Adams, Philemon Farr, Rodney Tower, V. M. Adams, Aaron Frost and Abel Washburn, all of whom were then residents of the town.

S.

During the year 1855, immigration to the La Crosse Valley was large, and that the town of Burns was not slighted will be readily seen from the following official poll list of that year: Hurlbut, S. Williams, John Green, J. Tritton, S. Carrington, Thomas Jones, R. Tower, William Van Zandt, Henry Moore, L. Pratt, J. Grosse, O. L. Britton, Edward Tritton, E. Dake, T. Dutcher, J. Gillifillian, C. Frost, D. B. Tull, W. Hunter, William Gillifillian, A. Harrington, E. Adams, H. D. Adams, B. F. Colburn, L. Bowen, H. Boyington, J. Cook, M. Cronk, M. M. Buttles, E. Parks, S. Coleman, Byron Viets, Lorenzo Hicks, Aaron Frost, E. B. Richardson, 0. H. P. Crane, M. Scafe, J. Scafe, J. C. Bean, L. A. Viets, A. Stone, V. R. Dunham, M. Herrick, George Williams, J. Coleman.

On the official poll-list of 1856, is registered the following named residents of the town of Burns: O. H. P. Crane, V. R. Dunham, E. M. Phillips, J. Robinson, G. H. Jones, M. P. Caldwell, H. M. Hanson, Harold Hanson, Joseph Scafa, H. D. Adams, E. Sorthout, Lorenzo Hicks, R. F. Miller, Horace Washburne, James Rathbone, G. W. Sorthout, J. H. Hatch, W. W. Hunter, D. Grosse, A. Bradley, J. Rathbone, J. T. Hanson, Jacob Lee, Lewis Pratt, Moses Herrick, M. M. Buttles, Enoch Parks, M. C. Cronk, Ira Coleman, William Streeton, M. Lampher, Thomas Jones, John F. Wilbur, Joshua Tritton, John Harr, Daniel Hicks, Jabez White, Amaziah Stone, L. R. Bowen, L. A. Viets, A. B. Parks, H. Fuller, Charles Armington, Edward Feak, Spencer Hurlbut, Newcome Gray, Samuel Williams, S. Hurlbut, George Parks, V. Flynn, Miles Scafa, William Gillifillian, A. Adams, Chester Frost, George W. Williams, A. Harrington, P. Farr, A. Washburne, D. B. Tull, John Lee, A. Andrews, Edward Tritton, B. F. Colburn, O. L. Britton, F. E. Adams, James Cook, S. Redding, George Leavitt, John Bradley, H. L. Van Wormer, F. Burgett, R. Tower, Thomas Dutcher, J. C. Lucas, James Seeley, J. M. Brooks, Alonzo Jones, E. B. Richardson, Anson Jones and James Gillifillian.

In 1857, eighty-two votes were registered; in 1858, ninety-one; 1859, one hundred and thirty-three, and in 1860, one hundred and forty-three.

SCHOOLS.

The first school in the present town of Burns was taught in a deserted log cabin on Section 19, in 1853. The first teacher was Mary Viets, who had seventeen scholars, children of the few settlers in the town at that time. The following year, Jabez Coleman taught a school in Burnham Valley, and continued for three winters. From this time on schools were built and teachers provided, as the fast increasing population demanded, and which being cherished and cared for, has resulted in the adoption of a school system which places Burns in a position, educationally, to be envied by other towns of less enterprise. There are now in the town nine schoolhouses and 420 children of school age-218 male, and 202 female. These require the services of nine teachers, whose wages average, for males, $24; females, $18.20. During the year ending August 31, 1880, there was received for school purposes, $1,657.29, and paid $1,454.40.

The first religious services in the town were held in the log schoolhouse, on Section 29, Rev. Mr. Reynolds, of La Crosse, in 1853. He visited this town subsequently at different intervals, and was succeeded by Elder Angel, of Lewis Valley, who preached here for three years, during 1858, 1859 and 1860. In 1858, the Methodist Church was built, and a congregation organized by Rev. Mr. Wood, Presiding Elder of this district, then residing at Sparta.

POST OFFICE.

The first post office in this town was established in 1854, and L. A. Viets appointed first Postmaster. This office was located on Section 32, and known as Burns Post Office. In 1857, Mr. Viets was succeeded by Moses Dustan, which he held until 1865, when John Wilbur was appointed. He removed the office to Burnham Valley, and, two years thereafter, it was discontinued.

Rockland Post Office was established at the railroad station of Rockland, on Section 36, in 1875, with John Campbell, the present incumbent, as first Postmaster.

MILLS.

The first mill in the town was built on Big Creek, in 1855, by Enos Phillips. This was a saw-mill, and continued as such about ten years. The mill property eventually fell into the hands of Williams & Jones, who reconstructed the dam and built the present Big Creek Flouring Mill. After the expiration of two years, Mr. Jones sold out to his partner, Mr. Williams, who operated the mill alone until 1876, when he was accidentally killed in the performance of his duties about the mill. Mrs. Williams then sold the property to William Davis, who ran it until 1878, when E. M. Roberts became a partner. In 1880, Mr. Roberts bought out Mr. Davis, and has since continued the mill alone.

CHEESE FACTORY.

In 1874, a Mr. Hanton established in Burnham Valley what has since been known as the Burnham Valley Cheese Factory. Here he continued the manufacture of cheese until 1878. when the property was sold to the "Burnham Valley Cheese Factory Association," organized and chartered January 21, 1878. The officers of this association are J. M. Sheldon, President; Theodore Schmitz, Secretary; Daniel Shane, Business Manager.

This institution has now a capacity of 3,500 pounds of milk per day. During the last season of six months, 21,000 pounds of cheese were manufactured, and commanded the highest market price. The business of this institution, under the management of Daniel Shane increases from year to year, and gives promise of a successful future.

OFFICIAL RECORD.

Burns was brought under town government as a part of Neshonoc in 1853. Neshonoc then embraced seventy-two sections the size of two Government townships. In 1854, thirty-six sections of the eastern part of Neshonoc were set off, organized into a town and named after La Crosse County's distinguished Lieutenant Governor, Timothy Burns. The following is the act of the County Commissioners: "Be it enacted that the portion of Neshonoc contained in Township 7, Range 5, of the original survey, be and is hereby set off into a separate town to be called Burns; and the first town meeting to be held the first Tuesday in April, 1854, at the house of J. C. Bean in said town." Forthwith the first meeting was held April 4, 1854, and Rodney Tower chosen Chairman; Lorenzo Hicks, Chester Frost, Inspectors; and V. M. Adams, Clerk of Election. At this meeting thirty-six votes were registered, and $90 voted to defray the expenses of the ensuing year. The following is a complete list of the town officers from the organization of the town to the present time:

1854-L. A. Viets, Chairman; O. H. P. Crane, J. C. Bean, Supervisors; Clerk, Rodney Tower; Treasurer, H. M. Hanson,; Assessor, E. B. Richardson.

1855-William Van Zandt, Chairman; Ó. L. Britton, B. F. Colburn, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets,; Treasurer, L. R. Bowen; Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1856-William Van Zandt, Chairman; O. L. Britton, James Gillifillian, Supervisors; Clerk, E. Tritton; Treasurer, H. M. Hansom; Assessor, L. R. Bowen.

1857-L. R. Bowen, Chairman; O. L. Britton, James Gillifillian, Supervisors; Clerk, E. Tritton; Treasurer, J. M. Brooks; Assessor, L. R. Bowen.

1858-E. B. Richardson, Chairman; H. D. Adams, O. L. Britton, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets; Treasurer, J. M. Brooks; Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1859-E. B. Richardson, Chairman; J. Gillífillian, J. Brandon, Supervisors; Clerk, J. S. Norton; Treasurer, J. M. Brooks; Assessor, L. R. Bowen.

Viets.

1860-Ira Hurlbut, Chairman; J. Gillifillian, Ira Coleman, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A.

1861-E. B. Richardson, Chairman; John Bradley, Ira Coleman, Supervisors; Clerk, C. W. Fletcher; Treasurer, J. M. Brooks; Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1862-William Van Zandt, Chairman; E. D. Jones, William Gillifillian, Supervisors; Clerk, M. J. Bump; Treasurer, M. A. Dustin; Assessor, Albert Cram.

1863-L. R. Bowen, Chairman; V. R. Dunham, Andrew Bradley, Supervisors; Clerk,

L. M. Hawas; Treasurer, M. A. Dustin; Assessor, E. B. Richardson.

1864-William Van Zandt, Chairman; William Gillifillian, B. F. Colburn, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets; Treasurer, J. M. Brooks; Assessor, James Gillifillian.

1865-E. B. Richardson, Chairman; A. J. Phillips, L. R. Bowen, Supervisors; Clerk,

L. A. Viets; Treasurer, J. M. Brooks; Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1866-E. B. Richardson, Chairman; L. R. Bowen, Daniel Shane, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets; Treasurer, J. Leavitt; Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1867-E. B. Richardson, Chairman; L. R. Bowen, Daniel Shane, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets; Treasurer, C. F. Armington; Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1868--W. D. Medbury, Chairman; Edward Tritton, B. L. Viets, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets; Treasurer, C. F. Armington; Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1869-E. B. Richardson, Chairman; W. D. Medbury, S. Gillifillian, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets; Treasurer, J. M. Brooks: Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1870-E. B. Richardson, Chairman; Ira Hurlbut, James Sheldon, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets; Treasurer, J. M. Brooks; Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1871-L. R. Bowen, Chairman; John Harr, John Fox, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets; Treasurer, J. M. Brooks; Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1872-Daniel Shane, Chairman; James Gillifillian, Ira Hubbard, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets; Treasurer. George Robinson; Assessor, W. D. Medbury.

1873-Daniel Shane, Chairman; Theodore Schmitz, John Bradley, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets; Treasurer, G. Robinson; Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1874-L. R. Bowen, Chairman; W. Sawyer, J. H. Gillifillian, John Bradley, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets; Treasurer, George Robinson; Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1875-L. R. Bowen, Chairman; W. Sawyer, J. H. Gillifillian, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets; Treasurer, G. W. Robinson; Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1876-Daniel Shane, Chairman; John Harr, Ira Hurlbut, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets; Treasurer, Oscar Bowen; Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1877-Daniel Shane, Chairman; A. R. Benzie, J. H. Gillifillian, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets; Treasurer, E. A. Viets; Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1878-Daniel Shane, Chairman; T. Schmitz, J. H. Gillifillian, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets; Treasurer, W. E. Hewett; Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1879-William E. Hewitt, Chairman; G. W. Robinson, Theodore Schmitz, Supervisors; Clerk, L. A. Viets; Treasurer, Richard Altimus; Assessor, L. A. Viets.

1880--G. W. Robinson, Chairman; Alvin Fulton, A. H. Casterline, Supervisors; Clerk,

L. A. Viets; Treasurer, R. Altimus; Assessor, Daniel Shane.

1881-G. W. Robinson, Chairman; Alvin Fulton, Ira Hurlbut, Supervisors; Clerk, Daniel Shane; Treasurer, Richard Altimus; Assessor, Theodore Schmitz.

TOWN OF ONALASKA.

Previous to the first permanent settlement in this town, loggers and lumbermen frequently landed in this place, and built for themselves huts and small houses to live in during their short stay here, but no permanent settlement was made until 1851, when William G. Rowe purchased of John M. Levy, of La Crosse, a building already framed and ready for erection, moved it up Black River, landed it and erected it where the little village of Onalaska now is, and kept it as a tavern to accommodate Black River lumbermen. Soon afterward, a number of other persons settled at this place, but their names have been forgotten in the rush of events. This soon

became a town, containing a large number of inhabitants, who erected saw-mills, stores, churches, schoolhouses, etc., and in 1872 was incorporated as a village, but the charter has since been given up.

In 1868, a very fine frame church was built by the Methodist denomination, costing not less than $1,000. The present schoolhouse was erected in 1870, to succeed a schoolhouse that was burned the year previous, on its site, to the rear of the present church.

In the western part of the township of Onalaska is the small town of Midway Station, containing a blacksmith-shop, small frame hotel, a store, and an elevator with a capacity of about 10,000 bushels, erected-and now owned by J. B. Canterbury, of La Crosse.

The village of Onalaska now contains a population of about 300, supporting one church, a schoolhouse, post office, etc., and is a prosperous station on the North-Western road, five miles from the city of La Crosse, which was completed in 1870.

SOCIETIES.

Onalaska Lodge, A., F. & A. M.-Was instituted January 11, 1881, by M. L. Young, under a dispensation granted December 12, 1880. The charter was granted by the Grand Lodge, in session at Milwaukee, June 14, 1881. The chartered members were Alexander

Moran, James C. Moore, Frank Pooler, C. H. Nichols, J. E. North, J. G. Moore, J. M. Pierce, F. I. Phelps, E. Gleason, George E. Hawkins, A. Beach and M. G. Moore.

The first and present officers are as follows: Alexander Moran, W. M.; James C. Moore, S. W.; Frank Pooler, J. W.; C. H. Nichols, Treasurer; J. E. North, Secretary; J. G. Moore, S. D.; J. M. Pierce, J. D.; F. I. Phelps, Tiler. The order now numbers twenty-two members. Their meetings have always been held in the hall of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but they are now preparing a hall of their own.

Onalaska Lodge, No. 251, I. O. 0. F.-Was instituted February 12, 1876, by District Deputy Grand Master Theodore Rodolf. The charter members were John E. Dalton, C. H. Nichols, Frank Pooler, J. E. North, Ole Jenson, Henry Luthe and Fred Hill.

The first officers were John E. Dalton, N. G.; Frank Pooler, V. G.; J. E. North, Secretary; C. H. Nichols, Treasurer.

The following is a list of its officers, from organization to date: July, 1876, to January, 1877-Frank Pooler, N. G.; J. E. North, V. G.; George H. Dalton, Secretary; C. H. Nichols. Treasurer. January to July, 1877-Frank Pooler, N. G.; J. E. North, V. G.; George H. Dalton, Secretary; C. H. Nichols, Treasurer. July, 1877, to January, 1878—J. E. North, N. G.; George H. Dalton, V. G.; J. S. Nichols, Secretary; Frank Pooler, Treas urer. January to July, 1878-George H. Dalton, N. G.; J. S. Nichols, V. G.; James G. Moore, Secretary; Frank Pooler, Treasurer. July, 1878, to January, 1879-J. S. Nichols, N. G.; James C. Moore, V. G.; J. E. North, Secretary; Frank Pooler, Treasurer. January to July, 1879-James G. Moore, N. G.; C. S. Stockwell, V. G.; J. E. North, Secretary; Frank Pooler, Treasurer. July, 1879, to January, 1880-C. S. Stockwell, N. G.; George Pooler, V. G.; James G. Moore, Secretary; Frank Pooler, Treasurer. January to July, 1880-George Pooler, N. G.; Walter Atkinson, V. G.; J. S. Nichols, Secretary; Frank Pooler, Treasurer. July, 1880, to January, 1881-Walter Atkinson, N. G.; John Gould, V. G.; C. S. Stockwell, Secretary; James G. Moore, Treasurer.

CHURCHES.

Norwegian Lutheran Church.-A Norwegian Lutheran congregation was organized at "Half Way Creek," town of Onalaska, October 14, 1856, by Rev. H. A. Stub, of Coon Prairie, Vernon Co., Wis. He remained as Pastor until 1861, when he was succeeded by Rev. L. Larson, who had the pastoral care of the congregation during 1861-62, and was followed by Rev. J. B. Frich, who remained until 1872, when Rev. W. L. Frich assumed the pastoral duties. Among the first members of the congregation were Ole O. Black, Burr Johnson, Halvor Kittleson, Frederik Gulbrandson, Ole Olstad, Andrew Johnson and Peter Hardy.

In 1860, a parsonage was built on the one hundred and twenty acres of land owned by the congregation, at a cost of $1,500. This burned down in 1865, when the Pastor, Rev. J. B. Erich, lost his entire property. A church was built in 1864, near the parsonage, at a cost of $3,500. This will easily accommodate six hundred persons. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by Rev. J. B. Frich in December of that year. In 1866, a new parsonage was built, at a cost of $1,400. In 1880, the congregation numbered 280 communicants; 22 baptisms; 36 confirmations; 9 marriages and 7 deaths.

The first meeting that there is any record of, was held at the Onalaska House, April 4, 1854. John Clark was Chairman; R. C. Van Renesselar, Oscar Pier, Inspectors; R. T. Lawton, Clerk pro tem.

OFFICIAL.

1854-Moses Clark, Chairman; John Clark, R. T. Lawton, Supervisors; Oscar Pier, Clerk; J. B. Rand, Treasurer; C. M. Nichols, Superintendent of Schools; Orange Smith, N. J. Tompkins, R. T. Lawton, Joseph Peck, Justices of the Peace; Charles Brice, E. W. Jenks, S. S. McReynolds, Assessors; J. B. Rand, Henry Solberg, P. L. Clark, Constables; Hiram Clark, Sealer.

1855-Moses Clark, Chairman; John Lytle, John Dale, Supervisors; C. H. Nichols, Clerk; J. B. Rand, Treasurer; C. M. Nichols, Superintendent of Schools; Oscar Pier, Harvey J. Peck, Orrin Smith, Robert Brice, Justices of the Peace; N. J. Tompkins, Cyrus Sherples, Charles Brice, Assessors; F. N. Welch, Henry Solberg, J. B. Rand, Constables; Dominic Jehlen, Sealer.

1856-B. E. Brower, Chairman; N. J. Tompkins, Henry Solberg, Supervisors; M. E. Donahue, Clerk; J. B. Rand, Treasurer; Orange Smith, W. J. Tompkins, Charles Brice, Peter McCloe, Justices of the Peace; R. C. Van Rensselar, Superintendent of Schools; Gilbert Johnson, Assessor; Robert Heath, M. Brice, Jerry Moore, T. A. Lewis, Constables.

1857-N. J. Tompkins, Chairman; Oscar Pier, S. Woodward, Supervisors; H. A. Buck, Clerk; J. B. Rand, Treasurer; J. B. Longley, Superintendent of Schools; H. A. Buck, S. Briggs, Justices of the Peace; J. B. Longley, C. H. Nichols, Daniel Clark, Assessors; John S. Huntley, Nathaniel Roberts, Solomon M. Judge, Constables.

1858-N. J. Tompkins, Chairman; N. B. Holway, W. G. M. Milne, Supervisors; T. W. Boyce, Clerk; Oscar Pier, Treasurer; Miles Lamb, Superintendent of Schools; Abram Pettinger, Harvey J. Peck, Justices of the Peace; Orange Smith, Assessor; George Brice, George Gallagher, Constables.

1859-R. C. Van Rensselaer, Chairman; Milton Brice, Charles Hall, Supervisors; C. H. Nichols, Clerk; Oscar Pier, Treasurer; Miles Lamb, Superintendent of Schools; H. A. Buck, Robert Brice, Justices of the Peace; P. G. Moulton, Charles Brice, Andrew Johnson, Assessors; E. Swarthout, Andrew Johnson, J. B. Rand, Constables.

1860-Charles Hall, Chairman; Milton Brice, David Schneider, Supervisors; C. H. Nichols, Clerk; Oscar Pier, Treasurer; Miles Lamb, Superintendent of Schools; Harvey J. Peck, Jeriah Chadwick, Justices of the Peace; P. G. Moulton, Assessor; J. B. Rand, T. A. Lewis, John Brantner, Constables.

1861-Charles Hall, Chairman; Abner Gile, M. J. Armstrong, Supervisors; C. H. Nichols, Clerk; J. C. Farrand, Treasurer: W. M. Osborne, Superintendent of Schools; Orange Smith, Abraham Pittenger, Justices of the Peace; Orange Smith, Halver Kittleson, Assessors; Charles Pettinger, M. J. Armstrong, John Vogle, Constables.

1862-N. J. Tompkins, Chairman; Abner Gile, E. Swarthout, Supervisors; C. H. Nichols, Clerk; J. C. Farrand, Treasurer; Harvey J. Peck, P. G. Moulton, Justices of the Peace; A. S. Swarthout, Assessor; S. G. Wright, William Collins, M. J. Armstrong, Constables.

1863-N. J. Tompkins, Chairman; J. B. Rand, Robert Brice, Supervisors; C. H. Nichols, Clerk; P. G. Moulton, Treasurer; Orange Smith, Milton Brice, Justices of the Peace; Richard Garland, I. B. Gorton, Thomas Smith, Assessors; Charles G. Hall, M. J. Armstrong, Milton Brice, Constables.