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Note: MOUNT HOREB/ VERONA Wesley D. "Wes" Topper, age 80, of Springdale Township, died on Friday, June 5, 2009, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born May 12, 1929, in Brigham Township, Wis., to John and Gladys (Barsness) Topper. He married Elmere M. Gordon on September 11, 1948. She died on August 9, 2001. Wes drove a retail milk delivery truck for Bowman Dairy from 1951 until his retirement. He took great pride in his family, friends, his lawn, gardening and an occasional trip to Ho-Chunk. He was a member of Mount Horeb Evangelical Lutheran Church. Survivors include his children, Gary (Jane) Topper of Mount Horeb, Gail (John) Fahey of Belleville, Vicki Hughes of Verona, David Topper of Montello, Jeanne Topper of Verona, Steven (Beth) Topper of Ridgeway, Janeen (Dan) Lux of Mount Horeb, and Kiefer Topper of Verona; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three sisters, Verna (Jack) Gasdorf, Doris (Bill) Squire, both of Waunakee, and Janice (Marvin) Monson of Dodgeville; two brothers, Russell (Char) Topper of Monona, and John (Linda) Topper of Mount Horeb; and other relatives and friends. In addition to his wife, Elmere, he was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Lori Topper on February 20, 1995; and a sister, Marilyn (Silvan) Maly. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2009, at MOUNT HOREB EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH with the Rev. John Twiton officiating. Burial will be at Mount Horeb Union Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at the ELLESTAD CAMACHO FUNERAL HOME, 500 N 8th. St., Mount Horeb. www.ellestadfuneralhome.com (608) 437-5077 (608) 767-3684
Nearly Forgotten Scotch Hamlet Once upon a time, in Springdale Township along present-day Hwy. 18-151 east of Mt. Horeb, there was a two-building community called Hendersonville. Named for the William Henderson family, emigrants from Scotland to New York City in 1844, then in 1851 to this area, Hendersonville consisted of the Henderson School and a large two-story cheese factory, which also housed the post office. Though never registered, the post office operated from 1896 to 1900, serving the nearby farmers. Wesley Topper makes his residence in the last remnant of the vanished community, the former Henderson School building, later called Springdale Center, located on the road which still bears that name. Henderson descendants live in the area as well. Hendersonville was on the western edge of a broader settlement that became known as Scotch Lane, which extended north of the present-day highway to Klevenvilleand Riley, south along Co. Highway G, and east to Verona. ________________________________
In the summer of 2004, Wes attended the wedding of one of his grandson's. Two of his sisters complimented him on how nice he looked in his new suit. He said he found it at the Salvation Army. When they congratulated him on his thrift, he proudly boasted, "And I've taken care of my funeral clothes, too."
Wes had just begun first grade, his first time in school. Relatives had joined them for family dinner. Everyone was excited for him. "How do you like school, Wesley?" they asked. Over his plate, Wes sheepishly peered out of the corner of his eye. "No good," he answered.
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