United States Constitution, and submitting the same to a vote of the peo-
ple; two relative to the North Pacific Railroad; relating to the improvement
of the navigation of the Mississippi River; authorizing the governor to pre-
pare a suitable medal for Cyrus W. Field; and one amending the constitu-
tion of the State, relating to the right of suffrage.

Of the important laws enacted were the following: to authorize the gov-
606 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

ernor to appoint commissioners to represent the State in the Industrial
Exhibition at Paris in 1867; to regulate the hours of manual labor, and
fix the same at eight hours a day; for the relief of families of citizens
of Wisconsin who served in the naval service of the United States; to
provide for levying and collecting a State tax for 1867 (four hundred
and seventy-five thousand dollars); to establish a board of emigration; to
provide for continuing the work on the State Capitol, and eighty-five thou-
sand dollars appropriated for the same; three bills which effect the consoli-
dation of the several lines of railroad running into Milwaukee (with the
exception of the Lake Shore Road) in the hands of the St. Paul Railway
Company.
~The session was prolonged, and its business embarrassed, by the intro-
duction of several local bills, in which individual members had a deep per-
_ Sonal interest; such as the Dells Improvement, the Beef Slough Boom Bill,
/ and the repeal of the charter of the Black River Improvement Company.
Of the members of this legislature, one newspaper says, —

~® Individually there were many amiable, high-minded, and able men in both
houses: there were some otherwise, as there always will be. The good speakers,
the men of talent and excellent social qualities, were numerous; and they were
regarded with great personal respect. Collectively, as a law-making body, in a
great public crisis when statesmanship, and not partisanship, was wanted, this
legislature must be pronounced a failure, and a damage to the State, and deserv-
ing the seal of reprobation, which has already been placed upon it. Among other
things, the members were extraordinarily greedy in the matter of perquisites,
Each member has had thirty dollars’ worth of stationery, and seventy-five dol-
lars’ worth of postage-stamps; and each senator had a copy. of ‘“‘ Webster’s Un-
abridged Dictionary.” This amounted to $14,029, besides all that was given to the
regular and subordinate officers. It has been an idle legislature, working, on an
average, not to exceed three hours a day, during five days of the week.”

Another paper, more in sympathy with the party having the majority in
the legislature, says, —

‘When the legislature met, a general impression prevailed, that the session
would be brief, and the amount of business done, small, as compared with previous
sessions. None of these expectations have been realized. The session has proved
unusually protracted; the amount of business done has been very large; and but
little attention has been given to the assessment and collection laws. Indeed, the
assembly finally postponed the senate bill on that subject, for want of time to
examineit. Rings were formed in support of and in opposition to certain measures,
and a sharp system of log-rolling organized; so that frequently votes were largely
influenced upon other and independent bills, with little or no regard to their real
merits or demerits. This has been more noticeable in the late session than pre-
vious ones, and was the canse not only of prolonging the session, but perhaps
of the passage of some measures which could not have succeeded upon their
merits alone.”

Hon. Orsamus Cole was re-elected associate justice of the Supreme Court,
at the election in April, for six years from May 80, 1867.

The bids for the completion of the Capitol rotunda to, and including, the
base of the dome, and enclosing it by ~ temporary roof, were opened on the

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608 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

18th of May, 1867; and the contract was awarded by the building-commis-
sioners to William Goodnow of Milwaukee, for $83,636. The Milwaukee
city papers, in the month of May, published a list of incomes of that city,
as returned to the United States assessor, with the thousand dollars and
other exemptions deducted. The largest income, and the only one above
$100,000, was that of Alexander Mitchell, which was $132,000. There were
also nine other incomes above $30,000; viz., L. H. Kellogg, $71,384; M. H.
Meaberry, $36,160; John Nazro, $31,070; G. C. Stevens, $31,053; D. Wells,
jun., $33,395; M. S. Tyson, $30,662; N. Englemann, $30,117; G. Pfister,
$34,408; F. Vogel, $34,403. There were also fourteen incomes between
$20,000 and $30,000, and thirty-eight between $10,000 and $20,000. A list
of the aggregate sales of leading business-houses shows that nineteen houses:
did a business of over half a million dollars; six more, of over a million of
dollars; and all but one of them, over a million and a half; and three com-
mission-merchants, of over two milions of dollars; G. I. Jones & Co. leading
the list with sales of $2,980,884.

The Republican Union State Convention convened at Madison on the
5th of September, 1867, Hon. Edward Salomon, president. On the infor-
mal ballot for governor, Lucius Farchild received 219 of the 247 votes cast,
and was unanimously renominated. Hon. Wyman Spooner received 254
votes, Hon. Henry D. Barron, 98 votes, and 8 votes scattering, for the office
of lieutenant-governor. Mr. Spooner, having received a majority of the
votes, was declared renominated.

Hon. Thomas §. Allen was renominated secretary of state by acclama-.
tion, and Hon. William E. Smith the same for state treasurer. For the
office of attorney-general,; Charles R. Gill received 138 votes, H. S. Magoon,
40 votes, Edwin Hurlbut, 37, Levi Hubbel, 9, and 10 scattering. Myr. Gill
was unanimously nominated. Gen. Jeremiah M. Rusk was renominated
bank comptroller by acclamation. For state-prison commissioner, Henry
Cordier received 142 votes, George F. Wheeler, 98 votes, and 17 votes scat-
tering. Mr. Cordier was unanimously nominated. For superintendent of
public instruction, A. J. Craig received 131 votes, and J. G. McMynn, 120
votes; J. E. Munger, 6 votes. On a formal vote, Mr. Craig received 144,
and Mr. McMynn received 119 votes. Mr. Craig was nominated unani-
mously.

The Democratic State Convention was held at Madison the 12th of
September, 1867, B. F. Ferguson, president. On an informal vote for
governor, J. J. Tallmadge received 106, Charles Dunn, 25, E. S. Bragg, 14,
Alexander Mitchell, 14, and 5 scattering votes. Mr. Tallmadge was unani-
mously nominated. G.L. Park was also unanimously nominated for lieu-
tenant-governor. For secretary of State, Emil Rothe, having received 145
votes of the 158, was unanimously nominated. Peter Rupp, having received
a majority of the votes, was unanimously nominated State treasurer. For
attorney-general, E. §. Bragg received 77 votes, 13 for Judge L. P. Weath-.
erby, 21 for George B. Smith, 28 for A. B. Braley, and the remainder
scattering. Gen. Bragg having withdrawn his name, Judge Weatherby
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 609

was unanimously nominated. For bank comptroller, R. J. Harney was
nominated by acclamation. For state-prison commissioner, Ole Heg, having
received a majority of all the votes, was declared unanimously nominated;
as was also Lyman.C. Draper for superintendent of public instruction. On
the 12th Mr. Draper declined the nomination; and the place on the ticket
was filled by the Democratic State Committee, by substituting the name of
William H. Peck.

At the election in November, the Republican ticket was elected. For
governor, Lucius Fairchild receiving 73,687 votes, and J. J. Tallmadge
68,873. Fairchild’s majority, 4,564. The legislature of 1868 stood: sen-
ate, 13 Union, 15 Democrats; assembly, 59 Union, 41 Democrats.

The work on the artesian well, near the south entrance of Capitol Park,
was begun; but after going down a thousand feet, at a cost of $8,622.70, and
finding no water, the work was reluctantly abandoned. At a subsequent
date, the well was made to subserve a valuable purpose, as will hereafter be
noticed.
CHAPTER LVIII.

SECOND ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. FAIRCHILD.

Events of 1868— Législation-—Statistics —Description of the State Capitol—
Election Contest — Presidential Election.

Tue State officers elected by the people of the State, in November, 1867,
entered upon their duties the first day of January, 1868. Most of them met
in the executive office at ten o’clock, A.M., and were sworn into office by
Chief Justice Dixon of the Supreme Court. Lieut.-Gov. Spooner and State-
prison Commissioner Cordier were absent. Having taking the oath, the
officers returned to their respective departments. The only new officer was
the state superintendent of schools, A. J. Craig, who had been for many
years the assistant superintendent.

The twenty-first session of the State legislature convened on the 8th of
January, 1868, and adjourned on the 6th of March, after a short session of
fifty-nine days. In the senate, Lieut.-Gov. Spooner took his seat as presi-
dent. L. B. Hills was elected chief clerk, and William H. Hamilton ser-
geant-at-arms. In the senate, there were eighteen Republicans, and fourteen
Democrats.

In the assembly, A. M. Thomson was elected speaker, E. W. Young chief
clerk, and C. L. Harris sergeant-at-arms.

Gov. Fairchild, in his message, gives the important facts in relation to the
several departments of the State, and its benevolent and reformatory insti-
tutions. He refrains from recommending several changes in the fundamental
law, which he would make, from an idea that the people would, at no dis-
tant day, call for a constitutional convention.

The following are the recommendations of the message in brief : that the
state land-commissioners, who, have in charge the several trust-funds of the
State, be authorized to invest those funds in United-States or other first-
class securities, the outstanding State bonds having been nearly absorbed
by them; the closing of the war-fund, as recommended by the secretary of
state, and the payment of such claims as remain against it out of the gen-
eral fund; the revision and amendment of the assessment and collection laws,
and recommends the suggestions of Gen. Allen, secretary of state, relative
thereto; the speedy codification or revision of the statutes; less legislation
of a private and local nature; that the superintendent of public instruction be

610
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 611

made, by law, an e2-officio member of the Board of State University Regents,
and officially connected with every State educational board; the further en-
largement of the State Hospital for the Insane, or the erection of a new
asylum; that ample appropriations be made for the support of the several
benevolent institutions of the State, and a reasonable appropriation toward
the support of the orphan asylums and hospitals in the city of Milwaukee;
an appropriation of thirty-five thousand dollars to the State-prison to com-
plete the north wing, and to pay current expenses; the abolition of the office
of bank comptroller, as recommended by the present incumbent; the com-
pletion of the State Capitol, and an appropriation to be expended as the
work progresses; the appropriation of five thousand dollars, to be used by
the Board of Immigration in circulating documents in Europe, and for other
measures to induce immigration to this State; that the legislature use its
influence to secure the early completion of the North Pacifie Railroad, and
a ship-canal around Niagara Falls, both of which are intimately connected
with the interest of Wisconsin; that the legislature ask the Federal Govern-
ment to insist on a full and satisfactory settlement of the question in regard
to the right of expatriation, securing every right to the naturalized citizen
that is possessed by the native born.

The message says that the State had an unaudited claim against the Gen-
eral Government of two hundred and forty-eight thousand dollars. A part
of it, under the stringent rules of the treasury department, may be dis-
allowed. It is, however, a just claim, and, in that event, the State can
properly call on Congress for relief.

The State University is reported as in a very satisfactory condition, and
seems now to receive the full confidence of the people. The regents desire
the erection of an additional building for the better accommodation of stu-
dents who wish to enter it. The governor unites in the request, and hopes
the legislature will favor the application. The message closes with a reference
to national matters, and a brief expression of the governor’s views upon the
question of reconstruction.

“There were one hundred and seventy-eight general laws, five hundred and
fourteen private and local laws, twenty-three joint resolutions, and twenty-
two memorials enacted and passed. Of the laws of a general nature were the
following: to provide for the payment of the members of the legislature
(this entitles each member to receive three hundred and fifty dollars, and ten
cents per mile for the distance he shall have to travel going to and returning
from the meeting of the legislature); to abolish the office of bank comp-
troller, and transfer his duties to the state treasurer; to provide for the
completion of the State Capitol, and one hundred and two thousand dollars
appropriated, to be drawn out of the treasury in 1868, 1869, and 1870 (the
law provides for the erection and completion of the rotunda); to accept a
grant of lands made to the State by Congress to aid in the construction of
the Sturgeon Bay and Lake Michigan Ship-Canal; to provide for levying
and collecting a State tax for-1868 (two hundred and fifty-nine thousand
dollars in addition to the amount authorized by existing laws); to provide
612 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

for the assessment of property for taxation and the levy of taxes thereon; to
regulate the salary of the judges of the Supreme Court; to provide for estab-
lishing town libraries in the State, &c. :

In reference to the legislature, ‘‘ The Madison State Journal’’ says, —

“Tt is the first session held, under the constitutional amendment, which gives
members a salary instead of a per diem. This amendment has produced a visible
effect in abbreviating the session, though not materially diminishing the amount
of business transacted.

“For many years, there has been no legislature which has had to deal with so
few measures affecting special interests, and giving occasion for the presence of
a large lobby force. The Beef Slough Bill was the only one that attracted any’
considerable number of outsiders to the capital. There have been no railroad
controversies; and the popular clamor for legislation, regulating the tariff on rail-
road freights, seems to have pretty much subsided. The most important general
measure, probably, is the assessment law. A law was passed for the relief of the
farm mortgagors of the La Crosse Railroad Company. The constitutional amend-
ments proposed by the legislature of 1867 were both rejected. For submitting the
question of woman-suffrage to a vote of the electors of the State, there was little
favor, doubtless owing to the fact, that, with few exceptions, the class on whom it
‘was proposed to confer the elective franchise have signified no desire for it. The
proposed amendment, authorizing the State to aid in building railroads, had many
strong supporters, and might, perhaps, have been carried, had it not been so long
delayed in the senate. It finally passed that body, after being so amended, as to
require further action on it by the next legislature. When it finally came before
the assembly, only sixty members were present, others having left for their
homes; and the bill was indefinitely postponed. A peculiar feature of the late
session, which will distinguish it from all its predecessors, was its abstinence in
the matter of postage-stamps. Not apostage-stamp was voted during the session.”

Referring to the members of the legislature, the same paper says, —

‘Mr. Dyer of Racine, and Mr. Barron of Polk, were, perhaps, the most promi-
nent members. Mr. Barron’s large legislative experience and untiring industry,
joined with practical ability, always make him a power in a legislative body. Mr.
Dyer was chairman of the judiciary committee, and thus held the leading position
on the floor, which he discharged with an ability that justified his appointment.”

A Democratic State Convention was held at Madison the 19th of Feb-
ruary, 1868; and Hon. Charles Dunn was nominated for chief justice of the
Supreme Court, and E. Holmes Ellis for associate justice. On the 26th of
February, the Republican State Convention renominated Hon. Luther S.
Dixon for chief justice, and Hon. Byron Paine for associate judge. The
two last persons were elected in April.

The bids for completing the State Capitol were opened on the first day of
May, and the contract awarded to C. S. Rankin & Co. of Cincinnati, O.,
for ninety thousand dollars. When this was completed, the Capitol had
cost the State over $528,315.60.

The following account of the internal arrangements of the State Capitol
is taken from ‘‘ The Legislative Manual :””—

“The present Capitol exhibits an attractive outside appearance, and is gen-

erally admired. The stone for its construction was supplied from quarries near
Prairie du Chien and Madison, The inside is handsomely finished, and contains
 

 

 
614 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

complete conveniences, although more are yet necessary. In the basement are
the water-closets, boiler-room (from which the building receives heat), carpenter-
shops, book-room, the roost of the war eagles, ‘Old Abe’ and ‘Andy,’ and
gome committee rooms. On the upper floor, the four passages of which are
neatly laid with squares of blue and white flag, are the departments of the
several State officers. In the north passage are the offices of the state treasurer
and school-land commissioners; in the south passage, the offices of the superin-
tendents of public property and of public instruction and the office of attorney-
general; in the east passage, the offices of the governor and secretary of state; and,
in the west passage, those of the adjutant-general, legislative clerks, and State
Agricultural Society, the last of which contains some fine specimens of minerals
and other scientific curiosities. From the centre of these passages, the rotunda and
dome are seen to great advantage. The second floor is reached by wide iron
stairways, ascending from the south and north passages. This floor is diversely
laid with red, yellow, and black tiles; and in the centre a heavy iron balustrade
marks the rotunda. In the east, is the senate-chaimber; in the west, the assembly-
chamber; in the north, the Supreme Court rooms and State Library; and, in the
south, the choicely-filled rooms of the State Historical Society. The first pur-
chase of books for the State Library was made in 1837; and it has received
additions since, which make it very complete and valuable. The Historical
Society rooms, always attractive to visitors, present an array of books, pictures,
sculpture, and literary and other curiosities, which are not only interesting and
suggestive to ‘Badgers,’ but to residents of other States. In one of these rooms,
the torn and pierced flags carried by Wisconsin regiments during the late war are
carefully preserved in a glass enclosure; and in another room is a rare collection
of animal, mineral, and vegetable curiosities belonging to Mr. Isaac Lyon, father
of Judge Lyon of the Supreme Court; and the greatest delight of this courteous
gentleman is to give all visitors information concerning them.

‘‘ The collections in these rooms have for years past been regarded as very cred
itable to the State, and to Hon. Lyman C. Draper, the patient and persevering
originator of them. Mr. D.S. Durrie, the librarian, has held that office since
Jan, 1, 1856, and has taken an active part in the management to the present time.
Since the Chicago fire destroyed the historical depository there, these collections
can be recognized as the largest and most valuable in the North-west.

‘More iron stairways lead to the galleries and committee rooms of the cham-
bers; and yet more, but narrower ones, lead to the store-room where the arms
and munitions of the State are kept, and to the tholus; from which topmost
elevation an impressive downward view of the whole rotunda is obtained. The
outside of the tholus affords convenience for enjoying an exceedingly fine view of
the city, lakes, and surrounding country.

“The height of the Capitol, from the basement to the gilt eagle on the top
of the flagstaff, is 225 feet and 6 inches; and, exclusive of steps and porticos,
the total length of the north and south wings is 228 feet, and of the east and
west wings, 226 feet.

‘Some impressive scenes have been witnessed in this Capitol during the war,
when the legislature were acting on war measures, and also when the veteran
soldiers, on their return, were welcomed with song and feasting in the chambers.

“As characteristic of the vim and energy of the residents of Wisconsin, it
must be stated that the Capitol building progressed, and heavy expenditures were
inade on it, while they were sharply pressed to raise their share of men and
means for the war.

“The Capitol is surrounded with walks, greenswards, shrubbery, and trees,
which are carefully kept in good condition; and these, with the pearly white
building rising in their midst, elicit the general expression, that Wisconsin has a
choicely located and elegant Capitol.”
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 615

The following persons were nominated by the Democratic Convention for
presidential electors, George B. Smith, G. L. Park, N. D. Fratt, A. G. Cook,
M. M. Strong, H. N. Smith, S. Ryan, jun., and Theodore Rodolph; and the
following persons by the Republican Convention, S. S. Barlow, H. D. Bar-
ron, E. Enos, C. G. Williams, A. Worden, L. F. Frisby, W. G. Ritch, and
W. T. Price. The Republican candidates for members of Congress were,
Halbert E. Paine, B. F. Hopkins, Amasa Cobb, L. F. Frisby, Philetus
Sawyer, and C. C. Washburn; and the Democratic candidates, Alexander
Mitchell, J. Winans, T. F. H. Passmore, C. A. Eldredge, Joseph Vilas, and
A. G. Ellis.

At the election in November, the Republican electors received 108,920
votes, and the Democratic electors 84,740. The Republican electors, at a
subsequent meeting in electoral college, cast the vote of Wisconsin for U. S.
Grant for President, and Schuyler Colfax for Vice-President. The Repub-
lican congressional ticket was elected, except C. A. Eldredge, Democrat,
was elected from the fourth district, over L. F. Frisby, Republican.

The elections of the fall of 1868 were very exciting ; it being the presi-
dential election. Much enthusiasm was felt in this State, as in the others.
Public addresses and processions were the order of the day. The next
legislature stood, —in the senate, nineteen Republicans, and fourteen Dem-
ocrats ; in the assembly, sixty-eight Republicans, and thirty-two Democrats.
CHAPTER LIX.

SECOND ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. FAIRCHILD.

Events of 1869 — Legislation — Statistics — State Election of 1869— Contest in the
Legislature for the United States Senatorship — M. H. Carpenter Successful.

Tur twenty-second session of the legislature convened on the 18th of
January, 1869, and adjourned on the 11th of March, after a session of fifty-
eight days. The senate was organized by Hon. Wyman Spooner, lieutenant-
governor, taking his seat as president, and the election of L. B. Hills chief
clerk, and W. H. Hamilton sergeant-at-arms. In the assembly, Hon. A. M.
Thomson was re-elected speaker, E. W. Young chief clerk, and Rollin C.
Kelley sergeant-at-arms. On the 14th, the two houses met in joint conven-
tion, when the governor read his annual message. The rotunda of the State
Capitol was now completed, and a contract entered into for the erection of
the dome, the work to be completed on or before Dec. 1, 1869.

‘From 1860 to 1870, the State expended one million two hundred thousand
dollars for the erection of public buildings.

The most important business transacted in the legislature after the or-
ganization was the election of a United States senator to fill the place of
Hon. James R. Doolittle, whose term of office expired March 4, 1870. The
contest in this case was without a parallel in the State, in the amount of
personal interest it excited ; and the nomination was reached much earlier
than it was generally expected. Six formal ballots were necessary before the
nomination could be made. Hon. Matthew H. Carpenter received the nom-
ination on the sixth ballot, by a vote of forty-four against forty-three for
other candidates. Mr. Carpenter’s opponent was Hon. C. C. Washburn.
Both these gentlemen had a large lobby present, working in their interest.
The greatest excitement and enthusiasm prevailed. Every hotel in the
city was crowded to its utmost capacity; the boarding-houses were filled;
and some even slept in the Capitol, for want of other accommodations. On
the 27th of January, the two houses met in joint convention; and the result
in each house was announced by the chief clerks. In the senate, M. H.
Carpenter received nineteen votes, and George B. Smith thirteen votes,
In the assembly, M. H. Carpenter received sixty-seven votes, and George
B. Smith twenty-eight; whereupon the president announced that Mr. Car-

616
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 617

penter, having received a majority of all the votes, was declared elected
United-States senator for the term of six years from March 4, 1870.

The State officers and legislature of the State of Minnesota visited Wis-
consin, on invitation of the State authorities. They arrived at Madison
Feb. 10. A formal reception took place at the assembly chamber; and,
after being introduced to the members, they were addressed by Gov. Fair-
child, welcoming them to the State, which was replied to by Gov. W. R.
Marshall of Minnesota. Speeches were also made by Hon. E. S. Bragg
and Hon. H. D. Barron on the part of the legislature of Wisconsin, and
by Hon. Warren Bristol and Hon. J. L. McDonald on the part of the legis-
lature of Minnesota. The party, after an ample repast, proceeded by
railroad to Milwaukee, to accept an invitation from the people of that city
to visit them, where they were received by the Light Guard, and escorted to
the different hotels. After a magnificent banquet at Music Hall, the party
were invited to a grand ball. On the 12th, they visited the places of
interest of the city, and returned to their homes highly pleased with their
visit to Wisconsin.

The legislature adjourned March 11. The session was one of the
shortest on record. Notwithstanding the distracting excitement in refer-
ence to the election of United States senator, and the interruption of the
session by the Minnesota visit, about as much business was transacted as at
the previous session. Among the ‘most important measures which were
carried out were, the ratification of the suffrage amendment to the United
States Constitution; the proposed amendments to the State constitution,
authorizing the abolition of the grand jury, the increase of the number of
Supreme Court judges to five, the increase of the salaries of the governor to
five thousand dollars, and the lieutenant-governor to one thousand dollars ;
the establishment of the township system of school government; the codifi-
cation of the laws relative to highways and bridges, normal schools and
strays; substantially repealing the law disfranchising deserters ; to provide
for statistics for state and county boards of assessments; authorizing the
secretary of state to levy additional taxes to those provided for by law, in
order to meet existing appropriations. Liberal appropriations were made
to the various State institutions, amounting to about two hundred and
seventy-five thousand dollars.

There were a considerable number of important bills introduced, which
failed to become laws: bills to compel attendance at schools, to restore the
town supervisor system of county government, to restore the death-penalty
for murder, to submit to the people the question of holding a constitutional
convention, establishing a uniform railroad passenger and freight tariff.
Biils submitting to the people the extension of suffrage to women, codify-
ing the laws for the collection of taxes, to enable the families of drunkards
and spendthrifts to collect damages from persons who sebl them liquor, to
establish another hospital for the insane, and an institution for the care and
training of idiotic and imbecile children, and many others, were killed in
the senate. Among the prominent men in the senate on the Republican
618 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

side were Mr. Taylor, Mr. Hazleton, Mr. C. G. Williams, Mr. Van Wyck,
and Mr. Litttlejohn. On the Democratic side was Sat. Clark, Mr. W. P.
Lynde, Mr. Bragg, Mr. Reed, Mr. Lander, and others. In the assembly,
among the Republicans were Mr. Barron, Mr. Bingham, Mr. Baxter, Mr.
Conklin, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Pound, and others. On the Democratic side,
Mr. Maxon was the leader; and George B. Smith, Mr. Allen, Mr. Richards,
and Mr. Hamilton were prominent.

The legislature passed one hundred and eighty-eight general laws, four
hundred and sixty-nine private and local laws, eight joint resolutions, and
four memorials.

The Republican members of the legislature, on the 22d of January,
requested Luther S. Dixon to be a candidate for re-election as chief justice
of the Supreme Court, which he accepted; and he was re-elected in April.

On the 1st of September, the Republican State Convention met to nom-
inate State officers, William Pitt Dewey president. On an informal ballot,
David Atwood received fifty-nine votes, Lucius Fairchild sixty-three votes,
William E. Smith fifty-four votes, A. Van Wyck fifty-two votes, for the
office of governor. On the sixth formal ballot, Lucius Fairchild received
one hundred and thirty-eight votes, and Anthony Van Wyck one hundred
and twenty-five. Mr. Fairchild was renominated unanimously. For lieu-
tenant-governor, Thaddeus C. Pound received one hundred and fifty-two
votes, and was nominated. For secretary of state, E. A. Spencer received
one hundred and twenty-nine votes, and T. S. Allen ninety-five votes. Mr.
Spencer was nominated. He subsequently declined being a candidate; and
Llewellyn Breese was appointed by the Republican State Convention to fill
the vacancy. For state treasurer, Henry Baetz received one hundred and
eighty-three votes, and was renominated. For attorney-general, S. S. Bar-
low received one hundred and fifty-four votes, and was nominated. George
F. Wheeler received one hundred and sixty votes for state-prison commis-
sioner, and A. J. Craig one hundred and twenty-three votes for superintend-
ent of public instruction. Both gentlemen werenominated.

On the 8th of September, the Democratic State Convention was held at
Milwaukee, E. §. Bragg president. The following persons were put in.
nomination: for governor, C. D. Robinson; lieutenant-governor, H. H.
Gray; secretary of state, A. G. Cook; state treasurer, John Black; attorney-
general, 8. U. Pinney; state-prison commissioner, C. M. Bordoe; superin-
tendent of public instruction, P. K. Gannon.

At the election in November, the Republican ticket was elected. Fair-
child received 69,582 votes for governor, and Robinson 61,239 ; the majority
of the former, 8,843. ‘The remainder of the ticket received a majority of
about nine thousand over the Democratic candidates.
 

 
CHAPTER LX.

THIRD ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. FAIRCHILD.

Events of 1870 — Legislation and Statistics — A Movement to remove the Capital
to Milwaukee fails — View of the State Institutions.

Tue third day of January, 1870, wituessed a change in most of the State
offices. The persons elected in November last assumed their duties. Gov.
Fairchild entered upon his office for a third term; and this fact is a sufficient
evidence that his services had been appreciated by the people.

The Twenty-third session of the legislature commenced Jan. 12, 1870,
and adjourned March 17, after a session of sixty-five days.

Hon. Thaddeus C. Pound, lieutenant-governor elect, took his place as presi-
dent of the senate. L. B. Hills was elected chief clerk, and E. M. Rogers
sergeant-at-arms. In the assembly, Jaynes M. Bingham was elected speaker,
E. W. Young chief clerk, and Ole C. Johnson sergeant-at-arms. In the
senate there were nineteen Republicans, and fourteen Democrats; and, in
the assembly, sixty Republicans, and forty Democrats.

The inaugural reception of the State officers at the Capitol on the 13th
was very largely attended by the members of the legislature, citizens,
and strangers. Two military companies from Milwaukee, the Light Guard
and Sheridan Guards, participated in the reception. In the evening, Gov.
Fairchild and the State officers received their friends in the east room
of the State Historical Society until nine, p.m., when an adjournment was
made to the assembly chamber, which had been prepared for the occasion;
and dancing was kept up until early next morning.

On the 18th of January, in the joint convention of the legislature, Gov.
Fairchild appeared, and delivered his annual message.

In the month of January, Gov. Fairchild received official information that
claims of Wisconsin for equipping troops for the Union army, &c., to the
amount of $219,742.06, heretofore suspended or disallowed, had been
‘audited, and the sum passed to the credit of the State against the direct tax
of 1862, which the State had never paid. On the previous year, the sum of
$131,000 was also allowed. A large amount of other claims still remained
suspended; and the State authorities urged their settlement by every means
in their power.

620
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 621

In the month of March, an energetic effort was made in the legislature, by
the citizens of Milwaukee, to remove the seat of government from Madison
to Milwaukee; the city and county of Milwaukee proposing to donate to the
State the new county court-house under some stipulations. The question
was brought up in the assembly, when a spirited debate took place. A
motion to indefinitely postpone the bill finally passed by a vote of fifty-six
to thirty.

On the 17th of March, the legislature, having finished its labors, adjourned.
Tt was largely composed of able, honest, and industrious men, who were
controlled in their action by what they thought was for the best interests of
the State. There were passed twenty-one appropriation bills, twenty-five
joint resolutions, fifteen memorials to Congress, five hundred and seventeen
private and local laws, and a hundred and forty-eight general laws. Of the
general laws, so classified, quite a number were only of local application,
relating to terms of court, &c. Of those of general importance, the follow-
ing include the majority: the Esterly Bill, to encourage the construc-
tion of railroads, which authorized towns, cities, and villages to take stock
in railroads through them to the extent of five thousand dollars a mile, and
issue bonds therefor; to encourage the manufacture of beet-sugar and the
propagation of brook-trout, by exemption from taxation; to restore the
system of county government by boards composed of town board of super-
visors, senior aldermen in cities, and presidents of villages; putting back
into the normal-school fund twenty-five per cent of its income temporarily.
diverted to the common-school fund; providing for the education of soldiers’
orphans in the normal schools; providing for a geological and topographical
survey of the South-western lead-mines; providing for the election and clas-
sification of railroad directors; to organize the twelfth judicial circuit; to
provide for an additional institution for the insane.

Among the general measures which failed were, amendments to the con-
stitution, so as to strike out the limitation of suffrage to males, lengthening
the term, and increasing the number of judges, of the Supreme Court; bills
to revise and so amend the registry law as to have the first registry made
by town and city clerks, and require an applicant to apply in writing; for
the removal of the capital; to establish a uniform freight-tariff on railroads,
and regulate their running connections; to establish a uniform series of
schoolbooks; to restore the death-penalty, &c.

Among the joint resolutions was one re-affirming the amendment to the
constitution, dispensing with grand juries, which was submitted to the people
in the fall of 1870; proposing an amendment to the constitution prohibiting
action by the legislature, except in the enactment of general laws on sundry
matters, such as changing names, authorizing minors to convey real estate,
vacating alleys, extending the time for the collection of taxes, &c., which,
if adopted, would take away two-thirds of the business of the legislature;
and several in regard to land-grants and other matters. .

One of the measures that created much interest was the Chippewa
Dells Improvement Bills. The strife was between the interests of the
622 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

city of Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls. The bill was killed in the senate
by the rulings of the president at the close of the session.

Hon. A. J. Craig, State superintendent of public instruction, died on the
8a of July, of consumption. Gen. Samuel Fallows was appointed by the
governor to fill his place.

The board of commissioners appointed by the governor to locate a site for
the new hospital for the insane, in July adopted, subject to the approval of
the governor, a site on Lake Winnebago, four miles north of Oshkosh, where
a station had been established by the Chicago and North-western Railroad.
The legislature authorized the appropriation of ten thousand dollars for the
purchase ; and the property obtained is about three hundred acres of land.
By the provisions of the act, the commissioners were authorized to obtain
plans for the buildings, and to contract for the immediate erection of said
hospital; and to this end the sum of a hundred and twenty-five thousand
dollars was appropriated, forty thousand dollars to be expended or drawn
from the State treasury in the year 1870.

In the month of July, bids were opened for the erection and completion of
the Female College building on the State University grounds. The contract
was awarded to Hon. John Fellenz of Milwaukee for forty-one thousand six
hundred dollars. The amount appropriated for the same was fifty thousand
dollars. The governmental census taken this year (1870) shows the popula-
tion of Wisconsin to be 1,054,670, an increase, since 1860, of 278,789.

The following were the names of congressmen nominated by the Demo-
cratic and Republican partics. Democratic, Alexander Mitchell, A. G.
Cook, John Strachan, Charles A. Eldredge, Joseph Stringham, and Alexan-
der Meggett. Republican, William Penn Lyon, G. W. Hazleton, J. Allen
Barber, J. A. Watrous, Philetus Sawyer, J. M. Rusk. At the elections in
November of 1870, Alexander Mitchell and Charles A. Eldredge, Demo-
crats, and G. W. Hazleton, J. Allen Barber, Philetus Sawyer, and Jeremiah
M. Rusk, Republicans, were elected members of Congress.

The whole number of votes polled for congressmen was 147,369. Taking
this as a basis, the State went Republican by 6,117 majority. For superin-
tendent of public instruction, Samuel Fallows received a majority of 9,026
over his opponent, H. B. Dale. The whole vote on superintendent was
146,832.

On the question of changing the constitution in relation to the grand jury
system, but 63,479 votes were cast; and the majority against it was 27,829.
CHAPTER LXI.

THIRD ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. FAIRCHILD.

Events of 1871 — Cyclopedia of Legislation — Statistics — Election Contest —Elec-
tion of Washburn for Governor — Defeat of Doolittle.

‘Tue twenty-fourth session of the State legislature convened on the 11th
of January, 1871, and adjourned March 25, after a session of seventy-four
days. Lieut.-Gov. T. C. Pound took his seat as president of the senate;
and the senate, electing O. R. Smith as chief clerk, and W. W. Baker as
sergeant-at-arms, organized that body. In the assembly, William E. Smith
was elected speaker, E. W. Young chief clerk and Samuel S. Fifield ser-
geant-at-arms. The political complexion of the legislature was, Republi-
cans nineteen, Democrats fourteen; Assembly, Republicans fifty-seven,
Democrats forty-one, Independents two.

On the 12th of January, the governor met the legislature in joint conven-
tion, and delivered his annual message. He remarked at the opening, that
‘our State polity is so wisely adapted to the needs of the people, and so
favorable to the growth and prosperity of the Commonwealth, as to require
but few changes at the hands of the legislature, and those rather of detail
than of system.”’

Hon. Byron Paine, associate justice of the Supreme Court, died on the
18th of January, 1871. A biographical sketch of this distinguished jurist
will be given hereafter.

The governor, a few days after, appointed Hon. William P. Lyon of
Racine to fill the vacancy until the general election in the spring, when a
justice was elected by the vote of the people.

The building-commissioners of the Northern Wisconsin Hospital for the
Insane met in February, 1871, and examined the bids for the erection of
the asylum. Seventeen proposals were put in; and the contract was
awarded to James Reynolds of Milwaukee as the lowest bidder, for
$146,581.

The session of the legislature adjourned on the 25th of March was the
longest that had been held after the change from the per diem to the salary
system of paying members; and was remarkable in one respect, viz., that it
passed without any political contest or partisan debate. Notwithstanding

623 :
624 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

the absorbing excitement on one or two questions, which will hereafter be
referred to, all measures that have been presented received considerate
attention; and all laws of general importance were carefully scrutinized by
committees and the members at large. All local measures received thorough
examination, and there was little mischievous special legislation. Of the
business of the session, in the senate there were three hundred and seven
bills presented, twelve memorials to Congress, eighteen joint resolutions,
and thirty-three resolutions; and, in the assembly, seven hundred and sixty
bills, fourteen memorials, thirty-eight joint resolutions, and forty-six reso-
lutions; and, of the acts that passed and became laws, one hundred and
sixty-nine were general, five hundred and one private and local, fourteen
memorials, twenty-four appropriations, and two joint resolutions.

‘¢The Madison State Journal’? of March 27 gives a full account of the
business of this session as follows: —

‘Many of the ‘general laws’ are not of general interest; some twenty-five or
thirty, for instance, relating to terms of circuit courts and phonographic reporters
therefor. Joint resolutions were adopted to amend the constitution restricting
local legislation, which was twice rejected by the senate, but finally concurred in,
to be submitted to the people, and which prohibits special or private laws; for
changing names, or constituting heirs-at-law; laying out State roads all within
one county; authorizing ferries wholly within the State; providing for sale of
property of minors; locating county-seats; assessing or collecting taxes, or
extending the time for collection; granting corporate powers, except to cities;
providing for any special apportionment of the school-fund; incorporating the
charter of any town or village; also to increase the number of judges of the
Supreme Court to five, and the length of their term to ten years, which has yet to
be approved by another legislature, and then be submitted tothe people. Among
the laws of general importance were those authorizing the State land-commis-
sioners to loan the State trust-funds to school-districts; organizing a State board
of charities and reforms of five members, with secretary at a salary of twelve
hundred dollars, to have oversight of the State charitable, penal, and reformatory
institutions, and poor-houses and jails, their duties simply being a board of
inspection, not control; providing for the trial of criminal offences on informa-
tion, without the intervention of a grand jury (a very carefully-perfectedl meas-
ure); apportioning the State into senate and assembly districts; creating the
elective office of State Commissioner of Immigration; and the following, — to pro-
tect the public against unauthorized insurance-agents; requiring the Constitution
of the United States and Wisconsin to be taught in schools; to provide for hold-
ing normal institutes in this State; to regulate the sale of patent-rights, and to
prevent frauds therein; to protect and encourage the raising of sheep, and dis-
courage the multiplication of dogs, by authorizing county supervisors to impose
a tax on the latter; authorizing court commissioners to solemnize marriages; to
further provide for the duties of county supervisors, authorizing the chairman,
clerk, or a committee, to perform duties now requiring action of the whole
board; to provide for weights and measures in the several towns in this State;
requiring hotel-keepers to provide means of escape from fire; providing that
usury shall work a forfeiture of interest only, not principal; to provide for the
government of the State Hospital for the Insane by a board of three, instead of
fifteen, and requiring two dollars a week to be paid by friends or localities for
board and clothing; to consolidate and amend the acts for the government of the
State-prison; to simplify proceedings for the recovery of real estate; to further
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626 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

provide for instruction in normal school of soldiers’ orphans; changing the offi-
cial designation of clerk of board of supervisors to county clerk; authorizing
boards of registry to put on the registry-list the names of persons known to them
to be voters; repealing the law prohibiting physicians practising without a regu-
lar diploma; to secure a proper guardianship for children discharged from the
Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home.

“The appropriations, mainly for the State charitable institutions, were large,
but did not so much exceed the revenues of the State but that a State tax
of three hundred and forty thousand dollars, which is one hundred and forty
thousand dollars less than last year, was deemed sufficient to meet all expendi-
tures.

“The principal appropriations are as follows: for the new Insane Hospital at
Oshkosh, $126,000; State-prison, $99,940; Insane Hospital at Madison, $92,200;
State Reform School, $53,000; Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home, $40,000; Institute for the
Deaf and Dumb, $38,300; Institute for the Blind, $25.373; for the old Prondfit
printing claim, $12,000; for the protection of Superior Harbor, $5,000; for the col-
lection of State war claims against the General Government, $2,724; for the relief
of certain citizens of Ozaukee County, who paid the State for land which
belonged to the United States, $2,550; for the goverhor’s contingent fund, $2,600;
for the widow of Justice Paine, $1,000.

‘Looking over the titles of the private and local laws, we find that about one
hundred of them are acts of incorporations of all manner of associations; fifty-
eight are railroad-charters, or amendments thereto, or relative to aid to railroads;
forty-thije extend the time for collecting taxes; forty are village, and thirty are
city charférs or ainendments thereto; sixteen relate to changes of names, of mak-
ing of heirs, &c.; the rest relate to a variety of subjects too numerous to men-
tion.

“ Among the measures before the legislature which failed to become laws, the
pill to incorporate the Chippewa Improvement and Booming Company, — which
passe both houses by close votes, but was killed by the governor’s veto, — excited
more interest than any other matter, was more or less complicated with nearly
all other legislation, especially with the Apportionment Bill, and its consideration
somewhat protracted the session. Amendments to the constitution were
defeated, striking out the troublesome provision requiring uniformity of county
government, providing for biennial sessions of the legislature; a new systein of
districting our State into senate and assembly districts, and minority representa-
tion; bills for a commission to propose amendments to the constitution; provid-
ing for a revision of the statutes; educational bills for a State board of education,
for county high schools, and town superintendents, and compulsory attendance
on schools; proposing a removal of the capital (barely introduced, but not urged);
repealing the registry law; further restraining the sale of liquor; authorizing
female tax-payers to vote at school-meetings; giving the railroad license-money
to localities where railroad property lies, instead of to the State treasury; provid-
ing a coal-vault at the Capitol; to establish an institution for the feeble-iminded;
to restore the district supervisor system of county government; to make the sale
of liquor to a drunken man forfeit a license; to make the verdict of eleven agree-
ing jurors effective; joint resolution to amend the constitution and bill limiting
the power of municipalities to contract debt to five per cent of the assessed yalu-
ation; providing for tract-indexes in the different counties; to make the receiving
of a railroad-pass by a juror or a commissioner to award damages, from a railroad
company interested, a felony; making the term of town clerks three years; mak-
ing the defrauding of hotel-keepers by their guests a penal offence; requiring a
license from the clerk of the circuit court as a prerequisite to marriage; limiting
the fees of the commissioners of school and university lands; giving gravestone
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 627

makers a lien thereon; providing for an additional publication of the laws in
‘The Madison Democrat;’ to repeal the act for the survey of the lead-district;
to pay two thousand dollars for the site of the State-prison; making appropria-
tions to the Milwaukee charitable institutions; numerous bills as to the fees and
jurisdiction of justices of the peace.

“The governor has vetoed but few bills during the session; and all the vetoes
have heen sustained. The acts thus made of none effect were to give all swamp-
lands, and the proceeds of all sold in the town of Royalton, for drainage purposes
therein; to vacate part of the plats of the city of Hudson and the village of De
Soto, St. Croix County, and the Chippewa Dells Bill. The governor also with-
held his approval from two bills presented to him on the last day, — one repeal-
ing the law requiring notaries to have a seal, the other amending the charter of
the Mechanics’ Mutual Insurance Company in a contradictory manner to a bill
just previously passed.”

e

At the election in April for associate justice, William P. Lyon received
69,587 votes, and D. J. Pulling 58,119 votes. The former was elected for
six years.

The regents of the University of Wisconsin elected Rev. J. H. Twombly;
LL.D., of Boston, Mass., president of the university. Dr. Twombly
accepted the appointment, and soon after entered upon the duties of his
office. The Republican State Convention for the nomination of State offi-
cers met at Madison on the 30th of August, 1861, Hon. George C. Hazleton,
president.

On an informal ballot for governor, 264 votes were polled, of which num-
ber C. C. Washburn received 142, W. E. Smith 111, and 11 scattering.
Mr. Washburn was declared unanimously nominated. For lieutenant-
governor, M. H. Pettitt received 181 votes, J. H. Rountree 82, J. K. Proud-
fit 19, J. S. Curtis 21. Mr. Pettitt was declared nominated. Llewellyn
Breese was unanimously nominated fur secretary of state, and Henry Baetz
state treasurer, without ballot. Samuel Fallows in the same manner re-
ceived the nomination of superintendent of public instruction. For attor-
ney-general, S. S. Barlow received 166 votes, John A. Bennet 80, and
O. B. Thomas 18. Mr. Barlow was nominated; and G. F. Wheeler for
state-prison commissioner. O.C. Johnson was nominated emigrant com-
missioner by acclamation.

The Democratic State Convention met at Madison, Aug. 23, 1871, H. L.

‘Palmer, president. On a vote being taken for governor, James R. Doo-
little received 123 votes, and was unanimously nominated. For lieutenant-
governor, John A. Rice received 97 votes, G. W. Kroupsoff 19 votes, and
80 scattering. Mr. Rice’s nomination was made unanimous, and that
of Milton Montgomery for secretary of state. For state treasurer, Anton
Klauss received 1038 votes, and was nominated. For attorney-general,
E. S. Bragg received 80 votes, and A. J. Rising 46 votes. Mr. Bragg’s
nomination was made unanimous. L. E. Johnson was nominated by ac-
clamation for state-prison commissioner. For superintendent of public
instruction, Warren D. Parker received 118 votes, and F. Regenfus 26
votes. Mr. Parker was unanimously nominated. For commissioner of
628 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

emigration, Jacob Boden received 120 votes, J. Seaman 22 votes, and 5
votes scattering. Mr. Boden’s nomination was declared unanimous.

The month of October this year was a disastrous one. The great fire in
Chicago took place, and also that in the north-eastern part of Wisconsin.
Some six counties were devastated. Owing to long-continued drought, every
thing was like tinder, and burned with immense rapidity. Something like
one thousand persons are supposed to have lost their lives. At Peshtego,
four hundred and seventy dead bodies were found. Large amounts of lum-
ber were destroyed, and heavy forests burnt. Destructive fires took place,
also, in North-western Wisconsin, in the Black River pineries. The people
in the southern and central parts of the State, with their accustomed
liberality, sent large supplies of food and clothing to the destitute; and
every effort was made by the humane and charitable to alleviate the suf-
ferings and privations of those demanding their sympathy.

At the elections in November, the whole Republican ticket was elected.
For governor, C. C. Washburn received 78,301 votes, and James R. Doo-
little 68,910: the other Republican candidates received majorities ranging
fram 8.90 to 10.000.
CHAPTER LXII.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. WASHBURN.

Events of 1872—An Account of the Great Fires of 1871—Legislation, &c.—
Election — Statistics.

Own the 1st of January, 1872, Hon. Lucius Fairchild, who had for six
years preceding that date occupied the position of governor of the State,.
retired, and was succeeded by Hon. C. C. Washburn. Of the administration
of Gov. Fairchild, it was said, —

“Few men have attained the full honors he has done at so young an age; and
it is rare, indeed, that any man of any age has so long filled high positions with
such universal satisfaction to the people as he has done. At the age of forty, he
retires from office, having held the highest position within the gift of the people
of his adopted State, for three terms, with the respect of his fellow-citizens of all
parties.”

At eleven o’clock the old State officers proceeded to the residence of the
governor elect, where was also the lieutenant-governor elect, Hon. M. H.
Pettitt. The party proceeded by sleighs to the State Capitol, and at twelve
o’clock entered the assembly chamber, where were congregated, a large
number of persons anxious to witness the simple yet imposing ceremony. '
The officers elect were seated in front of the speaker’s platform. Gen.
Washburn then stepped forward; and the oath of office was administered to
him by Chief Justice Dixon in a very impressive manner. The other State
officers then stepped forward, one at a time; and each took the oath to sup-
port the constitution, and to discharge the duties of the respective office
to which he was elected. The ceremony over, the officers proceeded to the
Executive chamber, where Gov. Washburn was duly conducted to the chair
by his predecessor, and the party dispersed.

The twenty-fifth session of the legislature commenced on the 10th of
January, 1872, and adjourned on the 27th of March, after a session of
seventy-seven days. In the senate, Hon. M. H. Pettitt of Kenosha, lieu-
tenant-governor, took his seat as president. J. H. Waggoner was elected
chief clerk, and W. D. Hoard sergeant-at-arms. In the assembly, Daniel
Hall was chosen speaker, E. W. Young chief clerk, and S. S. Fifield ser-

geant-at-arms.
629
630 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The senate was composed of twenty-three Republicans, nine Democrats,
and one Independent. In the assembly were fifty-eight Republicans, thirty-
eight Democrats, and four Independent.

At two o’clock, p.m., of the 11th of January, Gov. Washburn delivered
his first annual message to the two houses of the legislature in joint conven-
tion. It was a long message, and set forth in detail the general condition of
State affairs.

The general condition of the State for the previous year was referred to as
having been very prosperous, blessed with abundant returns of agriculture,
and free from pestilence and famine.

The recent great conflagrations were referred to in appropriate terms;
and measures to afford relief were suggested. A thorough geological sur-
vey of the State was highly recommended. Reference was made to the
Board of State Charities, and their report commended to favorable consid-
eration. The condition of all the State institutions was fully set forth, and
commended to the attention of the legislature.

In national matters, the governor fully sustained the national adminis-
tration. He recommended the Civil Service Reform, a return to specie
payments at an early day, and the adoption of a government telegraph sys-
tem in connection with our postal system. His remarks on these subjects
were extended, and presented the matters in a clear style, giving evidence
that they had been thoroughly considered.

The governor spoke of the great fires of 1871 as follows :—

“During the last days of September, and-the first days of October, the north-
east part of the State was overrun by extensive fires, destroying much property,
and causing great distress, but nothing compared to what was soon to follow;
for, on the 8th and 9th of October, a conflagration, unparalleled in the world’s
history, swept over portions of the counties of Oconto, Brown, Door, and Ke-
waunee, consuming all before it,

“In vain the unhappy people sought refuge in open fields, swamps, lakes, and
rivers. The fire-blast, which seemed to come down from heaven, was so sudden
and appalling, that many believed that the long-foretold destruction of the
world was at hand. By this conflagration, it is estimated that over a thousand
persons lost their lives; and many others were horribly burned and maimed, and
doomed to drag out a life more intolerable than death itself. As soon as intelli-
gence of this great calamity reached the Executive office, my predecessor, with
that promptitude and humanity which were to be expected from him, proceeded
at once to the scene of the disaster, to lend such aid as was within his power.
Appealing at once to the charitable for relief to the sufferers, the great heart of
the country responded with a generosity that calls for the warmest gratitude.

“The people of the State, in the most prompt and liberal manner, sent forward
money, clothing, and supplies for their suffering fellow-citizens, The people of
other States were not less prompt and generous in their liberal offerings; and
even Canada and Europe heard our cry, and manifested their sympathy with a
liberal hand.

“T place before the legislature the very full and satisfactory report of my pred-
ecessor, detailing his action in regard to the sufferers. The responsibility taken
by him and the state treasurer cannot fail to meet your approval. The urgency
of the case fully justifies their action. It cannot be regarded as a precedent; and
such an occasion is not likely to again arise. *
 

 

 
632 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

“The total amount of money received at the Executive office for the benefit
of the sufferers, to Jan. 1, 1872, was $166,789.96, of which sum $46,900 was trans-
mitted to the Relief Committee at Green Bay; $8,005.16 was expended for sup-
plies; $487.57, for sundry expenses, leaving, unexpended, $111.397.23, for which I
hold the receipt of Hon. Henry Baetz, state treasurer, for $33,539.05, and a certi-
ficate of deposit in the State Bank at Madison for $77,858.18.

“In addition to the foregoing contributions in money, large amounts of clothing
and provisions have been received through the Executive office; and it is under-
stood that large amounts of money, clothing, and supplies, have also been con-
tributed through the Milwaukee and Green Bay Relief Committees. It is rec-
ommended that a joint relief committee, consisting of one member of the senate,
and two of the assembly, be constituted at an early day, with authority to pro-
ceed at once to the ‘burnt district,’ and investigate the condition of the people
there, and confer with the relief committees of Green Bay and Milwaukee, and
ascertain what amount of relief will be required to place them in a comfortable
eondition, and when they can be self-sustaining; and I also ask that you consti-
tute some authority through which the amount now subject to my order may be
80 disposed of as to give the most relief, and best meet the wishes of the con-
tributors.”’

After a session of seventy-six days, the legislature of 1872 finished its
work, and adjourned, after giving ample time for the enrolment of all bills,
and their examination by the governor before signature. Few of its prede-
cessors have embraced an equal number of men ready in debate, both among
those well known in the legislative halls, and those for whom this was the
first experience as law-makers. The work of the session was peculiarly
difficult, owing to the many general laws which the constitutional amend-
ment, prohibiting a large class of special legislation, made necessary. When
the legislature met, there were many open questions as to the construction
of that amendment; and it was some time before it could be determined what
was required to be done, or how to do it. The committee on general laws,
after careful deliberation, reported such bills, as, with but little change, be-
came laws which were suited to the objects for which they were framed.
The apportionment of the State into congressional districts was another
perplexing task devolving on this legislature; and although almost any one
could suggest a change for the better, in some respects, considered by them-
selves, as a whole, it is, perhaps, as satisfactory as any arrangement that
could have been made under the circumstances. The framing and passage
of a bill that should meet the popular demand for a law to prevent the evils of
drunkenness, after much consultation and study, has been met by ‘Bill
No. 7 A,’’ making liquor-sellers responsible; the sharp contest on which was
led by Mr. Graham of Rock County, the father of the bill, with able allies.
This bill was the cause of much discussion, not only in, but out of, the legis-
lature. The law was enacted after a hard struggle.

Jn the senate one hundred and eighty bills were introduced, thirty-one
joint resolutions, and two hundred and ten petitions received; and, in the
assembly, five hundred and twenty-nine bills, thirty memorials, forty-eight
joint resolutions, ninety-four resolutions, and five hundred and eleven peti-
tions. There were one hundred and seventy-five general laws enacted, one
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 633

hundred and forty-one private and local laws, twenty-six memorials, forty
appropriations, and eleven resolutions.

An amendment to the constitution, proposed by the last legislature, was
agreed to, and provision made for submitting it to the people to increase
the number of supreme-court judges from three to five; and an amendment
proposed, limiting the power of municipalities to contract debt to five per
cent of the assessed valuation.

General incorporation laws in pursuance of the constitutional amendment
were passed, providing for the incorporation of railroad companies, villages,
religious societies, for manufacturing and other purposes. Other more im-
portant laws are, to regulate granting municipal aid to railroads, to pro-
vide for locating and changing county-seats, to exempt private property
from seizure on sale to pay municipal debts, authorizing cities and villages
to establish free public libraries, &c. 2

The waters of the Chippewa did not divert the cause of legislation, or
swell to such an angry torrent as on the previous year. Two questions were
only brought to an issue affecting it; and those created little excitement,
compared with last year. The Beef Slough Boom Company obtained
certain privileges and powers under a general law, which the Eau Claire
interests claim will give them privileges they have never enjoyed before.
The friends of the Dells Improvement felicitate themselves that there
was no square vote against their measure; while the Chippewa Falls people
rejoice that it was not carried, and that a general law for the aécomplish-
ment of its purposes was defeated. One-tenth of the local and private laws
relate to the city of Milwaukee; there are also a large number for the repeal
of sundry railroad charters in the northern part of the State; also a large
number of city charters, and amendments thereto, legalizing acts, and for
a variety of minor legislation, which is not inhibited. But three acts passed
have failed to receive the executive approval, — one to give the Dells Inves-
tigating Committee additional powers, and others of less importance.

Among the measures that failed to become laws were a constitutional
convention, amendments to the constitution for biennial sessions, minority
representation, raising the minimum of school age to six years, repeal of the
registry law, changing the system of county government, for the printing
claims of Calkins & Proudfit and S. D. Carpenter.

On the 25th of May a contract was made with T. Shimmins and William
Landon to put up an iron fence around the Capitol Square. The whole ex-
pense, under the contract, was $27,495; Mr. Shimmins to furnish the stone
and mason work, at $13,000; and Mr. Landon the iron, at $14,495.

The Republican Convention nominated the following persons as presiden-
tial electors, W. E. Cramer, F.. Fleischer, J. 8. Nickles, George G. Swain,
O. B. Thomas, F. Hilgon, E. C. McFetridge, G. E. Hoskinton, R. Bunn,
and H. D. Barron. The Democratic Convention nominated for the same
officers, Mons. Anderson, J. Black, W. Spooner, A. G. Cook, George H.
King, S. Rindskoff, R. H. Hotchkiss, Anton Klauss, M. Montgomery, and
M. Wadleigh.
634 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

At the election in November, the former (Republican) received 105,012,
and the latter (Democratic) 86,390, and 834 votes scattering. At the meet-
ing of the electoral college, the ten votes of Wisconsin were cast for U. S.
Grant for President, and Henry Wilson Vice-President.

The Republican candidates for members of Congress in the eight congres-
sional districts were, Charles G. Williams, G. W. Hazleton, J. Allen Barber,
H. Baetz, F. C. Winkler, P. Sawyer, J. M. Rusk, and A. S. McDill; and
the Democratic candidates, I. C. Sloan, G. B. Smith, A. Warden, Alex-
ander Mitchell, C. A. Eldredge, M. P. Lindsley, S. J. Marston, and William
Carson.

At the same election, the Republican candidates were elected, except H.
Baetz and F. C. Winkler; and A. Mitchell and C. A. Eldredge, Democrats,
were elected in their places.

The election for members of the legislature gave the Republicans twenty-
one membeis of the senate, two Liberals, and ten Democrats; and in the
assembly, sixty Republicans, thirty-six Democrats, and four Independents.
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CHAPTER LXII.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. WASHBURN.

Events of 1873— Legislation — Statistics — Closing Events of Gov. Washburn’s
Administration — The Election of 1873 — Defeat of the Republican Party.

Tue Twenty-sixth session of the State legislature convened on the
eighth day of January, 1873, and adjourned March 20, after a session of
twenty-two days. In the senate, Hon. M. H. Pettitt, lieutenant-governor,
was president, and J. H. Waggoner was elected as chief clerk, and Albert
Emerson as sergeant-at-arms.

In the assembly, Hon. Henry D. Barron of Polk County was elected
speaker, E. W. Young chief clerk, and O. C. Bissell sergeant-at-arms.

On the 9th, the second annual message of Gov. Washburn was delivered
to the two houses of the legislature. It is a document of more than ordi-
nary interest, and is above the common standard of gubernatorial produc-
tions of this kind. The message opens with a brief reference to the abun-
dant returns from agricultural pursuits, the development of the industries
of the State, the advance in manufacturing, the rapid extension of rail-
ways, the progress of education as being eminently satisfactory during the
past year.

His recommendations in regard to the repeal of the law authorizing
the loan of the school and university funds to school-districts, and for
the revison of the law regulating the descent of property in case a husband
dies intestate without children, commended themselves to the legislature,
and met with its approval. The new Liquor Law, he thought, had not been
in force long enough to have been fairly tested as to its merits, and recom-
mended further legislation to secure its enforcement. A patriotic reference
was made to the great Centennial Exposition proposed to be held at Phila-
delphia in 1876; and an appropriation was suggested to the consideration
of the legislature.

On the subject of railroads, the message set forth the roads that had been
constructed in the State during the year 1872, and informed the people that
‘‘ there will be few communities that have not railroad facilities at no great
distance from them ’’ when the various lines now in process of construc-

tion should be completed. His views set forth in his last annual message, on
636
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 637

the general subject of railroads and their management, remained unchanged.
He claimed that ‘‘ many vast and overshadowing corporations in the United
States are justly a source of alarm,’’ and that ‘‘ the legislature cannot scan
too closely every measure that should come before it which proposed to give
additional rights and privileges to the railways of the State.”’ The recom-
mendation of the previous year for a Board of Railroad Commissioners was
repeated. He also recommended that the ‘‘ granting of passes to the class
of State officials, who, through their public office, have power to confer or
withhold benefits to a railroad company, be prohibited.”

The subjects of the St. Croix Land Grant, the River Improvements, the
Harbor of Superior, were discussed at considerable length; and the benefits
that would accrue from these improvements were fully set forth in the
message.

The governor took strong ground in favor of the adoption of the Postal
Telegraph System by the National Government, but was decidedly opposed
to the proposition before Congress, ‘‘ which contemplates a partnership be-
tween the government and private parties.’?

The necessity for cheaper lines of transportation was dwelt upon ; and the
great enterprises of the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, and
the Niagara Ship Canal, strongly commended by the governor, who ex-
pressed the hope that the General Government would make the necessary
appropriations for their completion.

The message was very favorably noticed by the leading newspapers of the
State, without regard to politics. One paper, not politically a friend, said,
“Tf Gov. Washburn is not a great statesman, he is certainly not a small
_politican.’’

The first important business of the session was the election of an United
States senator to fill the place of Hon. Timothy O. Howe, whose term of
office expired March 4, 1874. On the 22d of January, the two houses met
in joint convention for the purpose of comparing the journals of the two
houses, relative to the election of United States senator. Hon. H. L.
Eaton, president of the senate pro tem., called the convention to order; and
the action of each house was read by its chief clerk. In the senate, Timo- |
thy O. Howe received twenty-two votes, and Henry L. Palmer nine votes.
In the assembly, Mr. Howe received sixty-one votes, and Mr. Palmer thirty-
five votes. The president then announced that Hon. T. O. Howe was
elected United States senator for the term of six years from the 4th of
March, 1874; after which the convention adjourned.

The bills before the legislature which occupied the attention of the mem-
bers in preference to many others were the land-grant bills, of which there
were anumber. One was to confer the grant of the St. Croix Company to
‘the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Company: others on the Northern
Wisconsin Road, on the Chicago and Northern Pacific Air Line Road, on
the Milwaukee and Northern Road,.the Prescott River Falls and Northern
Road; also the bill to authorize the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad tc
erect a bridge across the Mississippi at La Crosse. This last bill occupied
638 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

the closing days of the session, and created much interest. Friends and
opponents of the measure were at the Capitol in strong force. The bill
passed both houses, and was sent to the governor for approval. On the
18th of March, he returned the same to the assembly, with his reasons at
length for refusing to sign the bill, closing with the following remark: —

‘““T cannot approve the bill without sanctioning the nullification of a law of
Congress, plainly authorized by the Constitution. It is an assertion of State rights,
never before claimed within my knowledge, where Congress had already affirm-

sively acted in the premises, in any section of the Union, — not even in that sec-
tion of country where those rights have been most watchfully guarded. Nor am I
willing to say that the government engineers (in locating the bridge) have failed
to discharge the duty imposed upon them under the law of Congress.”

The bill was returned to the assembly; and on the question, ‘‘ Shall the
bill pass, the objection of his Excellency the Governor to the contrary, not-
withstanding? ’’ the bill so passed, — ayes sixty, noes twenty-eight, and ten
absent, or not voting. On the bill being received in the senate, that body
refused to concur with the assembly in the passage of said bill over the
governor’s veto by a vote of ayes fifteen, noes twelve.

The legislature adjourned March 20, having remained in session seventy-
two days.

The following is a statement of business presented and disposed of at this
session: Senate, bills introduced, one hundred and seventy-two; memorials
to Congress, two; joint resolutions, twenty; resolutions, twenty-six; peti-
tions presented, one hundred and ninety-five. Assembly, bills introduced,
four hundred and thirty-four; memorials, eleven; joint resolutions, forty-
two; resolutions, ninety-six; petitions, seven hundred and fifty-one. There
were one hundred and thirty-six general laws passed, one hundred and forty-
five private and local laws, twenty-seven appropriations, eleven memorials,
and six joint resolutions.

Among the most important acts passed were, prayiding for a_geologi-
cal survey of the State, to be begun in Ashland County, and completed
within four years, by a chief geologist and four assistants, to be appointed
by the governor, thirteen thousand dollars being appropriated annually;
giving the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Company the land-grant,
conditioned on building roads from Prescott to Superior and Bayfield, from
Red Wing to Chippewa Falls, from Monroe to Shullsburg; to change the
management of the State-prison from a commissioner elected by the people
every two years, to a warden appointed by the governor, with consent of the
Senate and a board of directors; to substitute the secretary of state, state
treasurer, and attorney-general for the senate, as a State board of assessors:
applying the temperance law of last winter to all cities and incorporated
villages, regardless of any special provisions of their charter; increasing
the salaries of Supreme Court judges to five thousand dollars; providing for
a State tax for 1873 of $321,110; to provide for finishing the State Capitol,
protecting the same against fire; for the improvement of the Capitol Park,
and appropriating $26,850 for the same; and numerous other bills and
specific appropriations to the various State institutions.
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640 HISTURY OF WISCONSIN.

In addition to the bill vetoed by the governor on the bridging of the
Mississippi, there were three others which failed to become laws; viz., for
the relief of S. D. Carpenter; to audit a verdict of Calkins & Proudfit on
their printing claim; to provide for the collection of certain property sta-
tistics, for which an unobjectionable bill was afterwards passed.

The above is a synopsis of what the legislature did, and refused to do.
There was less reference to politics than in any session for a number of
sessions; and the best feeling pervaded the members.

At the spring election, Hon. Orsamus Cole was re-elected associate jus-
tice of the Supreme Court.

Under the law for carrying on the geological survey of the State, Gov.
Washburn appointed Increase A. Lapham, LL.D.., as chief of the survey, on
the 11th of April. The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, on the 15th of
May, sent to the governor an official notice that they declined to accept the
St. Croix and Superior land-grant, under the terms prescribed by the act of
the last session of the legislature. This action on the part of the company
was the cause of much comment by the newspaper press; and the course of
the company was severely criticised.

On the 27th of August, the Republican Union Convention for the nomi-
nation of State officers was held at Madison, John Nazro, president.

Hon. C. C. Washburn was unanimously renominated for governor, with-
out ballot. For lieutenant-governor, on the first formal ballot, Robert H.
Baker received 186 votes, and was nominated; for secretary of state, E. W.
Young received 180 votes, and was nominated; Ole C. Johnson received 189
votes for treasurer, and was nominated; for attorney-general, L. F. Frisby
received 162 votes, and was nominated; Robert Graham received 160 votes,
and was nominated superintendent of public instruction; G. P. Lindman
received 119’votes, and was nominated as emigration commissioner.

On the 25th of September, the Liberal Democratic Convention met at
Milwaukee, Hon. 8S, D. Burchard, president.

William R. Taylor received 229 votes for governor (all cast), and was
declared unanimously nominated; for lieutenant-governor, C. D. Parker re-
ceived 188 votes, and was nominated; Ferdinand Kuehn received 188 votes,
and was nominated for state treasurer; Hon. Peter Doyle received 156
votes, and was nominated for secretary of state; for attorney-general, A,
Scott Sloan was nominated by acclamation; Prof. Edward Searing was
nominated superintendent of public instruction by acclamation; and M. J.
Argard, receiving 140 votes, was declared nominated for state-prison com-
missioner.

At the election in November, C. C. Washburn received 66,224 votes, and
William R. Taylor 81,599: the latter was elected, and the remainder of the
Liberal Democratic ticket, by majorities ranging between thirteen and four-
teen thousand. In consequence of the result of this election, the Republi-
can party, which had been in power from the beginning of the administra-
tion of Gov. Coles Bashford, in 1856, to the close of the year 1878, retired
from power to give place to Democratic or ‘‘ Reform’? supremacy.
CHAPTER LXIV.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. W. R. TAYLOR.

Events of 1874— First Message of Gov. Taylor — Legislation — Statistics —
Railroad Litigation.

On the fifth day of January, 1874, the Reform party of the State of Wis-
consin commenced its administration. The inauguration ceremonies took
place on the 5th, and were brief and simple. At half-past eleven, a.m., a
large party assembled at the Executive office, among whom, besides the
newly-elected State officers, were Hon. George B. Smith, attorney-general of
the last Democratic administration, Gen. C. R. Gill, formerly attorney-gen-
-eral, Hon. S. D. Burchard, Hon. N. D. Fratt, Hon. L. B. Vilas, Hon. J. C.
-Gregory, and many others. From the Executive office, the incoming officers,
escorted by the outgoing ones, proceeded to the Supreme Court room, and,
with the judges, to the assembly chamber. The newly-elected officers took
seats in front of the clerk’s desk; and each, as his name was called, arose,
and the oath of office was administered by Hon. L. S. Dixon, chief justice
of the Supreme Court.

The following is a list of the State officers who took the oath of office,
which comprised the State officers elect: —

Governor, William R. Taylor of Dane; lieutenant-governor, Charles D.
Parker of St. Croix; secretary of state, Peter Doyle of Crawford; state
treasurer, Ferdinand Kuehn of Milwaukee; attorney-general, A. Scott
Sloan of Dodge; state superintendent, Edward Searing of Rock; emigra-
tion commissioner, W. R. Argard of Eau Claire. In the evening, the State
officers received their friends at the assembly-chamber, at which time the
room was filled to its capacity. After the officers had received the congratu-
lations of their friends, the floor was prepared for dancing, which was
enjoyed by the large party of ladies and gentlemen who were present on the
occasion.

The annual meeting of the State legislature commenced on the 14th of
January. Hon. Charles D. Parker, as lieutenant-governor, took his seat as
president of the senate; and J. H. Waggoner was elected chief clerk, and
O. U. Aken sergeant-at-arms. In the assembly Gabriel Bouck was elected
speaker, George W. Peck chief clerk, and Joseph Deuster sergeant-at-arms.

641
642 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

In the senate, sixteen were Reformers, and seventeen Republicans. Tn
the assembly, Reformers, fifty-eight ; Republicans, forty ; Independents,
two. ‘Lhe legislature adjourned on the 12th of March, after a session
of fifty-eight days. On the 15th of January, Gov. Taylor met the
joint convention of the two houses, and delivered his first annual mes-
sage. At the beginning, he referred to the financial disturbances of
the country, and said, that accompanying them had come an impera-
tive demand from the people for a purer political morality, a more
equitable apportionment of the burdens and blessings of government,
and a more rigid economy in the administration of public affairs. He
made reference to the financial condition of the State, and suggested that
taxes be collected semi-annually, or, if the time be not changed, that
the State ought to derive some revenue for interest on its surplus funds
during a portion of the year. The receipts and disbursements for the pre-
vious year were given in a clear manner, showing that the general fund was
overdrawn, and that money had been borrowed temporarily from the trust-
funds of the State to pay drafts upon the general fund. This practice the
governor condemned strongly, and remarked that a deficiency in the general
fund in excess of all proper resources for current expenditures from the
trust-funds of the State was, in fact, an increase of the State debt to the
precise amount of the sum thus taken from those funds.

He commended the suggestion of ex-secretary Breese on the ‘subject
of taxing railway-companies, and thought, also, that foreign insurance-
companies should be made to pay more taxes to the State; and recom-
mended that all fees received by State officers should go into the treasury.
The registry law he thought was costly, cumbrous, and inefficient, and its
amendment or repeal was recommended; and, in connection therewith, the
opinion was expressed, that a fairer and fuller expression of public opinion
might be secured by keeping the polls open a greater number of hours. He
also congratulated the legislature on the progress of education in the State;
and the common schools, normal schools, and State University received a
very favorable mention. ‘The governor felt a just pride in the State Uni-
versity, and hoped it would stand as the ‘‘crowning head’’ of the system
of public instruction. He referred to the Centennial Exposition in favorable
terms, and recommended a board of managers to represent the State, and
superintend an exhibition of the products which may be sent. He recom-
mended the continued sympathy and care of the charitable institutions of
the State.

He discussed briefly the subject of temperance legislation, and expressed
his views strongly. He thought the bill known as the ‘‘Graham Law ’”’
objectionable in many of its provisions, and recommended some modifica-
tion of existing legislation, so as to dispense with these obnoxious features
without impairing the power of the State to regulate and restrain the liquor
trafic. The subject of banks and banking received careful consideration;
and some legislation was urged for the better protection of depositors.

The subject of transportation was quite fully and very ably discussed;
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644 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN

and he referred with satisfaction to the improvement of the harbors of the
State, of the Mississippi River, and of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. He
thought these public improvements were warranted by the General Govern-
ment, from the national character of the works.

The governor presented the different aspects of the railway-question in a
clear and concise manner. He laid down certain propositions to guide the
legislature in the investigation of this subject, and suggested, but did not
recommend, a railroad commission. He insisted that farmers have rights
that legislators are bound to respect, and that the time had come when
some relief should be afforded against the greed and extortion of monopo-
lists. He stood by his associates, and honored his calling. The evils and
abuses complained of he considered could better be remedied by State than
by Federal legislation.

The message was independent and dignified in tone; and its clear and
forcible style, and its fair and able discussion of public affairs, made it an
official document of merit and importance. It will compare favorably with
any similar document ever submitted to any legislature of this State.

The legislature adjourned March 18, after a short session of forty-nine
days. It carried out, in the main, the excellent recommendations contained
in Gov. Taylor’s message.

In reference to the acts of this session, ‘‘ The Madison Democrat”
said, —

“Tt has curtailed the current expenses, and has furnished the people some pro-
tection against the extortion of grand monopolies, The new party has inaugu-
rated an era of retrenchment and reform hitherto unknown in the history of
Wisconsin. Anenumeration of some of the important bills that passed the
Reform assembly, to meet with defeat in the Republican senate, are given. The
first Reform measure that was killed by the senate was the Registry Law, that
probably would have saved the State at least twenty-five thousand dollars, The
Warehouse Bill, that would have saved the farmers of the State one cent a bushel
on all the grain they sold, went through the house to meet its fate in the senate.
The bill to tax insurance-companies, that would have brought four hundred thou-
sand dollars into the State treasury, and relieved the people of that amount of
burdensome taxes, was killed in the senate, after passing the assembly by a large
majority. The best and most restrictive railroad-bill of the session was adopted
by the Reform assembly, as embodying the legislation required on this subject,
and was amended in the senate by the adoption of a substitute very mild in its
provisions, and more acceptable to railroad monopolies. The assembly passed a
bill increasing the license-fee of railroads to five per cent; but the senate reduced
the amount to four per cent. The house also proposed a bill abolishing unjust
discriminations by railroad companies; but it was either defeated by the senate, or
80 modified as to destroy its force. And, to close its labors, the senate refused to
concur in the bill passed by the assembly to straighten the line of the Central
Wisconsin Railroad between Portage City and Stevens Point.”

It will be seen by the above, that, in the opinion of the Democratic. paper
at the seat of government, the senate was to blame for the defeat of many
important public measures: on the contrary, ‘‘ The Madison Joumal,’? the
Republican paper at the capital, said, —
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 645

“Tt is the only assembly that has struck from the statute-book the law making
liquor-dealers responsible for all damage caused by whiskey selling, and admitted
the principle of making the seller liable, to be correct, and restricted the liability
so that it is of next to no value. It is the only assembly that was elected under
loud promises of reform, of friendship for the workingmen, and of opposition to
monopoly, and then voted down a senate bill to compel railroad-companies to
pay for injuries received by workingmen in their employ; and it is the only
assembly that disgusted its own leading men by the acts of some of their mem-
bers.”

Another newspaper remarks, ‘‘ that, judged as a whole, it has fallen
rather below its predecessors in the character of its work. It has not
wrought more reforms or important changes in existing laws than its pred-
ecessors; and what there has been of real reform is full as much due to
the Republican senate as to the Democratic assembly.”

“It will be seen that the acts of this session, and the disagreements between
the two houses on other measures, were not calculated to produce much har-
mony; and both parties were more or less dissatisfied with the results of the
labors of the session. The legislature passed three hundred and forty-nine
laws, fourteen joint resolutions, and twenty-three memorials to Congress.
Of the important laws enacted are: an act relating to the government of
the Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home (to provide homes in private families for those
of the age of fourteen years); to consolidate and codify the various laws of
the State relating to excise, and the sale of intoxicating liquors; to provide
for the completion of the improvements about the Capitol Park; to provide
for the purchase of paper required for public printing and blank books; to
confer corporate powers on the order of the Patrons of Husbandry; an act
relating to public printing; an act relating to railroads, express and tele-
graph companies in the State (this act fixes the compensation per mile for
the transportation of passengers, classifies freights, and fixes definite prices
for transportation to places onthe line of said roads, also the appointment
of railroad commissioners. This was one of the most important of the
enactments of the session, and created great interest in all parts of the
State); to provide for levying a State tax for 1874 ($287,525 in addition to
the amounts authorized to be levied by existing laws); to authorize the
enlargement of the Wisconsin Hospital for the Insane, and thirty-five thou-
sand dollars appropriated, and to appropriate ninety thousand dollars to the
Northern Hospital for the Insane. One of the joint resolutions adopted
was for providing biennial sessions of the legislature, and compensation of
members.

On the 27th of April, 1874, Alexander Mitchell, president of the Milwau-
kee and St. Paul Railroad, and Albert Keep, president of the Chicago and
North-western Railroad, wrote to Gov. Taylor that their several corpora-
tions would disregard that part of the railway law of Wisconsin. In conse-
quence of the refusal of the two companies referred to to conform to the law
in reference to prices, &c., the State authorities filed informations against
the companies in the Supreme Court, on the 16th of May, charging them
with violating laws passed for the regulation of railroads, and asked leave to
bring suits for the forfeiture of their charters.
646 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

On hearing and filing the petition of A. Scott Sloan, attorney-general,
the Court granted to the attorney-general to bring an action in the nature of
a guo warranto in the Supreme Court, in the name of the State of Wisconsin,
against the Milwaukee, Chicago, and St. Paul Railroad, for the purpose of
vacating the charter, and annulling the existence of said corporation as
prayed for in the petition. Similar action was had in reference to the Chi-
cago and North-western Railroad Company, the Court giving permission as
in the former company.

On the 1st of June, steps were taken by the Chicago and North-western
Railroad to enjoin all further proceedings against them by the State author-
ities by an appeal to the Federal courts. Papers were served upon the
attorney-general and the railroad-commissioners, notifying them that an.
injunction would be applied for, in the United States District Court for the
Western District of Wisconsin, to restrain them from instituting fixed rates
to be paid for freight and passengers. The reason given was, that the law
leaves only seven per cent of the gross earnings to pay interest and divi-
dends, which is not a suitable and reasonable return for capital invested.
Mr. Mitchell said ‘‘that the board of directors, regarding themselves as
trustees of the stockholders and bondholders, believe it to be their duty to
disregard so much of the law as attempts to fix an arbitrary rate of compen-
sation for freight and passengers.’’ Mr. Keep also says, ‘‘ that the present,
law relative to railroads amounted to confiscation, as the working-expenses
could scarcely be paid under it.”? The companies immediately adhered to
their former rates. On the 2d of May, Gov. Taylor issued a proclamation,
in which he recited the action taken by the two railroad corporations, and
said, ‘‘ The law of the land must be respected and obeyed. While none are
so weak as to be without its protection, none are so strong as to be above
its restraints,’’ and, closing said, ‘‘I therefore enjoin all railroad corpora-
tions, their officers and agents, peaceably to submit to the law; for, since the
Executive is charged with the responsibility of seeing that the laws are
faithfully executed, all the functions of his office will be exercised to that
end ; and, for this purpose, he invokes the aid and co-operation of all good
citizens in any proceedings, or any measures taken for the purpose of exe-
cuting the act of the last legislature, regulating railroads.’’

This action was not brought in the name of the railroad company, but in
the name of its creditors, who claim that their securities were weakened or
destroyed by the law of 1874. On the 4th of June, the case came up in the
United States District Court, Judges Drummond and Hopkins presiding.
Hon. C. B. Lawrence appeared on the part of the creditors of the Chicago
and North-western Railroad Company, and Attorney-General Sloan on the
part of the State; and, after discussion, it was decided that the matter
should be deferred until the 1st of July. In this case, the governor retained
ex-Chief Justice Dixon as associate counsel to assist in the trial of the case
with the attorney-general and his assistant, Hon. I. C. Sloan. J udge
Dixon had retired from the bench on the 15th of June; and Hon. E. G.
Ryan was appointed to fill his place. On the Ist of July, the case was brought
 

 

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648 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

up in the United States District Court. Judges Davis, Drummond, and
Hopkins presided. The case was argued on the part of the bondholders by
B. C. Cook, Esq., of Chicago, Hon. C. B. Lawrence, Judge Stoughton of
New York; and, on the part of the State, by Hon. L. S. Dixon, followed by
I. C. Sloan, Esq. On the 6th, the Court gave their decision, which sustains
the validity of the law; holding that it was not repealed by the law of
March 12, and that the legislature is absolute arbiter of the question of rates
for freights and passengers from point to point within Wisconsin Territory.
This is regarded as a judicial concurrence in the general opinion held by the
people since the constitution was adopted. The decision, however, was not
final. A question was involved regulating the commerce between States;
and on that point the Court desired to hear further argument.

The State authorities, on the 8th of July, by Messrs. Sloan and Dixon,
filed in the Supreme Court a bill of equity, complaining of the persistent
violation of the law of the State regulating railroads, by the Chicago, Mil-
waukee, and St. Paul, and the Chicago and North-western Railroads, and a
petition that these companies be enjoined by the Court to obey said law so
far as it was held valid by the late decision of the United States District
Court. A copy was served on the officers of the railroads in question, who
were notified that the attorneys for the State would ask a hearing on a
motion for injunction, as above stated, on the 14th of July. On that day
the parties, by their attorneys, appeared in court; and, by mutual consent,
the hearing of the case was postponed until Aug. 4.

On the 4th of August, the Supreme Court met for a hearing on the appli-
cation of the State to enjoin the two railroads before referred to to obey
the law of last winter regulating railroads. There was a large array of
legal gentlemen of high standing in the profession taking part in the case,
including the following counsel: for the State, Hon. I. C. Sloan, assistant
attorney-general, Judge L. S. Dixon, and Judge Harlow S. Orton; for the
Chicago and North-western Railroad Company, Judge C. B. Lawrence and
Hon. B. C. Cook of Chicago, and Hon. George B. Smith of Madison; for
the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad Company, Hon. John W.
Cary and Judge P. L. Spooner; also, as consulting attorneys in behalf of
the railroads, Messrs. J. C. Gregory and F. J. Lamb of Madison, and Col.
J. C. Spooner, attorney of West Wisconsin Railroad Company, of Hudson.
The cases were argued by the respective counsel, and continued until the
11th of August, at which time the court adjourned until the 25th instant.
On the 25th, the court met; but a decision was deferred until the 15th of
September, at which time, at the opening of the court, Chief Justice Ryan
read the opinion of the court. It fully sustains the law passed by the
legislature of 1874, and the right of the State to control corporations. The
opinion is a lengthy one. In conclusion, it was announced that the motions
of the attorney-general must be granted, and the writs issue as to all the
roads of the Chicago and North-western Railway Company, and all the
roads of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railway Company, except
the rai]road from Milwaukee to Prairie du Chien, built under the terri-
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 649

torial charter of 1847, 1848. The attorney-general was directed to file in
these cases, before the writs issue, his official stipulation not to prosecute
the defendants as for forfeiture of their charters for any violations of the
law of 1874, charged in these informations, before the first day of October
next, that time being allowed by the court to the defendants. to arrange
their rates of toll under the law.

The Republican Conventions of the several congressional districts put in
nomination for members of congress Charles G. Williams, L. B. Caswell,
H. 8. Magoon, H. Ludington, Hiram Barber, A. M. Kimball, J. M. Rusk,
and A. S. McDill. The Liberal Reform and Democratic Conventions nom-
inated N. D. Fratt, A. G. Cook, C. F. Thompson, W. P. Lynde, S. D.
Burchard, Gabriel Bouck, D. C. Fulton, and George W. Cate.

At the election in November, the following congressmen were elected: C.
G. Williams, Republican ; L. B. Caswell, Republican; H. S. Magoon; Repub-
lican; W. P. Lynde, “Reform; S. D. Burchard, Reform; A.M. Kimball,
Republican; J. M. Rusk, Republican ; and G. W. Cate, Liberal, — five
Republicans, and three Reformers.

At the same election, members of the legislature were elected to ; ake F
the next session to consist of seventeen Republican and fifteen Liberal
senators, and one Independent, and sixty-four Republican members of the
assembly, thirty-five Reformers, and one Independent; giving the Republi-
cans the majority in both houses.
CHAPTER LXV.

ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. W. R. TAYLOR.

' Events of 1875 — Legislation — State Institutions —The United States Senator-
ship Contest — Defeat of Carpenter — Triumph of Cameron.

Tue twenty-eighth annual session of the State legislature convened on
the 13th of January, 1875. Lieut.-Gov. C. D. Parker took his seat as presi-
dent of the senate. After the newly-elected members had subscribed and
taken the oath of office, that body proceeded to the election of chief clerk.
F. A. Dennett received seventeen votes, and George H. King sixteen votes:
the former was elected, and O. U. Aken was elected sergeant-at-arms by a
similar vote. In the assembly, the oath of office was administered by Hon.
A. Scott Sloan, attorney-general of the State; and, after being subscribed to,
the assembly proceeded to elect a speaker. Hon. Frederick W. Horn re-
ceived sixty-five votes; T. R. Hudd, thirty-two; and two scattering. Mr.
Horn was elected, and took his seat as speaker. Col. R. M. Strong received
sixty-five votes for chief clerk; and George W. Peck, thirty-four votes. Col.
Strong was elected, and J. W. Brackett elected sergeant-at-arms by a simi-
lar vote. On the 14th the governor met the legislature in joint convention,
and delivered his second annual message. He commenced by saying “ that,
while our material prosperity has not met our expectations, we suffer no
financial depression not shared by other States,’’ and very forcibly alluded
to the condition of things in Louisiana; and the contrast was drawn between
the circumstances under which the legislatures of that State and this were
permitted to assemble, organize, and decide upon the election and qualifica-
tions of their members. He then referred to the reports from the different
State departments. All forms of State taxation had been promptly paid;
our State debt, mostly due to the State itself, was insignificant compared
with our population and resources; the cause of popular education had
rapidly progressed; our charitable and benevolent institutions had been
conducted with marked efficiency und economy; the public lands had been
carefully protected. He renewed his recommendation of last year on the
expediency of changing the time for the collection of taxes, and also of
providing either for the collection of taxes semi-annually, or for an occa-
sional deposit of surplus funds upon interest.

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652 ‘ HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The suggestions and recommendations of the governor in regard to our
election laws were again referred to, — to the time of closing the polls, to
the corrupt use of money in elections, and to the canvassing of votes. He
recommended the encouragement of independent military companies, called
the attention of the legislature to the propriety of passing some law for the
protection of railway employees, and commented upon the benefits that
would accrue from favorable legislation in opening communication by rail
with Lake Superior on the north, and the coal-fields of the south. He in-
vited attention to the progress already made in the geological survey, and
to the propriety of further legislation “ with a view to a more prompt and
complete utilization of the results accomplished.” Telegraph and express
companies, and the apparent partiality with reference to their taxation, were
brought under consideration, and dwelt upon at some length, and such
action recommended as should bring these corporations more clearly within
the range of public supervision. The public institutions — educational,
charitable, and penal—vwere considered, and many valuable suggestions
made. The railroad controversy in general, and the law of 1874, known as
the “Potter Law,” in particular, received attention; and his views com-
mended themselves to the better judgment of all parties.

The first important business of the session was the election of a United
States senator to fill the place of Hon. M. H. Carpenter, whose term of
office expires March 4, 1876. Agreeably to the constitutional requirement,
each branch of the legislature, on the 26th of January, proceeded to take a
vote for senator. In the senate, M. H. Carpenter received thirteen; J.
Black, sixteen votes; Orsamus Cole, three votes; and L. S. Dixon, one vote.
In the assembly, Mr. Carpenter received forty-six votes; E. 8. Bragg, thirty-
five votes; C. C. Washburn, seven votes; O. Cole, three votes; L. S. Dixon,
four votes; J. T. Lewis, two votes; and one each for H. Rubles and H. S.
Orton. On the 27th, the two houses met in joint convention, and the action
had by each house was read by the chief clerk. Lieut.-Gov. Parker declared
that there was no election. The two houses met daily until the 4th of
February, when the twelfth ballot was taken with the following result:
Angus Cameron received sixty-eight votes; M. H. Carpenter, fifty-nine votes;
and four scattering: whereupon the lieutenant-governor announced the elec-
tion of Hon. Angus Cameron as United States senator for six years from
March 4, 1875.

The result of this election was caused by the fact that eighteen Repub-
lican members of the assembly were pledged to vote against the election of
Mr. Carpenter under all circumstances, and refused to meet with the Repub-
lican members in caucus to nominate. The Democrat and Liberal Repub-
lican not having the power to elect their own candidate, and desirous of
securing the defeat of Mr. Carpenter, united with the dissatisfied Repub-
licans in electing Mr. Cameron. This arrangement was made by the active
efforts of Hon. J. R. Doolittle, who, by his influence with the minority party
and the opponents of Mr. Carpenter, succeeded in carrying out the arrange-
ment that was consummated.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 653

Perhaps no business of the legislature for many years created so much
interest as this election of United States senator. Mr. Carpenter’s friends
worked actively, and felt sanguine of his election. He received the caucus
nomination of his party, and, according to the ordinary usages of party
organizations, should have received the full vote the party could cast on
such occasions. The hostility to his re-election was based upon the action
of Mr. Carpenter in the United States senate, and his vote on the measures
known as the ‘‘ Credit Mobilier’’ and ‘‘ Back Pay’’ Bills, and his speeches
subsequently, vindicating his course in congress. Hon. C. C. Washburn
was the opponent of Mr. Carpenter early in the canvass; but it soon became
evident he could not be elected, and it was only by the combination before
referred to that the election of the latter could have been defeated.

One of the important local measures passed at this session was one to
amend the law of 1862 to incorporate the city of Eau Claire; the amend-
ment being no more than the famous Dells Bill, which authorized the
erection of a dam with separate chute, &c., on the Chippewa River, above
Eau Claire. This measure is better known to those familiar with the legis-
lation of late years than any other ever presented. It was argued pro and
con with great ability, and aroused the intensest feeling at various times,
involving those citizens and officials who entertained the kindest regard for
the people of Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire, and the whole valley. The
bill passed both houses, and was sent to the governor for approval. The
legislature adjourned on the 6th of March. It was one of the shortest in
the history of the State, and one of the most important, if the magnitude
of the interests involved are considered. The session continued fifty-three
days, the first half of which was taken up almost exclusively with the
senatorial contest; so that nearly all the business was crowded into the last
few weeks: as a consequence, some of the legislation has been hasty and ill-
considered, and may prove injurious to the best interests of the State.

The following is a statement of the business brought before the legis-
lature :—

Senate: petitions, one hundred and sixteen ; resolutions, twenty-six ;
joint resolutions, twenty-one ; memorials to Congress, five ; bills, two hun-
-dred. Assembly: petitions, two hundred and sixty; resolutions, sixty-
seven ; joint resolutions, eighteen ; memorials, eight; and bills, four hun-
dred and thirty-seven. During the last three days of the session, one
hundred and sixty-nine bills were disposed of by the Senate, many of them ..
without any reference to committees. This included some very important
measures, containing, as it did, the amendments to the railroad or Potter
‘Law of 1874, the Dells Bill, and others relating to the educational and com-
-mercial interests of the State.

As to the character of the bills that were passed, it is hardly time to ven-
ture an opinion. The railway legislation was enacted as a sort of a com-
promise, and consequently cannot be regarded as entirely satisfactory to
anybody. The appropriations were large, but not greater, in most in-
stances, than were warranted by a strict regard to the public interests,
654 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The following are some of the important laws passed: an act relating to
the Wisconsin Central Railroad, amending the law of 1866; to more fully
define and punish the crime of bribery; to encourage the building of
narrow-gauge railroads and to secure cheap transportation; to render women
eligible to school offices; to provide for taking a census, or enumeration of
the people of the State; to provide for the revision of the statutes; to facil-
itate the artificial propagation and preservation of fish; to amend the
election law, abolishing registration of electors except to incorporated
villages and cities; to provide for levying a State tax, for the year 1875, of
$236,125 in addition to the amounts authorized by existing laws; to protect
public libraries; and to authorize the regents of University of Wisconsin to
erect a building for scientific purposes.

The whole number of bills passed was three hundred and forty-four, seven
joint resolutions, and twelve memorials to Congress.

At the election in April, 1875, Hon. Edward G. Ryan was elected chief
justice of the Supreme Court for the term of six years.

Under a law of the session of 1874, approved March 19, providing for a
geological survey of the State, Gov. Washburn, after the adjournment of
the legislature, appointed I. A. Lapham, LL.D., chief geologist, and a
competent corps of assistants.

In the senate, in the month of February, the question was raised, whether
the State geologist had been properly appointed. The matter was referred to
a committee, which committee made a unanimons report, that, Dr. Lapham’s
nomination never having been sent to the senate for confirmation, the
office of State geologist was vacant. Gov. Taylor sent to the senate the name
of Dr. O. W. Wight as State geologist; and his nomination was confirmed
by the senate on the 15th of February. This appointment was criticised by
some of the newspaper press; and it was charged that great injustice had
been done to Dr. Lapham in the premises, after considerable work had
been carried on in the survey by the geological party, who were unaware of
the fact that Dr. Lapham’s appointment had not been legally confirmed.
On the other hand, it was said that the work, as performed in the Lake
Superior country by the party, was not satisfactory ; and the members of the
legislature from that section were strenuous for a change in the manage-
ment.

The Republican State Convention for the nomination of State officers to
fill the places of those now in office, whose terms expire Dec. 31, 1875, was
held at Madison on the 7th of July, Ex-Gov. James T. Lewis, president.
The following were nominated: for governor, Harrison Ludington; for
lieutenant-governor, H. L. Eaton; for secretary of state, H. B. Warner; for
state treasurer, Henry Baetz; for attorney-general, J. R. Bennett; for super-
intendent of instruction, Robert Graham.

The Democratic State Convention is called to meet at Milwaukee on the
8th of September.

Inasmuch as this history will close on the Ist of August of the present
year, 1875, it will, of course, be impossible to refer to future events. Both
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 655

the political parties are very confident of the result of the election of their
State ticket the approaching campaign. It will undoubtedly be an active
canvas, as it will be the last held prior to the presidential election of 1876.

In writing up the public events of the Territorial and State Governments,
it has been the design of the compiler to give an unbiassed account of public
occurrences, and measures of public policy. The time has not arrived for a
writer on the history of this State to give his own views on these matters
freely, without giving offence. Parties are still on the field of action who
came here in the early day, and took an active part in the political history
of the State and Territory, and were honest and decided in their convic-
tions, whether right or wrong. The future historian will be better pre-
pared to write what is now unwritten.

The information contained in this volume has been collated from original
documents and authorities; and it is hoped that few, if any, important
errors will be found.

Since the Territory of Wisconsin was organized, it has had fourteen gov-

ernors, — three under territorial rule, and eleven as a State. The Territorial
governors were, Henry Dodge, James D. Doty, and Nathaniel P. Tallmadge.
These men have all gone to their rest. The first State governor was Nelson
Dewey, who still remains a quiet citizen of the State. The second was
Leonard J. Farwell, now residing at Grant City, Worth County, Mo. The
third, William A. Barstow, died some years since, in Kansas. The fourth,
Coles Bashford, is now secretary of the Territory of Arizona. The fifth,
Alexander W. Randall, died a few years since, at Elmira, N.Y. The sixth,
Louis P. Harvey, died in office in 1862. The seventh, Edward Salomon, is
now practising law in New York City. The eighth, James T. Lewis, is a
“quiet citizen of Columbus, in this State. The ninth, Lucius Fairchild, is
now consul at Liverpool, Eng. The tenth, C. C. Washburn, retired from
office on the inauguration of his successor, William R. Taylor, the eleventh
governor, on the 5th of January, 1874. The lieutenant-governors have been
John E. Holmes, 8. W. Beall, Timothy Burns, all dead; J. T. Lewis, after-
wards governor; A. McArthur, Supreme Court judge in Washington City;
E. D. Campbell, deceased ; B. G. Noble, now in New York ; Edward Salomon
became governor on the death of Gov. Harvey; Wyman Spooner, residing
at Elk Horn, Wis.; Thaddeus C. Pound, doing business at Chippewa Falls,
Wis.; M. H. Pettitt, deceased; and C. D. Parker, the present incumbent.
CHAPTER LXVI.

SKETCHES OF COUNTIES.

The Agricultural, Mineral, Lumbering. Educational, and Manufacturing Re-
sources and Developments of Wisconsin, by Counties—Notes and Statistics

of the Leading Cities of Wisconsin.

In addition to the foregoing general, civil, and political history of the

State, we give the following sketches of the several counties, by which the
reader may become familiar with the various interests and industries of
the State, get a view of the principal cities, and observe the relative growth
of various localities. Wisconsin is a great State: its undeveloped resources
are marvellous to contemplate: its developments in agriculture and manu-
facturing are well advanced, and in a prosperous condition. The internal
improvements of the State testify to the intelligence and enterprise of the

people.

Everywhere throughout the State, evidences of thrift and industry

are to be seen, as a perusal of the following county sketches will show.

Apams County.!— We refer readers
to the accompanying map for the loca-
tion of the several counties. The south-
ern part of the county is rolling, and
the central part flat. It gradually rises
from south to north. The soil is of a
sandy loam, well adapted to the raising
of rye, oats, barley, corn, &c. There
is some worthless land in the county,
but also much that is very good; and,
with proper cultivation, it can be made
to_ bear excellent crops.

There are about one hundred and.

thirty-nine thousand acres of land in
the county; and fifty thousand of these
are under cultivation. About eighty
per cent of that now ivimapraved is
capable of cultivation. About fifty per
cent of the land is owned by actual
settlers, at a price of from two dollars
to thirty dollars per acre; forty-nine
thousand five hundred acres, by the
State, at fifty cents per acre; and forty
thousand to fifty thousand acres is yet
owned by the General Government,

1 We are indebted for materials for this
sketch to C, A, Capron and A. O. Holm of
Friendship, Wis. — C. R. T.

656

which can be entered as homesteads;
and the most of this will, if taken up
by actual settlers, and properly culti-
vated, make good and profitable farms.
About four thousand five hundred acres
are yet owned by the Milwaukee and
La Crosse Railroad Company; and a
large portion of this is still occupied
by actual settlers. These lands are
generally of a good quality.

' The county is well watered by beau-
; tiful running streams; and many water-
powers exist that are yet unimproved,
especially in the central part of the
county, north and south, on White
Creek, and the Big and Little Roche-a-
Gris. ‘The prevailing timber is oak, ash,
and maple along the streams, and oak,
ash, and pine on the uplands. There are
many valuable stone quarries in the
county, and one or two good brick-
yards. Clay for the making of the
very best brick is readily found almost
anywhere in the county. The Wis-
consin River runs along the western
border of the county; and Big Roche-a-
Gris, Little Rovhe-a-Gris, and White
Creek are. beautiful streams running
into the Wisconsin River. Lake Jor-
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

dan is situated in the south-eastern
part of the county; is about four
miles long, and two and a half wide;
and is a very Taeaps body of
water, The county poor-house is very
beautifully located upon the banks of
this lake. Fish is found in this lake
in great abundance, as well as in the
streams; and game is very plentiful in
the northern part of the county, con-
sisting of deer, eee grouse,
quails, ducks of all kinds, wild geese,
and other small game.

The principal source of industry in
this county is agriculture; the crops
raised being wheat, rye, corn, barley,
and all kinds of garden vegetables.
All kinds of roots are very prolific.
Some attention is also paid to the pro-
duction of lumber in the northern and
north-western parts of the county. Cran-
berries are cultivated to some extent,
and are soon destined to play an im-
portant part in the industry of the
county. A oe portion of the county
is well adapted to the cultivation of
fruit; and twenty-five thousand acres
have been purchased by parties for that
purpose alone. Hops are alSo raised to
some extent; and some attention has
been paid to the raising of the sugar-
beet. The county is  proverbially
healthy, the water good, and _ the cli-
mate about the same as in the other
central portions of the State. There is
a foundery in operation at Big Spring,
also a machine-shop, iron, lathe, and
planing mill at that place. There are
also, in the county, several good flour-
ing-mills, numerous small saw-mills,
and one of the largest steam saw-mills
in the State, situated at Barnum.

ASHLAND County.!— Ashland County
is the centre county of the northern bor-
der of the State, on Lake Superior. It
contains an area of about one million
two hundred thousand acres, of which
upwards of one hundred and fifty thou-
sand acres belong to the State, while a
large majority of the territory embraced
within its limits still belongs to the
General Government; large tracts bein
valuable ore and pine lands. Ashlan
Bay extends south-west, into the inte-
rior of the county, some twenty miles,
affording a most perfect harbor for
commerce, and the largest white-fish
fishery on the lake. on this mag-
nificent sheet of water is situated the
new town of Ashland, a terminus of
the Wisconsin Central Railroad. The
Penokee iron range lies east of Ash-
Jand, about twenty-three miles, and
is pierced by the Wisconsin Central,
which taps the country that will be
developed, affording excellent facilities

1 We are indebted to S. S. Fifield of Ash-
= connie for the materials for this sketch.

 

657

for shipping ores and manufactured
iron. “The work of prospecting these
vast mineral deposits is now bein
pushed ahead; and the parties engage
receive the most flattering encourage-
ment. Iron ore, at a depth of eight
feet, has already been taken out, that
is judged, by penetens men, to yield
sixty per cent. the iron companies
are successful in opening their mines,
they will, in a very short time, give em-
ployment to a vast army of miners and
other laborers, at good wages.

“The country in the iron regions is
rough and uneven; but the range of
hills is covered with a heavy growth of
maple and other hard wood. The soil
is good for grain and other products; but
the seasons are too short to raise corn,
with the exception of the small Yankee
variety. All varieties of vegetables can
be grown successfully, and yield largely.
The country is a natural one for tame
grass, which, where tried, does splen-
didly. The whole county is heavily tim-
bered with pine and hemlock forests,
interspersed with belts of hard wood.
A number of large streams, together
with numerous branches and springs,
affording abundant water-powers, water
the whole northern slope. Several good-
sized inland lakes, full of fine fish, are
to be found in different portions of the
county. Fruit does well, far better
than in the more central portions of the
State. Apples, pears, tame and wild
plums, thrive and grow rapidly. Of
course there are no orchards as yet;
but the experimental gardens prove, to
a certainty, that fruit can be success-
fully raised. There are several apple-
trees now in Ashland, where nice apples
can be seen growing. Small fruits can
be raised here as well as anywhere.
The whole country is a dense wilder-
ness, but is now receiving that atten-
tion it has so long deserved; and with
the coming of railroads will also come
the sturdy emigrant, the skilled me-
chanic, the adventurous American, and
the genuine inquisitive Yankee, who,
with his inventive genius, will soon
help to make the wooded hills resound
with the hum of industry. It is the
beginning of a new era in the histor,
of our noble State,—one laden _wit.
great enterprises and wonderful devel-
opments. The great inland sea of

orth America can no longer be a
mere outline on the maps, to be talked
about by school-children, but the live
and busy centre of commerce, bearing
burdens from Eastern climes and the
fertile North-west, to the East Atlantic
cities and commercial depots.”

BayYFirELD County.!— This conety
joins Ashland County on the nort!
and west. It has an area of about

2Tam indebted for this sketch to Messrs.
S. 8. Fifield and J. D. Chuttenden,— C. R. T,
658

thousand acres, of
which a large ee belong to the
State, and are known as “‘school, uni-

ersity, andswamp lands.” These lands,
although denominated ‘ swamp-lands,’
are, in many instances, far from being
so, as, in a majority of cases, only a
fraction of the subdivision is wet and
(marshy ; the balance being high and dry.
The lands contain vast belts of valuable
‘pine and other timber, and are being
‘entered very fast by pine-land speculat-
ors, as also are the government lands;
a large portion of the county still be-
onging to the United States. Bayfield
vo more-sandy il than Ash-
land; and, on the whole, the timber is
not as dense as that of either Douglas
on the west, or Ashland. The village
of Bayfield is the county-seat. It con-
tains a Peet of about a thousand
souls, Itis a well-built place; contains
several saw-mills and stores; and is the
head-quarters of one of the largest
fishing-houses on the lake. This firm
ship annually ten thousand packages
of white-fish and trout. They go to
Chicago and Buffalo markets princi-
pally. Others do an extensive business
in this line; and the catch can be safely
set down at fifteen thousand
annually. The United States Land Of-
fice for the Northern District of Wis-
consin is located at Bayfield; and,
during the present year, business has
been quite brisk in the office. The har-
bor of Bayfield is undoubtedly the best
on Lake Superior, and is accessible from
three points of the compass for ship-
ping. As a harbor-refuge, it is visited
during the season by almost every vessel
that plies the lake. During the summer
season, Bayfield is crowded with pleas-
ure-seekers from all parts of the Union.
It is fast becoming a noted watering-
place, and, in a few years, will excel a
places of resort in the north. It has al-
ready two good and well-kept hotels,
the Bayfield House and Smith’s Hotel.
The county is in good condition finan-
cially, and prosperous. The building of
the Central Railroad to Ashland helps,
rather than retards, the growth of Bay-
field County.

Houghton Point is another beautiful
place in Bayfield County, and bids fair
to rival Bayfield as a place of resort.
The scenery about Ashland, and the
group of islands known as the “ Apos-
tles,” is probably the finest on Lake
Superior ia many respects, and annual-
ly attracts the tourist and traveller
to view the ever-beautiful landscapes.
Bayfield County has many sources
of wealth, and will, ere long, contain a
thrifty and prosperous population,

BaBron County.!— The surface of

1] wish to acknowledge the assistance of
Orville Brayton in the preparation of this
sketch. —C. RB. T.

eight hundred

 

 
 
  

ny

ackages.

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

this county is gently rolling, although
the northern part is hilly and swampy.
The southern and central portion of the
county has a soil of dark clay loam;
while the north-east part, which is prai-
rie, is lighter, and mostly sand. There
are about five hundred and sixteen
thousand acres in the county, twent,

thousand of which are under culti-
vation; and about nine-tenths of the
balance are capable of being worked.
Of the whole amount, nearly twenty
thousand acres, owned by actual set-
tlers, are held at an average price of
seven dollars per acre. In the neigh-
borhood of eleven thousand acres are
State lands, located throughout the
county, and for sale at from seventy-
five cents to one dollar and a half per
acre. Subject to entry under the Hume-
stead Law, and owned by the General
Government, are one hundred and
ninety-two thousand acres, mostly cov-
ered by heavy timber. The facilities for
water-powers are excellent. Streams
traverse the county that are capable of
indefinite improvement. White-pine,
white and red oak, maple, ash, linden,
balsam, and aspen are the principal
timber. The natural meadows consti-
tute a very attractive feature of this
region. Some are quite extensive; but
they generally range from five to ten
acres, and are scattered along river-
bottoms and creeks throughout the en-
tire county. Their present available
area can be doubled by a little labor
in Stesety she margins of brush, and
burning the ground. The principal
varieties of grass are the flat-leaved, red-
top,.and blue-joint. All are of good
quality and luxuriant growth, parti-
cularly the blue-joint, hin often at-
tains the height of four or five feet,
producing a marvellous yield of coarse
but very sweet and excellent hay. Be-
ing indigenous, they exhibit but little
tendency to run out. Some of these
meadows have been mowed by lumber-
men for twenty years, without any
perceptible diminution of crop. The
acilities which here exist for water-
power are practically inexhaustible.
Taking into account only such as can
be cheaply utilized, they are more than
sufficient to turn the wheels of all the
inanufacturing establishments in Mas-
sachusetts; and considered in connec-
tion with the fertility of the soil, the
great quantity of timber adapted to
mechanical purposes, and certain other
conditions, real and possible, that ren-
der this region favorable for the devel-
opment of large manufacturing inter-
ests, this vast water-power assumes @
peculiar importance. With the rich iron
mines of Superior lying in close neigh-
borhood on the north, and the prairies
and bottom-lands of the Mississippi
Valley bordering on the south, only a
HISTORY OF

few miles of railroad are necessary for
the profitable employment of labor and
capital in founderies, woollen-mills,
wagon-factories, and all the wood and
iron-working shops for the manufacture
of farming-implements and domestic
furniture demanded by the greatest
agricultural region in the world. As
yet, but little has been done for the
improvement of these extraordinary ad-
~antages. Influenced, however, by their
attractions, and believing in the prom-
ising future of Barron County, a few
enterprising capitalists and business-
men have erected several fine mills for
Dae the settlers with lumber for

uilling-purposes, and converting their
grain into flour and feed. :

Another great material interest, more
peculiar to this region than any other,
consists in extensive beds of catlinite,
or Indian pipe-stone, a sort of red clay
formation, found in stratified deposits
of various thicknesses, convenient for
quarrying, in the eastern portion of the
county. According to the analysis of
Dr, Jackson of Boston, as reported in
“Silliman's Journal,” it is composed of,
in a hundred grains: —

Water
Silica
Alumina
Magnesia
Perox. iron
Ox. manganese
Carb. lime
Loss

grains.
‘ “cc
cc
cc
“cc
cc
sc

8.
48.
28.

6.

5.

0.

2.

AnToonnwr

1.0

The practical importance of this sin-
gular compound cannot easily be over-
rated. It is of a brownish crimson
or mahogany color, exceedingly fine-
grained, susceptible of a high polish,
and, when first taken from the quarry,
is so chalky and soft as to be easily cut
with a knife, or dressed with a plane,
yet, after a few days’ exposure to the air
and light, assumes a flint-like tenacity
and hardness, which resists the action
of moisture, heat, and cold. For cen-
tre-tables, counters, chimney-pieces, tes-
sellated pavements, facings of purlaingss
solumns, monuments, and busts, for
every thing in which it is necessary to
unite the beauty of marble with the
strength of granite, it possesses an
adaptation of qualities which need only
to be known to create a demand ‘that
even the exhaustion of these beds may
not supply. Its exquisite richness and
beauty, the great ease with which it can
be wrought, together with the fact of
its scarcity (geologists having reported
its existence at but one other point on
the whole continent), will render it a
source of wealth to this county, in gen-
erations to come, which might not be
ne anes by mines of silver and
gold.

WISCONSIN. 659

Brown County.! — This was the first:
oint settled in the State. The county
has an area of about four hundred and
fifty square miles, located at the head of
Green Bay, a mighty arin of Lake Mich-

igan, nearly a hundred miles in length,
and with an average breadth of fifteen
miles, The mean latitude is about 44°
north, being a little higher than the
southern coast of France. The climate
is much colder than is experienced in
Europe at the same parallel; but such is
the dryness of the atmosphere, and
steadiness of the temperature, that the
winters are, in some respects, the most
pleasant, as they are certainly the most
healthful, portions of the year. <A solid
bed of dry snow for nearly three
months affords highways of unequalled
facility for passage and transportation.
It is a gratifying sight, on a fine winter's
day, to witness the processions of Bel-
ian and other farmers, with their sleds
oaded with shingles, made by theirown
hands, from wood grown on their own
soil, and wending towards the city of
Green Bay, sure of being waylaid by
some eager shingle-buyer “‘cash in
hand.” The only unpleasant portion
of the year is the two months in the
spring, beginning about the 10th of
March, during which period the weath-
er is usually wet, windy, and variable;
but with the middle of May commences
a season of sunshine and warmth, and
ripening power, which urges on ever,
kind of vegetation with a rapidity hard-
ly equalled at any other spot of the
earth’s surface. The autumn, however,
commencing about Sept. 28, is the pecu-
liar boast of the climate in this part of
the North-west. The cool but comforta-
ble weather, the sunny days, and clear,
frosty nights, have made the Indian-
summer of this region famous and at-
tractive throughout America. The
county is exceedingly healthy.

There is hardly an acre of barren land
in the county. The prevailing character
of the soil may be called a sandy loam,
easily worked, and susceptible of the
highest degree of cultivation. Other
descriptions of soil, of course, exist,
varying with the changes of surface,
the proximity of water, &c.; but, what-
ever the pe of particular spots
of ground, the one characteristic of
fertility may be relied upon as existing
almost everywhere with slight excep-
tion.

The noble Fox River, navigable for
the largest vessels, finds its outlet with-
in the limits of the county, and_fur-
nishes the best harbor on the Great
Lakes; while its several tributaries, and
other streams which flow into the bay,
make this peculiarly well watered. As

 

| 1 The reader is indebted to Hon. J. 8. Cur-
_ tis of Green Bay for this sketch.—C. R. T.
660

might be expected in such a land of
wood and streams, there is no difficulty
anywhere in obtaining wells supplied
with abundant spring-water, by digging
a moderate distance below the surface.

The settlers of this county were of
French origin; and we may add that
the French is still spoken here, perhaps
more extensively than any other tongue.
The Belgians form the most numerous
portion of the French-speaking race,
and, with the patient industry charac-
teristic of their nation, are transforming
a wilderness into fruitful fields. Ger-
mans from every part of the “fatherland”
are here working their way upwards
with an intelligence, independence, and
energy which always command suc-
cess. The Scandinavian races, especially
Norwegians and Danes, are among us
in considerable numbers, and bring with
them sone sterling traits of character,
which insure them a welcome from all
classes of our people. One of our most
thriving towns is almost entirely occu-

ied by emigrants of this class. The
indefatigable Dutchman is here also,
and has bestowed the name of “Hol-
land” upon one of our most prosperous
and growing agricultural towns. The
omnipresent Irishman is here too, as
everywhere, toiling succeSsfully to gain
a comfortable home for himself, and,
with his sturdy arm and brave spirit,
helping to build up the fortunes of the
community in which he dwells. Some
of the best farms and farming lands in
the county are held by Irishmen. The
native American element of the popu-
lation may be counted of the best class;
being mostly composed of original em-
igrants from New York, Pennsylvania,
and the different States of New Eng-
land, or of the descendants of such.

“To judge of what Green Bay and its
adjuncts must become in the future, it
will be necessary to go beyond their in-
corporated limits, and take up the map
of the Eastern, Northern, and North-
western States and Territories, and after
carefully comparing certain geographical
points, great common centres, the agri-
cultural, lumbering, mineral, and other
essential advantages, with the topogra-
phy of the country, railroad connections
(present and prospective), and interna-
tional water-communications, — after
comparing all these advantages with the
natural advantages of other localities, it
is by no means a very great hazard to
predict that Green Bay and the adjacent
towns named, will, before the close of
the present century, be the largest town
in the State of Wisconsin.”

The advantages of Green Bay, Fort
Howard, and De Pere, have been thus
summed up:—

Ast, It is two hundred miles nearer tide-
water by water-course than Chicago.

2d, The Canada end of the North Pa-

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

cific Railroad has just been le* to Messrs.
Perry H. Smith and George L. Dunlap
of Chicago, which secures its completion
to the ‘“Sioux,’”’ and from thence west-
ward to East Canada, probably within
two years. When this is done (as it
must and soon will be) Green Bay will
be nearer New York by rail than Chi-
cago is.

3d, Green Bay will be nearer Boston
by rail than Chicago is, by over two

‘hundred miles.

4th, Green Bay will be nearer tide-
water by rail than Chicago, by some
three hundred miles.

5th, St. Paul, and all west and imme-
diately south-west from that point, will
be nearer New York, via Green Bay, by
rail, than via Chicago, by over three
hundred miles.

6th, Madison and Milwaukee will be
nearer New York, via Green Bay, by
rail, than via Chicago,

7th, All towns on the Mississippi
above Prairie du Chien, and all towns
on the Missouri above Omaha, will reach
New York by rail, via Green Bay, nearer
and quicker than via Chicago.

8th, Passengers and freight from the
Pacific coast, over the Central Pacific
Road, may reach Boston two hundred
miles nearer, via Green Bay, than via
Chicago, and New York by about the
same distance. .

9th, Green Bay is becoming ae a
railroad centre. Three roads (all com-
peting) are now regularly running into
that place. A few months will install
the fourth; while two more are in prog-
ress of construction, and_ still three
others in contemplation; all of which,
when completed, will give this great
centre some nine roads,

10th, This is not only the best lumber
region (including the range westward)
in the world; but between this and the
St. Croix, ranging north and south to the
timber-limit, is a zone of some thirty
thousand square miles of hard and soft

timber-forests, as good as the world pro-

duces.

11th, Here (at De Pere) is asplendid
water-power, capable of running three-
score and ten mills, machine-shops, and
manufactories. While lake boats may
come within a stone’s throw of the cata-
ract that pene over the dam, vessels di-
rect from Liverpool may safely approach
within sixty rods of this water-power.

12th, Iron ore, the best in the world,
abounds on three sides of Green Bay,
within easy distance, — enough to sup-
ply the world with iron for centuries.

13th, The soil throughout the timbered
zone, with the exception of here and
there a sandy strip, is unsurpassed in
fertility, and, being indigenous to the
grasses, will yet rival Orange and Chau-
tauqua Counties (New York) in the pro-
duction of butter and cheese; while, for
HISTORY OF

most of the cereal productions, it has no
superior, excepting corn.

14th, The Fox and East Rivers furnish

over twenty miles of river-frontage,
every rod of which might be used for
dockyards.
15th, Green Bay is a land-locked har-
or, unsurpassed in security, extent, and
convenience, by any in the world.
16vb, From the above facts it must be
apparent, that for manufacturing and
commercial, for agricultural, mining,
and lumbering facilities, Green Bay and
environs has no peer in all the Great
West, if, indeed, it has on this continent.
17th, The mineral and lumbering ma-
rial are here all at hand. Power is
ere; and, when manufactured into
ares and machinery, Nature has fur-
ished the additional facility for trans-
portation by an adequate, water-course.
Y What more, it may be asked, does
Green Bay and her “partners” want?
And yet one thing she lacketh, —capital.
Give to Green Bay capital in adequate
meed, and in ten years she would num-
ber one hundred thousand inhabitants,
and do more manufacturing than Chi-
cago and Milwaukee combined.

Take, for instance, this “little town”
of De Pere, which, two or three years
ago, was nothing but a mere ‘‘ way sta-
tion,” and now does a business of nearly
five million dollars annually. Four blast-
furnaces are now in successful opera-
tion here, with an aggregate capacity of
twelve hundred tons of pig metal per
week. Then the car-shops turn out
some twelve cars per week. The Bolles
Fish Kit establishment turns out some
six thousand kits per week. Besides
there are numerous other establishments
turning out various articles of manu-
facture, all employing some_ thousand
laborers and artisans. And yet the
threshold of capacity of water-power
and other facilities is scarcely reached.

Green Bay, the county-seat of Brown
County, is one of the oldest settled places
in the State, having been settled by the
French at a very early period. The
present site was platted in 1830, and was
called Navarino; and in 1835 land adja-
cent was platted, and called Astor. In
1839 both plats were incorporated under
the name of Green Bay; in 1854 it was
chartered as acity. Itis located at the
head of the bay which opens into Lake
Michigan, and at the mouth of Fox
River, and is one of the best harbors
on the lake. The city is about a hun-
dred miles from Milwaukee by the Mil-
waukee and Northern Railroad, and a
hundred and ninety-one by the said road
from Chicago. Since the opening of the
railroads, Green Bay has become a place
of much business; and_ the facilities
which it possesses of lake, railroad,
and canal navigation, can but make it
one of the most important commercial

 

WISCONSIN. 661

cities in the State. One of the impor-
tant improvements, erected in 1862, was
the extensive elevator of Elmore and
Kelley, sixty by a hundred and twenty-
eight feet, with engine-room adjoining,
and a hundred feet high, of solid plank
walls, with a capacity of two hundred
and twenty-five thousand bushels of
wheat; elevates from railroad and river
for shipping. The same parties have
docks extending to this structure eight
hundred feet on the-river. In 1860 the
produce of Brown County was estimated
at a hundred dollars; in 1870 it was over
tive million dollars. There are from
forty to fifty mills in the country adja-
cent, — lumber and shingle manufacto-
ries, — which find a market at this point.
About eighty million feet of lumber are
marketed here annually, and over two
hundred million shingles, and six million
staves. The city has four hotels, an
elegant court-house, opera-house, Tur-
ners’ hall, nine churches, and four in Fort
Howard across the river, five secret so-
cieties, and a large number of mercantile
establishments and mechanical shops.

Population, 1875, 8,037, and Fort How-
ard 3,610.

BurFAto County.!— The general to-
pography of the county is hilly, with
rich valleys between. The soil is re-
markably varied, especially in the north-
east part. It is for the most part a light
dark loam, common to black-oak open-
ings; but it changes to the richest black
soil, then to worthless sand, and again
to clay. The perceptible causes are
worthy of careful observation. There
are about four hundred and sixty thou-
sand acres in the county, and over
250,300 acres entered, estimated one hun-
dred thousand improved: of the remain-
der, two hundred thousand could be
cultivated. Nearly two hundred thou-
sand acres are owned by actual settlers,
and are worth, on an average, eight dol-
lars per acre. :

Water-power is good, though but little
improved, and offers encouraging oppor-
tunities for the manufacturer, especially
in the erection of woollen-mills. Tim-
ber of all kinds prevails. Beds of clay
for the manufacture of brick are found
in many parts of the county; and several
parties are successfully engaged in mak-
ing brick. Limestone for lime and
building-purposes are of the choicest.
Chippewa River is the only navigable
stream in the county. Trout are abun-
dant in the large streams. A railroad
from Eau Claire through the county is
among the glowing anticipations of the
people. The raising of all the principal
cereals and stock is the most extensive
pursuit. Our undeveloped condition

11 am indebted to John De Graff and Nich-
olas Phillippi of Alma for this ar —
662 HISTORY OF
calls for capital to turn our water-power
into untold wealth. Farm-labor is al-
ways in demand; and, during the sprin;
and summer season, some three hundre
meu are employed on the Beef Slough
booins, Wages average all the year
round two dollars per day. :

The three principal villages in the
county are Alma, the county-seat, with
a population of a_ thousand, three
phaurehes, a good graded school, several

ood saw-nills, and one grist-mill ;
fountain City, with a population of
eleven hundred, three churches, one
graded school, two saw-mills, one grist-
mill, a foundery and a plane-shop; and
Mandovi, in the northern part of the
county, with a population of about a
thousand, four churches, a good graded
school, a flouring-mill, and a foundery.
The condition of the common schools
throughout the county is good, the
schoolhouses mostly of frame, but or-
dinarily in fair condition.

BurneETrE County. — This county is
located upon the St. Croix River. It is
timbered with pine and hard wood; has
an area of about a million acres, of
which seventy-three thousand acres are
State lands, and a large proportion Gov-
ernment lands, which are rapidly being
taken up for the valuable timber upon
them. There are grants of land by the
United States Government to aid in
building several lines of railroads that
pass through this county, which, when
completed, will, with the St. Croix and
its tributaries, give its settlers ample
facilities for getting their lumber and
agricultural products to market. It is
settled mostly by Norwegians; and, by
their known industry, they will make it
one of the best agricultural counties in
the State.

Homesteads are still quite plenty
The proposed St. Croix and Superior
Railroad is located through the centre
of the county, and_ will, when built,
open up a large and valuable tract of
agricultural, mineral, and _ timbered
lands.

CaLUMET County. — This county
coutains an area of about two hundred
thousand acres, and is one of the small-
est counties of the State. The popula-
tion of the county, according to the cen-
sus of 1870, is 12,334. There are seventy-
five thousand acres of improved land,
the average price of which is about
twenty-five dollars per acre. The unim-
proved land, consisting of one hundred
and thirty thousand acres, ranges from
three to twelve dollars per acre. Nearly
the whole lands are capable of cultiva-
tion. The south half of the county is
gently rolling; the north being more

evel, and, in places, swampy. The
swamp-lands are generally owned by
comunissioners, and have no appreciable
value. We believe the Geueral Govern-

 

WISCONSIN.

ment does not own an acre of land. The
Fox River Improvement Company owns
a small tract of land in the western part
of the county. The facilities for water-
power are about average. Timber is prin-
cipally of hard wood. Marble is found
in the south-east part of the county;
also valuable stone quarries and brick-
yards in number on the west side. Sev-
eral small streams run through the
county, the largest being the Manito-
woc; none navigable. Nevertheless,
Lake Winnebago, lying on the west,
gives ample facilities for shipping and
market privileges.

Calumet County contains the finest
oak-timber in Wisconsin; and, with the
newly-acquired railroad facilities, this
is going to prove of great value to the
county. Here are great inducements to
men of capital, who would desire to go
into the manufacture of wagon or car-
riage material, or other things for which
hard wood is used. Bass-wood is also
quite abundant.

Chilton is the county-seat; is located
on the Milwaukee and Northern Rail-
way, and has twelve hundred inhabit-
ants. New Holstein has ten hundred
inhabitants; Stockbridge, six hundred;
Hayton, four hundred; Gravesville, six
hundred; and Sherwood, one hundred
and fifty.

The population consists of about one-
half Gerinan, one-quarter Irish, and one-
quarter Americans.

CHIPPEWA County.! — Twenty-five
years ago, when the pioneers of this
county entered its forests for the sole
purpose of lumbering, they supposed
that pine-lands would only produce pine-
trees; and, consequently, they brought
their flour, pork, corn, beans, potatoes,
and, in fact, all the necessaries of life,
up the Mississippi, in keel-boats, from
Prairie du Chien. Times are changed.
Now the county produces both winter
and spring wheat, — twenty bushels per
acre,— which sells in Milwaukee for
No. 1. Our oats are No. 1; average crop,
forty bushels to the acre. Barley and
rye grow equally as well. Hay grows
wild in great abundance, and yields two
tons to the acre. They also raise first
quality of Timothy hay, two tons to the
acre. As for potatoes, the world cannot
surpass them in quantity or quality: the
average crop is two hundred bushels per
acre. Almost all kinds of wild fruits
grow in abundance. Quite a large
number of apple-trees and fruits have
been set out the past few years; and, 43
apples do well fifteen miles south, we
hope soon to raise fruic in abundance.

The stock of the county is of good
average quality, but is mostly brought

1 We are indebted to L. C. Stanley, William
Richardson, and D. W. Campbell i
Falls, for this sketch. CG. it ke Chippews
HISTORY OF

from Southern Wisconsin, Dlinois, and
Iowa. The pineries make a great de-
mand for horses and working-cattle.
‘Wild land can be bonght for from three
to ten dollars per acre. Twenty miles
from the county-seat, or from the West
Wisconsin Railroad, good land can be
bought at government price. Improved
lands are held at ten to twenty dollars
per acre. The soil of the heavy, hard-
wood timber-land is what istermed clay
soil; that of the prairies is a rich, black,
sandy loam. The people settled in this
cvanty are from every nation; and the
door stands open to all.

In the northern part of the county,
copper, silver, and lead ores have been
found, but not in paying quantities.
There is plenty of sandstone and granite
for building-purposes.

Lumbering is the specialty of the
county, in the way of manufactures.
According to the lumber inspector's re-

ort, 43,316,419 feet of lumber, 20,000,000

eet of lath, and 18,000,000 shingles were
manufactured in 1870. There are 1,580,-
480 acres of pine-lands in the county,

which, at.the_present rate of consump-
tion, —.200,000,000 Tee €ar, — will

| Jast fifty years. A large portion of our
pine-Tats itt oak, maple, and ash tim-

er scattered through them. Chippewa
Falls, with a population of five thou-
sand, situated at the head of steamboat
navigation on the Chippewa River, is the
base of operations in the lumber-region.
It has the best water-power in the
world, and one of the largest saw-mills
in the United States run by water; ca-
pacity, thirty-five million feet per sea-
son. For twenty miles up the river,
saw-mills of a capacity of from one to
fifteen million feet occur frequently.
Over two hundred million feet of saw-
logs are cut and put into the river each
season. This requires two thousand
men, and horses and cattle in propor-
tion. To supply this force furnishes
our farmers a good market for all they
can raise. Above Chippewa Falls is a
reservoir large enough to stop and hold
all the logs that are cut in the winter
season. The logs are held secure until
the ice melts; then they are assorted,
and turned out as fast as required.
Each owner, having his own mark, can
t his own logs. The logs are run over
the falls, and into the several booms
along the river, and as far as the
mouth of the Chippewa, where they
are rafted, and sold down the Missis-
sippi.
ae the lumber is sawed at the
mills, it is rafted in cribs sixteen by
thirty-two feet, coupled up to make
vafts containing a hundred thousand
feet. It is then run down the river, by
skilled pilots and hardy raftsmen, to

 

Read’s Landing, on the Mississippi
River, there coupled up in rafts from

WISCONSIN. 663

three hundred thousand feet to two
million seven hundred thousand feet.
It is then sold to go down the river,
at an puatnee price of fourteen dollars
per thousand, by the raft, —a clear gain
to mill-men of four dollars per thousand
feet. The process is repeated every
year; and the result has been, that most
of the lumber-men have accumulated
large wealth.

Much of the land is indifferent; but
there is also much that is good, covered
with hard-wood timber. This land will
soon become valuable to settlers, as
there are good railroad facilities. The

ome markets are also very excellent

on account of the Dineriees end the far-

mer ¢an sell his products, of all kinds,
at Tnuch hugher prices mn those rod:
ucts ‘will bring in Milwaukee or “Chi-
cago. e West Wisconsin, Wisconsin
Central, and St. Croix and Superior
Railroad Companies own large tracts of
land in this county, which they offer to
actual settlers at reasonable prices. The
water-power in this county is enormous,
and is only improved in and around
Chippewa Falls. The ure River
is navigable to Chippewa Falls; and
there are almost countless smaller
streams and lakes where fish of all
kinds abound. Game is also plenty;
such as deer, bear, wolf, and many
smaller fur-bearing animals. The pop-
ulation and wealth of the county are
rapidly increasing.

Chippewa Falls. —This city is situat-
ed on the west bank of the Chippewa
River, on a succession of low hills, rising
gradually backward from the river. It
is twelve miles north of the West Wis-
consin Railroad, connected with Eau
Claire by the Chippewa Valley Railroad,
which has recently been completed. It
is noted for the immense water-power
it possesses; there being a fall of some
twenty-six feet in three-fourths of a
mile over a rocky bottom; also for
being the heart of the valuable lumber-
business of Chippewa Valley. The
county has an area of 2,580,480 acres,
1,580,480 of which is heavily timbere
with pine, oak, and maple. Duncan
Creek runs through the city, and fur-
nishes several fine water-powers, among
which are the flouring-mills, which pro-
duce one of the best brands of flour in
the State. The city has two hotels, the
Union Lumber Company’s store, and
the First National Bank Dane The
Union Lumber Company is by far the
largest business-firm in the city. Of the
mill of this company, an account has
been given in the chapter on lumber-
ing in Wisconsin. There are Catholic,
Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Methodist
churches. The Catholic church-edifice
was erected in 1872, at the cost of forty
thousand dollars.

Population, 1875, 5,050.

 
664

Cuark County.!—This is one of the
largest counties in the State. It is well
watered by the Black and Eau Claire
Rivers and their tributaries, and by some
of the tributaries of the Chippewa River.
Lumbering has been the principal busi-
ness of the people of this county until
within the last five years: now quite a
large number are engaged in farming.
There is a large amount of excellent
farming-land in the southern and _east-
ern portions of the county, mostly heav-
ily timbered. The county is but thinly
settled, but is rapidly filling up with an
industrious class of men, who are not
afraid of the hard work that is inevita-
ble where farms are cleared up in a
heavily-timbered country. The greater
portion of the settlers are from the East-
ern and Middle States, with a few Ger-
mans, English, Scotch, and Canadians.
Many improvements have been made
within the past five years. Roads have
been opened in every direction; s.hool-
houses have been built; villages laid out
and settled. A railroad has been built,
running through the south-western part
of the county, with a station at Hum-
bird, sixteen miles from Neillsville, the
county-seat. Other roads and improve-
ments are in contemplation, which
promise to add much to the prosperity
of the county. Neillsville is a flourish-
ing town.

OLUMBIA County.2— Columbia Coun-
ty is one of the inland counties of the
State. The general surface of the coun-
ty is level, yet not flat, but sufficiently
rolling to afford ample drainage. The
general quality of the soil is good. The
county contains 492,500 acres of land,
about two-thirds under cultivation,
including improved swamp-lands, Near-
ly one-third of the balance is capa-
ble of being worked. In the possession
of actual settlers is 485,580 acres. Aver-
age price, as assessed, $12.83.

The facilities for water-power are good,
but only partially improved. The prin-
cipal timber is oak, maple, basswood,
and elm. Stone quarries, lime, and sand-
stone are found, but only worked for
local use. A cream brick is manufac-
tured at Portage, which commands the
highest price of any put into market.
Wisconsin and Fox Rvers are the only
navigable streams running through the
county. This county has several lakes,
of which Lake George and Wissahicon
are the largest, except Swamp Lake,
which covers about seven hundred

acres. There is not an abundance of
game: prairie-chicken and duck are
about that now remains. The rail-

11 am indebted for this sketch to Hon. G.
W. King of Humbird.—C. R. T.
2The materials for this sketch were fur-

nished by Thomas wiles P. Pool, and O. A.

Southmayd.—C. R.

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

road communications are good, no point
in the county more than twelve miles
from a line of road; and more roads are
in prospect. Agriculture is the active
pursuit; and the growing interest taken
by farmers leads us to believe that it is
in a prosperous condition. Manufac-
turing is not carried on to that extent
that it might be: with the unsurpassed
facilities of water-power, it should rank
among the first in manufactured goods
in the State.

Leather is manufactured to some ex-
tent at Portage, and some other points
in the county. There are a few wagon-
shops, where all kinds of wagons and
carriages are made. At Cambria, there
is a woollen-factory of considerable im-
portance.

The great geographical feature of the
county, that which will be eventually
of more benefit than any suing else, is
the peculiar position of the Fox and
Wisconsin Rivers to each other, that
makes possible a ship canal to unite the
waters of Lake Michigan and the Mis-
sissippi River. At ‘The Portage,” a
name given by the early French voy-
agers, where now stands the city of
Portage, they approach so near togeth-
er, that, in high water, the waters of
the Wisconsin are wont to flow across
the intervening flats into the Fox.
Boats of considerable draught had
floated across from time to time, before
any canal was dug. Several years ago,
a canal about two miles long was dug,
with a lock at the Wisconsin River,
and another at the Fox (which, at that
point, is some six feet lower than the
Wisconsin), and the channel of the Fox
dredged in places, and somewhat
straightened; and_a successful naviga-
tion from Green Bay was commenced.
A considerable amount of business has
ior years been done through this chan-
nel.

In the internal improvements of the
county are seen abundant indications of
the enterprise, good taste, and pros-
perity of our citizens. The roads in all
parts of the county are good. A large
number of first-class farmhouses and
private residences are seen everywhere.
The schools are good, schoolhouses neat
and attractive; the church-edifices are
numerous, and are respectable in size
and appearance; the county buildings are
large, convenient, and well adapted to
the purposes for which they are de-
signed, At Wyocena, the county has
erected, as an adjunct to the poor-house,
an asylum for those insane persons for
whom the State has not made sufiicient
provision. The building is of brick,
cost six thousand dollars, and will ac-
commodate thirty patients: it is well
patronized, and is one of the most benefi-
cent institutions of the county.

The population of the county is about
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

thirty thousand, and is made up of set-
tlers from all parts of the Union and the
Old World. Those from New England
and New York predominate. To sum
up, we regard Columbia County as one
of the model counties of the State, both
considering its geographical position, its
physical features, its agricultural, so-
cial, and financial advantages, and the
intelligence and enterprise of its inhab-
itants.

Portage City, the county-seat of Co-
lumbia County, is located on the bluff
adjoining a narrow _neck of low land
which divides the Fox River from the
Wisconsin. This neck is less than two
miles wide; and hence, as the two
rivers are navigable from a short
distance below, —the one to the Great
Lakes, and the other to the Gulf of
Mexico,—and as both flow through
highly fertile districts, it is quite in
the course of nature that this short
and practical portage should have been
regarded, from its earliest discov-
ery to the present time, as avery im-
portant affair, and sufficient to give
name to the city that was founded upon
it. The city is spread over a large area,
the centre of which is nearly a mile
south of the railroad station, occupying
an elevated site on sandy ground. The
town presents a very attractive aspect
from the railroad; the old town on the
marsh being hidden from view, and
the portion in sight being almost new,
and the fine court-house, schoolhouses,
and other large buildings of cream-col-
ored brick showing very conspicuous.
The business-blocks are large and com-
modious; and the manufacturing inter-
est has not been neglected. It has one
flouring-mill, two tanneries, two foun-
deries, three wagon and carriage shops,
pottery, fanning-mill factory, and_sev-
eral breweries. The railroad from Mad-
ison north to Portage City, forty miles,
was opened in January, 1871.

The business of the place has been
very large, particularly in lumber; and
its prospects in a business point of view
are very encouraging.

Population, 1875, 4,337.

CrawForD County.!— Among the
striking physical features of this county
are the towering bluffs, which often rise
to the height of from four to six hundred
feet, and which present their bold, rocky
fronts on the whole line of river bound-
ary, as well as along either bank of the
pimetpal streams. The bottom-lands
ying at the foot of these bluffs are very
fertile; and the soil, which is a light,
sandy loam, is of great value for the
producyon of garden vegetables of every

escription, which come to maturity
much sooner than on the high lands in

1 This sketch is compiled from the Report
of the Commissioner ot Immigration for 1873.

 

665

the same localities. Through this county,
near its centre, runs a divide, which
separates the valley of the Mississippi
from those of the Wisconsin and Kicka-
poo Rivers; and from this, at right an-
gles with it, are alternations of ridge
and valley, the former generally wood-
ed; while in the vales are fertile lands,
valuable forests, prairie meadows, and.
good water-powers on never-failing
Streams,

Agriculture and trade have hitherto
been the pursuits ef the people, to the
almost entire neglect of manufactures;
the census of 1870 showing an aggregate
of farm production of $823,000, while the
Serra of our manufactures was but

240,000. But, during the past year, the
people have awakened to the importance
of manufactures, to all other branches of
industry; and henceforth the hammer,
loom, and anvil are to have their devo-
tees, as well as the plough. In the line of
public improvement are excellent roads
and good schoolhouses, so numerous
that every child enjoys the privilege of
a good common school education. The
Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway ex-
tends along the southern line of the
county for a distance of twenty miles.
Bridgeport is one of the principal ship-
ping-points on the road for grain and
live-stock; while at Prairie du Chien the
company have one of the largest freight-
depots in the State, a grain-elevator with
a capacity of two hundred and fifty
thousand bushels, and from which two
hundred and severty-five cars have
been loaded with wheat in a single day.
The company have here large car-works,
a good passenger-depot, and, near this,
one of the finest hotels in the West. The
business of the company has increased
so rapidly under its excellent manage-
ment, that it has been compelled to erect
a temporary bridge over the Mississippi
for the transfer of trains during the win-
ter; while in the season of navigation
in 1870, three steamers were constantly
engaged in the transfer of cars from one
shore to the other.

The commerce of the county at this
time has an extent and importance
which few would imagine who have not
examined the figures which show it:
and this is not conducted by rail alone;
put three organized lines of elegant
steamers touch at the river-town, and
do not only a large freight, but passen-
ger business also. The county is re-
markably healthy, is well watered, has
heavy forest in every town. In her
markets, lumber and all descriptions of
building-material are plenty and cheap.
Improved lands may be purchased at
from fifteen to thirty dollars per acre;
and unimproved, from five to ten dol-
lars. The public schools are under the
charge of good teachers and an efficient
county superintendent, and are access
666

1

ible to nearly every child. In Prairie
du Chien is a large German school, with
an accomplished native teacher; while
the Catholics have a large ‘‘Sisters’’’
school, and will soon open another, of
a higher grade, in a large and beautiful
building, which was erected at a cost of
fifty thousand dollars.

The people of Crawford County are
intelligent, industrious, wide awake to
their interests, and hence are good pa-
trons of schools, churches, and the
press; and, taken all in all, the county
possesses the natural and other advan-
tages, which in future will permit her
to take a front rank among those which
make up the noble Commonwealth of
Wisconsin. :

Dane County. — This county is situ-
ated near the geographical and commer-
cil centre of the State. Madison, the
county-seat, and the capital of the State,
has one of the most beautiful locations
in the world, in the midst of charming
lakes. Here is the new Capitol build-
ing, which, surrounded by a commodi-
ous and elegant park, presents an im-
pressive appearance of taste and beauty ;
and eee the other substantial build-
ings are the United States post-office,
city-hall, and the court-house. The State
University buildings and university farm
occupy an elevated and pleasant site
about one mile west of the Capitol.
There are thirty-five towns and fourteen
villages in thecounty. Six of the towns
are largely settled with Norwegians, and
six by Germans; and the American and
European nationalities are more or less
represented in all the towns. The county
throughout is well watered by lakes and
streams, and the soil is generally fer-
tile; in some a extensive prairies
prevailing, and in others undulating
and hilly land. Timber is plentifully
interspersed throughout the county.
There are numerous churches, of all
denominations, fey rout the county,
also private and public schools. The
Milwaukee and St. Paul, the Chicago
and North-western, and Madison and
Portage Railroads have brought it into
direct connection with all parts of the
State and country.

Madison, the capital of the State of
Wisconsin, and seat of justice of Dane
County, is pleasantly situated on an
isthmus between Lakes Mendota and
Menona, eighty miles west of Milwaukee,
and one hundred and thirty-two miles
north-west of Chicago, in lat. 43° 5’ N.;
long. 89° 20’ W. It stands in the centre
of a broad valley, surrounded by heights,
from which the city can be seen at a
distance of several miles. The isthmus
is about three-quarters of a mile in
width. Lake Mendota, which lies on
the north-west side of the town, is six
miles long by four miles wide. It is a
beautiful sheet of water, with clean,

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

gravelly shores, The depth is sufticieat
for navigation by steamboats, and is
estimated at about sixty feet. Lake
Menona is rather smaller. When this
place was selected for the seat of gov-
ernment, in 1836, it contained no build-
ing but a solitary lug-cabin. The new
Capitol is a beautiful structure, built of
stone, at an expense of five hundred
thousand dollars, standing on ground
seventy feet above the level of the lakes,
and in the centre of a public park. The
streets that lead from the Capitol to-
wards the cardinal points descend grad-
ually to the shores of the lakes, except-
pe the one which extends westward to
College Hills. On this eminence, one
mile west of the Capitol, and about one
hundred and twenty-tive feet above the
lake, is situated the University of Wis-
consin, which was instituted in 1849.
Three newspapers are issued here. It
contains four banks, about twelve
churches, a large number of stores, a
woollen factory, and several steam-mills,
It is also noteworthy for its business
advantages, and its healthful position.
Situated on elevated ground, amid de-
lightful groves and productive lands,
well above the cool, clear lakes, it must
be healthy; while the abundance and
convenience of fine streams and water-
power must facilitate a sound and rapid
advancement in agriculture and the me-
chanic arts. It is frequented by pleas-
ure-seekers as a place of summer resort.
Railroads radiate from Madison towards
the east, west, north, and south, con-
necting it with all the principal points.
Since its origin, this place has steadily
increased. Population in 1840, 3876;
in 1850, 1,525; in 1853, about 3,500; in
1860, 6,611; and 1875, 10,093.

Doncs Counry.!— This county is trav-
ersed by both the Milwaukee and St.
Paul Railway, and the Chicago and
North - western Railway; the former
running both its northern and La Crosse
divisions through it. Thirteen of the
twenty-two towns of the county are on
lines of railroad.

The soil is good, being of clay loam,
and all occupied. Is used mostly for
farming-purposes. Its agricultural prod-
ucts are equal in value to any other
county in the State. It is the third
county in the State in po ulation, hav-
ing, in_ 1870, 47,035 in abitanis. The

| assessed valuation of the county makes

it the fifth in the State in wealth,
although in extent of land it is the
seventh. In the county are villages
equal in number to the towns, with a
diversity of interests and business, most
of them of sufficient capacity to main-
tain an increased population. “ While the
county is generally known as an agri-

1 This sketch is compiled from the sketch
of 8. D. Livermore.—C. R. T.
HISTORY OF

cultural one, manufacturing and milling
are important, growing, pa thriving in-
dustries within its borders, comprising
woollen factories, manufactories of agri-
cultural implements, flouring-inills, and
iron works. These are all permanently
established, Stock-raising is being large-
ly introduced; and the establishment of
various cheese-factories renders it a de-
sirable and profitable auxiliary to the
farm. All the land of the county is thus
made valuable; the marshes being all
rendered fit for making fodder.

There are good markets for all kinds
of produce, and near the home of every
one, from the fact that the county not
only abounds in villages, but is sur-
rounded by them. On the south, two
wards of Watertown are in the county,
and Waterloo is adjacent to the county;
on the west, Columbus is on the border;
on the north, one ward of Waupun, and
one ward of Randolrh, are in the county.
The far eastern portion finds convenient
trading-points in Hartford and Ocono-
mowoe.

That portion of Waupun in Dodge
County includes the State-prison. The
county-seat, Juneau, is in the geograph-
ical centre of the county. Beaver Dain,
the principal place in the county, has a
population of three thousand five hun-
dred, about equally divided between
foreign and native in origin; and for
beauty, fine buildings, and place of resi-
dence, is not surpassed by any city in
pe State. Its water-power is inexhaust-
ible.

The educational facilities of the county
are extra. Within the county are sev-
eral graded public schools; while the;
comunon schools are nearly all of a high
order. In the fine village of Fox Lake
is located the Wisconsin Female Semi-
nary, an institution of a high order;
and at Beaver Dam is Wayland Univer-
sity Institute, for the education of both
sexes, which is suitably appreciated, and
well patronized.

There are in the county five lakes,
situated as follows: Fox Lake, in the
town of Fox Lake, covers about two
and a half square wiles, and is a natural
and very clear lake. Beaver Lake is
situated in the towns of Beaver Dam
and Westford, Fox Lake and Trenton.
It is about twelve miles long, its great-
est width a mile and a half, and it
covers about ten square miles. It is
mostly artificial, being formed by a
dam at Beaver Dam City, and is sup-
plied with pleasure-boats. Fox Jake
and Loss Lake flow into it. Horicon
Lake, or Marsh, is situated in the towns
of Hubbard, Burnette, Williamstown,
Chester, and Leroy; is fourteen miles
long, and about four miles wide. It ex-
tends about two miles into Fond du Lac
County. Joss Lake is in the town of
Calamine; about one mile long, and

 

WISCONSIN. 667

three-quarters of a mile wide; is bean-
tifully situated, clear and deep, and is
a favorite resort for pleasure- parties.
Mud Lake is located in the towns of
Lowell and Shields. It is about five
miles long, with marshy borders. The
general health of the county is excel-
lent. Localities are afforded to suit any
one, — the north-eastern portion for its
iron mines, and the balance for agricul-
tural purposes.

Door County.!— The soil is generally
of a clay loam, interspersed occasionally
with soils more or less mixed with sand.
In nearly every portion of the county are
bottom-lands of alluvial deposits with an
arergee depth of six feet of the richest
black loam. On the uplands, a clay soil
predominates at an average depth of
twelve feet. The county contains about
three hundred thousand acres of land,
of which a hundred thousand is under
cultivation: of the balance, two hundred
thousand is only adapted to agricultural
pursuits.

The land in the county is timbered
with oak, maple, beech, elm, ironwood,
birch, basswood, pine, hemlock, tama-
rack, cedar, spruce, balsam, and other
varieties of timber common to this part
of North America. Very valuable mar-
ble and stone quarries exist, producing
large quantities of material. Sturgeon
Bay extends far into the county; and
several streams traverse it, all well
stocked with fish. All kinds of game
are abundant. Farming, lumbering, the
manufacture of shingles, stave-bolts,
cedar-posts, railroad-ties, and many
other lucrative sources of industry, are
the pursuits followed. Excellent oppor-
tunity is offered for the investment of
capital. Blast furnaces might be run to
great advantage; every thing necessary
being near at hand, except the ore. Cli-
mate temperate and pleasant. Water
pure and excellent. No epidemics, no
contagious diseases: in fact, for health-
fulness, it cannot be surpassed. There
are ample school-facilities in this county,
each settlement having a schoolhouse in
close proximity; and there are Protestant
and Roman Catholic churches. The
roads in the county, and the facilities,
for reaching them, are good.

A large number of the inhabitants of
the county are engaged in cutting tim-
ber into cord-wood, saw-logs, railroad-
ties, telegraph-poles, fence-posts, &c.,
for which a ready sale is found. Many
farmers devote their winters to this
work, clearing up their farms, and sell-
ing the timber thus cut down.

The large bodies of water on each
side of the peninsula abound with fish,
and furnish employment to a large pum-
ber of men in catching them, Trout

1 This sketch was taken from a contribution
by D. G. Morrison of Superior. —C. R. T.
668 HISTORY OF

and white-fish are caught in large quan-
tities, salted, and sold at remunerative
prices. .

The pqpulation of the county is be-
tween six thousand and seven thousand,
and embraces almost all European na-
tional’ jes. Belgians, Germans, Norwe-
gians, French, Irish, Danes, Dutch,
Swedes, English, and people of other
nationalities, have come here, and
cleared up fine farms in the woods for
themselves. After making themselves
comfortable homes, they have sent back
across the ocean for their relatives and
friends to come and share with them
the prosperity offered here to every will-
ing heart and strong hand.

Douciass County.—This county is
situated in the north-west part of the
State, at the head of Lake Superior.
The general surface is rolling, and con-
tains within its limits every variety of
soil, with a marly subsoil of clay. The
county is forty miles square, and has
twelve hundred acres under cultivation:
of the balance, nearly seven-eighths are
capable of improvement and cultiva-
tion, One-eighth is owned by actual
freeholders, held for disposal at fair

rices. The State owns about seventy-
five thousand acres, at a price of $1.25
per acre; the General Government,
three hundred and forty thousand acres,
No railroad lands yet in market. The
county is traversed with four streams,
with ample facilities for water-power.

Specimens of copper have been found
of the richest quality; also large depos-
its of iron, though unavailable at pres-
ent, owing to the want of railroad
facilities. Both granite and red sand-
stone, and a good feed of brick, have
been manufactured from the clay. The
Northern Pacific and St. Paul Road is
now in operation from the western bor-
der of the county, and is completed four
hundred miles west. Lumbering and
fishing are the principal sources of in-
dustry. Water good. The average
days without frost, from a hundred to a
hundred and twenty. Potatoes, oats,
barley, wheat, and all kinds of cereals
and grain except corn, yield abun-
dantly.

The fine forests, mills, and logging-
streams offer good inducements to capi-
tal and labor.

About half of the population of the
county is American; the balance about
equally divided between Swedes, Ger-
mans, Ivish, and French, and some Nor-
wegians.

Down County.t— This county is situ-
ated in North-western Wisconsin. The
eastern portion is mostly prairie and
light openings, with some marsh suit-

1 This sketch of Dunn County was contrib-

uted by R. J. Flint, 8. B. French, and CG. M. |.

Bonnell of Menomonee, —C, RB. T.

 

WISCONSIN.

able for meadow-land. It is gener-
ally level, and has a fertile and pro-
ductive soil. The western portion is
more rolling, and covered with exten-
sive forests. The soil is excellent, pro-
ducing splendid crops. Winter wheat
is largely grown, and yields from twen-
ty to forty bushels per acre. Oats, rye,
corn, potatoes, &¢c., bring forth a rich
harvest. In short, the general quality
of the soil throughout the county, and
its productiveness, will average as high
as any county in the State to which the
attention of the immigrant can now be
directed. When the forest has been.
subdued, and the wilderness made to.
“blossom as the rose,’’ by the labor of.
the industrious settler, no section of our
State will surpass Dunn County in the
extent and variety of its productions.

There are at present about seventy-.
five thousand acres under cultivation,
not including many thousand acres en-
closed for pasturage. All of the unim-
proved lands are fit for cultivation or
pasturage.

The county is watered by the Chip-
pewa River in the south-east, the Eau
Galle in the south-west, and the Red
Cedar, which runs through the county
from north to south. The Chippewa is
navigable for rafts and small steam-
boats; the Eau Galle, for rafts and logs
only. These streains with their numer-
ous tributaries furnish a large number
of fine water-powers, many of which
are unimproved. Saw-mills and flour-
Agere however, are springing up in
all parts of the county, opening new
fields for labor and capital, and furnish-
ing a substantial home-market for the
products of the forest, the farm, and the
garden.

Lumbering is the leading manufactur-
ing interest. There is annually manu-
factured in the county about seventy-
five million feet.

Banks of clay suitable for brick are
numerous, but little used. Quarries of
limestone have been opened, and suc-
cessfully worked. Quarries of beauti-
ful sandstone abound, similar in geo-
logical formation to the celebrated
Potsdam sandstone, which furnish a
fine and serviceable building-material.
These natural deposits, together with
the immense quantities of lumber, fur-
nish an unlimited supply of cheap and
accessible building-:naterial,

The railroad facilities are good, and

romise to be better in the not distant

uture.

Eau Crare Counry.!—This sounty
is thirty-six miles long east and west,
and eighteen miles wide north and
south. The West Wiscousin Railroad
runs through it from the south-east to

1 We are indebted to C. B. Daniels f i
sketch. —C. R. T. ii
HISTORY OF

the north-west, and is the means of di-
rect communication between St. Paul
and the East, and is fast becoming a
very popular route.

Lumbering is the principal industry
of the county. Crops of all kinds are,
as a general rule, good, and command
remunerative prices. The lands, as a
rule, are well watered with nice, clear
streams, in many of which the brook-
trout abounds. A sufiicient amount of
hay grows wild on the marshes to sup-
ply the demands; but tame hay can be
cultivated and grown on the dry lands
if desired. The Chippewa River cuts
across the western part of the county,
and is navigable for boats; while the
Eau Claire River, which runs from the
east to the west, and joins the Chip-
pewa, is navigable only for saw-logs.
At the junction of the Eau Claire with
the Chippewa River is situated the prin-
cipal place in the county, namely, Eau
Claire, which is acity of some eight
thousand inhabitants, and is constantly
increasing in numbers.

Augusta, the next place of importance
‘in the county, is situated about twenty-
four miles south-east of Eau Claire, on
the West Wisconsin Railroad, and has a
population of about twelve hundred : it
is situated in a fine farming-district, and
is a flourishing, pleasant town.

The population of the county is com-

osed chiefly of Americans, Germans,

orwegians, and Irish; the German and
Norwegian being the most numerous
of the foreign element represented,
although the main branches of busi-
ness are conducted by the Americans.
The climate is as good as can he found
in this latitude, being cold and dry in
the winter, without many storms, and
in summer as pleasant, warm, and cheer-
ful as can be wished for. This county is
comparatively young. Not many years
ago, where the city of Eau Claire now
stands was the camping-ground of the
Indian; and if the county improves for
the next ten years to come as it has for
the same time past (and we have every
reason to believe that it will), it will be
as cultivated a section of country as a
person can wish to live in.

Eau Claire is situated at the conflu-
ence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire
Rivers, about a hundred and eighty-
five miles north-west of Madison. This
village was laid out in 1858, and has
Kept steadily growing, till now it has
@ population of 8,440. Owing to its
peculiar situation, it is separated into
three villages; viz., Eau Claire, West
Eau Claire, and North Eau Claire. Eau
Claire and West Eau Claire are inhabited
mostly by Americans. The dwellers in
‘North Ean Claire are mostly Germans.
The principal source of wealth, and
what has given the village its rapid
growth, are the extensive manufactories

 

WISCONSIN. 669

of pine-luinber at this point. The Eau
Claire and Chippewa Rivers, and tle
smaller streams flowing into them, fur-
nish an inexhaustible supply of timber.
The advantages of the location for lum-
ber and other manufacturing, with the
additional impetus furnished by the
West Wisconsin Railroad, will likely
make this the leading city in the north-
west part of the State. In the imme-
diate vicinity of Eau Claire are thirty
steam saw-mills. :

The churches and schools here are
excellent. There are four good schools,
one seminary, and eleven church edi-
fices, several large public halls, numer-
ous hotels, two bank-buildings, fifteen
saw-mills, and two large flouring-mills,
four planing-mills, and door, sash, and
blind factories, two foundery and ma-
chine shops, four printing- houses, a
tannery, &c. Three weekly newspapers
and one daily are published here, — two
in English, and one in German.

Until the spring of 1868, the east and
west sides were connected only by a
ferry; but, during the winter of 1871, a
truss bridge was built across the Chip-
pewa, at a convenient point, which soon
served to unite the two sections; and in
1872 all the different villages were incor-
porated, by act of the legislature, under
gue oe government. Population, 1875,

"Fonp pu Lac Counry.1—The general
topographical character of the county
of Fond du Lac is gently rolling; flat
surfaces being rare, and confined toa
few marshes, which are almost all
drained, and make valuable meadows
for the cutting of red-top, blue-joint,
and Timothy hay, or for pasture.
The prairies are mostly alluvial soil
the oak-openings loamy, the timbere
portions mostly loamy. All these va-
rieties are strongly impregnated with
lime, and are eminently fertile and pro-
ductive.

The county contains nearly half a
million acres of land, of which twenty-
five thousand are taken up by the
southern end of Lake Winnebago and a
few otherlakes. The land in the county
is nearly all cut up into farms, and
fenced. The proportion of land which
is not fit for cultivation is insignificant,
probably uot more than one or two per
cent, excepting the lakes. Itis nearly
all owned Ty actual settlers or farmers,
who have come here from all parts of
the Northern States and from Europe,
including Americans, Germans, Irish,
Canadians, English, Scotch, Danes,
Swedes, Norwegians, and a few from
almost every other country of Europe.
Nearly all can understand and speak
the English language. The population

1 We are indebted to G. de Neveu of Fond
du Lac for this sketch.— C. R. T.
670

of the county is about fifty thou-
sand, 5:

The public lands have long since been
bought; and the soil is, as before re-
mar ed, all owned by individuals,

There are in the county four lines of
railroads, which traverse it in different
directions, owning no more than the
land required for their tracks and sta-
tions; the total length of these railways
within the limits of the county being
about a hitndred and twenty miles;
Green Bay, Sheboygan, Milwaukee, an
Chicago being all accessible by rail in
from two to six hours. No city in
Wisconsin, except Milwaukee, is now
a greater railroad centre than Fond du
Lac; and certainly none is mure favor-
ably located for the successful prose-
cution of manufacturing, being within
easy supply of pine-logs, hard wood of
nearly every description, charcoal, iron
ore, wool, and all raw materials, and
also of an abundant supply of cheap
food, being located in the very centre
of a rich and productive agricultural
region. These united elements make
Fond du Lac a ‘highly desirable place
for the capitalist and manufacturer.

The motive-power used in the city is
mostly steam. Fond du Lac is situated
at the southern extremity of Lake Win-
nebago, which is about thirty miles
long by seven or eight wide. The city
is located on a piece of land nearly
level, and affords no water-power. But
Iumber-mills consume their own saw-
dust, and supply other powers with
slabs at cheap rates. Peat also exists
in large quantities within five miles of
the city. Wood, hard or soft, can_be
bought for three dollars to five dol-
lars or six dollars per cord, accord-
ing to quality. Nearly all the engines
used in the manufacturing establish-
ments have been made here. The
county of Fond du Lac has not any
large amount of eeenpores ashonen
the country is admirably watered by
small streams. The head-waters of the
Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Rock, and
Milwaukee Rivers, are in this county;
but they are all small streams within
our limits. About one-half, perhaps
more, of the available water-power in
the county is improved, turning the
machinery of grist, flouring, and feed
mills, and woollen factories, also a few
saw-mills and turning-lathes, All these
establishments are driving a prosperous
business.

There are inexhaustible amounts of
the finest limestone, also excellent sand,
and afew brick-yards; but the best brick
are brought by rail from Milwaukee and
Sheboygan.

The lakes have pickerel, pike, bass,
&c.; our prairies have hens; and Horicon
Marsh has myriads of ducks and geese:
but our people sensibly rely on the farms

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

for their chickens and for their Thanks-
giving and Christmas turkeys. Meat of
all kinds is abundant andcheap. Inter-
mittent fevers are unknown ; typhoia
fevers prevail to some extent; but it
may be asserted that no section in the
West surpasses this in general healthful-

ness.

Edueation is flourishing, and the
schools are well attended.

The population is getting largely

Americanized. The German cle:nent is
large, prohably one-fourth; the English,
Irish, and Scotch, one-fourth; and others,
mostly Canadians, one-twentieth; bal-
ance, Americans, ,

Fond du Lac is a flourishing town, and
capital of Fond du Lac County; is ad-
mirably situated on the south end of
Lake Winnebago, seventy-two miles
north-north-west of Milwaukee, and
ninety miles north-east of Madison. It
is the second city in the State in popula-
tion. Lake Winnebago, which is a beau-
tiful sheet of water, thirty miles long,
and ten miles wide, forms a link in the
chain of navigable waters connectin
Lake Michigan and its tributaries wit
the Mississippi River, and is the channel
of an_active and extensive trade. The
Fox River, by which the lake commu-
nicates with Green Bay, has been ren-
dered navigable for steamhoats on a
canal which has been cut from the same
river to the Wisconsin, at Portage City.
The city has grown up within a few
years almost since 1845; and the pop-
ulation has increased with surprising
rapidity. The Chicago and North-West-
ern Railroad connects Fond du Lac with
Chicago on one hand, and Green Bay on
the other. One railroad enters it from
Sheboygan on the east, and one from
Milwaukee on the south The town is
built on ground ascending gradually
from the lake, and is pleasantly sur-
rounded and embowered among groves
and trees. It has an abundance of
water, obtained by means of artesian
wells, which vary in depth from ninety
to a hundred and fifty feet. It contains
three banks, twelve churches, t vo high
schools, fifteen to twenty dry-goods
stores, and about twenty saw-inills,
three plough-factories, eight grain-ele-
vators, a number of weekly news-pa-
pers, and one daily.

The manufacturing facilities of Fond
du Lac are unrivalled; and a large capi-
tal has been invested in this direction.

Population, 1875, 15,308.

Grant County. — Grant County is one
of the largest of the settled counties in
the State. Although usually regarded
as a prairie and “opening” country,
there are considerable bodies of hard-
wood forest-timber in the southern and
north-western portions, Grant is well
watered by numerous small streanis,
emptying into the Wisconsin and Mis-
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

sissippi Rivers, and has a fertile soil, well
adapted to the various crops common to
this latitude.

. Although its development has been
much retarded by the want of railroad
improvements, it has steadily grown in
wealth and population.

The farm cultivation compares favora-
bly with that of other counties. Stock-
growing, though slower in making that
progress which has distinguished other
portions of the State, is now advancing
at a commendable rate. While favora-
ble to stock-raising generally, it is es-
pecially adapted to sheep-husbandry,
which must accordingly receive more
and more attention, Fruit-growing has
also received considerable attention, and
has been quite successful.

The most important products of man-
ufacturing industry are flour, pig-lead,
and woollen goods.

The business of mining, which, in the
early history of the county, was the
leading interest, has of late years some-
what declined in activity here, as else-
where, in the lead-district. Nevertheless,
there are immense deposits of both lead.
and zine still undeveloped. The mines
hitherto most productive are found in
the regions about Hazel Green, Platte-
ville, Potosi, and Beetown.

The chief towns are Lancaster, the
county-seat, and Platteville, now distin-

uished as being the seat of the first

tate Normal School.

Valuable stone quarries — buff and
blue limestone — are to be found in the
bluffs along all the streams; brick clay
can be had anywhere; and good potter’s
clay in the vicinity of Platteville. Pa-
per-mills and cheese-factories could be
made profitable in this county.

The population is composed largely
of foreigners, principally Cornish and
Forthshire miners, also Welsh and Ger-
1aans, and some Norwegians; and they
compare favorably with the best in any

ortion of the State for industry and
Intelligence; and the county is accord-
ingly characterized by all those educa-
tional and other like improvements
which indicate the social progress of a
Fee

The common schools throughout the
county are all in a flourishing condition.
Graied schools are also maintained at
Boscobel, Lancaster, Platteville, Bloom-
ington, and other villages. The people
are enlightened, and interested in educa-
tion; and good teachers command high
wages,

GREEN County.!— Green County is
one of the southern tier of counties in
the State, lying midway between Lake
Michigan and the Mississippi.

1 We are indebted to J. J. Tshudy and L.
Seltser for this sketch of Green County, —

C. B.

 

671

While there are a considerable nun ber
of acres of level lands in the eastern
and southern portions of the county, the
surface, for the most part, is gently rolJ-
ing, rising, however, in the northern
and western sections of the county, into
high and bluffy hills. In the southern
and eastern sections of the county, the
soil is of a rich black loam, with a large
admixture of vegetable mould: how-
ever, on the extreme eastern border a
narrow belt of land is found, where the
soil is a light sandy loam. The soil of
the timbered lands in the West is of a
deep clay loam, and produces abun-
dantly, when cultivated, all varieties of
crops. The county contains 367,723 acres
of land, with at least one-third under
cultivation. Facilities for water-power
are almost unlimited. Two rivers trayv-
erse the county, besides untold numbers
of creeks and small streams, most of
which furnish valuable hydraulic power,
utilized for grist-mills, saw-mills, card-
ing-mills, &c. Lead is found in several

arts of the county. The Sugar River

iggings, in the north part, were once
quite celebrated, and yielded a rich re-
turn for the capital and labor invested,
but are now deserted on account of no
water. One of the great advantages of
Green County is the extent and remark-
able distribution of timber, — timber and
prairie, prairie and timber, everywhere.
The largest tracts are in the southern
part, where is to be found maple, hick-
ory, walnut, basswood, ash, and many
varieties of oak, Fish are found in
nearly all streams.

Railroad facilities are good; and it
has several prospective roads surveyed.
Agriculture is, and will pore re-
main, the leading interest of the county;
yet its manufacturing interests are nei-
ther few nor unimportant. The climate
is excellent, as the former statements
will indicate: the land being rolling, the
whole county almost without marshes,
when cool and fresh springs and brooks
abound enroughort the county, it would
be safe to predict the general healthful-
ness of the county. the matter of
school-buildings there is a marked ad-
vance on many sections and counties of
the State.

At Monroe there is one large wagon-
factory, turning out from a thousand to
two thousand wagons per year, and
there are several smaller shops. Monroe
is a@ very thriving town of about three
thousand inhabitants. It has several
graded schools, eleven churches, and
two printing-offices,

Brodhead is also a thriving town, with
six churches, schools in proportion, and
about sixteen hundred inhabitants.

GREEN Lake County.!— This is one

1M. H. Powers of Dartford was the con-
tributor of this sketch —C. 8. T.
672

of the smallest counties in the State. It
contains Fox Lake, —a beautiful sheet
of water. Berlin, Princeton, and Mar-
kesan are the incorporated towns in the
county, of which Berlin is the most im-
portant, having a population, in 1870, of
2,778. Itis situated on the Fox River,
at a point where the Milwaukee and St.
Paul Railroad connects with it, giving
it the advantage of both railroad an
water communication. Itis the seat of a
very extensive trade, especially with the
country north and west of it. Several
branches of manufactures are estab-
lished here, which are growing into very
respectable proportions; among which
may be specified milis for the manufac-
ture of lumber, from one to three of
which have been running since the set-
tlement of the town, and have added
not a little to its development and
wealth. Some three or four wagon and
carriage shops have given employment
to a large number of hands; while the
usual complement of workers in wood
and iron in the finer, as well as coarser,
varieties of the arts, are not wanting.
There are also three steam flouring-mills,
and one steain woollen-mill of some half-
dozen looms, that furnish employment
for a number of hands, and convert the
produce of the country into marketable
commodities.

Princeton, also, is situated on the Fox
River, a few miles above Berlin. It has
an extensive trade, and is a thriving
village. It has an iron-foundery, a flour-
ing-mill, wagon, and other shops. Mar-
quette is a river-town of considerable
trade, especially in lumber and grain.
Markesan is an inland village, surround-
ed by a very rich and fertile country;
has a good water-power; a prosperous
trade with the surrounding country.
Dartford, the county-seat, is situated on
the outlet of the lake from which the
county derives its name. It has a beau-
tiful location, overlooking the lake; and
besides the court-house, jail, and county
offices, has two flouring-mills, and the
usual variety of mechanics’ shops.
Kingston and Manchester are inland
villages, with each a flouring-mill; and
they are, each of them, the centre of
some trade.

Iowa County. — This county, in com-
mon with the neighboring counties
where lead is found, in the development
of its agricultural resources, and a sys-
tem of generat industry, was retarded
by the almost exclusive attention paid
by the early settlers to mining. ut,
within the past few years, great ad-
vancement has been made in this re-
es and now the county ranks as the
thirteenth county in the State for the
aggregate value of its agricultural pro-
ductions. There are 170,147 acres of
land under cultivation.

The railroad facilities are good. There

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

is a road running to Chicago from Min-
eral Point, and the Milwaukee and
Prairie du Chien, running the whole
length of the county on the north.
There are quite a number of lead-ore
furnaces in the county, and one zinc-ore
furnace, making as good a quality of
zinc as can be found in the world. It
is made from black-jack and dry-bone, —
two kinds of ores that were useless rub-
bish until the above-named furnace was
built. A large amount of zinc ore is
shipped to La Salle, Illinois, St. Louis,
and other places.

The central and western portions of
the county contain agricultural lands of
the very best quality; and, where the
land is broken and hilly, the Welsh and
Norwegians, interspersed with Ameri-
cans and other nationalities, in their
search for good water and pasturage,
have made it a very garden. There is
an abundance of good brick-clay in the
county, and sand and limestone of su-
perior quality; but the quarries have
not yet been worked to any extent,
though several buildings have been
erected from this stone. There is a
woollen-factory: at Mifflin, a carriage
and plough factory at Dodgeville, a
sash, door, and blind factory at Mineral
Point, and six flouring-mills in different
parts of the county.

A manufactory for making paint from
lead and zinc ore could do a good busi-
ness, as could also woollen-mills and
brickyards.

Jackson County.1—The surface of
the county is generally good: in the
western and northern portions, it is
high, rolling land, with oak-timber on
the ridges, Some swamp-lands are to be
found in the eastern part of the county.
The east half is a sandy loam, while the
west half is of a black loam. The county
contains six hundred and forty thousand
acres of land, eighty thousand of which
are under cultivation. Of the balance,
two hundred thousand are capable of
cultivation.

Black River runs through the county
from the north-east to the south-west;
also numerous small streams tributary
thereto; also the Trempealeau River in
the west side. The water-power is some-
what improved, but capable of tenfold
more improvement, Above Black-river
Falls is an extensive deposit of iron of
an excellent quality, and in quantity
sufficient to supply the north half of
North America. There is a great abun-
dance of the ore, which must ultimately
be a great source of profit to this section
of our State. There are some fine
stone-quarries and brickyards carried on
quite extensively. Black and Trempea-
lean Rivers traverse the county, but are

1 This sketch is compiled from
by S. W. Bowman, — é. ROY, - ies
HISTORY OF

not navigable. Game and fish of all
kinds abound. The West Wisconsin
Railway runs south-east and north-west
through the county. Lake Pepin Rail-
road is under construction, and will also
pass through the county. Lumbering
and farming are the principal vocations
of industry. Climate temperate.

JEFFERSON County.! — Jefferson
County is an interior county in the
State, not exactly central as regards
territory, but nearly so as to pepulation.
Its surface is gently rolling or undu-
lating, interspersed with woodlands,
prairies, and openings, with no deep
valleys or barren hills, but abundantly
watered with lakes, rivers, creeks, and
springs, and thickly covered with heavy
forests, containing a choice variety of
timber, fully sufficient not only for fuel,
but for manufacturing purposes. Soil
rich, and well adapted for wheat, bar-
ley, rye, oats, potatoes, fruit, &c. There
are 368,640 acres of land in the county.
About two-thirds of all lands are under
cultivation: about three-fourths of the
balance are capable of cultivation.

Jefferson County is one of the best
counties in the State, so far as respects
facilities for water-power. Brick are
manufactured from clay-beds of excel-
lent quality and color, comparing favor-
ably with the cream brick of Milwaukee.
Several streams and rivers run through
the county; none, however, navigable.
But little game isto befound. Railroad
facilities are good, and future prospects
encouraging. Various kinds of manu-
factures diversify the pursuits of the
different classes of society, giving remu-
nerative employment to capital and
labor. We may add, that there are sev-
eral mineral springs -bossessing med-
ical qualities, ocated at Waterloo and
Watertown.

Watertown is situated on both sides of
Rock River, at the line between Dodge
and Jefferson Counties, on the Milwau-
kee and St. Paul Railroad, forty miles
east of Madison, and on the Chicago
and North-western Railroad. It is in
the centre of an excellent farming coun-
try, an excellent water-power, the rap-
ids above the city having a fall of twen-
ty-four feet; and it is a place of much
business importance. It was first set-
tled in 1836, and was then known as
Johnson’s Rapids. It has a number of
grist-mills and other manufacturing es-
tablishments, Excellent brick is made
here, and a variety of agricultural im-
plements, The city has twelve or more
churches of various religious denomina-
tions. The manufactories consist of
flouring - mills, saw - mills, founderies,
pottery, wagons, and cabinet-ware.

Population, 1875, 9,524.

1The sketch of Jefferson County was con-
tributed by Henry Colonits. —C. R. T.

 

WISCONSIN. 673

JUNEAU County.!— Owing to the fact
that the central and northern sections
of the county are, for the most part, en-
gaged in the manufacture of lumber,
and other productions of the forest, ita
agricultural resources have been but
partially developed. Still the popula-
tion is increasing; and setdements and
villages are dotting the entire county.
Its general surface is undulating; and
its quality of soil varies from a rich loam
to sand. The county contains five hun-
dred and fifty thousand acres, and has
twenty-five thousand under cultivation.
Bona fide holders own about fifteen
thousand acres, worth ten dollars per
acre. The State owns a hundred and
twenty-five thousand acres of land,
worth from fifty cents to one dollar per
acre, consisting of low meadow-lands
and cranberry-marshes. Several parties
are at present engaged in preparing the
ground for the cultivation of this Frnt.
Certainly no county in the State pre-
sents equal advantages for the carrying-
on of this branch of industry. The
General Government owns, subject to
entry under the homestead laws, about
a@ hundred and ‘twenty-five thousand
acres, including railroad lands. Water-
power is little improved; but there are
great facilities for extensive improve-
ments. The forests are timbered with
pine and hard-wood timber. Stone
quarries are worked with success in
many parts of the county. Several
small streams traverse the county; the
Wisconsin being the only navigable one,
Fish and Het are found in large quan-
tities. The Milwaukee and St. Paul
Railroad runs through the county from
east to west, and the Chicago and North-
avestern up the Barraboo Valley. From.
Mineral Point are lines projected; and
some of them will pass through the:
county, without doubt. The lumber-
interests occupy a very prominent place:
in the resources of the county. Iron.
and copper mines are known to exist,
but are not worked. The climate is.
healthy, the water soft, and, withal, it
bids fair to ar pace with its sister
counties in population, wealth, and in-
telligence.

KernosHa County.2— Kenosha County"
is strictly an agriculturalcounty. Th2re-
is little machinery driven by water-
power, and but five places deserving the:
name of villages. enosha is the only
place of trade of any note. Small:
places, perhaps the germ of future vil-
lages, may be noticed at the different
depots along the line of the Western
Railroad. In fact, at several of these

1 This sketch of Juneau County was con-
tributed by C. F. Cutler, I. J. Hinton, and! -
George B. Nicholas. — C. R. T.

2 ‘This sketch of Kenosha County was con-
tributed by F. Newall of Paris. —C. RK. T.
674 HISTORY OF

depots, a large amount of trade has
already sprung up in cattle, sheep, and
swine, and the various products of the
farm, Warehouses for the storage of
grain, superseding the huge buildings
on the lake-shore, have been built at
several stations; and most of the mar-
keting of grain is done at these places, so
that little or no grain is shipped at the
lake-port. c 5

At one of these stations, a planing-
mill, a sash and door factory, a grist-
mill, and a cheese-factory are now in
operation. Yet, at the present time,
the principal manufactures, aside from
cheese-making, are found at Kenosha.

The manufacture of lumber-wagons
may be considered the leading indus-
trial pursuit. The production of these
establishments at Kenosha is valued
at $348,855. At Wilmot a hundred and
fifty wagons are yearly made, valued
at twelve thousand dollars; one shop
employing a bundred and fifty men.

The two founderies at Kenosha pro-
duce two hundred thousand dollars’
worth of thimble skeins, boilers, and
repairs. At the tanneries $163,550 worth
of leather and skins was the product of
1870. The malt-houses give a hundred
and thirty-eight thousand dollars as
their pouy products; breweries, twen-
ty-eight thousand dollars. The fishing-
interests at Kenosha, or adjacent there-
to, are valued at $12,476 yearly; match-
factory, about thirty thousand dollars.

Pressed hay to the amount of 1,750
tons, valued at $26,250, is yearly put up.
The lumber-interest amounts to eight
million feet of pine, and one million feet
of hard lumber, two thousand cords of
wood, and three million shingles. One
factory exports yearly two thousand
bales of flax, valued at twelve thousand
dollars. The several establishments for
the manufacture of boots and shoes have
a very considerable home and foreign
trade. The business at the different
shops where harnesses and saddles are
manufactured is quite satisfactory to
the manufacturers, and furnishes quite
an item of trade in Kenosha.

The valley of the Fox River and the
Des Plaines, together with the numer-
ous small lakes and streams, furnishes
abundant water for grazing-purposes:
accordingly Kenosha County largely
excels in the dairying-business. Some
twenty different establishments on the
factory principle are engaged in the
manufacture of cheese. Alt ough some
are in their infancy, yet about six hun-
dred and eighty-seven thousand pounds
were manufactured last year, valued at
eighty-five thousand, eight hundred
dollars. Other factories are soon to be
started, and the dairy-business will lead
the agricultural interest of the county.
In the above statement we do not in-
clude the farm dairying of the county,

 

WISCONSIN.

On very many farms, where several
cows are kept, a sufficient supply of
cheese is sate for home consumption.
The amount of butter annually sold
exceeds in value that of wheat.

The number of acres under the plough
falls but little short of former years;
but there are less acres devoted to
wheat. The raising of corn is largely
on the increase, not for export, but to
be fed on the premises. The beef, pork,
and sheep sent to Chicago last year by
railroad amounted to one hundred and
fifty car-loads; in value, one hundred
thousand dollars. In addition to the
above, a large number of cattle, sheep,
and swine, were driven to Milwaukee
and elsewhere. Stock-raising is begin-
ning to attract the attention of the best
farmers in the county. The thorough-
bred ‘‘short horns’’ are believed to be
the best to cross with our native stock.
The low price of wool has materially
diminished the demand for sheep; and
the number of fine woolled sheep has
very much lessened within two or three
years past. Yet the value of the wool
crop in Kenosha County amounted to
nearly sixty thousand dollars for 1870.
It is believed, however, that the de-
mand for wool will be sufficient to
induce farmers to continue raising this
important staple of our county.

_ The fruit of Kenosha County begs to
attract considerable attention. Apples
are, yearly becoming more abundant;
and, as the soil becomes more draine
and better tilled, the apple-crop will be
most certainly ample for the wants of
the community.

Kenosha is a flourishing town, and the
capital of Kenosha County. It is eligi-
bly situated on a bluff on the western
shore of Lake Michigan, fifty-five miles
north of Chicago, and thirty-five miles
south of Milwaukee. It is the most
southern lake-port in the State, and has
a good harbor, with piers extending into
the lake. The first settlement of the
town. was made in 1836, It is sur-
rounded by a beautiful fertile prairie,
under good cultivation. The Chicago
and Milwaukee Railroad passes through
Kenosha; and it is also the eastern ter-
minus of the road running from Rock
Island north-east. There were, in 1874,
twenty-five vessels enrolled at Kenosha,
with a tonnage of 7,954,90. Population,
1875, 4,959.

KEWAUNEE County.! — Kewaunee
County is situated on the shore of Lake
Michigan, one hundred and ten miles
from Milwaukee. The general tupogra-
phy of the county is rolling. The
quality of its farming-lands is excellent,
though in some places swampy, yet,
when drained, is susceptible of ‘produ-

1 This sketch was contributed by Edward
Roch and W. V. Perry of Ahnepee, res R.T.
HISTORY OF

cing equal to the uplands. In the east-
ern part of the county the soil is of a
clay loam; but, as you approach the
west line of the county, it is mixed with
gravel and sand. There is hardly an
acre of land in the county but what is
capable of cultivation, Actual settlers
are in possession of about one hundred
and fifty thousand acres of land: the
balance is held mostly by speculators.
The county is heavily timbered: the
varieties are principally oak, beech,
maple, basswood, elm, cedar, pine,
hemlock, and tamarack. Owing to the
facilities for water-transportation, lum-
ber and timber find a ready market.
Railroad facilities are as yet PEOEDEC ENG:
but the Green Bay and Lake Pepin
Railroad must eventually have a ter-
minus on the lake, and Ahnepee will
be the most direct point.

The principal source of industry is
agriculture. Winter wheat has been
grown in this county, aggregating forty-
two bushels to the acre, and weighing
sixty-two pounds to the measured
bushel. Next inimportance is the dairy
business. Manufacturers will in the
future find eligible localities here, as
timber, and especially hard-wood varie-
ties, isiso plentiful.

Kewaunee village manufactures lum-
ber to a large extent; and the supply of
timber will last for iy ears to come.

La CrossE Counry.! — About one-
third of this county is prairie, and has a
very fertile black soil: nearly one-third
is bluffy, which is remarkably adapted
for stock-raising: the balance is timber,
sand, swamp, and poor.bluffs. County
contains about three hundred thousand
acres of land,— two hundred and fifty
thousand assessed, and a hundred and
fifty thousand under cultivation. Nearly
Seven-eighths are in possession of actual
settlers, held at an average price of fif-
teen dollars per acre. State owns five
thousand acres of land, mostly located
on the Mississippi River bottoms. Owned
by General Government, and subject to
entry under Homestead Law, is about
forty thousand acres, quality being gen-
erally poor, bluffy, swamp, and sandy
‘Jand, and located in all parts of the coun-
ty. Facilities for water-powers are good;
many of which are improved, and have
been made to serve as a valuable item
in the commercial interests of the coun-
ty. The prevailing timber of the forests
is black and white oak. Valuable stone-
quarries are worked, and of good qual-
ity. Black and La Crosse Rivers trav-
erse the county, though navigable only
for logs and rafts. The Milwaukee and
St. Paul Railroad runs through the
county from east to west,. also Winona

1 Our sketch of La Crosse County was con-
tributed by P.S. Elwell of Wauhincimes, H.
N. Solberg, and Charles Seymour, —C. R. 'T.

 

WISCONSIN. 675

“cut-off”? on western border. Several
roads are in contemplation, with encour-
aging prospects.

The dairy, as a branch of agriculture,
has received considerable attention, and
has been satisfactory and profitable to
all concerned,

The county has little prairie-land.
The choice farms in all directions are in
valleys of exceeding richness; and from
the bold bluffs, which are perpetually
washed by rain in spring, summer, and-
autumn, and by snow in winter, to en-
rich the valley-lands, living springs send
out generous streams of the purest wa-
ter. The tiers of Wisconsin and Minne-
sota Counties on the Mississippi River,
although rough, are remarkably adapted
to stock-raising and dairy purposes.
While these valley-farms are perpetuall:
replenished by the wash from the blu
slopes, the latter are kept in deep verd-
ure by the moisture caused by great and
sudden dis; ei in the temperatures of
water, land, and air, and by the invigo-
rating ammonia produced by the late
autumn and early spring fires. These
bluffs are thus self-constituted fertilizing
agents to strengthen the valley-farms
for the heavier task of yielding generous
crops. Vegetation in La Crosse County,
on the first day of June, is usually as
far advanced as it is in Northern Illinois
and Northern Indiana two or three
weeks later.

In reference to home-markets, it is
gratifying to notice in and at the city of
La Crosse, with a population of about
ten thousand, which is one-half of the
entire county, increased attention to
manufactures, which give employment
to ire numbers of skilled artisans,
who become valuable consumers of
farm-products; and thus between the
demands for home-consumption, and for
Southern and Eastern markets by water
and rail transportation, the farmers have
a choice of markets. This serves to
illustrate the substantial benefits derived
by farmers from proximity to manufac-
turing establishments, and demonstrates
the existence of a permanent bond of
sympaihy and a mutualinterest between
these two higher branches of industry.
The lumbering-interests of the Black
River have their seat, centre, and market
of purchase, sale, and supply, at La
Crosse; and from this source alone mani-
fold benetits accrue to the agricultural
producers of this and contiguous coun-
ties, The largest, safest, and. best ship-
yard between the mouth of the Ohio
River and the Falls of St. Anthony is
located in the well-protected harbor be-
tween La Crosse and the mouth of Black
River. It is the headquarters of the
large fleet of steamers and barges em-

loyed in the navigation of the Upper
Mississippi and its tributaries. It is a
valuable item in the commercial ele-
676

ments of this vicinity, as the products of
the soil and forest, and the skill and la-
bor of mechanics, are in large request
during the winter season, when naviga-
tion is suspended, and when, in other
localities, there is comparatively a de-
pression in business. Thus it will be
seen that La Crosse City and County
are favorably located, constituted, and
occupied, with reference to agricultural
and other industrial interests; and that
with railroads reaching east and west,
and river-navigation north and south,
their condition is prosperous.

Education is not neglected, but re-
ceives vigorous attention. The character
of the inhabitants; the majority of whom
are accustomed to, and fully appreciate
the value of, popular education, would
insure due regard to this most important
feature of a well-ordered community.
As to the press of La Crosse, it is safe
to say, that liberally-patronized and
enterprising newspapers, published in
the English, German, and Scandinavian
languages, have long been in successful
operation,

With so many elements of strength
and influence actively employed, no one
need be surprised at the steady and
rapid progress of the city and county of
La Crosse. Without boasting, it may be
truthfully said, La Crosse is one of the
live, progressive, enterprising, prosper-
ous points in the West; and the solidity,
beauty, and magnificence of its private
residences, public edifices, and business
establishments, would be interpreted by
any intelligent observer as palpable evi-
dence of wealth and refinement. The
recent discovery of a considerable quan-
tity of bituminous coal of a superior

uality, at a depth of about forty-five
eet from the surface of the ground,
where three German farmers were dig-
ging a well on the side and near the base
of one of the bluffs, about four miles
east of La Crosse, establishes, beyond all
controversy, the fact that Wisconsin has
coal of a good quality; and it is to be
hoped that measures will soon be adopt-
ed to develop this important resource.

La Crosse, the capital of La Crosse
County, is situated on the left bank of
the Mississippi River, at the mouth of
la Crosse River, and on the Milwaukee
and St. Paul Railroad, about 125 miles
north-west of Madison.

She is the “Gateway City” of both
the fertile fields of Southern Minnesota,
and of the immense pine-regions in the
north. The bluffs back of the city fur-
nish inexhaustible supplies of the best
of limestone. .Brick is manufactured
near by; and lumber, in immense quan-
tities, is found at her very doors, Thus
the natural advantages of La Crosse are
unexcelled,

She stands the fifth city of the State
in population, and the second in com-

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

mercial importance. She possesses ten
or twelve blocks of paved streets, hav-
ing been paved with the Nicholson, or
macadamized, and well graded; a fine
city building; a very efficient police-de-
partment; and a fire-department, which
does very excellent service The edu-
cational advantages of Ia Crosse can-
not be excelled. There are four ward
schools, a high school, and a normal in-
stitute in the city.

If the morality of a community can
be measured by the size and elegance of
its churches, as compared with the num-
ber of its inhabitants, we must place La
Crosse in the front rank of moral cities,
The Congregational Church is a brick
building, with a fine spire and bell: it
also contains a very fine organ. The
Baptist is a very fine stone church. The
Roman-Catholic is a very large structure
of brick. Besides these are many oth-
ers; nearly every denomination and sect
being represented.

There are five ne weeps published
in La Crosse, —three English, one Ger-
man, and one Norwegian.

Pomeroy’s Opera House Block is a
very fine building. It is a solidly built
block of red brick, a hundred and ten
feet square, five stories high; the lower
half-basement story sixteen feet high,
the others fourteen feet. The lower
portion of this building is used and oc-
cupied by the newspaper publishers of
the city. The upper story of the build-
ing is occupied by the Opera Hall, a
hundred and ten by eighty feet. The
scenery and stage appliances of this hall
are excellent: it has seating capacity
for about fifteen hundred persons.

The manufacturing interests are well
represented in La Crosse. Three very
large saw-mills, and several smaller
ones, manufacture almost incredible
quantities of lumber, which is shipped
into the surrounding county, and over
the several railroads leading out of the
city. Besides these, there are four man-
ufactories of farming-implements, two
of threshing-machines, three founderies,
a large plough-factory, boiler-works, a
Jarge door, sash, and blind factory, a
woollen-mill, and the usual complement
of smaller manufactories.

In the mercantile line, Mons Anderson,
dry-goods merchant, is probably the
heaviest dealer. He occupies a spacious
store in his large building, the largest
private mercantile edifice in the State,
outside of Milwaukee.” In the third
story of this building is located At-
well’s Business College, which offers the
best advantages in the West for a com-
mercial education. i

Population, 1875, 11,012.

LaFAYETTE County.!— This is one of

1We are indebted to L. E. Johnson of
Darlington, and John C. Wood i
arenas for this sketch. — C, Bo oe
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

the first settled counties in the State;
but its life and prosperity received but
little impetus until within the last dec-
ade: nearly all of the principal agricul-
tural resources have been developed
within this period. The general topog-
raphy of the county is undulating.
The soil is an admixture of black loam
and clay. County contains 397,366 acres
of land, three-fourths of which are under
cultivation. Nearly all, however, is
capable of the highest cultivation. All
the lands are in possession of bond-fide
holders, except a few small tracts, which
are owned by the State. Water-facili-
ties are excellent, but only used in the
running of flour-mills; no other kinds of
machinery of any account being used.
Agriculture is the leading industry of
the county; yet a large number are en-
gaged in lead-mining, which is carried
on with perfect system. Lead is found
in all positions, and in every town of the
county; the largest nine being in Shulls-
burg, Lead is principally found in crev-
ices in rocks, mixed with clay and sand.
Copper has been worked with but little
success. The carbonate of zinc is found
in most of our lead-shafts, but has never
been put to any use. The prevailing
timber is oak, walnut, maple, hickory,
and ash. Pekatonica, Galena, and other
branches traverse the county, and are
stocked with black bass and pickerel.
The Illinois Central Railroad runs
through the county north and south,
nearly in its centre. There is a very
favorable prospect that the Monroe
branch of the Milwaukee and St. Paul
Railroad will be extended to the Mis-
sissippi, running through the county
east and west. Farming and mining
are the principal sources of industry.

Much attention has been paid to the
root-crops. The potato, owing to a good
market south, has commanded a good
price, aud consequently has been largely
cultivated. Many new varieties have
been experimented with: the rage has
quite equalled the hop-fever. This
county claims to understand the potato-
culture, and regards it as having yielded
the best results of any thing put into
the ground. The English farmers cling
with tenacity to the turnip, which is by
them regarded as essential to good hus-
bandry; while the American farmer cul-
tivates the carrot as more nutritious, and
less bulky.

They have been more successful in
the cultivation of fruit than most of the
counties of the State. A great variety of
apples are exhibited at our annual fairs,
The apple-crop of the county supplies
most of the demand for home-consump-
tion. From 1855 to 1860, many things
combined to injure fruit and fruit-trees;
but, since that time, there has been a
marked improvement in the general
health of the orchards, as well as an in-

 

677

crease in the yield. The bark-louse has
entirely disappeared in a large number
of the old orchards, thereby indicatin

an improved condition in the health o.

the tree.

A good quality of brick-clay is found
in various parts of the county; and there
is a good brickyard at Darlington.

The three principal villages in the
county are Darlington (the county-
seat), Shullsburg, and Belmont, The
schools in these villages are all first-
class; the schoolhouses costing from
twenty to thirty thousand dollars each.
These villages, as well as the whole
county, are well supplied with churches.
There are one hundred and twenty
schoolhouses in the county, mostly in
good condition. Wages for male teach-
ers average $35.50, and for female teach-
ers $22.50, per month.

The nationality of the inhabitants is
about one-fourth Irish, one-eighth Eng-
lish, one-eighth Germans, one-fifth Nor-
wegians, and the balance Americans,
The majority of the Norwegians are in
the eastern portion: the others are scat-
tered all over the county.

Manrrowoc Country.1—The surface
of this county is peoineby rolling, and
covered with hard-wood timber, consist-
ing of oak, beech, maple, cedar, and
hemlock. The last is principally valua-
ble for its bark, which is very largely
used for tanning-purposes. There are
about ten sections of what is denoininat-
ed swamp-lands in the county; but these,
with a little improvement, will make ex-
cellent grass-lands. Pine is found along
the lake-shore, where the soil is sandy;
but, in the interior of the county, the
soil is a clay-loam, and is good.

The water-power of the county is ex-
cellent. There are seven good powers
on the Manitowoc River, and four on
Five Rivers, all poraly improved,
there being invested about one hundred
and sixty thousand dollars; but all of
these are capable of a much further im-
provement.

Floating copper-ore bas heen found in
the towns of Cato and Couperstown.

.The very best of clay for brick is found
all along the lake-shore. There are a

‘large number of brickyards ; and large

quantities of brick have been shipped
the last two years, Marble and valuable
stone quarries are also found along the
Manitowoc River, and extending into
other portions of the county; but these
have not as yet been developed to any
great extent.

The Manitowoc River passes through
the centre of the county, and is naviga-
ble for three miles. The Two Rivers
forms a junction at the village of the

1 We are indebted to N. J. Gilbert, F.
Schultz, and G. W. Burnett of Manitowoc, for
this sketch.—C. R. T.
678 HISTORY OF

same name. Fish abounds in both of
these streams, and in other smaller ones
to a considerable extent, 3 3

The lack of railroad facilities in this
region has heretofore been a great draw-
back; but all that is now changed. The
railroad from Manitowoc to Appleton is
completed. It connects with the Wis-
consin Central at Menasha, thus giving
direct communication with the Northern
Pacific Railroad. The Lake-Shore Road
from Milwaukee is also completed; and
now no part of the State has better rail-
road communications than this county.

Agriculture is the principal industry
of the county. In 1872, there were raised
about six hundred thousand bushels of
wheat, four hundred thousand bushels
of oats, one hundred thousand bushels
peas, one hundred thousand bushels rye,
and five hundred thousand bushels po-
tatoes,

The city of Manitowoc is a lively,
thriving place; and ship- building is
there carried on to a considerable ex-
tent. Four large tanneries are here in
full operation, with a capital of about
ninety thousand dollars. About seven-
ty thousand barrels of flour were shipped
from the city the past year.

At Two Rivers there is a large tub,
pail, and chair factory, and a tannery,
with a capital of thirty thousand dollars.
There are also manufactured about fifty
million feet of lumber annually.

With the excellent water-powers in
the county, and the ease with which all
kinds of hard wood. can be obtained, it
is readily seen that Manitowoc County
offers extraordinary inducements for
many branches of manufacturing, where
hard wood enters as the principal ma-
terial. polpping = faHiies to the inte-
rior of the State will soon be excellent;
and we see no reason why manufactur-
ing shall not largely increase,

ARATHON County.1— There is no
doubt whatever, that the natural re-
sources of Marathon County, in soil,
timber, iron, water-powers, and other
advantages, as well of climate as of geo-
graphical position, are second to none
in the State.

The extreme ee of this county is
about one hundred and twenty miles;
and its width, fifty-four miles. Deduct-
ing the area covered by small lakes in
the northern part of the county, it con-
tains about three million five hundred
thousand acres of land, of which not
over a hundred thousand acres are un-
der cultivation.

At least three-fourths of the land of
this county are timbered; the high lands,
or ridges, being mostly covered by hard
wood, such as maple, oak, ash, elm, bass-

1 For our sketch of Marathon County, we are
indebted to W. C. Silverthorn, John Ringle,
and John Patzer of Wausau. —C. R. T,

 

WISCONSIN.

wood, butternut, &c., while that along
ibe sEnene is mostly pine and hem-
ock.

The principal sources of industry are
agriculture and lumbering. Over three-
fourths of the county are capable of be-
ing cultivated. The soil is of an excellent
quality, and produces all kinds of grain
and vegetables common to northern cli-
mates. Wheat has been: raised over
forty bushels to an acre, and other grain
in proportion. "Winter wheat has never
failed. Although our farmers have thus
far had only a home-market, they have
as yet been unable to supply the de-
mand, and have always realized a)better
price for their products than farmers in
the southern portion of the State.

The county has very good railroad-
facilities.

Lumbering is carried on to a great ex
tent; lumber and shingles being the chie|
exports. Thousands of persons are ant
nually employed in the Wisconsin-River;

ineries, at pon wages. Over a hun}

red million feet of lumber are annuall
nape from this county; and the almos
endless pine-forests in the northern par
of the county will furnish material for
this branch of industry for generations
to come,

There are now in operation in this
county thirty stationary saw-mills, be-
sides a number of portable mills for the
manufacture of lumber; also three flour-
ing-mills, six shingle-mills, and one ex-
tensive planing-mill.

The Wisconsin River, running through
the centre of the county, with its
tributaries, furnishes numerous water-
powers, comparatively few of which
have been improved. But, when our
railroad -communication with the rest
of the world is completed, capitalists,
no doubt, will appreciate the induce-
ments offered by Marathon County for
remunerative investment. The unde-
veloped mineral resources of Marathon
County are very extensive; iron being
the most abundant, which has been dis-
covered in inexhaustible quantities in
different portions of the county, and no
doubt will, in the future, be one of our
principal productions,

‘Wood has heretofore been almost the
exclusive building-material in use; but
it has now been substantiated that they
have also a superior quality of clay for
the manufacture of brick; and they are
now being used for building to a consid-
erable extent. Three brickyards are al-
ready in operation at Wausan.

Last, but not least, are the cranberry-
marshes, which have been looked up,
and purchased from the government
recently. Thousands of acres of as fine
cranberry-land as can be found in the
world exist near the centre of the coun-
ty, on either side of the Wisconsin River.
This branch of industry, which is at-
HISTORY OF

tracting so much interest in other parts
of the State, bids fair to be a splendid
thing here.

MaRQuEeTTe County.1—The whole
country is openings and timber. The soil
is diversified clay and loam, with con-
siderable sand, and extensive marshes,
furnishing abundance of natural mea-
dows and pasture. The county is well
watered with'springs, small creeks, and
large mill-streams. There are ten flour-
ing-mills, four woollen-factories, two
saw-mills, and one iron-foundery in the
county. Fox River runs through the
county from east to west, with two
thriving villages pps: its banks, having
four warehouses for grain and other
shipping - purposes. ‘here are nine
villages in the county, all of them well
supplied with business-houses, and well
patronized.

Montello is the county-seat, with a
large and commodious court - house,
built of stone and brick, two churches,
stores, and mechanics’ shops, two flour-
ing-mills, and a woollen-factory. Mon-
tello is situated upon Fox River, where
they have a regular line of steamboats
from Berlin down the river. It has
more water-power than any other town
west of Neenah, and only about one-
fourth improved and used. A foundery,
tannery, sash and blind factory, and
many other kinds of factories, could do
a good and paying business ‘here, and
are much wanted.

The Montello River, a large mill-
stream, empties into the Fox at this
place, and furnishes power for one-half
mile of machinery, which is not one-
fourth part improved. The inhabitants
are made up of one-third Americans,
one-third Germans, and one-third Irish.
A large majority of the settlers came in
poor, and are now in good circumstan-
ces, some of them getting rich. Land is
worth from five to fifteen dollars an
acre; and there can yet be found good
chances for several hundred families to
make good homes, with very little
money. Railroad facilities are excel-
lent. The climate of the county is
good, the water excellent, and the peo-
ple are healthy and happy; and others
who come amongst us to live will be
made to ay all the blessings we have
enumerated.

MILWAUKEE County. — This county
contains about a hundred and fifty-two
thousand acres of land, of which about
nine thousand acres lie within the cor-
porate limits of the city of Milwaukee.

our-fifths of the entire amount of
farming-lands are under improvement,
and together with the unimproved lands,
which are mostly timber, and often

1 We are indebted to Hon. 8. A. Pease of
none for the materials for this sketch. —
»R.T,

 

WISCONSIN. 679

more valuable than the improved, have
an average value of seventy-five dollars
per acre.

The annual report of the Chamber of
Commerce for 1871 shows the assessed
value of real estate in the city of Mil-
waukee to be $35,288,391. In extent of
marine commerce, it ranks as the fourth
city in the United States. The number
of entries at the custom-house durin:
the year 1873 were 4,878, with a tot:
tonnage of 1,947,119 tons, and of clear-
ances, 4,877, representing an aggregate
tonnage of 1,938,414 tons. The receipts
of grain for the year 1872 were 19,212,394
bushels, of which 13,617,939 bushels were
wheat.

The shipments of flour were 1,232,036
barrels, and the amount manufactured
in the city 560,206 barrels. The ship-
ments of wheat to eastern and Canadian
markets during the year amounted to
11,520,575 bushels,

The total number of hogs packed in
the city during the year 1873 was 310,-
913. The total receipts of foreign mer-
chandise, exclusive of railroad-iron, pig-
iron, salt, plaster, and coal, received at
Milwaukee during the same year, were
154,966 tons. Of railroad-iron, there
were received 8,446 tons; 35,000 tons
additional were manufactured there,
making a grand total of 43,446 tons;
49,090 tons of pig-iron. were received
during the same year, and 111,489 tons
of iron ore.

Thus will be seen, very succinctly
stated, the business annually transacted
in the commercial emporium of Wiscon-
sin; and it is annually increasing with
that marvellous rapidity incident to the
rapid settlement of the Western World.

ilwaukee contains between fifty and
sixty churches, belonging to various de-
nominations; has nine large and elegant
ublic school-buildings, where the chil-
ren of the poor and the rich are alike
educated free of expense. For salubrity
of climate, it is unsurpassed in location;
and the annual death-rate per thousan
is less than that of either of its neigh-
bors, Chicago or St. Louis.

Situated as it is, with its great facili-
ties for lake-commerce, and the thou-
sands of miles of railways radiating
throughout the great North-west, it can-~
not fail to continue to be, what it now
is, the commercial emporium of Wis-
consin, and oné of the three great busi-
ness centres of the North - western
United States.

Milwaukee, the principal commercial
city of Wisconsin, and county-seat of
Milwaukee County, is situated on the
west shore of Lake Michigan, at the
mouth of Milwaukee River, ninety
miles north of Chicago, and seventy-
five miles east of Madison, Lat. 43°
3 457 N.; long. 87° 57” W. The river
approaches from the north, in a direc-
680

tion nearly parallel with the lake-shore,
and is joined, about a half-mile from its
mouth, by the Menomonee River, which
coines from the west. The largest boats
of the lakes can ascend the river two
miles from its mouth, as also the Me-
nomonee for some distance from its con-
fluence with the Milwaukee. The gov-
ernment has expended large sums of
money for the improvement of the har-
bor, in addition to the Eee by
the city authorities; so that the city has
one of the best harbors on the whole
chain of lakes. The city is pleasantl
sitnated upon each side of the river. It
contains twenty - one public schools,
United States court, and post-office, ten
banks, forty-eight Protestant, ten Catho-
lic, and two Jewish churches, twenty-
four academies and select schools, six
temperance organizations, sixteen Ma-
sonic, twelve Odd Fellows, twenty-five
other secret societies, thirty benevolent
organizations, three orphan - asylums,
and two hospitals. The Catholics have
a large convent called ‘‘ Convent Notre
Dame.” Someeight or more railroads
centre at Milwaukee. The city is the
outlet and shipping-port of a rich and
rapidly improving country. It is the
greatest primary wheat-market in the
world. The receipts of flour and grain
for the year ending July 31, 1874, were
89,051,079 bushels of wheat and flour,
and 4,241,040 of coarse grains. Total, of
all kinds, 43,292,119 in bushels, And
the exports of flour, 2,217,59; of wheat,
22,255,380; of corn, 556,563; of oats, 726,-
035. The total number of hogs packed
in 1874-75 was 248,197 head. The re-
ceipts of lumber were 141,460,000. There
were a hundred and twenty-eight ves-
sels registered at Milwaukeé, with a
tonnage of 26,396,24.

Milwaukee is remarkable for its
healthful climate and for the rapidity of
its growth. It has a large number of
manufactories of flour, woollen goods,
rolling-mills, which are too numerous
to detail.

Its prospects as one of the largest and
most important of our Western cities
ae unequalled. Population, 1875, 100,-

Monroe County.!— The general sur-
face of the county is rolling, in some
parts quite rough. Several dividing
ridges traverse nearly the whole length
of the county in different directions.
Their tops usually spread out into level
table-lands, which are frequently many
miles in area. The soil in the northern
part is mostly sandy, some clay ridges,
and small black loam prairies. In the
north-eastern part are extensive tracts
of white and Norway pine-timber, and

1 We are indebted to B.S. D. Hollister and
George Runkel for the materials for this
sketch. —C. R. T.

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

large natural hay and cranberry mead-
ows. The southern part is a rich clay-
loam, very productive and durable,
being choice farming-lands, well suited.
to grain and fruit raising. Here is pro-
duced some of the finest white winter
wheat in the West. .

The county contains five hundred and
seventy-five thousand acres, about one-
fourth of which is now under cultiva-
tion; and fully three-fourths of the re-
mainder can be made available for farm-
ing-purposes, about fifty thousand acres,.
which they are selling at two dollars
and a half and upwards per acre, giving
three years’ time ‘on a part of the pur-
chase-money.

There are many valuable water-pow-
ers, principally improved on the La
Crosse River at Sparta, Angelo, Lafay-
ette, and Leon; on the Lemonweir Riv-
er, at Tomah; on the Kickapoo, at Wil-
ton and in the town of Sheldon; on the
Barraboo, at Glendale. On the smaller
streams are several choice locations,
which are yet unimproved.

No mines are yet opened here. There
are indications of iron, lead, copper, and
plumbago. :

The Puneet timber in the southern

half of the county is white and red oak,
white-walnut, hickory, sugar-maple,
ash, and linden; in the northern part,
white and red oak, white and Norway
pine, tamarack, and spruce.
_ Red bricks of good quality are made
in various parts of the county. In the
southern part, some beds of valuable
fire-clay have been found, and a rock
very similar to the French burr mill-
stones,

Being located on the head-waters of
the La Crosse, Lemonweir, Barraboo,
and Kickapoo Rivers, with no lakes or
navigable streams, the inhabitants are
dependent on the railroads to carry their

roducts tomarket. The Milwaukee and

t. Paul and Chicago and North-western
traverse the county from east to west,
while the north-western part is crossed
by the West Wisconsin and Wisconsin
Valley Railroads, in opposite directions,
thus bringing all parts of the county
within easy reach of this means of com-
munication. Other lines will doubtless
be constructed within a few years, en-
larging these facilities to a still greater
degree.

Some deer and hear are still found in
the woods; and the game-birds of the
State are quite plenty. The streams
abound in brook-trout, pickerel, bass,
&e. Trout-raising is being carried on to
a limited extent; and many localities
exist where the business could be suc-
cessfully and profitably prosecuted.

The staple products are winter and
spring wheat, oats, corn, barley, rye, and
buckwheat. the grains usual to
this latitude do well here. The tame
HISTORY OF

grasses grow finely. The shipments of
wheat and flour from this county from
the crop of 1872 will be about three hun-
dred thousand bushels of wheat, and
sixty thousand barrels of flour, both
ee a very superior grade. Im-
roved farms are worth from fifteen dol-
ars to seventy-five dollars per acre, ac-
cording to quality, improvements, and
location.

More than half the population is
American. The principal foreigners are
Gérmans, settled in the southern towns;
quite a Norwegian settlement in the
town of Portland. Schools are abundant
and good. A graded school with twelve
teachers at Sparta, and another with
four teachers at Tomah. Churches in
various parts of the county. In the vil-
lages, the different denominations are
well represented, and have comfortable
houses of worship. Population of the
county is now about twenty thousand.
Sparta, the county-seat, has about four
thousand. Substantial county-buildings
were erected several years ago. This
village has a paper-mill, woollen-fac-
tory, foundery, and machine-shop, two
flouring-mills, sash, blind, and door fac-
tory,and other manufacturing industries.
Here are also several flowing artesian
wells, the magnetic and medicinal prop-
erties of whose waters are attractin
the attention of invalids in all parts o:
the country. Large numbers of people,
attracted by the beauty of the scenery,
the purity of the air, and the general
healthfulness of the locality, come here
to spend the summer, and thus escape
the fervent heat of more southern
climates. The Milwaukee and St. Paul,
and Chicago and North-western Rail-
roads, both touch at this place.

Tomah has about two thousand inhab-
itants, and is at the junction of the Wis-
consin Valley with the Milwaukee and
St. Paul Railroad. A large flouring-mill
and some other manufacturing institu-
tions are located there. An artesian
well is being sunk there, with every
prospect of a successful result. Other
smaller but very thriving villages are
springing up along the lines of the vari-
ous railroads.

Monroe County, with its climate free
from all malaria, and of unsurpassed
healthfulness, with its thousands of
acres of land awaiting the hand of in-
dustry to render it productive, with its
millions of pine and hard-wood timber
yet to be manufactured, with its mineral
resources entirely undeveloped, offers
excellent inducements for people to
settle within its borders.

Oconto Counry.— Oconto County
coinprises that portion of North-eastern
Wisconsin most valuable for its timber
and farming lands, its immense and
unrivalled water-power, its mineral de-
posits and fisheries,

 

WISCONSIN. 681

It is bounded on the east by the wa-
ters of Green Bay and the Menomonee
River, — the first navigable for sail-ves-
sels and steamers of the largest size, hay-
ing a shore of about forty-five miles in
Oconto County, and receiving in and
from the same county three large rivers
and several smaller rivers and streams.

Oconto County embraces an area of
over five thousand square miles. It is
estimated that, of the unsettled portion
of the county, about one-third of the area
is covered with pine and hemlock, one-
third with sugar-maple and other hard
woods, and the remainder with cedar,
ash, elm, tamarack, and such timber
as is usually found on alluvial soils.
Almost the whole surface of the county
is traversed and drained by numerous
streams. The south-eastern portion of
the county is rolling, and, near the shore
of Green Bay, level; the north-western
portion more broken and rocky.

About twenty years ago the county
was almost an unbroken wilderness, a
single saw-mill on each stream, no road
traversing the county, and no farmers.
Now the county is traversed by three
principal roads from south to north, and
numerous roads intersecting the towns
in every direction, and making accessi-
ble the pine and farming lands of the
county. The single saw-mills have.
grown to a family of giants, fashioning
into boards and timber the huge pines
as fast as three thousand men and a
thousand teams can bring them, and a
hundred ships carry the lumber away.

The population of the county is 8,322,
a majority of whom are foreigners. The
largest portion of the county is still
owned by government, as the invest-
ment of capital has been almost wholly
confined to pine-lands. The govern-
ment sells its land at from seventy-five
cents to a dollar and twenty-five cents
per acre. The actual settler has the
right of pre-emption to a hundred and
sixty acres for one year before he is
obliged to pay for his land. “But to the
Homestead Act this region owes much of
its late rapid growth and prosperity.
Lands in and about the settlements are
for sale at from two to five dollars per
acre, The climate is healthy; and the
winter has eae which fully com-
pensate for its length. 7

The northern portion of the county is
rich in mineral deposits, which are des-
tined to become a most important ele-
ment of prosperity. A very considera-
ble branch of industry must soon grow
up by the establishment of blast-fur-
naces. The rivers and streams travers-
ing the county are used, at present,
mainly as highways, over which float the
logs and timber for the different mills,
They afford, also, unlimited water-
power, the value of which is just begin-
ning to be appreciated. For the manu-
682

facture of almost every article in wood,
for saw-mills, grist-mills, tanneries, and
factories, we have, almost at our doors,
an abundance of cheap motive-power.

As a grain-growing county, its reputa-
tion is established. A inore certain har-
vest, a good and even yield, plump ber-
ries, with more and better flour, are had
here than in more southern latitudes.
The grass-crop is one of the most profit-
able. Worth from eighteen to twenty-
five dollars per ton, at present, hay
must, in the future, command nearly or
quite as good a price as now. It is esti-
mated, that over one thousand tons are
annually imported into this county. A
large portion of the present supply is
taken from the natural meadows, and,
of course, is of an inferior quality. A
much smaller quantity of the wild
grasses would be used, and no hay
would be imported, if the home-supply
was sufficient.

Ovracamie County. — Agriculture is
the prominent interest in this county,
for which the configuration of its sur-
face, the fertility of its soil, and its
accessibility to market, are especially
adapted; yet it has equal facilities for
manufactures, which will be fully de-
veloped at no distant day. The water-
power furnished by the Lower Fox,
which passes through its south-eastern
corner, and by the Wolf River and its
many tributaries, is unexcelled, either
in extent or availability. It has, also, an
abundance of material for manufactur-
ae purposes in the heavy timber with
which a large portion of the county is
covered.

The county has an area of sixteen
townships, of which 75,935 acres are im-
pee The soil is principally a black
oam, with a subsoil of stiff clay. There
is considerable low, or swamp land in
the county; but a large portion of it is
susceptible of drainage, and will eventu-
ally become the most fertile and pro-
ductive land of the State. Wheat is
largely cultivated. The census returns
of 1870 give a total of 353,187 bushels.
Next in importance are oats and corn:
of oats, 200,000 bushels were raised; of
corn, 56,331 bushels; potatoes, 66,725
bushels ; wool, 34,799 pounds were grown;
butter, 282,704 pounds were made, The
sum total of our agricultural produc-
tions foot up $1,788,224. The popula-
tion of the county is given as 18,400.

Appleton is the leading city of the
county, and is the seat of a large manu-
facturing business. It has a population
of about six thousand.

The Fox River, in its present condi-
tion, furnishes a good outlet for the pro-
ductions of a large portion of the county,
and also the most extensive water-power
in the State. The whole Lower Fox-
River Valley, in which Appleton is
located, presents, on every hand, un-

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

rivalled facilities for manufacturing, of
nearly all kinds. ‘‘ Although there are
other cities,” says Mr. A. J. Reed, ‘‘sit-
uated in this valley, which possess, in
some degree, great natural advantages
like ourselves, still there are none whose
present prosperity is more rapid, or
whose prospective development is as
promising as that of eee It _pos-
sesses all of the natural characteristics
necessary for a manufacturing city of
great distinction; and while it is no part
of the object of this work to detract from
the merits of neighboring cities, which
share in common with us, to a great ex-'
tent, the rich heritage by which Nature’
has distinguished this locality, it is
nevertheless true, that it maintains a
position of marked superiority over its
rivals, by reason of both its natural
characteristics and the improvements
which have already been made. These
considerations are of primary and great
importance to the business-man who is
seeking profitable investment for his
capital, While other advantages, cal-
culated to minister to his esthetic tastes,
enter into, and oftentimes determine, his
decision, it is the material features of a
place which receive his most favorable
attention; but the city in which both
are combined is that to which his pref-
erence is invariably given. That Apple-
ton is a representative of this favored
class is a question on which there is no
dispute among those who are familiar
with its attractions.

“Some of the salient features of the
water-power on the Lower Fox River
have been partially set forth in the pre-
vions pages; but a more elaborate de-
scription of the power at Appleton will
be proper in this connection. Its supe-
riority appears when a comparison of
its features is made with the other prin-
cipal powers of the country. Its supply
is not drawn from mountain-torrents,
like the Mill River of Massachusetts, the
Hudson, and Merrimack, and other prin-
cipal rivers of the country, but from
smaller streams, ramifying a vast ex-
pane of undulating country ; thus ren-

ering a uniformity of flowage, instead
of excessive or limited discharges. In
addition to this, as if to combine in this
series of water-powers the advantages
of all others, Nature has provided im-
immense reservoirs, sufficient in capacity
to contain the accumulation of the upper
streams, tributary thereto for months
together; and the uniformity of flowage
is thereby more strictly preserved. So
closely related is the maximum and
minimum quantity discharged, that the
difference is never greater than three
feet, and is scarcely ever more than
thirty inches. The practical manufac-
turer will draw his own conclusions as
to the advantages of this arrangement,
so admirably designed by Nature. His
HISTORY OF

first impression will be, that up to a cer-
tain point, which can be ascertained, the
capacity of the power can be utilized,
and, with absolute certainty, that the
force calculated upon will be unfailing
throughout the entire year. The manu-
facturer who is located on a fluctuating
stream, and who is compelled to sus-
pend operations a considerable portion
of every year, will appreciate this ad-
vantage. Then, too, there are other con-
siderations that will scarcely escape his
notice. Owing to this gradual flow of
water, there is absolutely no danger
whatever, from freshets, to mills, fac-
tories, and warehouses at this point.
Raw materials, manufactured stock, and
the foundations of buildings which are
thirty-six inches above low-water mark,
are never reached nor interfered with
by the swelling currents of the river.
The same causes also operate to render
dams of ordinary stability, and struc-
tures of every kind, built to resist the
natural flow of the water, entirely safe
againt the increased pressure created by
swollen streams. Too much cannot be
said concerning the advantage of this
natural security. When we come to
consider the terrible disasters to life and
property which frequently occur upon
other streams, it is more fully appre-
ciated. The Mill-river calamity, of re-
cent date, which spread such appalling
devastation along one of the most beau-
tiful and industrious valleys of New
England, and by which nearly two hun-
dred lives were destroyed, and the ac-
cumulated property of a century swept
away, is at least sufficient to turn the
attention of the practical mind to
another locality, which possesses every
natural advantage in a superior degree,
separated from the dangers which usual-
ly attend rapidly-flowing streams. It
may also be remarked, that the rigor of
this northern climate does not embarrass
the driving of machinery in this valley,
which is an advantage poeeseet by few
localities claiming the distinction which
weenjoy. Block-ice is never created on
our rapids to clog the revolution of ma-
chinery; nor is it ever carried down by
the surging stream in quantities large
enough to endanger property, or put _a
stop upon our industrial operations. It
is by no means an extravagant statement
to make, that, all things considered, Ap-

leton presents a water-power unrivalled

y any other on the continent, or even
in the world. Itis true that its advan-
tages may not be generally known among
the prominent moneyed men of the coun-
try; but a few, however, have become
familiar with its merits, and to whose
opinions we shall allow expression In
this connection. Hon. William B. Og-
den of Chicago, one of the most deserv-
edly successful business- men in the
whole country, says, —

 

WISCONSIN. 683

‘«¢There is more value in dollars and
cents in the water-power at Appleton,
than any other I have ever known.’

“Again; Mr. Gustavus Ames, one of
the most sucvessful inventors of this
decade, and prominent manufacturer of
Rochester, N.Y., says, —

“<T would not change the power in
your city for any like quantity in any
other place, because of its immense
body ; and, for purposes where pure water
is required, no place can compare to the
power in Appleton.’

“Mr. Ames is an extensive manufac-
turer of paper; and, of course, he at-
taches proper emphasis to a point which
he regards as being very important. And
it is undeniably true, that Appleton is
unrivalled by any other place in the
country as a location for industries of
this class.

“Hon. Hiram Barney of New York
expresses his opinion in these words, —

‘It would be unjust to bespeak for
Appleton a future like Manchester,
Leeds, or Birmingham, or like Lowell,
Paterson, or Rochester; for its natural
advantages are greater than are pos-
sessed by all of those cities combined.
Capital only is wanting to realize all
that imagination can picture of prosper-
ity to this valley, of which this beauti-
ful city is the centre; and this want will
be of short duration. When the advan-
tages of its water-power shall reveal the

rofits which capital invested will earn
‘or its owners, money, in millions, will
naturally seek at that point its safety
and its increase.’

“These are the deliberate expressions
of men who represent the business-en-
terprise of three great cities of the con-
tinent, and who are competent to judge
fully of the magnificent advantages
which the Appleton water-power pos-
sesses. Some of them, with others
equally prominent, have practically il-
lustrated their faith in its value by in-
vesting capital, at this point, in the Fox-,
river Valley; and the fact that these
words have been uttered after the re-
sults of theirinvestments became known,
gives to them additional force.” }

Appleton, the county-seat of Outaga-
mie County, is located on the banks of
the Lower Fox River, on the line of the
Chicago and North-western Railroad,
two hundred and thirteen miles from
Chicago, and eighty miles from Green
Bay. It has a railroad connection with
all the important points in the State,
and a water-communication with the
Mississippi and the lake. The water-

power of the Lower Fox is immense:
this power between Winnebago Lake
and Green Bay, with a run of a hundred

1From a pamphlet on the Advantages of
the Lower Fox-River Valley, edited by Mr.
A. J. Reed of Appleton. —C. R. T.
684

and forty thousand cubic feet per min-
ute, is equal to 132,196 horse-power.
Appleton is unexcelled by any other city
in respect to her manufacturing facili-
ties, The water-power has been greatly
improved in the line of furniture, staves,
sash, doors, and blinds, spokes and hubs,
founderies and machine-shops, paper,
woollen, flour, and varnish mills, and
the Appleton {ron Works. The Aj ple-
ton Blast-Furnace cost a hundred thou-
sand dollars. There are twenty-four
separate manufacturing establishments
on the Fox River at this place; and the
products of Appleton industries are re-
Pore at $2,325,000. The Lawrence

niversity was founded in 1848, and
named after Amos A. Lawrence of Bos-
ton, who was a liberal benefactor to it.
In 1853-54 a large stone building was
erected, sixty by a hundred and forty
feet, four stories high, and located in an
eligible situation. It is well-sustained,
and is under the auspices and care of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev.
George M. Steele, D.D., is the president.

The city has two first-class hotels, a
national bank-building, four newspaper
offices, some fine blocks of stores, and a
large number for mechanical trades.

No city in the State has better prom-
ises of being a large and very important
place of business. Its water-power and
advantages of manufacturing afford
the greatest inducement to capitalists to
make permanent investments.

Population, 1875, 6,730.

OzauKEE CounTy.!— The county of
Ozaukee contains seven townships, with
some over fifteen thousand inhabitants,
of which number nearly three-fourths
are of foreign birth, and most of them
Germans. The general topography of
the county is of an even surface, though
in portions somewhat rolling, and a
small part swampy. -

The soil consists of red clay, which
proves to be the best for the purpose of
raising wheat; but also is the gray clay,
and the black sandy soil too, as found
in some portions of the county, of a
good and fertile quality. The county
contains about a hundred and eighty
thousand acres of land, of which more
than half is under cultivation; and more
than seven-eighths of it is owned by
actual settlers. The stone-quarries con-
sist of white-sandstone, and also lime-
stone; and several of them are in suc-
cessful operation. The Milwaukee and
Northern Railroad runs from south to
north through the county, furnishing
excellent facilities for successfully
operating, not only some of such stone-
quarries, but also mills and manufacto-
ries which are established on many of

1 We are indebted to Gustav Goetze of Port
jae on for this sketch of Ozaukee Coun-
y.—C. .

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

our good water-powers on the Milwau-
kee River, flowing from north to south
through the whole county, and on Cedar
Creek, emptying into said river; and
there is no doubt that still more water-

owers will hereafter beimproved. The

ake Shore Railroad passes also from
north to south through the county, and
will, when completed, add _a good deal
more to those facilities. The principal
timber is white and red oak, maple,
tamarack, andcedar. Agriculture is the
main source of industry; but there is
also a great deal of commerce, trade,
and manufacturing done.

Port Washington, the county-seat, has
a beautiful location on Lake Michigan,
about half-way between Milwaukee
and Sheboygan; and, besides the court-
house and county-offices, has a flouring-
mill, two founderies, several mechanics’
shops, two brick-yards, two lumber-
yards, and one first-rate stone-quarry;
also a malt-house and two breweries.
It is a lively place; and a great deal of
trade and cominerce is carried on there,
the more so, as, besides a good pier, the
‘Washington harbor has now been so far
completed as to allow any ordinary size
of vessels to run in.

Prpin County.1— Pepin lies in the
north-western part of the State; its
western border being on the Mississippi
River, at Lake Pepin. The surface is
somewhat rolling. ‘The soil is mostly of
a sandy loam, though, in some sections,
mixed with clay. County contains in
the vicinity of twenty-five thousand
acres of land, about one-third under
cultivation: of the balance, nearly all is
capable of cultivation. Actual settlers
are in possession of nearly twelve thou-
sand acres, worth from three to five dol
lars an acre. Good water-privileges are
to be found in every town in the county.
The forests are heavily timbered with
allkinds of hard wood. The Chippewa,
Eau Claire, and Menomonee Rivers trav-
erse the county, and are, to some extent,
navigable. The larger kinds of fish are
found in the Chippewa; and abundance
of trout in the smaller streams. Agri-
culture is the principal source of indus-

try.

In 1870 the county contained six post-
offices, twenty-six school-houses, four
church-buildings, four flouring-mills,
six saw-mills; a woollen-factory, two
foundery and machine shops, and two
other manufacturing - establishments,
Population of county, 4,659. There are
two thriving villages, — Durand, with a
Peres of over nine hundred, and

epin, with about seven hundred inhab-
itants.

Its agricultural productions are of the
usual variety, and excellent in quality.

1 This sketch was contributed b: » D.
Baker and 8. P. Crosby.—C. R. T. eee
HISTORY OF

According to the census of 1870, the
amount of wheat raised was 97,905 bush-
els; rye, 4,774 bushels; corn, 109,485
bushels; oats, 80,118 bushels; barley,
7,409 bushels; wool, 7,950 pounds; pota-
toes, 26,917 bushels; butter, 127,535
pounds. The total value of its agricul-
pe productions is estimated at $273,-

PrERcE County.!— Pierce is the most
western county in the State, lying prin-
cipally in the southern portion of the
St. Croix Valley. It is bounded on the
north by St. Croix County, east by
Dunn, south by Dunn, Lake Pepin, and
the Mississippi River, and west by the
Mississippi and Lake St. Croix. The

eneral surface of the county is undu-
ating, though somewhat bluffy along
some of the streams. On prairies, the
soil is of a sandy loam: on timbered
lands, it is generally of a clay-loam.
County contains three hundred and six-
ty-seven thousand acres of land. The
estimated number of acres of land in
county owned by actual settlers is about
two hundred thousand acres.

The county is well watered, and di-
vided by seven rapid flowing rivers,
running the whole length of the county.
All of the rivers have good mill-sites at
short intervals their whole length.
There also are numerous creeks and
small streams, which discharge into the
rivers, some of which have sufficient
fall for mill-sites. The varieties of tim-
bee are oak, ash, maple, basswood, and
elm.

“No railroads are constructed within
our county. On our western and south-
ern boundary are the St. Croix Lake,
and Mississippi River, and Lake Pepin,
which give us a water-front of fifty-
seven miles, thus giving us fair facilities
for shipping all our surplus products.
Lead has been found in limited quanti-
ties.”

Ellsworth is the county-seat, and is
surrounded by a rich agricultural dis-
trict. new brick court-house has
been erected at an expense of twenty
thousand dollars. The fourth State Nor-
mal School has been located at River
Falls, which is a very thriving village.
There are about ninety school-houses
and fifteen churches in the county.

‘Through the efforts of the school su-
perititendent for the last four years con-
siderable interest has been created in
educational matters, and the attendance
at school is peer fair for a new coun-
try. Some of the school-houses are nice
frame buildings, whilst others are of log.
As to nationality, the majority are
Americans; but the Norwegians are nu-
merous, and fast settling in, and will,

1 We are indebted to H. B. Warner and C,
W. Brown of Ellsworth, and Z. W. Lamfert
of Spring Lake, for this sketch. —C. R. T.

 

WISCONSIN. 685

in a few years, outnuinber all other na-
tionalities. ¢

Poik County. —The county of Pol
was one of the earliest-settled portions
of the State. At first the inhabitants
were either lumbermen, or hunters and
trappers. The latter class has nearly
disappeared. While the former lost their
all in lumbering, turning their attention
to farming, many of them are now in
a prosperous condition. At the present
time, the business of the citizens of the
county is nearly equally divided be-
tween agricultural, and logging in the
pineries. The farmers cannot raise
enough to supply the lome-demand:
consequently the loggers are compelled
to bring large quantities of grain and
stock from. “below.”

The county has an abundance of
water-powers, from a size that can be
measured by achurning, to the celebrat-
ed Falls of the St. Croix, which could
be described only as a ‘“‘Niagara of a
power.” Jn a distance of five miles,
extending up the river from the village
of St. Croix Falls, the waters of that
stream make a total descent of eighty-
five feet. It has banks for dam-build-
ing; and the river is not subject to
freshets.

The winter grains do uncommonly
well; and timothy and clover yield
largely. The early fall of snow protects
the roots of the grain and grass from
freezing out. Cattle get fat running in
the woods during grass months. .

Good heavy team-horses readily sell
to the pinery men at large poe Large
working-oxen are worth a hundred and
fifty to two hundred and twenty-five
dollars per yoke. Cows sell at twenty-
five to seventy dollars.

The county is settling rapidly by
Swedes, Danes, Norwegians, and Ger-
mans, and emigrants from other States;
each nationality settling by itself.
Churches and schoolhouses claim the
early attention of the people. The
have contentment in their midst, whic.
is a sure forerunner to wealth. Plenty
of unoccupied land. Government lands
for purchase or homesteading. State
lands at a dollar and twenty-five cents
per acre.

PortacE County. — This is the most
central county of the State, and, although
its resources are far from being fully de-
veloped, it already holds the first rank
on the Upper Wisconsin in regard to
position, soil, climate, and_commercial
advantages. It is thirty miles in length
north and south, and about thirty in
width. The southern and eastern por-
tions of the county contain a majority
of the inhabitants; the north-western
part belne composed mostly of heavy
timbered lands. The number of town-
ships in the eouety

is twenty-two.
. The agricultural resources,

while they

\
686 HISTORY OF

cannot, for obvious reasons, compare
favorably with those of the older and
more thickly settled portions of the
State, are, nevertheless, far in advance
of the estimate formerly placed upon
them. There is very little waste land in
the county; the few swamps and marsh-
es which it contains being susceptible of
drainage, whereby they may be made
equal or superior to the best farming-
land in this vicinity. The soil, in some
ortions of the county, is a light sandy
oam; yetit is quite productive in favor-
able seasons, and, under judicious man-
ae will doubtless be susceptible
of great improvement. In the eastern
poruor of the county, the soil is proba-
ly as good for farming-purposes as in
the northern portion of the State.
' The number of acres at present under
cultivation in the county is about 75,-
079. Amount of wheat raised pees
the year ending June 1, 1870, 210,13!
bushels; rye, 59,309 bushels; corn, 64,-
022 bushels; oats, 152,143 bushels; bar-
ley, 6,137 bushels 5 potatoes, 113,976
bushels, Amount of wool produced
during the same year, 25,987 pounds;
butter, 199,517 pounds; cheese, 7,936
pounds; hay, 9,752 tons; hops, 70,071
pounds. ~

The total estimated value of all farm
productions for the same year is $643,-
757; the value of manufactures (chiefly
lumber) produced, $522,742.

The manufactures of the county are
thus far confined to the single article of
lumber, of which a great amount is an-
nually produced. The number of saw-
mills in the county is about arent eye,
many of which are steam-mills of large
capacity, employing a great number of
workmen.

The internal improvements of the
county are creditable in their character.
A fine bridge has been built across the
Wisconsin at Stevens Point, at a cost of
over twenty-two thousand dollars.
There are many church-buildings in the
county, and capacious and convenient
school-edifices in nearly all the towns.
The court-house at Stevens Point is a
fine stone building, costing thirty thou-
sand dollars: its elegant architecture
and proportions would not do discredit
to any of our large cities, The railroad-
facilities are excellent. The county is
exceedingly prosperous.

Racing County.1— Racine County is
bounded on the east by lake Michigan,
on the south by Kenosha County, on
the west by Walworth, and on the
north by Milwaukee County. The cli-
mate may be considered as good as in
any county in this country in the same
latitude, and, in some respects superior.
The waters of Lake Michigan exert a

1 We are indebted to Hon. W. 0, Alle
Racine for this sketch.—C, R. T. ”

 

WISCONSIN.

salubrious and healthy influence on the
atmosphere in dissipating all poisonous
vapors that might be in the air, indu-
cing fevers and other sickness. In the
summer season, there is always a sea-
breeze from the lake during the night,
and a land-breeze during the day, there-
by changing the atmosphere almost
continually. :

The topography of the county is that
of an undulating character, rising to
two hundred and sixty feet, or more,
above the waters of Lake Michigan.
The county has only one considerable
river, the Fox, which runs through the
whole breadth of the county, from
north to south, affording excellent
water-power in the flourishing villages
of Waterford, Rochester, and Burling-
ton. Root River, which empties into
the harbor at Racine, affords consider-
able water-power. The soil of Racine
County is generally of an argillaceous
loam, rich and deep. The county is
abundantly supplied with stock water.
The subsoil of the county is marl-clay,

enerally free from gravel or sand. All

inds of timber grow in abundance in
the county, common to the State, ex-
cept the coniferous class. The soil of
the county is well adapted to the rais-
ing of wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn,
potatoes, turnips, and carrots; but, in
our judgment, there is no county in the
State better adapted to the raising of
grass, and stock-breeding. From the
peculiar character of the soil, and the
moist atmosphere prevailing during the

‘spring, summer, and autumn months,

induced by the constant vapors from
Lake Michigan, an abundant, sweet,
and nutritious grass is produced. Ex-
perienced stock-growers have discovered
this fact, and availed themselves of its
advantage, and started herds of supe-
rior blood. Among the most prominent
of stock-breeders are George Murray,
Esq., Richard Richards, and Henry 8S.
Durand.

The stone and lime business is largely
on the increase at the city of Racine
A little outside of the city limits are
inexhaustible stone quarries, out of
which is burned the very best quality of
lime. The limestone belongs to the
Niagara group, and is of excellent
quality for cellar- walls, and for the
basements of all kinds of buildings, The
stone and lime find a ready market; and
the demand is largely on the increase.

Racine, The city of Racine is situated
on Lake Michigan; has a large and com-
modious harbor, and one of the finest
elevators in the State. The city stands
about forty feet above the lake, and
contains a population of twelve thou-
sand, and is justly called the “Belle
oie ;” has fine railroad, steamboat, and
sail-vessel connections with all parts of
the country-; stands out in the lake
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

about four miles, on a promontory;
winds from the north east and west blow
over it, making the city one of the most
delightful places to live in in the West;
and no finer summer resort can be found.
The soil about and near the city is well
adapted, as well as the climate, to the
growing of apples, pears, plums, cher-
ries, grapes, and all small fruits,

It has fine public schoolhouses, erect-
ed at a cost of over seventy-five thou-
sand dollars; a college with over two
hundred pupils and eight professors,
and buildings and grounds valued at
two hundred and eighty-seven thousand

dollars; twenty-two churches, some of | Vall

which cost large sums of money; and
an orphan-asylum, built by the munifi-
cence of Isaac Taylor, deceased, at
an expense of seventy-five thousand
dollars. The city prides herself on
her large and valuable manufactures,
among the most prominent of which we
mention that of J.I. Case & Co. Popu-
lation in 1875, 13,274.

RicHLanp County. —In this county
the first settlements were made more
than twenty years ago, when hunting
was the occupation, not simply the pas-
time; the forests of that day abound-
ing in bear, deer, and smaller game.
Permanent improvements for agricul-
tural and domestic purposes were begun
a few years later. ine-sixth to one-
fifth of the territory is now under cul-
tivation; one-half to two-thirds of the
remainder may be easily tilled; while
very little would be lost to the economi-
cal and intelligent farmer.

The soil near the Wisconsin River,
which marks the southern boundary,
and from which the county is commonly
approached, may seem light: but it is
not unproductive, as that which has
been cultivated has repeatedly demon-
strated. The soil of the northern two-
thirds of the county is, in the main, a
heavy black loam, adapted to almost
every thing known to agricultural econo-
my. The northern half is heavily tim-
bered; and there is no dearth of fencing
and firewood anywhere. Oaks, elms,
walnuts, basswood, &c., are the pre-
vailing timbers.

No section of the State is better adapt-
ed to stock-raising, the hills and val-
leys and crystal brooks affording con-
venient range, protection, and water.

Richland Centre,the county-seat; Lone
Rock, the railroad outlet on the Mil-
waukee and Prairie du Chien ¢livision
of the Milwaukee and St, Paul Railroad;
Cazenovia, a few miles from the Chica-
go and North-western Road; Viola, on
the Kickapoo River, and Excelsior, on
Knapp’s Creek, —are the most thriving
and important villages. They possess
excellent water-powers, only partially
improved. .

‘he population of the county is com-

 

687

peritvely enterprising and intelligent.
ublic schools are liberally encouraged,
though other enterprises suffer some-
what from mistaken notions of econo-
my. Agriculture and manufacturing
engage the general attention. The im-
provement of Pine River, of which it is
susceptible, will render it an invaluable
carrier of the traffic of the county, and
a desirable feeder to the Wisconsin, the
improvement of whichis being prose-
cuted with vigor. And a railroad to
complete the most direct route from
Chicago to the North-west must inevi-
tably seek its way up the Pine River
ey.

Rock County.!— This is one of the
oldest counties in the State, the first
settlement being made in 1835; and in
1839 the county was organized, the seat
of justice being established at Janes-
ville. It now contains a population of
about forty thousand. It comprises one
of the best agricultural districts in the
North-west. Its soil, climate, and com-

mercial situation are equal to any other

in the West, and there is scarcely an
acre of land within its limits which can-
not be used for agricultural purposes.
In the brief, space of thirty-five years,
the entire county has been opened up to
cultivation; and over its entire surface
may be found homes of comfort and
beauty. The farms in this county
range in value from ten to one hundred
dollars per acre, and are ond for, not
so much by, emigrants seeking cheaj

lands, as by those desiring beautifu
homes, where they may at once enjoy
all the comforts and conveniences to be
found in the older and more wealthy
portions of the country.

Rock County is better adapted to
growing grain than the growing of
grass; and every year marks a decided
progress in the mode of tillage and the
consequent increased quantity of pro-
ductions. The wicked and ruinous
practice of many farmers, of burning
the straw and manures, instead of re-
turning them to the soil in compensa-
tion for its rich harvests, has been aban-
doned. Wheat is the great staple of
production; it being estimated, that, in a
single crop, the production of the county
was not, less than three millions of bush-
els, Corn, barley, oats, and all the
coarser grains, grow in rich abundance,
amply rewarding the husbandman for
his toil. Notwithstanding Rock County
is better adapted to grain-growing than
stock-raising, the farmers are giving
considerable attention to the breeding
of stock; and, acting upon the correct
idea, that it costs but little to raise a
blooded animal, are constantly introdu-

1 We are indebted to Hon. Alexander
Graham of Janesville, and H. F. Hobart of
Beloit, for this sketch. —C. R. T.
688

cing the best varieties; and at the coun-
ty fairs may be seen as noble horses,
cattle, sheep, and swine, as almost
any other section of the country can
exhibit.

The surface of Rock County is undu-
lating, and is drained by the Rock and
Sugar Rivers, with their tributaries,
nearly all of which are of sufficient size
to furnish water-power for manufactur-
ing-purposes, and are more or less im-
proved. Rock, one of the most beautiful
rivers, as well as one of the very best
mill-streams in the West, is already used
largely for manufacturing-purposes, and
every year is attracting more and more
the attention of men of enterprise and
capital: when fully improved, its power
for the propulsion of machinery will be
almost exhaustless. The facilities for
manufacturing in Rock County by wa-
ter-power are but partially improved;
and yet she ranks among the first in the
West; her annual manufactured product
being worth not less than three millions
of dollars, consisting principally of flour,
agricultural implements, paper, woollen
fabrics, cabinet-ware, lager beer, &c.

During the last decade, the general
business of the county has greatly in-
creased, and everywhere may be seen
tokens of prosperity and growth, based
upon the production of diversified
labor in agriculture and manufactures.
During the same period, the public
baliaings erected in the infancy of the
county have given way to permanent
and beautiful structures; and the county
now boasts of a splendid court-house,
costing over one hundred thousand dol-
lars, and churches of all denominations,
equal in size, style, and convenience to
those of almost any county in the East-
ern or Middle States; and the citizens of
Janesville and Beloit each support a new
and creditable opera-house.

Rock County is pierced east and west,
north and south, by the Milwaukee and
St. Paul, and the North-western Rail-
ways.

The educational interests of the county
have not been neglected. Under the
system of free graded schools, upon the
New England plan, valuable results
have been attained; and itis gratifying
to observe a steadily increasing interest
in the schools, and a proper appreciation
of them by the people generally. The
cities of Janesville and Beloit have each
expended large sums in the erection of
school-buildings; and the sum invested
for school-purposes cannot be less than
two hundred thousand dollars. Super-
add to this Beloit College, under the
patronage of the Congregationalists, one
of the best ee and most flourish-
ing institutions of learning in the West;
Milton College, under the management
of Seven-Day Baptists; and the Evans-
ville Seminary, under the control of the

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Freewill Baptists, — and you place with-
in the reach of every child in the county
the means of a liberal education.

The Young Men’s Literary Association
of the city of Janesville have collected
within the last four years a very cred-
itable library of about four thousand
volumes of well-selected works, which
form a nucleus for ultimately placing
within the reach of the reading public a
valuable means of culture. ;

Rock County contains two of the finest
cities in the State of Wisconsin, — Janes-
ville and Beloit; the former containing
a population of about fifteen thousand;
the latter, eight thousand; besides nu-
inerous Villages.

Beloit is one of the most stirring
manufacturing cities in the State. The
celebrated “‘ building paper” which has
come into such universal use of late
years, was invented, and is manufac-
tured, to a very large extent, here.

In matters pertaining to horticulture,
the inhabitants of this county are not
behind those of other counties of this
State. Considerable progress has been
made in the past few years in these pur-
suits; and_an improved taste is being
manifested by the people generally in
beautifying and adorning their home-
steads, by the liberal planting of fruit
and ornamental trees, vines, and shrubs,

‘ime and experience have demonstrated,
that, with care and attention, certain
varieties of apples, as well as pears and
pee can be successfully and profita-

ly grown. The time has arrived when
many of the “‘country-seats”’ take pride
and pleasure in fine grounds and taste-
ful gardens; and in the cities, nearly
every house has its garden-spot, taste-
fully arranged with choice flowers, vines,
and evergreens, and kept in the neatest
order. In addition to the flower-garden,
many have conservatories stocked with
choice winter- flowering plants: while
others, with less conveniences, keep
them in the parlor; and the effect is a
wide diffusion of a taste for flowers, and
a corresponding taste and order through-
out the whole household, making home
more pleasant and attractive.

Janesville. —The county-seat of Rock
County, is pleasantly situated on both
sides of Rock River, and was se-
lected as county-seat in 1837. It is four-
teen miles north of the State-line, and
on the Chicago and North-western, and
Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroads. It
is a floutishing place of business, and
has an excellent water-power. The first
manufactory for cotton cloth in the State
was made by the Janesville Cotton
Manufacturing Company in May, 1875.
The Wisconsin Institute for the Educa-
tion of the Blind is located here. The fine
building which has been used by the in-
stitution was unfortunately destroyed by
fireafew years since; and anew building
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

is in process of erection. The various
religious denominations have church
edifices. The public schools have fine
buildings; and the city is in the centre
of a fine agricultural country, comprising
some of the best-cultivated farms in
Wisconsin.

copa 1875, 10,115.

Beloit is beautifully situated on both
sides of Rock River, about twelve
miles south of Janesville, on the State-
line; and is a thriving place of business,
having excellent manufacturing facili-
ties. Its first settlement was made in
1835. It is the seat of Beloit College,
an educational institution of high rank,
of which Rev. A. L. Chapin, LL.D., is

resident. The water-power at Beloit

as been much improved. Among the
manuufactories are the Beloit Reaper
and Sickle Works; the Merrill & Hous-
ton Iron Works having one hundred
men in their employ, and manufacturing
water-wheels and other machinery; the
Rock River Paper Company, manufac-
turing wrapping and building paper, —
the latter a specialty, employing seven-
ty-five hands, and using about three
thousand tons of rye-straw yearly, pro-
ducing three thousand tons of paper.
Their building-paper is marketed to
Mexico, the Canadas, and most all the
Northern States. The Eclipse Windmill
Company has a factory, —a four-story
brick building, forty by ninety-six feet,
—and can make fifteen hundred mills
annually. D. W. Dake’s Creamery, by a
patented process, prepares butter for the
market, of superior quality, and is doing
alarge business. O. B, Olmstead & Com-

any, manufacturers of windmills, tur-

ine water-wheels. Beloit Plough and
Wagon Works, of J. Thompson & Com-
pany, manufacture the. Norwegian
fongh, which is extensively used in the
orth-west. Beloit has some eight
cburches, a large number of mercantile
establishments, as well as many me-
chanical shops and trades. Its prospects
as a place of business are superior; and
it has many advantages as a place of
residence, and is beautifully situated.
Beloit is on the Chicago and North-west-
ern Railroad; it has a communication
with Chicago, Milwaukee, and Green
Bay, and the intermediate points.

Beloit College is situated in a large
and pleasant grove, on an elevated and
undulating plat of ground in the north-
eastern part of the city. It has a large
and competent faculty; and the insti-
tution has a high reputation, and is well
sustained, and liberally supported.

Population, 1875, 4,605.

Sr. Crorx County. —St. Croix County
contains 466,007 acres of land, about
one-fourth under cultivation. The gen-
eral topography of the county is rolling,
though, in many places, swampy an
hilly. The soil is of a clay-loam, very

 

689

sve, producing all kinds of cere-
als :

Water - facilities are excellent. The
Willow River is a splendid stream of
water, capable of running heavy ma-
chinery at numerous points; and other
streams traverse the county, on which
are many good mill-sites, Oak, ash, elm.
birch, and basswood are the principal
varieties of timber. Several brickyards
are in successful operation. Limestone
and stone-quarries, of food. quality, are
found in many parts of the county. The
West Wisconsin Railway, now com-
pleted to St. Paul, runs across the coun-
ty nearly in an east and west line, near
the centre of the county.

In breeding of cattle, some of the farm-
ers are fast improving their herds b
crossing the natives, or what they cal
scrubs, with the Durhams and Devons.
In horses, they are doing something with
the Black Hawk Morgans, and Brig-
nolias. Sheep-husbandry has not proved
remunerative, probably because they
started with the small Merinos. The
Southdowns, Leicestershires, and Cots-
wolds do finely. Pork-production is
steadily on the increase. A cross of the
White Chester and Suffolk makes ex-
cellent hogs.

Manufactures are confined principally
to lumber, flour, farming-implements,
tin and sheet-iron ware, wagons, &c.

The West Wisconsin Railway runs
across the county nearly in an east and
west line, near the centre of the county,
which gives direct connection with
Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago, and the
East, saving a distance of nearly ninety
miles over the Minnesota railways,
making an excellent outlet for the
products.

SavK County. — This county has the
Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien Rail-
road running through the southern por-
tion; the Milwaukee and La Crosse, or
St. Paul Railroad, running through the
northern portion; and the Chicago and
North-western Railroad, which is the
main trunk, or most direct route from
Chicago to the Northern Pacific Rail-
road, running through its central por-
tion. Hence, notwithstanding its inte-
rior positions as regards the Great Lakes
and the great Mississippi River, its com-
merce has wholesome checks for extrav-
agant rates of transportation by the
nearness of the three railroad lines to
each other; the middle representing
Chicago interests, while the outside ones
represent Milwaukee interests.

There is another wholesome check
that might otherwise be demanded for
high rates of transportation, which is
the natural competition that exists be-
tween water and rail transportation.
which a large portion of the people of

d|Sauk County enjoy. Steamboat-naviga-

tion can, with a trifling expense, be
690 HISTORY OF

brought into the centre of the county
via the Barraboo River, which is a slug-
gish and deep stream as far up as the
rapids at the village of Barraboo, where
the stream falls forty-six feet within
two miles and ahalf, Itisnowimproved
with fourdams; it can be again dammed,
making over fifty feet within three miles
and a half. This is one of the best
water-powers in the State. There is not
one-fourth of this Barraboo water-power
yet used. At the present time, about
tive hundred thousand dollars’ value of

‘oods and grains are manufactured here.

ere yet is opened a field for the em-

loyment of capital. There can be read-
lly thirty water - powers enumerated
within Sauk County.

The western limit of glacial drift makes
its line through the north-eastern part of
Sauk County, taking astrip of the county
ten or twelve miles wide in its widest
place. The land upon this strip is
chopped up into drift-hills; in places is
sandy and poor; in other places, alluvial
and rich, with marshes, ponds, and lake-
lets, The glacial forces. are here more
strongly marked than the country fur-
ther east,

In the driftless portion of the county,
where the valleys and ravines are truly
and systematiclly washed out, the land
is alla stony ey Mer and inost of it
rich, and well watered. Sank County is
all well watered. In the western and
northern portions, the small streams are
filled with speckled trout: at one place
they are cultivated as a farm product.
Farmers are latterly turning their atten-
tion to dairying.

There is one iron mine and one blast-
furnace in the county that has run six-
teen years, and has, probably, made two
hundred thousand tons of iron. At this
time, there are several other points in
the county that are being ‘“pros-
pected;”’ and it is believed that there
may be quite an extensive region of
banks of iron ore opened.

Speaking in a general way, we can
say that Sauk County has an excellent
soll, is well watered, and abundantly
timbered, with abundance of water-
power, and large mineral resources and
navigable streams.
the pee a people need ask for;
and they are being rapidly taken advan-
tage of.

SHawano County. —Shawano County
is situated in the north-eastern portion
of the State. The general topography
of the county is rolling. Quality of soil
along the banks of streams is a sandy
loam; while on the uplands it is a black
loam, with a clay subsvil. County con-
tains six hundred and fifty thousand
acres of land, with forty thousand un-
der cultivation; of the balance, five hun-
dred and seventy-five thousand acres
are capable of cultivation. The county

Certainly, it has all |

WISCONSIN.

is fertile, yielding good crops of all
kinds. Good mill-privileges are found
on nearly all streams. Good clay, for
brick and other purposes, is abundant;
and brick are manutactured at reasona-
ble prices. The prevailing timber of the
forests is oak, ash, pine, maple, beech
hickory, basswood, and hemlock. Of
the streams that traverse the county,
the Wolf is the largest, being navigable.
up as far as Shawano Village. The riv-
ers and lakes are filled with fish of all
kinds. This county has good water-
power, and is well adapted to the raising
of winter wheat. The winters are uni-
form; and the snow covers the ground,
and protects the grain; the result being
a yield of from twenty-five to thirty-five
bushels fe acre of very plump, bright
wheat, that produces the very best brand
of flour. Oats, barley, and rye grow
well, and produce heavy crops.

SHEBOYGAN County. — Twenty - five
years ago, this county was a vast wil-
derness, with its forests of pine and
hard wood, broken only by the lumber-
man, who was employed in manufactur-
ing lumber, and exporting it to a distant
market; and the pioneer farmer was
occupied in cutting down the timber, and
burning it on the gruund, to make room
fora farm. To-day more than half its
surface is a cleared field; and its remain-
ing timber is valuable, and all needed
within its own limits.

At that time, and for years after, the
pioneer suffered all the inconveniences
of settling in the woods. Now he enjoys
the benefits of living in a timbered re-
gion. Then, with his own hand, he
scattered the seed among the roots in
the spring, and could be seen swinging
his cradle among the stumps in harvest.
Now the seeder sows his seed upon the
smooth field; and the most approved
reaper cuts, and gathers into bundles,
the ripened grain,

Fruit, though not as easily raised as in
some counties, is found to repay judi-
cious culture; and from twenty-five thou-
sand to seventy-five thousand busheis of
apples is the yearly product. It is agreed,
among the pioneers, that the climate is
somewhat modified, as far as agriculture
is concerned, since the first settlement
of the county, as but little difficulty is
now experienced in maturing corn and
vegetables, and some varieties of grapes.
This is, in part, due to enlarging the
clearings, by which the air circulates

|more freely; in part, to ploughing and

cultivating the soil, by which the heat
of the sun by day is retained in tha
earth to temper the cold air of night
The manufacture of cheese is advan-
cing. A large portion of the first settlers
are of foreign birth, who, having passed
nearly half their lives in Europe, were
able to land upon these shores with little

 

niore than the value of an eighty-acre lot
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

at government prices, and yet have suc-
ceeded in Placing themselves in circum-
stances of independence, and often of
wealth, being possessed of valuable
farms, with commodious buildings, and
all the improved and approved machin-
ery so highly prized by the American
farmer. Their success may be owing, in
part, to habits of industry and economy,
transported from the Old Country, and
the stimulus afforded by free institutions,
yet much to the capacity of the soil for
returning a reward for labor, together
with a near and ready market for the
products. Labor- saving machines of

all kinds become more uumerous every |.

year. The present season, there has
been sold to the farmers of the county
nearly three hundred reapers and mow-
ers alone, and innumerable implements
of less value.
The manufactures of the county about
ie the products of the farm, and have
vanced considerably since the late
census, particularly brick, of which
about five million are annually inade,
chiefly at the city of Sheboygan, finding
a market at home and at various points
on Lake Michigan; leather, of which
large quantities of unfinished are year-
ly sent to the Boston market; chairs,
which find a market in the cities of the
West; and steel, which is a new enter-
prise, carried on at Sheboygan; while
other articles—such as flour, lumber,
wagons, steam-engines, farm - imple-
ments, cloth, pottery, &c.—are manu-
factured with enterprise and success,
The facilities for commerce have great-
ly increased; and the business of the
port of Sheboygan has nearly doubled
in the last three years. Six years ago,
no railroad extended beyond the limits
of the county. Now the Sheboygan and
Fond du Lac Railroad extends to Fox
River, and the Milwankee and Northern
to Menasha, crossing each other at Plym-
outh, near the centre of the county. The
Lake-shore Road extends from Mil-
waukee to Manitowoc, and will soon
reach out to Green Bay. These, to-
gether with a good harbor and lake-
commerce, ought to serve all the re-
quirements of business and travel need-
ed for the full development of the in-
dustrial interests of this county.
Sheboygan, the capital of Sheboygan
County, is situated on Lake Michigan,
at the mouth of ariver of its own name,
sixty-two miles north of Milwaukee,
and a hundred and ten miles north-east
of Madison. It was settled in 1836,
abandoned in 1840; and in 1845 it had a
hundred and fifty inhabitants. There is
no city on the lakes more pleasantly lo-
cated. The land, at this point, juts out
into Lake Michigan; so that, during the
summer months, it is swept by delightful
lake-breezes, adding greatly to the pu-
rity of the air and the salubrity of the

 

691

climate. The river here descrihes an
immense curve, there being nearly two
miles of navigahle stream within the
city limits. On both sides of the river
is a bold plateau, with a gentle undulat-
ing surface, extending on the north and
east to the lake, and westward back into
the country for several miles. This
table-land is beautifully dotted with
little groves of second-growth pine, to
which circumstance is attributed the
designation of the ‘Evergreen. City.”
No finer sites for residences can be
found in the West than at and around
this city.

The business establishments on the
river, pepe ine grist-mills, saw-mills,
factories, machine-shop, planing-mill,
tanneries, elevators, and ship-yards,
with their numerous operatives, and the
constant hum of machinery, give ample
evidence of the thrift, business energy,
and enterprise of the inhabitants; while
north and east of the river is the central
mart of trade, with its wide, clean, bean-
tiful streets, its imposing brick struc-
tures, its banks, stores, hotels, and
churches. :

Sheboygan has a goodly number of
church organizations; and nearly all of
them have neat. and tasty places of wor-
ship. There is the Methodist, Congre-
gational, Lutheran, German-Methodist,
Catholic, German-Reform, Evangelical,
Episcopal, and Unitarian. They all
have large congregations, and usually a
full attendance.

Sheboygan County has one of the fin-
est conrt-houses in the State, which was
built in 1868, and cost sixty-five thou-
sand dollars. Its foundation covers an
area of a hundred and tive by a hundred
and ten feet, facing on Centre Street.
It is built of a cream-colored brick: the
whole is surmounted, by a dome, whose
apex is a hundred and twenty feet above
the earth, and a hundred and fifty above
the surface of the lake.

The first man that is known to have
visited the present site of Sheboygan
was William Farnsworth. He was an
Indian fur-trader, having a post at
Green Bay. At one time, when he was.
coasting along the western shore of the
lake in a canoe, between Green Bay and
Chicago, he landed at this point. This
was in the year 1818. He subsequently
settled near the present city. During
the same year, a Frenchman, by the
name of Andrew Vieux, built a hut on
the east side of the river, in which he
lived, and had born to him the first white
child that saw the light of day in the
territory which is now the City of She-
boygan. From that day, it bas con-
tinued to grow and increase in popula-
tion and wealth. ’

The Sheboygan Manufacturing Com-
pany established its works in 1869, and
is now, with one exception, the largest
692 HISTORY OF

chair-manufactory in the United States.
The chartered capital of this establish-
ment is two hundred thousand dollars,

iving employment to two hundred and

fty workmen.- The president, 8. M.
Barrett, is a man well versed in the
business, and of large experience. The
building is three stories high, covering a
large area of ground, built of Milwau-
kee brick, and heated with steam. This
company ships their goods to nearly all
parts of the United States: the largest
portion, however, is kept in the North-
west. There are a hundred and fifty
different kinds of chairs manufactured,
from the plainest up to the finest.

Sheboygan has two good local papers,
“The Herald ”’ and ‘‘ The Times.” They
also have a good German paper, ‘‘ The
Demokrat,’’ well printed and edited.

’ The educational facilities of Sheboy-
an are of a high order, and speak well
for the intelligence of its citizens. It has
an excellent system of graded schools,
a large and magnificently furnished
brick schoolhouse, and a State Normal
School. The best of teachers are em-
_ployed; and the citizens of Sheboygan
speak of their schools with commenda-
ble affection and pride.
- Population, 1875, 3,459.

Taytor County. — This county was
recently organized by the legislature: it
is composed of parts of Clark, Chippewa,
Marathon, and Lincoln Counties, con-
sisting of twenty-seven townships. The
land is eee undulating, and cov-
ered with valuable timber, principally
beech, maple, oak, pine, hemlock, and
basswood. In some parts of the county
there are fine cranberry-marshes, from
which are realized yearly handsome
profits.

A large part of the county is govern-
ment land; and excellent opportunities
are afforded for those who wish to make
a settlement. The soil consists princi-

ally of clay interspersed with yellow
loam. All kinds of products adapted to
the State can be grown here, and most
of them with protit. Corn, in an ordi-
nary season, does well; and potatoes
grow to an unusual size, —some twelve
inches in circumference.
- The principal places in the county are
Medford, Chelsea, and Westborough,
situated on the line of the Wisconsin
Central Railroad. The most important
village is Medford, the connty-seat. The
site is a beautiful one. The village is of
meteoric growth. The first building
erected was about a year ago: there are
at present not less than sixty. The
most important buildings are the large
saw-mill and planing-mill of Robert and
Whelan, which are of great value to the

lace. The saw-inill is the largest in

orthern Wisconsin. There are, also,
many large mills in other parts of the
county.

 

WISCONSIN.

TREMPEALEAU County. —There are
not more than seventy-five thousand
acres of improved land in this county.

The soil is quite varied in its character:
in some places, along the river-bottom
lands, there are patches where sand pre-
dominates; but much the greater portion
of these lands is susceptible of cultiva-
tion, and yields good crops. With this
exception, the soil is a rich vegetable-
loam, underlaid with a clay subsoil.
All the vegetables and cereals common
to our State are easily raised here.
Wheat, both winter and spring, is largely
grown, and cloes well.

The surface of the county is some-
what broken. Along the courses of the
rivers is generally a strip of level bot-
tom-land, varying in width, which usu-
ally terminates in sharp ridges, or bluffs,
with an undulating or rolling surface at
the summit. These bluffs are composed
of Potsdam sandstone at the hase,
capped with magnesian limestone and
vegetable-loam. ‘The sandstone is usu-
ally from two hundred to four hundred
and fifty feet thick; while the limestone
is from twenty to fifty feet.

The county is well watered. The Mis-
sissippi forms a part of its southern
boundary; and the Black, Buffalo, and
Trempealeau Rivers, with their tributa-
ries, pass through different sections of
the county. Besides these, we have the
Beaver and Tamarack Creeks, with
trout-brooks and innumerable springs
of soft water.

Most of the streams are lined with
belts of hard-wood timber, consisting
mainly of oak, ne, ash, and bass-
wood. On some of the small creeks
there are belts of tamarack. The bal-
ance of the timber is principally white
and burr oak. In the northern portion
of the county, the timber is not abun-
dant: in the southern and western part,
there is a good supply. The climate is
dry and healthy.

VERNON County.!1— Vernon County
is ‘situated in the western part of the
State, between the forty-third and forty-
fourth degrees of latitude; its western
border, of twenty-two miles, being wa-
tered by the Mississippi River. The soil
is. good, and covered with a heavy
growth of hard-wood timber, such as is
usually found in timbered countries.
The product of small grain is equal, per
acre, to any part of the State; and in
vegetables it excels the prairie. The
surface of the county is rolling, and in
some places hilly, but all valuable for
timber on such portions as cannot be
cultivated. It is well watered by
springs and brooks, and well adapted
for grazing-purposes, for which it will

1 We are indebted to G. W. Nu
John R. Carson of Varoqua for this oe
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

soon become noted. Like all timbered
land, itis natural for grass; and, having
abundance of water, it will soon become
the dairying portion of the State. With
an abundance of water-power furnished
by the Barraboo and Kickapoo Rivers,
and a superior quality of timber that
could be used for the manufacture of
furniture and agricultural implements,
this part of Vernon County offers in-
ducements equal to any part of the
State. :

The county contains five hundred and
thirty-four thousand and forty acres of
land, one-third under cultivation. Of
the balance, about one-half is capable
of being worked.

The raising of stock has become a
prominent feature with the husband-
man, producing the best quality of grass-
fed stock that finds its way to the Mil-
waukee or Chicago markets. The first
attempt to raise fruit was attended with
little success. Many were disheartened,
and gave up: others persevered, and have
inet with success. We have afew “iron
clad”’ varieties of pears that do well.
The first is the Haas; next, Tetofsky and
Duchess of Oldenburg. Some others
have proved valuable.. Of grapes, the
Concord and Delaware huve done
nobly.

The principal kinds of timber are ma-
ple, oak, basswood, and elm. Plenty of
game and fish is found in the forests
and streams.

Among the principal settlements is
Varoqua, a thriving village, and the
county-seat. It has three churches, and
one union school with three departments,
which is well supported, both as regards
attendance and the interest manifested
by the inhabitants De Soto, Victory,
and Geneva, on the Mississippi River,
are the principal markets for the western
portion of the county, and are also well
supplied with schvols and churches,

There are about a hundred and twenty
schoolhouses in the county, mostly of
wood, but some built of stone or brick,
which are very fine structures. The one
at Varoqua cost fourteen thousand dol-
lars. The average wages paid to male
teachers is thirty-five dollars, and female
teachers twenty-five dollars, per month.

The population is about one-third
Norwegians, one-half Americans, and
the balance German. The county is in-
ereasing fast in wealth and population.
It is estimated that two million bushels
of wheat were raised in the county in
1873.

Watworta County. — The soil of this
county consists of a clay and black loam,
unost of it of an excellent quality, The
prairie-soil of this county is equal in
fertility to any in the North-west. The
county contains 144,640 acres of land, all
owned by actual settlers, and about
three-fourths of it under cultivation.

 

693

Of the varieties of crops raised in the
county, there has been but little change
in the past ten years Wheat, corn, and
oats continue to be the leading crops.
Brooin-corn is raised to a far greater ex-
tent than formerly. Not less than five
hundred tons of brush were raised in
1870. Hops have been raised to a con-
siderable extent during the past three
years. No new varieties of grain have
come into popular favor in the past ten
years, though a considerable effort has
been made by interested parties to intro-
duce the Norway or Ramsdale oat, at
fabulous prices; but the only profit se-
cured, so far, has been bagged by the
parties selling the seed.

in the manufacturing industries, there
las been a marked improvement within
the past decade. Ten years ago the
manufactures of the county were limited
to a few agricultural implements, and
flour, with a small amount of lumber
sawn from the trees of our native for-
ests. In 1870 the manufactories turned
out articles of considerable over a mil-
lion dollars in value, exclusive of flour
and feed. The past decade has wit-
nessed avery greatimprovementin farin-
buildings and farm-improvements gen-
erally. The old log-houses have nearly
all disappeared, and with them have
gone the unsightly straw-covered stables
and granavies,

A marked improvement is noticeable
in fruit-raising. The orchards have not
only greatly increased in number and
extent, but have improved in thrift and
general appearance. The small fruits
are also raised in vastly greater quanti-
ties. All hardy varieties of berries
prove productive and profitable. Grapes
are also raised toa considerable extent.
In public buildings there has been a de-
cided improvement during the past dec-
ade, especially in school-buildings.

og-raising and pork-making have in-
creased in a marked degree, and, for the
past ten years, have given the farmers
the fairest sum of net profit of any
branch of industries. In this branch of
industry, there is the most radical and
noticeable change. Up to 1860, a very
large per cent of pork raised in the
county was slaughtered on the farm;
now but avery small per cent, it being
mostly sold on foot, and taken to the
cities for slaughter.

Geneva Lake, ten miles long and three
wide, Delavan Lake, Lauderdale Lake,
Silver Lake, and others in the county,
are beautiful bodies of water, and, to-
gether with tlhe numerous creeks and
streams, afford an abundance of deli-
cious fish. Whitewater is the largest
village in the county, and has many
large manufacturing establishments,
among which may be meutioned Ester-
ly’s reaper and seeder shops, and Win-
chester’s wagon-shops, both of which do
694

a very large business, and add very
much to the prosperity of the viltage.

At Delavan is located the Deaf and
Dumb Asylum of the State. Elkhorn
is the county-seat of the county; and
both of these are beantiful and thriving
villages.

The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad
runs through the northern part of the
county, the Western Union through the
central; and the Chicago and Lake Su-
perior Air line, and other lines, are in
prospect.

The schools throughout the county
are in excellent condition, the climate
salubrious and healthy, and the people
generally intelligent and thrifty.

Whitewater is a tourishing village,
situated on the Milwaukee and St. Paul
Railroad, in the north-western part of
Walworth County, and about half-way
between Madison and Milwaukee. It
is surrounded by a rich agricultural dis-
trict, and has an excellent business for
its superior facilities for shipping grain
and produce. Mannfacturing by water- |
‘power, one of the most important essen-
tials to its prosperity, is carried on ex-
tensively; there being a large paper-mill
in successful vperation, and several
flouring mills. Two of the innportant
institutions here are Iisterly’s Reaper
Factory, and the establishment of Win-
chester, Partridge, & Company, manu-
facturers of lumber-wagons, ploughs,
road-scrapers, thimble-skeins, &c ; and
the superior quality of their workman-
ship is such, that a ready sale is pro- |
moted throughout the State. The State
Normal School is one of the finest speci-
mens of architecture in Suuthern Wis-
consin; is located in the suburbs, upon a
sightly elevation; and the efficient corps
of teachers, and the extraordinary suc-
cess attending its management, speak
for it a high degree of popwarity and
usefulness.

Population, 1875, 4,393.

WaAsHINGTON County.! — Washington
County contains twelve townships, and
is twenty-four miles long from north to
south, and eighteen miles wide The
general topography of the county is roll-
jog. The soil is clay, mixed with a sand-
loam. There are 276,480 acres of land
in the county: about tive-eighths of this
amount is under cultivation. All lands
of the county are in possession of actual
settlers, and worth, on an average,
twenty-eight dollars per acre. The fa-
cilities for water-powers are average.
The Milwaukee River, and the Cedar
and Rubicon Creeks, with their tributa-
ries, furnish abundant water for gene-
ral purposes.

There are several water-powers at
West Bend, Barton, and Cedar Creek,

1 We are indebted to F. A. Noll and Joseph
Ott of West Bend for this sketch, —C. RB. T.

HISTORY OF

 

WISCONSIN.

yet undeveloped, which will afford ex-
cellent sites for factories and mills.

Iron ore has been discovered in Hart-
ford, but undeveloped. It is of the
same quality as that at Iron Ridge,
which will eventualy be of great bene-
fit to the industrial interests of the
county and State. The prevailing timn-
ber is oak, maple, basswood, beech, elm,
&c. Brickyards are carried on; but the
brick are not of the first quality. In
the south-east part of the county, there
is a quarry of fine building-stone. Sev-
eral streams traverse the county. The
Milwaukee and La Crosse Railroad
passes through the county. Future
railroad facilities are only prospective.
The county is strictly agricultural.
More than nine-tenths of the inhabit-
ants follow agricultural pursuits.

The climate and water are excellent;
and, taken all in all, it is a good county
to live in,

West Bend, the county-seat, has five
churches and five schools; Barton, two
churches and two schools; Kewaskum,
two churches and several schools; Hart-
ford, four or five churches and several
schools; and Schleisingerville, two
churches and several schools, The
schools throughout the county are well
supported. Teachers receive from
twenty-five to sixty dollars per month,
The great majority of the inhabitants
are Germans; but, in the south-west cor-
ner of the county, Irish are well repre-
sented. .

WavukesHA County.!—The county is
situated directly west of Milwaukee;
and its average distance is less than
twenty-five miles from the city, its
nearest being eight miles. The surface
of the county is rolling. The soil is
various, but mostly loam and. clay.
County contains 368,640 acres of land,
more than one-half being under culti-
vation. Of the balance, three-fourths
are capable of improvement.

Neither Government nor State now
holds any land in the county. ‘There aré
several good water-powers in the county,
mostly improved. No mineral deposits
have been discovered; but quarries of
stone abound of the finest’ quality.
Lime enters largely as commerce of
several towns, especially Waukesha,
Pawaukee, and Menomonee. :

The county is well watered with
springs, creeks, aud rivers; none navi-
gable. A mineral spring has recently
been discovered at Wankesha, named
Bethesda. It is said to have cured sev-
eral chronic cases, and is becoming
somewhat celebrated for its curative
properties. Milwaukee and St. Paul,
and Milwaukee and Mississippi, Rail-
roads run through the county. The

1 We are indebted to John E. Seabol
Waukesha for this sketch. — C, R. T pees Ok
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

educational interests of the county are
generally sustained; and its common
schools are well conducted.

. The prevailing timber is white and
red oak, maple, basswood, ash, elm, and
some cherry and black-walnut.

There is some brick-clay discovered in
the county, but not yet much used,
Potter’s clay, in considerable quantities,
is found in the towns of Merton, Menom-
onee, and Lisbon, and in the latter place
used by potters.

The principal source of industry of

the county is farming; but, of late, stock-
raising has also been extensively entered
into. Sheep are found in: great abun-
dance; and wool commands a good price
in Waukesha village, which is quite a
prominent wool-market, and has a large
woollen-factory in constant operation.
This factory employs a large number of
hands of both sexes; and its manufac-
tures, especially its shawls, have be-
come quite celebrated. Large additions
have lately been made to buildings and
machinery, and facilities for business
increased.
- Waupacca County. —In the north-
west part of this county are many bluffs
and hills. The soil there is, in many
places, rather stony, hard of cultivation,
and not as fertile as in the valleys.

In the rest of the county, the surface
is generally level, or gently undulating,
capable of being easily cultivated, and
producing all kinds of crops: and fruits
adapted to a northern latitude.

. The eastern and north-eastern part is
heavily timbered, consisting of oak,
maple, birch,.ash, cherry, hickory, but-
ternut, elm, basswood, ironwood, poplar,
tamarack, pine, and, in a few places,
hemlock. the northern part is much
valuable pine, which finds a way down
the Wolf River to a steady market.
During the season when the logs are
* driven,” the river is often completely
blocked with logs, forming ‘‘jams,”’ in
many instances, for miles; thus com-
letely stopping the passing of steam-
oats for days, and sometimes for
weeks, :
. The principal crops raised are wheat.
Winter and spring wheat are both raised,
and do well; as. do corn, barley, oats,
rye, buckwheat, peas and beans, pota-
toes, &c. ; :

The raising of stock pays well; and
much -that is excellent is being intro-
duced. Many parts of the county ap-
pear to be peculiarly adapted to the
raising of sheep; and some good blood
is being imported... In 1870 the wool-
crop of our county was 33,301 pounds.
The long wool, or “mutton varieties,”
appear to be the most peo Sheep
are remarkably healthy here, and gener-
ally fat.

ir county has no lack of excellent
water-powers, In the north and north-

 

695

east part of the county are the Little
‘Wolf, Embarras, and Pigeon Rivers,
and in the south and west are the
Waupacca, Pearl, and Little Rivers, —
all excellent, and capable of much im-
provement,

The Waupacca Woollen-Mills are lo-
cated on the Waupacca River, at Wau-
pacea, the county -seat, and turn out
much excellent cloth.

Several brickyards have been started
at Waupacca, Weyauwego, Fremont,
and perhaps one or two other places,
where excellent brick are being manu-
factured.

A pottery has been running for some
time at Weyauwego, where excellent
light-colored crockery-ware is being

made.

A bed of the same kind of clay has
been found at Fremont, and only awaits
‘skill and enterprise to bring it out.”

The Wolf traverses the eastern part of
the county, and is navigable for steam-
boats during all stages of the water.
A large and profitable amount of boat-
me has been done for many years.

mall lakes abound in different parts
of the county, whose clear, pure waters
are well stocked with fish. The pike,
pickerel, black-and-white or silver bass,
perch, catfish, sturgeon, &c., abound in
our lakes and streams, and are caught
by our wily anglers in great profusion.

The railroad-facilities are good. The
Central Wisconsin enters the county
near the south-east corner, and passes
through in a north-westerly direction
towards Lake Superior. The Green Bay
and Lake Pepin Road passes through
the north part of the county, crossing
the Wolf River.at New London. Other
roads are in contemplation.

Some towns in the county are settled
mainly by emigrants from the Middle
and Eastern States. A few have a large

roportion from Germany, Denmark,

orway, and other cee of Europe.
Sober,: intelligent, industrious, and en-
terprising’ a3 the majority of them are,
it is no wonder that our county is so fast
improving in wealth and real prosperi-
ty, and already ranks among the lead-
ing counties of Northern Wisconsin.

Free schools are found in every neigh-
pborhood, where the children of the poor
enjoy all the advantages of a liberal edu-
cation with the sons and daughters of
the wealthy. The school-code is one of
the best in the world.

WausHara County. —Waushara
County comprises eighteen townships,
and is in the shape of a parallelogram,
being eighteen miles wide and ee
miles long. General topography of the
county zs levels some bluffs in the north-
ern and central towns; swampy at mouth
of Pine River and Willow Creek. The
three eastern towns are heavily tim-
bered, with the exception of some quite
696

large tracts of marsh. These marshes
are valuable for the cultivation of cran-
berries. The soil in the timber portions
of the county is of aclay-loam; on the
prairie, black loam; and, in the openings.
sandy. County contains 207,360 acres of
land; one-tenth being under cultivation.

The county is well watered by Pine
River and Willow Creek, both good mill-
streams, on which are several saw and
grist mills. In addition to these streams,
almost every farmer has what he calls
a@ fountain, or flowing well, the water
never freezing in the coldest weather in

’ winter, and always sufficient to supply
any amount of stock. The forests of
the county contain all varieties of tim-
ber, such as are found in North America.
They have large beds of clay, that make
cream-colored brick, and, with the facil-
ities for manufacturing, would be equal
to any manufactured in the State; also
potter’s-clay of excellent quality, which
makes superior stone-ware.

Of the principal rivers and_ streams
Fox River on the south, Wolf River an
Lake Poygan on the east, are navigable.
Pine River, Willow Creek, and Mecan
River are larger streams, and stocked
with fish. Small game is abundant.
Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, at
Berlin, is half a mile from the south line
of the county, and will be extended
through it. The Wisconsin Central

asses four miles north; and a road

om Princeton to Stevens Point will
be built from Berlin to Weyuawego,
through the three eastern towns, con-
necting the Milwaukee and St. Paul
with the Wisconsin Central Railway.

The principal industry of the town is
agricultural; wheat, rye, corn, oats, and

otatoes being raised to perfection. A
arge amount of hay is also raised, There
are seven custom flouring-mills, ten or
more saw-mills, and three carding-ma-
chines in the county. All these would
be well sustained.

WINNEBAGO County. — Concerning
this county, J. H. Harris of Oshkosh
writes as follows, ‘‘The topography of
the county is rolling, not hilly, with no
swamp-land to speak of. There is some
marsh-land on the borders of Lake Butte
des Morts and the Fox River, probably
not exceeding five hundred acres in the
whole county; and that is considered
worth about one-third as much as up-
land, for the excellent quality of hay it
produces,

“There are in this county 268,522 acres
of land, of which three-fourths are un-
der cultivation; the exception being in
wood - lots, pasture - grounds, and the
marsh above spoken of. The whole of
this land is capable of cultivation when
wanted, except the marsh. The land of
the county is mostly all owned by actual
settlers. The value of improved land is
from thirty-five to fifty dollars per acre.

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

“The Lower Fox River at Neenah and
Menasha, at the outlet of Lake Winne-
bago, affords the best of water-power,
and 1s capable of being improved to a
large extent.

“There are no minerals in the county,
except a small tract of pure silicon or
white glass sand, which is capable of
extensive operations in the manufacture
of glass, but not ae improved.

“The timber of the county is mostly
red, white, and black oak, with small
tracts of land in all parts of the county,
on which basswood, hickory, ash, an
elm prevail.

“The railroad-facilities of the county
are the Chicago and North-western, the
Milwaukee and St. Paul, the Oshkosh
and Mississippi; and through a small

art of the county, on the north, is the
TFiseonain Central, with a northern ex-
tension connecting at this place, in pros-

ct.

“The sources of industry are agricul-
ture, manufacturing, and lumbering.
The principal crops raised are wheat,
corn, oats, and potatoes.”’

Oshkosh is the principal city; and, be-
fore the destructive fire which swept
over the city in the summer of 1874, it
was one of the handsomest and most
prosperous cities in Wisconsin, Al-
though the fire destroyed much of its
beauty and wealth, it is still one of the
leading cities of the State. Menasha,
Neenah, Omro, and Winneconna are
thriving towns.

Oshkosh, the county-seat of Winnebago
County, is situated at the mouth of the
Upper Fox River, and on the western
shore of Lake Winnebago, a magnificent
sheet of water, thirty-five milesin length,
and ten to twelve miles in width. The
river, from the mouth up to Lake Butte
des Morts, has an average width of about
one-eighth of a mile, and is from twenty
to thirty feet in depth, forming a harbor
of spacious dimensions. The current of
the river is very slow, and subject to no
freshets; consequently the harbor for
logs, timber, steamers, barges, &c., is
ample, and safe beyond all contingen-
cies. The situation of the city is one of
much natural beauty; being on a slight-
ly elevated plateau, which gradually
rises from the shores of the river and
lake. Its main business-street is one of
the handsomest in the State, is paved
with the Nicholson pavement, and is
largely composed of fine brick struc-
tures. Many of its other streets are
very attractive with elegant private
residences, several of them of palatial
dimensions, and of much beauty of
finish and design.

In many localities, the native forest-
trees have been preserved. These beau-
tiful oaks add much to the handsome
appearance of Algoma Street, which is
well built up for a distance of two miles;
HISTORY OF

The high-school building just erected,
at a cost of sixty thousand dollars, is a
magnificent brick-structure, of elegant
architectural proportions. The court-
house is also a splendid massive brick
building, and is a credit to the city and
county. Among the many church-edi-
fices are several fine structures.

The lake-shore locality of this city is
one of the most delightful and desirable
sites for private residences. From the
mouth of the river; north, the shore is a
beautiful one, sloping gradually to the
water; and terminating in a gravelly
beach. The broad waters of Lake Win-
nebago stretching away in the dim dis-
tance; the handsome points and bays,
and the high lands of Calumet County
on the opposite shore, forming a scene
of natural beauty that is seldom

equalled. : ;
tis one of the most important towns
in the north-eastern part of the State,
and has had an unparalleled growth.
The city, however, has suffered severe-
ly by fire; and the business-portion of
the city has frequently been in ruins;
and the one of April 28, 1875, was very
disastrous. The enterprise of the people
is shown in the rapidity with which it
has been rebuilt, and a better class of
buildings erected. The city had, a few
years since, seventeen saw-mills, six
shingle-mills, three planing-mills, four
breweries, three printing-ofiices, eleven
churches, and a large number of stores
and mechanical shops. Not having any
Statistics of the city since the fire, we
cannot give an account of them. Few
cities have better advantages for growth
and prosperity than Oshkosh; and with
the resources of the water-power of the
Fox River, and its railroad-facilities with
Milwaukee and Chicago on the south,
and Green Bay on the north, it cannot
but be one of the most important of the
cities of Wisconsin The ‘lumbering-
business of the city is a prominent
one.

Population, 1875, 17,015. :

Menasha is pleasantly situated on the
north branch of the Fox River, and the
village of Neenah on the south branch;
the limits of the two villages joining on
the sectional line running through the
centre of Doty’s Island. The two vil-
lages really constitute a community of
one common interest in general matters.
The water-power at these points is great,
and is put to use in the large number of
manufactories that are located on the
streams, A few years since, there were
fifteen flouring-mills, with forty-five run
of stone. The manufacture of spokes,
woollen-goods, chairs, and paper, is
largely carried on. Both of these places
have fine blocks of cream-colored brick,
excellent hotels, schools, some fifteen
churches, and all varieties of trades and
occupations.

 

WISCONSIN. 697

The popilation of Menasha and Nee-
nah, in 1875, was 7,193.

Woop County. — Wood County is sit-
uated nearly in the geographical centre
of the State. About two-thirds of the
area of the county is relling; the re-
maining one-third is flat and swampy.

The soil of the central and northern
portion is a rich loain, containing « mix-
ture of clay, sand, and vegetable-mould.
The soil of the southern and eastern
sections is lighter, containing more sand.
In the south-western portion are exten-
sive marshes and meadows, peculiarly
adapted to the culture of cranberries
and stock-raising. The county contains
five hundred and thirty thousand acres
of land, of which only about thirty

|thousand acres are under cultivation.

Two-thirds of the balance are capable of
being improved.

About two-thirds of the surface of the
county is a vast, heavily-timbered for-
est of white-pine, white and red oak,
white and black ash, maple, hemlock,
and butternut.

Good clay for the manufacture of brick
is found in all localities of the county.

The water-powers on the Wisconsin
River, in the eastern portion of the coun-
ty, of Grand Rapids, Centralia, Port
Edwards, and Point Bausse, are deemed
equal to any in the country, not except-
ing the Falls of St. Anthony, or the
rapids of the Lower Fox. They consist
of aseries of rapids about twelve miles
in extent, falling, in the aggregate, nearly
a hundred feet, and furnishing a con-
tinuous chain of water-powers on both
sides of the river, of almost unlimited
capacity.

The river can be improved at a trifling
expense: in fact, it is already fitted by
the hand of Nature for extensive use; it
being divided by islands into several
channels, as it were natural canals, upon
which mills can be erected and operated
at very little cost for dams or other im-
provements.

At present, there are situated upon
these water-powers five saw-1nills, hav-
ing a capacity for cutting fifty million
feet of lumber per annum, a flouring-
inill, a foundery and machine shop, a
planing-mill, and several shingle-mills;
and these without the digging of canals,
cutting of channels, or other expensive
improvements.

There are also many smaller water-

owers in the county, situated upon
al Creek, Hemlock Creek, and Yellow
River.

Lands in this county are very cheap.
Many of them were bought up years ago
for small patches of pine that were on
them, and have since been sold for taxes
to the county. The vounty is now pre-
pared to give a good title to many of
them, and will sell them on very favora-
ble terms to actual settlers,
CHAPTER XLVII.

WISCONSINS WOMEN.
Short Biographical Sketches of the Bioneer and Prominent Women of Wisconsin.

WE give, following, a short chapter on the leading women of Wisconsin of
the past and the present. The means within our reach for procuring the proper
data for these sketches was not calculated to insure cumplete success in every
instance: indeed, in many cases we were wholly unable to procure the desired
information. Many causes united against the progress of this chapter. In the
first place, a number of the subjects most desired had passed away, leaving no
records behind them, save those lodged in the memories of scattered friends.
These were often incomplete, and always difficult to reach. Nor were we in any
better condition with regard to those now living. Most of the latter were
shocked with the idea of having any portion of their lives preserved in history.
Owing to these and other difficulties, we are unable to present any thing like a
complete biographical dictionary of the prominent women of the State. How-
ever, the result of our labors in this direction will, we think, be full of interest
to every reader. We are indebted to the good taste and great perseverance of
Miss L. De F. Park of Madison, for most of these sketches. She has collected
all of the materials for this chapter, and finished for the press many of the
sketches, The trace of her graceful pen is visible in the sketches of Mrs.
Harvey, Mrs. Doty, and many others.

Mrs. SaLtty Farrouinp. —She was
born at Blandford, Mass., June 11,
1802. In the bloom of young woman-
hood, while visiting friends near what
is now the city of Cleveland, O., she
became acquainted with Col. J. OC.
Fairchild; and they were married on
the 4th of April, 1826. The first
twenty years of their married life were
spent in or near Cleveland: but on the
eighth day of June, 1846, they estab-
lished for themselves a new home in
Madison, with whose history their own
was thenceforth honorably identified.
When they took up their residence in
Madison, they left behind them in
Ohio the grave of their first-born, who
had died in infancy, but were accom-
panied hither by all the remaining chil-

698

 

dren, —the only daughter, Mrs. Sarah
F. Dean, and the three sons, all of
whom have since won distinction in the
service of the country. Of that family,
after the death of the father (in July,
1862), Mrs. Fairchild was the revered
head, whose presence seemed at once
its bond of union and its crown of
honor; for she was in a pre-eminent
degree one of those whom we delight
to honor, and of whom it may be said,
“Hor children rise up, and call her
blessed.””?, And how many are the men
and women whom her large-hearted
and unwearied hospitality have made
to look upon her home almost as their
own, who will, at the mention of her
name, do her memory an almost filial
homage!
HISTORY OF

In any community, Mrs. Fairchild
would have been looked upon as a re-
markable person. There was in hera
mingled dignity and grace of bearing,
a blended repose and force of charac-
ter, a firmness of purpose, an energy
and perseverance mingled with a prac-
tical good sense and tact, and, withal,
an indefatigable watchfulness for all
who came within the large range of
her acquaintance and _ benevolence,
which are rarely combined in so high a
degree in any one individual. Hardly
any other person known to the citizens
of Madison seemed as constantly to
express in the daily round of life,
though she never uttered it in words,
that famous sentiment of the Roman

oet, ‘Iam a human being; and noth-
ing that is human do I deem foreign to
me.

And through all the long weeks of
her severe and prostrating sickness,
until the power of voluntary control
over mental action ceased, nothing, it
is said, was.more remarkable than the
clearness and exactness of her thoughts,
except the constancy with which those
thoughts were directed to the comfort
and welfare of others, even in those
minute matters of which one in her
condition could hardly be expected to
think at all.

She died at the residence of the
family in Madison, about noon, on
Sunday, Oct. 21, 1867, in the sixty-fifth
year of her age.

Prof. Conover, writing of this noble
lady, says, ‘‘But it is vain in this
brief notice to attempt to do its subject
justice. Bound to her by no tie of
kindred, bound only by that unfailing
kindness, that thoughtful good-will,
which, for more than sixteen years, fol-
lowed him and his, as it followed so
many others, the writer cannot deal in
studied eulogy, still less in cool analy-
sis of character. He remembers only,
that in that genial and hospitable home,
where, like others, he has so often
sought comfort and society in hours of
trial or of loneliness, a stately and ven-
erated form will never again rise to ex-
tend to him the cordial greeting; and,
so remembering, he is silenced by a
pang of personal grief.”

Mrs. Gov. Henry Doper. — Promi-
nent among the early settlers of Wis-
consin is the wife of ex-Gov. Henry
Dodge, who was born Feb. 2, 1785, near
Bardstown, Nelson County, Ky. She
was the daughter of James McDonald.
When eleven years of age, she, with
her father and his family, emigrated

 

WISCONSIN. 699

west of the Mississippi River, where
they made their home in the Spanish
province of Upper Louisiana, in 1796,
eight years anterior to its purchase by
Thomas Jefferson.

She was married in the Bonhomme
Settlement, St. Louis County, Mo., in
March, 1801, to Henry Dodge, with
whom she lived until her death, —a
period of sixty-five years. She was the
mother of thirteen children, nine of
whom (seven daughters and two sons)
attained mature years.

Mrs. Dodge endured all the priva-
tions, sufferings, and dangers incident
to aresidence upon the extreme fron-
tier of the North-west, then constantly
menaced by Indian hostilities.

In the ever-varying fortunes of her
pioneer husband, the rude log-cabin
and stockade-fort were, during many
years, the places of her abode. Often
has she fled with her children to some
neighboring ‘‘block-house”’ for safety
and protection from the savage foe,
known to spare neither age, sex, nor
condition.

Nearly fifty years ago, she migrated
from Missouri to Wisconsin, ascending
the Mississippi at a time when the jour-
ney (now one of two or three days) oc-
cupied more than a month; the primi-
tive craft in which she travelled being
propelled by the hands of the Canadian
boatmen of that day.

Possessed of a serene disposition, of
calmness and courage, she exhibited
under all the trials of life singular
resignation and tranquillity. Of a con-
templative and serious mind, she be-
came, early in life, a professor of reli-
gion, and ever after, both by precept
and example, adhered to the cause.of
the Saviour with increasing zeal and
faith.

It may be truly said that her life was
like a placid stream flowing smoothly
on until it was lost in the ocean of
eternity.

Mrs. Dodge died after a short illness,
in‘the city of Burlington, Io., March
30, 1865, in the eighty-first year of her
age. .

“The circumstances attending he
death were calculated to soothe her
dying moments. She was_ surrounded
by her devoted husband, by children,
grandchildren, and kind friends. She
died as she had lived, calmly and
quietly; and without a pang, a groan,
or a struggle, her soul ascended to the
God who gave it.

Mrs. Corpetia A. P. Harvry. —
Perhaps there is no name in Wisconsin.
700

so honored, or held in such deep affec-
tion, as that of HARVEY,—esteemed be-
cause it represents that which is noble,
brave, and true in man and in woman,—
esteemed not only by the citizens of the
State, or: by the courageous soldiers, or
by the young men and women, but by
the little children, the hope of the fu-
ture, the orphans of our ‘‘ boys in blue.”’
Our lamented ex-governor, Louis P.
Harvey, went South soon after the
battle at Shiloh. The object of his jour-
ney was to furnish Wisconsin soldiers
with army supplies and medical aid.
That he was unselfish, and thoughtful
for the welfare of others, may be seen
by the letter dated two days previous
to his death, and which proved to be
the last one written to his wife: —

PITTSBURG LANDING, April 17, 1862.

DEAR WIFE, — Yesterday was the

day of my life. Thank God for the

impulse that brought me here. Iam

well, and have done more good by
coming than I can well tell you.

In haste,
LovlIs.

This letter reveals the nobility of
Mr. Harvey’s character better than any
analysis which we might be able to
make. At Savannah, on his return
home, as he was about to pass from
one boat to another, his foot slipping,
he fell, and was drowned. As the cold
waves of the Mississippi swept over his
beloved form, the cold waves of sorrow
swept over the heart of his honored
wife, increasing in scope until all the
people of the State were ingulfed in
gloom.

Since those not personally acquainted
with him mourned his untimely death
so sincerely, how can words express
the grief of his almost constant com-
panion! Her love, her pride, her joy,
was gone. Ina moment, the light of her
life went out, — went in the fulness of
its glory. O ye women to whom strong
love is so vital, and who have been
similarly bereft! ye only can sympa~-
thize with Mrs. Harvey. For a time,
she succumbed to her deep grief; but
when its strength had partially worn
away, knowing her life must still
continue, it is only natural that the
question should revolve itself in her
mind as to the object of life. While
in this state of mind, she began to feel
the whole import of her husband’s
character, of which his letter to her
was but an index. These feelings
influenced her, till it became a settled

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

conviction that she must rise up, and
finish the work Mr. Harvey had so
nobly commenced, — of caring for the
Wisconsin soldiers. With her, to will
was toact. Her bereavement had much
to do in preparing her for the work in
which she was to engage,

Early in the fall of 1862, Gov. Salo-
mon cordially granted her request to
act as one of the sanitary agents of the
State, in order that she might visit the
sick and wounded soldiers from Wis-
consin in the military hospitals of the
Western Department. The work was
entirely new, and one in which intelli-
gent and worthy women had sometimes
utterly failed.

The complete and thorough system,
which, at the close of the war, charac-
terized our entire medical departinent,
was not then in force. Surgeons in-
competent from drink, or lack of edu-
cation, were found in many hospitals,
Though the delicacy of the situation
impressed itself on her mind, she was
not long in arriving at a pertinent con-
elucion of the proper course to pursue.
Accordingly she went to St. Louis.
While there, she made her home at the
house of George Partridge, Esq., a
member of the Western Sanitary Com-
mission. On the 26th of September,
Mrs. Harvey called on and was kindly
received by Dr. Mills, the United States
Medical Director. She visited hospitals
in Fifth Strect and at Benton Barracks,
and found them crowded with men
from the camps and the battle-fields of
Missouri and Tennessee. As she glided
from cot to cot, ministering to those
dear boys whose pale faces were turned
wistfully toward her, and who, though
not inured to hardship, had volunteered
in the first flush of enthusiasm, her
kind heart was irresistibly drawn to
them by the invisible cords of sym-
pathy.

Just after the First Wisconsin Cavalry
had returned to Cape Giradeau from
their terrible raid through the swamps
of Arkansas, she received news of great
suffering at that place. In seeing them,
she could not repel the thought, which:
thrust itself continually before her, of
the time when she and her noble hus-
band had together reviewed them in
Wisconsin, when the regiment was re-
plete in numbers, and stood erect in the
glow of health and manly pride, but
now was so sadly reduced. The hos-
pitals were crowded, and the means in-
adequate for supplying the necessary
aid. They had nothing to subsist upon
but the common army rations. She
HISTORY OF

telegraphed to Mr. Yeatman, president
of the Western Sanitary Commission,
and in two days received abundant
supplies.

Soon after her return to St. Louis,
she went to Wisconsin to give proper
directions to the ladies who were mak-
ing efforts to alleviate the sufferings of
the soldiers. In October Mrs. Harvey
revisited the hospitals. She did all in
her power to comfort them, writing to
their friends, and procuring discharges
for those who were in a dying condi-
tion, and were unfit for service. With
a heart burdened by grief, but with a
cheerful countenance, she went where
attendants refused, and surgeons were
affrighted, to go. Her forgetfulness of
self was truly wonderful. Once con-
vinced that her object was just, she
left no honorable means untried to
secure it. When surgeons could not
be flattered or coaxed, she administered
a gentle threat, or gave an intimation
that higher officials might learn of the
report.

In visiting Ironton, during the latter
part of October, she found the Eleventh
Regiment to be suffering from ma-
larious diseases, contracted while at
Helena, Ark., and other posts. One
patient, a mere youth, a member
of Company A, remarked, when he
heard of Mrs. Harvey’s arrival, “‘ My
turn will soon come; for she’ll get me
my furlough.” The furlough did come
the next day. The poor lad, on hear-
ing it, said, ‘God bless her! Thank
God! I’m going home.”? He turned his
face to the wall; and he who seemed
so strong was at home in a half-hour’s
time with his Father in heaven. This
dying soldier but expressed the senti-
ment which pervaded the hearts of all
our boys, — ‘God bless her!’’

She returned to St. Louis Nov. 1,
when the surgeon in charge of the
hospitals wrote to Gov. Salomon com-
mending her efforts, During the same
month, while she was at Cape Gi-
rardeau, Gen. Curtis gave her permis-
sion to visit all the hospitals in his
eommand, with an order to quarter-
masters and transportation companies
to afford her and her sanitary articles
transmission. One hundred men were
found sick at Memphis; and for many
of these she procured discharges. She
went next to Helena, St. Louis, Rolla,
Ironton, and early in February, 1863,
to Memphis, from which place she
directed a letter to the governor, urging
him to establish a hospital there. In
a letter to him, she said, ‘‘ We have a

 

WISCONSIN. 701

great many sick and wounded here;
and to-morrow I commence visiting
the hospitals. I feel that I can do
great good here. I am very well, and
shall labor with delight; for I know
just what to do, and where to go, the
authorities are so willing to aid me.”

Finding no Wisconsin men sick at Co-
rinth, she visited Jackson, La Grange,
Memphis, and, in March, Vicksburg,
where she went to see Gen. Grant, and
was successful in securing the issue of
orders to send patients having chronic
diarrhcea to Northern hospitals; and
another to clear out the convalescent
camp at Memphis, discharging those
unfit for service, sending others to
their regiments, and appointing medi-
cal inspectors to every army corps who
should have full power to discharge
disabled men. The United States Sani-
tary Commission gave an order to Mrs.
Harvey for all necessary supplies, and
one hundred dollars to be used every
month for the benefit of soldiers, ac-
cording to her judgment.

In the spring of 1863 Young’s Point,
across the river from Vicksburg, was
the limit of uninterrupted navigation ;
and much sickness was induced by the
high water covering the low lands.
After a few weeks’ labor, Mrs. Harvey
herself was taken seriously ill with the
terrible miasma, and returned North,
spending the summer in Wisconsin and
New York.

Her next work was to carry into
execution her plan of establishing gen-
eral hospitals in the North. For the
most part, this work was received with
very little favor by the high officials.
In September, after securing the co-
operation of Gov. Salomon and others,
she went to Washington, and made her
plea in person to the President. She
obtained a few interviews with the
much-honored Mr. Lincoln, which
finally terminated by granting a Gen-
eral Hospital to Wisconsin. It was
located in Madison. The United States
Government purchased the building
which was erected for a residence by
ex-Gov. Farwell, and converted it into
the widely-known ‘‘ Harvey Hospital.”
As a sample of the good which the
Harvey Hospital did for our soldiers,
the first instance might be cited. Out
of the one hundred men which were
sent from Fort Pickering, a convales-
cent camp, only seven died, and five
were discharged; and the remainder
returned to active service.

Early in October, Mrs. Harvey re-
turned to Memphis, and in November,
702 HISTORY OF
under Gov. Salomon’s instructions,
went to Vicksburg, and made that
place her headquarters. Her field of
operation was from Memphis to New
Orleans, and to such points on each
side of the river where Wisconsin regi-
ments were stationed, or where Wis-
consin, men were to be found in hospi-
tals. She remained at Vicksburg until
June, 1865, when she returned to Wis-
consin, and interested herself in the
establishment of the Soldiers’ Orphans’
Home. In 1866 the State bought the
Harvey Hospital for ten thousand dol-
lars. The amount received by sub-
scription for its support was nearly
thirteen thousand dollars. Mrs. Har-
vey, with a temporary board of in-
structors, opened the institution. She
was made the first superintendent;
and, at the time the State took pos-
session, eighty-four orphans were ad-
mitted. Mrs. Harvey resigned her
position May 1, 1867. Her native
home is Barre, Orleans County, N.Y.
Her work began in sadness, but was
crowned with joy. Truly God blesseth
every good work; and may our coun-
try be made happy by the efforts of
neue such noble, Christlike charac-
ters

Mrs. ANNEKE.— Madame Anneke
is a German lady, whose superior talent
and culture, whose varied and remarka-
ble life, and many public works, have
won for her an enviable popularity and
distinction among her country men and
women, both in Europe and America,
In very early life she became much en-
gaged in literary pursuits, and inter-
ested herself in political affairs.

During the German troubles of 1848,
her husband, who was a Prussian offi-
cer, espoused the cause of the revolu-
tionists, and became a powerful leader
of the party, which he served on many
a battle-field. In this work the young
wife heartily sympathized; and she,
too, rendered the patriots powerful aid.
When, at length, her husband was
captured and imprisoned, under sen-
tence of death, in Cologne, where he
lay for nearly a year, Madame Anneke
removed the furniture and carpets from
her parlors, and, bringing in a printing-
press, edited a paper in the interest of
the revolution. In this way, she con-
tinued to labor, until, her party losing
ground, she was forced to abandon her
work, and fly for safety. Leaving her
children with trusty servants, she now
hastened to join her husband, who had
in the mean time been liberated, in the
Geld. She took a place on his staff, of

 

WISCONSIN.

which Carl Schurz was also a member.
She served in this capacity until the
close of the struggle. She has seen
many battle-fields, and has been in the
thickest of the fray, doing a soldier’s
duty by day, and sleeping on the field,
by the feet of her trusty steed, at night.

When the revolutionists were finally
overpowered, she, with her family and
others, sought a refuge in France; but,
owing to the chaotic condition of affairs
there, this proved an unsafe asylum,
and the fugitives were forced to flee
for life to Switzerland. Here, again,
they found themselves unprotected,
and were obliged to fly for safety. It
was now decided that the party should
seek a refuge in America; and they
came hither nearly twenty-five years
ago. Madame Anneke, having made,
with her children (her husband pre-
ceded her), the then tedious journey
from New York to Milwaukee, soon
busied herself lecturing to the Germans
upon the recent struggle, and the con-
dition of affairs in the Old Country.
She was one of the earliest workers for
the cause of enfranchisement of women
in this country, and twenty-one years
ago advocated the reform both in her
writings and public lectures. She re-
peatedly addressed large assemblies in
Boston, New York, aud Philadelphia
on this subject, and for years con-
tinued the work in the various cities
and towns where many Germans were
gathered.

She addressed the American Equal
Rights Association, in her own lan-
guage, at the anniversary in New York,
in 1852. But this is not all. She sub-
sequently edited and published a paper
in the interest of this reform, called
the ‘‘ Frauen Zeitung,’’ or ‘“‘ Woman’s
Gazette.” This paper was first pub-
lished in Milwaukee, and afterwards
removed tou New York. After three
years of severe editorial labor, she was
compelled, by ill health, to abandon
the enterprise. Subsequently she went
to Europe with an American lady to
whom she was devotedly attached.
Seeking a quiet rural home in Switz-
erland, the friends spent four delight-
ful years in literary pursuits, only
breaking the monotony by occasional
short trips to Paris and the German
heights. Several volumes of poems
and drama were published as the re-
sults of their labors. Returning ‘to
the United States, she established in
Milwaukee, about nine years since,
an academy for young ladies, where
foreigners may learn English, and all
TISTORY OF

may be instructed in the French, Ger-
man, and Latin tongues.

Here Madame Anneke may be found
daily, superintending the education of a
large company of young ladies, among
whom are her own daughters; and itis
easy to see that she who has suffered
so many reverses of fortune, who has
served her country in peace and in
war, is also the thorough scholar, the
successful teacher, and the gifted, ac-
complished lady. She is still devoted,
heart and soul, to the enfranchisement
of woman; and the cause has much to
hope from her influence, especially with
those of her own nationality, whom
she constantly addresses by tongue
and pen.

Mrs. Mary J. Rusk. — Prominent
among the ladies of Viroqua was Mrs,
Mary J. Rusk, the first wife of Gen.
J. M. Rusk, and the youngest daughter
of Abraham Martin. She was born in
Perry County, O., in 1882. In 1849
she was married to J. M. Rusk. They
came to Wisconsin in 1853, and settled
at Viroqua, Badaye County, now known
as Vernon County. Their two children,
a son and a daughter, have both gradu-
ated from the State University of Wis-
consin. The son, L. J. Rusk, has just
been admitted to the bar in La Crosse.
The dauzhter, Charity A. Rusk, resides
with her father in Viroqua.

Mrs. Rusk was medium in size, and a
lady of remarkable beauty. Possessing
finely-moulded features, and dark hair
and eyes, with a very fair complexion,
she could not avoid the admiration
given her. Being charitable and hos-
pitable, she retained the highest esteem
of her neighbors. Her manner was
natural and enlivening. One would
not remain long in the presence of
Mrs. Rusk without noting the genial
disposition, the amiability of char-
acter, and the happy blending of many
good qualities. Combining these natu-
ral graces of the physical and mental
systems, which she possessed to so
eminent a degree, she could not be
otherwise than a valuable acquisition
to society, and a beloved wife and
mother.

Mrs. Rusk died about seven years
after her marriage, at her residence, in
Viroqua, in January, 1856. She was
not a member of any church, though
a firm believer in the principles
of Christianity. She died sincerely
mourned by a large concourse 6f
friends and relatives, and especially by
her bereaved husband and her afilict-
ed litile ones.

 

WISCONSIN. 703

Mrs. Exiza SALomon. — During the
war, and while the patristic sentiment
raged and spread rapidly over our
State, an accomplished and cultured
woman might have been seen quietly
seated in her own parlors, seeking no
prominence, but working faithfully
and diligently for our ‘‘ boys in blue.’’
This brave woman, about whom is
no ostentatious display, is Mrs, Eliza
Salomon. Her home was in our me-
tropolis, Milwaukee. Her efforts were
characterized by generosity and in-
dustry. Both she and her husband
were of German descent; and they
rendered much assistance to the Ger-
man soldiers who were fighting for
their adopted homes.

In 1861 Mr. Salomon was elected
lieutenant-governor on the same ticket
that the lamented Louis Harvey was
elected governor. On the death of
Gov. Harvey, in April, 1862, Lieut.-
Gov. Salomon took his place, and
served out the remainder of the term,
—twenty-one months.

The work of the wife, as well as the
husband’s, now lay in a broader field.
From this time, all the soldiers of Wis-
consin, without regard to nationality,
received sustenance from her. This
noble work engrossed nearly her whole
time, both at homeand abroad. She ac-
companied her husband wherever duty
and inclination called him to look after
the soldiers. Vicksburg was visited,
and at atime when it was exceedingly
dangerous; for the guerillas swarmed
the Mississippi, and often fired into
the vessel, but fortunately did no
harm. The soldiers at this place
were found to be suffering extremely.
Though there was much work to be
done in Vicksburg, and though her
time was limited, she was enabled to
do much of it.

She visited the hospitals of Indiana,
Illinois, St. Louis, Missouri, and of
other places where lay our sick and
wounded men. Her quiet and firm, but
cheerful manner, made her numerous
warm and lasting friends. Many a
soldier is happy in testifying of her
generosity in friendship and in finan-
cial matters.

At the first Sanitary Fair held in
Chicago, Mrs. Salomon’s energy and
ambition caused her to institute a Ger-
man departnent. Contributions of
needle and handiwork were received
from the German ladies of Wisconsin
and Chicago, The whole plan proved
to be highly successful ; for the receipts
amounted to full six thousand dollars.
704

Mr. Salomon’s public duties were
over in January, 1864; but Mrs. Salo-
mon’s public duties were not over till
the close of the war. She had found
her field, and bravely did she work in
it; and many a man has lived to rise
from a bed of sickness, and praise her
unselfish zeal.

Though her home is in New York
City, where her husband is engaged in
the legal profession, * we still count
them as ours; for they were one with
us in our great affliction.”

ELLA WHEELER.— The charming
young poetess, who has, at the early
age of twenty-four years, already won
a conspicuous place in the literary
annals of Wisconsin, was born in the
town of Johnstown, Rock County, Wis.,
in November, 1850. Her father (Marcus
Hi. Wheeler) and her mother (whose
maiden name was Sarah Pratt) were
from Vermont, and emigrated to this
State in 1849, and settled first at Johns-
town, When Ella was about one year
old, they moved to the town of West-
port, Dane County, Wis., where they
still reside. Ella’s opportunities for
education were almost wholly limited
to the district school; and, with the ex-
ception of a single term in the State
University, this was the only institu-
tion of learning she has ever attended.
She learned very rapidly, and, of
course, soon ran through with all the
branches taught in the common school.
Her poetic genius began to display it-
self at an early age; and in her fif-
teenth year she wrote several pieces
which were published, and attracted
considerable attention. Before she had
reached her twentieth year, she had be-
come a welccme contributor to such
first-class papers as ‘‘ Harper's Weekly,”
Leslie's publications, and the ‘ Phila-
delphia Post.”’

It may be proper, perhaps, in this
connection, to give a brief history of
the circumstances under which she
became a paid contributor to the first-
named paper. She hac sent several of
her poems to the editor of ‘“ Harper’s
Weekly,” all of which had been re-
jected. In the mean time, one of her
contributions to the “ Philadelphia
Post”? attracted the attention of an
English magazine, and was deemed
worthy of being copied; but her name
was dropped from it. And in this
anonymous form it went the rounds
of the press, and at last found its
way into the poet’s corner of “ Har-
per’s Weclly.” Having made the
discovery of this fact, Miss Wheeler

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

wrote to the editor, informing him,
that, inasmuch as he had deemed one
of her poems worthy of republication,
perhaps he might now be willing to
accept of some fresh from her pen. The
result was, that the ‘‘ Weekly ” retained
several out of the batch that the young
poetess sent, and thereafter she became
a regular contributor to ‘‘ Harper’s.”
As a specimen of her earlier poems, we
give the foHowing, which was written
in her twentieth year, and for which
the Harpers sent her a check for fifteen
dollars,

THE MESSENGER.
BY ELLA WHEELER,

SHE rose up in the early dawn,
And white and silently she moved
About the house: four men had gone
To battle for the land they loved;
And she, the mother and the wife,
Waited for tidings from the strife.
How still the -house seemed! and her
tread ;
Sounded like footsteps of the dead.

The long day passed. The dark night
came. :
She had not seen a human face.
Some voice spoke suddenly her name.
How loud it sounded, in that place
Where day on day no sound was heard
But her own footsteps! ‘Bring you
word,”’
She cried, to whom she could not see, —
‘Word from the battle-plain to me?”

A soldier entered at the door,
And stood within the dim firelight.
“T bring you tidings of the four,”
He said, ‘‘ who left you for the fight.’”
“Ged bless you, friend!” she cried,
“speak on;
For I can bear it. One is gone?”
“Ay, one is gone!’”’ he said. “ Which
one?”

‘Dear lady —he, your eldest son.”

A deathly palor shot across

Her withered face. She did not weep.
She said, “‘It is a grievous loss;

But God gives his beloved sleep,
What of the living ?— of the three?
And when can they come back to me ?””
The soldier turned away his head —
‘Lady, your husband, too, is dead.”

She put her hand upon her brow.
A wild sharp pain was in her eyes,
‘*My husband? O God! help me now.”
The soldier shivered at her sighs:
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

The task was harder than he thought.

“Your youngest son, dear madam,
fought

Close at his father’s side: both fell

Dead, by the bursting of a shell.”

She moved her lips, and seemed to
moan.
Her face had paled to ashen gray.
“Then one is left me, — one alone,”
She said, “of four who marched
away.
O over-ruling, all-wise God,
How can I pass beneath thy rod !”’
The soldier walked across the floor,
Paused at the window, at the door,

Wiped the cold dewdrops from his
cheek,
And sought the mourner’s side again.
“Once more, dear lady, I must speak.
Your last remaining son was slain
Just at the closing of the fight.
’Twas he who sent me here to-night.”
“God knows,” the man said afterward,
«The fight itself was not as hard.”

Miss Wheeler has already published
two books of poems. Her first volume
was made up exclusively of temper-
ance poems, and was published under
the auspices of the National Temper-
ance Association; and her second,
which is composed of miscellaneous
pieces, was published by herself, and
has, we believe, reached its second edi-
tion. Both her books have received very
wide and flattering notices from the
press. Her temperance volume found
such favor abroad, that an English pub-
lishing-house solicited the privilege of
republishing it, and offered, at the same
time, to secure a share of the proceeds
to the young authoress. A request
couched in terms so flattering was, of
course, granted; and not many months
since, Miss Wheeler had the satisfac-
tion of receiving from across the ocean
a very handsomely bound volume of
the British edition of her temperance
poems. A London paper has conferred
upon her the high distinction of being
the ‘‘Temperance Poet Laureate of
Europe and America,’’—a title, coming,
as it does, from a high foreign source,
of which she has just reason to feel
proud. Indeed, Miss Wheeler’s literary
career has been singularly successful
from the very outset. In addition to
her poems, she has written for various
papers and periodicals several hundred
prose sketches and stories. She writes
with the utmost ease either prose or
poetry. An anecdote will, perhaps, best

 

705

illustrate her readiness at_ composition.
In 1872, when the re-union of the
Grand Army of the Tennessee was
held at Madison, Miss Wheeler had
been invited by Col. Thomas Reynolds
to write the poem for the occasion. The
poem, as originally composed, had
omitted to make any reference to Gen.
Sheridan, as it was not known that he
was going to be present. After his
arrival, and after the crowd had assem-
bled in the Capitol, and in the midst of
the noise and confusion, Miss Wheeler
added a very appropriate and highly
complimentary stanza to her poem in
honor of the gallant general. “You
must be a very talented young
lady,”? said the blunt but gallant sol-
dier, who acted as president of the day,
to Miss Wheeler, when this circum-
stance was related to him. The poem,

‘| which was read at this re-union of

the G. A. T., was received with the
most enthusiastic applause by the
large audience; and the stout soldiers
of the society testified their apprecia-
tion of her effort by presenting her
with the gold badge of their order, and
making her an honorary member.
“Tf the applause she has received
goes to her heart, it will be well, but
if to her head, it will spoil her,’’ re-
marked Gen, Sheridan on the occa-
sion. It is enough to say that Miss
Wheeler was not spoiled by these flat-
tering attentions. That a young
country-girl, without influential friends
to assist her, without means, and with
a limited education, should have been
able to accomplish so much in litera-
ture in so short a time, is certainly
quite remarkable, and shows most con-
clusively that she must possess natural
talents of a high order. It can hardly
be supposed, however, that she has as
yet reached the maturity of her powers.
When time, reading, study, and reflec-
tion have ripened her splendid natural
abilities, we hope for still more and
better productions from her pen. In
personal appearance, Miss Wheeler is
quite attractive. A stranger, who for
the first time looked upon her hand-
some face blooming with the ruddy
glow of health, would discover nothing
there to indicate the pensive, dreaming
poet, but would rather regard her as a
bright, sparkling country-girl, full of
fun and frolic, and overflowing with
happy humor. But there is something
wonderfully bright in the glow of her
handsome hazel eyes. No one can look
into her sunny face, listen to her spar-
kling words, without being convinced
706 HISTORY OF

that he is standing in the presence of a:
remarkably gifted young lady. Having
given one of her miscellaneous pieces,
we shall quote a single poem from her
temperance book. We cannot say that
it is her best effort, or even one of her
best, upon this subject; but it will serve
as a specimen of her powers as a tem-
perance poet. It is entitled :—

A SIGN-BOARD.

I wILu paint you a sign, rumseller,
And hang it above your door, —
A truer and better signboard
Than ever you had before.

I will paint with the skill of a master;
And many shall pause to see

This wonderful, swinging signboard,
So like the reality.

I will paint yourself, rumseller,
As you wait for that fair young boy,
Just in the morn of manhood,
' A mother’s pride and joy.

He has no thought of stopping;
But you greet him with a smile;
And you seem so blithe and friendly,
He pauses to chat a while.

I will paint you again, rumseller:
I will paint you as you stand,

With a foaming glass of liquor
Held high in either hand.

He wavers; but you urge him:
‘Drink, pledge me just this one;”

And he lifts the glass, and drains it;
And the hellish work is done.

And next I will paint a drunkard:
Only a year has flown;

But into this loathsome creature
The fair young boy has grown.

The work was quick and rapid:
I will paint him as he lies

In a torpid, drunken slumber,
Under the winter skies,

I will paint'the form of the mother
Asshe kneels at her darling’s side, —

Her beautiful boy, that was dearer
Than all of the world beside.

I will paint the shape of a coffin
Labelled with one more “lost:”
I will paint all this, rumseller,

 

And paint it free of cost.

WISCONSIN.

The grief, the shame, and the sorrow,
The crime, the sin, and the woe

That is born there in your rum-shop,
No hand can paint, you know.

But I’ll paint you a sign, rumseller;
And many shall pause to view

This wonderful, swinging signboard,
So terribly, fearfully true.

Mrs. ABBy TICHENOR. — The maid-
en name of Mrs. Abby Tichenor was
Paul. She was born near Elizabeth-
town, N.J., Oct. 5, 1787. She was of
English descent, as her grandmother,
when quite a young woman, emi-
grated to this country. The father
of Mrs. Tichenor, Mr. Paul, was a
patriot in the Revolutionary War, and
fought courageously during its entire
course. In her early infancy, she re-
moved with her parents from New
Jersey to Galway, Saratoga County,
N.Y., that region being then a wil-
derness. Here she resided until
after the restoration of peace between
Mexico and the United States, when
she and Moses Tichenor, who had been
a soldier in the war of 1812, were mar-
ried. Upon their marriage, in 1814,
they went to live in Amsterdam, then
Montgomery County, New York. In
the spring of 1839 they emigrated to
Prairieville, now Waukesha, Wis.,
where they remained till the time of
their death. She died in her eighty-
fifth year, April 12, 1872. Her husband
died Oct. 12, 1872.

They both were of long-lived fami-
lies. The grandmother, of whom men-
tion has been made, died in her ninety-
eighth year. Mr. and Mrs. Tichenor
had five children, the oldest of whom,
Vernon Tichenor, a practical lawyer, is
identified with the interests of Wauke-
sha. The second child died in infancy;
and from that time no death occurred
in the family till Mrs. Tichenor’s death,
a period of fifty-one years. The other
children are still living, and roside in
the State.

When Mr. and Mrs. Tichenor came
to Wisconsin. they stopped two or three
months in Milwaukee, and then came
to Prairieville, and made their home by
the spring which is now so celebrated,
and known as the “ Bethesda Springs.””
Mr. Tichenor purchased the quarter
section on which the spring is located,
at the land sale in Milwaukee, in Sep-
tember, 1839. After living on this farm
two or three years, they sold it, and
bought another two miles distant,
where they lived until their death.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Mrs. Tichenor was a Christian
woman; and from her youth was a
person of marked piety. Both she and
her husband possessed great mental
and physical vigor, and belonged to
that very small class of persons who
have decided character, and yet retain
a circle of warm friends, and no ene-
mies. Though exceedingly active and
industrious, she was quiet in manner;
attentive and devoted to the interests
of her family. She made no pretension
to publicity. She was good, kind, and
charitable to all, and a woman well
fitted to be a pioneer settler of Wau-
kesha. Her neighbors regarded her
with the greatest esteem; and her
children, who knew her so long and so
intimately, say of her, “She is one
who well and faithfully discharged all
her trusts.” This is, indeed, a high
testimonial, and especially so when its
source is taken into consideration, but
one which her friends are only too
willing to indorse.

Mrs. Sarag C. Doty. — Mrs. Sarah
Collins Doty, widow of the late ex-
Gov. James Duane Doty, was born
in 1800, in Whitestown, Oneida County,
N.Y. Her father’s name was Oliver
Collins. Enlisting at the age of six-
teen, he was for five years a soldier in
the Revolutionary War, and was hon-
orably discharged at its termination.
He was a brigadier-general in the war
of 1812, and commanded the post of
Sackett’s Harbor two years. He came
to Whitestown in 1795, when the town-
line of Whitestown extended south to
the Pennsylvania line. He ‘‘ took up”
a farm at this place, and lived there
until his death, in 1838.

Mrs. Doty was the eldest of eight
children. The maiden-name of the
mother was Catherine Kellogg of the
Massachusetts Kellogg stock, too nu-
merous to be counted. Mrs. Doty was
one of five daughters, three of whom
have resided in Wisconsin. They are
Mrs. Gen. Ruggles, who now resides
in Fond du Lac; and Mrs. Gen. Julius
White, now of Evanston, Ill. Mrs.
Ruggles came to Fond du Lac County
in 1842; and Mrs. White, then Mrs.
Barlow Shackelford, was married, and
settled in Green Bay in 1838, and after-
wards resided for several years in Mad-
ison, Wis. One of the three brothers
has resided in this State. Judge Alex-
ander L. Collins came to Madison in
1842, and lived there several years, but
has since removed to Appleton, his
present home. ‘

Mrs. Doty lived in Whitestown until

 

707

her marriage, in 1823, to James Duane
Doty, late governor of Wisconsin, but
then the United States district judge
for the Western District of Michigan;
that region comprising the ‘present
States of Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa,
and the vast country adjacent to the
Rocky Mountains. She made the voy-
age by schooner from Buffalo to Green
Bay in twenty-one days. During the
summer of that year, she, with her
husband and some ‘‘ Indian voyageurs,”’
travelled from Green Bay (Fort Howard)
to Prairie du Chien (Fort Crawford) in
a bark canoe, through the Fox and
Wisconsin Rivers, and afterwards re-
turned to Green Bay by the same route,
and in the same manner. It must be ~
remembered that Forts Howard and
Crawford were but frontier military
and trading posts. About the year
1826, Judge Doty became permanently
settled in Green Bay. From that time
to the fall of 1841, Mrs. Doty spent her
time principally at Green Bay, occa-
sionally dividing a winter between her
father in Oneida County, and the city
of. Washington, where her husband
spent many of his winters. Her hus-
band had been appointed governor of
the Territory of Wisconsin by John
Tyler, Sept. 30, 1841. Mrs. Doty went
to Madison to reside, and remained
there during her husband’s official
term. From there, Mrs. Doty went
with her husband to Doty’s Island, a
most charming spot at the outlet of
Lake Winnebago, or, rather, it extends
along the beautifully-gravelled and
timbered shore of the lake, between
the two outlets known as the Mena-
sha and the Neenah Channels. At this
beautiful and lovely spot, the family
lived until the spring of 1864, when
she went with her husband, who had
been previously appointed Governor of
Utah by President Lincoln, to Great
Salt Lake City. Previous to this ap-
pointment, he had been elected a dele-
gate to Congress four years. In about
a year after their arrival at Salt Lake
City, the governor died, and was buried
at that place. Soon afterward she re-
turned to Wisconsin, and spent her
time principally with her only daugh-
ter, Mrs. John Fitzgerald of Oshkosh,
until her death, which occurred on the
twentieth day of February, 1871, at the
residence of her daughter.

Mrs. Doty was the mother of fou
children, one of whom died in infancy.
James Doty, her second son, some
years ago, went to Washington Terri-
tory as a companion in his travel, and
708

as private secretary, to Gov. Stevens,
and died at Astoria soon after their
arrival. Her children who survive her
are Major Charles Doty of Alton, IIL,
and Mrs. Mary Fitzgerald of Oshkosh,
who, at the present writing, is spending
her time with her family in Europe.

Mis. Doty was possessed of a vigor-
ous constitution to withstand the hard-
ships incident to early frontier-life, and
of high mental and social qualities, as
well as of strong practical sense; such
as were well calculated to command
the friendship and respect of the many
with whem she was necessarily brought
in contact during the early settlements
of the State, and the prominent, large,
and eventful public life of her distin-
guished husband. Her manners were
such, that she was held in the highest
regard by those of both high and low
degree. Her memory is cherished with
a lively respect, especially by the early
settlers, among whom she took rank
with the oldest. By her relatives and
her immediate family circle, she was
regarded with deep affection; and her
influence will still attend them, though
she has gone to the spirit-world.

Mrs. Prosper Birp. — This lady
was born April 11, 1808, in Adams, a
place nine miles from Sackett’s Har-
bor, in Jefferson County, N.Y. Her
maiden name was Lurania Hewit. In
1812 her father with his family moved
to Vernon, Oneida County. Mr. Hewit
was in the commissary department in
the war of 1812. Her home then was
but three miles from Sackett’s Harbor.
Though quite young at the time of the
battle at that place, she remembers
distinctly the low thundering sounds
that issued from the conflict, and her
mother weeping on account of the dan-
ger to which her husband was exposed
in carrying provisions to the army.
Those who are acquainted with the
ancestry of Mrs. Bird, and her prede-
cessors, know that they have never
swerved from vindicating a right prin-
ciple, and were ready, if necessary, to
fight for its defence. Her children,
one of whom was a captain, served in
the late Rebellion, and fought on the
side of the Federalists. Her father
fought with the Americans in the war of
1812, Her grandfather Hewit was on
the same side in the Revolutionary War.
He had one brother in the same army,
and another with the British. He was
a sea-captain, and fought desperately.
He was shipwrecked once at Hurlgate,
and afterwards was chased by a boat
of piratical Turks, and was taken pris-

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

oner, but not till he had thrown over-
board two kegs of gold and silver, with
which the soldiers were to be paid,
On account of his superior knowledge
of astronomy, he affrighted the Turks,
and managed to escape, having been a
prisoner but three months. He died
at the residence of Mrs. Bird’s father,
Jan. 12, 1812. 2
‘Miss Hewit was married to Prosper
Burgoyne Bird, Dec. 23, 1826. It is
well to state here that Major Burgoyne,
nephew of Gen. Burgoyne of Rev-
olutionary fame, was the maternal
grandfather of Prosper B. Bird. The
major was taken prisoner at the same
time his uncle was, and afterwards
married a young lady whom he remem-
bered to have seen rejoicing over their
fate; and to whom he said, “‘It may
be fun for you; but it’s death to
us. .
Mrs. Bird’s first home after marriag
was in Munnsville, Oneida County. - Af-
ter living there ten years, she and her
husband, with their four children, the
youngest of which was a mere infant
of six weeks, left their home in New
York in January, 1837, to make a new
one in the distant West. They trav-
elled with teams, their conveyances
being part of the time on wheels, and
part of the time on runners: one of
these contained the goods packed in
the bottom of it; and, being tightly
clapboarded, no rain nor dust could
find an entrance. They went by the
way of Lewiston and Queenstown, fer-
ried across Niagara River, and then
took a mountain-road through Canada
to Detroit, from which place they took
the lake-road around Michigan to Ra-
cine. The first night they camped on
the old battle-field of Lundy’s Lane.
Cne night they stopped at a log-cabin,
which was being erected on the shores
of Lake Michigan for the purpose of
accommodating travellers. There were
thirty who stopped that night. Since
the stars were plainly visible through
the roof and through the sides of the
cabin, and since there was danger of
their freezing to death, and a light
was observed in the distance, they de-
cided to try to find the place from
which it proceeded. They were suc-
cessful in this, and were comfortably
entertained, but not till they had wit-
nessed on their way a party of men at
work digging up a sunken schooner.
At Racine they put up at the hotel,
the one building which the place af-
forded. It was built of logs, and was
situated on the brow of a bluff that
HISTORY OF

overlooked the lake. From ‘this place
they travelled by stage to Milwaukee.
Mr. William Bird of Madison, Mr.
Charles Bird, and Miss Bird, afterward
Mrs. Peaslee of Sun Prairie, with their
mother, accompanied them on their
perilous journey.

Here they made acquaintance with
Mr, and Mrs, Solomon Juneau, the real
founders of the city of Milwaukee.
There were then but few houses in the
place. The jail, a log-house, contained
then three prisoners, — one a French-
man of Green Bay, who had murdered
his wife: the others were two survey-
ors, by the name of Bennet and Scott,
who were imprisoned for stabbing an
Indian on the banks of Milwaukee
River, and burying him on the shore of
Lake Michigan. The last two prison-
ers, breaking from the jail while Mr.
Juneau was absent, caused the In-
dians to rush into the place, threaten-
ing to make considerable disturbance.
Mrs, Juneau immediately sent a French
boy for her husband; and, on his com-
ing, he quieted them by ‘‘ buying them
off”? with articles from his store. These
were the first prisoners in the county
jail of Milwatikee. At the time ef the
first election, Mrs. Bird was in the
place, and says that on that. day there
were not many sober men. It was said
at the time, that a barrel of whiskey
was opened by Mr. Juneau, and a dip-
per placed in it, for the convenience of
voters. During the summer she wit-
nessed the launching of the first boat
on Lake Michigan. It was called
“The Juneau.”

While Mrs. Bird remained in Mil-
waukee, Mr, Bird built a home for
them in Madison, when he returned
for them. After they had started on
their journey, Mr. Bird left them to go
back to Milwaukee to transact some
business in regard to the new Capitols
which was being built, but told her to
stop at the first log-house over night,
and wait there for him the next day.
She found the place with no difficulty ;
but as Mr. Bird did not come as soon
as she anticipated the next morning,
and being an energetic woman, she re-
sumed her journey. Mr. Bird over-
took them about sundown of that day.
From Milwaukee to Madison, they were
guided by-marked trees, and posts
stuck in the ground. There was only
one house at Janesville; but, as the
man was not at home, they could not
be ferried across, and so went by way
of Beloit. There were two log-houses
at that place, —one on each side of the

 

WISCONSIN. 709

river. Here they staid all night, and
most of the next day, camping out on
Stoner’s Prairie, and arriving in Madi-
son the next day, at four o’clock in the
afternoon. Glancing through the jut-
ting boughs of the oak-trees, the
basement of the Capitol could be seen.
The lakes glimmered like sheets of
silver through the oak-openings and
the thick foliage of the trees, and an
Indian trail passed through the place.
Mr. Bird’s unenclosed frame-building,
containing four rooms below and two
above, and built on Lot 8, on the street
now known as Webster Street, was not
completed till April, 1838. Hence they
lived in a log-house that occupied the
present site of Mr. Kentzler’s elegant
livery-stable. They next moved into
the “ old log boarding-house,”’ near Mr.
Pyncheon’s present residence. The
first well was located opposite it, and
was dug in 1837.

The men who worked on the Capitol
boarded with Mrs. Bird. There were
only four log-houses when she came;
and their owners were Messrs. Cottin,
Palmer, Peck, and Stoner.

During the winter, Mr. Bird had the
typhoid-fever; and his wife found her-
self suddenly installed as physician,
nurse, and servant.

At one time considerable excitement
was caused by a servant-girl of George
Featherstonehaugh, an English geolo-
gist, finding a stocking full of French
coin. It was found near the present
site of the Episcopal Church, and was
supposed to have been dropped by
Indian traders.

Mrs. Bird was present at the first
wedding-ceremony in the place. The
names of the couple were Jairus Potter
and Elizabeth Allen, a young lady who
had worked for both her and Mrs.
Peck. Mr. Peck married them at his
house, after which Mrs. Peck played
the violin for them to dance.

Their provisions were brought from
Milwaukee, Fort Winnebago (Portage
City), Blue Mounds, and Mineral Point.
In 1838 potatoes sold at three dollars
per bushel. The fruit procured in
those early days was dried, excepting
those berries indigenous to the coun-
try, which were eagerly sought by the
settlers.

The first house used for divine ser-
vice was located near the present East
Madison Hotel. :

Services were conducted in different
houses, and then, for a while, in the
Senate-chamber of the new State
House. The Presbyterians and the
710 HISTORY OF

Congregationalists united in building
the first church.

At this time Mr. Bird’s mother and
her family were keeping the old Madi-
son House. It was here the first death
occurred. A Mr. Nelson, formerly from
New York, died of typhoid-fever, and
was buried in the present University
grounds, —a portion of which was set
apart asacemetery. The second death
occurred in April, 1838, in the house
of Mrs. Bird, which, during a heavy
thunder-storm, was struck by light-
ning, instantly killing a Mr. Samuel
Warren, formerly from England. He
was carried to the cemetery on a
stretcher, and buried near the grave
of Mr. Nelson.

The clapboards and the floor-boards
of Mrs. Bird’s house, and the palings
to the fence around it, were made by
hand, near the lake-shore. Twenty
births, seven deaths, and four mar-
riages, have taken place in this house.

Mrs. Bird is the mother of eleven
children, five of which are now living
in Wisconsin, and the others are dead.
Her husband died of cholera, on the
morning of Aug. 2, 1852.

Mrs. Bird was brought up by Chris-
tian parents, who early taught their
children how to pray, and to read the
Bible understandingly. The religious
element predominates largely in her
temperament. She is a good, consistent
member of the Congregational Church,
and has impressed upon the minds of
her children the purity, holiness, and
grandeur of true religion. Her natu-
ral mental abilities are good; for every
effort is characterized by strong practi-
eal common-sense. Her success in
pioneer life is due more to force of
will than to physical power. It is said
that the countenance is but an em-
blem of the workings of the soul.
The writer knows this to be true with
her; for her face is one of the kindest
and the best; and as her stately form
glides about in the dear old home, so
sacred to her, even though it be moved
from its original position, one feels an
affection for her, — an affection akin to
love.

Mrs. RosaLingE Peck. — It was in
Middletown, a village situated on a
rise of ground west of the Green
Mountains, Vt., and on Feb. 24, 1808,
that Mrs. Rosaline Peck was born.
Her maiden name was Willard. She
was an intelligent girl, ambitious and
energetic, and .possessed just such
qualities as are somewhat natural to
those reared in mountainous regions,

 

WISCONSIN.

and are necessary to make pioneer
work successful. On her twenty-first
birthday she was married, in the house
in which she was born, to Mr. Eben
Peck.

In July, 1836, Mrs. Peck and her
family arrived at Blue Mounds, Dane
County, Wis. They rented Col. Brig-
ham’s tavern-stand, and boarded him
and his farming and mining hands
during the autumn anf winter, also
entertaining travellers. post-office
had been established there at that
time. Upon the decision to remove
the capital from Belmont to Madison,
they purchased lots at the latter place,
and immediately sent hands and teams
to erect a building. This was the first
house in Madison; and a fine picture
in the State Historical Rooms repre-
sents it in its primitive condition.
Mrs. Peck rode an Indian pony in
coming from the Brigham place to
her new home. They camped out
two nights, but were awakened on
the latter one by a severe wind-storm,
and furious howling of wolves, and
saw, to their astonishment, snow to
the depth of five or six inches. This
was Apri] 15. The chinks in her new
house were filled with mud by Judge
Doty, Col. Bird, Col. Brigham, and
others. Since her home was floorless,
she had a temporary pen built, and her
stove carried in, and lived there until
May, when her new home was ready
for habitation. On June 10 Col. Bird
again arrived, with a party of thirty-
six men, to commence building the
Capitol. In this house was given the
dinner at the laying -of the corner-
stone of the Capitol, July 4, 1837; the
occasion being celebrated with due
form and ceremony, accompanied with
speeches, songs, toasts, &e.

Here Wisconsiana Victoria Peck, the
first child, was born, Sept. 14, 1887.
The first New Year’s in Madison was
duly commemorated at this hospita-
ble home. The first wedding also took
place here, April 1, 1838. Jairus 8S. Pot-
ter, better known as Long Potter, was
married to Miss Elizabeth Allen, by
Mr. Peck, who was a justice of the
peace. This was followed by a dance,
Mrs. Peck officiating on the violin, —
an accomplishment for which she was
noted. In the spring of 1838 Mr. Peck
rented the house to Robert L. Ream,
the father of Miss Vinnie Ream, the
sculptress, who was born in Madison.

Mr. Peck had built himself another
house previous to the leasing of the
first. Mrs. Peck was a good house-
HISTORY OF

keeper, and made every effort to do
away with the inconveniences that
surrounded her. Being something of
a musician, she often entertained her
guests with music. New Year’s, Christ-
mas, and turtle-soup suppers, dancing
and card parties, were instituted by
her, thereby aiding much in keeping
up the spirits of the early settlers:
besides, she well knew, that, with but
little circulation of literature, the chief
mode of culture was sociality.

Mrs. Peck was not only the first
settler in Madison, but was the first
settler in Barraboo.

In 1844 her husband started for
California, and is supposed to have
been massacred by the savages while
on his way. Though sixty-seven years
of age, she lives alone in the upper
part of the house she had built in
Barraboo. She says she “has had a
full share of life’s troubles and of
life’s disappointments, and but few of
its favors.”

Mrs. Peck is a lady a little above the
medium height, and possesses a coun-
tenance which indicates much thought
and perseverance. Untiring energy
characterizes her efforts; and, withal,
she has those traits of temperament
which so well qualified her for active
pioneer work.

Mrs. REBECCA PARKINSON. — This
lady, who was the wife of Col. Daniel
M. Parkinson of Lafayette County, Wis-
consin, was born in December, 1738, in
Woodford County, Kentucky. She was
the oldest daughter of Joshua and
Anne Brent. When she was quite
young, her father died, leaving her
mother with a large family of children
to support, and with but moderate
means. In 1823 Mrs. Brent removed,
with her family, to Illinois, and settled
in Sangamon County, twenty-five
miles east of where Springfield has
been since built. It was in this wn-
cultivated region that she became ac-
quainted with, and afterward married,
in May, 1826, Mr. Parkinson, a wid-
ower, with one or more children. In
the autumn of 1827, she removed, with
her husband and family, to the then
“Galena Mining Country.” As her
husband was engaged in mining, they
were obliged to move often, until the
spring of 1829, when they opened a
tavern in Mineral Point, a settlement
which was then the most important in
the lead-region. She soon became a
most excellent and popular landlady;
her table noted for the tasteful array
of a bounteous supply of viands, and

 

WISCONSIN. 711

for the good old Kentucky cheer and
hospitality which characterized the
dispensing of them.

She was gay and fashionable; and,
being particularly fond of dancing, she
often gave entertainments of this kind
at her own house. Her house — which
was large and commodious, being built
after the Southern style — caused these
occasions to be the more heartily ap-
preciated by the young people in that
vicinity.

Being born, and partly acquiring her
habits, in the “Blue Grass Country’’
of Kentucky, she partook of the pecu-
liarities of the ladies of that place,
in being very fond of the horse, and
of horseback exercise. She thought
nothing of putting her horse to its
best speed; and often, in company
with her husband, would race over
the smooth prairies of Illinois. Some-
times a wolf would be just in front of
them for many a mile, the chasing
and killing of which was considered
rare sport and amusement by the early
settlers of that State. She was also
fond of the race-course, and often
“backed” with considerable liberal-
ity the favorite horse of her husband,
which was known to be a successful
racer.

After several years’ residence in
Mineral Point, Mrs. Parkinson and
her husband removed to a farm, five
miles distant, in the town of Willow
Springs, where she remained until her
death. At this place she took much
pride in a beautiful and cleanly door-
yard, an excellent garden, and a fine
tiock of poultry. The hospitality of
Col. Parkinson and his excellent wife
is known throughout the State. ‘

Beloved and esteemed by all who
knew her, her death, which occurred
June 18, 1843, was sincerely mourned,
and her memory is fondly cherished,
The attributes of her character were
industry, hospitality, generosity, and
integrity, united with a most obliging
and affable disposition.

Mrs. LoRINDA CAMPBELL. — This
lady is the oldest daughter of Sylvester
Hill, and wife of James Campbell,
president of the Madison and Portage
Railroad, who is well known through-
out this State as a railroad contractor.
She was born in Truxtun, near Syra-
cuse, Oneida County, N.Y.

She, with her parents, commenced
their journey to the West in Septem-
ber, 1838, travelling with teams, as was
at that time the usual mode of con-
veyance.
712 HISTORY OF

Arriving in Wisconsin, they located
on a farm about ten miles distant from
Monroe, in Green County, and imme-
diately commenced the work of erect-
ing alog-house, which, at that time, was
almost the only kind known in the
West. Logs sawed in two were called
“shakers,” and were used for roofing ;
and hewed logs were used for flooring..
The furniture of log-houses in those
days was exceedingly plain. Instead
of chairs, stools were used. Home-made
tables were found to be sufficiently ex-
tensive and at which a family might
easily be seated; and it has been proven
that savory viands are relished just
as much on a sanded pine table as on
a painted one. Bedsteads were made
by nailing two small logs against the
side of the house, and these joined by
another log.

Miss Hill was married to James
Campbell in 1840, he having come in
1835, at which time there were only
sixteen men in the county. Their first
home was on a farm almost a mile
from the village of Albany. Their
house was frame; and a few years later
Mr. Campbell erected a barn of pine
lumber. This he hauled two hundred
and fifty miles. They lived on the
farm till 1851, when Mr. Campbell went
to Albany, Green County, and engaged
in the mercantile business, continuing
in the same till 1862. Since that time
they have travelled considerably, Mrs.
Campbell going once with her husband
to Europe.

Their home is now in Portage City.

She is motler of three children, one
of whom is living, a daughter, who
married a son of Judge Clinton, and
resides in Portage City.

Mrs. Campbell is a lady of exceed-
ingly pleasant manner, kind, and char-
itable: she is ever willing to yield her
desires to the wishes of others.

Mrs. ELIZABETH KLINE. — Among
the names of the early settlers of Wis-
consin is that of Mrs. Elizabeth Kline.
She was born in the old city of Stras-
bourg, Nov. 8, 1789. Her maiden name
was Kapp. In 1811 she was married to
George Kline. With her husband and
three children, she came to America,
landing at Quebec, Canada, in 1817.
They lived at Quebec until 1820, and
then came to the United States, and set-
tled in Grove, Alleghany County, N.Y.,
where they resided until the fall of
1836. From there they travelled in a
wagon to Olean Point on the Alleghany
River in Pennsylvania, and, embark-
ing with their goods on a raft, they

WISCONSIN.

reached Cincinnati. Here taking a
river-steamer, they sailed down the
Ohio, and up the Mississippi Rivers, to
New Boston in Henderson County,
Ill, at which place they resided until
September, 1843, when they struck out
for the wilderness of the Wisconsin
Pinery. They journeyed by the way
of Janesville, Madison, and Portage,
and found these places in their infancy.
On their arrival at Grand Rapids, they
found but one white woman, a Mrs.
| Strong, who had migrated to that place
the year previously. Mrs. Kline re-
sided there until the time of her death,
which occurred in August, 1869; and,
while she lived in Grand Rapids, she
never travelled farther than twenty
miles from her home, ;

Five of her eight children are now
living. William, Karl, and Elizabeth
(uow Mrs. D. Baker) make their home
in Grand Rapids. Leah,the wife of J.K.
Searl, lives in Davies Corners, Adams
County; and a son in California. Her
son John died in Illinois,

Her descendants are somewhat nu-
merous; the grandchildren numbering
thirty-two, and the great-grandchildren

‘ fourteen.’ : :

Mrs. Kline was always a hard worker,
and one of that class of women who
are especially endowed by Nature to be
the helpmeet of a pioneer of the wilder-
ness. There are but few women and
fewer men who have the courage to
overstep the boundary line to perform.
the work of the opposite sex, and do
their own at the same time. But many
a day did this brave and energetic
woman not only attend to her house-
hold duties, but went into the woods
and did the work of a man. Strong
physical and mental power was com-
bined in her nature with surprising
activity. Reward usually goes hand
in hand with energy and perseverance ;
and, since these elements were charac-
teristic of her efforts, her reward was
not’ only substantial, but was realized
by the influence wielded in the com-
munity in which she lived.

Mrs. JosETTE JUNEAU. — Josette
Juneau, a daughter of Jacques Vieau,
late of Green Bay, was born in April,
1804. She resided at Green Bay and
vicinity until 1820, when she married
Solomon Juneau, who was then en-
gaged as a trader on the spot where
the city of Milwaukee now stands.
Soon after her marriage, she removed
thither, and shared. with her husband,
the hardships and self-denials of a

 

border-life. For thirteen years, there
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

was scarcely an incident to break this
monotonous mode of living, since the
_nearest white settlements weré Green
Bay on the north, and Chicago on the
south.

In 1838 the tide of emigration, flow-
ing into the Mississippi Valley, found
its way to this locality, which was then
known only as a trading-post.
soon the spirit of enterprise’ projected’
a city; and, its superior advantages
becoming generally known, the spot
for so long a period marked only by
a trader’s cabin became a large and
populous city, and the abode of civil-
ization and refinement. é

Mrs. Juneau lived to witness these
important changes; and she did her
part toward laying the foundations of
society in that place for future gene-
rations. Educated in the Catholic faith,
she remained for many years a member’
of that church. She died in Milwaukee,
Nov. 19, 1855, in the fifty-second year

of her age.

Mrs. SamvuEL Sr. Joun. — Mrs.
Samuel St. John was the first. white
woman, the first mother, and the first
being to yield up the spirit to the God
who gave it, in the place now known
as Janesville. During the month of
November, 1835, Mr. Samuel St. John
arrived from Vermont with his wife
and three children. Their cabin was
built at the foot of the hill on which
now stands the elegant residence of
Capt. Ira Miltimore.

And as Mrs. St. John looked from
her cabin-door across the river, she
could see the celebrated ‘‘ Big Rock’’
known by various appellations in dif-
ferent periods of time.’ In those days,
the “‘rock’’ was about a third Jarger
than at the present time.. It was then.
a renowned spot to, the Indians, and
had been from time immemorial; being
the place where Black Hawk held his
court: To the fur-traders, it was prom-
inent as a place of rendezvous, and as a
point where Rock River could be con-
veniently forded during most portions
of the year.

Speculations in public land did not

enter into the creed of Mr. and Mrs. St.
John. They came to this spot to secure
a home for themselves and their chil-
dren, not dreaming that a city of 10,115
inhabitants would spread.itself over a
part of their and their neighbors’ claims.
At that time, the little Janesville con-
sisted of but one family of nine per-
sons, four of whom were pioneers
boarding with Mrs. St. John.

Thus the winter of 1835-36 com-

Very|

 

713

menced. ‘In the month of January,
the small company was increased by
the addition of an infant son to the
family of Mr. St. John, who is sup-
‘posed to have been the first white child
born in the Upper Rock River Valley.
His name is Seth B. St. John, cousin
of the present mayor of Janesville,
and, when last heard from, was living
at Columbus, in this State. In. the.
‘same month, Dr. James Heath arrived
‘with ‘his wife, and, taking up their
abode with them, made twelve persons
in the little cabin, which was only
eighteen by sixteen feet..

Mrs. St. John was a Tospi table and.
an unusually energetic woman, though

at this time her health was very poor.

She gradually failed physically ; for her
heart was overburdened with: anxiety
as to the future of her little: family,
‘and the care of heads of families under
her ‘roof, whose households were wait-
‘ing the return of these pioneers to:
take them to Black Hawk’s stamping-
ground, that they might share the toils
of the wife and mother who was doing.

‘so nobly for their loved absent ones,

Faithfully did she perform her duties;
and, like the mothers of the Red Men
in the primeval forests, she scarcely
stopped: in her busy round of care till:

the voice of the new-born babe was

heard. Eight’ months had not passed
‘since she came to ‘make her home in
these western wilds, when death
claimed her as his first victim, in which
is now ‘‘the bower city of the West.”
After adecline of some months’ con-
tinuance, and the want of medical at-
tendance, as well as the shelter and
the care necessary to the mother of an
infant child, Mrs. Samuel St. John died:
in the month of June, 1836. —-

It should be noted here, also, that
Mr. St. John, her husband, who had in
later years removed from Janesville, re-
turned to visit his brother, and here
died, his remains being deposited by
the side of his wife. This spot is.
marked by a tombstone, upon an emi-
nence near the road leading to Beloit,
and in full view as one turns the bend
of the river off Main Street.

Mrs, AMABLE Roy. — This lady was
probably the first white woman in Wis-
consin, at least the first one that lived
in the first’ permanent settlement in
the State. She was the daughter of:
Sieur Augustin De Langlade.. He was
a native of France, and born about
1695. His family were of the nobility,
and had their castle. For the most
part, and perhaps all, of his American
714 HISTORY OF

life, M. De Langlade was an Indian
trader. It is quite probable that he
had the entire control of the trade at
Mackinaw, having obtained a license
from the French Government in Cana-
da for that purpose. While there, he
married the sister of the head Ottawa
chief, King Nissowaquet; or, as the
French called him, ‘‘ La Fourche,”’ or
the Fork. Their eldest child, Agate
— Madame Roy — was born at Macki-
naw, about 1722. Her brother Charles
was born at or near Mackinaw, in 1724,
and afterwards, two younger brothers,
and a sister, who married Mr. De Ver-
ville.

Mile. De Langlade married M. Sou-
ligny, who is represented as a man of
severity and cruelty, which he had per-
haps learned while an officer in the
French army. Madame Souligny, with
her husband, her father and his family,
went to Green Bay about 1745, and
made their home at that place. They
settled on the east side of Fox River,
near its mouth, somewhat above and
opposite the old French post, and about
where Judge Arndt resided, in the
upper end of Green Bay. This was
the first permanent settlement made in
Wisconsin. It is estimated that this
little colony numbered but eight per-
sons.

Augustin De Langlade died about
1677, at the age of seventy-five nearly,
and is buried in the old cemetery in
Green Bay. It is supposed, that, after
his death, Madame De Langlade went
to live with her relatives at Mackinaw.
But the last known of her is, that, about
ten years after, Gov. Sinclair gave
‘Madame De Langlade permission to
go to Green Bay, and enter into pos-
session of her houses, gardens, farms,
and property, and take a hired man
with her.”? Her brother Nissowaquet
is said to have been living as late as
1799.

After M. Souligny’s death, Madame
Souligny married Amable Roy, an In-
dian trader, whose native place was
Montreal. He went to farming after
their marriage. Madame Roy never had
any children; but her brother’s grand-
son, Louis Grignon, lived with them
from childhood. At this time, cur-
rants were numerous in Green Bay;
but Madame Roy had the first and the
only apple-tree in her orchard, till 1816,
when some were brought into the
place.

Her brother Charles died in 1800,
and was buried beside his father. He
died at the age of seventy-five. Ma-

 

WISCONSIN.

dame Roy died the year after, in 1801.
She willed all her property to her hus-
band; and, about one year after her
death he died, leaving the property to
Louis Grignon.

Mrs. Mary A, MENARD. — Among
the many notable characters found in
Prairie du Chien in 1815, and earlier, is
one Mrs. Menard of mixed African and
white blood. In former times she
lived in one of the French villages be-
low, and was there married to Charles
Menard, a Canadian of French extrac-
tion. She had been married twice pre-
viously; first to a man by the name of
Du Chonquette, by whom she had two
sons, one of whom was in the employ
of Mr. Astor in his unfortunate expe-
dition, in 1810, by sea, and across the
continent, to the mouth of Columbia
River, now Oregon Territory. Her
next husband was named Gagnier, by
whom she had three sons and three
daughters. After the death of Mr.
Gagnier, she married Charles Menard,
by whom she had three sons and two
daughters. She was generally called
“Aunt Mary Ann; and with the early
pioneers, she was a person of much
consequence, being the only one who
made any pretence to a knowledge of
the healing-art.

Until a fort was erected in Prairie
du Chien, and a surgeon arrived there
with the troops, she was sent for by
the sick, and attended them as regu-
larly as a physician, and charged fees
therefor, giving them, as she expressed
it, ‘devise and yarb drink.”’? She was
an excellent nurse; and, even after
there were regular surgeons of the
army stationed at Fort Crawford, Mrs.
Menard continued to practise among
the inhabitants. Whether she was
employed because they had more faith
in her skill, or because they could pay
her with more ease, — as her fees were
paid in the produce of the country,
though she was not very modest in her
charges, — cannot be with certainty
stated; and frequently after the army-
physician had attended a patient a long
time, who, perhaps, for want of good
nursing, could not be cured, ‘ Aunt
Mary Ann” would take him home with
her, and by the force of good nursing,
with a little “‘yarb drink,’ would re-
store him to perfect health ; so that the
physician was often joked about her
superior skill.

The following story is related about
her husband, Charles Menard. He
was once arrested on the charge of
having sold whiskey to the soldiers.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

He was brought about five miles from
his residence under a guard, tried by a
court-martial, whipped, and, with a
bottle hung to his neck, marched
through the streets with music, play-
ing the ‘“Rogue’s March”? after him.
Mr. Menard protested that he had not
sold liquor to the soldiers, but that
they had asked him for it, and that he
refused to let them have any, as he did
not keep liquor for sale.

At the last accounts, many of her
descendants resided in Prairie du Chien,
and were generally as industrious and
orderly inhabitants as any others.

Miss Nancy Samira. — ‘‘ Aunt Nan-
cy,’? as many of her old friends and
former pupils delight to call her, is one
of the pioneer school-teachers of Wis-
consin. She was born in the State of
Vermont nearly seventy years ago.
Possessing a naturally active and in-
telligent mind, with a thoroughly-prac-
tical education, acquired in the com-
mon schools, and a charitable and sym-
pathetic heart, replete with a strong
love for the children and the youth of
the community in which she lived, she
was eminently successful as a teacher.
But her attention was not given to her
school-duties exclusively; for she was
often found in the house of poverty
and distress.

Since her removal to this State, her
home has been in the southern part.
At first she lived with her brother in
Iowa County, but afterwards with her
parents in Moscow. After the death
of the father, the mother visited, first
with one child, and then another.

“Aunt Nancy’? commenced teaching
about fifty years ago, and taught for
nearly forty years. Much development
has been made in the school-system
since her first pupils used to sit on the
benches in the little log schoolhouse,
which was as good as the State afford-
ed; but no development has been made
in the strength of pure friendship
which existed between teacher and
scholars. Many of her students would
cordially grasp her hand to give her a
hearty welcome to their fireside, if they
could but see the dark-haired woman
whose stately form is yet quite erect.

Miss Smith is an earnest, active
Christian, a consistent member of the
Methodist-Episcopal Church, to which
she has belonged from childhood. In
earlier days, it was the custom of the
people to invite her to address them in
the absence of their pastor, which she
did in a clear, forcible, and impressive
manner,

 

715

After removing from Moscow, she
taught several years in Argyle and
vicinity, from which place she went to
Evansville for the purpose of educating
her adopted daughter.

Mrs. FRANCES A, FARWELL. — Mrs.
Frances A. Farwell, wife of ex-Gov.
Leonard J, Farwell, was the daughter
of Gen. A. N. Corss, who located in
Madison with his family about twenty-
three years ago. Mrs. Farwell was
then a young lady, and her future hus-
band was governor of the State. Be-
ing a woman of natural grace and
beauty, to which was added the high
cultivation derived from superior edu-
cation and extensive reading, she at
once became a general favorite in the
society of Madison, to which she was a
great accession.

In the fall of 1853, while he was yet
governor, Mr. Farwell and Miss Corss
were united in marriage, and settled at
once in a new residence that had been
erected the summer before on a point
on the shore of Lake Mendota some
seven miles from the city. All resi-
dents of that day remember the great
pleasure they experienced in calling
upon the happy couple in their new
home, and the cordial reception with
which the dark-eyed, stately bride and
her noble husband greeted them. For
many years they resided in Madison
and at their country home; and wher-
ever she was, in her own house, or in
any social gathering, Mrs. Farwell was
the object of attraction and respect.
Always agreeable, amiable, and lady-
like, she won the esteem of all who be-
came acquainted with her; and it was
a deep source of regret to her many
friends when circumstances rendered
it necessary that her residence here
should be terminated for a time; but
all had hoped her absence would be
only temporary. But this was not to
be.
After a long and painful illness, she
died in the city of Washington, on
Sunday morning, March 15, 1868, aged
only thirty-seven years. She left a
husband and three children. Their
loss is irreparable; for, as a wife and
mother, she was a model. .As a daugh-
ter, sister, and friend, she was highly
beloved. Her pleasant smile, genial
manners, and Christian example, are
removed from them forever; but mem-
ory will cause them to be cherished
fondly and kindly in the inmost re-
cesses of the heart.

Mrs. DorotHEA G. DopcE. — The
subject of this sketch was born and
716

educated in Windsor County, Vermont.
Her maiden name was Pierce.
age of eighteen she was married to John
Dodge, and soon after, on Aug. 7, 1887,
started, in company with fourteen oth-
ers, for the wilderness of Wisconsin,
taking with them seven horses and two
covered wagons.

They arrived at. the place now known
as Vernon, Waukesha County, Wis.,
Sept. 18, having been thirty-seven days
making the journey.’ Here she met her
husband, who the year previous had
come West, and built a log-cabin, twelve
by fourteen feet, on Section 27, Town
5, north in range 19 east, afterward
named Vernon. On the first night
after her arrival, twenty-seven slept in
the same log-house, finding sleep wher-
ever and whenever it could be found;
but on the following day some of the
party left for other claims. At this
time, flour sold for twenty-nine dollars
per barrel, and pork for twenty-two
dollars per barrel: they, however, lived
mostly on potatoes, turnips, and white
beans, until crops could be raised; and
were without butter until the follow-
ing spring.

Years passed by, and the rude log-
cabin gave way to better and more
commodious buildings, and many im-
provements have been added to their
farm. It was here that her children
were born, and here where her loving,
kind, and noble husband died.

Mrs. Dodge, and the ladies who
accompanied her, were probably the
first settlers in the place, where she has
resided for a period of over thirty-seven
years, and still resides, beloved and re-
spected by all who know her.

Mrs. Marra Louisa MILLs. —
Prominent among the early settlers of
Madison is Mrs. Maria Louisa Mills,
the wife of Gen. Simeon Mills, and a
daughter of Church Smith. She was
born in Sandisfield, Berkshire County,
Mass., on May 21, 1815. Her early edu-
cation was acquired at this place.
When she was about twelve years of
age, her father removed with his fam-
ily to Austinburg, Ashtabula County,
O., where she resided at the time of
her marriage. In 1834 she was mar-
ried to Simeon Mills. They made their
first home in Jefferson, the county-seat
of Ashtabula County. Here they re-
sided till they located in Madison, in
June,‘1838, at which time the entire
population of Dane County consisted
of about four families. They came by
steamer from Northern Ohio to Mil-
waukee: from there, Mrs, Mills and

At the} 1

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

her sister — now Mrs. Gen. George De-
aplaine of the latter place — rode on
the top of a wagon-load of goods. The
journey was long and exceedingly te-
dious; and the positions the ladies were
obliged to assume could not be the
raost comfortable. The route was cir-
cuitous; and between Janesville and
Madison, a distance of about forty
miles, there was no house or road,
They were three days on their journcy,
and eamped: out two’ nights, during
which time they were sufficiently an-
noyed by the mosquitoes. In those
days, the whole country was sparsely
populated; and a visit to a near neigh-
bor would often-involve a ride of from
twenty to forty miles. At the present
time, there is but one woman in Madi-
son or in Dane County who was here
at the time Mrs. Mills came; and she is
Mrs. Prosper Bird. On their arrival at
this place, Mrs. Mills kept a few board-
ers, and quite respectably too, though
often without eggs, milk, or butter.

Mrs. Mills’s children were born in
Madison, two of whom are buried
there. She has one son and two’
daughters living.

In speaking of her pioneer life, Mrs.
Mills says, ‘‘I came, expecting to make
my home in Madison; and not for a
moment have I been homesick.” This
remark illustrates her strength of pur-
pose, or, in other words, the remarkable
force of her character. And this force,
this energy, is the special feature which
predominates in her temperament.
Even in her childhood, when her
health was exceedingly delicate, she
was very active. Full of life, anima-
tion, and enterprise, she infuses the
same element in the company with
which she mingles. Her mental at-
tainments are good, and her conversa-
tion ready and interesting.

In early life she united with the
church then known as ‘The Chris-
tians,”’ or ‘*The Church of Christ,”
but perhaps better known now as
“The Disciples.” Being a firm be-
liever in Christianity, she has incul-
cated in her children the same prin-
ciples which form such an attractive
feature of her character. She is strict-
ly domestic, industrious, and frugal in
her habits, and never makes any pre-
tensions to publicity. Given more to
constant diligence than to gayety, she
presides as mistress of her own house-
hold. One so enshrined in the hearts
of her immediate family-circle cannot
fail in having the esteem and regard of
her neighbors and friends,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Possessing the characteristic traits
depicted here, Mrs. Mills could not be
other than well fitted for pioneer work.
She and her husband still live in the
home of their early choice, Madison,
— the city “‘ ’tween the lakelets.”

Mrs. HENRIETTA L. Cott. — Mrs.
Colt was born March 16, 1812, in Rens-
selaerville, Albany County, N.Y. She
was educated in a seminary at Albany,
and married, in 1830, to Joseph S.
Colt, Esq., a man well known through-
out the State. Mr. Colt was a member
of the Albany bar, and practised his
profession there until 1853, when he
removed to Milwaukee. Residing there
for three years, he returned to New
York, where he died, leaving an hon-
ored name.

Mrs. Colt felt her loss keenly; but it
aided in preparing her to devote her
entire energies to the cause of the
country during the late Rebellion.
The following extract of a letter
ewritten by her shows the state of
her mind at that time: —

“The sun seemed to me to go out
in darkness when he went to the skies.
Shielding me from every want, from
all care, causing me to breathe a con-
tinual atmosphere of refinement and
love and happiness, when he went, life
lost its beauty and its charm. In this
state of things, it was to me as a di-
vine gift, a real godsend, to have a
chance for earnest, absorbing work.
The very first opportunity was seized
to throw myself into the work for my
country, which had called its stalwart
sons to arms to defend its integrity, its
liberty, its very existence, from the
most gigantic and wicked rebellion
known in history.”

Mrs. Colt, became an active member
of the Wisconsin Soldiers’ Aid Society.
Leaving her home to minister to the
Federal soldiers, she went in the hos-
pital steamers, as far as Vicksburg, to
visit the camp and regimental hospitals
around that beleaguered city, and often
sent sanitary supplies for the sick and
wounded Union soldiers until the close
of the war. One on board a steamer
passing towards Vicksburg noticed the
characteristic traits of a party of ladies
who were on their way to carry sanitary
stores to those needing them. Of Mrs.
Colt, he remarked her intelligence,
her purity of character, the beautiful
blending of her religious and patriotic
tendencies, the gentleness and tender-
ness with which she gave encourage-
ment and sympathy to the sick soldier,
and the spirit of humanity and woman-

717

ly dignity that marked her manners
and conversation.

Under the care of the surgeons, she,
with Mrs. Hoge, improvised a hospital
of the steamer on which they went,
that came up from Vicksburg loaded
with wounded men. She made her
second visit when Gen. Grant was re-
newing the siege of Vicksburg. An
extract from one of her letters says, —

“T visited the .south-western hos-
pitals in order to see the benefits really
conferred by the Sanitary Commission,
in order to stimulate supplies at home.
Such was my story, or the effect of it,
that Wisconsin became the most pow-
erful auxiliary of the north-western
branch of the United States Sanitary
Commission. I have visited seventy-
two hospitals, and would find it diffi-
cult to choose the most remarkable
among the many heroisms I every day
witnessed.

“TI was more impressed by the gen-
tleness and refinement that seemed to
grow up and in the men when suffer-
ing from horrible wounds, than by
any thing else. It seemed always to
me that the sacredness of the cause
for which they offered up their lives
gave to them a heroism almost super-
human; and the sufferings caused an
almost womanly refinement among the
coarsest men. I have never heard a
word, nor seen a look, that was not
respectful and grateful.

“T know now that love of country
is the strongest love, next to the love
of God, given to man.”’

Much good was done by the visits of
Mrs. Colt to the sick and wounded of
our army; and much benefit resulted
in their effect upon the people at home,
in rousing them to new endeavors.
When the governor of Wisconsin gave
her an appointment to visit the Army
of the Cumberland, and see, person-
ally, all sick Wisconsin men, she ren-
dered them a service of great value.
She went under the escort of Rev.
J. P. T. Ingraham, and saw each one
of them in the hospital. After her
return, the recital of their heroic en-
durance stimulated exceedingly the
generosity of the people.

Upon the re-organization of the Wis-
consin Soldiers’ Aid Society, in 1861,
Mrs. Colt was chosen corresponding
secretary. She aided the society very
materially; for, in visiting the soldiers
in various localities, she was enabled

 

to make their wants known, Her de-
718

scription of their sufferings was re-
lated with such simple pathos, that
large contributions were given to the
society. She was an efficient worker
during the whole war, and labored
with entire devotion and great self-
sacrifice. Her home is still in Mil-
waukee.

Mrs. GARDNER WILSON. — This lady
was the first white woman who lived
in the place now known as Kenosha.
Her native place was Otsego County,
New York. Her husband arrived there,
with two other men, Monday, June
15, 1835; four of their acquaintances
reaching there the previous day. The
most of these persons were desir-
ous to look up a new home for them-
selves on their own individual ac-
count. They had no tools with which
to construct temporary shelter, so en-
camped for several days on the north
side of the harbor, and in the place
which is now known as second ward,
They had no cooking-implements: so
Mr. Bacon, who performed the duties
of steward, dug, with his knife, a
trench into a tree, in which place he
stored meat and other articles, as they
were taken from the fire, and from
which place each man helped him-
self.

The first double teams that came to
Kenosha arrived on Sunday, June 21,
1835. There were two wagons, to
one of which was attached a span of
horses, and to the other three yoke of
oxen. With these came Mrs. Gardner
Wilson, Jonathan Pierce, Orrin Je-
rome, and Nelson Catliffe. On the day
after the arrival of these teams, the
party commenced an erection of a
building where Main and Union Streets
now intersect each other, in second
ward. This was the first building put
up in Kenosha; and it resembled an
Indian wigwam more than a house.
The sides were laid up with poles, in-
stead of logs; while the roof and floor
were made of bark.

For the first two weeks after the
arrival of Mrs. Wilson, she used one
of the wagons as a sleeping-apartment,
and cooked out of doors. Her table
was made of split logs; and the cook-
ing-implements and the other furni-
ture were of the same primitive char-
acter. Mrs. Wilson lived afterwards
in a log-house, which was erected by
her husband on the lake-shore, op-
posite the northern end of the island.
This was the third building that was
built. She and her husband lived
here for several years, keeping, in the

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

mean time, a public house. The
‘“‘Resiqu House’? entertained guests
at the same time. Not a stone, or
piece of wood, or indentation of soil,
marks either of these building-spots.
The last known of Mrs. and Mr. Wil-
son is that they returned East.

Mrs. Dorcas HazELTINE. — This
pioneer woman was born in Andover,
Windsor County, Vt., about the year
1829. Here she was educated, and
resided with her parents until the time
of her marriage.

Her maiden name was Pierce; and,
at the age of nineteen she was mar-
ried to Mr. O. B. Hazeltine, a resident
of the same State. Soon after their
marriage, they left Vermont, and came
to Wisconsin, then known as a wilder-
ness :n the distant West, arriving here
on the 13th of September, 1838. They
located in Vernon, Waukesha County.

The writer, who has known her long
and intimately, has often heard her
speak of her pleasant wedding-tour;
riding in covered wagons, instead of
in palace cars. She was an enthusi-
astic lover of Nature; and her journey
was especially delightful, as it was
made in the summer time of the sea-
sons, and in the summer time of her
existence. On their arrival at their
destination, they lived in covered
wagons until a log-house could be
erected. During the first year they
enjoyed no luxuries; for their living
consisted largely of buckwhcat-meal.
They resided at this place until 1848,
when they removed to Black Earth,
Dane County, Wis., a village consisting
of two or three log-houses. She was
the mother of seven children, all of
whom were born in this State, — five at
Vernon, and two at Black Earth.

As a mother, she was the kindest
and most self-sacrificing; as a wife,
she was the truest and the best; as a
friend, she was the most faithful and
devoted. Like a ministering angel, she
carried comfort to the sick and to the
sorrowing, though her own heart was
burdened by the heaviest of grief.

Her health grew poor in the latter
years of her life; but she bore her suf-
ferings so patiently and silently, that
her physical pain was never realized
by her friends. She died at the age of
fifty-six, on March 7, 1874, at her resi-
dence, in Black Earth. She was a
firm believer in the principles of Chris-
tianity, to whose doctrines she ad-
hered to the close of her life, remark-
ing in her last moments, to those
around her, ‘‘ My work is finished, and
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

I want to go to sleep, and wake up in
heaven.”’

Mrs. Hazeltine was a very intelligent
lady, and her literary taste caused her
to choose for her companions the best
authors of the time, with whose works
she became familiar.

Mrs. OrtInNA M. Lewis, — The
maiden name of Mrs. Orlina M. Lewis,
wife of ex-Gov. James L. Lewis, was
Sturges. She was born May 20, 1825,
at Clarendon, Orleans County, N.Y.
She was educated at Leroy Female
Seminary, though her earlier knowl-
edge was acquired in Clarendon. For
several years she was engaged in teach-
ing at Albion Academy, in Western
New York. She was married to her
present husband July 23, 1846. Soon
after this marriage, they’ removed to
Columbus, Wis., where they have since
resided. They have had four children.

Mrs. Lewis is medium in height,
but presides over her household with a
great deal of decision. She is a blonde.
Should a person unacquainted with
Mrs. Lewis engage in conversation
with her for a few moments, he would
be sure to notice that energy was one
of the principal traits of her character.
She is a member of the Methodist-
Episcopal church, and is a good, con-
sistent Christian, wife, and mother.

Mrs. THERESE SCHINDLER. — Ma-
dame Therese Schindler was born at
“Old Mackinac,’”? Mich., in the year
1775. She was a lineal descendant
of the principal chief of the Ottawa
Nation. Most of her early life was
passed at St. Josephs, Mich. She was
a resident of the Island of Mackinac
from 1805 to 1853, when she removed
to Green Bay. During her eventful
life, she experienced many eventful
changes, and witnessed, what but few
persons have seen, five generations
(herself the first) assembled at one
time in her lake-home on the Island
of Mackinac. Her nearest lineal de-
scendant is her grand-daughter, the
wife of Hon. Henry S. Baird. Her
traits of character were amiable and
ennobling. She was a woman of no
scholarly attainments, but had power-
ful mental endowments, and a remark-
able memory. ; :

She died Oct. 31, 1855, in the eighty-

 

719

first year-of her age. In compliance
with her wishes, her remains were con-
veyed to Mackinac for interment.

Mrs. Marta Barstow. —She was
born in Salem, Mass. Her maiden
name was Quarles. Her father was
among the first settlers of Wisconsin,
having moved, with his family, to
Kenosha (then Southport) in 1837.
But few had found their way to this
place; and every thing was in a most
primitive state. There were no church
edifices; but, on each returning sab-
bath, all rallied for worship in an old log
schoolhouse; and there were no com-
fortable residences nor sidewalks, but
plenty of sand, through which one
literally waded. The stopping of a
steamboat, previously heralded by the
ery of ‘Steamboat, ahoy!’’ was a
most exciting event, and caused every
heart to thrill with expectancy. Men,
women, and children would rush to
the beach to see the new-comers, who
were brought ashore in a small boat
sent for that purpose. There were a
few enterprising, public-spirited men
in the little town, and, under their
auspices, it soon assumed considera~
ble importance. In 1844 Miss Quarles
was married to W. A. Barstow, who
at that time was living in Prairieville
(now calledWaukesha) ; and, for several
years after their marriage, this beauti-
ful town was their home. Subse-
quently they moved to Madison, and,
after a few years’ residence, removed
to Janesville, where they remained
until after the opening of the war.
During the autumn of 1861, and the
winter following it, Mr. Barstow raised
a cavalry regiment, which left Janes-
ville, in March, 1862. Mrs. Barstow
accompanied him, and was with him a
portion of the time during his term of
service. On the 8d of May, 1865, she
parted from him at St. Louis; and the
“ good-by”’ proved to be a final one.
Mr. Barstow died Dec. 18, 1865, of a
chronic disease. His wife was sum-
moned, but unfortunately too late to
see him. The remains of Mr. Barstow
were taken to Cleveland, O., and laid
by the side of his parents. Since then,
the heart-broken widow, with her
family, have made Cleveland their
home,
CHAPTER LXVIII.

WISCONSIN’S MEN,
Brief Biographical Sketches of the Pioneer and Prominent Men of Wisconsin.

We close this volume with a chapter of biography, — life-sketches of the
leading men of the State, of the past and the present. These sketches are,
from necessity, very brief. We have sought only to chronicle the events in
each life in a simple way, believing that we could not enhance this volume
by the laudation of living men. Others have engaged themselves in the
latter, in Wisconsin; but I am confident that their labors will only cause
those persons represented in this volume to more plainly distinguish the
difference between a biography that is prepared for public appreciation, and
one that is written in the interests of a money consideration. If, however,
we seem to fail in any respect, in this chapter, it must be from one of two
causes, either of which we must not be supposed to control. In the first
place, it is difficult, and often impossible, to procure data for biographical
sketches of persons now deceased ; and, even where this is made possible by
the collection of fragmentary records, the work of bringing them together

is rendered difficult by innumerable circumstances.

A second cause that

has largely interfered with this chapter is the narrow space allotted to it.

Hon. Lucius Farrcniip. — Lucius
Fairchild, a son of Col. Jairus C. Fair-
child, was born in the town of Kent,
Portage County, O., Dec. 27, 1830; re-
ceived a common school education; is
by profession an attorney. He came
to Wisconsin in 1846, with his parents,
and settled at Madison. In 1849 he
made an overland trip to California,
and remained there until 1855, when
he returned to Madison. Was clerk of
the circuit court for Dane County in
1859 and 1860; in 1861 entered the
military service with the First Wiscon-
sin Volunteers, and was commissioned
successively captain, major, lieutenant-
colonel, and brigadier of volunteers,
and captain in the Sixteenth Regi-
ment, United States regular army.
At the battle of Gettysburg, where he

720

 

commanded the Second Wisconsin
Regiment of the ‘Iron Brigade,” he
lost an arm, and, while recruiting his
health, received and accepted the Re-
publican nomination for secretary of
State, to which position he was elected
in 1863; in 1865 was elected governor;
and was re-elected in 1867 and 1869,
serving six years in that capacity, since
which time he has been appointed by
the President United States consul at
Liverpool, Eng. Gov. Fairchild’s life
has been so well presented in the
chapters on his administrations of the
State government, that further men-
tion here is unnecessary.

JAIRUS Cassius FartrRcHinp was
born in one of the northern towns of
New-York, on the 27th of December,
1801. A younger son of a large family,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

he might have remained there, but for
the loss of his mother at an early age.
As he used laughingly to express it, he
“‘found he could not govern his step-
mother;” and so, at eleven years, he
started out to seek his fortune. Prob-
ably, among the hardy pioneers of the
time, this did not seem so doubtful a
venture as it might now do. It must
be added, that the same step-mother
afterwards paid him avisit at his home
in Ohio, and received most affectionate
attention from himself and his wife,
to whose children she became much
attached. Unfortunately, there is no
clear record of these early years, full
of adventure and of persevering effort.
Doubtless a most entertaining book
might be made of them, if any friend
could clearly recall the stories he has
related of scenes through which he
passed. He recollected vividly the
news of the attack on Sackett’s Har-
bor, brought by a man mounted ona
horse detached from the plough, who,
seeing a fresher one standing harnessed
at his father’s door, threw himself
from one to the other, and continued
his journey over hill and dale to warn
the people of the approaching enemy,

Fifteen little months would cover
all the time spent in schools. But he
was a careful observer, with retentive
memory; and whether he earned his
bread at the weaver’s loom, or by busi-
ness journeys through the country, on
both sides the River St. Lawrence and
Lake Ontario, he laid up stores of
practical knowledge, which made him
a cyclopedia for those who sought in-
formation from him in later years.

An indefatigable and critical reader,
nothing came amiss to his inquiring,
thoughtful mind; and, even at this
early period, he had reasoned, and
drawn conclusions, upon subjects not
speculated upon by his companions;
and theories now commonly received
were reached by him alone and un-
aided. One fact, unimportant in itself,
shows amarked character and capacity.
He always rose late. Entering upon
any employment, this fact was always
mentioned by him, and the hope ex-
pressed, that he should make himself
so valuable after he was up, as to
make up for the loss of time. One
smiles to think of the young boy thus
frankly dictating terms to his masters,
expressing a hope that he might over-
come his tendency, but, if it proved
impossible, asking consideration, —a
consideration which was, I believe,
never denied. This is-mentioned, not

 

721

as a good precedent, but only as show-
ing a characteristic.

At twenty-one we find him, with
an elder brother, Marcus Brutus, en-
tering Ohio in search of a permanent
home. They separated at Cleveland,
agreeing to meet there at a certain
time, and report progress. But the
brother never returned; and, after
weary and anxious waiting, the subject
of this sketch entered upon an engage-
ment with Owen Brown, the father of
that John Brown whose devotion to
the cause of antislavery, and raid into
Virginia, have given him so wonderful
a place in the history of our country.
This Owen Brown was a remarkable
man: a volume might be written of
his sayings, full of wit, and of keen,
shrewd good sense. An industrious
and prosperous’ man, he stood high
among his fellows, and was a valuable
friend to a young man starting in life.

Among his other enterprises, he had a
tannery, and taught the young man this
trade; and soon after John Brown and
Mr. Fairchild became partners in the
business. But John Brown, — stern,
unbending, a man of “ one idea,’’ the:
stuff of which martyrs are made, —-
grand and sublime though he be in
history, was not the most suave and:
agreeable companion one could find.
for social relations; and this arrange--
ment was very brief, though a friend-
ship continued. For when, some years.
later, John lost his wife, the fact was
announced in a letter to his former:
partner, beginning, ‘‘ My good, fuith--
ful, obedient wife Diantha is dead.”

About this time Mr. Fairchild met:
with Sally Blair, a handsome, energetic:
daughter of New England, of Scotch-
Irish descent, gifted with Scotch per-
sistency and Irish kindliness. One:
brief meeting left upon each so strong”
an impression, that the acquaintance:
was voluntarily renewed; and a few
months later, in the spring of 1826, he:
brought his bride home to Franklin
Mills (now Kent), O., where they lived.
in a log-house a year, till their own:
house was built.

After all his wanderings and strug--
gles, we find the homeless, self--
instructed boy anchored by his “ain
fireside.’ Here four children were-
born, and one laid under the sod..
He built a brick store, now pointed
out as the first brick building ever:
erected in the town. Very small it
looks; but it was regarded with no
contempt then. No success or posi-
tion of later years was brighter or
722 HISTORY OF
more beautiful than these few years
passed by him in the thriving little
village, as the proprietor of a large
tannery, of ‘‘the store,’ and his own
cottage close by it, a justice of, the
peace, and known as ‘‘the Squire” in
all the neighboring counties. He was
an active temperance man. So preva-
lent was drunkenness at this time,
that nothing short of total abstinence
could remedy the evil. Tobacco, and
stimulants in all forms, were fought
against with all his youthful vigor;
and not till near his fiftieth year did
he, by the advice of several physicians,
adopt the occasional use of them.
This period, uneventful in a written
history, afforded time for maturing
and assimilating the experiences and
observations of his previous years;
for reading law, in order that he might
faithfully and justly act as ‘‘squire;”’
for investigating financial and political
questions to fit him for business and
citizenship. But to him personally
this was a period of intense interest.
His busy days were followed by sleep-
less nights of study of the Bible, and
thoughtful talks with his clergyman
and others. An active and prayerful
church-member, his views of Christian
duty were extreme and vigorous; and
though these most conscientious strug-
gles resulted in a positive rejection of
the miraculous claims of theology, they
gave an enviable familiarity with the
teachings and spirit of the Founder of
Christianity, and a steadfast faith in
the wisdom of the command to ‘‘do
justly, love mercy, and walk humbly
with God.”

During all these years, one of the
delightful domestic events was the fre-
quent visits of his good old friend
Owen Brown, whose affection extended
tothe wife and children, and whose
habit of frightful stammering only
added a charm to the keen wit and
kindly good-humor which made him a
delight to children as well as to the
older ones.

In 1834 he removed to Cleveland, —
then rushing on in the full tide of
speculation, — just in time to be
stranded by the tidal wave of 1837,
which wrecked so many imaginary
millionnaires. His little brood, incapa-
ble of comprehending the prosperity,
were taught by this adversity that op-
portunities for education were to be
mnade the most of; and much of the
sons’ perseverance, and faithful per-
formance of small duties, may have
been unconsciously derived from their

 

WISCONSIN.

father’s humbling experiences in this
‘“Cerash,”” While engaged in the wea-
risome and mortifying business of
adjusting these affairs, there came to
him, unexpectedly, a position in the
secret service of the government,
which gave him active employment,
and means of subsistence, during the
period in which his hands were tied
by his embarrassments. It also af-
forded him an opportunity to choose
a home wherein he should start anew.

One dreary March day, driving
against a biting north wind, in the
year 1846, he arrived in Madison,
Wis.; and, after a stay of less than
twenty-four hours, he wrote to his
wife in Cleveland that he had found
the place wherein he should live and
die. This active, far-seeing helpmeet
was ready for the summons, and,
bringing children and household goods,
joined him in Milwaukee.

Driving two and a half days over
green prairies, and through “oak
openings,’? where shadows danced
upon a brilliant carpet of flowers, they
reached Madison June 8, 1846.

The first constitutional convention,
occurring this year, not only brought
most of the leading men of the State
together in Madison, but made politi-
cal questions the subject of every-
day common conversation. Into these
he threw himself with eager interest;
and, though some of the progressive
measures most pleasing to him led to
the rejection of the constitution by
the people, he lived to see most of
them adopted by the State.

He had been a Henry Clay Whig, a
“stump’’ speaker during the cam-
paign which elected Harrison; and
was one of the few who sustained
John Tyler in his course after the
death of the President brought him to
the head of the administration. Per-
haps it was not so much that he agreed
with him in the abstract, as that he
claimed for him the right to carry out
the principles he had always held, and
his known advocacy of which had
given strength to the efforts which
resulted in the triumph of the party.
So few were the Tyler men, that they
were known as the ‘‘ corporal’s guard,”
—-a soubriquet cheerfully accepted by
himself and others,

This state of things naturally drifted
him with the Democrats; and he was
elected state treasurer at the first
State election, on the Democratic
ticket, at the head of which was Gov.
Dewey, and was elected to the same
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

office, for a second term, in 1849. In
1851, and again in 1853, he was pressed
by his friends for the Democratic
noinination for governor, and on the
‘second occasion lacked only two votes
of the number required to confer the
nomination.

He was the only State officer who
kept house in Madison; and his own
and his wife’s unfailing hospitality
made their simple, unpretending home
a delightful social centre, and famili-
arly known to all whose business or
tastes brought them to the City of the
Lakes. Perhaps in this way, more
than in any public positions, was
their united influence exercised in the
rapidly-increasing community. All
his efforts went to develop the re-
sources of his own vicinity, and to
advance the interests of his neighbors.
If he gained a little money, instead of
seeking some safe investment, where
he could profit by the industry of
others, he put it into improvements
of the town or State. Immediately
upon his arrival in Madison, he set
about getting a home for life. His
first step was to buy a saw-mill in the
pinery; and, running his own lumber
down to Prairie du Sac, he had it
hauled by teams, twenty-five miles, to
Madison. Then there was no brick.
The beautiful stone, now easily pro-
cured, was then inaccessible: so he
started a brick-yard, and made enough
bricks for all his own buildings, and
to go far towards paying for the other
materials used. These things being
ready, the architect who was to have
taken charge failed, and so he com-
pleted the job by giving his own daily
personal attention to the details of the
work to the end. home gained
under such difficulties, and enriched
by memories of years of hospitalities,
is not to be bought with mere money.

While he was a State officer, he be-
came intimately acquainted with the
whole State, through his ex-officio con-
nection with the commissioners for the
care of school and university lands;
and, though he was strongly averse
to much they were obliged to do, cone
sidering it a waste or misuse of a noble
endowment, yet he enjoyed giving his
time and strength to the work, and
was faithful and efficient in efforts to
avert evils, and accomplish good.

Not much is it to tell, —the first
state treasurer in a new State, the
first mayor in a very small city, the
builder of an unassuming home and
of other modest buildings. But his

 

728

influence was widely felt in his day;
and who shall say where it will end
He could not sleep comfortably in his
bed if he knew others to be homeless
and suffering. He was foremost in
every public work. No widow or
orphan was ever turned away till his -
best thought and kindest aid had been
given. No man, not even the worth-
less, ever appealed to his friendship in
vain, He felt that want of success
often stamped a man as worthless
among his fellows; and the unfor-
tunate were sure of his aid. At one
time his banker refused to accept his
name as an indorser, giving, as a rea-
son, that his name was on two-thirds
of the paper in Dane County. Of
course, he had losses; of course, he
a very few times aided scamps; of
course, he had no millions to divide
among his children. It is not a good
example to follow to that extent. And
yet who would not prefer the troubles
and embarrassments brought by such
a life, to those attending the selfish
life ?

He had a powerful frame, a large,
intellectual head, fine features, a fair
complexion, and bright auburn curling
hair. His physical strength was enor-
mous. At one time, when a spirited
horse which he was driving, frenzied
by fright, had started to run, he stopped
him by main strength, nearly pull-
ing him back into the buggy. Though
genial in his ways, and under habitual
self-control, his passions were strong;
and his keen sense of honor led him
to quick resentment of any attack upon
his character. The first year of his
residence in Madison, he walked stead-
ily into a printing-office, and, with his
own unaided arm, broke up a news-
paper form upon the press, then print-
ing false words derogatory to him.
This strength, and self-reliance in his
personal appearance, made the feeble-
ness and loss of sight of his last
months peculiarly touching.

His life went out in darkness. The
war came. He had foreseen it with
deepest pain. He was of those who
thought the election of Douglas over
Lincoln would have averted it for the
time, possibly would have shifted it
along till different circumstances had
quietly accomplished the end, which
came only through blood and anguish.
But when the call for men came, and
his son Lucius was one of the first
five in the State to enlist to serve in
any capacity required, he made no ob-
jection. It was his country; and the
*

724

Union was essential to his idea of it.
And when Cassius, returning from the
wilds of the pinery to find the country
aflame with the war-spirit, added his
name to the already tremendous list,
he gave no sigh. He expected, as a
matter of course, if there was work
to be done, all his boys would do
it. And though great tears rolled
down his cheeks, already thin and

pallid at the rapid ‘approach of death,-
those precious lives were never re-

called, even to comfort his last days.
The fortunes of war sent his eldest
son, Cassius, back on a stretcher, with
a ball in his thigh, to occupy an ad-
joining bed-room during his father’s
last days, and, with his mother and
sister, to follow, on crutches, the re-
vered form to its last resting-place.
But with all the sense of personal loss,
with all the frightful sense of danger
to his eldest son in the Western Army,
his second in the Army of the Poto-
mac, and his third son and youngest
child in the navy, now on guard below
Richmond, in James River, and then
participating in the siege of Charles-
ton, his great grief, his really first
thought, was for his country, — the
fear that peace had fled from it for a
long time, if not forever. No victories
came to cheer his last days. With fail-
ing strength, and nearly extinguished
sight, he went out in the darkest days
of the war, just when defeat after de-
feat had begun to teach our armies
how large a task had been undertaken.
He died July 18, 1862.

Cassius FAIRCHILD was born at
Franklin Mills, now Kent, O., Dec. 16,
1829. He was the second son of Sally
Blair and Hon. J. C. Fairchild, first
treasurer of the State of Wisconsin,
first mayor of the city of Madison,
and a gentleman of fine ability, high
character, and great prominence in
the early history of the State. His
mother’s grandfather, Capt. George
Howard, died in the service of his
country just before the close of the
Revolutionary War. He had been in
Nova Scotia, most prosperously situ-
ated, at the Declaration of Independ-
ence, and, sacrificing all his property,
had hastened home to fight for his
country. His mother’s other grand-
father, Blair, had also served with
honor in the French and Indian war.
The elder son died early; and the
family removed to Cleveland, in 1834,
where Cassius received his education,
with the exception of one year spent
at an academy in Twinsburg, O., and a

‘ing the war.

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

longer: period, later, at the school which
afterwards became Carroll College, in
Waukesha, Wis. He learned slowly,
but had an accurate and retentive
memory. Fond of fun, he yet had
caution and self-control; so that he
never got into difficulties. __

At fourteen he came to Milwaukee,
with his uncle, Mr. F. J. Blair; and
after his return to Cleveland, by most
urgent entreaties, he obtained permis-
sion from his parents to go all the way
back to Milwaukee on horseback, in
company with a young man well
known to them. This first taste of
adventure was enjoyed by him with a
keen relish, and made him feel himself
a man at once.

With his uncle in Milwaukee, in
school at Waukesha, in the duties and
pleasures of home-life at his father’s
house in Madison, with an occasional
business-visit to New York City, his
life passed smoothly on, with no more
startling incident. than his repeated
election as alderman (one year presi-
dent of the common council), and an
election, in 1859, as member of the
legislature from the city of Madison.

Though previously known to most
acquaintances merely as- a young
gentleman in society, he is said to
have possessed at this time an unusual
keenness and discrimination as to men,
and to have so won their respect as to
wield a controlling influence over many
of his'seniors in years and experience.

At about this time, little knowing
for what they prepared themselves,
some young gentlemen of the city
formed a military company called the
Governor’s Guard. So rare was even
the smallest knowledge of military
tactics in the State, that nearly every
member of this company took high
rank, and served with distinction dur-
Among its most inde-
fatigable members were the brothers
Cassius and Lucius Fairchild.

At the breaking-out of the war,
Cassius was in the wilds of the North-
ern Pineries, attending, with patience
and tact, to a most wearing and vexa-
tious business, in which misplaced
eonfidence and kindness had involved
his father. Immediately after his re-
turn home, he offered his services to
the governor, and in October, 1861,
was appointed major of the Sixteenth
Wisconsin Infantry. In December
following, he was promoted to the
office of lieutenant-colonel. At the
battle of Shiloh, a ball entered his
thigh, so close to the hip-joint, that
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

amputation was impossible, and all
tampering dangerous. By the almost
superhuman exertions of his father’s
friend, Judge Thomas Hood, who went
for him, he was brought home on a
stretcher, down the Tennessee and the
Ohio, and up the Mississippi to Prairie
du Chien. During eight months of
emaciation and suffering, the ball and
seven pieces of his clothing remained
in the wound, baffling the search of a
score of surgeons. Through all this
suffering and anxious suspense, his
cheerful courage and ever-flowing wit
made his bedside a delight to his
friends. The melancholy satisfaction
of witnessing the last days of a re-
vered and beloved father, and of sus-
taining his mother and sister through
the bereavement, were secured to him
by his prolonged suffering. The ball
was found by Dr. Brainard, in Decem-
ber, and the foreign substances re-
moved; but they had remained so long
embedded in the bone, that a new for-
mation of bone had grown over them,
and the consequent irritation was very
slow to heal. He returned to the field
and active service in May, while his
wound still required dressing twice a
day; and twice during the succeeding
campaign he received injuries which
opened his wound, and prostrated him
upon a sick-bed. During ‘the siege of
Vicksburg, the lamented Gen. McPher-
son was his kind and constant friend;
and Gens. Force, Belknap, and others
of his companions, remember him with
expressions of affectionate respect.

In March, 1864, he was appointed
eolonel. His regiment belonged to
the Seventeenth Army Corps, which
achieved such a noble record at At-
lanta, and in Sherman’s March to the
Sea. He remained in the service to
the close of the war, and, upon being
mustered out, was brevetted brigadier-
general for gallantry.

In the summer of 1866, he was ap-
pointed United States marshal, and
again removed to the city of Milwau-
kee, where he resided till he received a
strain while acting as pall-bearer at
the funeral of a friend, which caused
the breaking-open of his wound, with
fatal results. He died Oct. 24, 1868.

Gen. Fairchild left two brothers,
Gen. Lucius Fairchild, then governor
of the State, and Charles Fairchild of
Boston, who had also served in the
navy during the blockade of James
River, and participated in the siege of
Charleston. He also left one sister,
and a widow, to whom he had been

|the same years.

 

725

married ten days before his death.
He is interred in Madison.

Hon. Levi B. Vitas. — He was born
in Sterling, Lamoille County, Vt., on
Feb. 25, 1811. Hereceived an academ-
ie education, and pursued a partial
collegiate course. He studied law, and
was admitted to the bar at St. Albans,
Vt., in 1833. He was the first post-
master at Morrisville, in 1834. Soon
after, he removed to Johnson, in that
State, from which place he was elected
a member of the State Constitutional
Convention, in 1835. He represented
that town in the State legislature in
1836 and 1837, and was elected by the
legislature, in the latter year, one of the
commissioners of the Deaf and Dumb
and Blind Institution: during the same
period, he held the office of register of
probate.. He removed to Chelsea in
1838, and represented that town ‘in
the legislature in 1840-43, and was the
Democratic: candidate for speaker for
During these four
years, he served on the judiciary com-
mittee, and the last year was its chair-
man. He was the Democratic candidate
for Congress from his district in 1844,
against Hon. Jacob Collamer. In the.
following year he was elected State
senator from Orange County, and re-
elected in 1846; and was unanimously
elected president pro tem. of the senate
in a body composed of twenty-three
Whigs and seven Democrats, he being
of the latter number. He held the
office of judge of probate' in Orange
County for three years. He was sup-
ported by:the Democrats in the legisla-
ture for United States senator, against
Hon. William Uphan, in 1848; and was
a Democratic candidate for presidential
elector the same year; also delegate to
the Baltimore Convention; was a mem-
ber of the State Constitutional Conven-
tion in 1850, from Chelsea; and was the
Democratic candidate for president of
that body.

He came to Wisconsin in 1851, and
settled at Madison; but it should be
remarked, in this connection, that Mr.
Vilas, during his residence in Vermont,
was not only sought after by the elec-
tors, for responsible positions of trust,
but enjoyed a very lucrative law prac-
tice. It is said, that, for many years
previous to his removal to Wisconsin,
he enjoyed as large a practice at
the bar as any other lawyer in
Vermont, — perhaps larger. He repre-
sented the Madison district in’ the
assembly, in the years 1855 and 1868,
and was mayor of the city of. Madison
726

from April, 1861, to April, 1862. His
inaugural address, delivered before the
Madison common council, April 16,
1861, is a lengthy and able document,
displaying great logic, and an extensive
practical acquaintance with the uses
and abuses of government. Among
the many sentences in which he
evinced his own political doctrines, as
well as manifested a high degree of
reasoning power, was this: ‘I look
upon infidelity to public trust as moral
treason to the government.”

He was appointed by Gov. Salomon,
and served as draft commissioner
in the war for the Union, in 1862.
Judge Vilas rendered his country great
service in various ways during the
years of its greatest trial. His po-
litical speeches did much to arouse
the requisite enthusiasm; and his ex-
ample led many to the post of duty.
While he labored faithfully at the post
of duty at home, he had four sons who
rendered valuable service in the field.

He was regent of the Wisconsin
State University for twelve years pre-
vious to its re-organization. He was
the Deniocratic candidate for secretary
of State in 1865, and received the
Democratic vote for speaker of the as-
sembly at its organization in 1873.
During his term as regent of the Uni-
versity, he rendered the State great
service in memorializing the legisla-
ture against the charging of interest on
trust-funds, &e. While in the legisla-
ture, he was also instrumental in fram-
ing a code of practice, procuring the
Madison gas-works, and the completion
of the dome of the Capitol.

He was married, in 1837, to Esther G.
Smilie, daughter of the Hon. Nathan
Smilie of Cambridge, Vt. They have
been blessed with a family of ten chil-
dren. Five of his sons have graduated
at the Wisconsin State University.
Judge Vilas, although still active, is
somewhat past the meridian of life,
and bears the imprint of years. His
wife, however, would seem to be
scarcely beyond the noonday of life.
She is brilliant in conversation, active
in society, rendering her palace-home
a place of cheer and welcome to the
hosts of friends and relatives that pass
its threshold. Judge Vilas’s house-
hold is an exceedingly happy one. Its
crowning blessing is a bright little
daughter of only ten years. With am-
ple means, a complete library, hosts of
warm friends, and a palace for ahome,
the judge is, as he should be in his
retired life, remarkably happy.

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Hon, ALEXANDER W. RANDALL. —
Gov. Randall was a native of New
York. He was born in Cooperstown,
in that State, about the year 1819, and
was fifty-three years of age at the time
of his death. Of his early life we know
but little, After passing through his
school-days, he read law. Soon after
his admission to the bar, he removed to
Wisconsin, and located at Prairieville
(now Waukesha), in this State. He
commenced the practice of his profes-
sion with a fair show of success; but
his love of political life was so great,
and he devoted so much time to that
subject, as to interfere considerably
with his legal practice.

In politics, Gov. Randall was origi-
nally a Democrat. He was always zeal-
ous in the cause he espoused, and a
working member of the party with
which he acted. His first appearance
at the capital, officially, was as a mem-
ber of the first Constitutional Conven-
tion, in 1846. He was then quite a
young man; but he took prominent po-
sition in that body. In 1848, when the
great Freesoil movement of that year
was inaugurated, Gov. Randall was
prominent in it, taking an active part
in a Freesoil State Convention. He did
not harmonize long with that party,
but soon fell back into the ranks of the
regular Democracy. In the fall of 1854
Mr. Randall was elected, as an Inde-
pendent Democrat, a member of the
next assembly, against the regular
nominee of the party. This assembly
was Republican by a small majority.
Gov. Randall was made chairman of
the judiciary committee ; and the
Journal of that session will show that
he was a very laborious and able mem-
ber. At the Republican State Conven-
tion for the nomination of a ticket for
State officers, in 1855, Mr. Randall
was placed upon it for attorney-gene-
ral. He made a gallant canvass, but
was defeated, as were the others upon
the ticket, with the exception of gov-
ernor; and that officer obtained the
posttion by contest before the Supreme
Court. In this gubernatorial contest
between Bashford and Barstow, Mr.
Randall acted as one of the attorneys
for the contestant (Bashford). In this
case he displayed marked ability as a
lawyer.

In_ 1856 Gov. Bashford appointed
Mr. Randall judge of the Second Judi-
cial Circuit, composed of the counties
of Milwaukee and Waukesha, Many
of his opponents thought the appoint-
ment was not a fortunate one; but,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

after one term of court had been held
by Judge Randall, he displayed so
much ability, and adapted himself so
well to his new duties, that he was
considered an excellent judge. His
judicial career, however, was brief. In
1857 he was nominated as the Republi-
ean candidate for governor, and was
elected. He entered upon his duties
on the first of January, 1858, and dis-
charged them with such ability, and
satisfaction to the people, that he was
re-elected in 1859. This second term
carried him through the year 1861, the
first year of the late war. He was one
of the very best war governors in the
country. The ability, energy, and
boldness with which he labored in the
organization of troops for the service
was greatly admired by all royal people
in this State, and gave Gov. Randall a
national reputation as an able and
patriotic man.

In .1861 Gov. Randall was a candi-
date for United States senator. The
contest was a sharp one. The candi-
dates were Gov, Randall, C. C, Wash-
burn, and Hon. T. O. Howe. After
several ballots were taken in the nomi-
nating caucus, Gov. Randall withdrew
from the contest; and most of his
friends gave their votes for Mr. Howe,
who was nominated and elected.

At the close of his term as governor,
Pres. Lincoln appointed Gov. Randall
minister to Rome; which position he
filled for a short time in a manner
satisfactory to the government. In
1865 he was appointed assistant post-
master-general of the United Sates,
under the Hon. William Dennison of
Ohio, who was at the head of the
post-office department. ‘When Pres.
Johnson separated from the Republican
party, Gov. Randall united his political
fortunes with the President; and, on
the resignation of Mr. Dennison, he
became postmaster-general; which po-
sition he held until the end of Mr.
Johnson’s term. In following the for-
tunes of Mr. Johnson, Gov. Randall
naturally drifted into the Democratic
party, with which organization he
acted until his death, though he held
no official position after March 4, 1869.
He died at his residence in Elmira,
N.Y., July 26, 1872.

Hon. J. P. WALKER. — Ex-senator
J. P. Walker was a native of Virginia,
and was born in the year 1813, The
early part of his life was passed in Illi-
nois. In 1841 he emigrated to Wis-
consin, and began the active practice of
his chosen profession, the law. It was

 

727

not long, before we find him filling posi-
tions of marked political distinction.
He was a member of the Territorial
legislature in 1847 and 1848. In the
latter year, when the State was ad-
mitted into the Union, he, in company
with Gen. Dodge, was sent to the
United States senate, — he for the short
term, which expired the next year;
but at this time he was re-elected, and
served till the year 1855, when he was
succeeded by the Hon. Charles Durkee.

He died quite suddenly, of a stroke
of apoplexy, on the evening of March
29, 1872, in the city of Milwaukee. He
bore the reputation of having been a
brilliant and impressive public speaker,
and a man of superior presence, and
most attractive personal endowments.

Hon. Mitton H. Perrirr. — He
was born in the town of Fabius, Onon-
daga County, N.Y., Oct. 22, 1825. He
received a common-school and aca-
demical education; and in 1846, at the
age of twenty-one years, he arrived in
Wisconsin, and located in the town of
Somers, in the extreme south-eastern
part of the State, afew miles distant
from the present lake-port of Kenosha.

He had come West prompted by a
mere spirit of adventure, with but lit-
tle money, no friends, and no valuable
experience in life. He had, when he
started for the West, a fund of sixty
dollars, which was reduced to twenty
dollars when he reached the spot where
he made his settlement. He there pur-
chased a farm on credit, and was mar-
ried. He worked on his farm seven
years, spending nearly all his time in
grubbing the roots out of the soil, and
in subduing the wild fields. At the
end of that time, he concluded that
this was a long road and a slow gait to
fortune, and that, for one, he would
see if there was not an easier method
of procuring a livelihood, and a “cut
across lots’’ to wealth.

With these views, in 1854 he re-
moved to the city of Kenosha, and
began the business of buying and sell-
ing grain, which he followed till his
death, in 1873.

He was elected mayor of the city of
Kenosha in 1861, 1865, 1867, and 1870;
was elected a member of the State
senate in 1869, in which body he
served two years; andin 1871 he was
nominated and elected by the Repub-
lican party to the office of lieutenant-
governor.

A few years before his death, while
on the flowing tide of a prosperous
business, the death of a man largely
728

indebted to him, whose estate proved
bankrupt, and the death of a relative
for whom he had indorsed largely, were
the two principal events in a series of
disasters which swept away Gov. Pet-
titt’s entire fortune. Thirty or forty
thousand dollars of paper upon which
he had placed his name were, from
these causes, thrown into the banks,
which would be due in sixty days; and
he was, as a matter of fact, without
resources to meet the notes.

But he never faltered an hour. His
face never lost the serene and cheerful
look of the prosperous buyer and seller,
whose profits were rapidly accumu-
lating, and whose fortune was secure.
He did not let his banker, nor his most
intimate friend, nor a single member of
his family, know the desperate condi-
tion in which he was placed. He
maintained an undisturbed demeanor.
He borrowed money; he expanded his
business; he paid some notes as they
fell due; he procured extensions upon
others, as if no unusual event had
occurred. Each day, week, and month,
for three years, he was conscious of
standing upon the brink of a precipice,
that at any moment might hurl him
to ruin.

During the latter part of this time,
he was a member of the legislature,
before which many public measures
of great importance were pending; and
he was nominated as a candidate for
the second office in the State,

The crash did not come. His un-
equalled pluck, the wisdom which in-
spired him to keep his own counsels,
and the daring with which he entered
upon his large business-ventures, met
their reward. At the end of four years
his business prosperity was re-estab-
lished on a substantial basis; and he
had fully entered on a new career of
successful enterprise,

The profits of his business-house in
1870 were forty-seven thousand dollars.

He was an admirable presiding offi-
cer, having ready and intelligent ideas
of the rules and customs which govern
deliberative bodies. As a legislator,
he had broad and enlightened opinions,
is conservative in regard to the good
things in the laws, and the friend
everywhere of virtue and intelligence.
An politics, of course, he was a radical
Republican, and stood high in the con-
fidence and respect of his party.

He died on the 15th of March, 1873,
:at his residence in Kenosha,

WILtiamM C. Wuirrorp, A.M.— He
‘was born in West Edmeston, Otsego

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

County, N.Y., Mav 5, 1828. His
parents belong to the New England
stock; his father’s family having emi-
grated from Massachusetts, and his
mother’s from Rhode Island, Al-
though they enjoyed very limited
advantages for obtaining even a com-
mon-school education, they took a deep
interest in the mental and religious
training of their children. Young

} Whitford worked on a farm in sum-

mer, and attended either a district or
select school in winter, until he was
seventeen years of age, when he entered
Brookfield Academy. He then became
a student in De Ruyter Institute, New
York. He entered the senior class at
Union College, New York, in 1850, and
graduated from the same in 1853. He,
in connection with his wife, had charge
of Union Academy at Shiloh, N.J.,
for nearly two years. Resolving to
enter the ministry, he pursued there-
after a full course of study at Union
Theological Seminary, New York City.
Immediately after graduating here, he
settled, in 1856, as pastor of the Sev-
enth-day Baptist Church of Milton,
Wis.; which position he held for three
years. In the last year of his ministry
here, he took the charge of the academy
in the place, and remained ever since
at the head of the institution. Prin-
cipally through his efforts, the school
was converted into a college in 1867.
He has prepared several valuable pa-
pers for the State Teachers’ Associa-
tion; and among them a careful his-
tory of the early educational move-
ments in the State, which has been
published by the State Historical So-
ciety. He has acted as a prominent
member of the local organizations for
improving the schools in the section
where he resides, and was chosen pres-
ident of the State Teachers’ Associa-
tion for 1865. He represented his
assembly district in the legislature of
the State in 1868, and was chairman
of the committee on education. In
1867 he was appointed by the governor
one of the regents of the State normal
schools,—a position which he held until
February, 1875. While a normal re-
gent, he always assisted in the exami-
nation of the graduates at the close of
the year in the normal schools of the
State.

He is above the medium height,
strongly and compactly built, and en-
joys usually most excellent health.
He possesses a round, full voice; is an
earnest speaker, and commands close
attention in his addresses. He is a
HISTORY OF

constant worker, energetic and push-

ing in his efforts; and is most highly | M

esteemed by the community in which
he has lived now nineteen years.

Hon. GrorGE H. Pau. — He was
born at Danville, Caledonia County,
Vt., March 14, 1826. At eleven years
of age, he entered the office of ‘‘ The
North Star,” one of the oldest weekly
newspapers of New England, where he
remained until the expiration of his
term of apprenticeship, in 1840. Dur-
ing the ensuing three years, he com-
pleted his preparation for college at
Phillips Academy, and joined the
freshman class of Vermont University,
at Burlington, in January, 1844; from
which institution he received his grad-
uation degree in 1847, and subsequently
the degree of Master of Arts, in course.
After the completion of his university
studies at Burlington, he became a
member of the law-class of 1847, at
Harvard University, where he remained
until January, 1848, when he became
editor and proprietor of the. Burling-
ton (Vt.) ‘“‘Sentinel.’? A few months
later, he started the first regularly pub-
lished daily paper of that State, and
soon after was appointed postmaster
at Burlington by Pres. Polk. Early in
the year 1851, he sold the ‘‘ Sentinel’”’
newspaper, and removed to Kenosha,
Wis., where he commenced the publi-
cation of ‘The Kenosha Democrat.”
In January, 1853, he was appointed
assistant secretary of the Wisconsin
senate. In Mayof the same year, he
was appointed postmaster at Kenosha
by Pres. Pierce. In April of the next
year, he was appointed a member of
Gov. Barstow’s staff. In 1857 he was
re-appointed postmaster of Kenosha
by Pres. Buchanan, holding till the
expiration of his commission in 1861.
During his residence at Kenosha, he
represented his ward in the board
of aldermen, was twice chosen mayor
of that city, and served as a member of
the county board of supervisors, and
superintendent of the county poor.
In the spring of 1861, he accepted an
invitation to become one of the editors
of “ The New York Daily News,” and
remained connected with that journal
until its discontinuance, in the autumn
of the same year, when he returned to
Wisconsin, and became connected with
“The Milwaukee News;” which paper
was purchased by himself and the late
Joseph M. Lyon, the ensuing year,
Mr. Paul assuming charge of the edi-
torial department. On the death of
Mr. Lyon, in 1868, the paper was con-

 

WISCONSIN. 729

tinued by Mr. Paul in connection with
r. S. Cadwallader, the present as-
sistant secretary of State, until Jan-
uary, 1871, when the establishment
passed into the hands of a joint-stock
company, of which Mr. Paul was chosen
president; and in which position he
continued until about the first of May,
1874, at which time he parted with his
interest in the paper, and resigned the
presidency of the company. In 1855
Mr. Paul was the Democratic nominee
for the State senate in the Kenosha
county district; his opponent receiving
a majority. of 286. In 1856 he was
nominated by the Wisconsin Demo-.
cratic State Convention as a candidate
for presidential elector for the State at
large, but declined. .In 1866 he was
the Democratic nominee for the assem-
bly from the fifth. assembly district of
Milwaukee County, and received 552
votes to 578 for his opponent. In 1867
he was elected a member of the Mil-
waukee Charter Convention held in
that year. In 1870 he was elected a
member of the Milwaukee board of
school commissioners for two years,
but resigned to accept the place of.
superintendent of schools for Milwau- -
kee ity, vacated by the death of Supt.
Pomeroy; in which position he re-
mained until May, 1871. He was suc-
cessively appointed by. the. Board of
Trade of Milwaukee to attend the River.
and Harbor Convention at Chicago,
the Convention of Western Boards of
Trade at Boston, and the Mutual Im-
provement Convention at Louisville;
in all of which he took part. In 1856
and 1860 he was an alternate delegate.
to the National Conventions held those
years at Cincinnati, Baltimore, and
Charleston. He was also a delegate.
from the State at large to the National
Convention which nominated Gen.
McClellan for the presidency at -Chi-
cago, in 1864, and a delegate from the
Milwaukee district to the National Con-
vention which nominated Mr. Greeley
for the presidency at Baltimore, in
1872. He was also a member of the
National Democratic Committee for
Wisconsin from 1864 to 1868, and was
re-appointed to the same position in:
1872. In the spring of the latter year,
he was appointed chairman of the
Democratic State Central Committee of
Wisconsin; was re-appointed to the
same position in 1873; and at the State.
Convention of the latter year was chair-
man of the committee appointed to
report the platform of principles upon
which the present Reform party of Wis-
730

consin is organized. In February, 1874,
he was appointed a member of the
Board of Regents of Wisconsin Univer-
sity, and a member of the executive
- committee of that board, and, on the
expiration of the term of office of the
then president of the board (Gen.
Cc. S. Hamilton), was chosen to the
vacancy. In May, 1874, after he
had determined to sever his connec-
tion with the press, — a connection
which he had maintained almost unin-
terruptedly for nearly twenty-seven
years, he was appointed by the gov-
ernor, with the subsequent approval
of the senate, a member of the board
of railroad commissioners for the
State of Wisconsin, for the term of two
years; and this position he continues
to occupy at the present time. During
the entire period that Mr. Paul was
connected with the press, and for
some years previous, he was a con-
stant contributor to the newspaper and
miscellaneous literature of the time.
Though intimately associated with cur-
rent political affairs as a necessity of
his profession, he has never been un-
derstood to concede any allegiance to
party, except in so far as the progress
of enlightened principles of government
could thus be most efficiently promoted.

Hon. Henry S. Barrp. — He was
born in Dublin, Ireland, May 16, 1800.
His father was a bank-clerk. The
elder Baird was a compeer of the
Emmets, and, in consequence of the
troublous period succeeding the revo-
lution of 1798, became a political ref-
ugee, and, with Thomas Emmet and
other exiles, came to America in 1804,
He first settled in Pennsylvania, and
subsequently removed to Ohio, where,
engaging in speculation after the war
of 1812, he became a bankrupt. Mr.
Baird’s early education was obtained in
the common schools, before the age of
fifteen. He was an attentive student.

At the age of eighteen, he entered a
law-office in Pittsburg, Penn., and was
afterwards a law-student at Cleveland,
in the office of the late Gov. Wood of
Ohio. While here, he had an attack of
ague and fever, to recover from which
he went to the Island of Mackinac,
expecting to return with renewed
health. On his arrival, he engaged to
teach a school which numbered about
thirty scholars, and pursued his law-
studies in the mean time.

Mr. Baird was admitted to the prac-
tice of law by Judge Doty in June,
1823. In July, 1824, he came to Green
Bay, and attended the first term of

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

court held there. He subsequently at-
tended the first term of court held in
Crawford County. He may, therefore,
be claimed to have been the oldest
attorney, professionally, in Wisconsin,
and the father of the Wisconsin bar.

Aug, 12, 1824, he returned to Macki-
nac, where he was married to Eliza-
beth L. Fisher, a former pupil of his,
and a girl of fifteen years. They re-
turned in September of that year, and
located where the Green Bay settle-
ment then existed, — about two and a
half miles distant from the present
city. In those early days, he was poor
but industrious, with active habits of
mind and body, and, as he expressed
it, “full of hope to seek my own for-
tune, and pave my way in the path of
life.’ In 1835 he removed from up
the river to Navarino, now the third
ward of Green Bay, and in 1836 built
the house where he has ever since re-
sided.

Mr. Baird occupied a leading position
in the bar of this then extensive Terri-
tory. His ability and integrity were
recognized in a marked degree; and we
find him called, at various times, to
execute the most important trusts.
He was president of the first legislative
council of the Territory of Wisconsin,
which was held at Belmont, Iowa
County, 1836. Upon the organization
of the Territory, he was appointed at-
torney-general by Gov. Dodge. In 1847
he was a member of the first con-
vention to form a State constitution,
which met at Madison. Among ser-
vices of a public nature he was called
upon to render, was frequent and prom-
inent participation in treaties between
the United States Government and the
Indian tribes, of whom he was the
steadfast friend. He enjoyed the full-
est confidence in official and personal
relations with the late Gov. Cass, gov-
ernor of the Territory of Michigan.
His legal practice required that he
should perform long journeys, often
going on horseback to Prairie du Chien
and other places. One trip that he has
placed on record occupied eight days.

It may be truly said of Mr. Baird,
that he never sought preferment or
honor, but was content with engaging
in good works, without any expecta-
tion of popular recognition of their
value.

In his own home in Green Bay, he
has several times been called upon to
preside over its councils, having been
president of the village board in 1853,
and mayor of the city in 1861 and 1862,
HISTORY OF

He was one of the three commission-
ers,—A. J. Irwin and Ebenezer
Childs being the others, —to open the
road on the east side of Fox River, from
Green Bay to Kaukauna. He was sec-
retary for Gov. Dodge at the great
treaty at Cedar Rapids in 1836, wherein
the Menomonees ceded some four mil-
lion acres of this country to the gov-
ernment.

He continued in the active practice
of his profession until about the year
1860, when, having secured a compe-
tence, and finding other business on
his hands, he practically retired, al-
though retaining his connection with
the bar, serving, in former and later
years, as its honored president. At the
time of his death, which occurred at
his residence in the seventy-fifth year
of his age, on April 28, 1875, he was
president of the Old Settlers’ Club, a
position which he had held since its
organization, in February, 1871. In
addition to the supervision of the Astor
‘property in Green Bay, his services as
agent, dating from about 1862, and
including charge of the sales of that
property within late years, he was
intrusted with the management of
large estates for non-residents and
minors. He was scrupulous and exact
in business-relations, and maintained
an unimpeachable reputation for probi-
ty and faithful stewardship.

Mr. Baird was among the most loyal
in the late civil war. His patriotic
devotion could brook nothing short of
absolute and unequivocal devotion to
the cause of the North; and, while far
past the age for active service, he did
much, by official and private action,
and with his pen and voice, to uphold
and advance the cause he deemed a
righteous one. In politics, he became,
after the dissolution of the Whig party,
a Republican, of which organization
he remained an ardent and active sup-
porter. It was characteristic of him,
that, to whatever enlisted his sympathy
and attention, he gave his best endeav-
ors and heartiest aid. For many years
he had been connected with the Ma-
sonic fraternity, and, for a period em-
bracing a number of years, one of the
most instrumental in contributing to
its prosperity.

Perhaps it will not be irrelevant to
the present purpose to go back to the
year 1824, when Fort Howard was gar-
risoned by four companies of the third
United States infantry. The officers
and their families were educated and
accomplished people, with few sources

 

WISCONSIN. 731

of recreation, and no social attachments
outside ‘of their immediate circle.
Naturally, they readily formed ac-
quaintance with the few families who
sought a home at this then isolated -
place. The result was a mutual cul-
tivation of social qualities; and to this
military post may be indirectly traced
much of the politeness and affability
of manner visible in the remnant of
early settlers in our midst. Among
these officers and their families, Mr.
Baird and his young wife became great
favorites, and so remained till the post
was broken up, about 1852. The gen-
erous hospitality, rare politeness, and
refinement of their home, has been as
familiar as a household word. Senator
Howe said at their golden wedding an-
niversary, not quite a year ago, that, in
coming to Green Bay, they ‘brought
the best style of Christian civilization
with them, and have cherished it ever
since.”’

There are two daughters who sur-
vive Mr. Baird, —Mrs, Eliza Baker of
Green Bay, and Mrs. Louisa Favill of
Madison. It isin his immediate family,
where his real value was best known,
that he was appreciated the most. In
his relations as husband, father, and
friend, he proved faithful and attached.
He has given abundance to the needy,
spoken words of sympathy to the
afflicted, and lent a helping hand to
more than one young man struggling
to get a foothold in professional or
business life. The bar and the Ma-
sonic order attested their appreciation
of his merits by giving him positions
of trust. The State Historical Society
has made him vice-president of it since
its organization; and his portrait hangs
to-day among the others of public men
on the walls of the society’s rooms,
The memory of this just and good
man will be preserved fresh and fra-
grant.

Hon. SoLtomon JunEAv. — Solomon
Juneau, the first settler at Milwaukee,
died at the Menomonee Pay Ground, on
Wolf River in Shawano County, Wis-
consin, Nov. 14, 1856, aged about sixty-
six years. Mr. Juneau came to Mil-
waukee in June, 1818, as an employe of
the American Fur Company, accompa-
nied by his father-in-law, Mr. Jacques
Vieau; having selected this location,
then an Indian village, for a conve-
nient trading-post, with no white set-
tler in Wisconsin nearer than Green
Bay and Prairie du Chien. He built
here, in 1822, the first log-house, and,
in 1824, the first frame-building, erected
732 HISTORY OF

in Milwaukee. Here he continued to
reside, rearing up a family of fourteen
children, thirteen of whom were born
in the city. He was at one time the
proprietor of a large portion of its terri-
tory. When, in 1835, a post-office was
established, Mr. Juneau was, by com-
mon consent, appointed postmaster,
-which office he filled for nine years.
In 1846, when Milwaukee became a
city, he was chosen the first mayor.
Shortly after, he removed to Dodge
County.

Mr. Juneau was a man of excellent
sense, of generous impulses, of a kindly
and affectionate disposition, and of a
lofty and honorable nature. He suc-
-cessfully maintained his reputation as
an honest, upright, straightforward
man. The Indians regarded him as.a
true friend and trusty counsellor. He
died without enemies, and left thou-
sands of friends to mourn the loss of a
good citizen andatrue man. His re-
mains were carried to Milwaukee for.
interment.

Hon. JAMES SUTHERLAND. — James
Sutherland was born on.a farm in
Jefferson County, in the State of Ohio,
March 20, 1820. When thirteen years
of age, he removed with his parents to
Richland County, in the same State.
His father here settled on a farm near
the village of Ashland. At this village
he received an academical education,
obtaining the means therefor by teach-
ing acommon school, but subsequently
became a teacher in the Ashland Acad-
emy. In consequence mainly of too
close application to study, his health
became so much impaired as to com-
pel him to give up his cherished object
of taking a regular collegiate course.

In December, 1846, he was married to
Miss Elizabeth Withington of Ashland,
and in May, 1847, emigrated to the
Territory of Wisconsin, and settled at
Janesville, where he has ever since
resided. His business has been that
of a bookseller and stationer; and his
store now ranks among the first of its
kind in the State.

He was a member of the State Mass
Convention when the Republican party
was organized in Wisconsin, and has
always been one of its warm adherents,
as well as a firm advocate of its prin-
ciples.

In the fall of 1854 he was elected to
the State senate from the seventeenth
district, and was re-elected in 1856.
While in the senate, he served three
years as chairman of the Committee
on Education, School and University

 

WISCONSIN.

Lands. Among the important meas

ures he prepared and introduced while
amember of the senate, was the bill
setting apart one-fourth of the net pro-
ceeds arising from the sale of swamp
and overflowed lands to the founding
and support of normal schools. But
for the timely introduction of this
measure, this fund, together with our
normal schools, would have been lost
to the cause of education.

He is a life-member and one of the
vice-presidents of the State Historical
Society of Wisconsin, and has evinced
his interest in its welfare by contrib-
uting towards its support. Besides
serving the people of Janesville several
years as superintendent of schools, and
member of the board of education,
he was elected in 1872, and re-elected
in 1878, mayor of the city of Janesville
by larger majorities than were ever
given to any other carfdidate for that
office.

In whatever capacity Mr. Sutherland
acts, he is industrious and faithful,
and is one of the enterprising citizens
of Janesville who have given it a new
impetus in business and prosperity by
building up its present magnificent
manufactories.

Hon. Epwarp V. WHIToN. —
Among the earliest settlers of Wiscon-
sin, Judge Whiton has been one of the
most prominent men for many years,
He settled in Janesville in 1887, and
purchased a tract of land near the
present city. Here he built his rude
log-cabin, as was the fashion of the
day, living in it alone, being, at that
time, unmarried. He immediately en-
tered upon the practice of the law. In
1838 he was elected to the lower house
of the legislature, that being the first
session which convened in this city.
He was re-elected to the first session in
1839, and was the speaker of the house
during the second session of that year.
During the same year, he went to
Albany, and supervised the publication
of the Territorial Statutes. He con-
tinued to represent his district in the
sessions of 1840-41, and of 1841-42,

In 1842 he was elected to the Terri-
torial council, and continued in that
body during the years 1843, 1844, 1845,
and 1846. Subsequently he was chosen
a member of the second constitutional
convention, of which body he was one
of the most prominent and influential
members. Immediately after the adop-
tion of the constitution, he was brought
forward as the candidate of the people
for judge of the first circuit against the
HISTORY OF

nominee of the Democratic convention ;
and though a Whig, with decided Whig
views, such was the universal confi-
dence in him, and so great his populari-
ty, that he was elected by a handsome
majority, notwithstanding the circuit
was at that time strongly Democratic.
At that time the Supreme Court was
composed of the circuit judges; and he
was, for a time, chief justice of that
court. In 1852, the law organizing the
present ‘Supreme Court was’ enacted.
Judge Larrabee was nominated by the
Democrats for chief justice. The State
was then strongly Democratic. But
the people revolted against their lead-
ers, Everywhere public sentiment
pointed to Judge Whiton, as, above all
other men in the State, the man to fill
that responsible position. A people’s
convention was the consequence of
that sentiment, at which he was nomi-
nated by acclamation; and his election
over the candidate of the dominant
party, at that time, in the teeth of party
drill, was a triumphant vindication of
the system of an elective judiciary.
His term expiring in 1857, he was re-
elected by a majority of some twelve
thousand, and upwards, over the regu-
lar nominee of the Democratic party.

Judge Whiton was a native of Lee,
Berkshire County, Mass., and at the
time of his death, April 12, 1859, was
in the fifty-fourth year of his age. In
his daily walk and conversation, he
secured the respect. of all men. On the
bench he was an exemplar of judicial
propriety and judicial impartiality. All
men confided in him: all men that
knew him honored him; and his loss
to the State is a public calamity.

Hon. Henry Dopee.—Henry Dodge,
one of the pioneers and prominent men
of Wisconsin, was born Oct. 12, 1782,
at- Vincennes, in that portion of the
North-western Territory which now
constitutes the State of Indiana. He
removed to Missouri, where he passed
considerable of the earlier portion of
his life. In 1808, he held the office of
sheriff of Cape Girardeau County. In
1812 he was chosen captain of a
mounted rifle company; and, in Sep-
tember of that year, he was appointed
major of the Louisiana Territorial
militia, He continued in service dur-
ing the war until October, 1814, rising
to the rank of lieutenant-colonel; and
in 1814 he commanded an expedition
sent up the Missouri River against the
Indians, and he participated largely in
the trials and difficulties incident to the
early settlement of that State. In 1827

 

WISCONSIN. 733

he removed to Wisconsin, then a part
of Michigan Territory, and settled near
Dodgeville; in the mining-district, and
engaged in the business of mining.
About this time, he took a prominent
part in the Winnebago Indian war.
He was appointed major'‘of the United
States Rangers in June, 1832, and
colonel of the First Dragoons on the
4th of March, 1833, which position he
resigned about three years afterwards.

Afterwards he held the position
of colonel in the Black Hawk war, and
distinguished himself for the prompt,

. energetic, and decisive manner in which

he conducted the part assigned to him.
He acquired a high reputation as a
military officer in conducting cam-
paigns against the Indians; and in this
department he had few, if any, supe-
riors. He became at this time inti-
mately acquainted with the country,
and one of-its most prominent and
useful citizens. Upon the organization
of the Territory of Wisconsin in 1836,
he was appointed by Pres. Jackson its
first governor, and continued to hold
that office until the 30th of September,
1841, when he was elected delegate to
Congress from Wisconsin Territory, and
continued in that office until the 8th of
April, 1845, having been re-elected in
September, 1843. On the 8th of April,
1845, he was again appointed governor
of the Territory, and continued to be
its governor until the 29th of May,
1848, when, upon the admission of
Wisconsin into the Union, he was suc-
ceeded by Hon. Nelson Dewey, who
had been elected under our State con-
stitution. Upon the organization of

-the State government in June, 1848. he

was elected as one of its first senators
to represent Wisconsin in Congress, and
was, on the twentieth day of January,
1851, re-elected to the United-States
senate for the term of six years. At
the expiration of this term in 1857, he
retired from public life, and afterwards,
and until the time of his death, he
resided part of the time at Mineral
Point, in this State, and part of the
time in Burlington, Io., where his son,
Hon. Augustus C. Dodge, resides,
Gen, WiLiiam R. SmitH. — Gen.
William Rudolph Smith was born Aug.
81, 1787, at La Trappe, Montgomery
County, Penn. His ancestors on his
father’s side were from Scotland, and
on his mother’s were the Rudolphs
from Sweden, early settlers in Dela-
ware. Hewas educated under the care
of his grandfather, Rev. Dr. William’
Smith, the first provost of the college,
734

now University of Pennsylvania, who
was a noted writer in his day, and
whose works were published in two
volumes in 1802. Gen. Smith’s father
was William Moore Smith, a distin-
guished lawyer and poet, whose works
were reprinted in London in 1786.

In 1803 William Moore Smith went
to England as the agent for claimants
under the sixth article of the ‘“ Jay
Treaty’ of 1794; and his eldest son,
the subject of this notice, accompanied
him as his private secretary, and re-
mained two years. During this sojourn
in England, young Smith commenced
the study of the law under the direction
of Thomas Kearsey of the Middle Tem-
ple; and, returning to Philadelphia,
he completed his legal studies with
James Milnor, and was admitted to the
bar in 1808. While prosecuting his
legal studies, he found time to devote
much attention to polite literature, in
which he was encouraged by many
leading men of Philadelphia, particu-
larly by his intimate friend, Joseph
Dennie, the ‘American Addison,”’ and
the first editor of ‘‘ The Portfolio.’”? At
this period, he wrote a great deal of fu-
gitive poetry, —a dramatic monologue,
which was printed and performed; a
translation from the French of Sir
William Jones’s Essay on Oriental
Poetry, which was published in a series
of numbers in ‘‘ The Portfolio;”’ and
many of his literary essays found their
way into the magazine publications of
the time; but they have never been
collected and embodied in book-form.

Marrying in 1809, he settled at Hunt-
ingdon, on the Juniata River, pursuing
his profession for the next twenty years,
During this period, he had, at different
times, represented his county and dis-
trict in the house of representatives
and senate of Pennsylvania. Such was
his standing, that, while a member of
the house in 1826, he was appointed
one of the managers on the part of the
house to conduct the impeachment of
Judge Walter Franklin before the State
senate. He held, at various periods,
a large number of military offices, from
lieutenant up to brigadier-general. He
removed, in 1830, to a farm in Bedford
County, in that State, and still followed
his profession; and, in 1836, he was
chosen one of the electors of President
and Vice-President of the United States
for the State of Pennsylvania, and cast
his vote for Van Buren and Johnson.

In 1887 he was appointed a commis-
sioner, in conjunction with Gov. Henry
Dodge of Wisconsin, to negotiate a

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

treaty with the Chippewa Indians, whe
were convened at Fort Snelling, and
which resulted in the purchase of a
territory embracing much of the pres-
ent State of Minnesota, including the
rich pine-forests of the St. Croix and
its tributaries. Having his attention
thus attracted to the boundless re-
sources of the great North-west, he
prepared an interesting work, entitled
“Observations on Wisconsin Terri-
tory,” which was published the fol-
lowing year. In 1838 he removed
with his family, to Mineral Point, in
Wisconsin, where he made his home
the remainder of his life.

He was appointed adjutant-general
of that Territory in 1839, which office
he held until 1852. In 1846 he was
elected secretary of the legislative
council, and the same year was chosen
a member of the first constitutional
convention. In 1849 and 1850 he was
chief clerk of the State senate; and in
1855 he was chosen attorney-general of
the State, and served for the term of
two years. In 1854 Gen. Smith was
chosen president of the State Historical
Society, of which he had been one of
the founders in 1849, and before which
he delivered the first annual address.
He held this position until 1860, having
been annually re-elected. At the re-
quest of the State, Gen. Smith collected
materials, and prepared a history of
Wisconsin from its earliest French ex-
ploration to the organization of the
Territory in 1836, which was published
by the State in 1854, in two octavo
volumes.

Gen. Smith has filled, with ability,
prominent positions in the Masonic
fraternity from 1822 to 1858, when,
from advancing years, he declined fur-
ther official services; having served as
Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of
Wisconsin, Grand Secretary of the
Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State,
and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge
of Wisconsin. He was elected a mem-
ber of the National Institute at Wash-
ington in 1841, of the Royal Society of
Antiquaries at Copenhagen in 1854,
of the Historical Societies of Pennsyl-
vania, Florida, Michigan, and of other
States, and of the New England His-
toric-Genealogical Society of Boston,
Mass.

Gen. Smith died at the residence of
one of his children, at Quincy, IllL.,
Aug. 22, 1868, in the eighty-first year
of his age.

Dr. JoHN WARREN Honv, — Dr,
John Warren Hunt was born at Upper
HISTORY OF

Lisle, Broome County, N.Y., Feb. 28,
1826, and was the son of Dr. Samuel
M. Hunt of the same place. He was
educated at Homer Academy, New
York, and studied medicine at the
Castleton Medical College, Vermont.
In 1849 he removed to Wisconsin, and
located at Delafield, in the county of
Waukesha, where he practised his
profession. In January, 1851, he was
appointed by Hon. W. A. Barstow,
secretary of state, as assistant secre-
tary, and removed to Madison, and
entered upon the duties of his office.
He held this position (with a short
interruption) for five years, until Jan.
1, 1857. Dr. Hunt was an active and
influential member of the Masonic
Fraternity, and, at the time of his de-
cease, was the Grand Secretary of the
Grand Lodge of the State, of the Grand
Chapter, Royal and Select Masters, and
Grand Commandery. He took an ac-
tive part in the re-organization of the
State Historical Society, in 1854, and
was elected recording secretary; which
office he held until his death, —a period
of five years. In 1853 he published
his Gazetteer of Wisconsin, —a volume

of two hundred and fifty-six pages, a
work of much merit, and which had
the effect to draw the attention of
emigrants to the State; and in 1856
his Wisconsin Almanac and Annual
Register of ninety-six pages, —a work
of much statistical value, and which
has been subsequently republished.
Dr. Hunt died at Madison, Dec. 12,
1859, in the thirty-fourth year of his
age.

“Hon. Louis P. Harvey. — Louis
Powell Harvey was born at East
Haddam, Conn., July 22, 1820, and
removed with his parents, in 1828, to
Strongsville, Cuyahoga County, O.
He entered Western Reserve College
at Hudson in 1837, and pursued his
studies two years, when he left on
account of ill-health. He then en-
gaged in teaching, which he followed
in Kentucky, and, subsequently, as a
tutor in Woodward College, Cincin-
nati. Marrying in 1841, he removed
to Wisconsin, and settled first in
Southport (now Kenosha), where he
was engaged for six years in teaching,
and in editing ‘‘ The Southport Amer-
ican’? newspaper. In 1847 he settled
in Clinton, Rock County, where he
engaged in merchandise, and where
he continued four years, when he
removed to Waterloo, now known as
Shopiere, where he made his residence
during the remainder of lus life.

 

WISCONSIN. 735

Here he purchased the water-power,
and, removing a distillery, erected a
flouring-mill, which he carried on in
connection with his mercantile pur-
suits,

His first advent into public life was
as a member of the Constitutional
Convention which framed the State
Constitution in 1847; and, although
one of the younger members, he took
an active part in its deliberations, and
assumed a leading position. In_the
fall of 1853 he was elected a State
senator of the southern district, Rock
County, and continued in that position
four years, having been re-elected in
1855, and the last term of which he
was president pro tem. In 1859 he
was elected to the responsible position
of secretary of state, which office he
held two years. He was also a mem-
ber of the Board of Regents of the
State University, and was ever found
a true friend to the cause of popular
education. In 1861 he was elected
chief magistrate of the State by a large
majority, and entered on the duties
of this position on the sixth day of
January, 1862. On the receipt of the
news of the battle of Shiloh, Gov.
Harvey felt it to be his duty to repair
at once tothe scene of action, and to do
what was in his power to alleviate the
sufferings of the many loyal sons of
Wisconsin who had been wounded on
that occasion. His mission was emi-
nently successful; and after having
faithfully performed this duty, greatly
to the satisfaction of the soldiers, he
prepared to return home. Having
bade them adieu, he repaired to a boat
in the harbor of Savannah, to await
the arrival of another that was soon
expected, and which was to convey
him and his friends to Cairo on their
homeward trip. It was late in the
evening, and the night was dark and
rainy. The boat soon arrived; and as
she rounded to— the bow touching
the one upon which he stood —he
took a step, as it would seem to
move out of danger; but by a mis-
step, or perhaps a stumble, he fell
overboard between the two boats into
the Tennessee River, where the current
was strong, and the water over thirty
feet deep. Every thing was done to
save his life, but to no purpose. His
body was subsequently found and
brought to Madison for interment.

Gov. Harvey was in the forty-third
year of his age.

Gov. LronarD J. FARWELL. —
Leonard J. Farwell was the son of
736

Capt. James Farwell and Rebecca
Cady, his wife; and was born at
Watertown, N.Y., Jan. 5, 1819. His
father died in 1830, and his mother in
1824, After a short experience as clerk
in a dry-goods store, he became ap-
prentice to a tinsmith, and followed
that occupation until the age of nine-
teen. He first removed to Lockport,
Ill., with asmall stock of hardware and
a few tools of his trade, and, for the time
and place, soon established a thriving
business. In January, 1840, he sold
out his stock and store, and removed
to the then new village of Milwaukee,
in the Territory of Wisconsin, and
embarked in business on a larger
scale, and in a few years was at the
head of one of the largest wholesale
houses in the West. Ten years later,
owing to impaired health, and having
secured a large fortune for those days,
he withdrew from mercantile traffic to
engage in gther enterprises. In 1847
he visited “Madison, and effected a
large purchase of village property,
including the unoccupied water-pewer,
and soon after made a trip to Europe
and Eastern countries, returning in
1849. On his return, he began the
improvement of the water-power, the
erection of mills, the opening of
streets, draining of low lands, and
other measures designed to benefit the
village. Perhaps no one person did
more to promote the interests of Madi-
son than L. J. Farwell. No impor-
tant interest, structure, or association
was inaugurated, which he either did
not originate, or contribute to its suc-
cess by his means or influence. ‘He
not only built mills, to which allusion
has been made, but started the first
woollen-factory, and the first machine-
shop and foundery. He set the ex-
ample of first grading and filling
streets, and building side and cross
walks; and, in the projected railroad
enterprises designed to benefit Madi-
son, hé embarked heartily and liber-
ally. The citizens of Madison will
always bear cheerful witness to the
greatness of his efforts, which had for
their object the promotion of her best
interests.

In 1851 he was nominated for
governor by the Whig party, and was
elected: the remainder of the State
ticket was Democratic. The Whig
party of that day was but a weak and
feeble minority. It had few elements
of strength, and less sagacity of man-
agement. In the State Convention of
1851, however, it received an impetus

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

by the unanimous nomination of Mr.
Farwell: a single name, presented at
the right moment, raised the enthu-
siasm of the party. Of the public
career of Gov. Farwell, it is not neces-
sary to speak at any considerable
length. The structure of the gov-
ernment was then immature, the
population scanty, and the policy of
development undefined. To lay the
foundation of the new republic deep
and wide, to establish a policy of com-
prehensive statesmanship that should
provide for the present, insure the
future, and prove enduring as time,
was the important duty of the Execu-
tive. How well and wisely this was
done is -attested by the development
of the State in all its varied interests,
and the widespread prosperity that is
now visible in all its parts.

Gov. Farwell was married Sept. 20,
1853, to Miss Frances A., daughter of
Gen. A. N. Corss of Madison, for-
merly of Watertown, N.Y. She died
at Washington, D.C., April 15, 1868.
The financial revulsion of 1857 proved
very severe on the fortunes of Gov.
Farwell, as he was largely interested in
railroad enterprises; and, their value
being depressed, he was obliged to
suspend and close up his business. In
the spring of 1863, he was appointed
by Pres. Lincoln as assistant examiner
in the Patent Office, Washington, and,
three months later, was principal ex-
aminer of inventions, — a position he
held for nearly seven years, when he
resigned to re-embark in the same
business at Chicago: at the latter place,
he suffered by loss at the great fire in
October, 1871. He has since that
time lived at Grant City, Worth
County, Mo.

GOVERNOR EpWaRD SALOMON. —
Edward Salomon was born near Hal-
berstadt, in Prussia, in 1828; received
an academic education in the same
city; and, when sufficiently qualified,
entered the university at Berlin, where
he directed his attention principally to
mathematics, philosophy, natural his-
tory, &c. Having finished his college
course, and taken his degree, he pursued
his favorite studies till he came to
America in the fall of 1849. On his
arrival here, he lived at Manitowoc for
three years; where he discharged the
duties of school-teacher, county-syr-
veyor, and deputy clerk of the circuit
court, in succession. At the end of
that time, he came to Milwaukee, where
he studied law with E. G. Ryan, Esq.,
and was admitted to the bar in 1855,
HISTORY OF

He practised law in Milwaukee till,
upon the death of Gov. Harvey, he
assumed the executive office as gover-
nor of the State of Wisconsin. After
having served two years in that capa-
city, he resumed the practice of law in
Milwaukee; and is now engaged in the
same in the city of New York, a field
fit for his talents, which are of no
ordinary degree. Immediately on the
death of Gov. Harvey, which took
place soon after the battle of Pittsburg
Landing, Lieut.-Gov. Salomon took
possession of the executive office, at
Madison. During his term of office, he
supported the general government en-
gaged in a bloody war with the South,
and proved himself faithful, energetic,
and persevering in his endeavors to
supply a large element of support from
the State he governed, to subdue the
enemy. In 1862 his services were
especially required to fill up the deci-
mated ranks of the several regiments,
and the draft found necessary. In this
emergency the governor discharged his
duty with distinguished ability. The
Indian disturbances in the State during
that year imposed additional labor on
the executive. The massacres by the
Indians in Minnesota, the threatening
aspect of the Wisconsin Indians, and
the gloomy aspect of public affairs,
required troops at home; and, by the
advice of the governor, a militia was
organized for the emergency. In every
exigency the governor was found at
his post.

ArRcHBIsHop JoHN M. HENNI. —
The new archbishop of Milwaukee,
John M. Henni, was born in Upper
Saxony, Canton Graubunden, Swit-
zerland, on the 16th of June, 1805, and
is consequently seventy years of age.
He began his studies in St. Gallen and
Luzerne, and upon his graduation pro-
ceeded to Rome. Here he fortunately
met the first bishop of Cincinnati, Ed-
ward Fenwick, who was on a visit to
the holy see. He needed young work-
ers in his flourishing vineyard in the
New World, and was not long in secur-
ing young Henni to aid him in the
work of carrying the cross and civiliza-
tion into the wilds of America. With
his friend Martin Kundig, who was
also studying in Rome, he crossed the
sea, and arrived in Baltimore in 1829.
After a short stay in that city, he, in
company with several other candidates
for holy orders, proceeded to a semi-
nary in Bardstown, to prepare for ordi-
nation. In the following year they were
ordained to the priesthood by Bishop

 

WISCONSIN. 737

Fenwick. After officiating for a time
in St. Peter’s Church, in Cincinnati,
he was transferred to Canton, O.,
where he, in company with another
priest, performed arduous duties be-
tween that town and Lake Erie.

While Bishop Fenwick was return-
ing from a visit to the missionary sta-
tions in the State, he was stricken with
sickness in the neighboring town of
Worcester. Henni hastened to minis-
ter to the wants of his sick patron, but
too late: the soul of his friend had left
its tenement of clay, for brighter worlds
above.

In 1834 the first German Catholic
church was consecrated in Cincinnati.
Bishop Purcell, Fenwick’s successor,
finding his field of usefulness enlarged,
soon recalled Father Henni from Can-
ton, and elevated him to the important
position of vicar-general of the see.
In 1835 he made a tour to Europe, with
the view of interesting the Church in
the American missions, He succeeded
admirably, and on his return to Cin-
cinnati established an orphan-asylum,
and a German Catholic journal, the
“Wahrheits Freund,’’ now one of the
leading church journals in the country.
The orphan-asylum, the ‘St. Aloy--
sius,’”’ is still in existence, and is one:
of the oldest German institutions im
the United States.

On the fourth Sunday after Easter,
in 1848, a provincial council of bishops.
was held in Cincinnati, at which Henni:°
attended, and received the appointment
of bishop of the newly erected diocese
of Milwaukee. In the month of De-
cember of the same year, the nomina-
tion was confirmed by a Papal bull;:
and on the 19th of March, 1844, he was-
consecrated bishop in the old Xaverius
Cathedral in Cincinnati, by Bishops
Purcell, assisted by Bishop Miles, of
Nashville, and Bishop O’Connor, of
Pittsburg. On the 12th of April he:
started for his new field of usefulness,,
accompanied by Rev. Mr. Heiss, now
bishop of La Crosse; and arrived in -
this city at a late hour on the night of
the 8d of May. The next morning he-
was conducted to the small woodem
structure on Martin Street, next Jack-
son, known as St. Peter’s Church.
This was his cathedral. At that time-
the entire number of Catholics in the’
village and its surroundings did not
number two thousand. The entire
diocese numbered, probably, not over:
eight thousand inhabitants. There
were but five or six priests in the ter-
ritory, who officiated in block-houses,
738 HISTORY OF

except Prairie du Chien, where the
work of erecting a substantial stone
edifice was commenced, in the hope
that the bishop would locate at that
point. In the following month of
August, he paid his first visit to Green
Bay, and from thence called on the
Menomonee Indians on Wolf River,
and, after a weary journey, reached the
Chippewa Indians at La Pointe, Lake
Superior, where Father Frederick Bar-
aga had established a flourishing mis-
sion. Under the able management of
the bishop, the diocese began to im-
prove both in numbers and prosperity.
Emigration was settling in; and the
church increased in communicants
until it was found necessary to erect a
larger place of worship. St. Mary’s
Church, corner Broadway and Biddle,
this city, was built and consecrated in
the summer of 1847. The number of
priests had also increased to thirty ; and,
in the fall of the same year, the corner-
stone of the cathedral was laid with im-
posing ceremonies. At the instance of
the worthy bishop, a hospital had also
been founded, and the Sisters of Cha-
rity invited to take charge of it.

He left for Rome to see the Pope, in
January, 1848, and reached France just
as the Revolution took place in that
country and carried its baleful influ-
ences through Germany and Italy.
The serious aspect of affairs through-
out Europe caused him to postpone his
original intentions, which, if carried
out, would have resulted in his being
kept from his diocese for a long time.
This change in his plans, however,
gave him time to visit his birthplace.
‘When Bishop Henni returned, he was
received with great enthusiasm by the
people of his diocese. The work on
the cathedral was suspended in order
that the funds might go to the erection
of an orphan-asylum. A building was
also purchased for the school sisters;
and an association of the three Fran-
ciscan orders settled below what is
now Bay View, and founded the semi-
nary at that point. St. Gall’s Church
was also erected for the accommoda-

- tion of the Irish Catholics; and Trinity
Church tor the Germans, who were
settling in large numbers on the south
side. To secure means to complete the
cathedral, Bishop Henni undertook a
voyage to Mexico and Cuba. In the
fall of 1852 it was under roof; and on
the 31st of July it was consecrated, on
which occasion the Papal Nuncio
Bedini, and other dignitaries of the
church, presided,

 

WISCONSIN.

Bishop Henni has lived to see his
diocese of several thousand communl-
cants grow until it numbers a hundred
and seventy-five thousand Catholics,
with two hundred and forty-seven
churches, Of the present importance
of the diocese it is unnecessary to
speak, in view of the appointment of
the venerable bishop to the archbish-
opric, a worthy acknowledgment of
his great zeal by the pope. The con-
secration of Archbishop Henni took
place in Milwaukee, on the 15th of
May, 1875.

Hon. James H. Lockwoop. —
James H. Lockwood was born Dec. 7,
17938, at Peru, Clinton County, N.Y.,
where he resided until his sixteenth
year, and commenced the study of
law; which he abandoned, and accept-
ed aclerkship ina store. In 1814 he
engaged as clerk to a sutler in Gen.
Izard’s army. In 1815 he was en-
gaged to the sutler of the Rifle Regi-
ment, then at Buffalo, and, accepting
the situation, had the pleasure of rid-
ing to that place on the stage which,
with colors flying, bore to that city the
welcome tidings of peace. The troops
were ordered West; and, on the 15th of
August, he arrived at Mackinaw. In
1816 he engaged in the fur-trade at
the head of St. Peter’s River; and in
1819 finally made his home at Prairie
du Chien, where he spent the remain-
der of his days. He filled various
posts of honor and usefulness, ainong
them that of judge of Crawford Coun-
ty, when that county comprised all
that territory lying north of the Wis-
consin River. In 1826 he built the
first frame-house in Prairie du Chien;
and this was the building occupied by
Col. (afterward President) Taylor when
he was commanding-officer at Fort
Crawford.

At the request of the State Histori-
cal Society of Wisconsin, Judge Lock-
wood prepared for the second volume
of their Collections an article on
“Karly Times and Events in Wiscon-
sin,’? embodying the leading events of
his Western life. He was for forty
years a pioneer in the commerce, nay-
igation, milling, lumbering, and lead
trade of Wisconsin, and had the priv-
ilege of seeing Wisconsin rise from
comparative obscurity to the full stat-
ure of a State, with nearly a million of
inhabitants. And, having lived a long
and honorable life, he fell like a shock
of corn fully ripe. He was in the
sixty-fourth year of his age. He died
Aug. 24, 1857.
HISTORY OF

NATHAN MyYRRICK, the first white
settler at, and the original proprietor
of, the town of ‘Prairie la Crosse,’’
was born at Westport, Essex County,
N.Y., July 7, 1822.

His ancestors, paternal and maternal,
were among the first settlers of West-
port. His grandfather was a soldier in
the army of the Revolution. His fa-
ther was a merchant, and the propri-
etor of several mills, — woollen, saw,
and grist mills; and he represented the
county in the legislature of the State
several years.

Nathan was the second of three
brothers. The youngest died at West-
port; the next was killed in the Sioux
massacre at Yellow Medicine in 1862;
and the oldest resides in Minnesota.
The subject of this sketch received
his education at the academy at West-
port, and was engaged in his father’s
business until his nineteenth year;
when he left home for the ‘Great
West,” to, as the saying then was,
“seek his fortune.”

In June, 1841, he reached Prairie du
Chien, and was employed as clerk in
the post-office by B. W. Brisbois, where
he remained until the November fol-
lowing.

Conceiving that a fortune was not
to be made in the position of clerk,
and acting upon the proposition of
“nothing ventured, nothing had,’’ he
purchased an ‘‘outfit” of goods for
Indian trading. Securing a boat of
about forty tons burden, and _ assist-
ants to act as interpreters and labor-
ers, on the 7th of November he started
up the Mississippi, using poles as the
motive-power.

On arriving at La Crosse, he was
struck with its peculiar adaptability
as a ‘“‘town-site,” and determined to
locate. There being no timber suit-
able for building purposes on the
prairie, and not having a team, he
built his first house, a “‘ double cabin,”’
on the island opposite, and prepared
for business.

The agency of the Winnebago Indi-
ans was at “Turkey River,” in Iowa.
Although the Indians had ceded their
lands east of the Mississippi, yet they
retained a quasi claim, and were jeal-
ous of white men settling so far north
of Prairie du Chien.

About two weeks after the ‘‘ double
cabin’? was completed, the Indians,
who had been to Turkey River to
receive their annuities, returned; and
about one hundred and fifty encamped
on the island, near the store. The

 

WISCONSIN. 739

Indians had been there about one
month, when they made an attack on
the building, riddling the door and
windows with bullets. Myrrick had
but one man with him at the time.
They returned the fire, fortunately not
killing any of the Indians. During
the fray, Alexis Bailey, who was well
known to the Indians, returning from
the ‘‘ upper country,’”’ accompanied by
several teams, appeared upon the
ground, which put an end to the
attack.

During the winter, he prepared the
timber necessary, shoved it across the
river on a hand-sled, and with it, in
February, 1842, built the first house on
Prairie la Crosse. Moving his goods,
and occupying his store, he became.
the first settler at that important
point.

The original plat of the town-site
was surveyed by Ira Brunson, of Prai-
rie du Chien, in the summer of 1842,
In 1851 it was re-surveyed, which
somewhat changed the original survey.

Myrrick, in 1848, returned to West-
port, and married Miss Rebecca E.
Ismon. Proceeding to the city of New
York, he purchased a large stock of
goods, and in the fall returned to La
Crosse.

Mrs. Myrrick was the first woman
who graced the embryo city, and the
family the only one resident for about
a year. The first interment was a
child of theirs, who died in 1845,

Myrrick’s business energies could
not be confined to “Indian trading.”
He early engaged in lumbering on the
Black River, built a saw-mill, and, in
1844, run a raft of lumber to St. Louis,
the first sent to that market from La.
Crosse.

In 1848, and spring of 1844, quite a
number of Mormons were settled
along the Black River, engaged in the
manufacture of lumber for the Nauvoo
market, leaving in the spring of the
latter year. In the fall of the same
year (1844), between three and four
hundred returned to La Crosse, and
settled in what is now known as the
**Mormon Cooley.” Mr. Myrrick gave
employment to most of them in the
pinery on the Black River, cutting
steamboat-wood, &c. They remained
until the spring of 1845, when most of
them returned to Nauvoo in flatboats,
which they built.

During the year 1841, two or three
steamboats ascended the Mississippi
with supplies for Fort Snelling and
the lumbermen on the St. Croix. In
740

1842 the little steamer ‘‘Rock River’
was run from Galena to Fort Snelling,
making a trip once in two weeks,

In 1844 Scribe Harris put ‘‘ The
Otter”? in the trade, run her for a
year or two, when she was superseded
by other boats.

A post-office was established at La
Crosse in 1844; and Nathan Myrrick
received the appointment of post-mas-
ter, and resigned in 1846. He was suc-
ceeded by E. A. C. Hatch, who had
come out to La Crosse from Westport
early in 1843. ;

The first election held was in 1844,
for county commissioners. The whole
country from Prairie du Chien to the
St. Croix was included in the county.
Nathan Myrrick and H. L. Douseman,
of Prairie du Chien, were elected.

In 1847 occurred the heaviest freshet
ever known before or since along the
Black River. Nearly all the mill-dams,
booms, &c., were destroyed. Millions
of feet of logs, timber, manufactured
lumber, &c., were swept away; Mr.
Myrrick losing upwards of twenty-five
thousand dollars.

In January, 1848, he purchased of
the United States the town-site of La
Crosse; and in the spring of the same
year he settled up his business, and
moved to St. Paul, which has been his
residence since, to this tine (1875).

Idleness is not in consonance with
his early training; and we find him
still engaged in business on the fron-
tier, — still pushing west. Since leay-
ing La Crosse, he has had his trading-
posts at Watab, Long Prairie, Traverse
de Sioux, La Sueur, Pembina, &c.

In person, Nathan Myrrick belongs
—as did his father and grandfather
before him —to the “sons of Anak,’’
being six feet four inches in his
stockings. Genial in his manners,
brimful of kindness and hospitality,
generous to a fault, often and again
has he been the victim of misplaced
confidence, as he will continue to be:
so long as the ‘‘ leopard cannot change
his spots,” so Nathan Myrrick cannot
change his nature.

In all the vicissitudes of his varied
and very extensive business, the writ-
er, who has known him for nearly
thirty years, has yet to learn of one,
with whom he has had dealings, to
deny him the title of ‘“‘ honest man.”

Cot. DAanieL M. Parkinson. —
Daniel M. Parkinson was born in Car-
ter County, East Tennessee, Aug. 1,
1790, where he resided until 1818,
when he removed to Madison County,

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

Illinois, and settled at a point twenty
mile east of St Louis. Remaining in
that place two years, he removed to
Sangamon County, and settled on
Rock Prairie, four miles east of
Springfield. Here he remained until
the spring of 1827, engaged in farm-
ing, when he removed to the lead-
region of Wisconsin; and soon after
settled at Mineral Point, where he
became the third householder. In 1833
he entered a quarter section of land
five miles south-east of Mineral Point,
where he subsequently erected the
residence in which he died. Mr.
Parkinson took an active part in the
Winnebago and Black Hawk wars.
He was a member of the legislative
assembly, 1836-38, 1840-1, the first of
which was the first Territorial legisla-
ture, which convened at Belmont,
Mr. Parkinson’s district consisted of
what is now Iowa, Lafayette, Rich-
land, and Grant Counties, and is at
present represented by ten members.
He was a member of the first Consti-
tutional Convention, and in 1849 was
a member of the first State legislature.
He died at his residence in Lafayette
County, Oct. 1, 1868, in the seventy-
ninth year of his age. His portrait is
in the library of the State Historical
Society.

THion. Simeon MILys. — He was born
in Norfolk, Litchfield County, Conn.,
Feb. 14, 1810. In 1811 his father moved
to Ashtabula County, and was one of
the pioneer settlers in the dense forests
of Northern Ohio, where the subject
of this sketch was brought up at the
laborious work of farming in a new
country, acquiring, at the same time,
a good common-school education.

At the age of twenty he procured a
situation as clerk in a country store,
and thereafter was engaged in mercan-
tile pursuits, at different times, for
several years,

In the summer of 1835 he came
West, to Illinois and Wisconsin, spend-
ing the latter part of 1836 at Mineral
Point; and, upon the location of the
seat of government of the Territory at
the Four Lakes, determined to make
that his future home,

On the 10th of June, 1837, he located
at Madison, then a city of a single
house; proceeded at once to the erec-
tion of a small building of hewed logs,
sixteen by eighteen feet on the ground,
and, as soon as practicable, purchased a
small stock of merchandise at Galena,
and opened the first store at the capital
of Wisconsin.
HISTORY OF

At that time the white population
of Dane County did not exceed three
families; and there was no mail or
mail route between Madison and Mil-
waukee; but, in the summer of 1837,
Mr. Mills made a contract with the
United States for carrying the mail
between those points until July, 1842.

On the 12th of August, 1837, Mr.
Mills was appointed by Gov. Dodge
the first justice of the peace in Dane
County, and probably at that time the
only one between Dodgeville and Mil-
waukee,

In the spring of 1838 Mr. Mills re-
moved his family from Ohio to Madi-
son, where they have since resided,
and are at this tine, with a single ex-
ception, the oldest residents of Dane
County.

In 1839 Dane County was organized
for county and judicial purposes; and
he was elected one: of the county com-
missioners, and appointed clerk of the
United States district court; which
latter office he held for about nine
years. He held the office of territorial
treasurer when the State government
was organized; and was elected the
first senator of Dane County, and
afterwards renominated, but declined
to become a candidate for re-election.

In 1848 he was appointed on the
first board of regents of the University
of Wisconsin, and took an active part
in the organization and commencement
of that institution, by purchasing its
site, and superintending the erection
of its first buildings. In 1860, he was
appointed one of the trustees of the
Wisconsin State Hospital for the In-
sane, and has been an active member
of the board to the present time, taking
a deep interest in the erection of its
buildings, and the general manage-
ment of affairs in and about the insti-
tution.

He has been identified with public
improvements, and contributed largely
to the early growth and prosperity of
Madison, investing all his gains in real
estate, and the erection of buildings
thereon, and making their care the
business of his life.

His knowledge is practical, and his
habits industrious and economical.
He has aided in building schools, col-
leges, and churches, and in developing
the resources.of a new country; has
encouraged his fellow-men, by precept
and example, to attain a higher civiliza-
tion.

Hon. JAMES CAMPBELL. — He was
born in Susquehanna County, Penn-

 

WISCONSIN. 741

sylvania, Feb. 19, 1814. His parents
were blessed with a large family, while
the supply of worldly goods was not
abundant; but the children were given
what, at that time, was deemed a good
common-school education: they were
also taught the all-important lesson of
self-reliance. ‘ y

In 1835 James, the subject of this
sketch, at the age of twenty-one,
started out for himself, and came to
Wisconsin. The next season he rented
a farm in Green County, and com-
menced operations as a farmer. In
1841 he moved on to his own farm in
the town of Albany, in that county,
and was the first settler in that town.
He was a successful tiller of the soil.
In 1850 he opened the first store in
the village of Albany, located one mile
north of his farm. Largely through
the influence of Mr. Campbell, the
Sugar River Valley Railroad Company
had been chartered, which provided
for the construction of a railroad from
the State line via Brodhead and Albany,
to Madison.

In 1861 Mr. Campbell was a mem-
ber of the assembly from the county
of Green, and succeeded in getting the
charter of the Sugar River Valley Road
amended, so as to extend the line from
Madison to Portage; and that portion
of the congressional land-grant of
1856, which was given to aid in con-
structing a railroad between these two
cities, was given by the legislature to
this company. Mr. Campbell took a
deep interest in the construction of
this road, and in 1862 relinquished
his mercantile pursuits, and devoted
his whole attention to it. Fora time
the work progressed in a satisfactory
manner; but in 1863, through con-
flicting interests in the management,
the Sugar River Valley Railroad Com-
pany became involved in debt; and all
work upon it was suspended, greatly to
the injury of Mr. Campbell, who was
a contractor for the building of the
road. The property of this company
was sold on an execution; and Mr.
Campbell became the purchaser,

In 1870, the Sugar River Valley Com-
pany having forfeited all claim to the
land grant, Mr. Campbell procured
from the legislature the charter of the
Madison and Portage Railroad Com-
pany, and a transfer of the land-grant
to it. He then bent his whole energies
to the construction of this road; and, in
less than one year from the passage of
the charter, the road was completed
between the cities of Madison and
742 HISTORY OF
Portage, being a distance of about
forty miles. This work was met by
many and serious obstacles; but Mr.
Campbell knew no such word as “‘ fail,”
and, by the most persevering efforts,
overcame them all. Under the circum-
stances, it was a great accomplishment,
and gave Mr. Campbell a high repu-
tation as arailroad man. He still re-
mains the president of the company,
and has been engaged for the last three
years in an effort to extend this road
North and South, so as to connect the
immense lumber-regions of Wisconsin
with the extensive coal-mines of II-
linois. He has made two or three
visits to Europe in this interest, in the
hope to raise money for the completion
of this enterprise, and, no doubt,
would have been successful in his en-
deavors, but for the general depression
in railroad securities. He still hopes
to accomplish this noble work at no
distant day; and those who know Mr.
Campbell best have but little doubt
of his ultimate success. He does not
willingly give up a favorite project.

As a citizen, Mr. Campbell is uni-
versally respected for his sterling in-
tegrity of character, and for his broad
and liberal views on all questions of
a public interest. He is true to his
friends, and generous towards all who
prove themselves worthy of his con-
fidence.

As a business-man, he is clear in his
perceptions, sound in judgment, and
decisive in action; and, while modest
and unassuming in his bearing, he is
characterized by strong individuality
of character, positiveness of opinion,
and tenacity of purpose, that cause
him to succeed where most men would
fail. Mr. Campbell is at present a resi-
dent of Madison.

Hon. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Hop-
Kixs. — He was born in Hebron,
Washington County, N.Y., April 22,
1829. His early lite was spent on a
farm. He received such an education
as was afforded by the schools of his
own town, and was deemed a good
academic scholar. Farming was not
to his liking. He craved the more
stimulating pursuits of the business-
world. For a time he was clerk in a
country store, and showed more apti-
tude for this position than for farming.
He next obtained a situation in a tele-
graph-office, and soon became an ac-
complished operator. At the age of
twenty, having read of the great and
growing West, he concluded to come
to Wisconsin; and in October, 1849,

 

WISCONSIN.

he arrived in Fond du Lac. In No-
vember of the same year he came to
Madison, which was ever afterwards
his home. As a resident of that city,
Mr. Hopkins was ever foremost in pro-
moting its best interest. He com-
menced his career in Wisconsin as an
operator in a telegraph-office. After
accumulating a small amount of
money, he invested it in lots in Madi-
son. Continuing to buy and sell again,
at an advanced price, he was soon in
independent circumstances. He was
active in organizing the Madison Mu-
tual Insurance Company. In 1851 he
drew up the charter of the institution,
and procured its passage through the
legislature, and was made its first
secretary. He was a director and
member of the executive committee
of the company from the day of its
organization to the day of his death, a
period of nineteen years.

In 1855 Mr. Hopkins took an active
interest in the incorporation of the
Madison Gas Company. He procured
the passage of its charter, and a com-
pany was organized ; but the works did
not prosper satisfactorily to most of
the directors, and, at the end of the
year, Mr. Hopkins leased the works
for five years. At the end of this
term he had become owner of most
of the stock, which, through his skill
in the management of the affairs, had
been made to pay a good income. Mr.
Hopkins continued to hold a large
majority of the stock in the gas com-
pany until his death; which amounted
to a small fortune in itself.

Mr. Hopkins took an early, active,
and leading part in establishing the
Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home, fraught
with such untold blessings to the
orphan-children of Wisconsin soldiers.
He was a member of the board of
trustees, from the commencement, so
long as he lived.

Mr. Hopkins was a politician in the
best sense of that word. In early life
he belonged ‘to the great Whig party.
On the organization of the Republican
party, he became identified with it,
and, during the balance of his life, was
one of its leading members. He was
private secretary to Gov. Bashford
during the years 1856 and 1857. In
the fall of 1861 he was elected to the
State senate. In 1865 he was elected
to the assembly of Wisconsin. This
was not his highest ambition. He
was desirous of obtaining a seat in
Congress; and his first attempt in this
direction was in 1862.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

In 1866 his name was again before
the convention for nomination, in
which he proved the successful can-
didate. He was elected at the next
fall election, by a large majority, and
became member of the Fortieth Con-
gress, from the second district of
Wisconsin. Mr. Hopkins was re-
nominated in 1868, without opposi-
tion.

At the close of the first session of
the Forty-first Congress, in the spring
of 1869, Mr. Hopkins returned to his
home in Wisconsin, with health much
impaired. He made a trip to San
Francisco, and visited many points in
California, but returned with his
health but little improved. At the
assembling of Congress, in December,
he was unable to resume his seat, and
never after left his home in Madison.
He died on New Year’s Day, 1870. It
can appropriately be said of him, —

‘His life was gentle; and the elements
So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up,
And say to all the world, This was a man.”

J.S. Doveiass, A.M., M.D., Pa. D.

—He was born in Westmoreland,
Oneida County, N.Y., July 4, 1801.
His father was a pioneer farmer of that
county. His academic studies were
pursued in the academy at Whitesbor-
ough, N.Y. During all his younger
years, his health was very feeble, and
on this account he was prevented from
entering college. He, however, com-
pleted a collegiate course without en-
tering the college walls. But, as a
partial compensation, the Madison Uni-
versity of New York, in consideration
of thorough proficiency, conferred upon
him the honorary degree of Master of
Arts, and, in 1870, the additional degree
of Ph.D.
. He pursued his medical studies in
Palmyra, under Drs. McIntyre and
Peckham, and with Drs. Sayles and
Stevens of Vernon, and took his di-
ploma at the Fairfield Medical College,
New York, in 1825. He removed to
Milwaukee in 1848, having three years
previously adopted the homceopathic
doctrine of therapeutics, at that date
little known in that region.

He has given to the public several
valuable works. In 1855 he published
a work on Intermittent Fever, which
was then very prevalent in the West.
A few years later, he published a more
generally useful work, entitled ‘“ Practi-
cal Homeopathy,’’ designed for the use
of families, He has also been a large
contributor to the principal homao-

 

743

pathic journals of the country. In
1859 he accepted a professorship of
Materia Medica and Special Pathology
and Diagnosis in the Homceopathic
Medical College of Cleveland, which he
held for three years. He has been a
member of the American Institute of
Homeopathy since 1847, once its presi-
dent, and once its annual orator.

He is now near seventy-four years of
age, in excellent health, and performing
all the duties of an extensive practice,
with an activity and energy seldom sur-
passed by young men.

For half a century he has been ear-
nestly and conscientiously devoted to
his profession, — twenty years an allo-
path, and thirty a homceopath. His
lectures and writings, incisive, and full
of common sense, give evidence of vast
philosophy and experience. He pos-
sesses, as he deserves, the love and
reverence of his many friends and
patrons. His place will not be soon or
easily filled when he shall be removed,
as in the natural course of events he
must be before many years.

Hon. Horatio NELSon Davis. —
He was born in the town of Henderson,
Jefferson County, N.Y., June 17, 1812;
received an academic education. Was
married, August, 1837, to Clarissa Fa-
nette Cushman, and removed to Wis-
consin in August, 1838, first settling
at Waukesha, in this State, where he
resided twenty-six years, engaged prin-
cipally in the pursuits of agriculture.
Was elected chairman of the board
of supervisors of Waukesha six suc-
cessive years, and was twice elected
chairman of the county board. Was
elected county treasurer of Waukesha
County in 1847, and held the office by
subsequent elections for six years.
Was commissioned by Pres. Lincoln,
March, 1862, captain and commissary
of subsistence, and was raised to the
rank of major by brevet in 1864. Left
the service at the termination of the
war, and settled at Beloit, Wis., where
he now resides, Was elected president
of the Beloit National Bank in 1865,
and held that position by subsequent
elections for eight years. Was elected
mayor of the city of Beloit in 1872,
without opposition, and was again
elected in 1873. Was elected to the
State senate from the county of Rock
in 1872, receiving a majority of 3,526
votes, Was again elected to the State
senate in November, 1874. Was again
elected mayor of the city of Beloit,
April, 1875, without opposition. Mr.
and Mrs. Davis have had born to them
744 HISTORY OF

eight children, five of whom are living;
viz., C. K. Davis of Saint Paul, F. N.
Davis of the city of Beloit, Mrs. Davies
of Davenport, Io., Mrs. Washburn of
the city of Beloit, and Miss Clittie E.
Davis, now living with her parents.

Hon. J. D. Doty.— James Duane
Doty was a native of Salem, Washing-
ton County, N.Y., where he was born
in 1799. In the year 1818 he settled
at Detroit, Mich.; and, a young lawyer,
of good repute, he was the next year
admitted to the Supreme Court of that
Territory, and was the same year pro-
moted rapidly to places of public trust,
being appointed secretary of the legis-
lative council, and clerk of the court.

Gov. Cass, in 1820, made his famous
tour of the Great Lakes, and the Mis-
sissippi to its sources, travelling a dis-
tance of four thousand miles with his
party, in five bark canoes. Mr. Doty
was selected by the governor to com-
mand one’of the birch flotilla; C. C.
Trowbridge and John H. Kinzie each
having charge of another. ‘The trip
from Detroit to Mackinaw and the
Sault Ste. Marie consumed nearly ninety
days, and was one of great difficulty
and peril. It was on this occasion that
Gov. Cass, supported by his assistants
and canoe-men, in the presence of the
assembled dignitaries of the fierce
Chippewas, and in defiance of their
menaces, pulled down the British flag,
which those Indians had displayed on
the American side of the straits on his
arrival, and hoisted the stars and
stripes in its place. Mr. Doty was
present, and aided with his own hands
in displaying the American flag. The
party left Detroit early in May, trav-
ersed the lakes, and reached the sour-
ces of the Mississippi, held conferences
with various Indian tribes, and re-
turned the last of November. Mr.
Doty, besides having charge of one of
the canoes, acted as secretary of the
expedition.

In the winter of 1822-23 Congress
‘passed an “‘ Act to provide for the Ap-
pointment of an Additional Judge for
the Michigan Territory,’”’ and to estab-
lish courts in the counties of Michili-
mackinac, Brown; and Crawford; the
two latter counties embracing all that
js now Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota,
.and Dakota. From the numerous ap-
plicants for the place, Pres. Monroe
selected James D. Doty of Detroit for
the new judge.

Descending the lake from Green Bay
to New York, in May, 1828, the writer

 

found him in Detroit, already on the

WISCONSIN.

way to his new circuit, accompanied
by his wife, whom he had just.married,
the eldest daughter of Gen. Collins, of
New Hartford, Oneida County, N.Y.

Judge Doty lost no time in entering
on his duties us judge, — lawgiver to a
country sufficient in extent for an em-
pire. He repaired forthwith to Prairie
du Chien, organized the judiciary of
Crawford County, and opened court.
-It was no easy task to inaugurate jus-
tice in these wilds, to create sheritfs,
clerks, and jurors out of half-breed
Indian traders, voyageurs, and courriers
du bois; but the tact, talent, and per-
severance of the young judge prevailed.
Judge Dotyhad thought to make Prairie
du Chien his resting-place, his home,
but finally determined on a permanent
residence at Green Bay, where he made
his home for twenty years.

The judge proceeded to organize
courts in Michilimackinac and Drown
Counties, where he found the inhabit-
ants generally disposed to render every
assistance in bringing a wild country
subject to’ law and order. The terms
were held with perfect regularity
throughout the whole district. He con-
tinued to discharge his onerous duties
for nine years, and until superseded by
Judge Irwin in 1832. Relieved from
the cares and responsibilities of the
judgeship and courts, he immediately
commenced, on his own resources, a
personal examination, by repeated tours
of the country that now constitutes
Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. It
was then inhabited and possessed by
the aborigines. He visited every village
of note, made himself acquainted with,
and gained the good-will of, the chiefs,
and contributed in no small degree
to the good understanding which fol-
lowed between the government and
these savage tribes,

In 1830 Congress made an appropri-
ation for surveying and locating a mili-
tary road from Green Bay to Chicago
and to Prairie du Chien. Judge Doty
and Lieut. Center were appointed com-
missioners, and surveyed and located
these roads during 1831 and 1832.

Judge Doty’s talents for usefulness
were now conceded and appreciated by
all. The people of the district of Mich-
igan, west of the lake, elected him to
the legislative council in 1834, in which
he served with marked ability for two
years. It was while he was a member,
that the legislative council of that
Territory began to agitate the question
of a state government; which he was
first to introduce, and which finaily
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 745

prevailed. Returning from the legis-
lative council, he became an active
operator in the public land sales, which
were opened at Green Bay in 1835-36.

The rapid settlement of the country | 1865

beyond the Great Lakes called for a new
Territorial Government,—a separation
from Michigan. Congress passed the
act creating the Territorial Government
of Wisconsin in 1836. Hon. Henry
Dodge received the appointment of
governor, and assembled the first legis-
Jature at Belmont. One of the most
important matters brought before that
body, and to be settled by it, was the
location of the seat of government.
Judge Doty, though remaining in pri-
vate life, had not been idle, and es-
pecially was not uninterested in this
matter of a capital for Wisconsin.
There was great excitement over the
matter in the legislature. While others
were planning, Judge Doty was acting,
He appeared at Belmont as a lobby-
member; and almost before the Solons
knew of it, by his superior tact, had
brought about a vote fixing the seat of
government at Madison, the beautiful
place where it now is. There was a
good deal of sparring and fault-finding
with Doty and his management at the
time; but all agree now that it was
then, as it is seen to be since, just the
right place for the capital.

Wisconsin, as an organized Territory,
had now a delegate in Congress. Judge
Doty succeeded Hon. George W. Jones
in 1888, and served till 1841, when he
was appointed governor of Wisconsin
by Pres. Tyler, serving nearly three
years, and was succeeded by Gov.
Tallmadge. While governor, and super-
intendent of Indian aftairs, the Indians
in Minnesota — Dakotas or Sioux, and
Chippewas — began to be uneasy and
troublesome. The War Department
instituted a commission for conference
with them. Gov. Doty, on account of
his known acquaintance with Indian
character, was selected as commis-
sioner, and made two highly important
treaties with the North-western Indian
tribes, which, however, were not ac-
cepted by the senate.

He was a member of the first Con-
stitutional Convention in 1846; was
elected to Congress from the third dis-
trict under the State organization of
1848, and re-elected in 1851, and pro-
cured, by his industry and influence,
important legislation for the State and
his constituency.

In 1853 he retired once more to
“private life,” to be recalled by Pres.

 

Lincoln in 1861, first as superintendent
of Indian affairs, and subsequently as
governor of Utah; holding this last
place at the time of his death, June 13,

Gov. Doty’s last residence in Wis-
consin was at Menasha, on Doty’s
Island, — one of the many villages that
have sprung up under his influence.
He had two sons and one daughter.
The eldest son, Major Charles Doty,
late a commissary in the United States
army, mustered out in April last, now
resides at Menasha. The second son,
James, accompanied Gov. Stevens on
his exploring expedition for a route for
railroad from the Mississippi to the
Pacific Ocean, and died in Washington
Territory some years since. Mrs. Sarah
C. Doty, the governor’s wife, accom-
panied him to Utah in 1864; was with
him at his death; has since returned
to Wisconsin, and now (1867) resides in
Oshkosh, with her widowed daughter,
Mrs. Fitzgerald.

Hon. Jerome I. Casz,— The sub-
ject of this sketch was born in Wil-
liamstown, Oswego County, N.Y., Dec.
11, 1819, and is the youngest of four
brothers. His parents, Caleb and Debo-
rah Case, were among the pioneers of
Western New York, having moved at
an early day from Rensselaer County
to Williamstown, where with a family
of little ones to support, and in limited
circumstances, they commenced to
clear up a-farm in the then almost un-
broken wilderness. Young Case was
thus nurtured in a good school for the
development of the two distinguishing
elements of the American character, —
an idea of nobility and an idea of faith ;
the nobility of labor, the faith in one’s
own powers.

His opportunities for acquiring an
education were such as were afforded
by the district school, which he could
attend only in winter. At the age of
sixteen he had acquired a common-
school education, and a reputation for
trustworthiness beyond his years. At
this time his father purchased the
right to use and sell a certain primi-
tive, one-horse, tread-power threshing-
machine; and it .is noticeable that
Jerome, the youngest son, was selected
to manage and use the machine. This
apparently trifling circumstance de-
cided for young Case what should be
his vocation. From the first he ex-
hibited a fondness for machinery, and,
in his first attempt, managed the rick-
ety one-horse tread-mill to the com-
plete satisfaction of himself and all
746

parties concerned. This employment
he followed until 1840, when he became
of age.

Jerome now determined to obtain as
good an education as the schools of
New York State could at that time
give him. He accordingly, in the fall
of 1840, commenced the threshing-
business on his own account. He had
now, for the first time in his life, a
distinct object to obtain; and he toiled
with a heartiness and a perseverance
that could hardly fail to bring success.
In January, 1841, with the profits of
his autumn’s work in his pocket, he
entered the Academy of Mexicoville,
N.Y. It seemed to him that the object
of his ardent desire, and for which he
had long waited, was now within his
grasp. Self-reliant, — looking upon toil
as honorable, and labor as dignifying
the laborer, —and strong of purpose,
he devoted himself chiefly to those
studies that would best fit him for the
work he had decided to undertake;
viz., the construction of labor-saving
machinery. He succeeded well in his
studies; but he had raised a spirit that
would not let him rest. Daily over his
books, and nightly in his dreams, the
inventive genius was ever busy; and
the old tread-mill thresher was con-
stantly before his eyes. At the close
of the term he decided to leave the
academy, and enter upon his life-work.
He felt that he had a work to do, and
an education to acquire, outside of
books, among men, and that he had
started too late to get a thorough
knowledge of books, and accomplish
what he intended to do afterward.
Thus, at the age of twenty-two, with-
out capital, or friends able to furnish
him pecuniary aid, he began the career
that was to terminate in making him
one of the leading manufacturers of
the West.

Directly after leaving school, Mr.
Case turned his attention again to
threshing-machinery. In the spring
of 1842 he procured, upon credit, six
of these machines, and took them West
with him, locating himself at Racine,
in the then Territory of Wisconsin.
The great agricultural resources of the
West were at that time undeveloped;
but the attention of enterprising men
had been directed to these broad and
fertile prairies; and the reading of Mr.
Case had given him an idea of the pos-
sibilities that lay hidden in them. Ar-
riving at Racine, then a mere village,
he disposed of all his machines but
one, and with that he started off

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

through the country, threshing grain,
managint the machine himself, and
constantly devising, during his hours
of leisure, some improvement. In the
spring of 1843, finding that his tread-
mill machine was nearly worn out, and
conscious of his ability to greatly im-
prove it, he set to work, with the aid
of such tools and mechanics as he
could find, to build and remodel, after
some patterns made by himsclf, his old
horse-power and thresher. When fin-
ished, and put in operation, he found
not only that he had made a machine
vastly better than the old one he had
been using, but also that he had made
a better machine than he could buy
at the East. His success becoming
known, he soon found himself able to
discontinue threshing, and turned his
attention to the manufacture of ma-
chines.

Up to this time invention had only
succeeded in making what was called
an open thresher; the grain, chaff, and
straw being delivered together from
the machine, requiring an after-process
of winnowing in order to separate the
grain from the chaff. In the winter of
1843-44 Mr. Case succeeded in making
a thresher and separator combined,
after a model of his own invention,
which he had made in the kitchen of a
farmhouse at Rochester, Wis. This
was the first machine used in the West
that threshed and cleaned the grain at
one operation. It was a success best
appreciated, most probably, by the
man, who, for three years, had labored
under every disadvantage to attain
that result. In the fall of the same
year Mr. Case rented a small shop at
Racine, and undertook the building of
a limited number of his new machines.
Some adequate idea of the tempera-
ment and indomitable perseverance of
this man, as well as of the discouraging
obstacles that he encountered, may be
formed, when we state that the most
expericnced agriculturalists of the
State, when told by Mr. Case that he
was building six machines for sale,
asserted, that, if they did work satis-
factorily, they would be more than
were needed in the entire State.

Constantly improving, remodelling,
and perfecting his machinery, Mr. Case,
in 1847, erected his first shop, near the
site of his present extensive manufac-
tory. It was a brick building thirty
feet wide by eighty feet long, and three
stories in height. - At the time, he con-
sidered it larger than he would ever
need, but thought he would put upa
HISTORY OF

good building, that should be a credit
to the town.

Being now well established in busi-
ness, he pursued with unflinching
vigor the purpose of his life. The
country was developing rapidly, the
uncultivated prairies of 1842 becoming
the richly productive farms of 1850.
The demand for the J. I. Case Thresher
and Horse-Power steadily increased ;
and each year witnessed some new
triumph of the designer’s skill. Recog-
nizing, with the true manufacturer’s
instinct, the fact, that, to be perma-
nently successful, it was essential not
only that his machines should be un-
surpassed in excellence, but also that
he should be able to manufacture them
with the greatest possible economy of
time and labor, he was constantly de-
vising labor-saving machinery; and
while he was bringing slowly but
surely out of the primitive tread-mill
of Oswego County the unsurpassed
Thresher and Power at present manu-
factured by him, he was at the same
time constantly improving the machin-
ery of his manufactory.

In 1855, only thirteen years from the
time when he stood upon the threshold
of his great enterprise, was success
assured. .He had triumphed over pov-
erty, surmounted all obstacles, and
realized by his own exertions the ideal
mechanism he had dreamed of in his
youth, when he used to haul to market,
over the corduroy roads of Oswego
County, a load of wood to exchange
for a-barrel of salt. His extensive
manufactory, of substantial brick and
wood buildings, occupying in all its
appointments several acres of ground,
situated on the bank of Racine River,
just inside the Jake harbor, with its
dock for vessels, its furnace, moulding-
room, paint-shops, belt-factory, and
dry-kilns, and its vast work-rooms
filled with perfect and complicated
machinery, all systematized and organ-
ized in as perfect order as a military
camp, stands to-day a monument in
itself to the inventive skill, keen fore-
sight, and indomitable energy, of the
farmer-boy of Williamstown, and en-
titles him to take his place among
those men of thought and action whose
own exertions have made them the
representative men of the West. —

In 1849 Mr. Case married Lydia A.,
daughter of DeGrove Bull, Esq., of
Yorkville, Wis., an estimable lady, of
whom it is sufficient to say, that in the
practice of those domestic virtues
which grace the wife and mother, and

 

WISCONSIN. 747

in that open-handed charity which
adorns the female character, she is an
ornament to the social position which
her husband’s eminent success has
called her to occupy.

In 1856 Mr. Case, although in no
respect an office-seeker, was elected
mayor of the city of Racine. He was
tendered the nomination again the fol-
lowing year, but declined the position.
Being urged by his friends to accept
the nomination to the same office in
1859, he consented, and was elected a
second time to the mayoralty of the
city, over the Hon. John M. Cary, his
competitor. In 1856 he was elected
State senator, and served with ability
for a term of two years in the Wiscon-
sin senate, being.noted in that body
for his ready mastery of details, and
great executive ability. In_ polities
Mr. Case has always been identified
with the Republican party.

Mr. Case still confines himself to
business, and is regarded as one of the
wealthiest citizens of Wisconsin.

Hon. Wituiam R. Tayior.! —
“He was born in the State of Con-
necticut, July 10,1820. His mother,
who was a native of Scotland, died
when the subject of this sketch was
three weeks old. His father, a sea-
captain, was lost at sea, with his
vessel, when the son was about six
years of age. Thus totally bereft of
paternal care and affection at this
tender age, he was consigned to the
guardianship of strangers, who re-
sided in Jetferson County, in the State
of New York, where he remained dur-
ing his boyhood, subject to all the hard-
ships which characterized pioneer life,
and the still greater hardships incident
to the absence of natural care and
sympathy. During these years he
travelled on foot three miles to a
country school, receiving but little in-
struction. Falling into severe hands,
before he was sixteen years of age,
without money, patrons, or friends, he
sought a better fortune. The chosen
pathway was rugged and_ cheerless;
but the spirit which gave force to his
efforts was undaunted. His immedi-
ate object at this time was education 5
and for many years he continued the
struggle, alternately chopping cord-
wood, working in the harvest-field, or
at any other manual labor, in the
mean time attending school, and fi-
nally teaching. The result was a good

1 Prepared by Col. W. B. Slaughter of
Madison.— C. R. T.
G48 HISTORY OF

academic education, and a certificate
of admission to the third term of the
sophomore year at Union College in
Schenectady, N.Y. But it was not des-
tined for him to reap the full benefit
of this enterprise. On the very day
that the class of which he was a mem-
ber left for Schenectady, to complete
their collegiate course, he went into the
sugar-bush, and with his own hands,
and.a team to haul the wood and sap,
made eleven hundred pounds of sugar,
and two barrels of molases, with which
to pay tuition and board-bills already
contracted. We next find him engaged
in conducting a select school, and then
an academy.

“In 1840 he moved to Elyria, Lorain
County, O., where he joined a class of
forty-five young men preparing for
teaching. About this time the school
authorities at Laporte, in that State,
were offering an extra price for any
teacher who would assume the charge
of their public school, — a school which
had become a terror to all candidates
for the place, because of the reputa-
tion of the pupils for disorder and
violence. The previous winter, no
less than three excellent teachers had
undertaken the task of teaching there,
and failed; so that the school was
entirely broken up. It was an oppor-
tunity young Taylor coveted. During
the third winter, under his manage-
ment, it became the premium school
of the county. We next find him
running a grist-mill, saw-mill, and
cupola-furnace, and regarded as the
best moulder in the factory. Failing
in health from over-work, he devoted
his spare time to reading medicine,
and, in the winter of 1845-46, attended
a five-months’ course of lectures and
clinical instruction in the Medical
College at Cleveland, O. During his
residence in Ohio, he was elected a
captain (receiving every vote in the
company), and then a colonel, in the
Ohio militia.

‘During the fall of 1848 he came to
Wisconsin, and settled on the farm at
Cottage Grove, in Dane County, where
he now resides. His life for many
years was one of great activity and
unceasing toil. Not content with the
ordinary labor of the farm, he resorted
to the pineries in the winter months,
and became identified with the hard-
ships of that enterprising class of our
population who have contributed so
much to the wealth of the State. The
result of the severe experience we
have narrated is manifest in the whole

 

WISCONSIN.

character of the man. In every re-
spect the architect of his own for-
tunes, he is necessarily self-reliant,
independent, energetic, practical, hon-
est in purpose, and kind in heart,
methodical, and thoroughly system-
atic in business. During his boyhood
and early manhood, a pupil, teacher,
miller, founderyman, raftsman, an

lumberman, by turns, and for twenty
years a practical farmer, his sympathy
for self-dependent laboring-men, and
his interest in the prosperity of the
industrial classes, are intuitive and
sincere. Full six feet in height, with
every muscle of his frame educated to
its natural power, he is in person the
embodiment of physical energy and
strength, and a noble representative of
the royal class of pioneer workingmen
to which he belongs. In manner, as
in mental disposition (though consti-
tutionally diffident and reserved), he
is piain, dignified, and sincere. Hy-
pocrisy, affectation, and deceit, in all
their phases, whether social, financial,
or political, are to him extremely
obnoxious. Honest and unaffected
himself, he cannot tolerate others
devoid of these qualities. His hard
experience in life has taught him to
be mistrustful of others, yet he is
naturally confiding in those he deems
worthy of his confidence and respect.
Though practical and economical in
the expenditure of money, he is lib-
eral to the poor and the unfortunate.
No one in distress ever appealed to
him in vain.

“*Conciliatory and forgiving to ene-
mies, he never forgets acts of kindness
to himself. Like Franklin, he has
aided many young men in the com-
mencement of their business-career,
and has been gratified with their suc-
cess. He is an acute observer of things
and passing events. With broad and
comprehensive views, he has accurate
knowledge of men, sound judgment,
comes slowly to conclusions, is firm in
his convictions, energetic and thorough
in execution. He is reticent, thought-
ful, and conscientious: hence rarely
disappointed in results. Honest him-
self, he naturally exacts honesty in
others. Kind to the weak and the
good, bold and daring in opposition to
the vicious and the strong, retiring
and diffident in deportment, he yet
seems to have a reserved force equal
to all emergencies. It is no mystery
that this man has become the recog-
nized leader of the masses of the peo-
ple in their struggle for political and
HISTORY OF

financial reform in the administration
of the affairs of government.

“He entered upon his present posi-
tion with a large experience in public
affairs. He was never permitted to
remain long in private life. He has
been called to fill various town, county,
and State offices; has repeatedly re-
ceived every vote cast for chairman of
the board of his town; has been
superintendent of schools; has been
twice chairman of the Dane County
Board of Supervisors, consisting of
forty-one members; has been county
superintendent of the poor seventeen
years; was trustee, and many years
vice-president and member of the
executive committee of the State
Hospital for the Insane at Madison,
from its re-organization in 1860 until
1874. In these various positions, in
connection with his associates, he
has handled hundreds of thousands of
dollars of public funds belonging to
towns, county, and State, with clean
hands. Has been a member of both
branches of the State legislature,
where he was respected and consult-
ed; has served seven years as presi-
dent of the Dane County Agricultural
Society; was chief marshal of the
State Agriculturai Society seven ‘or
eight years, and twice its president.

‘‘ During the war of the Rebellion,
he was the first man in Dane County
to offer a public bounty for volunteers,
which led to the offer of other boun-
ties, and many enlistments.

“Tn 1873 he was by acclamation
placed at the head of the Reform
ticket, and elected governor of the
State, receiving 81,635 votes against
66,224 for his opponent, Gov. C. C.
Washburn. His career in the execu-
tive chair has been marked by the
same practical ability and_ integrity
that have characterized all the acts of
his earnest and laborious life. He has
enforced economy, honesty, and _effi-
ciency in the administration of State
affairs. That there have been mur-
murs and complaints by disappointed
aspirants to office excites no surprise
nor disaffection on the part of the
liberal and the just. His official con-
duct thus far has commanded the
respect of the good men of all parties,
and contributed to the contentment of
the people and the prosperity of the
State. If popular governments in the
American Union are to be preserved
to the people in their original purity,
that end will be best attained by ele-
yating to high oificial positions self-

 

WISCONSIN. 749

made men, whose lives, like that of
Gov. Taylor, furnish a noble example
of honorable enterprise, and unselfish
devotion to every public and private
duty.”

We may, with propriety, add to the
colonel’s biography of the governor a
brief review of his administration and
public services. But first, in relation
to his election, —the contest, in which
his party was victorious, and the criti-
cisms to which the election was sub-
jected, — there are a few things that
properly belong to history, which may
be said in this connection. On his
election, the Republican press of the
State, with a few exceptions, was ex-
ceedingly fair and honest in its criti-
cisms. It conceded, for the most
part, both his ability ‘and disposition
to make his administration an able
one, which should not conform to
such outside influences as always seek
to inflict themselves upon the execu-
tive department of a State government.
But there were exceptions, as we have
already hinted, here and there, in this
regard, — exceptions, however, that
arose entirely from partisanship, and
not from any reasonable cause. Some
of the most bitter of these predicted
that Gov. Taylor would become a mere
screen, behind which another would
be the real governor; 'that he would
be a tool in the hands of a certain rail-
road president, to perform work which
that distinguished gentleman would
instigate, but shirk the responsibility
of performing. We cite this particu-
lar case now, after the heat of the
campaign has passed, in order to con-
trast it with what the record of Mr.
Taylor, as governor, has been, and for
the purpose of holding up political
campaigns in the light of history;
by which light we may clearly see the
injustice of party criticism. But, in
the midst of this criticism, there was
a powerful current of political opinion,
which found expression alike in both
Democratic and Republican newspa-
pers, in able support of the governor.
Mr. C. D. Robinson, the well-known
and able editor of ‘‘The Green Bay
Advocate,’ upon the election of Gov.
Taylor, made these remarks: ‘‘ No
man in the State exceeds him in per-
sonal independence, in ability to de-
termine his own line of conduct on
any question, and in a sturdy deter-
mination to follow it out according to
his best judgment. It has been our
own fortune to be connected with him
in official service for many years, —
750

that of the management of the Madi-
son Hospital for the Insane; and we
have long ago learned to admire him
for these qualities. That Board con-
sisted of fifteen members, a majority
of whom were of opposite politics ;
and we know that every one of them
will indorse what we say of him. In
practical ability, steadiness of charac-
ter, thorough honesty, and_ native
independence, Gov. Taylor will prove
the peer of any governor which
Wisconsin has ever had. And that is
saying a good deal; for, looking along
the list of our chief executives since
this State has had a being, it shows a
record second, at least, to no Western
State, if, indeed, any in the Union.
He will lose nothing in comparison
with Dodge, Dewey, Farwell, Barstow,
Bashford, Randall, Harvey, Salomon,
Lewis, Fairchild, or Washburn. Most,
if not all, of these, are illustrious
names, remarkable, perhaps, more for
their practical executive ability, and
sterling reliability, than exalted educa-
tion, and brilliant attainments; and
they form a record of which any State
might be proud. When William R.
Taylor’s name shall have gone into
the past with them, it will take an
honorable place, and second to none
in that assembly.”’

And, now that the record has been
made up, what may we say of the
emphatic prediction of Mr. Robinson?
Have not all his words been admirably
fulfilled? And does not the name of
William R. Taylor take an honorable
stand in the impartial history of Wis-
consin? These questions may be best
answered by the following editorial
from “ The Milwaukee Daily News:’’
“Parties, and men of all opinions at
Madison, agree that Gov. Taylor is
making one of the very best governors
which the State ever had. Called to
the office in a great crisis in polities,
at a time when a party, after being
eighteen years in power, had retired,
and a new party had taken its place,
with but little previous experience in
public affairs, taken from his farm to
be placed in the executive chair of the
State, he was surrounded by obstacles,
embarrassments, conflicting interests,
and novel situations, from which the
highest political skill and adroitness
could hardly have extricated him
without his falling into some errors
and mistakes. But as the late Chief
Justice Dixon, raw and undisciplined
in judicial office, after his elevation to
Chief Justice Whiton’s place, rapidly

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

grew, until he became an admirable
presiding officer of the court, so Gov.
Taylor, with a readiness, adaptability,
and force, hardly to be expected of
one in his place, and surrounded by
circumstances like his, has developed
into an executive of rare capacity,
with a good understanding of the
highest and most intricate public in-
terests, and with grasp and compre-
hension of all the matters vital to the
people, which show a mind of an ex-
cellent order, and a practical ability
equal to that of the most distinguished
of his predecessors. Growing out of
the early difficulties of his office, there
were some estranged friendships, and
some hostility of feeling, among the
politicians who were too anxious to
see results, and could not give a politi-
cal revolution time for development,
and for the realization of its fruits,
Most of this feeling, or these feelings,
we are glad to say, have disappeared.
To-day Gov. Taylor is one of the most
popular public men ever known in the
State.”

For an account of Gov. Taylor’s
administration, see p. 641.

Hon. Witiiam E, Smita.— There
is no other man in the State of Wis-
cousin who has made a greater impres-
sion upon its citizens, through deeds
characterized by integrity and useful-
ness, than the subject of this sketch.
His life and character present alike
the successful merchant, popular citi-
zen, faithful public officer, refined
gentleman, and accomplished scholar:
to these may be added the genial com-
panion and true friend. Our sketch

.of his life, though poorly written, is

certainly interesting. In the summer
of 1835 his father’s family set sail
for the New World in search of a
home. They landed in New York,
where all but the father remained,
while the latter pushed westward to
“prospect”? among the border settle-
ments. He secured a quarter-section
of land in Michigan, about thirty miles
north of Detroit, on which he erected
a rude log-cabin, and then returned
for his family. In the spring of 1836
they all came out, and settled on the
new farm. The five years following
was a period characterized by hard
work, — hard work with the plough,
hoe, spade, and axe. In this rough
field of labor, Mr. Smith was not an
idle observer; but to him each day was
a day of labor. He worked on his
father’s farm for several years, attend-
ing school a portion of the time, with
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

only the additional attractions of the
village debating-club to enliven the
routine of duty.

At length a village merchant se-
lected Mr. Smith from his many
young associates, and tendered him a
clerkship in his store. This fortunate
occurrence alike testified to his pre-
vious good deportment, and opened the
way for further advancement. He
took his place in the store in May, 1841,
when but seventeen years of age; with
a fixed determination to make the
most of his position, to be constant in
service, and to advance the interests
of his employers. Fortunately for the
subject of our sketch, the Town Li-
brary was connected with the store.
This library contained an excellent
selection, embracing works of history,
travel, and natural science. After the
busy hours of the day were over, and
during leisure hours, this library was
his home, and its volumes his most
loved companions, In this way he not
only became conversant with all the
valuable works in the library, but,
keeping a constant eye to newspaper
literature, became also familiar with
all the political issues and struggles of
the day. Nor was he, even at this age,
in the matter of politics, unconcerned
in his choice of issues. His sense of
right confirmed him in the Whig faith.
A fact that contributed much to his
success was, that he found but little
time to waste on society, and abso-
lutely no time for any sort of dissipa-
tion. Always at his post of duty in
the church on the sabbath, he grew in
Christian character; and, ever active
in the village lyceum, his mind was
enabled to keep active pace with the
most advanced issues in science, litera-
ture, and politics.

He remained at the village store of
which we have been speaking about
five years, during which time he won
the most implicit confidence of his
employers, and the highest respect of
all his companions. Most of his
salary was voluntarily handed over to
his father.

Having observed the conduct of
Mr. Smith during the years of his
minority, we are, of course, prepared
to enter upon an account of his truly
successful life. Nor is it difficult for
us to see how a life founded on such
a boyhood, resting on such a youth
experience, may be successful, It is
an axiom not less true than old, that
the faithful, obedient boy makes the
favored and successful man. The

 

751

never-failing rule is not proven by its
exception in this case.

At the age of twenty-one, in the
spring of 1846, he was tendered a po-
sition in the celebrated dry - goods
establishment of Lord & Taylor, in
the metropolis of the nation. The
advancement was marked; the prog-
ress was radical: but these did not
outweigh the devotion with which
Mr. Smith accepted his new and more
responsible position in New York.
He had been with this well-known
firm but one-year, when a more ex-
tensive field opened to his industry
and perseverance. He was tendered
an important position in the wholesale
establishment of Ira Smith & Com-
pany of New York. This firm had an
extensive Western trade, —a trade
which, as we shall see, was the means
of securing to the West the permanent
residence of our subject. Mr. Smith
accepted this position in 1847. This
was before “travelling salesmen’’ were
in vogue, when our Western merchants
went on to New York twice a year to
select their supplies, when the canal
and lakes were open. At the close of
the fall trade in 1847-48, Mr. Smith,
having won the entire confidence of
his employer, not only in his integrity,
but his commercial ability, was sent to
the Western States to take charge of
and look after the interests of his
house in this section. He performed
this work in a manner attended by
great success, until the fall of 1849,
when he was offered a ‘partnership
interest in the establishment of a son
of Ira Smith, who had opened a gene-
ral store at Fox Lake, Wis. He was
also tendered unlimited credit by his
employers in New York.

Fox Lake was then a little hamlet
with scarcely two hundred inhabitants,
situated some seventy miles north-west
from Milwaukee. There were in the
town two stores, a few dwelling-
houses, a saw-mill, and a small school-
house, used alternately for teaching
and preaching. The surrounding coun-
try was new, rich, and rapidly filling
up with an intelligent, enterprising
population; and it was plain to Mr.
Smith that Fox Lake offered extraor-
dinary inducements for the investment
of skill and capital. His great fore-
sight enabled him to penetrate into
the future development of that region;
and he decided to cast his lot with
that people; and it may be said that
this decision was of much importance
to the common weal of Fox Lake.
752

Having determined to settle at Fox
Lake, Mr. Smith ‘“‘bethought him of
the girl he left behind,’? who had,
years before, won his heart in Michi-
gan, She was a clergyman’s daugh-
ter, thoroughly accomplished. Having
entered into the bonds of matrimony
with the choice of his youth, Mr.
Smith set at work in good earnest in
building up a business for his store at
Fox Lake. In this he was, if possible,
more successful than in any previous
effort. His store soon, became the
most popular resort for general sup-
plies, by the people in the county, for
many miles surrounding. And in this
prosperity his peculiar, straightfor-
ward, upright manner of doing busi-

_ness contributed much. The whole
people, with one consent, gave him
their confidence and support; and the
measure of his success was limited
only by the measure of his ambition.

In these pioneer days, 1850-51, there
was no church at Fox Lake. The
little congregation gathered at the
schoolhouse; Mr. Smith occasionally
kindling the fires, and supplying can-
dles from his store. In 1852 he com-
menced a movement for the building
of a church. Subscriptions were cir-
culated, contracts let, money advanced,
and the building pushed to completion.
This little church, erected largely
through the efforts and by the means
advanced by Mr. Smith, was opened to
all denominations, as was also Mr.
Smith’s house, which soon becaine the
home of all wayfaring bishops and
preachers. We might, with propriety,
notice in this connection, that while
Mr. Smith has always been foremost
in the community in which he has
lived, as, also, in the whole State, in
works of education and benevolence
and Christianity, he is wholly unsecta-
rian, giving his support alike freely
to promote every good word and work.

Through the efforts of Mr. Smith
and others, an academy was started
in Fox Lake in 1853; but this was
soon after appropriately incorporated
into the public school. But he was
not content with public schools, how-
ever, but, soon after, set himself ac-
tively at work, organizing a young
ladies’ seminary at that place. Nor
was he long in accomplishing the de-
sired result. The institution was
opened in 1855, and has grown to be
an efficient school. It is now the
only exclusive ladies’ seminary in the
State, outside of Milwaukee. This in-
stitution of learning may be looked

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

upon as the first of a long list of suc-
cessful efforts for the educational
growth of Wisconsin, which Mr.
Smith has put forth, with other gen-
tlemen; and it was a good effort.
It would not be an easy matter to de-
scribe the good results that have
grown out of this seminary in the
way of preparing young ladies for the
duties of mothers and wives. Mr.,
Smith was also active in establishing a
lyceum or debating-club at Fox Lake,—
an institution which he has always re-
garded with favor, as calculated to give
employment to the minds of young men,
influence their habits for good, wean
them from vice, and lift them into
a higher and purer atmosphere of
thought and ambition.

The bank of Fox Lake was also a
pioneer institution, and was one of
the very few in the State that
weathered all financial storms, and
retained the confidence of the people.
Mr. Smith was president of this bank
from 1859 to 1865, when he was called
to a larger field. Unlike most men
who have been elected to numerous
important public offices, Mr. Smith’s
political and commercial experiences
go hand in hand. His political life
begins with the organization of the
State government of Wisconsin. He
was elected to the assembly almost
the first year he settled in Fox Lake,
and has served the State in some im-
portant trust ever since, and always
with singular ability and unimpeacha-
ble honesty. His first speech in the
State legislature was made on the
subject of capital punishment. His
second speech was in favor of submit-
ting the ‘Bank Question”’ to the
people. In these efforts, which were
worthy the great interests involved in
the debate, Mr. Smith thoroughly im-
pressed the citizens of Wisconsin that
he was no ordinary speaker. His
style is pleasing, his power of reason
strong and clear, and his command of
language and illustration forcible.

In 1851 Mr. Smith was nominated
to the same position by acclamation,
but declined to be a candidate. The
failure of the wheat-crop that year,
and the consequent danger to busi-
ness, and the interests of his credit-
ors, decided him to stand at the post
of duty and danger, instead of yield-
ing to the allurements of office.

In 1854 he took part in the organi-
zation, in Wisconsin, of the Repub-
lican party. In 1857 he was elected
to the State senate, and assigned to
HISTORY OF

the chairmanship of several of the
most important committees, among
which was that on education. In 1858
Mr. Smith was appointed one of the
board of Normal School Regents, a
position which he still retains, and in
which he has rendered the State inval-
uable service,

In 1861, when the thunders of civil
war were pealing over the nation,
awakening a loyal people to feelings
of intense patriotism, Mr. Smith made
a visit to Washington, calling at the
White House to pay his respects to
Pres. Lincoln. He related to the writer,
not long since, an incident that oc-
curred during his visit to the White
House, that is not only interesting, but
that reflects some of the sterling char-
acter of Mr. Lincoln’s little son Willie,
now deceased. The incident occurred
in the hall below, while a large party of
visitors were awaiting the adjournment
of the cabinet. A crippled soldier had
called to see Mr. Lincoln, and was
turned away by the attendant at the
door. Little Willie Lincoln happened
in at the moment the disheartened sol-
dier was leaving, and inquired if he
wanted to see his father. He was told
that he did. ‘‘ Wait,” said Willie:
“father likes to see soldiers.”? And,
running away to the upper room, he
soon returned, and conducted the sol-
dier to the presence of his father. Mr.
Smith and his associates from Wiscon-
sin had a pleasant conversation with
the President, one in which Mr. Lin-
coln took more than ordinary interest,
remarking that it was a treat to meet
and converse with men who were not
office-seekers.

Mr. Smith was re-elected to the State
senate in the fall of 1863, in the dark
days of the war. On this occasion he
rendered valuable service on the finance
committee, doing all he could in every
word and work to sustain the National
Government. In the fall of 1865 he was
elected State treasurer, succeeding Mr.
Hastings. He brought his previous
business-habits to the office, giving his
personal attention to every department
of business, consulting the interests and
conveniences of the people in every act.
He was not only an efficient and honest
state treasurer, but courteous and obli-
ging. He was renominated to the same
position in 1867, receiving the unani-
mous vote of the convention in token
of approval. At the State convention
in 1869, he was third on the Republican
list of nominees presented for governor.
The same fall, in company with con-

 

‘WISCONSIN. 753

gressman Hopkins and others, he made
a journey to Salt Lake and California,
visiting the noteworthy wonders of that
region.

At the close of his senatorship, on the
first of June, 1870, he decided to take a
general rest from busy life, and travel
abroad. Accordingly, he set sail for
Europe, landing in England after a
brief passage. He proceeded thence to
the Continent, taking in the capitals
and principal cities of all the great
countries of Central Europe, including
a visit to Vesuvius, Pompeii, Lake
Como, and the Alps, and the provinces
of the Rhine. He also visited many of
the great cathedrals, museums, water-
ing-places, galleries of art, &c. Those
interested in crowned heads will be in-
terested to know that he saw William
at Ems, Emanuel at Florence, Joseph
at Vienna, Napoleon at Paris, and Vic-
toria at London. Mr, Smith says that
neither of the first three was attended
by any fuss of parade, or insignia of
rank. The latter two were seen in
open carriages, with escorts on their
way to Buckingham Palace and St.
Cloud. At Florence he was enabled
to attend the House of Deputies, then
in session; and at Paris, attended by
Ex-Goy. James T. Lewis of Wiscon-
sin, he was admitted to the diplo-
matic gallery of the senate and corps
legislatif, through the courtesy of Min-
ister Washburn, where he had the good
fortune to hear M. Thiers, Gambetta,
and Jules Favre, and other celebrities,
who became prominent soon after in
the Franco-Prussian war. While in
London, he had the satisfaction of
hearing Gladstone and Disraeli in par-
liament, Spurgeon at the Tabernacle,
and Newman Hall at Surrey Chapel.
He spent several weeks in London,
studying its institutions, and visiting
its places of historic renown. From
London, he passed to the great manu-
facturing districts, visiting the home
of Shakspeare, and subsequently the
homes of Scott and Burns, not for-
getting his own native home among
the Aberdeen Highlands. After a
brief but interesting tour through
Wales and Ireland, he embarked at
Queenstown for New York, where he
arrived with invigorated health, after
six months’ absence.

During his stay in the Old World,
he was a faithful student; and he re-
turned to his home in America, not
only prepared to love it more, but
better qualified to discharge his duties
as an active citizen and public officer,
754 °

Immediately after his return to Fox
Lake, he was re-elected to the State
legislature,—the same position which
he held twenty years before. At the
meeting of the legislature, he was
elected speaker, receiving the united
Republican vote. The. session was a
memorable one, as will be found by
turning to its history in another place
in this volume. Exciting questions

were considered, and pressed to con-

clusion; but, throughout this stormy
session, not a word of complaint was
heard as to the course of the speaker,
nor was a single appeal taken from his
rulings. At the close of the session, he
received the heartfelt thanks of both
parties. In 1872 Mr. Smith removed
to Milwaukee, and in company with
J. A. Roundy, a man of. large means,
and Sydney Sauxhaust, established a
wholesale grocery house, where he still
resides.

We have no space in this book to
enumerate all the offices of public trust
in connection with the State govern-
ment, and State institutions of educa-
tion, in which Mr. Smith has served.
He is now connected, in some official
capacity, with the Wisconsin Female
College at Fox Lake, Wayland Uni-
‘versity (Beaver Dam), Milwaukee
Female College, Chicago University,
and the State Normal schools. He is
also one of the State Prison directors ;
is trustee, and one of the executive
committee, of the North-western Mu-
tual Life-Insurance Company ; and vice-
president of the Milwaukee Chamber
of Commerce; and one of the vice-
presidents of the National Board’ of
Trade. And thus we might go on to
name institutions of learning, or cor-
porations of industry, which he is
either now or has been officially con-
nected with.

From 1859 to 1865 he gave consider-
able attention to agricultural pursuits.
He owned and lived upon a large farm
adjoining the town of Fox Lake, per-
sonally supervising it, and in harvest-
time usually took an active place in
the field, assisting with his own hands.
He usually raised from one to two
thousand bushels of wheat annually,
besides other produce. In his business
relations, which have been alike ex-
tensive and important, he has come in
direct connection with the laboring
and producing class, and has always
enjoyed their full confidence. He has
been peculiarly successful in all elec-
tion contests in which he has engaged,
never failing to receive not only the

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

full vote of his party, but the support.
of independent thinkers. ;

In 1875 Mr. Smith took an extensive
tour through the Southern States, visit-
ing Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia. He
met and conversed freely with many
prominent men of that section, of both
political parties, and obtained much
valuable information respecting the
educational, social, and political condi-
tion of that part of the nation.

Mr. Smith is now in the prime of
life, with every faculty unimpaired.
Few men in Wisconsin have had a
more marked and diversified experi-
ence; few have so fully inspired public
confidence; none can present a more
unspotted .public or private record.
He has been generous to others, but
true to himself. Many a young man
has been assisted by his tone of en-
couragement, and many a poor man
has profited by his private beneficence.
In every pursuit he has been success-
ful: in whatever position he has been
placed, he has fully sustained the con-
fidence of the people. A few days
previous to the Republican State Con-
vention of 1875, there was a spontane-
ous movement throughout the State,
urging the use of his name as a can-
didate for governor. He made no
effort personally, but informed his
friends, that, if nominated, he would
accept. He refused to enter into any
contest, but left the matter with his
party. While there appeared to be
nearly, if not quite, a majority favor-
able to his nomination, he decided not
to be a candidate, in order to secure
harmony in the convention. Such an
expression in his favor, without a
single effort on his part, is, indeed,
flattering.

Hon. FRANKLIN J. Bian. — He
was born in Blandford, Mass., in 1815.
The youngest child and only son of
his parents, Mr. Blair came upon the
stage just at a time when his father
lost all his property through having
become security for a merchant. The
final result of this misfortune was a
gradual transfer of the whole family
to Northern Ohio. The memory of
the sad effects of this act of generosity
has served to make Mr. Blair careful
through all his mercantile life to pro-
tect the interests of farmers.

One of the older sisters, afterwards
Mrs. Fairchild, having gone to Ohio to
teach, the rest of the family gradually
followed her, this only brother arriving
in Cleveland in 1837, at the age of
HISTORY OF

twenty-two. After teaching several
years, he removed to Milwaukee in
1848, where he began the small trade
which gradually grew into a wholesale
business, increasing every year till it
reached its present proportions. Care-
ful, watchful, and prudent in busi-
ness, he has been generous and public-
spirited in dispensing his gains, more
frequently benefiting quietly those
with whom he came in personal con-
tact than giving his name to widely-
known and high-sounding charities,
—educating orphans, aiding honest
industry, and making homes for the
unfortunate.

Always active in politics, even to
indefatigable attention to primary
meetings, he yet has never had am-
bition for office. He was an active
Democrat until the Kansas crisis, and
since then has been strongly Republi-
can.

His Scotch tenacity of purpose, and
unimpeachable integrity, have caused
him to be pressed into constant service
in positions of trust and responsibility.
As trustee, director, executor of wills,
and administrator of estates, his keen
good sense and kind heart have been
constantly drawn ypon. He has been
many years a member of the board of
trustees of the State Hospital for the
Insane at Madison; and no pressure of
his own personal affairs has ever been
permitted to prevent him from giving
it all needed time and his best thought.

He is adirector of the North-western
Fire-Insurance Company, a member of
the Lake Board of Underwriters, Treas-
urer of State Agricultural Society,
was for several years president of the
Merchants’ Association in Milwaukee,
and in these and other. positions is
faithful and unsparing in the perform-
ance of duty.

He was married in 1846, and, while
giving himself unreservedly to every
outside duty that came to him, his
crowning’ merit and happiness have
been his cheerful kindness and devo-
tion to his home.

AtLonzo Wine.—He was born in
Wayne, Kennebec County, Me., Feb.
2, 1807, son of Aaron and Silvina Perry
Wing, who emigrated from Sandwich,
Mass., to the wilderness of Maine be-
fore majority. He was brought up on
a farm, and taught school in winters,
Later he entered Waterville College to
learn mechanics and civil engineering.
In 1837 he came to Milwaukee, and
from there to Watertown and Aztalan,
in Jefferson County. This was en-

 

WISCONSIN. 755

tirely a wild country at that time, there
being only a few log-houses between
Milwaukee and these places. In 1841,
he opened a store at Summit Corners,
Waukesha County, and, the year fol-
lowing, removed his goods to Jeffer-
son, where he had built a small but
convenient store, the first ever erected
in that place. Soon after this, while
on a visit to his native State, he was
married to Miss Jane A. Underwood,
daughter of Hon. Joseph H. Under-
wood of Fayette, Me. The children
from this union were a daughter and
son. The daughter died in infancy.
The son, Howard Alonzo, is living; not
yet having arrived at the age of matu-
rity. Mr. Wing was one of the first:
movers towards getting a railroad.char-
tered and built to give the people in
this section an outlet fo some market.
After failing to enlist the business-men,
of Milwaukee in this enterprise, steps
were immediately taken to get com-
munication with Chicago and St. Louis,
which resulted in chartering a com-
pany, which was not long after com-
pleted, and now known as ‘The Chi-
eago and North-western Railroad,’’ —
one of the most important to the State.
In polities, Mr. Wing was originally a
Democrat, and a follower of Douglas;
but, when the nation’s life was threat-
ened, he joined the Republican party,
and voted for Abraham Lincoln. In
matters of religion, Mr. Wing holds
to the Unitarian faith. He has always
manifested the deepest interest in the
cause of common schools. He has
served many years as town superin-
tendent of schools; divided the town of
Jefferson into school-districts, and in-
troduced the first code under the State
constitution. He was also county su-
perintendent of schools, and introduced
the first county code to the schools in
Jefferson County.

Mr. Wing has never manifested any
great ambition for high political hon-
ors, although he has been called fre-
quently to places of considerable trust
and responsibility, such as justice of
the peace, plank-road director and en-
gineer, county surveyor, and surveyor
of school and university lands, railroad
director, chairman of the board super-
visors, member of the assembly, and
regent of the State University. He
has been pretty well satisfied with his
lot in the world, and is content to make
himself and others as comfortable as
circumstances will permit.

Hon. Epwin Hurisut.—He was
born in Newtown, Conn., Oct. 10, 1817.
756 HISTORY OF

When about seven years of age, he
removed with his parents to Bradford
County, Pennsylvania. After passing
about seven years at home in this place,
and attending public school, he struck
out on his own account, walking all
the way to Newark, N.J.; at which
place he lived one year with an uncle.
Soon after, he emigrated to Michigan
with acquaintances, and settled in
Eaton County. After a brief residence
in Michigan, he returned to the east,
spending some time in the study of
Jaw. He was married, Oct. 10, 1840, to
Catherine Chandler of Seneca County.
After this, he settled in Lodi, N.Y.

At the age of twenty-four years, he
had saved from his earnings fourteen
hundred dollars, and paid twelve hun-
dred dollars of it for a residence, and
the balance for books; but was sadly
surprised when he found there was a
mortgage upon the property. After
this, he removed to Towanda, Penn.,
and commenced the study and practice
of law; and after tinishing his sixth
year, in 1847 was admitted to the bar.
In the same year he returned to Michi-
gan; was admitted to practise at the
bar, and received the appointment of
postmaster: was also appointed dis-
trict attorney; also received from Gov.
Ranson the appointment of judge-advo-
cate in the State militia, with the rank
of colonel. In 1850 he came to Wis-
consin, and settled in Oconomewoe,
where he has since resided, and was
adinitted in the Circuit Court, also in
the Supreme Court and United States
Court. In the first year of his resi-
dence in this State, he was appointed
the attorney of the Milwaukee, Water-
loo, and Madison Plank Road; and, at
another time, chairman of the Demo-
cratic county committee, actively op-
posing Andrew E. Elmore, and sup-
porting Charles Dirkey, in the congres-
sional contest. The same year he was
no less active in helping to establish
a division of Sons of Temperance,
and filled some of the highest offices
connected therewith. In 1854 he was
chairman of the senatorial and assem-
bly committee, from which time he has
figured conspicuously in the political
affairs of the State. In Madison, at
the people’s convention, where the
Republican party of this State was or-
ganized, he opposed the further exten-
sion of slavery. In 1856 he was elected
district attorney. In 1858 was ap-
pointed attorney for the Milwaukee,
Beaver Dam, and Barraboo Railroad
(now C., M., and St. P.), then a

 

WISCONSIN

branch road from Milwaukee to Water-
town and Columbus, holding the posi-
tion several years. In 1860 and 1864,
supported Lincoln for the Presidency.
In 1861 was appointed colonel on
Gov. Randall’s staff; took an active
part in getting recruits for the army,
contributing largely in bounties to the
families of those who enlisted, and
pledged his services gratuitously for
procuring their pensions and boun-
ties, —a pledge which he has faithfully
kept. He was sent to Washington
with the Fourth Wisconsin Regiment,
receiving an appointment in the State
commissary department; was appoint-
ed to the duty of inspecting troops,
and studying the qualifications of offi-
cers for promotion. In the same year
was appointed aide to the commander-
in-chief, with the rank of colonel, by
Gov. Randall. In 1862 was appointed
deputy United States marshal, with
provost-marshal power to issue passes,
and superintend military affairs in his
district; was also tendered a position,
by the governor, of colonel of one the
regiments, but declined, because the
army was being officered by politicians
rather than soldiers. In 1868 he
gained an election to the legislature by
the Republicans, and, during his term
of office, held several important posi-
tions in the house, among others, that
of chairman of the Committee on Fed-
eral Relations. While there he intro-
duced a bill for the repeal of the law
which deprived deserters of the right
of franchise, for which he received
censure by the Republican press, al-
though ‘The New York Tribune’’
commended him for it. In 1870 was
appointed by Gov. Fairchild to repre-
sent him at the International Congress
on penitentiary and reformatory dis-
cipline; was elected one of the vice-
presidents. In 1869 was appointed one
of the managers of the State Industrial
School at Waukesha. In 1872 was ap-
pointed a delegate to the International
Penitentiary Congress, in London,
Eng. In the same year indorsed the
nomination of Horace Greeley for the
presidency, and has been identified
with the Reform movement since then.
In 1873 was elected district attorney
for Waukesha County on the Reform
ticket.

In May, 1874, he was a member of the
National Prison Congress, held at St.
Louis, and elected one of its trustees,
and appointed on the committee on
Criminal Law Reform. In1875 was ap-
pointed a member of the board of man-
HISTORY. OF

agers of the State Industrial School for
three years. He has been identified
with the movement which granted
Roman Catholic clergy the right of
ministering to such of the inmates of
the Industrial School as were of their
own faith. This year (1875) he has
been elected a trustee of the National
Prison Association at New York, and
also one of the committee on dis-
charged convicts. He has held the
positions of trustee and president of the
village of Oconomewoc, and has zeal-
ously devoted himself to its prosperity.

In religious belief he is a Baptist. Is
strictly temperate in his habits, Isa
member of Waukesha Chapter, No. 37,
Free and Accepted Masons, He has chil-
dren, daughters, now living. The death
of his first wife occurred April 6, 1864.
Was married, December following, to
Mrs. M. H. Farmer of Waukesha, Wis.

Mr. Hurlbut is a man of positive
character; is a self-made man; has
worked his own way through life; is
self-reliant; as a lawyer, ranks among
the best talent in the State; has an
extensive practice in the several courts
of this State, and in the United States
courts. In his own county, there is
seldom a case of importance, but what
he is engaged. Strictly attentive to
business, he has attended every ses-
sion of the circuit court for Waukesha
County for the past twenty-five years.

He always acted with the Democratic
party up to the time of the organization
of the Republican party, and then with
that party up to 1872, when he joined
the Liberal Movement, and went with
the Democratic and Liberal party, and
is now with the Reform party of this
State.

Hon. Joun H. RountREE. — He was
born near Mammoth Cave, in Kentucky,
on 24th of March, 1805. In February,
1824, he made atrip on horseback from
Kentucky to Montgomery County, Ili-
nois, a distance of three hundred miles.
At the age of twenty-one, he was
elected sheriff of Montgomery County,
which office he held until 1827, when,
with several others, he came to the Ga-
lena lead-mines with ox-teams, crossing
the Illinois River at what is known as
Bardstown. He continued work in
these mines until he with others were
driven by the Indians to Galena, the
nearest place of safety. Soon, how-
ever, their fears subsided; and_work
in the mines was resumed. Mr. Roun-
tree settled, at this time, at the place
where Platteville now stands; built a
cabin of logs aud sods, and prosecuted

 

-

WISCONSIN. 757

his mining-operations with some suc-
cess. In 1828 he built the first lead
smelting furnace in the Territory,
which now composes Grant County,
and continued the mining-business for
several years. In August, 1828, when
the general election in Illinois was held,
we held an election also, and voted for
governor, and member of Congress. It
was on this election day that a hand-
to-hand conflict took place between the
Irish and the Americans. In October,
1829, he was appointed by Hon. Lewis
Cass, justice of the peace for the
county of Iowa. His official duties
were not very numerous. On the 10th
of March, 1829, Hon. W.S. Barny, post-
master-general of the United States,
appointed him postmaster at Platte-
ville. In 1831 a weekly mail-route
was established from Galena by Platte-
ville, to Prairie Du Chien,

In 1832 the Black Hawk war began.
A mounted cavalry company was or-
ganized and Mr. Rountree was chosen
captain. This company composed a
part of Gen. Dodge’s squadron.

In 1835 he, with others, succeeded in
erecting a comfortable house, of hewed
logs, suitable for a school, and also for
meetings. Its cost was about one hun-
dred and ninety-four dollars. The land
in the south-western part of Wisconsin
was surveyed from 1830 to 1832; and the
first land-sale took place at the United
States Land Office, at Mineral Point,
in 1834. Mr. Rountree purchased the
land where the village of Platteville was
afterwards built. In 1834, he was con-
stituted chief justice of the county
court of Iowa County, which then
embraced all the south-western part
of the State of Wisconsin, by the
governor of Michigan Territory, to
which Wisconsin was still attached.
Grant was organized in 1887. Hon. J.
H. Rountree was elected a member of
the legislative council; and he was a
member of the council of the first legis-
lature that met at Madison, the seat of
government. He served four years as
a member of the Territorial council, ,
under that election of 1838. He was _
re-elected for four years in 1842, and
served the time out. He was elected
a member of the convention that
formed our State constitution. He
was elected to the State senate in 1849,
and served two years; was elected to
the assembly in 1862; was elected again
to the State senate in 1865, served two
years, making a service of eight years
in the Territorial council, — four years
as State senator, one year as member of
758 HISTORY OF

the convention that formed the State
constitution, and one year a member
of the assembly. He was a pioneer
settler in the vicinity where he has
lived forty-eight years. He has been
active in all the enterprises which
pertained to the welfare of the State,
and has been permitted to witness their
success. He can look back to the days
when Wisconsin was an uninhabited
wilderness, without roads, bridges, or
any conveniences for transportation
whatever, and contrast the former days

with the present facilities for agricul-'

tural industry, and intellectual culture,
whose pursuit so profitably adorns and
beautifies the State. His pole and sod
cabin of 1827, with mother-earth for
the floor, gives place to a neat and
commodious house in a flourishing vil-
lage of elegant buildings, graced witha
normal school and twelve church edi-
fices. Blessed: with the enjoyment of
good health, the founder of Platteville
is enabled to look upon the fruit of his
labors. ‘

Hon. Davip Nogeir. — He was
born in Franklin, Penn., on the 9th of
October, 1809. His father belonged
to that class known as Pennsylvania
Dutch; and his mother was of Irish
descent, At the age of sixteen he
came to Greenfield, O., and, with his
father, engaged in agricultural pursuits.
The hardships which he experienced at
this period disciplined him for the
struggles of after-life. His educational
advantages were limited. A few weeks
only in the winter of each year were
spent at the district school, where he
manifested a taste for intellectual pur-
suits, and, at the age of twelve, ex-
pressed a desire to reach the legal
profession; but, because of the limited
means of his parents, he received but
little encouragement. At the age of
nineteen, he started in search of more
remunerative employment, in which
he succeeded. In 1833 he returned to
Ohio, to his father who was embar-
rassed because of debt; whereupon he
and his brother took the land, and
relieved their father of further anxiety.
In 1834 they improved a water-power
on the farm by building ,a mill, which
proved a grand success. On the 13th
of October, 1835, he married Ann M.
Lewis of Milan, O. About a year
afterwards they started, in company
with others, with ox-teams for Winne-
hago County, Illinois, where they set-
tled. His new farm soon began to show
marks of improvement, while at the
same time he was looking forward with

 

WISCONSIN.

hopes of entering the legal profession.
It is said, that, during these days, ‘‘ he
studied Blackstone in the corn-field,”’
which is literally true; and, in 1838, he
was admitted to the bar by the Supreme
Court of Illinois, never having spent a
day in a law-office. In 1339 sold his
claim, and moved into Beloit, where he
opened an office, and fully entered upon
the practice of law, doing business in
Winnebago and Boone Counties, Illi-
nois, and in Rock, Walworth, Jefferson,
and Green, in the Territory of Wiscon-
sin. His efforts in court proved him to
be aman of power. In 1846 he was a
member of the Constitutional Conven-
tion of Wisconsin; and though young,
and inexperienced in legislation, was
soon recognized among the leaders of
that body. He stood with the pro-
gressive element of the convention, in
favor of homestead exemption, elective
judiciary, the rights of married women,
and opposed to banks and banking. In
1854 he was a member of the legisla-
ture of Wisconsin from the Janesville
District, having some years before re-
moved to that city: he at once took a
prominent and leading position in the
legislature. In 1856 he was again
elected to the legislature, and was
tendered the speakership of the assem-
bly by more than a majority of that
body; but being compelled, from tem-
porary lameness, to go on crutches,
which would greatly inconvenience
him in discharging the duties of a
presiding officer, he declined the offer.
He was emphatically the leader of the
house in this legislature, and in the
contest for the election of United
States senator, in which the Hon. J.
R. Doolittle was first chosen. In 1838,
he was judge of the first judicial dis-
trict of Wisconsin, composed of the
counties of Kenosha, Racine, Walworth,
Rock, and Green. He discharged his
duties with very great acceptability.
After he retired from the bench in
1866, he resided in Iowa for some
time, where he was engaged as
attorney for the Milwaukee and St.
Paul Railroad Company; after which
he returned to Beloit, where he pur-
chased an elegant home, and built up
a lucrative practice. In 1869 he was
appointed by Pres. Grant as chief
justice of the Territory of Idaho,
which position he held until 1874,
when, from: failing health, he was
obliged to resign his position. He is
at present residing with his family in
San Francisco, Cal.

Judge Noggle is a man of command-
HISTORY OF

ing appearance ; is a fine and impres-
sive public speaker, possessed of great
mental ability: he only needed the
advantages of early training to have
given him a national reputation. Few
young men have improved their oppor-
tunities better than he. Heis kind and
generous hearted, a man of the peo-
ple, brave in their defence, regardless of
consequences to himself. He is tender-
ly loved by his family; and in the hearts
of his old neighbors in Southern Wis-
consin, there linger for him feelings
of fondness and regard which many
years will not efface.

His name is indissolubly connected
with the history and progress of Wis-
consin. :

Hon. JEROME B. Harrison. — He
was born May 22, 1826, in Friendship,
Alleghany County, N.Y. After obtain-
ing a common school education, in 1843
he entered Alfred Academy, which has
since become a flourishing university.
During the three following years, he
spent the time in teaching, and study-
ing law. In 1851 he was elected super-
intendent of schools in his own town.
The next year was elected town repre-
sentative for the county board of super-
visors; was subsequently twice elected
to the same position. He held the office
of justice from 1856 until 1862, when
he moved to Wisconsin. At the age of
twenty-one was married to Sarah A.
Stowell. Shortly after this he united
with his father-in-law in the flour and
lumber business, until he moved to
this State. He has been frequently
called to positions of trust and honor
by his fellow-citizens. In 1872 he was
the candidate of the Democratic party
for the assembly, but was defeated by
Hon. C. A. Cady of the Republican

party.

In 1873 he was elected county judge,
which position he occupies in an able
manner. Although he has not here-
tofore practised in the profession, is a
lawyer, and a member of the bar of the
Seventh Judicial Circuit. He isa pleas-
ant and interesting public speaker.

Hon. HueH MAcFARLANE. — He
was born in Plumbridge County, Ire-
land, June 22, 1815. His father was a
descendant of the old Earls of Lenox,
of Scotland, who pledged to defend the
Crown and the Bible. He was given
the opportunities for securing a classi-
cal education, but being married, in
his nineteenth year, to Sarah Dunn, his
progress in study was prevented. Soon
after marriage, he came to this country,
making a voyage of thirteen weeks,

 

WISCONSIN. 759

after which they landed at Philadelphia
in July, 1835. Shortly afterwards he
started for the lead-mines of Mineral
Point, Wis.; built a house, and began
operations, which were continued for
six years, when he went to Portage
County, and built bridges across
streams and swamps to get there, and
invested all his means in the lumber-
ing business. In 1846 he moved to
Portage City, where he was successful
in accumulating wealth. In 1854 he
subscribed to the capital stock of La
Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad to the
amount of thirty thousand dollars in
cash, and was swindled out of the whole
amount. In 1859 he moved on to his
farm in Arlington, where he now re-
sides. His wife died July 14, 1862.
They had eight children. In 1863, he
was married to Ann C. Wells, by whom
he has two children. He never was an
office-seeker, though frequently called
to honorable and responsible positions
by the people. As to religious princi-
ples, he has ever been strictly Protest-
ant, and is a member of the Protestant-
Episcopal Church. Politically he is
Democratic. He belongs to several
secret societies, including the Free
Masons. He has been liberal toward
all societies of reform, especially to-
ward all religious denominations. He
and wife organized the first sabbath
school ever kept at Portage City; she
collecting money from the raftsmen
on the Wisconsin River with which to
purchase books. In 1849 he built the
first schoolhouse at his own expense.
His home was for missionaries of all
denominations: from none was the
latch-string ever drawn in. At this
period of life he can look over the
past, not without finding imperfec-
tions, but in every case marked with
good intentions, clearly evidencing the
fact that the tenor of his life was to
benefit his fellow-men.

Amzi SILSBEE.— He was born in
Pittston, Penn., June 1, 1800. Tis op-
portunities for securing an education
were limited; the school being three
miles distant, and very poor besides.
His father died when he was thirteen.
years of age, when he went to learn
the blacksmith-trade in Wilkesbarre.
In 1869 he moved to Starkey, and
married Keziah Babcock in 1821.
Worked at his trade then one year, and
in the village of Dundee eleven years.
Bought a farm near village, and resid-
ed on it ten years. In 1842 he became
security for a stock of goods which was
purchased by hisson, The goods were
760

burned; and he was obliged to sell the
farm for about half its value to meet
the demand; and after parting with all
his effects, except a team, harness, and
wagon, he was still in debt four hun-
dred and sixty dollars. With the team
he came to Wisconsin in the spring of
1844, and settled on two hundred and
forty acres of land in Columbia County,
and paid the four hundred and sixty
dollars and interest in about four years.
In this transaction we see the noble
traits of his unblemished character:
we see the man through all the change-
ful years of his life, reliable, punctual,
and honest to the last cent. He could
have easily avoided paying the money;
but he was too noble, too conscientious
to do so, — too honest and good to fail
to pay any real claim where the pay-
ment was within his power. Hence
the thousands of dollars which he has
earned and enjoyed since that day
have been a peaceful possession; and
the competency now in hand for old
age is a matter of gratitude to him, as
well as a result of industry and hon-
esty. In 1846 his wife died; and in
1848, he married Mrs. Sophia Lyon of
Lowell; but she, too, died in 1859; and
he married his present esteemed and
worthy companion (formerly Mrs. Ruth
Johnson of Madison) in 1862. Thus
like a bark on the billows has this vet-
eran been carried by the tide of years,
until now the headlands of: the after-
world appear on the verge of the hori-
zon, and the home of rest appears in
sight.

Gen. ERAstus B. Wotcortt, M.D.
— He was born at Benton, Yates
County, N.Y., Oct. 18, 1804. His
parents came from Litchfield, Conn.,
and were among the earliest settlers of
that State. Dr. Wolcott is a lineal
descendant of Henry Wolcott, Esq.,
who came from England to America
in 1630. He was the first magistrate
in Connecticut; and among his de-
scendants were numbered three gov-
ernors of the State. It is a fact, that
both Dr. and Mrs. Wolcott number
among their ancestors signers of the
Declaration of Independence. Dr.
Wolcott inherits no taint of blood.
He commenced the study of medicine
and surgery in 1822 with Dr. Joshua
Lee, an eminent surgeon in New York,
and received his diploma of Yates
County Medical Society in 1825. For
four years he attended the Medical
College at Western New York, where
he took his degree in medicine and
surgery. In 1835 he was appointed

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

surgeon in the United-States army. In
1836 married Elizabeth J. Densman,
who died in the autumn of 1860, leav-
ing two children, who were highly
educated. He was made colonel in
1846, and in the same year major-
general of the First Division Wiscon-
sin Militia, and surgeon-general of the
State militia as early as 1842, by Gov.
Doty. He was appointed regent of
the Wisconsin State University in 1850
by Gov. Dewey, and trustee of the
State Hospital for the Insane in 1860
by Gov. Randall, holding the same
through subsequent administrations.
He was appointed by Gov. Fairchild,
in 1866, commissioner to represent the

State of Wisconsin at the Universal,

Exposition at Paris in 1867, and ap-
pointed by United States Congress,
the same year (1866), manager of the
National Home for Disabled Volunteer
Soldiers, which position he still retains,
In Oct. 12, 1869, he was married to
Laura J. Ross, M.D., whose ancestors
may be traced back to the Revolution-
ary history, among the leading minds
in the support of national independ-
ence,
in the best schools, and by the ablest
teachers in New England, and was one
of the first women who took the degree
of M.D. in this country. Dr. Wolcott
has been connected with some of the
early enterprises of the Territory and
State, the meanwhile pursuing his
profession. He is a man of excellent
physical health, which, in a large
measure, may be attributed to his
early good training and temperate
habits. His reputation has grown
from a skilful, unostentatious dis-
charge of every professional duty;
meeting emergencies with decision
and firmness, resulting from a clear.
understanding of what can and ought
to be done, with the conscious ability
to do whatever may be required; al-
ways regarding respectfully the opin-
ions of authors and associates, but
bound by neither when his own ex-
perience and judgment indicate a
better course. As a physician and
surgeon, he stood with the first class
of the profession. A physician in-
timately acquainted with the doctor
begs to offer as follows, what he
deems as a matter of justice to him;
viz., “‘That he possesses, in an emi-
nent degree, the qualities too often
wanting in medical men; viz., he is
perfectly honorable and gentlemanly
in his conduct toward his professional
brethren of all schools of Practice,

She was thoroughly educated.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

and is exceedingly considerate and
liberal toward his patients pecuniarily.
When he dies, no human being can say
he distressed me by pressing the pay-
ment of his well-earned fees. Many a
physican would become rich on the
debts which he remits, when he thinks
that payment might not be convenient.
But the highest honor of Dr. Wolcott,
by which he is most distinguished, is
his eminent skill as a surgeon. His
superior has not appeared in the
North-west. During the late war he
visited almost every battlefield where
Wisconsin troops were engaged; and
many would have slept in a Southern
grave, had he not helped them. Such
is the man imperfectly sketched in the
above, but more perfectly in the hearts
of those who know him, which is to
love him; and also in the history of the
State he holds a prominent position.

. Hon. CuarLtes G. WILLIAMS. —
He was born in Royalton, Niagara
County, N.Y., Oct. 18, 1829. He was
the youngest of ten children. His
first educational advantages were such
as only a district school afforded, and
which were much broken in upon by
ill health. He early manifested a
desire for intellectual pursuits. Ora-
tory was especially pleasing to him;
and in very early life he gained consid-
erable reputation as a speaker. At the
age of fourteen he notified his father
of his desire to prepare for the legal
profession. His father planned ac-
cordingly, intending to give him a full
course of study, but died when Charles
was sixteen years of age, throwing
him upon his own resources for the
future. By the aid he received from
his brothers, and working on the farm
during vacations, he acquired an aca-
demic course. During this period of
his life, he exercised rigid economy,
and was exceedingly persevering in
his work. He commenced the study
of law with Judge Brewer, at Lock-
port, N.Y., and prosecuted his work
by teaching portions of his time in the
high school of that place. In 1852 he
moved to Rochester, N.Y., where he
completed his studies, and was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1855, and where
he was married to his first wife.
After the end of one year he went to
Janesville, Wis., where he was aided
in his pursuit by Judge Noggle. Two
mouths after his arrival, his wife died.
He afterwards married the eldest
daughter of the judge. In 1856 he
was prominently brought before the
public in connection with the Fremont

 

‘soldier.

761

campaign. As an ardent Republican,
he needed only an opportunity to ex-
press his mind on political matters,
and very soon attracted attention, and
took rank with the first speakers of
the North-west. He was engaged to
canvass the State, and spoke in every
considerable town in Wisconsin. At
the close of the campaign, the Milwau-
kee press highly complimented him,
both as an orator, and a man of abil-
ity in the legal profession. In 1868
he was elected to the State senate, and
re-elected to the same position in 1870,
He was nominated by acclamation, and
elected to the Forty-third Congress in
1872, and re-elected in 1874 as a mem-
ber of the Forty-fourth Congress, which
position he now holds. His career in
Congress has been characterized, thus
far, by modesty, caution, and great
industry. He has spoken but seldom,
and has never failed to elicit the
closest attention. ‘‘ The Washington
National Republican ” spoke of him at
the close of the last session as follows:
‘*As a new member of the house, he
was modest enough not to attempt to
attract attention; but when the time
came for him to take an active part in
the proceedings, he not only acquitted
himself with extraordinary credit, but
at once asserted a prominence on the
floor which was readily acknowledged
by members of both parties.”’

Mr. Williams is a man of firm decision
and good judgment. He is among the
first to avow his position upon the great
issues of the day. He is now forty-six
years of age, in robust health, in the
full maturity of his powers, and believed
to have a useful and brilliant future
before him.

Cot. SAMUEL Ry AN. — He was born
in Tipperary County, Ireland, May 22,
1789. In 1809, while going to England,
he was impressed on board the British ©
gun-brig ‘‘ Virago,’”’ while in Queens-
town. From this he was transferred to
the frigate ‘‘ Barbadoes,” one of the
worst ships for usage in the British
navy. They sailed to the West Indies.
They were ordered to convoy seventy-
six sail of merchant-ships, being as-
sisted by the “‘Polyphemus,”’ a sixty-
four-gun ship, to cross to the banks of
Newfoundland. They encountered a
terrible storm, when eighteen out of
the seventy-six sail were lost, and every
sail in the fleet dismasted ; and they put
into Bermuda for repairs. After this
we find him in the war of 1812, where
he manifested the bravery of a true
Peace being proclaimed in
762

1815, five hundred men were picked
out for the peace establishment on
Lake Erie, and wintered at the mouth
of Grand River, Canada; belonged to
the ‘“‘Nemash,”’ a British man-of-war
schooner. He, with two others, in 1816,
made their escape to the soil of free-
dom. There were about thirty left of
the five hundred; all the rest having
reached the land of liberty. He taught
school in Seneca County, New York, for
about two years; then went to Ohio,
and was robbed on the road. He then
went to Buffalo, and joined the United
States army in 1818. Five companies
of the Second Regiment of Infantry,
of which he was a member, picked
men, were ordered to establish a mili-
tary post at the outlet of Lake Superior.
They arrived there in 1822, and were
three weeks under arms, day and night,
expecting an attack from the Chippewa
Indians. He was called to offices of
honor in the army. He was married
on the 12th of June, 1823, to Miss
Martha Johnston, a native of Tyrone
County, Ireland. -In 1826 four com-
panies, of which he was a member,
were ordered to Green Bay, Wis.
When his time had expired in 1828, he
was appointed as clerk in the quarter-
master’s department and subsistence
department, at Green Bay, with lucra-
tive offices. In 1836 Wisconsin was
created a Territory, and he received the
first commission from Gov. Dodge for
justice of the peace in the new Ter-
ritory. Prior and subsequent to that
period, he assisted in making treaties
and payments with and to the Indians
several times; wrote, for two years, in
the Indian department, their returns
and accounts, for which he charged the
small sum of tour hundred dollars, but
never received a cent from the United
States for it. In 1836 two regiments
of militia were ordered to be raised in
the Territory,—the first commanded by
Col. Rockwell, embracing the Milwau-
kee district, and the second commanded
by Col. Wheelock, Green Bay district,
of which he was lieutenant-colonel.
In 1840 was promoted~to colonel of
the regiment. In 1848 he was clerk in
the United States Land Office at Green
Bay, and continued as such until 1857.
In 1861, when the Rebellign began, he
offered his services to Gov. Randall,
and raised a regiment of troops in a
week, and drilled from the school of
the soldier to the school of the bat-
talion. In character he was strictly

honest and straightforward in all deal-.

ings with his fellow-men. He was

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

truly a generous-hearted man toward
all needy persons. He is a man of
great courage. In religious belief he is
an Episcopal Methodist, having joined
the church in 1821, and has ever since
been a member.

Hon. ASAPH WHITTLESEY, SEN. —
He was born in New Preston, Conn.,
Jan. 4, 1781, and was married to Vesta
Hout, Nov. 26, 1807, and moved to
Ohio in 1814, where he died March 17,
1842, at the age of sixty-one years,
leaving a family of six children. It is
said of him, that on account of his
reliability, and the maturity of his
judgment, he was consulted in all mat-
ters relating to the public business,
and to the church and benevolent ob-
jects of the day; would, with the same
means and in the same time, accom-
plish more than men generally. About
the time of Asaph’s removal to Ohio,
his brother Elisha and family took up
residence there also, and was from
1823 to 1839 a representative to Con-
gress. He also held the position of
auditor in the post-office department,
and was also called to other offices of
distinction. It was said of him that
his features bore the impress of stern
integrity, benevolence, and morality.
Of the children of Asaph Whittlesey,
sen., the eldest was a graduate of West
Point, has distinguished himself as a
lawyer and geologist. He served in
the Black Hawk war in 1832; was
appointed, in 1837, on the geological
survey of Ohio. In 1861, when Pres.
Lincoln’s entrance to Washington was
threatened, he was one, with others,
whose services were tendered to Gen.
Scott; was subsequently appointed col-
onel of the Twentieth Regiment of Ohio
Volunteers; was in the battle of Fort
Donelson. The other members of the
family acquitted themselves in a man-
ner that reflected credit upon them-
selves. Asaph was expected to remain
on the homestead; but in 1842, when
his father died, he removed to Illinois,
where he engaged extensively in the
manufacture of lard-oil, candles, and
soap, until 1852, when his factory was
destroyed by fire. He was married to
Miss Lucy M. Haskell in 1851. They
encountered some hardships, but met
them courageously. In 1856 Mr. Whit-
tlesey was elected as member of the
assembly. There being no public thor-
oughfare opened to the settled portions
of the State, he performed the journey
from Ashland to Chippewa Falls, on
his way to the legislature, on snow-
shoes, making a distance of one hundred
HISTORY OF

and eighty miles’ travel in six days.
After reaching Madison, he was pre-
vaied upon to have a photograph taken,
having on his outfit for travel, a copy
of which may be seen in the Capitol.
In 1860 he was elected county judge
of Ashland. In 1861 Pres. Lincoln
appointed him ‘Receiver of Public
Money,” at Bayfield. He has been
called to positions of public trust and
honor by the State and General Govern-
ment, in all of which he has enjoyed
the confidence of the people. He is
known as a ‘‘man of the people’ in a
proper sense.

Rev. JonN Watwortu. — He was
born in Walworth County, Wis., July
28, 1804. At the age of fourteen he
was sent to Norwich for the purpose
of obtaining an education, where he
remained about six years, then return-
ing to Western New York, where he
was engaged in school-teaching, and
other literary pursuits, for five years,
when he emigrated to Michigan, with
many others, while it was a Territory,
arriving in time to take part in that
ludicrous appeal to arms by Gov. Mason,
in calling out the militia to prevent the
governor of Ohiofrom taking possession
of a certain piece of land bordering on
the Menomonee River. He chose, for
his profession, the ministry; moved to
Tilinois in 1842, and for four years he
travelled as missionary; but the con-
stant exposure to the cold was more
than he could endure, and at the end of
this period, he found his health some-
what impaired. He belonged to no
denominations had no creed but the
Bible, which occasioned some fears on
the part of the Orthodox, lest he should
unsettle the minds of those who were
more systematical in their views and
manner of presentation. In 1846 he
located at Monroe, Green County,
where he became the editor and pro-
prietor of ‘‘The Monroe Sentinel,”
through which organ he aided in the
election of J. R. Doolittle as circuit
judge. At the convention held at
Madison, July 18, 1854, when the Re-
publican party was organized, he was
chosen president of the meeting. He
was the first to bring forward the name
of C. C. Washburn, who was, at the
convention at Mineral Point, nominated
and elected to Congress. Soon after
this, Mr. Walworth, having regained in
some measure his health, resumed
preaching ; but ill-health soon pre-
vented any lengthy pastorate. He
therefore had recourse to other em-
ployment. Became editor and pro-

 

WISCONSIN. 763

prietor of “Richland County Ob-
server,’? which brought him into polit-
ical life again. He was a firm and
zealous temperance man, was a member
of the Good Templars, and in 1860 was
elected G.W. Chaplain. In 1862 he was
elected to the legislature, and in 1864
he was elected chaplain of the Forty-
third Regiment Milwaukee Volunteers,
Col. Cobb commanding. Mr. Walworth
rendered valuable services during his
term of service. A few days after the
battle of Nashville, the Forty-third was
ordered to take position near Winches-
ter. This place had been formerly oc-
cupied by:the Fifth Tennessee Cavalry,
with some detachment of infantry; and
many of them seemed to be actuated
more by the spirit of Southern chivalry
than by the principles of Northern
patriotism. Here Mr. Walworth was
employed as post-chaplain and post-
master for the several detachments of
the soldiers in the vicinity; also as
military postmaster for a large district
of country south of Tullahoma. These .
duties enabled him to understand
something of the character of the
people, which is somewhat peculiar in
the South. He preached a very able,
and an appropriate sermon on the day
of the President’s interment, pointing
out the prominent traits of his charac-
ter. This discourse was subsequently
twice repeated by request. His life
was marked with deeds of kindness,
which were the legitimate results of
zealous effort to benefit his fellow-men.

Hon. Toomas B. TyLer. — He was
born at Cochecton, Sullivan County,
N.Y., Jan. 12, 1824. He removed,
when a child, with his parents, to the
town of Seneca, Ontario County, and
was reared on a farm, and educated
at the common schools during the
winter months, until. the age of
eighteen, when, through his unaided
efforts, he spent two years at Canan-
daigua Academy. Subsequently he
engaged in teaching, more or less, for
several years. He read medicine for
one year with Francis Deane, M.D.,
an old and respected practitioner at
Gorham, Ontario County; and, at the
breaking-out of the gold excitement,
went to California, being absent for two
years. In 1852 he removed to Cou-
dersport, Penn., and was the next
year elected prothonotary and clerk of
the courts. Here he pursued the
study of the law, and was admitted to
practice in 1857. In the same year he
removed to Sparta, Monroe County,
Wis., and there immediately opened an
764 HISTORY OF

office, with Milton Montgomery, Esq.,
as partner. Mr. Montgomery having
entered the military service as colonel
of the Twenty-fifth Regiment Wiscon-
sin Volunteers, S. H. Dickinson was
added to the firm; he, by consent of
Mr. Tyler, still retaining his interest.
Some two years since, Mr. Montgomery
dissolved his connection with the firm,
and removed to Lincoln, Neb.

During these years this firm, now
known as Tyler and Dickinson, has
acquired a deservedly high reputation
for ability, integrity, and promptness
in the transaction of all business in-
trusted to its care, and has won for
itself a largely remunerative and in-
creasing business. Mr. Tyler was an
active war Democrat, and gave earnest
and practical support to every neces-
sary measure to subdue the Rebellion.

He is a lawyer of decided ability,
attending more especially to the busi-
ness of the office, and, in his peculiar
line, has few peers. He is careful and
methodical in every detail, and, with a
clear and well-ordered intellect, he
rarely fails in any undertaking. He
seeks rather to serve his clients by in-
ducing amicable and just settlements
than in promoting litigious strife.
Few men give more hours to hard
work; yet, fond of social pleasures, he
allots to them a due share of his time.
He is a man of great public spirit, and
las ever taken a lively interest in the
moral, educational, and material ad-
vancement of the village, county, and
State. He has given with a liberal
hand to all worthy objects engaging
the attention of the community. He
has, at intervals, invested largely in
manufacturing interests. With others,
he built the Tyler Flouring Mills,
near the St. Paul Railroad Depot; has
been engaged in lumbering; and a few
years since, in company with Hon. T.
D. Steele, erected the Sparta Woollen
Mills, a manufacturing institution of
no mean proportions, operated with
the most approved machinery. He
was active in securing the incorpora-
tion of Sparta, and has often been
called to serve in its council, and for
four years as its president. He was a
eandidate for the State senate, but
was defeated by the large Republican
majority in his district, after making a
close and lively race with his com-
petitor. He was a delegate to the
National Convention at New York,
July 4, 1867, which nominated Horatio
Seymour for President. He has held
the position of vice-president of the

 

WISCONSIN.

First National Bank of Sparta since its
organization. He was for six years
High Priest of Sparta Chapter Royal
Arch Masons, and was, for a term,
Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal
Arch Chapter of Wisconsin. He mar-
ried Sarah E., daughter of Francis
Deane, M.D., of Gorham, Ontario
County, N.Y., and has one child, Mary
E., wife of Ira A. Hill, Esq., of Sparta.
He has a tasty and commodious resi-
dence at the head of Water Street,
Sparta; has a large income from his
profession and investments; and is one
of Sparta’s substantial and wealthy
citizens.

Dr. M. R. Gace. —He was born at
Bellona, Yates County, N.Y., April,
1825, and was educated in the schools
of that vicinity until he began the
study of medicine in the office of E. 8.
Smith, M.D., at his native village,
where he remained until he graduated
from the Geneva Medical College, ex-
cept while attending upon the lectures
and hospitals at Geneva and Buffalo.

After graduating, he formed a part-
nership with his preceptor, Dr. Smith,
at the termination of which he_re-
moved to Coudersport, Penn. Here
he remained two years, and then re-
moved to Beloit, Wis., and thence to
Sparta, Wis., where he practised his
profession until August, 1862, when he
was commissioned surgeon of the
Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteers.

He remained in the army two and a
half years, when he resigned on
account of ill health. While in the
service, he acted for a tithe as medical
director of the district of Columbus,
Ky., and as division surgeon of Gen.
Vietch’s division during Gen. Sher-
man’s march from Vicksburg to Meri-
dian, Miss.; but most of the time he
spent with his regiment in active duty.
Since leaving the army, he has resided
at Sparta.

He was the first county superintend-
ent of schools of Munroe County, and
elected by a large majority. He was
a candidate for the assembly in 1865,
and defeated by a few votes, with a
party majority of six hundred against
him in the district.

Dr. Gage has devoted himself assidu-
ously to his profession, and is one of
the most learned and skilful physi-
cians in the State, and, but for his
great modesty, would be widely known
as one of the leading minds in his
profession. Heis a man of studious
habits, of positive conviction, and in-
domitable energy; and, for what he
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

believes to be right, will stand against
the world.

He has been master of the Masonic
Lodge for several terms, and High
Priest of the R. A. Chapter.

His services have often been demand-
ed in various local offices, to which he
has been unanimously elected. He
has ever taken a lively interest in all
public improvements; and any enter-
prise calculated to promote the welfare
of the community in which he resides
has received his unreserved and hearty
support.

He married Miss —— Martin, a most
estimable lady, and has no children.
He is simple in his tastes, unpreten-
tious in his habits, and is justly re-
garded as one of the reliable and
substantial men of his section.

Hon. Aucustus LEDYARD SMITH.—
He was born in Middletown, Conn.,
on the fifth day of April, 1833. His
preparatory educational and collegiate
life was spent in his native town,
where he graduated, in 1854, from the
Wesleyan University, of which institu-
tion his father, Augustus W. Smith,
LL.D., was president.

Immediately upon his graduation,
he came to Madison to take the posi-
tion of tutor in the Wisconsin State
University. Here he remained, giving
excellent satisfaction as an instructor,
until 1856, when he resigned, in order
to become the secretary and land
commissioner of the Fox and Wiscon-
sin Improvement Company. While
retaining this office, he was also en-
gaged in publishing a paper in Fond
du Lac, called ‘‘The Fond du Lac
Union.’’ While at the East, in 1861,
his services were secured as assistant
professor of mathematics in the United
States Naval Academy, temporarily
located at Newport, R.I., during the
continuance of the civil war. In
1863 he returned to Appleton, Wis.,
and resumed his active relation to the
Fox and Wisconsin Inprovement Com-
pany, in the capacity of secretary and
general agent. In 1866 he was elected
State senator from the twenty-second

district, and was instrumental in carry-.

ing through successfully measures of
much importance to the district and to
the State. Conspicuous among these
was the re-organization of the State
University, in which he took a deep
and active interest. The Improve-
ment Company being re - organized
under the name of the Green Bay and
Mississippi Canal Company, Mr. Smith
accepted the office of secretary and

 

765

treasurer in that corporation, which
position he retained until the disposi-
tion of its lands to private parties,
whose commissioner and agent he still
remains. In 1868 Gov. Fairchild ap-
pointed him regent of the State Uni-
versity, which position he held until
1874. In 1870 he established, and was
made president of, the First National
Bank of Appleton. In the same year,
he was elected mayor of that city, and
in 1873-74 he served as alderman of
his ward. The city organized a cham-
ber of commerce in 1875, and Mr.
Smith was elected its first president.

Mr. Smith has been very closely
identified with all the improvements
going on in Appleton for the last fifteen
years, and has, by earnest, practical
effort, as well as by the contribution
of his means, aided and encouraged all
enterprises — business, educational,
social, and religious — which would
naturally extend the reputation of
Appleton, and indicate its moral and
material prosperity.

Mr. Smith is a man of nervous-san-
guine temperament, of marked ability,
interested alike in all the practical
appliances which contribute to the
growth of a town, to the advancement
of literary culture, and the develop-
ments which are constantly taking
place in the domain of science. His
personal relations to his fellow-citizens
are of the happiest character. Mr.
Smith is a regular attendant upon the
services of the Congregational Church ;
but all the religious societies of Apple-
ton find in him a friend and helper.
He has no connection with any secret
organization whatever.

In Chicago, Oct. 30, 1860, Mr. Smith
was married to Miss Edna J. Taylor,
formerly of Madison, Wis. He has
two sons, and his home is most de-
lightfully situated on the banks of the
Fox River. The carefully improved
condition of the grounds surrounding
his home, and the ample library
within, give evidence of the cultivated
and refined taste of its occupants.

Hon. Don A. J. UPHAM. — He was
born in Weathersfield, Windsor County,
Vt., May 1, 1809. His father, Joshua
Upham, occupied the homestead and
farm in the valley of the Connecticut,
that was first owned by his grand-
father, William Upham, at the close of
the Revolutionary War, and which has
been in possession of the family for
nearly one hundred years. The family.
was among the earliest settlers of New
England. About twenty-five years ago,
766

the late Dr. Upham of Salem, Mass.,
compiled and published the genealogy
of the Upham family, in which he dis-
tinetly traced the ancestors of William
Upham back to John Upham, who emi-
grated from the west of England, and
settled in Malden, near Boston, about
sixty years after the first landing of the
Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock. When
D. A. J. Upham became sixteen years
of age, he chose the legal profession.
His father sent him to the preparatory
school at Chester, Vt., and subse-
quently to Meriden, N.H.; and, at the
age of nineteen, he entered the sopho-
more class at Union College, New York;
the late Dr. E. Nott then president
of the institution. He graduated in
1831, with the highest standing, in a
class of about one hundred. Soon after,
he entered the office of Gen. James
Tallmadge in New York, as a law-stu-
dent. Finding it necessary to procure
some means in order to complete his
education as a lawyer, he was, through
the recommendation of Pres. Nott,
appointed assistant professor of mathe-
matics in Delaware College at Newark.
He held this position for three years,
at the same time having entered as
a law-student in the office of the Hon.
James A. Bayard of Wilmington, Del.,
late United States senator from that
State. In 1835, after attending a
course of law-lectures in the city of
Baltimore, he was admitted to the bar,
and commenced the practice of law in
the city of Wilmington. In 1837 he
started for the West. He visited Chi-
cago, but was not pleased with its
appearance in the earlier days of its
history. He travelled through a con-
siderable of the country, when he was
returning by way of Milwaukee. The
first settlement in this place was made
the year before his arrival.. He was
impressed favorably with the place,
and determined to locate here. The
difficulties attending the practice of
the lawyers who first settled in the
Territory can hardly be appreciated in
these days. The first case of any im-
portance was in the Supreme Court of
the Territory. At the fall term of the
district court, a judgment for a large
amount had been obtained against one
of the most extensive dealers in real
estate in Milwaukee; and his new
dwelling-house. and a large amount of
property were advertised for sale on
execution. The young lawyer was
solicited to take the case to the Su-
preme Court, and enjoin the pending
sale. It was necessary that one of the

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

judges should allow the writ of injunc-
tion. In order thereto, it was found
necessary to apply to Judge Dunn,
who resided at Elk Grove in the West-
ern District, about one hundred and
eighty miles from Milwaukee. The best
mode of conveyance was on horse-
back through the counties of Rock and
Green; and the only track for most of
the way was an Indian trail across the
prairies. He started on this journey.
He reached Mineral Point, had his
writ allowed by the judge, and, on his
return to Sugar River, found he had
but two nights and one day in which
to reach Milwaukee before the sale, —a
distance of one hundred miles. After
leaving here, he found the prairie was
on fire in places, and, as the night ad-
vanced, it grew worse. The wind arose;
and a scene presented itself which
baffles description. With these fiery
trials he found himself lost at midnight
on the prairie. Finally, as the clouds
parted, he was enabled to read his way
of escape, and arrived about one hour
before the sale, to the astonishment of
the opposing counsel, and great joy of
his client, who had long been anxiously
waiting his coming. Mr. Upham was
not a politician in the true sense of the
term, but has filled, however, some
important political positions. He was
several times a member of the Terri-
torial council at the earliest sessions
of the legislature at Madison. He was
a member of the first convention that
was called to form a constitution for
the State of Wisconsin, and was elected
the president of the convention; was
nominated by the Democratic party
for governor of the State, as the suc-
cessor of Gov. Dewey. His opponent
was L. J. Farwell. He took no active
part in the canvass. The contest was a
close one, and his opponent elected by
asmall majority. He was twice elected
mayor of the city of Milwaukee; was
afterwards appointed United States at-
torney for the District of Wisconsin,
which he held four years. After thirty
years of successful practice in Milwau-
kee, he was compelled by ill-health to
retire from the profession, He was
married, in 1836, to Elizabeth S., daugh-
ter of Dr. Gideon Jaynes of Wilming-
ton, Del. At the close of the late war,
Major Upham, on his return from a
trip to Europe, brought home, and pre-
sented to his father, an astronomical
telescope of large power. With the
aid of this, his father for several years
past, as his health and time would per-
mit, has been reviewing his early as-
HISTORY OF

tronomical investigations, learning of
the progress made in that science
during the last forty years, and verify-
ing, to some extent, the computations
made annually at the Astronomical
Observatory at Washington.

Hon. WIintiam STarr.—He was
born in Middletown, Conn., March 3,
1821. When eight years of age, he, with
his widowed mother, moved to Lewis
County, New York. Soon after their
arrival, his mother was married to a
farmer; and William worked on the
farm until fourteen years of age, with
his mother s consent and approval, his
object being to acquire an education.
The subsequent eight years of his life
were spent in working on the farm,
teaching and attending schools the
meanwhile, keeping up his studies
while farming and teaching. In the
spring of 1843 he came to Wisconsin,
and spent three years in teaching with
fine success. Since that time he has
been engaged as farmer, merchant, and
lumberman. He has held various
town, city, and county offices; has been
twice elected to the legislature; and
since 1865 has been, by successive ap-
pointments from each of the governors,
made a member of the Board of Regents
of Normal Schools, and, for the last
seven years, president of the board. In
all these offices, Mr. Starr has discharged
the duties falling to him in a manner
which reflected much credit upon him-
self in the estimation of the people,
both as a man of ability and ‘honesty.
His re-appointments to offices of honor
and trust fully confirm the fact that
he is a man every way qualified for the
same, worthy the confidence of those
whom he so faithfully serves.

Hon. Cuartes D, PARKER. — He
was born in Coos County, N.H., Dec.
27,1827. He came to Wisconsin in the
year 1836, with his father, who settled
where the village of Muskegon Centre,
Waukesha County, is now located. At
that time his nearest neighbor was
about three miles distant. His father
was very well known in Milwaukee
County. He took an active part in the
earlier politics of the State, and was
elected representative from Milwaukee
County to the Territorial legislature in
1846, and was prominent in the organ-
ization of Waukesha County. C. D.
Parker received a common school and
academic education, and, at its termi-
nation, engaged in teaching school in
winter, and farming in summer. He

 

remvuved to Pleasant Valley, St. Croix
County, in 1859, and settled upon a

WISCONSIN. 767

farm, where he now resides. He has
held various local offices; was chair-
man of his town four years, and chair-
man of the county board in 1871, and
was elected to the assembly in 1868
and 1869. In 1873 he was elected
lieutenant-governor. During his life
he ever manifested a spirit of honest
industry, not yielding to every obstacle,
He has fought the battles of life nobly
thus far, has discharged the duties of
his several offices in a very acceptable
manner, and leaves a very worthy
record.

Hon. Joun Catuin. — He was born
in Orwell, Vt., in Oct. 13, 1803. His
parents were John B. and Rosa Orms-
bee Catlin. His father was a merchant,
but retired toa farm in Vermont, locat-
ing on the shores of Lake Champlain.
Here, and at Newton Academy, in
Shoreham, Vt., he pursued the more
common branches of study, and after-
wards, while teaching, educated him-
self the more thoroughly. He was
admitted to the bar in 1833; and on
removing to Mineral Point, Wis., in
1836, he formed a partnership with
Hon. M. M. Strong.

When the seat of government was
located in Madison, Mr. Catlin was
appointed postmaster, and established
the office in May, 1837. On the elec-
tion of Gen. Harrison to the Presi-
dency, Mr. Catlin was removed on
political grounds, but was re-instated
afterward by Pres. Tyler. On being
elected a member of the council in
1844, he resigned his position. He
was appointed clerk of the Supreme
Court in 1836. .From 1838 to 1845,
he was the chief clerk of the house of
representatives. On the organization
of Dane County for county and judi-
cial purposes, Mr. Catlin was appointed
district-attorney.

In 1846 Mr. George R. C. Floyd being
removed from his office as secretary of
the Territory, Mr. Catlin was appointed
to that position by Pres. Polk, which he
held until 1848.

A bill was introduced into Congress
by Hon. Morgan L. Martin, the dele-
gate of Wisconsin, to organize a Terri-
torial government for Minnesota, in-
eluding the district left out on the
admission of Wisconsin as a State.
The citizens of what is now Minnesota
were very anxious to obtain a Territorial
government; and two public meetings
were held, — one at St. Paul, and the
other at Stillwater, — advising and soli-
citing Mr. Catlin, who was secretary of
Wisconsin, to issue a proclamation, as
768 HISTORY OF

the acting governor, for the election of
a delegate. -After some consideration,
Mr. Catlin repaired to Stillwater, and
issued the proclamation. Gen. H. H.
Sibley was elected; and he did much
towards hastening the passage of a Dill
for organizing a Territorial government
for Minnesota.

Mr. Catlin was subsequently elected
judge of Dane County. This office he
resizned on being appointed president
of the Milwaukee and Mississippi Rail-
road Company, when he removed to
Milwaukee, where the principal office
was kept. He was mainly instru-
mental im procuring, in the banking
law, a provision making first mortgage
bonds of railroads, to the amount of fifty
percent, the basis of banking, under cer-
tain restrictions, — a provision which
enabled him to sell and issue six hun-
dred thousand dollars of bonds on the
said road, which breathed into the cor-
poration the breath of life, and gave it
a grand start towards the Mississippi.

Being offered the position a second
time in 1856, he declined, and after-
wards received a vote of thanks for the
efficient manner in which he had dis-
charged the duties of that office.

After the failure of the company in
the revulsion of 1857, Mr. Catlin was
again elected president, and re-organ-
ized the company under the name of
the Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien
Railway; and was vice-president until
the consolidation of the company with
the Milwaukee and St. Paul.

Mr. Catlin possessed practical busi-
ness talent and good executive ability,
as is seen in his management of the
construction of the railroad from Mil-
waukee to the Mississippi.

He was a man of genial disposition,
of pleasant and affable manner, and
had a large circle of warm and last-
ing friends.

Gen. JosHua J. GUPPEY. — He was
born in Dover, N.H., Aug. 27, 1820.
Graduated at Dartmouth College in
1843; was admitted to the bar in his
native county; and came to Wisconsin
in the fall of 1846. He first settled
at Columbus, but removed from that
place to Portage in 1851. He has
been in public life nearly all the time
since he became a citizen of Wisconsin.
In 1849 he was appointed judge of Pro-
bate by Gov. Dewey; and, in September
of that year, he was elected county
judge, and under that election, and
a subsequent one, held that office from
1850 to 1858. From 1859 to 1861, he
was school superintendent of the city

 

WISCONSIN.

of Portage. In 1861 he entered the
army as lieutenant-colonel of the Tenth
Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, and
was promoted to colonel of the Twenty-
third Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers
in 1862. He continued in service till the
close of the war, and was brevetted
brigadier-general from March 13, 1865,

“for gallant and meritorious services

during the war.” While lieutenant-
colonel of the Tenth Regiment, he
served under Gen. O. M. Mitchell in
Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama,
As colonel of the Twenty-third Regi-
ment, he took part in the attack on
Vicksburg, in December, 1862; in the
capture of Post Arkansas, in January,
1863; in the battles of Port Gibson,
Champion Hills, Black River Bridge;
in the siege and capture of Vicksburg;
in the capture of Fort Morgan in Mobile
Bay; and ina small but sharp battle
near Grand Coteau, La., in November,
1863. Greeley writes of this in his
“ American Conflict,”’ ‘ Our right, thus
suddenly assailed in great force, and
with intense’ fury, was broken, and
was saved from utter destruction by
the devoted bravery of the Twenty-
third Wisconsin, and the efficient ser-
vice of Nims’s Battery.”

In the battle last mentioned, Col.
Guppey was wounded and taken pris-
oner while fighting at the head of his
gallant regiment, and was exchanged
in January, 1864. For some time after
his exchange, he served as president of
a military commission, sitting at New
Orleans for the examination of officers.
After that, he was madea brigade or post
commander till the end of the war, and
participated in many minor actions, but
in none of the great battles which oc-
curred in 1864 and 1865, except the land-
attack on Fort Morgan.

In January, 1866, Gen. Guppey
again became county judge of Colum-
bus County, under an election held
while he was in the army, and with-
out his knowledge of his being a candi-
date; and, under that and successive
elections, he has held that office ever
since. He was also school superintend-
ent of Portage city from 1866 to 1873,
when he declined a re-election.

Gen. Guppey is a man of strong,
practical sense, and unerring judg-
ment. The predominating features of
his temperament are sound principles,
energy, and perseveranes.

Pror. ALLEN HAYDEN WELD. — He
was the son of Samuel and Sarah Hay-
den Weld, and was born Sept. 1, 1812,
in Braintree, Vt. Mr. Weld possessed:
HISTORY OF

a strong desire for a collegiate educa-
tion, and a wish to graduate at Yale
College; but, being entirely dependent
on his own exertions, he met with
many anxious struggles and embar-
rassments. He took a three-years’ pre-
paratory course in the Kimball Union
Academy in New Hampshire. From
motives of economy, he entered Dart-
mouth College; and, after remainin
there two years, he went to Yale, an
was admitted to the junior class. The
year after graduating he spent at Nan-
tucket, where he succeeded in retriev-
ing his debts contracted in the college
course. He then commenced the study
of theology at Andover Theological
Seminary, not so much with a view of
preparing for the ministry as for the
general advantage of a higher disci-
pline. After studying two years in
the seminary, he became an assistant
teacher in Latin and Greek in Phillips
Academy of that place, but was soon
invited to take charge of an academy in
Maine. This position was accepted by
him on the condition that the course of
instruction should consist mainly of the
classics necessary to prepare students for
college.

From 1837 to 1848, he was at the head
of this academy, which became a lead-
ing institution in the State for prepar-
ing students to enter college. Mr. Weld
became deeply interested in the struc-
ture of language, and, during his con-
nection with this school, published sev-
eral school-books,— an ‘‘ English Gram-
mar,” “ Latm Lessons, and Reader,”’
and a ‘‘ Parsing-book, with Exercises
in Sentential Analysis.’ In 1839 he
was elected a member of the Board of
Overseers of Bowdoin College, and con-
tinued in this office during his entire
residence in Maine. From 1850 to. 1856,
he was principal of the Cumberland
Academy in Maryland; and, for three
succesive years, he was principal of the
Tilden Ladies’ Seminary in West Leba-
non, N.H.

From highly-colored representations
of the north-western part of the State
of Wisconsin, he was induced. to make |
investments in government lands; and,
to avoid the loss of property, he was
compelled to resign his position at West
Lebanon, and to remove to Wisconsin.
For several years, he has been a mem-
ber of the board of regents of the State
normal schools, and, in common with
others who have felt the need of better
educational facilities in the north-west-
ern part of the State, he has been ear-
nest in his efforts to secure the loca-

. subsequently became a lawyer.

 

WISCONSIN. - 969

tion of the fourth State Normal School
at River Falls. Hopes long entertained
have at length been realized by the erec-
tion of a fine building,

Mr. Weld, though now retired to a
farm, takes a lively interest in the
cause of popular education, to which,
during his residence in Wisconsin, a
period of sixteen years, he has devoted
much time and labor.

Hon. Cart C. Pope. —He was

orn in Washington, Orange County,
Vt., July 22, 1834. When eighteen
years of age, he commenced the study
of law with Hon. J. P. Kidder, then
lieutenant-governor of Vermont, and
now delegate to Congress from Da-
kota. In 1856 he was admitted as an
attorney-at-law at Chelsea, Vt., by
Judge Collamer, who has since been
elected United States senator, In
1856 he removed to Black River Falls,.
where he now resides. In 1858 he:
was elected district-attorney of Jack-
son County, and in 1860 was re-
elected to the same office. In 1861’
and 1862 he was a member of the
assembly, and was elected senator
from the thirty-second district in 1863.
He was a delegate in the following year
to the Baltimore convention which
nominated Lincoln and Johnson.

He was made a Master Mason in 1861,
and, six years later, a Knight Templar.
Has been Master of Black River Lodge,
No. 74, seven years, and High Priest of
Black River Chapter three years.

JupeEe Joun SHaw Morrat. — He
was born in Lansing, N.Y., Nov. 25,
1814. He was educated at Cortland
Academy, Cortland County, N.Y., and
Soon.
after his removal to Hudson, in 1854,

the was- made police justice, which:

office he held for about ten years. Ini
1869 he was elected county judge, and:
in 1873 was re-elected,

Judge Moffat is of Irish descent,.
and. possesses many of the character--
istic traits peculiar to that race.. His
grandparents were educated and prom-
inent residents of Ireland, and came
to America in the latter part of their
lives.

Judge Moffat still resides in Hudson,
where he possesses the respect. and:
confidence of the entire people.

JupeE J. E. Mann. — He was born:
March 4, 1821, in Schoharie, Schoharie
County, N.Y. His father was afarmer ;,
and he lived and labored on the farm
till he was about twenty years of age..
During his vacations he prepared for-
college, and in 1840 entered the sopho-.
770 °

more class at Williams College, Massa-
chusetts. Here he remained two terms,
when he entered, in the third term of
the sophomore year, at Union College,
where he graduated in 1843. While
at school, he was elected a member of
the Phi Beta Kappa Society, in a class
of about one hundred. He read law
at Schoharie, with the late Hon Jacob
Hanck, jun., and in July, 1846, was

admitted to the bar of the Supreme

Court of New York.

He practised law in Schoharie
County until May, 1854, when he re-
moved to the village of West Bend,
Washington County, Wis. Here he
continued to practise in his profession,
having formed a copartnership with
Hon. L. F. Frisby. In April, 1859, he
was elected judge of the third circuit,
to fill the vacancy caused by the resig-
nation of the Hon. Charles H. Larra-
bee. In 1860 he was again elected to
that position. Jan. 1, 1867, he re-
moved to Milwaukee, forming a part-
nership with the Hon. F. W. Cotz-
hausen, where he remained, doing a
successful and lucrative business, until
Feb. 5, 1874. At this time Gov. Taylor
appointed him judge of Milwaukee
County, in place of Hon. H. L. Palmer,
who had resigned.

Hon. FERDINAND KUEBN.— He was
born in Augsburg, Bavaria, Feb. 22.
1821. Here he acquired his education.
In his fifteenth year he was apprenticed
to a banking-house in his native city.
Subsequently he secured a situation
in a banking-house at Berne, Switzer-
land, where he remained ten years.
Desirous of obtaining an independent
position, he emigrated to Washington
County, Wisconsin, in 1844, where he
remained two years. In 1845 he mar-
ried. But, being without sufficient
means to purchase a farm, he removed,
in the following year, to Milwaukee.
After clerking a short time, he learned
to make cigars, and occasionally served
at book-keeping, thereby increasing his
scanty income. In 1849 .he was ap-
pointed clerk in the city: treasurer’s
office, where he remained five years.
In 1854 he was elected city treasurer,
and, in the following year, was re-
elected without opposition. In 1856
formed a partnership with the late
Senator Charles Quentin, and was also
chosen alderman of the sixth ward of
Milwaukee, and, three years later, was
made school-commissioner of said
ward. In 1860 he was elected comp-
troller of the city. The duties of this
position were extremely arduous, as he

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

entered upon the discharge of them
immediately after the discovery of the
Gardiner and Lynch defalcation. He
held this position for five successive
terms.

The re-adjusiment and funding of
the city and railroad debt were com-
menced, and successfully carried out.
The duties of the comptroller were, on
that account, very laborious, as he was
clerk, ex officio, of the public debt.
In 1866 he engaged in the real-estate
business, more exclusively taking care
of the property of non-residents.
Two years later, he was associated
with Christian Opt in this business.
In 1870 he assisted in the organization
of the Home Savings Bank, of which
he afterwards became a stockholder.
Subsequently the bank became con-
solidated with the bank of M. von
Baumbach; and Mr. Kuehn was chosen
its vice-president, which office he held
until 1878. He was elected State
treasurer on the Reform ticket, receiv-
ing a most flattering home indorse-
ment, He entered upon the duties of
that office Jan. 5, 1875. Mr. Kuehn’s
residence since that time has been in
Madison, in order that he might devote
more attention to the duties of that
office.

Hon. T. A. CHAPMAN. — He was
born at Giles, Me., May 23, 1824. His
father was a farmer, and possesses
unyielding integrity. Mr. Chapman
worked on the farm, and attended the
common school, until he was twenty
years of age. He taught two terms,
and then entered as clerk in a dry-
goods store in Boston. He remained
there thirteen years. While there, he
engaged in business for himself; but,
as he wanted capital, he could not com-
pete successfully with the trade, and
he decided to “go West.’? He brought
with him little more than a reputation
for integrity, good moral character,
and good credit. He commenced busi-
ness in 1857, in East Water Street,
Milwaukee, where he carried on a
successful and prosperous trade. The.
sales of the first year amounted to
thirty-five thousand dollars, and in
1871 to two hundred and fifty thou-
sand dollars. The next year he bought
a corner of Wisconsin and Milwaukee
Streets, and built the spacious double
store now occupied by him, where he
became more popular than ever. The
sales in 1875 will reach a million of
dollars. His business is wholly of a
retail character. Mr. Chapman is a
man of sterling character, unimpeach-
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

able in his morals, and temperate in
his habits. Financially, he ‘ worked
his way up” from nothing, receiving
no help in the shape of means from
any source. His sales not unfre-
quently reach as high as four thousand
dollars per day. His employees num-
ber over one hundred persons. Among
them are forty females, and many
men of families. He is particular to
employ only those of a high moral
character, and possessing intelligence
and education. Many teachers are
found in his corps of workers. With-
out strong practical common-sense,
constant diligence, perseverance, and
sound judgment, Mr. Chapman would
have failed. His successes applaud
him more than our words. In May,
1850, Mr. Chapman married Laura O.
Bowker. They have two daughters,
Alice G. and Laura Appleton.

Hon. E. E. Coapin. — He was born
at Venice, Cayuga County, N.Y., July
14, 1829, and in 1837, with his parents,
removed to Aurelius, near Auburn,
N.Y., where he remained till October,
1854, when he came to Wisconsin, first
settling at Oconomewoc, and removed
to Columbus in January, 1856, where
he has since resided. He received an
academic education. By profession he
isalawyer. For years he has been a
member of the Democratic State Cen-
tral Committee, and in that capacity
has entered into state and national
canvasses with speech, pen, and purse,
to reclaim the state and nation from
the theories and aims advocated by the
Republican party, as opposed to the
broad democratic principles of govern-
ment early established and advocated
by Jefferson and the fathers. He has
attended as a delegate from Columbia
County, and participated in every Dem-
ocratic State Convention since 1855.
His political course has been liberal
and progressive, and in the convention
held at Milwaukee in 1869, by which
Hon. C. D. Robinson of Green Bay was
nominated for governor, Mr. Chapin,
in conjunction with a number of
prominent men, including Gov. Taylor,
insisted upon a platform of principles
indicating the new departure, that ulti-
mately overthrew the Republican party
in Wisconsin. During the war of the
Rebellion, he contributed time and
money to sustain the government, and
not the political party in the ascen-
dency, firmly believing that military
force must be met by military force,
and a rebellion “‘against the powers
that be’? must be promptly met and

4

 

771

suppressed. He was opposed to any act
indicating a repudiation of the na-
tional debt, or an assumption of the
rebel debt, or any part thereof, by
the United States. He has ever held
an aversion to the manner of ‘running
men for office,” that so largely pre-
vails in this country. He has seldom
permitted his name to be placed upon
a ticket for any office, although often
urged by his friends to so dos yet he
has held various local offices of a non-
partisan character, and was placed in
those positions by the aid of Republican
votes, In April, 1874, he was appointed
by Gov. Taylor as a member, and is
now vice-president, of the State Board
of Charities and Reform. As a mem-
ber of this board, he conducted, in be-
half of the State, the investigation of
the management of the State Prison,
and the Institute for the Education of
the Deaf and Dumb. He is one of the
commissioners named by the legislature
of 1874-77 to consider the feasibility of
the removal of the’ State Prison from
Waupun. Mr. Chapin does not allow
his public duties to interfere with his
professional labors; and, consequently,
he enjoys an extended and lucrative
practice. Asa lawyer, he stands among
the first of the profession, and is held
in high reputation as a citizen.

G. B. Conapon. — He was born in
Otisco, Onondaga County, N.Y., April
9, 1835. His father died in 1842, leaving
his mother with a large family, and
limited means with which to provide
for them. By her wise, economical
management, she kept them all together
until they were able to do for them-
selves. At the age of twelve he began
life for himself as a picker-boy in Har-
lem Mill. At the age of eighteen he
came to Beaver Dam, Wis., where he
followed various occupations until 1859,
when he engaged in banking, which
proved disastrous, owing to the break-
ing-out of the Rebellion, and deprecia-
tion of Southern State stock. From
1861, to May, 1863, he was engaged in
the United States mustering-office at
Madison, where he received appoint-
ment as paymaster in the army, and
served in, this capacity until close of
the war, when he resigned, came home,
and purchased an interest in mills, with
which he is still connected, and has
from that time been manager of an
institution which is a credit to the
woollen industry of Wisconsin. It
may be truly said of Mr. Congdon, that
he is an economical and an industrious
man, always actively interested in
772

every enterprise that is productive of
the financial, educational, and moral
good of the people.

Hon. LEaAnprER F. Frisspy. — He
was born in Mesopotamia, Trumbull
County, O., June 19, 1825. His father
was a farmer, and emigrated to Ohio
from Castleton, Vt., in 1817, and set-
tled in Mesopotamia. In early life
Mr. Frisby labored during the summer
on his father’s farm, and in winter
attended the district school, thereby
securing the rudiments of an educa-
tion. Determined to acquire a thor-
ough intellectual culture such as his
father was unable to give, he left the
farm when about seventeen years of
age, and learned the wagon-maker’s
trade, during which time he pursued
his studies as best he could at odd
spells, and after the labors of the day
had been performed. Subsequently he
attended the Farmington Academy
in his native county, paying for his
board and tuition in the mean time by
working at his trade in evenings and
during vacation. Having completed
his academical course, he determined
to seek his fortune farther west, and
in September, 1864, emigrated to this
State, which has ever since been his
home. He reached Sheboygan with
scarcely a dollar in his pocket, made
his way to Fond du Lac, where he im-
mediately fell sick of chill-fever, which
lasted several months. Destitute as he
was, before he was scarcely able to
stand he sought work at his trade,
and, failing to find it, worked at the
cooper’s trade for a while, with no other
compensation than his board. On
learning that his trade was in some
demand at Beaver Dam, he borrowed
Jifty cents, and started for that place in
March, 1847. He was fortunate enough
to get a free ride to within about ten
miles of his destination, where he
stopped over night, paying his little
pittance for his supper and lodging.
The next morning he started on foot
without breakfast. He obtained em-
ployment for a portion of his time.
From this he went to Janesville in the
following July, and there worked at
his trade until the month of October,
when he went to Spring Prairie, and
taught a school for one year. In the fall
of 1848 he went to Burlington, and
opened an academic school in the old
Burlington Academy. About this time
he commenced the study of law, which
he pursued with diligence during his
leisure, for about two years, during
which time he taught school. He was

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

admitted to the bar in the fall of 1850.
After this he settled in the village of
West Bend, where he has ever since
resided. He was married in 1854 to
Francis E. Booker of Burlington, Wis.
Though never a professional politician,
Mr. Frisby has always taken a decided
stand upon all the political questions
of the day. From his boyhood, and
during the long and trying contest
with the slave-power, he has been one
of its uncompromising opponents. In
his early manhood he was a Freesoiler,
but has been an earnest advocate of
the Republican party since its organ-
ization, and was one of the secretaries
of the first Republican State Conven-
tion held in Wisconsin. In 1853 he
was elected district-attorney, which
office he held for two years. In 1857
he was appointed county judge by Gov.
Bashford, and served out an unexpired
term. In 1860 he was elected to the
legislature by a large majority, not-
withstanding the fact that the regular
Republican ticket did not receive one-
third of the votes in the district from
which he was elected. The same year
he was also a delegate to the Repub-
lican National Convention at Chicago,
and was one of its acting secretaries,
In 1868 he was nominated for Con-.
gress by the Republican party of the
Fourth Congressional District, but was
defeated. The same year he was one
of the presidential electors on the
Republican ticket. In 1872 was a del-
egate to the Republican National Con-
vention held at Philadelphia. In 1873
he received the nomination for attor-
ney-general upon the Republican State
ticket; and though defeated, with the
balance of his ticket, his run in his
own county was, perhaps, without
parallel in the political history of the
State, receiving a majority of six hun-
dred and twenty-seven votes, while the
balance of his ticket was defeated in
the county by 1,871 majority, and he
led his ticket throughout the State.
This home-indorsement produced quite
a sensation at the time, and tells more
of Mr. Frisby’s personal merit than
volumes of biography.

As a lawyer, Mr. Frisby stands in the
front rank of his profession in the
State, and has long enjoyed a large
and lucrative practice. He is at pres-
ent the senior member of the law-firm
of Frisby, Weil, and Barney. He has
acquired his prominence as a lawyer,
rather than as a politician; for, since
his admission to the bar, he has been
constant in practice. Mr. Frisby’s life
HISTORY OF

is a standing example to the young
men of our State, of what may be
accomplished by industry and integrity,
even under the most discouraging cir-
cumstances of poverty and want of
opportunity. Heis more than a self-
made man, inasmuch as he not only
carved out his own good name and
fortune, but also helped others in their
struggles. Industry, integrity, com-
bined with the better qualities of the
head and heart, make up the character
of him who stands among the leading
men of the State.

Rev. ALFRED Brunson, A.M.,
D.D. — He was born in Danbury, Fair-
field County, State of Connecticut,
Feb. 9, 1793. His education was such
as could be obtained in the common
schools of those times. In 1800 his
father moved to Sing Sing, N.Y., on
the Hudson River, where he was
drowned in 1806, when his mother
moved back to Danbury with seven
children, of whom Alfred was the el-
dest, then thirteen years of age. He
was then placed under the care of his
uncle to learn the shoemaking trade,
where he remained for five years. He
had a taste for reading, and an ambi-
tion to pursue some higher calling
than his trade. Reading and hearing
of Roger Sherman, the celebrated
statesman, who was of the same trade,
he felt an ambition to follow his steps,
and leave the world the better for hav-
ing lived in it. To accomplish this
object, like Arndt, he planned to study
and practise law, and if a war oc-
curred, which the signs of the times
strongly indicated, to share in its dan-
gers, and, if possible, in its glories. In
the fall of 1808, having a disagreement
with his uncle, he started for Ohio,
where he had another uncle. He re-
mained a while at Carlisle, Penn., and,
finding himself not perfect as a work-
man, received instructions until he
became very thorough in his trade.
He had been religiously inclined from
the time of his father’s death; and
now, being in a Methodist family, he
attended church with them, and was
thoroughly awakened, and on Feb. 3,
1809, was converted to God. Soon
after this, he felt called of God to
preach, and, joining that church, aban-
doned his former plans, and devoted his
time in preparing for the ministry. In
the fall of 1809 he returned to Con-
necticut. He stopped in Bridgeport,
and informed his mother and uncle of
his whereabouts, and paid the latter
for the balance of his time, and contin-

 

WISCONSIN. 773

ued to live here, where the way opened
up for him to commence public reli-
gious services, as he was licensed to ex-
hort. In 1811 he married, and opened
a shop for business; but the war of 1812
so interfered, that he removed to Ohio,
to work ona farm. Realizing his inse-
curity on the frontier, he entered the
army, under Gen. Harrison, in 1813,
for a year. He was at the taking of
Malden, and retaking of Detroit. At
the expiration of his term of service,
he returned home, and in 1815 was
licensed to preach. In 1818 he formed
a new circuit in Huron County, Ohio,
where, in six months, he established
twenty-four appointments, and gath-
ered up a hundred and fifty members.
His next circuit was in the north-west
part of Pennsylvania; was four hun-
dred miles round, having forty-four
appointments to fill in four weeks.
He had a colleague, and they had three
hundred conversions as the fruit of
their labor. In 1820 he joined the
Ohio Annual Conference. The Pitts-
burg (Penn.) Conference was organ-
ized in 1825, with which he was
connected. He travelled extensively
through this region of country, preach-
ing with great success, and literally
“eontending for the faith that was
once delivered unto the saints.’? In
the mean time, he formed a knowledge
of jurisprudence necessary to a wise
administration of discipline, and for
four years read law, not anticipating
admission to the bar. In 1831 the
Meadville College was offered for the
patronage of the conference to which
he belonged. The offer was accepted;
and he was appointed on that district,
in order that his valuable services
might be given for the benefit of the
institution. In 1835 he learned of
the sad condition of the Indians on the
Upper Mississippi, and determined to
press his way toward these and other
poor sufferers. He entered Wisconsin
on the 25th of October of the same
year. He was then presiding elder of
a district extending from Rock Island
to the head of the Mississippi, includ-
ing the Indian Mission. He concluded,
in looking for a place to locate his
family, that, as Prairie du Chien seemed
to be the outpost of civilization, it
would not be wise to go beyond.
He could not find a suitable house to
rent; and, material for building and
labor costing such an enormous sum,
he wrote home to his wife, who con-
tracted for a boat, and material pre-
pared and ready to be put together, to
774

be moved with the family. He reached
home the following February, to find
that his faithful wife had made all
necessary preparations. During this
journey home, ‘he encountered some
serious difficulties in fording streams,
and among wolves, but was providen-
tially preserved from the violence of
either. In June, 1836, he put the ma-
terial for the house into the boat, with
two families beside his own; descended
French Creek and the Alleghany River
to Pittsburg. There he tied toa steam-
boat, and was towed to St. Louis.
Then he tied to another steamer, and
was towed to Prairie du Chien, nine-
teen hundred and fifty miles by water
from Meadville. He reached his des-
tination July 16, 1836. Owing to the
pressing wauts of the district, the house
was not erected until the next spring.
He was the first Methodist preacher who
ever set foot on the soil north of the
Wisconsin River. In 1839 he was com-
peice to resign his ministerial labors

ecause of ill health. Being now with-
out income, he accepted several offices
of low'‘grade, and, being desirous to
attend to matters in court, he was
admitted to the bar on the ground of
his former law-reading, and practised
for ten years. In 1840 he was elected
to the Territorial legislature. In 1842
he was appointed Indian agent at La
Pointe in Lake Superior. In 1846 his
wife, two daughters, and son-in-law
died. In 1850 he was a candidate for
the circuit judgeship, but was defeated
by those who guarded the rum-traffic.
He returned to the ministry, and was
appointed at Mineral Point. In 1853
he was made presiding elder of Prairie
du Chien district, which included an
extensive territory. Under his admin-
istration, it was made to flourish, and
bear precious fruit, and, at the close of
his term of service, was divided into two
districts. In 1856 he, with many oth-
ers, invested largely in railroad stock,
being deceived by false representations,
and lost all they had. In 1862 he was
made chaplain in the army; went as
far as Kentucky, where he was taken
ill, and was compelled to resign his
position. In 1867, having partially re-
covered, he was made effective in the
ministry, and was made presiding elder
of a district, but was subsequently
twice re-apppointed to other districts,
At the close of his four-years’ service,

he was compelled to retire on account’

of ill health, 4
_During his ministry, he has been
sixteen years a presiding elder, anda

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

delegate to the General Conference
four times; has written much for both
religious and secular journals; assisted
in building about thirty churches; has
been instrumental in saving many
souls; has preached thousands of ser-
mons; and now, in his eighty-third
year, can look back over sixty years of
honest endeavors to serve God “with
a perfect heart and a willing mind,”
having no regrets, except that he has
not done more good, and lived more
holy; and is now waiting the call of
his divine Master to a better and hap-
pier clime.

Mrs. Emma Brunson.—She was
born in Fairfield, near Bridgeport,
Conn., Jan. 21, 1791. Her maiden
name was Burr. She was a distant
relative of Aaron Burr. She was mar-
ried to Alfred Brunson in August, 1811,
and emigrated with her husband to
Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1818. Her
husband becoming a Methodist min-
ister in 1813, she was made subject to
frequent removals, and shared with
him the toils and the privations of his
life. During her married life, she re-
sided in Painesville, Youngstown, and
Hubbard, in Ohio, Detroit in Michigan,
Alleghany City and Meadville, Penn.,
and Prairie du Chien, Wis. In 1836
she removed to the last-named place.
She died in that village, in 1846, at
the age of fifty-five. She was the
mother of eight children, all of whom
attained their majority. Mrs. Brunson
was an intelligent, motherly woman,
one who sympathized deeply with the
afflicted. She often invited to her
house young men who were sick, and
away from their own home, and nursed
them with a mother’s care. By her
affectionate kindess and attention, she
obtained the cognomen of ‘‘ Mother
Brunson.”? She was universally re-
spected and beloved by all who were
acquainted. with her. Four of her
children are still living. Judge Ira B.
Brunson is the only one residing in
this State. One of her daughters, the
wife of the late Thomas P. Burnet,
died the same day that her husband

‘died, and three weeks after her moth-

er’s death.

ORLANDO W. Wieut, A.M., M.D.—
He was born in Centreville, Alleghany
County, N.Y., Feb. 19, 1824. His
father was a native of New England,
and a descendant of Thomas Wight,
who emigrated from the Isle of Wight
in 1637, and settled at Dedham, Mass.
His mother was a Van Buren, and was
related to the ex-president. When a
HISTORY OF

boy, he worked on his father’s farm.
At the age of ten he had mastered the
branches then taught in the district
school. Two years later he attended
a select school. At the age of fifteen
he removed to Westfield, Chautauqua
County, with his father’s family; after
teaching a short time, resumed his
studies at Westfield Academy. Dr.
Wight graduated at the age of twenty,
at the Collegiate Institute in Roches-
ter, after which he taught for one year
in the Genoa Academy, Cayuga County.
Soon after, he received a professorship
in the Cayuga Academy, located at
Aurora. The following year he be-
came president of the Auburn Female
Seminary. His connection with this
school was of short duration, on ac-
count of the trustees of the seminary
differing in religious views with the
newly elected president. He then went
to New York City, where he engaged
work in the literary department of
“The Democratic Review.’’ Soon after,
he had similar work on ‘ The Whig Re-
view.’? He was successful in this new
vocation. He completed a theological
course, and was ordained by the Rev.
Dr. E. H. Chapin, but declined to sub-
. Scribe to any creed. Soon after, he
took charge of a religious society in
Newark, N.J., his congregation being
made up of Unitarians, Universalists,
and Swedenborgians. At the end of
three years, he left Newark, and
moved to Boston. In 1853 he made
his first trip to Europe. In the follow-
ing year, he returned home, where he
remained but a short time before re-
turning to Europe. He was abroad
four years, and visited Belgium, France,
Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and other
places. On his return, he settled near
New York City. In 1861 Dr. Wight
was offered the mission to Switzerland
by Mr. Seward, but declined the ap-
pointment. In 1863 he removed to
Carbondale, Penn., having previously
aerate the famous Meredith estate.
e remained here two years, and took
a somewhat active part in the politics
of that State. At the close of the war,
he came to Oconomewoc, Wis., where
he resided four years, and practised
medicine. In 1871 he removed to Mil-
waukee, where he still lives. He is
now surgeon-general on Gov. Taylor’s
staff, and is the present State geologist.
Dr. Wight possesses great powers of
endurance, and employs his energy in
constant work. ;
Epwarp S. Braae. — He was born
in Orange County, N.Y., Feb. 20, 1827.

 

WISCONSIN. 775

He attended Hobart College, Geneva,
N.Y., for three years, and was admit-
ted to the bar at Norwich, Chenango
County, N.Y., in 1848. In 1850 he
came to Fond du Lac, Wis., where he
has ever since resided, taking an active
place at the bar, and an important
position in the general enterprise of
that city. In 1854 he was elected
district-attorney; and in 1861, when
the murmurings of civil war began to
be audible, he was among the very first
to declare himself unalterably for the
Union, and to enlist in its cause. Upon
the occasion of the first war-meeting in
Fond du Lac, when many of his politi-
cal friends were lukewarm and hesi-
tating, he made a speech which is
pronounced as having been the first
great effort of his life. It was indeed
powerful, and resulted in calling many
strong hearts around the standard of
the Union. Shortly after, he enlisted
in the service, and was appointed to a
captaincy. He promptly raised a com-
pany for the Sixth Regiment Wiscon-
sin Volunteer Infantry. His military
record is identical with that of the
regiment named, and is so well known
to the people of the State as not to re-
quire repetition here. By well-earned
promotion he filled, in regular advance-
ment, every field-office in the regiment,
and was finally commissioned a briga-
dier-general by the President. He com-
manded the famous “Iron Brigade’’
of the Army of the Potomac; and
the enthusiastic admiration expressed
for him by all of his old comrades bears
abundant testimony to his manly and
soldierly qualities.

At the close of the war he resumed
the practice of his profession in Fond
du Lac. In 1868-69 he represented in
the State senate the senatorial district
consisting of Fond du Lac County.
In 1871 he was the Democratic candi-
date for attorney-general on the State
ticket, and in his own county and the
adjoining one of Calumet. His per-
sonal popularity gave him hundreds of
vote beyond his party-strength. Gen.
Bragg’s reputation as a lawyer is not
confined to the State. His mind is emi-
nently a legal one, —clear, far-sighted,
and logical. In addition to his legal
attainments, he has remarkable oratori-
cal abilities, and, as an advocate before
a jury, has no superior in the State.
Gen. Bragg is small of stature, but well
proportioned, firmly knit, and with an
iron constitution.

JosEPH E. HARRIMAN. — He was
born at Louisville, St. Lawrence Coun-
776

ty, N.Y., Aug. 16, 1834, He came to
Wisconsin in May, 1852. He resided
in Walworth County during 1852-53,
and attended Milton College during
1854-55. He settled in Appleton in
1856, where he still resides. In 1856-
57 he was a successful student at
Lawrence University. Studied law
with Jewett and Hudd in 1858-59, and
with the late Judge Cotton of Green
Bay in 1868; and was admitted to the
bar, where he has distinguished him-
self not less for his integrity than for
his ability. He has held many posi-
tions of trust, and in 1873 was elected
county judge for Outagamie County, for
a term of four years. In politics he is
a Liberal Republican.

Rev. JoszEpH E. Iniso.—He was
born, Aug. 7, 1833, in Paris, Oneida
County, N.Y. He was the third son
of Daniel and Edna Irish. His ances-
tors on both sides were among the first
settlers in New England. In 1835 his
parents removed to Wesleyville, Penn.,
where they remained until the summer
of 1837, when they returned to New
York, and settled at Perryville, Madi-
son County. Here he passed his boy-
hood, regularly attending the district
school; and in 1849-50 studied at the
Oneida Conference Seminary at Caze-
novia, ranking his fellow-students in
the study of mathematics. In the
winter of 1849-50, at the age of sixteen,
he engaged in teaching at the head of
Cazenovia Lake, and the following
winter pursued the same employment
near New Haven, Conn.

In May, 1851, he came to Wisconsin,
and settled at Sextonville, Richland
County, at that time a new and sparse-
ly-settled region. Here he soon after
became actively engaged in surveying,
for which his previous studies had
fitted him; and, soon after he became
of age, was elected county surveyor,
holding, also, the office of town clerk
of the town in which he resided. A
very large proportion of the roads and
villages in that part of the State were
surveyed by him, and he was also
actively connected with the survey of
the railroad between Madison and
Prairie du Chien. July 12, 1855, he
‘was married to Miss Lucy E. Britton,
-at that time of Lacrosse, but formerly of
Richland County, and by whom he has
had six children, all of whom are living.
His union with Miss Britton proved to
be eminently satisfactory ; and the
mutual affection existing between them
remained in brightness until the close
of her life. In the summer of 1858, a

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

remarkable revival of religion broke
out in Richland County; and Mr. Irish
became one of the converts. The
scepticism of his previous life gave
way; and he embraced with ardor the
faith of the gospel, and very soon after
joined the Methodist-Episcopal Church,
and began to preach. In the fall of
1859, at the session of the West Wis-
consin Conference at Platteville, being
urged thereto by the church and his
own convictions, he was received on
trial, and appointed to Varoqua in
Vernon County, as his first circuit.

The itinerant system of the Method-
ist Church has been the means of
repeatedly changing the field of his
labors from that time; so that he has
been personally identified with the in-
terests of many portions of the State.

He was appointed presiding elder of
the St. Croix District, and removed to
Hudson, and afterwards to New Rich-
mond. In the fall of 1871, while
actively engaged in serving his church
in this capacity, he was approached by
leading men of the district, and urged
to accept the nomination of senator
for the twenty-fourth district of the
State. This large district, embracing
eight counties, had such varied and
important interests to subserve, that
whoever represented it in the legisla-
ture required much versatility of
talents, and keenness of observation, to
satisfy his constituents. Believing
that the call was in the line of Provi-
dence, Mr. Irish accepted the nomina-
tion in behalf of the Republican party,
and was elected by the unprecedented
majority of nearly two thousand votes.
It was the first instance of a clergy-
man ever having been elected to the
senate of Wisconsin; and Mr. Irish
entered upon the discharge of his
duties with a strong desire to advance
the interests of the State by a faithful
and judicious Christian course.

The famous Graham Temperance
Bill found in him an ardent friend;
and its passage has, by its friends,
been often imputed largely to his activ-
ity and influence. Whatever conclu-
sions may have been arrived at con-
cerning the bearing of this law on the
great issues of temperance, it was re-
garded at the time as an essential
measure by temperance men, and was
therefore pressed to a successful issue.
During both years of Mr. Irish’s ser-
vice in the senate, he served also as its
chaplain by the request of that body.
In the fall of 1872 he was appointed by
Gov. Washburn, chairman of the State
HISTORY OF

Visiting Committee, and, as such,
visited all the charitable and penal
institutions of the State. The report
of this committee, while recommend-
ing liberal appropriations for the in-
stitutions fostered by the State, indi-
cated a settled purpose to ignore any
claims from institutions under the
care of any religious denomination.

The celebrated struggle in the legis-
lature over the St. Croix land-grant
transpired during the second year of
Mr. Irish’s term; and he rendered sig-
nal service on the side of the North
Wisconsin Company, acting as cham-
pion of their bill. The result of that
struggle has fully justified him in the
course he pursued, though at the time
apartisan spirit was evoked against
him. The Lacrosse Bridge Bill, which
was vetoed by the governor, and which
veto was sustained by the votes of Mr.
Irish and others, gave opportunity to
test the mettle of honest men. While
rumors of bribery and corruption were
rife during that stormy time, no faint-
est breath fell upon Mr. Irish. He
returned to his constituents with the
satisfaction of having done his duty.
In June, 1873, he was appointed regis-
ter of the United States Land Office at
Eau Claire, and removed there with
his family, now decimated by death;
his wife having suddenly died the pre-
vious winter. He retained this office
until April, 1875, when he resigned the
office, it interfering with his chosen
profession of minister of the gospel.
In January, 1874, he was again married
to Miss Isabella H. Cobban of Eau
Claire.

The appointments which have been
held by Mr. Irish both in Church and
State indicate the esteem in which he
is held and the estimate placed upon
his talents. i

- Mr. Irish is tall and portly, of com-
manding personal appearance. His
phrenology and physiognomy betoken
a high order of intellect; and his mild
blue eye and genial smile rightly im-
press one with the idea that there is a
warm heart beneath. He is exceed-
ingly modest, and shrinks from making
himself prominent among men.

Hon. Davin Atwoop.! — “‘ He was
born in Bedford, N.H., Dec. 15, 1815.
He belongs to a vigorous and long-lived
family. His parents are natives of the
town of Bedford; and his father, now
more than ninety years of age, lives on

1 We are indebted to the columns of The
Western Monthly, August, 1869, for this
skevch. —C. R. T.

 

WISCONSIN. 777

the old homestead. The early history
of Gen. Atwood is that of all sturdy
New England boys who worked on
their fathers’ farms in summer, and
attended the district schools in winter.
It was hot work, wrestling with Nature
in those sultry days on the stony hill-
sides of a rough New England farm,
forcing the soil to yield subsistence,
Cold and raw were the autumn
months, and hard the struggle through
deep drifts, and against the blustering
winter-wind, on the way to the old
schoolhouse. It seemed sometimes as
if old Boreas lurked about the hills in
ambush, waiting for a chance to blow
away such boys and girls as were not
anchored to the earth with plenty of
bone and muscle. This course of life,
until he was sixteen years of age,
developed and strengthened him, and
firmly fixed those habits of industry.
and frugality which have given him
subsequent success. He thus became
fitted for a fair fight with the world.

“On arriving at the age of fifteen
years, he took up his residence in
Hamilton, Madison County, N.Y.,
and commenced work at a printer’s
case. Five years of assiduous toil
intervened before he again saw the
paternal roof-tree, during which time
he had the satisfaction of becoming
master of his craft. For nearly three
years following, he travelled exten-
sively through the South and West.
Much of the time he was in the
employ of a printing-house; and his
business afforded him opportunity to
study the country, and become familiar
with the resources and character of the
people. The States of Kentucky, Ohio,
Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois, were
thoroughly explored ; and every consid-
erable town was visited. Gen. Atwood
was first introduced to Chicago when
it lay in a swamp, with a main street
muddy, and almost impassable, and the
business of the town centred about a
forlorn wooden hotel, not far from the
Tremont House, but on the opposite
side of Lake Street. Declining a tempt-
ing offer to engage in business in Cin-
cinnati, he returned to Hamilton, N.Y.,
in 1889, where he undertook the publi-
cation of a weekly newspaper, called
‘The Palladium,’ in conjunction with
his brother. Among the types, and as
a journalist, for five long years he
labored on, through the ‘hard cider’
campaign, and until the defeat of
Henry Clay.

“Some time during these years of
journalistic employ, he received a com-
778 HISTORY OF

mission as adjutant from his Excel-
lency, Gov. Seward, and a subsequent
commission as ‘major, duly counter-
signed by Gen. Rufus King, adjutant-
general, and afterwards editor of ‘The
Milwaukee Sentinel,’ and minister to
Rome. Under Gov. Bouck, the father
of Gen. Bouck of Oshkosh, Major At-
wood was commissioned colonel of a
regiment of militia, which he command-
ed for several years, attending regularly
the annual encampments and general
trainings so well remembered by New-
Yorkers in ‘auld lang syne.’

‘Finding himself broken in health,
after the political campaign of 1844, —
a campaign so gallantly fought, and so
foolishly lost, — Col. Atwood again set
his face westward. His newspaper
had paid expenses, and nothing more.
From a zealous advocacy of the cause
of the famous Kentuckian — which he
ardently espoused, and to which he
gave five of his best years—he came
out at length at a pecuniary sacrifice,
and with health seriously impaired.

“Pushing into Illinois, in 1845, he
was so much attracted by the beauty
and fertility of the prairies, that he
at once located a farm near the city of
Freeport. Two years of more rugged
outdoor occupation than had been his
wont — years of brawny development,
not unmixed with financial trouble,
and discouragement on account of the
failure of crops —served to restore the
colonel’s health, and to induce him to
again engage in editorial labors. Being
directed to Wisconsin as a Territory of
thrift and promise, he was induced to
establish himself at Madison, at that
day the capital of the Territory, but a
small and inconsiderable village. At
once he became connected with ‘The
Madison Express,’ a Whig paper, the
éditorial labor and management of
which he assumed until the autumn
of 1852, when he brought into exist-
ence ‘ The Daily State Journal,’ which
he has ever since published. Having
carefully reported the proceedings of
the closing sessions of the Territorial
legislature convened at Madison, and
the entire proceedings of the Constitu-
tional Convention, he has the honor
of possessing more direct familiarity
with the action of these bodies than
perhaps any man living. He wields
a ready pen, and has a reputation for
writing with accuracy and despatch.
By habit, he holds his ideas in solu-
tion, ready for use. Having a retentive
memory, combined with a skill to take
on the wing the thoughts that cross

 

WISCONSIN.

his mental vision, and an analytical
mind, he is enabled to adorn the
journalistic profession with many and
valuable gifts,

“During the term of the Hon. L. J.
Farwell, governor of Wisconsin, Col.
Atwood held the position of quarter-
master-general of that State. In the
management of ‘The Journal,’ soon
after its establishment, he associated
with himself as co-editor the Hon,
Horace Rublee, now United States
minister to Switzerland, a man of
intellectual strength and fine culture.
Thereupon, the paper took a leading
position, and became firmly estab-
lished. It has ever been public spirit-
ed and enterprising, and Republican in
politics. So far as its influence extends,
it may be regarded as the reflex of the

enterprise of its founder.

“In 1858 he was commissioned
major-general of the fifth division of
the State militia. For a number of
years he has been one of the leaders
in the ranks of the Republican party
in Wisconsin. He became a member
of the legislature in 1860, and was
chosen speaker pro tem. of the assem-
bly. On account of his known in-
tegrity and executive ability, he was
appointed United States assessor when
that office was first created. In 1868
he held the office of mayor in the city
of Madison. At the Republican State
convention, in September in that year,
on the first ballot for governor, he
received fifty-three votes, with a large
majority of those from his own dis-
trict, —a flattering compliment to his
political standing, considering that
that district had above half a dozen
candidates for State offices in the
field

“In person, Gen. Atwood is of
meditm stature, with dark-blue eyes
and silver-gray hair. His features are
regular, and particularly pleasant and
expressive when in conversation. In
private character, he is above suspi-
cion or reproach. As a public man
and a politician, it is sufficient to re-
mark, that his instincts are strongly
Republican, without the element of
partisan bitterness. He possesses
valued friends in all parties, and in
controversy exhibits the frankness
and modesty of a true gentleman.
As a public man, he has accomplished
much for the advancement of educa-
tion, and the general welfare of soci-
ety. In all projects to increase the

‘national prosperity-of the West, he has

been foremost. In private life, he is
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

benevolent and hospitable; in politics,
hopeful ; in mental cast, shrewd and
practical. He is such a representative
of the coming men and workers of the
West, that, perhaps, he has not been
inaptly called the ‘Benjamin Franklin
of the Wisconsin press.’

The lives of the men who are at
work at the foundations of govern-
ment, who are extending the Republic,
and rearing the superstructure of
American liberty upon the boundless
prairies of the West, are recorded
upon the stones and columns they have
placed therein; and, though the words
may seem blurred to many eyes, future
generations will rewrite them in en-
during marble.’

He took his seat in Congress in
February, 1870, succeeding the Hon.
B. F. Hopkins, who died the previous
month in the same year. In Congress,
Mr. Atwood was industrious; and ef-
fectual bills in which he was interest-
ed, were passed, such as the Northern
Pacific Railway Bill, to render the
land-grant available, and to insure the
construction of the line; the act in
relation to the improvement of the
Fox and Wisconsin River; that di-
viding Wisconsin into two judicial
districts, &c.

As an editor, Gen. Atwood is true
to the right, never sacrificing honor in
partisan disputes, but always main-
taining a dignity in political conflict.
Through this bearing he has made his
name agreeable in the ears of all polit-
ical parties, and his journal a power
for good in the nation.

- Hon. James T. Lewis.— He was
born in Clarendon, Orleans County,
N.Y., Oct. 30,1819. He received his
academical education at Clarkson and
Clinton, N.Y., and read law with
Gov. Seldon, at the former place. - He
cd4me to Wisconsin in July, 1845; was
admitted to the bar of the Supreme
Court; and commenced the practice of
law at Columbus, where he has since
resided. He has held eight different
offices in the State, commencing with
that of district-attorney, and closing
with that of governor.
secretary of state, he received every
vote cast in his own city. When elected
governor, his majority was nearly
twenty-five thousand, —a very large
majority for Wisconsin. For his record
as governor of the State of Wisconsin,
we refer the reader to the foregoing
chapters on his administration. He
was a successful war governor; and,
although he made but little display,

When elected | y

 

779

he accomplished great things for the
State. Although he has retired from
public life, at his beautiful home in
Columbus, his unanimous call to the
permanent chairmanship of the recent
Republican State Convention shows
that his great popularity is still alive.
Should he consent to again enter public
life, his career would, no doubt, be
marked with success. He is wealthy,
and enjoys life as only a man with a
clear conscience can.

Hon. Joru §. Fisk. — He was born
at St. Albans, Vt., Oct. 24,1810. At
the age of twenty-one, in the fall of
1831, he was married to Miss Green
of Plattsburg, N.Y. He emigrated to
Green Bay in 1835, where, or at Fort
Howard, on the opposite side of the
Fox River, he has since resided.
Through a long series of successful
business operations, he has accumu-
lated considerable means, and is now
in the enjoyment of wealth and re-
tirement. In 1846 he was appointed
postmaster, at Green Bay, and in 1848
he was appointed register of the land
office. In his younger days, he was
quite a politician, but, in more
advanced years, he confined himself
strictly to business. He is a worthy
and efficient member of the Baptist
church of Fort Howard.

Rev. H. Stong RicHarpson. — He
was born in the State of New York,
Madison County, in 1828. At the
early age of eleven years, he under-
took, at his own suggestion, to care
for himself. He left home, and made

}application to the principal of an

academy at De Ruyter, to ring the
bell in that institution for room and
tuition. He remained at that school,
most of the time, for four years, —an
exceedingly diligent student, paying
his way, in the mean time, by sawing
wood in the school, and about the
town, after dark.

He left this school when about ‘seven-
teen, and pursued his studies at Caz-
enovia, until prepared for Union Col-
lege, meeting his own expenses by
teaching about four months of each

ear,
About the time he intended to enter
college, his friends persuaded him to
attend school at Albany instead, and
complete his schooling in that city. He
did so; after which, he spent six years
in travel, visiting nearly all the States,
and all the places of interest in the
United States. He also made a journey
to Europe, and spent several months
among the islands -of both oceans,
780 HISTORY OF

Mr. Richardson raised a party of young
men in 1849, in the interior of Texas,
and made a journey across the con-
tinent to California. He became a
resident of Mariposa County in that
State, then a Territory, and resided in
the Siate two years. He was elected a
member of the legislature, and was
recognized as one of the most influ-
ential men of the assembly.

He won, during the session, the
highest respect and confidence of all
the State. At the close of this session,
hearing of the dangerous illness of his’
mother in New York, he hastened
home, but found her deceased. The
fatigue of this journey threw him into
a dangerous illness, from which he
very slowly recovered.

During this illness, and immediately
after, he became convinced that his
life-work was not that of a politician,
but of the ministry. He immediately
united with the Methodist-Episcopal
Church, and, in a brief time, was
preaching with marked success and
acceptability.

He is, to-day, preacher in charge at
Madison City, Wis. We have not the
data, nor, indeed, have we the space,
for a full biographical sketch. We
may say, however, that, during the
war, Mr. Richardson acted a very
prominent part. He raised, it is said,
more men for the army than any one
man inthe country. He was chaplain,
captain of pioneers, military agent of
New York fists, and, finally, major of
cavalry.

He occupied, as a preacher, the first
pulpit of the conference to which he
belonged; and, though but a little time
a member of the West Wisconsin Con-
ference, is stationed at the capital, and
is now closing his third year of most
successful work. He is well known in
all parts of the State, having lectured
quite extensively since he became a
resident of Wisconsin.

He is a hard student, both of books
and men. He is a man of decided
characteristics and marked individuali-
ty. His sermons are wholly his own,
and are peculiarly unlike those of other
men, thoroughly prepared for every
occasion.

In 1853 he married Miss Charlotte
S. Curtis, youngest daughter of Mr. I.
Curtis of Madison, N.Y. This lady
has proved a prudent, faithful wife,
an affectionate, wise mother, and an
active, useful member of society. She
is modest, even retiring, plain and
simple, yet tasteful in her manners

 

WISCONSIN.

and dress. She seems to have been
intended for the wife of a Methodist
preacher, and, as such, her character-
istics are worthy of careful study.
She has the peculiar faculty of ex-
pressing her own ideas, even in a
forcible manner, without giving of-
fence. Thinking much, speaking care-
fully, ever pleasant, always courteous
to those in error, firm in purpose,
never out of her place, and always a
true Christian, she has drawn around
her life the truest affection of many
many warm friends. To speak her
praise is but to touch a thousand chords
of her praise which vibrate through
and through the nine charges in which
she has, during the past twenty years,
labored with her husband in this
work of love.

Rev. Mr. Richardson, in many re-
spects, is a remarkable man. His
great ability as a preacher is hid in
the deep folds of his peculiar natural
gifts. Although an accomplished
scholar in the great field of knowl-
edge pertaining to the ministry, yet
his sermons display the imprint of
genius peculiar to their author, and
are admired as much on this account
as on the seore of their theological
scope. No man has ever spent half
an hour in conversation with Mr.
Richardson, and afterwards forgotten
him. To see and talk with him is to
get an impression so agreeable to the
mind as to be retained amongst its
richest treasures. His individuality is
so strong, and its characteristics are so
blended, and in such striking contrast
with his fellows, as to induce a con-
stant criticism. This criticism is gen-
erally favorable. As a preacher, he is
clothed with peculiar power. He has
always united the energies of his
people, and drawn after him the
deepest respect from every charge
with which he has been connected.
As a friend, he is generous, sometimes
enthusiastic, but never selfish or par-
tial in his benevolence.: As a citizen,
he is a warm advocate of law and good
order, but stamps his disapproval upon
the centralization of wealth or power
in any form.

Hon. W. J. Fisk. — He was born in
Brunswick, O., June 25, 1833. He re-
moved to Green Bay, Wis., with his
parents, in 1886. In 1848 we find Mr.
Fisk actively engaged drafting maps
in the government land-office at Green
Bay. He made the maps for the State
for the Fox and Wisconsin Improvement
Company, which maps are still in pos-
HISTORY OF

‘session of the State authorities. These
were the maps upon which the original
grant of land was made by Congress to
the State for said improvement. When
only fifteen years of age, he bought
forty acres of land on Ball Prairie, near
the site of the present city of Oshkosh,
borrowing half the money with which
to make the purchase. John Fitzgerald,
an old pioneer, and resident of Oshkosh,
who is well known to all the early set-
tlers in that vicinity, loaned him the
money necessary to secure the land.
He soon laid up enough from his earn-
ings to buy eighty acres more in Brown
County. Leaving the land-office, he
was engaged at clerking in a general
store at Green Bay until 1852. He then
attended school at Appleton one year,
after which, in 1853, he entered. mer-
chandising on his own aceount. He
had no capital; but his father, Hon.
Joel Fisk, loaned him money. In 1854
he deeded Mr. Fisk a store and lot in
Fort Howard, which establishment he
conducted, doing a general, business,
until 1861, in which he was remarkably
successful. In 1855 he was married to
Mary J., daughter of J. J. Briggs, a
pioneer of Fond du Lac. He was post-
master at Fort Howard from 1862 to
1875. The financ‘al panic of 1857 in-
jured his business interests largely;
but, in the three years following,
he paid six thousand dollars’ debts,
paying one hundred. cents on the
dollar. He sold out, and retired from
business in 1861; and in 1862 he was
elected treasurer of the city of Fort
Howard. We was also member of
the city council of Fort Howard two
years. In1868he was managing-owner
of a steamboat-line on Green Bay, as,
also, a stage-line over the same route
in winter. At this time he became
largely interested in the Republic Fire-
Insurance Company of Chicago, and
established the Green Bay branch, in-
vesting over ten thousand dollars in its
stock. Inthe great Chicago fire of 1871,
the company’failed; and Mr. Fisk lost
heavily. He was one of the projectors
of the Green Bay and Minnesota Rail-
road, and was largely instrumental in
its early completion. In 1871 he, with
other prominent commercial operators
in Wisconsin and Illinois, purchased
ten thousand acres of land lying be-
tween Fort Howard and Menomonee.
These lands are rich in lumber and iron.
The North-western Railroad will soon
penetrate them, and open up their re-
sources. But we have no space to enu-
merate half the commercial enterprises

 

WISCONSIN. 781

in which Mr, Fisk has been, or is now,
engaged. He is one of the largest and
most successful commercial operators
in Wisconsin. He is vice-president of
the Kellogg National Bank of Green
Bay; is part owner of one of the largest
elevators in North-eastern Wisconsin;
and is interested in enterprises located
in various parts of the North-west.

As a member of the Wisconsin
State legislature, he is attentive to the
duties of the position, a valuable finan-
cier, modest in argument, but firm in
decision. His opinion is respected, and
his word honored.

As a business-man he has many
peculiarities. His ability to estimate
the value of any thing is remarkable,
Hence his important connection with
the North-western Railroad Company as
their purchasing agent. If you have a
new enterprise in thought, explain it to
Mr. Fisk, and, if he tells you that it’s a
success, you may invest your money in
it in safety. On the other hand, if he
pronounces it of no value, you may,
with profit, let it alone. He is, per-
haps, celebrated for his knowledge of
business; and his ability to estimate
the relative extent of demand and sup-
ply for any given article has given him
an enviable position in the estimation
of solid business-men.

Mr. Fisk, with his wife and family,
resides in one of the finest residences
in Fort Howard, and is now actively
engaged with his many extensive busi-
ness interests. He is now considered,
wealthy.

Rey. REEDER SmitTu. — He was born
in Wyoming, Penn., Jan. 11, 1807,
and at the age of ten years became a
member of the Methodist-Episcopal
Church, and of its ministry in 1826,
marrying, the same year, Aurelia Kee-
ney of Braintrem. On her decease, he
left the itineracy in Western New
York, and in 1840 took charge of the
finances of the Methodist-Episcopal
College at Albion, Mich., raising it
from a greatly embarrassed condition
to prosperous independence; thence,
in the winter of 1847, obtained from
the Territorial legislature of Wiscon-
sin a charter for Lawrence University,
and purchased, in connection with
Amos A. Lawrence of Boston, Mass.,
the site of the present city of Appleton,
marrying in Boston, the same year,
Miss Eliza P. Kimball, preceptress of
a ladies’ school in Cambridge.

He erected the first framed dwelling;
and in it was born the first male chi
of Appleton, — A. A. Lawrence Smith,
782

now of the Milwaukee bar. Appleton
was founded in 1847, and New London
in 1852. Each of these places is largely
indebted to his untiring energy and skil-
ful management for its present posi-
tion in the scale of Wisconsin localities.
He was endowment-agent of the Law-
rence University at Appleton for sev-
eral years, in which capacity he
wrought a work of lasting good to the
State of Wisconsin. Lawrence Uni-

versity of Appleton, now one of the

most successful institutions of learning
in the State, is largely indebted to his
untiring Christian zeal for its success.
DaANIeL E. SEYMouR.—He was born
in Otsego County, New York, Dec. 22,
1825. He lived and worked on a farm
until fifteen years old, attending the
district school each winter. Attended
the academy at’ Oxford, Chenango
County, N.Y. He then studied one
year at the academy in Bloomfield,
N.J. Afterward he went to the acad-
emy in Hamilton, Madison County,
N.Y., where he finished his school-
education. Upon invitation of rela-
tives, he started for New Orleans in
December, 1844, where he was engaged
as a clerk in a store for a couple of
years. Then had charge of a large
mercantile establishment there for two
years more. In 1849 he returned to
New York State, and was married to
his present wife on the third day of
July of that year. He then took a trip
with his wife to New Orleans, staying
there, and at Natchez, Miss., until
May, 1850. Then returned to his old
home in New York, and engaged in
teaching school. In 1852 he removed
with his family to Illinois, in McHenry
County, where he continued teaching.
Becoming sick with ague for a long
time, he disliked that country, and
became anxious to find a more suitable
location. Therefore, in June, 1856, he
removed with his family to the Terri-
tory of Minnesota, taking up a home-
stead, and experiencing the trials and
troubles and vexatious hardships inci-
dent to the life of apioneer. Remained
there about seven years, and concluded
to see if he could not better his fortunes
by making one more change, and mov-
ing up among the pines. Consequently
he sold out his place there, and came
to Chippewa, Falls, which he now looks
upon as his home. He engaged in his
old occupation as clerk in the store of
Pound, Halbert, and Co., which after-
ward became the institution known
as the Union Lumbering Company.
Staid with them seven years or more,

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

when, by the death of a relative, he
came into possession of some property
sufficient to enable him to open the
pioneer banking institution in that
place known as Seymour’s Bank, which
has been successfully carried on for
nearly six years, obtaining credit for,
and name of, being a sound and reliable
institution.

Hon. M. Franx.—M. Frank is a
native of the State of New York; born
in the town of Virgil, county of Cort-
land. He did not receive a collegiate
education. His father was a respect-
able farmer of moderate means, and
unable to incur the expense of sending
his sons to college. His education was
in the common schools and academic
institutions in the vicinity of his home.
After passing the period of his school-
days, his occupation was divided be-
tween working on his father’s farm in
summer, and teaching school in winter.
As soon as he had attained to years of
majority, he was elected town inspector
of common schools, and was re-elected
to that office several successive years.
He was also elected, two successive
years, a member of the county board of
supervisors.

He took an active part in the reforma-
tory movements in Cortland County at
this early period, especially the cause of
temperance. In 1829 he gave the first
public temperance address, which re-
sulted in the organization of a temper-
ance society in the town where he re-
sided. He has ever since been a friend
and advocate of the temperance reform.

In 1836 he went to the town of Pre-
ble, in another part of the same county,
to reside, where he engaged in the mer-
cantile business, and continued in the
trade two years. He was married in
that. town in 1837. During his resi-
dence in Preble, he was elected a mem-
ber of the board of county supervisors,
also town clerk.

He moved to Wisconsin in 1839, and
settled at Southport (now Kenosha),
where he continued to reside, with the
exception of a few months at Beloit,
until his appointment to a government
clerkship in 1870. He still holds. his
residence in Wisconsin. Southport, at
the time he came to the place to reside,
contained about two hundred and fifty
inhabitants.

In 1840 he became associated with
Hon. C. L. Sholes, in the publication
of ‘‘ The Southport Telegraph.” There
were at that time but few newspapers
published in Wisconsin. ‘‘ The Tele-
graph,” under the editorial manage-
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

ment of Frank and Sholes, became large-
ly influential in Territorial politics. Mr.
Frank was editorially connected with
‘The Telegraph”’ at various periods,
both under Territorial and State gov-
ernment, equal to a continuous time of
about twelve years.

In 1843 he was elected a member of
the Territorial legislature (council), for
a term of one year, from the district
of country now comprising the coun-
ties of Racine and Kenosha. He was
re-elected to the same office in 1844, for
aterm of two years. His chief efforts
while a member of the Territorial legis-
lature were for the adoption of prelim-
inary measures to the formation of a
State government, and for a change in
the common school law of the Territory,
with a view to the early establishment
of free schools. In both of these
measures, he was unsuccessful, but did,
not relax the advocacy of them through
the press, until the public mind was pre-
pared for their adoption.

At the first corporation election of
Southport, in 1840, Mr.
elected president. In 1850 the name
Southport was changed to Kenosha, by
act of the legislature; and the village be-
came an incorporated city. Mr, Frank
was elected the first mayor. This wasa
year involving much responsibility on
the chief officer of the city: in it oc-
curred the great “wheat riot’? (so
called), in which the city was for days
kept in intense excitement, and serious
consequences impended. It was also a
year of frightful visitation of the chol-
era.

On the adoption of the State consti-
tution, in 1848, Mr. Frank was elected
one of the commissioners to revise the
laws.

In 1854 Mr. Frank was elected county
treasurer of Kenosha County for a term
of two years: he was elected to the same
office for a second term of two years in

1856.

In 1860 he was elected a member of
the assembly, and served during the
session as chairman of the Committee
on Railroads.

He was also, the same year, appointed
by the governor to fill an unexpired
term on the Board of Regents of the
State University; and was subsequent-
ly chosen, on joint ballot of the legisla-
ture, to a full term of that office.

In April, 1861, he was appointed by
Pres, Lincoln postmaster at the city of
Kenosha: at the expiration of the term
of four years, he was re-appointed;
and, after continuing in that office about

Frank was |

 

783

six years, he was removed by Pres. John-
son for political reasons.

In matters pertaining to morals and
religion, Mr. Frank has always main-
tained a good standing, ever evincing
a readiness to aid in such enterprises
as gave promise of public good. He
became a member of the Congrega-
tional Church at Southport (Kenosha)
in 1840, which had then just been
organized. His relations to that church
continued until his business took him
to Washington, where his church rela-
tions for the present are.

JOHN DAHLMAN. — He was born at
Ruken, in the province of Westphalia,
in Prussia, Nov. 21, 1829, and is, conse-
quently, forty-six years of age. His
father was a small tradesman, in easy
circumstances. Actuated by a desire
to attain a more considerable success
than was possible under the rigid
social conditions of the Old World, the
family emigrated to America when the
subject of our sketch was thirteen years
of age. The children were four boys
(two of whom are now dead) and one

girl.

The family located at Burlington, in
Racine County. A tract of eight hun-
dred acres of unexcelled farming-land
was purchased, and stocked with two
hundred sheep, seven yoke of oxen,
and two span of horses. The hardy
proprietor and his four boys, full of
snap and grit, were not afraid of work.
They soon made their homestead one of
the finest farms in the State, —a repu-
tation which it still maintains. Here
John remained for five years. But the
aspirations of the boy were not to be
satisfied with agricultural triumph
alone. At the age of eighteen he set
out for Milwaukee, although without a
single acquaintance in the city, to take
his place at the bottom of the ladder in
some mercantile pursuit. Before leay-
ing home, his mother had advised him,
with excellent good sense, to think little
of himself and his merits, but to seek
out some good man, in whom the com-
munity had confidence, and offer his
services for whatever they might be
considered worth.

The boy found an opening with John
Furlong, Esq., who was then a retail
grocer, at 242 Kast Water Street. From
the start, he devoted his whole energies
to the service of his employer. He con-
sidered no work difficult, no hours too
late, and no attention too close, by
which the interests of the concern
could be advanced. It was largely due
to his exertions and efficiency that the
784 HISTORY OF

ouse became, in a few years, a leading
wholesale establishment. He sold, and
then delivered the goods in person; kept
the books after ten o’clock at night,
scarcely ever retiring before midnight;
and, as the business was carried on in
great part with farmers, he was up again
and at work at five inthe morning. The
salaries which would have been re-
quired under less careful management
were thus saved, and’ retained in the
business.

On the 1st of May, 1855, young Dahl-
man was admitted to a partnership in
the house. From that date, his career
through a variety of changes has been
one of uninterrupted prosperity. After
two years, he dissolved with Furlong,
aud formed a partnership in July, 1857,
two months before the great panic, with
Edward O’Niel, Timothy Dane, and
Anthony Dahlman, under the firm-
name of John Dahlman and Company.
In 1862 he bought out the two former
gentlemen, but soon after re-admitted
Mr. Dane, whom, however, he bought
out again in 1868, He then continued
the business with his brother until 1872,
when, his health becoming impaired, he
withdrew from business-cares entirely.
The house which he built up has been
known for years as one of the heaviest.
soundest, and most honorable on the
street.

Unlike many self-made men, Mr.
Dahiman’s modesty does not permit
him to ascribe his success entirely to
his own exertions. He believes much
in a special fortune, or an over-ruling
Providence, which has directed his ven-
tures to an issue which mere care and
industry could not have attained. He
has never, from the first, met with any
serious losses, and has scarcely ever
been disappointed in any of his calcu-
lations. Nevertheless, his judgment
and promptitude of action, although
original endowments of Nature, have
been assiduously cultivated; and Mr.
Dahlman can fairly claim, as much as
any individual may, to be the sole
architect of his own fortune.

Mr. Dahlman has made occasional
adventures outside of his regular busi-
ness, and these have also proved equal-
ly fortunate. Among others may be
mentioned his purchase of the tannery,
now owned by the Milwaukee Hide and
Leather Company, which he ran for one
year under the firm-name of C. M. Saw-
yer and Company.

We now come to Mr. Dahlman’s
political career. He has always voted
with the Democratic party, but has

 

WISCONSIN.

never been extreme in his views. or
inclined to be an agitator. What
offices he has held have sought him,
and not he them. He was clected to
the city council in April, 1866, for two
years. He was elected supervisor In
April, 1870, and re-elected in April,
1872, In February, 1873, he was ap-
pointed by Mayor Hooker city tax
commissioner, and was re-appointed by
Mayor Ludington in 1875. It is a posi-
tion for which he is eminently qualified
by his financial ability and conscien-
tious diligence; and his administration
of affairs has given universal satisfac-
tion.

In person, Mr. Dahlman is a man of
about the middle height, with a blue
eye, dark beard, which begins to be
touched with gray, and a mild and
pleasant expression of countenance.
He comes of a hale and hearty family,
and may still look forward to a long
life of usefulness. His father, now a
hundred and four years of age, is an
honored inmate of his son’s house,
and was strong and well enough to
vote early at the last election.

Mr. Dahlmam has been twice mar-
ried, and has two small children by
his second wife. His education has
been acquired mainly in the practical
school of business-life. He attended
school in his own country until his
twelfth year, and afterwards enjoyed
for one year such facilities as were
furnished by the boy district school
at Burlington during his farming-
days. He is an interesting talker, and
thoroughly posted, especially upon mat-
ters of finance; and his ideas upon all
subjects never fail to be sound and
valuable. Although the owner of forty
buildings and houses, sixty-five acres of
the most eligible town-lots in the sub-
urbs, eight hundred acres of the finest
farming-land in Racine County, and
the recipient of an unusually hand-
some income, he lives in very unpre-
tentious style. His tastes are averse to
allostentation. His expenditure is only
lavish in the matter of charities. To
these he has always given in sums that
the world will never know of. During
his business career, he seemed to be the
naturally appointed collector for every
charitable movement. No penniless
emigrant landed upon the dock but
was at once despatched to him for aid.
He was one of the first contributors to
St. Mary’s Hospital. He has been
treasurer of St. Rose’s Orphan Asylum
for eighteen years. He has contributed
to churches and schools without nuin-
HISTORY OF

ber. In religion Mr. Dahlman is a
devoted and exemplary Catholic.

Gen. James BINTLIFF.—He was
born Nov. 1, 1824, at Salterhebble,
near Halifax, Yorkshire, Eng. All the
school-education he received was at
the village school in England, before
he was twelve years of age. When he
was sixteen years of age, his father
emigrated to the United States, leaving
him behind. The next year, in the
spring of 1842, he came also. He soon
after engaged in a woollen factory in
New York State. In 1847 he was mar-
ried; and soon after he commenced
farming. Having accumulated a thou-
sand dollars, in the fall of 1851 he
moved to Wisconsin, and purchased a
farm in Green County, where he re-
mained two years, after which he
moved to Monroe. After a two-years’
residence in Monroe, he was employed
as a book-keeper and cashier in a bank-
ing-office at that place. In the fall of
1851 he was elected register of deeds
of Green County. In the spring of
1860 he purchased a one-half interest
in “The Monroe Sentinel,” and, one
year later, he purchased the whole
office. In 1862 he was commissioned
to raise a company for the Twenty-
second Regiment of Volunteers. He
then sold one-half of ‘The Sentinel”
to E. E. Carr, who edited that paper
during Gen. Bintliff’s absence from the
State in the field of battle. We refer
our readers to the foregoing account
of Wisconsin in the war for Gen. Bint-
liff’s war record. It will suffice here to
say that he won distinction on the
battle-field.

Soon after he returned from the war,
he sold his one-half interest in ‘The
Monroe Sentinel,” and started for
Missouri with the intention of locating
there; but, after travelling all over the
State, he found society in so unsettled
a condition, that he did not deem it
wise to remove any family there, and
returned to Monroe, where he pur-
chased a book, stationery, and wall-
paper business, and continued in it
until July, 1870, when he purchased a
one-half interest in ‘The Janesville
Gazette,” — of which there is published
daily, semi-weekly, and weekly edi-
tions, —and became the editor of that
journal. He has continued in that
position until the present.

During the past five years, he has
been a member of the board of trus-
tees of the Wisconsin Soldiers’ Orphans

 

Home, and, for the past two years,
president of the board.

WISCONSIN. 785

He was a delegate from Wisconsin
to the National Republican Convention
which assembled in Chicago in 1868,
and nominated Grant, and again to the
convention which renominated him in
1872 at Philadelphia.

Hon. Lucius 8. BLAKE. —He was
born at Burlington, Vt., March 14, 1816.
His father’s name was Levi Blake. He
is of Irish extraction. In 1817 Mr.
Blake, with his family, removed to
Western New York, and settled in Erie
County. He remained there about ten
years, during which time his son at-
tended the district school during the
winter months. At one time Millard
Fillmore was his teacher. Mr. Blake
again removed his family to Crawford
County, Penn., where he engaged in
farming for seven years. In 1834 Mr. ©
Blake, with his two sons, Lucius 8.
and E. Sandford, went to Chicago,
which then consisted of Fort Dearborn
and a small village. The sons assisted
their father in his vocation of contract-
ing and building. From this place, the
father, with his sons, emigrated farther
west, and established a claim near the
present site of Racine. A windowless
“shanty”? was built, in which Lucius
and his brother lived alone for two
years, At the expiration of that time,
his parents came to live at their new
home. The first year after their arri-
val, he worked for his father. The next
year, he worked at carpentering for
Gen. Bullen and Samuel Hale at Ke-
nosha (then Southport) for one and a
half dollars per day in “store pay.”
The following year, he commenced
business for himself, and had a small
force of men in his employ, one of
whom has continued to work for him,
and is now at the head of ‘“ Blake’s
Manufacturing Establishment,’’ which
was built in 1848. At first his business
was limited; but as his capital and his
facilities have increased, his establish-
ment has become the largest in the
world in the specialty of manufactur-
ing farming-implements. He makes
shipments to all parts of the United
States, and has an agency in Pesth,
Hungary. As his means have increased,
he has sought opportunities for invest-
ing them. He is now at the head of
the largest woollen-mills in the West.
He is the largest real-estate holder in
Racine, and owns several public build-
ings, manufactories, and numerous
residences. He was too old to be a
soldier in the late war, but visited and
gave largely to the armies of the Poto-
mac, Virginia, and Arkansas. He is a
786 HISTORY OF

Republican, and was a delegate to the
National Convention which nominated
Gen. Grant. While attending to his
private affairs, he has not been neglect-
ful of his public duties, and probably
no man has given more liberally of his
time and means in improving Racine
than Mr. Blake. He was one of the
first trustees under the village govern-
ment, and succeeded his father as treas-
urer of Racine County. During 1863-64
he served as provost-marshal of Racine
County. He was chairman of the first
finance committee, and has been a
member of the city council for several
terms, and at present is the president
of it. In 1870 he was a member of the
legislature, and secured the passage of
several bills of importance to his con-

’ stituents and to Racine City. His wife
is an English lady, whose maiden name
was Caroline Elliot, They have three
children, and two are dead. He and
his wife became members of the First
Baptist Church of Racine in 1843. Mr.
Blake is not desirous of holding office,
but consents to do so, when, by so
doing, good may be accomplished. He
has led a laborious life, and deserves
to richly enjoy the results of it.

Hon. Ina B. Brunson. —He was
born in Ohio. In 1836 he came to
Prairie du Chien, Wis. He was a
member of the Territorial assembly in
1837, 1838, and 18389. He has been
judge of Crawford County since
1853. :

FREDERICK WILLIAM CoTzHAU-
SEN. — He was born at Cambach, an
ancient castle near Aix-la-Chapelle in
Pepine, Prussia, July 21, 1838. He
received private tuition at home till he
was ten years of age, when he entered
the Gustavus-Adolphus College at
Meurs, where he remained until 1853.
After graduating, he removed to Co-
logne, and devoted himself for two
years at the Academy of Arts and
Commerce, especially to the study of
mathematics, natural science, and
modern languages. Having again
graduated cum laude, he emigrated to
the United States in 1856, and settled
at Milwaukee, where he has resided
ever since. He is by profession a law-
yer, and confines himself closely to the
pursuit of his vocation. He was a
candidate for office but once, and was
elected, almost without opposition, in
1872, to represent the third district in
the senate. He refused a renomina-
tion. He is the public administrator in
and for the city and county of Milwau-
kee. He was a member of the Board

 

WISCONSIN.

of Regents of normal schools, His an-
cestors have always been Democratic.

Jupce Witiiam S. Parpy. — He
was born in Carlisle, Sullivan County,
Ind., Aug. 28, 1822. His father died
when he was eleven years of age.
Previous to this time, his opportuni-
ties were limited to subscription
schools, From this time he assisted.
his mother, who was left with insuffi-
cient means to support a large family
of children. At the age of fifteen he
commenced to learn the saddler’s
trade, which vocation he followed for
about eleven years. He came to the
Territory of Wisconsin in 1845: after
spending all his money in mining, he
worked in Mineral Point, at his trade,
for about six months. He married in
Indiana, and settled in Highland, Iowa
County, this State, where he remained
for one year. He removed to Bad Axe,
Crawford County (a portion of which
now constitutes Vernon County), where
he has since resided. He followed
farming for ten years, when he was
elected clerk of the circuit court;
which position he held for eight years,
He represented Crawford, Richland,
and Vernon Counties in the senate for
one year. While on the farm, he filled
nearly all the different town offices.
In 1859 he was admitted to the bar.
He was elected county judge in 1869,
and is now serving his second term.
He was married, in 1846, to Jane E.
Lemen. He has buried two children,
and has two girls and six boys living.
He was a member of the Whig party
while it was in existence. He is now
a Republican, and has always been an
active politician.

Hon. Enocw Cuasz, M.D.— He
was born at Derby, Vt., Jan. 16, 1809.
He worked on the farm till he was
sixteen years of age, when he met
with an accident which unfitted him for
working on a farm, and caused him to
study medicine. In 1831 he graduated
from Dartmouth College. In July of
that year he settled at Coldwater,
Mich. He was appointed adjutant in
the Michigan militia, in 1832, in the
Black-Hawk war. He removed to
Milwaukee, April 9, 1885. His family
was the first to settle on the south side
of Milwaukee River. He was the only
practising physician in Milwaukee till
1836. He was secretary of the first
public meeting held in the place, and
drew up the first memorial sent to
Congress for an appropriation for a
harbor. The first religious service by
a Methodist was held in his house in
HISTORY OF

June, 1835. He became a member of
the judiciary committee on public
lands, and was elected by the settlers
at the court-house, on March 13, 1837.
When he came to Milwaukee, Solomon
Juneau. and his employees, Horace
Chase, Joel S. Wilcox, Albert Fowler,
White J. Evans, and a few transient
characters were there, of whom Hor-
ace Chase is the only man still a resi-
dent. In 1837 he moved to the farm
where he now resides. He was a
member of the assembly in 1849-51,
1853, and 1870. He received the Whig
vote in 1850. He was the third presi-
dent of the ‘Old Settlers’ Club.” In
April, 1835, there was no tavern be-
tween Chicago and Milwaukee. In
coming from Coldwater, Mr. Chase
found considerable difficulty in finding
accommodations for his family at
night. The first two nights they were
obliged to sleep on the ‘‘soft side of a
floor,” and the last night on the bare
ground near Oak Creek. Dr. Chase
was married to Julia Ann Ellsworth,
March 24, 1835. She died Jan. 5, 1837,
leaving an infant daughter. He was
married to Nancy M. Bromley, Sept. 24,
1837, who is the mother of ten children,
five of whom are still living. Dr.
Chase is upright and just; and his
word is as good as his bond. He is an
obliging man, and a pleasant neighbor.

E, H. BropHEAD, C.E.— he was
born in Plattekill, Ulster County,
N.Y., in 1809. His father, Oliver Brod-
head, was a farmer. Mr. Brodhead
worked on the farm during the sum-
mers, and attended school in the win-
ter months, till he was eighteen years
old. Subsequently, he attended Will-
ett’s Academy in Dutchess County.
In 1830 West Point was the only in-
stitution where engineering was taught
as a separate branch. Desirous of
taking a shorter course, he obtained
private instruction from the professors
of that institution; the practice of
which has since been discontinued.
Here he was prepared for field work,
and for constructing railroads, then
just commencing. In 1832, leaving
West Point, he obtained a situation on
the Ithaca and Oswego Railroad, then
about to be commenced under John
Randall, Chief Engineer. In 1833
and 1834 he was appointed deputy
surveyor-general, for the purpose of
retracing the boundaries of the Onon-
daga Reservation, and especially the
town of Syracuse. The same year hé
was appointed assistant engineer on
the Utica and Schenectady Railroad.

 

WISCONSIN. 787

Soon after his engagement on this
work, the chief engineer, William
Young, transferred him to the charge
of the Hudson and Berkshire Railroad.
He completed the survey and location
of that line of road in 1834; but, as the
company was not then ready to com-
mence its construction, he became the
assistant engineer, under Alexander
Twining, on the Hartford and New
Haven Railroad. Soon after the com-
pletion of the location of the line, and
the work put under contract, Mr. Twin-
ing resigned; and Mr. Brodhead was
appointed chief engineer. The work
was finished in 1837, with the flat rail,
then almost exclusively in use in this
country. In 1836 he made a survey
as chief engineer for the Housatonic
Railroad, and acted as consulting en-
gineer for Mr. Talcott in making a
contract with Mason and Bishop for
its construction. In the fall of that
year, Mr. Brodhead was married to his
present wife, a daughter of Nathaniel
Fletcher of Newburyport, Mass. In
1887 he removed to Brooklyn to enter
upon the survey, in connection with
John Stoddard, of the new portion of
the city under a commission by the
legislature. This work required great
care and accuracy, and was not finished
till 1889. The canal commissioners
chose him to survey the country for
the extension of the Black-river Canal,
between Booneville, Watertown, and
Sackett’s Harbor on Lake Ontario, and
Ogdensburg on the St. Lawrence River.
In 1840 Gov. Seward appointed him
chief engineer under an act passed by
legislature, authorizing a survey to be
made of the northern portion of the
State, known as the “John Brown”
tract. ‘The report of this survey, with
the estimates, maps, and plans, was
completed and submitted to the legis-
lature in 1841. The next year, he
surveyed a route for a railroad from
Catskill on the Hudson River, to Can-
ajoharie in the valley of the Mohawk.
A small portion of the route had been
built, but was so badly located and
constructed, and the whole route
proved of so formidable a character,
that, upon his report, the project was
abandoned, and the portion construct-
ed taken up. In 1848 the canal board
resident. engineer appointed him to the
enlargement of the Erie Canal, between
Little Falls and Syracuse, and also to
act in the same capacity on the Che-
nango and Black River Canals. This
work was completed in 1845, when he
accepted the position of chief engineer
788

and superintendent of the Hartford and
New Haven Railroad, then in opera-
tion 1o Springfield, Mass. He remained
in charge of the work until 1848, when
he was tendered the situation of chief
engineer of the Hartford and Willi-
mantic Roads, and as he preferred to
construct, rather than to superintend,
railroads, he accepted the position. In
its course, the route crossed the Con-
necticut River and the Bolton Moun-
tain. In order to reach the summit of
this mountain, and save as much rock-
excavation as possible, it became neces-
sary to adopt a grade of sixty feet to
the mile for a distance of five miles,
which at that early day, before loco-
motives had been improved in their
capacity to overcome steep grades, was
a work of no small interest. This
work was completed in 1850, when he
returned to Utica to take charge of
the survey of a route extending from
Schenectady to Syracuse, a distance
of one hundred and thirty miles. In
the winter of 1851 Mr. Holton, a di-
rector of the Milwaukee and Prairie du
Chien Railroad, employed Mr. Brod-
head to finish constructing the road,
which had been completed as far as
Eagle. There were many features in
the construction of this road which
were of a serious character; but it was
finally completed in 1857. The last
year of his connection with this road,
he was president of the company. In
1853 Mr. Brodhead was selected as
one of a commission of three to inves-
tigate the first serious collision that oc-
curred in the North-west. It took place
between two train of cars, — one upon
the Southern Michigan Railroad, and
the other upon the Michigan Central,
at the crossing of the two roads, at a
point about seven miles south of Chi-
cago. In the report upon the subject,
a recommendation was made, that a
regulation should be adopted, that all
trains, before crossing the track of
another railroad, should come to a
stand-still. This plan has since been
adopted, and in most States has be-
come a law. In 1857 he closed his
business in engineering, having been
engaged in it for twenty-five years.
During this year, he and his wife made
a trip through the Southern States.. In
April, 1868, he was appointed president
of the Farmers’ and Millers’ Bank, on
the resignation of its former president.
Mr. Brodhead is still in the same
vffice, though the bank has been re-
organized into a national bank. In
1871 he accepted the office of water-

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

commissioner for the purpose of con-
structing a system of water-works for
the city of Milwaukee. This duty was
performed without compensation, and
the works have been completed, and
turned over to the city in June, 1875,
Mr. Brodhead attributes a portion of
his good health to outdoor exercise.
The name of Mr. Brodhead has, for
many years, been prominent in the
engineering profession. Through his
zeal and industry, the East and the
West are indebted for their improved
railroad facilities. In our State, the
iron band connecting the Great Lakes
with the Mississippi remains a monu-
ment of his untiring zeal and energy.
His name will ever be honored by the
citizens of Milwaukee for the part he
performed in bringing to a successful
completion the perfect system of
water-works in their city.

Cot. JAMES MIDDLETON ARNOLD.
—He was born in Libertyville, H1.,
April 26, 1841. He came to Milwau-
kee, Wis., with his parents, when an
infant, and has lived there up to the
present time. In 1858 he entered
business as a drug-clerk, in the employ
of Henry Fess, jun. Subsequently he
entered the employ of Smith, Chandler,
and Co., from whence, in 1862, he en-
listed in the Twenty-fourth Regiment
ot Wisconsin Volunteers, a Milwaukee
city regiment. He went through the
war; was taken prisoner at battle of
Murfreesborough, Dec. 31, 1862, and
spent two months in Libby Prison. He
was exchanged, and detailed for clerical
duty on staff of Major-Gen. John
Pope, on which duty he continued for
fourteen months, during which time
he was married. He was relieved by
General Orders of War Department,
and rejoined the regiment while in
line of battle on Rocky Fall Bridge,
Ga., served on the staff of Major-Gens.
Newton and George H. Thomas, and
afterwards filled the position of assist-
ant adjutant-general in State of Ten-
nessee, with the rank of major, holding
such commission in the Third Ten-
nessee (Union) Cavalry.

He is now connected with the firm
of Arnold, Yule, and Co., the most ex-
tensive dealers in engines, wood and
iron working machinery, and manu-
facturers’ supplies, in Milwaukee. He
was elected to the city council as alder-
man from the seventh ward in April,
1874, for the term of two years. He
has been prominently identified with
the advancement of public works in
that section of the city. He holds the
HISTORY OF

commission of colonel of the First
Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Mili-
tia, which from the energy displayed by
its commander, stands parallel with any
similar body of militia in the country.
Col. Arnold is also the editor and pub-
lisher of “(The North-western Tllus-
trated Mechanical Journal,’? a paper
devoted to manufactures and inven-
tions, having circulation through most
of the Western States. He is exceed-
ingly affable in disposition; has no
fixed religious belief; neither a member
of any secret society. His wife, who
died July 27, 1875, was from Salem,
Mass. ; was a lady of fine attainments,
a faithful wife and mother; left three
children. The colonel has acquired a
considerable amount of property; has
also established an enviable reputation
for integrity; is a man of broad and
comprehensive ideas, and one who
stands very prominent among his fel-
low-men as a leader.

Hon. E. Exwitu.— He was born
Aug. 7, 1816, in Athens, Bradford
County, Penn. He received a com-
mon-school education, and finished up
at the Athens Academy. While but a
youth, he spent some years in a woollen-
factory, thus working his own way
from the time he was able to do any
thing until eleven years of age. Sub-
sequently he taught during winters,
and attended school during summers.
In May, 1838, he commenced the
study of law in the office of his brother
William; and in 1840 was admitted
to practice, which he did with no small
degree of success in Bradford and Wyo-
ming Counties, until the spring of
1847, when he came to Wisconsin, ar-
riving at Milwaukee on the first day of
June, and from thence to Sheboygan,
where he remained in the practice of
law until the spring of 1855, when he
left for Beaver Dam, where he has
since remained. He was district-attor-
ney for Sheboygan County in 1853 and
1854. He was postmaster at Beaver
Dam from 1857 until 1861; was district
attorney for Dodge County from 1867
until 1870. He was elected judge of
the county court of Dodge County in
1873, and still holds that office. Judge
Elwiil has the highest commendations
of the people touching his ability as a
lawyer and a judge. His life thus far
has been characterized by early, hon-
est, and untiring efforts to fit himself
for, and to thoroughly accomplish, his
mission, which fact is readily recog-
nized by his fellow-men with applause.

Hon. J. M. Bennetr.— He was

 

WISCONSIN. 789

born in Cobleskill, Schoharie County,
N.Y. He received a common-school
education, after which he came to
Wisconsin in 1845. Here he taught
school the first winter after his arrival.
In the spring of 1846, he settled in
Oregon, Dane County, where he has
resided up to the present time, en-

/gaged in the mercantile business most

of the time since 1849. In 1871 he
helped to organize the First National
Bank of Evansville, and has been its
cashier since. He has filled the office
of superintendent of schools; was a
member of the board of county super-
visors three years; and was elected
member of the legislature in 1869.

When he was.twenty years of age,
he was without means to help himself,
save that he could work, which he did
on a farm for ten dollars and fifty cents
a month; but to-day he is worth a
handsome property, which has been
acquired through patient, honest indus-
try, and rigid economy. Thus has he
risen to an independent position by a
lawful way, and is a living example
to his fellows.

Hon. Henry D. Barron. — He was
born in the town of Wilton, Saratoga
County, N.Y., April 10, 1833. His
father was a mechanic in poor circum-
stances, and burdened with the support
of a large family: consequently, his
advantages for an education were lim-
ited, aside from the common schools
of those days. In 1848 he entered
the printing-office of Thurlow Weed
Brown, in which he served an appren-
ticeship of three years; after which,
with a few dollars saved from his earn-
ings, and a little help from a relative,
he entered Ballston Spa Law School,
where he studied one year, when, with
barely sufficient money to pay the
expenses to Wisconsin, he settled in
the village of Waukesha, a thriving
county-seat. Not being of age, he
could not be admitted to the practice
of law; but, purchasing ‘‘The Wau-
kesha Democrat’? on advantageous
terms, he became its editor and pro-
prietor; and soon, with the name of
**Chronotype,’’ under his charge it as-
sumed a place in the front rank of the
weekly press of the State. At that
time, the Democratic party was the
only political power throughout the

‘North-west, to which he attached him-

self, He was appointed postmaster of
Waukesha by Pres. Pierce, and con-
tinued the publication of ‘‘ The Chro-
notype’? until 1857, when it’ passea
into other hands. He had, in the
790 HISTORY OF

mean time, been admitted to the prac-
tice of law. In 1860 he was appointed
by Gov. Randall judge of the eighth
judicial circuit, in which he served a
short term, when he removed to St.
Croix Falls, and was retained by Caleb
Cushing to take charge of the latter’s
large interests in that section of the
country. That has continued to be
his place of residence since, from
which, however, he has been frequently
called in the discharge of public du-
ties. At. the outbreak of the war,
Judge Barron took a position in the
support of war measures, and would
have been appointed to a military com-
mand, but for physical disabilities. He
assisted in raising two or three regi-
ments, and was prominent in the coun-
cils of the war party in the State. He
supported Lincoln’s administration,
and became gradually identified with
the Republican party. In 1862 he was
elected a member of the legislature,
and was re-elected until 1869. In
April, 1869, he was appointed by Pres.
Grant fifth auditor of the United
States treasury. In 1871, while at-
tending to his duties in Washington,
he was again elected to the legislature,
because of important matters to be cared
for, which he was so well qualified to
protect. He was chosen speaker of the
assembly in 1866 and in 1873. He is
an admirable presiding officer of a de-
liberative body, and is regarded as a
model legislator, exceedingly effective
in debate, from a thorough knowledge
of all important matters. He stands
amceng the few incorruptible public
men, and never fails to wield a salutary
influence. He was a member of the
electoral college from Wisconsin, and
its president in 1868, and held the
same positions in 1872. Just in the
prime of life, and having risen to such
eminence already, he is destined to oc-
eupy a larger field of usefulness for the
public good.

CHARLES E, HouauMan, M.D. — He
was born in Nashville, Tenn., July 8,
1833. He was educated under a pri-
vate teacher, after which he studied at
New Orleans, Philadelphia, and New
York. He entered upon the practice
of medicine in Canada, where he re-
mained three years. He came to Wis-
consin in 1864, and was appointed in|
1869, by Gov. Fairchild, to take charge
of the Eye and Ear Department of St.
Mary’s Hospital for Indigent Soldiers.
In 1870 he established the Milwaukee
Eye and Ear Infirmary, where he has
treated a large number of patients with

 

WISCONSIN.

great success. He receives patients
from all parts of the country; and any
who are of limited means are not
turned away, but treated the same,
which may be seen from the fact that
he has treated about six hundred gra-
tuitously. There are very many relia-
ble sources from which the public may

gather information concerning Dr.

Houghman’s Infirmary at Milwaukee.
The press is Joud in its praise of the
institution, presenting its benefits with
perspicuity to the public; and also of
the well-tried ability of him who is in
charge. He is unquestionably well
recominended and properly indorsed for
his profession.

Hon. GrorcE W. ALLEN. — He was
born in Cazenovia, N.Y., in December,
1818, His early days of labor were
spent in the tannery with his father.
He was liberally educated, prepared
for college, and entered the Wesleyan
University, Connecticut, in 1838, and
graduated at Union College, New York,
in 1841. Fora time, he read law, intend-
ing to follow that profession, but soon
changed his mind, preferring commer-
cial pursuits, and entered into partner-
ship with his father in 1842, under the
firm-name of R. Allen & Son. At this
period of his life, he was given to poli-
tics and public speaking. In 1842 he
delivered a speech against what was then
called Political Abolitionism, when he
was challenged by Hon. Gerrit Smith
to meet him in public debate on that
question, which was accepted ; and,
after the discussion, the almost uni-
versal verdict was in favor of Mr.
Allen. In 1847 was married to Jane
Savage of New York. On the break-
ing-out of the war in 1861, Mr. Allen
was active in the cause of the country,
making his eloquent and strong appeals,
contributing largely of his means, as
well as time, to sustain the government.
He and his brother were successful in
raising one company, which was mus-
tered into the Twenty-fourth Wiscon-
sin Volunteers, under the name of the
‘Allen Guards ;’’ and his services were
unremitted to the close of the war.
He urged the heaviest taxation in all
its forms; saying, that, where so many
gave their lives, others should give
their property, to the common cause.
After the close of the war, the neces-
sity for such taxation no longer needed,
he was influential in having them re-
duced. He has contributed more to
the leather interest of this country than
any other man. During his visit to
Vienna, at the World’s Exposition, be
HISTORY OF

gathered much valuable information,
which contributed largely to the busi-
ness of the firm, and to the leather in-
dustry throughout the country. He
is one of those men who go out and
beyond self into the higher and broader
atmosphere of the public good.

Rev. Amos C. Pennock. — He was
born in the town of Champion, Jeffer-
son County, N.Y., Oct. 6, 1815. - He
resided at the place of his birth until
1844, when he removed to Wisconsin.
His early school-privileges were infe-
rior to those of the present age; but
he was not slow to improve the oppor-
tunities given. He formed habits of
study, which constituted one secret of
grand success in after-life, giving him
the character of thorough student.
The first eight years subsequent to his
becoming of age were speut between
study, travel, and the oversight of the
farm, while his father was absent as a
travelling Methodist preacher. In the
fall of 1844, with his newly married
wife, he came to Aztalan, Jefferson
County, Wis., where he sold goods,
and dealt in real estate for about three
years,’ when he joined the Wisconsin

Conference of the Methodist-Episcopal |

Church, laboring successfully for some
years on the best appointments of the
conference. While at Milwaukee, find-
ing that his health was declining, he
chose a change of climate, and was
stationed in the city of Stillwater,
Minn., for the ensuing year; and, when
the Wisconsin Conference was divided,
he fell into the Minnesota division, in
which conference he was called to the
discharge of prominent duties; being
well qualified to aid in all the benevo-
lent and educational enterprises of the
church. In the course of a few years,
he returned to Wisconsin, over which
he had travelled in an early day, when
there was not only much to admire
among the wilds and beauties of the
State, but more to fear. He soon
learned to feel at home in these lone
journeyings through forests, and over
prairies, feeling assured of the shelter-
ing wing of Him who sleepeth not.
Being naturally diffident and retiring,
he has avoided nearly all political posi-
tions and responsibilities. A few tried
friends, plenty of ink, paper, and
books, together with simple food and
an humble shelter, have for him con-
stituted a fountain of happiness. And
as a result of this taste and talent may
be found, beside sermons, essays, con-
troversies, and correspondence, a con-
densed manuscript upon the important

 

WISCONSIN. 791

features of theology, carefully written,
and nearly ready for the press, a col-
lection of poems and fugitive pieces,
indexed, and ready for the printer’s
hand. As a sample of his poetical
genius, a few extracts are subjoined, —

THE RED MAN’S RETURN.

‘Tis fifteen years since first I stood

And gazed upon these hills and wood;

Went with the tribe from place to place,

And joined the merry morning chase.

My heart was light and happy then

8 sunbeams glancing o’er the glen;

And little thought I, dancing on,

So soon would set my joyous sun, —

Ah! little thought, a few brief years

Would fill my eyes with scalding tears;

Would leave me wretched, faint, and lone;

Destroy my friends and woodland home;

Would drive me from my native hill,

My mountain-trail, and sparkling rill:

But ah, a spell came o’er my dream,

And heartless fates have changed the scene.
But oh! how changed this spot appears,
And all around new aspect wears.

The council-tree now’s cut away;

And piled in heaps the old oaks lay;

The pale-face has his cottage here;

And waving corn the hill-tops bear;

The winding trail the plough’s turned o’er;
And what was fair is fair no more.

For me this life hath now no cheer;

The wood no charm, the grave no fear:
The rising light ascends in vain

To calm this throbbing, troubled brain.” -

The following, titled ‘‘ June,”’ was
written in 1854, —

“Tt is greeting, indeed, when the winter is

past.
And the ‘raln-drops of spring on earth’s bosom
are cas
To walk ’mid the flowers, thy sun doth illume,
And. breathe thy sweet breath, mild, genial
‘une.”?

These are samples of a few of the
many poems he has written; while in
prose, too, he has not failed to acquire
a good reputation both as a writer and
profound thinker, as may be seen from
his productions, especially in a sermon
written and published in 1867, entitled
“The Fall and Recovery of Man,’’ the
closing up of which is most sublime.
He is now nearly sixty years of age,
of a nervous-sanguine temperament;
is firm in what he believes to be right.
He now resides in Madison, in a pleas-
ant home; and, having done what he
could in the activities of life, he now
looks forward to a bright immortality
beyond the stream of death.

Mrs. Elizabeth J. Pennock. —She
was born in Utica, N.Y., Feb. 25,
1830. Being one of a large family, with
792

only moderate means, she early learned
the lesson of self-reliance and useful
activity, prizing the advantages of an
education. The family moved to Ful-
ton, N.Y., while she was but a child.
Here she began to acquire an intellec-
tual culture, where her opportunities
were such as to insure thorough and
rapid progress. She was clever in
study, taking in knowledge as the
sponge drinks up water. She began
school-teaching at sixteen, and con-
tinued the work with success until her
twenty-fourth year, when she was mar-
ried to Rev.’ A. C. Pennock, then a
member of the Wisconsin Conference.
Subsequently she shared with her hus-
band the toil and trials of the itin-
eracy, for years, with patience. She
had been accustomed, however, to
hardships prior to assuming these new
responsibilities; for in 1846 she came to
Wisconsin, and saw Columbia County
in its rude and early days, — saw these
wild prairies bow to the rod of agri-
culture, and yield to the wand of civil-
ization, —saw them change from the
playground and feeding-place of wild
animals to fields of grain, and gardens
of beauty, and contributed her part in
bringing about the transformation ; and
in her after and better days, has ever
had an eye of sympathy toward the
poor, the toiling, and the struggling.
At her hand, want finds help, and dis-
tress relief, and in her words the erring
find council, and the sorrowing solace.
Never neglecting the calls of her family
to follow the nod and notions of arti-
ficial society; at home in the kitchen,
nurs¢éry, and parlor; at home in the
halls of music, art, and science; a con-
stant student and ready writer; a de-
voted daily Christian lady, aiming to
make her home a sanctuary, as well as
a study for her children, —she makes
one of the best mothers, best neighbors,
friends, and citizens of the State.
Wi~ti14M P. MERRILL. — He was
born on the 25th of March, 1871, at
South Berwick, Me. When but eight
years of age, his father moved to
Adams, Jefferson County, N.Y., where
he remained eight years. William had
now arrived at that age when every
young man desires to sever home-ties,
and seek a fortune abroad. His first
attempt was to make a trip to Canada;
but sickness compelled his return after
a brief stay. After his recovery, he
decided to go West. He went to Cleve-
land, O. In 1886 he left Ohio for Wis-
consin, arriving in Milwaukee, after
a tedious voyage of one month, on the

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

second day of April. In 1887, still
impelled by the love of adventure,
he made a trip to Chicago, from there
to Rockford, remaining there until
spring, when, accompanied by two
friends, in March he bought a canoe,
and embarked for the Mississippi. Sub-
sequent to this, he went to Camanche,
Io. While here, he was made justice
of the peace. In 1839 he returned to
Milwaukee, bought a small stock of
ponds, and proceeded to Waukesha

ounty, and established the first store
between Waukesha and Watertown.
In 1840 he sold out, being convinced
that the business of a country mer-
chant was not the best. He then en-
gaged in farming, exchanging his store
for eighty acres in Milwaukee County.
He was elected justice of the peace in
1846, and in 1849 represented the fifth
ward as alderman, and also in 1859.
When he came to Milwaukee, he was
the owner of a good gun, a chest of
carpenter’s tools, and one hundred
dollars in cash. He was married in
1839, and has two sons. He has built
fourteen houses; and, from the rentage
of his stores and dwellings, is able to
pass the remainder of life in comfort-
able circumstances.

Hon. Horacr Cu ASE.—He was born
in Derby, Orleans County, Vt., Dec.
25, 1810. He comes of pioneer and
Revolutionary stock. He lived with his
parents, and worked on the farm, at-
tending school in the winter. In 1830
he went to Boston, and engaged with
Messrs. Baxter, Robinson, and Co. as
clerk, until January, 1833, then, with
Wilder Pearce, Esq., of Stanstead Plain,
Canada East, acting as clerk in his store
up to February, 1834. He then went
to Boston and New York, where he met
with P, F. W. Peck, Esq., who hailed
from Chicago. Mr. Chase returned
with him, and accepted position as
clerk in his store. He remained with
Mr. Peck for some time; then engaged
as book-keeper for a tavern-keeper.
Not liking this business, he engaged. as
clerk with Messrs. Kinze and Hall, who
kept a large wholesale and retail store.
During his stay with Mr. Ingersoll, the
tavern-keeper, he became acquainted
with Archibald Clybourn, who pro-
posed to go into company in the mer-
cantile business. A partnership was
entered into for three years; and they
decided to start business in Milwaukee,
where they put up a small shanty-
storehouse in 1835. In April he, with
others, opened a road from Root River
to the mouth of the Milwaukee River,
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

In 1886 he, with his brother (Dr. E.
Chase), opened a large and commodious
store; and they alone did the forward-
ing and commission business of what is
now the great city of Milwaukee. In
October, 1837, he was united in mar-
riage to Miss Sarah Ann Grey. He
was elected a member of the first Con-
stitutional Convention from Milwaukee
County. He was next elected to the
first State legislature of Wisconsin,
convened at Madison, January, 1848.
In August, 1852, Mr. Chase met with a
sorrowful bereavement in the loss of
his wife. In 1858 he was again mar-
ried to Miss Mary H. Davis of Mount
Holly, Vt., who is still living to make
his home happy. In 1861 he was
elected alderman and supervisor for
the fifth ward of the city of Mil-
waukee, and in 1862 received, through
the suffrages of his admiring fellow-
citizens, the position of mayor. He
has ever discharged his duties to the
satisfaction of the people, and is held
in high esteem. He has retired on an
ample fortune, the results of his own
industry and integrity.

Hon. Levi H. KELLoee. — He was
born in Sheffield, Berkshire County,
Mass., Aug. 24, 1817. When he was
four years of age, his parents moved to
Oneida County, New York, where he
remained until the age of sixteen, when
he decided to go farther West. His
educational advantages, up to this
period, were such as the common
schools of that day afforded. Early in
life he manifested a disposition to pre-
pare himself for a useful life-work.
He went to Michigan, the journey oc-
cupying three weeks of tedious travel.
He resided there about fourteen years,
actively engaged in the toil that sub-
sequently resulted in affluence, the
meanwhile attending to the cultivation
of his mind. In 1847 he moved to Mil-
waukee, where he engaged in commer-
cial life, and was always alive to every
vital interest touching the prosperity of
that city. He has been everywhere re-
garded as a man of superior business
attainments, a man of integrity, liberal,
and sound in every respect. He is re-
membered in Milwaukee, and in many
other places, by young men who have
been assisted and encouraged by him.
He was enabled, through honest indus-
try, to acquire an abundance of this
world’s goods. In the early days of
Milwaukee, he became connected with
the order of Odd-Fellows, and rose, in
a short time, to a high position in that
body. He manifested great interest in

 

793

the promulgation of the principles of
the order, and established many lodges
in the State. ‘There is scarcely a mem-
ber of the order in the State who is not
familiar with the name and influence
of Mr. Kellogg. He was known as of
a benevolent disposition; and, during
his last illness, those who had been
favored by him in business did not
forget their benefactor in the hour of
his affliction. He died at Milwaukee,
Dec. 12, 1873, leaving a name that is
dear to those that knew him.

Hon. Carson Gramam. — He was
born in Erie County, Pennsylvania,
Dec. 25, 1812. He acquired the benefits
of the common schools and academies
of his day. His labor was on the farm
until seventeen years of age, at which
time he went to Pittsburg to learn
the printer’s trade, where he worked
for a short time, and, not liking it, re-
turned home. He then taught school
for the purpose of acquiring means to
complete a thorough course of instruc-
tion. In 1835 he commenced the
study of law under the direction of
Hon. George A. Elliot. Was admitted
to the bar in 1838, and soon after
was appointed deputy attorney-general.
Was also deputy United States attorney
for the Western District of Pennsyl-
vania for six years, when he came to
Wisconsin; but, not liking the appear-
ance of things at that time, he returned
to Pennsylvania, In 1849, about ten
years after his visit to Milwaukee, he
determined to return to the State.
Accordingly he went to Fond du Lac.
He here became acquainted with prom-
inent men, and was admitted to the
bar in this State. In February, 1852,
he moved to Dubuque, Io., where he
opened an office. In about fourteen
weeks afterwards, he was taken ill,
which continued, with great suffering,
for three months. Feeling somewhat
discouraged, he resolved to return to
Erie, Penn., where he resumed
practice until the summer of 1857,
when he again determined to go West,
intending to go to Minnesota, but
stopped at La Crosse until June, 1858,
when he went to Mankato, but, early
in the fall, returned to La Crosse, and
remained there until the latter part of
September, 1859, when he came to
Varoqua on business, with not the
slightest intention of locating here; but,
as there seemed to be an opening for
his business, he remained during the
winter. In the spring of 1860 he was
elected county judge, which settled the
question of locating here. In the
794 HISTORY OF

spring of 1864 he was elected to the
same Office, and held it for eight years.
Since then, he has held the office of
district-attorney for two years. He has
been active in business, and promi-
nently connected with many enter-
prises touching the prosperity of the
State.

Joun NaAzro. — He was born at
Cape Haytien, a seaport town on the
island of Hayti, Dec. 19, 1826, His
father was born in Massachusetts, and
his mother in New Jersey. Mr. Nazro
is a descendant from the French on
both sides. His father was engaged,
in early life, at Cape Haytien, in the
commission-trading business between
that place and Boston, Mass. His
parents returned to Boston when
Mr. Nazro was about two years old.
Here he resided until February, 1847,
when he removed to Milwaukee, in
which city he now resides.. He was
married in September, 1851, to Clara
B. Blanchard, a daughter of Dr. A.
Blanchard of Truxton, Cortland
County, N.Y. They have had seven
cnildren. Mr. Nazro graduated from
the Boston High School at the age of
fifteen. He then entered a commission-
house, remaining there for about five
years. He was bookkeeper with Nazro
and King of Milwaukee for one year.
In May, 1848, he bought out J. C.
Cramer and Co., dealers in hardware,
and started in business under the firm
John Nazro, jun.,and Co. In May,
1850, he united with H. J. Nazro. In
May, 1854, H. J. Nazro left Milwaukee
to reside in New York, leaving the
management of the business, which was
then considered large, with him. In
May, 1860, the name of the firm was
changed to John Nazro and Co., under
which name it still exists. Two years
later, he became the sole proprietor.
His first year’s business, in 1848,
amounted to eleven thousand dollars,
and has advanced to a million, five hun-
dred thousanddollars. His present store
is the largest in the United States, Its
dimensions are one hundred by one
hundred and forty feet, Mr. Nazro has
never held any public office. He has
declined many high political positions
which have been offered to him. He
has held a large number of positions of
private trust. His commercial history
is closely identified with the growth of
Milwaukee. It has never been dishon-
ored. He is a man that desires no
eulogies, but prefers to let his acts,
character, and reputation speak for
themselves,

 

WISCONSIN.

Davip MarsH KEtLy. — He was
born in Hamilton, Mass., in 1841. He
is the son of Rey. George W. and May
M. Kelly. When about ten years
old, he removed, with his parents, to
Haverhill, Mass. He studied law, and
was admitted to the bar in 1865, to
practise in all the courts of that State.
Immediately after his admission, he
formed a partnership with H. N. Mer-
rill, and commenced the practice of
law in Haverhill. In 1867 he removed
from Massachusetts to Appleton in
this State. Here he became a director
of the Green Bay and Mississippi Canal
Company, and took charge of a line of
steamboats running in the interests of
that company on the Upper and Lower
Fox Rivers, and on Lake Winnebago.
In 1868 Mr. Kelly became vice-presi-
dent and superintendent of the Lake
and River Transportation Company;
and he removed from Appleton to
Green Bay, where he now resides. In
1869 he purchased the interest of the
Dousmans in the property and busi-
ness of Dousman and Elmore of Fort
Howard, Wis., owners of the Green
Bay Elevator, and doing a wholesale
and commission business in grain,
coal, salt, &c. A partnership was
formed by Hon. Andrew E. Elmore,
James H. Elmore, of Fort Howard,
and Mr. Kelly, under the name of
Elmore and Kelly. This firm now ranks
as one of the heaviest and most re-
liable business-houses in the State. In
1870 he became a director and vice-
president of the Green Bay and Lake
Pepin Railway Company, a corporation
organized for the purpose of construct-
ing a railroad from Green Bay to the
Mississippi River. After careful inves-
tigation of the project, he became con-
vinced that there was great merit in
the enterprise. He therefore resigned
his offices with the company, and en-
tered into a contract to construct the
entire line, binding himself to complete
the road to the Mississippi on or be-
fore Jan. 1, 1876. The first rail was
laid in 1871; and in twenty-five consec-
utive months from that time the work
was completed. This road is now
known as the Green Bay and Minnesota
Railroad. Mr. Kelly is its present vice-
president and general manager. During
the Rebellion, Mr. Kelly served eighteen
months in the Union army, and took
part in the siege of Port Hudson, and
other important operations of the war.
For so young a man, Mr. Kelly has
seen much of life, and in various phases,
having been in turn, student, saltwater
HISTORY OF

sailor, soldier, lawyer, steamboat-man-
ager, grain-operator, railroad-builder,
and railroad-manager. Mr. Kelly is
now thirty-four years of age; is unmar-
ried, and in the enjoyment of robust
health, He has been admitted to prac-
tise in the Supreme Court of the State,
but now gives his attention to the
management of the railroad with which
he is connected. There is no need of
eulogizing Mr. Kelly. His works are
sufficient.

Hon. THEODORE PRENTISS, — He was
born at Montpelier, Vt., Sept. 10, 1818.
He was the eighth son of Samuel Pren-
tiss, formerly chief justice of the Su-
preme Court, Vermont, United States
senator, and judge of the United States
district court. He pursued a course of
study in the academy of his native town
preparatory for college, and entered the
University of Vermont in 1838. He left
the same year on account of ill health,
and went South. In 1842 he returned,
and studied law in his father’s office at
Montpelier, and was admitted to the bar
in 1844. He removed to Wisconsin in
October of the same year, and settled
in Watertown, February, 1845, He was
elected amember of the first and second
conventions for forming a constitution
of the State. He was a member of
the State legislature in 1861; and was
elected in the same year a member of
the Board of Regents of the State Uni-
versity. Three several times he has
been elected mayor of the city of
Watertown. He married Martha J.
Perry of Montpelier, Vt., Dec. 4, 1855,
and has three sons. He and his wife
are members of the Episcopal Church.
He has been successful.in business, and
has acquired a fair competence.

Hon. Henry A. Youman, M.D. —
He was born in Albany County, N.Y.,
May 22, 1816. Two years afterwards,
the family removed to Genesee County.
This country was then sparsely settled.
With the results of his labors in the
schoolroom, he was enabled to attend
the Wyoming Academy one or two
terms, before beginning the study of
medicine. He graduated in 1843, from
the Geneva Medical College in New
York. Subsequent to this event, he
went to Milwaukee, Wis. He had
little means, but was determined to
overcome all difficulties. On his ar-
rival, he immediately began to look
for a location. He finally settled in
the village of Muckwonago, where he
now resides. For the past thirty-two
years, he has been engaged in the pro-
fession of his choice. He was super-

 

WISCONSIN. 795

intendent of the public schools of his
town until 1860. He was elected in
the autumn a member of the assembly,
and served his constituents satisfac-
torily. He was a Republican until the
last year of Grant’s administration.
Since then, he has been independent
of any party, and supports those who
are the best fitted for the positions for
which they are candidates. Dr. You-
man possesses a strong, vigorous, and
cheerful temperament. He is strictly
temperate. Being much engrossed with
his profession, and possessing great de-
termination and _ self-control, he has
been the means of saying many difficult
cases. A few years after his settlement
in Muckwonago, he married Miss Lucy
Andrews, a daughter of an old pioneer.
They have five children.

JUDGE THoMAs BRAYTON. — He was
born at Wilna, Jefferson County, N.Y.,
Dec. 12, 1870. He had few opportuni-
ties of education, but was well informed
in the general principles of science and
art. He was married to Lora Pellet,
March 5, 1813. She died May 4, 1828.
He was married to Laura Hyer in
March, 1829. He moved to Milwaukee
in 1837, and the next year.to Aztalan,
Wis. His wife died March 21, 1843;
and July 8, 1853, he married Cynthia
Starkweather. Mr. Brayton died at his
residence at Aztalan, Dec. 19, 1853.
He had a strong and active mind, was
plain and reticent in manner, and yet
was genial and companionable. He
was a leading spirit in every com-
munity in which he lived. He pos-
sessed good business-talent, was relia-
ble, honest, and prompt. He was a
powerful reasoner, a good speaker, and
impressed all with the idea that he be-
lieved what he said. He was an excel-
lent farmer, and a thorough and practi-
cal surveyor. He was often justice of
the peace, and judge of probate.

ALFRED AUGUSTUS BRAYTON. — He
was born at Wilna, Jefferson County,
N.Y., Jan. 5, 1814. He moved, with
his father’s family, to Wisconsin in
1837, and settled in Aztalan the next
year. In 1839 he married Miss Eliza-
beth Grant. At this place he kept a
variety store. He bought the site of
the village of Fall River in 1846; drew
up the plan of the town, and-built the
mills. He was the builder and owner
of the first store in Fall River, and sold
goods in the place until disabled by dis-
ease. He was upright, reliable, and ac-
tive, generous, social, and sympathetic.
His manner was stern and abrupt. He
had a noble nature, a warm heart, and
796 HISTORY OF
an honest purpose in his acts and words.
He was educated as a farmer, but be-
came an accurate and practical surveyor.
He was a good salesman, a hard worker,
and a steady and faithful friend.

Lucius A. WHEELER. — He was
born at Milton, Chittenden County,
Vt., March 9, 1828. His father was a
farmer in humble circumstances, and
moved to Western New York when he
was about five years of age. After re-
ceiving his early education in a public
school, he entered a collegiate institute
at the age of thirteen, to prepare for
college, His health proving too poor,
he entered a country store at the aze
of fourteen, where he remained six
years. He was made a partner in the
business, and was an indefatigable
worker. When twenty-two years of
age, over-work compelled him to seek
a change. After a season of rest, he
went to Dunkirk, where he opened a
dry-goods store, and soon established
a flourishing business. At the expira-
tion of four years, the parent-house
failed, involving Mr. Wheeler in liabili-
ties amounting to sixty-five thousand
dollars. Six months previous to this,
he was married to Miss Helen C. Van
Buren, on May 17, 1855. Not at all
discouraged or disheartened, he gave
up all to his creditors, and immedi-
ately started westward. He visited
several cities, but settled in Milwau-
kee, in 1856, with less than one hun-
dred dollars, After a week’s search,
he secured a situation in a clothing-
house. After a year’s time, he received
a situation in the dry-good’s house of
the Bradford Brothers, where he re-
mained a year. He then went to New
York, and succeeded in getting released
from nearly all the claims against
the old house. With the aid of an
uncle and a former townsman, he
purchased a very small stock of goods,
and returned to Milwaukee. He was
afterwards joined by a brother-in-law.
The little store soon became popular,
and business increased, when they
moved to larger apartments. His
brother returned to Dunkirk, leaving
him to conduct the business alone. A
wholesale department was opened; and
the business grew rapidly. As often
as was necessary, he removed to larger
places, until 1872, when he settled in his
present elegant abode. He gives special
attention to the best retail trade; and
has a large and constantly increasing
business. Mr. Wheeler is an active
Christian, which is due, in a degree, to
his early religious instruction.

 

WISCONSIN.

Jupaz Davin W. SMALL. — He was
born at Frankfort, Philadelphia County,
Penn., Dec. 18, 1827. His parents be-
longed to the Society of Friends, and
were farmers, He lived on the farin
until he was sixteen years old; and
attended the public schools during the
winter months. He was a student in
the Moravian College at Nazareth for
two years. At eighteen years of age,
he began teaching, and reading law. In
April, 1859, he was admitted to the bar
at Doylestown. The following month,
he went to Oconomewoc, Wis. At
first his law-business was not very
prosperous, and he combined the duties
of a surveyor with his profession until
1851. By this time his business had
increased to such an extent as to oc-
cupy his entire time. In 1851 he was
elected path-master of his ward. In
1862 he was elected district-attorney
for Waukesha County, on the Demo-
cratic ticket, to which office he was
subsequently re-elected once or twice.
In 1869 he was elected judge of the
Second Judicial Circuit. In 1875 he
was re-elected by a large majority.
Judge Small resides upon, and culti-
vates, a small farm near the village.
Judge Small was born and brought up
in the Society of Friends, and still be-
lieves in their fundamental principles.
His wife’s maiden name was Susannah
Ely. They have three children.

Hon. WyMAN SPOONER. — He was
born at Hardwick, Worcester County,
Mass., July 2, 1795. His father was a
farmer, and he lived at home, attend-
ing school in the winter, until fourteen
years of age. He went to Vermont,
and became an apprentice in a print-
ing-office. When about twenty-one,
he commenced the publication of a
weekly newspaper, which he continued
for about twelve years. He then
began the study of law, and was ad-
mitted to its practice in 1833. From
his long continuance in, and his asso-
ciations with, Vermont, he claims,
without repudiating the paternity of
his native State, to be a ‘‘Green
Mountain Boy.” In 1842 he removed
to Wisconsin, and in 1843 he settled
in Elkhorn, Walworth County, where
he has ever since resided. In 1846, he
was elected judge of probate, which
office he held until the probate was
merged into the county court.

In 1853 he was appointed circuit
judge; which position he held until
the election of Judge Doolittle. He
was elected to the assembly in 1850,
1851, 1857, and 1861. In 1857 he was
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

elected speaker of the assembly. He
was elected State senator for the terms
of 1862 and 1863. In the last session
he was chosen president of the senate,
and became lieutenant-governor when
Mr. Salomon succeeded to the executive
chair. In 1863, 1865, and 1867, he was
elected lieutenant-governor; and, by
virtue of his office, he presided over
the senate for six consecutive years.
He was a member of the first board
of trustees for the Deaf and Dumb, at
Delavan. Judge Spooner is a man of
constant diligence and energy.

AnGus Smiru.— He was born at
Clay, St. Clair County, Mich., Dec. 16,
1822, He is the son of John K. and
Catherine McDonald Smith. He re-
mained at home on his father’s farm,
and attended the district school win-
ters, until his fourteenth year, when
he commenced to depend on his own
resources. For the next three years,
he was a clerk in a country store, at the
rate of twenty-five dollars per year,
and board. After this, he engaged in
a wholesale and retail establishment,
where he remained four years, the last
year of which time he was a partner.
The next three years, he was engaged
in similar business with three others.
After remaining in the storage, for-
warding, and commission business for
two years, he confined himself to the
purchase and sale of grain and flour,
in connection with the Mead River
and Lake Erie Railroad Company.
He continued to be prominently con-
nected with the management of this
departinent until 1854, when he came
to Chicago, and bought grain and flour
at that place, Kenosha, Racine, and
Milwaukee. In 1858 he moved to
Milwaukee, and commenced the erec-
tion of an elevator, for the exclusive
purpose of hauling grain from rail-
cars, This was the first of the kind
built in that city. Two years later he
was obliged to build another and a
larger one, on account of the increase
of business. At that time two mil-
lions and one-half bushels of wheat
were handled, and in 1873 thirty mil-
lions. The great success attending
this business was largely attributable
to the establishment of grades for
the different kinds of grain, the rigid
adherence to all the rules and regula-
tions established for the inspection and
grading, and for the care taken to keep
the different grades of grain separate.
This has given Milwaukee a reputa-
tion for integrity in every port of the
world where wheat has been imported.

 

797

He makes no pretentions as a poli-
tician. His first votes were cast for the
Democratic party; but after maturer
years, seeing that slavery was contrary
to the Declaration of Independence,
and entirely at variance with the prin-
ciples that underlie the organizations
of society, he has continued to act
with the Republican party, but never
would accept of any office, except
from his business associates, by whom
he was eiected president of the Cham-
ber of Commerce of Milwaukee. In
1846 he was married to Maria C. Peck
of Rochester, N.Y., who was a very
estimable lady and avery devoted wife.
She died in 1858. In the autumn of
1860 he married Catherine E., sister
of his first wife, and by her he has one
son.

Lyman C. DRAPER, eldest son of
Luke and Harriet Draper, and of the
fifth generation from James Draper,
who settled at Roxbury, Mass., about
1659, was born at the mouth of
EHighteen-Mile Creek, on the shore of
Lake Erie, in what was then the town
of Hamburg, now Evans, Erie County,
N.Y., Sept. 4, 1815. His parents re-
moving first to Springfield, Erie
County, Penn., when he was three’
years old, he was first sent to school
there, a year or two later; and, in the
spring of 1821, the family removed to
Lockport, an incipient village on the
line of the Erie Canal, in Western
New York, where he attended the
best schools at that day, for the en-
suing eight or ten years; then engaged
for a while in clerking. Borrowing a
volume, soon after its issue, in 1831,
on the “‘ Annals of Tryon County; or,
Border Warfare of New York,’’ and
another work, ‘‘Rogers’s Journals
of the French War, and Life of Gen.
Stark,’’ replete with thrilling incidents
of Indian and Tory warfare, and read-
ing them with avidity, they incited in
his mind a love for narratives of fron-
tier adventure that largely gave direc-
tion to his subsequent tastes and pur-
suits. While at Lockport, he saw
Lafayette, De Witt Clinton, Gov. Cass,
and other notable characters.

His first school-composition was on
the services and character of the good
Lafayette; and his first literary article
on Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the
last of the immortal signers, whose
death had recently occurred, was writ-
ten in February, 1833, when a little
past seventeen, and was published in
“The Rochester Gem’’ of April 6 en-
suing, which was rapidly followed by
798 HISTORY OF

other contributions. In the autumn
of 1834 he went to Mobile, at the in-
vitation of Peter A. Remsen, a cotton-
factor there, who had married his
cousin; and in May, 1834, he left
there, and went to Granville College,
Ohio, arriving June 4, where he
remained for over two years. His
parents having removed from Lock-
port to Toledo, O., he visited them at
the latter place, in the summer of
1835, and took part with the Buckeyes
in a little skirmish with the Wolver-
ines, pleasantly called the Battle of
Mud Creek, in the environs of Toledo,
—one of the episodes of the Ohio and
Michigan boundary difficulty at that
period.

In the autumn of 1836 he left Gran-
ville, for Hudson River Seminary, near
Stockport, N.Y., where he remained a
year; and then went to reside in the
family of his patron and friend, Mr.
Remsen, near Alexander, Genesee
County, in that State, pursuing his
studies, and an extensive course of
reading, privatelv.

When in Mobile, he made a begin-
ning of collecting unpublished facts
and traditions relative to border his-
tory, in this instance pertaining to the
daring Creek chief, Weatherford, —
a habit which, for over forty years, he
has since practised with so marked
success, While at Granville, he had
become interested in the border works
of Withers, McCluny, and Flint, and
afterwards of Hall; and, finding them
oftentimes at variance with each other,
he conceived the idea, in 1838, of a
work on the Western Pioneers, hoping
to be able to rectify many of these de-
fects and errors. This led to an ex-
tensive correspondence, and repeated
journeys in the Western and Southern
States, between 1840 and 1871, aggre-
gating over sixty thousand miles, by
public conveyances, on horseback, and

on foot, attendant with many hard- |:

ships, and several times greatly en-
dangering life itself. Many aged
pioneers and Indian fighters were in-
terviewed, —the companions of Dun-
more, Lewis, Clark, Boone, Kenton,
Shelby, Sevier, the Campbells, Sumter,
Robertson, Crawford, Brady, and the
Wetzels; and thus an unequalled col-
lection of original historic materials
was gathered, embracing well-nigh
two hundred and_ fifty manuscript
volumes, covering the whole sweep of
the Anglo-American settlement and
border warfare of the West, from the
first fight in the Virginia Valley, in

 

WISCONSIN.

1742, to the death of Tecumseh, at the
Thames, in 1813.

In 1840 Mr. Draper went to Ponto-
toc, in Northern Mississippi, where
he edited a weekly paper for a while;
tried rough farming-life one season,
fifteen miles from a post-office, and
was chosen a justice of the peace.
In 1842 went to Buffalo, serving as a
clerk in the canal superintendent’s
office for a year; returned to Pontotoc
a short time, journeying among the
pioneers; and finally, in 1844, becom-
ing again a member of Mr. Remsen’s
family, then residing near Baltimore,
and subsequently in and near Phila-
delphia, maintaining an extensive cor-
respondence, and making frequent
journeys in the Western and South-
western States, and gathering a unique
library illustrative of border history.

Mr.. Remsen, his patron and friend
of many years, dying in the spring of
1852, Mr. Draper, with Mr. Remsen’s
family, whose widow he subsequently
married, removed to Madison, Wis., in
the autumn of that year, where he
has since resided. Beside perfecting
his Border Historical Collections, he
has devoted inuch of his time towards
building up the State Historical So-
ciety of Wisconsin, editing its six vol-
umes of Transactions, and aiding in
gathering its valuable library of sixty-
five thousand volumes. In the fali of
1857 he was chosen State Superintend-
ent of Public Instruction, and labored
with much zeal and success in securing
the adoption of a State system of
township libraries, by which nearly
eighty-nine thousand dollars were raised
for the first year’s expenditure, but
which was repealed in consequence of
the great war tornado of 1861, and the
money appropriated for military pur-
poses. Some such measure is very
certain to be re-enacted at no very
distant day.

Beside the six volumes of Collections
of the Historical Society, several
pamphlets, and two elaborate school-
reports, he prepared in 1869, aided by
W. A. Croffut, a thorough work of over
eight hundred pages, called ‘‘ The Help-
ing Hand: an American Home Book
for Town and Country, devoted to Farm-
ing-Matters, Stock, Fruit-Culture, and
Domestic Economy.” He has recent-
ly completed a work of much care-
ful investigation on the Mecklenburg
Declaration of Independence; and is
now engaged, in conjunction with
C. W. Butterfield, the able author of
“ Crawford’s Expedition,’’ on a volume
HISTORY OF

on “Border Forays and Adventures,”
largely from original materials; to be
followed by others on Sumter, Boone,
Clark, Kenton, Brady, and their bor-
der associates and Indian-fighters.

Twenty-five years ago, Granville
College, Ohio, conferred on Mr. Draper
the honorary degree of Master of Arts;
and, in 1871, the University of Wis-
consin, that of LL.D., in recognition
of his services in behalf of the histori-
cal literature of the country, and his
unflagging efforts in building up a
great public library in Wisconsin. He
is either an honorary or corresponding
member of the principal historical
societies of the country.

Mr. Draper has been a man of much
system and persistent industry, never
getting wearied or discouraged in
whatever he undertakes. ‘‘ The frost-
king,” says F. A. Moore, ‘hag been
busy with his hair; yet his face and
eye and step retain the freshness and
elasticity of thirty. Seeing him now,
it is hard to comprehend the secret
force and energy that have inspired
him through all these long and patient
years; that have, again and again, sent
him through almost every nook and
cranny of the West and South in search
of any old scrap of letter, paper, or
relic, or to find the last man, woman,
or child that could shed light upon the
events and actions of the great pioneer
period of the West.’? ‘‘Our wonder
was,’’ observes the well-known biblio-
grapher, Joseph Sabin, “‘ that a man of
his slight physique could have accom-
plished a tithe of his work.”

Such is a brief notice of the man of
whose collections Jared Sparks ex-
pressed his amazement at their extent
thirty years ago; and whom Col. John
McDonald, himself a pioneer, and
author of ‘‘ Border Sketches,’’ denomi-
nated ‘The Western Plutarch.”

Hon. Morean L. Marrin.— He
was born at Martinsburg, Lewis Coun-
ty, N.Y., March 81, 1805, and graduated
at. Union College, New York, 1824. He
removed to Detroit, Mich., in 1826, and
to Green Bay in 1827, where he has
ever since resided. He was a member
of the legislative council of Michigan
from 1831 to 1885, a delegate to Con-
gress in 1845, and a member of the
legislative council of Wisconsin from
1845 to 1847. He was a member of
the Second Constitutional Convention
in 1848, member of the assembly in
1855, and of the senate in 1858-59, He
was postmaster in the United States
army from 1861 to 1865, and United

 

WISCONSIN. 799

States Indian agent from 1866 to 1869.
Mr. Martin is a lawyer by profession.
In politics, a war Democrat, but has
acted independently since the war.
Supported Gen. Grant at the last elec-
tion for the presidency. He was a
successful candidate for the assembly
in the fall of 1873, receiving five hun-
dred and ninety-nine votes against five
hundred and sixty for his opponent.
But few are now living who have been
identified longer or more prominently
with the history of the State than has
Mr. Martin; and none, perhaps, have
discharged the duties of office or pri-
vate citizen better than he. He is now
in his seventieth year, hale and hearty
as Many a younger man.

Hon. Joun Tapor Kineston. — He
was born in- St. Claire County, IIL,
Jan. 31, 1819. In the year 1829, his
father removed to Central Illinois. In
the spring of 1832, he removed with
his family to Chicago, but, on account
of the Sauk war, did not reach there
until the spring of 1833. In the fif-
teenth year of his age, the subject of
our sketch left home to seek his for-
tune in the Territory of Wisconsin.
He came to Racine, made a claim, and
built a house. After remaining there
some time, he,returned to his father’s
home. In March, 1833, he returned
again to his claim in Wisconsin. In
1842 he removed to Grand Rapids, and,
in 1848, to Neudah, his present home.
He was elected clerk of the board of
supervisors, register of deeds, and
county surveyor of Portage County,
in 1845; clerk of the circuit court in
1847; and elected to the State senate
in 1856-60; was appointed a trustee of
the Hospital for the Insane in 1870;
and, in 1872, was appointed a trustee
of the Northern Hospital for the In-
sane. He has held the office of town
clerk, chairman of the town board, or
president of the village, since the
organization of the town of Neudah, in
1853. He was member of the assem-
bly in 1874. Mr. Kingston is by occu-
pation a lumberman.

Hon. WALTER D. McINDOE. — He
was born in Scotland, March 30, 18/9.
He emigrated to this country in his
fifteenth year, and for a time was a
clerk in a large mercantile house in
New York city. For some years there-
after, he pursued the same business in
the cities of Charlestown, S.C., and
St. Louis, Mo. Early in the history of
Wisconsin, Mr. McIndoe settled within
its limits, and became extensively en-
gaged.in the lumber-business. Being
800

«a man of enlarged business-views, his
operations soon became quite exten-
sive, and he became generally known
to the people of our State as one of its
most enterprising and prosperous citi-
zens.

In the fall of 1849, he was elected to
the assembly of the State, and was an
able and useful member of that body
during the session of 1850. In politics
he was then an active member of the
Whig party. He was in the minority
party of that legislature, and, of course,
was not as conspicuous as he would
have been in the majority; but the
sound, practical qualities of his mind
gave him prominence with his fellow-
members of all parties. In the session
of 1854 he again represented his dis-
trict in the assembly in the same ac-
ceptable manner, not only to his own
immediate constituents, but to the
people of the whole State.

During the summer of 1854 the
Republican party of Wisconsin was
organized. Mr. McIndoe had a strong
attachment for the old Whig party,
and did not willingly yield up that
organization for the new one. In the
fall of that year he was again elected
to the assembly, but claimed to be
chosen as a Whig, and not as a Repub-
lican. A United States senator was
to be elected ; and, after a long struggle
in caucus, Charles Durkee received the
Republican nomination. This choice
was decidedly distasteful to the mem-
bers, who were inclined to still consider
themselves Whigs. After some days
spent in vain, Mr. McIndoe, with his
friends, finally yielded, and cast their
votes for Mr. Durkee, securing his
election. From this time Mr. McIndoe
became firmly identified with the Re-
paviieat party, of which organization

e has been an active, consistent, and
prominent member ever since.

In the fall of 1862 Hon. Luther Han-
chett, member of Congress of the then
Second District, died, and on the 30th
of December, at a special election, Mr.
McIndoe was elected to fill the vacancy
in the Second District for the Thirty-
seventh Congress, and for the full term

 

HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.

in the Thirty-eighth Congress for the
Sixth District under the then new ap-
portionment. In 1864 he was elected
as a member of the Thirty-ninth Con-
gress. He thus served two full terms
and a fraction of a term in the national
house of representatives. During this
time he was chairman of the Com-
mittee on Revolutionary Pensions, and
a member of the Committee on Indian
Affairs. In 1856, and again in 1860, he
was chosen as a presidential elector.

In 1857 Mr. McIndoe was a prom-
inent candidate for governor before
the State convention. At first the
contest was mainly between him and
Hon. E. D. Holton for the nomination.
It resulted, after a protracted struggle,
in the nomination of Hon. A. W. Ran-
dall, a new man.

Since his retirement from Congress,
he has attended wholly to his private
business, which had become somewhat
deranged from his long absence in the
public service.

He died at his residence in Wausau,
on the 22d of August, 1872, in the fifty-
fourth year of his age.

Hon. Patt Juneau. —Hon. Paul
Juneau was the second son of Hon.
Solomon Juneau, the founder of Mil-
waukee, and was the first-born of that
revered pioneer after his permancnt
settlement at the flourishing commer-
cial emporium of Wisconsin, on the
28th of April, 1823. In 1849 he was
elected member of the assembly from
the Juneau district, in Dodge County,
at which place and county he resided
the last years of his life. In 1852 he
was chosen register of deeds, which
office he held four years. He was acci-
dentally shot by a ball fired carelessly
and at random from a pistol at Juneau,
and died in a few minutes, —Aug. 13,
1858. At the time of his decease he
was a member of the assembly from
his district, and also clerk of the cir-
cuit court of Dodge County. He will
long be remembered for his many vir-
tues, and deeply regretted that his
should have been an end so untimely
and lamentable. Mr. Juneau was in
his thirty-fifth year.