Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-07-22

subject as they were to the usual privations
of pioneer life, were happy and cOntented,
and enjoyed life quite as much as we of
the present day. At this time what is the
city of Beaver Dam was covered with
heavy timber, with little or no underbrusb.
full Of game, and though the Indians were
here in large numbers, they were quite
Deaceably disposed. The six first settlers
were soon followed by James Conner.
David Drake and Wife and j. Madison
Howe, wife and three children. On the
first day of January, 1843, from a census
then taken, there was a population OF sew
enty-nine in the little hamlet, forty-three
males and thirty-siX females, consisting OF
the following persons and their families:
Abram Alderman, George w. Ames,
Jacob P. Brewer. Paul Brewer, William }.
Bidwell, James Common, David Drake,
Morris Furmin, Joseph G9tschius,. j.
Madison Howe, Thomas Macllie, Israel
Root Henry Stultz, Eldredge Smith,
Charles Smith and David Snyder In 1916
the whole number OF residents was about
12O. It is quite impossible to give the
these old settlers. Suffice it to say that
they were good and worthy men and
women, and contributed largely to the
growth and prosperity of the town. The
first white person who died in the commu-
nifty was John, the son OF Joseph
first white children born here were:
George Stultz, May 5, 1912, and Henrietta
Brewer, July %, 1912. The first IriShman
who located here was James Conner, and
early in 1874 came John I'll. Manahan; the
first Germans who settled here were Colt
lieb Guenther, Leonard Guenther and
George Reileg.
GOOD WORD FOR HIS TOWN.
Mr.. Dick continued to enumerate the
r. Il ctria II
In conclusion, present this pen picture
of the city OF Beaver Dam, drawn by the
hand of a ready writer: Upon the eastern
shore of placid lake, nesting beneath
the brow and along the crest OF semi
circular hill of such gradual elevation and
gentle slope that the house tops In the
dlmpled valley on either side are scarcely
hidden one from the other; shaded by the
branches of lovely naples, elmS and oaks,
clustered here and there together IN
veritable Eden bowers; wrapped in an at
mOSphere whose balmy, life-prOlOnglng
breath fans you in the face at every step
and meets you round the corner like per-
fumed zephyr escaped from PARADISE, Iies
the city of Beaver Dam-the Garden City
noted for its palatial residences and en-
terpriSing citizens, and famed for Its beau
tlful women and chivalr1c men,"
THURSTON TELLS OF OLD TIMES.
John M. Thurston was then intro
duced, and, although he has been
speaking at frequent intervals ever since
he reached Beaver Dam, he was ready
with a speech which captivated the
crowd and showed his abundant re-
sources as public speaker. He re-
ferred to the changes in the appearance
of Beaver Dam since he lived here and
used The tact as showing the boundless
possibilities of this country. Fifty years
ago there was, he said, no public school
system in Ohio, where now there
are millions Of people with SUI
perior educational facilities. Mr..
Thurston recounted the scenes
and incidents of his boyhood life here,
how he stood in line and passed
water in buckets, and bravely
risked his life to save three lengths
of stovepipe from a burning dwelling.
More music followed, after which an
Grafton was delivered by the Rev. Mr..
Brobst, of Chicago, and the assembly
was dismissed