History of Reedsburg and the Upper Baraboo Valley, by Merton Edwin Krug, Publ. February 1929 by the author. Printed by Democrat Printing Company, Madison, Wis., Page 28-29

ELDER ALEXANDER LOCKE was one of the earliest pioneers. As early as 1847 he is said to have invaded this wilderness with the idea of establishing a home. He was a man of marvelous mental capacity and deeply religious. Equipped thus with a desire to remain and with spiritual stamina sufficient for the needs of a struggling frontier village, he was just the man to fill this mission. In 1847 he staked his claim in Winfield, the farm that is now known perhaps most widely as the William BREENE farm. It was formerly owned by D. H. DONAHUE; and is about two miles north of Reedsburg, on County Trunk K. This was the first claim staked in that township. In 1848 the elder moved his family to Reedsburg, locating, as has been said, in house No. 4 of Shanty Row. He had intended to go directly to his claim but delayed going there until April of 1849. During his residence in the village he held devotionals as frequently as he could get an audience and was not to be stopped by the mere egress of his hearers. Nor did he always preach under shelter. More than once he used his chair for a pulpit and the open sky for his temple. Shortly after his arrival with his family he delivered his first sermon. He never aspired to a pastorate and would accept no pay for his services. He is said to have had the Bible at tongue's end and to have made his sermons therefrom.

For some time there was but one horse team in the village, and that was a span of mules belonging to Messrs. REED and POWELL, mill owners Hence all travel was by oxen or on foot. Mr. LOCKE owned a team of oxen, but they were so poor in flesh that they often leaned against each other for mutual support. Occasionally he drove this team to Baraboo for supplies and often would be accompanied by other settlers who wished to go on business. Once during the spring of 1849 he was accompanied by Mrs. SEELEY. On their return, when but two miles this side of Baraboo, this lady concluded to walk a short distance by way of change. The weather had acted that day with decided uncertainly, with alternate sunshine and rain. On approach of a shower Mrs. SEELEY looked back to ascertain how near was her conveyance, but it was not in sight. Instead of waiting she kept on. She walked until she was wet, and continued until she became dry again; she even sat down occasionally to rest without catching a glimpse of LOCKE and his oxen. In fact, she saw no more of either until five hours after her arrival at Reedsburg when they came poking slowly into town.

Submitted by Carol