»'//>V>'.il First President of llic Ilocl: County A^iicultuial Societj' and Mechanics' Institute. HISTORY OF EOCK COUNTY, AND TIl^I?^SA.CTIOISrS OF THE ROCK COITY AGRICUITM MM AND MECHANICS' INSTITUTE, INDITED AND COM.PILED BT ORRIN GUERNSEY & JOSIAH F. WILLARD. published bt the kock county agricultubai, bociett and mechanics' institute. JANESVIIiliE, WIS.: WM. M. DOTY AND BROTHER, PRINTERS. 1856. ADVERTISEMENT. By a resolution of the Rock County Agricultural Society and Mechanics' Institute, the undersigned were appointed a committee to compile and su perintend the publication of a Volume of Transactions of the Society from its commencement, and a brief history of Rock county ; comprising, also, a synopsis of the history of the first settlement of each township in the same. The committee, in entering upon the duties assigned them, did so with many misgivings as to the result of their labors. It was thought by some that we should not be able to avail ourselves of sufficient material to get up a respectable volume, and by others that the expense and risk would be too great for the Society to incur in the present state of its finances, and especially aa we were about to fit up new Fair grounds, which would necessarily absorb all our available means. — These objections seemed plausible, to say the least. But, on the other hand, it was urged that with the material already in our possession, and that which would be readily and cheerfully contributed by our friends, would be amply sufficient for such a book as the Society proposed to publish ; and in respect to the objection regarding funds, it was believed that the work would pay for itself; and another and more important reason urgad for its imme diate publication, was, that the facts and incidents for the " historical part," unless secured soon, in a great degree would be forgotten and lost past re covery — that now " we can catch the shadow ere the substance fades " — for we have the " living witnesses," the identical actors in the interesting dra ma of the " first settlement of Rock county," living in our midst. So far as the first objection is concerned, the coramittee are happy to be able to say, they have found no lack of material ; but, on the other hand, have quite often been puzzled to decide what to select from the superabun dance of matter before us, and that, l«o, of so desirable a character. Our duties would have been less onerous to have compiled two volumes, than to abridge and compress, as we have been compelled to, the material into orie. To those gentlemen who have so kindly and promptly I'csponded to the inquiries made of them, and requests to them to furnish articles for our book, our most cordial thanks are tendered. IV That our friends will not find errors, and many things to criticise and ob ject to, jjerhaps, we do not flatter ourselves to believe. But we crave at their hands, the charitable consideration that however much they may find which they believe might have been bettered, they will attribute it to de fects of the head, rather than the deliberate intentions of the heart. If there are excellencies and merit in the work, and we believe there are many, the credit belongs mainly to our numerous contributors, our labor be ing confined mostly to the compiling and arrangement ; and our sole object has been to render this volume a book of interest, entertainment and profit, to all those whose interests are identified with our locality, and especially to our Farmers and Mechanics ; and if we have succeeded in any measure iu our feeble efiorts to do so, we shall have accomplished the object of our high est aspiratioas. J. F. WILLARD, ORRIN GUERNSEY, C. R. GIBBS, J. P. DICKSON, Z. P. BURDICK. CONTENTS. Page. Wisconsin Boundary, - - 1 " History, - - 2 " Formation of Constitution, 3 " Admission into the Union, 3 " Governor and other State Officers, - 4 " Civil Divisions, 5 " Education - 6 " Population, - 1 " Soil and Face of country, 9 " Geological and Mineralogical, 9 " Climate and Health, - - 10 " U. S. Court, — Members of Congress, - 10 " Legislature for 1856, - - 10 Black Hawk War, - 13 Rock County, - - 23 " " Boundaries, - 23 Names of Towns, 23 " " Principle Streams, - 24 « « " Villages, 24 " " Population, - 25 " " Railroads, ¦- - 25 " " List of Officers, 27 " " First Settlement, - - 29 CORRESPONDENCE, Rev. G. W. Lawrence, 81 I. T. Smith, Esq., - 35 G. W. Ogden, Esq., - 41 VI HISTORY AND STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE SEVERAL TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. Avon, 43 Con ¦espondence of J. L. V. Thomas, Esq., 43 " " Norwegian Settlement, 44 Names of Largest Farmers, 4.5 Beloit, History, 4.5 i( Organization aud limits of Town, 52 li Methodist E. Church, 54 " Congregational, do, 54 u Protestant Episcopal Church, 55 t[ Roman Catholic, o5 " Baptist, 66 (t Presbyterian, " 56 tc Union School, 67 u Female Seminary, 57 i( Post Office, 57 (( College, 58 " Railroads, 61 <( Census Statistics, 62 li Public Buildings and Manufactories, 63 ii Occupation of Citizens, 63 ii Companies of Utility, 63 il Benevolent Societies, 63 (( Water Power, 63 ii Paper Manufactory, 63 ii M. A. Northrop ife Co., Sash and Door Factory, 64 t( Public Men, 64 a Bushnell House, 64 a Banks and Offices, 65 " Fire Company, 65 (1 Ministers, Lawyers, and Physicians, 66 (i Town Officers of 1854-5, 66 a History of Newspapers, 67 a Concluding remarks, 67 " Names of largest farmere, 66 tf School Statistics, &c., 70 Clinton, 70 a A. C. Resseguie, Esq., Correspondence, - 76 VII " Largest Farmers, - . - 76 Center, - - - 76 " E. A. Foote, Esq., Communication, - 77 " Town Officer for 1854-5, - . 79 " Names of largest Farmers, - - 80 Harmony, - . . - 80 " Town Officers for 1854-5, - . 82 " Names of largest Farmers, - - 83 Johnstown — D. R. Spooner, Esq., Communication, - 84 " Situation, - - 84 " Settlement, - - 85 " Churches, - - - 85 " Education, - - 86 " Population, '- - 86 " Fruits, - - - 86 " Organization of town Officers, &c., - 86 Names of largest Farmers, 88 Janesville Town, - 88 " " Gen. Johnston's Farm, 88 " " Population, - - 89 " « Town .Officers for 1854-5, - - 89 " " Early Settlement, - - 89 " " Names of largest Farmere, - 90 La Prairie, - - - 91 " J. P. Wheeler, Esq., Communication, - 91 " Town Officers for 1864-5, - 94 " Naraes of largest farmers, - - 95 Lima, - - 95 " Childs Station, - - - 96 " Azel Kinny, Esq., Communication, - 96 « Town Officers for 1854-5, - - 97 " Names of largest Farmers, - - 98 Milton, - - 98 " Professional men, - 99 " I. T. Smith, Esq., Communication, - 100 " Getting on a Bust, - - 102 " History of Milton — Coramunication from A. W. Baldwin, Esq., 103 « Town officers for 1854-5, - - 108 " Names of largest Farmers, - - 109 vm Magnolia, - - l^O " Churches, - - - 111 « Town Officers for 1 854-5, 1 1 1 " Names of largest Fanners, - 112 Newark, 112 " Communication from F. Curtice, Esq., • 113 " Town Officers for 1854-5 - 114 " Names of largest Farmers, 115 Porter, - - 116 " Cookville or Waucoma, - 116 " Town Officers for 1864-6, - 116 " Names of largest Fanners, - 118 Plymouth, - - 118 " Communication from S. F. Chipman, Esq., - 119 " Population, &c., - - 124 " Names of the largest Farmers, - -^ 125 Spring Valley, - - 126 « « Town Officers for 1864-5, - - 126 " " Names of tbe largest Fanners, ^ 127 Turtle, - - 127 " Shopiere, - . - 128 " Town Officere for 1854-5, < . - 129 " Communication from B. E. Mack, Esq., . 129 " Names of largest Farmere, . 133 Union, - -133 " Population, Evansville - - 134 " Union Village; Officers for 1854-5, - - 135 " Names of largest Farmers, . 136 Fulton; Fulton Center, Ramsey's Prairie, and Stone's Bridge, 137 " Village, Newville and Edgerton, - 138 " Town Officers for 1864, and Names of largest Farmers, 139 Bradford; Emerald Grove, - - 140 " Fairfield, Population, Town Officei-s, 1865, 141 " Names of largest Farmers, - 142 Rook, - - 143 " Cities and plotted towns, - 143 " Village of Afton, - 148 " Churches and Religious privileges. Education, - 149 " Railroads — Population, - 150 " Educational statistics; Town Officers for 1854-6, 151 " Names of largest Farmers, - - 152 IX City of Janesville ; History, - 153 " First permanent settlement, - - 166 " First death among settlera, - - 158 " Settlers of 1837, - • 169 " Location of County Seat, - - 169 Village of Janesville, Land sales, - - 160 " Erection of County Buildings and Post Office, - 161 " teducational, Literary, and Moral and Benevolent Institutions, 163 " 'ReUgious Institutions, - - 164 " Methodist Episcopal Church, - - 164 " Episcopal Cliiirch, and Baptist Churcli, 165 " Congregational Church, - - 166 " Primitive Methodist Church, - 166 « Catholic, " - 167 " tjniversaiist, " - - 167 « Presbyterian, " - - 167 " Population, - - 168 " Commerce and Trade, - - 168 " Water power, - - - 169 " Railroads, - - - 171 " Advantages, and Desirableness of Location 172 " Communication from Aldi Levi St. John, 172 Statistical view of the City, - 1^4 First Flouring Mill, - - 1'75 Grist and Flom-ing Mills, - l'?5 Woolen Factory, - - 176 First Saw MiU, - - 176 Saw MiUs, .- ' " ¦ ^^^ Carriage Manufactories, ' 177 House, Sign and Ornamental painting, - 177 Ainbrotype and Daguerreotype Galleries, - 177 Furniture Ware Houses, &c., - - 177 Brick Yards, - - 1'77 Farming Implement Manufactories, " - 177 JanesviUe Iron Works, - - 178 JanesviUe Sash, Door and Blind Manufactory, - 178 Doty and Bumham's Sash factory, - l79 Spencer's Sash, Door and Blind Factory, - 179 Livery Stables^ - ' " 1'79 Marble Works, ' ' ^179 Founderies, - - - 180 Soap and Candle Factory, - - - ISO Meat Markets, - - - 180 Saddle and Harness Manufactories, - - 180 Com Broom Manufactories, - • 180 Boot and Shoe, do - - - 180 Lumber Yard, - - - 180 Nurseries, Horticulture and Gardening, - - 181 Amount of Manufactures in the City of Janesvflle the past year, 181 Business Sales of Janesville, during the past year, ' 182 Public Buildings, Manufactories and Business Establishments, 183 Benevolent Institutions, - - 184 Literary and Scientific Institutions, - - ,184 Occupations of the citizens of Janesville, - 184 Military, - . - - 185 Fire Department, - - - 185 Banks, .... 186 Officers ofthe City for 1855, - - 186 History of Janesville Newspapers, - - 187 Names of Professional Men, - - 189 Largest Mercantile houses, - - - 189 Names of Distinguished citizens, - ' . 190 Aggregate productions of Rock County in 1856, - 190 Largest farmers in Janesville City, - 191 Statement of the amount of produce raised, number of cattle, horses, and other statistics in the County of Rock, Wisconsin, 192 PART II. Organization of the Rock County Agricultural Society and Mechanics' Institute, - - - 195 First Call, - - 195 First Meeting, - - - 195 Constitution, - - - 195 Schedule, - - - 196 Second Meeting, - - - 198 By Laws, - - - 199 A gloomy time among the Farmers of Rock County, 201 President's Address, J. P. Wheeler, - - 203 Beports of Committees and awards of Premiums, Oct., 1861, 209 Jonathan Corey'is Statement, - . 214 XI Essay, by J. M. Burgess, - - 218 " 0. Densmore, - - - 224 " J. F. Willard, - - 227 Proceedings of Society for 1852, - - 231 President's address, J. F. WiUard, - - 233 Annual Fair of Beloit, 1862, - - 239 Essay, by 0. Guernsey, - 250 " S. A. Hudson, - - - 255 " Z. P. Burdick, - - 259 Secretary's Report, O. Guernsey, - 262 Proceedings of the Society for 1853, - - 267 President's Address, J. F. Willard, - - 269 Premiums paid at the Annual Fair at Janesville, 1853, 277 Essay, by L. P. Harvey, - - - 288 Report of Committee on the death of S. G. Barker of Beloit, 300 Proceedings of the Society for 1854, 301 Premiums awarded at the Annual Fair at JanesviUe, 1854, 303 Essay, by F. S. Eldred, - - - 312 Proceedings of the Society for 1855, - 316 Report of Committee on tho death of Prof. Lathrop, - 317 Annual address by the President, Z. P. Burdick, - 318 Premiums awarded at the Fair, in JanesviUe, 1855, - 326 Essay, by J. A. Fletcher, - - 336 " ' C. Loftus Martin, - - - 33S " N.W.Hodge, - 344 C. R. Gibbs, - - - 346 XII The following is the present Board of Officers of tie Rock County Agii- cultural Society and Mechanics' Institute : Z. P. Burdick, President. C. R. Gibbs, Rec. Secretary. Orrin Guernsey, Cor. Secretary. Josiah F. Willard, Treasurer, VICK PEE81DE2ITS. John A. Fletcher, John Alexander, Daniel Bennett, S. F. Chipman, Peter McVean, Levi St. John. BOARD OP DIBECTOBS. J. P. WTieeler, La Prairie, W. Lester, Rock, P. P. Chase, Newark, J. Kirkpatrick, Spring Valley, Ira Jones, Union, Isaac Miles, Fulton, J. M. Leamed, Harmony, S. Scott, Jr. Bradford, Wm. S. Murray, Clinton, Jonathan Corey, Center, D. H. Babbitt, Janesville, T. P. Davis, Harmony, Whildon A. W. Pope, Janesville, Hi S. Woodward, Jr., Beloit, J. Kinney, Jr., Avon, N. Howard, Magnolia, H. Stebbins, Porter, R. T. Fraser, Milton, F. B. Cook, Johnstown^ Richard Dole, Turtle, " John Childs, Lima, Albert Bemis, Plymouth, S. G. Colley, Beloit, Joseph Spaulding, Harmony, Hughes, Janesvillci WISCONSIN: SITUATION, BOUNDS, EXTENT AND AREA; HISTORY OF TERRITORY AND STATE; FACE OF COUNTRY, SOIL, &0.; AN TIQUITIES; CLIMATE, &G. SITUATION, EXTENT, BOUNDS AND AREA. That portion ofthe great Nbrthwestem Temtory lying north ofthe paral lel of 42 degrees 30 minutes, and west of lake Michigan, except a portion of said Territory lying north and east of the Menomonee river of Green Bay, belonging to and forming the upper peninsula of Michigan, and another por tion lying west of the river St. Croix, included in and constituting a portion ofthe Temtory of Minnesota, now forms the State of Wisconsin. The Constitution bounds Wisconsin as follows, to wit: " Beginhiiig at tha northi-east comer of the State of IlUnois, that is to say, at a point in the center of lake Michigan, where the line of forty- two degi-ees and thirty-nine minutes of north latitude crosses the same, thence running with the bound ary line of the Stale of Michigan, through lake Michigan and Green Bay, to the mouth of the Menomonee river; thence up the channel of the said river to the Brale river; thence up said last mentioned river to lake Brule; thence along the southern shore of lake Brule, in a direct line to the center of the channel between Middle and South islands, in the lake of the Desert; thence in a direct Kne to the head waters of the Montreal river, as marked upon the survey made by Captain Cram; thence down the main channel ofthe Montreal river to the middle- of lake Superior; thence through the center of lake Superior to the mouth ofthe St. Louis river; thence up the main channel of said river to the first rapids in the same, above the Indian vUlage, according to Nicollet's map; thence due south to the main branch of the river St. Croix; thence down tbe main channel of said river to the Mississippi; thence down the center of the main channel of that river to the north-west corner of the State of lUinois; thence due east, with the 1 northern boundary of the State of Illinois, to the place of beginning, as es tablished by ' An act to enable the people of Illinois Territory to form a Con stitution and State Govemment, and for the admission of such State into the Union on an equal footing with the original States,' approved April 18th, 1818." Wisconsin, then, is bounded on the north by Michigan, Bi'itish America, and Minnesota ; east by Michigan ; south by Illinois ; and west by Iowa and Minnesota. Its extreme length from north to south is 285 miles, and from east to west 255 miles; but frora the irregularity of its border, it contains in land but 63,924 square miles, or 34,511,360 square acres. HISTORY. Wisconsin, although so recently settled by the whites, was visited at an early day by French missionaries, prompted by a religious zeal worthy of any religious denomination, Catholic though they were. In the month of October, 1660, the missionary, Mesnard, reached Che-goi-me-gon, on lake Superior. In 1672, Dablon and Aloues landed at Green Bay, and visited the country at various places between that point and the head of lake Michi gan. Again, the next year, 1673, in the month of May, Marquette, a Jesuit missionary, and JoUet, an agent of the govemment of France, vdth five com panions, landed at Green Bay, where they found an Indian village. Here they procured guides to accompany them up Fox river to the Portage of Wisconsin, down which river they descended to its junction with the Missis sippi, where they arrived June I7th, 1673, and made the fii-st discovery of the Upper Mississippi. The countiy was nominally under the govemment of the French, who claimed it until 1763, about onehundred years from its first discovery, when it was ceded to Great Britain, at the close of the French war, who retained it twenty years, and untU the acknowledgement of our inde pendence by that country, 1783. At this time it was claimed by the State of Virginia, as a part of the lUinois country, conquered by Colonel George Rogers Clark. In March, 1784, it was ceded to the United States by Vir ginia, although Great Britain kept possession of the country until 1796, when it was surrendered in accordance with Jay's treaty, ratified the previ ous year. A Territorial Government was provided for the country north-west of the Ohio river, by the Ordinance of 1787. By an act of Congress passed May 7th, 1800, this north-west country was divided into two governments, the western called Indiana Territory. Again, by an act of 1809, this was sub- divided, and Illinois Territoiy constituted. Previous to the division and or ganization of Illinois Territory, the Territory of Michigan was organized from the northem part of Ohio Territory. In 1818, lUinois having formed a State Govemment, its northern portion, and what now constitutes Wisconsin, was attached to the Territory of Michigan, of which it remained a part until Michigan assumed a State Government, in 1835. At that time John S. Horner, Secretary and acting Governor, convened a session of the Legislature at Green Bay, from the remainder of the Territory. This session transacted no business except the passage of several memorials to Congress, among which was one asking for the organization of the Territory of Wisconsin, the seat of govemment to be located at CassviUe, on the Mississippi. In April, 1836, Congress passed an act organizing t]h Territory of Wis consin, which was fully cairied into efiect July 4th, 1836, and which included the country west of the Mississippi and north of the State of Missouri. In June, 1838, two years after, that portion west ofthe Mississippi, by act of Congress, was organized into the Territory of Iowa. The first session of the Legislature, in 1836, by a proclamation of General Dodge, who was the first Govemor, was convened at Belmont, now in La fayette county, on the 25th day of October, of that year. The second ses sion was held at Bm-lington, now in the State of Iowa, November 6th, 1837, at which session the seat of Government was located at Madison, where the third session of the Legislature was held November 26th, 1838. October 6th, 1846, a convention was held at Madison for the purpose of drafting a State Constitution, which was adopted in convention, Decem ber 16th, 1846, but rejected by a vote of the people at the election held on the first Tuesday in April, 1847. A. Hyatt Smith, of Janesville, Is rael Inman, Jr., of Rock, John Hackett, David Noggle, of Beloit, David L. MUls, of Fulton, Sapfbrd P. Hamnaopd, of Magnolia; James Chamber lain, of LaPrairie; Joseph S. Pierce, of Clinton ; George B. HflU, of Lima; and Joseph Kinney, Jr., of Avon, were delegates to that convention from the county of Rock. On the rejection of the first constitution, it became necessary to caU an other convention, which was held December 16th, 1847, and a constitution adopted in convention, Febmary 1st, 1848 ; this was approved by the people at the election in the April foUowing. The delegates to the second con vention were E. V. Whiton, of JanesvUIe, (now chief justice ;) E. A. Foote, of FootvUle; A. M. Carter, of Johnstown; Joseph Colley, of Beloit; Paul Crandall, of Lima; and L. P, Harvey, of Shopior. May 29th, 1848, Wisconsin was admitted iuto thu Union. The foUowing is a Ust of the Governors of Wisconsin «3 a Territory and it^ a Slate, with the date pf appointment or election : GOVERNORS. Henry Dodge, appointed AprU 13th, 1836; re-appointed March 9th, 1839. James Duane Doty, appointed Sept. 30th, 1841. Nathaniel P. TaUmadge, appointed June 21st, 1844. Henry Dodge, appointed April 8th, 1845. Nelson Dewey, elected May 8th, 1848; re-elected Nov. 6th, 1849. Leonard J. Farwell, elected Nov. 4th, 1851. WiUiam A. Barstow, elected Nov. 7th, 1853. The last election was held Nov. 6th, 1856. Note. — The office of Govemor at this time is in dispute, WiUiam A. Barstow having received tho certificate of election from the legal State can vassers, but Coles Bashford, the opposing candidate for the same office, claim ing to have had a majority of the votes cast in the State at the same elec tion ; and that through fraud the certificate of election was withheld from him and given to Barstow. Both parties qualified, by taking the necessary oath of office, as prescribed by the constitution. The Supreme Court aro now investigating the matter; but Barstow has given notice to that court that he denies its jurisdiction in the case. What the result of the matter wiU be, remains to be determined. So we leave a blank for the office of Governor at the present time. LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS. John E. Holmes, elected May 8th, 1848. Samuel W. BeaU, Nov. 6th, 1849, Timothy Bums, Nov. 4th, 1861. James T. Lewis, Nov. 7th, 1853. ArthurMcArthur, Nov. 6th, 1865. 8ECBETAEIE8 OF STATE. Thomas McHugh, elected May 8thj 1848. William A. Barstow, Nov., 1849. Charles D. Robinson, Nov. 4th, 1851. Alexander T. Grray, Nov., 1853. David W. Jones, Nov., 1866. STATE TREASURERS. Jarius C. Fairchild, elected May 8th, 1848; re-elected Nov., 1849. Ed?- ward H. Janssen, Nov. 4th, 1851 ; re-elected Nov., 1853. Charles Kuehn, Nov., 1855. ATTORNEY GENERALS. James S. Brown, elected May 8th, 1848. S.Park Coon, Nov., 1849. Experience Estarbrook, Nov. 4th, 1861. George W, Smith, Nov., 1853. WilUam R. Smith, Nov., 1855. 5 STATE SUPERINTENDENTS. Eleazer Root, elected May 8th, 1848; re-elected Nov., 1849. Azel P. Ladd, Nov., 1861. H. A. Wright, Nov., 1853. A. Constantine Barry ap pointed in 1865, to fiU the vacancy occasioned by the death of H. A. Wright Elected Nov., 1855. BANK COMPTROLLERS. James S. Baker, appointed by the Govemor, Nov., 1852. Wm. M. Den nis, elected Nov., 1863; re-elected Nov., 1855. JUDGES OF SUPREME COURT. Edward V. Whiton, Chief Justice, elected in 1862; Abram D. Smith, Judge, 1852; Orsemus Cole, Judge, 1856. JUDGES OP CIRCUIT COURTS. James R. Doolittle, 1st circuit; elected in 1852. Levi Hubbell, 2d etter and larger part of the tribe at peace with the whites, whose power he wisely deemed it folly to resist. The turbulent, restless spirits followed his rival. Black Hawk commanded the chivalry of the nation, with which he re-crossed the Mississippi, in the spring of 1832. He marched up the Rock river into the country of the Potawattamies and Winnebagos, who inhabited the Rock river vaUey in northem lUinois and Rock county in Wisconsin, intending to make them his allies. Govemor Reynolds, of Illinois, apprised of the movement, assembled a force of 1800 men at Beardstown, composed of four regimenta; Col. Dewit commanding the first. Col. Fry the 2d, Col. Thomas the 3d, Col. Thomp son the 4th, Col. Henry the Spy Battallion, and Gen. Whiteside the whole. On the 27th of April, Gen. Whiteside, accompanied by Gov. Reynolds, ook up his line of march. The army proceeded by way of Oquawka, on the tfississippi, to the mouth of Rock river, and here it was agreed between Gen. iVhiteside and Gen. Atkinson, of the Regulars, that the volunteers should aarch up Rock river about fifty miles, to the Prophet's town, and then encamp ufeed and rest their horses; and await the arrival of the regular troops, in Keel boats, with provisions. When Gen. Whiteside, with his forces, arrived at the Prophet's town, nstead of awaiting as was agreed, set fire to the viUage and entirely con- lumed it; then marched on forty miles higher up the Rock river. At Dixon, Gen. Whiteside came to a halt to await a junction with Gen. ^.tkinson ; and here parties were sent out to reconnoitre the enemy, and as- ertain their position. Here they found two battaUions of mounted volun- eers from Peoria, Fulton Tazwell and McLean counties, under command of >Iaj. StiUraan. This force, begging to be put forward upon some dangerous arviee, wer« ordered up Rock river to spy out the Indians. Maj. StiUman tiegan his march on the 12th of May, and pursuing his way up the south east sid^, ho came to "Old Man's creek," sinco called " Stillman's run,' a 16 smaU stream which rises in White Rock Grove, in Ogle- county, and falls into the Rock river near Bloomington. Here he encamped just before night, and in a short time a party of Indi ans on horse-back, were discovered about one mile distant from the en campment. A squad of Stillman's men mounted their horses without orders or commander, and were soon foUowed by others, stringing along for a quar ter ofa mile, to pursue the Indians and attack them. The Indians retreated after displaying a red flag, the emblem of defiance and war, but were over taken and three of them slain. Black Hawk was near with his main force, and being prompt to repel an assault, soon rallied his men, amounting to about 7 00 warriors, and moved down upon Maj. Stillman's camp, driving the disorderly rabble, the recent pursuers, before him. These valorous soldiers came back with their horses upon a full run, and in this manner broke through the camp of Maj. StUlman, spreading dismay and terror among the rest of the men, who immediately began to join in the flight, so that no effort to rally them could possibly succeed. The Indians pui-sued them thirty or forty miles. They continued their flight until they reached Dixon. The night after their arrival, the trumpet sounded a signal for the officers to as semble at the tent of Gen. Whiteside. A councU of war was held, in which it was agreed to march early the next morning to the field of battle. In con sequence of the ill-advised audi misjudged march from the Prophet's town, the wastefulness of the volunteers, and leaving the baggage wagons behind, without motive or necessity, there were no provisions in the camp, ex cept in the messes of the most carefur and experienced raen. The majority had been living upon parched com and coffee for two or three days. Hav* ihg obtained some beef from John Dixon, then tho only white inhabitant on Rock river above its mouth, they started before dayUght the next moming for the scene of the disaster of the night before. When the volunteers arrived the Indians were gone. They had scattered out all ' over the countiy, some of them as high up as Rock county. Wis. Gen. Whiteside, finding no Indi ans, soon after returned to Dixon, where he met Gen. Atkinson with provis ions and the regular force. The army now amounted to 2400 men, and had the men been wUling to serve longer, the war might have been ended in a short time ; but the volunteers were anxious to be discharged, which was done soon after by Gov. Reynolds, at Ottawa. Col. Fry's regiment how ever, volunteered to remain until a new force could be raised. The compa^ nies of the regiment were so disposed as to guard the whole frontier. Capt. Adam W. Snyder was sent to range through what is now Winnebago coun ty, in lUinois, and Rock county, Wisconsin, thence west to Galena; and whUe in this service, fell into an ambuscade of seventy Indians. The men mani- 17 fested a disposition to mn; but by the exertions of Gen. Whiteside, who was accompanying them in the capacity of a private soldier, they were ral lied and the enemy repulsed, with the loss of two of their number. Gen. Whiteside, being himself a capital shot, in the commencement of the action kUled the Indian commander; from which moment the Indians began to re- treat._ In the mean time the Indians attacked several detached settlements in different quarters. On Indian creek, 15 miles from Ottawa, fifteen per sons out of three families, by the name of HaU, Davis and Pedigrew, were massacred, and two young ladies. Misses Sylvia and Rachel Hall, 15 and 17 years of age, were carried into captivity. After a variety of hardships and adventures, they were ransomed for the sum of $2000, in horses, wampum, &c. This company of Indians, a:fter this massacre, retreated up the Rock river, above the mouth ofthe Peckatonica, into Rock county, Wisconsin. In dian wars are the same in all ages and all countries—^ description of this mas sacre is only a repetition Of hundreds previously described. They approached the house in which these faniUies resided, in tho day time, and so suddenly did they appear that the occupants were not aware of their danger, until they were attacked. Some of the inmates were immediately shot down with rifles; others were pierced with Spears or despatbhed with the toma hawk. The Indians afterwards related with an infernal glee, how the wo men squalked like geese vfhen they were run through the body with speare, or felt the sharp tomahawk entering their heads. AU tho victims were care fuUy scalped, their bodies mutilated and mangled ; the little chUdi-en were chopped to pieces with axes, and the women were tied up by their heels to the walls of the house. On tho 15th of June, the new levies, to the num ber of three thousand two hundred men, aiTived at the rendezvous at Beards- town and Hennepin, and were formed into three brigades. But before the new army could be brought into the field, the Indians had committed several murdersi One man was killed on Bureau creek, another in Buffalo Grove, another between Fox river and the Illinois, and two more on the east side of Fox river, on the Chicago road, about six mUes north-west of Ottawa. Not long after the iievs^ forces were organized on the Illinois river, Black Hawk, with a hundWd and fifty warriors, made an attack on Apple River Fort, situated Within twelve miles of Galena, and defended by twenty-five men, under the command of Capt. Stone. This fort was a stockade of logs set in the ^uM, with block houses at the corners of the square by way of towers AM bastions. It was made for the protection of a scattering viHage of niiners V^ho lived in their houses in the vicinity, during the day, and re tired iato the fort for protection at night. The women and children, as usmal 2 18 in the day time, were abroad in the viUage, when -three mea on an express from Galena to Dixon were fired on -by the Indians, lurking in ambush with in half a mile ofthe vUlage. One of them was wounded; his companions stood by him nobly, retreating behind him and keeping the Indians at bay. The alarm was hea;rd at the fort in season to collect in the scattering in habitants. Now came on a fearful struggle between the twenty-five men in the fort 'and six times their number of Indians. The Indians took pos session of the log houses, knocked holes between the logs, through which to fire at the fort with greater security. Hei-e was a desperate struggle for dear life. They well knew they had to contend with an enemy who never made prisoners, and the result must be victory or death to themselves and families. The women and childVen moulded buUets and loaded the guns for their husbands, fathers and brothers, who kept up an unceasing fire for about fifteen hours, when the Indians retreated. What the Indian loss was never could be ascertained. The loss in the fort was one man killed and one woun ded. One of the express men who first retreated into the fort, immediately passed on to Galena and gave the alarm. Col. Strode, of the militia, lost no time in marching to the assistance of the fort at Galena, and the Indian spies seeing no favorable opportunity made but a feeble attack on the place, and finally raised the siege and withdrew. About this time a party of Indians made an attack on three men near Fort Hamilton, in the lead mines ; two of the men were killed and the other es caped. Gen. Dodge, of Wisconsin, who happened to arrive at the fort soon after, with twenty men under his command, made quick pursuit after theso Indians, who were chased to the Peckatonica, and there took shelter under the high bank of the river. Gen. Dodge and his party charged upon them in their place of concealment and shelter, and killed the whole party, eleven in number, with the loss of tliree men of his own party, mortally wounded. About this time Capt. James W. Stephenson, of Galena, with a part of iis company, pursued a party of Indians into a dense thicket on the prairie. He commenced an attack upon them from a distance, but the Indians .havinn- the advantage, succeeded in kiUing three of his men, when he ordered a re- treaV. They, howe\'cr, weixa unwiUing to give up so, and came to the reso lution of returning to the fight and charging the enemy' in their fastness.-- The comniand was given to make the charge, the Captain himself leadino- the way ; but they were repulsed by the Indians, who stOl had the advan tage of their covert. The charge was renewed a second and a third time with no better success, but with the loss of three more of his men kUled and himself wounded. It. now became necessary for him to retreat, as he from the first had but a few men with him. This attack of Capt. Stephenson, 19 .and also that of Gen. Dodge, are unequaled ih the history of niodei-n' warfare in daring and desperate courage. The Indians now had possession of thc entire country from Chicago to Galena; occupying every grove, waylaying every road, and attacking every party of white men that attempted to travel through the country. But their supremacy was of short duration. Near the last of June new forces assembled on the lUinois river, were put in motion by Gen. Atkinson of the regular army, who now assumed the command of the whole. Maj. John Dement, with' a battallion of spies attached to the first brigade, pushed forward across Rock river into the heart of the Indian country. Maj. Dement, hearing' that a trail of about five hundred Indians had been discovered the day before, ordered his whole comraand to saddle their horses and remain prepared f6r battle, while he with twenty men rode out on to the prairie to reconnoitre and make discoveries. They soon saw seven Indian spies ,' and some of his men gave chase, but their commander fearing an am buscade endeavored to call them back. The main body of the Indians soon came down upon them — about three hundred in nnmber — firing and yelling, nnd soon compelled them to retreat slowly to their camp, closely pursued by the Indians. Here his whole party took possession of some log houses, which answered for a fort, and resisted the attack ofthe Indians for nearly an hour; when the Indians retreated with a loss of nine kiUed — ^the loss of the whites were five killed. When the news of the battle reached Gen. Atkinson, at Di.xon, he .it once ordered a brigade toward the Mississippi, below Galena, while he with the rest ofthe amiy marched farther up the Rock river. Black Hawk in the meantime with a large portion of his forces had been lying for more than two weeks near Rock river, and where JanesviUe now is. His camp was situated just out of the city limits, on lands now owned by Aldennan Le vi St. John, of the city of JanesviUe, and J. P. Wheeler, Esq., of LaPrairie, It has since been known as Black Hawk Grove,and is rendered particularly interesting for visitors, from this historical reminiscence. The Misses Hall who were captured in lUiriois, referred to above, were with the Indians at this place, and were ransomed while here. The tent poles, ashes and brands of the Indian camp fires, were to bo seen here until within a very few years, General' Atkinson having arrived at the mouth' of the Peckatoilica river, and hearing that Black Hawk was farther up the Rook river, determined to pur sue him with the intention of deciding the late of the war by, if possible, one general battle. Black Hawk judging of his intention from the report of his fepies, hastily broke up' his camp at'Black Hawk Grove sind moved stilj fiirther up the river to the foot of Lake Koshkonong, where he again eA« 20 camped on what is now the farm of George W. Ogden, Esq., of Milton. — Here he remained several weeks, when he ag-ain removed to an island ii) Lake Koshkong, and afterwards to the region of the Four Lakes. The In dians undoubtedly left this place in a hurry, as they had reason to believe that Gen. Atkinson was after them, though very slowly. On the soth of June, Gen. Atkinson passed through the Turtle viUage, a considerable town of the Winnebagoes, situated where Beloit now is — then deserted by its inhabitants — and encamped one mile above it, on the open prairie, near Rock river, and near where Beloit college gi-ounds now are. The Indians were prowling about his camp all night. The march was continued next day. Both his and the Indian trail are easily traceable across the farms of Col. 0. Guernsey and Hon. J. F. WUlard, in JanesvUIe, at the present time ; as they, instead of following the river, struck across the great bend in the town of Rock, approaching Rock river again near Monterey bridge, in JanesviUe. The march was continued the next day, but nothing occurred until they anived at Lake Koshkonong, except a variety of false alarms, and occasional sight of Indian spies. Having scoured the entire country around, and being satisfied that no enem.y was near, the army again moved forward on the eastern shore of Lake Koshkonong and up Rock river to Burnt Vil lage, at the mouth of the White Water river, another considerable town^of tho Winnebagoes, where it was joined by the brigade of Gen. Pasey and a battaUon fi-om Wisconsin, commanded by the brave and indomitable General Dodge. During the march through the nortliei-n part of JElock county, the scouts had captured an old blind Indian, nearly famished with hunger, who had been left behind by his friends, the Indiansi Being, as he said, old, blind and helpless, he never was consulted by the other Indians, and could give no account of the movements of his party, except that they had gone farther up the river. It was concluded, magnanimously by the army, not to kill the old. man, but to give him food and leave him to die a natural death. He accordingly was furnished with food and left; but before he had even satis fied his natural hunger, Pasey's men fell in with him and murdered him another of those indellible stains on civilized life and Christian warfare. If as we are so ready to assume, such treatment of an inoffensive, helpless old wian — ^prisoner of war — would have been an evidence of barbarism and bloodthirstiness-T-coming from the Indians — ignorant and unenlightened as they aro-^how much more reprehensible, being perpetrated by their betters ^their civilized and Christianized ehemies ? How greatly wore they under obligation to set them an example of mercy— where pain and cruelty were uncalled for and unnecessary. While Atkinson was slowly and tardily re- 21 oonnoitering around the vicinity of Burnt Village, without discovering the whereabouts of the Indians, Black Hawk and his party lay encamped on, what is now known as Black Hawk Island, in Lake Koshkonong. The Win-- nebagoes subsequently informed the whites of their location, when prepar ations were soon made to make an attack upon them. Black Hawk, through his spies, ascei-tained Atkinson's intention, and fled from the island. Atkinson having spent eight weeks, and accomplished nothing — less than that even. — for he seemed farther from the attainment of his object than when he started — ^besides which, he was now running short of provisions, and detachments were sent out to procure supplies — .Gen. Dodge and oth ers with their detachments were despatched to Fort Winnebago, situate at the Portage between Fox and Wisconsin river, while Gen. Atkinson thought best to lay by and build a fort, than which nothing would seem less neces sary — as the whole ambition of the Indians consisted in their effi>rts to keep out of the way, and would in all probabUity have succeeded in doing so, but for the efficient operations of Geu. Dodge. He having arrived at Fort Win^ nebago pursuant to orders, was informed of the location of Black Hawk and party — ^by some Winnebago chiefs — immediately called a council of officers, when it was decided, although in disobedience of general orders from At^ kinson to pursue the Indians at once, which was done amidst great hard' ship and fatigue, and the Indians were finally overtaken as they approached the broken "coast " of the Wisconsin riverT.about four o'clock in the afternoon. About this time the advanced guard was passing over some uneven ground, through the high gi-ass and low timber — they were suddenly fired upon by a body of Indians, who had here secreted themselves. They kept firing from behind fallen trees, and none could be discovered except by the flash and reports of their guns. The troops were formed in order of battle— an order was given to charge upon the enemy, which was so spiritedly obeyed that the Indians retreated a short distance, when they again made a stand, which they did repeatedly, only to take up a new position. The Indians contested the gi-ound inch by inch — ^firing from the tall grass and bushes— until they were absolutely pushed out at the point of the bayonet, such was their desperation in this their last contest. They were finaUy driven into the tall grass on the Wisconsin bottom — so taU as to be above the heads of raen on horseback — and night now coming on, further pursuit was abandoned until moming. Next morning it was ascertained that the Indians had crossed the river during the night, and escaped. The total loss of the In dians in this battle was nearly one hundred, while the whites only lost one kUled and eight wounded. This was the final battle, which broke the spirit of the contending Indians who now were contented to cross the Mississippi 22 and remain there. Thus we perceive. that much credit is due to the energy and perseverence of the galla^it Gen., Dodge, in bringing this war to a close. Gen. Atkinson and the regulars were deeply chagrined at the success of the militia; and although, Gen. Dodge acted contrary to orders, yet ho ac complished what the regulars never would, have donQ. And he should ever be held in grateful remerabrance by the people of Wisconsin, who now so largely enjoy the fruits of his noble daring and generous sacrifices upon that occasion. Black Hawk and son and. Prophet were soon after captured by som-3 friendly Winnebagoes and taken down the Mississippi river to Jefferson Bar racks, where a treaty was made, by which the Sauks and Foxes ceded to the United States a largo tract of land bordering on the Mississippi from Des- moine to Turkey river, in Iowa. The prisoners were held as hostages for the performance of the treaty and peacable behavior of the hostile Indians. They were taken to Washington City where they had an interview with President Jackson. They were afterwards permitted to return to their peo ple; Thus ended the Black Hawk war. 23 ROCK COUNTY: SlTtTATION; BOUNDS; EXTENT; AREA; FACE OF COtlNTRY; SOIL; AlSTTIQUITIES; CLIMATE; PRODtTCTIONS; MANUFACTURES; EDU CATION; PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS; HISTORY; MISCELLANEOUS; SETTLEMENTS. Bock county is bounded, north by Dane and Jefferson, east by Walworth, south by the state of Illinois, and west by Green. The city of JanesviUe is the county seat. Rock was set off fr6m MUwaukee county, December V, 1836, and fully organized Febmary 19, 1839. It is composed of twenty organized to-svns, of six miles square, each — 720 square mUes — 460,800 acres. NAMES OF TOWNS : Lima, Milton, Fnlton, Porter, Union, Magnolia, Center, Janesville, Har mony, Johnstown, Bradford, LaPrairie, Rock, Plymouth, Spring Valley, Avon, Newark, Beloit, Turtle, and Clinton, and the city of Janesville, or ganized from portions of JanesviUe, Rock, LaPrairie, and Hannony. This county is about equally divided between prairie and oak openings, and a niore uniformly rich, arable county of land, is not to be found in the state. There is hardly an acre of waste land in the entire county. Rock river mns through near the middle of this county from north to south, and those who are acquainted with the west well know that the val ley of the Rockxiveris unsurpassed in the world beside — ^taking all things into consideration. The rich and uniform fertility of its soil, its abundant crops, the healthfulness and salubrity of its climate, its superior water pow ers, as frequently as desirable for villages all along from the source to the mouth of the river; the purity of its spring and well water, the admirable tbrmation of the country for the constmction of i-ailroads at much less ex pense than almost any other section of country, makes this not only one of the most desirable locations for the farmer, but the mechanic, the profession al man, and manufacturer. Here the man of easy circumstances, who wish es to retire from the turmoU of the busy world, can find a pleasant home. 24 and that, too, in the midst of a society composed of a great majority of eastem people of the most independent, intelligence, and enterprising classes. The principal prairies are Rock, Jefferson, Du Lac, Ramsey's, Catfish, Morse's, and Turtle ; Rock prairie extends almost through the county from east to west, and varies in width from six to eighteen miles. On Rock river is a belt of timber and openings. Groves are interspersed through the prairie at intervals, besides which, points of openings jut into the prairie at different places, tbus rendering the outUnes of the prairie une qual, and at the same time bringing wood and timber within a short dis tance of all its settlers ; in fact, few men on the prairie live more than three miles from timber. Jefferson prairie is mostly in the town of Clinton ; a small part also in Bradford and Turtle. Turtle prairie extends into Rock county — Du Lac prairie in MUton and Lima, mostly in Milton---Ramsey's prairie in Fulton — and Catfish prairie lying in the toivns of Fulton, Porter, and Union — also Morse's prairie in Fulton. These last are much smaller than Rock prairie, but not surpassed by it in beauty and richness of soil. In fact, a farm on one of these small prairies is more desirable, and more valuable, as in the division of the prairie into farms, most of them have more or less woodland in connection, or, at least, near by. There are also several fine small marshes, from which several streams — ti-ibutaries to Rock river — emanate. These marsh lands, affording pure S{>rinw water, are no detriment to the health of persons living on their margins, oven ; but have come to be considered the most valuable lands in the county, producing most abundant and luxurient growth of grass, some even as high as three tons of hay to the acre. PRINCIPAL STREAMS. Rock river rises in Fond du Lac county, and mns south, through Dodo-e, Jeffei-son — the towns of Milton, Fulton, Janes-i^Ule, Rock and Beloit, in Rock county, into lUinois ; thence into the Mississippi at Rock Island. The Catfish is the outlet of four lakes, and empties into Rock river in the town of Fulton. Badfish rises in Rutland, Dane county, passes through Union, Cookville and the town of Porter, emptying 'into the Catfish in the town of Fulton. Allen's Creek, a branch of Sugar river, rises in Union, runs south-west, and empties into Sugar river. Afton or Bass' creek, rises in Magnolia, and runs south-east throu, and has eight school houses. Number of scholars, 314. It receives the present year frpm the State school fund, $235,88. There are in this town 89 farms. We cannot better describe the town than to use the language of ¦ the following coramunication from J. L. V. Thomas, Esq., our worthy and gentlema;Uly Clerk of the Board of Supervisors ; he also gives a history and description of the Norwegian settlement situated in part in this town. AVON, AND the NORWEGIAN SETTLEMENT. CoL. 0. Guernsey— r5«V.' The town of Avon is the most south-westerly town ofthe county; the 44 .south line of the town being the State line between Illinois and Wisconsin ; and the west line being the county line between Rook and Green counties. Avon is a well-watered and well-timbered township ; about one quarter be ing prairie and the balance burr oak and white oak openings, and rich bot tom land along the Sugar river, a small but fine stream running through the south-west part of the town. From these bottom lands a large quantity of wild grass is annually cut. The village of Avon is on Sand prairie ; a very level, beautiful, but sandy prairie, which extends along the Sugar river for raany miles. It is near the river — where there is a grist mill and saw mill, two stores, blacksmith shop, lished the Emigranten, a respectable newspaper, which has until lately been the only permanent Scandinavian newspaper in the United ^tates. It is published by a society, at the head of which is the Rev. Diedrichtson, the much esteemed pastor of the Norwegian Lutheran society there. Mr. P I. Pfleischer is the editor of the Emigranten. Rev. Claud Lars Clausen was the first pastor and leader of the Norwe gians in this neighborhood; and although now a resident of Mitchell county, Iowa, deserves an honorable place among the early settiers'of this county. 45 as an honest man and a gentleman. Cleophus Holverson, Lars Simonson, Inbred Ingerbretson,. Gunder Holver, Gens Knudson, Peter Holverson and Andrew Armundson are among the early Norwegian pioneers. From an ac quaintance of eight years with the Norwegians within the influence of the settlement above described, I can say that as a class, they are an honest, industrious, entel-prising and moral population. They assume the habits (except office seeking) of the American people faster than any European population with which I am acquainted. Respectfully, JOHN L. V, THOMAS. TUB Following arb among the largest farmers in avon: NAMES. John Kennada, Wm. C, Reals, I. O. Ban;, Patrick Finney, H. W. Dixson, James Barnes, Alvin Randall, Easton Johnson, Rufus Breed, Seymore Chamberlain, If o 80 300 1200 250 200 4 •2'8 80 290 600 200 100 3, 14 40 331 600 550 260 3 16, 18 30 200 1000 250 100 5 17 10 65 310 100 200 20 4 20 34 60 340 600 200 100 6 14 17 40 200 450 400 60 3 4 30 350 500 200 50 14 55 35 136 150 700 300 50 300 4 50 9 50 200 500 300 125 5 19 28 35 2 1512 866 25 12 18 HISTORY OF BELOIT. BY REV. H. LYMAN. Beloit is one of the south tier of towns in Rock County, and In the gov ernmental survey is kitPWn as town one, range 12, E. It is, therefore, con terminous with temtory belonging to the State of IHinois. The Rock river 46 runs from north to south through its whole extent; cherishing the verdure on its margin ; affording sites of beauty on its bluffs, and imparting power to the busy miU wheels iu its coui-se. Of the aboriginal condition of tho town, little is known. It& surface, indeed, bears various marks impressed by the hand of its former lords, but these exist in charactei-s so illegible, that they reveal no important certainty to the inquirer. The old graves found at distant intervals, tell us that Death has been doing his work in the past ages ; the choice of picturesque bluffs as the place of sepulture, speaks of respect for the dead, and witnesses for the extinct raee that a sense of the beautiful and grand actuated them as it does their more polished successors, to select as a final resting place Mount Hopes and Mount Aubums. Other ancient works of human hands are found in the mounds scattered here and there, but chiefly aggregated within what is now the College in closure ; but what these signify— whether they speak of war or of wPrabip, is a matter of conjecture merely, and the best conjecture we may suppose has occurred to hira who has with most painstaking and i-esearch, appUed him self to the investigation of this genei-al subject. See a paper published by Professor Lapham, of Milwaukee, The name, Beloit, originated with a committee appointed by a conven tion of citizens who were not satisfied with New Albany, the name which for a few months the town wore. The story is as follows : The committee having the matter in charge, being in consultation, one of its membei-s was at labor to shape a French word to an English termination, when another member, Mr. L. G. Fisher, catching by the ear a sound somewhat analogous, pronounced the word Beloit, which was agreed upon in committee and adopted by the convention. Such was the origin of the distinctive and eu- phoneous narae, Beloit. The story of the first settleraent of this town, is parcel of that pertaining to the State generaUy. No stories remain among our legends like those which raake memorable the more romantic and perilous beginnings in New England or even Ohio. No wild foes lay in ambush about our com fields, nor beset our home-path. The moral lesson whose last teachings were uttered in 1833, at tho dis persion of the Black Hawk array, were then so recent that thc Indians were fain to give a wide berth to the pale faces, or to put on their blandest man ners when they ventured among them. We know nothing of the stern dif ficulties of settlement encountered by those who carried their cora so far to miU, that the meal becarae exhausted in feeding the carrier before he could reach horae. The steamboat connecting our market by lake navigation with older States, and the prairie wagon-road lying between us and market, held 47 out facUities to this town in coraraon with this region, such as have favored lhe beginnings of no previous settlements since the migration of Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees. Instead of the sad and sanguinary incidents gen erally inwoven with the beginnings of population, those relating to the first settlement of Beloit, which are best remerabered, are so compounded of the earnest and the ludicrous, that the rehearsal of them infiicts no wound upon the tenderest sensibUities. Let the following be taken as examples : The year 1836 marks the first step towards the settiement of this town. The settlement began at the site of the present viUage of Beloit, at which place all the settlers were domiciled until after the land .sale, which took place in February, 1838 or '9. Caleb Biodgett was the first of the settleis. He found at his first visit to this place in 1835, Thiebeau, a Frenchman, who had taken an Indian wife, who pretended to claim a territory somewhat indefinite in extent. This equivocal claim it was the first care of Biodgett to quiet, and in this ho easily succeeded. The consideration paid to Tiebeau was $250. The next object to which he bent his energies, was to fortify his own claim so that it would appear respectable in the eyes of succeeding adventurers, and stand the test of border law. The mode of establishing a claim was to make some improvement upon the ground, and to effect this, the readiest plan was to plow a furrow on the prairie. But as the amount of land which can be so claimed by one individual in his own name, was by general consent limited to 320 acres.; and as such an amount of land bore no proportiifti to the en terprise of Biodgett, nor to the unbounded claim which he had acquired from Thiebeau, it became necessary to extemporize men for the exigency. Men of straw were accordingly found. Greenings, loafers, and those whose young- ness incapacitated them from seeing that they might just as well carve a portion for themselves, aU were hired into the employment of Biodgett. They prospected and made claims in their own names, but really on hia ac count. Thus, while in the transaction all the glory carae to them, all tho profit finally inured to him. In this way the claim of Biodgett was mad a to extend to four miles square, or in the descriptive phrase of the times " to all the land adjoining him." An incident of these stirring tiraes is preserved, which may claim an in sertion here. In consequence of tlie unlooked-for increase of the number of eaters which the expedient just related had coUeoted around the board, tho department of supplies wasted apace. This state of facts was duly reported by Mrs. Biodgett to her lord, who was just then ahsorbed by cares so numer ous and weighty as to have no time to bestow upon a matter so inconsider able. Through this neglect the case soon swelled up to an exigency. There 48 were twenty who had supped at that table the night before, and who were then sleeping in the undisturbed confidence that they should find the mom ing repast at the samo board, when Mr. Biodgett was posed by a test which made an occasion to display the resources of his generalship. The end had come — there was nothing in the bag and nothing in the barrel ; one hour would bring the bre.T,kfast time, and the material basis of that ceremony was yet to be found. But he rose with the occasion ; his expedients were prompt and equal to the emergency ; and, marching out to the yard where the steei-s were resting from the toil of plowing yesterday's claims, he planted a blow upon the head of old Bright which operated as a final discharge from the re newal of sirailar toU, and in a few rainutes he reappeared, bearing a fuU sup ply of steak for the occasion. Another incident, illustrative of the spirit of those early times, requires a brief notice. The lands on the west of Rock river were surveyed; and ear lier in the raarket than those on the eastem bank ; and yet, with a seeming fotuity, or for reasons which no man cau now see, the men in seai-ch of land, with great uniformity, came to buy rights under the Biodgett claim, in pref erence to taking up land equally fertile over the river, which was already in market. Tradition relates that sueh a land seeker arrived at Beloit in the afternoon with a span of horses which were for sale. Biodgett liked the horses, and made no objection to the price ; indeed he would purchase them and give for them a claim to a quarter-section of land. This offer the own er concluded\o accept. As soon as the bargain was raade, Biodgett had the horses harnessed to a plow, and with his new team drove out and plowed, in three hours, the furrow which perfected the claim which the moming fol lowing he gave in payment for the hoi-ses. The year 1837 constitutes an era itt the history of this town, from which dates the rising of its social community, its schools, its religious institutions — all that now characterizes it. In Febmary, of that year, came Dr. Horace White, as an agent of "The New England Company," and purchased of Biodgett one-third of his claim. A company known in annals the of this town as the "New England Company" was formed in New England for the purpose of facilitating the work of emi gration, and to constitute a congenial, social community where they shovfld locate. Although no articles stipulated for such an object, it was under stood that wherever they should locate, they would unite in sustaining the institutions of science tod of reUgion, and all those adjuncts which contrib ute to the happiness, thrift and elevation of society. This impUed pledge has been realized. The names of individuals com prising that company were David Jv Bundy, Horace White, Horace Hobart, 49 John W. BickneU and his sons, George W. and Otis P. BickneU, Israel Pho ney, A. L. Field, R. P. Crane, A. B. Howe, Mrs. Lucy Dyer and two sons, Israel Cheney, Ira Young, L. C. Beech, and Leonard Hatch. In the previous year, 1837, came Charles F. H. Goodhue, who had before resided in Sherbrook, Canada, and who had just before made a claira and a beginnning at Watertown, Wisconsin. By his attomey, Tyler Moore, he bought of Biodgett one-fourth part of his whole claira, and immediately set about building a saw-mill, which the wants of the people and the danger of coming frost drove on night and day to completion. Mr. John Hacket came also in May, 1836. At a later day ho became the first post master, first legislator, and now, in middle life, is among our first citizens. The same year came also L. G. Fisher. He had started from Milwaukee with his face set toward the raineral region. Following a traU, he had proceeded to Wa tertown, where, meeting with Goodhue, a former acquaintance, his course was deflected by the glowing representations of Goodhue, touching the beau ties ofthe lower Rock, and finally both came together in a dug-out down to New Albany, now Beloit. As they were completing the arrangements for their voyage, three passengers presented themselves who wished to go with them. They were accepted on the condition that they should work the craft and so pay their passage. The river was uncommonly high, and they were with out a chart. No material incident of the voyage is preserved, except that in passing the rocks and rapids at Monterey, their progress became so rapid that they were impressed with their first i leas of railroad speed, and of the consequences of a collision. Fisher gave in to the representations of Good hue, and speedily bought of him one-fourth part of his purchase, which was equal to one-sixteenth of the whole Biodgett claim. About this time a grist-miU was erected on the Turtle creek, which has an especial interest, be cause it is believed to be the first siraUar raUl in the state. Customers came to mill from a distance of one himdred and five railes. This raill was built by Charles F. H. Goodhue, and is still working in the possession of WiUiam T. Goodhue, his son. The same year Maj. Charles Johnson, and John Doolittle, bought two- twelfths of the Biodgett claim. In this way the site of the present viUage and much of the adjacent land was parcelled out. That we may have the original division before us at one view, we will here recapitulate : Biodgett, in 1885 and '6, bought the somewhat nebulous claim of Thiebeau, for the suni of two hundred and fifty dollai-s. In 183?, Dr. 'White bought of Biodgett four-twelfths of the same claim in behalf of " The New England Company," laying tliree thousand doUars therefor* 4 50 Goodhue, in 1837, bought of Biodgett three-twelfths of the claim, at the price of two thousand dollars. Fisher bought one-fourth part of Goodhue's purchase for five hundred dol lars. Doolittio and Maj. Johnson bought two-twelfths of Blodgett's claim, pay ing therefor fifteen hundred dollars. Biodgett retained one-fourth of his original interest. According to the ratio hore indicated, the original proprietors divided the village and the sur rounding lands;. After the settiement of the town had thus fully commenced, it continued at so rapid a rate that for a short time the supplies which tho industry of the farmers could furnish, could not keep pace with the demand. Some minds, however, began to forecast tho necessity of a market which might receive the anticipated overflow of agricultural affluence. The question was raised in a public meeting " Where shall we find a future market for our produce ?" Dr. White being present, was of the opinion that the incoming popula tion would demand all that could bo produced for a long time, and that no surplus would be found within twenty years. The fallibility of uninspired men in regard to things in the future was nev er more clearly iljustiated than in this instance. Three years after the date of that utterance, there was a sui-plus of all kinds of produce ; wheat was worth only twenty-fivo cents and corn ten cents. A bushel of wheat was offered and refused in exchange for a pound of salaratus. To conclude, however, that the price of agricultural produce was uniformly low, or oven moderate, would lead us into a fallacy. Owing sometiraes to improvidence, but more frequently to the badness of the roads, the market became bare, and tho citizens had to make their wits serve as a committee on ways and means. At first, flour came from Ohio and from New York. The ports at which Beloit traded were Southport, Milwaukee and Chicago. One week was tho time consuraed in a round trip. The state of the roads might easily double that lime. When from any cause supplies ran short, roiort was had to tho river. Goodhue's race was made to overfiow its banks, and no small portion of the solid matter left upon the flats after such an occurrence consisted of suckers. Whoever can recall the events of 1838-40 will not fail to find suckers and hoecake in the grouping. In the spring of 1838 the member representing the commissariat of each of the few families then in Beloit might be seen with baskets on the flats gathering suckers for breakfast. The modern citi zen can but poorly sympathise in the gusto of the joke when some aboriginal 51 citizen now directs a boy, peddUng suckers, to "carry them to Mr. Bundy, or Mr. CoUey, who is very fond of them and wiU surely buy the lot." It should' be borne in mind that while all this claiming had been going on, while there had been divisions and fractional divisions, and while fortunes al ready began to bo inflated and to confer consequence, the land, the very sub stratum of all, had not been bought. The United Slates owned it, and should they conclude to use it themselves, all these transactions and their consequences would prove " like the baseless fabric of a vision." And yet, as an antitype of squatter sovereignty, the ipen on the gi-ound had inaugu rated a complete system. They had made an officer to register claims, had appointed a committee on contested rights, and, in short, done all those things that would have been becoming had thoy been invested with the soil in fee and the rights of jurisdiction. The effects of this irregular proceeding, however, was so to facilitate fu ture operations, that when the knd sale in March, 1838, occurred, one man was sufficient to represent the many interests. That duty was devolved npon Mr. L,. G. Fisher, who^ attending in Milwaukee, discharged it to the satisfaction of the parties concerned. The new accession of 1837 to the population, began to manifest its power in tbe erection of those institutions which at this day constitute the glory and strength of Beloit. At the first meeting of the territorial legislature, following the apportion ment of the Biodgett claim to the New England Company and others, Maj. Johnson and Cyrus Araes were sent as lobby members to BuiUngton, in Iowa, where the representatatives of the la,i-ge teriitory now constituting the two states of Wisconsin and Iowa were assembled. They went down the river in a dug-out to Rock Island, subsisting on smoked suckers and other primitive ship stores. Frora that point they took a steamer up the Missis sippi to Burlington, the place of assembly., A prominent object of this trip, and one iu which they succeeded, was to obtain an act of incorporation for a sominary, Thus early and eamestly did the people of this town initiate a systera which ever since they have pur sued with diUigence, to provide for the youthful generation the highest class of scholastic tr3.ining. It wiU assist us to understand the ease with wbich this county was sub dued, if we compare our history with that of regions where tall forests had to be removed, and where, for many years, undecayed roots obstracted the plow. In such countries, feUing, cutting, log-roUing, burning, pickipg up and fencing, aro but the beginning of sorrows. The stumps and stubborn roots remain from year to year stumbling blocks and eye-sores, deflecting 52 furrows and precluding the use of the mower, the cultivator, and other eco nomical implements by which the muscular labor of the farmer has been re-, lieved, and the productiveness of the soil increased. When the first set tlors came here the broad plain was ready for the plow; and thousands of acres were covered with grass, and other thousands were outspread around without a root to obstmct or a stump to mar the scene. The crops were put in and matured without the protection of fences, during the first two years. Although as appears in the foregoing recital, immigration did much for this place in the first days of its history, il was judged neither safe nor desi'- rable to neglect other means whereby population might be increased and its perpetual succession insured. Recourse was had the expedient of ordinary generation. To this peren^ nial fountain of population are we indebted for scool-houses full of sUps and rudiments of humanity, whose names are yet to be made and whose parts are all to be acted in time to come. The first accession through this channel to the population of Beloit, was gained on the 29th day of March, 1838, in the person of Lucian Dwight Mears, who has since grown into a coUege freshman. The record which preserves and verifies this fact is found in manuscript, in the Bible of the elder Mr. Mears. All the people regarded this birth as an event-^the women were proud and jubilant — the news ran through the whole circuit of New Albany — the fa thers of the settlement were tickled ; they Congratulated the parents, sug gested an Ulumination, talked more at large of giving a lot to bless the boy and encourage the parents, (the lot was even designated) ; but the week passed, the excitement subsided, they became first prudent, then oblivious, and like many genial promptings, the benevolent thought blasted in blossom ing, and perished from memories on the spot where it sprang. The rights under it are now bared by the statute of limitations, but the lot remaineth unto this very day ; on Broad street it may be seen. A school-house was built in 1839, and the expense was defrayed by the voluntary offering of the settlers-. The first sermon was preached m a shanty building, by Rev. Professor Whitman, a Baptist. ORGANIZATION AND tlMriS OF TOWNi The to-wn of Beloit was constituted by an act of the territorial legislature, approved I7th Febmary, 1842. At its organization the town embraced an 53 area equal to about four townships which is described as follows: Townships number one of range 10, 11, 12, and 13, except that the two eastem tiers of sections, and also the north section of the third tier from town one, range thirteen, were given to Clinton, and sections 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 31, 32, and 33, of town two, range thirteen, were taken into Beloit. Without tho addition of the sections on the north, the town would have been in a regular form, twenty-two miles from east to west, by six miles from north to south. The addition of those sections made the line irreg ular. The first town meeting was held at the school-house, in Beloit, and for purposes of organization. Hazcn Cheney ivas made chairman, and Edward Bicknell, clerk. i The following extracts from the records of this first meeting will engage a moment's notice : " Voted to set the office of Collector up at auction and the one that will give the most to the town out of the five per cent. aUowed by law, shaU have the office." " Bid off by Henry Meai-s at four per cent." " Voted that this meeting stand pledged to support the man for chairman of the board of supervisors whP will pay the most to the town out of the two dol lars per day allowed him by law for services in said office." " Bid off by Selvy Kidder at one dollar per day." Alas, for public pledges ! Republics are ungrateful. This young democ racy having solicited a bribe and pledged to accept it, after all elected anoth er man. Mr. Kidder put himself at half, price and so had the pledge, while a full priced man, David J. Bundy, obtained the votes. Political aspirants, take note ! * The officers elected at this first town meeting were David J. Bundy, Jo seph Colley, and John P. Houstin, supervisors ; Israel C. Cheney, town clerk; Asael B. Howe, assessor; Edwin BickneU, treasurer; Henry Mears, collector; S. G. CoUye, Chas. M. Messer, and Alex Douglass, coraraissioners of highway; Leonard Humphrey, Milo Goodrich, and Jesse Moore, commis sioners of schools ; Otis Bicknell, constable ; Ira Hearsey, sealer of meas ures ; Thos. Crosby, John Reed, and Richard Dole, fence viewers. When the newly elected officei-s carae to be sworn in, the record indicates that the oath was strengthened to con-espond to the weighty interests which were to be affected by the respective functionaries. Thus a fence viewer was sworn only to support the constitution of the United States; a com missioner of highways to support the constitution and to be a good officer; but the chairman of supervisoi-s, in addition to taking care of the constitu- 54 tion and doing the duties of his office, was sworn that he " would do equal right and justice by all men ;" and il is believed that he did. The first organization of churches in Beloit, dates from 1838. From the day of the arrival of the New England company in 1837, public religious worship on the Sabbath was instituted by Congregationalists, and never afterwards omitted. Before the arrival of Rev. Mr. Adams, worship was eon- ducted by laymen, .nnd consisted of singing, prayer, and reading a printed sermon. Iu December of that year, the Congregationalists, who were sup^ plied by the stated ministrations of Rev. 'Wm. M. Adams, and the Metho dists, supplied by the occasional ministrations of Rev. Mr. Tutlle, of Roscoe, 111., organized churches of their respective denominations. The former consisted of twenty-four, and the latter of five members. At that tirae the whole population numbered one hundred and fifteen. The following brief statements will indicate the origin and growth of tho several churches existing in this town : THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH Was organized 27 th of Dec., 1838. They have been supplied as follows; Rev. Tutlle, 1838 to 1840; Rev. Milton Bourne, Sept., 1840 to 1842; Rev. Alpha Warren, Sept., 1842 to 1843; Rev. O. W. Munger, Sept., 1843 to 1845; Rev. Zadock HaU, Sept., 1845 to 1846. A house of worship was built in 1847, at a cost of $4,300. Rev. John Nolan, 1865-'56. Original metabership, 6; present membersiip, 201, Sabbath school, 12 5-. Volumes in librai-}', 350. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, This church was organized 30th of Dec, 1838. Rev, Wm. M. Adams assisted at the organization of the church, and continued preaching half tho time to thera, and half the time at Rockton, for two years. Mr. Adams was succeeded in Nov., 1840, by Rev. Dexter C. Clary, who continued to labor with this people for ten years. He was installed in Feb., 1844, and dis missed in the autumn of 1850. For three years after Mr. Clary's dismis sion the church was without a pastor, but was supplied by Rev. Dr. Chapin, Rev. Professor Emmerson, Rev. Professor Porter, officei-s of the college, and also by Rev. Messrs. Huggins, Randall and Biodgett. In the autumn of 1853 their present pastor, Rev. H. N. Brindsmade, D. D., commenced his labors araong them. This church received missionary aid during the first year of its existence, aud since that period has been self-sustaining. This church has enjoyed several extensive revivals, and has been in a pros- 55 perous condition. A house of worship, of stone, and having a basement, was erected by this society, and dedicated in January, 1844. It cost four thou sand dollars, and was the third church edifice erected in Wisconsin. A church at Green Bay, and the Ist Presbyterian church al Milwaukee, alone had preceded it. The church building was much enlarged in 1863. It will now accommodate six hundred and fifty persons. But again, iu 1856, il is found loo small for the congregation, and measures are now matured for the immediate erection of one that can contain fifteen hundred, and that is ex pected to cost $28,000. On the 6lh day of Feb., 1856, by a vote of the society, the site for this new church was determined. Its location is fifty rods north-east of the pres ent site. In the spring of 1840, at their own request, forty-six merabers were dis missed for the purpose of constituting a new body. In continuance of this purpose they were constituted a Presbyterian church. The number of membeis is 338. Number in Sabbath school, 148. Vol umes in Sabbath school library, 960. A committee of inquiry on Missions exists in this church, which collects and presents monthly to the congregation, the state of Missions throughout the world. PROTESTANT EPISCOP.-i.L CHURCH. In 184(},came Rev.Aaron Humphrey ,from New York, and established wor ship. His labors were divided and shared by this place in connection with Belvidere and Janesville. Mr. Humphrey organized in his own house the little band of Episcopalians on the 26th of Feb., 1841. Finding, in 1845, that the burden of years superadded to the burden of the parish were be coming too weighty, he gave place in that year to Rev. S. C. Millett, who continued ministrations in this society until 1863. Rev. I. E. C. Smedes, in deacon's orders, succeeded 30th July, 1864, and continues (1856) the pastor of this people. A new and beautiful church edifice has been completed by this society, which is the only one on the west side of the river. The site was given by John Hackett, Esq. The corner stone was laid in the spring of 1848. It was occupied in Dec, 1851. The building is of stone, in the gothic style, and is capable of seating three hundred pei-sons. Cost, |5,700. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. In 1842 woi-ship was instituted according tothe riles of the Roman Cath olic church. Beloit, being too weak to maintain an independent existence, 56 was appended as a mission to the Parish of JanesviUe. Having no building in which to celebrate their worship, they were kindly invited by Capt. T. A. Power to occupy rooms in his dwelling. Such prosperity was given to their society that it soon swelled beyond the capacity of their accomraodalions, and they consequently removed to a barn. These new quarters were furnished them by Capt. Power, who finally gave the barn to the society, which being accepted by them, was fitted up for more permanent use. Capt. Power con tinued, while he lived, a liberal patronage lo this society ; and his kindness has since been continued by his widow, who has given the Catholic church on School street, at a central location, two lots, on which there is now erected a substantial stone edifice, one hundred and three by forty-seven feet. The society now embraces more than one hundred families. BAPTIST CHURCH. The Baptist church was constituted on tho first day of May, 1841, and had originaUy fourteen members. Rev. A. Burgess officiated. This church has been blessed with a large measure of spiritual prosperity. Revivals, at tended with great power, have been enjoyed. Between three and four hun dred have been received to its communion ; two colonies proceeding fi-om it have become independent churches — one having its center at Rock and the other at Newark. The foUowing pastors have labored among this peo ple: — Rev. A. B. WincheU preached at Turtle and at Beloit. In 1844, Rev. J. Trowbridge was called. Rev. Harris succeeded in 184 — . In 1844, Rev. Niles Kinney. Rev. Daniel Eldridge succeeded and supplied at Beloit half of the time. Rev. Thomas Holmes became pastor in January, 1856. The infancy of this society was cherished by Miss Moore, who, when the raembers were few, expended labor and money most bountifully to promote the interest of the scattered sheep. The church located on School street cost $5000. Number in Sabbath school, 65. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This church, as is seen frora the foregoing history, was formed from mate rials supplied frora the Congregational church. From that body forty-six members were dismissed, who, on the 21st day of March, 1849, were. Rev; L. H. Ross, of Rockford, officiating, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Clary, Bush- neU and L. Benedict, constituted the first Presbyterian church of Beloit. Rev. A. Eddy having been called to the pastorate of this church, com menced to labor in it on the 24th of July and continued in their service un- tu the spring of 1856, when iU health required a release. The present house of worship was erected in 1849, and dedicated 23d July, 1850. It cost $6000. A beU, manufactured by Menely, weighing 1600 pounds, has since been added to it. Rov. Luman Hawes, late of Carroll College, Waukesha, was called to the pastoral office and commenced labors with' this society in December, 1856. Its Sabbath school numbers 103 scholars. Its S. S. library has in it 350 volumes. Its membership is 151 ; average attendance, 400. The session of this church consists of a pastor and a bench of seven elders. UNION SCHOOLS. An efibrt has been made to sustain at Beloit public or common schools of a high grade. The schools are constituted in three grades. Teachers are liberally paid. The wages of principal of the character required is eight hundred dollars for an academic year ; assistants are liberally paid. A school house which cost six thousand doUars, stands on the east side of the river, and one to cost IvsreLve thousand is in progress on the west side, and -wUl be completed about the first of July next, FEMALE SEMINARY. A new Female Seminary was established here late in 1854. A board of trustees was organized, and Ladies Isabella McQueen and Almira White who had gained experience and reputation as teachers in the Slate of New York, were engaged as associate principals. The success of the school ex ceeded the expectation of its founders. Sixty-eight pupils were immediately coUected in the Seminary, and the number has since been increased to near one hundred. The proficiency exhibited by the pupils in successive examin ations has justified the high expectations of the patrons. The seminary is located on the eastem bank of the river. POST OFFICE. . When postal facilities began to be enjoyed by this people, their post office was at Chicago, ninety miles distant. Wheu any one was going that way, an order on the post master vvas made out and signed by all the seltlers. — Next, Belvidere became a post town, and the distance to the post office was reduced to twenty miles. Next an office was established at Roscoe in IU., six miles from Beloit, and a boy and horse were sent there weekly after the lettei-s. Next, in 1839, a post route from Belvidere to JanesviUe, passing 58 through Beloit, was granted, when John Hackett, Esq., was appointed P. M. The post masters who have successively served at Beloit, with their times of appointraent are as follows : John Hackett, 1839; Selvy Kidder, 1840; Alfred L. Field, 1841; David Noggle, 1845', W. C. Spaulding, 1847; Washington Bastian, 1849; Allen Warden, 1853. As the returns of the post office are almost tbe host possible indices of the commerce and intelligence of a given locality, it has seemed good to present thc receipts of the post office so far as known. Il is believed that the fol lowing particulars relating to the increase of business in the post office will testify favorably for the intelligence and business of the town and compare advantageously with any office in the county, supplying an equal population. The tolal receipts for the first quarter after the establishment of tho office in 1839, amounted to $60. The total receipts for the last quarter, under Mr. Bastian, amounted to $450 in the year 1853. Tho receipts of the post office for the last official quarter ending Dec. 30th, 1855, amounted to $960. Showing an increase since three yeai-s ago, of $500 per quarter. The number of boxes required during Mr. Bastian's term was 300 ; since which the increase of tbe offlce business has demanded a larger building, and the establishment of 600 boxes and 26 drawers, which are aU in constant use, and still the demand remains unsupplied. The present post office building is the largest, and affords the best accom modation to the public — and its internal arrangements for the transaction of the regular post office business is not surpassed by any office in the Slate, There aro now 10 raail routes having their terraini at Beloit — 5 dailies 3 tri-weeklies and 2 weeklies — making the mail arrivals and departures amount to 1006 for each quarter. There are 150 daUies, 1163 weekUes, 400 monthlies, making in the ag gregate, for each quarter, 29,719 papers and magazines received at this office. BELOIT COLLEGE. This institution is so interwoven with tha social history and prosperity of Beloit that, in giving the chronicles of the tovvn, those of the institutiofi are necessarily comprehended. So far as we know, the idea of Beloit col lege originated with three ministers, returning on a steamboat from a clerical convention held at Cleveland in June, 1844. They were Revds. Stephen Peet, Aaron L. Chapin and Theron Baldwin. On their way it was agreed that the time had come to lay the foun- 59 dations of a College. Their plan embraced the State of lUinois, together with the territories of Wisconsin and Iowa. Al a convention held at Beloit, on the 6th of August of the same year, we find Iowa represnled by four ministers; Illinois by 13 miuistei-s and 14 laymen ; Wisconsin by 16 ministers and 10 laymen. Soon, however, Iowa fell out of the scheme, and finaUy the lines were narrowed to embrace Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. For this region was contemplated providing collegiate education for youth of both sexes ; and in order to unite the two political divisions in one enterprise, it was resolved lo erect an institution for males a little norlh and for females a Uttle south of the line of the two States. The institutions at Beloit and at Rockford are the realization of this idea. Other conventions were held in succession, at which it was agreed that thc moral interests of the institution would bo best secured by choosing for it a location away from the commercial towns of the coast. The pretensions of Whitewater and of Waukesha were canvassed in connection with those of Beloit. It was thought that a careful consideration was required before de ciding to attempt uniting Wisconsin and Northem lUinois in a work of this kind. After a session of two days, they agreed upon a resolution expressing their own concurrence in the plan, but recommending " that raore time be allowed and further measures taken in order to ascertain the views of all the minis ters and chui-ches in this region, prior to final action." A circular was ac cordingly sent to all the ministers and churches, inviting them to meet at Beloit and consider the question on the 27th of May, 1845. At that convention there were present representatives from all the Pres byterian and Congregational bodies in this region as follows : Oltowa Presbytery, 4 ministers, 1 delegate ; Galena, 4 ministers, 2 dele gates; Fox River Union, 3 ministers, 2 delegates; Rock River Association, 4 ministers, 2 delegates; Milwaukee Con., 8 rainistei-s, 9 delegates; Beloit Convention, 16 ministers, 10 delegates; Mineral Point Con. 4 ministers, 1 delegate. W^hen the question asserting the expediency of establishing a coUege for the region before mentioned came to the vote, it was affirmatively decided by a vole of 63 to 1. On the 24lh of June, 1847, the corner stone of the first college edifice was laid with appropriate religious exercises. In November a small Freshman class was organized, and provision made for their instruction under tiie tuition of S. T. MerriU, A. M. In May, 1848, the trustees elected Rev. Jackson J. BushneU, A. M.. Pro- fessoi- of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, and Rev. Joseph Emmer- 60 son, A. M., Professor of Languages, and those gentlemen entered upon their duties. The citizens of Beloit raade a donation to the college in the buUding and site of $12,000. Hon. Thomas W. WiUiams, of New London, Conn., made a donation to the college, of land, worth $10,000, Rev. Henry Barber, of Dutchess county, N. Y., gave land worth $1000. The coUoge was still without a President. ' The friends and patrons of the college had been inquiring for one suitable to fill that office. At the convention in 1845, a coraraittee had been raised, of whioh Rev. Aaron L. Chapin, pastor of the FrslPresbyterian churoh of Milwaukee, was chairman, whose functions required them to institute a wise and judicious lookout for a President, and other officers for the nascent institution. In the prosecu tion of their delicate duties, this committee addressed a missive to SaVatis in New England, (where else could they look 3) setting forth their wants and begging said Savans to nominate a man for President, possessed of learning, piety, industry, wisdom, patience, versatility, fii-mness, affability, experience, commanding presence and a willing mind, who might be made head of the college. After time for deliberation, the Savans addressed, returned a kind answer to the committee through their chairman, Mr. Chapin, that they had delibe rated upon the weighty matter respecting which their counsel was required, and that they harmonized in the nomination of the pastor of the 1st Pres byterian church of Milwaukee, to the high station. The Spaniards have a proverb, " He went for wool, and lost his own fleece," which was realized in this case. This nomination proved acceptable to the trustees, and in due order Mr. Chapin was installed President- in Feb., 1850, and has continued in that office, discharging additional duties as Professor of History and Civ- U Polity, and preacher in the coUege chapel, with great ability and to general acceptance. Among the students of the coUege, societies ai-e maintained, which, in addition to the mutual improvement which results lo their raembers, contri bute not a little to the literary enjoyments of the community. A monthly paper, sustained by an edikirial committee of students, is is sued, which is devoted to Essays, Reviews, Archaology, Poetry, Criticism, Belles-lettres and general Science. To the enterprise of the Archaean Society the town is indebted for the course of lectures, in the composition of which, the best talent of the U. S. has been employed. The Archaean Society and the Missionary Society have libraries numbering more than five hundred volumes, of which the membei-s of those societies have the benefit. 61 *rtie Cabinet contains specimens of most of the minerals and rock forma tions of our country; it is especially rich in fossils from the Silurian rocks of the northwest. By the liberality of different friends, the Institution has been furnished •vvith a large collection of marine and fresh water shells, and a valuable bo^ tanical coUection, which embraces more than fifteen hundred species of plants, many of them foreign to to this country. ,The departments of Cheinislry and Natural Philosophy are iUustrated by some valuable apparatus» In addition to the gentleman before named, there have been associated with him as teachers in the professorships of the college, the following, in addition to the professors elected in 1847 : Dr. S.; Pearl: Lathrop, Prof, of Chemistry and Natural Science; Franklin W, Fisk, A. M., Prof, of Rhetoric and English Literature ; Rev. WUUam Porter,, Associate Prof, of Mathematics and. Natural Philosophy. The first class graduated in July, 1851. The library contains 2,463 volumes. , ,, The college possesses a cabinet which begins to attract attention. It has also a philosophical apparatus. The following is a Ust of the present Board of Trustees and Faculty : TRUSTEES AND FACULTY. Rev. Aaron L. Chapin, D. D., President ; Rev. Dexter Claiy, Secretary, Beloit; Rev. Aratus Kent, Galena, Illinois ; Rev. Jedediah D. Stevens, Elk- hom ; Rev. Reuel M. Pearson, Byron,, 111. ; Gen. George W. Hickcox, Iowa county ; Ephram H. Potter, Esq., Rockford, IU. ; Lucius G. Fisher, Esq., Beloit; Wait Talcott, Esq., Rockton, 111. ; Samuel Hinman, Esq., Beloit; Horatio Newhall, M. D., Galena, IU. ; Eliphalet Cramer, Esq., Milwaukee; Rev. G. S. F. Savage, St. Charies, IU.; Rev. H. Curtis, Chicago, IH.; B. W. Raymond, Esq., Chicago, IU.; Rev» John Lewis, PlatteviUe; and Prof. J. J. Bushnell, Treasurer. RAILROADS. The termini of four different railroads are found at this town. In Novem ber, 1863, the first railroad reached us ffOm Chicago, by way of Belvidere, which was built by the Chicago and Galena company. Another company, called the Beloit and Madison Company, are engaged in the constmction of a road to Madison, which is now open to FooteviUe. The Racine and Missis sippi company, on their way to Beloit, have reached it with their, grading, 62 and have completed the road from Racirw to Delevan, and in July next, ex isting contracts being fulfilled, will have laid the iron as far as tho state liUe at this town, Other companies existing under laws of Illinois, are building a road which is virtually an extension of the Racine and Mississippi road, from tho stale line at Beloit, by way of Freeport, to the Mississippi river, at Savannah. Ten miles of' this line leading south-west from Beloit are under contract. The Chicago, St. Paul and Fond du Lac railroad will' open to tho people of this town another comraercial avenue in which they feel » deep interest. This road will be coraplet-ed early in the coming season to JanesviUe, and by a junction at Clinton with the Racine and Beloit road, wUl open to this town a direct and speedy route to Chicago. The influence of railroads has shown itself friendly to good morals, and has been raost auspicious to the coraraercial interests of the place. Railroads conjointly with the coUege have raised the value of real estate one hundred and fifty per cent, in this town. The citizens of Beloit have taken stock in these several roads to a large amount, as follows r NUMBKE OF SUBSCEIBKaa. AMOUNT OP STOCK. Racine & Mississippi, 230 $300,000 Beloit & Madison, 73 12,500 Chicago & St. Paul, 88 15,000 Galena & Chicago, 95 80,160 Town of Beloit on Racine & Mississippi road, 100,000 CENSUS STATISTICS. The population of this town at the beginning of 1838: VILLAGE. TOWN. 1838 was 115 115 1840 " — -~ 1846 " 1850 " 2,753 1853 " 8,017 1855 " 4,241 Frora the census of 1865, taken by Mr. James W. Strong, it appears that there were in tho village of Beloit : East of Rock River. "West of Rock Rirer. Males, 1165 Males, 1062 Females, 1080 Female^ 954 63 Of this population 22 were colored persons, and 899 were of foreign birth. The dweUing-houses numbered 683, and were classified as follows : Built of wood, 400; of brick, 55; of stone 108; and of cobble stone 20. PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND MANUFACTORIES. Churches, 6 ; College Buildings, 2 ; Hotels, 6 ; Banks, 4 ; Female Semi nary, 1 ; Flouring MiUs, 3 ; Foundries, 2 ; Steam Planing Mills, 2 ; Steam Engine Manufactory, 1 ; Scale Factory, 1 ; Woolen Factory, 1 ; Paper Mill 1. The value of manufactured wares for one year, from June, 1854, to June, 1865, was $418,812. OCCUPATIONS OF CITIZENS. Farmers, 230; Carpenters, 125; Masons, 35; Blacksmiths, 30; Machin ists, 36 ; Painters, 24 ; Tailors, 25 ; Shoemakers, 20 ; Wagon Makers, 22 ; Ministers, 20; Physicians, 15; Lawyers, 12; Merchants, 28. COMPANIES FOR OBJECTS OF UTILITY. Water company, 1 ; Gas do., 1 ; Coal do., 1. SOCIETIES. Masonic Lodges, 1; Odd Fellows, 2; Know Nothings, nothing known; Sons of Temperance, 1. WATER POWER. The water-power at Beloit is supplied from two sources — the Rock and the Turtle rivers. The power used at this place derived frora Turtle river, gives a head of twenty-four feet, which is equally divided into four powers, each of which can tura six runs of raill stones. That derived from the Rock has four-and-a-half feet head, and wiU drive sixty-three runs of stones. PAPER MANUFACTORY. The only paper manufactory in our county is at Beloit, owned by Messrs. Wright, Merrill & Co. It was built in 1861 — first paper raade October 1st, of tho same year, and exhibited at our county fair, for which a diploma was awarded accompanied with commendatory remarks from the committee. They employ sixteen hands. 64 The quantity of material used the present year — 1855— is as follows: Rags, 331, 483 lbs; Old Rope, 10,000 lbs; Straw, 120,000 lbs; Wood, 350. The quantity of paper manufactured the past year, 1855, is as foUows : Printing paper, 190,000 lbs., at 12 cents per pound— $22,800; Wrapping paper, 85,000 at 5 cents per pound — $4,260. Total value, $27,060. They have also commenced new mills, which wiU^be finished in June of the present year, and wiU cost about $25,000. BELOIT STEAM PLANING MILL, AND SASH, DOOR AND BLIND FACTORY. M. A. Northrop & Co., Proprietoi-s. Bnilding, 40 by 60 feet — 3, stories above the basement — and worked by a steam engine of 30 horse power. First floor — ^Woodworth's matching machine. Everts' & Butier's shingle niachine, and one cirCiilar saw. Second Floor — ^One tennoning machine, one cash machine, one morticing ¦ machine, one scroll saw, and one circular saw. Third floor is for putting the work together. The shingle machine wiU cut 8000 shingles per dayi ^hey employ 12 men. PUBLIC MEN. Beloit has furnished quite her share of county officers. Tbe foUovring is a. list of them : Judges of Probate — Horace White, Israel C. Cheney, S. B. Cooper. Registers of Deeds — C. C. Townsend, B. P. Kent. Clerks of the Court— E. P. King. Sheriffs— L. G. Fisher, H. W. Cator, W. H. Howard. • liistrict Attorneys — John M. Keep, W. S. Rockwell, and M. H. Car penter. ' Delegates to form a State Constitution fronJ Beloi1>— David Noggle, and John Hackett, Esqs., to the first, and Joseph CoUey, Esq., to the second con vention. S. G. CoUey and John H&cket, Esqs.. have also been members of the as sembly from this district. BUSHNELL HOUSE, The importance of a first-class hotel to the respectabiUty and business of the town which had long been felt, became at length so pressii^ that Mr. 65 Bushnell, at a sacrifice of his own cherished pursuits, yielded to much solici tation and the promptings of public spirit, and in 1853 undertook lo buUd the fine hotel which was completed in 1854, and has sinco been kno-wn as the BushneU Housc. As this hotel is one of the glories of the place, a brief description of it is in place here: It occupies tho site of tho old Rook River House, and is separated from Rock river by the sti-eet. Il cost twenty-seven thousand dollars. It is built so as lo form three sides of a square, enclosing a court. It is four stories high above the basement, and fronts ninety-eight feel on Turtle street, by ninety-seven feet on School street. The end and rear walls aro of stone, but the whole front of one hundred and ninety-five feet, is faced with the beautiful Milwaukee brick, a material which is now used so extensively for fronts, that we hardly need say- that it is durable and pleasing to the eye. The first story is occupied by two banking offices and five stores, with tho kitchen arrangements' of the hotel. Tho reiiaftining three stories are occu pied exclusively by tie hotel. The whole front of the middle stoiy is divi ded into parlors, with bed-rooms attached, designed for tho accommodation of families. This hotel is situated near to all 'the business of the town, and convenient to the several railroad depots. From the roof of the house the eye has au extended and most delightful ralgo. The windings of the river, where its silver thread can no longer be sfeen, is still traced by the belt of timber upon its margin ; a hundred rural homes amid surrounding grass and corn aro seen dotting the ncir landscaipe. Rock prairie, stretching without apparent limit lo tho north and east, contrasts happily with the Grampian bluffs, which variegate and adorn, though thoy interrupt the prospect south ward. The eye cast downward convej's to the mind a sense of contact with the bustle of busy life ; elevated, it suddenly transports one to the solitude of the prairie, or thc charms of a loafy retreat. This hotel has coutributed not a little tb the attractions of the place, and in the public benefit it has conferred, il has not disappointed its enterprising projector. BASKS AND OFFICERS. Rock Rivor Bank — L. G. Fisher, president, A. L. Field, cashier. Beloit Bank — George B. Sanderson, president, Lewis Hyde, cashier. Exchange Bank — Carpenter & Wright. Southern Wisconsin Bank — J. D. Skeene, president, Isidore Talfair, cash. FIRE COMPANY. A. J. Battin, Captain. 5 6G MINISTERS. Presbyterian and Congregational — Rev. Dexter Clary ; Rev. N. H. Brins- raade, D. D.; Rev. Aaron L. Chapin, D. D. ; Rev. WiUiam Porter; Rev. J. J. BushneU; Rev. Huntington Lyman; Rev. Joseph Emmerson; Rev. Mol- zar Montague ; Rev. F. W. Fisk, Licentiate ; Rev. L. D. Chapin. Presbyterian Ministers — Rev. Luman Hawes;, Rev. Alexander Montgom ery; Rev. Miles P. Squier, D. D.; Rev. Derrick C. Lansing, D. D., has pur chased with a view to raake a home at Beloit; Rev. R. G. Thorapson. Catholic— J. W. Norris, D. D. Congregational Ministers — Rev. B. E. Hale; Rev. B. B. Brown. Baptist Ministers — Rev. Henry BUHngs ; Rev. Thomas Holman ; Rev. Ja cob Bailey. Episcopal Ministers — Rev. J. E. C. Smeads; Rev. S. C. MUlett; Rev. A. Humphrey. Methodist Ministers — Rev. John Chamberlain; Rev. Stephen Adams; Rev. J. Tibbals; Rev. Mr. Scott. LAWYERS. S. J. Todd, R. H. MiUs, N. D. Parker, J. M. Keep, M. H. Carpenter, Ha- zen Cheeney, D. W. Castle, Wm. S. Rockwell, S. B. Cooper, -M. N. Pasco, W. T. Clarke, E. P. King, G. A. Gardiner, Esquires. PHYSICIANS. Allopathic — ^S. Spencer, G. W. Bicknell, George A. Carey, E. J. Taggart, A. Clark, E. M. Clark, Jesse Moore, II. P. Strong, J. M. TiUepaugh, H. Smith, Dr. Richards., A. J. Beuuell, Jesse Gage. Homoopntiuc — J. W. Evans, J. M. Merriman. Botanical Doctor — Aaron Tcalc. Dentists — J. Craig, M. W. Sherwood, Pelton. Dry goods sloi-os, 11; grocsries, 13; eating houses, 4; shoo stores, 2; saw mill, 1 ; tin shops, 3 ; meat m.irket^ 2 ; hardware stores, 3 ; steam mills, 2 ; foundries, 2 ; rcipcr factory, 1 ; scala factory, 1 ; blind nnd sash factory, 1 ; harness shops, 3; wagon shops, 5; blacksmith shops, 8 ; other shops, 12. TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1854-5. Supervisors, Benj. Durham, chairman, A. B. Carpenter, Harsou Northrop; town clerk, S. L. James; assessors, Chas. Peck, J. Carpenter; treasurer J. N. Reynolds; town sui>orintendent, T. L. Wright; justices, S. J. Todd S. 0. Humphry; sealer weights and measures, N. B. Gaston; constables. D. C. Patten, N. D. Colby. TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1865-6. Supervisors, S. G. Colley, chairman, D. W. C. Castie, Geo. W. BickneU; town clerk, Jas. W. Strong; town treasurer, T. C. DeMary; superintendent schools, A. J. Battin; justices, E. P. King, S. L. James; assessors, J. H. Hanchett, S. K. Biodgett, Benjamin Butler; sealer weights aud raeasuret, T. Edgar; constables, D. C. Patten, A. V. TUlman. HISTORY OF NEWSPAPERS. Beloit Messenger, by Cooley & Civer; commenced Sept. 4th, 1846. It was a five column newspaper ; just half the sizo of the Beloit Joumal. Neu tral in politics. Beloit Journal, commenced by Stokes & Briggs, Juno 22d, 1848. J. R. Briggs, jr., bought out his partner's interest, iu the fall of 1848, and contin ued the publication alone until Sept., 1849, when he foi-med a partnership with C. G. Foster, of Troy, N. Y. Thc Journal was published from this tirao until May, 1854, by Briggs & Foster; when Mr. Foster bought Mr. Brigg's interest, and continued the publication of the paper until Augusl,l 855. At this tirae Mr. Foster sold tho establishment lo Messrs. A. Paine, J. J. BusliuoU and L. G. Fisher, and tho publication was continued but a few weeks by A. Paine & Co. The last named firm sold to H. L. Devereux, who continued the Journal until January, 1856, vvhen he formed a partnership with B. E. Hale. Western Prohibitionist — ^Mr. B. E. Halo is now contemplating the publi cation of a temperance paper vvith tho above title. CONCLUDING REMARKS. It is interesting to trace the relation between thc present condition of this town, and tha first acts of its first settlers. It is not more certain that the affluent beauty of oui- slrools in June, proceeds from t!ie taste of our ladies in tho arrang-imont of shrubbery, than that tho general prosperity of Beloit haa its serain.il principio in the events ofthe first years of settlement. Thc voluntary self-assessment of the poor settlors, by which the means to build th3 old school house wero realized, was a fil pi-cludo to that zeal for tho Union School, whit-h has siui-e adorned both banks of tho river, with those convenient and costly structures within which the Union School is stiU, chenihcd. 08 The persistence of laymen under difficulties in maintaining public relig ious services, was the genn whose ripe fruit now appears in those churches, material and spiritual, which adorn the town, and which has made itself a record upon tho public morals and order. Maj. Johnson's romantic voyage down the Rock and up the Mississippi rivers, when he obtained of thc Territorial Legislature, at Burlington, a char ter for a Sominary, had a sigmficance, which, when we look upon the Col lege and upon the Female Seminary, we can appreciate as he could not. >*' Who can doubt that these acts- severally aud conjoined, have determined the character of the accretions Avhich have since been made to this popula tion ? It is not an accident that educated parents, desiring to secure the high est educational advantages for their children, resort to Beloit and make there their homes. The moral prominently taught in the history of this town, is, that a gen erous patronage of improvements of real utility, results in the production of material wealth, and that the maintenance of religion and learning, whUe it also contributes to the same end, has this higher advantage, that it pro motes the individual thrift, refinement and religion of the pofiulation. 69 NAMES OF A FEW OF THE L.4.RGEST FARMERS IN THE TOWN OP BELOIT, WITH THE AMOUNT OF PRODUCE RAISED, AND ALSO TIIE AMOUNT OF STOCK : NAMES. Siraon Ruble, George S. Ruble, Wm. S. Yost, G. R. MaUory, I. G. Washburn, J. &. S. A. Burcliiird, A. Teale, Wm. Washburn, Jeremiah Roberts, E. N. Baldwin, Isaac Oilman, T. Hoagland, Richard Barry, J. G. Winslow, J. Southard, A. Clark, Henry Knid, Clark Nye, J. Chamberlain, T. Cutts, Peny Bostwick, Wra. Lawrence, R. G. Thompson, Torgas Sabei-son, A. Henderson, Daniel Biodgett, John Eddy, J. Gesley, E. G. Bement, M. A. Holmes, Wm. Cochran, E. G. Bement has manufactured the past year, 75 pounds of peppermint oU, worth $4 per pound. T. Cutts keeps 275 fowls. 226 2800 1800 1700 200 500 24 34 220 150 1700 1650 900 120 200 13 14 5 180 900 1350 1300 120 100 6 60 170 500 400 2200 60 2 1 100 450 1100 1100 50 2 100 750 900 1100 100 4 36 100 350 850 450 30 100 5 13 100 250 1600 550 100 2 8 90 450 1100 850 200 7 50 300 40 250 1400 200 150 6 35 40 500 500 700 100 12 6 85 350 1300 700 75 12 12 40 350 1300 350 60 2 23 75 550 800 350 200 4 40 90 350 1200 650 150 4 3 75 60 2200 375 150 4 15 65 750 900 400 150 5 25 55 160 1100 400 150 9 30 60 350 800 400 100 4 20 40 198 460 550 200 4 9 40 350 600 800 200 5 12 100 40 450 400 800 200 6 30 53 438 850 264 30 2 17 100 450 500 500 60 4 20 26 60 90 850 600 250 6 32 100 40 250 600 550 250 6 3 50 350 1000 200 50 18 75 375 600 450 150 2 16 24 25 150 25 40 2 1 40 60 1200 300 300 2 24 25 57 280 700 490 200 7 16 206 44 38 50 7 15 20 12 8 6020 2 100 33 28 5 12 1012 20 4 10 20 8 24 26 2032l.-^ 3 50 3 The foUowing note was received from the town clerk of Beloit, in reference to the statistics of that town, collected by hira : 0. Guernsey, Esq., Cor. Sec'y &c. : Dear Sir: — Il is but jastice to the farmers of Beloit to state that tho 70 agricultural statistics obtained by myself, agreeable to your request, fall far short of representing the actual amount of produce raised in Beloit. In al most all cases, I found it impossible to obtain statements knoion to be cor- i-eot; as the farmers had either forgotten the amount of gr.ain raised, or neg lected to measure it ; and when estimates were made, I am convinced they were oftener too low than too high. Besides this, tho products of some farms are not reported at all, a-5 the proi.lucers had removed from tiie prem ises, and estimates ev.>n tolerably correct could not be made. These facts need to be considered in judging from the statistics of Beloit as an agricul tural town. Yours Truly, JAMES W. STRONG. The whole number of Farms in the town of Beloit is 103; number of School Districts, 8 ; School Houses, 4, one of which cost $5,500 ; Scholars, 1385. Thoy receive from the State School fund the present year $968 41. CLINTON. This is town 1, range 14 east, and is situated in the southeast corner of the county. Its history and description cannot bo better told than in the words of the following coramunication from A, C. Resseguie, Esq., of that town: O. Guernsey, Esq. — Dear Sir; In compliance with your request to aid you in the work of getting up a history of Rock county, a few recollections of events connected with the early history and settlement of the town of Clinton, aro furnished you, with permission to reject, amend or publish entire as you may deem proper. Ma ny incidents in the early settlement of a town, attracting little or no obser vation at the time of transpiring, are looked back upon by its inhabitants with a degree of interest proportionato to the lapse of time since their oc currence ; and as this is a history for the future as well as the iDresent inhabit ants of the town, some things may with propriety bs recorded, which would strike the present reader as trifling and unworthy of a place in such a work. On the 2d day of April, 1837, under the guidance of Deacon Chauncey Tutlle, (who had visited this section of country the fall previous,) accom panied by " Aunt Amy's " prayers and receipts for making bread, Dr. Den- 71 nis Mills, Milton S. Warner, Charles Tuttie and Wm. S. Murray, started from Meacham's Grove in Illinois, for some place on or near Rock river in Wisconsin. The raiiin object in view was to secure some good farras. The journey to " Blodgel's place," now Beloit was accomplished after five days of hard toiling through mud, sloughs and unbridged rivers nnd creeks. It was necessary many times in the course of each day for one or more of the company to wade into the sloughs nearly waist deep and lift at thc wheels, to enable thc horses to draw tho load tiirough. The river at Belvi dere, and Turtio creek at Beloit, from recent rains and molting snows, were up to high water mark and had to bo crossed in a " dug out," or canoe, carrying over a wagon wheel, or barrel of pork, or barrel of flour at a time, CDnsumiiig several hours' time at each place in crossing. The day of arrival at Bqloit vas i-ainy ani cold and, tho place presented any thing but an in viting appearance to the stranger. The soft side of a burr-oak puncheon -iv'as the best sleeping or lodging accommodations the placo afforded ; that, at California prices, was obtainable at the house of Caleb Blodget, the enter prising founder of Beloit. This, with the exception of Monsieur Tebo's shanty, occupied by himself and two Squaw wives, was. the only house in the place. This was a roughly built, commodious, " double yolked " log house, or, in other words, twp stories on the ground. A part of the first saw mill frame was raised, and the digg'ing of the race commenced. On the 8th, the company, piloted by Mr. Blodget, visited Jeffei-son prairie, and de termined upon locating there. On the 9th, with the aid of Tebo and his little canoe, re-crossed Turtle creek with their effects, and commenced a set tlement on the west side of Jefferson prairie, within the present limits of the town of Clinton. They arrived there about sun down, and began the first improvement, a very frail stracture. It received no name, was a mere thing to sift sunshine aud moonlight through, and. rain, if it chanced to come, though it did serve all the purposes of a house for eight days and nights. — It consisted of four crotches set in the ground, on which were placed cross poles, .and a brush heap for roof; sided up on three sides with Indian blank ets, and fronting on a log heap fire, by which was cooked the first settlei-s' supper in the town of Clinton, and which was probably eaten with as keen a relish as any subsequent suppers, though served up in a much better or very different style. The floor was made of a wagon box taken to pieces and laid down as evenly as the surface of tho ground would admit of. Tho establishment was amply furnished with " Straw beds, all but the tick," and like an omnibus, could accommodate as many as could conveniently get in. The next day was employed in a further examination of the prairie and timber surrounding. The land had not then been in market. A few sec- 72 tions were marked and taken possession of in the name of the Jefferson Prairie Company. AU feed for the horses being exhausted, it was necessary to use them at once in collecting together materials for a more pei-manent house. Accord ingly, the logs were cut and drawn, and the body of a house 12 by 16 raised by the middle of the afternoon, when Charles Tuttlo started with the team for Rockford, thc nearest point where grain could be procured. The horses were exchanged for oxen and a breaking plow, and about one hundred acres broken up that season, most of which was put under crops of corn, potatoes, oats, buckwheat, turnips, &c. The house was completed without using one foot of sawed lumber, and served as a shelter for raany a new comer into town, after the owners had vacated it for better ones. There was a feeling of almost veneration for the old habitation, which should have protected it from the hands of the destroy er. But a family of Da es, who were sent annually to scourge some lo cality different from the one they had infested the year before, came along and demolished il. Daniel MiUs joined the company about the middle of June following. Stephen E. Downer, Daniel Tasker, and their wives, visited the prairie about the sarae time. Those two were probably the first white ladies who had ever honored the prairie with their presence. They selected claims on the southeast side of the jn-airie. In July, Oscar H. Pratt and Franklin MitcheU, from Joliet, Illinois, carae on and made clairas at SummervUle and arranged to have some breaking done. In October they built a log house, which was occupied that fall and following winter by Stacy L. Pratt, three of his sisters and father. They wero joined in the winter by Ai and Reuben P. Willard. Humphrey and Ezekiel Brownell settled near Summer- viUe that winter. Huraphrey had a family, and Ezekiel wishing to set a good example for his brother bachelors, soon after took to hiraself a rib. — They were the first couple launched upon the Matriraonial Ocean from Jef ferson prairie, or Clinton ; Joseph S. Pierce, Esq., had the honor of pronounc ing them one. The same faU and winter, Stephen E. Downer, Daniel Tasker, Martin Moore and Henry Wheeler and their families moved on to the claims that Downer and Tasker had made in the summer. In October, '37, Henry L. Warner, Henry Tuttie, Albert Tuttie, Griswold Weaver, Mrs. Milton S. Warner, Mrs. Daniel MiUs and Miss Harriot War ner joined the settlement on the west side of the prairie. MUton S. Warner finished his log house in December, and Daiuel MiUs his in January, to tho great accommodation of boarders and travelers. Chi- 73 cago was then the nearest provision raarket where settlers could get suppUes, The price of flour then at Chicago was about $10 to $12 per barrel, smd pork $6 to $8 and $9 m the hog. The price varied according to tho running qualities of the animal. We frequently got those that were said to have been " inside of two-forty on the plank." They had countenances much resembling, in longitude, those of disappointed politicians. The first load of grain, consisting of buckwheat and com, sent to mill from this town, was taken by Griswold Weaver to a raill on the Piskasaw river, somewhere below Belvidere, IU., in the month of January, 1838. The miller, as was customary at that tirae, returned the toU instead of the grist. The nearest post office during the winter of '38 was at Roscoe. In '38-9 considerable additions were raade to the settlement, and the time of the settler was heavily taxed in being so frequently caUcd out to log house raisings; though the work was always cheerfully done. According to the best recollections of the writer, the first political speech publicly made in town, was at a political meeting al the house of Chas. Tuttie, in the summer of '39, by a prominent aspirant, (not now a resident of this town,) to the honors of a seat as member in the Territorial legisla ture. As a model speech, admirable at least in point of brevity, it should not be lost to the world. The orator was elevated by his admirers inlo a lumber wagon, standing in front of the house, and with a becoming degree of diffidence began thus : " Gentlemen, to begin with, I am rough shod ; fourteen ribs on a side, and, am hard to handle. If I go to Madison, I ex pect to go on my own hook and get back the best way I can. I have no hobby upon which to ride into office. My hobby horse's head and tail is down. Sorae men wUl promise you a canal, fitted up in every Utile ravine and rivulet for steamboats to ply on, with a glibness. Some one thing and some another; but gentlemen, I can 't say what I shall do when I 'm elected." The speaker here closed, stepped down from the wagon, and whispered to a friend that he should have said more, but he did n't want to offend them d d locofocos. Other aspirants to office were present from adjoining precincts, and il was understood that they intended to make speeches, but were unwilling to hazard a comparison of their oratorical powers with what they had just listened to, and left the field without making an effort. The first religious service in town was conducted in 1838, by Elder Top- pin, then a resident of Walworth county, at the house of Chas. Tuttie. Min- istei-s' visits were al that day few and far between, and always called out the whole population lo listen to their religious teachings. The Rev. Albert Tuttie, of Roscoe, al the earnest solicitation of Wm. HUdreth, preached several Sabbath evenings at Ephraim Hildi-eth's house. Mrs. S. E. Downer, 74 in tho year '38, gave birth to tho first while child born in town; Mrs. M. S. Warnor, the second child. Their example was sanctioned by all good mar ried ladies, and the settlements began to prosper. The 2d wedding in town took placo on the open prairie, all parties being on horseback. The couple, (names, not remembered,) desiring to bp united under the holy bonds of marriage, wore in search of a magistrate, ^nd raet Joseph S. Pierce, Esq., on his return from his saw mUl, ^-here ho had been nt work. They were " in sometliing of a hurry," and the generosity of tho 'Squire could not deny their request. Dispensing with the little-, forn-ialities of license and certificate, he pronounced thera husband and wife, and thoy rode off across the prairies,, galloping on their way rejoicing. This town was organized, in 1842, under its present name, embracing nine miles square ; it. now contains but six miles square. The first town meeting, held, was on the 5th day of AprU, 1842, at the house of Chas. Tuttie. The following named persons were elected for the different offices, forthe. ensuing year : i , Col. Wm. Stewart, Chairman Supervisors; Heman, Mun-ay, Ass't do; Ja- red H. RandaU, do. do. Lpvell R. GUbert, Assessor ; Henry Tutlle, Town Clerk; Griswold Weaver, Treasurer; Reuben P. WiUard, Collector. James Chamberlain, Henry Tuttie, Horatio J. Murray, Commissioners .Highways. David M. Platt, Charles Tuttie, W. S. Murray, Commissioners Common Schools. Second town meeting held on the 4th day of. April, 1843, at the house of Samuel Case. Officers elected for the ensuing year, were, Heman Mur ray, Chairman Supervisors; James Chamberlain, Assistant do ; Joseph S. Pierce, do. do. Benjamin F. Murray, Assessor; F. Rice, Town Clerk; Jamos Mendenhall, Treasurer; C. M. Baldwin, CoUector. W. W. Carey, Chas. Randall, Samuel Case, Commissioners Highways. B. Q. Baker, D. M. Platt, Henry Tutlle, Commissioners Common Schools. For want of space, the names of those holding office under the town, from the year 1843 to the beginning of 1854, are not given. The following named persons were elected for the year 1854 : Charles Tuttie, Chairman Supervisors ; Francis Carey, Assistant do ; Ole OUonson, do. do. Stewart Lake, Town, Clerk. ; L. R. Gilbert, Treasurer- Henry Tutlle, Town Superintendent. Torry Holgerson, Stiles S. Northrop, John Perrine, Justices of the Peace. Al the last town meeting, held on the 3d day of April, A. D. 1855 the foUowing naraed persons were elected : Stewart Lake, Chairman Supervisors ; Stiles S. Northrop, Assistant do ; 75 Edwin Anunson, do. do. A. C. Resiseguie, Town Clerk; Judd P. WeUs, Treasurer; C. L. Hartshorn, Town Superintendent. Thos. Tuttie, D. B. Colyer, S. S. Northrop, Torre Holgerson, Justices of the Peace. Cyrus G. Barker, Henry Tuttie, Assessors. In the years '40 and '41, raany settlers v,'ore added to tho numbers already in town. Ampng them were Messrs. Reuben, Samuel and Alexander Case ; Oliver and Alonzo Richardson ; Mr. Ingraham, Mr. Bowci-, Mr. Allard Mr. Phelps, Ml-. Amasa Welis, James 0. Case, Daniel C. Baker, Mr. Yorty, Col. Stewart, Dr. Wheeler, and many others. Ole Knidson was the first Nor wegian settler in Clinton. The first school taught in town was by Miss Eliza Baker in tlio year '43, at Willis' Corners — 20 scholars. The town has now 4 whole and 7 joint school districts, 7 school houses ; whole number of children between the agos of four and twenty, 513, and receives the present year from tho State School Fund, $329 24. Accord ing to census returns of June 1st, 1855, the town has under improvement 10,500 acres of land. Population in 1850, 1,176; in 1855, 1,359. Four churches — one Baptist, two Lutheran, one Catholic. The Methodists- are now engaged in obtaining funds to erect a meeting house near Clinton Sta tion, the crossing of the Chicago & St. Paul, and the Racine, Beloit & Mis sissippi railroads, which will soon be m running order. There are two post offices and two stores in town, and to the great credit of its inhabitants be it said, there is no place where whiskey is sold. The agricultural productions of this year were, 60,000 bushels of wheat, 52,000 bu. corn, 62,500 bu. oats, 2,500 bu. rye, 6,225 bu. barley, 7,300 bu. potatoss, 1,150 bu. grass seed. Fkuit. — 500 bushels apples in 1854. Very little this year, in conse quence of frost in May. No. of horses in town, 625; cattie, 3,200; sheep, 850; hogs, 1,200. Considerable attention is being paid to the cultivation of fruit. Estima ted No. of apple trees in town, 30,000. Dr. John Tinker has 25 acres of ground planted to fruit trees, besides a nursery of several acres, embracing a great variety of the best selections known at the present day. The general healthiness of this town has invariably suggested reraoval, or some new employment to physicians, who have settled here with the expectation of living by their profession. Within tiie town are 15 miles of railroad, already graded, and when com pleted, wiU afford its inhabitants the best facilities for reacliing tho differ ent markets. It is traversed by many beautiful littie spring brooks, which in their 76 crooked courses, water a great many fai-ms. Lime stone quanues, furnishing good building stone, are abundant, and as an agi-icultural town it is not sur passed by any in the Stale. Yours, &c., A. C. RESSEGUIE. Wra. S. Murray, Esq., to whom reference is made in the above communi cation, yet resides on the " Old place," one of the finest farms in the country. He was one of the fii-st Board of County Commissioners, and has held oth er responsible trusts from his fellow citizens. LIST OF A FEW OF THE LARGEST FARMERS IN THE TOWN OF CLINTON. a ? G. N. WUlis, John Perrine, Ohver Richardson, H. W. Wood, Alo.xander Case, Arick Gilbertson, Job. T. Irish, Mrs. Sarah Snyder, JEdward Anunson, Charles D. Wopster, A. G. Murray, W. S. Murray, Torry Holgerson, A. C. Resseguie, 92 700 900 600 100 2300 1400 650 200 800 47 50 105 500 900 650 400 200 2 16 100 550 600 500 200 100 8 13 80 600 460 650 180 1400 900 900 96 160 50 30 15 180 1350 1200 600 200 25 70 110 700 600 650 126 60 10 30 200 950 460 650 200 50 60 540 700 500 50 4 40 160 615 2560 1200 600 100 2 2 112 636 700 1000 100 14 67 100 600 250 500 200 90 70 2 20 60 600 1000 200 100 2 10 1020307520 10 80 16 7 4 CENTER Lies west of the town of Janesville, being town 3 north, range 11 east. Andrew Stevens was the first settler in this town, al a beautiful grove called Black Oak grove. He settled here in October, 1843. At that tirae he had no neighbors within ten miles west or five miles north. Here is a beautiful creek and several fine springs. Such fine and eligible situations for conven ient farms as are found around this grove, are hardly equalled in the county. 77 This town is situated on the west side of Rock prairie, and is mostly israirie land — the northern part oak openings and some very fine marsh for cutting grass. The following named persons settled in this town soon after Stevens : David Davis, Philander Davis, WUliam Webb, WiUiam Wanen, Elijah Wood. The town of Center, 18 miles east and west, nine miles north and south, including the present towns of Center, Plymouth, Spring Valley, south half of Magnolia, and that pai-t of Janesville west of the river, was organized in 1842 ; and in 1846 was divided into Center, Spring Valley, Plymouth, Mag- noUa, &c., according to the government survey of townships. The population in 1850 was 625; in 1856, 1,165. It has ten school districts, and 375 scholars. This lown this year receives $275,31 from state school fund. Number of farms in 1856, 120. The following comraunication, from E. A. Foote, Esq., gives a brief his- toiy of tho town : Orrin Guernsey, Esq. — Sir: In answer to your request to give you a sketch of the early history of the town of Center, permit me to say that at this late day, time will hardly allow rae to do justice to myself, to the town, or lo the history you are .about to pubUsh. The sketch, under the circumstances, must be a hasty one, and of course, subject to imperfections. By reference to the acts of the territori- - ill legislature in 1842, il will bo found that this lown was organized in that year, and embraced the territory now included in the whole towns of Ply mouth and Spring Valley, the south half of Magnolia, and the present town of Center, fractional sections one and two, lying north and west of Rock riv er, in town two, range twelve, and all that part of the present city and town of JanesviUe which lie in the south half of town three, range twelve. The first election was held at the house of James H. Knowlton. The town at that lime must have embraced about three-and-a-half townships — about nine miles wide from north to south, and running from rock river on the east, to Green county line on the west, nearly eighteen mUes. In 1836, Jaraes T. Watson, of the city of New York, bought from the goveramont about eleven hundred acres of land, including the beautiful groves of timber near the corners of the present towns of Center, Plymouth, Spring Valley and Magnolia. Mr. Watson having hved in " blissful celiba cy," these groves took the name of " Bachelors Gi-ove." Araong the early settlers of this early town were Wm. Holmes, Esq., and family, near the present city of Janesville ; Wm. WaiTcn, Esq., in the town of Center, on the 78 present stage road from JanesviUe via. Union to Madison ; David' Douglas.s, and S. F. Chipman, Esqs., and Caleb Inman ahd families, in the present town of Plymouth ; John Crall, Robert Taylor and others in Spririg Valley. My first visit to this town was iU the spring of 1843. At this early day political excitement ran high. In the spring of 1844 the whole territory within the town was thoroughly canvassed and every voter brought on' the ground, except one; thirty-two in all. It being knoWn'how every inan had voted, there was found to be a tie vote for every office ih lown. The last Pne was then sent for, Antbony Partridge, whp carafe, and voted, selecting from the two tickets, electing every raan for whom he voted. Those were indeed exciting times, and town offices above par. At this election George Ayres was elected chairman of supervisors ; Win. Holmes had been the former chairman. The next Spring Caleb Inman was elected to that office ; the next five successive years, E. A. Foot; in 1851, Wra. A. Webster; 1852 and 1853, E. A. Foot; 1864 and 1855, Wm.= A. Norton. The magistrates in the present town of Center, havo been E. A. Foot, ten years ;- Lewis Da vis, one; Wm. R. Warren, ono; John Wallihan, seven; Jonathan Cory, six; Wm. A. Norton, six. But to return to the present Umits of the lown. In 1843 there was a log shanty on the south line of section twenty-seven, but who was its builder or occupant I am not informed. In October, of the same year, Andrew Ste- ¦vens, from Chatauque county, N. Y., moved intp this .shanty. There' niay have been other famUies in the norlh part of the- town, at this tirae, but I know of none except that of Esq. Warren, on the stage road. Li the fall of 1844, Elijah 'Wood, from Oneida county, N. Y., and David Lyon, from Michigan, settled on the soiilh line' of tho tovvn, on section 35; Mr. Wood, where ho now' lives, and Mr. Lyon, on tho fai-m now occupied by Mr. Wood- bridge; Kennedy McClure, on tho s. e. qr.'of 36, where he now resides ; and Julius Gilbert and Francis Smith " shanfied" pu the s. e. qr. of 34, durino- the winter of 1844-5. They were ypung men and single. In tho spring, A. E. Foot and E. F. Richards, from Connecticut, commenced on tho s. c. qr. of sec tion 32. At this time we found near the center of tho' town, John Warren, Wendal Fockler, and, I think. Dr. Fisher and Seth Fisher. The sarae sea son came in John N. Smith, James Hei nas, Abraham Caufman, nnd others. The next summer, 1846, the lands Within tho lown were 'mostly taken up and settled by emigrants from Now England nnd New York. And here let mc remark, to tho honor of the inhabitants of this town, and to tbe instruc tions of their forefathers, that there has never been sold any ardent spirits lawfully, within the town; and not a dollar has been expended by the town for the support of paupers, ' 79 The first church was organized in 1846, by the Episcopal Methodists. Tho first members were E. A. Foot, F. A; Beach, E. F. Richards and wife, Abel Avery and wife, six — now about forty members, and in progress of building a chapel 36 by 50 feet, with a basement intended for a district school. The next church organization was tho Close Communion Baptist. Nuraber of communicants not known. Shortiy after a Congregational church was or ganized, and in 1854 built a small chapel, on section 34. There is also, near the center of the town, a Free Will Baptist and a Campbellite churoh organization. The only store in the town is that of W. Beach, on section 32. The only tavern that of A. Caufman, on section 22. One post-office on section 22; John Wallihan post-master. The norlh half of tho tovvn, with the. exception of a raarsli running across it from west to cast, is covered with " Burr oak" timber ; rather level, but good for plowing. The south half mostly beautiful roUing prairio, and is an excellent agricultural town. The village of Footvillo is in part situate in this town and partly in Flj- mouth, embracing portions of section 32 in Center, and sections 4 and 5 in Plyraouth. Was surveyed and platted in the fall of 1854, and is tho pres ent terminus of tho Beloit and Madison railroad, and contains tho station- house and fixtures, two warehouses, two lumber yards, two taverns, three stores, ono grocery, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, one harness and shoe shop, one ste.ara saw-mill unfinished, one post office, one physician, ono chapel unfinished, one school-house, and probably aixty families. In the fall of 1853 there were seven families only. Thus have I given a hasty .and imperfect sketch, regi-etting seriously that I have not time to extend and perfect it, trusting that you will abridge or extend to suit your purpose, I subscribe mysolf, Yours very respectfulij', E. A. FOOT. FooteviUe, March 4th, 1856. E. A. Foot, Esq., now a resident of FooteviUe, in this town, was a dele gate from this county to form the present constitution of thc state. TOWN OFFICERS IN THE TOWN OF CENTER FOR 1854. Supervisoi-3 — W. A. Norton, chninnan, Andrew Stevens, G.abriel Crist; Ira Parmiee, Town Clerk; Charles K. Bennett, Superintendent; E. A. Foot, Jonathan Cory, John Wallihan, W. A. Norton, Justices of tho Peace. TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1865. Supervisors — W. A. Noiton, chairraan, D. A. Fitch, Jon.athan Cory; 80 Ira Pai-mlee, Town Clerk; John WalUhan, Treasurer; Calvin Fitch, Su perintendent ; John WaUihan, E. A. Foot, Jonathan Cory, W. A. Nor ton, Justices of the Peace. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE NAMES OF A FEW OF THE LARGEST FARMERS IN CENTER. NAMES. Andrew Stevens, 100 700 2000 1100 200 7 60 200 10 Wm. Bernis, 70 600 1600 800 200 2 7 10 Increase Owen, 160 1000 4500 2000 100 24 4 David W. Davis, , 90 500 1500 500 200 6 10 50 10 J. & W. Wiggins, 80 500 2000 800 100 4 4 200 5 L. D. Thompson, 80 400 1300 1000 200 12 18 75 20 Ira Parmiee, 70 2400, averaging 33 bushels per acre. Elijah Wood, Jonathan Cory, Ward Witham, James Cleeland, George Cleeland, .John Crall, ^ Zimrl Campbell, Augustus Parker raised, on fifty acres of land, 26 tons of broom corn, the present season, for which he was offered $100 per lon. Andrew Stevens raised 100 tons of hay. HARMONY. Contiguous to, and east of Janesville, is the town of Harmony ; being township 3 N., of range 13 E. The south half of this town lies on the north side of Rock prairie, and contains some of the best farms in the coun ty. There is, however, a lack of water, except fi-om weUs, as no streams, and very few springs are found within the limits of the town. In the openings in the northern part, however, is a smaU lake, which affords stock water for a considerable distance around. The north half of the town is quite heavily wooded with bur oak; furnishing not only an ample supply of wood and 81 fencing stuff' for the rest of the town, but also for the prairie farms of the towns of LaPrairie and Brad-ford. Most of the farmers of these prairie towns manage to secure wood lots as near as possible, from which, at least, they can get then- fire-wood. Veiy few, however, al the present day, think of cutting their timber for raUs to fence with, preferring rather lo preserve it for wood, and buy pine lumber for fencing. , Mount Zion, in the east part of the to-wn, is a beautiful elevation, com manding a view of the country for many miles around. No place in the en tire west, probably, presents a more enchanting prospect to the stranger than this. To ,the west, as the traveler ascends the mount, along the old Territo rial road from Chicago and Milwaukee to Madison, which passes over it, a view of Janesville city bursts upon his visiop, with tho country beyond; to , the south, a broad expapse of prairie spreads out, bounded only by the hori zon. North of this, and extending east and west as far as the eye can reach, ¦is a long belt of timber. East is an extension of the same Rock prairie cpun try, a distance of some eight miles, to where it is bounded by the e-xtfinsive oak openings .of Walworth county. AU along this road, and others, is a con tinuous succession of the most beauliM farms, among the first that were set tled in the county. Conspicuous among the rest, are the farms of Elder Babcock, Joseph Spaulding and Wm. Spaulding. Joseph Spaulding, Esq., who represented his assembly district in 1853, resides in this town. There are 128 farms inj-he town. It formerly con stituted a part of JanpsviUo, but in 1846, it was organized into a town by itself. The population in 1860 was 840; in 1856, 805. Eight school dis tricts — 291 scholars over four and under twenty years of age. Il has seven school houses. This town receives the present year the sura of $284,16 from the State. School Fund. This town was first settled in the year 1836. The following are the names of some of the early seltlers : Joseph Spaulding, Wm. Spaulding, G. H. WiUiston, John Turner, Harvey Holmes and Ansel Dickinson. The early history of this town is so identified with that of JanesviUe, that a separate notice of it seems superfluous. There are three raUroads, either constructed or projected, that pass through this town. The Milwaukee Town Clerk; 'Charles C, Cheney, Treasurer, and Levi St. John, Assessor. The numbiar of inhabitants, as by United States census for I'BSO, was 335. The first State tax was $300 37, County tax, $339 16. School tax, $361. Town lax, $290. The population of the towri; as by State census for 1856, was 602. The whole nuMbei- of votes cast, 'April, 1855, 78. The State tax, $666 88; County tax, $1,234 98. ' School tax, $305,i 83; Town tax, $320. The assessed valuation of the town for 1850, was $66,880. The assessment for 1855, $194,061. This town is a rolling prairie, of deep soil, with an underlay of sand and gravel in the west and northwest part There is plenty of lime roclc in the bluffs of the central and- eastern part of the town. The only surface water we can boast of, is Turtie creek, which rises in Walworth county; wa tering and fertilizing the town of Bradford from side to side — enters this town on the east line of section 86 and passes Out on the south lino of 36, into the town of Turtle. Running within the Umits of this town less thau two miles, it passes through the town of Turtle nearly from-corner to corner, and faUs into Rock river near the Slate line at Beloit. This stream rose during the night of June, 1851, 10^ or 12 feet above its usual level, caiTying off raill daras, bridges, fences; sheep, hogs and other properly, to a great amount, The water was the highest about day light, reaching as high as Mr. Clark W. Lawrence's door step; leaving a tree in the uppei- casement bf the sdiool house window, and filUng Mr. Chamberlain's house- above the wiudow stools'". The only timber now standing in town, is on sections 6, 6, 36 and 36, amounting to less than a quarter section. The inhabitants are supplied with good water, in great abundance, by digging wells from 15 to 8-5 feet deep; and with Wood, by hauling it froni the neighboring, towns,; a distance of trolp. 3 to 10 mUes. The maU route from Jlaoine and Chicago, passes through this town, The Chicago, Fond du Lac & St Paul R. R. enters the town pn the south line of section 86, and passes out on the west line of the south- Wjest quarter of section 7, Some of the early settlers of this county m^e their, first " pitch " in this town. Samuel St. John and family were among tho first who made a permanent settlement on the Rpek river. He wintej-sd with the first seven or eight who built the log shanty on the east side of the river, at the rapids. His was the first claim made in town. H^e and bis brother, Levi , St, John, claimed and entered at the kind sale at Milwaujiee, the whole of' section 6. He buUt a good log house on the wes* half of the section, now standing -wdthia the chartered limits of the city of J|a]Eiesville. WiUiam Mertrom,, about the same time, jn^e a claim on section 6,,afld built a lojr house, which Nehemiah- 8t John purchased and iP^6upied,,f^ several 93 years. Nathan AUyne, in 1835 or '36, made a claim on section SS, broke several acres, put in and raised crops without fence, except dogs. Lucius Burnham made a claim on section 36, in the spring of 1837, and made his first improvement in 1838, built the first frame bara, now sfahding in this town. Clark W. Lawrence came into this Couhtry -with Hs father and fam ily, Mr. WilUam Lawrence, of Beloit, in 1636, made a claira on section 36, and built the first frame .house. Mr. Waterman, James Chamberlain ami L. B. AUyne located: on- section 35, in 1837 or 1838. These early settlers, although, located in a beautiful pfairie country,, whero wheel cai-riages Could be' driven in almost all directions, had many hardships to endure. They were chal-med with the country. When they found tho unclaimed place that-suited, they pitched their tent, and built their shanty, not reflecting that it was seven days' joUrney to the nearest place whei-^ pro visions could be obtained. Poor flour and rusty pork were great luxuries, .ait $30 and $40 per barrel, transported With ox teams from Chicago, Otlowa, .Galena or MUwaukee, over the prairie, without places of entertainment, or bridges to cross the streams j having to t^ok their provisions, camping on the gi-ound, under the wagon ;rfi-equently seven days on the road between this place: and the nearest point where they could get supplies. Potatoes and other sauce could not be got at any price for seed. Rutabagas :st6od,high in the market. After the mill was buUt at,Beloit, and grinding dono with out bolting, many of the inhabitants lived on buckwheat cakes, with such game as they coidd catch. Their hardships were small during warm weath er, to what they were in the winter, when strearas had to be forded, or tho family suff'er for want of provisions al horae. After the land sale at Mil waukee, the settlement in this town reraained statiouary, for several- years. — The town being all prairie, with a small quantity of timber in-;the nortbwest and southeast corners of it, other towns in the county filled up rapidly with settlers, while LaPrairie rernained stationary- with but one school house, lo cated on section 36, built by Mr. James Chamberlaiu. Justus P. Wheeler made' bis purchase in tbe fall of 1840. Eliakim Thatcher, in l'84'3. A man by the narae of Hocum made a claim on sediion 8 ; afterwards sold to Mr. Covil. Charles C. Chetiey, Henry Chesebrb, AViUiam Loyd, Adelraon Sherman and Ephi-aim Leach, Jr., made their purchases in the yeai-s 1844 and 1845. Almerin Sherman, Peter Shufelt, James I. Hoyt, Wm. G. East erly and Mr. Ford, in 1846. Jefferson Sinclair made his large purchase on the prairie, and WUliam Reed made improvements on it about the same time. Ralph W. Schenck, 'W'iUiam Schenck and WiUiam H. Stork came i nto to-wn soon after Sinclair made his purchase. The second schoolhouse built, stands on town line road, on section 32. — 94 The third is located near the comer of sections 1, 2, 11 and 13. The fourth is near the comer of sections 13, 14, 23 and 24. Tho fifth, is now building, near the quarter stake, on the cast line of section 5, We have no other public buildings; no store, grocery, or tavern. In fact we have to go to the neighboring towns for wood, lumber, all kinds of merchandise, and mechan- km of every kind. For many years we have had but one mechanic in to-wn — Mr. James Chamberlain. He built the court house at JanesviUe and tho first bridge across the Rock river in this county. It was a toll bridge, built for Mr. Charles Stevens and others, on Milwaukee street, where the new bridge now stands, in the city. He also built the first bridge at Beloit, and the bridge at Rockton. The progress of this town has been slow in comparison with other towns iH the county. Almost all its inhabitants are farmers. No lawyers or pet tifoggers, and but one man who bears the title of Doctor, and he is one of our largest farmers. The Rev. Mr. Gurtiss, the Congregational minister at Emerald Grove, resides within the limits of LaPrairie ;- so that we can say,. that we havo one minister of the gospeh Yours, &c., J. P, WHEELER. Col, 0. GosaiHSET, Corresponding Secretary,, <&c. TO-WN OFFICERa FOR 1854, Tbe town offl^cers for tho year 1864, were, Alfred Haskms, Chairman Su pervisors. Frank Wheeler, Town Clerk. OFFICERS FOR ISSSi Supervisors — Adelmon, Sherman Chairman ; Lpron Finch, T. W. Van iBalder. James I. Hoyt, Assessor; Frank Wheeler, Town Clerk; EKakim. Thatcher, Treasurer; James A. Chamberlain, Superintendent,. 95 AMONG THE LARGEBI FARMERS IN LA PRAIRIE, MAY BE MENTIONED THE FOL- LpWlNO, WITH THE AMOUNT OF EACH ARTICLE OP PRODUCE RAISED. aI NAMES. P ^ f -I ? ? IP Freeman Hitchcock, Alfred Haskins, Amaziah Sherman, Jacob Van Gelder, Wm. H. Read, R. W. Soheiik, Hiram Finch, James Chamberlain, Harvey Sessions, 8. L. Halstead, E. Chesbro, Henry Chesbro, Thomas Auld, Harvey. Hart, E. W. BUsh, James V. Beltings, J. P. Wheeler, Wm. H. Stark, Guy Wheeler, C. W. Lawrence, George Rhodes, WiUiam Schenk, 300 1000|1600 240 12\)0il600 250 2000 16001 240 700 30001 228 1800 1600! 160 800 1000 90 1200 300 126 800 600 120 800 950 100 240 iiool 100 800 100 70 1200 600 100 800 300 160 1400 700 200 1800 1000 350|30O0[1660|400O " 800 1400 IS 1200 li 1400 500 2000 1000 600125600 1000 900 800 160 700 1500 800 1301l000|1500|100O400 110|1100|160;)|1IOO llOl 88011 400] 1400|400 lOol 4001 900112001 110 800 900 2200 100 800' 950' 600 200 5001 20 80 600 300 j 5 22 300 2o;i 2 23 200 500 6 8 200 14 10 700 150 4 20 400 150 6 26 400 50 2 30 100 40 100 2 4 105 100 7 14 68 500 600 4 35 6 800 300 7 10 25 70 2 2 7 200 50 6 5 200 100 -2 22 100 4 6 60 5 Id 76 5 14 450 60 2 22 450 76 4 , 9 26 200 600 200 2 15 120 40 20 20 3460 29 20 2 36. 26 40 9a ,4 200 16 100 10 30 5 36 George Rhodes raised 1250 bushels of potatoes. LIMA. This is the raost North-eastern town in the County, was organized in 1845. It is divided into thirteen School Districts, ten of which are joint districts ; eleven school houses and 353 schoSrs. In tiie year 1 854 the town received from the Stite School Fund $244,80 ; in 1855 $284,16. Paul Cran dall, Esq., ono of the Delegjitos from this County to form tho present State Constitution, was a citizen of this town. Azel Kinney, Esq., member of As- 96 sembly for his district in 1854, also the present incumbent of that ofiBce for 1856, John Child, Esq., are citizens of Lima. The population in 1850 was 839 ; in 1855, 1054. No. of farms in town 161. The principal religious denominations in town, are Congregational in the N. E. part, the Calvinistic, Free«wUl and Seventh-day Baptist in the South and Western part on the MUwaukee and Mississippi Rail Road, is the only village in the town. Here is Lima Post Office, also two Groceries, a Blacksmith shop, a Ware hpuse for storing produce and several dwelling houses. It receives its name frora being situated on the farra of John Child, Esq. ' The following Communication received from Azel Kinney, Esq., gives a brief description &c. of the town : Lima, March 6, 1856. CoL. O. Guernsey, — Cor. Sec. ofthe Bock Co. Agricultural Society. ., The township of Lima, town 4, range 14 East, is the North-east comer town of the County, has Whitewater, Walworth Co. on the East, Koshko nong, JeSl Co., on the North, Milton on the West, and Johnstown on tho South. The surface is gently roUing, covered mainly with Bur and White Oak openings, the bur oak greatly predominating. Nearly one-si^th of tha area is marsh ; the largest is that which is known as the " Otter Creek" marsh, commencing at the centre and extending nearly to the line west, and in which rises tho stream of that name. One mile East of the bead of "Ot ter Creek raarsh," one of the branches of the Whitewater has its source, and ou which two miles below its head was built the saw mill, known as " Harrington's MUl." The town embraces the Western border of 'Whitewa ter Prairie on the Norlh-east, and the Eastern border of Prairie du Lac on the South-west. The first claim made was by Jaraes M. Burgess, on Sec tion 17, in the suramer of 1836, who, with a partner, were the only persons as near as I can learn, that made any stay in the town during that season. After staying through the season, and making some improvements, they re turned to the East and have not been residents here since that time. In the summer of 1837, Messrs, Thomas Van Horn and Solomon L. Har rington came into the town, and in the faU put up a saw miU on sec. 24 and near the Une East During the same season Messrs. Joseph Nichols, Sam uel Hall,, Major PhUlips, Geo. B.Hall, Gibletand Grover made 97 claims and became residents. When the county was organized into towns, for town purposes, this township was included with. MUton. By an act ¦ ap proved Feb. 24th, 1845, this was set off' inlo a separate town.- The first town meeting was held April 1st, succeeding, when the foUowing named pei-sons were elected as officers of the town. Supervisors. — Prosper Cravath, Chairman; John Child, Abram AUen. Paul Crandall, Town Clerk. Wm. P. StiUman, Treasurer. John H. Twin ing, Collector. Bryce Hall, Abram AUen, Nelson Salisbury, Commissioners of Highways. Ebenezer Rider,- Paul CrandaU, Azel Kinney, Com. of Com. Schools. Prosper Cravath,, Sealer of "\Veights, and Measures. , John H. Twining, Giles Kinney, Constables. . John Child, Horace G. Hamilton, Jus- tices-of the Peace. OFFICEIfS FOR 1854. Supervisors; — ^Azel Kinney, Chairman ; Jphn ChUd, Volney Wood. James Knapp, Treasurer. H. J. Wilkinson, Town Clerk. - 0, L. HaU, Superinten dent Rensselaer Child, Joshua Cobb, E. L. Burdick, Assessors. Horace G. Hamilton, John, Truman, Justices. John B. Lewis, Edraund Robinson, Wm. Haggadorn, Constables. ' OFFICERS Foil 1855. , ¦ Supervisors. — John Child, Chaii-man ; James Hall, Leander Allen. Azel Kinney, Town Clerk. Mark A. ChUd, Superintendent- Mark A. Child, Treasurer. Joshua Cobb, Rensselaer Child, E. L. Burdick, Assessors. Le- vi Kinney, Harry 'Weed, Alpha Warren, Wm. Hassenger, Justices of the Peace. Yours, &c., AZEL KINNEY. 98 NAMES OF A FEW OF THE LARGEST FARMERS IN LIMA. NAMES. « Si o o ". 9 I : a I John Austin, Abel Slocum, Wm. Forrest, William Janes, Orris Bacon, S. Burroughs, Fitch Brown, C. F. Sax, Gardiner HaU, Holey Godfrey, C. Stacey, Alpha Wanen, Wm. 8. Benton, M G. Cravath, Wm. C. Patterson, John Child, G.S. Burdick, John Austin sheared 75 lbs. ; Gardiner HaU, 210 lbs. No of farms in 1856, 450 185 lis 80 108 80 120 110 70 100 8'6 90 80 66 92 62 94 2800 1600 666 650 14001300 700 900600 750 650300 900 650 700 600 500 500 lbs. of wool 300 lbs.; M. G, 160016001100 660600 900 1000 660 600 1000 900 600 1100 500 500 1200 600 J 3800 1000 600900 500 338 660 600600 600 550400 300 600 600 850 500 ; S. BuiToughs, Cravath, 292 .20 200 SO 70 50] 200200 6560 100 100 150 100 100200 100 60 200 250 171 s! 10 324 82 1 64 2 8634 126 10 . 42 8043 266 8030 175 22 10 140 200 80 830 lbs. lbs., and 35 7 22 ,66 6090 14202828 5312 4 20 16 9 12 3 27 ; C. F. Sax, John Child, 161. MILTON, Is tPwn 4, North of Range 13 E. and N. E. from Janesville. Prairie du Lac, (Lake Prauie,) is mostly in this town and is one of the richest and -most beautiful varied and picturesque in the western country. Timber is cpntig- uous and frequently jutting out into the prairie, making the farms conven iently supplied with wood in connection with prairie, or near by. Here are several very fine small lakes on this prairie, hence its name. ' The soU on this prairie is alluvial, deep, rich and productive. Otter Creek runs through the North part, and Lake Koshkonong extends into the North-western part near George W. Ogden's farm. A small section of Rock River is in ,this town also ; these together with springs, sm^U streams and small marshes, furnish 99 a good supply of water for aU farming purposes. The northem part of the town is mostly openings and quite roUing. Southern part prairie and open ings. The population in 1860 was 1032, iii 1855, 1324. It has 11 School districts and 6, school houses. The number of scholars is 495. This town receives the present year from, the State School Fund $336,68. Last year 318,24. Number of Fai-ms in 1855 in this town is 104. This town was organized in 1842, including Lima. The first board of officers were: Supervisors, N. G. Storrs, Chairman; P. A. Cravath, G. W. Ogden. 0. W. Norton, Town Clerk. The viUage is situated at the forks of the M. & M. Railroad. The inhab itants are noted for their industiy, peaceableness and temperate habits, there not being a place in the township where ardent spirits are sold. Here are five stores, one grocery, two public houses, one saloon, two cabinet shops, two joiner shops, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop with steam power, five carpenters, three masons, three shoemakers, one shoe shop, one saddle and harness maker, one tinman, one daguen'eian gaUery, one surveyor, one lumber merchant, one livery stable, five wheat buyers, several warehouses for storing produce, three churches and four ministers. TT^e Congregational 'f church was organized in 1838, and now numbers 38 members. The Seventh-day-baptist church was organized in 1849 and now numbers 180 members. The Methpdist church, organized in 1849, now numbers 36 merabers. Here is a new, beautiful and comraodious Academy, on an eminence over looking the village; Under the management of Prof. A. C. Spicer, prin., one of the most superior teachers in the western cPuntiy. This school is in a very flourishing condition, having foUr teachers and 130 students. Besides this there is a district school in the village. The Milton Post Office here was established in 1839. The present post master is W. T. Morgan, Esq. Teotsa Post Office near the foot of lake Koshkonongj is within the Umits pf this town, PROFESSIONAL MEN, Ministers. — :Rev. A. Wan-en, Congregationffist. Rev. StiUman Coon, Rev. Vamum Hull, and Rev. Richard Bond, Seventh-day 'baptists. Physicians.— ^Dr. Borden, Dr. CoUins, Dr. C. W. StiUman. Hon. Joseph Goodrich resides and keeps a public house at this place. To the enterprise, energy and indomitable perseverance of whom MUton Owes much of her present prosperity. It was mainly through his tail and supe rior management that the M. & M, R;R. was located through the place, tho 100 importancQ of which can hardly be realized. Mr. G. is ono of those men -who is alritays ready for evei-y good work and reform. This asserably district last year did themselves the hojior of sending him to , the legislature, an office in which he did credit to himself and his constituents. Here, also, re sides our present county, treasurer, M; T. Walkei;, Esq., and his iraraediate predecessor, R. F. Fraser. Col. J. E. Culver, also po,st master next pre vious to the present incumbent, is Pne of the most cntei-prising and enUght ened citizens of our cpunty. ', ' The following communication iii relation, to the first settiement of Milton, was received from I. T: Smith, Esq., of that town: On the fourth day of March, 1837, a Company of us took a team and sleigh- and started for Otter Creek, to;make claims. D. F. Smith made liis claim where the MU. and Mineral Point Road crosses the creek, on the lot where I new reside. It was at that time considered valuable as a waterpower; was selected for the purpose "of building miUs, as well as to make a farm. I made a claim on Prairie du Lac, oil what is now oCcupiedas a farm' by Joseph Goodrich and John Alexander. The ' 27th of the same' month I hired a teara and some men to come -here and help me put up a cabin for a family to move into. The weather was Cold, and as We had to camp on the ground, -vve Worked- lively to make as short a job as possible. In our haste in pre paring our camp equipage and eatables we forgot the article to raise our Kae-. ca^e -and were obliged to eat it in an unleavened state. That would hav.e satisfied the most rigid Jew of old. We' put up two cabins, each. fourteen feet square, and covered them with shaljes as long shingles were then called, the gable ends _beihg finished with logs, and the shingles held to their places by weight poles on top instead of nails. , That style of building is fast going out of practice, and if we do npt preserve a description of these primitive ' cabins on paper, the people will soon fprget the style of western pioneer cabins. I took up. my residence here the tenth of April in company with a raan named Lyman C. Smith, -biit in one week's time he tired of our way of living, and I bought him out , My near est neighbor south was Daniel Smiley, where Col. H. P. Culver now resides, and on the Norlh was John Allen, above Lake Koshkonong. I lived by myself until D. Ii*. Smith moved his famUy here, about the 25th of May the the same Spring. Like all early settlers, I was pleased to have those seek ing locations, call, and if I could show them a place that suited them for a farm, to do so. Sometimes myfamily was largt for ahouse of this size, as I had no chamber room, and the cabin but fourtee'h feet square, and to show you how many can stay in a small house I wUl give the names of my fataUy. — On one occasion for a couple of nights it consisted of the following persons : 101 D,F. Smith, L. C. Smith, Simon Smiley, Franklin Griff'eth, William Voice, . John B. Babepck and three^ others. There came up a severe thunderstorm. D, F. Smith had a small Indian pony, that he paid a high price for, said it was too bad for the pony to stay out in such a storm, so I moved my dishes and it was led in and tied to my cupbdard, or rather a pin in the log, that was part of my cupboard. Eastern housekeepers will be curious to knpw how we slept, as I had.biitone bedstead, and that, but one post, (wont our friends Morse ¦& Martin laugh,) the logs of the bouse answering instead of the other three posts. Three of us lay on the- bed, and as many under it, while the rest ranged around the^fire in oue comer, and the pony in the oth» er. The flour that I used was made at Adam.5v01e, in Cass county, Michi gan, and hauled on.wagons by the \yay of Chicago and Racine' to this place and. was current at twenty dollars per, barrel. Pork was worth forty-five dollai-s per barrel ; Potatoes four dollars per bushel. One day while I' was gone to my former boarding- -place, where I stUl had my washing done, a neighbor some eight rniles distant, came near my cab in looking for his liorses, -thathad strayed, and-bping very hungiy, called to get sorae thing lo eat, but finding the door fastened on the inside, (a pre caution thati had t,aken tp keep thp Indians from taking my eatables) he looked for, another place' tp enter, thinking if I ,got out he could get *'"> so climbing to the top of the house and taking off" some shingles, was soon mak ing a fire to cook supper for himself, which with what I had on hand and some prairie chickens' eggs that he had found, made arare.supper for anew country. On leaving, he went- out as he came in and the nest time I saw him, he told, me he had, helped himself, and of- cowse, it was aU right. I thiuk Jason Walker Avas the next one that came lo this town, and soon after that G. B. -Hall, and J. Giblet, settled above us pn the creek. N. G, Storrs, S. D, B-ntz and G. T. Mapkey came in soon after, bnt lam'unable to say which one first, or at what time. G. W. Ogden was one of the first in the west part of' this town. After our first supply of flour gave out, we were obliged to go to mUl, dpwn to Aurora, on. Fox river, in what is now Kane Co., or in some cases, to Green's MiUs at what is now called Dayton, within three miles of Ottawa,, La -SaJle Co., 111. ' ,^ , When we could get grjnding; done, at Beloit, it was quite a relief, as it took but two days to go to miU, and I have done it in one. Our breaking plow^ was made by Mr. Stevens of Pleasant, Prauie, near Kenosha, and when worn until it needed a new lay, it could not be had short of; Racine, and D. F. Smith took two yoke- of OJfen and started with it for the shop, sixty-five miles oflF. The people, al and, ai-ou«d Rochester had 102 raised a bridge at that place across Fox Rivor and got one track planked, and when he drove his team on, the leadei-s were afraid, and seeing the dan ger of their faUing pff he unhooked the chain just in fo'wie, for one oS pushed his mate over and he held him by the neck, his mate hanging down toward the water. Smith put his shoulder to the other and tumbled him off^ too. Both cattle struck the water with their backs down. Then he jumped in, and succeeded in unyoking them and getting both out. After getting tho plow fixed he started at noon from Racine, and it was dark when he came lo ' the river, and not liking the bridge thought best to ford it, and found when too late, that the river had raised so as to make fording dangerous. The cattle had to swim some and the wagon box was Uke to leave, but by holding the stakes he kept it on, but the groceries wero worse for water that lay in the box. WhUe thinking over those times, il brings to mind a case of one of Janes' hands and shows the consequences of GETTING ON A BUST. Janes sent a man to Racine with three yoke of oxen and wagon and when there,, he met several of his old acquaintances who had not the practical im portance of the Maine Law before their eyes, and after drinking awhUe it occurred to the said driver, that it would be wisdom in hiin to look out well for the cattle, least they should stray while he was drinking with his parly. He put a beU on one ox, and to make sure, chained him to a tree, ' thinking the others would not leave the bell. When he went to yoke his team the beU ox was all that could be found. Tbis vexed him much, and he started for the old place where they had been kept before moving to Rock River, and being somewhat cast down with Lis error he passed a yard in which a man had turned the cattle (as they had started back) but not seeing them he ¦ went eight miles to the old place and then to JanesviUe, thinking they had gone home. He footed it to Janesville and then back, and finally found his team after several days' delay. A few more of such snaps would make an advo cate of the Maine Law, of almost any man. As many people often enquire if the Indians vf ere not troublesome, I would say that they never stole a doHar's worth from us, and we- felt as secure when they were about as while gone, and always allowed them to sleep in the house if they wished. I never slept at home with the door fastened yet .Respectfully Yours, 0. Guernsey, Esq., ISAAC T. SMITH. 6orresponding Sec'y. d:c. 103 HISTORY OF MILTON. BY A. W. BALDWIN, In giving a brief record of the early settlement, progress and present con- ¦ilition of this township, I shall be unable to give such an account as will cre ate any great sensation in the historical world, for a number of reasons : first, my own inabUity; second, the brief time allotted me to coUect such desira? ble information as would be necessary; thud, that this portion ofthe coun try was settled so recently, that those scenes of savage cruelty and foreign interference, which have lent such thrilling interest to the pages of history in other states, had all passed from its borders. Yet as late as the yeai-s 1832-34, the Indian tribes made a few feeble and ineffectual attempts to regain their lost territory. But the campaign of that time, entitled the Sauk war, clearly eff'aced aU their hopes of reclaiming it. At this time this por tion of the country was unsettled, then shining forth in all its pristine beauty. It inspired the soldiery with its beauty and fertUity, and from their glowing and romantic descriptions of Wisconsin, and in fact of this very township, our fii-st settiers inspired the " malaria " incipient to the true " Wisconsin Fever." This township began to attract the attention of settlei-s in the year 1836, during which year its first settler located in its borders. MUton is located in the Northem tier of To-wnships in Rock County, be ing oight miles Norlh of the City of Janesville, thirty-six miles South-east of Madison, the Capitol of the State, thirteen milos South of Fort Atkinson On Rock River, and sixty miles Wesl of Lake Michigan. It contains about 23000 acres of tenilory, but owing to a number of small lakes scattered throughout its borders, and a portion of Koshkonong Lake occupying a portion of sections 5, 6 and 7, about 1000 acres is rendered use less. And still another 1000 acres is marsh land, which reduces the arable land to a little less than 21000 acres, Koshkonong Lake is formed by the expansion of Rock River, being about nine miles in length and three miles in width, and lying principaUy in Jeffei-son County ; a small portion only in cluding its outlet being in this township. The marsh land above refened to lies principally around this lake. Another lake called Deer Lake (clear lake) is situated on 'Section- Twenty, and is a beautiful sheet of pure water, of neariy circular forra, averaging about half a mile in diameter. Its bed and shore is composed of gi-avel and. white sand, and being clear and deep with 104 dry bluff'y shore, it is indeed beautiful as well as of utility to the farming community near it. Other small lakes furnishing water for farming pur poses are situated on sections 25 and 26. Tho only stream of water of which this town can boast, is a small stream called " Otter Creek." This creek rises in the Township east of this and running through this to-wn in a North-westerly direction, empties into the the above mentioned Koshkonong lake. In consequence ofthe levelness of the country through which it floWs, and generally having low banks, no very valuable water power is obtained. Yet Daniel F. Smith, who by the way was the first settler who brought his faniily into this town, constructed a dam with a ditch or race, by which means a tolerable water power was obtained, vrhereupon he built a saw mill, which was of great service and con venience to the first settlei-s in this part ofthe country." But from scarcity of suitable timber, and also from opposition by other mills of later origin and of greater pretensions, this has been neglected and is now silent; yet many re member the '' old mill" -with pleasure, even if supplanted by fast growing " Young America." Along the southern boundary of this town lies a smaU prairie called "Du Lac prairio." This is about five mUes in length and ranging ft-om -^ mUe to \^ mUes in width. Near the centre of this prairie and near the village of MUton is a table land of nearly circular form, of about a mile in diameter, rising about 75 or 80 feet The top of this table land is level, and like the rest of this prairie has a rich, black loamy soU, fertUe and productive.' - The timber in this part, like the most of the Southern portion of this State, is bur-oak, white-oak and black-oak, with an occasional bass, poplar and soft-maple, in and about the low lands. Koshkonong lake together with- some of the smaller lakes, produces an abundance pf wUd-rice, (Zizania Aqua- tica) which although formerly used as an article of fopd by the Natives, now only furnishes food for wUd Geese and Ducks, which frequent these bkes in great numbers. As I have betofore stated, the first settlers came to this town in 1836 ¦ among whom, were D. F. Smith, Stephen D. Butz, Aaron T. Walkei-, Alfred Walker, Peter McEwan, Geo. W. Ogden, Elias Ogden, I. T. Smith and E. Hazzard. Although some of those came in the years 1837-'38. These men nevertheless were the first settlers, the pioneers of this settiement. At that time the now city of JanesvUIe was' only occupied by two cabins. Samuel St John occupied • one, and the other was occupied by H. F. Janes from whom that town took or derived its name; Their place of market was Chi cago.- Even MUwaukee was of- but humble pretensions, and none only those who have tried its realities, can appreciate the pleasures of packing 105 provrisions even in scanty supplies from the frontier- settlements, for an hun-> dred miles, back into a wilderness country, thereto gladden the hearts of friends who had frequently felt conscious of other demands oihumim- nature than beaiitiful country and a clear sky, and before the country itself could support human life, trees had to be felled, cabins reared, ajid the soU had to be "; broken" and prepared, and crops sown; and even then the laborer had to await the harvest. Many were the days of toU and anxiety attended with deprivations of every kind tending to ease and cpmfort, that the- first settlers endm-ed, and they were only rendered tolerable, by smUing Hope as she whispered of comfortable homes and plenty in future. And indeed at this day they have all been realized. The person who can claim the honor of having done the fii-st " breaking" (plowing) in this town, is Stephen D. Butz. He, with his sister, constituted the second family in this town. This " breaking" was done in 1836, on section 28, Peter McEwan made the first rail fence in this town, but to the Messrs. Walkers can be ascribed the honor of enclosing, the first field, raising the first crop of wheat and potatoes. The wheat was frora 2 bushels so-wing. The first potatoes were bought by Ai T. Walker, from an old miner on Sugar River, and "packed" home on ' -horseback. WTiile on his way home he was offered $5 for his bushel, by Mr. Janes, of Janesville ; but money was no object in comparison to the much coveted potatoes. I think in the year 1838, the. few settlers were favored with that valua ble acquisition to all neighborhoods, a blacksmith. Onin Sprague, during that year estabUshed a blacksmith shop on Prairie du Lac, near where Mr. Fraser's warehouse now stands, He, being a man of ingenuity and mechanical skill, was just such a man as the times required.- He could mend a plow or make one ; or do any other work in his line which was required by the far mer. He made many plows, -and made them so faultless that he acquired the reputation of being the only man in this section who could make a "break ing plow" that would " j-JOT to a cAarTO." And without giving him any thing more thaU his due, I can say from personal knowledge, that he fair ly and faithfully won-^toreputatiou. About the year 1839, quite a num ber of families came into this to-wn from Alleghany county, N. Y. Among them was Joseph Goodrich, H. B. Crandall, James Pierce and Ebenezer Phelps. And as Joseph Goodrich has been, and is quite a prominent man in town, it may not be out of place to give a few thoughts to hun personaUy. He is a- man of a bold, energetic character, free and -benevolent when occa sion demands-assistance,' and actuated by a. high sense of moral integiity and rectitude. Yet he understands about as weU hom to tum hispennies, to win, as any other man. 106 He came to this part, with the first stock of goods that ever graced this town, although it was not such a stock as the glaring hand-biUs of the pres- <9iit day exhibit, yet, it met the wants of the few settlers who then Uved here. He also kept the first public. House or tavern, and many can testify of his generous hospitality to the poor emigrant as he tendered to them his " substance" free of charge. He is a man of great eccentricity, and for many years clairaed the euphonious title of ^'- mvle man"] in consequence of his great partiality to the use of mules for farming puiposes in opposition to horses. But as this novelty wore away, he commenced the construction of " gi-avcl buildings" ; the success of which experiment can now be seen in this town, by what is now known as the " Gravel Block" ; also by a nuraber of other buildings in and around the village of MUton. For this reason he acquired the stiU more novel cognomen of " Gravel Man'' ; ^perhaps it would be improper to attribute these different titles to the fact of any such personal qtmlificalions.) And as he is noted for his public spirit; when BaU Boads began to claim the attention of the public in this vicinity, he at once entered into the sub ject with energy ; and has since worked in that cause with a hearty good - will. And to-day he would claim no higher title than " BaUroad Man." — Whether this is the idtimaMm of this chain of " odd titles," the future only can reveal. And in conclusion I will say, that almost the entire success of the present village of Milton can be attributed to his efforts and Uberality. This township was not organized until the year 1842, when with many other towns it organized under an act of our territorial Legislature.. At that time, this township and the now town of Lima were both united under the name of Milton. Lima was oi-ganized separately as a town in 1845.. A post office was established in this town in 1889, and Joseph Goodrich was the first post master. As early as 1838, the settlers without regard to sectarianism, united and supported religious meetings. They gave to their minister such of their sui-. stance as they could spare, and their subscriptions for the support of minis terial labors were duly paid in " labor, produce, (wheat, com and oats then be ing an acceded legal tender) and cash" ; the last of which_articles, so scanty, that when it touched the palm of the extended hand of tbe official, it felt truly spiritual. But at the present time, with the increase of population and wealth, we are blessed with the salutary infiuence of 3 organized churches, each hav ing a separate edifice for then- devotions. The " Seventh-day-baptist" chui-ch (a sect who observe the seventh instead Of the fii-st day of the week as the Sabbath) numbers 180 members. The Presbyterian church, numbers about IOT 36 members; and the Methodist nurabers about the samo as the Presby terian. An Academy was established in this vUiage in the year 1844, by Jos.' Goodrich, its founder and patron, and commenced its work of educatino- the youth, under the care and guidance ; of Rev. Betheal C. Church, a man of most exemplary character, and a truly efficient teacher. This institution, though of but humble pretensions, was in fact a great accession and benefit to this town. In the year 1848, it was chartered under the name of Du Lac Academy, by which name it was known until the year 1854 ; the char ter was then renewed under the name of " The Milton Academy," by which name it is now known. A large, spacious and substantial building was erected in tho year 1855 ; and it is now in a flourishing condition, and un der the guidance of Prof. A. C. Spicer. It can with safety be said, to be sec ond to none in the State. Tbis town now numbers between 1,300 and 1,400 inhabitants, of which between 300 and 400 reside in the so-called viUage of MUton. We are now benefited by the " Milwaukee & Mississippi railroad," and also this village being the junction of the " JanesviUe branch," alias Southern Wis. railroad, with the above mentioned railroad. The benefits of a speedy market, and ready communication with the East and South, are apparent Property has increased rapidly in value ; money more plenty, and consequently business is brisk; and every branch of industry is on ^hb progressive principle. This town has ever been noted for its health, and even its morals have not been overlooked. Its first settlers having a tincture of the blood of our Pilgrim Fathers coursing in their veins, have studiously and piously en deavored to keep those hot-beds, oi sin and iniquity — grog-shops — out of this town. And until the present they have succeeded; and yet they feel like waging war upon the infernal traffic, until not even a soUtary jug shall ba seen to wend its way to Janesville, there to be filled with the genuine R. G., and then return to its bloated-visaged devotee, and through him render an innocent family miserable and unhappy. Politically, this town has heretofore seen raany hard-fought battles be tween the Whig and Democratic parlies, which have been quite equally bal anced. But al present, Milton can tell a iaSs, which though it causes " pet ty tyrants " to j^er, yet its moral, causes them to quake with apprehensions of danger. And now in conclusion, considering the steady advancement of this town in wealth and general prosperity, and its success in those few years it has been settled, what may we not expect when another eighteen years shall have roUed away ? Her now many broad acres of uncultivated soil, rich and 108 fertile by nature, then yielding their abundance ; her many orchards, bending under the delicious fruits of this climate; her stately farm-ho-uses, sending forth the huin of happy families, supplied- with every comfort and luxm-y; capacious bai-ns and granaries, fiUed with the fruits of honest toil ; hej*ds; of • fine cattle, and fieet horses, whose glossy coats .bespeak no drouths or fast ings; coUtented porkers, snoring, in happy concert over their abundant sup-% ply of golden meal; and even voracious Shanghais, standing in moody sir leUce, that their capacious crops can hold no more; wUUe the. industrious farmer, even then, with well-filled purse, can count them all mme. And the busy mechanics, actively beating time to the tune of thi-ec dollars per day, making our, viUage ring with the chimes of hammer, saw, mallet and plane, while the machine shops are daUy changing the rough ore into useful tools and machinery, and the -log is metamorphosed into houses, fumilure &c.,, and finally everything bespeaking the blessings of God, and the powers of Man. A. W. BALDWIN, TOWN OFFICERS IN MILTON FOR 1854. Supei-visors^^Daniel Babcock, Chairman; Allen Holmes, Joel Wood; Henry Colman, Town Clei'k; Joel Wood and James McCuin, Assessors; M. T. Walker, Phillip Marquart, James Pierce and A,bel D. Bond, Justices of the Peace, TOWN OFFICERS, FOR 1855,. Supervisors— ::AUen Holmes, Chairman ; PhUlip Marquart, S. D. Butts; A. W. Baldwin, Town Clerk; Silas W. Crandall, Treasurer; Milo Smith and Alfred Walker, Assessors ; H. G. Greenman, Asa, Weaver, PhilUp Marquart and James Pierce, Justices of the Peace, H02 PS^^^95i'S^^-5J'K if i S iPS o B 3 » - o ® 9 sa a ffl O^ O jj o ts • ^, I— ( b" 2 sl ts '"ts ¦ ^ S (5 i-a iTi'S" Sd ,f^l^-' £- I— I p- cc o -B a P -: CD t-'M,-t> w CD g^H, g ^ CLi cv CD" 5= M » DO M es s-l ?= » P B B ro H w Ul C Tf) 1 ?P p. ® (2- p n cr ' 9S--B ]«J (—11—1 >— l|™lt— lMV**H-'k-JH-'r*Jt-Jt— 'I— 'h- 'l-J ,1— » t— * 1— * ^aS0'bOOOOK)OOS':OOOCOl>3t4^bOOO.OOgnC)TOOOOiaii4;..00-JOt^OO to O cn O O 6 OOOOJOOOOOtCOOOOO'OO o^ Cn cin Od C& oi 00,0 00 o • ooooo 1—1 OiCnCOO'CnMODlf..COCO>;^bOI— icoosto OO.OSOOOOOOWOOOOOCn oo, cnooooooooooooo cn o cn O O -T cs CO OOO OOO 00 cn I*- cn .O O OOO CO oO I— 1 t-i t— 1 t— 1 '¦ t-* 1— 1 boOcn-^osi— i03toc»cn oooOO-cnooOO OOOOOOO-OOO CO o o o fcOtococnopcococn'.t-* co co cn cn OOrf^OOOOcncnOcnocnocn OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO t-1 1—1 totf^cni-iasot-ioscnbo ooOooo~oooo OOOOOOOOOO OS cs OS ooo OOO t— 1 1—1 o o 1-1 t-^ cooiocscncocnto-^cooooscnOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OS CO cn 05 O 00 CJi o o ooooo tocOht^cnoaCjSf^obcn.os^TCn OC^tOOOOiOOOOOO OOOOOOOO, OOOO fcO to Cn OS OS O CO o o O OOOOO CO' cno cnOO -- to cooscntt:^tKt^t4^tj:>-cnoscnt|ii.totf^--^OQ coooooooocntotootft-ooo- o OOOOOOOO- OOOOOOOOO 1—* 00 o ¦'-¦ ¦. § ¦' 1—1 t-1 O) o O O • t-1 I-- O- bO o o f-1o o oo o o 00o cn. o t— 1 -J- cn CO cn O o i- Cno l-J OO to bo o o cn OS M^ tf>. O ooooo 1— I I ¦ Oi CO OS . -t^cn to CO bO OS H-i 00 h-i *. h-1 h-1 t-1 OS tf^ OS o l-l 1—1 ' CO IO 00 02 Ol 1— 1 fcO t-1 H- 00 00 lai OS 00 1—1cn CO t— 1 1—1 ^ t-1 00 to to to CO o o 1—1 OS to - t-1 to to oscnas-j-i CO *>¦ h-l M 00 to "-i t-l If^ CO cn K) O " t-1 -j co cn toh-1 cn ii>- oo, --:r OT t-1 ^ CO cn o to to c?s OS Cn CO 00 cn CO CO o O t^ to OS !»>¦ to I t-i CO t-.^ CO Ol t-1 t^a. o tf^ CO t^^t-iOS COI-^tOfc^t-iK) OCOOSCOtOOCOOOS- OS, H^COlf^OOO CO . to O ^ t(^ l)^C»»Ji^-Cn05M-iS uonuAjiino .lOpUU S9J0U -0^ J^otlAl -tisna luop ^qsua 'Siuo -tisna oia -qsiia -iCaiJua -tietia ' S9S.I0II -o^ eiWO -ON ilaotis -OM "ouj.wg -OK ¦ >-S'CO-o 1^ cnOS» O- K \*Q a » Oo ?3 O oCO 110 " Si B « a a B a a! as ai z S.p g g g g e NAMES. 5b r P" p- p- ¦ g p-' a 0 o" M •| ^ = *" B- 0 ta rn heat 3 .under )n f Wm. L. N. Crandall, 60 390 400 200 21 2 16 9 8 Amos S. CrandaU, 90 600 250 300 30 7 6 5 D. D. Sowle, 50 250 ,800 650 60 1 13 16 20 Isaac T. Smith raised 60 bush, apples and 100 tons of hay; J. ET Culver raised 10 bush, apples and 6 bush, plums ; George W. Ogden raised 40 bush. apples; Luke Holmes raised 130 bush, apples and 100 tons hay; Henry Oreen made 2300 lbs. .cheese and 300 lbs, butter, also raised 30 bush, apples. ^ MAGNOLIA, Is about fifteen miles west from JanesviUe. The face of the country most ly undulating, bur oak openings, with a mixture of some prairie ; making many very desirable farms. It is well watered by springs of the-purest qual ity ; here is also a fine creek and considerable first quality marsh, inexhaust ible in richness, producing heavy crops of grass. The sbU is a sandy loam, on a sub-soil of clay, producing abundant crops. This town is somewhat noted for its grass seed, which it produces in considerable quantities, and is shipped east. Here are some of the best stock farms in the State. The settlei-s were mostly from New York foi-merly. It has a good water power ¦ — six feet Uead; and one grist mill and ono saw mill. There are at present in this town, 139 farms. The Beloit & Madison railroad passes through -this town, -with a depot three-fourths of a mile east of the village. The first settlement made here, was in ] 840. The first settlers were John N. Palmer, Joseph Prentice, Andrew Cotter, Washington Adams, -WendaU Fockler, Abram Fox, Jon?ithan Cook, Ed mund Basy, Ambrose Moore, George McKenzie, Widow Hines and her son Wm. L. Hines, and Sanford P. Hammond. It has one tavern, a very good house, kept by A. U. Tbomas, Esq. ; one store ; four mechanic shops. The population in 1860, was 630; in 185.5, 989. It has nine school dis tricts, and seven good stone and frame school houses ; 446 scholars and re ceives the present jeStV from the State School Fund, $2196, Ill CHURCHES. One Congregational church, Rev. J. J. Jameson, pastor ; ono Free- WiU Baptist church, organized in this town and Spring Valley, Rev. James R. Pope, preacher. The Methodists also have meetings hero ; Elders Butler and Webster, preachers. The UniversaUsts have regular meetings; Rev. G. W. Lawrence, fireacher. ^The Congregationalists only have a church edifice ; in the building of which, they were assistedjby the Baptists, Methodists and UniversaUsts. It was constructed in 1864. One Post oflSce. One Physician, Ohafles WUson. TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1854. Supervisors — Joseph DooUttle, Chairman; A. U. Thomas, James A. Rob son. Joshua Dunbar, Town Clerk. Andrew Cotter, Ambrose Spenser, Frederic Barrett, Assessors. James Jones, Treasurer; Arba Townsend, Su perintendent. John Howe, N. B. Howard, Seth J. Cain and George Patch- en, Justices of the Peace. TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1865. Supervisors — Joseph Doolittle, Chairman; N.B. Howard, James A. Rob son. Joshua Dunbar, Town Clerk; C. N. Moon, Treasurer; Arba Towns- end, Superintendent. N. B. Howard, Geo. Patchen, John S. Niles, Justices of the Peace. N. B. Howard, Esq., member of t'he Assembly from his district, in 1834, resides, in this town. Col. Ezra Miller, also a member pf the Senate from the I7th district, for the years 1853 and 1864, resides in this town, and bas a very fine, well regulated farm. Sanford P. Hammond, Esq., a delegate to the first State Conventioa to form a Constitution, was then and still is a citizen of this town. 112 THE FOLLOWING ARE AMONG THE FiaST FARMERS IN MAGNOLIA. S sj W W --;3 W M a S', ^ Bi ai S.O O NAMES. s-gP; 3 cr -^ trp tr 5- EO 1. P N.B.Howard, 177 220.1900 850 > 40 100 3 19 20 75 James A. Robson, 160 600 2400 600 75 ,6 7 80 45 Wm. P. Ilammond, 230 1100 1000 300 60 2 17 A. K. Barrett, 140 ¦> , 2000 , ¦¦ 5 5 160 6 Jopthan Laiten, 100 1200 800 880. 200 T.,M. Lockwood, 200 40O 800 500 100 iB 65 130 20 James M. Smith, ,200 500 600 900 2 3 1,60 20 Wm. Hiiyke, 120 1000 200 450 " .60 1 Col. Ezra Miller, ' ; ; 150 200 800 600 180 16 26 86 9 Charles S. Dunbar, 120 200 900 600 3 15] 4Q: 6 Hirajn Bare, - 100 475 340 700 - 30 8 12 30 Edmund Barge, , 76 ,700 700 800 , , 300 6 24 20 17 Frederic Barrett, 76 ' 1500 2 6 2 2 Seth J. Cain, 70 400 610 450 66 6 3 169 l2 Joshua Dunbar, 80 600 600 40Q 20 2 2 40 15 John Andrew, 60 gSO 1600 300 2 3 3 33 T. T. Ash, 70 330 900 250 . 50 2 18 22 16 Thomas Conat, 75 '560 1300 '^ - 4 26 12 Joseph Doolittle, 40,380 700 260 60 2 11 15 18 Jaines F. Jones, 100 500 760 400 100-6 14 19 34 George Patchen, 80l' 600 700 300 60 4 1.9 20 28 John N. Palmer, 62 900 400 300 60 2 11 7 N. B. Howard raised 110 bush, grass seed; James A. Robson, 85 bush.; A. K. Barrett, lOO bush.; Col, Ezra MUler, 280 bush,j and Joshua Dunbar, 20 bush., ' y. Col. Ezra MiUer also raised 200 tons hay. NEWARK; This town adjoins Beloit, and is town ohe hoi-th, of range 11 east, and thirteen mUes southvi^est from JaUesVillei ' It -was organized in the spring of 1846. The . population in 1860 was 798; now, 1866, 1,117. It has nine school districts and seven school housesi The present number of scholars is 416, amd receives the present yeftr from the State School fund, $314 75.-^- Newark Post Office is in this toVm. 113 The following communication from F. Curtice, Esq., of Newark, gives a brief, but very good sketch of the early history and present state of the town : Dear Sir: — Youi-s of the 1st of January, requesting the early history, tes, the largest ever polled in the town, as will be seen by reference to its poll books. At the general election in 1850, it polled 107 votes; in 1852, it polled 110; in 1853, it polled 71; in 1854, it polled 78; and in 1856, it polled 74 \''btes. This town is now capable of poHing two hundred and fifty votes. In the brief space of thirteen years, what a change has come over thc country. That portion of the county that comprised the town of Center, is now divided oft' into three or four towns, each numbering its hundreds of in habitants, and some of them their hundreds of voters. Five or six villages and one-half of the city of JanesviUe, numbering its thousands, have sprung up within its borders. And its entire area is inhabited by as intelligent, in dustrious and entei-prising and prosperous community as can be found any where in the west. They are all on the high road to wealth. Perhaps there is no other portion of Rock county equal in extent, combining so many ad^ vantages for growing grain and stock, and for carrying on all other branches of husbandry peculiar to the west, as that portion which constituted the town of Center as it was first organized. 123 The town of Plymouth is weU adapted to the raising of wheat. It has a very suitable share of rich and rolling prairie, is well supplied with fine groves of timber, and as well watered perhaps with durable streams ahd beautiful springs as any town in the county, whUe its extensive meadows yield an inexhaustible supply of the best of native grass for stock. It has two Railroads passing through it, crossing each other at a point on Bass ci-eek, called Bass Creek, nearly in its geographical center, on sec tion fourteen, where there is a water power capable of driving two run of stonov A grist mill is already erected, and is expected to be doing busi^ ness early in the coming season. It is expected a large business will be dono here as soon as the two roads are completed and in active operation, as each wiU build a depot at this point. They are not to run on each other's track ; consequently more or less re-shipping will be done here, Plymouth contains three viUages, Bass Creek, FootvUle and Borhitz. — They are all yet in their infancy. Bass Creek, at the junction mentioned above, is situated on Bass creek. The site for the village, which is now laid off into lots, five to the acre, is owned by John L. V. Thomas, Esq., the present incumbent of the office of Clerk of Board of Supervisors for Rock county. There are npw some ten famUies in the vUlage of Bass Creek, with a fair prospect of a speedy and rapid increase, as the Milwaukee Smiley, H, C, Inman, A, Spoon, -Joel Barlow, A, Coddington, D, P. Douglass, 1200 900 2500 600 25 50 11 26 110 700 2500 300 50 100 14 29 140 662 1000 400 20 150 2 14 140 500 lOOO 300 20 125 3 22 27 78 650 700 400 16 70 4 10 10 100 550 1000 700 40 200 6 46 13 80 120 . 600 560 50 100 6 12 12 150. 1300 200 15 76 2 37 80 460 800 360 30 50 1 26 90 600 600 450 100 60 ^ 19 .90 700 800 200 12 160 2 17 4 80" 400 800 400 8 100 2 8 16 75 400 400 600 16 100 2 18 60 300 600 300 60 200 3 36 85 40 130 400 30O 12 150 4 6 67 46 ¦700 300 380 loo 100 9 10 6 12 40 7 2111 40 9 152030 32 12 5 15 G SPRING VALLEY. This town contains very Utile prairie. Its sui^ace is gently undulating and covered with a scattering growth of large bur oaks, with more or less hickory, and altogether a very good agricultural town, well watered, well wooded, a good productive soil with a reasonable portion of good, natural meadow for cutting hay, making it altogether a very desirable location tor a farmer who wishes the conveniences for a farm — rather than to have an ex tensive one. The Southem Wisconsin Railroad will pass through this town, and wiU have a station here. They have in this town one Store, [one Tav em, kept by Col. E. Ckpp and Dr. S. W. Abbott. A Post Office, - Post Master. The population of this toWn in 1860 Was 766; in 1855it was 1,006. It has ten School Districts and six School Houses. The number of scholars is 351. This town receives 'the sum of 1276 from the State School Fund the present year. 126 Tlie first settlers in this town were James Kirkpatrick, Erastus C. Smith, Robert Taylor, Roderick M. Smith, James Bradshaw, Almerin Sprague, Amos Remington, Allen Hurlbut, S. G. Mills, and Solomon Rose, Erastus C. Smith, Esq., and Dr, S. W. Abbott, who have each reprosent-. ed their District in the Legislature, reside in this town. Col. Ezekiel Clapp— who did service for his country in the war of 1812—' was one of the early settlers in our county, also lives there. Physicians — S. W. Abbott and Jeremiah Wilcox, Minister^Dennison Alcottr-=.Baptist, Churches — .A Free Will Baptist— a Primitive Methodist and a Pi-esbyte- rian — have been organized and each have stated preaching, although neither have a churoh building. Quite a portion of this town is settled by Norwe gians, who make very good citizens. Many of them are quite large farm ers. They are uniformly Lutherans in their religion, TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1864, Supervisors— ^James Kirkpatrick, Chairman ; Amos Remington, Sylves ter Northrop ; Roderick M, Smith, Town Clerk ; T. M, Purdy, Treasurer ; William Hudson, Superintendent ; Gecj-ge W. Stetson, Assessoir ; Almerin Sprague, S, W, Abbott, John J. Cook, and C, C, Coon, Justices of the Peace, TOWN OFFICERB FOR 1855. Supervisors-^James Kirkpatrick, Chairman; Amos Remington, Sylves-- ter Northrop; Roderick M, Smith, Town Clerk ; T, M, Purdy, Treasurer; E, C. Smith, Assessor; Wm, Hudson, Superintendent; S. W, Abbott, John J, Cook, C. C, Coon, Almerin Sprague, Justices of the Peace. 127 THE FOLLOWING ARB AMONG THE FIRST FARMERS IN SPRING VALLBT. S5SOB a a a a -^ t^ -2. V. &?£g g gggpp?? NAMES, Bwlno Sheep: Cattle Horses h.Potatoes. . h.Barley. . . h.Bye h. Oats h.Corn h.Wheat... iTatlaa. James Kirkpatrkik, 160 996 1000 590 145 3 32 4 62 Norman Cole, 100 3S0 760 490 160 4 10 21 20 Robert Tayloi-, 95 624 900 734 SOO 6 20 170 58 E. C. Smith, 83 500 600 70Q 100 4 36 60 80 H. M. Balis, 80 460 600 1200 7 12 18 8. W. Abbott, 80 250 400 1000 60 4 6 22 Amos Remington, 100 400 300 600 76 13 21 Thoma s Helmbolt, 80 300 400 800 60 4 13 12 Benjamin Grover, 76 250 760 400 60 250 3 7 10 T. M. Purdy, 62 400 600 400 40 3 13 32 Isaac Wright, 60 300 580 700 100 2 8 10 9 W. F. Clark, 70 480 600 600 80 3 8 50 Jacob Beck, 60 648 675 300 160 2 13 4 10. Stephen C. Pierce, 60 260 600 425 15 4 18 260 16 PhiUip Workman, 50 448 700 507 100 6 17 1 2.7 Elijah Waid, 40 350 560 400 75 3 a 16 Andrew Smith, 46 300 600 409 60 3 8 50 23 Robert Harper, 90 525 500 325 85 1 18 35 28 Walter Smith, 50 600 690 300 160 4 22 34 27 Seth T. Green, 65 296 450 420 180 3 18 156 40 WUlard Bowles, 40 400 500 275 180 9 31 8 Bela Hungerford, 50 260 360 500 100 10 17 215 17 Number of farms in 18£S, 158. Tl JRTL E. This town ia South-east from Janesville and cast — adjoining Beloit — is ono of the finest townships in the county, possessing in her own Umits a plen ty of wood, timber, Umestone, clay for bricks, creeks, water-power, and an excellent soil, properly proportioned hetween timber and openings, all weU watered. Turtle Creek passes through this town from North-east to South-west. There are several very fine water-powers on this stream, two or three already improved. Mr. Daniel Bennett has a very good water- power on his farm, near the west Une of the to-^; Spring Brook is also a fine stream, rising- " ':]..^aot\, p8J5sing through tb© 128 town and empties into the Turtle. The Racine and Beloit RaUroad passes down the valley of this creek. Egery Creek receives its name from Dan' iel B. Egery, Esq., from Vermont, who first settled on this creek in 1838—' ¦where he now resides. This creek rises in MUton and runs about South-west through a portion of this town into IlUnois and thence emptying into Rock River. Otter Creek also rises in the east part of Clinton, runs west and unites with Egery Creek in Sec. 34. There is a fine water-power on this creek, with a fall of 21 feet in a race of 200 rods, owned by D. B. Egery ¦& Son. Some very fine quarries are found on these streams. Mr. John Benedict has a quarry of very fine building stone on his farm, also a lime-- kiln, in which he manufactures annually about one thousand bushels lime. The first settlers in this town were D. B. Egery, Daniel Bennett, Chancy Tuttie, John Lewis, Abel Lewis, Samuel G. Colley, Richard Dole, and John Hopkins. SHOPlEEE. Is a beautiful vUlage in this town on Section 3. It is 9 mUes South-east from JanesviUe, on Turtie Creek, which gives a water-power here of 9 feet head and fall, and is a very reliable stream for supply of water. Here is a stone flouring mill, 4 stories high, running three pairs of burrs, and is completely finished throughout; cost $18,000, and buUt and owned by Hon. L. P. Harvey and J. H. Randall, This miU grinds 60,000 bush els of grain annually. A saw mill at this place, also, owned by the same; cuts annually 160,000 feet ofoaklumber; cost $2,000. Turtleville flouring mill is one mUe below on the same stream. North of this village stretches Rock Prairie. South an extensive tract of timbered land, extendiijg 7 miles. Abundance of excellent Ume stone is found in this vicinity, from which the village receives its name — a corruption of the French Chaux, (Sho,) signifying lime — pierre, signifying stone. Lime is made here of very excellent quality. The Chicago, St. Pauls aud Fond du Lac Railroad passes through this place, crossing the Turtle on a fine, substantial bridge constructed by Hon. L, P, Harvey, The first settlers of this village were Caleb E. Culver, John Hopkins, J, H. RandaU, A. W. AUyn, James Cham berlain and John Spencer. At an early day, whUe Wis. was in its transi tion state from savage to civilized life, a distUlery was estabUshed here, but was discontinued after a few years, through the exertions and sacrifice of John Hopkins, Esq. ; to his credit be it said. Churches — A Congregational Church was oi-ganized here in 1848 — which has recently erected a stone edifice for worship, at an expense of $2,000. Rev. Mr. Wells, Congregational Minister. The UniversaUsts also 129 have contracted for the buUding of a Church here. Here is one Tavern' one Store, one Grocery two Blacksmith Shops, one Wheelwright Shop, two Shoemaker's Shops, and one Tailor Shop. Physician — Dr. Belding. A Post Office was established herein 1850. Andrew CromweU, pres ent Post Master, Hon. L. P. Harvey— State Senator from 18th Senatorial District— resides here. Mr. Harvey has served the public in- various capacities — having been a Delegate from this county to form the present State Constitution — repre sented his district in the Assembly — and one term of two years ih the Senate — has recently been re-elected to the Senate. He is held in high es teem by the people, and was a candidate in the last Legislature for U. S. Senator. TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1864. Supervisors— B> P, Murray, Chairman ; Samuel Gardiner, A, W, Allyn ; J, H, Rogers, Town Clerk; H, J. Murray, Superintendent Com. Schools; Ja cob Dunn, Treasurer ; P. M. Hinman, J. A. Harris, M. P. Cogswell, Justices of the Peace. TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1855. Supervisors-'^EUek Bruce, Chairman; L. G. Calkins, E. H. Treat; G. W.Eacker, Town Clerk; J. W. RandaU, Treasurer; L. P. Harvey, Super intendent Com>, Schools ; Charles Randall, Chancy Tuttie, Justices of the Peace. Turtle was organized in '46, previous to which it constituted a part of Beloit. The population in 1850 was 1006. in 1866, 1271. It has eleven School Districts and 470 scholars over four and under twenty years of age. This town has eight School Houses. It receives $367 88 from the State School Fund the present year» No. of farms, 138-. The following communication Was received from B, E. Mack Esq., of Tur tle, giving an amusing sketch of the early history of Shopiere : Sir : — Having received a line from you requesting me to write the early history of the town of Turtle — although this call from you was quite un expected, yet I wiU endeavor to give a few historical facts, more particular ly of the northem part of the town, including Shopiere and TurtleviUe. The first settiers, it seems, were a colony from Beloit " For up the Turtle," and 9 ISO consisted of William Smith, Horace Rice, and Hudson Case. This was in 1836. The first Grove on the south side of the Turtle — known as Cross's Grove — was by a mutual agreement claimed by Mr. Smith. Mr. Rice claimed the next Grove on the nonh side of the Turtle, now owned by Mack and others. Mr. Case claimed the next Grove on the north side of the stream now owned by Stark and others. They, as was usual at that time, each claimed aU the land adjoining- their several claims. Soon after this settlement was commenced, Mr. Smith had a son born, which was the first chUd born in this section of Rock County. At, or about this time, a family from Penn., /orwerZy, by the name of Meeks, claimed where Sho. piere now is situated, and buUt a shanty near where Eacher's store now stands. This family, which consisted of Father, Mother, five Sons and five Daughters, was rather remarkable for size — the whole number averaging about 200 lbs each. They belonged to that class, in the western country, that keeps a little ahead of civilization — known as " Borderers," a sort of con necting link between civUization and barbarism. They first stopped in Ohio, theh mo-ved to Ind., then to IU., and at this titne hauled up here iu Wis., on the Turtle, only to again remove — when "neighbors got within 40 miles of them." This class of people can never do too many kindnesses for their friends nor too many injuries to their enemies. About this time a company was formed in Connecticut, and claimed on the 'north side of the Turtle, oppo site Shopiere, This colony was composed of people of an entirely diflferent character and disposition, having brought along with them many ot those peculiar notions, for Whioh that State is noted. The reader can readily im agine the consequences resulting from the proximity of two such settlements and of such contrasting characters. The Meekers soon dubbed the Conn. people with two quaint sobriquets — " Pussy " and " Whale," — the former from the fact that they brought in a lot of cats and sold to the settlers ; and the other from the fact that some of them had been engaged in a whale- fishery, and were great at " spinning yarns." Things went on without any open rupture untU the latter part of the summer of 1837, when both par ties commenced cutting hay on the bottoms on the north side of the stream. The yankees proving to be the smartest workers, were like to monopolize all the hay, and thus rob old Brindle — the only stuck possessed by the Meekers — of her rights, and subject her to a winter of browsing. This was too much for a generous nature to bear, with any degree of equanimity. Uncle John, from his cabin door discovered the true state of thincrs, and sounded the bugle for a general parade of the colony. They got together all the fire-arms about the premises- -charged them heavily — and a l6g, ex tending from one corner of their cabin eight or ten feet, served as a resting 131 place for their muskets and rifles — all ready for a discharge upon the offend ing yankees — while he, with stentorian voice, worthy of a general officer, ordered them to disperse and leave the hay, or in case they neglected to obey, he Would discharge a- broadside into them; but the yankees, redyessof consequences, did not heed the threat; but continued the work of raking and carting oS' the hay. Matters were now coming to an *'¦ awfuV' crisis. It was thought best to hold a councU of war at the *' Meeker fort," when it waa thought best-to dispateh a detachment consisting of the old lady and her five daughters to attempt to drive the marauders from the ground, while Uncle John and the five sons were to keep possession of the <' fort," The old Lady, armed with a long-lined pitch fork, the daughters each with a fish speer, actuated by the strongest sympathy for " poor old Brindle,'' presented no mean battle array on the south bank ofthe Turtle, each one tuU siz feet in their shoes. Having arrived at the stream the heroine thus address- her daughters : " The infernal yankees are the pest of our lives. We left Penn, for Ohio to get away from them ; again we left Ohio for Ind,, and then to III, and at last have arrived at this place, and here they are ; and now I am determined to make a stand and fight,' for I will not go any fur ther." " Go it, mother, we wiU follow you," was the unanimous response; when, brandishing their weapons, they started to ford the stream. The yan kees, observing the warlike movements on the opposite side, had not been idle ; but heroically acting up to the exigency of the circumstances, made choice of " Whale " to command the defense. He at once ordered the hay wagons to be arranged for a breast-work, and thus addressed his. compeers: " I sincerely thank you for the honor conferred, in making choice of me for your comraander — you who in old Connecticut have been brought up to clam digging and wooden-nutmeg manufacture — who came all the way from '• away down east," to claim the little Territory of Wisconsin — now prepare yourselves to defend your rights; to'fight the Mee^QrainiMviduaUy and collectively — males and females. If in this fearful contest I should be slain, 0, fail not to bear the mournful tidings to my disconsolate widow and fatherless children, and assure them that I fell nobly, defending my rights and those of my fellow citizens." By this time the.assailanta had approach ed the breast- works. The old lady ordered her vaUant daughters to. charge upon the company, while she made an individual onset upon the Captain , which she did, approaching him with the long-tined fork. The Captain drew a pistol and ordered her to stand — to advance at the peril of her life ; but she was weU aware of her safety under cover of the guns as the " fort ; "* — 80, nothing daunted, she pricked him out from behind the ramparts — he continuing to step backwards as she advanced — still threatening to fir? if 132 she advanced " another inch," until ere he was aware, he backed off the bank of a bayou of the stream, with eight feet of water. She, observing her advantage, gave him a severe thrust as he went down the bank, when he dove and swam beyond the reach of her fork. The rest of the compa ny — assailed by the girls — stood their ground, courageously defending themselves, until they saw their Captain fall ; and supposing that he was killed; hastily retreated, and left tbe field to the undisputed victors. They hurried to the settlement to break the sad news lo the widow, who, being just in the act of fainting, was joyfuUy relieved by the presence of the Capt., all dripping with mud and water. The trophies consisted of three rakes, one fork, one pail of rations, con taining four yankee johnnycakes, eight cold potatoes, one jug of whisky, &c. From the above mentioned battle the place was ever after known as Waterloo, until changed — on the estabUshment of a Post Office — to the present name of Shopiere. Sometime in the year 1837 Biodgett purchased the Meeker claim, and soon built a saw mill. The first importation was a distillery. First exports from this place, a load of whisky, sent to Janesville, About the same time. A, F, Lewis commenced another yUlage, about one. mile below on the same stream. BuUt a saw mill and opened a store; the first one within the present limits of Turtle. These were ever rival towns, and much strife existed between them ; Turtleville claiming all the religion and moraUty ; — Waterloo possessing all the whisky, drunkenness and swearing. Al a meeting of thirty citizens, lo agree upon a name for the town, prepar atory to an act of jncorporation, and separate organization from Beloit, 29 voted for Waterloo, and only one, — B. E. Mack, — voted for the name of Turtle. When the matter went to the Legislature il was found that there was already one town in the State by that name, (Waterloo,) so it was in-' corporaled by its present name. Such are a few early reminiscences of the early times in the history of this town. I atn, &c., B. E. MACK. Orrin Guernset, Esqi; Corresponding Sec'y. Horatio Murray, Esq. — the member of his Assembly District the pres ent year — ^resides in this town; 133 the FOLLOWING ARB A FEW OF THE PRINCPAL FARMERS IN TURTLE, 53 ^ a 160 360 400 300 150 6 70 125 160 1000 600 600 200 8 30 70 200 2O0O 500 150 7 30 35 60 200 1000 400 180 8 14 70 300 1600 250 160 5 16 100 220 1200 1000 100 4 18 24 120 150 2000 500 60 4 29 140 80 200 1500 700 50 3 24 40 150 2500 300 200 7 14 75 300 2000 1000 600 2 16 50 100 2000 400 100 2 14 160 350 400 1100 40 40 4 21 140 75 700 500 300 360 6 12 8 102735 35 31 25 23 26 25 Daniel Bennett, 160 360 400 300 I 150 6 70 125 7 Chancy Tuttie, 160 1000 600 600 200 8 30 20 Thomas Crosby, J. M, Everett, John Faber, Daniel B. Egery, Dwight B. Egery, Horatio Murray, B. F. Murray, Sylvester Murray, Henry Smith, Elek Bruce, John Hopkins, B. E. Mack, J. F, Dockstader, A. W. Allyn, P. J. Erckenbrack, Richard Dole, Dr. A. J. Bennett, Johnson Dole, M. P. Cogswell, Daniel Bennett raised 1 30 tons of hay, made 4000 fts. cheese, and 600 lbs. butter; Daniel B, Egery raised 150 bushels apples, and 70 tons hay; Dwight B. Egery raised 70 tons hay ; B, F. Murray raised 50 bushels ap- pSes; Sylvester Murray raised 60 bushels apples; Henry Smith made 400 ft)s, butter, and 400 lbs. cheese ; Elek Bruce raised 47 tons hay. Mr, D, Bennett also sold about $2000 worth of stock during the winter of 1855~6. UNION, Is the most North-westem town in the County, and 16 mUos North-west from Janesville. The face of countiy is similar to that of MagnoUa, except that it has less prairie and the land generally not so roUing. The earUest settlers were Ira Jones, Stephen Jones, Boyd Phelps, Charies McMillen, Hi- 134 ram Griffith, John Saylos, Erastus Quivey, Warington Higday, Samuel Lewis, Jacob West, John T. Baker, Levi Leonard, Willis T. Bunton. This town was organized in 1842, and at that time included what is now Union, Porter, and north half each of Center and MagnoUa. POPUL.YTION. The population in 1860 was 1060; in 1856, 1377. The n'unaber of School Disti-icts is Twelve, and Scholars 598. Amount recived from the State School Fund for the year 1855, $413,00. There are two viUages in this town, EvansviUe and Union, which should be described separately. EVANSVILLE, Is situatbd^on AUen's Creek, and has a very good water power with a saw- mUl and! grist-mUl, owned by Wm. Campbell, The site for the village is very beautiful, being on tho border of a small prairie and in one of the finest groves adjoining, that can be found in the County. This place received its name from Dr. J. M. Evans, the first physician whio settled there, and who is the present Representative from that Assemby Districl, having been elect ed by almost a unanimous vote— a very flattering testimonial of the re gard of his fellow citizen in these exciting political times. Here is a com modious Methodist church, and a very nice Free-will Baptist church, which cost $2,600, on which is a very good beU, Nelson Butler, 0, F, Comfort and Hiram Griffiths, Methodist preachers, J. W, Lawton, Universalist preacher, < The principal original proprietors of the village, are Henry Spencer, G,H. Spencer and Hiram Griffith, Merchants,— John Rhinehart, and Howe & West, Lawyer, — David L, MUls, who formerly resided in Fulton, and who was one of the delegates from Rock County to form the first State Constitution. Physician. — ^W. M. Quivey. Two Blacksmith shops, one Wheelwright shop, one Livery Stable, one Tavern, two Stores, ono Grocery, one Clothing Store, EvansvUle Post Office, ¦— Howe,, Postmaster. Ira Jones, Esq., a gentleman, held in very high esteem by his feUow cit izens, resided in tiiis town. He represented his district in Assembly of the Legislature a few years since, and has for several years been chairman of tbe 1-35 Board of Supervisors, besides holding other offices of trust. Mr. J., during the past winter, while drawing wood, fell from thc load and the wheel of the loaded wagon passed over his body, injnring him so severely, that he died in a few hours. union village, Is situated on the stage, road from Janesville tg Madison and equi-distant frpm each. Here are two large commodious Churches, a Calvanistic Bap tist and Methodist. MiNisT^iia. — C. L. Webster, Methodist; D. L. Starr, Baptist. Physician. — ^Thomas Armstrong. Merchants. — H. L, Smith, A. K, Warrehj Pedigrew, and Smith. One Cabinet shop, two Blackshith shops, one Wagon shop, one Tailor shop, two Shoemaker shops. One Tavern, by I?an Pond. Union Post Office, located in this village. Union has 186 farms. The Madison, (Sf. Beloit Railrqad p^sep thi;ough this town, -witl^ a station between the, two villages. TOWN OFFICBiRS FOB 1854, Supervisor?.— T-I^a Jones, Ch'n., Daniel Johnson, Peter AUeji, P. T>. Vaughn, Town Clerk. Hiram Burdick, Assessor. AUen Miner, Treasurer. R. S. Kingman, Superintendent. Jacob West, John Dawson, W. C. Love joy, Justices of thp Peace. town officers for 1865. Supervisors. — Ira Jones, Ch'n., lector Aller, Daniel Johnson. H. L. Smith, Town Clerk. StiUman BuUard, John Da^wson, Assessors. Treasurer. E. B. Harvey, Superintendent. W. C, Lovejoy, John Dawson, Jacob West, Asa Pierce, Justices of the Peace. 136 THE FOLLOWING ARE AMONG THK LARGEST FARMERS IN UNION. If. NAMES. f 9 Charles Miller, 270 2300 2800 1800 Sylvester Howard, 120 600 1250 600 H. L. Smith, 100 932 560 600 James Montgomery,' 100 660 1200 900 Anson Loomis, 200 800 600 540 Aaron Rowley, 100 900 1200 650 Wm. Berry, 100 650 900 700 Cyms Searls, 100 600 1600 300 Daniel Johnson, 116 827 1100 600 E. Devereaux, 140 1100 1200 500 Josiah Howard, 100 660 900 400 Wm. C. Lovejoy, 100 460 1100 600 Thomas P. Chapin, lOO 660 900 600 David Johnson, 125 1100 900 900 Stephen Gore, 90 500 700 600 Ira Jones, 120 600 1100 650 John Dawson, 70 550 500 600 Nathaniel Blakeslee, 80 460 1600 600 Samuel Dudley, 80 665 600 540 Reuben Slawson, 70 575 950 350 H. Burdick, 75 643 800 450 Dennis Nicholas, 90 600 900 600 Washington Higday, 80 800 500 650 Levi Leonard, 60 450 330 550 Henry Boyce, 80 380 800 660 S. F. RandaU, 60 400 900 300 Sarah Jones, 80 600 700 300 Albert Janes, 86 600 475 300 Warren Foster, 70 600 800 350 M. A. Rowley, 70 500 1200 600 Hu-am CampbeU, 64 600 600 600 Levi Taggart, 56 670 600 600 Harvey Frosi 60 650 500 650 Hiram BuUard, 60 560 1 100 660 JohnTupper, 66 640 1200 250 Jedediah Hubbard, 62 400 1100 700 Daniel Crandall, 110 800 1100 630 Peter Aller, 65 427 550 350 Waldo C. Clark, 70 360 1100 675 John T. Baker, 45 160 600 300 No. of farms in 1855, 185. 180 120 100 75 80 76 100 40 76 100 6080 100100 100100 60 100160 100 60 150 70 200120 80 500 150 60 6060 100 60 130 75 12 20 200 7560 166 60 100 10 60 100 75 160 50 45 19 2 16 6 32 7 12 22 5 13 13 20 17 1 24 14 3620 16 1 1718 11 4 17 9 17 10 18 1 300 100 6050 18 9 20 24 18 13 38 10 22 69 20 8 6 13 12 15 46 13T FULTON, Is the next town north of JanesviUe, being Town 4 North, Range 12 E. It is divided into 10 school districts^— 8 school houses — and has 491 schol ars. Il receives from the State School Fund the present year, $332,46. Population in 1850, 858; in 1865, 1290, No, of farms in 1855, 129, Within the limits of this town are four villages, " Indian Ford'' or Fulton Center, (fi-om the fact of its having been a crossing place for the Indi ans in their travels up and down the valley of Rock river,) NewvUle, Fulton and Edgerton, This town possesses natural ad,vantages hardly excelled in the county elsewhere. It has several smaU and very beautiful prairies, with a soil of the most superior quaUty. The timber is of large growth, suitable for saw ing and building purposes. Rock river, which enters this town near the N. E, corner, makes a circuit south-west near the west line, thence bearing east, passes inlo Janesville in Section 32, FULTON CENTER. There is a good water power on Rock rLvor at what was at an early day, and even at the present, known as " Indian Ford," This water power is o-wned and improved by Dr. Guy Stoughton and Wm, T, HaU, Esq, A bridge spans the river at this place. This little viUage is the most central of any in town, and has a saw mill, a tavern, 3 stores and groceries, 2 black smith shops, 2 shoemakers' shops, and a very large school house, which serves for schools and also for holding public meetings, Ramsey's prairie, George R, Ramsey, Esq,, first settled on this prairie about the same time that the Messrs. Stone located on the river ; hence its name. Mr. R, was a member of Assembly from his district a few years since, in the Legislature. He still resides at the same place where he made his first claim, stone's bridge. Is thrown across the Rock near the residence of Roberl Stone, who, with his brother Daniel, wero the two earliest settiers, and among tho first in the county, Mr, Stone is one of the largest formers in the county. They were here in the summer of 1836, 138 FULTOH VILLAGE, (;Pormerly known as; Catfisjht vUIage,) is near the west line of the to-wnship, on Section 7,. and. situated on the Catfish river near its junction with the Rock river. Here ia a very-superior water power; welLimproved, andalarge flottring mill Hind a saw. null in operatipn. There. are three stQiesj, two groceries, one tavern, two bladjsroith shops, one tailor slio-pj tw^shoemsJser shops, and.the Fulton. Post ofee, newville. This is a small village ih the north-east comer of the town of Pulton, It has a steam saw mill in successful operation, one tavern, one grocery, two blSckSTnith shops, and- eight d*elling houses, Goodrich's bridge'crosses -Rock river at this place. EDGERT.ON. The vUlage of Edgerton is located; in; the town of Fulton, one mUe west of Rock river, on the line of the M. & M. R. R. A littio over 2 years since, the Railroad reached this point; since wUieh time has grown up a flourishing little town of 100 dwellings and 500 inhabitants. There are three public houses, four stores, throe groceries, one tin shop, one wagon shop, two blacksmith shops, two shoe shops, one tailor shop, one paint shop, one sash, door and blind foctoiy, one saw-miU, one steam mill, Bfud one grist; mUl, all under successful operation. There are also two church es in contemplation of erection." There are extensive prep.af-»tjon^ being made for building, the present season. The manufacture of briqks is also extenaivety carried on. The bricks pro duced- are ofa milky whiteness, andifop beauty and durability, cannot be ex celled in the State. The clay- from which they are manufactured is very abundant, easUy obtained; and oonvenienfc' to the Railroad; afiording the man ufacturer a rare opportunity of transporting them at pleasure. There are five substantial and commodious ware houses, and more in con templation of erection, which speak§. well of ite agricultural resource?. Considering the. advantages by '^bich it , is sui-roun46d, and; judging the futuro by the past, Edgerton must, not many yeaijs hence, r^nk favorably with the first villages in Rock or adjoining counties. 139 TOWN OFFIt^nS FORi 1866. Supervisors — Asa Root, Chairman, Charles Coon, James S. Hopkins; S. S. Williftmbf Town Clerk; R. T. Lawton, Dejpnty do; Erastus Hopkins, Treasuter; R. T. Lawton, SaperinteMdesit- of schools; R. T. Lawton, Thad deus Bowman, Justices of tho Peace. THE FOLLOWING ARE AMONG THE FIRST FABtWSBS IN; FULTON. NAMES. 9 fo cr. p p. I' 9 sr s- Sherman Stone, Henry Whittaker,- Orson Cox, Daniel Miles, Silas Hurd, Robert Stone, L. H. Page, Win. Cowell, Fred True, A. Root, Geo. E. Cowan, Chas. Bowerman,. David Kelley, 0. E. Davis, J. S. &;, S, H. Hopkins, E, T, & P. M. Hopkins, R. T. Powell, Townsend, Ephraim StiUman^ Orrin Bulon, J. S. Shaler, Isaac Miles, John Hufson, Barry Tumor, R. E. Taylor, S. G. WUliams, Wm. Pomeroy, Elias Downing, John Arthur, Robert Wixom, L. S. Peck,, Theodore Bulls., William Naggle, J. H. Roberte, H. A. Heacock, David McCullock, 140 1300 1-500 700 70 250 2 11 120 1400 800 800 62 4 1« 160 1100 1900 1100 60 9 34- 20 120 1100 900 1100 60 2 12 100 1300 1600 1100 100 8 30 300 400 2900 3000 1600 200 60 12 40 500 80 1300 1700 900 100 8 15 25 90 1600 1600 1100 1 50 900 lOQO 1200 . 2 10 65 1300 1000 7PP 80 6 16 75 700 1300 900 100 2. 6 ¦ 75 60 1100 900 900 76 .6 6 21 80 600 1100 900 60 8 '30 600- 90 HOC 1100 1 600 100 2 10 30 IIG ; 780 1^00 . 800 50 9 24 6 80 1100 1100 600 100 12 26 7S 9.00 800 HOC 40 3 6 150 80 1 100 1100 4001 50 8 75 1200 1200 200 100 4 8 110 900 1100 300 100 3 17 13 60 400 1600 200 60 5 30 13 80 600 800 400 100 7 16 27 76 500 900 500 90 50 5 12 40 60 1000 800 2 - 8 68 670 : 500 960 25 6 4 12 75 600 500 300 50 4 1:2 100 750 1600 340 260 5 3 120 750 900 150 100 1 11 80 700 7Q0 400 100 100 2 100 17 70 450 260 200 60 2 12 75 75 650 , 900 , 550 . 80 2 6 75 550 '700 260 100 22 43 66 400 850 200 100 19 22 40 350 600 250 60 2 17 20 74 276 1000 275 60 4 2 50 600 600 600 50 1 12 3071 100 12 25 15 25 7 15 20 10 8 25 4 25 2530 12 201311 2S 26 8 14 16 603416 40 3 18 40 22 2 9 140 BRADFORD. Thisis Township 2, North of Range 14 East, and is bounded North by Johnstown, East by Walworth County, South by Clinton and West by La Prairie. It is a superior township of land, and in point of productions, is surpassed by but few in the county. Although the greater part of ite surface is prairie, yet the Turtle which passes through the southern part of the town is skirted by fine bur and white oak openings. Also a smaU oak grove is situated on the West line, mostiy in this town, on sections 18 and 19. In addition tothe above is that gem of the prairie, " Emerald Grove," situated on section 7 and 8, Bradford is quite well watered for a prairie town, in fact more than 3-4 of the sections have living water-^-either tho Turtle, its branches, or springs. The Turtle enters the town about the center-east line of section 13, runs west of South, through that and section 24, through the comer of section 26 into 35, then takes a turn back into 26, thence pursues a Westerly course, passing through sections 26, 27, 28, 29, 32 and 31. Several small creeks run into the Tm-tle on either side watering the con tiguous sections. At emerald Grove are several fine springs and a beautiful creek about Ij- miles in length, when it sinks inlo the prairie. The first settlement was made in this town by Erastus Dean in the year 1836, The other early settlers were Andrew McCuUagh, Wm. C. Chase, James Winnegar, Joseph Maxon, Wm. B. Aidrich, C. Dykeman, Wm. Wyman, L. B. Blackman and Alva Blackman. On the first division of this County into towns, the South half of this township was included ivith Clinton, and the North half in the lown of Janes viUe, but in 1846 it was organized inlo a separate to-wnship. The first Chairman of the board of Supervisors was L, S, Blackman. There are two small villages and two post offices within the limite of the town. EMERALD GROVE, On the South part of section 6, contains 1 post office, 1 tavem, 1 church, 1 blacksmith shop, 1 store, 1 grocery, 1 school house and 16 dwelUngs. 141 FAIRFIELD, Is another small village on the east lino of the to-wn and county also — the water power on which Maxon's miU is situated on the Turtle, being in Wal worth County, whereas the village is mainly in Rock, Here is a post office, tavem, 2 stores, 1 blacksmith shop, a shoe shop and quite a number of dweUings, POPULATION, The population in 1860, was 703; in 1866, it Was 1,002, There are 12 school dislricte, ll school houses, and 356 scholars. They receive this year from tho state school fund $266,45, There are one hundred and eigth-one farms in town, TOWN OFFICERS FOR 186S, Supervisors,— 'Thomas W. WiUiams, Ch'n,, Peter D. Wemple, Stephen Scott, Jr. Wm. C, Scott, Town Clerk, Jacob Fowle, Treasurer, Norman Densmore, Supt, of Schools. Bori Cook, Merrit Case, Wm, A, Wood, Jus tices of the Peacci 142 NAMES OF SOME OF THE LARGEST FARMERS IN THE TOWN OF BRADFORD, NAMES. p A ¦i $ a c : ci Peter D. Wemple; Frederic Frj-dendall, John A. Fletcher, Henry C. Knapp, S. D. Seai-le, Daniel Woodman, Alva Blackman, Norman Densmore, RusseU Cheney, Wesley Carey, Cornelius Dykeman, Win. Wyman, Aaron Briggs, David McNair, E. Mowers, A. V. Bradt, Levi Davis, Enos FrankUn, Andrew McCuUagh, Warren Courtw right and John Cummings, John Dickens, John Wilkins, John Smith, John Teachout, E. Livingston, Wm. T. Doolittle, E. & G. HathereU, Henry Dykeman, Jesse Putnam, George Rhoades, L. S. Blackman, Erastus Blackman, Beri Cook, Merrit Case, Asa G. Ransom, Jacob Fowle, Stephen Scott, Jr., Lucius Van Allen, 240 660 1300 880 900 200 12 30 200 1762 , 600 -900 720 150 4 26 160 370 800 350 115 100 400 160 1300 2250 900 200 30 120 800 UOO 600 395 i60 6 34 10 110 €30 900 1100 80 3§Q 3 6 160 900 300 1600 600 20 2 21 620 170 60O ¦276 450 700 lOO 6 14 100 600 900 660 200 100 13 12 160 1200 UOO 600 200 3 67 90 160 900 200 600 300 60 6 16 24 112 600 1300 450 61 125 ¦6 26 600 130 600 1000 700 400 150 3 32 170 1620 2000 94 ¦6 2 160 1000 900 500 200 6 11 IS 100 1050 400 4P0 660 60 3 9 90 220 160 660 900 20 18 100 775 620 1900 40 30 170 900 1100 850 700 400 7 30 240 900 800 500 600 150 1 3 100 650 600 900 260 300 4 12 60 407 1000 300 100 60 2 7 120 700 1000 500 60 30 200 3 20 190 130 996 1600 1100 600 '60 4 29 160 700 800 noo 300 100 8 20 83 900 420 600 350 100 4 1 140 1100 600 1000 800 100 2 6 60 300 90 500 300 20 75 700 600 900 400 60 3 8 130 850 250 600 600 60 3 96 700 460 520 420 45 60 375 660 500 450 85 578 350 476 604 100 3 8 40 400 300 900 300 100 3 21 1 76 800 900 300 30 5 2 150 100 700 660 300 100 6 24 100 500 250 300 170 100 4 16 200 90 600 550 600 240 100 2 3 56 40 26 1 57 1 5 60 14 19 3538 -.35 2 2030 8 16 13 40 1450 6 11 56 37 6 3 Peter D. Wemple raised 13 tons broom corn and 30 bushels timothy seed; 143 Frederic Frydeadall, 4^ tons broom cora ; John A. Fletcher, 100 bu. timothy seed ; Daniel Woodman, 6 tons broom com ; Alva Blackman, 1 lon ; Cor nelius Dykeman, 15 tons; Wm. T. Doolittle, 4 tons; Henry Dykeman, 4 tons; L. S. Blackman, fths of a ton; Norman Densmore, 140 bu. timothy seed ; Russell Cheney, 100 bushels ; Aaron Briggs, 50 bu. ; Levi Davis, 85 bu. ; Warren CourtWright & John Cummings, 60 bu. ; E. Livingston, 66 bu. ; Ja cob Fowle, no bu. timothy seed and 20 bu. beans ; Stephen Scott, Jr., 40 bu. timothy seed; Lucius Van AUen, 34 bu. timothy seed and 25 bu. beans; David McNair, 5 bu. beans; John Teachout, 5 bu. do. Number of FarUis in 1856, 192. ROCK. Township 2, north of Range 12 east. This town is situated on both sides of Rock River,' which divides it into two nearly equal portions. That part upon the East side of the river is nearly all prairie, but that upon the West side is mostly timber, some of il being very good, though the greater part being " oak openings." The soil of the entire town is of excellent quality. It is well watered, especiaUy that part West of the river. Springs and "run ning brooks," of New England memory, are abundant. Bass, or AftOn creek, enters the lofwn towards its North-west comer and empties iteelf into Rock River at Afton, not far from its South-east corner. Along its margin are extensive meadows of unrivalled luxuriance, affijrding abundance of that great " Western Staple," " Mai-sh Hay." For variety and richness of soil, good water, and a plentiful supply ; timber properlydisposed, and prairie just as it should be, and every other desirable accompaniment to an agricultural town, this town is inferior to none in Rock County, or in the Slate of Wiscon sin. It was organized in 1 842, and contained only ite standard limite, six miles square, and was the only town in the County which at that time com prised only its legitimate ten-itory, and consequently obtained the " sobriquet" of the "little town of Rock." As to ite " ancient history," littie is known, but from the "remains" of ite fortifications it is judged lo have been once the theatre of war, -and the " play ground" ofthe hero; and subsequently ;to have been no less- the favorite dwelling place of the Horti culturist, the farmer and mechanic, as the "remains" of gardens and fields, and specimens of mechanical skUl unmistakably indicate ; and that this town sustained a vastly larger population in " olden times" than at present, no 144 person who is convei-sant with antiquarian resources wUl dispute. Ite more modem history is not so enigmatical. The Pottawatamies, Winnebagos, and otiier tribes of Indians, long had made their home amid its gardens and shady groves, beside ite purling brooks and bubbling springs, beside ite noble river, and no where did the hunter find his game more plenty ; for beast and bird, as well as man, seek their home where nature in her kindest mood, showers most profusely her be- queste to all. Black Hawk and his wan-ior band were last to leave, from which period the history of the white man commences. On the 16th day of Nov., 1835, Mr, John Inman, Thomas Holmes, WiUiara Holnies, Joshua Holmes, George PoUmer and MUo Jones, started from Milwaukee with an Ox team and Wag» on containing provisions and farthing tools. On the 18lh day ofthe same taonth, they arrived at what was subsequently known as the to-wn of Rock, ~jat lhe point on Rock river opposite the " big rock" on section number one ; there they camped in their wagon until they buUt a log cabin, and com menced keeping house. This was the first settlement of the toWn, and in fact, the flrst in the county, Mr, Inman and Mr, Holmes had visited the Country previously, in July, Arriving at so late a period in the season, with but little provisions for winter, and no preparations for keeping their team, the fli-st business after erecting the house, was to prepare for winter. Some went in pursuit of game, while the others went to work to procure forage for the oxen. The grounds Upon the opposite side of the river, which are now nearly covered with wa ter, and which were known as the " Newbury bottoms," presented an " invit ing field " for culling hay. Availing themselves of the hint, thoy cul and put up, on the very last days of Nov,, a number of tons of fine green hay. The " hunt " proving rather successful, they felt quite well stocked with pro visions and forage. On the 18th day of Dec, this Uttle colony was augmented by the arrival of Mr. Samuel St. John and wife— Mrs. Sl. John being the first white wo man in the county. On the 16th of January, 1836, Dr. James Heath and wife, from the StSvte of Vermont, moved into the already " overflowing " cab in. Here, in a room scarcely sixteen feet square, wintered a family of some ten or a dozen gTbwn up persons. Under any ordinary circumstances, the in conveniences attending such a state of things would seem unbearable ; but they enjoyed the winter much. The excitement always attending any great enterprizes, causes " mountains to dwindle lo molo hills," and one is so in spired with hope and life and energy, that he becomes blind to everythiBg except the anticipation of the " wonderful future-." There is a trite saying 145 that " no house is wide enough for two families" ; but here we have, dweUing in a very narrow house quite a number of families, and that, too, upon tho most friendly and agreeable terms. These -m^t as friends, and parted as such; and we presume that ties were formed there much more endur ing than those under ordinary circumstances. During tho winter their oxen died. In putting up the hay, it being lato in the fall and but Uttle " sun- ehine " in which to make it, they suppUed the deficiency by applying salt pretty freely ; tho cattle eating " salt hay " became thirsty, and drinking too much water, was supposed to cause the death of the oxen. In the month of September, 1836, Mr. Hiram Brown and family arrived at the " cabin " ; others having moved out, made room for him. Dr. James Heath built a house 16 by 16, one and a ialf miles down the river, on Sec. 2, at East Wisconsin City in tho spring, where he opened a store and tavem, which were the first in town. Here the "customer" was served, the " travelers and boarders " lodged, whUe the famUy and servante found am ple room besides. Travelers were laid upon tiers of shelves up the sides of the house like dry goods, while " commoners " took the floor. Business in creasing, and the Doctor thinking his house too smaU for thp accommoda tion of his store and tavem, entered into partnership with Mr. Sexton, (now of Sextonville,) and removed his goods into anqther house, which had , been erected about eighty rods from the " tavern," which afforded more room for the replenished slock of the now firm. During this year, (1836,) John In man & Co. started the first stage. It made ite regular trips from Racine to "East Wisconsin City" during the summer ; Dr. -Heath keeping the "Stage House." Any pei-son curious in such matters can now be shown that iden tical " tavern " ; the augur holes into which thc pins were put to sustain tlie " traveler's shelves," iind also the " remains " of Heath & Sexton's store, by caUing about one half mile west from the Institute of the Blind, Tme, tho landlord wUl not be there to gi-eet them, nor will they see, probably, tho stages from Racine unloading their passengers, nor the impatient customers inquiring for "dry goods and gi-oceries," but they wiU see the house, empty though il be, and the oak trees, which stood there as faithful seittinels, will now be seen keeping their vigils and sighing over the ruins and desolations of Wisconsin City, While speaking of the commercial intereste of this town, we would not forget to mention a store opened by Thomas Holmes, and kept for some time in the house now o-wned by Judge BaUey, near the " fen-y." This town claims some " maratime honors." The fii-st ferry across Rock river, estabUshed by white men, was in this town just above the " big rock," by Judge Holmes-. D. Hume built a veiy respectable boat, at what was known as "Hume's wharf," on Sec. 10, now the farm of J. F. Willard, and 10 146 launched it for tbe purpose of establishing a ferry at his place, but subse quently it was taken up the river lo " Hume's ferry," and there used as a ferry boat. In June, 1836, the first steamboat fi-om the Mississippi made the passage up Rock river. This was an " event " to the settlers along the river, and availing themselves ofthe opportunity ofa steamboat ride, it was found by the time she arrived at Wisconsin City her decks were pretty well crowded with passengers ; but " rounding to " at East Wisconsin City, she took on Dr. Heath and family, and other gentlemen stopping with him, and made her -way up the river. It was thought by many that her engines had not sufficient power to overcome the " St. George Rapids," and that it would be best not to attempt their passage, but a majority thinking otherwise, it was determined to make the attempt. The boat succeeded admirably, and went on beyond the present sito of JanesviUe, where it spent some time, and then returned to the Mississippi. In 1839 there was another steamboat trip. On this occasion the boat took on passengers at the diifereBt " pointe," and pushed her way up as far as Jefferson. In 1 840 there was a small steamer buUt at Jefferson, which, after plying on the river for a short time, in July, 1841, went down to the " father of waters." Again in 1844 a steam boat 130 feet in length, from St. Louis, passed up the Rock to Jefferson, slopping at various towns along its banks — taking on and discharging passengers at the several viUages — ^many of the inhabitants improving this, their last oppor tunity bf steam boat riding excursions on Rock River. Thus closed forever, probably, the steam boat navigation of Rock River. Mill-dams and bridges, the sure appendages of progress and improvement, have BO obstructed the stream that it is quite doubtful if its navigation is ever resumed. Dr. Heath, although a tavern keeper, merchant, and fanner, was by profession a physician— and a man, too, skilled in his caUing — and in addition to his varied and multiplied duties, he was often called upon to administer to the relief of the sick. Being called upon one very dark night in the spring of the year, to visit a patient upon tho west side of the river, , he supposing that he could " ford," mounted his horse and plunged into the " surging waters." Soon his horse was swimming with the current, and by some means the Doctor lost his balance and found himself " afloat " upon the river. His cries for help soon brought his wife to the bank, who was unable to render any assistance, except by encouraging him to try to hold out tiU help could be procured. Thus matters stood, the Dr. floating down tho river, his wife tearing herself through brushwood and water holes along tho bank to keep up with her husband, for nearly two mUes, when help was procured and the Doctor rescued, though very much exhausted and chilled, 147 and greatiy to the relief of his almost disti'acted wife. .His saddjleTbags, with the medicine, followed suit in the melee,. but held up, near the mouth of Sears' Creek, where they were found some years afterwards, rifled of their contente, no doubt, by the fishes. Not far from the time of the Dpctpr's accident, there was a man drown ed at Holmes' Ferry, by the name of Oonnad. This was probably the first death in town. From this time settlements steadily increased until nearly the entire town ship was in the hands of an industrious and intelligent population. In Nov, 1836, Mr, Rich'd Inman arrived with his family and entered the land upon which he now lives, in Sec, 27. Mr. Clausen settled on the " Youngs' Farm " in 1837. The farm formerly known as the Delano farm and now jis the Rath- eram farm, was settled by Jeremiah Roberts in 1 837. The farm upon which the village of Afton is situated was settled in 1837 by Hiram Brown. — In the year 1838 the first settlemente were made on the west side of the river, by Rufus and Ira Washburn, and J. P. Sears. The same year tho farm of Maj. Inman was settled by Mr. Fox. G. W. Brittain, Esq., settled in lown in 1838. Brestol made first'claim. upon D. W. Inmans' farm in 1838. In 1841, Israel Inman, John Daugherty, and Mr. Biirt arrived. In the year 1 840 Col. Ezekiel Clapp, and Prosper A. Pierce, from the State of Vermont, settled on Sec 2, where tho latter now resides. Col. Clapp now lives in Spring Valley of this coimty. A largo part of their purchase is now includ- <>d within the city limite. About this time Mr, Elijah Nourse settled near " that first log cabin," where ho still resides. In 1842, Mr. Van Antwerp. In 1841 J. F. WiUard bought Mr. War- res's claim in Sec. 10, where he now resides. Tho Messrs. Antisdells Com- stocks and Newtons came about the years 1843-44. In 1850 a colony from Rensselaer Co, New York, settled in the N. W, part of the town. — Among them were Col, Z, P. Burdick and M. L. Burdick, his brother — ,\dam Hayner, A. P. Hayner, Israel Smith, and subsequently Mr. J. P. J. Hayner, which has added not n little to our agricultural reputation as a town, they pursuing the " Eastern mode " of farming, which con- traste very favorably with ouv loose Wisconsin method. The first "breaking" dono in town or in the county, was on the N. W. qr. of Sec. 11, upon the farm of J. P. WiUard, by Mr. John Inman, in the spring of 1836. It was " cropped " with buckwheat, and produced a fair yield. He was compelled to go to Rockford to get his plow sharpened, it taking two days to make the trip. The first house erected on the west side of tho river was by Mr. Ira Washburn, near the present residence of R. Washburn, Esq., in 1838. The first wedding in town took place at tho house of Richard Inman, March 30, 148 1840, the parties being Mr. George W. Brittain and Miss Sylvania Inman, The first town meeting was held Apr. 5, 1842. The following named offi cers were elected : Supervisors — Geo. W. Brittain, Ch'n ; James Heath, J. P. Sears; Ira "Washbum, Tovra Clerk; Rufus Washburii, Assessor; Richard S, Inman, Treasurer; J, Wesley Inman, Collector; Clark Classon, Prosper A, Pierce, WiUiam Youngs, Commissioners of Highway ; Ira F, Washburn, Geo, W, Brittain, John Inman, Com, bf Common Schools; Richard 8, Inman, Sealer -of Weighte and Measures, CittES AND PLOTTED tOWNS, If the opinion ot speculators, and large real estate operators from the East, is entitled to consideration and respect, the town of Rock stands number one, ii not more, in regard to superior locations and natural advantages for build ing np cities and towns ; for surely no toWn in the county has figured bo largely in this department as this, " Ite corner and water lote" havo made no small figure in "Wall Street"; ite lithographed city plate have been hon ored with a conspicuous place in all the great land agency offices of the country. At one time this to-svn Could boast of as many as four laid out platted recorded towns. Viz : Wisconsin city, Koshkonong city, Rockport, and Monterey, and subsequently the town of Afton has been added. Rockport was laid out by Thomas Holmes in Dec. 1835, the first survey ed town ih the County. Wisconsin City, by John Inman, Breese and Shep herd, in 1836. City of Khoshkonong, in the summer of 1836, by Kenzis Hunter and Booby. Monterey, by Ira Millimore, in i860. By an act of tho Legislature of Wisconsin, approved by Gov. FarweU, March 19, 1853, tho city of JanesviUe was incorporated, and by that charter, sections one and two of the town of Rock were incorporated into the city limits. Consequent ly Monterey and Rockport are now a part of the territory belonging to JanesvUIe ; and, with sections one and two, pass from the town of Rock many of the locaUties whore the scenes herein described transpired. -VILLAGE OP AtTON. The village of Afton is situated upon the Beloit & Madison R. R, near the junction of Bass or Afton creek, with the Rock river. It was laid out in July 1854, by S. A. Hudson, John P. Hoyt, and N. W, Tripp, proprie tors. The location is di-y and admirably adapted to tho building of a town. Two years ago there was scarcely an inhabitant upon the site ; now it prob ably contains 200 inhabitants, including those in ite immediate vicinity. — 149 Here for the present the stages from JanesviUe intersect with the R. R., and take the passengers to that city,, and soon the place will be in direct conneo. tion, by rail with Janesville, making the point one of no ordinary Importance in respect to ite Railroad facilities. Bass creek affords a good water po\ver for a Saw mill and other machinery, while the Rock River is available to ite whole extent, as a water power, under a head and faU of seven feet. A isompany is formed for tho improvement of this power known as tho " Afton Manufacturing Company," who intend to commence operations as soon as tlie details of their arrangements can be perfected. Afton is 6 miles from JanesvUIe and 7 from Beloit. It has a R. R. Depot, 2 Public Houses, 2 Store Houses, 4 Stores and Groceries, 2 Shoe, Shops, 2 Blacksmiths Shops, 5 Carpentei-s, 1 Post Office, C. Pulker, P. M. It has now about 60 build ings with a prospect of a large increase the coming season. It is in contomT plation to erect a church soon, which with educational and other privUeges will makf Afton a desirable place to locate. CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS PRIVILEGES, The inhabitante of the towns adjoining JanesviUe, and especially those parts contiguous to it, have united with the people there, and established churches ; and generally attend worship at that place. This fact will ex plain to those unacquainted, tho apparent want of chureh privUeges in those, as seen from their "history." The town of Rock, however, aside from tho faciUties offered by JanesvUIe and Beloit, for church worship, has had two regular church oi-ganizations for some years. In 1846, the Episcopal Meth odist had an organization of a small class, at Mr. Youngs', which has been supplied with preaching more or less up to the present time, and with some success. In 1850, the Baptist denomination organized a church in Mr. An- tisdel's neighborhood, now Afton. This churdi has had a regular supply of pulpit services to the present, with very great success, embracing now a large number of communieante; and anticipate building a church edi fice the coming summer. EDUCATION. The first settlers, although immersed in business and cares, were not un mindful ofthe importance of providing for the education of their children. — The first school taught in town, the fii-st also in the county, was kcptin-a little log cabin, which is now standing on the bank of the river in front of the present residence of Judge. BaUey. The school was taught by the Hon. Hiram Brown, at present a resident of Monroe, Green Co. The fii-st school 150 house built in town was that known as the " Red school house'' on section 1, noar D. W. Cobb's. Subsequent to 1846, there had been built addition al two small log school houses; one in Mr. Washburn's district, the other in Mr. Comslock's district, but the town was divided into some six or seven school districts, where schools had been kept in privato houses, &c. At pres ent there are eight good pcnnaneiit school houses ; 2 of brick, one of ston*-, and the balance w(>ll finished wooden structures. In all of them good schools are kept summer and winter, RAILROAD B. This town is largely suppUed with Railroad facilities, oven With those a!-; ready built, and in, or about to be in operation. Four distinct independent lines cross the territory of tho town. Fir^t the Beloit and Madison, now ia operation, which passes through diagonally from South-east to Noit'u- west, with a depot established, affording accommodation to all the SJuth-west portion of the town. Second, the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac, 11. R. passing through the North-eastern portion ; and third, the Southern Wiscon sin passing through the North-western portion, intersecting the Beloit and Madison but a short distance fiom the wesl line of the town, where will be depote and considerable of a town, of which Hon. J. L. V. Thomas, and 0. F. Chipman, Esq., are proprietors. Airother road from Afton to JanesviUe, on the west side of the river, will soon bo built. Fifth ; the Fulton, Janes ville, and Beloit RaUroad company have a charter up the valley of Rock Riv er, from Beloit, intersecting t)ie M. & M. R. R. near Edgerton. This road connecting with a contemplated road, chartered by the Illinois Legislature, from Mendota, in that state, to Beloit, is thought to be a feasible enterpris« and probably wUl be buUt soon. Situated as the town of Rock is, in regard to R. R. accommodations of ita own — and those afforded by ite proximity to the flourishing towns of Janes ville and Beloit, ono cannot fail to appreciato at a glance ite superior posi tion. POPULATION. On the organization of the city of Janesville, in 1863, sections 1 and 2, in cluding the viUage of Monterey, the only viUaga then in tho town, were sev ered from Rock, and constituted a part of the city. The population of the entire township in 1850 was 553, in 1855 the population, not including that portion included in Janesville, was 1041, showing a greater increase than any other town in the county during the same period. 151 EDUCATIONAL STATISTICS. The town is divided into 10 school dislricte, and has 8 school houses. It has 354 scholars over 4 and under 20 years of age, and receives the present year from tho State School Fund $260,82. NUMBER OF FARMS. The number of farms in this town is 105. Hon. J. F. WUlard, resides in this town. He represented his Assembly district in tho Legislature in 1849. Israel Inman, Jr., Esq., who was one of the delegates from Rock Co., to form the first State Constitution, resided in this town. Ho died on the plains on his way to California. G. TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1854. Supervisors. — Joseph Giffin, Ch'n. Ti-uman L. HoUister, Town Clerk. — Wm. Conklin, Treasurer. J. F. WUlard, Superintendent. Moses L. Bur dick, James Church, C. F. Hoyt, Justices of tho Peace. C. F. Hoyt, J. F. Antisdell, Assessors. TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1855. Supervisors.— David W. Inman, Ch'n., W. H. Hayner, Wm. H. H. Eddy. Hiram Bowen, Town Clerk. Wm. Conklin, Treasurer. J. F. WiUard, Su perintendent. Orrin Guernsey, W. II, Hayner, Assessors, Orrin Guern sey, Harvey H, Inman, Charles F. Hoyt, Justices of the Peace, 152 THE FOLLOWING ARE AMONG THE LARGEST FARMERS IN ROCK. Ifu ¦ a g NAMES. ^ 9 « B! !« a '9999 a £> SS » J. F. WUlard, Orrin Guernsey, John G. Todd, J. F. Antisdell, H. B. Dailey, N. W. Tripp, Lewis Comstock, WUliam Tripp, Rufus Washburn, Simon Antisdell, Joseph Griffin, J. P, J, Hayner, Andrew P, Hayner, Peter Skelly, Wm, Youngs, Jacob Groaner, Daniel Gower, James Shields, Waterman Lester, C, F, Wilcox, PhiUip Snyder, John Inman, Darid W, Inman, John Shafer, Dan Pepper, James Logan, Adam Hayner, W, H. Hayner, Richard Inman, C. B. Woodruff, John W. Bowen, Andrew P. Hayner, J. P. Seai-s, J. F, Antisdell raised 6 acres of Timothy Hay. Lewis Comstock, acres of Hops. 128 560 1600 1200 300 100 3|25 160 100 500 1600 400 200 1 15 6 240 1200 600 800 300 6 99 160 2O0 800 1600 500 6 60 160 175 460 900 350 2.0 120 5 12 21 120 400 650 350 200 4 12 160 760 700 1800 600 5 25 35 150 1200 300 400 100 3 21 17 400 700 4600 1077 100 300 7 35 60 350 400 500 1000 15 13 83 80 400 600 30O 200 6 16 2 100 500 900 600 40 4 16 63 400 700 300 100 3 16 80 260 1200 60O 300 3 14 160 800 800 700 600 4 20 160 600 1000 540 600 2 27 160 900 1200 600 200 9 12 36 140 1600 800 950 400 7 19 180 1100 1000 1600 400 8 26 120 200 500 1200 800 600 60 9 12 80 827 1020 600 300 3 21 2 60 600 500 . 300 60 5 16 8 45 450 650 150 24 50 3 12 84 600 800 600 200 3 26 80 1100 600 550 150 4 19 36 60 360 800 700 50 7 13 78 74 350 500 300 60 2 9 80 400 800 250 30 3 6 80 660 700 350 200 6 16 150 1200 1000 800 200 2 8 80 520 650 500 60 24 63 500 600 300 100 3 16 120 260 600 800 100 2 20 6 25 16 50 14 4 12 1514 30 85 17 14 10 6018 12 27 19 8 8. 40 1016 17 1111 6 3 10 12 14 10 Hops, 6000 lbs, 8 acres of Hops, H, B, Dailey, 35 tons Simon Antisdell, 12 153 HISTORY OF THE CITY OF JANESVILLE, BT REV, H. FOOTE. Janesville is the County Seat of Rock County. The city is beautifuUy located on the Rock River, nearly in the center of the county, twelve miles north of the Illinois State line, sixty-five mUes west of Racine, tbe same distance froto Milwaukee, and forty miles S. E. of Madison. Its history, so far as known, like most of the towns of the west, is comprised within a compass of twenty years. A silence rests upon the early history of this spot which the antiquarian in vain attempts to break. There are no an cient records of primeval limes, no traditionary legends which carry us back to the dreamy past, not even a national ballad to commemorate the deeds of the great aud good who here Uved and died. Scattered in clusters on some of the beautiful eminences near town, are to be seen numbers of those mysterious mounds so common at the west, whose very sUence pointe us to a former race who here dwelt, but who have left no other memorials than these hieroglyphics of their existence. And scarcely more inteUigible are the traces left by the Aboriginees which preceded us. It is true the foot-printe of a numerous and powerful people were seen by the early settlers upon this river, and their trails, and burial places, and even fields of agriculture are stiU visible. But no rec ord hands down lo us the names of those who here lived and journeyed and died. No aged chieftain comes back from beyond the " Father of Wa ters '' to tell us the incidents of the last half century defore tbe " pale faces'' came, or even to give us the name of the Indian viUage which lay spread out on the bottom land south of the bend in the river. The archives of the past contain little that is intelligible. Here and there a strange charac ter or a mutilated line appears, but Uke the inscription on some ancient tomb-stone which time has been wearing away, all is indistinct and uncer tain. Our observations, then, must be confined within the limite above desig- This portion of the Rock River Valley was first brought distinctly to the notice of the eastern emigrant by those engaged in the Black Hawk war. Volunteers who retumed from pursuing the Indians, gave glowing descriptions of the beauty and fertility of the country. As soon as the em igrant could be assured of safety and protection, he was found pushing his way westward from Lake Michigan. 154 Certain pointe on this river had secured a prominence and importance first to the Indian from time immemorial, then to the fur-trader aa places of rendezvous, and as poiuts where the river could be convenientiy forded du ring most portions of the year. One of those points was at the Indian vUlage above leferred to in the lower part of our town, and the "Big Rock" on the opposite, or north bank of the river, was for years the land-mark to guide the doubting traveller lo the spot where he might ford the river in safety. — At that time, this rock is said to have been one third higher than it is now, and the top covered with a tuft of noble cedars, which, strange to say, the hand of raan destroyed. For some years this point bore the names alternately of 'Holmes' Rapids,' 'St. George's Rapids,' and the " Big Rock ford." The last name was discontin ued after bequeathing its geological title to our county, from the fact that a town in Illinois thirty miles below upon this river, had assumed the name of Rockford ; while the two former names fell into disuse, after the nanw was adopted by which this town has since been known. All the lands in Rock Co. upon the west side of the river were brought into market by U. S. Government during the summer of 1836, and all that portion of the town upon that side of the river was "entered" by non-res- idente. Among the purchasers were Thomas A. Holmes, G. R. Page, H. Pennoyer, Morgan L. Martin, Wm. Holmes, and W. L. Newbury. Hence those who first settied upon (he river at this point, were obhged to locate' their claims upon the east side, and upon Government knd. And here a remark may be made with reference to the pecuniary cir cumstances of the first settlers, and the motives which influenced them in coming hither. Few or none of them possessed wealth ; some of them were poor. Spec ulation in the public lands did not enterinto the creed of those who first came here to settle. Much less did they suppose it possible that in less than twenty years a flourishing city of about eight thousand inhabitante would spread itself over the claims they then made and the farms they then culti vated. They came to this spot to secure homes for themselves and families, to till the soil and engage in the various, branches of industry. Il is true the non-residents who entered land on the west side of the riv er early laid out to aus, sold " corner lots " and " water lots," but those who settled on the east side of the river, where commercial business has since centered, were too much absorbed in the stern realities of pioneer life to plot and survey towns, or send agents east to dispose of " steam-boat-docks " or " mUl'iites." To narrate incidents famiUarto the early settlers might be interesting, soms 155 painful, others amusing; but they would swcH this sketch to too great length for this volume. The privations and hardships which fell to their lot were small compared with those which the early settiers in other portions of the west endured. They came to occupy beautiful and healthful lands already cleared by the hand of nature for the plow, and ready to yield abundant harveste. It ia true their cabins admitted the winds of Heaven, and through their shake roofs the stars could be seen, yet they slept soundly, and ate heartily of venison and fish, Hoosier bacon and hot cakes ; and dreamed that in "fifty years, when Bock Prairie should all be bought up,'' their thUdren would see a large nnd fiourishing village at this point. Sometiraes those earliest settlers experienced a slight inconvenience in not finding in their pockets sufficient to pay twenty dollars a barrel for flour, or from thirty to forty dollars for a barrel of pork. But they never hungered, or went lo bed supperless. There was often a greater difficulty in " hauling in " their provisions, than in consuming them. There were streams to be forded, sometimes swollen by rains, and the "camp ing out,'' and the prairie storm without a foot print as a guide to some dis tant cabin — all these, and many other difficulties to be encountered and over come, required wisdom and tact, and perseverence, known only to early set tlers al the west. There were, however, trials of a somewhat different nature, which must ba experienced to be fully realized. There were the trials of leaving an educated and refined society at the east, for frontier Ufe; trials which parente experienced in having no first class schools and seminaries for their children; trials which the youngbride and mother met in being compelled to bend their energies to the humblest labors of the kitchen with scarcely a convenience, and much less a servant to aid them in the duties of their log home; and trials which the christian experienced, deprived of the sanctuary and the sound of the church going bell. And yel all these were met with a fortitude and cheerfulness, which did honor lo the character of those first pilgrims lo the Rock River Valley. Many things might be mentioned which illustrate their prudence and wisdom and fore-thought. The following judicious and precautionary meas ures were taken by the early settlers, which deserve a record here. An association was formed for the mutual adjustment of disputes which raight arise between conflicting claimants to the same portions of the publio lands, and also lo guard the settlers against the aggression of speculators. The officers of this association constituted a Board of Referees^ lo whom 156 all such disputes were referred, and whose judgment was final. They also attended, the land sales, and there guarded, the rights of each settler. The consequence was that those unhappy animosities and collisions which often occur among settlers on Government land, were prevented. Each one felt measurably as safe on his claim, as upon deeded land, and was sure of obtaining a titie ere long from Government. FIRST PEEMAHENT SETTLEMENT, In the month of October, 1836, a company started from MUwaukee oonr aisting of John Inman, George FoUmer, WiUiam Holmes,, Jr., and Joshua Holmes. Milo Jones, Esq. accompanied them to this spot, hut soon left for Fort Atkinson, where he made a claim and where he still resides. The four individuals named above, erected a small cabin upon the south bank of the river opposite the " Big Rock," the remains of which are still to be seen. During the next month, (Nov.) Samuel St. John arrived from Vermont with his wife and three children, this being the first family which came to reside at this spot. There were now nine persons, constituting one family, all residing under one roof. Thus the winter of 1836-36 commenced. In the month of Jan- nary our little company was increased by the addition of an infant son to the famUy of Mr, St, John, who is supposed lo be the first white child born in the upper Rock River VaUey. His name is Seth B. St. John, and he is still living at Columbus in this slate. In the month of J'anuary, 1836, Doct, James Heath arrived with his wife, and took up their abode under the same roof with our first settiers. We have now eleven persons constituting one family in a cabin about eighteen feet long by sixteen wide. During the winter Judge Wm. Holmes, of Michigan city, visited his sons here, and in the month of March following, moved his family to this place by the way of Chicago, Kishwaukee — now Belvidere, — and the mouth of the Turtle — now Beloit,— then only inhabited by a Frenchman, (old Teabo,) and bis Indian wives. John Holmes and wife, and Joshua Clark accompanied the family of Judge H. and settied here. Other families came on to this river about the same time, and settied above and below what are now the city limits. In the spring of the same year, Robert and Daniel Stone came to this settlement and remained a few years. 157 The Spring and autumn of 1836 witnessed the advent of other emigrants io this spot, among the most prominent of whom we find the names of Henry F. Janes and famUy, his brother Edward Janes, John P. Dickson and wife, W. H. H. Bailey and wife, Levi Harness, Curtis Davis, Levi St John and faniily. Mr. Janes arrived from Racine in the month of June, and made a claim to about half a section ot Government land, embraciug the quarter section upon which the county seat was afterwards located. Mr. Dickson arrived in the month of August from Vermont, and in tho month of October Mr. Bailey, from the same state, foUowed him. Their first claim was made on the bottom land south of the bend in the river, but subsequentiy it embraced that portion of the lown known as " Dickson's and Bailey's addition." Mr. St. John came the same fall, and located where he sliU resides. The other individuals remained in the settlement but a short time. During the same season the following persons located in the vicinity of the. settiement, and became, raore or less identified with it. Anson W. Pope, Virgil Pope, Daniel SmUey, Marcus Fenton, Jason Walker, Aaron Walker, Alfred Walker, David Hume, George W. Ogden and S. D. Butz. Soon after the arrival of Mr. Janes he erected a cabin sixteen feet square, upon the spot where " Lappin's Block " now stands. This became the stop ping place for traveUers Crossing the river at this point,, and when the addi tion of a " second and third story upon the ground," (as the early settlers called the lengthening oiit of the original cabin,) was completed, a most commodious Public House was to be found at "Janes' Ferry." This house was first kept by Mr. Janes, who was succeeded by Mr. Chas. Stevens, who also took charge of the ferry, which, in the mean time, had been estabUshed by Mr. Janes and Aaron Walker. Mr. J. P. Dickson af terwards took charge of the public house and ferry, in which place he continu ed until the "Janesville Stage House '' was erected, in the fall of 1838, by Mr. Stevens, who was duly installed landlord of one ofthe first class public houses wesl of Lake Michigan. That original buUding was 30 by 40 feet on the ground^ and two stories in perpendicular height. Previous to the existence of any ferry boat al this point, teams forded the river at the " Big rock," when the water was at a sufficiently low stage to permit it But when this could not be done, the team swam the river while the wagon was taken over upon two canoes. Judge Holmes, ho-wever, sawed out lumber with a " whip saw," and soon manufactured a substantial scow, or ferry boat, for crossing the river just 158 ,below the large bend, and some distance above the " Big Rock." A few monthsafterward Messrs, Janes and Walker built their boat from Inmr ber sawed in the sarae manner as above, a charter was obtained, and this ferry was kept in existence until the bridge was built upon the same spgt by Messrs, BaUey, Stevens, and Lappin, in 1842, at a cost of $200Q, FIRST DEATHS AMONG THE SETTLERS, Before passing from the records of 1836 we are caUed upon to chronicle two events of the same nature which carried sorrow and sadness into two family circles and cast a gloom over the littie settiement. It was the death, first of Mrs, St. John, in June, who was tbe first white woman that came here to settie, and the first to find a grave. In the month of August George Holmes, a son of Judge Bt., also died. Yet neither of these deaths resulted from the unhealthiness of the cli mate or location. George died In a fit, while the death of Mrs. St John was caused by a decline of some months' contiuuance, induced by the want of medical attendance the previous winter, and the shelter and care so nec essary to the mother of an infant babe. The spot where her remains were deposited is marked by a tomb-stone upon an eminence near the road lead ing to Beloit. These were the only deaths Which occurred in the settlement until the year 1840! This freedom from fatal disease is the best comment that can be given of Uic healthfulness of this locaUty ; and the same has been confirmed by tie experience of subsequent years. All but four or five of those who came here to reside during the years 1836 and '36 are stUl ahve, and not one of those who remained here have yet died. Mr. Sarauel St John died a few years since while on a visit to his brother's rear town, and his remains were deposited on the eminence beside those of his wife. Doct. fleath and wife emigrated to California, where both have since died. The oldest settier now (March '66) residing within the city limits is Judge W^m. Holmes, who, with a portion of his family, has continued to reside here for the last twenty years. lie erected the first frame dwelling at this point, built the first ferry boat, was the first individual to settie in the county west of Rock River, the first to cultivate a farm there, and he with his family aro believed to have been tbe only individuals who resided within what are now the city limite for five years. 159 SETTLERS OF 1837. Some of the most prominent individuals that settied here and in the im mediate neighborhood during the year 1837 may be named, and are as fol lows: Hon. E. V. Whiton, Volney Atwood, Chas. Stevens and family, Doct. G. Stoughton and family, Seymour Stoughton, Theodore Kendall and wife, Harvey Story, Wm. and Joseph Spaulding, Geo. H. WiUiston, E. J. Has- iard, Geo. R Ramsey, Daniel A. Richardson and family. We now come to note the origin of the village site, the name given to it, and the location of the county seat at this point. We have found the lands west of the river principally owned by non residents. St. George's Rapids was considered by many more desirable for a town than the point where Mr. Janes located. As early as the fall of 1*35, Thomas Holmes, of Milwaukee, one of the purchasers on the west aide of the river, laid out the town of Rockport, now embraced within tbe limits of this city. During the year following, Mr. John Inman, one of the first settiers at the rapid^, in connection with Sidney Breese, Esq., of Chicago, laid out a town on the west bank of the river, one mile below Rockport, and gave it lhe name of " Wisconsin City." These embryo towns, together with Beloit, became in after years formid able rivals for pre-eminence and for the County Seat. The former, as already stated, is now a portion of our city. The second 18 stiJl in the state of nature with only a small farm house, near the " steam boat dock," which appeared on Inman's and Breese's chart of their city, and the latter is a large and flourishing village upon the south line of our coun ty, next to JanesviUe in population.LOCATION OF COUNTY SKAT. The county of Rock was set off frora MUwaukee county in 1836, but con tinued with Walworth, a constituent part of Racino Co., until the Spring of 1839, when it was fully organized. At tho session of tho Legislature at Bel mont in winter of 1836-7, the location of the county seat was established upon the same fractional quarter section on which Mr. Janes had located. Much praise was awarded to Mr. Janes for his diplomatic tact in overcom ing the obstacles which other local interests had cast in his way. AU was however done honorably and fairly, and as a compliment to Mr. Janes, tho cow and undeveloped town was christened JanesviUe. Gens- Dodge and Sheldon, and Capt. Knapp, share tho honor of giving us 160 our name, wliich is at once significant and euphonious, although if they had been gifted with prophetic vision, they might appropriately havo swelled ite modest termination -*' viUe" into that of city. THE VILLAGE OF JANESVILLE. At this period commences the history of our place as a town or vUlage. — The land on the east side of the river contiguous to the feiry, was first sur veyed and platted in the spring of 1837, by Mr. Janes, and subsequently re- platted by the county commissioners in May 1840, about eight months af ter the land was brought into market by general Govemment. By a law of Congress, the county could secure a pre-emption to any quar ter section upon which a county seat should be located. Of the existence of this law Mr. Janes was not apprised until he found himself a tenant upon lands belonging to the county. A compromise was however easily made by which the county agreed for a nominal sum lo deed back portions of the land to the original claimante and settlers. The first regular circuit court was held in 1839, Judge Irving presiding. — Doct. G. Stoughton was appointed clerk of the court. The court assembled in the Janesville Stage House, using as the grand jury room, the small frame building, still in existence, standing on a prominent pile of masonry, one door norlh of the residence of C. G. GiUett, having been removed from ite former location to permit its more prominent and substantial successor, the " Commercial Block," to stand in ite room. The first county officers elected were Lucius G, Fisher, as sheriff, W. H. H. Bailey, Register of Deeds, and clerk of the board of county commission ers ; W. S. Murray, Wm. Spaulding and E. J. Hazzard, boiird of county eora- missioners. At a much eariier period than this, Daniel Smiley, and Hiram II. Brown were appointed first justices of the peace al this place. LAND SALES. AU tho lands in Range 12, west ofthe river, were brought into market in 1836. Range 13 embracing Milton, Harmony, and other towns south, were brought into market in the month of Feb. 1839, while the fractional portion of Range 12 east of the river, embracing the county seat, and the adjacent claims, was not brought into market until the month of Sept. of the same year. In the mean time several of the claimants on the east side of the river had sold out their intereste, so that those lands lying within the city limite were entered by J. P. Diekson, W. H. H-. Bailey, the board of county com- 161 missioners, W. B. Sheldon, J. J. R. Pease,- James Bemis, S. P. Stoughton, Guy Staughton, Charles Stevens, Volney Atwood, and Theodore KendaU. ERECTION OF COUNTY BUILDINGS. In the month of Feb. 1841, tbe county commissioners in accordance with a pelition.from a large number in the-county, to9k measures for the erection of a court house. D. A. Richardson became the contractor, and in January 1842 the buUding -\yas raised and covered; and in December of the same year, agreeably to contract, the building was .so far completed that it could be used for county.pui^oses. It vsfas subsequently fully completed by James Chamberlain, The care bestowed upon the new, and eminently exalted court house may be learned from the Honorable agent employed to repair and furnish it.— In the proceedings of the board of commissioners, under date of Sept. 1843, is found this minute: " Ordered that James H. Knowlton be. authorized to put and keep the court house in repair, and make shutters to the windows of the Register's o'ffice, and the ofiica of tho clerk of the district court, to pur chase an armed chair for the Judge, and an-anga the jury seate in proper or der, and also to clear the public square of any rubbish or improper thing that may be found tbereon, and also to put a railing of posts and scantiing, (ono rail) around the front ofthe court house." POST OFFICE. Tho early settlers at this place received their letters at the post, offices in Racine and Milwaukee. They were not long, however, in securing an office at their own settlement. Much credit is due Gen. Wm. B. Sheldon, a prom inent member of the Territorial legislature, not only for securing the location of the county seat here, but for obtaining, at so early a day, those postal facilities for which JanesviUe has been noted. At the close of the Territo rial legislature, which held its Session at Belmont, and at which the county seat was located here, Gon. S. proceeded to Washington, and immediately secured -the establishment of several post routes, centering at JanesviUe. — The post office here was then established, and Henry F. Janes was appointed post master. Before his commission arrived, however, the raail was on its way to this place, carried by Joseph Payne. On the 23d day of April, 1837, a single horseman appeared on the west bank of the Rock river, from Mineral Point, bearing the U. S. maU via of JanesviUe to Racine. Doct. B. B. Carey, the veteran post master at Racino, had arrived, prepared to induct the newly appointed P. M. into the myste- 11 162 ries of his office. The doctor had taken the precaution to. bring one qf Un cle Sam's keys, and with it he opened the mail in presence of the rejoicing citizens. It is true no heavy .mails awaited ihe lookers on, one letleT only being detained by Mr. Janes, the claimant, but il was greeted as that avenue now opened with distant friends, and they were not long in being informed that they were " henceforth to direct their letters to JanesvUIe, Bock coun ty, Wisconsin." And here, at the new post office, anxious expectante of let lers came from ten and even twenty inUes distant, and yet the mails were never over-burdened.. No long tiers of letter boxes, numbering 600 as now, or di-awers of business men, too impatient to wait at pigeon holes for their mail. Instead thereof, post master Janes fastened a cigar box upon a log in his bar, and in that for some months were deposited the mails of RoCk Co. And yet that unpretending reoeplacle of letters paid to the P. 0. depart ment the first year, ninety dollars. This, it -wiU be remembered, was While tho higb tariff ruled in postal affairs, and most of tho letters to our settiers wero marked " 26 cents," un-paid. And yet who ever grudged the " quar ter'' (even when obtained for two bushels of com or potatoes,) when it secured the long looked for letter froni parents, brothers, or that loved one afar. . - The following are the gentleincn who have officiated as post mastei-s at JanesvUIe, and the income of the office fpr the last three or four years : H. F. Janes resigned in 1838, and D. F. Kimball was appointed, who al so resigned in 1840, and J. L. Kimball received the appointment, who held the office until Jan., 1849, when, through a change in the administration, ho was removed, and C. S. Jordan was appointed, who, in June of the samo year was superceded by Samuel H, Alden, and in the spring of 1853,- he was succeeded by E. H. Strong, the present incumbent. It was during Mr. Alden's term that the second great reduction of postage took place, the law taking effect July 1, 1852. Tho last quarter preceding this date, the gross amount received at the post office was $500. The first quarter after the reduction, the amount only reached $336, and this being tho fii-st quarter under the present rates of postage, is the basis from which tho reader wiU see the rapid growth and prosperity of Janesville. For tho quarter commencing April, 1853, the gross recoipte were $461. The increase since that time has been rapid, especially in the letter depart ment of tho office, showing, for the quarter ending -Dec 31, 1865, $1248, with an estimated receipt for the present fiscal year, ending July 1, 1856, of over $5000, this being an increase of about 400 per cent, in less than , four years. 163 EDUCATIONAL AND LITERARY INSTITUTIONS, ,. The early settlers of Janesville brought with them that strong love for schools and educational privUeges which characterises the American people. They had scarcely made their famiUes coinfortable in their log cabin, before they opened a school for their children. The first teacher was Hiram H. Brown, Esq., now of Green county in this State. From that time to the present, it has been tho effort of our citizens to provide facilities for the edu cation of the rising generation. Two brick'school houses were erected years ago, and- an Academy was chartered in 1843-, and a large stone edifice erected during the foUowing year; since which schools of a high order have been maintained there, and at the other Seminaries and Schools in the place. Janesville has at present a " Free Academy," or" Central High School,' a " Female Seminary," thi-ee " Select Schools," eight " Primary Scools," ha ving at their head competent teachers, and the " State Institution for the Blind." There is also the " Janesville Lyceum" and the " Mechanics' Institute," the former designed for literary iinprovemenlj embracing in their design the opening of a Reading Room and the founding of a Library ; the latter mset- ing for mutual improvement in the arts and sciences and general intelligence. The Public Schools of the city deserve more than a passing notice, and yet this brief sketch will only permit a word in detail. All the districts within the city limits are so far consolidated as lo be placed under a board of school commissioners, appointed by the Comraon Council. All the pupils residing in the city, who attend these schools, are taught free of cbarge. — The oight " Primary or Ward Schools," are located in different portions of the city, to which all tho younger pupils have access. Whten they shall have attained a sufficient standing of scholarship, they are transfen-ed to the Cen tral School. In this building aro several departmente, in each of which such studies are pursued as are usually taught in our best Academies and higher Seminaries. PupUs wUl be able to graduate at this school with a thorough English and classical education, or they may be fitted to enter upon a more extended coiu-se of study at CoUege, or in our Higher Female Seminaries. The whole system is modeled after the best and most approved Public Schools at thfe East. >IORAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. There are in Janesville two Lodges of Free Masons, one Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, one Odd FeUows' Lodge and one Encampment. There a^e 164 also organizations for assisting the poor and unfortunate, for promoting tho' cause of Temperance and kindred objects. A Cemetery Association was chartered some years since, and extensive and delightful grounds purchased and laid Out, one mile north of the present city limits, called " Oak Plil! Cemetery." llELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS. In the early settlement of westei-n communities, amid tho difficulties and pelf-denial experienced, the Institutions of religion are too often neglected. This to some extent was the case in Janesville. Yet ministers of ibe gospel wero early found visiting- the-infant settlement and proclaiming the words of s.ilvation to attentive and interested hearers. Even before any house of sufficient capacity to hold the congregation was erected, religious raeetingo wero held. The first meeting of the kind was convened under some beauti ful oak trees, a Uttle east of where the Janesville Stage House was after wards erected. The Methodiste, those zealous pioneers in the march of civ ilization, have the honor of fii-st establishing permanent preaching at this point. Clergymen of other denominations soon shared in these labors, all exemplifying the spirit of harmony and love, which should ever characterize those engaged in the sarae gi-eat and glorious cause.- In process of time the institutions of religion assumed a more organized but equaUy harmonious form. There are now eight organized societies of Christians in the city. The following statistics, taken from their records, wUl give a brief view of tho period of their organization, the number of original members, the minister.-* who have labored with them, the present number of communieante, the size and value of their house of worship, &c. METHODIST EPISCOPAL GHt(ECH. As eariy as the spring of 1841, a small "Methodist Class" was formed by Rev. Mr. McKano, preacher on this circuit, and placed under the care of Mr. J. P. Wheeler, as leader. During the winter following, aU the mem bers of the class removed from the place. The next' preacher upon the cir cuit was Rev. Alpha Warren, who was succeeded by Rev Boyd Phelps. During his ministry, in the spring of 1843, the &rst permanent class was formed, consisting of nine or ten members, and Mi-. Jolm Wynn was ap pointed its leader. The following preachers have supplied the pulpit of this Society, from 1844 to the present lime: Rev. Messrs. Catlin, Adams, Lucock; Latin, 165 Snow, Comfort, Stansbury, Mason, Wood and Requa. The prosperity of tho Methodist Society in Janesville, may be dated from about the year 1847, when Rov. Wesley Latin became preacher in charge. It was during his la bors in 1848, that a small house of worship was erected, of wood, 25 by 35 feet; and about the same time a parsonage was built. These were subse quently disposed of, and the grounds upon which their present house of worship is built, purchased. This building was commenced in 1852, and in July of the following year, so far completed as to bo dedicated aud used for divine service. It has since been fully completed, and reflects much credit upon those who erected it. — Tho entire cost, exclusive of the lot, \\a3 about $5,500. Ite dimensions aro 45 by 75 feet. The present number of communicauts in the church is 204. A flourish-' ing Sunday. Schoolis. connected with the,' society, having a library of 250 volumes. EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Clergymen of this church had visited JanesviUe at stated periods for some time before any organization was effected. Among them, we recognize tho name of Bishop Kemper, who here officiated and administered tho sacra ments. It was during the ministry of Rev. Thomas J. Ruger, on tho 18th day of September, 1844, that Trinity Church, JanesviUe, -was organized. There were then six communieante. Bev. Mr. Ruger continued Rector of tho Parish from its organization until the 9th of April, 1866, and in September of the same year. Rev. James W. Coe became ite Rector, which office he, still holds. Tho present number of coramuuicants is eighty. There is a flourishing Sunday School connected with this church, having a Ubrary of 200 volumes. Their house of , worship was buUt in 1847-48, and consecrated on the 14th of June, 1848. It is built of brick, and its dimensions are 42 by 70 feet. Its cost, exclusive of tho grounds, w.as $4000. Il has a good sized bell in the lower, which cost $460. BAPTIST CHURCH. At an early period of the settlement of this place, ministers of this de nomination occasionally preached here. During the ministry of Rev. Jeremiah Murphy, on the, 13th day of Oct., 1844, the 1st Baptist Church of JanesviUe was organized with thirteen members. 166 Rov. Jeremiah Murphy and Rev. J. D. Eldredge, suppUed the desk during the years 1846 and '47. In Dec, 1847, Rev. Otis Hacket was called to the pastorate of the church, which office he filled until July, 1849. In the raonth of Feb., 1850, Mr. 0. J. Dearborn commenced preaching, and in December of the same ' year was ordained and becarae their pastor. He closed his laboi-s with the ehurch in the month of May, 1854, and in June of the same year, was succeeded by Rev. Wm. H. Douglass, who is the pres ent pastor of the church. Tho present number of members is one hundred and thirty-seven. There is a flourishing Sunday School connected wi^h this church, having a library of 300 volumes. During tho summer of 1851, their house of worship was buUt, costing, ex clusive of the lot, $4728. It was dedicated in Dec. of that year. Its sizo ii 44 by 70 feet, built of brick. In the tower is a fine toned bell, which cist $350. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. ' Occasional preaching, by ministers of this denomination, had been enjoyed for several years previous to the organization of the church. Rev. C. H. A. Bulkley commenced stated preaching here m the spring- of 1844. On the 11th of Feb., 1845, assisted by Rev. S. Peet, he organized the First Con gregational Church of Janesville. The number entering into covenant on that occasion was fifteen. Rev. Mr. Bulkley continued to supply the pulpit of this church until the summer of 1846. In the month of November of the same year. Rev. Hiram Footo commenced his labors with this church, and ia its present pastor. The pres ent number of members is one hundred ahd ninety. Tbere is an interesting and efficient Sunday School connected with the congregation, 'having a libra ry of 250 volumes. A house of worship, built of brick, was erected during the years 1849 and 1850. It was dedicated in the month of Oct., 1850. During the fol lowing year an addition was made to its length. Ite present dimensions arc 40 by 75 feet, and ite cost, exclusive of the lot, $4500. PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHUECH. Rev. Joseph Hewitt commenced preaching as the first minister of this de nomination. The origin of tbis church' was commenced in the formation of a class in 1849. A house of worship was erected in 1861, at a cost of nearly $800. Mr. 167 Hewitt was succeeded by Rev. James Alderson in the spring of 1862. Rev. Hemy Buss commenced his labors in the, spring of 1853, and was .succeeded by Rev Wm. Tompkins the next year, and in June, 1866, the present minis ter in Oiarge, Rev. Reuben North, began his labo;-s. The present number of jnember^ is thirty. A small, but efficient Sunday School, is connected -with the congregation, having a library of about 1 00 volumes. CATHOLIC CHURCH, Regular and stated services in accordance with the rites and forms of this church wero established in 1850 by Rev. Patrick Keman. Prior to this period, the Catholics in JanesviUe were occasionally visited by him from Geneva, Walworth county. Ho was succeeded- by the -present pastor. Rev. Michael McFaul, in 1852. ,^ The present house of worship is built of brick, 30 by 52 feet. A nesv stone church has been commenced, which when completed, wiU be 66 by 110 feet, and wiU cost $10,000. UNI-VERSALIST SOCIETY. Clergymen of this denomination visited Janesville and occasionally preach ed here as early as 1842. Among them we find the names of Rev. S. Barnes and Rev. G. W. Lawrence. During tho year 1846, Rev. C. F. LeFovre, of Milwaukee, delivered a series of discourses in JanesvUIe, and the following year Rev. F. Whittaker took charge of the congregation, preach ing alternatively in JanesvUIe and Beloit. In tho sping of 1850, Rev. J. Baker commenced preaching hore, and soon organized tho " First Universa list Society of Janesville." He continued his labors with tho society about two years, and was soon after succeeded by Rev. C. F. Dodge, of Palmyra, who preached here one year. The Society havo no house of worship, and are at present destitute of stated preaching. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. In the month of March, 1855, Rev. M. W. Staples visited JanesviUe and organized a congregation. On the 6th of May following, he, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Savage, Park and Gardiner, organized the " First Presbyterian Church of the city of Janes ville," with twelve members. 168 Rev. Mr. Staples became their pastor, and is still upplying their pulpit. The present number of members, is thirty. A well organized and interesting Sunday School is maintained, having 160 volumes in the librai-y, Dm-ing the summer of 1865 their house of worship was erected, and on the 15th day of. September was dedicated. It isbuUt of wood, 29 by 62 feet, and cost, exclusive o.f the lot,, about $1600. Most of the above societies maintain public worship twice every Sabbath, collecting large and interesting congregations. Occasional preaching is en joyed in the Danish and German languages. POPULA-riON OF JANESVILLE. The growth of the settlement for a few of tho first yeare of its existence was not rapid, and this continued until the lands on the wesl bank of the river were secured by those interested in the prosperity of the town, and un til tho water power began to be improved. The first census was taken in 1842, which is here given together with tho population in subsequent years, as far as it has been preserved : In 1842 the population was 216; in 1843, 333; in Oct., 1845, 817; in Dec, 1847, 1458; in March, 1849, 1812; in June, 1850, 3100; in 1853, in city, 4800; in 1865, in city, 7018; now, March, 1856, believed to be 8000. Janesville became a city with corporate powers under a charter obtained from the Legislature, in the spring of 1853. Its board of officers elected annually are a Mayor, two Aldermen from each ward, a Clerk, a Treasurer, an Assessor, a Surveyor, a Marshal, an Attorney, four Justices of the Peace, and a Board of school Commissionei-s. A portion of theso, with the Com raon CouncU, are elected by the petfple, the others are appointed by the CouncU. COMMERCE AND TRADE. From an early period this has been ono of the most important inland towns in the north-west for the sale of goods. A wide extent of country has fi-om the first made this the center of trade. H. F. Janes was the first person who sold goods at this point. For some months he kept a small stock of groceries and a few dry goods in that " 3d story " of his log tavern, but his slock becoming reduced, ho at length abandoned the business. The first regular merchant, with sign, shelves and counter, and the para phernalia of a man in trade, was Thomas Lappin. Ho rented of Mr. V. Atwood the framed building to wbich allusion has already been made, and there opened his entire stock in trade. 169 After passing througk those trials and reverses which sometimes fall to the lot of the youthful and inexperienced, he boldly launched forth into the purchase of real estate, and secured a title to the lot upon which his block . now stands, agreeing lo pay for il the sum of one h-undred dollars. An other formidable enterprise for those times was the erection of the fi-amed building which until recently. occupied that corner. By pei-sonal labor and industry ho so far completed a portion of his building as to call it a store, and then we find him returning from Chicago with a stock of dry goods, gro ceries and hardware, aU paid for, and costing him one hwidred and twenty- five dollars.' It is needless to speak of the rapid sales of our popular merchant, and how, without, the aid of banks, he remitted his funds to Chicago or Galena by Stage drivers, or " some one going in," and received in return a piece of cal ico or factoiy cloth, a bag of coffee, a barrel of sugar or a chest of tea. And our early, settlors wero easily suited, for there was but a small stock of goods from which to select, and but a small stock of pride to gratify. As the population of Janesville and vicinity increased, our merchant's stock in trade increased, until his, shelves were filled with the best and finest fab rics, and his grocery department was equally woll supplied. Daniel A. Richardson, opened the second store in JanesviUe, the " Com mercial Block" giving evidence of his success in trade. To trace the entei-priso and success of those who have engaged in trade for the last ten or twelve years, would not comport with the design of these pages. We therefore pass from that early period of commercial enterprise to give some items of the present state of business, under the head of " Statis tical view of JanesviUe." WATER POWER. The seltlers at this point had their minds early directed to the improvement, of the water power at the rapids. But the building of a dam above the lown was not seriously thought of until about tho year 1843. Mr. Charles Stevens and others had secured a charter previous to this, but they had not decided upon the location for the dam ; when Mr. H. S. Hanchel urged the building of it al the point where it now stands. Liberal donations in property wero given him including mo.st of the water power it self on condition that a substantial dam should be erected. His work was thoroughly peiformed, creating a water power of extensive capacity, and ca pable of propeUing a great amount of machinery. 170 A saw raill was immediately erected by Mr. Ste-vens. The remainder of the water power was soon sold by Mr. Hanchel, to A. Hyatt Smith, Esq., and W. H. H. Bailey, and in 1845, Mr, James MeCkirg was engaged lo Crebl a large flouring mill on the race, now known as the " Big MiU." Subsequent ly, Messrs. Smith, Doe, and Walker became the proprietors of the mUl. In 1848 the " Farmers MUl" was buUt by Mr. Eli Jones, and afterward sold to Jackman & Smith. -^ About the same period the building erected for a starch factory was pur chased and converted into the " Excelsior Mills," by Mr. Hamilton Richard son. Besides other -machinery for tho manufacture of furniture, &c., there has boon another saw mill of great capacity and power erected by Mr. A. K. NoitIs, and a plow and machine shop by Mr. A. W. Parker, on the East side of the river. This, the upper water power, has a standing head of -6 feel ; and the stream at an ordinary stage, will gauge 1600fl|Hches of water. It requires about 180 inches to j(rbpel one i-un of stones in the " Big Mill"; then here is power sufficient to run 83 pairs of such buiTS. The lower water was improved in 1 848 by Ira Miltimoro, Esq. Mr. Miltimoro, commencsd the house whero he now resides, on the '7th day of Oct., 1848, and completed and moved into il on Christmas day of the same year. This was the first improvement in " Miltimore's addi tion," or Monterey. He commenced the improvement' of the water power about the same time. This power has a head of 8 feet, and 12,600 inches of water. It is but just begun to be used. There is already iu operation, a wo6Ion factory, a foundry, flouring mill, an oil mill, a mill for grinding feed, ."mother for grinding water-lime, and machineiy for sawing stone. Whittaker's Factory, requires about 200 inches to run it. At that rate here is sufficient power to run 62 such factories ; or again, a run of flouring miU stones sufficient to grind 16 bushels perhour requires 160 inches water; then we here have tho requisite water power to propel 80 runs of stones. Mr. Miltimoro commenced the Monterey bridge in 1849 and itwas com pleted the next year. Tho improvement of this water power roflocte much credit upon Mr. M. But for his enterprise and energy of chai-acter, Monterey probably would not bo noticed in this history, from the fact of ite having no tangible existence. Here is probably the best stone quary in' the State, and the only one where blue lime-stone is found. 'The blue lime composes the lower stratas next to tho sand stone, and is a superior buUding material, hard, compact, durable and capable of a fine polish. A single block taken from this quarry 171 last season, measured 102 foot in length, 8 feet wide, and 14 inches thick. "The material fpr the construction of the Institute for tho Blind, is taken from this quary. A magnificent BaUroad Bridge spans the river and valley at this place, on the Chicago, St. Pa,ul & Fond du Lac, R. R. It is 1200 feet in length, 45 feet abovo the water, and supported by substantial stone piers of superior mason work. RAIL ROADS. Janesville gives unmistakable evidence of being as noted and conspicuous as the gi-eat radiating point, of Railroads, as it formerly has been for being the great center of the " Staging" interest of "interior Wisconsin." Some "centers'' are made so artificially, others naturally. Janesville is so by tho latter process, and will remain so, notwithstanding the large amount of arti ficial, which has been employed by " out-siders" to unmake it. "What the fates decree, man may not avert." The RaUroad connections already made, and in operation, and those about to be completed — together, with those projected and in process of construc tion, wUl soon make this City inferior to none in the state in respect to its facilities in this.department. Yet, formerly it had ite lights and shadows, ite hopes and fears, concerning the results of ite R. B. enterprises, and had it not have been one of those "natural centers," would not. have stood upon tho proud eminence it now occupies in this respect. At present, connected vrith Chicago, via. Milwaukee by continuous raU ; with Chicago, via. Beloit Belvidere, Chicago & Galena R. R. ; and with Galena and Dubuque by, Chicago & Galena R. R.,, & IU. Central. By tho two former, we have direct com munication with New York, and tho East, and by those and tho Illinois Central, with Cairo and the whole lower Mississippi in the South. The connections about to bo made, are still more iraportant to the inter ests of this city than mentioned. The Chicago, St. Paul aud Fond du Lac Railroad wUl bo completed lo this place, from Chicago, in June next, about two months, which wiU form nearly an " airline" connection. Tho grade of this road is nearly completed, and the iron and lies are on the ground, and being laid as speedily as possible.. This road, when completed, together with its ¦- branches, will be the most important Road in the North-west, connecting as it wUl Chicago with the Lake Superior Mining country ; also with St. Paul, and the Upper Missis sippi, and must, eventually, bo a link in the Great Pacific northern R. R. — Any person skeptical as to this latter proposition, will havo only to take a look at a map, in connection with " Gov. Stevens' Report," to bo convinced 172 ' of ite ti-uth. A branoh of this road wiU connect JanesviUe with Madison, the Capitol of tho State, direct, and that city with Chicago by a route of some sixty miles nearer than at present, via. Milwaukee. The Southern Wisconsin RaUroad, now being built, connecting JanesviUe with Dubuque on a direct line, is next in importance to the St. Pauls. Tho contracts on this road are let, and 60 miles of the Road via. Monroe, County seat of Green, will be finished this fall. A charter for a Railroad along the oast side of Rock River has been obtained, connecting the towns along the river with Rock Island, in IlUnois^ and JanesviUe, in Wisconsin. This Rail road gives a direct communication vvith the Coal Mines of Illinois, which will be constructed at an early day. With all these connections complete, it may be said emphatically of our city, that whatever we may lack natur^ ally, is more than made up artificially. ADVANTAGES AND DESIRABLENESS OF LOCATION. The central position of Janesville, ite immense water ppwers, its commer cial advantages, the agricultural resources of the surrounding country, ite sit uation upon several of the most important railroads at the north-west, are nU marked by tho stranger as well as citizen. There aro other points of great interest to the future growth and permanent prosperity of the town which may be noted. The varied and charming scenery surrounding the town, tho noble river with its rapid cun-ent and clean banks, the beautiful spote for residences and parks, the ease with which building materials, such as stone, brick, lime and lumber of all kinds, can be obtained ; the excellent water which is found by digging, and abovo all, the healthfulness ofthe place, which ia proverbial, make Janesville a most desirable place for those seeking a western home. Extract from a Communication from Alderman Levi St. John. [Weare unable to give the whole of his interesting article for want of space. ^ I arrived with my famUy at Rock River, Oct. 6th., 1836, and went into a log house on the farm now owned by Mr. Cobb, with my brother, his wife having died the June previous. The first election in the county was held at my brother's house five days after, my arrival; , The number of votes cast was very small. I, at that lime, know and traded with every man in the county, having brought in leather. 173 boots, shoes, . 600 Hams averaging 20 lbs. each; 500 Shouldei-s averaging 16 lbs each; Thomas M. Lynch, proprietors. — ^Employs 4 men. He has during tho past year butchered 365 beeves, 780sheep, 200 calves, 365 fat hog3;.also packed 100 barrels pork, 600 hams, 80 barrels lard. - H. & G. Scarcliff, proprielors.^Employ 4 mon. Have butchered the past year 365 beevips, 750 sheop, 60 calves, 365 hogs and packed 40 barrels lard. saddle and HARNESS MANUFACTORIES. • ' J. M. Riker, employs 16 workmen. H. S. Woodruff, employs 9 workmen. A. Shearer, employs 7 workmen. Chase & Joslyn, employ 5 workmen. — Wm. Wright employs 2 workmen. H. H. Meader, employs 2 workman;— Harness, and carriage trimming. CORN BKOOM MANUFACTORIES. Parker & Smith, employ 7 workmen, who manufacture 300 brooms per day. A. C. Bates, & Bro., employ 5 men, they average about 200 brooms - per day. ' . -^ , boot and SHOE MANUFACTORIES. J. B. t)imock, employs 20 men, J, T, W, Murry, employs 10 men.— . James Huteon, employs, 12 men. John Baxter, employs 6 men. F. W. Loudon, employs 4 men. ^- i .. ,- • ''. - - : LUMBER YARDS. T. B. & L. Fifieid, jsro; llume, Booth & Co., pro. A. W. Story, pro.— 181 Prime 10,382 Pork-^3,042,000 lbs " it '% 152,000 Potatoes— 10,650 bus ti tt 60, 6,330 Grass Seed-^,061 bus. Broom CornP-291,395 lbs. u tl 1,75, 3,607 xt ti 4, 11,640 Wooi-$186,10Olbs ii it 33^, 62,083 Hides— 128,240 lbs. ti a H. 5,771 Game, Live Stock, Ega;s, (fee '") - 16,690 Wood— 20,000 cords, -$4,00 per coiii, - '80,000 3,19-1,009 PUBLIC BUILDINGS, MANUFACTORIES AND BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS. One State Institute for the education ofthe Blind; 1 Academy; 1 Court House; 1 JaU; 2 County buildings, one of stone, the other brick; 7 Cliurch- os ; 7 Hotels, and tho Stevens House under contract, and wUl cost al least $140,000; 4 Banks; 4 Flouring Mills ; 1 Corn and cob grinder; 1 OUmUl; 1 GristmUl for custom work entirely; 5 Lime Kilns; 2 Manufactories of farming implemente ; 2 Founderies ; 1 Steam planing mill ; 1 Steam Engine manufactory ; 1 Woolen Factory ; 1 Water-lime mill ; ] Stone-sawing miU ; 2 SawmiUs, water power; 1 steam saw mill; 2 Brick yards; 2 Com broom factories; 2 Chair factories ; 6 Carriage factories and Wheelwright shops ; 1 Gunshop ; 4 Cabinet Manufactories ; 1 3 Blacksmith shops ; 1 Fanning mill shop; 5 Sash, Door and Blind factories; 8 Shoemakers shops; 6 Tin and Stove pipe factories; 7 Saddle and Hamess shops; 3 Cigar factories; 3 Slaughter Houses; 1 Cooper shop; 1 Soap and Candle factory; 1 Book- 184 bindery; 3 Paint shops; 3 Barber Shops; 4 Bakeries; 6 MiUinery shops ; 2 Whip factories; 2 Confectionary factories; 1 Water-lime factory; 12 Produce warehouses near Railroad D«pot; 1 Marble factory ; 10 Lumber 3-ards; 3 Meat markets ; 5 Livery stables ; 2 Livery stables for the sale of Horses; 1 East(5i-n Carriage Repository ; 4 Watchmakers shofs; 1 Stage of fice; eleven Clothing Stores ; 4 Hardware stores; 17 Dry Goods stores; 3 Drugstores; 1 Leather store; 1 -Fur store; 1 Temple of Fancy ^ 2 Hal, Cap and Fur stores ; 3 Fruit stores ; 4 Upholstery and Furniture ware-hous es; 23 Groceries annstiibies. -T-lst ward, John 0. Sparling; 2d ward, Ira Burnham; 3d ward, Thomas W. Brogan ; 4lb Wa^d, James G. Alden. Scliool Com.'tnissioners.-^l&t ward, James Sutherland; 2d wardi, S. W. Smith; 3d ward, G. W. Lawrence; 4th ward, Andrew Palmer. MlBTORY OF JAllTESVtLLE NEWSPAPERS. Janesville Gazette. — The first number of the. Gazette was published on tho 14th o^ August, i8'45, by Levi Alden and E, A. Stoddard, the firm be ing known by the name of Alden & Stoddard, On tho 6th day of Decem ber, 1845, Mr, ^toddar^ sold his interest in the establishment to Wra. F. Tompkins, and it was thenceforwai-d published by Alden & Tpmpkins, but ite editorial conduct was exclusively under the control of the first naraed of the firm. Mr. Tompkins sold out his interest the latter part of Septeraber, 1846): and ,Mr. Alden became the sole proprietor, though the name of Mr. H. G. Grattan appeared thereafter as joint propnetpr, till the 14th of Sepr tember, 1 1848, when Mr. Aldon became sole publisher as weU as propi-iGton. On the ,7th of December, 1848, Mr. Chas. Holt purchased one-half intere-st in the paper, and became joint publisher and editor. It was published by Aldon (fe Holt, imtil March 19th, 1856, when Mf. HoU purchased the inter est -of Mr. Aldon, and became sole editor and publisher. The politics of the Gazette were whig until ths organization of the republican party in Jijily, 1854, when it united with the organization. Democratic Standard. — The Roek Co. Democrat was established by Gen. G. W. Crabb, in 1846, and continued under his management until the fall of 1848, when the Gen. having change^ his politics, pr in pther wprds, be- cpme infjcled with "Barnburner" notions, was nominated as the Freesoil candidate for member of Congress from his districl. He changed the narae of the paper to " Freespil Democrat.'' After a few. weeks it went into, the hands of Charles S.Jordan, who issued two or throo numbers, when it was suspended until March 1st, 1849, when its publication was resumed under tho title of " Rock County Badger," by John A. Brown, with A.- T. Gray associated with him as co-editor. Oct. 20th, 1860, Mr. Gray retired, and Gen. Crabb, associated with Mr. Brown, as editor and publisher, under the firm of Crabb & Brown, and the name cUanged to " Badger Slate." This aiTangoment continued until May 17, 1851, when the Gen. retired and Mr. Brown associated Uis brpther D. C. Brown, with him. In the following Oct., 1851, Dr. John Mitchell commenced a new paper called the "Democratic Stand ard," and soon after by a mutual arrangement the two papei-s were merged in one, published by Dr. Mitchell, and sinco been known as tho Democratic Standard, Gen. Crabb, assuming the duties of editor. 188 April 1st., 1862, Crabbrotirod from the Editorship of the paper, and it was continued by Dr. Mitchell, until June 1st., 1863, when it was purchased by D. C. Brown, who associated A. T. Gray with him as editor. Mr. Gray having been elected Secretary of Slate, vacated the chair, editorial,, and was succeeded by J. C. Bunner, as co-editor, with Mr. Brown. Mr. Bunncr left, Feb. 21st., 1865, and Mr. Brown continued the paper alone until Oct 1st, 1 855, when ho associated Hon. James Armstrong with him, under the firm of Brown & Armstrong, by whom it is published at the present time. Ite political character is Democratic, and one of its proprietors, Mr. Arm strong, is the clerk ofthe Assembl)', of the present Legislature. The Stan dard is about to publish a daily paper. " Janesville Free Press. — This paper was started January 6th, 1863, by an association of Free Democrats. Among those particularly insti-iimental in the matter, may be mentioned^ J. M. Burgess, J. Baker, R. B. Treat, 0. GuerH.sey, E. A. Howland. Mr. Baker was appointed editor. Oct. 1 Oth, 1853, Wra. M. Doty, purchased one undivided half of the establishment, and the " Press" was published under the firm of Baker (fe Doty, until June 7, 1856, when Mr. Baker purchased the entire interest. Oet. Ist, same year, G. B. Burnett and Andrew J. HaH purchased ono half of the concern. Siib- Be(juontly, Mr. Baker sold out his entire interest to the said Burnett & HaH. Still latter, Mr. E. C. Sackett became sole proprietor; Thoraas F. Withrow, Editor. This paper commenced the publication of a Daily several weeks since. " The Battering Bam," a small Freesoil campaign paper of 1848; by G. W. Crabb. The Wisconsin Farmer, was published at Janesville for nearly 3 years, by Mark Miller. The Wisconsin Home was commenced and pubUshed at this placo for 9 months by Wm. M. Doty, wl.en ho removed it to Ccresco. The Educational Journal was commenced and published in this city ono year, by James Sutherland and Geo. S. Dodge. The Family Messenger, commenced Doc. 13, 1865, and was published by Doty, Bushnell & Co., Wm. M. Doty, editor. March 17, 1856, Wm. M. nnd Ellis Doty purchased the entire establishment and continued the Mes senger as a semi-monthly journal, changing tho , title to The Wisconsin Family Messenger. 189 The Emigranten, a Norwegian paper was published in JanesvUIe fpr about one year. NAMES OF PROFESSIONAL MEN. Lawyers. — David Noggle, J. J. R. Pease, M. S. Prichard, A. P. Prichard, L. F. Patten, I. C. Sloan, Ira C. Jenks, James Niel, J. M. Case, Wm. Trus- deU, B. B. Eldredge, S. A. Hudson, H. Woodruff, G. B. Ely, A. Hyatt Smith, J. M. WiUiams, G. W. Cummings, Chancy P. King, H. K. Whiton, J. W. D. Parker, Charies Norton, J. A. Sleeper, Wm. M. Tallman, J. D. Rexford, H. S. Conger, Wm. L. MitcheU, John Nichols, George S. Dodge, James Armstrong, A. T. Gray, A C. Bates, Isaac Woodle, H. W. Ide. Physicians. EUctic. — R. B. Treat, T. E. St. John. — Homoepaihic; 6. W. CJiittendon 0. P. Robinson. Allopathic; Erastus Lewis, J. S. L^ne, M. L. Burnham, W. Amer, John Paine, A. P. Coryell, A. S. Jones, D. C. Bennett, L. J. Barrows, C. G. Pease, John Mitchell, Stephen Martin, J, Grafton. Dentists ; L. Arnold, Pendleton (fe Wells. Ministers. Rev. Hiram Foote, Congregational. Rev. S. C. Burnham, Methodist Epis. " Lewis P. Frost, Ind. Cong'l. " C. C. Mason, do do " M. W. Staples, Presbyterian. , " Reuben North, Prim. Methodist. " 0. Parks, do. " G. W. Lawrence, Universalist, " J. W. Coe, Episcopalian. " .Joseph Baker, do " T.J. Ruger,- do. ' " Win. H. Douglass, Baptist, " H. Requa, Methodist Episcopal. " J. D. Cole, do " J. W. Wood, do do. " 0. J. Dearboi-n, do " A. Calkins, do do. " Michael McFaU, CathoUc " P. Lane, do do. " P. Knoepfol, Lutheran. THE FOLLOWING ARE A FEW OF THE LARGEST MERCANTILE HOUSES IN THE CI,Ty. M. C. Smith (fe Co., Dry Goods and Ready Made Clothing, M. McKey (fe Bro., do. H. S. Shelton (fe Co., Dry Goods, Stoves and Tin-ware. — Jackman, Parker & Co., Dry Goods, (fee 0. J. Dearborn (fe Co., Dry Goods and Ready Made Clothing. Lawrence, Atwood (fe Co., Dry Goods, Stoves^ and Hardware. Cooley (fe Babcock, Dry Goods and Crockery. Holden,t Kemp (fe Co., Ogilvie (fe Barrpws, D. C. FarweU, Drugs, Paints (fee R. J.; Richardson, J. A. Wood, Pixley ofSTT of sock axd state of WISCONSIN. FBEFABED FOK THB ROCE OOU-NTY AGKIOULTUEAL 300IETT AND MECHANICS INSTITCTE. 3 as a - -- a tn a ta ta o o o o Kamoa of Towns. Names of Statistic Gatlcrers. ^ : e : ti : p, : % ^ 9 I e S- i Si i 1 i : : Vtj g f ? F 1 ° \ \ : 1 Avon. A. H. Sher-svood. 2.969 11,842 24,488 4,992 1,713 6.928 199 1,277 556 750 Bradford. Wm. C. Scott. 11,504 62.308 51,560 59,146 506 31,808 11,809 410 1,465 3,048 1,516 Beloit. James W. Strong. 6,300 40,618 31,161 35,161 570 1,309 7,755 368 948 1.595 1,047 Center. 5,640 31,000 39,000 35,000 100 550 8,900 205 1,420 1,250 1,360 Clinton. A. G. Resseguie. lO^WO 50,000 52,000 62,500 2,500 . 6,225 7,300 525 3,200 850 1,200 Fultoti. R. T. La-wton. 6,48a 50,219 59,080 34,166 560 7,323 320 1,362 2,251 1,551 Harmony.Janesville. Joseph M. Deans. , 9,86r 56,174 50,806 49,028 936 10,035 10,200 326 1,295 1,296 1,151 J. A. Blount. 6.699 30,007 40,671 30,158 150 1,245 8,660 256 1,409 2,017 1,107 Johnstown. 11,500 64,360 50,156 60,204 500 2,150 10,300 408 1,375 3,686 1,495 Janesville City. A. P. Prichard. 9'U 4,106 7,900 7.120 275 70 4,905 248 535 855 . 400 Lima. Azel Kenney. 8,458 59,553 53,468 47,276 283 1,410 12,184 452 1,763 3,254 1,517 La Prairie. Frank Wheeler. 7,652 46,180 35,165 44,932 1,452 1 6,795 11,252 204 802 1,005 1,396 Milton. A. W. Baldwin. . 6,300 40,618 31,500 35,162 570 1,309 7,955 268 948 1,595 1,047 Magnolia. Joshua Dunbar. 7,434 34,134 56,703 28,634 85 364 8,173 .S05 1.2.30 2.031 1,449 Newark. Cyrus Curtice. Charles F. Cook. 6,245 27,557 59,519 23,480 1,655 13 13,471 266 1,762 583 1,155 Plymouth. 4,330 23,069 35,398 14,254 120 270 7,758 187 1,374 1,074 762 Porter. J. K. P. Porter. 6,938 47,472 63,536 31,776 1,693 8,755 .S77 . 2,088 1,741 2,651 Eoek. 0. Guernsey. 6,332 43,66825,000 50,682 34,995 384 600 13,858 263 1,259 1,301 1,070 Spring VaUey. R. M. Smith. 5,668 35,.585 25,153 814 155 9,547 267 1,699 1,506 2,276 Turtle. 9,000 51,000 49,000 64,000 2,000 4,000 7,950 500 3.000 1,000 1,200 Union. H. L. Smith. dace for 1855, ¦¦ 1850, 8,832 55,720 858,603 78-1,278 77,158 37,104 13,613 2,134 11,528 198,411 427 6781 3419 1,803 32,087 1,740 33,884 2,392 Total amount of pro 150,485 851,105300,143 765,341 82,699 28,492 M M 143,235 ¦187,880 860 16,432 102,383 11,020 13,456|1M55 No. farms in IE 50, 1975; 1855, S734, s to THE PEOPLE'S BOOT AND SHOE STORE. The undei-signed would most respectfully inform the citizens of Eock Go. that they have leased and fitted the large store opposite the old Stevens Housc, on West Milwaukee St., for a vi^holcsale boot and shoe store. The whole stock was manufactured by, or expressly for us, whore tho facilities for so doing cannot be surpassed. Goods cheerfully shown, warranted as represented, and sold at such prices as will convince those who give us a call, that they can save twenty-five perfcit. by purchasing of Samuel Brooks & Co., proprietors of the pooplo's boot and shoe store. West Milwaukee St., Janesville, Wis. NEWLAND & MERWIN, Manufacturers of Hats, Caps and Fancy Furs, and Wholesale and Retail dealei-s in Buffalo and Fancy Sleigh Robos, Ladies' Furs and Gentlemen's Furnishing Goods, Milwaukee St.,- Janesville, \ .™.. Turtle St., Beloit, [ "^^¦ Hats of every description made to order, and fitted by the French Con- lormateur. PAET II. TR^isrsA^CTioisrs OF THE AND MECHANICS' INSTITUTE. 13 ROCK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY A N D MECHA.TvriCS' li^STITUTE. OEGANIZATION. This Society was organized January 6th, 1851, at a meeting of the farmers and mechanics of the county, who assembled at the court house, in Janesville, in pursuance to the following call for that purpose. FIRST CALL TO THE FARMERS OF ROCK COUNTY. The farmers in the several towns of the county aro requested to send delegates, to meet al the court house in Janesville, on the first Monday of January next, al 11 o'clocjs, A. M., to make arrangements for their own benefit, by association. All other classes associate — why not the Farmers? Farmers, awake to your interests ! [Signed,] WM. F. TOMPKINS, J. P. WHEELER. Janesville, Nov. 19/A, 1850. The following is the ofiicial report of that preliminary meeting : AGRICULTURAL MEETING. At a meeting of the farmers and others of' Rock county, held at the court house in the village of Janesville, on the 6th day of January, 1851, for the purpose of organizing an Agricultural Society, J. P. Wheeler, of LaPrairie, was called to the chair, and 0. Densmore, of Bradford, was appointed secre tary. The object of the meeting was stated in a brief address from the chair, which was followed by remarks from Messrs. Hudson, Neil and Russell, of Janesville, and E,. A. foote, of Center. 196 On motion of C. C. Cheney, Esq., of LaPrairie, il was resolved that the meeting proceed to organize an Agricultural Society. On motion of E. A. Foote, Esq., a committee of fourteen was appointed lo draft a Constitution. Tho committee consisted of Messrs. Cobb, of Lima; R. R. Cowan, of Fulton; John R. Boyce, of Porter; E. MiUer, of Magnolia; J. Hopkins, of Turtle; 0. Densmore, of Bradford; A. M. Carter, of Johnstown; William Spaulding, of Harmony; J. Russell, of Janesville; E. A. Foote, of Center; S. F. Chipman, of Plymouth; J. F. Willard, of Rock; C. C. Cheney and J. P. Wheeler, of LaPrairie. On motion, adjourned for one hour. Met pursuant to adjournment. The committee to prepare a Constitution, reported the following, which, on motion of Hon. A. Palmer, was unanimously adopted as follows : CONSTITUTION. Article 1 . The name of this society shall be the Rock County Agri cultural Society and Mechanics' Institute. Art. 2. The object of this Society shall be to encourage Agriculturp and the Mechanic Arts. Art. 3. Tho oflScers of this Society shall bo a President, Six Vice Presidents, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, a Treasurer, and Twenty-five Directors, one of whom shall reside in each town in the county, and ono in the city of Janesville, all of whom to be elected at tb« .innual meeting in each year. Art. 4. The President shall preside in all the meetings of the Society, . and may call special meetings thereof at such times as he may deem neces sary, and in his absence one of the Vice Presidents shall bo designated to preside ; and in case a vacancy shall occur in the office of President, such vacancy may be filled by the Board of Managers, by ballot, from among the Vico Presidents, by a majority of said Board. Art. 5. The President, Vice Presidents, Director. fill up broken pedi ments over dooi-s, and not to exceed 16 inches in l-eight and ten inches in width. Prince Eugene and the Duke of Marlborough of somewhat smaller size than the above, sundry small omamenls for a chimney piece that is five feet long and eight inches wide, 100 lbs. of whito biscuit, 2 lanterns, various 222 cloths are specified, with buttons and thread enough to make up into clothing, 40 yds. coarse jean or fustian for summer frocks for negro servants, 1 piece downlass at lOd, i doz. pair coarse strong thread hose for negro servants, 450 eUs omaburgs, 360 yds. Kendall cotton, 100 yds. Duteh blankets, 20 lbs. brown thread, 2 saiiks salt, a large quantity nails, 2 doz. best staples, sells of cooper's and joiner's tools, 5 lbs. white sugar candy, 10 lbs. of bro-sni ditto, 1 lb. barley sugar, a large quantity of drugs and horse medicines of different sorts. Such then was the state of mechanics and manufactures, in one ofthe old est and wealthiest colonies in North America 90 years ago. Arlicles of the most common kind, such as are now made at almost every four comers, were then brought from a foreign country 3000 miles distant. Virginia at that lime stood pre-eminent among hor sister colonies, pos sessed of a virgin soil, exceedingly fertile, with a most salubrious climate, a chivalrous and high minded people. She was significantly called the old dominion, but by neglecting to profit by the lights of science, to encourage the mechanic arts and manufactures within her borders, sbe has fallen from the high pre-eminence, and is now outranked by many other stales, inferior to her in size and natural resources. Ohio, her neighboring sister, whwh was then, and for many years after, a vast unbroken wilderness, unmarked by the footsteps of civilization, where no human sound, save the whoop and the war song was heard, has completely outstripped her in the race of prosper ity; and even Massachusetts, much less in size, with a climate not to be com pared with hers in point of salubrity, and a soil sterile and rocky to a proverb, has, by fosteritig the mechanic arts aud commerce, in connection with agri culture and education, attained a degree of prosperity, which wUl require many long years of patient labor on her part to equal. Indeed, unless she exchan ges her system of slave labor for free, she may never hope to reach it. Look at Virginia now, and compare her with Virginia at the time above referred to. Lands which were then highly productive, growing bountifiil crops of cora and tobacco, with comparatively little labor, arc now almost wholly unproductive; even that spot which should be haUowed ground to every American citizen, the Mount Vernon farm, once the pride and pleas ure of that patriotic farmer, George Washington, is now so completely ex hausted, that an average of ten or fifteen bushels of com to the acre, is con sidered a very satisfactory yield indeed ; and tho lands, many of them, in that section of the state are in the same condition, many of them worse, turned out to commons and overgTown vvith dwarf pines and cedars. Of coui-so mauufactnres are at the same low ebb, for as well might the eagle 223 attempt to soar to the clouds shom of one of its pinions, as to expect me chanical or commercial prosperity in the midst of a debased and ruinous ag riculture. You would smile, Mr. President, at tho sight of the clumsy vehi cles and miserable looking cattle, which are driven inlo the Washington City and Georgetown markets, with produce from the surrounding country ; and. you would smile also, or weep, I hardly know which, at the alarming simplicity of the people -who drive those teams. Ah, sir, there is no pro vision made by the state of Virginia for the education of the laboring classes, and untU this important step is taken, she may despair of ever rivalling tho glory of Massachusetts, or the greatness of Ohio. As an iUustration of the truth of our proposition, I will state that one of the finest water powei-s in the Union, equal, I am told, to that of Lowel, is al the falls of tho Potomac, almost wholly unimproved; yes, sir, astonishing as it may appear, il is nevertheless Irae, that within the bounds of the old dominion, laved almost by the tide waters of the Atlantic ocean, within two cannon shots of that great nation's capitol, with fields white with the mimic snow of the south's great staple, almost within eye sight, lies this great wealth producing agent, yet really of very little utility, and with less improve ments than has been made here on Rock river, with comparatively no capital, in the space of four short years; it is useless sir, wholly useless at present; except as a beacon to others, and a monument of the ignorance and folly of her people. Before I close, Mr. President, permit mo lo call the attention of this raeet ing to the propriety of estabUshing a Stale Agricultural and Mechanical College, with a farm and workshop attached, where the theories may nnt only bo taught, but the practice also. I may be enthusiastic in regard to this matter, but in my humble judgment, the State of Wisconsin cannot do an act, involving the same outlay of capital, that wUl do her so much credit as a State, and insure so directly to the happiness and prosperity of her peo ple, both now and hereafter, as to invest twenty or thirty thousand dollars in the building of an institution of this kind; I shall not enter into any de taUs al present, but merely wish to call the attention of the people to tho subject, in hopes that they wiU take measures to have the project brought before our next legislature. And now, in conclusion, let rae say that much, very much, can and must be done throughout our country by individual enterprise ; it is necessary that we stimulate and assist each other — the nearer the producer and consumer can be brought to each other, the better it is for both. Let each man, then, put his shoulder to the work as if all depended upon his individual exertion, with 224 the firm, omnipotent resolution, that we wiU never cease until Rock county stands redeemed, pre-eminent in agi-iculture and manufactures. The means of progress are evoi-jrwhere around us, above us, beneath us, let us fix them to us with hooks of iron ; inscribed upon our banners, the motto of the old philosophers, of " higher, forever higher." Throw it to the breeze, and call upon our sister counties to join us in the glorious fight — ^mechanics against agriculture. Oh, it is a noble race this — ^this strife of the field and the work shop, in the glorious contest for supremacy over matter. This strife, of not which shaU shed the most blood, or do each other the most harm, but which shaU excel in the production of the means of comfort arid happiness, is a sight calculated to inspire the philanthropist and patriot with the most pleas urable emotions; kno-wing, as ho does, that like a race ofthe Siamese twins, one cannot gain much upon the other, '-without drawing, by an irresislable power, his brother along with him, they are so intimately connected. ESSAY. BY ORRIN DENSMORE, ESQ. Mr. President: — While I attempt the task imposed by a rule of this Society, I certainly feel gi-ateful that I am unrestricted in the choice of sub ject, and range of effort, and. shall avail myself of the indulgence so wisely extended, as I feel decidedly unprepared to offer anything profitable, or even amusing, directly within the range of agricultural subjects, especiaUy in a time like the present, when the ablest efforts, theories, and expej-ienc&s, are so generally blown lo the winds, or merged in disappointed hopes, bhghted crops, and depreciated values of agricultural and mechanical products. A glance detects what we all know and feel, that there is very Uttle ofthe agree able in our present condition and prospects, beyond the fact that we are vouchsafed, araong other blessings, life, health, plenty of food, and the hope that this association, for the benefit of ourselves and others, may be eminent ly successful. We are not, however, lo hope for effects without adequate causes, neither can we expect to reap where nothing is sown, yet as a result of our associa tion, we may each tope to profit by tho experience and suggestions of the 225 whole, and if I am to contribute ray mite, it is the conviction that we havw presumed too much upon the famed fertility of our soil, by the extensive cul ture of wheat, especially tho winter varieties, to tbe exclusion of other sta ples, befere meteorological observation and scientific invpstigation of the cir cumstances of soil and climate had given proper assurances that we might hope for the successful growth and maturity of that desirable crop, and ex emption from vicissitudes of weather, while we reap and gather tho products of the wide-spread fields, which our easily tilled soil enables ns to sow. The consecutive occurrence of one, two, or even three excellent crops, raay, indeed, demonstrate that our soil possesses largely tho properties necessary to wheat culture, which may succeed under favorable meteorological influen ces ; but the recent experience of raost of us, shows that those influences are not unifonnly favorable, and that we are not blessed with any especial im munity from storm in the harvest season. If I am right so far, the conclusion is inevitable that our husbandry should be more diversified, embracing all tbe staples to which our soil and climate are well adapted, and which mature in such succession, that wo raay reason ably hope to harvest them. There is ample range for tbe effort, and through it we have good reason to look for success, especially since we have envoked tho associate wisdom of the Farmers and Mechanics of Rock county to the work of improving our circumstances, or enabling us to adapt ourselves with belter grace to circumstances that cannot be improved. Presuming that whatever tends to the improvement and progress of man, may with propriety be considered by any association of men, that the great object of our existence, socially as well as individually, should bo the eleva tion and happiness of tbe huraan race. I take the liberty to say, that al though the cultivation of com and cabbage, kale and potatoes, might legiti mately claim the attention of this Society; that it is highly proper to devise ways and means for increasing the wealth of the people, by improvements in the various arts of productive industry, so as to realize from tho smallest in vestments tbe greatest retum ; how to increase the fertiUty of our already fruitful soil, so that our fields may wave with unwonted growths of the vari ous crops, increasing the beautiful array of russet cones pointing heavenward, while the ponderous wain still creaks beneath the plentiful sheaves, and our granaries bloat with the gathered stores ofthe golden grain — gladdening our thankful hearts — that our lowing herds and bleating flocks may cheer the beautiful valleys and sunny hills with the bright prospect of plenty — that the anvU, the last, the miU, the plane, the loom, the trowel, and the untold variety of implements in skiUful hands, may eminently subserve our intei-r 16 226 ests and minister to our wants. All this is proper and should be diUgently sought, -while our aim should be constantly " farther and higher " — "onward and upward." The. pathway to the honorable acquisition of wealth, with its excitements, toil and patience, is plentifully suppUed with the " Poor Man's Physic," and weU adapted to the healthy development of our physical and mental faculties, while the possession of a competence thus gained may aid the great -work of progress. I think I am warranted in the belief that raan is not yel what it is de signed he shaU be — not yel what his abiUties and opportunities should make him — what thoy will make him, when the causes now operative for his physical, inteUectual and moral renovation shaU have produced their ultimate results. He was undoubtedly designed for the enjoyment of a perfvetual, pleas urable existence, interrupted only by eras of change in his mode of being; and in every stage of that endless existence, destined to progressive develop ment, measured of course by the perfection of his hereditary organism, and circumstances surrounding and attendant upon that existence. He was perfect in all his parts and the relations of those parts, and alto gether a fit subject for growth and improvemeut, in which tbe principal care necessary would be the preservation of his original proportions and relations. He was feai-fuUy and wondei-fuUy " got up," with faculties, sentiments, aiid propensities, delicately balanced and embodied in an organism replete with powers and susceptibilities, each of which singly or in combination, might have been made to vibrate to the beautiful harmony of his heaven-born nature. Tho world too, and especially the beautiful west, is so constituted that man might, with moderate application, provide for all his real wants ; discharge all the duties gi-owing out of his relation to his fellow, and still have ample time to attend lo aU the higher wants of his nature. But man is not what he once was, Unfavorable causes, too complex and long opera tive to be traced at tbis time, have done their work, and left raan a harp still, but sadly out of tune. I will not claim originality in tbe opinion that the inordinate love of riches has wrought our ruin, for we all have read that " the love of money is the root of all evil," which declaration is this day as truthful and pertinent as when it dropped from the Ups of inspiration. Acquisitiveness, as a subordinate propensity, is necessary to the perfection of our mental organism, doing the duties of a steward in providing for the wants of the physical nature and mental faculties ; a very important oflBce certainly, aud as is the case fropently iu other mattor.s ; the importance of 227 the oflBce has excited the cupidity of tlie ofllcpr, who ha.s usurped entire con trol, where service only should have been rendered, and perverted all the oth er faculties to its unholy gratification ; tasking us early and lato, it presides when we worship, or sit with a friend; it closes the hand of charity, and, like the frogs of Egypt, gets into our ovons and kneading-troughs; it forbids the body's comfort and the mind's culture, except for purposes of sordid gain. This is, perhaps, a dark side of the picture, but it needs to be seen that we may apply the remedy, which is the cultivation and encouragement of all desirable properties, as well as pruning and heading back any and every undesirable overgrowth. There ave still ample raeans for our retui-n to that true order, in which every attribute and affection harmoniously attend, would produce only happines.s, and thc lower faculties ofthe mind, guided by culti vated intellect, and restrained by the moral sentiments, would givo us the cunning and prudent industry of the ant and the bee, to provide for our few real wants. Our physical constitution, which now tolls such sad tales of op pression and cruelty practiced upon it by its present unnatural master, would share in the general renovation, and in retum for more rational treatment, would infuse new vigor, and imparl unwonted olacticity to the emancipated intellect, and man would again stand erect al tho head of creatod inlelKgonccs, the wonder of angels and the living praise of God. Let us be wise, and whether we carry the hod or guide the plow, to pro vide for our animal wants, let our higher and constant aim be the moral and inteUectual improvement of our race. We shall then be better citizens better neighbors and belter mechanics, bettor farmers and better men. EDUCATION OF FARMERS. BY HON. J. F. WILLARD. Farmers as much need a thorough education, to p-osecute the business of Agriculture with success and credit lo themselves, as any other class of community, not excepting even the so-called learned professions. And neither is it necessary that they should receive an education peculiar and unlike that adapted to Other professions ; but just Uke it in all respects— feS 228 it bo tliorough — let it be liberal — let the mind ba disciplined — cultivated--^ elevated — then it is prepared to enter upon any field of action or research, And what broader, or more inviting theater of action is presented anywhere, than is spread out before the Agriculturist ! Who bas greater incentives to penetrate deeply into the great arcana of Nature ? Who raoro interested to know how to de\-elop the hidden mysteries of the soil, and make them sub servient to tbe wants of man ? Who meets with greater obstacles and difficulties in the pursuit of his calling, than the fai-mer? Surely none. — Certainly then he should be educated to be prepared forhis high and heavon- appointod mission. If it is necessary that the Divine,, the Lawyer and the Pliysieian should be thoroughly educated, and all consider this indispensable, sui clythe farmer -more. Tho business of these is to cull, classify and combine from materials already provided, and to avail themselves largely of the labors and experience of other men — while that of the farmer is to dive into the in)'sterious laby rinths of nature, and evolve therefrom his o-wn material, from which to furnish sustenance for man and beast. The fai-ming ititerftst is the formation — the base — of all civilization — nf all the refinements and luxuries of society, all rest upon it, and to maintain .such iraportant relations honorably, knowledge of the highest order is abso lutely necessary. The world never committed a greater blunder than when that popular notion had its origin, that farming is so simple and natural that any person, however ignorant, is qualified to perform its duties quite well enough, and that agriculture was intended by Providence as the employment of the rabble and the lower classes; farmers themselves Unwittingly subscrib ing to tho doctrine, and humbly submitting to its dictates. Farmers havo often educated their sons and their daughtei-s, but not for their own profession — they have sought sorae higher sphere for thera, and we are happy to know that the brightest stars that have shone in the constoUations of Divinitvt Politics, Law or Medicine, were from tho ranks of farmers' sons — ^but unfor tunately, lost to the profession of agriculture, by that false and foolish heresy, that farming is simple and needs only ignoramuses to carry it on. — No one had thought of reaping laurels from farm products, or of immortab izing their naraes at tho plow handles — thus tho farmer lias been sunk for ages in the depths of ignorance and degradation — and a farmer was only another word for slave or serf. Sad and disheartetiing as has been the condition of the tiller of the soil^^ deep as has been sunk our race — long as it has been enshrouded in error and gloom — sure as has felt the aristocrat that his power was perpetual— -never- 229 theless, a new destiny is developing itself. Providence, who brings Ught out of darkness, is beginning lo turn the tide backwards, and to show to the world that ho will have his own institution honored and respected. That being, who had but to speak the word and it was done — to command and it was brought forth — did speak — and gardens, and farms, and land scapes of the most enchanting beauty and grandeur, arose from nothing — and orchards, bonding under the weight of golden fruit — and wavy fields of grain — and lowing herds — and bleating sheep, and last of aU, man, in tho image of his God, came forth, and by the appointment of his creator, entered upon his delightful mission — a tiUer of the ground. Nothing is more indicative of the fact, that farmers are arousing them- sel-ros to throw off shackles, which have bound them, than the desire every where evinced for intelligence — for education. Our Common School System has grown out of this desire. It is a creation of farmers — it is a stepping stone to those sublime and higher privileges which soon will be within the reach of every farmer's son and daughter throughout our country. There aro obstacles to be raet — prejudices to be overcome — farmers will be obliged to conqimr a position for themselves — they raust expect to make their way as " a cannon ball makes its." That old idea of the aristocracy, that " the few are bora to rale," is still rife, and nothing but the steady, persevering efforts of the masses, lo elevate themselves by education, can crash it — it must be done — it wiU bo done. This is an age of progress, generally forward — but sometimes unfortun ately backwards — ^for tho last quarter of a century, agriculture has been advancing in respectability — it has caUed science and education to its aid, and is beginning to exhibit some features of its primitive beauty — and when it shaU have cast oflf the " crysaUs " and appear in its native and original grandeur, it wdl stand forth as the beau ideal of the race. Then let farmers unfalteringly pursue the course which they have begun — let them educate themselves — their sons — their daughters — and retain them in their own ranks, to grace their own " triumphs," to ennoble and elevate their own pro fession — then shall all men seek to do it reverence, and the tiller of the soil shall occupy his true position — that of lord of creation. Then he shall no longer plod contentedly along in the footsteps of his fathers — seeming to ask pardon for being in the world — and depending upon the earth, chance and moonshine for crops, rather than intelligent culture and <;arefully husbanded resources. Those days are past — a new and glorious era has dawned upon hira ; he has become convinced that he has only lo be educated — educated as other 230 people aro, to stand an equal chance, and be second to none in the scale of inteUigence and influence, since it comes to be said in these times of vice and corraption that the safety of our American Republic depends upon, the " virtue and intelligence of the rural districts." There is certainly another incentive for farmers lo take good care to prepare themselves for the emer gencies of the times — ^the love of country should awaken them, if nothing else, to be ready and qualified by inteUigence to take the reins of Stale and preside in tho councils of the nation, and add at least enough of the " salt of virtue " to save our institutions from the doom threatened by the scarcity of such a composition. It might be expected that something would be said in respect to the detaU of a farmer's education ; this is a broad and important field, and we should weary your patience by entering upon it at this time. Suffice it to say that the farmer should bo so educated iu his profession, and so well under stand his business, that he will not bo compelled to raake such enormous discounts, of four or five hundred per cent., in exchanging his labor for the services of professional raen, in other departments of science. We mean no disrespect for the learned professions ; they have eamed their position and aro entitled to it — let the farmers do the same and it will all be weU. We have not expected to enlighten any one upon the subject of education of farmers, but to caU attention to certain facts as they have existed in con nection with that class, hoping thereby to elicit inquiry into the causes of those facts, and if we have not suggested the right one and the remedy, we hold ourselves open to conviction, and hope to be instructed in the right. 231 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY FOR 1852. At the annual meeting of the Society, held at the court house in Janes ville, Dec. 1st, 1851, the foUowing list of oflScers were chosen for the ensuing year: Hon. J. F. WiUard, President. Z. P. Burdick, JanesviUe ; J. A. JFleteher, Johnstown; James M. Burgess, JanesviUe; I. S. Love, Beloit; John Winston, Porter; and Jesse Miles, JanesvUIe, Vice Presidents. Orrin Guernsey, Re cording Secretary. John P. Dickson, Corresponding Secretary. John P. Dickson, Treasurer. Almon Kenney, Avon ; Amos Remington, Spring Val ley ; Andrew Colter, MagnoUa ; Ira Jones, Union ; Daniel Lovejoy, Porter ; Andrew Stevens, Center; Jervis Bemis, Plymouth ; J. L. V. Thomas, Newark ; N. B. Gaston, Beloit ; J. F. Antisdell, Rock ; J. M. Riker, JanesviUe ; Isaac Miles, Fulton; J. E. Culver, Milton; T. P. Davis, Hai-mony; J. P. Wheeler, LaPrairie; L. P. Harvey, Turtio; Wm. Stewart, Clinton; Onin Densmore, Bradford; A. M. Carter, Johnstown; Thomas Newton, Lima, Directors. Al this meeting, T. W. WUiaras, of Bradford, read an Essay before the Society. Voted that Col. Z. P. Burdick, Prof S. P. Lathrop, of Bejoil College, and S. A. Hudson, Esq., of JanesviUe, be requested to read Essays before the Society at the next quarterly meeting. On motion of 0. Guernsey, it was voted that a memorial, properly signed by the Secretary and President of the Society, be forwarded to Congress, respectfully requesting that Honorable body to pass a law establishing an Agricultural Bureau al Washington. Messrs. Love, Wheeler and Hovvland, were appointed a committee to receive proposals from the several towns which are desii-ous of having the next Fair. March 1st, 1852. The first quarterly meeting of the year was held at the court house. Essay read by Col. Z. P. Burdick, and on motion of 0. Guernsey, the thanks of tie Society was voted him, and a copy requested for pubUcation. 232 Col. Orrin Guernsey was requested to road an Essay before the Society at its next quarterly meeting. June 7th, 1852. This meeting carae off at American Hall. President in the chair. A comraittee, consisting of Thomas Tutlle, of Clinton ; Samuel Hinman, of Beloit; L. P. Harvey, of Turtle; Ira Jones, of Union; 0. Densmore, of Bradford; A. M. Carter, of Johnstown; J. F. WiUard, of Rock; M. MUler, of Harmony; J. M. Burgess, of JanesvUIe; J. E. Culver, Milton; J. L. V. Thomas, of Newark, were chosen to report Awarding Committees for the ensuing annual Fair in September next. Prof. S. P. Lathrop, of Beloit CoUege, read an Essay, for which the So ciety voted its thanks, and respectfuUy solicited a copy for pubUcation. On motion of J. P. Wheeler, Esq. — voted that it be a standing rale with the Society to listen to the reading of the Essays at 2 o'clock, P. M. June 28th, 1852. An adjourned meeting of the Society raet at American HaU. President in the chair. Essays were read by S. A. Hudson, Esq., and Col. 0. Guernsey, and on motion of Col. Burdick a vote of thanks was presented, and a copy of each solicited for publication. Voted that Messrs. Harvey, of Turtle; Foote, of Center; and Barker, of Beloit, bo requested to read Essays before the Society at its next meeting. Tho committee lo report Awarding Commit Lees, reported at this meeting, wliich was adoptted by the Society. AN ADJOURNED MEETING AT AMERICAN HALL. July 3d, 1852. It may be proper here to say, that the Society are under obligations lo tho courtesy of the gentlemanly proprietor of the American, James M. Burgesr, Esq., for the use of his HaU, for holding the meetings of the Society al va rious times. At this mooting, the coramittee for locating the next Fail-, reported that the town of Beloit had offered a bonus of $240 — the highest offer of any town in the county — whereupon it was voted that tho next annual Fair of the Societj', be held in Beloit. September 6th, 1852. This was the regular quarterly meeting, and was held at American Hall. Essay read by Hon. L. P. Harvey, of Turtle ; and on motion of J. P. Wheel- 233 er, the thanks ofthe Society were voted, and a copy solicited for publication. At this meeting. S. P. Lathi-op, S. G. Barker, Daniel Bennett, N. B. Gas ton and S. Hinman, Esq., of Beloit, wero chosen a committee to make the necessary arrangements for tho coming Fair at Beloit. The President, Secretary and Treasurer, were chosen a committee to pre pare rules and regulations for governing the Fair. E. A. Foote, Esq., of Center; S. G. Barker, Esq., of Beloit, and J. P. Wheeler, Esq., -n-ere requested to read essays, at the next meeting of tho Society. i PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. ADDRESS OF THK PRESIDENT, HON. J. F. WILLARD, AT BELOIT, SEPTE.'aBER 29T£r, 1852. Gentlemen of the Bock County Agricultural Society a'nd Mechanics' In stitute, and Fellow Citizens: — In compliance with this regulation of our Association, I propose to offer a few thoughts upon the subject of agricul ture, and matlere connected therewith. It is not ray intention to attempt to arause you by eloquence or a fine speech, as speech raaking is no part of my business ; but hope, by the use of such language as one farmer employs iu addressing another, lo make my thoughts intelligible to you aU. Much has been said and much written upon the subject of agriculture. — Yet such is the variety of its employments, and such its fruitful sources of investigation, that unlike most other subjects, it always presents something interesting to the admirer of the profession, and can never be worn out or exhausted, however ranch it is talked about. The tUlage of the soil is tho most ancient of all employments, and was ordained by the Deity himself, as the business of civiUzed man, but like every other branch of human industry, it has its ups and downs, its lights and shadows, its sunshines and its storms. Our forefathei-s considered the calling dignified and honorable, but, somehow or other, latterly, the idea has obtained that it is more re^pactablo to Iivo by one's wits than by the labor of his hands; but believing but few whom I now have the honor to address, have been so unfortunate as to fall into thtt error, I shall not multiply words upon the subject, but take it for granted that those convened here to-day, do believe agricultural and mechanical pur suits dignified and honorable, for we have before us the most incubilable 234 testimony that their hands and wits havo formed a profitable and pleasing alliance for the prosecution of that ancieut and useful pursuit. It may not be unfitting the occasion to glance briefly al the condition of agriculture, both past and present, in Rock county ; and it has occurred to me that in so doing, it might be weU to call your attention to some of the mistakes we have committed, and also to some of the errors into which we have fallen ; for by the lights of past experience must farmers be guided — more, if possible, than any other class of community. The doctrine of "what has been will be," under simUar circumstances, is emphatially tme of farming. As the virtue of huraan action is found in practicing what we already know, well, rather than in searching for new rales of action, you will pardon me for suggesting that we, as farmers, profit in future by the experience we have gained from tho past few years in Wisconsin farming. The first error I shall notice, into which farmers have fallen, is the buy ing too much land. Three-fourths of the farmers of Wisconsin own too much land. Although owners of hundreds of acres of the rich soil of our prairies, yet they are poor — land poor. If your land is paid for and free from incum brances, you are still poor from having too much land. The old proverb of " too rauch ofa good thing is good for nothing," is too trae of our land-own ing farraers, generally. Too rauch land, too rauch fencing, too many taxes, are burdens not easily borne. Farmers understand this — I need not enlarge. The next en-or I shall mention, grows directly out of, and is a legitimate result of tho ono mentioned — too many acres under cultivation. Farmers have wasted their energies and resources, in breaking up, andaddingfield tofieldof nowgi-ound, while their already broken lands were but half cultivated, and in many in stances, left to be overrun by a rampant growth of weeds, hundreds of acres of which raay be seen to-day, nodding their heads to the passing breeze in proud defiance of tho husbandman, and seem likely to keep possession of their rich acres for some time to come. This is all wrong ; for a crop of weeds, such as gi-ow upon Rock prairie, impoverish land more than a good crop of grain. If farmers had broken but half as much land, and expended the same labor upon that, which they have upon the whole, they would have had more money in their pockets, and felt less annoyance and chagrin in look ing upon their badly cultivated farms. Another prominent fault of our farmers has been too much wheat-raising. A large share of the population of this county emigrated from the wheat growing districts of the east, and without waiting to test the capabiUties of this new country for producing their favorite ci-op, all hands rashed into wheat 235 raising, investing their funds, i>s before slated, in breaking and fencing land, and making everything subservient to the one object; and being encouraged and allured on by the partial success attending the first and second crop, on the prairie sod, the mania increased until the farmers of Rock county be came almost bankrupt by their untiring and determined efforts lo raise wheat, and nothing but wheal. Farms were mortgaged and re-mortgaged to raise. fiinds to make up tho deficiencies accraing by the continual losses and fail ures in, the wheat crop, and not until there were no more funds to be raised by mortgaging farms, or from other sources, and the bursting ofthe great Hedgerow bubble, did farmers get their eyes opened to the fact that too mnch wheat raising had nearly rained them. We do not mean to say that wheat raising, lo a moderate extent, cannot be pursued here profitably, but th^t as a leading or solo, article of farm production, it can never be profitable. The id,ea of concentration in respect to farming, may do in some latitudes, and under certain circumstances. Agriculture may be, and is, practiced prof- italjly in many location's in these United States, by turning tho entire atten tion and energies of the farmer or planter to one, and only one, branch of the business. For instance, in some places which are peculiarly adapted to wheat raising, that business may be raade the leading or sole business of that locality, and the same may bo said of corn and pork raising in other places, of stock raismg in others, cotton and sugar in others; but however weU this practice may succeed in other parts of tho country, it is certain it can. never succeed to, a very great extent here. Too raany of us have believ ed the theory and attempted the practice, but the result has been anything but flattering. We are compelled, then, from past experience, to turn our attention to some other theory, and the one which most naturally suggests itself as safe and practicable, is variety and diversity. It is evident, from the limited experiments which havo been made, that our soU is admirably adapt ed to the culture of various crops, and the rearing- of a variety of domsstic an imals ; and in accordance thereto, ra.any have adopted the variety .scherae the present year, and although the agricultural operations of the county, in the aggregate, are much less than usual, yet the nel income will far exceed that of any previous year ; and it is easy to soe that tho improvement in the farm er's prospects does not arise from the fact that the wheat crop is a better one than an average, for the present prices for wheal do not give a farmer any thing like a fan- profit for his labor. The cause, then, of better prospects, is not found in a little better crop of wheat this year, but in adopting a dif ferent farming practice. Two things operate against us at present, which augm- to deter us fi-om extensive operations in wheat : ono is our remoteness from market, or in other words, the producer and consumer are loo far apart. 236 The other is, tho wheal market of the world is glutted, and has been for the last three years. The errors ah-eady alluded to, may be denominated faults of commission ; while there are a large number of mistakes which the farmers of this county have comraitted, which may be denominated faults of omission. Of tho lat ter I shall notice two or three. Farmers, liko other people, are unable lo attend to everything at once; and while their time and attention havo been taken up with their wheat op erations, they have omitted to roar or procure herds of stock to consume the oflFal of their grain crops, and convert their piles of straw (which they, in their haste, have burned,) into a fruitful source of enriching their lands, and returns to their jaded wheat fields, some remuneration for their incessant toils ; stock, too, in the shape of beef, pork, wool, and working animals, would have been very convenient in stopping the gaps often occurring by the failure of wheat. Another item of neglect wiU be found in the lack of orchards and fruit trees. Nothing pays better for the outlay than the cultivation of fruit trees. Few farmers, as yet, have done their duty in this department. — When we reflect that Rock county has been settled more than fifteen years, and that it has one of the best adapted soils and climates for the culture of the apple pear and plumb, and that apples are readUy sold in the market at $2,00 per bushel, and plums at a penny apiece, we credibly infer that there has been altogether too little fruit-tree planting. It is to be hoped that fanners wiU attend to this matter, and that every raan who owns land will plant fruit trees. If he has uot already coraraenced, begin now — "better late than never," is a good maxim ; but in this case, " never too late '' is a better one. If fifteen yeare have passed without giving this subject dua attention, commence now ; plant trees this fall — ^nexl spring — every oppor tunity — plant trees, until we become the banner county in fruit raising. — We havo the soil, tbe climate, and I hope the disposition. Then what shall hinder us from revelling in tbe luxuries of a fruit growing eden? As ours i.-.-, for the raost part, a prairie countr}', and destitute of limber, too Uttle attention has been paid to the planting of shade and timber tree?. In lands covered with forests, the destruction of trees is the first object; here the scarcity of timber, and tbo bleak, open prairio, invites, as a first object, to tbe cultivation of trees. Gi-oves of tho various kinds of timber and shade trees, can bo raised nearly as easily as fields of corn, by planting the seeds in tho sarae way ; and being so placed as to protect houses, orchards, &c ; serving, at the same time, the double purpose of utility and ornament — af fording timber for fuel and fencing, and protection from the prairie winds, and adding beauty and comfort lo a place, as shade and ornamental trees. — 337 In this way, many a prairie home, which now looks dreary and forbidding, with a little outlay for trees would soon be transformed into the veriest par adise. It has been said by a modorn author, that one of the best pieces of advice given by that great writer, Sir Walter Scott, was, " to plant a tree when you havo tirae," said be, " plant a tree. It wUl bo growing when you are sleeping ; yes,". said he, " when we are sleeping in the dust. Genera tions shall rise up and bless us for the deed, and our children's chUdron sball enjoy the shade." Let us, then, erect raonumouts to porjjotuate our names and deeds all over this beautiful prairie, by planting groves of trees. It has been said that in no one particular is the farming community raovo deficient, than in their taste for ornamental .agriculture. I make the remark in a general sense — it is no more apjilicable to us in Wisconsin, than to tlio farming class over}'where ; and I only refen-ed to the fact, hoping that as we have not yot had sufEcient time to develop our taste in this respect, we raa.v take the subject under consideration at this early day, and that the suggestion may, in some degree, influence us to show raore taste in this departraent, than have our predecessors. It should be the design of every one -who owns a homestead, to make it in the highest degree pleasant and agi-eeable to hiraself and family. Around our homes should our endearraents be concen trated ; should that horae be the humblest cabin, the plain cottage or stately mansion, nothing adds more to the external appearance of our homes, than a littio taste displayed in the setting out and carefully training a few shrubs and plants. The most humble cabin upon tho prairies, with its doorway covered with the grape vine and honeysuckle, with here and there a climbing rose fastening itself lo its rough sides, overshadowedwith a few native and fruit bearing trees, presents more pleasing and home-like associations lo the passer by, than the best built house sun-ounded with its fences, and all the append ages the architect can supply, glittering with its paint and its gaudy blinds, in the absence of those natural and subduing accompaniments which a tasteful an-angement of a few trees and shrubs can give il. I could mention many other things as errors of omission, did time permit — but I forbear. Now, in view of our faults and short-comings, we ought to learn wisdom. Experience is sometimes a dear teacher; yot, in the end, the lessons incul cated make a deeper impression than those learned in the ordinary way.-— I think it will be so in this instance. Many of our farmers have learned the lesson, and have turned their attention to a variety of farm products, and their purses, which have for so long a time been nearly empty, will again be replenished, and bountifully too, by the sale of their corn and pork, their rye and oats, fiax and wool, hops and barley, timothy and clover seed, tur- 238 keys, chickens and ^ggs, &c. This state of things we may set down as om inous of the good lime coming for fai-mere ; nay, we have reason to hope and believe that the good time has already commenced, and that the cloud which bas so long lowered upon the prospects of the farmer, will soon pass away ; for we see upon its dark front, the glittering bow of promise, and hear only the muttering of the distant and retiring thunder. Then lot us be up and doing; and with stout hearts and willing hands pursue with new zeal our time-honored aud heaven- appointed profession. As the name and title of our society indicates, so all the facts. The farmers and mechanics of Rock county are united to promote tbe objects of this association, and it may, with propriety, be said of us, that " united we stand, divided we fall." The me chanic art is the handmaid of agriculture, being nearly coeval with it and honored alike by the sanctions of Deity. In behalf of the farming portion of this society, I take great pleasure in tendering to the mechanics of the same, our grateful acknowledgements for the substantial aid they have on their part rendered, in carrying forward the oper..lions of the society ; also for their persevering efforts to furnish labor-savir.g machinery and improved farming implements generally, for the use and benefit of agricullure. And we con gratulate tbem on the fair prospect in future for their being suitably reward ed in a pecuniary point of view, for their labor and efforts. We have said the mechanic art is the handmaid of agriculture, and in this connection wish to add, that science bears the same relation to both. No man can be a skillful or successful farmer or mechanic, unless he Unites knowledge with labor, and science with practice. As a society, we have been materially assisted by the suggestions and coun sels of gentlemen of the learned professions for which we tender them onr thanks, and bespeak their co-operation in future. And the Ladies also, who are the handmaids of every good thing, we are much indebted ; and owe many thanks, for the interest they have taken in forwarding the objects and designs of the society-; may they be richly re warded for their labor of love. And in conclusion let me say that the results of our infant society, already apparent, are such as to encourage us still to labor, and that with renewed zeal, to promote its objects. As we have exchanged views and sentiniients, and compared our notes of experience in our associated capacity, we have become acquainted with each other, and the wants of the agricultural community. Those wants are beginning to be felt, and an interest is being awakened throughout our cjud- ty upon the subject of agriculture, and our prospects are far more flattering 239 than the most sanguine of us dared to hope or anticipate, in the commence ment of our enterprise. And I would respectfuUy recommend that every member of this associa tion, should remain its steadfast fnend, and exert his influence to induce such farmers and others, as have not yet joined it, to do so; and then by our in creased, united, systematic effort, diffuse useful information, which, when done, cannot fail to introduce and perpetuate a more enlightened and profit able system of husbandry; and which, when accomplished, will render agri cultural employment tbe most pleasant, the most reputable, and among tbe most profitable avocations of life. And then we shall appreciate more fully the sentiment uttered by the father of our country, that agriculture is tbe most healthy, the raost useful, and the most noble employment of man. ANNUAL FAIR AT BELOIT. Premiums awarded at the annual Fair, at Beloit, September 28th and 29th, 1862. Division No. 1. STALLIONS, GELDINGS, MARES AND COLTS. Dr. G. B. Sanderson, of Beloit; Chairman of Awarding Committee. STALLIONS. Best staUion; R. M. Wheeler, of JanesviUe — " Hambletonian." First pre mium, $6,00, and diploma. Second best; Daniel Biodgett, Beloit — " Grand Turk." 2d premium, $3,00. Third best; Simon Ruble, Beloit — " Prince of Circassia." Third premium, $2,00. Best 3 yeare old stallion ; Daniel Biodgett, Beloit. Fii-st premium, $2,00. Best 2 yeara old slaUion ; Simon Ruble, Beloit — " Young St. Patrick." — 1st premium, $2,00, and diploma. Seeond best 2 years old staUion ; J, A. Fleteher, Johnstown. 2d premium, $1,50. Third best 2 years old staUion; Hiram Case, CUnton. 3d premium $1,00, 240 Best one year old colt; Charles T.Wilcox, of Rock — "Sir Henry." 1st premium, ^1,50. Second best — C. Loftus Martin, Turtle. 2d premiura, $1,00. Third best — D. Biodgett, Beloit. 3d premium, 75 cents. Be.st sucking colt; G. W. Lambert. 1st premium, $1. Second best sucking colt ; Orrin Densmore, Bradford. 2d premium, 75 cents. Third best— C!. T. Wilcox, Rock. 3d do. 50 cents. Best brood marc ; C. Loftus Martin, Turtio. 1st premium, $3. Second best brood ra.-ire; Harvey Holraos, Harraony. 2d premiura, $2. Third best brood raare; Charles R. Gibbs, Harraony. 3d preraium, $1. Best single mare ; C. Loftus Martin, Turtle — "Jenny Lind." Isl premi ura, $3. Second best single mare ; J. A. Brooks. 2d premium, $2. Third best do. do. Daniel Bennett, Beloit. 3d premium, $1. Best single gelding; W. H. Howard, Beloit — bay horse. Isl premium, §3. Second best do. J. A. Brooks — sonel horse. 2d premium, $2. Third best do. J.A.Brooks — gray horse. 3d premium, $1. Best matehed geldings; Howland & Trask — span of bay horses. 1st pre miura, $5. Remarks. — Howland & Trask sold these horses subsequently for $600. They were at once sold again for $650, and taken to Racine ; where they were again sold for $2000, a few months after; and at last, sold in Chicago, for $3000. Second best matehed geldings; W. H. Howard, Beloit — span of bay horses. 2d preraium, $3. Third best raatched geldings ; D. H. Cobb, LaPrairie — span of gray hoi-ses. 3d premium, $2. ; The comraittee rocoramend a diploma to P. W. Dickey, for his span of horses, being the fastest travelers. Division No. 2. DRAUGHT HORSES, ASSES AND MULES. M. T. Walker, Milton, Chairman of Committee. Best staUion; Simon Ruble, Beloit. 1st premium, $5. Best one year old stallion; H. Stockman. 1st premium, $1,50. A. Miller being from Illinois, the by-laws of the Society forbid the awJird- ing of a premium. The committee accordingly awarded a diploma. Best span of geldings; Simon Ruble. 1st premium, $3. Hambletonian, Tlio pi-"l"-l-t.v "I'll. >I. -WliivkT. .T;ui,>svin,.. Th,. liisl l.ivii the F:lir ol'tli,' ji.nk Cn. .A-ii,;iiltiinil S,«.i,>l.v an, I -^l,¦,¦|l,lllK¦s- 11 wa,^ a«iu-,l,>,l 1,1 llaiiil.I,'l,,iii:m at iiiii,'. hrl, I al r.,.|,,ii in 1^.:.::. 241 Second best span of geldings; G. B. Sanderson, Beloit. 2d premium, v.-. Third best span of geldings; J. F. Doxstader. 3d premium, $1. Best t-wo years old colt; F. S. Eldred, Johnstown. 1st premium, $1,50. Best mare ; J. F. Willard, Rock. 1st premium, $3. Second best mare ; Peter McVane, Newark. 2d premium, $2. Third best mare ; C. T. WUcox, Rook. 3d premium, $1, Best 2 yearsold mare; D. Wemple. 1st premium, $1,50. Second best 2 yeai-s old mare; B. Latla, 2d do. $1. Best mule, B. Cheney — 16 months old. 1st premium, $1. Best jenny; G. W. BickneU, Beloit. Ist premium, $2. DrvisioN No. 3. BLOOD BULLS, WORKING OXEN AND STEERS. C. Loftus Martin, Chairman of Committee. Best Durham bull; C. Loftus Martin, Turtle. 1st premium, $4. Second best Durham Bull; M. P. Cogswell, Turtle. 2d premium, $3. Third best; Yost & Roberts, Beloit — Ayreshire bull. 3d premium, $2. Best yearUng bull; Freeman. Hitehcock, LaPrairie, 1st premium, $3. Second best yearling bull ; Jonathan Corey, Center. 2d premium, $2. Best buU calf; Charles BickneU, Beloit. 1st premium, $1,50. Second best buU calf; Jesse MUes, JanesviUe. 2d premium, $1. Best pair matehed working oxen ; T. P. Davis, Harmony. 1st preminm, $3. Second best pair matehed working oxen; A. C. Brooks. 2d premium, $2 Third best pair matehed working oxen; C. R. Gibbs. 3d premium, $1. B. Cheeny ; a good, bull calf. Diploma. Division No. 4. FAT CATTLE, DAIRY COWS, HEIFERS, YEARLINGS AND CALVES. F. S. Eldred, Johnstown, Chairman of Committee. Best fat Durham cow; Peter McVane, Newark. Isl premium, $1. Best milch grade Durham cow; F. Hitehcock, LaPrairie. 1st prem., $1,50. Second best grade Durham cow; G. W. BickneU, Beloit. 2d premium, $1, Third best grade Dm-ham cow ; S. G. CoUey, Beloit. 3d premium, 50 cents. Best Durham cow; Wait Talcott. 1st premium, $1. Best three years old heifer; C. Tuttie, Turtle. Isl premium, $2. 16 242 Secondbest three years old heifer; Albert Reynolds. 2d premiura, $1,00. Best yearling grade steer; Jacob Footo. 1st premium, $1. Second best yearUng grade steer; T. H. Dowuer. 2d premium, 50 cents. Best yearling grade heifer ; Jacob Fowle. 1st premium, $1. Second best yeariing grade heifer; F. B. Field. 2d premium, 5o cents. Best grade bull calf; J. F. Willard. 1st premium, $1. Second best grade bull calf; A. R. Parish. 2d premium, 50 cents. Division No. 5. SHEEP AND WOOL. B. F. Pixley, Chairman of Committee. Best Fleece of wool; N. P. Benson. 1st premium, 50 cents. Best Merino buck; John A. Fleteher, Johnstown. Isl premium, $3. Second best Merino buck ; N. P. Benson. 2d premium, $2. Third best Merino buck; E. Bradley. 3d premium, $1. Best buck of aU gi-ades; Levi St. John, JanesviUe. 1st premium, $4. Division No. 6. SWINE. Richard Dole, Chairman of Committee. Best boar; C. Loftus Martin, Turtle. 1st premium, $3. Best boar pig ; A. H. Manley, IlUnois. Diplom.a. Best baiTow pig; John N. Reynolds. Isl premium, $1. Best sow; Charles Bicknell, Beloit. 1st premium, $3. Best sow and pigs ; Samuel G. Colley, Beloit. 1st premium, $3. Division No. 7. POULTRY. S. T. Merrill, Beloit, Chairman of Committee. Best pair Cochins; S. P. Lathrop, Beloit. Diploma. Best pair Shanghais, " " " Isl premium, $1. Note. — The committee were much pleased with a brood of six Cochin chickens, belonging to Mr. Lathrop, three months old, and pronounced them very fine. 243 Best pair Hamburgs; W. S. Chase, JanesvUIe. 1st premium, One DoUar. Best pair Chittagongs, " " " 1st " One Dollar. Best six common fowls; H. T. Woodward, Jr., Beloit. 1st premium, $1. Beat six turkeys; J. F. Willard, Rock. 1st premium, 26 cents. Best show of peacocks; M. P. Cogswell, Turtle, l.st premium, 25 cents. Division No. 8. FARM AND KITCHEN GARDENS. J. A. Fleteher, Johnstown, Chairman of Committee. Best one acre of flax, 2775 lbs. in the stalk, 9-|- bushels seed ; raised by Daniel Bennett, Turtle. 1st premium, $3. Best sample hops ; Simon Antisdell, Rock. Ist premium, $3. Best five acres of cora, with sample, producing seventy bushels to the acre, on land that never had been manured ; raised by J. F. Antisdell, Rock. 1st premium, $3. Best five acres of wheat, with sample — variety, red chaft^ — bald, 31 bushels per acre ; raised by Robert Taylor, Spring Valley. Ist premium, $5. 8. A, Murry, of Turtle, oflfered a fine specimen of white flint wheat, but no definite statement of the yield per acre. Awarded a diploma. Best specimen of onions; J. F. WUlard. 1st premium, 25 cents. Best specimen of long pink-eyed potatoes ; Richard Dole, Turtle. 1st pre mium, $1. J. F. WUlard; good specimens of Irish pink-eyed potatoes, of extraordinary size. Premium, 25 cents. Henry T. Woodward, Jr. ; good specimens of sugar beet, red turnip beet and orange carrot. Premium, 26 cents. Also best specimen mangel wurzel. Premium, 25 cents. Q. Wilgus ; specimen of English teazle. Premium, 25 cents. Division No. 10. FRUITS. Mark Miller, Chairman of Committee. Best sample of peaches; Daniel Biodgett, Beloit. Ist premium, 50 cents. Best sample black cluster grapes ; Henry T. Woodward, Jr., Beloit. Ist premium, 50 cents. Sample of six varieties of plums; James CaldweU, Fulton. 1st premium, 50 cents and diploma, 244 Sample of seedUng plums ; James Caldwell, Fulton. Premium, 50 cents. Best and largest variety of apples ; J. Roberts, Beloit. 1st premium, $2. Best variety of one variety of apples ; Richard Dole, Turtle. Prem., 50 cents. Division No. 11. PLOWING MATCH. Col. Ezra Miller, Chairman of Committee. Best specimen of plowing; Reuben Case, of Clinton. 1st premium, $1. Division No. 12. FARMING IMPLEMENTS AND DOMESTIC MANUFACTURE. SuB-DlVISION No. 1, G. Sl Ruble, Beloit, Chairman of Committee. Vegetable grinder and comshellei- — good — no competition ; J. F. Worcester, Premiuni, 50 cents. Best comsheller; Barker >men," arsd all else which pas.ses under tho cognom->n of aristoera- c-/, is but i,b.o sic'sly si^ntimentalism of a day, that vanishes as a bauble b J rate. The promises then all being seen, we conclude that good policy would dic tate that the number of our acres should be limited to that which can be cul tivated in the most approved manner, and without employing extra help, unless our farmers have surplus means for which they have no immediate necessity ; and that an attempt to go boyond this, has placed many of our farmers in the relentless grasp of money lenders, and encouraged a slate of monetary oppression, such as we have seen during the last few years ; and has a tendency to raake them dependent upon the fluctuation of the mar kets and tbe caprice of others, when thoy ought to be the most independent class of community. And I havo no doubt that 'those who have adopted the ready pay system, have found that a great amount, in tho aggregate, is sav ed annually, and much perplexity and inconvenience attending the credit sys tem avoided. They can buy much cheaper with ready pay. And you have also learned that you can most always exchange the products ofthe farm, especiaUy if you have a variety of them, for commodities which you have to purchase, if you offer thera before the purchase is made; but if you offer your produce to a merchant to pay a long standing account, he is no longer your obedient servant — you raust pay the cash, and that with twelve per cent. Instead of being obUged to seU at the price buyers bave established you raay youreelf, by the ready-pay system, have something to do with fix ing the market price, and demand and receive what the coramodity is fairly worth, or keep il unlU you can obtain a fair price. Although this may bo 259 thought a slow process to acquire wealth, yet experience has long since prov en that it is the most sure, and attended with more peace of mind and do mestic tranquility; and he who pursues the even tenor of his way, and by a patient course of saving and moderate gains, secures a competence, and dis- chai-ges his duty to his family, his country and his God, has fulfilled the high destiny for which Providence designed him. ESSAY ON AGRICULTURE. BY COL. Z. P. BURDICK. The tiilage of the soil, the most ancient and important of al! earthly e-jn- ployments, originated from divine authority, in the early history of the world. The hardy yeomanry in all ages, and in almost all countries, have been content to quietly follow their avocation, and leave il for tbe v/ell-bora, tiie men of profession, and those of leisure, to guide the ship of state. A vohv- minouseode of laws is the result — ^so vague in meaning, aud so highly seasoned with technical language, that even the lawyers themselves are puzzled to un derstand them. But to the subject. Farming has generally kept pace with the times : and untU quite recently, has been carried on in a way to feed the hungry milUons, with little or no regard to scientific or systematic principles. In civiUzed countries ofa dense population,, the soil has been made to pro duce to its utmost, by the means made use of, accoi-ding to the knowledg© of tho agriculturist. Some have already leamed to assist their worn-out and exhausted soils, by artificial helps. By the aid of chemistry, sofls long considered barren wastes, have been restored to then- former productiveness, with comparatively small expense — Kay from five to ten dollars per acre — trifling, where the location gives a value of one hundred doUars per acre for productive lands. Instance ; The farm of Hon. Reverdy Johnson, near Baltimore, in tbe state of Maryland. Replacing one ingredient of the soil, exhausted by time and perhaps bad husbandry, which was found wanting by chemical process, the soil was reinvigorated, and now produces in abundance. How important for farmers to know of what Ihehr soils are composed. And stiU more important, to keep them in a good state 260 of cultivation. They raust be educated, to be successful. Let the present generation of farmers look to this, and the work will be accomplished. Should a farraer wish to educate oue of a trio of lusty boys for a doctor or a lawyer, let him first educate the raost promising- one for the farm. If blessed with girls, for surely girls are a blessing, be sure to instill into their minds, the farmer's sons first, the mechanic's next, and the professional fop the last resort for a good husband. The farraers of this new and deUghtful counti-y are greatly favored with advantages, in raany respects not enjoyed by those engaged in the sarae bus iness in the countries of Europe, and in some of the older states in this republic. Here, the soil is rich and fertile, and easily farmed. It produces well, with out the expense of lime, plaster, guaano or other helps, so much resorted to in other localities. Besides, the husbandman is lord ofthe soU; without tribute, in the shape of rents, to pay to any feudal raaster, patron, lord of a manor, or any other unfeeling, aristocratic nabob — no taxes on aUenation. — He can enjoy his land for a horae, or sell it if he chooses, without any unjust exaction, let or hindrance, from any one. Though enjoying such inestiraable privileges, we have many serious diflB- culties in the way. The remarkably low prices for wheat, tho great staple of the -west ; and the partial failure of three successive crops, have greatly discouraged the farmers, and especially those of us in debt. That bard tiraes do exist, all aro ready to admit, and every branch of indus try sensibly feels the pressure. We aro by no means unanimous as to the cause or causes — the why and the wherefore. Nor, could this be expected ; for the causes are numerous. While some labor studiously to make a "'scape goat" of the government, for the sins and foUies that brought the distemper, others readily admit that the disease, with all its malignant fea tures, was contracted at horae. ' To me it seems that one of the many causes, so far as tho agriculturist is concerned, raay be found in his own mismanage ment. Who could think of sustaining hiraself by growing wheat at two shillings per bushel, to say nothing about the uncertainty of a crop. Yet we find it comraon for farmers to summon their entire forces, lo this one particular branch of agriculture. Not that tbey expect lo seU for two shil Ungs, but at even at four'shiUings the bushel, it could not be regarded as judicious forming. The luacertainty of wheal growing in aU countries, would seem to admon ish the farmer that his whole reliance should not be placed in that crop alone. Growing whea;t in this, the best of countries, is attended with no inconsider able expense, notwithstanding the great amount of labor-saving machinery. If the farmer be in defet for his land, he cannot reasonably expect lo pay for 261 it in this way. Belter, far better for him to contract his business, sell a portion of his land, be satisfied lo live on a small farm well managed, with comfortable buildings and fences. He wUl then be relieved from the wear and tear of a harrassed mind, resulting from his debts and promises ; and from sleepless nights, occasioned by the blight of his hedge row of Canada club. Com growing is and always wiU be a paying business, and when converted inlo pork and beef -will readily find a cash market. One able bodied man and a ton years old boy, with horses plow and culti vator and a few days' work in planting and harvesting, when wages is cheap and labor plenty, can raise forty acres of corn ; which has more value than the same number of aores of wheat, aUowing both to be good crops; espec ially when you figure up the expense of the wheat over that of the com. Other crops, such as oats, barley, flax, hemp, tobacco, hops, &c., can be raised with advantage to the farmer, in suitable quantities and varieties, so that the failure of any one of his numerous crops will not corapletoly unman him. Dairy business, taking into calculation the araount of capital invested in cows and land, and the faculties for suramer and winter feeding, wiU nowhere pay better. We can make bettor butter and cheese in Wisconsin, than can be made in Ohio, Indiana, southern Illinois or any state south of us, and as good as can be furnished in New York or New England. Wool growing may be relied upon as safe and lucrative. Ono cent a pound will put the article into tho eastern market, -where the wool grower makes raoney, on land worth from $40 to $100 per acre. Statistics of 1 840, show that Hoosick, a frontier town in eastern Now York, was the banner town iu the Uuited States in raising wool. That town is about seven mUes square and has a population of about 4000 inhabitants. — The soil is as good for agricultural purposes as any in its locality, with a market unsurpassed in the eastern or middle states for every product of the soil. The land is worth from $30 to $100 per acre; and yet, the great mass of land holders pursue this business in preference to any other branch of agri culture, as the most .successful and profitable. The business of keeping sheep in Wisconsin, as a safe and paying business, is no longer problematical. May the lime speedUy come, when every farmer has a flock of sheep ; when factories shall be erected to convert the wool into fabrics ; when every son and daughter of every farmer, will pride theraselves in being clad in gar ments manufactured from their fathers' own flocks ; and lastly, when every daughter shaU learn to spin, weave and knit. No agi-icultural state in the union has made such rapid improvements as young Wisconsin. With many other admirable things, she can boast of one 262 of the very best, most enlightened and liberal school systems in the states. — Think of her rapid strides in this progresive age ; of her increase in nurabers ; only about fifteen years old. She beat her older sister, on the other side of the lake, last November, in voting, and by the spirit now manifested by the associations of farmers and mechanics, the best means of mutual good, prores full well that they intend she shall be second to none in the sisterhood, in agriculture and mechanics arts, when sbe becomes of age. Rock county will aot her pari. Aud wheu the farmers become satisfied with farms of reasonable dimen sions, such as thoy aro able to own and work — purchase what thoy can pay for, to a moral certainty — live like christians, within their own means — dis card the notions, too prevalent, of apeing the extravagant fashions of lhe east — teach their own households to regard honest industry, "working with their bands," honorable and meritorious; and to practice economy as a duty, as well as moral virtue, then, and not till then, shall we be relieved from the unwelcome sound of those two words grating on our ears — hard times. REPORT Of the Secretary of the Bock County Agricultural Society and Mechanics' Institute, at the Annual Meeting of the Society at Janesville, Decem ber 22d, 1852: The Secretary would respectfuUy repoit, that the experiment of sustaining a County Agiicultural Society in " Old Rock " has been fairly tried, and its stability and pei-petuity has become one of the " fixed facts " in the public estimation ; that it has now reached a point, from whieli we need not appre hend a retrogi-ade movement, or entertain any fears as to its permanent existence. Our first annual Fair was held in connection with the State Fair at JanesviUe, in 1851 — that was an exhibition highly- creditable to the farmere and mechanics of our young and growing Slate. Many from that time forward, until our last annual Fair at Beloit, not only attributed our apparent success lo our connection with the Stale Society al that time, hut predicted a failure if we should attempt to " set up for ourselves," and " do business on our own account." But others, with an energy and perseverence worthy the cause, determined to make an eflfort, and not let the matter go down thus. Accordingly an-angements were made for the Fair, but stiU 263 the auspices seemed unfavorable, as it was thought proper, for certain reasons not necessary here to explain, to hold it at ono side of the county, which ¦was not only very inconvenient for the people to attend from the northern part of the county, but produced more or less dissatisfaction for other reasons. Again, the tirae was injudiciously selected for holding the Fair, during the session of the circuit court in our county, which necessariily detained many of our most influential men as jurors, &c., on whom we had relied to help sustain and give character to the enterprise. But, notwith standing these untoward circumstances seemed to conspire against us, yet the result has shown that we have abundant cause of congratulation and pride, for though some departments were not very well represented, yet on the whole, it was of the most commendable character, and marked through out with a spirit which augurs well for the future ; and so gi-eal is our confi dence in the resources and indomitable energies of the farmers and mechan ics of bur county, that we now throw down the gauntlet to aU county societies in tho Northwest, for we are determined not to be beat in 1853. Here perrait rae to say that much credit is due to our President, Mr. WiUard, for his unwearied efforts and exertions in sustaining and placing the Society on a permanent basis ; also, J. P. Dickson, Esq., our Treasurer, Prof. Lathrop, of Beloit College, Messrs. J. S. Love, S. G. Barker and Daniel Bennett, of Beloit, Vice Presidents; Burgess, Burdick and Howland, of JanesviUe ; not forgetting to award credit lo J. P. Wheeler, Esq., of LaPrai rie, who may with propriety be reckoned the venerable Father of the Society, together with othere whose names we have not space to mention. While we attempt to give a i-unning review of the Fair, all are aware that we must be very brief in a comraunication of this kind. Horses. — Some superb specimens of this noble and most servicable ani mal on the ground, attracted the notice of all. Mr. Wheeler, of Janesville, carried oflf the first premiura on his stalUon-, Harabletonian, which was well deserved. Messrs. Biodgett and Ruble, of Beloit, presented some fine young staUions, very superior. Several sucking colls, very fine, together with breeding mares, show that our farmere are awakening to the importance of improving our stock of horses. Several spans of matehed horses were shown, among which, those of How land & Trask, and Dickey, of JanesviUe ; W. H. Howard, of Beloit, and D. H. Cobb, of LaPraiiie, were superior. Of draught horses, Messre. Simon Ruble and D. Sandereon, of Beloit, J. F. Dockstader, of Shopier, J. F. Willard, of Rock, and S. F. Eldred, of 264 Johnstown, probably offered the best, although a great number of others on the gi-ound were very fine. On the whole, the show in this department wag very good. Stock. — C. Loftus Martin carried off the first premium on Durham buUs, and well it was merited, although " Old Taiirus " was well represented by specimens presented by M. P. Cogswell, Yost ¦ and Roberts, J. Corey, Jesse Miles and others. Working oxen were few in number, although several fine pairs were on the ground. Dairy Cows. — Several fine Durham cows and fat cattle, a credit lo their owners, were on the gTOund, among which we noticed one presented by F. Hitchcock, of LaPrairie, very fine. G. W. Bicknell, of Beloit, and Peter McVane, of Newark, also presented good specimens. Sheep. — The exhibition in this department was belter than was expected. Several specimens, exhibited by Levi St. John, of LaPrairie, N. P. Benson and J. A Fletcher, of Johnstown, gave good evidence of the discrimination and skiU on the part of wool growers of this region, and we may add, that though not generally known abroad. Rock county may become one of the best wool growing sections of the world. Swine. — The " Swinish Multitude " was also finely represented, both in quantity and numbers. Several were large, sleek and dignified, and seemed to grunt a hearty vote of thanks to the good people of Beloit, for the excel lent fare provided for them during their visit. Poultry. — Next in order we noticed " Chanticleer in all his glory," indi vidual representatives being present from the several tribes of Shanghaii Cochins, Hamburgs, Chittagongs,