The chronology
1856
232 published events.
Overview
In Beloit, 1856 brought the city's incorporation by legislative act, the consecration of the Episcopal church by Bishop Kemper, the arrival of new residents and businesses, the establishment of the Beloit Paper Mills Company by Messrs. Wright and Merrill, and the completion of the railroad from Racine to Beloit via Clinton Junction. Public institutions expanded: school buildings were erected in the Second and Fifth wards, the high school was organized, Eagle Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was formed, and James W. Strong served as Superintendent of Schools. Seven students graduated from Beloit College. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+9 more)
In Rock County, Janesville saw the formation of a fire company, a gas company, the organization of a Knights Templar commandery and an Odd Fellows lodge, and the construction of the Monterey bridge and the Black Hawk Brewery. The Central Bank of Janesville made its first report, and four Janesville banks recorded combined capital of $175,000. The presidential election produced a Fremont majority of 2,743 in the county. Churches organized included the Close Communion Baptist Church and the Rock River Seventh-Day Baptist Church. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+10 more)
Railroads reached Watertown and Prairie du Chien, and the Milwaukee & Mississippi and La Crosse & Milwaukee lines were extended or graded. Numerous settlers arrived in the region during the year, including families locating in Milton, Turtle, Harmony, Magnolia, and other townships. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+12 more)
Month by month
- January 1856An institution connected with Joseph Salzmann was opened, with Rev. M. [named].Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- January 1856L. Devereux formed a partnership with B. E. Hale, who took charge of the editorial department.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- January 1856A period of severe cold was recorded (comparative temperatures at Lake Superior and Chicago).The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- January 1, 1856Maxson left the mercantile firm and Jeremiah Davis came in, forming Goodrich & Davis.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- January 1, 1856About January 1, 1856 — The Badger State bank moved into the corner of Lappin's block.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- January 1, 1856Father Kundig succeeded Father Norris as Catholic pastor (Norris had served until January 1, 1856).BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- January 7, 1856The Central bank of Janesville made its first report.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- January 9, 1856The Rock County Board of Supervisors abolished the distinction between town and county poor.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- February 1856Eugene F. Kendall came to Wisconsin, locating at Beloit.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- February 1856William Kemp called a meeting of Janesville citizens to organize a fire company.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- February 5, 1856A treaty was held with the Stockbridge and Munsee tribes at Stockbridge, ceding their remaining lands there to the United States.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- February 11, 1856By a treaty made at Keshena, the Menomonees ceded two townships to locate the Stockbridge and Munsee tribes.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- February 13, 1856The Close Communion Baptist Church was organized by delegates from Janesville, Union and Stoughton.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- February 16, 1856P. Miller came to Wisconsin, locating at Beloit.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- February 17, 1856The first Trustees of that church were elected.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- March 1856Judge Doolittle resigned the circuit judgeship.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- March 7, 1856Charles M. Baker was appointed to fill Doolittle's unexpired term.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- March 17, 1856Wm. M. and Ellis Doty purchased the entire Messenger establishment and changed its title to The Wisconsin Family Messenger.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- March 18, 1856The act incorporating the Evansville Seminary was approved.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- March 27, 1856Bishop Kemper consecrated the Episcopal church at Beloit.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- March 27, 1856Clarke came to Wisconsin (later buying land in Milton).Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- March 29, 1856An act of the legislature amended the Janesville city charter, transferring selection of Marshal, Constable, Assessor, School Commissioner and Superintendent to the Common Council.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- March 31, 1856An act incorporating the city of Beloit was approved (chapter 452, private and local laws of 1856); the 1879 history dates the legislature's passage of the act to March 1856.Nation and worldGrade A · 2 independent sources
- March 31, 1856The legislature took a recess (to September 3).Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- Spring 1856A New England-educated settler came West and settled near Emerald Grove, Rock County.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- Spring 1856Congress made a grant of land to the state of Wisconsin to aid railroad building (Madison or Columbus via Portage City to the St. Croix, and thence to Lake Superior and Bayfield).Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- Spring 1856E. Reigart came to Turtle and located on 440 acres.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- Spring 1856A church (organization) dates from the spring of 1856 (passage fragment; its building was erected in 1858).Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- Spring 1856Officers including C. Newhouse as Secretary were duly installed.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- April 1856A settler came to Turtle Township and settled on 260 acres.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- April 6, 1856A family arrived in Rock County and settled on land purchased from Benjamin Riddle.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- April 14, 1856The Janesville Common Council made appointments under the amended charter.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- April 16, 1856A village (later Clinton area) was platted by John L. V.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- April 17, 1856The Rock River Seventh-Day Baptist Church was organized with sixty members.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- May 1856A settler came to Wisconsin and located in the township of Turtle, Rock County.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- May 22, 1856The paper appeared under the name of B. E. Hale (the 1879 history gives May 22; the 1908 history gives May 27 — both readings reported).Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- July 1856Four banks in Janesville had a combined capital of $175,000, $522,000 in deposits and $373,000 in loans.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- July 1, 1856The Central bank's capital stock was increased to $50,000.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- July 2, 1856A charter was granted to a body whose listed officers begin "W. M., Brastus Hopkins."Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- July 7, 1856The Rock County bank made its first report to the bank comptroller.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- July 10, 1856Janesville City Lodge, No. 90, I. O. O. F., was instituted/chartered.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- August 1856Fire company "Ever Ready, No. 2" was organized on the west side (Beloit); it did not receive its engine until February 1857.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- August 27, 1856An order was made by James W. Strong, Superintendent of Schools for the city of Beloit.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- September 1856D. Ross of New York settled in Turtle Township (per garbled settlement list).Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- September 3, 1856The legislature reconvened after its recess.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- September 11, 1856The Knights Templar commandery (S. K. T.) was organized/chartered at Janesville.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- September 15, 1856The road from Racine was completed to Beloit, via Clinton Junction.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- October 1856An act approved "on the nth of the same month" granted a portion of the lands to the La Crosse & Mississippi railroad company.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- October 1856Property came into the possession of James H. Hanchett (held until 1863).The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- October 1856The synod of Wisconsin held its sessions in the new chapel and Mr. Staples was duly installed as pastor.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- Fall 1856The road that reached Watertown in 1856 was consolidated with the La Crosse & Milwaukee road.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- Fall 1856Caswell ran for the legislature as an independent Democrat and fell about a dozen votes short of election.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- October 3, 1856An act of the legislature granted the unsold congress-granted lands, through the Fox and Wisconsin Improvement company, to trustees.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- October 8, 1856The congressional land grant was accepted by the legislature by act.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- October 13, 1856A supplementary act incorporated the Wisconsin & Superior railroad.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- October 14, 1856The ninth session of the legislature adjourned.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- November 1856The Fisher case was taken to the supreme court of Wisconsin on a writ of error.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- November 4, 1856County officers recorded: Gilbert Dolsen, Sheriff; Charles Holt, Register of Deeds.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- December 1856Eagle Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was organized, with Joseph B. Rothschild as Foreman.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
During 1856
Events the sources date only to the year.
- 1856The Racine & Mississippi (later Western Union) was graded, with 20,000 ties delivered from Porter to Rockton.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A Connecticut-born settler came to Beloit and bought Henry Waterman's property.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856Messrs. Wright and Merrill established the Beloit Paper Mills Company, the first paper mill in Beloit.BeloitGrade A · 2 independent sources
- 1856A Fulton-area farmer was elected Justice of the Peace about 1856.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A family removed from Oneida County, N. Y., to Harmony Township, Rock County.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856L. Sherman (born January 4, 1856) came to Wisconsin with his father and located in Beloit.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A post office was established, with Mr. William Ranney as Postmaster.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856James Hadden came to America and Rock County, locating in Milton.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A Boston dry-goods man removed to Beloit and commenced his business career there.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The legislature added three-fourths of the net proceeds of swamp and overflowed land sales to the common-school fund.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A New Yorker located at Fall River, Wis., and started a grist-mill.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A few months after the close of the 1856 legislative session, the land grant bonds of the La Crosse road became worthless.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The Racine road was built to Delavan early in 1856 and to Beloit during the same year.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The Milwaukee & Mississippi road was pushed to the Mississippi river at Prairie du Chien.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The La Crosse & Milwaukee railroad graded most of the line from Madison to Portage (1856 and 1857).The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The Hugunin family moved to Rock County and settled on a farm in La Prairie, three miles south of Janesville.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856Charles Mailett came to Edgerton as a boy with his father, mother and a sister.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A Porter Township farmer bought a farm of forty-four acres.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The "Free Press" was absorbed by the "Gazette" following Fremont's defeat.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A Janesville gas stock company was formed early in the year; the Janesville Gas Company was chartered by the legislature, completed its plant and commenced the manufacture of gas.Rock CountyGrade A · 2 independent sources
- 1856Janesville obtained a charter amendment establishing a city court, over which Mr. Hudson was elected to preside.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856Janesville was connected with Chicago by rail; the Northern Division was finished to Minnesota Junction; railroads superseded the stage-coach mails.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A Janesville tradesman established his furniture business.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856Daniel Royer came to Wisconsin and located in Magnolia Township.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A brick building (34x50 feet, stone basement) was completed at a cost of $2,600.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The first marriage in that community: Mr. Edward Wright and Miss Edith Clark.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The Evansville Seminary was begun, Mr. Mills having granted deeds of property to a chartered corporation.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856Mr. Williams reached Janesville and was active in the Fremont campaign that year.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856Judge Doolittle was a delegate to, and president of, the national union convention at Philadelphia.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856Hiram Bump and Frank Gray associated in the grain brokerage business (about 1856).BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856James R. West commenced his apprenticeship to the trade of carpenter and joiner.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856Heller & Henderson's flouring mill was built on the Monterey water power.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856Bodies from the old Janesville cemetery block were taken up and reburied in Oak Hill and Mt. Olivet cemeteries (in 1855 and 1856).Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856Several saw-mills were built at Oconto, making it an extensive lumber manufacturing point.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A Janesville legislator was again elected to the State Legislature and served in the ninth session.Rock CountyGrade A · 2 independent sources
- 1856Mr. Tripp of the town of Rock was elected to the Wisconsin Legislature.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856Attorney John P. Towne came to Wisconsin (locating at Edgerton in 1858).Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A printer removed to Janesville, where he has since resided.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A farmer removed to the town of Center in 1855 or 1856 (the passage gives both years).Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856Postmaster Strong was removed by President Buchanan and D. O. Brown appointed in his stead.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856Dr. (Henry) Palmer came to Janesville and began practice; his father's family moved to Wisconsin and settled on a farm at Edgerton.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856James Hadden (father) came to the United States with his family and settled on a farm in section 6, Johnstown Township.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The present Janesville jail building was erected (in 1855 and 1856).Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A. T. Gray returned to Janesville after his term as secretary of state ended.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A railroad (aided by Iowa County bonds) was sold under foreclosure.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The first frame house in a township was built by Daniel McKillip "as early as 1856."BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856An M. E. Church was organized with thirty-seven members.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The legislature (regular session of 1856) passed an act for a general revision of the state laws, under which three commissioners were named.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The La Crosse company prevailed in the legislature of 1856 and secured legislation favorable to its interests.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A railroad was completed through the town (northeast–southwest direction).BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The Republican party's organization is dated to 1856 by three passages, while a fourth gives 1854 (both readings reported).Nation and worldGrade A · 2 independent sources
- 1856A Lima Township farmer moved with his family into a small frame house and began developing his farm.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856Milton Academy's attendance reached 212, with its first three graduates in the teachers' course.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856Timothy Moriarty came to Wisconsin (about 1856) and located in Milton.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A Baptist church society was organized with twelve members.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856Erastus P. and Mary Jane Clarke came to Wisconsin and located at Milton.Rock CountyGrade A · 2 independent sources
- 1856James Strong served as Janesville's first city superintendent of schools.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The Monterey bridge was built by the city of Janesville (a 1908 note reads "rebuilt" — both readings reported); Ira Miltimore and John Peters were the contractors.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A liberty-pole was presented to a Janesville fire company by the Fremont Club.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A Rockford businessman engaged in establishing the town of Dement Station (now Creston, Ill.).Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The Black Hawk Brewery was erected near the south end of Main street, Janesville (named "Morshe" in 1879 and "Marsh" in 1908 — both readings reported).Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A brick church (seating 300) was built at a cost of $2,600.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The first school in a new village was built at a cost of $1,200 and opened the same year.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856A Rensselaer County man came to Wisconsin and located at Janesville.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1856The legislature passed an act establishing the office of Police Justice for Janesville.Rock CountyGrade A · 2 independent sources