Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-07-27
History of the Town of Fennimore

The following brief history of the
town of Fennimore was prepared
by Mr.. Jacob Baumgartner, Chair
man, and copy was deposited in
the Grant County Centennial box:
The name Of the town of Fenni-
more originated from the name of
man who was, at the time OF the
breaking out OF the Black Hawk
War in 1882, living on Sec. %, Town
6, Range 2, West. He disappeared
at this time and was not again heard
from. In 1887, q man by the name
of Palmer settled on Fennimores old
home, but soon left. In 1888, John
Robinson, Sr., settled on Sec. 81.
Town 6, Rage 2. John Switzer,
John Dillon, and John McReynolds,
and Henry Meeker settled in the year
1913. The first German settlers
were Sigmund Stuart in 1845, and
John Nauert and George Boil in
1916.
The organization of the Town OF
Fennimore took place in 1847, en-
bracing, at that time, the territory
of the present towns of Fennimore,
Marion. Hickory Grove, Woodman,
Boscobel, Waterstown and part of
Muscoda.
The first town meeting was held
on the Sd day of April 1849, on Sec.
7, Town 6, Range 2, West, and the
following officers were elected Les
ter Pratt, nj. d., Chairman, Solo
mon G.. Peekham and John Switzer,
Supervisors John A. Shearer, Clerk ;
IL. A. w. McNair, Assessor ; Philo A.
Dempsey, Treasurer F.; John A. Shear,
err, Supt. of Schools; Charles w.
Loney, Justice of Peace Robert
NUNS, Constable. All the officers,
except the supervisors, are yet alive
and living in the town of Fennlmore.
Chester Pratt, as Chairman in the
year 1849, received $1,000; and III.
A. w. McNair, Assessor, who had to
tramp all over the above designated
territory, 5000 for their services.
At the present time, July 4tb, 1876,
the town of Fennimore contains two
townships: Town 6, Range 2, and
Town 6 Range 3. The first Justice
of the Peace, James Russell, was ap-
pointed. The first elected by the
people was Charles w. Loney, in the
year 1847 under the territorial law.
The first religious organization was
formed in 1874, the Rev. Elder Allen
organizing class of three John
Switzcr, Philo Dempsey and wife.
The first marriage celebrated was
that of Elijah Goodrich and Allemina
Russell in 1847, by Justice James
Russell, nicknamed the Chief Justice.
The first school district was organ
lied on the 9TH day of April, 1849,
and embraced Sections 10, 20, 81, %,
90, 80, 81, 80, 33 and half of Sections
%. 81 and 81 in Town 6, Range 2.
The first school was taught by VIM.
r. Dixon on Sec. Z, Town 6, Range 2,
in the year 1847.
At the present time, the town OF
Fennimore is divided into II whole
and s Joint school districts, and con-
tains Is schoolhouses. The number
of children over and under 20 years
is 734. The amount of money raised
and expended, during the year 1919,
for school purposes amounted to 49,
1884.
The population, by the census Ia
ken in the year 1875, was 1,770.
The village of Fennlmore Centre
was laid OF in the year 1868, but the
first house was moved there in July,
1862 by John G. Perkins.
Fennimore Centre has now two
churches, one Methodist Episcopal,
and the other an Advent. There is
also church at Mt. Ida in this town.
The village of Fennimere Centre also
contains three general merchandise
stores. two blacksmith and wagon
shops, one harness shop, two shoe
shops, one hotel, two saloons, and has
two physicians.
There was assessed in the town OF
| Fennimore, 1875, as personal proper
ty:
o57 horses. valued at 42,109
97sl cattle 33,S25
Is mules and asses, valued at SEQ
$500 swine. s,5l4
Az wagons. s,s47
p pianoes and melodions 500
"a gold and silver watches zlz
Merchants and manufacturers stock, 6,ol6
| All other personal property, isio4u