In connection with the religious life of the village of Lime Ridge, we would mention the United Bretheran Church, the Lutheran Church and the Baptist Church. With the latter especial mention may be made of the Rev. John Seamans, prominent clergyman of the early days. This gentleman came to Sauk County about 1856, locating in Loganville, that winter, then moving onto a farm in the town of Ironton. For many years he was a minister of the Gospel in the Baptist Faith.

Later Settlers of the Town of Ironton

Of the later settlers who came to this town we are able to make mention of several. James Cohoon and his wife Palmyra Baird, came in 1856; also their son, Cornelius, who later married Alice Lyons and remained a resident of the town for many years. Then there was Richard Hainstock and his wife Catherine Dennon, who came in 1860. Thomas F. Lawrence and his wife Sarah Widner came in 1861, the husband a native of England, the wife of New York. Frederick Renaud, a gentleman from France, immigrant of the year 1853, pioneer of Sauk County, was a settler in 1861 also. His wife, whom he returned to Massachusetts in '61 to marry, was Miss Judy Beuchat, native of Switzerland. Then there was Ezra B. Reynolds, a farmer, native of the Empire State, and his wife, Elizabeth Krysler Riddle, born in Canada, who came in 1862. Charles Lawrence, son of Robert and Sarah, like Thomas Lawrence, his brother, was a settler in 1863, also his wife, Eliza Newton. And V. Fisher, native of Paris, France, traveler of the principal countries of Europe, came in 1864, with his wife Malinda, daughter of John Baptiste Loudez, a Frenchwoman; it is said that their early years in Ironton were spent in burning charcoal.

The family of E. T. Corbin came in 1856; his only son, Seneca Corbin, prominent farmer for many years, native of the state of New York, married Adelia M. Emery, daughter of Harrison Emery. The Corbins were early settlers in Baraboo, later in Dellona, but finally came to Ironton. Among the settlers of 1866 were the family of Aaron Weston and his wife Charlotte Beal. They came to Wisconsin as early as 1851, locating in Dodge County, and two years later came to Reedsburg, where they resided until coming to Ironton. The family of Isaac N. Settle came in 1866 also. Mrs. Settle was formerly Adelia R. Thornburgh.

In 1867 the family of Ner Stowe came-they are also mentioned in connection with the Little Baraboo Valley settlement in the Woodland history. Mr. Stowe was a native of England, son of William and Sarah (Dunn) Stowe. His brother George Stowe, remembered as a farmer and proprietor of the cheese factory of Section 6, this town, and wife Sarah Batty, daughter of William and Rebecca (Kirk) Batty, came to America in 1857, and to Ironton in 1873. They had several children, Lizzie, Sarah, Lucy, who married George Wickersham, and whose son, Howard E. Wickersham is a resident of Reedsburg, Mary and Minnie R.

Also we can mention Charles Parret, a Frenchman like Mr. V. Fisher, born in Haute Saone, France, and his wife Margaret Becker, also a native of France. Then there came Patrick Newman, native of Old Erin-the Newmans and the Parrets were settlers in 1869.

Another family having many local representatives was that of Amos and Anna Maria (Lown) Seamans. They came from Genesee County, N. Y., in 1868, and located in this town where they ever after resided. Their children were George J., prominent publisher of the Reedsburg Free Press, Grant, deceased, a daughter who died in infancy, Archie, deceased, Bertie, local farmer, Amos Leigh, who married Edith Darrow, Winfield, and is an Ironton farmer, Ina, Reedsburg, Frank, and Jennie (Mrs. O. J. Crane), Reedsburg.

William H. Brenizer and his wife Martha Wheeler, daughter of Upton and Eliza (Dearholt) Wheeler and his brother, Hugh H. Brenizer and Mr. and Mrs. Upton Wheeler and V. I. Van Loon were settlers of the period of about 1870-71. Mr. Van Loon was a son of Abram and Sarah (Colier) Van Loon; his wife was Mary J. Wells, daughter of Thomas and Susan (Bond) Wells. Mrs. Ed. Mortimer, Ironton, is a representative of this family.

LaValle

To those schooled in the language of far off France, the word LaValle may bring to mind the presence of a pleasant valley. But we are not French. However, there is a popular belief that the territory lying due north of the town of Ironton, may have taken its name from the circumstance that its hills and streams were at an unknown date frequented by hardy French trappers and fur traders, and that the Indian Village at the confluence of the Little Baraboo River with the Big Baraboo River, at the present site of the village of LaValle, led to the meaning of the region LaValle (the valley) as a means of identifying it. Be that as it may, the naming of LaValle is, in fact, a vague uncertainty.

The territorial organization of the town of LaValle, as it is today, took place in 1861, when the town of Marston, of which it formed a part, ceased to exist. The first election of town officers occurred on April 1, 1862, in the village of LaValle, and the following were elected: J. G. Blakesley, Chairman; E. B. Hageman and J. H. Douglas, Supervisors; C. F. Chistnot, Clerk; H. G. Howard, Treasurer; H. A. Sturgess, Assessor; and David Berry, H. A. Sturgess and Calvin Gardner, Justices.

The first settlement in the town was made by Samuel Karstetter, who entered land on Section 28, in 1847. The following year this man's parents, Sebastian and Mary Elizabeth (Marks) Karstetter, both natives of Pennsylvania, but later of Ohio, came hither from Indiana, whither they had gone from Ohio, with other members of their family, located on this claim, and to them belongs the distinction of having been the first family to penetrate the wilderness of the town. Among their children were, besides Samuel: Sarah Ann Karstetter, who married William Rabuck of LaValle; and Joseph P., who came to this county in 1856, a married man, and located in this town.

That same year, 1848, Manelious Pearson and his family located on Section 34, near Ironton, and the Pearson house was the first substantial dwelling in the town. Of all the early settlers, possibly none has a more widely spread or more numerous progeny than this pioneersman and his wife Sarah Roe. Mr. Pearson was a native of Bradford, Yorkshire, England, born in 1810; his early years were spent there, where he married Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Roe. Mr. and Mrs. Pearson immigrated to America in 1841, and spent one year in Indiana. Then they came to Columbia County, Wis., and early in the spring of 1848, established themselves in LaValle, where they were to spend the remainder of their lives.

Descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Manelious Pearson

This pioneer couple were the parents of a large family, and their posterity is numerous in the town today. The children were Charles, Martha, Isaac, Mary Ann, Thomas and Christopher.

Charles married Martha Harrison, daughter of George Harrison, and had eight children: Eleazer, married Gertrude Kinnamon, and residing in LaValle; Azilla, wife of William Rabuck of Reedsburg; Jacob, who married Eva Atwood, first, and Ambozine Harrison, second; Sarah, widow of the late Harry Thornton of LaValle; Selina, wife of George Stowe, Reedsburg; Charles Pearson, who married Emma Tordoff, LaValle; Ida, wife of Daniel S. Williams of Bozeman, Montana; and Mina, wife of Dr. J. S. Boher, Richland Center, Wis.

Martha Pearson married James Harrison, son of George Harrison. They had ten children, among them the following: Amanda, deceased wife of Bert Lawrence, Ironton, Ambrozine, who married Jacob Pearson, Ironton; Isaac, later of Canada; Charles, deceased, of Iowa; Sarah, wife of Will Stowe, Ironton; Manelious, of Tacoma, Washington; Eddie, Tacoma, Wash.; Bertha (Mrs. Peck), Minnesota; Joan, wife of Charles Bible, Casenovia; George, of Canada; and two children, who died in childhood.

Isaac Pearson married Emily Mallon, and has no local representatives.

Mary Ann Pearson, now the wife of George Inman of LaValle. This lady, born Sept. 21, 1850, was the first white child in the town of LaValle. During her early childhood she had the unusual experience of being kidnapped by Indians, and kept in captivity for some time. Mr. and Mrs. Inman are the parents of seven children: Richard Inman, Chicago; Nina, deceased wife of Hugh Pinn, California; Susan; Rachel, wife of Fred Harper, San Francisco, Cal.; Eddy, deceased; Lillian, wife of Charles Rabuck of Ironton; and Pearl, deceased.

Thomas Pearson married Eliza Greenhalgh, native of Yorkshire, England, daughter of Peter and Ann (Crook) Greenhalgh; they resided in the town of LaValle for some time but went to California several years ago. Their children are: Harry, Canada; Winnie, California; Ray, California, Mary, deceased; and Herbert, California.

Mr. and Mrs. George Harrison

Other settlers of 1848 were Mr. and Mrs. George Harrison. Mr. Harrison was born at Yorkshire, England, where he grew to manhood and married Martha Bottomley. At an early date the family immigrated to the United States and located in the East, prior to coming to LaValle. For a time they resided in Connecticut, but went to Massachusetts later, where the mother and older daughter were employed in the textile mills. The father, George Harrison, with his sons George and James, the latter having lost his young wife in England the year before, and Martha, a girl of twelve years, came west in 1848, and took up land. After a time the mother came to LaValle and the girl Hannah went east to work in the mills; but within a few years the sisters decided to join their parents, and came to LaValle to live. In 1858 James Harrison married Martha Pearson, and his children are named in the Pearson chronicle; George Harrison married Mary Cameron, and had two children: Chester, deceased, and Linnie, wife of August Bratz, Mendota, Wis.

The Harrison sisters, daughters of George and Martha, were:

Jemima, who married Abram Clarkson, and resided in the town of LaValle.

Rachel, who married Jack Inman, and had ten children, as follows: George Inman, who married Mary Ann Pearson; Elissa, wife of Orin Ryington, now of California; Martha, wife of David Fuller, who resided near Casenovia; Jemimah, wife of John Brewer, deceased; Jack, deceased; Rachel; Willie, Chicago; Charles, who married Anna Ludwig, deceased; and Sam of Alabama.

Malissa Harrison, who married Samuel Andrews of Ironton, and was a life-long resident of that locality. The children of Malissa and Samuel Andrews were seven: Walter, married Lucy Fitzgerald, and now residing in California; Martha (Mrs. Martha Johnston), Baraboo; Jane, widow of John O'Gorman, Duluth; Eleazer, deceased; Joseph, of Chicago; David, married Clara Royce, LaValle; and two who died in infancy

Hannah Harrison married in 1856 John Thornton, and resided in the town during her life time. The children of Hannah and John Thornton were: Jane and Edward, who died in infancy; Rachel, wife of John Conklin, deceased; Harry Thornton, who married Sarah Pearson and remained a life long resident of the town; and Martha, wife of Charles Clark of Reedsburg.

Two other children of George and Martha Harrison, Eleazer, who married in Connecticut, and Selina, who married in Massachusetts, never came to Wisconsin to live.

Other Early Settlers of the Town

Of the settlers of 1851 John Tordoff was one of the most prominent. He was a native of Yorkshire, England, born in 1830, and was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Priestley) Tordoff. In 1848, at the age of eighteen, he came to America, locating in Columbia County, Wisconsin, where he resided until coming to LaValle, in 1851. The following year he married Emma Thornton, daughter of Rueben Thornton of Ironton, they were the parents of six children: Edmund, who married Amanda Karstetter, and resided in LaValle; Samuel, married Emma Royer; Emily, died early in life; Squire, John and Paul. In 1864 Mrs. Tordoff died and Mr. Tordoff later went to England and married Fannie Tetlow. They had a number of children: Annie, Ledger, Harry, Tom. After John Tordoff had been in LaValle some time, he was joined by his brother Edmund Tordoff who became a permanent citizen of the town. Edmund Tordoff returned to England and in 1858 brought his wife to LaValle. Her maiden name was Harriet Pickles; and their children were: Jane Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Emeline L., who married Charles Pearson and resides in LaValle, Hattie Olive, and Charles Colfax.

Another settler of 1851 was William Rabuck. He was a native of Germany, son of John and Dorothy (Lange) Rabuck, and came to the United States in 1847, stopping in Milwaukee until 1851, when he came to this town, and the following year married the daughter of Sebastian Karstetter. They always resided in the town and have a number of local representatives, Their children were: Joseph H., who married Cornelia Gardner; Mary M., who married J. H. Karstetter; William S., who married Azilla Pearson; John W., Albert A., Edward N., Jane S., Charles E., Frank; Levi H., George A.; and Arthur R.

The family of Elisha Potter came in 1853, and were among the early settlers. His son, A. D. Potter. spent many years on the farm in this town. His wife, whose maiden name was Miranda Barney, was a daughter of S. P. and Lydia (Harrington) Barney.

Among the settlers of 1854 were G. W. Dickens, and David Beery. George W. Dickens was a native of Cayuga Co., N. Y., born in 1823, son of Phillip and Lucy (Rathbone) Dickens. He grew to manhood in his natal place, and was married there in 1846 to Mary Mellon, a native of Woolwich, England. In 1848 George Dickens brought his family to Wisconsin, and located at East Troy, Walworth County, Wis., where he resided before coming to LaValle. Mr. and Mrs. Dickens were the parents of a large family of children: Sarah M., who married William H. Field, and resided many years at LaValle; Roena; John M., who married Mary A. Gear, and spent many years in this town; Lucy J., who married E. Leigh; George; Lydia, who became the wife of V. Courtier, Ironton; Idellah M., who married James Courtier, also of Ironton; Elsworth E.; Ma[r]ston; and Mary. Mr Dicknens was a member of Co. B., 12, W. V. I., during the Civil War. David Beery located on a farm. His wife was formerly Sarah Shisler. Their son Lyman, for many tears senior partner of the firm of Beery & Yager, Millers, LaValle Village, married Adelia Andrews, daughter of Russell and Caroline (Noble) Andrews.

Settlers in 1855 were: S. P. Barney, Wellington S. Hubbell, W. W. Rathbun, John White.

S. P. Barney, son of Royal and Rachel Barney, was a native of Jefferson Co., N. Y., but at the age of four years removed with his parents to Lorain, Ohio. His wife was Lydia Harrington, daughter of Joshua and Ruth Harrington. They came to Fort Atkinson, Jefferson Co., Wis., in 1850 and, after a year and a half they located in the village of LaValle, and their connections there are mentioned in the early history of that village. The children of S. P and Lydia Barney were: B. S., married Annie E. Potter; Miranda, previously mentioned; and Emery, who married Mary Allen (his widow later married George W. Bible).

William S, Hubbell, for many years a farmer in this town, was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., son of Zalman and Cinda (Beardsley) Hubbell. He resided in the Empire State until 1850 when he came to Wisconsin, and after a one-year's stop at Beaver Dam, in the spring of 1851, located land on the village site of Ironton, which he sold in 1854 to Jonas Tower. Previously, however, he went to Ohio, where he married Mary Patrick, daughter of Alanson and Dorina Patrick. Upon coming to Sauk County that fall, he purchased land in LaValle township, and the following spring, 1855 established his family thereon. The site of this farm was at an early date the scene of an Indian maple sugar camp. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hubbell were: Eugene W., Ella G., Henry A., Florence M., Charles E., and Myrtie E.

W.W. Rathbun, pioneer of 1855, was a native of Steuben Co., N. Y., born in 1824, son of Thomas and Nancy (Vroman) Rathbun. In 1844 he came to Madison, Wis., and remained there until coming to LaValle. He married in Reedsburg in 1858 Miss Julia Perry, daughter of Israel and Calista (Mosier) Perry. This lady was a relative of Commodore Perry.

The family of John White, settlers this year, 1855, also, were settlers in Reedsburg in 1854, and came to their LaValle farm from that place. Mr. White was a native of Devonshire, England, born in 1812, son of Charles and Mary (White) White. He grew to manhood in his natal country and was married there in 1830 to Jane Cotterell. In 1849 the family came to this country, settling at Waukesha, Wis., where they resided until coming to Reedsburg. Mr. and Mrs. White had a large family: Charles, drowned in the Baraboo River in 1857; Mary E., who married Charles Gibbons; William A., who married Almira Lake; John H., who married Emily Pond, daughter of Andrew Pond; Sarah, who married L. Gardner; Elizabeth, who married William Canon; Anna; Robert J., married Ann J. Slater.

LaValle, The Village

In the early days, when the settlers first came to the present village site, there was a number of Indian Wigwams at the confluence of the Little Baraboo with the Big Baraboo River, and tradition has it that this had been for many years a favorite rendezvous for the Winnebago Indians then dwelling in the Upper Baraboo Valley. J. F. Hamlin, who was first of all the settlers upon the present village site, staked a claim at that point and commenced immediately the development of the waterpower. This was in 1849. Within a short time other settlers had come into the vacinity, and while they did not locate upon the immediate village site, they were factors in its beginning. Among these near-by settlers were: Solon Rushmore, A. H. Brownell, Elisha Potter, Ezra Hegamann, Sebastian Karstetter, and M. A. Mathews.

These settlers appear to have come early in the year 1849. Mr. Hamlin built a shanty on the north side of the Baraboo river, opposite the point he thought the best location of a mill. He was joined that same season by Mr. Rushmore, who took an active interest in the project. They spent the summer of 1849 building the dam and mill, and early the following spring it was equipped with machinery and put into operation. The irons for the mill were manufactured by Sanford and Beckett, who then were conducting a small foundery at Baraboo. That summer the saw mill operated and the first lumber produced, it is said, was used in the construction of a substantial frame dwelling, the home of Mr. Hamlin.

J. F. Sanford, in 1848, had come to Baraboo, and established the pioneer store of that place, and, in fact, the following years opened the pioneer store of Reedsburg, which was conducted by O. H. Perry. In 1864 Mr. Sanford came into possession of the mill property at LaValle, and removed to the village to take immediate charge of it. Mr. Sanford soon established a flour-barrel factory in connection with the mill, and also equipped the mill for the manufacture of broom handles. In 1869 Mr. Sanford trurned his attention to the building of a grist mill, to be operated from the water power. A large three story mill was erected, and within a few months LaVallians were using home-made flour.

"In 1874", reads the Sauk County History of 1880, "the old machinery in the sawmill was taken out, and the establishment was fitted for the manufacture of staves by Stafford & Company of Reedsburg, who had rented the building and a certain portion of the water-power for the term of three years. In 1876 Messrs. Keith and Paddock, who also owned and conducted the Reedsburg stave-mill, obtained control of the concern. In the fall of the same year, a building was erected a short distance above the dam. In it were placed a steam boiler and engine and other necessary machinery for the manufacture of staves. Work began immediately and continued until June 15, 1878, when the establishment was destroyed by fire, at an estimated loss of $1,000. Immediate preparations were made for the re-occupation of the old mill, and within a few weeks the silent precincts of LaValle again echoed with the buzz of busy saws". It has not been written that the hauling of stave logs was for a number of years a means of ready money for the farmer, who had acres of standing timber, which had to be cut from the land before the soil could be put into productiveness. For miles around teams drawing huge loads of oak and basswood were frequently to be seen, and if asked whither they were bound, the driver's ultimatum would be "To the LaValle stave mill!".

After Sanford's retirement from the grist-mill business the property passed to the ownership of Lyman Beery and Theodore Yager. From them it passed through various ownerships, and about thirty years ago it came into the hands of Joseph Dudleson. The Dudleson family still own it, and it is managed by Victor Dudleson, son of Joseph Dudleson. It is one of the largest mills for a village the size of LaValle, in central Wisconsin, and has a thoroughly modern plant.

The first general store in the village is said to have been kept by S. B. Barney, who, a farmer in 1855, moved to the village after a year and a half, and established a general merchandise store, which was burglarized in 1859 to the extent of $600. For the next few years Mr. Barney dealt in hops, and did not resume his store until 1874. His son E. E. took over the business about 1876, and conducted it for many years.

The first school in the village was taught in 1855, but there are no records available which show anything concerning the pupils or the teachers. But it was taught in a shanty which stood near the residence of the late Benjamin G. Paddock; in 1859 the village erected a better building, which was occupied until 1875, when it was replaced by a still better structure.

LaValle became a postmaster in 1856, when a "special postoffice" was established, and S. P. Barney received the appointment of postmaster. These "special postoffices" as is well known, were rural conveniences" and supplied from an older, established office. In the case of LaValle and Ironton the main office was Reedsburg.

Paddock's Store

This store, which has been in the possession of the Paddock family for three consecutive generations, and which is said to be one of the oldest firm names in the community, was established in LaValle in 1873, by the late, much respected gentleman, Benjamin G. Paddock, who was a pioneer storekeeper in Ironton about 1858. Mr. Paddock conducted the establishment for many years, but about 1890 his son, Herbert E. Paddock took over its managership. Herbert E. Paddock, deceased since 1921, managed the store with decided success and upon his death he was succeeded by his son Benjamin Eger Paddock, present proprietor. Benjamin G. Paddock and his wife, Harriet Ives, were the parents of three children: Cora L., Herbert E., previously mentioned; and Carrie, wife of William Wilson, LaValle. A private sketch of the Paddock family appears upon another page.

State Bank of LaValle

This institution was organized in July, 1902, with Herbert E. Paddock, President; Charles Pearson, Vice-President; and Harry Thornton, Cashier. It has always been at its present location. In 1905 C. F. Eder became Cashier, when Mr. Thornton retired from the capacity. Mr. Thornton returned in 1910, and continued as cashier until 1928, when he retired in favor of his daughter Miss Elsie Thornton, present incumbent. Messrs. Paddock and Pearson continued in their original positions until the death of the former in 1921, at which time the latter became President, and Benjamin Eger Paddock became Vice-President.

Schroeder Bakery and Grocery

This establishment, of which William E. Schroeder is proprietor, is the only one of its kind in the village, and one of the leading bakeries in the county. It was opened in 1826, and from that time its trade had grown steadily, until today it has the widest local trade of any bakery in northwestern Sauk County. The bakery is equipped with a Superior Bakers Oven, and has a daily output of four hundred loaves. Besides bread Mr. Schroeder bakes doughnuts, cookies, cakes, rolls and buns. He transports his viands by auto to Reedsburg, Loganville, Hillpoint, Ironton and Lime Ridge, making daily trips.

Other Establishments

LaValle has a number of thriving industrial places. The LaValle yard of the Reedsburg Supply Company is one of these. This yard is under the managership of William Hyslop, and enjoys an extensive business. There is a co-operative creamery at this point also, which does a credible business. Sorges' Creamery, Reedsburg, has a cream station on Main Street, which is conducted by Harry P. Apker, a veteran farmer of the town, and an aged resident. Bert Marshall has a prosperous business on Main Street, and in addition to a general grocery store, conducts a restaurant and short order counter. Bert Blank has a flourishing drug and grocery store on the opposite side of the street. A modern barber shop is run by Will Sloniker, a completely modern establishment, creditable to a city of any size. Then there was Henry Gleue's shoe store.

Later Settlers of the Town of LaValle

Among the later settlers of the town we are able to mention John W. Findlay, James Fordham, Asa Gale, Henry G. Head, Harvey Gifford, Benjamin C. Douglass, Thomas J. Clark, Thomas Cameron, H. P. Apker, William Kuhn, Patrick Carroll, Jr., is a contemporary farmer. Thadeau S. Martin, Frederick Meyers, Wenx Mihlbauer, Jewett Nye, Frank P. Sanford, George Sanford, John Sinclear, George Meyer, whose daughters, Frieda (Mrs. A. Lyckburg) and Elsie (Mrs. H. D. Krug), reside in Reedsburg, and Meta, the wide of Henry Thies, LaValle. The Thies, too, were early settlers in this town.

Rural Schools

In regard to the history of rural of the town we are able to give something of two districts: Dist. No. &, was organized Oct. 1, 1875, with the following board: George A. Karstetter, Clerk; Wm. Young, Treasurer; and S. C. Barnett, Bundy was the first teacher. Sam Karstetter is the present clerk.

Concerning Dist. No. 11, Miss Estella Thies wrote: "In 1854 Archibald Mallon came from Ireland and settled in this district. He cleared a tract large enough for a house on the Addison Decker farm. The hut he made was of poles set up endwise like an Indian tent and was covered with grass and mud A large fire was kept burning all night to keep the wolves away. The following spring Mr. Mallon cleared some land and planted some buckwheat. Within several years Mr. Dickens came from New York and settled on the Ned Kingsley farm. Later, Mr. Tollard, Mr. Rood and Mr. Skidmore came from Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania, and settled her. Mr. Skidmore settled on the George Goodrich farm. Mr. Rood on the Tom Gallagher farm and Mr. Pollard on the Fred Dargel farm.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Upper LaValle

"St. Paul's Lutheran congregation of LaValle, was organized in 1875, , with the following members: August Lucht, John Lucht, and Herman Lucht of this town, Albert Daugs of the town of Summit, Juneau County, and Carl Nemitz of the town of Seven Mile Creek. Rev. A. E. Winter of Loganville served the congregation from its organization until 1888. In 1884 a chapel was erected, and dedicated July 27th of that year. Rev. Rohrlack of Reedsburg aand Rev. Sauer of Wonowoc officiating at the dedication. After Rev Winter retired from the pastorate, Rev. John Karrer of Loganville was called and served until 1893. In that year it was decided to have a residential pastor, and that summer a parsonage was built. During the time that elapsed between the resignation of Rev, Karrer and the coming that fall Rev. Justus Blumenkranz, Rev. Mayerhoff of Wonowoc was pastor.

Rev. Blumenkranz served until 1904, and was followed by Rev. Christian Meyer. A parochial school was organized during the year 1905 and had at the close of the first term an enrollment of forty-seven pupils. The following April, 1906, it was decided to erect a larger building, and the cornerstone was laid July 21, 1907. The completion of the edifice was rapid, and on Oct 27, 1907 the congregation gathered to dedicate the new structure.

Rev. Meyer served the charge until 1914, and was followed by Rev. Gustav Meyr. He served until 1923, and was followed bt Rev. O. C. Thusius of Camrose, Canada, who was installed May 23, 1903. He is the present pastor.

The church celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its founding in July, 1925, at which there were present a number of the former pastors. The present official board is as follows: Rev. O. E. Thusius, Pastor; Albert Roloff, President; August Lucht, Secretary; Herman Lucht Sr., Carl Roloff and Wm. C. A. Lucht, Elders; and Herman Lucht, Herman Sietlow and William C. E. Lucht, Trustees.

Washington

West of the town of Winfield, south of Ironton, bounded on the west by Richland County and the south by the towns of Bear Creek and Franklin, the town of Washington is the most southwestern of those covered in this book. While not as old as the other towns, comparatively, in point of early settlement it has as much of the local literature amd more perhaps than most of the other towns.

Originally the boundary of this town enclosed a part of the present Irinton, and the first settlement was made on that part which after a later survey, was set into the town of Ironton by George Washinton Gray. It was this man who accompanied Mr. Babb here from Ohio in 1846. As early as 1848 he entered his claim on what is now the south Ironton line. The following year, 1849, the family of Lucian B. Swallow having came to Reedsburg from Ohio, he was married to Frances Swallow, a duaghter. Reamaining in Reedsburg and on Babb's Prairie, that year, in the spring of 1850 he built upon his claim and established his family. The town of Washington was named in honor of this pioneer. Later the Gray family left the county.