First Fox Lake Fair, Dodge Co. Gazette Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives August 30, 2002 by Bill Porter ======================================================= Source: Newspaper Dodge County Gazette; Juneau, WI Date: 8 April 1853 Vol. 1, No. 42 Page:3, Column: 7 Reads as follows: Fox Lake Fair At a meeting of the citizens of Fox Lake and towns adjacent held on the 23d of December, 1852, at the United States Hotel, an association was formed establishing an agricultural and horticultural society, to be held quarterly, on the third Tuesday of March, June, September and December. The first fair was held on the 24th ult., and exhibited (for a county only eight years old) a most gratifying proof of the rapid advancement made in all the various branches of agriculture. The interest manifested on this first fair held in Central Wisconsin, argues well for the future; the public spirit and energy originating the association are worthy of all praise. It was altogether the largest assembly ever collected in this vicinity. A variety of property was sold - among other, M. [Miner] Porter, Esq., of the firm of Porter & Brother, sold a cow for $50; two Devonshire calves brought $50, sold by B. Ferguson; one other sold for $30, by M. Webster, Esq.; one Merino buck sold for $30 by __ [illegible single initial] Atwood of Waupun; a draught horse $1__ [illegible 3 figure amount] by M. [Miner] Porter. A stock colt exhibited by M. [Miner] Porter, of French extraction, is a very fine animal; he refused $213 for him. Wm. Knight had on the ground a native bull of fine dimensions, a beautiful pair of matched oxen, a cow and a calf, unsurpassed by any exhibition. B. Ferguson, M. Webster and John H. Davis each exhibited yearling calves that would have done honor even to old Orange county, N. Y. A number of fine horses were on the ground. Mr. Brewster of Marcellon, Columbia county, Mr. Dodge, of Scott, Columbia county, Mr. E. Morgan and Mr. Kelly, of Fox Lake, each exhibited very fair specimens of stallions. This kind of stock should be improved, and our farmers should look to it. Passing over the ground during the fair, a stranger would hardly believe that all he saw was the product of a country eight years old. No state possesses more of the natural elements of greatness and prosperity than Wisconsin, and the energy of her citizens will compare favorably with the most prosperous states in the Union. The officers of the association for the present year, are - FRANCES EVANS, President Geo. Knowles, Secretary. Minor [Miner] Porter, Martin Webster and B. Ferguson of Fox Lake; Francis Evans and George Knowles of Randolph; Gardiner Gallup, of Portage Prairie; A. P. Beardsey, of Columbus; Henry Merrill, of Fort Winnebago; G. C. Gunn, of Trenton; A. Ackerman, of Beaver Dam; A. H. Atwater, of Oak Grove; Hiram Barber, of Juneau; E. Foster, of Mayville; W. Knight, of Alto; Calvin Carrington, of Waupun; George R. Steers, of Little Green Lake; committe [sic.] of arrangements. COM [Information in brackets added by the transcriber, William Porter on 11 July 2002] Microfilm from the Wisconsin State Historical Society Library. ======================================================= USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material must obtain written consent of the author/contributor and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The contributor has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.