THE LA CROSSE LEADER PRESS
3 June 1911HISTORY OF TOMAH INTERESTING STORY
HOW THE CITY WAS FOUNDED BY HARDY PARTY OF SCOTCH
One of the Prettiest Residence Towns of the State
Tomah, Wis., June 3. - An interesting history of Tomah is contained in
an article written by Steve F. Donovan, and read at the Tomah High school.
Extracts from it follow:
"When a little band of pioneers were seeking a site for their home
in the year 1856, they selected a spot in the heart of a rich farming
country, surrounded on all sides by picturesque hills, and named their
settlement Tomah. They chose the location well, for on the north of Tomah
is a very valuable cranberry marsh, worth many thousands of dollars today,
while to the south, the east and the west are located some of the finest
farms in Wisconsin. Tomah also has the advantage of good railroad service,
as it is located on the main line of the C., M. & St. P. railroad, and
is the division point of the Valley division. Inside of another year the
Northwestern railroad will be running a half-mile north of the city.
"The early people were nearly all Scotchmen, coming from Scotland
a few years previous to their settling at Tomah. Among the early settlers
were Robert Howie, William Cassells, R. E. Gillett, C. Hollister, R.
Robertson, the two Carr families, H. B. Sowle, R. Greenfield, John McLean
and James Garnock. These men were very kind and good to the Indians, and
in return they won the Indians' friendship and good will. Their way was a
model one in which to start the building of a village which was to grow
into our thrifty little city.
"The first house in the city was built near the present Benjamin
farm. It is an old log house, which can be seen to this day. The first
frame house was built directly west of Butts' Furniture store, and is
still standing, though a look at it will tell you that it has seen better
times, and that it has been many years since the first spade of earth was
taken up for the laying of its foundation. The first business place in the
little village was located where Franz Bros. are now conducting their
machine shop, while the second place of business was in the Third ward,
where Dunlap's store now stands. The place where the early settlers
received their mail, or the first postoffice, was built on the site of our
present high school. Mr. Cady Hollister was the first postmaster. Messrs,
Hanes and Kellogg, who had the distinction of being the first storekeepers
in Tomah, conducted their business in the place where Franz Bros. machine
shop now stands.
"The first schoolhouse in Tomah was built on grounds now occupied
by H. M. Sowle on McLean avenue, Runkle's bank, which was the first one to
start in Tomah, was located four doors north of our present city park. The
old settlers used to have their shoes 'cobbled' in a little shop which
stood on the present site of the Tomah Cash store. It was built on four
large posts, about six feet high, the high water marking it necessary to
build it in this manner. The first hotel in Tomah stood where M.
Gonderzicks' pop factory is now located. It was called the Rockwood house,
later changing its name to the Grand house. Where the first shoe shop was
located, and around that site for about two blocks, was nothing more than
a quagmire, and where Schultz's feed mill now stands cranberries could be
picked in the early '50s.
"Tomah was incorporated into a village in 1858. The first state
road was laid out from Tomah to Glendale, a village a few miles to the
south. At that time three stage coaches passed through Tomah, and met at
Sparta. One was from Baraboo, another from Black River Falls, while the
third one was from La Crosse.
"Tomah in 1882 was entitled to become a city, but it did not
receive its charter until November 20, 1894, when it became a city of the
fourth class. In the same year and in 1895, our present water works system
was put in operation, the big fire the year before, which burned one whole
block, making this protection necessary. Thomas McCall was the first mayor
of Tomah, and he was elected for one year.
"The period of most rapid growth, was from 1871 to 1875. The
principal cause for this growth was the building of the Valley division
out of Tomah. Many families came here to live, as they knew that Tomah was
to be the division point of the new road. The increase in population
during this period was nearly 500. There was also a very noticeable gain
in population from 1865 to 1867. The war was then over, and people began
to settle down and till the soil. R. E. Gillet's generosity to outside
people, offering them land to settle here, was another incentive which
helped to make our population what it now is.
"Though the lack of good water power will keep Tomah from becoming
a large city, nevertheless Tomah is a most ideal place to live in. It has
fine building locations, beautiful shade trees, which make it noted all
over western Wisconsin as the shade city; pure, healthful water, a fine
sewerage system, which has recently been put in, and it possesses many
other qualifications that go to make an idea residence town."
WARREN'S, FORMERLY WARREN MILLS
was first settled in 1868, by George Warren and James Gamble, who
formed a partnership, and put in a small portable sawmill in the year
mentioned. Mr. Gamble retired from the firm in February, 1875, and now
resides in Fox Lake, having been succeeded by F. G. Warren and W. A.
Barber, who with the former senior member of the firm, George Warren,
constitute the present firm of Warren & Co. The portable mill first
erected by Warren & Gamble, twenty-four years ago, was destroyed by
fire, and has been superseded by the present fine structure and large
works, which had at the time it was built all the latest improvements
for its capacity. The new mill commenced operations in January, 1876,
and was kept continuously running until 1888, since then the lumber at
Warren has been principally supplied by their Zeda mills eleven miles
north in Jackson county, Wisconsin, for which there is a supply of
standing timber sufficient to last until 1895, which date must terminate
the wholesale lumber trade at this point. Statements of this company's
operations aggregate cuts and lumber marketed in the past seventeen
years of upward of !50,000,000 feet, exclusive of shingles and lath,
which latter were cut in proportion. While the sawmill in Warrens has
only been in operation for from one to three months a year since 1888,
the planning mill and connected factories have largely increased their
work. The planning mill was added to the plant in 1881, and later, a box
and frame factory and wagon and sleigh factory and blacksmith shops. It
was at this time that the store buildings, hotel and main part of the
town were built. Prior to this, the town was composed of unpainted and
unplastered shanties. Their goods and buildings now cover a space of
upwards of forty acres, having drying sheds and numerous other
appliances for the carrying on of their business. They give employment
to an average of 115, males 107 and eight females. The store, belonging
to the company, contains all the mercantile products to be found in any
store of its size. It has four departments, carrying everything, even
agricultural machinery. In this establishment they average since 1884
upward of $50,000 annually in retail sales. They average fifty employees
in Warren mills: they also keep their own teams for logging. Beside
this, they have a feed mill also, there they grind all kinds of feed,
etc. The meat market is also under the management of the firm. They have
recently rented the hotel to A. M. Harriman. The little village was
built by the company, as most of the buildings belong to them. When a
lot is sold, they make the restriction that it shall not be used for the
sale of intoxicating liquors or for any immoral purpose. The village has
a population of 250 inhabitants. They have a good school building, which
was erected in 1881, having at present an attendance of seventy pupils.
The church was erected in 1886, and is of the Baptist denomination. All
of these improvements are due to the company's efforts. They hold in
real estate upwards of 15,000 acres, which lie in Monroe and Jackson
counties.
Biographical History of La Crosse, Monroe and Juneau Counties,
Wisconsin 1892
KENDALL KEYSTONE
Kendall, Wisconsin
24 January 1936
An Early History of the Town of Glendale and Village of Kendall by Mrs.
C. L. Kenyon (part 1)
As early as 1866 the Northwestern Railroad Co. started surveying from
Madison into the Northwest. Several routes were contemplated, but in the
summer of 1867 the roadway running from Elroy, through Glendale and the
present site of Kendall, and on to Sparta, was chosen. Grading was begun
in the spring. This same spring John and Bill Ingram came into Glendale
looking for a water power site to operate a flour mill. They bought land
from J. R. Lyon and built the dam above the bridge this side of Glendale.
The dam was completed in 1870. The overgowage backed up to just below
Glenwood Park and extended to within 200 fett of Archie Street's house. It
was a 22 foot head dam with 38 horse power. fishing and duck hunting
furnished a pleasant pastime for the natives. In the winter the skating
was excellent. Hill and Bahr operated the mill for a time and later it was
operated by J. F. Susan. It burned in 1880. In 1891 the dam went out for
the last time and was never rebuilt. During its existence, only one man
was drowned. He was a total stranger and carried his identity to his
grave.
During the winter of 1869-70, J. R. Lyon built a store in Glenddale. He
leased the building to a Portage firm which placed Robert Campbell in
charge of the store. This arrangement continued for four years when Lyon
and Campbell took over the management themselves. From that time on
Glendale grew rapidly. In 1872, Roscoe Dowd brought in a barrel stave
factory which employed from 15 to 20 men the year around. Dave Curl and
Gay Emmons ran a cooperage firm in connection with the stave factory.
Eight men were employed, who turned out 2 carloads of flour and cracker
barrels per week.
H. J. Moore built and ran the hotel. R. B. Dunlap had a big general
store as did John Cline. Andrew Riebolt and Henry Hoxman each owned a
blacksmith shop. Wm M. MackIntosh, E. Brown and Joe Cline owned wagon
shops. Glendale's only registered doctor was Dr. Reed, who also owned the
Hardware store and Lumber Yard. August Reindecker had a boot and shoe
store as well as a show repair shop. Mrs. Chestney ran the restaurant and
Pat Schens the butcher shop.
During 1870 to '71, work was pushed on the railroad. In 1872 the first
engin came as far as the dam with 3 or 4 flat cars loaded with rails which
were unloade and taken toward Kendall by sleigh.
In 1869 the new 2 room school house was built on the site of teh old
one-room affair. In 1921 the present school was built.
On July 4, 1876, Glendale celebrated its 100th birthday. (I believe
this date should have been "10th birthday" and is just a
newspaper typo. note of Diana Heser Morse) Four fife and drum corps were
hired for the occasion, one member of which was the late W. A. Hedding.
Star Loveland, a Civil War beteran, led the music. Glendale has never been
host to such a gathering since that time.
Leander and Smith Shuman played for the dance in the old hall voer
Lyon's store. The men all wore chin whiskers and the women wore long
skirts with their hair hanging down their backs. Popular dances of that
time were the Lances, Money Musk, Virginia Reel, Racket and Newport. After
the word was given to "swing your partners" and the music began,
the air was filled with calico and whiskers.
In 1874, Erastus De Wolf built the first church in Glendale. In 1884
the M. E. conference bought the building. They tore it down and rebuilt
the church which now stands. Jacob Clingman was the first pastor.
J. W. Reed, United Bretheran minister, held services over Jim Lyon's
store.
In 1881, the stave factory left Glendale. This marked the beginning of
its decline. In 1883, R. B. Dunlap moved his store to Kendall where
Grammon's store now stands. Some of the buildings were torn down, some
burned until only Andy Riebolt's blacksmith shop and the old store are
left.
Eight dwelling houses of the old guard are standing in Glendale,
sentinel ghosts of memorable by-gone days. They are: Frank Moore's and Jim
Wallace's, where Mrs. Abbott lives, Chan Dowd's, the present Ludwig Era
home, J. W. Dunlap, Miss Bohn's home. Grant Champlin lives in the Dave
Jones house, Henry Champlin in the John Shaw house. Johnson' live in the
Andrew Reboldt home and Fred Shearer in the old Campbell house.
Glendale today is only full of memories to the old timers.
KENDALL KEYSTONE
Kendall, Wisconsin
14 February 1936
An Early History of the Town of Glendale and Village of Kendall by Mrs.
C. L. Kenyon (part 2)
In the year 1877 the present village of Kendall was born. At the time a
man by the name of Kendall bought the site of the Thruman Thrope place and
laid out the village as it is today. Of course there have been some
additions, such as the section bought by George Evans from Lewis Buswell
and named Evansville. The Thrope family donated the village the present
school site, the cemetery, the old Methodist church, and the depot and
yards.
James Mist built and operated the first htoel where the Hotel Kendall
now stands. Mist was the father of Bert Mist of Kendall, Fanny, now
deceased and PHoebe, Mrs. John Schnell, who lives at Thorpe, Wisconsin.
Ezra Ingles bought the hotel from Mist after a few years, remodeled the
building and continued the business. There was competition in the hotel
business even in those days and Henry Pennewell, noting the success of the
Mist venture, built a hotel of his own, the present home of Mark Wildes,
and called it the Morthwestern Hotel. Both hotels did a thriving business.
Henry Pennewell's home was the present Langley house. His son, Monroe
Pennewell, lives on a farm on the outskirts of Kendall today.
The first store in Kendall, the Charles Shcroeder building, was built
by George Hall. His home was the present Andrew Felker residence. During
the 80's, this store built by Hall, was remodeled and made into a town
hall owned by the township of Glendale. The hall was a community center
where both dances and church services were held at different times.
Where Thomas Olson's store now stands, Charley Burrington and Rube
Lockwood set up business.
The first postmaster was George Evans Sr. The post office was on the
site of the Smith Bakery. In those days, a postmaster was allowed to add
to his income by outside activities and Mr. Evans conducted a jewelry
repair business in addition to his regular postal duties.
Charles Rieck was the first undertaker and furniture dealer in the
community. His place of business was the Ed. Bunk restaurant but at that
time it stood on the corner now occupied by the Farmers & Merchants
Bank. When Rieck sold the corner to the bank, the building was moved.
The Methodist church was the first church in Kendall. It occupied the
land in the southeast corner of the Glendale cemetery. In 1913 it was torn
down and pieces of it were incorporated into the new church.
28 February 1936
The late Abert Heding was a school master in the Kendall school for
several years. some of the older living citizens were his pupils, among
them, Louise Gammon, Clara Richardson, Tip and Nan Pierson, Luther and
Arthur Buswell, Lu Smith, Geo. Evans and Jim and Jess Cutland. Mr. Heding
undoubtedly had many a sly smile when he heard these former pupils of his
admonish their children to be good and mind the teacher. From their own
stories, they made life interesting for Mr. Heding, but he was not one to
spare the rod and spoil the child, so that all their lives they respected
and liked him. During the alter years of his life he was the postmaster.
Mary O'Boyle, for several years, kept a restaurant and bakery on the
present site of the Post Office. Later, Warren Waffle took over this
building and operated a grocery store. Warren is the son of H. P. Waffle,
our oldest living Civil War Veteran. H. P. Waffle was supervisor for the
Town of Glendale for many years. Incidentally, H. P. and his brother
William, who lives in California, are the two oldest living Civil War
veteran brothers from Wisconsin. Flossie, H. P.'s youngest child, died in
infancy and he later adopted a daughter whose name is Pearl and who now is
Mrs. Jim Archer, Jr. and lives in California. Mrs. John Kelly's farm is
the old Waffle place. H. P. Waffle now lives with his son and wife, Mr.
and Mrs. W. W. Waffle and is loved and known to the entire community as
"grandpa" Waffle. Dell Rist now lives on the old L. Harris farm.
L. Harris, father of the late George Harris and grandfather of Mrs. Dell
Rist and Alvadore Harris, was a pioneer settler.
Benj. Dunning, father of Willis Dunning and Mrs. Julia Coleman, lived
on the present Willis Dunning farm. Mr. Benj. Dunning served on the school
board for many years as did his son Willis. One of the oldest and best
established businesses in Kendall is the W. I. Kreps Photo Gallery. Mr.
Kreps is a small-town photographer, but in quality of workmanship, he
ranks with the best of the big city artists. People come from many of the
larger towns near by when they want an especially fine job of photography
done. Mrs. Kreps works with him and she has contributed much to her
husband's success and reputation for craftsmanship. They have a daughter
Maude, who lives in Madison and a son James , or "Jimmy", as he
is familiarly known, who has a large studio in De Forest. Jimmy has
followed in the footsteps of his father and his success is evidenced by
the fact that some of his pictures hang in the art galleries of some of
the world's largest cities. Jim is also a music teacher, but credit for
his success in photography Jim accords to the training he received in his
father's gallery here in Kendall.
LA CROSSE TRIBUNE AND LEADER-PRESS
13 October 1933
CASHTON, FOUNDED BY W. H. CASH, PERCHES ATOP VERNON COUNTY
Once Known as Hazen's Corners, Name Changed to Honor Founder.
Editor's Note; This is one of a series of stories on how town in "La
Crosse Land" were named.)
by Esther A Stenerson
Cashton, Wis. - (Special) - The village of Cashton is located on the
elevation seven hundred feet above the county seat of Monroe County. It is
just eighteen miles sound of Sparta in the town of Jefferson.
In the year 1878 W. H. Cash made a contract to build a railroad from
Sparta to Cashton. The road was completed in 1879. In September of that year
William Byer came from Sparta and purchased the first lot of ground to be
sold in the village, upon which he erected a small building. A few days
later P. E. Nelson came from Viroqua, and the village had its start.
The settlement grew rapidly, there being nine business places and two
dwellings erected that same fall. There were but three married men in the
settlement as Mr. and Mrs. Byer took advantage of the lack of housekeepers
and cooks, and started a rooming and boarding house which later developed
into a hotel that is still doing business
One of the chief difficulties that confronted the early residents was the
water supply. During the first two or three years the "water
works" consisted of four barrels which were kept in a building near the
depot. A man was engaged to haul the water from a spring, some distance
away, and the people went to him for their water supply.
for a few years after the railroad was built this thriving settlement was
called Hazen's Croners. It was because of the persistent efforts of W. H. H.
Cash, who built railroad and who owned and controlled a vast portion of the
village property, that the name was changed to Cashton.
In June, 1892, 13 years after its beginning, the village of Cashton was
incorporated. There are still many of the early business men living. John
Cremer, P. E. M*by, and Martin Jackson.
ANGELO
Directly west of Sparta is situated the town of Angelo. The first
settlement was made by Dr. Seth Angel and his brother Loyd in the year 1852.
The latter took up a farm, while the doctor built a saw mill and house
within the limits of the present village of Angelo. Dr. Angel's saw mill, at
this early day, was the only one nearer than Esau Johnson's on the Kickapoo,
and the settlers were often compelled to wait in line for hours for their
turn to come to get boards. On the third day of May, 1856, the village was
platted, taking its name from the town, which was named in honor of the
family who first settled it. The population of the town and village is about
450; that of the village will not exceed fifty. The farming land about the
town is unusually fine, the principal grain products being wheat and corn.
History of Northern Wisconsin 1881
CATARACT
Is a little village situated in to\vn of Little Falls, has a school and
church, also a large flouring mill, run by Messrs. Moffat & Scantleing.
The surrounding country is a fine agricultural district.
History of Northern Wisconsin 1881
LEON
The first settlement in tlie town was made by Ephraim Shaw, who arrived
in June, 1851. Mr. Shaw took up land and went to farming. The farm was
afterward sold to Robert Smith, who, in 1830 (is date wrong in book,
possibly 1881?), erected a handsome brick house almost upon the same
site where Mr. Shaw's house stood. In August of 1851, W. J. Austin arrived
in Leon, taking up 1,400 acres of land, 100 of which he cleared the first
Summer. Mr. Austin says: "I came to this country to make money, and I
have made it." The fifth season he gathered a crop of 12,000 bushels of
grain, 9,000 of which being oats, the balance wheat and corn.
On the fourteenth day of November, 1853, the village was surveyed and
platted, and begins at the quarter post on the section line between Section
10 and II, in Town 16, north of Range 4, west of fourth principal meridian,
thence running east on the quarter line of Section 11, to the Little La
Crosse River; thence up said river to the south line of northwest quarter of
southwest quarter of Section 11 ; thence with on said line to the quarter
line of Section 10; thence east three chains and ninety links to the place
beginning. The village contains about twenty-four acres. North of Leon about
one mile is the Leon Cemetery, platted October 10, 1865. The lots are laid
out very nicely, being 10x20 feet, with the walks twelve feet wide. First
house either in town or village was built by Ephraim Shaw, June 1851. In
July, same year, R. S. Kingman and his two brothers, Rosalvo and Alvarado,
came to the county from Ashtabula, Ohio, and settled in Leon. At this time,
there was a great many came into the town, settling in different parts of
the valley, among whom was a man by the name of Metzgar, who afterward moved
to Portland, settling in the extreme south of that town. First post-office
was established in 1856, but was discontinued a few years later, but has
since been re-established. In 1861, a grist-mill was built by C. F. Western,
who ran it about a year, when it was purchased by Mr. Austin, in 1862. The
mill has four run of stone. Mr. Austin did a large business, turning out
from 100 to 150 barrels of flour per day. The mill is situated on the Little
La Crosse River, having a waterpower, equal to 48-horse power. There are
three churches in the village, the Methodist, Congregational and Adventists.
Tiie Methodist meetinghouse was erected March, 1869, and the Congregational
a little later in same year. The Adventist's was not built until 1878. Leon
Valley, in this town, is settled by a thrifty class of farmers, who have,
many of them, realized considerable wealth by patient and careful
cultivation of the soil. The general products are wheat, oats and corn. The
population of the town and village is 975, the village claiming about
sixty-five inhabitants.
History of Northern Wisconsin 1881
CASHTON
This is a village of about one hundred inhabitants. In 1854 Thompson
Hazen, who had settled in the pines on the Kickapoo in 1849, came to this
locality, building him a house about two miles south of the present village
of Cashton. From this circumstance, and owing partly to the fact of Mr.
Hazen keeping "open house," the neighborhood was known as "
Hazen's," or " Hazen's Corner." The village of Cashton was
surveyed and platted for Col. Cash, on the thirteenth day of September,
1879, the boundary line commencing sixty rods from north quarter-post, on
south side of Section 30, Town 15. Since the platting, the town has grown
very much, having at the present time eight stores, including the general
stores, two blacksmith shops and one wagon shop. One hotel, called after the
village, the Cashton House, one church building, a post-office and a
warehouse. The post-office was established in the Spring of 1880, at which
time Mr. Surdam was appointed Postmaster. The first building erected was the
warehouse, by Messrs. Coates & Little, in 1879. This same year the
Viroqua branch of the C, M. & St. P. R. R., passed through, and erected
a station, adjoining the warehouse. In 1880, this village had but thirteen
buildings, and a population of sixty-five. There has been several additions
made to the village since the original plat was made, and improvements are
being made, that will make of it a place of interest in the county.
History of Northern Wisconsin 1881
MELVINA
The first settler in the town of Jefferson was Thomas Rathbun, in 1855.
His claim laid about half a mile south of what is now the village of Melvina.
The same year he was joined by Richard Cole, who settled near him upon what
is known as the Cole-Rathbun branch. The first house was erected by Mr.
Rathbun, 1855, the first school being started by Miss Sarah Osborne, the
following year. From this time, the town commenced to grow very rapidly,
settlers coming in in great numbers, and making their claims in various
parts of the town. The village of St. Mary's was settled at this time. The
population of the town now aggregates about 1,075 inhabitants, including the
villages of Melvina, Cashton and St. Mary's.
This village is situated on the line of the Viroqua branch of the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, which passes directly through
the town. The first man to settle within the limits of the village was Capt.
C. Hunt, who arrived in 1866, and built the first house, which he still
occupies, having, however, made considerable improvements during the last
few years. Capt. Hunt at this time bought a farm of about 400 acres, and
commenced raising grain. A few years later, he disposed of about 200 acres,
and used the balance for the purpose of raising stock. In this he has had
remarkably great success, particularly with sheep and horned cattle. During
this and the following year, there there were quite a number arrived and
settled in the village.
The post-office was established in 1867, and Capt. Hunt appointed
Postmaster. In 1869, he built the grist-mill, putting in two run of stone,
with capacity for grinding 200 bushels per day. The mills are still owned
and operated by Capt. Hunt, and are known as " Hunt's Mills." One
of the features of Melvina is the large fish-pond of Capt. Hunt, which he
has well stocked with speckled trout, perch and California salmon. The pond
is kept well-supplied with water from the Little La Crosse River, which
passes through
and about the village, upon which stream Hunt's mills are situated. The
village was surveyed and platted December II, 1866, and is situated on the
northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 6, Town 15, Range 3.
The population is estimated at seventy-five; has one church building, used
in common by all denominations; one hotel, one general store, cheese
factory, post-office, grist mill, school-house and blacksmith shop.
History of Northern Wisconsin 1881
GREENFIELD
Post-office, called Tunnel City, is located on the C, M. & St. P. R.
R., near the tunnel: was settled up when the tunnel was built. The place is
noted for its immense shipment of berries, blueberries, huckleberries and
blackberries being the principal.
History of Northern Wisconsin 1881
NORWALK
This village is located on the main line of the Chicago &
Northwestern Railroad, in the town of Ridgevilie. It was platted on the
twenty-fifth day of October, 1872, and, according to survey, lies in the
northwest quarter of the southeast quarter, and northeast quarter of the
southwest quarter of Section 28, Town 16. The first settlers in the village
were S. McGary and C. G. Hetman. The first house built in the village was
put up by D. M. Dolson, in 1872. Following this, almost immediately, was the
farm house of Mr. McGary and the Norwalk House, a hotel, built by Mr. John
Hoyning. Mr. Hoyning also built the first store, this same year, opening
with a general stock of goods at once. The Post-office was established the
following year, Mr. Hoyning being appointed as Postmaster. The village
claims a population about 280 inhabitants. There are about sixty houses; the
principal business, farming. There are two general stores, a blacksmith and
wagon shop, marble yard and two hotels. The village is in the southern
portion of town of Ridgeville (No. 16); it nestles among the hills and
valleys of one of Nature's parks, being surrounded by gently undulating
country, whose smooth, though not level, surface is desirably broken and
varied by the rich growth of timber, which skirt the hillside in the
distance. The one school in the village is supplied with an efficient
teacher, and is thorough in all its departments. The people have not yet
succeeded in having a church building erected, but a few of them of the
Congregational denomination, have banded themselves together and worship in
each other's houses, alternately.
History of Northern Wisconsin 1881
WILTON
In the town of Wilton, on Section 32. The village was laid out in 1871,
on E. Enderby's and C. Farmer's land. The village contains a Catholic,
Methodist, and a United Brethren Church, a fine school-house, five stores,
two hotels, one grist mill, a wagon shop and two blacksmith shops. T. L.
Martin is the Postmaster. Population 325. The town of Wilton was organized,
April, 1856.
History of Northern Wisconsin 1881
GLENDALE
This village is situated in town of Glendale, Section 14, on the C. &
N. \V. R. R.; was laid out in 1875; has one church (Episcopal) and a
school-house; one store, a blacksmith shop and a grist-mill. Population,
100. The town of Glendale was organized in April, 1856.
History of Northern Wisconsin 1881
KENDALL
Is situated on Section 10, town of Glendale, also on the C. & N. W.
R. R. It contains extensive stave works, and is quite a shipping point. The
village has a church (Methodist), a school-house, numerous stores, and, with
its stave works, grist-mill and railroad machine shops, the place presents a
busy village ; population, 350.
History of Northern Wisconsin 1881
MILLS
Rudd's Mill, Warren Mills, and Lowrie's Mill Station, are railroad
stations on the C, St. P., M. & O. R. R., where lumber is manufactured
to quite an extent. Herseyville, LaFayette and Oakdale, are small stations
on the C., M. & St. P. R. R.
History of Northern Wisconsin 1881
Cashton Wisconsin Record
11 March 1905
In the Early Days (Melvina)
The readers of the Record might appreciate a few words of early
reminiscences of the southwestern part of Monroe county, and incidental
happenings a little more than a quarter of a century ago, or previous to the
birth of Cashton.
At that time Melvina was the western metropolis of the county. The writer
made a visit to Melvina not long ago, and while there naturally made
inquiries about the early settlers of that little prosperous burg which is
so compactly built close to the hill, that affords such solid fortification
on the west. It is a thriving little hamlet. but getting back to early
history, the writer found all the early settlers gone, some dead and others
removed, so that scarcely a single person who resided there in the early
times was to be found.
On the first visit to the burg in the year 1878, we met and got
acquainted with that good sturdy citizen, Captain C. A. Hunt, who everybody
remembers. The captain at that time, was a leading figure in both political
and social life and was so looked upon by the people of Monroe county. The
second visit to Melvina was in 1880. At this time, took part in a republican
caucus, to elect delegates to the congressional convention to nominate a
candidate to succeed Judge H. L. Humphrey, of St. Croix county. In this
campaign there were two active candidates, Hon. T. F. Thorp and Wm. T.
Price, of Black River Falls. There existed a great political feud between
the late Gov. Rusk and W. T. Price which entered into this campaign and the
contest was a hot one resulting in the defeat of both candidates and the
re-nomination of Judge Humphrey. In this contest Captain Hunt took a
prominent part, as it will be remembered that ex-Gov. Rusk and Captain Hunt
were political friends. When the convention convened at Sparta, so hot was
the contest that the delegates held two different conventions, one favoring
T. J. Thorp, was led by Hunt and Mr. Price conducted the other one in his
own behalf. It will be remembered that Uncle Jerry Rusk succeeded C. C.
Washburn in congress in 1870, and served six years, during these years W. T.
Price labored hard to capture his seat and compel Uncle Jerry to go back to
Viroqua, but did not succeed until 1882, when Rusk was elected governor,
that he reached the point aimed for in his life. Mr. Price served in the
58th and part of the 59th congress from this the 7th congressional district
after having spent his life and fortune to gratify his political ambition.
These heroes are dead and gone, but the result of their labor still
remains fresh among a great many of our men to this day. N.E.P.
(submitted by Diana Heser Morse)
VILLAGES OF
THE COUNTY
VILLAGE OF CASHTON
Eighteen miles south of Sparta, on an elevation 700 feet above the county
seat of Monroe county, overlooking one of the prettiest districts of farm
lands in western Wisconsin, stands the village of Cashton. The land where
the village is located is on section thirty, township fifteen, north of
range three west, in the town of Jefferson, and was formerly owned by Andrew
Nelson and Hans Larson, the latter of whom is still living near the village.
On September 28, 1879, William Byer came to the place from Sparta and
bought the first lot sold where the Mitchell building stands at present, on
the corner of Front and Broadway streets, and on this lot Mr. Byer started
to erect a small building. Two or three days later Peter E. Nelson arrived
on the scene and thus the Village of Cashton made its start. There was no
place to board, and Mr. Nelson had his food sent up to him from Viroqua for
about three weeks. During the fall of 1879 nine business places and two
dwelling houses were built: the business buildings were William Byer,
shoeshop and boarding house; H. D. Tate, merchandise; W. H. H. Cash and W.
Surdam, merchandise; Lee and Holderson, grain warehouse: Coats & Company
and P. Sederson, grain warehouses: Lars Peterson, blacksniith shop; John J.
Krain, a saloon; Newbury & Wagner. lumber office and the depot of the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company. Mr. Byer boarded a large
number of the earliest citizens, as there were no married men in the village
for some time except himself, M. Daniels, who was the depot agent, and Lars
Peterson. His beds were made of two by fours and boards nailed together and
filled with straw, and the boarders were obliged to sleep three in a bed.
Early in the spring of 1880 a new start in building was made by Utziner
& Dahl, who built a hotel and saloon; Hansen & Bates, hardware
store; Mr. Tony, a grocery store; and Dr. J. B. Growbridge, the first
physician, arrived and occupied the second story of the Bates store as his
office, and in the spring erected a small building and opened a drug store.
In the fall of 1880 Mr. Frank Dule, Sr., moved from Newry and erected the
building now owned by his estate and the Odd Fellows jointly, and the same
fall O. J. Cremer erected a saloon on the north corner of what is now the
Heilmann property. James Lord, who was running a small store at Hazen's
corner, moved to the village and went into business there. George Hargrade
also built a wagon shop the same year, and Louis Perkins a blacksmith shop
and a residence.
One thing that troubled the people of Cashton very much during the first
years of the existence of the village was the water supply. For a long time
the only water works in the village were four barrels which were set in a
small building near the depot, and Mr. P. P. Mitby was engaged to haul water
from the railroad tank and from Jersey's spring, and the people went to him
for their water. A little later Mr. Cash made a contract with someone to
drill a well to furnish water for the village, and agreed to give a public
square on the west side for a park if the well was completed, but it failed
to materialize and so Cashton is still without her park, although there is
now a sufficient water supply.
In June, 1881, the citizens met for the purpose of devising a way to
provide sufficient water for the village, and propositions were made and
accepted for a well which was drilled by John Minroth, in the street, near
Broadway, then a part of the town of Jefferson, permission having been given
by said town to have the well drilled. A water association was organized and
its officers were: President, M. Daniels; vice president, J. Dahl:
secretary, John King; treasurer, John Konper; trustees, J. W. Wagner, G. V.
Hargrave and P. E. Nelson. On May 31, 1892, the water association voted to
turn over its property to the village of Cashton, which was incorporated
June, 1892. An election having been previously held to determine the
question, which result was a vote of fifty-five for and ten against it.
The village for some time after the railroad was built was called
"Hazen's Corners," but by the persistent efforts of Mr. Cash, who
owned and controlled a large portion of the village property and who built
the railroad for the company, it was christened "Cashton."
On May, 23, 1892, the first election was held, there being sixty-two
votes cast; the following officers were elected: President, P. E. Nelson;
trustees, John Cremer, Martin Jackson, A. Roessler, Frank Delle, A. A. Du
Mez and L. A. Lane; clerk, E. E. Gaines; treasurer, C. H. Campbell; police
justice, A. Heizer; justice of the peace, L. B. Perkins; marshal, C. M.
Culver; constable, William Schrier. The village in the last ten or twelve
years has made rapid strides in improvements, putting in quite a little
macadam streets and enjoying water works and an electric light plant.
A bank was organized at Cashton by Watson Earle, John C. Ford, L. W.
Earle, Peter Nelson and some others, which conducted a good business as a
private bank for a number of years, but in order to conform to the state
law, it was incorporated in 1903; it subsequently built the handsome
building in which it has its home. The bank has been well managed under the
direction of L. M. Earle, its cashier, and enjoys the confidence of the
community, and serves a large clientage of depositors.
The population is today about 568, and the present officers of the
village are: E. O. Dosch, president; P. J. Hegge, clerk; L. M. Earle,
treasurer; J. H. Wilgrubs, assessor; John Cremer, supervisor; Emet Peterson
and H. S. Evert, justices of the peace. On Wednesday, October 5, 1904, the
village had a grand jubilee celebration of a quarter of century of its
existence and an elaborate program carried out which was much enjoyed by the
thousands of people who came to participate. There is a high school and
graded schools, conducted by a corps of competent teachers, giving fine
educational facilities to the children of the village: the high school being
taken advantage of by many pupils from surrounding towns.
The Congregational Church, of Cashton. is the only church in tlie
village. It was organized September 22, 1892. Practically all the citizens
subscribed liberally for the erection of a house of worship. The amount
subscribed and $500.00 from the Congregational Church Building Society, of
New York, constituted the "Building Fund.'' The building was soon
completed and regular church work started. Mr. A. A. Du Mez has been Sunday
school superintendent from the first. Mrs. Rena (Johnson) Barth has been the
faithful organist.
The pastors who have served the church are the following: Rev. John
Willan, Rev. Henry S. Evert, Rev. Lewis B. Nobis, Rev. James Rowe, Rev.
Christian S. Johnson, Mr. Richard G. Heddon and Rev. Henry S. Evert, the
present pastor. The church has been thoroughly remodeled and recarpeted and
rewired for best electric lights, thus making it a modern structure. The
parsonage and church are together valued at about $3,600 to $4,000.
KENDALL
The history of the village of Kendall begins with the assurance of the
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad in 1870 and its completion in 1872. It
was the civilizer of this then wild region. The man from whom the place took
its name was a railroad contractor and never was a resident. He bought a
considerable portion of the land on which the village is built while helping
put the railroad through. In the early fifties, however, a railroad survey
was made up the valley, and this, with the promise of a grist mill at
Glendale, was the inducement held out to prospective settlers and purchasers
of land by Jason Weaver, of Ohio, who had preempted most of the available
government land.
For twenty years before the railroad was built the pioneers of Clifton
and Glendale townships did their milling and merchandising at Mauston,
Wonewoc, Wilton, Sparta, New Lisbon and Elroy. The pioneers often carried in
from these places on their backs the bare necessaries of life, or when they
could they used ox teams, it was not until about 1861 that horses began to
be used. Because of the unusual advantages, for this rough country,
presented by the location occupied by the village for yards, tracks and
switching purposes, a larger tract other than the right of way was secured
by the railroad company. A fourteen stall round house was built, and this
was the center of a busy crew of artisans required to run the shops and
machinery used in making and repairing for the company. The village was
incorporated October 8, 1894, when O. B. Wyman was circuit judge. Walter
Baxter was the first president, and the first trustees were Andrew Felker,
G. F. Lillie, Charles Torrence, John Kier, W. S. Canney and James Gammon:
other officers were W. T. Cutland, clerk; G. L. Adrion, treasurer; John
Rose, assessor; Lewis Buswell, supervisor; Thomas Pierson, marshal; Samuel
McQueen, constable, and R. B. Dunlap, justice of the peace. Thus the rule
was transferred from the town board, which met
at the village of Glendale.
The first setback the village had was in 1886, when the railroad division
was moved to Baraboo: that took away a large number of families, but other
things eame to fill the vacancies and Kendall still enjoyed the advantage of
being a registry station and the end of the "hill division."'
where extra crews and engines were kept to double over the three tunneled
hills between the village and Sparta. This railroad condition continued
until the completion of the new line from Sparta to Milwaukee. The round
house and coal sheds were then closed, the station force reduced and most of
the remaining railroad men transferred to points on the new line, over which
the bulk of the freight was now sent; this, however, has had no noticeable
effect upon the business and prosperity of the village.
The second great drawback experienced by the village was on March 31,
1893, when a fire started in the brick veneer store of G. F. Lillie and
wiped out the entire block of frame buildings. Plans were at once made to
rebuild on a more substantial basis. Inside of a month the work of erection
was begun, brick replacing the old frame structures, and by September 30th
the splendid buildings now adorning the street were occupied by their owners
and business was going along better than ever before.
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS
Immediately after the fire Henry Senz, then a resident of Clifton, bought
the corner owned by J. J. Kelley and built one of the best hotel structures
in any small town of the West. The hotel is now owned and conducted bv J. L.
Hayward. In October, 1903, the Kendall State Bank was incorporated by G. R.
Hill, O. R. Holmes, L. H. Felker and Charles Marquette. Since then it has
twice increased its capital and in 1911 completed and occupied its own
handsome brick building. The village has five general stores, two hardware
stores, a strong agricultural firm, a drug and jewelry store, two grist
mills, a splendid farmers' creamery, two blacksmiths, two physicians,
furniture store, lumber yard, harness shop, two real estate dealers, two
hotels, restaurant, dentist, telephone system, photographer, barber, dray
line, livery, four churches and three saloons. At this writing the village
is putting in a waterworks system. Not the least important factor in the
life and progress of the village is its newspaper, the Kendall Keystone. The
paper was established in January. 1904, by Clarence S. Dodge. In July, 1905,
it was purchased by Alexander K. McCleneghan, who has since conducted it. He
came to Kendall from the desk of a city daily newspaper, but as a youth he
had learned the mechanical part of the business in a country newspaper
office, and his practical experience in every branch of the work has enabled
him to make the Keystone one of the brightest and most prosperous country
papers in the state.
CHURCHES OF KENDALL
As near as can be ascertained Methodist preaching began in this vicinity
as far back as 1854. "Grandpa" Moore preached in school houses for
a number of years until the Rev. M. Doolittle took charge of the work. The
first church building was erected soon after; later the building now in use
was built and the old one sold to the Baptist denomination. The Glendale
Methodist Church is connected with this charge and is supplied by the same
minister. The church building there was purchased from the Episcopalians,
who have no present organization. Later Wilton was also made a part of the
same charge. Hoffman Corners was formerly included, but the membership was
so reduced by removals that in 1911 services were discontinued there and the
building sold.
The history of the Baptist Church antedates the Civil War, when, in 1858,
one Elder Stevens, a pro-slavery southerner, began preaching in Glendale.
The church became disrupted during the war and was not revived until 1874.
In that year J. H. Bowker
organized the Baptist Church of Kendall and Glendale, afterwards taking in
Elroy. It was perhaps due to the efforts of John Baldwin, resident here
until his death, that the organization owes its continued existence. The
church building purchased from the
Methodists was used until 1910, when the present modern building was
erected. The Baptists now have as handsome a church home as can be found in
any village of the size in the state and maintain all the customary church
activities.
The Catholic Church began its existence in Kendall thirty years ago, the
Rev. Father Kellar being the first pastor. He was followed by Father J. H.
Herman, who resided in Union Center and had charge of the churches of that
place, Elroy, Kendall and Wilton. When the church was first organized in
Kendall there were but few families to support it; the building of the
church depended upon those few and though started immediately after the
society was formed it stood for five years with only the roof and sheathing
as a protection against the rigors of winter. Previous to its erection the
services were held in halls and private houses. The present building was
completed about twenty-three years ago, but in 1911 was extended and much
improved to meet the needs of a large, growing and prosperous congregation.
The present pastor, the Rev. J. H. McAteet, has had charge of the churches
at Kendall and Wilton for twelve years, living at Wilton and holding service
at the two places on alternate Sundays. He is now located at Kendall, the
Wilton church being in charge of another pastor. At this writing the church
here is erecting a $3,000 home for its pastor; it has become the strongest
of all the churches in the village.
The German Lutheran Church has a brief history. The Kendall society was
organized in 1909 by the Rev. Otto Engle, who came from Milwaukee, and a
fine church building was at once erected and dedicated. The communion is a
growing one, embracing many farmers and families adjacent to the village.
The pastor resides at Norwalk and has charge of the church there, also
holding service in the Kendall church every third Sunday.
SOCIETIES
Kendall Assembly, No. 265, Equitable Fraternal Union, was instituted
December 23, 1902, with seventeen charter members. The first officers were:
President. Herbert Mist: treasurer, E. R. Gallagher: secretary, Jesse W.
Jones. There are now fifty-five members in good standing.
The Camp of Modern Woodmen of America was organized in August, 1888, with
thirteen members. Al Wyman was the first consul and Dr. G. R. Hill the first
clerk and medical examiner. The membership at one time was over 100.
Tunnel Lodge, Knights of Pythias, was organized August 21, 1907, with
thirty-five charter members. G. R. Evans was the first chancellor commander.
The present membership is fifty-four.
In 1910 a Lodge of Beavers was organized. This had a brief existence,
some of the members connecting themselves with the order elsewhere.
The Mystic Workers organized September 12, 1903, with ten charter
members. The organization is still in good condition.
WILTON
Until the first half, of the nineteenth century the present site of the
village of Wilton and vicinity was the camping ground of the Kickapoo
Indians who roamed unmolested over this territory hunting the deer and the
bear and waging war on their neighbors, the Mascotines and the Miamis. From
them comes the name of the river which rises in a southern part of the
county in the fertile valley in the vicinity of Ontario.
But civilization was bound to make its way and in 1842 Esau Johnson, of
Prairie du Chien, as has already been described in another part of this
work, loaded his goods on a raft and with his family came up the Wisconsin
and Kickapoo rivers across the rich farming land that had just been surveyed
near the source of the Kickapoo river; he landed in the town of Sheldon at a
point somewhere about half way between what is now Ontario and Wilton; he
was the first settler near Wilton, but was soon followed by others who came
in with ox teams from their old homes to the new: sometimes a family came
alone and others came in groups of two or three families. It was a wild
country, far from being civilized and it is related that one settler upon
seeing the situation said: '"Surely God made this country for the
Indians and we ought to let them have it."
The first settlers took up land paying ten shillings an acre for it and
as soon as possible built a little log cabin, and their lives for the first
few years was not of the most pleasant. Money was scarce and as is the
custom in all new settlements the inhabitants borrowed tea, flour, sugar and
cooking utensils of each other in order to keep going.
Sparta was the nearest railroad town or shipping point of any consequence
and the road to it was over rough ground filled with stumps and holes, and
there flour could be purchased for $5 per hundred. One neighbor would make a
trip, doing errands for the whole community and then jolt home again. Mail
was brought from Sparta in saddle bags once a week, the carrier stopping to
leave it at each door.
Wages were low and few could afford to hire men and many a man was glad
to get work at 75 cents a day. The woods abounded in game, however, and it
was not hard to provide fresh meat for the family table. After the farms
were fairly started better buildings were erected upon them, and in 1855 Mr.
Rhodes built a saw mill in the eastern part of what in time became the
village of Wilton.
This, the first industry within the limits of the village, was soon
followed by others. In 1856 Mr. Kinmore started a store in his dwelling
house, now known as the Stedman place. Roads were improved and a stage line
was established from Sparta once a week, bringing mail and passengers. A
post office was established in Mr. Hillyer's house and this gentleman also
started a blacksmith shop. Mr. Miller and Mr. Grey erected a grist mill
where Vogel's mill now stands and soon afterwards Mr. Chapman built a little
store near the mill. A Mr. Endrey built what was called Hickory Hall, being
the first public hall in the village, the lower part of which was used as a
store and the hall above for church services and social gatherings.
The first school house was built of logs and was situated on the eastern
part of what is called Gooseville, on the south side of the road. In 1870
when the railroad question was agitated Wilton consisted of about fifteen
buildings in all—a school house, two stores, one blacksmith shop and a
grist mill, the saw mill having been abandoned some time before. As soon as
the Northwestern road was started, people saw business openings and more
buildings were erected; two stores were built on the corner where the opera
house now stands; Moll & O'Brien built the red front store, Mr. Lyons
built a store and Mr. Rice a blacksmith shop, which, although remodeled,
still stands.
Mr. Walker built the first drug store, and a new school house was
erected, but was soon afterwards destroyed by fire, but replaced by another
and this is still standing, but not used. When the railroad was completed in
1872 it became a more desirable place for business and began to attract
trade in a larger degree in the surrounding country. Dr. C. K. Phillips, who
for so many years practiced his profession in the village, was the first
physician to locate here and came in 1862.
A Roman Catholic Church was built in 1888, which afterwards became the
property of the United Brethren: and in 1888 a German Lutheran Church and in
1896 a Methodist Episcopal Church, were erected. The village now has three
hotel buildings, an opera
house, a town hall and the mercantile interest that goes with the villages
of its size.
Perhaps one of the best evidences of the prosperity of this village is
the high school which was built in 1902-03 and is equipped in a manner
almost equal to those of larger cities. The village has an excellent water
works system and its people are progressive in other directions, keeping
abreast of the times in municipal improvements.
In 1899 the Wilton State Bank was established by S. W. Brown, president
and owner, with a capital of $5,000; in 1903 it was incorporated under the
state law as the "Wilton State Bank, with a capital of $10,000. As its
business increased it required more capital and on February 1, 1912, the
capital stock was increased to $15,000.
Its present officers are: President, S. W. Brown: vice-president, Charles
Todd: cashier, Charles Weingarten.
After the incorporation of the village its first election was held on
December 23, 1890. William H. Ferris was elected president, A. S. Newhouse,
clerk, and as trustees, H. W. Vogel, John Rice, C. Wurster, S. M. Titus, M.
Cremer, T. S. Martin.
St. John the Baptist's Church, Wilton, Wis. The first
Catholic family known to have lived in the territory now included in the
parish of Wilton, was that of Anton Tomah, who located about the year 1852,
some seven miles north of the present village of Wilton. There were no
churches in this locality at that time, but mass was said once a month in a
little town hall at Tomah, then a small village of fifty inhabitants, by
Father Noyes, at that time resident priest at Mauston. About a year later a
few Catholic families came and settled in the neighborhood of Mr. Tomah.
Thus the Catholic settlement increased from year to year until 1857, when
Mr. Frank Barry took up a tract of land about four miles south of Wilton.
Patrick O'Gara, James Cook, Patrick Welch and others followed, who were
obliged to attend services at Tomah, some eighteen miles distant, but at
that time was the nearest point visited by any priest. A few years later
James Nolan, James Kerrigan, John Kerrigan and others formed a settlement in
the vicinity of Ridgeville and soon after began to talk seriously of
building a church.
In 1865 a church was erected, the same being attended by Father Quigley,
then a resident priest at Mauston. Some few years later the congregation of
Tomah and Ridgeville were both placed in charge of Father Durward, who took
up his residence at the former place. During this period, Catholics had been
settling rapidly around Wilton and their number so far increased that they
also demanded a church and pastor. Father Durward, as well as the bishop,
demurred on the grounds that the settlement was not of sufficient strength
to justify the erection of a church or to be able to properly care for a
resident pastor; however, there being some thirty families in all in 1875, a
mission was formed and a small church built, which was attended by Father
Durward for eight years. At the end of that time Father Durward was
succeeded by Father Metzler, who objected so strongly to assuming the charge
that it was transferred to the Rev. Father Keller, of Union Centre, by whom
it was attended as a mission for two years. By this time the congregation
had
increased to some sixty families.
At the termination of Father Keller's pastorate the congregation of Union
Centre, with the adjoining mission, were placed in charge of Father Herman,
who did considerable in the way of improvements to the church building at
Wilton. These improvements were hardly completed when the center portion of
the building was struck by lightning and so badly injured that the necessary
repairs almost equalled in extent the cost of an entirely new structure.
This work was, however, accomplished and in addition a new structure was
added to the main building. In 1892, the mission at Wilton was placed in
charge of Father Campbell, of Elroy, but for some two years prior to
acquiring its own resident pastor, was attended by the Rev. Father Burns,
who had been appointed assistant to Father Campbell. In July, 1895, the Rev.
J. D. Manning was appointed to the pastorate at Wilton. Upon arriving he
found the church and its surroundings in a rather dilapidated condition, but
through his persistent and energetic efforts the property was soon brought
into a more satisfactory condition: buildings repaired and a parsonage
built, all of which was completed without leaving any outstanding debts. In
August, 1896, the church was struck by lightning and burned to the ground,
but within a few days Father Manning had a new building under way, mass in
the meantime being celebrated in the school house. The corner stone of the
church was laid on October 7, 1896, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Sehwebach, who
blessed the building January 14, 1897.
The Rev. D. J. Manning acquired his classical education at Toronto.
Canada. He took a full course of philosophy at the Grand Seminary, at
Montreal, and completed his studies at St. Francis' Seminary, near
Milwaukee, where he was ordained to the priesthood in June, 1893. He was
appointed to the present charge as rector of St. John the Baptist's on July
25, 1895. The Rev. D. J. Mauning remained pastor of Wilton church until
February, 1900.
The Rev. John C. McAteer, the present rector, was appointed to Wilton and
Kendall January, 1900. On his arrival at Wilton, February 24, 1900, he found
both church and parsonage in need of repairs. After strenuous efforts he
succeeded in renovating both church and parsonage. The Rev. John C. McAteer
was born at Loretto, Cambria county. Pa., March 27. 1858. He studied
classics at St. Vincent's College at Beatty, Westmoreland county. Pa. He
completed his theological studies at St. Francis Seminary, in Milwaukee,
Wis. He was ordained to the priesthood by the Rt. Rev. Kilian Flasch, D. D.,
in St. Joseph's Cathedral, at La Crosse, June 29, 1885. On June 29, 1910, he
celebrated his silver jubilee as priest at Wilton, Wis.
Lutheran Church. A few Lutherans started the St. Paul's Lutheran
church about forty years ago. Rev. A. T. Siegler, of Ridgeville, did the
first missionary work at Wilton and vicinity. Services were conducted
occasionally by the ministers located at Clifton until the Rev. John Liebell
received charge of the two congregations at Wilton and in the town of
Wellington, in 1890, and was located at Wilton. He attended these
congregations for three years and afterwards the Rev. Koehler for two years.
The congregation consecrated their own church on the 11th of December, 1887,
and built a parsonage in 1894. In January, 1905, the Rev. John Hering took
charge at Wilton and town of Wellington, attending both congregations until
the first of August, 1908, as from that date he took charge of Wilton alone,
the congregation at Wellington having its own minister, which is the
situation at this writing.
NORWALK
Nestled in the hills in the southern part of the town of Ridgeville lies
the beautiful little village of Norwalk. Situated in the midst of a very
rich farming region and on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, its
advantages as a mercantile center are very apparent.
The land upon which the village is located was originally owned by S.
McGary and C. G. Hettman, portions of both farms being included in the
original plat. Main street being the dividing line between the two farms. S.
McGary was one of the first settlers in this village, or rather in the place
where the village now stands, coming here from Norwalk, Ohio, in an early
day, and when the village was organized he named it Norwalk in honor of his
native village back in Ohio.
The real beginning of the growth of the village perhaps dates from the
building of the Northwestern Railway in 1873, the first survev having been
made that year and the road afterward constructed, building a depot in 1874,
though for a time the present warehouse was used for that purpose. The early
growth of the little village produced the necessity for educational
facilities, and in 1875 a school house of moderate dimensions was built, and
the first teacher secured was A. F. Brandt, who afterwards became county
superintendent of schools, and is now connected with the State Public School
for Dependant Children at Sparta. The schools more than kept pace with the
growth of the village and in 1905 the high school was organized and a
building built to accommodate it. This school has taken high rank among the
high schools of the county; has been well managed; its teachers well
selected, and has kept up with the times in educational work, a fact which
is taken advantage of by pupils from the surrounding towns.
Among the first men to engage in business when the settlement reached any
size were D. M. Dolson, general store; John Crook, hardware merchant; Ellis
Wood, blacksmith; Charles Ebert, harness maker; W. F. Horstman, furniture
dealer; C. G. Hetman, lumber yard; Moul & Darwin, grain buyers; M.
Goetz, wagon maker, and others.
In 1893, having arrived at a population and business importance which
demanded it, the village was duly incorporated according to law and a set of
village officers chosen, S. McGary being elected the first president; many
men of prominence in the community have served upon the village board; its
affairs have been well conducted and are in a prosperous condition. To
endeavor to ascertain the exact time of the coming of a number of the
earlier settlers has been very difficult, but the first physician to
minister to the ills of humanity hereabout was Dr. Fischer; the first hotel
which could be called such was opened and conducted for a time by John
Horning, and called the Norwalk House, and the first drug store to supply
the medicines prescribed by Dr. Fischer was conducted by Farner &
Seibolt.
In 1903 the Norwalk State Bank was incorporated by M. Goetz, Henry
Schell, J. P. Andres, C. H. Drier, William Schell, Fred Leutke, John Weibel,
Ernest Pingel and H. L. Vieth. The institution has conducted a safe and
conservative business under the able management of its president, M. Goetz,
and enjoys a large clientage. As a mark of the prosperity and business
growth of the village, a second bank was organized in 1907 by H. L. Vieth,
Fred Leutke and Frank Wartman, known as the Farmers' State Bank, with a
capital of $10,000, which has had a successful career from the start and
serves a large number of depositors. The village has the usual number and
variety of business enterprises found in a community of its size, has a
population of 502, according to the last census, and is considered one of
the solid and substantial business centers of the county.
History of Monroe County, Wisconsin, 1912
Past and Present
Including an account of the Cities, Towns and Villages of the County
Editor-In-Chief: Randolph A Richards
Illustrated
1912 C. F. Cooper & Co.
Chicago
page 398 to 410
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