The chronology

1850

120 published events.

Overview

In Beloit, 1850 saw the dedication of the First Presbyterian church edifice at Broad and Pleasant streets on July 23, the formal inauguration of Rev. A. L. Chapin as first President of Beloit College on July 24, and his installation in February. A resolution to build a new schoolhouse in District No. 2 passed February 4, a cemetery association was organized April 25, and the newspaper name was changed to 'Badger State.' Rev. Miles (Niles) Kinne's pastorate ended April 2, and Rev. Dexter Clary's pastorate ended, with sources differing on the date. The Fletcher family settled in Beloit, several individuals arrived to work or locate there, a banking association (McCrea, Bell & Co.) was formed, and Union Lodge No. 381, A. F. & A. M. was instituted December 13, with Beloit Encampment No. 7, I. O. O. F. following on December 17. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+15 more)

In Rock County, Hiram W. Caton was elected Sheriff November 5, and the Rock County Agricultural Society and Mechanics' Institute was organized with Mr. Willard as President. Preliminary steps toward an agricultural society were taken November 19 at the Court House in Janesville. The east half of Township 3 north, Range 13 east was organized as a separate town, reducing Janesville to six square miles; the First Universalist Society was organized in Janesville; regular Catholic services began there under Rev. Patrick Kernan (Keenan); Janesville Chapter No. 5 (Masonic) was chartered December 9; and the New England House was built. Cholera broke out in Milton in the summer, taking multiple victims. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+28 more)

The Madison & Beloit Railroad Company was authorized to extend its road and renamed the Rock River Valley Union Railroad Company; the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Company's name was changed. A sixth judicial circuit was organized in July. The wheat crop partially failed in Wisconsin, an act of Congress of September 28 granted swamp and overflowed lands to the state, and the Fugitive Slave Law passed Congress on September 18. Elsewhere, Chancellor Lathrop was inaugurated at the University of Wisconsin, Lawrence University at Appleton was organized as a college, and several marriages, settlements, church dedications, and institutional changes were recorded. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+59 more)

Month by month

January 11, 1850
Reuben P. Willard succeeded William Stewart as postmaster at Summerville.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
January 16, 1850
Chancellor Lathrop was formally inaugurated at the University of Wisconsin.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
February 1850
Esquire Todd came to Beloit and became a partner in the law office of John M. Keep.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
February 1850
A. L. Chapin was installed as President of Beloit College and entered upon the discharge of his duties.
BeloitGrade A · 2 independent sources
February 1850
The Excelsior Mills in Janesville, built by Richardson in 1848, were destroyed by fire.
Rock CountyGrade A · 2 independent sources
February 4, 1850
A resolution was passed at a meeting of the Board to build a new schoolhouse in Beloit School District No. 2.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
February 4, 1850
An act of the Legislature was approved authorizing a railroad company to terminate its road at any point on the State line between Illinois and Wisconsin.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
February 9, 1850
An act of the legislature was approved taking the school for the blind under the care of the Wisconsin Institute for the Education of the Blind, to continue and maintain it at Janesville.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
February 25, 1850
An individual came to Wisconsin and located at Beloit.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
April 1850
Town officers were elected on the first Tuesday in April.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
April 2, 1850
Rev. Miles (Niles) Kinne's pastorate ended.
BeloitGrade A · 2 independent sources
April 25, 1850
A cemetery association was organized with James Waterhouse as President.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
May 1850
M. P. Squier assumed his office as Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy at Beloit College.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
May 2, 1850
Smith came to Wisconsin, locating at Beloit.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
June 1850
A Universalist minister came to Janesville from Glens Falls, N. Y.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
June 3, 1850
A half-acre lot was deeded to the church society in Milton by Peter McEwan.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
July 1850
A sixth judicial circuit was organized, consisting of the counties of Crawford, Chippewa, Bad Axe, St. Croix and La Pointe, and an election for judge was held.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
July 1850
A house of worship (costing $6000) was dedicated.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
Summer 1850
Cholera broke out in Milton, taking multiple victims on consecutive days.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
July 23, 1850
The first church edifice (First Presbyterian), at the southeast corner of Broad and Pleasant streets in Beloit, costing about ten thousand dollars, was dedicated.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
July 24, 1850
Rev. A. L. Chapin was formally inaugurated as first President of Beloit College.
BeloitGrade A · 3 independent sources
July 30, 1850
A church edifice was completed and dedicated at a cost of about $10,000.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
September 1850
A Female Seminary was organized at Rockford, Illinois, under a charter from the State of Illinois.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
September 1850
An affidavit was made in Avon, Livingston County, New York, regarding a short-horned Durham cow producing twenty pounds of butter per week for eight weeks.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
October 1850
A house of worship (built of brick during 1849 and 1850) was dedicated.
Nation and worldGrade A · 2 independent sources
Fall 1850
A Congregational Church was organized.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
November 4, 1850
A marriage took place at Beloit.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
November 5, 1850
An election was held; Hiram W. Caton was elected Sheriff of Rock County, and another individual was elected as member of the assembly.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
November 9, 1850
An individual arrived in Janesville, having started from the East on November 1.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
November 19, 1850
Preliminary steps were taken toward the formation of an agricultural society in Rock County, with a call made on farmers to meet at the Court House in Janesville.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
December 4, 1850
The Fort Howard military reservation lands were abandoned for military purposes by the war department.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
December 9, 1850
Janesville Chapter No. 5 (Masonic) was chartered.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
December 13, 1850
Union Lodge No. 381, A. F. & A. M., was finally instituted.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
December 17, 1850
Beloit Encampment No. 7, I. O. O. F., was instituted by Grand Patriarch Hatch.
BeloitGrade A · 2 independent sources

During 1850

Events the sources date only to the year.

1850
A willow tree was set out from a little sprout near a house in Waterloo (now Shopiere).
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
An individual came to Wisconsin and located in Rock County, settling in Plymouth.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
An individual came to Beloit in 1850 to work on paper mills.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The Fletcher family (William D. and Mary C.) settled at Beloit.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
A family came to the United States from Norway and settled in Beloit (later moving to Newark township).
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
An individual came to Rock County in 1850 and settled in Lima.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
Land that had been pre-empted in 1844 was sold.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The Madison & Beloit Railroad Company was authorized by an act of the legislature to extend its road and its name was changed to the Rock River Valley Union Railroad Company.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
An act of the Wisconsin legislature was passed regarding the Oak Hill Cemetery Association.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The Baptist denomination organized a church in Mr. Antisdel's neighborhood, now Afton.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The old Baptist church was built at Clinton Corners (during 1849 and 1850).
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
A grant of swamp and overflowed lands was made to the state by act of Congress approved September 28, 1850.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The wheat crop partially failed in Wisconsin.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
Mr. Colley was elected member of the Assembly.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
Timothy O. Howe was elected to office.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
Parents moved from New York and settled in Rock County.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The east half of Township 3 north, Range 13 east, was organized into a separate town, reducing the town of Janesville to six square miles.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
A post office was established at Shopiere, with Andrew Cromwell as postmaster.
Rock CountyGrade A · 2 independent sources
1850
Orfordville was first settled by Isaac Wright, who located on a farm south of the railroad.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
An individual came to Beloit in the spring of 1850.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
Congress passed an act (the Fugitive Slave Law) on September 18, 1850.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The Wells family (Caleb and Martha) removed from New York to Milton township and settled on a farm.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
Hiram Knowlton was elected to office.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Company's name was changed.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
An individual came to Rock County in 1850.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
Lawrence University at Appleton was organized as a college.
The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The Rock County Agricultural Society and Mechanics' Institute was organized, with Mr. Willard elected President.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The town of Harmony was organized as a separate town.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
Mr. Hughes was elected Sheriff of Rock County.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The woolen factory at Monterey, built in 1849, was filled with the best eastern machinery and commenced operations.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
A colony from Rensselaer County, New York, settled in the northwestern part of the town of Rock.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
A general election was held in which the town of Plymouth polled 107 votes.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
An individual was elected Deacon about 1850.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
John Griffith reached Janesville in the spring of 1850.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
A banking association was formed (under the name McCrea, Bell & Co.), later organized as the Badger State Bank.
BeloitGrade A · 2 independent sources
1850
Monterey was surveyed by Ira Miltimore.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The newspaper name was changed to "Badger State."
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
An individual came to Wisconsin and settled in Magnolia Township.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The commissioners put into market, for the first time, the school lands donated to the state.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
Regular and stated Catholic services were established in Janesville by Rev. Patrick Kernan (Keenan), the first regular pastor.
Rock CountyGrade A · 2 independent sources
1850
An individual was elected to the Legislature.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The church name was changed to the Milton First Congregational Church.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
A post office was established in Evansville with Curtis R. Bent in charge.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
A school was transferred to the residence of Mrs. H.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
A lawyer removed from Rome, N. Y. to Janesville with his family.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The name of the settlement was changed from Waterloo to Shopiere by Governor Harvey.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The New England House was built in Janesville.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
Dr. Lapham surveyed a series of oblong mounds and found an irregular oval earthwork at the intersection of Main and State streets in the village of Fulton.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
Rev. Dexter Clary's pastorate ended; the 1856 history states he was dismissed in the autumn of 1850, while the 1908 history states it ended in July 1850.
BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The Monterey bridge, built by Mr. Miltimore, was completed.
Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The Wixom family settled in Fulton township on a farm.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
An individual moved onto eighty acres of Government wild land in Magnolia Township.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
The First Universalist Society was organized in Janesville.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
1850
Individuals went to California during the gold excitement.
Nation and worldGrade A · 2 independent sources
1850
A farm was purchased in Avon township.
Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source

By ring

The property: 0
Beloit: 21
Rock County: 31
The region: 10
Nation and world: 27

People who came here

Born in 1850, elsewhere, and later settled in Rock County.

Key themes

Churches and religious institutions. Beloit's First Presbyterian church edifice, costing about ten thousand dollars, was dedicated July 23. A Universalist minister came to Janesville from Glens Falls, N. Y. in June, and the First Universalist Society was organized in Janesville during the year. Regular Catholic services were established in Janesville by Rev. Patrick Kernan (Keenan), the first regular pastor. Other church events included the organization of a Congregational Church in the fall, the Baptist denomination organizing a church in Mr. Antisdel's neighborhood (now Afton), dedication of houses of worship in July and October, the completion of the old Baptist church at Clinton Corners, and the Milton church name change to First Congregational Church. Pastorates ended in Beloit for Rev. Miles (Niles) Kinne in April and Rev. Dexter Clary, with the 1856 and 1908 histories giving differing dates. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+9 more)

Migration and settlement. The events record a continuing movement of people into Wisconsin and the county. Specific arrivals include the Fletcher family in Beloit, a Norwegian family that later moved to Newark township, the Wells family from New York to Milton township, the Wixom family to Fulton township, John Griffith reaching Janesville in the spring, and a colony from Rensselaer County, New York, settling in the northwestern part of the town of Rock. Orfordville was first settled by Isaac Wright, and some individuals went to California during the gold excitement. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+26 more)

Railroads, transportation, and land policy. Railroad development advanced through legislative action. On February 4 the legislature approved an act authorizing a railroad company to terminate its road at any point on the state line between Illinois and Wisconsin. The Madison & Beloit Railroad Company was authorized to extend its road and its name was changed to the Rock River Valley Union Railroad Company, and the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Company's name was changed. In land policy, an act of Congress of September 28 granted swamp and overflowed lands to the state, the commissioners put the school lands donated to the state into market for the first time, and the Fort Howard military reservation lands were abandoned for military purposes by the war department in December. A willow tree was set out near a house in Waterloo (now Shopiere), where a post office was established and the settlement's name was changed from Waterloo to Shopiere by Governor Harvey. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+5 more)

Civic institutions, politics, and elections. Civic organization proceeded on several levels. Preliminary steps toward an agricultural society were taken November 19 with a call on farmers to meet at the Court House in Janesville, and the Rock County Agricultural Society and Mechanics' Institute was organized with Mr. Willard as President. The east half of Township 3 north, Range 13 east was organized into a separate town, reducing Janesville to six square miles; the town of Harmony was also organized as a separate town. Masonic and Odd Fellows bodies formed with the chartering of Janesville Chapter No. 5 and the institution of Beloit's Union Lodge No. 381 and Beloit Encampment No. 7. Elsewhere, town officers were elected the first Tuesday in April, a general election in the town of Plymouth polled 107 votes, Timothy O. Howe and Hiram Knowlton were elected to office, Mr. Colley was elected member of the Assembly, and an individual was elected to the Legislature. Chancellor Lathrop was inaugurated at the University of Wisconsin, and a sixth judicial circuit was organized in July. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+13 more)

Schools, colleges, and learned work. Educational and scholarly activity included the February installation of A. L. Chapin as President of Beloit College and his formal inauguration on July 24 as first President. M. P. Squier assumed office in May as Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy at Beloit College. A resolution was passed February 4 to build a new schoolhouse in Beloit School District No. 2. The legislature approved an act on February 9 taking the school for the blind under the care of the Wisconsin Institute for the Education of the Blind at Janesville. Lawrence University at Appleton was organized as a college, a Female Seminary was organized at Rockford, Illinois, in September, a school was transferred to the residence of Mrs. H, an individual graduated from the Homoeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Lapham surveyed oblong mounds and found an irregular oval earthwork at Main and State streets in the village of Fulton. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+5 more)