HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY. 
 
ceed half a dozen have returned to remain. The 
large farms, grand distances, and enlarged 
thought of this country tend to give larger 
views to both sight and mind; so that, it is said, 
everything in theOld Country appears close and 
contracted by comparison; and, as some have 
expressed it, that there seemed to be hardly 
room to breathe there. Still the love for the 
"old home," as it is still affectionately termed 
by all, is undying; and few -who were adults 
when they came here but cherish the wish and 
hope to behold their loved native mountains 
once more* before they go hence to the undis- 
covered coxntry. 
How long this reverential feeling will con- 
tinue, will depend upon circumstances; but it 
would seem, from past experience in PennsVl- 
vania, Ohio and New York, where many whose 
ancestors migrated 200 years ago, still speak 
only German, that unless the iron horsefinds 
his way to these hills and valleys, it is more 
than likely that 100 years hence will make little 
change in the language and customs of the New 
Glarus people. With all this adherence to 
what is ancient, and aversion to mixing, and 
inter-marrying with those of other Nation Alities, 
those who read, and fJew do not, are well in- 
formed, and quick to comprehend whatever is 
of advantage to themselves, and of general in- 
terest. From being almost entirely ignorant of 
he modes of American farming, they are now 
considered the equals of the best farmers in the 
country, taking advantages of, and purchasing 
the best labor-saving machinery, and in enter- 
prise and endurance are scarcely eqnalled by 
any. 
In public spirit they are not lacking. In ad- 
dition to the fine district school house, there has 
also been built another in which German is 
taught. In 1870 when a railroad was projected 
in the vicinity, the township promptly voted 
$20,000 to aid in building it, besides $100 in 
cash to assist in defraying the expense of sur- 
veying.  As yet there is no prospect of the 
road being built. In 1861 news was received 
 
that the town of Glarus, Switzerland, was al- 
most destroyed by fire. In a short time, the 
sum of $1,250 was contributed, and sent there 
for distribution among the suffering people. 
In 1850 the parsonage was built of hewn logs 
and framed. It-was then considered the finest 
house in the village.  It is still the parsonage, 
but it is sadly the worse for wear; and we may- 
safely conclude, that in the onward march of 
improvement, it will soon be supplanted by a 
much better one. 
In 1852 the scarlet fever raged in the colony, 
and in a short time seventeen children died. 
In 1854 a new comer arrived, by the way of 
Freeport, Ill., who was infected with the 
cholera; and the disease spread, and proved a 
very sad scourge, no less than twenty-two per- 
sons adults, dying in a short time from its 
ravages. 
The town of New Glarus was organized in 
April, 1850; prior to which, the settlement had 
been generally known as the Swiss colony, but to 
those in Switzerland as New Glarus. The territo- 
ry comprising it had been hitherto attached,-for 
all civil purposes, to the adjoining town of York. 
The village of New Glarus was laid out and 
platted, in 1851, by Mr. Spangler, of Monroe. 
During the year, the first framed house was 
erected by Ott Bros., since of Madison, who 
opened the first store; and  the same year 
Joshua Wild built a saw mill with an under- 
shot wheel. The first hotel was erected by 
Baumgartner Brothers in 1853. In 1862 David 
Klaessy built a grist mill, with two run of 
stones, propelled by water power; and with 
this mill was probably connected the first bar- 
ley hulling machine in Wisconsin.   The de- 
mand warranted the outlay, as hulled barley 
soup is a favorite dish among 'the New Glarus 
people. In 1867, a brewery was built by Dr. 
Blurner & Co ; and beer has been brewed since, 
supplying the settlement, which formerly re- 
ceived its national beverage from Madison and 
Monroe. 
Swiss cheese was made by many farmers as 
early as 1854, and much of an excellent quality 
 
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