The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1904-08-12
CORRESPONDENCE
Cambridge


Cambridge
The remains of Cambridge's most
prominent pioneer, George Dow, were
followed to the grave Thursday. For
about six months be had been confined
to his home, and despite of careful nurs-
ing and all that medical skill could do,
he gradually failed and calmly and
peacefully the spark of life left this once
rugged and strong old man, after long
and eventful life. George Dow was
native of Perthshire, Scotland, and was
born January 9th, 1908, and was there
fore at the time OF his death SO years,
months and days old. At the age of
IL years he was left alone IL the world,
both his parents having died, to gain his
livelihood, and from that time until he
was % years of age he found employ
ment in his native land. In 1880 he en-
igrated to America, at time when but
little was known respecting America
among the people of the old world.
Landing in New York City with only an
English shilling in his pockets, s,e found
employment with the old shipping firm
of Goodhue & Co, owners of the Black
Ball Line of sailing vessels. In 1888 he
was united in marriage in New York
City to Janet Black By faithful hard
work and strict economy this worthy
couple had saved enough from their
daily labors so that in 1912 they came 10
Wisconsin, then a wild wilderness, ard
purchased 240 acres of government land
in Dane and jefferson counties. They
settled in an old log house upon the
banks of Lake Ripley, on what is now
known as the Phillips farm, and where
they resided until they removed to this
village. Mr.. Dow was County Judge of
Jefferson county when the state was ad-
elected treasurer of that county in l949.
various times held every Office from
chairman to pathmaster In 1e47 they
built the first hotel in Cambridge, the
American House, which was the first
hotel constructed in the eastern part of
Dane county. at about this time tie
water power on Koshkonong creek was
improved at this place by Joseph K-.es
and A. B. Carpenter, who erected saw
mill and Touring mill. In 1854 this
property by purchase passed into the
hands of Mr.. Dow, who made extensive
improvements, and which proved
profta BILE investment. In 1863 he
erected a WOODEN factory which was run
a few years and discontinued, the build
ing after being used as a warehouse for
a number Of years, was, about eight
years ago, converted into hotel. which
in the fire of three years ago was burned
to the ground together with the mill, the
mill being rebuilt. In 1877. with the
late H. II. Giles of Madison, he estab-
lished the Stoughton State Bank and
has always been it's chief stakeholder,
and for many years it's president. In
1899, in company with his grandson,
Robert n. Dow, he established the Bank
of Cam bridge, and had since acted as
president of that institution. There are
various other enterprises in which he was
the leading spirit. When the Cambridge
railroad fell into the hands Of receiver,
he bid it in at the sale, and associating
with him his sons, Robe and George, and
Henry Herman of Milwaukee, operated
the road, and had from the day he pur
chased 1t acted as it's president. He also
built the Capital City Mills at Madison,
which, until few years ago, were orer-
ated by himself and his son, George. In
connection with ex Governor Tay lor, as
Commissioner of the Poor, they purchas-
ed the site and erected the present Dane
County poorhouse. In all these rela
tons Mr.. Dow has held steady and un-
deviating course of rectitude. Inherit
ing an unusually vigorous constitution
and acquiring good habits of life, he at
tanned ripe old age. Few men living
today can recall incidents in life long
since passed into history which Mr.. Dow
could, and it was one of the greatest of
pleasures to sit of an evening with him
when he was in reminiscent mood and
hear him recite events IN his early life.
To US Of this generation it seemed like a
dream to have that old gentleman, who
was born before Lincoln, Gladstone, Ten
nyson and Longfellow, all Of whom lived
to venerable old ages, sit with smile on
his face and tell you he was too old TO
enlist in the civil war, to recite the hard
ships he, with that estimable old lady,
his wife, passed through in the early
days of their residence in Wisconsin.
But such are facts. Frequently you hear
of old people from % to 100 years of age,
but it is seldom there is actual proof as
in the case with Mr.. Dow, whose fixed
date of birth is recorded so there is no
question of doubt.
Sylvanus Ames, J M Clancy, w S
Wood and Geo W Currier came over
from Stoughton Thursday to attend the
funeral of George Dow.
IT'S said a bottle and a glass
Will make person mellow,