Wisconsin History Day By Day

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"The Life Story of Major John H. Rountree" by Verne Pease

Vocabulary:

claim

deposits

platted

Interesting Fact:

Rountree served in the militia during the Black Hawk War of 1832 and was one of the first regents of the University of Wisconsin. He was also vice-president of the State Historical Society from 1849 to 1888.

Study Questions:

How did Platteville get its name?

What is Rountree Hall?

Why is there a large "M" on a hill near Platteville?

U.S. historical events that occurred on March 24:

1765: The Quartering Act is enacted by the British in the American colonies.

1989: The oil tanker Exxon Valdez runs aground, spilling 11 million gallons of oil in the Prince William Sound in Alaska.

March 24

March 24, 1805: Major John Rountree, founder of Platteville, was born in Warren County, Kentucky. In 1827 Rountree came to the lead mining region of southwest Wisconsin, establishing a claim on the Little Platte River. A settlement soon grew around the rich lead deposits in the area and in 1834 Rountree platted the village of Platteville.

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