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Iowa County Fair History

History of the Iowa County Fair

Time Line of the Fair
The 1870's

The time line section of the Iowa County Fair History is organized by decade. The decades below with bold links have content:

 

  • 1900's
  • 1910's
  • 1920's
  • 1930's
  • 1940's

 

  • 1950's
  • 1960's
  • 1970's
  • 1980's
  • 1990's
  • 2000's

 

The time line is available in one 21 page .pdf file (opens new window)

1870

Dodgeville - Iowa County Agricultural Society

President: John Ellwood

Vice President: James Toay, William E Rowe, Harker Spensley

Secretary: W.L. Abbott

Treasurer: Samuel Hoskin

Dates: October 5, 6, & 7, 1870

Receipts: $3,123.60

Disbursement: $3,123.60

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg. 580).

Mineral Point- Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial Association

President: James Toay (Linden)

Vice President:

Secretary: S. D. Gaylord

Treasurer: George Henry

Dates: September 8, 9, 10, 1870

Receipts: None listed

Disbursement: None listed

(Resource: Newspaper article from the Dodgeville Chronicle August 4, 1870)

Newspaper Article from the Dodgeville Chronicle August 4, 1970 reported the first fair in Mineral Point was held in1870.

_ " Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial Association - A preliminary meeting of the citizens of Mineral Point and vicinity was held at the city hall in the afternoon of May 8, 1871, to discuss the propriety of organizing a society for the encouragement of agriculture and mechanical pursuits. The meeting was called to order by Dr. George D. Wilber, and, upon motion of John J. Ross, James Toay was appointed Chairman and William H. Peck, Secretary. After an exchange of views, a committee, consisting of Dr. G.D. Wilber, James H. Spensley and John J. Ross was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, which was reported and adopted at the next meeting of the society May 22, 1871. The organization being effected, the society then procured a lease of seventeen acres of land from John J. Ross, which they fitted up for, and held the first fair early in September of 1871. The excellent management of the officers and executive committee rendered this first effort a flattering success. A half-mile track for horse-racing was made, and succeeding fairs were held in 1872-1873. Early in 1874, the members of this society desiring to conform to the State Laws, and thereby receive State Aid, adopted March 5, Article of Association, signed by John H. Vivian, Thomas Priestley, R.D. Pulford, John Clowney, John J. Ross, H.M. Oliver, T.S. Ansley and John Hoare. The first section of those articles declared, 'This society shall be known and designated as 'The Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial Association,' and shall be located at the city of Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, where all its meetings, fairs and exhibitions shall be held. The purposes of this association are hereby declared to be the encouragement of the agricultural and mineral resources of Southwestern Wisconsin.' The membership of this society is limited to the territory embracing Iowa, LaFayette and Grant Counties. Successful fairs have been held annually, the society never yet failing to pay premiums and legitimate expenses in full. The association have just completed negotiations for the purchase of new ground, consisting of thirty acres, west of and adjoining Graceland Cemetery. This excellent location, when fitted with race course, floral hall, stalls, etc., will cost the society $3,500. The present (1881)floral hall was erected in 1875, at a cost of $1,200." (Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg.705-706 ).

1871

Dodgeville - Iowa County Agricultural Society

President: John Ellwood

Vice President: James Toay, L.W. Joiner, William E. Rowe

Secretary: John T. Pryor

Treasurer: Samuel Hoskins

Dates: September 20, 21, &22, 1871

Receipts: $1499.68

Disbursement: $ 1,314.87

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg.580 ).

Mineral Point- Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial Association

President: James Toay (Linden)

Vice President: William Bainbridge, (Mifflin) Isaac Comfort (Eden), Charles Dunn (M.P.), John J. Van Metre (or Vanmetra)(Fayette)

Secretary: S.D. Gaylord

Treasurer: George Henry

Receipts: None listed

Disbursement: None listed

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg.706).

1872

Dodgeville - Iowa County Agricultural Society

President: Samuel W. Reese

Vice President: James Toay, W.E. Rowe, John Lees

Secretary: John T. Pryor

Treasurer: Samuel Hoskins

Dates: September 17, 18 &19, 1872

Receipts: $1,066.81

Disbursements: $1,069.64

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg.580 ).

Mineral Point - Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial Association

President: James Toay

Vice President: William Buckingham, J.B. Johnson, I.C. Comfort, S. Harker

Secretary: T.S. Ansley

Treasurer: Thomas Priestly

Receipts: None listed

Disbursement: None listed

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg.706 ).

1873

Dodgeville - Iowa County Agricultural Society

President: Joel Whitman

Vice President: William Rowe, J. Hallum, Clark Hickcox

Secretary: John Ralph

Treasurer: Richard Carter

Dates: September 10, 11, &12, 1873

Receipts: $1,366

Disbursements: $ 1,321.95

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg.581 ).

Mineral Point - Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial Association

President: James Toay

Vice President: I.C. Comfort, J.B. Johnson, N. K. Van Metre, Cornelius De Long, J. McWilliam

Secretary: T.S. Ansley

Treasurer: Thomas Priestley

Receipts: None listed

Disbursements: None listed

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg.706 ).



1874

Dodgeville - Iowa County Agricultural Society

President: Joel Whitman

Vice President: William Rowe, J. Hallum, Clark Hickcox

Secretary: John Ralph

Treasurer: Richard Carter

Dates: September 23,24 & 25, 1874

Receipts: None listed

Disbursements: None listed

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg.581 ).

Mineral Point - Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial Association

President: John H. Vivian

Vice President: I.C. Comfort, J.Clowney, C. De Long, N. K. Van Metre, William Buckingham

Secretary: T.S. Ansley

Treasurer: Thomas Priestly

Receipts: None listed

Disbursements: None listed

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg.706 ).

1875

Dodgeville - Iowa County Agricultural Society

President: John Ellwood

Vice President: Richard Wade, Clark Hickcox, Joseph Hallum

Secretary: J.T. Prior

Treasurer: Samuel Hoskins

Dates: September 29, 30 & October 1, 1875

Receipts: None listed

Disbursements: None listed

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg.581 ).

Mineral Point - Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial Association

President: R.D. Pulford

Vice President: I.C. Comfort, J.C. Kirkpatrick, John Clowney, J.H. Earnest, J.J. Davis

Secretary: T.S. Ansley

Treasurer: Thomas Priestley

Receipts: None listed

Disbursements: None listed

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg.706 ).

1876

Dodgeville - Iowa County Agricultural Society

President: John Ellwood

Vice President: C.C. Watkins

Secretary: J.T. Pryor Jr.

Treasurer: Samuel Hoskins

Dates: September 26, 27 & 28, 1876

Receipts: $2,115.76

Disbursement: $1,625.65

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg.581 ).

Mineral Point- Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial Association

President: J.H. Vivian

Vice Presidents: William Lanyon, G.C. Weathersby, J. J. Davis, I.C. Comfort, J.C. Kirkpatrick

Secretary: T.S. Ansley

Treasurer; Thomas Priestley

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg.706).

1877

Dodgeville - Iowa County Agricultural Society

President: John Ellwood

Vice President; James Toay, Clark Hickcox, T. M. Jones

Secretary: J.T. Pryor Jr.

Treasurer: Samuel Hoskins

Dates: September 25, 26 & 27, 1877

Receipts: None listed

Disbursement: None listed

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg.581 ).

Mineral Point - Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial Association

President: J.H. Vivian

Vice President: I.C. Comfort, W. Lanyon Jr., J. C. Kirkpatrick, W. Buckingham

Secretary: T.S. Ansley

Treasurer: Thomas Priestley

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg. 706).

 

1878

Dodgeville - Iowa County Agricultural Society

President: John Ellwood

Vice President: James Toay, Clark Hickcox, T.M Jones

Secretary: James J. Hoskins

Treasurer: Samuel Hoskins

Dates: September 25, 26 & 27, 1878

Receipts: $2,257.06

Disbursement: $ 1,567.26

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg.581 ).

Mineral Point - Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial Association

President: William Henry

Vice President: I.C. Comfort, Owen Wright, J. Elwood, N. K. VanMetre, R. D. Pulford

Secretary: T.S. Ansley

Treasurer: Thomas Priestly

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg. 706 ).

 

1879

Dodgeville - Iowa County Agricultural Society

President: M.J. Briggs

Vice President: T.M. Jones, I.C. Comfort, Clark Hickcox

Secretary: William H. Prideaux

Treasurer: Samuel Hoskins (in one of the books in Dodgeville Room Samuel is crossed out and James J. is added)

Dates: September 24, 25 & 26, 1879

Receipts: $2,517.08

Disbursements: $2,210.17

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg.581 ).

Mineral Point - Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial Association

President: J.H. Vivian

Vice President: J.W. Rewey, N.K. Van Metre, Francis Little, Edwin Johnson, R.D. Pulford

Secretary :Delos P. Beech

Treasurer: Thomas Priestley

Receipts: None listed

Disbursements: None listed

(Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg. 706).

May 22, 1879 telegraph lines were completed between Dodgeville and Mineral Point (Resource: History of Iowa County Wisconsin 1881.Publisher: Chicago, Western Historical Company. Reproduction done by Whipporwill Publications: Evansville, IN. Pg. 755).

Establishing Railroad 1879 "Mineral Point and Dodgeville are 8 miles apart, with no connecting railroad. Time and time and time again the proposal of uniting the two by means of steel rails, has been earnestly agitated and considered In 1879 we understand that the proposition will also provide for the location of a depot east of the fair grounds, between the lines of Division and Chappel Streets, and that the road shall be completed to Dodgeville during the coming year."(Resource: "Memoirs of Iowa County Wisconsin" Vol. 1, In 2 vol.. Edited by George and Robert Crawford. Published: Northwestern Historical Association 1913. pg. 181-182).


The time line section of the Iowa County Fair History is organized by decade. The decades below with bold links have content:

 

  • 1900's
  • 1910's
  • 1920's
  • 1930's
  • 1940's

 

  • 1950's
  • 1960's
  • 1970's
  • 1980's
  • 1990's
  • 2000's

 

The time line is available in one 21 page .pdf file (opens new window)

 

All information on this site is subject to change

Iowa County Fair, Mineral Point, WI. 53565
Telephone number at fair: 608-987-3490
e-mail: iowacountyfair@yahoo.com

 

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