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'Twere vain, with philosophic eye,
To watch the moving of the soul,
Or ask the throbbing bosom, why
So free the blissful passions roll,
While such fair forms, of heavenly art.
Impress their image on the heart.

There are some spots, where sorrow's tears
Fall bright as drops of pearly dew,
Where, throwing off the weight of years,
Age dreams of youthful days anew;
A hope comes joyous through the gloom,
That long has thickened round the tomb.

Oh! there are spots, where pious thought
Views God, in nobler majesty;
Places, where all is grand,-and naught
Above, beneath the bending sky,
But seems to mirror forth a ray
Of changeless, uncreated day.

And such, La Crosse, thy happy seat,
'Mid tow’ring hill, and shady grove;
Where bounding waters rudely meet,
And, blending in fraternal love,
Invite the steamer, in her pride,
'To tempt the mighty, rolling tide.


A BRIEF SKETCH OF LA CROSSE.


”Westward the star of empire takes its way.“
            To the native citizen of the United States, there is an indescribable
pleasure in noticing the rapid progress of civilization and physical improvement,
spreading like fancy-paintings, over that vast region of country,
so very recently the abode of wild beasts, and of a race of men,
whose domestic arrangements, social habits, and political institutions, entitled
them to a position only a little removed from that of herding animals,
such as buffaloes and beavers. While every rising village, with
which this great field is being almost daily adorned and beautified, enhances
this pleasure, there are some spots deserving more than ordinary notice;
whose future destiny is so clearly indicated by surrounding circumstances,
that it seems desirable to make an early record of their settlement,
and of the leading incidents in their history. Of the just application of
this remark to Prairie La Crosse, the writer is fully convinced ; nor does
he doubt but a similar conviction will be experienced by most unprejudiced
minds, on becoming acquainted with the facts upon which his
opinion has been formed.

I.----Location.
            'The question is often asked, and not unfrequently with the evident
intention of a modest rebuke, to those who think favorably of the place,
"Where is Prairie La Crosse ?"  In answering this inquiry, the reader
will take a common school Atlas, and having found the map of Wisconsin,
let him commence at the southwest corner of the State, and ascend
the Mississippi river, until he reaches the mouth of La Crosse river,
about one mile below the mouth of Black river, and there, in latitude
44°, very nearly, and 14 1/2° of longitude west from Washington,
being precisely on the same parallel of the latitude of Ticonderoga, in
the State of New York, he will find spread out in quiet beauty before
him, that portion of earth, denominated-Prairie La Crosse.

II.----Physical Features.
            The fact that La Crosse is situated on a prairie, is incorporated with
the name of its river, but, as prairies differ greatly in size, surface, soil,
and surrounding scenery, a brief description of these may not be uninteresting
to the reader. Though the writer has resided more than twelve
years in the region of prairies-has traveled through several of the
States most distinguished for these fields of uncultivated herbage, yet


6 A BRIEF SKETCH


has no where else seen a prairie that bore scarcely a single shade of
resemblance to Prairie La Crosse. In extent of surface, this prairie contains
about thirteen square miles, stretching along the eastern shore
of the Mississippi, to the distance of seven miles, and being two and a
half miles across in the widest place.  From the river, the land rises
very gradually to an elevation of some forty feet, and the surface is then
either level, or gently undulating, seeming as if purposely prepared to
receive a large city into its inviting bosom.
            Almost every variety of sandy soil may be found on this area of only
thirteen or fourteen square miles. On the eastern side, directly under
a chain of bluffs, which will hereafter be described, the soil is extremely
fertile, producing, as the past season has shown, large crops of corn,
oats, and wheat, and being especially favorable to growing vines and
roots of all descriptions, common to this latitude.  In the central portions
of this prairie, the soil, though less prolific than in the part already described,
is generally of a quality not inferior to most sandy soil, being of
a dark color, not very moveable, but rather close-easily cultivated, and
yielding a fair return for the labor required.
            Near the river the sand assumes a light appearance, is less firm, often
flying before a strong wind, and the soil is mainly valuable for horticulturel
purposes, requiring considerable manuring and skill in cultivating-
it successfully.
            To a vivid imagination, the scenery around Prairie La Crosse is of the
most deeply interesting character ; possessing such a combination of simplicity
and of romantic beauty as are rarely found united in so small a
compass.  At this point, the bluffs, on both sides of the Mississippi, rise
to an altitude of about five hundred feet above the waters of the river,
ascending somewhat gradually from their base, until within perhaps seventy
feet of their summits, which, at intervals, are crowned with a
range of perpendicular rock, forming a bold projection of several rods in
length, broken by sloping hills, skirted with patches of thrifty oaks, and
covered, during the season of foliage, with a luxurient growth of vegetation.
            The entire distance between the bluffs on the opposite sides of the Mississippi,
is really no less than four or five, miles, yet such is the visual
hallucination, that the first impression of probably every person who has
visited La Crosse, has been, that the bluffs were within a half mile, at
least, of the town; nor has this optical illusion been fully corrected, until
actual experiment has shown the weary traveler, how deceitfully they
would appear to slide away into the distance, when he attempted to pay
them a friendly visit. But though it costs some labor to ascend these
bluffs, especially on foot, it is very good business for dispeptics, and the
view from their top will repay the toil a thousand fold. The writer has
stood on the mountain walls which' hold the foaming Niagara in their
firm embrace, and as he has looked down into that tremendous chasm, he
has felt an emotion of sublimity ; but, fanciful as it may seem to other


OF LA CROSSE. 7


minds, while he would indeed prefer Niagara as an object of curiosity,
he still regards the view from the summit of these bluffs, as presenting
a prospect more exquisitely beautiful, and, the dashing, roaring cataract
excepted, far more grand and majestic than that wonder of the world.
Here is an elevation of five hundred feet, a chasm of several miles in
width, occupied by a delightful prairie, a broad river quietly rolling on
among its green forest islands; and still farther in the distance, may be
seen the bright waters of Black river, coming to join the " Father of
Rivers ' in his journey to the ocean,-all grand, magnificent, beautiful.
            It might be expected that the soil on these bluffs would be wholly unproductive;
but, so far is this from being true, that hazel bushes and
other vegetable products, indicating a good quality of land, are found
growing only a very few rods from the edge of perpendicular cliffs.-
Back a short distance from the brow of these lofty hills, the surface extends
off in wide, level ridges, covered with trees of a finer form, and a
nobler stature than are common to up-lands in Wisconsin; and the soil,
which is black and deep, appears to be of the very best kind for wheat
and tame grass.  Nor let it be objected, that this high table-land is inaccessible,
for the frequent slopes in the bluffs, seem to be some of Nature's
own grading, for the sake of opening her treasures to mankind.
            From what has been shown in this brief presentation of facts, it is
easy to see that, as a site for a large town,-a large city,-La Crosse
has very few equals; and the want of sufficient commercial advantages-
of proper business relations of one kind or another, alone can prevent
this prairie from containing a multitude of enterprising, inhabitants, at no
very remote period. This leads me to notice,

 

IlI.----Commercial Advantages.
            The history of the past, and a present view of the world, prove that
there are certain channels through which the valuable products of the
earth, and of the manufacture, legitimately flow, and that there are
points where men are sure to congregate for purposes of trade. It must
indeed be admitted, that these commercial depots are not always the best
that could be selected, and yet it is also true, that a good and favorable
point, with reasonable efforts to make it so, is invariably successful.
            As agriculture is one of the primary sources of productive wealth,
and as a large collection of human beings necessarily demands large
quantities of the fruits of earth for the support of life, the first question
in estimating the commercial advantages of La Crosse, is, What is the
extent and quality of the country, which must here find a market, or
must send the results of its industry through this particular channel?
In proof of the vastness of the agricultural region, naturally looking to
La Crosse as a market, it is only necessary to observe, that above this
place to St. Paul, the present capital of Minnesota, there is now no village
of any considerable size; that due west from this point to the great
bend of the St. Peters river, a distance of about one hundred miles, and
through a country, so far as examined, pronounced by all, one of the


8 A BRIEF SKETCH


finest in this latitude, the entire surplus produce must inevitably, pass
through La Crosse; that Prairie du Chien is the nearest southern village
even claiming competition, and that directly cast, so much of the
trade will of course come here, as is not attracted to Milwaukee or Chicago,
either of which, is about two hundred miles off, in a straight line.
To this estimate, the valley of Black river, at least for some years to
come, may appropriately be added; nor is it unworthy of remark, that
La Crosse may, quite probably, yet become the point at which all the
business now coming down the Mississippi, from the spacious tracts of
fertile country above, will leave this river, to seek an eastern market
through different lines of railroad.  There is scarcely any branch of agriculture
which may not be successfully followed in the various portions
of this immense region. Here may be found a rich valley, spreading
out into a hundred little vallies, and cheered by numerous brooks, in
whose bright waters sports the speckled trout; and there are grassy
hill sides, lofty table lands, and broad prairies-all being adapted to that
variety in husbandry which gives the agriculturist the surest safeguard
against those sad pecuniary revulsions, common to a section of country
devoted mainly to one line of farming. If the wheat crop should fail,
from any cause, (an hypothesis which, from past observation appears
wholly improbable,) oats, corn, beef, pork, or wool, may supply the loss,
enabling the judicious laborer to pursue his business in happy contentment,
and the trader, to make his ordinary exchanges, and thus meet
his liabilities, both at home and abroad.
            Next to the direct cultivation of the soil, the lumber trade promotes
the commercial resources of such districts, or more properly, of such
cities and villages as are so situated that they can turn it to their account.
La Crosse, in this respect, occupies a very rare position,-one
so far removed from a positive proximity to a lumbering district, that she
will never feel any of the social and agricultural embarrassments, which
every close observer ,has seen to be almost inseparably connected with,
residing in the heart of such a country, while all the real advantages of
a lumbering district will center at this place. There is now in operation
in this place, one steam saw mill, with one perpendicular, one rotary,
and one lath saw, and arrangements have been made for erecting another
mill and a planing machine, early next season. By ascending
Black river to a distance of only some sixty or eighty miles from this
village, vast tracts of country, covered with stately pines of the finest
quality, can be purchased at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre,
and the logs can be brought down by expert raft-men, with great facility,
and at no very considerable expense. The region to be supplied
with lumber directly through La Crosse, must make this a good and lucrative
business for a large number of capitalists; and the market for
lumber, on the lower Mississippi and its branches, is such that there is
no possibility of over action in this line of enterprise. According to in-
formation received from reliable authorities, a flat-bottomed boat may be


OF LA CROSSE. 9


constructed here, loaded with dressed lumber, taken to St. Louis, the
lumber sold for over $30 per thousand, and the boat itself then readily
turned for more than its original cost, as a vehicle for carrying produce
to still more southern markets.
            As a manufacturing town, La Crosse is as favorably situated as
any place in the west-Chicago and St. Louis possibly excepted. -
Raw materials of most kinds can be obtained here as readily as elsewhere,
and some things with even more ease than at almost any other point.
On our hills and uplands we can sustain thousands of the wool bearing
rice; from our forests we can gather the elements of whatever is
formed of wood; in a section not very remote and quite accessible,
iron ore is abundant, and cotton can be brought up in large quantities
from the South, by our noble steamers. Our bluffs afford us stone for
building purposes and for the manufacture of lime, and in the vicinity
is clay suitible for making excellent brick. In short, there are exceedingly
few branches of manufacturing interest that may not be
successfully pursued here, and, in the prosecution of which, a large
capital may not be judiciously employed within a brief period of
time, provided the population of the surrounding country continues
to advance at its present wonderful ratio.
            There is still one more question -one in the solution of which
every other point of commercial in erest, in relation to La Crosse, is
involved; and that is, What are the channels through which business
can approach this place, and carry back the products of local industry
and of traffic with the surrounding country? Is there an easy communication
between La Crosse and the -world?  Or, if not the whole
world, of any considerable part of it, or important places in it?  What
are these channels of intercourse, and whither do they lead?
            It has already been stated that La Crosse is favorably situated on
the Mississippi river, one of the noblest streams, considering the
number of its branches, and the varieties of soil and climate which
are reached by all of these different veins, to be found in North
America, if not in the world; and as an evidence of the immense
importance of river navigation at this particular point, it may be
proper to state, that the value of this trade between Galena and St. Paul
the past season, has exceeded four hundred thousand dollars !
And yet the country to which this business now extends, has only a
very small portion of the population that it must soon contain. True,
this mighty tide of business does not, at present, pass directly through
La Crosse, still it goes through the same channel that will always be
open to receive the results of the industry of citizens here, and such
facts as these, concerning the infant West, show how illimitable is the
field for commercial enterprise.
            But, visionary as such a supposition may seem to one who has not
given attention to this subject, as has been before intimated, in the
opinion of the writer, there are very strong reasons to believe that a


10 A BRIEF SKETCH


large portion of the business now passing La Crosse on the Mississippi,
will, so soon as the proper facilities shall be provided, come
from eastern markets to Chicago and Milwaukee, and thence in an
almost straight line, by railroad, to La Crosse; here, either proceeding
still on to the northwest, by river navigation, or directly west, by
railroad, to the great bend of, the St. Peters river, and into the immense
and only partially explored regions of country lying in that
direction. Let the reader take his map, and having drawn a straight
line between Chicago and the Capital of Minnesota, he will find that
it very nearly intersects Prairie La Crosse. No argument is required
to show that business coming into this region from the East, with very
few exceptions, will seek the ports of Chicago and Milwaukee; nor
is it easy to believe that it will fail to take the most speedy and direct
courses from these points to its place of final destination.
            The only contingency formerly existing in this calculation, seemed
to depend on the feasibility of constructing a railroad in a straight
course between Chicago and La Crosse, and between Milwaukee and
this place; and this prior contingency is not only wholly removed,
but the La Crosse and Milwaukee railroad is progressing with a rapidity
never before witnessed in a similar enterprise, commenced in
a new country. The eastern half of this road is now under contract,
and a portion of it nearly ready for use; while it is presumed from
present indications, that the grading on the western half may possibly
be completed by January, 1855. Making due allowances for the reverses
of fortune to which such undertakings are always liable, it is
safe expecting that this enterprise will be consummated without delay;
and that when perfected, it will meet the most sanguine hopes of its
friends and supporters. The building of a railroad from Chicago to
some point on the La Crosse and Milwaukee road, is also settled
beyond a reasonable doubt, nor will the completion of so important an
object, as is shown from the interest manifested in it, and from the
object itself, be deferred for a long period of time.
            My limits will not permit me to mention minutely every particular
connected with these enterprises, and, from the clearness with which
their true character may be seen by the most partial observer of geographical
locations, such minuteness seems absolutely useless, in presenting
the commercial advantages of this infant city. These projected
lines of railroad cannot, by any man of common sense, be reckoned
among the numerous visionary plans of an ephemeral popularity, but
doomed either to a hasty desertion, or to a lingering death. By virtue
of their own worth, these enterprises will succeed. The men now
enlisted in them will make them succeed. And, let these channels
be opened, as they assuredly will soon be, and he who needs further
evidence of the commercial facilities of La Crosse, is rather to be
pitied than envied. With the Mississippi by her side, and an iron
railway running direct from Chicago and Milwaukee through her


OF LA CROSSE 11

center, it is believed that no other place of the same age, can compare
with La Crosse, as offering inducements to capitalists, and to those
of almost every description, who wish to enlist in the mechanic arts.
Undoubtedly there is a possibility that this place may have a precocious
growth; but even admitting that it should be so, those who are
among the early settlers, can, if discriminating, secure advantages of
position which will more than compensate for the inconvenience arising
from this circumstance,-a circumstance connected with the history
of every western city, where location possesses any true merit.

 

IV.----Past History, Present Social, Moral, Literary & Religious Character of La Crosse.
            Having, very briefly considered the several topics presented in the
preceding pages, the reader will naturally wish to know the age of
this village, and some, the traces of its past and present history.-
Such a sketch, however it may be regarded by others, will be
especially interesting to every citizen of La Crosse, and may perhaps
be of value, when the rust of years shall have consumed the remembrance
of those facts from which this hasty record is made. The
first white settler in what is now called La Crosse, was Nathan
Myrick, an enterprising young man, then recently from the State of
New York, who, having spent the preceeding summer in Prairie du
Chien, in the fall of 1841, purchased a small boat load of goods, hired
some others to assist him, and came here to trade with the Indians.
So favorable were the- impressions entertained by Mr. Myrick, in
reference to the location of the place, that early the next spring
he went through with what were, at that time, the ordinary formalities
in making a claim to government lands, and having associated J.B. Miller,
then also a young man, with himself in business, he and
his partner still pursued their Indian trade. From a reference to the
date above given, it will be seen, that only about twelve years since,
La Crosse was simply one of the extreme outposts of civilization-an
Indian trading post, inhabited by three or four white men, who were
living in a state of "single blessedness," while all around was one vast
region, over which none hut t e feet of the red man had ever passed.
In the summer of 1843, Mr. Myrick, whose social virtues, and native
relish for domestic life, had evidently made him weary of his mode
of living, returned to the State of New York to visit his friends, and
to obtain the counterpart of man -a wife, whom, together with one
female friend, afterwards the consort of Mr. Miller, he brought immediately
to La Crosse-they being the first white female residents
of the spot of earth where this thriving village is now being built.-
During the next three years subsequent to this date, nothing of great
importance occurred in the little colony thus formed, except such
domestic incidents as are too sacred to be given to men who handle
ink and type.


12 A BRIEF SKETCH


            In July. 1846, J. M. Levy visited La Crosse, and engaged in traffic
with the Indians. When he arrived here, the entire community, as he
thinks, consisted of nine males and four females, the male portion being
traders and farmers, though, as it is presumed, not much attention was
paid-to the cultivation of the soil. Mr. L. states that his business,
the first year, was exclusively Indian trade; the next three years,
Indian trade and tavern keeping, at the expiration of which he engaged
in his present occupation.
          Some time during the year 1847, Hon. Timothy Burns, late Lieutenant
Governor of Wisconsin, and the illustrious statesman in whose
recent death this place has sustained so great a loss, was passing the
point where La Crosse is now situated, and, being captivated with
the external scenery, he was induced to examine into the commercial
prospects of the location. From a careful investigation of facts, he
became thoroughly convinced that there were very few village sites
possessing equal natural advantages, and hence, having purchased
one-half of the interest held by Myrick and Miller, in the year 1850
he removed his family into what then seemed a lonely and almost
unapproachable solitude - unapproachable indeed, except by river
navigation. Through the indefatigable enterprise of Mr. Burns, a
surveyor, William Hood, was immediately employed to lay out a reasonable
number of village lots, and some persons of public notoriety,
among whom was Thomas B. Stoddard, a Lawyer, and at a later
period, Hon. Geo. Gale, were influenced to become residents of the
little town. From the commanding influence of Mr. Burns in the
entire State, and his honest devotion to La Crosse, to him especially
is due-the honor of first giving this village a real existence, and of
putting into operation those causes, on which much of its future prosperity depends.
            F. M Rublee came to La Crosse in April, 1851, and being pleased
with the location, and entertaining a favorable opinion of its future
prospects, he removed here the following May, and immediately engaged
in business. When he arrived, he believes there were only
live families, consisting of some thirty persons, and he says that the
whole mercantile interest was engrossed by two small shots, neither
of which appeared to be burdened with heavy customers. All the
surrounding country was still uninhabited, except with here and
there, perhaps, a single settler, who was ambitious of trying new
fields; and, as the Indian trade was now removed there was but little
to be done in the line of merchandize. It was a point of transition
between barbarism and civilization -a crisis experienced by every
Indian trading post, whose position entitles it to any considerable importance
among the stable arrangements of cultivated society. Even
in the village of La Crosse, at that time, the very foundations of all
those social, moral, literary and religious institutions, which are peculiar
to Christian countries, were vet to be laid; and to a mind imbued


OF LA CROSSE. 13

with a love for these benign institutions, a residence here was
still a most dreary existence-like making a home on islands of ice
and amidst polar snows. Thus, as it appears, as late as 1851, the
actual settlement of La Crosse was but just commenced, and only the
nucleus of society was formed. From this period a rapid change was
manifested in the entire aspect of things. The population steadily
increased, and Mr. Rublee and wife, who were valuable members of
the Congregational church, and S. T. Smith and wife, of the Baptist
Church, combining their religious influence with others, soon after
secured the labors of Rev. J. C. Sherwin and Rev. W. H. Card, in
the village and vicinity, and Rev. Berj. W. Reynolds being also stationed
here as a missionary, to supply destitute points, and different
ministers coming in under the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, Christian privileges were enjoyed, at least equal, if not
superior, to those of any ether western community of the same number of inhabitants.
            Meanwhile, through the influence and exertions of Hon. Timothy
Burns, Hon. A. D. Ladue, C. A. Stevens, Edwin Flint, Robert
Looney, S. D. Hastings, and others of a similar spirit, La Crosse was
also receiving a favorable social, political, and literary character at
home, and was gradually rising into notice and respectability abroad.
A variety of circumstances, too numerous to mention, have contributed
to draw into this location a class of citizens, possessing generally
such an amount of moral and mental worth, as affords the best assurances
of highly refined social organizations in the future. In evidence
of what has already been done in the several forms of organization,
the reader is referred to the tables connected with this work. He
will there find a full view of existing societies, and of the support
which they are now receiving; and he can judge for himself how far
the facts are creditable to a village really less than three years old.

 

V. -- General Remarks Concerning the West.
            In closing this brief sketch of La Crosse, some general remarks in
reference to this deeply interesting portion of our country, commonly
denominated the West, seems to be imperatively demanded. Although
much has been said and written during the last few years, concerning
the West, still the public mind does not truly appreciate the gigantic
work now going on here. With many, and with some persons, too
of ordinary reading and intelligence, there is no clear and well defined
idea of western scenery, or of the immense resources for western
enterprise. They read, it is true, of our forests, vast prairies, beautiful
plains, fine table lands; fertile vallies, rich mines, broad rivers,
silver brooks, and rising cities; but none of these are regarded as
living realities. It must also be admitted that there are those, on
whose minds a personal acquaintance with the West would fail to
produce any favorable impression. They could find nothing here to


14 A BRIEF SKETCH

admire, or on which to rest a hope for the future. Persons of this
description, however, are daily becoming less numerous, as the development
of new and indisputable facts, resting upon the clearest data,
are coming before the world. Cincinnati, St. Louis and Chicago, by
the United States Census, are shown to be large cities; and the tide
of business now rolling into Eastern ports, from points still west of
these places, is beginning to be regarded as evidence that these cities
of little more than a single day, are not miraculous productions, of
rare occurence in the West.
            The intimation of an inspired prophet, that a nation may be born in
a day, is here now being almost literally fulfilled, and the same causes
which are producing present results, must continue to operate in an
increased ratio, until civilization shall spread her benign influences to
the great ocean of the West, and teeming millions of the cultivated
free shall make the solitary abodes of barbarism a fruitful field.-
Every year swells the number of native citizens, who must and will
seek a home in the West, and the ports of the old world pre constantly
opening wider and wider, to discharge their thousands of enterprising
emigrants, most of whom are sure to find a resting place
in this part of our country. Some of these emigrants may, indeed, be
but poor specimens of humanity, as they escape from the grinding
hand of foreign oppression, yet many of them are possessed of generous
natures, and may be trained to noble feelings; while others were
persons of rank and refinement in the land of their birth, and have
become voluntary exiles, simply because their minds were too much
enlarged to endure longer submission to despotic power.
            It would be difficult to select a theme of higher moral sublimity, or
of more profound interest, than the future prospects of the West.
This inconceivably vast region is positively destined, very soon, to be
covered with a dense population, having large cities and villages, and
supplied with the same facilities for commerce that are enjoyed by the
eastern portions of this country. No earthly power can prevent the
speedy consummation of these events. Such a calculation is not a
chimera, nor is it one of doubtful import. To perceive its truthful
ness, requires but little discernment --nothing of the spirit of
prophecy.
            The business man, who arranges his affairs in harmony with the
principles of an intelligent enterprise, will certainly understand these
things and act accordingly. Let the philanthropist and the Christian
show an equal discrimination. It will probably cost some sacrifices,
at present, to reside in the West. Social ant moral improvements
must be made here, and they will cost some labor-but what of that?
For what nobler object can any main live, than that of aiding in planting
the germs of Christian principle, of civilization and refinenment,
along these vallies, and in these infant cities and villages?


OF LA CROSSE. 15


TABULAR VIEW OF VARIOUS INTERESTING ITEMS.
La Crosse County was organized November, 1851.
            "           Township  "               "           "
            The following persons have filled County offices, viz: Timothy
Burns and George Gale, County judges; William T. Price and Robert
Looney, Clerks of Court and Board of Supervisors; Wm. J. Gibson
and A. Eldred, Sheriffs; Andrew Grover and Edwin Flint, District
Attorneys ; Peter Burns and F. M. Rublee, Treasurers; C. A. Stevens,
Register of Deeds.
            Present incumbents, January, 1854.-R. C. Van Rensselaer, County
Judge, James W. Polleys, Sheriff, Thomas Hart. Clerk of Court, M.
F. Hubbard, Clerk of Board Supervisors, Ira Myrick, Treasurer, J.
K. French, District Attorney, J. A. Walker, Register of Deeds.
            Town offices have been filled as follows: Timothy Burns and
Edwin F' Chairmen of Town Board of Supervisors, A. D. Ladue
Town Superintendent.
            Present incumbents to April, 1854--E. Childs, John Clark, and
Myron Hill, Supervisors; J. A. Walker, Town Clerk, H. B. Calahan,
Town Treasurer, J. C. Sherwin, Town Superintendent, Robert Looney
and William Hood, Justices of the Peace.
            There are now in the village of La Crosse 104 Dwelling Houses, 8
Fancy and Dry Goods Stores, 4 Groceries, 2 Drugs and Medicines,
2 Boots and Shoes, 2 Hardware, 2 Tin Shops, 2 Tailor Shops, 3 Shoe
Shops, 1 Harness Shop, 4 Blacksmith Shops, I Gun Shop, 2 Bakeries,
1 Cabinet Shop, 3 Physician's Offices, 4 Law Offices, 1 Justices'
Office, 5 Taverns, 1 Barber Shop, 1 Printing Office, 4 Joiner's Shops,
1 Steam Saw Mill, 1 Wagon Shop, 1 Jeweler and Silver Smith's Shop,
1 Mantuamaker and Milliner Shop, 1 Office for sale of Government
Lands, 1 Odd-Fellow's Hall, 1 Court House and Jail, 2 Meeting
Houses.
            The following exhibit of the amount of business done by some of
the principal merchants, will give the reader a general idea of the
business of the place:--
            Mr.*----, Forwarding, Storing and Commision Merchant,
states that he has been in trade over seven years, four with the Indians
and three as at present, and that the amount of his business, which was
$1,000 or $1,500 the first year, has the last year been $50,000.
            Mr.*---- & (o., wholesale and retail dealers in Fancy and
Staple Dry Goods, Groceries, Provisions, Hardware, &c., also Forwarding
and Commission Merchants, have been in trade over two
years; amount of business the first year, $45.000; aggregate of business
the past year, $60,500, divided as follows: Forwarding, including
Bills collected for Boats, $5,500; sales of merchandize,
* These names are left in blank. that this work may not confer special favors on
particular individuals. This is not an advertising pamphlet.


16 A BRIEF SKETCH.


$45.000 ; Commission Goods, $2,OOO, Logs, lumber &c., in connection
with Steam Mill, $8,000.
            Mr.*----, & Co., Wholesale and Retail Forwarding and
Commission Merchants, who closed up this branch of business the
past season, were in trade two years. Their sales the first year were
about $21,000, and the second year $23,000.
            Mr.*----, Dealer in Groceries, Provisions &c., has purchase
and freight bills to the amount of $6.509,09 since April 1853,
and thinks his sales are $7,000 during the last year.
            Mr.*----, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Groceries, Provisions
&c., estimates his sales at $12,000 during the past year.


PUBLIC SCHOOL.
A site of one acre of land, most delightfully situated for a Public
School, has been secured, as a donation from C. A. Stevens, and the
Village District has voted a tax of $15,000 for the purpose of commencing
a block of buildings, suitable for the accommodation of all the
children.
            There is now published in La Crosse a weekly Newspaper, called
the La Crosse Democrat, under the charge of C. A. Stevens, as Editor,
and Stevens & Rogers, Publishers.


POST OFFICE.
The letters received ; at the La Crosse Post-office, are estimated by
the Post-Master at 4,000 during a single quarter; those sent out
5,000, and Periodicals 800: besides promiscuous ones.


LAND OFFICE.
'A United States Land Office was opened in La Crosse, on the first
day of June last, and during a sirgle day, Nov. 1st, 7,043 acres of
land were entered, including of course entries made on Land Warrants.


CHURCHES.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LA CROSSE, was organized under
the labors of its present pastor, J. C. Sherwin, on the 22nd of January,
A. D. 1852, with 12 members, which number has since increased to 41,
while two have died, and there are about a dozen communicants in the
place, not having yet presented their letters of membership.
            THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF LA CROSSE, was organized under
the labors of Rev. W. H. Card, or the 22nd of January, A. D. 1852,
with 14 members. The present Pastor is Spencer Carr, and the


OF LA CROSSE. 17


number of members is 60. This Church has erected a house of
worship, at a cost of $1,000.  Each of the above Churches sustains a
Sabbath School, with a good library.
            THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF LA CROSSE, was organized
under the labors of Rev. E. Tasker, Sept. 25 h, A. D. 1853, with 11
members, and now numbers 28 members. This Church has so nearly
completed a commodious house of worship, during the brief period of
its existence, that services are already held within its walls.


La Crosse Library Company.
            This Association was organized in the month of April, 1853, and
is incorporated under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, with the
firm belief that it will yet attain a character, not inferior to similar
institutions in Eastern cities and villages. The price of membership
is $5 00, and certificates of membership , are transferable. The Constitution
provides for a course of Public Lectures, and a Lyceum
during the winter season. The Library is now kept at the store of
S. D. Hastings, the Librarian. Members can draw books free of
charge, and others can have the use of books on reasonable terms.--
The Officers of the Association the current year, are
            CHAS. A. STEVENS, President,
            EDWIN FLINT, Vice President,
            SAMUEL D HASTINGS, Clerk and Librarian.
            JAMES GALLIGHER, Treasurer,
D. C. Evans, Win. Hood, George Farnam, Wm. C. Rogers, and M.
F. Hubbard, are additional members of the Board of Managers.


La Crosse Division, No. 130, Sons of Temperance.
This Division was instituted in the month of December, A. D.
1851, and at its organization consisted of ten members: The present
number is 49. The Officers for the present term are
            WM. W. USTICK, W. P.             J. G. MCCATUERON, T
            CORYDON BOUGHTON,           W. A. WILL SUTCLIFF, C.
            JOSEPH K. FRENCH,                R. S. O. SIMPKINS, A. C.
            JAMES GALLIGHER,                 A. R. S. B. S. REPPY, J. S. W.
            SAMUEL D. HASTINGS,             F. S. IR. H. POWELL, O. S.
                   SAMUEL D. HASTINGS, D. G. W. P. for the District.
            The Division meets on Thursday evening of each week in the Old
Fellows Hall on Front Street. The Order has recently adopted new
forms and ceremonies, which go into operation in this Division at the
first meeting in January, A. D. 1854.


18 A BRIEF SKETCH


Masonic Lodge of La Crosse.
            Frontier Lodge No. 45, was organized under a Dispensation from
the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin, in the month of October, 1852, composed
of eight members. At this time the Lodge, in its several Degrees,
numbers 37 members, and is daily prospering in numbers,
advancement in the work of the Order, and harmony among its members.
The first officers of this Lodge were
            MORRISON MCMILLAN, W. M.
            SOLOMON HOWE, S. W.
            J. R. CROSSETT, J. W.
            COLO. E. CHILDS, Treasurer.
            C. A. STEVENS, Sect'y.
            The Charter was granted in June, 1853, and the works of the
Lodge confirmed. The present officers, elected Dec. 9th, 1853, are
            C. A. STEVENS, W. M. HON. C. K. LORD, Sec'y.
            SOLOMON HOWE, S. W. OLE KNUDSON, S. D.
            S. S. JANES, J. W. THOMAS HEART, J. D.
            IRA MYRICK, Treas. WM. MCCONNELL, T.
            JUDGE R. C. VAN RCNSELLAER,& COL. E. CHILDS, Stewards.
                        We certify the above to be correct,
                                                            C. A. STEVENS, W. M.
LA CROSSE, Dec. 18th, 1853.                                      C. K. LORD, Sec'y.


La Crosse Lodge No. 69, I. O. O. F.
            This Lodge was instituted August 13th, 1853, by the R. W. G. M.
of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of the State of Wisconsin, assisted
by Theodore Rodolph, D. D. G. M. The number of Charter members
was seven, and the present number is forty-eight. The Degree of
Rebekah has been conferred upon the wives of several Odd Fellows.
Regular meetings of the Lodge are on Monday evening of each week.
The Officers for the present term are
            THEODORE RODOLF, P. G.        ASA CRANE, J. G.
            IRA MYRICK, N. G.                      WALTER BATES, C. G.
            D. D. CAMERON,                         V. G. H. I. PECK, R. S. S.
            JOHN M. LEVY, R. S.                   P. L. CLARK, L. S. S.
            GEORGE FARNAM, T.                 J. P. WHELPLEY, R. S. N. G.
            R. U. ELLIOTT, P. S.                    J. B. CROOKSTON ,L. S. N. G
            E. H. CHAMBERS, W.                 N. R. SMITH, R. S. V. G.
            C. K. LORD, Chaplains.                O. SM.ITH, L. S. V. G.
            G. H. WILSON, Chaplains.

STATISTICAL TABLE.


THE following Table contains the Birth-place, Religious Attachments and Occupations of the Heads of Families, in the village of La
Crosse and vicinity, arranged in alphabetic order.


ABBREVIATIONS. -B., Baptist; R. C., Roman Catholic; C., Congregationalist; Swed., Swedenborgian; L., Lutheran; Ep., Episcopalian; P., Presbyterian; U., Universalist; M., Methodist; Dis., Disciple; Adv. Adventist; D. Ref., Dutch Reformed, F. B., Free-Will Baptist; Chris., Christian; F. Q., Friend Quaker, Seced., Seceder; U. B., United Brethren.
            A Star (*), in the column of Religions Attachments, implies that the person has not united.

20 A BRIEF SKETCH

OF LA CROSSE.  21
 

 
22 A BRIEF SKETCH
 

 
OF LA CROSSE.  23
 

 
24 A BRIEF SKETCH
 

 
OF LA CROSSE. 25


LA CROSSE REGISTER,

CONTAINING THE NAMES, BIRTH-PLACE, RELIGIOUS ATTACHMENTS, AND OCCUPATION OF SINGLE GENTLEMEN, OVER TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE, ARRANGED IN ALPHABETIC ORDER.

 

 
26 A BRIEF SKETCH
 

 
OF LA CROSSE 27


A REGISTER

OF THE NAMES, BIRTH-PLACE, RELIGIOUS ATTACHMENTS, AND OCCUPATION
OF SINGLE LADIES, IN LA CROSSE, OVER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE,
ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED.
 

28 A BRIEF SKETCH
 

 
P. S. -This work was arranged for publication, and was partly in type, in January,
1854, but from various causes its appearance has been delayed until June: during which
time such rapid changes have taken place in the population, increase of business, &c.,
&c., of La Crosse, that the author would not now consent to this work being issued without
an entire revision, except for the simple fact-that such a revision, in the existing state
of thing, would, in a few days, fail to give any thing more than an imperfect sketch of
the then present condition of La Crosse.

                                                                                                                        S. CARR.