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History of Green County, Wisconsin
This work was commenced, and has been carried forward to completion, with a specific object in view, which was, to place upon record, in a reliable manner and in permanent form, whatever incidents of importance have transpired within what are now the limits of Green county since its first settlement. As preliminary to the narrative proper, it was thought best to give a succinct history of the State at large, including an account of its pre-historic earthworks, of the early visitations of the fur trader and missionary, and of the jurisdictions exercised over this region by different governments; also, of the important incidents transpiring here while the Territory of Wisconsin was in existence. This part of the work is from the pen of Prof. C.W. Butterfield, of Madison, Wisconsin.
In the general history of the county, as well as in the sketches of its city, towns and villages, the reader will find that incidents, reminiscences and anecdotes are recorded with a variety and completeness commensurate with their importance. Herein is furnished (and this is said with confidence) to the present generation and to those which follow it, a valuable reflex of the times and deeds of the pioneers. It has been truly said that "a people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything to be remembered with pride by remote descendants." It is believed that, in the following pages, there is erected a lasting monument to the memory of the pioneer men and women of Green county.
The resolutions passed by Congress in 1876, in reference to the preparation and preservation of local history, and the proclamation of the President of the United States recommending that those resolutions be carefully observed, have met with the very general and hearty approval of the people. Indeed, so acceptable has seemed this advice of our law-makers, that steps have already been taken in almost every thoroughly organized community throughout the land to chronicle and place in permanent form the annals of each neighborhood; thus rescuing from oblivion much interesting and valuable information that otherwise would have been irretrievably lost.
It was thought there could be no good reason why the annals of Green county should not be placed on as enduring a foundation as those of surrounding counties; and to this end, no expense or pains have been spared to render this history worthy of patronage. That portion of the work which relates to the county generally (including the whole of the first twenty-eight chapters) has been prepared and edited by Prof. C.W. Butterfield — "whose reputation as a writer of history," says the Monroe Sentinel, "was well established before he came to Green county to prepare its chronicles." A number of experienced writers under the guidance of George A. Ogle, Esq., have had charge of the sketches relating especially to the city, towns and villages. The whole book has been submitted to county and town committees of citizens for revision, thus insuring correctness and adding materially to its value.
The labors of all engaged in this enterprise have been cheered by the cordial assistance and good will of many friends — so many, indeed, that, to attempt to name them, would in this connection, be impracticable; to all of whom, grateful acknowledgements are tendered. The officers of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, have, from the first, been unremitting in their endeavors to aid the undertaking. The newspaper press of the county, is entitled to especial mention for their help and encouragement so generously tendered.
Table of Contents
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
CHAPTER I.
PRE-HISTORIC AND SETTLEMENT 17
CHAPTER II.
WISCONSIN AS A TERRITORY 34
CHAPTER III.
WISCONSIN AS A STATE 42
HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY, WISCONSIN
CHAPTER I.
AREA, POPULATION AND SURFACE FEATURES 69
CHAPTER II.
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY 75
CHAPTER III.
ABORIGINES OF GREEN COUNTY 89
CHAPTER IV.
FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTY 140
CHAPTER V.
THE BLACK HAWK WAR 157
CHAPTER VI.
UNITED STATES LAND SURVEYS 192
CHAPTER VII.
PIONEER LIFE 208
CHAPTER VIII.
PIONEER REMINISCENCES 212
CHAPTER IX.
FIRST THINGS 246
CHAPTER X.
GREEN COUNTY FORMED AND ORGANIZED 252
CHAPTER XI.
TERRITORIAL, STATE AND CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION 273
CHAPTER XII.
THE COURTS OF GREEN COUNTY 311
CHAPTER XIII.
COMMON SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY 353
CHAPTER XIV.
THE BAR—PAST AND PRESENT 364
CHAPTER XV.
RAILROADS OF GREEN COUNTY 385
CHAPTER XVI.
AGRICULTURE, AND THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 409
CHAPTER XVII.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 424
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE COUNTY BOARD 438
CHAPTER XIX.
ELECTION STATISTICS 465
CHAPTER XX.
THE WAR FOR THE UNION 481
CHAPTER XXI.
COUNTY OFFICERS 546
CHAPTER XXII.
MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS 551
CHAPTER XXIII.
COUNTY BUILDINGS AND POOR FARM 575
CHAPTER XXIV.
LITERATURE—SCIENCE — ART 581
CHAPTER XXV.
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS 586
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE SWISS COLONY OF NEW GLARUS 623
CHAPTER XXVII.
TOWN OF ADAMS 644
CHAPTER XXVIII.
TOWN AND VILLAGE OF ALBANY 657
CHAPTER XXIX.
TOWN OF BROOKLYN 718
CHAPTER XXX.
TOWN OF CADIZ 744
CHAPTER XXXI.
TOWN OF CLARNO 766
CHAPTER XXXII.
TOWN OF DECATUR 787
CHAPTER XXXIII.
VILLAGE OF BRODHEAD 802
CHAPTER XXXIV.
TOWN OF EXETER 837
CHAPTER XXXV.
TOWN OF JEFFERSON 867
CHAPTER XXXVI.
TOWN OF JORDAN 890
CHAPTER XXXVII.
TOWN OF MONROE 906
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
CITY OF MONROE 921
CHAPTER XXXIX.
TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT 994
CHAPTER XL.
TOWN OF NEW GLARUS 1023
CHAPTER XLI.
TOWN OF SPRING GROVE 1046
CHAPTER XLII.
TOWN OF SYLVESTER 1097
CHAPTER XLIII.
TOWN OF WASHINGTON 1127
CHAPTER XLIV.
TOWN OF YORK 1144
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The history of Wisconsin commences with the recital of the indomitable perseverance and heroic bravery displayed by its first visitant, John Nicolet. An investigation of the career of this Frenchman shows him, at an early age, leaving his home in Normandy for the new world, landing at Quebec in 1618, and at once seeking a residence among the Algonquins of the Ottawa river, in Canada, sent thither by the governor to learn their language. In the midst of many hardships, and surrounded by perils, he applied himself with great zeal to his task. Having become familiar with the Algonquin tongue, he was admitted into the councils of the savages.
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