Items from County Histories
History of Crawford & Richland Counties, Wisconsin
1884p 771 "In the fall of 1843 Mr. Water, his brother, James Andrews and Vincent B. Morgan first visited Pine river valley" "... settled all along the northern shore of the Wisconsin river." "... Thomas J. Parrish,... in 1841...V.B. Morgan in 1842." "...Thomas Parrish in 1843.,...up the Pine river as far as Rockbridge and engaged in logging."
p 775"...it was during the year 1844, that Myron Whitcomb, John McKinney and family, Burrell McKinney, and Peter Waggner, joined the settlers in this infant colony [Rockbridge]..."
"...that united W. G. Parker to Emily McKinney, in the year, 1846 has the precedence in point of time above all others."
"The subject of the first child born in the county, is also a mooted question, but the birth of Melinda Morgan [daughter of V. B. and Elizabeth McKinney Morgan], which occurred in April 1843, is the earliest that can be found, and she is therefore, entitled to the honor of being the first born of this precinct."
"...during the years 1849 and 1850 Mary Melanthey, now Mrs. Joseph Elliott, presided over its destinies, as school mistress. This is no doubt the first district school in Richland County."
p 781 "John McKinney, however, before the erection of the mill, [1851-2] had a small mill driven by horse power, in which he could grind a sort of corn meal."
pp 852-4 Tell of the trial in which James McKinney is accused of being with Hugh Brooks when he fired the mill. The verdict came back as not guilty, quite a surprise to most people involved, including the defendant.
p 1216 "Edward Coumbe came to the county shortly after his brother, John, and settled on Sand Prairie. He remained there until 1848, when he traded his property to Thomas Elliott,... "
p 1217 "Vincent B. Morgan and George C. White also came at a verry early day. Morgan was a native of Georgia, and was a good natured, wholesouled fellow, weighing about 225 pounds. He took a claim on section 34, but never did much farming, preferring to hunt and fish. He died here in 1853."
p1220 "...V. B. Morgan, overseer of the poor...."
p 1221 " The first hotel was opened by Mr. isham. He sold to Joseph Elliott."
p 1222 "The first furniture dealer here was William Howell. He established business in 1881, and in 1882 was succeeded by John S. McKinney."
p 1223 "Thomas Elliott, company B, 49th Wisconsin Volunteers.
Southwestern Wisconsin: Old Crawford County
1932p 350 "Burril McKinney made settlement in July, 1849, on section 18, town 9, range 3 west. He brought his family, consisting of his wife and three children.... "
"The first log cabin was built by Burril McKinney."