TOOLESBORO.

pg 291

Toolesborough was laid out by William L. Toole on the northwest quarter of section 11, township 73, range 2. It appears from the certificates on this plat that the original was filed for record with J. S. Rinearson, recorder for Louisa county, Wisconsin Territory, on July 23, 1837, and was re-entered for record on May 7, 1840. There is a certificate of John Gilliland, county surveyor, dated May 2, 1840, stating that he had examined by actual survey and admeasurement the plat and plan of the town of Toolesborough heretofore laid out by William L. Toole, situate in the northwest quarter of section 11, 75-2, and that it corresponded "with the plan to which these marginal notes are annexed."

Frank's addition to Toolesborough was laid out by Franklin Bras, May 10, 1856, on lot No. 6 of section 11, 73-2.

pg 292

Toolesboro was the first place settled in the county and at that time was called Black Hawk. It was for many years the manufacturing and commercial center of the county. When it was first settled the Iowa river ran close under the bluff and near the town, and there was good river communication for seven or eight months in the year. It was the pioneer port of entry for Louisa county. It also had the first post office in the county, having been established May 27, 1837, with William L. Toole as the first postmaster. Elisha Hook was appointed postmaster May 5. 1838, and William L. Toole was again appointed May 3, 1842. Charles N. Cleveland was appointed June 26, 1845. Jared H. Trask was appointed February 2, 1846. Nathaniel G. Fitch was appointed January 21, 1847. William L. Toole was again appointed April 20th, 1848. Jared H. Trask was appointed a second time on February 28, 1851. William L. Toole was appointed for the fourth time on August 4, 1852. Robinson C. Palmer was appointed June 10, 1856. Albert W. Parsons was appointed July 17, 1856. George W. Graves June 25, 1858, George H. Mosier September 18, 1861.

Toolesboro is one of the most beautiful locations to be found anywhere. There is probably no more sightly place anywhere on the Mississippi river. Standing on one of the mounds that fringes the brow of the bluff, the eye can sweep across tree tops and river fully ten miles to the bluff on the opposite side, and up and down the Mississippi for twenty or thirty miles.

In its palmy days Toolesboro had two distilleries, three mills, for grinding corn, one for wheat, as well as some good stores and a fair sized warehouse.

John Hale said that when he came to Toolesboro in 1839 the following houses were to be seen, viz: On the hill were W. D. Palmer's, then Cadwell's, who kept a little store and a big barrel of whiskey, and afterwards had a distillery under the hill; William L. Toole's store and post office; then Elisha Hook's and a log schoolhouse opposite. This was the first school building built in Louisa county; a cabin near Hook's, occupied by some family forgotten. Nearby was a double log cabin occupied by Maximilian Eastwood, and in flaming red letters the sign: "M. E. Inn." This was probably the first tavern in Louisa county. Close to this was another cabin occupied by Simeon Bartemas and wife.

Under the hill were the following buildings: One occupied by a family by the name of Mitchell; next George W. Fleming's, then Henry Sheets, his wife and sister, Mrs. Ruth Guest; Jonas Ruffner's house, and nearby his grist mill. He ground both corn and wheat but couldn't bolt the flour; this was sifted by the housewives at home. William Medler's and another cabin, and a sort oi tenement house completed the list.

C. H. Fisk was the first permanent preacher located here, but the noted circuit rider of the Methodist church, Peter Cartwright, is believed to have preached here at a very early day. At one time the Rev. G. N. Power, a brother of Judge J. C. Power of Burlington was the regular Methodist minister stationed at Toolesboro, and spent a winter there.

For a description of the "Old Fort" at Toolesboro, see the chapter on the "Mound Builders."

Ezra F. Dennison who was perhaps the leading merchant of Toolesboro in his time, and also a pork packer, is said to have had the biggest wedding ever "pulled off" in this part of the country. It took place on July 12th, 1842, under a big oak tree, at the foot of the bluff almost on the line between Louisa and Des .Moines ...

pg 293

... counties. The bride was Miss Mary L. Staige, daughter of Richard Staige, a prominent settler and land owner in what is now Eliot township. He owned the Edwards farm. The marriage ceremony was performed by Justice Bras, while the bride, groom, and about 100 guests were all on horseback. After the ceremony the entire company went to the home of the groom at Toolesboro. The ferry boat and a dozen or more skiffs put them across the Iowa river in time for a big dinner, at which there were something like 500 guests. John Hale built the big oven, in which the pigs, turkeys, chickens and ducks were roasted.

Geo. H. Mosier was for a long time the merchant of Toolesboro, and ranked among the best merchants, and among the leading public men of the county.

John Dennison about 1846 made crocks in Toolesboro for several months.

At one time Toolesboro had an incorporated manufacturing concern. In February, 1844, the Legislature incorporated the ''Toolesboro Manufacturing Company" with William Shepherd, Daniel West, H. D. Smith, Ezra F. Dennison, Jonathan Parsons and William L. Toole as incorporators. The capital stock was limited to $40,000.00 in shares of $100.00 each, and the company was authorized to take from the Iowa river sufficient water for their purposes at a point on said river nearly opposite Iowa Town, and convey the same over or through any suitable grounds by means of a canal, race or water-way to a point at or near Toolesboro.

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