LANCASTER, a post-village, capital of Grant county, Wisconsin, about 14 miles N. from the Mississippi river, and 85 miles W. S. W. from Madison. It is surrounded by an excellent tract of land, and has productive lead mines in its vicinity. The village has a brick court house, 3 churches, and a newspaper office. Population in 1853, about 450. (Baldwin's New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States..., 1854)
LANCASTER, Town, in county of Grant, being towns 4 and 5 N., of range 3 W., and is the county seat. It has 9 school districts. There is 1 grist mill and 2 saw mills in the town, from three to four miles from the village; some of the most productive lead mines are in this town. There are large quantities of land yet unentered in the town, and the great fertility of the soil, convenience of building materials and fuel, of springs and brooks, offer inducement to settlers. Population about 1,500.
LANCASTER, P. V. and C. H., in town of same name, on section 3, town 4, near the geographical centre of the county, upon the edge of Boyce prairie, and in the most beautiful and healthy portion of the mining region. The business and trade of the township, as also of the town of Fennimore, are concentrated at the village. Population 400; 75 dwellings, 1 drug, 4 dry goods and grocery, 1 tin and sheet iron, and 1 stove stores, 1 waggon, 3 smith, and 2 cabinet shops, 4 hotels, 1 Baptist church of brick, 1 Methodist and 1 Presbyterian church of wood, and an Episcopal church in progress of erection. Court house of brick, 40 by 56, with fire-proof offices for county purposes. (John Warren Hunt, Wisconsin Gazetteer..., Madison, 1853)