Kewaskum (town), Wisconsin

Kewaskum was the leader of a group of Potawatomi Native Americans who lived in Washington County in the 1840s.

[2] He was friendly with the early settlers, including future Wisconsin state senator Densmore Maxon.

"[4] In the early 19th century, the Kewaskum area was home to Potawatomi Native Americans, who surrendered the land the United States Federal Government in 1833 through the 1833 Treaty of Chicago, which (after being ratified in 1835) required them to leave Wisconsin by 1838.

[7] One band of Potawatomis travelled through Dodge, Jefferson, and Washington counties, and was led by Chief Kewaskum, who had a camp on Pike Lake.

[8] In 1849, the residents changed their community's name to the Town of Kewaskum to distinguish it from neighboring West Bend.

The settlement, which was originally known as "Myer's Mill" before it became the Village of Kewaskum,[9] soon became a market town with a general store and a blacksmith shop serving the local farmers.

[8] In 1873, the Chicago and North Western Railway completed a line from Milwaukee to Fond du Lac with a station in the future Village of Kewaskum.

[10] The community's rail connections caused the local economy to grow and prosper as new businesses, including hotels, stores, and grain elevators opened around the station.