The chronology
1859
178 published events.
Overview
In Beloit, 1859 saw changes in the local press: J. F. Erving bought an interest in the Times in January, and by August Hiram Bowen and Daniel Wilcox had joined the paper's firm, making it Holt, Bowen & Wilcox. The Beloit gas company commenced operations with $42,000 capital, and Northwestern Mutual Life began business. Beloit College finished University Hall, adopted an amended constitution, and reorganized its debating societies into the Delian and Alethean societies and the Archaean Union. Mr. Todd was elected Mayor, a sketch's subject served as acting Chairman of the town board and another as Alderman of the First Ward, and the 'Ever Ready' fire company established a library. The Poor House held sixty-three paupers in November, and Henry Edward Hamilton of Chicago married Caroline Jane Raymond of Beloit. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+7 more)
Across Rock County, Janesville institutions took shape: Christ Church (Episcopal) was organized in September after a division in Trinity Church, with a new rector taking charge in December. A school for the blind opened in Janesville late in the year, the Janesville High School building was finished with Levi Cass as principal and its first formal graduation exercises held with six members, and the Janesville Weekly and Daily Times were established. Edward Ruger was elected city engineer, Ford's flouring-mill construction began, the Bower City Mills were built, and James S. McGowan moved from Beloit to Janesville. The old Brooks stone mill was built on Turtle Creek about this year, and Rock County expended $5,000 for poor support. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+7 more)
At the state and national level, Judge David Noggle defeated Judge Keep by 3,693 votes at the judicial election, Judge Keep resigned the circuit judgeship, and Byron Paine was chosen associate justice at the spring election. Caswell visited Washington during Senate debate on the Kansas constitution, and the Lincoln-Douglas debates occurred in Illinois, with Douglas chosen senator again; Abraham Lincoln also spoke at the state fair in Milwaukee. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+9 more)
Month by month
- January 26, 1859A house on a Plymouth Township farm was destroyed by fire; the family barely escaped with their lives.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- February 1859Caswell saw John C. [—] presiding over the United States Senate.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- Spring 1859At the regular spring election, Byron Paine was chosen associate justice of the supreme court.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- April 1859A sketch's subject came to Wisconsin, locating at La Prairie, where he purchased 160 acres.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- Spring 1859A sketch's subject returned to Magnolia and bought eighty acres.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- Spring 1859Judge Keep resigned the circuit judgeship because of failing health.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- April 5, 1859At the judicial election, Judge David Noggle defeated Judge Keep by a majority of 3,693 votes.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- April 14, 1859The bar association of Wisconsin held a meeting, at which its president E. Arnold spoke.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- April 16, 1859A sketch's subject (Graves) came to Wisconsin, locating at Beloit.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- May 1859The Janesville High School building (later the Jefferson school) was finished, and the high school classes were transferred from the old academy, with Levi Cass as principal.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- June 2, 1859The railroad was sold on the foreclosures of the mortgages given thereon.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- July 9, 1859The capital stock of the Central bank was made $125,000.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- August 1859Hiram Bowen and Daniel Wilcox purchased an interest in the paper, the firm becoming Holt, Bowen & Wilcox; P22 indicates the change came by August 2, 1859.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- September 1859J. H. Hendley came to Wisconsin, locating at Beloit.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- September 1859The Beloit gas company commenced operations with $42,000 capital.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- September 1859Professor Blaisdell came to Wisconsin, locating at Beloit (Beloit College).BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- September 20, 1859Christ Church (Episcopal) was organized in Janesville, after a division in Trinity Church during the early part of 1859; meetings had been held in Lappin's Hall under the rectorship of Rev. Thomas J. Ruger.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- October 2, 1859A marriage took place in Beloit (the parties are not named in the passage).BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- November 15, 1859There were sixty-three paupers in the Poor House.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- November 29, 1859A minister in Milwaukee wrote to the wardens and vestry of Christ Church, Janesville, accepting the call to take charge of the parish.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- December 1859The new rector took charge of Christ Church.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- December 19, 1859An amended constitution was adopted at Beloit College; the Delian and Alethean Debating Societies were organized and the Archaean became the Archaean Union (P206 dates the change to the winter of 1859).BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
During 1859
Events the sources date only to the year.
- 1859A settler (born in County Meath, Ireland, 1823) settled in Rock County.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A settler came to Beloit and bought eighty acres in Sec. 8, with improvements.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859Mr. and Mrs. Edwards bought the property from Elder James Rogers.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A widow built the residence she occupied (with barns) in Beloit.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859The bond-holders completed the [rail]road to Freeport during the year.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A farmer bought 120 acres of land in section 28, Beloit township.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859Mr. A. Thompson disposed of [the property he kept] to Mr. T.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A father brought his family to Rock county and settled on an eighty-acre tract in section 26, Clinton township.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859An Irish-born settler moved to Wisconsin, locating in Janesville.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859The daughter of David and Agnes Merrill married Winfield Scott, in Beloit.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859The old Brooks (stone) mill was built on Turtle creek (about 1859).Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A New York-born settler came to Wisconsin and located in Magnolia Township.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A returnee from Australia came West and made investments in Dodge county, Wisconsin, including a hotel.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859Rock County expended $5,000 for the support of the poor.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A sketch's subject was appointed Under Sheriff (Janesville).Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859Abraham Lincoln spoke at the state fair held in Milwaukee; the sketch's subject introduced him.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859Edward bought 220 acres from his father in Sees. 21 and 22, Bradford.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A seminary building was finished and a school opened therein.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859Edward R. Smith's parents came to Beloit with their young son.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859Galesville University was organized under the patronage of the Methodist church at Galesville.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A Clinton-area farmer removed to Janesville, where he remained until 1860.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A sketch's subject was acting Chairman of the town board (about 1859).BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859The state horticultural association's transactions were published with those of the state agricultural society.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A sketch's subject was elected Chairman of the Lima town board on a Union ticket.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859E. Newman, head miller, came to Janesville from Akron, Ohio.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859The Bower City Mills were built in Janesville by McChesney, with two runs of stone.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859Mr. Dickson was elected to the Legislature and served two terms.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A Janesville citizen changed his residence to Evanston, Ill.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A settler came to Newark township (about 1859) and bought 360 acres of land.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A Footville settler was elected Town Superintendent and served two terms.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859The first formal graduation exercises of the Janesville High School were held, with six members in the class; Levi Cass was principal.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A Bradford settler, in partnership with his father, purchased 160 acres in Bradford and twenty acres of woodland in Johnstown.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859The first death in the town occurred; the victim was Mrs. David Harris.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A sketch's subject was elected Alderman of the First Ward (about 1859).BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A Prussian-born settler settled on the 100-acre farm he still owned (Lima Center).Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A son, Jacob E., was born (he later attended Beloit College).BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859Dr. Henry Barnard, chancellor of the university, was made agent of the normal regents.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A school for the blind was opened in Janesville, in the latter part of 1859, supported by the citizens of that place and vicinity.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859The bondholders of the two companies instituted foreclosure proceedings.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859The "Ever Ready" [fire company] established a flourishing library, which grew to 1,000 volumes.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A sketch's subject (later Governor) was elected Secretary of State.Nation and worldGrade A · 2 independent sources
- 1859Building of Ford's flouring-mill commenced in Janesville (completed the following year).Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859A Janesville builder added a lumber-yard to his business.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859Asa Burdick was succeeded by Benjamin F. Rogers as Church Clerk.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859The great debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas came on in Illinois (per this passage), and Douglas was chosen senator again.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1859The Janesville Weekly Times and the Janesville Daily Times were established (1859–60).Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source