Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-07-12
Lieut.. DANIEL DOBBS, s.
Shot by the indians in the
year 1892.

In 1885 company was organized in Mil
waukee called the Rock River Claim Co.,
originally composed of Soloman Juneau,
Milo Jones. E. W. Edgarton, Enoch Darl-
ing and Henry Hosmer. In 1886, Sylves.
ter Pettibone, David Sargent, VIM. Barrie.
| Geo. Sercomb, Alvin Foster. Dwight Eos
ter and Ed Foster joined the company
These men made claims at Fort Atkinson,
| jefferson and Hebron. In the fall of that
year the family Of Dwight Foster came,
thus making the first actual settlement
| The first house built in the town, was cree
ted by ID. Foster near the residence of E.
Z. May. The first white child brought in
to the town was Mrs. G. Southwell, of Mil
waukee, daughter of b. Foster. The FIRST
death was that of Edward Foster. Sen.
who died Oct. 10th, 1887 Chas, Rock we'll
read the burial service Of the EPISCOPAL
church. Mr.. Rockwell also brought the
hrst STOCK OF goods into the town, and
erected the first store The first ferry
across Rock river at this point, was kept by
D. Foster. The first Postofiice was estab-
lished in 1888, D. W. Foster, Postmaster,
and Samuel Hudson mail carrier: the route
being from GAINESVILLE to Walertown. The
hrst jury trial was in the case of Mary Ben
nett VS.. Geo. P Mors'on, for wash bill.
and Cbas. Rockwell was the irst Justice of
the peace. The first sermon was preached
by Rev. Mr.. Pilsblry. In 1889 N P.
Hawks built a steam boat at Aztalan and
run down the Crawfsh in the Rock, and
thence down the RoIk into the Mississippi
in 1872
The Congreg stional Society was organic
q n hni ho ~,
Jefferson county was first organized under
what was known as the commissioner sys.
tenn, three commissioners being chosen.
E N Foster was first register of claims;
Alvin Foster first Sheriff; N. Foster, de-
putty; Dwight Foster first probate Judge
The hrst frame house in town was built by
Dean Williams for Chester May, Sem Dr..
Morrison was the first physician The
first framed school in the village was built
by Chas. Rockwell for D. Foster. First
Fourth OF July Grafton was delivered by
Mr.. Humphrey. The first school was
taught IN what was known as the "Barrie
boys shanty," in 1889. The first school
mouse was built IN 1874 by Chas Rock
well, opposite Tcusleys livery stable in
this village, and Martha Rankin taught the
first summer school, Rev. Mr. BickneIl the
first winter school.
to- the foregoing facts, we are indebted
to the address read by Mrs c. Southwe ell
before the Old Settlers Meeting, Jan. 1874.
From the imperfect data furnished by th.
town records and inquiring among old set
tier we give the following facts relative
to the organization of the town govern
ment. The original name of tt town was
Finchtown, SO called from the large number
OF early settlers by that name who settled
here. The first record that we have OF the
town meeting was in 1912, held at the
house of Chester May, Sen., April 9Th.
Chas. Rockwell was moderator and Geo.
P. Martton, clerk,
One hundred dollars was raised for town
expenses. ]. Bliss, A. Finch, P. s. West
and Milo Jones were appointed path mas
tiers, and the commissioner of highways
laid out nine road districts that year. In
lS43. April 4th, the town meeting was
held at the house Of S. Wade, J. T. Haight
moderator, three assessors and three con
stables were chosen, and a tax of per
cent. raised for school purposes. Milo
Jones, P. F. Morrison, and Jas. Bliss were
elected Supervisors, John A. Morrison,
clerk, and Chester May, treasurer.
(Continued.)