The village of Farmersburg was surveyed in March,
1858, by Norman Hamilton. It is situated on the
southwest corner of section 14, the southeast corner
of section 15, and the northwest corner of section
23. The proprietors were Silas T. Woodward, Joshua D.
Smith, Allen M. Cortis and others.
The first building erected on the site of the
village, was built in 1848 by Alva Hazen, and was
built of logs. It was soon after converted into a
school-house, and used as such for sometime for the
surrounding community. The next building was erected
by Joseph Shaft, on the corner of section 22, and was
afterward fitted up by A.M. Cortis for a residence.
The next house was built in 1852 by Silas T.
Woodward, one of the early pioneers of Farmersburg,
and now a resident of Elkader. He built it for a
store, and purchased a few dollars worth of goods at
Prairie du Chien; but he never opened store, and used
his building as a school-house, while he performed
the duties of teacher. In 1853, P.R. Moore brought
from Galena the first goods of any note, purchased
the building of Mr. Woodward, and opened the first
store in the village.
The first blacksmiths were Messrs. Peter &
Slaughter. W. W. Goodwin came soon after. He has
followed his trade for twenty-six years. Mr. Alger
was the first shoemaker. He is now in Dakota.
A saw-mill was built in 1855, by William Harrar.
This burned down, and was rebuilt by Calvin Miller.
It is now used as a store-house and stable.
The school is graded into two departments. It was
begun twenty-six years ago. The teachers are Lucy
Kingsley and Inez Woodward. The first sermon in the
village was preached by a Rev. Mr. Wood.
The village was originally named Farmersburg, and
in 1854, when the postoffice was located there, the
name of National was selected for the Postoffice. The
first Postmaster was Isaac Stoddard. He was succeeded
by N. Slaughter in 1856, the present incumbent. The
amount of business done annually is about $100.
There is here a lodge of A.F. & A.M.,
organized in 1868 by T.D. White, W.A. Knight, A.M.
Peters, N. Slaughter and J. H. Francis. Present
officers are: John Everall, W.M.; E.C. White, S.W.;
James T. Adams, J.W.; A.C. Buck, Treasurer; N.
Slaughter, Secretary. There are at present
twenty-eight members. The lodge is in a flourishing
condition, financially and otherwise.
Religious.
The Congregational Church was organized in a log
house, in September, 1853. Services had been held as
early as 1844, by Rev. James J. Hill. Richard Everall
and Holsey W. Wakeman, were the first Deacons. Rev.
Littlefield was the second pastor. Next came Rev.
D.B.Davidson, who was succeeded by Rev. Giles M.
Porter. In 1860 Rev. Mr. Upton came to the pulpit,
and after him came Rev. M.M.Wakeman. During his
pastorate steps were taken to build a church. In 1873
Rev. Beriah King was chosen to the pastorate, and he
remained here till his death in January, 1875. After
that came Rev. H.M. Barlett, of the Chicago
Theological School. He was succeeded by Rev. E.C.
Downs, and he by Rev. Nelson Clark. He died in 1880,
and Rev. Joel Beattie then came to the pulpit. The
church was built in 1879, at a cost of $2,114. The
lot cost $100, and the bell $172.43. The bills for
carpets, organ, etc., made the total cost $2,672.26.
The first Trustees were : Edwin Sherman, W. W.
Goodwin and Washington Hudson. The present Trustees
are Edwin Sherman, John Dice and William Reed. The
present membership is about twenty. The Sunday-school
was organized in 1877, Rev. E.C.Downs being the first
Superintendent. The present Superintendent is
H.M.Bailey. The average attendance is twenty-five.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in
1847, by Rev. E. Howard. The first members were Cyrus
A. Buch and wife, Nathaniel Wood and wife, W.C.
Linton and wife, and Sidney Wood and wife. The first
Trustees were W.C.Linton, Sidney and Nathaniel Wood.
The first services were held in the log school-house
in Pioneer District. Among the various pastors, which
this church has had were E. Howard, S.H. Greenup, J.
L. Kelly, A. Bishop (in whose pastorate the building
of the church was commenced), J.R. Cameron, William
Cummings, John Webb and H.H.Hammond (under whose lead
the church was refitted at a cost of $1,000). William
Loose succeeded Mr. Hammond, and after him came
Nathaniel Jones, the present pastor. There have been
several revivial seasons of great success. The house
of worship was erected in 1855. It is thirty by forty
feet, and cost $1,000. The present officers of the
church are : N.H. Collar, D.L. Renshaw, S.H. Buck,
William and Joseph Neil, William Massey and W. C.
Linton. The present membership is about thirty-five.
The Sunday-school was started soon after the
organization of the church. N. Wood was the first
Superintendent. The Superintendent at the present
time is L.M. Hollingsworth. The average attendance is
forty.
Second Methodist Episcopal Church was organized
May 26, 1866, and the first members of the society
were William Neil, John H. Bellis, Charles Alery,
P.M. White, G.B. Wakeman and Willaim Massey. The
articles of incorporation were witnessed by J.E.
Corlett, Justice of the Peace. The Trustees are:
William Neil, William Massey, J.E. Corlett, Charles
Alery, John H. Bellis, J.J. Neil and Elisha Benson.
The first services were held in the school-house near
by in 1852. Rev. Bishop preached the first sermon.
Rev. N. Jones is the present pastor. The erection of
the church was begun in 1866. It is thirty-two by
fifty-six feet, and cost $2,500. It was completed and
dedicated in 1870. The present membership is twenty.
Etta Neil is Superintendent of the Sunday-school,
which contains thirty-five children.
