Thomas MACKIE 1795-1884 was, by all known accounts, a son of James and Catrina (ECKERSEN) MACKIE of Rockland County, New York. Thomas is credited with having built the first white settler's dwelling, in 1841 or so, on land now occupied by the City of Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin. His sister, Martha MACKIE, was the wife of Jacob Paul BROWER 1802-1846, whose family was already settled by that time north of Beaver Dam, around the shores of Fox Lake. Thomas married Ann VAN HOUTEN in 1815. Ann died in 1876.
Following are excerpts from the 1880 book, "History of Dodge County, Wisconsin" published that year by the Western Historical Company of Chicago.
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Page 322: "Beaver Dam occupies the third point in priority in early settlement [of Dodge County], and Thomas Mackie, upon whom the title of Patriarch of Beaver Dam has been bestowed, is doubtless entitled to the honor belonging to the first settler. Mr. Mackie is still in the land of the living, and, with a degree of positiveness that will admit of no contradiction, informs the writer that his was the first cabin erected within the limits of the present site of Beaver Dam. It stood near a spring, known to the present generation as the Mackie Spring, and a street passing near this hallowed spot bears the name of the venerable pioneer. In the construction of his cabin, Mr. Mackie was aided by his son-in-law, Joseph Goetschius, who also settled here a few weeks later. The third settler in Beaver Dam was Morris Firmin, and the fourth Jacob P. Brower, the pioneer of Fox Lake."
**
Pages 414-417: "In 1871, the following able and interesting paper was read before the Sewing Society of the ladies of the Baptist Church, at their quarter-centennial anniversary, by ex-Congressman, S. D. Burchard. It is replete with incidents of the early history of Beaver Dam:
"'In looking back over the last quarter of a century, at the city in embryo, you will, I know, be willing to go one step further, where you can look upon its inception. In the month of March, 1841, five years before the time of which I may properly speak, Thomas Mackie came to what is now the site of the city of Beaver Dam, with the purpose of making for himself a home. The nearest settlement upon the north, at that time, was Fox Lake, where three or four families (in all, about ten souls) had located. East, the nearest settlement was at Hyland Corners. Amasa Hyland, Luther and John Cole, and a brother of Mrs. S. M. Stanton, had settled themselves; and their cabin, with its bachelor comforts, afforded a welcome resting place for the pioneer settler seeking a home. South, between here and Watertown, the first evidence of civilization was a log shanty, about four miles this side of Watertown. West, at Columbus, Maj. Dickson had located, and, between this place and his settlement, there were no white inhabitants. Mr. Mackie at once proceeded to build a house, locating it near and a little west of the Mackie Spring, the head of Spring Brook, which runs through the city. Since the stars sang together, the spring which now bears his name had sent its sparkling waters on their way to slake the thirst of the red deer, or cool the brow of the tawny hunter who pursued it; and now, for the first time, its crystal surface mirrored back the face of the white man, as Mr. Mackie stooped to quench his thirst in its liquid coolness. Here, he built the first house which was built in Beaver Dam. The old house may still be seen where he placed it, and its builder is still a citizen in our midst. The one was always open and welcome to the tired traveler; but age and the march of improvement have robbed it of its usefulness; gray hairs have silvered the head of its builder, but the heart of the old pioneer is still young - is still open to the appeals of humanity. All honor to Thomas Mackie, the pioneer of Beaver Dam; for, through all the changes of these many years, in his conquest of the virgin soil, and his more recent struggles with men wiser and more avaricious than himself, he has never swerved from his devotion to principle; he has never been cast down by the reversals of fortune. He may and did brush the mist from his eyes, as the fruit of all his sacrifice and toil was wrested from him by the strong arm of the law; the great heart was for a moment broken and stirred to the bottom, until it ran over with great drops of bitterness; but it was only for a moment, and the serene spirit of contentment, which reigned in his household and in his heart through those early days, returned and dwelt with him again."
Following are excerpts from the 1880 book, "History of Dodge County, Wisconsin" published that year by the Western Historical Company of Chicago.
**
Page 322: "Beaver Dam occupies the third point in priority in early settlement [of Dodge County], and Thomas Mackie, upon whom the title of Patriarch of Beaver Dam has been bestowed, is doubtless entitled to the honor belonging to the first settler. Mr. Mackie is still in the land of the living, and, with a degree of positiveness that will admit of no contradiction, informs the writer that his was the first cabin erected within the limits of the present site of Beaver Dam. It stood near a spring, known to the present generation as the Mackie Spring, and a street passing near this hallowed spot bears the name of the venerable pioneer. In the construction of his cabin, Mr. Mackie was aided by his son-in-law, Joseph Goetschius, who also settled here a few weeks later. The third settler in Beaver Dam was Morris Firmin, and the fourth Jacob P. Brower, the pioneer of Fox Lake."
**
Pages 414-417: "In 1871, the following able and interesting paper was read before the Sewing Society of the ladies of the Baptist Church, at their quarter-centennial anniversary, by ex-Congressman, S. D. Burchard. It is replete with incidents of the early history of Beaver Dam:
"'In looking back over the last quarter of a century, at the city in embryo, you will, I know, be willing to go one step further, where you can look upon its inception. In the month of March, 1841, five years before the time of which I may properly speak, Thomas Mackie came to what is now the site of the city of Beaver Dam, with the purpose of making for himself a home. The nearest settlement upon the north, at that time, was Fox Lake, where three or four families (in all, about ten souls) had located. East, the nearest settlement was at Hyland Corners. Amasa Hyland, Luther and John Cole, and a brother of Mrs. S. M. Stanton, had settled themselves; and their cabin, with its bachelor comforts, afforded a welcome resting place for the pioneer settler seeking a home. South, between here and Watertown, the first evidence of civilization was a log shanty, about four miles this side of Watertown. West, at Columbus, Maj. Dickson had located, and, between this place and his settlement, there were no white inhabitants. Mr. Mackie at once proceeded to build a house, locating it near and a little west of the Mackie Spring, the head of Spring Brook, which runs through the city. Since the stars sang together, the spring which now bears his name had sent its sparkling waters on their way to slake the thirst of the red deer, or cool the brow of the tawny hunter who pursued it; and now, for the first time, its crystal surface mirrored back the face of the white man, as Mr. Mackie stooped to quench his thirst in its liquid coolness. Here, he built the first house which was built in Beaver Dam. The old house may still be seen where he placed it, and its builder is still a citizen in our midst. The one was always open and welcome to the tired traveler; but age and the march of improvement have robbed it of its usefulness; gray hairs have silvered the head of its builder, but the heart of the old pioneer is still young - is still open to the appeals of humanity. All honor to Thomas Mackie, the pioneer of Beaver Dam; for, through all the changes of these many years, in his conquest of the virgin soil, and his more recent struggles with men wiser and more avaricious than himself, he has never swerved from his devotion to principle; he has never been cast down by the reversals of fortune. He may and did brush the mist from his eyes, as the fruit of all his sacrifice and toil was wrested from him by the strong arm of the law; the great heart was for a moment broken and stirred to the bottom, until it ran over with great drops of bitterness; but it was only for a moment, and the serene spirit of contentment, which reigned in his household and in his heart through those early days, returned and dwelt with him again."
Thomas MACKIE 1795-1884 was, by all known accounts, a son of James and Catrina (ECKERSEN) MACKIE of Rockland County, New York. Thomas is credited with having built the first white settler's dwelling, in 1841 or so, on land now occupied by the City of Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin. His sister, Martha MACKIE, was the wife of Jacob Paul BROWER 1802-1846, whose family was already settled by that time north of Beaver Dam, around the shores of Fox Lake. Thomas married Ann VAN HOUTEN in 1815. Ann died in 1876.
Following are excerpts from the 1880 book, "History of Dodge County, Wisconsin" published that year by the Western Historical Company of Chicago.
**
Page 322: "Beaver Dam occupies the third point in priority in early settlement [of Dodge County], and Thomas Mackie, upon whom the title of Patriarch of Beaver Dam has been bestowed, is doubtless entitled to the honor belonging to the first settler. Mr. Mackie is still in the land of the living, and, with a degree of positiveness that will admit of no contradiction, informs the writer that his was the first cabin erected within the limits of the present site of Beaver Dam. It stood near a spring, known to the present generation as the Mackie Spring, and a street passing near this hallowed spot bears the name of the venerable pioneer. In the construction of his cabin, Mr. Mackie was aided by his son-in-law, Joseph Goetschius, who also settled here a few weeks later. The third settler in Beaver Dam was Morris Firmin, and the fourth Jacob P. Brower, the pioneer of Fox Lake."
**
Pages 414-417: "In 1871, the following able and interesting paper was read before the Sewing Society of the ladies of the Baptist Church, at their quarter-centennial anniversary, by ex-Congressman, S. D. Burchard. It is replete with incidents of the early history of Beaver Dam:
"'In looking back over the last quarter of a century, at the city in embryo, you will, I know, be willing to go one step further, where you can look upon its inception. In the month of March, 1841, five years before the time of which I may properly speak, Thomas Mackie came to what is now the site of the city of Beaver Dam, with the purpose of making for himself a home. The nearest settlement upon the north, at that time, was Fox Lake, where three or four families (in all, about ten souls) had located. East, the nearest settlement was at Hyland Corners. Amasa Hyland, Luther and John Cole, and a brother of Mrs. S. M. Stanton, had settled themselves; and their cabin, with its bachelor comforts, afforded a welcome resting place for the pioneer settler seeking a home. South, between here and Watertown, the first evidence of civilization was a log shanty, about four miles this side of Watertown. West, at Columbus, Maj. Dickson had located, and, between this place and his settlement, there were no white inhabitants. Mr. Mackie at once proceeded to build a house, locating it near and a little west of the Mackie Spring, the head of Spring Brook, which runs through the city. Since the stars sang together, the spring which now bears his name had sent its sparkling waters on their way to slake the thirst of the red deer, or cool the brow of the tawny hunter who pursued it; and now, for the first time, its crystal surface mirrored back the face of the white man, as Mr. Mackie stooped to quench his thirst in its liquid coolness. Here, he built the first house which was built in Beaver Dam. The old house may still be seen where he placed it, and its builder is still a citizen in our midst. The one was always open and welcome to the tired traveler; but age and the march of improvement have robbed it of its usefulness; gray hairs have silvered the head of its builder, but the heart of the old pioneer is still young - is still open to the appeals of humanity. All honor to Thomas Mackie, the pioneer of Beaver Dam; for, through all the changes of these many years, in his conquest of the virgin soil, and his more recent struggles with men wiser and more avaricious than himself, he has never swerved from his devotion to principle; he has never been cast down by the reversals of fortune. He may and did brush the mist from his eyes, as the fruit of all his sacrifice and toil was wrested from him by the strong arm of the law; the great heart was for a moment broken and stirred to the bottom, until it ran over with great drops of bitterness; but it was only for a moment, and the serene spirit of contentment, which reigned in his household and in his heart through those early days, returned and dwelt with him again."
Following are excerpts from the 1880 book, "History of Dodge County, Wisconsin" published that year by the Western Historical Company of Chicago.
**
Page 322: "Beaver Dam occupies the third point in priority in early settlement [of Dodge County], and Thomas Mackie, upon whom the title of Patriarch of Beaver Dam has been bestowed, is doubtless entitled to the honor belonging to the first settler. Mr. Mackie is still in the land of the living, and, with a degree of positiveness that will admit of no contradiction, informs the writer that his was the first cabin erected within the limits of the present site of Beaver Dam. It stood near a spring, known to the present generation as the Mackie Spring, and a street passing near this hallowed spot bears the name of the venerable pioneer. In the construction of his cabin, Mr. Mackie was aided by his son-in-law, Joseph Goetschius, who also settled here a few weeks later. The third settler in Beaver Dam was Morris Firmin, and the fourth Jacob P. Brower, the pioneer of Fox Lake."
**
Pages 414-417: "In 1871, the following able and interesting paper was read before the Sewing Society of the ladies of the Baptist Church, at their quarter-centennial anniversary, by ex-Congressman, S. D. Burchard. It is replete with incidents of the early history of Beaver Dam:
"'In looking back over the last quarter of a century, at the city in embryo, you will, I know, be willing to go one step further, where you can look upon its inception. In the month of March, 1841, five years before the time of which I may properly speak, Thomas Mackie came to what is now the site of the city of Beaver Dam, with the purpose of making for himself a home. The nearest settlement upon the north, at that time, was Fox Lake, where three or four families (in all, about ten souls) had located. East, the nearest settlement was at Hyland Corners. Amasa Hyland, Luther and John Cole, and a brother of Mrs. S. M. Stanton, had settled themselves; and their cabin, with its bachelor comforts, afforded a welcome resting place for the pioneer settler seeking a home. South, between here and Watertown, the first evidence of civilization was a log shanty, about four miles this side of Watertown. West, at Columbus, Maj. Dickson had located, and, between this place and his settlement, there were no white inhabitants. Mr. Mackie at once proceeded to build a house, locating it near and a little west of the Mackie Spring, the head of Spring Brook, which runs through the city. Since the stars sang together, the spring which now bears his name had sent its sparkling waters on their way to slake the thirst of the red deer, or cool the brow of the tawny hunter who pursued it; and now, for the first time, its crystal surface mirrored back the face of the white man, as Mr. Mackie stooped to quench his thirst in its liquid coolness. Here, he built the first house which was built in Beaver Dam. The old house may still be seen where he placed it, and its builder is still a citizen in our midst. The one was always open and welcome to the tired traveler; but age and the march of improvement have robbed it of its usefulness; gray hairs have silvered the head of its builder, but the heart of the old pioneer is still young - is still open to the appeals of humanity. All honor to Thomas Mackie, the pioneer of Beaver Dam; for, through all the changes of these many years, in his conquest of the virgin soil, and his more recent struggles with men wiser and more avaricious than himself, he has never swerved from his devotion to principle; he has never been cast down by the reversals of fortune. He may and did brush the mist from his eyes, as the fruit of all his sacrifice and toil was wrested from him by the strong arm of the law; the great heart was for a moment broken and stirred to the bottom, until it ran over with great drops of bitterness; but it was only for a moment, and the serene spirit of contentment, which reigned in his household and in his heart through those early days, returned and dwelt with him again."
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