Roots'n'Leaves

Amanuensis Monday, 2012 January 30th: Centennial History of the Town of Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin -1848-1948: Pioneer Norwegian Settlement of Springdale.

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The following excerpt (pages 108-111) is from the Centennial History of the Township of Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin, 1848-1948 and by an unknown author. This section tells about Springdale's early Norwegian settlers. Many of the families listed below are also mentioned in J.P. McPherson's diary as his neighbors and friends. From the diary, platt maps, and census reports, it appears that most of the early pioneers of Springdale were Scots and Norwegian families. Although this article focuses on the Norwegian settlement, the arduous times were common to settlers no matter where they called home and old country.

Page 108, Centennial History of the Township of Springdale

Pioneer Norwegian Settlement of Springdale

A celebrated writer has said that the “The men who make history haven't time to write it,” and a complete story of the sturdy pioneers of Springdale will probably never be known. Many of the struggles, hardships and vicissitudes of the earliest settlers were not recorded, and the available history concerning them has been assembled from other sources.

The first Norwegian settlement of Springdale was established almost concurrently with its earliest history. The first white resident in the town ship was John Harlow, an American, who settled on part of section 1 in 1845, on the farm now known as the Ruben Paulson farm, and who subsequently married a daughter of Jorgen Lee. In the spring of 1846 the following permanent Norwegian settlers arrived from earlier settlements at Shelby, Illinois, in the Fox river Valley, and from Muskego, Wisconsin, namely, Thore (Thoreson) Spaanum, Tosten and John Rue-Thompson, John I Berge, Ole and Knud (Kvistrud) Sorenson and Nils and Halvor (Grasdalen) Nelson, together with their families. All were originally from the Tinndal district in Telemark, Norway, and more or less interrelated.

These pioneers settled on lands in Sections 5, 6, 8, 9, and 17, purchased from the government at $1.25 per acre. This was prior to the Homestead act, and immigrants desiring to buy land invariably walked to Mineral Point where the United States Land Office was located to file their claims and to make payments. However, settlers often selected their land and lived on it a year or more before filing their claims.

Perhaps from their love and yearning for the mountains and valleys of their native Norway, but more likely because of the accessibility to woodland, springs and streams, the early Norwegian settlers generally chose the hills and vales of Springdale for their abode in preference to the prairie lands then available throughout various sections of the township.

In most instances the first settler habitations were rude dugouts in the hillsides to protect them from the elements of the weather until they could erect log cabins similar in size to a present day family garage, consisting of one or two small rooms heated by with a fireplace and a chimney of stone, and often with no floors other than the virgin soil packed hard by the footsteps of the occupants. With the aid of an axe these hardy pioneers were capable woodsmen and cut, transported and fitted logs into substantial structures without the use of nails, spikes or bolts which were not then readily procurable.

People in those days did not have much to do with. The building of a house was accomplished with nothing in the way of tolls except an axe, as saw, a hammer and a draw-shave, and no materiel but the native forest, for there were no saw mills at that time in this section of the country. The roof was made with shakes and fastened to the house with a binder pole. Furniture was home made.

The prairie wolves howled about these humble homes at night and the deer were often seen in the day time, while poisonous snakes gave mothers anxiety for their children. Housed in those days were so small and their families usually so large that the children spent most of the time out of doors in the summer , and the great fireplaces made excellent ventilation in the winter. Friendly Indians roamed through the settlement, but other than being curious and begged for things, they did not greatly molest the settlers. An occasional bear wandered into the settlement and caused excitement, and pigeons, prairie chickens and quail abounded in the early days.

The year 1848 was memorable as the one in which the town organization took place at the home of Morgan I Curtis, and among the town officers elected on the second Tuesday of the year was John I Berge as constable.

From 1848 the influx of Norwegian emigrants increased, and among these settlers were Ole Lee, Aslak Lee, Gulbran Throndrud, Arne Hoff, Erik Skinrud, John Lund, Levor Lien, Ole Stesbolet, Hans Gute, John Sylland, Knud Steenerson, Knud Skredden, Kitil Luraas, Jorgen Lee, Thore Lee, Knudt Herbranson Nees, Ole Anderson, Iver Thorson Aase, Henry Skogen, Engebret Tortun, Erick Solve, and Harold Hoff.

The first Norwegian Lutheran religious service in Springdale and largely attended by Norwegians in the surrounding settlements was held at the home of Thore Spaanum in an outdoor meeting on or about April 1, 1850, with the Rev. J. W. C. Dietrickson from Koskonong conducting the service to an audience that had gathered from great distances. At this meeting eighteen children were baptized, among whom were: Andrew Grinde, Betsy Grassdalen, Halvor Sorenson and Soren Sorenson. Older children were also catechized at this service.

Page 110, Centennial History of the Township of Springdale

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Sunday Synopsis: 2012 January 29th:End of a Busy Week

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:59:00 +0000

This past week has been a FAMILY week. Granddaughter is home from Korea for a few weeks before returning for another year of teaching English in a Korean middle school for boys. Family came from Portland, Eugene, and Walla Walla to see her while she is here. Sadly, I will bid her adieu when she leaves on Tuesday.

Even with all the family activities, I did post a Monday transcription from the Centennial of History of the Township of Springdale. On Tuesday, my writing critique group meets at my house and I am hoping to have at least a ruff draft of a new article. On Saturday, Willamette Writers' February meeting is scheduled, along with an afternoon workshop.

So not a lot of genealogy, or writing, but an interesting week none the less.

Amanuensis Monday, 2012 January 23rd: Centennial History of the Town of Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin, 1848-1948; History of James McPherson Family as told by A.O.Barton, Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The following is the second part of A.O. Barton's remembrances of Jame P. McPherson. Even though J.P. was an old man by the time Barton was born, J.P's role in the history of early Dane County coincided with Barton's job as a journalist and his long standing interest in the history of Dane County.

The following is from pp.105-107 of the Centennial History of the Town of Springdale, Dane County, 1848-1948, as told by A.O. Barton:

He [James P. McPherson] was a typical Scotchman, frugal and thrifty in his home life but when he was out with his cronies he would show them a good time and spend his money like a prince. This made him many friends among the voters in those days and he seemed to be able to be elected to any local office which he aspired to, which was justice of the peace, town clerk, or something of that sort. When his boys became old enough to hold office he usually saw to it that they too had some township office to fill.

“I recall at one time that the family was holding so many offices in Springdale township that the next spring at election time some wag had a democratic township ticket printed and put in circulation at the polls, carrying the names of the male members of the McPherson family and ending with 'For Constable, any other McPherson.' This caused much hilarity among the voters, but did not seem to disturb 'Old Mac” as he was familiarly known. He went on holding office in that township as long as he resided there, and perhaps he continued to do so after he removed to the adjacent township of Verona.

One of the interesting figures in Dane county politics a half century ago was James P. McPherson of the town of Springdale.

For a half century the McPherson family, living on the old Verona-Mt. Vernon road, was well known in western Dane county, and the father, James P. McPherson, being prominent in public life.

James P. McPherson, a native of Scotland, settled in the town of Springdale in 1850, and soon was active in politics. From 1853 until 1859 he was chairman of the town, and also served as county superintendent of poor in 1854-55, and again in 1857-58.

In 1858 he was elected county clerk, serving until a861. In 1861 he was elected chairman of the county board. During the war the county was under the commission form of government, but when it returned to the supervisor system in 1870, he was again elected chairman of the county board. He was also among the organizers of the Dane County Agricultural society, and served as a trustee of the the society.

Being a Democrat, he was never able to win election to the legislature, though aspiring to that honor.

In his home locality he was for years postmaster of the Springdale postoffice, which was kept at his house. He also served for years as school board officer, and in his honor the school of the district was early given the name of the “McPherson School.”

It was as justice of the peace in his later years, however, that he won a wide local renown. Petty litigation from many neighboring towns as well as his own came to his “court” for adjudication as he was well read in law and just in its application. It is said that even John C. Spooner, later Untied States Senator, once trued a case before him. Mr. McPherson also wrote an excellent short history of the town of Springdale.

Mr. McPherson was a pioneer in the movement for the ad valorem taxation of railroads. While a member of the county board in 1858 he introduced the following resolution:

Resolved that a committee of three b e appointed to drat a petition or memorial to the legislature for the repeal of Chapter 74, session laws of a1854, and for the taxation of railroad and plankroad property equally with other property in the state.”

The resolution was adopted and the chair appointed as such committee, Mr. McPherson, W. R. Taylor of Cottage Grove, later governor, and O.B. Hazeltine of the town of Ray (later the towns of Mazomanie and Black Earth.)

This committee drew up the following memorial to the legislature, which was presented by Mr. Taylor and adopted by the board:

The memorial of the board of supervisors of the county of Dane, state of Wisconsin, respectfully sheweth:

That your memoralist believe that Section 183, Chap.18, R.S., which enact that Railroad and Plankroad companies shall pay a tax of one per cent, on their gross receipts to the state, in lieu of all other taxes whatsoever, is a direct violation of article 8, of the constitution of this state, which said article provides that taxation shall be uniform.

That while your memorialist concede the utility and benefits of railroads to the community at large, we also believer that they ought be equally assessed with other property, for the state and county purposes.

Your memorialists herefore respectfully request your honorable bodies to repeal Sect 183, Chapter 18, Revised Statues, and allow and require all property to be taxed in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.

Resolved, that the chairman and clerk iof the board of supervisons of the county of Dane, be and they are hereby authorized and required to sign the foregoing memorial in our behalf, as expression the sense of this board, and forward a copy to each of out representatives in the legislature.

JGH Note: This section of the Centennial History of Springdale has the "feel" of being written by two separate writers, even though it appears under the heading of "As told by A.O.Barton."

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Surname Saturday, 2012 January 21st: Ralph Anthony Hill honored at Henley High's Hall of Fame

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Guest Post from Sharon K. Hill to commemorate her grandfather Ralph A. Hill who won a Silver Medal in the 5,000 meter run at the 1932 Olympics. Today, January 21, 2012, Henley High School will induct it's first slate for their Hall of Fame, which include, Ralph A. Hill, 1932 Silver Olympic medalist; Dan O'Brien, 1996 Olympic Medalist; Fred Hess; Robin Parker; Coaches Carrol Howe and Dick Reiling;1946 B State Champions; 1980 AA Girls Basketball State Champions;and Special Contributors, (early) Athletic Field Volunteers and Geneva & Willard Duncan.

Henley has 31 Oregon State Championships; 15 head coaches that have won titles (5 are still active, eight retired, two have passed away). Many Henley High School Athletes have won district, state,and even national and Olympic awards.

Ralph Anthony Hill
December 26,1907 - October 17, 1994

For Ralph Anthony Hill, Olympian and My Grandfather

Sharon K. Hill

Our family, my father Richard Allen Hill, my uncle Robert Dixon Hill, and aunt Jeanie Elizabeth Hill Arant, and their families, appreciate the honor bestowed upon their father, grandfather, great and great-great grandfather Ralph Anthony Hill, the hometown Henley hero as the first inductee into the Henley High School Hall of Fame for his collegiate and Olympic track and field successes. He set the American record for the mile in 1930 (4:12.4) and the American record of (14:30) in the 5000 meters at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles securing the Olympic Silver Medal in the ’32 Games most controversial finish.

College and Records

With his brother Clarence, Grandad ran at the University of Oregon coached by legendary “Colonel Bill” Hayward.
His collegiate career included a rivalry with University of Washington Husky Rufus Kiser. He had not beat Rufus over a two year period until the 1930 race where Ralph held off Rufus for the American mile record 4:12.4.
Ralph placed three consecutive years in the national collegiate championships in the mile, finishing second in 1931.
The next year, he moved up to 5,000 meters and won the AAU title.
Three weeks later, he challenged the Finns, the recognized masters of distance running, in the Los Angeles Olympics. The Flying Finns led by Paavo Nurmi had dominated the distances in the 1924 and 1928 Olympics. Nurmi was prohibited from competing in 1932 as he was deemed professional. No matter – Finland’s Lauri Lehtinen had broken Paavo Nurmi’s world record in June at the Finnish Olympic Trials.

The Olympic Final Race (12.5 laps)

In the 5000 meter final Lehtinen and Virtanen opened up quickly and pushed the pace from the beginning.
By 4,000 meters (10 laps) they led with only America’s Ralph Hill in contact, having tenaciously battled the Finns for 10 laps.
By the lap 11 Virtanen had fallen off the pace.
Ralph went with Lehtinen. Battling, jockey through 11 laps, it was now a two man race.
On the bell lap. Ralph ran on Lehtinen’s hip, stride for stride.
Coming off the final turn Ralph moved to the 2^nd lane to pass.
Lehtinen swung wide and moved out to block.
Ralph recovered and moved toward the vacant inside slot.
Lehtinen again moved to block Ralph’s inside move.
They raced to the tape in the same time 14:30. Lehtinen’s chest broke the tape first. Less than a foot (30cm) difference at the tape between Gold and Silver.
Ralph declined to protest. It was race strategy, accidental, unintentional. Hill later graciously commented that although he had been blocked, he felt Lehtinen had enough reserve to win the race in any case.
Hill was proclaimed the Hero of the Games for his sportsmanship and respectable reaction to the circumstances.

Lessons and His Legacy

Ralph’s tenacity and focus on a singular purpose were life lessons he lived.

His local training included running around the local canals. Family lore has it that Grandad ran the canals to catch a glimpse of his future wife Lois Dixon and she vice versa
After earning a degree in business administration, Hill returned to Henley and spent his life farming. Polio took his wife Lois. He too contracted polio. He lost use of his right arm, but he continued working. More than that, he relearned water-skiing and snow skiing. From athletic pinnacle to debilitating polio, he remained tenacious, and did not relent.
I was fascinated as a child to see the “door knobs” on the truck and tractor steering wheels – knobs that his weakened hands could grasp so that he could turn the wheels and continue working.
Who I am is to persevere and try other ways to press on. – a lesson from my father and from his father. I am blessed with those lessons.

Olympic sportsmanship, graciousness

Ralph had done his best against the best, and in that he had triumphed.
We grew up with a stop watch in hand for science projects and racing alike but Ralph’s legacy is more than racing and the silver medal –
His legacy is also his sportsmanship, and to do your best.
And to take your lessons from sports to who you are and how you live.

"Victory is in having done your best. If you've done your best, you've won."
— Bill Bowerman

American Track & Field Coach and Co-Founder of Nike,Inc.

Before Bowerman said it, Ralph lived it.

SKH

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Amanuensis Monday: Centennial History of the Town of Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin, 1848-1948; History of James McPherson Family as told by A.O.Barton, Part 1.

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:01:00 +0000

Albert O. Barton, who related the following bit of history about the James P. McPherson family,wrote several books and numerous articles about the history of southern Dane County. According to the Centennial History of Springdale, he was born n 1870 in the town of Primrose, which was about 15 miles south of the village of Springdale, so it was doubtful that he personally knew J. P. McPherson. However, he was certainly aware of J.P.s impact on the political history of Dane County, as well as the village of Springdale.

It is interesting to note, the A.O. Barton also carries forth the story of William Burns McPherson, the eldest son on J.P and Mary McPherson, being a Major in the Civil War (see blogpost of December 12, 2011).

The following is from the Centennial History of the Town of Springdale, Dane County, 1848-1948, p.105-107, and told by A.O. Barton:

Wisconsin and Madison lost a pioneer and Civil war officer when Major W. B. McPherson died in St. Cloud, Fla. He was buried beside his parents in the Verona cemetery.

Major McPherson was born in New york , April 23, 1843. He came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1850 and soon after settled on a farm in the town of Springdale. In 1862 he enlisted in the Civil War Co. E, 8^th regiment of Wisconsin Infantry, with which he served until the end of the war.

Soon after his return he was married to Miss Razetta Miles, and moved to Clark County, where eight children were born. His wife died in 1890, and he returned to Madison, where he was appointed assistant attorney general under Gov. G. W. Peck.

Major McPherson is survived by six children, Mrs. Clara Manly, Minneapolis; Charles C. McPherson, Wagner, Okla.; James P., Seattle, Wash.; Jabez B., Bently, Alberta; Allen V., San Francisco; and Mrs. R. L. Holmes, Hawthorn, Calif.; a number of grandchildren; two b brothers, James B., Mura, Minn., and Peter B., Madison; three sisters, Mrs. Mary Blair, Winter Haven, Fla.; Mrs. Jessie Walts (Watts), Fargo, N.D., and Mrs. Margaret Burmeister, Madison.

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Sunday Synopsis: 2012 January 15th: After A Two-Month "Holiday"

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:24:00 +0000

The first Sunday Synopsis for 2012 -- a couple of weeks late. Writing and blogging took a back seat to the holiday prep, parties, company, and a wonderful post Christmas week at Sun River. My sis, Doc and I met our son and his family at a beautiful house in Sun River. Although there was no snow, our family had a great time; Doc's brotherited us at the vacation house. Also Doc's long-time hunting buddy and his wife joined us for dinner and an evening of telling tall tales. Granddaughter and her BF went on a dog-sled ride. To top off the week, we had gorgeous snow the last day.

Since returning home, I have been "digging out" and now only my chaotic desk is left as a "no-man's land." I do have an empty waste paper container, actually two, ready for excavation, but I got side-tracked with this Sunday Synopsis --- Tis the way of my life, sidetracked.

Goals for this week, in addition to desk excavation, include:
   * Write a story for the Ranch Years to read at my Tuesday Critique group;
   * Organize my Uncle Ralph's Letters project for the final push for a final draft;
   * Transcribe, make notations, and submit an Amanuensis Monday blog post.

I started to make a longer list of weekly goals, but this is enough --- if more writing and blog post flow -- so be it.

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Amanuensis Monday: Centennial History of the Town of Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin, 1848-1948; William A. Housel's Reminicence of James P. McPherson and His Family, Part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

William A. Housel's Reminicences of James P. McPherson and His Family, Part 3

The Centennial History of Springdale does not have an index nor table of contents, and even though this segment is identified as a "Continuation," I have been unable to locate the first part of William Housel's story of old Springdale. This is Part 3 of 3. Part 1 ( 12/5/2011 post) described J.P. political activities, and Part 2 (12/12/2011 post) told about the eldest son, Billy/William Burns McPherson.

James P. McPherson
c. 1860

In appearance McPherson might easily have passed for an American, but he was very proud of being a native of Scotland, and when around home and when engaged in trying a law suit there he would wear a genuine Scotch cap, with thistle ornament and narrow black ribbons at the back of it, which covered his extremely bald pate very effectively. When he ventured abroad he usually wore a large black hat unless the weather was extremely cold, when he would wear a home-made cap trimmed with muskrat fur, (home product). He wore white cotton shirts, winter and summer, with narrow black bow ties and usually went around his home wearing old-fashioned carpet slippers. He was about 5 feet, 8 inches in height and would weigh about 150 pounds. He stood up very straight, even in his old age. When he talked you would quickly discover his nationality, as he spoke with a distinctly Scotch accent, quite rapidly, correctly and entertainingly.

He was a great reader and sat up far into the night and stored in his mind all the current events of the day that he could glean from the weekly periodicals of that day, which he took great delight in regaling his neighbors with as they came to his home for their mail. He was postmaster continuously from a short time after the Civil war until the time when he moved to Verona. He sold the farm to a native of Switzerland, who with a member of his countrymen, bought up several of the old settlers farms in that neighborhood and went in for dairying.

Mary Burns McPherson
c. 1860

McPherson's wife was a small, very dark complexioned, English woman, quite reckless in her use of the letter 'H,' when she conversed. She was very proud of her husband's attainments and success in his political activities.

There were five girls and four boys in their family. Peter B., the youngest boy, had to carry on the work on the farm after the older boys were married and had left the parental roof. From lack of time for study he was not found in the school room as often as the others. The other children all had an ordinary common school education and seemed satisfied with that. They were all as bright as the average young folk of their day and generation, and were quite industrious, not only lending a hand to their mother in her household duties, but assisting with the farm work when the time of harvesting grain, or putting up hay arrived, as the father was not very strong on farm work; in fact, I never saw him put his hand to the plow or bind a bundle of golden grain.

McPherson's wife's maiden name was Burns I believe and so everyone of her sons carried that for their middle name, which was regarded as quite a joke by the neighboring people. They lived in a log house some distance from the old Madison and Mt. Vernon road, which ran through their farm, until after the Civil War, when their eldest son, William B. married one of the Miles girls (Rosetta). William B. built a frame house on the northeast corner of his father's farm where the public highway runs through it, and besides living rooms planned a good-sized room in which he place a small stock of groceries and notions and essayed to run a little country store and post office. This office had been held by his father-in-law, Thomas Miles, from a time to which my memory runneth not to the contrary, and the whole Miles family seemed to take a keen delight in sharing in the services for Uncle Sam. How Bill ever succeeded in separating them from it, whether peaceable or otherwise, we (p)atrons never knew, but he secured it at all events.

I have often thought that 'Old Mac' must have belonged to what the late Sen. LaFollette termed 'the spoil system.' He believed in getting what he could in the way of offices for himself, his relatives and his friends, but I don't think any of them were what could be called 'grafters' or dishonest people. After the boys married and moved away some of the other young fellows had a look in on the township offices.

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Amanuensis Monday: Centennial History of the Town of Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin, 1848-1948; William A. Housel's Reminicence of James P. McPherson and His Family, Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:20:00 +0000

The Centennial History of Springdale does not have an index nor table of contentes, and even though the following is identified as a "Continuation," I have been unable to locate the first part of William Housel's story of old Springdale.

William Housel (b. 1856) was the youngest son of Furman (sometimes written as Ferman or Firmin) and Margaret Housel, who was a neighbor of J. P. McPherson. Not only were the Housel's neighbors, but their families became intertwined when William's sister, Mary M. Housel married J.P. McPherson's second son Jabez Burns McPherson. So William Housel's stories of the McPherson are a combination of family tales as well as Springdale stories. I find it odd that Housel refers to the marriage of William Burns McPherson to Rozetta Miles, but failed to mention that his sister married William's younger brother Jabez Burns McPherson -- but perhaps that tidbit is in the missing "first part" on this remininsence.

Housel talks glowingly about Major William Burns McPherson, the facts appear rather different. It is true that William, or Billy as he was called in the family throughout his life, was quite proud of serving in the Civil War and his Civil War button was usually prominently shown in pictures. In fact, one widely distributed picture of William B. McPherson, I now question because the Civil War button is not present. In addition, William, James and Jabez look very much alike in their 30s and 40s.

William, or Billy, served in Company E /8th Wisconsin Infantry and the Pioneer Corp. According to the database the U. S.Civil War Soldiers Records and Profiles, William enlisted on January 9, 1862, at the age of 19; however, his service record shows an enlistment date of September 1, 1862. The September enlistment date is also noted in the database for the American Civil War Soldiers. Both databases indicate that he enlisted as a Private, and was mustered out on September 5, 1865 at Demopolis, Alabama. In addition, J.P's diary also indicates that he enter the service in September after finishing building the frame house for his parents.

In August, 2011, a Civil War researcher from Calgary, Alberta, Canada contacted me for additional information regarding William Burns McPherson. She said that she had gotten his military and pension records from the U.S. National Archives in Washington, DC and that he served as a private and a drum (band) major.

The following excerpt from the Centennial History of Springdale was written more than 80 years after the end of the Civil War:

Wm.B. & Emmeline Rozetta

Perhaps the most prominent soldier produced by the town of Springdale was Maj. William Burns McPherson, son of James P. McPherson, well known pioneer county commissioner, county clerk, and for many years a member of the county board and several times its chairman. Maj. McPherson enlisted in 1862, in Co., E, 8^th Wisconsin, the famous “eagle regiment,” that carried “Old Abe,” the war eagle through the war. He rose to the rank of Major. He was born in New York, April 24, 1843, soon after his parents came to America from Scotland.

He was married to Rozetta Miles, daughter of Thomas B. Miles, pioneer of Springdale, whose farm adjoined the McPherson farm. After the war they removed to Clark county, Wis., but on the election of Gov. George W. Peck in 1890 returned to Madison where he held a position in the capitol. The family then removed to Alberta, Can., where Mrs. McPherson died . In 1909, he was married to Elvira Greeley McWilliams of La Valle, Wis., and located in Minneapolis, going from there to Florida in 1921. The second Mrs. McPherson died in 1924 and Maj. McPherson in March, 1926, at St. Cloud, Fla. He was buried in the Verona cemetery. He was a brother of Mrs. Margaret Burmiester and Peter B. McPherson, Madison.

O Christmas Caroling and Blogging We Will Go--Following our footnoteMaven afar

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:16:00 +0000

It is my pleasure to join footnoteMaven's Annual Christmas Caroling blogging event. A beautiful Victorian Santa and being in such good company, how could I resist. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear is my favorite,probably because I grew up in southern Oregon's high desert where winter nights are cold, crisp, and clear --- and the stars so bright it seems like you can reach up and touch them --- well, that is so unless it is snowing.

        It came upon the midnight clear, 
 that glorious song of old, 
 from angels bending near the earth 
 to touch their harps of gold: 
 "Peace on the earth, good will to men, 
 from heaven's all-gracious King." 
 The world in solemn stillness lay, 
 to hear the angels sing. 

 Still through the cloven skies they come 
 with peaceful wings unfurled, 
 and still their heavenly music floats 
 o'er all the weary world; 
 above its sad and lowly plains, 
 they bend on hovering wing, 
 and ever o'er its Babel sounds 
 the blessed angels sing. 

 And ye, beneath life's crushing load, 
 whose forms are bending low, 
 who toil along the climbing way 
 with painful steps and slow, 
 look now! for glad and golden hours 
 come swiftly on the wing. 
 O rest beside the weary road, 
 and hear the angels sing! 

 For lo! the days are hastening on, 
 by prophet seen of old, 
 when with the ever-circling years 
 shall come the time foretold 
 when peace shall over all the earth 
 its ancient splendors fling, 
 and the whole world send back the song 
 which now the angels sing.

Amanuensis Monday: Centennial History of the Town of Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin, 1848-1948; William A. Housel's Reminicence of James P. McPherson and His Family, Part 1.

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:45:00 +0000

No Table of Contents is included in the Centennial History of Springdale, so even though the following is identified as a "Continuation," I have been unable to locate the first part of William Housel's story of old Springdale.

Pp. 102-105 Centennial History of Springdale

As told by William A. Housel

Continuation of his story of old Springdale days and of the noted Justice of the Peace, James P. McPherson, by the late William A. Housel, follows herewith. Housel was a native of Spring, who died recently in Spokane, Wash. The second installment of his story runs:

His (McPherson's methods of stirring up enthusiasm in those days were quite up-to-date, in a way. The family was quite musically inclined and he bought a fife for William B., the eldest son, a bass drum for James B, the second son, and a snare drum for Jabez B., the next younger, while he himself would handle a good -sized American flag. The would hitch their old farm team to a lumber wagon on which was a hay rack and sally forth, playing patriotic airs and drive to some school house, where the people of the community would flock, and in goodly numbers too. If it was a county or state election, there would be speakers from Madison or other places, who address the assembled multitude upon the

issues of the day.

[Note: The descriptions of the protest gatherings of the Chartist of the 1830s & 1840s in Scotland and England sound very much like James Peter McPherson's political rallies in the mid to late 1800s in Dane County, Wisconsin. The Chartist demonstrations of the mid 1830s involved great numbers of men and women singing, waving flags, giving political speeches and writing and reading Chartist poetry. Apparently, J.P. transported much of his political activism from his days in the flax mills to rural Dane county, Wisconsin.]

“Old Mac” usually closed the meeting with an optimistic little speech predicting a glorious victory for the whole Democratic ticket from top to bottom; then he would laugh uproariously and propose three cheers and lead them with a “Hip! Hip! Hurra!” for the grand old Democratic party! Sometimes, as the hour would be late, the speakers from a distance would be entertained in the farm home, and at the time – as we had a spare room at our house, – I can remember such men as Judge J. Gilbert Knapp and Burr W. Jones stopping at our home. I can remember that the judge was quite portly, while Jones looked like a mere stripling, but he seemed to have considerable ability as a campaigner. I think he was at that time running for the same office which Bob LaFollette later filled with such marked distinction (district attorney of Dane County). Of course, you will readily observe that my father was a Democrat, as in those days part;y lines were drawn sop tightly that no Republican seeking office would be entertained in a Democratic household.

[To be continued]

~ ~ ~

COG 112 - An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving: 1960, Our First Thanksgiving At Hungry Hollow

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:18:00 +0000

I am thankful that I am again to be in the company of all of the "cool genealogy bloggers" with this Thanksgiving offering. Thanks to the incomparable COG hostess, Jasia of Creative Gene. Also thanks to the equally incomparable fM for her wonderful poster.

Although I have changed some of the names and combined a few incidents, the Thanksgiving described below represents my feelings and memories of that day, some 50 years ago.

1960, OUR FIRST THANKSGIVING AT HUNGRY HOLLOW

A cool, crisp November day signal good omens for our first Thanksgiving on the ranch, even though there was a brisk wind a'brewing. The guest list was fairly large for the old house because there was no dining room , though a very large kitchen. By days end, it would seem much overfilled with people, food and emotions.

My sister and one of her college friends came out the night before to help prepare the bread dressing that our family had been making for the last 20 years – since the early 1940s. The recipe was handed down by Mrs. Latta, the grandmother on the Paisley ranch family, where we spent the summer that I was five. According Mrs. Latta, who reportedly was a wide as she was tall, the trick to a fluffy dressing is finely plucking the bread into to tiny bits. My sis quickly became the self appointed monitor of what “finely plucked” bread look like – often helped by a hot toddy.

This morning I added the seasoned butter to the wine, and stuffed the huge bird, laced up the cavities, drizzled the wine'n'butter mixture over turkey and placed the bird in the oven. A bowl of butter and wine mixture for basting simmered over the pilot light of the old gas stove --- an ever present reminder of the delicacies to come.

My husband Ric was outside with his chainsaw cutting plywood for two makeshift tables which would form a huge U-shaped table along with our scarred old kitchen table. Our young daughters, ages 5 and 6, gathered pine cones and branches as well as sage twigs for centerpieces. Thankfully, I had enough dishes for our family of 5 and our 14 guests due to months of collecting coupons. Now my high kitchen cupboards were filled with place settings for 12 of sea green dishes, edged in silver, which along with parts of two mismatched sets rounded out my holiday table setting.

Ric carted in the plywood sheets and saw horses about the same time that the girls came in with their greenery for the centerpieces. Once the tables were put together, on went the crisp clean sheets and the aromatic centerpieces. Loli and Sharnie had the set the tables well before the first of our guest drove up the lane and over the creek to our house. The first to arrive was my sister and her friend, followed by my mother, my aunt Gail (mother's younger sister), and my younger brothers who were barely in their teens. Coming across the creek, just behind them was Cecil, who worked shares on mother's lower lake grain land – and was becoming part of the family. My brothers hauled in big bowls of fruit salad and marshmallow-covered sweet potatoes, bags of store bought rolls and cans of cranberry sauce and jelly. My Aunt Gail brought several bottles of wine, and from the giggles, sampling had begun early. Cecil stepped out of his pickup, company dressed in new jeans, cowboy shirt, cleaned boots, and his ever present six pack of beer.

The party was in high gear, and it wasn't quite noon, and three hours before the bird would be ready to take out of the oven. Whoa! Mother was fussing around Cecil; Aunt Gail, also vying for his attention, was ever pressing him to the forefront. Cecil, fisted hands so tight that his knuckles were white, gazed intently at his boots. Then my brothers and daughters began whooping because our partners in the ranch, Matt and Sandy, were coming up the road towing their horse trailer. Stuffed in the front seat of their King cab pickup were Matt, Sandy, and their two children (a son just older than our daughters and a baby). In the back seat, bundled in layers of heavy coats and sweaters were Sandy's grandmother from Arizona and her two granddaughters, Bru and Barbie, daughters of Sandy's sister who was for some unspoken reason was not with them. Out of the side compartments of the horse trailer, Sandy unloaded pies, some green and oddly textured veggie dishes her grandmother made, and a couple of cases of soda pop. Matt unloaded the horses with a horseman's grace.

The kids gathered around Matt and chorused, “Are you going to let us do some roping today?”

“Sure, but we gotta get the horses squared away in the barn first, then we set up a roping steer.”

While the kids were helping Ric and Matt, Sandy's grandma doted over her newest grand baby and my five-month old baby McBuck, while the granddaughters Bru and Barbie ran outside like untethered colts. They were city girls and loose from street grids and they ran and ran. Then grandma would panic, leave the babies and run outside herself – yelling at the running girls who paid her no never mind. Sandy and I told her that there was several hundred acres that was in sight of the house so the girls would be fine. Grandma then alternated between cooing at the babies, then running outside to yell at the city-bred creatures turned wild.

Outside, Matt and Ric had secured a set of cow horns to a wooden approximation of a cow's head set on a post. Each kid had their own lariat and was practicing their roping technique. Lots of dropped loops amid much laughter from kids and Matt, who, although an amateur, was an accomplished rodeo roper and horse trainer.

Grandma was now tippling a glass of wine between cooing and yelling. As the wind picked up she seemed to tipple, yell and coo in tempo to the increasing velocity. Aunt Gail and mother too were tippling, with mother coquettish and Gail trying to get Cecil to go out and show the guys how to put the roping steer up. Cecil clasped his beer even tighter and gave the appearance that he wasn't in the same room --- certainly not in the same place as the two women.

Sandy and I brought out hor'dourves and elderberry wine coolers. Grandma switched to wine coolers, but it appeared to me she had a flask in her purse that found its way to wine cooler more than once. Cecil ambled out to his pickup for another case of beer.

Ric and Matt saddled up a couple of horses so they could ride the ridges and check on the horses that Matt had brought up for winter pasture. Meanwhile the kids decided that roping the wooden steer was too tame so it was time to ride the donkey in the corral. Donkey did not like being ridden and had dumped each kid numerous times --- but then that was the fun of it. My sis and her friend were on the corral fence laughing with the unceremonious dumping of each kid, then egging them to get back on Donkey's sharp-ridged back. Sore butts and dirt covered, the kids soon looked for a new outlet, which meant roping REAL cows in the holding corral. The three boys each roped a cow, but couldn't get the rope off of the cows, and were chased by angry cows with ropes swinging to and fro from their heads.

Our daughters ran to the house screaming, “Momma, the boys have done it again.”

Ric and Matt rode up and shook their heads with amusement tinged with disgust as they surveyed the now wind-spooked, pissed-off cows dragging ropes around the yard. “Can't leave your rope dangling on a cow like that --- not good for the rope and makes the cow mad,” drawled Matt.

“We tried to get the ropes off --- chased them all over but those old cows wouldn't stop,” exclaimed the breathless boys.

Two sets of ropes snaked out. Matt got his cow, and easily lifted the two ropes from the cow's head.
Ric had to take another try. “Course you're a rodeo roper,” groused Ric. Ric got his cow on the next throw and loosed the ropes as Matt roped the third cow and removed both ropes. As the guys rolled the lariats and put the horses in the stalls, Grandma had lost track of Bru and Barbie, what with her tippling and cooing. Now she was in full run mode and yelling at Bru and Barbie --- all three of them running loose like wild horses. Sandy chuckled. “ A good run before dinner will do the three of them good.

By this time my sister and her college friend came back in the house for wine coolers and snack. “Sue, this is just like stepping back in time. Feels like being in an old western movie,” giggled her friend, who had also been tippling a bit.

My sister nodded and laughed, “It's always like this when I come home from college. We play so hard that I have to go back and check into the infirmary for a day or so to rest up.”

A final check on the wine'n'butter soaked bird told me it was time. The golden brown bird came out of the oven at the same time that Ric, Matt and the kids came in to wash up for dinner. Soon to be followed by a windblown, blowsy grandmother with Bru and Barbie in hand. Aunt Gail and mother left Cecil in peace and quiet. Mother arranged the salads and sweet potatoes on the table. Aunt Gail got out the wine glasses and put out the wine in the tin buckets filled with ice. Sandy and I mashed potatoes and made gravy, while Ric and Matt carved the turkey.

We all laughed and jostled to get into place at the makeshift table, and then for a moment a quiet settled around us – not exactly a saying of grace because none of us were church going folk, – and some were even atheist and agnostic – but a recognition of friendship, family and laughter.

~ ~ ~

Amanuensis Monday: Centennial History of the Town of Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin, 1848-1948; History of James McPherson Family

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

The following was written by Margaret Burns Mc Pherson Burmeister in 1946, for inclusion of the Centennial History, Township of Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin, 1848 -1948. Maggie, as she was known in the family, was the youngest child of James P. and Mary Burns McPherson, who came to Springdale in 1850.

From pp. 101-102,, Centennial History of Springdale:

HISTORY OF THE JAMES McPHERSON FAMILY

James P. McPherson left Dundee, Scotland, in 1842, for (“from” per J.P.s diary) the City of new York, April 30, 1850. Came by the way of canal. Arrived at Buffalo, May 11th. Came by way of Girand (“Grand” per J.P.s diary) River, Cleveland and Detroit to Milwaukee. Left Milwaukee for Madison the 17^th by wagon, the fare costing 10.80. At that time they had four small children aged, 6,4,2, and 3 months. On May21 they moved into a log house, which belonged to John Stewart and stood beside a farm store just east of where the Stewart's stone house now stands. He worked at the tailor trade, making pants and vests for the Stewarts', McDonalds', David and John Beat, Pattons' and many others. On June 23^rd the family went to see the land on which they were to live and began cutting logs for their new home. They lived their log house the first winter with a thatched roof and no floor. Their heat was logs burning in the middle of their large room with a hole in the roof for the smoke to go out. Their bread was baked and other food cooked in a large iron pot, hung in the fire place over burning coals. They had no money the first year they were here. Mr. McPherson helped with butchering and got meals for his work. His wife helped neighbors sew and helped with other work and got milk, buttermilk and a chunk of fresh butter direct from the churn. Mr. McPherson was elected town clerk and assessor in 1851. He held the office of town clerk for about 40 years, not steady, but off and on at different times. He was clerk of the first Dane County Board held in Dane County. He was Justice of the Peace and postmaster of Springdale post office for more than 40 years. He was school clerk for many years and was commissary at Camp Randal during the Civil War. His oldest son, William, was in the 8^th (Eagle) regiment during the war, going on 18 years of age. Mr. McPherson was also one of the trustees who bought the land for the Dane County poor farm with Wm. R. Taylor and others. There were eleven children in the McPherson family. Two passed away in early life, but the rest of them lived to past 80 years. A Mrs. Blair (Mary Jane) who passed away last January , was 91 (the underlined phrase was an error as it was attributed to Mr. McPherson ), Mr. (James P.) McPherson was 84, Mrs. (Mary Burns) McPherson was 89 years of age at death. I (Margaret Burns McPherson Burmeister) am the last of the family and will be 80 years old September 5^th (1946). I have had one granddaughter in service as a nurse overseas in World War II, and four grandsons, and one son-in-law. One is still in Manila Is. And one in the4 Pacific somewhere. My father had a farm of 160 acres. I think he bought it as government land as I cannot find anything to the contrary. John Stevenson, Wm. Thompson (Uncle Willis as we called him) were other old settlers. I am enclosing a paper I found in my father's diary which gives you some of the very old settlers of Mt. Vernon with their own signatures, which you might like to have. Also a very old building was the first log schoolhouse, which was in the northwest corner of the Oak Hill or Springdale cemetery, built in '51 or '52. I believe Sandford Shummwan was the first teacher. I have a family of seven. One son has served 22 years as policeman and one 23 years as a city fireman.

B y Mrs. Margaret Burmeister

* * * * *

NOTES:

I added comments in italics when I thought it would be helpful for the reader and underlined corrected passages.

List of the J.P. McPherson family:

James Peter McPherson, Nov 14, 1816 – Aug.11, 1900

Mary Burns McPherson, Jan. 30, 1821 – Sep. 1, 1910

William Burns McPherson, Apr. 23. 1843 – Mar. 15, 1926

James Burns McPherson, Mar. 17, 1845 – Mar. 6, 1932

Jabez Burns McPherson, Aug. 12, 1847 – Apr. 7, 1924

Ann Adamson McPherson (Foye), Jan. 31, 1850 – May 17, 1922

Elizabeth Spink McPherson, Dec. 4, 1952 – Nov. 30, 1873

Mary Jane McPherson (Blair), Jan 27, 1855 – Jan 17, 1946

Jessie Stewart McPherson (Watts), Jun. 9, 1857 – Mar. 17, 1929

Emma Ellen McPherson (Ireland), July 17, 1859 – Dec. 12, 1921

Harriet Burns McPherson, May 3, 18672 – Nov. 16, 1865

Peter Burns McPherson, Jun 1, 1864 – Mar. 15, 1946

Margaret Burns McPherson (Burmeister), Sep. 5, 1866 – Aug. 5, 1959

Sunday Synopsis: 2011 November 13th: Holidays are a comin'

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:53:00 +0000

Tis November, and my thoughts turn to decorating my deck, putting up my Christmas village, and chasing the peacocks off of the deck railings! I spend about 1 to 2 weeks on the decorations, depending upon the weather. This year the weather has cooperated, so I am ahead of schedule.

O by the way, I did get a blog or two entered, and revising last weeks workshop piece, so all in all it has been a good week.

Surname Saturday: John Gow, Perhaps a Brother or Cousin of Catherine Gow Stewart, Springdale, Wisconsin, 1850

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

James Peter McPherson arrived in Springdale, Wisconsin, on May 21, 1850, and moved into John Stewart's log house. Within two weeks, J.P. put his tailoring skills to use by making pants and vest for John Stewart, and pants for John Gow. (John Stewart's wife was Catherine Gow, so perhaps John Gow was Catherine' brother or a cousin.) John Gow lived in the Springdale-Verona area from at least 1850 until his death, August 17, 1881.

One of the reasons that I am interested in John Gow and his Stewart connections concerns the possibility that John Gow may be related to James Gow, a well known Dundee Chartist writer and poet (and hand loom weaver). J.P. McPherson had strong ties to the Chartist movement; he was in the Dundee flax mills at the time that the textile mill workers, whether they be hecklers, flax dressers, power or hand loom weavers, were at the forefront of the Chartist movement; also, his father-in-law William Gibson Burns was a lifelong, ardent champion of the Chartist movement and universal suffrage.

So, if there are any Gow or Stewart researchers that can shed any light on the political connections between these families and the Chartist movement, I would like to hear from you. My email address is at the upper left corner of this blog.

~ ~ ~

Amanuensis Monday: Centennial History of the Town of Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin, 1848-1948; Pioneer Norwegian Settlement of Springdale

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

From TheCentennial History of the Town of Springdale, ... 1848-1948, p.110

Although my Scots ancestors lived in what was called Scotch Lane and Scotch Hamlet, Springdale and the surrounding area also had many Norwegian settlers. An unnamed author provided the following article of interest for inclusion in the Centennial History of the Town of Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin, 1848-1948, pp. 109-111.

PIONEER NORWEGIAN SETTLEMENT OF SPRINGDALE

A celebrated writer has said that "The men who make history haven't time to write it." and a complete story of the sturdy pioneers of Springdale will probably never be known. Many of the struggles, hardships and vicissitudes of the earliest settlers were not recorded, and the available history concerning them has been assembled from other sources.

Tthe first Norwegian settlement of Springdale was established almost concurrently with its earliest history. The first white resident in the township was John Harlow, an American , who settled on part of Section 1 in 1845, on the farm now known as the Ruben Paulson farm, and who subsequently married a daughter of Jorgen Lee. Iin the spring of 1846 the following permanent Norwegian settlers arrived from earlier settlements at Shelby, Illinois, in the Fox River Valley, and from Muskego, Wisconsin, namely Thore Thoreson Spaaanum, Tosten adn John Rue0Thompson, John I Berge, Ole and Knud (Kvistrud) Sorenson and Nils and Halvor (Grasdalen) Nelson, together with their families. All were origianally from the Tinndal district in Telemark, Norway, and more or less interrelated.

These pioneers settled on lands in Sections 5, 6, 8, 9, and 17, purchased from the government at $1.25 per acre. This was prior to the Homestead act, and immigrants desiring to buy land invariably walked to Mineral Point where the United States land office was located to file their claims and to make payments. however, settlers often selected their land and lived on it a year or more before filing their claims.

Perhaps from their love and yearning for the mountains and valleys of their native Norway, but more likely because of the accessibility to woodlands, springs and streams, the early Norwegian settlers generally chose the hills and vales of Springdale for their abode in preference to the prairie lands then available throughout various sections of the township.

In most instances the first settler habitations were rude dugouts in the hillsides to protect them from the elements of the weather until they could erect log cabins similar in size to a present day family garage, consisting of one or two small rooms heated with a fireplace and chimney of stone, and often with no floors other than virgin soil packed hard by the footsteps of the occupants. With the aid of an axe these hardy pioneers were capable woodsmen and cut, transported and fitted logs into substantial structures without the use of nails, spikes or bolts which were not then readily procurable.

People in those days did not have much to do with. The building of a house was accomplished with nothing in the way of tools except an axe, a saw, a hammer and a draw-shave, and no material but the native forest, for there were no saw mills at that time in this section of the country. The roof was made with hakes and in fastened to the house with a binder pole. Furniture was home made.

The prairied wolves howled about these humble homes at night and the d3er were often seen in the day time, while poisonous snakes gave their mothers anxiety for their children. Houses in those days were so small and the familiies usually so large that the children spent most of their time out of doors in the summer, and the great fireplaces made excellent ventilation in the winter. Freindly Indisns roamed through the settlement, but other than being curious and geeged for things, they did not greatly molest the settlers. An occasional bear wandered into the settlement and caused excitement and pigeons, prairie chickens and quail abounded in the early days.

From 1848 the influx of Norwegian emigrants increased , and among these settlers were Ole Lee, Aslack Lee, Gulbran Throndrud, Arne Hoff, Erick Skinrud, John Lund, Levor Lien, Ole Stensbolet, Hans Gute, John Sylland, Knud Steenerson, Knud Skredden, Kitil Luraas, Jorgen Lee, Thore Lee, Knudt Herbranson Nees, Ole Anderson, Iver Thorson Aase, Henry Kogen, Engebret Tortun, Erick Solve and Harold Hoff.

The first Norwegian Lutheran religious service in Springdale and largely attended by Norwegians in the surrounding settlements was held at the home of Thore Spaanum in an outdoor meeting on or about April 1, 1850, with the Rev. J.W.C. Dietrickson from Koshkoonong conducting the service to an audience that had gathered from great distances. At this meeting eighteen children were baptized, among whom were: Andrew Grinde, Betsy Grassdalen, Halvor Sorenson and Soren Soreson. Older children were also catechised at this service.

Sunday Synopis: 2011 November 6

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:32:00 +0000

Rather an odd week.

Regarding writing, I had back-to-back writing groups last Tuesday, and to an extent, I am still reeling. For one group, I edited what is most likely, the opening of the memoir for the Ranch Years, "The Burning Haystack." I think it is close to the mark as the initiating moment of the backstory. May need to review in terms of fleshing out the characters.

For the second group; Although, I wasn't on tap for presentation that night, we had four presentations to critique as learning exercises. For this coming week, I wrote a rough draft for another chapter (not necessarily in order); this one has the working title of "Bitsy, Mud Pies and Hacksaw Blades." A more difficult piece -- I cannot afford to gloss over the learning moments presented here, the editing, rewrite, and all around futzing is time consuming and fretful.

Regarding my latest object of interest surrounding James P. McPherson, I have thoroughly devoured (crumpled and krimped pages, underlined and highlighted passages makes the book look as though a dragon was using it as nesting material) Dorothy Thompson's The Chartists. Now I have so many more unanswered, and most likely unanswerable, questions in regards to J.P., his father-in-law, and friends and their relationship to the Chartist movement. With the reading and research behind me, I can no get back to being more investigative and analytical in regards to J.P.s life and times.

As far as blogging, this was a light weight week, with only the transcription of the 1841 letter to J.P. submitted as an Amanuensis Monday post. Interesting, but short on content. I wasn't ready to do my Thursday Thoughts on the Chartist, so perhaps that will show up this coming week, Also had other commitments on Saturday and not organized enough to have a prescheduled Surnname Satureday offering.

As I said, an odd week.

Amanuensis Monday: James P. McPherson and an 1841 Letter of Political Content

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:19:00 +0000

My transciption for today is a letter that was written to my great-great grandfather James P. McPherson in 1841 and shows that he was involved in the political activities of that era. The People's Charter promoting universal (male) suffrage, which was signed in 1838, was the rallying vehicle around which the supporters of universal suffrage, the 10-hour work week, the anti-corn and Poor Law, unionization and better working conditions coalesced. This was a period when the wage-earning working people were beginning to plead their agenda not only to employers but to the national political forces. The following letter was written to 26 year-old James P. McPherson, a Dundee flax dresser, from a man who wanted to obviously wanted to stand for election to represent Dundee:

My transcription of the letter requires a few notes and comments. I believe the word preceeding the date is Hull. There is a HULL in Yorkshire and one of the postmarks does clearly show the word HULL. However, a Scots genealogist and a friend of mine, thought it might also be MULL, as there is an island by that name of the SW coast of Scotland. Personally, although the first letter does indeed look like an "M," my vote remains for HULL --- but then in my first transcription I thought it read,"Thu A," so there is plenty of room for discussion.

Regarding the sender of the letter, it looks to me like the name is "T. Pemset Thompson." However, all I am comparatively sure of is that the first three letters are "Tho". A quick check of the UK census reports yielded no helpful information about this individual.

J.P.'s address on Horse Water Wynd can be Googled. When J.P and his mother lived there it was in the shacks near the flax mill located on the waterfront; now Horse Water Wynd is in a parking lot near the university. You just have to love Google Maps

Transcription of the letter:

Hull. 26 June 1841

Dear Sir,

Finding, as I always suspected that measures have been taken by the Whigs to render my election next to impossible, I beg to state that if there were a probability of returning me for Dundee with requiring my actual presence, I should gladly make myself responsible for any moderate expenses connected with that object.

I am, Dear Sir,

Yours very truly and sincerely,
T. Pemset Thompson

Mr. J.P.McPherson
8 Horse Water Wynd
Scouningburn, Dundee

The back side of the letter is folded so as to make the envelope. Although HULL is very clear, there are a couple of postmarks which I don't understand. The envelope is addressed to:

Mr. Jas. McPherson
8 Horse Water Wynd
Scouningburn
Dundee

Comments and suggestions are welcomed.

~ ~ ~

Sunday Synopsis: 2011 October 30th:

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:35:00 +0000

A quickie synopsis today --- to keep faith with this weekly thingy. First of all, the bad news; the Uncle Ralph Letters project is still in the lurch. However, I expect to resume work on that project early Monday morning. I almost said bright and early, but early nowadays for me is about 5 am and it is definitely not bright at that time of morning. The plan is to work 2 to 3 hours each day before I head to the Y. Even if I only get 1 hour in that is more than I have done the past month. Yikes.

Had a great workshop last Tuesday nite. I was jazzed about the Ranch years project. Today and tomorrow I am reworking the first piece. It was an ok first draft, but not enough backstory, dialogue needs more set up around it, and general rewrite -- ughh, I would say I hate rewrites (which I do) but I would rather get this story right than be a whiner and a sniveler.

I am plugging along with reading and researching information about the Chartist, and also the Temperance movement. As a major flax production area, Dundee's flax workers were very active in the Chartist and social movements of that era. And for tomorrow's Amanuensis Monday I will be transcribing a letter written to J.P. McPherson, which shows his involvement in political activities in the Dundee area.

Regarding my Roots'n'Leaves blog, I managed to enter four posts for the week, including last week's Sunday Synopsis. For the time being, I am trying to enter a transcription of some sort every Monday, a more thought provoking post for Thursday Thoughts, a Surname Saturday piece that highlights a family name of some importance in the Springdale, Wisconsin, of J.P. McPherson's time, and then, of course, my Sunday Synopsis.

That's the way she rolls.

Surname Saturday: Foy(e) and Ireland Families, Dane County, Wisconsin

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:53:00 +0000

During the years in Springdale, not only did James P. McPherson connect with families from Scotland, he also connected with families that in the future would become part of the McPherson extended family. The Foye (also spelled as Foy) and the Ireland familes were two of the latter, as three of the eleven children of James P. and Mary Burns McPherson would take mates from these two families, which were interconnected. The first born daughter, Ann Adamson McPherson married Alonzo Foye; the second son, James Burns McPherson married Elizabeth (Kempfer) Ireland; and Emma Ellen McPherson, the 4th daughter, married Hank Ireland.

From family stories, I had always known that the Foye and Ireland families were somehow connected. I was delighted to find more information on the Foye-Ireland connection when I read the following memory by Orpha Chandler More on page 89 of the Centennial History of Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin, 1848-1948:

The Foye Family

As told by Orpha Chandler Moore

My grandmother Mary Foye, was born in Canada. her maiden name was Mary Campbell, her father Scotch and am not sure but think her mother was French. She married Henry Kempfer and there were five children ofd that family, three boys and two girls. The girls were Flora and Henrietta. I don't know the boys' names. Henrietta was born after her father's death and was named after him.

They lived in Quebec and lived on a farm of some sort for after a storm the fish that were washed in from the river or ocean were raked up and used to fertilize the land.

Later she married my Grandfather Foye who came there from Vermont. I don't know anything of his family, only Grandmother said he was French. There were six children in that family, two girls and four boys, Mary, Aprinda, Winthrop, Steven, Alonzo, and Milton. Mary married a man by the name of Wright, She is buried in Waukesha. She had two children. Mary and Jennie. My grandmother brought them up. Mary married Charlie Lewis. Jennie married Carl Krause.

My grandfather and grandmother brought the Foye family with them from Canada and I think they came by boat to Milwaukee as they lived in a wood chopper's cabin in what was know as the Waukesha Woods. She cooked and baked bread for her family around the stumps using iron kettles. She had no stove.

Grandfather walked from there to Mt. Vernon and took up government land near the Big Spring. I do not know just how long they lived in that cabin but until they built their log cabin in Mt. Vernon, I suppose. i am not sure Henrietta Kempfer came when they did. I think she was married to Septimus Ireland before she came here. Two of her children Dick and Lou came to see us before Grandmother passed away. The Kempfer boys were left in Canada on the farm. Grandmother had eleven children and raised two grandchildren.

As Grandmother lived with us a good share of the time it fell to my lot to stay home with her much against my will and I should remember more of the things she told me.

***

Now, for those of those of you who are interested in such things, here is the documentation that the Foye and Ireland families were indeed in Dane County, Wisconsin. The following is a historical outline via the Federal Census, 1850 through 1880, of the Foye and Ireland families. Members of these two families who married children of James P. and Mary McPherson, and thus are related in a cuzinly way, aredenoted by Bold Face.

The family of John and Mary Foye are listed in the 1850 Federal Census for Eagle, Waukesha, Wisconsin, probably shortly after they immigrated from Canada. His occupation was listed as a farmer; they had six children living with them, Stephen(17), Mary (16), Winthrop (12), A(Aprinda ) (9), Alonzo (6), and Milton (2).

By 1857, the Foyes had arrived in Springdale, as J.P.'s diary notes suit between Spears vs Foy during October and December.

The 1860 Federal Census for Springdale, Dane, Wisconsin, also list the Foye family as living close to the McPhersons. At that time John and Mary Foye had two children and one grandchild living with them, L.M. (Alonzo, who married Ann A. McPherson) (16), Milton (12), and Mary Foye Wright's daughter, Mary Wright (4).

The 1870 Federal Census for Springdale, listed John (70) and Mary (69) living alone; however, next door was the residence of Alonzo and Ann Adamson McPherson Foye, and their son William (4 1/2) and two granddaughters of John and Mary Foye, Jennette and Mary Wright.

In 1880, Mary Foye is listed as living with the family of her daughter, Aprinda Foye Chandler. Aprinda and John Chandler's children were listed as Ella (21), Orpha (13), Bertie (11), and Willie (8).

The connection between the Foye family and the Ireland was Mary Foye's daughter Henrietta who married Septimus B. Ireland. Henrietta was Mary's daughter from her marriage to Henry Kempfer. Henry died before the birth a Mary's baby girl, whom she named after her husband and the father of the child.

By 1860, according to the Federal Census for Primrose, Dane, Wisconsin, Septimus and Henrietta Ireland had relocated from Canada to Wisconsin. The following children were living with them, Elizabeth, who would marry my great grandfather James Burns McPherson (9), Mary (7), Lucy (5), Septy (3) and Henry(9 mos), who would much later marry Emma Ellen McPherson .

The 1870 Federal Census for Montrose, Dane, Wisconsin, lists Septimus and Henrietta Ireland and five children, Lucy (15), Septy (13), Henry (10), James (8), and Mildred E. (3).

In 1880 according to the Primrose, Dane, Wisconsin, Federal Census, Alonzo and Ann A. Foye are listed with two sons, Willie (10) and Luie (4), and Alonzo's nephew Henry Ireland (20).

Now finally, after all these years, I finally have a more clear picture of the wonderfully confusing world of the McPhersons, Foyes and Irelands.

~ ~ ~

Thursday Thoughts: James P. McPherson: A Chartist? A Radical? A Liberal?

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:27:00 +0000

Top of my head sort of post, but I've been a'thinkin' about the milieu that surrounded James P. McPherson just prior to his immigration to America -- and how those philosophical threads have been woven into the lives of his descendants.

Because I have no idea of where this search will lead, I will start off with what I call my "historian's cha-cha" -- one step back, three steps forward -- my own little dance of facts.

I know that
     J.P. was a flax dresser in the flax mills of Dundee;
   J.P. was but a teenager at the time of
           1832 Reform Act,
           1834 Poor Laws,
           1838 publication of the Peoples' Charter;
    the flax mills, and particularly the hecklers, of Dundee were in the forefront of reform activity;
the unstamped British press was the vanguard of radical, liberal thought and activity;
    workers would meed in alehouses to read the unstamped papers and discuss the issues of the day.

I know that in the early days of Chartism (1837-1839), there were mass rallies of workers (printers, shopkeepers,shoemakers, tailors, stone workers, carpenters, blacksmiths, miners, and of course the great mass of textile workers). Chartist marches extending one to two miles in length proclaimed their support with songs,homemade banners and flags, and ending with speeches. Men, women and children were all part of the early marches; women were particularly adamant about the repeal of the Poor Law for fear of draconian measures that would lead to disintegration of the family unit, but they also fully supported their husband's goal of suffrage.

J.P. has not left me with specific words as to feelings about the Scotland, or the British Isles*, from whence he came.   So now I piece together tidbits from his tersely written diary, an 1841 letter, genealogical information about him, his family and friends, and of course delving into 19th century British history.

Where this will all lead, I know not --- but once I start, I canna stop. May we all enjoy the ride.

*I believe that J.P. would fully subscribe to this description of his birth: English by law, Scots by birth, and Highlander by the Grace of God.

~ ~ ~

Amanuensis Monday: Centennial History; Township of Springdale: Sworn Inspectors of Elections, 1856

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Sworn Inspectors of Elections, 1856

According to the Centennial History, Township of Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin, 1848-1948, the following 1856 document is an invaluable piece of Springdale's history, which "contains the names of six permanent first settlers of Springdale":

Dane County

Town of Springdale.

James P. McPherson, H. H. Dryden, Morgan L. Curtis, Inspectors of Election and Hugh Stephens, and Richard Blackburn, Clerks of Election, do solemnly swear that we will perform the duties of our respective offices according to lae, and will studiously endeavor to prevent all fraud, deceit, or abuse in conducting this election, So Help us God.

(Signed) James P. McPherson, H.H. Dryden, Morgan L. Curtis, Inspectors of Election

(Signed) Hugh Stevens, Richard Blackburn, Clerks of Election

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 4th day of November, 1856

(Signed) John I Berge, Justice of the Peace.

POLL LIST, GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 4TH, 1856

1. Firmin Wousal (Housel)	44. Daniel Lesler (Lester)	87. L. D. Roblins
2. W.W. Upson	45. Leonard Lewis Jr.	88. Philander Nash
3. Carl Loust	46. Theo. Miles	89. Handford Strumwauy
4. Carl Marquette	47. E. Kelly	90. A. Malone
5. John McKinsey	48.Yevi Jacket	91. Stephen Hoy
6. Thomas Rand	49. William Thomson	92. Wm. W. Abbott
7. W. N. Fargo	50. John Cook	93. Hugh Stephenson
8. Samuel Whaley	51. Michael Jacket	94. M. L. Curtis
9. Ole Anderson	52. Abram Jacket Jr.	95.A. N. Dryden
10. Michael Johnson	53. Ole Thomson	96. Ole Lourenson
11. Ole Lee	54. Henry Lewis	97. John Hoy
12. Avery Woff	55. Charles Kelly	98. John Leary
13. Aslab Lee	56. William McLears	99. B. R. Burbank
14. Lars Sienson	57. William Cullins	100. Henery Bolan
15. Just Gorgenson	58. Arny Holverson	101. R. B. Dudley
16. Austin Hanson	59. John Jones, Jr.	102. John Mahoney
17. Younger Christenson	60. Ever Thorson	103. Hawley Childs
18. Hendric Johnson	61. Lasa Thorson	104. William Bonnell
19. Eric Oleson	62. C. M. Martin	105. John Murphey
20. Ole Christenson	63. James R. (P.) McPherson	106. Arny Peterson
21. Knud Johnson	64. James P. Forsythe	107. Thomas O'Neil.
22. Knud Knudson	65. John J. Lipon	108. William Lamb
23. Thomas McGregor	66. Jacob C. Strong	109. John Edi
24. David McGregor	67. Arny Paulson	110. W. R. Derrick
25. Thurston Thomson	68. W. E. Willis	111. M. M. Forsythe
26. Knud Sorenson	69. Peter Ruckle	112. Joseph Henderson
27. Thorald Oleson	70. William Adams	113. John Lynch
28. Harold Teoff	71. W. D. Dryden	114. Michael Brown
29. Christopher Oleson	72. William Dryden	115. Felix Quigley
30. Gilbert Oleson	73. E. K. McCord	116. Tho. Carroll
31. Knud Stenryson	74. William Donald	117. Thou Touson
32. Samuel Curtis	75. James Connor	118. Wm. Brown
33. John I. Berge	76. John McCaughey	119. Edwin Strumway
35. Harold Haroldson	77. Andrus Anderson	120. J. P. Beard
36. Lars Peterson	78. William McCaughey	121. David Murphy
37. John Knudson	79. James Lyle	122. William Sweet
38. Frann Knudson	80. John Jones, Len (Sen)	123. Thomas Thoason
39. Henery Kreight	81. Thos. Blackburn	124. Ole Austinson
40. Holver Holverson	82. Leonard Lewis	125. John Beat
41. Lever Anderson	83. Henry Allen	126. J. F. C. Morick
42. William Henderson	84. Isaac G. Brader	127. George Wright
43. Michael Kalskot	85. Nelse Holverson	128.Richard Blackburn
	86. Edmund Spier

James P. McPherson
H. H. Dryden*
M.L. Curtis
Inspectors of Elections

Hugh Stephen
Richard Blackburn
Clerks of Election

Note: These documents were found on pages 137 and 139, Centennial History, Township of Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin, 1848-1948. In 1942, a group was organized to complete the town history. Members of the initial committee included, T. S. Spaanem (President),Albert Barton, Harvey Fargo, Miss Carrie Eggum, Miss Susie Eggum, C. A. Sorenson (Director), Arthur Sorenson (Secretary).Herman C. Erfurth (Treasurer), Lewis Rue, Gilbert Gilbertson (Vice President), Hector Gunderson, Larence Lunde, and Ed Lohff. In the Introduction to the Centennial History, Cornelius A. Sorenson stated that the task of the committee was to record of the life and experiences of the pioneers and early settlers of Springdale.

Apology: I tried to get the poll list of voters in a more presentable form. Unfortunately, my skill set was not up to the task.//JGH

~ ~ ~

Sunday Synopsis: 2011 October 23rd: Looking up!

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:53:00 +0000

For the first time in a couple of months, I am beginning to feel like I am in control of this ship of state, rather than being tumbled upon the winds of fate. My desk is 80% cleared off -- 2 miscellaneous projects (non-writing, non-genealogy) to clear out. Then back to my Uncle Ralph's letters and getting that project back on track. Next week I am planning on having much more to say about the progress of this book of letters.

Winter Feeding at Hungry Hollow, 1960-61

I am also taking a writing class from which I hope to have a memoir of the Ranch Years mapped out. The class is to hone our writing skills, which is always good; however, as I was reviewing some of the stories that I had written, I realized that I had 30%-40% of the stories of our ranch years already written in some form or other. So, an actual memoir of those years is within the realm of possibility -- within this next year or so. Today, I am working on a unifying concept in which to frame the stories. Hopefully, it is just a a day's work -- or whatever it takes. The Larry Brooks workshop I took a couple of weeks ago has also helped to give some coherence to this project.

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Lastly, my work on my McPherson family history and my 2x great-grandfather's diary is still progressing. I have stopped my OCD behavior about the diary; I can focus on something more than transcribing. This past week or so I have been reading and researching on the 1830s & 40s Chartist movement in the British Isles. The political milieu surrounding the Chartist movement, which included agitation around the persecution of union activity, against the Poor Laws which were seen by the working class as tearing apart the family unit, and the proposal for a National Charter and the call to political action by a general convention. Highlighting, supporting, and giving structure to this general disturbance within the manufacturing groups were the myriad of the unstamped press, and finally the creation of the Feargus O'Connor's Northern Star. Not only do I feel the blood of ole J.P. begin to boil, but that call to stand for the protection of our rights and liberties follows through his lineage to this very day.

And thusly are spent the days of a historian, genealogist, writer, and family historian. Life is good.

~ ~ ~

Surname Saturday: Thomas B. Miles Family, Springdale, Wisconsin, 1850-1878

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 21:10:00 +0000

On June 13, 1850, James P. McPherson was taken to view two 80-acre parcels of land located next to Thomas B. Miles' home in Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin. McPherson settled on this land and the connection between the McPhersons and the Miles families continued from that date. In November of 1850, James boarded with the Miles family while he was building his log home with its thatched roof and dirt floors. The McPherson family moved into their home in mid-December; however by mid-January a cold, howling storm blew away a portion of the thatch. Their neighbor, Thomas Miles, came to their rescue and moved James, Mary and their three children into the Miles home until the roof was patched.
Throughout the years, the family helped one another with planting, harvesting, and the butchering beef and hogs. The two families visited back and forth. Later, there was even a closer connection when, on October 15,1865, James and Mary's eldest son William Burns McPherson married Emeline Rozetta Miles, the third child of Thomas and Clarissa Miles.

On page 100 of the Centennial History of Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin, 1848-1948, the following is noted:
Thomas. B. Miles homestead, the farm now known as the William Schmidt Farm. He was one of the oldest settlers and first organizers of the town. He was a prominent man always willing to help in any enterprise for the promotion and welfare of the community. He was the first postmaster of the town, appointed in 1850 and was a native of Pennsylvania. In 1836 he married Miss Clarissa Burch, a native of New York. They raised a family of nine children all living in Wisconsin.

Thomas B. Miles is listed in the Federal Census for Springdale, Dane County, Wisconsin, for the years 1850, 1860, and 1870. In addition to Thomas and Clarissa, the family included Ann. J. Miles, Samuel C. Miles, Emeline R. Miles, Henry Miles, William Miles, Alice M. Miles, Helen Miles, Sarah Miles, and Eveline Miles.

Thomas B. Miles died on March 23, 1878. At the time of his death, Miles had been a friend and neighbor for nearly 30 years, and part of the family for over a decade.

~ ~ ~

Amanuensis Monday: History of Springdale by James P. McPherson, Esq. - Pt. 4 Of Stores & Post Offices

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:00:00 +0000

In 1877 , Wm. J. Parks, Co., published a history of Madison, Dane Co, and the surrounding villages and towns in Dane Co., Wisconsin. Contributors from the various locales provided information, pictures, and maps for the book. My great-great grandfather James P. McPherson wrote the portion about the history of Springdale (p. 806, Dane County Towns, Springdale). Because of its length, the Springdale history will be published on this blog in several parts. In Part 4, McPherson tells of stores and post offices.

SPRINGDALE

By James P. McPherson, Esq.

Part 4, Springdale,Of Stores and Post Offices

In 1859, Mr. George West opened a store on section 11, near what is now the Contarf post office. He continued in business about a year, and was succeeded by Messers, Peter Quigly, John C. Thompson, Thos. Managan, and Patric Carrr. Mr. Carr has continued in business there for about fourteen years, has a large stock of goods, suitable for the locality, does and extensive and increasing trade with the citizens ofr Springdale, Verona, and Cross Plains.

The first post office in the town, Springdale was established in 1850. Mr. Thos B. Miles was appointed postmaster, and retained the office until December 1866 when he resigned.

There are now three post offfices in the town, Springdale on Section 25, J. P. McPherson, postmaster; Mount Vernon, I. G. Brader, Sr., postmaster; and Clontarf, on section 12, P. Carr, Postmaster.

PUBLISHED  & COPYRIGHT
BY WM. J. PARK & CO.,  1877.
BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS AND BINDERS, 11 KING STREET.
DAVID ATWOOD, STEREOTYPER AND PRINTER, MADISON, WIS.

Sunday Synopsis: 2011 October 2nd: Not much Activity- Anything Done??

noreply@blogger.com (Joan) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:57:00 +0000

Too many projects in the air. Too much unsettled stuff. So what to do? Clean bookcases! And that's the story for tonite.