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VERNON'S HISTORY
The Town of Vernon began its existence as part of Muskego. On March 8, 1839 the Town of Vernon was
created by an act of the State Legislature. The first Caucasian settlers in the Town were John
Dodge, Prucius Putman, and Curtis B. and Orien Haseltine. They arrived from Andover, Vermont in November of 1836.
Orien Haseltine is
said to be responsible for naming the Town of Vernon which some feel seem to reflect his original
home of Vermont, while others say the Town was named after Mt. Vernon.
An 1859 map of the Town shows that the original Dodges and Putman's lived in Sections 27 and 34.
Orien Haseltine lived in Section 13. When the first four settlers made their claims in November of
1836, they built a cabin measuring 15' by 16' in an area later known as Dodges Corners, on property
owned by Robert Bartholomew. The settlers found fine timber, fertile soils, a large supply of water
courses and many curious mounds and embankments. A heavy growth of maple timber valuable for both
firewood and sugar making was found along the Fox River. Streams provided power for milling and watering of stock. The sandy loam soils were found
to be highly productive when properly cultivated.
Additional settlers arrived in the fall of 1836. Their claims were made in the following locations,
according to the 1859 map: Ira Blood, Sections 19 and 30; Caius Munger, Section 19; and Leonard
Martin, Section 24. Asa Flint was also among this group, though his claim was not shown on the 1859
map. In addition, Nelson K. Smith made claims and moved his wife and two children to the Town of
Vernon in May of 1837. Mrs. Smith was considered to be the first Caucasian woman in the Town.
Orien Haseltine's house was the location of the first political meetings in the Town, including the
first election, where Nelson K. Smith was chosen Town Chairman and Town Clerk. In 1841 and 1842 the
Town meetings were held in Vernon Center, located on the Milwaukee/Mukwonago Plank
Road. When L. Martin built his hotel, the southern influences in the Town moved the meetings to the
site near Muskego, where they continued to be held through 1880. The southern influences were later
overruled by their northern counterparts, and meetings were moved back to Vernon Center. Soon the rival factions compromised, and for
several years held meetings at Mr. Munson's tavern, located on the Mukwonago Plank Road.
In April of 1937 Allen Haseltine, son of Orien Haseltine, was the first child born in the Town. The
first wedding ceremony was celebrated on January 1, 1838 for the marriages of Prucius Putman and
Emmeline Haseltine, and for Curtis Haseltine and Merial Thomas.
Asa Flint was the first Postmaster, residing over a post office in Vernon Center in 1839-1840. A few years later another post
office was built in Big Bend where Aaron Putman was postmaster. Aaron and his brother Amos, who
owned lands in Section 24 and 25, built and operated a sawmill in Big Bend from 1841 through 1868.
During the early history of Vernon, two distinctive communities developed. The north section of the
Town was the site of many settlers from Scotland or of direct Scottish blood. In 1840, Neil McDougal
traveled from New York to claim 500 to 600 woodland acres in the northwest part of the Town. That
year his son-in-law, Findley Fraser and family, joined Alex Foss and family from Elgin, Illinois to
settle on McDougal's land. These first Scottish settlers were soon followed by others of Scottish
descent, including James Beggs who located in Sections 7 and 12, Robert Weir who settled in Sections
13 and 14, John McKinsey who settled in Section 1, and Gunther and William Guthrie who settled in
Sections 1, 7 and 8. Mr. Beggs claimed that he was the first Scotchman to cast a ballot in Vernon.
From 1841 through 1849 the Scotch families of Donald Stewart, Duncan Cameron, Hugh Fraser, William
Emsly, Charles Stewart, John and Thomas Howe, Angus and John McNaughton settled in the area. In 1910
Jane Stewart, then still living in Vernon, said that she owned the original land given to her
father, Charles Stewart, and signed by President James Tyler.
The Town's Scotch ancestors brought with them their strong religious beliefs, and gathered together
for religious worship in the Presbyterian faith. Their first meetings were held in the barn of
Robert Weir, then in various homes and a school house. In 1859 the United Presbyterian Church was
built, with Archibald Stewart being the overseer.
The southwest corner of the Town of Vernon was part of the community generally known as Caldwell's
Prairie, which also encompassed areas in the vicinity of the Village of
Mukwonago. In 1835 Joseph and Tyler Caldwell and their families traveled from
Hubbard Town, Vermont and settled about three miles from Kenosha,
then known as Pike River. Abraham Resseguie, William Cheney, and Clavin
Gault moved to Caldwell's Prairie. At the time the Resseguie family moved to Caldwell's Prairie
about 100 Pottawatomie Indians lived in Mukwonago. Their pow-wows could be heard at night. In 1836,
members of the Vernon section of Caldwell's Prairie arrived: Henry Camp in Section 30, Ira Blood in
Section 30/31, Wilder Champin in Section 20, and Whitney Hudson in Section 31 staked their claims in
1837. Other Caldwell Prairie neighbors shown in 1859 mapping included the Porter and Craig
families. Their descendents continue to live in the Town.
Grammatic evidence remains of the Town’s first inhabitants. Twenty-nine historic mounds said to be
burial grounds of Native Americans known as the Mound Builders, are located on the Born farm in
Section 21 (previously owned by the Dewey's after 1920 and the Hollisters before 1920). Most of the
mounds are enclosed in a park-like area enclosed by giant oaks. In 1956, Mrs. Sylvia Dewey, who's
family once owned the mound area, said that their family often found arrowhead hatchets and other
items left by the first settlers in the Town of Vernon.
To
learn more about Vernon's History and would like more information from the Big
Bend/Vernon Historical Society, click the arrow.
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THE GAULT OIL WELL.....OIL IN VERNON??
The present owners of Gus Brach's farm might find
a place of rusty pipe protruding from the ground in the marsh. The pipe would
be all that remains from an attempt to drill for oil. In 1893, the property was
owned by Mr. and Mrs. Gault. They found what they, and many others thought was
oil oozing from the ground. So began the tale which editor Dan Camp recorded in
"The Chief." In the following, the initial "G" shall stand for Gault.
April 13, 1893 - The mystery which hangs over the G farm pipe well which is
being sunk in the marsh still deepens and no one is able to obtain any
information regarding the silent digging. It is stated that a five inch pipe is
to be sunk 2,000 feet or deeper until they find it. Whatever "it" is.
April 20 - From the "Dispatch" we learn that the parties who are sinking the
well on the G property are boring for oil which they expect to reach at a depth
of 1500 feet. During the work some substance has been penetrated by the drill
that is worth three dollars a ton but it is doubtful that it could be mined and
shipped for a profit at such a price.
September 28 - The well on the G farm is down 600 feet and it is said that the
drill, in the last thirty feet, has passed through slate mixed with coal and
that now a bed of clear coal has been struck. Work will now be pushed
vigorously.
November 16 - The drill in the deep well on the G marsh became struck some three
weeks since and work as necessarily been suspended ever since. We did not learn
when work will be resumed.
December 14 - The drill on the G farm will once more begin its downward plunge
this week with a double force of men. We understand that they intend going down
4000 feet if necessary to find "it".
January 8, 1894 - Work on the deep well in the G marsh was suspended for several
days this past week because of a leak in the boiler which has since been
repaired and work is going on day and night.
February 8 - It is reported that the deep hole on the G farm is still on its
downward way and that unmistakable evidence of coal and oil has been brought to
the surface.
March 8 - The deep hold on the G farm is down to 1500 feet which completes the
contract of the drillers, who have begun moving their machinery away, leaving
the hole all alone in its glory. It was hoped that a new contract for another
1000 feet would be made but it looks as if it has been given up as a bad job.
About $5000 has been expended in the experiment. No indications of mineral,
coal, salt or oil of any note has been struck during the work.
March 29 - It has been rumored that work on the deep hole on the G farm is to be
resumed. We are not informed if the present well is to be continued or a new
start is to be made where first directed by management.
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NORRIS ADOLESCENT CENTER
For many years, more than most
can recall, Norris has offered the use of its baseball diamonds, soccer and
football fields to the Town of Vernon as practice sites for the Town's many
recreational needs. Nevertheless, what is this place called Norris?
If you have lived in the Town of Vernon for a long time, you may know it as
"Norris Farm." If you are newer to the area, you may know it as the Norris
School or Norris Adolescent Center. Perhaps you have never heard of Norris.
Founded in 1917, by Milwaukee philanthropist Daniel Wells Norris, the Norris
Adolescent Center, as we call it today, occupies some 700 acres in the Town of
Vernon.
The Norris Adolescent Center is many things. It is a family-centered
residential treatment center for male adolescents. Norris is also a
junior/senior high school, providing education to youths that reside at the
center and up to twenty students from our own and surrounding communities.
Norris in an outpatient clinic, as well, specializing in helping area
adolescents and their families in times of crisis. The State of Wisconsin
licenses the Norris Adolescent Center. It is fully accredited and operates
under the supervision of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Beyond, the mission of helping youth and families at Norris, the center
contributes to surrounding communities in meaningful ways. For a week each
summer, Norris lends its camp to an area physical therapy clinic to provide
physically challenged children the opportunity to experience summer camp. Each
year Norris provides canoes to the Lions Club for its annual canoe trip for the
blind on the Fox River. Norris youth and staff regularly take part in the Fox
River clean up held every spring. The Norris Adolescent Center is also a
participant in the Waukesha County "Adopt - A - Highway" litter control program.
While much of the Town of Vernon has changed from farms to subdivisions, Norris
has remained a constant in the area. Those who are familiar with Norris's
history remember a strong commitment to education and work; in years past, this
meant farm work. Norris is no longer a working farm; however, education and a
strong work ethic are a rich part of the center's tradition and are values that
Norris still maintains today.
The center has a community advisory committee consisting of several individuals
from the Town of Vernon. The group meets twice a year to exchange information
about Norris and the surrounding area to maintain open communication and
positive community relationships.
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THE OLDEST HOUSE
The first house in Vernon was
built in 1836. It was located near the intersection of present day Hwy. "L" and
Maple Avenue. It measured approximately 12 x 15 feet and was built by the first
settlers: John Dodge, Prucius Putnam, and brothers Orien and Curtis Haseltine.
John Dodge claimed the land and it became Dodge's Corners. The building no
longer stands, but it served as a temporary home for the settlers. In the
spring of 1838, Putnam and the Haseltines settled on their own claims.
There appear to be two homes that vie for the honor of oldest standing house.
Both were built in 1842. The first house was owned and built by Royal L. Bayley.
He purchased 54 acres from John Dodge on June 6, 1842, on which he built a
"ribbon house". A ribbon house was a structure where oak strips were laid
horizontally and nailed one upon the other. In 1841, a sawmill, built by Amos
and Aaron Putnam of Big Bend, was put in operation. The Putnam sawmill may have
been the source of the oak
strips for the Bayley house.
Mr. Bayley also built a shop and worked many years as a cooper, carpenter, and
joiner. He was appointed deputy postmaster by John Dodge, and his residence was
used as the Dodge's Corners Post Office for many years. The house was
completely remodeled in 1866 and again in the mid-1990s by its current owners.
This house is located on Maple Avenue, just west of CTH "L".
The second house was owned by Orien Haseltine. Orien, with help of his
son-in-law and carpenter, Joseph Stickney, built the house. It is located at
the corner of Big Bend and Artesian Drives and is made of cobblestone in the
Greek Revival style. Cobblestone homes are rare. They were expensive to build
because they took a long time to construct and skill was a necessity.
The Haseltine house is among the twelve cobblestone houses standing in the state
that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. All twelve houses
are located in southeastern Wisconsin. The first buildings were constructed
quickly to provide protection against the weather and animals. Allen Porter
built his house, which was 16 feet square, in just four days. The shelters were
built of materials that were nearby, and cut and shaped with the tools the
settlers brought with them. The structures' longevity depended on the species
of tree used, whether it was built on a good foundation, and whether it could be
kept dry with a sound roof. The old structures eventually let in moisture
causing the wood to decay. Most of these structures were intended to last just
long enough until a more substantial building could be built.
SOURCES: History of Waukesha County, Wisconsin published by Chicago; Western
Historical Company, 1880; From Farmland to Freeways (pp. 267-268) published by
Waukesha County Historical Society; "Early History of Vernon" by Ida L. Stickney
Martin; Prucius Putnam letter to his brother Aaron Putnam (Big Bend
Library-history file); Register of Deeds, Waukesha County Courthouse.
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A BRIEF SUMMARY OF VERNON'S HISTORY
This information is taken
from History of Waukesha County, p. 793.
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Founded - 1839 which is
nine years prior to Wisconsin becoming a state.
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First Settlers - John
Dodge, Prucius Putnam, and brothers Orien and Curtis Haseltine.
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First Home - Built in 1836
at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Cty. Hwy. "L" by the first settlers
listed above. This building no longer exists.
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Oldest Family Farm Still Being Operated - Porter Brothers farm on Maple Avenue. The Porters have
operated this farm since they purchased the land from the Federal Government
in 1844. The original Deed signed by President John Tyler.
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First Sawmill - Built by
Amos and Aaron Putnam in 1841.
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First Cemetery - Located at
Dodges Corners.
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Flour Mill - Located on
Oakdale between Marsh Avenue and Benson Avenue structure is gone. The present
owner still has a grinding stone from the mill.
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Creamery - This was located
in Vernon Center, also called the "Burg", on National Avenue. Foundation is
still there.
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Vernon Station - This is at
the west end of Benson Avenue. You could board the train here. This also was
a watering stop for train. Both the Station and water tower are gone. This
area was originally platted out with numerous lots and streets. Benson Avenue
was called Main Street years ago.
-
Jesse Smith
Tavern/Stagecoach Inn - This building is located on Hwy. "L", west of the
intersection of Hwy. "L" and Maple Avenue. The third floor had a dance floor
that was mounted on springs. It is one of the oldest buildings in the town.
There also was a hotel located at the intersection of Edgewood Avenue and Hwy.
164.
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Schools - In 1873, the town
had six schools and in 1893 there were seven schools.
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Post Offices - In 1893,
there were three post offices, located at Dodges Corners, Vernon Center and
the Chamberlain located at the intersection of Edgewood Avenue and Hwy. 164.
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Waukesha County Poor Farm -
This was located on the farm on Big Bend Drive between Skyline and TownLine
Road.
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Norwegian Settlement - This
settlement is located on Hillview near the cemetery.
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Big Bend Elementary School
- This at one time was the high school.
-
Weather - After this
mild winter we take you back to 1947 when the Town plow could not open the
roads and had to have the farmers shovel a path ahead of the plow so the roads
could be opened up.
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The
"Vernon
Protective
Union
Society"
was organized July 15, 1854, at the house of Prucius Putnam, by electing Jesse Smith, President;
Leonard Martin, Secretary; and Prucius Putnam, Treasurer.
- The by-laws were written
by H.B. Burrett and Jesse Smith. The per-manent organization was completed as
follows: Jesse Smith, President; H.B. Burrett and George W. Shepherd,
Vice-Presidents; L. Martin, Secretary; P. Putnam, Treasurer; Lorenzo Ward,
Collector; H.B. Burrett, F. McNaughton, G.W. Shepherd, Robert Wier and L.
Martin, Vigilance Committee.
- The territory covered by
this organization is twelve miles in all directions from the bridge at Big
Bend.
- No member has ever lost
a horse or mule by theft since the society was formed. In 1855, the society
numbered 11 members and had 17 horses registered, valued at $2,585. Now it
has 213 members and 743 horses, valued at $90,761.
- The society has $522.08
in the treasury.
- Asa Wilkins is
President, and S. Vandewalker, Secretary.
- If you are interested in
more information on the history of Big Bend/Vernon, please go to the Big Bend
Library where they have a wealth of information that was compiled by Nancy
Diehn of the Big Bend/Vernon Historical Society.
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