Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1922-07-26
The Story Of Rockville

me mining camp OIL ROChNu46 was
situated three miles from the business
center of Potosi, and nine miles south
of Lancaster. The camp, first called
<'Pin Hook" was settled about 1892.
Samuel and Druen and A. w. Emery
came in that year. A postoffice was
later established in Pin Hook and re-
moved to Rockville. Jacob Dawson
John and William Robin came in
1910. The Robbins opened up store,
the first in Rockville, in 1850 Among
other early settlers in the camp were
d. G.. Phillips, Thomas CartheW, Ed
ward Ivey, Andrew Jackson, Judge
HAYWARD, Hudson Smith, John Ches-
ter, William Dunn, James Bradley and
many others who came in 1847. Mr..
Carthew came to Rockville from Ha-
eel Green. In 1852 or SO he bought
The Robin store and conducted the
business up to the time Of his death.
The business then passed to John
Carthew and brother, and later the
firm became known as CartheW Bros.
Edward La Font, a Frenchman OF
business turn Of mind, came to Rock
Vile in about 1876 He 2fterWard
opened up a general store across the
street from the Robin store. The old
store building has been removed but
the dwelling he built is still standing
though remodeIed His wife was an
English girl and a very kind-hearted
person She lived in Rockville many
years after the death of her husband.
They had two sons. John, the eldest,
died in young manhood in the early
sixties Louis answered the call OF
<'Father Abraham" and enlisted with
David Mckee and became a member
Of Go. c., I'd Regiment, Wis. Volun-
teers. He was after transferred to a
battery and was killed at Louisville,
Kentucky in 1868.
Other old-timers were Moses Gallo
way, John MOrsehead, Joel Stevens,
James and Thos. KittO, Edward Mich
OILS, Louis Wolf, John R Stevens, Jas.
Morsehead, Phillip Morsehead, Thos.
Curnow.
Among the early arrivals to this
camp were a number of Germans,
among them being Henry and Jacob
Kuster, Christian Macke and son,
Henry, George Schramm, Chas. and
Christian Busch, Jacob Lessler,
Dicknan Diesel, Liendecker, and a
Few others whose names have escaped
my memory. All Of the early arrivals
followed mining in this region of vast
mineral resources.
The Rockville, Pin Hook and Red
Dog mines produced immense guam
titles of lead ore
Albert W. Emory built a smelling
furnace down the hollow below Rock
willie that he operated a score Of years.
General DeniStOn, who built the large
hotel in Cassville bearing his name,
owned a large tract of land in this
territory. Samuel DrUen was his
trusted agent, collecting rents, etc. He
was also agent for Nelson Dewey and
others who owned mining lands in the
region. He was man without an ed
uca ton but kept his accounts in strict
order and his collections separate. He
knew to a penny how much he had
collected for each one he represented,
He Kept the money in his log caoin
and knew just where to put his hand
on it when called upon for settlement.
Those days were unlike the present
days--a person could safely keep his
money in his house
Judge Hayward, as he was called,
was successful in mining. He had an
interesting family and was a man who
entertained lavishIy. His home was
1he scene of many a pleasant gather
ing. Young people from POtosi and
the surrounding country often attend
ed dances and other amusements at
the Judge Hayward home He had
two beautiful daughters, who with
their mother, were frst-class enter
tanners. The girls were very popular
among the younger set. One became
the wife of Andrew Jackson who To-
Gated in the camp in 1847. Notwith-
standing that Judge Hayward made a
lot Of money in mining and other ven
lures, he died poor man. He was
TOO lavish with his easy gotten gains
and his money too soon slipped
through his fingers
Jacob Dawson, who came from
Missouri in 1910, was another man
who was successful at mining, but
unlike Judge Hayward, saved his
earnings and invested in land He
became the owner Of about a section
OF good land at the time Of his death
some years ago.
Moses Galloway was another who
took care of his earnings and bought
land. He disposed of his property in
the town OF PotOsi and moved to Bee
town where he bought large farm
and died there many years ago.
William Dunn is yet living in Rock
vile at the age Of 80 years. He is the
only one living Of the early pioneers.
All have passed to the better land
leaving Uncle Billy as the sole sur
viyor Of a rugged, kind-hearted and
brave band Of pioneers. He followed
mining and was fairly successful but
like others Of his early associates he
believed in enjoyment or, in other
words, a good time" His particular
joyial companions were Jim Kittoe,
Ed Nichols, Jack Stevens and others
whose names at this time l am unable
10 recall. They all loved the good, old
lager beer and many a social glass
they enjoyed together. Uncle Billy
was man of strong vitality and in
long acquaintance with him, I cannot
remember that he was ever sick. He
followed mining up a few years ago