Dane County WI Archives History - Books .....Chapter XI Madison Homes 1877
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/wi/wifiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 26, 2006, 1:38 am

Book Title: Madison, Dane County And Surrounding Towns...

CHAPTER XI.
MADISON HOMES.

  OUR title would justify a long chapter, but the limits allotted to our
lucubrations have been reached, and we deny ourselves the pleasure of
communicating to our readers many interesting details compiled with care. It
would be strange if the charms of scenery, which have been praised by all
observers from every part of the Union; which determined the location of the
Capital and its retention here; and which won the admiration of the Antocthonous
mound builders so completely, that they abode here for several centuries until
war drove them out; had not induced many of our private citizens to erect
elegant residences and almost palatial homes.

ELM SIDE.

  A little removed from the business portion of the city, about one mile
southwesterly from the State Capital, is located what is known as "ELM SIDE." In
location it possesses a most charming view of both lake and city, and is the
splendid residence of Dr. J. B. Bowen. The house is accurately represented by an
engraving on another page. It is built of the light colored Madison stone, and
is a substantial and elegant structure, being finished in modern style, and
supplied with modern conveniences. Connected with this charming residence, is a
choice farm of sixty acres of excellent land — forty acres of which are under a
high state of cultivation, and the remaining twenty acres constitute an
extremely fine meadow. Much care has been bestowed upon this place, with a view
to making it a most charming and inviting home. Many of the native oaks have
been permitted to stand in all their sturdy grandeur; and over one hundred elm
trees were planted on the premises sixteen years ago; they have grown
luxuriantly, and now possess extreme grace and beauty. The elms — always
handsome — on this place, have been so carefully trimmed, as to add special
dignity and grace to their natural beauty. Taking everything into consideration
— the native charms and the adornments added by man —this is one of the most
delightful of the many elegant Madison homes, to persons desirous of living a
little out of the city. It is such a home as cannot fail to give rest to its
occupants, as they return to it, after the weary business hours of the day have
passed. And who is better entitled to such a home, than are Dr. Bowen and his
estimable family? It is now over twenty-five years since he located in Madison,
without means and a stranger. He has acquired a fine property and hosts of
friends. He was the pioneer in the practice of homoeopathy in Dane county; has
labored incessantly and successfully in building up a reputation and in
accumulating a fortune; has served ably and faithfully as mayor of Madison; and
the numerous patrons who have received benefits from his treatment will rejoice
in his complete success, and in the fact that, in his palatial residence, he
enjoys, in a high degree, the pleasures and sweets of substantial borne
comforts. He deserves them all.

  The old prejudices have been well nigh removed in this vast caravanserai of
nations and peoples, and every man who comes well vouched for, finds a home that
may be made as happy as his first.

  Society in Madison has been largely made up of men who have represented other
parts of the state in some capacity, and coming here, have been tempted to
prolong a temporary sojourn into a life residence. Men who can command the
suffrage of their fellows must, as a rule, possess some excellence. The
congregation of such minds makes a city a metropolis. The state officers make
their homes in Madison and are, as a rule, handsomely lodged. The city officials
include not a few who began adult life in this settlement, and have grown up
with their surroundings, accumulating wealth with sound ideas as to life's
enjoyment. The same may be said to a large extent of other officials, and it is
still more true of our professional classes. The development of elegant tastes
has resulted in beautifying this city until it challenges comparison with others
of like dimensions and wealth, certain of victory.

  The masonic fraternity dating its claim on human regard from Solomon's temple,
and the fidelity of the Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, has three blue lodges, one
Royal Arch Chapter, one Council, and one Commandery in this city. Brethren of
the mystic tie make the five points of fellowship a sober reality in this
region, and where the hailing sign becomes necessary, there is never a lack of
response to the call. Labor and refreshment are alike regarded as sacred duties,
and free and accepted Masons who understand the golden rule of life make the
society which they tincture a desirable place of abode. Masonic Lodges, and the
celebrations arising therefrom, were among the earliest social gatherings in
this community, and they retain preeminence. Other organizations founded on the
same general idea of brotherhood have a large aggregate of members. The Temple
of Honor is also represented. Sons of Temperance abound in good works; and Good
Templars are more numerous than, and as well organized, as the Templars of old
time.

  The Odd Fellows have two Lodges and one Encampment; the Druids have a Grove;
the Germans have a Scheutzen Club, a Maennerchor, a Dramatic Society, a Turn
Verein, a Literary Society and other associations. There are also a Grand Army
of the Republic; a County Bible Society and other affiliations so numerous in
connection with the several churches, that no person desiring fellowship can
long remain a stranger. The city has innumerable attractions for every variety
of taste. That must be a strange intellect that would find nothing congenial in
the numberless societies that open their circle to the worthy; nor any objects
of interest in the vast collections in the rooms of the Historical Society, the
Agricultural Association, and the Academy. The schools and churches have been
named in their order, but their social value as organizations would deserve
whole pages of comment and laudation. Our illustrations must afford some faint
idea of the architectural beauty of this city, and the discreet reader will
argue from the less to the greater. The University overlooking Lake Mendota
tells its own story. Lake Monona, and the vessels of the Yacht Club furnish a
handsome picture. One church must stand as the representative of many. The
streets and principal stores are not entirely wanting in our illustrations. The
view of Lakeside over Monona is beautiful as a scene in dreamland. The old house
of Eben Peck, long since torn down, reappears as it stood in 1837. The view of
the Post Office and City Hall, with Lake Mendota in the distance, is a charming
representation which, in a general way, will give the distant observer an idea
of the capital of Wisconsin. The presentation of the Capitol itself comes as
near as the circumstances will permit to a reproduction of the original; and but
that the expense would have been such as to have largely increased the. selling
price of the work, it would have been a pleasure to have completed the pictorial
circle, so that the artist's pencil and graver might have done justice to
beauties which the skill of the writer fails to present in adequate language.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

History of Madison Section

MADISON, DANE COUNTY AND SURROUNDING TOWNS;
BEING A HISTORY AND GUIDE
TO PLACES OF SCENIC BEAUTY AND HISTORICAL NOTE FOUND IN THE TOWNS OF DANE COUNTY
AND SURROUNDINGS, INCLUDING THE ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNS, AND EARLY INTERCOURSE
OF THE SETTLERS WITH THE INDIANS, THEIR CAMPS, TRAILS, MOUNDS, ETC.

WITH A COMPLETE LIST OF
COUNTY SUPERVISORS AND OFFICERS,
AND
LEGISLATIVE MEMBEES, MADISON VILLAGE AND CITY COUNCIL.

ILLUSTRATED,
MADISON, WIS.:
PUBLISHED BY WM. J. PARK & CO.,

BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS AND BINDERS, 11 KING STREET.
1877.

COPYRIGHT.
WM. J. PARK & CO. 1877.

DAVID ATWOOD, STEREOTYPER AND PRINTER, MADISON, WIS.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wi/dane/history/1877/madisond/chapterx14nms.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/wifiles/

File size: 8.5 Kb