Richland County: Uploaded today - an updated - Thompson's Death Index of Richland County. The previous index had been to 1980. This one goes through 31 Dec 1998. http://www.rootsweb.com/~wirichla/deadintr.htm ------------------- Crawford County: Uploaded - Chapter 10 - First Settlement in the County from the History of Crawford County. http://www.rootsweb.com/~wicrawfo/chap10.htm which includes the Census of 1836: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wicrawfo/cens1836.htm ------------------- There is a rather neat section in this chapter which I quote in part below from the sub-heading 'Pioneer Times' - this also includes a bit about Green Bay and in fact the State of Wisconsin: "The character of the pioneers of Crawford county was a compound of civilization and primitive simplicity, exhibiting the polite and lively characteristics of the French, and the thoughtlessness and improvidence of the aborigines. Possessing the virtues of hospitality, and the warmth of heart unknown to residents of cities, untrameled by the etiquette and conventional rules of modern "high life," they were ever ready to receive and entertain their friends, and more intent upon the enjoyment of the present than to lay up store, or make provision, for the future. With few wants, and contented and happy hearts, they found enjoyment in the merry dance, the sleigh-ride, and the exciting horse-race, and, doubtless, experienced more true happiness and contentment than the plodding, calculating, and money seeking people of the present day. This was the character of the settlers who occupied this country before the arrival of the Yankees; a class now entirely extinct, or lost sight of by the present population; but it is one which unites the present with the past, and for whom the old settlers entertain feelings of veneration and respect. H. S. Baird says: --- "During the early years of my residence here at Green Bay, the social circle, although limited, was by no means insignificant. It was composed of the families of the garrison and the Americans, and several of the old settlers. If it was small, it was also united by the ties of friendship and good feeling. Free from the formalities and customs which are observed by the elite of the present day, we met to enjoy ourselves, more like members of one family than as strangers. The young people of that period (and all felt young then) would assemble on a few hours' notice at the house of a neighbor, without form or ceremony. Young ladies were then expected to appear at an early hour in the evening, and not at the usual hour of retiring to rest; nor were they required to appear in court or fancy dresses. The merry dance followed, and all enjoyed themselves until the early hours in the morning. One custom prevailed universally among all classes, even extending to the Indians; that of devoting the holidays to festivity and amusement, but especially that of 'calling' on New Year's Day. This custom was confined to no class in particular. All observed it; and many met on that day, who did not again meet until the succeeding year. All then shook hands, and exchanged mutual good wishes. All old animosities were forgotten, all differences settled, and universal peace established. As time passed along, many changes took place. Other men and their families came in, and became a part and parcel of the community, introducing new ideas, and bringing with them the customs and habits of the places from which they removed. The title acquired by the government, by treaties with the Indians, and these lands being surveyed and brought into market, and offered at a mere nominal price, increased the number of settlers from the eastern and other States. By energy and perseverance, they surmounted all obstacles, and by their courage and firmness; and to them is owing the development of the country, the opening the way for the introduction of civilization, education, and the arts and sciences; and to them should be awarded the merit of having largely contributed, by their talents and labor, to the formation and organization of the territory, now State of Wisconsin. Not many years ago, the whole State of Wisconsin, except Green Bay and Prairie du Chien, was a wilderness, with here and there a settler, and those in the lead-region in the southwestern part. It seems almost incredible to think, or in any way realize what has since taken place, as it seems almost like enchantment. But the delights of pioneer life carried with them many difficulties and hardships. C. M. Baker, in his address at the old settlers' meeting of Walworth county, in 1869, says: "I have spoken of the men who first settled old Walworth; but what, old comrades in this life-battle in the wilderness that was, what of our companions, the women? "Most of them had been delicately reared, and were accustomed to the luxuries and refinements of cultivated society; and most, or all, had good homes, with the necessaries and conveniences of life in abundance, and were surrounded by kind friends and dear relatives. To these they had been bred; to all these they were strongly attached. But these ties were sundered, these homes were left behind, when, after the last trunk was packed, and the last farewell was sadly uttered, they set their faces westward for a new life and a new home, they knew not whither; but they knew it must be among strangers. They shared with us the toils of the journey, the weary miles of sunshine and storm, as we journeyed on and onward. The partook with us of the coarse fare and rude accommodations of the wagon and wayside, the canal-boat and the steamer, the log-tavern, and the bivouac under the open heavens, all this they encountered without murmuring, and cheerfully. "And when, late in autumn or early spring, it may be, in the cold storm, or driving mists and chilly winds that cut to the bone, they took their departure from Chicago or Milwaukee, the last outposts of civilization over those low, lonely prairies which surrounded the one, or through the gloomy forests which enveloped the other, over dismal roads beset with ruts or stumps, without sign of cultivation or human habitation, then it was that the hour of bitter trial came to their hearts; then it was, that, amid their loneliness and utter heart-desolation, the dear homes and kindred they had left, rose up before them, and, through their tears, they looked down upon the little ones who clung to them. But not a murmur, not a word of regret or repining, escaped them. The feelings, too deep for utterance, which swelled within them, were smothered in their bosoms. When we, at last (some later, some earlier), had found a place where to make a home in these pleasant groves and prairies, pleasant to us men; for here there were herds of bounding deer, and flocks of wild fowl, the wolf and the sand-hill crane, and game, large and small, to give us sport. The lakes and streams abounded in fish, and we could take them at our will. The country was all open, and free to roam over as one great park. There was excitement for us in all this, suited to our rougher natures and coarser tastes. We could roam and fish or hunt as we pleased, amid the freshness and beauties of nature. "But how was it for our wives? From all these bright, and, to us, fascinating scenes and pastimes, they were excluded. The were shut up with the children in log-cabins, when they were fortunate enough to get them, rude huts, without floors often, and, not unfrequently, without doors or windows, while the cold, bleak winds of March and December whistled through them. Frequently they were covered with shakes fastened on with poles, between which the stars at night looked down upon the faithful mother and her sleeping infants. Here, in one small room, filled, perhaps, with smoke; without furniture, except a little of the rudest kind, rough slab stools, an equally rough table, and a bedstead, if any, made of poles fastened into the house; without kitchen-utensils, save, perchance, a kettle, a skillet, and a frying-pan; destitute of crockery, and with a little tinware, they were called upon to do, unaided, the duties of a housewife. With these conveniences and these surroundings, they took upon them for weeks and months, and even for years, the burden of their households in a continued struggle with hinderances and perplexities. These were the heroic women to whom our hearts did homage; and I should fail in my duty at this time, if, in the roll-call of worthy and honorable names, they should not be remembered." TSS - After reading this my thoughts were of saluting the pioneers, heroic men and women who settled not only Wisconsin but the entire country under circumstances probably not much different than these. Tim