Asaph Whittlesey
Encyclopedia
Asaph Whittlesey was the first Wisconsin
state legislator from the Lake Superior
region. In 1854, he settled the city of Ashland, Wisconsin
.
in a rowboat, along with his companion, George Kilborn. Arriving at the bottom of Chequamegon Bay
, they settled the area that is now the west side of Ashland
. As other pioneers and lumbermen began to arrive, Asaph petitioned the government to name the community Ashland. However, at the time this name was already taken, and it was not until the other community named Ashland became defunct, that the name Ashland was granted to Whittlesey’s settlement.
in 1860. In January of that year, he traveled by snowshoe all the way to Sparta
to catch the nearest train to the state capitol in Madison
. A famous image of him is a photograph taken during his journey, in which he is wearing his showshoes, along with a pistol tucked into his belt. This 1860 photo was the basis of a mural in Ashland.
As a member of the Wisconsin Legislature, he was successful in petitioning the division of La Pointe County
, and the creation of Ashland County (in which the city of Ashland is the county seat
).
.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
state legislator from the Lake Superior
Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest of the five traditionally-demarcated Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded to the north by the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of Minnesota, and to the south by the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Michigan. It is the largest freshwater lake in the...
region. In 1854, he settled the city of Ashland, Wisconsin
Ashland, Wisconsin
Ashland is a city in Ashland and Bayfield counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The city is a port on Lake Superior, near the head of Chequamegon Bay. The population was 8,695 at the 2010 census....
.
Early years of Ashland
In 1854, Asaph left La PointeLa Pointe, Wisconsin
La Pointe is a town in Ashland County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The town includes all of the Apostle Islands. There is also an unincorporated community named La Pointe on Madeline Island, the largest of the Apostle Islands . The population was 246 at the 2000 census...
in a rowboat, along with his companion, George Kilborn. Arriving at the bottom of Chequamegon Bay
Chequamegon Bay
Chequamegon Bay is an inlet of Lake Superior, NE-SW and 2- wide, in Ashland and Bayfield counties in the extreme northern part of Wisconsin. It lies largely inside the barrier of Chequamegon Point and Long Island, with the Bad River Indian Reservation to the east. Ashland, Wisconsin is on its...
, they settled the area that is now the west side of Ashland
Ashland, Wisconsin
Ashland is a city in Ashland and Bayfield counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The city is a port on Lake Superior, near the head of Chequamegon Bay. The population was 8,695 at the 2010 census....
. As other pioneers and lumbermen began to arrive, Asaph petitioned the government to name the community Ashland. However, at the time this name was already taken, and it was not until the other community named Ashland became defunct, that the name Ashland was granted to Whittlesey’s settlement.
Wisconsin legislature
Asaph was elected to the Wisconsin State AssemblyWisconsin State Assembly
The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin....
in 1860. In January of that year, he traveled by snowshoe all the way to Sparta
Sparta, Wisconsin
Sparta is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States, along the La Crosse River. The population was 9,522 at the 2010 census.-Notable people:*William Hawley Atwell, U.S. District Court Judge in Texas*Larry Baumel, NASCAR...
to catch the nearest train to the state capitol in Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
. A famous image of him is a photograph taken during his journey, in which he is wearing his showshoes, along with a pistol tucked into his belt. This 1860 photo was the basis of a mural in Ashland.
As a member of the Wisconsin Legislature, he was successful in petitioning the division of La Pointe County
La Pointe County, Wisconsin
La Pointe County, , was created on February 19, 1845 by the Territory of Wisconsin. from the northern portion of the existing territorial St...
, and the creation of Ashland County (in which the city of Ashland is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
).
Namesake
Whittlesey Creek, near Ashland, was named after him. This watershed also encompasses what is known as the Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife RefugeWhittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge is part of a large wetland complex on Lake Superior, near Ashland, Wisconsin. These coastal wetlands are a significant part of the wildlife habitat and aquatic resources of the south shore of Lake Superior....
.