This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: RuthAnnMontgomery Surnames: Classification: biography Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.wisconsin.counties.dane/5755/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Oregon Village This listtle suburban village of about 700 inhabitants, is situated in the town by the same name, in Dane county on the Madison branch of the Northwestern Railroad, about 12 miles from Madison and 38 from Beloit. Mr. I.M. Bennett now of Evansville, was one of the first settlers--having came here when scarcely 21 years of age, or about the year 1845, from New York state. At this time but here and there a comfortable house existed on the long stretch of road between Madison and Janesville. Few farmers had anything but a log shanty to live in and a string of brush fence to mark the line where now cultivated farms exist and where neat frame houses mark the abode of the well-to-do farmer. A small frame house had been erected a few years before which Mr. Bennett purchased and occupied it both as a hotel and store--keeping a few nick nacks such as the early settlers could not get along without. In 1849 Mr. Bennett built and occupied the first store under the style of Winston, Bennett & Co., Wm. Dudley, Esq., now of Madison forming the financial partner. In 1850, Mr. Bennett built the hotel what is now the Oregon exchange, and was, for some years, not only the popular landlord, but merchant. Together they consumed about as much diginity as a young man could well enjoy in those days. Quite a number of years have stretched away and we find Oregon a thriving enterprising town with such men as Messrs. Tipple & Johnson, J. M. Scovill, C. M. Howe & Brother, doing a good business in the dry goods and general merchandise line, H. Schwartz, ready made clothing, Eli Booth, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, C. Postle, confectioner, Cole and Gardiner are each in the tin and sheet iron business, C. Postle is proprietor of the "Exchange" and Nott & Vreland do the agreeable at the "Oregon" House, near the depot. Perhaps no man has done more to make Oregon what it enjoys today, than Wm. S. Bedford. He has been identified with almost every interest that has had for its tendency the growth and prosperity of the place. He came here upon the departure of Mr. Bennett--a rival successor--and immediately engaged in an extensive mercantile business, his confidence being richly shared by the community as every improvement marked the line of his enterprise. He is now engaged in the lumber trade with sales of a million feet annually. Mr. Howe, in connection with general merchandise, keeps a plentiful supply of drugs and medicines and dispenses them with true medical skill, while his most excellent wife does excellent service in the millinery business. Evansville Citizen, September 18, 1867, p. 1, col. 6, Evansville, Rock Co. Wisconsin Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.