Dane County WI Archives History - Books .....Westport And Village Of Waunakee 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 27, 2006, 12:00 am

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

WESTPORT AND VILLAGE OF WAUNAKEE.
BY E. L. NOYES.

  THE town of Westport is situated northwest of the city of Madison, and
adjoining the town of Madison on the north, or north side of lake Mendota
(Fourth Lake), a part of the lake being within the limits of the town. The
northern and western parts of the town are principally prairie, beautiful and
undulating in hills, valleys and lowland, interspersed with groves of timber, or
oak openings, while the southern part of the town is heavily timbered with oak,
hickory and maple, and is familiarly known as the "Sugar-bush." The climate is
notably healthy, and the soil rich and adapted to the luxuriant growth of all
kinds of grain, green and lignuminous crops, as well as dairy purposes.

  In the fall of 1845, Louis Montandon, a Frenchman, and Edward Boyles, an
Irishman, built a log cabin on section twenty, and during that winter engaged
themselves in splitting rails, They endured great privation during the first
year or two, and were necessitated to travel on foot about eighteen miles,
through creeks and swamps, to get their corn and flour gristed, and on many
occasions were obliged to barricade the door of their cabin to keep out the
wolves, who would surround them in the night on all occasions when they were
provided with a good supply of pork and flour, making the night hideous with
their howling and efforts to obtain an entrance.

  Lecta, Louis' wife, was a helpmate to him in many ways, and in none more so
than when he was appointed assessor; she did the business for him with a
promptness and energy better suited to the sterner sex, and equally as well done.

  In 1846, a few American families of the names of Burdick, Tower, Bradbury and
Rodgers came into the town, and afterwards a number of families from Westport,
Ireland (from which the town took its name), among whom were the O'Malleys.
Collins, Fitzgibbon and Ruddy, also came about this time.

  For a number of years, there was some difficulty in. getting access from
Madison to the eastern portion of the township, in consequence of there being no
bridges across the Catfish, but on the building of Farwell's grist mill and two
bridges across the Yahara, immigration started into the town, and in 1849 and
1850 a large number of settlers from Kilkenny, and other parts of Ireland,
purchased farms in the central and western part of the town, among whom were the
late Hon. Mat. Roach, P. R. Tierney, J. Welsh, Wm. and Lawrence O'Keefe, Martin
Reed and a number of others, and the Irish element has remained strong and
influential, some of its wealthiest farmers being of that nationality. The
present population, like most western towns, is mixed with Irish, German,
English, American, Scotch and Norwegian, and agriculture is the principal pursuit.

  Early settlers tell of the exquisite beauty of the whole surroundings of
Westport when they first settled in it, and it has never lost a single charm
either in its native landscapes or what art and the hand of man has bestowed.
Game, of all kinds, was abundant, and was consequently much resorted to by the
Indians. In the spring the settlers were accustomed to turn their hogs out to
run at large until fall, and when in need of fresh pork would proceed with guns
and dogs in search of some fat pigs, shoot and carry home for use. When the
weather became colder the hogs would return with their broods for winter quarters.

  There are some interesting mounds in the town, a few of which may be seen on
the hospital grounds; the building itself is built where a number of Indian
graves and mounds stood, and visitors to the hospital and vicinity will find the
drives full of interest and beauty, and will be still more so when the
contemplated carriage drive from Madison around the edge of the lake shall be
completed. In former years the Indian wigwams might be seen on and near the
hospital grounds, where the Indians would be hunting muskrat or fishing. Before
the United States government ordered their removal to Nebraska, they made annual
visits to what was then called the Indian village, on section thirty-three, on
the land now belonging to John D. Clute. On section twenty, on the farm of J.
Fitzgibbon, there are a number of large mounds of an oblong, or oval shape,
overlooking Fourth Lakeland also near the shore of the lake at a place known as
the Black Woods, near Foxes' bluff, a name given to that locality from the
frequency of these little animals to be found there. Near here the City of Four
Lakes was first contemplated, and where some log cabins were built and cellars
excavated in anticipation of that hope. One of the mounds on Fitzgibbon's farm
was opened by some of the citizens, but nothing of interest found but some stone
hammers or knives, and a few flint arrowheads.

  The first town meeting was held in the house of Michael O'Malley, in 1849, and
the following officers were elected: Supervisors — Michael O'Malley (Chairman),
John Collins and Louis Montanda. Town Clerk — Thomas O'Malley (but who
afterwards resigned, and Thomas R. Hill was appointed). Treasurer—Thomas Butts.
Sup't of Schools — I. P. Tower. Justices of the Peace —Amos Rodgers, Charles
Clarkson, I. P. Tower and Azariah Fay. Constables—Martin O'Malley and Milo
Wells. Assessor— John Bradbury. Fence Viewers — Michael O'Malley, Lawrence
Rodgers and Edward Boyles. Sealer of Weights—Thomas R. Hill.

  Mr. Thomas Shillinglaw was the first postmaster in the town, and his wife is
known to have been the first lady justice of the peace in Wisconsin, having been
appointed by the town board, subscribed to the oath of office and filed her
bonds in pursuance of law.

  The present officers of the town are: Supervisors—James Hogan (Chairman),
Michael Koldes, and Raynerd Helt. Treasurer—William Wilson. Clerk Jacob Buhlman.
Asssessor — George Schumacher. Dejp. Sheriff— James Riley. Justice — I. P. Bacon.

  In the central part of the town is a large Catholic church, built in 1860, by
the Rev. P. J. Lavans. It is now under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Father
Miller, whose energy and christian character is doing a good and lasting work
among his parishioners. He has, also, charge of the German Mission church, in
"Waunakee, on section 8, built in 1874. The best of harmony prevails among
co-religionists, and in the hiring of teachers religions persuasion has not been
deemed a qualification for obtaining a school.

  One of the state's hospitals for the insane is located within the town, on the
north bank of Lake Mendota, and in plain view of Madison. The hospital is a
large and beautiful stone building (the stone being obtained from quarries
within the town), and is surrounded by a beautiful farm of between three and
four hundred acres, the labor of cultivating being mostly performed by the
patients, and a large share of the vegetables and fruits used in the building
are raised on the farm. There is, also, a large dairy of cows kept for supplying
the institution with milk. Mr. Thos. Hill, an early settler, at one time
contracted to purchase eighty acres of land near where the present site of the
hospital is, and to pay for the same in cord wood. He cut the wood and piled it,
but before he was able to consummate the bargain, a prairie fire came along and
burnt up all his labor and so disheartened him, that he resolved to make no
further efforts to regain the land, which is now a portion of the beautiful
grounds of the hospital.

  For years, Westport was the residence of Ex-Governor Farwell, on a large farm
on the margin of Fourth Lake, adjoining the hospital grounds, and part owned by
them. The peninsular island now used by the institution as a vegetable garden
received its name as "Governor's" Island from the above fact.

  It is also the home of Miss Ella Wheeler, whose poems are becoming known, from
their sweet and tender heart strains, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

  John Kershaw, an Englishman, was one of the notables in his day, and lived for
a number of years in a shanty on section six. He was a man of remarkable memory
and general information; indeed, was known as the walking cyclopedia of
Westport. He knew the value of money just so far as it was capable of being used
in acquiring books, which he read to know, and not only to possess. Kershaw's
shanty was one of those places where to lie in bed was to command the entrance,
and when blustering weather unlatched the door, John would lie still and give it
a kick with his foot to again close it. It was an airy house, when any one
contemplates its roof, which was shingled with eighteen-inch oak shingles, that
year after year's exposure had brought into a semi-circular shape outward. John
never lost his opportunities in acquiring knowledge, and it is said his
astronomical culture was greatly heightened by the ethereal vision, seen through
the telescopic shingles of his home. His name, however, is a pleasing
recollection to the citizens of Westport, and few would receive a heartier
welcome than old John Kershaw should he again return to Westport from his new
home in the West.

  On Six-Mile Creek there is a good grist mill, built in 1860 by E. D.
Churchill, who sold out to the late Mr. Wm. Packham, who, together with his two
sons, Raymond and William, run it successfully for a number of years, when they
sold out, in 1876, to the present owner, Mr. John Bowerman, and who purposes
increasing his power and facilities by the aid of steam. A short distance
further up the creek there was formerly a saw mill.

  The town is well supplied with quarries, and the Cream stone, or marble, used
in the building of the government court house and post-office, in Madison, was
obtained from the quarry on section 11, and which the United States government
purchased for that purpose. The stone was exhibited and much admired at the
Centennial, as were also some of the other products of the town.

  A branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway passes through the town from
northwest to southeast, with Mendota station, on the the [sic] hospital farm,
and Waunakee, on sections five and eight, in the northwest.

  Waunakee is a pretty and thriving village, situated on a beautiful prairie,
from which it is said to have derived its name. It was platted January 30, 1871,
by George C. Fish and Louis Baker, and has now a population, of two hundred, and
a brisk trade is carried on in all kinds of agricultural produce, live stock,
lumber, dry goods, clothing and general merchandise. The surrounding country is
rich and productive, and well watered.

  WAUNAKEE BUSINESS DIRECTORY.—Packham Bros., lumber, grain and live stock;
Buhlman Bros., dry goods, groceries, clothing, &c; C. Hudson, drugs, groceries
and general merchandise; L. P. Goodchap, boots, shoes, groceries and general
merchandise; Taylor Bros., boots, shoes, groceries and general merchandise; E.
L. Noyes, contractor and builder and dealer in village lots, &c.; E. L. Noyes,
cheese factory; R. W. Towne, hotel keeper and meat market; I. P. Bacon, justice
of the peace; P. R. Tierney, attorney at law; James Riley, deputy sheriff and
dealer in farm machinery; C. Gusman, carpenter; A. J. VanTassel, carpenter; A.
Peih, saloonkeeper; M. Schuluck, saloon keeper; J. Hilgert, saloon keeper; J.
Howard, physician; J. Knipschild, shoemaker; T. R. Lutzow, shoemaker; E. J.
Foster, station and express agent; J. T. Akers, blacksmith; Hilbert Bros.,
blacksmiths; Mrs. Poster, milliner. 


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.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wi/dane/history/1877/madisond/westport26nms.txt

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

File size: 12.7 Kb