p. 644

   The town of Adams embraces congressional township 3 north, range 6 east.  It is bounded on the north by the town of York, on the east by Washington, on the south by Jordan, and on the west by Lafayette county.  The surface of the town is rather broken, and a good share of it is covered with timber, yet many valuable and well cultivated farms are found here.  There are 22,752 acres of farming land in the town, the assessed value of which is $6.01, and total assessed value, $136,849.  The total assessed value of all real and personal property is $217,902.  In 1857 the population of the town was 913; in 1880, 930.  The stock in the town is estimated as follows:  765 milch cows valued at $17,406;  485 horses, assessed value $45.97 total $22,297;  2295 head of cattle, assessed value, $14.22, total, $32,655;  8 mules, assessed value $47.50, total, $380; 1,272 sheep, assessed value $1.77, total $2256;  1,713 swine, assessed value $3.88, total, $6,663.  The principal farm products grown in the town of Adams in 1882 were as follows:  3,598 bushels wheat, 68,750 bushels corn, 54,130 bushels oats, 320 bushels barley, 1,954 bushels rye, 4,312 bushels potatoes, 1,360 bushels apples, 40 bushels clover seed, 1,540 tons hay, 42,685 pounds butter, 128,000 pounds cheese.  The principal farm products growing in the town at the time of making the assessment in 1883 were as follows; 348 acres wheat, 2621 acres corn, 2,050 acres oats, 14 acres barley, 155 acres rye, 87¾ acres potatoes, 65½  acres apple orchard, 3,260 acres growing grasses, 5,124 acres growing timber and 2,137 bearing apple trees.
 
 

    James Biggs, of Ohio, made the first settlement within the limits now comprising the town of Adams.  He came here before the Black Hawk War, intrusted by the government with the work of surveying and subdividing range 6.  He finished this work in 1834.  While prosecuting his work he discovered on section 8, in this town, a rank growth of what is termed "lead-weed," or more properly "lead-plant," called masonic in an early day, whose roots are said to extend forty feet below the surface.  Gen. Biggs knew that both scientists and Indians regarded a line of this weed on the surface as an indication of a fissure that might contain lead, and at odd moments he began to dig there.  In 1835 he settled here, but for several years his family spent much of the time at "Hamilton Diggings."

   William Brazel, a native of Illinois, came here in 1837, and made a claim on sections 32 and 33; erecting a log house on the latter section.  Three years later he moved into what is now the town of Jordan, and entered land on section 4.  He erected a log cabin and lived there until 1849, when he sold out and removed to section 32, in the town of Adams, where he had previously entered land.  Here he lived until the time of his death, which occurred in 1851.  His family still occupy the homestead.

   In June, 1837, Jonas Shook arrived in Wiota, where he settled.  In 1838, he removed to the town of Adams, this county, locating on section 24, where he purchased forty acres of land on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter.

p. 645

He built a double log cabin, afterwards putting in a substantial stone basement.  He lived in the town of Adams until 1881, when he removed to Monroe.  Shook's Prairie received its name from this pioneer settler.

   Richard Gabriel, a native of Ohio, came to this county in 1838, and entered land on section 13, this town.  He lived here a few years, when he removed to the town of York, where he still resides.

   William L., James H. and David D. Bailey, sons of Robert Bailey, came here in 1840, and entered land on section 23.  William improved a farm and lived here until 1874, when he sold out and removed to Bremer Co., Iowa, where he still lives.  James H. lived here several years, then sold out and removed to Monroe, where he died in 1882. David lived on his farm until the time of his death, which was caused from a cancer in his face.

   Matthew Cunningham, a Virginian, came in 1842 and settled on the northwest quarter of section 24.  He improved a farm and lived there for several years when he sold out and removed to Iowa county, where he died.

   Michael Crotty, one of the pioneers of the town of Adams, was born in county Sligo, Ireland, in 1819.  He was there reared to manhood, and was united in marriage with Mary Sweetinan, who was also born in county Sligo.  In 1842, Mr. Crotty emigrated to America, and took a claim on section 28, township 3, range 7 east, now known as the town of Adams, in this county.  Not having the means to enter the land, he engaged with Jonas Shook, and followed mining during the winter.  In the spring he went to Wiota and engaged in mining there.  He was there joined by his wife and two children.  They lived in Wiota two years, during which time he had entered his land, and had some improvements on it.  In 1845, he removed to the Badger Digging on section 11, and engaged in mining there.  He employed a man to improve his farm, and he also erected a log cabin.  He continued to follow mining until 1846, then removed to his farm, and devoted his time thereafter to farming, and is now one of the substantial moneyed men of the town.  He owns 640 acres of land, and is extensively engaged in stock raising.  He also owns valuable mill property in Argyle.  His wife died in 1857, leaving four children-John, Patrick, Nancy and Joseph.  He was married the second time to Marcella Gavigan. They have five children-Michael, Sarah, Francis, George and Joseph.

   In 1843 Cutler Wilkins came from near the State line and settled on the northeast quarter of section 31.  He remained a few years, then sold to Richard Scott, and moved away.

   Davis Roub came in 1844 and claimed the southeast quarter of section 33.  He remained there seven or eight years, and then removed to Dane county, where he still lives.

   Samuel Kelly, a native of Kentucky, came here from Ohio in 1844 and lived for two years in the town of Clarno.  In 1846 he settled on section 34, in the town of Adams, where he improved a farm and remained until the time of his death, in 1870.

   Martin Mullin, one of the pioneers of the town of Adams, was born in county Sligo, Ireland, in the year 1800.  When twenty years old he left his native land and came to America.  He spent four years in the States of New York and New Jersey, then returned to Ireland and was married to Jane Wallace, also a native of county Sligo.  Four months later he came to America, accompanied by his bride.   They first settled in New Jersey, where they lived two years, then removed to the State of New York, and lived there three years.  They then immigrated to Illinois and settled near Joliet, where he was engaged upon a canal.  Four years later they removed to Stephenson county, in the same State, and there bought and improved land near Davistown.  They remained there until the spring of 1844, when he came to Green county and made a claim on section 19, township 3, range 6.  During the summer he erected

p. 646

a log cabin and cut some hay upon his claim.  He then returned to Illinois and harvested his crops.  He traded his land there for stock.  In the fall of the year he removed with his family to this county.  The following spring he broke a small tract of land and put in a crop of corn.  He also raised a crop in Stephenson county upon land which he had rented.  He afterwards devoted his time to farming upon his own land, clearing and fencing over 100 acres.  He built a frame house and barn, and made this his home until the time of his death, which occurred in March, 1872.  His widow still resides at the homestead.  They were the parents of six children-James, Frank, Mary A., Robert, Charles and John.  Mary A. died at the age of two years and four months.

   Frank Mullin, chairman of the town board of Adams, was born in the State of New York, Feb. 18, 1837, and was seven years old when he came to Green county with his parents.  He received his education in the schools of Stephenson Co., Ill., and those of the town of Adams.  He was married Feb. 28, 1867, to Mary Barry, a native of Green county.  He had previously traded for a farm of 200 acres on sections 7 and 8, of the town of Adams.  Upon the place was a log cabin in which they began housekeeping.  Four years later he built the frame house they now occupy.  They have six children-Joseph, Frank, Martin, Elizabeth J., Edward and William.  Mr. Mullin has been a member of the town board several terms, and is serving his second term as chairman.

   Another old settler of the town of Adams was William Morrison, who came from Ohio at an early day and located on section 35.

   R. M. Jackson, a native of Pennsylvania, came from Illinois in 1845 and entered land on section 12.  He improved part of the land and lived here until 1861, when he sold out and removed to Monroe, where he kept the Junction Hotel (which he erected) for a short time, and then went to Missouri.

   Reuben Holcomb came at about the same time.  He was a native of the State of New York, but came here from Iowa Co., Wis.  In the fall of 1845 he purchased the northeast quarter of section 13, but did not settle here until 1850.  He still lives on that section.

   David Covey, a native of Cayuga Co., N. Y., came to Green county in 1845 and settled on the Rust Branch, in the town of Jordan, where he purchased 200 acres of land.  He was a shoemaker by trade, and spent a good deal of time working at his trade, aside from improving his farm.  In the fall of 1847 he sold out and moved to what is now the town of Adams, purchasing 200 acres of land on section 19.  He put up a log house near Dougherty's Branch, and lived there six years, then removed to Argyle, where he worked at his trade and bought the Cottage Inn, and ran hotel.  In 1861 he sold the hotel building and erected a larger one, naming it the American house, and ran this hotel until the time of his death, in April, 1874.  His widow still lives in the village, and his son, David S., now manages the hotel.

   George Devoe, one of the pioneers of the town of Adams, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., March 14, 1806.  He was married to Elizabeth Kinney, a native of the same county.  In 1815 they emigrated to Michigan, going by land, to Buffalo, thence by the lakes.  They lived in Jackson county, where they rented land until 1845, then with one ox team, the family started west to seek a home, taking with them their household goods and camping out by the way.  They came to the Territory of Wisconsin and made a claim near the present site of the village of Wayne.  He built a log cabin and lived there until July of that year, then sold out and came to Green county, making a claim on section 6 of what is now the town of Adams.  He had three yoke of oxen and engaged in teaming lead from Mineral Point to Milwaukee, a distance of 125 miles.  He built a log house and made some improvement on his land that fall, and the following year raised a

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crop of spring wheat and some corn.  At that time he had seven sons, some of them grown, and the boys were engaged in mining, teaming and farming.  Game was plenty, and the boys being expert deer hunters, kept the family well supplied with meat.  In 1861 Mr. Devoe removed to Argyle, where he bought a house and lot and spent the reminder of his days.  He died July 8, 1862.  His widow now lives with her son, William A., in the town of Cadiz.  There were twelve children born to them, six of whom are now living-Orson B., George S., Loron B., William A., Phebe A. and Mary A.

   George S. Devoe now owns and occupies the old homestead.  He was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., April 4, 1833, and was but four years old when his parents moved to Michigan, and twelve years old when they settled in this county, where he grew to manhood.  He assisted his father in clearing a farm, in mining, teaming, etc., and shared with his brothers the pleasures of hunting and fishing.  He was married, Dec. 6, 1855, to Oretta M. Oviatt, who was born in the State of Ohio, June 9, 1839.  He bought forty acres of land on section 7.  He built a house on his father's land and lived there one year, then moved to Lafayette county and rented land three years, then returned to the town of Adams and settled on the old homestead.  They have six children living-William S., Richard L., Lawrence G., Charley W., Clarence O. and Millie A.

   Reuben Holcomb, one of the early settlers of the town of Adams, was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., May 16, 1816.  When he was one year old his parents moved to Niagara county and settled in the town of Hartland, where, six years later, his father died.  After this he lived in different places in the State of New York, until he was twenty-five years old.  He then went to Michigan and located in La Pere county, living there and in Oakland county until 1844.  In that year he came to the Territory of Wisconsin, and settled in that part of Iowa county now known as Lafayette county, remaining there until the spring of 1845, when he came to Green county and spent two months.  He then went to Michigan and remained through the summer.  In the fall of that year he returned to Iowa county and entered land in the town of Fayette.  The next four years he spent in Iowa and Green counties, working as carpenter and joiner.  In 1849 he bought eighty acres of land of Richard Gabriel, on section 13, of the town of Adams, and soon after entered adjoining land.  He was married in 1855, to Sarah E. Wilderman, who was born in St. Clair Co., Ill.  They settled upon his land on section 13, going to house-keeping in a small log house that was standing upon the place.  In 1866 he built a good frame house which they now occupy.  He now owns 300 acres of land, and is engaged in grain and stock raising, also keeps a dairy.  Mr. and Mrs. Holcomb have had five children-James A., Ernest, Florence M., Reuben and Jennie L.  In 1853 Mr. Holcomb's mother came to Green county, and died here in the fall of that year.  Their daughter, Florence M., died at the age of seventeen months.

   Russell Allen, a stone mason by trade, came here in 1846 and erected a cabin on section 24.  He remained in the town, working at his trade in the summer and mining in the winter for several years, and then removed to Iowa.

   Levi C. Allen, a native of New York, came at the same time and settled on the northeast quarter of section 1.  He died there about twelve years later, and his family soon afterward went to Polk Co., Iowa, where they now live.

   Uriah G. Bailey, a pioneer of the town of Adams, was born in Jackson Co., Ga., in March, 1808.  In 1811 his parents moved to Kentucky and settled in Logan county, where they lived three years, then removed to Illinois and settled at Saline Salt Works.  Two years later they removed to Sullivan Co., Ind., where they were among the early settlers.  They remained there six years, then removed to Vermilion Co., Ind., thence to Vermilion Co., Ill. Here his father bought timber and prairie land and

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improved a farm.  The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until the time of his marriage in 1835, to Harriet McMillan, a native of Licking Co., Ohio.  He bought land in Vermilion county, on which they settle, and lived until 1846.  He then sold his land and came to Green county, moving with teams and bringing their household goods.  They also drove some cows and sheep along with them.  He entered 200 acres of land on section 13, of the town of Adams, upon which he built a log house in which they lived several years.  He then erected a good frame house.  Mr. and Mrs. Bailey had five children, only one of whom is now living-William E.  Mrs. Bailey died in 1878.

   William E. Bailey was born in Vermilion Co., Ill., in January, 1836, and was ten years of age when he came with his parents to Green county.  He grew to maturity in the town of Adams, receiving his education in the district school.  He was married in April, 1857, to Jane McDonald, and settled on his father's farm.  In September of the same year, his wife died.  He was again married in 1859, to Synthia Long, who died April 10, 1870, leaving three children-William G., John R. and Priscilla.  His third wife was Lydia Shrake, and they were married in October, 1874.  Five children have been born to them-Elsie, Edith, Florence, Alma and Adam.  Florence died in infancy.

   Oliver Fuller, a native of Cornwall, Conn., came in 1846, and settled on the southeast quarter of section 19.  In 1850 he sold out and removed to Monroe, and later to Wiota, where he died in June, 1882.

   Adam Shrake, a native of Licking Co., Ohio, came to the county in the fall of 1847 and settled in the town of Monroe.  In 1869 he came to the town of Adams, settling on section 24, and remained until 1881 when he went to Brule Co., Dak.

   Orville Spaulding, a New Yorker, came in 1847 and entered land on section 1.  In 1849 he built the first frame house in town.  He remained here six or seven years, then sold out and went to Ohio, where he has since died.

   Robert P. Grinnell, one of the pioneers of the town of Adams, was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., July 16, 1795.  When he was young his parents moved to Fulton county, where he grew to manhood and was married to Esther J. Montgomery, who was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in 1805.  They lived in Fulton county until 1836, then removed to Monroe county in the same State, where they rented a farm until 1847.  In that year they came to Wisconsin, traveling upon the Erie canal to Buffalo, and thence upon the lakes to Racine, where he hired teams to complete the journey to Green county.  He entered land on section 1, township 3, range 6, now known as Adams.  He built a long cabin and commenced improving the land.  He soon after entered other land on section 6 of the town of Washington, a portion of which he improved.  In 1859 he traded for land on section 12, to which he removed, and built a frame house and barn.  He made this his home until the time of death which occurred in 1868.  His widow lives with her son Amos, in Iowa.  They were the parents of five children-Amos L., Willard E., Silas M., John F. and Elizabeth M.

   John F. Grinnell is the only one of the children now living in the town of Adams.  He was born in Fulton Co., N. Y., July 21, 1829, and was eighteen years old when he came with his parents to Green county.  Here he was employed in farming in the neighborhood, in the summer seasons, and attended school winters.  In the spring of 1849 he went to pineries on the Wisconsin river and engaged in rafting lumber down stream to St. Louis.  He was married in 1853, to Catharine Shook, who was

p. 649 (photograph of George Goodrich)

p. 650 (photograph of Mrs. Marthena Goodrich)

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born in St. Clair Co., Ill., Oct. 3, 1831.  He built a log house on section 12, where he had previously purchased land, and commenced housekeeping.  He has since improved a large farm and erected a good frame house and barn.  He now owns 320 acres of land, and is engaged in raising grain and stock.  He pays particular attention to the raising of fine horses, and always drives a good team.  Mrs. Grinnell died Jan. 6, 1871, leaving two children-Garrett C. and Harry B.  Mr. Grinnell was again married June 4, 1873, to Sarah Perkins, a native of the province of Ontario, Canada.  By this union there are two children-Dorman M. and Edith.

   Among the arrivals in 1848 were James Land, Giles M. King and E. D. Jackson, who came from Ohio.  Mr. Land entered land on the south half of section 11, and improved a farm.  About 1860 he sold out and removed to Cadiz.  He died in Monroe in 1881.  Mr. King settled upon the southeast quarter of section 2.  He lived here until 1863, when he removed to Monroe, where he now lives.  He is a carpenter and joiner.  Mr. Jackson located on the southwest quarter of section 12.  He improved a portion of the land and lived there about twelve years, when he removed to Monroe.  He now lives in Illinois.

   George Smith, a native of England, came in 1850, and settled on the southwest quarter of section 17.  He was a single man, and kept "bachelor's hall" in the little log cabin which he erected upon his place.  He remained in the county a number of years, and then removed to Iowa, where he died.

   Edmund Barry, a native of Ireland, came here in 1850, and lived nearly one year on Shook's Prairie, then settled on land he had entered on sections 20 and 21, erecting a house on the latter section, where he still lives.

   Richard Scott came to Green county in 1851, and purchased 120 acres of land on section 31.  Twenty acres of improved land, a log house and stable constituted the improvements on the place at that time.  He now owns 280 acres of good land, and is engaged in farming and raising stock.  He was born in that part of Wayne county now known as Ashland Co., Ohio, Nov. 2, 1819.  In September, 1840, he was united in marriage with Sarah McCauley.  They settled on his father's farm, and lived there six years, then removed to Illinois by team.  They started on the 10th of May, and arrived in Stephenson county on the 9th of June.  He purchased sixty-five acres of land, which he improved, living there until 1851, when he removed to Green county, as before stated.  Mrs. Scott was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., July 26, 1821.  She died Jan. 31, 1867, leaving five children-Jacob, Sarah J., Franklin P., James B. and Lizzie A.
 

   The first birth in the town was Julia, daughter of Gen. James and Angeline Biggs, who was born in 1835.  She is now the wife of Jackson Andrews, of Lyon Co., Kan.

   The first death was that of an infant daughter of William and Mary Brazel, in 1838.  She was buried at Wiota.

   The first election in the town was held at the house of James H. Bailey.
 

   Willett postoffice was established in 1848, with Jonas Shook as postmaster.  It was on the route from Belvidere and Beloit to Mineral Point.  Mr. Shook served as postmaster for eight and a half years, when he resigned and the office was discontinued.  It was soon afterwards re-established, with Eliphalet Bray as postmaster.  He served several years.  The present postmaster, William Montieth, was appointed in 1884.  Mail is received tri-weekly.

   William Monteith, the postmaster of Willett, was born in Wigtownshire, Scotland, March 18, 1827.  When he was eighteen years old, he went to England and spent two years, then returned home and engaged to learn the trade of stone mason, at which he worked in his native country until the fall of 1850, then came to America, first stopping in Caledonia Co., Vt., where he

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spent the winter, then starting west, spent some time in Ohio and Indiana, then come to Grant Co., Wis., where he worked at his trade for several years.  His parents joined him there and he bought a farm on which they settled.  In 1856, he went to Kansas, and was there two years of those stormy times preceding the "Great American Conflict" at arms.  In 1858, he returned to Grant county and there remained until 1860, then went to the Carabou mines in British Columbia and lived two years, then to Oregon, California and Nevada, engaging in mining, principally, until 1864, when he came to Green county and engaged to build a flouring mill for Mathew Newkirk.  After the mill was completed he was employed by Newkirk, to take charge of the farm and mines.  In 1868, he bought the place and has since made it his home.  The farm contains 240 acres, all improved except twenty acres of timber.  He was married in 1866, to Mary Bleiler, a native of Germany.  They have eight children-Jessie, St. Clair, William, Henry, Robert, John, Edward and Isabella.

   A postoffice, called "Walnut Springs," was established in 1848, with James Biggs as postmaster.  The office was on a route from Madison to Wiota, and mail was received once each week.  It was discontinued after a few years.
 

   The town of Adams was organized in the spring of 1849, at an election held at the house of J. H. Bailey, on section 23.  There is no record of this election, but the following, it is learned, were among the officers elected at that time:  Supervisors, Samuel Kelley, chairman, Mathew Cunningham and John Morrison; clerk, T. M. Biggs; treasurer, James H. Bailey; school superintendent, James Biggs; constable, J. F. Wescott; justice of the peace, Amos L. Grinnell.

   At an election held on the 2d of April, 1850, of which Reuben Holcomb and Silas Grinnell were clerks, the following officers were elected:  Supervisors, Samuel Kelley, chairman, Russell Allen and John Morrison; superintendent of schools, James Biggs; clerk, R. M. Jackson; assessor, James Ticknor; justices of the peace, James Biggs, Amos L. Grinnell, Cutler Wilkins and Russell Allen; constables, Erastus R. Allen, W. E. Grinnell and Thomas Steele.  For the office of treasurer there was a tie between Levi C. Allen and Samuel Kelley, which by lot, resulted in favor of the former.  Among others who have been prominent in town affairs are the following:  Jonas Shook, John F. Grinnell, William Montieth, Adam Shrake, Frank Mullin, Thomas Byrne, Fred Hunnell, Jonas Land, A. L. Grinnell, James Smith, Royal M. Jackson, Richard Scott, L. P. Duncan, Joel Kelly, T. M. Biggs, E. D. Jackson, C. M. Ball, Henry Gilligan and Gen. E. D. Bray.

   A very sad accident occurred in the town of Adams, at the raising of a log house for a Mr. Morrison, which resulted in the death of James Brown.  In fitting the logs at the end it became necessary to cut away a small portion, and in turning the log over Mr. Brown slipped and fell, the log following, striking him on the head and killing him.  Mr. Brown was a young man, and well known, and the accident cast a deep gloom over the entire community.
 

   The first school house in district No. 1 was erected on section 13 in 1848, before the district was organized.  U. G. Bailey, Jonas Shook, R. M. Jackson and Matthew Cunningham furnished the logs, and Richard Gabriel helped them erect the building.  Mr. Cunningham went to Milwaukee and got the shingles.  Mrs. Ann Carr taught the first school in this district.  The school house was in use but a few years when a frame school house was erected on the south line of section 14, in which Addie Newman was first to teach.

   The first school in district No. 6 was taught by Elizabeth Brazel in 1866 in the house of Knud M. Lee.  During the same year a stone school house was built in the northern part of section 10.  Francis Cleveland was the first teacher in this house.

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   The first school house in district No. 2 was on section 35.  It was built in 1864.  The first teacher in this house was W. H. Morgan.

   The first school house in district No. 5 was erected of logs on section 22, in 1854.  Sarah Scott and Sarah Wilderman were the first teachers in this house.  Since then another log school house-the only one in the town-has been erected on the northeast quarter of section 20.

   The first school taught in district No. 7 was in a log cabin on the southwest quarter of section 24, in 1841.  Jeff Wescott was the teacher.

   The first school house in district No. 7 was erected in 1851, and was a brick building.  The first teacher was Mrs. Freeman Derril.  She went to the town superintendent for a certificate, and upon her return one of the neighbors asked if she had passed the examination, and she answered, "yes."  The neighbor then enquired how many questions were asked and she replied:  "Two; the first was "can you write?" and the second was "can you write your certificate?"  She replied that she could, and did.  The first school house was used until the present building was erected near the old site, in 1875.

   The first school house in district No. 3 was erected in 1852 in the northern part of section 32.  Sophia Scott was the first teacher in this building.  The school house was removed to section 29 and used until 1879, when the present building was erected on section 32.  William Dowling was the first teacher in this house.

   The first school house in district No. 4 was erected of logs in 1851, near the centre of section 8.  Miss A. Corbin was the first teacher in this house.  The present school building was erected in 1881, on the same section.  It is frame.  The first teacher in this house was Clara Corson.  Previous to the erection of the first school house, Altheda Corbin taught a term of school in Gen. Biggs' house.
 

   In 1845 a saw mill was erected on section 21, by Charles and Chauncey Smith, the power being derived from Daugherty's creek.  It was run by a scroll wheel with some reaction buckets.  The mill did a good business for several years when it was washed away by a flood.  At this time it was owned by Hilliard & Ball.  Soon afterward they erected a woolen factory which was run successfully for several years.  Leander Stevens bought the mill and put in two run of stone for grinding corn and wheat, and ran it for some time.
 

    The first meetings of this denomination were held at private houses by Rev. Monk, from Wiota, services were held at different private houses until 1865 when a neat frame church building was erected on section 3, Rev. J. Fjld, from Dane county, was the first preacher to hold services in the church.  Since then Rev. Halend and Rev. C. Aas, have served as pastor, Rev. T. Reamstad, from Argyle, is the present pastor.  There are now about sixty families belonging to this church.
 

   The first mass in the town of Adams was held at the house of Michael Crotty in 1852, by Father Dailey from Shullsburg.  Services were held at other private houses for some years, including those of Martin Mullin, Edward Barry, Eugene Knight, Stephen Murphy and John Finn.  In 1861, a frame church was erected on the southwest quarter of section 21, in which Father O'Conner was the first priest to say mass.

   There is a cemetery in connection with the Catholic Church.  The first burial in it was of the remains of John Gallagan.
 

   In early days the lead mines of Adams bore the names of Badger and Newkirk diggings.  They were located on sections 4, 5, 8, 10, 11 and 24.  This matter received further attention elsewhere in this volume.

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   The following are a few, of the representative and prominent citizens of the town of Adams:

   Levi P. Duncan, an early settler in Green county, was born in Miami Co., Ohio, Jan. 18, 1827.  When a young man he engaged with a brother-in law, Steward McMillan, to learn the trade of wagon-maker.  In 1847 they came to Monroe, Green county, where Mr. McMillan opened a wagon shop, and the subject of this sketch worked with him until 1851.  In that year he bought a farm on section 31, of the town of Adams.  The improvements upon the land, at the time of his purchase, consisted of a partly completed log cabin and a few acres of broken land.  He now has a good frame house, and quite a tract of land under cultivation.  He was married in 1850, to Adeline A., daughter of Amos and Elizabeth (Haynes) Doane.  They have one daughter-Jennie.  Mr. Duncan is a preacher of the Baptist denomination.  He first preached, under special license, in the town of Jordan, in 1854.  He was ordained at Juda, in 1858, since which time, he has been engaged in preaching at different points in Green, Lafayette and Dane counties.  Their daughter, Jennie, was married to Alex. E. Patterson, who was born in Scotland, and came, when very young, with his parents to America.  He grew to manhood in Lafayette county.  In 1862 he enlisted in the service of the United States, and was mustered in as corporal.  He served until the close of the war.  He was with Sherman on his march to the sea and through the Carolinas to Washington, participating in many of the important battles of that memorable campaign.  He was discharged in July, 1865, and returned home broken down in health.  He never recovered his former vigor, and died April 7, 1874.  Mr. and Mrs. Patterson had three children-John, Charles and George.

   Eliphalet D. Bray came to Green county in 1851, and settled in the town of Adams.  He purchased 640 acres of land on sections 5, 8, 9, 13, 15 and 16.  He built a log house on section 15, and commenced improving the land.  He made his home there until the time of his death, Sept. 5, 1860.  He was born in Oxford Co., Maine, in 1798.  When he was quite young his parents removed to Franklin county in the same State where his father bought timber land and improved a farm.  There the subject of this sketch spent his youth.  When a young man, he joined the State militia, and was commissioned as colonel and brevetted general.  He was known throughout the State as "Gen. Bray."  He became interested in lumbering, and for several years was prominent among the lumbermen of Franklin and Somerset counties.  He was at one time a member of the legislature from his district.  In 1834 he was married to Caroline Chipman, a native of Oxford county.  They settled at the time of their marriage, in New Portland, Somerset county.  He bought unimproved land and made a farm.  They began housekeeping in a log house, but soon after built a frame house, in which they lived until 1848, when he sold his farm and removed to Franklin county, where they remained till 1851.  Sixteen children were born to them, nine of whom are now living.  Mrs. Bray remained at the homestead until 1863, when she was married to Benjamin Thompson, and lived on section 1.  Mr. Thompson died a few years later and she returned to Maine, where she now lives with her youngest son, in Somerset county.

   George Bray was born in Somerset county, Sept. 21, 1835, and is the son of Eliphalet and Caroline Bray.  He was sixteen years old when he came to Wisconsin.  He resided with his parents until his father's death.  He was married in 1861, to Annie E. Garrison, a native of Augusta, Maine, and settled upon the homestead farm, where he lived two years.  He then built a frame house on section 16, upon land which his father had entered.  He improved a farm and remained there until 1869.  In that year he sold his farm and went to Maine and staid five months, returning at the end of that time, to the town of Adams.  In 1870 he bought

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a farm on section 14, upon which he now resides.  He owns 260 acres of land, and is engaged in raising grain and stock.  Mr. and Mrs. Bray have two children-Norris E. and George W.

   Erastus Mosher was a pioneer of Lafayette county, having settled there in 1845.  He made a claim in township 3, range 5, now the town of Argyle.  He remained there until 1854.  In that year he sold out and came to Green county.  He purchased ninety-three acres of land on section 7, of the town of Adams, upon which he built a log house and later a frame house, and resided here until the time of his death Aug. 10, 1882.  He was born at Binghamton, Broome Co., N. Y., Oct. 11, 1807.  When he was quite young his parents moved to Tioga county in the same State, where he grew to manhood and worked at farming summers, and at lumbering winters, rafting lumber down the Susquehanna river.  He was married in Bradford Co., Penn., in 1832, to Polly Smith, who was born in Vermont in 1808.  He bought a farm in that county and remained there until 1845.  In that year they came overland to Wisconsin, traveling with a team of horses and wagon, and bringing a portion of their household goods.  They were five weeks on the road, arriving in Lafayette county on the 12th of June.  Mr. and Mrs. Mosher had nine children-Alba D., Lucy C., Ezra, Lettie, Frank, Caroline, James D., Lucinda and Charles A.  Mrs. Mosher died in April, 1882.  Alba D., Lucy C. and Charles A. now live at the homestead.  Ezra lives in Lyon Co., Kansas.  Lettie is the wife of George Statser, of Argyle.  Frank and James D. died in the service during the late War.  Lucinda is the wife of Levi Helm, of Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa.  Caroline died April 20, 1857.

   Milo Smith is a native of Bradford Co., Penn., born Nov. 12, 1823.  He was reared upon a farm, and in 1844, came to the Territory of Wisconsin and located in Lafayette county where he remained about a year.  He then came to Willet and worked few months in his brother's saw mill.  He was taken sick here, with fever and ague, and was unable to do any work for several months.  He next went to Lafayette county and entered land near Fayette and engaged in farming.  March 13, 1850, he was married to Caroline Kelley, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Henderson) Kelley, and settled at Moscow, Iowa county, where he operated a carding machine five years.  He then moved to Mitchell Co., Iowa, where he entered 200 acres of land, and lived two and a half years, then sold out and went to Grundy Co., Mo., remaining there also three and a half years, after which he returned to Green county and settled near Monroe.  In 1864 he rented a farm on section 34, of the town of Adams, and in 1866, purchased his present farm, in another quarter of the same section.  Mr. and Mrs. Smith have nine children-Mary, Joel, Miranda, Amy, Ella, Lizzie, Kate, Esther A. and John.

   Ezra and John Blumer, sons of John and Dorothy Blumer, settled on their present farm in 1867.  It is located on sections 12 and 7, of the towns of Adams and Washington, and contains 348 acres.  They erected a frame house and a frame barn with a stone basement and have since engaged in grain and stock raising, making a specialty of Holstein cattle.

   Ezra Blumer was born in the canton of Glarus, Switzerland, Aug. 18, 1839, and came to America with his parents when fourteen years of age.  He worked at farming in different parts of Green county until 1863.  In that year he enlisted in company K, of the 16th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, went south and joined Sherman's army.  He participated in the march to the sea and through the Carolinas to Washington, taking part in the many important battles of that memorable campaign.  He was discharged in July, 1865, and returned to Green county.  In 1867 he was married to Henrietta Grosse, a native of Germany.  Ten children have been born to them-Rosa, John, Wilhelm, Ezra, Annie, Edward, Ferdinand, Henrietta, Bertha and Caroline.

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   John Blumer was born in 1840, and was thirteen years of age when he came to America with his parents and settled in Green county.  He was employed in farming until 1861, when he enlisted in company K, of the 9th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.  He veteranized in 1863, and served until the close of the war.  He was discharged with the regiment in February, 1866.  He is unmarried and resides with his brother, Ezra.  They came to this county poor, but were industrious and prudent, and at the time when they purchased their present farm had, each, $1000 which they had earned.  They now rank among the solid farmers of Green county.