Platteville fort(s)?

[Robert Braun]

Has anyone come across information that there may have been more than one blockhouse defending the Lebanon/Platteville diggings?

[Larry Koschkee]

I have always had a suspicion that there was a second fortifcation near Platteville other than than the one erected on Rountree's property because someone named a creek south of Platteville "Block House"

John Freeman's, District Surveyor, Map of Grant County, Wisconsin Territory, 1842 shows a man by the name of Carson on the section lines of 33 & 34 at the juncture of a small branch and the creek. A cluster of mining icons are indicated there. The only icons on the whole creek.

Now this location is approx. 3 miles due south of Platteville... Block House Creek is on the 1881 map I sent to you... The earliest naming of the creek on a map in my possession is a 1877 Grant County Plat Book.

I have had conversations in the past about Block House Creek with respected Grant County local historian and President of the Grant County Historical Society Mr. Jon Angeli and former President Mr. Albert Weber. They have no definitive information...

By the way, Bob, have you researched two forts at Gratiot's Grove??

LWK

[Larry Koschkee]

Well Bob... I guess I was waiting for a "quid pro quo" answer to my question on this thread. Will continue without it.

Perhaps you have this information in your person already since you were putting together a talk or presentation at the OLRHS on the subject of forts of the western Michigan Territory. However maybe the rest of the world would like this fort info.

During the "Winnebago War" in summer of 1827 Ebenezer Brigham and Thomas Shanley came from Galena and Hardscrabble "with a company of eight men and built a fort for their protection" on the stream which today is named "Block House Branch" or "Block House Creek". The fort was vacated in the fall of 1827 after the Indian troubles were over...

Source: Independent American, Jan 25, 1845 by Anon..."History of Platteville"

FORT DODGE

Hollman in his autobiography (Autobiography of Frederick G. Hollman, published Dec 10, 1920 through Feb 4, 1921 in the Grant County News, Platteville, WI), names the fort in Platteville. ... "All the inhabitants of the lead mine region immediately prepared for their own safety by building log forts, or "blockhouses" as they were termed, near the settlements, inside of which they could take refuge in case of attack upon the part of "Blackhawk" or his followers. In Platteville the miners and others built a blockhouse of considerable strength, with a stockade out side. It was two stories high; the upper story was to be occupied by the women and children; the lower story was for the armed men who were to defend the fort and the occupants."

This combination blockhouse and stockade was described in "History of Grant County," 1881, pg 679... "was located on the property of Mr. Rountree, diagonally opposite the present site of the Gates House, and abundantly fulfilled its object. The stockade was circular in form, about 100 feet in diameter, and the block-house full twenty feet square."

One can cite its location today as located on the Rountree homestead across Pine Street at the foot of Oak Street.

Continuing with Hollman's account... "A blockhouse was also built on the stream south of Platteville, now known as "Blockhouse branch", but was not used. A blockhouse was also built at Elk Grove, but being full soon after the first alarm, I concluded to go with my family to Platteville. We left everything on the farm as Mr. Rountree had kindly invited myself and family to his house, which was near the fort, which was known as "Fort Dodge".

The question I ponder about Hollman's account of a second blockhouse built south of Platteville; was this built in 1832 or perhaps was this in fact the "Winnebago War" blockhouse built in 1827, rebuilt or retrofitted?

Larry Koschkee

[Robert Braun]

Larry said:

Well Bob... I guess I was waiting for a "quid pro quo" answer to my question on this thread. Will continue without it.

Apologies, Larry. No slight meant or intended here. I saw your initial post, meant to reply, and obviously was distracted.

My answer to your question re the Gratiot's Grove fort(s) is that I continue to have questions regarding the presumptive site of the fort. Until I can nail that down, my information is tentative... and I reported same during my talk on the forts. I hope to post an update here in the near future.

Regarding the second blockhouse south of Platteville, my sense is that (based on your information) it was a Winnebago War construction that was not used in 1832, in favor of the newer construction. Costello Holford in his History of Grant County p. 456 alluded to the second blockhouse in the Platteville area: “Another blockhouse was built on Blockhouse Branch, on the farm of Ebenezer M. Orn, the one platted by John Dixon in 1828.”

BTW, did you know Costello Holford was a Civil War veteran? Served in the Thirty-third Wisconsin Infantry, Company "D" (Blakes Prairie Rangers) and was actively involved in several campaigns of the regiment, including Vicksburg.

[jonella]

Although this may not be the definitive answer on whether the fort on E. M. Orn's farm was used during the Black Hawk War, it certainly lends credibility to those who believe it was not.

In March 2000 I received from Jim Hansen of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, a transcription of the muster roll of Captain Irvin O'harra's company of Iowa (county) Militia, stationed at Fort Dodge (Platteville) from July 4, 1832 to August 20, 1832. Among the 33 men listed were my great-great-great-grandfather, Robert R. Green, two men who may be relatives of his--Benjamin Green and Washington Farmer, and E. M. Orn. A note says Orn was listed on the Pay Roll as Eben. M. Orn.

If Mr. Orn was at Fort Dodge, it doesn't seem very likely anyone was at the fort on his farm. That just doesn't seem logical to me!

I will gladly furnish a copy of this muster roll. Let me know how best to send it.

Joni

[Larry Koschkee]

Joni... you make an interesting point connecting Mr. Orn's militia assignment, under Captain O'Harra, to Fort Dodge, which could suggest there was no defensive activity in 1832 at the strong point located at his farm.

I for one would like Captain O'Harra's company muster roll posted on this message board and perhaps if you would be so kind as to send a hard copy of Mr. Jim Hansen's transcription to the Secretary of the OLRHS to be archived.

What I am trying to sort out of the two militia companies formed at Fort Dodge is there are two Irving O'Harra's, one as listed as a private in J. H. Rountree's company and of course the other Captain of a militia company.

Professor James A. Wilgus in his History of Old Platteville, 1827-1835 claimed he had a copy of Roundtree's offical company muster roll and Irvin O'Harra was listed as a Private. Butterfield's History of Grant County,1881, page 678 lists a Irwin O'Hara.

Thanks for your contribution to this discussion board.

Larry Koschkee

[jonella]

Larry,

I will gladly furnish the copies to the OLRHS. How best should I submit it to the website?

The questions regarding two Irvin (Irwin) O'harra's is really quite simple. First, read J. H. Rountree's roster on the website, including notes at the end. The dates for his company to be stationed at Fort Dodge are May 17 to June 17. O'harra was a private then, but was promoted to Capt. and his unit was at Fort Dodge from July 4, 1832 to August 20, 1832. Coincidently, a couple of the same names appear in both units.

So there was only one Irvin O'harra--or however it is properly spelled! As a genealogist, I have found that spelling is something to be taken lightly--if it could be spelled ten or fifteen ways, than it probably was!!

Joni

[Larry Koschkee]

Joni...

I did not have a copy of the muster roll for Captain Irvin O'Harra's company, therefore could not make a connection.

Thanks for connecting the dots. This is just another example why it would be beneficial to have the complete muster rolls of Henry Dodge's companies.

Larry K.

[Larry Koschkee]

While researching the life of Col Joseph Dixon, Black Hawk War veteran, conflicting accounts of a blockhouse south or southwest of Platteville emerged.

In this thread Robert Braun said: "Costello Holford in his HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY, p. 456 alluded to the second blockhouse in the Platteville area: "Another blockhouse was built on Blockhouse Branch, on the farm of Ebenezer M. Orn, the one platted by John Dixon in 1828."

A conflicting source is found in C. W. Butterfield's, HISTORY OF GRANT COUNTY, 1881, p. 919. In the biographical sketch of Joseph Robinson: "Forty acres of his present farm he bought of the U. S. Government, it having been reserved as mineral land. His brother, Thomas Robinson, also bought 40 acres, and both created log cabins, which stood somewhat near the "Branch" than do the substantial brick structures which replaced them. His 40 acres was the site of the block-house built by the settlers during the Black Hawk War, and Mr. R. well remembers plowing over the old rifle-pits."

Joseph Dickson's original land holdings was located in the NW 1/4 or section 27, T3, R1W in what is now the Town of Platteville, Grant County, WI., and it is true that Judge Ebenezer M. Orn purchased this farm. This farm is not located on the main stream called Blockhouse Branch or Creek, rather a spring emerges from this piece of ground and flows southwesterly in a intermitient watershed.

My view is - the Butterfield account is most likely accurate which places the "Blockhouse" in the SW 1/4, section 25 of the Town of Platteville.

"OLD RIFLE-PITS"? Are we talking about "fox-holes" here?

Larry

[richw]

Larry,

Airphotos indicate there may have been a square structure just east of Block House Rd. where it makes a sharp 'V' and joins 80/81. The square patch is east of Block House Rd. and north of the un-named creek. The area appears to be wooded today.

It may be nothing, but who knows?

My hypothesis is that "rifle pits" merely indicate that the fortification was trenched. If the square area on the airphoto is a trench, start excavating!

As for land patents, SW 1/4 of sec 25 (the area in question) would be the later (1848) patent for the Robinsons.

Patentees:
JOSEPH ROBINSON,
THOMAS ROBINSON

5/1/1845

NWNE 
25/ 
3-N  2-W 
4th PM - 1831 MN/WI 
WI 
Grant 

Mineral Point
Authority:
April 24, 1820: Sale-Cash Entry (3 Stat. 566)

Also:
9/1/1848

W½SW 
25/ 
3-N  1-W 
4th PM - 1831 MN/WI 
WI 
Grant 

**************

EBENEZER M ORN
Survey

State:
WISCONSIN
Acres:
80
Title Transfer

Issue Date:
5/1/1845
Land Office:
Mineral Point
Authority:
April 24, 1820: Sale-Cash Entry (3 Stat. 566)
W½NW 
27/ 
3-N 1-W 
4th PM - 1831 MN/WI 
WI 
Grant 

[Larry Koschkee]

Rich,

I agree the "old rifle pits" referred to in the historical account were probably trenches of some sort.

The prospect of a blockhouse footprint showing up in an airphoto is extremely interesting. The suggested location you have given lies approximately 440 to 880 yards due east of the area I have focused my research.This focus is in the NE 1/4 of SW 1/4 Section 25, south of Block House Road and north of the creek.

I have researched the General Land Office Survey notes for a reference to the Robinson brothers, but no luck. The 1833 survey does locate "Major Rountree's" and "Ornes." In a week or two I am hoping to review David Dale Owen's 1839 Map for a possible location of the Robinson's then visit the area for the second time.

Thanks for your observations.

Larry

[Robert Braun]

Larry, I agree with you that the 2d blockhouse site in Platteville is more reliably described in Butterfield's volume. Where Holford got his info is a mystery--- and I have suspected that his mention was a touch more "anecdotal" than authoritative.

I would love to see the presumptive location of this blockhouse on a map.

Best to you,

Bob.

[Larry Koschkee]

Hello Bob,

Great to hear from you. It has been too long.

Regarding a map location for the blockhouse... last weekend I viewed a Grant County plat book map dated 1868. The property locations of the Robinson brothers was same as the 1877 Grant County plat book map.

I still need to view a David Dale Owen 1839 map to assist my research. Will post results.

Larry

[Robert Braun]

Larry, are you comfortable with the presumptive location of Fort Dodge?

Bob.

[Larry Koschkee]

Bob,

Today I feel quite confident that Fort Dodge was located on the northeast corner of the present day Oak and Pine street intersection in Platteville. Several accounts seem to confirm this. A more contemporary, although secondary, source was Dr. Harris Palmer.

As you may well know, Dr. Harris Palmer conducted a great deal of research on early smelter sites in the mining district and as a consequence collected various references to militia forts. His research material can be found in the Wisconsin Room of the University of Wisconsin - Platteville. Dr. Palmer placed Fort Dodge at Oak and Pine street with the surveyor notes of Thomas Hugil who was contracted to lay out a village in 1835.