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
777
Viroqua, including Viroqua village,  2,368
^Viroqua village,  762
Webster, including Avalanche village,  1,060
*Avalanche village,     80
Wheatland, including the following villages: 917
*Yictory village,  114
^Wheatland village,    301
Whitestown, including the following villnges 880
^Ontario village,     179
*Rockton village,     39
HON. HENRY CHASE. [From the Vernon County Censor, March 39, 1871.] We learn with pain of the death of Hon. Henry Chase, a prominent citizen of this county. He settled on the spot where Chase¬ burg (named after him) is now situated, eight years ago, and began at once his labors to im¬ prove the place. He was indefatigable in his labors; and joined to his energy a spirit of open and honest dealing, which won for him the respect and friendship of all. He repre¬ sented his district in the Assembly in the winter of 1868, discharging his duties well.
Last year he was taken dangerously sick of dropsy, but obtained relief, which, however, proved but temporary. Being again attacked the past winter, he went to Sparta to try the effects of the Turkish bath. This, also, failed to afford relief, and Jie died there last week in the thirty-ninth year of his age. He was born in Vermont and was one of ten children, all of whom, except one, visited him at Chaseburg last fall. His is the second death in the family of ten.
monument rock.*
[From the Western Times, Oct. 25, [1856.] A monument indeed! A monument of nature! How long, old rock, hast thou stood there in all thy stern grandeur? How long hast thou looked down on the inhabitants of this earth, who have passed thee in all their pomp and pride? Had it been possible, would not thy stern, old features have relaxed into a smile of contempt at their self-conceit? How long, old rock, hast thou withstood the scorching suns of
* A noted natural curiosity on section 36, in the town of FrankUn.
summer and the keen blasts of winter? Who can tell thy age? Art thou not as old as the '^everlasting hills?" When the Creator first divided the sea from the dry land, thou heard st the command to come forth, and thou obeyed— to show the wonderful wisdom and power of thy Maker. And long years before the feet of white men pressed the prairie sod, thou wast witness to the midnight revelries of the forest. History has recorded scenes of savage barbarity almost incredible, but hadst thou the power of speech, couldst thou not tell to the awe-struck traveler% who has, perhaps, lingered to gaze up¬ on thy moss-covered sides, a tale, compared with which the mightiest efforts of the pen would be fables? Stand thou there still, old rock, till the end of the creation in which thy existence first commenced. Let no impious hand dare touch thee to profane thy majestic form! Let vain man look up to thee and learn their own nothingness and inferiority!
JAMES R. SAVAGE. ]From the Vernon County Censor, Aug. 30, 1871.]
Died in Springville, Aug. 27, 1871, Mr. James R. Savage, age forty-five years.
Mr. Savage was an old resident of this county, having moved here upwards of twenty years ago. He was widely known and respected, and many of his friends and neighbors attended his funer-al on Tuesday of this week. Thus an¬ other of the old and respected residents of the county is no more. His loss will be felt in many places, where he has been wont to be a prominent actor.
" THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST."
REPUBLICAN STATE TICKET.
Election, November d, IS51.
For Governor:
AlexanderW. Randall, of Milwaukee.
For Lieutenant Governor:
Carl Shurz, of Jefferson.
For Secretary of State:
John L. V. Thomas, of Rock.