Dane County WI Archives History - Books .....Dunn 1877
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Book Title: Madison, Dane County And Surrounding Towns...

DUNN.
BY WILLIAM E. COLLADAY, ESQ.

  DUNN, or township 6 north, range 10 east of the 4th principal meridian, lies
south of Blooming Grove, and Lake Waubesa, or Second Lake, and north of Rutland,
between Pleasant Springs and Lake Kegonsa, or First Lake on the east, and the
towns of Oregon and Fitchburg on the west.

  The original name of this town was Rome, comprising what is now Oregon,
Fitchburg and Dunn. When set apart from the other towns, Dover was the name that
was intended to have been given it; but in 1848, by mistake of the engrossing
clerk of the Assembly, it received its present name.

  The surface of this town is somewhat undulated, yet not marked by any steep
ascents or sterile bluffs; but consists of prairie, oak openings and meadow
land. The soil on the prairie and a portion of the lower lands is rich black
loam, with limy clay and sandy subsoil in the openings. Madison, the University
and Insane Asylum can be seen from several points in town.

  The largest stream is the Yahara. or Catfish river, which is the outlet of
Lake Waubesa, or Second Lake, and runs in a southeasterly direction through
sections 4, 10, 11, and 14, into First Lake, and then winds its way into Rock
river.

  On section 10, the river widens and covers an area of nearly half a section,
or about a mile long and half a mile wide, and is called the "Wide Spread," or
"Mud Lake." This stream is well wooded on either bank with heavy timbers, and a
greater portion of the way, the banks being high and dry, afford splendid
facilities for milling purposes.

  The second largest stream is Door Creek, which rises on section 7, in the town
of Cottage Grove, winds its way from the north, through sections 1, 12, and 13
of this town, and empties into First Lake. Hook Lake covers an area of several
hundred acres on sections 28, 29, and 32, and is stagnant water, fed by small
springs and surface water; has no outlet but almost evaporates as fast as fed by
springs. High water occurs only in times of rainy seasons. During dry seasons,
cranberries are gathered on the marshes.

  These lakes, with the exception of Hook Lake, teem with fishes of most every
species adapted to fresh water, and during the early settlement of this town,
were so abundant that they could be taken from the smaller streams by
pitchforks. On the lakes, swans, pelicans, geese and ducks were numerous, and
the woods abounded with bears, wolves, foxes and deer.

  On the west bank of First Lake, on sec. 14 and 23, there was at one time a
village of "Winnebago Indians, and numerous trails and relics are still found,
as well as a number of Indian mounds, or cemeteries, where they buried their
dead. These mounds are numerous on sec. 23, and also on the point that projects
into the lake from the west. Here they have been opened, and remains of Indians
found therein, two, three and four having been buried in the same grave. Lead
ore is frequently found on sections 14 and 23, in bulks containing from three to
fifteen pounds each. Where it came from, or whether mines of this valuable
mineral exist undiscovered by civilization, we are unable to say. Abel Rasdall,
an Indian fur trader, was told by the Indians that ore did exist in quantities
near the lake. A few years since we discovered, on the south bank of the Catfish
river, near the lake, a kiln, or place made of stone and clay under ground,
where lead ore was smelted by the aborigines, and in the immediate vicinity
seemed to be a great resort for tribes of savages, as Indian relics are
frequently found, such as arrow heads, stone axes, etc.

  One of the detachments of the army in pursuit of Black Hawk, on his retreat to
Prairie du Chien, camped for several days on section 27, where they felled trees
to form a strong corral for their horses.

  The town was first settled by Alvah W. Wetherby and family, on section 21, in
1843. The following year, Dr. Levi Pritchard settled on section 18; A. Witcomb
on section 28; Dexter brothers on section 27; Root brothers, one on section 27,
and one on section 7; Richard Palmer on section 18; O. B. Moore on section 1;
and William M. Colladay on section 27. In three or four years after the first
settlement, the inhabitants seemed to be quite numerous, and in 1848 there were
about twenty-five families settled in what is now the town of Dunn. Wetherby
having accumulated property, emigrated in 1858 to California. Dr. Pritchard
practiced as a homoeopathic physician with great success, and gained the respect
and esteem of the whole country, and against the real wishes of the people he
emigrated to Missouri, where he died about the year 1870. The Root brothers
emigrated from here to Oregon. A. Witcomb and the Dexter brothers (Witcomb's
nephews) emigrated to Nebraska. O. B. Moore still resides on his old homestead.
He has held the office of chairman of the town board of supervisors for several
different terms, besides various other town offices; is an energetic Republican,
and strong supporter of education.

  Wm. M. Colladay immigrated from Philadelphia to this town and first settled on
section 27, where he lived for several years. In 1853 he moved on to section 23,
bordering on First Lake, where he still resides; this being one of the finest
locations in the country. These commodious grounds and pleasant scenery make it
a pleasant summer resort. Picnics, fishing parties, etc., are almost an every
day occurrence; at this writing, July, 1877, there are encamped on these grounds
several parties, in all forty-two, with nine tents. To give an idea of the
natural beauty of this place and lake, we here insert a card verbatim, from a
young man, dated London, England:

                                               MARCH 10,1877.
  Hon. W. M. COLLADAY AND FAMILY. — While here my thoughts often revert to my
many friends in Wisconsin, and especially to yourself and family, and the
pleasant occasions spent with you. In all my travels in America and this
country, I've not seen a place that, for natural beauty, equaled yours. If I
ever reach home again in Wisconsin, be assured you will find me again at
Colladay's Point.

  My regards to all the family.   Yours respectfully,      W. J. P.

  The first town meeting was held at the residence of A. W. Wetherby, April
4,1818; the spring election of the territory at which the state constitution was
adopted. Only twenty-three votes were cast, and the following were the first
elective officers: R. T. Rawson, chairman, Wm. Freeman and Eli Root,
supervisors; Wm. M. Colladay, clerk; Norman Farwell, Henry Farnsworth and Joseph
C. Swain, school commissioners; Wm. M. Colladay and R. G. Spaulding, justices of
the peace; A. W. Wetherby, treasurer; Calvin Farnsworth, assessor. At the last
presidential election there were 229 votes cast, and at the last local election
216.

  During the early history of the town, there were no party lines drawn at local
elections, but as the Democratic party grew strong, they took matters in their
own hands. Within the last few years the young men have taken an active part in
political affairs, and the Republican party have gained control.

  The first public school was taught at the residence of Asa Dexter, by Miss
Amanda Soul, now the esteemed wife of Asher G. Greene of this town. The district
then comprised nearly the whole township. The first school district organized
was what is now District No. 4. There are in town six school houses, including
two joint districts. The amount expended annually for educational purposes is
about $1,500.

  The first sermon preached was at the residence of Wm. Slater, about 1847, by
the Rev. Wm. Fox, an old pioneer Methodist from Ireland.

  There is one church, erected in 1873, at McFarland, by the Norwegian
Lutherans. The Methodist Episcopal society hold services every other Sunday,
alternately, at Hoffman's Hall and the school house in district No. 4. The
present pastor is Rev. W. J. Wilson.

  In 1855, the Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien Railroad Company erected a depot
on the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section two. The village of
McFarland was laid out on section three, by Wm. H. McFarland in 1857, and the
depot removed, and the spacious residence of Mr. McFarland erected. The
following season he moved his family from Milwaukee to his new home, where he
still resides. He is a hearty supporter of education, and offers to donate a
site for the erection of a suitable building for a public graded school, of
which we are in much need. In 1856, Eugene Eighmy bought grain at the old depot,
and continued to buy after the erection of the new depot until the spring of
1859, when Freeman Eighmy assumed the business and continues to buy, always
paying the highest market price for all produce, and every man is sure to get
full weight. All in all, we have the best market in the country, and a buyer in
whoni all place the utmost confidence; and he in return is worthy of their
trust, he is also proprietor of a lumber yard, where he keeps a large stock of
first class lumber. In 1868, Mr. Eighmy erected a commodious and substantial
warehouse, in which the capacity for storage is ten thousand bushels. Lawrence
Eighmy and Philetus Hurd, stock buyers, courteous, gentlemen, are always ready
to pay the highest market price for live stock. Eugene Eighmy, a social business
man, has a large trade in the mercantile business. O. O. Forton also has a good
trade and large stock of general merchandise. H. H. Hoffman has a large
convenient store with a small stock of clothing and crockery, and a fair trade.
Lloyd Hurd, an energetic young man, has a good business in the harness trade.
Lamp, our village smithy, has all the work he can attend to. Shelter & Reid also
have a blacksmith shop. Nelson & Hanson are proprietors of a boot and shoe firm.
Ed. Johnson, dealer in confectionery, boots and shoes.

  Among our most prominent farmers and stock raisers are Geo. Keenan (the owner
of the largest real estate and most spacious farm residence in the county), Wm.
E. Sherlock, Michael Lally, Wm. M. Colladay, Robt. Henry, Knute Daley, Timothy
Cusic, James Tusler, Egbert Bennett, Tollif Olson, Morris Brown, Geo. Leitch and
Calvin Farnsworth. In common with other parts of this county, until within a few
years, the principal crop was wheat; but since, the yield has been so seriously
affected by the chinch bug and other unknown causes, the greater portion of the
farmers have engaged in raising live stock, and as a consequence, have largely
increased the acreage of coarser grain. Through the courtesy of James Tusler,
the present assessor, we are able to give the official statistics of the acreage
of the different agricultural products of the present year (1877): Wheat, 1,449;
corn, 3,140; oats, 2,542; barley, 718; rye, 117; tobacco, 149; potatoes, 107;
cultivated grasses, 1,740.

  The following are the names of the present town officers: John M. Sampson,
chairman, Knute H. Dally, and Josiah Douglass, supervisors; Osman T. Olson,
clerk; James Tusler, assessor; Shure Johnson, treasurer; Amos Prentiss, justice
of the peace.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Dane County Towns 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.

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