History of Vernon County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens.

              HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
497
feet, with an 18 foot ceiling. The first services held by the Catholics in this town were at pri¬ vate houses in 1862. The earliest officiating pastor was Rev. Patrick Murphy, who was also pastor at Rising Sun. The following named pastors have since served the Church: Rev. Father Marco, Rev. Nicholas Steeley, Rev. Michael Heiss, Rev. H. Grosse, who was pas¬ tor when the church was erected; he was suc¬ ceeded by Rev. W. Hackner, then came Rev. Father Wicker. The trustees at the time the church was built were: Patrick Brody, Michael Navin, John Masterson, Hugh Donahue and Timothy Dwyer. The entire cost of the church building was $2,000.
CEMETERIES.
The first cemetery in the town was situated near Bloomingdale and was open in 1857, fenced and improved. The next was the Catho¬ lic burying ground near their church on section 13. The third was located on Weister creet and owned by the United Brethren Church Another cemetery is situated in school distric' No. 6, known as "North Clinton Cemetery.'' There is also one at Sugar Grove by the Unitec Brethren Church.
MILLS.
The numerous streams throughout this town, which have an abrupt descent, afford ample water-power privileges, which have been quite well improved and made a great source of interest to the town, even from its earliest history.
The first mill was begun by I. Bjorseth and L. Morterhd, in 1854; but before its completion the site with the half finished mill was sold to Evan Olson, who in 1855 sold a half interest to C. A. Hunt. The mill was finished and put in operation by this gentleman, in 1856. In 1884 this property was owned by Marion Osborn.
Marion Osborn is owner and proprietor of the grist mill at Bloomingdale, and also of saw-mill in the town of Webster, on this branch of the Kickapoo river. He bought the grist mill in August, 1877, of Hans Hanson and Frederick  Olson.    Mr. Osborn 'is a native of
Indiana. He came to this county with his father in 1858. He has had large experience in the milling business. He learned the trade of his father who owned a mill in the town of Kickapoo. He purchased the mill of his father in 1866, and run it for seven years, and then en¬ gaged in farming in the town of Kickapoo, which he continued four years, when he sold his farm and bought this mill property as stated. The mill at Bloomingdale has two run of stone, and does all kinds of custom work. Mr. Osborn was a member of the 46th Wiscon¬ sin regiment. Volunteer Infantry in the war of the Rebellion, serving about one year. Mrs. Osborn was formerly Miss Hannah McKettrick.
From time to time there has been a number of saw mills in operation, within this town, in¬ cluding some run by steam, the principal one of which was brought in and set up by Ransom and A. P. Gillett, about 1855. This mill was located on the "Gillett branch" of the Kickapoo river, on section 20; it was operated at that point a number of years, and then moved to various points in the town as occasion seemed to require, and was finally discontinued. The engine, by which the mill was propelled, was afterward used in the Springville flouring mill of the town of Jefferson.
The first saw mill operated by water power, was erected by John and John S. Dickson, father and son, on section 30; it was on the west branch of the Kickapoo river. James Dickson, another son, did the carpenter work, and after¬ ward owned the premises. This mill was fitted up, for work, in 1856, and was run till July, 1881, when the dam was washed away and never re¬ built.
A saw mill was operated by Alexander Swim, on section 30, in 1865 or 1866. In 1884 it Was owned by H. W. Knapp, and was still doing a good business.
Still another saw mill was built, in 1867, on section 26; only ran for a few years.
The object of these various saw mills was to convert into  lumber the  oak and bass  wood