In the early 1800s, the land and streams that are now Clark County were the hunting grounds of Chippewa, Dakota, Ho-Chunk and possibly Menominee peoples. In 1804, the government forced the Sauk and Fox tribes to cede their land claims in southern Wisconsin in a treaty they had not agreed to.8 These actions led to the Black Hawk War of 1832. The largest American Indian population in Wisconsin, the Menominee, was pressured to sell away 11,600 square miles of land along the lower Fox River.9 The 1825 Treaty of Prairie du Chien was significant in the history of American Indians in Wisconsin, after European settlement. The treaty was facilitated by the United States government to end the inter-tribal warfare that was disrupting the fur trade and creating tensions between settlers and the tribes. The tension between tribes was created because the United States government had used them against each other to gain more lands. The Treaty of Prairie du Chien established a treaty of peace among the tribes and demarcated boundaries between settlers and American Indians.  In 1836 these Indians were joined by a party of French-Canadian fur traders who started a temporary post for the American Fur Company on the Black River's East Fork.

Interesting facts about the 1840 census

Martin Van Buren is President during census.
The U.S. population increased by 32.7 percent from the 1830 census to the 1840 census.
The 1840 census took roughly $833,000 and 1,465 enumerators to complete the 1840 census.
The 1840 censuses were public meaning they were posted publicly so those included on the census could, if they could read, view and catch omissions and errors.
The 1840 census was first to ask military-related question; captured name and age of Revolutionary War pensioners

The Black River is a river in west-central Wisconsin and tributary of the Mississippi River. The river is approximately 190 miles  long. During the 1840's pine logs were rafted down the Black, heading for sawmills at La Crosse and points beyond.

Henry J. Abel, of Wis. Territorial Map Compiled and Engraved by J. H. Young, Philadelphia 1838. Territory of Wis., Est. by Act of Congress. April 10, 1836.. A section of that map shown above is highlighted to show the app.  location of what became Clark County, Wis.

[i.e. Kenosha, Wis.] 1840-1850

1840 Census Data: 6th United States Census - President: Martin Van Buren
Of the 17,063,353 people living in the United States in 1840, 2,487,355 were slaves.
It took roughly $833,000 and 1,465 enumerators to complete the 1840 census, resulting in 1,465 total pages in published reports. The U.S. population increased by 32.7 percent from the 1830 census to the 1840 census.

Information requested by the 1840 U.S. Census

Among the many fields are included:
Name of the head of the family
Number of males and females: Between 5 and 10 years of age; Between 10 and 15; Between 15 and 20; Between 20 and 30; Between 30 and 40; Between 40 and 50; Between 50 and 60; Between 60 and 70; Between 70 and 80; Between 80 and 90; Between 90 and 100.
Over 100 years of age
Number of slaves
Pensioners for Revolutionary or military services

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The Records Below Show Individuals who later moved on to Clark County after Wisconsin became the 30th state to be admitted to the Union (29 May 1848).  These are provided for researchers who want to follow the flow of settlers into Clark County, WI.  If you can add to our list, please contact us.

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