The chronology

The land through time

Every documented event, from the property outward: Beloit, Rock County, the region and the world. Each one links to the page of the source that records it. The record so far covers 1820–1864; more years are being added.

Eras	The Blodgetts The Yost farm
Ring	1840	1841	1842	1843	1844	1845	1846	1847	1848	1849
The property
Beloit	1840 The Hanchett family came to Beloit, bought forty acres in Sec. 34, and Mr. Hanchett built the dam across Rock River at Beloit. August 7, 1840 Caleb Blodgett, the first white settler at Beloit, died. 1840 By fall, the Rock Prairie Norwegian settlement was established, consisting of five homesteads: Gravdal, Hallan, Odegarden, Lars Skavlem, … October 1, 1840 Benjamin Brown arrived in Beloit with his wife (married May 14, 1840) and her daughter Lucy; the 1908 history also says his father first … +8 more	October 1841 A settler came to Beloit, which then had about three hundred inhabitants, all on the east side of the river. April 4, 1841 A settler arrived in Beloit on a Sunday morning, having walked from Racine in the spring of 1841. 1841 A Beloit settler went to Michigan in 1841 and then came to Wisconsin, locating at Beloit. 1841 Mr. Willard was in Beloit, living for a time in the house of Samuel B. Cooper. +8 more	Summer 1842 The central bridge at Beloit (a toll bridge built by a private company, a timber trestle structure framed by John P. Houston) was built o… February 17, 1842 The town of Beloit was constituted by an act of the territorial legislature. July 6, 1842 The corner stone of the "old stone church" (Congregational) was laid at the northwest corner of Broad and Prospect streets, Beloit; the e… February 17, 1842 The Territorial Legislature passed an act, approved February 17, authorizing Selvy Kidder, A. L. [and others; the passage is truncated] r… +4 more	May 15, 1843 The Moseley family reached Beloit. 1843 The Winslow family came to Beloit. May 1843 Benjamin Brown joined the Congregational church in Beloit. July 3, 1843 Rev. Mr. Winchell was secured to preach each alternate week (Beloit). +8 more	1844 John Chamberlin and family came to Beloit; he took up 160 acres in Sec. 8 and built a log cabin. 1844 Bennett Wooster came to Beloit and began farming about three miles east. April 1844 A settler built and moved to the west side of Rock river at Beloit, the second residence there. 1844 First brick block erected on Main street (Beloit). +8 more	September 1845 A tavern-keeper came to Beloit and bought eighty acres of land in Section 4, building a log house. 1845 The first bridge across Rock River at Indian Ford was built by private subscription, Stephen Allen, builder. January 1, 1845 A merchant (a Buffalo former resident) came to Beloit and commenced business as a merchant. 1845 A large brick house was built in Beloit, with a conspicuous front portico supported by four tall Corinthian columns. +8 more	1846 The first Catholic services recorded in Rock County were held in Beloit by Rev. Father McKernan, who celebrated mass in the house of Capt… 1846 Settlers came to Beloit in 1846: a Connecticut-born settler (40 acres in Sec. 7), a Herkimer Co. N. Y. settler (120 acres in Sec. 21), Wi… 1846 The Chamberlin family moved to Beloit, to a farm a few miles west of Beloit. February 24, 1846 The territorial legislature passed an act incorporating the village of Beloit. +8 more	Fall 1847 A man came to Beloit and bought eighty acres in Sec. 15. Fall 1847 Deacon Samuel Hinman moved to Beloit from Prairieville (now Waukesha). Fall 1847 A man came to Beloit, Wisconsin, and was interested in land speculations for eighteen months. Fall 1847 George Carey came to Wisconsin and located at Beloit. +8 more	Spring 1848 An unnamed settler came to Wisconsin and located at Beloit, where he farmed. 1848 The earliest school on the west side of the river in Beloit was taught by Miss Foot. Spring 1848 The Crossman family came to Wisconsin; one son settled at Beloit. Spring 1848 W. Bullock came to Wisconsin, locating at Beloit. +8 more	1849 Benjamin Willford came to Beloit and bought 109 acres in Section 17. 1849 A Beloit family built their home (the father being the first drayman in Beloit). 1849 A biographical subject came to America and to Beloit, settling on a farm of 576 acres in the towns of Rock and Beloit. July 5, 1849 A Hanaford came to Wisconsin, locating at Beloit. +8 more
Rock County	September 1840 The parents of Paul M. Green came to Rock Co. and purchased 120 acres on Sections 4 and 5 (Milton). 1840 Easton and Gusta Johnson arrived in Rock county and settled in Avon township. Fall 1840 A church and parsonage were erected on a lot at the southwest corner of Section 36, known as the First Congregational Church of Rock Coun… Spring 1840 Jacob West and John T. Baker came to the Evansville area; the 1879 history says Jacob West removed with his family to Rock Co. in 1840 an… +8 more	September 1841 Silas and Cynthia Hurd arrived in Rock county, settling in a log cabin on the Rock river east of Indian Ford. Fall 1841 Rollin Thorpe came to Rock County and purchased 160 acres in Sec. 11, Town 4, Range 13. Spring 1841 W. Wood came to Rock County, locating in Harmony, Sec. 1. 1841 A family came to Rock Co. and settled on 240 acres in Clinton and 120 acres in Turtle. +8 more	Fall 1842 A house of worship was constructed on the northeast quarter of section 35, town of Milton, and the congregation became known as the First… July 1842 Adrien Bassett and Annie Gates came to Rock County. February 17, 1842 The town of Rock was organized into a separate town. April 5, 1842 Rock township held its first town election — the passages disagree on the date: April 5, 1842 or April 15, 1842 , when Dr. Heath was elec… +8 more	November 1843 James Sowle came to Rock County and settled on Sec. 26, purchasing 240 acres; the land was deeded to him from the Probate Court in the fa… 1843 The subject's father moved to Rock county and settled on land his father had purchased. 1843 E. Bowerman came to Wisconsin and settled in Fulton Township, Rock Co. 1843 The Gaarder family immigrated from Norway and settled in Rock county (Plymouth Township), making the journey from Milwaukee with ox teams. +8 more	1844 The Flagler family moved to Rock county and settled on a quarter-section in section 12, Janesville township. 1844 The Cleophas Holverson family moved from Dane county to Rock county, settling on forty acres in Newark township. May 1, 1844 A settler came to Rock County (Milton Junction). 1844 A man came West and settled in La Prairie township, Rock county. +8 more	1845 Arrivals and settlements in Rock County recorded without more precise dates: A. Wyatt Smith removed to Janesville ; Capt. William Macloon… Spring 1845 A Norwegian family (Keesey) came to the United States and purchased and settled on a farm in Rock County. October 1845 A Freeborn came to Wisconsin and wintered in Cooksville, Rock County. Spring 1845 Guy Stoughton contracted with Mr. Hanchett to build a dam at the foot of Lake Koshkonong; the dam was completed during that year and a sa… +8 more	July 8, 1846 A Vermont-born settler came to Rock County and bought ninety-five acres on Sec. 1. March 13, 1846 Gullek Olsen bought the S.E. ¼ [of a section, Rock County land]. Spring 1846 A Rhode Island-born carpenter came to Wisconsin and located in Rock County, buying 160 acres of government land. 1846 John J. Van Kirk came to Rock County and located in Harmony Township. +8 more	Fall 1847 A family came to Rock Co. and bought a farm of eighty acres in Sec. 25, Newark Township, and 80 acres in Sec. 30, Beloit Township. Fall 1847 Settlers arrived in Rock County townships in 1847: D. I. Daniels, Royal Wood, John Nichols, W. Cator, I. Woodle, Frank Wheeler, A. Lawren… December 1, 1847 A census of Rock County was taken, showing Janesville at 2,587 and Beloit at 1,851 (the county total from P3 being 14,720). Spring 1847 James Sutherland and his wife emigrated to Rock Co. and took up temporary residence in the town of Rock. +8 more	February 1848 A farm of seventy-three acres in Rock County was purchased. August 17, 1848 Surveys were commenced in Rock county for the Rock River Valley railroad. December 20, 1848 A meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Madison & Beloit Railroad Company was held at Janesville, with stock subscriptions agreed to. September 18, 1848 The first term of the Circuit Court for Rock County convened at the Court House in Janesville, Judge Whiton presiding. +8 more	1849 A father left his native land and came to the United States, settling in Section 33, Johnstown township, Rock county. 1849 A settler came to Rock County (from Walworth County). 1849 Harvey Frost came with his family to Wisconsin, locating in Union, Rock Co. September 1849 A biographical subject came to Wisconsin, locating in Fulton Township, Rock Co. +8 more
The region	1840 The lands in Rock and Jefferson Counties came into market; the sale was at Milwaukee; settlers could first obtain title to the land that … Summer 1840 An organized school was set up in the shanty first occupied by the Ogdens. 1840 Rock County members served in the Fourth (extra) Session of the Second Legislative Assembly (James Maxwell, Edward V. Whiton, John Hacket… 1840 General Atkinson, with two and a half regiments of United States soldiers, forcibly moved 4,500 Winnebagoes to the west side of the Missi… +8 more	1841 The Government sent a military detachment to enforce the removal of the Rock River Winnebagoes beyond the Mississippi. October 22, 1841 Quarter-section entries were recorded for Margaret Oles Dater (Mrs. Gullik Springen) and Erek Gulbeitson. July 12, 1841 A quarter-section entry was recorded for Geesley Saberson Hollen. October 7, 1841 A quarter-section entry was recorded for Gubrand Oleson. +4 more	February 19, 1842 Goelick (Goelicke) Holt (Gravdal) was registered as the purchaser of land. September 26, 1842 Land was registered to Ole Newhouse (several parcels) and Kittel Newhouse. September 29, 1842 Land was registered to Abram Hobartson (Herbrand Halvorson Skavlem). November 25, 1842 Ole Knudson (Natesta) took title to his land. +8 more	April 12, 1843 An act was approved appointing commissioners to alter the Beloit–Madison road and lay out roads from Janesville to Ellis's Mill and to Mi… 1843 The log schoolhouse at the "big ford" of Rock river was used until 1843, when another log house was occupied by the school. 1843 Surveyor Willard Barrows noted Black Hawk's wigwam and grave while surveying. 1843 Thomas Quigley located and claimed sixty acres where the railroad depot later stood. +8 more	1844 The red frame schoolhouse of the joint districts of Rock and La Prairie was erected. Winter 1844 Julius Gilbert and Francis Smith "shantied" on the s. e. qr. of section 34; they were young men and single. 1844 H. Caldwell purchased 80 acres on Sec. 3, Range 12 north. 1844 John Cook sold out to John Shepard, who commenced erecting a grist-mill. +8 more	February 24, 1845 Prior to this date Rock and Walworth counties constituted one election district; the territorial legislature of 1845 passed an act dividi… 1845 Charles C. Cheney, Henry Chesebro (Cheesebro), William Loyd, Adelmon Sherman and Ephraim Leach, Jr., made their land purchases (in 1844 a… 1845 The first church organization on Rock Prairie was made by Diedrichson; Lars H. Skavlem was one of its members. 1845 Prevost was appointed marshal of the Territory in place of Daniel Hugunin. +4 more	February 2, 1846 A charter was granted to Beloit College by the Territorial Legislature. 1846 Some 1,250 Winnebagoes came back from Iowa and settled along the Fox and Wisconsin, Kickapoo and Lemonweir valleys. Spring 1846 A settler located at La Prairie, Sec. 11, purchasing a 160-acre farm from the Government. January 31, 1846 "An act in relation to the formation of a state government in Wisconsin" was approved; it authorized a census and the election of delegat… +8 more	Fall 1847 The cholera (superinduced by misery and starvation) occurred among the Winnebago people. Fall 1847 A grist-mill on Bad Fish Creek (built by John Shepard) was completed. Fall 1847 A man helped haul stone for the foundation of Middle College. March 3, 1847 An act was approved creating an additional land district in the territory (the Chippewa land district). +8 more	February 21, 1848 The territorial legislature approved an act authorizing A. Hyatt Smith, Ira Miltimore and associates to erect a dam across Rock river. 1848 Mr. Millett bought 240 acres of Government land in Section 9. August 19, 1848 A charter was granted the Madison & Beloit Railroad Company by an act of the first legislature. 1848 From 1840 to 1848 six companies of United States soldiers had been kept in Wisconsin to protect citizens and remove renegade Winnebagoes. +8 more	November 1, 1849 A meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Beloit & Taycheedah Railroad was convened at the Planters' Hotel, Watertown, for the purpo… 1849 The (Jones) mills were completed. 1849 Mr. Hugh Lee made the first survey, of the Rock River Valley Union Railroad, from Chicago to Fond du Lac. 1849 Hamilton Richardson purchased the starch-factory property and converted it into a flouring-mill. +8 more
Nation and world	August 5, 1840 James D. Doty was re-elected Territorial delegate. 1840 A young lawyer purchased the Cortland "County Whig," a weekly newspaper, during the presidential contest between Harrison and Van Buren. 1840 The town received a large accession to its population by the arrival of a colony from Cortland, N.Y. 1840 The legislature's memorial to congress represented that the people were anxious to establish a common-school system; many schools were po…	September 13, 1841 President Tyler appointed James Duane Doty governor of the Territory in place of Dodge; another passage gives the appointment date as Sep… January 25, 1841 Dunn was commissioned as secretary of the Territory in place of William B. Slaughter. December 7, 1841 Henry Dodge took his seat in Congress for the first time. September 4, 1841 Congress approved the pre-emption law. +3 more	May 9, 1842 The government patent was issued to Mr. Crane for lots 6 and 7 (he had entered them in 1838 and had reconveyed them to the parties in int…	December 4, 1843 Henry Dodge took his seat for his second term as delegate at the commencement of the first session of the twenty-eighth Congress. August 12, 1843 The Clinton post office was established. Passages disagree on the first postmaster: William Stewart versus Stephen Perley . March 21, 1843 The town of Fulton was organized by act of the legislature.	1844 A township was settled. June 21, 1844 Nathaniel P. Tallmadge was appointed. 1844 A church edifice was erected (later rebuilt in 1874). June 1844 A convention of Northwestern ministers and churches at Cleveland, Ohio, shaped plans for higher education; the idea of Beloit College ori… +1 more	April 8, 1845 Henry Dodge was appointed governor of Wisconsin Territory; the 1908 history gives his term as beginning May 13, 1845, a discrepancy with … July 6, 1845 The First Congregational Church at Johnstown Village was organized by Rev. Stephen Peet. 1845 Other events outside Rock County dated 1845: admission to the bar of Orange Co., Vt. (spring term) ; admission to practice in New York ; …	January 14, 1846 Morgan L. Martin, territorial delegate, introduced in the House of Representatives a bill to enable Wisconsin to adopt a constitution and… August 6, 1846 The congressional enabling act for Wisconsin statehood became law. August 8, 1846 Congress approved an act granting land to aid the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers and to connect them by canal. 1846 A town (not named in the passage) that had been part of Union was organized into a separate town by legislative act. +3 more	Fall 1847 A man was appointed by Gov. Dodge and confirmed by the Legislative Council as Attorney General of the Territory. Summer 1847 Mr. Smith, a Democrat, was elected to the first convention to frame a State constitution. October 27, 1847 The members of the legislature, having met on October 18, passed an act providing for an election of delegates to a constitutional conven… Fall 1847 A stone church edifice (40x60 feet) was finished late in 1847. +3 more	May 29, 1848 Wisconsin was admitted into the Union. November 24, 1848 A supplementary treaty was made with the Stockbridges. May 8, 1848 William Pitt Lynde was elected Member of Congress for the First District. November 7, 1848 Robert C. Cowan was elected Sheriff; at this election a vote on "equal suffrage to colored persons" was taken. +8 more	1849 A post office was established at "The Grove," called "Evansville" in Dr. Evans's honor. 1849 A brick house of worship was erected (during 1849 and 1850; dedicated Oct., 1850). 1849 Isaac P. Walker was re-elected to the United States senate for a full term of six years from March 4, 1849. January 1849 L. Kimball was removed from office (through a change in the administration) and C. S. Jordan was appointed in his place. +4 more