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.
1858
Beloit
- 1858 Churches: the Westminster Presbyterian Church was formed on the west side of Beloit; a cemetery association was formed and a one-acre cemetery located; a church parsonage was built (1858–59) at a cost of $670; pastors took office or ended service (Rev. Robert Blackburn; Rev. Mr. [Frink's successor]; D. O. Jones and Daniel Stansberry; L. G. [successor of M. Pascoe]; B. Hatch from 1858; Rev. Galusha Anderson's term ended 1858; Rev. J. Goodspeed began 1858).
- January 1, 1858 A marriage took place at Beloit (Louisa Love, to a husband born in Weathersfield, Vt.).
- May 1858 John M. Cobb came to Beloit and joined the Rock River Paper Co.
Rock County
- 1858 Arrivals and settlements in the county: Fisher moved to Rock Co.; a settler located in the township of Janesville; a Norwegian bought 300 acres in Beloit; Goodwin went to Moline; Hamelin came to Beloit; Kehoe came to Rockford, Ill.; Ledell returned from Norway; a family settled in Rock County (Lima Center); a Prussian came to America, locating at Milwaukee; a family settled in Rock Township; a family came to Wisconsin settling in Rock County; a family settled on a farm (Sec. 2) in Rock Co.; a family located in Porter; the T. Fisher family came to Wisconsin; a family came to Wisconsin (Brodhead area); the Weirick family settled at Shopiere; the Hutchinson family moved to Janesville; a family came to Rock County settling at Beloit; a Scottish father settled in Harmony township; the Gould family settled in Lima township; a Paning family located in Janesville Township; the West postmastership ended (1855–1858); a family moved to Porter (1857 or 1858).
- Fall 1858 Mr. Huyke sold his Minnesota land, returned to Rock County, and bought a 120-acre farm in Magnolia township.
- 1858 Officials were elected or took office: a Register of Deeds (removing to Janesville), a mayor of Janesville (holding two years), a mayor of Beloit (Anson P. Waterman, re-elected for 1858), a district attorney of Rock county, and a clerk of the circuit court (serving to 1866).
The region
- March 30, 1858 The First Congregational Church of Clinton was organized by a council of delegates from Beloit, Allen's Grove, Emerald Grove and Shopiere.
- 1858 A legislative committee investigated the La Crosse land grant bond matter.
- January 1858 The railroad line west from Janesville was finished to Monroe.
1859
Beloit
Rock County
1860
Beloit
- April 5, 1860 First issue of the consolidated Journal and Courier appeared.
- December 1860 C. Mann bought out Bristol and started the "Rock County Republican."
- January 1, 1860 The Beloit Herald's name was changed to the Beloit Courier, and the firm became Perkins & Smith (P10 says "about January 1"; P208 says "on January 1").
Rock County
Nation and world
- November 6, 1860 A sheriff took office (listed as Alden, November 6, 1860).
1861
Beloit
- April 4, 1861 The vestry of the Episcopal society in Beloit met and purchased a lot on Court Street, contracting for construction of a church building.
- October 31, 1861 Christ Church in Beloit was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop.
- 1861 The Bank of Beloit discharged its liabilities, divided its surplus among stockholders, and sold its franchise to William C. Ritchie.
Rock County
The region
- 1861 A cemetery was located on two acres of ground donated by Ephraim Sayre.
- April 11, 1861 The Wisconsin legislature approved an act declaring Rock County to be the Seventeenth Senatorial District and establishing six Assembly Districts.
- April 17, 1861 The proclamation of Governor Randall was published, calling upon all good citizens to join against the common enemy.
1862
Beloit
- May 1862 Rev. Parmely came to Wisconsin, locating at Beloit.
- 1862 Enlistments and service during 1862 without documented days: Mr. Morse enlisted in the 21st Wis.; Oscar enlisted in the 1st Conn. Heavy; Mr. Tilton resigned his chaplaincy in August; a man enlisted in the 17th Mass.; the 33d Wis. promotion in the fall; John W. West taught school in 1862; George Hayes served in the Thirteenth; a transfer to the 22d Wis.; the Twelfth battery recruited; Dr. Palmer made surgeon of the Iron Brigade; a captain joined the Thirteenth at Fort Henry in October; a man enlisted for sixty days; Rev. Charles Lemuel Thompson began his pastorate in April; the Beloit "Journal and Courier" file ends March 27; the "Register" published from 1862; a man graduated from Hamilton College; another ordained a Congregational minister; Edward Searing later state superintendent associated with the county superintendency; a man married and entered Beloit College graduation.
- January 14, 1862 The Shopiere Cemetery was laid out.
Rock County
- July 26, 1862 A citizens' meeting was held in the public square at Janesville to devise means of raising Rock County's quota of 250 men.
- January 1, 1862 The county superintendency (replacing the office of town superintendent) went into operation in Rock County.
- 1862 Elections and appointments for 1862: county officers elected April 1 in Janesville; district officers, assembly representation fixed at 133 since 1862; Thomas Earle and others serving districts; a mayor elected in Janesville; a Register of Deeds elected in the fall; a State Senator elected; an assessor elected and re-elected; a district attorney elected; a collector of internal revenue appointed by Lincoln; a Trustee of the State Hospital appointed.
The region
- 1862 The Morgans: Thomas purchased a half-interest in the eating-house/hotel, the brothers purchased thirty-four acres from Silas H. Crandall which was platted into village lots, and William gave the place its name of Shopiere.
- September 2, 1862 The Twenty-second regiment (Companies raised largely in Rock County) was mustered into service at Camp Utley, Racine.
- September 29, 1862 Companies E and F of the Thirty-third went into camp at Racine; Company E of the Third Regiment left Janesville for Racine.
Nation and world
- September 24, 1862 Militia statistics of Rock County (draft-eligible men, exemptions, enlistments) were compiled to this date; W. Hale died at Washington.
- 1862 The Thirteenth Wisconsin garrisoned Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in 1862; a Rock County man's regiment went to Fort Leavenworth, Fort Scott, Lawrence and Fort Riley in 1862.
1864
Beloit
- 1864 Judgments were obtained against the Sugar River Valley railroad company, and its right of way, grading and depot grounds were sold.
- June 20, 1864 Beloit College boys of Company B were in camp at Camp Ray.
- 1864 The Beloit College Commencement of 1864 was omitted because the entire senior class and the professor of rhetoric were in camp.
Rock County
- 1864 Families settled in Rock County and the region, including the M. Benson brothers on 600 acres at Clinton, and Caleb Snashall, who came to Wisconsin and entered the hardware business in Evansville.
- 1864 Rock County men were elected to office, including Mr. Richardson to the legislature and a mayor of Beloit.
- 1864 The Janesville milling property fell into the hands of Barnes & Hodson.
The region
- 1864 The Beloit branch railroad was pushed through to Madison, reaching that city.
- July 2, 1864 The Second regiment was mustered out of service at Madison, and the remnant of Company D returned to Rock County.
- November 17, 1864 The acting commissioner of the general land office, by order of the war department, offered the Fort Crawford reservation at public auction at La Crosse.