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

TOWNS ADJACENT.

EVANSVILLE, ROCK CO.
BY D. JOHNSON, LEVI LEONARD AND JACOB WEST, Esq.

  THE township of Union, of which the village of Evansville is at the present
time the principal and leading market town, was first settled in the fall of
1839. The first settlers were Chas. McMillan, Samuel Lewis, Stephen Jones,
Erastus Quivey, John Rhinehart and Boyd Phelps. In the spring of 1840, there was
a large immigration from the east and south to this part of the state, and among
those making their homes in this town were Rev. John Griffith, Hiram Griffith,
John A. Griffith, Ira Jones, Jacob West, John T. Baker, J. W. Haseltine, Levi
Leonard, David Johnson, Daniel Johnson, John Cook, John Adams, Washington Higday
and John Sale, and the population was further increased by a large immigration
in the fall of the same year.

  The first school house in the settlement was built in 1841, about a mile and a
half west of the present site of Evansville, and the first teacher, Miss Mary
Jane True. The next was built at or near the now village of Union, between
Janesville and Madison, where the first post office was established. The third
school house in the town was built on the present site of Evansville, and was
built of logs, and used both as church and school house, and the first teacher
our now worthy citizen, Levi Leonard. The first settler on the land now embraced
in the village plat was Amos Kirkpatrick, in 1842. About the same time Wilbur
Potter settled here and built a chair factory, and then Henry and Lewis Spencer,
whose residence is still here, they having built the first frame dwellings in
the town. In the summer of 1845, J. M. Evans, from Laporte, Indiana, settled
here and commenced the practice of medicine.

  Up to 1848, the principal centers of business for the whole country between
Janesville and Madison were at the village of Union, a post town on the
territorial road three miles north of the present site of Evansville, or
Cooksviile, on the Badfish creek, four miles northeast of Union, and in that
year "William Winston and C. H. Bent built and filled the first store in the
place, which up to this date had neither name nor post office, the citizens
having to go to Union for their mail. Upon the establishing of a post office in
1849, the name of Evansville was chosen. In 1855, the ground was surveyed and
platted, and the name of the post office was selected as the future name of the
village, from which time to the present the growth of the place has been steady
and healthy. In 1863, the Beloit and Madison railroad was completed, which gave
the place a new impetus, and in 1865, Evansville became a chartered village,
officered by a president and board of trustees, clerk and treasurer, and under
tbe healthy working of our charter and good management of its officers, our
streets have been improved, sidewalks made and repaired, shade trees planted,
until we now have as handsome and thrifty a village as there is in the west, and
what With its water and steam power in the hands of our enterprising business
men, bids fair for a prosperous future.

  To the person seeking a pleasant home, or as a place of summer resort, there
is no place in the west that offers better inducements than Evansville. Society
is of the best, manifesting refinement, intelligence and good taste; not only in
the well kept and nicely graded streets, good sidewalks, and the beautiful
gardens and pleasant homes, with the absence of any saloons for the sale of
intoxicating drinks, but with the prevailing influences of Christian privileges
and blessings, is every thing that goes to make a home pleasant and desirable.
The village is located in one of the best farming and grazing sections of
Wisconsin, and is skirted on the north by a beautiful grove of oak timber, while
in every other direction farms and farm houses abound in beautifying effect. The
country, when in its natural state, was about one-half timber and the rest
prairie; but since the stumps have been removed on the timber farms, and
artificial groves planted on the prairie, a person unacquainted with the
locality in former times would hardly distinguish the difference; with good
roads, and pleasant drives in every direction, the seeker after pleasure or
pleasant homes can find no better place than Evansville.

  In the first settlement of this town, the religious and moral tone of the
people had much to do in the forming and regulating society, and in after years,
through this influence, the sale of intoxicating drinks publicly, has always
been prohibited; so that up to the present time, no license has ever been
granted to a liquor saloon. The first church was organized in the summer of 1840
by the Episcopal Methodists, with a membership of twenty-seven; and the first
church edifice was erected by them in 1846-47, being a plain but comfortable
frame building. In the year 1866, the old church was sold to give place for a
business block, and a new and more commodious one (built of white brick) was
erected. The membership now numbers about 178, and the present pastor is the
Rev. J. D. Cole.

  The next church organization was the Freewill Baptist, in 1854, with a
membership of 30, and the same year they erected a very neat frame church
edifice, and furnished it with the first church bell. They have increased until
they now number about 67 members. Their present pastor is the Rev. B. E. Mc-Kenney.

  The next church was organized by the Congregationalists in the same year,
1854, with a membership of eleven, and in 1857 they erected a very neat red
brick church edifice. Their numbers have increased, so that they have now a
membership of seventy-five. The Rev. James W. Harris is their present pastor. 

  The regular Baptists next organized a church in 1856, with thirty-four
members, and reorganized in 1867, and in this year they erected a very
commodious white brick church edifice, and furnished it with a bell. Their
numbers have increased to seventy-one. The Rev. C. N. Lathrop is their present
pastor.

  The Episcopalians next organized a society in 1869, with a membership of
twenty-five, and in 1870, they erected a very neat frame edifice, and furnished
it with the best bell in the place. Their numbers have increased to forty-six
members, and their present rector is the Rev. Henry Green.

  The early settlers were not unmindful of the necessity of providing for the
education of their children, knowing well that the prosperity of our country and
its civil liberties depended on the education of the rising generation. Our
common schools under the township organization were in a flourishing condition,
but the rapid growth of our village demanded higher branches of education;
consequently an organization was formed for the purpose of erecting a seminary
of learning;, August 10, 1855, and a charter was obtained the winter following;
at the same time a select or high school was commenced in the Methodist
Episcopal Church building, it being the most suitable place for a high school,
under the supervision of R. O. Kellogg, and was continued under the supervision
of competent teachers till the spring of 1859, when D. Y. Kilgore opened a
school in the seminary building, and continued prosperously under the patronage
of the different Christian denominations until the spring of 1874. In 1868-9 the
citizens of Evansville, in accordance with the state laws, organized and built a
large graded school building, and opened under the supervision of S. S. Gard. Of
the many graduates from the Evansville Seminary, quite a number have arisen to
eminence and distinction, among which we might mention the Rev. W. H. Spencer,
now of Haverhill, Mass.; Rev. Mr. Marshall, now a missionary at the East Indies;
J. W. Sale, now district attorney of Rock county; B. W. Jones, ex-district
attorney of Dane county; L. B. Sale, attorney, Green Bay; Hon. R. F. Pettigrew,
Sioux Falls, Dakota; Geo. R. Mitchell, M. D., Richland Center; D. B. Bennett, M.
D., Colorado. The graded school, as now changed to a high school, seemed to
supersede the necessity of the seminary, as has been the case with many of the
institutions of this kind, it only being a step from this to the State
University. The high school department is now under the supervision of A. R.
Sprague, principal, with an able assistant, and also four graded departments
with an able corps of teachers, which are now in a very prosperous and
flourishing condition.

  Among the business enterprises of the place, the foundry and machine shop of
A. S. Baker & Co. deserves special mention. The company started in business in
April, 1873; commencing at first in a small way, but procuring the best of
machinery, their busines has been steadily on the increase until at the present
time they are doing a flourishing business, employing ten or twelve men, and
have a reputation of doing first class work, having in the past year
manufactured 1,800 iron pumps, 100 windmills, besides doing a large amount of
jobbing work and repairing. Also the manufactory of Lehman Brothers, wholesale
and retail manufacturers and dealers in household furniture, commenced business
in August, 1870; they too, commencing small and enlarging as the wants of the
trade demanded, until they have built up a business that is an honor to the
place, and doing a business at the present time amounting to over twenty
thousand dollars a year. Both the above mentioned factories use steam for power.

  The First National Bank of Evansville was established in November, 1874, and
continued as such till January, 1875; it then changed to the state system, under
the name of the Bank of Evansville, with a paid up capital of $25,000, and the
stock is now owned by L. T. Pullen and J. C. Sharp, who are its officers; and
the average deposits amount to about $50,000, which shows the prosperity of the
business men here, as well as the confidence they have in the bank. In the dry
goods and grocery department are five well filled stores. The firm of N. Winston
& Sons commenced business in 1855, under the firm name of J. Winston & Sons;
although there have been some changes, the present senior partner has been a
continuous member during the whole time, and is now doing a large and profitable
business. Smith & Eager commenced business in the building now occupied by them,
in 1868, and have had an extensive trade, and at present are classed among our
successful business men. Winston & Woodbury are successors of J. Winston & Son,
established in 1863. Some changes have been made, but the present R. Winston has
been a continuous member of the firm from the start; it is an old reliable
house. Evansville Mercantile Association do a dry goods, groceries and general
mercantile business; said association was established in 1874, under the
auspices of the Patrons of Husbandry. The association has the past year built a
large and commodious store, with a fine hall above for the use of the Evansville
Grange. They are having an extensive trade, and must be doing a satisfactory
business; their present agent and business manager is T. C. Richardson. Pullen &
Wilder commenced business in 1874; although they are both young men, they are
not young in business, having both been raised to handle the tape; they have
already built up a large and prosperous trade, and, in the end, must win. Our
business in the groceries and confectionery goods are represented by three well
stocked stores. Ransom Griffin commenced business in 1871; Richardson Brothers
commenced in 1874, and Bevier & Hall in 1876; all doing a good business in their
line. There are two well filled drug stores in the place where can always be
found drugs, paints, oils, window glass, and everything usually found in
first-class drug stores. The old pioneer drug store is run by Doctors Dewitt
Griswold and J. M. Evans — the other by C. M. Smith, M. D. The hardware trade of
the place is now controlled by Snashall & Mygatt, an enterprising firm; they
carry a large stock of the best goods. F. A. Baker, practical tinner, keeps a
large stock of tinware on sale. Two clothing stores, E. Robinson, established in
1870, and Spencer & Pullen, in 1876; both doing a good business. The retail
trade of boots and shoes is in the hands of Geo. E. Shaw and C. K. Landon. two
well filled stores. Two boot and shoe shops, one run by Plaisted & Bargewell,
the other by Chas. Clifford. Three milliners' stores, one by Mrs. Gunn, one by
Mrs. Morrow, and the other by Misses Gilman & Spencer. Evansville has long been
noted for its harness manufacture, and there are at the present time four
harness shops; E. W. Stearns, established in 1855, E. Blakeley in 1864, H.
Monshau in 1870, and George Taggart in 1877. In each and all can be found the
goods usually kept in first-class harness shops. Blakeley and Stearns carry on
carriage trimming in connection with their business. In butchers' meats we are
bountifully supplied; three first-class markets — Campbell & Springer,
established in 1871, Joslin & Budlong in 1875, and Hayward Brother in 1876. We
have two well stocked lumber yards — one by Fifield & Co. (K. F. Randolph,
agent), established in 1864, the other by R. Winston & Co., 1873 — both doing a
good business. Have an extensive country, as well as village trade. Four wagon
and carriage shops — John H. Winston, established in 1861; John Evans, 1870;
Allen & Holman, 18T6, and Baker & Garfield, 1876. Three blacksmith shops — Baker
& Garfield, Allen & Holman, and Clifford & Gratasinger. Baker & Garfield also
carry on the manufacture of plows, in connection with their other business.
There is one well filled jewelery store, with a large stock for the size of the
place. P. R. Rossitter carries on an extensive business in marble and monumental
work.

  The mechanics and artisans of the place are second to no other. Our list of
carpenters and joiners comprises the well known names of N. Libby, Wm. Libby,
Daniel Doolittle, Wm. H. Morgan, L. Walker, A. Snashall, A. Hoskins and William
Wilcox. Masons and plasterers, D. B. Huckins, T. R. Shurrum and James Brown.
House and carriage painters, M. E. Hanover, Chas. Pows and Geo Backenstose.

  The best index to the intelligence of any people can be found at the post
office, and printing office. As the room allotted will not admit of a detailed
statement of the business of our office, we will mention the business for one
quarter, ending December 31, 1876, of the Evansville post office:

Received for money orders and fees on same          $4,710 38
Received for stamps and envelops                       521 09
Received for box rents                                  45 20
                                                    _________
                                                    $5,276 67
Paid money orders drawn on this office               3,284 99
      Total for the quarter                         $8,561 66

  The Evansville Review, a weekly newspaper, was established here in 1866, by I.
A. Hoxie, its present owner and editor. For ten long years it has covered up our
faults, exalted our virtues, received our abuse, and not unfrequently abused us
in return, and yet it still lives.

  The morals of the place can be judged by the large number of ministers, and
but one lawyer. Of ministers, we have Reverends E. Robinson, C. H. Wilder, C. N.
Lathrop, J. W. Harris, B. F. McKinney, Henry Green and J. D. Cole. The law has
been expounded to us for the last twenty-two years by the Hon. D. L. Mills, who
pleads our causes, makes our conveyances, and, in addition, does a large amount
of insurance business, he having always represented some of the best companies
in the United States. Of physicians, we have Doctors J. M. Evans, M. C. Smith,
E. W. Beebe, and A. H. Robinson, dentist and surgeon. Among the institutions
that should have been mentioned, but was almost forgotten, is that of West &
Potter, dealers in chromos, engravings, stereoscopic views, cords, tassels,
picture frames, school books, stationery, and news depot, rooms at the post office.

  Strangers stopping here can find two good hotels, and take their choice. The
Spencer House is located in the center of the business portion of town, and is
kept by Col. Beebe. The Evansville House, kept by Daniel Wadsworth, near the
depot. Both no license houses, as there never has been a license to sell
intoxicating drinks granted, since the first organization of the town, and if
the morals of its inhabitants can be kept up to the present standard, there
never will be.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Towns Adjacent 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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