Cassville in Grant County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Village of Cassville
In 1836, area residents expected that Cassville would become the capital of the Wisconsin Territory. This location was considered central, as the Territory included all of Iowa, Minnesota, and part of the Dakotas. Banking on that prospect, Daniels, Denniston and Company was formed to plat and develop the village of Cassville.
According to his Journal, a young Nelson Dewey arrived in Cassville from New York in 1836 and was employed by the Company. The Company began construction of the Denniston House that same year and hoped that It would serve to house the legislators. Hopes collapsed when Madison was chosen as the capital in November 1836. The Company's plan was not to be realized.
Dewey became involved in politics and held several county and territorial offices. When statehood was achieved in 1848, he was elected Wisconsin's first Governor. In 1852, he resumed his Grant County law practice.
In 1855, Dewey returned to Cassville and purchased the bankrupt Company's interests. He made order out of a confusion of land titles, revived Cassville's commercial prospects, and attracted scores of settlers. The village prospered and was incorporated on March 28, 1882.
Dewey created a 2000-acre estate, west of Cassville, which he called Stonefield. Family problems, a fire that destroyed his home, and financial adversities left him a poor man. He died In July 1889 in the Denniston House, with only friends to care for his final needs. Remnants of his estate now comprise Nelson Dewey State Park and Stonefield Historic Site.
Cassville Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society
Erected 2007 by the Cassville Historical Society and the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 511.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 28, 1882.
Location. 42° 42.718′ N, 90° 59.373′ W. Marker is in Cassville, Wisconsin, in Grant County. Marker is at the intersection of Prime Street and Wall Street on Prime Street. Marker is along the Mississippi River in Riverside Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cassville WI 53806, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Denniston House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Cassville Veterans Memorial (about 800 feet away); Historic Cassville Ferry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mississippi Valley Overlook (approx. 5.6 miles away in Iowa); Pleasant Ridge (approx. 12.2 miles away); a different marker also named Pleasant Ridge (approx. 12.7 miles away); New Vienna Veterans Memorial (approx. 12.9 miles away in Iowa).
Also see . . .
1. Nelson Dewey. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on June 19, 2011.)
2. Nelson Dewey. Find A Grave memorial. (Submitted on June 19, 2011.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 809 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 19, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.