Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1869-09-10
SETTLERS.
The Dodge Family.


While we all have lively and sympa-
thetic interest in anything that pertained
to the early settlers in this State. the peo-
pie of Dodgeville have a peculiar pride in
the memory of HENRY DODGE, after whom
the town was named, and who was person
ally known Ly many of the old stock of
citizens.
Governor Dodge came to what was then
known as the Mineral Country about
l827-'28, as did also John Messersmith,
Ebenezcr Brigham, Abner Nichols, John
B. Terry, Charles Bracken, John Il. Roun-
tree, Geo. w. Hickox, and others. They
did not cultivate much lard, but devoted
their attention to digging mineral. Gov.
Dodge built the first smelling furnace in
the country, the site Of which, about 81
miles from this village, can still be seen.
though time and the elements have nearly
obliterated- this early landmark. The
Governor was the owner If large tracts OF
land, his horne farm embracing over one
thousand acres. The last of his estate,
" lots, meadow, and mineral lands" was
offered at auction last Saturday Into
whatever ownership these lands may pass,
the fact that Gov. Dodge once owned them
will cling to them forever.
ave have no ttle-dccds to house lands;
Owners and occupants of earlier dates
Erom pray pSf rorptfa
Aud hold in mortmain still their old estates"
Closely allied to the memory of this rep
resentative man, is thatFof the brave and
hardy band of men, his old friends and
neighbors. Honor to them all Gen.
Bracken and Col Terry are still living, and
reside in Mineral Point. Ebenezer Brig
ham, the Messersmiths, and indeed most
of the number, sleep with their fathers.
The widow of the senior Messer smith is
still living in this village, and possesses a
large fund of knowledge, gained from ex-
perience, of early times in the West.
Gen. Augustus G. Dodge, son of the
Governor, now and for many years past
prominent citizen Of Iowa, came through
La Crosse on his way here. His presence
in that city suggested an interesting sketch
IN the Republican Of 9 Western Pioneers
and Early Times" from which we excerp
the following:
"Gov. Dodge was by birth and training and service
essentially and completely Western man, for he was
born in Indiana and served an officer of volun-
teers in guarding Northern frontiers from the
dcpredations of hostile savages and during the cele
brated Black Hawk war he was regarded as the most
efficient officer who fought against the Indians. lie
resigned the office of Colonel of u S. Dragons in
1886 to accept of the appointment, by President
Jackson of Governor of the Wisconsin Territory and
Superintendent of INDIAN Affairs. From lS4l to
1915 he Territorial Delegate in Congress, and
from IS49 to 1857 he u s. Senator from Wiscon-
sin while Augustus G. Dodge the worthy son of that
honored sire, represented the Territory OF Iowa in
Congress from 1&41 to 1S47 and served as u s. Sena
from 1913 to 1885, when he succeeded Mr. SOuc. Of
Louisiana, as S. Minister to Spain, which office he
subsequently resigned. In the case of the Massa-
chusetts Adams family father and son filled the Presi
Dental chair and father and son and grandson were
honored with seats in Congress- but in no instance
have father and son together been members OF the
House of Representatives and of the u s. Senate, ex
cept in the of Gov Dodge and his son Augustus
O. Dodge, who, for about fifteen years, represented
| Wisconsin and Iowa in Congress, as delegates and
Senator's