Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1923-08-08

blacksmith shop in Potosi at an early
period Following the death of Mr.
Elskamp and wife, Bernard Elskamp.
a son, became the owner of the prop
erty. A few years ago he built a two
story frame dwelling a little to the
rear OF the old one. The old building
after standing for many years has
| been torn down. Next to this on the
north was a small one-story frame
dwelling that was built at a very
early date, by party unknown to the
writer. 1t was occupied for many
years by John #Elskamp, another of
the Elshamp brothers. 1t yet stands,
and was remodeled and made into a
twostory dwelling
The next Old relic on North street
is one-story brick dwelling that was
built in about the year 1910 by Asa
Hough, who came to these regions in
the thirties, and established the first
saw mill in the country. 1t was To-
| Gated down on Platte river, at a point
known as Gibralter. The lumber for
many Of the old buildings in Potosi
came from this mill A grist mill was
another of Mr. Houghs early day en-
terprises. The old brick residence,
after passing into the hands Of differ
ent parties, is now owned and occu
pied by Jess Day and family.
North of this on the corner of North
and Cross streets, was two large lots
opened to the common, and in early
times was used as a circus lot. 1t
was first owned by man named Rob
| inson, then by Patrick Darcy and
others, and finally fell to the hands
| OF W. H. Hunt, who built large and
| handsome twO-story frame dwelling
thereon that was, and is yet, consid-
cred the handsomest residence in Po-
| tOsi. One or two other parties have
owned this building since Mr. Hunt
parted with it. 1t is now owned b.
Mrs Peter Markus
West of this, on a slope on Cross
street there yet stands a one-story
| frame dwelling, built by Thomas L.
Hammonds, one of the first saddle and
harness makers in POtosi He owned
a beautiful male peacock that was
greatly admired by us kids. Mr. Ham
mOnds and family removed to Waver-
ly, Iowa, some time in the sixties The
old residence is now the home Of Mr.
and Mrs. William Buss.
Across the street there was a one
story brick dwelling, that was for
many years occupied by Mrs. Names
and family, consisting of three sons
and a daughter, all grew to manhood
and womanhood in Potosi. The Old
brick building was taken down a few
years ago and a nice two-story frame
dwelling was erected on the lot By
William Kelly.
John Vandyke was the owner of two
lots on the corner Of North and Cross
streets, on one of those lots he built
a one-story frame dwelling that he
occupied for many years with his wife
and daughter until his death a num-
Der of years a go. His widow and
daughter removed to Lancaster The
widow died there a few years ago
The daughter, Miss Fanny Vandyke
still resides in Lancaster. Mr.. Van
dyke was an early arrival to Potosi,
coming in 1899. He did much to the
improvement of the village in build
ing several houses, and at one time
had "a lumbT yard on the lots, where
Mrs. Runkeps residence now stands.
Clyde Roesch is now the owner OF the
Vandyke residence on North street.
A short distance above the last
mentioned building, there yet stands
a frame dwelling that was erected,
USIISN6, ny JdulSo w. SSdIOuy no w do
however, occupying it when the writ
er was a small boy. This building is
now owned by heirs OF David G. Sea-
ton.
Above this on the side hill back
from the street, there is a one-story
brick dwelling that was erected by
William Hull in the early forties.
William Hull was one of the fore
most attorneys of the state and prac-
ticed law in Potosi prior to his remOv-
al to La Cross in 1857. He was elect
ed to the Wisconsin assembly in 1854
SIS and SO, and was speaker of the
assembly in 1856.
Another one-story brick dwelling
near the Hull house was built in the
forties by DR.. Carlos M. Hewett, a
then prominent physician practicing
in Potosi. He subsequently removed
to Boscobel, where he died. The resi-
dence is now owned and occupied by
Richard r. and Joseph SwaIe.
A distance furtheI up the street was
a one-story frame dwelling. 1t was
built at an early date by a party
whose name has been forgotten by the
writer During it's existence it was
owned and occupied by many early |
inhabitants. 1t was torn down anG /
removed few years ago.
Above this, on the brow of the ris-
ing ground, there yet stands a large |
one and one-half story frame resi-
dence that was built by Mrs. Eliza
beth n Voolfolk in 1858 or SO. 1t
remained her property to time OF heE
death, when it passed to heirs, and q
few years ago, was sold to Charles J.
Ragatz, who made great improve
ments to the premises.
North of this building there stood a
large two-story fran dwelling, that
was known in early days as the
preacher Morris house. 1t was built
at a very early date by James Mores- |
head who had come here from Eng
land. How it became known as the |
Preacher Morris House, was because
the Rev. Edward Morris, a Presbyter-
ian minister, dwelt in it with his fam
ily for a number Of years, way back |
in the early forties. The old relic !
was taken down few years ago ana
a handsome two-story frame dwell |
inc was erected on or near the same