Tuttle, Charles R.   
An illustrated history of the state of Wisconsin : being a complete civil, 
political, and military history of the state, from its first exploration down 
to 1875 : including a cyclopaedia of legislation during the administration of 
each governor, from the organization of the territorial government down to 
Governor Taylor : with historical and descriptive sketches of each county in 
the state separately, embracing interesting narratives of pioneer life, 
including an account of the commercial, agricultural, and educational growth of 
Wisconsin
Boston, Mass.: B.B. Russell, 1875, 

Pages 693 - 694

   WALWORTH COUNTY.--The soil of this county consists of a clay and black loam, 
most of it of an excellent quality.  The prairie-soil of this county is equal 
in fertility to any in the North-west.   The county contains 144,640 acres of 
land, all owned by actual settlers, and about three-fourths of it under 
cultivation of the varieties of crops raised in the county, there has been but 
little change in the past ten years.  Wheat, corn and oats continue to be the 
leading crops.  Broom-corn is raised to a far greater extent than formerly.  
Not less than five hundred tons of brush were raised in 1870.  Hops have been 
raised to a considerable extent during the past three years.  No new varieties 
of grain have come into popular favor in the past ten years, though a 
considerable effort has been made by interested parties to introduce the Norway 
or Ramsdale oat, at fabulous prices; but the only profit secured, so far, has 
been bagged by the parties selling the seed.
   In the manufacturing industries, there has been a marked improvement within 
the past decade.  Ten years ago the manufactures of the county were limited to 
a few agricultural implements, and flour, with a small amount of lumber sawn 
form the trees of our native forests.  In 1870 the manufactories turned out 
articles of considerable over a million dollars in value, exclusive of flour 
and feed.  The past decade has witnessed a very great improvement in farm-
buildings and farm-improvements generally.  The old log-houses have nearly gone 
the unsightly straw-covered stables and granaries.
   A marked improvement is noticeable in fruit-raising.  The orchards have not 
only greatly increased in number an extent, but have improved in thrift and 
general appearance.  The small fruits are also raised in vastly greater 
quantities.  All hardy varieties of berries prove productive and profitable.  
Grapes are also raised to a considerable extent.  In public buildings there has 
been a decided improvement during the past decade, especially in school-
buildings.
   Hog-raising and pork-making have increased in a marked degree, and, for the 
past ten years, have given the farmers the fairest sum of net profit of any 
branch of industries.  In this branch of industry, there is the most radical 
and noticeable change.  Up to 1860, a very large per cent of pork raised in the 
county was slaughtered on the farm; now but a very small per cent, it being 
mostly sold on foot, and taken to the cities for slaughter.
   Geneva Lake, ten miles long and three wide, Delavan Lake, Lauderdale Lake, 
Silver Lake, and others in the county, are beautiful bodies of water, and, 
together with the numerous creeks and streams, afford an abundance of delicious 
fish.  Whitewater is the largest village in the county, and has many large 
manufacturing establishments, among which may be mentioned Esterly's reaper and 
seeder shops, and Winchester's wagon-shops, both of which do a very large 
business, and add very much to the prosperity of the village.
  At Delavan is located the Deaf and Dumb Asylum of the State.  Elkhorn is the 
county-seat of the county; and both of these are beautiful and thriving 
villages.
   The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad runs through the northern part of the 
county, the Western Union through the central; and the Chicago and Lake 
Superior Air line, and the other lines, are in prospect.
   The schools throughout the county are in excellent condition, the climate 
salubrious and healthy, and the people generally intelligent and thrifty.
   Whitewater is a flourishing village, situated on the Milwaukee and St. Paul 
railroad, in the northwestern part of Walworth County, and about half-way 
between Madison and Milwaukee.  It is surrounded by a rich agricultural 
district, and has an excellent business for it s superior facilities for 
shipping grain and produce.  Manufacturing by water-power, one of the most 
important essentials to its prosperity, is carried on extensively; there being 
a large paper-mill in successful operation, and several flouring mills.  Two of 
the important institutions here are Esterly's Reaper Factory, and the 
establishment of Winchester, Partridge & Company, manufacturers of lumber-
wagons, ploughs, road-scrapers, thimble-skeins, &c ; and the superior quality 
of their workmanship is such, that a ready sale is promoted throughout the 
State.  The State Normal School is one of the finest specimens of the 
architecture in Southern Wisconsin; is located in the suburbs, upon a sightly 
elevation; and the efficient corps of teachers, and the extraordinary success 
attending its management, speak for it a high degree of popularity and 
usefulness.

Submitted By:  Sandy
(scarletgen@yahoo.com)