Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1880-06-24
The Old Settlers.

Inc Grant County Old Settlers
had good meeting last Thursday
the best in four or FIVE years. Major
Rountree, the President of the As
ISOLATION, was present and apparent
ly in good health. He has now been
a cities of the county for ffty-three
years. The Major called the meeting
to order before dinner and prayer
was offered by Rev. Cook. A CON-
mittee, consisting of Messrs Samuel
Druen, Philip Kelts aud Henry S.
keene was appointed to nominate
officers for the ensuing year, and the
association took a recess until one
o'clock. At this hour the members
and other old settlers again assem-.
bled, tlling the court room Presi-
dent Rountree spoke briefly express
ing his satisfaction at seeing so many
present. He esteemed it a great
privilege to meet with the eally set
tiers Of Grant county. At the con.
clusion of his remarks he called upon
Col. John G. Clark to address the
Association
Col. Clark, on being introduced,
stated that his time had been SO
occupied since two days ago when
Major Rountree notified him that he
would be called out on this important
occasion, that he could not collect
facts or arrange thoughts suitable for
such an assembly as this. The Col.
ouel, however, proceeded and made
first class speech. Old settlers
speeches are usually pleasant recitals
OF adventures OF pioneer life. This
speech was in a different line of
thought. 1t gave brief outline of
political history, dating from the or
dinance of 1897, which stamped its
impress upon the northwest, and
passed on down through the divisions
which included Grant county and
finally to the organization of the
county itself. The speaker highly
praised the management of affairs in
this county, and the towns of the
county. He quoted from remarks of
prominent men who regarded Grant
county as the best governed county
OF which they knew anything. Its
good condition he attributed to the
character of the men who were first
here and who remained here and
prudently and firmly looked to the
welfare of the people. To them the
people of this day owe much OF their
conveniences, their prosperity and the
blessings they enjoy.
After Col. CIark's speech the
President called for others Old set.
tiers are hashful people aud will not
put themselves forward. Mr.. Sam
uel Scott, of Blakes Prairie was
called for. lie responded with few
remarks, stating that he had come
to this county in 1914, with four
brothers. They thought it beauti.
tul county and settled here. OF the
five three are dead the other two
are in this county yet.
Mr.. f. Ii. Bonham was called out
and related how he first came to the
state, He came to near where Shulls-
burg is in 1927. He had some expe.
rience on the way with Indians. He
remained in this part of the state,
married in 1880 and if the twain live
until next Fall they will celebrate
their golden wedding.
II. S. Keene called out MFR. Moses
W. Darnall, whom we all know bet.
ter as Elder DarnalI. He came to
Wlngville in 1884. It was a mining
village. There were smart, intelli-
gent mon there but he thought they
used q great deal of whisky. There
were doggeries that sometimes ran
for week without being closed day
or night
There were calls for Mr.. Frank
Barr but be did not come forth. Mr..
Barr is brilliant conversationaIist;
is remarkable observer of men and
has retentivs memory. The au-
diencc would hare had something
unusually good to enjoy if he had
opened up his mind.
The roll Of members was called
and thirty-four former members re-
sponded to their names. The names
given below are of persons who
joined the association at this meet
ing. The first column of figures gives
their respective ages and the second
their date of settlement in this coun- |
ty;