The chronology

1847

136 published events.

Overview

In Beloit itself, 1847 saw the chartering of Morning Star Lodge, No. 10, F. & A. M., in January; the election of Elihu H. Strong as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors at a special Town Board meeting in March; the laying of the corner-stone of Middle College on June 24 with religious exercises; and, in the fall, the admission of a class of four students (soon five) to Beloit College under a Yale-plan course of study, the election of its professors, and the founding of the college under the auspices of the Congregational and Presbyterian churches of Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Middle College was begun in the fall, with four thousand dollars of the Beloit subscription collected and spent during the summer on its bare brick walls. Also in Beloit during 1847, a Vestry voted on July 5 that a brick church (45x72 feet) be constructed without delay, the Gazette entered its third volume on September 18, a mass meeting at the Stage House on November 6 considered a railroad to Chicago, Morris C. Smith and his partner erected a three-story brick block on Main street, a cemetery was donated by John Childs, the Methodists organized a class with a circuit preacher, the first schoolhouse was established in a frame building erected by David L. [truncated], E-ne-we-shin-e-gras Lodge No. 10 (I.O.O.F.) was renamed Myrtle, and several individuals — among them William S. Yost from New York, George Carey, and Deacon Samuel Hinman from Prairieville (now Waukesha) — arrived or settled in the town. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+16 more)

In Janesville, Mark Hardy began manufacturing plows and wagons in a wooden shanty on the west side of the river, Alvin Miner manufactured furniture over John King's wagon-shop on Milwaukee street, George W. Hegler brought a wool-carding machine from Beloit, a starch factory was established by Ogilbie & De Roe, the first Catholic church was built by St. Patrick's Society, a cemetery in the town of Center was laid out, William A. Lawrence was elected County Treasurer, and the first school near present Footville was opened by Mr. Charles Newton. A census of Rock County taken December 1, 1847 showed Janesville at 2,587 and Beloit at 1,851, with a county total of 14,720. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+23 more)

The Territorial Legislature set apart the town of Avon on February 11, and on February 2 an act changed the boundaries and name of the town of Oak to Porter. An act of March 3 created an additional (Chippewa) land district, and another act the same day changed provisions for the sale of mineral lands. The Chippewa nation ceded lands to the United States in 1847, and cholera occurred among the Winnebago people. The Milwaukee & Waukesha Railroad Company was incorporated, its commissioners met and elected a president on November 23, and a company was organized to build a plank road from Milwaukee to Janesville. The Masonic Grand Lodge of Wisconsin was organized June 9, the first Norwegian newspaper 'Nordlyset' appeared in Racine county, and a grist-mill on Bad Fish Creek built by John Shepard was completed. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+11 more)

Month by month

Winter 1847
An unnamed student attended the preparatory department of Beloit College.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
January 15, 1847
Morning Star Lodge, No. 10, F. & A. M., received its charter.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
February 2, 1847
An act was approved changing the boundaries and name of the town of Oak to Porter, including township 4, north of range 11 east.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
February 11, 1847
By an act of the Territorial Legislature, the town of Avon was set apart and named.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
March 3, 1847
An act was approved creating an additional land district in the territory (the Chippewa land district).
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
March 3, 1847
An act was approved changing provisions for the sale of mineral lands.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
March 13, 1847
At a special meeting of the Town Board, Elihu H. Strong was elected Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
Spring 1847
Deacon Samuel Hinman's election as superintendent brought a family back to Beloit.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
Spring 1847
James Sutherland and his wife emigrated to Rock Co. and took up temporary residence in the town of Rock.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Spring 1847
A family moved to Janesville from the town of Turtle.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
April 1847
A widow moved onto a farm in Johnstown township with her family.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
April 6, 1847
At an election held in Rock County, the first State Constitution (framed by the convention that met October 5, 1846) was rejected by the people.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
June 1847
A family came to Wisconsin from another state, locating in Rock Township.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
June 1847
A frame house (30x45 feet) was dedicated by the Rev. Henry Summers.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
June 9, 1847
The G. Lodge of Wisconsin (Masonic Grand Lodge) was organized.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
June 24, 1847
The corner-stone of the first college edifice (Middle College) of Beloit College was laid with appropriate religious exercises.
BeloitGrade A · 3 independent sources
Summer 1847
Four thousand dollars of the Beloit subscription had been collected and spent putting up the bare brick walls of Middle College.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
Summer 1847
Mr. Smith, a Democrat, was elected to the first convention to frame a State constitution.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
July 1847
M. Treat came to Turtle township from Ohio.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
July 1847
Benjamin Park came to Turtle township from Ohio.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
July 5, 1847
At a Vestry meeting, it was voted that a brick church (45x72 feet) should be constructed without further delay.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
July 8, 1847
A Masonic Lodge began acting under a dispensation (continued until January 18, 1848).
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
August 1847
William S. Yost came to Beloit from New York.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
September 1847
A family removed from New Hampshire to Rock county.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
September 18, 1847
The Gazette newspaper entered upon its third volume.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
September 27, 1847
The governor issued a proclamation calling a special session of the legislative assembly to be held October 18, 1847.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
The cholera (superinduced by misery and starvation) occurred among the Winnebago people.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A grist-mill on Bad Fish Creek (built by John Shepard) was completed.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man came to Beloit, Wisconsin, and was interested in land speculations for eighteen months.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man helped haul stone for the foundation of Middle College.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
Deacon Samuel Hinman moved to Beloit from Prairieville (now Waukesha).
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man was appointed by Gov. Dodge and confirmed by the Legislative Council as Attorney General of the Territory.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man came to Beloit and bought eighty acres in Sec. 15.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
Settlers arrived in Rock County townships in 1847: D. I. Daniels, Royal Wood, John Nichols, W. Cator, I. Woodle, Frank Wheeler, A. Lawrence, John M. Keep.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
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.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A family removed to Albion township, Rock county, from New York.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man came to Rock County and settled on a farm of 160 acres.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
George Carey came to Wisconsin and located at Beloit.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man organized a company to build a plank road from Milwaukee to Janesville.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A stone church edifice (40x60 feet) was finished late in 1847.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
The Chippewa nation ceded lands to the United States (treaty referenced as August 2, 1847, in P31, though the cession itself is dated to 1847).
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
The first schoolhouse was established in a frame building erected by Mr. David L. [name truncated].
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
Middle College (Beloit College) was begun.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
The maximum production of lead in southwestern Wisconsin was reached between 1845 and 1847.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
The Milwaukee & Waukesha Railroad Company was incorporated.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
Beloit College was founded at Beloit, under the auspices of the Congregational and Presbyterian churches of Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A father brought his family to Rock county, Wisconsin, and settled on a farm of 160 acres.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man came to Wisconsin, locating in Porter Township, Rock Co.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
George W. Hegler brought a small wool-carding machine from Beloit and began operations in Janesville.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A father settled in Magnolia township, Rock county.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man moved to Magnolia Township, Rock Co., and took up eighty acres of Government land.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A three-story brick block on Main street was erected by Morris C. Smith and his partner.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A cemetery was donated by John Childs to the village and laid out and divided into lots.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man was elected to represent his district in the state legislative assembly.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A house of worship was built at a cost of $4,300.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man returned to Janesville from Pennsylvania.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A new mercantile partnership was formed in Janesville, composed of William A. Lawrence and others.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
D. I. Daniels held office from 1847 to 1849.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
The first Norwegian newspaper, "Nordlyset" (Northlight), made its appearance, published in Racine county, Wisconsin.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A fine frame church was built for a Free Church at a cost of about $2,000.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man commenced blacksmithing business at Johnstown in Rock County.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A starch factory was established by Ogilbie & De Roe in Janesville.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
Chester Clark came to Janesville and built on the west side of the river.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
The Methodists established a circuit preacher and organized a class.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
The name of E-ne-we-shin-e-gras Lodge No. 10 (I.O.O.F.) was changed to Myrtle.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A grandfather came to (Rock County area).
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
George Lawrence came to Janesville.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man came to Wisconsin and located in Magnolia Township, buying 180 acres.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
In the session of 1847-48, inhabitants of Township 2, Range 11, petitioned to be set off as a separate town.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
R. Dole was elected Chairman (second Chairman) of a town board.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A cemetery in the town of Center was laid out.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man came to Wisconsin with Col. Miller and located in Magnolia Township.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
Rev. Patrick Kernan succeeded Father Morrisy, calling at Janesville once a month.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
The first school in the neighborhood (near present Footville) was opened by Mr. Charles Newton.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
Samuel Marshall opened a private banking office in Milwaukee, laying the foundation of the firm of Marshall & Ilsley.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
Professors were elected at Beloit College.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
The first Catholic church in Janesville was built (small brick building at corner of Homes and Cherry streets, erected by St. Patrick's Society).
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A church was built by Norwegian settlers in Luther Valley (in the town of Newark / northeast part of Avon).
Nation and worldGrade A · 2 independent sources
Fall 1847
Mark Hardy began manufacturing plows, wagons, etc., in a wooden shanty on the west side of the river in Janesville.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
Nashotah House was incorporated.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man came to Wisconsin and to Magnolia Township in 1850.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man was elected Superintendent of Schools.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
The prosperity of the Methodist Society in Janesville dated from about this year, when Rev. Wesley Latin became preacher in charge.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man was a member of the Constitutional Convention.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
A man was appointed Assessor.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
Fall 1847
William A. Lawrence was elected County Treasurer and served three years consecutively.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
October 1, 1847
A stone foundation was begun for the Farmers' [building — passage truncated].
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
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 convention.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
November 4, 1847
A class of four students (within a week increased to five) was admitted to Beloit College after examination, to enter upon a course of study drawn up on the Yale plan.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
November 6, 1847
A mass meeting was held at the Stage House to consider a project for a railroad to Chicago.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
November 23, 1847
Commissioners named in the charter of the Milwaukee & Waukesha Railroad Company met and elected a president.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
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).
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
December 15, 1847
The second Constitutional Convention assembled at Madison.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source

By ring

The property: 0
Beloit: 24
Rock County: 37
The region: 16
Nation and world: 17

People who came here

Born in 1847, elsewhere, and later settled in Rock County.

March 17, 1847
Miss (name not fully stated in passage) was married to Alfred Dewey.
May 17, 1847
A woman came to Wisconsin.
August 1847
A man came to the Territory of Wisconsin (last day of August).
Fall 1847
A man graduated from the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio.
Fall 1847
A man's father remarried.
Fall 1847
A man came to Wisconsin, locating at Brighton, Kenosha Co.
Fall 1847
An individual married Miss Cordelia Perrine and removed to Clinton, Rock County, where he purchased the water-power and built a flouring-mill.
Fall 1847
A man came to Wisconsin.
Fall 1847
A man came to Wisconsin.
Fall 1847
A man came to Wisconsin.
Fall 1847
A man came to Wisconsin.
Fall 1847
A man emigrated from Ireland to the United States.
Fall 1847
A man brought his family to Wisconsin (having bought land in 1839).
Fall 1847
Mr. and Mrs. W. emigrated to Wisconsin.
Fall 1847
The name of a man was recorded in connection with a Masonic initiation at Janesville.
Fall 1847
A man came to Wisconsin, locating in Bradford, where his father purchased 160 acres.
Fall 1847
A man came to Wisconsin and worked at his trade about three years.
Fall 1847
A man came to Wisconsin in 1847 and located in the town of Pleasant Spring, Dane Co.
Fall 1847
A man emigrated to Wisconsin and located about two miles west from his present homestead.
Fall 1847
Edward V. Whiton married Miss Amoret T.
Fall 1847
Willard Lamb of Green Bay made the first sawed pine shingles in that district.
Fall 1847
A family moved to Harmony.
Fall 1847
A man emigrated to America from England.
Fall 1847
A family came to Wisconsin with their parents.
Fall 1847
A family came to Wisconsin with their parents.
Fall 1847
A man moved from Jefferson Prairie to Mission Point, La Salle county, Illinois, having been called thither.
Fall 1847
An individual married Adelia C., daughter of Dr. E.
Fall 1847
A man was present in Janesville and was engaged in activities there.
Fall 1847
An individual was admitted to the bar and started for Boston.
Fall 1847
An individual returned to Pennsylvania to work in the lumber business.
Fall 1847
A father and family left Boston en route to Concord, N.H.
Fall 1847
An individual came to Wisconsin, locating at Sheboygan Falls.
Fall 1847
An individual closed his term at the Cambridge Law School.
Fall 1847
A man came to America.
Fall 1847
A man's father died at Johnstown.
Fall 1847
Alvin Miner manufactured furniture over John King's wagon-shop on Milwaukee street in Janesville.
Fall 1847
A man came to Wisconsin and located on Sec. 4.
Fall 1847
A Norwegian man settled on eighty acres in the town of Clinton.
Fall 1847
An individual married Miss Adeline Allen.
Fall 1847
A family came to the United States from Ireland.
Fall 1847
A man came to Wisconsin in 1847.
Fall 1847
A man came to Wisconsin and settled on a farm of 160 acres.
October 27, 1847
Betty True married Moses Prichard.

Key themes

Founding of Beloit College. The events of 1847 trace the establishment of Beloit College from construction to instruction. Four thousand dollars of the Beloit subscription was collected and spent in the summer putting up the bare brick walls of Middle College, whose corner-stone was laid June 24 with religious exercises. In the fall, Middle College was begun, Beloit College was founded under the auspices of the Congregational and Presbyterian churches of Wisconsin and northern Illinois, professors were elected, and on November 4 a class of four students — increased to five within a week — was admitted after examination to a course of study drawn up on the Yale plan. A man also helped haul stone for the foundation of Middle College in the fall. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+2 more)

Migration and settlement. A large share of the 1847 events record the movement of people into Beloit, Rock County, and Wisconsin, concentrated especially in the fall. The December 1 census recorded the resulting population: 14,720 for Rock County, with Janesville at 2,587 and Beloit at 1,851. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+43 more)

The road to Wisconsin statehood. The constitutional process moved through rejection, renewal, and reconvention during 1847. The first State Constitution, framed by the convention that met October 5, 1846, was rejected by the people at the April 6 election in Rock County. On September 27 the governor issued a proclamation calling a special session of the legislative assembly for October 18, and on October 27 the members of the legislature passed an act providing for an election of delegates to a new constitutional convention. The second Constitutional Convention assembled at Madison on December 15. Several individuals were connected to constitutional conventions in the record: Mr. Smith, a Democrat, was elected to the first convention in the summer, and during the fall other men were elected or were members of the Constitutional Convention. Earlier in the year, on February 2, the Territorial Legislature changed the boundaries and name of the town of Oak to Porter, and on February 11 it set apart and named the town of Avon. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+4 more)

Institutional, religious, and commercial development. Religious and civic institutions took physical form in 1847. In Beloit a Vestry voted on July 5 that a brick church (45x72 feet) be built without delay; elsewhere a frame house (30x45 feet) was dedicated by Rev. Henry Summers in June, a stone church edifice (40x60 feet) was finished late in the year, a frame church costing about $2,000 was built for a Free Church, a house of worship was built at a cost of $4,300, and Norwegian settlers built a church in Luther Valley. The Methodists established a circuit preacher and organized a class in Beloit, Rev. Wesley Latin became preacher in charge at Janesville, and Rev. Patrick Kernan succeeded Father Morrisy, calling at Janesville once a month. In Janesville the first Catholic church, a small brick building at the corner of Homes and Cherry streets, was erected by St. Patrick's Society. Fraternal bodies also appear: Morning Star Lodge, No. 10, F. & A. M., received its charter in January, a Masonic Lodge began acting under dispensation on July 8 (continuing until January 18, 1848), the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin was organized June 9, E-ne-we-shin-e-gras Lodge No. 10 (I.O.O.F.) was renamed Myrtle, and a man's name was recorded in a Masonic initiation at Janesville. Commercial ventures included Mark Hardy's plow and wagon manufactory, Alvin Miner's furniture operation, George W. Hegler's wool-carding machine, and the Ogilbie & De Roe starch factory in Janesville, Samuel Marshall's private banking office in Milwaukee, Morris C. Smith's three-story brick block on Beloit's Main street, and a new mercantile partnership in Janesville involving William A. Lawrence, who was also elected County Treasurer. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+18 more)

Transportation and land policy. Transportation projects and land policy framed the year's regional developments. The Milwaukee & Waukesha Railroad Company was incorporated, and its commissioners, named in the charter, met on November 23 and elected a president; in Beloit a mass meeting at the Stage House on November 6 considered a project for a railroad to Chicago; and a man organized a company to build a plank road from Milwaukee to Janesville. On land policy, an act of March 3 created an additional land district — the Chippewa land district — and another act the same day changed provisions for the sale of mineral lands; the Chippewa nation ceded lands to the United States in 1847. The record also notes that the maximum production of lead in southwestern Wisconsin was reached between 1845 and 1847. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+3 more)