1838
Orrin Sprague established a blacksmith shop on Prairie du Lac, the first blacksmith of the settlement.
The evidence
“While on his way home he was offered $5 for his bushel, by Mr. Janes, of Janesville; but money was no object in comparison 'to the much coveted potatoes, I think in the year 1838, the few settlers were favored with that valuable acquisition to all neighborhoods, a blacksmith. Orrin Sprague, during that year established a blacksmith shop on Prairie du Lac, near where Mr.”
1856-history-of-rock-county/14-milton.md, PDF p. 123 / book p. 105
Guernsey, Orrin, and Josiah F. Willard, editors. History of Rock County, and Transactions of the Rock County Agricultural Society and Mechanics' Institute. Janesville, Wis.: William M. Doty & Brother, 1856. Cornell University Library via the Internet Archive, archive.org/details/cu31924028871593.
Grade A: Found on a page of one of our sources
On the printed page (PDF p. 123 / book p. 105) · open the whole page “" In the year 1838, the few settlers were favored with that valuable acquisition to all communities— a blacksmith. Orrin Sprague, during that year, established a blacksmith-shop on Prairie du Lac.”
1879-history-of-rock-county/13-rock-county-ch07-town-histories.md, PDF p. 513 / book p. 517
Butterfield, C. W., et al. The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879. Cornell University Library via the Internet Archive, archive.org/details/cu31924028871585.
Grade A: Found on a page of one of our sources · may repeat 1856-history-of-rock-county, so not counted as independent
On the printed page (PDF p. 513 / book p. 517) · open the whole page
