Document text
Mr. Kerl
Cross Plains
Blacksmith-
tde ttie Smith
April 1, 1936
Mr. Otto Ken, father of the interviewed came from Germany
in 3.824-6. He. settled on a farm about two miles from Cross Plains.
There was no village there at that time. There were a few scattered
homes. The Sirnp sons, Hei ady and Haney familie were among the
earliest settlers in and near .Cross Plains. The Haney farm is nOw
known as the Mel Pick farm. It is located south -vest of the pratent
/village and, the original stone house still stands. Truly an old
landmark in that vicinity. It is believed this house was constructed.
in l$32 and is probably the oldest house in the state in use at the
present time. It is the oldest house in Dane county.
,,%,„-,..0......
Cross Plains was named so '.01:1-4t. of two distinct strips
of unwooded territorY that crossed in that locality. Some difference
in opinion is given. Mr. Ken l says the earliest settlers gave that as
the reason while others say that the two main Indian trails crossed r.
just east of the village. The one from Prairie du Chien to Green
Bay and the other from Galena to Ft. Winnebago Portage.
Otto Ken l lived near Cross Plains before the post office,
was established. there. A farmer. at Pine Bluff named. George P.
Thompson" was the post master in that locality. Approximately once:
week Mi. Karl went to call for his mail. One morning he 'found Mr:
'Thompson working in the. fields. When he inquired if there were letters
or him Mr. Thompson took off.. stovepipe', hat in which
r„.
Karl
carried the mail. lie sorted out the letters and. found. the ores for
Mr. ierl. This unique post °face and mail carrier, served. the early
pioneers until the post office was established at the ‘village of
Cross Plains. The first of the three villages plotted., and now united
was in the north eastern part of the village where the Catholic
church is located. There was a general store, operated by John and.
William Baer, in which the post office was conducted by, one of the
Baer brothers.
Early days in Cross plains were noted for there celebrations
and. ",lively times.,, There were many soldiers from Crose'Plains who3
served in the Civil: War and after their return picnics fallys and.
patriotic mee tinge were held. The re. we r e also church festivals
and socials.
Christiana was the name of the second village and was plotted.
west and slightly south of Cross Plains. The first depot was located
near the .mill pond where the road crosses the creek.
Later a man named Abija Fox who lived. apprthEimately a mile
west of Christiana offered. the railroad company a site for a new
depot. Another village was plotted and was called, Foxville. These
three villages combined to form one. The two business sections are
joined by one long street of redidences. There is- quite a long
distance between the depotz.J.tst Ifoiiille,and. the post office at
Christiana, now all known as Oross Plains. The et
0A17.7x,'
n operation
Karl 3 Smith
The early settlers saw many Indians in their journeyings. Mr.
Ken l said their visit -7ere periodical. Alen they heard the wolves
howl they knew the Indians were near. dolves usually trailed Indians
for deer meat.
Mr. Len l was born in 1859 and recalls many interesting incidents
that occurred in the vicinity of Cross Plains in pioneer days.
His father, Otto Z.erl, with a friend whose name was Conrad
Scheele, walked from Lilwaukee in 184-6 to take up land in the country
near which is now Cross Plains. They then walked to Liineral point
to file their claims at the Iedral land office there.
Then they walked back to Liilwaukee to purchases ages, tools
and necessary articles with which to build a log cabin.
Later ar. .derl made two trips to Milwaukee on foot to purchase
provisions. He walked to AkLadison many times.
There was a small English settlement near Marxville called
Half -way Prairie. A Mr.- Haney operated a state coach line from
Cross Plains to 6auk" City via alf-way Prairie.
The old Government trail was west of the present highway more
through the middle of the valley. Mr. Len said, the early settlers
endured hardships as "they were better able to !take it' for they
had. not been spoiled by good times.“