Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-10-09

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shop than private dwelling. Soon
after he removed to Minneapolis
where he had charge of the Metho-
dist interests 10 that place, and after
ward engaged for a season in pub
isbing paper, being a practical
printer by profession.
In 1852 Lancaster could boast of
three churches and three Minister'S
Rev. Mr. Eaton succeeded in build
ing Congregational church in that
year-the Baptists having already
planted themselves in the southern
part OF the town, and were q pros
porous people under the passionate of
Rev. Mr.. Mattack The writer's
ministerial work, embraced Fenni-
more, Diusdales, Lancaster, Hurri-
cane, Stanley, Waterloo, Boice Prai
RE, Kilto, McKlnneys, EIIenboro and
Bevans, not far from Platteville.
Rev. Mr.. Crist was our worthy coll
league part of the year, but after
the first few months the dircuit was
divided ana he took charge Of FenHi-
more Grove embracing a.! the Blue
River settlements. A young preach
er of eccentric habits used to preach
about this time, at Fennimore Grove
tlan family, at that time residing Oh
the old Fennimore farm, in fact the
only improvement there of any note
IN the Military Road, from McReyn-
olds t, to the small village OF Wing
lille. OF a remarkable absent turn
of mind, our young preacher was of
ten so engrossed In the duties of his
profession, that he did not rec0gnize
uia familiar friends and sometimes
hardly knew the mem Oers of the fam
lily whose hospitality he shared 80
generously. On one occasion, it was
said, he was, sent into the upper room
% sIecpin the night am the weather
being exceedingly cold, the room
was heated by stove pipe passing
through it. The brothers thoughts
, were so absorbed on clerical subjects,
that on disro bIng himself Of bis pants
be swung them across the hot stove
pipe whIch he mlstook for beam
passing through the room and when
ne came 10 look for his garment ia
the morning, beheld, nothing could
oe found of them save u part of each
, leg and some little of the seat and
waistband. The occurrence was
not kept secret, and for years at.
forwards alIusion To the sad mishap
If the young preacher always Great
, ed great amount OF meriiment, and
} | have no doubt is remembered by
he old settlers Of FennimUre at tins
day. The oldest class OF early set
J Tiers in Grant county were men OF
sterling worth, and suffered many
privations in opening up one of the
most beautiful portions of country
on the face of the earth. Railroads
were only things of dreams and Wis
IONS, in Illinois and Wisconsin nc
later than 1916. Three days were
generally spent in passing from
Rockford to Galena, the method oil
, travelling being by horseback, or by
! horse and wagon. What a change
has time wrought The familiar
faces OF Kilby, Ramsey, Quincy, Pr
deaux, Loney, Swilzer, Walker and
Demsey often rise before me and 10
: my midnight dreams | often visit
the rustic scenes associated with my
early western life. With the much
respected but now deceased j. c.
| Cover, the writer was on most init
mate terms, often passing an hour in
his editorial sanctum, aud enjoying
those interviews too pleasant TO bs
forgotten. The effice OF The Herald
was then very diminutive, scarcely
afordlng room for any respectable
number OF visitors, and when It's en- :
) ergetic proprietor talked of puiIing
: down and building larger, it was
thought scheme altogether too
visionary for eveu Cover to carry in
To effect. Amorg tie lawyers at
that time. Judge Golfer held u
: prominent place, while yonr present
worthy representative in Congress.
! j Alec Barter was looked upon as
a man and citizen destined TO make
his mark in the world al no dis ami
: DAY Among the most genial early
county officers was Wood r. B ach
an old bach, but ways faoorite
with the far sex, because he was al.
ways % the point on changing d life
OF singl OlessedneSS for that Of con.
. uubial bliss. MuGonigaI and Jones
were looked upon as neces, airy AZ.
planes to successful county or.
ganiza'ion, the former acting az
: sheriff, the latter as Treasurer of pub
: lie funds. ln PiattevilIe, Mai. Roun,
tree was reg irded as a model man
, and Christian, and Beetown, Cass-
vile, Wyalusing, Wingvile and Nj
; Hope could boast of class of farm.
ers and business men of whom any
country might we'll be proud. Such
mon will not die, though they may
pass finally to the bed of death and
!, the grave receive them from human
gaze.
My sheet is full and | will stop
wishing long life and happy days to
the early settlers of Grant county.
"CLERICUs"
Baltimore Sept. Goth 1873.
OREGON.