Chapter 18 - Town of Henrietta.

ORGANIZATION AND NAME - DRAINAGE - NATURAL CONDITIONS - DIFFICULTIES OF EARLY SETTLERS - SKETCHES OF PIONEERS - FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE - EARLY TEACHERS - PRIMATIVE SAW-MILLS - EARLY RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.


    In November, 1855, the board of supervisors of Richland, county created the town of Henrietta by taking from the town of Rockbridge town 12 north of range 1 east. It was named in honor of Miss Henrietta Laws, a daughter of James Laws, who was prominent among the first settlers in the town of Orion.

    The great water drainage of this town, is to the south by way of Pine river, which stream receives nearly all the tributary streams of the town, chief among which is Melancthon creek, and the water finally flow into the Wisconsin at Richland City. Pine river has its rise just over the line in Vernon county, and running in a southerly by easterly course across the county, becomes quite a stream of water, which in the days before steam, and even now to a considerable extent, is used as the motive power for machinery.

    The town was originally well supplied with timber, and was one of the finest hunting grounds in the county. Game of all kinds known in the county was here to be found in almost exhaustless supply. Deer were quite plentiful and these, with an occasion "bear steak," furnished the principal meat supply, to which the epicurean of today would have no occasion to object.

    The settlement of the town began under the same discouraging circumstances which prevail everywhere in districts remote from the natural thoroughfares. The meager supplies of actual necessities had to be brought long distances, through trackless forests. Ammunition, meal and salt were the three articles most required, but the first was always an absolute necessity. Several days were ofttimes required to go to the distant markets and return with a cargo of supplies.

    The first settler of the town was William W. Garfield, who located with his family in the southeastern part, in March, 1853, and established his home near the present site of Hub City. Mr. Garfield was born in Windham county, Vermont, March 9, 1807, where his childhood and youth were spent. He remained there until 1852, and then started for the west to seek a home. Arriving in Wisconsin, he left his family at Waukesha while he came to Richland county to select a location. He entered land on section 35, town 12, range 1 east, now in the town of Henrietta, and then returned to Waukesha, where he spent the winter. In the spring of 1853 he took his family and started with an ox team for their new home in the then unbroken wilderness. They were about two weeks on the road, and on their arrival moved into a hunter's cabin, in which they lived one year. This cabin was probably not larger than eighteen by twenty feet, was built in such a hurry and with such a lack of assistance that the logs were but little better than poles, and was graced with a very large chimney made of sticks and clay, that was peculiarly ornamental as well as useful. The architectural design is thus mentioned in detail, as the building was the finest in the town; and it is reasonable to conclude, judging from ordinary standards, that Mr. Garfield was the proudest, as well as the wealthiest resident.

    In the fall of 1853 and spring of 1854, there was a large immigration to what is now the town of Henrietta. Among those who came during that fall were Alexander Sires and two sons, William and Alexander, William Joslin and Jonas Lockwood. Mr. Sires died in Henrietta, April 11, 1869. He laid out the village of Siresville, now Woodstock, and it was first named in honor of him. Mr. Joslin entered land on the southeast quarter of section 7. Jonas Lockwood was a native of Vermont, came in the fall of 1853 and settled on section 27, where he lived until the time of his death.

    Carlos Joslin, in June, 1847, pre-empted the southeast quarter of section 9, town 9 north, range 1 east, now Orion, and in September of the same year removed his wife and three children from Mineral Point to that place. He resided on his pre-emption but one year, when he sold to Frederick Schurman, and then entered the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 10, in the same town. There he toiled to improve the land, and, in common with the rest of the early settlers on Ash creek, endured the hardships and enjoyed the pastimes of pioneer life. In 1853 he moved to the north part of the county and became one of the early settlers in the town of Henrietta, where, greatly respected, he lived the remainder of his life, becoming an aged citizen. Mr. Joslin was born in Chittenden county, Vermont, November 30, 1805. His parents died when he was but a small boy, and he subsequently resided with his guardian, with whom, in about 1819, he removed to the state of New York. In about 1828 he migrated to Michigan, and in 1841 came to Wisconsin, first settling at Madison, where he resided until November, 1846, and then removed to Mineral Point, from whence he came to this county.

    Henry Simpson, a native of England, came in 1854 and entered land on section 36. He erected a house, cleared a farm and made this his home until the time of his death, in 1862. R.M. DeLap came from Illinois in 1854 and settled near Siresville. He remained there about two years, when his cabin burned and he removed to Grant, county. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted and died in the service. Quinton Nicks, a Tennesseean, came from Illinois in 1853 and settled on section 31. He was a half-owner in the village plat of Woodstock.

    Demas Wherry was another of the pioneers of Henrietta, and he was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, November 14, 1824. When he was one and a half years old his parents moved to Ohio and settled in Carroll county, where his younger days were spent in going to school and working upon the farm. He first visited Richland county in 1853, and entered land on section 31, in the town, now known as Henrietta. He remained a short time, then returned to Indiana, where he lived until 1854, then came back to Wisconsin and settled on his land and began improving it. He soon sold it, however, and purchased other land on section 5, of the town of Rockbridge, and 32, of the town of Henrietta. He became very prominent in town affairs and held many of the different offices-chairman of the board, assessor, superintendent of schools and town clerk.

    William Collins, a native of Indiana, came from California in 1854 and entered land on sections 8, 17, 18 and 28. He built a log house on section 17 and during the summer kept bachelor's hall. In the fall of that year he married and settled on section 28, where he lived until the spring of 1855, when he sold out and returned to section 17. In 1856 he removed to Orion, and when the Civil War broke out he enlisted and died in the service. A. J. Slater, a native of New York, came in 1854 and entered land on section 18. In 1857 he sold to Perry Brown and after living in different portions of the town for some time he removed to Minnesota.

    Jabez Smith came from Illinois in 1854 and settled on section 26, where he improved a farm. In 1860 he removed to Green county. Edward Pinick came from the town of Marshall in 1854 and settled on section 6, where he laid out the village of Yuba. In 1869 he sold out and removed to Pottawatomie county, Kansas.

    Herman B. Miller in 1854 came from Ohio and settled on the northwest quarter of section 20. He made some improvement and lived there until 1869, when he sold out and removed to the town of Richland. He afterward went to Hamilton county, Nebraska, and later returned to Ohio. He was the father of Major Jesse S. Miller, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume.

    Amos Carpenter, a native of New York, came in 1854 and made his home with A. J. Slater. He was a physician, the first to locate in the town, but in 1856 he removed to Vernon county. James Ghormley, a native of Indiana, came in 1854 and settled on section 34. He erected a flour and saw-mill and lived there until 1882, when he sold out and returned to Indiana, where he died a few months later. Michael Ghormley, also a native of Indiana, and the father of James, came at the same time and entered land on section 26, where he cleared a farm and lived for several years. He owned an interest in the mills in company with his son, and he died in 1878.

    Andrew Hugbert came from Indiana in 1834 and settled on the southeast quarter of section 26. He lived there until 1873, when he removed to Richland Center, where he died.

    In 1854 Milton Satterlee came from Illinois. He became quite a prominent man in the history of the town, and county, holding many positions of trust, among which were clerk of the circuit court and register of deeds.

    George Norman, Sr., one of the pioneers of Henrietta, was a native of England, born in Somersetshire, July 17, 1811, and there spent his younger days. At the age of twenty-one he left his native land and came to America, settling in the province of Ontario, where he purchased land in what is now the town of Ora. Upon that land, which was heavily timbered, he built a log house and cleared a farm, and lived there until 1850. He then sold out and came to Wisconsin, settling in Jefferson county, where he bought property in Watertown and lived there until 1855. In that year he came to Richland county and entered land on section 20, town of Henrietta, where he built a log house and began clearing his farm.

    Henry Bristol came from Ohio in 1855 and settled on section 17, but two or three years later he sold out and went to Richland Center. His son, Samuel, located on section 18, where he lived a short time, then sold out and moved away. James Williams, from Ohio, came in 1855 and located on section 8. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted, and contracted disease in the service, from the effects of which he died at home shortly after his discharge. The family removed to Kansas. A Mr. Rigby, came in 1855 and located on the northeast quarter of section 6. He lived there a short time, when he sold out and moved away. In the fall of 1855 William Richardson, a native of Ohio, came and entered land on section 21. He settled on the land in the fall of 1858 and lived there the remainder of his life. Carlisle Tillow, a native of Herkimer county, New York, came in 1855 and settled on section 34, where he cleared a farm and lived until the time of his death, in 1870.

    Cornelius McCarthy, a native of Ireland, came to Richland county in 1852 and entered land near the present site of Richland Center. In 1855 he sold out and removed to Melancthon creek, entering land on section 23 in the town of Henrietta. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Wisconsin Regiment, and went to Arkansas. He was severely wounded in July, 1862, at the battle of Bayou Cache, and in the following September was discharged for disability and returned home. In 1864 he re-enlisted in Company I, Forty-second Wisconsin Regiment, and served until the close of the war, after which he returned home. He died in September, 1879.

    Jonathan Dillon, a native of Virginia, came from Ohio in 1857 and entered land on sections 5 and 8, where he still resides. Starr Titus, a native of New York, came at about the same time and selected land on section 15, where he lived until the time of his death, in 1859. Among others who came in 1855 were George Askins, a Mr. Robbins, Peter Ward and John Manning. -George Askins settled upon the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 15. He was a bachelor and lived almost the life of a hermit until the time of his death, in 1872. Mr. Robbins located on section 21, lived there but a few years and then sold out and left. Peter Ward was a native of the Emerald Isle, and made his selection of land on section 26. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted and died while in the service. His family removed to Green county. John Manning was also an Irishman, and he settled on section 10, where he cleared a farm and remained four or five years, then removed to Iowa county. Jarvis Shipman came in 1856 and settled on section 6. He lived there a number of years and then removed to Trempeleau county. Simon Harris, a native of Ohio, came in 1856 and settled on section 8, where he improved a farm. He enlisted in the Civil War in the Second Regiment of Cavalry, but after some time he contracted disease and was discharged for disability. He again enlisted and served until the close of the war, but he afterward lost one eye from the effects of disease contracted. In 1878 he sold his place and removed to Thayer county, Nebraska.

    Thomas Kinney, a native of Novia Scotia, came in 1856 and located on section 22. He improved a farm and remained there about ten years, when he removed to Richland Center, where he died, April 6, 1879.

    Others who came in 1856 were Charles Shields, Bronson Greaves, John Slaney, John Kennedy, Michel Doyle, John Whalen, John Welsh and James Kelly. Charles Shields was a native of Ireland, and he located on section 15, where he continued to reside through a long and active life.

    Bronson Greaves was born in Fairfield, Franklin county, Vermont, September 8, 1818. When he was young his parents moved to the state of New York and settled in Malone, where he grew to man's estate. He was employed in a saw-mill, where he learned to be a sawyer, and in 1849 he started west to seek a home, coming to Richland county and entering land on section 27, town 11, range 1 east. He was then a single man, and did not settle upon the land at that time, but went to what is now the village of Rockbridge, where he worked in Mr. Haseltine's mill one year, then went to Black Earth, Dane county, and from there to West Bend, where he remained until 1851, and then returned to New York state. In 1852 he came again to Dane county and rented a saw-mill at Black Earth. In the spring of 1854 he came to Rockbridge and settled upon his land. He built a frame shanty and lived there two years, after which he moved to the town of Henrietta, having previously entered land on section 17. The same year he commenced building a grist-mill, but, his health failing, he was obliged to abandon the project, and he devoted his time to his farm, where he lived until the time of his death, that event occurring March 10, 1874. Mr. Greaves was a good business man, honest in all his dealings, and much respected in the community. He had filled various town offices and was known as a good citizen.

    John Slaney was a native of Ireland, and he located on section 23, where he lived until the time of his death, that event being caused by an accident, a tree falling upon him while he was at work in the woods. John Kennedy and his son, James, were natives of Ireland, and they located on section 22, on Melancthon creek. During the Civil War James served in Company Y, Eleventh Wisconsin infantry, and he died on March 11, 1904. He served as justice of the peace many years and was also notary public and town clerk. He also served, for many years prior to his death, as one of the commissioners of the county who had charge of the relief fund for indigent soldiers and the widows of soldiers. Michael Doyle located on section 23, remained but a few years, and then removed to Chicago. John Whalen settled on section 22. John Welsh was a native of Ireland and settled on section 23, but afterward removed to the town of Westford. James Kelly was also a native of the Emerald Isle, and he settled on section 10, where he continued to reside the remainder of his life.

    Among others who should be mentioned as early settlers of Henrietta are the following: Perry Brown, O.S. Welton, Henry Travers, and Stephen McWilliams.

    O.S. Welton was a native of the state of New York, born August 16, 1821. When he was eight years old his parents moved to Medina county, Ohio, remained there eight years, then moved west and settled in Fulton county, Indiana. He afterward went back to Ohio and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, and followed the same in Indiana until 1855, when he came to Richland county, and located at Richland Center, where he worked at his trade until 1858, and then went to Henrietta and purchased land on section 17. He cleared a part of the land and lived there three years, when he traded for land on the northeast quarter of section 22, town of Rockbridge, and moved there. He enlisted in December, 1861, in the Second Wisconsin cavalry, Company F, and went south. He re-enlisted in 1864 and served until the close of the war. After his return he sold the farm in Rockbridge, went again to Henrietta and bought a farm on section 20, where he lived for about ten years, then sold out and purchased a place on the southeast quarter of section 22, town of Rockbridge. He afterward sold out and located in Richland Center, and about 1903 removed to Marinette county, near Athelstane, but in 1906 returned to Richland Center, where he now resides.

    Henry Travers, another early settler of Henrietta, was a native of Indiana, born in Posey county, December 22, 1827. At the age of eleven he removed with his parents to Wayne county, Ill. where they were among the early settlers, and there Henry began his pioneer life, his father purchasing wild land which he assisted in clearing. Upon reaching manhood he purchased land in Ramsey township, Wayne county, Illinois, and lived there until 1857, when he sold out and started with two yoke of oxen and a wagon to seek a home in what was then considered the far west. His family accompanied him and he drove thirty head of stock. After traveling twenty-one days they arrived at Woodstock, and he purchased land on section 30, town of Henrietta, and immediately began clearing.

    The pioneer schools were early established in the town of Henrietta, in 1854, the first schoolhouse-a rude log structure-being erected on section 34. This was before the town was organized and it was located where it was thought it would do the most good. Eliza A. Garfield taught the first term of school in the town. The town was divided into school districts as it became more settled, and Daniel Garfield was among the early teachers. Other early teachers of the town were Miss Caroline Kinney, who is the wife of O. S. Mellan; Thomas Conway, Miss Ann Andrews, Miss Emma Eastland, Miss Marian Kinney, Miss Mattie Akan, George Holsey, Demas Wherry and Miss Julia Satterlee. There are a number of schools in the town at the present time, and they are in charge of a corps of specially qualified teachers, whose tenure of employment is dependent upon their success in their chosen calling.

    The primitive saw-mills of pioneer days were erected as necessity demanded, and being inexpensive in construction, they were abandoned, when neighborhood needs were supplied. In 1857 Stephenson & Calloway built the Woodstock mills on the west branch of Pine river, a short distance from the site of the village, the power being derived from the stream mentioned. In 1856, Edward Pinick built a saw-mill on section 6, and during the summer of 1854 James Ghormley put up a saw-mill on section 34.

    Hub City, Yuba and Woodstock are desirable trading points in the town, and each is sustained by an excellent farming community.

    In early days religious services were held in a building erected by Bronson Greaves for a grist-mill, Rev. George W. Turner, a Second Adventist, being the first preacher. In December, 1865, a society of this denomination was organized in the Norman school district by Elder J. R. Preston. As early as 1857 a Methodist Episcopal organization was effected at the schoolhouse on section 20, under the management of Rev. Thomas Mason. The class took and has since borne the name of East Pine class, Levi Mick being the first class leader. A Sabbath school was organized shortly after the class, with Levi Mick as the first superintendent. In the fall of 1881 Rev. D.C. Young, a preacher of the United Brethren denomination, held meetings at the schoolhouse in district No. 3. Following him, various preachers of that denomination held services there, and in December, 1883, Mr. Cosper, from Vernon county, organized a class. A Dunkard, or German Baptist, society was organized in the vicinity of Woodstock in 1878, Rev. Messrs. Myers and Forney being the first preachers. At an early day a Wesleyan Methodist class was organized at the schoolhouse of district No. 3. In 1875 B.F. Snook, the state missionary of the Universalist faith, came to Woodstock and delivered a course of five lectures in the Methodist Episcopal church. These were the first meetings of that denomination in the village, but afterward a Universalist society was organized there. The first mass in the town was said by Father Sthale, in the fall of 1855, at the house of Cornelius McCarthy, and for several years meetings were held at that place. In 1867 a church was built near the center of section 15.


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