Russel O. Myers is credited with having been the first settler in the present confines of the town. This gentlemman was a native of Columbus, Chenango County, N. Y., born Sept. 14, 1819, his parents being Oliver and Amy (Hall) Myers. Remaining in the place of his birth where he married Jane McIntyre in 1850, he brought his family to Sauk County, and entered 160 acres of government land, where he immediately began improvements. To Mr. and Mrs. Myers were born two children: Byron L., who married Margaret J. Johnson, daughter of George Johnson, and resided in the township; and Daniel H. In 1870 the wife died and some time later Mr. Myers married Eunice L. Hale, daughter of Addison Hale. They had two children, Russell O., and Eunice L., twins.

Sevyer Seldon was the next settler. Among the pioneers of 1852 were Clark Miller, and Lewis Lumery. Of these the Miller family were perhaps the earliest. Mr. Miller was a native of the East, but at an early date located his family in Kentucky His wife was Matilda Wood. In 1836 the family left Kentucky, moving to Indiana. In the latter state they resided until 1852 when they came to Washington, then town of Marston, where the family afterward resided. E. S. Drake came in 1853. Mr. Aden Tucker and family came as early as that year also, for it is known that a daughter, Miss Jane Tucker, taught a private school in her father's house in 1853. The Tucker family located in the valley west of Loganville, near the head of Narrow's Creek, and the community known as Tuckertown takes its identity from its pioneer settler.

The year of 1854 brought a notable influx of settlers into the town. Of these Gilbert Wheeler was one of the earliest. He was a native of Brown County, N. Y., but early went to Pennsylvania. From there he came to Walworth County, Wis., and thence to Washington in 1854, locating on land in Section 14.

Another prominent settler this year was Harvey W. Reese. This family came from Ohio, of which state both the father and the mother were natives, and located on virgin land in this township, on Section 17, in November, 1854 They entered the town on Oct. 20 of that year, and spent their first night in an old log cabin standing on Section 31. This crude habitation was called "Mansion House". It had walls and a roof and an opening for the door, but was without a floor, and was hardly large enough for the party, which consisted of Mr. Reeve's family, and three gentlemen friends. The following day the party moved into a similar dwelling on Mr. Reeve's land, and ten days were to elapse before a commodious log house could be built. After a years residence the family moved to a site now known as Sandusky, a locality at that time seemed destined to become important as a center between the thriving village of Reedsburg and other villages to the southwest, as a tavern town and stagecoach and stopping place.. Mr. Reeve was one of the most enthusiastic promoters of the village, and upon locating at that point, in company with a Mr. William Cobb, built a steam sawmill. This did not prove profitable enough for two, and within a year he sold his interest to his partner, and shortly after opened a general store. For a time the village enjoyed some growth, and in 1855 it was made a postoffice. William Dano, another early settler in the community, was appointed postmaster. Mr. Reeve became postmaster in 1861, and conducted the affairs of the office, along with his store, for many years, with decided success.

Mr. Reeve was a native of New Lyme, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, born in 1823, and represented a long and honorable line of forebearers. His grandfather was a captain in the Revolutionary war, and his father a soldier in the War of 1812. In Ohio he grew to manhood, and married Elizabeth Dodge, daughter of Edward and Ursula (Willie) Dodge. To this union were born eight children: Dora A., who married I. W. Francis, and went to Dakota; Ida F.; Rose A., who married Charles W. Towsley; Emma C.; Westley E.; Nettie N.; Hurbert L.; George C.

Joseph Powell, another settler of 1854, was one of the first of the old world immigrant families to locate in the town of Washington. he was a native of Tipperary, Ireland, son of Robert and Elizabeth (Ringwood) Powell. In 1832 he came to New York, and began to make shoes. In 1835 he married Esther Belcher, also a native of Ireland, and about 1842 left New York and located in Lockport, New York state. Here the family resided for ten years, coming about 1853 to Beloit, Wis., and the ensuing year to Washington. He located on Section 32, and engaged in farming and shoemaking. Mr. and Mrs. Powell had twelve children, four of whom died in infancy. Those who survived early life were:William J., who resided for many years in Ohio; Robert I., who was a soldier in Co. E, 36th W. V. I., married Augusta Smith and resided at Sandusky; George A., married Annie Maxwell and lived at North Freedom; Rachel, who married Joseph Kennedy; Joseph B., who married Ida Saulsbury and lived in the town of Washington.

Dr. William Wood will long be remembered as another early settler of this township, a pioneer of 1854, an accomplished physician, a permanent settler of the county. He was born in Vermont in 1811 and resided in his native town, Thetford, Orange County, until 19 years of age, when he commenced the study of medicine in Ellisburg, that state. :ater he removedto Watertown, N. Y. where he completed his studies. He began his practice at Chaumont, N. Y. In 1836 he was married to Betsey Ann Ball, daughter of Eleazer and Mary (Farlin) Ball. They remained in the East until 1852 when they came to Lone Rock, and two years later to Washington, settling in Section 25. The Wood family consisted of seven children: Samuel, married Frances Gray; Naomi, who married C. D. Spoon and died in early life; Willaim, a member of the 23rd W. V. I., who died in a hospital at St. Louis; Albert, married Ida Organ, and resided for many years in Washinfton; Mary, Francis and Jesse.

Other families to come this year (1854) were those of Addison Hale and A. C. Harris. Mr. Hale was a native of Ohio, where his parents, Levi and Eunice (Downing) Hale went when that state was the western frontier. Ther he remained until1839 when, with a number of other Ohio frontiersmen, he came to Walworth County, this state. In 1843 he was married to Olive Lavisa Bacon, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Sweeney) Bacon. Residing in southerm Wisconsin until the spring of 1854, the family started for the wilderness of Westfield and reached their lands on the tenth of May. Mr. and Mrs. Hale had seven children: Alvina, who married Samuel Miller, Washington; Eunice L., who married R. O. Myers, Washington pioneer; Alonzo A., who married Nettie Halleck; Melissa; Elmer E. and Viola M.

A. C. Harris was a native of Stamford, Bennington County, Vermont, born in 1827, son of Francis and Angeline (May) Harris. His early life was spent in Vermont, and there he married Mary E. Potter, daughter of Lyndon and Lucy B. Potter, the Potters having been an early Vermont family. To this union was born one son, Arthur E., who came with the family to Washington in 1854. Prior to coming the family spent several years in Ohio. The Harris family located on Section 9, where the mother died in 1863. In 1865 Mr. harris married his second wife, Jane A. Jayne, widowed sister of his first wife. they had one daughter, Angie May. This lady married Albert Rebety, and, widowed, Luther Craker. Mr. and Mrs. Craker reside in Reedsburg. Arthur E. Harris, son of A. C. and Lucy E. (Potter) Harris, married Elizabeth Welton and lived in Washington until his untimely death. His widow resides in Reedsburg with a daughter, Miss Lucy Harris. Other children of Arthur and Elizabeth Harris were: Bernice, wife of Albert Thorn, Reedsburg,; Mary E., wife of N. A Cushman, Reedsburg-this lady has been Reedsburg librarian for over twenty years; and Frank, who died in childhood/

The Lyndon Potter family also came to Washington at an early date, and were rural folk, descendants of Roger Williams

From 1854 on the settlement of the township was rapid. One of the earliest settlers of 1855 was Jeremiah Buell. He was born in New Hampshire, Sept 7, 1802, son of Reuben and Mary (Crisco) Buell. When he was but a small child his parents removed to Vermont and from there to Westport, Essex Co., N. Y., where he grew to manhood. In 1831 he was married to Bethiah Robinson, daughter of Isaac and Martha (Howe) Robinson. In 1849 the family came to Rock County, Wis., and in 1855 to Wasington, locating on a farm in Section 16, where he engaged in farming and blacksmithing. Mr. and Mrs. Buell were the parents of four children: Mary E., who married D. T. Kenyon and resided in Janesville; Clark R., who married Emily M. Grover and lived in Washington; Jane A., who married A. R. Kingsley of Rock County, Wis.; and James A., who married Malina E. Marsh.

Linus F. Bennett was another settler of 1855, a native of Pennsylvania, going from there to Michigan. In the latter place he married Marcia H. Estas, a native of New York, and in 1845 located in Janesville. In 1850 he went to California in the gold rush, but returned the following year to that city, where he pursued his trade of carpentry and joiner until 1855, when he came to Washington. Ever after he engaged in farming. There were three children in his family: Hattie A., Frederic J., and Edward L., the latter dying at an early age.

John Hopper, Thomas Lyndon and Frederic Schoephoister were settlers that year also. John Hopper and his wife, Jane E. Kirkpatrick, had previously resided in Ohio, and their son, W. C., for many years a farmer of the town, was born there>

Thomas Lyndon, remembered as a cooper in the village of Sandusky, was a native of Utica, N. Y., son of James and Elizabeth (Roland) Lyndon. When Thomas was a child of five his people moved to Rochester, N. Y., but twelve years later returned to Utica, where they resided for several years. In 1841 Thomas Lyndon was married to Louisa M. Webb, daughter of Gould and Fanny (Parker) Webb, she a native of Connecticut. In 1848 Thomas Lyndon brought his family to Wisconsin, locating first in Dodge County, next in Marquette County, and in 1855, in the town of Washington. After a short residence in this town the family moved to Reedsburg, then to Excelsior, but soon returned to Sandusky, where he afterward engaged as a cooper.

The family of Timothy Chapman were among the settlers of the next year, 1856. Mr. Chapman was a native of Ohio, son of Caleb and Deborah (Knowlton) Chapman. In 1843 he was married to Mary Gardner, daughter of John and Edith (Sission) Gardner. In 1854 Mr. Chapman came to Wisconsin, locating at Lone Rock, and two years later in Washington, where he engaged as farmer, carpenter, and joiner. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman has three children: nancy, who married Jacob Runyon; Caleb; and Guy, who married Ann Powers. Nathaniel Hart came this year also. He was born in the Empire State, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Eaton) Hart. he spent his early years in his native place, and married Ltdia Newman, daughter of Joseph Newman in 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Hart resided in the East until 1856 and came directly to Washington. They had five children: Orcelia, who married Henry Grover; Mary E., who married Charles Ward; Charles, married Carrie Earle; Ada, married LeeCoan; and Maria, who married William Webster, and resided for many years at Sandusky.

Lewis Maxham and his wife were among the permanent settlers of that year also. The father was a native of Sandy Creek, Oswego County, N. Y.. son of Asa and Cynthia (Sprague) Maxham. In 1845 he came to Elkhorn, Walworth County, Wis., and then moved to Sugar Creek, same county, where he was married in 1849 to Harriet Jane Flitcroft. Two years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Maxham came to Baraboo, and, after living there five years, moved to a farm in this town, where they resided for many years. They were the parents of five children: Alice E., who married Henry E. Stewart of Loganville, now residing in Los Angeles; Frances E., who married Vince Richards; Charlew W.; Lewis; and H. Leslie, who married Susan Charlotte Goodwin, and now is a farmer in the town of Reedsburg. The family of William Thornburgh came likewise that year.

Charles D. Schulter, a native of Prussia, germany, was possibly the first of the German settlers to locate in the town. His wife, who he married in germany, was Mary Maerhof. They came to America in 1854, and resided in Rockford, Ill., until 1856, when they located in the town of Washington. In this family there were seven children: Carline M., who became the wife of C. J. H. Erffmeyer; Christian; Louisa; Charles F., of Reedsburg; Henry, later of Washington; Mary, wife of William Schoephoister; and Minde, who became the wife of Fred Kollmeyer.

Early German Settlers

With Frederic Schoephoister and Charles D. Schluter in the vanguard of early german immigrant settlers in this town, the community began to fill up rapidly with German pioneers. By 1864 this class of settlers had grown strong enough in numbers to commence the organization of two Lutheran Churches.The first of these was the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and was built in October, 1864, on land donated by C. J. H. Erffmeyer on Section 27, at a cost of $400, The society was organized at a meeting held at the house of Charles Schluter, June 5, 1862, and Rev. Joseph Harlacher was the first pastor. Of the German settlers especially interested in the church were: Charles Schluter, fred Schoephoister, Christian Uphoff, henry Ties, Chris Schluter, C. J. H. Erffmeyer, John Schoephoister, Ernest Bierheit, Chris Gieseke.

A second Lutheran Church was organized the same year, 1864, known as the St. Paul's Evangelical Church.This organization had its inception at the meetings held at the homes of the settlers as early as 1858. the first of these home meetings was held at the home of Charles Brandt, a pioneer of the town, in 1857. These home meetings continued for some years, and a church structure was not erected until October, 1871. Among the early members of this church were: Charles Brandt, Frederic Brandt, Henry Brandt, John Wise, Kris Krueger, Mr. Westedt, Charles Muchow, August Krueger, William Krueger. The first regular pastor of this congregation was Rev. A. Susner.

Posterity of Jonathan and Sarah Sebring

Back in Pennsylvania, within a few years after the opening of the 1800s, there was contracted the marriage of Johnathan Sebring and Sarah Corson, both natives of this state. We have data for only a brief mention of this notable family. It is obvious that resided for some years in Lycoming County, pennsylnavia, going thence to Tioga County, where they seem to have resided until coming to Wisconsin. In the Quaker State thirteen children were born, four of whom were Rachel, hannah, george and Harriet, the last named being the youngest of all.

But it was she who led the children of Jonathan and Sarah in their settlement in the twon of Washington. In 1850 this lady married Samuel Thompson, and four years later, 1854, came with him into the wilds of washington, where they resided ever after. Mr. Thompson was a native also of Pennsylvania, and was a son of james and Margaret (Corothers) Thompson. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were the parents of a large family: Reese W., who married Ida King, and resided in Washington; Royal P.; Marion V,; George S.; Ernest W.; Otto G.; Orlan; James l.; and Phoebe.

The next year, 1855, Jonathan and sarah came to washington, and they were followed a year later, 1856, by their daughter Hannah and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Danile Corson. Mr. Corson was himself a native of Pennsylvania, and his parents were Cornelius and Phoebe (Tallman) Corson. the children of Daniel and Hannah Corson were: sarah E., who married John S. Miller and resided in washington; and Robert P.

Three years later another daughter of the couple heading this sketch, came to washington, Rachel Sebring Costerian, wife of Felix D.,-notable pioneer of this town. Mr Costerain was a native of Lyons, France, born in the year 1814. At an early date he came to America, and after spending several years at sea, in 1836, located permanently in the United States. Soon he went to Pennsylvania, and the following year, 1837, was married to rachel Sebring. they resided in that state until 1859 when they came to this township where they made their home afterward. The Costerian children were: Margaret and Claudius, who died in infancy; Sarah E., who became the wife of Alexander Miller; Robert G.; Clara R.; Harriet C., who married James Richards; George F., married Rose Powell; John J., married Phoebe Corson; Henry W., married Ida E. peters; Hannah C., who is the widow of Benjamin Tyler, and was interviewed for this work last summer; Michael Charles; Rachel M.; and Francis M.

And then, in 1867, came a fourth member of the family od Jonathan and Sarah-George L. Sebring. This man was born in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, and was married in his native state to rebecca M. Thomas, daughter of William and Anna (McElrath) Thomas. later he went in the gold rush to California, but returned to his native state, and came from that point to Washington. The children of george and Rebecca Sebring were: William T., who married Isabelle Rockwell and resided in washington; Emma F., who became the wife of Irwin Baird and died in early life; Robert H.; and Cora Bell.

Other Settlers

Joseph Lunn was another prominent settler of the town. he was a native of Yorkshire, Englnad, son of John and Esther (Ebittson) Lunn, born in 1816. In May, 1939, at the Parish Church at Ashton-Under-Lyne, he was married to Ann Taylor, daughter of James and Mary (Scofield) Taylor. Two days after Mr. and Mrs. Lunnsailed for America, and for three years made their home in Patterson, N. J., and then moved to Wisconsin in1842, settling in germantown, Washington County. About 1845 they moved to Milwaukee, where they resided until coming to Washington. To Mr. and Mrs. Lunn were born seven children: John, James, Taylor, Lunn, all born in New Jersey; James, who married Mary Blakesley, daughter of Squire Blakesley, of Ironton; Joseph; Esther Ann; Sarah Ann; and Samuel.

Rev. Orin B. Kilbourn was another early settler and clergyman of this town. He was born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1820, son of Erastus and Lydia (Whetmore) Kilbourn. At the age of 17 he left the state of his birth, and located in Pennsylvania, where in 1841 he married Miss Lavina M. Palmer, daughter of Gideon Palmer, the Palmers have been Rhose Island people. In 1856 Mr. Kilbourn brought his family to Illinois, where in 1857 Mrs. Kilbourn died, leaving one child, Ann E., who married Julian Whitman. Returning to Rhode Island, Mr. Kilbourn married Clara E. Palmer, half-sister to his first wife, June, 1858, and came immediately to Washington where they settled. To this union were born five children: Lillian M.; Otto; Theral; Linas; Kingston P.

We would mention Levi Purdy also as another pioneer of the Tuckertown region.

The family of Calvin Sedgwick were also pioneer settlers of the twon, and date their coming to 1861. prior to her marriage Mrs. Sedgwick was harriet N. Webb. At an early day the family had lived in Dodge County, Wis., but in 1856 they came to Reedsburg, later went to Excelsior, and from there to this town. James and Ed. Sedgwick. contempory residents of Reedsburg, are members of this pioneer family. A daughter of the former is the wife of Gus Rueland, also of Reedsburg.

In concluding this brief history of the early settlers of this township we are able to make extended mention of Philip Apple, an early settler in this town, earlier still of Loganville and prior to that of Reedsburg. Mr. Apple was born in Bavaria, Germany, 1832, and came to the United States in 1845, settling in Lycoming County, Penn., where he remained until 1855, coming at that date to Reedsburg. After a short stay in Reedsburg he went to Loganville and assisted Mr. Kinsley with his sawmill; then he spent a year in the Wisconsin pineries, and about 1857 located in Washington on unbroken land, where he built a cabin and laid the foundation for a home. In 1857, at Loganville, he was married to Sarah Kyle, daughter of Andrew Kyle. To this union was born one son, Frank W., now residing in LaValle. Frank W. Apple married for his first wife, Anna Head, and had four children: Alicia and William, deceased and Philip and Marion. In 1899, Frank W., married a second time, Louise Eder, and they have three children: Glen, Clarence, and Sylma. In 1867 Philip Apple married his second wife, Almira Mead, widowed daughter of Joseph and Lydia Harriman, this lady a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y. To this second marriage were born two daughters: Minnie May and Rena. The latter married Florence Mittlestadt, deceased, and is a postal employee at Reedsburg.

United Brethren Church at Tuckertown

The United Brethren Church at Tuckertown, now supplanted by the Lutheran Church, was organized about 1868, and the meetings were held in private homes. The first pastor was Rev. James Hickey. In 1876 a frame church was erected at the point known as Tuckerown, and was dedicated the last Sunday in June, 1877. The pastor at that time was Rev. James Aldrich. Among the early members and supporters were:John Shoup, Nelson Blood, William Blackburn, Levi Purdy and Philip Apple. Aden Tucker donated the site.

The Sauk City Oil Company

In the spring of 1865 indications of oil were found on the surface of a spring on the farm of J. C. Piper, Section 36, Washington. Two companies were at once organized with a view of developing the oil business in this town. Each leased about a thousand acres in the vacinity of the discovery. One was composed mostly of parties from Sauk City; the other of citizens of the town and different parts of the county. The Sauk County Oil Company procured an engine, boiler and drilling apparatus; an expert was employed and drilling commenced. Excitement ran high. Fabulous prices were asked for the land in the vacinity. Parties by the name of Long and Perkins built a hotel by the proposed well.

The drilling progressed to the depth of 138 feet, when the drill was lost. Shortly afterward the work was abandoned. Excitement abated, and citizens awoke from their dreams of sudden propsperity to the fact that they were only an agricultural people, and that in that calling lay their only riches.

Fort Hart

On a Saturday evening, shortly after the New Ulm massacre of Minnesota, when the people living on the frontier were excusably nervous, a Mrs. Stambaugh, living a mile and a half north of the village of Sandusky, seeing, as she supposed, a party of Indians pass through the woods by her place, took her little ones and fled to Mr. Hart's, a nearby neighbor, and sough protection. On hearing her story the news soon spread, and by common consent the neighboring settlers gathered with their wives and children at the hart place, taking with them only such weapons and household goods as they could conveniently carry. here they made a stand, determined to sell their lives as dearly as possible.

Fort Hart was soon in readiness to resist an attack. Windows and doors were barricaded, weapons, from rifles to pitchforks, placed at hand. A young man living further south, and who happened to be at Mr. Hart's house mounted his horse and made a bold push for home. On the way he spread the alarm, without stopping to enter any particulars. As he passed Mr. Reeve's house he made a warning cry:

Oh, Harvey, the Indians are coming! The woods are full of them!"

He rode on like the wind. This naturally excited Reeve's fears, and he began instant preparations to fortify his dwelling also. Bullets were run, rifle loaded, corn knives and scythes placed within reach. Barricades were erected, and the general aspect of the place began to look as though anything but a large band of Indians had no business here. About this time neighbor Joseph Powell put in appearance at the Reeve fortress. He and Reeve determined to do a little reconnoitering in the Hrt neighborhood. At great risk of being shot for redskins they succeeded in gaining admission to this formidable place.

There they found about thirty men, women and children all crowded into one small room, the floor covered with bedding and such household goods as the refugees in their fright had brought with them. Women and children were pale and trembling, men nervous but pretending to be cool. All sorts of weapons had been pressed into service, from flintlock rifles to brush scythes. It was certain that no scalps would be taken here without a desperate struggle. One old man, with more bravado than the others, pulled open the door, and cried out in defiance-

"Come on, ye bloodthirsty savages!" but quickly closed the door for fear of being taken at his word.

Captai Reeve and the veteran Powell, watching an opportunity when no painted warriors were in sight, stole back to the protection of their families. Greatly to Mr. Powell's concern, he found his home deserted. It was plain wife and little ones were in the hands of the merciless savages. In fear and trembling he made a close search of the premises, exoected every moment to stumble upon the mutilated remains of his loved ones. But finally a faint voice from the loft of his log barn reached him. Greatly to his relief he found them all safely hidden away under the hay.

Mr. Reeve, in order to allay the fears of his family, pretended to doubt the actual presence of any Induans, and went to bed, but not to sleep. His wife, not satisfied with this arrangement, spent the long night in anxious waiting. She was positive that, if they were permitted to live till another day, they should go back to Ohio at once. The long night passed without unusual sound. The clear light of day brought with it confidence and hope. The garrison at Fort Hart ventured on an investigation. It was then discovered that Mrs. Stanbaugh's ferocious Indians were only three innocent hunters, who, in passing her place at dusk, by their bronze faces and buckskin suits, had caused her to mistake them for Indians.

And thus ended the Indian scare of Sandusky and the siege of Fort Hart!

Hillpoint

The first settlements in the vacinity of Hillpoint, if we accept Gilbert Wheller, who was already been mentioned, were made by David Boland and Mr. Lummney, who followed him within a short time. These two men took up adjoining farms, Mr. Boland's lying farthest north. In 1866 he purchased a small tract of land south of the Lummney place, now the Kohlmeyer farm, and erected a saw-mill, on a branch of Narrows Creek that flowed through the tract. This was during the years of the hop boom and the sawing of hop-slats was the first done at the mill. Mr. Boland operated the mill until 1869, when it was discontinued.

While Hillppoint is not an incorporated village, it is a thriving little inland hamlet today, with a Creamery business that is famous throughout the state, for the exce3llent quality of its butter, it having won the highest score at the Dairy Show at Milwaukee in 1928. The creamery is an incorporated business, a stock company, and Mr. Kohlmeyer ranks high in offical capacity.

Otis and Mary (Jenks) Phillips

While the couple whose name introduces this sketch did not number among the settlers in this town, they are indeed a part of its history, for several members of their family were to come into the town to live. Of them Mrs. John Brown was first. Mr. and Mrs, Brown came in 1864, and located on a farm. Then in 1867 the families of Lucien and Otis Phillips came, both settling on farms, and establishing a permanent posterity. Amy (Mrs. John P. Stone) and Otis Phillips, representatives of the latter, are local townspeople, while the Phillips sisters so well known in Reedsburg represent Lucien. Otis and Mary (Jenks) Phillips were both descendants of Roger Williams.

Westfield
(continued)

The history of this township is that of one of the oldest sections of northwestern sauk County. The first settlement within its confines was made by John Mepham, who in 1848 took up a claim one mile north of the present village of Loganville. Mr mepham was a native of England, where he grew to manhood and married Mary Forward, a sister of Mrs. Jesse Cottington, Winfield pioneer. In 1840 they came to the United States, locating in New York, where the family resided until 1850. returning to his home in the East after staking his claim, Mr. Mepham brought his family to Westfoeld that year, built upon his claim, and established himself as a permanent settler of the township. Roy Mepham, Reedsburg, is a representative of this family.

One R. Sprague is said to have located a claim in Westfield prior to the return of Mr. Mepham. The following year, 1851, Horace Smith was a settler. Henry Davey and John Seldon pioneered in 1852.

The Twist family, so well known to Winfield pioneers, came into the town in 1853. The name Twist is old in American annals, and was first brought to this country by one Lyman Twist, Holland immigrant, who came in the eraly 1600s. Lyman Twist, local pioneer, four generations from the immigrant, was a native of New York, born in 1808. His wife was Lydis Scoon. When this family came west they bought the tract now occupied by Orloff Twist, which was originally a grant issued in favor of the widow of Philip Reily, a soldier shot during the Seminole war, under date of Oct. 1, 1852. It was from the widow Reily that Mr. Twist acquired title. Upon this land, when the Twist family arrived, was an Indian Village, and Ah-Ha Choker dwelt here for some years afterward. Mr. and Mrs. Twist had a number of children: William A.; Frank L., who for his first wife married mary Stewart, daughter of John M. and Sarah Ann (Dorneck) Stewart; Mary Alice, who married Orloff Twist and died some years ago. For many years Frank L. Twist was a popular teacher of the county, but after the death of his wife he went to the state of Washington, where ever after he made his home. Returning on a visit during the Autumn of 1910 he revisited scenes of his childhood, and committed his musings to verse, printed at the time in the Free Press, and reproduced in this work under the captions. "The Song of Ah-Ha Choker", and "Loganville".