Ebenezer Brigham
Ebenezer Brigham | |
---|---|
Born | Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, United States | April 28, 1789
Died | September 14, 1861 | (aged 72)
Nationality | American |
Occupation(s) | Businessman, militia officer and politician |
Known for | Early Wisconsin pioneer and miner; first American permanent settler to live in present-day Dane County, Wisconsin. |
Relatives | David Brigham, brother Prescott Brigham, brother Jerome R. Brigham, nephew |
Ebenezer Brigham (April 28, 1789 – September 14, 1861) was a 19th-century American pioneer, businessman, and politician. He was one of the first Americans to explore southwestern Wisconsin and the first permanent settler in present-day Dane County, Wisconsin.[1] A militia officer during the Black Hawk War, he served as commander of Fort Blue Mounds (or Mound Fort) and was active in both the Wisconsin territorial council, and the Wisconsin State Assembly during the 1840s and 1850s.[2]
Early life
Born in
Career
Working as a prospector, Brigham followed the Mississippi River by horseback and stayed at Galena in 1822. One of the earliest visitors to the area, he helped miner James Johnson build one of two log cabins at the camp. Returning to Springfield, Illinois, he left there with a team of oxen heading for the lead mines region of southwest Wisconsin to build his own mining camp.
He was originally part of a mining party which lived along the Platte River, only four miles from present-day Platteville, Wisconsin. However, the party soon left the area under threat from the local Winnebagos during the Winnebago War.[3]
In the spring of 1828, Brigham arrived in
Brigham is said to have discovered a lead deposit by chance, by throwing his cap in the air and digging where it fell.[5] By 1828, he had established a successful lead mine operation at Blue Mounds, as well as operating an inn and general store serving the local miners, local tribes and other travelers. His tavern became a popular stopover along the Old Military Trail,[6] and soon his small mining camp grew with settlers arriving from Illinois and within the Michigan Territory. He was honored by the Michigan territorial governor Lewis Cass and appointed a magistrate. He held the position of magistrate for four years, serving as justice of the peace, and from the winter of 1830–1831 until 1837, as postmaster of Moundville.[3]
During the
Death
He died at the home of his niece, a Mrs. H.G. Bliss, in Madison, Wisconsin on September 14, 1861, and was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery. Although the original cabins at the site had long since disappeared, the general store remained at Blue Mounds for over forty years as an historic landmark until it was destroyed in a fire in January 1877.[10] His part is now part of Blue Mound and Brigham County Park,[11] the latter being named in his honor.[12]
Legacy
In March 1910, his heirs donated the site of an old
References
- ^
- ^ Legler, Henry E. Leading Events of Wisconsin History: The Story of the State. Milwaukee: Sentinel Company, 1898. (pg. 153, 167, 176)
- ^ a b c "Chapter XI: Territorial, State and Congressional Representation" (PDF). History of Green County. South Central Library System. 2006-09-21.
- ^ Punchard, George. History of Congregationalism from about A.D. 250 to the Present Time. Boston: Congregational Publishing Society, 1881. (pg. 322)
- ISBN 0-9744358-0-5
- ^ Beck, J.D. Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin. Madison: Democrat Printing Company, 1903, p. 928.
- ^ Strong, Moses M. History of the Territory of Wisconsin, from 1836 to 1848. Madison: Democrat Printing Co., 1885. (pg. 222, 224)
- ^ Durrie, D.S. (2004). "Ebenezer Brigham (1789–1861)". Dictionary of Wisconsin History. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
- ^ Park, William J. Madison, Dane County and Surrounding Towns: Being a History and Guide. William J. Park & Co., 1877. (pg. 241)
- ISBN 0-915024-85-3
- ISBN 1-931599-29-7
- ^ Shambaugh, Benjamin F., ed. Iowa Journal of History and Politics, Vol. III. Iowa City, Iowa: State Historical Society of Iowa, 1910. (pg. 305)
- ^ Rooney, Elizabeth (2002). "Introducing "All Miracle", A Four Volume Series of Poetry". Brigham Farm Publishing.