St. Croix County Biographies and Historical Sketches
Rush River, Somerset & Springfield Townships

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St. Croix County Townships Map
St. Croix County (1909)
Early History of St. Croix County
Villages, Townships & Municipalities
St. Joseph, Troy & Warren Townships
Stanton & Star Prairie Townships
Rush River, Somerset & Springfield Townships
Richmond Township, City of New Richmond
Kinnickinnic & Pleasant Valley Townships
Hudson Township & City of Hudson
Forest, Glenwood & Hammond Townships
Eau Galle, Emerald and Erin Townships
Baldwin, Cady & Cylon Townships
Rush River Township, Somerset Township, Springfield Township,
including the villages of Hersey and Wilson

Rush River Township

What is now Rush River township was settled shortly after the settlement at the mouth of the Willow River, now known as Hudson, and is therefore the second oldest settlement in the county. The township includes the eastern half of township 28, range 17, and was settled in 1850. Among the early settlers were Daniel McCartney, Amos Babcock, Joseph King, Stephen Claggit and Z. Travis. The town was set off from Kinnickinnic and organized in 1851, with Daniel McCartney as chairman of the board of supervisors. The first election was held at his home. The town is composed of rich farmland, is drained by the Rush river and has two villages, Warner and New Centerville. It is in the southern part of the county and is bounded by Hammond, Eau Galle and Pleasant Valley townships, and by Pierce County. Its early importance was due to the fact that it was crossed by the old Hudson and Prairie du Chien stage rout and was one of the resting-places for travelers along that route. The township contains 11,501 acres, valued at an average of $36.25, which is among the highest average values in farmland in the county. It has 300 horses, valued at $18,000; 1,020 neat cattle, valued at in 1909$14,420; 160 sheep, valued at $480, and 60 swine, valued at $300, from which it will quite easily be seen that dairying is an important industry. The total valuation of real estate is $424,400, total of personal property, $46,400, making a grand total of $470,800. Following is the acreage devoted to the various crops in Rush River township inn 1908; Wheat, 90; corn, 290; oats, 2,472; barley, 257; rye, 28; flaxseed, 263; potatoes, 36; sugar beets, 1; tobacco, 15; hay, 1,458; timber, 500. Reference: Taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published

Somerset Township

Somerset Township occupies sections 1 to 18 inclusive of township 30, range 19, two sections of township 30, range 20, and all of township 31, range 19, lying east of the St. Croix river. It is the largest township in the county, covering no less than 31,866 square acres with an average valuation of $15.32. It is the most northwestern of the townships of the county and is bounded by Star Prairie, Richmond and St. Joseph townships, Polk county and the St. Croix River. It is drained by the Apple River and small creeks flowing into the St. Croix. The surface is generally undulating but along the St. Croix and Apple rivers adrupt and hilly. The first settlers were French colonists at Apple River Falls, in 1851. They built a schoolhouse and a Catholic Church upon the bluffs below the falls. The falls of the Apple River, about one and a half miles above its junction with the St. Croix, is one of the finest of Wisconsin waterfalls. The township was organized September 19, 1856, with Thomas J. Chappell as chairman of supervisors. Mr. Chappell was also appointed postmaster at Apple River Falls in 1854. The township is crossed by railroad in the southern part. Its village, Somerset village, is located in the central part. The people of Somerset township have 495 horses, valued at $29,700; 2,390 cattle, valued at $33,460; 810 sheep and lambs, valued at $2,430; 370 swine, valued at $1,850. The real estate is valued at $516,500; personal property at $507,700, making a total valuation of $1,024,200. Following is the acreage devoted to the various crops in Somerset township in 1908: Wheat, 347; corn, 1,148; oats, 4,970; barley, 512; rye, 727; flaxseed, 26 ½ ; potatoes, 90; hay, 2,287. Reference: Taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909

Springfield Township

Springfield is one of the eastern tier of the townships of St. Croix county. It is bounded by Glenwood, Baldwin and Cady townships and Dunn County. Originally covered with timber it is now a fine farming country. It includes at the present time township 29, range 15, covers an area of 22,811 acres with an average valuation of $18.69 an acre. Its creeks flow in all directions, its slightly elevated land forming a watershed from which the waters gradually find their way to the Mississippi on one side and the Great Lakes on the other. At its organization, in 1860, Springfield embraced all of that which it now includes and also Baldwin, set off in 1872. Most of the early settlers were Union soldiers, among them being S. T. Adams, Thomas Ross, Isaac Burgitt and Captain Rogers. Springfield was organized November 15, 1860, with J. R. Ismon as chairman, and the Messrs. Perrina d Hall as supervisors. It is crossed in the southern part by the railroad and has two thriving villages, Hersey and Wilson. There are in the township 540 horses, valued at $32,400; 2,700 neat cattle, valued at $37,800; 830 sheep and lambs, valued at $2,490; 220 swine, valued at $1,100. The total value of real estate is $468,300; of personal property, $118,800, making a total of $587,100. Following is the acreage devoted to the various crops in Springfield township in 1908: Wheat, 10; corn, 421; oats, 2, 192; barley, 993; rye, 21; flaxseed, 100; potatoes, 42; sugar beets, 32; apple trees, 69; hay, 3,261. Reference: Taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909

Wilson Village

Wilson has a population of 260; Catholic, Lutheran and Methodist churches; one general store, and a similar establishment carrying agricultural implements; one bakery; one hotel; a creamery, and a blacksmith shop.

Hersey Village

Hersey has a population of 300; a Methodist church and graded school; a grocery store; one hotel; one meat market; flour and feed store; Cooperative Creamery Company; the St. Croix County Cooperative Company, general store (branch of Baldwin); supply company, wholesale and retail, teas, coffee and spices; two general stores, and a livery barn. Reference: Taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909

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