From History of Reedsburg and the Upper Baraboo Valley, by Merton Edwin Krug, Publ. February 1929 by the author. Printed by Democrat Printing Company, Madison, Wis., Page 48-51

Reedburg In 1851.

Along toward nightfall of July 2, 1851, the Dwinnell caravan came slowly into the village. It was picturesque, comprised of wagons drawn by horses and oxen, a large number of cows, a father and mother and six little children, the eldest in his twelfth year. Dwinnell's land (at least a part of it) lay to the north of the village, what is now the cemetery being part of it. Upon arrival he traded cows for lumber to build a house, and some flour, of which he had a large quantity, for labor and hay. With his cattle and provisions the town was greatly animated.

In the three years of its existence the town had come into a population of 114 persons of whom eight were adult single men. Following is a list of inhabitants at that date, July 2, 1851, the figures indicating the number in each family: J. S. Strong, 4; Austin Seeley, 4; Z. T. Carver, 6; O. H. Perry 2; Volney Spink, 5; P. B. Smith, 3; A. C. Reed, 8; Kindred Priest, 3; L. Gay Sperry, 4; S. H. Chase, 2; Eber Benedict, 4; Peter Barringer, 4; A. H. Witherall, 2; William McClung, 3; Dr. R. G. William, 7; H. H. Carver, 4; John Clark, 5; E. G. Wheeler, 6; Garrett Rathrun, 7; J. Mowers, 6; Aaron Hall, 4; David C. Reed, 5; J. C. Bovee, 3; W. W. Carpenter, 3; Harry Bishop, 3; William Peck, 4; Orlando Secor, 5; S. A. Dwinnell, 8;

There is no list of the eight single men, but the following are known to have been living here at that time: These are probably the eight alluded to in Dwinnell's article: Horace Croswell, Rollin M. Strong, Horace Carver, J. L. Green, Alden Allen, David B. Rudd, E. O. Rudd, Keyes Bishop.

Of the persons previously mentioned in this history, but now dwelling here in 1851, we give the following information:

Rev. Saxby had moved onto his Copper Creek farm. Mr. Powell had in 1849 sold out to Croswell.

Caleb Croswell had been elected to the assembly, fall of 1850.

Alexander Locke had moved to Winfield; so had the Leonards and Huffnails.

Other families who came in 1851 after July 2 are those of M. A. Dixon, Abram West and Sidney West; also the McDonald family, Enos, John, and James.

1852. A. W. Waltz, Alex Weidman, L. D. Craker, John Sanders, Noble Armstrong, A. M. Sanders, David Barnhart, Edward Beulow.

1853. John Flitcroft, February 28, R. Priest, Dr. Samuel Ramsey, S. H. Harris, H. H. Treadwell, Richard Bailey, Peter Empser.

1854. G. Bogenrief, November, W. Shumway, August, W. H. Young, spring, Chester Buck, spring, N. and P. Buck, sons of Chester, spring, James Armstrong, fall, Elijah Gleason, Lorenzo Gleason, Mrs. Pamelia Tator, Giles Stevens, J. Mackey, June, S. Mackey, Moses Young, John Niles, Edward Layman, M. A. Hunt, J. V. Kelsey, S. C. Hunt, Henry C. Hunt.

1855. I. Quirk, John Safford, Walter Wood, Henry Wood, P. W. Jones, L. Gifford, C. H. Knapp, M. A. Knapp; June 14, Edwin Andrus, November 15; Benjamin W. Brown; William Andrus, November 14, W. Warren, Mort. Finch, George Meyers, William H. Winchester, J. F. Danforth, G. W. Henderson, W. W. Henderson, J. M. Flautt, George H. Flautt, J. B. Flautt, P. C. Flautt.

1856. D. Rowley, July 10, L. D. Rowley, Israel Root, Samuel Brooks, April, James Lake.

1857. J. B. Grahman, Jesse Graham, Eber Cummins, Milo Smith, Philo Lane, N. V. Chandler, Smith Devereaux, Charles Hinkley, George Bogenrief.

1858. H. Parker, Jeremiah Barnhart, J. W. Lusk, John Kellogg, E. L. Leonard, D. R. Kellogg.

This list may not be inclusive of all early settlers, yet we believe it is nearly so. Many of these families settled on farms in the township of Reedsburg, while others went into business in the township of Reedsburg, while others went into business in the village. Of the later, we make especial mention of the following:

Dr. Samuel Ramsey. This gentleman, a native of Chester, Wayne County, Ohio, where he was born December 21, 1824, came to Reedsburg in November 1853, and for a few months practiced medicine. In 1854 he established the first drugstore in the village. In 1861 he gave up his practice and devoted his entire time to the store. In 1879 he became associated in business with his nephew, William H. Ramsey, who is still an active citizen of the city. Dr Ramsey was a veteran of the Mexican war.

William Shumway, who, for many years, was in various businesses in Reedsburg, was first engaged as the store-keeper; next, he opened a meat-market; then for a few years he ran a farm, and dealt in hops. In 1876 he returned to town. For over thirty years he preached every Sabbath, usually in a rural church, particularly the one in Excelsior.

Moses Young was another pioneer druggist. He opened his store in the spring of 1855, and remained in it until 1870. He served in the Civil War.

Edward Layman and family were among the settlers of 1854. Mrs. Layman informed Mrs. Bella French that they could find no place to board, although she took her child, twenty months old, in her arms and went from house to house looking for one. The few houses were filled to overflowing. She went to a hotel, and found that filled also, and the proprietor would not let her in except to work. This she was obliged to do to obtain shelter. Soon after her husband bought the establishment that they might have a home. The hotel they afterwards sold. The hotel was that of John Clark. Mrs. Layman opened a millinery store in 1865 and in 1870 entered into a partnership with Mrs. Hunt.

Henry C. Hunt was for many years a general merchant on Main Street. He served in the Civil war, also in the assembly.

Mort. Finch was a harness-maker.

J. W. Lusk was a Presbyterian minister, and settled permanently in this village where he died.

Giles Stevens (Old Capt. Steve!) was one of the village's most prominent citizens. This man, a lawyer by profession, came in 1854 and remained a resident all of his life. In 1861 he recruited Company B, 12th Wisconsin Infantry, and commanded it through the whole period of the Civil War. He was the third attorney in town, E. G. Wheeler and Joseph Mackey preceding him.

Jeremiah Barnhart opened a wagon shop.

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