- The year 1835 marks the first step
towards the settlement of this town. The
- settlement began at the site of the
present city of Beloit, at which point all the settlers were
gathered until after the land sale, which took place in February,
1839. Caleb BLODGETT was the first man who settled in
this township. In 1837 the New England colony, under the active
agency of Dr. Horace WHITE, settled on a portion of Blodgett's
claim, which they purchased. From this time dates the rising
of the social community of the town, as with their coming schools
and religious societies were established. The first school-house
was built in 1839, and the expense defrayed by the voluntary
offereing of the citizens. The first sermon was preached in a
shanty building by Rev. Prof. WHITMAN, a Baptist minister.
The town in well watered and timbered, and is one of the wealthiest
agricultural towns in the county. Most of the farms are large
and under a high state of cultivation. The improvements are first
class. Beloit City furnishes a good and reliable market for all
the products of the surrounding country.
|
