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 314-316

In telling the story of the founding of this village, it will be necessary to recall certain facts relative to the life of Stephen Van Renssalear ABLEMAN, its founder. This gentleman was born Dec. 25, 1809, in the town of Bethlehem, Albany County, N.Y., and was the son of Christian G. ABLEMAN and Regina KANIER, the father a native of Prussia, Germany, the mother of Clayverack, Columbia County, N.Y., her parents having come to that place from Bordeaux, France. When Stephen was eleven years of age, his parents moved to Albany, and he was enrolled in the Lancasterian School. In 1825 he enlisted as a drummer in the National Guard, with which he remained four years. He was next chosen ensign and served as such for three years, at the close of which he was elected captain of his company. In 1838 he was commissioned colonel of the 240th regiment, New York State Militia, and was ever after known as Col. ABLEMAN.

In 1831 he married Elizabeth Bolt JARVIS of Connecticut, who bore him two children, a son who was drowned in the Bay of San Francisco, and a daughter already mentioned as the wife of C. F. WATSON. Mrs. ABLEMAN died in 1860.

After his marriage S. V. R. ABLEMAN engaged as a carpenter in Albany, and immediately became prominent in municipal affairs in that city. In 1843 he was elected alderman, was subsequently re-elected. Always a man of ambition he was early instilled with a desire to brave the hardships of the frontier, and on the 17th day of June, 1845, arrived with his family at Milwaukee. Here he established the first planing mill of that place. While residing in Milwaukee, in 1848, he made his first visit to Sauk County and laid claim to a valuable property at the confluence of Narrows Creek and the Baraboo river at Ablemans. Two years later he sold his Milwaukee interests and moved his family to Baraboo, and established temporary residence there. This was in the year of 1850.

Immediately began the improvement of the present village site. Col. ABLEMAN soon erected a log cabin, and when it was completed his family came from Baraboo. As soon as the log house was finished he engaged in hauling lumber from Baraboo for the erection of a frame house. While this was under construction six carpenters dwelt in the log abode with him and his family.

In 1865 Col. ABLEMAN married Mary, the widow of Captain Adam GILMORE. Her maiden name was WATSON, and she was a sister of his daughter's husband.

Other early settlers of Ableman were Maj. Charles H. WILLIAMS, who erected a house a few rods from Mr. ABLEMAN's, E. C. WATSON, who became Mr. ABLEMAN's son-in-law, John MOISTARD, William WADEMAN, Stephen PEARL and Peter MANTHEY. The last named erected the first dwelling west of the river in the present village site.

The first marriage in the village was that of William WADEMAN and Miss Hannah MOISTARD.

The first sawmill in the village was established by Col. ABLEMAN as early as 1857, and was a few rods above the confluence of the Narrows Creek with the river. He added to his mill and continued its operation until 1875, when he sold to Alexander McDONALD, who in turn sold to E. W. GILMORE and N. W. DEAN. In 1864 M. B. WALTZ erected the first house which was entitled to recognition as a hotel. Next came the Charter House, built by Col. ABLEMAN, and conducted by Mr. and Mrs. WATSON. The Charter House took its name from the circumstance that within its walls a memorable feast was held in 1870, in honor of the approach of the railroad, which was soon to pass through the Narrows. Col. ABLEMAN had been instrumental in securing the charter for the Baraboo Valley Air Line Railway Company, which began the work, so the hostelry was fittingly named.

The first district school at Ableman was taught in 1856-1857 by Miss Maria WELTON, and was located in the log cabin erected by Mr. ABLEMAN when he first came to the village site.

Submitted by Carol