Wisconsin Gazetteer 1853:
Names, Location, And Advantages Of The Cities, Towns,
Villages, Post-Offices And Settlements, Together With
A Description Of The Lakes, Water Courses, Prairies,
And Public Localities In The State Of Wisconsin-For 1853.
Alphabetically Arranged.
ABBEVIATIONS.-
C. H., Court House, or County Seat;
L., Lake;
Pr., Prairie;
P. O., Post Office;
P. V., Post Village;
R., River;
T, Town;
V., Village.
[ A ] [ B ] [ C ] [ D ] [ E ] [ F ]
[ G ]
[ H ] [ I ] [ J ] [ K ] [ L ] [ M ] [ N ] [ O ] [ P ][ Q ] [ R ] [ S ] [ T ]
[ U ] [ V ] [ W ] [ Y ]
[ U ]
ULAO, P. O., in Washington county.
UNION GROVE, P. O., in Racine county.
UNION, P. V., in town of same name, Rock county, being town
4 N., of range l0 E.
UNION, Town, in county of Rock, being town 4 N., of range 10 -E.;
centrally located, 16 miles northwest from Janesville. Population
in 1850 was 1,050. It has 9 school districts.
UPPER ST. CROIX, Lake, is on the St. Croix river, in La Pointe
county. It is about 12 miles long and nearly 3 wide, and is
noted for the depth and clearness of its water, and a small
island near its outlet.
URSINE, P. O., in Grant county.
UTTER'S CORNERS, P. V., Walworth county, on section 6, town 3
N., of range 15 E., being town of Richmond, 15 miles northwest
from Elkhorn, and about 50 miles southeast from Madison. It has
a store, hotel, and Methodist church, and is surrounded by a
good farming country.
UTICA, Town, in county of Winnebago, being town 17 N., of
range 15 E.; centrally located, 12 miles southwest from Oshkosh.
Population in 1850 was 630. It has 6 school districts.
[ V ]
VASEAUX, Lake, head of the northwest branch of the Neenah.
VERMILLION, River, rises near the head waters of the Kinnikinnic
river, and runs southerly, entering the Mississippi.
VERNON, P. V., is located on section 9 in town of same name,
Waukesha county, 8 miles south from Waukesha, and 70
miles southeast from Madison. It is situated in a well timbered
and watered vicinity. Population 40; with 11 dwellings, 1 store,
1 hotel, 1 blacksmith and waggon shop, and
2 organized religious denominations.
VERNON, Town, in county of Waukesha, being town 5 N., of range
19 E.; centrally located, 9 miles south from Waukesha.
Population in 1850 was 889. It has 11 school districts.
VERONA, P. 0., in town of same name, Dane county, on Badger
prairie, town 6 N., of range 8 E.
VERONA, Town, in county of Dane, being town 9 N., of range 9
E.; centrally located, nine miles southwest from Madison. It
has 9 school districts.
VIENNA, P. V., in town of Spring Prairie, Walworth county,
being in town 3 N., of range 18 E.
VIENNA, Town, in county of Dane, being town 9, of range 9 E.;
centrally located, 12 miles north from Madison.
VIEUX DESERT, -Lake, see Kattakittekin.
VINLAND, P.O., in Winnebago county.
VINLAND, Town, in county of Winnebago. Population in 1850
was 756. It has 6 school districts.
[ W ]
WABANGI ONIGOM, Portage, see Plover Portage.
WABINCK, River, rises near the centre of Waupacca county, and
runs southeast, entering Wolf river a mile north of the mouth
of the Waupacca river.
WABIZIPINIKAN, River, see Willow river.
WALDWIC, P. O., in Iowa county.
WALDWIC, Town, in southeast corner of Iowa county, intersected
by the east Peckatonnica and Yellowstone creek. It possesses
both prairie and timber, is sparsely settled, and is adapted
both to mining and farming.
WALLACE, P.O., in Iowa county.
WALNUT SPRINGS, P.O., in Green county.
WALWORTH, County, is bounded north by Jefferson and Waukesha,
east by Racine and Kenosha, south by the State of Illinois,
and west by Rock. It was set off Dec. 7, 1836, from Milwaukee,
to which it was attached for judicial purposes, and
was fully organized January 17, 1838. The county seat is at
Elkhorn, the centre of the county. The surface is for the
most part undulating, but through its whole extent there are
small bodies of level prairie or meadow land, and abrupt and
irregular hills or knobs. A chain of these enters the county,
about the middle of the northern line, and runs through the
northwestern corner. The greater portion of the county consists
of oak openings. There are some 12 or more prairies of
limited size, exclusive of low lands and marshes. There are
also a few small bodies of heavy timber. Of soil, there are
many varieties. The prairie-high and low; the openings
of white, black, and burr oak; all have their peculiarities of
soil, and are all fitted in a high degree to the different
productions of the country. The most considerable streams are
the Geneva Outlet, Sugar and Honey Creeks, running eastward
into Fox river and Turtle and Whitewater creeks, running
westward into Rock river. These all head in the county,
and are fed by springs. The population of the county consists
mainly of people from the New England and other Eastern
States. It ranks among the very first counties of the State for
its intelligence, enterprize, fertility and wealth. The principal
villages are Geneva, Delavan, Whitewater, Elkhorn and East
Troy. Population in 1838,1,019; 1840, 2,611; 1842, 4,618;
1846,13,439; 1847, 15,039; 1850, 17,866; with 1,960 farms,
3,092 dwellings, and 82 manufactories. It belongs to the first
judicial circuit, the first congressional district, forms the
twelfth senate district, and sends five members to the assembly,
as follows: 1. Towns of Whitewater, Richmond and La
Grange. 2. Towns of Sugar Creek, Lafayette and Troy. 3.
Towns of East Troy and Spring Prairie. 4. Elkhorn, Geneva
and HIudson. 5. Delavan, Darien and Sharon. 6. Walworth,
Linn, and Bloomfield. County Officers: Judge, William C.
Allen; Sheriff, J. C. Crum; Clerk of Court, Wm. H. Pettit;
Register, John Perry.
WALWORTH, P. V., near centre of town of same name, on section
17; 11 miles southwest from Elkhorn, and 70 miles southeast
from Madison, in a good farming region. Population 60, with
10 dwellings, 1 store, and a Baptist Church.
WALWORTH, Town, in county of Walworth, being town 1 N. of
range 16 E.; centrally located, 10 miles southwest from Elkhorn.
Population in 1850 was 987. It has 7 school districts.
WARNER'S, Creek, a small stream entering the Wisconsin, in town
6 N., of range 5 W., Grant county.
WARNER'S LANDING, P. O., (discontinued), in Bad Ax county.
WARREN, P. 0., in Rock county.
WARREN, Town, in county of Waushara, being town 18 N., of
range 12.
WARREN, Town, Waukesha county, name changed to Merton.
WARWICK, P. O., in Marquette county.
WASHINGTON, County, is bounded on the north by Fond du Lac
and Sheboygan, on the east by the State line in Lake Michigan,
on the south by Milwaukee and Waukesha, and on the west
by Dodge. It was set off from Milwaukee December 7,
1836, was organized for county purposes August 30, 1840,
and fully established February 20, 1845. By an act of the
legislature, approved in 1853, the portion of the county
east of range 20, was set off and organized into a new
county, by the name of Ozaukee, and the county seat of
the new county was fixed at Ozaukee, (Port Washington),
and that of Washington county, at West Bend, near the
centre of the county. The surface is rolling, and abounds in
living springs and streams of water, and is heavily timbered
with oak, beech, maple, ash, &c. A large majority of the
farmers are hardy Germans, who cultivate thoroughy. Wheat
has been a surer crop for the last few years in this than in any
other county in the State. The soil is well adapted to the
raising of the grape and to tillage. The county is connected
with the third judicial circuit, and with the third congressional
district, and its legislative representation is as follows:
The towns of Mequon, Cedarburg, Grafton, Port Washington,
Saukville, Fredonia and Belgium, constitute the third senate
district. The towns of Erin, Richfield, Germantown, Jackson,
Polk, Hartford, Addison, West Bend, Newark, Trenton,
Farmington, Kewaskum and Wayne, constitute the fourth
senate district. First assembly district, towns of Belgium,
Fredonia, Saukville, and Port Washington. Second assembly
district, towns of Cedarburg, Grafton and Mequon. Third
assembly district, towns of Erin, Richfield, Polk, Jackson,
and Germantown. Fourth assembly district, Hartford, Addison,
Wayne, Kewaskum, Newark, West Bend, Trenton and
Farmington. The principal streams are the Milwaukee river
and Oconomowoc creek. Population in 1838, 64; 1840, 343;
1842, 965; 1846, 7,473; 1847, 15,447; 1850, 19,476. There
are 1,636 farms, 381 buildings, and 7 manufactories.
WASHINGTON, Town, in county of Green, being town 3 N., of
range 7; centrally located, 8 miles north from Monroe. Population
in 1850 was 317. It has 4 school districts.
WASHWAGOWING, Lake, see Flambeau Lake.
WASSAWA, Lake, see Yellow Lake.
WASSAWA, River, see Yellow River.
WATERFORD, P. V., on section 35, in town of Rochester, Racine
county; 23 miles northwest from city of Racine, and 80 miles
southeast from Madison. It is situated on Fox river (Pishtaka)
25 miles southwest from Milwaukee, and has a fine hydraulic
power. Population 500, with 100 dwellings, 4 stores, 2 hotels,
2 flouting mills, 3 saw mills, several mechanical shops, and
a woollen factory; with 4 denominations-Baptist, Methodist,
Presbyterian and Catholic-the latter having a good church
edifice.
WATERLOO, Town, in county of Jefferson, being town 8 N., of
range 13 E.; centrally located, 12 miles northwest from Jefferson.
Population in 1850 was 831. It has 6 school districts.
WATERLOO, Town, in county of Grant, being fractional town 2 and
3 N., of range 4 W.; centrally located, 12 miles southwest
from Lancaster. It has 2 school districts.
WATERLOO, P. V., on section 8, in town of same name, Jefferson
county, being the most northwest town in said county. It is
16 miles northwest from Jefferson, and 25 miles east from
Madison. The location is on a creek of the same name, with
a good hydraulic power sufficient for three mills now in operation.
Population 200, with 60 dwellings, 4 stores, 2 hotels,
1 church, 1 pump and 1 fanning mill manufactory, 1 cabinet,
2 waggon, 1 plough and 3 blacksmith shops.
WATERLOO, Creek, rises in Bristol, Dane county, runs southeast
into Jefferson county, thence northeast, emptying into Crawfish
river in Portland, Dodge county.
WATERTOWN, City, iS situated on both sides of Rock river, at the
line between Dodge and Jefferson county, on the old stage
route, half way (40 miles) between Madison and Milwaukee,
and 12 miles north of Jefferson. It is connected with Milwaukee
by a plank road, and is a point in the charters of
several rail roads. The location of Watertown, in the heart
of an excellent farming country, its good hydraulic power,
access to market, and the energy and spirit of its inhabitants,
cannot fail to have it continue, as it now is, one of the largest
and most important inland towns in the State. The following
are some of the statistics of the place taken in May, 1853:
Watertown now contains 4,000 inhabitants; with 6 dry good,
11 grocery, 2 drug, and 3 hardware stores, 15 taverns, 1
tobacconist, 2 bakeries, 3 meat markets, and 2 livery stables,
7 blacksmith, 6 waggon, 2 joiner, 2 jewelry, 4 tin, 6 cabinet,
1 chair, I machine, and 5 shoe shops; 1 fork and hoe, 1 plough,
1 door and sash, and 1 saleratus factory; 3 flouring and 4 saw
mills; 1 fanning mill and 2 harness maker's shops; 2 book
stores, 2 barber's shops, 1 gunsmith, 1 tannery, 1 furnace,
1 pottery, 1 oil mil, 1 carding machine, 1 rake and cradle,
factory, 1 woollen and yarn factory, 2 printing offices, 6 school
houses, 2 select schools, Jones's Exchange bank, and several
lawyer's offices.
WATERTOWN, Town, in county of Jefferson, being town 8 N., of
range 15 E.; centrally located, 11 miles north of Jefferson.
Population in 1850, including village of same name, was 1850.
It has 14 school districts.
WATERVILLE, P. V;, in east corner of Summit, Waukesha county.
WAUKAU, P. V., on section 36, in town of Rushford, Winnebago
county, 12 miles southwest from Oshkosh, and about 60 miles
northeast from Madison, 2- miles south of Neenah river, on
the outlet of Rush Lake, with 30 feet fall of water, in a good
and productive section of farming land. Population 500, with
150 dwellings, 7 stores, 3 hotels, 5 mills, and considerable
water power unoccupied.
WAUKESHA, County, is bounded on the north by Dodge and Washington,
on the east by Milwaukee, on the south by Walworth
and Racine, on the west by Jefferson, and is 24 miles square.
It was set off from Milwaukee and fully organized January
31, 1846. The eastern portion of the county is heavily timbered,
while the western is divided between oak openings,
prairie and marsh. The soil is good and well adapted to tillage
and grazing. The county is distinguished for its numerous
and beautiful lakes, there being probably more than 30 within
its limits. It is watered by the Fox, (Pishtaka), Menomonee,
Ashippin and Bark rivers, and Oconomowoc, Scupernong,
Poplar, White and Mukwonago creeks. Population in 1846
was 13,793; 1847, 15,866; 1850, 19,324. It has 2,561 dwellings,
1,743 farms, and 78 manufactories. The county of
Waukesha is in the first congressional district and the second
judicial circuit, and its legislative representation is as follows:
Ninth senate district, towns of Oconomowoc, Merton, Lisbon,
Summit, Menomonee, Delafield, Pewaukee, and Brookfield.
Tenth senate district, towns of Ottawa, Genesee, Waukesha,
New Berlin, Muskego, Vernon, Mukwonago and Eagle. The
assembly districts are as follows: 1st. towns of Merton, Delafield,
Summit and Oconomowoc. 2nd. towns of Pewaukee,
Lisbon, Menomonee and Brookfield. 3d. towns of Ottawa,
Genesee, Mukwonago and Eagle. 4th. towns of Waukesha,
Vernon, Muskego and New Berlin. County Officers for 1853
and 1854: Judge, Martin Field; Clerk of Court, Lemuel
White; Register, William R. Williams; Sheriff, Charles B.
Ellis; Clerk of Board of Supervisors, Benjamin E. Clark;
District Attorney, John E. Gallagher; Surveyor, John O.
Reedsburg.
WAUKESHA, Lake, is a small lake in northwest corner of Norway,
Racine county, about one mile in diameter and three quarters
of a mile west of Wind Lake.
WAUKESHA, P. V. and C. H., is located on section 3, town 6, of
range 19 E., in town and county of the same name, 18 miles
west of Milwaukee and 70 east of Madison. It is situated on
Fox river, (Pishtaka), near the head of a beautiful prairie from
which it derived its former name of Prairieville. It is situated
on the Milwaukee and Mississippi railroad. This place was
incorporated in 1852, and has about 1,500 inhabitants, 1 flouring,
1 saw, and 1 carding mill, 1 iron foundry, 1 machine and
car shop, 3 blacksmiths, 2 coopers, 2 wheelwrights, 6 shoe makers,
2 cabinet makers, and 4 saddle and harness makers,
4 hotels, 8 dry good, 2 drug, 3 hardware and 7 grocery
stores, 1 printing office, 6 churches, 1 academy, and is the
seat of Carroll College, incorporated in 1846. It has a stone
court house and jail built of the celebrated Waukesha lime stone,
and the several societies of Masons, S. of T., I. O. of
O.F., D. of T., and. of U.
WAUKESHA, Town, in county of same name, being town 6 N., of
range 19 E.; centrally located, 3 miles south from village of
Waukesha, the county seat. Population in 1850 was 2,314.
It has 10 school districts. It is a good township of mostly
prairie, and well watered, &c.
WAUPACCA, P. O., in Waupacca county.
WAUPACCA, Town, in county and on river of same name, west of
Mukwa.
WAUPACCA, County, is bounded on the north and northeast by
Oconto, on the east by Outagamie, on the south by Winnebago
and Waushara, and on the west by Portage. It was set
off from Winnebago and established February 17, 1851, and
attached thereto for judicial purposes. It is watered by the
Wolf, Waupacca, Wabunk, Embarrass and Little Wolf rivers,
and contains some of the best pine timber in the State. It
being new, but little is known of its agricultural capacities.
The county seat is at Mukwa, on Wolf river. Waupacca
county belongs to the fourth judicial circuit, to the second
senate and third congressional district, and with Outagamie
and Oconto, sends one member to the assembly.
WAUPACCA, Falls, on river of same name, at which place is a
descent of 7 feet.
WAUPACCA, River, rises near Plover, Portage county, and runs
southeast, entering Wolf river near Mukwa.
WAUPUN, P. V., in county of Fond du Lac, being on section 32,
town 14 N., of range 15 E., 18 miles southwest from Fond
du Lac city, and 50 miles northeast from Madison. The village
is divided by the county line between Dodge and Fond
du Lac counties. Population 500, with 100 dwellings, 9 stores,
2 hotels, 2 mills, and 1 distillery; Presbyterian and Baptist
churches. The States Prison is located at this place.
WAUPUN, Town, in county of Fond du Lac, being town 14 N., of
range 15 E.; centrally located, 15 miles southwest from Fond
du Lac. Population in 1850 was 882. It has 5 school districts.
WAUSAU, P. V. & C. H., on sections 25, 35, 26 and 36, of town
29 N., of range 7 E., in Marathon county, at Big Bull Falls,
on the Wisconsin. It is 150 miles north from Madison. Its
location is good for manufacturing and agricultural interests
combining fertility of soil, unsurpassed in the north-water
power sufficient to supply the State, if properly distributed
and large quantities of pine for future use. The place is new,
having had a P. O. but two years. The interest lumbering
chiefly; but recently attention has been paid to the cultivation
of some of the maple ridges, which are very numerous,
and found to repay the laborer largely. It has a migratory
population of about 300; with 5 stores, 4 hotels, 4 mills with
12 run of stones, and 9 saw mills.
WAUSHARA, County, is bounded on the north by Portage and Waupacca,
east by Winnebago, south by Marquette, and west by
Adams, and is 18 miles north and south by 36 miles east and
west. It was established February 15, 1851, from Marquette,
remaining in judicial connection therewith, until February
16, 1852, when it was completely organized. The seat of justice
is at Sacramento, in the southeast corner of the county,
of Fox river. This county embraces what has been familiarly
known recently as the'" Indian Lands" of Marquette
county. It belongs to the third judicial circuit. County
Officers for l853 and 1854: Sheriff; Nathaniel Boyington;
Clerk of Court, Allyn Boardman; District Attorney, C. M.
Seely; Register, James S. Bugh; Clerk of Board of Supervisors,
Augustus P. Noyes; Treasurer, Charles N. Shumway;
Surveyor, S. W. Hall; Coroner, George Marshall.
WAUSHARA:, Town, in county of same name, being town 18, of
range 13; in the southeast corner of which is Sacramento
the county seat.
WAUSHARA, P. V., is situated on section 26, town 13 N., of range 13
E., in Dodge county, 17 miles northwest from Juneau, and
43 miles northeast from Madison. Population 400; with 60
dwellings, 6 stores, 3 hotels, 2 mills, 2 blacksmiths, 1 waggon
maker; and 2 churches, with 5 denominations. It is on the
Watertown and Fort Winnebago road, and the United States
road from Fond du Lac to Fort Winnebago.
WAUTOMA, P. O., in town of same name, Waushara county, on
section 34, town 1I N., of range 10 E.
WAUTOMA, Town, in county of Waushara, northwest from Sacramento.
WAUWATOSA, P. V., in town of same name, in Milwaukee county,
5 miles west from Milwaukee, with which it is connected by
the Al. & AI. RP. R., and 92 plank roads. It is near the centre
of the township, and has 4 stores, 2 hotels, 1 flour mill, 1 saw
mill, various mechanics, and 2 churches, belonging to the
Congregational and Baptist denominations, costing respectively
$92,500 and $2,000, and a good school house.
WAUWATOSA, Town, in county of Milwaukee, being town 7 N., of
range 21 E.; centrally located, 5 miles from Milwaukee city.
Population 2,500. It has 11 School districts. The surface of
the country is rolling, with a good soil, presenting fine situations
for residences, many good ones having been already
erected. The social, educational, and religious advantages
are of a superior order.
WAVYAKOMING, Lake and River, form the head waters of the St.
Croix river.
WAYNE, Town, in Lafayette county.
WAYNE, Town, in county of Washinigton, being, town 12 N., of
range 13 E.; centrally located, 24 miles northwest from Ozaukee.
Population in 1850 was 714. It has 10 school districts.
WEBSTER, Island, a small island in Fox Lake, Dodge county, in
town 13 N.) of range 13 E.
WEDGER, Creek, a smiall branch of Black ivecr, in La Crosse
county, from the north, being in town 23 N., of range 2 W.
WELAUNEE, P. O., in Winnebago county.
WELCH Fork, a branch fromn the north of Grant river, in Beetown,
Grant county.
WESCOTA, River (Brule or Wood River of Menomonee), is a
branch of the Menomonee, forming a portion of the boundary
line between Wisconsin and Michigan. It rises in Lake
Brule, and is about 100 feet in width.
WEST BEND, Town, in county of Washington, being town 12 N.,
of range 19 E.; centrally located, 20 miles northwest from
Ozaukee. Population in 1850 was 672. It has 4 school
districts.
WEST BEND, P. V. and C. H., on section 14, in town of same
name, Washington county. It is 17 miles west from Ozaukee, and
90 miles northeast from Madison, on the Milwaukee
river, with an excellent water power and good general advantages.
The county seat of Washington county was established at this place
in 1853. Population 500, with 200 dwellings, 7 stores, 2 hotels,
2 mills, 10 mechanical shops, 1 church and 3 denominations. It is
on the road from Ozaukee to Fort Winnebago, at its junction with
the Milwaukee and Fond du Lac plank road, and is a point on the air
line railroad from Milwaukee to Fond du Lac.
WESTFIELD, P. 0., in town of same name, Marquette county.
WESTFIELD, Town, in county of Marquette, being towns 16 and
17 N. of ranges S and 9 W.
WEST F0RK OF MONTREAL River, a small tributary from the southwest,
of Montreal river, in La Pointe county.
WEST POINT, Town, in the county of Columbia, being town 10 N.
of range 7 E:; centrally located, 17 miles southwest from
Portage. Population in 1850 was 197. It has 4 school districts.
WESTPORT, Town,, in county of Dane, being town 8 N. of range 9
E.; centrally located, 8 miles north of Madison. It has 3
school districts.
WEST ROSENDALE, P. O., in Rosendale, Fond du Lac county.
WEYAUWEGO, P. V., in Waupacca county.
WEYAUWEGO, Town, in county of Waupacca, being town 21 N.
of range 18; situated west from Mukwa.
WHAYPAW, River, is a tributary, from the west, of the Wisconsin,
in Marathon county.
WHEATLAND, P. V., in town of same name, Kenosha county.
WHEATLAND, Town, in county of Kenosha, being, town 1, and S.
one-third of town 2 N. of range 19 E.; centrally located, 22
miles southwest from Kenosha city. Population in 1850 was
1,193. It has 11 school districts.
WHITE, Creek, a tributary of the Wisconsin, in Adams county.
WHITE, Creek, a tributary from the west of Fox river, in Waukesha county.
WHITE ELK, Lakes, are four in number, forming the most northeastern
head waters of the Chippewa river into which they
run through the Manodowish. They are severally called
Lower White Elk Lake, and Second, Third and Fourth White
Elk Lakes.
WHITE FISH, BAY, on western shore of Lake Michigan in Door
county.
WHITE FISH, Lakes, emptying into Little Wisconsin river in 45 °
45' north latitude, about half-way between Wisconsin and
Little Wisconsin rivers.
WHITE, Lake, in the north part of towin 25 N. of range 17 E., in
Oconto county, discharges its waters southwesterly into Wolf
river.
WHITE, Rapids, are shoals of Menomonee river, below Penemee
Falls.
WHITE, River, rises in the western part of Waushara county, and
runs southeast, entering Fox river, in town 17 north.
WHITE OAK SPRINGS, P. V, on section 32, town 1 N., of rage 2
E.; being in county of Lafayette, and distant 5 miles from
Shullsburg, and 80 miles southwest from Madison. population 100;
with 26 dwellings, 4 stores, and 1 hotel. Its location and
advantages are as favorable as any village in the
West. Lead ore abounds in large quantities in its vicinity, and
forms no inconsiderable item in the pursuit of its inhabitants.
WHITE OAK SPRINGS, Town, of same name in Lafayette county,
on the State line.
WHITEWATER, Cheek, rises in town of same name, Walworth
county, and running northwest, enters Bark river, about 5
miles above Fort Atkinson, in Jefferson county.
WHITEWATER, P. V., is situated on sections 4 and 5, in town of
same name, in the northwest corner of Walworth county; it
derives its name from Whitewater creek which passes through
it. It was settled about the year 1839. The village has a population
of about 1,000, derived mostly from New York, New
England and Ohio. There are four well finished churches,
and the fifth-the Catholic-is erected and partly completed.
The buildings are generally neat, and in good taste, and the
grounds finely planted with trees and shrubbery, which contribute
to give the place an attractive rural air. It is one of
the pleasantest of our interior villages, and will continue to
be a desirable place of residence. It is the principal point
between Wankeslia and Janesville, on the Milwaukee and
Mississippi railroad, and is made the point of intersection of
that road and the proposed Wisconsin Central railroad, for
which a company has been recently chatered, and just organized.
The construction of this road, which is confidently
anticipated, would render Whitewater a very central location,
on the junction of the main east and west, and north and
south railroad lines of the State, and connect it, by direct
communication with Chicago, at 90 miles distance. It has now
a considerable business in the purchase of produce and the
sale of lumber, induced by the railroad. It contains 2 grist
mills, 1 saw mill, 1 iron foundry, 1 manaufactory of pottery
ware, and the usual variety of stores and mechanic shops, &c.
The location of the village is on a soil of sandy loam, which
secures dry streets and sidewalks, and eligible building sites.
WHITEWATER, Town, in county of Walworth, being town 4 N., of
range 15 E.; centrally located, 13 miles northwest from Elkhorn.
Population in 1850 was 1,252.
WHITEWATER, Lakes, are 2 small lakes, forming the source of
Creek of same name, in south part of town of same name.
WHITNEY'S Mills, on the Wisconsin, in south part of Portage
county.
WIGOBIMIS, lake, is in the northwest part of St. Croix county,
discharging its waters through a river of same name into St.
Croix river.
WIGOBIMIS, RIVER, is the outlet of Lake of same name, in St. Croix
county.
WILLET, P. O., in town of Adams, Green county.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Town, in county of Dodge, being town 12 N., of
range 16 E.; centrally located, 8 miles northeast from Juneau.
It has 6 school districts.
WILLOW CREEK, P. O., in Marquette county.
WILLOW, Creek, rises in northeast corner of Richland county, and
running southwest enters Pine river, at Sextonville.
WILLOW, Creek, rises in town of Wantoma, Waushara county, and
running east, enters the west end of Lake Pauwaicun.
WILLOW, Prairie, Waushara county, contains about 2,000 acres of
land. It is in the centre of town 20 N., of range 8 E.
WILLOW RIVER, P. O., St. Croix county. See Hudson.
WILLOW RIVER, Town, (formerly Beuna (sic) Vista,) being town 29 and
30, and west half of town 28 N., of range 19 W., in which is
located the county seat of St. Croix county. It has 3 school
districts. Name changed to Hudson in 1852.
WILLOW, River, rises in the eastern portion of St. Croix county,
and runs southwest, entering Lake St. Croix, about 18 miles
above the mouth of St. Croix river, into the Mississippi.
WILLOW SPRINGS, P. O., in town of same name, Lafayette county.
WILLOW SPRINGS, Town, Lafayette county.
WILMOT, P. V., in town of Salem, Kenosha county, being in town
1 N., of range 20 E.
WILSON, Town, in county of Sheboygan, being towns 13 and 14 N.,
of range 23 E.; centrally located, 6 miles south from Ozaukee. It
has 5 school districts.
WINCHESTER, Town, in county of Winnebago, being town 20 N.,
of range 15 E.; centrally located, 15 miles northwest from
Oshkosh. It has 1 school district.
WIND, Lake, is in the northern part of the town of Norway, Racine
county, and is 2 miles long and 1 1/2 miles wide.
WINDSOR, P. V., on section 34, of town of smae name, Dane
county, in a good farming district, on Token Creek, 10 miles
northeast from Madison, on roard to Portage city.
WINDSOR, Town, in county of Dane, being town 9 N., of range
10 E., centrally located, 12 miles northeast from Madison. It
has 7 school districts.
WINGVILLE, Town, in county of Grant, being town 6 N., of range
1 W.; centrally located, 15 miles northeast from Lancaster.
It has 7 school districts.
WINGVILLE, Village, Grant county. See Montfort P.O.
WINNEBAGO, county, is bounded on the north by Outagamie, east
by Calumet, (from which it is separated by Lake Winnebago), on
the south by Fond du Lac, and onthe west by Waushara and
Marquette. It was set off from Fond du Lac and Brown
counties, January, 1843. It was organized for county purposes,
(its judicial connection being with Fond du Lac,) Feb. 20, 1842,
and was fully organized Feb. 8, 1847. The seat of justice
has been established by Oshkosh, near the entrance of Fox river
(Neenah,) into Lake Winnebago. The surface of the county is level
or slightly undulating and well diversified with openings, prairie,
marsh, timber, and springs of pure cold water. The soil produces
all kinds of grain, and is well adapted to grazing. The county is
comparagively new, and its agriculture advantages have never been
fully developed. It is believed, however, that it will be more
distinguishied for its dairying, the growing of stock, and its
manufactures, than for the raising of grain. The principal
streams aie the Fox and Wolf rivers. It is connected with
the fourth judicial circuit, with the third congressional
district, and constitutes the twenity first senate district, and is
divided into two assembly districts, viz: 1st. Towns 17 and
18, ranges 14, 15, 16 and 17. 2d. Towns 19 and 20, ranges
14, 15, 16 and 17. Population in 1840 was 135; in 1842, 143;
in 1846, 732; in 1847, 2,748; in 1850, 10,167. County Officers
for 1853 and 1854: Judge, Edwin Wheeler; Clerk of Court,
E. R. Baldwin; Sheriff, Alex. F. David; Register, Edwin R.
Rowley; Clerk of Board of Supervisors, J. H. Osborn; Treasurer,
Jonathan Dougherty.
WINNEBAGO, Island, at mouth of lake of same name. See Doty's
Island.
WINNEBAGO, Lake, is situated between the counties of Calumet
and Winnebago, having its head in Fond du Lac. It is nearly
30 miles in length from north to south, and about 12 miles
wide at the mouth of the Neenah, at Oshkosh. This lake
forms a portion of the navigation of the Fox and Wisconsin
river improvement, and is about 160 feet above the level of
Lake Michigan, and 63 feet below the Wisconsin Portage.
It is navigable its whole length for small steam boats, which
ply regularly upon it during the summer season. It covers
an area of about 90 square miles.
WINNEBAGO, Marsh, Dodge county. See Horicon lake.
WINNEBAGO, Rapids, on Neenah river, at the outlet of Lake
Winnebago, has a descent of 7 1/2 feet in a distance of 7,700
feet.
WINNEBAGO, Town, in county of Winnebago. Poputlation in 1850
was 1,647. It has 4 school districts.
WINNECONNA, P. V., on east side of Wolf river, in town of same
name, Winnebago county.
WINNECONNA, Town, in county of Winnebago, town 19 N. of range
15 E.; centrally located, 10 miles northwest from Oshkosh.
Population in 1850 was 1948. It has 3 school districts.
WIOTA, Town, in county of Lafayette.
WISCONSIN EMIGRANT AGENCY. For the purpose of promoting
emigration to the State, an Emigration Agency has been
established, the officers of which are paid by the State, and
are interested only to point out the various industrial resources
of Wisconsin, its adaption to mercantile and mechanical pursuits-the
best location where either wild, government,
or improved lands can be procured-and such other general
and useful information as is needed by the emigrant. The
office of the Agency is at 89, GREENWICH STREET, NEW YORK.
The following named gentlemen are connected with this
Agency, either of whom will give, free of cost or charge, impartial
and reliable information, both verbal and documentary, to all
wishing to inquire in regard to the State:
HERMIAN HAERTEL, Commissioner.
JOHN H. BYRNE, Assistant Commissioner.
THOMAS J. TOWNSEND, Travelling Agent.
WISCONSIN River, is the most important in Wisconsin, rising in Lake
Vieux Desert, on the northern boundary and extending completely
across the State, in a southwesterly direction, enters the
Mississippi, by its course, 90 miles from the line of Illinois. Its
head waters are surrounded by extensive forests of pine timber,
with plenty of waterfall for its economical manufacture into
lumber, and a good channel and current to transport the same
to market. It is navigable for steamboats to the Portage
of the Fox river, 114 miles, from its mouth, and even above
for small boats. The trade of this river in lumber and mineral
(lead) is quite extensive, and gradually increasing, and at
the completion of the Fox and Wisconisin Rivers Improvement,
the trade in all branches of commerce will be great. The
following account of this river was made by Marquette and
Joliet, who descended it from the Portage in 1673: "The river
upon which we embarked is called Mescousin (Wisconsin);
the river is very wide, but the sand bars make it very difficult
to navigate, which is increased by numerous islands,
covered with grape vines. The country through which it
flows is beautiful; the groves are so dispersed in the prairies
that it makes a noble prospect; and the fruit of the trees
shows a fertile soil. These groves are full of walnut, oak, and
other trees unknown to us in Europe. We saw neither game
nor fish, but roebuck and buffaloes in great numbers. After
having navigated 30 leagues, we discovered some iron mines;
and one of our company, who had seen such mines before,
said these were very rich in ore. They are covered with about
three feet of soil, and situate near a chain of rocks, whose
base is covered with fine timber. After having rowed ten
leagues further, making forty leagues from the place we embarked,
we came into the Mississippi, on the 17th June.
WISCONSIN, State. See Introduction, page 4.
WISSAKUDE, River, of Lake Superior, see Bois Brule or Burnt
Wood river.
WISCONSIN, Pinery, is all of that section of country, north of Dell
Prairie, tributary to the Wisconsin river, producing yearly
70,000,000 feet of pine lumber, beside shingles, timber, &c.
The following statement shows the location of the several
mills, the number of saws, and the amount of lumber manufactured
annually by each, commencing at the lowest point on
the river: -Dell Creek, 2 saws, 1,000,000 feet.-Lemonwier,
5 saws, 2,700,000 feet.-Yellow River, 7 saws, 3,700,000 feet.
Pointe Bausse, 3 saws, 200,000 feet.-Grand Rapids, 15 saws,
8,000,000 feet.-Crooked Rift, 1 saw, 600,000 feet-Mill Creek,
5 saws, 2,400,000 feet.-Little Plover River, 1 saw, 600,000 feet.
Conant Rapids, 3 saws, 2,000,000 feet.-Big Plover River, 2
saws, 1,200,000 feet.-Stevens' Point, 5 saws, 3,000,000 feet.
Little Aux Plaines, 2 saws, 2,400,000 feet.-Little Eau Claire,
2 saws, 1,500,000 feet.-Big Aux Plaines, 2 saws, 2,000,000
feet.-Little Bull Falls, 8 saws, 6,000,000 feet.-Junior Bull
Falls, 1 saw, 600,000 feet.-Big Eau Claire, 8 saws, 6,000,000
feet.-Little Rib, 2 saws, 1,000,000 feet.-Big'aull Falls, 22
saws, 19,000,000 feet.-Trap, 2 saws, 900,000 feot.-Pine
River, 4 saws, 2,000,000 feet.-Jenny Bull Falls, 4 saws,
4,000,000 feet. Making a total of 105 saws, and 70,000,000
feet. This statement does not include lumber manufactured
at several places below the Dells, the logs for mills come
from above that point.
WISCONSTN, Natural History Association,. This Society was organized
at Madison, the capital of the State in 1852. Its object
is to collect and procure in a Musuem, the Fauna and Flora
of the State, books, papers, and documents relating to the
physical sciences, and the social, political, and natural history
of the Great West. Soon after the organization of the Association
a large and very valuable collection of specimens, in
natural history, prepared by Samuel Sercomb, Esq., who has
resided 15 years in the West, collecting, the same, was purchased.
This, together with several valuable donations, has
placed the Association upon a substantial basis. It is now
constantly receiving additions by contributions, purchase, and
exchange, and the catalogue embraces quadrupeds, birds,
reptiles, fishes, inolusca, crustacea, insects, geological and
botanical specimens, Indian relics, curiosities of nature and
art, books, papers, documents, &c. The circular of the Society
solicits correspondence with the Secretary in relation to
any thing of interest that can be obtained, by exchange or
otherwise, in different parts of this and other western States.
The following are the Officers: President, Leonard J. Far well;
Secretary, William Dudley; Taxidermist, Samuel Sercomb.
WISCONSIN, State Agriculture Society. This Society was organized
on the fifth day of March, A. D. 1851, at a meeting, of some
of the leading agriculturists of the State, held at the Capitol,
in Madison. At that meeting a constitution was adopted and
officers chosen, consisting of a President, three Vice-Presidents,
(one to be located in each congressional district), a
Recording, Secretary, a Correspoending Seecretary, and a Treasurer,
who, together with five additional members, chosen
from the Society at large, constitute an Executive Committee,
which forms the executive and administrative power of the
Society. By a standing resolution of the Executive Committee,
the President, Secretaries and Treasurer constitute a Standing
Committee, with power in the recess of the Executive Committee
to transact such minor business as may be necessary.
The Standing Committee meets monthly, on the first Wednesday in
each month, at the rooms of the Society, in the Capitol,
at Madison, for the transaction of business. The Executive
Committee meets quarterly, or at the call of the Corresponding
Secretary, at which meetings the proceedings of the Standing
Committee are reviewed, for connfirmation or otherwise. The
Society meets annually, on the third Wednesday of January
in each year. It possesses ample and commodious rooms in
the Capitol, which are elegantly fitted up, and placed in
charge of the Corresponding Secretary. The first volume of
the Society's Transactions was issued in the spring of 1852,
and was a large and elegant volume, well stored with valuable
reading, and showing evident marks of advancement in agricultural
science and scientific investigation. The second volume is now
in press, and will shortly be issued. The great
and unparalleled success which has attended the labors of
this Society may be traced almost entirely to the intelligent
enterprize and active energy of the officers who have hitherto
had the direction and management of its affairs. To their
judicious management, wise counsels, and zealous labors so
uniform and freely bestowed, our State is, and must ever be,
greatly indebted for that advancement which is now so rapidly
taking place in our agricultural and industrial interests. In
this respect the Society has been most fortunate. The first
Annual Cattle Show and Fair of the Society was held at Janesville,
in the month of October, 1851, and was a most brilliant
exposition of the condition of the rural arts in Wisconsin. The
show of cattle, sheep, horses, and swine, was such as to astonish
and delight all; while the domestic manufactures, and
the products of the dairy exhibited, gave ample proof of the
skill and industry of the exhibitors-nor were the treasuries
of Ceres and Pomona wanting to give variety to the scene but
all alike admirably hending, each in due proportion,
gave promise of the future high rank which Wisconsin must
attain, amid the peaceful walks of husbandry. The Show at
Milwaukee, in the fall of 1852, amply sustained the proud
position of the Society, and demonstrated the certainty of its
success. The Fair for the present year is to be held at the
city of Watertown, on the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th days of
October next. Ample arrangements have been made for the
accommodation of the immense throngs that will be in attendance,
and no pains will be spared to make this, the most
brilliant and successful of all the exhibitions of the Society.
The Officers, for the current year, are as follows: President,
Elisha W. Edgerton, Summit. Vice Presidents, Bertine Pinkney,
Rosendale; Jeremiah E. Dodge, Potosi; and Nathaniel
B. Clapp, Kenosha. Recording, and also Corresponding Secretary,
Albert C. Ingham, Madison. Treasurer, Simeon Mills,
Madison. -Additional Members of the Executive Committee:
Hiram Barber, Juneau; Henry M. Billings, Highland; Martin
Field, Mukwonago; Sam. S. Daggett, Milwaukee; and Mark
Miller, Janesville. All communications for the Society should
be addressed to the Corresponding, Secretary at Madison,
Wisconsin.
WISCONSIN University, The buildings of this Institution are situated
one mile west of the Capitol in Madison, on a beautiful eminence
commanding an extensive view of the basin of the Four
Lakes. The site comprises, within the enclosure, about 50 acres;
on which, in accordance with the plan adopted by the Regents, it
is proposed to erect five collegiate structures, namely:
the main edifice, on the crown of the hill, at the head of a
wide avenue leading through the grounds in the direction of
the Capitol; and the four subordinate buildings, on a line,
several rods in advance of the main edifice, two on either
side of the avenue. The main edifice is intended to contain
all the public rooms, the observatory, and two dwelling
houses. The other buildings are to be divided into dormitories
for the residence and accommodation of students. The
first dormitory building, on the north side of the avenue, was
completed in the summer of 1851; and the Collegiate Department
was opened in it on the third Wednesday of the
same year. The corresponding building, on the south side
of the avenue, is in process of erection, to be followed,
next in order, by the construction of the main edifice. The
organic law of the University provides for the establishment
of the four Faculties, namely: of "Science, Literature and
Arts;" of'' Law;" of "Medicine;" and of the "Theory and
Practice of Elementary Instruction." Of these, the former
has been organized by the Regents, and the following chairs
having been created by ordinance: 1. Of Ethics, Civil Polity
and Political Economy; 2. Of Mental Philosophy,
Logic, Rhetoric, and English Literature. 3. Of Ancient Languages
and Literature. 4. Of -Modern Languages and Literature. 5. Of
Mathematics, Natural Philosophy and Astronomy. 6. Of Chemistry
and Natural History. The Chair of Ethics, &c., is occupied by
the Chancellor of the University, who, together, with the other
Professors, and the requisite number of Tutors, will constitute
the Faculty of Science, Literature, and Arts. The University was
originally endowed by act of Congress, granting seventy-two sections
of land to be selected by the State fer that use. Under the appraisal
of 1852, the capital fund derived from the sale of these lands,
amounts to $170,000. They are now open to private entry,
at the appraised value, in the office of the Commiissioners of
School and University Lands at Madison. They are selling
off rapidly, and it is believed that the whole will be converted
inito a productive fund within a short period. The University
of Wiconsin, like the community whose institution it is, is
still young. It has gone into operation with appointments
amply sufficient to answer all present educational demands,
while the conditions of its finances justifies the confidence,
that its increasing capabilities will keep pace with the future
growth of tlhe State, and make it an attractive gathering point
for the scholars of the West.
WISSAUNA, Lake, see Golden Lake, of Waukesha county.
WISHICONI, Lake is a small body of water, in Marathon county,
tributary to the Chippewa.
WOLF, Creek, a small tributary of the Peckatonnica, into which it
empties at Gratiot, Lafayette county.
WOLF, River, (Pauwaicun,) east of the Wisconsin, and running
southeast, unites with Neenah river just above Great Butte des
Morts Lake, at which place it is much larger than the Neenah.
It is navigable, for over 100 miles from its mouth, for small
steamers, and furnishes the best pine lumber in the State.
WOLF RIVER, Pinery, as it is called, is the extensive evergreen
district on Wolf river and its tributaries, Rat, Pine, Little,
Waupacca, Little Wolf, Embarass, and Shawana rivers. Some
of these are large streams, and afford excellent hydraulic
power. The annual mantufacture of lumber, besides shingles
and timber, will be partially shown by the following list
which contains nothing but the estimated amount of sawed
lumber: Appleton, 2,000,000; Menasha and Neenah,
3,000,000; Oshkosh, 5 mills, 4,000,000; Algoma, 2 mills,
1,000,000; Butte des Morts, 2 mills, 1,000,000; Winneconna,
1 mill, 500,000; Little river, 1 mill, 500,000; Little Wolf,
4 mills, 5,000,000; Shawana, 2 mills, 1,000,000; Red river,
1 mill, 500,000; Clark's, 2 mills, 1,000,000; Fox river above
mouth of Wolf, 6,000,000. Making a total of 25,500,000.
Worth, P. O., in Sheboygan county.
WRIGHTSTOWN, Town, in Brown county.
WYALUSING, P. V., on section 1, town 5 N., of range 7 W., Grant
county, 25 miles northwest from Lancaster, and about 100
miles west from Madison. It is beautifully situated on the
Mississippi river, and has an excellent steam boat landing.
The vicinity is well supplied with timber and water, and good
hydraulic powers, and is well adapted to all the pursuits of
agriculture. Population 30; with 2 stores and 1 hotel.
WYOCENA, P. V., in town of same name, Columbia county, being
on sections 21 and 22, town 12 N., of range 10 E.
WYOMING, P. O., in town of same name, Iowa county.
WYOMING, Town, in county of Iowa, being part of towns 7 and 8
N.. of ranges 3 and 4. It has 4 school districts.
[ Y ]
YELLOW, Lake, is the source of a river of the same name, a small
tributary of the St. Croix, in La Pointe county, from the south.
YELLOW, River, rises in the south part of Portage county, and
runs southerly, emptying into the Wisconsin river, in southeast
corner of town 17 N., of range 4 E., Adams county.
YELLOW, River and Lake, in La Pointe county. See Massawa
River and Lake.
YELLOW, River, Chippewa county, rises in Marathon county, and
runs southwesterly into the Chippewa river, about 5 miles
above the falls.
YELLOW STONE, Creek, is a tributary from the northwest of Dodge's
branch or east branch of the Peckatonnica river, into which it
empties, in the town of Argyle, Lafayette county.
YORK, P. O., Dane county, on section 51, of town of same name.
It has 1 store, 3 hotels, and is 22 miles northeast from Madison.
YORK, Town, in county of Dane, being town 9, of range 12 E.;
centrally located, 19 miles northeast from Madison. It has 6
school districts.
YORK, Town, in county of Greene, being town 4 N., of range 6;
centrally located, 16 miles northwest from Monroe. population in
1850 was 191. It has 2 school districts.
YORKVILLE, P. O., town of York, Racine county, being in town 3
N., of range 21 E.
YORKVILLE, Town, in county of Racine, being town 3 N., of range
21 E.; centrally located, 10 miles west of Racine. population in
1850 was 997. It has 10 school districts.
YOUNG HICKORY, P. V., in town of Jackson, Washington county,
being in town 10 N., of range 20 E.
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