Class. Book S^/ '^ -.=s1|f(3r=:. 2- ^ f -^ OIF- ji^ -t >^ ^ILTID WI©GOM©IM. Containing Portraits of all the Presidents of the United States, with accompanying Biographies of each; Engravings of Prominent Citizens of the Counties, with Personal Histories of many of the Early Settlers and Leading Families. 'Biograpliy is the only true history." — Emerson. ch:ic!a.o-o: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY- 18^2. ?^ -*:^B^LSzr- f'-^^M i . George Washington 9 John Adams 14 Thomas Jefferson 20 James Madison 26 James Monroe 32 John Quincy Adams 38 Andrew Jackson 47 Martin Van Buren 53 William Henry Harrison 58 John Tyler 60 James K. Polk 64 Zachary Taylor 68 Millard Fillmore 73 Franklin Pierce 76 James Buchanan 80 Abraham Lincoln 84 Andrew Johnson 93 Ulysses 8. Grant 96 R.B.Hayes 103 J. A. Garfield 109 Chester A. Arthur 113 Groyer Cleveland 117 Benjamin Harrison 120 -^5|^ IV CONTENTS. BIOGI^APHIGAL SI^BITGHES. Adolph, Chris 131 Alden, Charles J 271 Alger, L.W 264 Allen, Geo. H 502 Alme, Erik 604 Anders, Theron 469 Anderson, A. W 784 Anderson, H. A 716 Anderson, John 318 Anderson, Mous 221 Anderson, W. A 275 Andreas, Henry 4S7 Andrews, Chester 537 Andrews, E. H 132 Angst, Jacob 737 Arnold, A. A 641 Arnold, W. B 666 Ashley, C. N 768 Asselin, John 419 Atkinson, C. N 522 Atkinson, George 315 Atwater, W. B 428 Atwood, Seba 719 Austin, David 156 Babinski, A 786 Bach, Nicholas 754 Bailey, Frank 146 Banker, John 477 Barber Bros 529 Barclay, 1). N 5:.5 Barclay, Thomas 479 Barney, T.J 450 Bainilz, Louis 787 Barr, Samuel 719 Bart/., Charles A 2'.:3 Beach, J. B 773 Beadle, K.J 519 Bechniaiin, C. U 717 Bechiuiinn, Henry 654 Ueck, John M 485 Beckel, Jacob 389 Beckel, L. P 3'JO Bellerue. A 277 Bender, Franklin 7i4 Benlley, E. E -.33 Benton, C. S 452 Berg. Emil 217 Bergh, Martin 436 Beyer, K. G 163 Bibl)y, John 670 Bigliam, Daniel 746 Bigham, John 753 Biisner, A. A 757 Bishop, Collins 7.57 Black, A. () 415 IJhuk.Ole O 404 BUiiiibard, D. H .. 4.")7 Bleekman, A. E 153 Bliss, H. 1 3'J7 151odgett, Wm. H 678 Blue, J.J. 758 Boley, A. E 337 Borreson, C. L 223 Borreson, E. N 204 IJoschert, J osepli 212 Bosshard, Gottlieb 532 Boucher, Joseph 475 Bowen, LeKoy 380 Bowen, Oscar 438 Bowers, Russell 697 Boyd, Andrew 314 Boyntou. E. G 145 Bradfield, J. A. L 200 Bradley, John 447 Braitzraan, Ferd 508 Branch, Hollo 371 Brandt, Carl 358 Brice, G. W 269 Briggs, G. E 486 Briggs, Suel 488 Brown, David 319 Bruwn, Frank 161 Brown, George 688 Brown, S. W 242 ir Bruha, A. J 590^ Bryant, B. F -'29 Bucliholtz, A. G 695 Buebler, Christian 78j , Bunn, Leroy 357 Buol, Christian 494 Burke, M T 464 Burnett, J 328 Burns, D. C 770 Burn-, J C 2.53 Burns, Timothy 489 Butler, J. F 598 Butman, S. and H 663 Button, J. C 639 Calahan, H. B 362 Callihan, Michael 364 Cameron, Angus 268 Capper John 692 Carharl, A. R. and N. II 730 Carl, Giistav 136 Curlyle, W. J 509 Casberg, Carl C 471 Case, Peter .. 727 Cashfl, M.J (.00 Caswell, A. B 785 Chamberlain, E VV 578 Chamberlain, M 693 Childers, J. M 268 Ciark, Albion 138 Clark, A. 1' 291 Clark, Isaac 629 Clark, Nallian 5!»5 Clark, P. L 460 Clarke, Jolm 6o9 Cleasby, Wm 619 Cole, John J 274 Coman, J. B 431 Comstock, N. D 701 Conant, M 273 Coney, Robert 361 Conrad, Jacob 687 Cook, David 772 Cook, Kelson 632 Cooper, J. D 649 Copeland, F. A 237 Cordell, L 340 Cowie, A.J 628 Cowie, George 608 Cox, William 644 Crombie, H. M 662 Cronk, Khoda A 526 Cronk, W. H 408 Crook, J. C 402 Crook, John, Jr 421 Cummings, T. W 219 Cummings, Wm. L 767 Cuthbert, Wm 521 Cutter, C. H 706 Dahl, J. H 378 Darling, Chester 454 Darms, Michael 435 Davidson, W.J 4G8 Davis, A. H 333 Davis, Daniel 520 Davis, Isaac D 463 Davis, J. W 173 Davis, R. T 281 Davis, R. W 377 Davis, Samuel 403 Davis, W.E 240 Davis, Wilson (89 Dawson, John 483 Dayl, Burt 400 De Forcp, Bvron 313 DeGroff, A"H 690 DeGrotr, J. W 748 I'eininger, J. V 377 DeLorea, F. X 225 Demnion, C. W 147 Deugel, Peter 408 Dengler, Johu 183 Densmoie, Joseph 623 Detlinger, John 620 Dewey, J. I 673 Dick, "William 788 Dissmofp. George P 680 Dudley, W. 1 183 Dudley, W L 186 Duessendorler, 1 783 Easton. J. C 881 Edwards, B. E 227 Edwards, George 213 CONTENTS. Egan, M.C 038 Ekern, Andrew 782 Ekern, Anton 739 Ekern, Even 780 Ekern, Peter 602 Elkins, Edwin 704 Elliott, J. A 364 Elwell, C. U 254 Emberson, 1 184 Emerson, O. B 327 Esch, J.J 3G0 Esniiller, Henry 241 Esperson, Henry 181 Euler, George 257 Evans, R. R 596 Evensen, P. 157 Everson, Chris 737 Eveson, Ole 593 Ewer, A. B 286 Fahey, Richard 445 Farber, Wm. J 715 Farewell, M. M E34 Farnam, E. J 514 Fiirnam, George 507 Farner, John 611 Farrand, C. W 731 Faulds & Cowie 638 Fay, Joseph 493 Fetter, A. V 218 Fiers, Peter 399 Filkins, A 367 Finn, John M 207 Flasch, K. C 325 Flemington, A. B 760 Fletcher, C. W 386 Forrest, Alex 467 Fox, John 168 Fox, W. D 176 Fray n, James 443 Fredrickson, Ole 427 Freeman, G. Y 770 French, Charlotte 394 Freng; A. N 784 Frey, Nathaniel 246 Fried, Ulrich 638 Fruit, J. J 262 Fugina Bros. Fertig Co 6C6 Gale, George 739 Galviu, Wm 299 Ganz, E. F 762 Gass, Anthony 303 Gass, Matthias 600 Gaveuey, J. C 685 Gavin, Wm 592 Gay, .lames 434 Gear, T. P 479 Gehrlich, Pidelis 687 Getts, H. B 779 Gibson, M. B. and D. P 647 Gibson, Wm 625 Gieliel, Edmund 759 Gilljert, Henry 793 Gile, Abner 169 Giltillan, James, Sr 490 Gillillan, J. M 439 Gillespie, John 637 Gillies John 609 Gilman, Daniel 022 Gipple, B. F 710 Gladson, James 736 Glover, C. A 527 Goddard, Hiram 576 Goddard, L. M 574 Goddard, R. P 652 Goodhue, E. N 663 Goodland, J. A 344 Goodrich, A. D 193 Gordon, D. K 448 Grams, Wenzel 193 Grates, J. H 340 Graves, W. H 596 Green, I. E 459 Grigg, J. B 373 Grindl, L. L 774 Gross, F. A 311 Gudmundson, L 376 Gullickson, Peter 455 Gund, Henry 173 Gund, John, Sr 173 Gund, John, Jr 174 Gunderson, H 432 Hackner, Egid 307 Hagestad, K. K 607 Hahn Jacob 305 Haldv rson, Knud 530 Hall, Daniel 425 Hallock, J. L 045 Halverson, John 313 Hansen, Thomas 320 Hanson, A. C 4t)l Hankey, E. J 646 Harbo, E. P 360 Hare, Prank 635 Hare, Lemuel -. 675 Harden, Mary 440 Hardie, James 617 Harrison, D. B 282 Harrison, H. H 500 Hart, Seth 443 Ha.lley, Mary 356 Hass, John 508 Halz, Christian 411 Halz, Jacob 518 Hawkins, C. H 473 Heath, H. C 155 Heg«, O. A 621 Heilman, G 308 Heinken, F. T 288 Heiss, Michael 247 Helgesou, T 627 Helsem, J 097 Hemker, Fred 187 Herastock, David 388 Henry, James, Jr 334 Henry, Thomas 625 Hensel, A. F 657 Herringlon, F. C 18'5 Hewilt, G. B 405 Hewiil, J. C • 196 Hevdon, E. W 300 llider-hide, G. N 733 Hill. A. J 130 llilleslad, N. G 184 Hinlgeu, N 413 Hirsi hheimer, J. J 143 llirschheimer, M 263 Hitchcock, N. D 569 Hobbs, John 395 Hoffman, C. F 359 Hogan, J. J 360 Hohmann, Charles 793 Holcomb, D. L 700 Holmes, Lafayette 127 Holmes, W. S 497 Holway, N. B 253 Home, H. E 154 Horner, Ernest 441 Hosmer, G. A 480 Hossfeld, R 449 Hotchkiss, E. S 750 Houck, Oscar 338 Hough, P. H 128 Howard, George 597 Huber, George 780 Huber, Henry 646 Huefner, Paul 668 Hughes, Robert 510 Hunt, A. 298 Hunt, C. A 178 Hunter, Thomas 670 Huntley & Vanderwort 704 Imhoir, Wm. A 216 Imniell.E. L 657 Imrie, James 612 Irvine, John 794 Irwin, Wilbert 575 Jackson, Walter 752 Jacobs, W. P 498 Jarvis, Timothy 583 Jenks, C. L 301 Joerres, A. J 246 Johnson, A. A 747 Johnson, Alex 215 Johnson, Eugene 413 Johnson, J. A 404 Johnson, J.J 406 Johnson, J. K 195 Johnson, John 537 Johnson, J. W 473 Johnson, Thomas 580 Jones, E. G 584 Jones, John 290 Jones, John B 470 Jones, John N 495 Jones, J. S 511 Jones, St. Clair 650 Jones, W. E 208 Jordson, Wm 533 Kahler, John 304 Kass Christian L 751 Kavenaugh, J. J 149 Kaylor, A. C 433 Keaveny, Patrick 267 Keaveny, Peter 415 Keizer, J. E 414 Kelly, E.J 305 Kempter, R. R 616 Kennedy, Daniel 667 Kenrick, H. A 454 Kenrick, John 330 Keppel, J. G 512 Kienahs, Theo 309 Kienholz, Peter 190 Kindschy, George 729 Kiudschy, Jacob 728 G0NTBNT8. Kinnear, R. M. 1 250 Kircheis, J. E 252 KircliDPr, Albert 741 Kirchuer, C. A 772 Klein, ('. F 577 Klich, II. B 129 Klick, J.W 503 Kluver, L, «te Co 354 Kniuison, Lewis 426 Koenig, Cbristiau 346 Koller, John 291 Koller, Micbael 292 Kowalke, E. E 280 Kiitmer, August 523 KiatcUivil, M 216 Krebaum, C. A 279 Krueger, Win 450 Kuliliuan, vfc Gass 303 Ku|)p, John 530 La Fleur, Henry 444 La Fleur. H. K 573 Laflin, H. B 210 Lamb, J ames I IGS Lambert, Stophen 539 Langiion, John 342 Lange, Diego 504 Langstadt, G 338 Lanpbere, H. P ;i32 Larsen, Ole E 655 Larsen, O. P 570 Larson, Chiistian 438 Larson, Edward 517 Larson, L 396 Law, David 155 Lawler, Dennis 788 Lebber, Henry 255 Leete, Wm. W 256 Lebrbach, N 765 Lemon, T. J 208 Lester, W. A 372 Lewis, J. D 708 Lewis, T. A 499 Lewis, Wm. II 141 Ligblbody, J. H 302 Linse, Charles 236 Lockerby, W. E 309 Lohmiller, Wm 184 Looney, M. M 148 Loring, N. T 347 Losey, J. W 125 Lovejoy, Herbert 467 Lovejuy, Hiram 516 Lubs, Charles W 601 Luce, Charles 514 Luce, S. S 698 Luce, W. S 504 Luening, Wm 228 Lueth, Henry 456 MacLachlau, W. G 696 Mader, D ]26 Madson, O 4,55 Magill, H. P 324 Magill, H. T 323 iMailery, J. P 043 MBloncy, David 786 MannsU'dt, 'riieii 140 Mansergh. G. W 478 Slarkham, G. H 717 Markle, E 258 Marquardt, C. H 178 Martindale, S 175 Martindale, S., Jr 263 Malhesen, S 188 Mathewson, W. T 594 iMcArthur, D. S 323 McArlhur, P. S 322 McConnell, P 215 McDermott, J. H 295 McDonah, Wm 099 McGilvray, Alex 710 McHugh, Paul 476 Mcintosh, D 480 McKenzie, C. W 188 JIcKenzie, D. J 814 ftlcKeuzie, Margaret 453 Mclvinley, James 251 McKown, C. S 250 McMillan, Alex 101 McMillan, A. P 585 McMillan, D. D 151 McMillan, George 343 Meason, L. E 260 Medary, J. S 491 Melby, J. 683 Mercereau, B. B 383 Meuli, Casper ... 774 M eyer, Felix 583 Mickschl, P 524 Miller, C. U 458 M iller, Conrad 519 Miller, H. G 271 Miller, John A 243 Miner. K. G 249 Moore, .lohn G hm Moran, Joseph 241 Morton, W. P 387 Mosher, J. A 417 Mould, F. W 269 Mueller, E. T 308 Mueller, Paul F 706 Murphy, Ambrose 126 Murray, J. B 160 Mybre, O. A 745 Mybre, Ole L 503 Myrick, N 541 Neadfelt, Wm 177 Needham, D 581 Nelson, L. N 220 Nelson, N. U 180 Neumeisler, Wm 426 Newman. A W C0.5 Newton, A. B 531 N icbols, C H 333 Nichols, F. E 3i6 Nichols, G. S 310 Nissen, H. K. E 201 North, W. N 530 Nutting, C. W 410 Nyhus, Ole 577 Nyhus, Ole 430 Ochsner, John 630 Odell, D. J 651 Odell, Levi L 020 Odell, K A 094 Oliver, H. S 055 Olson, Gulleck 026 Olson, Simon 018 Osborne, U. E 244 Ott, B 152 Ott, John J 419 Otten, Henry 570 Oyen, O. J 311 Palmer, J. A 725 Pammel, G.J 278 Parsons, L. D 690 Patterson, S. B 288 Payson.J.M 423 Peck, H. J 265 Pederson, C 367 Pederson, Iver 669 Penny, J. R 672 Perkins, C. E 755 Peterson, O. 661 Pettibone, A. W 139 Pettingill, Jay 573 Pettingill, J. L 210 Pl'aff, Jacob 481 Plaff, Levetta 611 Phelps, F. 1 348 Phillips, S. E 348 Pickering, Charles 603 Pinkerton, John 506 Pinkerton, Joseph 505 Piske, Carl 388 Pitkin, M. J 132 Pittinger. N. 393 Poehling, Joseph 239 Polin, Martin 744 Pollard, E. J 135 Polleys, W. E 266 Pooler, Frank 398 Powell, D. F 587 Prentiss, G. C 370 Prestegaarden, J. A 782 Prucha, J. E 202 Pugh, H. M 584 Putnam, A 430 Putnam, C. H 281 Quail, O. P 407 Kadtke, Wm. J 495 Kaelzmann, H. W 226 Kaicble, John 729 Hand, J. B 493 Hiindall, Esther M 412 Hanney, J. W 198 Kapp,John M 491 Hau, John 292 Kawliugs'on, James, Sr 515 Kawlingson, James, Jr 615 Uebhahn, P. V 704 Heed, C. L 423 Heichert, M 466 Keim, C. G ■ 422 Hemick, F. A 429 Uenggly, J. A 185 Kenner, Jacob 524 Henner, Mrs. L 314 Renter, Frank 693 Rhodes, Edson 763 Kliodes, Joshua 689 Rice, N S 177 Richardson, J 474 Richter, P 628 CONTENTS. Richmond, Joseph 482 Richmond, Stephen 713 Rick, Wm. C 513 Riese, Joseph 295 Ring, Fred 571 RiDglee, C. F 759 Ritter, F. X 376 Ritz, J. W 129 Roberts, E. R 378 Roberts, Ethan 486 Roberts, F. P 583 Roberts, H. S 589 Robinson, O. D ... 435 Roddle, J. C 451 Roddle, W. C 410 Roden, Thomas 526 Rodolf, Theo ^96 Roesch, Christ 735 Roettiger, H 677 Roosevelt, W. A 145 Rosenow, John 725^ Roth, Joseph 171' Rowles, J. A 439 Ruedv, John 470 Runckel, Louis 293 Ruth, Joseph 624 Ry nning, E. B 400 Sacia, Frank 572 Sacia, Harmon 538 Safford, H. M 341 Sagen, A. K 329 Salzer, J. A 158 Samson, James 752 Samuels, P. J 385 Sandman, D 525 Sawyer, A. E .884 Sawyer, W. B 385 Schaefer, C. M 320 Schaettle, Charles 722 Schaller, Charles 418 Scharpf, C. F 289 Scheitz, John (i93 Scheufler, E 294 Schick, Hugo... 179 Schildmann, F 219 Schintjen, Peter 139 Schmitz, John 676 Schnell, Bros 186 ^^^chwalbe, Joseph and Frank. . 224 Schwartz, F 288 Schwebach, James 245 Scott, C. E 742 Scott, G. W 473 Scott, W. J 501 Sendelbach, M 725 / Senn_JohnJ 684 Shane, Daniel 331 Shankland, John 387 Shaw, F. D 506 Shepard, D. R. A 538 Shephard, H. C 818 Short, AM 134 Siebrecht, A 533 Siegler, R 206 Sill, W. R 150 Simenson, Ole 446 Simpson, T. A 613 Sisson, F. M 363 Skinner, J. W 285 Sliger, George 463 Sloane, E.A 226 Slye, H. H 586 Smith, D.P 484 Smith, F. B 199 Smith, H. B 167 Smith, J. J ■••• 284 Smith, O. L 174 Smith, Sarah H 424 Smith, Wm 531 Smith, W.T 522 Sobotka, A. F 309 Solsrud, L 761 Sorenson, Ori 383 Sorerson, Peter 518 Southworth, J. D 615 Sparling, W. iR 202 SpencQ, T. H 306 Spenceley, J. H 534 Spettel Bros 297 Sprecher, John 653 ,Stanek, J. J 380 Stangl, George 143 Steensen, Stephen 442 Steinlein, A 171 Stellpflug, J. A 656 Stephens, Elisha 769 Stephens, James 520 Stephenson, J 247 Stevens, Ephraim 331 Stogdill, Robert 313 StoU, Jacob 634 Stoltze, Gustav 179 Storandt, F 355 Storey, J. 368 Strand, H. E 417 Strom, O.P 391 Sullivan, Paul 433 Sy kes, James 317 Techner, H. C 303 Teckemburg, Henry 682 Teeple, Henry 745 Thomas, W. D 159 Thomas, W. S 336 Thompson, Peter S 477 Thompson, W. B 673 Thornbury, J. E 569 Thorp, C. R 339 Thorsgaard, H 664 Tibbitts, A 778 Tiedemann, E.J 180 Tollefson, T. 193 Torgerson, John 496 Tourtellotte, Mills 465 Towner, J. C 738 Towson, Abram S79 Trane, J. A 377 Tritton,E 374 Trowbridge, D 776 Trumbower, J. A 458 Turton, John 732 Uhl, George 764 Uhl, Peter 631 Ulrich, "Wm 674 Untraut, H. J 686 Usher, E. B 411 Utermoehl, J. L 604 Van Loon, A 409 Van Steenwyk, G 349 Van Zandt, Wm 345 Vaughan, J. J 396 Vincent, James 197 Voegeli, Tobias 702 Wacker, John 203 Wagner, August 703 Wallace, J. L 591 Wannebo, M 372 Warner, M. G '. . . 760 Warsaw, A. A 594 Washburn, C. C '. . 3ii5 Waterman, M. W 61)9 Weinandy, N 043 Weiugarten, C 209 Weisenberger, P 610 Weismclek, J 777 Wensole, Louis 133 VVenzel,G 580 West, H. E 211 Wheeler, J. E 191 Wheldon, John 461 White, Austin O 7l4 White, William 3^0 Whitney, L.H 705 Widvey, T. T 54O Wiedmau, J. B 131 Wiele, William 222 Willey, G. L .■ .' 374 Williams, J. B 285 Williams, J. E 437 Williams, P. A 707 Wilson, James 401 Wingad, David 721 Wingad, Joim 730 Withee, Levi ]89 Wilhee, N. H 305 Wohlgenant, C 634- Wolf, Florian 378 Wood, David 743 Wood, L. W ! 194 Woodward, G. M 265 Wright, G. D 339 YarringtoB, G. H 343 Yonker, D. H 335 Youchem, John 781 Young, Charles A 430 Young, J. L 392 Young, Samuel 3.i7 Young, Wm. M 703 PORTRAITS, Anderson, Mons 821 Bechmann, C. R 717 Bliss, H. I 397 Bryant, B. F 229 Carlyle, W. J 509 Clark, Isaac 629 Comstock, N. D 701 Copeland, F. A 237 Easton,J. C 381 Fahey, Richard . 445 Flasch, K. C 325 CONTENTS. Gaveney, J, C 685 Gile, Abner 169 Gillespie, John 637 Hanson, A. C 461 Hegg, O. A 621 Hintgen, N 413 Holway, N. B 253 Jenks, C. L 301 La Fleur, R. R 573 Losey, J. W 125 McMillan, Alex 161 Myrick, N 541 Needham, D 581 Newman, A. W 605 Nichols, C. H 333 Pederson, Iver 869 Peterson, O. O 661 Rand, .1. B 493 Remick, F. A 429 Roberts, H. S 589 Sandman, D 525 Sch webach, James, 245 Skinner, J. W 285 Sprecher, John 653 Thompson, P. S 477 Tourtellotte, Mills 465 Van Steenwyk, G 349 Vincent, James 197 Washburn, C. C 365 Wilhee, Levi 189 Withee, N H 205 ,s«»^ :-^i GEORGE WASHINGTON. mm ^^EORGE WASHING- ^ TON, the "Father of his Country" and its first President, 1789- '97, was born Febru- ary 2-', 1732, in Wash- ^ ington Parish, West- -o^^,«.,. moreland Cou nty, Virginia. 3^*|ij^ His father, Augustine Wash- ington, first married Jane But- „,,„.,,j5j(i^ lei', who bore him four chil- "^'dWyT *^'''^"' ''^"^ March 6, 1730, he married Mary Ball. Of six children by his second mar- riage, George was the eldest, tiie others being Betty, Samuel, John, Au- gustine, Charles and Mildred, of whom the youngest died in infancy. Little is known of the earl}' 3'ears of Washington, beyond the fact that the house in which he was born was burned during his early child- hood, and that his father thereupon moved to another farm, inherited from his paternal ancestors, situated in Stafford County, on the north bank of the Rappahannock, where he acted as agent of the Principio Iron Works in the immediate yicinity, and died there in 1743. From earliest childhood George deycl- oped a noble character. He had a vigorous constitution, a fine form, and great bodil}- strength. His education was somewhat de- fective, beins: confined to the elementa.'v branches taught him by his mother and at a neighboring school. He developed, how- ever, a fondness for mathematics, and en- joyed in that branch tiie instructions of a private teacher. On leaving scItooI he re- sided for some time at Mount Vernon with his half brother, Lawrence, who acted as his guardian, and who had married a daugh- ter of his neighbor at Belvoir on the Poto- mac, the wealthy William Fairfa.x, for some time president of tiie executive council of the colony. Both Fairfax and his son-in-law, Lawrence Washington, had served with dis- tinction in 1740 as officers of an American battalion at tiic siege of Carlhagena, and were friends and correspondents of Admiral Vernon, for whom the latter's residence on the Potomac has been named. George's inclinations were for a similar career, and a midshipman's warrant was procured for him, probably through the influence of the Admiral ; but through the opposition of iiis mother the project was abandoned. The family connection with the Fairfaxes, how- ever, opened another career for the young man, who, at the age of sixteen, was ap- pointed surveyor to the immense estates of the eccentric Lord Fairfax, who was then on a visit at Belvoir, and who shortly after- ward established his baronial residence at Greenway Court, in the Shenandoah Valley. PffES/DCATS OF THE UNITED STATES. Tliree years were passed by young Wash- ington in a rough frontier life, gaining ex- perience which afterward proved very es- sential to him. In 175 1, when the Virginia militia were put under training wiih a view to active service against France, Washington, though onl)' nineteen years of age, was appointed Adjutant with the rank of Major. In Sep- tember of that year the failing health of Lawrence Washington rendered it neces- sary for him to seek a warmer climate, and Geirge accompanied him in a voyage to Bar :)adocs. They returned earl v in 1752, and Lawrence shortly afterward died, leav- ing h.s large property to an infant daughter. In iiis will George was named one of tiie executors and as eventual heir to Mount Vernon, and by the death of the infant niece soon succeeded to lliat estate. On tlie arrival of Robert Dinwiddie as Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia in 1752 the militia was reorganized, and the prov- ince divided into four districts. Washing- ton was commissioned bv Dinwiddie Adju- tant-General of tlie Northern District in 1753, and in November of that year a most important as well as hazardous mission was assigned him. Tliis was to proceed to the Canadian posts recently established on French Creek, near Lake Erie, to demand in the name of the King of England the witlidrawal of the French from a territory claimed by Virginia. This enterprise had been declined by more than one officer, since it involved a journey through an ex- tensive and almost unexplored wilderness in the occupanc)- of savage Indian tribes, either hostile to the English, or of doubtful attachment. Major Washington, however, accepted the commission witli alacrity ; and, accompanied by Captain Gist, he reached Fort Le Boeuf on French Creek, delivered his dispatches and received reply, which, of course, was a polite refusal to surrender the posts. This reply was of sucii a character as to induce tlie Assembly of Virginia to auth(irize the executive to raise a regiment of 300 men for the purpose of maintaining the asserted rights of the British crown over the territory claimed. As Washing- ton declined to be a candidate for that post, the command of this regiment was given to Colonel Joshua Fry, and Major Washing- ton, at his own request, was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel. On the march to Ohio, news was received that a parly previ(^usly sent to build a fort at the confluence of the Monongahela with the Ohio had been driven back bv a considerable French force, which !iad completed the work there be- gun, and named it Fort Duquesnc, in honor of the Marquis Duijuesne, then Governor of Canada. This was the beginning of the great " French and Indian war,'' whicii con- tinued seven )-cars. On the death fif Colonel Frv, Washington succeeded to the com- mand of the regiment, and so well did he fulfill his trust that the Virginia Assembly commissioned him as Commander-in-Chief of all the forces raised in the colony. A cessation of all Indian hostility on the frontier having followed the expulsion of the French from the Ohio, the object of Washington was accomplished and he re- signed his commission as Commander-in- Chief of the Virginia forces. He then pro- ceeded to Williamsburg to take his seat in the General Assembly, of which he had been elected a member. January 17, 1759. Washington married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, a young and beautiful widow of great wealth, and de- voted himself for the ensuing fifteen years to the quiet pursuits of agricultuie, inter- rupted only by his annual attendance in winter upon the Colonial Legislature at Williamsburg, until summoned by his country to enter upon that other arena in which his fame was to become world wide. It is unnecessary here to trace the details of the struggle upon the question of local GEoncE WASni\r,TON. self-government, which, after ten years, cul- minated by act of Parliament of the port of Boston. It was at the instance of Virginia that a congress of all the colonies was called to meet at Philadelphia September 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties — if possible b}' peaceful means. To this Congress Colonel Washington was sent as a dele- gate. On dissolving in October, it recom- mended the C(jlonies to send deputies to another Congress the following spring. In the meantime several of the colonics felt impelled to raise "local forces to repel in- sults and aggressions on the part of British troops, so that on the assembling of the ne.xt Congress, Mav 10, 1775, the war prepara- tions of the mother country were unmis- takable. The battles of Concord and Lex- ington had been fought. Among the earliest acts, therefore, of the Congress was the selection of a commander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This office was unani- mously conferred upon Washington, still a member of the Congress. He accepted it on June 19, but on tiie express condition he should receive no salary. He immediatel}' repaired to tiie vicinity of Boston, against wliich point the British j ministry had concentrated their forces. As early as April General Gage had 3,000 troops in and around this proscribed city. During the fall and winter the British policy clearly indicated a purpose to divide pub- lic sentiment and to build up a British party in the colonies. Those who sided with the ministry were stigmatized by the patriots as " Tories," while the patriots took to them- selves the name of " Whigs." As early as 1776 the leading men had come to the conclusion that there was no hope except in separation and indepen- dence. In May of that year Washington wrote from the head of the army in New York : " A reconciliation with Great Brit- ain is impossible When I took command ot the army, 1 abhorred the idea of independence ; but I am now fully satis- fied that nothing else will save us." It is not the object of this sketch to trace the military acts of the patriot hero, to whose hands the fortunes and liberties of the United States were confided during the seven years' bloody struggle that ensued until the treaty of 1783, in which England ' acknowledged the independence of each of the thirteen States, and negotiated with them, jointly, as separate sovereignties. The merits of Washington as a military chief- tain have been considerably discussed, espe- cially b}' writers in his own countr}'. Dur- ing the war he was most bitterly assailed for incompetency, and great efforts were made to displace him ; but he never for a moment lost the confidence of either the Congress or the people. December 4, 1783, the great commander took leave of his offi- cers in most affectionate and patriotic terms, and went to Annapolis, Maryland, where the Congress of the States was in session, and to that bodv, when peace and order prevailed ever3'where, resigned his com- mission and retired to Mount Vernon. It was in 1788 that Washington was called to the chief magistracy of the nation. He received every electoral vote cast in all the colleges of the States voting for the office of President. The 4th of March, 1789, was tiie time appointed for the Government ot the United States to begin its operations, but several weeks elapsed before quorums of both the newly constituted houses of the Congress were assembled. The cit}- of New York was the place where the Congrees then met. April 16 Washington left his home to enter upon the discharge of his new duties. He set out with a purpose ot traveling privately, and without attracting any public attention ; but this was impossi- ble. Everywhere on his way he was met with thronging crowds, eager to see the man whom the}' regarded as the chief de- fender of their liberties, and everywhere PRRSfDEXTS OF THE UX/TED STATES. he was hailed with those public manifesta- tions of joy, regard and love which spring spontaneously from the hearts of an affec- tionate and grateful people. His reception in New York was marked by a grandeur and an enthusiasm never before witnessed in that metropolis. The inauguration took place April 30, in the presence of an immense multitude which had assembled to witness the new and imposing ceremony. The oath of office was administered by Robert R. Livingston, Chancellor of the State. When this sacred pledge was given, he retired ^vith the other officials into the Senate chamber, where he delivered his inaugural address to both houses of the newly con- stituted Congress in joint assembly. In the manifold details of his civil ad- ministration, Washington proved himself equal to the requirements oi his position. The greater portion of the first session of the first Congress was occupied in passing the necessary statutes for putting the new organization into complete operation. In the discussions brought up in the course of this legislation the nature and character of the new system came under general review. On no one of them did any decided antago- nism of opinion arise. All held it to be a limited government, clothed only with spe- cific powers conferred by delegation from the States. There was no change in the name of the legislative department ; it still remained " tiie Congress of the United States of America." There was no chanee in the original flag of the country, and none in the seal, which still remains with the Grecian escutcheon borne by the eagle, with other eml)lcms, imder the great and expressive motto, "i; Pliirtbus Unnui." The first division of parties arose upon the manner of construing the powers dele- gated, and they were first styled "strict constructionists" and " latitudinarian con- structionists." The former were for con- fining the action of the Government strictly within its specific and limited sphere, while the others were for enlarging its powers by inference and implication. Hamilton and Jefferson, both members of the first cabinef were regarded as the chief leaders, respect ivel}', of these rising antagonistic parties, which have existed, under different names from that day to this. Washington 'vas rC' garded as holding a neutral position between them, though, by mature deliberation, he vetoed the first apportionment bill, in 1790, passed by the party headed by Hamilton, which was based upon a principle construct- ively leading to centralization or consoli- dation. This was the first exercise of the veto power under the present Constitution. It created considerable excitcinent at the time. Another bill was soon passed in pur- suance of Mr. Jefferson's views, which has been adhered to in principle in every ap portionment act passed since. At the second session of the new Con. gress, Washington announced the gratify- ing fact of " the accession of North Caro- lina" to the Constitution of 1787, and June I of the same year he announced by special message the like " accession of the State of Rhode Island," with his congratulations on the happy event which " united under the general Government" all the States which were originally confederated. In 1792, at the second Presidential elec- tion, Washington was desirous to retire; but he yielded to the general wish of the countr)', and was again chosen President by the unanimous vote of every electoral college. At tiie third election, 1796, he was again most urgently entreated to consent to remain in the executive chair. This he positively refused. In September, before the election, he gave to his countr3'men his memorable Farewell Address, which in lan- guage, sentiment and patriotism was a fit and crowning glory of his illustrious life. After March 4, 1797, he again retired to Mount Vernon for peace, quiet and repose. GEORGE WASHIXGTnN. n His administration for the two terms had been successful beyond the expectation and hopes of even the most sanguine of his friends. The finances of the country were no longer in an embarrassed condition, the public credit was fully restored, life was giv'en to every department of industry, the workings of the new s^'stem in allowing Congress to raise revenue from duties on imports proved to be not onlv harmonious in its federal action, but astonishing in its results upon the commerce and trade of all the States. The exports from the Union increased from $19,000,000 to over $5 6,000,- 000 per annum, while tlie imports increased in about the same proportion. Three new chief to quit his repose at Mount Vernon and take command of all the United States forces, with the rank of Lieutenant-General, when war was threatened with France in 1798, nothing need here be stated, except to note the fact as an unmistakable testimo- nial of the high regard in which he was still held b)' his countrymen, of all shades of po- litical opinion. He patriotically accepted this trust, but a treaty of peace put a stop to all action under it. He again retired to Mount Vernon, where, after a short and severe illness, he died December 14, 1799, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. The whole country was filled with gloom b)^ this sad intelligence. Men of all parties in poli- members had been added to the Union. The tics and creeds in religion, in every State progress of the States in their new career under their new organization thus far was exceedingly encouraging, not only to the friends of libertv within their own limits, but to their sympathizing allies in all climes iuid countries. in the Union, united with Congress in " pay- ing honor to the man, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his country- men." His remains were deposited in a fami-.;^ vault on the banks of the Potomac at Mount Ot the call again made on this illustrious Vernon, where they still lie entombed. ^,tS^£P^' 14 PRhSIDhXTS OF THE UNITED STATES. ;^oOr\.', i -b '4W -"'OHN ADAMS, the second President of the United States, 1797 to 1801, was born in the present town iSjy_ of Qiiincy, then a portion ^J" of Braintrce, Massachu- setts, October 30, 1735. His father was a farmer of mod- erate means, a worthy and industrious man. He was a deacon in the ciuirch, and was ver}- desirous of giving his son a collegiate educa- tion, hoping that he would become a minister of the gospel. But, as up to this time, the age of fourteen, he had been only a play-boy in the fields and forests, he had no taste for books, he chose farming. On being set to work, however, by his father out in the field, the very first day con- verted the bo}' into a lover of books. Accordingly, at the age of sixteen he entered Harvard College, and graduated in 1755, at the age of twenty, highly esteemed for integrity, energy and ability. Thus, ' having no capital but his education, he started out into the stormy world at a time of great political excitement, as France and I England were then engaged in their great ' seven-j'ears struggle for the mastery over the New World. The tire of patriotism seized young Adams, and for a time he studied over the question whether he should take to the law, to politics or ihe army. He wrote a remarkable letter to a friend, making prophecies concerning the future greatness of this country which have since been more than fulfilled. For two years he taught school and studied law, wasting no odd moments, and at the ear'v age of twenty-two years he opened a law office in his native town. His inherited powers of mind and untiring devotion to his profession caused him to rise rapidly in public esteem. In October, 1764, Mr. Adams married Miss Abigail Smith, daughter of a clerg}-- man at Weymouth and a lady of rare per- sonal and intellectual endowments, who afterward contributed much to her hus- band's celebrity. Soon the oppression of the British in America reached its climax. The Boston merchants employed an attorney by the name of James Otis to aigue the legality of oppressive tax law betore the Superior Court. Adams heard the arginnent, and afterward wrote to a friend concerning the ability displayed, as follows: "Otis was a flame of fire. With a promptitude of classical allusion, a depth of research, a rapid summary of historical events and dates, a profusion of legal authorities and a / - s" I yoH.v A/OAJis. '? prophetic glance into futurity, he hurried away all before him. American independence was then and there born. Every man of an immensely crowded audience appeared to me to go away, as I did, ready to take up arms." Soon Mr. Adams wrote an essay to be read before the literary club of his town, upon the state of affairs, which was so alile as to attract public attention. It was pub- lished in American journals, republished in England, and was pronounced by the friends of the colonists there as " one of the very best productions ever seen from North America." Tiie memorable Stamp Act was now issued, and Adams entered with all the ardor of his soul into political life in order to resist it. He drew up a series of reso- lutions remonstrating against the act, which were adopted at a public meeting of the citizens of Braintree, and which were sub- sequently adopted, word for word, by more than forty towns in the State. Popular commotion prevented the landing of the Stamp Act papers, and the English author- ities then closed the courts. The town of Boston therefore appointed Jeremv Grid- ley, James Otis and John Adams to argue a petition before the Governor and council for the re-opening of the courts; and while the two first mentioned attorne3's based their argument upon the distress caused to the people by the measure, Adams boldly claimed that the Stamp Act was a violation both of the English Constitution and the charter of the Provinces. It is said that this was the first direct denial of the un- limited right of Parliament over the colo- nies. Soon after this the Stamp Act was repealed. Directly Mr. .''.dams was emphjyed to defend Ansel 1 Nickerson, who had killed an Englishman in the act of impressing him (Nickerson) into the King's service, and his client was acquitted, the court thus estab- lishing the principle that the infamous royal prerogative of impressment could have no existence in the colonial code. But in 1770 Messrs. Adams and Josiah Quincy defended a party of British soldiers who had been arrested for murder when they had been onl}' obeying Governmental orders ; and when reproached for thus ap- parently deserting the cause of popular liberty, Mr. Adams replied that he would a thousandfold rather live under the domina- tion of the worst of England's kings than under that of a lawless mob. Next, after sjrving a term as a member of the Colonial Legislature from Boston, Mr. Adams, find- ing his health affected by too great labor, retired to his native home at Braintree. I The year 1774 soon arrived, with its fa- mous Boston '• Tea Party," the first open act of rebellion. Adams was sent to the Congress at Philadelphia; and when the Attorney-General announced tha*^^ Great Britain had " determined on her system, and that her power to execute it was irre- sistible," Adams replied : " I know that Great Britain has determined on her sj'S- tem, and that very determination deter- mines me on mine. You know that I have been constant in my opposition to her measures. The die is now cast. I have passed the Rubicon. Sink or swim, live or die, with my country, is my unalterable determination." The rmnor beginning to prevail at Philadelphia that the Congress had independence in view, Adams foresaw that it was too soon to declare it openly. He advised every one to retnain quiet in that respect; and as soon as it became ap- parent that he himself was for independ- ence, he was advised to hide himself, which he did. The next year the great Revolutionary war opened in earnest, and Mrs. Adams, residing near Boston, kept her husband ad- vised by letter of all the events transpiring in her vicinity. The battle of Bunker Hil! T-RESIDENTS OF THE U SITED STATES. came on. Congress had to do something immediately. The first thing was to choose a commander-in-chief for the — we can't say " army " — the fighting men of the colonies. The New England delegation was almost imanimous in favor of appoint- mg General Ward, then at the head of the Massachusetts forces, but Mr. Adams urged the appointment of George Washington, then almost unknown outside of his own State. He was appointed without oppo- sition. Mr. Adams offered the resolution, which was adopted, annulling all the royai autlKjrity in the colonics. Having tiuis prepared the way, a fc \v weeks later, viz., June 7, 1776, Richard Henrv Lee, of Vir- ginia, who a few months before liad declared that the British Government would aban- don its oi)pressive measures, now offered the memorable resolution, seconded by Adams, " that these United States are, and of right ouglit to be, free and independent." Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Sherman and Livingston were then appointed a commit- tee to draught a declaration of independ- ence. Mr. Jefferson desired Mr. Adams to draw up ihe bold document, but the latter persuaded Mr. Jefferson to perform that responsible task. The Declaration drawn up, Mr. Adams became its foremost defender on the floor of Congress. It was signed b\- all the fifty-five members present, and the ne.xt day Mr. Adams wrote to his wife how great a deed was done, and how proud he was of it. Mi. Adams continued to be the leading man of Congress, and the leading advocate of American inde- pendence. Above all other Americans, he was considered by every one the prin- cipal shining mark (or British vengeance. Thus circumstiuiced, he was appointed to the most dangerous task of crossing the ocean in winter, exposed to capture by the British, who knew of his mission, which was to visit Paris and solicit the co-opera- tion of the French. Besides, to take him- self away from tlie country of which he was the most prominent defender, at that critical time, was an act of the greatest self- sacrifice. Sure enough, while crossing the sea, he had two very narrow escapes from capture; and the transit was otherwise 2 stormy and eventful one. During thr summer of 1779 he returned home, but was immediately dispatched back to France, to be in readiness there to negotiate terms of peace and commerce with Great Britain as soon as the latter power was ready for such business. But as Dr. Franklin was more |)()pular than heat the court of France, Mr. Adams repaired to Holland, where he was far more successful as a diplomatist. The treaty of peace between the United States and England was finally signed at Paris, Januarv 21, 1783; and the re-action from so great excitement as Mr. Adams had so long been experiencing threw him into a dangerous fever. ' Before he fully re- covered he was in London, whence he was dispatched again to Amsterdam to negoti- ate another loan. Compliance with this order undermined his physical constitution for life. In 1785 Mr. Adams was appointed envoy to the court of St. James, to meet face to face the very king who had regarded him as an arch traitor ! Accordingly he re- paired thither, where he did actually meet and converse with George III.! After a residence there for about three years, he obtained permission to return to America. While in London he wrote and published an able work, in three volumes, entitled: " A Defense of the American Constitution." The Articles of Confederation proving inefficient, as Adams had prophesied, a carefully draughted Constitution was adopted in 1789, when George Washington was elected President of the new nation, and Adams Vice-President. Congress met for a time in New York, but was removed to Philadelphia for ten years, until suitable JOHN ADAMS. •S buildings should be erected at the new capital in the District of Columbia. Mr. Adams then moved his family to Phila- delphia. Toward the close of his term of office the French Revolution culminated, when Adams and Washington rather sympathized with England, and Jefferson with France. The Presidential election of 1796 resulted in giving Mr. Adams the first place by a small majority, and Mr. Jeffer- son the second place. Mr. Adams's administration was consci- entious, patriotic and able. The period was a turbulent one, and even an archangel ■ could not have reconciled the hostile par- ties. Partisanism with reference to Eng- land and France was bitter, and for four years ^f r. Adams struggled through almost a constant tempest of assaults. In fact, he was not truly a popular man, and his cha- grin at not receiving a re-election was so great that he did not even remain at Phila- delphia to witness the inauguration of Mr. Jefferson, his successor. The friendly intimacy between these two men was interrupted for about thirteen years of their life. Adams finally made the first advances toward a restoration of their mutual friend- ship, which were gratefully accepted by Jefferson. Mr. Adams was glad of his opportunity to retire to private lite, where he could rest his mind and enjoy the comforts of home. By a thousand bitter experiences he found the path of public duty a thorny one. For twenty-six years his service of the public was as arduous, self-sacrificing and devoted as ever fell to the lot of man. In one im- portant sense he was as much the " Father o( his Country " as was Washington in another sense. During these long years of anxiety and toil, in which he was laying, broad and deep, the foundations of the greatest nation the sun ever shone upon, he received from his impoverished country a meager support. The only privilege he carried with him into his retirement was that of franking his letters. Although taking no active part in public affairs, both himself and his son, John Quincy, nobly supported the policy of Mr. Jefferson in resisting the encroachm.ents of England, who persisted in searching American ships on the high seas and dragging from them any sailors that might be designated by any pert lieutenant as British subjects. Even for this noble sup- port Mr. Adams was maligned by thou- sands of bitter enemies ! On this occasion, for the first time since his retirement, he broke silence and drew up a very able paper, exposing the atrocity of the British pretensions. Mr. Adams outlived nearly all his family. Though his physical frame began to give way many years before his death, his mental powers retained their strength and vigor to the last. In his ninetieth year he was gladdened by the popular elevation of his son to the Presidential office, the highest in the gift of the people. A few months more passed away and the 4th of July, 1826, arrived. The people, unaware of the near approach of the end of two great lives — that of Adams and Jefferson — were making unusual preparations for a national holiday. Mr. Adams fay upon his couch, listening to the ringing of bells, the waftures of martial music and the roar of cannon, with silent emotion. Only four days before, he had given for a public toast, " Independence forever." About two o'clock in the after- noon he said, "And Jefferson still survives." But he was mistaken by an hour or so; and in a few minutes he had breathed his last. PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. JHHHS K^^^^^^^Wr^r^'frrJr^rJ-^r^r'rJr^r^rJT^.^rJr-r^^^.Jj^r^r'JrJrJ H O M A S J E F F E R- son, the third Presi- dent of the United States, 1 801-9, ^^38 born April 2, 1743, the eldest child of iiis parents, Peter and Jane (Randolph) Jef- ferson, near Charlottes- ville, Albemarle County, Virginia, upon the slopes of the Blue Ridge. When he -was fourteen years of age, his fatlier died, Icav- _ I widow and eight children. She was a beau- tiful and accomplished lady, a good letter-writer, with a fund of humor, and an admirable housekeeper. His parents belonged totlic Church of England, and are said to be of Welch origin. But little is known of them, however. Thomas was naturally of a serious turn of mind, apt to learn, and a favorite at school, his choice studies being mathemat- ics and the classics. At the age of seven- teen he entered William and Mary College, in an advanced class, and lived in rather an expensive style, consequently being much caressed by gay society. That he was not ruined, is proof of his stamina of character. But during his second year he discarded society, his horses and even his favorite violin, and devoted thenceforward fifteen hours a day to hard study, becoming ex- traordinaril}^ proficient in Latin and Greek authors. On leaving college, before he was twenty- one, he commenced the study of law, and pursued it diligently until he was well qualified for practice, upon which he entered in 1767. By this time he was also versed in French, Spanish, Italian and An- glo-Saxon, and in the criticism of the fine arts. Being very polite and polished in his manners, he won the friendship of all whom he met. Though able with his pen, he was not fluent in public speech. In 1769 he was chosen a member of the Virginia Legislature, and was the largest slave-holding member of that body. He introduced a bill empowering slave-holders to manumit their slaves, but it was rejected by an overwhelming vote. In 1770 Mr. Jeflerson met with a great loss ; his house at Shadwell was burned, and his valuable library of 2,000 volumes was consumed. But he was wealthy enough to replace the most of it, as from his 5,000 acres tilled by slaves and his practice at the bar his income amounted to about $5,000 a year. In 1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a beautiful, wealthy and accomplished '/^rrr^ THOMAS JEFFERSON. 23 young widow, who owned 40,000 acres of land and 130 slaves; yet he labored assidu- ously for the abolition of slavery. For his new home he selected a majestic rise of land upon his large estate at Shad well, called Monticello, whereon he erected a mansion of modest yet elegant architecture. Here he lived in luxury, indulging his taste in magnificent, high-blooded horses. At this period the British Government gradually became more insolent and op- pressive toward the American colonies, and Mr. Jefferson was ever one of the most foremost to resist its encroachments. From time to time he drew up resolutions of re- monstrance, which were finally adopted, thus proving his ability as a statesman and as a leader. By the year 1774 he became quite busy, both with voice and pen, in de- fending the right of the colonies to defend themselves. His pamphlet entitled : " A Summary View of the Rights of British America," attracted much attention in Eng- land. The following year he, in company with George Washington, served as an ex- ecutive committee in measures to defend by arms the State of Virginia. As a Mem- ber of the Congress, he was not a speech- maker, yet in conversation and upon committees he was so frank and decisive that he always m>ade a favorable impression. But as late as the autumn of 1775 he re- mained in hopes of reconciliation with the parent country. At length, however, the hour arrived for draughting the " Declaration of Indepen- dence," and this responsible task was de- volved upon Jefferson. Franklin, and Adams suggested a few verbal corrections before it was submitted to Congress, which was June 28, 1776, only six days before it was adopted. During the three days of the fiery ordeal of criticism through which it passed in Congress, Mr. Jefferson opened not his lips. John Adams was the main champion of the Declaration on the floor of Congress. The signing of this document was one of the most solemn and momentous occasions ever attended to by man. Prayer and silence reigned throughout the hall, and each signer realized that if American independence was not finally sustained by arms he was doomed to the scaffold. After the colonies became independent States, Jefferson resigned for a time his seat in Congress in order to aid in organizing the government of Virginia, of which State he was chosen Governor in 1779, when he was thirty-six years of age. At this time the British had possession of Georgia and were invading South Carolina, and at one time a British officer, Farleton, sent a secret expedition to Monticello to capture the Governor. Five minutes after Mr. Jefferson escaped with his family, his man- sion was in possession of the enemy ! The British troops also destroyed his valuable plantation on the James River. " Had they carried off the slaves," said Jefferson, with characteristic magnanimity, " to give them freedom, they would have done right." The year 1781 was a gloomy one for the Virginia Governor. While confined to his secluded home in the forest by a sick and dying wife, a party arose against him throughout the State, severely criticising his course as Governor. Being very sensi- tive to reproach, this touched him to the quick, and the heap of troubles then sur- rounding him nearly crushed him. He re- solved, in despair, to retire from public life for the rest of his days. For weeks Mr. Jefferson sat lovingly, but with a crushed heart, at the bedside of his sick wife, during which time unfeeling letters were sent to him, accusing him of weakness and unfaith- fulness to duty. All this, after he had lost so much property and at the same time done so much for his country ! After her death he actually fainted away, and re- mained so long insensible that it was feared he never would recover! Several weeks 24 P/l£S/DE.VrS OF THE UNITED STATES. passed before he could fully recover his equilibrium. He was never married a second time. In the spring of 1782 the people of Eng- land compelled their king to make to the Americans overtures of peace, and in No- vember following, Mr. Jefferson was reap- pointed by Congress, unanimously and without a single adverse remark, minister plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty. In JNIarch, 1784, Mr. Jefferson was ap- pointed on a committee to draught a plan for the government of the Northwestern Territory. His slavery-prohibition clause in that plan was stricken out by the pro- slavery majorit) of the committee; but amid all the controversies and wrangles of poli- ticians, he made it a rule never to contra- dict anybody or engage in any discussion as a debater. In company with Mr. Adams and Dr. Franklin, Mr. Jefferson was appointed in May, 1784, to act as minister plenipotentiary in the negotiation of treaties of commerce with foreign nations. Accordingly, he went to Paris and satisfactorily accomplished his mission. The suavity and high bearing of his manner made all the French his friends; and even Mrs. Adams at one time wrote to her sister that he was " the chosen of the earth." But all the honors that he received, both at home and abroad, seemed to make no change in the simplicity of his republican tastes. On his return to America, he found two parties respecting the foreign commercial policy, Mr. Adams sympathizing with that in favor of England and himself favoring France. On the inauguration of General Wash- ington as President, Mr. Jefferson was chosen by him for the office of Secretary of State. At this time the rising storm of the French Revolution became visible, and Washington watched it with great anxiety. His cabinet was divided in their views of constitutional government as well as re- garding the issues in France. General Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, was the leader of the so-called Federal party, while Mr. Jefferson was the leader of the Republican party. At the same time there was a strong monarchical party in this country, with which Mr. Adams sympa- thized. Some important financial measures, which were proposed by Hamilton and finally adopted by the cabinet and approved by Washington, were opposed by Mr. Jefferson ; and his enemies then began to reproach him with holding office under an administration whose views he opposed. The President poured oil on the troubled waters. On his re-election to the Presi- dency he desired Mr. Jefferson to remain in the cabinet, but the latter sent in his resignation at two different times, probably because he was dissatisfied with some of the measures of the Government. His final one was not received until January i, 1794, when General Washington parted from him with great regret. Jefferson then retired to his quiet home at Monticello, to enjoy a good rest, not even reading the newspapers lest the political gossip should disquiet him. On the Presi- dent's again calling him back to the office of Secretarj' of State, he replied that no circumstances would ever again tempt him to engage in anything public! But, while all Europe was ablaze with war, and France in the throes of a bloody revolution and the principal theater of the conflict, a new Presidential election in this country came on. John Adams was the Federal candi- date and Mr. Jefferson became the Republi- can candidate. The result of the election was the promotion of the latter to the Vice- Presidency, whilp the former was chosen President. In this contest Mr. Jefferson really did not desire to have either office, he was " so weary " of party strife. He loved the retirement of home more than any other place on the earth. THOMAS yEFPEHSON. 25 But for four long years his Vice-Presi- dency passed joylessly awaj', while the partisan strife between Federalist and Re- publican was ever growing hotter. The former party split and the result of the fourth general election was the elevation of Mr. Jefferson to the Presidency ! with Aaron Burr as Vice-President. These men being at the head of a growing party, their election was hailed everywhere with joy. On the other hand, many of the Federalists turned pale, as they believed what a portion of the pulpit and the press had been preach- ing — that Jefferson was a " scoffing atheist," a "Jacobin," the "incarnation of all evil," " breathing threatening and slaughter ! " Mr. Jefferson's inaugural address con- tained nothing but the noblest sentiments, e.xpressed in fine language, and his personal behavior afterward exhibited the extreme of American, democratic simplicity. His disgust of European court etiquette grew upon him with age. He believed that General Washington was somewhat dis- trustful of the ultimate success of a popular Government, and that, imbued with a little admiration of the forms of a monarchical Government, he had instituted levees, birth- day's, pompous meetings with Congress, etc. Jefferson was always polite, even to slaves everywhere he met them, and carried in his countenance the indications of an ac- commodating disposition. The political principles of the Jeffersoni- an party now swept the country, and Mr. Jefferson himself swayed an influence which was never exceeded even by Washington. Under his administration, in 1803, the Lou- isiana purchase was made, for $15,000,000, the " Louisiana Territory " purchased com- prising all the land west of the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean. The year 1804 witnessed another severe loss in his famil}'. His highl}' accomplished and most beloved daughter Maria sickened and died, causing as great grief in the stricken parent as it was possible for him to survive with any degree of sanity. The same year he was re-elected to the Presidency, with George Clinton as Vice- President. During his second term our relations with England became more com- plicated, and on June 22, 1807, near Hamp- ton Roads, the United States frigate Chesapeake was fired upon by the Brit- ish man-of-war Leopard, and was made to surrender. Three men were killed and ten wounded. Jefferson demanded repara- tion. England grew insolent, ft became evident that war was determined upon by the latter power. More than 1,200 Ameri- cans were forced into the British service upon the high seas. Before any satisfactory solution was reached, Mr. Jefferson's Presidential term closed. Amid all these public excitements he thought constantly of the welfare of his family, and longed for the time when he could return home to remain. There, at Monticello, his sub- sequent life was ver}' similar to that of Washington .at Mt. Vernon. His hospi- tality toward his numerous friends, indul- gence of his slaves, and misfortunes to his property, etc., finally involved him in debt. For years his home resembled a fashion- able watering-place. During the summer, thirty-seven house servants were required ! It was presided over by his daughter, Mrs. Randolph. Mr. Jefferson did much for the establish- ment of the University at Charlottesville, making it unsectarian, in keeping with the spirit of American institutions, but poverty and the feebleness of old age prevented liim from doing what he would. He even went so far as to petition the Legislature for permission to dispose of some of his possessions by lottery, in order to raise the necessary funds for home expenses. It was granted ; but before the plan was carried out, Mr. Jefferson died, July 4, 1826, at 12:50 P. M. 26 PRES/DENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. AMES MADISON, the fourth President of the United States, iSocj-'ij, was born at Port Con- waj', Prince George County, \'irgini:i, March i6, 1 75 1. His father, Colonel James Madison, was a weahhv planter, residing upon a very fine estate called " Montpelier," onl}' t\vent3-five miles from the home of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and jiolitical at- tachment existed between these illustrious men from their early 3'outh until death. James was the eldest of a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom attained maturity. His early edu- cation was conducted mostly at home, under a private tutor. Being naturally in- tellectual in his tastes, he consecrated him- self with unusual vigor to study . At a very early age he made considerable proficiency in the Greek, Latin, French and Spanish languages. In 1769 he entered Princeton College, New Jersey, of which the illus- trious Dr. Weatherspoon was then Presi- dent. He graduated in 1771, with a char- acter of the utmost purity, and a mind highl}- disciplined and stored with all the learning which embellished and gave effi- ciency to his subsequent career. After graduating he pursued a course of reading for several months, under the guidance of President Weatherspoon, and in 1772 re- turned to Virginia, where he continued in incessant study for two years, nominally directed to the law, but really including extended researches in theology, philoso- phy and general literature. The Church of England was the estab- lished church in Virginia, invested with all the prerogatives and immunities which it enjoyed in the fatherland, and other de- nominations labored under serious disabili- ties, the enforcement of which was rightl}- or wrongly characterized by them as per- secution. Madison took a jirominent stand in behalf of the removal of all disabilities, repeatedly appeared in the court of his own county to defend the Baptist nonconform- ists, and was elected from Orange County to the Virginia Convention in the spring of 1766, when he signalized the beginning of his public career by procuring the passage of an amendment to the Declaration of Rights as prepared by George Mason, sub- stituting for " toleration" a more emphatic assertion of religious liberty. •s?* J liLc.'^'--^ /yO{ a<.^^^ iT-i^ yAMES MAD/SON. 39 In 1776 he was elected a member of the Virgmia Convention to frame the Constitu- tion of the State. Like Jefferson, he took but little part in the public debates. His main strength lay in his conversational in- fluence and in his pen. In November, 1777, he was chosen a member of the Council of State, and in March, 1780, took his seat in the Continental Congress, where he first gained prominence through his energetic opposition to the issue of paper money by the States. He continued in Congress three vears, one of its most active and influential members. In 1784 Mr. Madison was elected a mem- ber of the Virginia Legislature. He ren- dered important service by promoting and participating in that revision of the statutes which effectually abolished the remnants of the feudal system subsistent up to that time in the form of entails, primogeniture, and State support given the Anglican Church ; and his " Memorial and Remon- strance" against a general assessment for the support of religion is one of the ablest papers which emanated from his pen. It settled the question of the entire separation of church and State in Virginia. Mr. Jefferson says of him, in allusion to the study and experience through which he had already passed : " Trained in these successive schools, he acquired a habit of self-possession which placed at ready command the rich resources of his luminous and discriminating mind and of his extensive information, and rendered him the first of every assembly of which he afterward became a member. Never wan- dering from his subject into vain declama- tion, but pursuing it closely in language pure, classical and copious, soothing al- ways the feelings of his adversaries by civili- ties and softness of expression, he rose to the eminent station which he held in the great Nacional Convention of 1787 ; and in that of Virginia, which followed, he sustained the new Constitution in all its parts, bearing off the palm against the logic of George Mason and the fervid declamation of Patrick Henr3^ With these consummate powers were united a pure and spotless virtue which no calumny has ever attempted to sully. Of the power and polish of his pen, and of the wisdom of his administration in the highest office of the nation, I need say nothing. They have spoken, and will for- ever speak, for themselves." In January, 1786, Mr. Madison took the initiative in proposing a meeting of State Commissioners to devise measures for more satisfactory commercial relations between the States. A meeting was held at An- napolis to discuss this subject, and but five States were represented. The convention issued another call, drawn up by Mr. Madi- son, urging all the States to send their dele- gates to Philadelphia, in Ma)', 1787, to draught a Constitution for the United States. The delegates met at the time ap- pointed, ever}' State except Rhode Island being represented. George Washington was chosen president of the convention, and the present Constitution of the United States was then and there formed. There was no mind and no pen more active in framing this immortal document than the mind and pen of James Madison. He was, perhaps, its ablest advocate in the pages of the Federalist. Mr. Madison was a member of the first four Congresses, i789-'97, in which he main- tained a moderate opposition to Hamilton's financial policy. He declined the mission to France and the Secretaryship of State, and, graduall)' identifying himself with the Republican party, became fropi 1792 its avowed leader. In 1796 he was its choice for the Presidency as successor to Wash- ington. Mr. Jefferson wrote : " There is not another person in the United States with whom, being placed at the helm of our affairs, my mind would be so completely at 30 PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. rest for the fortune of our political bark." But Mr. Madison declined to be a candi- date. His term in Congress had expired, and he returned from New York to his beautiful retreat at Montpelier. In 1794 Mr. Madison married a young widow of remarkable powers of fascination — Mrs. Todd. Her maiden name was Doro- thy Paine. She was born in 1767, in Vir- ginia, of Quaker parents, and had been educated in the strictest rules of that sect. When but eighteen years of age she married a young lawyer and moved to Philadelphia, where she was introduced to brilliant scenes of fashionable life. She speedily laid aside the dress and address of the Quakeress, and became one of the most fascinating ladies of the republican court. In New York, alter the death of her husband, she was the belle of the season and was surrounded with admirers. Mr. Madison won the prize. She proved an invaluable helpmate. In Washington she was the life of society. If there was any diffident, timid young girl just making her appearance, she found in Mrs. Madison an encouraging friend. During the storm v administration of John Adams Madison remained in private life, but was the author of the celebrated " Reso- lutions of 1798," adopted by the Virginia Legislature, in condemnation of the Alien and Sedition laws, as well as of the " report" in which he defended those resolutions, which is, by many, considered his ablest State paper. The storm passed away ; the Alien and Sedition laws were repealed, John Adams lost his re-election, and in 1801 Thomas Jef- ferson was chosen President. The great re- action in public sentiment which seated Jefferson in the presidential chair was large- ly owing to the writings of Madison, who was consequently well entitled to the post of Secretary of State. With great abilit}' he discharged the duties of this responsible office during the eight years of Mr. Jeffer- son's administration. As Mr. Jefferson was a widower, and neither of his daughters could be often with him, Mrs. Madison usually presided over the festivities of the White House; and as her husband succeeded Mr. Jefferson, hold- ing his office for two terms, this remarkable woman was the mistress of the presidential mansion for sixteen years. Mr. Madison being entirely engrossed by the cares of his office, all the duties of so- cial life devolved upon his accomplished wife. Never were such responsibilities more ably discharged. The most bitter foes of her husband and of the administra- tion were received with the frankly prof- fered hand and the cordial smile of wel- come; and the influence of this gentle woman in allaying the bitterness of party rancor became a great and salutary power in the nation. As the term of Mr. Jefferson's Presidency drew near its close, party strife was roused to the utmost to elect his successor. It was a death-grapple between the two great parties, the Federal and Republican. Mr. Madison was chosen President by an elec toral vote of 123 to 53, and was inaugurated March 4, 1809, at a critical period, when the relations of the United States witb Great Britain were becoming embittered, and his first term was passed in diplomatic quarrels, aggravated by the act of non-intercourse of May, 1 8 10, and finally resulting in a decla- ration of war. On the i8th of June, 1812, President Madison gave his approval to an act of Congress declaring war against Great Brit- ain. Notwithstanding the bitter hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country in general approved ; and in the autumn Madison was re-elected to the Presidency by 128 electoral votes to 89 in favor of George Clinton. March 4, 1817, Madison yielded the Presi- yAMES MADISON. 3' dency to his Secretary of State and inti- mate friend, James Monroe, and retired to his ancestral estate at Montpelier, where he passed the evening of his days surrounded by attached friends and enjoying the merited respect of the whole nation. He took pleasure in promoting agriculture, as president of the county society, and in watching the development of the University of Virginia, of whicli he was long rector and visitor. In extreme old age he sat in 1829 as a member of the convention called to re- form the Virginia Constitution, where his appearance was hailed with the most gen- uine interest and satisfaction, though he was too infirm io participate in the active work of revision. Small in stature, slender and delicate in form, with a countenance full of intelligence, and expressive alike of mildness and dignity, he attracted the atten- tion of all who attended the convention, and was treated with the utmost deference. He seldom addressed the assembly, though he always appeared self-possessed, and watched with unflagging interest the prog- ress of every measure. Though the con- vention sat sixteen weeks, he spoke only twice ; but when he did speak, the whole house paused to listen. His voice was feeble though his enunciation was very dis- tinct. One of the reporters, Mr. Stansburv, relates the following anecdote of Mr. Madi- son's last speech: " The next day, as there was a great call for it, and the report had not been returned for publication, I sent my son with a re- spectful note, requesting the manuscript. My son was a lad of sixteen, whom I had taken with me to act as amanuensis. On delivering my note, he was received with the utmost politeness, and requested to come up into Mr. Madison's room and wait while his eye ran over the paper, as com- pany had prevented his attending to it. He did so, and Mr. Madison sat down to correct the report. The lad stood near him so that his eye fell on the paper. Coming to a certain sentence in the speech, Mr. Madison erased a word and substituted another ; but hesitated, and not feeling satisfied with the second .word, drew his pen through it also. My son was young, ignorant of the world, and unconscious of the solecism of which he was about to be guilty, when, in all simplic- ity, he suggested a word. Probably no other person then living would have taken such a liberty. But the sage, instead o( regarding such an intrusion with a frown, raised his eyes to the boy's face with a pleased surprise, and said, ' Thank you, sir ; it is the very word,' and immediately in- serted it. I saw him the next day, and he mentioned the circumstance, with a compli- ment on the 3^oung critic." Mr. Madison died at Montpelier, June 28, 1836, at the advanced age of eighty-five. While not possessing the highest order of talent, and deficient in oratorical powers, he was pre-eminently a statesman, of a well- balanced mind. His attainments were solid, his knowledge copious, his judgment gener- ally sound, his powers of anal3-sis and logi- cal statement rarely surpassed, his language and literary style correct and polished, his conversation witty, his temperament san- guine and trusfful, his integrity unques- tioned, his manners simple, courteous and winning. By these rare qualities he con- ciliated the esteem not only of friends, but of political opponents, in a greater degree than any American statesman in the present centurv. Mrs. Madison survived her husband thir- teen years, and died July 12, 1849, in the eighty-second year of her age. She was one of the most remarkable women our coun- try has produced. Even now she is ad- miringly remembered in Washington as " Dolly Madison," and it is fitting that her memor}' should descend to posterity in company with thatof the companion of her life. p PRESIDENTS OF THE UN/TJ^D STATES. \(^^ mfm:i'^^*i^*mf^ii'^*^^ j)gi^<^tsgj,^c^i;^(gg»^ gun ^jr;»iiu-Ea:^fl:^fl j 5£S3£3n .]MMS [ffiii:iiLD]i)^. a'^?ra^'>^^^ '>^^"^^'>^^^^ ' >^^^^^i^TS?tf ^HJSB^ i^Ti.'^-'''"- ''"•'''"•''' ••''•'''"•'''^•> ^Xi<- AMES MONROE, the fifth President of the United States, i8i7-'25, was born in Westmoreland County Virginia, April 28, 1758. He was a son of Spence Monroe, and a descendant of a Scottish cavalier fam- ily. Like all his predeces- sors thus far in the Presi- dential chair, he enjoyed all the advantages of educa- tion which the country could then afford. He was early sent to a fine classical school, and at the age of six- teen entered William and Mary College.. In 1776, when he had been in college but two years, the Declaration of Independence was adopted, and our feeble militia, with- out arms, amunition or clothing, were strug- gling against the trained armies of England. James Monroe left college, hastened to General Washington's headquarters at New York and enrolled himself as a cadet in the army. At Trenton Lieutenant Monroe so dis- tinguished himself, receiving a wound in his shoulder, that he was promoted to a Cap- taincy. Upon recovering from his wound, he was invited to act as aide to Lord Ster- ling, and in that capacity he took an active part ill the battles of Brandy wine, Ger- oiantownand Monmouth. At Germantown he stood by the side of Lafayette when the French Marquis received his wound. Gen- eral Washington, who had formed a high idea of young Monroe's ability, sent him to Virginia to raise a new regiment, of which he was to be Colonel; but so exhausted was Virginia at that time that the effort proved unsuccessful. He, however, received his commission. Finding no opportunity to enter the army as a commissioned officer, he returned to his original plan of studying law, and entered the office of Thomas Jefferson, who was then Governor of Virginia. He developed a very noble character, frank, manly atid sincere. Mr. Jefferson said of him: "James Monroe is so perfectl}' honest that if his soul were turned inside out there would not be found a spot on it." In 1782 he was elected to the Assembly of Virginia, and was also appointed a mem- ber of the Executive Council. The next year he was chosen delegate to the Conti- nental Congress for a term of three years. He was present at Annapolis when Wash- ington surrendered his commission of Com- mander-in-chief. With Washington, Jefferson and Madison he felt deeply the inefficiency of the old Articles of Confederation, and urged the formation of a new Constitution, which should invest the Central Government with something like national power. Influenced by these views, he introduced a resolution yAMES MONROE. ii that Congress should be empowered to regulate trade, and to lay an impost duty of five per cent. The resolution was refer- red to a committee of which he was chair- man. The report and the discussion which rose upon it led to the convention of five States at Annapolis, and the consequent general convention at Philadelphia, which, in 1787, drafted the Constitution of the United States. At this time there was a controversy be- tween New York and Massachusetts in reference to their boundaries. The high esteem in which Colonel Monroe was held is indicated by the fact that he was ap- pointed one of the judges to decide the controversy-. While in New York attend- ing Congress, he married Miss Kortright, a young lady distinguished alike for her beauty and accomplishments. For nearl}' fifty years this happy union remained un- broken. In London and in Paris, as in her own country, Mrs. Monroe won admiration and affection by the loveliness of her per- son, the brilliancy of her intellect, and the amiability of her character. Returning to Virginia, Colonel Monroe commenced the practice of law at Freder- icksburg. He was very soon elected to a seat in the State Legislature, and the ne.xt year he was chosen a member of the Vir- ginia convention which was assembled to decide upon the acceptance or rejection of the Constitution which had been drawn up at Philadelphia, and was now submitted to the several States. Deeply as he felt the imperfections of the old Confederacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution, thinking, with many others of the Republi- can party, that it gave too much power to the Central Government, and not enough to the individual States. In 1789 he became a member of the United States Senate, which office he held acceptably to his constituents, and with honor to himself for four years. Having opposed the Constitution as not leaving enough power with the States, he, of course, became more and more identi- fied with the Republican party. Thus he found himself in cordial co-operation with Jefferson and Madison. The great Repub- lican part}' became the dominant power which ruled the land. George Washington was then President. England had espoused the cause of the Bourbons against the principles of the French Revolution. President Washing- ton issued a proclamation of neutralit}- be- tween these contending powers. France had helped us in the struggle for our lib- erties. All the despotisms of Europe were now combined to prevent the French from escaping from tyranny a thousandfold worse than that which we had endured. Colonel Monroe, more magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that we should help our old allies in their extremity. He vio- lently opposed the President's procla- mation as ungrateful and wanting in magnanimity. Washington, who could appreciate such a character, developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness bv appointing that very James Monroe, who was denouncing the policy of the Government, as the Minis- ter of that Government to the republic of France. He was directed b)'' Washington to express to the French people our warm- est sympathy, communicating to them cor- responding resolves approved by the Pres- ident, and adopted b}' both houses of Congress. Mr. Monroe was welcomed by the Na- tional Convention in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations of respect and affection. He was publicl}' introduced to that body, and received the embrace of the President, Merlin de Douay, after having been addressed in a speech glowing with congratulations, and with expressions of desire that harmony might ever exist be 36 PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. tween the two nations. Tlie flags of the two republics were intertwined in the hall of the convention. Mr. Monroe presented the American colors, and received those of France in return. The course which he pursued in Paris was so annoying to Eng- land and to the friends of England in this country that, near the close of Wash- ir.gton's administration, Mr. Monroe, was recalled. After his return Colonel Monroe wrote a book of 400 pages, entitled " A View of the Conduct of the Executive in Foreign Af- fairs." In this work he ver}' ably advo- cated his side of the question; but, with the magnanimitv of the man, he recorded a warm tribute to the patriotism, ability and spotless integrity of John Jay, between whom and himself there was intense antag- onism ; and in subsequent years he ex- pressed in warmest terms his perfect veneration for the character of George Washington. Shortly after his return to this country Colonel Monroe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held that office iov three 3ears, the period limited by the Constitu- tion. In 1802 he was an Envoy to France, and to Spain in 1805, and was Minister to England in 1803. In 1.806 he returned to his quiet home in Virginia, and with his wife and children and an ample competence from his paternal estate, enjoyed a few years of domestic repose. In 1809 Mr. Jefferson's second term of 'office expired, and many of the Republican party were anxious to nominate James Monroe as his successor. The majority were in favor of Mr. Madison. Mr. Mon- roe withdrew his name and was soon after chosen a second time Governor of Virginia. He soon resigned that office to accept the position of Secretary of State, offered him by President Madison. The correspond- ence which he then carried on with the British Government demonstrated that there was no hope of any peaceful adjust- ment of our difficulties with the cabinet of St. James. War was consequently declared in June, 181 2. Immediately after the sack of Washingt<5n the Secretary of War re- signed, and Mr. Monroe, at the earnest request of Mr. Madison, assumed the ad- ditional duties of the War Department, without resigning his position as Secretary of State. It has been confidentl}' stated, that, had Mr. Monroe's energies been in the War Department a few months earlier, the disaster at Washington would not have occurred. The duties now devolving upon Mr. Mon- roe were extremely arduous. Ten thou- sand men, picked from the veteran armies of England, were sent with a powerful fleet to New Orleans to acquire possession of the mouths of the Mississippi. Our finan- ces were in the most deplorable condition. The treasurj' was exhausted and our credit gone. And ^-et it was necessary "to make the most rigorous preparations to meet the foe. In this crisis James Monroe, the Sec- retary of War, with virtue unsurpassed in Greek or Roman story, stepped forward and pledged his own individual credit as subsidiary to that of the nation, and thus succeeded in placing the city of New Or- leans in such a posture of defense, that it was enabled successfull}- to repel the in- vader. Mr. Monroe was trul}' the armor-bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient business man in his cabinet. His energy in the double capacity of Secretary, both of State and War, pervaded all the depart- ments of the country. He proposed to increase the army to 100,000 men, a meas- ure which he deemed absolutely necessary to save us from ignominious defeat, but which, at the same time, he knew would render his name so unpopular as to preclude the possibility of his being a successful can- didate for the Presidency. JAMES MONROE. 7,1 The happy result of the conference at Ghent in securing peace rendered the in- crease of the army unnecessary; but it is not too much to say that James Monroe placed in the hands of Andrew Jackson the weapon with which to beat off the foe at New Orleans. Upon the return of peace Mr. Monroe resigned the department of war, devoting himself entirely to the duties of Secretary of State. These he continued to discharge until the close of President Madison's administration, with zeal which was never abated, and with an ardor of self-devotion which made him almost for- getful of the claims of fortune, health or life. Mr. Madison's second term expired in March, 1817, and Mr. Monroe succeeded to the Presidency. He was a candidate of the Republican party, now taking the name of the Democratic Republican. In 1821 he was re-slected, with scarcely any opposition. Out cf 232 electoral votes, he received 231. The slavery question, which subsequently assumed such formidable dimensions, now began to make its appearance. The State of Missouri, which had been carved out of that immense territory which we had pur- chased of France, applied for admission to the Union, with a slavery Constitution. There were not a few who foresaw the evils impending. After the debate of a week it was decided that Missouri could not be admitted into the Union with slav- ery. This important question was at length settled by a compromise proposed by Henr}' Clay. The famous "Monroe Doctrine," of which so much has been said, originated in this way: In 1823 it was rumored that the H0I3' Alliance was about to interfere to prevent the establishment of Republican liberty in the European colonies of South America. President Monroe wrote to his old friend Thomas Jefferson for advice in the emergency. In his reply under date of October 24, Mr. Jefferson writes upon the supposition that our attempt to resist this European movement might lead to war: " Its object is to introduce and establish the i\.merican system of keeping out of our land all foreign powers; of never permitting those of Europe to intermeddle with the affairs of our nation. It is to maintain our own principle, not to depart from it." December 2, 1823, President Monroe sent a message to Congress, declaring it to be the policy of this Government not to entangle ourselves with the broils of Eu- rope, and not to allow Europe to interfere with the affairs of nations on the American continent; and the doctrine was announced, that any attempt on the part of the Euro- pean powers " to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere would be regarded by the United States as danger- ous to our peace and safety." March 4, 1825, Mr. Monroe surrendered the presidential chair to his Secretary of State, John Quincy Adams, and retired, with the universal respect of the nation, to his private residence at Oak Hill, Lou- doun County, Virginia. His time had been so entirely consecrated to his countr}', that he had neglected his pecuniary interests, and was deeply involved in debt. The welfare of his country had ever been up- permost in his mind. For many years Mrs. Monroe was in such feeble health that she rarely appeared in public. In 1830 Mr. Monroe took up his residence with his son-in-law in New York, where he died on the 4th of July, i8ji. The citizens of New York conducted his obsequies with pageants more imposing than had ever been witnessed there before. Our country will ever cherish his mem- ory with pride, gratefully enrolling his name in the list of its benefactors, pronounc- ing him the worthy successor of the illus- trious men who had preceded him in the presidential chair. 38 PItES/DENTS OF THE UN /TED STATES. '~R^^H^HHH^HHHH2H^S j»tig>' ?^M^ ^ # -X-. ^^_jbl,^,g ^_^L;_^»H)g^| fyTT"!^ NDREW JACKSON, the seventh President of the United States, i829-'37, was born at the Waxhaw Settle, ment, Union Coun- ty, North CaroHna, March i6, 1767. His parents were Scotch-Irish, natives of Carrickfergus, who came to America in 1765, and settled on Twelve-Mile Creek, a trib- utary of the Catawba. His father, who was a poor farm laborer, died shortly before An- drew's birth, when his mother removed to Waxhaw, where some relatives resided. Few particulars of the childhood of Jack- son have been preserved. His education was of the most limited kind, and he showed no fondness for books. He grew up to be a tall, lank boy, with coarse hair and freck- led cheeks, with bare feet dangling from trousers too short for him, very fond of ath- letic sports, running, boxing and wrestling. He was generous to the )'Ounger and weaker boys, but very irascible and over- bearing with his equals and superiors. He was profane — a vice in which he surpassed all other men. The character of his mother he revered; and it was not until after her death that his predominant vices gained full strength. In 1780, at the age of thirteen, Andrew, or Andy, as he was called, with his brother Robert, volunteered to serve in the Revo- lutionary forces under General Sumter, and was a witness of the latter's defeat at Hang- ing Rock. In the following year the brothers were made prisoners, and confined in Camden, experiencing brutal treatment from their captors, and being spectators of General Green's defeat at Hobkirk Hill. Through their mother's exertions the boys were exchanged while suffering from small- pox. In two days Robert was dead, and Andy apparently dying. The strength of his constitution triumphed, and he regained health and vigor. As he was getting better, his mother heard the cry of anguish from the prison- ers whom the British held in Charleston, among whom were the sons of her sisters. She hastened to their relief, was attacked b}- fever, died and was buried where her grave could never be found. Thus Andrew Jackson, when fourteen years of age, was left alone in the world, without father, mother, sister or brother, and without one dollar which he could call his own. He 48 PliESIDBNTS OF THE UNITED STATES. soon entered a saddler's shop, and labored diligently for six months. But gradually, as health returned, he became more and more a wild, reckless, lawless boy. He gambled, drank and was regarded as about the worst character that could be found. He now turned schoolmaster. He could teach the alphabet, perhaps the multiplica- tion table; and as he was a very bold boy, it is possible he might have ventured to teach a little writing. But he soon began to think of a profession and decided to study law. With a very slender purse, and on the back of a very fine horse, he set out for Salisbury, North Carolina, where he entered the law office of Mr. INIcCa}'. Here he remained two years, professedly studying law. He is still remembered in traditions of Salisbury, which say: " Andrew Jackson was the most roaring, rollicking, horse-racing, card-playing, mis- chievous fellow that ever lived in Salisbury. He did not trouble the law-books much." Andrew was now, at the age of twenty, a tall young man, being over six feet in height. He was slender, remarkably grace- ful and dignified in his manners, an exquis- ite horseman, and developed, amidst his loathesome profanity and multiform vices, a vein of rare magnanimity. His temper was fiery in the extreme; but it was said of him that no man knew better than Andrew Jackson when to get angry and when not. In 1786 he was admitted to the bar, and two years later removed to Nashville, in what was then the western district of North Carolina, with the appointment of so- licitor, or public prosecutor. It was an of- fice of little honor, small emolument and great peril. Few men could be found to accept it. And now Andrew Jackson commenced vigorously to practice law. It was an im- portant part of his business to collect debts. It required nerve. During the first seven years of his residence in those wilds he traversed the almost pathless forest between Nashville and Jonesborough, a distance of 200 miles, twenty-two times. Hostile In- dians were constantl}' on the watch, and a man was liable at any moment to be shot down in his own field. Andrew Jackson was just the man for this service — a wild, daring, rough backwoodsman. Daily he made hair-breadth escapes. He seemed to bear a charmed life. Boldly, alone or with few companions, he traversed the forests, encountering all perils and triumphing over all. In 1790 Tennessee became a Territor\', and Jackson was appointed, by President Washington, United States Attorney for the new district. In 1791 he married Mrs. Rachel Robards (daughter of Colonel John Donelson), whom he supposed to have been divorced in that year by an act of the Leg- islature of Virginia. Two years after this Mr. and Mrs. Jackson learned, to their great surprise, that Mr. Robards had just obtained a divorce in one of the courts of Kentucky, and that the act of the Virginia Legislature was not final, but conditional. To remedy the irregularity as much as pos- sible, a new license was obtained and the marriage ceremou}- was again performed. It proved to be a marriage of rare felic- ity. Probablv there never was a more affectionate union. However rough Mr. Jackson might have been abroad, he was always gentle and tender at home; and through all the vicissitudes of their lives, he treated Mrs. Jackson with the most chival- ric attention. Under the circumstances it was not un- natural that the facts in the case of this marriage were so misrepresented by oppo- nents in the political campaigns a quarter or a century later as to become the basis of serious charges against Jackson's moral- ity which, however, have been satisfactorily attested b}- abundant evidence. Jackson was untiring in his duties as AXDHHW y.ACKSOS. 49 United States Attorney, which demanded frequent journeys through the wilderness and exposed him to Indian hostilities. He acquired considerable property in land, and obtained such influence as to be chosen a member of the convention which framed the Constitution for the new State of Ten- nessee, in 1796, and in that year was elected its first Representative in Congress. Albert Gallatin thus describes the first appearance of the Hon. Andrew Jackson in the House: " A tall, lank, uncouth-'ooking personage, with locks of hair hanging over his face and a cue down his back, tied with an eel skin; his dress singular, his manners and deport- ment those of a rough backwoodsman." Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Democratic party. Jefferson was his idol. He admired Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. Jackson took his seat, General Washington, whose second term of office was just expiring, delivered his last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a complimentary address in repl3\ Andrew Jackson did not approve the ad- dress and was one of twelve who voted against it. Tennessee had fitted out an expedition against the Indians, contrary to the policy of the Government. A resolution was intro- duced that the National Government should pa}^ the expenses. Jackson advo- cated it and it was carried. This rendered him ver}' popular in Tennessee. A va- cancy chanced soon after to occur in the Senate, and Andrew Jackson was chosen United States Senator by the State of Ten- nessee. John Adams was then President and Thomas Jefferson, Vice-President. In 1798 Mr. Jackson returned to Tennes- see, and resigned his seat in the Senate. Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Su- preme Court of that State, with a salary of $600. This office he held six years. It is said that his decisions, though sometimes ungrammatical, were generally right. He did not enjoy his seat upon the bench, and renounced the dignity in 1804. About this time he was chosen Major-General of militia, and lost the title of judge in that of General. When he retired from the Senate Cham- ber, he decided to try his fortune through trade. He purchased a stock of goods in Philadelphia and sent them to Nashville, where he opened a store. He lived about thirteen miles from Nashville, on a tract of land of several thousand acres, mostl}- un- cultivated. He used a small block-house for a store, from a narrow window of which he sold goods to the Indians. As he had an assistant his office as judge did not materially interfere with his business. As to slavery, born in the midst of it, the idea never seemed to enter his mind that it could be wrong. He eventually became an extensive slave owner, but he was one of the most humane and gentle of masters. In 1804 Mr. Jackson withdrew from pol- itics and settled on a plantation which he called the Hermitage, near Nashville. He set up a cotton-gin, formed a partnership and traded in New Orleans, making the voyage on flatboats. Through his hot tem- per he became involved in several quarrels and " affairs of honor," during this period, in one of which he was severely wounded, but had the misfortune to kill his opponent, Charles Dickinson. For a time this affair greatly injured General Jackson's popular- ity. The verdict then was, and continues to be, that General Jackson was outra- geously wrong. If he subsequently felt any remorse he never revealed it to anyone. In 1805 Aaron Burr had visited Nash- ville and been a guest of Jackson, with whom he corresponded on the subject of a war with Spain, which was anticipated and desired by them, as well as by the people of the Southwest generally. Burr repeated his visit in September, 1S06, when he engaged in the celeotated so PREJIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. combinations which led to his trial for trea- son. He was warmlj' received by Jackson, at whose instance a public bail was given in his honor at Nashville, and contracted with the latter for boats and provisions. Early in 1807, when Burr had been pro- claimed a traitor by President Jefferson, volunteer forces for the Federal service were organized at Nashville under Jack- son's command; but his energy and activ- ity did not shield him from suspicions of connivance in the supposed treason. He was summoned to Richmond as a witness in Burr's trial, but was not called to the stand, probably because he was out-spoken in his partisanship. On the outbreak of the war with Great Britain in 1812, Jackson tendered his serv- ices, and in January, 181 3, embarked for New Orleans at the head of the Tennessee contingent. In March he received an or- der to disband his forces; but in Septem- ber he again took the field, in the Creek war, and in conjunction with his former partner. Colonel Coffee, inflicted upon the Indians the memorable defeat at Talladega, Emuckfaw and Tallapoosa. In May, 1814, Jackson, who had now ac- quired a national reputation, wasappointed a Major-Gcncral of the United States army, and commenced a campaign against the British in Florida. He conducted the de- fense at Mobile, September 1 5, seized upon Pensacola, November 6, and immediately transported the bulk of his troops to New- Orleans, then threatened by a powerful naval force. Martial law was declared in Louisiana, the State militia was called to arms, engagements with the British were fought December 23 and 28, and after re-en- forcements had been received on both sides tiie famous victory of January 8, 181 5, rrowned Jackson's fame as a soldier, and made him the t3'pical American hero of the first half of the nineteenth century. In 1817-18 Jackson conducted the war against the Seminoles of Florida, during which he seized upon Pensacola and exe- cuted by courtmartial two British subjects, Arbuthnot and Ambrister acts which might easily have involved the United States in war both with Spain and Great Britain. Fortunately the peril was averted by the cession of Florida to the United States; and Jackson, who had escaped a trial for the irregularity of his conduct only through a division of opinion in Mon- roe's cabinet, was appointed in 1821 Gov- ernor of the new Territory. Soon after he declined the appointment of minister to Mexico. In 1823 Jackson was elected to the United States Senate, and nominated by the Ten- nessee Legislature for the Presidency. This candidacy, though a matter of surprise, and even merryment, speedily became popular, and in 1824, when the storni)' electoral can- vas resulted in the choice of John Ouincy Adams by the House of Representatives, General Jackson received the largest [)opu- lar vote among the four candidates. In 1828 Jackson was triumphantly elected President over Adams after a campaign of unparalleled bitterness. He was inaugu- rated March 4, 1829, and at once removed from ofilice all the incumbents belonging to the opposite party — a procedure new to American politics, but which naturally be- came a precedent. His first term was characterized by quar- rels between the Vice-President, Calhoun, and the Secretary of State, Van Buren, at- tended by a cabinet crisis originating in scandals connected with the name of Mrs. General Eaton, wife of the Secretary of War; by the beginning of his war upon the United States Bank, and by his vigorous action against the partisans of Calhoun, who, in South Carolina, threatened to nullif)' the acts of Congress, establishing a protective tariff. In the Presidential campaign of 1832 ANDREW JACKSON. SI Jackson received 219 out of 288 electoral votes, his competitor being Mr. Clay, while Mr. Wirt, on an Anti-Masonic platform, received the vote of Vermont alone. In 1833 President Jackson lemoved the Gov- ernment deposits from the United States bank, thereby incurring a vote of censure from the Senate, which was, however, ex- punged four years later. During this second term of office the Cherokees, Choctaws and Creeks were removed, not without diffi- culty, from Georgia, Alabama and Missis- sippi, to the Indian Territory; the National debt was extinguished; Arkansas and Michigan were admitted as States to the Union; the Seminole war was renewed; the anti-slavery agitation first acquired impor- tance; the Mormon delusion, which had organized in 1829, attained considerable proportions in Ohio and Missouri, and the country experienced its greatest pecuniary panic. Railroads with locomotive propulsion were ir Produced into America during Jack- son's first term, and had become an- impor- tant element of national life before the close of his second term. For many rea- sons, theretore, the administration of Presi- dent Jackson formed an era in American history, political, social and industrial. He succeeded in effecting the election of his friend Van Buren as his successor, re- tired from the Presidency March 4, 1837; and led a tranquil life at the Hermitage until his death, which occurred June 8, 1845- During his closing years he was a pro- fessed Christian and a member ot the Pres- byterian church. No American of this century has been the subject of such oppo- site judgments. He was loved and hated with equal vehemence during his life, but at the present distance of time from his career, while opinions still vary as to the merits of his pubHc acts, few of his country- men will question that he was a warm- hearted, brave, patriotic, honest and sincere man. If his distinguishing qualities were not such as constitute statesmanship, in the highest sense, he at least never pretended to other merits than such as were written to his credit on the page of American his- tory — not attempting to disguise the de- merits which were equally legible. The majority of his countrymen accepted and honored him, in spite of all that calumny as well as truth could allege against him. His faults may therefore be truly said to have been those of his time; his magnifi- cent virtues may also, with the same jus- tice, be considered as typical of a state o/^ society which has nearly passed away. 52 PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. ^^, t?'rit:rirr.'rs':'ri':iri'?r^^!?^^ '^^(•^(^^(T-^i^^r^fi^.^tT^''! r:VTrF^^,>^i. );<;'*.■ J'<.';4'Tvi4'»»i)'ti,u"^,»'i.*ij-, m ox^r •-)5•'(^ s ARTIN VAN BU- F-iEN, the eighth 50 President of the United States, 1837- . '41, was born at Kin- derhook, New York, December 5, 1782. His ancestors were of Dutch origin, and were among the earliest emigrants from Hol- land to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a tavern-keeper, as well as a farmer, and a very decided Democrat. * Martin commenced the study of law at the age of fourteen, and took an active part in politics before he had reached the age of twent}-. In 1S03 he commenced the practice of law in his native village. In 1809 he removed to Hudson, the shire town of his count)', where he spent seven years, gaining strength by contending in the courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned the bar of his State. The heroic examjjle of John Quincy Adams in retaining in office every faithful man, without regard to his political preferences, had been thoroughly repudiated by Gen- eral Jackson. The unfortunate principle was now fully established, that " to the victor belong the spoils." Still, this prin- ciple, to which Mr. Van Buren gave his ad- herence, was not devoid of inconveniences. When, subsequently, he attained power which placed vast patronage in his hands, he was heard to sa}' : " I prefer an office that has no patronage. When I give a man an office I offend his disappointed competi- tors and their friends. Nor am I certain oi gaining a friend in the man I appoint, for. in all jirobability, he e.\pected something better." In 1812 Mr. Van Buren was elected to the State Senate. In 18 15 he was appointed Attorney-General, and in i8i6tothe Senate a second time. In 1818 there was a great split in the Democratic party in New York, and Mr. Van Buren took the lead in or- ganizing that portion of the party called the Albanv Regcncv, which is said to have swayed the destinies of the State for a quarter of a century. In 1 82 1 he was chosen a member of the convention for revising the State Constitu- tion, in which he advocated an extension of the franchise, but opposed universal suf- frage, and also favored the proposal that colored persons, in order to vote, should have freehold property to the amount of $250. In this year he was also elected to the United States Senate, and at the con- clusion of his term, in 1827, was re-elected, but resigned the following year, having been chosen Governor of the State. In March, 1829, he was appointed Secretary o( f ^ O 7 2-'^^^ ^^-^^.s^^^^ MARTIN VAN BUREN. State by President Jackson, but resigned in April, 1831, and during the recess of Congress was appointed minister to Eng- land, whither he proceeded in September, but the Senate, when convened in Decem- ber, refused to ratify the appointment. In May, 1832, Mr. Van Buren was nomi- nated as the Democratic candidate for Vice- President, and elected in the following November. May 26, 1836, he received the nomination to succeed General Jackson as President, and received 170 electoral votes, out of 283. Scarcely had he taken his seat in the Presidential chair when a financial panic swept over the land. Many attributed this to the war which General Jackson had waged on the banks, and to his endeavor to secure an almost exclusive specie currency. Nearly eveiy bank in the country was com- pelled to suspend specie payment, and ruin pervaded all our great cities. Not less than 254 houses failed in New York in one week. All public works were brought to a stand, and there was a general state of dismay. President Van Buren urged the adoption of the independent treasury system, which was twice passed in the Senate and defeated in the House, but finally became a law near the close of his administration. Another important measure was the pass- age of a pre-emption law, giving actual set- tlers the preference in the purchase of public lands. The question of slavery, also, now began to assume great prominence in national politics, and after an elaborate anti-slavery speech b}' Mr. Slade, of Ver- mont, in the House of Representatives, the Southern members withdrew for a separate consultation, at which Mr. Rhett, of South Carolina, proposed to declare it expedient that the Union should be dissolved ; but the matter was tided over by the passage of a resolution that no petitions or papers relating to slavery should be in any way considered or acted upon. In the Presidential election of 1840 Mr. Van Buren was nominated, without opposi- tion, as the Democratic candidate, William H. Harrison being the candidate of the Whig party. The Democrats carried only seven States, and out of 294 electoral votes only sixty were for Mr. Van Buren, the re- maining 234 being for his opponent. The Whig popular majority, however, was not large, the elections in many of the States being very close. March 4, 1841, Mr. Van Buren retired from the Presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics of the country. In 1844 he was again proposed as the Democratic candidate for the Presidency, and a majority of the delegates of the nominating convention were in his favor ; but, owing to his opposition to the pro- posed annexation of Texas, he could not secure the requisite two-thirds vote. His name was at length withdrawn by his friends, and Mr. Polk received the nomina- tion, and was elected. In 1848 Mr. Cass was the regular Demo- cratic candidate. A schism, however, sprang up in the party, upon the question of the permission of slavery in the newly- acquired territory, and a portion of the party, taking the name of " Free-Soilers," nominated Mr. Van Buren. They drew away sufficient votes to secure the election of General Taylor, the Whig candidate. After this Mr. Van Buren retired to his es- tate at Kinderhook, where the remainder of his life was passed, with the exception of a European tour in 1853. He died at Kinderhook, July 24, 1862, at the age of eigiity years. Martin Van Buren was a great and good man, and no one will question his right to a high position among those who have been the successors of Washington in the faithful occupancy of the Presidential chair. (6 PliESrDBNTS OF THE UXITED STATES. WILLIftffl HENRY HftHRISDN. K^^^ •A I II I I Tl ' • I I 1 I M' L M l 1 mWcWSSiTraWii' St L I A M HENRY HARRISON, the ninth President of the United States, I 84 I, was born Februarj^ 9, 1773, in Charles County, Virginia, at Berkeley, the resi- dence of his father. Governor Benjamin Harrison. He studied at Hampden, Sidney College, with a view of entering the med- ical profession. After graduation he went to Philadelphia to study medicine under the instruction of Dr. Rush. George Washington was then President 3f the United States. The Indians were committing fearful ravages on our North- western frontier. Young Harrison, either lured by the love of adventure, or moved by the sufferings of families exposed to the most horrible outrages, abandoned his med- ical studies and entered the army, having obtained a commission of ensign from Pres- ident Washington. The first duty assigned him was to take a train of pack-horses bound to Fort Hamilton, on the Miami River, about forty miles from Fort Wash- ington. He was soon promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and joined the army which Washington had placed under the command of General Wayne to prosecute more vigorously the war with the In- dians. Lieutenant Harrison received great commendation from his commanding offi- cer, and was promoted to the rank of Captain, and placed in command at Fort Washington, now Cincmnati, Ohio. About this time he married a daughter of John Cleves Symmes, one of the fron- tiersmen who had established a thriving settlement on the bank of the Maumce. In 1797 Captain Harrison resigned his commission in the army and was appointed Secretar}' of the Northwest Territory, and ex-officio Lieutenant-Governor, General St. Clair being then Governor of the Territory. At that time the law in reference to the disposal of the public lands was such that no one could purchase in tracts less than 4,000 acres. Captain Harrison, in the face of violent opposition, succeeded in obtaining so much of a modification of this unjust law that the land was sold in alternate tracts of 640 and 320 acres. The Northwest Territory Vas then entitled to one delegate in Congress, and Cap- tain Harrison was chosen to fill that of- fice. In 1800 he was appointed Governor ^/f /^, ^ WILLIAM HENRY HAIiliL^ON. S9 of Indiana Territory and soon after of Upper Louisiana. He was also Superin- tendent of Indian Affairs, and so well did he fulfill these duties that he was four times appointed to this office. During his admin- istration he effected thirteen treaties with the Indians, by which the United States acquired 60,000,000 acres of land. In 1804 he obtained a cession from the Indians of all the land between the Illinois River and the Mississippi. In 18 1 2 he was made Major-General of Kentucky militia and Brigadier-Genera! m the army, with the command of the Northwest frontier. In 1813 he was made Major-General, and as such won much re- nown by the defense of Fort Meigs, and the battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813. In 1814 he left the army and was employed in Indian affairs by the Government. In 1816 General Harrison was chosen a member of the National House of Repre- sentatives to represent the district of Ohio. In the contest which preceded his election he was accused of corruption in respect to the commissariat of the army. Immedi- ately upon taking his seat, he called for an investigation of the charge. A committee was appointed, and his vindication was triumphant. A high compliment was paid to his patriotism, disinterestedness and devotion to the public service. For these services a gold medal was presented to him with the thanks of Congress. In 1819 he was elected to the Senate of Ohio, and in 1824, as one of the Presiden- tial electors of that State, he gave his vote to Henry Clay. In the same year he was elected to the Senate of the United States. In 1828 he was appointed by President Adams minister plenipotentiary to Colom- bia, but was recalled by General Jackson immediately after the inauguration of the latter. Upon his return to the United States, General Harrison retired to his farm at North Bend, Hamilton County, Ohio, six- teen miles below Cincinnati, where for twelve years he was clerk of the County Court. He once owned a distillery, but perceiving the sad effects of whisky upon the surrounding population, he promptly abandoned his business at great pecuniary sacrifice. In 1836 General Hairison was brought forward as a candidate for the Presidency. Van Buren was the administration candi- date; the opposite party could not unite, and four candidates were brought forward. General Harrison received seventy-three electoral votes without any general concert among his friends. The Democratic party triumphed and Mr. Van Buren was chosen President. In 1839 General Harrison was again nominated for the Presidency by the Whigs, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Mr. Van Buren being the Democratic candi- date. General Harrison received 234 elec- toral votes against sixty for his opponent. This election is memorable chiefly for the then extraordinar}^ means employed during the canvass for popular votes. Mass meet- ings and processions were introduced, and the watchwords "log cabin" and "hard cider " were effectually used by the Whigs, and aroused a popular enthusiasm. A vast concourse of people attended his inauguration. His address on that occasion was in accordance with his antecedents, and gave great satisfaction. A short time after he took his seat, he was seized by a pleurisy- fever, and after a few days of violent sick- ness, died April 4, just one short month after his inauguration. His death was universally regarded as one of the greatest of National calamities. Never, since the death of Washington, were there, throughout one land, such demonstrations of sorrow. Not one single spot can be found to sully his fame; and through all ages Americans wili pronounce with U^ve and reverence the name of William Henry Harrison. 6o PRES/DEXTS OF Tl/E UN /TED STATES. :>'?>■^l■: HH2HHH • '■ "^- - - . - ^^ ■■^ - ->-^Ha ?tfP?rf'r'S} OHN TYLER, the tenth President of the United States, was born in Charles City County, Virginia, March 29, 1790. His father. Judge John Tyler, possessed large landed estates in Virginia, and was one of the most distinguished men of his da)', filling the offices of Speaker of the House of Delegates, Judge of the Su- preme Court and Governor of the State. At the early age of twelve young John entered William and Mary College, and graduated with honor when but seventeen years old. He then closely applied himself to the study of law, and at nineteen years of age commenced the prac- tice of his profession. When only twenty- one he was elected to a seat in the State Legislature. He acted with the Demo- cratic party and advocated the measures of Jefferson and Madison. For five years he was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the unanimous vote of his county. When but twenty-six j-earsof age he was elected a member of Congress. He advo- cated a strict construction of the Constitu- tion and the most careful vigilance over State rights. He was soon compelled to resign his seat in Congress, owing to ill health, but afterward took his seat in the State Legislature, where he exerted a powerful influence in promoting public works of great utility. In 1825 Mr. Tyler was chosen Governor of his State — a high honor, for Virginia had many able men as competitors for the prize. His administration was signally a successful one. He urged forward inter- nal improvements and strove to remove sectional jealousies. His popularity secured his re-election. In 1827 he was elected United States Senator, and upon taking his seat joined the ranks of the opposition. He opposed the tariff, voted against the bank as unconstitutional, opposed all restrictions upon slaver}', resisted all projects of inter- nal improvements by the General Govern- ment, avowed his sympathy with Mr. Cal- houn's views f)f nullification, and declared that General Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress. This hostility tf) Jackson caused Mr. Tyler's retirement from the Senate, after his election to a second term. He soon after removed to Williamsburg for the better education of his children, and again took his scat in the Legislature. JOHN TVLER. 63 In 1839 he was sent to the National Con- vention at Harrisburg to nominate a Presi- dent. General Harrison received a majority of votes, much to the disappointment of the South, who had wished for Henry Clay. In order to concil'ate the Southern Whigs, John Tyler was nominated for Vice-Presi- dent. Harrison and Tyler were inaugu- rated March 4, 1841. In one short month from that time President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler, to his own surprise as well as that of the nation, found himself an occupant of the Presidential chair. His position was an exceedingly difficult one, as he was opposed to the main principles of the party which had brought him into power. General Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet Should he retain them, and thus surround himself with councilors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or should he turn against the party that had elected him, and select a cabinet in harmony with himself? This was his fear- ful dilemma. President Tyler deserves more charity than he has received. He issued an address to the people, which gave general satisfac- tion. He retained the cabinet General Harrison had selected. His veto of a bill chartering a new national bank led to an open quarrel with the party which elected him, and to a resignation of the entire cabinet, except Daniel Webster, Secretary of State. President Tyler attempted to conciliate. He appointed a new cabinet, leaving out all strong party men, but the Whig members of Congress were not satisfied, and they published a manifesto September 13, break- ing off all political relations. The Demo- crats had a majoritv in the House ; the Whigs in the Senate. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, being forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. April 12, 1844, President Tyler concluded, through Mr. Calhoun, a treaty for the an- nexation ot Texas, which was rejected by the Senate ; but he effected his object in the closing days of his administration by the passage of the joint resolution of March i 1845. He was nominated for the Presidency by an informal Democratic Convention, held at Baltimore in May, 1844, but soon with- drew from the canvass, perceiving that he had not gained the confidence of the Demo- crats at large. Mr. Tyler's administration was particu- larly unfortunate. No one was satisfied. Whigs and Democrats alike assailed him. Situated as he was, it is more than can be expected of human nature that he should, in all cases, have acted in the wisest manner ; but it will probably be the verdict of all candid men, in a careful review of his career, that John T3'ler was placed in a position of such difficulty that he could not pursue any course which would not expose him to severe censure and denunciation. In 1813 Mr. Tyler married Letitia Chris- tian, who bore him three sons and three daughters, and died in Washington in 1842. June 26, 1844, he contracted a second mai-- riage with Miss Julia Gardner, of New York. He lived in almost complete retire- ment from politics until February, 1861, when he was a member of the abortive " peace convention," held at Washington, and was chosen its President. Soon after he renounced his allegiance to the United States and was elected to the Confederate Congress. He died at Richmond, January 17, 1862, after a short illness. Unfortunately for his memor}' the name of John Tyler must forever be associated with all the misery of that terrible Re- bellion, whose cause he openly espoused. It is with sorrow that history records that a President of the United States died while defending the flag of rebellion, which was arrayed against the national banner in deadly warfare. 'g??i'g;>'^'^'g»»^t< . ^^^^^■pt^ -p Vi^^^ TT;rp ;up^ArJ-p^rJr.>i^-^-;r;T7rrJpT'r.'^-;=r;=' 7^1=r;3-p^ FPI]I^LII] PIERCE. ,, RANKLIN PIERCE, '^ the fourteenth Presi- dent of the United States, was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, Novem- ber 23, 1804. His father. Governor Benjamin Pierce, was a Rev- olutionarjr soldier, a man of rigid integrity ; was for sev- eral years in the State Legis- lature, a member of the Gov- ernor's council and a General of the militia. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. As a boy he listened eagerly to the argu- ments of his father, enforced by strong and ready utten'.nce and earnest gesture. It was in the days of intense political excite- ment, when, all over the New England States, Federalists and Democrats were ar- rayed so fiercely against each other. In 1820 he entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Maine, and graduated in 1824, and commenced the study of law in the office of Judge Woodbury, a very distin- guished lawyer, and in 1827 was admitted to the bar. He practiced with great success in Hillsborough and Concord. He served in the State Legislature four years, the last two of which he was chosen Speaker of the House by a very large vote. In 1833 he was elected a member of Con- gress. In 1837 he was elected to the United States Senate, just as Mr. Van Buren com- menced his administration. In 1834 he married Miss Jane Means Appleton, a lady admirably fitted to adorn every station with which her husband was honored. Three sons born to them all found an early grave. Upon his accession to ofhce, President Polk appointed Mr. Pierce Attorney-Gen- eral of the United States, but the offer was declined in consequence of numerous pro- fessional engagements at home and the precarious state of Mrs. Pierce's health. About the same time he also declined the nomination for Governor by the Demo- cratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. Pierce into the arm)'. Receiving the appointment of Brigadier-General, he embarked with a portion of his troops at Newport, Rhode Island, May 27, 1847. He served during this war, and distinguished himself by his bravery, skill and excellent judgment. When he reached his home in his native State he was enthusiastically received by '^^e^t^:^ FRANKLIN PIERCE. the advocates of the war, and coldly by its opponents. He resumed the practice of his profession, frequently taking an active part in political questions, and giving his sup- port to the pro-slaverv wing of the Demo- cratic party. June 12, 1852, the Democratic convention met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the Presidenc}-. For four da3-s they continued in session, and in thirty-five bal- lotmgs no one had received the requisite two-thirds vote. Not a vote had been thrown thus far for General Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation brought forward his name. There were fourteen more bal- loting's, during which General Pierce gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he received 282 votes, and all other candidates eleven. General Winfield Scott was the Whig candidate. General Pierce was elected with great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Massachusetts, Ken- tucky and Tennessee — cast their electoral votes against him. March 4, 1853, he was inaugurated President of the United States, and William R. Iving, Vice-President. President Pierce's cabinet consisted of William S. Marcy, James Guthrie, Jefferson Davis, James C. Dobbin, Robert McClel- land, James Campbell and Caleb Cushing. At the demand of slavery the Missouri Compromise was repealed, and all the Ter- ritories of the Union were thrown open to slavery. The Territory of Kansas, west of Missouri, was settled by emigrants mainly from the North. According to law, they were about to meet and decide whether slavery or freedom should be the law of that realm. Slavery in Missouri and other Southern States rallied her armed legions, marched them into Kansas, took possession of the polls, drove awa}' the citizens, deposited their own votes by handfuls, went through the farce of count- ing them, and then declared that, by an overwhelming majority, slavery was estab- lished in Kansas. These facts nobody denied, and )'et President Pierce's adminis t ration felt bound to respect the decision obtained by such votes. The citizens of Kansas, the majority of whom were free- State men, met in convention and adopted the following resolve : "Resolved, That the body of men who, for the past two months, have been passing laws for the people of our Territory, moved, counseled and dictated to "hy the demagogues of other States, are to us a foreign body, representing only the lawless invaders who elected them, and not the people of this Territory ; that we repudiate their action as the monstrous consummation of an act of violence, usurpation and fraud unparalleled in the history of the Union." The free-State people of Kansas also sent a petition to the General Government, im- ploring its protection. In repl}- the Presi- dent issued a proclamation, declaring that Legislature thus created must be recog- nized as the legitimate Legislature of Kan- sas, and that its laws were binding upon the people, and that, if necessary, the whole force of the Governmental arm would be put forth to inforce those laws. James Buchanan succeeded him in the Presidenc)', and, March 4, 1857, President Pierce retired to his home in Concord, New Hampshire. When the Rebellion burst forth Mr. Pierce remained steadfast to the principles he had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to the pro-slavery party, with which he had ever been allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice or pen, to strengthen the hands of the National Government. He resided in Concord until his death, which occurred in October, i86g. He was one of the most genial and social of men, generous to a fault, and contributed liberally of his moderate means for the alleviation of suf- fering and want. He was an honored communicant of the Episcopal ohurch. >n PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. P^' Kl^f^SEi ^|^l^^«^!^>^5^ L'Jg.^t%«li!g»t^(^t^(^r rcF'^.eiErezirEErE^rL^P' % iU\ivrf'?:?5 M nni ( vv iM :^v>x, ^| 7^ v.v. ■ V \ -c^ v.v A V AW t7r-r;r: vv v A ■ v- v ^^r^ (gS>i;5:?iiW'i's>'i',;.'i'it't*ii'!>;.i l&Xi^"''--'' "..•■^i'.; ji.; ■'..-ii-; I'j-jjj 'AMES BUCHANAN, the fiftecnlli President of the United States. i857-'6i, was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1791.' The place where his father's cabin stood was called Stony Batter, and it was situated in a wild, romantic spot, in a gorge of mount- ains, with towering sum- mits rising all around. He was of Irish ancestry, his father having emigrated in- '783, with very little prop- erty, save his own strong arms. James remained in his secluded home for eight years enjoying very few social or intellectual advantages. His parents were industrious, frugal, prosperous and intelli- gent. In 1799 his father removed to Mer- cersburg, where James was placed in school and commenced a course in English, Greek and Latin. His progress was rapid and in 1801 he entered Dickinson College at Carlisle. Here he took his stand among the first scholars in the institution, and was able to master the most abstruse subjects with facility. In 1809 he graduated with the highest honors in his class. He was then eighteen years of age, tall. graceful and in vigorous health, fond oi athletic sports, an unerring shot and en- livened with an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, and was admitted to the bar in 1812. He rose very rapidly in his profession and at once took undisputed stand with the ablest law- yers of the State. When but twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- cessfully defended before the State Senate one of the Judges of the State, who was tried upon articles of impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generall)' admitted that he stood at the head of the bar, and there was no lawyer in the State who had a more extensive or lucrative practice. In 18 1 2, just after Mr. Buchanan had entered upon the practice of the law, our second war with England occurred. With all his powers he sustained the Govern- ment, eloquently urging the rigorous pros- ecution of the war; and even enlisHng as a private soldier to assist in repelling the British, who had sacked Washington and were threatening Baltimore. He was at that time a Federalist, but when the Con- stitution was adopted b)* both parties, Jefferson truly said, " We are all Federal- ists; we are all Republicans." The oppos'tion of the Federalists to the war with England, and the alien and sedi- ^77z^ <2y^^C>^^.y^^,.^^ JAMES BUCHANAN. o? tioii laws of John Adams, brought the party into dispute, and the name of Federalist became a reproach. Mr. Buchanan almost immediately upon entering Congress began to incline more and more to the Repub- licans. In the stormy Presidential election of 1824, in which Jackson, Clay, Crawford and John Quincy Adams were candidates, Mr. Buchanan espoused the cause of Gen- eral Jackson and unrelentingly opposed the administration of Mr. Adams. Upon his elevation to the Presidency, General Jackson appointed Mr. Buchanan, minister to Russia. Upon his return in 1 833 he was elected to a seat in the United States Senate. He there met as his associates, Webster, Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the measui'es proposed by Presi- dent Jackson of making reprisals against France, and defended the course of the Pres- ident in his unprecedented and wholesale removals from office of those who were not the supporters of his administration. Upon this question he was brought into direct col- lision with Henry Clay. In the discussion of the question respecting the admission of Michigan and Arkansas into the Union, Mr. Buchanan defined his position by sa3nng: " The older I grow, the more I am in- clined to be what is called a State-rights man." M. de Tocqueville, in his renowned work upon " Democracy in America," foresaw the trouble which was inevitable from the doctrine of State sovereignt}' as held by Calhoun and Buchanan. He was con- vinced that the National Government was losing that strength which was essential to its own existence, and that the States were assuming powers which threatened the perpetuity of the Union. Mr. Buchanan received the book in the Senate and de- clared the fears of De Tocqueville to be groundless, and 3'et he lived to sit in the Presidential chair and see State after State, in accordance with his own views of State rights, breaking from the Union, thus crumbling our Republic into ruins; while the unhappy old man folded his arms in despair, declaring that the National Consti- tution invested him with no power to arrest the destruction. Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presi- dencv, Mr. Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of the Mexi- can war. At the close of Mr. Polk's ad- ministration, Mr. Buchanan retired to pri- vate life; but his intelligence, and his great ability as a statesman, enabled him to exert a powerful influence in National affairs. Mr. Pierce, upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. Buchanan with the mission to England. In the year 1856 the National Democratic convention nomi- nated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The political conflict was one of the most severe in which our country has ever en- gaged. On the 4th of March, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated President. His cabinet were Lewis Cass, Howell Cobb, J. B. Floyd, Isaac Toucey, Jacob Thomp- son, A. V. Brown and J. S. Black. The disruption of the Democratic party, in consequence of the manner in which the issue of the nationality of slavery was pressed by the Southern wing, occurred at the National convention, held at Charleston in April, i860, for the nomination of Mr. Buchanan's successor, when the majority of Southern delegates withdrew upon the passage of a resolution declaring that the constitutional status of slavery should be determined b}' the Supreme Court. In the next Presidential canvass Abra- ham Lincoln was nominated by the oppo- nents of Mr. Buchanan's administration. Mr. Buchanan remained in Washington long enough to see his successor installed and then retired to his home in Wheatland. He died June i, 1868, aged seventy-seven years. 84 PRBSrOENTS OF THE UN/TED STATES. BRAHAM LIN- COLN, the sixteenth President of the United States, i86i-'5, was born February tjK^^ 12, 1809, in Larue ^■^^ (then Hardin) County, Kentucky, in a cabin on Nolan Creek, three miles west of Hudgensville. His parents were Thomas and Nancy (Hanks) Lincoln. Of his an- cestry and early years the little that is known may best be given in his own language : " My parents were both born in Virginia, of un- distinguished families — second families, per- haps 1 should say. My mother, who died in my tenth year, was of a family of the name of Hanks, some of whom now remain in Adams, and others in Macon County, Illinois. My paterna' grandfather, Abra- ham Lincoln, emigrated from Rockbridge County, Virginia, to Kentucky in 1781 or 1782, where, a year or two later, he was killed by Indians — not in battle, but by stealth, when he was laboring to open a farm in the forest. His ancestors, who were Quakers, went to Virginia from Berks County, Pennsylvania. An effort to iden- tify them with the New England family of the same name ended in nothing more defi- nite than a similarity of Christian names in both families, such as Enoch, Levi, Mor- decai, Solomon, Abraham and the like. My father, at the death of his father, was but si.x years of age, and he grew up, liter- ally, without education. He removed from Kentucky to what is now Spencer County, Indiana, in my eighth year. We reached our new home about the time the State came into the Union. It was a wild region, with bears and other wild animals still in the woods. There I grew to manhood. " There were some schools, so called, but no qualification was ever required of a teacher beyond ' readin', writin', and cipher- in' to the rule of three.' If a straggler, sup- posed to understand Latin, happened to sojourn in the neighborhood, he was looked upon as a wizard. There was absolutely nothing to excite ambition for education. Ot course, when I came of age I did not know much. Still, somehow, I could read, write and cipher to the rule of three, and that was all. I have not been to school since. The little advance I now have upon this store of education I have picked up from time to time under the pressure of necessity. I was raised to farm-work, which ^ u-- £j-^ Cy\^'—u~ ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 87 I continued till I was twenty-two. At twent3'-one I came to Illinois and passed the first year in Macon County. Then I got to New Salem, at that time in Sangamon, now in Menard County, where I remained a year as a sort of clerk in a store. " Then came the Black Hawk war, and I was elected a Captain of volunteers — a suc- cess which gave me more pleasure than any I have had since. I went the campaign, was elated ; ran for the Legislature the same year (1832) and was beaten, the only time I have ever been beaten by the people. The next and three succeeding biennial elections I was elected to the Legislature, and was never a candidate afterward. " During this legislative period I had studied law, and removed to Springfield to practice it. In 1846 I was elected to the Lower House of Congress; was not a can- didate for re-election. From 1849 to 1854, inclusive, I practiced the law more assid- uously than ever before. Always a Whig in politics, and generally on the Whig elec- toral tickets, making active canvasses, I was losing interest in politics, when the repeal of the Missouri Compromise roused me again. What I have done since is pretty well known." The early residence of Lincoln in Indi- ana was sixteen miles north of the Ohio River, on Little Pigeon Creek, one and a half miles east of Gentryville, within the present township of Carter. Here his mother died October 5, 1818, and the next year his father married Mrs. Sally (Bush) Johnston, of Eiizabethtown, Kentucky. She was an affectionate foster-parent, to whom Abraham was indebted for his first encour- agement to study. He became an eager reader, and the few books owned in the vicinity were many times perused. He worked frequently for the neighbors as a farm laborer ; was for some time clerk in a store at Gentryville; and became famous throughout that region for his athletic powers, his fondness for argument, his in- exhaustible fund of humerous anecdote, as well as for mock oratory and the composi- tion of rude satirical verses. In 1828 he made a trading voyage to New Orleans as " bow-hand " on a flatboat ; removed to Illinois in 1830 ; helped his father build a log house and clear a farm on the north fork of Sangamon River, ten miles west of Decatur, and was for some time employed in splitting rails for the fences — a fact which was prominently brought forward for a political purpose thirty years later. In the spring of 185 1 he, with two of his relatives, was hired to build a flatboat on the Sangamon River and navigate it to New Orleans. The boat "stuck" on a mill-dam, and was got off with great labor through an ingenious mechanical device which some years later led to Lincoln's taking out a patent for "an improved method for lifting vessels over shoals." This voyage was memorable for another reason — the sight of slaves chained, mal- treated and flogged at New Orleans was the origin of his deep convictions upon the slavery question. Returning from this voyage he became a resident for several years at New Salem, a recently settled village on the Sangamon, where he was successively a clerk, grocer, surveyor and postmaster, and acted as pilot to the first steamboat that ascended the Sangamon. Here he studied law, inter- ested himself in local politics after his return from the Black Hawk war, and became known as an effective "stump speaker." The subject of his first political speech was the improvement of the channel of the Sangamon, and the chief ground on which he announced himself (1832) a candi- date for the Legislature was his advocacy of this popular measure, on which subject his practical experience made him the high- est authority. Elected to the Legislature in 1834 as 3 88 PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. " Henry Clay Whig," he rapidly acquired that command of language and that homely but forcible rhetoric which, added to his intimate knowledge of the people from which he sprang, made him more than a match in debate for his few well-educated opponents. Admitted to the bar in 1837 ^^ soon established himself at Springfield, where the State capital was located in 1839, largely through his influence ; became a successful pleader in the State, Circuit and District Courts ; married in 1842 a lady be- longing to a prominent family in Lexington, Kentucky; took an active part in the Pres- idential campaigns of 1840 and 1844 as candidate for elector on the Harrison and Clay tickets, and in 1846 was elected to the United States House of Representatives over the celebrated Peter Cartwright. During his single term in Congress he did not attain any prominence. He voted for the reception of anti-slavery petitions for the abolition of the slave trade in the District of Columbia and for the Wilmot proviso ; but was chiefly remem- bered for the stand he took against the Mexican war. For several years there- after he took comparatively little interest in politics, but gained a leading position at the Springfield bar. Two or three non- political lectures and an eulogy on Henry Clay (1852) added nothing to his reputation. In 1854 the repeal of the Missouri Compromise by the Kansas-Nebraska act aroused Lincoln from his indifference, and in attacking that measure he had the im- mense advantage of knowing perfectly well the motives and the record of its author, Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, then popu- larly designated as the " Little Giant." The latter came to Springfield in October, 1854, on the occasion of the State Fair, to vindi- cate his policy in the Senate, and the " Anti- Nebraska" Whigs, remembering that Lin- coln had often measured his strength with Douglas in the Illinois Legislature and be- fore the Springfield Courts, engaged him to improvise a reply. This speech, in the opinion of those who heard it, was one of the greatest efforts of Lincoln's life ; cer- tainly the most effective in his whole career. It took the audience by storm, and from that moment it was felt that Douglas had met his match. Lincoln was accordingly selected as the Anti-Nebraska candidate for the United States Senate in place of General Shields, whose term expired March 4, 1855, and led to several ballots; but Trumbull was ultimately chosen. The second conflict on the soil of Kan- sas, which Lincoln had predicted, soon be- gan. The result was the disruption of the Whig and the formation of the Republican party. At the Bloomington State Conven- tion in 1856, where the new party first assumed form in Illinois, Lincoln made an impressive address, in which for the first time he took distinctive ground against slavery in itself. At the National Republican Convention at Philadelphia, June 17, after the nomi- nation of Fremont, Lincoln was put for- ward by the Illinois delegation for the Vice-Presidency, and received on the first ballot 1 10 votes against 259 for William L Dayton. He took a prominent part in the canvass, being on the electoral ticket. In 1858 Lincoln was unanimously nomi- nated by the Republican State Convention as its candidate for the United States Senate in place of Douglas, and in his speech of acceptance used the celebrated illustration of a "house divided against itself" on the slavery question, which was, perhaps, the cause of his defeat. The great debate car- ried on aft all the principal towns of Illinois between Lincoln and Douglas as rival Sena- torial candidates resulted at the time in the election of the latter ; but being widely cir- culated as a campaign document, it fixed the attention of the country upon the ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 89 former, as the clearest and most convinc- ing exponent of Republican doctrine. Early in 1859 he began to be named in Illinois as a suitable Republican candidate for the Presidential campaign of the ensu- ing year, and a political address delivered at the Cooper Institute, New York, Febru- ary 27, i860, followed by similar speeches at New Haven, Hartford and elsewhere in New England, first made him known to the Eastern States in the light by which he had long been regarded at home. By the Re- publican State Convention, which met at Decatur, Illinois, May 9 and 10, Lincoln was unanimously endorsed for the Presi- dency. It was on this occasion that two rails, said to have been split by his hands thirty years before, were brought into the convention, and the incident contributed much to his popularity. The National Republican Convention at Chicago, after spirited efforts made in favor of Seward, Chase and Bates, nominated Lincoln for the Presidency, with Hannibal Hamlin for Vice-President, at the same time adopt- ing a vigorous anti-slavery platform. The Democratic party having been dis- organized and presenting two candidates, Douglas and Breckenrifige, and the rem- nant of the " American" party having put forward John Bell, of Tennessee, the Re- publican victory was an easy one, Lincoln being elected November 6 by a large plu- rality, comprehending nearly all the North- ern States, but none of the Southern. The secession of South Carolina and the Gulf States was the immediate result, followed a few months later by that of the border slave States and the outbreak of the great civil war. The life of Abraham Lincoln became thenceforth merged in the history of his country. None of the details of the vast conflict which filled the remainder of Lin- coln's life can here be given. Narrowly escaping assassination by avoiding Balti- more on his way to the capital, he reached Washington February 23, and was inaugu- rated President of the United States March 4, 1 86 1. In his inaugural address he said: " I hold, that in contemplation of universal law and the Constitution the Union of these States is perpetual. Perpetuity is implied if not ex- pressed in the fundamental laws of all na- tional governments. It is safe to assert that no government proper ever had a pro- vision in its organic law for its own termi- nation. I therefore consider that in view of the Constitution and the laws, the Union is unbroken, and to the extent of my ability I shall take care, as the Constitution en- joins upon me, that the laws of the United States be extended in all the States. In doing this there need be no bloodshed or vio- lence, and there shall be none unless it be forced upon the national authority. The power conferred to me will be used to hold, occupy and possess the property and places belonging to the Government, and to col- lect the duties and imports, but beyond what may be necessary for these objects there will be no invasion, no using of force against or among the people anywhere. In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-country- men, is the momentous issue of civil war. The Government will not assail you. You can have no conflict without being your- selves the aggressors. You have no oath registered in heaven to destroy the Gov- ernment, while I shall have the most sol- emn one to preserve, protect and defend it." He called to his cabinet his principal rivals for the Presidential nomination — Seward, Chase, Cameron and Bates; se- cured the co-operation of the Union Demo- crats, headed by Douglas ; called out 75.000 militia from the several States upon the first tidings of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, April 15; proclaimed a blockade of the Southern posts April 19; called an extra 90 PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. session of Congress for July 4, from which he asked and obtained 400,000 men and $400,000,000 for the war; placed McClellan at the head of the Federal army on General Scott's resignation, October 31; appointed Edwin M. Stanton Secretary of War, Jan- uary 14, 1862, and September 22, 1862, issued a proclamation declaring the free- dom of all slaves in the States and parts of States then in rebellion from and after January i, 1863. This was the crowning act of Lincoln's career — the act by which he will be chiefly known through all future time — and it decided the war. October 16, 1863, President Lincoln called for 300,000 volunteers to replace those whose term of enlistment had expired ; made a celebrated and touching, though brief, address at the dedication of the Gettysburg military cemetery, November 19, 1863; commissioned Ulysses S. Grant Lieutenant-General and Commander-in- Chief of the armies of the United States, March 9, 1864; was re-elected President in November of the same year, by a large majority over General McClellan, with Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, as Vice- President; delivered a very remarkable ad- dress at his second inauguration, March 4, 1865; visited the army before Richmond the same month; entered the capital of the Con- federacy the day after its fall, and upon the surrender of General Robert E. Lee's army, April 9, was actively engaged in devising generous plans for the reconstruction of the Union, when, on the evening of Good Fri- day, April 14, he was shot in his box at Ford's Theatre, Washington, byjohn Wilkes Booth, a fanatical actor, and expired early on the following morning, April 15. Al- most simultaneously a murderous attack was made upon William H. Seward, Secre- tary of State. At noon on the isth of April Andrew Johnson assumed the Presidency, and active measures were taken which resulted in the death of Booth and the execution of his principal accomplices. The funeral of President Lincoln was conducted with unexampled solemnity and magnificence. Impressive services were held in Washington, after which the sad procession proceeded over the same route he had traveled four years before, from Springheld to Washington. In Philadel- phia his body lay in state in Independence Hall, in which he had declared before his first inauguration "that I would sooner be assassinated than to give up the principles of the Declaration of Independence." He was buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery, near Springfield, Illinois, on Mav 4, where a monument emblematic of the emancipation of the slaves and the restoration of the Union mark his resting place. The leaders and citizens of the expiring Confederacy expressed genuine indignation at the murder of a generous political adver- sary. Foreign nations took part in mourn- ing the death of a statesman who had proved himself a true representative of American nationality. The freedmen of the South almost worshiped the memor}' of their de- liverer; and the general sentiment of the great Nation he had saved awarded him a place in its affections, second only to that held by Washington. The characteristics of Abraham Lincoln have been familiarly known throughout the civilized world. His tall, gaunt, ungainly figure, homely countenance, and his shrewd mother-wit, shown in his celebrated con- versations overflowing in humorous and pointed anecdote, combined with an accu- rate, intuitive appreciation of the questions of the time, are recognized as forming the best type of a period of American history now rapidly passing away. c yxju^y VI- ANDREW yOHNSOM. 9? BEEHSHHSSESHHHHStSHHHHHHHSJ ^^s iszgH^^'^^^^ 5^5».ar :xx txjLxxi^n_tJ n ii i i i i ii i j ii ii _U-_u n n u it xizijz xx xjl u ^a ■u__tT :jj?.:-<'l» ^V< l"| ii li I Ii 1 i l l l i 1' H « CfiS ' 1 ' > li ' i ' i"!! I *"T%i.3£^7^^' ' '^''"^^ i j i i i OHiiiiil ' Ii i l'ii i i ii Kii ij)^ LYSSES SIMPSON GRANT, the eight- eenth President of the United States, i86g-'77, was born April 27, 1822, at Point Pleasant, ^^f: Clermont County, Ohio. His father was of Scotch descent, and a dealer in leather. At the age of seventeen he en- tered the Military Academy at West Point, and four jears later graduated twent3'-first in a class of thirty-nine, receiving the commission of Brevet Second Lieutenant. He was assigned to the Fourth Infantry and re- mained in the army eleven years. He was engaged in every battle of the Mexican war except that of Buena Vista, and received two brevets for gallantry. In 1848 Mr. Grant married Julia,daughter of Frederick Dent, a prominent merchant of St. Louis, and in 1854, having reached the grade of Captain, he resigned his commis- sion in the army. For several years he fol- lowed farming near St. Louis, but unsuc- cessfully ; and in i860 he entered the leather trade with his father at Galena, Illinois. When the civil war broke out in 1861, Grant was thirty-nine years of age, but en- tirely unknown to public men and without any personal acquaintance with great affairs. President Lincoln's first call for troops was made on the 15th of April, and on the 19th Grant was drilling a company of volunteers at Galena. He also offered his services to the Adjutant-General of the arm}-, but re- ceived no reply. The Governor of Illinois, however, emplo3'ed him in the organization of volunteer troops, and at the end of five weeks he was appointed Colonel of the Twenty-first Infantry. He took command of his regiment in June, and reported first to General Pope in Missouri. His superior knowledge of military life rather surprised his superior officers, who had never before even heard of him, and they were thus led to place him on the road to rapid advance- ment. August 7 he was commissioned a Brigadier-General of volunteers, the ap- pointment having been made without his knowledge. He had been unanimously recommended by the Congressmen from Illinois, not one of whom had been his personal acquaintance. For a few weeks he was occupied in watching the move- ments of partisan forces in Missouri. September i he was placed in command of the District of Southeast Missouri, with headquarters at Cairo, and on the 6th, with- out orders, he seized Paducah, at the mouth of the Tennessee River, and commanding tlic navigation both of that stream and 0/ -^-7^ ULrSSES S. G/fA.Vr. 99 the Ohio. This stroke secured Kentucky to the Union ; for the State Legislature, which had until then affected to be neutral, at once declared in favor of the Govern- ment. In November following, according to orders, he made a demonstration about eighteen miles below Cairo, preventing the crossing of hostile troops into Missouri ; but in order to accomplish this purpose he had to do some fighting, and that, too, with only 3,000 raw recruits, against 7,000 Con- federates. Grant carried off two pieces of artillery and 200 prisoners. After repeated applications to General Halleck, his immediate superior, he was allowed, in February, 1862, to move up the Tennessee River against Fort Henry, in conjunction with a naval force. The gun- boats silenced the fort, and Grant immedi- ately made preparations to attack Fort Donelson, about twelve miles distant, on the Cumberland River. Without waiting for orders he moved his troops there, and with 15,000 men began the siege. The fort, garrisoned with 21,000 men, was a strong one, but after hard fighting on three successive days Grant forced an " Uncon- ditional Surrender " (an alliteration upon the initials of his name). The prize he capt- ured consisted of sixty-five cannon, 17,600 small arms and 14,623 soldiers. About 4,- 000 of the garrison had escaped in the night, and 2,500 were killed or wounded. Grant's entire loss was less than 2,000. This was the first important success won by the national troops during the war, and its strategic re- sults were marked, as the entire States of Kentucky and Tennessee at once fell into the National hands. Our hero was made a Major-General of Volunteers and placed in command of the District of West Ten- nessee. In March, 1862, he was ordered to move up the Tennessee River toward Corinth, where the Confederates were concentrat- ing a large army ; but he was directed not to attack. His forces, now numbering 38.- 000, were accordingly encamped near Shi- loh, or Pittsburg Landing, to await the arrival of General Buell with 40,000 more; but April 6 the Confederates came out from Corinth 50,000 strong and attacked Grant violently, hoping to overwhelm him before Buell could arrive ; 5,000 of his troops were beyond supporting distance, so that he was largely outnumbered and forced back to the river, where, however, he held out until dark, when the head of Buell's column came upon the field. The next day the Confederates were driven back to Corinth, nineteen miles. The loss was heavy on both sides ; Grant, being senior in rank to Buell, commanded on both days. Two days afterward Halleck arrived at the front and assumed command of the army. Grant remaining at the head of the right wing and the reserve. On May 30 Corinth was evacuated by the Confederates. In July Halleck was made General-in-Chief, and Grant succeeded him in command of the Department of the Tennessee. September 19 the battle of luka was fought, where, owing to Rosecrans's fault, only an incom- plete victory was obtained. Next, Grant, with 30,000 men, moved down into Mississippi and threatened Vicks- burg, while Sherman, with 40,000 men, was sent by way of the river to attack that place in front ; but, owing to Colonel Murphy's surrendering Holly Springs to the Con- federates, Grant was so weakened that he had to retire to Corinth, and then Sherman failed to sustain his intended attack. In January, 1863, General Grant took command in person of all the troops in the Mississippi Valley, and spent several months in fruitless attempts to compel the surrender or evacuation of Vicksburg; but July 4, following, the place surrendered, with 31,- 600 men and 172 cannon, and the Mississippi River thus fell permanently into the hands of the Government. Grant was made a PRESJDENTS OF I HE UN /TED UTATbS. Major-General in the regular armv, and in October following he was placed in com- mand of the Division of the Mississippi. The same month he went to Chattanoojja and saved the Army of the Cumberland from starvation, and drove Bragg from that part of the country. This victory over- threw the last important hostile force west of the Alleghanies and opened the way for the National armies into Georgia and Sher- man's march to the sea. The remarkable series of successes which Grant had now achieved pointed him out as the appropriate leader of the National armies, and accordingly, in Februar}', 1864, the rank of Lieutenant-General was created for him by Congress, and on March 17 he assumed command of the armies of the United States. Planning the grand final campaign, he sent Sherman into Georgia, Sigel into the valley of Virginia, and Butler to capture Richmond, while he fought his own way from the Rapidan to the James. The costl}' but victorious battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna and Cold Harbor were fought, more for the purpose of annihilating Lee than to capture any particular point. In June, 1864, the siege of Richmond was begun. Sherman, meanwhile, was marching and fighting daily in Georgia and steadily advancing toward Atlanta; but Sigel had been defeated in the valley of Virginia, and was superseded bv Hunter. Lee sent Early to threaten the Na- tional capital ; whereupon Grant gathered up a force which he placed under Sheridan, and that commander rapidl}^ drove Early, inasuccessionof battles, through the valley of Virginia and destroyed his army as an organized force. The siege of Richmond went on, and Grant made numerous attacks, but was only partially successful. The people of the North grew impatient, and even the Government advised him to abandon the attempt to take Richmond or crush the Confederacy in that way ; but he never wavered. He resolved to ' fight it out on that line, if it took all summer." By September Sherman had made his way to Atlanta, and Grant then sent him on his famous " march to the sea," a route which the chief had designed six months before. He made Sherman's success possi- ble, not only by holding Lee in front of Richmond, but also by sending reinforce- ments to Thomas, who then drew off and defeated the only army which could have confronted Sherman. Thus the latter was left unopposed, and, with Thomas and Sheri- dan, was used in the furtherance of Grant's plans. Each executed his part in the great design and contributed his share to the re- sult at which Grant was aiming. Sherman finally reached Savannah, Schofield beat the enemy at Franklin, Thomas at Nash- ville, and Sheridan wherever he met him ; and all this while General Grant was hold- ing Lee, with the principal Confederate army, near Richmond, as it were chained and helpless. Then Schofield was brought from the West, and Fort Fisher and Wil- mington were captured on the sea-coast, so as to afford him a foothold ; from here he was sent into the interior of North Caro- lina, and Sherman was ordered to move northward to join him. When all this was effected, and Sheridan could find no one else to fight in the Shenandoah Valley, Grant brought the cavalry leader to the front of Richmond, and, making a last effort, drove Lee from his entrenchments and captured Richmond. At the beginning of the final campaign Lee had collected 73,000 fighting men in the lines at Richmond, besides the local militia and the gunboat crews, amounting to 5,000 more. Including Sheridan's force Grant had i io,ooo men in the works before Petersburg and Richmond. Petersburg fell on the 2d of April, and Richmond on the 3d, and Lee fled in the direction of Lynch- burg. Grant pursued with remorseless l/LrSSES S. GRANT. energy, only stopping to strike fresh blows, and Lee at last found himself not only out- fought but also out-marched and out-gen- eraled. Being completely surrounded, he surrendered on the glh of April, 1865, at Appomattox Court-House, in the open field, with 27,000 men, all that remained of his army. This act virtually ended the war. Thus, in ten days Grant had captured Petersburg and Richmond, fought, by his subordinates, the battles of Five Forks and Sailor's Creek, besides numerous smaller ones, captured 20,000 men in actual battle, and received the surrender of 27,000 more at Appomattox, absolutely annihilating an army of 70,000 soldiers. General Grant returned at once to Wash- ington to superintend the disbandment of the armies, but this pleasurable work was scarcely begun when President Lincoln was assassinated. It had doubtless been in- tended to inflict the same fate upon Grant; but he, fortunately, on account of leaving Washington early in the evening, declined an invitation to accompany the President to the theater where the murder was com- mitted. This event made Andrew Johnson President, but left Grant by far the most conspicuous figure in the public life of the country. He became the object of an en- thusiasm greater than had ever been known in America. Every possible honor was heaped upon him ; the grade of General was created for him by Congress; houses were presented to him by citizens ; towns were illuminated on his entrance into them ; and, to cap the clima.x, when he made his tour around the world, "all nations did him honor" as they had never before honored a foreigner. The General, as Commander-in-Chief, was placed in an embarrassing position by the opposition of President Johnson to the measures of Congress ; but he directly man- ifested his characteristic loyalty by obeying Congress rather than the disaffected Presi- dent, although for a short time he had served in his cabinet as Secretary of War. Of course, everybody thought of General Grant as the next President of the United States, and he was accordingly elected as such in 1868 "by a large majority," and four years later re-elected by a much larger majority — the most overwhelming ever given b}^ the people of this country. His first administration was distinguished by a ces- sation of the strifes which sprang from the war, by a large reduction of the National debt, and by a settlement of the difficulties with England which had grown out of the depredations committed by privateers fit- ted out in England during the war. This last settlement was made by the famous " Geneva arbitration," which saved to this Government $1 5,000,000, but, more than all, prevented a war with England. " Let us have peace," was Grant's motto. And this is the most appropriate place to remark that above all Presidents whom this Gov- ernment has ever had. General Grant was the most non-partisan. He regarded the Executive office as purely and exclusively executive of the laws of Congress, irrespect- ive of " politics." But every great man has jealous, bitter enemies, a fact Grant was well aware of. After the close of his Presidency, our General made his famous tour around the world, already referred to, and soon after- ward, in company with Ferdinand Ward, of New York City, he engaged in banking and stock brokerage, which business was made disastrous to Grant, as well as to him- self, by his rascality. By this time an in- curable cancer of the tongue developed itself in the person of the afflicted ex- President, which ended his unrequited life July 23, 1885. Thus passed away from earth's turmoils the man, the General, who was as truly the " father of this regenerated country" as was Washington the father ot the infant nation. PRESIDENTS OF THE UNI TED STATES. UTHERFORD BIRCH- ARD HAYES, the nine- teenth President of the United States, i877-'8i, was born in J^ Delaware, Ohio, Oc- vTi tober 4, 1822. His ancestry can be traced as far back as 1280, when Hayes and Rutherford were two Scottish cliieftains fighting side by side with BaHol, WilUam Wallace and Robert Bruce. Both fami- lies belonged to the nobility, owned extensive estates and had a large following. The Hayes family had, for a coat of-arms, a shield, barred and surmounted by a flying eagle. There was a circle of stars about the eagle and above the shield, while on a scroll underneath the shield was inscribed the motto, " Recte." Misfortune overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scotland in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Connecticut. He was an industrious worker in wood and iron, having a mechanical genius and a cul- tivated mind. His son George was born in Windsor and remained there during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, married Sarah Lee, and lived in Simsbury, Con- necticut. Ezekiel, son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufacturer of scythes at Bradford, Connecticut. Rutherford Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a famous black- smith and tavern-keeper. He immigrated to Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro where he established a hotel. Here his son Rutherford, father of Presi- dent Hayes, was born. In September, 1813, he married Sophia Birchard, of Wilming- ton, Vermont, whose ancestry on the male side is traced back to 1635, to John Birch- ard, one of the principal founders of Nor- wich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. The father of President Hayes was of a mechanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stocking, or do almost anything that he might undertake. He was prosperous in business, a member of the church and active in all the benevolent enterprises of the town. After the close of the war of 1 8 1 2 he immigrated to Ohio, and purchased a farm near the present town of Delaware. His family then consisted of his wife and two children, and an orphan girl whom he had adopted. It was in 1817 that the family arrived at Delaware. Instead of settling upon his ^yL^C<^.i .lyt^U^j-^ RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. toS farm, Mr. Hayes concluded to enter into business in the village. He purchased an interest in a distillery, a business then as re- spectable as it was profitable. His capital and recognized ability assured him the highest social position in the communitj. He died July 22, 1822, less than three months before the birth of the son that was di^stined to fill the office of President of the United States. Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he was not expected to live beyond a month or two at most. As the months went by he grew weaker and weaker so that the neighbors were in the habit of inquiring from time to time "if Mrs. Hayes's baby died last night." On one oc- casion a neighbor, who was on friendly terms with the family, after alluding to the boy's big head and the mother's assiduous care of him, said to her, in a bantering way, "That's right! Stick to him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't won- der if he would really come to something yet." " You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes, " \'Ou wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him President of the United States yet." The boy lived, in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy death; and when, in 1825, his elder brother was drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his mother. He was seven years old before he was placed in school. His education, however, was not neglected. His sports were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being his sister and her associates. These circum- stances tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of disposition and that delicate consideration for the feelings of others which are marked traits of his character. At school he was ardently devoted to his studies, obedient to the teacher, and care- ful to avoid the quarrels in which many of his schoolmates were involved. He was always waiting at the school-house door when it opened in the morning, and never late in returning to his seat at recess. His sister Fannie was his constant companion, and their affection for each other excited the admiration of their friends. In 1838 )'Oung Hayes entered Kenyon College and graduated in 1842. He then began the study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow at Columbus. His health was now well established, his figure robust, his mind vigorous and alert. In a short time he determined to enter the law school at Cambridge, Massachusetts, where for two years he pursued his studies with great diligence. In 1845 lis was admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he remained three years, acquiring but limited practice, and apparently unambitious o( distinction in his profession. His bachelor uncle, Sardis Birchard, who had always manifested great interest in his nephew and rendered him assistance in boyhood, was now a wealth)^ banker, and it was under- stood that the young man would be his heir. It is possible that this expectation ma}' have made Mr. Hayes more indifferent to the attainment of wealth than he would otherwise have been, but he was led into no extravagance or vices on this account. In 1849 ^^ removed to Cincinnati where his ambition found new stimulus. Two events occurring at this period had a pow- erful influence upon his subsequent life. One of them was his marriage to Miss Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of Cincinnati; the other was his introduction to the Cincinnati Literary Club, a body embracing such men as Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, General John Pope and Governor Edward F. Noyes. The marriage was a fortunate one as every- body knows. Not one of all the wives of lo6 PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. our Presidents was more universally ad- mired, reverenced and beloved than is Mrs. Hayes, and no one has done more than she to reflect honor upon American woman- hood. In 1856 Mr. Hayes was nominated to the office of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, but declined t& accept the nomina- tion. Two years later he was chosen to the office of City Solicitor. In 1861, when the Rehellion broke out, he was eager to take up arms in the defense of his country. His military life was bright and illustrious. June 7, 1861, he was appointed Major of the Twenty-third Ohio Infantry. In July the regiment was sent to Virginia. October 15, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel of his regiment, and in August, 1862, was promoted Colonel of the Seventy-ninth Ohio Regiment, but refused to leave his old comrades. He was wounded at the battle of South Mountain, and suffered severely, being unable to enter upon active duty for several weeks. No- vember 30, 1862, he rejoined his regiment as its Colonel, having been promoted Octo- ber 15. December 25, 1862, he was placed in com- mand of the Kanawha division, and for meritorious service in several battles was promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted Major-General for distinguished services in 1864. He was wounded lout times, and five horses were shot from under him. Mr. Hayes was first a Whig in politics, and was among the first to unite with the Free-Soil and Republican parties. In 1864 he was elected to Congress from che Sec- ond Ohio District, which had always been Democratic, receiving a majority of 3,098. In 1866 he was renominated for Congress and was a second time elected. In 1867 he was elected Governor over Allen G. Thur- man, the Democratic candidate, and re- elected in 1869. In 1874 Sardis Birchard died, leaving his large estate to General Hayes. In 1876 he was nominated for the Presi- dency. His letter of acceptance excited the admiration of the whole country. He resigned the office of Governor and retired to his home in Fremont to await the result of the canvass. After a hard, long contest he was inaugurated March 5, 1877. His Presidency was characterized by compro- mises with all parties, in order to please as many as possible. The close of his Presi- dential term in 1881 was the close of his public life, and since then he has remained at his home in Fremont, Ohio, in Jefferso- nian retirement from public notice, in strik- ing contrast with most others of the world's notables. yAMES A. Garfield. 109 i^i^' t^t^'gai'^t^t^'^^^g^ !^V!\t^?^-"^Xr\i'^^ p .-i^J4AriS: 4, G4RFIEL1,^4- il ilBBagEMBB^BEMBBlfc'BBaPi^PW^alBBJ! ^^ -(S\,ll".>">';..'<''.vU"..'.';^^(^l!5»l»5 p.-^<&ti^^'s^4i'fvii's';ii>.;;i^; i'*;;ivr^ 'AMES A. GARFIELD, twentieth President of the United States, 1881, was born November 19, 1 83 1, in the wild woods o f Cuyahoga Count}-, Ohio. His parents were Abram and EHza (Ballou) Garfield, who were of New England ancestry. The senior Garfield was an in- '' dustrious farmer, as the rapid improvements which appeared on his place at- tested. The residence was the familiar pioneer log cabin, and the household comprised the parents and their children — Mehetable, Thomas, Mary and James A. In Ma}', 1833, the father died, and the care of the house- hold consequently devolved upon young Thomas, to whom James was greatly in- debted for the educational and other ad- vantages he enjoyed. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sisters live in Solon, Ohio, near their birthplace. As the subject of our sketch grew up, he, too, was industrious, both in mental and physical labor. He worked upon the farm, or at carpentering, or chopped wood, or at any other odd job that would aid in support of the family, and in the meantime made the most of his books. Ever afterward he was never ashamed of his humble origin, nor for- got the friends of his youth. The poorest laborer was sure of his sympathy, and he always exhibited the ch^acter of a modest gentleman. Until he was about sixteen years of age, James's highest ambition was to be a lake captain. To this his mother was strongly opposed, but she finally consented to his going to Cleveland to carry out his long- cherished design, with the understanding, however, that he should try to obtain some other kind of employment. He walked all the way to Cleveland, and this was his first visit to the city. After making many ap- plications for work, including labor on board a lake vessel, but all in vain, he finallv engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsyl- vania Canal. In a short time, however, he quit this and returned home. He then at- tended the seminary at Chester for about three years, and next he entered Hiram In- stitute, a school started in 1850 by the Disciples of Christ, of which church he was a member. In order to pay his way he assumed the duties of janitor, and at times taught school. He soon completed the cur- riculum there, and then entered Williams College, at which he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest honors of his class. no PRESfDEvTS OP THE VfflTED STATES. Afterward he returned to Hiram as Presi- dent. In his youthful and therefore zealous piety, he exercised his talents occasionally as a preacher of the Gospel. He was a man of strong moral and religious convic- tions, and as soon as he began to look into politics, he saw innumerable points that could be improved. He also studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1859. November 11, 1858, Mr. Garfield married Miss Lucrctia Rudolph, who ever after- ward proved a worthy consort in all the stages of her husband's career. They had seven children, five of whom are still living. It was in 1859 that Garfield made his first political speeches, in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three years later he began to speak at county mass-meetings, being received everywhere with popular favor. He was elected to the State Senate this year, taking his seat in January, i860. On the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion in 1861, Mr. Garfield resolved to fight as he had talked, and accordingly he enlisted to defend the old flag, receiving his commission as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Forty-second Regiment of the Ohio Volun- teer Infantr)', August 14, that year. He was immediately thrown into active service, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action he was placed in command of four regiments of infantry and eight companies of cavalr}', charged with the work of driv- ing the Confederates, headed by Humphrey Marshall, from his native State, Kentucky. This task was speedily accomplished, al- though against great odds. On account of his success, President Lincoln commissioned him Brigadier-General, January 11, 1862; and, as he had been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years before, so now he was the youngest General in the army. He was with General Buell's army at Shi- loh, also in its operations around Corinth and its march through Alabama. Next, he was detailed as a member of the general court-martial for the trial of General Fitz- John Porter, and then ordered to report to General Rosecians, when he was assigned to the position of Chief of Staff. His mili- tary history closed with his brilliant ser- vices at Chickamauga, where he won the stars of Major-General. In the fall of 1862, without any effort on his part, he was elected as a Representative to Congress, from that section of Ohio which had been represented for sixty years mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and Joshua R. Giddings. Again, he was the youngest member of that body, and con- tinued there by successive re-elections, as Representative or Senator, until he was elected President in 1880. During his life in Congress he compiled and published by his speeches, there and elsewhere, more information on the issues of the day, espe- cially on one side, than any other member. June 8, 1880, at the National Republican Convention held in Chicago, General Gar- field was nominated for the Presidency, in preference to the old war-horses, Blaine and Grant ; and although many of the Re- publican party felt sore over the failure of their respective heroes to obtain the nomi- nation. General Garfield was elected by a fair popular majority. He was duly in- augurated, but on Jul}' 2 following, before he had fairl)' got started in his administra- tion, he was fatally shot by a half-demented assassin. After very painful and protracted suffering, he died September 19, 1881, la- mented by all the American people. Never before in the history of this country had anything occurred which so nearly froze the blood of the Nation, for the moment, as the awful act of Guiteau, the murderer. He was duly tried, convicted and put to death on the gallows. The lamented Garfield was succeeded by the Vice-President, General Arthur, who seemed to endeavor to carry out the policy inaugurated by his predecessor. CMBSTEIi A. ARTHUR. "3 ^^^^5^-^^^jg@^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^£(^§ -^^^~e^' -T- «i^ •T^ * T^ .^^~-T^Q>ai^jtf^^as) -I- s*5 'T^~el^"^T^"~e!s~^F~^>TS\lt^;i| ^^ HESTER ALLEN ARTHUR, the twen- ty-first Chief Execu- tive of this growing republic, i88i-'5, was born in Franklin County, Vermont, October 5, 1830, the eldest of a family of two sons and five daughters. His father, Rev. Dr. William Arthur, a Baptist clergyman, immigrated to this country from County Antrim, Ireland, in his eighteenth year, and died in 1875, in Newton- ville, near Albany, New York, after serving many years as a successful minister. Chester A. was educated at that old, conservative institution. Union Col- lege, at Schenectady, New York, where he excelled in all his studies. He graduated there, with honor, and then struck out in life for himself by teaching school for about two years in his native State. At the expiration of that time young Arthur, with $500 in his purse, went to the city of New York and entered the law office of ex-Judge E. D. Culver as a student. In due time he was admitted to the bar, when he formed a partnership with his intimate friend and old room-mate, Henry D. Gar. diner, with the intention of practicing law at some point in the West ; but after spend- ing about three months in the Westen States, in search of an eligible place, they returned to New York City, leased a room, exhibited a sign of their business and al- most immediately enjoyed a paying patron- age. At this stage of his career Mr. Arthur's business prospects were so encouraging that he concluded to take a wife, and ac- cordingly he married the daughter of Lieu- tenant Herndon, of the United States Navy, who had been lost at sea. To the widow of the latter Congress voted a gold medal, in recognition of the Lieutenant's bravery during the occasion in which he lost his life. Mrs. Artnur died shortly before her husband's nomination to the Vice-Presi- dency, leaving two children. Mr. Arthur obtained considerable celeb- rity as an attorney in the famous Lemmon suit, which was brought to recover posses- sion of eight slaves, who had been declared free by the Superior Court of New York City. The noted Charles O'Conor, who was nominated by the " Straight Demo- crats" in 1872 for the United States Presi- dency, was retained by Jonathan G. Lem- tU PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. mori; of Virginia, to recover the negroes, but he lost the suit. In this case, however, Mr. Arthur was assisted by William M. Evarts, now United States Senator. Soon afterward, in 1856, a respectable colored woman was ejected from a street car in New York City. Mr. Arthur sued the car company in her behalf and recovered $500 damages. Immediately afterward all the car companies in the city issued orders to their employes to admit colored persons upon their cars. Mr. Arthur's political doctrines, as well as his practice as a lawyer, raised him to prominence in the party of freedom; and accordingly he was sent as a delegate to the first National Republican Convention. Soon afterward he was appointed Judge Advocate for the Second Brigade of the State of New York, and then Engineer-in- Chief on Governor Morgan's staff. In 1861, the first year of the war, he was made In- spector-General, and next, Quartermaster- General, in both which offices he rendered great service to the Government. After the close of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the practice of law, forming first a partnership with Mr. Ransom, and subse- quently adding Mr. Phelps to the firm. Each of these gentlemen were able law3'ers. November 21, 1872, General Arthur was appointed Collector of the Port of New York by President Grant, and he held the office until Jul}^ 20, 1878. The next event of prominence in General Arthur's career was his nomination to the V ice-Presidency of the United States, under the influence of Roscoe Conkling, at the National Republican Convention held at Chicago in June, 1880, when James A. Gar- field was placed at the head of the ticket. Both the convention and the campaign that followed were noisy and exciting. The iriends of Grant, constituting nearly half the convention, were exceedinglv persist- ent, and were sorely disappointed over their defeat. At the head of the Demo- cratic ticket was placed a ver}' strong and popular man ; yet Garfield and Arthur were elected by a respectable plurality of the popular vote. The 4th of March following, these gentlemen were accordingly inaugu- rated ; but within four months the assassin's bullet made a fatal wound in the person of General Garfield, whose life terminated September 19, 1881, when General Arthur, ex officio, was obliged to take the chief reins of government. Some misgivings were entertained by many in this event, as Mr. Arthur was thought to represent espe cially the Grant and Conkling wing of the Republican party ; but President Arthur had both the ability and the good sense to allay all fears, and he gave the restless, critical American people as good an ad- ministration as they had ever been blessed with. Neither selfishness nor low parti- sanisni ever characterized any feature of his public service. He ever maintained a high sense of every individual right as well as of the Nation's honor. Indeed, he stood so high that his successor. President Cleve- land, though of opposing politics, expressed a wish in his inaugural address that he could only satisfy the people with as good an administration. But the da}- of civil service reform had come in so far, and the corresponding re- action against "third-termism" had en- croached so far even upon "second-term" service, that the Republican party saw fit in 1884 to nominate another man for Presi- dent. Only by this means was General Arthur's tenure of office closed at Wash- ington. On his retirement from the Presi- dency, March, 1885, he engaged in the practice of law at New York City, where be died November 18, 18SG. '>7 .*»,-«--w-^C^ GKOVER CLEVELAND. 117 ^1^,^ ^^1 ^ ^ l^^ "^•sC^ «* r- y^-Tr.. '•^ ■'SM^^-^K^ 1,^^ ©lS¥Mc^Mli« 11 >f i^^^5«^^^S^ ROVER CLEVE- LAND, the twenty- second President of the United States, 1885—, was born in Caldwell, Essex County, New Jersey, March 18, . The house in which he born, a small two-story wooden buildings, is still stand- ing-. It was the parsonage of the Presbyterian church, of which his father, Richard Cleveland, at the time was pastor. The family is of New England origin, and for two centuries has contributed to the professions and to busi- ness, men who have reflected honor on the name. Aaron Cleveland, Grover Cleve- land's great-great-grandfather, was born in Massachusetts, but subsequently moved to Philadelphia, where he became an intimate friend of Benjamin Franklin, at whose house he died. He left a large family of children, who in time married and settled in different parts of New England. A grandson was one of the small American force that fought the British at Bunker Hill. He served with gallantry through- out the Revolution and was honorably discharged at its close as a Lieutenant in the Continental army. Another grandson, William Cleveland (a son of a second Aaron Cleveland, who was distinguished as a writer and member of the Connecticut Legislature) was Grover Cleveland's grand- father. William Cleveland became a silver- smith in Norwich, Connecticut. He ac- quired by industry some property and sent his son, Richard Cleveland, the father of Grover Cleveland, to Yale College, where he graduated in 1824. During a year spent in teaching at Baltimore, Maryland, after graduation, he met and fell in love with a Miss Annie Neale, daughter of a wealthy Baltimore book publisher, of Irish birth. He was earning his own way in the world at the time and was unable to marry; but in three years he completed a course of preparation for the ministry, secured a church in Windham, Connecticut, and married Annie Neale. Subsequently he moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, where he preached for nearly two years, when he was summoned to Caldwell, New Jersey, where was born Grover Cleveland. When he was three years old the family moved to Fayetteville, Onondaga County, New York. Here Grover Cleveland lived until he was fourteen years old, the rugged, healthful life of a country boy. His frank, generous manner made him a favorite among his companions, and their respect was won by the good qualities in the germ which his manhood developed. He at- tended the district school of the villasre and ii8 PRE$rDE!^TS OF THE UNITED STATES. was for a short time at the academy. His lather, however, believed that boj'S should be taught to labor at an early age, and be- fore he had completed the course of study at the academy he began to work in the village store at $50 for the first year, and the promise of $100 for the second year. His work was well done and the promised in- crease of pay was granted the second year. Meanwhile his father and family had moved to Clinton, the seat of Hamilton College, where his father acted as agent to the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, preaching in the churches of the vicinity. Hither Grover came at his father's request shortly after the beginning of his second year at the Fayetteville store, and resumed his studies at the Clinton Academy. After three years spent in this town, the Rev. Richard Cleveland was called to the vil- lage church of Holland Patent. He had preached here only a month when he was suddenly stricken down and died without an hour's warning. The death of the father left the family in straitened circumstances, as Richard Cleveland had spent all his salary of $1,000 per year, which was not required for the necessary expenses of liv- ing, upon the education of his children, of whom there were nine, Grover being the fifth. Grover was hoping to enter Hamil- ton College, but the death of his father made it necessary for him to earn his own livelihood. For the first year (i853-'4) he acted as assistant teacher and bookkeeper in the Institution for the Blind in New York City, of which the late Augustus Schell was for many years the patron. In the winter of 1854 he returned to Holland Patent where the generous people of that place, Fayetteville and Clinton, had purchased a home for his mother, and in the following spring, borrowing $25, he set out for the West to earn his living. Reaching Buffalo he paid a hasty visit to an uncle, Lewis F. Allen, a well-known stock farmer, living at Black Rock, a tew miles distant. He communicated his plans to Mr. Allen, who discouraged the idea of the West, and finally induced the enthusi- astic boy of seventeen to remain with him I and help him prepare a catalogue of blooded short-horn cattle, knownas " Allen's Amer- ican Herd Book," a publication familiar to all breeders of cattle. In August, 1855, he entered the law office of Rogers, Bowen t*i Rogers, at Buffalo, and after serving a I few months without pay, was paid $4 a week — an amount barely sufficient to meet I the necessary e.xpenses of his board in the family of a fellow-student in Buffalo, with whom he took lodgings. Life at this time with Grover Cleveland was a stern battle with the world. He took his breakfast bv candle-light with the drovers, and went at once to the office where the whole day was spent in work and study. Usually he re- turned again at night to resume reading which had been interrupted by the duties of the day. Gradually his employers came to recognize the ability, trustworthiness and capacit)' for hard work in their young em[)loye, and by the time he was admitted to the bar (1859) he stood high in their con- fidence. A year later he was made confi- dential and managing clerk, and in the course of three years more his salary had been raised to $1,000. In 1863 he was ap- pointed assistant district attorney of Erie County by the district attorney, the Hon. C. C. Torrance. Since his first vote had been cast in 1858 he had been a staunch Democrat, and until he was chosen Governor he alwa\s made it his duty, rain or shine, to stand at the polls and give out ballots to Democratic voters. During the first year of his term as assistant district attorney, the Democrats desired especially to carry the Board of Su- pervisors. The old Second Ward in which he lived was Republican- ordinarily by 250 majority, but at the urgent request of the G ROVER CLEVELAND. 119 party Grover Cleveland consented to be the Democratic candidate for Supervisor, and came within thirteen votes of an elec- tion. The three years spent in the district attorney's office were devoted to assiduous ;abor and the extension of his professional attainments. He then formed a law part- nership with the late Isaac V. Vanderpoel, ex-State Treasurer, under the firm name of Vanderpoel & Cleveland. Here the bulk of the work devolved on Cleveland's shoul- ders, and he soon won a good standing at the bar of Erie County. In 1869 Mr. Cleveland formed a partnership with ex- Senator A. P. Laning and e.K-Assistant United States District Attorney Oscar Fol- som, under the firm name of Laning, Cleve- land & Folsom. During these years he began to earn a moderate professional in- come; but the larger portion of it was sent to his mother and sisters at Holland Patent to whose support he had contributed ever since i860. He served as sheriff of Erie County, i870-'4, and then resumed the practice of law, associating himself with the Hon. Lyman K. Bass and Wilson S. Bissell. The firm was strong and popular, and soon commanded a large and lucrative practice. Ill health forced the retirement of Mr. Bass in 1879, and the firm became Cleveland & Bissell. In 1881 Mr. George J. Sicard was added to the firm. In the autumn election of 1881 he was elected mayor of Buffalo by a majority of over 3,5oo^the largest majority ever given a candidate for mayor^and the Democratic city ticket was successful, although the Republicans carried Buffalo by over 1,000 majority for their State ticket. Grover Cleveland's administration as mayor fully justified the confidence reposed in him by the people of Buffalo, evidenced by the great vote he received. The Democratic State Convention met at Syracuse, September 22, 1882, and nomi- nated Grover Cleveland for Governor on the third ballot and Cleveland was elected by 192,000 majority. In the fall ot 1 884 he was elected President of the United States by about 1,000 popular majority, in New York State, and he was accordingly inaugurated tiie4tli of March following. PRESIDENTS OF T/fE CXTTED STATES. rS)(a^5^$Vs==JL_ ^==.«^€^„ BENJAMIN HAI^I^ISON. ENJAMIN HARRISOK, the twenty-third Presi- dent of the United States, 1889, was boru at North Bend, Hamilton County, Ohio, in the house of his grandfather, William Hen- ry Harrison (who was the ninth President of this country), August 20th, 1833. He is a descendant of one of the historical fam.ilies of this country, as also of England. The head of tiie family was a Major-General Harrison who was devoted to the cause of Oliver Cromwell. It became the duty of this Har- rison to participate in tlie trial of Charles 1. and afterward to sign the death warrant of the king, which subsequently cost him his life. His enemies succeeding to power, he was condemned and executed October 13th, 1660. His descendants came to America, and the first mention made in history of the Harrison family as representative in public affairs, is that of Benjamin Harrison, great- grandfather of our present President, who was a member of the Continental Congress, 1774^-5-6, and one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence, and three times Governor of Virginia. Ilis son, AVill- iam Henry Harrison, made a brilliant mili- tary record, was Governor of the Northwest Territory, and the ninth President of the United States. The subject of this sketch at an early age became a student at Farmers College, where he remained two years, at the end of which time he entered Miami University, at Ox- ford, Ohio. Upon graduation from said seat of learning he entered, as a student, the of- fice of Stover & Gwyne, a notable law firm at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he applied himself closely to the study of his chosen profession, and here laid the foundation for the honora- ble and famous career before him. He spent two years with the firm in Cincinnati, at the expiration of which time he received the only inheritance of his life, which was a lot left him by an aunt, which he sold for $800. This sum he deemed sufficient to justify him in marrying the lady of his choice, and to whom he was then engaged, a daughter of Dr. Scott, then Principal of a female school at Oxford, Ohio. After marriage he located at Indianapolis, Indiana, where he began the practice of law. Meeting with slight encouragement he made but little the first year, but applied himself . CK^a <^l^'^9^-'?v<^''Si-(S^^-Xyo BENJAMIN HARRISON. 1=3 closely to his business, and by perseverance, honorable dealing and an upright life, suc- ceeded in building up an extensive practice and took a leading position in the legal profession. In 1860 he was nominated for the position of Supreme Court Reporter for the State of Indiana, and then began his experience as a stump speaker. He canvassed the State thoroughly and was elected. In 1862 his patriotism caused him to abandon a civil office and to offer his country his services in a military capacity. He or- ganized the Seventieth Indiana Infantry and was chosen its Colonel. Although his regi- ment was composed of raw material, and he practically void of military schooling, he at once mastered military tactics and drilled his men, so that when he with his regiment was assigned to Gen. Sherman's command it was known as one of the best drilled organ- izations of the army. He was especially distinguished for bravery at the battles of Rosacea and Peach Tree Creek. For his bravery and efficiency at the last named bat- tle he was made a Brigadier-deneral, Gen- eral Hooker speaking of him in the most complimentary terms. While General Harrison was actively en- gaged in the Held the Supreme Court declared the office of Supreme Court Reporter vacant, and another person was elected to fill the position. From the time of leaving Indiana with his regiment for the front, until the fall of 1864, General Harrison had taken no leave of absence. But having been nominated that year for the same office that he vacated in order to serve his country where he could do the greatest good, he got a thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time canvassed the State and was elected for another term as Supreme Court Reporter. He then started to rejoin his command, then with General Sbennau in the South, but was stricken down with fever and after a very trying siege, made his way to the front, and participated in the closing scenes and incidents of the war. In 1868 General Harrison declined a re- election as Reporter, and applied himself to the practice of his profession. He was a candidate for Governor of Indiana on the Republican ticket in 1876. Although de- feated, the brilliant campaign brought him to public notice and gave him a National reputation as an able and formidable debater and he was much sought in the Eastern States as a public speaker. He took an act- ive part in the Presidential campaign of 1880, and was elected to the United States Senate, where he served six years, and was known as one of the strongest debaters, as well as one of the ablest men and best law- yers. When his term expired in the Senate he resumed his law practice at Indianapolis, becoming the head of one of the strongest law firms in the State of Indiana. Sometime prior to the opening of the Presidential campaign of 1888, the two great political parties (Republican and Democratic) drew the line of political battle on the ques- tion of tariff, which became the leading issue and the rallying watchword during the mem- orable camp ul^'u. The Republicans appealed to the people for their voice as to a tariff to protect home industries, while the Democrats wanted a tariff for revenue only. The Re- publican convention assembled in Chicago in June and selected Mr. Harrison as their standard bearer on a platform of ] rinciples, among other important clauses being that of protection, which he cordially indorsed in accepting the nomination. November 6, 1888, after a heated canvass. General Harri- son was elected, defeating Grover Cleveland, who was again the nominee of the Demo- cratic party. He was inaugurated and as- sumed the duties of his office March 4, 1889. La Crosse, Trempealeau, -AND Buffalo Counties. fW. LOSEY, senior member of the law firm of Losej & Woodward, was born in ** Honesdale, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1834, and is a son of Ebenezer T. and Lucy M. (Walton) Losey. He received his literary education in tlie common schools of Honesdale, the Honesdale Academj', and at Amherst College, where he was a student in 1854 and 1855. In May, 1856, he came to La Crosse, and studied law in the ofBce of Denison & Lyndes; he was admitted to the bar in October, 1857, and at the election of the November following he was chosen District Attorney; he was re-elected in 1859, and in 1860 he was elected City Attorney of La Crosse. Upon the dissolution of the firm of Denison & Lyndes, Mr. Losey became the junior partner, tlio relationship continuing until 1861, when the law firm of Cameron & Losey was established. They conducted a successful business until 1889, when Mr. Cameron withdrew, and the present firm of Losey & Woodward was formed. Mr. Losey has been very closely identi- fied with the history of I^ia Crosse, and is a citizen in whom rests the confidence of the entire community. An able lawyer, pos- 10 sessing the rare gift of eloquence and persua- sive power, it is not strange that he soon came to be regarded as a most powerful ally, as well as a dangerous opponent. He has been loyal to every interest of La Crosse, and is an ardent supporter of home industry. It was through his exertions that the city came into the possession of the beautiful cemetery which furnishes a resting-place for the remains of the deceased. He has been active in the establishment of the water facilities and the various lighting processes already in operation. He served twelve years on the Board of Aldermen, where he was a valuable and honored counselor. He owns a fine legal ybrary, and has never lost the "student attitude." He was married in La Crosse in 1859, to Miss Florence T. Leh- man, a native of Gerinany. Six children have been born of this union: Mary, the wife of S. F. Easton; Fannie, Josephine and Joseph Walton, Two died in infancy. Mr. Losey is general attorney of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Northern Railroad, and was formerly the general attorney for the Southern Minnesota Railroad until it was bought by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 126 BIOORAPJIICA L UISTOR Y. Paul Railroad. He has beeu local attorney for the latter road for the past twenty years. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. — ^€^:i)^'^ — lOMINICK MADER, brick manufact- nrer, La Crosse, Wisconsin. — Mr. Mader is another of the many prominent citi- zens of foreign birth now residing in the county, and as a successful business man is well known. He was born in Germany, to the union of David and Mary (Sehalk) Mader, and came with his parents to the United States in 1853. They settled in the town of Shelby, rented a farm in Mormon Cooly, and after working that for two years the father bought forty acres in section 11, which he im- mediately began to improve. He bought 160 acres adjoining and thus becanie tiie owner of 200 acres of rich land. He erected a large stone house, barns and otiier buildings, and was quite wealthy at the time of liis death, wliich occurred in 1880. His widow is still living, is seventy-six years of age, and is a resident of La Crosse. Mr. Dominick Mader bought the brick yard in La Crosse in 1878 and has manufactured brick since that time, turning out from eight to ten hun- dred thousand each season, and selling tiiera in La Crosse. He is a self-made man wiio h:is procured a good income from his busi- ness. He is popular among his neighbors and is one of the influential citizens. Mr. Mader was married in 1887, to Miss Mary Suhling, daughter of August and Mary Suhling. natives of Germany, who came to the United States at an early date. The father is still living and makes his home with his son-in law, Mr. Mailer. The mother died at the age of sixty years. Mr. and Mrs. Mader are tlie parents of five children: Arthur, August, Henry, Dominick and Mary Louisa, all at home. The family are mem- bers of the Catholic Chnrch at La Crosse. Mr. Mader has held nearly all the offices of the town and filled them in a very satisfactory manner, as might be expected. He has been Clerk of his school district continuously for the last fourteen years. He has a good, commodious two-story brick dwelling and has large barns and sheds to cover millions of brick. He also owns one store building in La Crosse and is a popular representative of the energetic, wide-awake business man, which element has done and is doing so much for the advancement of the material interests of the city. .«jEV. FATHER AMBROSE MURPHY, K pastor of the St. James Catholic Church, corner of Caledonia and Windsor streets. La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a native of New Brunswick, born September 2, 1862. He is one of a family of nine children born to William and Catherine (Brown) Murphy, who are also natives of New Brunswick. The children are named as follows: Mary Ellen and Margaret Ann are both deceased; William has finished his course at the La Crosse Business College; Mary Paulina is a music teacher in the convent at La Crosse, where she is known as Sister Thaddea; Ellen Martina is in school; Leo is deceased; Charles and Clara are also attending school. When Father Murphy was a child of three years his parents removed to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where he received his ele- mentary education. He began his classical work under Dr. Goldsmith, now deceased, and afterward entered St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, where he was a student three years; two years were spent in the Seminary BIOGIiAPHICAL HISTORY. 127 of Floreffe, Belgium, and over four years in the University of Itnisbruck, Austria, where lie was ordained October 28, 1880, by the Prince Bishop of Brixeii. Afterward be spent one year in the University of Paris, and was called thence to America by Bishop Flasch, who assigned him to duty at Chip- pewa Falls, where he remained eight months. While at this station he did missionary work in the outlying districts, as well as in the city, his labors being among the Frencli half- breeds and Indians. In January, 1888, he was transferred to St. James Church in North La Crosse; at that time the church was un- finished, and was carrying a debt of large pro- portions; the church has since been finished at a cost of several thousand dollars, and a handsome cottage, a residence for the priest, has been completed. Upon his arrival here tlie church was suffering from internal dissen- sions and contentions among the members; these differences have been harmonized, the debt has been materially reduced, and the un- paid balance has been satisfactorily arranged. A parochial school, conducted under the superintendence of Father Murphy, holds its sessions on the first floor of the church and is in charge of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. There are four teach- ers employed in the regular work, and a special teacher for music. The classes are carefully graded, and are in excellent work- ing order. Father Murphy's tine intellectual training and attainments fit him pre-emi- nently for this responsible position, and his services have been appreciated. He is an ardent temperance worker, and through his influence some of the most eloquent speakers on the subject have been secured for La Crosse; among them may be mentioned Bishop Cotter, President of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America, and Father Cleary, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and the Dominican Missionaries, Splinter and Daly, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. These lectures are always free to the public, and are accomplishing a great deal in educating jieople as to their duty on this great question. Father Murphy is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, a benevolent society, and of the Catholic Knights, of A¥isconsin, an insurance association, and of various other societies for the instruction of the young. tAFAYETTE HOLMES, secretary and treasurer of the Davidson Lumber Company, North La Crosse, Wiscon- sin, and one of the reliable and represent- ative business men of that city, was originally from Ohio, his birth occurring in Jeffer- son county of that State, January 10, 1834. His parents, William and Eliza (Voorhees) Holmes, were natives also of the Buckeye State, and the latter is a relative of Senator Voorhees of Indiana. William Holmes was a blacksmith by trade, and this he followed while a resident of Ohio. In 1836 he moved to Iowa, opposite Navuoo, Illinois, but re- turned to Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1838, and there remained until 1843. He then moved to Pittsburg and from there to Iro- qnois county, Illinois, two years later. In 1846 he located in Galena, Illinois, and in 1849 crossed tlie plains to California, where he remained working in the mines until 1851. Afterward he was a short time in Galena and then returned to the gold regions of California, where he remained until 1860. Again returning to Galena he worked in the mines until his death, which occurred March 11, 1802, when fifty-two years of age. His wife died in La Crosse in 1884, when seventy-two years of age. Of the ten children born to this union, seven are still 198 BIOQRAPBICAL HISTORY. living. Lafayette Holmes began for himself at the early age of fourteen as clerk at Scales Monnd, near Galena, Illinois, and has been clerk ami bookkeeper ever since, at Galena, St. Paul ami La Crosse. lie came to his pre.sent position in 1867, and this speaks well as to his ability as clerk and book- keeper. He is a popular salesman, and is an able and experienced gentleman, with whom it will always be found profitable and pleas- ant to have dealings. He became secretary of the company at the organization in 1885. He was connected with the different packet companies from 1853, the old Minnesota Packet Company, following all the successive companies until 1888, a period of thirtytive years. He followed shore business as agent, storekeeper, etc. This we believe is without a parallel in the State. The company have one boat, a raft boat, and he looks after this at present writing. In his line Mr. Holmes is one of the leading men of the city. He ob- tained his knowledge of bookkeeping by actual practice, for he did not attend school after the age of thirteen. He was married in 1860 to Miss Sarah J. Lee, dauehtor of George W. and Susan Loe, of Galena, Illi- nois, and became the father of three children : William M., living in Montana; Jessie L;, at home and a musician and artist of con- siderable note; Walter, in the office of James McCord, wholesale druggist. Mrs. Holmes is a strong believer in Christian Science. Mr. Holmes is a Thirty-second Degree Mason, belonging to the Wisconsin Consistory. He was Eminent Commander of La Crosse Coin- mandery. No. 9, three successive years, Worshipful Master of Frontier Lodge, No. 45, four successive years, and is at present High Priest of Smith Chapter,No. 13. Of tiie Knights of Pythias he has passed the chairs. He went through all the different decrees of the I. O. C). V. order thirty years ago. In politics he has ever been a Democrat. He has many times been city delegate to county conventions. Mr. Holmes is pro- gressive and public-spirited in his views, is a worthy and valued citizen, and is respected by his many friends. -^^tnrWy- ■^jiru^^^ IL HOUGH, train-master on the m Chicago, Burlington & Northern Kail- ' road, was originally' from Connecticut, born June 29, 1845. His parents, Isaac T anil Julia F. (Wilcox) Hough, were both na- tives of that State also, and the father was a manufacturer of tinsmith tools. He died in his native State at the age of forty-nine, and his wife received her final summons there at the age of fifty-four. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are yet living. P. H. Hough received a good academic edu- cation in Connecticut, and on the 5th of Sep- tember, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-fourth Coiinecticut Volunteer In- fantry, for nine months, and served thirteen months under General Banks in the Depart- ment of tlie Gulf. Ilis first en<>;aijement was at Irish Bend in Louisiana, and the next at Bayou Sara, Port Hudson. He enlisted when only seventeen years of age, there being only two younger in the regiment, but stood the service quite well, especially in marching, when he had more endurance than older men. He was discharged at Middletown, Connecticut, October 81, 1863. He then came West and located in Ogle county, Illi- nois, and engaged in telegraphy, having stud- ied it in the East, and came West to secure a position. He located at Forres ton, Illinois, had charge of a day office, and continued there sixteen years in the em])loy of the Illinois Central and Chicago & Iowa railroads. From there he was promoted to train dispatcher, BIOGRAPHICAL HI8T0RT. 129 and went to Ainboy, Illinois, where he re- mained for five years, lie then came to La Crosse (1886) and took the position of train dispatcher for the Chicago, Burlington & Northern liailroad. In 1888 he was pro- moted to chief train dispatcher. This posi- tion he held for two years, and was then promoted to train master, his present posi- tion. In 1881: Mr. Hough married Miss Anna M. French, daughter of John French, of Kappa, Illinois. Mr. French died in 1878, at tiie age of fifty-nine years. The mother is still living, and is in her fifty-sixth year. Mr. Hough is a member of the Masonic order and of the G. A. R. Post at La Crosse. i,ENRY B. KLICH, 1301 Winnebago street, La Crosse, is a contractor and builder, and is one of the inost prosper- ous in the city. He is an American by adoption, his native country being Bohemia, Austria. He was born in 1854, a son of Simon and Theresa Klich, also Bohemians by birth. They bade farewell to their country in 1872, and crossed the sea to the United States, lo- cating in La Crosse in 1873, where they still reside. Henry B., the third of a family of five children, began working at the brick- layer's trade in 1872, and for a few years he traveled up and down the Mississippi river from St. Paul to New Orleans. In 1875 he came to La Crosse, and here he has since followed the business of building and con- tracting. Up to 1886 he was employed as foreman for different contractors, but in that year began taking contracts on his own ac- count. He has erected a number of residences in La Crosse, the addition to the Eighth ward schoolhouse, and a number of other build- ings, including the Fay Hotel and Mitchel's building on Third street. By his strict and honorable dealings he has won a reputation for substantial and reliable building that has placed him in the front ranks of his calling. Mr. Klich was naan-ied in 188U to Miss Mary Matejka, who was born in 1861, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Matejka. Her father died in 1891, aged sixty-four years. The mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Klich are the parents of five children: Henry, Amelia, Albert, Julia and Frank. All are at home comfortably and happily sit- uated. Mr. Klich is a member of the Build- ers' Association of La Crosse, and the International Progressive Association of Mansfield, Ohio, and belongs to the C. S. P. S., of which he has been an ofiicer for many years. EV. FATHER J. W. RITZ, pastor of I St. John's Church, corner of Avon and St. James streets. La Crosse, is a native of Germany, born in Bavaria, Au- gust 18, 1859. He received his education in the "Fatherland," and after he had finished his theological training he was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1883 he came to America, and soon after his arrival here he was assigned to duty as pastor of the Medford Church in Taylor county, Wisconsin. While stationed at this point he was instrumental in building new churches, and infused new life into many congregations to which he ministered. He had charge of six missions, Medford being the principal one; there he built a new edifice and established a parochial school. He came to La Crosse in August, 1890, having been assigned to St. John's Church. Here ho also has commenced the erection of a new church of modern design, 48 x 100 130 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. feet, with a seating capacity of three or four Inindrod, the cost to be not less than $10,000. St. John's Catholic School is also under control of Father Ilitz, the fall term of which opened with ninety-six chil- dren enrolled. Two teachers are employed to give instruction in the school. St. John's congregation was organized from a portion of the communicants of St. Joseph's Cathedral three years ago, and under the care of Father Kitz has steadily increased in interest and grown in numbers. He has devoted himself faithfully to the needs of those entrusted to his care, and has proven himself worthy of the coutidence reposed in him by his superiors and congregation. 4^ ^ lAPTAIN ALBERT J. HILL was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 14, 1841, a son of George W. and Margaret (Wil- son) Hill, natives of Johnstown, Pennsylva- nia, and Baltimore, Maryland, respectively. The father was a carpenter and contractor, and in 1842 removed to Burlington, Iowa. He was one or the most prominent and pro- gressive of the early settlers, and was highly esteemed by the members of the community in which he lived. He died April 5, 1888, aged seventy-six years. His wife died in June, 1889. They had born to them a family of live children, the Captain and one sister being the only ones living at the present time. Albert J. received his education at Burlington, Iowa, and learned tiie carpenter's trade with his father. When President Lin- coln made a call for 75,000 men to aid in putting down the rebellion, private interests sank into insignificance, and all hopes, all plans, all aspirations were abandoned that the country might be preserved from disintegra- tion. Captain Hill enlisted in Company I, First Iowa Volunteer Infantry, "The Bur- lington Blues," and went out to a long term of service, to encounter hardships and pri- vations unknown to any life except that of the soldier. J5efore the end of ninety days he had seen the fall of one of the most promising officers. General Lyon, and had participated in the battle of Wilson Creek. He re-enlisted in the Twenty -fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served until the declaration of peace. Among the most noted engagements in which he participated may be mentioned the following: Vicksburg, Arkan- sas Post, Atlanta, Jonesboro and the great march to the sea. At Atlanta he saw Mc- Pherson shot from his horse, and on the inarch under Sherman he barely escaped starvation, lie paid S20 for a half-pint of rice, a rather dainty lunch for the price. He was in the city of Columbia, South Caro- lina, when it was fired by the /darkies. Upon the arrival of the troops in the city the colored population matiifested great joy, es- teeming it a day of jubilee. They were free in rendering service, and freely gave infor- mation, both desirable and undesirable. The citizens called for a guard, which was readily granted. At dusk, just as night was settling upon the city, a fire broke out and spread rapidly. The engines were brought out, and soldiers and citizens made a common tight in subduing the flames, the work of incen- diaries. It was a terrible, though magnifi- cent sight, and the sounds were as those of pandemonium; the cries of helpless women and children, the clattering of horses through the streets, maddened by the flames, the shouts of the firemen, are beyond description, but were recorded on the memory of those witnessincr the conflagration to remain there as long as life and memory exist. Captain Hill was at the Grand Review at Washington, and was mustered out of the BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 181 service at Davenport, Iowa. He was never seriously wounded or taken prisoner, but had his liearing injured by the l)ursting of a sliell. This trouble pi'oved permanent, and is a source of annoyance to him even now. After the close of the war he had his first lessons as a jjilot on the river, and since that time has been employed on the packets plying between St. Louis and St. Paid. He was married August 31, 1868, to Miss Fran- ces Chenoworth, a daughter of William and Althea Chenoworth, of Burlington, Iowa. Mrs. Hill's father died when she was two years old, but the mother lived until some time in the '60s. There were four children in the family, Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Nancy Morrell being the only surviving members. Captain and Mrs. Hill have one child, Eunice May, the wife of Thomas J. Madden, Chief of Police of Duluth, Minnesota. The parents are members of the Presby- terian Church. Captain Hill belongs to the G. A. R. and to the Pilot's Association; he takes little interest in politics, but votes with the Democratic party. After the injury received in battle he could have secured an honorable discharge, but, filled with the zeal of the patriot, declined to do so, and served through the rest of the war as a musician, his impaired hearing making it unsafe for him to do guard duty. -^^LnJlM/- ~^Uinn^^ [EV. JOSEPH B. WIEDMANN, Rector of St. Joseph's Cathedral, La Crosse, was born in Westphalia, Prussia, No- vember 19, 1855. In 1851 his father died, and in 1868 he came with his mother to America, locating at Fountain City, Buffalo county, Wisconsin. The next year he entered St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee, and con- tinued his studies until 1879, when he was ordained priest by Bishop Heiss of La Crosse diocese, and was assigned to the pastorate of St. Patrick's Church at Sparta, Wisconsin, where he remained till June 19, 1881, when he was appointed to his present position. During his pastorate here in La Crosse he has made improvements upon the church property to tlie extent of $30,000, and not a dollar of debt remains. St. Joseph's Cathe- dral is a magnificent edifice, erected in 1869. Its present value, including organ, altars and furniture, is estimated at $60,000. fKRlS. ADOLPH, one of the steam- boat captains of the Mississippi river, was born in the State of Iowa in 1850, a son of Chris, and Matilda (Babrenfuss), Adolph, natives of Germany. The parents bade farewell to their native land in 1864, and crossed the sea to America, settling in Iowa; there the father died in 1874, but the mother still survives, and has reached the age of seventy- two years. Chris. Adolph, Jr., had the advantage of a few terms of schodling, but at an early age sought employment on the river. He was engaged in rafting lum- ber until the beginning of the use of steam for that purpose; he was then employed on the boats, and worked through all the positions until he reached the head of the business. He has now been in the employ of McDonald Bros, for about twenty years, a fact which attests his efficiency and a due apprecia- tion of his services. Ho was among the first to pass with boats up the Black and Chip- pewa rivers to the lumber regions. He has experienced all the phases of life on the river, and has endured all the privations inci- dent to his occupation. The work of a pio- neer in any line is not an easy one, and the life of the pioneer in the lumber regions proves no exception to the rule. 132 Bl OGRAPUICA L UISTOR T. Mr. Adolpli was united in marriage, in 1888, to Miss Mary Miles, a daughter of Calvin and Julia Miles, of Ox Bow, Jackson county, Wisconsin. Mr. Miles was a soldier in the late war, and did gallant service for his country from 1861 to 1865. He is now engaged in fanning, and is prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Jackson county. Mr. and Mrs. Adolph have had born to them one child, Chris., Jr., De- cember 20, 1889. They are both consistent members of the Lutheran Church. H. ANDREWS, supply agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Northern '** Kailroad, and a successful business man of La Crosse, Wisconsin, first saw the light of day in Greenfield, Massachusetts, in 1858. liis parents, James and Mary H. (Pratt) Andrews, were natives also of the Bay State. The parents moved to Chicago, Illi- nois, in 1866, and here the father engaged in the printing and blank-book business for some time. Mr. Andrews received the rudi- ments of an education in the public schools of Chicago, and supplemented the same by a course in the high school of Greenfield, Massachusetts. In 1882 he engaged with the Chicago, Biirlington & Quincj Kailroad, in the constrnction department, and remained in that about one year, when he was promoted to the purchasing department. lie was in the Chicago office a short time, and was then sent to the St. Paul office. From there, in 1886, he was transferred to La Crosse, Wis- consin, to take charge of the supply depart- ment of the Chicago, Burlington & North- ern Railroad at this place, and has since had full charge of that department of the road. This department carries a stock of about $50,000 worth of material, and at various times it lias been over §100,000. Mr. An- drews was married in Chicago, Illinois, in 1881, to Miss Lonia I. Harmon, daughter of Channcy and Mary Harmon. .J«ILO J. PITKIN, collector for the i7;'i\( La Crosse Gas-Light Company, was born at Fort Madison, Lee county, Iowa, August 28, 1839, a son of James and Lucy (Austin) Pitkin, natives of Connecti- cut and New York respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation, and he also worked at the carpenter's trade. In 1817 he came with his parents to Summit county, Ohio, and remained tliere until 1835, when he made a prospecting tour through the great Northwest, seeking a home. He settled in Fort Madison, and when the subject of this notice was an infant of thirteen months the mother died, aged twenty years. lie was one of the earliest pioneers of Iowa, and experienced many of the privations and hardships attending life on the frontier. He was a man of the highest principles, hon- ored and respected by a wide circle of acquaintances. Milo J. came to La Crosse in 1854, receiv- ing his education in the common schools. He is one of the pioneers of the city, and has witnessed many changes since he became a resident of the straggling hamlet on the banks of the Mississippi. Having deter- mined to master the printer's trade, he entered the office of the Republican and con- tinued there until 1861, when the dark clouds of war began to skirt the horizon. Private enterprise was crippled and so abandoned for a time. He responded to the call for 75,000 men, and became a member of the La Crosse Light Guard, which was attached to the Iron Brigade of the AVest; his regiment belonged BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 133 to the old First Corps of the Army of the Potomac. He participated in the battle of Blackburn's Ford, and afterwards in the first battle of Bull Kun; he was in many skirm- ishes fully as dangerous to life and limb as a battle. He was also at Fredericksburg; was in Burnside's march in January, 1863; took part in the battle at ChancellorBville; was in the battle at Rappahannock Station and White Sulphur Springs, and later was at Gettysburg, where he was taken prisoner. He was taken with others to Richmond, thence to Belle Isle, where he was held two months before he was paroled. It was then eight months belbre he was exchanged, and after this event he rejoined his command at Cold Harbor. He was honorably discharged June 30, 1864, having served his country faithfully and gallantly for three years and two and a half months. While a prisoner he suffered all the agonies of the military captive, and while in field service he had a sunstroke from which he has never recovered. On account of this he was confined in the hos- pital which was improvised in the Eighth Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Wash- ington, District of Columbia. After the declaration of peace he returned to his printing-press in La Crosse, and followed this vocation until twenty years had passed away; then on account of close confinement abandoned this work, and since that time has been in the employ of the La Crosse Gas- Light Company. Mr. Pitkin was married July 24, 1864, to Miss Marie Louise Rogers,danghter of Joshua H. and Jane Rogers, of La Crosse, and of this union three children have been born: Arthur J. is in the employ of the United States School Furniture Company, of Chi- cago; he married Miss Mary L. Reed; Louis Harvey is with the firm of Cargill Brothers, at Spring Valley, Minnesota; Louise R. is I the third child. The parents are members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Pitkiu is a Mason, being Tyler of the Blue Lodge, Guard of the Chapter, and Sentinel of the Com- mandery. He is a member of the Wilson Colwell Post, G. A. R. Li politics he is a Republican, and an ardent supporter of the principles of that party. Li all the walks of life he has borne himself with great credit and honor, and he and his wife have the highest esteem of the community in wiiich they live. tOmS WENSOLE, commercial traveler for the firm of Cahn, Warapold & Co., Chicago, was born in Norway, August 2, 1849, and is a son of Simon and Randine Wensole, natives of the same country. The father emigrated with his family from Nor- way in 1867, and after his arrival in the United States proceeded to Wisconsin, set- tling at Stevenstown, La Crosse county; thence he went to West Salem, and in two years he came to North La Crosse; he next removed to Minneapolis, where he carried on a shoe- shop for ten or twelve years; he afterward returned to Stevenstown, and again came to La Crosse; he is a superior woi-kman and ranks among the best. Before coming to America he was engaged at the same trade, and had a shop at Lille-Hammer. He and his wife are members of the Norwegian Luthei-an Church. They are people of much force of character, and have reared their children to lives of industry and honor. They have a family of nine: Christian, the oldest son, served his king five years, and durin^^ that time received injuries from which he never recovered; he died in 1872, at the age of twenty-eight years; John died in childhood; Sarah is the wife of Ole Frederickson, and 184 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. the mother of five children ; Louis is the sub- ject of this notice; Jolin is a resident of Minneapolis, and married Miss Mary Jensen; Bertha; Ole, deceased; Otto, who also died at the age of twenty-eight years, was a printer by trade; he married Miss Tillie Jensen, who died in 1889; Julia is the wife of Andrew Johnson, and the mother of one child. Louis Wensole acquired an education in his native land, and came to America in August, 1808; during the summer he worked with liis father in the shoe shop, but in the winter he availed himself of the opportunity of continuing his studies in the common schools of this country; lie worked for his board with Abraham Pruett, but in the spring he went down the river to Daven- port, Iowa, where he was employed as a clerk in a hotel. When he had saved a little money he invested in a small stock of no- tions; this was a profitable investment, and as soon as he had $100 saved up he came back to La Crosse to visit his parents. While here he was taken ill, and lay sick for two months; upon his recovery he secured a posi- tion as clerk in the store of John L. Grun of West Salem, remaining there three and a half years. He was next engaged in the same capacity with Mens Anderson in La Crosse for three and a half years, and it was during this period that he gained his experi- ence in business from an American stand- point; he next took a position as clerk in the Boston One Price Clothing House at Minne- apolis, but in eighteen months returned to La Crosse. Mr. Wensole was married December 28, 1876, to Miss Clara A. Simenson, a daughter of Ole Simenson, deceased; her mother, whose maiden name was Anna Jorginnie, is still living, a resident of La Crosse; Matilda, the wife of Ole Larson and Mrs. Wensole are the only surviving children. In June, 1881, Mr. Wensole started out as a traveling salesman for the firm of S. Mann Austrian, Wise & Co., of Cleveland, Ohio, with whom he remained nine years; the first six years he received a salary, and the last three years he had an interest in the business. The firm removed to Chicago, and at the end of three years dissolved partnership. Since that time Mr. Wensole has been with liis present firm, which is one of the oldest and most promi- nent in this line of business. He has been very successful, and has made an enviable rec- ord in commercial circles. As a citizen he is above reproach, is genial and companion- able, and is in every way worthy of the con- fidence reposed in him. Mr. and Mrs. Wensole are the parents of four children: Stewart Monroe, Oscar Alfelt, Louis Howard Robin and Lucre tia Antonia. Tiie parents are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, and Mr. Wen- sole belongs also to the Masonic order, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandry. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, but takes no active interest in the movements of that body. „>,►, ? . ; t I t ♦ ^ ■•♦> [APTAIN ALLEN M. SHORT, of one of the Mississippi river steamers, was born in Carroll county, Illinois, in 1847, and is a son of Ira and Eliza (Higgins) Short. The father was born in Tioga county. New York, in 1803, and the mother in Tren- ton county. New Jersey, in 1811. They were married in the State of New York in 1829, and reared a family of nine children, all of whom are living at the present time. They removed to Carroll county, Illinois, in 1841, making the entire journey by ox-team in true pioneer style. There they resided BIOORAPEIOAL HISTORY. 135 many years, loved and respected by all the settlers. In 1864 Mr. Short started to Cali- fornia with a valuable team, but as he was never heard from afterward it is supposed that he was murdered for his team and the money he had with hiin. Mrs. Short died in 1884, aged seventy years. Four of the sons of this family served with distinc- tion during the civil war. Allen M. Short attended the common schools of his country until he was thirteen years of age, when he was thrown upon his own responsibilities, and began the battle of life for himself. The first work he did was on a farm, and he remained there two years, at the end of whicli time he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry; he was sent direct from camp to Georgia, and joined General Sher- man's army on its march to the sea, taking part in all the engagements of the march, and returning through Georgia. His regiment was retained in the service until January 20, 1866, when they were mustered out at Savan- nah, receiving their discharge and pay Feb- ruary 7, 1866. When peace was declared, and he was left free to follow his own inclinations, Mr. Short secured employment on the steamer Pearl, and continued on that boat until he became pilot and master. In 1866 he bought an in- terest in the Fearl, and has owned an interest in other vessels since that date. In 1872 he connected himself with the Davidson Lumber Company, and has been in their employ con- tinuously since that time, a testimonial to his faithful and efficient service. Mr. Short was united in marriage, in 1872, at La Crosse, to Miss Nellie Congdon, a daughter of G. R. and Diana (Fleming) Cong- don, natives of New York and Ohio respect- ively. They were married in Ohio in 1848, and are living in La Crosse. They have reared a family of seven children. To Mr. and Mrs. Short have been born two children: Clinton L. and Gracie Fleming. The family belong to the Baptist Church. Mr. Short is a member of the G. A. R. of La Crosse. Clinton L. Short was clerk of the boat of which his father is master in the season of 1891 and 1892. He aspires to the position of captain, and will doubtless attain it in the course of a short time. Mrs. Short is of American ancestry for several generations, her great-great-grand- parents coming over in the Mayflower. Her great-grandfather, Peter Fleming, served eight years in the Revolutionary war, and was married in Redstone Fort, on the bank of the Ohio river, near Wheeling, West Vir- ginia, by Rev. J. D. Finley, a Presbyterian clergyman. W. P. Fleming, her grandfather, was born in 1791, a short distance from the fort, and was called for service during the war of 1812-'14, but peace was declared be- fore his company was called into action. He was married the same year to Eleanor Collins, a native of the eastern shore of Maryland, who emigrated, with others, to Ohio when sixteen years old. They endured the hard- ships of a frontier life, rearing a family of ten children, of whom the youngest was Mrs. Short's mother. -«-|<>-5»-»f' J. POLLARD, the gentlemanly and accommodating passenger conductor ■ ** on the Chicago, Burlington & North- ern Railroad, with residence at La Crosse, Wisconsin, was .born in Morgan county, Illi- nois, in 1844, a son of William H. and Lucretia (Gray) Pollard, natives of Vermont, who removed to Illinois in 1840, and for many years resided on a farm in Morgan county. The father is now residing at Rock 136 BIOGRAPHICAL UISTORY. Island, Illinois, aged eighty years, but since 1891 has l)een a widower, i>is wife dying in lier seventieth year. They were the parents of five sons and two daughters. E. J. Pol- lard was educated in the public schools of Morrison, Illinois, and at the age of eighteen years he started out to make his own way in the world, and for one year worked as a farm hand. Tiie next year he clerked in a dry- goods and clotiiing store, which position he retained until the tall of 1864, when he en- listed in the One Uundred and Fortieth Regiment of Illinois Infantry — a one hun- dred-day regiment— and was in the service for live months ijefore being mustered out. He immediately re-enlisted for one year, but was in the service fourteen mouths before receiving liis discharge. He was on the staff of GeneralJudy, and was the one who carried the news of the assassination of President Lincoln to tlie army. After General Judy's resignation he was assigned to the staff of General Wilson, with whom he remained until his term of service had expired. His first work after leaving the army was as a clerk in tiie hotel at Morrison, Illinois, whore he was employed about one year. He then went to work for the Chicago and North- western Railroad, first as brakeman, being promoted one year later to the position of conductor. He remained in the employ of tiiat road until 1869, when he went to Rock Island to work in the construction depot of the Rock Island and St. L(juis Railroad as conductor, and at the end of six months began traveling for tlie road as advertising airent. Followiner this he was conductor for two years on the Rock Island and Pacific Railroad; but in 1880 went to Chicago, and for one year was in the employ of the Street Railway Company. In 1881 he went to work in the construction department of the Chi- cago, Burlington and Northern Railroad, upon the Omaha division of that road, and npon the completion of that branch he ran a train over the road for about six years. When the river branch of the Burlington and Northern Railroad was built he was trans- ferred to the construction department of that branch, and when it was completed was given a train on that division, which position he still retains. He is an old and experienced railroad man, and has always shown himself to be competent, and has given good satis- faction in tlie different positions lie has held. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Freeport, Illinois. He was married November 29, 1882, to Miss Mary McCor- mack, whose parents are James and Anna McCormack, of Kane county, Illinois. Mrs. Pollard is an amiable and intelligent lady, and is a member of the Catholic Church. .MSS^USTAV CARL, wine dealer. La Cro.-se — In this age of gross and almost uni- versal adulteration, it is a pleasure to be able to refer to those reliable houses where the public are assured of obtainiiig only the purest and best goods. Of such is the re- sponsible establishment of Gustav Carl, wine dealer of La Crosse. This gentleman was born December 23, 1836, in Saxony, Ger- many, of which country his parents, Adam and Laura (Smith) Carl, were also natives. In the year 1854 the family sailed for Amer- ica, and after an ocean voyage of six weeks landed in New York city, on July 2. The family remained in that city about two years, and the father followed the trade of a book- binder. He died in Milwaukee when fifty- nine years of age, but the mother is still living and is seventy-nine years of age. Both parents were Freethinkers in their re- ligious views. Of the nine children born to BIOGSAPHIGAL HISTORY. 137 this union six died in infancy, and were buried in Germany. From the three living children Mrs. Carl has twenty-seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She still pos- sesses great power both of body and mind, and is well preserved for her years. One of her children, Emelie, resides in Milwaukee, is the wife of George Schrader, and the mother of thirteen children. Gustav is next in order of birth, and then Adolph, who died in 1889, at the age of forty-two years. The latter was a regular in the United States Army for five years, and then in the navy for two and a half years, during the civil war. Pie married a lady in Canada and became the father of five children, two deceased. On coming to America Gustav Carl worked in a book-bindery with his father for a year, but ■was taken sick, and went to St. Louis, where he worked on a farm for a year, without compensation, his employer being worth nothing. However, he was restored to health by his out-door employment, and after re- ceiving remittances from home he went to Chicago in search of work at his trade, book- binding. Not being successful in this, he went on a farm sixteen miles from Chicago, and worked three months at $13 per month. He then paid up his indebtedness, and with the remainder went to Milwaukee, where he again tried to find work as a bookbinder. Failing again, he engaged for fifty cents a day as a waiter in a hotel, and there continued for two months. He was then coaxed away by a boarder, and served as bartender in his place at $30 a month. He remained there about fourteen months, then, in 1857, re- turned to New York on a visit to his parents, and at the same time was a delegate from the Bundes Turner's Society of Milwaukee to attend the Bnndes Festival of New York. From there the whole family moved to Chi- cago, rented a farm sixteen miles west of that city, and there tilled the soil. They worked hard, but could not make a living, produce being so cheap, potatoes selling for ten cents a bushel. Gustav then went to Milwaukee and became bartender at the same place for the same man, sending his means to his parents. He remained there seven months and then became bartender for John S. Becker, at La Crosse, Wiconsin, in 1860. His former employer failed, and Mr. Carl took his pay in an imported Swiss cheese that he brought to La Crosse as his stock in trade, his entire capital. He worked for one year as clerk in a grocery store at $15 a month and board. About this time John S. Becker burned out, and the stock he saved he let our subject have to go up to "Winona and start a saloon, the latter taking in partnership John Fox. On June 2, 1861, they started that saloon, and on the 4th of July the whole city (135 buildings) was destroyed in two hours, the saloon with the rest. They owed $1,100 on this, and they returned to La Crosse without even a Swiss cheese. They were helped by friends to start another sa- loon, and Mr. Fox, being a stone mason, worked at his trade while our subject at- tended the bar. Mr. Becker, sympathizing with their condition, made them a present of $300, and they then had but $800 of the $1,100 to pay. They soon paid off all their indebtedness, and were even with the world. Mr. Carl purchased property, built the stone house in which he now resides at 517 and 519 South Third street, and on January 24, 1864, he married Miss Bertha Herzberg, whose parents were from Germany, the mother dy- ing there when Mrs. Carl was but three years of age. The father was Ernst Herzberg. After this Mr. Carl was in the saloon busi- ness with Mr. Fox for seven years, when they dissolved partnership, and Mr. Carl started in the manufacture of soda and mineral waters. 138 BIOORAPUICAL HI STORY. This 1)usiness he sold out in April, 1891, and since then he has been dealing in Cali- fornia and imported wines. To his marriage liave been born live children: Gnstavus, now working at Ashland; I'ertha, wife of Carl Lelirkind, resides in Asiiland and is the mother of one child, Thekla; Oscar, married to Susan Toolen and resides in La Crosse; he runs the City Steam Laundry, which is doing a very successful business; and Albert A., a pnpil of the public schools. Mr. Carl is a member of the I. O. O. F., the U. W., the German ia Society and for one year wjs presi- dent of the Liederkranz Singing Society. Mr. Carl held the position of City Treasurer for two years, was also Alderman and Super- visor, and has held other prominent posi- tions. During the war he was an ardent Republican. He is a self-made man, and wliat lie has accomplished in the way of this world's goods has been the result of his own energy and good management. On September 26, 1881, Mr. and Mrs. Carl started to Germany, and s|»ent four montlis visiting friends in their native land. jLBION CLARK, who has been for many years a resident of Wisconsin, is a New Yorker by birth, having first seen the light of day in the Empire State in 1821. His parents, Adin and Mehitta (Palmer) Clark, were also natives of Otsego county. New York, and in early life removed to Chau- tauqua county, New York, where they reared a family of nine children and passed the remainder of their lives. Albion Clark was the sixth of the family, and the only member who ever came to the West. The opportuni- ties of the frontier, however, seemed so much greater tlian in those sections where progress had made longer strides, that he determined to take the consequences of the venture, and in 1854 went to Iowa and spent one season in Appanoose county. He was engaged in the construction of a mill, his trade being that of a millwright; then he worked one sea- son at F'ort Madison on a sawmill, and in 1856 he came to La Crosse. The first em- ployment he had here was with the firm of White, Dyer & Gregory, and the ne.xt was with Crosby it Hickson. In the year 1859 he began work for Captain P. S. Davidson & Co., and was with that firm continuously until 1891, when he resigned his position to make a trip to Oregon and California. Mr. Clark was married in 1844, in Chau- tauqua county. New York, to Miss Hetsey Chase, a daughter of Christopher and Sallie (Streight) Chase, who lived and died in Chau- tauqua county. New York To Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born six children: Lorisa was first married to Arthur Boardman, who died in San Jose, California, having gone there in quest of health; their three children are also deceased; she was married a second time, in 1883, to Judge R. A.' Odell, of Trem- pealeau county, Wisconsin; Adin Clark, now a resident of Minnesota, married Rose Story, and they have five children, three daughters and two sons; Ilittie married Nathaniel Green, who was accidentally killed on a steamboat; thej^ had two sons born to them; Mrs. Green was married again to Francis Garner, of La Crosse, and of this union one daughter was born; Mr. Garner died in Feljruary, 1892; Frank Clark, the fourth of the family,died at the age of two years; Ella, one of the twins, whose mate died in infancy, is the wife of Walter Garner, of La Crosse; he is the purchasing agent of the Pullman Palace Car Company, of Chicago; they are the parents of three children, one son and two daujihters. Mr. Clark atiiliales with the Republican BIOORAPEWAL HISTORY. 139 party, and is a stanch supporter of the princi- ples of that body. He is a man of strict integrity, and on all questions has possessed the courage of his convictions. W. PETTIBONE, lumber merchant, La Crosse. — In the various enterprises '" that have made La Crosse one of the commercial centers of the country, the lumber trade lias always held an important place, employing large capital in its conduct, and giving to cognate industries a decided im- petus by the energy and ability displayed in its development. In every department the enterprise characteristic of its leading ex- ponents has been abundantly shown, and the flourishing character of their establisiimeuts amply demonstrates the vigorous grasp with which they have seized and held the trade in this gigantic national industry. Among tliose actively engaged in this business is Mr. A. W. Pettibone, wiio is one of the leading business men of the city, having been en- gaged in the lumber and log business here for many years. He was born in Benning- ton county, Vermont, April 22, 1827, and is the son of John S. and Laura (Grave) Petti- bone, natives also of the Green Mountain State. A. W. Pettibone came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1854, engaged at once in the manufacture of lumber, and here continued until 1866, when lie moved to Hannibal, Missouri, where he resided until 1884. He then returned to La Crosse and has been a much esteemed resident of this city ever since. He has been president of the Flan- nibal Sawmill Company of Missouri since its organization in 1880. It employs about 150 operatives and is one of the most extensive mills in that part of the State. He is also interested in another mill located at Qiiincy, Illinois, and still another at Merrill, Wiscon- sin. Mr. Pettibone was married in his native State in 1855, to Miss Cordelia Wilson, daughter of Isaac Wilson, of Vermont, and the fruits of this union were three living children: Wilson, residing at Hannibal, Mis- souri, and in charge of the milling interests of that locality; he married Miss Laura Jones, of Missouri; Anna, at home, and A. W., Jr., who is now in the junior class in Yale College. Mr. Pettibone takes very little in- terest in politics, but acts with the Demo- cratic party. In the spring of 1862 he was elected Mayor of La Crosse, was re-elected in 1863, and aijainin 1864. This was during- the troublesome times of the civil war, and the duties of that office he discharged in an eminently satisfactory manner. His life has been one of industry and activity, and by his honest, upriglit dealing he has won a host of warm friends. He is well equipped to suc- ceed in whatever he is likely to undertake. He and Mrs. Pettibone are among the most worthy and respected citizens of La Crosse. ^^ ^^ lETER SCHINTJEN, ice and wood iia^ dealer of La Crosse. In reviewing the various enterprises that have contributed toward making La Crosse the commercial cen- tre that it now is, it is interestino- to note the advance made in each industry, and among those demanding business ability of a high order is that in which Mr. Schintjen is en- gaged. He was born in Luxemburg, Ger- many, May 2, 1829, to Michael and Lucy (SchafP) Schintjen, being the youngest and the only one of their Ave children now living in America. The father died in 1845, at the age of sixty-four years, his wife having died a year earlier, when about fifty-three years of age, both of whom were earnest members of 140 BIOORAPHWAL HISTORY. the Catholic Church at the time of their death. In 1854 Peter Schiiitjen deterniined to seek a lioine for hiinselt' in America, liis attention np to this time having been principally de- voted to tilling the soil. lie iirst placed his foot on American soil in the city of New York, but at the end of one week he went to Galena, Illinois, and two weeks later to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he remained one year. In 1854 he purchased some real estate in La Crosse, and on the beautiful building spot where his residence now stands only two houses could be seen. While in St. Paul lie was in the iiotel business, but at the end of one year he sold out and returned to Europe for his bride. Miss Lucy Keeper, whom he married on the 6th of March, 1855. Their bridal tour was across the ocean to this coun- try, the voyage occupying twenty-two days from the 9th of April. They came in the French vessel, the Delta, were delayed by storms and were compelled to put up at the Azores Islands for forty-eight hours tor re- pairs. Upon their arrival in this country the}' came straight to La Crosse, which city they reached on the 4th of May. After farming for five j'ears Mr. Schintjen operated a mill for one year, and since that time has re- sided in La Crosse. He has followed the va- rious occupations of a grocer, miller and ice dealer for the past thirty years, and has been deservedly successful. lie possesses the char- acteristics of the German people — is indus- trious, thrifty and honest, and has proven himself a good financier. He has served in the capacity of City Alderman for five years and has discharged his duties in a manner highly satisfactory to all concerned, as is evi- denced by his continuous reelection. His home has been bleased in the birth of six chil- dren: Mary; Susan, wife of L. Reimers, Lucy being the only child of this couple; Sophia, who died at the age of eleven years; Loona, who died when eight years of age; Philli- pujna and Bertha. Mr. Schintjen and his family are members of the Catholic Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. By his straightforward business methods he has won the esteem of the public in general and is a substantial factor among the Inisiness men of La Crosse. He has laid aside his busi- ness cares and is now living a retired life in his pleasant home on South Third street, enjoying the competence earned in his active business career. -^^^yinyb- -ojmn^, HEO. MANNSTEDT.— Tiie nndertak- ingbusiness is of the utmost importance to society, and every consideration sug- gests that its representatives shall be reliable, sympathetic and experienced. An old estab- lished and popular house is that of Theo. Mannstedt, which was founded in 1881. The store is well equipped and fully stocked with coffins, caskets, trimming, shrouds and other burial goods of the handsomest kind, and he is so situated as to furnish everything neces- sary for the j)lainest or most imposing fu- nerals. He is prompt in meeting his engage- ments, performs his duties with accuracy and propriety, and can always be relied upon in all mattei-s relating to the last rites of burial. His establishment is the most ex- tensive and oldest in La Crosse, and as an honorable business man he has secured a large patronage by honestly deserving it. He was born in Germany, May 5, 1850, to Philip and Emily (Keicher) Mannstedt, and in 1870 came with them to America, first settling in Dubuque, Iowa. In 1878 Theo. Mann- stedt came to La Crosse and succeeded in obtaining a position with the La Crosse Carriage Company, with which he remained for three years, at the end of which time he BIOaRAPHICAL BISTORT. 141 became the proprietor of his present estab- lishment. The building is two stories in height, 50x20 feet, and he and his family live on the second floor. He learned the art of carriage-trimming in his native land, and at the age of nineteen years was so expert at his trade that he was made foreman of forty-three men in the employ of Fred Stein- metz, who did work for the Emperor and Princes of Germany. Mr. Mannstedt was married in 1879 to Miss Elizabeth Joseph, of Dubuque, one of four surviving members of a family of six children born to John B. and Mary Joseph, who came from Germany and have been honored and respected residents of Dubnque for the past forty years. To Mr. and Mrs. Mannstedt three children have been born: Gustavo, who died at the age of three years and one month in 188B; Lizzie, who died in 1888 when four years and six months old, and Arthur, a bright and promis- ing boy of six years. Mr. and Mrs. Mann- stedt are members in good standing of the Episcopal Church of La Crosse, and in his political views he is a Democrat. He has been a member of the Third AVard Aid So- ciety, and is the present competent Comp- troller of the Second District. He has made his own way in life, and his iuccess is in a greater measure due to tact and natural kind- ness of heart than to luck. His father is still residing in Dubuque, Iowa, and the 10th of November, 1891, reached the advanced age of seventy-nine years. His wife died of paralysis in 1881, at the age of fifty-eight years. Of thirteen children born to them six are living, of whom the subject of this sketch 18 the second. feJlLLIAMH. LEWIS, master inechan- uMp ic on the Chicago, Burlington and Northern Railroad, is a native of the 11 Empire State, born in Onondaga county, Octo- ber 18, 1845, and is of Welsh and English descent, his p.ii-ents, George and Mary (French) Lewis, being natives of those coun- tries respectively. They were married at Barnstable, Devonshire, England, and crossed the ocean to the United States in the early part of this century. The father was a rail- road man, was one of the old conductors on the New York Central for many years, was also in the service of the Delaware and Western, but subsequently returned to the New York Central and remained in their em- ploy until he retired. He and wife are both deceased, the former dying in 1876, at the age of sixty nine, and the latter in 1865, at the age of fifty-four. Their family consisted of four sons and three daughters, William H. being the sixth in order of birth. The latter secured a good practical education in the p\iblic schools of New York, and is a natural mechanic, learning his trade with the New York Central. In response to Mr. Lincoln's call for 75,000 men, Mr. Lewis enlisted in April, 1861, and by general order of the War Department was discharged, October 24 of the same year, he being less than sixteen years of age. He stood the ser- vice remarkably well, and during that time his growth was marvelous. When he en- listed he measured five feet, five and a half inches, and when he was discharged his height was five feet, eleven and a half inches. From 1862 until 1864 he was in the employ of the United States Government and worked in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. In the latter year he came West and entered the service of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Kail- road as machinist and located at Quincy, Illi- nois. A year later he engaged with the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, as loco- motive engineer, remaining in their employ until 1873, \?hen he received the appoint- 142 BIOQRAPJICAL BISTORT. mcnt of master mechanic of the Nortliern Pacific Raih-oad. lie filled that position, rendering satisfactory service, for over five years. In January, 1878, when he severed his con- nection with the Northern Pacific Kailroad, be applied to President Hayes for a Govern- ment position, as Chief of the Steamboat Inspection Service of the United States. His application was supported by the following endorsements, which speak for themselves. On the hack of a letter sent to General Sheri- dan, this high testimonial was written: Headquautees Milit.\ky Division, Missouri. Chicago, December 22, 1877. Respectfully returned: I have no hesitancy in endorsing on the within pajier my high appreciation of the ability of Mr. Lewis as a master mechanic, and my confidence in his skill and industry to meet and carry out any work whicii per- tains to his line of business that may be en- trusted to him. P. II. Sheridan, Lieutenant- General United States Army. From Alf. H. Terry: St. Paul, Minnksota, January 25, 1878. To all whom it may concern; I have known William II. Lewis, Esq., for some years past, as the head of the mechani- cal department of the Northern Pacific Rail- road, and I take great pleasure in commend- ing him as a gentleman of unusual skill in his profession, of high character and ability, and of personal qualities which command the respect and good will of all his acquaintances and associates. Full confidence may be given to any representations which Mr. Lewis may make. Alfred H. Terry, Brigadier-General United States Army. Washington, District of Columbia. February 21, 1878. Recommended: W. T. Sher.man, General. Among other prominent men who en- dorsed his application were William Wiiidom, General La Due, Commissioner of Agri- culture, and Alexander Ramsey, ex-Secretary of War. Mr. Lewis next entered the service of the Kansas Pacific, in charge of the second divi- sion west of Kansas City. He remained there four years, and in 1882 was ap- pointed master mechanic of the Oregon Short Line, with which he remained two years. He left them to accept the position of master mechanic of the Nickel Plate, the shops being located in Chicago. Five years later he re- ceived the appointment to his present posi- tion, November 1, 1888, and has filled this ever since. Mr. Lewis had but few of the advantages to which systematic schooling is conducive until late in youth. He is well informed and especially so in all matters that pertain to his line of work. He is master mechanic in all that the words imply. He was married July 10, 1870, to Miss Anna A., daughter of Wilbur Baldwin of Alinira, Missouri. Fourchildien have blessed this union: T. E. Jr., a locomotive fireman on the Chicago, Burlington and Northern Railroad; Eddie, who died when a year and a half old; Effie and Archie W. Mrs. Lewis was a member of the Episcopal Church, and her death occurred at Englewood, Illinois, January 14, 188(). Mr. Lewis is a member of the I. b. O. F. and the G. A. R. He has been very fortunate in his business, was never discharged, never hunted for work, and his positions came to him on account of his special fitness. He never worked for a cor- poration but that he left them on good terms, and with the assurance that he could return to his position if he so desired. He is con- nected with the American Association of Master Mechanics and Master Car Builders. He is first vice-president of the Western liailroad Club, of Chicago; also a member of the Northwestern Club of St. Paul, and has BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 143 always taken an active intei-est in whatever pertains to the best interests of the several organizations of which he is a member. He has furnisiied several papers on mechanical suhjects and other topics of interest. He is a committee member in the association of master mechanics. He is on two important questions in two different committees of the Car Builders' Association, viz.: "On steam heating, lighting and ventilation of passenger coaches,'" and on " compound locomotives." These are questions of vital importance, and are of notable intercbt to the railroad world, as it is a departure from former methods. Tiie traveling public are indebted to sucli pro- ductions for tlie safety and comfort that are enjoyed in the modern coaches as compared to those of former days. In personal ap- pearance, Mr. Lewis is of goodly size, strongly built and robust. He possesses a vigorous intellect, his perceptive faculties are ever on the alert, and being of a jovial, pleasant dis- position he is admired and respected by all. lEORGE STANGL, furniture dealer and manufacturer of upholstered goods at 123 North Third street, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is an Austrian by birth, in which country he first saw the light of day on No- vember 20, 1854. His parents, Frank and Barbara (Stadick) Stangl, have been residents of La Crosse since 1872, and are residing at 1019 State street. The father is a cooper by trade and still follows this calling. George Stangl became a resident of this city in 1871, and was at first employed in the furniture store of Gantert & Schwartz as a journeyman at painting and finishing. After following this calling for about fourteen years, he started in business for himself, but in a very modest vvaj, as his capital was small; but his previous experience now stood him in good stead, and to his distinguished entei'prise, energy and skill is largely due the recog- nized preeminence of La Crosse in this line. He has one of the largest, if not the largest, and most comprehensive stock in the city, including full lines of parlor, library, dining- room, hall and bed-room furniture, which occupies three floors and the basement of his store, which is 96x24 feet. His push and energy is most praiseworthy, he is prominent and respected in the trade, and is well worthy the success achieved. In 1880 Miss Terrissa Becker, daughter of Frank Becker, of La Crosse, became his wife, and their union has reunited in the birth of the following children : George, Joseph, Gracy, John and Fraukie. Mr. Stangl is a credit to the community in which he has so long made his home, and in business relations is as highly re:ipected as he is widely known. fULIUSJ.HlRSHHEIMER,attorneyand counselor at law. La Crosse, was born in Lehrensteiusfeld, Kingdom of Wlirtem- burg, Germany, January 12, 1839, and is the eldest son of Leopold and Fannie (Herz) Hirshheimer. The family bade farewell to the » Fatherland " May 8, 1850, and landed in New York, July 3. They located at Blairs- ville, Pennsylvania, remaining there six years; in 185(5 thev came to La Crosse, where the father and mother died, the former February 9, 1879, and the latter November 6, 1885. The paternal grandfather of our sub- ject was a distinguished man in iiis tiuie, beinor chief rabbi of his district. He was a fine linguist and a profound Hebrew scholar. He made several journeys to Jerusalem acd ended his days in the service of his church. His widow came to America with her son 144 niOGHAPlIICAL HISTORY. Leopold, and died in this city in 1858. The sons of tlie family were Julius J., Albert, Augustus, Henry, Morris and Solomon; the daughters, JVlalinda, Theresa, Emma and Eosa. Julius J. attended the parochial schools of Germany, and an academy at Weinsbercr in wliich languages and higher branches were taught. Upon coming to America he en- tered the public schools of Pennsylvania for the purpose of acquiring a knowledge of the English language. When the father came to La Crosse he engaged in the lumber business. His mill was burned in the spring of 1860, when he embarked in the foundry business. His son Julius J. had charge of the books and a general superintendence of the lum- bering interests. After the burning of the mill he went to Brownsville, Minnesota, and operated a mill there for a time. Li the fall of 1860 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and thence to Napoleon, Arkansas, where he passed the fall and winter of 1860-'61. Li the spring of 1861 he went to JNew Orleans, where he made his home for seven years. After the capture of the city by General But- ler, Mr. Hirshheimer had charge of one of the draining machines of the city. Prior to the occupancy of the city by the Union troops, he was imprisoned for refusing to enter the Confederate army. He was several times court-martialed and imprisoned for too loud an e.xpression of Union sentiments. In 1863 he enlisted in the Ninety-second United States Colored Infantry, and was made Quarter- master-Sergeant. He was mustered out of service December 31, 1865, at New Orleans. He participated in all the campaigns of the Army of the Gulf. On receiving his dis- charge he returned to his home in New Or- leans, and embarked in the mercantile trade. Mr. Hirshheimer was an active factor in State and local politics; was elected as a member of the Constitutional Convention to give the State a new constitution, made im- perative by the reconstruction legislation of Congress. It was during this session of the convention, which was held in the Mechanics' Institute on Barvone street, that the riot took place, when the mob attacked the convention, killing a number of the meml)ers of the con- vention, wounding Governor Hahn and Dr. Doslie, who died of his injuries. Mr. Hirsh- heimer was saved from death by the inter- vention of a policeman, who was a Unionist. The marked hostility manifested against all who had taken an active part in suppressing the rebellion, by the disloyal population of the city, operated against him, compelling him to dispose of his business at a sacrifice, selling out at the end of two years and com- ing to La Crosse; he stopped but a short time, however, and went on to Winona, Minnesota, where he remained from 1868 to 1878 as clerk in a mercantile establishment. In 1878 he returned to La Crosse, and en- tered the law office of Judge Hugh Cameron, Wing (fe Prentiss, where he studied law for one year. In the spring of 1879 he began the practice of his profession, combining it with insurance and pension work. In addi- tion to his professional interests, he was en- gaged for a few years in selling hardwood logs. Mr. Hirshheimer was married October 10, 1859, to Miss Camelia T. Kenworthy, in the city of St. Louis, Missouri. She is a daughter of J. S. and M. E. Kenworthy, and was born in Baltimore, Maryland, July 21, 1839, on the day of the arrival of her jiarcnts in America; they were natives of London, Eng- land. The maternal grandparents had already emigrated to tliis country, and were resi- dents of Richmond, Virginia. Mrs. Hirsh- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 145 heiiner is a lady of good education and rare reitineiuent. Siie is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Charcli and an advocate of Christian Science. Mr. Hirsliheimer and his wife have no living children. Politically he affiliates with the Itepublican party and is deeply interested in its movements, although he is not an office-seeker. He has been a member of the La Crosse Board of Trade, and is thoroughly loyal to home interests. ROOSEVELT, who has been a resident of La Crosse since 1855, occupies a very prominent position in commercial circles, and is justly entitled to the space that has been accorded him in this history of La Crosse county. He was born in Oakland county, Michigan, Septem- ber 7, 1833, and is a son of Nelson and Sarah (Arraitage) Roosevelt, natives of New York State. His father died at the age of seventy-nine years, and the mother at the age of sixty-five. When lie was four years old his father removed with the family to De- troit, Michigan, and remained there until 1840. Then they went to Sandusky, Ohio, where our subject learned the machinist's trade. January 17, 1855, he arrived in La Crosse, having determined to try his for- tunes on the frontier. He first chartered the steam ferryboat Honeoye, which he ran for a time, and then purchased a third interest in the Adila, of which he was engineer until the fall of 1857. This boat ran between Du- buque and St. Paul. After disposing of this interest he was employed for ten years as engineer and captain on the Mississippi river. From 1857 to 1868 he was engaged continuously as steamboat engineer. Desirous of establishing himself in busi- ness iu La Crosse, in 1868 the W. A. Roose- velt Company was formed, and incorporated in 1888, of which he is the president and treasurer. This firm deals in wrought-iron piping, brass and iron goods, plumbers' and Bteamfitters' supplies, wood, iron and chain pumps, and steam and hot water heating ap- paratus. They are also general agents for "Ideal" windmills, "Ideal Junior" sectional- wheel, vanelet^s windmills, and Floridasteain- heating boilers. Tliis is the only wholesale house in the city dealing in this line of goods. Mr. Roosevelt has been closely connected with the progressive movements of the place, and has done his share in developing the resources of the county. He has been an active worker in all moral and social reforms, and has ever given a generous support to educational enterprises. He has filled the office of Mayor of La Crosse one term, and was a member of the County Eoard for several terms. His official services were well ren- dered, and were a high testimonial to his ability and fidelity to duty. — «--^*inf»|+— ^|RVIN GRAVES BOYNTON, lum- i. ber merchant. La Crosse, was born at Cortland, New York, September 8, 1847, the son of Edwin and Cynthia (Graves) Boynton. Edwin Boynton was born in Coven- try, Connecticut, in 1819, of Connecticut ancestry, and was a farmer by occupation. The Boynton families of America are trace- able back to two brothers, John and William Boynton, who came over from England in early Colonial times. The first exodus from Connecticut known was that of Justus Boyn- ton, gra)idfather of the subject of this sketch, who settled in Cortland, New York, in 1812. He was a farmer and artisan. Mr. Boynton, whose name introduces this 14G BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT. sketch, completed liis scliooling at the New York Central College at McGrawville, New York, where he graduated in his sixteenth year. In 18t)6 his parents removed to Jeffer- son county, AVisconsin. where be was a clerk for a lumber firm for about three yeai's. In 1869 he went to Chicago and continued in the same line of business, becoming a part- ner the next year; but the great fire of Octo- ber, 1871, swept away all his possessions. For the next four or five years he was en- gaged in various pursuits, and was making a good start toward the reparation of his lost fortune when the panic of 1873 disastrously supervened. In 1880 he went to Egan, Da- kota, as a lumber agent for John Paul, of La Crosse, and during the two years of his resi- dence there he was elected the first ]\[ayor of that town. In 1882 he came to La Crosse, and until 1885 was superintendent of the branch yard department of Mr. Paul. The next two years he was a retail lumber mer- chant at Spring Valley, Minnesota, and since then he has been a wholesale lumber mer- chant in La Crosse. He is now Alderman for the Nineteenth Ward. Mr. Eoynton is a member of the orders of F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., and K. of P.; and both himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church, he being a deacon in the same. He was married in La Crosse, to Miss Nellie A. Parker, a native of Iowa and a daughter of James Parker, of Monona, Iowa. Her father was a native of the State of New York. flJANK BAILEY.— The boot and shoe trade has many able and worthy ex- ponents in the city of La Crosse, but none that enjoys a wider or better deserved popularity than the boot and shoe emporium belonging to Frank Bailey, at 220 Main 1 street, and the citizens of the place refer to it with justifiable pride as an evidence of j what the possibilities of the trade are, when I distinguished enterprise is allied to business capacity of the highest order, and unre- ! mitting energy and industry. Mr. Bailey j was born in Wimiesheik county, Iowa, April 25, 18(51, his parents, Andrew and Mary (Butler) Bailey, being natives of Connecticut and New York respectively. The father was for many years a dyer in Elgin, Illinois, and although now retired from the active duties of life, he was for thirty-five years a tiller of the soil and was well known as a law-abiding and useful citizen. He has now reached the advanced age of eighty years, and throughout his long career has never had a serious spell of sickness. His wife died in March, 1865, when forty-five years of age, her life having been characterized by a conscientious dis- charge of duty and a desire to follow the teachings of the golden rule. Of a family of seven children l)orn to them, the subject of this sketch is the youngest, and one of the six surviving members. His early knowledge of books was acquired in the public schools of Iowa, and his literary education was fin- ished in a business college of Dekorali. At the age of sixteen years he began learning the trade of a blacksmith, which calling he energetically pui'sued nntil 1880, when he began clerking for his brother, M. H. Bailey, in a general mercantile store in Hokah, Min- nesota, in whose employ he remained for four years. At the end of this time he came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and entered the em- ploy of Quinn, Batchelder & Co., shoe mer- ciiants, but at the eiid of one and one-half years, or in 1886, he opened an establishment of his own, aiid at once reached the foremost place "in the confidence and patronage of a discriminatinsr public. He carries a stock of BIOGRAPHIC AL HISTORY. 147 goods valued at over $0,000, which is one of the most comprehensive and carefully selected in the city. Mr. Bailey is known to handle only the productions of the most reputable and responsible makers, such as he can recom- mend and guarantee to his customers for superiority of material, workmanship, style and durability. On the 24th of September, 1884, Miss Anna Boehm, daughter of Xever Boehm, of Ilokah, Minnesota, became his wife, and to tiieir union one child has been born: Eugene A., a bright and promising little son. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Baptist Church, and socially is a member of the Modern Woodmen. He is an indus- trious, pushing business man, has made his own start in the world, and deserves much credit for the success of his efforts. Mrs. Bailey's parents are now quite advanced in years, and are well known and highly re- spected residents of Houston county, Minne- sota. To them a family of three sons and live daughters were born, all of whom are living, respected, law-abiding citizens, and are doing well. -^-^^^^^^^^^^^ fALVlN W. DEMMON of La Crosse, was born in the village of Tuscarora, Livingston county, New York, Novem- ber 26, 1835. He is of New England par- entage, his father, Calvin Demmon, having been a native of Vermont, and his mother, whose maiden name was Nancy Swett, a native of New Hampshire. Their earliest married life was passed in Cayuga county, New York, they removing to Livingston county about 1830. Calvin Demmon followed the occupation of wool-carding and cloth-dressing many years. His death occurred near Nunda, New York, in March, 1875, his wife passing away at the same place, August 17, 1868. They were the parents of six children, the eldest and third of whom, Charlotte and Warren, died in childhood. B. F., the eldest of the family who grew to mature years, was a soldier in the war of the rel)e]lion, serving three years as a member of the One Hun- dred and Thirty-sixth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, which served with the Eleventh Corps in the Army of the Potomac, and later with the Twentieth Corps, partici- pating in Sherman's Atlanta Campaign and "March to the Sea." He died at Nunda, New York, in December 1886, at the age of about lifty-nine years. The subject of this sketch and Mrs. Eliza A. Ashton, of New Hartford, Iowa, are the only surviving mem- bers of the family. Calvin W. Demmon was educated in the school of his native village and at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, New York. He began teaching at the age of twenty, teaching and attending school alternately. He came West in March, 1806, and taught one term of school in Decatur, Illinois. In August, however, of the same year, he was elected principal of the Third Ward school in Dubuque, Iowa. This school enrolled a thou- sand pupils and employed fifteen teachers besides the principal. Here one half of his time was given to instructing classes, and the other half to superintending the school. He fully sustained the excellent reputation he had gained at Decatur, Illinois, as in- structor, disciplinarian and organizer. In August, 1867, he was appointed principal of the First Ward school of La Crosse, a position he held for seven years. This school, under his superintendence, was carefully and thor- oughly graded, and to him belongs the honor of preparing the first course of study for the public schools of La Crosse. He discharged the duties of principal with signal success and ability for seven years, winning a promi 148 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORT. nent place araong the successful educators of the State in the ineantiim^. On severing his connection witli tlie .schools of La Crosse, lie left behind liini a universal rej^ret at a serious loss incurred, but an impression of his per- sonal force upon the work of the schools which, it is stated on good authority, is felt to this day. In 1874-, he engaged in the mercantile business at Spring Valley, Alin- nesota, with Mr. M. F. Varney, who was for a number of years the popular principal of the Third AVard school of La Crosse. After two years' experience in the mercantile busi- ness, Mr. Demmon removed to Iowa with his family and resumed teaching, temporarily in the high scliool at Cedar Falls. In 1879 lie returned to La Crosse. He has for many years been engaged in county history work, much of the time as a representative of the Lewis Publishing Com- pany, of Chicago, the publisiiei's of this work. Mr. Demmon was married in La Crosse, in 1870, to Miss Laura C. Wheeler, daugliter of Charles and Laura Wheeler. The former was born in Ohio, in 1802, and the latter in Massachusetts, in 1808. They resided many years of their married life in Lake county, Ohio, removing thence to Adams county, Wisconsin, and thence to Dunn county. The father died in La Crosse, at tlie home of his daughter, Mrs. Adelaide Dudley, May 31, 1878, and tiie mother at the iiome of Mr. and Mrs. Demmon, May 23, 1886. There are live surviving members of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler. Solon S., the eldest, is a resident of Dunn county, Wisconsin. He enlisted early in the war of the rebellion as a member of the Fourth Wisconsin. lie was twenty-two months a prisoner of war, first confined at Belle Isle, Virginia, and soon after the erection of the stockade at Andersonville he was transferred to that place, where lie was confined until the close of the war. His confinement in that infa- mous prison pen included nearly the whole time of its e.xistence, exhibiting powers of endurance in that most loathsome of rebel pri.ions, almost without parallel; Adelaide A., widow of E. D. Dudley, resides in Pomona, California; Evelyn L, wife of T. S. A\ in- chell, in Seattle, Washington; Mrs. Dem- mon is next in order of birth, having been born June 20, 1849, in Lake county, Ohio; Ciiarles E., tlie youngest, resides in Day county. South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Dem- mon have liad five children: Byron Franklin, born May 27, 1S71, died at the age of four- teen months; Nannie Laura, born July 1, 1872, attained to the age of eighteen years; graduated at the liigh school of La Crosse, in the class of 1890, a most lovely and accom- plished girl, and her death occurred October 15, of the same year; Adda E., born August 18, 1874; Callie W., November 7, 1877, and Marion Louise, September 2, 1891. APTAIN M. M. LOONEY, Captain of the Clyde on the Mississippi river, is one of the prominent residents of La Crosse, and although young in years he has made a fine reputation for business ability. He was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, June 6. 1854, and is tlie son of Captain A. H. and Elizabeth (Wright) Looney, the father a na- tive of Kandoiph county, Illinois, born in 1830, and the mother of Washington county, New York. The paternal grandfather, John S. Looney, was a native of Tennessee and one of the pioneer settlers of Wisconsin, coming here as early as 1836. He settled in what is now La Fayette county and resided there until 1852, when he came to La Crosse. Tlie following year lie moved to Minnesota, settling in the valley of Root BJOORAPHlCAL UISTOBT. 149 river, aud was the first white settler in what is still known as "Looney's Valley." His death occurred at Warren, Illinois, October 15, 1891. Captain A. H. Looney came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in April, 1851, and ten years later moved to Winona county, Minnesota. In the spring of 1859 he went to the Rocky mountains and was engaged in speculating and mining until 1861, wiien he returned to Minnesota, where he followed steam boating. In the fall of 1878 he located in La Crosse, but made no change in his business for some time. However he has done but little on the river for the past ten years and is now in the Unit.id States em- ploy under the jurisdiction of the general land office, having held that position most of the time for seven years. He was mar- ried in the fall of 1851 to Miss Wright, and to them were born five children, their eldest son, Frank, being among the first white children born in La Crosse. This son died with consumption in 1889, at the early age of thirty-seven. lie was widely and favor- ably known, and was as popular as he was widely known, lie was pilot and Captain on the river also. The remainder of the ciiildren were named in the order of their births as follows: Captain M. M.; Grant, who died in 1859, at the age of three years; Carrie B., who graduated from the high school of La Crosse in 1882, and since that time has been teaching in the primary de- partment of the public schools here; Lark, the youngest child, is the wife of Frank Toms and now resides in La Crosse. She is the mother of one child, Robert. Captain A. H. Looney is a man possessed of many admir- able qualities of mind and heart and his career has been upright and honorable. Captain M. M. Looney was reared and edu- cated in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and has followed the river all his life, the Mississippi and St. Croix. He has qnite an extensive experience and lias been a steamboat Captain for some time. He was married first in 1879, to Miss Minnie Moore, daughter of B. J. and Alvina Moore, of Minnesota. Three children were born to this union: Susie, Hollis and Wilbur. Mrs. Looney died in 1882, when but twenty- six years of age. She was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Captain Looney's second marriage was in 1889, to Miss Ella Moore, sister of his former wife. They have one child, Jerry Thurman. Mrs. Looney is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Captain Looney belongs to several orders. He takes but little interest in politics, but generally affiliates with the Democratic party. fj. KAVENAUGH, manager of the North American Postal Telegraph Com- ® pany, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, is one of the later acquisitions to the business cir- cles. of the city, and although comparatively a new man he is fast working into the front line in his business, and ranks among the leading men of his calling in this portion of the State. He brings with him business ca- pacity and sagacity, which, coupled with an extensive experience in his calling, as well as in other lines of business, enables him to readily take an advanced position in any community. He was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, July 1, 1868, to Torrence and Elizabeth (Burns) Kavenaugh, both of whom were born in Ireland, the former being still engaged in contracting in Dane county, Wis- consin, although fifty-seven years of age. He has won an excellent reputation as a busi- ness man, and is an honored citizen of the section in which he resides. His wife, who 150 BlOGRAPniVAL HISTORY. is about the same age as liimself, is possessed of those womanly graces and virtues wliich make a pleasant home, and they are numbered among the pioneer residents of their adopted connty. Both are devout members of the Catiiolic Churcii, and reared their children in this faith. J. J. Kavenaugh is the third of their six children, and was educated in the public and private schools of Madison, Wisconsin. When thirteen years of age he took charge of the telegraph othce at at Portage, Wiscon- sin, as day operator, and after working six months was promoted to the dispatciier's office at Stevens' Point, Wisconsin. At the end of one year he was sent to St. Paul, Minnesota, and there worked as a day opera- tor for one year in charge of the Great North- ern Railroad. Following this he worked in Heron, Montana, one year as manager of the Northern Paciiic Telegraph Company, then accepted his old position in St. Paul, and in 1886 came to La Crosse, wliere he has been ever since. He worked in tiie Western Union until 1887, when he accepted his present position, which he has filled in a very satis- factory manner. During all his changes in telegraphic work he has never been discharged, but on the contrary has the best of testimoni- als as to his efficiency. He has always been strictly temperate, and neither smokes, chews nor drinks. He is very methodical in his habits, and his course of life from year to year does not deviate from the established rules adopted years ago. He is of a social disposition, and his many sterling character- istics make him an acquisition to the business and social cii-cles of La Crosse. He was the youngest operator in the United States when at Portage, Wisconsin, and before he was fourteen years of age he received §50 per month for his services. He was married in La Crosse, October 24, 1888, to Miss Sarah Masterson, daugh'.er of John and Sarah Masterson, of La Crosse, the former of (vhom died in 1869 when abont lifty years of age. The widow is still living, an honored resident of La Crosse. They were the oldest residents of Vernon county from Ohio, in which State Mr. Masterson was a successful and wealthy farmer. Li the early history of this State he carried the mail on horseback from Rising Sun to La Crosse for three years. He was an intimate friend of ex-Governor Rusk, and was familiarly known as "T^ncie John " by the many who knew and loved him. His wife, whose maiden name was Lyons, was twice married, her first husband being Michael Morrison. He was frozen to death within one-half mile of his home, with others, in the winter of 1865. He was the father of the following children: Mary, now Mrs. Hugh Donahoe; Anna, wife of P. K. Mann; Mar- garet, who died at the age of sixteen years. To Mr. Masterson and his wife three daugh- ters were born: Ella, a milliner of La Crosse; Dora, wife of J. P. Rogers, of Glasgow, Mon- tana, and Mrs. Kavenaugh, who is the young- est of the family. One child has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Kavenaugh: Helen, who is a bright little girl now three years of age. His residence is a pleasant and attractive one, an air of refinement and taste pervades all its surroundings; and the generous and true-hearted hospitality displayed there is the delight of the many friends who gather be- neath its roof. ^\ ^ ILLTAM R. SILL, of La Crosse, is a native of Windsor, Connecticut, born in 1822. He is of English descent, of the seventh generation in this country, dat- ing back to 1638. Mr. Sill spent the early days of his business life in the practice of BIOOEAPUIOAL HISTORY. 151 civil encrineerinor on railroads, and came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1853 to take charge of the construction of the La Crosse & Mil- waukee Railroad, and retained connection with that road under its various titles (with the exception of two years) until 1866. He came to La Crosse in 1856, and with others platted the village of North La Crosse, he owning one-fourth of same and acting as asrent for the other owners. He also became interested in the lumber business in 1856, and aided in building one of the four sawmills constructed during that year in North La Crosse, and operated the same up to 1880. He was one of the company (and manager) to build the wagon road between La Crosse and North La Crosse, which road was made passable early in 1857, and was afterwards turned over to the city, and is to-day probably the greatest thoroughfare in Western Wis- consin. In May, 1858, he was married to Mary Gr. Edgar, of St. Louis, Missouri, started house- keeping on the corner of State and Tenth streets, La Crosse, and has occupied the same premises as resident to this date. i4»-»t '-^ ^UNCAN D. McMillan, banker. La Crosse, Wisconsin. — Mr. McMillan, who has been identified with the best inter- ests of La Crosse for many years, and who is president of the State Bank of this city, was born in Stormont county, Ontario, Canada, June 20, 1837, and is of Scotch descent, his parents, D. B. and Mary (McMillan) McMillan, both being natives of Scotland. (See sketch of Alexander McMillan.) Duncan McMillan received a thorough education in the public schools of Canada, and first started out for himself by engaging in the lumber business in his native country. He came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, November 13, 1856, and was with his brothers, John and Alex- ander, in the lumber trade for some time. He subsequently studied law with his brother, E. H. McMillan, was admitted to the bar but never practiced that profession, as other pur- suits engaged his attention. In August, 1868, he was in the ordnance department with Captain J. H. I'urdick for several months after the fall of Vicksburg, and later he was in tiie Quartermaster's department for a year with Captain A. R. Eddy, who was after- wards promoted to the rank of Colonel. Mr. McMillan engaged permanently in the lumber business in 1864, and has followed that until the present time. He and his brother owned the gas works in La Crosse, but the former sold out in 1882. The following year he was elected president of the State Bank of La Crosse, which position he has held ever since. He was elected president of the Black River Improvement Company, and has been a director in the same for eighteen years. He was Alderman of the city in 1878-'79, also a member of the Board of Supervisors, served seven years in the City Council, and served on the Board of Education for two terms. He was also one of the members of the Bridge Committee that built the bridge across the Mississippi river. It will thus be seen that Mr. McMillan is a man possessed of extraordinary executive ability, good judgment and dignity, and to these qualities the able and efiicient discharge of his official duties may be attributed. His official relations have proven his sympathy for the city's best interests, and his fellow- townsmen have expressed their appreciation of his services by several re-elections to the same office. Mr. McMillan was married in 1866 to Miss Mary J. McCrea, daughter of Stephen McCrea, of Canada. They have six children now living, namely: Mary I., wife 152 BIOQRAPHIGAL HISTORY. of Dr. Rowles, a prominent pliysician of La Crosse; John II., at Fort Wortli, Texas, engaged in the grain trade; he was for three years messenger in the State Bank, after which he spent two years in the grain busi ness at Minneapolis, Minnesota, with the firm of Osborn AMcMiUan. William D. is with his brother John ; he was a student at Lake Forest College for two years. Dan is also at Fort Worth, and Jennie and Bessie are pupils of the La Crosse public schools. Mr. Mc- Millan and wife are worthy members of the [-"resbyterian Church, of which the former is trustee; are leading and popular members of society, and possess social qualities of a high order, lie is a member of the Knights of Honor and Royal Arcanum. He was for- merly a Republican in his political views, but since 1872 has acted with the Democratic party. Mr. McMillan deservedly enjoys an enviable reputation in his official and busi- ness relations, and a generous appreciation as a good citizen. — -^ ^sxr - ^ — OTT, Sk., is the proprietor of the West Wisconsin Iron Works, located at La ® rosso, and has associated with him in business his three sons: B., Jr., who is vice- president; Fred. A., who is treasurer and book- keeper, and John, who is general superintend- ent. This is one of the most noteworthy and representative houses engaged in the iron foundry business in the city, and the founda- tion of this enterprise dates from 1879, when it was established by Mr. Ott. The shop is equipped with the best anil latest improve- ments in machinery and tools for the success- ful prosecution of this important business, and steady employment is given to eleven skilled mechanics. In 1867 Mr. Ott and Joseph Barter invented the twine binder — the first ever invented in the country — a part of which is used at the present time. They sold the patent to McCormick and the Deer- ing Manufacturing Company, but it has now run out and the machines are in general use. The members of this firm are machinists, mill furnishers, engine builders and are the agents for pumj)S, engines, governors, etc. Mr. Ott invented the bark-shaving mill, a machine for cutting the bark for tanuers, and this they patented in 1885, taking out three patents. B. Ott, Sr., was born in Bavaria, June 3, 1836, and came with his parents, John and Magdalena (Wiesman) Ott, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1841, where the father followed the calling of a stone- cutter. The father died December 17, 1873, when sixty- seven years old, the mother's death occurring December 13, 1878, at the age of seventy throe. Both were members of the Catholic Church. B. Ott was the second of their nine children, three of whom are now living, and began life for himself by peddling matches in Buffalo, New York, and later in Milwaukee. His next busin?s8 was in strip- ping and packing tobacco, and tiiis he fol- lowed until he obtained a position at mixing clay with his feet in a tile factory, in which occupation many other boys were engaged. Following this he was engaged in putting up stoves for a stove factory of Milwaukee, after which he was put to grinding and polishing flat irons with the firm of Decker & Saville (now E. F. Ellis) and later became an ap- prentice in a machine shop with Turken & Circums. In the fall of 1854, he went to Dubuque, lovva, wher^ he worked at his trade in the foundry and machine shop of Ruggles Walter until 1856, when he came to La Crosse. He first secured employment with Thomas & Stantield,on tlireshing-machines, after which he served in the same capacity with George M. Leech in the Pioneer foundry, and after BIOGRAPEICAL HISTORY. 153 Mr. Leech sold out to C. C. and E. iy. Smitii he remained with these gentlemen until they sold to Thornely & James, when he established his present business. He has been Chief of the Fire Department of La Crosse one season, and has served as city Alderman one term. He has been and is now a director of one of the building and loan associations of the city, — the La Crosse Building and Loan Association, — and has otherwise inter- ested himself in the affairs of the city. February 14, 1857, Theresa Ulrich of Mil- waukee became his wife, and is the mother of his nine children: Benedict, married to Lina Bichter, by whom he has one child; (■rusta, Jolin, George, who married Lizzie Tultns; Teresa, wife of Arnold Roemer; Willie, a bookkeeper for Segelke & Kaul- house, and married to Lena Blumstrib; Fred, a bookkeeper in liis father's factory; Ida, Gustave and Matilda. Mr. Ott is a member ot the A. F. & A. M., the T. O. O. F., and in his political views is independent. He is a skillful and excellent workman, and is held in high esteem for his sterlinj^ worth and many admirable quilities. ifSON. ADELBERT E. BLEEKMAN, of the law Arm of Bleekman & Blooming- dale. La Crosse, was born in Salisbury, Herkimer county, New York, March 26, 1846. On the paternal side he is of Holland ancestry, and on the maternal side he is of German extraction. His great-grandfather, Daniel Bleekman, a Hollander, Jccated near Stratford, Connecticut, prior to tlie Revolu- tionary war, and belonged to a cointnunityof colonists. He was one of a party who erected a liberty pole, and protected it from the British ax by foi-ging nails and driving them into tlic pole. He was a soldier all through the Revolu- tionary war, and was with Ethan Allen when he demanded the surrender of Ticonderoga "in the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress." Eljcuezer Bleekman, a son of Daniel, and grandfather of our sub- ject, served in the war of 1812, and partici- pated in the historic battle of Sackett's Harbor. Warren Bleekman, the father of Adelbert E., was born at Stratford, Fulton county, New York, December 14, 1816, and died at La Fayette, Ohio, September 2, 1865. His wife, Amanda Jacobs, was born in Salisbury, New York, February 26, 1826, and died at the same place as her husband, March 7, 1857. Three children were born to them: Adelbert E., Herbert E. and Ernest L. After the death of Mrs. Bleekman, Mr. B. married again, and had one child, Mary A. In 1850 the family removed to Ohio, where our subject attended schools of va- rious grades until his enlistment in the army, which occurred February 24, 1864, being assigned to Company A, Second Ohio Cav- alry. The company was organized at Akron. From the time of his enlistment until he re- ceived a disabling injury, he participated in all of the engagements of his regiment; took part in the Wilderness campaign, being with the Ninth Army Corps on the right during the terrible fighting of May 5, 1864. He was in the engagement of Spottsylvania, Han- over Courthouse, Ashland Station and Mal- vern Hill; he was with the Wilson raiding party, which destroyed the Danville and Wel- don Railroad. He received a severe injury to his leg, and was sent to the City Point Hospital, and thence to Washington, where he obtained a furlough, remaining at home forty-five days during the presidential cam- paign of 1864. He was mustered out of service June 30, 1865. Returning home he 154 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. again entered school; he was a student ar the academy at Little Falls, New York, and after- ward at Albert College, Belleville, Ontario. In March, 18^9, he located at Toinah, Wis- consin, and taught school two years, mean- while devoting his leisure hours to the study of law. In September, 1870, he was admitted to practice, and in July of tiie following year lie opened an office for the practice of his profession in Tomah. He was elected to the Assembly of Wisconsin in the fall of 1872, and in the following year he was chosen to represent his party in the State Senate. At tiie close of the senatorial term he removed to Sparta, where he continued in the prac- tice of his profession until 1886, the date of his removal to La Crosse. In 1876 he was elected District Attorney of Monroe county, in whicii position he served one term. Since h)c:iting in La Crosse Mr. Bieekman has devoted himself assiduously to his profes- sional work, and has declined any honors not connected with his legal interests. A close student, witii ample facilities for self-improve- ment, a tine professional library, a highly developed literary taste, and a fluent speaker, it is not strange that he soon received recog- iiition as a trial lawyer among the most able aTul successful attorneys in the city. He is closely devoted to his profession, and makes that paramount to all otiier considerations. A large and increasing practice is the legiti- mate outgrowth of close attention to busi- ness in all its details. Mr. Bieekman has been twice married. His tirst wife, Eliza, daughter of Timothy and Tirzah Farnham, of Belleville, Ontario, died in April. 1875, leaving one child, Will- iam E. August 24, 1876, Mr. B. was mar- ried to Alice, daughter of Harvey and Maria (Whitoii) Basil, of Tomah. Wisconsin. Three children have blessed this union: Katie (de- ceased), Adelbert E. and Ruth. Mr. B. is a Republican in politics, and socially is a mem- ber of the G. A. K, I. O. O. F. &. A. F. & A. M. -«-T-^c/2/2/- ~^uwy^^^ E. IIOIIXE is a member of the firm of Miller & Home, whose fine wholesale ' and retail crockery establishment is located at 322 Pearl street. La Crosse, Wis- consin. This flourishing concern was founded in December, 1890, and they have secured for their stock in trade the enviable reputa- tion of being the best and most comprehen- sive in its line of all in the city. Their commercial career has been one highly credit- able in every respect, and they have already gained the confidence of leading mercantile and financial circles, and are merchants of the highest standing and soundest judgment, whose success has been developed upon the sure basis of efficiency and integrity. The business now is 300 per cent, greater than it was in the same building before the present partnership was formed, and bnt few of the people of La Crosse know the vast amount of goods h.'ndled by this firm. In addition to their store they have several large storage rooms, with a capacity equal to five times that of their retail store, and their freight bills are perhaps the largest of all in the mercantile line in the city. Mr. Home was born in Iowa, March 13, 1863, to H. B. and J. K. (Baird) Home, the former of whom was born in Northumberland, England, and the latter in Canada. The father's trade was cabinet- making, but for the jiast twentj' years he has been a market gardener. Both parents are still living and reared a family of seven chil- dren, five cf whom are living, the subject of this sketch being the eldest of the family. He obtained his education in the public schools, and after working in a fruit and BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 155 fancy grocery house at McGregor, Iowa, for some time, he began traveling for the firm, continuing in their employ for four years, following which he was with a La Crosse wholesale grocery house for six years. He was a shrewd, yet perfectly honorable sales- man, and his services were highly valued by his employers. In 1888 Miss Ellen Eowen, of Marysville, California, became his wife, and their union has been blessed in the birth of a bright little daughter of two summers, Ellen. Mr. and Mrs. Home are members of the Pi-esbyterian Church, and in politics he afhliates with the Republican party. Mr. Home and Mr. Miller have paved their own way to success, and are reaping the reward of industi-y and integrity. -'^ux/yi,-- -^innn^^ ^AVID LAW, who is now retired from active business, was formerly connected with some of the leading enterprises of La Crosse, and is fully entitled to the follow- ing space in the history of La Crosse county. He WHS born September 17, 1833, at James- town, Chautauqua county, New Y'ork, and is a son of Hiram and Johanna (Arnold) Law. The mother was a daughter of David Arnold, who was one of the first white settlers of Chautauqua county, New York. Our suliject lived at Jamestown until he was twenty-two years uf age, receiving a common-school edu- cation. In the spring of 1855 he came AVest and located at La Crosse. His first business venture was in cutting and storing ice and furnishing supplies to steamboats. He car- ried on this enterprise four or five years, and then purchased the omnibus line of Mr. Blossom. Later he bought an interest in the livery business from Thomas Davis, and af- terwards added the tran;^fer line of Mi-. Met- calf, continuing the management of the three branches until 1861, when he disposed of the entire business. Upon the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted in the service, and had been on duty two years when his health failed him, and he was obliged to return to his home. In 1865 he bought his old transfer line, and built up an enormous business. In 187-1 he engaged in the lumber business, forming for this purpose the firm of Hackett, Law & Mosher. Mr. Hackett retiring in 1879, the firm became Law & Mosher, and this relationship existed until 1886. Mr. Law was united in marriacre, Decem- ber 25, 1864, to Miss Emma Smith, a daugh- ter of Samuel Smith. To them have been born five children: Lillie M., Charles, Archie, Josie and Sydney. Politically Mr. Law is identified with the Democratic party. He has served as Mar- shal of La Crosse for tliree years, as Alderman nine years, and as Mayor three years. He has filled these various positions with much credit to himself, and has made a most effi- cient otficer. He has always taken a deep interest in his party, and has been a promi- nent member of its councils. He is now retired from active business pursuits, as be- fore stated, but the commerce of tJie county for many years felt the strong impetus of his touch, and was greatly profited thereby. ■-5M5- I^ENRY C. HEATH, the present Grand CM) Recorder in the Jurisdiction of Wiscon- ~^M sin. Ancient Order of United Workmen, was born in the city of New York, May 31, 1831. When a lad of eight years his par- ents removed to Plattsburg, New York, and there the father engaged in the business of marble-cutting. In his early youth our sub- ject was employed in those occupations which m> BIOORAPUICAL n I STORY. assured liiin a robust pliysical developineiit, a possession that lias been of tbo greatest value to liim. lie received an academic edu- cation, and at the age of eighteen years he went to learn the carriageinaker's trade. This he rapidly acquired, and in 1852 he embarked in the business on his own account; he operated a factory at Ranad been there three years and a half when he accepted a call to the First Presbyterian Church at La Crosse, coming to this city in December, 1880, and serving tiiis churcli eight and a half years; during this time the present iine editice was erected. In May, 1889, he accepted a call to the Board of Missions of the Wisconsin Synod, and has been a most zealous servant in this cause. In 1890 he delivered 150 regular sermons, and lectured to 100 audi- ences, traveling GG,000 miles. He is super- intenileiit of the Board of Home Missions, Synod of Wisconsin, with permanent head- quarters at La Crosse. He is a gentleman of rare mental attainments, gifted with elo- quence and strong pereuasive powers. His leisure hours are spent with the companions of his lifetime, books, of which be has sev- eral thousaiul carefully selected volumes. Mr. Thomas is the only son of a family of live children: Sarah married J. W. Thoiiias, and Mary married Walter Samuel, both resid- ing in Cardiif, Wales; Margarelta married J. E. Davis, and Charlotte is the wife of W. E. Jones; these two reside in Liverpool. Mr. Thomas is the only representative of his family in America. His father was a builder and contractor, and pissed his life in Wales. Thirteen years of the life of our subject have been spent in college. His library, which numbers 5,000 volumes, is valued at $13,000. Politically he adheres to the prin- ciples of the Republican party. He is a member of Frontier Lodge, No. 45, A. F. & A. M., of Smith Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M., and of La Crosse Commaiidry, No. 9. K. T. The First Presbyterian Church of La Crosse was organized August 23, 1866, by Rev. J. Irwin Smith, D. D., with twenty-one mem- bers. Ten years Dr. Smith was elected to the pastorate of this church, and in June, 1880, Mr. Thomas succeeded him. Tiie pres- ent beautil'ul buildintr, the result of the zeal of Mr. Thomas, was dedicated to the worship of God November 25, 1883, the Rev. Dr. Herrick Johnson of Chicago ])reaching the sermon. The society has had a steady and prosperous growth, and numbers among its members over 100 families. fAMES B. MURRAY, of the firm of Miller & Murray, general grocers in La Crosse, was born at Brasher Falls, St. Lawrence county, New Vork, Septembei 3, 1858, a son of John and Julia (Lynch) Mur- ray, natives of the city of Dunmanway, county Cork, Ireland. Ilis father came to America when a young man, locating in St. Lawrence county. New York, and died in 1881. The widow still survives, residing with her youngest son, Dennis, on the old homestead in St. Lawrence county. James B., our subject, was reared to farm life, and completed his education at Lawrence- ville and Amsterdam Academies, graduating BIOOBAPSICAL HISTOUr. 161 at the latter June 26, 1876, in a class of thirteen. He then followed teaching and read law in the office, of L C. Lang, since then District Attorney of St. Lawrence county. It was in 1883 that Mr. Murray came to La Crosse. His first position was that of foreman for a year on the Chicago, Burlington & Northern railway, and after- ward was superintendent of construction for the firm of Willis & Rappa. In 1888 he left that position, and formed his present re- lation in business. He has always taken an active part in public matters. He is at pres- ent Alderman for the First Ward, and as a member of the City Council he is serving on the committees on Light, Fire, Police, Hail- roads, Sewers and Public Buildings, being Chairman of the Committees on Fire and Lighting. He has served as President of Division No. 1, A. O. H. ever since its or- ganization. He was married in New York, to Elizabeth A. Connolly, a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, and a daughter of John and Ellen (Desmond) Connolly, natives of county Cork, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Murray are members of the congregation of St. Mary's Church (Roman Catholic). fRANK BROWN, general blacksmith and carriage and wagon-maker, La Crosse, was born in Whitewater, Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, December 27, 1857, a son of Joseph and Dorcas (Chappel) Brown. His father, a cooper by occupation was a native of New York State, and his father was a native of Ireland, who early settled in New York State. Joseph Brown served as a soldier about three and a half years in the war of the rebellion, as a private in a Wisconsin regiment, enlisting at White- water. His wife was of Massachusetts an- cestry. Mr. F'rank Brown grew to manhood in Wisconsin ar.d Minnesota, and began to assume his own responsibilities when a mere lad, learning blacksniithing at Farmington, Warren county, Pennsylvania. He came to La Crosse county in 1879, and has ever since carried on his trade here continuously. Pre- vious to 1879 he was seven years at Middle Ridge, engaged at his trade, and also served two years as Postmaster, and as Constable and Township Treasurer, each one term. He returned to La Crosse in 1887, and for the first two years was Constable; he is now Alderman for the Twentieth Ward. He was married at Middle Ridge, No- vember 2, 1880, to Miss Maggie Brecht, a native of Germany, and they have one son, Herbert, who was born August 10, 1882. ON. ALEXANDER McMILLAN, who has for many years been a conspicuous tiarure in one of Wisconsin's greatest in- to o dustries, was born in the township of Finch, Stormont county, Province of Ontario, Can- ada, October 23, 1825, and is a son of Duncan B. and Mary (McMillan) McMillan . His parents were born inLochaber, Inverness- shire, Scotland. The father was a merchant in Glasgow for some years previous to his emigration to America. He left his native land in 1815, and settled in Canada, where he engaged in farming. Soon after his arrival in that country he was united in mar- riage with Mary McMillan, who, though a native of the same part of Scotland and of the same name, was not related to him. They had eleven children: Daniel, John, Christian, Mary, Alexander, Angus, D. B., Catherine, Margaret, Ewen H., Duncan D. and Allan. 162 BIOGRA I'HICAL BTSTOR ?. The father was an elder of the Presbyterian Church, and trained iiis children strictly ac- cordinjr to the doctrines of that iaith. Alexander passed his boyhood and youth in his native place, attending the common schools and doing the lighter work on his father's farm. Attaining his majority, he removed to the State of New York, where he spent about four years in various occupations. In the spring of 1850 he took passage on a steamboat at French Creek, New York,_bound for the West, and settled in Madison, Wis- consin, and was there employed as a clerk for three months. During a part of the time he also taught a .light school. At the end of that period he went to Port- age, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1852, when he formed a partnership witii his brother, John, fur tiio purpose of conducting a business in the great lumber district. They established their headquarters at La Crosse, and their firm constituted the first Black River Logging Company, and took the first log raft that ever went down the Mississippi to St. Louis, in the spring of 1S53. The en- terprise grew to mammoth proportions, and in 1864 a younger brother, Duncan D., was admitted to the firm, the name then being changed to J., A. «& D. D. McMillan. A year later, on the death of the senior brother, it became A. & D. D. McMillan, and the business was so conducted fur many years. In 1864 the Black River Improvement Com- pany was organized, with one of this firm as president. Upon the organization of the La Crosse Gas Light Company, Mr. McMillan became its president, and after the formation of the Electric Light Company in 1885 the interest was sold to that corporation. In October, 1878, he became by purchase sole owner of the Neshonoc mills at West Salem, Wiscon- sin, and under his management the products of these mills became widely known for its superior merit. In 1881 the mills were en- tirely remodeled under the personal super- vision of Mr. McMillan, and now possess one of the best water powers in the State. At West Salem he also owned the Neshonoc stock farm to which he devoted much time and attention, giving especial care to the breeding and raising of live-stock, and his stables showed some of the best standard- bred Hambletonians of recorded speed, and a tine herd of Alderney cattle. The stock farm and mill have recently passed into the hands of his son, Samuel D., who, in 1891, had the mill entirely rebuilt, and supplied with the latest and most approved machinery. Although not a politician in any sense, Mr. McMillan has frequently been honored with public office and positions of trust and responsibility. lie has served several years as a member of the City Council, for several years was County Sujiervisor, and for two years was chairman of the County Board. He was Mayor of La Crosse in 1871, and chairman of the Board of Trade in 1876. Iti 1872 he was elected a member of the State Legislature on the Republican ticket, and in 1873, the year of the great financial crisis, he was chosen president of the First National Bank of La Crosse. He is art ardent tem- perance advocate, and was president of the La Crosse Temperance League in 1873. In October, 1858, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah L., a daughter of Her- rick and Mary E. (Sherwood) Parker. They had born to them four children: Mary, Angle, Samuel D. and Jesse. Of these only Samuel D. remains, the others having died in infancy or early childhood. Samuel D. was married to Miss May, daughter of John Clark, a merchant of West Salem ; they are the parents of three children: Clark, Parker and Harry. He was a partner and manager BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 103 of the business house of McMillan & Son in La Crosse, which was discontinued in 1890. In 1883 our subject and his wife made a trip to Europe, visiting the old homestead in Scotland, Ireland, England and the Conti- nent, and making a voyage of the Mediter- ranean. All the principal European cities were touched, and thoroughly enjoyed. Mr. McMillan was much gratified that he was able to converse in the old traelic language which he had neither heard nor spoken, ex cept occasionally, since his childhood. He and his wife are mem*l)ers of the Congrega- tional Church, and he belongs to the Ma- sonic order. Mrs. McMillan is a lady of rare mental endowments and artistic attainments. She is an artist of no small merit, and while abroad she improved the excellent oppor- tunities afforded for study and observation. These worthy people have accumulated ample means for the gratification of cultivated tastes, and are surrounded with every comfort which modern invention can suggest. In addition to the property already mentioned, Mr. McMillan owns several business houses and dwellings, the McMillan Building on the corner of Main and Fourth streets being one of the finest in the city. He is a man of broad public spirit, and has always encour- aged by his means and personal influence those enterprises which have had for their object the best interests of the community. jEV. FATHER KILIAN G. BEYER, % chaplain of St. Rose Convent, is a na- tive of the State of Wisconsin, born near the city of Milwaukee, April 21, 1856. He received his earlier education at Pio Nono College, near Milwaukee, and subsequently entered St. Francis Seminary, at St. Francis, Wisconsin. After completing the prescribed course of study, he was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Church. This most im- portant event of his career occurred in June, 1885, immediately after which he was as- signed to duty as pastor in charge of a con- gregation at Big River, Pierce county, Wis- consin. He remained there three years, and since 1888 he has been chaplain of St. Rose Convent. By virtue of this office, Father Beyer is Secretary of the Diocese School Board, as well as of the Orphans' Asylum, and gives religious instruction to those in training in the convent, and also to the children of the orphan schools. These scliools stand in the same relation to him that the parochial schools of the congregation sustain to their respective priests in charge, that is, principal. Father Beyer has been a faithful servant in the cause he has espoused, and those persons to whom he has ministered, either in the capacity of priest or instructor, hold him in the highest esteem and the kindest regard. THE ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL, under the jurisdiction of the Eoman Catholic Church, was erected by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in 1883; in 1887 an addition, known as the west wing, was erected, and in 1890 the chapel or east wing was erected. It is a mammoth struc- ture of brick, built by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration without other aid. It is of a modern architectural design, and arranged with all modern appliances for com- fort and convenience; it is heated by steam, lighted by electricity, and has ample sewer- age and water supply. There are six wards to accommodate about fifty patients; thirty- five private rooms for about fifty patients; in addition to this there are the dormitories for the Sisters in charge, capable of accommo- dating about one hundred. 1C4 BIOGRAPHICAL U I STOUT. For the care of patients afflicted with coii- tajiioiis diseases, a buildiiii; somewhat distant froin the main liospital lias been purchased, liaving its own morgue and otlier appliances, tluis entirely separating contagion from the the main hospitah A morgue with base- ment for post-mortem work has been erected adjacent to the main hospital. The main building is 120 feet in length and 24 feet wide, four stories high besides tlie basement; in the latter are the kitchen, dining-rooms, bakery, laundry, etc. Tlie west addition is 40 .\ 80 feet, and the same height as the main Ijuilding. The east wing is used mainly for a chapel, though there are several rooms for hospital ])urposes. It is 40 \ 56 feet, four stories high. All the cooking, making and mending of clothes, etc., is done on the premises. Groceries, dry-goods and pro- visions are purchased at wholesale in La Crosse. Sister Rose has l)een at the head of the institution since it w'as opened for patients in December, 1883. The formal opening and dedication, whicli were public, occurred in January, 1884. About $1,500 have been re- ceived from citizens of La Crosse; this was to aid in furnishing the building. The hos- pital was dedicated by Right Rev. Bishop Flasch, now deceased. Sister Matilda has charge of the dispensary and of the books of the institution, and attends to the corre- spondence and tinancial affairs. She has as an assistant in the dispensary. Sister Theodora. Both are regularly licensed under the laws of the State of Wisconsin. During the past year over 400 patients re- ceived treatment, and for six years previous an annual average of over 300 have been treated. The present year, 1891, about 400 have been enrolled to September. Six reg- ular nurses have been on duty all the time, besides others connected with different branches ef the institution, who render aid wlien needed. One male nurse is hired by the Sisters. Attending physicians are se- lected from among the city physicians as the patien:s themselves may desire. No inter- ference is made witli these selections. The United States provides a physician for the Marine Hospital, and the city, for the treat- ment for the patients treated at the ex- pense of the city. The Marine Hospital of the United States has one ward under charge of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Ador- ation. The expenses of the institution are provided for by those who receive treatment^ tliougli no one is turned away because unable to pay. Usually there are from twelve to fif- teen charity patients. There are two sisters employed in tiie laundry department, four in the kitchen, two in the dining-rooms — these jointly attending to the housekeeping. The entire building is kept scrupulously neat and clean, and perfect order reigns in every de- partment. ST. Michael's boys' oRpnAN asylum was opened in 1875, the Right Rev. Arch- bishop Michael Heiss officiating. The school was opened w^ith six boys, and the girls were also taught in the same school. Up to the present time (1891) 309 boys have been cared for in the institution. Eleven inmates, boys, have died since the opening of the school. Two have been sent to the State Industrial School because unmanageable. One of these boys was received at the orphanage by ex- press, being fastened in a box, on the top of which was the usual inscription, "This side up." Three Infants have been found at the door of the institution. Being found on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, though not in the same year, they were snrnamed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. In a few instances children have been brought by BIOORAPIIICjLL HIaTOBT. 165 one of the parents, who liave never been seen or heard from thereafter. One instance is cited where the father brought his little boy, nearly naked, hnngry and cold, left him in the asylum seven years, contributing nothing to his support, and stole him away in May, 1891! This school is under the management of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adora- tion, whose devotion to humanity and self- sacrificing interest deserves the highest commendation. The school is distinctively Catholic, admittance being restricted to chil- dren born of Catholic parents. The records of the school, which are carefully kept by Sister Petronilia, siiow many sad cases of neglect, abuse and desertion by parents and kindred. One sad story told by the Sister is the fol- lowing: A boy was given by his father to a negro, and the child wept bitterly, fearing to go with the black man. A Franciscan Fatlier came along, asked the negro the price of the child, and finally paid him $40 for the little sufferer. This child is now an inmate of the school, and has been since 1888. In the school there are three rooms and three teachers, beginning with a kindergarten of little hoys in dresses. The children are tanght the elementary branches of both Eng- lish and German, including drawing, book- keeping, civil government, calisthenics, Chris- tian doctrine, etc. The pupils are supported by collections taken up annually in the dio- cese and by the charitable assistance of the Sisters of St. Hose Convent, unless their keeping is provided for by their parents. Ten Sisters are employed in the building in the various departments, but do not receive any compensation for liieir services. The boys are taught to work, and are required to do such little chores as they can perforin. Sister Bridget has been with the school ever since it was established. Sister Bene- dicta is the present Superior. Sister Petro- nilia has taught in the school since 1884, and now has charge of the liigheBt class in the in- stitution. ST. Ann's orphan asylum, for girls, was erected in 1889, and September 20, of the same year, the orphan girls were transferred from Sparta, their fromer home, to the present building in La Crosse, which is in charge of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. The school opened with thirty-nine girls. Orphan children of Catholic parentage in the Diocese of La Crosse are admitted, though in cases of ex- treme necessity children of Protestant parent- age have been received. The building is the property of St. Rose de Viterbo's Convent of the Franciscan Sis- ters, and is located just opposite St. Francis Hospital, on Market street. Children are re- ceived at all ages up to twelve years. They are fed, clothed and cared for, receiving care- ful educational and religious training. At present seventy girls are in the institution, ranging in age from three to sixteen years. The average of inmates is now less than ten years. At the age of seventeen or eighteen girls are expected to go out and provide for themselves, though the asylum is always open to former occupants, and they are taught to regard the institution as their home, and are welcome to it when sick or out of em- ployment. In case a surviving parent is able to contribute to the support of a child left in the institution, he is expected to do so; but in case the pai'ent is unable to aid in her support, the institution provides for her entii'ely. Children left at the school may be reclaimed and taken away by parent or guard- ian at any time. In this regard the institu- tion is unlike the other schools of the same 166 BIOGBAPniCAL HISTORY. character, where a child must be surrendered unconditionally before it will be accepted. The buildins is furnished to accommodate 125 children. On the premises they are taught those things which in later life will be most useful to those in their sphere — knitting, sewing, ironing, washing, cooking and general housekeeping being matters to which strict attention is given by competent instructors. Fancy work, drawing and vocal music are taught in connection with the otlier studies of the school. The course includes reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, physiology. United States history, and church history with the catechism. They are taught to read German if desired. ST. ROSE DE VITERBO'S CONVENT, of tlie Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Ador- ation. The main building of this institution was erected in 1870, and in 1872 the north wing and chapel were added; in 1874 the south wing was built, and in 1876 the Chapel of Adoration was completed. The main structure is 160 feet in length with project- ing wings, making a building which is an ornament to the city and a credit to the en- terprise and self-sacrificing spirit of the Sis- ters having the matter in charge. In this convent the various branches of education as well as music and the arts are taught to those desiring to become conse- crated to the work of the Sisters. There are 230 of the Franciscan Sisters belonging to this order. One hundred of these are em- ployed in La Crosse in the orphan schools, asylums and hospitals and city parochial schools. Thirty-six mission schools are sup- plied with teachers from the convent. In the building there is a class of fifteen young ladies, studying and fitting themselves for the work of teaching. Vocal and instru- mental music are taught by competent teach- ers, and many of the best protestant families in the city are patrons of this dejiartment. Various instruments are taught, besides the piano and organ. In the art department the finest wax and needle work are done. All of the clothing, bedding, etc., used in the insti-, tution are made and kept in repair in the building, even to repairing shoes. Firing of the diilerent furnaces and attending the heat- ing apparatus are done by the Sisters, besides the keeping of the extensive grounds and flower gardens. It is a most attractive spot and furnishes many shady nooks for study during the heated summer months. This convent is the general home for the Francis- can Sisters of Perpetual Adoration within the diocese of La Crosse, and during vacation or when sick they return to this home. Mother Ludovica is the present superior, a position she has held with credit to herself and honor to the institution since January, 1882. She succeeded to this position on the death of Mother Antonia, who was the first superior, and to whose energy, tact and in- dustry the institution is greatly indebted. The convent is regularly incorporated under the laws of the State in the name of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. The chapel of P. A., as the name implies, is where the scriptural injunction, to pray without ceasing, is faithfully complied with; two Sisters may be seen at devotion at any hour in tlie day or night; they remain at prayers one hour, when they are relieved by two others, they in turn being relieved after an hour's devotion, and so on, ad infinituin. This has continued for the last thirteen years, and at no period during that time has the constant devotion ceased for one moment. The chapel is one of the most beautiful it has been the privilege of the writer to visit. The altars and furnishings are elegant and artistic, while the room itself is simply architectural perfection. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOBT. 167 Sister Clara has charge of the music de- partment; she teaches the piano, organ, pipe organ, violin, liarp, mandolin, zither, guitar, dulcitner, anto-liarp, also vocal music. She has been with the institution since 1871, and has tauglit the music for ten years past. Sister Seraphine has charge of the Normal School connected witli the convent. Here young ladies are fitted for teaching in the parochial schools and orphan asylums, under the jurisdiction of the church; she has occu- pied her present position for three years past, and has previously taught at different places under the auspices of the church for twenty years. Sister Bonaventure is assistant in the music department. '-5w^^ SAMPTON B. SMITH, insurance, real- estate and loan agent, Batavian Bank Building, La Crosse, was born in Cool- spring township, Mercer county, Pennsyl- vania, February 26, 1888, and is the son of John W. and Susan (Bean) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania; the parents were born in the year 1800; the mother died in March, 1850, and the father survived until 1858. John W. Smith was a farmer, merchant and lum- berman, and never removed from his native State. The family consisted of live sons and three daughters: J. Irwin Smith, D. D., John G., Samuel F., Mary A., widow of Nathaniel Osborne; Nancy A., Louisa L., wife of A. A. Thomas, and Hampton B., the subject of this biography; the remaining son died in youth. Hampton B. was educated in liis native county, the latter part of his school days being spent at the academy at Mercer, Penn- sylvania. At the age of nineteen years he began teaching school, and was employed in both public and private schools in Mercer and Alleghany counties. In 1859 he went to Ontonagon, Michigan, and clerked in a store there for two years; at the end of that time he formed a partnership in the mercan- tile business with his former employer's brother, which existed until 1868, when he bought his interest and managed the store alone for a time; he then took another part- ner, to whom he finally sold the entire busi- ness. In the fall of 1868 he went to Escanaba, Michigan, engaged in mercantile pursuits which he disposed of in 1871, coming in that year to La Crosse. Here he became general ageut for the Republic Life Insurance Com- pany, but this proving unsatisfactory he embarked in the milling business in partner- ship with John E. Davis, now of St. Paul, Minnesota. This relationship existed about a year and a half, when Mr. Smith purchased the entire business and conducted it about one year alone, selling out and engaging in his present business. Ever since his resi- dence in La Crosse he has given some atten- tion to fire insurance in connection with his other interests. He is now giving his time exclusively to the business, and has a finely furnished office in the Batavian Bank Build- ing. Mr. Smith was married at Marquette, Michigan, to Miss Oriana Edwards, a native of Ellsworth, Mahoning county, Ohio. They are the parents of three children: Joseph Edwards, born September 13, 1867, at On- tonagon, Michigan, received his education in the La Crosse public schools, at Galesville University, and Lake Forest University; Anna E., born in La Crosse, Januai-y 24, 1872, received her literary and musical edu- cation at Morvyn House, Toronto, Ontario; William Ripley died at the age of thirteen months. The ancestors for many generations have been Presbyterians. Mr. Smith has been an elder of the church for many years. He is a 108 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORT. member of the Nineteenth Century Club, a literary organization numbering thirty, of the KniglitB of Honor, of the Legion of Honor, of the Chosen Friends and the United Workmen. Politically he affiliates witli the Republican party, although his sympathies are strongly with the Prohibition party. He served six years as Justice of the Peace in La Crosse and he was a member of the City Board of Escanaba, Michigan, during his residence there. fAMES L LAMB is a member of one of tiie best known and most deservedly pop- ular establishments in La Crosse, the firm in Lamb & Bekel, who are wholesale dealers in fruits and produce. Their transactions are conducted upon a large scale and their connections are of the most substantial and gratifying character. Mr. Laml) was born in Madison county. New York, in 1854, in which State his parents, Silas and Rhoda L. (Tuttle) Lamb, were also born, but are now residents of Fayette county, Iowa. The fatiier has devoted most of his life to farm- ing and the raising, buying and selling of stock, and as he lias lived in his present county since 1858, he is well and favorably known. He became the father of three children: Elmer, residing in Waterloo, Iowa, in which city he is engaged in the grocery business; Lottie, wife of Henry Wilsey, of La Crosse, and James L, who received his initiatory training in Fayette, and afterwards entered the Upper Iowa University, where he completed his course with the class of 'Ti. He then turned his attention to civil eiiirin- eering, but three years later began merchan- dising in Fayette, which business received liis attention for one year. He spent about the same length of time in Sheldon, after which he embarked in the wholesale fruit business in Siou.x City, but at the end of two years, or in 1885, he came to La Crosse, since which time he has successfully followed his present calling. His is, by common consent, tlie most reliable and best known house of the kind in the city, none maintaining a higher reputation for integrity, and few, if any, enjc)y a larger measure of recognition. The members of the house are keen, intelli- gent business men, thoroughly conversant witli all the requirements of the trade and eminently popular in meeting all its demands. They deal in all kinds of green fruits and vegetables, and their business is constantly and rapidly increasing. Mr. Lamb was mar- ried in 1884 to Miss Georgia Hines, by whom he is the father of one child, Lloyd. Mr. Lamb takes little interest in politics and usually casts his vote for the man he con- siders most deserving, rather than in the in- terest of any party. He is a member of the K. of P., and he and his wife move in the highest social circles of La Crosse, in which city they are well known and have many friends. fOIIN FOX, proprietor of the Tivoli Hotel and pleasure garden, the niost popular resort of its kind in the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born in Bavaria, Germany, on July 28, 1828. He is the eldest of nine sons and one daughter born to John M. and Harriet Fox. Of this family of children, George, Hans and our subject, came to America in 1853. George enlisted shortly after President Lincoln's call for 75,000 men, and although dangerously wounded three times would not take a discharge. He always said he would not give up until the last " Reb." was in the ditch. He was in the army of the //^TtXAJ BIOGRAPHIGAL HISTORY. 1G9 Potomac in the " Iron Brigade," and was one of the bravest of the brave. He was killed in the battle of Gettysburg, when thirty- four years of age. Hans Fox was in America four years and then returned to Germany, via Great Britain, and while at Dover, Eng- land, was attacked by thieves, had his skull fractured, and was robbed of much money, his watch and chain, etc. John Fox, in early life studied two and a half years for the ministry of the Lutheran Church. He then abandoned that pursuit, and learned the blacksmith trade, at which he worked six years in the old country, and four and a half years in the United States, being one year and a half in Pittsburg, two years in Dubuque and one year in La Crosse. He then learned the trade of mason, because he could not get work as a blacksmith, following the same sixteen years. He built the Tivoli Hotel in 1882, and has been proprietor here since; and altliough he met with reverses in the way of fires, etc., he is nicely fixed now, and always has his house well patronized. He has held the oflice of Alderman four dif- ferent times, was Constable two years, held the oflice of Coroner four years, was Street Commissioner two years, and for one year was Poor Commissioner. He has been Assistant Chief of the fire department for five years, and for eight years was foreman of the Third W ard Fire Company. He was married in Pittsburg, Pennsylvaniai in 1S54, to Miss Anna Earbera, by whom he had fourteen children, those living being: William, married Olga Miller; Edda, clerk- ing; John, in Seattle, Washington; Charles, clerking in a hardware store in Chicago; Minnie, wife of Thomas Brook; Louisa, wife of Charles Sprague of Chicago, engaged in the real-estate business; and Bertha, wife of Mr. Casson; and Julia, a student in Chicago. The mother died March 7, 1888, at the age of fifty-seven years. Mr. Fox's second mar- riage occurred August 14, 1890, to Mrs. Anna Hussing, of La Crosse. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., and has been secretary of the L O. O. F. Mutual Life Insurance of Wisconsin, the past sixteen years. He has passed through all the chairs of that order, and has been a delegate twice to the Grand Lodge. He has also been a member of the Turner's Society since 1857, and a member of the Germania Society. In politics he is independent. During the war and until Horace Greeley ran for the office of Presi- dent, Mr. Fox was a Republican, but since then he has been Democratic and independ- ent. Mr. Fox is a very popular man, and when he ran for office he got votes from both sides. While he was mason and contractor he built some of the largest stone buildings in La Crosse, viz.: Gund's Brewery, City Engine House, Heasley's Block, Seharf & King's Block, Funk's Foundry, Heilman's Malt House, Mitchers Brewery and Ilau'o Block. In 1863, Mr. Fox was in the Provost Marshal's office, and was recruiting ofiicer at the same time, recruiting seventeen men. He is a well-known and highly respected pioneer citizen, strictly honest and possessing many good qualities. _K»-»-J»^W^. BNER GILE, a well-known and highly respected pioneer of La Crosse county, was born in the State of New York, January 3, 1820, and is a son of Nathan, and Lydia (Yates) Gile, natives of Vermont. The father followed agricultural pursuits all his life; his death occurred in New York, to which State he had removed in 1881, at the age of eighty-four years; his wife died two years later, aged eighty-two years. They were for many years consistent members of the 170 BIOGRAPHICAL HI STORY. Baptist Church. They reared a family of ten children, of whom AbnerGile was the fourth- born. He*resided in New York nntil 1843, and during the latter years of his residence there was engat'ed in farming. He then removed to Waukegan, Lake county, Illinois, where he operated a sawmill, hnilt piers and docks in the lake, and purchased land which he cultivated until 1850. In that year he went to California, but returned twelve months later. lie resumed his agricultural pursuits nntil November, 1854, when he came to La Crosse, and embarked in the lumber trade, in which he has been actively engaged ever since. He owned at one time an interest in the La Crosse Lumber Company, but has dis- posed of the same. He was one of the pro- jectors and builders of the Linseed Oil Mill of La Crosse, a most serviceable industry to tiie city; it gives employment to twenty persons, and consumes raw material from Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota; its products are shipped to all parts of the civ- ilized world, and the present year the amount of seed ground will be 175,000 bushels. The daily expense of the mill is about §100, which sum is distributed almost exclusively among citizens of La Crosae. Mr. Gile is also a stockholder in the Abattoir of La Crosse, another important industry. He owns stock in the Batavian Bank, of which he is vice- president. He has a farm of 1,200 acres in Minnesota, and has other investments in various enterprises in the city and county. He is a man of superior business qualifica- tions, and every enterprise which has re- ceived his support has not fallen short of success. The residence of Mr. Gile deserves more than a passing notice, as it is one of the finest and most expensive in the city. The lot fronts on Main street 210 feet, and on West ave nue 280 feet, and contains the residence, barn and coachman's house. The house is eighty feet in length and forty in width, besides the porch and drive. It is two and a half stories above the basement. A room in the half story is large enough to accommodate fifty or sixty couples in a dance. Tiie house is built on the latest plans, with all the modern con- veniences. On the first story are six rooms besides the hall, and three alcoves. The sitting room is 22x32, the parlor, 16x20; Mr. Gile's private room, 18x18; wardrobe and bath room; kitchen, 16x14; breakfast room, 12x14; dining-room, 18x24. In the sec- ond story are eight rooms. It is safe to say that Mr. Gile is well fixed and has a residence perhaps the most beauti- ful and complete in this portion of the great Northwest. The name of the residence, Pas- adena, has reference to a fancy town near Los Angeles, California, and is said to mean "Queen of the Valley." The barn is in keeping with the house. Both are built with pressed brick and heated by furnaces. The barn has room for the coachman's family, for ten or twelve horses, three cows, besides abundance of room for storing feed. In 1843 Mr. Gile was joined in marriage to Miss Mary E. Smith, a daughter of Orange and Mary (Ketchum) Smith, and to them have been born two cliildi-en; P^lsie D., wife of Robert A. Scott, and Wales Eugene, born December 14, 1863, who was killed when nine years of age by the accidental firing of a pistol in the hands of a boy friend. The mother died in September, 1877, aged fifty- three years. Politically Mr. Gile is identified with the Republican party, and has ever been a strong adherent to the principles of that organiza- I tion. As a pioneer settler and a loyal citizen, BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 171 he receives the highest respect of all who know him, and is in every way worthy of the regard in which he is held. jUGDSTUS STEINLEIN, Police Judge of La Crosse, was born in the city of Treves, on the Rhine, Prussia, Septem- ber 26, 1823, the sen of Francis Joseph and Margareth (Herrig) Steinlein. His father, a teaeiier, was employed by the Government all his life from his seventeenth year to his seventieth, when his son, the subject of this sketch, brought him to America in 1872, and lie spent tlie remainder of liis life with his son Augustus, and his daughter, Mrs. Anna Wortmann, dying in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of about eighty-one years. Of his family two sons and three daughters live in America, while one son and one daughter re- mail) in the old country, the son in Berlin and the daughter in Treves. Mr. Steinlein, whose name heads this sketch, completed his schooling in the gym- nasium of Treves, taught school two vears in his native country, and in 1844 came to America, landing at New York city with but 50 cents in his purse. His first employment was in the printing house of Henry Ludwig & Co., Vesey street, New York, three and a half years. His acquirement of the English language was so rapid that he was appointed proof-reader in English and German. In 1856 he came to La Crosse county, pur- chasing 120 acres of Government land, and following farming here si.x; years, but de- voting the winter seasons to the Nordstern., which he had helped to establish. In 1862 he became a partner in the business, and was connected witii that paper two years, when he was elected Register of Deeds for the county, and held that office four years, and since that time he has been Justice of the Peace. From 1879 to 1886 he was a mem- ber of the Board of Education of La Crosse, and from 1870 to 1885 Poor Commissioner. In the last civic election he was chosen Po- lice Judge. During his official career he has married 2,300 couples! Mr. Steinlein has ever been a liberal con- tributor to the press of tlie city, and is ac- knowledged to be the "poet laureate" of his city and State. He has issued two beautiful editions of a collection of rare poetical gems, and is about issuing another volume. He is a member of the German ia Society, and an honorary member of the Third Ward Work- iiigmen'.< Society. He was married in New York city to Mrs. Louisa Doelger, a native of Germany, born at Frankfurt-on-the-Main, and they have one son and live daughters, namely: Louisa, wife of Joseph Yeck; Francis Joseph, a cigar manufacturer and Justice of the Peace; Au- gusta, widow of Frank J. Toeller, who died when City Attorney of La Crosse; Hannah, wife of Henry Linker; Paulina, now Mrs. Louis Till mans; and Emma, wife of Frank Bartel. fOSEPH ROTH, Treasurer of the city of La Crosse, was born in this city, Decem- ber 29, 1857, a son of Andrew and Mar- garet (Neth) Roth. His father was born July 31, 1824, at the village of Karbach, near Wiirzburg, Kingdom of Bavaria. He was a tailor by occupation, and after his mar- riage to Anna Bauer he came to America, in 1852, settling first in Southern Indiana, at Lanesville, near New Albany. His wife died at that place, leaving no children. In May, 1855, for his second wife he married, at Lanesville, Indiana, Miss Margaret Neth, and 172 BIOGRAPHIGAL HTSTOHY. by this union had twelve children, of whom five sons and tliree daughters survive. In December, 1855, he came to La Crosse, where he engaged in business as a merchant tailor, and afterward in general meroiian- dising. In 1864 he entered the cracker and baker}' business in partnership with Frank Gntgesell. In 1873 he sold out to his part- ner and engaged in the grocery trade until 1878, when he retired from business. Janu- ary 14, 1884, lie died, and was buried under the honors of St. Boniface Benevolent Society, which he had assisted very materially in or- ganizing, and he was in full communion with St. Joseph's Church (Catholic). He had served his church as trustee, and was a worthy offi- cial of the society which honored his funeral. Mr. Koth, whose name heads this sketch, supplemented his common-school education with a commercial course at the La Crosse Business College. His first four years in business was as clerk in his father's store. The next six years he was in the employ of Thomas Ilogan, as clerk and bookkeeper in the commission fruit trade. Later he was with Mons Anderson in the wholesale drj'- goods trade, then with Matt Weix, wholesale dealer in cigars. Leaving this latter business in 1880, he formed a partnership with his younger brother, Frank, in the retail grocery trade, which he continued until May, 1890. In July, 1890, he became stock clerk for the Standard Oil Company, and it was while he was engaged in this latter position that he was elected City Treasurer. He is a mem- ber of St. Boniface Benevolent Society, having served it in official relations, and he and his wife are zealous members of St. Joseph's Church (Catholic). He was married in La Crosse, May 24, 1881, to Miss Mary Wiskirclien, a native of Milwaukee and a daughter of Matthew and Mary (Wiist) Wiskirclien, from Prussia. Mr. and Mrs. Roth had three daughters who died ill infancy, and have three sons, namely: Joseph Matthew, Bernard Andrew and Arthur Henry. '^'-^^^^itT^' fOHN WARREN DAVIS, proprietor of a general transfer business in La Crosse, was born in Washington county, Maine, in the town of Wesley, June 27, 1837, a son of David and Pliebe (trrey) Davis. His father was a merchant in early life, and spent considerable time in the merchant marine of the United States, making one trip to the Sandwich Islands. He died on a farm in Vernon county, Wisconsin, in 1883. Mr. Davis, whose name heads this sketch, grew up in the town of Cooper, engaged in lumbering in the pineries. In April, 1801, he came to Wisconsin, settling in Vernon county and engaging in farming. During the war he enlisted, at Viroqua, in Company I, Forty-second Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry, and was employed in provost duty to the close of the war. In 1870 ho moved to La Crosse, where he has since been princi- pally engaged in contracting and i-i the trans- fer busiuoss. He has served four years in the City Council, and is now serving his first term as County Supervisor from the Nine- teenth Ward of La Crosse. At Viroqua, in 1803, he married Miss Georgia E. White, a native of AVorcester, Massachusetts, and a daughter of William S. S. and Eunice (Bigelow) White The parents came to Wisconsin about 1859, lo. eating in Vernon county. For six years Mr. White was Register of Deeds of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have one son and three daughters, namely: -Nettie, wife of Charles Conrow, a locomotive engineer; William II. and May. Mr. Davis is a mem- BIOGRAPHICAL EI STOUT. 173 ber of the G. A. R., of John Flynn Post, No. 77, in which he has held official posi- tions. He is also a member of North La Crosse Lodge, No. 90, F. & A. M., and with his family attends the Presbyterian Church. -^^xri/l/l,- -^in/xn^^ fOHN GUND BREWING COMPANY, La Crosse. — La Crosse has reason to be prond of many of her early pioneers, who liave done so much to win her a favorable reputation in their respective lines, and Mr. John Giind, Sr., of the John Gund Brewing Company, is not to be accounted the least on the list. He was born in Baden, Germany, in 1830, and his father, George M. Gund, brought the family to America in 1848. They settled in Freeport, Illinois, where the father died of cholera Jnly 29, 1850, and the mo- ther followed him to the grave three days later, of the same fell disease. John Gund, Sr., learned the brewer's trade in his native country, and after coming to the United States worked for two years in Dubuque, Iowa. From there he went to Galena, Illi- nois, rented a brewery and conducted the same until 1854, when he came to La Crosse. He built the first brewery in this city, on Front and Division streets, resided on the same lot, and carried on the business in a small way, though quite extensively for those days. In 1858, he, in company with G. Heilman, built the City Brewery and continued in partner- ship until the fall of 1872, when Mr. Gund sold out his interest to Mr. Heilman and commenced the erection of the Empire Brew- ery, which he still owns. In 1873 he made a trip to Europe and visited his old home. The John Gund Brewing Company was organized and incorporated May 1, 1880, by John Gund, Sr., and his two sons, George and 13 Henry. In 1890 George withdrew from the firm, and Henry returned to La Crosse and took the position formerly occupied by George. The officers now are: John Gund, Sr., President; Henry, Secretary and Treas- urer; and John, Jr., Superintendent. Mr. Gund has ample capital and credit to carry on his business, and the La Crosse beer has a reputation extending over a wide terri- tory. In view of the foregoing facts, it is with great confidence and pleasure that Mr. Gund's brewery is selected to represent the brewing industry of this section. By his first wife Mr. Gund became the father of five children: Louisa, wife of Charles Mitchel, of La Crosse; Emma, wife of William Lurning, of Milwaukee; George, Henry and John, Jr. The mother of these children died May 18, 1880, when not quite fifty years of age. The daughter, Emma, died in 1884, when about twenty-seven years of age. Mr. Gund's second marriage occurred in Europe in the year 1885. Mr. Gund is highly regarded in trade circles as an honor- able business man, who has gained the entire confidence of his numerous customers, and once to form business relations with him is to be a permanent customer. HENRY GUND, secretary and treasurer of the Gund Brewery Company of La Crosse, Wisconsin, is one whose authority on all matters connected with this business, together with his wide experience and popularity, eminently fit him for the important and responsible position thai he holds. He was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, March 2, 1859, and is the son of John and Louisa Gund, both natives of Ger- many, the father born in Baden and the mother in Wlirtemburg. (See sketch of John Gund, Sr.) Henry Gund received a good practical education in the public schools of La Crosse, and began business for himself in 174 BIOORAPniCAL HISTORY. 1880, as member in the John Gund Brewing Company. He went to Minneapolis in 1882, was former manager in that city and con- ducted a large agency. While a resident of that citv he was the head of a building and loan association, and was a prominent and representative citizen. He remained there from 1881 until 1890, and then returned to La Crosse and has been secretary and treas- urer of the brewing company since. He was married in 1885 to Miss Nora Johnson, daughter of Andrew Johnson, of Minneapo- lis, who is now retired. To Mr. and Mrs. Gund have been born three interesting chil- dren: Emma, Louisa, and an infant son. In politics Mr. Gund advocates the principles of the Democratic party, and socially is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. He is a thorough business man and sustains a high reputation in commercial circles, and is re- spected l)y all who know or ever had dealings with him. .lOIIN OUND, JH., one of the prominent business men of La Crosse, and general superintendent of the Gund Brewing Company, is a native resident of La Crosse, born April 13, 1862. His parents, John and Louisa Gund, were both natives of Germany. (See sketch of John Gund, Sr.) John Gund, Jr., received his primary education in the public schools of La Crosse, and finished in one of the promi- nent colleges of New York, First Scientific Station in the Art of Brewing. He gradu- ated at the end of a year, as he had had some advantages of the kind before going. Brew- ing has always been his business, and in that he has been very successful, lie became a partner of the John Gund Brewing Company in 1882, and he is at present general super- intendent of ihe same. The output of this brewery is 50,000 barrels, per year, and they employ from sixty-five to seventy hands the year round, not including coopers, agents and teamsters. The buildings cover about five acres in all. This is one of the principal in- dustries of the city and the largest brewery In the Northwest, outside of Milwaukee. Their goods go all over Wisconsin, Iowa, Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Illinois. When twenty-five years of age John Gund, Jr., was elected Alderman for a term of four years, but resigned after serving three and a half years, on account of having moved out of the ward. He has been and is now director in the Inter-Stiite Fair. He was first director of the United States Brewmasters' Associa- tion for three years, but resigned owing to press of business. Mr. Gund selected Miss Carrie Bohm, of Winona, Minnesota, as his companion in life, and their nuptials were celebrated on the 8th of January, 1890. Her father was formerly connected with the Bohm manufacturing establishment of St. Paul, Minnesota, one of the largest in the North- west. In politics Mr. Gund is a staunch Democrat. RRIN L. SMITH, who is engaged in the insurance, loan and real-estate busi- ness, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born at Galena, Illinois, December 6, 1829. His parents removed to the State of Ohio when he was an infant six months old, and resided in Cinciimati until he was sixteen years old; thence they went to New Orleans, and three years later came north to St. Louis; 1851 found them in La Crosse, Orrin L. being twenty-one years of age. He pre-empted a quarter section of land on the wild prairie where Winona Junction is now located. He received his education in Cincinnati in the public schools and in the college of which Dr. Aydelott was president. When they ar- BIOGRAPEWAL BISTORT. 175 rived in La Crosse in 1851 there were but six shanties here, and about 300 AVinnebago Indians were camped in tlie neighborhood. In 1852 Mr. Smith went to his farm, and re- mained one season. In 1856 lie sold the farm for $800, and witiiin the last live years one- half the land has been sold for $15,000 for railroad purposes! He was married April 29, 1851, to Miss Mary E. Simonton, of Ohio. At that time his family were livins; in St. Lonis, and be- fore going to La Crosse he took his wife to her home in Ohio. After coming here he entered the employ of Smith, Rublee & Simonton as bookkeeper and salesman, a position which he held until the spring of 1854, when he became clerk on the steam- boat Doctor Franklin, which was sunk in the Mississippi river the same season. The next two seasons he was clerk of the Lady Frank- lin, and the rest of his river life was on the Royal Arch, Granite State, Greek Slave, and War Eagle, belonging to the Galena and Minnesota Packet Line, and the Fall City, which was owned by La Crosse capital. The last-named was sunk in Lake Pepin. In 1859 Mr. Smith left the river, and for ten years following handled fuel in La Crosse. In 1869 he was elected City Clerk, and held the office three years. He was clerk of the International Hotel for two years, and spent one year as clerk in the employ of the Black River Improvement Company. He was bookkeeper for the David Laws omnibus and transfer line until the spring of 1882, when he removed to Brookings, Dakota Ter- ritory; there he managed the Commercial Hotel one year, returning to La Crosse at the end of that time. He re-entered Mr. Laws' employ, and held the same position until the summer of 1886. In September of that year he removed to Sherwood, Franklin county, Tennessee, where he owned a hotel situated in the Cumberland mountains. In 1890 he disposed of this property and came back to La Crosse. Soon after he eno-agred in the real-estate, loan and insurance business, which he has conducted with marked success. Mrs. Smith is a native of Warren county, Ohio, born November, 1S32. Three children have been born to our subject and wife: For- est J. was born January 22, 1853, in La Crosse, Wisconsin; he is now bookkeeper and clerk in the employ of the Black River Im- provement Company, and secretary and treas- urer of the East Fork Improvement Com- pany and of the Lumberman's Exchange; Eva M. married Matt. T. Wimsey, of La Crosse, and Frank O. married Miss Minnie Lamb; he is a journalist by profession. Mr. Smith is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has filled all the official positions of the lodge, which he has frequently represented at the Grand Lodge and in the Grand Encamp- ment of Wisconsin; is a member of the A. O. U. W., and has passed all the chairs of this lodge. He is also secretary of the Pioneers and Old Settlers' Association in La Crosse county. Politically he has been a life-long Republican, and is a zealous supporter of the issues of that organization. TEPHEN MARTINDALE, loan and insurance agent, 326 Main street, La Crosse, was born at Tinmouth, Ver- mont, June 9, 1823, and is a son of Stephen and Diantha (Kent) Martindale, who were also natives of the " Green Mountain" State. The father died in Wallingford, Vermont, in 1847; the mother removed with her daughter, Mrs. Lucinda M. Hill, to Beloit, Wisconsin, about 1854, and there she passed the remain- der of her days. There was a family of four daughters and two sons: Caroline D., wife of 176 BIOGRAPniCAL HIS TOR T. Daniel Roberts, died in 1885; Angeliiie T., married Ciiarles N. Mattoon, D. D., both dying in 1885; Lncinda M.. married I. Mun- son Hill; Huldah S. resides with Mrs. Hill; Stephen is the tifth in order of birth, and Cephas K., the youngest, a successful phy- sician, is deceased. Stephen Martindale received his education in the common schools of Vermont and at Burr Seminary, which he entered at the age of seventeen years: there he spent three years, and was also a student at Cayuga Academy, Aurora, New York, for one year; he next entered Middlebury College, Ver- mi.nt, where he pursued a classical course, and was graduated in 1847. Having chosen the profession of law for his life work, he entered the National Law School at Ballston, New York, and studied under the noted Pro- fessor James K. Fowler; he was graduated in 1848, having done a portion of the work re- quired before entering this school. His father was also a graduate of Middlebury College, being a member of the class of 1808, and both his father aod paternal grandfather were soldiers in the war of 1812, the latter being a Colonel and the former a line officer. His grandfather also foueht in the llevolu- tion, and although a inere child lendered gal- lant service. Mr. Martindale began the practice cf law at Wallingford, Vermont, but soon after- ward decided to ren)ove to the West, and in 1849 he located in Ilacine, Wisconsin. In 1854 he came to La Crosse, where he has since resided. About twenty years ago he returned to his native State to look after his wife's estate, and remained there two years. He has spent several years of his life in the mercantile and lumber trades, but the last two decades have been devoted to the loan and insurance business. At the house of his maternal great-grand- father, the first declaration of independence given to the world was drafted, by virtue of which Vermont stood independent of the world for fourteen years. The Kent fatnily trace their genealogy to Chancellor Kent. Mr. Martindale was united in marriage October 11, 1855, to Miss Catharine J. How- ard, a native of Benson, Vermont, born in 1825, and a daughter of Major Edward S. and Anna (Meeker) Howard. Of this union two sons and one daughter have been born: Anna H., Stephen, Jr., and Edward Seymour Howard. Mr. Martindale has never been an office seeker, and dates first presidential vote back to Flenry Clay; he has always been a stanch supporter of Republican principles Mr. Martindale has now in his possession deeds find records pertaining to the fainily estate, which date back 200 years, and the family dates its American origin to 1G85. — -^■•' | ' i " s • ! '•-<" — • FOX, hotel proprietor. La Crosse, Wisconsin. — A city has always [■^^j^ •» amono' its distinguishing features one which persons of all degrees thoroughly uuderstand and appreciate, namely, a homelike and elegantly appointed hotel. La Crosse has many establishments of this kind, a note- worthy one being the Cameron House, con- ducted by W. D. Fo.\ and D. P. Smith. Mr. Fox was born in Ontario county. New York, December 6, 1826, and is a son of George and Huldf^h (Sheldon) Fox, natives of Con- necticut and New York respectively. He received his education in the common schools, and at the age of twenty years went to Ohio, soon after removing to Wisconsin; there he was engaged in the milling business for ten years. Later he turned his attention to the hotel business, and has kept hostleries all along the line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & BIOGRAPSIVAL HISTORY. 177 St. Paul Railroad; first he was at Portage, where he remained twenty-tive years aud had an enviable repntatioii. In March, 1880, he came tu La Cros?e to take charice of the Cameron House. Here everything will be found necessary to tlie tit- ting up of a high-class hotel, and the cuisine bears deservedly a higii and wide-spread re- putation among the best classes of the travel- ing public. During the past decade Mr. Fox has also been connected with the lumber interests here, and has found them quite re- munerative. He has associated with him in the hotel business D. I'. Smith, possessing qualifications that especially fit him for the management of a hotel. '> JILLIAM NEADFELT, one of the most reliable agriculturists of Hamil- ton township, is the subject of the following brief biographical sketch. He is a native of Germany, born November 12, 1862, and is a son of Dietrich and Dora Neadfelt. The father emigrated with his family to America in 1869, and after his arrival in the United States located in La Crosse county, "Wisconsin. Dietrich Neadfelt died May 15, 1890, aged fifty-eight years; his widow is still living, at the age of sixty-three years. Seven children were born to them, four in the " Fatherland " and three in America. Upon coming to this country our subjected invested in 160 acres of land, and later made another purchase of 160 acres in the same township; this land he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and is improved with large and convenient buildings. Mr. Neadfelt has given especial attention to the raising of live-stock, and has some excellent grades on his place; he raises oats, corn, hay, wheat and barley, liarvesting bountiful crops; the farm is well watered, aud is one of the most desirable in the community. In 1884 he was united in marriage to Miss Mena Imgarten, a daughter of German par- ents who still live in their native land. Of this union five children have been born: Henry, Fred, August, Eda and Mary. The parents are members of the Bostwick Valley Lutheran Chui-ch. Mr. Neadfelt is a worthy representative of his countrymen who came to America, and with no capital excepting that with which Nature has endowed him, accomplish the most gratifying results. By good management, energy and industry, he has accumulated a competence, and is sur- rounded with all the comforts invention and intelligence can produce. Henry Neadfelt, brother of our subject, resides with him, and renders him good ser- vice on the farm ; two sisters, Mary and Dora, are both married and live in this country; the former was wedded to Dietrich Radins- laben, and the lafrter to "William Byer. -^^lym/ir- jICHOLAS S. RICE (originally Reis), *'" of the firm of Wheeler & Rice, Novelty "Works, La Crosse, was born in Madison, this State, July 12, 1858, a son of Frederick and Christina (Neuraan) Reis. His father, a wine-grape grower, was born on the Mosel, Prussia, and came to America when a young man, locating at Madison, where he died, in 1858. His wife was born at Eiffel, near Cologne. Mr. Rice, our subject, left Madison at the age of fourteen years, lived one year and a 178 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. half at Yankton, Dakota, and in the fall of 1874 came to La Crosse. Having learned the glazier's trade, he followed it here twelve years, for Sej^elke, Kolliaus & Co., then joined the firm of Lovejoy Btos. & Co., with whom he was connected until December, 1888, when J. E. Wheeler purchased the in- terest of the Lovejoy Bros., forming a part- nership with Mr. Rice, and they are now enjoying a good trade. Mr. Rice is now Alderman for the Fifteenth "Ward, serving his first term; and he is a member of the Society of Modern Woodmen and of the Con- cordia Society. He was married in La Crosse, to Anna Schubert, who was born at Auscha, Austria, a daughter of Wenzel and Theresa (Siege- mund) Schubert, who came to America in 1873, settling in La Crosse. They have four sons and one daughter: Ernest, Henry, Walter, Anna and Emil. Hwr (HARLES ASA HUNT, Chief of the Fire Department of the city of La Crosse, was born at Carthage, Jefferson county. New York, May 23, 1859, a son of OrviUe E. and Esther F. (Crook) Hunt. His father, a native of Massachusetts, was a com- mercial traveler by occupation. The ancestry of this family have been New Englanders for generations past. Mr. Hunt's mother w-as a daughter of Horace Crook, of New York State. Mr. Hunt grew up to manhood at Lide- pendence, Iowa, wliither his father had moved and where he was an extensive carriage- maker for many years. In addition to his education at the public schools, young Charles pursued a course of commercial study, and then engaged in commercial life, at the age of sixteen years. At eighteen he entered upon business for himself, at Inde- pendence, and also carried it on at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1885 he came to La Crosse, where he has since been a merchant. He has been a member of the lire department three years; is also a member of Official Lodge, No. 27, Knights of Pythias, holding now therein the office of Keeper of the Records and Seal; also a member of the So- ciety of Modern Woodmen of America and of the Ancient Order of Druids. He was married in Chicago, to Miss Lizzie E. Blanchard. a native of Philadelphia and a daughter of George W. Blanchard, a commis- sion merchant of that city. They have one son, by name Engene Dale. ....,g. ;. , r . »; .,^ HARLES H. MARQUARDT, M. D., is a native of Germany, born in the village of Nemrin, province of Pomerania, January 6, 1855, son of Frederick and Augusta (Baumann) Marquardt. His father was a shepherd by occupation, that being the general occupation of the Marquardts — men of hardy constitutions and medium stature. They were of the Lutheran faith and tena- cious of their religious principles. In 1868 Frederick Marquardt came to America and established his home at La Crosse, where he has been engaged as a laborer in lumber yards. He has reared three sous and three daughters. Charles H. grew to manhood in this city, obtained a fair schooling in Germany, and engaged as an apprentice in the drug busi- ness after arrival in La Crosse. In 1874 he went to Philadelphia and etitered the Phila- delphia College of Pharmacy, where he was graduated in 1876. He then went to Coun- cil Bluffs, Iowa, took charge of a drug store and began readine medicine under the tutor- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 179 age of Dr. Henry Osborne. After remaining there three years he returned to Fliiladelphia, entered Jefferson Medical College, passed three years in study and graduated in 1882. That year he returned to La Crosse and be- gan the practice of medicine, in which he has since been successfully engaged. From 1884 to 1890 he served as city physician; from 1883 to 1889 as a member of the Pension Board; and for several terms as a member of tlie School Board. He is now examiner for the Germania Life Insurance Company, the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company, and associate examiner for the Equitable Life Insurance Company; is also examiner for the German branch of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin. He is a member of the State Medical Society, and has served the La Crosse County Medical Society as its vice-president. Dr. Marquardt was married, in Hokah, Minnesota, February 26, 1889, to Miss Frances Burkart, a native of Houston county, Minnesota, by whom he has a daughter, Sophia. ^UGO SCHICK, of the firm of Stoltze & Schick, architects, L Crosse, Wiscon- sin, was born in Bidjow, Northern Austria, January 30, 1855, son of Joseph and Annie (Letshouer) Schick. Soon after the birth of Hugo his father, a merchant by occupation, removed to Vienna and there carried on his business till about 1880. On both sides of this family tree we find them descendants of an old-time ancestry in Aus- tria. The house in which Mr. Schick was born is claimed to have belonged to this family for over seven generations. As a gen- eral rule they were people who followed mer- cantile pursuits. The subject of our sketch was the sixth born in a family of four sons and three daugliters, of whom one daughter is deceased. He grew to manhood in his native land and there obtained a good education in the public schools, subsequently taking a thorough course of study in tlie Polytechnieal School and Academy of Arts of Vienna, completing his studies at about the age of twenty-two, and graduating in a regular course of archi- tecture. He spent three years in office work in Vienna, and in 1880 came to America; was two years in New York city, two years in Chicago, and two years at St. Paul, coming to La Crosse in 1886. Here he became as- sociated with Mr. Stoltze, and has since been engaged in a very successful business. Among their works here may be mentioned the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Rail- way depot, Tillman Bros'. Block, schools, churches, City Hall, etc., etc. Mr. Schick was married in Muscatirte, Iowa, to Miss Mary Kendig, of that city, daughter of John and Magdalena Kendig, natives of Pennsylvania and of German an- cestry. They have two daughters and one son: Nelly, Jennie and Frederick. The family worship at the Methodist Church. TTSTAV STOLTZE is a member of the firm of Stoltze & Schick, architects. La Crosse, Wisconsin, and is prominently connected with the business interests of this city. He was born in Goslar, province of Hano- ver, Germany, February 27, 1854, and grew to manhood in his native land, there receiving a college education. In 1872 he came to America and located in Boston. In 1878 he completed a thorough technical course of study in architecture there, after which for 1^0 BWGRAPHJCAL 11 1 STORY. two years lie applied liimself to th« practice of his profession and worked in tiieotiices of Ware & Van Brunt and Rotch & Tilden. In 1880 lie came West through an induce- ment from a Minneapolis tirm of architecture, and remained in tliat city until 1883. Then he spent two years in the employ of the Northern Pacific Refrigerator Company. Re- tiring from that position in 1885, he came to La Crosse and opened up a business which he has since successfully conducted, having had Mr. Hugo Schick as partner since 1888. Their designs includs all classes of building work. Among the many blocks erected l)y their firm may be mentioned the Ileileman Brewing Company's brewing building, the Odd Eellows Temple, the shops of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Northern Railway, chapel and hospital for the Franciscan Sis- ters, La Crosse City Hall, residences of Stephen Gantert, J. J. Fruit, E. C. Dailey, and many others. Mr. Stoltze was married in La Crosse to Miss Alma Wiggenhorn, daughter of Eugene Wiggenhorn. Mr. Stoltze is a member of the American Institute of Architects, and as a business man and a citizen he is respected by all who know him. ILMER J. TIEDEMANN, M. D., Ma- rine Surgeon of La Crosse, was born in Chicago, Illinois, August 10, 1861, a son of Anthony and Parthenia (Pierce) Tie- demann. His father was a native of Ger- many, born near Berlin, and was a merchant; and his grandfather, Jacob Tiedeinann, was a commander in the merchant marine of Ger- many. Many of the ancestors had marine occupations. Dietricli Tiedemann was widely and favorably known in the medical profession as an influential authority in anatomy and physiology. Ot this progenitor Elmer J. is a direct descendant. The ancestry generally had hardy constitutions and a large stature, and were long-lived. Dr. Tiedemann, our subject, grew to man- hood in Chicago, where he attended the pub- lic elementary and high schools. From the age of eighteen he taught school three years, and then, in his twenty-second year, he en- tered the old Ohio Medical College at Cin- cinnati, and a year afterward Rush Medical College at Cliicago, where in 1885 he grad- uated. He opened out in practice at West Concord, Minnesota, and was prospering well, when, on account of injuries received, he was compelled in June, 1889, to abandon his practice there. He came to La Crosse and began to establish a practice which would not call him out on trips of exposure. He is a member of the Minnesota and the Wis- consin State Medical Associations, and also of the local medical society. Is now marine hospital surgeon for La Crosse. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and of the Ma- sonic order, and both himself and wife are members of the Congregational Church. He was married in Mauston, Wisconsin, October 3, 1888, to Miss Jennie Halton Davis, a native of Baraboo, this State, and a daughter of Richard Halton and Helen (Thompson) Davis. They have one son, Ian Davis Tiedemann. [OLOXEL NELS R. NELSON, Super- visor of the Seventh Ward, La Crosse, although a native of Denmark, is thor- oughly identified with the best interests of this city, and is justly entitled to honorable mention in the history of La Crosse county. He was born at Galthen, province of Jyl- land, Denmark, January 18, 1847, son of BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 181 Rasmus Nelson by his marriage to Karan Johnson. His father was also a native of Galthen, and was a merchant of that place. His ancestors were for the most part agri- culturists, and for many generations had lived in tiiat province. They were people of good station in life, had strong constitutions and were noted for their longevity. Our subject grew to manhood in his native town, and obtained a good common-school educa- tion, supplementing it with an academic course at Aarhus, which he completed in his seventeenth year. The year following he en- listed in the Danish army, and served in it with the war against Prussia, as Second Lieutenant in its reserves. After the war he went to Aarhus and entered upon a three years' apprenticeship to the dry-goods trade, at the expiration of which time he came to America, landing in New York city, June 12, 1868. He located in Oconomowoc, Wis- consin, where he made his home until 1873. The next two years he spent at Sparta, from which place he went to Viroqua. In the fall of 1876 he accepted a position with J. W. Toms & Co., La Crosse, as traveling sales- man, and continued with them until the fall of 1879. At that time he engaged with Mons Anderson & Son, also dry-goods mer- chants, and traveled for them until July 1, 1881, when he severed his connection with the company. He next engaged with Straw, Ellsworth & Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the hat and cap trade, and remained in their employ until January 1, 1890, when he ac- cepted a position with the Goll & Frank Co., Milwaukee, in the wholesale dry- goods busi- ness, in which he is engaged at present. Colonel Nelson was married in Sparta, Wisconsin, to Miss Anna Pedcrson, and by her has had three sons and three daughters. Their oldest son, Robert, died and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery. Those living are Paul, Klaudia, Kennet, and Agnes and Nora (twins). The Colonel is a member of the following fraternities: Norden Society, of which he has served as president on two dif- ferent occasions; the Norraanna Lodge, LO. O. F., having passed all the chairs of the order; and the A. F. & A. M., being a mem- ber of the Chapter. He is also a member of the Board of Trade of La Crosse. He and his wife worship at the Lutheran Church. In 1883 he was appointed by Governor Rusk as a member of his staff, and served until 1889. Is now serving his second term as Supervisor of the Seventh Ward, La Crosse. — — 4->f^-^ — jll^-^ENRY ESPERSEN, although of Euro- pean birth, has thoroughly identified himself with America and her grand institutions, and for many years has been a prominent citizen of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Briefly stated, a review of his life is as follows: Henry Espersen was born in Denmark, on the island of Bornholm, the home of tlie old " Viking's," in the town of Roenne, Feb- ruary 11, 1830, son of Christian Espersen by his marriage to Margaret Pearsen. His father was a watchmaker by trade, and carried on his business in Roenne till his death, which occurred in 1850 or 1851. The Esper- sens were generally artisans, although we find branches of the family in the pursuit of other interests. Neils Espersen, an uncle of the subject of our sketch, was honored by the King of Denmark. For inventions and im- provements in time-pieces he was made a Knight of the order ol' Danneboro and pre- sented with the golden cross of honor of that knighthood. As a race, the Espersens were of medium size, heavy built, hardy constitu- tions and long-lived. The Pearsons were 182 BIOORAPHIOAL HISTORY. merchantmen, and were favorably known in tlie marine interests oi: the Kingdom of Denmark. The snbject of onr sketcli was reared in bis native land, and acquired a tliorough knowledge of the watchmaker and jeweler's business. He bad obtained a good education in the public schools, and had supplemented it with a training in the military schools of Elsinore, for the purpose of taking a com- mission in the Danish army; but, on account of the quota of officers being full, he tui-ned bis attention to his trade. After spending some time in Copenhagen he returned to his native island and continued there until after the death of his mother, when, in 1853, he came to America, lie spent three years in New York city, and in 1856 located in Mil- waukee, coming from there to La Crosse, in 1858. He has been engaged chiefly in real estate interests, building and improving city property. Mr. Espersen was first married to Mrs. Cordelia (Bean) Burns, a native of Missouri, widow of Governor Burns. She died in 1867, leaving a son, Arthur Espersen, who is now a resident of Tacoma, Washington, engaged in the real estate business. He formed a second marriage with Miss Caroline Matilda Mead, a native of Brooklyn, New York, and a cousin of ex-Governor Hoffman ot New York city. By her he has two sons, Harry Larue and Frank Henry. When Mr. Espersen came to America he had but one dollar in his pocket, and his present prominent and influential position is the re- sult of his own earnest efforts. He has served as Justice of the Peace for La Crosse on diflPorent occasions; as Street Commissioner and Superintendent of the Poor, the first officer in that capacity th« city had; in 1875 was commissioned by the President as a Deputy Surveyor and to make allotments for the Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin; in 1877 was appointed by the President as Surveyor- General of Dakota, and held the office until July, 1881; served as Kegistrar of the United States Land Office here, during President Arthur's administration. During the war Mr. Espersen oflered his services in the field, and, they not being accepted, he took an ac- tive part in raising men and means in the furtherance of the Union cause. In 1874 he was appointed Assistant Sergeant at Arms of the Senate of Wisconsin, and served durino- the session. In the summer of 1870, upon the occasion of his second marriage, Mr. Espersen paid a visit to the home of his nativity, and traveled through Germany, Switzerland and Scandi- navia. "*" "4 ' 2 " t ' S" "" fOHN DENGLEK, cigar manufacturer and formerly Mayor of La Crosse, was born in Koenigswart, in the German part of the Kingdom of Bohemia, Austria, January 1, 1849. His father, Francis Dong- ler, was a boot and shoe merchant. His mother's maiden name was Barbara Dietl. Their ancestry were people of good physical constitution and long-lived, and were mechan- ics, generally blacksmitlis. In 1856 Francis Dengler came to America, landing at New York city, and the ne.xt year brought the family over. Mr. John Dengler grew to manhood in New York city. At the age of eleven years he entered a cigar manufactory, became an apprentice at the age of thirteen and a jour- neyman at fifteen. He was employed in New York city until his twenty-ninth year, during which time he served as foreman of different factories, always in an amicable relation, those under bis superintendency never being dis- BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY. 183 posed to "strike." In 1878 he came West and spent some six months at St. Paul, and in 1879 located at La Crosse. Here he was superintendent of John Pamperin's cigar manufactory until 1884, since which time he has been engaged in the business on his own account. He began business for hitnself in a small way, for a time employing but two hands; but his trade has kept steadily grow- ing with tiie constantly increasing demand for his goods. His business has grown to such proportions that at this writing, in 1891, he gives employment to upwards of fifty em- ployees, and the products of his factory find a ready market in many of the principal towns and cities of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Being thoronghly Americanized, Mr. Deng- ler takes a lively interest in all public ques- tions, both national and State. He is a sup- porter of the Republican party, and has done much efficient work in the interest of that organization, though he has never sought political distinction for himself, preferring to devote his time to the promotion of his business interests. In 1889 he was elected Mayor of the city of La Crosse, and faith- fully discharged the duties of his office. Mr. Dengler is essentially a self-made man, and his business success is due to his own industry, energy and strict integrity in all his commercial transactions. He is a member of a number of social or- ganizations. -|-^^^> 5f ILBUR I. DUDLEY, one of the re- liable farmers and stock-raisers of La Crosse county, was born at Guilford, New Haven county, Connecticut, March 31, 1849, and is a son of William L. and Phebe Dudley, old and respected residents of La Crosse county. He received his education in the common schools, at the La Crosse Valley Seminary, West Salem, and at a business college in Chicago, taking a three months' course at the latter place. He began the business of life as a farmer, and has since followed agriculture. In 1856 he came West with iiis parents, who were among the pio- neers of the county, and in his youth ex- perienced many of the privations and trials incident to lite on the frontier. He now re- sides two and a half miles southwest of West Salem on a valley farm of 300 acres; the land is in a high state of cultivation, and the improvements are of a most substantial character. The residence, which is built of brick, is a large and convenient dwelling, and has a charming site, overlooking the fertile farms which stretch in every direction. Mr. Dudley raises grain, hay and hogs; he plants from sixty to eighty acres to corn, a little more to oats, and fifty to sixty acres to hay. Although he raises large numbers of hogs, he also has high-grade cattle and horses. He is a pronounced type of the progressive farm- er, ar.d has been very successful in all his undertakings. He was married October 9, 1876, to Miss Marion A. Bailey, a daughter of George E. and Ellen A. Bailey, honored residents of Mansfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Bailey is an inventor of considerable notoriety, being a patentee of an oven sold extensively in this country, and patented in England. Mrs. Dudley is one of a family of six children, of whom she is the oldest; Carrie married Alexander McRea; Hattie is the wife of Clarence Boylston; George P. married Miss Mary Burkenhead; Frank H., who is in the bakery business with his father, and Sadie. To Mr. and Mrs. Dudley have been born five children: George W., Lillian L., Phebe E., Walter B. and Sherman L. The parents 184 BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT. are members of the Congregational Church. Mrs. Dudley is a woman of intelligence and culture, and was a successful teacher for several years prior to her marriage. Our worthy subject is a Republican in his poli- tics, and is a stanch supporter of the temper- ance movement. »SAAC EMEERSON, blacksmith, and the fll present Alderman for the Seventh Ward, ^ of La Crosse, was born in Bergen township, Vernon county, Wisconsin, July 24, 1859, a son of Andrew and Carrie (Holverson) Era- berson. His father was a native of Norway and came to America when a young man, locating first in Virginia and afterward mov- ing to this State, and died September 24, 1890, leaving four sons and two daughters. The mother died in 1866. Isaac, as he grew to manhood, learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1880 he came to La Crosse. He was married ' here, to Miss Agnes Hughes, a native of St. Mary's, Ontario, Canada, and a daughter of Patrick and Cath- arine Hughes. Mr. and Mrs. Emberson have two sons and one daughter, namely: Mary Olive, Andrew Russell and James Murray. The third child, Jacob, is deceased. |IELS GUSTAV HILLESTAD, County Treasurer of La Crosse county, was born at Drammen, near Christiania, Norway, October 29, 1848, the son of Hans and Martha Hillestad, farmers. At the age of fifteen years he was apprenticed as a clerk in a general mercantile store at Tonsberg. In 1866 he came to America, settling here in La Crosse and engaging as a clerk until 1882, and since as a partner with Christian Pederson, in clothing and furnishing goods, enjoying a successful trade. Being an active Worker in the political field, as a Democrat, he was ejected in 1890 to his present respons- ible position, already named, by a handsome majority, in a county which has generally been Republican. He is a member of the Norden Society, has been one of the efiicient officers of the Normanna Sangerkor, was one of the charter members and is at present the treasurer. He is also the treasurer of the I. O. O. F., Normanna Lodge, No. 260. ►>»f- ILLIAM LOHMILLER, agent of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- way Company at La Crosse, and manager of the La Crosse Fuel Company, was born in New York city, April 23, 1844, a son of John W. and Elizabeth (Hoerner) Lohmiller. His father was a native of Sar- bruck, France (now Alsace, Germany), was an architect and builder, and came to America in 1829, when a young man, locating in New York city, where he was married. His wife was born near Johannisberg, Bavaria, Ger- many. In 1856 .John W. Lohmiller came to Wisconsin, locating at Fort Atkinson, where he brought up five sons, all of whom are still living. William, whose name heads this sketch, learned the drug trade, following it in Madi- son and Fort Atkinson for about twelve years; was then agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company at Sparta nearly fifteen years, and finally he came to La Crosse, in 1885. In 1887 he organized the La Crosse Fuel Company, of which he has since been the manager. He is a Thirty- second-degree Mason, being a member of Oriental Consistory and also of the Mystic BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 185 Shrine. He is also a member of the Koyal Arcanum, A. O. U. W., and of the Interna- tional Association of Ticket Agents. He and family attend worship at the Congrega- tional Church. At present he is an Alder- man of the Fourteenth Ward of La Crosse, for term ending 1895. He was married in Chicago, in 1871, to Miss Charlotte Hickox, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Lyman Hickox, of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Mr. Hickox settled in this state from Syracuse, New York, in 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Lohmiller have three sons, viz.: Leavenworth William, a young man of bright promise and now a clerk in the freight office of the Cliicago & North- western Railway Company, and a partner in the stationery l)usiness of Fred Leach &Co. ; Royal Kasson and Calvin Arthur. ~^'V5*-»^^-«-°^ fOHN ALOYS RENGGLY, M. D., City Physician of La Crosse, was born in the town of Schmerikon, in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland, December 27, 1827, son of Anton and Therese (Keller) Runggly. His father was a farmer by occupation. We find these people belonging probably more to Entlebneh in the canton of Lucerne. The subject of our sketch was reared in Zurich, Switzerland, and studied medicine there and at Vienna, Austria, completing his studies at the age of twenty-four years. He prac- ticed his profession at Zurich till 1866, when he came to America and direct to La Crosse. Here he lias since continued to reside, en- gaged in a medical practice. Dr. Renggly was married, in Zurich, Swit- zerland, to Miss Louise Arbenz. by whom he has one son, Alfred, a bookkeeper by profes- sion. During the years 1883, '84 and '85 the Doctor held the office of city physician. whicli position he is now tilling. He has also served the city as Supervisor of its schools. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is medical examiner for the lodge to which he belongs. -^^xn/i/l/- -^iruio^^ fC. HERRINGTON, yard master for the Chicago, Burlington & Northern ** Railroad at North La Crosse, was born in Clyde, New York, in 1853, and is a son of John and Julia (Strong) Herrington, natives of the Empire State. They removed to Chi- cago in 1866, and there passed the remainder of their days; tiie father died in 1871, at the age of fifty-nine years, and the mother sur- vived him fourteen years, passing away at the age of sixty-nine years. Young Herrington attended the common schools of Chicago until he was fourteen years of age, when he entered the employ of the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy Railroad Company; he began work in the machine shop, where he was for eighteen months; then he was fireman on a locomotive for three years, at the end of which time he was promoted to the switching department; there he continued seven years, giving complete satisfaction to the company; he was next promoted to the position of yard master for this company at Chicago, where he was until 1886; he was then sent to La Crosse to take charge of the ('hicago, Bur- lington & Northern yards. He has always rendered the railway company the most effi- cient service, and his merits have not been without recognition. Although young in years he is old in the railway business, having devoted twenty-three years to the various positions he has been called upon to till. Mr. Herrington is a member of the Knights of Pythias of La Crosse, and holds the office of Keeper of the Seals and Records. 186 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. In 1878 he was united in marriacre to Miss Susie Clark of Chicago, a daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth (Campbell) Clark; her father was a contractor in Chicago; both are now deceased; the father died in 18G7, aged forty- five years, and the mother in 1886, at the age of sixty nine years. To Mr. and Mrs. Herriiigton have been born live children: George, Frank, Norman, Bessie and Ethel; Frankie died at the age of two years and ten months, his death being a sore trial to the parents. -^-nym/l/- ■^jin/1^^ |CHNELL BROS., brick manufacturers, La Crosse, one of the most noted and successful concei-ns in this part of the State, extensively engaged in the manufacture of brick, is that conducted by Schnell Bros., (Pliilipp and John), who have owned and operated the Schnell Bros, brick yards for the last five years. They turn out from 1,200,000 to 1,500.000 bricks per year and sell the same in La Crosse. These brothers are doing a good business and are energetic and industrious citizens who are a credit to any community. They are well liked by their business associates. Their parents, Frederick and Marguerette Schnell, were na- tives of Germany and came to the United States in 1870. The father is still living, on an adjoining farm, but the mother received her final summons in 1889, at the age of sixty-three. Phillip Schnell was married in 1882, to Miss Lena Feyen, daughter of Nicholas and Katie Feyen, natives of Germany who came to La Crosse about 1858. To Mr. and Mrs. Schnell have been born three children: John, Charles and Philipp. Mr. Schnell has been called to serve his town in a number of posi- tions and has done so with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his fellow townsmen. He and his brother John are independent in their political views, voting for the man rather than the party. Both are members of the Lutheran Church. John is unmarried. — .■«.i g ' 3n; « g L. DUDLEY, a citizen of La Crosse county, has borne iiis share of the "* burden that falls to the lot of the pioneer; he has aided in preparing the way for the march of civilization and progress, and it is to such men that the present gener- ation is indebted for the rare educational fa- cilities and the many opportunities afforded both in agricultural and commercial life. He was born in New Haven county, Connecticut, October j^6, 1816, and is a son of William and Deborah (Lee) Dudley, natives of Con- necticut. His father died in tiie State in which he was born, at the age of sixty-five years; the mother, a most noble and lovable woman, died in 1827, aged forty-four years. Both were exemplary Christians, and devout members of the Congregational Church. They reared a family of two sons and five daugh- ters, three of whom are living. W. L. Dudley was reared on his father's farm in Connecticut, and agriculture has been his principal occupation through life, and in this calling ho has been deservedly successful. In his youth he worked for a period of three years in a comb factory, and he was very highly spoken of by his employ- ers. His motto in life has been, " Keep thy word sacred and inviolate," and a life accord- ing to this precept has brought its reward. In 1856 he emigrated to Wisconsin from Connecticut, and settled in LaCrosse county; the following year his family made'the jour- ney, and as his health was greatly improved by the change, they decided to remain. He BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 187 has been very wise in his investments, and now owns several hundred acres of land, a large portion of which is as fine as lies within the borders of the county; his improvements are of a substantial character, his residence is delightfully situated, and he is surrounded with all the comforts of the day. His farm is well adapted to the raising of grains and live-stock, and he is numbered atnong the most reliable farmers of the county. Mr. Dudley was united in the holy bonds of matrimony November 10, 1841, to Miss Phebe A. Ives, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Ives, of New Haven county, Con- necticut. Her father died when she was a young girl, but her mother lived to be over eighty years old. Of this union two sons and two daughters were born. Caroline married John Aldrich, and they have had seven children ; Walter W. resides in Chicago, married Miss Elizabeth Beeclier, and they are the parents of one child, Grace; Wilbur I., a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this volume, and Jennie L., wife of Henry D. Griswold, who died leaving lour children; she was a worthy member of the Congregational Church and a woman of un- usual force of character. fRED HEMKER, one of the progressive and entei prising citizens of Hamilton township, is entitled to the following space in the record of the leading men of La Crosse county. He was born in Hanover, Germany, July 22, 1836, and is a son of Henry and Sophia (Elo) Hemker, natives of the German Empire. The father was a farmer by occupation, and followed his calling with rare intellitrence. In 1866 he emigrated to America, and after his arrival in the United States came to La Crosse county, where he lived with his children. Fred Hemker is the youngest of a family of six children. At the age of fourteen years he began to learn the trade of a brick and stone mason, and worked at this business fourteen years in his native land. In 1864 he determined to come to the LTnited States, and carrying out this determi- nation we find him a citizen of Hamilton township. Here he worked at his trade for three or four years, and after his marriage in 1869 he settled on a farm of 220 acres, located in the La Crosse valley. This was wild land, entirely unimproved, but years of toil have converted it into one of the most beautiful and fertile tracts in the township. The principal crops are wheat, oats and corn. Mr. Hemker also does a thriving dairy busi- ness, keepirig from twelve to fourteen head of cows. He has some good hogs of the Poland-China stock, and a few fine head of horses. His buildings are of good style, roomy and convenient; the residence is partly of solid and partly of veneered brick, and is situated on an attractive spot, commanding a view of this fertile vallej'. The cellar is one of the finest in the State, being cut in the solid rock. There is a thrifty young -orchard, and all the surroundings are pleasing and homelike. Mr. Hemker has been a member of the Town Board for six years, and in this capacity has done his community most ethcient service. He is a man of good, sound judgment, is genial and courteons of manner, and a good representative of his fellow-countrymen. He is president of the Free-Thinkers' Society of Bostwick valley, and is one of its most ad- vanced members. He was married in 1869 to Miss Wilhel- mine Wege, a daughter of Henry and Sophia AVege, residents of Hamilton township. Mrs. Hemker is one of a family of five cliildren: Fred, Lizzie, Mary, Dora and herself. She is 188 BWGRAPHIGAL HISTORY. a woman of kind, gentle disposition, and liiglily esteemed by a wide circle of acquaint- ances. To our subject and wife have been born three children: Emma, Fred and Alfred. Fred is overseeing the farm, and has displayed great aptitude for agricultural pursuits. lAMUEL MATHESON, a generaj merchant at Bangor, was born in Nor. way, fourteen miles from Christiania, February 11, 1843, a son of Matheus Swan- sen, a native of Norway, who is now ninety years of age. Our subject was reared to farm life, and educated in the common schools of his native place. He came to the United States in 1866, and first stopped two years in Dane county, Wisconsin, after which he removed to Trempealeau county. Hespent the first seven years in this State in working on a farm during the summers and in the lumber woods in the winters. In the fall of "1873 he bejran clerking in the store of A. H. Kneland, in Galesville, Trempealeau county, and remained with him until 1876, when he and iiio cousin, John E. Johnson, engaged in the hardware business at Blair, theirs being the first hardware store in that place. Their building was destroyed by fire July 27, 1891. Mr. Matheson sold his interest in 1878, after which he owned and operated a farm two years, and then engaged in clerking in a wholesale hardware store two years at La Crosfe. In 1881 he went to Onalaska, Wis- consin, where he clerked one year, and in 1882 came to Bangor and engaged in his present business. He carries a full line of general merchandise, having a capital stock of $5,500 and annual sales amounting to $15,000. Mr. Matheson was married December 19, 1874, to Caroline Thompson, who was born October 16, 1848, a daughter of Thorsten Thompson, of Taylor, South Dakota. They have five children, four of whom still survive, namely: Laura, born August 22, 1875; Inga C, August 14, 1880; Mollie B., December 2, 1883; and Thomas A.. August 1, 1886. The deceased, Fritchof, died at the age of five years. The mother died August 8, 1889. She was reared a Lutheran, Init at the time of her death was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. She was an affec- tionate wife and mother, and her loss is keenly felt by her neighbors and friends. She was a devoted Christian worker, and a valu- able member of society. Our subject also was reared a Lutheran, and still holds to the mother church. He is a member of the M. W. of A. HARLES W. MoKENZlE, a pioneer of the La Crosse valley, resides on section 6, range 5 west, Bangor township. La Crosse county. He was born in Waltham, Addison county, Vermont, a son of Abraham McKenzie, a native of New Hampshire, but an early settler of this county, having located here in 1854. Our subject's mother, Sophia Brown, also a native of Vermont, was a daughter of the noted Phineas Brown, who came from Waltham, England, in an early day. lie was the first settler in Waltham, Massachusetts, and also named the place, and years afterward he removed to Vermont and established and named the Waltham of that State. Our subject's grandfather, Ale.xander McKenzie, a native of Scotland, was pressed aboard a British man-of-war and sent to America as a British soldier; but his uncle, John McKenzie, then second in command, refused to allow them to compel Alexander to sign the papers, and drew his sword to '^■V'V>"-..rx^^^■»'-— — fC. HEWITT, proprietor of the largest livery, feed and sale stable of West * Salem, was born in Canada East, Aug- ust 7, 1840, and is a son of James and Ellen (Barton) Hewitt, natives of Canada, the for- mer being of English, and the latter of Scotch extraction. Tiie father was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in Canada, and in 1N5(> came to the United States and settled on a farm in La Crosse C'luuty, Wisconsin. He conducted this business with rare judgment, and accom- plished results that reflected great credit not only upon himself but also upon the pursuit of agriculture. He died in 1873, at the age of seventy years; his wife lived until 1889, aged eighty-two years; they were both con- sistent members of the Second Advent Church. Their family consisted ot eight children, seven of whom are living. J. C, the subject of this notice, remained under the parental roof until he was twentv-four years of age. He had learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed a number of years previous to em- barking in the business of tilling the soil. He purchased a farm of 160 acres, and still owns 140 acres; this land lies in Burns township, is well improved, and excellently adapted to the raising of live-stock. Mr. Hewitt has some very fine Jersey cattle, and has been very successful in his efforts to ele- vate the standard of all classes of stock raised •in the community. In 1867 he was united in marriage to Miss Fidelia, a daughter of George and Lavica (Whitcomb) Levitt; four children were born of this union: Jennie B., wife of J. Smith; Minnie, wife of Edwin Lovell; George, who is assisting his father in his present business; and Charles J., a teacher in the public schools of tiie county. The mother of these children died February 13, 1881; she was a consistent member of the Second Advent Church, and was a devoted M'ife and mother. Mr. Hewitt was married a second time in 1882, to Mrs. Eliza Robinson; Jesse Robinson, her son by her first marriatre, has been a member of our subject's family since he was three years of age; he is now a student in the public schools and is a promising lad; his mother died De- ■Sw/'i "V h^^OKtmrnKr ^^^^-J^L^ /I'/^^h-l^^,^-;^ BIOORAPIIWAL HISTORY. ly? cember 25, 1883, at tlie age of tliirty-three years; she was a worthy ineniber of the Pres- byterian Chnrcl). The third marriage of Mr. Hewitt was to Mrs. Viola Wilbur, nee Bnn- day, July 3, 1884; she has one daughter, Gracie. the wife of W. Quiggle, of Mindoro, La Crosse county. Mr. Hewitt enlisted in 1861 as a member of Company B, Second Wisconsin Cavalry. In May, 1862, he was severely injured by a ki<-k from a horse, which necessitated his discharge. In the fall of 1862 he re-enlisted in Company I, Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry, and participated in the engagement at Nashville and Spanish Fort, and some minor battles and skirmishes. He received his final discharge at Madison, Wisconsin. He is now drawing a pension from the Gov- ernment in recognition of his services. He is a member of tlie G. A. R. Post. Politi- cally he supports the principles of tlie Pro- hibition party, but before ho espoused this cause he voted the Republican ticket. He and his M'ife belong to the Second Advent Church at Burns, and he is a deacon of the society. He is a man of the highest princi- ples, of the most correct business methods, and is wortliy of the esteem in which he is held. ' 1 >< 1 ' % *- fAMES VINCENT, one of tlie most re- spected citizens of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, has been identified with the lumber interests of this section since 1854, and has largely aided in the development of this mammoth enterprise of the State. He was born at Half Moon, Saratoga county. New York, October 16, 1825, and is a ^n of Stephen Vincent, a native of the same place. His grandfather, Jeremiah Vincent, served seven years in the war of the Revolution, being Captain of a military company; he died at the age of ninety-six years; his sec- ond wife, Mary Vincent, the mother of Stephen Vincent, died some years later, at the age of ninety- four years. The subject of this biography is the second in a family of six children. In his youth he went out to service on a farm, receiving $8 per month; like many another lad of that day, he had few educational advantages, and at the age of six- teen years he went to learn the carpenter's trade; three years later he went to Lansing- bnrg. New York, to work as a journeyman. During the California gold-fever of 1849 he started to the Pacific coast. Arriving in San Francisco in October, 1849, he was ofPered $11 and two rations per day to work at his trade for the Government, but this he declined. When he reached Stockton he was offered an ounce of gold, or $16, per day to work at carpentering, and this he accepted. At the end of one week he discovered that he could do much better by going into busi- ness for himself; so he went to work on his own account. It was at this time he had the pleasure of voting at the arst election in Cal- ifornia, the question at issue being the free- dom of tlie State; and it was about this time, also, that tlie Vigilance Committee was appointed. In the fall of 1850 Mr. Vincent left Stock- ton for the mines, and had been there but six weeks when he heard of the serious ill- ness of his wife, and that she wished him to return home; the same day he sold his claim, took his blanket with a box of gold-dust the next morning and started on foot over a lonely trail to the nearest ranch, a distance of forty miles; he reached this place the evening of the same day, foot-sore and weary. Upon his arrival at his home in New York he found his family much improved in health. Early in the '50s he started on his second 198 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. trip with a friend, Sylvanns Sayles, for Cali- fornia; Mr. Sayles was a companion of his boyliood, and it was his proposition that tliey go to California and engage in contracting and bridge-building; they carried out this plan, and were very successful. After an absence of eighteen months they returned to Lansingbnrg, New York, greatly gratified with their trip. Mr. Vincent was elected Alderman soon after coming home, the term being three years, but he resigned the office in the spring of 1855, upon his removal to Wisconsin. In the fall of 1854 he came to La Crosse, and was so much impressed with the place and its possible future that he re- moved his family and his parents the follow- ing spring. Soon after his arrival he com- menced building his residence, and engaged in the lumber business. In 1858 he formed a partnership with Mr. George Edwards, and for some years did a large business in buying wheat and pork. In the fall of 1860, Mr. Vincent, with his usual business sagacity, observing the low price of lumber and the small quantity in stock throughout the country, suggested that they invest in this commodity. Mr. Edwards remarked, "Why, what are you going to do with lumber? Yon cannot give it away." Mr. Vincent replied, "That is just the reason we should buy now. There is no stock in the market, and prices must advance." They carried on the wheat and lumber business for two yeart^, when they gave up the grain trade, and instead added to their lumber business that of loggino;. In 1875 Mr. Vin- cent became sole proprietor, and in 1880 he took his son Eugene into partnership in the lumber-yard. This partnership continued until the death of the son, since which time Mr. Vincent has continued the business, under the firm name of James Vincent & Son, and is also interested in several of the leading enterprises of the city. He has been twice married. April 28, 1846, at Lansingburg, New York, he wedded Miss Eliza M. Cole; she died Janu- ary 7, 1882. There were three children by this union: James Piatt, who died in November, 1865; Eugene, whose death occurred in November, 1884; and Cordell M., the wife of F. B. Seymour, of Green Bay, Wisconsin. At Chicago, Illinois, January 31, 1884, Mr. Vincent was united in mar- riage with Miss Agnes McKillip, a daughter of Hugh McKillip, of La Crosse. They are the parents of one child, Agnes. By industry and strict economy he has been eminently successful in the acquisition of wealth, and at his pleasant home on Cass street is surrounded by all the comforts that make life worth living. ~»- "| ' 2 i ' S ' l" -^ fW. IIANNEY. — In recording the an- nals of any comnumity there are always ' a few characters that stand pre-eminent among the worthy pioneers, men possessed of many virtues that have had their influence in moulding and shaping the destinies of the coming generations. It is these men who readily find place in history, whose career it is a pleasure to review. Such a man is J. W. Kanney, an old and respected farmer of La Crosse county. He was born in Oneida county. New York, January 3, 1812, and is a son of Eli and Eveline (Parmley) Banney, natives of Massachusetts and New York re- spectively. The father was a farmer, and in 1853 he removed to Des Moines county, Iowa, where he settled on a tract of land which he cultivated until the time of his death at the age of seventy-one years; his wife died in 1835 at the age of thirty-four years. There BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT. 199 were five cliildren of this marriage: J. "W., the subject of tliis brief biography; Nancy J., wife of H. G. Minor; Herman, who mar- ried Miss Smith; Levica, wife of Clinton Brand, and Julius, who married Miss Milks. Eli Ranney was married a second time to Miss L. Whitmore, and four children were born to them. J. W. Ranney began life upon his own re- sponsibility at the age of eighteen years. He taught school for four or five winters in the primitive schoolhonse of "ye olden times" and was quite successful. He worked at the carpenter's trade in the summer season, and also operated a sawmill. His marriage oc- curred in the State of New York to Miss Elizabeth Quackenbush, a daughter of John Quackenbush and one of a family of eleven children. Mr. Ranney was engaged in tlie milling business for several years after his marriage, and in 1854 emigrated to Wiscon- sin, settling on the farm where he now resides. He owns 200 acres of as tine land as lies within the borders of the State of Wisconsin, and is surrounded with all the improvements and modern appliances for carrying on husbandry in the most profitable manner. His barn is large and conveniently arranged, and the sheds for the protection of live-stock are of the same substantial charac- ter. Mr. Ranney is numbered among the most progressive and successful fanners of the county, and his opinion on all agricultural questions is given due weight. Politically he is identified with the Re- publican party. He has filled all the minor oiBces of the township, and the people of the county have testified to their confidence in his ability and judgment by electing him to the State Senate. He discharged his duties with that fidelity which has ever marked his every action, and reflected great credit not on himself alone but also upon his constituency. Mr. and Mrs. Ranney are the parents of six children: Clara M. died at the age of twenty-four years; Cassius M. is assisting his father on the farm; Edwin H. was killed while attempting to board a train February 25, 1876, aged si.xteen years; Mary L. died at the age of twenty-one years; Minnie, twin sister to Mary L., died at the age of six months, and Jay W. The mother passed from this life in 1881, aged fifty-four years. She was a member of the Congregational Church, and was a devout Christian, a faithful wife and a loving mother. Abner Ranney, grandfather of our subject, lived to be one hundred years and six months old! He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in Oneida county, New York. fB. SMITH. — No name is more promi- nent in agricultural circles in La ® Crosse county than that of the gentle- man whose name appears at the head of this brief biographical sketch. He is a native of the State of New York, born in Oneida county, August 21, 1835. His parents, Robert and Margaret (Green) Smith, were also born in the •' Empire State," but emi- o-rated with their family to Wisconsin, and settled near Oconomowoc; there they lived until 1851, and then went to La Crosse county, where they were among the earliest settlers; they endured many privations and hardships, but being possessed of those ster- ling traits characteristic of the pioneer they overcame all obstacles, and aided in securing to the coming generations one of the finest farminff communities in the Union. The father followed agriculture all his life, and after coming to the county purchased 200 acres of choice land, on which he lived until his death in 1888; his age was seventy-seven 200 BlOGliAPUICAL UISTORr. years; his wife died in 1879 while siie was visiting a daughter in Kansas. They liad a family of four children : F. B., the subject of this notice; Anna E., deceased; Nettie, de- ceased, and Lavern, who was murdered in California, being shot from his horse while riding over the Sierra Nevada mountains; the murderer was caught, and hung after a trial by jury. Mr. Smith grew up amid the wild scenes of the frontier, and was early inured to the hard labor of the farm. In 1860 he began cultivating the tract of land on which he now lives, which he had purchased from his father lie set about twenty acres to hops, and this proved a most profitable industry; from four acres he took in two years $13,000 worth of hops. He now owns 600 acres of land, nicely located in the La Crosse valley; the soil is fer- tile, and produces everything that grows in this latitude. He has erected a commodious house, large and convenient barns, and has furnished his place with all tlie modern ap- pliances of farming. The land is wel- watered by natural streams and is well sup plied artificially by means of a windmill and pipes. His largest crop for 1891 was oats, of which grain he threshed 5,000 bush- els; he has fifty-four acres in corn, and equally as much land in hay. He is known as a pro- gressive farmer, and his success is the result of wise management and industry. Politically Mr. Smith affiliates with the Kepublicau party. He was elected chairman of the Town Board, a position he has held for twelve years, and which he has sIiowti himself well fitted to occupy. He was elected a member of the building committee of the La Crosse Insane Asylum, and after the hos- pital was completed he was appointed a trustee for three years by the County Board; at the expiration of his term he was re-elected for another term of three years. He was chairman of the building committee of the La Crosse county jail, a structure which cost over 850,000. He also takes a great interest in hlooded stock, of which he has fome tine specimens on his farm; he has a trotting stallion which has a record of 2:25, which also took second money in a free-for-all race at Black River Falls; he has a herd numbering about si,\ty head of Shropshire slieep, and eighty head of hogs, of a superior grade. Mr. Smith was married in 1866 to Miss Celestia Best, a daughter of William Best of La Crosse county, and to them have been born six children: Millie, wife of Howard Cronk; Walter, Burt, Stella, Pearl, and Winnie. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Presbyterian Church. The family stand liigh in the community, occupying an enviable position in social and financial circles. fA. L. BRADFIELD, M. D., specialist of the eye, ear, nose and throat, is " ranked among the leading practitioners of La Crosse, a position that has been ac- corded him through his own merit. He is a native of the State of Ohio, born in Colum- biana county, at East Fairfield, February 3, 1861. His parents, G. W. and Saline (Beck) Bradfield, were natives of the same county; the father was a farmer by occupation, and in 1863 he removed to Crawford county, Illi- nois, where he engaged in the raising of live- stock for six years; thence he went to Clay county, Illinois, where he resumed agricult- ural pursuits, which he continued to the time of his death in 1879; he was forty-four years old. He held various local offices where he resided, was well and favorably known and universally respected. He was a member of the Disciple Church from his youth, and BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT. 201 lived the religion he profes.'^ed ; his wife is also a consistent member of the same chnrch. After the death of her husband she lived for four years on the farm, and then removed to Eureka, Illinois, where slie opened a milli- nery store. She was born February 3, 1835, and to herlmd hei' lamented husband were born eijrht children, seven of whom are living: Sophronia J. is the wife of Milton Slack, of Washington; Louella married A. E. McKnight, of Chicago, Illinois; the Doctor is the third in order of birth; Kate C. is the wife of Ira Gulp, a bookkeeper in the em- ploy of the Armour Packing Company; W. G. is principal of the public schools of Georgetown, Illinois; Ruth A. is assisting her mother in the millinery business; Hattie A. is still in school, and is now a student at Eureka College; the fifth child, a son, died in infancy. Dr. Bradfield remained oti the farm four years after his father's death, and then entered the Eureka College, where he remained two years; for the next two years he was a suc- cessful teacher in the public schools of Wood- ford county, Illinois; vacations and all other time which could be spared from school duties were devoted to study in his chosen profession. Having determined upon the medical pro fession as his life work, in the spring of 1884 he began his study of the science under the direction of Dr. L. A. Feriy, of Eureka, Illi- nois. He remained with this physician two years and then entered the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1888. Im- mediately following this event he wont to Loyal, Wisconsin, where he opened an office and began practice; for two and a half years he remained in this place, and met with very gratifying success. Ambitious to e.xcel in his profession, lie returned to Chicago for the purpose of taking a special course in the study of the diseases and treatment of the eye, ear, nose and throat. After he had com- pleted this work he came to La Crosse, in 1891, and opened his office at 323 Main street; he has done a very satisfactory busi- ness, having made a reputation as a skillful, conscientious physician, Dr. Bradfield was married November 1, 1888, to Miss Frona A. Castner, a daughter of John and Lydia Castner. John Castner was a pioneer of the State of Wisconsin, although a native of Ohio; he has traded with the Indians on Black river, and can tell many a thrilling experience he has had with the red men. He is now a resident of Clark county, Wisconsin, and is engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. His wife's maiden name was Lydia Mack; she is a native of the Do- minion of Canada, and came to Wisconsin in her girlhood. They have had born to them nine children, two of whom died in infancy: Mary is the wife of Ernest Boyer, and the mother of three children, Pearl, Ruby and Delbert; George married Miss Lilian Nutting, and they have two children, Cora and John; Mrs. Bradfield is the third born; Albert and Alfred are twins, the former a farmer and the latter a teacher of wide experience and excel- lent reputation; Bina is the wife of William Dutclier and the mother of one child, Royce; Daniel is still at home. Mrs. Bradfield was educated in the public schools, and at the age of sixteen years began teaching; she was suc- cessful in her chosen field of labor, and in order to fit herself better for the work she had undertaken she entered the River Falls Normal School, from which she was graduated in 1886. She taught in tlie La Crosse pub- lic schools for one year, fully sustaining her reputation as one of the best educators in the county. The year the Doctor was in college in Chicago she spent in an art school, study- ing painting and crayon work; she also has 202 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. a consi(leral)le talent for music, ami has made advanced progress in its study. Tlie Doctor and his wife are both worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Cinirch, and are among tile tnost highly esteemed members of social circles in La Crosse. •C- '"S - | '— ILLIAM K. SPARLING, an old and highly respected citizen of La Crosse county, has been a resident of the State of Wisconsin since 1846. He was born in Tioo-a county, New York, in 1825, and is a son of Peter and Lydia (Rose) Sparling, natives of New Jersey; they were reared on the banks of the Delaware river, were mar- ried in their native State, and came to New York shortly after this event. The father was a farmer by occupation, and pursued this calliiicf with rare intelligence. Ele died in Tioga county, New York, in 1849, at the age of sixty-five years; his wife died in 1837; tiiey had born to them a family of eight chil- drcii, six of whom are now living. At the age of sixteen years William R. Sparling entered upon the responsibilities of life. He learned the tradeof a blacksmith in New York State, and then came west to Columbia county, Wisconsin, in 1846; for ten years he followed this calling quite successfully, and then came to La Crosse county, locating four miles from the present site of West Salem ; there ho conducted a farm and blacksmith's shop until 1866, when he removed to West Salem, settling in the house he now occupies. He owns 100 acres of land, which he has rented; the principal products are grain and fruit, and to the cultivation of the latter he has given especial attention. The improve- ments of this farm are of a most substantial character, the brick residence being erected at a cost of $3,000; water is carried by a sys- tem of pipes to all the buildings. Three acres of another tract of nine acres are set to tobacco; this industry is not a large one, but is conducted to prove the possibility of rais- ing tobacco with profit in this latitude. Mr. Sparling was married September 24, 1851, to Miss Cornelia Young, of Fall R.ver, Wisconsin, a daughter of Thomas Young, of Saratoga, New York. Four children iiave been born of this union: Will.e died at the age of five years, and Bertie, when six months old; Fayette K. married Edith Roby, and they have one child, Neal; they reside on a farm in Bangor township; Adella, wife of Frank H. Nye, lives on a farm in Hamilton township, and has two children, Mark and Pattie I'elle. Mrs. Sparkling departed this life April 16, 1891, at the age of sixtv-four years. She was for many years a member of the Baptist Church and was a devout Chris- tian; she was a fond and faithful wife, and an indulgent mother. During all the years of his residence in La Crosse county, Mr. Sparling has been al- lied with those movements which have tended to develop the best resources of both the county and State, and he is numbered among the first citizens of West Salem. |EV. FATHER J. E. PRUCHA, pastor of St. Wenceslans' Bohemian Catliolic Church, Winnebago street. La ('rosse, Wisconsin, is the su])ject of the following biographical sketch. He was born in New York City December 22, 1865, and in his youth was a student at the Jesuit Sixteenth Street College; later he took a classical course at St. Vincent's Benedictine Abbey, Latrobe, Peimsylvauia. His philosophical and theo- logical training was received at St. Francis' Seminary, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After he BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 203 had finished the course of the latter institu- tion, he was sent by Bisliop Flasch to his present pastorate. Here he has cliarge of a large congregation of Bohemians, whom he addresses in their native tongue. Something over 150 families are communicants of the church. Tiie present building, capable of accommodating 350 people, is found inade- quate, so that a new and larger edifice is in contemplation. A parochial school is con- ducted under the general superintendence of Father Frucha; the building, containing three rooms, stands adjacent to the church; three teachers, one lay teacher and two Fran- ciscan Sisters are employed in giving instruc- tion to the children; the Bohemian language is taught half an honr each day, and in the highest grade Bohemian grammar is taught twice a week; the rudimentary studies are taught in the English language. A pleasant home, a good library and refined surroundings relieve the isolation from the world. Father Prucha is a young man of fine literary attainments, and is deeply de- voted to the duties of his calling. The church was erected in 1873 by Rev. Leo Snchy, at the present time a residei;t of Milwaukee; the structure cost a little more than $9,000; the lots were donated by Brother Bernard. The first religious services were held in a small chapel, which is a part of the present sanctuary. The following clergymen have been in charye of this congregation since the present edifice was erected: P'ather Leo Suchy came in 1873; Father G. W. Weid- lich, in 1875; Father Fideles Bannwarth, in 1876, who died suddenly November 3, 1877; Father Alois Heller was next in charge, re- tnaining four months; Father Augustine Lang came in the same year; he died in New Tork in 1885; Father Alois J. Blaschke cam(! in 1881, and Father Prncha August 3, 1888. The societies of the church are: St. Wen- ceslaus, which has a membership of about eighty, and a capital of $2,000; Unit'ormed Bohemian Knights of St. George, member- ship, fifty; St. John's Society, the society of the old men of the congregation, numbers twenty members; and the Young Men's Society, with thirty-five members. The ladies of the church have four societies, and there is a dramatic society open to both sexes. Under Father Prucha's ministrations the in- terest of the congregation has been greatly extended, and the spii'itual condition elevated. The various societies are made up of enthusi- astic workers, and the ontlook is most favor- able. fOHN WACKER is an American citizen by adoption, his native land being Switz- erland. He was born October 14, 1833, and is a son of George and P)arbara (Schlat- ter) Wacker, who spent their lives in their own country. The father was a miller by trade, and, as was the custom in that time, also kept a tavern. He was a quiet, unpre- tentious man, always attending closely to his own affairs. He was burn in 1792, and died at the age of fifty four years; his wife died at the age of sixty-four years. Of the family there are five living in America and three still reside in the old country. It was in 1851 that John Wacker emigrated to the United States, settling in Alma, Wisconsin, at that time called ''the Twelve Mile Bluff." In 1852, with Mathias Hummer, he made a claim of a piece of land on which Buffalo City now stands; the following year they surrendered the claim, but if they had held it a few months longer they would have realized from it $1,500. It was purchased by a Cin- cinnati company. Victor Probst, John C. Wacker and Josepli Berni were the most 204 BIOORAPIIICAL niSTORY. prominent settlers tliere at that time. Mr. Wacker remained in tlie neiglihorliood of "Twelve Mile Blntf" for two year.s and tlien spent a year among relatives; later he was employed at Mount Vernon and Galena. It was about this time that he determined to harn the blacksmith's trade, but unfortu- nately he was taken with a severe illness and was thus compelled to abandon the plan. He then secured such light employment as he could. From 1856 to 1861 he owned and ran the restaurant and bar of a Mississippi steamer; and in 1861 he engaged in his present business, which he has carried on since that time. Mr. Wacker is one of tlie oldest settlers of the county, and prominent as a pioneer. He was Alderman of the city for six years, and rendered most efficient service in this capac- ity'. He has ever been a liberal supporter of those enterprises tending to advance the in- terests of the city, and has been true to the confidence reposed in him by her citizens. He was married in 1869 to Miss Mary Beekel, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Frank) Beekel, an old citizen of La Crosse, who died at the age of seventy-two years; his wife was about fifty years of age when she died. Mrs. Wacker is the oldest of a family of nine childi-en, eight of whom are living. Upon emigrating to this country from Ger- manyin 1845 her parents settled near Dayton, Ohio; the father made a trip to Wisconsin, and tinally removed his family to La Oosse county, settling in Shelby township. He was a man of sterling traits of character and ex- cellent business qualifications. For twenty- five years he was Postmaster of Shelby, and was numbered among her leading citizens. Mr. and Mr?. Wacker are the parents of five children: Louisa C, born May 29, 1870; Olga, born January 20, 1872; John W., born September 28, 1873; Cora E., born June 23. 1875, and Arthur F., born September 4, 1889. Mr. Wacker is a member of the L O. O. F., Inning passed all the chairs of that order. He takes an intei'est in the political questions of the day, and votes with the Democratic party. N. BORRESEN, Vice-President of the State Bank of La Oosse, Wisconsin, ^^^ is a recognized authority on banking and finance, is a shrewd and practical man of business, and is a vigorous exponent of sound commercial principles. All the facilities consistent with sound and conservative bank- ing are extended to customers, and this hank is a factor fully appreciated in sustaining the high reputation La Crosse has acquired as a business center. Mr. Borresen was born in Lille-hammer, Norway, January 21, 1847, to B. H. and Elizabeth Borresen, the former of whom died in 1876, when sixty-nine years of age, and the latter still living in Christiania, Norway, at the age of seventy-nine years. E. N. Borresen is one of their twelve children, and the youngest of four brothers who came to America, which land he reached in 1868. Carl came in 1870, Peter in 1872, and Henry from Paris, in 1887. They all now reside in La Crosse. Mr. Borresen was first a clerk in a clothing store of T. D. Servis, in La Crosse, and bis next move was to join the Batavian Bank as bookkeeper, which position he re- tained for nine years. In 1879 J. M. Holley and Mr. Borresen engaged in the banking business for themselves, under the firm name of Holley & Borresen, and the previous ex- perience they had gained now stood them in good stead, for Mr. Holley had been teller in the Bataviiin Bank for nine years. In 1883 they organized the State Bank of La Crosse, and Mr. Borresen has held the position of BfOGRAi'HIOAL HISTORT. 205 vice-president ever since. The capital of this concern is $50,000, with $25,000 snrplns and undivided profits. Tiie president is D. D. McMillan, and J. M. IloUey is cashier. These gentlemen are widely and favorably known capitalists, possess the soundest judgment, and have had a wide range of practical experience. They are thoroughly conservative in their methods, and the success of their bank is as substantial as it is well merited. Mi'. Borresen deserves much credit for the success which has at- tended liis efforts, for upon coming to this country he had but little means and was un- acquainted with the English language. His own pluck and perseverance have carried him safely over many difiicultie#, and he is now sailing on a prosperous sea with the wind and tide in his favor. In 1871 he was married to Miss Nettie Ranberg, daughter of E. Kanberg, and in time a family of three children gathered about their hearthstone: Hildali, Fred and Willie. Mr. and Mrs. Borresen are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. If^ON. NIRAN H. WITHEE, deceased.— The life record of him whose name ap- pears above has been one of more than usual interest, and his career was of such benefit and wielded such a wide influence over the people, not only of La Crosse but also the surrounding counties, that a sketch of his career will convey some idea of his usefulness in the different walks of life. He was born in Norridgewock, Maine, June 21, 1827, to Zachariah and Polly (Longly) Withee, who were also born in the " Pine Tree State," the father of Irish and the mother of Encrlish extraction. Zachariah Withee was born in Norridgewock, Maine, March 21, 1794, and 15 was a leading agriculturist of the section in which he resided, a soldier in the war of 1812, and for services rendered the Government in that capacity he received a land warrant. His wife was one of the noblest of women and possessed that breadth of character which en- abled her to befriend the distressed and needy as well as to feel perfectly at ease in the pres- ence of learned and highly cultured people. For over fifty years she and her husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in that faith they were called from life. He died in La Crosse, Wisconsin, June 6, 1875. His wife, also born in Nor- ridgewock, September 28, 1791, died in La Crosse, May 2-1, 1871. Mr. Niran H. Withee, one of the seven children of the above, was given the rudi- ments of an academic education. When the tide of emigration swept west- ward, Mr. Withee embraced the opportunity then afforded of being one of the pioneers of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and in 1852 settled in this region, with the commercial interests of which he thoroughly identified himself, and eventually became one of the most successful business men and extensive land-owners of the count}'. Soon after his arrival he embarked in the lumber business, and his operations in that line became so ex- tensive that in 1870 he removeed to Clark county. From 1857, however, he was closely identified with the logging interests of the Black river counti-y in La Crosse county, and he was a prominent figure in all the progres- sive business movements in the Black river valley in the lumber and flooding-dam com- panies, and was scarcely ever without heavy official responsibility of some kind. He did much to shape the policy and manage the affairs of Clark county, and was its Treas- urer from 1875 until his brother Hiram succeeded him in 1882. He represented that ao6 BIOORAl'IIICAL HISTORY. county in the General Assembly of the State two terms, where his ahility as an able leader was felt and acknowledged ; his great integrity and uprightness of character won for him the honor of his contemporaries, and his clear, analytical and well-poised mind and quick perception brought him into immediate recognition. His activity and keen business foresiglit led him into many important enterprises which liave been of permanent benefit to the community, and his generous impulses won him numerous friends, whom he rarely lost. At Hemlock he owned a large grist and saw mill. He was connected with the loading lumber firms of the city and was the moving spirit in the Island Mill Company of La Crosse. Soon after his removal to Clark county he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors, during which time the best in- terests of an appreciative constituency were well looked after. His manly character and true worth inspired confidence, and a faith- ful performance' of duty secured its con- tinuance. He was modest in his estimate of himself, never forced himself upon public attention, and only filled public positions at the earnest solicitation of his numerous friends. He was diligent in business, amassed a large fortiine, and gave freely to all benev- olent enterprises. He was married to Mrs. Louisa (Wood) Stratton, widow of Avery Stratton, of New York, and danghterof Colonel Artemas Wood, of New Berlin, Chenango county. New York, the latter being a Colonel in the State Militia. To Mr. and Mrs. Withee the following children were born: Niran Haskell, William Wood; Theodore Owen, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Withee was a Republican in politics. In social life he was highly esteemed for his cordial and agreeable man- ners, and in the domestic circle he was a model husband and father, loved his family with extreme devotion, and made their hap- piness and comfort his chief aim and object in life. He never violated a friendship nor forgot a kind action done him, and although charitable" in his deeds he was one of those who would that "the left hand should not know what the right hand doeth." He de- parted this life July 2, 1887, at the age of sixty years and eleven days. -^^x/rnjb- -■z:r^- l/ln^^ IjEV. RICHARD SIEGLER is the reg- ^ ularly ordained minister of the Evan- ;elical Lutheran Church, of Barre township, and for the past eight years he has been laboring in the vineyard of his Master. He was born in Wollin, East Prussia, but at the age of two years was brought by his par- ents to America. His father, Charles Siegler, came to this country in 1864, and settled in Watertown, Wisconsin, where he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1873, at the age of fifty-live years. The wife of the latter, Wilhelmina Benke, died in 1886, at the age of sixty two years, having borne her husband seven children, si.\ of whom are still living: Albert, the eldest, is a minister of the gospel, stationed at Two Rivers, Wis- consin, where he has been for the past four years. Rev. Richard Siegler received his classical education in the Northwestern Uni- versity at Watertown, Wisconsin, completing the regular course of seven years, and graduat- ing with the class of 1881. He then entered theTiieolocrical Seminary at Milwaukee, where he completed his theological studies in 1883, occupying a pulpit a portion of the time while attending this institution. October 28, of the same year he was ordained for the ministry at Ellington, Outagamie county, Wisconsin. After having tilled the pulpit in BfOGRAPHIGAL HISTORY. 207 that place successfully for two and a half years, he was called to his present pastorate of St. John's Lutheran Church, where he has been since 1886. His work here covers a period of six years, and his long continuance in the work for the same church evinces the high esteem and the valuable services ren- dered by him during that time. His congre- gation at first embraced ninety families, but it now numbers more than 150, showing a splendid increase of over ten per cent, annually. Since entering upon his duties a new church has been erected, which in archi- tecture, furnishings and surroundings, would be a credit to any city. The cost of the church, including pipe organ, was $10,000. The building is pleasantly located on a natural building site about the center of Bost wick valley. The school connected with this church, costing $1,300, was built in 1890, and has a seating capacity of about 100, and has increased in about the same proportion as the church. Rev. Siegler is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Wiscon- sin. He possesses a good library of stand- ard theological and classical works. He has proven the right man in the right place and his efforts have been rewarded in the love and respect, not only of his own immediate con- gregation but also of all who know him. fOHN M. FINN", a retired contractor and one of the old and substantial citizens of La Crosse, was born in county Sligo, Ire- land, in 1838, a son of Patrick, a native of the county of Mayo, and Elizabeth (Roland) Finn, a native of the county of Sligo, in the Emerald Isle; there they lived and died, the mother in 1841, and the father in 1848. They had a family of seven children, three of whom are now living: Mary, the widow of Peter Collins, is now living in La Crosse with her two sons, James and John; Patrick, the older brother, is living in Monroe count}', Wisconsin, and John M. is the subject of this notice. He attended school in his native country until the death of his father, when he went to England; there he was thrown upon his own responsibilities, but valuing a good education he went to school as much as possible until he was eighteen years of age. By that time he had saved enough money to pay his passage to America, so he bade fare- well to the British Isles and crossed the sea to the United States. When he reached New York, however, his funds were exhausted: so he sought employment at once. He secured a position in a store and worked there for one year, when he pushed his way further westward, reaching Janesville, AVisconsin, in 1856. He was hired by the railroad com- pany then running a line through this point, and soon he began taking small contracts on other roads, enlarging the contracts as his means increased. This he followed until 1870, when he went to work on the Pitts- burgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad. The contracts taken on this road were vei-y profit- able, but he was defrauded by a dishonest partner. In 1873 he removed to La Crosse, and there he has since made his home. He has taken occasional contracts of railroad and other work. Afterwards for three years he was engaged in the tea trade, having the agency of an Eastern houSe — importers from China and Japan. Mr. Finn was united in marriage, in 1862, in La Crosse, to Miss Ellen Barry, a daugh- ter of Edmond and Johanna (Barry) Barry, natives of Ireland, but for many years resi- dents of Monroe county, Wisconsin. Her father died in 1886, and her mother in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Finn are the parents of thirteen children, four of whom are deceased: Patrick 208 BIOGRAPniCAL HfsrOR )'. married Miss Mary Clare; Jolin married Miss Sarah Matthews, of Dalcota; Helen is the wife of Henry Lowell; James, Hannah, Mary, Catherine and Agnes. Tiie family are all devout meniliers of the lioman Catholic Church. - ^ • 2"t - g' — ~ J. LEMON, passenger conductor on tiie (Miicago, Burlington «& Northern * liaili-oad, was horn in the State of Pennsylvania, a son of Kohert and Mary E. (Gilliam) Lemon, the father also a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Virginia. Tiie parents removed to St. Louis, Missouri, when T. J. was an infant. The father was a steamboat carpenter, and followed thiscf.lling twenty-tive years on the boats running up the Mississippi, Missouri and Arkansas rivers. lie was in the river transportation depart- ment during the war, from 1S61 to 1865. He died January 3, 1885, at the age of si.\ty- eight years; the mother pas.'^ed away Febru- ary 26, 1879, aged lifty-seven years, Both were devout members of the Congregational (!hurcli. Our subject received his education in the public schools of St. Louis, graduating from the high school. Then, following his father's inclinations and tastes, he passed ten years on the steamboats, the first two years, as a clerk, and eight years as a pilot. In 1871 he left the river for the railroad, securing a position with tiie Missouri Pacific, and was conductor for nine years. He next went to the Chicago & Alton Railroad, and was in the employ of this company as con- ductor for eight years. He ran a way freight on the Fort Scott & Gulf road about six months, and in 1886 went to work for the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Company in the capacity of conductor, a position which he still holds. He has been most faithful and conscientious in the discharge of his duties, and has won the entire confidence of the railroad officials with whom l.ie has been connected. Mr. Lemon was married October 9, 1865, to Miss Irene E. Jacobs, a daughter of Cap- tain J. M. and Mary D. Jacobs, of St. Louis. Of this union six children have been liorn: Mary I)., the wife of T. M. Wamsby, of De Soto, Missouri, and a conductor on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway; they have three children; Nellie G. married Charles A. Burger, engineer on the Chicago & Alton Railroad; Reginald T. resides in Colorado on a ranch; Harry Brent is a student at Waylaud University, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; Edgar is at home, a pirpil in the La Crosse schools. The parents were be- reaved by the death of their oldest son, who passed from this life in 1867, at the age of one year. Mr. and Mrs. Lemon are devout members of the Baptist Church Mr. Lemon is one of the directors of the Y. M. C. A., and is an active member of the same, accomplishing much good among the railroad men. Politi- cally he adheres to the principles of the Democratic party. l||f||ILLIAM E. JONES resides in one of " 1/ \/| tl'C most lieautiful and productive T^:J^\ sections in the State of Wisconsin, the La Crosse valley, and is numbered among the advanced agriculturists of the community. He is a native of Wales, born May 20, 1838, and is a son of Evan and Mary Jones, who were also of Welsh birth. The father is a fanner by occupation; in 18-11 he emigrated from Wales and settled on a farm in Canada, where he lived for eight years. He then came to Wisconsin and located on a farm near BIOGRAPHIUAL IIlSTOItr. 209 Bangor, in La Crosse county. lie has a tract of 300 acres, which has been brought to a high state of cultivation, and in accomplishing this he experienced all the privations and hardships of the frontier. He is now eighty- seven years old. His wife died in Wales in 1842. They had a family of five children: William E.,the subject of this notice; David, who died at the age of forty years; John, a resident of Bangor, Wisconsin; Morgan, who lives in Dakota, and one child that died in Wales. William E. Jones remained under the pa- rental roof until he was twenty-five years of age, and then started out in life for himself; he engaged in agricultural pursuits, but did not locate on the farm which is now his home until 1862; he owns 160 acres of choice land, his residence being one mile east of West Salem; it is pleasantly situated, commanding a tine view of the valley, and presenting an attractive appearance from the railroad and the public highway. The barns and sheds are substantially built, and the entire place wears an air of thrift and prosperity. In 1861 Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Mary Francis, a daughter of Daniel and Hannah Francis. They have two chil- dren living, Hannah and Hattie; the former is staying at home, and the latter ib one of the teachers of the county, and has made an enviable reputation in the profession. The father and mother are members of the Con- gregational Church. In his political opinions Mr. Jones adheres to the principles of the Republican party. Daniel and Hannah Francis had born to- them ten children, seven of whom are living: Evan, Mrs. Jones, James, Rachel, now Mrs. McEldowney, Daniel, David, and Ruth, the wife of Harry Raymond. Daniel Francis, the father, died February 22, 1888, aged eighty-one years. He belonged to the Bap- tist Church, and for many years was a deacon. His wife is still living, and is an honored resident of West 8alem; she has attained the advanced age of eighty- two years. HARLES WEINGARTEN,oneof the promising young business men of La Crosse county, resides in West Salem, where he is engaged in the jewelry trade. He was born in this county January 27, 1868, and is a son of Christopher and Dora (llem- ker) Weingarten, natives of Germany. The father was a farmer by occupation and was a man of rare intelligence; he came to America shortly after the close of the civil war and settled on a farm in this county; he rented land for a time and then purchased a tract of 120 acres in Hamilton township, which he improved and sold. He had learned the butcher's trade in Hanover, and after coming to the United States he and his two elder sons carried on the business to some extent. His death occurred in August, 1889, at the age of sixty-one years; his wife died in May, 1879, aged fifty years. They reared a family of eight children: Fred married Miss Cora Whitney; Dora is the wife of Dudrick Es- miller and the mother of one daughter, Lillie; Herman married Miss Mary Sandman, and they have one child; Charles is the sub- ject of this notice; Emma died at the age of nineteen years; Ida is the wife of J. H. My- ers; Louis and Lillie are the younger mem- bers. In his political opinions the father was a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Weingarten be- long to that most worthy class of Germans who have emigrated to this country, leaving home and friends and native land for the sake of giving their children those opportu- nities in the world which the Old World does not afford. They have overcome many ob- 210 DWGHAI'UICAL UISTORY. Stack's and riclily deserve the confidence and esteem in which they were held. Tiiey were botii members of the Lutheran Ciiurch. Charles, son of the above, received his education in the common schools of Hamilton township and high school of West Salem. In March, 1891, he purchased the stock of jewelry of George U. Viets, whom he also succeeded as express agent at West Salem. He is a young man of j^ood business qualifi- cations, and his outlook is auspicious. In the capacity of express agent lie has given excellent satisfaction, and with diligence and perseverance he is sure to win snccess. ^ARVEY r>. LAFLIN, M. D., is a lead- ing member of the medical profession in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, where he has resided since 1873. He was born in Chautauqua county, New York, July 27, 1834, and is a son of Eliakim and Almira (Grover) LaHin; the father was born in Dux- bury, Massachusetts, in 1800, and the mother in Springfield, Pennsylvania, in 1805; soon after their marriage they located in New York, where they had born to them three sons and two daughtei's: Lark E., foreman of the cotton factory at Milan, Illinois, and Mrs. Cordelia Melvin, widow of Joseph Melvin, with our subject, are the only surviving members. Dr. Laflin received his education in the State of New York, and at Rock Island, Illi- nois. When he began his professional study. he entered Bennett Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1873; this school is located in Chicago, and is one of the lead- ing Eclectic institutions of the country. Im- mediately after his graduation he removed to La Crosse and engaged in practice; he has met with more than ordinary success, and has more than realized his expectations. February 6, 1859, the Doctor was married to Miss Jennie B. Baldwin at Yorktown, Illinois. Mrs. Laflin was born at Bennington, Vermont, July 31, 1838, and is a daughter of Jacob and Teres Baldwin, also natives of the Green Mountain State. No children have been born to Dr. Laflin and wife, but they had one adopted daughter, Nellie; she mar- ried J. A. Raymond, and died at the age of thirty years. Our worthy subject is a member of the Eclectic State Medical Society and of the National Medical Society; he has served as Rresident of tiie State Medical Society two or three terms, and has been Vice-President and Corresponding S6cretary of the National Society. lie is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Frontier Lodge, No. 45, A. F. & A. M.; to Smith Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M., and to La Crosse Commandry, No. 9, K. T. ; he is also a member of the A. (). U. W., and of the Knights of Honor; he belongs to the La Crosse Board of Trade, and is devoted to the interests of home enter- prises. He and Mrs. Laflin are consistent members of the Universalist Church. fOSlAH L. PETTliNGILL, engaged in the real-estate, loans, abstract and insur- ance business. La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born in Chenango county. New York, No- vember 10, 1840, and is a son of Alonzo and Lucy (Davis) Pettingill, who were also na- tives of Chenango county. They emigrated to Wisconsin in 1850 and located at Lewis Valley, La Crosse county, where the mother died in 1878; the father now resides with his son in La Crosse, in his eighty-ninth year; BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 2U previous to his comincp to Wisconsin, he and his family had resided two years at Flushing, Flint eoutity, Michigan. He and his wife had a family of four sons and two daughters: Luther, deceased; Jay, John A., Joshua, de- ceased; Martha I., wife of John L. Mathew- son; and Eliza, deceased, wife of Fitz J. Arnold. Josiali L. attended the public schools of New York, Michigan, and Wisconsin. November 19, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss E. Antoinette Kenrick, a native of the State of New York. Mrs. Pet- tingill came with her parents to Wisconsin at the age of live years; her father, John Kenrick, was born in London, England, and her mother was a native of Glens Falls, New York. J'ol lowing his marriage, Mr. Pettin- gill engaged in farming near Lewis Valley, which he continued until 1872. In the fall of 1871, he was elected to the office of County Clerk of La Crosse county, and removed to the county seat previous to taking charge of the office January 1, 1872. He was re-elected to the office until he had filled the position for a period of eleven years. Prior to his election to the county office, he had served as Clerk of Farmington township for six years. He was elected chairman of the Township Board, by virtue of which office he became a member of the County Board of Supervisors. Subsequently he was elected chairman of the County Board, and continued a member of this body until his election to the office of County Clerk. At the end of his eleven years' service as County Clerk, he opened his present business, which he has conducted successfnlly since 1883. He does a general real-estate, loan, abstract, and insurance busi- ness; he owns a full set of abstract books of the county, which he keeps down to date; in insurance he represents the most responsible companies of the country. Mr. Pettiujill affiliates with the Republi- can party, although in 1885, he had the dis tinction of being chosen City Assessor of La Crosse by a Democratic council. He has been chairman of the Republican County Committee, and was returned to the Board of Supervisors since leaving the clerk's office, serving two years as its chairman. He is a member of the La Crosse Board of Trade. Mr. and Mrs. Pettingill are the parents of five children : Charles A., who holds a respon- sible position in St. Paul; Claud K., who graduated from the La Crosse high school at the age of eighteen years, is now in the same office with his brother; Maude A., and Grace E., who are students of the ])ublic school, and Johnnie, who died at the age of eighteen months. — ~^" | * s >' ;-|" "^ — ^ENRY E. WEST, secretary of the La Crosse City Railway, was born in Waterbury, Washington county, Ver- mont, March 17, 1840, and is a son of Jona- than P. and Louisa (Bacon) West, who were also natives of the Green Mountain State. The father was a farmer by occupation, and was a man whom every one honored and re- spected. He died in Lamoille county, Ver- mont, in February, 1872; the mother still survives and resides in La Crosse. There were two sons and three daughters in the family: Justin P., Henry E., the subject of this notice; Helen, deceased, the wife of George S. Gates; Emma, widow of Richard Trenwith; Anna, the wife of H. L. Holmes, a banker and stock-raiser of North Dakota. Henry E. grew to manhood in his native State, and received his education in the com- mon schools and the academy at Morrisville. October 28, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Second Regiment Berdan's Sharpshooters, 213 BIOGRAPniCAL U I STORY . and went to Waehiiigton city, where he re- mained until Marcli 22, 1802, when he was discliarged on account of disability. He re- turned to his home and worked on the farm for a time, and again offered his services to the Government, hut was rejected. In 1863 he went to Chicago and was employed as conductor on the street railway of that city, which position he held until he secured a place witii a jewelry firm as bookkeeper. At the end of twelve months he returned to Ver- mont, where he remained three years. His experience in the great city of Illinois had not been altogether unpleasant, and the memory of it remained with him, so that he tiiiallj went back and entered the office of the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Kailway. This line was consolidated with the Lake Shore &. Erie, and the office was re- moved to Cleveland, Ohio; Mr. West also went to that city and held a position in the general office until October, 1873, when he accepted a position with the Southern Min- nesota Railrcad, and removed to Wells, Min- nesota. This road was absorbed by the Chi- cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Hailroad in 1879, when he went to I\Iilwaukee and was in the Auditor's office al)out one year; he then re- signed his position and came to La Crosse. Here he was tirst employed as bookkeeper in the office of W. W. Cargill & Ero., grain dealers, and held the position seven years. At the end of that time he resigned on ac- count of ill health, and returned to Wells, Minnesota, where he jiurchased a hardware store. His physician ol)jected to this occu- pation for him, so he sold out and returned with his family to La Crosse. The two years following he was not actively engaged in any business, and in February, 1890, he was in- stalled as secretary of the La Crosse Street Railway, a position he now holds. Mr. West was married December 24, 1877, to Miss Ettie McMillan, a daughter of Jolui McMillan, deceased, who was a jjioneer lum- berman of the city of La Crosse. To Mr. and Mrs. West has been born one child, Mary Louise, whose birthday was January 8, 1885. Mr. West is a memi)er of the Knights of Honor and of the M. W. of A. Politically he affiliates with the Republican part^' and is an ardent supporter of the issues of tiiat body. His position as secretary of the street railway is one of great responsihil- icy, and he has proven by a long career that he is worthy of the contidence reposed in him. Mrs. West is a member of the Presby- terian Church. fOSEPH BOSCHERT, Registrar of Deeds, La Crosse couiity, Wisconsin, was born in Greenfield township, this county, Jan- uary 9, 1858, and is the eldest of three chil- dren of Gregory and Anna (Tausche) Bo- schert. His parents located in Greenfield township in 1855, being among the earliest settlers in La Crosse county. The father was elected Supervisor of the township in 1857, and served in that office for many years. As the result of industry and frugality he had a line estate. Of his three children, Helen and Andrew are unmarried and reside at home with their parents. Joseph spent his youth in those occupations which usually fall to a farmer's son, and during the winter season he attended school. In 1877 he began teach- ing, and followed this profession for six months of the year until 1884, when he came to La Crosse. He served as clerk of Green- field township in 1881-'82-'83. He invested in real estate in La Crosse, and in the fall of 1884 he erected a business building at the corner of Fifth and Jay streets; there he em- barked in the mercantile trade, having formed BlOORAPniOAL HISTORY. 313 a partnership with E. J. Tansche, the firm being Eoschert & Tausche. This relationsliip existed until November, 1885, when Mr. Boschert withdrew, having been appointed Deputy Coliector of Internal Revenue, First Division of the Sixth District of Wisconsin. In July, 1887. the Second and Sixth Revenue Districts were consolidated, and Mr. Boschert was appointed Deputy Collector; this division comprises nine counties, including La Crosse county. Bj a change of administration, June 30, 1889, Mr. Holmes succeeded Mr. Bo- schert. August 7, 1889, our subject bought out his former partner and re-embarked in the mercantile trade at his old stand, continuing there until January 1, 1891, when he sold out with a view to taking charge of his present office, to whicli he had been elected in the fall of 1890. This is a responsible and profitable position, the term being two years, and the work requiring two clerks be- sides the principal. Mr. Boschert owns considerable valuable real estate in La Crosse, including several lots, a residence and three business buildings. September 8, 1885, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary McConville, a native of La Crosse county, born in the town of Barre, February 14, 1860. Her father was a iiative of Ireland, and her mother was born in Ohio. The mother died in Septerader, 1889, and the father is a resident of La Crosse. They reared the following named children: Rose, Hugh A., Hannah C, Dennis J., Curran, John and Mary; Margaret and Emmett are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Boschert are the parents of three children: Rose M., born June 28, 1886; Annie L., i)orn February 27. 1888; and John J., born December 24, 1889. Mr. Boschert is a member of the La Crosse Board of Trade, and belongs to the Jefferson Club. Fie and his wife are both members of I St. Mary's Catholic Church, and he belongs to St. Boniface Benevolent Society. Pre- vious to her marriage Mrs. Boschert was a teacher in the public schools of La Crosse county. She first taught in the district school, and was afterwards appointed a teacher in the city schools. ►4»-»l-« EORGE EDWARDS.— In recording the history of any country, the growth and development of a community may always be traced to a few sturdy souls who gave not grudgingly, but with their whole hearts, the best oft'orts of their lives to carry- ing civilization to the frontier, and establish- ing those occupations which distinguish the progressive man from the untutored savage. It is to these men the highest honor is due, and it is their names that lead in the bio- graphical portion of the country's annals. Such a man was George Edwards, a retired lumberman of La Crosse, residing on the corner of Sixth and Vine streets. He was born at Windsor, Broome county. New York, December 1. 1818, and is a son of Joseph and Abigail (Buel) Edwards, natives of the State of New York. The father was born April 16, 1791, and died in July, 1853; he was reared in Broome county, New York, on the Susquehanna river. A family of six sons were born to them, four of whom were born in Broome county: the two youngest were born in Chenango county, to wdiich place the family moved about the year 1822. Their names are: Simon B., Francis F., Edward F., Daniel C, deceased; Loren J., deceased, and George, the subject of this biographical sketch, who was the third-born. The mother was born in 1789, and died in 1868. The parents were both consistcTit members of the Baptist Church for many years. Ebenezer 214 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Edwards, tlie paternal grandfather, was a lumberman on the Delaware river. At the age of nineteen years George Edwards went to Lodi Plains, Michigan, where he spent one summer working by the montii. In the fall of 1838 he tied his ward- robe up in a red bandana handkerchief and made a tour of the Great Lakes, his object being to investigate the resources of the frontier country, he arrived in Wisconsin just before the land sales, found tiie people poor and the crops a failure. In spite of all the discouragements he located at Troy, Walworth county, and hired to Augustus Smith to split rails at $12 per month. The profit of ills services was in proportion to the bill of fare furnished by his employer, rather meager. In the spring of 1839 he purchased 100 acres of land, and determined to double it within three years. He saved his earnings, bought the land, and built a shanty, and also bought a yoke of oxen. He was then ready to cultivate his own land, but soon after he was taken with inflammatory rlieumatism; he was alone in his shanty at the tinie, but fortun- ately was soon discovered and taken to the home of his brother, who resided in East Troy. He was ill through the entire sum- mer, and came near passing to the silent beyond. It was during this illness that he sold his land for $1,000. After his recovery he opened a grocery store in East Troy, Wis- consin. While engaged in this business he returned to New York, and August 25, 1847, he was united in marriage to Miss Electa Edwards, a daughter of William and Lodama (Smith) Edwards, honored residents of Broome county, New York. He carried on the grocery trade until his health failed, when he spent a winter in Texas; in the spring he returned to East Troy, and in 1853 he came to La Crosse county and purchased 320 acres of land near West Salem; in 1854 he came to the city of La Crosse, made some purchases of town lots, and moved his family to the place in 1855. He formed a partner- ship with B. P. Hart in the hardware busi- ness, and they conducted a successful trade until 1859, when the store and stock went up in flames. This enterprising firm was not long in recoverinjj from the conflagration, and carried on business three years after the lire. It was at this time that Mr. Edwards era- barked in the lumber and wheat business, in which enterprises he has been more than ordinarily successful. He is a man of ex- cellent business ability, keen foresight and sound judgment. He has for many years taken a leading place in the commercial cir- cles of La Crosse county, and no man stands higher in the estimation of the people. He was Mayor of La Crosse for one term, but declined re-election, as his private business required his undivided attention. He was also Alderman for several terms, and in his official capacity used every effort to advance the interests of the city. Mr. Edwards has been a wide traveler, having visited every State and Territory in the Union, Cuba, the Bermudas, and old Mexico. He now has in contemplation a six-months trip to the Gulf of Mexico. He and his wife have had born to them four children: Georgia F., wife of William W. Tayloj-, and the mother of two children; George E. and Bessie A.; Emma L., wife of W. Ernest Polleys; she was the mother of one child, Irene E.; her death occurred June 11, 1891; she was a woman of great benevo- lence, tender-hearted, and the friend of the unfortunate everywhere; Minnie A., the wife of Joseph M. Parsons; the youngest child, Gracie M., died of diphtheria at the age of ten years. The mother of these children died March 20, 1876; she was born April 6, BIOORAPHIGAL HISTORY. 215 1822, and was one of a family of nine chil- dren, only one of whom survives. She was a woman of many rare traits, .and greatly ad- mired by a wide circle of friends. Mr. Edwards is a member of the 1. O. O. F., and has passed all the chairs of the order. Ijj^IIILLir McGONNELL, one of the leading agriculturists of La Crosse county, was born in Wayne county, In- diana, September 20, 1838, and is a son of David and Catherine (Hineman) McConnell, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a wheelwright by trade, but devoted the latter years of his life to farming. He removed with his family from Indiana to Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1839, and thence to Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, in 1843. In 1852 they came to Farmington, La Crosse county, where they experienced many of the priva- tions of frontier life. Mr. McConnell entered land, and purchased some that had already been improved. He died in 1860, at the age of sixty-six years; his wife died in 1871, at the age of seventy-seven years. Both were worthy members of the Presbyterian Church. They had a family of ten children, five of whom are living. Phillip McConnell began business for himself by teaching school when the system was yet in a primitive slate. He followed this calling for three years, and then embarked in the mercantile and milling business, at the same time conducting the cultivation of a farm. He afterwards dis- posed of his commercial interests, and for many years gave his entire attention to agri- culture. He made some investments in grain, and lumber and live-stock, but withdrew his money from these enterprises and went back to farming. He is numbered among the largest and most successful agriculturists, and the stock he has put on the market has been of the best grade. He owns two large farms at the present time, located one-half mile east of the West Salem railroad station. His residence is pleasantly situated on a natural building site, overlooking the wide and fertile valley and affording a beautiful view of the hills beyond; the building is frame and is large and conveniently arranged; the barns and sheds for the live-stock are substantial, and the whole place has an air of thrift and prosperity. Mr. McConnell is proi^ressive in his viev?s, and lends a generous support to those enterprises which tend to the up-build- ing of the community. He has been Treasurer of the town, discharging his duties with rare fidelity. Politically he is identified with the Republican party. His marriage, which occurred January 1, 1862, was to Miss Margaret E. Van Ness, a daughter of John Van Ness, a well-known citizen of West Salem. To Mr. and Mrs. McConnell have been born four children: John E , an attorney of La Crosse; Myrtie M., one of the teachers of the county who is now attending the Normal School at Osh- kosh, Wisconsin; Carl P., a member of the senior class of the West Salem High School, and Wesley G. The father and mother are members of the Presbyterian Church. LEXANDER JOHNSON is numbered among the intelligent, enterprising, and ^ successful men of West Salem. He is a native of the Dominion of Canada, born June 25, 1859, and is a son of Johannes Mikkelson and Maline Thoreson, natives of Norway. The father was a farmer by occu- pation, and followed that calling after coming to this country. He emigrated to America with his family in 1859, and settled nea' 216 BIOORAPUIGAL HISTORY. Fanniiigton, La Crosse county; at the end of two years he sold out and removed to Hol- land, Wisconsin. He was horn April 4, 1813, and died Deceinher 30, 1888. His wife was horn January 3, 1816, and died November 26, 1891. They had eleven children, eight of whom are living; there were six sons and five daughters. Alexander Johnson was educated in the common schools of Wisconsin, and also took a course in the La Crosse Business College. At the age of twenty-two years he embarked in business on his own account, opening a drug store in West Salem, and does a thriving business. In 1889 he was appointed Postmaster of West Salem, and has given good satisfaction in his official position. He is an ardent Re- pul)lican, and always gives a zealous support to the movements of that body. Mr. Johnson was married, June 5, 1883, to Miss Anna K. Gudmundson, a native of Nor- way, and a daughter of Hans and Bolette Gudmundson, highly respected residents of La Crosse valley. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born four children: James H., Melvin B., Abbie J., and Alexander A. The parents are members of the Norwegian Lu- theran Chutch, and occupy an enviable po- sition among the prosperous citizens of La Crosse county. ||Sjfef ILLIAM A. IMHOFF is one of the 'l\/:\ji; enterprising citizens of La Crosse, 1—^j^ and is the proprietor of a prosperous business. He was born at Higaland, Iowa county, Wisconsin, April 22, I860, and is a son of Anton and Christine (Borichter) Im- hofF, natives of Germany. Both the father and mother were born in Hanover, and the former was a carpenter by trade. His early youtli was spent in his own country, but be- lieving the opportunities greater in America, he crossed the Atlantic and took up his resi- dence in the United States. He located at Highland, Iowa, and during the latter part of his life followed farming. The mother of our subject came to America in her girlhood. They reared a family of two sons and live daughters, William A. Imhoff being the sixth-born ciiild. He passed his youth in Highland, and at the age of nineteen years began to learn the harness-maker's trade at Muscoda, Wisconsin. He completed his ap- prenticeship there, and in 1880 came to La Crosse, where he has since conducted a suc- cessful business. He manufactures all kinds of harness and saddles, and has established a substantial trade. Mr. Imhoff was married to Miss Theresa Schilling, a daughter of Rudolf and Johanna Schilling, natives of Germany. They have had born to them one son and two daughters: Idel, Emma, and William A., Jr. The par- ents are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Imhoff belongs to St. Boniface's Society, to the Casino, and to the La Crosse Diocesan Life Insurance Com- pany. He has built and improved some city property, owns a pleasant residence on State street and a good business block on Tliird street. He is a stockholder of the Inter-State Fair Association, and takes an active interest in those enterprises which are of public benefit. He is a citizen in every way worthy of the country he has adopted. •°* "^^ * S"! ' iJ ICHAEL KRATCHIVIL, manufac- turing confectioner. La Crosse, Wis- consin, is a native of Germany, born March 17, 1854, a son of Frank and Theresa (Kohlae) Kratchivil. His parents bade fare- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 217 well to the "Fatherland" in 1854, crossed the sea and took up their residence in a strange country among a strange jjeople. They settled in Washington township, Mil- waukee county, Wisconsin, about twelve miles from the city of Milwaukee. Michael was an infant when he was brought to this country, and here received his education. He learned his trade in Milwaukee and Chi- cago, and afterwards worked as a journeyman in many of the large cities in this coiintrj'. In 1881 he came to La Crosse and estab- lished himself in the candy-manufacturing business in a small way. The excellence of his goods soon created a good demand, and by faithfully sustaining the high standard he has built up a trade throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota. He has two traveling sales- men all the year, and gives employment to thirteen skilled workmen. Mr. Kratchivil was married in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Miss Annie Hale, who died, leaving two children, Katie and Elle. Mr. Kratchivil was married a second time, at La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Miss Emily Joslin, a native of this city. They have no children. The first wife of our subject was a full com- municant of the Roman Catholic Church. "^'^■>^J*S*""'°' fcpMIL BERG, superintendent of the de- livery department of the La Crosse Postoffice, and leader of the Normanna Sangerkor and Frohsinn, was born at Trond- jem, Norway, December 12, 1843, a son of Ebbe Berg, by his marriage to Christine (Lund) Berg. His father was an ofKcer in the commissary department of the artillery of Norway, and is a descendant of agricult- ural ancestry. The general characteristics of the Bergs were large stature, hardy constitn- tion and long life. On the mother's side the ancestry were Swedes, although she was born in Norway. They had seven sons and two daughters. Mr. Emil Berg received his education in the public schools of Trondjem, and in early life showed a strong predilection for music. He however learned the furrier's trade in liis native town. At the age of twenty-three years he came to America, locating in Chi- cago, where he followed his trade-one season, for which there was not sufficient demand. Then he engaged in upholstery, in the mean- time devoting his attention to mnsic. His fine tenor voice and his love for tiie old Norse songs made him favorably known in the mu- sical circles of tiiat city, and in the fall of 1866 he organized the singing society named Nora, the first Norwegian singing society or- ganized in that city. During the fall of 1868 it was merged into the Freja, Mr. Berg being elected leader of both societies. In the spring of 1869 he came to La Crosse, where he has since resided with the exception of four years in Decorah, Iowa, where he went to assume the leadership of the "Luren," a singing society. June 1, 1869, soon after his arrival in La Crosse, he was elected leader of the "Normanna," which position he held until 1880, excepting the four years men- tioned. In that year this society divided, half going with the Norden society and half working independently. Mr. Berg was elected leader upon being admitted to the Norden society, and held the position for several years, and as an appreciation of his labors was elected an honorary' member of the Nor- den society. For several years he was also leader of the Sextten Harmonien, and at one time leader of the quartet Gauken, and for two years leader of the La Crosse Valley Singing Society at West Salem, this State. During the summer of 1889 the Norske Sangerkor was organized with Mr. Berg as 218 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. leader, which society in the fall of 1890 joined the Normanna Sangerkor, and Mr. Berg was again elected to the leadership, which position he still holds. Since March 1, 1890, he has also conducted the German singing society, Frohsinn. Mr. Berg is un- doubtedly the oldest Scandinavian leader of song in the Northwest, if not in America; and it is to be hoped that he may live a great many years yet to labor in the field he is so aJniirably fitted to fill. In the early part of the year 1870 the Normarna society had an active membership of thirty or moi-e, and at that time was the only singing society known beyond their im- mediate neighborhood. May 17, 1872, the Normanna assisted Ole Bull in his concert at Madison, given for the purpose of creating a fund for the establishment of a Scandinavian library at the State University there. lu 1874 Mr. Hoppe was elected leader of the Nonnaiina, and served for a year. From 1875 to 1878 the society lay dormant, but in the last named year it obtained a new lease of lite and re-elected Mr. Berg leader. In 1880 E. B. Rynning was elected leader, and served several years. In the fall of 1890 the Norske San^rerkor and the Normanna united and elected Mr. Berg leader. The society is at present in a fionrishiiig condition, having thirty-two active members and fifty-five hon- orary. Mr. Berg has been a member of the 1. O. O. F. for the past twenty-two years, having passed all the chairs, and is also a member of the encampment; and he has served the order in many of its ofiices. Being District Deputy Grand Master, he represented the lodges here at the Grand Lodge on different occasions. August 1, 1870, he was appointed delivery clerk at La Crosse Postotfice, and served through all the grades of office here np to his present position. Although he has a number of times been offered municipal office, he would never accept them. Mr. Berg was married in La Crosse, to Ella Ranber, a native of Norway and a daughter of Andrew Kanber by his marriage to Miss Sophie Naess, who came to America in 1853, settling in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Berg have one son and two daughters, namely: Ebbe, a mercantile clerk of bright promise; Ragna and Nora. LBERT V. FETTER, contracting plumber, steam and gas fitter, occupies a prominent place in commercial circles in La Crosse county, and is entitled to the following space in the history of her leading men. lie was born near Fountain City, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, April 22, 1866, and is a son of Ferdinand and Dorothea (Eder) Fetter, natives of Germany. The father was a lawyer by profession, and emi- grated from Prussia to America when a young man, locating at Fountain City, Wis- consin, where for many years he was favor- ably known as a member of the legal pro- fession. In the latter years of his life he became a resident of Alma, Wisconsin, and was County Judge of Buffalo county at the time of his death, which occurred October 16, 1876. He was a man of unquestioned integrity, and discharged the duties of his office with a fidelity that won him the highest esteem of the people. Of his family, fonr sons and two daughters survive: Norman is the associate editor of West's Law Publish- ing House, St. Paul, a lawyer by profession; Albert V., the subject of this notice; Harvey J. is a civil engineer by profession, and is now chief engineer of the Duluth Terminal Railway Company; John P. is also a civil engineer, employed by the Northern Pacific BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 219 Railroad Company; Hannah and Ella M. are the two daughters. Albert V. spent his early youth in Alma, Wisconsin, and at the age of fourteen years started out to meet the responsibilities of life. He first engaged as a clerk, and was thus occupied for several years. He then became interested in steamboats, but he abando7ied this enterprise in 1888 to estab- lish the business in which he is now engaged. In this undertaking he has been more than usually prosperous, and has won an enviable reputation as a progressive and substantial citizen. He is a charter member of the La Crosse Builders' Exchange, and belongs to the La Crosse Board of Trade. In 1891 Mr. Fetter joined E. T. Mueller in business for the purpose of manufacturing a patent tool to be used in the plumbing business. Our worthy subject was married in La Claire, Iowa, to Miss Mae Orwig Hil bourne, a native of that place and a daughter of John and Kate Hilbourne, natives of the State of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hilbourne's maiden name was Schreiner. .. .g - M; . ^ fllOMAS W. CUMMINGS, funeral di- rector and undertaker. La Crosse, Wis- consin, is a native of the State of Illinois, born at Galena, November 15, 1854. His parents, Andrew and Catherine (Murphy) Cummings, were natives of Ireland, but in 1849 they bade farewell to the beautiful "Emerald Isle" and sailed away to America. The father was a grocer by trade, and carried on a thriving business in Dubuque, Iowa, from 1856 until the time of his death, which occurred in June, 18(i5. He and his wife reared a family of four sons and four daugh- ters: Mary married Richard O'Brien, a merchant of Independence, Iowa; Simon is a resident of La Crosse; Bridget is the wife of George Higgins, an engineer of St. Louis, Missouri; Maggie is the wife of John Lark- ins; T. W. ; Annie, wife of Peter Pauls; Walter J. died at Bismarck, Dakota, leaving a wife and one son; John C. died in Dubuque, leaving a wife and two daughters; they had buried four children in infancy; Thomas W. is the subject of this biographical sketch. He obtained a good education in Dubuque, and early in life began clerking in a grocery store; subsequently he was employed in a saloon and billiard hall, and in 1886 he came to La Crosse, where he carried on the saloon business until 1889. He then embarked in the embalming and undertaking business, and has met with fair success. Mr. Cummings was married in Dubuque, Iowa, to Miss Phebe Reah, a native of Iowa and a daughter of David and Sarah J. (Blake) Reah. Of this union two sons and two daughters have been born: Bertha, Andrew D., Stella and Ambrose. The parents are members of the Roman Catholic Church, while Mr. Cummings belongs to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin and to the Ancient Order of Hibernians. fLORENS SCHILDMANN, of the firm of Weide & Schildmann, saloon-keepers, La Crosse, was born October 31, 1855, in Westphalia, Germany, in the town of Bielefeldt. His father, William, who had married Elsabeth Eberfeldt, was a carpenter by occupation and came to America in 1856, witli his family, locating at Quincy, Illinois. Four years afterward he moved to Sank City, Wisconsin, and three years after that, in 1862, to La Crosse, where he has since made his home. He reared two sons and three daughters. 220 Bl Oa RAPHIGAL HISTOR Y. Mr. Schildinann, whose name introduces this sl\etcli, grew to manhood in La Crosse, obtained a fair education in the common school, and has since been engaged in keep- ing a saloon. He has served four years as Alderman of the Eighth Ward; has been chairman of the Committee on the Poor, and member of the Committees on License and Health. He is a member of the Society of the Sons of Hermann, of the Deutscher Verein and also of tiie Third Ward Aid Society. He married Miss Margaretha Dalineli, a native of Germany and a daughter ot Freder- ick and Margaretha Dahnell. They have two sons and three daugliters, namely: Emma, Louisa, Walter, William and Florence Minnie. fHOMAS HANSEN, a contractor and builder of La Crosse, is one of the char- ter members of the Builders' Exchange of tli;it city, and has been prominently ident- ified with her building interests since 1869, when he emigrated to America. He was born in Norway, near Lillihamer, March 1, 1844, and is the son of Hans and Carrie (Jensen) Thomsen. His father was a farmer and merchant; his death occurred in 1859. Thomas Hansen learned the carpenters' trade in his native country, and in 1869, as before stated, crossed the sea to America, believing that the opportunities aiforded in the new world were greater than those of the old. After landing he came direct to La Crosse, and here established himself in the contracting and building business. He is also a millwright, and for several years he followed this occupation throughout Minne- sota, Dakota, Nebraska and Wisconsin. His efforts have been rewarded with a fair measure of success, and his relations with his iiewlj' adopted mother country have been of a very pleasant cliaracter. Mr. Hansen was married in Norway to Miss Elisabeth Erickson, and of this union eight children have been born: Henry, the oldest, a promising young man, died at the age of nineteen years; those living are: Louisa and Hilda, five children havincr died in child- hood. tOUIS N. NELSON is one of the most skilled painters and decorators of Li Crosse, where he has resided since 1888. He was born in Madison, Wisconsin, Novem- ber 24, 1862, and is a son of Thomas A. and Lena (Grendley) Nelson, natives of Norway. The parents were born in Skien, about 12U miles from Christiania, and emi- grated to America in 1853 or 1854. Other members of the Nelson and Grendley families also crossed the sea, and the greater number settled near Milwaukee, although branches of the Grendley family are scattered over Wis- consin and Michigan. Louis N. Nelson grew to manhood in Madi- son, Wisconsin, where he learned his trade from his father, who was a prominent painter and decorator in that city. In 1888 he came to La Crosse, as befoi'c stated; after arriving in this city he formed a partnei'ship with O. J. Oyen; this relationship existed until 1890, when it was dissolved by mutual consent. Since that time Mr. Nelson has conducted the business alone, and has met with marked success. Thoroughly well fitted for his line of work and possessed of those sterling traits of character which win and hold confidence, he has made for himself an enviable reputa- tion among the business men of La Crosse. He is a member of the Builders' Exchange of La Crosse, and is deeply interested in the success of the ortcanization. V. "-^'^^r GK^ynan^KY BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 221 He was married in Madison, Wisconsin, to Miss Margaret Agnes Connell, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Connell, and of this union one son has been born, Louis T. -'■^^rin/b- ■lany-'^^ I^HjONS ANDERSON.— America is in- debted to all the nations of the earth S^^ for her inhabitants, and no country lias contributed a more upright, honorable class of citizens than has Norway, the birth- place of Mons Anderson, one of the most highly respected residents of La Crosse, Wis- consin. He was born at Valders, June 8, 1830, a son of Anders and Mary (Knudson) Anderson, both of whom were natives of Nor- way. His father was a farmer by occupation, and died when our subject was but a lad. During his boyhood he was educated in the common schools, and at the age of sixteen (being the oldest in the family) lie bade fare- well to his friends and the pine-clad hills of his native land, and sailed across the sea to America, locating after his arrival in Mil- waukee. He was fortunate in securing em- ployment with Hon. Daniel Wells, a member of Congress from Milwaukee, and then pro- prietor of the City Hotel. He remained in Mr. Wells' employ for three years, two of which he was a student in Prof. Balk's school. He spent one year as a salesman in the grocery store of Herbert Reed, giving entire satisfaction to his employer and win- ning many friends among the customers. Observing the necessity of capital to achieve success in the older Eastern cities, he determined to push farther West, and, at- tracted by the commercial prospects of La Crosse, he came to this city when it was a small village, in 1851. He first engaged as clerk in the store of S. T. Smith, which was located on Front street, and in 1853 became a 18 partner in the establishment. He later formed a partnership with W. W. Ustick, which continued one j'ear. He was then alone for some years, his next partner being S. E. Olesou, with whom he was associated for two years. Then Mr. Anderson successfully continued the business alone for several years, while his two sons were l)eing fitted for the responsi- bility of the increasing trade. In 1885 Mr. Anderson took both of his sons into the company, the firm then being known as Mons Anderson & Sons. His oldest son, Alfred H., acquired a large interest in what was then Washington Territory, and it soon became apparent that it required his personal attention, so he withdrew from the linn, and moved there to take charge of his own interests. It was then thought advis- able, as being the popular system, to organize into a stock company, to be known as The Mons Anderson Company, which was done in January, 1891. Samuel W. then became the mainstay of his father in the management. His fine block on the corner of Main and Second streets has been built from time to time as the business demanded, being always ahead of the town. It has been a common remark that he has the largest establishment of its kind in America in proportion to the population. He has been in active business forty years, and is to-day the oldest business man by many years, on the Mississippi river, above Galena. The question would naturally arise in the reader's mind, "Why did not Mr. Anderson move to a larger place many years ago where his enterprise and push could be appreci- ated?" His answer would be, that he would rather be a leader in the city of La Crosse than a follower in some larger city. At the present time, Mr. Anderson em- ploys traveling men by the dozen, and employs, lUOORAFUWAL HISTORY. in his factory and store by the hundreds. His goods find a ready market in Western Wisconsin and in Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and tlie Dakotas, and tiie annual output exceeds a million dollars. Tlie writer was sliown through tlie various departments of tlie manufactory and ware- liouses, and was surprised at finding such a mammoth establishment in a city the size of La Crosse. From ofBces to engine room, every department evinces neatness and order and the strict business methods that prevail therein. It is one of Mr. Anderson's characteristics, tiiat he always wants his customers and visi- tors to be happily disappointed and find it more extensive than represented or expected. One feature wortliy of retnark, is that Mr. Anderson started out in an early day to have strictly one price, and everyone treated alike, and to have goods represented as they were. This is the key to his success. At one time he did a wholesale dry-goods, retail dry-goods and 7iiillinery, and retail clotliing business. Ilis retail dry-goods and millinery traffic was the second largest in the State. As the country developed and the city grew, his wholesale operations steadily in- creased, making it necessary tliat some of the minor interests should be dispensed with. In 1885 he closed out liis retail estal)lishinetits, and since that time has been duing a whole- sale dry-goods and manufacturing business. Mr. Anderson attributes his success in a measure to the fact that wlien lie gets trust- wortiiy employees he manages to retain them in his service. Among those who have served him long and faithfully, are Mr. J. T. Van Valkenburg; the old veteran "Uncle John" Halvorson; his trusted bookkeeper, Mr. Louis Streeter, who is secretary and treasurer of the present firm; Mr. Fred Hauifgaarn, manager of the manufacturing department, and many others. Mr. Anderson has not only witnessed the growth of La Crosse from a mere hamlet to the beautiful city it now is, but has actively participated in all tliat pertained to its ma- tured advancement. He has built up a business wiiich is an honor to himself and a credit to the city. As the city has grown, and competitors have entered the field, he has maintained his superior position in com- mercial circles by the excellence of his goods aTid his uniformly courteous and honorable dealing. He is a man positive in his con- victions, and of marked characteristics and unusual ability. While his life has been one of busy usefulness, its cares have set lightly upon him, for he retains his youthful vigor and activity in a marked degree. Courteous alike to customers, employees or strangers, he is the highest type of the genuine Ameri- can business man and gentleman, whom to know is a pleasure. In his pursuit of wealth he has i,ot been unmindful of the comfort of his employees, nor has he been wanting in public spirit. He is a liberal contributer to those enterprises which are calculated to benefit the city, either morally or intellectually. System and good judgment a"-e noteworthy features of all his operations, and his integrity rendered his credit '-gilt-edged," not only at home but abroad. He has accumulated a handsome competence, and enjoys the highest regard of the social and commercial world in which he moves. -^^^^^==<> I L L I A M W I E L E, of the firm of Wiele & Schildmann, proprietors of ^^.^ a saloon in La Crosse, was born in Penskowo, in the province of Posen, Ger- many, March 21, 1859, a son of William and BIOORAPHIGAL HISTORY. Amanda (Hein) Wiele. His father was a farmer, and liis paternal grandfather a dis- tiller by trade, but mostly engaged in farm- ing. On the maternal side his forefatliers were generally millers. Mr. Wiele completed his apprenticeship in the grocery trade and catne to America in 1878, locating in Alleghany county, Penn- sylvania, near Pittsburg, where he was a farmer for a short time. Ne.\t lie was for a siiort time at Albert Lea, Minnesota, keeping a saloon, and finally, in 1881, came to La Crosse. Here, for four years he was employed at Heileinan's brewery; next he was clerk for a year for Mr. Wehansen in the cigar trade; then was mail carrier about a year; and then for a year was clerk for Joiin Schil- ling, a clothing merchant; and since 1886 he has been conducting a good saloon. In 1891 he was elected Supervisor for the Third "Ward. He is a member of the Germania Society, has served as its president; has been secretary of the Liederkranz; has passed all the chairs in the society of the Sons of Herman; and is one of the stockholders in the Inter State Fair Association. He is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen. IHARLES A. BARTZ is one of the many successful contractors and build- ers of La Crosse, and is also one of the many honored citizens for whom America is indebted to Germany. His birth-place is Polnow, about thirty miles from Berlin, and the date of his birth is October 3, 1855. His parents, John and Phillipena (Schwartz) Bartz, emigrated to the United States and settled in La Crosse. . The father was the owner of a considerable amount of property; his death occurred here in 1877, and his wife passed from this life in 1889. Charles received his education in the com- mon schools, and in ins youth chose the busi- ness of contracting and buildinp; for his occupation in life. In 1881 he became iden- tified with the building interests of La Crosse, and has won his share of the patronage of the city and surrounding country. Among the many buildings he has erected may be mentioned the residences of Stephen Gautert, Samuel Anderson, J. J. Fruit, and Alderman jSTeumeister. He is a member of the Build- ers' Exchange, was an early advocate of its establishment, and assisted very aiaterially in its oganization. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen and of the Progressive National Union. He is deeply interested in the prosperity of his fellow-craftsmen and may be relied upon to protect and sustain their interests. ^5=^ ^==S' ARL LUDWIG BORRESON, of tlie iUlvi ^"""^ ^^ Borreson Bros., general grocers, La Crosse, was born in the city of Lil- lehammer, in Eastern Norway, January 30, 1842, a son of Borre Hansen Borreson, by his marriage to Elizabeth l^undgren, who was of Swedish descent though born in Norway. The forefathers of the Borreson line were generally engaged in the professions, especial- ly that of teaching. The father of our sub- ject, however, was an architect, and also served the public as Justice of the Peace and Mayor of the city. He ended his useful and active life in his native city, Lillehammer, in 1878, at about the age of seventy years. At the age of twelve years Mr. Carl L. Borreson, our subject, began in mercantile business, serving an apprenticeship. In the spring of 1870 he left his native country, spent eight months in Germany and traveled ill England, and in the fall of 1870 came to 224 nroGitAP/iivA L Hisroii r. America, and direct to La Crosse. Here he began as clerk and l)ook-keeper for Charles B. Soldberg, a wholesale grocer, and continned in that position ten years. He then became liead manager of the retail department of this firm fur two years, having an interest in the business, and tlien, in the spring of 1883. formed willi William Joosten a partnership in the grocery business, wholesale and retail. Ill the spring of 1886 he sold his interest there to liis partners, and the next fall joined his brother Henry, in his present business, already mentioned. He was married in La Crosse to Miss Han- nah Matilda Wederwang, a native of Thoten, Eastern Norway , and adaughterof Matthias W. and Mary Wenderwang. The mother of Mrs. Borreson came to America with her daughter in 1865, settling in La Crosse, where she still resides. Mrs. Borreson died in 1875, leav- ing two daughters: Lillie Mary Elisabeth and Hannah Matilda Borgia. She was an earnest b liever in the Lutheran Church. Mr. Borreson's second marriage, wliich occurred December 26, 1877, was to Miss Josephine Hermine Bolette Haugan, who was born at Drammen, Norway, May 6, 183'J. She was a schoolteachei' in her native country, and also taught in Chicago after coining to America in 1865. Her father was a manu- facturer of wagons at Drammen for some years, and then moved to Christiania, the capital of Norway, where he was engaged in the same business; and while there he served the city as Alderman for a number of years. He came to America in 1860, and in 1870 located at La Crosse, where he died three years later. By his second marriage Mr. Borreson has one son and one daughter; Borge Haugan, born July 7, 1879, and Bertha Christine Ambrosia, born October 9, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Borreson are worthy members of the Lutheran Church. In tliis religious body Mr. Borreson has been very zealous and efficient, holding va- rious official positions. He was a member of the board of the church which located the Lutheran College of the Norwegian Synod of America at Decorah, Iowa, in the summer of 1889. In tlie summer of 1890 he was chairman of the building committee which 6uf)erintended the erection of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of this synod at North La Crosse. He has served bis ciiurch here as trustee for about fifteen years, as secretary about nine years and as treasurer three years. He lias been a member of the Scandinavian Society for six years, and was its president at the time of its dissolution and merging into the Norden Society. He is at present Super- vij^or of the Ninth Ward. Of his family, his two ehlest daughters are young ladies of bright promise, exhibiting the best traits of tiie Borreson line, in the profession of teaching. The eldest daughter is a student making rapid progress at the Milwaukee Normal School, and the other is now in her graduating year in the high school, and will also complete a thorough course of training for the teachers' profession. fOSEI'H ANp ERANK SCHWALBE, builders and contractors. La Crosse, Wis- consin. — Josejih Schwalbe was born in Austria, near Prague, at the village of Aucha, June 19, 1S29, and is the son of a contractor and builder, whose ancestors for many gener- ations had followed the same calling. He received a good education in Prague and completed a thorough course of training in the architectural schools of that city. Upon attaining his twenty-first year, he embarked BIOOBAPHICAL HISTORY. 235 in the business of contracting and building, wliieh he conducted until 1S69, when he came to America and located in St. Louis, Mis- souri. There he remained thirteen months, but at the end of that time, came to La Crosse, where he has since made his home. He has been prominently identified with the building interests of the place, and has very materially aided the growth and development of this industry. He was married in his native village to Miss Lizzie Of this union ten children were born, three sons and four daugh- ters, in Germany, and two sons and one daughter in this country; three sons and three daughters survive: Mary is the wife of Joseph Schubert, of LaCrosee; Joseph is a real-estate agent in West Superior, Wisconsin; Frank; Lizzie is the wife of Lorens Schent, of La Crosse; Line, and William, a book- keeper by occupation. Frank Schwalbe, the junior member of the firm, was born at Aucha, Austria, October 8, 1863, and is a son of Joseph Schwalbe. He received his education in La Crosse, and early in life took up the business of his father. In 1888 the present partnership was formed. He was married in this city to Miss Charlotta Kohlhaus, a daughter of Jacob Kohlhaus. Of this union two sous have been born; Frank and Arthur. He is a member of the La Crosse Board of Trade and of the Germania Society, being an honored official of the latter. Mr. Schwalbe and his son Frank are both members of the Builders' Exchange, and are among the leading members of their craft. Among the many buildings whicli they have erected may be mentioned the Weileman Brewing Company's plant, Zeister's Brewery, tlie largest portion of the Gund Brewing Company's plant, most of the C. J. Michel, Brewing Company's plant, the Eagle Brew- ery, the Vogel Brewery, the West Wisconsn Machine Shops, the Tivoli (a summer garden), Peter Lehman's Garden, Doerre's Block, City Hall of La Crosse, Mr. Wheeler's residence on Tenth and Cass streets, etc. •°^' "^ * ?"S ' ^" '"*>' — SRANCIS XAVIER DE LOREA, whose business career in La Crosse has been a most satisfactory one, has been a resi- dent of the county since 1873, and has won an enviable position among his fellow-build- ers. He was born in the city of Montreal, July 4, 1837, and is a son of Battiste and Susan (Roussant) De Lorea. His father was a farmer by occupation, but agriculture pre- sented few attractions to young Francis Xavier, and he took up the carpenter's trade, which he learned very thoroughly in his na- tive city. In 1861 he came to the United States, and until 1873 worked as a journey- man in the various cities of tlie Union. Since locating in La Crosse he has come to be rec- ognized as one of the most intelligent con- tractors and has won his share of patronage. He erected the Sixth Ward schoolhouse, the McMillan building, the Methodist Episcopal Church, the La Crosse Abattoir, the business block of the Norwegian Workingmen's Soci- ety, the Lienlokken building, and many of the finest residences. During the past seven years he has given considerable attention to contracting and building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, meeting with very encouraging results. Mr. De Lorea was married in La Crosse to Miss Emma E. Rawlinson. He and bis wife are regular communicants of the Episcopal Church, and are members of the congregation of Christ Church. He is a worthy Sir Knight of tlie Masonic order, and belongs to the Kniirhts of Honor. Mrs. De Lorea is a 226 JilOORAPHICAL HISTORY. Worthy Matron of tlie Eastern Star, and is an active otticial of that society. Onr subject is a member of tlie directory of tiie Hnilders' Exchange and was one of the prominent factors in tlie perfection of that organization. SENEY WILLIAM RAETZMANN, editor and proprietor of Der La Crosse VuU'sfreund, was born at Barum, Han- over, Germany, September 9, 1847. In October, 186G, lie emigrated to America, going directly to Reedsl)urg, Wisconsin; there he found employment in a general store as clerk, and also gave some time to the study of the English language, attending the public school for this purpose. He studied law in 1867-'(i8 with Mr. Joseph Mackey, one of the leading attorneys of Sauk county, and in 186'J became a student in the North- western University at Watertown, Wiscon- sin. In 1870 he again turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, and six years later he entered upon his career as a journalist, in which he has met with the most gratifying success. In December of that year he estab- lished at Reedsbnrg, Wisconsin, the Demo- cratic weekly newspaper called Der Sauk County IJerold, of which he has been the editor and publisher for fifteen years. He was Notary Public during this time, and held the agency for several steamship lines and ti\e different lire- insurance companies. He served as Justice of the Peace for two terms, being twice re-elected, but declining to accept the honor the third time it was conferred, as his private business required his undivided atten- tion. In January, 1891, Mr. Raetzmann removed to La Crosse with his family, and has resided in this city since that time. He also bought his printing material and established the new German Democratic paper, Der La Crosss Volksfreuiid, and a Sunday supplement called I 111 Fam'dienkreise. The Sauk County JLerold, fiiier having been published here for nearly ten months during 1891, was merged into the Yolksfreund, and is published in connection with that ] aper every Saturday under the name of the ILerold and Volks- freund. Der La Crosse Volksfreund is one of the leading German publications of the Northwest; is a bright, newsy sheet, ably edited and well conducted. Mr. Raetzmann was united in marriage April 30, 1874, to Miss Emilie Licht, who was born September 30, 1855, the eldest daughter of Henry Licht of Westtield. Mr. and Mrs. Raetzmann are the parents of seven children, six of whom are living: Ewald Ludolf Friedrich, born March 20, 1875; Amandus Hugo Lothar, born August 8, 1876, died March 12, 1887; Meta Louise Frieda, born December 25, 1878; Wilhehn Hermann, June 9, 1881; Ella Catharine Pauline, August 27, 1883; Paul Otto Werner, Jan- uary 11, 1886; Alfred Louis Julius, April 14, 1888. A. SLOANE, stamp clerk in the La Crosse, Wisconsin, postofKce, was ori- * ginally from Ilayesville, Ashland county, Ohio, his birth occurring March 28, 1846, and his parents, William and Elizabeth Ann (Williams) Sloane were natives of that State also. The father was at one time a miller, but subsequently Itecaiue baggage master on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chi- cago Railroad, holding that position from •1865 until 1873, when his death occurred. He was just forty-five years of age. During the civil war he served as a private in Com- BIOGRAPHICAL HI STORY. 227 pajiy 11, One Hundred and Second Ohio In- fantry, and was on gnard and garrison duty. He was discharged on account of sickness after the tirst year. He was for many years a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he was an Abolition Republican. His wife is still living, is sixty- three years of age, and resides at Crestline, Ohio. There were four children born to this union, E. A. Sloane being the eldest. The others are: John, on the railroad at Peoria, llliijois; William, a blacksmith at Gallion, Ohio, and Rudolph B. E. A. Sloane was reared in town, learned the printer's trade at twelve years of age, and followed that until he enlisted, July, 1862, in Company D, One Hundred and Second Ohio Volunteer In- fantry. His first battle was at Athens, Ala- bama, where he and many others were over- powered and captured after hard lighting. He was taken to Cahaba prison, Alabama, and there his treatment was horrible. He was captui'ed in September, 1864, and in March, 1865, the river overflowed, the prison was flooded, and the prisoners were obliged to stand in water up to their waists for one week. He weighed 130 pounds when he entered, and on coming out, in March, weighed but sixty pounds. General VV^ashburn, who had charge of the Confederate prisoners at Vicksburg sent word to prison at Cahaba, that if the prisoners at that point were not liberated im- mediately, he would hang everyone of their officers in his charge. They were soon after liberated. The prisoners were then sent to Vicksburg, and our subject was in the hospital for some time. He then becauie terribly homesick, had been out three years, and had seen the very roughest side of war- fare, and as a consequence lie slipped away from the hospital and ensconced himself on the Sultana, hoping to avoid the hospital sur- geons, so that he could make his way to his Northern " Home, sweet home." He was de- tected, however, and brought hack to the hospital by order of the surgeons, and thus. unwittingly on the part of those professional men, was presumably saved from the terrible calamity that overtook the Sultana, and sent 1,900 brave soldiers to a watery grave with- out a moment's warning. Mr. Sloane was discharged May 2, 1865, and it was a year bei'ure he recovered from his experience. After this he was on the railroad, and was conductor for twenty-one years. On the fourth of July, 1889, he met with a serious accident. He was tiring anvils, when the ring which connected them burst, and a flin- der struck his leg, necessitating its amputa- tion September 17, of the same year. Since April 14, 1890, he has been stamp clerk in the postofMce at La Crosse, Wisconsin, and has filled that position in a very acceptable manner up to date. Mr. Sloane was married on May 20, 1868, to Miss Clara Bowen, daughter of Captain Bowen of Port Huron, Michigan. They have two daughters living: Cora, wife of Fred Lampman, residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Grace, wife ot M. M. Conley, of Minneapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Conley have two children: Pearl and Wayne. Mr. Sloane is a men)ber of the G. A. R., of the order of Railroad Conductors, is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen. He is a Republican in politics, though somewhat independent. HENJAMIN E. EDWARDS, a promi- nent and influential citizen of La Crosse, Wisconsin, identified with many of the important business enterprises on foot in this city, is one whose biography will be found of interest to many. BIOGRAPHICAL HI STORY. Benjamin E. Edwards was horn in Wal- wortii county, Wisconsin, November 12, 1845, sou of Theodore B. and Adeline F. (Mc- Craeken) Edwards. Grandfather Julius Ed- wards came to Wisconsin at an early day, and Theodore B. Edwards came from North- ampton, Massachusetts, to this State in 1839, making settlement in La Crosse, in 1852. The latter was an active citizen and a public- spirited man. lie was engaged in the real- estate business and did uiucli toward building up and improving city property. In 1870 he went to California and established his home in Santa Clara county. The subject of our sketch was reared in La Crosse, and obtained a fair education in the ptruiic schools of this city, subsequently en- tering the preparatory school at Beloit. In the summer of 18G4 he enlisted in Company G, Fortieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and went to the front. He, however, saw no great amount of hard tightin^^- I^^ENJAMIN F. BRYANT.— The man from Maine has always been a potential element in the civilization and develop- ment of Wisconsin. The pine tree pointed the way for the pioneers, but along the woodman's trail came men of all vocations — merchants, mechanics and scholastic pro- fessors of every degree. No better blood ever infused pioneer life; no sturdier arm ever set about the task of subduing the wil- derness, and no less vigorous mental activity could have raised a great commonwealth amid the unbroken elements of nature within the limits of half a century. Very much of the strong, distinctive Americanism which Wisconsin has maintained almost co-equally with the other Eastern States, against an un- paralleled tide of immigration from every nation upon the earth, is due to the virility of the pioneer stock in which the ir*ine Tree State is so strongly represented. The war, which turned and overturned everything in the United States except t)ie fundamental principles of indissoluble union and universal liberty, called a halt upon the westward-journeying star of empire until every star in the national firmament, how- ever prone to wander, shall know and admit that its place was fixed and everlasting. The lessons of the war were not only to those who denied the nation; all men understood better that this was our common country, and the migrations, which before had seemed like leaving home for distant and alien lands, took on a changed aspect as the iron bound- aries of the State were leveled. The associa- tions of the war had also their influence. TJie men of Maine and Wisconsin stood side by side for a common cause on manj' fields, and the friendships cemented in sacrificial blood are not easily broken. When the last act in the great drama was accomplished, and half a million soldiers returned to peaceful civil life almost in a single day, thousands of home-seekers turned their faces toward the star of empire which again grandly took its way westward. Every Eastern State had its favorite Western State, and the men of Maine, still influenced by the magnetic pine tree as well as by the thought of friends who had preceded them, resumed their journey toward Wisconsin. There are occasional instances of one who paused upon the way to try the light of what we now call the Central States, but which thirty years ago seemed the far West to the New Englander. When such an one com- 230 BIOORAPUIOAL HISTOIiF. pleted his journey to Wisconsin, fulfilling his destiny as a Maine man, he was received with all the more complacency as one who came upon judgment and knowledge, and not because others liad beaten the path. Such an one was the subject of this sketch, Benja- min F. Bryant, who left Maine for Ohio in 1801, and first put his foot upon Wisconsin soil to dwell there in 1868, three years of the interim having been spent upon Southern battle-fields. The Judge, or Colonel, as he is called indiscriminately, is one of the best representatives of his native State, Wiscon- sin, that it has ever welcomed; proud of his birth-place; loyal to his alma mater, the ven- erable Bowdoin College; faithful in regard for statesmen and scholars that Maine has given the nation, yet from the start, thor- oughly assimilating all of western life except its crudeness, he was well fitted to do his share in the educational and social develop- ment of a relatively new community. Benjamin French Brj'ant, son of Benja- min and Lncy F. Bryant, was born at Rock- land, Maine, September 3, 1837. His father was a physician, born at New Vineyard, Franklin county, Maine, in 1803, himself the son of a farmer and blacksmith, who taught all his sons — many in number — the black- smith trade before their majority. The Bry- ants in New England were from the olden time workers in iron. Colonel Br^'ant's grandfather, of the maternal branch, Deacon Joseph French, was a farmer, who went into Maine from Massachusetts near the close of the last century, when Franklin county was a wilderness, and settled on a farm at South Chesterville before a tree had been felled on it, and cleared it himself. His daughter Lucy was born there in 1805. The farm is still owned and cultivated by descendants of the same name. Both branches of Colonel Bryant's family are old in New England, and settled in Mas- sachusetts near the middle of the seventeenth century. His fatiier's family are of English and Scotch extraction; his mother's of Eng- lish. His grandfather Bryant and sons were men of versatile talents and ready in speech. The mother's family have been from the earliest time among the sturdiest of New England people, usually farmers, but some- times hotel keepers, mechanics, merchants and physicians. Dr. John French, of Bath, New Hampshire, was Colonel Bryant's moth- er's uncle, and Ezra B. French, Second Au- ditor of the United States Treasury, was Dr. French's son and her cousin. Colonel Bryant lived in Maine from his birth until after his majority, attending com- mon schools only until he was seventeen years old. He then began to attend the Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Kent's Hill, in the town of Readtield, where his father and mother had completed their education. He there pursued his studies about six months each year for four years, fitting himself for teaching and also to enter college. As his father was too pooi' to assist him in his education, he was comjjelled to provide the ineans himself, and accordingly while at the academv and in college he worked on the farm each summer and tautrht school win- ters, and in this way defrayed the expenses of school. He left home when sixteen years old to take care of himself, and was with his parents afterward only for brief periods with long intervals. The young man had the full measure of American ambition, and upon the subject of education he said, "1 will." All things come to such if they are as steadfast as courageous; and in 1859 he entered Bowdoin College, in the class of 1863. He did not, however, complete the course. When his class graduated he was BlOORAPaiCAL HISTORY. 231 taking a higher course in patriotism with the Armj of the Cumberland in tiie Chick- amauga campaign. In 1856 his father liad removed to Huron county, Ohio, where the son joined him in 1861. Soon alter he en- tered the law office of Kennan & Stewart at Norwalk in that county. Legal studies as well as all other peaceful vocations were prosecuted under difficulties, with the war spirit growing into an intense passion thiougliout the land, and in August, 1862, Blackstone et id omne genus went hack upon the shelves to bide their time, while the young student went to the front as Sergeant in Company A, One Hundred and First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and participated in the j^rincipal battles of that section. After Stone River, Sergeant Bryant was commissioned First Lieutenant, and in March, 1864, Captain of his company. He was mustered out with his regiment at the close of the war, June 20, 1865. His military record tells its own story; promotion was won on the field, and was the reward for duty faithfully and courageously tlone. He was not alone of his familj' to serve the Union cause in the service of arms. His father had but three sons, all of whom were in the army. Colonel Bryant's oldest brother, John E. Bryant, was Captain in the Eighth Kegiinent Maine Volunteer Infantry. He entered the service with his regiment in 1861, and served three years. The young- est brother, Thomas C. Bryant, enlisted in 1863 in the Third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and served there until the close of the war. Alter returning from his military service Colonel Bryant completed his legal studies at Norwalk, Ohio, in the office where he had commenced them in 1861, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1866, at the spring term of the District Court for Huron county, and at once began to practice law there. He was married near the close of the war, to Miss Augusta A. Stevens, of North Fayette, Maine. She was educated at Kent's Hill, at the semi- nary which he had attended, and also at the female college there. In 1866 the young couple took up their residence at Norwalk, Oliio, and remained until the spring of 1868, when they removed to La Crosse in May, which has been their home to the present day. Few men have settled in La Crosse who made their presence felt more quickly and positively than Judge Bryant. He had an exceeding grace and 'suavity of manner that sometimes made his Irish friends inquire what part of the "ould sod" claimed the honor of his birth. When occasion arose for a public speech he stepped in an instant into pupular favor. His language was scholarly, forcible, poetical if occasion required, with a pungent savor of wit, and his method was at once persuasive and forcible. From the start Colonel Bryant w'as in such demand by the Republican party that his law practice would have fared ill had not good Yankee business sense set a limit upon too impor- tunate party demands. As it was he was forced against his intention, and almost against his will, into public life. He was County Judge of La Crosse county for one term of four years — from 1870 to 1874. He has been elected to the office of District At- torney of that county for three terms of two years each. In April, 1875, he was ap- pointed United States Pension Agent at La Crosse, and held the office until it was con- solidated, in July, 1877, with the St. Paul and Milwaukee agencies. From October, 1882, to September, 1885, he was Postmas- ter at La Crosse. Governor C. C. Washburn BIOORAPUIGAL UISTORT. and also Governor William E. Smith, of Wis- consin, appointed him Aid-de-catnp on tlieir staffs with rank of Colonel. He has also been active and prominent in the Grand Army; was a charter member and has been Commander of Wilson Colwell Post, G. A. R., of La Crosse; has also served as Senior Vice-Commander and Department Com- mander of this Department. He was one of the incorporators of the Wisconsin Veteran Home, established in 1887 nnder the aus- pices of the Grand Army of that State, and has been a member of the Board of Directors and treasurer of that institution. It is, perhaps, well that some more ex- tended allusion should be made to Judj^e Bry- ant in his capacity as a public speaker. In his practice he is best known as an advo cate, though he never goes into court with a case without knowing thoroughly all the law bearing upon it. If the announcement is made that Judge Bryant is to address the jury, people make it a point to get around and hear what he has to say. He likes very well to compose an address — to set his thoughts clearly and logically in array with felicitous simile and apt quotations; but he is also one of the few men who can make a speech under the inspiration of the hour that will, without addition or emendation, read like a polished essay when it appears in print. A notable instance of this faculty is found in his speech at the annual encamp- ment of the Grand Army of the Republic at Milwaukee in 1887, on the Dependent Pen- sion bill, which was taken down by the stenographers as spoken, and printed without revision, a sheech made without preparation and called out by the occasion, but that stands as one of the ablest and most eloquent ad- dresses ever delivered in Wisconsin. While Colonel Bryant rarely speaks without some preparation, still, when called upon with l)ut a short time to prepare, the outline of a speech quickly takes shape in his mind, both as to what he should say and the order of ar- rangement. Close observation of current affairs throughout the world, the study of ancient history, especially the history of gov- ernments, and an e.xceptional familiarity with the best literature, both ancient and modern, have stored his mind with ideas which are always subject to the call of a retentive memory. That such a man should be both an elegant and eloquent speaker need hardly be said. That he is a logical and accurate debater has been proven in many warm political contests in Wisconsin. His speeches on patriotic occasions are models for all America. He inculcates a devotion to the ideas underlying our form of government, and the flag that symbolizes them, "that touches the right spot," as his hearers say, and makes one of his addresses a lesson in patriotism for old and young. To sum up his broad-gauge character in a phrase, it may be said that Colonel Bryant is a true cosmo- politan. The rugged experiences of early farm life put stores of vitality into a phy- sique not apparently robust; his years at that sedate and most dignified seat of learning, old Bowdoin, imparted the scholastic air which time and later circumstances have not changed; the study and practice of law has eliminated haste or prejudice in judgment; the l)itter e.xperiences of war has made patriot- ism an active principle worthy of entering into all the affairs of life; the tilling of pub- lic offices widely differing in character has imparted a knowledge not only of affairs, but of Tiien, and to these latter qualities twenty years of experience as a public speaker hare contributed more than words can readily ex- press. To all this something equal to all may be added: a wife capable of aiding as well as appreciating. Mrs. Bryant is so charm- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 233 ing in society that only those who know her well realize all the graces of her amply stored mind, her judgment of art and literature, her clear insight of character, and her kind and charitable disposition. Their home is a model of quiet elegance, and whoever enters feels at once the pervading atmosphere of refinement. It is the model American home of a model American citizen. E. I5ENTLEY is the efficient cashier of one of the most popular, strong and '® flourishing financial institutions of the State of Wisconsin — the Batavian Bank of La Crosse, Wisconsin, with which he has been connected since 1866, first in the capacity of messenger boy, and lastly as cashier, doing effective service in each and every department. He was born in Scho- harie county, New York, October 22, 1843, to Edwin S. and N. M. (Gallup) Bentley, both natives of the State of New York. The parents came to Madison, Wisconsin, in the spring of 1855, and in the fall of the same year took up their abode in La Crosse, where the father followed the calling of a painter, his trade being that of a mechanic. He was a very devout man and was as highly re- spected as he was widely known. He was converted to Christianity at the early age of nineteen years, and soon after united with the Methodist Episcopal Church — the church of his clioice. He was a tireless worker in the vineyard of his Master, and as layman filled all the important otiices with great efficiency, and his life was fully rounded out and filled with the deeds and benevolences which mark the truly Christian character. \n the more intimate and sacred relationships of domestic life, as husband and father, he became all these words imply ; and in this inner circle, where his noble character won love, venera- tion and filial reverence in overflowing measures, his death left a void that can never be filled. He was married on the 24th of September, 1834, to Miss Nancy M. Gallup, of Gallupville, New York, a village named in honor of her uncle, and she became to him a true, faithful and loving helpmate. She was a woman whose many acts of kindness and charity gave her an exalted position in the affections of the community in which she lived, and she was in every way worthy of being the life companion of such a man as her husband. Their many deeds of Christian charity will stand as living monuments for many years to come, and their lives point a moral which all would do well to heed. Mr. Bentley died December 25, 1866, at the age of fifty six years, his widow surviving him until May 24, 1884, when she passed away, at the age of seventy-two years. The follow- ing are the names of the five children born to their union: Abbie S., Clara M., Charles S., E. E., the suljject of this sketch, and William L E. E. Bentley first received a public-school education, but later finished a classical course in the Ohio Wesleyan LTni- versity, graduating in the class of 1865, after which he followed the calhng of a pedagogue in Hamilton, Ohio, and also in Wisconsin, winning the reputation of being a conscien- tious and able educator and a fine disciplina- rian. He was first married in 1869, to Miss Susan N., daughter of Alfred Shepard, of La Crosse, the only issue of which marriage is a daughter, Susan M., who is a pupil in the Ohio Wesleyan LTniversity, and will graduate in the classical department in the class of '92. Mr. Bentley was called upon to mourn the death of his wife in 1872, who died at the untimely age of twenty-seven years, having been a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church from girlhood. 234 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. In 1879 Miss Emma E. Langdon, daughter of Walter M. and Sallie E. Langdon, of La Croese, became liis second wile, and tliefrnita of this union ai'e the following children: Charles E., Wayne and Percy D. Mr. and Mrs. Bentley are members of the Metiiodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been trui^tee and steward. He was a lay delegate to the General Conference of this church, which was held in New York city in 1888, and has been a member of the Lay Electoral Conference one term. He is president of the Y. M. C. A. of La Crosse, an organization of which the city is justly proud. In 1864, while attending college, Mr. Bentlej, with many other students, dropped his books to become a votary of Mars, and enlisted in the Union service from Delaware, Ohio. During the four months that he was in the service he was principally on guard duty. The Ad- jutant of the regiment was W. H. Moore, and Richard Rwj'iiolds was the Captain of his company. As will bo seen, Mr. Bentley has lield positions of preferment in social, moral, financial and educational organiza- tions, and as an honored citizen has the re- spect and coulidence of a large circle of ac- quaintances, and is held in high esteem for his many excellences of character. Perhaps tliis is as good a place as any to give a sketch of the Young Men's Christian Association of La Crosse, with which Mr. Bentley has been so prominently connected. THE YOUNG men's CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. Among all the agencies for the good of man- kind and the betterment of his moral, physical and spiritual natures, probably no one has proved more practical and efficient than that arm of the church known as the Young Men's Christian Association. As the late Earl of Shaitesbnry said in speaking of their work, "theyareofimmonseimportance. They are not only good locally, but politically. The young men educated in them will contribute much by their sentiments and actions to form pub- lic opinion, and will constitute what has been called by Burke, * the cheap defense of na- tions.'" All over the world, where tiiey iiave sprung up by the thousands, and especially in our own land, where they have been most systematically and comprehensively' develop- ed, they are pointed to with confidence by all classes as conservators of the greatest force of any nation, — the power of young manhood. While by no means possessing a model association in every respect, owing to local restrictions, yet La Crosse may well take pride in her Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation. In 1883 a public meeting was called to consider the advisability of opening a reading room for young men. Previous ex- perience, which had resulted in failure, even under most favorable auspices, decided against any effort in this direction that was not an- chored to some sure and tried principle, and it was thought best to organize as a young men's christian association. State Secretary Lewis, of cherished memory, and Secretary Willis, of the Milwaukee Association, aided in the initiatory steps. The formal organization took place April 30, 1883, at the office of H. B. Smith, and the following persons signed the constitution: E. E. Bentley, E. B. Magi 11, L. B. Coleman, M. B. Greenwood, G. \Y. Burton, J. M. Holley, II. B. Smith, Geo. McMillan, S. F. Clinton, J. T. Van Valkenberg, Alfred James, John James, Joseph James, E. R. Montague, F. W. Lange, Robert Nourse, A. R. Gustaf- son, Gilbert Shepard, N. Arneson, J. Bangs- berg, H. B. Smith, Jr., II. I. Bliss, E. D. Loomis, Wm. W. Jones, J. B. Canterbury, Henry A. Salzer. The first board of direc- tors were as follows: President, E. E. Bentley; Vice-President, J. T. Van Valkenberg, Re- niOGBAPHICAL HISTORY. 333 cording Secretary, J. M. Holley; Treasurer, H. B. Smith; Directors, G. R. Montague, Geo. McMillan, A. R. Gnstafson, Joseph James, Henry A. Salzer. Great interest was at once manifested in the organization, and it at once sprang into popu- lar favor. Mr. M. B. Williams, General Sec- retary of the Elmira, New York Association, was called to take charge as general secretary, and, under his skillful and experienced man- agement the work was successfully developed along all lines. In 1886 Mr. Williams re- signed to accept an offer to become State secretary of Virginia, and was succeeded by Mr. James R. Pratt, who continued to act as general secretary until 1889, when he ac- cepted a position tendered him upon the State force, afterwards succeeding to the po- sition of State secretary, upon the death of Mr. Lewis. Mr. Pratt was followed as gen- eral secretary by Mr. W. B. Miller, who had iust finished his studies at Appleton. Mr. Miller remained in charge only eight months, when he was offered, and accepted, a position in the office of the Twenty-third Street Branch, New York city, and was succeeded in April, 1890, by Mr. F. D. Hopkins, the present general secretai-y. The first quarters occupied by the associa- tion were on Main street, between Front and Second, where the Nordstern now has its office. The rooms were considered very de- sirable at the time, but in 1884 the associa- tion took advantage of the erection of the building where the rooms are now located at Nos. 423-425 Main street, to have rooms especially arranged for them, and in October of that year occupied thera. Great credit should be given the ladies' auxiliary for their help, not only at this time in furnishing the rooms but for their efficient aid from the very beginning of the association. The rooms now occupied consist of a read- ing room, pleasantly furnished and supplied with all the leading publications of the day; a parlor, furnished in good taste with piano, etc.; recreation room, furnished with suitable amusements and games; assembly room, for meetings; gymnasium, with fair equipment; bath-rooms with tubs and shower baths; toilet room, and secretary's office. The association has a total membership of about 325, including a junior department of fifty members for boys between the ages of twelve and sixteen. Early in the history of the work its ne- cessity of special work on the North Side was recognized, and a branch was started with Mi-. George Tummings, now general secretary, at Chippewa Falls, in charge. In 1885 this was made an independent railroad department, and is now partially supported by the Chi- cago, Milwaukee and St Paul Railroad Company. They occupy a very tastefully furnished suite of rooms on Rose street, in- cluding all the advantages mentioned in con- nection with the South Side rooms. Mr. George A. Kidder, a former active member of the South Side department, is now the efficient general secretary, and the associa- tion is in a most prosperous condition. The result of the work in La Crosse can only be estimated. Briefly summarized, over 450,000 visits by young men have been made to the rooms, 60,000 have attended its re- ligious meetings, over 500 known conversions reported, and scores each year kept from leading evil lives; hundreds have come here strangers and aided by the association have found good companions, good boarding places and employment; thousands of letters have been written, thousands of baths given, while free lectures, medical talks, entertainments, educational classes, gymnasium instructions, etc., etc., have all aided in rounding out a grand work. 236 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. The present officers of the South Side As- sociation are: {'resident, E. E. Bentiey; Vice- President, J. T. Van Valkenberi>;; Recording Secretary, J. J. Hartley; Treasurer, Geo. H. Clark; Directors, T. B. Lawrence, J. M. Ilolley, C. F. Emery, I. Cuvilear, J. P. Sal- zer, D. H. Stowell. General Secretary, F. D. Hopkins. The officers of the North Side Association are: E. G. Boynton, President; W. E. Kit- tredge, Vice-President; K. P. Howard, Re- cording Secretary; T. C. Dodds, Treasurer; Directors, D. E. Bice, A. R. Van Mocker, I. Ranuin, S. A. Brown, C. C. Prescott, G. H. Taylor, F. C. Green, H. P. Magill, A. S. Sather, E. B. Nelson. -*5s^ '■@®-^ E*^ (HARLES LINSE, one of the most prominent agriculturists of La Crosse county, was born in Germany in 1835. His parents, William and Ida (Kuelin) Linse, emigrated to the United States in 1848, and settled in JefFt-rson county, Wisconsin, where they remained une year; thence they removed to Columbia county, near Portage, Wiscon- sin, and lived there until 1853, coming in that year to La Crosse county. Mr. Linse pre-empted Government land, improved it one year, and then sold out his claim; he ne.vt bought a tract of 160 acres, on which he and his wife lived until 1864. In that year tlicy gave up housekeeping and went to live with their children. William Linse died in 1873, at the age of seventy years; his wife died in 1871), aged seventy-nine years. They reared a family of five children, of whom Charles is the oldest; Emielie married Au- gust Lauderbach, and they have four chil- dren; Herman married Fredericka Breixze, and they are the parents of eight children; Matilda is the wife of Adolj)h Pfunt, and they have eight children; Frederick married Caroline Danz, and they have nitie children. Charles Linse purchased his father's prop- erty in 1864, and the same year was married to Miss Julia Tausche, a native of Austria, born in 1842. Her parents crossed the sea to America in 1855, but both are now de- ceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Linse were Imrii nine children, six of whom are livinif at the present time: Charles married Miss Harriet Relnhart, and resides in Chippewa Falls, to- gether with his brother William ; Valentine, Joseph, Anna and Ida are all at home. The mother of these children died in 1879, and three of the children died in infancy. Mr. Linse was tnarried a second time in 1884, to Miss Margueritte Pfunt, and of this union three children were born: Adolph, Julia and Matilda. Mr. Linse owns a good farm of 400 acres of finely improved land in Mormon valley, well fitted for carrying on the dairy business. He runs a dairy of about fifty cows, making it his business to produce the finest quality of butter, for which he receives the top mar- ket prices, both in La Crosse and St. Paul. In connection with his dairy he is also en- gaged heavily in raising hogs, selling about 100 head annually. At various times Mr. Linse has held nearly all the offices of his township, and in 1884- '85 he was a member of the State Ijegislature. lie is president of the Farmers' La Crosse County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which covers nearly all the farm buildings ip La Crosse county and four townships of Ver- non county. It was organized in 1875, and Mr. Linse has held his present office since its inception. Like all good citizens he is in- terested in the political welfare of the county and State and Union, and, believing the prin- ciples of the Republican party best suited to the demands of the nation, he has cast his Kp"iy7' ,■ Kp^"- /S^^if^ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 237 suffrage with that body. He and his wife are devout members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. ^ON. FREDERICK ALLEN COPE- LAND, a prominent citizen of La Crosse, Wisconsin, was l)orn July 14, 1846, at Ypsilanti, Michigan, whither his parents, Allen A. and Mary A. (Kittridge) Copeland, removed about 1840 from Lowell, Massachusetts. In both lines of descent he belongs to stock of New England origin. His father was a merchant at Lowell and conducted a similar business at Ypsilanti for ten years, removing thence to Battle Creek, Michigan, and in 1853 to a farm near Paw Paw, Michigan. In 1860 lie went to Baraboo, Wisconsin, whei-e he remained until 1869, the date of his removal to Winona, Minne- sota. In 1872 he removed to Weaver, Minne- sota, and while a resident of that place he revisited his old home in Massachusetts. Before the end of his visit he died at Mans- field in November, 1882; his wife still sur- vives. Six of their eleven children are living: Edward A., George N., Frederick A., Lucius D., Harriett A. and Willis E. Harriett married Hon. A. S. Batchelor, of Littleton, New Hampshire, a prominent Democrat and at present State Historian. At the tender age of fifteen years Mr. Copeland enlisted in the service of his coun- try. He enrolled Decemlier 3, 1861, at Baraboo, Wisconsin, and was mustered in during the same month with Company F^ Third Wisconsin Yolnnteer Cavalry. In the spring following the regiment went to the front, leaving the State March 26, 1862, stopping at St. Louis for partial equipments and went thence to Kansas, arriving at Fort 17 Leavenworth, where horses were added to their outfit. Up to that time Mr. Copeland had acted as clerk for his Captain, David S. Vittum, who had taken a great interest in him. After the regiment was fully equipped, the Second Battalion, \inder command of Major B. S. Henning, was ordered to Fort Scott, Kansa'. In the meantime Captain Yittum was put on detached service at Fort Leavenworth. Mr. Copeland had his choice to remain with Cap- tain Yittum or go South with the company in the same capacity with Lieutenant Plows, who was in command. Being of an adven- turesome disposition he chose the latter, but soon found that he was not with his good friend, the Captain, but a would-be tyrant, and rather tlian be ti'eated as a servant he concluded to take his chances with the boys, returning to the ranks. .Fort Scott was the border of the frontier, and the last defense. The command there engaged in all sorts of frontier service, chiefly scattering guerrillas. Mr. Copeland was in- croduced to one of the worst features of war at Montevalio, Missouri, with the command of Colonel Coffee. He ne.xt had a similar experience in the unequal fight at Prairie Grove, Arkansas, December 7, 1862. where the Rebels, under General Hind man, were whipped by a Union force one-third as great through the prowess of Wisconsin soldiers. The next move of the Third was to Yan Buren, Arkansas, and thence to Forsyth, Missouri, encountering before reaching Yan Buren a force of Texas Rangers, whom they scattered while taking their breakfast. Mr. Copeland lost his horse, and had to substitute an old mule, which he bought for ten dollars. Thus mounted he started with his command, and had the distinction of always bringing the rear at night, and received the title of ' Balaam. At Yan Buren they burned several 238 BIOOliAPlIICAL HISTORT. stecamers belonging to tlie Rebels going up to Arkansas with siipplie?. They went from there to Forsyth, and thence to Salem, Mis- souri, sending impediments by way of Spring- field. In the spring of 18G3 they went to Fort Scott, and Companies A, C, D and E remained there until the spring of 1865 guarding the outposts of the frontier aud scouting between Missouri, Kansas and the Indian Territory. Soon after arriving at Fort Scott Mr. Copeland was detailed as Chief Clerk at General C. W. Blair's headquarters. January 4, 1861, he veteranized and took veteran furlough. In the fall he was relieved of detached duty to become Commissary Ser- geant of his company, which he joined at Camp Insley, seventeen miles east of Fort Scott in Missouri. At the reorganization of the regiment in the spring of 1865, Com- pany A was made Company K, and Mr. Copeland was commissioned Second Lieu- tenant, to date from April. In June follow- ing Companies F and K were sent to Fort Leavenworth, and on arrival there were or- dered to Marysville, Kansas, and remained there protecting and escorting Government trains. Mr. Copeland was made Quarter- master of the battalion. In October the regi- ment was ordered to Madison, and the sol- diers were mustered out October 23, 1865. Four sons of Allen A. Copeland proved their right to their inheritance by fighting in the war of the rebellion: W. H. Copeland enlisted in June, 1861, in Company A, Sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and fought with the Iron Brigade until the battle of Antietam, where he received a fatal wound, dying in the afternoon of September 17, and was buried on the field; Edward A. was with Kit Carson in the Third New Mexico Cav- alry, and George N. was with the Army of the Tennessee. After his return home, Mr. Copeland ob- tained a position in a dry-goods store, and passed three years as a clerk at Baraboo. He started for Winona, Minnesota, stopped at La Crosse, and here chanced to meet Captain I. 11. Moulton, who had just been appointed agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Faul Railroad, to whom he applied in vain for a position; but a week after his arrival in Winona he received a telegram summoning him to La Crosse to the employ of the rail- way company. His head fell in the autumn of 1890, when the force was reduced, as he was one of the youngest employes. But Captain Moulton had become interested in him, and obtained for him a position with the Southern Minnesota Railway, where he was occupied until the spring of 1871, when he entered the employ of Hart & Norton, dealers in agricultural implements. In December, 1871, he was selected out of fifteen applicants as bookkeeper of the La Crosse Lumber Company, of which Governor C. C. Washburne was president. In 1875 Governor Washburne purchased the interests of the other stockholders, and in the fall of 1880 directed Mr. Copeland to go to the woods and take charge of putting in a large tract of timber. Never having done anything of the kind, Mr. Copeland ask for instruction, and what be should do when he arrived on the spot. The Governor's reply was: '' Yon go up and find out for yourself, and if you do not find any thing to do, 1 shall have no further use for your services;" and it turned out to be the most valuable incident of his whole life. In the following spring he re- ported to the Giivernor the exact price per thousand it cost for labor, to feed the men, and to feed the teams. This so pleased the Governor that he placed Mr. Copeland in charge of his lumber interests at La Crosse. After the death of Governor Washburne in 1882, he received instruction from the BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 239 executors of the estate to continue in full cliarge of all the late owner's lumbering in- terests. By the terms of the will the estate was to be settled in five years, and during tlie interim the interests under Mr. Copeland's contract made a net showing of $300,000 above appraised valuation. In April, 1887, the executors submitted to Mr. Copehmd a proposition to purchase the mill property, which he finally accepted with much reluc- tance, and was successful. The capacity of his mill is 200,000 feet of lumber, 125,000 shingles and 40,000 laths. The mill contains one circular and one band mill and one im- proved Wick gauge. In 1892 he controls about 125,000.000 feet of pine stiimpage. Mr. Copeland was named in the will of Governor Washburne as one of the trustees of the public library founded by him, and to the efforts of Mr. Copeland are largely due the completion of the library building, its attractive style of architecture and its ar- rangements. Early in 1887 he organized a stock com- pany for the purpose of putting in an Edison incandescent electric-light plant, and he was made president. Under his management the platit has increased from 2,000 lamps in 1887 to over 8,000 in 1892. He is also a director in the Batavian Bank, the Exchancre State Baidc, the Brush Electric Light Company, the La Crosse Gas Light Company and La Crosse Theater Company. He has in every possible manner fostered the public enter- prises of La Crosse, and, with other citizens equally interested, he has aided in securing for the city one of the finest opera-houses in Wisconsin. He has also made a record in the Wiscon- sin National Guard; he has an executive ability which is exercised in all his relations, and in connection with the militia of which the Badger State boasts he has sustained his reputation. In 1878, when the La Crosse Light Guards were organized, he was made Third Sergeant, and August 22, 1879, was elected Second Lieutenant by unanimous choice, and was commissioned by the Gov- ernor. June 17, 1881, he was promoted to a Captaincy, and in June, 1884, his connec- tion with the Light Guards ceased through his appointment on tlie staff of Governor Rusk, with the rank of Colonel, and was assigned to duty as Assistant Inspector Gen- eral of the W. N. G. On the expiration of the term of that official, in 1889, he tendered his resignation. He is a Mason, belongs to the Republican party, and is a member of the G. A. R. and of the Loyal Legion. In the spring of 1891 his friends, much against his will, induced him to make the run for Mayor of La Crosse. His party being considerably in the minority, the outlook was not very encouraging, but he managed to win the race, he being the only Republican elected on the city ticket. Mr. Copeland was married in 1874 to Cora, daughter of Colonel Theodore and Marie A. Rodolf. Two children have been born to them: Marie Louisa, August 7, 1875, and Irene, March 15, 1877. fOSEPH POEHLING was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, September 23, 1859, son of Herman and Annie Poehling, natives of the province of Westfoelen, Ger- many. His father, a carpenter and mill- wright, came to America when a young man and settled in Rock Island, where he spent a few years and where he was married. He came to La Crosse about 1852 and made his home here until his death, which occurred in 1863. He left a widow, four sons and one daughter. The latter, Louisa, married Cas- 240 BIOOKAI'IIICAL IJISTOR Y. par Crockelhauer, and died without issue. The sons, Herman, Joseph, John and Henry, are all residents of La Crosse. Tlie subject of our sketcli jj^rew to man- hood in the city of liis nativity, obtained a fair schooling, and at the age of seventeen began to learn the tinner's trade in the shop of Vincent Tausche, with whom he has since continued, with the exception of one year spent with Dittraan & Jorsted. He was married in La Crosse to Miss Annie Steelier, a native of Milwaukee and a daughter of Charles Steelier, a merciiant tailor. They have two sons and one daughter living: An- nie Louisa, Kdward William and Rubert William, and an infant son deceased. Mr. Poehlinj; and his wife are both reifular com- municants of the St. Joseph congregation, Iloiuan Catholic Church. He is a iii nnber of St Htm i face Aid Society. As an honorable and upright man Mr. Poehling has the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. He is Supervisor of the First Ward of La Crosse. ILLIAM EDWIN DAVIS, County (Merk of La Crosse county, was born "i in Cardiganshire, Wales, June 2, 184:9, and was reared in Covington, Kentucky, his parents being Thomas and Sarah (Jenkins) Davis. Ilia father was a pattern -inaker by occupation. On both sides the ancestors of Mr. Davis were ciiaracterized by well devel- oped physical frames. In 1850 the parents emigrated to this country, landing at New York and settling at Covington, Kentucky, where they had two sons and a daughter. After the war they moved to Wisconsin, set- tling where they now reside, in La Crosse county. Mr. Davis, the subject of this sketch, in his youth engaged in steamboating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, running from Pittsburg to New Orleans, and in 1866 came to Wisconsin, first locating in Farmington township. La Crosse county, but followed steamboating on the Mississippi, during the season of navigation, until 1886. He has served as Treasurer of his township and Di- rector of the school board, and was finally elected to his present position, already named. He was married in La Crosse, to Katie Barclay, a native of Scotland and a daughter of Andrew and Jenette Barclay, and they have two sons, — Thomas and John. Mr. and Mrs. Davis worship at the Presbyterian church. -^^ S'T - S fACOB HUBERT GRATES, proprietor of the Park Saloon and Summer Garden, was born August 1, 1848, at Ileinslierg, Province of the Rhine, Prussia, the son of John Hubert and Elizabeth (Fabre) Grates. His father, a baker by trade, came in 1864 to America, locating at Cashka, Minnesota, and afterward at Long Prairie, same State, where he died in 1874 or '75, and was buried in the Catholic cemetery. His wife died in 1878, in Wyckoff, Minnesota, and is buried beside her husband. They were both in full com- munion with the Catholic Church. By their death they left three sons and three daughters: Leonard, a mason, contractor and builder of Cashka; Hubertina, wife of John Hofer. a fruit-raiser of Anaheim, California; Jacob Hubert, the subject of this sketch; Conrad, a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota; Helena, the wife of Joseph Fitzthum, a saddler and har- ness-maker of Austin, Minnesota; and Mary, the wife of John Eickstadt, of Grand Meado.w, Minnesota. Mr. Grates, our subject, followed farming BIOGRAPSWAL HISTORF. 241 at Long Prairie until 1884, when he came to La Crosse, and at length eua])tist Church, also the son and two daughters. Mr. Yarrington belongs to John Fiynn Post, No. 77, G. A. R., and his wife is president of the Woman's Relief Corps, having been elected to that office at the first of the year. Jasper H. Yarrington is a member of the Sons of Veterans. — ^- ^s .. ; - ^ .^ — |OCKWELL E. OSBORNE, of the firm of Edwards & Osborne, La Crosse, Wis- consin, is a native of the Empire State. He was the son of Jonathan Willis Osborne and Alma li. (Denison) Osborne, both natives of New York State, and was born at Nelson, Madison county, New York, January 23, 1812. The fatiier was by occupation a farmer. Grandhitbcr Jonathan Osborne was a native of Connecticut and a descendant of an Eng- lish family who made settlement in that State in early Colonial times. About 1810 or 1811 he removed from Connecticut to the central part of New York State, then a new country. He settled in Nelson, Madison county, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 181;3, at the age of seventy-si.K years. He was a man of strict integrity, an adherent to the Presbyterian faith, and was the father of fifteen children, nearly all of whom grew to manhood. The father of our subject was one of the youngest of these children. While absent from home on business he was taken ill and died at Groton, Tompkins county. New York, November 19, 1850, at the age of thirty-six years. He left to mourn his loss a widow, three sons and one daughter. The subject of this sketch is the oldest of these children. In 1858 the family came West and located at La Crosse, where they still remain except the youngest son, who is a member of the pros- perous firm of Osborne & McMillan grain dealers of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Rockwell E. taught school from the time he was eighteen until he was twenty-three years of ago. In the meantime he served as a private in Company L) of the Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was en- gaged in the battle of Shiloh, and was dis- charged for disability in August, 1862. In 1864 be assisted in the organization of Com- pany G of the Fortieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and did service in Tennessee. After retiring from the teacher's desk, Mr. Osborne was engaged in various interests of a clerical nature until May, 1879, when he joined Mr. B. E. Edwards in the lumber business, which they continued until 1887, when they dis- '^c^,-^-^ i;z^^ ^t- ' '^^sc^-^'-'^i^'^'''^ BIOGHAPHICAL HISTORY. 245 posed of it, and engaged in other and varied interests. Mr. Oshorne was married in La Crosse, August 17. 1870, to Miss Louise L. Ober, daughter of Levi E. Ober, M. D. She was born in Painesville, Ohio, and is a graduate of Mt. Holyoke Female Seminary. Her father was a native of Vermont. He came to La Crosse in 1857, and was an active and useful man, in his profession, a public- spirited citizen, a devout Christian, and a faithful member of the Baptist Church. He died in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Osborne have one daughter, Ella Louise, a student of Mt. Holyoke Col- lege, South Hadley, Massachusetts, a bright and promising young lady. Mr. Osborne is a trustee of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of La Crosso. He is also a member of the Nineteenth Cen- tury Club, and of the Hamilton Club of that city. IGHT REV. FATHER JAMES SCHWEBACH, Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse, was born in the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, Germany, August 15, 1847. His parents were pious German people, and he was early educated in the principles of the Roman Catholic Church, to the interests and advancement of which he has thus far devoted his life. While yet a youth in his 'teens, he finished a collegiate course of study in Luxemburg, where he be- came proficient in the French and German languages. He emigrated to America in 1864 during the trying times of the civil war, and entered St. PVaiicis Seminary at Milwaukee, where he studied philosophy and theology for five years. Being a young man of rare intelligence and tine mental endow- ments, he was graduated from this seat of learning at the age of twenty -one years. Too young for ordination, he was sent to La Crosse as a sub-deacon, where he performed such duties as his otiice required. For one year previous to his ordination he preached regu- larly in three different languages, English, German and French. He was ordained a priest on the- feast of Corpus Christi at St. Paul, by Bishop Grace, in 1870, and was then appointed pastor of St. Mary's Church, La' Crosse, which position he held to the time of his elevation to the episcopacy. In 1882 he was appointed Vicar-General of the Diocese of La Crosse, a position of honor and responsi- bility, and at the death of F'ather Flasch was appointed administrator of the diocese. Being of a studious disposition and owning a fine, well-selected library. Right Rev. Father Schwebach devotes much of his time to reading. On the 30th day of November, 1891, he was appointed liishop of the Diocese of La Crosse. The interesting announcement was received by the candi'date at Prairie du Chien, Sunday, December 13, 1891, while in the act of blessing the new church at that place. The official letter announcing his promotion was received by Right Rev. Father Schwebach through the Archbishop at Milwaukee, to whom it was addressed by the Pope. He was consecrated on the 25th of February, just twenty-three years from the day of his arrival in La Crosse. The selection is a wise one, and will give general satisfaciion, as the newly appointed Bishop is thorouglily conversant with the business of the Diocese, and is loved and re- spected by the clergy and laity tiierein. h\ manner he is quiet and unobtrusive, possess- ing a most amiable ciiaracter. As a spiritual superior he has always been a mild, yet firm and just ruler. The people of La Crosse, 246 BIOGRAPHICAL Ul STORY. who have known liiin for a quarter of a cen- tury, speak of him in the highest terms, as a Christian gentleman, and congratulate iiira upon the distinguished honors recently con- ferred upon him. NATHANIEL FREY, who is in the em- ploy of the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad Company, and lias been for many years connected with railroad work in the West, was born at Erie, Pennsyl- vania, in the year 1850, the oldest son of Isaac and Anna (Klein) Frey, both natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. The fatlier is a direct descendant of the Frey family that emigrated to Lancaster county from Holland in 1687; they are one of the most widely and favorably known families in tiiat county. Isaac Frey was a merchant at Erie until 1870, when lie retired from active pursuits; he is now living on a farm in Bow creek, Arkansas. Nathaniel Frey acquired liis education in the public schools of his native city; theti lie took a business college course, after wliich lie served an apprenticeship in a machine shop at Erie. In 1871 1 Mr. Frey was married to Miss Sopha Hans, a daughter of Adam Hans, a merciiant tailor of that city, wiio died in 1887. When Mr. Frey became a master machinist, he moved to Davenport, Iowa, where he was employed as foreman of the Laclair Iron Works, He also had ciiarge of the water-works until 1874, after which lie accepted a position as pit boss for the Rock Island Company. During the construction of the Northern Pacific Road, he accepted a position as general foreman of tiie shops at Fargo, North Dakota. In 1886 he entered tlie employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad Company, and was located at Savanna, Illinois, where he had charge of the round-house, and was general foreman of the Savanna division. In 1889 he was trans- ferred from Savanna to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where lie now holds the position of general foreman. To Mr. and Mrs. Frey have been born two daughters: Cora Belle and Eva. The parents are devout members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Frey belongs to the Masonic order, and has filled many important offices of that fraternity. He is an ardent believer in the principles of the Republican party, and sup- ports the issues of that body. l - h * { • % ">' |EY. FATHER A. J. JOERRES, pastor of St. Nicholas' Catiiolic Church, corner of Thirteenth and South Park streets, is a native of Dueren, near Cologne, Germany, born July 12, 1862. He was educated at the gymnasium in Dueren, but received his theo- logical training in America, at St. Francis' Seminary, Milwaukee. He was ordained a priest by the Right Rev. Bishop Flascb, in St. Joseph's Cathedral, La Crosse, June 29, 1885, and was assigned to duty as assistant to Father Thomas Kelly at Hudson, Wiscon- sin, where he remained nine months, at St. Patrick's Church. Thence he was removed to Colby, Clark county, where he had charge of St. Kilian's" Church until May 1, 1891. He was then assigned to duty as pastor of St. Nicholas' Church at La Crosse. St. Nicholas' Church has 115 families in the congregation. A parochial school is con- ducted by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration during ten months of the year; tlie school is held on the first floor of the church, and in 1891, 105 children were enrolled. Tiie present building being inadequate to the needs of the congregation, the erection of a larger BIOGRAPniGAL HIHTORY. %in edilice is in contemplation. The instruction of the school is in the English language, but the children are taught to read, write, and spell in German; the course comprises the common-school branches, the catechism and Bible history. ►iM^ fOHN STEPHENSON is a gentleman of thorough experience in real-estate, both as a means of speculation and permanent investment, and his long experience has proved of inestimable value not alone to him- self but to his numerous patrons, and for soundness of judgment and keen appreciation of relative values, both present and future, he is acknowledged to have no superior in La Crosse. He was born in Norway July 5, 1848, a son of Matthew Stephenson and grand- son of Carl Stephenson, the latter of whom removed from England to Norway, where he became very wealthy. Matthew is a farmer of New Amsterdam, Wisconsin. John first attended school in Norway, and later en- tered college at Holstein, Germany, where he remained several years and acquired a thorough knowledge of the German language. He then followed merchandising for some time, but in 1867 came to Aitierica and set- tled at La Crosse, Wisconsin, but soon opened a hotel at Onalaska, which he ably conducted from 1870 to 1872. For some time there- after his attention was given to the building and loan business, after which, until 1880, he was on a farm. From 1880 to 1882 he con- ducted a hotel in La Crosse, in addition to managing his farm, but sold out his liostelry in 1882 and returned to his farm. After disposing of his farm in 1885 he purchased property in North La Crosse, upon which lie built a pleasant and very comfortable resi- dence the same year. He at the same time started in the real-estate business and has advantageously disposed of thoiisands of lots, besides houses, stores, etc., and has bnilt over fifty-one houses. He erected four store buildings in 1891, and has been very active in his endeavors to build up North La Crosse. He and his son Henry conduct a store of gents' and ladies' furnishings, and also keep a large supply of dry goods and clothing. Mr. Stephenson has held the office of Notary Pub- lic the past three years and does a good busi- ness in that line. He fills out deeds, mort- gages and all legal papers, and in the real- estate business he negotiates loans and insures. He rents houses, and at the present writing controls forty-two houses in the rentals, al- though he has had as high as 100 at one time. He was married in 1868 to Anna U. Mun- son, a native of Norway, who came to Amer- ica in 1867. Her mother is a resident of Onalaska, and is sixty-eight years of age. Her father died in 1881, aged about sixty, from the kick of a horse which he was shoeing, he being a blacksmith by occupation. Mrs. Stephenson was the second in a family of eight children, five of whom are living in La Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson have a family of twelve children, seven of whom died young. Those living are: Henry, a merchant of La Crosse; Wilhelmina, a fine pianist and a successful music teacherof North La Crosse; Axtel, a good musician and one of the finest performers in the Juvenile Band; Mayer and Ludwick. Both parents are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, and in politics he is an active worker for the Republican party, although not an office-seeker. OST REV. MICHAEL HEISS, First Bishop of La Crosse and Sec- ond Archbishop of Milwaukee, was born in Pfahldorf, Bavaria, April 12, 1818, 24J BIOORAPHICAL HlSTORr. and entering the Latin school at the age of nine was graduated with distinction at the gymnasium of Newburg in 1835. lie first studied law, but, feeling called to the service of God, went through a theological course in the University of Municii, where Goerre^, Mochler and DoUinger were his professors. He then entered the ecclesiastical seminary at Eichstadt, and was ordained by Cardinal Reisach, October 18, 1840. He received a curacy, but came to the United States in 1843, and was appointed to the Church of the Mother of God, in Covington, Kentucky. On the appointment of Dr. Henui to Mil- waukee, Rev. Mr. Heiss accompanied him, acting as secretary, and doing mission work for fifty miles north of that city. He founded St. Mary's Church in 1846; but his health failed and he spent two years in Europe. On his return he became president of tlie Saiesianum, and by learned theological works showed his ability and erudition. On the division of the diocese he was selected for the see of La Crosse, and consecrated September 6, 1868. The diocese which embraces that portion of the State lying north and west of the Wisconsin river had a French settlement at Prairie du Chien as early as about 1689. In the present century it was first visited by a priest in 1817, and the corner-stone of a church was laid in 1839. Under the admin- istration of Bishop Ilenni religion had made such progress in this part of the State that the new diocese of La Crosse contained forty churches, attended by fifteen priests. Bishop Heiss proceeded to carry forward tiie good work; he established Franciscan Sisters at La Crosse, and their mother-house soon sup- plied teachers for twenty-five parochial schools and two asylums. The Chiistian Brothers opened St. John's Hospital at Prairie du Chien, and the School Sisters of Notre Dame had excellent schools under their care. At the end of ten years the dio- cese of La Crosse had thirty-si.x churches with resident pastors, fifty others regularly visited, forty priests, and forty-five Catholics. When the failing health of Archbishop Henni required the aid of a more vigorous prelate. Bishop Heiss was promoted to the see of Adrianople, March 14, 1880, and ap- pointed coadjutor. The whole administra- tion of Milwaukee diocese soon devolved upon him, and on the death of Archbishop Henni he became second archbishop of that see. As theoloi^ian Dr. Heiss took an active part in the councils of St. Louis and the Second Plenary Council of Baltimore. He attended the Vatican Council in 1869-70, and was appointed by Pope Pius IX. a mem- ber of one of the four great commissions, each being composed of twelve bishops, rep- resenting all parts of the world. The pallium was conferred on Archbishop Heiss in his cathedral, on the 23d of April, 1882. On the 3d of June in the following year he laid the corner-stone of a new cathe- dra], a building to be worthy of the great and flourishing diocese. He attended the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore in November, 1884. Bishop Heiss died at St. Francis Hospital, La Crosse, March 27, 1890, and his remains were taken to Milwaukee and interred in the vault at St. Francis Seminary. CATHOLICISM IN LA CKOSSE. The first priest residing in La Crosse, Rev. W. Tappert, held divine services in the city August 24, 1855; the meetings were held in private liouses in the beginning, and later on in the courthouse. Rev. Father Garlier, the French pastor at Prairie du Chien, had occasionally visited the place previous to the coming of Father Tappert. The first Catholic Church in La Crosse BIOORAPHWAL BISTORT. 249 was built by Father Tappert, and was dedi- cated just one year after his coining, August 24, 1856. The people were poor but con- tributed liberally to the erection of the modest structure which was called St. Mary's Church, and intended to accommodate all the Catholics in La Crosse county. What is now the city of La Crosse had then about twenty- five Catholic families. One of the pastors of St. Mary's Church, Kev. M. M. Marco, was chosen by Governor Fairchild as a dele- gate of the State of Wisconsin to the Paris Exposition in 1877. A Sisters' school was opened here in 1856. In 1863 the German-speaking Catholics built a church on the southwest corner of Sixth and Main streets. The Sisters' school was moved into this building. In tlie same year, that is, 1863, the nuinljer of Catholics hav- ing materially increased, it was thought best to divide the one large congregation into two, according to languages, St. Mary's re- taining all the English and French, and St. Joseph's all the German and Bohemian families. Up to 1858 La Crosse belonged to the dio- cese of Milwaukee, but in that year Milwau- kee was divided into three dioceses: Green Bay, La Crosse and Milwaukee. (La Crosse being the resid.nt place of the bishop, it was named Diocese of La Crosse.) The first Bishop of La Crosse diocese was Right Kev. Michael Heiss, whose sketch is given preceding this. During his administra- tion of the affairs of the diocese, nearly all of the institutions of the church were planned, and many buildings which adorn and beautify the city were erected. St. Joseph's Cathedral, a magnificent structure, was erected in 1869-'70, but it was not corn- pleted for some years, owing to heavy debts which retarded progress. The Sisters of St. Francis, of Jefferson, Wisconsin, also began the erection of a convent in this city in the same year, and occupied the main building in 1871. The orphanage was built in 1875, and given to the motherly care of the Fran- ciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (see sketches of St. Michael's and St. Ann's Orphan Asylums, the former being named in honor of Bishop Heiss, on pages 164 and following). The i)ishop's house was also erected about this time, a comfortable and convenient home, occupied by the late bishop Flasch at the time of his death. A neat private chapel adjoins the residence, de- signed tor the bishop's private use, and those sojourning in the house. His successor was the right Rev. Bishop K. C. Flasch, whose hi>tory appears elsewhere in this work. ROBERT G. MINER, superintendent of bridges and buildings for the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad, was born in Dale, Wisconsin, October 2, 1862. His parents, Joseph and Mary (Huffman) Miner, are still living, the father seventy-six and the mother sixty- three years of age. They were originally from Switzerland, and the father learned the trade of an architect in his native country, passing the examination required by the laws of Switzerland. He came to this country about 1850, settled at Dale, Wisconsin, and resides there at the present time, retired from tl;e active duties of life. He and his worthy helpmate reared a family of seven children, four daughters and three sons, all living and residents of Outagamie county, this State, except Robert G. The latter started out for himself as a house carpenter, and from that to bridge- building; in 1880. He began on the Wis- consin Central, and accepted his present posi- 250 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOIiT. tioii in 1886. Ue is univergaHy popular ami respected in business and social circles. Mr. Miner is the fifth in order of birth of the above mentioned children. All are members of the Lutheran Church. M. 1. KINNEAR, M. D., residing at 933 Caledonia street, La Crosse, Wis- i® confin, is one of the leading practi- tioners of the homeopathic system of medi- cine in La Crosse county. He was born in New Brunswick, July 1, 1860, and is the son t>f New Brunswick parents. His father, Edward Kinnear, died in Boston, Massachu- setts, October 26, 1889. IHs mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Dobson, is now livini:; in Manitoba. They reared a family of eight children: George C. lives in Boston, and is foreman of a large machine-shop in that city; Jennie married David Grant, an attorney at Moncton, New Brunswick; the Doctor is the third born; Eliza is the wife of Dr. David Evans, of Boston; Fannie mar- ried Mr. Harries, of Ware, ^rassachusetts; Sarah, Maggie and Edward are with their mother in Manitoba. In 1868 the family removed from New lirnnswick to Boston, and at the end of three years returned to their old home. When our subject was nineteen years of age he returned to Boston, and during his residence there he took a course of reading under the direction of Dr. J. R. Boynton, and by him perhaps more than any other one individual was his career in life shaped. In 1882 he went back to his native country, and he and his father made a trip to Manitoba; the father decided to locate there, and a year later sent for the rest of the family. Dr. Kinnear remained there until 1886, when he entered tiie North- western University at Evanston, Illinois, taking a special course of stud}'. In 1888 he became a student in the Chicago llomeo- pathic Medical College, and was graduated in 1890. Immediately after this event he came to La Crosse and began the practice of his profession. He has met with gratifying success, and has established a reputation ae an intelligent, careful ])ractitioner. June 9, 1886, the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Nellie G. Straw, of Boston, Massachusetts. Mrs. Kinnear is a daughter of William H. Straw, who died in the army when she was an infant six months old. He was a native of New Hampshire. Her mother was born in Massachusetts, and died at Evanston, Illinois, January 13, 1889. Her brother, Fred W. Straw, is a member of the Western Wisconsin Conference, stationed at Viroqna, Wisconsin. These two were the only children. Dr. Kinnear is a member of the I. 0. O. F. and tlie I. O. F., and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. S. McKOWN, Superintendent of the La Crosse County Insane Asylum, was * born in La Crosse county, AVisconsin, March 14, 1858, and is a son of Samuel and Mary iMcKown, who are also residents of this county. The father was in earlier days one of the prominent farmers of the county, but is now retired from active labor. He was born in Ireland, and thirty-si.x years ago he came to this county, and has witnessed the wonderful development which lias taken place in a little less than four decades. It was in 1852 that he crossed the sea, and the first three years in America were passed in New York. Our subject is one of a family of seven children: Myron; Ida, deceased, was the wife of Daniel Thompson; C. S. ; Will- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 251 iam, who married Miss Nettie Buttman; Jane, who died at the age of two years; Al- bert and Alfred, twins; Alfred McKown married Miss Ellen Wallsted, and is engaged in farming in the town of Greenfield, Wis- consin; Albert is an attendant in the La Crosse County Asylum. Mr. McKown entered upon the realities of a business life at the age of twenty years; he was engaged in the tnilling l)usiness with his brother Myron; afterward he did farming, and then came to the city of La Crosse, where he clerked in a wholesale house; later he was employed in a retail establishment, and then for a year was Deputy Sheriff and Turnkey under Sheriff Jensen. On January 1, 1888, he assumed the duties of the position he now holds, to which he was appointed by the board of trustees of the asylum. His wife was at the same time appointed matron of the institution. The excellent condition and management of the hospital show very plainly the exceptional fitness of Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Kown for the responsibility and care of such an establishment. The buildings are models of cleanliness, and the patients are carefully watched, and every effort is made to lessen their physical and mental distress. There are now 100 inmates, but so systematic is the management that the entire machinery moves as in a small, well-ordered family. The asylum was built in 1881 and located at West Salem, through the influence of Will- iam Van Zandt, who was a member of the County Board of Supervisors and county building committee in 1886, was succeeded in 1887 by Frank B. Smith, the present in- cumbent. There are 210 acres in the grounds, and the buildino; is a brick structure after a modern design. Mr. McKown was united in marriage July 17, 1880, to Miss Lizzie M. Sims, a daughter of Samuel and Mary Sims. Two children have been born to this worthy couple: Sarah Ida and Harry Elmer; the latter died at the age of fifteen months. Mrs. McKown was for many years a successful teacher in the public schools; the same power of control that rendered her discipline effective in the school-room has enabled her to cope with the many difficulties that beset her position in the hospital, and lier services here have been greatly appreciated. Samuel Siins and wife were nativesof Eng- land, and emigrated to the United States in 1847, but did not settle in La Crosse county until 1855: Mr. Sims is still living, at the age of three score vears and ten, but his wife passed away May 7, 1883, at the age of fifty-six years. In the late civil war he was a sailor, serving as a private in the navy for thirteen months. He and his wife had a family of six children: Sarah, deceased ; Liz- zie, who is now Mrs. McKown; John W., Theodore W., Ashby, and James, who died at the age of two years. -^.^^JTJlr- ~^l/inn^^ fAMES McKINLEY, who is well known as the largest hay and hop grower of La Crosse county, has been a resident of Wisconsin since 1850. He was born in Craw- ford county, Pennsylvania, in February, 1827, and is a son of William and Nancy McKinley, natives of Ireland. The father emigrated to this country in 1816, and in 1820, the mother sailed from the Emerald Isle for America. The father followed agriculture, and was known as an honorable, upright citizen. He died in December, 1840, at the age of sixty years; his wife survived him until 1880, when she died, at the age of eighty-four years. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters, James McKinley being the oldest of the fatnily; three of the children 258 BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY. are still living, and are residents of La Crosse county. Our worthy subject was reared on a farm, and before coining to Wisconsin gave his attention exclusively to agricultural pur- suits. As before stated he came to Wisconsin in 1850. his object being to get Government land. He made the journey from Pennsyl- vania round the chain of lakes, landing in Milwaukee. In February, 1851, he bought Government land, the tract consisting of 200 acres in Hamilton township; here he opened a farm, and in 1853 disposed of the same, going to the Black river pinery. He engaged in hnnbering for ten or twelve years, and met with fair success; while in this business he employed about forty hands, but abandoned the enterprise to resume agriculture. He located the Brown and Tripp farms, also the land on which the McEldowneys settled; the greater portion of this was land granted sol- diers in the war of 1812. In 1863 Mr. Mc- Kinley bought the farm on which he nosv resides; it contains 520 acres of excellent land, and is in a high sta^e of cultivation and well improved with buildings of a most sub- stantial style. The hay cro]i of this farm averages about 300 tons annually, and is of a superior quality; thirty-two acres are set to hops, and the annual yield is ijetween 30,000 and 35,000 pounds; the crop for 1891 was, liowever, a total failure; twenty acres are planted to corn, and a like amount to oats. About fifty head of hogs are fed every yeart and from six to eight horses are kept on the place. The residence is large and convenient, and is very pleasantly located about the cen- ter of the farm; the barns are capable of storing 250 tons of hay, and one of them stables fourteen head of horses. Mr. McKinley was married first in 1859 to Miss Hannah A. Waller, a daughter of Nathan P. Waller of Pennsylvania; she died four years after her marriage, of consumption. at the age of twenty-five years; she was a most worthy woman, and greatly beloved by a wide circle of friends. The second marriage was May 25, 1864, to Miss Caroline Ilan- toii, a daughter of Joseph and Eliza Han ton of Canada. Three children have been born to Mr. McKinley and wife: Ella is a sucess- ful teacher of vocal and instrumental music; Horace is living on a claim in Oregon, and John is assisting his father on the farm. Both the father and mother are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. fULIUS E. KIRCHEIS, one of tiie ris- ing young men of La Crosse, is a native of the German Empire, born August 24, 1862. His parents, Julius E. and Fredericka (Richter) Kircheis, were also of German birth, natives of Saxon}'. The father was a weaver by trade; he emigrated to the United States in September, 1868, bringing his family with him; he settled in La Crosse, securing em- ployment with the John Paul Luml)er Com- pany, with whom he remained about nine years; he was ne.xt engaged in Initchering for Frezier Bros., for a period of two years; abandoning this trade, he served as janitor of Germania Hall until 1890, and since that time has been janitor of Armory Hall. He is a man of the strictest integrity of charac- ter, and is highly respected bj' a wide circle of acquaintances. Julius E. was but six years old wl.en his parents came to the United States. He received his education in the public schools of La Crosse, and in the German Lutheran school; at the age of twelve years he found employment with the John Paul Lumber Company for four seasons; he then took a position with Semsch Bros., gro- cers, which he held four years. At the end of that time he determined to devote some ■^'■:^;'i>/-i.-i..-.-_;i." ' .yh-i^ . KU^ BTOGRArHICAL HISTORY. 253 further time to study, and spent one 3'ear under tlie instruction of professor Roese, in that gentleman's private scliool. On entering the commercial world again lie worked a few months for John Ran, and then through in- fluential friends he received an ap])ointinent in the postoffice of La Crosse, which he held from 1879 to 1890. In March of the latter year he became city collector for the John Gund Brewing Company, and has discharged liis duties with great satisfaction, not only to the company but also to the patrons. In 1879, Mr. Kircheis enlisted in the Gov- ernor's Guards, was made Corporal in 1880, Sergeant in 1881, Second Lieutenat in 1882, First Lieutenant in 188.3, and Captain, Octo- ber 7, 1884. This is the steadiest record of promotion shown by the company's books, and is probably unparalleled in the State. He is the most efficient captain the company has ever had, and much of its success has come through his enthusiasm, energy and military genius. He was united in marriage March 14, 1883, to Miss Emma Jung, a daughter of John and Magdalene Jung. Of this union two chil- dren have been born: Julius and Fritz. Mr. Kircheis is a member of the Modern Wood- men, the National Insurance Society, the Ger- mania Society and the Concordia Society. -^ :h fOHN C. BURNS, wholesale fruiterer. La Crosse, "Wisconsin, occupies a very prominent position in commercial circles. He was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Janu- ary 1, 1863, where he received his education. His first business venture was in his youth, when he embarked in the fruit business, sell- ing a peck of apples at a time on the street. The first business position he held was under J. A. Spier, whom he succeeded April 1, 18 1883. He has made the fruit trade a study, and the result has been a most satis- factory one. When he began in business for himself his capital was quite limited being a little less than $300. To-day his sales aggregate $150,000annnally. He owns fruit ranches in California, where he raises and packs supplies for his Eastern trade. He handles all kinds of fine fruits, and does an exclusive jobbing business. The growth of the fruit trade in the United States in the last decade has been a phenom- enal one, and with such a garden as the State of California it is difficult to predict the limits to which American enterprise will, carry it. Mr. Burns has been an important factor in the promotion of this trade in his own State, and his success is not due alone to his business sagacity, but to his courteous, gentlemanly bearing, and to his high and honorable methods of carrying on the trade. fB. HOLWAY.— Rarely enough do the surroundings of a lad correctly deter- ** mine what the man will be. How well this may be proven we have but to fol- low the career of the subject of this biography from his humble and unaided heirinnincr. Hie eighteenth birthday came, and, without an education, he was foiced to depend upon his muscle. He went to work in the woods at $10 per month. This pleasant pastime he vigorously pursued for more than seven years, during the latter part of which he kindly accepted an increase in his wages, his pro- ficiency having become apparent to his em- ployers. The best pay for any one month's work was $14, and this remuneration young Holway considered princely. From this trifling pay he saved $1,100. In 1850 he was swept westward with the tide of gold 254 BIOGRAPniCAL HISTORY. hunters, and spent three years of fairly profit- at)le pursuit excavating in California dirt. After fuUv sating this am Ijition lie turned his face to the East, and after some travel located in La Crosse, and engaged in the lumber business. In 1850 he purchased a half inter- est in a sawmill at Onalaska, in company with C. M. Nichols. This mill was destroyed by file in 1859, which terminated their business relations. This loss almost wrecked Mr. JJoiway, as all iiis means were herein in- vested. Ilavinu; good credit he then went into the lotjging business, which he operated alone until 1804, when Abner Gile became his partner. In 1875 Mr. Ilolway purchased the lloss sawmill at North La Crosse, which wa.s burned to asiies in the spring of 1877. Reverses were coming fast enough, but Mr. Ilolway knew no defeat. He immediately rebuilt upon the old site, im-reasing the ca- pacity and furnishing the whole with improv- ed machinery and appliances. Two hundred hands are employed, and the annual tran-5ac- tions exceed a quarter of a million dollars. More than 20.000,000 feet of logs are sawed during the season, and the additional output is 9,000,000 shingles and as many lath. Mr. Ilolway owns 25,000 acres of timber land in Clark, Wood and Taylor counties, from which his mill is supplied with logs. He also owns about 2,000 acres of farming and gnizing lands in Faribault county, Min- nesota. He is a director and stockholder in the Exchange State Bank of North La Crosse. On the organization of that institution in 1888, he was elected vice-president, which office he still holds; he is also a stockholder in the Batavian Bank. Mr. Ilolway is a native of the Bine Tree State, born at Madison, May 5, 1824, a son of Zaccheus and Azuba Ilolway; his mother's maiden name was Jones. The father was a native of Cape Cod, and a descendant of Puritan stock. Our subject is one of the most reliable, liberal and energetic of men, and has pursued a business policy that has won him the esteem and confidence of all those with whom he has had business or so- cial relations. „„ ,1^, -I I- ,^ii C. ELWELL, who has for many years been identified with the agricultural ® interests of La Crosse county, was born in Bennington county, Vermont, April 13, 1827, and is a son of Chauncey and Lydia (Munii) Elwell, who were also natives of the Green Mountain State. The father was a carpenter and contractor by trade, and also managed a country hotel and cultivated a farm. He was the ninth of a family of twelve children, and died in Bennington county, Vermont, at the age of fifty years; his wife lived to be eighty-three years old. They reared a family of six children, our sub- ject being the second-born; P. Spencer, a younger brother, was for many years a resi- dent of La Crosse city, and held various county offices. C. C. Elwell received a com- mon school education, and at the age of twenty-one years entered upon the occupation he has followed throuijli life, tarmino-. It was in the year 1852 that ho came to La Crosse county and settled on a farm, where he now resides; he has experienced the hardships and deprivations incident to the life of a pioneer, but he had willing hands and a courageous heart, and as time went on over- came all obstacles that presented themselves. He has a beautiful farm of 100 acres, only forty of which had been broken when he pur- chased the tract of Thomas Leonard. He has a convenient house, with barns, sheds BlOORAPniOAL HISTORY. 255 and cribs for the care and protection of live- stock and tlie storing of grain; lie is fond of fruit culture, and has suriounded himself and family with many of the comforts of modern civilization. Mr. Ehvell was married in the State of New York, March 4, 1851, to Miss Catharine Preston, a daughter of Joseph and Sallie (Bowen) Preston, of Monroe county, New York. Joseph Preston died March 3, 1848, at the age of sixty-six years; his wife died April 25, 1830, aged forty-five yeai-s; they reared a family of eight children, of whom Mrs. Elwell is the youngest. To Mr. and Mrs. Elwell has been born one child, Ida, who married Prof. E. S. Tilson, a native of Vermont. He was for a number of years the principal of the high school of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; his death occurred July 2, 1878, at the age of thirty-five years. Mrs. Tilson makes her home with her parents; she, too, is a teacher by profession; at the age of fourteen years she began to teach scliool in La Crosse county, and at the a^e of nineteen graduated from Pipon College. She has a highly cultivated literary taste, is a writer of no mean ability, often invited to give an essay nt public assemblies. She and her parents are members of the Congrega- tional Church; for more than thirty years her father has been treasurer and clerk, but she has relieved him of the labors attachino; to o the clerk's ofhce. Mr. Elwell is an ardent Prohibitionist, and has great faith in the final success of his party. lie is a man of deep integrity of character, and has the respect and confidence of the community. Joseph Preston was a farmer in New York, and resided about twenty miles from Roches- ter; he gave the land for the Erie canal, that is, the portion which was necessary to make the cut throuufh iiis farm. He was one of the pioneers of Monroe county. New York, and was possessed of those staunch character- istics which won him the good will of the entire community. His son Daniel, now living in Cleveland, served with distinction in the late war. -►ffe ^4«- ^ENRY LEBBER.— There are a number -IM) °*' y'*""^ business men in La Crosse ^(fi county, Wisconsin, who by their push and energy have been successful in their dif- ferent callincrs, and foremost amono; these is Henry Lel)ber, who Hrst saw the light of day in Germany in 1863. His father died in Germany in 1873, but the mother is still living and makes her home there. Henry Lebber came to the United States in 1882, worked three months in New York city in a grocery store, and then came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, wiiere he worked on the farm for one year. He subsequently worked at the carpenter's trade live years, after which he bouglit a lot in West Salem and erected a good two-story brick building, 26 x 70 feet, which he uses for business and dwelling. The large hall on the second floor is used for public purposes. He has an excellent billiard hall, and also deals in liquors. He is a pushing and enterprising young merchant, and is deservedly popular with all with whom he has dealings. He was married in 1889, to Miss Emma Horstman, daughter of Henry and Mary (Schaifer) Horstman, who reside in La Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. Lebber are the hsppy parents of one child, Mary. They hold membership in the Lutheran Church of Bostwick Valley, and are lil)eral contributors to the same. In politics Mr. Lebber is a Democrat. He is public-spirited and is always ready with energy and means to push forward any enterprise for the benefit of 256 BlOGliAPniCAL HISTORY his town and county. I5y his good manage- ment and excellent husiiiess acumen he has raised a good foundation for a fortune and is on the highway to snccess. -^^lyxn/l -^^^—an. 'yin^. FILLIAM W. LEETE, who has heen identified with many of the leading enterprises of La Crosse county, is a native of New Haven county, Connecticut, horn Septemher 28, 1853. His parents, William P. and Zaida E. (Goodrich) Leete, were natives of the same State; the father was a farmer and also taught scliool; he came to La Crosse valley in 1858, purchased forty acres of land, paying $10 an acre therefor, and finally opened a farm of 180 acres. He was one of tlie early settlers of this valley and endnreil the privations of frontier life. He held many of the local offices, discharging his duties faithfully and efficiently. Before his death he owned 220 acres of fine farming land, which he sold, purchasing fifty acres one and a quarter miles from West Salem in 1881. He died May 7, 1886, aged sixty-four years; his widow is still living; she is a woman who has borne her share of the burden in the eettlemenl of this country, and cheerfully braved the dangers and privations of life in the far Wes*:. Our subject is one of a family of eight children: Sherman, who has been prominently connected with the educational interests of La Crosse county, married Miss Chloe Sherwin, and they have two children: Robert and Mary; Joseph was married to Miss Ellen J. Pitkin, and five children were born to them: Lucy, Darwin. Herbert, Dwight and Helen; the mother died in Jan- uary, 1888; the second marriage was to Miss Edith Dana; George married Miss Sarah Callahan, and one daughter was born to them, named Lizzie; the mother died in May 1887, and Mr. Leete was married to Miss China Pearl; Mary died at the age of twenty- three year.*; she was a successful teacher, and had entered the profession in her seventeenth year: William W. is the next in order of birth; Zaida is the wife of the Hon. Charles White, of Minnesota; Frank married Miss Zaida Moran, who died three mouths after their union; he was engaged in teaching in the Government school of the Sandwich Is- lands, and had some commercial interests there; his death occurred August 30, 1891; Charles died at the age of twenty years. Mr. Leete has been successfully engaged in the profession of teaching; winning the esteem and affection of his pupils and the confidence of the board and patrons, he has made the profession a labor of love. He taught for eight years in his own district, and accomplished very satisfactory results. Of late years he has given more especial atten- tion to agriculture and kindred occupations. He is now president of the Farmers' Co- operative Creamery, located within three- quarters of a mile of West Salem; this enter- prise was inaugurated in February, 1891, and April 1 of that year lie took charge of the business. During May and June the manu- facture was from 6,000 to 7,000 pounds of butter weekly; the value of sucii an estal)lish- ment in the midst of a rich farming country can scarcely be estimated, furnisliing, as it does a market for a large agricultural product. Mr. Leete was a resident of Minnesota from 1878 to 1884; during that time he occupied a position on the town board which he resigned upon his return to La Crosse county. He is a man of advanced views, and has contributed liberally of his means to the support of pul)lic enterprises. He was married September 28, 1891, to Miss Kate Collins, a woman of rare intelli- gence and refinement (v^d a d^iigiiterof A. P. BIOOHAPHIGAL UlbTuRT. 257 and Jennie Collins, natives of the State of New York, but for many years past residents of Vii^t) county, Indiana; they are now mak- ing their home in Dulnth, Minnesota. Thej reared three children: Nettie, wife of L. O. Randall; Mrs. Leete and Nellie. Mr. and Mrs. Leete are the parents of four cliildren: Ruth, Zaida, Carrol and Howard. Politically our subject is identified with the Rrohibition party. — | ' Sn; ' | t>«" — SMI Eighteenth EORGE EULER, Alderman of the Ward of tiie city of La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born March 22, 1852, at Waldlaubersheim, in the municipality of Windesheim, district of Kreuznach, regency circuit of Coblenz, Germany. He obtained a common-school education in the evangelical school of his native birthplace, which he attended from his lifth year until he became fourteen years of age, at which time he was confirmed in the Evangelical Communion Church at Waldlaubersheim. On the completion of his school course in 1866, he worked several years for Surveyor Mattes, and subsequently found employment on farms and in vineyards. In 1870, at the ago of eighteen years, and shortly prior to the Franco-German war, Mr. Euler emigrated to America, arriving at La Crosse, Wisconsin, April 1, of the same year. He worked as a laborer the following summer until the fall, when he visited his uncle, Adolf Huett, near Alma, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where he attended school for the purpose of learning the English language. In the spring of 1871 he returned to La Crosse, and was employed by Thomas Shimmins in hauling stone. In May he had the misfortune to break one of his legs, and thereby was confined to his bed for three months, after which he resumed work. In November, 1871, in coni)>any with his brother, Philip Euler, he went South and found employment iu the cotton fields of Arkansas. In December, of the same year, Mr. Euler contracted a severe sickness, and went to St. Louis, Missouri, to obtain treat- ment in a hospital, where he remained until tlie latter part of January, 1872, when he returned to La Crosse and found employment as a laborer. September 1, 1872, he obtained a position as clerk in the grocery store of Philip Knoth, where he remained until July 1, 1873. From July 6 until November 6, he worked on the farm of a Mr. Poss in Trempealeau cunnty, and November 10 re- sumed his clerkship with Mr. Philip Knoth, where he remained until June 10, 1874. June 24, of the same year, he was engaged by John Gund, Sr., to conduct the delivery business of the then Empire Erewery, which has since been organized into the John Gund Brewing Company, by the joining of the sons of George, Henry and John Gund, Jr., and which position Mr. Euler held continu- ously until the present time. May 29. 1877, he married Miss Minnie Johanna Sewerin, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and they have had four children: Emma Elizabeth Frederika, born March 7, 1878; Johann Frederieh Wilhelm, born April 11, 1881; Wilhelm Berthold, born March 2, 1883; and Arthur Philip, born July 17, 1891. March 7, 1882, Mr. Euler joined the Third Ward Aid Society, and has ever since been an active member of the same, serving on various committees, and has held the office of Collector from Se])teinber 9, 1885, until August, 1887, when he was called to assume the duties of Comptroller until in May, 1888. He was then chosen P'inancial Secretary of the same society, which office he holds at the present time. In the spring of 1891, when the population of La Crosse had nearly 258 BIOGBAPHIGAL UISTOJtr. readied 80,000 inliabitants, lie was nominated l)y the Democratic caucus for Alderman of the Eiifhteenth Ward, and was elected as such April 7, 1891, for a term of four years. The territory constituting the Eighteenth Ward was from the center of Sixtli street to the center of Tenth street, east and west, and south from the center of Jackson street to the south line of the city limits. In the capacity of Alderman Mr. Euler is the Chair- man of the Board of Health and also a mem- ber of tlie Committees on Water Works and Health. In 1873 he became a member of the German Lutheran Congregation of this city, and April 3, 1881, joined the insurance brancii of the same congregation, and lias retained his membership in both up to the present time. His father, Jacob Euler, was born March 14, 1812, in the village of Krieg.ifeld, fJavaria, Germany. He attended the evan- gelical school from his filth to his fourteenth year, and afterward worked on farms. In 1830 he moved to Prussia, in the district of Coblenz, and in 1842 settled in Waldlaubers- heim, where he followed farm work. He was married in January, 1848, to Miss Katherina Jacobus, and February 5, 1849, their son Philip was born, and George was born March 22, 1852. Philip Euler came to America in 18(37, and in May of the same year settled in La ('rosse. In August, 1872, Jacob Euler and his wife lott Germany for Anierica, arriving at La Crosse about Sep- tember 1. The fitlier died February 9, 1887, at the residence of his son George, and his widow, who was born on August 11, 1812, has found a home, since her hus- band's death, with the family of her son, George Euler. Carl Sewerin, the father-in-law of Geonre Euler, was born in liostow, Germany, May 9, 1881, and after the death of his father he lived with his mother at Quitzero, and re- ceived his communion in the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Demmiii, in 1845. October 1, 1851, he married Miss Maria Lowitz, who was born April 12, 1827. October 5, of the same year, Mr. Sewerin entered the military service of the Second Infantry Regiment of King Frederick Will- iam of Prussia, and was honorably discharged in 1854. The followint' named children were born to this union: Caroline, born in Novem- ber, 1855, died at Pittsburg in December, 1862; Minnie, born July 10, 1858; Fred- ericka, born January 18, 1860; John and William, twins, born November 29, 1865, and William died January 10, 1866. Mr. Sewerin left his native land in October, 1861, and came to America, first locating at Pitts- burg, and in the early part of 1862 came West to La Crosse, where be has since resided. His wife died July 10, 1877, in this city, and his son John died July 16, 1891, leaving a widow and daughter, Ida. IMANUEL MAKKLE.— This honored gentleman is one of best known citizens of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and his long residence within its bordersand his well known habits of industry and perseverance have won for him a wide circle of friends. By all he is considered to lie a model farmer, neat and progressive, and of decided views in conduct- ing all his operations, and he has met with the substantial success which all concede is well merited. He was born in Ohio in 1837, but his parents, George and Elizabeth (Mil- ler) ifarkle, were Pennsylvaniaus, although they were married in the Buckeye State in 1836. In 1843 he sold his farm in Ohio and moved to Putnam county, Indiana, and about eight years later, or in 1851, he moved BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 259 to La Crosse county, Wisconsin. His first work in this State was as foreman in the brick manufactory belonging to Deacon Syl- vester Smith, with whom he remained two years. Upon his arrival here he had entered 160 acres of land, and in 1853 he settled on the place with his family, which continued to be his home until his death, March 31, 1887, at the age of seventy-four years. His widow died February 27, 1890, (xt the age of sevsnty- six years, having borne a family of nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest. The other members are: J. C* who married Naomi Maxwell, is the father of three children and is a resident of Ccdor- ado; Catherine A., who married Henry Ves- tal, of White Rock, Kansas, is the mother of five children; Greorge W. is a resident of Webber, Kansas, married Mary Vestal, by whom he has seven children; John is a resident of the old homestead, was married to Sarah Lattimer, and is the father of three children; Peter, who enlisted in the Sixth Wisconsin Infantry during the civil war, was killed in the battle of the Wilderness; Naomi, who married Peter Speck and died in La Crosse; Elnora (twin sister of Naomi) married C. Bernet, and died in St. Louis and Rachel; Jane, who died at the age of two years. Emanuel Markle's opportunities for acquir- ing an education were confined to the common schools, but he judiciously applied himself to liis books and obtained a fair practical edu- cation. After remaining on the home farm with his father until 1856, he began trapping, and followed this calling with success until 1861. He and his brother, J. C, enlisted in the Union army in the Second Wisconsin Infan- try, in which they served for over three years, participating in the battles of the Wilderness, Antietam, second Bull Run and Gettysburg. In the last named engagement he was wound- ed twice, was captured by the enemy and was paroled on the field. His brother, J. C.,was shot through the left arm at South Mountain, and at the battle of the Wilderness was shot through the riijht arm. Mr. Markle was married in 1866 to Miss Caroline, daughter of Lawrence and Maria Anna (Dorfel) Han- isch, who were Ixjrn in Austria. They became the parents of three children: Joseph, who was in the Austrian army and died in the hospital at Galetzia, Austria. They emi- grated to La Crosse in 1861; Raymond, re- siding at Lake City, Minnesota; and Caroline, Mrs. Markle. The latter has borne her hus- band the following children: Theodore M., Charles W., Laura May, Lillian Elberta; Simon Peter, Joseph E. and Harriet E. Four other children died in early childhood. Theodore M. is a mechanical engineer and is employed by the Great Northern Railroad in North Dakota. Lillian is attending com- mercial college at La Crosse, and is now writing in the office of the County Register of Deeds; Laura M. is a milliner at La Crosse, and the others reside at home. Law- rence Hanisch died August 23, 1886, aged eighty-one years, and Mrs. Hanisch died January 22, 1888, at the age of eighty-three years. In 1867 the subject of this sketch bought eighty acres of land in section 27, has since added eighty acres in section 16; eighty acres in section 21, and 149 acres in section 33, making in all 389 acres — a tine farm. The buildings on this place are all excellent, and his home is a very pleasant and an extremely comfortable one. His principal business is in the raising of small fruits, and in bee- keeping. He keeps about twelve head of cattle, three horses, also hogs. He has been Justice of the Peace of his township for tne past twenty years, and has been elected town Supervisor on several occasions, and a mem- 260 BIOGRAPHICAL UIHTORY. ber of the School Board, lie made the race for Assemblyman of his district, but his well known temperance proclivities defeated him for tliat office. lie is a member of the I. O. G. T., F. & A. M.,G. A. R., and U. V. L., and is a Democrat politically. — g' : " ; - g . - ^ ^OUIS E. MEASON, whose photographic studio is at 128 North Third street, La Crosse, is a native of the Badger State, born at Mineral Point, September 1, 1848. His parents were Louis and Elizabeth (Fick) Meason, uatives of Prnssia; they were brought to America in tlieir childhood, and were married at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, in 1847, being among the pioneers of the State. The father was a cabinetmaker, and learned his trade in St. Louis, where he worked sev- eral years. In 184:9 he left Mineral Point, and journeying via the old Fremont route, arrived in California, where he remained about a year and a half. He returned by way of the Isthmus, and was stricken with cholera at St. Louis, where he died, in 1850. His widow married again, her second husband being Frantz Enzenroth, and after his death became the wife of Adam Soleras; she lives at Mineral Point. Louis E., the subject of this notice, was the only child of the tirst marriage of his mother; by her second union she had three children, and by the third marriage three daughters. He was educated in the public schools of Mineral Point, and took a com- mercial course at Bryant & Stratton's College, Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1871. He came to J.,a Crosse in July, 1871, and engaged as a bookkeeper for a retail grocer, with whom he remained two and half years. He had managed to acquire a theo- retical knowledge of photography, and on January 1, 1874, he formed a partnersliip with A. P. Knutesen lor the purpose of opening a tirst-class photograph gallery. Later he purchased his partner's interest, and has since continued the business alone. He employs all the modern appliances and the latest methods used in the art, and does artis- tic work in Imlia ink and crayon. lie has won a wide patronage, and bids fair to attain excellent rank in the profession. Mr. Meason was united in marriage May 26, 1874, to Miss Emma L. Kinne, a daugh- ter of Edward and Katherine Kinne, natives of Sa.xony and Prnssia resjjectively. Mrs. Meason's mother died in Mineral Point, and her father resides at Highland, Illinois. She is the eldest of a family of two sons and five daughters. To Mr. and Mrs. Meason have been born four children, the two younger ones dying in infancy; those living are Mary Georgiana and Edward Kinne. Our worthy subject has filled the various offices of Gateway City Lodge No. 153, I. (). O. F., and has attained the second position in the Patriarchal Circle. He has served six years in the Wisconsin National Guards, Third Regiment, and about seventeen years in the La Crosse Volunteer Fire Department. He is a member of the La Crosse Board of Trade, and is a zealous supporter of liome in- dustries. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. He and his family be- long to the Protestant Episcopal Church, and are highly esteemed members of the com- munity. — --S-^^j-l-^ — pjEV. ELIAS P. HARBO, pastor of St. Paul's United Lutheran Church, resid- ing at 016 Market street. La Crosse, was born in the province of Berg, Norway, February 6, 1856, and is the sixth of a family BIOGRAPHICAL EISIORT. 361 of nine children. His parents were Hans and Ellen Mary Olsen. lie was reared to mature years in his native country, attending the common school. At the age of twenty- four years he bade farewell to the pine-clad hills of his native land and ci'ossed the sea to America. Upon arriving in this country he settled at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and re- mained there one year and a half, working at the tailor's trade, which he had learned in Norway. Having determined to enter the ministry he became a student at Augsburg Seminary, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and pur- sued a classical course in that institution, covering a period of live years. He then took up the theological course of the Augs- burg Seminary, and was graduated from this department at the end of three years; his ex- aminations covered a period of two weeks, at the end of which time he received his diploma, June 6, 1889. Immediately thereafter he was ordained and assigned to his present charge. His congregation comprises iifty- tive families, numbering 333 souls. His church is located on King street between Fifth and Sixth. Mr. Harbo's mother died in her native country, but his father is still living; one brother, Rud,came to America about one year after his arrival and is now a resident of Duluth, Minnesota, a mechanic by trade; three of the family are deceased, and the other four are living in their native country. Our worthy subject was united in marriage to Miss Martha Maria Larson, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Eric Larson, a farmer residing near Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This union occurred December 3, 1889. One child, Elise Mathilde, was born in La Crosse, February 22, 1891. Mr Harbo is a gentleman of broad and comprehensive views, and a finished scholar. He addresses his congregation in their native tongue, although he posseses a thorough knowledge of the English language; he is, in fact, an accomplished linguist, having passed an examination in Latin, Hebrew, Greek, German, English, and Norsk. He owns a large and well selected library. tEN RIK K. E. N1SSEN,M.D., an honored member of the medical profession in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, is a native of Maalselven, Norway, born April 22, 1864, and is a son of A. E. and E. (Istad) Nissen. His father was born in Tromso, and his mother in Stordalen, Norway. The Doctor received his elementary education in the private schools of Christiania, and at the age of eighteen years he entered upon the study of medicine in the Royal University of that city; he was graduated from the classical de- partment in 1882, and six years later received the degree of M. D. During one year of his college life, 1887, he was resident physi- cian of Rotvold Insane Asylum. When he had completed his professional studies he de- termined to visit America, and accordingly crossed the sea, landing in La Crosse, Wiscon- sin, in February, 1889. He at once entered ujjon the practice of Iiis profession, and suc- cess has attended him on every hand; he has won a large practice, and his skill as a prac- titioner is daily adding to the laurels already won. Dr. Nissen was united in marriage May 28, 1889, to Fayette E. Nissen, who was born in Norway, July 15, 18G4, of Norwegian parents. Both the paternal and maternal grandfathers of our subject, as well as two of his father's brothers, were honored members of the medical profession. He has passed the State examination in Minnesota, and holds a diploma from the board of examiners of S63 BIOGRAPniCAL HISTOBT. that State. He makes a specialty of the treatment of the eye, and is a devoted student of the science he has chosen for his life's occupation. To Dr. and Mrs. Nissen has been born one son, Arvid, who first saw the liglit of day, May 4, 1890, and a daiigiiter, Da^ny, born September 17, 1891. The Doctor is a mem- ber of the Norden Society. fOIIJV' J. FRUIT, attorney and counselor at law. La Crosse, is a native of the State of Wisconsin, born at Lima, Grant county, March 29, 1849, and is a son of Perry and Sarah M. (Lambkin) Fruit. His father was a farmer by occupation, and a native of Illinois. The parents reared a family of four sons and five dauj^hters, John J. being the fourtii-born. lie ol)tained his elementary education in tlie public schools of Grant county, and at the age of sixteen years he entered the State Normal School at Platte- ville, Wisconsin. At the age of twenty-two he finished the course of study in this insti- tution, and received its diploma. In August, 1871, he came to La Crosse and was em- ployed as pririfcipal of the Fifth Ward school, a position he held for four years, and was then transt'eried to the Third Ward, of which he was principal one year. From his boyhood the legal profession had had its attractions for Mr. Fruit, and during the years he was teaching he devoted his leisure moments to studying the subject, pre- paratory to taking a prescribed course of in- struction. In 1876 he left the school-room and entered the law otiice of James I. Lyndes, under whose direction he continued his studies until lie became a student in the law depart- ment of the State University. He was grad- uated with the class of 1877, and immedi- ately after this event he formed a partnership with Mr. Tfund; this relationship existed but six months, and Mr. Fruit was alone in practice until June 1, 1880, when he and John Brindley formed a co-partnership, which has since been continued uninterruptedly. The firm name is Fruit & Crindley. During the year 1880 Mr. Fruit served as City Superintendent of the Public Schools, devoting only that portion of time which he could spare from his professional labors. Preferring to give his wliole energy to his legal work, he resigned the superintendency at the end of the first year. He is a close and careful student, and has a very high standing among the members of the bar; he possesses the confidence of the entire com- munity, and has a host of friends both in and out of the profession. In recognition of his ability as an attor- ney Mr. Fruit was appointed to the responsi- ble position of Assistant United States At- torney for the Western District of Wisconsin in April, 1890, an ofiice which he has tilled with dignity and to the complete satisfaction of the public. In tlie fall of 1881 he was elected District Attorney of La Crosse county, and served five years. Our worthy subject was united in marriage December 11, 1877, to Miss Marion E. Haw- ley, a daughter of R. H. and Ruth W. Haw- ley, of La Crosse. Her parents were natives of Vermont, in which State she also was born. Her father was a tiierchant during the active years of his life, but he is now retired from business. Mr. and Mrs. Fruit are the parents of four children : John Clyde, Clarence Henry, Alice Marion and Edna Kuth, all pupils in the public schools of La Crosse. Mr. Fruit is an ardent Republican in his political convictions, and during the local campaigns does his duty in tlie canvass. He BIOGRAPHIGAL EI STORY. 263 and his wife are members of the Congrega- tional Church. The firm of Fruit & Brindley have a fine legal library, and an excellent location. What is of greater importance, they are personally well adapted to the work, and are an orna- ment not only to the bar of La Crosse county, but also to the bar of the State of Wisconsin. — ~-^-^^^-~ — ^5^0RRIS HIRSCIIHEIMER, one of the enterprising young business men ^^^^ of La Crosse, has been a resident of the city since his early childliood, his parents having settled here in 1855. He was born in Wiirtemburg, Germany, January 6, 1850, and is a son of Louis and Fannie (Hart) Hirschheimer, natives of the same country. The father emigrated to America in 1850, making the voyage in a sailing vessel, and consuming two months on the journey. He settled in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, where his family came soon after their arri- val in America. There were five sons and four daughters, eight of whom are still living. Morris enjoyed the advantages afforded by the public schools of La Crosse city. Having attained his majority, he looked about for some congenial occupation in which to em- bark, and decided to establish a foundry; this he did in April, 1865, the plant being known as the La Crosse Foundry. He con- ducted this enterprise until 1889, when he disposed of the property and engaged in the manufacture of tents and awnings. He makes a specialty of awnings, tents, flags and banners, employing a number of men in the busy season. He has established a fine trade, and has so satisfactorily supplied thie demand that no competitor has offered. He is located at 109 and 111 South Fifth street. Mr. Hirschheimer was married October 15, 1876, to Miss Bertha Abraham, a daugh- ter of Henry Abraham, of Milwaukee, Wis- consin. Three children have been born to them: Hattie, Louis and Clara, all pupils of the public schools of La Crosse. The mother of these children died April 26, 1885. Mr. Hirschheimer was married a second time, June 15, 1887, to Miss Mathilda Benjamin, a native of Hanover, Germany. They have no children. Our subject is a worthy mem- ber of the A. O. U. W., of the order of Chosen Friends, and of a Jewish benevolent association called B'nai B'rith. He is a mem- ber of Anshe Cheset Congregation. fTEPHEN MARTIN DALE, Jr., attor- ney and counselor at law, is a rising young member of the bar of La Crosse, to which he was admitted in 1885. He is the eldest son of Stephen and Katharine (Howard) Martindale, a full history of whom appears elsewhere in this volume, and was born in the city of La Crosse August 21, 1859. Here he passed his childhood and youth, attending the pul)lic schools. He is a member of the first class that was graduated from the La Crosse High School, and in 1876 he entered Beloit College, Wisconsin; this institution conferred upon him the degree of A. B. in 1880, and two years later that of A. M. In 1882 he l)egan the study of law, reading under the direction of Messrs. Wing and Prentiss of this city, and in 1885, as be- fore stated, he was admitted to the bar. In the fall of the same year he became a student in the law department of the Wisconsin State University, and took a two years' course, be- ing graduated with honoi-s in 1886. After this event, a partnership was formed betvveen Stephen Martindale, Jr., and his brother, Edward S. H. Martindale, who was 264 BIOORAPHIOAL UISTORT. born ill La Crosse November 23, 1861. He received his literary education ia the public schools of La Crosse, studied law at home, and afterwards entered the law department of the Wisconsin State University; he was ex- amined before the State Commissioners and admitted to practice in 1887, before he had iinished the course in the University. It was after his return to La Crosse that tlie part- nership of Martindale & Martindale was formed. He is now taking a post-graduate course in the University of Virginia. Stephen Martindale, Jr., the subject of this notice, was united in marriage at Beloit, Wisconsin, in 1883, to Miss Sopliia Rosen- blatt, a daughter of H. Rosenblatt, a merchant and manufacturer of tiiat place. Two chil- dren have been born of this union: Henrietta and Katharine. Politically Mr. Martindale is identified with the Republican party. tWARD ALGER, M. D., residing at 221 South Seventh street. La Crosse, was ' born in West Bridgewater, Plymouth county, Massachusetts, March 9, 1887, and is a son of Ward and Elizabeth L. (Howard) Alger. Six generations of the family were born in Plymouth county, and three of them on the same farm. The Doctor is the second of three children : Mary Elizabeth, the eldest, died at the age of five years; Albert L. is a farmer and coal dealer and lives on the old Massachusetts homestead. Dr. Alger attended the common schools until he was thirteen years of age, when he entered Pierce Acad- emy at Middleboro; he afterwards pursued the classical course at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, and was also a stud- ent at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. In 1853 his studies were interrupted for a time when he was engaged in teaching; but he followed this profession only tempor- arily, and at the age of twenty years he was ready to begin his medical studies. When he was choosing a profession he gave some thought to civil engineering, and had pur- sued the study for a while when he decided upon medicine. He did his first reading in this line in the office of Dr. Swan, of West Bridgewater, and during the winter of 1858- '59 he attended a course of lectures at Har- vard Medical College. The following winters was a student at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and was graduated from this well-known institution March 9, 1861, his twenty- fourth birth-day, receiving the degree of M. D. He opened an office at Conton, Massachusetts, near Boston, and continued in practice there for seven years, meeting with excellent success. The western fever, how- ever, had begun to rage in JSew England, and in the spring of 1868 he came to Wis- consin and located at La Crosse. Here he has built up a fine practice, and has accumu- lated a competence. His college courses were according to the old school, as were also his preceptors: but he has made a study of the homeopathic system of medicine, and of late years has practiced according to it. Dr. Alger was united in marriage January 8, 1862, to Miss Angenetto M. Hall, at Mans- field, Massachusetts. She was born in that place April 23, 1842, her ancestors being early settlers of New England. The Doctor and his wife are the parents of four children: Ernest Ward, born December 20, 1863, died August 26, 1864; Fannie E., born March 18, 1867; Alice M., born August 24, 1872, and Clifton Howard, born June 14, 1876. The children have received their education in the common schools of La Crosse; Fannie E. is a graduate of the high school; she was mar- ried Septem ber 14, 1887, to Homer T. Fowler, and resides at West Superior; her husband is BIOGRAPHfCAL HISTORY. 265 president of the State Bank of Wisconsin; they have three children. Dr. Alger is a member of the State Medi- cal Society of Wisconsin, and belongs to the Masonic order and to the A. O. U. W. The family are members of the Congregational Chnrch. ^ARVEY J. FECK, one of the honored pioneers of the State of Wisconsin, is a resident of La Crosse county, and a history of this section would not be complete without an outline of his career. He was born in Chenango County, New York, and is the youngest son of a family of four children of Joseph and Ada (Parker) Peck, natives of Vermont and Connecticut. During his in- fancy his parents moved to Oneida county, where his youth and early manhood were passed; he attended the common schools and received some academic training. In 1838, at the age of twenty-one years, he came to Wisconsin, and for ten years was engaged in agricultural pursuits. Then he took up car- pentry, which trade he had learned while a resident of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Being impressed that La Crosse would be a good business center, he decided to locate here, his iirst introduction to the place being in 1851, when he was employed to build a dwelling fur Rev. W. H. Card, a Baptist minister of this city. He followed building and contract- ing for some years, principally at Oiialaska, where he resided until 18G4. in 1863 Mr. Peck was elected Clerk of the Qircuit Court of La Crosse county, a position he held for six years. In July, 1870, he was appointed by the Judges of the United States Court to the office of Clerk of the LTnlted States Circuit and District Courts, which position he has since held, a period of twenty- one years. He has been United States Court Commissioner about eighteen years. In connection with his official business he at- tends to a large insurance business, and loans money. He has been twice married; first, to Miss Lucinda Hickey, a native of New York, wiio was the mother of four children: Joseph, a resident of Onalaska; Cecelia, wife of H. Smith, a resident of Grant's Pass, Oregon; Hattie, the wife of W. H. Wadsworth, a resident of Madelia, Minnesota; and one child that died in infancy. Mrs. Peck died in 1850, and six years afterward Mr. Peck was mavrieJ to Miss Carrie M. Lawrence, a native of the Empire State. No children have been born of this marriage. Mr. Peck has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for many years, and when a young man took an active part in the order. He and his wife arc members of the Baptist Church. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, having voted with that body since its organization. He is a very prominent citi- zen, and is universally esteemed by his ac- quaintances. In all his official positions he has shown unusual capacity and an integrity of character that has placed him above the corruption which has crept into our political system. For twelve years he has been Notary Public, and in this, as in every other calling of life which he has entered, he has discharged his duty to the best of his ability'. ^ If^.ON. GILBERT MOTIER WOOD- WARD, of the law firm of Losey & Woodward, was born in Washington, District of Columbia, December 25, 1835. He learned the printer's trade in Baltimore, being apprenticed in 1850. He worked as a printer and proof-reader in the latter city, at 266 BIOORAPUICAL HISTORY. Upper Marlborough, Maryland, and at Wash ington. District of Colunihia, UTitil the be- ginning of the year 1860. In Wasiiington he was employed the greater portion of the time on the National Intelligencer. In February, 1860, he removed to La Crosse, and entered upon the study of law in the office of Messinore & McKenney. He was admitted to the bar at EUck Biver Falls, Wisconsin, Judge George Gale presiding, but he did not immediately enter npon the practice of his profession, as it was at this time the civil war broke over this country. He enlisted in the La Crosse Light Guard, Company B, Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, May 22, 1801, and was mustered into the United States service for three years, June 11, 1801, at Madison, Wisconsin. He was with his regiment in all the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac until the expiration of his term of enlistment. He received various promotions, as follows: Orderly Sergeant in September, 1861; Second Lieutenant in August, 1802; First Lieuten- ant in September, 1862, and Adjutant of his regiment in June, 1863. He was acting Aid- de-Camp of the First Brigade, First Division, First Army Corps (General James S. Wads- worth's Division), at the battle of Gettys- burg. In this engagement he received a severe gunshot wound in the riglit fore-arm. His services as Aid-de-Camp were continued during the Wilderness campaign. May 5 to June 11, 1804, his division being then a part of the Fifth Corps. He was mustered out of service at Madison, Wisconsin, June 80,1864, when he returned to La Crosse. In April of the following year he was elected City Attorney. In November, 1865, he was elected District Attorney of La Crosse county, and was re-elected in 1807, 1869 and 1871. lie formed a law partner- ship with S. S. Burton in January, 1868, which continued until 1876. In 1874 he was elected Mayor of La Crosse, and discharged the duties of this office two years. He was again elected City Attorney of La Crosse in April, 1876, and held that position for sev- eral years. He was a delegate to the Na- tional Liberal Convention at Cincinnati in 1872, and was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in the same city in 1880. In 1882 he was elected a member of Congress from the Seventh District of Wis- consin, but was defeated when a candidate for re-election in 1884; he was the Demo- cratic candidate for Governor of Wisconsin in 1886, *nd was a delegate at large from Wisconsin to the National Democratic Con- vention at St. Louis in 1888, and served as chairman of the delegation. January 1, 1889, the present law partnership of Losey & Woodward was formed. POLLEYS, one of the represent- e citizens of La Crosse and C"'s^)s:^i ^ ex-City Clerk, was born in the town of Baring, Washington county, Maine, May 4. 1851, and is a son of William H. and Dora A. (Woodcock) Polleys, natives of Nova Scotia ai.d Maine respectively; the father was a lumlierman in Maine, and en- gaged in that business at an early day. He came West in 1849 when a trading post was all that was visible of Minneapolis; later he returned to Maine, and in 1856 he came to La Crosse; his family, however, did not come until the following year, when they located in Melrose. Mr. Polleys invested in land, and made a beautiful home there. For many years he was largely interested in the lumber business on Ulack river, and in 1870 he erected a steam sawmill at La Crosse. In 1883 he embarked in the lumber business in BWOBAPHICAL HISTORY. 367 Georgia, and Iniilt a large steam sawmill at Bainbridge, which was afterward destroyed by fire. After this he returned to Melrose where he now lives. He has assisted materi- allj' in the growth and progress of this county, and has lent a helping hand to all material improvements. He enjoys the highest respect of the entire community. He is now in his sixty-ninth year; his wife died in June, 1887, aged fifty-eight years. Her life was one of great activity, and she was a woman of rare force of character, giving a strong vitality to any cause she espoused. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, and was an un- tiring worker in the church and Sabbath- school. To Mr. and Mrs. Polleys were born four children: W. E., the subject of this no- tice; Edgar H., Abner D. and Frank 0. W. E. Polleys was educated at Galesville, Wisconsin, and at the La Crosse Business College, being graduated from the latter in- stitution in 1871. He was bookkeeper for his father, and continued in that capacity for six years, when he and his brother, Edgar H., succeeded his father at La Caosse in the lum- ber business, the firm name being Polleys Bros. They carried on the business until 1884, when they sold out and embarked in the lumber business at Bainbridge, Georgia; there they were burned out within a year's time, and returned to La Crosse. They are DOW engaged in the logging business on the Chippewa river, and are meeting with grati- fyiug success. Mr. Polleys was elected Clerk of La Crosse in 1887, and was re-elected in 1889, serving two terras, with a high degree of satisfaction to his constituency. He was united in marriage, September 4, 1878, to Miss Emma L. Edwards, a daughter of George Edwards, and to them was born one child, Irene E. Tbe mother was called from this life June 11, 1891, at the age ot thirty-seven years. She was a woman of the rarest traits of character, devoted to her home and family, and beloved by a wide circle of acquaintance. She was a member of the Congregational Church Society. Mr. Pollfeys is one of the progressive business men of La Crosse, and has always favored those move- ments which have been along the line of ad- vancement. Politically he is identified with the Itepublican party, and is thoroughly posted upon all the leading issues of that body. ^ATRICK KEAVEN Y, who has for many ^ years been connected with the railroad "~5C business in La Crosse county, was born in Ireland in 1831, a son of John and Mary (Feiney) Keaveny. The father died in his native land, and the mother is still living, now a resident of La Crosse, at the age of eighty-six years. They had born to them eight children, seven of whom are living, four sous and three daughters, all having homes in La Crosse. Patrick Keaveny, the subject of the following biography, acquired an education in the old country, and was trained to the pursuit of agriculture. Until he was thirty- live years of age he followed this calling, and then, believing greater op- portunities would be offered him in America than in his own country, he emigrated to the United States. The first work he did was in Memphis, Tennessee, where he remained about six months; thence he came to La Crosse, arriving here in 1866. The river packet business was then in its prime, and for two years Mr. Keaveny was in the employ of Davidson & Co., in their packet ware- house. In 1868 he began his career as a railroad man, in the employ of the Chicago, Milwau- 308 RIOORAPHICAL DISTORT.^ kee & St. Paul Railroad Company, and after a few years of faithful service he was made section foreman, a position he still holds. During his twenty-one years' connection with this road, there has never been an accident that was dne to his neglect, which is, indeed a comfortino; reflection. Mr. Keaveny is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, and of the Total Abstinence Society. In politics he is independent, sup- porting those men whom he esteems best titled for the discharge of the duties of pub- lic office. In 1862 he was united in marriage, in Ire- land, to Miss Bridget "Walsh, a daughter of John and Catharine (Cusack) Walsh. Mrs. Keaveny's father was a farmer by occupation, and lived and died in his own country; her mother still survives, a resident of the Emer- ald It^le. Mr. and Mrs. Keaveny are the parents of six children, five of whom are liv- ing: Mary, the wife of E. J. Kelley, of the board of ))nblic works. La Crosse; Catharine, the wife of William Cragen, is the mother of three children; John isliving in Washington; Sabine and Delia arc both in La Crosse; Bridget died at the age of three years, five months and three days. The family are all devout members of the Catholic Church. fOUN M. CHILDERS, senior member of the firm of J. M. Childers & Co., cut- stone contractors, is a native of the State of Ohio, born at Letartville, Meigs county, May 24, 1851, and is a son of Samuel and Edith (DradKeld) Childers. The father was a shoemaker by trade, and was a native of Virginia. The Bradtield and Childers fami- lies were descended from the same ancestors. About the year 1858 Samuel K. Childers removed with his family to La Crosse, coming from Mason via the Ohio river down to the Mississip])i, and thence up the latter river to La Crosse, where our subject passed his youth. Here he learned the stone- cutter's trade, and has since February 17, 1869, been identified with this industry. In 1885 he formed a partnership with Thomas O'Coiiner for the purpose of entering into the stone contracting business, and they have built up a large and prosperous trade. Mr. Childers was united in marriage, June 11, 1880, in the city of La Crosse, to Miss Minnie B. Brabender, of this place, a daugh- ter of Jacob Brabender, a native of Ger- many. Of this union two sons have lieen born: John M., Jr., June 22, 1S84, and George Roy, September 25, 1886. Mr. Childers is a man of broad public spirit, and has liberally sustained those movements which have had for their object the upbuilding of the city and connty. He is an active member of the Builders' Ex- change of La Crosse, and is numbered among the leading business men. XGUS CAMERON, of La Crosse, was born in the town of Caledonia, Livings- ton county, New York, July 4, 1826. He received an academic education, read law at Buffalo, and graduated from tlie National Law School at Ballston, Saratoga county, New York. lie was admitted to the bar at Albany in April, 1852. He married Mary Baker, of Urbana, Steu- ben county, New York, February 21, 1856, and removed to La Crosse in 1857. He was a member of the Wisconsin Senate in 1863, 1864, 1871 and 1872, and of the Assembly of Wisconsin in 1866 and 1867, and was Speaker of the Assembly in 1867. /^^^^^ OK^y^lyiler; his means have been dis- tributed with a liberal hand as many can attest, and those who h^ve sought his aid BIOORAPBIGAL HISTORY 271 have been generously helped along life's rugged pathway. In his intercourse with his fellow-citizens, he has been found true to every trust, competent and faithful in every position to which he has been called, honor- able and ujjright to the utmost degree. jl^-%,IRAM G. MILLER, Eclectic physician and surgeon, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born at Virgil, Cortland county. New York, March 30, 1825, and is a son of Ben- jamin and Julia (Garrett) Miller. The mother was born at Sharon, Connecticut, of English ancestry; the father was a native of Williams- town, Massachusetts, and was a lineal de- scendant of the house of Hamilton. The paternal grandfather of our subject died at the age of ninety-nine years from the effects of a fall; he was a schoolteacher for more than forty years. The family was one of professional men, numbering among the dif- ferent generations many educators; they were large of stature, some measuring six feet, three and a half inches, and were a long-lived race. Hiram G. is the eldest son and second child in a family of eleven children. At the age of eleven years he removed with his father's family to Peoria, Illinois, where he received his elementary education; he entered Shurtleff College at Alton, Illinois, in 1847, and two years later he was caught in that mighty tide of emigration that swept to the gold fields of California; he went overland via the southern route, and was engaged in raining in the Yuba River locality for two years, meeting with fair success. When he returned to his home he began the study of medicine under the preceptorsliip of Dr. L. C. McKenney, at Burlnigton, Iowa; he pursued his studies for live years, and then engaged in practice at Rosefield, Illinois. He afterwards entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in 1869. He then removed to La Crosse, where he has devoted himself to liis profession for the past twenty-three years. He has been eminently successful, and has established a fine reputation as a skillful and trustworthy physician. His pa- tients are not found alone in La Crosse county, but come from distant points. Dr. Miller was married July 16, 1868, to Miss Virginia E. McKenney, eldest daughter of Dr. L. C. and Lucinda (Clarke) McKenney, of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Dr. McKenney, who was the tutor uf Dr. Miller, was a promi- nent physician in Burlington, Iowa, but upon his removal to La Crosse he turned his at- tention to the law, in order to avoid the ex- posure attendant upon active medical practice. He died in this city April 19, 1887; his widow is still living, and resides in La Crosse. There were seven children in the McKenney family, four of whom are living. To Dr. and Mrs. Miller have been born five children: Lewis Benjamin, James Leslie, and Charles Willis, are deceased; Virginia E. and Hiram G., Jr., are aged eleven and eight years re- spectively. Mrs. Miller is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Doctor is an active member of the Prohibi- tion party, having allied himself with that moral reform in 1887. He was formerly a Democrat. -^ ^. -S^ IHARLES J. ALDEN, United States Pension Claim Agent and War Claim Attorney, La Crosse, was born in Mon- roeton, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1844. F'rom an examination of a carefully prepared genealogical record, we find that our subject is a direct descendant of John Alden, 273 BIOGliAPUIOAL HI STORY. who landed on Plymouth Rock December 20, 1020. Tlie parents of Mr. Alden were Sylvester W. and Frances (Wilcox) Alden, natives of Bradford county, Pennsylvania. The father was born March 19, 1810, and the mother July 31, 1815. The former was a eon of Timothy Alden, be the son of Israel, lie the second son of Pev. I^oab Alden, and he, the youngest son of John Alden, born in 1694:, and he the son of Joseph, born in 1624, and he the son of John Alden, from whom the family in America has sprung; be was born ill Duxbury, England, in 1599. The The father of our subject removed his family to Wisconsin, and became heavily interested in lumbering in the vicinity of Green Bay, at which place he died July 13, 1881. His wife died at Monroeton, Pennsylvania, Aug- ust 29, 1847. Two sons comprised tlieir family, De Alanson T. being the elder, and Charles J. the younger. The brothers en- listed in Company II., Twenty-first Wisc( n- sin Volunteer Infantry, August 15, 1862. De Alanson died of disease contracted in the service, June 2, 1864. Charles J. had a peculiar and varied military career. His first initiation being in Kentucky in pursuit of the rebel General Bragg. IJe first partici- pated in battle at Perryville; here his regi- ment suffered terribly, and after participating in many other battles he was difabled from activeservice and declared unfit lor duty. De was assignid to duty at General Carrington's head-quarters at Indianapolis, Indiana; later on he was iransferred to the headquarters of General Hovey, where he served until the close of the war. He was mustered out of service June 30, 1865. He then joined his father at Green Bay, Wisconsin, and was engaged in the lumber business until 1870, when he located at To- mali, Monroe county, Wisconsin, where he embarked in the mercantile trade; he had a branch establishment in Oakdale, Wisconsin. In 1876 he turned his attention to agricult- ure and operated a farm tor three years. He was married at New Lisbon, Wisconsin, Sep- tember 10, 1872, to Antoinette, daughter of Joseph and Dorcas Davidson. To them four children have been born: Frances May, Syl- vester W., Leola and Charles J., Jr. Mr. Alden is a Kepublican in politics. He be- longs to the Knights of Pythias, to the I. O. O. F., and to Wilson Caldwell Post, No. 88, G. A. li. Some twelve years ago Mr. Alden engaged in the pension and war-claims business, and established an office at Tomah, Wisconsin. Subsequently he removed to Sparta, and after three years there he came to La Crosse, the rapid increase of hbs business rendering it necessary for him to place himself within reach of better railroad and mail facilities. During the year just passed 35,000 let- ters were sent out from his office, besides many thousand circulars. Fully $2,000 are spent annually in advertising. He has been instrumental in securing the allowance of claims from every State in the Union. A close application to business, with ample fa- cilities and access to records renders Mr. Alden a very successful practitioner in his line. He has accumulated valuable records and information relative to the pension laws, liavino- full tiles of circulars and legal docu- ments issued by the Pension Department. To give an idea of bis increase of business since 1883, it may be noted that the number of claims allowed in that year was seventy - two, and in 1890, 937. ■ g - 3 " ; - g ' l> w —- ATT. WANNEBO, dealer in staple and fancy groceries, flour, provisions, choice butter, etc., at La Crosse, Wisconsin, has gained a front position in his BIOGRAPHIVAL HIHTOBY. 273 line of trade, and numbers among his patrons some of the best families of the city. The stock he carries consists of a full line of the choicest articles to be found in the market, and are to be obtained at most reasonable prices. Mr. Wannebo was born in Norway, August 18, 1851, being the youngest of four children born to his parents, who were born, reared and died in Norway. Two of the children, besides the subject of this sketch, reside in La Crosse county, and one resides on a farm in Minnesota. On a farm in Nor- way Matt. Wannebo was reared, but in 1870 he came to America and settled in La Crosse county, and for some time worked by the month on a farm. His brother Andrew set- tled on a farm here in 1865; Otto came to this country in 1867, and the sister Annie, who became the wife of Louie Knudsen, came thitlier in 1869. After one year spent as a farm hand, Matt. Wannebo went to the pineries of Wisconsin, where he worked as a millwright for eight years, after which he re- turned to La Crosse and built the handsome store building in which he is now doing business. Its dimensions are 24 x 80, two stories in height, and it is located in a con- venient district for trade, at the corner of Clinton and Caledonia streets. Every facil- ity for the prompt transaction of business is here to be found, and in all respects it is an A 1 house and a representative one in the grocery business of the city. Butter and eggs are received direct from the producers, and all kinds of the best fruit and vegetables that are in season are to be obtained at his establishment. Upon coming to America he was compelled to bori'ow money with which to pay his passage, but he is now in inde- pendent circumstances and has the satisfac- tion of knowing that his present success is due to his own pluck and industry. He is a broad-spirited, liberal-minded man, of the highest business capacity, and honored in all circles of society. He has held the positions of Alderman and Supervisor with ability and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He is a Republican in politics, and his influence has always been given in support of educa- tional, social and moral interests. Septem- ber 27, 1882, his marriage to Miss Otilia Evanson was celebrated. Her parents were natives of Norway, and her mother is now an old resident of La Crosse county. Her father was a soldier in tlie Union army during the Rebellion, serving from the be- ginning until the close. Mrs. Wannebo and a single daughter, Emma, are their only sur- viving children, the latter being also a resi- dent of La Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. Wannebo are the parents of the following children: Henry, Morris, Arthur, George and Eva. Mr. Wannebo is a member of the L O. O. F., of which he is a zealous and active member. ,ARSHALL CONANT, a highly re- spected citizen of La Crosse, Wis- consin, wa.s born at Malone, Frank- lin county. New York, and is the youngest son of Leonard and Eunice (Bates) Conant. His parents were natives of Windsor county, Vermont, and removed to New York about 1820, where they were married, at Fort Cov- ington. The paternal grandfather was born at Bridgewater, Massachusetts, January 28, 1758; the maternal grandfather, Joseph Bates, was born at Middleboro, Massachu- setts, March 10, 1762, and was a soldier in tiie Revolutionary war; he married Miss Lucy Lee, who was born in Windsor county, Vermont, October 28, 1764; she died at Ma- lone, New York, July 13, 1862, in her ninety-eighth year. The mother of our sub- ject was born November 24, 1795, and died 274 BIOGRAPHICAL UI STORY. at Malone, New York, February 6, 1S80. Ill's father was twice married; his first wife was Miss Lucy Cleveland, a native of Pom- fret, Vermont, and one child was born of the union, Lucy, who married Ileury V. Jnd- eon. There were two children of the second marriage: Azro 11, now a resident of Ma- lone, New York, and the subject of this notice. Marshall Conant was educated in the public schools and at Franklin Academy, Malone, New York. At the early age of sixteen years he began teaching school, and followed the profession until 1848; during these years his leisure time was devoted to the study of law. In his youth he was a music pupil of Lowell Mason, of Boston, and sang one season in his choir. He was present at the noted celebration on Bunker Hill, June 17, 1843, when Daniel Webster delivered his memorable oration on the completion of the Bunker Hill monument. He taught both vocal and instrumental music until 1848, when he was admitted to practice as an at- torney at a general term of the Supreme Court at Canton, St. Lawrence county. New York. He was engaged in legal work at Malone, New York, until October, 1851, when he was appointed to a position in the general offices of what is now known as the Vermont Central Railway system. He was promoted from one position to another until he was made chief clerk, having charge of all the books of the company. In December, 1866, he came West as land commissioner for the Southein Minnesota Railroad Com- pany, and served in that capacity until Au- gust, 1872, with headquarters at La Crosse, Wisconsin. Subsequently the offices were removed to Wells, Minnesota, but were re- turned to La Crosse in 1878, when he again entered the employ of the company. At the end of three years the entire business was sold to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, when he embarked in the real-estate business on his own account. Mr. Conant was married June 6, 1849, to Miss Caroline F. Man, a native of West Constable, New York, and a daughter of Ebenezer and Caroline Mhu, natives of New- Haven, Addison county, Vermont. Her mother was born August 23, 1802, her maiden name being Hoyt; the father was born April 26, 1798; they were married April 25, 1822, and six children were born to them, two of whom arc now living. Mr. and Mrs. Conant are the parents of two chil- dren; Eben Leonard was born February 12, 1851, and May C, May 22, 1866. The son is employed in his father's office; both chil- dren are unmarried. Mr. Conant has all his life been a close student; he takes a deep in- terest in the study of astronomy, and is ex- ceptionally well informed upon this science, while his musical education is worthy of more than passing notice. He is identified with the Republican party, with which he has voted since its organization. Mrs. Conant is a consistent member of the Congregational Church. fOllN JAY COLE.— The subject of this biographical sketch is a descendant of the early settlers of Connecticut, but almost the opposite of a Puritan. Whether this is from degeneration of stock or from modern ideas, is for the Puritan and Agnostic to answer. His grandfather, following the "westward course of empire,'' removed to the State of New York, and John Jay Cole was born in Albany, the capital of that State, August 29, 1824; there he lived until the age of thirty-two years. He received a thor- ough literary education, and after pursuing BIOGRAPHICAL HI STORY . 875 a course in t!ie study of the law and some experience as manager of a law tinn, lie was admitted to the bar of the old Supreme Court of New York, and separately to the Court of Chancery, in 1846. He was Assistant Dis- trict Attorney at Albany, and practiced his profession in that city until his removal to Wisconsin. He settled in La Crosse in August, 1859, and has practiced law thei-e from that time to the present. He has been a candidate for several offices, such as Dis- trict Attorney, City Attorney, Member of the Assembly and State Senator. He would not accept a nomination for any office ex- cepting of the kind indicated, but he has been for many years, and is now. United States Commissioner and State Court Commissioner. He is a good Latin and Greek scholar, reads both the German and French languages, and speaks German fluently; he is self-taught in the latter language, and as to general in- formation he has been called a walking encyclopaidia. His father's name was John O. Cole, who was a Police Judge of Albany, New York, for almost forty years, being elected regard- less of politics by large majorities and through many fluctuations of the party ma- jority in Albany. After his voluntary retirement from that office, he accepted the office of Superintendent of Public Schools of Albany, and died while serving in that capa- city, at the age of eighty-four years. His son, Charles "W. Cole, succeeded him in that office, which he has since held. John J. Cole was married October 13, 1846, to Mary A. P. Lee, at Albany, New York; she was a daughter of Thomas Lee, a well-known citizen of Albany. The fruit of this marriage was one son, Thomas L. Cole, who died in childhood, and Theodore L. Cole, of Washington, District of Columbia; he married Kate Dunn Dewey, a daughter of ex-Governor Dewey, of Wisconsin, and granddaughter of Charles Dunn, first Chief Justice of Wisconsin, and of this union one child has been born, named Felix. After the death of Mary A P. Cole, in 1865, an interval of several years elapsed before Mr. Cole was married to Louisa £. L. Smith, at La Crosse. They are the parents of two sons: Lucius J., born November 14, 1878, and Herbert Spencer Cole, born P^ebruary 7, 1881. Mr. Cole's branch of the somewhat numer- ous Cole family has not traced its genealogy to the ancestor or ancestors who emigrated to America. They came from England, or perhaps Ireland, although of English stock. The Earl of Enniskillen (Ireland) is a Cole. The first ancestors in this country must have come prior to the Revolutionary war, probably over 200 years ago. Mr. Cole's nearest=relatives live at Albany, New York, so that he is somewhat isolated from his kith and kin in his Wisconsin home. During the war of the Rebellion, he was a War Democrat, a phrase known in that time as a Northern Democrat, adhering to the organization of the Northern Democratic party, but standing strongly for the Union Im all the issues of the war, hoping for the early success of the Northern armies against the South. — ->*- "^ ' 3"S ' |" "' JI^HENDELL L. A. ANDERSON, M. D., wffl/fl ^'^° ^^^ nearly twenty years was &^^^ actively engaged in the practice of medicine in La Crosse, is deserving of the space that has been accorded him in this re- cord of the leading men of the county of La Crosse. He was born in the town of Gray, Maine, September 9, 1840, and received his preparatory education in the common schools 276 BIOORAPUIGAL UiSTORY. of tliat place. In 1853 lie entered the Gor- Iiam Academy, Gorliain, Maine, and was a student tliere four years. Ele then entered the Freshman class ot" Bowdoin College, but did not complete the course there. Having chosen the profession of medicine, in the summer of 1859 he began the study of the science under the preceptorship of his father, who w.as then a prominent physician of Gray, Maine. In the winter of 18G0-'G1 he attended medical lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, and afterwards continued his studies at the Portland School for Medical Instruction until the autumn of 1801, when he entered the regular army of tile United States as a medical cadet. lie was assigned to duty at Annapolis, Maryland, and remained there until the fall of 1862, when he again attended lectures at the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city; he was graduated from this well-known institution in March, 1863, and in April uf the same year he was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the Third Maryland Volunteer Infantry; he served with this regiment in the Held at Ciiancellorsville, Gettysburg, and in all its subsequent engagements with tiie Army of the Potomac from the wilderness to Lee's surrender. In March, 18G4, he was commissioned Surgeon of his regiment with the rank of Major. After the war was ended, and he resumed his professional labors, he attended another course of lectures in New York city, and came to La Crosse in February, 1866, and entered into active practice. From 1869 to 1873 he was United States Examinina: Sur- geon for pensions in this city, his territory including La Crosse, La Crosse county, and the adjacent country. He was city physician of La Crosse from 1870 to 1875, andao-aiu from 1877 to 1881. He was a member of the Wis- consin State Medical Society from 1871 until he retired from active practice. He lias been a ciyi/l/l/' •Z/irw.^^ fOHN JOSEPH STANEK, marble and granite worker, La Crosse, is interested in one of the most important industries of the city. He was born in Illmau, Austria, October 24, 1859, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Schaufler) Stanek. His parents bade farewell to their native land, crossed the sea to America in 1865, and after their ar- rival here settled at Winona, Minnesota. There they lived four years and then went to Chicago, remaining in that city two years. At the end of that period they came to La Crosse, where the father has followed his trade of stone mason ; he is also a plasterer, and has carried on a prosperous business in his adopted country. The family consists of three children: Frank, the eldest, is a brick mason by trade; Mary is the wife of Frank Padecky, a ma- chinist of La Crosse; John Joseph, the sub- ject of this notice, grew to maturity in La Crosse, and here learned the trade of marble BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 281 and granite worker. In 1887 he opened a business on his own account, which lie has conducted with marked success; his sys- tematic methods and his liigli and honorable dealing have made a place for him in com- mercial circles of which any man might be proud. Mr. Stanek was married in this city to Miss Clara KoUer, a daughter of Michael and Christina (Hafenbratel) Koller, who emi grated to America in 18 — , and settled in the State of Indiana, but later on removed to La Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. Stanek are the l>arent8 of two daughters, Delia M. and Helen M., and one son, Victor L. They are both members of the Roman Catholic Church, belonging to the congregation of St. Joseph. Mr. Stanek is a member of the choir, and also belongs to the Catholic Knights of America. |ICHARD T. DAVIS is a member of I the firm of Davis, Sorenson & Co.. contractors and builders, La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is a native of the State of Wisconsin, born at Madison, September 23, 1847, and is a son of Richard T. Davis, Sr. His father was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and wa? a carpenter by occu- pation. In 1836 he removed to Wisconsin and settled in Madison. He was united in marriage, at Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Miss Harriet Maples, whose death occurred when our subject was nine years of age. Richard T., Jr., was educated in Madison, and at the age of fourteen years he went to learn the carpenter's trade. After serving his ap- prenticeship he worked as a journeyman until the breaking out of the civil war. He enlisted and worked at his trade in the service of the United States Government until the close of hostilities. From 1882 to 1885 he was employed in the construction of the State University, and during this time he gave some instruction in carpentry and wood-work. In 1887 Mr. Davis formed a partnership with Mr. Sorrensen, and they came to La Crosse and established their present plant. They give employment to about thirty skilled workmen, and do an annual business of $300,000. They make a specialty of side-boards, mantels, store and bar fixtures, and tine hard-wood work. Mr. Davis assisted in the organization of the Builders' Exchange and has been one of its most energetic sup- porters. He was united in marriage, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Miss Annie Leonard, of that city, a daughter of Michael and Margaret Leonard. Of this union three sons and four daughters have been born: Hattie, Maud, Mary, Annie, Tunis, Loyd and Harry. H. PUTNAM.— It will be unani- mously conceded that the well ap- * pointed restaurant fills an imjiortant niche in the sum total of any city's acquisi- tions, and it is in such connection that due mention is made of the establishment be- longing to Mr. Putnam, which is located at 205 Pearl street, La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is one of the pioneer settlers of the county, but was born at Ogdetisburgh, New York, in 1834, his parents, Isaac and Mary (Dual) Putnam, being natives of Herkimer county, that State. In 1854 they came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and, altera short residence in the town, removed to Sparta, where they are still residing, the father being seventy- eight years of age, and the mother seventy- seven years old. C. H. Putnam assisted his 282 BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT. fatlier until April, 1861, when he enlisted in Company I, Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry, beincf the second man to volunteer I'rom Sparta. His services, however, were rejected on account of his being under age, but he soon after enlisted in the Tiiird Wisconsin Cavalry, with which he served until dis- ciiarged, February, 1863, on account of wounds received in the railroad wreck of March 29, 1862, near Chicago, Illinois. After recovering, he, in the fall of 1863, enlisted in the Twenty-tilth Wisconsin Infantry, com- manded by Colonel Jeremiah Kusk, present Secretary of Agriculture, and served with that regiment until the first months of 1865, when he was transferred to the Twelfth Wis- consin Infantry, with which he remained until mustered out of the service in 1865. lie was with General Sherman on his march to the sea. He was wounded in the knee by a niinie ball in the peach orchard in front of Kenesaw Mountain in Georgia, and carries the scar to this day. tie took part in the grand review of troops at Washington, Dis- trict of Columbia, and after arriving home was married to Miss Sarah M. Smith, daugh- ter of K. G. and Katie (Schimmerhorn) Smith, both natives of New York. The father died in 1877, and the mother died February 29, 1892, at Sparta, being in her ninety-first year. After his marriage Mr. Putnam followed farming for one year, after which he began dealing in windmills and pumps, which business occupied his time and attention until 1885, after which he opened a restaurant at Menominee, where he remained three years. Upon selling out he moved to Eau Claire, where he was engaged in the confectionery business, but since 1890 has been iu his present business in La Crosse. His place of business is near the Burlington & Northern passenger depot, and Mr. Put- nam has built up a good trade. He and his wife have two daughtero: Frances M., born in 1868, now the wife of W. D. Patterson, who is city electrician at Beloit, Wisconsin, managing the electric lighting of that city; they have one daughter, Juiietta; and Kate, who was born in Eau Claire in 1882. Mr. Putnam is a popular member of the Wilson Colwell Post of the G. A. R., and has been a life-long Democrat. He is one of the old residents of the county, and has seen La Crosse grow from a hamlet of si.xty holises to a city of 35,000 inhai)itants. His mater- nal grandfather was engaged in the Patterson war in Canada, and was captured at the battle of the Windmill and banished to Van Diemen's Land with a number of other prisoners. They secured their release by capturing a band of pirates. While in cap- tivity he was chained to the deck, and his bonds were drawn so tight that the blood- vessels of his limbs were ruptured, for which disability he received a pension nntil his death in 1858. Alter being released he reached his home in 1847. Ij^^ANIEL B. HARRISON, who is recog- nized as one of the most efficient painters and decorators of La Crosse, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 8, 1842, and is a son of William and Eliza (Looker) Harrison. The father was born at Brush Creek in south- eastern Ohio, near the Ohio river, April 8, 1807. His parents were Richard and Fanny (Blyde) Harrison, natives of London, Eng- land ; they emigrated to America shortly after the Revolutionary war, and eventually settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Richard Harrison held a Government position in London, and after coming to America engiged iu teaching school for many years; he then followed agri- BIOGRAPHICAL HI8T0RT. 283 culture, and the latter years of his life retired to his home in Cincinnati; he there gave some attei)tion to the manufacture of musical instru- ments, such as violins and other stringed pieces. He and his wife both died in the fnll faith of the Baptist Church. William Harrison, son of the above, grew to maturity in Cincinnati, and tiiere served an apprentice- ship as a painter and furniture finisher. In 1854 he made a trip to La Crosse, and after- ward removed to the place and located per- manently. He was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Miss Eliza Looker, a native of Har- rison county, Ohio, born about the year 1810; slie was a daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Irwin) Looker, and her paternal grandfather was Judge Orthwell Looker of Ohio. Mrs. Harrison was a faithful and consistent mem- ber of the Baptist Church. July 26, 18S0, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage at their resid- ence, corner of Cameron avenue and Fourth street. Daniel B. Harrison lived in Cincinnati un- til 1857, when the father removed with his family to La Crosse; here he com])leted his apprenticeship to the painter's and decorator's trade, and from that time has been promin- ently identified with the craft. He was married at Tomah, Wisconsin, to Miss Flora M. King, a native of Massachu- setts and a daughter of Charles W. and Lucy M. (Gartield) King, who were also natives of the old Bay State, and whose ancestors were members of the early CDlonies of New England; they removed to Wisconsin about 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are the parents of five sons and one daughter: Charles King, a decorator; Alfred Walter, Edwin Garfield, and Gertrude May; Arthur and Benjamin are both deceased. Mr. Harrison is a member of the Builders' Exchange. In 1864 he enlisted in the service of the Union, joining Company G, Fortieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was through the Tennessee Campaign, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He is a member of the G. A. R. and takes an active interest in sustaining this organization. He and his wife, two elder sons and daughter, belong to the First Baptist Church, with which he has had an official connection for several years. RI SORENSON, a member of the firm of Davis, Sorenson & Co., is justly en - ^ titled to a space in this record of the leading, substantial men of the county. He was born at Madison, Wisconsin, November 12, 1856, and is a son of David T. and Wil- helmina (Petersen) Sorenson, natives of Copenhagen, Denmark. The United States presenting many attractions and promising many opportunities not afforded by the Old World, the parents of our subject bade fare- well to their iiome and friends and native land, and crossed the ocean to America about the year 1850, settling in Madison, Wiscon- sin. The father was a contractor by trade, and followed this occupation for many years. He and his wife reared a family of two sons and three daughters. Ori Sorenson acquired a good education in the common schools and learned the carpen- ter's trade. He worked as a journeyman for several years, and then formed a partnersiiip with Mr. Davis, establishing their present business; they have accomplished most satis- factory results, and are building up a trade second to none in the county. Mr. Sorenson was married in Madison, Wisconsin, to Miss Eva Rounds, a native of the State of New York, and of this union three sons have been born, named: Clarence, BIOORAPHWAL HISTORY. Fred anrl Edward; the two last are twins. Our subject is a member of tlie Builders' E.x- cliange of La Crosse, and lielongs to the Masonic fraternity, of which ho is a Worthy Sir Kniijiit. fACOB J. SMITH, M. D., wlio has been a resident of La Crosse since 1887, is the subject of the following brief bio- grapiiieal sketcli. He was born at Middle- town, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, Febru- ary 9, 1839, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Jontz) Smith, natives of the Key- stone State, of (ierman ancestry. They removed to South Bend, Indiana, in 1843, and there papsed the remainder of their days; the mother died in the fall of 1852, and the fatlier two weeks later. They reared a family of live children: the eldest, Sarah A., mar- ried F. A. Howe, who was accidentally killed in 1857; Kosa H. married T. G. L. Pope, and resides at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Abraham H. and Jacob J. are twins, the former being a resident of Memphis, Tennessee; Ciiristian, the youngest of tlie family, was drowned while bathing in Lake Michigan, at Evanston, Illinois; he was, at the time of his death, a student at the Northwestern University, and was fitting himself for the ministry. Dr. Smith was reared on bis father's farm at South Bend, Indiana, and at the age of eighteen years he entered Wesloyan Seminary, at Albion, Michigan, where he continued his studies two years; he then spent four years reading under the preceptorship of Dr. J. M. Stover, at South Bend, and at the end of that period went to Ann Arbor and took a course of lectures in the University of Michigan; he next went to Philadelphia, entered Jeffer- son Medical College, and was graduated from this honored institution in March, 1864. In that same month he received a commission as Acting Assistant Surgeon in the United States Navy; he was ordered to the West Gulf Squadron, under command of Admiral Farragut, and served until the end of the war. He was Assistant Surgeon of the United States Steamship Owasco, and was temporarily attached to the naval hospital at Pensacola, Florida. In caring for the wounded after the battles of Forts Morgan and Gaines, the Doctor had the honor of dressing the wounds of Admiral Buchanan, who was at the head of the Confederate Navy; he says the Admiral was a gentleman if he were a rebel. The last part of his term of service was spent in a blockade squadron at sea, doing duty in the West Gulf Squadron. He participated in the capture of three blockade-runners off the coast of Texas, and took part in the distribution of prize money. Upon the close of the war he was ordered to the New York Navy Yards, where he was granted a three months' leave of absence with full pay. He received his final discharge from the service at South Bend, Indiana, November 15, 1865. Dr. Smith practiced medicine at South Bend for two years, and at the same time was physician to the female portion of the pupils at Notre Dame University. In May, 1867, he was married to Miss Rebecca J. Hyde, a native of Ohio, and at the time of her mar- riage a resident of Middlebur}', Indiana. They are tiie parents of four children: Jesse E., b^rn in 1868; William E., in 1869; Bessie E., in 1876, and Mamie A., in 1881. Jesse E. is established in business at Middlebury, Indiana. The Doctor continued his practice in Indiana until 1881, when he removed to Kendall, Monroe county, Wisconsin, where he remained six years. He then came to Li Crosse in 1887, and during the time of his residence here he has won a fair practice. ^^J2ik__ BTOOBAPJWAL B78T0RY. 283 He is a inetiiber of tlie Masonic order, and of John Flynn Post No. 77, G. A. R.. The father, motlier and daughter Bessie are mem- bers of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Sniitli belono^s to the W. C. T. U., and takes a deep interest in its prosperity. i-i • " in fOSEPH W. SKINNER was born at Troy, Ohio, October 22, 1860. The death of his parents which occurred in his child- hood, left him almost alone in the world and threw him upon his own resources. By energy and perseverance he secured a good education, and at the age of twenty-one years he started out on the road as a traveling sales- man. He was thus employed for si.x years, during which time he visited nearly every State in the Union. In March, 1887, he came to La Crosse and took up liis permament residence here, having purchased the patent of the Monroe Ink Eraser. He at once besjan the manufacture of this little article, which was destined to become a friend to thousands of writers, book-keepers, accountants, and business men in general. This is the only eraser yet invented that will remove any kind of ink from paper without any abrasion or in- jury to the most delicate surface. At the time Mr. Skinner purchased this pa- tent, the eraser had been manufactured in a small way for several months, but it remained for him to place it upon the market of the world. After making a few changes to im- prove its appearance, he established a factor}' and began his system of advertising. Under his skillful management the success of the manufacture was phenomenal, and to-day the trade in this simple pi-oduct e.\tends through- out the civilized world, and carries the name of La Crosse to evei'y quarter of the globe. There are orders from Aberdeen, Glasgow, 20 Munich, Berlin, Constantinople, London, Paris, Bombay, Havana, Melbourne, Sydney? city of Mexico, Rio Janeiro, Valparaiso, and many cities throughout the Americas, West Indies, England, and the Eastern continent. Mr. Skinner also owns a number of other patents on useful articles, and is a promoter of useful inventions for patentees; and he is also entrusted with other business enter- prises in tlie city. The offices of the business are the finest in La Crosse, and active minds and busy hands keep the system moving in perfect order. The correspondence averages from four to five hundred letters per day, requiring a force of ten to twelve clerks. The advertisincr ex- penses amount to $1,000 per week. Mr. Skinner is quite a traveler, and has lately returned from a four months' business and pleasure trip to Europe, where he has completed arrangements for the establishment of branch houses to supply the growing European trade. He is a lover of all the Kne arts, and manages to steal from the cares of business time to gratify a refined and culti- vated taste. He is too liberal and is possessed of too many generous impulses ever to be- come avaricious, and believes that the use of money is its only good. He is genial, court- eous, of manly bearing, and possessed of straightforward business principles which have established his reputation for honorable and upright dealing. He enjoys the warm friendship of all his associates, and is already one of the leaders in the social and business circles of La Crosse. fESSE B. WILLIAMS, -manager of the firm of Williams & Turnbnll, dealers in new and second-hand furniture on Pearl street, is the son of Jesse and Aurelia 28G BIOORA Pd I CAL HISTOR Y. (Wakely) Williams, natives of Rutland coun- ty, Vermont. The father was a farmer and followed this occupation until his death when about fifty Hve years of age. Of the eleven chihiren born to this union only one, Jesse 15. Wiiliiiins, is now living. The latter's hirtli occurred in (Traud Island county, Ver- mont, May 10, 1820, and he was not yet three years old when his father died. On the 7tli of April, 1857, ho came from St. Lawrence county, New York, to Portage City, Wisconsin, and began working at the black- smith trade until his family came in the fall of 1856. He then worked on what is now Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad and in 1858 moved to Sparta, where, only a few days later, he and a Mr. Stewart took a con- tract to build ten miles of railroad from Mendota towards Shakopee. They were the first ones to break dirt for a railroad in Minnesota. After this tliey went on the Northern Pacific and built five miles on the upper end of the sixty-two and a half miles out from St. Paul. They came to La Crosse in 1858, but were gone much of the time until their contract was completed. After- ward Mr. Willia'ns left his family in LaCrosse and went to Alississippi where he and Mr. A. Hobert, built two miles on the Baltimore et Ohio Railroad. The war then broke out and he lost heavily. His health failed too, and he returned to La Crosse where he has re.-iued since. He was engaged in the feed business until his store was destroyed by fire in December, 1865, and he lost everything but a few clothes that the family wore. The insurance was about $300. After this he was Deputy Sheriff for one term, was on the police force for three years as a special, boarded the prisoners for two years, and was Constable for more than twelve years. He was also a collection agent for five j'ears, then an auctioneer for three years and finally drifted into the second-iiand and new furniture business, of wliich he is now manager. He was wedded on the 17th of January, 1847, to Miss Lucia Kimpton, from Franklin county, Vermont, and the result of this marriage was the birth of two children: George W., a steamboat engineer, who lias resided in Dubuque, Iowa, for two years, and who now runs the Standard Lum- ber Company engine in that city. His wife's name was Miss Edna Soule and his son's name is B. Fay. The daughter of our sub- ject, Georgia, became the wife of Frank Smith, of Jauesville. She died November 27, 1875, when about twenty-three years of age. Mr. Williams is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is class- leader and steward in tlie same. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and Chosen Friends, and in politics is a Prohibitionist. B. EWER, La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was originally from Essex county, * New York, his birth occurrincj on the 2 1st of February, 18-18, and his parents, Jesse and Angeline (Griswold) Ewer, were natives of Vermont. The father was a painter by trade and followed that for forty years. He came from New York to Wisconsin in 1853, settled in the city of Sheboygan and there followed his trade until his death in 1887. He and wife were members of the Congregational Church. Tlio mother died in 1888. There were three children in this family: Edward P., the eldest; a sister, who died in infancy, and A. B. Edward P. re- sides at Sheboygan, Wisconsin, an agent for the Goodrich Steamboat Company. He mar- rie 1 and became the father of three children: Chester, Evangeline, and Nellie; Nellie, the youngest child, died July, 1891, when about BIOGRAPHICAL HI6T0RY. 287 fifteen years of age. The Ewers were among tlie early settlers of "Wisconsin and knew laucli of the trials and privations incident to pioneer life. A. B. Ewer, snhject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Sheboygan, and when thirteen years of age began for himself as clerk in a dry-goods store. He has followed clerkiiu and book- keeping up to the present time and no efforts on his part has been spire I to give satisfac- tion. He so'd goods on the road for several diflfereut firms, and was quite successful. He was married May, 1878, to Miss Susan Girard, daughter of James and Eunice (Knowles) Girard. The Girard and Knowles families are old and prominent ones and trace their ancestors back to the Mayflower. Mrs. Girard, being a direct descendant of Dr. Samuel Fuller, who came over in the Mayflower in 1620. The Girards are related to the Girard family of England, great cotton tnanufacturers there. Mrs. Ewer is the only one of that family now living, her father hav- ing died in 1866. The mother is still living, is fifty-eight years of age, and makes her home with our subject and wife. She has been an honored and highly respected citizen of Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, for many years. She is related to Supreme Judge Fuller of the United States and to the Spragues of Rhode Island. To Mr. and Mrs. Ewer has been born one child, Girard, a bright little lad of thirteen summers. Both parents are members of the Universalist Church. Mr. Ewer is a member of the Masonic order, the Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics is a Republican. Simon Knowles, Mrs. Ewer's maternal grandfather, was in the war of 1812 and drew a pension until his death for services there rendered. Simon's father took part in the Revolutionary war and his grandfather fouorht in the French and Indian war, and was killed in the battleon Lake Champlaiii. He is buried on one of the islands in that lake. pi^flLLIAM PENN MORTON, veter- "'ll inary surgeon, 505 South Fifth ^ street, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born in Buffalo, New York, May 1, 1846, and is a son of William Morton, a native of Eng- land; his father was killed accidentally while superintending the driving of piles on the dock at Buffalo, New York, at the age of twenty-eight years; his mother was a native of Ireland ; after her husband's death she re- moved her family of two children to Chautau- qua county. New York, remaining there four years; at the end of that time she went to Warren county, Pennsylvania, and there mar- ried Proctor Morton, and is now a resident of Sugar Grove, Warren county, Pennsylvania. David Morton, the brother of our subj^^ct, resides at Pittsfield, Pennsylvania, and is a veterinary surgeon by profession. William Penn Morton received his education at Pan- ama, New York, and in Warren county, Pennsylvania. He was a student at Panama two years after he was discharged from the army, and at the age of seventeen years began practicing veterinary surgery. A fanner in the neigiiborhood had a colt with crooked legs, and he gave him a week's work for the animal; he cured the colt and sold it for $30 in the fall, which was considered a large price at that time. From this time he followed the business without special training until 1886. In that year he entered the Veterinary College at Toronto, Canada, studied there a short time, and then went to Chicago; he studied in the veterinary college of that city, and was graduated at the end of two 388 BIOGRM'HICAL IIISTOItr. yeans from one of the iMost popular i.:stitn- tions ill the country. Ijef'ore goincr to Chi- caojo he had been located at New Richmond, Wisconsin, and after his graduation he re- turned to tiiat place, reniaininij; about one year before coming to La (^rosse. Here he has won a fine practice, being regularly em- ployed by many of the most influential citi- zens of the place. He owns a pleasant home, and an office where he keeps a complete stock of the drugs needed in his profession, lie also owns an intirinary capable of accom- modating forty-eight horses, and is excep- tionally equipped for his work; he has $500 worth of instruments, and prides himself upon being able to perform any operation known to the profession. He trains and edu- cates vicious horses, and has been more than ordinarily successful in this line. His busi- ness has increased to such an extent that he has been obliged to call to his assistance J'rof. W. P. l''reeman, from Parish, New Jersey, a native of Jersey City and a graduate of the Chicago Veterinary ( 'ollege. Dr. Morton was united in marriage De- cember 25, 1888, to Miss Eva Frank, who was born in Niagara Falls, New York, May 10, 1862. Politically he affiliates with tlie Kepublican party. In March, 1864, he en- listed in Battery II, Third Pennsylvania Light Artillery, and served until July, 1865. He is a member of the G. A. R. lie has held the various township offices, and is a standi supporter of liome interests. Mrs. Morton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. [AMUEL B. PATTERSON, veterinary surgeon, with office at Clark & Clark's barn, La (Jrosse, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, May 11, 1862, a son of Alexander and Rebecca (Beatty) Patterson, natives of county Derry, Ireland, who came to America with their parents when children, settling in Pittsburg, and finally removing to Butler county. In his parents' family were the following named children in order of birth: Margaret F. (deceased in 1884); George W., Samuel H., Alexander S., Rebecca and Mary. In veterinary medicine and surgery Mr. I'atterson spent four years under the tutor- ship of A. J. Ilerrick, of Stillwater and a graduate of New York College and River Falls, Wisconsin. He has superior capacity for observing and drawing lessons from ex- perience, of which he has had a great deal. He first started in business on his own ac- count in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, where he i-eiiiained about four years. Moving to River Falls he engaged in practice in companj' with Dr. Morton. A year afterward, that is, in June, 1890, he came to La Crosse, where he is enjoying a good patronage, which he well deserves by his industry, honesty, thorough knowledge and reasonable prices. For sev- eral years he has made a special study of the diseases of cattle and horses. -^^hTL/'L'V-- l/xry^^^ rtHE LA CROSSE FLOUR AND FEED COMPANY is one of the ]irosperous enterprises of this city, and the individual members of the same are Frederick Schwarz and Frederick T. Heinken. Mr. Schwarz was born in Germany, in 1840, and came to the States in 1881, settling first in Hokah, Minnesota, where he remained only a few months. From there he removed to Onalaska, Wisconsin, and bought a farm, on which he resided for three years. In 1885 he sold this and bought ten acres of land in the town of Shelby, adjoining the BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT. 283 city limits of La Crosse, on which he bniit two houses and set out a vineyard. In No- vember, 1891, Mr. Schwarz associated him- self with Mr. Fred. T. Ileinken in the ilour and feed business in the city of La Crosse. He was married in 1866, to Miss Ida Michaelis, a native also of Germany, and they have one dauf^hter. Bertha, who is now the wife of Fred. T. Ileinken, of La Crosse. The family are members of the Lutheran Ciuircli. Frederick T. Heinken was born in Germany in 1863, to the union of Jolin Henry and Fredereka Heinken, natives also of that coun- try. The father died in 1865, but the mother is still living in Germany. Mr. Heinken came to the United States in 1886, and has visited nearly every State in the Union since his arrival here. In July, 1891, he settled in La Crosse, and was married on the 25th of that month. Miss Bertha Schwarz, daughter of his partner. The iirm is com- posed of two very active, energetic and push- ing men, with capital enough for their business, and prospects of a successful future. — -^-^^ s+"-»~ IHRISTIAN F. SCHARPF, a native of iW$vt Wiirttemberg, Germany, was born July 19, 1836, and is a son of John G. and Barbara (Gleser) Scharpf. He passed his boyhood and youth upon a farm, and was also early initiated into the mysteries of the weaver's trade. At the age of fifteen years, witli a fair education, he was thrown upon his own resources, and since that time he has not known what it is to depend upon the efforts of another. In 1852 the family emi- grated to A merica, and he stopped at Galena, Illinois, intending to learn the tailor's trade; he devoted one year to this calling, and then came to La Crosse where he has since made his home. He first went to work for his brother George at the trade, but at the end of six months abandoned the vocation alto- getiier, and engaged with Jolm C. Fiihr to learn the tinner's trade. After serving an apprenticeship took a position as foreman for Tenney, Oatman &, Company, remaining with this Hrm seven years. In 1862 he em- barked in business for himself, forming a partnership with George Edwards, in the hardware and tin business; they were associ- ated together two years, when Mr. Edwards retired, being succeeded by Fred Kroner; two years later Charles H. Bunting formed a partnership with Mr. Scharpf, which existed four years. He was then alone for some time, and in 1875 he went into business with Fred King, with wliom he was connected un- til 1881, Mr. Ring then being succeded by Y. Tausche, the latter buying Mr. Scharpf's interest in 1888. Mr. Scharpf is to a great extent the father of the hardware business in La Crosse, tlie following gentlemen having been associated with him for a greater or less period of time; all of them are active mer- chants in that line: Fred Dittman, Fred Kroner, Frank Doerre, Digo Lang, Adam Butch, V. Tausche, and many others. When Mr. Scharpf withdrew from the firm in 1888 he intended to retire from active business, but so many years of responsibility had unfitted him for a life from which all possibilities of achievement were withdrawn. He, therefore, embarked in the same line of trade and operated a business until the spring of 1891, when he sold his interest, his health rendering it necessary for him to have some release from close application- He has been an indefatigable worker, and has amassed a handsome fortune. He is a self-made man, and has truly been tlie architect of his own fortunes. His cash capital when he came to La Crosse was a quarter of a dollar, but this iOO BIOOMAPniCAL niHToRY. was strongly suppleiiiented by the endcw- iiients of iiatur(\ Politically \w is a Repub- lican, and is serving his first term as Com- missioner of the Poor, an otiice to which he was elected by the Council. He is a member of La Crosse Valley Lodge, JNo. 149. I. O. O. F., and is Secretary of tlie same. He also was tlie leading sjiirit in securing funds for the erection of the L O. O. F. building. He belongs to Frontier Lodge, No. 45, A. F. & A. M., Smith Chapter, JSo. 13, R. A. M., and lia Crosse Cominandcry, No. 9, K. T. ; he is Treasurer of the blue lodge, and for eighteen years was Treasurer of the comman- dery; he has in his possession a letter from tlie last named body, expressing the appreci- ation and esteem in which his services were held. He has been a member of the La Crosse Turner Society for thirty-five years, and has held many ofticial positions in the same. He is also a member of the La Crosse Board of Trade. Mr. Scharpf was married January 14, 1806, to Miss Julia H. Pfund, a native of Switzer- land, born March 18, 1848. Mrs. Scharpf was brought to America at the age of eiglit years. Of this union ninechildren have been born, six of them living: Julia, wife of Charles Liudeman, of Milwaukee; Bertha, Herman C, Albert, Hilda and Freaa. The family are members of the Lutheran Church; all are well educated, and fully abreast of the times in all lines of thought and action. fOHN JONES, deceased, who was widely and favorably known in La Crosse county, was born in Wales, a son of Tliomas and Sarah Jones. He was the oldest of a famdy of tlirce children, the younger membersof the family being ]\[ary and David; Evan Jones was a half brother to these chil- dren. Our subject was a carpenter and con- tractor by trade, and in later yeans gave some attention to farming; this occupation soon engrossed his time to the exclusion of his trade. In 1889 lie was united in marriage to Miss Mary Morris, a daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Jones) Morris, and the second of a family of twelve children. In 1842 they emigrated to America and settled in Licking county, Ohio, where they resided until 1847. In that year they removed to Canada, and for eight yeai's made it their home. During tliis time Mr. Jones worked at his trade, and also carried on a general farming business. In 1855 they returned to the United States, set- tling on a farm in La Crosse county, Wiscon- sin; this land was situated in Hamilton township, the tract covering eighty acres; this Mr. Jones improved, and as his means permitted, made additions to it, until at the time of his death he owned 220 acres of as good land as lies within the borders of La Crosse county. The farm is well ad-apted to stock and grain, and produces any crop that can be grown in this Itaitude. The death of this worthy citizen occurred May 7, 1883, at the age of seventy-two years. In his religious faith he was a Unitarian, and he lived a consistent life according to this belief. He was a man of higii and hon- orable principles, was possessed of superior business qualifications, and was held in great regard by the entire community. His widow is still living, at the age of seventy-two years. To their forty-four years of married life, she brouo-ht every sweet and noble attribute to be found in a Christian wife and mother. This union was blessed by birth of six childien: Mary is the widow of Timothy Jenkins, who died July 24, 1882; they had four children born to them: Ella, Anna, Lloyd and Blanche; Hannah is the second child, and Thomas, the BIOGRAPHICAL HliTORY. 2J1 tliird-born, died at the age of twenty-two years; John and Samuel are botli farmers by occupation; the latter was married December 22, 1886, to Miss Elsie Gear, a daughter of William and Fidelia Gear, honored and re- spected residents of La Crosse county; three children have been born to them: Ella, Edna and Elsie; Sarah is the youngest child of our subject and wife. Mr. Jones was a man of intense energy and zeal, and gave a wonderful impetus to those enterprises to which he offered support. It is to such men that the present generation is deeply indebted for the advance of civiliza- tion and the great possibilities of the future. it'-toi^ ■«l*>^^ ffOHN KOLLEE, grocer.— A careful re- view of the business houses of La Crosse develops the fact that the grocery estab- lishment of M. & J. Koller takes rank with any like establishment in the city, and that business is conducted on straightforward and conservative principles. Their stock embraces every commodity comprehended in the terms fancy and staple, imported and domestic gro- ceries, and their annual sales are very large. John Koller was born in Kipley county, In- diana, but he came with his parents to La Crosse in 1868, and began working in his father's store, of which he is now joint pro- prietor. At the age of twenty-one he began business for himself, but after his father's death, in 1869, he clerked in the store of his mother. He was married June 4, 1889, to Miss Margaret Weber, daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth Weber, residents of La Crosse, where the father died in 1884, at the age of about sixty years, and the mother is still liv- ing. To Mr. and Mrs. Weber nine children were born, of whom Mrs. Koller is the second. She has borne her husband two children: Helen and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Koller are members of the Catholic Church, and in his political views he is independent. In all his relations with his fellow men, Mr. Koller has borne himself with dignity and honor, and no establishment in La Crosse is more worthy of patronage than the grocery firm of M. & J. Koller. LBERT P. CLARK, senior member of the firm of Clark & Clark, liverymen, 328 South Fifth street, was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, January 7, 1858. His parents, Peimel L. and Martha L. (Kimball) Clark were natives of New York and Maine respectively, both being of English descent. They reared a family of three sons and two daughters: Mary E. married J. C. Saupie, a merchant of La Crosse; Florence became the wife of Joseph Morley and resides at Neills- ville, Wisconsin; Charles married Miss Jennie St. John, and is a resident of Alden, Minne- sota; he is station agent at that point, and owns a large farm adjoining the town; Will- iam died in childhood; Albert P., the subject of this notice, is the second-born. He attended the public schools of this city and during his childhood had the misfortune to lose the sio-ht of one eye; this retarded his progress in school, and in fact materially changed his plans for future work. Ilis Urst experience in business on his own account was in 1880, when he engaged in buying and shipping horses; he carried on this business for three years, and was then appointed a member of the police force of this city. His father was Chief of Police for seven years and he served on the force one year and a half. In 1885 he began buying and shipping live-stock and carried on an extensive trade in this direction 292 BIOQBAPBICAL BISTORT. until 1888. meeting witli marked success. In the summer of 1888 he purchased a half interest in the livery business, in which he is now engaged, being associated with his cousin, Frederic Clark. Their stable is one of the best equipped in the city. They own twenty-two line horses and a large number of fine buggies and carriages. •^«:- jICHAEL KOLLEK, of the firm of M. it J. Koller, grocerymen of La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, September 24, 1851, to Michael, Sr., and Christina (Hafienbreitl) Koller, the former of whom came from Germany with his family in 1845 and settled in Cincinnati. h\ this city he first worked in a star candle factory, and later began handling vegetables, which business he was following at the time of his removal to Ripley county, Indiana, in 1850. He there settled on a farm and was an honest and industrious tiller of the soil, and, like the majority of Germans, succeeded in accumulating a comfortable competency. In 1868 the family came to La Crosse, Wis. cousin, and in the same year established the business which is now conducted by his sons, Michael and John. Uy courteous treatment of their patrons, and from the fact that they keep a large and very choice selection of groceries, they have built up an extensive trade which is constantly on the increase. Both partners have had long experience and possess excellent facilities, infiuential con- nections and an intimate knowledge of the wants of the trade. The subject of this sketch was married January 27, 1885, to Miss Mary Kindbam- raer, daughter of Peter and Katharine Kind- hammer, who still reside in Germany. Mrs. Koller came to America in 1884, and was here married. Michael and John's sisters are married as follows: Posa, wife of Joseph Delfinich; Dora, wife of A. Semsch; Ida, wife of Henry Will; and Clara, wife of John Stanek. Mr. and Mrs. M. Kollei- have two children, Herman and Louie. Mr. and Mrs. Koller are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Koller is independent in politics and generally votes for the man he considers best adapted to the office. The Koller brothers are shrewd and successful business men, and are in every way worthy the confidence of the people. fOIIN KAU, president of the West La Crosse Lumber Company. — The situa- tion ol La Crosse with reference to the lumber trade of this section has given the city an importance in this branch of business exceeded by that of no other industry, and one which has added in a large measure to her coininercial reputation. The mention of this firm in lumber and building circles car- ries with it, for certain reasons, a prestige and confidence seldom enjoyed by any firm, and this is owing to the j)luck, business capabilities and integrity of its members. Mr. Kau was born in Wiirttemberg, Ger- many, March 19, 1828, but in the fall of 1852 landed at New York city, and later set- tled in Wooster, Ohio, where lie was engaged in rope-making for four years, having learned the art in his native land. In 185(3 he went to Galesburg, Illinois, where he opened a rope factory and ran it for twelve years, or until 1867, when he removed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and opened a mercantile estab- lishment, which business he followed until 1890, with very good success. In the last mentioned year he became president and treasurer of the West La Crosse Lumber BIOGBAPniCAL HISTORY. 293 Company, and although their sales were very large in 1890 the low water of 1891 was much against them. Mr. llau was one of La Crosse's most able Aldermen for fourteen or fifteen years, and served two years as City Treasurer; was also president of the Council in 1886 and acting Mayor. He was also County Supervisor for one term, and has always had the confidence of tlie people, as his official career shows. His marriage to Miss Sebelia Merc was consummated December 7, 1852, in Wooster, Ohio, to which place she came from Ger- tnany the same year of her marriage. They have two children: John R., Jr., who is secretary iu a mill, was married to Miss Lydia Alder, by whom he has three children, Freddie, Bertie and Edie; and Mary, wife of John Thoeney, a stone-cutter and contractor of La Crosse. She died in 1882, at the age of twenty-eight years, two children, William and Charlie, surviving her. Mr. Rau is a member of the L O. (). F., of which order he is one of the oldest members of the city, and he usually supports the principles of Democracy. With his quiet, unassuming manners, strict integrity and fine business qualifications, be has succeeded in building up an extensive and lucrative patronage, and he is well known and a great favorite among his cotemporaries. His parents, Caspar and Susanna Rau, eanie from Germany to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1874, after a short stay in Galesburg, Illi- nois. While visiting his son Jacob in La Crosse, in 1857, he was taken ill and died, at the age of sixty-three years, the mother of the subject of this sketch, whose name was Anna, having died when lie was four years of age, and was buried in Germany. Of eight children born to them, all died in early child- hood but three. Daniel came to this country with his father, but at the end of six years returned to Germany, where he yet lives. John Rau has one brother who was a resident of La Crosse for thirty years, but is now a resident of Wycoff, Minnesota. Mr. Rau's father was first married in 1826, and his wife bore iiim seven children, his union with his second wife resulting in the birth of one child. He has been a member of Deutscher Verein for over twenty-five years. tOUIS RUNCKEL, a successful druggist of La Crosse, is a native of Germany, born in Eckelshausen, on the river Lahn, in the province of Hesse Nassau, April 12, 1857. He is a son of George and Christina (Mengel) Runckel, who were also born in Germany; his father was an official of the German Government, serving in the Forestry Department, and his birthplace was Fridberg, near Frankfort-on-the-Main; tliemothercame from Berleburg, Westphalia. Louis Runckel had grown to the age of fifteen years before he took up the study of pharmacy, serving as apprentice three years, after which he passed an examination as assistant. Then he was prescription clerk at diSerent places, and next extended his pharmaceutic and other studies at the University of Giessen. His liter- ary education was received in the public schools of his own country, and when he took up his professional work he entered the University of Giessen, from which he was graduated, receiving his diploma from the Pharmaceutical and Medical DepartmentofhisState. In 1866 he determined to come to America, and after arriving he settled in La Crosse, Wisconsin. One year later he established himself in the drug business which he has conducted with that intelligence wiiich has brougiit success. He is thoroughly trained in all the details of 294 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. pliarinaey and chemistiy, and, therefore, com- petent in his profession. Mr..Runckel was united in marriage in La Crosse, to Mrs. Minnie Mceller, nee Fici^f. rt<-«o. fAMES H. McDERMOTT, manager of the La Crosse branch of the Independent Oil Company, located on Third street. La Crosse city, Wisconsin, was born in the Keystone State, Lycoming county, July 21, 1862. Lie is the son of Joiin and Catherine ("Downs) McDermott, natives of the Emerald 206 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Isle, who are now living in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The parents came to this country when young, were married here, and here the father has followed his trade, con- tractor on stonework, up to the present time. He and wife are now about fifty years of age. Of the four children born to this union, all live in Pennsylvania except James H. The latter, the eldest of the family, was educated in the common schools of Pennsylvania, and when ten years of age began working with the present company, and the Standard Oil Company in different places in Pennsylvania, Dakota, and Minnesota, being with the latter company in Dakota and Minnesota. He is well posted in all the details of the business, and spent several years with one of the re- fineries at Chester, Pennsylvania. He came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and opened out the present business in 1890, for the Independent Oil Company. Previous to this he had re- sided at St. Paul for five years, and was also on the road for several years. He has had experience in all departments of the oil busi- ness, first in the oil department, then in the office, and afterwards on the road as salesman. Ho began business in La Crosse in September 1890, and this has been steadily increasing until it forms now one of the growini; enter- prises of the city. There are ten employees, and they do business in Wisconsin, Minne- sota and Iowa. The home office is in St Paul and branch offices are in La Crosse, Waterloo, Iowa, Minneapolis and Duluth, besides numerous agencies established in Dakota, Michigan and Iowa. They have sale stations also, some of the latter in both North and South Dakota. Mr. McDermott was married November 10, 1888, to Miss Rose Mulhollard, daughter of Joht) Mulhollard of Watertown, Dakota. The father was hotel proprietor in his town but sold out and is now in the real estate business. He is City Assessor of his town. His six children are grown to mature years. To Mr. and Mrs. McDermott have been born three children: Leah and Leal (twins) and Mary Ellen. Mrs. McDermott is a member of the Episcopal Church. She was formerly a teacher of established reputation, and is a lady of intelligence and refinement. A.lthough quite a new accession to the business circles of La Crosse, Mr. McDermott is well versed in his business, and stands high socially and morally among a large and increasing circle of acquaintances. For want of time he takes very little interest in politics. ,0N. THEODORE RODOLF, one of the early settlers and a highly respected citizen of La Crosse county, died at his home in La Crosse, February 12, 1892. He was a native of Switzerland, born in the can- ton of Argovia, October 17, 1851. He de- voted his earlier years to acquiring an educa- tion, and was a student in a college of Aaran the capital of his native canton, and also in the University of Zurich. His parents, Fred- erick and Emerencia Rodolf, emigrated with their family to America in 1833; the father died of yellow fever soon after landing in New Orleans, and in 1834 the mother with her children removed to Wisconsin, and set tied on a farm in La Fayette county. There was a family of nine children, seven of whom are now deceased. In 1840 Theodore Rodolf went to Mineral Point, where he engaged in the mercantile business, and also dealt in the products of the lead mines. Thirteen years later he came to La Crosse, where he assumed the duties of Receiver in the land office by appointment of President Pierce. He held this position by reappointment of President Buchanan until 1861. After that BIOGRAPDICAL HISTORY. 297 time he was largely engaged in insurance and real-estate operations. While a resident of Mineral Point he was prominently iden- tified with all the puT)lic movements ot that city. He was a member of the Boai-d of Supervisors of La Crosse county four years, and was ciiairinan of the Board for one year- He was Mayor of the city in 1868 and 1870, and a member of the Legislature during the same years. He received the Democratic vote for Speaker the second term, but was defeated, the Republicans being in tlie ma- jority. He was Democratic candidate for Presidential Elector at large in 1864, and the same party's candidate for Elector in the sixtli district in 1868, the Republicans in both cases being in the ascendant. He was also Democratic candidate for State Senator in 1876. He was a life-long Democrat, was one of the leaders in Western Wisconsin, and was well known throughout the State. He was a prominent member of the L 0. O. F., and in 1875 he was Grand Master of the State. He represented the Grand Lodge of the State at the meeting of the Grand Lodge of the United States held in Philadelphia in 1876. Mr. Rodolf was reared in the Reformed Church of Switzerland, but was never identi- fied with any religious body in America. He was married in 1839 to Miss Marie Ann Thomas, of New Orleans, and to them were born twelve children, five of whom are now living. Four died within as many weeks of diphtiieria. Theodore F., the eldest son, is now deceased. The others are: Julia; Emily, wife of William Servis; Edward G. ; Cora M., wife of Mayor Copeland; and Stella, wife of B. F. Bowen, of Orlando, Florida. Mr. Rodolfs illness began with injuries received from a fall on the steps leading to the Batavian Bank. After this accident he never recovered his health, and died February 12, 1892 after a long illness. The City Council attended his funeral in a body, and drafted resolutions of sympathy and respect. The mayor's chair was di-aped in mourning, and the pall-bearers, six in number, were all ex-mayors. During all the years of his resi- dence in La Crosse county, he left an indeli- ble impress upon the growth and progress of the most worthy enterprises of the com- munity. "' ' "4"! ' ' ! ' a^" -^ PETTEL BROS., photographers. La Crosse, Wisconsin. — The last few years have wrought wonderful changes for the better in tlie artist's and photographer's art, and those citizens of La Crosse who have not had their portraits taken are much behind the times. There is perhaps no establish- ment in the city that shows more conspicu- ously therapid development and improvement of the methods of producing portraits, than that known as Spettel Bros. A. F. Spettel is a native born resident of La Crosse, Wis- consin, his birth occurring August 7, 1866, and is the S'tn of Joseph and Mary Spettel, the father a native of Germany, and the mother of Dayton, Ohio. Joseph Spettel, who was a ship builder, came to America in 1861, and followed his trade in New York for a short time. Subsequently he was in Milwaukee for a year and then went to Day- ton, Ohio, where he married. Durina tiie war he traveled all through the South in tlie employ of the United States, repairing boats, and after cessation of hostilities returned to Milwaukee, where he resided for several years. He then came to La Crosse, Wiscon- sin, and has been a resident of that city for the past twenty-six years. He is now fifty- nine years of age and is retired. The mother is fortv-nine years of age. Their children 298 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. are named in the order of their births as fol- lows: Clement, senior member of the firm of Spettel Bros. ; A. F. ; Ida Lizzie, one of the leading clerks in the Trade Palace, where she has been for the past four years; Leo, Ma- mie Carrie and Millie; the last four are attending schools. Mr. A. F. Spettel, a mem- ber of the firm, has been engaged in photog- raphy since the age of seventeen, and has traveled in this business over a great many State?, getting different views in different localities, and has made a study of life sized portraits. After traveling for two years he embarked in this business with his brother Clement, under the firm title of Spettel Bros. Their business has increased rapidly and they have opened a gallery on the South side, that they may the better take care of their increas- ing business. It is the finest gallery in the city of La Crosse. They at first commenced business on a small scale, but built on a sure foundation, and their present work and in- crease of business shows the wisdom of the plan. Their work compares most favorably with any in the State, and, as before stated, they have a gallery in both North and South La Crosse, to accommodate their constantly increasing business. The l ' l '> l ' ^ -^ O. HUNT, who has for many j-ears I'. I)een a trusted employe of the railway * mail service of the United States, is a native of the State of New York, born in • Cattaraugus county, October 24, 1852. His father, A. O. Hunt, Sr., was a native of Ver- mont, and emigrated from that State to New York, where he engajjed in the lumber busi- ness. He remained there, devoting his ener- gies to the enterprise, until 1854, when he came to Sauk county, Wisconsin; here his business was in a mercantile line, and he met with gratifying success. Throughout all his career he was honored and respected for the strict integrity of his dealings. He was a man of rare force of character, and his many good deeds attest the usefulness of his life. He was born September 10, 1809, and died February 15, 1877. He was twice married, and of the first union si.\ children were born, three of whom are living: Henry C, mem- ber of the State Legislature, is a resident of Keedsburg, Wisconsin; he served four years in the late war as a member of an Illinois regiment, and pai-ticipated in several of the most important battles of the conflict; politi- cally he affiliates with the Democratic party, but was elected from a district pronouncedly Republican; he is engaged in the general mercantile business, and is married, his wife's niaiden name being Mary E. Smith; Albert C. was color- bearer of the T^ourth New York Artillery, and served from the beginning to the end of the struggle; he married Miss BIOGRAPHWAL HISTORY. 299 Sarah Hunt, and is now a resident of Vir- ginia, engaged in the hardware business; and Helen, wife of Mr. Macumber, of Boston. Of the second marriage the subject of this notice is the only surviving child. At the age of sixteen years he began clerking in a general store, and afterwards became a mem- ber of the party that surveyed the Giand Rapids & Indiana Railroad through Michi- gan. When this work was done he secured a position as bookkeeper for Rudd & Green at Rudd's Mills, Monroe county, Wisconsin, and remained there seven years. At the end of this period a new experience awaited him on the Pacific coast; there he spent one year on a ranch, returning home on account of illness. He then ressumed the business he had left, with the same firm, continuing in their employ until J nly 4, 1879, when he was appointed to his present position, which he has tilled faithfully and acceptably "through all the different kinds of weather and admin- istrations." His first run was between La Ci'osse and Chicago, on the Chicago, Milwau- kee & St. Paul Railroad, but at the present time his run is between Winona and Chicago. Thirteen years of service have tested his abil- ity, and the honor and integrity of his pur- pose have not fallen short of his mental capacity. He has been promoted to the highest point attained in this branch of the Government service. Mr. Hunt was married September 21, 1877, to Miss J. R. Barstow, a daughter of William and Mary E. Barstow, of Reeds- burg, Wisconsin. The father died March 9, 1883, aged sixty years, and the mother passed away September 29, 1877, aged fifty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Barstow arc the parents of four daughters: Cornelia, wife of George Benedict; Nellie, wife of Joe Denning; Martha, widow of Hannibal Ayres, and Mis. Hunt. Mr. Hunt takes an active interest in political questions. He is a natural me- chanic, and does remarkably fine work in wood; he also has a decided taste for natural history, and has made a fine collection of specimens. At one time he held the office of Town Clerk, was station agent, telegraph operator, and a member of the Board of Edu- cation. He has always enjoyed the highest respect and esteem of the community in which he lives. ►4WI- H^alflLUAM GALYIN, traveling auditor w®fl of the Northern Pacific Railroad, came i^^j to La Crosse in 18G9, and has been a resident here ever since. He first saw the liglit of day in Galena, Illinois, April 9, 1847, and his parents, D. and Bridget Galvin, were natives of Ireland. The father was engaged in buying grain, held a number of ofiices in Galena, and was extensively known. He was hard of hearing and was killed by the cars when crossinor a railroad track. He was born in the year 1802, and came to America in 1838. He was straightforward, honest and upright in all his dealings, and many public trusts he had held were kept with the most scrupulous fidelity. He was president of the Board of Education, and was an important factor in educational affairs. He died in October, 1884, and was a prominent member of the Catholic Church, as was also his wife, who died November 2, 1886, when seventy- two years of age.- William Galvin is the oldest living child born to his parents; then Katherine, wife of T. L. McDermit, of Ga- lena, Illinois; and then D. J., who resides in Jamestown, North Dakota, and who married Miss Catherine Calahan. Our subject was educated in Galena, Illinois, and commenced for himself on the Southern Minnesota Rail- road. When the system was bought out he 300 BIOGRAPUTCAL HT STORY. still reniaineil in the employ of the same road, having been with the same for about twenty years, and filling almost all the posi- tions up to the one he now holds. He first commenced as expense-bill clerk, and was agent for l.a Crosse station just preceding his present appointment. lie is one of the county's best citizens, and takes an interest in whatever promises good for his commu- nity, lie was married on the 15th of De- cember, 1873, to Miss Margaret A. Manning, daughter of Thomas and Mary Manning, of La Crosse. The parents were natives of Ireland, but came to this country when young. The father was engaged East in the grocery business. lie died when forty-two years of age, but his widow is still living, and is seventy-five years of age. They had si.\ children, three still living: Thomas, of La Crosse; Elizabeth and Mrs. Galvin. Mr. (ialvin is a Democrat in politics, and a mem- ber of the Knights of Honor. Mr. and Mrs. Galvin are niemljers of the Roman Catholic Church. W. IlEYDON. cooper.— Among the standard and leading establishments of ^^ the city of La Crusse, Wisconsin, is the coopering establishment of Mr. Heydon, the manager of the La Crosse barrel factories of Messrs. Doud, Sons &, Co. The factories are at Winona, Mankato, Stillwater, Duluth and West Superior, and stave factories are at Rudolph and Pittsville, Wisconsin. The goods are guaranteed and standard with the trade. Those dealing with Mr. Heydon will get advantages not duplicated elsewhere, for the machinery in use is of the finest and most modern make; the goods can be made at less cost than at many other places, and for this reason can be sold at very reasonable prices. Mr. Heydon was born in Onondaga county, New York, April 17, 1828, to Miles and Be- linda (Symonds) Heydon, tlie former a native of Connecticut, who came to New York when about twenty-one years of aije, and there fol- lowed farming throughout the remainder of his life. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 for several months, and die! at about the age of si.xty years, his wife having passed from life many years before. Their union was blessed in the birth of five sons and four daughters, seven members of which family grew to maturity and four are now living: Leonard; Parker; E. W., the subject of this sketch; and John, all of whom are living in Western New York with the excep- tion of E. W. The latter was educated in the public schools of New Y'ork, and in the State of his birth learned the details of fann- ing and the cooper's trade. With the desire to better his financial affairs he came West September 5, 1853, and nntil 1857 was a resident of Lockport, Illinois, but from Trem- pealeau county, Wisconsin, he came to La Crosse about twelve years since and has since conducted a farm as well as his cooperage establishment. While in Trempealeau county he was a school official and was an important factor in the educational affairs of his com- munity. In February, 1864, he enlisted in tlie Union army in Company I, Thirty sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and took part in tlie battle of Petersburg, which lasted several months, and later took part in the deadly charge at that place. He held the rank of First Lieutenant on entering the service, and later was promoted to the rank of Captain. He was detailed on the start to gather about him some sixty men who were at home on furlough, and after doing so reported for duty at Alexandria, Virginia, to General Briggs. He was honorably discharged in January, ?.=J^. f/^^?^^^^. BIOGHAPBIGAL HISTuRY. 301 1865, on account of disability and returned home, but for some time previous to doing so assisted in the pay rolls. Since the war he has given his attention to his trade and has done vpell, being now one of the wide- awake men of La Crosse. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. He takes considerable interest in politics and votes the Republican ticket, but lias never put forward his claims for political pieference. He is a worthy and industrious citizen, and in the liighest degree honorable in his business transactions. In his business he goes on the principle that it is the cheapest to buy the best, make the best, and sell the best that the trade can afford. September 22, 1857, he was married, in Trempealeau county, to Miss Gertrude Doud, daughter of Chauncey and Sarah (Comstock) Doud, both natives of Jefferson county, New York, moving afterwards to Michigan in 1836, having been married in New York two years earlier. They resided in Michigan until 1842, then moved to Kendall county, Illinois, to Lockport, Will county, of the same State in 1849, and to Wisconsin in 1857, landing in Trempealeau county on the 22d of May. The father was a farmer, but al- ways followed coopering. He now resides in Winona, Minnesota, at the age of eighty- three years, his wife having died May 13, 1887, aged seventy-seven years. To this couple eight children were born, two of whom died in irifaucy: Roice resides in Winona, Minnesota, his first wife beino; Iowa Batch- elder, and his second, Jesse Muir; Anna (Mrs. Heydon); Anna, widow of Abner Har- ris, resides in Winona; Marietta (deceased); George (deceased); Maria Louisa, wife of George M. Brush, resides in Minneapolis; Cornelia L., widow of Fred Bonner, keeps house for her father, and George S., of Winona, married to Josie Newell. Mr. and 21 Mrs. Heydon are the parents of the following children: Clarence R., an engineer and ma- chinist; Harry E. has charge of a cooper shop at Mankato, Minnesota. His wife is Zoe Nimock, and their two daughters are Grace and Blanche; Gertrude D. is a teacher in the schools of La Crosse, and takes rank with the progressive and successful teachers of the county', and Lottie is fitting herself for a teacher in the Normal School of Mankato, Minnesota. Altliongli the Heydons are not members of any church, they usually attend the Universalist Church. L. JENKS, a lumber merchant of La Crosse and an honored pioneer of the * county, owes his nativity to Lyme, Grafton county, New Hampshire, the year of his birth being 1837. His parents, John and Marinda (Cook) Jenks, were also natives of the Granite State, where the father fol- lowed farming. He was an industrious, up- ritrht and honorable citizen; his death occurred in 1869, at the age of si.xty-tive years; his wife passed away in 1883 at the age of seventy years. Of the ten children born to them, six are still living, and two sons and a daughter are in the West. C. L. Jenks came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1856, settled in La Crosse, and there has resided ever since, surrounded by many warm friends. He began the battle of life for him- self working by the day in the woods and on the river, driving and contracting and raft- ing; he has made the most of the opportuni- ties that have presented themselves to him, and is now the owner of a wholesale and re- tail lumber yard; he also owns a commodious residence on Seventh street, which is very complete in all its appointments. Mr. Jenks selected his wife in the person 303 nioaiiAPiiiCAL HfSToiir. of Miss Harriet Dalton, daughter of John E. Dalton, M. I)., and tiieir nuptials were cele brated in 1861. Dr. Dalton was a graduate of Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, and began the practice of his profession in Mar- tinsville, Clinton county, Ohio, and later located in New Vienna, Ohio. In 1851, durii g the excitement over the gold dis- cover}' in Calif()rnia,he journeyed to that State, going overland, and walked more than three- fourths of the distance. The company was orcjanized at St. Louis, and made what is now Kansas City, Mo., their meeting point; from this place an immense train of ox teams and wagons started for the gold "diggins." Much sickness prevailed during the journey, which required six months for its accom- plishment, and the Doctor was kept "on the go," now in advance, now in the rear part of the train; thus it was that most of the jour- ney for him was made on foot. He remained in California three years, but during that period gave most of his time to his profes- sion, lieturiiing to Clinton county, Ohio, he continued his practice until 1858, when he removed with his family to La Crosse, Wis- consin, but after a few years retired. He was a very successful physician, a ripe scholar and a leader in the profession of medicine. He died in 1887, at the age of eighty-seven years; his wile died in 1884, aged three score and ten years. Both were honored members of the Universalist Church. Dr. Dalton was widely known, and it was said that he had not an enemy in the world. He was born in Warner, New Hampshire, and his wife was a native of Claremont, New Hampsliire. Their children, five in number, are all living and are honored residents of La Crosse county. Mr. and Mrs. Jenks have a happy home which has been blessed in the birth uf six children: Ellen, wife of Abram James, resides in La Crosse and is the mother of two children, Grace and May; Charles is foreman in the rafting business with his father; his wife's maiden name was Lizzie Mathewson; John has charge of the lumber yard in North La Crosse; he married Miss Anna G. Paul; Albert is at work in the yard, and William and Louis are pupils in the public school. Mr. Jenks is an ardent Itepublican and has always manifested a lively interest in the welfare of his party and its general success. He and his wife are numbered among the esteemed citizens of La Crosse county, as are also his children and their families. > fIL LIGHTBODY, LaCrosse, Wiscon- sin. — Few, if any, among those en craijed ** in the real-estate and insurance business in this city maintain as high a reputation for integrity and reliability as Mr. Lightbody, whose office is located at No. 107 North Fourth street. He was born in Oneida county, New York, July 25, IS-tO, and his father, Archibald Lightbady, was a native of Scotland. The mother, whose maiden name was Angeline Prentiss, was a native also of Oneida county. New York. Archibald Light- body and family came to Wisconsin in 1852, settled in Calumet county, and there the father followed his trade, that of mechanic. He died in that county in 1873, when sixty- one years of age. He was a prominent mem- ber of the Congregational Church, and the mother, who is still living and resides in La (Jrosse, is an esteemed member of the sauie. She is now about seventy-four years of age. J. H. Lightbody, the eldest of live children, commenced business for himself in a print- ing-office at Fonddu Lac, Wisconsin, and the last year was publisher of the Fond da Lac Commonwealth. After this he spent ten BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY. 303 years in New York city, in the mercantile business, closed out in 1871, and then came to Wisconsin, where he was in the employ of the Singer Manufacturing (Company, having charge of one of their offices at Madison, Watertown and La Crosse. He continued with this company for fourteen years, and in 1887 engaged iu his present business, which he has followed ever since with good success. In lire insurance he represents the United States of New York city, and the Meelianics' of l^'hiladelphia. He also deals in real estate, has an extensive business, and has his full share of the trade. Mr. Lightbody is married and has fonr children: Archie, in the employ of Hodges & Hyde, as stenographer and correspondent; Herbert, wlio is employed by Stultz & Schick, as an architect; and Martha and James, aa:ed respectively nine and fonr. Mr. and Mrs. Lightbody are members of the Congrega- tional Church, and in politics the former is a Republican. C. TECHMER is a manufacturer of corn meal, graham flour, and ground Tfsii® feed, and dealer in grain, grass seed, baled hay and straw, white lime, plaster of Paris, cement and adamant plaster, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, is thoroughly imbued v^ith enterprise and public spirit, both of which attributes are essential for the welfare of man's business and for the good of a city. He was born in Germany, October 6, 1856, to A. and Mary (Eichler) Techmer, who came from their native land to America in 1869, and took up their residence in La Crosse, of which city they are still honored residents. The father served in one of the German wars for three years, and by trade is a carpenter. Of eleven children born to them, seven are still living, and all reside in La Crosse, with the interests of which place they have thoroughly identified themselves. H. C. Techmer began business for iiimself in 1883, opening a feed store, which caught fire and burned to the ground in 1887. It was called the La Crosse Milling Company. Mr. Tech- mer has now the largest business of the kind in the city, and his annual yearly profit is large and eminently satisfactory. He was married June 6, 1888, to Miss Laura Bosshard, daughter of Jacob and Susannah Bosshard of La Crosse, who are well-to-do and highly respected citizens. They were born in Switzerland, but have been residents of America for about twenty five years past. Their family consists of fonr children. Mr. and Mrs. Techmer's union has been blessed in the birth of one child, a bright little daughter, Leona. Mr. Techmer is a member of the German Lutheran Church, and is one of the most enterprising business men of the city. He favors and lends a help- ing hand to all worthy movements which con- duce to the prosperity of the city and county; is a law-abiding citizen whose career has been above reproach. '^^uzruv- -l/irtro^^^ UHLMAN & GASS, manufacturers of galvanized iron cornices and window caps, tin, slate and sheet-iron roofing, occupy a prominent place in commercial cir- cles in La Crosse county. The firm is com- posed of Adolpli F. Kuhlman and Anthony Gass, of whom brief personal mention will be made. Anthony Gass was born in the city of Chicago, Illinois, April 30, 1856, and is a son of Matthias and Catharine (Beurle) Gass. The father was a native of Batzendorf, Alsace, and the mother came from Heidenheim, 304 BIOOHAPIIICAL IIISTORT. Germany, the village being located in Wiirt- embiirg. Matthias Gass emigrated to Amer- ica when a young man, and located in Chicago, where he was married. In 1866 he removed with his family to La Crosse, and iu 1876 went to Buffalo county. Wisconsin, where he now resides. lie and his wife had born to them a family of four sons and four daughters, three sons and two daughters surviving. Our subject grew to manlmod in this city, and learned the trade of I in -sheet and metal worker. In 1885 he formed a partnership with Mr. Kuhlman for the purpose of carry- ing on the business on a more extensive plan. They liave been connected with the construc- tion of the Funk buildings, the Zelsler Brewery plant, Doerre's building. Bliss & Sell's block, Canterbury block, St. Joseph's Church tower, and the Adoration chapel. Mr. Gass was married in this city to Miss Louisa Berg, a daughter of Christian and Kunigunda Berg, natives of Wiirtemburg and Bavaria, respectively. lie is a member of the society of St. Boniface, of St. Joseph's Casino, and of the La Crosse Diocesan Life Insurance Company. Adolph F. Kuhlman was born near Marl- gaerten on the Ileisen, in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, June 11, 1836, and is a son of John Ikrnard and (Burlage) Kuhlman; the father was a farmer l)y occu- pation. In 1854 Adolph came to America, landing in the city of Boston; there he spent two years, coming at the end of that time to Dubuque, Iowa. He lived in the latter place for about eighteen years, and there learned the trade of a sheet-metal worker and tin- smith, lie subsequently spent some time in Winneshiek county, Iowa, and also at Grand Haven, Wisconsin. In 1882 he came to La Crosse, and since that time has been a con- spicuous iigure in commercial and building circles. He was united in marriage to Miss Eva Weber, in Winneshiek c(junty, Iowa. Mrs. Kuhlman is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a daughter of parents of Bavarian birth. ()i this union one son and three daughters have been born: Ottilia, a sister in the Con- vent of St. Francis of Rose, Alma; Eva and William. The parents are communicants of St. Nicholas' Roman Catholic Church Mr. Kuhlman belongs to St. Alphonsns' Roman Catholic Benevolent Society, of Dubuque, Iowa, and to the La Crosse Diocesan Life Insurance Company. Both members of tiie lirm of Kuhlman & Gass are active workers in the Builders' E.vchange of La Crosse. fOHN KAHLER, foreman of the car- pentry department of the shops of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company at La Crosse, was born in Milwau- kee, August 28, 1858, a son of Charles and Magdalena (Stork) Kahler, the former a native of Saxony and the latter of Darmstadt, Germany, who came to America in their young days. The father was a car-repairer in this country. After his marriage, in Mil- waukee, he came to La Crosse, upon the completion of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway to this point. They reared four sons, namely: August, who is now en- gaged in stock ranching in Idaho; William, car-repairer in Minneapolis; Charles, a miner in Idaho; and the subject of this sketch. Mr. Kahler learneil the carpenter's trade, entered the railroad shops here, and since 1885 has served in his present capacity, for which he is so well adapted. He is a mem- ber of the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen, BWGBAPHIOAL BISTORT. 305 and is now serviug his first term as Super- visor of the Fifteenth Ward of La Crosse. He was married, in this city, to Miss Amelia, daughter of John Brinkrnan, and and they have two sons and four daughters, namely: Lizzie, August, Lillie, Minnie, Ida and William. fACOB HAHN, Secretary of the La Crosse Board of Public Works, was born in Geoghr, Prussia, near the city of Cologne, December 11, 1850. He is a son of John and Anna Sophia (Capellan) Hahn, natives of Prussia, who emigrated to America in 1857, and located at La Crosse, Wisconsin, in April of that year. Both passed the remainder of their lives in this city. The mother was married before her union to John Hahn, and had two daughters: Catherine became the wife of William F. Gohres, and died in early womanhood ; Mary S. married John O'Neill, and now resides in North La Crosse. Henry and another son died in infancy. Jacob received his educa- tion in the conimon schools of this city, and was also a student in the parochial school under the jurisdiction of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration; he was grad- uated from the La Crosse Commercial Col- lege, and embarked in business on his own account in partnership with John O'Neil; they carried on a prosperous grocery trade until 1876, when he bought Mr. O'Neil's interest and continued the business alone until 1884, when he sold out and retired from active pursuits. At the end of two years he engaged in the hardware trade, the firm being Hahn & Butsch; this rela- tionship existed two years, at the end of which time he disposed of his interest, and then established himself in trade alone. He is still conducting the business, and has a wide patronage of the best class of citizens. Mr. Hahn has served two terms as a mem- ber of the Common Council, and in 1891 he was elected a member of the Board of Public Works, and by the board was chosen sec- retary. He was married October 3, 1877, to Miss Theresa Schafiermeyer, a native of Minnesota; of this union seven children have been born: the eldest, Mary, died in infancy; Mary S., Henry H., Annie Sophia, Peter, John and Joseph. Mr. Hahn is a member of St. John's Society, and was its first president. He belonors to the Washington Hose Com- panj. No. 2, of the City Fire Department. He and his wife both belong to St. John's Itoman Catholic Church. Li his present official capacity Mr. Hahn has been of great service to the city, and has made the most of his opportunities to ad- vance her interests. J. KELLY.— The Board of Public !L Works of La Crosse, Wisconsin, con- ® sists of Edmund J. Kelly, President, Jacob Hahn, Secretary, and W. H. Tarbox. This board has control of all public works, and is empowered to make all contracts for the construction of bridges, walks, sewers, lighting of city buildings, etc. The wagon and foot bridge recently contracted for by the city is the largest on the Mississippi river except at St. Louis. The city has twenty and a half miles of water mains, and a little more than fifteen miles of macadam- ized streets. Three city buildings are being constructed in 1891: the city hall, at a cost of $40,000; a schoolhouse in the Tenth Ward, at a cost of $9,000, and an addition to the schoolhouse in the Sixth Ward, at a cost of ?06 nWGRAPHIG.lL HISTORY. $7,000. The city water system pays a good revenue over and above cost of operating, and tlie water supply is very superior. Mr. Kelly is a native of Brownsville, Min- nesota, horn July 24, 1S57, and is a son of E. D. and Mary (Frawiey) Kelly, natives of Ireland; the parents emigrated to America in their youth, and weie married at Steuben- ville, Ohio, in 1852. Edmund J. was edu- cated in the public schools of Brownsville, Minnesota, and was graduated in 1875. He then engaged in teaching, and followed the profession about nine months. In 1877 he came to La Crosse, and embarked in the grocery trade, and afterward was employed by AVilliam Haynes in the retail grocery trade. For one year he was billing and en- tering clerk in the wholesale house of J. J. Hogan, and in 1882 he opened a grocery and provision store on his own account; this lie conducted until the spring of 1891, when he closed out the business. In the spi-ing of 1885 the people of La Crosse testified to their confidence in Mr. Kelly by electing him a member of the Com- mon Council; lie served in this capacity for six years, and in 1891 he was selected a member of the Board of Public Works for a term of four years; he was immediately made president of the board. Mr. Kelly was united in marriage, June 16, 1885, to Miss Mary Kcaveny, a native of Ireland, who was brought by her parents to America when she was three years of age. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelly: Mary, Edmund J., and Harriett, all of whom are living. Mr. Kelly is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and is county delegate of the order; he be- longs to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, an insurance association, of which he is firancial secretary for this city; he is a mem- ber of the Third Regiment of Wisconsin Na- tional Guards, Company B, in whicli he is serving his fourth year. He and his wife are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, of which he is financial secretary. E. I), and Mary (Frawiey) Kelly reared a family of three sons and two daughters: James, Daniel M., Johanna, Elizabeth, and Edmund J.; the eldest sister, Johanna, mar- ried Thomas Blake, and resides in San Jose, California; the brothers are residents of La Crosse, while Elizabeth lives with her father. The mother died when our subject was a lad of seven years; the father married a second time, and is again a widower. IIOMAS H. SPENCE, wholesale and {1. retail dealer in drugs, paints, oils and m glass, occupies an important position in commercial circles in this city, and is entitled to more than a passing mention. He is a native of the State of AVisconsin, born in AYaukesha, August 3, 1851, and is a son of Thomas and Jane (Leslie) Sjience. His parents were born near Belfast, Ireland, and emigrated to America about the year of 1845 or 1846; after spending some time in Brook- lyn, New York, they came to Wisconsin, and settled at AA'^aukesha. In the latter years of his life, Mr. Spence was connected with the real-estate and loan business; he is a man of excellent education, and in his younger days taught school and served as a minister of the gospel. Thomas II. Spence grew to manhood in AVaukesha, and obtained a fair education in the common schools. At the age of thirteen years he was apprenticed as a drug clerk in the store of 1. M. AA^iite, where he remained seven years; during this time he acquired a thorough knowledge of the retail trade in all its details, and in March, 1871, he came to BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT. 307 La Crosse to take charge of the store of John S. Lester & Co. He managed this business three years, at the end of which time he pur chased the stock, and has since maintained the high reputation of the house. His whole- sale trade extends throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota, over which ter- ritory he has two traveling salesman. Upon the organization of the State Board of rharniacj in 1882, Mr. Spence rendered most efficient service in perfecting the plans of that body, and served as its president for two years, his period of service covering six years. His quarter of a century's experience in the profession has well qualified him for tlie responsible position he tills, and his care- ful and correct habits of tilling prescriptions has won the contidence of a wide circle of physicians. His wholesale establishment at No. 119 North Front street is a three-story building, and the retail trade is carried on at No. 303 Main street, in a spacious and well- lighted room. The business has increased rapidly, sixty per cent, of the growth being in mail orders, showing that the reputation of the store is reaching far .beyond local circles. A large business is done in Parry^s family medicines, which are prepared and sold exclusively by him; he also owns the "White Beaver's" popular medicines. Success is the Just re- ward of the persevering industry and high and honorable dealing of such men as Mr. Spence. He was married at Portage, "Wisconsin, to Miss Ada Wyckoff, a native of Pennsylvania, a lady of clever literary attainments, a gradu- ate of Elmira College, New York, and a daughter of Samuel and Angeline (Burchard) Wyckoff. One son has been born of this union, Elbert Wyckoff. Mr. Spence is a stockholder of the Inter- State Fair Association and of tiie La Crosse National Bank. He is one of the incor- porators of the Jobbers and Manufacturers. Union of La Crosse, and has been Treasurer of the Royal Arcanum several years. A'-- t-8->=-^^ I^GID HACKNER has been a residentof the United States since 1880, and is one of the most enterprising and prosperous citizens of La Crosse county, Wisconsin. He was born in the village of Fordheim, on the river Schwarzach, in the Kingdom of Bavaria, December 27, 1856. His parents, John and Crecentia (Kapfer) Ilackner, were also natives of Germany; the father died in 1879; he was a farmer by occupation. Our subject passed his youth in his native village, obtaining a good education in tlie common-schools, which was supplemented by a collegiate course at Eichstadt. He then began to learn the trade of altar-building, and for this purpose spent two years in the art schools of Munich, study incr drawing and wood-carving. He worked at his trade in different cities in his native country, and in October, 1880, he emigrated to America, coming almost immediately to La Crosse. Here he has been prominently ideutitied with the building interests; he employs twenty-three skilled workmen, and does an annual business of $15,000. Mr. Hackner was united in marriage at La Crosse, to Miss Julia Kracklauer, a native of Freistadt, Germany, born January 2, 1857, and a daughter of Paul and Katrine Krack- lauer. Mr. and Mrs. Hackner are the parents of three sons and four daughters: Lizzie, Ju- lia, Katie, John, Annie, William and George. They are both members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Hackner belongs to the St. Boniface Society, to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, to the Diocesan Life Insurance Company, and to the Casino. He is also an 308 BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY. active member of the Board of Trade of La Crosse. In 1882 Mrs. Hacklier, inotlier of onr sub- ject, came to America, and makes lier liome with her son, the Kev. Willebald Ilackuer, priest of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Churcli &i Fountain City, Wisconsin. |MIL TRAUGOTT MUELLER, secre- tary and treasurer of tlie G. Heileman J>rewing Company, was born in the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin, January 5, 1858, and is a son of Traugott and Emma (Raseman) Mueller, natives of Chemnitz, Saxony. The parents were married in the "Fatherland," and emigrated to America about the year 1852. The father was a baker by trade, and carried on this businecs after settling in La Crosse, until the time of his death, which occurred September 13, 1869. His remains were interred with all the honors of the Deutsche Verein, of which he had been a member for many years; he was a charter member of the La Crosse or- ganization. He was also a member of the Lutheran Church. The family consisted of two sons and two daughters: Frances M., Emma, wife of Matthias Keller; Otto, a surveyor and draughtsman; and Emil Trau- gott, the subject of this notice. Mr. Mueller received a good education in the common schools, which was supple- mented by a thorough commercial course. At the age of fifteen years he took charge of the books and did general clerking at Green- wood, Wisconsin, where he remained four or live years. He then returned to La Crosse, where he clerked until 1881, accepting in tliat year a position as assistant manager and bookkeeper of the Heileman Brewing Com- pany. In 1884 he took the general manage- ment of the business, and under liis wise direction the establishment has increased its output to 21,000 barrels per aiunm. He is one of the most active members of commer- cial circles, and has always given a cordial encouragement to those enterprises which have had for their object the best interests of tlie community. He is a member of the Deutsche Verein, and enjoys the friendship of a very wide circle of acquaintances. Mr. Mueller was married in this city to Miss Louisa Heileman, a daughter of Gott- lieb Heileman, whose history appears else- where in this volume. Of this union four sons and a daughter have been born: Walter, Alfred, Erwin, Otto and Jennie. The parents are worthy and consistent members of the Lutheran Church. OTLIEB HEILEMAN, deceaeed, was born in Germany, January 6, 1824, and was a son of Casper and Fredericka (Meyer) Heileman, both of whom died in the " Fatherland." They had a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters; two sons and a daughter are all that survive. Mr. Heileman emigrated to America in 1852, and for a year resided in Philadelphia; thence he went to Milwaukee, and there formed a partnership with Gotlieb Meyer, one of his own countrymen. They carried on a bakery for five years, and at the end of that time Mr. Heileman came to La Crosse and em- barked in the brewing business with John Gund. This relationship existed fourteen years, when Mr. Gund left the business on Third street; Mr. Heileman, however, con- tinued to manage the business until his death, which occurred February 19, 1878. He built an extensive establishment on Third street, and the business conducted there gives employment to a large number of men. BICGBAPHIVAL HISTORY. 309 Juue 28, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Bantle, a daugliter of Lud- wig and Cathrina (Sige!) Bantle, natives of the same German province. Mr. and Mrs. Bantle had a family of five sons and three daughters, Mrs. Heileman being the fourth in order of birth. The father died at the age of seventy years, and the mother at the age of sixty-one years. Jacob, tlieir oldest ?on, is deceased, but the others are all living, and citizens of the United States. Mrs. Heile- man came to this country in 1852, and spent four years with lier brothers in New York; thence she went to Milwaukee, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Heileman are the parents of eight children: Louisa, wife of E. T. Mueller; Lena married D. Reinns, and is the motiier of one child, Charlotte; Emma is the wife of George Zeisler, a brewer of La Crosse, and they have a family of four children — Georgia, Ida, Emma and Henry; Minnie married William Linker, and their only child, Alfred, died at the age of nine months, in 1891; Paulina is at home; Henry is vice-president and sujierintendent of the Heileman Brewing Company; Ida and Jen- nie are also at home. The mother and chil- dren are all members of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Heileman was a man of getiial manner and kindly disposition, winning many friends. He lived a quiet, contented life with his wife and children, and enjoyed the coniidence of all who knew him. ^^ [HEODORE KIENAHS is engaged in one of the most delightful as well as profitable occupations, that of a florist. He is a native of the country that has pro- duced some of the most successful gardeners, born at Sterlitz, Prussia, thirty miles north of Berlin, September 17, 1859. His parents, Heinrich and Fredericka (Jaricho) Kienahs, emigrated to America in 1866, and located in La Crosse where they now reside. They have reared a family of one son and three daughters: Theodore, the subject of this biographical sketch; Mary, wife of Anton Kroll of Shelby township, La Crosse county; Line, wife of Otto Dimmler of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; and Annie, wife of William H. Luening of La Crosse. Mr. Kienahs received his education in the common-schools of La Crosse, and in early youth began the study of the occupation of his father who was also a florist. He has been very prosperous in this enterprise, and has contribute 1 his share to the development and extension of the trade. He is a mem- ber of the German ia Society, and of the Board of Trade of La Crosse. ^ fjjROF. AUG. FR. SOBOTKA, the prin- cipal teacher in the St. Wenceslaus' School, was born at Polna, Bohemia, August 10, 1859, and is the only child of Frank and Louisa (Fiala) Sobotka.also natives of Polna, Bohemia. The father was a farmer and market gardener, and later added a meat market to his business; he died of cholera in 1866, but his wife is still living, and resides in her native land. Professor Sobotka was educated in his own country; he first entered a school at Olmutz, where he pursued the lower studies, as a class-mate of Rev. Father Rynda, the present pastor of St. Stanislaus' Bohemian Church, St. Paul, Minnesota. He spent four years in the seminary for teachers at Troppan in Silesia, from which institution he was graduated in June, 1878. October 28th of the same year he was employed as a teacher at Lubna, Bohemia, and remained there until April 13, 1880, when he went to 810 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Geisshiibel, Bohemia, where he taught until August 4, 1884. In that year he emigrated to America, landing in the city of New Yoriv. From that time until April, 1888, lie was em- ployed in St. Stanislaus' School at St. Paul, Minnesota, and also served the church of the same name as organist. He came to La Crosse in 1888, and was installed as teacher in tlie school above mentioned; he is also churcli organist. He received his musical education at the seminary in Troppan, the capital of Silesia, making himself a master of both vocal and instrumental music, lie has a larcfe class in music to which he can devote only his evenings. He is Notary Pub- lic, represents some of the leading insurance companies of the country, and acts as corres- pondent of Consul H. Claussenius of Chicago. Professor Sobotka was united in marriage November 13, 1884, to Miss Mary Pojman, a native of Polna, Bohemia; they have had born to them four children: August, Mary, and Louisa are living; Emanuel died in St. Paul. The parents are communicants of the Roman ('atholic Church. The Professor is president of the Second Bohemian Roman Catholic Union of the State of Wisconsin; he is also a member of the order of Bohemian Knights, and St. Wenceslaus' and St. John's Societies of La Crosse. 'l/m^-^ -•>-T>'l/2/(^— ><— ^< [EORGE S. NICHOLS, captain and pilot on the Mississippi river, was born at Galena, Illinois, in 1855, to George C. and Mary A. (Payne) Nichols, the former of whom was born in England and at the age of seven years became a sailor boy. After remaining on the ocean for a number of years he came to Galena, Illinois, some time in the year 1835, and engaged in river navigation, soon l)ciiig prf)moted to the position of pilot. He was in La Crosse in 1838, and was one of the Government employes wlio moved the Indians from La Crosse to a point on tiie Minnesota river, after which he was employed for a number of years on Government snag and other boats in improving the navigation of the iiortiiern portion of the Mississippi river. He took the only i)oat to Bhick River Falls that was ever taken to that place and navigated the Mississippi river until 1883, when he retired. He was considered one of the best pilots on the river, and was thor- oughly trustworthy and capable. He is now residing at West Salem in his si.xty-seventh year of age, content to rest upon the laurels he has won, and in the enjoyment of a fair income, the result of many years of toil. George S. Nichols spent his youth in attend- ing the public sciiools of his native town, and the first work he did in the way of earning his own living was as a farm hand in 1873. In 1878 he went to work on the river and learned piloting under the able instruction of his father, which business has been his chief means of livelihood ever since. He has been remarkably successful in this line of work and for the past eight years has been in the employ of one firm, which fact speaks in elo- quent terms as to his efficiency and reliabil- ity. He was married in 1874 to Miss Har- riet J. Lawton, daughter of Jacob Lawton, of Carthage, Illinois. A family of three chil- dren have blessed their union: William, Maud Evangeline and George, all of whom still remain under the shelter of the parental roof. Amid the active duties of his career he has found time to cultivate the finer and gentler feelings and in his private and domestic rela- tions, he has exemplified the character of a true and good man. He and his family are attendants of the Baptist Church, and he is one of the men who is working to bring Wisconsin into the line of Republican prin- BIOGRAPHICAL HI STOUT. 311 ciples. Genial and hospitable in his inter- course with those around him, he has a host of warm friends and his career tluis far in life has been above reproach. fDlN J. OYEN, one of the rising young business men of La Crosse, Wisconsin, is an American by adoption, his native country being Norway, where he was born May 21, 1865. He is a son of Lars and Anna (Seillstad) Oyen, who were also natives of Trondjem, Norway, Mr. Oyen is by trade a gilder and modeler, and whose ancestors for many generations had inhabited Vaage; they were an agricultural people. In 1870 the family of our subject emigrated to Amer- ica, and after their arrival in the United States located at Madison, Wisconsin, where the two sons and three daughters grew to maturity. Feter A. remained in tlie old country and attended college, passed examina- tion, and is a candidate for a professorship in the State Geological Department of Norway. Odin J. received his education in tiie common schools, and at the age of fourteen years be- gan the study of his profession, that of a decorator. He spent six years in Madison, and then went to Cliicago for the purpose of taking an advanced course; he became a stu- dent in theArt Institute and during the time spent in this excellent school made three prize drawings. In February, 1888, he came to La Crosse and established himself in business, which he has conducted with marked success. He is a master of his art, and has accomplished most gratifying results. Among the buildings on which he has been employed, may be men- tioned the United States Government Build- ing, the Theater, the La Crosse County Court- house and many private residences. He is an active member of the Builders' Exchanore, one of the largest and most prosperous soci- eties of the city. He also belongs to the Norden Society and to the Board of Trade. The Inter-State Fair Association is another organization, which has received from Mr. Oyen a liberal support. He is a man of sterling traits of character, and is well worthy of the confidence reposed in by the entire community. fA. GROSS, contractor and builder, oc- cnpies a prominent position among the '^ members of his craft, and is entitled to more than passing mention in this record of the lives of the men who have aided in the de- velopment of the industries of La Crosse county. Frederick A. Gross was born in the city of Flatow, Prussia, December 3, 1863, and is a son of Frederick A. and Amelia (Schutz) Gross. His fatlier was a brick manufacturer in early life, but devoted his latter years to agricultural pursuits. He and his wife reared a familj' of three sons and four daughters. In 1882, Frederick A., Jr., emigrated to America; he was educated in his native country, and there acquired a thorough knowledge of the carpenter's trade. The first year of his residence in the United States was spent in Tomah, Wisconsin, and in 1883 he came to La Crosse. One year later he embarked in the business which he has con- ducted so successfully, and with such gratify- ing results. He has made for himself a reputation as a trust-worthy and capable builder, and has established a reputation for high and honorable dealing. He erected the business block of M. Fnnk, corner of Fourth and Pearl streets, and a handsome residence for tiie same gentleman; he built the Chicago. Burlington & Northern car shops, Chicago, 313 BIOGRAPUWAL BISTORT. Burlington & Northern passenger depot at Dubnque, the schoolhouse in the Tenth Ward, and the approach to the La Crosse bridge spanning the Mississippi river at tliat point, at a cost of $60,000; tliis last is a very tine piece of work aud reilects great credit npou Mr. Gross. He has now a contract for build- ing a $30,000 residence for N. B. Hoi way. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Gruber, a native of La Crosse and a daughter of John and Barbara Gruber, natives of Bavaria, Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Gross have been born two sons and one daughter: Alma, Frederick, and William. The parents are members of the German Methodist Ciiurch, Mr. Gross being a member of the board of trustees of Zion Methodist Episco- pal Cliurch. Mr. Gross is also a member of the La Crosse Board of Trade. [YRON DE FORCE, West Salem, Wis- consin, one of the successful educators of the county, is a native of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, his birth occurring June 19, 1869, and the son of J. Porter De Force, who was born at North East, Pennsylvania, in 1841. In 1856 the father removed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where iie worked at the carpenter trade until 1862, wlien, tilled with a patriotic desire to aid his country, he en- listed in the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, fol- lowing the fortunes of that regiment through its four years' service. In December, 1862, while participating in the battle at Vrairie Grove, he was slightly wounded, a ball from the enemy grazing his cheek. Returning to La Crosse at the expiration of his service, he again resumed his work as a carpenter and builder. In 1868 he was united in marriage to Miss Emily C. Berg, daughter of Andrew and Anna Berg, who were natives of Sweden, both born about the year 1831. The fruits of this union were live children, Byron being the eldest. The others are: J. Elmer, died in 1876; Katie, residing with her mother, and our sub- ject; Charles E., died in 1879; and Carrie M., also living with her mother. In 1872 Mr. De Force with his family moved to San Joaquin county, California, and there he re- sided until his deatli in 1885. Afterwards the mother and children returned to LaCrotse county, Wisconsin, locating at West Salem, where the mother bought a lot aud built a house with the money she secured as widow, from Lodge No. 108, A. O. U. W., of Lodi, California, being beneficiary of the late Mr. De Force. She now has a pleasant and com- fortable home for herself and family, and is aided in her support of the children by her son Byron, who works on the farms in the summer and teaches during the winter months. The latter, on the 24th of May, 1889, became one of the charter members of the W. J. Phillips Camp, No. 48, Sons uf Veterans, and was elected Captain of the camp two terms in succession. This year he is Captain of the camp. He was appointed Aid-de-Camp on the staff of the Colonel commanding the division, and was Assistant Division Inspector in 1890. He inspected the Robert Hughs Camp at La Crosse in that year, and was sent to Dodge county in Sep- tember, 1891, to organize a camp at that place. He has not missed a single meeting of his camp since its organization. He was a delegate to the Division Encampment at La Crosse in 1891. Mr. De Force and his sister Kate are members of the Congrega- tional Church of West Salem, but the mother is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Republican. He is one of the active young men of the village, being BTOORAPHICAL HISTORY. 313 foremost in all enterprises that are for the benefit of the town, especially patriotic measures. »--f*>«->— |OBERT STOGDILL, who has retired ■| from active business pursuits, is one of La Crosse county's most substantial citizens, and since his residence here, which began in 1873, he has been identified with the most progressive elements of the com- munity. He was born in Westchester county, New York, June 21, 1817, the son of Henry and Cornelia (Ingersol) Stogdill, natives of Connecticut and New York respectively. The father was a shoemaker by occupation, and he served as a soldier in the war of 1812-, he died January 10, 1871, at the age of seventy-six years. In his religious belief he was inclined to the Quaker faith. His wife died December 26, 1869, at the age of eighty-one years. They had a family of three children: Robert, the subject of this notice, is the oldest; William H., and Har- riet, who died at the age of five years. The paternal grandfather, Robert Stogdill, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and served through the seven years under General Mont- gomery, and later under General Putnam; his wife, Sarah Stogdill, drew a pension from the Government for a number of years; her death occurred at the age of eighty years. Their daughter, Sarah Rowell, who was born in 1800, is still living, in Connecticut; Mont- gomery, born in 1805, resides in Newark, New Jersey. Robert Stogdill, the subject of this notice, has been a resident of La Crosse since 1873, as before stated. He was united in marriage April 26, 1840, to Miss Mary Gibson, a daughter of John and Mary Gibson, natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson emi- grated to America in 1823, and settled in New York city; the former was a blacksmith by ti-ade. He died in 1838, at the age of fifty years. The wife passed away in 1832; her illness was cholera, and continued from 11 A. M. to 7 p. M. They had a family of five children, two of whom survive, Mrs. Stogdill and a sister, Miss Sarah A. Gibson, who re- sides in Greeley, Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. S'ogdill have no children but an adopted daughter, Grace Bnrnham Fassett, a grand- niece of Mrs. Stogdill. At the early age of twelve years Mr. Stog- dill started out in life for himself, and soon evinced an aptitude for business operations which assured his success in the commercial world. He was first employed in a tobacco and cigar factory, and there acquired a full knowledge of the business. He went to New York city, where he worked at his trade, and subsequently carried on a prosperous busi- ness. Attracted by the healthful climate of La Crosse, he located here, and is regarded as one of the most estimable gentlemen. He is a member of the Masonic orde^r, and takes an interest in local politics, now serving as Supervisor of the Eighth Ward. fOHN HALVE RSON, a valued employe of the Mons Anderson Company, of La Cros.^e, was born in Norway, July 10, 1825, a son of Halver and Pernilla Johnson. The father was a farmer by trade, and passed his life in his native land. The mother after- wards emifirrated to America in 1846, witli o her three daughters, Mary, Sarah and Jane, and her son Gilbert, and died at her daugh- ter's home in Vernon county, Wisconsin, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Tliey had a family of six children, five of whom are living. 314 BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT. John Ilalverson came tu America in 1848, landing in New York, July 5. In his own country he had learned the wagonmaker's trade, iive years as an apprentice, he to fnr- nisli his own clothes and washing, and had thoroughly mastered every detail of tlie busi- ness, and began at once to work in this line, excei)t only one week's rest with his mother and relatives in Dane county, Wisconsin. After his removal to Rock county he settled in Janesville, and there went into a wagon shop. He remained there until October, 1851. Desiring to secure some land, he came to La Crosse county and selected a tract in Barre township, in May, 1851, and afterwards donated the land oti which Barre Mills is located. He erected a house on this land, to be occupied by his mother and brotlier. Having secured the land, he again turned ills attention to his trade, which he followed in La Crosse until 1854. Business became so dull at that time that he was obliged to al)andon his vocation and go to his farm. He sold his shop and the lot on which it stood to a Mr. Jenkins, of Bangor. From this time until 1860 he was absorbed in agri- cultural pursuits, and was succeeding well, when a misfortune in the shape of an injury to his back, from heavy lilting, overtook him. He disposed of his farm and secured a position with the Mons Anderson Company, entering their employ November 13, 1860. This relationship has been most satisfactory to all parties, and its long duration is evi- dence of the stanch fidelity of both employer and employe. While a resident of Barre township Mr. Halverson filled many of the local offices. He was Assessor two years. School Clerk for the same length of time. Treasurer of the township one year, and was a member of the Board of School Trustees. The county was then thinly settled, the houses in the town- ship not numbering above one dozen in May, 1851, but increased considerably by fall. Mr. Halverson was married in Dane county, Wisconsin, March 25, 1852, to Miss Cornelia G. Hanson, a daughter of Kitl Hanson, now deceased. Her inoliier's maiden name was Dagne, and she is living, at the age of ninety years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Halver- son are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Halverson is an ardent sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party, and is a loyal citizen of the country of his adoption. ^^!^jRS. L. RENNER.— For quiet, com- fortable, home-like surroundintrs and superior bill of fare at moderate prices, the popular hotel, conducted by Mrs. L. Renner, is one of the best stopping places in La Crosse. Mrs. Renner is one of the pioneer settlers of this city, locating here in 1861, and is the widow of Louis Renner, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1832. Mr. Renner came to the United States in 1845, remained in Waverly, Ohio, until 1851, when he came to La Crosse nnd engraged in the grocery business on Main street. He was married to Miss Julia Dirarael, who was of German descent, her parents having spent their entire lives in that country. Mr. Ren- ner remained on Main street nue year and then built a hotel on F^ront street vvliere he remained nine years. He then sold out and built the present Bark Hotel in 1882. This he conducted successfully until his death in 1889, of enlargement of the heart. Lie was a man universally respected, and in his death the county lost one of its best men. He was a good husband and a kind and loving father. BlOORAPniGAL HISTORY. 315 His marriage resulted in the birth of five children: Emma, Ida, Anna, Julia and Minnie, all with the mother in the hotel. When Mr. Renner came to La Crosse he had very little capital, but he had the push and energy to accomplish what he undertook and succeed in making a home for himself and family. He was a United Workman, and in politics was a life-long Democrat. The fam- ily are members of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Renner and daughters still continue the hotel business, and they are meeting with well deserved suci-ess. fEORGE ATKINSON is a real estate agent at 431 Main street, La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is reliable in all his dealings, prompt, honorable in carrying out his undertakings, and lie has deservedly se- cured the confidence and favor of the public. He was born in Somerset county, Maine, Oc- tober 14, 1831, but his father, Christopher At- kinson, was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He remained in the State of his birth until he was thirty years of age, then went to Maine and began following his trade of hat maker. He was a strong Abolitionist and voted the Democratic ticket until the nomi- nation of Fremont, when he and his nine sons cast their vote for the brave "path finder," and they have continued to affiliate with the party of which he was a member, ever since. He and his sons voted for Franklin Pierce for President, and while on a visit to a sister at Fredericksburg, Virginia, during Pierce's administration, he called on the President and informed him that he and his eight sons had voted for him, but did not divulge the fact that it was the last Demo- crat he should ever vote while slavery existed, but such proved to be the case. He came to Baraboo, Wisconsin, witii his family, in the fall of 1856, and in that town made his home until his death, which occurred in his ninety-eighth year, in 1872. His widow survived him until 1877, dying at the age of eighty-four years. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and reared a large family in that faith. Of fourteen children born to them all lived to njature years. At the age of eighteen years George Atkinson began the battle of life for himself, and for a number of years during the winter months he worked in the pineries of Maine. Upon first leaving the State of his birth he went to Massachusetts, but after a few months returned to Maine and in 1856 came West and settled in La Crosse. He purchased a farm near Baraboo soon after, on which he lived for twelve years, and in 1870 returned to this city and the same year was elected lumber inspector, which position he held during Governor Washburne's administra- tion. His next move was to West Salem, but after five years spent in tilling the soil he returned to La Crosse, which place has since been his home. He is now one of the popular business men of the city, and is held in high esteem by his numerous friends and patrons. He was one of the ''boys in blue," enlisting in Company M, First Heavy Wis- consin Artillery, in September, 1864, and his command relieved a regiment of heavy artillery at Alexandria, Virginia, a New York regiment. This command left for the front 2,200 strong, and returned with only eighty men. At the end of eighteen months Mr. Atkinson's regiment was mustered out of the service in June, 1865, and although his will was good his flesh was weak and he returned home much shattered in health and unable to do a full day's work. He weighed 175 pounds on entering the service and 125 pounds when he returned home. Wliile 316 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. holding the poisition of Alderman of La Crosse, he resigned this office to ^o to West Salem, where he lived several years, closing his business there in 1879. He was married March 7, 1857, in Vermont, to Miss Amanda Withani, a native of Maine, whose father was from Hartford, Connecticct. He is now a resident of Concord, Maine, and is eighty- one years of age. He was formerly a farmer and sawmill operator. His wife was buried in 1881 at the age of seventy-five, at Port- land, Maine. Three of the nine children born to them are still living: Melissa Tlioinp- 6on, who resides near Bismarck, Dakota; Olive Dickinson, of Boston, Massachu.-etts, and Mrs. Atkinson. Tlie latter has borne her hus- band three children: Frank, married to Emma Miner, and a resident of La Crosse, has betn engaged in fariring and is the owner of a fine farm in Minnesota, which is rented; he is the father of a little daughter, Geneva; Alice is the wife of C. W. Sprague, was married in April, 1891, and is a resident of Tacoma, Washington ; and Nettie, who is the wife of C. W. Isham, of La Crosse, by whom she has two promising children: Helen and Woodard. Mr. Atkinson is a member of the G. A. U., and his wife belongs to the Woman's Relief Corps. They are highly respected and worthy people, and have taken an active interest in that which pertains to the welfare of the county. — ~^'»*?-^»-*J^*'-*" fRANK E. NICHOLS, of the C. H. Nichols Lumber Company, was born in Madison, Wisconsin, August 10, 1845. His parents, C. M. (a native of New York) and Jane M. (Eilkins) Nichols, came to Madi- son at a very early <;ay, where the father em- barked in the mercantile business, which he followed until he came to La Crosse county in the fall of 1852. At that time Onalaska was as large as La (!!ros8e, and it was indeed thought that the former place would be the main city. Mr. Nichols opened a store there and started a mill at tiie same time, and was successful in running both. Haviri": been well educated and a school-teacher, he was here placed in charge of all the schools in the vicinity. He had also studied with a view of becoming a physician, but he afterward ascertained that his health would not permit of such exposure as that calling would entail, and he held various offices, and was a man of affairs, well and favorably known. The mill he sold out to his sons about 187G; his store he had disposed of many years before, and during the remainder of his days he lived a retired life. He died in 1877, at the age of sixty-four years; his wife died just two years previously. They had seven children, four of whom died young: the other three are Frank E., our subject; Mrs. Fannie I'ooler, of Onalaska, and Fred, born April 5, 1855, and died in 1885. By a former mar- riatre, however, Mr. Nichols had had four children: George and Charles, both deceased; Mary, wife of George Dresbach, both of whom also are deceased; and Jane, wife of Charles Conway, living at Dresbach, Minne- sota. Mr. Nichols, the subject of this sketch, began the lumber business at the age of six- teen years, and has followed it ever since, with signal success, although he has been burned out several times. At the age of twenty-one years he became a partner. The first lumberman of Onalaska was C. M. Nichols, and when Frank E. became a part- ner, with a one-third interest, the firm name became C. M. Nichols & Co.; when the father died the firm name was changed to C. U. Nicliols & Co. ; and a few years ago it was changed to a stock company, and the style BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 317 (changed to tlie C. H. Nichols Lumber Com- pany; have been incorporated lor fonr years. This is the oldest lumber company on Black river, building the first mill in the>e parts. Their mill does the largest business of all in Onalaska, employing on an average a hundred men in summer and al)ont 125 in winter. They have about 100,000,000 feet of standing lumber, which will be work for the mill for the next eight years. The lum- ber business has made La Crosse, Onalaska and other points along the river. Mr. Nichols was married November 26, 1874, to Miss Dora Green, daughter of J. H. and Louisa (Sinkhoif) Green, natives respect- ively of Norway and Germany. Tliey have live children, namely: Charles Mason, who died at the age of two years, in 1877; Dora Nell, Raymond Eugene, Frank, Plato and Reese Haskell. The family are members of the Episcopal Church at Onalaska. They built their house of worship and deeded it to the village. The father and his family are also members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Frank E. Nichols and the other voters of the family take little interest in politics, but atKliate with the Democratic party. fAMES SYKES, an early settler and suc- cessful farmer of Farmington township, has been a resident of La Crosse county since 1849, and is entitled to a space in this record of Wisconsin pioneers. He is a native of England, born near Manchester, March 30, 1821, a son" of James and Sarah (Shaw) Sykes, natives of the same country. Our subject spent his youth in service in a cotton factory. He was married February 27, 1841, to Miss Rebecca Broad bent, a playmate of his childhood and a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Broadbent. Mrs. Sykes is one of 22 a family of twelve children. Her parents emigrated to the United States, and settled in Green county, Wisconsin. After coming to this country, Mr. Sykes spent some time in the East, and was a resident of Philadel- phia for eight years. When he came West he made the journey by water the greater portion of the way, and spent his lirst winter in Green county, Wisconsin. In 1849 he took up a Government claim in Farmington township, La Crosse county, and worked in the woods throush the first winter. Li the spring of 1850 his wife and four children came to the frontier, and for two years they lived on this claim. Mr. Sykes then sold out to John Kendrick and improved another farm, which he disposed of in 1857; he then settled on the land he now occupies. The winter of 1858-'59 he spent in the far West, as Kansas was then called, engaged in hunt- ing and trapping. During the civil war Mr. Sykes enlisted in the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Eagle Regiment, Company I, and served from September 22, 1861, for a period of two years; at the end of that time he was discharged on account of disability. Mr. Sykes has added to his fartn as his means have permitted, until now he owns 400 acres, improved with every modern con- venience; his buildings are substantial; he has one of the best equipped sorghum mills in the county, and is surrounded with all the comforts of modern ingenuity. Our subject and wife are the parents of eight children, four of whom were born in Pennsylvania, and four in Wisconsin: Sarah F. is the wife of Chester Andrews, a farmer of Farmington township; William is a resi- dent farmer in the State of Washington; Martha A. wedded Alex. Burr, and resides in Minnesota; Rebecca C. became the wife of Alex. Clark, and died March 9, 1887; 318 BIOGliAPniCAL HISTORT. Jolin H. died in Washington, December 16, 1889, leaving a widow and two cliildren; Eunice A. is the wife of Samuel Clark, who is engaged in farming in Nebraska; and James L. resides on the old homestead, mar- ried Stella, dangliter of L. Frank, by whom he has one daughter, Olive. Mr. Sykes is an ardent Republican, and has lield several of the townsliip offices. He is a member of Nelson Quiggle Post, No. 233, G. A. li. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of North Eend. They have seen many privations and hard- ships since coming to Wisconsin, but they have received a well-merited reward; Mrs. Sykes was strong and robust in her earlier days, and assisted her husband in every way possible; she raised potatoes, which she sold, and purciiased their first cow witli the pro- ceeds of the sale; she also worked witli iiiin in the woods, proving herself a most wortliy helpmeet. Tliey are of a kindly, hospitable disposition, and are among the most highly respected pioneers of the county. fOHN ANDERSON.— To this gentleman belongs the distinction of being the first Norwegian settler in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, he havinir located here in 1849. Mr. Anderson was born in Norway, January 10, 1822, son of Andrew Johnson and Mary (Olson) Anderson. He attended school until he was si.xteen years of age, after which he learned the carpenter's trade and for some years worked at it. At the sige of twenty- eiiiht he was united im marriaore with Caro- line Olson, who was born and reared in Nor- way, daughter of Ole and Retsy Olson. Mrs. Anderson's parents came to this country in 1855, passed the retnainder of their lives in La Crosse county, and died here. In 1849 Mr. Anderson sailed from Cliris- tiania to New York, landing at the latter place after a voyage of eight weeks. From New York he went direct to Ruflalo, and from there came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, thence to La Crosse county, by ox team. This was before there were any railroads in Wisconsin. Mr. Anderson came alone to this country, and the following year was joined by his wife and liis parents. La Crosse at that time contained only a few houses, and a trading post kept by John Levy. Mr. Anderson's first home here was a log cabin, which subsequently gave way to his present resiuence, a frame house, 18 x 26 feet, with an addition 16 x 16 feet. He has a good barn, 30x50 feet. Other improvements on his farm are a modern windmill, cribs, fences, etc., and everything about the premises indi- cate tliritt and prosperity. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson seven children were born. Of these four have passed away, viz.: Anton, who died at the age of twelve years; Clara, at eight years; Ottilia, at eighteen months; and Julia, at the age of thirty-two years. Julia was the wife of John E. Olson. She left a family of four chil- dren, namely: Clara, Anna, Jennieand Lottie. The three living children are as follows: Mary, wife of Andrew Ofstedahl, a Norwe- gian and a prominent man of La Crosse county, has seven children: Jnlien, Allida, Clara, Mathias, Arthur, Royna ami Lydia; Ellise, wife of John Olson, a merchant of Milton, North Dakota, has three children: Oscar, Clarence and Ruth; and Nettie, wife of Otto Krogrstad, a drugtjist of Grafton, North Dakota. They are the parents of two children: Lottie and Nora. During the many years of his residence here Mr. Anderson has been identified with the best interests of the county. He believes in theadvancem.ent of education, good morals BIOOBAPHWAL HISTORY. 319 and religion, and his influence has ever been exerted with the best elements of the com- munity in which he resides. Such is a brief review of one of the well- known early settlers of La Crosse county. AVID BROWN, a prominent and wealthy citizen of Farmington town- ship. La Crosse county, Wisconsin, flrst identified himself with the interests of this section of ihe country in 1856. Mr. Brown was born in Germany, April 13, 1826, son of Christian and Katharine (Notter) Brown. His parents were born, reared, educated and married at Wittenberg, Germany. His father was an expert wheel- wright. He died on the sea, and had valuable tools that were lost. The mother came to America, and her death occurred at Oualaska, Wisconsin, in December, 1888. Ten chil- dren were given to them, of whom live are now living, namely: Katharine Spring, of Onalaska; David, John, a lumber merchant of Buffalo, New York; Fred, foreman of Is- land Mill at Onalaska; William, foreman of a mill at Hannibal, Missouri. David Brown received a fair education, attending school until he reached his four- teenth year. lie then learned the trade of millwright and made himself master of the business in all its details. In 1848 he bade adieu to his native land and came to America, first locating in Philadelphia. We next find him in New Jersey, where he worked one year at his trade. Later, he operated mills in the woods of Pennsylvania, and in 1856 he came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin. He built the first steam sawmill at Onalaska, having brought the machinery for it from Philadelphia. Onalaska at that time con- tained only about five or six houses. A year later Mr. Brown went to New Amsterdam, where he was in business for three years. He operated a mill and built a house there. From that place he went to Bostwick Valley, where he ran a flour mill two years. At the end of that time he traded his mill for the farm he now owns, which was then unim- proved. In 1883 he went to La Crosse, and in that city built a house and engaged in business. Soon afterward, however, he re- turned to the old homestead. Here he owns 440 acres of fine land, well improved. His house is 18 x 30 feet, with an L, 16 x 24 feet, all a story and a half, and a kitchen, 14 x 14 feet. He has two barns. One is 42 x 56 feet in dimension, with stone basement, and the other is 18 x 24 feet. His granary is 18 X 22 feet; crib, 18x24 feet; and shop, 12 x 20 feet. He has a modern wind pump, and has the water piped across the road to a large tank. Indeed, everything on this farm is arranged with reference to convenience, and he has all the latest improved machinery for conducting agricultural pui-suits in the most approved manner, his machinery embracing everything from a hoe to a threshing-machine and being valued at $2,000. Mr. Brown was married, June 17, 1851, to Hortense Huber, who has shared his joys and sorrows for the past forty years, and who has done her part in bringing about their present prosperity. She was born in Austria, August 15, 1832, daughter of Joseph and Theresa (Ab ner) Huber. The former died in Germany and the latter came to America, and departed this life in La Crosse, aged eighty-two. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had eleven children, and all are still living save three. Their names are as follows: Ed. C., of Shelby township. La Crosse county; David, Jr., of Onalaska; Charles L. C, also of Onalaska; Lewis L., who has been a mail-carrier in La Crosse for six years; Leonard W., who lives on the old BIOORAPnWAL niSIORY. farm, was married July 23, 1889, to Agnes Ellens, of Minnesota, and has one child, Rosa Anna; and Henry, P'rank J. and Anna K. are at home. Those deceased are Minnie, their second child, who died at the age of fonr years; Mary, the tilth-born, died at the age of eleven years; and Johnny, the youngest, was ten years old when he died. The home farm is being alily conducted by the three youngest sons, who are enterprising and successful young men. "-€->^>' [HARLES M. SCIIAEFER, one of the leading contractors of La Crosse, was born in the city of Bonn, Germany, in 1830. His father was a professor in the Uni- versity of Bonn, and there lie and the mother lived and died. Charles M. received his edu- cation in the common schools and in the Uni- versity. In 1848, during the Revolution, he left his native land and emigrated to the United States. He first settled in McHenry county, Illinois, Init remained there only three months; his next abiding place was Madison, Wisconsin, where he lived until 1855, engaged in agricultural pursuits; he next moved to La Crosse, where he kept a boarding- liouse on State street, conducting this hostlery until 18G0. It was during this time that, moved by the German's true love of the art of music, he organized the first singing society in La Crosse. In I860 he moved to the town of Campbell and again took up farming. He was elected Clerk for five successive years. In 1865 he took the position of bookkeeper with the John Paul Lumber Company, continuing in that em- ploy until 1872. At that time an oppor- ttinity to go to Lansing, Iowa, as manager of a lumber office, presented itself, and he made that point his lieadquarters for four years. Having accumulated some capital and a rich fund of experience, he went into the business of contracting for slabs of the lumber mills and selling to the dealers. He is now de- voting his energies to contracting in La Crosse, and has met with gratifying success. Mr. Schaefer was married in 1852, at Madison, Wisconsin, to Miss Antoinette Koenig, a daughter of Lambert Koenig, a native of Germany, who lived and died in his beloved Fatherland. To Mr. Schaefer and wife were born five children, three of whom are living and all of whom are mar- ried and living near their father's home. Mrs. Antoinette Schaefer died in 1863, at the age of thirty-five vPat-s. Mr. Schaefer's second marriage occurred in 1865, when he was united to Miss Caroline Metcalf, daugh- ter of Gilbert and Almira Metcalf, natives of Vermont, but at the pi'esent time residents of Lawrence, Massachusetts. By this union live children were born: Charles, Henry, George, Florence, wife of Charles Smith, of La Crosse, and Ida. EV. FATHER WILLIAM WHITE, ^^ the present pastor of St. Mary's Cath- olic Church, La Crosse, Wisconsin, w^as V)orn in Rutland county, Vermont. October 9. 1850. and is a son of Owen and Elizabeth (McDonotigh) White. His parents were from Ireland, and on emigrating to the United States settled in Vermont, the possibilities of the western frontier not then being developed. In 1853, however, they came to Wisconsin and settled in Sauk county, near the little town of Sandusky. There were nine chil- dren in the family, only four of whom are now livintr. Two of the sons entered the priesthood, one of whom died in 1877. The latter was a graduate of Milton College, JBIOOBAPHIGAL HISTORY. ■A'iX Wisconsin, and afterwards studied law. He was admitted to the bar in Milwaukee, Jndge Arthur McArthur presiding. He practiced there some time with flattering success. Be- lieving the ministry to be his calling, he abandoned his profession and all that it promised in the way of worldly advancement, to prepare himself for the priesthood. He entered St. Francis Setninary, and after taking a theological course of study there was ordained a priest in 1870. He was as- signed to Mansion Parish, where he labored indefatigably until God called him to his reward. The mother of this family, Mrs. Elizabeth McDonough White, was a relative of Com- modore McDonough, of Lake Champlain fame. Father White received his elem.entary edu- cation in the public schools of Sauk county, and at the age of si.xteen years engaged in teaching, devoting himself to this profession for four years. At the age of twenty-one years he entered the State University at Madison, Wisconsin, and was graduated from that institution in 1873. Soon after this he decided to tit himself to enter the priesthood, and went to Niagara Falls, New York, where he began a four years' course of study in philosophy and theology in the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels. These were years of close application and diligent and earnest study, the fitting end of which was his ordi- nation as priest, Bishop Ryan, of Buffalo, New York, officiating. The first parish of which he had charge was at Ettrick, Trempealeau county, Wis- consin. He entered upon his duties there in July, 1877, and remained there until Febru- ary 1, 1880. During his pastorate there he built a church, and regularly visited the out- raissions of Ti'empealeau and Koaring Creek. In February, 1880, he was sent to Hammond, St. Croix county, Wisconsin, where he also had the mission of Wilson, St. Croix county. At Hammond he had charge of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, which pros- pered and grew in numbers under his care. These parishes now number about 1,000 souls. In January, 1892, he was appointed to succeed Bishop Schwebach at St. Mary's Church, La Crosse. This congregation is the original Catholic society of La Crosse, the first services being held by the Rev. Father Tappert, August 24, 1855, in the courthouse, which was opened to him as well as to all other clergymen. One year later St. Mary's Church was dedicated, occu- pying the site of the present edifice, which was begun in 1874. Rev. Father (now Bishop) Schwebach came to this congrega- tion in 1870, and after twenty years of faith- ful service was succeeded by Father White, giving into his charge a united, intelligent congregation of 800 souls. The people of the church will find in their new pastor not only a zealous churchman, but a citizen in- terested in public affairs, and well informed as to current events. He has brought with him a valuable experience gained in other fields of labor, and througn his efforts the church has much to hope, much to attain. ^ ^ iPHRAIM STEVENS has resided in La Crosse county since 1855, and is entitled to more than passing mention in this record of the leading citizens and pioneers. He was born in Wellesley, Massachusetts, November 16, 1828, and is a son of Timothy and Eliza (Stimson) Stevens; his father was also a native of Massachusetts and a soldier in the war of 1812; his paternal grandfather, Ephraim Stevens, was born at Holden, Mas- 323 BIOGRAPHICAL U I STORY. sachnsetts, and served in the war of the Kevolution. Tiinotliy Stevens and wife reared a family of six sons and six daughters; one son died at Andersonville while in the service of his country; tiie father was a farmer by ocenpation, and in politics was a " Jackson man." In liis reliiJioiis faith he adhered to the teachings of the Congrej^ational Church. Our subject was reared and educated in Massachusetts, and in 1854 he made a jour- ney to the frontier, coming by the great lakes to Chicago, and thence by rail to Galena, Il- linois, and by boat to La Crosse. His brother, A. J. Stevens, who was at one time associated with him in business, was a prominent citi- zen of tlie county; bodied in Minnesota in 1880. After coming to the county in 1885, they opened a store in the old hotel at Min- doro, and soon after erected a store at that place, which they opened December 14. This was the first store between La Crosse and Black River Falls. After three or four years, Ephraim Stevens sold his interest in this enterprise, and engaged in farming and stock-raising. He now owns 160 acres of well improved land, a good house and barn, aTid is surrounded with many of the comforts of life. He was married in 1865 to Miss Ellen II. Brown, a native of Vermont and a daughter of Samuel and Betsey Brown of La Crosse county. Of this union two daughters were born: Nellie, who was just entering the pro- fession of teaching, died at the age of nineteen years; Carrie M. is the wife of Oliver N. 01- sen, and the mother of one son, Lynn Stevens Olsen. The wife of Mr. Stevens was called from this life August 3, 1884. She was a woman of excellent traits of cliaracter, a zealous w-orker in the Presbyterian Church, and a faithful wife and devoted mother. Politically Mr. Stevens affiliates with the Ivei)ublican party, and is one of the active workers in the township; his first vote was cast for Fremont in 1856. In the pioneer days of the country wdien game was plentiful, there was no hunter more successful than our worthy subject; he has brought down many a deer, and was familiar with every inch of the country for many miles. He is a man of broad, progressive views, and is one of the most popular and Idghly respected residents of Farmington township. — — —x- ^ - : ' ' i ' ^ S. McARTHUR, M. D., was born in Holland, Erie county. New York, Oc- "* tober 30, 1822, and is the son of Moses and Mary (Salisbury) McArthur. He is one of the American representatives of the Mc- Arthur clan, the eldest branch of the great clan Campbell, his grandfather John McAr- thur having come to America in 1772, from Glen Lyon, Perthshire, Scotland. His early life was passed upon his father's farm, and at the age of eighteen he entered the academy of Aurora, New York, where he studied three years. He then determined to enter the medical profession, and began his reading under the preceptorship of Dr. Paul, of Honeoye Falls, New York. He next at- tended three courses of lectures at Geneva, New York, where lie was under the instruc- tion of the celebrated Dr. Frank Hamilton, as well as other leaders in the profession. He then entered Buffalo Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1847. He practiced medicine at Holland, New York, for three years, and afterwards at Caledonia, New York, for several years, but at the end of that time the promise of the new West made him de- cide to remove to the frontier, and on October 22, 1855, he arrived at La Crosse, which has since been his home. In 1861 he spent sev- eral months in New York city, studying at BIOGRAPHIGAL HISTORY. 323 the Long Island Hospital, and the Eye and Ear Intirinary. Iti 1866 he again spent several months there in study under the leading practitioners of that city. Few mem- bers of the profession in the West have had better opportunities for titling themselves for practice, and fevp have become more skillful. Dr. McArthur has a line professional library and constantly adds to it the standard pro fessional works, which are published from time to time. He is a close student of the science and keeps fully abreast with its prog- ress. Of late years his son. Dr. D. S. Mc- Arthur, has been associated witli him in practice. He was married January 1, 1852, to Miss Mary L. Dean, of Caledonia, New York. ^l ^ |ANIEL SEYMOUR Mc ARTHUR, phy- sician and surgeon. La Crosse, Wiscon^ sin, was born in this city March 28, 1859, and is the son of Dr. P. S. and Mary (Dean) McArthur. He was educated in the public school of La Crosse, and graduated from its high school in 1887. In the fall of the same year he entered the University of Wisconsin, and in 1881 was graduated from that institution. He had early determined upon entering the medical profession, and having chosen his studies with that end in view, was well prepared at the close of his university course to begin his study of medi- cine. He entered the Rush Medical College at Chicago, and received the degree of M. D. in 1884, being valedictorian of his cla^ss. He then returned to La Crosse and began profes- sional work, being associated with his father. In 1888 he entered the Post Graduate Medi- cal College and Hospital in New York city, pursuing the general course, and also taking special instruction in diseases of the nose, throat and ear, giving particular attention to the methods of instruction in vogue in the various hospitals of the city. Dr. McArthur was married January 13, 1886, to Miss Eloise Johnson, a daughter of N. D. and Sarah (Streeter) Johnson. Her parents were natives of Massachusetts, their ancestors hav- ing settled there early in the seventeenth century. They have two children, Helen and Philip Seymour. The Doctor is a member of the American Medical Association, the Ninth International Medical Congress, the State Medical Society of Wisconsin, and the La Crosse County Medical Society. He has been secretary and treasurer of the County Society for several years. He is vice-president of the American ArchiElpgical Association, and takes great pleasure in the study. He is prominent in Masonic circles, being W. M. of Frontier Lodge, No. 45, F. & A. M., P. E. C. of La Crosse Commandery, No. 9, K. T., and Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Com- mandery of Wisconsin. He is also Past Chancellor of La Crosse Lodge, No. 27, Knights of Pythias. He has been visiting physician of St. Michael's Boys' Orphan Asy- lum since 1884. ^ENRY P. MAG ILL, bank cashier.— The city of La Crosse, Wisconsin, is '^^i constantly enlarging the scope of her influence and the volume of her commerce and industries, and has need for additional capital and financial facilities, and this fact had for some time been apparent before the establishment of the Exchange Bank of North La Crosse, in the early part of the 80s. Established as private bank in 1884, by H. P. Magill, in 1889 it was incorporated as a State bank, with J. E. Wheeler as president and Henry P. Magill as cashier, and has 334 BIOGRAPHICAL U I STORY. been in successful operation ever since. H. P. Maer of the well-known firm of H. P. Magill ifc Burke, investment bankers and insurance agents, and obtained his knowledge of the banking business in the Security liank, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, which instiuition he entered in 1883. lie was born in Clark county, Ohio, but received his initiatory training in the public sciiools of La Crosse, and upon attaining a suitable age began the study of telegraphy, in the pursuit of which calling he spent several years in the cities of La Oosse, Mihvaukee, Chicago and Cincinnati. Subsequently he drifted into railroad contracting, which he followed as a business until he took up banking. The bank of which he is cashier has a capital stock of $25,000, and since its inception its business has been carried on under the most favorable auspices, and has had the cordial indorsement of leading tirins and corporations tiiat have opened accounts with it. Under the sound and conservative inanagen)ent of the president and directors the bank is prepared to extend every facility consistent with legitimate banking to its cus- tomers. The directors are: J. E. Wheeler, Mayor Copeland, C. P. Crosby, Henry P. Magill and N. B. Hohvay. As a member of the firm of Magill & Burke, Mr. Magill is engaged in loaning money on real estate, mortgages, lionils and local securities, and also does the largest fire-insurance business in the city, and by the display of faithful and conscientious zeal for the Ijest interests of his customers, he has secured a clientage of no ordinary character. In South La Crosse their business requires the constant attention of four clerks, and in their bank on the corner of Rublee and George streets, in North La Crosse, employment is given to three clerks. Mr. Magill has been deservedly successful in the different enterprises in which he has been engaged, and, as he has carved out his own career, much credit is due him for the admirable way in which lie has bent the force of circumstances to his will. He was united in marriage, October 21, 1878, to Miss Carrie ifoore, daughter of William R. Moore, of Danville, Kentucky. Mrs. Magill is a highly cultured and refined lady, and as she is the possessor of a fine contralto voice she is a member of one of the finest quartette choirs of the city, which furnishes the Methodist Episcopal Ciiurch with music. Mr. and Mrs. Magill are members in good standing of this church, and move in the highest social circles of La Crosse. Mr. Magill is especially well and favorably known in business circles, and his honor has never been questioned. He comes of a fine family and his father (of whom mention is made on another page of this work) Rev. Henry T. Magill, was an esteemed Methodist divine. IIIEV. HENRY T. MAGILL, deceased, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, who was an esteemed divine of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and a man of marked purity of character, was born in Saint Clairsville, Bel- mont county, Ohio, on the 16th of February, 1881. His parents were of Scotch-Irish origin, and the father, Ciiarles Magill, was a local minister of the Methodist Church. They moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1842, and there both received their titial summons. Rev. Henry T. Magill was educated at Woodward College, graduating in the class of 1850, and soon after entered the ministry in tlie Ohio conference, filling \arious ap- pointments in the same, notably in Zanes- ville and Portsmouth districts. He came to La Crosse in the fall of 1860, being transfer- red on account of his health, and filled the ^, ^ /^-^i.^^ (P. -P^a^A^^ BIOGRAPHICAL HI8I0RT. 325 Methodist Episcopal pulpit in the Fourth Street Church for two years, the limit of time allowed by the church at that day. He was then appointed by the conference to the Eau Claire pulpit. He was in very poor health at that time and his physician forbade his going, but being enthusiastic in liis life- work he l)egan preparing to move. Wliile thus engaged he was taken with hemorrhage of the lungs, and was obliged to give up his ministerial duties for a time. Instead he went to Mindoro and engaged in merchandis- ing, which he carried on successfully. Three and a half years later his death occurred, May 29, 1866. "The good old Ohio confer- ence had few young men more noble and gifted than Henry Taylor Magill," writts a friend who had known him for years. He was a man of strong and vigorous mind, was well beloved by all iiis acquaintances, and ex- erted a great influence over those with whom he associated. He was married on the 18th of July, 1861, to Miss Abbie S. Beutley, daughter of Edwin S. and JM. M. Bentley. Mrs. Magill is a lady of culture and refinement and was a pupil in the seminary at Charlotteville, New York. She was a teacher for one year at Carlisle Seminary, New York State. They had five cliildren. Mrs. Magill is still living, and is an honored and respected resident of La Crosse city. ^ISHOP KILLIAN CASPER FLASCH, deceased, was born at Retzstadt, Bavaria, July 9, 1831, and in 1847 came to America with liis father, Andi-eas Flnsch, who settled at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, as one of the pioneers of the Badger State. He served as Justice of the Peace in Fond du Lac county for many years, and died there in 1869, a gentleman highly esteemed for his integrity of character. One son and three daughters were left to mourn his loss. The daughters entered the Notre Dame Convent at South Bend, Indiana, as nuns. The son, the sub- ject of this sketch, decided to devote his life to the churcli, and became a student at Notre Dame University. From there he entered St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee, and graduated. He was ordained priest Decem- ber 16, 1859, and assigned to mission work, where he Avas ever active and worthy. In November, 1869, he returned to St. Francis Seminary and accepted a professorship, which place he tilled until failing health compelled his retirement. After a brief rest lie was assigned to active duty in the ministry and took charge of St. Mary's congregation at Elm Grove, Wiscon- sin, remaining there till 1875, when he again returned to the seminary, to fill the chair of theology. In 1879 he was appointed rector of the institution, and remained there until 1881. August 24, that year, he was conse- crated Bishop of La Crosse, of which city he was an honored resident until his death. Bishop Flasch was never a robust man. In 1867 he had an attack of typhoid fever, which came very near proving fatal. His strong will brought him through the fever, and supported him through many trials. In May, 1891, while on a visit to New Orleans for the good of his health, he was taken sud- denly worse and never recovered. Rev. Father Kilian Beyer, of La Crosse went to Chatawa, Mississippi, and brought the sick prelate North. On reaching Milwaukee they were obliged to remain tliere several days; they finally reached home, however, which had been the great desire of the sick man from the time of his sudden attack. The struggle with death then began in earnest, •626 BIOORAFHIUAL HI8T0BY. and terminated at 6:15 a. m., August 3, 1891. Bishop Flasch was noted for his kindness of heart and his religious fervor. His acts of charity were numerous, and he was greatly beloved by all his church, while his exemplary life and great wortii won respect and admir- ation even from people of other creeds than liis own. Many of the charitable and benev- olent institutions which adorn and bless the city of La Crosse are a direct outgrowth of Bisliop Flasch's innate desire to " do good to all mankind." During his illness he was attended by his two sisters, who now live in the convent at Milwaukee, — Sister Killiaua and Sister Lau- rentia. It was most fitting that he should pass away in his chosen home surrounded by his dearest friends, in the city where he had accomplished his greatest work as a church- man and won a distinction accorded to but few. He was conscious to the last, his latest andil)le words being a whispered prayer coupled with tlie name of Jesus. Those present at his deathbed were Very Rev. Father James Schwebach, now administrator of the Diocese of La Crosse; Rev. Kilian G. Beyer, nephew of the Bishop; Very Rev. Father Vander Sanden, of St. Louis; Rev. Father Joseph B. Wiedmann, of St. Joseph's Cathedral, La Crosse; Rev. James Nevin, of St. Mary's Church; the two sisters of the Bishop and several other Franciscan sisters from St. Francis Hospital, La Crosse. The funeral of the lamented Bishop was one of the most imposing events in the his- tory of La Crosse. Archbishop Katzer and other notable leaders of the church were present. The body was consigned to its final resting place August 11. It is authori- tatively stated that 175 priests were present from ahnjud. The procession was headed I)y seven anchorites, followed in order by 109 priests dressed in their church vestments; Archbishop Katzer, of Milwaukee; Arch- bishop Ireland, of St. Paul; Bishop Zardette, of St. Cloud, Minnesota; Bishop Cotter, of Winona, same State; Bishop Scanlan, of Omaha; Mon8igi)eurZeininger,of Milwaukee; and Very Rev. Father James Schwebach. At the church the e.xercises were conducted by Archbishop Katzer, beginning with a recitation of the '• Offices of the Dead," and participated in Uy all the churchmen. The service was very impressive. A guard of honor, composed of Division No. 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians, stood near the casket, while the officiating priestschanted the funeral service. Tippman's orchestra assisted in the rendition of appropriate music. The services were attended by about 3,000 people, while other thousands were unable to obtain even standing room within the church, but waited patiently without, equally manifesting their interest in the sad rites. Archbishop Katzer officiated at the solemn requiem mass, assisted by Mousigneur Zeiiiinger, Rector Reinor, of St. Francis, and Dr. Moes, of Ohio. This very impressive ceremony closed, Bishop Cotter, of Winona, delivered an eloquent and feeling sermon, in English, and with a strong voice which reached every corner of the vast auditorium. The discourse, a glowing trib- ute to the memory of the deceased, touched upon the uncertainty of earthly existence, the promises of life hereafter and the life of the de()arte,IKAM P. LAN PH ERE, the villasre blacksmith of Mindoro, Wisconsin, is one of the early settlers of La Crosse county, and a veteran of the late war. He was born in Potter county, Pennsyl- vania, October 18, 1842, son of Maxson and Eunice (Parinenter) Lanphere, natives of Rhode Island. The Lanpheres traced their ancestry back to the English. Grandfather Jonathan Parmenter was a son of a Revolu- tionary soldier who lived to be 103 years old. Maxson Lanphere and his family came to La Crosse county in 1853 and settled in Burns Valley. The mother departed this life in 1886, aged eighty-two years. The father is still living and resides at Shamrock, Jackson county, Wisconsin, lieing now in his eighty-seventh year. They had a family of ten children, all of whom arrived at adult age. viz.: David. Harriette, Lovina, Lncinda, Amy, Maxson, Eunice, Margaret, Hiram and Martha. Hiram was a lad of twelve years when they came to this country, and here he grew up and was educated. In August, 1864, he enlisted his services for the protection of the Union, becoming a member of Company E, Third Wisconsin Cavalry. He was hon- orably discharged June 19, 1865, at Benton liurracks, Missouri. During the most of his service he was in Missouri and Arkansas. Returning to Burns Valley he remained there some time, and in 1872 went to Modena, Buffalo county, where he was enoraaed in work at the blacksmith trade until 1879. That year he returned to La Crosse county and located at Mindoro. Being an expert workman he has all he can do, and from morning till night the ring of his hammer is heard. In October, 1868, Mr. Lanphei'e wedded Olive Draper, who was born in New Hamp- shire. Her father, John Draper, was among the early settlers of Burns Valley, and served during the late war as a member of the Third Minnesota Infantry. In this county she grew up and received her education. To Mr. and Mrs. Lanphere have been born six children, viz.: Minnie, wife of John Dorcas of Burns Valley; Nellie, Carrie, Melvin, Alice and Vernie. Mr. Lanphere is an enthusiastic Republi- can and a charter member of Nelson Quygle Post, No. 233, G. A. R. He has served in various offices in the post. Is also a member of the Modern Woodmen. He is a man of strong physique and is in the prime of life. Fraidv and jovial in manner and honorable in all his business dealings, few have a larger circle of friends than he. -— ^ "^'j i ' t ' ^ fVRON II. DAVIS, deceased, was a man of exceptionally fine business qualifica- tions, and as such was prominently identified with tlie development and growth of La Crosse. He was born in Canada, jnst over the line from Vermont, and in sympathy and interests was a citizen of that State. About the year 1844, when a youth of eigh- teen years, he left home to try his fortune in the " Wild West," and he often entertained his friends with a graphic description of his trip from Buffalo to Chicago by way of the Great Lakes, and his experiences in securing employment among a strange people. At the age of twenty he found liimself in Galena, BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 333 Illinois, and was engaged in various pursuits until the breaking out of the civil war. As a personal friend of Generals Grant, Rollins and Smith, he spent some years in the army, frequently in tiie thick of the fight. In 1866 lie came to La Crosse, and was connected with the firm of Davis, Medary & Hill, which purchased the leather and saddlery and hardware business of Grant, Burke & Co.; this firm was afterwards changed to Davis & Medary, and they erected the La Crosse tan- nery; the business was finally merged into a stock coinpimy (Davis, Medary & Platz Com- pany), and Mr. Davis retained a large amount of stock. He was elected vice-presideiit of the Batavian Bank upon its organization, an office he held at the time of his death; he was also president of the tannery company already mentioned, at the time of his death. In 1886, at the age of sixty years, he retired from active business pursuits, and was so situated as to fully enjoy the remainder of his days in the reward that honesty, industry and strict integrity had won. Upright in all his dealings, he demanded of every one, with whom he had business relations, the same compliance with what he regarded as legiti- mate commercial methods. While manifesting a marked interest in local and national affairs, he would never con- sent to fill an official position within the gitt of the people. He had many warm ])ersonal friends, and enjoyed his association with them in a most genuine and hearty fashion. When he passed from this life to the reality of the beyond, he was truly mourned by the entire community. The directors of the Batavian Bank and also the La Crosse Club met and adopted resolutions of respect and expressing the deep loss sustained in the death of this most estimable citizen. Mr. Davis was married to Miss Mary Sale, and to them were born two children: William G. and Walter S.; these two young men compose fhe firm of Davis & Co., who con- duct a wholesale and retail cigar and tobacco business in La Crosse; the business has been established about fifteen years; this firm suc- ceeding that of Matt Weix; they are doing an excellent business, and have extended their trade through Wisconsin, Minnesota and and Northern Iowa. ""I* ^ '* ' * l '"" fHxVKLES H. NICHOLS, president of the C. H. Nichols Lumber Company, was born in Williamson, Wayne county. New York, August 26, 1831. His parents, Colonel Charles Marion and Jane E. (Casey) Nichols, were from Auburn, New York. The father, a merchant, and a man of some prominence in business, was a friend of William H. Seward. The family moved to Michigan, locating at Kalamazoo, where Mr. Nichols continued in mercantile busi- ness for a number of years, and it was while living there that he received the title of Colonel from Governor S. T. Mason. He moved to Wisconsin some time before 1850, settling in Dane county; and he opened a store in Madison and a farm at Cottage Grove. Charles was employed in the store. His elder brother, George, was a civil engin- eer and located at St. Paul, where Charles went in 1851, and retuained two years. George died there, at the age of twenty-one years, of quick consumption. Colonel Nichols removed to Onalaska in 1852, and with a partner began lumbering, under the firm name of Nichols & Tompkins. Charles went there and in 1853 was employed as clerk for the boom company existing there at that time. He continued with them until he was of age, and thenceforward he was with his father until the latter retired. About ^3 334 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 1857 they purchased the Royce & Boyce mill, and made lumber there for nearly fif- teen years. In 1871 Colonel Nichols sold the business to his son Charles and his son- in-law, Frank Pooler, givinu; them each $10,000 and lendinfr them jointly $20,000. This, perhaps, put a rather high valuation on the property at that time, but it was au established business with an exceptionally good site. The business was profitably con- ducted in this form until 1887, when the C. H. Nichols Lumber Company was organized. Mr. Nichols, our subject, was married, June ly, 1859, to Miss Helen M. Farrand, daughter of William and Ruby Farrand, natives of New York, who came to Onalaska in 1857. Mr. Farrand, also a lumberman, was well and favorably known; he died August 12, 1868, at the age of sixty-four years. Mrs. Farrand is still living, with powers of body and mind quite well pre- terved, at the age of seventy-nine years. Of their eight children, three are living, viz.: Charles, a lawyer of Onalaska; Mrs. C. H. Niciiols; Ira, who married Miss Lizzie Fahey, and resides at Galesville, Trempealeau county; t«o children died in infancy; Henry R. died at the age of fifteen and a half years; James Crouger, the second son, died at the age uf fifty-two years; he married Emeline Aiken, who now resides at Onalaska; Esther, the third in the family, married William A. Thayer, and died July 16, 1887. Mr. Nichols first found it necessary to spend the winter in the South in 1881, and for four years spent the cold months at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, or at Mineral Wells, Texas. Then he spent a winter or two in New Orleans, but traveled about some, and, being pleased with the situation at Eustis, Florida, bought laud there, built a pretty cottage, setting the grounds cut to fruit and ornamental trees. But his throat trouble increased, and he went to Chicago for treatment; but failing to receive benefit he went to Columbus, Ohio, in the spring of 1891, and dieil there October 28, following. The body was brought home and buried November 1, with solemn Masonic rites. The deceased was a member of the Episcopal Church. He was a thoroughly good Chris- tian, had many friends and but few, if any, enemies. The Nichols lumber firm built the Episcopal Church at Onalaska. Mrs. Jane Conway, wife of Charles Con- way, at Dresbach, Minnesota, is a sister of the deceased; and another sister, Mary, mar- ried George Driesbacii ; both are now deceased. AMES HENRY, Jr., turnkey of the La Crosse county jail, was born in the city of Chicago, Hlinois, December 9, 1845, and is a son of James and Martha (Hare) Henry, natives of county Antrim, Ireland. The parents were reared in their native land, arid they were married in April, 1839. Soon after this event they set sail for America, the trip being their bridal tour. They had little of this world's goods, but were blessed with good constitutions, loving hearts and willing hands. They landed in the city of Quebec, and proceeded thence to Montreal, where they spent the first summer; Mr. Henry was employed at farm work the first year of his residence here, and then went to Burlington, Vermont, where he was engaged at work in the round-house for three years, Frank Stevens being head manager of the railroad. Upon leaving Burlington, he came West and located in Chicago, then a slushy, swampy, village; he was employed in that place three years, working in the machine shops which he helped build. It was in 1860 that he came to La Crosse county and settled in BIOGRAPniOAL HISTORY. 335 Farmington township, where he became the owner of 720 acres of land. He applied himself diligently to agricultural pursuits, tilling the soil and raising and feeding live- stock, and his efforts were crowned witl' suc- cess. Mrs. Henry is cue of a family of four daughters and two sons, none of whom ever came to America, and only two of whom survive, John and Betty. Mr. and Mrs. Henry have a family of five children: Edward is logging on Black river-, he married Anna Gorton, and to them were born two children, Mary E. and Winifred; the mother died in 1891, aged twenty-six; before her marriage she was a teacher, and was an ornament and honor to the profession; Martha is the wife of William Quinn, and resides in North La Crosse; they have two children living, Maude and May; Maggie lives in Chicago, with a cousin; Anna married Yevan Fuller, proprietor of the City Hotel, La Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. Henry are highly respected citizens, and are fully deserving of all the honors accorded the pioneers of the county. James Henry, Jr., attended school at Stevenstown, La Crosse county, and when his school days were ended he devoted his ener- gies to agriculture. He was united in mar- riage, November 28, 1882, to Miss Elizabeth Quinn, a daughter of James and Susan Quinn, of Ettrick, Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, where they are well and favorably known; they have reared a family of three sons and four daughters. After his mai-riage to Miss Quinn, Mr. Henry removed to La Crosse, where he has since resided. For five years he was policeman of the city, doing faithful service and keeping ati excellent reputation, in fact placing himself in the front ranks of the city's guardians. In 1888 he was ap- pointed sergeant of the police, and held that office three years, giving a high degree of satisfaction. In 1891, August 15, he was appointed turnkey of the county jail, and is maintaining the high standard he has already established. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and takes an active part in its movements. He and his wife are the parents of two children: Gertrude and James. The family belong to the Roman Catholic Church. AVID H. YONKER is the efficient freight conductor on the South Minne- sota branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. He was born in Seneca county, Ohio, May 6, 1850, to Peter and Sarah (Hemming) Yonker, the former of whom was a successful farmer of Seneca county for a number of years, and afterward followed the same occupation in Wyandotte county, five miles from Sandusky city. While crossing an iron bridge, spanning the San- dusky river, with a loaded wagon, the bridge gave way, precipitating Mr. Yonker, his team and load to the bottom of the river, which fortunately happened to be at low water. The horses were but little injured, but one of the iron arches of the bridge fell across Mr. Yonker's body and pinned him to the ground. A plowman near by came to his relief and succeeded in lifting off the arch, which afterward proved too heavy for two strong men to move. Mr. Yonker re- ceived such severe injuries that they resulted in his death at about the age of fifty-two years. This occurred in the year 1857. He was a consistent member of the United Brethren Church, and was a man universally esteemed. He left a family of six children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fifth. He and a sister, Mrs. Amanda Smith, wife of Francis Smith, of Fostoria, Ohio, are the only ones now living. The mother is 336 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. still living in Fostoria, in the seventy-eighth year of her age, and is remarkably well pre- served, both mentally and physically. David n. Yonker attended the public schools of Ohio in his youth, and assisted Lis parents on the farm, remaining with his mother until he was al)ont twenty-two years of age. In 1872 he came West to Minnesota, and after some time spent in farming he beujan dealing in grain at Hrownsdale, for Fountain & Peterson, and was afterward with Ilod^es it Hyde, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, for three years. He then began braking on the railroad, and at the end of two years was promoted to conductor, whicli position he has held for four years, giving good satisfaction. While buying grain he served for several years as Justice of the Peace, serving, also, for some time, as school director, his influ- ence in that direction being used for good in the community where he resided. He was married in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, No- vember 30, 1S76, in Fountain, Minnesota, to Miss Sylvia Long, daughter of John and Mary Long, natives respectively of Pennsyl- vania and Ohio, and the parents c>f nine children, of whom Mrs. Yonker is the fifth. Mr. Long removed to Minnesota about 1855, and there died on the l.jth of August, 1848, at the age of sixt^'-three years, of rheumatism of the heart. His widow is still living in Hamilton, Minnesota, and is sixty eight years of age. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Yonker has been blessed in the birth of two children: Charles F. and Archie H. Mr. Yonker is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the K. of P., and the O. K. C. He takes no interest in politics, but generally supports the man whom he considers best fitted for the oftice. The Yonkers are of German extraction, and the town of Yonkers, New York, was named in honor of this family. Mrs. Yonker was a teacher prior to her marriage, as were also two of her sisters. She is a refined and cultivated lady, and her parents are well connected on both sides. Mr. Yonker is public-spirited in his views, and is in every way a worthy and respected citizen. S. THOMAS, one of the faithful and ■HIM^B trusted employes of the Chicago, l^"^s#i* Burlington & Northern Railroad Company, at La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1845, the son of William and L aira (Norris) Thomas; the fatlier was of Welsh descent, and the mother's ancestors landed on Plymouth Rock. William Thomas was a brassmolder bj' trade, and had charge of the Armstrong Brass & Iron Works at Armstrong, Pennsylvania, for many years. He removed to Bnshnell, Illinois, in 1857, and there purchased a farm which he cultivated until 1S61. He then engaged in buying live-stock for the Government, and continued in this business until the time of his death, which was the 2d day of September, 1864; he was fifty-live years of age; his good wife followed him one year later on the sauie date. W. S. Thomas received his education in the public schools of the Keystone State and at South Bend, Indiana. When only sixteen years of age he responded to the call of his country, and went out in defence of her Has, enlisting in the Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served with his regi- ment until it was mustered out at the close of the war; he participated in all the engage- ments of his regiment, was with Sherman ou his march through Georgia to the sea, and back to Washington, where he took part in the Grand Review in 1865. When peace was declared, and the pursuits of civilization once more claimed his attention, he entered BIOGBAPHl GAL III STOR 7. 387 the employ of the Hannibal & St. Joe Rail- road Company, and since that time has been in the service of the Northern Missouri, Kansas City & Council liiuffs, Wabasli, 8t. Louis & Pacific and Central Pacific. From 1881 to 1888 he was in the mountains with the Shackelford and Garrett exploring and prospecting party, traveling from the Black Hills down into Mexico. He has been run- ning an engine on the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad from this city, since his return from the prospecting expedition. Politically lie is a stanch Republican, zeal- ously supporting all the measures of that body. Mr. Thomas was married at Oshkosh, Wis- consin, to Miss Katie Keelej, daughter of James and Julia Keeley, of Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin; Mr. Keeley was one of the prominent farmers of that county; his death occurred in 1863, at the age of forty five years; his wife survived him until 1889, when she, too, passed away, at the age of sixty years. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas has been born one child, Laura. Mrs. Thomas and her parents are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Thomas is a member of John Flynn Post, G. A. R. ►-»»|^.-(j ♦S^ (RCHIBALD E. BOLEY, deceased, was one of tiie prominent business men of La Crosse, Wisconsin for many years, and was the eflticient bookkeeper for C. L. Coleman. He was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, April 6, 1846, from which place he re- moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and about 1870 took up his abode in the city of La Crosse. Soon after his arrival in this city he secured the position of bookkeeper with Mr. Coleman, with whom he remained until his death. He was faithful and conscientious in the discharge of his duties, an upright citi- zen, a social and agreeable comj)anion, and in his family he was ever kind, thoughtful and considerate. He was faithful in his friend- ships, and as a citizen commanded respect from a wide circle of friends. He is one of the men to whom is due a great deal of credit for the uplniildiiig and progress of the city, and will long be remembered as one of its most enterprising and upright citizens. In the early part of the civil war he served for about one year, but being greatl}' troubled with asthma he was discharged at the end of nine months. He had acquired a tine practi- cal education in the Pittsburg Business Col- lege, became an expert at bookkeeping, and was considered a well posted man on all sub- ject£. He was an able financier and owned as many as eleven houses in the city of La Crosse, all valuable pieces of property which became the property of his wife at his death. He was in every way a public-spirited man, and although his heart was willing, his flesh was weak and the duties laid upon his shoul- ders proved too much for his strength, and he, after a severe struggle, at last laid down the burden of lite. He was married December 29, 1884, to Miss Emma L. Small, daughter of John G. and Emeline Small of Boston. Mrs. Boley was born in Maine, and is a highly cultured and refined lady, fitted to shine in any society. She was a teacher in the public schools of La Crosse for four years, but was herself edu- cated in the high school of Cambridge, Massachusetts. She came to La Crosse on a visit to a sister, Mrs. W. A. Anderson, and at once engaged in teaching, having had an experience of some four years in Maine, near Portland. Her mother died many \'ears since and iier father in Cambridgeport in 1883. Mrs. Boley bore her husband two children: Harry E., and Charles S., both bright and 338 JilOORAPniGAL ni^TOHY. promising lads. Mrs. Boley is a member of tiie CoHgregational Cliurcli. Her husband usually voted with the Kepublicau party. ^bCAR IIOUCK, druggist.— A reference to the drug trade of La Crosse suggests at once the house of which Mr. Houck is the |iroprietor, which is one of the best and most popular establishments known in the trade. The stock carried is a large one, embracing all kinds of drugs and chemicals, as well as a complete assortment of medicines, jierfumes, toilet requisites and physicians supplies, making a specialty of prescriptions. The establishment is located at 1353 Cale- donia street. Mr. Houck was born in Nor- way, April 21, 1860, of which country his parents, Dr. Ove Gulberg and Anna Hoegh, were also natives. The father was a head physician for lepers for three or four hospi- tals, but was cut down in the prime of life in 1862, at the age of forty-eight years. His widow still survives him and is a resident of her native land. To them a family of eight children were born, live of whom came to America: Dr. Knut and Carl came to this country and to La Crosse, in 1869, and Oscar came to this city in 1878. He at once became an apprentice in a drug store with H. Heyerdahl on Third street, with whom he remained as a clerk for one and one-half years. He then took charge of a drug store in Blair, and two and one-half years later he entered the Philadelphia Col- lege of Pharmacy, which he attended two sessions, succeiding which he remained in that city as assistant chemist in the Franklin Sugar Refinery; at the end of that time he returned to La Crosse and established himself in the Northern portion of the city where, in 1886, he opened a small drug store at 1115 Caledonia street, under the lirm name of Oscar Houck & Co., his brother being a silent partner, until 1889, when Oscar purchased the entire stock and a year and a half later moved into his present establishment. Mr. Houck is a Democrat politically, and socially is a member of the Knights of Pythias. In 1889 he was married to Miss M. R. Piper, daughter of Thompson F. and Julia E. Piper of Bedford, Pennsylvania. She graduated from the Woman's Medical College of Philadelphia, in the class of 1887, and has since been one of the leading medical practi- tioners of North La Crosse. [APTAIN GOTTFRIED LANGSTADT, commercial traveler in clothing and a prominent citizen of La Crosse, Wiscon- sin, was born in Nehiein, Westphalia, Prussia, October 18, 1835. He is the lifth in order of birth of nine children born to Nathan and Henrietta (Gotschalk) Lang- stadt, both natives of Prussia, in which country they passed their entire days, the father dying in 1856 at the age of fifty-six, and the mother in 1886 at the age of eighty- seven. Of their large family, eight children are yet living, and four sons and one daughter are in this country. Captain Langstadt secured a common- school education in his native country and at an early age learned the trade of harness- maker and upholsterer. This he followed in Prussia, and in 1861 he sailed for Amer- ica, landing in Baltimore, Maryland, in July of that year. He remained in that city just twenty-four hours, then went to Milwaukee, thence to West P>end of this State, and there engaged in the harness- makers business until October 15, 1861, when he came to La Crosse. Here he followed the same business BIOaRAPSICAL HI8T0ET. ;i30 for Pfifiier until November of that year, when he enlisted in defense of liis adopted country, in Company H, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, and remained in the same until cessation of hostilities. lie enlisted as a private and was promoted through the different grades until he held the rank of Captain. He took part in the western campaign, was with General Grant at Vickshure. and General Sherman IT) in his march to Meridian, Mississippi, and has often conversed with those generals. He participated in the battle of Champion Hill, Cotton Plain, Vicksburg and the capture of Arkansas Post. He went with Sherman to Meridian, an then his regiment was sent to Texas. He was sligiitly wounded once, was never taken prisoner although he had many hair-breadth escapes, and discharged his duties faithfully as a brave and patriotic soldier, as is evinced by his frequent promo- tions. He draws a pension and richly deserves it. Returning from the war he clerked for eight or nine years for a firm in Buffalo, and was then on the road for eight years. After this he changed to another firm in Buffalo, worked for them four years, and then was on the road selling clothing for C. Summerfield, of Chicago. He has been with this firm for about three years, has been unusually successful, and his services are appreciated, Mr. Langstadt was married on the 15th of March, 1866, to Miss Lena Coleman of Vicksburg, whose acquaintance he had formed while in the siege of Vicksburg. They were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, and are now the parents of three bright boys: Nathan, Albert and Otto. Nathan manages the store for Morris & Co., clothing mer- chants of La Crosse, and Albert and Otto are electricians in A})pleton, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Langstadt hold membership in the Jewish Church. Mr. Langstadt is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics he is inde- pendent. He has been very successful in business, and with his established habits of industry, good management and economy, is well calculated to succeed in any business in which he may engage. He has ever been honest and upright, and as a patriotic busi- ness man he holds the respect of the com- munity in which he is known. He has been a hard worker, has struggled against the many difticulties which beset his way, and by diligent application has accumulated a comfortable competence. His nicely located liouse gives evidence of the comfort that will attend his declining years. >^^,^ EORGE D. WRIGHT, one of the lead- ing business men of La Crosse, Wis- consin, is engaged in dealing in flour, all kinds of feed, farm machinery and car- riages, and is conducting an extensive busi- ness at 221 Pearl Street. He was born at Milton, R.ock county, Wisconsin, November 28, 1848, to George A. and Elizabeth (Gar- rison) Wright, who were born, reared and married in York State, the father being a tiller of the soil. His uncle, William Anson Wright, was Adjutant General for the State of New York for a number of years. George Anson Wright, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, took part in the war of 1812, as did also the maternal grand- father, Ezra Garrison, the latter of whom was a pensioner until his death. George A. Wright, the father of George D., came to Wisconsin in 1845 and settled near Milton, where he farmed. In 1850 he moved to Cottage Grove in Dane county where, in addition to man- aging a farm, he conducted a hotel. Later he removed to Madison, where he lived a retired life which terminated in 1876 340 BIOGRAPHIOAL BISTORT. at the age of fifty-nine years. lie was well known and lii^:-^<-— — APTAIN FRANK I. PHELPS was born in Tompkins county, New York, July 4, 1844, a son of Whitcomb Phelps, a native of Vermont. The paternal grandfather, Simlove Phelps, was of Welsh origin; the mother, whose maiden name was Mary E. McDeavitt, was the daughter of Irish parents. When Captain Phelps was a lad his parents removed to Waukegan, Lake county, Illinois; later they came to Oiuilaska, and in these places he received his education. When the late civil war l)roke out between the North and South, although a youth, he enlisted in defense of his country, and did valiant service. April 18, 18G1, he became a member of the Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company B, and participated in many active engagements during the follow- ing three years; he was in the first battle of Bull Run, Rappahannock Station, Blackman's Ford, and Gainesville. Angust 28, 1862, he was severely wounded in the left arm by a Mu^tinc III IHslair. y^'AW BIOGRAPHICAL HI8T0RT. 349 miiiie ball, and was taken to Doiiorlas Hos- pital, Washington, District of Columbia. Some time later he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, and was lionorably discharged April 20, 1864. He returned to his home, and soon was busily engaged in recruiting a company for the Fortieth Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry. He was elected Captain of Company G, and tlie regiment was stationed at Memphis, Tennessee, and at other points in the South. He was honor- ably discharged a second time, September 25, 1864, and returned to Onalaska. When the war was ended and peace de- clared, the pursuits of commerce and agri- culture again claimed the attention of the country. Captain Phelps secured a situ..tion with 0!ie of the large lumber companie-:, and afterward was appointed station agent of tlie Northwestern Railroad at Onalaska, a position he tilled for six years. He was then in the employ of the East Fork Improvement Company for a period of tiiree years. During the administration of Fresident Cleveland he was appointed Collector of Customs for the port of La Crosse; this appointment was made in 1884, and Captain Phelps served two years, resigning his office at the end of that time. He has represented the people of his township in the office of Clerk, and he has also been City Clerk for two years; he has Iteeti trustee of the village, and in these various capacities he has conducted the affairs with excellent ability and good judgment. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having joined the order at North La Crosse in 1876; he now belongs to Onalaska Lodge, No. 214, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a charter member. He belongs to Union Veteran Legion Encampment, No. 82. Captain Phelps has the distinction of having been a member of the Iron Brigade, that went out 1,203 strong; the loss of this 24 brigade in killed, wounded and missing was 900. Whitcomb and Mary E. Phelps, parents of the Captain, had born to them seven children, five of whom are living: Angeline, Ann, V. N., Frank I., Antonette. V. N. Phelps, a resident of Tacoma, Washington, is father of Truman V. Phelps, of Onalaska. The father of this family died in Onalaska in 1881, at the age of eighty-tive years; the mother died in 1888, aged eighty-five. The Captain is unmarried; he lias ever been a most duti- ful son, giving to his aged parents the care and support which their love and affections merited. fYSBERT VAN STEENWYK.— To a ■ considerable majority of the men who ^- have won distinction in that portion of our country which, a generation ago, was the Western borderland, certain well-defined con- ditions are common. Those upon whom the real pioneer work has fallen were endowed with few early advantages save the hardy physique and steadfast mind acquired by a toilsome and somewhat narrow life from youth up. They found their opportunities in the resources of the country and attained wealth and some measure of preferment in advanced life which the disadvantages of youth debarred them from rightly enjoying. Another class came into the West fresh from the universities, without either the physical endowments or mental forces essential to successful pioneering. The lives of many such were obscure, misspent even, whereas amid more congenial surroundings they might have been distinguished. The perseverance with which Western life imbues every man has inscribed a noble record of success in both classes, but it has been retarded by the yoo BIOGRAPHICAL UISTOHY. slow processes of assimilation, and too often has not reached the development for which the conditions were favorable. In the rare cases where most of the desir- able influences have been combined — educa- tion and culture, robust physique, courage and a temperate habit of life — the West has produced men of note in the community who have acquired pro{)erty, fulfilled important trusts and rightly enjoyed ihe best gifts of life. Of this class Hon. Gysbert Van Steenwyk, President of the Batavian Bank of La Crosse, is a fit representative. A native of Holland, his great mistake was in not having com- menced his American life ten years earlier. Not that the time spent in the cultivated society of his native city, Utrecht, was wasted, but because so much more might have been added to his busy and useful career as an American citizen at a time when one jear counted as two in a man's lifetime, and in the opportunities afforded by the developing nation. Mr. Van Steenwyk was one of a family of six children. His father was a gentleman farmer, owning lands within ten miles of the city of Utrecht, and accounted a man of considerable means. The children bad the benefits of a good and thorough education, opportunities for culture and means sufficient for maintenance in the manner to which they were accustomed, or establishment in any business or profession they might select. The subject of this sketch was the youngest but one, a fister, now living in their native city. He was born January 30, 1814, and is, therefore, at this time, nearly seventy- eight years of age. The first half of his life was passed iu his native land. The Univer- sity of Utrecht offered educational opportuni- ties as good as any in Europe, and he was a student in that institution until the age of twenty-seven, although his degree in philoso- phy and philology was taken at the age of twenty-two. At sixteen, at the time of the Belgian Revolution, he was enrolled as a vol- unteer in the army of the Netherlands, serving two years. From 1838 to 1849, when he departed for America, he was a commissioned oflicer in the Netherlands National Guards. During the time he resided in Utrecht he lived the social life of the well-to-do of his native city. But it was not the life Mr. Van Steenwyk desired; it was not a life to satisfy his mind or employ his talents. He took up the law as a study, but the profession was distasteful to him. He could speak French and German fluently and read English. America had been an object of much study and inquiry, on account of its form of government and also because of its opportunities. Finally, in tiie winter of 1848, while visiting a friet.'d in a neighboring city, he announced his intention of going to the United States. The friend, who was a teacher of Greek and Roman liter- ature in a Latin school, was of the same mind, and they fully determined to start for the Western land the following spring. Another friend desired to join them, and on their embarkation in May, 1849, a fourth Hol- lander of some means became one of the party. Passage was taken in an American sailing vessel expressly for the purpose of acquiring that familiarity with the language which would result from hearing nothing else spoken during a voyage of some si.x weeks. This was of inestimable advantage to all, especially to Mr. Van Steenwyk, whose studies, rein- forced by practice, enabled him to converse readily with the people. The party of four spent the summer in New York and Newark, learning what they could about the country and the advantages offered by different sections. It was agreed, BlOORAPniCAL HISTOMf. 351 in their councils, tliat they shoukl seek a Western State, and furtlier, that the autiunn months shoukl be spent in exploring Michi- gan, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. Early in September they started West. Michigan took up but little of their time. Riding through the heavily timbered country, where the houses found scanty room amonc^ the stumps, and fire had run through the woods, they found little to please the eye or holdout promises to the imuginatiou. Illinois was hardly more satisfactory. Chicago, then a town of 30,000 people, was attracting notice, but to the Hollanders it was dreary and depressing. They made a tour among the Northern Illinois towns and found much that was promising; but every- where they were warned not to settle anywhere else except where they were just then visiting unless they were prepared to die of fever and ague! So, concluding that a country where malaria was absent only from the immediate point of inquiry was hardly a sanitarium, they returned to Chicago and took a steamer to Milwaukee. Here the life and career of Gysbert Van Steenwyk began; all the years preceding had been preparatory, and only important for their iniluence upon those that followed. Milwaukee and surroundings, lying somewhat elevated, were pleasing to the eye, and the impression was not dispelled by a closer view. Nevertheless, the party desired to see the new towns springing up through the State, and as soon as possible joined in the pur- chase of a team and carriage, by means of which Racine, Kenosha, Janesville, Madison, Oshkosh and intermediate places were visited, the trip occupying six weeks in October and November. It is not strange that the unani- mous verdict of the home-seeking quartette was in favor of the larger town, and thither they returned, each to pursue his appointed way in life. Through letters of introduction and ac- o qualntance speedily made with the leading men of the town, Mr. Van Steenwyk was not long without opportunities for employ- ment. McGregor & Tenney, lawyers, advised him to enter their ofBce, but the profession was no more to his taste in America than in his native land. Mr. McGregor, who had an insurance agency, then proposed increasing the list of companies and forming a partner- ship in this branch, to promote the business among the foreign population. This received favorable consideration, but did not develop to any great extent. It became expedient, however, that Mr. Van Steenwyk should have some official authority, and he soon received his first appointment as Notary Public from Governor Nelson Dewey, the first Governor of the State. The Hollanders, of whom there were about 800 in Milwaukee, were not long in learning that one of their countrymen was able to assist them in their business affairs, and their calls upon him were so frequent, especially for correspondence with the old country, where many of them retained some property interests, that the securing of some represent- ative authority became a matter of conven- ience, if not of necessity. Accordingly, a letter was dispatched to a friend in the Hague and in due time Mr. Van Steenwyk received his commission from the Hague as Consul of the Netherlands for Wisconsin. Tiiere- upon a second sign was hung beside the office door, and to this an addition was made the following year, when he was commissioned Consul for Michigan and Minnesota. He now had plenty of business, was doing well and heartily enjoyed life. The Legislature of 1852 created the office of Commissioner of Immigration^ the incum- 363 BIOGRAPniCAL ITISTORT. bent to reside in New York, and his duties to be the promotion of immigration to Wiscon- sin. Mr. Van Stcenwjk's Milwaukee friends advised him to accept this appointment in case it was offered him. He declined, be- cause he had other plans mapped out and did not want an otHce of that nature anyway. His friends became more urgent, represent- ing that his command of several languages would be of great value, and he could do more for the benefitof hisadopted State in that manner than in any other way. While the matter was under discussion Governor Far- well telegraphed him to come to Madison. He obeyed, was the Governor's gnest during the visit, was tendered the appointment and finally accepted it, though not without re- luctance. During most of the years 1S52 and 1853, Mr. Van Steenwyk resided in New York. His labor in securing for Wisconsin a thrifty, industrious and temperate class of settlers among the foreigners then flocking to Amer- ica, has exerted an influence upon the welfare of the State which cannot l)e estimated. The Legislature of 1853 took the power of appointing to this office from the Governor, and, being a Democratic body, wliile the in- cumbent had united with the Whig party, his successor wa^ named, and he returned to Milwaukee. Having become interested in lands in the interior of the State, especially along the line of the La Cross & Milwaukee Railroad, then in process of construction, Mr. Van Steenwyk moved to Newport, on the Wis- consin river, where it was expected the railroad would cross. The village rose to considerable prominence upon this expecta- tion, but declined and almost went out of existence when the railroad company fixed the crossing point a mile and a half above, where a new town was laid out and called Kilbourn City. Thither most of the Ne'w- port settlers moved, Mr. Van Steenwyk with them, in 1858. Li 1857 he was comn)is- sioned Brigadier-General of State troops, obtaining a title which serves his friends in familiar intercourse to the present day. Tn 1859 he was elected to the State Assembly from Columbia county, after a contest which was a history in itself, receiving a majority of 200 over a Democrat in a Democratic dis- trict. He resigned his consular office, not deeming it proper that a legislator in the United States should be the representative of a foreign government. The following year he was a delegate to the Republican State Conven- tion, and received the nomination for Bank Comptroller, to which office he was elected. In this period of great politicid and military events, the tinances of the country were in such chaos as no person living at that time can ever Ibrget, and General Van Steenwyk's duties equaled in importance those of any office of the State. His own choice would have been to enter the army, and he could have had a regiment, but it was urged upon him that his official duties could not be com- mitted to other hands, and the welfare of his fellow-citizens could in no way be so well protnoted as by getting what salvage was possible out of the financial wrecks all about the State. In one year the comptroller wound up forty banks, having occasion to visit La Crosse several times in the way of business. The knowledge gained while in office de- cided his future course, and the outlook of La Crosse decided the location. Accord - ingly^ upon the expiration of his official term, in 1862. the Batavian Bank was opened in La Crosse, and for thirty prosperous years it has been a landmark in the business fields. General Van Steenwyk at once took a place in the first business circles of the con)munity, BIOGRAPHIGAL HISTOHT. 353 but held no public office until 1873, when he served the city one term as Mayor, being nominated as a Republican and almost unani- mously supported by the Democrats. In 1879 he was called upon to represent the Thirty-first district, composed of the city and county of La Crosse, in the Senate of the State, receiving a considerable majority over the Democratic and Greenback candidates. In 1874 Mr. Van Steenwyk went abroad and spent a year and a halt' traveling in Europe. While there he made the acquaint- ance of Miss Marietta Nicholls, a native of Danbury, Connecticut, and daughter of Hon. David P. JSficholls, for many years Treasurer of that State, who was traveling with her sister. The acquaintance led to a matri- monial engagement, and in May, 1875, they were united in marriage at Berne, Switzer- land, under the auspices of the General's personal friend, Hon. Horace Rubier, Minis- ter of the United States in that country, and now editor of the Milwaukee Sentinel. Three charming children have blessed this union, but one, a lovely boy, briglit of eye and mind, the emblem of every goodpromise, has gone somewhat in advance along the dark road whither all journey to make the way lighter, though the earth be darker to those soon following after. General Van Steen- wyck's most important recent work has been as one of the executors of the late Governor C. C. Washburn's will. He was the intimate friend of the late Governor, was witii him several weeks at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, shortly before his death, and well acquainted with all his business affairs. The vast prop- erty in mills, elevators,water-powers, railroads, lumber and farming lands, aggregating nearly $2,000,000, has been so managed that every industry has been profitably employed during the course of settlement, and the estate has increased very largely in value. To the sa gaeious management of Mr. Van Steenwyk and his co-executors, Charles Payson and Cliarles J. Fartin, the heirs and beneficiaries under the will are very much indebted. General Van Steenwyk is also vice- president (the mayor being president e.K- oflicio) of the permanent board of trustees of the public library established in La Crosse by a provision of Governor Washburn's will, and takes great interest in the institution. To enumerate all the business enterprises with which he has been connected would be difficult even for himself, perhaps, without some thought. Among the more important recent ones are the Victor Flouring Mill, the La Crosse Linseed Oil Mill, the La Crosse Street Railway Company, the Edison and Brush Electric Light and Power Companies, the La Crosse Tannery and the East Fork Improvement Company — the latter a lumber organization. In all but the two first named and some other local companies he is now a stockholder. It is, however, as a banker that Mr. Van Steenwyk is and will be best known. For more than thirty years the Ba- tavian Bank has been a pillar of strength in the community. It has upheld the weak until they became strong, and carried the strong in their hours of weakness. It has always been steadfast, reliable, conservative without timidity, and to-day occupying one of the finest buildings in Wisconsin outside of Milwaukee, and offices that cannot be sur- passed for elegance and comfort, it stands in the front rank of the strong financial institu- tions of the Northwest. Notwithstanding his years, Mr. Van Steen- wyk is in the enjoyment of mental and bodily vigor. His office hours are regularly kept, his duties as trustee or director in the various institutions never neglected, and in his elegant home, surrounded by the best books and many works of art, happy in the 354 BIOORAPUICAL HISTORY. companionship of his wife, whose natural gifts have been developed by travel, study and tlie Ijest social advantages, interested in tlie education of his children, with leisure for occasional travel, lie enjoys the gifts of life as one who has eai-ned its privileges and its im- munities. tKLUVER & Co. is one of the most reliable and popular houses of La " Crosse and has been established since 1887. They first opened business on State street, but in the spring of 1891 moved to their present place at 117 North Eighth street, wiiere they are doing a prosperous business. Careful attention is bestowed on the repairing department, in which some of the most difficult jobs have been executed in a neat and satisfactory manner. Mr. Kluver has been a resident of La Crosse since 1887, and has always evinced the greatest interest in every measure calculated to promote its welfare, accelerate its progress, or enhance its highest prosperity. He was born in Soholt, Norway, March 9, 1848, to Captain L. and Eliza (Doscher) Kluver, the former of whom was a soldier throughout life and was Captain of the standing army to Norway and Sweden for forty-live years, and was born Feb- ruary 18, 1809, at Copenhagen, Denmark. He died March 27, 1878, and his wife was born July 3, 1810, at Hamburg, Germany, and died January 17, 1884. Mr. L- Kluver was the fifth nf his parents, seven children, all of whom, with the excep- tion of himself, reside in Norway. A sis- ter is deceased. At the age of thirteen years L. Kluver became a deck boy on board a ship at $3 per month, his duties being to keep the deck clean and all things in order. His first trip to Russia occupied about eight months, and on his second trip, which was also to Russia and occupied fifteen months, he was promoted to cabin boy, iiis work being to keep the cabin in order. On a trip to Quebec, occupying fifteen months, he was promoted to light deck hand, which necessitated the handling of ropes, oiling, tarring, scrubbing and sweeping. His fourth trip was to the Black sea, the voyage taking eiijhteen months, dni'iiiii which time he was promoted to deck man to see after the tackle, all the ropes and the masts when necessary. Succeeding this he v.-ent on a seal, bear, rein- deer and walrus hunt to 8pitzbergen and Nova Zembla, and has often seen as many as 500 walrus in one flock, floating on their backs with only their heads and tusks above the water. This voyage was successful and they returned home with many skins of all these animals. His next voyage was to France and Spain, and although he was pro- moted to first deckinan his duties were much the same as before. From France and Spain he went to St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1864, and his last voyage was to the Arctic regions for the same purpose as before, during which time he received $15 per month for his services. They were wrecked be- tween Spitzbergen and North Cape, the ves- sel going to the bottom. The most of the crew took refuge in the life-boat, and after fighting the waves for three days and three nights they landed in the wilderness in the Northern part of Russii^ called Caral)ella. The three days and three nigiits they had water to drink but nothing to eat, with the exception of a little hard tack which was caught up by the steward as he was making his way to the life-boat, and this was impar- tially divided by the Captain among the crew and kept body and sonl together for five days. They then found the body of a dead reindeer, which they roasted on coals, and later they BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 305 killed a reindeer, on which they lived for six days. They were then sighted by a Nor- wegian steamer and were taken to a small village in Northern Norway called Vardo- huiis. A few days later they were trans- ported back to England. During his entire service as a sailor he was with an English crew and sailed from Liverpool. Soon after reaching England he was taken sick and re- turned home, and the next year (1867) in order to avoid the regular army regulation, he made application for immigration and came to America, landing in May of that year. He soon after secured employment with the Wheeler and Wilson Sewing Machine Manu- facturing Company at Bridgport, Connecti- cut, but five years later went on the road for the same company, in which capacity he served five m(>re years. Two years were then spent in Chicago in the adjustment de- partment of the same company, at the end of which time he came to La Crosse, and here has resided ever since. He was married in 1871, to Miss Anna Jerman, daughter of S. Jerinan of Norway, their union being celebrated at WestPrairie, Wisconsin, and the following are their chil- dren; Eliza D.; AdolphineK. and Ida J. Mr. and Mrs. Kluver are members of the Nor- wegian Lutheran Church but attend the Episcopal Church. Although he takes but little interest in politics, Mr. KluVer usually votes the Democratic ticket. He has seen much of the world and the ups and downs of life, but through it all he has maintained his honor and is eminently deserving the i-espect and patronage of the community of which he is an honored and useful member rKANK STOKANDT, one of the promin- ent farmers living near Burr Oak, Wis- consin, is a native of this State, born in Walworth county, six miles from Geneva, August 12, 1854. His parents, George and Anna Elizabeth (FfafE) Storandt, were born, reared, educated and married in Saxony, Germany. In 1847 they came to America, their family at that time consisting of four children. One has since died, and three others were born to them. Their names are: August, William, Sophia, Ambern, John, Emma Young and Frank. The family lived in Walworth county until 1856, when they came to Farmington township. La Crosse county, and settled on the same land where the subject of this sketch now lives. The father died here in 1863, and the mother sur- vived him some years, her death occurring in 1882. George Storandt passed his life in agricultural pursuits; affiliated with the Democratic party, and worshiped with the Lutheran Church. He was a man of much force of character, and was zealous and active in his Christian life. He helped to organize the Lutheran congregation here, and was a deacon in the church. Frank Storandt grew up on the farm, and has lived on the same place for thirty live years. He received a fair education in both the English and German languages. He owns a farm of 200 acres that is substantially improved. His commodious and attractive home is built on a rock foundation, as also ai-e his barn and other buildings. Indeed, the general appearance of his entire premises indicates that the proprietor is a man of thrilt and enterprise and that prosperity has attended his efforts. December 14, 1875, Mr. Storandt was united in marriage, in Dodge county, Wis- consin, with Matilda Williams, a lady of edu- cation and culture and a member of a highly respected family, a daughter of Henry Will- iams. She was l)orn at Fox Lake, Dodge county, and was reared and educated there. 3r)(i BWORAPHICAL UISTOHY. Henry Williams, a native of Hessen, Ger- many, came in 1848 direct to Dodge county, Wisconsin, locatini^ on a farm ni ar Burnett Station. He continued farming there until about fifteen years ago, when he retired from active business pursuits. They have a family of six children now living, viz.: Frederick, a fanner of Dodge county; Catharine, who is the wife of William Harman, a farmer of Farmiiigton township; IJarney, a farmer of Dodge county; Christiana, the wife of William Storandt, of Farmington; Amelia, who wedded A u^ustBerendt, a butcher of Burnett; and Matilda, the wife of Frank Storandt. Mr. Williams has always lived tlielife of an in- dustrious farmer. Heandhis wifeareniembers of the German Lutheran Church, and in the evening of their lives are enjoying the fruits of tlieir honest toil. He married Mary Rocken- bein, who also was a native of Hessen, Ger- many. He is now eighty-six years old, and she eighty-seven, and are both living in Dodge county. Mr. Storandt and his wife are the parents of three children: Clara C, Lizzie A. and Ida Alta. Their second-born, Emma A., died wiiea eight months old. Mr. Storandt is a Democrat, and both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. 4^ ^ If^RS. MARY HARTLEY, Onalaska, s the widow of William Hartley, ^^P^ deceased, who was an intelligent and prominent citizen of Campbell township. He first came to this country in 185G, and in 1859 settled here, where he remained until death. He was born in Cambridgeshire, England, June 23, 1829, the son of John and Sarah (West) Hartley; was reared and edu- cated in his native land, and on arrival in this country first settled in Lockport, New York, where he lived two years; then he was at the South for a time; was pressman iu the office of the Louisville Courier- Journal, and was also in Memphis and in Mississippi; in 1858 he was foreman of a brick-yard on what is now Center and Main streets in Kansas City, Missouri. February 1, ISfiO, he married Miss Mary Ridgley, a lady of .superior intelligence and of a good family, born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Joshua Ridgley, deceased, who was a well-known and promin- ent citizen of this county. He was born at Fredericktown, Maryland, July 10, 181i. The Ridgleys were prominent early settlers of that State, comprising at first seven brothers and one sister from England. Later several of the fatnily became prominent in commerce and political affairs. Joshua Ridgley married Rebecca Radebaugh, a good companion, who was the daughter of Jacob atid Mary Radebaugh, of Dutch or German ancestry. She inherited from them an in- dustrious and economical disposition. The family first came to La Oosse county in 1850, when the village of La Crosse had but four cabins, and there was no house be- tween that point and Fortage. After camp- ing for six weeks Mr. Ridgley had a log house completed. In 18(34 he went to Idaho, where he died in December, 1876, leaving a widow and one child, Mary, now Mrs. Hart- ley. In politics Mr. Ridgley was a Demorat, but never desired office. He was a member of Frontier Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; previously he had also been a member of the Odd Fel- lows' order. Some years later the widow of Mr. Ridgley married Robert Smith, an old settler of La Crosse, now deceased, and she still resides in that city. William Hartley died January 24, 1888. He was a conservative Democrat in i)olitics, BIOGBAPHIGAL HISTORY. 367 and in religion he was an Episcopalian, having been brought up in the Cliurch of England. He was also a member of the Masonic order, a charter meuiber of West Salem Lodge and a member of La Crosse Chapter. At his death he left a widow and tive sons and three daughters, namely: Sarah Jane Cox, John J., a business man of La Crosse; Mary Alice, Joshua R., William Thomas, James Edward, liebecca and George Henry. Mrs. Hartley owns one of the best farms in the county, a portion of which was form- erly a part of her father's estate; he settled here forty-two years ago. The farm contains 534 acres, well fenced and partitioned into plowed lands, pastures, meadows, etc., and a large brick house, surrounded with orna- mental trees, etc., and large barns — one 44 X 75 feet, and one 46x80, w'ith twenty- two-foot posts. Mrs. Hartley exhibits great practical business ability in the conduct of the farm, rearing stock, etc. She has traveled extensively, and has resided for some time in Europe. She is also a good converser, being well informed and entertaining. In 1892 she rented her farm, and is now living in Onalaska, where her facilities for rest frona care and the enjoyment of life gen- erally are much enhanced, and where her children have better school advantages. tEROY BUNN, a valued employe of the Sawyer & Austin Lumber Company, and one of the highly respected pioneers of La Crosse county, was born at Dix, New- York, in 1843. He is a son of S.imnel D. and Sarah (Griswold) Bunii, who were also natives of the Empire State. The father was a carpenter by trade, and in the year of the birth of our subject emigrated to Dane county, Wisconsin; there he purchased land which he cultivated and improved for a j^eriod of twelve years; at the end of that time he sold his property and removed to Richland county where he purchased another farm. He resided on this land until 1861, when he again sold out, moving thence to Monroe county; there he bought land, which he held until 1868, when he sold the farm and homesteaded 160 acres on Buffalo river in Trempealeau county; there he lived the remainder of his days, his death occurring when he had attained the good old age of eighty-six years. The mother sold the farm in 1889, and with a son and daughter moved to Seattle, Washington; she is now seventy-two years old. They reared a family of four children, of whom Leroy is the oldest; the second, Emeline, is the wife of Samuel Cox, a resident of Wash- ington. They have five children: Ida mar- ried C. C. Chamberlin, Mayor of Augusta, Wisconsin, and has one daughter; Ora J., the fourth of the family, married Miss Maggie Hislop, and they are the parents of two children. Leroy Buna attended the common schools a short season each year until he was eighteen, when he enlisted in the Sixth Wisconsin Bat- tery. His father objected and took him home, putting him at farm work, which he continued to do until February 24, 1864, when he again enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was in the engagements at Kenesaw mountain, At- lanta, Dallas, Dalton, and Peachtree Creek; he marched through the Carolinas and on to Washington, where betook part in the Grand Review in June, 1865; the men of his regi- ment who enlisted in 1864 were transferred to the Twelfth Wisconsin Veteran Reserve, and this reserve was mustered out at Louis- ville, Kentucky, in July, 1865. After the cessation of hostilities he returned to Wis- 358 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. consin and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Trempealeau county, which he followed until he entered the employ of the Sawyer and Austin Lumber Company. Mr. Bunn was married in 1870 to Miss Sarah C. Streeton,a daughter of William and Sarah Streeton, old and valued residents of Burns township. Mr. Streeton is now seventy-six years of age and his wife is seventy-two. They are the parents of five children, Mrs. Biinn being the oldest. Jabez married Miss Lillie Hulbertof Burns Valley, and they have two children; Jacob lives with his parents; Anna, deceased, was the wife of William Mack, and died in 1884, leaving one daughter; Enos married Miss Lillie Jones. Mr. and Mrs. Bunn are the parents of one son, Irving J., who is a member of Robert Hughes Camp, No. 42, Sons of Veterans; a member of John Flynn Post, No. 77, G. A. R., and his wife belongs to the Relief Corps, No. 25, attached to the above post. He is a life- long and earnest Republican. The family belong to the Baptist Church. lARL BRANDT.— Perhaps it is not to be wondered at that Mr. Brandt pos- sesses such progressive ideas and ten- dencies regarding the management and con- duct of his farm when it is known that he was brought up to the life by his father, who was a substantial farmer of Germany. Carl was born September 25, 1843, in the prov- ince of Hanover, Germany, a son of Anton and Dorothea (Kullenkamp) Brandt, the former of whom died in the land of his birth in 1870, and the latter in 1S85. He received a thorough education in the common schools of his native land, and until 1866 was his father's mainstay on the home farm. Decem- ber 25, that year, he emigrated to the United States, landing at New York city January 1, 1867, and immediately made his way to La Crossecounty, Wisconsin, and began working for the farmers in the vicinity of Bostwick Valley and La Crosse Valley; but at the end of four years, with the usual thrift of the German, he had acquired sufficient means to enable him to purchase 223 acres of land in sections 10 and 15, to which he has since added by purchase eighty acres at one time and seventy-three at another, making him an excellent farm of 370 acres, the most of which is in the valley and very fertile. His farming operations have been conducted according to the most advanced and progress- ive ideas, and have resulted in his own good and the benefit of those with whom he has come in contact. He has long since gained the reputation of being a successful tiller of tiic soil, and he always has been among the first in the use of new and improved machinery for the saving of labor. He has a fine wind pump on his place, and can draw water in his house and barns by simply turn- ing a faucet. His farm is also well watered by a spring brook running through it, and he keeps constantly on hand about sixty-five head of graded cattle and from sixty to 100 head of hogs. The barns and sheds for their shelter during the winter months are of a most substantial kind. His horse barns, in a basement, are especially commodious. He keeps six work horses, eight head of young horses and colts and about eighty head of sheej). His residence is a two-story brick building, a pleasant and comfortable home. Mr. Brandt was married in 1874 to Miss Anna Wehrs, daughter of Dederich and Mar- guerite (Dunkirk) Wehrs, who was born December 11, 1854, in the province of Han- over, and left there in April, 1870, and came to the United States. Until her marriage in this country, she was in the employ of Mrs. BIOGRAPHICAL HI STORY. 359 W. L. Dndley. Following are tlie children of Mr. and Mrs. Brandt: Rosa, born Feb- ruary 21, 1875; Minnie, July 24. 1876; Carl January 20, 1878; Jennie, May 11, 1880; Lillie, December 15, 1881; Wilhelm, May 15, 1883; Mary, March 23, 1885; Alfred, April 9, 1888; Anna, December 27, 1890. Al! the children are still with their parents. Mr. Brandt has the satisfaction of knowing that his present property has been acquired through his own efforts, and that he is now in independent circumstances and owes no man a dollar. His career is but another evi- dence of the possibilities young men have for advancement in the world when supported by stronof resolution to rise. He keeps fully apace witii the progress of his calling in every particular, and his present place is one of the neatest and most comfortable homesteads of the county. Politically Mr. Brandt is a Democrat, is a patron of worthy causes, and has given his children a good education. HOFFMAN, La Crosse, -Europe was the birthplace of Handel and Mozart, of Beethoven and Mendelssohn and of other great com- posers. The musical instruments which held the professional world by a kind of involun- tary fascination were made there, and the most eminent critics of musical ]iroductions were nursed amid the inspirations of "Vater- land." La Crosse is a well known musical center, and among its inhabitants are to be found many whose tastes are at once correct and refined. There is, therefore, a tempting field here for the musical composer or in- structor whose reputation as an authority cannot be questioned. Such a one is found in the person of Prof. C. F. Hoffman, com- poser of music, teacher of piano, organ and harmony, at 922 State street. Born in Germany, June 19, 1822, he re- ceived a thorough literary education, and later, or in 1846, graduated in music. He began teaching music and followed this suc- cessfully until 1850, when he crossed the ocean to the United States and located in Waukesha county, Wisconsin. In 1855 he came to La Crosse and has made his home here ever since, teaching music as a business and meeting with flattering success. He is a popular composer of music and has over 240 pages, some of which are among the best now before the public. He composes both humorous and sacred pieces, among whicli are the following: "The Cradle Song," "Evergreen Grand Waltz," "Sweet Memo- ries," "Grand Concert Paraphrase," "Home Pleasures," "Morning Glory Grand March," "Welcome Overture " (piano duet), "The Fast Mail," "Bird Polka," "Old Water Mill," "At Home" (companion to "Sweet Home"), "Capriccio" (for piano and violin), " For- ward Grand March," and "Dreams of the Past" (for piano and violin). Prof. Hoffman has all the pupils he can accommodate and has made his start in that way. He clerked in the store one-half the time for a few years. He is a good composer of music and an efficient teacher, as thousands of his pupils can testify. He has recommendations from such well known sources as The Welcome Musical and Ilome Journal, Philadelphia; O. J. Church & Co., Musical Visitor, Cincinnati, Ohio; The Musical Review, New York, and Oliver Ditson & Co., Boston, Massachusetts. His pupils tire to be found in every family. , Prof. Hoffman was married January 8, 1870, to Miss Joanna Grieser, and has two interesting children: Julia and Edwin. Miss Julia is an accomplished musician, plays equally well on the piano and organ, and ex- aoo BIOGRAPUWAL HISTORT. ecutes the most difficult pieces of classic music. She has had no other teacher tlian her father. For several years she has been in Looniis' music store as clerk and player. Edwin is an artist of great ability in paint- ing, and his work is most beautiful and attractive. It is doubtful if he has a superior as an artist of his age — sixteen years — in tlie State. Also lie is a great poultry fancier and breeder, taking premiums at the poultry fair here and at other places. Keeps tirst-ciass stock of white Leghorns and Cochins. Both children are extraordinary specialists in tlieir line. Prof. Hoffman and wife are naembers of the German Lutheran Church, and are citizens of whom La Crosse may justly be proud. The Professor is a member of the L (). O. F., and takes little interest iu politics. -^^xnyi/o- '^lym^^ fOHN J. ESCII, attorney, La Crosse, Wisconsin. — Of the many prominent names that make up the strength of the Wisconsin bar is that of John J. Esch, who is a ton of Henry and Matilda (Menu) Esch, the fathei- a native of Westphalia. (Germany, and the mother of St. Charles, Missouri, though of German parentage. The father was formerly a groceryman, but is now re- tired. He is a good, honorable and reliable citizen, l)eing in every way worthy of the esteem in which he is held. He is now sixty-live years of age and the mother is fifty-four. They reared five cliildren, four sons and one daughter, of whom John J. is second in order of birth. One son, Dr. S. H. Esch, 18' a practicing physician in Neillsville, Clark county, Wisconsin; another son, Will* iam A., is clerk iu a grocery store at Sparta, and the other two, George and Ella, are attending school. John J. Esch was born in Monroe county, Wisconsin, Mai-ch 20, 1861, and he received his earlier education in Sparta high school. Later he entered the State University, classi- cal course, class of 1882, and afterward entered the law department of the same in- stitution, graduating in 1887. In July of that year he began practicing at La Crosse and has remained here ever since. The firm name is Winter, Esch & Winter, and they have been doing a very satisfactory business. He was City Treasurer of Sparta for one term, was Captain of the State Militia there for three years, and he has just resigned the office of Captain of the Gateway City Guards of La Crosse. Mr. Esch was married December 24, 1889, to Miss Anna Herbst, the third of six chil- dren, all of whom are living, born to the marriage of Fred Herbst of Sparta. She was a pupil of the high school at Sparta, but did not tinisli her course. Her parents are still living and are honored residents of Sparta. One child, Paul H., has blessed Mr. and Mrs. Esch's union. Both Mr. and Mrs. Esch are members of the Conyrejjational Church. Mr. Esch, like all the members of the Esch family, is a stanch Republican and takes a decided interest in political matters. He is a public-spirited citizen, is a man of decided views, and not only stands deservedly high in his profession, but is held high in the es- timation of his associates. He forms warm personal attachments and has many sincere friends. 5^.0N. J. J. HOG AN has for many years W\ been so closely connected witii the lead- ing Ijusiness interests of La Crosse that a history of the county would be incomplete without an extended account of his career. He is a son of James and Ilonora B. (Bur- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 361 rows) Hogan, the father being a native of St. Johns, Newfoundland, and the mother hav- ing lived there since her childhood. James Hogan was captain of a vessel and followed the sea for forty years; he commanded the the flag-ship of the first flour fleet that went around Cape Horn in 1849 to the gold " *^'g»i'is " of California; he was an employe of tiie large shipping house of Toban & Co., London He came West with his family in 1847 and settled them in Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, and then returned to the water; he was born in 1805 and died in 1882; bis wife died in 1873, at the age of fifty-five years. They had born to them a fatnily of thirteen children, only three of whom are living at the present time: Stephen B., an agriculturist of Ashland county, Wisconsin; J. J., the subject of this notice, and Mrs. N. B. Holway, whose husband's biography appears on another page of this volume. Mr. Hogan had only the advantages afforded liy the common schools of his day; lie came to La Crosse in 1857, and the follow- ing year laid the foundation of his present prosperous business; the village was a small one, quite in proposition to his capital; by wise management and the exercise of a naturally good judgment, he has extended his business enterprises until he is now one of the leading merchants of this section of the State. He owns a wholesale grocery and in connection with this operates the La Crosfe coffee and spice mills, manufacturing also baking-powder and extracts; he is vice- president of the La Oosse Soap Company, president of the La Crosse Manufacturers' and Jobbers' Union, and deals largely in hard- wood and agricultural lands. He was elected Mayor of the city of La Crosse in 1875 and again in 1876; he was a member of the As- sembly in 1888, and was re-elected in 1890; during the term of 1891 he was elected Speaker of the House; his vote in his district was 2,396 against Alfred Harrison, Repub- lican, who received 1,693 votes; H. G.Miller, Prohibitionist, received 180 votes. In his official career the same earnestness and candor have been exercised that have marked his private business transactions, and he has re- flected great credit upon himself, as well as upon his constituency. Mr. Hogan was married, December 24, 1863, to Miss Amanda Cook, a daughter of E. Fox Cook, of Milwaukee, a prominent Democrat and a lawyer; he was a member of the Legislatures of Michigan and also of New York and Wisconsin ; he died in La Crosse, at the age of eighty-two years; his wife is still living; they had a family of seven children, four of whom grew to maturity. Mr. and Mrs. Hogan are the parents of four children: Gertrude M. is a graduate of Smith College, Massachusetts; Lulu M. has completed a four years' course in music at Smith's College; John D. is a stmlent at Canisius College, Buffalo, New York; James C. has always attended private school, and is now a pupil of Prof. Reynolds, one of the most prominent educators of the State. |OBERT CONEY, who has the honor to be numbered among the early settlers of La Crosse county, was born in Athenry, county Galway, Ireland, in 1823. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Alexander) Coney, were also natives of Ireland, and lived and died there. Robert attended school until he was thirteen years old. Although a mere lad he determined to try his fortune in the New World, and accordingly emigrated to America, locating in New Brunswick, where his uncle-in-law, Mr. French, had a lucrative contract for furnishing supplies to the British 362 BIOGRAPHICAL HI8T0R7. army of the province, assisting him in his business until he was twenty-one. Tliere he was variously employed, earning his living, hut availed himself of every opportunity that offered to gain an education. He continued tiiere until he was twenty-one years of age, returning to Ireland in 1844. Tliere he em- barked in the mercantile trade, which he con- tinued until 1851. The attractions of Amer- ica again became too strong for family ties or native land, so he once more crossed the sea, and after this arrival here he settled in New York city. He entered the employ of Whitlock, Nichols & Whitlock, wholesale grocers, 84 Front street, and was with this firm three years; and was with Hews, Jenkins & Chandler, 308 Broadway, two years. The following three years were spent in Boston, Masfaciuisetts, where he was purchasing agent for a New Brunswick house. In 1858 he joined the great caravan then moving to the West, and stopping in Wis- consin located in Milwaukee. He secured a situation in the shops of the Ciiicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railroad, and for three years followed this business. In 1861 he re- moved to La Crosse, and was employed in the sliops of the same company until 1888. Since that time he has not been actively engaged in any business. For the past four years he has been Justice of the Peace, and for one term lie was Assessor of Campbell township. In all tlie walks of life he has conducted himself with upriglitness, and has won an enviable reputation in every community in which he hiis lived. Mr. Coney was married, in 1852, in New York city, to Miss Mary Creden, and of this union four children liave been born: John E. is train dcspatcher for the Chicago, Burling- ton & Northern llailroad at La Crosse; Robert is a machinist, residing at Sumas city, Washington; Anna is the wife of George Fisher, of La Crosse, and the mother of one child, Robert; Emma keeps house for her father and brother. They are all members of the Catholic Ciiurch. 1^ B. CALAHAN, one of the pioneers of 1851, is a native of Pennsylvania, born ® in Montgomery county, December 30, 1819. His parents, John and Sarah Calahan, were natives of the same State; the father was a wheelwright by trade; he served as a soldier in tiie war of 1812, and the paternal grand- father, Hugh Calahan, fought in the Revolu- tionary struggle. In his youth our subject had but few educational advantages, and it was through his own efforts that he gained snthcient knowledge to fit him for the duties of life. At the age of sixteen years he went to learn the carpenter's trade, and followed this occupation during his residence in Penn- sylvania. In 1844 became West to Walworth county, Wisconsin, and worked at his trade for one year; at the end of twelve months he determined to engage in agricultual pursuits, which he continued three years. In 1848 lie went to Heart Prairie and took charge of the manufacturincf business of Rubier & Whit- ney; this he coisducted successfully for two years. In 1851, as before stated, he came to La Crosse; this was in June, and after a month's sojourn he returned to Heart Prai- rie; in the fall, however, he came again to La Crosse and located permanently; until 1859 he was engaged in general building, but he then turned his attention to the construc- tian of railway bridges, and for many years was employed by the railroad companies hav- ing lines traversing the Mississippi valley; he built all the bridges of the Turkey River Railroad, the Ciiippewa Valley Railroad, the Narrow Gauge road from the Mis- BIOGRAPHICAL HI8T0RT. 363 sissippi to Preston, Minnesota, and did a larcre amount of work for the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul road, and assisted in the building of the dock at Ashland on the Lake Shore road. For the last ten years he has practically retired from this line of work. In 1890, however, he superintended the con- struction of the driving bridge across the Mississippi at La Crosse. Mr. Calahan has not confined his interests to business alone, but has given much thought to the political questions of the day. In early days he was a Whig, and cast his first presi- dential vote for Harrison; since the formation of the Republican party he has zealously supported its measures. He is a man of sterling traits of character, and enjoys the highest regard of the people among whom he has lived so many years. His business trans- actions have been of unquestionable fairness, and won him a patronage as truly apprecia- tive as it was wide-spread. -»s 5>- fRANCIS M. SISSON, a resident of La Crosse county from early infancy, is "o^ numbered among the reliable agricult- urists of Farmington township. He was born in Walworth county, this State, March 27, 1852, the youngest in the family of George Sisson, one of the earliest pioneers of the county, arriving here in December, 1851, and in May the next year removing his fam- ily to their new home on the frontier. The father was born in Hampden county, Massa- chusetts, at Wilbraham, July 14, 1801, the son of Augustus Sisson; and the latter was born at Stonington, Connecticut, witnessed in early boyhood the battle fought there during the Revolutionary war, and died at Willoughby, Ohio, about 1848. George Sisson was reared as a farmer, remaining in New England until he was eighteen years of age, when he moved to Geauga county, Ohio, where he lived until 1846. In that year he came to Walworth county, Wis- consin, and in 1852 settled in Lewis valley, obtaining the last claim in the settlement. Here he lived for forty years, witnessing the wonderful development of the natural re- sources of the country, bearing the privations and hardship of a pioneer settler, and at last reaping the reward of an industrious and honorable life. He was married in Ohio, at the age of twenty-two years, to Lucia Ema- line Bartholomew, a native of Goshen, Con- necticut, and a daughter of John and Abby Bartholomew. Nine children were born of this union: Oscar O., Margaret M., wife of A. G. Welch; Oree A., Olen G., Selena S., Olonzo S., Francis M., the subject of this notice, and two who died in infancy. In the late war four of the sons went out in defense of their country, as follows: Oscar O., who served two years in Company I, Eighth Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, and five years in Company F, Second United States Artillery; Olen G. and Oree A., members of Company B, Second Wisconsin Cavalry for two years; and Olonzo S. belonged to the same company four years. The mother of tlie above family passed from this life in 1871, leaving her husband, who survived her, until February 22, 1892, when he died, at the age of eighty-seven years and a little more, upon the homestead where he had lived continuously for forty years. The remains were interred in the Farmington cemetery, beside those of his wife, there to await the morning of the resurrection of the just. He was a strong Republican; was chairman of the fir&t Republican committee of Farmington township. For many years he and his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. 364 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Francis M. Sisson was reared to the life of a farmer in this count)', receiving his educa- tion in the cotninon schools. He spent ten winters in the woods and on the drive, where he was a capable and valued hand. At the age of twenty-eight years he married Miss Marian McPherson, a native of Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Edward and Polly (Hillaker) McPherson. Two brothers of Mrs. Sisson were soldiers in the late war, and lost their lives in the service of their country: their names were Napoleon and Peter. Mr. and Mrs. Sisson are the parents of three children: George and Nellie May, wiio are living, and Jennie Rachel, who died at the aero of two years and three months. She was a brisht and beautiful child, and her death was a sad trial to their parents. Mr. Sisson owns the old homestead, which is one of the finest farms in Lewis valley; it consists of 130 acres, in a state of high cultivation, upon which a part of the village of Mindoro is located. ?OHN A. ELLIOTT, a member of the well known wholesale liquor firm of Elliott & Callihan, of La Crosse, Wis- consin, was born in Iowa, February 7, 1862, to Andrew and Mary (McGuigan) Elliott, they being also natives of the Hawkeye State. The father, who was a farmer and lead miner, dieil in 1888. at the age of seventy-four years, but his widow still survives him and is an honored and respected resident of the State of her birth. She is now in her sixty-sixth year, and is, as was her husband, a member of the Catholic Church. Her children are as follows: Katie, John A. and Henry M.: the latter a resident of Duke, Montana. Katie is deceased. John A. Elliott first started out in life at the age of nineteen years as a school teacher, but at the end of one term began clerking in a clothing establishment, and one year later entered a liquor establisiiment in the same capacity. In 1882 he opened a wine house of his own in Farley, Iowa, and two and one half years later became associated with Mr. Callihan in the same business in the city of La Crosse. From the start they have been successful, being enabled through their connections to obtain pure goods. They have conducted their business on the elevated plane of mercantile honor, and being practi- cally conversant with it they have made their house a representative one. ' " "£ * ! ' ' S ' S ' " * " f"T.^aCHAEL CALLIHAN is a meml)er Mni- °^ ^''® ^'"'" °^ Elliott & Callihan, -ii^^ wholesale liquor dealers, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and they have a reputa- tion unsurpassed in the United States for the quality of their goods, the purity of which is unquestioned. Mr. Callihan was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, August 23, 1858, to John and Mary (Foley) Callihan, who were born in the Emerald Isle. They now reside in Dubuque county, Iowa, and of a family of eleven children born to them the subject of this sketch is the fourth. In 1878 Michael Callihan began workiuii on a railroad in Col- orado, and for some time was employed in the shops at Denver and Leadville, and later held the position of fireman on a train for about one year and a half. After some time spent in Farley, Iowa, in the employ of Mc- Gee & Co., he formed his present partnership with Mr. Elliott, and from December, 1884, until June, 1880, they sold groceries and liquors at Farley. In the last mentioned year they moved to La Crosse and began business with a small capital and a small stock, and ^^^?tf? y^^^^^^^etC/^-^^y BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY. 865 they now carry a full line of imported and domestic wines and liquors, wliich are han- dled both in bulk and in cases. Their stock is now valued at about $10,000, and they do twice the business of any like establishment in the city. Mr. Callihan was married September 3, 1889, to Miss Mary A., daugliter of Francis Kubely, of Dyers ville, Iowa. They have one child, a bright and promising little girl named Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Callihan are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Cal- lihan has been traveling for the firm over Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota, and in business circles he is highly regarded for his integrity and ability. lADWALADER COLDOON WASH- BURN, Governor of Wisconsin. — John Washburn, Secretary of Plymouth Col- ony, in England, settled at Duxbnry, Massa- chusetts, in 1631, and became wealthy and prominent. Israel Washburn, the next in line, became a Captain in the Revolution, a member of the General Court, and sat in the convention which ratified the Constitution of the United States. Israel Washburn, Jr., father of Governor Washburn, born at Rayn- ham, Massachusetts, in 1784, was equally prominent, and lived until 187(), and to see his large family of sons more successful in private and public life than any other of equal number in the Union. The mother of Governor Washburn was a descendant of John Benjamin, who settled in Massachusetts in 1632, and was one of the proprietors of Cambridge. Her ancestors served the Colonies and the infant Union with no less zeal and distinctio!) than those of her husband. So there was good stuff in Governor Washburn, who was born at Liver- sis more, Maine, on April 22, 1818, where his father owned a farm and general store. He lived at home until 1835, working on the farm and attending the town school. In 1835 he entered a store at Ilallowell, then a cul- tured and thrifty town, where he enjoyed unusual social and business opportunities. During the winter of 1838-'39, he taught the chief school at Wiscasset, and with the money thus earned set out early in the spring of 1839 for the Territory of Iowa. His first stopping place was in the village of Daven- port, vvhere he taught a private school for three months. On the day following the close of school he took a position with David Dale Owen, on the Iowa Geological Survey, which Congress had just ordered to be made. In the winter of 1839-'40, young Wash- burn went to Rock Island, Illinois, and began the study of law with a former friend in Maine, Joseph B. Wells. At the election of 1840 he supported General Harrison, and was himself elected to the office of Surveyor of Rock Island county. In March, 1842, at the age of twenty-four years, Mr. Washburn established his residence in Min- eral Point, Wisconsin, was admitted to the bar of the United States District Court, and began tlie practice of his profession. In 1844 he entered into partnership with Cyrus Woodman, for some years agent of the New England Land Company, and gradually the firm of Washl)Ufn & Woodman, having now an abundance of capital, abandoned the prac- tice of law, and gave attention exclusively to entering, purchasing and selling land, perfect- ino- titles, locating Mexican land warrants, and transacting a general financial and land business. In 1852, on the invitation of Governor Farwell and Justice Harlow S. Orton, Mr. Washburn went to Madison to assist in fram- ing a general banking law, under which, when ;;g6 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. enacted, liis firm opened the Mineral Point Bank. This institution stood the test of all financial reverses, never suspended specie pay- ment, and when finally its affairs were wound up, paid every dollar of liability in gold and silver. In March, 1855, Mr. Woodman retired from the firm, leaving its immense affairs to be managed entirely by Mr. Washbnrn, who had, at the previous November election, en- tirely without solicitation and against his will, been elected to Congress by the Repub- licans, then just organized. On taking his seat he met his brothers, Israel from Maine, and Elihu B. from Illinois, both of whom had been first elected to Congress, like himself, at the age of thirty-six years; and during the ensuing six years these three strong brothers, from three different States, occupied seats together, and impressed their united strength upon the legislation of the country. In 1861 the committee of thirty-three on the state of the Union, of which Governor Washburn was a member, reported an amend- ment to the Constitution, making slavery perpetual. He joined with Mr. Tappan, of Vermont, in a minority report against the proposed amendment, and against any eon- cessions whatever of liberty to slavery, or in favor of secession. In March, 1861, Governor Washburn re- moved to La Crosse, but had hardly settled down to attend to his enormous private interests before he saw that the cause of the Union demanded all the men and means at the command of the North. lie therefore raised the Second Regiment of Cavalry, was commissioned Colonel, and reported for duty on October 10, 1861. It is impossible to follow here his military operations in detail. He became a Major-General on November 29, 1862, and until he resigned, in May, 1865, was an active, daring and successful com- mander. One of his notable feats was reduc- ing, with an inferior force, the bomb-proof works at Esperanza, Texas, and historical works on the war declare him to have been one of the very best district commanders in the army. Like Grant, he never turned back, and never for a moment lost faith in the ulti- mate triumph of the Union army. In 1866, Mr. Washburn was again elected to Congress, and re-elected in 1868. At the close of his last term in Congress, in 1871, the Republicans brought him forward as a candidate for Gov^ernor, and he was elected over James R. Doolittle by 10,000 majority. His administration was quiet, able and econ- omical, and very useful to the people of the State. In 1873, he was renominated, but the high-tide of Grangerism, general dis- satisfaction with railway charges, and hard times conspired to his defeat by William E. Taylor. This ended Governor Washburn's official career, though, in 1875, as he had been in 1861 and 1S69, he was an unsuccess- ful candidate for the United States Senate. After the destruction, in 1878, of his great mill at Minneapolis, where he was one of the early and principal owners of the St. Anthony's Falls Water Power, he went to Europe for the purpose of studying the various processes of makinof flour. As a result he was the first to introduce into America the Hun- garian roller system, and what is known as the patent process of producing flour, and made his new mill the largest and best in the world. Governor Washburn's charities were nobly and modestly bestowed — Washburn Observa- tory to the Wisconsin State University, at Madison; People's Library, in La Crosse; Minneapolis Orphans' Asylum, in memory of his mother; his beautiful home and ground at Edgwood, near Madison, to the Catholic Sisters, the State having refused to accept BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 3G7 it for public purposes, and numerous lesser gifts. He died of paralysis, superinduced by a complication of diseases, at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, on May 14, 1882, aged sixty-four years. jLBERT FILKINS is one of the pioneers of La Crosse county, having settled here as early as 185(3. He is a native of Rensselaer county, New York, born P^eb- ruary 16, 1830, and is a son of Peter and Ann Eliza (Van Der Cook) Fiikins. His father wa,s a farmer, and served as a soldier in the war of 1812; his grandfather, Jacob Fiikins, also followed agricultural pur- suits and was probably a descendant of the English family bearing his name, who settled in this country in Colonial days. Ann Eliza Van Der Cook was a daughter of Gilbert Van Der Cook, who served in the war of 1812; his progenitors belonged to the Knickerbocker stock of New York. Albert Fiikins was reared in the Empire State, and obtained a fair education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-two years he began to learn the carpenter's trade, and worked throughout the State of New York as a journeyman. He S|)eat one year in Belvidere, Illinois, and in the spring of 1855 came to La Crosse, and the following vear located here permanently. He erected, among many other structures, the Exposition Building, the Wheel & Seeder Works and the State street engine house. Mr. Fiikins was married iu this city, to Miss Mary E. Pierre, a native of Saratoga county, New Y'ork, and a daugiiter of Philip and Parmelia (Huling) Pierre, who emigrated to this county from the State of New York about the year 1854. To Mr. and Mrs. Fii- kins has been born one son, Rockwell E. Fiikins, who is associated with his father in business. Our worthy subject is a member of the Builders' Exchange, and used every effort to assist in its organization and to make it a permanent affair. He belongs to the First Baptist Church, to which he con- tributes a liberal support. fHRISTIAN PEDERSON, of the firm of Hilistad & Pedersou, clothiers. La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a native of Nor- way. He was born in Gausdal parish, near Lillehammer, in the southern part of Central Norway, November 27, 1850, a son of Peder J. Brettingen and Caren (Knutsen) Bret- tingen. The father is a farmer, as also were most of his ancestors, some of them, however, being artisans. In 1868, Peder J. Brettingen came to America with his family of three sons and four daughters, and settled near Cashton, Monroe county, Wisconsin, where he now resides. Christian Pedersoii was reared on the farm and obtained a good education. At the age of eighteen he engaged as a clerk in the gen- eral merchandise business at Sparta, Wiscon- sin, and there remained about six years. In the fall of 1875 he came to La Crosse, and clerked for Gutman Brothers, by whom he was employed until the spring of 1882, when he formed a partner.ship with Mr. N. G. Hillestad, which relation still continues. Mr. Pederson was married, in Sparta, to Miss Malla Johnson, a native of Eidsvold, near Christiania, Norway. They have three sons and one daughter: Bella, Philip, Clem- ent and Christian. The family worship at the Lutheran Cliurch, and are liberal in re- ligious matters. Mr. Pederson is an active member of the Norden Society, of which he has served officially on different occasions as BIOORA PHICA L UISTOIi Y. its lionored president, and also as treasurer. He is associated with the I. O. O. F., Nor- manna Lodge, having passed all the chairs of that order, and being a member of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin; is also a memher of the Kebekah degree lodge. While he is prominent in business and fraternal circles, he has always declined to accept public office. fO. STOREY, Assistant Postmaster at La Crosse, Wisconsin, was originally ** from Norway, his birth occurring March 21, 1863, and came with his parents, Charles and Pauline Storey, to the United States in November, 1870. His father was an ordinary laborer, working in sawmiils and on the river. He died of consumption the day that President Garfield was shot, when but iiftytwo years of age. He was a great admirer of Garfield, and our subject told him of the assassination not five minutes before his death ! He was a hard-working and an honorable man. He was a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, and his wife, who is an honored and esteenied resident of Tacoma, Washington, is also a member of that church. She is now about fifty 3'ears of age. Of the eight ctiildren born to their union, J. O. Storey is second in order of birth. The latter received a good, practical edu- cation in the common schools, and supple- mented the same by attending the Wallace Business College of La Crosse, from which he graduated in 1887. He first began work- ing for hiinself as a herder of cattle for Mr. H. Goddard, lumberman of La Crosse; was promoted teamster, and finally became salesman in the lumber yard. He was in the employ of Mr. Goddard for thirteen years, six years as bookkeeper and general manager of his North Side business, which was quite a responsible position. He began on 50 cents a day, and in this way kept his mother and the other members of the family. Mr. Storey has been twice nominated for office, first for Registrar of Deeds of the county; but the whole ticket was defeated, though he ran ahead of his ticket, only one man getting more votes than he. His second nomination was for the office of City Clerk, and although he ran ahead of his ticket, he was defeated again. He was the only man who carried his own ward. After being recommended by Mr. R. A. Scott, the Post- master at La Crosse, he was appointed by the Postmaster-General to his present position in January, 1890, and has filled that position with honor, credit and acceptability ever since. He is director and one of the organ- izers of the Home Mutual Loan Building Association of La Crosse. He was married Decembers, 1888, to Miss Ella Yi. Folmcr, daughter of Captain J. C. Folmer, of La Crosse, a steamboat captain and an old resident. Mr. Storey was partner and owned one-half interest in the Duncan & Storey livery barn at La Crosse, but sold out on receiving his present appointment. Mr. and Mrs. Storey are the happy parents of two interesting children: Susie Pauline and Bessie Otella. Ha and wife are mem- bers of tlie Presbyterian Church of the North Side, and are well respected by all who meet them. Mr. Storey is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is Past Chancellor of the same. In politics he is an ardent Re- publican, and for many years has been called the "Boy Politician." He and family never lecognize, as many Norwegians do, the 17th (if May, but they honor the day and the land of their birth, though like all good Americans they claim the ith of July as the national holiday, and the stars and stripes as BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOBY. 369 tlieir flag. Mr. Storey is a man of intellect, and is possessed of natural business acumen. He is one of the promising young men of the county, and his influence has ever been given in support of educational, social and moral interests. l^lflLLIAM E. LOCKERBY.— The "WMiil social, political and business history l^d^J of this section is tilled with the deeds and doings of self-made men, and no man in La Crosse county is more deserving the ap- pellation than Mr. Lockerby, for he marked out his own career, lias steadily followed it up to the present, and his success in life is due to his own earnest and persistent en- deavors. He was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Au- gust 22, 1856, his parents, M. L. and Desiah (McCurdy) Lockerby, being residents of Man- kato, Minnesota. M. L. Lockerby has been a successful farmer and business man, but is now retired from the active duties of life and is enjoying the fruits of his early labors. He was a soldier in the Union army during the Rebellion, was Corporal of his company, which was a part of the Thirty-seventh Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry. During the three years that he was in the service he was with General Grant in the Array of the Potomac, and at the close of the second day's tight at Fredericksburg he was quite severely wounded and was honorably discharged from the service some time after. He returned home with a shattered constitution, but with the consciousness of having performed every duty faithfully and well. He affiliates with the Republican party, but has never been an office-seeker, much preferring the quiet of home life to the questionable honors of poli- tics. He and his wife have long been mem- bers of the Methodist Episcojjal Church, and reared a family of seven children to honor- able manhood and womanhood, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first in order of birth. After remaining on the home farm until eighteen years of age, William E. Lockerby entered the Normal School at Mankato, Min- nesota, and was graduated in the class of 1871. Succeeding this he worked as a tele- graph operator at Medford, Wisconsin, for two years; then he and several others joined together and formed a new county under Governor Taylor's administration, and he was appointed to the position of Clerk of the Circuit Court. At the expiration of his term he again sought railroad work, and came to La Crosse as Assistant Train-Dis- patcher under John M. Eagan, of the South Minnesota division of the Chicago, Milwau- kee & St. Paul, but later resigned this posi- tion to accept that of station agent at Lanes- boro. In October, 1882, he resigned this situation and took the position of private secretary for J. C. Easton, and the following December he and Mr. Easton removed to La Crosse, of which city they have since been residents. Mr. Lockerby has identified him- self with the affairs of the city and county, and is prominently connected with many leading enterprises. He has proven himself an able financier, and is the owner of con- siderable valuable property in Dakota and Minnesota, as well as in La Crosse. In the winter and spring of 1890 he organized a stock company, obtained subscriptions to the amount of $15,000, and organized the present La Crosse Inter-State Fair Associa- tion, and by his enterprise and good manage- ment pushed this undertaking to a successful issue. This association is for industrial, agri- cultural and mechanical exhibits, and all gam- bling and pool-selling are prohibited, and in- 370 BIOGRAPHICAL lIiyrORY. toxicants are not sold in or near the grounds. The result is that the best of order prevails, no drunkenness or disorder is observed, and during the two fairs of the organization not an arrest was made. The citizens of La Crosse are intelligent and tar-seeing, and look upon this enterprise as a factor of their pros- perity, and back it with both purse and in- fluence. Tlie tine stock exhibits in the ex- position buildings have been equal to the same at many of the State fairs, and Mr. Loekerby may well feel proud of tlie enter- prise he has established on so sound a basis. B. E. Edwards is the efficient president, and the other officers are equally conscientious and faithful in the discharge of their duties. J. W. Losey is vice-president; W. E. Loek- erby, secretary, and H. P. Magill, treasurer, lie is a lover of good horses. In 1891 he purchased a tine standard-bred and registered mare for driving purposes. She has a fine action and is one of the best bred horses in the Northwest; her pacing record of 2:30 was made in 1890. She is now eight years of age, and in 1891 raised a fine colt which is standard- bred and registered. His name is Prince llyswood. No. 15,709; his dam is Erown Nell, and his sire Kyswood, No. 4,526. Mr. Loekerby has always been an ardent Re- publican, and socially belongs to the I. O. O. F. He was married September 7, 1881, to Miss Elma Le Gros, daughter of Charles and Thedora Le (-rros, of AVaupaca, Wisconsin. Mrs. Loekerby is a cultured and refined lady, and for several years was a student in the Northwestern University at Evanston, and later was a successful teacher in Wisconsin. Her father was of French extraction, of noble lineage, and the family coat-ofarms is still preserved. Mr. Le Gros was a soldier in the Kebellion, and after his return home died from disease contracted while in the service. Mrs. Loekerby is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in the quartette choir of this church Mr. Loekerby is the tenor singer. In their beautiful home, surrounded by numerous friends, and with their little daughter Avis, they enjoy a well deserved prosperity, and their home has be- come noted for the unbounded and g-racious hospitality that is extended to all. Mr. Loek- erby made his own otart in life, and knows how every dollar that he now enjoys was ob- tained. He is a man of much energy and force of character, is personally very popular, and his amiable disposition and courteous manner have made him a favorite with all. UY C. PUENTISS, attorney and coun- selor at law. La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born at Georgia, Franklin county, Ver- mont, January 11, 1824, a son of Joseph and Maria (Hill) Prentiss; the father was a native of Haverhill, New Hampshire, and the mother of Middlebury, Vermont. The early life of Judge Prentiss was spent in the schools of Vermont and in his father's mills, Joseph Prentiss owning at that time a lum- ber, flour and oil mill at Georgia, Vermont. When seventeen years of age young Prentiss entered a store at Burlington, Vermont, as a clerk, and continued there four years. In 1844 he began the study of law under the direction of F. G. Hill, at Jericho, Vermont, and at the end of two years went to Burling- ton, where he entered tlie office of Jacob Maeck; there he remained, pursuing his studies until September, 1847, when he was admitted to the bar. He then opened an office in Burlington, practicing there until 1849, when he was employed as assistant attorney with the Hon. David A. Smalley; this relation existed until 1S52, when Judge BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 371 Prentiss came to Portage, Wisconsin, and entered into a partnership with Judge Luther 8. Dixon, Uite Chief Justice of tlie Supreme Court of Wisconsin; the partnership with Judge Dixon continued until 1857, and was then dissolved by inutual consent. Judge Prentiss tlien practiced alone until 1869, when he and Israel Ilohnes entered into business relations, which continued until 1871, at which time Mr. Holmes removed to Chicago. In 1858 Judge Prentiss was elected Judge of Columbia county, AVisconsin, the court then having civil jurisdiction. In 1872 he came to La Crosse, where he has since resided ; almost all of this period he has been Court Commissioner. He has been a very active attorney for many years, has been employed by several corporations, and has practiced in nearly every county in the State. He has gained a wide reputation as a wise counselor and highly successful attorney. Advancing years have seemed to dictate less active life, and the Judge has accepted the office of Justice of the Peace in this citji a position he still holds. He is one of the pioneers in legal practice in the State, and owns one of the finest libraries, an excellent selection of works pertaining to the profession. Judae Prentiss has been twice married ; his first union was to Mrs. Rachel Adams, a native of Johnstown, New York; one child was born to them, Guy, Jr., a civil engineer by profession. Mrs. Prentiss had one daugh ter by her first marriage, Nettie Adams, a graduate of the Fox Lake Female Seminary; for several years she taught music in La Crosse, and was married to James L. Bracken, a banker and provision dealer in Tama City, Iowa. In 1875 Mrs. Prentiss died of a lin- gering illness. In January, 1877, the Judge was married to Mrs. Ellen M. Hankerson, his present wife; by her former marriage she had two children: F. H., the elder son, is assist- ant cashier of the La Crosse National Bank; he has had the distinction of being chosen aid-de camp to Governor Peck, with the raidv of Colonel; Arthur P. is the second son. In politics Judge Prentiss is identified with the Democratic party, although he is inclined to exercise his own judgment in the selec- tion of his own candidates at the polls. ^ ■CHJ^ ^ |EV. PvOLLO BRANCH, one of the most prominent and capable members of the ministry in La Crosse county, is the pastor of the West Salem Presbyterian Church. He was born in Cortland county. New York, September 6, 1854, and is a son of Enoch D. and Matilda (Mynard) Branch, who were also natives of the Empire State. The father was a farmer in Cortland county and was widely and favorably known; he set- tled on his land in 1813, and bravely met all the vicissitudes with which the path of the pioneer was beset. Possessed of unusual ability he was a leader in all tnovements cal- culated to develop the resources of the conn- try and aid in the upbuilding of the county; he was a man of liberal views upon all ques- tions, and of superior mental attainments. He held many of the township offices, dis- charging his duties to the entire satisfaction of his constituency, a fact made evident by his continued re-election to office. His death occurred in June, 1875, at the age of eighty years. His wife is still living, with powers of both mind and body well preserved, at the age of seventy-seven years. They had born to them a family of seven children, all of whom survive. The Rev. Rollo Branch is the youngest of the seven. He received his education in Casnovia Seminary, where he completed his course in the class of 1878. Having deter- 372 BIOORAPUlCAL IIIHTORY. mined to devote his life to the ministry, he entered Auburn Theological 8e;ninary, and for tliree years pursued a course of study laid down by that institution; by 1885 he had finished this work, and had also given es- pecial attention to some subjects riot required for graduation. In 1875 he began preaching, and did evangelistic work until 1879, wiien he commenced regular ministerial work. During the years 1879 and 1880 he filled the pulpit at Texas valley, New York, and then went to Mandan, Dakota, where he or- ganized tlie first churcli on the Northern Pacific road west of the Missouri river. He had this work in charge for two years, and then returned to New York, where lie sup- plied the pulpit of the church of his native town until the opening of the term at Auburn, New York. During the first and second years of his course he did mission work in the city of Elmira, holding five services on the Sabbath day, and keeping up his studies in the seminary. His health failed under this strain, and he lost about half of the senior year; but lie was able to finish the work with his class. During his last few months at the seminary he tilled the pulpit at Sodus, Wayne county, New York, to which he was called in May, 1885; he ac- cepted this work, remaining there two years, at the end of which time he went to Redfield, Oswego County, New York. Here he la- bored two years, when his health again failed, and he was obliged to relinquish ministerial duties. In order to give himself an oppor- tunity to grow stronger he took an easier charge at Orwell, New York, where he preached every alternate Sabbath. The decline of his physical forces continued, however, and the result was that a trip to California was determined upon; he remained there fourteen months, and as soon as he began to imjirove he took up some work, and j>reaehed about one-fourtli of the time he was in the sunny clime. His strength returned and before he left the coast he was fully restored to health. His first work after this was in the pine regions of Wisconsin at Harrison and Parrish, where he did mission work among the lumbermen. At the end of one year he came to West Salem, in January, 1891. Mr. Branch was married in 1876 to Miss Ella L. Lincoln, a daughter of Wait and Melissa (Munsey) Lincoln, residents of Vir- gil, New York. Of this union two children have been born: Ned and Carrie. Mr. Brancli is an honored member '>f the I. O. O. F. Ipfsf ILLIAM ARTHUR LESTER, M. D., %\r\\., \\'lio is recognized as one of the lead- v^^j^i^ ing practitioners of La Crosse county, is the subject of the following biographical notice. He was horn at Bristol, Kendall county, Illinois, March 20, 1856, and is a son of Dr. G. B. and Elizabeth Caroline (Hunt) Lester. The father was a native of St. John, New Brunswick, born of Scotch parents; he was one of the pioneers of Kendall county, Illinois, and was one of the first teachers in the community; he was also the first station agent of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad at Bristol; later in life he studied medicine and became a very skillful physi- cian. Reuben Hunt, the maternal grand- father, was an attorney of considerable talent; his son, a brother of Mrs. Lester, is a practic- ing physician in Chicago. Dr. Lester acquired a thorough literary education, and in 1876 began the study of medicine under his father; he worked faith- fully and industriously until he was fitted to enter Rush Medical College; he was graduated BIuGIiAPjJIGAL HISTORT. 313 from this institution in February, 1881. He entered at once into practice in Oswego, Illinois, but in the fall of 1881 came to Wisconsin; he located at Whitehall, where he resided until 1884 and then came to Ona- laska. Here he has won a reputation as a careful, painstaking physician, lie is well read on professional and popular subjects, and keeps fully abreast of ihe times on all lines. He is a member of the Masonic order and belongs to the school board. He is health officer of the town, and is very capable in this position. The. Doctor was united in marriage Jan- uary 25, 1886, at Galesville, Wisconsin, to Miss Maud Moulton, a daughter of Hon. P. G. Moulton. ~«-»|*4^^*|^-« fB. GRIGG, secretary of the La Crosse Lumber Company, was born in Phila- ® delphia, Pennsylvania, August 12, 1862, a son of Horace H. and Helen V. (Harmstead) Grigg, both natives of the City of Brotherly Love. The father, upon the solicitation of his uncle, the lion. Samuel D. Hastings, emigrated to the West, and from 1853 to 1859 was engaged in the real-estate and banking business in La Crosse. While in La Crosse Mr. Grigg took active part in the stirring events of those times, and being a gentleman of recognized and tine business ability he soon rose to the front and created a large business, becoming possessed of con- siderable property. He was a builder of towns and a pine-land owner, and was identi- fied with the establishing of the now pros- perous city of Superior, this State. In this work he was associated with the Breckin- ridges of Kentucky, and many other promi- nent Southern and Eastern gentlemen. His possessions were scattered through seven counties in Wisconsin and two in Minnesota. His affairs were immensely prosperous until the dark financial times of 1858-'59 came upon the whole country, when with thousands of otiiers his business was crushed and his fortune was lost. He then returned to Phil- adelphia and embarked in the wholesale drug business, which he conducted until his death in 1871, at the age of thirty-nine years. During the late civil war he gave his service in defense of the flag of his country and en- listed in the Corn Exchange Regiment, an organization made up in Philadelphia; he was doing duly in the Army of the Potomac wlien his failing health necessitated his dis- charge, a little less than one year from the time of his enlistment. He was a member of the Masonic order, and assisted in the building of the Masonic Temple of Philadel- phia; he was also a member of the La Crosse lodee, and took his demit when he returned to the East. He was well known in La Crosse and during his residence here was associated with some of the most prominent men of the State; he was possessed of great public spirit, and was a decided acquisition to all circles of La Crosse. In early youth he received a thorough mental training and was a classmate of the silver-tongued orator, Daniel Dougherty. Mr. Grigg is one of a family of seven children: Frank, the oldest, was drowned while fishing in the Black river; H. H., Mary V., J. P., our subject; Ida C. and two who died in infancy. J. B. Grigg received his education at Girard College, Philadelphia, and then went to learn the printer's trade, at which he worked six years. In February, 1884, he abandoned this occupation to accept his present position with the La Crosse Lum- ber Company, in which he has proven him- self wortiiy of the confidence reposed in his ability and his uprightness and integrity. 374 BIOGRAPniOAL HISrOBY. lie was united in marri.ogc, March 8, 1887, to Miss Belle Morrison, a daughter of Samuel Morrison, a former resident of Williamsport, Pennsylvania; he died at Sunset, Colorado, while prospecting in that region in 1885; his wife died in 1878; they had a family of live children, of whom Mi-s. Grigg is the young- est. Mr. and Mrs. CJrigg are the parents of three children: Helen V., Horace H. and Martha B. Mr. Grigg is an ardent sup- porter of the princii)les of the Republican party, and takes a lively interest in the issues of that body. ^^-'^xn/lfi,-- -^wyi'^^^ (DWARD TRITTON, a merchant, Post- master and Town Clerk of Burns, was born in county Kent, England, May 0, 1825, a son of Stephen and Anna (Hawkatt) Tritton, natives of the same place. The father brought hi.* family to the United States in June, 1825, locating in New York city, and two years later removed to Esse.x county, same State, and subsequently to Willsborough, Essex county, where he died many years later. The parents had twelve children, six of whom survive, namely; Caleb, Mary and Eleanor, in Boone county, Nebraska; Joshua resides in this county; and Timothy, at the head of Lake George, New York. Their eldest son, Stephen, was a soldier in the late war, was taken prisoner at Shiloh, and died in the prison at Macon, Georgia. Another son, Thomas, died in Huron, South Dakota, in 1882. The remainder of the children were: Betsy, who married Mr. Gold; Annie, the wife of Mr. Helm; and two boys who died w'hen small. Mr. Tritton, our subject, was reared to farm life, and educated in the seminary at West Poultney, Vermont, and iilso taught school four terms in New York. In the spring of 1852 he came to Sun Prairie, Dane county, Wisconsin, twelve miles from Madi- son, where he taught school two winters, and also worked on a farm during the summers. He came to this county in 1854, settling in Burns township, one-half mile south of his present location, where he was engaged in farming until 1881, Declining health then caused him to give up that occupation, and he engaged in his present business. Mr. Tritton was appointed Postmaster in 1882, which position he still holds, and also keeps a general stock of merchandise. He has hold the office of Town Clerk since the spring of 1882. He was married October 21, 1851, to Mary Walker, who was born in El burg, Vermont, July 4, 1827, a daughter of Chester Walker, deceased. Of their four children, two still survive, viz.: Cassius H., who lives in Monett, Missouri, married Lauia Scafe, and has two children: R. T. and an infant girl; and Jennie A., who married Harvey Morey, of Lyons, Colorado, and also has two children: Clyde and an infant girl. Relig- iously, Mr. Tritton is a member of the Second Adventist Christian Church, and politically, a Republican. EORGE L. WILLEY.— New Hamp- shire has given to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, many estimable citizens, but she has contributed none more highly respected or, for conscientious discharge of every duty in every relation of life, more worthy of respect and esteem than Mr. Willey, who is one of the progressive and enterprising farmers of this section. He was born in Carroll county, New Hampshire, in April, 1829, to Stepl^en and Tabitha (Lewis) Willey, the former a native of New Hamp- shire, and the latter of Maine. Tiio father BIOORAPaiCAL HISTORY. 3W was a prosperous New England farmer, and died the same day on which I'resident Lincoln breatlied his last, April 15, 18(35, at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife died in 1850, at the age of forty years. They were ardent and devout church members, and the father was a deacon in the Baptist Church. His brother, Samuel Willey, with his wife and six children, were killed by an avalanche on the AVhite Mountains, which was caused by the bursting of a cloud in Ausrust, about seventy years since. It occur- red about ten o'clock at night, and two of their servants were buried alive. Hearing the noise, they realized their danger, and left the house to secTiire a greater place of safety, and thus met their death. Their house-dog, which was fastened in the cellar, was unin- jured, and proved very servicable in finding the dead. All the bodies except two were found after several days' hard work, and the mother was found clasping her babe to her breast. The house, which is a log one, is still standing, and being near a summer re- sort is visited annually by thousands of people. It is about twenty miles from North Conway. The children born to Stephen and Tabitha (Lewis) Willey are as follows: Sam- uel, who died in 1845, at the age of twenty- seven years. His wife was Harriet Barlin, now living in La Crosse; George L. ; Sarah P., wife of Joseph Dole. She died in 1878, at the age of forty-three years; Ann, aged fifty-tive, is the wife of John H. Hale, of Minnesota; and Catnerine, who died in infancy. George L. Willey commeuced by teaching school in New Hampshire, but this calling he followed only a short time, his next occu- pation being to drive a pleasure carriage near Boston for two years. He next came to Wyota, Wisconsin, in 1849, and during the one year that he remained there he was a shoe-cobbler. In the spring of 1850 he, witii twenty-five others, started on the over- land route for California, the journey occu- pying seven mouths. He walked 2,000 miles barefooted, because he had no shoes. After having the mountain fever for about six months, he engaged in mining, and in this business was quite successful. At the end of three years he returned to New Hamp- sliire, with much experience and a fair share of gold as well After a short visit there he returned to Wisconsin in 1854, and settled on a farm in La Crosse county, containing 640 acres, which he still owns. It is located in Onalaska township, and is conducted by his two sons. He has filled the office of County Supervisor, and for many years has been Sabbath-school superintendent at Mid- way. Mr. Willey and his faithful wife have worked with untiring effort, and by industry and frugality have accumulated a comfortable competence for their declining years. He was married in 1855, in Onalaska, to Miss Sarah E. Nuttinir, daughter of Abel and Clara Blackwell Nutting, of Maine. They came West in 1855, and after a two-years stay in Madison, settled in Onalaska. Their family consisted of two sons and four daugh- ters. Mr. and Mrs. Willey have the follow- ing children: Horace G., on the home farm, is married to Mahala Robins, and has three children: George, Grace and Stephen; Jewett, also on the home farm, is married to Emma Kruger, and has two children: Ada and Lester; Ansel died at the age of twenty-six years, and was married to Ella French; Samuel was accidentally killed at the age of twenty-three years, by a runaway horse. He was breaking a colt, which threw him, his foot clinging to the stirrup. He died in 1890. The next child died in infancy, unnamed; Elva is attending the public schools of La 376 BIOOBAPHWAL HISTORY. Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. Willey have been members of the Baptist Church for many years. He takes but little interest in politics, but when he has the chance votes the Prohi- bition ticket. fRANK X. RITTEli is a 7nan whon. nature seems to have specially designed to be a farmer, for he has met with more tlian an a\erage degree of success in pursuing that calling, and owing to his de- sire to keep out of the beaten path; and to his adoption of new and improved methods, togetlier with industry and good judgment, he is at present the owner of a valuable farm of 120 acres. He was born in Germany in 1839, and in 1854 emigrated to this country with his parents, Minard and Lena (Zegler) Ritter, and with them settled in Jefferson county, Wisconsin; but in 1888 the parents removed to Waukesha county, where the father died the same year, and the mother in 1890. Frank X. Ritter made his home with his parents until he attained the age of twenty-one years, then started out to make his own way in the world, and until 1864 worked among the farmers of Jefferson and Rock counties, the three subsequent years being spent in the same capacity in La Crosse county. By frugality, for which his country- men have ever been famed, he had by this time saved enough money to enable him to purchase eighty acres of land in section 16, Washington township, since which time he has purchased forty acres more, making his present farm. He has a comfortable frame residence, a large basement barn, other con venient out-building's for stock and grain, and a fine wind pump. He was married in 1878, to Miss Christina Schaffer, daughter of John B. and Feronia (Fink) Schaffer, who came to the United States from Germany in 1854 and resided in La Crosse county until their respective deaths in 1889 and 1886. This couple became the parents of four children, one son and three daughters, all residing in La Crosse with the exception of Mrs. Ritter. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Ritter has been blessed in the birth of five children: John, Jacob, Maggie, Emma and Louisa. Mr. Ritter has held nearly all the offices in the town of Newberg, and is at presen;; chairman of the Board of Super- visors. He has the confidence of his fellow- citizens, and in discharging the duties of the ofKces he has held he has displayed clear in- tellect and unsullied integrity. Mr. ami Mrs. Ritter are members of the Catholic Church, and do their share in forwarding all church enterprises. ^ ^e^^^ tGUDMUNDSON, one of the most re- liable merchants of West Salem, La * Crosse county, is a native of Norway, and was born May 12, 1858. His parents, Hans and Boletiie Gudmundson, are natives of the same country, and are now residents of La Crosse county. They emigrated to Amer- ica in 1871. The father is a farmer and con- ducts his agricultural operations with rare intelligence. The family consisted of four children: Rena, who died at the age of twenty years, was the wife of Mr. Pearce; Anna married Alexander Johnston; the subject of this notice is the third-born; and Caroline who is at home, is the youngest. Mr. Gud- mundson remained under the parental roof until 1884, assisting his father in his farm work. When he left home it was to engage as a clerk in the drug business with his brother-in-law, Alexander Johnston. He served in this capacity for three years, and BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 377 then clerked in a general store in Belmont, Iowa, nutil 1889, when he ens;aged in busi- ness for himself, opening a stock in the store which he now occupies. He carries a full line of general merchandise, valued at $5,000. He has won a fair share of the patronage of the town and surrounding country, and his success is due in a large measure to his con- siderate and courteous treatment of his cus- tomers. Mr. Gudraundson has established a repu- tation for honorable and upright dealing that has won the confidence of the entire commu- nity. In April, 1891, he was elected treas- urer of the town, a position he is amply able to fill. Politically he affiliates with the Re- publican party. He is public-spirited, enter- prising and progressive, believing it every man's duty to keep pace with the rapid advance of the nineteenth century. He was united in marriage, December 5, 1888, to Miss Tilda Johnston, a daughter of John J. Hoixven, and one of a family of ten children: James, Andrew, Nettie, Ella, Knud (deceased), Lewis, Charles, Martin, Tilda, and Lena (deceased). To Mr. and Mrs. Gud- mundson have been born two children: Milla died at the age of five months in 1890, Lloyd J. being the only living child. The parents are consistent members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. f' V. DEININGER, hotel proprietor and i gardener, and an enterprising business * man of La Crosse, was born in this city, in 1859, to the union of Valentine and Chris- tina Deininger, who emigrated to this country from Bavaria in 1850. The parents both died in La Crosse, the father in 1872 and the mother in 1889. J. V. Deininger passed his boy- hood and youth in La Crosse, and received his education in the buplic schools of the same. When fourteen years of age he had to commence the battle of life for himself, and he worked on a farm until eighteen years of age. He learned l^rick-making, working at this during the summer months, and during the winter seasons he was in the pineries until 1884. He then rented his mother's farm for five years, and in 1889 moved to La Crosse, where he worked at the cooper trade nearly two years. In the meantime he had secured some land in section 10, Shelby town- ship, and in April, 1891, he erected a neat brick cottage for a dwelling, and a large frame building attached for an hotel and hall. Mr. Deininger is a genial, social gentleman, is well liked by all his neighbors and fellow- townsmen, and has a host of warm friends. He has held office in his town. He was mar- ried, in 1887, to Miss Hannah Pflnger, daughter of John Pflnger, of La Crosse, and the fruits of this union have been two chil- dren: Matilda and one unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. Deininger are members of the Catholic Church of La Crosse. -^^«f^-- RICHARD W. DAVIS, editor and pro- prietor of tile Bangor Independent., was l)orn in Kane county, Illinois, August 1, 1870, the son of Rev. Henry and Catharine (Morris) I)avis, natives of Wales and Wauke- sha, Wisconsin. The parents had five chil- dren: Hugh, of Kane county, Illinois; Katie, Arthur, Richard and Henry. The latter died at the age of two years. The father came to the United States in 1866, settling in Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, where he resided until 1869, and then removed to Kane county, Illi- nois. In 1871 he went to Riley county, Kansas; in 1877, to Osage county, same State; in 1883, to Williamsburg, Iowa, and 378 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. in the spring of 1890 to Raiigor. He is tlie present pastor of the Welsli Congregational Church. The subieet of this sketch was educated in the common schools, and also in the Iowa College at Grinnell. lie learned the printer's trade at Williamsburg, Iowa, and for three and a half years worked on the Williams- burg Journal, and also on the North Eng- lish Record one year. In the fall of 1890 he came to Bangor and purchased the Bangor Independent, which he has made a tive-column quarto, with a good liberal patronage. ^^/^^^-'^^^'^^ [VAN K. ROBERTS, a dealer in grain, lumber, building material, machinery real estate and live-stock and also pro- prietor of a grain elevator, Bangor, is one of the pioneers of La Crosse county. He was born in North Wales, May 19, 1834, a son of Evan Roberts, deceased, a native of the same country. The father brought his family to the United States in 1851, settling near Portage, Columbia county, Wisconsin, after which, in 1852, he came to Bostwick valley, this county, in what is now Barry township, eight miles east of La Crosse. It was then wild :and, inhabited mostly by Indians and wild animals. Evan R., our subject, went to La Crosse in 1856, and was engaged in freighting until 1858, when he returned and rented the home- stead two years, after which he bought a farm in Bostwick valley and remained there twelve years. lie then came to Bangor, and the second year here he bought the Bangor flour- ing mill, which he operated three or four years, and during this time he established a lumber vard and built elevators. He began dealing in stock about ten years ago, and now does a large business. He has held the office of Constable, Justice of the Peace, was Chair- man of the Board many years, also Chairman of the County Board one year, has l>een a member of the School Board for the past fifteen years, and is now serving his sixth year as director of the board, of which he was also treasurer several years. Mr. Roberts was married. May 9, 1858, to Mary Pierce, a daughter of Richard Pierce, deceased. They had three children: Mary, Jane and Frank. The mothr died October 9, 1869, after which, February 23, 1871, the father married Jane Morris, and they had two children: Hugh E. and Luther J. Mrs. Roberts died January 23, 1886, and he was again married, in April, 1890, to Mrs. Maggie E. Jones. She had one son bv lier first mar- riage, Vaughn E. — % ' S M S » | i^"^ fOHN H. DAHL, dealer in general mer- chandise, Burr Oak, Wisconsin, is one of the well-known and successful business men of the county of La Crosse. He came to this county in 1870. Mr. Dahl was born in Norway in 1853, son of Hans Hanson and Martha (Olson) Dahl. He attended school until he was four- teen years of age, and received a fair educa- tion. While still a youth he was employed in taking care of horses. At the age of seventeen he bade adieu to his native land, crossed the ocean and landed at Quebec, from thence coming across the lakes to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and tVom there to La Crosse county. He found employment on a farm at Half-way creek, and worked there one season*. The following winter he obtained a situation with H. Holmboe in a store at Onalaska. In the fall ot 1871, he went to Mindoro, clerking for Mr. Holmboe five years. In 1876 he traveled extensively throughout the West, BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 379 and the following year formed a partnership with A. C Hanson in the general merchan- dise business, at Kockland, and in 1879 the firm moved to Mindoro, where they did a snceessful bnsiness until 1885. That year Mr. Dahl sold out to his partner. In Feb- ruary, 1886, he purchased a stock of general merchandise from John Scanelton of Burr Oak, and has since been conducting a pros- perous l)usiuess here. He erected a store building, 24 x 60 feet, in which he carries a general line of well assorted goods, and does a business that averages $18,000 per annum. In the spring of 1891 he built a creamery, 23 X 40 feet, with an addition, 16 x 22 feet, which he has equipped with all tlie modern machinery, run by an eight- horse-power engine. The past four months he has made 600 tubs of butter. Besides his business in- terests at Burr Oak, he also has a general merchandise store at West Salem. Politically Mr. Dahl is an active and enthusiastic Democrat. He has been a mem- ber of the County Committee several times, and has served as Town Treasurer, and filled other minor offices. A man well informed on the general topics of the day, broad and progressive in his views, honorable in all his business dealings, and frank and cordial with his fellow men, he is a most worth.y and popu- lar citizen. tBRAM TOWSON, an honored and re spected citizen of La Crosse county, ,,, Wisconsin, was born in the State of New York, in Schoharie county, July 10, 1824, and is a son of John and Mary (Krank) Towson, who were also natives of the Empire State. The mother died when Abram was three days old, and he was then taken by his grandfather, John Towson, by whom he was reared. When he was a lad of fifteen years his grandfather died, and he was then thrown upon his own responsibility. He had been trained to the occupation of a farmer, and followed this calling for many years. In 1861, when there was a call for men to go to the defense of the' Union, he enlisted in the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, Company B, and and served until some time in 1863, when his eyes became inflamed so seriously that he secured a furlough and returned to his home for a season; he had been in the hospital in St. Louis for a month previous to his de- parture for home. He lost his sight entirely for two years, and then through Dr. Berry, an oculist, the sight of one eye was restored; in a surgical operation the optic nerve of the other eye was destroyed. He was honorably discharged in June, 1863, and in July his sight was gone; it was not until June, 1865, that he consulted Dr. Berry. To one who has never suffered the loss of sight, it is im- possible to convey an idea of the joy ex- perienced upon the restoration of that sense, and Mr. Towso:i proved no exception to the rule. During his army life, he did not sj)end a single cent of his pay, but sent every dollar to his family; the money he used for himself was earned by doing extra guard or other duty; this is a rather remarkable fact, and is worthy of record. When he enlisted in the service of the Government he had $400 and a house and lot, but after the payment of his doctor's bill he lacked $40 of paying his account. He then went to work for David Wright, a man who had shown liim much kindness during his affliction; he was in his employ for more than four years, and during this time managed to accumulate a small amount of money; he purchased a team, and worked on a farm for two years, having rented the land. By industry and wise management he succeeded in buying the land on which he 380 BWORAPnWAL niSTORT. now lives; he built a comfortable little house and as his means increased added to the home comforts, enlarged the dwelling, and is now one of the most contented and thrifty of laboring men of the community. Captain Jiishop of Company B, was a most consider- ate friend to Mr. Towson, and did much to relieve the tedium of his sightless days. Mr, Towson was married January 1, 1884, to Miss Nancy M. Howe, a daughter of Elisha and Bromagen Howe of New York. Two children have been born of this union: Elvira, deceased, married C. Van Etten, and they had two children; Jessie, deceased, and Gertrude; Martha is the widow of Lyman Allen and the mother of one child; Arthur, who is also deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Towson are members of the Baptist Church. Politically our subject adheres to no party or platform, but casts his suffrage for the man best suited in his estimation to fill the office. He is a man of quiet, unassuming manners, and ])ossessed of those sterling traits wliich win the respect ot the entire community. mE ROY BOWEN, of section 10, Burns Vtfi township, and one of the oldest settlers "^J5!^ now living in Burnham valley, was born in Marcellus, Onondaga county, New York, November 18, 1814. His father, Elijah Bowen, a native of Massachusetts, was a sol- dier in the war of 1812; and his mother, Sylvia Foster, was a daughter of William Foster, a pioneer of Onondaga county, and a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Our sub- ject's grandmother, Patty Bowen, nee Cody, was a sister of John Cody, and the latter was the grandfather of William F. Cody, the noted "Buffalo Bill" of to day. Mr. Bowen's grandfather, Elijah Bowen, was born in Cheshire, Massachusetts, in 1756, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. and was also the first settler in Marcellus township, Onondaga county, New York. Our subject's parents had nine children, only two of whom survive: Le Roy and Almeron, both of this township. LeRoy Bowen was a carriage and sleigh maker in New York for twenty-tive years, and also owned a farm at the same time. He came to Wisconsin with his family in the fall of 1849, stopping first in White Water, and later traveled through Wisconsin, Iowa and other points. In March, 1853, he came to this county and entered eighty acres of land where he now lives, laying his father's land warrant on eighty acres, and later entered eighty acres more for himself. He now owns 319 acres, where he has been very suc- cessful. He brought his family to this county in the fall of 1853, and his parents came in the fall of 1860, and lived with him until death, the father dying in January, 1861, and the mother in 1863. Mr. Bowen was present at the organization of Burns township, which was named for ex-Lieuten- ant- Governor Burns, and was also town chairman eight years and town treasurer one year He is a member of the Grange, at Bangor, and although not a church member he has strong faith in God or the Ruler of the Universe. When he first came to this county he lived in a shed covered with grass, and his wife cooked out of doors, but later they built a shanty of poplar logs, into wiiich they moved November 1, 1853. It had neither doors, windows nor floor, and here they kept travelers, and also boarded the schoolteacher. Mr. Bowen built the first schoolhouse in Upper Burnha'n valley, at his own expense. He was married March 27, 1839, to Jane Wheadon, a daughter of Alinon and Abbie (Wooley) Wheadon. The latter died March ^^ i^^^^^'^-^^—t-^C't^ 't^t~^\. J-^---r-!JJi.V Chatfield, Fillmore county, Minnesota, lie opened the Root River Bank, a private institution which is still in operation, and lias the distinction of being the oldest bank in Minnesota. He continued its proprietor until May, 1888, when he trans- ferred his interest to George H. Haven- From the first Mr. Easton dealt largely in lands in Minnesota, and is still the owner of a good many improved farms; at one time he owned something like thirty farms which had been cultivated under his personal direction. In addition to these farms, Mr. Easton owns some thousands of acres of wild lands in Min, nesota and Dakota. He has bsen instrumen- tal at different times in establishing eleven private banks, but has disposed of most of his interests in that direction. Durino- 1872 and 1873 he was engaged in the purchase of large shipments of grain and other farm products along the Southern Min- nesota Railroad. As his operations enlarged and his capital increased, he determined to have a part in the railroad enterprises which were destined to develop that section- To record these investments in detail would take us beyond the Hunts of this notice, but the more important movements will be noted- In 1875 he purchased a controlling interest 383 BIOORAPHIGAL HISTORV. in tlie stock of the Soutlierii Minnesota Kail- road, which was at that tiinu in the liands of a receiver; soon afterward he was elected a ineinl)er of the Hoard of Directors. In 1877 the Southern Minnesota Railway Extension Company was organized, of which Mr. Easton was president and a director. This company entered into important negotiations, extended their line, secured rich land grants from the Government, and in May, 1879, sold a large |)ortion of the stock to the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. I'aiil Railway Company. Soon afterward the road of the former was merged into the latter corporation. In June, 1879, Mr. Easton was elected a director of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, and remained a member of that hoard until 1889. In 1881 he organized the Chippewa Valley & Superior Railway Company, of which he was made President. In 1882 he and associates purchased the entire stock of the Chicagi) & Evanston Railroad, of which he was made president. With charac- teristic energy he completed this road from the union station to the village of Evanston, a distance of twelve miles, and secured to the road all the privileges enjoyed by lines enter- ing tlie Chicago Union Depot. He was also President of the Dakota & Great Southern Railway, and was one of the original promo- ters and stockholders of the Fargo & Southern Railroad. He is at present largely interested in rail- road enterj)risos in Jamaica, West Indies, and is a stockholder and director of the company owning the entire system of railway on tha^ island, where he has spent two winters finding the climate more agreeable than in any other part of the world. In 1SS3 he removed from Minnesota to La Crosse, where he has invested a large sum in an elegant residence and grounds. Upon a visit to his home the strangers' attention is readily attracted to the most extensive private conservatory within the State's limits. Flow- ers from almost every clime are found here, but space will not admit of mention, even of those most rare. Mr. Easton is a lover of fine horses, and has recently started the Hillview Stock Farm, where he has many tine standard-bred animals. This farm is under the supervision of an ex- perienced superintendent and trainer. It is located within the city limits and adjoining both the City Park and the La Crosse Inter- state Fair Grounds, occupying a slight eleva- tion from which the beautiful valley of the Mississippi can be viewed in each direction with the grand old bluffs for a back ground. No pains has been spared to make tliis farm complete in every detail. The barns are of the most modern construction, a line half- mile track, numerous paddocks and pastures, and cozy cottages for the men complete the grounds and make it a beautiful park. Among tiie many tine animals found at Hillview the following brood mares are deserving of special mention: Hebe Von Arnira, by Von Arnim, dam Hebe by Belmont; Belle Von Arnim, by Von Arnim, dam Belie Blackwood) by Blackwood, Jr.; Bnrrie Patronage, by Pat- ronage, dam Burrie, by Captain; Mamnut, by Nutwood Mambrino, dam by Tramp, and AUie E., by All So, dam Thais, by Theseus. A valuable addition was made to his stock in October, 1891, when Mr. Easton purchased from wellknown breeders of Lexington, Ken- tucky, the following members of distinguished trotting families: Red Flush, a three-year- old stallion sired by the great Red Wilkes, dam Belle Brino, by Hambrino; Bradford, a two-year-old stallion by Almont Wilkes, dam Susan Brady, by C. M. Clay, Jr.; second dam by Abdailah 15; Lillian, brown mare, six years old, sired by Hambletonian Mambrino, dam by Kingsley; second dam by Black BIOQUAPHIGAL HISTORY. 383 Prince; Tliistle Dew, a two-year-old filly with a pacing record of 2:25, sired by Sentinel Wilkes, dam Belle II., by Clark Chief, Jr.; second dam by Live Oak; Red Strath, one- year-old stallion, by Red Wilkes, dam by Strathmore; second dam by Balsora; McWil- ton, weanling stallion by Wilton (lie by George AYilkes), dam Lady Mclvinney (dam of Idol Gift and Ynm Yum, each 2:29^), by Sweepstakes, second dam by Robert Fill- int^ham, Jr. ; Elecleeo, weanling stallion by Anteeo (he by Electioneer), dam Lillian; and Maestro, by Rumor, dam by Slander; second dam by General Knox. The last three named will be developed early and are expected to give a good account of themselves. He also has the very promising four-year- old stallion. Lucky Cross, by Belmont (sire of Nutwood), dam Mona Wilkes, by George Wilkes; also the fast three-year-old filly Abbadonne, that got a two-year-old record in 1891 of 2:B2; she is sired by Wilkes Boy, dam Lulu Patchen, by Tom Patchen; also Miss Nutwood, by Nutwood, dam Sister Rnth, by Jim Monroe; also lola McDowell, by King Rene, dam Rebecca, by Ilamble- tonian 10. At Hillview are a number of the sons and daughters of Waxford, the sire of Belmont Prince, with a three-year-old record of 2:17;|. Of these Baity Bunting, Lady Woodman, Champion Belle and La Crosse Maid bid fair to become very speedy. Hillview is a new enterprise, and, although under the manage- ment of men skilled in the art of horse- manship, Mr. Easton gives to the business much of his personal attention, and is always pleased to show his stock to lovers of good horses. The old Hermit farm, now the property of Mr. Easton, comprises 160 acres, most of it rich and level land lying between the bluffs and the prairie sand hills. Many improve- ments have been made by the present owner in buildings, fencing, etc. The most im- portant work has been the preparation of a new vineyard. The old vineyard has 1,300 vines, all Concords; the new one has 3,000 vines of choice varieties. It is in charge of a German of long experience in the culture of grapes and is now the largest vineyard in the State. He has been an extensive traveler, having visited the principal cities of Europe, the Ter- ritory of Alaska and ail the principal places of the United States. He has been too closely connected with important business enterprises to give any attention to politics. He cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay and the old Whig party and now votes the Republican ticket. He is well preserved physically, and time and the cares of life have dealt very gently with him. He is a man of the highest honor and has employed those strict methods in business which have won for him the entire confidence of the Northwest, where he is recognized as one of the highest types of the business men of America. He is now practically retired from active business, having only a general oversight of his affairs and leaving details to his son L. F. Easton. i^^^ENJAMIN B. MERCEREAU. a resi- dent of Wes^ Salem, La Crosse county, is a man of that type which gives char- acter to a community, and is worthy to be recorded among the leading citizens of the country. He was born in Broome county. New York, June 2, 1857, and is a son of Israel P. and Elizabeth M. (Benedict) Mer- cereau, who were also born in that State. The father was for many years a farmer at Union, New York; his death occurred in S84 JilOaiiAPlUC'AL IIISTORT. 1877, at the age of sixty-eiglit years. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church for more than forty years, and iiis wife was also a devout member for a great many years. They were people of those sterling traits of character which won them the respect of all with whom they came in contact. They reared a family of six children, five of whom are liviticr. Benjamin B. is the youngest child; he was reared to manhood in New York, and learned the undertaking business and furniture trade with his father. In 1887 he came to La Crosse and worked for a year in a sash and blind factory. At the end of twelve months he came to West Salem and opened a store, where he keeps the largest and best selected stock of furniture in the county, outside of La Crosse. He does a thriving business, and his patronage is constantly increasing. He has won an enviable place in the commercial circles of the county, anuildings are of a sub- stantial character and well suited to the de- mands of agriculture. For many years after coming to the county Mr. Beckel kept a hotel, and until the railroads were built ho had an excellent patronage from the traveling public; the reputation of his house spread to the end of each guest's journey, and no one ever had cause to regret giving it a hearty recommendation. Mr. Beckel was married in 1846 to Miss Frank, a daughter of Adam and Barbara Frank, who emigrated to America in 1835. Twelve children were born to them, eight of whom are living: Mary married John Wack- er, and they have five children; Christena is 390 BIOOBAPHICAL U I STORY. the wife of Kaymond Tausche, and they are the parents of scvmi cliildren; Elizabeth; Louisa marrii'd Lute Stiiisou; Louis; Einiiia is the wife of John Bauer; Lia married a Mr. Pope; Lena is the youngest. Mrs. Eliza- beth (Frank) Beckel passed out of the bond- age of this life October 15, 1879; this was a sad atilic.tion to the husl)and and cliildren, to whom she had Ix^eii all that a wife and mother could be. Mr. Beckel held various township oiiices and was Postmaster, dischargint); all the dutief that fell to his lot with a fidelity that won tiie confidence of the eiiMre community. The hai)its of industry and the high and honor- able j)rinciple8 by which he was reared re- mained with him through life, and developed within him a maidiood worthy of all respect. -*}^ 3^1 GUIS P. BECKEL, a member of the jnto? enterprising firm of Lamb & Beckel, =?F^ was born in La Crosse county, Wiscon- sin, August 8, 18G2, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Frank) Beckel. lie acquired a good cotnmon-scliool education in the public schools of La Crosse, and for two years was a student in the Wallace Business College. After leaving school he clerked in a cigar factory for six months, but at tht^ end of that time entered the employ of C. W. Rodman, dealer in poultry and fish, with wIkmu he re- mained five ye.ars. lie then became asso- ciated with J. J. Lamb, giving him very efficient service as clerk for two years. In 1887 they formed a co-partnership, and since that time have been doing a jirosperous busi- ness, jicrhaps the largest of the kind in the city; they handle fruits of all kinds, and some vegetables. They are both young men of excellent business ability, and merit tiie generous patronage they have received at the hands of the citizens of La Crosse. Mr. Beckel was married December 10, 1883, to Miss Emma Bailer, and of this mar- riage two children have been born: Lillie and Florence. Mrs. Beckel is a member of the Lutheran Church, and her husband is a liberal supporter of the same, although he has no membership in the society. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen, but takes little inter- est in politics, merely exercising his right of suffrage. The pioneers of La Crosse county set an example of industrious perseverance which has been closely followed by the present gen- eration, and which insures the future success and development of the entire resources of the country. It is to this class of citizens that Louis P. Beckel belongs, and as such his name is worthy of record among the honored residents of tlie county. ►^«t- fOIIN G. MOORE, a well-known citizen of Onalaska, has been identified with the interests of La Crosse county since 1866. He was born in Somerset county, Maine, November 10, 1844, a son of Ilirara and Eliza (Coleman) Moore, also natives of the State of Maine. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Moore, was a Scotchman, and the maternal grandfather, James Coleman, was born in Maine. The father of John G. died in his native State at the age of four-score years; the mother survives, at the age of eighty years, and is a resident of Massachu- setts. Our subject passed his youth on a farm and in attending the district school. There was no unusual event in his life until in 1864; in October of that year he enlisted in the Nineteenth Maine Volunteer Infantry, C'ompany C, and was first under fire at BIOORAPHIGAL HISTORY. 391 Petersburg, lie was present at the time of the surrender of General Lee, April 7, 1865. Was on the "big" review at Washiiigtoni May 24, 1885, which will long be remem- bered by those present. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned to his home, but in a short time went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania. Having investigated that in- dustry to his satisfaction he came on to Wis- consin in 1866, and settled in La Crosse county. He located in Onalaska, and for the past twentv-six years he has been engaged in tlie lumber business, in the woods and on tlie river. There is no phase of the business which he does not know from actual experi- ence. He has filled various positions of trust and responsibility, and for the past ten years has been in the employ of the La Cross Lum- ber Company, superintending their river interests in summer and being foreman in the woods winters. In summer he usually has charge of a crew of men on the river at the mouth of Black river, taking care of the company's logs and running them to the mill. Possessed of great executive ability, in this vocation he has found a use for all his faculties, and lias used them to the advantage of his employers and to the credit of himself. Mr. Moore was married in Onalaska in August, 1872, to Miss Mary A. Collins, a daughter of William and Ann (Hutchins) Collins, natives of England, now living in Onalaska Mrs. Moore was also born in Eno-land, but was brought to America in her childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are the parents of three children: Abby J., Flora A. and Edith E. In his political inclinations Mr. Moore is Republican. He is h member of the G. A. R., Wil-.m Caldweh Post, No. 38, Department of Wisconsin. He belongs to Onalaska Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which he is Master. He was made a Mason in 1874, joining North La Crosse Lodge, No. 190. He has served the people of his town- ship as Marshal, and he has also been a mem- ber of the village board, and is at present Supervisor on the county board from the First Ward of the city. During the palmy days of the Good Templars he was an active and zealous member; he belonged to the Sons of Temperance and to the Temple of Honor, of which he was Worthy Chief Master. In his religious views he is a Methodist, while his wife is an Episcopalian, in which belief she was reared. Mr. Moore has been fortunate in his business ventures, and has been enabled to surround his family with all the comforts of the present civilization. p. STKOM, traveling salesman for Calm, Wampold & Co., Chicago, was ® born in Christiania, Norway, Novem- ber 20, 1857, and at the age of ten years was brought to America by his parents, N. P. and Hannah (Olson) Strom, residents of La Crosse. The father was a shoemaker by trade, but is now retired. On coming to this conntry he first settled in La Crosse, but in the spring of 1868 he went to Northwestern Mitmesota to look for a homestead; he located in Swift county, where he tilled the soil for a number of 3'ears. He and his wife had a family of nine children, live of whom died in infancy, and were buried in Norway. Nicholi, the oldest son, came to La Crosse in 1866, having stopped in New York city for three months on landing there. He was lirst employed as a clerk for W. S. Hanscom ; he was thus occupied eight or nine years, and then embarked in the boot and shoe trade on his own account, the firm name being Strom & Peterson. Before his death, which occurred August 15, 1876, he sold his mercantile interests to 393 BIOQRAPUICAL HIHTURT. Mr. Peterson. His wife's maiden name was E-egina Severs, and they were the parents of two children, both of whom are deceased. Julia, daughter of N. P. ai.d Hannah Strom, was the wife of S. J. Stenerson, manufacturer of furniture in Chicago; she died in 1874, at the age of twenty-four years, leaving one son, John, who died at the age of sixteen years. Josephine is still a member of the home circle. The father is now seventy-live years of age, and the mother is seventy -eight; both are in excellent health, and, considering the toil, trials and hardships they have endured, are remarkably well preserved. O. P. Strom, the youngest of the family, was educated in the common schools of La Cro85e,atBen8on,Minnesota, and in a business college under the late Prof. Wallace. He first attempted to learn the blacksmith's trade, but after two years devoted to this occupation his health gave way, and he went to clerking in the store of Webber & Rogers; later he was with Fred Croiier a year; then he went to Mower county, Minnesota, and settled in a small town called Taupi, where he was in the employ of Mr. (). N. Olberg for seven years; he had entire charge of the busi- ness, and at the expiration of seven years he purchased tlie concern, which was managed by Bradbury & Strom for two years. Mr. Strom then sold out and came to La Crosse, securing employment with Marcus Ander- son; at the end of twelve months he entered the employ of L. Ooren, merchant; Mr. Coren made a trip to the old country, and during his absence Mr. Strom assumed the responsi- bility of the store. Upon Mr. Coren's return he went to work as traveling salesman for Hanson & Seilstad, remaining with this firm one year. lie has now been in the clothing business for four years, and has given a high degree of satisfaction. Afr. Strom has held various local offices in the towns where lie has lived; he is a member of the Masonic order, and deraitted from Le Koy Chapter, No. 34, in Mower county, Minnesota; he now belongs to St. Bernard Commandery, ^o. 13, at Austin, Minne- sota. He takes an interest in the govern- ment of his adopted country, and affiliates with the Pepublican party. He is a man of more than ordinary capacity, and has proven himself i.n every way capable of fulfilling his duties as an American citizen. fOHN L. YOUNG, Burr Oak, Wisconsin, was born in Saxony, Germany, Septem- ber 27, 1844. His parents, Sebastian and Elizabeth Young, were both natives of Saxony, Germany, and were reared, educated and married there. John L. was two years and a half old when the family emigrated to America. They sailed from Bremen and landed at New York, thence across the lakes to Racine, Wisconsin, and from there to Walworth county, settling near Lake Geneva. In 1853 they came to La Crosse county, and here he grew to manhood on a farm and re- ceived both an Englisli and German education. For thirty-eight years he has resided in this county, and is well known and respected here. The father has been a farmer all his life. He votes with the Democratic party, and is a member of the Lutheran Church. During the war John L. Young tendered his services to the Union, enlisting in March, 1865, in the Fifty-lirst Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers. His regiment was stationed for a time in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and afterward in various parts of Missouri. He was honorably discharged August 15, 1865, returned to liis home in La Crosse county, and engaged in farming. He owns an 120- BTOGRAPHWAL HISTORY. 393 acre farm, with first-class improvements on it, and keeps everything in good shape. March 30, 1869, Mr. Young married Emma Jane Pfaif. She was born in Walwortli conntj, Wisconsin, June 3, 1851, daughter of William and Margaret (Batalya) Pfaff, natives of Germany and Switzerland res]3ect- ively. Mrs. Young was reared and educated in this county. To Mr. Young and his wife six children have been born, five of whom are living: George C, Libbie E., wife of Frank Rommel, of Burns, this county, Wal- ter A., William M. and Elwin F. Oscar M. died at the age of seventeen months. The parents are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Young is a Republican, and a member of Melson Quygle Post, No. 238, G. A. R., of Mindoro. He is a man of the strictest integrity, is frank and cordial with all, and and stands high in the community where he resides. ... 'I' ll « 3n; « | i ■! > -»■■ jjATHANIELO. PlTTENGERisagood example of wiiat can lie accomplished in life when thorough determination to succeed is coupled with energy, perseverance and a close application in the directions chosen. Mr. Pittenger was brought up to a farm life, applied himself to his calling upon starting out for himself, and is now the owner of a tine farm of 165 acres. He is one of the old settlers and prominent citizens of Onalaska, and is popular and well liked by all who have had business relations with him. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, November 25, 1822, a son of Abraham Pittenger, who was born near Cadiz, Ohio, and grandson of Peter Pittenger, of Virginia, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, the latter being a son of a Revolutionary soldier of Dutch descent. The family was first rep- resented in this country by three brothers, who came to America before the Revolu- tion, and they have always been classed among the useful residents of this cocintry, many members of whom have won enviable reputations as soldiers and statesmen. Abra- ham Pittenger was married to Eleanor Ferguson, daughter of John Ferguson. She was born and reared near Cadiz, Ohio, and inherited Scotch blood of her ancestors, a number ()f the early members of which family were Revolutionary soldiers and par- ticipants in the war of 1812. Mrs. Pittenger was called from life in 1846, having borne seven sons and two daughters: James, who was a Union soldier, and died at Harper's Ferry, while still in early manhood. Abraham Pittenger took for his second wife Lucy Rand, who bore him three sons and one daughter. He came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in 1852, followed the calling of a farmer throughout life, and died in Tempea- leau county, this State, in 1879. He was a Republican in politics during the latter part of his life, and was an earnest member of the Methodist Elpiscopal Church. Nathaniel O. Pittenger was educated in the public schools, and after reaching manhood lived for eleven years in Williams county, but became a resi- dent of La Crosse county in 1865, and pur- chased the William Bowman farm of 165 acres, on which he erected a good residence, 16 X 24 feet, and a barn, 22 x 36 feet. This farm is well cultivated and well watered, and is considered a valuable one. He was mar- ried in 1846, to Miss Ann Stevenson, a woman of much intelligence, who was born, reared and educated in Richland county, Ohio, a daughter of Levi and Elizabeth (Kennedy) Stevenson, the former a native of Pennsylvania. To Mr. Pittenger and his wife two children have been born: Abraham, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, 394 BIOORAFHICAL HISTORY. August 20, 1851, received liis education in that and Williains county, was married in 1875, to Eva Sanderson, of Micliigan, daugli- ter of Cyrus and Phcebe (Weston) Sanderson, and by lier is the father of two cliildren: Jjurton and Cora. He lias a good farm of 106 acres near liis father, in a good state of cultivation and well improved with buildings. He has been a member of the A. F. & A. M. lodge at La Crosse since 1874. The other child born to Nathaniel O. Pittengeris Mary Ellen, wife of J. C. Keizer, a merchant of Midway. Mr. Pittenger's cliildren who are deceased are as follows: Alfred, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Levi, who died at twenty-eight, leaving three children: Wes- ley, Milton and Laura; and Samuel, who died wliile a student at Galesville College, when nineteen years old. Mr. Pitteiiger is a Democrat, and has been a Mpson since 1852. He has held a number of minor positions in his township, and is one of the most substan- tial citizens of La Crosse county. He is now sixty-nine years of age, and twenty-five j'ears of his early life was spent at biacksmithing. ■y^-iy^ruir- •innn^^ ^RS. CHARLOTTE FRENCH is the relict of Joseph French, one of tiie ^^^ first settlers of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, who came here in May, 1851. He was born in Great Bowden, Leicester- shire, England, December 3, 1821, a son of Joseph and Hannah ((tIII) French, the former of whom was a farmer and cattle dealer, and became a well-to-do man. He died at the age of sixty- live years, at which time of life his wife also died, in this county. They were the parentsof three children : Hannah Martha, deceased; Lydia, still living, and Joseph. The latter was married April 24, 1844. to Miss Charlotte Rogers, who was born in P^ngland December 16, 1823, daughter of Thomas Rogers and Martha (Riddy) Rogers, and granddaughter of John Rogers. Thomas and Martha Rogers became the parents of nine children: Charlotte, Joiin and Elizabeth (twins), Robert, Mary Ann, William, Emily, Rebecca and George. Thomas Rogers died in England in 1877 at the age of seventy- eight years, and his wife passed from life in her native land February 6, 1890, at the age of ninety. Seven years after his marriage Joseph French came to America, sailing from Liverpool and landing at New A'ork, and soon after came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and then to La Crosse, which at that time con- sisted of seven or eight houses. He made the first road to the place, where he settled on a farm, and the country was a complete wilderness, inhabited by wild animals and numerous Indians. March 7, 1865, he enlisted in the Union army; his service closed in August, when he was honorably discharged, and he returned home. The farm which he now owns, consisting of 360 acres, is one of the oldest in the county, but the soil is still exceedingly productive and is carefully tilled. It is improved with good buildings of all descriptions and is a valuable place. The following are the names of. his children: Martha E., George G., natives of England; Charlotte E.,of Winona, Minnesota, now Mrs. Webb; Joseph O., of thio townsiiip; Emily I., at home; Robert R., also at home; and the following children, that are also de- ceased: Charlotte Ann, Willie Gill, Lydia Maria and Alice Agnes. Joseph French, the father, was called from life July 6, 1889, when in his sixly-eighth year. He had been a prominent man of his township, but aside from holding the position of school Treasurer twenty-one years, he held no other office. He was a member of John Flynn Post, No. 77, of North La Crosse, and BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 395 iu his business and social relations showed that lie was a man of broad views. lie was kind and considerate in his family, and his death was deemed a great loss to the com- munity in which he resided. Mrs. French is a i-emarkably well preserved woman, and her agreeable and cordial manners have ob- tained for her the affection and respect of a large circle of acquaintances. -|^4w^^.^ fOHN UOBBS.— This gentleman has been a resident of La Crosse county since 1851. lie was born in Cornwall, England, near the city of Bristol, July 15, 1832, and his parents, Archleus Hobbs and nee Mary Jol- ler, were natives of the same place. He was fifteen months of age when the family sailed for America, landing here after a stormy voyage of nine weeks. They settled near Albany, New York, where they lived for seven years, after which they moved to a place near Sandusky, Huron county, Ohio. Later they emigrated to Canada and settled near Fort Maiden. Their next move was to Fond du Lac county, "Wisconsin. In 1851 the subject of our sketch came to La Crosse county and purchased 160 acres, the first land sold here— State land — for which he paid $1.25 per acre. A short time afterward he was joined by his parents. His father was twice married, and John was the only child by the second marriage. By the first union four children were born, three sons and one daughter. One son lives in Kansas City, Missouri, and another in Arizona. The daughter resides in Nebraska. Mrs. Hobbs died here in 1870, at the age of seventy years, and Mr. Hobbs passed away in 1874, at the age of seventy -four. The latter was a farmer by occupation; politically, a Whig; relig- iously, an Episcopalian. John Hobbs was reared to farm life and was educated in the common schools. He was among the first settlers in this county. La Crosse, in 1851, contained only a few houses and log cabins, and Deacon Smith and Kublee had started a store just before Mr. Hobbs came here. Mr. Hobbs at first built a log cabin on his farm, which was subse- quently replaced by a board house. On the 17th of November, 1861, Mr. Hobbs enlisted in the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, a regiment that made a good record by valiant service. He participated in a num- ber of important engagements, and at one time was thrown from a horse, receiving serious injuries, from the effects of which he has never recovered. During the latter part of the war he was in Texas with General Custer. He was honorably discharged at Austin, Texas, after a service of four years and one month. Mr. Hobbs now owns a good farm of 240 acres, near Mindoro, in Farmington town- ship; has a two-story residence, substantial barn and other improvements; and is engaged in general farminD; and stock-niisino'. He was married at the age of twenty-three, to Miss Mary Newcom, a native of Penn- sylvania, and a daugliterof Herald and Sarah (Spencer) Newcom, natives respectively of New York State and England. They died in Arcadia, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs have eleven children, four sons and seveu daughters, viz.: John Gr., of Wyoming; Mary E., wife of Harry Duffield, of Billings, Mon- tana; Rachel, wife of William Barclay, of Ked Lodge, Montana; Clara A., wife of James Barclay, also of Red Lodge; Elva Isabella and Martha Eleanor, of the same place; Sarah T., at home; Gracie E., also at home; Cyrus Edwin and Bishop H., of North La Crosse; and Albert Monroe, of Billings, Montana. BIOGRA rilICA L IITSTOR T. Mr. IIol)l)s in a Ropuhlican, and a meinher of Nelson Quy^rle l*..st, No. 23H, h(Mnr years was employed by the farmers in the neighborhood of his home. He formed a partnership with L. O. Kerms, and for five years they two conducted a black- smith and wagon shop at West Salem; they built up a profitable trade and won an envi- able reputation in commercial circles as honor- able, upright men. Previous to this, how- ever, Mr. Dayl had had an experience of ten years as a blacksmith, having learned the trade in his early manhood. When he severed his relationship with Mr. Kerms he embarked in the agricultural implement business; his sales in 1890 amounted to more than $3,000, and in 1891 to more than $4,000. He car- ries a full stock of all kinds of agricultural implements, including threshing-machines, and in all his dealings he is known to employ the moot correct business methods. He was united in marriage August 30, 1884, to Miss Bertha Larson, a daughter of Erick and Agnete Larson. Mrs. Dayl's par- ents emigrated from Norway to America about twenty-six years ago, and settled in La Crosse county; they had born to them seven children: Mary, Lars, Mrs. Dayl, Ole, deceased; Otilda, Anton B., deceased, and Anna Emelia. Mr. and Mrs. Dayl are the parents of three children: Hilma, Elmer and Alice. They attend the services of the Norwegian Lu- theran Church, and contribute liberally to its support. ^RIK B. RYNNING, dealer in clothing and men's furnishing goods, 727 Rose street. La Crosse, is one of the leading spirits in commercial circles in his adopted city, for he is not a native American. He was born in Norway, February 14, 1858, a son of Fredrik and Wilhelmina (Jachwitz) Rynning, also Norwegians by birth; the father was editor of a newspaper in the northern part of that country, and was widely and favorably known. He died in 1889, at the age of sixty-eight years; his wife died in 1863, at the age of thirty-two year-; they were both consistent members of the Nor- wegian Lutheran Church. The family, num- bering four children, were named as follows: Erik B., the subject of this biography; Fredrik Wilhelm, a painter in Tacoma, Wash- ington; Marie, who died among the pine-clad hills of her own land at the age of four years; and J. George M., a druggist at Merrill, B I OQRAPniGAL HI8T0B r. 401 Wisconsin; lie was formerly in business at West Salem. Mr. Rynning acquired an educatiun in one of the leading schools and high schools of Christiania, Norway, and in the Polytechnic College of Gothenberg, Sweden; he was graduated from the latter as a civil engineer in 1876, and following this event he was em- ployed in a bank for a period of twelve mouths. The opportunities and advantages of America being pictured to him in glowing colors, he determined to cross tiie sea and investigate for himself. Accordingly, in 1877, he bade farewell to the scenes of his childhood and set sail for the United States. He came at once to La Crosse after landing here, and the first employment he had was with the Southern Minnesota Railroad; he worked on the survey of this line for two summers, and during the winter did whatever presented itself. He then secured a permanent position with N. B. Holway as book-keeper and general manager of the office. In the fall of 1885 he formed a partnership with Ole Pederson, the firm name being Pederson & Kynning; this relationship con- tinued with great success until July, 1887, when Mr. Rynning purchased Mr. Pederson's interest in the business. He has been doing a thriving business, and has received his share of the patronage of La Crosse county. He is a self-made man, the only capital he had be- ing that with which nature and a good educa- tion had endowed him. He is an excellent type of the Norwegian thoroughly American- ized; he is enthusiastic in his support of the Government of the United States, and his experience has proven that thrift brings its own reward, and that enterprise rarely fails of reaping its just harvest. Mr. Rynning was married. May 18, 1883^ to Miss Cathinka Steen, a daughter of Thor Steen, who came to America from Norway about 1867; he died in 1884, at the age of fift3'-two years; his wife lived to be sixty years of age. Tiieir children were: Gunda, wife of A. Magnusson, who had three children; Mrs. Rynning; Thora, wife of P. A. Bjorn, who has two children; Inga, wife of Frank H. Emery, of Mayville, North Dakota; and Agnes; Theodore is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Rynning have had born to them four children, three of whom are now living: Albert Jerome, Rolf Steen and Paul Bertheau. They are members of the Nor- wegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Rynning be- longs to the Masonic order, is an honorary member of the Norwegian Workingmen's Society, secretary of the Normanna Sangerkor, a male chorus numbering thirty voices, with a membership of eighty; he was for many years the leader of this society. He has for years been the leader of the choir of his church, and also superintendent of its Sunday- school. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. fAMES WILSON was born August 5, 1856. His father, James Wilson, Sr., a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, was reared on a farm in that country and received his education there. For a time he was em- ployed in a mill. He married Janet Bar- clay, who was a daughter of David Barclay, and who was born, reared and educated in the same neighborhood with Mr. Wilson. Shortly after their marriage, June 12, 1855, they came to America and direct to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in the summer of 1855, where they had relatives, James Barclay being a half brother of Mrs. Wilson. They first settled in Hamilton township, where they lived for some years. In 1865 they moved to the town of Campbell, and in 1869 402 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. came to the farm near Stevoiistown, on which the subject of our sketch now lives. Their family was composed of nine children, seven of whom are now living, viz.: James, Kate, Alex., Jessie, Marj. Maggie and Lizzie. Ale,\. is now in Montaiui. Mary is a graduate of tlie West Salem High School, and since her graduation has been engaged in teaching school. Margaret and David died in infancy, the former at the age of eighteen months, and the latter at the age of three years. James Wilson, Sr., departed this life on the 12th if January, 1878, when in his sixty-first year. Politically he was a Republican; re- ligiously a Presbyterian. His wife died on the 8th of October, 1881, at the age of forty- eight years. She too was a member of the Presbyterian Church. The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm, and received liis education in the pub- lic schools of tiie neighborhood. After the death of his father he took charge of the farming ope^'atlons, and has successfully con- ducted the same. On him devolved the care of the younger children, a duty he has most faithfully discliarged. The Wilson farm con- sists of 100 acres of fine land, and is well improved, with a nice cottage home, good barn, modern windmill, cribs, sheds, yards, etc., and on it general farming and dairying are carried on. Mr. Wilson was married April 24, 1889, to Mary Dick, who was born in Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, daughter of William and Rose (Neal) Dick, natives of Scotland and early settlers of that county. This union has been blessed with one daughter. Lulu Janet. Mr. Wilson is a Republican, and is one of the wheel-horses of his party. He has served three years as Township Clerk, and is now a Justice of the Peace. He has been a mem- ber of the School Board for eight years. Socially he is an I. O. 0. F., being a member ot Mindoro Lodge, No. 318. A man in the prime of life, frank and cordial with all, and honorable in his every dealing, Mr. Wilson is regarded as a good citizen and a popular man. C. CROOK dates his arrival in La Crosse county in 1853, and since that time has been a resident of Farming- ton township. He is one of the enterprising and successful farmers of the county, and as such is deserving of appropriate mention on the pages of its history. Mr. Crook was born in Orange county, Vermont, June 7, 1833. His father, Orlan- do Crook, was a native of the same county, and was a son of Benjamin Crook, also a New Englander. The Crooks trace their ancestry back to a sea captain who came across the Atlantic. Mr. Crook's mother was, be- fore her marriage, Sarah Elkins; and she too was a native of Vermont and a descendant of English ancestry. J. C. Crook was thirteen years of age wlien his parents came to Wis- consin and settled in Rock county, eleven miles east of Janesville. In 1853 they came to this county and settled on the land where he now resides. When Mr. Crook was eight years old he had the misfortune to lose his mother, who died in Vermont, leaving four children: Mai-cia, James C, Sarah and Helen. His father was subsequently married to Har- riette Piper, by whom he had two daughters, Ruth and Alma, born in this county. Mrs. Crook died in Oregon. The father departed this life in March, 1888, at the age of eighty- two years. He had been a farmer all his life. Politically he had at ditferent times afliliated with the Whigs, Democrats and Re- publicans; in religion he was a zealous and BrOGBAPHIOAL III STORY. 40o active Methodist, having served for years as class-leader and steward. The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm and was educated in the common schools. Six months he worked in a printing- office at Galena, Illinois. The farm on which he now resides consists of 160 acres, and is well improved, with a comfortable cottage home, good barn and other buildings, modern wind pump, fences, etc., and is conveniently arranged for successfully carrying on agri- cultural pursuits. Mr. Crook was married when he was twenty-nine years of age, to Catharine Ivanck, who was born in New York city and reared in La Crosse county, Wisconsin. Her parents, John and Elizabeth Ranck, are deceased, the father dying in New York, and the mother in this county. By his marriage with Miss Ranck, Mr. Crook had five children, viz.: George, who resides in Montana; Marcia, wife of George Travis, of Holland township, this county; Elvin C, of Montana; Minnie, a successful scliool-teacher; and Harvey, in Montana. The mother of these children died in July, 1876. In 1879 Mr. Crook married Mrs. Mary L. (Cook) Jones, by whom he had two sons, Albert and Jesse. By Mr. Jones she had one daughter, Ida. who is now at Gales- ville College. Both Mr. Crook and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. '"-'iA/J/^- -q/mn^^ |AMUEL DAVIS, one of the prosperous and reliable citizens of Farinington township, has resided here since 1854- He was born at Amesbury, Esse.x county, Massachusetts, May 20, 1818, and is a son of John and Betsey (Bagley) Davis; the paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was of English ances- try; his wife was of Irish extraction. John Davis and wife were natives of Massachusetts and lived in that State all their lives. Their families were early settlers of that Common- wealth, and were among the leading manu- facturers in colonial days. Samuel Davis was reared and educated in Massachusetts, at Amesbury, and at the age of nineteen years went to work on a railroad, the Lower Eastern. His first work was exca- vating, but he soon had charge of a gang of men, and later on was road- master; this was one of the first railroads built in the State, and afterwards he was employed on the Old Colony. In 1852 he came West, stopping in Chicago for a time, and arriving in La Crosse October 19; by the 21st of the month he was laving the first rails of the North- Western Railway on Kinzie street. His wide experience in railroad building in the East rendered iiim a very valuable man at this time, and his services were duly appreciated. When he settled in La Crosse county, in 1854, he purchased a farm in Farmington township, buying Government land at $1.25 per acre. He first built a log cabin, which in after years was replaced with a comfort- able structure, after a more modern style of architecture. Tlie dwelling is surrounded by a good wind-break of forest trees, and the barns and cribs are neat and substantially built; the farm consists of 240 acres, 120 of which are iti Jackson county. Mr. Davis was married at the age of twenty-three years, at Newburyport, Massa- chusetts, to Lavinia B. Merrill, a daughter of James and Betsey Merrill, members of very highly connected families. To Mr. and Mrs. Davis were born eight children, five of whom are living: Josephine Goodenough, James M., who served in the United States army three years during the civil war, Lavinia F., Lura Quackenbush ami Washington L. 404 BIOGRAPHICAL IIISrORY. Lavinia B. died at tlie age of seven years' Fiaiikliii iit the age of three years, and one in infancy. Politically our subject affiliates with the Republican party. He has been Assessor of the township, and is a mem,ber of the board. He has always lent a cordial support to edu- cational enterprises, and has given his chil- dren advantage of the best schools in the State. He is now seventy-three years old, but bears his age lightly and bids fair to see many more useful days. SLE O. BLACK, Jk., Assessor of Hol- land township, La Crosse county, is one of the prominent and well-to-do men of this vicinity. He was born in Norway, March 26, 1849. His father, Ole O. Black, Sr., was among the Srst settlers of this township, he having located here in 1852, when all was new and wild. When he settled here his nearest neighbors on the south were at Holmen, four miles away, and on the north at Gordon, also a distance of four miles. Mr. Black's mother was Johanna (Gilbertson) Black. His parents were both born and reared in Norway, and lived there until 1850, when they came with their family to Wisconsin. They are still living on the old farm where they have passed thirty-nine years of their lives. Here they have reared a family of children that are now occupying useful positions in life. The name of their eight children are as fol- lows: Ole ()., Jr.; Gilbert; Johanna and Carl, twins; Anna; Frederica; Anton, a mer- chant and the Postmaster of llolmen; and Bertena. The subject of our sketch was three years old when he came here, and in the district schools of this county he I'eceived his educa- tion. After Ills marriage he settled on the farm where he now resides. This place, which consists of 130 acres of tine land, is located four and a half miles from Holmen and is opposite the school building in die- tr'ct No. 2. He has a modern cottage home, other good buildings, windmill, etc., and ketps every thing in the best of order. Mr. Black was married in 1871 to Johanna Larson, a native of Norway, and a daughter of Lars and Johanna Johnson. They have five children living: Julia, Ida, Oscar Lud- ovic, Frederick and Emma. Two of their children, Ida and Lena, are deceased. Mr. Black is an active and enthusiastic Republican. He has acceptably filled the office of Township Assessor for two years; has been a member of the board of Super- visors four years; has been Clerk of the school board ten years. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is one of its trus- tees; is also a member of the Farmers' Alliance. OHN A. JOHNSON, a well known and liighly respected citizen of Holland town- ship. La Crosse county, Wisconsin, al- though a foreigner by birth, has lived in this State ever since he was two years old. John A. Johnson was bora in Norway, June 8, 1848, son of Andrew and Martha Johnson. In 1850 the family came to this country and settled in Racine county, Wis- consin, where the father worked two years to get money to come further west; and in 1852, with a yoke of steers and a wagon, he brought his wife and children to La Crosse county and located at Half- Way Creek, on what is known as the Andrew Johnson farm, now owned by R. R. Lafleur, Esq., of this township. The Johnsons were among the first families to BIOGRAPHWAL HISTORY. 405 settle here. The city of La Crosse could at that time boast of only six houses, and Ona- laska had but three. There were no bridges here, and the pioneer forded the streams to and from his primitive cabin; Indians and wild game were plenty on all sides, and La Crosse county was then on tlie frontier of civilization. This family came to Holland township in 1862. John A. was the oldest of the eight children born to his parents. Tiie names of the others are Betsey, Hans, Louie, Mat, Minnie, Anna and Helen. The father and his son Louie are conducting the old farm, which consists of 180 acres of well-kept land, and on which they have lived since 1862. Being the oldest of the family, much of the work devolved on John, and he remained on the farm, assisting his father until he was twenty-three years of age. He attended the district schools near his home, receiving the usual education that was afforded here during those days. At the age of fifteen he was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. Like many of the early oCttlers of this section of the country, Mr. Johnson got his start by working in the woods, an employ- ment that was open to all. He worked in the woods nine winters. Li 1871 he came npon his present farm, 140 acres of as good land as can be found. His comfortable and attractive Jiome was built in 1890; is 28x28 feet, two-stories, and is on a rock foundation. It is well finished and furnished throughout, has a good cellar and all modern con- veniences, and everything about this rural home indicates that the Johnson family are people of taste and refinement. The barn, 30x18 feet, a modern wind pump, other buildings, good fences, etc., are among the improvements that add value to this farm. Mr. Johnson was married September 30, 1870, to Martha Monson, also a native of Norway. She was seven years old when she came to Wisconsin, and here she was reared and educated. Her parents, Thomas and Mary Monson, live in this township. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson eleven children iiave been given, nine of whom are now living: Adolph, Minnie, Olaf, Bertenna, Henry, Mabel, James, Selma and Elmer. Bennett, the fourth-born, died at the age of seven months, and Male, the sixth-born, died when three years old. Mr. Johnson is an active member of the Farmers' Alliance. He has been Clerk and Treasurer of the School Board for several years, always discharging his duty faithfully; is now serving as a member of the Town Board. He is enterprising, intelligent, pro- gressive, and favors the advancement of any measure that will promote the good of the community in which he resides. From his youth up he has been a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. Aside from his general farming, Mr. John- son has been operating a threshing-machine during che autumn season for seventeen years, and in this business has been very successful. -^-'Vj/z/O' -q/irux^^ EOEGE B. HEWITT has resided near Mindoro in Farmington township, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, since 1857. He was born near Ottawa, Canada, April 22, 1846, sou of James and Eleanor (Barton) Hewitt, his father being a native of Europe. The family lived in Canada until 1857, when they came to Wisconsin and settled in Farm- ington township. James Hewitt purchased a farm of M. B. Ladd, wiio had made some improvements on it, and here he lived until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy years. His wife survived him, pass- 400 BIOORAPUWAL HISTORY. ing away at the age of eighty-one. They had a family ol' four sons and three daughters: Isaac, Ann, Jane, Eliza, James C, Eleanor, "William E. and George B. The father was a farmer all his life; was, politically, a Repub- lican; religiously, a memher of the Christian Advent Church. He was a zealous and active Christian man and a deacon, and was a liberal supporter of the church. George B. was a boy of eleven years when his parents came to Wisconsin, and he was reared on the old farm on which he still lives. His education has been only that of the common schools. He worked some time in the lumber woods, and for seventeen years operated a thresher during the autumn. His farm contains 240 acres, has good house, barn and other improvements. It is located in the Lewis valley, and in the bottom land is a fine grove of tamaracks. Mr. Hewitt was married, May 22, 1887, to Anna Kocum, a lady of rare culture and of a good family, and a native of Melrose. Jackson county, "Wisconsin. She is a daughter of Matthew and Anna Kocum. Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt have two children: Barton Matthew and Nelly. Mr. Hewitt is one of the enterprising men of this vicinity. lie affiliates with the Kepnb- lican party, and is actively identified with the Farmers' Alliance, being president of his club. No. 187, of Mindoro. fESSE J. JOHNSON, a prominent repre- sentative of the agricultural interests of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, is a brother of John W.Johnson, a sketch of whom appears in this work. In his sketch is embodied a brief mention of his ancestors, and the subject of this sketch has in his possession a chopping knife which belonged to his maternal great- grandfather, Jacob Kent, and which he values very highly. Jacob Kent was born in New England June 11, 172G, his wife being Mary White, also of New England. Jesse J. Johnson was reared on a Vermont farm, and was educated in the common schools of Orange county. At the age of eighteen years he went to Boston, Massachu- setts, and clerked in a hotel and store until 1853. In 1857 he removed to Galena, Illi- nois, for a short time and then went to Lake City, Minnesota, and for some time was in the mercantile business on the Indian Reserve. At the end of one year he went to Iowa City, where he had charge of a store for the same length of time; then went back to Galena, Illinois, and from 1862 to 1868 was clerk on a steamboat running from St. Louis to St. Paul, Dubuque and other points on the Mississippi river. His residence within the borders of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, dates from 1868, where he soon after purchased a track of wild land, which, by a judicious use of brain and brasvn, he has put in a high state of cultivation. In addition to the land being fertile, a considerable amount of money has been spent on it in the way of buildings, fences, etc., and at a glance it can be seen thac Mr. Johnson is a man of sound and practical views in conducting his agricultural operations. He has a commodious and hand- some residence, built in modern style, and heated by furnace, handsomely arranged and furnished. The grounds are spacious, and it can with truth be said to be one of the most beautiful places in the county. Aucrust 27, 1857, he was married to Miss Martha Elizabeth Hardon, a retined and in- telligent lady, who is well fitted to dispense hospitality in her beautiful home. She was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts, was reared and educated there, and prior to her marriage was engaged in the millinery business, a call- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 407 inj^ her exquisite taste adtnirably fitted her for. Her parents, Jacob and Sarah (Field) Ilardon, were native New Englanders and died in Massachusetts, the mother at the age of forty- one and the father when seventy years of age. Of seven children born to them, two survive: Abljie Bellows, of Albany, New York, and Mrs. Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have two children, Elsie Anna and Abbie Louisa. The latter was married January 20, 1892, to Carroll Wilcox, of Lavalle, Wisconsin. Will iam H., their eldest child and only son, died at the age of four months. Mr. Johnson is a Republican, and st-cially belongs to the Masonic order, of which he became a member in 1865. He also belongs to the La Crosse county Agricultural Society, of which he has been president since 1890, and was Treasurer of Pomona Grange while it was in existence. He was born in Orange county, Vermont, May 23, 1830, and is therefore sixty-two years of age, but does not look it. He is broad and liberal in his views on all subjects, is well posted on the general topics of the day, and his home is noted for its hospitality, which is dispensed without regard to politics or reliaion. ►^^J-^-^ P. QUALL. — Not without justice Mr. Quail is conceded to hold an enviable "** position among the prominent and successful men of La Crosse county, and has rendered it valuable service as a law abiding citizen. He was born in Lille Hammer, Norway, June 2, 1849, to Peter and Bertha (Anderson) Olson, who are still residents of Norway. To them three sons and three daughters were born, and of this family O. P. Quail was the eldest. He attended school until he was fourteen years of age, and at the age of fifteen lie was confirmed in the Lu- theran Church. He then worked on a farm until May, 1871, when he took passage on board a steamer from Christiania to New York, soon after came to Wisconsin and for one year was a resident of Dane county. In 1872 he became a resident of La Crosse county, and for eleven winters worked in the woods. He was married July 3, 1877, to Miss Isabelle Maria Johnson, daughter of Ole Johnson, one of the early settlers of the county, who was born at Skien, Norway, in 1800, where he was reared, educated and first married. His first wife bore him two children: John, who was a soldier in the civil war and died while in the service, and Anna, who died after having borne her husband a number of chil- dren. Ole Johnson's second marriage oc- curred in Kacine, Wisconsin, to Gertrude Sammelson, who was born in Norway, a daughter of Samuel and Carrie Johnson. She was twenty-five years of age when she came to Wisconsin in 1850, and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Quail. Ole Johnson died at the age of seventy-five years. To him and his wife four children were born: Isabelle Maria; Caroline, who died at the age of nineteen years; Mary, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Andrew. Mrs. Johnson is seventy-seven years of age, but is yet an act- ive and intelligent old lady. O. P. Quail and his wife have five children: Caroline, born September 23,1878; Orville Guy, January 21, 1881; Perry Burns, May 1, 1884; Milan Sidney, November 18, 1886; and Stella, August 11, 1891. Mr. Quail is independent in politics, but has held the following otticial positions: Justice of the Peace, School Direc- tor three years, Constable four years, and Clerk of the school board. His services were very satisfactory in the different positions he held and he is considered one of the upright men 408 BIOGRAPUICAL UI STORY. of tlie county. He is a inemljer of the Far- mers' Alliance, is a Proliiljitionist, and be- longs to the Lutheran Church. He is very liberal in his views, is genial in disposition, and his sound judgment and active mind have proven good friends throughout his career. ^*^# H. CRONK, farmer, Onalaska, Wis- consin, a man of marked character i' and more tliaii ordinary prominence in the material affairs of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, is the elder of two children born to S. B. and Eunice A. (GilfiUan) Cronk. The father was a soldier in the civil war, en- listed at La Crosse, and served six months. He was born, reared and educated in New York State, and when a young man went to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, where he met and married Miss GilfiUan, a daughter of William GilfiUan, wlio resided for years at West Sa- lem, and who there passed his last days. She was born July 9, 1832, in Barnett, Caledonia county, Vermont, and moved to Beaver Dam, Dodge county, Wisconsin, in June, 1848. Sibley B. Cronk, born September 23, 1827, in Naples, Ontario county. New York, moved to Beaver Dam in August, 1853, married August 25, that year, at that place; moved to Onalaska, La Crosse county, in March, 1855; enlisted March 14, 1865, in Company F, Fifty-first Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and is now living at Crystal Lake, McHenry county, Illinois. His second child, Jennie, becanie the wife of Bert Dillingham, and resides at Crystal Lake, Hlinois. W. H. Cronk was born in La Crosse county, Wis- consin, December 27, 1854, attained his growth on a farm., and was educated in the schools of tliat county. He resided in Burns valley for sevei-al years, and in 1879 caiTie to his present farm, which now consists of 160 acres of excellent land, well improved and well cultivated. His farming operations are conducted in a manner indicative of a pro- gressive, thorough agriculturist, and bis stock is of a liigh grade, for long ago he found that it was poor economy to raise inferior animals. Energeticand public-spirited, he never allows any worthy movement to drag for want of support if he can help it. He was married on tiie 26th of September, 1876, at La Crosse, Wisconsin, by Esqnire Stemlen, to Miss Eliza Jane Roddle, of one of the prominent pioneer families, and the danghter of Charles and Sarah (Jerrel) Rod- die, botii natives of Ambridgeshire, England. In politics Mr. Cronk is a Republican, and is one of the county's most worthy citizens. jjjETER DENGEL, farmer, Sigel, Wis- consin. — Owing to the fertility of the soil in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and l>y energy, industry and economy, Mr. Denijel has become one of the successful farmers and stock-raisers of this section. He is a self-made man in all that that much abused term implies, for when he first came to tins county he had but the modest sum of twenty-five cents. He was born in Prussia in 1834, and his parents, Peter and Marga- rette (Lonie) Dengel, lived and died in that country. Peter Dengel, Jr., came to the United States in 1857, and his first work was in the butcher shops of Milwaukee. In June of that year he came to La Crosse county, worked on a farm for three years and then bought forty acres in section 19. To this he has added to as his means allowed, and he now has 280 acres of as good land as is to be found in tlie vicinity. He has a good two- story house, and his substantial barn and out buildings indicate the quality of farmer that BIOORAPEICAL HISTORY. 409 he is. He has his farm in a good state of cultivation, that is, 125 acres of it, and the balance is in wood land. He has a young orchard of 300 trees that are looking reinark- ably well, and he annually raises much small fruit. He keeps about twenty head of cattle, four horses and twenty-live pigs. Mr. Den- gel was married in 1860, to Miss Theresa Stelzig, daughter of Joseph and Theresa Stelzig, the parents residing with Mr. and Mrs. Dengel. To this union were born six children: Katie, married Ed Johns, is the mother of three children, and now resides in Greenfield; Joseph, at home; Peter, married Eitima Hess, and is the father of two chil- dren; he resides on a portion of his father's farm ; R. married George Belts and is the mother of one child; William, resides at home, and Anna is also at home with parents. Mr, and Mrs. Dengel are members of the German Reformed Church of Mormon Cooley, and the children hold membership in the same. In politics Mr. Dengel is a staunch Democrat. -^-a/j/2/Z/- .^l/mri^^ iLBERTUS VAN LOON, New Amster- dam, La Cro^ise county, Wisconsin, is another one of the old settlers and rep- resentative citizens of Holland township. He was born in Holland, Europe, Septem- ber 27. 1845. His parents were natives of that country, and his father died there. His mother came to Wisconsin, and her death occurred in this county. It was in 1854, at the age of nine years, that the subject of our sketch landed here, and in La Crosse county he was reared on a farm and received a com- mon-school education. While a youth he spent some time at work in the woods. When the civil war came on Mr. Van Loon was not slow to answer to the call of his adopted country, and to go forth in her defense. He enlisted August 11, 1864, in Company I, Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, one of the best regiments that went out from Wisconsin, and one that made a brilliant record. It was known as the Eagle Regiment. In the battle of Nashville, Ten- nessee, he was wounded by a minie ball below the knee cap. He was confined for a time in the hospital at Louisville, Kentucky, and afterward at Jeffersonville, Indiana; re- turned home on furlough, and before his leave of absence expired was ordered to the nearest mustering-out place and was honor- ably discharged. This was May 5, 1865. After his return home it was some time before he could abandon his crutches, and his wound is very troublesome to this day; it resulted in ulceration. He also had three brothers who served in the war. L. E. was a member of a Minnesota regiment; now re- sides at Tomah, this State. Raynard, who served four years in. the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, is deceased. Paul, who also did good service on the field, is now a resident of the State of Washington. In 1870 Mr. Van Loon located on his present farm. He owns 255 acres, some of which is as good meadow land as there is in the township. He sells about $800 worth of hay each year. He has a story-and-a-half cottage home, good barns, granary, sheds, wind pump, hay scales, and all the necessary conveniences for successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits. November 18, 1866, he was united in marriao-e with Emma Olson, a native of Nor- way, who came to this country at the age of six years. She is a daughter of Albert and Jane Olson. Her father died in this county in 1882. Her family, like her husband's, was one that had its representatives on the field of battle during the war. Four of her 410 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. brothers — Nelson, S. Olson, Chester and Cimrlie, served in the Union armj. Mr. and Mrs. Van Loon have six children living, viz.: Batike Jane; Abbie May, wife of Dan Plan- son, has two danghters, Fernie and Lotta; Eaynard A; Ward Dan; Emma A., and Willie O. They lost three children by death: Arthur F. in his fifth year, Emmet E. in his third and Clifford II. in his fifth. Mr. Van Loon is a strong and radical Republican, and a member of John Flynn Post. No. 77, North La Crosse. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Frontier Lodge, No. 45, of La Crosse. -l-^^-l-- m ILLIAM C. RODDLE, one of the early settlers of La Crosse county, ' „■-• J Wisconsin, and a brave and faithful soldier during the civil war, was originally from the Empire State, his birth occurring in Cayuga county, April 14, 1842. His father, Cliarles Roddle, was born near Lon- don, England, where he attained his growth and received his education. When eighteen years of age he bade farewell to relatives, Iriends and country and came to America to make his fortune. He was married in Cay- uga county, New York, to Miss Sarah Jarred, a native also of London, England, and they afterward moved to Huron county, Ohio, from there to Illinois, thence to Wisconsin and, in 1857, to La Crosse county of the last named State, where the father pre- empted and liought a large tract of land. This is now one of the best farms in the neighborhood and here the father resided until his death in February, 1880, when si.xty-four years of age. The mother resides with our subject and although seventy years of age is quite hearty. The four children born to this union are named as follows; William C. ; Stephen, died when thirty-two years of age and left a widow and one son, Charles Roddle, of Dakota; John C. and Eliza Jane, wife of Henry Cronk, of Mid- way, Wisconsin. The father was a success- ful farmer and was well thought of by all. In politics he was a Republican, and in religious views he was a Uuiversalist. Mrs. Roddle is a worthy and consistent member of the Episcopal Church. William C. Roddle was but fifteen years of age whe he came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and the principal part of his education was received in this State. When the war broke out he enlisted in the Forty-fourth Infantry, Company G, and served one year. The regi- ment was stationed most of the time at Nashville and Paducali, and during that time he was on detailed duty until honoral)ly discharged. He returned home, and subse- quently went to Iowa, where he resided in Buchanan county, near Independence, for three years, and then in Cooper county, Mis- souri, for one year. Since that time he has resided in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and now owns 240 acres of excellent land, the same being known as the Poler or jN ichols farm. On this is a tine modern residence, good barns and other buildings, a fine windmill, and everything goes to prove the owner to be a progressive and enterprising man. Mid- way was laid out on a portion of this farm. Mr. Roddle was married, in September, 1880, to Miss Ella Suttye, a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and a successful and popular teacher iu the county for some time. She was born in Michigan, was reared and educated there, and was the daughter of William and Eliza Suttye. Her death, which occurred on December 24, 1890, was a sad blow to Mr. Roddle, who fully realizes the irreat loss he has sustained. She was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 411 was prominent in all good work. Mr. Reddle is also a member of the same church, and is steward and trustee in it. lie is one of the county's best citizens, and is universally respected. In politics he is a Kepublican. -^ |LLIS B. USHER was born June 21, jSI. 1852, at Buxton, York county, Maine, and two years later was brought to Muscatine, Iowa, by his parents. In 1855 they came to Wisconsin, and spent nearly a year in Clark county, removing in the spring of 1856 to Onalaska, La Crosse county. In 1858 the parents settled on a farm one mile cast of Onalaska, where they resided until 1868, with the exception of two years (1868 and 1864) spent in La Crosse city, when the father, Isaac L. Usher, was Sheriff of the county of La Crosse. With the exception of one year, 1867-'68, spent in Lombard Uni- versity, at Galesburg, Illinois, Ellis B. Usher received his education in the public schools. In 1868 he began keeping the books of Judge S. S. Burton in the office of Burton & Wood- ward; Judge Burton was then Receiver of the United States Land Office and Deputy Col- lector of Internal Revenue. Mr. Uslier did the clerical work of these two offices (or two years, and then was employed by N. D. ITaylor as clerk. At the age of eighteen years he became a partner in the business with Mr. Taylor, and they had a thriving real- estate trade for a year. Later he entered the employ of G. C. Ilixon, lumberman, and kept books for him until 1874. Here Mr. Usher's journalistic career began, as a reporter on the Republican and Leader: he had some knowledge of the publishing business, acquired while assisting Mr. Taylor in the publication of a monthly real-estate paper. April 1, 1875, he purchased a half interest in the Daily Liberal Democrat of John Syines; this was an evening paper, but was changed to a morning publication in 1876, and the firm of Symes & Usher did business until July 30, 1878, when Robert Howard bought Mr. Symes' interest, and the name of the paper was changed to The Horn- ing Chronicle. Novemberl, 1879, Usher & Howard dissolved partnership, Mr. Usher be- coming sole owner, a proprietorship which he till retains. He was for three years secretary of the La Crosse Board of Trade, and inaugurated the system of annual reports since continued by Secretary Calvert. In 1887 he was chosen chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee of Wisconsin to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of W. A. Walker. He was re-elected for two years at the State Convention held in 1888, his term ending January 1, 1891. In January, 1890, he resigned, the death of his father making it necessary for him to give more time to private business affairs. Mr. Usher was married November 27, 1888, to Anna M. Bliss, of La Crosse. IS- ' fe Ijy^HRISTIAN HATZ, late of section 27, Bangor township, was born in Switzer- land, May 16, 1834, a son of John Hatz, deceased, a native of the same country. The latter came to the United States in 1857, settling in this township, where he died in 1888. Our suliject came to this country in 1856, locating in Bangor township, which has since been his home. He settled on the farm, now occupied by his family, in 1866, of 200 acres in the Dutch Creek valley, where he had one of the strongest and best springs in the county. It comes from a hillside sixty feet above the house, furnish- 412 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ing the means to supply every room in the house if he so desires. It is soft water and always maintains the same temperature, iifty- two degrees Falirenheit. He built the fine two-story brick house, 28x38 feet, in 1872, and the large frame barn, 38x48 feet, with eighteen-foot posts, in 1875. The basement of the barn is of solid stone masonry, eight feet high. Mr. llatz was married June 8, 1867, to Bertha, daughter of Ulrich Wettstein, a na- tive of Switzerland. They had live children, viz.: John, Susan, Anna, Rosa, Julia, all of whom are at home. Mr. Hatz was a member of the scliool board several years, a member of Concordia Society, of Bangor, and a Re- publican politically. He died August 12, 1891, of paralysis. ^RS. ESTHER M. RANDALL, a well-known and popular lady of Ona- laska. La Crosse County, was born on the 7th of September, 1886. Her father, H. B. White, was a native of Tioga county, Pennsylvania, born in 1813, and her grand- father, Eiisha White, who was alsoanativeof the Keystone State, was of Dutch ancestry. Elisha's wife, and the grandmother of our subject, was a Miss Esther IngersoU, sister of Colonel Robert IngersoU's father. Her parents were taken prisoners by the Lidians in Mo- hawk valley, and held two weeks. H. B. White was reared in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and Steuben county, New York, and was mar- ried in the former county, to Miss Tut- tle, a native of Steuben county, New York. The latter was the daughter of Ebenezer and Lucy Ann (Piatt) Tuttle and Miss Piatt was the daughter of Sally Jackson, a sister of Gen- eral Jackson, of New Orleans fame. H. B. White resided in Steuben county until 1855, and then came to La Crosse county. Wis., whtre he made his home until 1872. He and his estimable wife lived together fifty-five year.<, and she was killed by accident on the 2Sth of June, 1889. They M-ere the parents of eight children, four now living: Esther M., Lucy, of Mon- roe county, Wisconsin, Sylvia, of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Simeon H., who re- sides in Turner, Oregon, and is a man- \ifacturer of fine steel tools. He was a soldier in the Fourteenth Wisconsin Infantry for twenty months. The four children deceased were: Royal P., who died in Oregon, when twenty-one years of age; Leonard B. died when thirteen yiars of age; Mary M. was eight years of agj at the time of her death, and Deloss was a babe of six months. Esther M. White attained her growth and received her education in Ti- oga and Steuben counties, and was in her nineteenth year when she married Albert Randall, who was of a very prominent family of Cortland county. New York. After marriage, or in 1856, Mr. and Mrs. Randall came to Onalaska township, La- Crosse county, Wisconsin, and here Mrs. Ran- dall has made her home since. Her marriage was blessed by the birth of three sons: Charles E., a stone mason of Onalaska; David W., at Ffirgo, Dakotn, and Albert E., a young man of twenty. Mrs. Randall lost one child, a daughter two years and two months old. She has a good farm of 120 acres, on which is a comfortable frame house and a commodious barn, and this is two and a half miles from Onalaska, a convenient distance. The farm is well cultivated and divided up into pastures, meadows, wood lots, etc., etc., and she has a modern wint'mill. Mrs. Randall is a lady of intelliirence, has considerable executive ability and business acumen. She is highly respected by all acquainted with her, ami has ri^i ^/7^^!^e^/^ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 413 inanj warm friends in the county. Mrs. Ran- dall was married the second time, on the 24th of November, 1891, to Abner Maj'nard, a native of Steuben county, New York, who was a soldier in our late war, in the Twenty- Second Wisconsin Volunteers, and served over three years. .^H^ jICHOLAS BINTGEN, deceased, was P/I born in Luxemburg, Germany, Jan- nary 17, 1825. He received liis educa- tion in his native land, and at the age of twenty-three years came alone to America, believing that he might better his condition in life in the United States. He stopped in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he resided for several years. Later he decided to come to the West, and after reaching Wisconsin he settled for a time in Kenosha; thence he went to Prairie da Chicn, and finally, in 1851, he came to La Crosse. Here he embarked in the grocery business and continued in active commercial pursuits until his death. He was at one time interested in gardening, and was very successful in this industry. He took. a deep interest in good government, and served the city as Alderman for one term. He was a member of the Roman Catliolic Church, and in all the walks of life he proved himself a man of the highest integrity of character. Mr. Hintgen was married, September 17, 1853, to Miss Mary E. Green, a daughter of Henry H. and Abigail J. Green, of La Crosse. Mr. Green was a native of the State of New York, and a farmer by occupation. He emi- grated to La Crosse county in 1852, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. His death occurred in California in 1860, while he was there on a business trip. His wife is still living, an honored resident of La Crosse; she 28 is a native of the State of New York, and is now seventy-seven years of age. Mrs. Hint- gen was born in Orange county. New York, the second of a family of fifteen children. Mr. Hintgen and wife had born to them three children: Lansing H., the oldest son, died in 1888, at the age of thirty-four years; Jose- phine died at the age of one year, and Em- ogene died in 1877, at the age of eighteen years. Mrs. Hintgen is a woman of great force of character, having the affection of a wide circle of friends and the confidence of all who know her. Both her paternal and mater- nal ancestors are well connected, and her life is an honor to their name. pUGENE JOHNSON was brought up to \ the life of a farmer boy by his father, William Johnson, and like the majority of sons has followed in his father's footsteps and is now the successful manager of a good farm of eighty acres, situated one and one- half miles from Onalaska. On this place is a comfortable residence, surrounded by hand- some shade trees, and his barn, stables and sheds are also well constructed and in good condition. He had made a specialty of sheep- raising, and his animals are all of a good grade and have proven a profitable source of revenue. He was born in Orange county Vermont, October 7, 1847, and in 1860 became a resi- dent of La Crosse county. A history of his progenitors is given in the sketch of his brother, John W. Johnson, which appears in this volume. While a resident of his native State Eugene Johnson resided on a farm, and in the different localities in which his parents resided he attended the common schools and acquired sufficient education to fit him for the practical duties of life. In 1879 he went 414 BIOGRAPIIIUAL HI STORY. to Kansas, in which State he spent two years, but has been a resident of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, since that time, and since 1882 the owner of his present farm. His intelli- gence, integrity and many other estimable qualities have acquired for him a popularity not derived from any fictitions circumstances but a permanent and spontaneous tribute to liis merit, and he numbers among his warm personal friends the most reputable citizens of this section. Eva M. Gardiner, an amiable and cultured lady, became his wife September 13, 1877. She was born in North Oxford, Massachu- setts. She is a daughter of James E. Gardi- ner and Abbic (Money) Gardiner, the former of whom died in 1869, at the age of 57 years. His widow, who was born in South Kingston, Massachusetts, is now a resident of Webster, Massachusetts. Her father, Henry B. Money, was one of the early settlers of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and died here in 1867. James E. Gardiner and wife became the par- ents of six children, and their daughter, Mrs. Johnson, is the mother of two sons: Leroy E., born November 5, 1878, and Dan Ray, born August 9, 1888. She is a member of the Baptist Church, and earnestly endeavors to live up to its teachings. Mr. Johnson is a Kei)ublican politically and is broad and liberal in his views on all subjects, political, religious and social. He and his wife dispense a refined hos- pitality at their pleasant home, and intelligent and cultured people are delightfully at home with this genial couple. -*s 3^' 'i' j_'_j{ i«- ^ E. KEIZER, the prosperous proprietor I of a general mercantile store at Mid- " way, keeps a large and select stock of goods, which he sells at very reasonable prices. He has constantly on hand a full line of dry goods, boots, shoes, clothing, staple and fancy groceries, queensware, glassware and notions. His store room is a good building 24x54 feet, well arranged, ventilated and lighted and Mr. Keizer has the knack of displaying his goods to a good advantage. He purchas- ed the stock of goods of P. G. Kribs in the spring of 1891, and as he is a good business man and perfectly honorable and upright in his dealing-'^ he will without doubt make a success of his enterprise. His patronage is already large and is constantly on the increase, and forcibly illustrates the fact that "coming events cast their shadows before." He was born at Westlield, Marquette coun- ty, Wisconsin, Decemljer 6, 1862, to Renard and Mary (Heimstra) Keizer, natives of Hoi- land. They became residents of America in 1848 and of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in 1865, locating at Nine Mile Tavern. Here the father died July 15, 1881, his widow still surviving him. The farm on which they set- tled comprised 240 acres, was a very fertile tract of land and was put in an excellent farm- ing condition by Renard Keizer. Their chil- dren are: Nicholas, Martin, John H., James E., Alvin E., Elizabeth, Anna, a teacher; and Mary. John H. was educated in the Univer- sity of Galesville for the ministry, but is now a business man in Madison. James E., the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools and at Galesville, and made the most of his opportunities. He purchased a farm in Holland township in 1884, but sold it two years later; he is now the owner of an excellent farm of 120 acres on iirice's prairie, which he rents. He was married September 17, 1884, to Miss Mary Ellen Pittenger, a daughter of Nathaniel Pittenger of Onalaska, and by her BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 415 is the father of two children: Inez Genevieve and Lester Alvin. Mr. Keizer is a Republican, and for the past three years has served in the capacity of Town Clerk. He is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, is superintendent of the Sunday-school, and is an earnest supporter and patron of educational as well as religious institutions. ^ 4Ch> ^ O. BLACK, the leading general mer- chandise dealer of Holmen, Wiscon- '® sin, has been in business here since 1887. Until 1890 he was in company with Corin McOue. He then purchased his part- ner's interest, and has since conducted the business alone. His large store building, 24 X 60 feet, is stocked with a well assorted line of dry goods, boots and shoes, staple and fancy groceries, glass and queensware, cloth- ing, notions, etc. By his extensive acquaint- ance in this vicinity, his reputation for fair dealing, his reasonable prices, and his uniform courtesy, he^ias established a fine trade and is doing a thriving business. He is ably assisted by his popular and accommodating clerk, N. H. Tolvstad, who has been with him for the past three years. Mr. Black has served as Postmaster of Holmen since 1890, and is also town Treasurer. He is manager of the Holmen Creamery Association, which firm does a business of $20,000 per year, and under his eiScient management is in a flour- ishing condition. He is, without doubt, the most successful and popular business man in Holmen. A. O. Black was born in Holland township, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, September 20, 1863, son of Ole O. Black, Sr., one of the pioneer settlers of this township, he having located here in 1852. He still lives on the old home place. The subject of our sketch was reared on his father's farm, receiving his education in the district schools. He subse- quently took a course of study at the La Crosse Business College. He was married in February, 1889, to Miss Anna Oswald. Of the two children born to them, Oswald is living and Joel Elexo is dead. Mr. Black is a Republican and is identified with the best elements of his party, being one of its wheel-horses at this place. He and his wife are both worthy members of the Lutheran Church. He is progressive in his views, and favors the advancement of educa- tional and religious interests. Such is a brief review of one of the rep- resentative citizens of La Crosse county. ETER KEAVENY, one of the oldest employes of the Chicago, Milwaukee ^' & St. Paul Railroad, at La Crosse, was born in Ireland in 1825, a son of John and Mary (Feany) Keaveny. The father died on his native isle in 1860, aged seventy-five years; the mother is now living at La Crosse, with one of her sons, having attained the advanced age of eighty-six years. There were eight children in the family, seven of whom are living, all citizens of La Crosse, hicrhly respected by the entire community. Peter Keaveny emigrated to the United States in 1854, and after landing came to Wisconsin, securing employment with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad; he resided at Sparta until 1858, and then moved on with the road to La Crosse, where he still resides, being in the employ of the same company. About 1867 he was promoted to the position of track master in the yards at La Crosse, which he still holds. 41i> BfOGRAPUlCAL HISTORY. Mr. Keaveny was nnitpc] in marriage Oc- tober 2, 1860, to Miss Marguerite McDonald, a daiigliter of Hugh and Ann McDonald of Sparta, AVisconsin, who removed from Albany, Now York, to this State; they had two chil- dren: Mrs. Keaveny and a son, John H.; the latter was for many years a passenger con- ductor on the St. Faul & Sioux City Railroad, but is now retired and living in St. Paul. To Mr. and Mrs. Keaveny have been born nine children, seven of whom are living: Michael, Francis, Peter, Thomas, William, Mary Ann and Marguerite; Peter is engaged in railroading in Dakota, and Francis and Michael are both in the employ of the Chi- cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Com- pany, at La (h'osse. The other children are in school; the faniiiv belong to the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Keaveny is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Polit ically he adheres tothe principles of the Demo- cratic party, and is an ardent supporter o- the issues of that bc^dy. W. NUTTING, hotel proprietor, Mid- way, Wisconsin — The poet who found • "his wannest welcome in an inn" must liave had in mind one of those hostel- ries in which the conveniences of home are forever present without the disagreeable and exacting duties tliat make home life domestic slavery. Such an abode is that of the Charleston House of Midway, a family hotel, of which Mr. Nutting is the genial proprie- tor. This is a commodious structure, two sto- ries in height, and fitted with all the modern conveniences. What is of primary inipor tanee in this connection is the quality of the cuisine and the service. Thesi', like all other arrangements of this comfortable house, are of the best order. The whole aspect of the house and the interior arrangements, as more close acquaintance will specify, are suggestive of comfort, the best word of all to those who seek a home. There is a good hall in the upper story of the house, and this is used for public entertainments of all kinds, lectures, shows, dances, etc. Mr. Nutting, who is host and proprietor, has had twenty years experi- ence in this business and is master of the difficult art of hotel-keeping. He was born in Somerset county, Maine, January 3, 1839, and is a son of Seth and I^eersheba (Hlackwell) Nutting, both of Scotch descent: the father was a stone- raason liy trade, and in politics was a staunch Deiri- ocrat. He and wife received their final sununons in Maine, the mother dying when C. W. Nutting was a babe, and the father at the age of seventy-six. One of their sons, Jewitt Nutting, was a member of the First Maine Cavalry, and served all through the war. He jiarticipatf'd in thirty-six prominent engagements, and bar! tiiree horses shot from under him. He is now a resident of the Pine Tree State. C. W. Nutting was reared in his native State and was thoroughly educated in the common schools. In 1852 he went to Cali- fornia, by way of the Isthmus, and for eighteen months was engafed in minino;. He returned to Maine in 1855 and subsequently came to Wisconsin, where for six years he worked in the woods and on the river. In 1861 he settled at Midway and embarked in the hotel business, which he has since carried on. He was married in La Crosse county, Wis- consin, to Miss Alice May Welch, a native of Walworth county, Wisconsin, and the daughter of Freeborn Welch, one of the oldest settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Nutting's union has been blessed by the birth of five children, all sons: Adelbert S., born February 23, 1872. died BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORV. 417 October 14, 1880; Jewitt, Ray and George. Mr. Nutting is a member of the I. O. O. F. and in politics affiliates with the Uemocratic party. ITe is tlie owner of some fine colts that give promise of being good road and track horses. One is sired by Robin and another by Good-bye. Mr. Nutting is an extensive traveler, is well informed, and is a jovial and popular man. i-jt-tf. sALVER E. STRAND was born in Nor- way, October 23, 1843, a son of Eric and Rachel (Halverson) Strand. The father was a farmer by trade and lived to be fifty years old. He emigrated to America with his family in 1856, and the following year he passed to his rest beyond. There were eight children in the family, six of whom are now living: Mrs. Julia Olson Mary, wife of Ole Severson; Rachel, wife of Sever Julson, Halver E., the subject of this notice; Ole and Betsey, wife of Ulrick Knutson. The mother died iu La Crosse at the home of her son, Halver, in December, 1889, having reached the age of four-score years. Mr. Strand was a lad of thirteen years when the family crossed the sea and landed on American shores. He received his edu- cation both in this country and his native land. Agriculture was the first business to which he turned his attention, and in 1884, he came to La Crosse for the purpose of embarking in another enterprise, that of mer- chandising. He is a man of great enterprise, quick perceptions, and good judgment. He has always employed business methods above question, is conscientious, courteous, and uni- formly fair in all his dealings. Before estab- lishing his business in La Crosse, Mr. Strand had been a resident of the State of Iowa for a period of seventeen years; he held public office in Monona county, where he owned lands, which he still retains. He was united in marriage, iu 1868, to Miss Mary A. ToUefson, a daughter of Ole Tollef- son, and the oldest of a family of six children named as follows: Sarah, wife of Halver A. Heyer; Tollef, who married Lissie Wage; Louisa, wife of Carl Albrecktson; Emma, wife of O. N. Tweet, and Julia, wife of John Knutson. Mr. and Mrs. Strand have two children living, Lillie M. and Emma L., pupils of the public schools. The parents are consistent members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. fAMES A. MOSHER.— This gentleman, who resides near Holmen in Holland township, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, is one of the early settlers of this section of the country. He came here in 1852, when this place was a frontier settlement, and in La Crosse county he has since made his home. James A. Mosher was born in Montgomery county, New York, September 1, 1826. His father, Peter Mosher, was of German ex- traction, and was also a native of the Empire State, while his mother, whose maiden name was Sally Aimes, was born in Connecticut and was a descendant of an old Connecticut family. They had a family of thirteen chil- dren, six sons and seven daughters. The mother died in the town of Holland, La Crosse county. His father and mother, came to Wisconsin at an early day, and died in this county, at the age of fifty-six. Four of their sons — Millford, Peter Josiah, William and James A. — served in the late war; two are still living. 418 BIOORAPUIUAL HISTORY. The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm in New York, and received a coininon- school education. In early life he was em- ployed as a lumberman, working in the woods. Then for a number of years he was enjjafred in boatinif, first on the Erie Canal, six or seven years on the Allegheny river, for a time on the Ohio river, and afterward for one season on the lakes. In 1852, as already stated, he took up his abode in La Crosse county, and here for three winters he worked in the woods. During the war he enlisted, January 1, 1864, in the Second Wisconsin Cavalry, Company L (afterward Company B), and was on the Red Kiver ex- pedition with General Banks. He was with his regiment at Memphis for some time, and afterward participated in a number of other engagements. He was honorably discharged and returned to Wisconsin, where he has since been engaged in farming and working in the woods and on the river. He owns an eighty-acre farm with a cottage home on it, and other suitable farm buildintrs. Mr. Mosher has been twice married. At the age of twenty- one he wedded Harriette N. Bill, a native of New York State, and a daughter of Amos and Hannah Bill. She bore him four children, two of whom are living, viz.: Martha, wife of William Dale, of this township, and Harriette, wife of James Dale, also of Holland township. His wife died in January, 1885, and the follow- ing year lie was united in marriage with Caroline Swenson, his present companion. She was born in this township, daughter of Gooden and uring his four years' private study, he attended three courses of lectures at Castleton (Vermont) Medical College, at which hegrad- uated in the fall of 184(3, engaging in practice at Clarendon Springs, Vermont. He contin- ued till the winter of 1851-'52, when he went to California, via Cape Horn, and engaged in practice at Auburn, Placer county, where he also owned and operated a drug store about three years. His wife and two-year- old child joined him in California after he had been there two years. The wife died, leaving the doctor in a new country with a helpless child. He therefore returned with the child to his parental home in Vermont. About a year afterward he raaiTied his second wife, and in the spring of 1856 came West and located in Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he remained ten years. In the fall of 1866 he located at La Crosse. He has been in active practice in this city ever since. Dr. Reed enjoys the rare distinction and honor of liaving been a member of the Board of Examining Surgeons of the United States Pension Department, and for years was the only examiner in his territory. He has occu- pied this position without interruption for about twenty years. He is the present sec- retary of the board, and has never missed a Wednesday's meeting until recently, wiien attacked with a severe illness from la grippe. The Doctor was twice married and is now a widower. His first wife was Eliza Ives, a native of Cranville, New York, and they had one child, Ella, now deceased. For his sec- ond wife he married Mary H. Nicholson, a native of Wallingsford, Vermont, born near Saratoga, in 1831, and died in this city, Au- gust 22, 1890. The two daughters born by this marriage are living in this city: Addie A., now Mrs. L. A. Smith, has two children; Jessie M. is unmarried, and is her father's housekeeper. |EV. JAMES MILFORD PAYSON, pastor of St. Paul's Uiii versalist Church, La Crosse, was born in Freedom, Waldo county, Maine, April 13, 1848, the son of Sion Wentworth and Mary (St. Clair) Pay- son, both natives of Maine. The father was born in Hope and the mother in Warren. There were four sons and five daughters, of whom the subject of this sketch was the youngest. His brother Sion W. was a soldier in the Nineteenth Maine Regiment, and died of disease and now lies buried at Port Hud- son, Mississippi. Henry Lowell enlisted in 1863, and served in the Twenty-sixth Maine Regiment till the close of the war; he is now superintendent of a stock farm at Cam- 424 BIOGRAPHICAL U ISTOR T. den, Maine; Erastus A. was a teacher for many years, and is now living a retired life on a farm in his native State. Bnt two of the sisters are living, both residing in their native State. Mr. Payson tinished his theological educa- tion at St. Lawrence University, at Canton, ^ew York. He began his classical course at Freedom Academy, continuing at Westbrook, and finishing in the nniversity. He was ordained a minister of the Universalist Church, in October, 1874:, and had charge of the Universalist Church at Sherman, Chau- tauqua county, New York, until the fall of 1881, when he was called to Grace Church, Rochester, Minnesota. He remained there till the close of the year 1886, when he was called to his present charge. Has spent seventeen years in act'"e ministerial duties. Rev. Mr. Paysou was married at Camden, New York, June 13, 1874, to Miss Flora A. Bassett, a native of Canton, New York. They have no children, bnt have adopted two, a boy and girl now seven and-a-half years of age, named Clarence Milford and Clara. Mr. Payson is independent in politics, and frequently votes only the local ticket; has never voted for a president; is an ardent temperance advocate from principle. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders. --— g - : " S ' g " ARAH H. SMITH, relict of Samuel 1). Smith, whose death occurred on March 12, 1889, is a lady of education and refinement, and one who has the respect and esteem of all who know her. Mr. Smith was born in New Hampshii-e, in 1824, to the union of Samuel and Char- lotte (Wheeler) Smith, both natives of New England. He remained in his native State and received his education in the common schools until thirteen years of age, when he moved with his parents to Cook county, Illi- nois. They settled at Plum Grove, and there the father died when eighty years of age. The mother died at Rockford, that State, when eighty years of age, also. Samuel B. Smith was married January 8, 1850, to Miss Saiah H. Smith, daughter of Orange Smith, and two years later he moved to this county, settling on the farm where his widow now resides. To this union were born eight children: Ilarriette, who was the wife of Aaron Mowrey, of Onalaska, died and left two sons, Frank and Joe; Zitella M., wife of Carl Palmer of Onalaska; Marian, wife of William Betz of Minnesota; Ellen Smith at home; Betsey, wife of Adelbert Delamater; William G., of Salem; Abner E., who has charge of the old homestead with his mother; and Orange, who died when about three years old. Mrs. Smith has been a resident of this county for the past thirty-nine years and has a very comfortable home. Her father. Orange Smith, who was an old settler of the county, was originally from Chateaugay, Franklin county. New York, born (October 18, 1801, and was the son of Thomas and Sally (Board- man) Smith, both natives of Vermont, the father born in Shelburn in 1776, and the mother in Canterbury, May 31, 1775. Or- ange Smith was married November 17, 1822, in Chateaugay, to Harriette Ketchum, a native of Orville, Vermont, born June 20, 1804. In 1835 Orange Smith and family came with team and wagon to Cook county, Illinois, settled at Plum Grove, and there resided for three years. Mr. Smith then moved to Lake county of that State and resided at Mill Creek until 1852, when he settled in Onalaska township, La Crosse county, Wis- consin. His wife died in Lake county, lUi- BIOaRAPHTGAL HI8T0RT. 425 nois, February 24, 1851. She was a nieiriher of the Methodist Church. Nine children were born to this union: Mrs. Mary E. Guile, Julia M. Armstrong, Ann Eliza Putnam, Sarah H. Smith, Ellen P. Jackson, Thomas, deceased; Henry, Franklin E., Casper, de- ceased, and Levisa L. Orange Smith died September 19, 1885, when eighty-four years of age. He was a Mason, being a member of Frontier Lodge. He resided at Salem many years, and kept a half-way house, whicli was very popular. ^^\yzn/l- ■^jir-j-^ ^ANIEL HALL, wlio resides on a farm near Stevenstown, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, is one of tiie intelligent, enterprisino- and successful men of Farming- ton township. A resume of his life will be of interest to many, and is as follows: The original ancestors of the Hall family were English, but many generations of them have lived in America. Daniel Hall was born in Morris county. New Jersej', January 27, 1821. His father, Daniel Hall, Sr., was born in the same county. The latter was a soldier in the war of 1812, and in 1812 helped to fortify the country around New York. Our subject's mother was also a native of Morris county. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Anderson and her father's name was Eliakim Anderson, her parents being French people. Daniel Hall, Sr., and his wife were the parents of seven sons and four daughters. The youngest son, Dr. Joseph H. J. Hall, won distinction as a skillful physi- cian, being especially noted for the magnetic influence he wielded over his patients. The father died when Daniel was young, and he was called upon to assist in the support of his mother and the younger children, which he did until he was twenty-two years of age. His father was by trade an iron-worker, and was foreman in a shop. He was an intelli- gent and well-read man, and was religiously inclined. The mother was a woman of rare strength of mind and force of character, and reigned over her large family in a queenly manner. She was a member of tlie Presby- terian Church. Her death occurred in 1851. Daniel Hall was reared on a farm in New Jersey, and received his education in the com- mon schools of the neighborhood. When eight years of age he was employed in a large rollling mill, beginning at the lowest posi- tion, and by his honest and earnest efforts being promoted from time to time until he was made superintendent. In February, 1850, ho went to Pittsburg, and there with- out difficulty secured a good situation. The year 1855 found him iti Minnesota, he being among the first settlers of Burr's valley. Union county. Three years later he sold out for $1,100, and came to Lewis valley. La Crosse county, Wisconsin. He worked one year in a mill and the ne.xt year took a claim of Government land. This he has developed into a tine farm, well improved with two- story residence, good barn and outbuildings, fences, etc. Mr. Hall was married, in April, 1843, to Caroline Tuttle, a native of Morris county. New Jersey, and a daughter of Henry Tuttle. Their union has been blessed with ten chil- dren, viz.: D. H., who served during the war as a member of Company I, Eighth Wiscon- sin Infantry, is now a resident of Fayette county, Iowa; Daniel T., who was a member of the Forty-ninth AVisconsiii Infantry, died in 1884; Jennette and Cornelius, twins, the former dying at the age of eight years and the latter when two years old; Caroline, wife of J. M. Hill, resides at La Crosse; William L., at home; Margaret, at Galesville, Wisconsin; Clara died at the age of twenty-one years; 43G BIOGRAPHICAL UiaTORT. Elwenie, wife of Delbert Wood, of Galesville, Wisconsin ; Delpliiiia, wife of T. B. Anderson, of La Crosse. All were educated and crrew up respected and honored by all who knew them. Politically, Mr. Hall was first a Whig, then a Democrat, later a Republican, and now a Prohibitionist. He is a Methodist of long standing, having served as steward of the church for eleven years. He has also been a Sabbath-school superintendent for many years, and has done much good, training and direct- inp young people in the way that leads to liappiness and prosperity in this life and insures a reward in the world to come. Socially Mr. Hall is connected with the I. O. O. F., being a member of Lodge No. 291 of North Bend. He has passed all the chairs in the subordinate lodge, and repre- sented his lodge at Ashland in 1891. |';;^EW1S KNUDSON, postoffice, Stevens- town, Wisconsin, is one of the intelli- gent, enterprising and successful men of La Crosse county. He has lived here since 1853, and is well known in this section of the country. Mr. Knudson was born in Norway, Sep- tember 16, 1836, son of Knud and Anna (Ingvaldson) Tollefson, natives of Norway. He was reared on a farm, and attended school until he was fifteen years of age. When he was seventeen he came to this country and settled in Wisconsin. Fi'om Milwaukee he made the journey to La Crosse county by ox teams. In his father's family were seven children, tliree of whom are living, namely: John, Ole, Lewis; deceased are, Thore, Inge, Randine and Agnethe. In 1863 Mr. Knudson purchased his pres- ent farm of Christ Evanson, who had partly improved the place. Previous to this he owned a fine farm in Hamilton township, which he sold. He now owns eighty acres of good land, on which are first class improve- ments. He has a story-and-a-half cottage home, 20 X 24 feet, and his barn, which is 30 X 44: feet, has a rock basement. He also has good fences and a modern windmill. In 1891 he had twenty-four head of fat cattle. Mr. Knudson has been twice married. At the age of twenty-four he wedded Martha Evenson, a native of Norway, and by her had three children, two of whom are living, viz.: Matilda, wife of Christ Mahlom of Stevens- town, and Clara, who resides with her father. The name of the one deceased was Christina. Mrs. Martha Knudson died in 1876. In 1878 Mr. Knudson married his present wife, whose maiden name was Miss Hannah Han- son. She was born iu Norway, and came to this country in 1870. She is a sister of A. C. Hanson, of Mindoro, Wisconsin. By this union three sons have been born: Mathias, Lewis and Albert. Mr. Knudson is a member of the Farmers' Alliance of Mindoro. He is a man well in- formed on the general topics of the day, and is regarded as an influential and popular citizen. ILLIAM NEUMEISTER, Alderman for the Eleventh Ward, La Crosse, was born in this city November 27, 1866, and is the son of August and Ernestine Neumeister. His father was born in Tiedersdorf, Germany. February 2, 1824; the mother was born in Scheubengrobs- dorf, Germany, and was the daughter of Gottlieb and Johanna Cella, and was born March 29, 1833. They were married in 1854, and the same year emigrated to Amer- BIOGRAPBICAL HISTORY. 427 ica, landing in the city of New York; thence they continued their journey to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they resided two years; at the end of that time they came to La Crosse, the father engaged in farming. He died January 21, 1888, deeply mourned by a wide circle of acquaintances. He was buried with the honors of the Deutciier Verein, a German singing society, and with the religious ser- vice of the Lutheran Church. He was a lib- eral contributor to all worthy enterprises of a public character, and was an especially generous patron of educational institutions. He left a family of two sons: Ernest, born in Milwaukee July 14, 1854, now a mei'chant of Auburn, New York, and the father of one son and a daughter, Carl and Ernestine; Will- iam, thfi other son, is the subject of this sketch. He received his education in the public schools and supplemented this instruction with a private course of study. He then took up the occupation of farming, to which he has given more or less attention. Mr. William Neumeister was married in Milwaukee, November 20, 1890, to Miss Alice Conver, who was born in Chicago, a daughter of Anton and Annie Couver. Our subject is now serving his first term as city Alderman, and is a member of some of the most important committees. He is a man of public spirit and is well fitted to discharge the duties of this position. JLE FKEDRICKSON is a well-known citiz€n of Farmington township. La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and is an- other one of the many Norwegians who have come to the United States, have won their way to honorable positions in life, and have made for themselves happy homes, in this State. Mr. Fredrickson was born in Norway, No- vember 10, 1841, son of Fredrick Olson and Martha, his wife. In 1850 the family left Norway for America, sailing from Drammen, and landing at New York after a voyage of six weeks and three days. From New York city they came to Dane county, Wisconsin, via Albany, Buffalo and the great lakes, and in Dane county they lived two years. At the end of that time they came to La Crosse county and settled on Government land, where the subject of our sketch now lives. The journey to this county was made in a wagon with block wheels that had been sawed off the end of a log, the wagon being drawn by a yoke of steers. The parents had a fam- ily of twelve children, of whom Ole was the first born. All are dead save four. Evan and Matthias reside in Buffalo county, this State. Nettie, his sister, who is married to Mr. Hoff, lives in Trempealeau county. The father and mother are still living at the old homestead. Ole Fredrickson was nine years of age when he landed in Wisconsin, and here he grew to manhood, working on the farm and receiving only a limited education. Three winters he spent in the woods, and was some time on the drive. In September, 1864, he enlisted in the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, Company I, the Eagle Regiment. In the bat- tle at Nashville, Tennessee, he was wounded in the right thigh by a minie ball, and was in the hospital there and at Jeffersonville, Indiana, and at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Later he joined his regiment at Montgomery, Alabama, and was stationed at Uniontown, Alabama, and served until he was honorably discharged at Montgomery, Alabama. Re- turning home, he again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. lie now owns 160 428 BIOGRAPHIGAL UfSTORT. acres of well-improved land, which was his fatlier's farm. His house is 16 x 24 feet, a story and a half, with a one-storj kitchen 12 X 16 feet. His barn is 24x 36 feet; stable 17x60 feet; granary 16x24 feet; and every- thing abont his premises is kept in good order and shows the owner to be a man of thrift and enterprise. At the age of twenty-eight years Mr. Fredrickson was nnited in marriage with Sarah Simmonson, a native of Norway and a daughter of Simmon Christ Johnson and Ro- dina, his wife. To them have been given seven children, viz.: Minnie, Christian, So- phia, Josephine, Olof and Hilda, and Flora, who died in infancy. Mr. Fredrickson is a Republican, and a member of Nelson Quygle Post, No. 233, G. A. R., of Mindoro, Farmington township. n. AT WATER, an honored and i\\l'!i^l'jj I'iglil.y respected early settler of [-cjfe^]"' Farmington township, La Crosse county (postotKce Stevenstown), has made liis home here since 1856. Mr. Atwater dates his birth in Nova Scotia, August 3, 1834. His father. Ward Atwater, was born in Nova Scotia, of Scotch and English ancestry, and his mother, also a native of that country, was before her mar- riage Miss Mary Ann Biglow. Her father, Daniel Biglow, was a descendant of Scotch ancestors. The subject of our sketch was a lad of six years when his parents came to Wisconsin and settled in Waukesha county. Tiiere the family lived until 1856. Daniel Jiiglow, the maternal grandfather of Mr. At- water, was a wealthy and prominent man in Nova Scotia, where he owned a fishery, fleet and mills. He subsequently came to Wis- consin, and at one time owned eighty acres in what is now the heart of Milwaukee. He entered a large tract of Government land in Waukesha county, and there built a mill. Ward Atwater worked in the mill for some time. In 1856 the Atwater family came to La Crosse county and took up their abode in Lewis valley, where the father lived until his death, which occurred in June, 1881. He had in early life been a ship-builder and miller, and was an expert mechanic. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, six of whom are now living, viz.: Emma, Sarah Jane, W. B., Harriette, Reliecca and Milton. Those deceased are as follows: Jo- seph, who was a member of the First Wis- consin Cavalry, became prominent as an attorney, politician and statesman in Oregon, and died in 1891; James, a member of the Eagle Regiment, Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, Company D, died while at home on furlough; Charlotte was the wife of Daniel Kennedy. The mother is still living on the old farm near Mindoro, and is now about ninety years of age. W, B. Atwater was reared on a farm and received his education in the district schools of the neighborhood where he resided. At the age of eighteen he began to learn tiie trade of carpenter, became a thorough me- chanic in his line of work, and has followed that trade the most of his life. He owns a good farm of 120 acres, which he purchased in 1856, and which is now well improved with a story-and-a-half cottage home, good barn, other out-buildings, lences, etc., all showing the hand of enter()rise and industry. Mr. Atwater was married in 1857, to Miss Caroline C. Post, a lady of education, refine- ment and culture, and for some time a popu- lar and successful teacher. She is a daughter of Joseph Post, deceased. Mrs. Atwater was born in (^hio, but was reared and educated in Wisconsin. They have three children. Jo- / JW ,y .0 BIOORAPHECAL HISTORY. 429 seph Truman, their oldest, has been engaged in teaching for eiglit years. He received his education in the Eiack River Falls, Gales- ville and La Crosse high schools. He mar- ried Stella Pettingill, and has one daughter, Millie G. The other members of the family are Leonard Frank and Grace. The former wedded Nettie Frank, and has one child, Leslie L., and the latter is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Atwater lost one son, Elmer, at the age of twentj-tvFo years. Politically Mr. Atwater is a Ilepublican, and has served as Assessor and Justice of the Peace for twent}' years. He is a member of the I. O. (). F., Lodge No. 291, of North Bend: SRED A. REMICK is manager of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of • If New York, and is also special agent of the Standard Accident Company of Detroit. He was born in Portland, Maine, March 5, 1853, in which State John C. and Ann C. (Gratfain) Remick, his parents, were also born, the former in Cornish and the latter in Augusta. In October. 1861, Mr. John C. Remick brought his family to this city, and the following article concerning hini is given in the history of La Crosse county: "John C. Remick, general insurance agent, was born in Cornish, York county, Maine, in 1819. From 1842 to 1856 he engaged in the ship- ping business in Portland, Maine. Was first a member of the tirm of 'Simeon Pease,' later of the firm of 'Remick & Eaton,' im- porters. In 1857 he came to Wisconsin, and was about foi;r months in La Crosae, then returned to Portland and remained there until 186 L He then returned to Wisconsin and soon after engaged in the insurance business. In 1881, when this history was written, he •^9 was inspector of illuminating oils in La Crosse. He was a kind hr.sband, a loving father and an agreeable neighbor, who com- manded the entire respect of a large circle of acquaintances." He died on March 8, 1885, at which time he was holding the office of District Oil Inspector of the State. He was at one time general agent for the Insurance Company of North America of Philadelphia for Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. His death resulted from influenza at the age of sixty-seven years, and for many years until up to his last illness he had been treasurer of Christ's Episcopal Church. His widow survives him, at the age of seventy years. Of their seven cliildren, two died in infancy and Fred A. is the fifth of the family. The latter succeeded his father in the fire-insurance business, which he con- tinued, in connection with life insurance, until 1888, when he sold out the former, and has since devoted his energies exclusively to the occupation of life and accident insur- ance. He pursues a sound conservative policy that has won for him the most enviable of reputations in financial circles. His policies are clear and explicit and he always looks to the best interests of his customers. He was married in 1884 to Miss Helen A. Rogers, daughter of Mrs. Emily Rogers, of Wausau, Wisconsin, who is now a resident of La Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. Remick have two children: Marion Frances and Helen Kies, and they are all regular attendants of the Episcopal Church, to which Mr. Remick be- longs. He is a metnber of Frontier Lodge, No. 45, A. F. & A. M.; of Smith Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M. ; and La Crosse Commaud- ery, No. 9, K. T. He is succeeding well in the business, which occupies his attention, and has the unbounded confidence of all hav- ing dealings with him. He keeps himself well posted on the current events of the day 430 niOORAPUlCAL HISTORY. and feelb a lively interest in the affairs of State and nation. While not an acti%'e poli- tician his support is usually given to the Democratic party. 'l/l2r^2/i^ --yyi/, lOARLES A. YOUNG, deceased, was one of the lionored and respected citi- zens of La Crosse county, Wisconsin. He was born in Walworth county, this State, in 1847, son of Sebastian and Elizabeth A. Young, both now living in Farniington town- sliip, La Crosse county, highly respected by all who know them. Charles A. was a boy of six years when the family moved to this county, and here he ffcew up and received a good Englisii and German education. He was married to Anna M. Dolf, in 1866, and fur two years after their marriage they lived witii Mr. Young's parents. In 1868 they located on the farm where Mrs. Young now resides. Mr. Young departed this life Octo- ber 16, 1881, leaving a widow and three chil- dren: Libbie M., Charlie A. and Clara L. He was held in higli esteem by all who knew him, and in their bereavement his family received the heartfelt sympathy of a limitless circle of friends. Politically he was a Demo- crat; religiously, a member of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Anna M. Young resides on the home place with her children, all of whotn are still at home. Their farm contains 130 acrej of line land, with modern improvements; good house with rock wall and cellai', substantial barn, a windmill, etc. Everything about the premises is in good shape, and the visitor to tins home will soon learn that Mrs. Young is not only a lady of culture and refinement but tiiat she also possesses rare intelligence and executive ability. She was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, daughter of Harten and Anna M. (Batalion) Dolf, natives of Germany and Switzerland I'espectively. Her father died when she was a babe, and her mother was subseqnenly married to William Pfaff, by whom she liad nine children, five of whom are living. Her mother departed this life at Burr Oak, Wis- consin, at the age of sixty-one years. Anna M. was reared in Racine and Walworth coun- ties, this State, and when she was fourteen years of age came with her mother to this county. She and her family occupy respected and useful positions in society. ►^«^>-~ fLE NYHUS, oneof the oldest and most favorably known of the contractors and builders of La Crosse, was born in Nor- way, in 1834, a son of Peter and Carrie Nyhus. His father was a farmer by occupation; the parents are both deceased. Young Nyhus obtained an education in the common schools, which he attended until he was sixteen years of age; he then went to learn his trade, and passed through all the grades, as required of appren- tices in that country. He followed the busi- ness in his native place until 1866, when he emigrated to the United States, believing that the opportunities were greater for young and ambitious men than in his own land. He came directly to La Crosse, wiiere he has been identified with the growth and develop- ment of the city, and has won a place in tlie front ranks of the members of his craft. He has erected some of the best buildings in the city, among them, the county jail, Scandia Hall, some of the largest churches and many of the most beautiful residences. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Norden Society. He takes an active interest in all the work of these various BIOGRAPHICAL HI8T0RT. 431 bodies, where his efforts are fully appreciated. Mr. Nyhiis was married in Norway, to Miss Tonette Hanson, whose parents were also of Norwegian I)irtli; her father is de- ceased, but the mother survives, at the age of eighty-four years. To Mr. and Mrs. Nyhiis have been born two children: Edward is a traveling salesman for a St. Paul drug house, he married Miss Louisa Peterson, and they have one daughter, Helen; the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Nyhus is deceased. -mmm'" fABEZ B. CO MAN, Mindoro, who is ranked with the intelligent and prosper- ous citizens of La Crosse county, also claims a place with the early settlers of the county, he having taken up his abode here in September, 1852. A brief outline of his life is as follows: Jabez B. Coman was born at Glens Falls, Warren county. New York, September 18, 1834. His father, Allen Coman, a native of Salem, Washington county. New York, was a son of Isaac Coman, wlio was born at Providence, Rhode Island, a descendant of English ancestry. The mother of our sub- ject was, before her marriage, Miss Eunice Briggs. She was born in Queensbnry, War- ren county, New York, daughter of Walter Briggs, a native of Connecticut. Allen Co- man and his family came to Wisconsin in 1845 and settled in Walworth county, and in 1852 they moved to La Crosse county and located in Lewis valley. At the latter place Mr. Coman and his wife passed the remain- der of their days and died. They had seven children, viz.: Clara, wife of John Kenrick, died February 23, 1846; Cynthia, wife of Nelson Cameron; Eunice, who died Septem- ber 10, 1846; Walter B. died in May, 1880; Wallace died June 3, 1853; Warren died in Indiana, December 20, 1876; and Jabez B., whose name heads this sketch. The parents were honored and respected by all who knew them, and they reared a family of children that as they grew up occupied useful and honored positions in life. Before he came to this State the father was engaged as a lum- berman, and was Sheriff and Collector for a number of years, and a prominent man in politics. After removing to Wisconsin his principal pursuit was farming. He departed this life May 24, 1867, at the age of seventy years. The mother died in Mindoro, De- cember 11, 1889, at the age of ninety-five. Jabez B. was a youth of eighteen when they came to La Crosse county. He had re- ceived his education in Elkhorn, Beloit and Milton, this State, and in the winter of 1852 and 1853 was engaged in teaching school here, he being one of the first teachers in this part of the county. For a number of years he was a successful and popular teacher here, and for five years was Superintendent of Schools. In other ways he was also prominently identified with the early history of this county: served two terms as Town Clerk; was chairman of the Board of Super- visors, and was Postmaster for a time. In 1869 he went to Chicago and engaged in the drug business, subsequently turning his at- tention to the stock business, and being en- gaged in it for a number of years. At present he is successfully conducting a mer- cantile business at Mindoro. Mr. Coman was married July 4, 1856, at Lewis Valley, to Angela Arnold, who was born in Chenango county. New York, daugh- ter of John F. and Ruth (Brown) Arnold, both natives of New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Coman have two children, Wallace and Eunice Elberta. The former was born Sep- tember 19, 1859, and was reared and educated here. April 16, 1886, lie married Ella Pfaff, 4^3 BIOGHAPHICAL HISTORY. daughter of John and Loretta Pfaif, l)y whom he lias two cliildren, Angela and A\'^endell. The latter is now tlie wife of F. A. Phillips, of Chicago, and lias one child, Harry. Mr. Conian has been a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity since 1859. He is a popular and progressive citizen, and a man whose in- fluence is ever felt for good in the commu- nity where he resides. -^^-iy^n/if ^q/inn^^ iSALVOU GUNDEUSON, a member of the firm of Gunderson, Krueger & Co., has been a resident of La Crosse coun- ty since 18G7. He was born in Norway, May 23, 1848, a son of Norske parents, who were born, reared and educated in Scandina- via. He remained in his own country until he was nineteen years of age; he received a good education in his native language, at- tending school until he was fifteen. Ambi- tious to advance his interests in the business world, he determined to come to America, believing his opportunities would he greater. In the spring of 1867 he arrived at La Crosse, and in a short time had located at Half-way Creek; the first winter he was in this country he went to school in order to gain a better knowledge of the language. After a few months he removed to Onalaska, where he obtained employment with the Nichols Lumber Company; he was with this firm for two years, and at the end of that time returned to Half- way Creek; there he turned his attention to agriculture, and also served as Postmaster of Half-way Creek, to which position he was appointed May, 1875. It was in 1883 that he once more returned to Onalaska; for one year he was with the Nichols Lumber Comjiany, and then he ac- cepted a position with the leading mercantile house of the town, Bailey & Thompson ; he was in their employ four years, wlien he be- came connected with Nathan Clark, wiiom he served until March, 1891. The firm of Gunderson, Krueger «& Co. was then organized; this is one of the most reliable and popular business houses in Onalaska; they carry a line of staple and fancy groceries, boots and shoes and hard- ware, each department having a large and well selected stock. The extensive acquaint- ance and high reputation of Mr. Gunderson have added greatly to their patronage, which is drawn from a wide range of territory. Politically Mr. Gunderson is a Republi- can, stanch and ti'ue, being one of the wheel- horses o<' the party in his townsiiip. He was considered the most available member of his party as candidate for Sheriff in 1890, but shared tiie defeat of the rest of the ticket. He has served as City Treasurer three terms, and has been Clerk of the school board, re- flecting great credit upon himself and giving entire satisfaction to his constituents. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen, lodge No. 418. Mr. Gunderson was married at Half-way Creek, to Mariam Anderson Bjerke, and to tiiem were born two children: Matilda, a popular teacher, and Caroline. Our subject is one of the most progressive men in On- alaska; he liberally supports all educational and religious enterprises, and makes every effort to advance the best interests of the place. He is a man of strict integrity of character, and no man is held in higiier esteem by his fellow citizens. C. KAYLOR is closely connected with tiie business interests of North La '* Crosse, and is well worthy of the space tliat has been accorded him in this BIOGRAPHICAL UISTOHY. 433 history of La Crosse comity. He is a "IIoo- sier," born at Pierceton, Kosciusko county, Indiana, in 1854, the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Weaver) Kaylor. The parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Indiana in 1845, settling on a farm; the father was a teacher by profession, and was numbered among the pioneer educators of the State. He removed from his farm to Pierceton, where he was Justice of the Peace for sixteen consecutive years; he was also pension agent during his residence at Pierce- ton. He was a musician of note and led the choir of his church for many years; he and his wife were devoted and consistent mem- bers of the Baptist church ; he also belonged to the I. O. O. F., and was Worthy Grand of the order during the last fifteen years of his life. He was a man held in the highest estimation by his fellow-citizens, and merited the confidence he universally commanded; his death occurred in 1886, and his wife passed away in 1874. They reared to years of maturity five children, two of whom are yet living, the subject of this brief notice and George A., a citizen of St. Louis, Mo. A. C. Kaylor attended school in his native town until 1872, when he went to Elkhart, Lidiana, for the purpose of learning the plas- terer's trade. He served an apprenticeship of two years, returning to Pierceton at the end of that time; there he followed his voca- tion for twelve years. In 1885 he came to La Crosse, and since that time has estab- lished himself in business here; he deals in lime, hair and building material, and is steadily increasing his patronage; during the season of 1891 he handled about 1,350 bar- rels of lime. He is a man of superior business qualifications, and is an acquisition to the business circles of La Crosse. Mr. Kaylor was married in 1875 to Miss Elsie G. Pierce, a daughter of James H. and Anna (Utter) Pierce. Mrs. Kaylor's pater- nal grandfather was Truman Pierce, who came from New York to Wisconsin and settled at Delavan, Walworth county, in 1844; the maternal grandparents were Joseph and Kancy Utter, natives of England, who emigrated to America and settled in War- saw, ISTew York, about the year 1810. Jo- seph Utter was killed by the giving way of a bridge over which he was di-iving with a load of salt; this accident occurred in 1824, on the road from Warsaw to New York. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are now living in La Crosse county, neighbors to Mr. and Mrs. Kaylor; they are both remarkably well pre- served, being able to walk four or five miles a day with the ease of a person of thirty years; tfieir ages are seventy-six and seventy- two years respectively; they are worthy members of the Baptist church, and Mr. Pierce afliliates with the Republican party. To Mr. and Mrs. Kaylor has been born one child, Gertie, aged eleven^ years, who is receiving both a literary and musical educa- tion. fAUL SULLIVAN is one of the pioneer settlers of La Crosse county, and is entitled to a space in this record of her leading citizens. Like many of Wisconsin's prominent and patriotic sons he is a native of Ireland, county Limerick, born June 25, 1844. His parents, Timothy and Agnes (Christy) Sullivan, were natives of the same county; the father died when our subject was about four years of age. A sister, Mary, died at the age of four years, in Ireland. In 1852 the three brothers Patrick, John and Paul, emigrated to America; their mother had come a year previously. After their arrival in this country the mother married 434 BIOGRAPHICAL niSTORT. John Park; her deatli occurred in 1864. Joliii Sullivan died in 1871, leaving a widow and three children: Mary A<,nies, William Henry and Eva Jane. He was a gallant sol- dier in the late war, and gave four years' loyal service to his adopted country. Patrick Sullivan lived in this county until 1857, when he went to Kansas, locating in Humboldt county, where he was one of the first settlers; thence he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, and finally went to New York and lived in Rensselaer county until his death; he was unmarried. Paul Sullivan, the subject of this brief biography, was reared to farm life and ob- tained his education in the common schools. In 1859 he located on his present farm and followed agricultural pursuits until 1864, when he enlisted in the service of the United States Government; he was out about one year, when he received an honorable dis- charge. He then resumed the more peaceful occupation of tilling the soil. He has a fine farm of 280 acres, well improved with good buildings and supplied with all the modern appliances of agriculture. Mr. Sullivan was married May 16, 1870, to Miss Elsie Eliza Downer, a native of La CrosseandadaughterofMilo Downer, who was born in Bennington, Vermont, in 1811; Mrs. Sullivan's mother was Julia Speer, a native of New Jersey; her parents were married in Michigan and were among the first settlers of Lewis valley. La Crosse county; they had a family of six children, three of whom grow to maturity: David served three years and eight months in the civil war; Elsie Eliza is the wife of Paul Sullivan, and Helen mar- ried De Witte Strader. Milo Downer was twice married, and two children were born of the first union: Simeon, who was a soldier in the Rebellion, and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan are the parents of three children: Milo Martin, born February 12, 1871; Jennie F., born June 14, 1873, a popular and successful teacher, and Julia Agnes, born June 12, 1875. Mr. Sullivan is a Republican in his politics, and is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. He is progressive, enterprising and thrifty, and is numbered among the leading farmers of the community. — — >^ :; - S " S - S ' " fAMES GAY has made his home in La Crosse county since October, 1859. He was born in Wiltshire, England, Janu- ary 28, 1828, son of William and Sarah Gay, who passed their lives and died at that place. James was reared on a farm in England, and was married there when a young man to Felecia Noyes. Three children were bom to them, of whom two are living: Frederick James and a daughter. The other child, Walter, fell from a vessel into the sea and was drowned. In 1857 Mr. Gay came to America, land- ing here after a voyage of two weeks. After spending some time in Cleveland, Chicago and Milwaukee, he went to Waukesha county, where he has a sister living. In 1859, as above stated, he came to this county, and in 1866 he settled on his present farm. In August, 1862, when President Lincoln called for 600,000 more, Mr. Gay was among those who responded to the call. He enlisted in Company B, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, and served two years and nine months. He took part in a number of engagements and was on scouting and picket duty. While in the service he contracted a chronic disease, from which he has never recovered; also had his shoulder and arm severely injured by falling from a horse at White river, Arkan- sas, and from this is still a sufferer. He was honorably discharged and returned to Wis- BIOORAPHICAL HI8T0RT. 43.) consin. He spent three years in La Crosse, and the rest of the time he has been on his farm. He owns ninety-seven acres of well improved land in Lewis valley. In the fall of 1859 Mr. Gay was married at Bangor, Wisconsin, to Mrs. Jane Luke, whose maiden name was Paul. Her first husband was a Mr. Gear, and by him she had two sons: Tom Paul and Matthew William. Mr. and Mrs. Gear, with their two little sons, came to Milwaukee from Somersetshire, England, in 1844. Mr. Gay is in politics a Republican. He ie associated with the G. A. E. Post of La Crosse. D. ROBINSON, a well-known citizen of La Crosse county, is a native of ' * the State of Wisconsin, born in Rock county, near Janesville, November 18, 1848, a son of Findley and Sarah (Bener) Robinson. His father was born August 17, 1800, and was the son of Scotch parents; Sarah Bener was born December 3, 1809, in the State of New York; they reared a family of four sons: Henry, who was a soldier in the late war; Albert a resident of Yankton, South Dakota; O. D., the subject of this notice; and Huron, who is now desk sergeant in the office of the chief of police in La Crosse. The father was a tailor by trade and followed this calling through life, dying December 9, 1870. Politically he affiliated with the Democratic party. The mother survives and lives with her son, O. D. Mr. Robinson grew to manhood surrounded by the wilderness of the frontier, and was early inured to the hard labor of the farm; he acquired an education in the common schools, and at the age of fifteen years, in July, 1863, he enlisted in Company I, Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in what was known as the Eagle Regiment; he partici- pated in the l)attle of Nashville, Tennessee, and also in the engagement at Oxford, Mis- sissippi. He was wounded December 16, 1864, at Nashville, the ball entering his right lung, where it lies imbedded. He was hon- orably discharged in Alaliama, in September, 1865, and at once returned to his Wisconsin home. He was reared a Democrat and still adheres to the doctrines. He is a member of the G. A. R., and takes a deep interest in the organization. He was married July 8, 1880, to Miss E. Sliger, a native of La Crosse county, and a daughter of George and Margaret Sliger. Two children have been born of this union: Margaret Sarah and George Findley. Mr. Robinson was married when he was twenty- one years of age, to Miss Clara Jane Jones, and they had five children, four of whom are living: Eddy Stevens, Albert R., Maud S., and Marcus K. Mr. Robinson is a man of sterling traits and great integrity of character, and is justly proud of his military record. ' l *' l ' % > " " ^jSjjMjICHAEL DARMS, a farmer near fflwl I^**"go'"' "^^^ ^^°^" '" Switzerland, ^^^ February 28, 1830, a son of Major and Anna (Cawiezel) Darms. The father brought his family to the United States in 1847, settling in Sauk county, Wisconsin, which was then a Territory. The parents had eight children, four of whom are now living: Agnes, Anna, Casper and Michael. One son, John, died in this county, in 1882. Michael Darms, our subject, came to this county in 1851, settling in Bangor township, two miles southeast of Bangor, which was then a wild country. There were six fami- •ISli BIOORAPnWAL UISIVHY. lios who i'inn»> toilet lior. niul Mr. Pnrins is tlio only oiu> loft, nil tlu> otlu>rs lioiiij; de- oonsed oxeopt liis br«.)ther-in-la\v, Joseph Ziiniueniinn, who lives in (.\iioriulo. Ho sottloil on his present plaoo in ISSO, whioh now joins the villiij;o. Ho owns 100 aoros horo, but farms 320 acres southwest of Hani^or. Mr. Inarms was niarrioil January 1, 1S5"^, to l>orotli_v Tliile, and they had ton children, tivo of whom survive, vir.: Amelia, Emma, Louise, Dora and Anna. Three sons died after renchiuij maturity: Frederic, Michael and Major. The mother diet! March 22, ISUy, and the father was itgain married Septeml>er 3, 1872, to Janet te Wakeinan, wlio was horn in Monive county, Wisconsin, November S, 1851, a daughter of Samuel and Anua (Buggins) Wakemau. They have had six children, four of whom are now living, namely: Ida. Michael, Nettie and Elsie. SiH'ially Mr. Darms is a member of the A. O. U. W., politically a Democrat, and relioiouslv both he and his wife are members of the Haptist Church. Our sub- ject being the tirst settler on the prairie southeast oi Hauiior, tliat locality is properly called Darms' Prairie, and he also named Fish Creek, three miles east of Bangor, as it contains myriads of tish. lie has labored long and har\l to build up this part of the country, and thus pivpare the way for the pn^sperity of future generations. fi^AUTlN r>EKGII. attorney and coun- selor at law. l.a Crosse. Wisconsin, is an American citizen by adoption, his birthplace being Christiauia, Korway, where he tirst saw the light Septemlvr 16. 1S62. His parents, Erik and Anna Hergh, were natives of Norway and Swetleu respectively. They emigrateil to America in 1S6S, and lo- cated at La Crosse. Wisconsin. The father is a furniture dealer in this city, whore ho has conducted a busiiioss tor himself since 1S78. There have been tliree children in the fan\ily, all boys, of whom Martin iiergh is the only survivor. His twin brother, Ddin lH>rgh,diod ill this city Juno 28, 1887, at tlio ago of twenty tive. Martin l>orgh received his education in tlio public schools of La Crosse, being graduated in the high-school class of 1882. He Wgan the study of the law under the direction of old practitioners, and was admitted to the bar in 1885, having pissed an examination be- fore the then newly created State Board of Examiners. He was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Wisconsin in 1889, and to the Uniteti States District and Circuit Courts in 1890. He began his legal work in this city in partnership with J. 11. A. Gindor, the firm name being Ginder & Bergh. This relationship continued until May, 18S8, when Mr. Ginder removed from the SUite, since which time Mr. Bergh has been in practice alone. He has given careful study and attention to the practice of his profession, and has been rewardeil with a large and important business, which is steadily growing. He is attorney for the Provident Loan and Building Asso- ciation of La Crosse, president of the Scandia Hall Association, which controls Scandia Hall and Park Theatre, and has for many years been secretary of Badger State Council, No. 1, Order of Chosen Friends. He is a mem- ber of Frontier Lodge, No. 45, F. & A. M., Smith Chapter, No. 13. K. A. M.. and of La Crosse Commandery, No. 9, Knights Tem- plar, and is also a member of the La Crosse Boani of Trade, as well as of several social organizations in tlic city. In 1S81 heenlisteil in the La Crosse Light Guanls, Company C, Thiixl Regiment, Wis- JSIOOBAPHIGAL UIHTORY. i'.l consin National Guards, and 6erveelongs to the Masonic frater- nity, and in his political opinions adheres to the principles of the Republican party. He is firm in his convictions of right and wrong, is a lover of law and order, and enjoys the confidence of the entire community. RS. MARY HARDEN.— There are in every community some persons ■^^S^" who, on account of their industry, and practical management of the affairs which fall to their lot, deserve special credit; and such is Mrs. Harden. She is the relict of William Harden, late of Campbell township, who was one of the respected early settlers. Mr. Harden came to La Crosse county iti 1859, and here resided until his death, which occur- red February 6, 1887. He was born in Dub- lin, Ireland, in 1826, and was thesou of Samuel and Jane (Murphy) Harden, natives also of the Evergreen Isle, they having been born, reared and married in Wicklow. There they passed the closing scenes of their lives. William Harden grew to manhood and re- ceived a good education in Dublin. Wlien twenty-five years of age he came to the United States, located at Hartford, Connecticut, and there worked in a paper mill for a number of years. He subsequently came to the city of La Crosse. Wisconsin, worked for George Farman three years, and then worked by the day and afterwards the month in La Crosse valley. By this time he had suved consider- able means, and he invested this in eighty acres of land, paying $1,800 for the same. This has since been increased to 108 acres ot very productive land, and here Mrs. Harden resides at the present time. A nice two-story residence has lately been erected, and the barn. BIOGBAPHIGAL HISTORT. 441 cribs, etc., are all in good condition. Many other improvements have been made. Mr. Harden was married on February 9, 1868, to Miss Mary A. Agnew, an intelligent lady and a worthy helpmate to her husband. She was born in Leeds, Canada, and there grew to womanhood and secured a fair education. She is the daughter of Henry and Ann (Mur- phy) Agnew, both natives of county Lowth, Ireland. Mr. Agnew and family left Ireland in 1843, located in Canada, but later came to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where their days terminated. Mrs. Harden came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1865. By her marriage to William Harden she became the mother of eight children: Henry, John, Samuel, Frank, Charles, Jennie, Lizzie, and Saddle. The eons are all bright and energetic and work hard to assist the mother. William Harden was a Democrat in politics, and was a mem- ber of the Roman Catholic Church, his wife and children holding membership in the same. He was an excellent citizen, a kind husband and affectionate father, and was esteemed by the entire community. IRNEST HORNER.— There is in the development of every successful life a principle which is a lesson to every man following in its footsteps — a lesson lead- ing to higher and more honorable position than the ordinary. Let a man be industri- ously ambitious, and honorable in his ambi- tions, and he will rise whether having the prestige of family or the obscurity of pov- erty. We are led to these reflections by a study of the life of the subject of this sketch, Ernest Horner. He was born in Bow, Eng- land, November 5, 1851, a son of Edward A. and Anne (Stewart) Horner, also natives of England, and in 1859 came with his father to America and to Janesville, Wisconsin. From there they moved to La Crosse county, and the father was engaged in the mercantile business in La Crosse until the big fire on Main street a few years ago, when he re- moved to Houston, Minnesota, at which place he is engaged in the same business. The mother died in England. Ernest Horner attended boarding school two years at Shoreham, England, and after coming to Wisconsin he attended the public schools of Janesville and La Crosse. When but a boy his active spirit and independent character led him to mark out his own career in life. He began working upon his farm for Joseph Richmond, where he heard scarcely anything but French, and it was very lone- some for him during the four months he was there employed; but he interested himself in learning French, also, which elicited greater friendship in his employer, who offered him forty acres of land and a team if he would remain with him until he was twenty-one years of age. He did not stay, however, and when he reached the age of twenty- one years owned as much land as Mr. Richmond! After working for Mr. Richmond eighteen months, at $6 a month, and saving $46, he bought six calves and a colt and began work- ing for Robert Ross by the day; but he soon ascertained that this was not the best method, and he took a small job from Mr. Ross in catching logs and rafts on the river. Al- though this was rather a hard school for one so young, yet it promoted independent thought and developed his bodily as well as mental strength, and he was promoted from time to time; and in every position he filled performed his duties in a manner high y sat- isfactory to those concerned. For the past fifteen years he has managed the rafting operations for such prominent lumbermen as R. S. Davidson, W. W. Crosby, J. J. Hogan, 44-3 BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY. A. S. Trow & Co., G. C. Ilixon and the H. Stoddard Lumber Company of Dubuque, Iowa. Uis years of experience have been of good service to him and he is now an active and successful man of business, and his lum- ber as well as his farming interests are con- stantly on the increase. Upon locating on his j)reseiit farm in 1869 it was wild land, but his home place, which contains 1,200 acres, is one of the finest upland farms in the county. His residence is a good frame build- ing, built in modern style, and is handsomely and tastefully furnished and is surrounded by shade and pine trees. He has three good barns besides granaries, sheds, etc., and his home is conveniently located one mile from the town. Here Mr. Horner and his family are enjoying all the comforts that money can procure, and extend a refined hospitality to their numerous friends. He was married April 10, 1871, to Miss Delphiney Lee, a native of Brandon, Rutland county, Yer- mont, and a daughter of William and Har- riet (Lessor) Lee, natives of JSiew England and Canada respectively. Mrs. Horner was reared and educated in New England and came with her people to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in 1868, where her father died April 10, 1889, and the mother April 30, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Horner have five chil- dren: Harriet A., wife of Will Matthewson, of Brule, Wisconsin; Uelphiney R.; Ernest, Jr.; Evelina, and Pateronilla. They lost three children, a baby not named, Bhiiip and Godfrey. Mr. Horner is a Democrat and in his religious views is an Episcopalian. His wife is a worthy member of St. James' Church, of La Crosse. Mr. Horner is now in the prime of life, and although forty years of age he looks much younger. He possesses a fine physique and is seldom ill. He pos- sesses excellent business qualifications, and what is best is perfectly honorable in all his business transactions. His numerous excel- lent qualities have endeared him to a host of friends, and he is a most agreeable man witli whom to have business relations. TEPHEN STEENSEN is one of the reliable citizens of La Crosse county for whom the community is indebted to the Fatherland. He was born in the northern part of the German Empire, Sep- tember 9, 1841, and is a son of John and Margaret (Carsen) Steensen. The father died at the age of thirty-two years, but tlie tnother still survives, aged eighty years; they reared a family of eight children, six of whom are living. Stephen, a brother and sister left their native land and came to the United States; the two latter made the journey in 1864 and 1883, and were followed a few years later liy our subject. Mr. Steenson has been a miller since he was sixteen years of age, having learned the business in the old country. Like many of his countrymen he has made the most of his opportunities and has established himself in a profitable business. He is a man of strong determination and has applied himself dili- gently to accomplishing his purpose. When he first came to La Crosse county he oper- ated a water mill on La Crosse river, and in 1885 came to his present location. One year since that time, however, has been spent in the Barre mills. The mill which he now owns is located one and a half miles from West Salem, and is one of the best in the county. Mr. Steenson has spent $4,000 in repairs and in placing new and improved machinery, and is prepared to do a general milling business. In addition to his mill property, he owns seven acres of good land, a pleasant residence and has the nece.-sary BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 443 buildincrs for the care of a limited number of live- stock. He was married in 1866 to Miss Margaret Hanson, a daughter of J. C. Hanson, until re- cently a resident of Germany. To Mr. and Mrs. Steensen have been born nine children: James C. married Miss Alma Darrow; Cath- erine, who died at the age of sixteen years; Johanna, who died at the age of fourteen years; Eika; Christina; Agnes; Matilda; John and Augusta. The parents are mem- bers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bostwick valley. Mr. Steensen is a worthy member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he is independent, casting his suffrage for the man whom he considers best fitted for the duties of the otiice in question. fOHN FRAYN, a resident of Farmington township, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1833, son of Richard and Mary (Exateble) Frayn, both natives of that place. He was a lad of fifteen years when he came to America and located near London, in Middlesex county, Canada. There he re- mained, engaged in farm work, for eleven years, and from that place came to Lewis valley, Wisconsin. In 1864 he joined the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, Eagle Regiment, and served in a number of important engage- ments. At the close of the war he was hon- oral)ly discharged, and returned to this county. Mr. Frayn was united in marriage, in La Crosse county, to Elizabeth Hodge, a native of England and a daughter of George and Mary (Hodge) Hodge. Of the eight children born to them only three are living, namely: Mary, wife of D. N. Barclay; James and John. Mrs. Frayn and two of the children: William and Robert, died in July, 1886. She was a most estimable woman and was highly esteemed by all who knew her. Politically, Mr. Frayn is a Republican. He is a charter member of Nelson Qiiygle Post, No. 233, G. A. R. James Frayn, son of the above named gentleman, and an enterprising and success- ful farmer of Farmington township, was born here June 2, 1864. He is the oldest of the tliree children living. Reared on the farm and educated in the district school, he was early taught honesty, sobriety and industry, and has been engaged in farming since he was old enough to work at anything. Mr. Frayn was married June 13, 1888, to Miss Jennie Barclay, daughter of James and Elizalieth Barclay. Her father, a Scotchman by birth, is one of the oldest settlers of this county, and is an extensive land owner. Mr. and Mrs. Frayn have one child, Bessie. Mr. Frayn is the owner of 160 acres of land adjoining Mindoro on the east. His farm is well improved and consists of as good soil as can be found in the Lewis valley. Here he is engaged in general farming and dairying, keeping a number of cows. Like his father, Mr. Frayn is politically a Repub- lican. -^^■LnM/l^- -■q/inn^. ETH HART, a well-known citizen A*S*\1 of Farmington township, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, was born in Mor- gan connty, Ohio April 9, 1840. The Harts were among the first settlers of Mor- gan county, and his father. Seal Hart, Sr., waj born there. Grandfatlier Seth Hart was a native of Vermont. The mother of our subject was Sarah Rusk, a cousin of ex-Gov- ernor Rusk of Wisconsin, and a daughter of 444 BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT. John M. Rusk, who was an Irishman by birth. Inthespriiigofl850Mr. Hart's parents came West, down the Ohio and np the Miss- issippi to Victory, Wisconsin, and settled near the town of Franklin, Vernon county. They had a family of ten children, four sons and six daughters. The father passed his whole life on a farm ; was politically a Whig; religiously a Presbyterian. His death oc- curred September 4, 1865. The mother is still living and is now in Muscatine county, Iowa. Seth Hart received his education in Ohio, and was si.xteen years of age when the family located in Vernon county, Wisconsin. Sep- tember 1, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, Forty-second Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, and was actively engaged in the service until the war closed, receiving an honorable dis- charge June 20, 1865. During that time he contracted a chronic disease from which he has never recovered. Returning to Vernon county after the war, he was engaged in farming there until 1874. Being in poor health, he moved to Sparta, where he lived three years. In 1877 he came to La Crosse county, and settled on his present farm, which had been improved and which he purchased of Ephraim Stevens. This farm contains 143 acres of tine land, has good builditigs, fences, etc., and is kept in the best of order. Mr. Hart gives his atten- tion to general farming, stock-raising and dairying. He was married in Vernon county, Wis- consin, April 30, 1862, to Miss Margaret McSharry, who was born at Bellevne, Iowa, and reared and educated in Galena. Illinois. Her father, James McSharry, was a native of Dublin, Ireland, came to America when a boy, and grew up in New York State, receiv- ing his education there. He was married at Galena, Illinois, to Ellen Tliornton, a na- tive of Mis-'ouri and a daughter of George and Ellen Thornton. Mr. McSharry died at Rising Sun, Crawford county, Wisconsin, at the age of seventy- five years. His widow is now a resident of Grand Forks, North Da- kota. She is seventy years of age, and makes her home with her son. To her and her hus- band were born nine children. Mr. and Mrs. Hart have had ten children, nine of whom are living, namely: Sarah E., wife of Leonard Loveland, of La Crosse; John M., of Trempealeau county; Frances E., wife of Perry Gaven of this county; Kate, James F., Eugene, Grace, George T., and Mary Sophia. Their second child, Mary Belle, died while Mr. Hart was in the army. Mr. Hart afKliates with the Republican party, and is a member of Nelson Qnygle Post, No. 233, G. A. R., of Mindoro. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. — ^ ^ ^ ' t ■ g" ■ " ^ENRY LAFLEUR, New Amsterdam, is a hignly respected citizen of Holland townshin, La Crosse county, Wisconsin. He was born here on the old farm where he now lives, April 9, 1859, son of Daniel La Fleur, a prominent and well known early set- tler of this township. His mother's name was Isabelle, and both parents were natives of Holland, Europe. They came here in 1853, among the pioneers of tiie county. The father died in 1873, a!id the mother passed away in 1889. They had a family of six children, viz.: Mary Van Loon, Catherine, Sophia, Elizabeth, Renert and Henry. Henry La Fleur was reared on the old home- stead and attended the district schools. He is the owner of 160 acres of land, one of the best farms in the township. He has a comfortal)le two-story residence, good barns, /p J^^-^Jf^^ BIOQRAPEIGAL HI8T0RT. 445 modern windmill and other farm improve- ments, and keeps every tiding in first-class order. He was married November 26, 1885, to Mary Hanna, a native of this county and a daugliter of William and Martha (Miller) Hanna, both of Scotch-Irish descent and natives of the North of Ireland. Her father died in 1890, and her mother is still a resi- dent of La Crosse county. Mrs. Maggie Roddle is a sister of Mrs. La Fleur. Mr. La Fleur and his wife are the parents of four children: Daniel William, Martha, Henry Ross and Isabell Gertrude. Mr. La Fleur is a Republican and a member of the Farmers' Alliance. — — ir>^>--- — jLE SIMENSON, of Farmington town- ship, La Crosse county, is another one of the enterprising and successful men of Wisconsin who dates their birth in Nor- way. He was born in February, 1848, the oldest in the family of eight children of Simon and Martha (Transon) Simmerson. His parents were born, reared and married in Sweden. The family came to this country in 1872. All are married and settled in life except Ole and Otto, the oldest and youngest, who reside with their parents. Of the others we record that Thom, Simon, Mat and Matilda live in Cass county. North Dakota, and that Emma is a resident of La Crosse. Ole Simenson was reared in his native land, and attended scliool there until he was fifteen years of age. He has a fair education in both his own and the English languages. In 1866 he went to Minnesota, was employed at farm work, and remained there two year.«. We next find him working in the woods in Clark county, Wisconsin, being employed by Hixon &Witte of La Crosse. Young, strong 30 and energetic, he was well suited for that work and was successful in the woods and on the drive. In 1874 he came to Lewis valley and purchased a farm of Mr. Killrier. It had previously l)een owned by a Mr. Palmer, Mr. Simenson has since added to his original purchase, and is now the owner of 360 acres of rich and productive land, well improved and kept in good shape. He has a frame residence and one of the best barns in the county. His barn is 36 x 60 feet and has a rock basement. He also has other buildings fur the protection of his stock, has an engine- house, modern wind pump, good fences, and all necessary conveniences and improvements for successfully carrying on agricultural pur- suits. He keeps sixteen cows, ten horses, and sheep and hogs. In company with Peter GuUickson he owns and operated a threshing machine. Their separator is of the Edwin's make, and they have a reputation for doing good work. Each year their threshing busi- ness nets them aliout $1,000. Mr. Simenson is a self-made man. He is well informed on the current events of the day, and is broad and progressive in his views. He is in the prime of life, frank and jovial, and is regarded as one of th.e solid men of the township. RICHARD FAHEY, lumberman.— The I lumber trade is one which flourishes wherever there is population and growth, and in La Crosse it forms an important in- dustry, not only supplying the immediate wants of the city, but also that of the sur- rounding States. Mr. Fahey has been so prominently identified with the lumber inter- ests of this section, tiiat a history of La Crosse county would be incomplete without makinj); mention of him, and the admiralde 446 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. nse to which he has devoted his talents. He was a soldier in the great civil war, and as such deserves honorable mention. From the Soldier's Album, the following article is gleaned: " Richard Fahey was born April 12, 1844, at Fonda, New York. His parents are Pat- rick and Catherine (Ryan) Fahey. His father was born in 1798 at Castle Claghan, county Kings, Ireland; his mother, a native of the same county, was born April 2, 1801. The parents crossed the ocean in the '30s, and resided successively in Canada, Fonda, and Onalaska, Wisconsin, locating in the latter place in the fall of 1855. The father died August 19, 1881; the mother passed away May 4, 1877. " Mr. and Mrs. Fahey became the parents of the following children: Mary, wife of S. W. North, residing at Onalaska; Ann is the widow of Edward Howard, who was killed in the pineries of Grand Forks, Dakota; James married Mila Hines, of Geneseo, and died at the Soldiers' Home in Milwaukee, in August, 1890; Richard comes next in order of birth; Edward married a lady in San Francisco, where he has lived for a number of years; and Elizabeth, the wife of Ira S. Farraud, resides at Galesville, Trempealeau county, Wisconsin. " Richard Fahey attended the common schools of the various places in which he re- sided with his parents, but the coming clash of arms caused him to cast aside personal considerations, and in 1861, at the early age of seventeen years, lie joined the company commanded by Captain Wilson Colwell, Com- pany ii, and was mustered into the Second Wisconsin Infantry for three years, or during the war. His company was the first to take possession of Camp Randall at Madison, but it was soon ordered to Washington, District of Columbia, and next to Fort Corcoran. In the reconnoissance of Blackburn's Ford, the company lost its first man, and in the battle of Bull Run its history was coincident with that of the regiment which fought courage- ously without officers and preserved its or- ganization. No researches revealed the truth about its field officers, and the command re- turned to Fort Corcoran, under numerous orders (wh^n not needed), Captain ('olwell conducting his men thither in the best of order. "The regiment remained at Fort Tilling- liast until spring, then went to the Rappa- hannock and on an expedition to the Orange Courthouse and Bowling Green. They were then recalled and ordered to reinforce Banks at Slaughter Mountain, where they arrived early in the morning and found a flag of truce out, and assisted in burying the dead whom the rebels had abandoned. After a night at Warrenton they moved to Gainesville, where their Colonel was killed, after which they went to Manassas Junction, the supply sta- tion, where everything was burned. On that day the secoiwl battle of Bull Run was fought, following which they went to Arlington Heights, then crossed the Potomac river to Frederick City and took part in the engage- ments at South Mountain and Antietam. In the former engagement, September 14, 1862, Captain Colwell was killed, and on the 17th Mr. Fahey received a wound from a rifle ball, which passed through both his shoulders, and necessitated his removal to the hospital. The surgeon declared his case to be hopeless, and the next day he was removed to Cadys- ville, and later to the Frederick City Hospital, where, notwithstanding the grim forebodings of the man of science, he fully recovered from his wound. In the fall he rejoined his regiment at Aquia creek, but after a time was found to be unfitted for active service, such as his regiment was engaged in, and he BWGRAPHIVAL HISTORY. 447 was sent on detached duty to Windmill Point, and afterwards on the hospital supply steamer John Tucker, plying between points on the Potomac river. Three months later he was sent to the convalescent camp at Ar- lington Heights, and about a month later was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, September 12, 1863, doing duty at Mount Pleasant Hospital. June 11, 1864, he re- ceived his final discharge and returned to his home. " Had lie not been a man of indomitable will, he would have succumbed to the hardships he was compelled to undergo much sooner than he did; but as long as his physical powers sustained him he bravely remained at the post of duty. No braver soldier ever trod the crimson turf of a battle field, and he was always conspicuous for his strict adherence to duty." He has since been engaged in the lumber trade, and is the confidential agent of S. & J. C. Atlee, lumber dealers of Fort Madison, Iowa, and has charge of their logging inter- ests in tlie Wisconsin pineries. In partner- ship with N. B. Holway he is also engaged in rafting, which business he follows during the summer seasons, and rafts about 30,000,000 feet of logs. He was married July 4, 1866, at Sparta, Wisconsin, to Elizibith, daughter of Jere- miah and Sarah Bennette. Mr. and Mrs, Fahey have two children: Frank E., born March 21, 1870, and Winnifred, born June 1, 1877. Mr. Fahey has attained to the Oom- mandery in the A. F. & A. M., and politi- cally is a Democrat, and on that ticket was a candidate for Sheriff in 1879, having served as Deputy under H. S. Phillips in 1877. Though Mr. Fahey's path in lite has been strewn with many difficulties, he has pressed onward, undaunted by trials, and his efforts have been abundantly rewarded. He holds a high place in the business and social circles of La Crosse, and is considered a substantial and useful citizen. His wife is a most lov- able woman; easy and graceful in manners, a fluent and entertaining conversationalist and decidedly prepossessing in personal appear- ance. PSOlSr. JOHN BRADLEY, a retired farmer and ex- Representative, has been a resident of this State for many years. He was born in Litchfield county, Connecti- cut, April 29, 1817, a son of Horace Bradley, deceased, a native of the same place. His father, Captain Aaron Bradley, was a Captain in the Revolutionary war on the American side, and was also a native of Connecticut. He was a son of Leman Bradley, a native of England, who came to this country with the early colonists. John Bradley, our subject, was reared to farm life, and received his education in the common schools of his native county. He removed to Chenango county, New York, in 1839, where he worked on a farm and in the lumber woods until 1844, and in that year removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin, being one of the two (irst settlers of Trenton town- ship, the other being Edward Boomer, with whom our subject became acquainted on the road. They settled down together, and for two years kept bach and farmed on the prai- rie. Dodge county was organised the year before Mr. Bradley came here, and the Meno^ monie Indians were still numerous but peace- able. He came to this county in 1855, settling in Burns township, where he purchased 320 acres in burr-oak openings, and still owns 240 acres of valuable land in that township. He was elected to the Legislature in 1874-'75, and also in 1879-'80-'81, serving five terms 448 BTOORAPinCAL HISTORY. ill all. He cast tlie first vote for Angus Cameron for United States Senator, and lias always been a Republican in bis political views. Mr. Bradley was married, in October, 1847, in DodfTe county, to Elizabeth Stevens, a na- tive of Chautauqua county. New York, and they have had six children, four of whom survive, viz.: Walter, Frank, Cora and William. One daughter, Amelia, was mar- ried to Timothy Cauglilin, and died leaving one child. Amelia, whom her father is now raising. The eldest son, John, died at the age of twenty six years. He was married to Clara Hurlbut, and left three children: John, Horace and Nellie. Walter married Hannah Beck, resides at Watertown, and has live chil- dren: Frank, Hannah, Amelia, Blanche and Knssell. Cora married Julius Wood, and had twochildren: Liiverne and fFohn. Mr. Wood died, and she afterward married Daniel Carter, ot Traverse City, Michigan. Frank, who mar- ried Belle Clark, lives on the old homestead, and lias two eliiliiron: Clyde and Clark; William mairied Rebecca Sliane, and resides in West Salem, this county. Mr. Bradlej' is a member of no church, but his creed is the golden rule and to provide for the widows and orphans. He was baptized by Rev. Lyman Beecher when an infant, and was reared in the Presbyterian faith. [AN I EL K. GORDON was burn in Penobscot county, Maine, October 7, 1839. His father, Eliphalet Gordon, was a native of New Hampshire and a son of Eliphalet Gordon, Sr., who was a descendant of Scotch ancestry. He came West, and was among the pioneer settlers of Oshkosh, Wis- consin. Sul)sequently returning to Maine, he died there iti July, 1854 He was by occupation a lumberman; politically, a Demo- crat; in religion, a believer in universal salva- tion. Tlie mother of Daniel K. was nee Folly Kelly, and she, too, was a native of New Hampshire. Her father, Dudley Kelly, was of Trish ancestry, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Gordon is now a resident of Holland township, this county, and has reached her eighty-sixth year. They had a family of four children. Dudley died in this county in 1877. During the war he served in a Minnesota regiment. Sarah is the wife of Jacob Hoyt, and lives in Trem- pealeau county, W^isconsin. Daniel K. Gordon was reared on a farm in his native county and received his education at Orono, above Bangor. He was a youth of thirteen years when he came to Wisconsin. Here he worked on a farm, and one winter he spent in attending school in Illinois. In the fall of 1803 he returned East and enlisted in the Ninth Maine Infantry Volunteers, Company I, and served about two years. lie was first stationed on Morris Kland, near Charleston, South Carolina; was in the army of the James, under General Ben Butler; was with his regiment in front of Petersburu; for a time in 1864; in 1864-'65 wintered at Chapin's farm, in Virginia; was at the capture of Fort Fisher; marched to North Carolina with General Scofield and joined General Sherman's victorious troops at Raleigh, where was held a grand review. He was honorably discharged at Augusta, Maine, after which he returned to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and here he has since made his home. Mr. Gordon owns a good farm of nitiety acres. His house was built in 1889, and is located on a natural building site. In the fall of 1860 Mr. Gordon was united in marriage with Miss Anna Irvin, who was born in Nova Scocia, and who was eleven years of age when she came to Wisconsin. Here she was reared BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 449 and educated. Her parents were Scotch-Irish and were born in Belfast, Ireland. They had a family of ten children, of whom three sons and four daughters are living. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have had live children, viz.: Dudley J. is married and lives in New Amsterdam, Wisconsin; Anna, wife of Ed Henry, died in the fall of 1890, leaving two children: Polly and Winfred; Maggie, wife of Martin Han- son, of Holland township, this county, has three children: Henry, Ruth and Dudley; William F., of Dakota, and John Eliphalet. Mr. Gordon is a good converser and a genial and jovial fireside companion. During twenty winters he was engaged in working in the woods and driving team. Politically he is a Democrat. He has served as Assessor for three years, and has also been Clerk. Well informed on general topics, broad and pro- gressive in iiis views, he is a man whose opinion is sought for and valued, and a man whose good influence is ever felt in the coni- es munity where he resides. klCHARD HOSSFELD.— The life and fM^ character of this public-spirited citizen of La Crosse county will bear a much more detailed history and analysis than are presented on this page. Though just in the meridian of life he has wielded a wide influ- ence for good in many respects, and in addition to being upright in every worthy particular he commenced life with but little means and is cow in affluent circumstances. He was born in Saxony, Germany, February 29, 1844, a son of Adelbert and Thressia (Deusseng) Hossfeld, both natives of Saxony, and with tliem came to America, in 1851. The father died at Stockton, Minnesota, when seventy-seven years of age, but his widow survives him, at the age of seventy-six years. Richard Hossfeld obtained a fair education in the public schools of Germany, and after coming to this country with his parents was a resident of Davenport, Iowa. In 1851 they removed to Winona county, Minnesota. Richard learned the butcher's trade in La Crosse, which occupation received his atten- tion for many years. He went to Chicago during the war and worked in a packing- house there; next was in business for himself a short time, and then returned to La Crosse, continuing in the same business. In 1874 he settled on his present farm, on which he has since lived and greatly improved. It comprises 181 acres of arable land, two and one half miles from Holmen, on which is a good residence on a natural building site. The barns, sheds, granaries, fences, etc., are all of the best and tlie land is well laid off, and in good condition. He keeps eighteen cows, a number of good horses and a large drove of hogs. May 29, 1870, he was married to Miss Thankful Ann Nutting, a woman of much intelligence, judgment and executive ability. She was born in Skowhegan, Maine, and was five years of age when her parents came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin. Her father, Abe! Nutting, kept a popular tavern here for many years, and died in November, 1875. His wife was Clarinda Blackwell, who died in May, 1880. She bore him six children, four of whom are now living: Sarah, wife of George Willie, of Onalaska; Abuer, of Win- neshiek county, Iowa; Melissa, wife of Frank McClellan, and Mrs. Hossfeld. The latter has borne her husband the following children: Ida, wife of James Doherty, of this county; Melissa, Gustavus and P>ank. Mr. Hossfeld is a Democrat, has served as a member of the school board, belongs to the I. (). O. F., the K. of H. and Hermann's Sons, and is wide-awake to all the current 450 BIOQRAPniGAL U I STORY. issues of the day. He is a good business man, a popular citizen and is frank and gen- ial in disposition. "'■■ g - ? »' ! '2"- rnOMAS J. BARNEY, Under-Sheriff of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, is a native of this city, State and county, was born March 26, 1858, a son of Robert and Bridget (Buckley) Barney, natives of Ire- land. The father was born in county Kil- kenny, and the mother came from county Tipperary, parish of Lattan. Robert Barney emigrated to America at the age of twenty- two years, and remained for a while in the East, spending the greater portion of his time in New York city. About the year 1853 he came to the West, spending two years in Du- buque, Iowa, where he worked at the plaster- ers trade. In 1855 he came to La Crosse, and here passed the remainder of his days. He and his wife reared a family of two sons and two daughters: Thomas J., the subject of this l)iographical sketch; Mary Ann, Cath- erine, and the Rev. John A., the present parish priest of Hudson, Wisconsin. Thomas J. grew to manhood in La Crosse county, and received a good education in the parochial and public schools. In early life he decided to adopt his father's calling, and added thereto a knowledge of brick-laying. He has been connected with the construction of some of the finest buildings in La Crosse, among which may be mentioned the Odd Fellows' block for which he furnished the or- namental plaster work and moulding, the new La Crosse theater, the United States Government building and postoffice, St. James church, and the Wheeler & Seeder factory. Mr. Barney was united in marriage, at Portage, Wisconsin, to Miss Catharine Riley, a native of that place and the daughter of Timothy Riley and Catherine (Gerrity) Riley, natives of Ireland. Of this union three sons and one daughter were born: John, William, Mary and Thomas. The parents are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Barney belongs to the Catholic Knights of America, to the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, to the Jefferson Club, of which he is a charter member, and to the Germania Society; in all but the last named association he has held honoral)le ofhcial po- sitions. He is a member of the La Crosse Business Men's Association, of the Builders' Exchange, and of the Bricklayers' Union. rgji-ILLIAM KRUEGERisaGerman by birth and has inculcated in him the sterling principles of the better class of citizens of his native land. He was horn in Brandenburg, Prussia, March 13, 1827, and as soon as old enough was placed in school, where he acquired a good practical education. His parents, Martin and Anna (Grames) Krueger, were born in the same province and were well-to-do in worldly goods. After he had attained his fifteentli year William Krueger began working on a farm, during which time he learned the business of cheese-making, and this occupation he fol- lowed for about eight years. In 1852 he sailed from Bremen to New York city, and landed at Castle Garden after an eight weeks' voyage on the vessel Lewes. lie landed on the 28th of April and went successively to Albany, Buffalo, Detroit and Milwaukee, re- maining in the last mentioned city for some time. In the fall he went to the Mississippi river via Peoria, and was afterwards at Cairo, BIOGRAPHIGAL HISTORY. 451 St. Louis, Memphis and New Orleans, and remained in the South two and a half years, the most of this time working as a gardener. He afterwards obtained a position in a Jesuit College at Springhill, near Mobile, Alabama, having charge of the clothing department. He was treated with great kindness while there and no attempt was made to change his religious views. He returned North to St. Louis, Missouri, then went by railroad to Chicago, and soon after settled in La Crosse county, Wisconsin. About this time he re- ceived $2,000 from home, with which he purchased 500 acres of land in Washington township, where he lived until 1870, when he sold out and bought the property on which he IS now residing. He has 240 acres of fine farming land on which is a good two- story residence, large and substantial barns of all kinds, and everything about his place is kept in good condition. He also owns prop- erty in Onalaska, and a good dwelling-house and eight lots in North La Crosse, and a three- story brick block on Jay street. La Crosse. He was married March 13, 1863, to Miss lilargaretta Schaller, who was born in Ger- many, and when a babe of six months was brought to America by her parents, Nicholas and Elizabeth (Farber) Schaller. The mother died October 25, 1888, but the father survives her and is a resident of Camp- bell township. Mr. and Mrs. Krueger have three children: Emma Amelia, wife of Jew- ett Wylie; Willie Harmon, a merchant of Onalaska, and Frank, at home. Mr. Krueger is independent in politics, and was treasurer of Washington township in 1863-'64, and the following year was chair- man of the Town Board. He has been liberal in the use of his means for the education of his children, and Willie H. received excellent advantages in the schools of La Crosse. Mr. Krueger is possessed of genuine merit, and owing to the attention he has always paid to each minor deta'l of his work he has accu- mulated a fair share of this world's goods, and commands the respect of all who know him. ►^«^^ fOHN C. RODDLE is one of the promi- nent and wealthy citizens of the township in which he resides, and as he has re- sided in this section of country ever since 1857, the people have had every opportunity to iudge of his character, and although he'has often been weighed in the balance he has not been found wanting. He was born in Illi- nois May 28, 1851, a son of Charles and Sarah (Jerred) Roddle, both natives of Lon- don, England. The former came to America to seek his fortune at the age of eighteen years, and settled in Cayuga county. New York, where he was married. His wife proved a true helpmate to him throughout their journey through life and still survives him, at the age of seventy years. She is yet strong and active, and is keeping house for her son William. John C. Roddle, tlie subject of this sketch, came to Wisconsin with his parents and set- tled at Midway, near where the father en- tered a farm, on which he resided until his death in 1880. His worthy wife bore him four children: William C. ; Stephen, who died leaving a widow and one son, Charles; John C. and Eliza Jane (Cronk). John C. assisted his father on the home place, and after re- ceiving a practical education in the public schools he entered Galesville University, where he obtained a practical business edu- cation which has fitted him for the active life he has led. He remained with his father, managing the farm until the latter's death, 452 BlOaRAPUlCAL uisTonr. tlien began an independent career and now lias one of llie finest I'anns in tiiis section of the county, comprising 100 acres. On this is a liandsome residence, his barns are also 8ul)staiitial bnildintrs, and through his indus- try are kept in good repair. Uis division fences are always of the best and he is con- sidered a (^esirablc and accommodating neighbor. December 28, 1882, he was married to Margaret Hanna, daughter of William Hanna, who was one of the honored old settlers of this country, a native of county Antrim, Ireland, and a Presbyterian in his religious views. Mr. Hanna was married in Pennsyl- vania to Martha Miller, a native of the same country as hiuiself, but was brought by her ])arunts to America at the age of seven years and was reared and educated in Pennsylvania. Her father was Alexander Miller. William Hanna and his wife came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in 1855, and here the father re- sided uutii his death, September 28, 1890, a Republican in his political views. He and his wife had two children: Margaret (Mrs. Koddle), and Mrs. Henry LaFleur. Mrs. Hanna lives with her daughter, Mrs. iioddle. The latter was educated in the schools of La Crosse, and is a well-informed and intelligent lady. Mr. Roddle ranks among the leading men of his section, and, beiug of a frank, cor- dial and generous disposition, his friends are numerous and his enemies few. fUDGE CHARLES S. BENTON, de- ceased, was born July 12, 1810, in Frye- burg, O.vford county, Maine, a son of Dr. Joseph JJenton anably as well posted on bee culture as any woman in Wisconsin, having made a study of the subject for number of years and having had an extensive practical experience. One season they sold $720 worth of honey, besides bees to the amount of $45. Mr. Kenrick was married February 28, BIOOBAPHIGAI^ HI STOUT. 455 1867, in Lewis valley, this county, to Her- retta Mathewson, who was born in Chenango county, New York, daughter of Loren Mathewson,, a well-known old settler of Lewis valley and now a resident of Onalaska. Two children have been born to them, namely: Clara Jane, wife of Fred Fillner, of Farmington township; and May Antoinette, at home. Mrs. Kenrick is a woman of rare accomplishments, and is in every sense of the word a true helpmate to her husband. She is equally at home in the apiary, the kitchen or the parlor, entertaining guests in her cor- dial and graceful way and presiding at her hospitable board in a charming manner that her visitors do not soon forget. ■^m- MADSON, merchant tailor at No. 1210 Caledonia street. La Crosse, was born ■® in Norway in 1852, a son of Martinus and Karen Madson. His father was also a tailor, and a very superior workman; he died in his native land, in 1867, aged forty-seven years; the mother is still living, and has at- tained the age of seventy-eight years. The subject of this notice emigrated to the United States in 1880, and first settled in the great Western metropolis, Chicago, where he worked at his trade for one and a half years; he then moved to Merillon, Jackson county, Wiscon- sin, for one and a half years; next he removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and followed his trade in that city for three and a half years. In 1886 he came to Onalaska, and opened a clothing store and tailor shop for three years. In 1887 he opened a tailor shop in La Crosse, at his present stand. He employs from four to six men, and has a fine patronage. His many years of experience with this line of trade in two of the largest cities of the West, and the thorough training he received during his apprenticeship, all fitted him well for the place he has taken in commercial circles in La Crosse. He is esteemed one of the most reliable business men in the place, and enjoys the entire confidence of a wide circle of ac- quaintances. In connection with the business already mentioned, he finds time to give to the agency of all steamship lines, which he is able to make quite profitable. Mr. Madson was married in the old country, to Miss Dorothea Gunderson, and of this union two children were born; the mother and one child died in Chicago, in 1880. Mr. Madson was married a second time in 1882, to Miss Bertha Anderson, daughter of Neils Anderson, of Trempealeau county, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Madsim are consistent mem- bers of the United Lutheran Church, and also belong to the Total Abstinence Society of North La Crosse. JETER GULLICKSON, one of the intel- m ligent, enterprising and successful men *Tt of La Crosse county, resides near Min- doro, in Farmington township. He has lived here since 1870, and is well known in this vicinity. Like many of Wisconsin's well-to- do citizens, he was born in Norway, the date of his birth being February 10, 1858. His parents, Isaac and Ingebaar Gullickson, both natives of Norway, were reared, educated and married there. Peter was a lad of twelve years when the family came to America. The father preceded them to this country, arriving here in 1866. For four years he worked hard, preparing a home for his wife and chil- dren, and while they were on their way to join him he died. His death was the result of an accident, he having eaten wild parsnip. The mother and her family settled in Farmington township. The names of her seven children 456 BIOORAPniGAL HISTORY. are as follows: Lena, who died in 1877; Guil- der, of West Salem, Wisconsin; George, of Hamilton township, this county; Oliver, of West Salem; Peter, the subject of our sketch; Hansene, wife of Ole Eveson, of Farraington township; and Thorwald, of West Salem. The mother was afterward married to Gilbert Gilberson, and she is now a resident of Min- doro, this county. As already stated, Peter Gullickson was twelve years of age when he landed on Ameri- can soil. He had attended school six years in his native land, and after he came here went to the common schools, thus securing a fair education in both languages. The first land he owned he sold to Paul Sullivan, and subsequently purchased a farm near l>y, the one on which he now lives, one of the best farms in the Lewis valley. He has 280 acres of well improved land. His residence, 30x35 feet, is two stories, is located on a natural building site, and is one of the most attractive homes in this vicinity. It is located one mile from the village of Mindoro. His barn is 36 X 50 feet, and has a rock basement. A modern wind pump supplies water for his stock. Mr. Gullickson gives his attention to general farming and stock-raising, and during the autumn season operates a threshing-ma- chine. In the threshing business he is in partnership with Ole Simensoii, and does about $600 to $800 worth of work each year. November 2G, 1880, Mr. Gullickson wed- ded Helen Olson, a native of Norway. She came with her parents to this country when she was six months old, and here she was reared and educated. Her father and mother, Ole and Jane Olson, are residents of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Gullickson have five children, namely: Ingvald Irwin, Olga Josephine, John Albert, Ida Nikoline and May Lnella. Their fourth child, Abel Gil- bert, died at the age of eleven months. Mr. Gullickson affiliates with the Demo- cratic party, and is an enthusiastic worker in party ranks. He has served two years as Assessor of his township. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. Any movement that has for its object the advancement of educa- tional, moral or religious interests, finds in him a hearty supporter. Ig^ENKY LUETH.— In no part of Wis- consin is ajirieulture in a more flourish- ing condition than in La Crosse county, and here Mr. Lueth is considered one of the leading tillers of the soil. His present sub- stantial position in life has been reached entirely through his own perseverance, and the facts connected with his operations and their results only show what a person, with courage and enlightened views, can accomplish. His reputation for honesty and integrity have been tried and not found wanting; his finan- cial ability has been more than once put to the test, but never without credit to himself, and his social qualities are well-known and appreciated. He was born in Germany, December 8, 1844, to John and Dora S. Lueth, who came to America from their na- tive land in 1849, landing in the city of New York. They soon after came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, then went by team and wagon to Galena, Illinois, thence to Dubuque, Iowa, where the father worked at the mason's trade (which he had learned and followed in his native land), until the fall of 1854, when he came with his family to La Crosse and here worked as a mason until his death in October, 1867, his wife's death occurring at the age of eighty years. She died May 10, 1891. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are living: Sophia who resides at Dubuque, Iowa; Dora, also a resident of that BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 457 city; Edward, a machinist of La Crosse, who has been in the employ ot Dean & Smith for over twenty years, and Henry. The latter was a lad of ten years when he came to this county and his knowledge of the " world of books " was acquired in the schools of Salem and La Crosse. At the age of seven- teen years he began working in the Wiscon- sin pineries and on the Mississippi river as a common hand. His ability soon became appreciated, and he was promoted to the posi- tion of foreman, which he held with ability for over twenty years. In 1878 he settled on his present farm of 210 acres, of which ninety- six acres are under cultivation, and are well and carefully tilled. His residence and barns are kept in excellent condition, his fences in good repair, and he is considered an accom- modating and desirable neighbor. He was married, October 8, 1867, in this county, to Miss Esther Ayer, a native of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, a lady whose intelligence, natural refinement and many domestic virtues make her a pleasing and entertaining companion. She is a daughter of Jonas and Leah (Nuttitig) Ayer, who were born in Somerset county, Maine. The father died in Onalaska in 1872, atthe age of sixty- seven years, and his widow is now a resident of Galesville, Wisconsin. A family of twelve children blessed their union, four sons and eight daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Lueth have four children: Miiton Henry; Emmett was drowned when three years of age; Clinton Douglas and Esther. Mr. Lueth has always supported the principles of Democracy, and has held minor official positions in his town- ship. He is a member of the L O. O. F., and has been a member of that worthy order — the Masonic fraternity — since 1876. Dur- ing the civil war he enlisted in the service twice, but as he was under age his father would not allow him to enter the service, which was a damper, indeed, to his youthful enthusiasm and ambition. He is a jovial and agreeable gentleman, a pleasant companion, and has numerous friends. In personal appearance he is prepossessing, has a fine physique and weighs 230 pounds. He was reared a Presbyterian. R. BLANCHARD, wholesale dealer in butter and eggs at La Crosse, Wis- ® cousin. — The house of which Mr. Blanchard is the proprietor is one of the most enterprising and reliable institutions of La Crosse, and particularly deserves mention for the success it has achieved in a compara- tively short time in l)uilding up an extensive trade and taking a stand with the oldest and strongest in its special Held of activity in the city. The nucleus from which this enter- prise grew was laid by D. R. Blanchard in 1882, in which year he came to the State of Wisconsin. He was born in Somerset county, Maine, in 1846, to Theron and Martha (Reed) Blanchard, both natives of Massachusetts. The father was an honest '-son of the soil" during his working years. He died in 1888, at the age of eighty-four years; the mother, who is a member of the Congregational Church, is a resident of Madison, Maine, and is in her eighty-first year. D. R. Blanchard was the sixth of their eleven children, the names of the members of the family being as follows: Theron, Martha, wife of Sheldon Reed; Hannah Or., Watson, Samuel N., Daniel R., Mary E., Ruel, who died at the age of nineteen years, and three that died in infancy. Theron Blanchard, the father, who was born in Massachusetts on the 27th of May, 1805, was a son of Jesse Blanchard, who died in 1805. His wife was a Miss Brown, who died in 1856, having 45S BIOORAPHIGAL ni8T0RY. borne her husband three sons: Jesse, Quincy and Thcron, all of whom are deceased. The latter removed from Massaciiusetts to Maine about 1825, and Jiad been a resident of the last named State sixty years when he died. The maternal grandfatiier, Daniel Reed, was a farmer of Maine, to which State he re- moved in 1816, and there he died in 1883, at the advanced age of 103 years. He was first married to Hannah Gurney, and his second wife was a Miss Snow, who died at an ad- vanced acre. Mrs. Blanchard, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was the fourth in a family of five children: Edward, who mar- ried Sophia Whittier, who survives him; Mary, who died unmarried; John, who mar- ried Hannah French; Mrs. Blanchard, and Turner, who married Ann Flowers. D. R. Blanchard is a wide-awake man of 'business, a good citizen, and although lie has only been a resident of La Crosse a few years, he has become well known and his reputation is unblemished. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. ^HARLES H. MILLER, proprietor of the La Crosse Steam Laundry, was born at Waterloo, Dodge county, Wisconsin, December 23, 1855. His parents, who were natives of Germany, emigrated to America and died when Charles H. was a child. They left a family of three sons and two daughters. After the death of his father and mother, our subject went to live in Minnesota, near Owatonna, whore he spent his boyhood and youth. At the age of eighteen years he started out in life for himself, and lived for a number of years in Michigan. The pros- perity attending all commercial enterprises of La Crosse strongly recommended this city to the favor of Mr. Miller, and in 1884 he came here and went into the laundry busi- ness. He has accomplished very satisfactory results to himself, and has given to the city one more progressive and energetic business man. He was married while a resident of Michi- gan, to Miss Matilda Johnson, a native of Sweden, born near the city of Stockholm, and of this union two sons have been born: Ira Abel and Edwin Ray. Mr. Miller is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 27, at La Crosse, and is the present Master of Finance. J»-f£-. fA. TRUMBOWER, station agent of the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Rail- * way Company at Onalaska, and a resi- dent of this place since October, 1889, was born near J>rookville, Ogle county, Illinois, October 7, 1863. son of J. R. Trum bower, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania and married Amelia Butts. The name Trumbower is of German origin. The fam- ily were early and prominent settlers of Ogle county. The grandfather, Jacob Trumbower, located at Chambers' grove, sixteen miles from Freeport, Illinois. Mr. Trumbower's mother was a daughter of Aaron Butts, who was one of the first settlers in Black Hawk county, Iowa. J. R. Trumbower, the father of the subject of this sketch, moved in 1876 to the vicinity of Ackley, Iowa, where he en- gaged in farming, and the son received his education in Franklin county, that State, and entered business. For a time he was tele- graph operator, as "extra," on the Central Iowa, railroad, and afterwards at Milledge- ville, Illinois, and in October, 1889, was transferred to Onalaska. He is a capable and efficient man for the business. BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT. 4r,d He was married at Milledgeville, Illinois, June 15, 1889, to Miss Ethel Myrta Steele, a lady of intelligence and ot a good family, born at De Soto, Wisconsin, a danghter of D. Abbott Steele, of Eock Falls, Illinois. During their residence at Onalaska Mr. and Mrs. Trumbower had a daughter, Edith Pearl who died at the age of nine months. Mr. Trumbower is an intelligent young man and of extended information, and frank and cordial in disposition. !RA E. GREEN, is well known and highly respected throughout La Crosse county, Wisconsin, as one of its worthy and intelli- gent citizens, public-spirited and of sterling integrity. He deserves more than ordinary mention as a successful farmer, for he began life at the foot of the ladder but by industry, economy and thrift, he has conquered adver- sity and has made himself one of the leading and influential citizens of the community in which he lives. He was born at Rock Prairie, Rock county, Wisconsin, a son of Henry H. and Abigail (Vought) Green, the former of whom was born in Orange county. New York and the latter in Pennsylvania, although she was reared and educated in Orange county, New York. The paternal grand- father was of English descent and was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary war, taking sides with the Colonists in their struggle for lib- erty. Henry Green came with his family to Rock county, Wisconsin, in 1840, of which place they were among the first settlers, and when their son Ira E. was a babe they came to Onalaska and settled one mile east of the town. To them a family of fifteen children were born, nine of whom are living. The father died in California in 1860, to which State he had gone in 1856, but his widow still survives him and has attained the age of seventy-six years, and is residing in La Crosse. Ira E. Green was brought up on a farm, and was given the benefit of the common schools in the vicinity of his home. In early manhood he went to Cottonwood county, Minnesota, where he entered some land un- der the homestead law, and resided on this land for eight years. After returning to his home and remaining here three years he went to Helena, Montana, where he was in the lumber business two and a half years. Upon returning once more to this county, he loca- ted at Midway where he conducted a mercan- tile establishment for two years and then sold out, and bought his present farm, which for- merly belonged to William Ruddle. This place is a valuable one and the value of the land itself is augmented l)y the erection of commodious and substantial buildings of all kinds and a fine windmill, all of which are kept in good repair. Evei-ything about his place indicates that a man of thrift and en- ergy is at the helm, and that he possesses intelligence of a high order and sound and practical views. He wag married December 30, 1876, at La Crosse, by Rev. Smith, to Miss Sophia Spang- ler, a lady of education and retitiement. Her father, Rev. J. H. Spangler, was born in Switzerland and died in May, 1890. His wife, Louisa Hanhart, was born, reared and married in Switzerland. They came to Wis- consin in 1851, and here reared a family of ten children, three sons serving in the civil war: Henry, Walter and Adolph. Their mother died in Sauk county, Wisconsin, in 1854, when her daughter, Mrs. Green, was an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Green have two daughters: Imoorene Louisa, born November 21, 1879, 460 BIOGRA PIIICAL EISTOR 7. and Irina Elizabeth, born September 30, 1881. Mr. Green is a Democrat, and socially be- longs to the I. O. (). F. His manners are frank and cordial, indicative of the man, and his personal popularity is abundant proof of his many sterling characteristics. -S->^H1-* L. CLAIIK, a tanner and farmer by oc- cupation, but later engaged in mercan- * tile trade, was born in Erie county, New York, in 1824, a son of John and Nancy (Levins) Clark, natives of New Hampshire and Vermont respectively. Dr. Samuel Clark, the paternal grandfather of our sub- ject, was a physician of enviable reputation in Stanstead, Canada; he married i'etsey Burton, and to them were born live sons and live daughters. John Clark was a tanner by trade, and followed that calling forty years and more. He came West with his family in 1851, and settled in La Crosse county, where he engaged in agriculture; his death occurred in 1860, his age being sixty-five years. He was one of the first Supervisors of the county, and was widely and favorably known. His wife died in 1853 at the age of lifty-three years; they were both people of strict integrity of character, and endured courageously all the hardships of their early life on the frontier. To them were born six children, three ot whom are living. P. L. Clark, one of the three, has been engaged in both commercial and agricultural pursuits. For six years he was Chief of Folicc of La Crosse, and as this city is justly entitled to the reputation of being one of the most orderly places on the Mississippi river, it is not unfair to place the credit where it is due. He was one of the most watchful officials the city has ever known, and fully possessed the courage of his convictions. In 1848 Mr. Clark went to Mississipju, and remained there four years, engaged in the tanning business. Hi.s marriage to Miss Martha Kimball occurred in 1855, and of this union were born four children: Mary is the wife of J. C. Saupe of La Crosse, and they arethe parents of one child. Flora May; Albert P. is one of the proprietors of one the largest livery stables in the city; Charles K. is station agent at Alden, Minnesota, and has been mayor of Alden for a number of years; he owns a large stock farm in Minnesota, and is very successful in his business operations; he married Miss Jennie St. John, of Vir- ginia, and they have three children: Frank, Sydney and Roy; Florence married Joseph Morley, of Neillsville, Wisconsin, and they have one child, Joseph Clark. Mrs. Clark is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Her parents, Abraham and Mary (Bradbury) Kimball, were from Buxton, Maine; they died a few years alter coming to the West; they first settled in Illinois, and afterwards removed to Wisconsin; tlie father died in 1851, at the age of sixty eight years; his wife died the same year, at the age of sixty-three years. They had eight children, three of whom are yet living: Horace, of Paddock, Minnesota; Charles, of Oakland, California, and Mrs. Clark. Mary Bradbury Kimball was a relative of William B. Bradbury, the celebrated musician. The Kimball fnmily is from the county of Cumberland, England, and takes its origin from a pari-^h of that name upon the Scottish border. The descrip- tion of their coat of arms from the IleraUVs College, London: "The arms are argent [silver]; a lion rampant; gules [red] upon a chief [sable]; three crescents of goM. The crest is a lion rampant holding in the dexter paw a dagger aupropre. Motto: J'^ortis, non BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT. 461 ferox [brave but not ferocious.]" The lion rampant in the coat- of- arms show that an ancestor had won a battle while in command at an engagement. The chief is a grant of honor for services done the government; and the crescents show that these services were against the Moors. The lion with a dagger in the crest shows that he who gained the victory dispatched the comtnander of the opposing forces with his dagger. Politically our subject affiliates with the Democratic party, and ardently supports the issues of that body. He belongs to the Chosen Friends. He is a man of good prin- ciples, strong purposes and tliorough reliabil- ity, commanding the esteeni and highest regard of the entire community. fOHN WHELDON, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public and conveyancer of Bangor, resides on section 5, township 16, range 5 west, where he settled in 1853. He was born in Wales, October 4, 1815, a son of William J. Wheldon, deceased, a native of the same country. He went to Philadelpiiia, Pennsylvania, in 1817, and tiience to Steuben township, Oneida county, New York, in Dec- ember, 1819, where the parents both died several years later. John, the subject of this sketch, wat edu- cated in the common and high schools, and also taught school five winters in New York. He emigrated to tiiis place in 1853, where lie built the first log house, 22 x 16 feet. The Indians and wild animals were then numer- ous, and deer was shot on the present site of the village of Bangor. His farin lay in the Bur Oak openings, and he now owns 180 acres, which is operated by his son, he devot- ing his time to his business interests. He o has been a member of both the County Board SI and Side Board several years, and in the early days was Superintendent of Schools. He was elected Justice of the Peace in April, 1872, and in the same year was appointed Notary Public. He has been a Republican since the party was organized, but never takes an active part in politics. He was appointed Post- master under President Grant April 28, 1873, and served unfil 1885, when he was removed on account of his political views. Mr. Wheldon was married, in April, 1843, to Elizabeth Roberts, a native of Wales, and daughter of Richard Roberts, deceased. They have had twelve children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, viz.: Elias, Laura A., William, Richard (deceased), Stephen B., Morris C, Newton, John, Jennie M., Robert and Griffith. Mrs. Wheldon died in March, 1886 She was a consistent Christian and a member of the Congregational Church, of which our subject is also a member. C. HANSON, one of the most active »jv.g members of commercial circles in La ® Crosse county, has resided here since 1866, and in that time has built up a large and thriving business. He is a native of Norway, born on St. Patrick's day, in 1845, a son of Hans and Mary Hanson. His fatlier was a farmer by occupation, and he was reared to thesame calling; he attended school until he was fourteen years of age, and then worked on the farm until he was nineteen. Desirous of trying some other kind of em- ployment he secured a position as clerk, which he tilled for two years. Then came the wish to see another country, and to try his fortunes in the New World. Accordingly he sailed away across the sea to America, landing in the city of Quebec, in July, 1866, whence he went directly to Chicago, Illinois. 462 BIOORAPUICAL HISTORY. After a short time in that city he came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and settled on Half- way creek; he next lived in the town of Ona- laska for eirrhteen months, and from that point moved to Hamilton township, where he took up a homestead of Government land; he proved up on this tract and sold it in 1877. He then embarked in general mercantile trade in Rockland with John H. Dahl, the firm name being Hanson & Dahl; this rela- tionship existed from 1877 to 1879, when they bonght the stock of H. Holmboe, of Mindoro, and removed to that place; the business was conducted under the same firm name until January 12, 1885, when Mr. Hanson bought Mr. Dalil's interest, and has continued the business alone. November 29, 1890, he purchased the stock of J. H. Hodge & Co., and now carries a stock of $10,000. In addition to this enterprise he owns a creamery which he has managed since 1888; in 1890 the sales were $25,000; he also oper- ates a cheese factory, the annual trade of which amounts to $2,500. Politically Mr. Hanson is identilied with the Republican party, and is an ardent sup- porter of the issues of that body. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Super- visors for three years, reflecting great credit upon himself and his constituency; he has been Treasurer of the township for three years, and was Secretary of the School Board for a number of years, and is at present its Treasurer. Ho is one of the trustees of the La Crosse asylum, and has filled this responsi- ble position since the institution was opened. In the spring of 1879 he was appointed Post- master at Mindoro, and held that office until the fall of 1885. In January, 1891, he was appointed to the same position, and is the present incumbent of that office; is one of the World's Fair Commissioners for La Crosse county, and a member of the Norden Society of La Crosse. Mr. Hanson has been twice married: in March, 1879, he' was united to Miss Anna Knutson, a native of Norway; she was but seven years of age when she was brought to this country, was educated here, and became a successful teacher. She was the mother of three children : Alfred M., Clarence and Alma L. Her death occurred in 1885; she was a worthy member of the Lutheran Church, and a woman greatly beloved by all who knew her. The second marriage of our subject was to Miss Anna Anderson, in 1886; she is also a native of Norway; one son has been born of this union, Alexander T. In addition to his mercantile interests Mr. Hanson owns a good residence and some town lots; he is a man of superior business qualifications, and has made the most of the opportunities that have been presented to him since taking up his residence in the United States. He has always given a lib- eral support to those movements which have recommended themselves as being of benefit to th§ general public, and the position he has taken in the commercial world is one of which any man might well be proud. 5SAAC D. DAVIS was born at Cardigan- shire, South Wales, January 10, 1838, son of Isaac D. Davis, Sr., and Margaret, his wife, both natives of that place. He is one of a family of nine children, four sons and five daughters. When he was fourteen years old his father died. His mother lived to be eighty. Isaac D. was reared in his native land, and from his youth up worked in a coal mine, becoming an expert miner before he was twenty- one. When he reached his majority he left Wales, sailed from Liverpool BIOGRAPHIOAL HI8T0RT. 463 to Eoston, and from there went North; wa^ in Halifax, Canada East, Montreal and Que- bec; thence to Boston and New York. He finally located in Luzerne county, Pennsyl- vania, where he engaged in coal-mining for several years, and was successful. While in Pennsylvania, Mr. Davis was married, December 10, 1863, to Elizabeth Williams, who was born in Glamorganshire, Wales, in 1846. Her parents, John and Elizabeth Williams, were natives of Wales, passed their lives and died there. They had three sons and two daughters. Eight children have been given to Mr. and Mrs. Davis, seven of whom are living, viz.: Elizabeth Ann, wife of William Griffin, of Mount Pleasant, Mich- igan, has three children; John, of North La Crosse, is married and has one son; and Thomas, Maggie, Willie, Gomer and Nelly, at home. Isaac died at the age of four months. Mr. Davis left Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1866, and went West. He traveled all over Missouri, seeking a desirable location, and in 1871 we find him settled near Oskaloosa, in Mahaska countv, Iowa. After remaining there a year he took his family East, and at New York embarked for California, making the journey via the Isthmus of Panama. Ar- riving on the Pacific coast, he took up his abode in Contra Costa county, and lived there for some time. Returning East by rail, he again settled in Mahaska county, Iowa, where he lived three years; thence to La Crosse county, Wisconsin. Here he purchased 120 acres of fine land in the Lewis valley and has since resided on it. He has a comfortable cottage home, built in 1887, and located half a mile from the village of Mindoro. All the improvements on his farm are first-class and are kept in good order. He is engaged in general farming and dairying, keeping ten cows. Mr. Davis cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has since affiliated with the lie- publican party. He was reared a Methodist and his wife a Baptist. Being a close obser- server and having traveled extensively, Mr. Davis possesses a general fund of useful in- formation. Honorable and upright in all his business dealings, and obliging in his dispo- sition, he has the good will of all who know him. Such is a brief sketch of one of the repre- sentative citizens of Farmington township. -^^uxrWy ~'FiJC*'-»ui'>^'^' C '^€l<^ '^^V BIOGBAPHIGAL HISTORY. 465 General U. S. Grant fighting the rebels at the head of the Array of the Tennessee, Or- ville L. Grant in charge of the Galena store, and M. T. Eurke in charge of a new leather and saddlery budiness at La Crosse, Wiscon- sin, under the firm name of Grant & Burke, his partner being Orville L. Grant. A branch leather store had also been opened at Cedar Falls, Iowa. In 1866 the Galena, La Crosse and Cedar Falls stores were sold out and con- solidated at Chicago under the firm name of Grant, Burke & Co., the La Crosse business being sold to Davis, Medary & Hill. In 1869, Mr. Burke withdrew from the firm of Grant, Burke & Co., but continued in the general leather and tanning business at Chi- cago and Portsmouth, Ohio, until 1880, at which time he returned to La Crosse as man- ager for the business he had established in 1861, now the J. S. Medary Saddlery Company. This company, of which he is a member, is one of the leading industries of the city, and has won a high reputation in commercial cir- cles. Mr. Burke was married in 1852, to Helen M. Ross, a niece of Mrs. Jesse R. Grant. To Mr. and Mrs. Burke have been born three sons. The eldest son, Edward Ross, is a member of the prominent La Crosse Banking and Insurance firm of Magill & Burke. lie married Anna L. Tracy (deceased), a grand- daughter of United States Senator Uriah Tracy, of New York. One child, Tracy L., was born to them. The second son, Charles Sumner, is the general agent of the Connect- icut Life Insurance Company at Boston, Massachusetts. He married Nellie Oatman, of Winsted, Connecticut, and Robert E. is their only child. The youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Burke, William E., died at La Crosse in 1865. Mr. Burke is a member of the Masonic order and of the Universalist Church. He is an ardent and active Republican, but has never held a remunerative office. In 1852 he was a delegate to the Whig State Conven- tion at Columbus, Ohio. He has served the city of La Crosse two terms as a member of the Council, and also as a member of the Board of Education. Just before the surrender of General Lee, Mr. Burke was given a secret commission by the Treasury Department to negotiate the purchase and protection of tobacco, cotton, etc., in Richmond, but Grant struck the last blow before the mission could be accom- plished. In 1865, he was the Republican candidate for Mayor of La Crosse. The city was at that time largely Democratic, and he was de- feated by a small majority. He is a genial, courteous gentleman, is public-spirited and worthy of the esteem in which he is held. ILLS TOURTELLOTTE, attorney at law. La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born "^^^ in Holyoke, Massachusetts, August, 31, 1853, and his parents are now honored residents of La Crosse. Both were natives of Connecticut. The father came to La Crosse Wisconsin, with his family, consisting of his wife and eldest son, and settled at West Sa- lem, since when they have had two sons and one daughter. He and Thomas Leonard were the principal movers in laying out that vil- lage. The father lived on a farm right in town until about 1884, when he moved to Denver, Colorado, where his son, John F., an able attorney, resides, and remained there until 1889. He then came to La Crosse, of which city he has been a resident ever since. Col. J. E. Tourtellotte, an uncle of our sub- ject's, was on General Sherman's staif until the latter was retired. He died J uly 22, 1891, 46C BIOGRAPUIGAL HISTORY. and is interred at the National Cemetery at Arlington, Virgiunia. He was but fifty- eight years of age. Mills Tourtellotte was educated in the State University, in the class of 1877, but graduated in the law class of that institu- tion in 1875. He then opened an office in La Crosse and has continuously practiced law here since, meeting with excellent success. He is interested in all the enterprises which promise for their object the welfare of the city, and is a public-spirited citizen. He was married in 1878, to Miss Lillie Woodbury, daughter of Capt. W. W. Woodbury, of Boston, Massachusetts. Capt. Woodbury served in the civil war and died November 15, 1891, aged sixty-two years. He served in a Minnesota regiment during die entire war. Mrs. Tourtellotte is the only child. Her mother is still living and is sixty years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Tourtellotte have been born four children: Lillie W., Augustus M., Wallace L., and Nathaniel M. Mr. and Mrs. Tourtellotte attend the Epis- copal Church. Socially the former is a mem- ber of the K. of P., has been all through the chairs in the local lodge and lias been a rep- resentative in the Grand Lodge one year. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum and has been through all the chairs in the local lodge. Mr. Tourtellotte is proprietor of the Tour- tellotte stock and dairy farm at Middle Kidge, La Crosse county, and Mr. A. C. Barber is manager. This is one of the largest stock and dair}' farms in the county and Mr. Tour- tellotte is actively engaged in breediug thor- oughbred Holstein cattle and Poland-China pigs. The farm embraces 500 acres. This is one of the leading industries of the county, and is complete in all its appointments, includ- ing creamery, etc. Mr. Tourtellotte takes a decided interest in politics and is an advocate of the principles of the Bepublican party, thoucjh not anxious to hold ottice. He is well read, is an able attorney, and possesses excel- lent business qualifications. .®i ^s^ *i^ -^^ ARTIN REICHERT, a farmer resid- ing near Stevenstown, is another one of the enterprising and successful men of this county. Mr. Reichert claims Prussia as the country of his nativity, the date of his birth being November 23, 1844. He is a son of Jacob and Mary Ann (Teice) Reichert, both natives of Prussia. The subject of our sketch was a babe when his parents sailed for America. They landed at New York and from there came direct to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, soon after settling in Washington county. In 1863 they came to La Crosse county, and here the parents passed the residue of their lives and died. They reared a family of six chil- dren, all of whom are living, namely: Agnes, Jacob, David, Martin, Mary and Barbara. Four of them are in this country. The father died at the age of sixty-five years. In early life lie was engaged at work in the lumber woods in Prussia, but after coming to Amer- ica he turned his attention to farming. The mother passed away in 1884, at the age of seventy-four years. Martin Reichert spent bis youth at farm work and received his education in the dis- trict schools. He was nineteen years of age when he came to this county. During the war he enlisted, in February, 1865, in Com- pany C, Forty-ninth Wisconsin Infantry, and was at first stationed with his regiment in Madison. He was afterward in Missouri at St. Louis and Rolla. He received his dis- charge at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, after BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 467 which he returned to his home in Wisconsin. Mr. Reichert has a tine farm of 200 acres, a part of which was purchased in 1863. It is well improved, with a comfortable log house, stables, fences, etc., and is devoted to general farming. Mr. Reichert was married November 27, 1874, to Ella Brown, a native of Winnebago county, Wisconsin. Her parents, Russell and Lucy Jane (McPherson) Brown, were na- tives of Maine and New York respectively, they had nine children, six of whom are liv- ing, viz.: Emma, Ella, Etta, Marsella, Has- call and Minnie. Mr. and Mrs. Reichert have six children, whose names are as follows: Martin, Royal, Carrie, Albert, Cecil and Chester. Politically, Mr. Reichert is a Republican. He is a member of Nelson Quygle Post, No. 233, G. A. R.. of Mindoro. -^-^^n/Uly- -q/mri^^ jLEXANDER FORREST, like many of Wisconsin's best citizens, is a native of ^ Scotland. A man of strong physique, strict integrity, and genial manner, he pos- sesses the chief characteristics of his country- men. Mr. Forrest was born in Lanarkshire, Scot- land, February 28, 1822. His father, Will- iam Forrest, was a son of Alexander Forest, both natives of that country and by occupa- tion farmers. His mother, whose maiden name was Beatrice Pettegrew, was a native of the same shire. They were the parents of four sons and six daughters, the subject of our sketch being the fifth born in the family. The father died at the age of eighty- four years, and the mother reached the advanced age of ninety-five years before her death. Alexander Forrest grew up on a farm and received his education in the schools of his native land. For eight years he was engaged in a milling and provision business in Glas- gow, and for a number of years was employed in the iron works of Castle Hill. In 1867 he came to Wisconsin and settled in Farm- ington township. La Crosse county. Here he purchased of Angus Cameron what was known as the Lewis farm, one of the oldest farms in the county. It was on this farm the old Lewis mill was built in 1848, the mill that ground the first wheat raised in this part of the county. This place consists of 140 acres of rich bottom land, well watered by Fleming creek, and has a good house, barn, etc. At the age of twenty-nine years Mr. For- rest was united in marriage with Jeanette McGrindle, a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, and a daughter of William McGrindle. Four sons and four daughters came to bless their union, namely: Thomas and Andrew, of Farmington township; James is married and lives on the home place; Beatrice, wife of Bishop Hobbs, of La Crosse; Elizabeth, wife of E. Fuller, this township; Maggie, at home; and two are deceased, William, who died in Moody county, Dakota, leaving a widow and four children, and Ann, who died at the age of twenty-six years. Mr. Forrest and his family are among the highly respected people of this vicinity. He is in politics a Repub- lican, and in religion a Presbyterian. lif^^ERBERT LOVEJOY, manufacturer of sash, doors, blinds, mouldings, brackets, flooring, siding, ceiling, and dealer in building paper, window glass, builders' hard- ware and building uiaterial generally, has been established in business in La Crosse since 1881. 408 BIOGRArUlCAL HISTORY. He ia a native of the State of New York, born at Ogdensbnrg, December 20, 1851, a son of AVilliani and Elizabeth (Kelly) Love- joy. His father was also a dealer in building material; his grandfather, Ransom Lovejoy, was a farmer by occupation, and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. Both the pater- nal and maternal ancestors were men and women of robust constitutions, were above medium stature, and were also vei-y long- lived. Herbert Lovejoy passed his youth in his native village, receiving a good education in the public schools. At the age of thirteen years he came West, and secured employment in Chicago with the firm of Heath tt Milli- gan, paint m'anufacturers. He finally re- turned to New York, and again came to Chicago in the spring of 1872. In the fall of the same year he came to La Crosse, re- maining one year, at the end of which period he went home on account of the death of his father. He and his brother Fred went to Preseott, Canada, where they were about establishing themselves in business, when the great fire at St. John, New Brunswick, occurred, and they started for that city, believing that bet- ter opportunities awaited them there, bat, arriving at Montreal, received discouraging reports from St. John. Accordingly they sold their boats which they had taken with them. They next turned their attention to the "West, securing a hack with which they drove overland to Chicago. Arriving in that city they sold their team, and took the train for La Crosse. This was in the fall of 1877, and until 1881 our subject worked at the business of sash manfacturing. Then, as before stated, he established himself in busi- ness. He erected the plant known as the Novelty Wood Works, which was burned out in 1888, and he lost every dollar he was worth. He rebuilt the present plant, and one year afterward sold out to the j)resent owner, J. E. Wheeler. He then spent some time in Washington Territory, and after his return he went to Merrill, Wisconsin, where he started a large plant for a company there. In 1889 he erected the plant in La Crosse where he is conducting a thriving trade. Mr. Lovejoy was married in S{)arta, Wis- consin, to Miss Isabella E. Gnrr, a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a daugliter of William and Mary Gurr, who came from Sussex, England. Mrs. Lovejoy's father was a black- smith by trade, but followed agricultural pur- suits after coming to America. Mr. and Mrs. Lovejoy are the parents of two children, Hattie and Florence. Mr. Lovejoy is a charter member of the Builders' Exchange, and was one of the charter members of the La Crosse Building Association, and is a present member of its directory. ILLIAM JOHN DAVIDSON, a highly respected citizen of La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a native of the State of New York, born at Redford, Clinton county, February 21, 1841. His parents, William and Lucinda (Bird) Davidson, were natives of Leeds, England, and the State of New York respectively. The paternal grand- father was John Davidson who emigrated to America and settled in Redford, Clinton county, New York. Lucinda Bird was tiie daughter of John A. Bird, who was a native of England and emigrated to America and settled in New York. The subject of this notice passed his boyhood and early youth in his native State, and at the age of sixteen years he came to the West and made his home in Caledonia, Minnesota, until the breaking out of the civil war. lie then BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOIiT. 469 espoused the cause of the Union, and Sep- tember 30, 1861, he enlisted in the First Wisconsin Light Artillery, and did service for three years and twenty-six days. He partici- pated in many of the most important battles of the war, among which maybe mentioned: Cumberland Gap, Tazewell, Ganley Bridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Thomp- son's Hill, Black River Bridge, Champion Hill, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Red River and Clinton. After the cessation of hostilities he was engaged in various kinds of work along the Mississippi river for a period of two years. He then took up the business of house and sign painting, and in 1872 went to Chicago, where he remained for four- teen years. In 1886 he came to La Crosse, and has been prominently identified with his branch of the building business since that time. Mr. Davidson was united in marriage in this city in 1868, to Miss Mary J. Morton, a daughter of John and Catharine Morton, natives of Ireland. Two daughters have been born of this union: Loretta, tlie wife of Harvey E. Derr, and Irene. Our worthy subject is a member of the G. A. R., holding an official position in Wil- son Caldwell Post, No. 38, Department of Wisconsin; he is also a member of the Ma- sonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a charter member of the Builders' Exchange of La Croose. i n «i y » S ' i S ' J' "-' " rHERON ANDERS, whose business y/lip^ career in Onalaska has been a most ^' creditable one, is entitled to the follow- ing space in this history of La Crosse county. He was born in Seneca county, Ohio, Feb- ruary 15, 1859, a son of William H. and Kate (Madison) Anders, natives of Virginia and New York respectively. The father was a soldier in the late civil war, enlisting at La Crosse in the heavy Artillery; he served one year, and at the end of that time returned to this county. He died in 1888, but his wife still survives, a resident of Milwaukee. Two of their sons were also in the war: Innatus was a member of the Second Wisconsin Vol- unteer Infantry, and was killed in the battle of Antietam; David foncrht in an Ohio Resfi- ment for three years. Theron Anders was a lad when he came to Wisconsin, where he re- ceived his education and grew to manhood. The great industry of the State, lumbering, furnished him employment when he started out to meet the responsibilities of life. He has worked in the woods, on the drive and on the river, and during the past seven years, has been superintendent of the East Fork Improvement Company. The experience he has had in every branch of this business ren- ders him a valued employe, and in his ca- pacity of superintendent he is immensely popular, not only with his company but with his men as well. He resides on Second street, Onalaska, where he owns a good piece of property. Mr. Anders was married Noven)ber 7, 1874, to Miss Eva Sampson, a daughter of ELenry and Samantha (Webber) Sampson, natives of Chautauqua county, New York. Mrs. Anders was born in Licking county, Ohio, but during her early life was brouglit to Wisconsin where she grew to womanhood; her father is now deceased, and her mother lives at Shasta, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Anders have two children: Thomas O. was born December 15, 1883, and William H., December 5,1885; the oldest child, Clarence Henry, died in infancy. In politics Mr. Anders adheres to the principles of the Democratic party. He 470 BIOOBAPHICAL HISTORY. belongs to the Masonic order, being a mem- ber of Onalaska Lodge, No. 214. He is in the prime of life, is possessed of excellent business al)ility, and has Ijefore him every prospect of success and prosperity. fOHN E. JONES is one of the pioneers of La Crosse county, having settled here in 1853, and aided in the development and growth of one of the l)est States in the Union. He is a citizen of the United States by adoption. He was born at Bristol, Mon- mouthshire, England, November 7, 1818, a son of William and Margaret (Jones) Jones. His grandfather and grandmother were Will- iam and Margaret Rogers. He was three years of age when his parents emigrated to America and settled in the Dominion of Canada. He was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and received his education in the common schools. He learned the trade of stuccoing, which he followed for some years. For a time he lived in Sherbrook, Canada, and at the age of nineteen years and six months he removed to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked at his trade for one year. He then went to Kockford, Illinois, and later on to Beloit, Wisconsin. He then went to Elkhorn, Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he remained eleven years. In 1853 he came to La Crosse county, and in a short time after his arrival here settled on the land he has since occupied. This land had been pur- chased in 1852. The first work Mr. Jones did in La Crosse county was to assist in the construction of a large mill which was being built by Smith, Burns & Kuberry. He also purchased from the Government 640 acres of as choice land as can be found in Lewis val- ley, which now has excellent improvements. A brick residence was erected in 1880, at a cost of $5,000, and is lieautifuUy situated in every respect. The barns, ice-liouse, cream- ery, machine house, granary, carriage house and crihs are all of a substantial style, and reflect great credit upon the thrifty owner. Mr. Jones was married June 20, 1842, to Miss Mary B. Hicks, of Boston, Massachu- setts, a daughter of Eiias Hicks, who came with his family to this county during its early settlemeht. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of nine children: Alfred A., George W., J-ohn M., Maria, wife of James Forest; Elias Jackson, Lemuel Byron, Lo- rette, who died at the age of six years; William Wilbur, who died at the age of three years, and Ann Eliza, wiio was sixteen at the time of her death. Lemuel B. resides on the home farm; he married Miss Mary H. Hemstock, May 28, 1890. She is a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Sted- men) Hemstock, residents of Burns, LaCrosse county, and before her marriage was a very successful teacher. This family was called to mourn the death of the wife and mother, June 7, 1888, when she passed to the "great beyond," aged sixty-five years, lacking three days. She was a woman of rare Christian character, and was greatly beloved by all who knew her. Mr. Jones aOiliates with the Republican party, and is a stanch supporter of the prin- ciples of that organization. fOIIN RUEDY, deceased, formerly of section 8, Bangor township, was born in Prattigan, Switzerland, August 20, 1837, a son of Florien and Anna (Ruedy) Ruedy. The father brought liis family to the United States in August, 1840, and settled in lligh- land, Illinois, thirty miles east of St. Louis, and four years later they came to Sauk county. BIOOBAPEIOAL HISTORY. 471 Wisconsin, and iu 1851 to this county, settling on section 8, where our subject's widow now lives. The parents had seven children, only one of whom is now living, Mrs. Christine Wolf. John Ruedy, our subject, was a fanner and stock raiser all his life, and for many years operated the Bangor woolen mill in connec- tion with his farming. The mill was built in 1866, by Mr. Ruedy and George Scheidt. He owned a line farm of 170 acres in the homestead, besides sixty acres of timber land. He held the offices of Town Treasurer, As- sessor and Town Clerk several years and was also a member of the Side Board and School Board many years. In his political views he was a Republican, and socially a member of the A. 0. U. W. Mr. Ruedy was married June 1, 1861, to Ursula Saxer, a daughter of Peter and Ursula (Mongelt) Saxer. The parents were born in Splugen, Switzerland, and crossed the ocean in 1854, being fifty-two days en route. They lived one year in Dubuque, Iowa, and in 1855 came to this county and settled in Dutch creek valley, Bangor township. The father died in Bangor, in 1875, and the mother now lives in this city, at the age of seventy-eight years. They were tlie parents of fifteen chil- dren, twelve of whom are now living, namely: Menga, now Mrs. Bosshard; Maria, Mrs. Accola; Peter, Ursula, now Mrs. Ruedy; Elizabeth, Mrs. Wettstein; Mattheus, Chris- tine, Mrs. Nolden; Katiiarine, Anna M., Mrs. Schilling; Lucia, Mrs. Nedvedeck; Edward and Annetta, Mrs. Williams. The children are now scattered in various parts of the country. Mr. and Mrs. Ruedy had four children: Anna, Ursula, Christine and Peter J. Anna married George W. Thompson of Sioux City, Iowa,and has one child, Juanita. Ursula mar- ried William II. Thompson, brother to G. W. Thompson, also of Sioux City. Christine married Nicholas M. Elsen, of Burns town- ship, and has one child, Orma. Mr. Ruedy died September 30, 1878. He was a lively, energetic and prosperous man, sociable, hon- est, and respected by all. In his death the family lost an affectionate husband and father, and the community a valuable member of societv. ARL C. CASBERG is one of the promi- nent and enterprising farmers of Hol- land township, this county. He came with his parents to La Crosse county iu 1860, and for thirty-one years has resided here. He was born in Norway, son of Christian Chris- tiansen and Caroline his wife, both natives of that country. They made their home in Holland township the rest of their lives and died here. Five sons composed their family of children. Carl was twelve years old when he came to this country. On the farm he grew up, doing the work of a farmer's boy and attending the district schools near his home. His present farm, which consists of 120 acres, he purchased of Andrew Nelson, and on it he has lived seven years. He has a comfortable two-story residence; barn, 22 x 32 feet in dimensions; ice house, 16 x 20 feet; and other substantial farm improvements that combine to make his place a valuable one well suited for successfully carrying on agri- cultural pursuits. Mr. Casberg is much interested in stock, especially horses. He has three of the finest stallions in the county: a thoroughbred Clyde, a French Canadian and a three-fourths Norman horse. He has devoted much time and money to this busi- ness, and has been very successful. He is in company with Thomas Johnson and Alfred Gaarder. Mr Casberg is one of the mos 473 BIOGRAPHICAL UISTORT. euccessful threshers in this section of the country, having operated a machine for seven- teen years, during the autumn season. He now owns a steam thresher, fourteen-horse power. When he was twenty-four years old Mr. Casberg was united in marriage with Jenny Stoen, a native of La Crosse county, and a daughter of Benjamin Stoen. They have five children, namely: Carlton, Henry, John, Birdie and Laura. They lost one child whose name was Otilla. Mr. Casherg's political views are in har- mony with Republican principles. He is associated with the Farmers' Alliance and is a member of the Lutheran Church. ■ Well posted on the general topics of the day, broad and liberal in his views, frank and cordial in his maimers, he is a good neighbor and a popular citizen. H. HAWKINS, La Crosse, is one of the representative citizens of LaCrosse ^® county, Wisconsin, and has held a num- ber of prominent offices in the town of La Crosse. He was born in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, December 14, 1847, and is a son of Homer Hawkins, who owed his nativity to the Empire State. TJie grandfather, Will- iam Hawkins, was a native of New England, born in 1758, and was in the war of 1812- Homer Hawkins attained his growth and re- ceived his education in his native State, and then went to Chicago in 1832, when that city was but a village. He was a mechanic, a blacksmith, and made the first plow in Chi- cago. From there he went to Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and tliere met and mar- ried Miss Lucy Post, who was born near London, England, in 1824, and who was but nine years of age when she crossed the ocean to America. She was the daughter of John Post, who was also a native of Etigland. Homer Hawkins and wife came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in 1854, and having means purchased considerable land in this county and 900 acres across in Houston county, Minnesota. They resided for a time at Half- Way Creek, then on a farm which Paul Mc- Hugh now owns, near Midway, and later on the land now owned by his son, C. H. He died in August, 1868, when fifty-four years of age, and left a widow and two children. The mother was subsequently married to An- drew Quinn, and now resides on Fifth street. La Crosse. Homer Hawkins was a Republi- can in politics, and in his religious belief was a Universalist. C. H. Hawkins was the younger of the two children born to his parents; (his brother George is a resident of La Crosse). He passed his boyhood days on a farm, and when seven years of age came to La Crosse county, where he finished his growth and secured a fair education. The farm on which he now resides is a very valuable one, and on this he has resided the principal part of the time for thirty-two years. It is situated a mile and a quarter from La Crosse, and consists of 120 acres of good land. His house is cosy and convenient, and his barns, carriage shed, cribs, etc., are all in good condition. He has a windmill on his place. Mr. Hawkins was married September 19, 1873, to Miss Eline Hanson, who was a native of Norway and a girl of nine years when she came to this county. Her parents, Hans Erickson and Marie (Anderson) Erick- son, were natives of that country also. Mr. Erickson now resides in Hamilton township, where be has made his home for the past thirty years. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins have five living children: Willie IL, Fred N., Emily, Mattie A. and Clarence Raymond. BIOOBAPHICAL HISTORY. 473 Lnella was tlie tliird child, and died when fifteen months old; and Mabel, who was the fourth child, died when six months old. In politics Mr. Hawkins is a stanch Republican, and at present is treasurer of Campbell town- ship. He has been Assessor, Clerk, and a member of the School Board for the past sixteen years. He has been tendered other offices, but invariably refused. He is a popu- lar man, and one whose intelligence and enter- prise is well known. Mrs. Hawkins is a member of the Lutheran Church. (EORGE W. SCOTT, painter and decor- ator, No. 116 North Fourth street, La Crosse, is one of the most successful and enterprising of La Crosse county's citizens. He was born at Ashtabula Ohio, August 31, 1840, and is a son of Ellis C. and Sophia (Doolittle) Scott, natives of Massachusetts and members of old New England families. They reared a family of five children, one son and four daughters: Mary is the wife of E. N. Bagley, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Jen- nette married J. C. Weaver, and resided until her death in Erie, Pennsylvania; George "W., the subject of this notice, and Susan C. were twins, she became the wife of L-a A. Willard; Ellen A. was twice married her first husband, J. M. Randall, was Assistant Provost-Mar- shal during the civil war, and died in this city in April, in 1865; his widow afterwards married W. A. Burton, of Sparta, Wisconsin, who is engaged in mercantile pursuits. The parents died in Ohio, and George W. removed to La Crosse in 1856, and served an apprenticeship to his trade. He enlisted in the First Wisconsin Battery Light Artillery in September, 1861, and served his country over three years. He participated in the siege of Vicksburs', and many other noted engagements; he was with Sherman on his expedition up the Chickasaw Bayou, and was also on the Red River expedition. He re- turned to New Orleans, was ordered to Baton Rouge, and engaged in several raids into the interior of Louisiana; when his term of ser- vice expired he came by the steamer Consti- tution, via Elmira, New York, as a guard to several hundred Rebel prisoners. He was married January 5, 1865, in North Blandford, Massachusetts, to Miss Olive L. Crosby, a daughter of Alonzo K. Crosby, born March 7, 1844. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been born three children : Nellie E., who died at the age of eight years; Emma L. and Gertrude G. Emma is a milliner and has been in the employ of the Trade Palace, La Crosse, for five years; she is also an artist, and is very successful in interior decorations. Mr. Scott has been engaged in the finish- ing of many of the best residences in La Crosse, among which may be mentioned those of Mayor Copeland, Hon. Alex. McMillan, G. C. Hixon, L N. Perry, W. W. Crosby and James Vincent. He finished the Gile Block, the La Crosse National Bank Block, and sev- eral other important business houses. He has been a life-long Republican, and is a a member of the Masonic fraternity, the A. O. U. W., and the Knights of Honor. fOHN W. JOHNSON.— Nowhere in La Crosse county is there to be found a man of more energy, determined will or force of character than Mr. Johnson possesses, and no agriculturist is deserving of greater suc- cess in the conduct and management of his farm than he. He owns what is known as the old John Clark farm, which was one of the first farms settled in the neighborhood, which contains 160 acres of well located and 474 BWORAPHICAL HISTOKY. fertile land. It is three and one-half miles from the city limits of La Crosse, and on it is a commodious two-story residence, with large barns and other out-buildings. Of this desirable piece of property he has been the owner since 1860. He was born in Orange county, Vermont, April 29, 1833, a son of William Johnson and grandson of John John- son, the latter being a native of New England and one of the pioneers of Vermont, enlisting from that State in the Revolutionary war as one of the famous " Green Mountain boys." William Johnson was married to Elizabeth Kent, who was a member of a prominent family of Vermont. She was born in Orange county, a daughter of Joseph Kent, who was a son of Colonel Jacob Kent, a Revolutionary soldier who went to Orange county, Vermont, on horseback, carrying cooking utensils with him on a pack horse. William Johnson and his wife reared three sons and three daugh- ters, the following members of which family are living: Jesse J., John W., Eugene and Ella Cram. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson removed from Vermont to Galena, Illinois, but in 18(30 became residents of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, where they spent the remainder of their days. The father was born January 9, 1804, and died October 19, 1870. His wife was born March 15, 1804, and was called from life in 1876. John W. Johnson was brought up oil a Vermont farm, and his edu- cation was acquired in the public schools of his native Stale. In 1855 he went to Galena, Illinois, where he was in business for some live years, but he has since resided on his present farm. He was married in January, 1865, to Miss Adelaide Tripp, a native of Trumbull county, Ohio, a daughter of H. A. Tripp, who was born in Vermont, and grand- daugliter of Thomas Tripp, a native of New England. Mrs. Johnson's mother was Mary Ellsworth, of Connecticut, a cousin of Colonel Ellsworth, of civil war fame. H. A. Tripp and family came to La Crosse county in 1857, the mother dying here on the 20th of January, 1877, and the father on the 16th of January, 1878. He had followed farming all his life, and politically was a Republican and a mem- ber of the Baptist Church in his religions views. Their family consisted of five daugh- ters and one son: Sarah, Lovejoy, Mrs. Johnson, George, Ellsworth, of Madison, Wisconsin, and Maria, of Greenville, Illinois. Mrs. Tripp was married twice, her lirst union being to Allen Hawley, by whom she became the mother of two children: Lavina Barlow, of La Crosse, and Joel Hawley, of Ohio. John W. Johnson and his wife have three children : Ellswo;th T., one of the well known young men of the lowaihip, born December 2, 1867, uas elected Town Clerk in 1890 and served two years; Mary Grace, and Agnes Pearl. The youngest child, Addie Myrtle, is deceased. Mr. Johnson is one of the wheel horses of the Republican party, and has been chairman of the Town Board seven terms. He has also filled the position of school trus- tee, in which he acquitted himself with credit. He has been a member of the Masonic fra- ternity for thirty years. His wife is an active Sabbath-school worker, and the management of the school has often been in her efficient hands. The family are intelligent and retined and have a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances. fASPER RICHARDSON.— For many years, or since locating in La Crosse county, Mr. Ricliardson has enjoyed the reputation of being a useful and law-abiding citizen, and an intelligent and thoroughly posted man on all public matters. He was born near Jamestown, Chantauqua county. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 475 New York, J^ine 9, 1832, a sou of Freeman Richardson, and grandson of Hill Richard- son, a soldier of the war of 1812. Freeman Richardson was married to Rebecca Smith, who was born at Ashfield, Massachusetts, in 1808. She was eight years of age when her father moved to New York State, and in that State she was educated and grew to woman- hood. Her parents were Fbenezer and Keziah (Elder) Smith, and her paternal grandfather was Rev. Caleb Smith, a prominent Baptist minister of the East for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in 1854, and were resi- dents of Campbell township until their deaths, the father dying at the age of sixty-six years, and the mother at the age of seventy-nine, in North La Crosse. Of a family of eight chil- dren born to tlieni, the following are living: Jasper, Matilda, of Tomah, Wisconsin; Aman- da, wife of William Purdy, of Barton county, Missouri; Squire F., of Chautauqua county, New York; Myra, wife of James Walters, of Missouri; and Florilla, wife of William Gear, of North La Crosse. Jasper Richardson was reared and edu- cated in his native county, but in 1854 he went to Janesville, Wisconsin, and spent the winter in the woods. He purchased his present farm of forty-two acres in 1870, and on this he has a cotnfortable residence and out-buildings, besides which he owns live acres of very valuable land near La Crosse. His farm is located three miles from Oualas- ka, and being so near La Crosse is worth considerable money. He was married November 21, 1859, to Miss M. Holmes, a woman whose intelligence and kindly heart have won her a host of friends. She was born in Oswego county. New Y'ork, and when six years of age was taken iiy her parents to Ohio, and in 1847 came with them to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The family came to La Crosse county in 1854, but the father died in Fillmore county, Minnesota, when sixty-seven years of age, having been a soldier in the war of 1812. The mother was called from life in Lake county, Dakota, at the age of seventy-nine. They reared a large family of sons and daughters. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Richardson: Bertha Ahne- da, Herbert Franklin and Elmer. Two chil- dren are deceased : Flora, who died at the age of seven years, and Squire Freeman, at the age of two years and eleven months. Politically Mr. Richardson is a Republi- can. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; has been class-leader, and has always been interested in the cause of re- ligion and morality. He is a frank and jovial gentleman, kind, hospitable and char- itable, and one whom it does one good to meet. Personally and in every private re- lation and duty of life he has been liberal, generous and high-minded, and he is the soul of true honor and unbounded greatness of heart. He has the instinct and training of the true gentleman; his life has been full of kind deeds, and it can truly be said of him that he never violated a friendship nor forgot a kind action done him. f'OSEPH BOUCHER, a well-known resi- ' dent of West La Crosse, Wisconsin, and one of the sul)Stantial men of the county, was born on Wolfe river, near Quebec, Can- ada, in 1842, and is of French descent. His parents, Anthony and Elizabeth (Dorris) Boucher, were natives of Canada, where they resided for many years, but finally moved to niinois, where the father received his final summons. The mother is still living, and makes her home in St. Mary's, Illinois. Jo- 476 DIOCrRATUWAL HISTORY. sepli Boucher was reared in Canada, taught the arduous duties of the farm at an early age, and received but a limited education. At the age of twenty-two he traveled by sea four months, visiting Martinique and Jamaica Islands, St. Peter's, Quebec and Montreal; then spent eighteen months in New Hamp- shire. In 1865 he went to Michigan, thence to Dubuque, Iowa, and in 1866 he came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, where he is nnmbered among the prosperous and suc- cessful citizens. He has worked for many years in the pine woods and on the river, and has met with more than the ordinary degree of success. In 1890 he built a fine house, 22x 26 feet, with an L 14x 20 feet; has this well furnished, and a large bay window is well filled with lovely plants. He has a good home, and besides is the owner of eighteen valuable lots in West La Crosse, be- sides property in the city. He was married April 12, 1875, at La Crosse, to Miss Caro- line Egan, dauijliter of M. C. and Eliza (Meltimore) Egan, prominent settlers of the island. Mrs. Boucher was born in St. Law- rence county, and reared in Clinton county. New York. The two living children born to Mr. and Mrs. Boucher are: Willie Anthony, born September 5, 1878, and Caroline Eliza- beth, born April 7, 1890. They lost an in- fant, Frank, when only two weeks old. In politics Mr. Boucher is a Democrat, and he and wife hold membership in the Catholic Church. •S*" lg.g^AUL McHUGII, of Onalaska township, was born in Springfield, Ohio, October 15, 1854, son of Bernard McHugli, de- ceased, one of the prominent early settlers of La Crosse county. Bernard McIIugh was a son of Bernard and Mary McIIugh, and, like many of the prominent citizens of Wisconsin, was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, the date of his birth being 1827. He was reared in Ireland, and after coming to America he was married, at Springfield, Ohio, to Tsabelle Mel- lon, who was born and reared in the same neighborhood with her husband. She was a member of a highly respected family, was a woman of much strencfth of character, and proved herself a worthy helpmate to her companion. After his arrival in this country Mr. McIIugh located at Springfield, Ohio, where he worked in the railroad shops for some three or four years. In 1856 he came to La Crosse county and settled at Onalaska, where he worked in a mill two years. He then purchased eighty acres of land near Ilolmen. By his industry and good manage- ment, and by the able assistance of his sons, he became the possessor of several improved farms, owning in all 1,170 acres. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, ten of whom are living, viz.: William, Paul, James, John, Thomas, Cornelius, Mary, wife of Tiioinas Ileagney, of Chicago, Illinois; Margaret, Michel and Ellen. Anna died at the age of three .years. Mrs. McHugh died in 1882, and Mr. McIIugh survived her two years, dying in 1884, at the age of fifty-six. He was a Democrat in politics, and a Catholic in religion. Paul McHugh was only two years old when his parents located in this county, and on the old homestead he spent his boyhood days and grew to manhood. lie received his education iu the district schools and at Gales- ville Academy. Since 1876 lie has resided on his present farm, which consists of 260 acres, and is one of the best farms in Ona- laska township. He has a comfortable resi- dence, two large barns and other subc.tantial farm improvements. Everytiiing is arranged with reference to convenience, and is kept in BIOOBAPHIOAL HISTORY. 477 the best of order, the general appearance of the premises indicating thrift and prosperity. Mr. McHngh devotes his time to sreneral farming and stock-raising, keeping a good breed of hogs and both draught and driving horses. He was married in February, 1881, to Miss Ida Campbell, who was born in Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, daughter of John Camp- bell, of this county. They have six children: Cecelia, Agnes, Margaret, "Walter, Marcella and John. Mr. McHugh is an enthusiastic Democrat, and is a member of the Farmers' Alliance. He has served two years as town clerk, and is now serving his third year as chairman of the Town Board. Although comparatively a young man, he is ranked, socially, politically and financially, among the representative citizens of La Crosse county. ^. ^^ fOHN BANKER, one of the most popu- lar of the city officials of La Crosse, Wisconsin, is an American citizen by adoption, his native country being Germany. He was born in the year 1844, and is a son of Jacob and Anna (LickofF) Banker, both of whom lived and died in the old country. The father was a brewer by occupation, and was master of the business in all its details. He and his wife were devoted members of the Lutheran Church. Our subject was educated in the common schools of Germany, receiving that strict mental training characteristic of the German nation. After his school days were ended he went to learn the machinist's trade, and worked at the trade until 1876, when he emigrated to the United States, determined to seek out the fortune that the New World might have in store for him. He settled first 32 at Clinton, Iowa, where he was engaged in work for two years; then he spent one year in Washington, and about two years in Da- kota. In 1884 he came to La Crosse, and since that time has been in the employ of the city government. He was superintendent of the sewers and city works, and in April, 1891, he was appointed health officer for the city for a term of two years. Politically he is independent, supporting those men and measures which he esteems of the highest in- terest to the city and country. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., and has been an officer of the order for a number of years. In the capacity of a public officer he has discharged all his duties with a strict fidelity that has won the confidence of the citizens, and given him high rank among iiis brother officers. Mr. Banker was married in 1877 to Miss Barbara Bower, a daughter of George and Emma Bower, formerly of Chicago, but now deceased. One child has blessed this union, a son named William. |ETER STRUM THOMPSON, who is Ira 6ng**g6*i ill ^1^6 grocery business at the ^C corner of Kane and Gillette streets, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born at Strom men i Kvadfjords Prestejeld, Senjens Fogderi, Tromso Stift, Norway, April 12, 1854, a son of Thomas and Maren (.Jermiasen) Peterson, also natives of Norway. The father was a farmer and fisherman by occupation, and ]5assed all his days in the old country; his death occurred in 1890, at the age of sixtv- five years; the mother has attained the age of three score years, and still resides in Norway. Mr. Thompson acquired an education from from the age of seven to fifteen years, and before he left school he was coufirmed in the 478 BlOOliAPlilGAL HISTORY. Lutheran Church; the next six years of his life were spent witli his father in farming, fishing and trading on the coast of JSorway. In 1876 lie determined to emigrate to America, and see what fortune was held for him in the New World. He bade farewell to his own pine-clad hills, to his home and friends, and sailed away across the sea to a strange land, a strange people and a strange tongue. The first three months in the United States were occupied with farm work in AVisconsin; the first winter he attended school in Lewis valley where he made rapid progress in the langauge of his adopted country. He was next engaged in rafting, and worked for eight years on the river, the last four years being in i\\e employ of one man. It was at this period that the first misfor- tune overtook him, as his health failed and he was obliged ,to give himself a long va- cation during 1887. Li 1888 he embarked in the grocery business, and has met with gratifying success. He is possessed of ex- cellent ability, and of that perseverance which accomplishes an object in spite of many ob- stacles. Mr. Thompson is an ardent supporter of of the great prohibition movement in this country, and has been most zealous in his ef- forts in behalf of that class of humanity en- chained through the liquor traffic. lEORGE W. MANSERGH has been identified with the agricultural interests of La Crosse county since 1855. He was born at Stanstead, Province of Quebec, December 25, 1836. His father, Lewis Mansergh, was a son of George and Mary (Stodard) Mansergh. Lewis Mansergh mar- ried Mary Ann Atkinson, a daughter of Moses and Sarah (Bartlett) Atkinson, and they reared a family of four children: George "W., the subject of this notice; Christopher, who was a soldier in the late war; Emily and Lewis, both residents of St. Paul. The father removed to Pierce county, Wisconsin, about 1856, and died there, at the age of sixty-five years; the mother still survives and lives in St. Paul, Minnesota. George W. lived in Canada until he was Tiine years of age, and then went to Chittenden county, Vermont, where he followed farm life until 1855. In that year, as before stated, he came to La Crosse, and in 1867 purchased the farm on which be now lives; it was then partially im- proved, but the present substantial, con- venient and roomy buildings were erected by him. In 1882 and 1888 he expended $3,300 in improvements, and has one of the most attractive homes in the township of Farm- ington. The farm consists of 160 acres of tine, fertile land, 100 acres being in the val- ley; the old dwelling is used for the storing of tools, having been replaced by a modern structure of a most tasteful style of architect- ure. The barns and sheds are of the same substantial character as the residence. Mr. Mansergh carries on a general farming busi- ness, and gives special attention to the dairy- ing. In 1859, September 17, he was married to Miss Eleanor Hewitt, who has proven a most worthy help-meet. She was born at Hull, near Ottawa, Canada, and is a daughter of James and Eleanor (Barton) Hewitt, higiily respected pioneers of La Crosse county. To Mr. and Mrs. Mansergh have been born six children: Lewis James has been in the United States mail service tive years; Eleanor Eliza, wife of William McAdams; Marion, George Arthur, Emily Jane and Clara Eveline. The children have received a liberal education, BIOGRAPEWAL HISTORY. 419 and have been well equipped for the duties of life. Mr. Mansergh affiliates with the Demo- cratic party, and takes a lively interest in the issues of that body. He is a liberal contrib- utor to the support of all religious and edu- cational movements and is highly esteemed by the entire community. ^. ^ fOM PAUL GEAR, a well-known resi- dent of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, W^ and one of the pioneer settlers of the same, was born in Somersetshire, England, June 3, 1841, and is the son of Jonathan and Jane (Paul) Gear, natives also of that coun- try. The family left England in 1844 and sailed for America, first locating in Milwau- kee, Wisconsin, and later settled in Wauke- sha county of this State. There the father died when Tom was but six years of age, and left another child, Matthew William, who is now a grocer of North La Crosse. The mother was afterward married twice, first to a Mr. Look, who lived but one year, and then James Gay, now an old soldier. They now live on a farm in Lewis valley, AVisconsin. Mr. Gear was reared in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and was early initiated into the duties of farm life. He received but a lim- ited education, and after growing up spent one season in the pine woods of Northern Wisconsin. He came on his present farm in 1869, and as this joins the city limits it is very valuable. He has a roomy and very convenient house, and his barns and out buildings are kept up in good shape. He also owns forty acres of good land in Clark county, Wisconsin, and more land in Lewis valley. He has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Jane Pratt, a native of Ohio, who bore him one daughter, Clara Augusta. (The latter died at a little over six years of age.) His second marriage occurred in 1877, to Miss Margaret A. Kern, an intelligent lady of a good family, who is a native of Boone county, Lidiana. She is the daughter of Jesse and Mary E. (Beck) Kern, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indi- ana. Mr. Kern died in Boone county, Indiana, but the mother is still living and makes her home in Clark county, Wisconsin. She was born in 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Gear's marriage was bjessed by the birth of five children: Jessie Maud, Myrtle May, William Arthur, Ethel Adella and Ruby Belle. Mr. Gear is a Republican in politics but has never aspired for office, preferring the peace- ful life of the farm instead. He is genial and hospitable, and has a host of warm friends. He delights in hunting and has killed many dear and one bear in La Crosse county. fwHOMAS BARCLAY, of Farmington "film- township, is one of the well-known and W^ highly respected citizens of La Crosse county. He came here in 1857, and has since made this place his home. Mr. Barclay dates his birth in Ayrshire, Scotland, February 7, 1836. His parents, William and Catherine (Granger) Barclay, were both natives of Ayrshire, and passed their lives and died in Scotland. They had a family of six sons and three daughters. The father died at the age of seveniy-four years. He was a farmer all his life, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. The mother departed this life at the age of sixty- three years. Thomas Barclay was reared and educated in his native land, remaining there until he reached his majority. March 26, 1857, he set sail from Liverpool for New 480 BIOORAPniCAL HISTORY. York, from there coming West to La Crosse, Wisconsin. After living in La Crosse two years he moved to Trempealeau county and took up his ahode in Hamlin, township of Galesville, where he lived until 1870. That year he bought his present property in Farmington township, this county, of Angus Cameron. Here he owns 120 acres of well improved land; has a comfortable frame house, good barn, other outbuildings, etc. November 2, 1860, Mr. Barclay wedded Agnes Oliver, a native of Kilmarnock, Scot- land, and a daughter of Robert and Mary (Allen) Oliver. She was live years of age when she came with her parents to this country and settled in Galesville, Trempea- leau county, Wisconsin, where she grew up, and was educated. Her father died in 1888, and her mother is still living, at Galesville. Mr. and Mrs. Barclay had seven children born to them, four of whom are living: Mary, wife of Frank Hobbs, died February 19, 1892, aged thirty-one years; Kate, wife of James Hicks; Jennie, wife of George Hicks —all of Farmington township; Agnes, at home; and Mabel, wife of Ed Stilson, of Jackson county, Wisconsin. Those deceased are Ellen, who was born in 1870 and died at the age of six years, and William, born in 1876, died in his ninth year. Mrs. Barclay departed this life in 1876. In 1878 Mr. Barclay married Pethrine Larson, a native of JNorway. ~*-t,V'^i-'^>^*--~ lEORGE A. HOSMER, farmer. La Crosse, Wisconsin. — Mr. llosmer is a firm believer in the soil upon which he was born, having remained in this country since his birth. His occupation is that of farming and in this he has been unusually successful. He was born on his present farm, in Shelby township, in 1857, and was tlie son of John F. and Harriet M. (Goodrich) Hostner, both natives of the Empire State. Tiie parents came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in 1851, and the father followed farming in Lewis valley until the spring of 1852, when he took up a claim in section 26, which is now owned by his son, George A. Hosmer. This he im- proved in every way and the following year was married to Miss Goodrich. He was one of the representative citizens of the township and held various offices in the same. He was a successful agriculturist, a good business man, and was well liked by his townsmen. He moved to West Point, Mississippi, in 1888, and there he now resides. George A. Hosmer received a fair education in the com- mon-schools of La Crosse county and remained with his father until twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in milling. This he fol- lowed for ten years at La Crosse and other places, and was then in the feed business in La Crosse for two years; in 1890 he moved to his father's place, and is working it for him. In 1887 Mr. Hosmer was married to Mit^s Ida Oehler, whose parents, Godfred and Mar- guerette Oehler, were natives of Saxony and emigrated to the United States in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Oehler located in La Crosse county and there they have resided ever since, the father engaged in milling. Mr. and Mrs. Hosmer have but one child, a bright little girl named Gertrude. Mr. Hosmer is Di- rector of his school district, is one of the leading young citizens of the town, and is well thought of by all. In politics he is a Democrat. jj^^UNCAN McINTOSH, an honored citi- zen of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, first came to this section of country in 1852, when he took up a Government claim. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 481 He is a native of Scotland, born on the Cale- donia canal, fourteen miles west of Inverness, June 22, 1822. He is a son of James and and Kebecca (McMillan) Mcintosh, who were born, reared, married and died in the same parish. The father was a farmer all his life, and in his religions faith was a Presbyterian. Duncan Mcintosh was reared to the life of a farmer until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to work at the stone mason's trade; he served an apprenticeship, and later worked in the South of Scotland. The New World presenting many attrac- tions and advantages, he, in company with his brother John, sailed across the sea to the United States, and after landing went to El- niira, JSiew York, where they both found work; they did stone work on the New York & Erie railroad, and afterward went to Pennsylvania, where they worked on bridges and culverts. John Mcintosh was for many years in the marble business in New York, and died in that State, in 1890. In 1854 our subject settled on the land which he had secured two years previous, and for thirty-seven years he has been a resident of the county. He has an excellent farm, consisting of 225 acres, well improved with substantial and convenient buildings. All the surroundings bespeak that thrift and prosperity which are charac- teristic of the Scotch people. Mr. Mcintosh was united in marriage at Elnilra, New York, when thirty-three years of age, to Miss Harriet Down, who has been a most worthy help- meet. She was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in May, 1837, and is a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Mc- Intyre) Down; the father was a native of Glastonbury, England, and the mother was born at Glasgow, Scotland; the father is de- ceased, but the mother survives, at the age of seven-four years. Francis Down, a brother of Mrs. Mcintosh, was a well-known and popular citizen here for many years; he is a lawyer ijy profession and is now a resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Mr. and Mrs. Mcintosh are the parents of four children: James is a resident of Wood county, Wisconsin; he has been twice mar- ried, the first wife being Miss Emma Hall, a daughter of S. L. Hall of West Salem; one daughter was born of this union, Lillie Pearl; the second marriage was to Miss May Math- ewson, who bore him a son. Earl, who is now six years of age; these children both live with their grandparents: Henry Alga, the second son of our subject and wife, is a merchant and Postmaster of Eurr Oak; he is a member of the firm of Mcintosh & Rhyme, general merchants of Burr Oak; they occupy a store-room under the town hall, and enjoy a good trade; the two chil- dren who are deceased are: Mary, born in April, 1861, and died August 25, 1862, and William, who died in Duluth, Minnesota, November 14, 1883; he was born July 16, 1864, and was a young man of rare promise; he was possessed of many line traits of charac- ter, and his death was a sad blow to his fam- ily and a wide circle of friends. Mr. Mcintosh has always given a liberal support to those educational and religious movements which have for their object the uplifting and upbuilding of the entire com- munity. He adheres to the principles of the Republican party, and his sons vote the same ticket. fACOB PFAFF is one of the progressive agriculturists of Farraington township. La Crosse county, and is a loyal citizen of his adopted country. He is a native of Saxony, Germany, born September 14, 1844, 483 BIOGRAPHICAL HlSTUlir. and is a son of William and Margaret (Stor- andt) Pfaff, natives of the same eountry. It was during bis childhood that his parents emigrated to America and settled in Walworth county, Wisconsin. The mother died a few months later, and the father was married a second time; by the first wife five childj-en were born, two of whom are living; by the second marriage there were eight children born, five of whom survive. William Pfaff was a farmer by occupation and followed that calling during his residence in Wisconsin. Politically he adhered to the principles of the Democratic party, and in his religions failb he was a Lutheran. Jacob Pfaff was reared in AValworth county, near Lake Geneva, and received his education in the common schools. In 1863 he came to La Crosse county and settled near Bnrr Oak, where he engaged in farming; he spent sev- eral winters in the pine woods and three seasons on the drive. Before the civil war was ended he enlisted in Company G, Fifty-first Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry, and was stationed for a time at Fort Leavenworth; he served until August, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Madison, Wisconsin. He then returned to La Crosse county, taking up his old vocation, which he followed here until 1872; in that year he went to Jackson county and improved a farm near Melrose; at the end of live years he came back to La Crosse county and lo- cated on his present farm. This consists of 160 acres, and is well improved with all the necessary buildings for systematic agricul- ture. Mr. Pfalf carries on a general farming business, giving special attention to dairying; he has a stone milk-house and is well equip- ped for this branch of business. On July 2, 1872, he was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Tepeck, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Kesler) Tepeck. Mrs. Pfaff was born at Bedford, Westchester county, New York, and was but four years of age when her parents removed to Wisconsin and settled in Walworth county, where she grew to womanhood and was educated. Her par- ents removed to this county in 1871 and settled in Lewis valley. In his political opinions Mr. Pfaff is a Democrat, but at times casts his vote for the man who is best fitted, in his estimation, to fill the office regardless of politics. He has been supervisor of the township, and was an efficient officer. He is a member of Nelson Quiggle Post, No. 233, G. A. R., and takes an active interest in the organization. In addition to his agricultural interests, Mr. Pfaff has for eleven seasons run a thresh- ing-machine, and has been very successful in this industry. ^*^ f'OSEPH RICHMOND, farmer, Onalaska, Wisconsin. — There is probably no man within the limits of La Crosse county. Wisconsin, who is more extensively engaged in farming than Mr. Richmond, and through- out a residence of nearly forty years here he has become well known as a man of progress- ive spirit, energy and clear perception. He is the son of John James Richmond, a native of Canada, and the grandson of James Rich- mond who was an Englishman. The grand- mother. Miss Savard, was a native of Canada. John James Richmond was married in his native country to Miss Ufroi- sine Boivert, also a native of Canada, and their union was blessed by the birth of four children: John, who is now a prominent old settler of La Crosse; Mrs. Matilda Marco, died in Campbell township, La Crosse county, in 18S8; Mrs. Orrilla Martel, wife of Cam- mell Martell, and Joseph, the subject of this BIOGRAPHWAL HISTORY. 483 sketch. The parents of these children came to Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 1837, and the mother died in this State, Decetnber 11, 1874, at the age of sixty four. She was a devont member of the Catholic Church. After her death, the father married again. He is now living on French Island and is eighty-seven years of age. Our suliject's maternal grand- father, Mitchell Boivert, was also a native of Canada. Joseph Richmond was born in Three Rivers county, the Province of Quebec, October 22, 1836, and received his education in the common schools of his native country. He became familiar with the duties of the farm at an early age, and in 1854 came to La Crosse county, where he worked on the river for six years. He saved his money and subsequently bought 147 acres of land where he now resides, paying $10 per acre for the same. He is now the owner of 600 acres, and has one of the beet farms in La Crosse county. This is situated two miles from La Crosse and the fine, two-story residence and the comfortable and substantial out- buildings add much to the appearance of the place. He is a prominent stock-raiser also and has some line Jersey cattle, good horses, and sheep. Mr. Richmond was married October 13, 1861, in La Crosse county, to Miss Delimas Morin, a native of Quebec, and the daughter of Frank and J. (Martell) Morin; Mr. and Mrs. Morin were the parents of the following living children: Frank, Pertetua, Julia, Ed- ward, Leonard, Delimas and Emma. Mr. Morin died in 1872 and his wife received her final summons in May, 1876. To Mr. and Mrs. Richmond have been born seven chil- dren, four now living: Emma, wife of George Perus of Onalaska; Matilda, wife of Charles Asselin of Campbell township; Alvina, wife of Frank Kiezer of Onalaska; and John D., attending the St. John University at CoUege- ville, Minnesota. The three children de- ceased were: Leo died at eight years of ao-e; George died at the age of six years, and Davie died at the age of six years. Mr. Richmond advocates the principles of the Republican party, and has served as Super- visor in the town board for twenty years. He is a member of the Catholic Church and one of its liberal supporters. He came on the island when there were but three log houses, and is one of the pioneers. He is progressive and enterprising and takes a de- cided interest in religious and educational matters. ■^■i ^-^ ^ON. JOHN DAWSON.— Among the representative and esteemed citizens of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, there is probably no one more deserving of mention than Mr. Dawson, whose residence within its borders has extended over a period of forty years. During this time he has served in various official capacities and always with such satisfactory results that naught but words of commendation has been bestowed upon him. He was born in Lancashire, Eng- land, May 20, 1832, to Joseph and Lydia (Brook) Dawson, and with them emigrated to America in 1840, and settled in the wilds of Wisconsin Territory. They entered Govern- ment land near Raymond Center, Racine county, and there the father and mother re- sided until their respective deaths, at the age of seventy-two and sixty-five years. Joseph Dawson was a merchant in England, but de- voted his attention to agriculture after eettlintr in Wisconsin. He and his wife united with the Methodist Church and reared their eight children to honest and useful manhood and womanhood. John is the only one of these children liv- 484 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORT. ing in La Crosse county. He was eight years of a»e when his parents located in Ra- cine county, and his boyhood days were spent in clearing the lionae farm, his school days being very few and far between. The}' com- prised a period of only a few weeks and were spent in the typical log schoolhouse of early times. He was, however, very observing and quick to embrace new ideas, and in the thor- ough, if hard, school of experience he imbibed lessons of honesty, industry and frugality which have been of material benefit to him in his later career. Upon coming to La Crosse county, he obtained some Government land upon which he chopped, and sold wood for a number of years, then disposed of his prop- erty, and in 1864 purcliased the farm on which he is now residing, which consists of 300 acres, — one of the best farms in La Crosse county. His residence is a very comfortable and pleasant one, well furnished in modern style, is surrounded by beautiful shade trees, and in summer the lawn is dotted with beds of beautiful Howers. His outbuildings are of the most substantial and modern descrip- tion : he has a tine building location and every- thing about the place shows that Mr. Dawson is a man of discrimination, practical views and thrift. He was married April 26, 1863, in this county, to Miss Christina Stumphf, who has been to her husband a help mate indeed. She was born in the Keystone State, to Michael and Mary (Stark) Stumphf, both native Ger- mans, who settled in Pennsylvania when young, and were there married. The father died in that State, when Mrs. Dawson was a child, succeeding which the widowed mother came with her daughter to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in 1856, and was here called from life at the age of eighty years. Mrs. Dawson was reared and educated in Pennsylvania, un- til twelve years of age. She has borne Mr. Dawson four children: Wesley John, born February 8, 1869, assists his father on the home farm; Lydia C. was born October 31, 1870; Sidney Joseph was born December 7, 1878; and one child, Arthur, died in infancy. Mr. Dawson is an enthusiastic Democrat and has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Town Treasurer and Clerk, Chairman of the Town Board for twelve years and has also been a member of the School Board for a number of years. It was through his influ- ence and labor that the asylum was located at West Salem, and he was largely instru- mental in securing the erection of the jail on its present site. He has long been recog- nized as one of the wheel horses of his party and in 1883 his numerous friends and ad- mirers elected him to the State Legislature by a majority of 1,300 over Dan Shane, the Republican nominee. He was honored by a re-election in 1890, with a majority of forty- six over William Smith, Republican. He is plain and unpretentious in manners, and while not aggressive in opinion, nor dis- posed to be disputatious, yet he has most emphatically a "mind of his own," with the moral courage to express it when occasion so demands. Such men as Mr. Dawson make model American citizens, for he is of that moral and personal integrity, and clear, well- balanced, active intelligence, which adorn the private station and make and keep the public service pure. P. SMITH is numbered among the solid business men of La Crosse, Wis- * consin, and is one of the proprietors of the Cameron House, the firm being Fox & Smith. He was born in Wayne county, Ohio, near Wooster, April 16, 1829, and his parents. BIOGRAPniGAL HISTORY. 485 Asa and Laura Smith, were both natives of the Green Mountain State. They came to Ohio in 1812, resided in Wayne county for a number of years, and in 1850 came to Fond- du Lac, Wisconsin. The father was a man of good business qualifications, and was in every way a worthy citizen. He was origin- ally a farmer, but the latter part of his life dealt in real estate and loaned money. His death occurred in St. Paul, Minnesota. D. P. Smith, the eldest of seven children, four of whom are still living, was reared in his na- tive State and learned the trade of silversmith in Mansfield, Ohio. He has been in the hotel business for over thirty years, first in Faribault, Minnesota, where he remained many years, going there in 1856. In 1881 he came to La Crosse, and has been engaged in the liotel business with Mr. Fox since that time. Tliey do the leading business in the city, and are pleasant, agreeable gentlemen. Mr. Smith was County Treasurer of Rice county, Minnesota, for four years (two terms) and his official record was very satisfactory. He could have had the office another term had he remained. Mr. Smith selected as his companion in life Miss Adalaide S. Beane, daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Beane, whose hus- band died when Adalaide was but twelve years of age, and their union was celebrated in 1857. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born three children: Laura B., Mary A. and Fredrick B., all of whom have received a thor- ough education. Laura B. resides in La .Crosse, and is the wife of Daniel Cunning- ham, who is Superintendent of the Burlington & Northern Railroad. Mary A. resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is the wife of W. B. Chandler, who is traveling passenger agent for the " Soo " Railroad. Tliey have two children: Malcolm D. and Oertrude 13. Fredrick B. Smith resides in St. Paul, and is book-keeper for the firm of Baupre, Keough &,Co. He is a graduate of the Military Academy at Faribault. In politics Mr. Smith is a Republican and an ardent one. Ener- getic in his business, amiable in disposition and courteous in manner, Mr. Smith is one of the popular men of the county, and has won a host of warm friends. fOHN M. BECK, one of the prominent business men of North La Crosse, is a Scandinavian by birth, but a loyal citi- zen of the United States. He was born in Norway, June 24, 1854, and there acquired his education. When he went into business he embarked in the grocery ti-ade which he carried on until he came to the United States in 1881. After arriving in this country he came to the West, and after a year's residence in Minnesota, bought a farm in that State which he cultivated one year, selling it at the end of that time. He then removed to Dakota and purchased a farm there on which lie lived three years. Disposing of this prop- erty he removed to La Crosse, and for one year was variously employed. He began dealing in real estate, and in this he has been very successful; he has also done some build- ino-, and owns a number of houses, which he rents. He is agent for the Hamburg & Brem- en Insurance Company, is Notary Public, and does a large conveyance business. He is one of the most enterprising and progressive men of the city, and is recognized in business circles as one of the telling forces in any move- ment or cause which he espouses. Mr. Beck was united in marriage in 1880 to Miss Chonradine Petersen, whose parents lived and died in the old country. To Mr. and Mrs. Beck ha\e been born six children, three of whom are living: Alfon, Cathinska and Henning. In the year 1886 three of the 486 BIOGRAPHIGAL HISTORY. children died within -j ^ i^c^K BIOORAPHIGAL HISTORY. 493 manent and spontaneous tribute to his merit, and this has been proven by his call at differ- ent times to positions of trust and responsi- bility. He held the office of Supervisor for five years; Street Cominissioner three years; the Aldermanship of La Crosse six years; a member of the City Police for six years; the position of Secretary and Treasurer of the public schools on numerous occa- sions; treasurer and secretary of the paro- chial fchool, the duties of which offices he discharged with the same care and fidelity that has ever characterized his career in busi- ness circles. He has been quite an important factor in educational circles, and besides build- ing the Catholic school at La Crosse he built two in llurlington, one in Geneva and one in the city of Buffalo, and another at Nutbush, near Buffalo. He is very liberal in the use of his means; is filled with the milk of human kindness, and those who know him best recognize in him a warm friend and a useful citizen. His parents celebrated their golden wedding at Burlington, Wisconsin, August 24, 1870. The father died January 18, 1876, at the age of eighty-two years. " S"! " ! ' " "^ fAMES B. RAND, proprietor of the livery stable and meat market in Onalaska, with his son-in-law, A. N. Moore, as partner, was born in Brooke county. West Virginia, October 2, 1822. Ilis parents were Robert and Hettie A. Rand, natives of Vermont. Mr. Robert Rand was one of six brothers who settled in Vermont in pioneer times. He and his wife started from Veruiont for the West, and on their way became sick and remained in Brooke county, eventually for eiglit years, when they came on to Jefferson county, Ohio, settling near Steubenville. Finally they returned to West Virginia, 83 locating in Jackson county, where the father died of cancer, at the age of sixty-five years, after a residence there of nearly twenty years. Both himself and wife were old-time Methodists all their lives, and died in the triumphs of a living faith. She died at the age of eighty-six, in Brice's Prairie, at the residence of her daughter, Lucy Pittinger. Mr. James B. Itand, our subject, is tbe seventh in a family of ten children, nine of whom lived to mature years; four sons and one daughter are still living. He bewan life for himself by digging out grubs and making rails in West*Virginia. After that he flat- boated on the Ohio river, loading at Cincin- nati for New Orleans. He commenced on the river at the early age of sixteen years, and quit at twent}'-six, when he came td Wisconsin, settling on Sun Prairie, near Cottage Grove, in Dane county. He fol- lowed farming there ior three years, and while threshing his third crop of grain he by accident lost his right arm, and at that time was not worth a dollar in property. He had good friends and always a credit wheu he wanted it. He has made much of oppor- tunity. He has owned hundreds of acres of land, but now only 200 acres. Quitting the farm, he began logging on the Lemon Wire river, a tributary of the Wisconsin river, and also teamed from tbe logging headquarters, Madison, to La Crosse, in the winter of 1850-'51, when there were no roads. From this place be emigrated to La Crosse county in 1852. He is now the oldest settler in Onalaska, and one of the oldest in the county. He has been engaged in several kinds of business: kept hotel for a tiiue, was Deputy Sheriff for twenty-five years (under the first Sheriff of the county, and under Sheriffs Eldrid, Moses Clark, Staley, etc.), and he has been in the cattle business ever since he has been in the county; 494 BIOGRAPHJGAL HISTORY. has speculated in laud, and now owns a good farm in the town of Holland. He entered the livery business with his son-in-law, A. N. Moore, in 1884, and in the meat market in 1889. Thej are doing well in both. Mr. Rand was married in Jackson county, West Virginia, August 9, 1846, to Elizabeth Latimer, daughter of George and Jane Lati- mer, of Scotch descent. She was horn in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and came to La Crosse in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Rand have six children: Isabel, wife of William Evans; George, the oldest son, is on a farm near Holmen; Artemas R., ]flartha, wife of Charles Staples, and living in Polk county, Wisconsin (he is a millwright and carpenter); Anna, who married A. N. Moore, November 21, 1883, and resides in Onalaska; and Willie, her twin brother, who died in his second year, in 1867. Mrs. Rand died April 19, 1892, after a long and painful sickness, the result of la grippe. Mr. Rand's mother's father, Artemas Reed, was a "Green Mountain boy," and was in the Revolutionary war, engaged throughout, commencing as a disguised Indian in aiding to throw British tea overboard in Boston harbor. Thomas Buchanan Read is well known to the literary world as an author and poet. He wrote "Sheridan's Twenty Miles Away." He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is of the same age as Mr. Rand. Mr. Rand's youngest son, Artemas R., is named for his grandfather. CHRISTIAN BUOL was twenty years of age when he crossed the sea with his father's family, and took up his resi- dence in the United States. He is a native of Switzerland, born August 15, 1832, and is a son of John and Sula Buol; the father was a carpenter by trade and followed this calling in his own country, but upon coming to America he embarked in agricultural pursuits. The mother died in 1842, leaving, seven children, all of whom came to this country with ^heir father; they settled in Sauk county, Wisconsin, andjopened a small farm. Two of the sons, John and Caspar, enlisted in the Ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and went out to defend the Hag of their adopted country; John had not been on duty long when he was taken ill and died in the hospital; Caspar participated in, many of the most severe battles of the war, and was finally shot and instantly killed. Christian Buol began making his own liv- ing in his youth, his first en]ployment being on a farm, where he received $9 a month for his services. This was a small beginning, but he was royally endowed by nature with perseverance and energy, and so made the most of his opportunities. He worked by the month for several years, saved his earn- ings, and was enabled to purchase a tract of eighty acres in La Crosse valley about the year 1861. It is no light task to convert a wild tract of land into a fertile farm, and it is a difficult thing for the present generation to realize the debt they owe to those sturdy pioneers who made the path for the advance of civilization. Mr. Buol has added to his first purchase from time to time, and now owns 400 acres of land in one tract, and forty acres of timber land. He has erected substantial and convenient buildings, and has surrounded himself and family with many of the comforts of life. The land in this farm is well adapted to the raising of live-stock, and Mr. Buol has given especial attention to the dairy business, keeping forty cows for this purpose; he also runs a cheese factory in company with a partner, which has proved a profitable enterprise. He is one of the most BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 495 advanced agriculturalists of the county, and his judgment in matters pertaining to his vocation carries great weight among the farm- ers of this locality. Our subject was united in marriage, in 1855, to Miss Anna Ackley, a native of Switzer- land, and one of a family of live children. She emigrated to America in 1847. To Mr. and Mrs. Buol have been born live children: Jolin, Christian, Minnie, wife of Andrew Wolf; Paul and Anna. The parents are members of the German Presbyterian Church, and enjoy the esteem and confidence of the entire community. 5ILLIAM J. RADTKE, a jeweler and barber of Bangor, was born in Prus- sia, Germany, April 15, 1842, a son of Ludwig Radtke, deceased. He is the eldest of his father's seven children, three of whom survive, viz.: William, our subject; Pauline, of Clinton, Iowa; and George, of La Crosse. The father died when our sub- ject was eleven years of age, after which he came to Canada with his mother and step- father, Gottlieb Tonkey, in 1855, settling in Preston, Upper Canada. Two years later they removed to Buffalo, New York, and soon afterward to Erie county, same State, where Mr. Yonkey worked at the tailor's trade. Our subject's mother had four chil- dren by her last marriage, namely: Edward, Theodore, Rudolph and Henry. Mr. Radtke was patriotic during the late war, but his mother refused to give her con- sent and he consequently ran away and en- listed under the name of John Yonkey. He was wounded in the left temple in 1862, at the battle of Winchester, and a portion of the skull was removed. He was pronounced fatally wounded, and reported killed. In 1863 he was discharged, but re-enlisted the same year and served until the close of the war. He was again wounded in the left knee by the kick of a horse, and now draws a pension of $24 a month. His first service was in Company C, Twenty-eighth New York Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Naples, and his second enlistmeut was in Company I, Second New York Mounted Riflemen, known as the Veteran Regiment. He endured many hardships, and was in the battles of Spott- sylvania. North Anna River, Bethesda Church, Tolopotomy Creek, Cold Harbor, James' Farm, Petersburg, Fort Rice, Weldlon Rail- road, Hatch's Run, Stony Creek Station and Warrens raid to Garret's Station. He parti- cipated in these battles during his second enlistment. During his first enlistment he fought in the battles of the Wilderness, second Bull Run, Winchester, Gettysburg, Strausburg, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge and many others. After the war, Mr. Radtke conducted a barber shop in Buffalo until 1875, when he came to Norwalk, Wisconsin, and conducted the same business until April 25, 1884. He then came to Bangor, where he now carries a stock of clocks, jewelry, cigars, and also repairs watches and clocks. He was married in Lancaster, New York, in August, 1867, to Albertine Wagner, a daughter of Emanuel Wagner, deceased. They have Ave children, namely: William, Emma, Ida, Albert and Heniy. Socially Mr. Radtke is a member of the G. A. R , and religiously of the Lutheran Church. fOHN N. JONES, of section 30, Burns township, was born in Hamilton county, si.x miles below Cincinnati, September 29, 1881, a son of William W. Jones, a 406 niOGRAPIIICAL HISTORY. native of New Jersey. Tlie latter came to Cincinnati in 1811, and was a soldier in tlie war of 1812, as was also liis brother, John W. Jones. The brother was captured at Hull's surrender, and afterward exchanged. Our subject's mother, Mary Ilildreth, was a daughter of Rev. George Ilildreth, who emi grated from Cape May, New Jersey, to Cin- cinnati in a wagon in 1815, requiring two months to make the trip. lie was a pioneer preacher of Ohio, and also preached in pri- vate houses and school houses. He worked without salary all over that country, and organized Baptist churches in various places. He studied on Saturdays and preached three times on Sunday. He died at CJheviot, six miles west of Cincinnati, May 24, 1839, in his fifty-seventh year, after a life well spent in hard work in his Redeemer's cause. He was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church, of Hamilton county. Our subject's parents had eleven childreTi, nine of whom grew to maturity, namely: Matilda, deceased ; Sylvia, deceased; John, our subject; Sarah, the wife of John M. Chapin, of Clear Lake, Iowa; George H., who was killed at Corinth, Mis- sissippi, May 17, 1862, in the Eighth Missouri regiment, while lighting for the Union; Hannah, deceased; William W., of Clear Lake, Iowa; Mary, now Mrs. Charles L. Moe, of Denver, Colorado; and Sabra, deceased. The father died May 1, 186(5, in Barry township, at the age of seventy-eight years, and the mother February 9, 1872, at the age of sixty-six. The subject of tliis sketch came to Wis- consin in the fall of 1855, spending the first two years in La Crosse, working for Deacon Smith. In the fall of 1S57 he located on a farm in Barry township, and lived there and in Hamilton township for twenty-five years, engaged in teaching school during the win- ters, and in farming in the summers. Mr. Jones came to this county in 1856, by steam- boat, as did also his fatlier, making the trip in eleven days. He located on his present farm, of 160 acres, February 1, 1882, where he is entjaged in farming, stock-raising and dairying. He was married March 12, 1858, in Ham- ilton county, Ohio, to Elizabeth McFarland, a native of that county, and (laughter of James and Ann (Decraft) McFarland, the foi-mer a native of Scotland, and the latter of London, P^ngland. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have eight children: Anna, Lillie, Martha, George, Abbie, J. Newton, Eldridge, and Joseph. Anna married William Sherman, of La Crosse, and has three children: Roger, Abbie and Leslie. Lillie married Enos Streeton, of this township; Martha married Charles Sherman, a brother of William, of La Ci-osse, and has two children, Lillie and Benjamin; George and Abbie are well-known teachers of this county. Mr. Jones is a member of the A. O. U.W., the Farmers' Alliance, and of the Baptist Church of Bangor. He was a deacon in the church of West Salem before moving to his present farm, and is also a deacon of tlie Bangor Church. fOHN TORGERSON, one of the prom- inent and progressive farmers of La Crosse county, resides in Hamilton town- Uip, wdiere he owns one of the best tracts of land in the country. He is a native of Nor- way, born July 8, 1836, and is a son of Torger and Mary Johnson. The parents emigrated to America in 1854, and settled in La Crosse county; they first purchased forty acres of wild land and set themselves the task of re- ducing it to a state of cultivation. Our sub- ject now owns this tract, and has added to it 120 acres. He is one of the most intelligent BIOOBAPHIOAL HISTORY. 497 agriculturists of the township, and merits the prosperity that has attended him. His principal crops are wheat, oats and corn. He also gives some attentioa to the raising of live-stock, and keeps some of the best grades of horses and hogs. One of the most val- uable features of this farm is the spring situ- ated in the back portion; this furnishes an abundant supply of water to the house and barn, being pumped by a windmill and car- ried in pipes to the desired points. Mr. Torgerson has been a member of the town board for twenty years, and during these two decades some of the most import- ant questions have been settled and some of the most valuable improvements have been made. His official services have given a high degree of satisfaction, a fact that has been attested by his continued re-election to the office. He is a member of the Republican party. He was married in 1879 to Miss Martha Simenson, of La Crosse county, a daughter of Gennres and Mary Simenson, natives of Nor- way, who emigrated to America in 1850; they now reside on a farm in Barnes county, North Dakota Our worthy subject and wife are the parents of two children: Theodore G. and Margaretta. They are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church and are highly i-espected members of the community. S. HOLMES, Deputy Collector of I Internal Revenue, Postoffice Build- 1"^=^!^]* ing, La Crosse, Wisconsin, owes his nativity to the Buckeye State, his birth oc- curring in Jefferson county, July 29, 1842. His parents are "William and Eliza (Vorhees) Holmes (see sketch of La Fayette Holmes). W. S. Holmes began for himself in the lead mines at Galena, Illinois, and continued there until the day after he was twenty years of age, when he enlisted in Galena, in Company A, Ninety-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was in the army of the Cum- berland. He participated in the battles of Franklin, Chickaraauga, Lookout Mountain, and through the Atlanta campaign, when he was under lire 110 days, and was then in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. He was in the Fourth Army Corps. He returned home with his company in 1865, and was mustered out in Galena in June, 1865, after serving three years. He was slightly wounded twice, but was never taken prisoner. After this he was engaged in steamboatinw on the Mississippi river, from St. Louis to St. Paul, as steward. From the history of the Ninety-sixth Illinois is copied the following: "Sergeant William S. Holmes, aged twenty, born in Jefferson county, Ohio, enlisted from Galena, was appointed Sergeant at the organization of the company, participated in all the en- gagements of the regiment but escaped se- vere wounds, was struck in the foot by a piece of shell at the battle of Cliickamauga July 20, 1868. Since has been steamboating on the Mississippi from St. Louis to St. Paul. Is now part proprietor of a hotel at Beatrice, Nebraska." Mr. Holmes followed steamboating until 1885, was then in the hotel business until he was appointed to his present position in 1889, under President Harrison's administration, receiving the ap- pointment July 1. He was married in April, 1867, to Miss Frances H. Graham, at Galena, daughter of William Graiiam, who is a prominent business man, manufacturer of furniture, and a well-known and respected citizen. To Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have been born four children: Mabel, who assists her father in the office; Sadie, a pupil of the high school; 498 BWGRAPUICAL HISTORY. Kayinond, Blaine and Paissell. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are members of the Universalist Churcli. Mr. Holmes is a member of the "Wilson Colwell Post, No. 38, La Crosse, Wisconsin, and is also a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen. In politics he is a strong advocate of the Kcpublican party, and has been secretary of the city Republican Cen- tral Connuittee for several years. Mr. Holmes is a gentleman of natural business ability, is unusually intelligent, and is esteemed by all. P. JACOBS, deceased, one of the most higlily esteemed and respected I® citizens of the community in which he resided, was born in Loveland county, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1823, and was of German descent. His paternal grandfather came from Germany at an early day, and was among the first settlers of Lovelace county. He was the owner of rolling mills, smelting iron ore, etc., which he conducted success- fully for many years. He died in Loveland county. His son, and the father of our sub- ject, William Jacobs, carried on the same business started so successfully by his father until Ills death many years ago. His wife was of a Quaker family, and she was of that belief. She is also deceased, and with her husband lies buried in a cemetery in Loveland county. W. P. Jacobs, the only son and the youngest in a family of seven children, was educated in Philadelphia, and is a man of more than ordinary ability, being well-read and a very fine conversationalist. While liv- ing in his native State he was engaged with his father in the milling business. He was subsequently engaged in business in Erie, Pennsylvania, and on the IGth of August, 1855, he was married to Miss Pau- line H. Geer, a native of Hamburg, Erie county, Pennsylvania, near Buffalo. Her parents, Josiah and Huldah (Green) Geer, were natives of Vermont, where their nup- tials were celebrated. Mrs. Jacobs is the youngest of fifteen children, three of whom are still living: Mrs. Caroline Endicott, widow of James Endicott, at Burr Oak, Wisconsin, and Mrs. John H. Willard, of Melrose, Wis- consin. Mr. Jacobs and wife came from Erie, Pennsylvania, to Belvidere, Illinois, in 1855, and there Mr. Jacobs followed merchandising for two years. Selling out he moved to Ken- tucky (Frankfort and Lexington), and trav- eled all over the State. From there he went to Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1858, and was there engaged in the wagon- making business for about two years. He subsequently went to St. Louis, where he manufactured soda water and light drinks. In 1863 they moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and on the 22d of August of the following year, Mr. Jacobs en- listed in Company L, First Regiment Wis- consin Artillery Volunteers. His discharge dates from June 20, 1865, at Fort Lyon, Vir- ginia. He was a man who had been un- usually healthy up to the time he enlisted, but he returned to his home an invalid after peace was declared. He embarked in blacksmithine: and wagon-making, but his shops were burned in 1867. After this he went on the railroad (Southern Minnesota), as civil engineer, and continued on the same for two years, when his health failed. He was troubled with heart disease, and on the 6th of November, 1871, he went to Florida for his health. His death occurred on the 19th of April, 1872, when but forty-nine years of age. He was for many years a devout and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and had been Sunday-school Superintendent at his home in Loveland, Pennsylvania, for many years. He was a good citizen, a worthy man in every respect, and one who gave character BIOORAPHWAL BISTORT. 499 to a community. His funeral occurred April 20, 1872, and be lies buried in Mount Pleas- ant (Cemetery, Florida. flMOTHY A. LEWIS.— Tbe name of Tiniotby A. Lewis has long been ac- W' lively and prominently identified with the building u]> of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and tbe erection of many of her largest and most stately edifices. lie is now in a measure retired from the active duties of life, and is enjoyincf the fruits of his early labors. He was born in Schoharie county, New York, March 12, 1831, to James and Susie (Hoge- land) Lewis, the former a native of Lyons, France, who was taken by bis parents to Can- ada in 1S18. He followed farming through- out life, and was one of the noblest and best of Christian gentlemen. He was a member of and an officer in the Presbyterian Church, was an earnest believer in the promises of the Bible, and died in tbe triumphs of a Christian faith, October 12, 1877, his birth having occurred on the 9th of September, 1795. His wife was born October 12, 1794, of German parents, and died May 5, 1844, at which time she was also in full com- munion with the Presbyterian Church. Ten sons and two daughters were born to their union, but only four members of this family are now living: Benoni was Captain of a New York battery, and died in 1891 in the Soldiers' Home at Corning, New York; Abraham resides at Leeds, New York; Elisha H. lives at Union, Oregon; Timothy A.; Winslow Page is an engineer in New York city. Timothy A. Lewis left home at an early day and learned the carpenter and cabi- net-maker's trade, a calling he followed for many years, except while in the Union array. December 28, 1863, he enlisted in Com- pany F, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry, under Jerry Rusk, of national fame, and took part in all the battles from Resaca to Atlanta. On the 22d of July, 1864, he was wounded by a shell at Decatur, Georgia, and about twentj'-five minutes later was wounded in the face, losing most of his teeth, which has caused him much discomfort and pain ever since. Ten minutes later he was taken pris- oner, but a short time afterwards was re- turned to his regiment, and tiie next morn- ing was sent to the hospital, where he remained until the war closed. His discharge dates May 10, 1865, which shows him to have served about seventeen months. Although he was often sent to the hospital, his interest in the cause he espoused would not allow him to remain inactive, and he would rejoin his regiment, although many times unfitted to do so. Upon his return home alter the war was over, he resumed contracting and building, and this occupied his attention until a few years since, when his means permitted him to retire from the active duties of life. He became very skillful in his calling, and being a natural mechanic, can make almost anything that can be built from wood. Al- though he has held some minor otticial posi- tions, he has not been a political aspirant, much preferring to devote his time and at- tention to his business, rather than mixing in the strife and turmoil of the political arena. He was married at Montrose, Penn- sylvania, July 24, 1852, to Miss Miranda Newcomb, daughter of B. S. and Lucinda (Decker) Newcomb. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had three children: George, residing in Atlanta, is retired, having been crippled while working on the railroad; his wife was formerly Mabel Harris, and by her he has one child, George; May. after several years of married life, resumed her maiden name 500 BIOORAPUWAL HISTORY. of Lewis; she has two cliildren, George and Guy; and Kate, wife of John S. Van Clure, Professor of Music in the Weslejan College at Cincinnati, Ohio. Tlie Professor lost liis sight tlirough sickness when he was seven years of age. He is a remarkable scholar and musician, as bis position would indicate. He is a graduate of three colleges tuid an alumnus of the Ohio AYesleyan TJuiversity, class of 1871. He is a remarkable man in many respects, and is held in high esteem for his many excellences of character. His wife is a charming and gifted young lady, who is a soprano singer of considerable celebrity. Their only child is named Paul. Mr. Lewis and his wife have an adopted son whom they love as one of their own children, and are esteemed and honored by him in re- turn. He has been with them since his second year, and is a young man of much promise, especially as regards music, to which he has devoted his attention for the past three years, and which he expects to make his call- ing through life. Mr. Lewis is a inetnber of the G. A. K., and in politics is an ardent Jlepnblican. He is a man of great force of character, is of a genial and generous disposition, and is pub- lic-spirited and progressive in his views. II. HARRISON, a sugar broker of ijaTj) La Crosse, representing all the sngar ; ® refineries of New Orleans, Boston and Philadelphia, was born in Baltimore, Mary- land, May 28, 1852, a son of Charles Harri- son, Jr., and Mary (Ridgely) Plarrison. Both the paternal and maternal forefathers, Benja- min Harrison, of Virginia, and John Ridgely, Hampden, were signers of the Declaration of Independence. Charles Harrison, Jr., began his career in the business world as errand boy in the Merchant's National Bank of Balti- more, a,\\(\ passed throngli all the grades of service until lie was made cashier, a position which he held until the failure of his health in 1875; he was an ofiicer of the bank for thirty-eight years and never lost a day from illness during this long service. He was held in the highest esteem by the ollicials of the institution, and during the last fifteen j'ears of his service the president, Johns Hopkins, made him a Christmas present each year of twenty-five percent, of his salary. He was a stanch churchman, as was also his wife and contributed liberally to the support of the same; lie was one of the most thorough and profound of bible students. His death occurred in Baltimore, November 5, 1873, at the age of sixty-three yeai's. His wife died the previous year, at the age of fifty- two years. He was the father of twelve children, ten of them being the result of his third marriage, which was to Mary Ridgely; they all lived to mature years, and are all living at the present time, excepting one daughter. H. H. Harrison was educated at St. Timo- thy's Hall, a school in charge of the Episco- pal Church near Baltimore. He completed a thorough English course, and then began clerking in a hardware store in Baltimore, where he remained for three years. Li 1875 he and his brother, W. N., went to the plan- tation owned by thf:ir father, and for several years were employed in lumbering and log- ging, as the plantation contained a large tract of virgin white-oak timber. In 1881 he went to Cleveland, Ohio, his first trip to the West. He established the Artificial Stone Company and conducted the business until 1886, meet- ing with gratifying success; he then sold out and went to Minneapolis as the representa- tive of the sugar refiners. After three years he came co La Crosse, February 2, 1889, and BIOGRAPHia^iL HISTORY. 501 has been filling his present position with great satisfaction to his employers. Mr. Harrison was married June 25, 1890, to Miss Gertrude Alice Barron, a daughter of William H. and Edna Barron, of La Crosse. Mr. Barron was for nearly a quarter of a cen- tury division freight agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul llailroad, but is now retired ; he and his wife are natives of Ver- mont, and Mrs. Harrison is their only child. To Mr. and Mrs. Harrison has been born a bright and promising boy, Herbert Stanley. They are both members of the Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Harrison affiliates with the Republican party. He is a thorough business man, honorable in all his dealings, coui'teous in manner and fully deserving of the liberal patronage he has received. IILLIAM J. SCOTT, ex-Sheriff of La j| Crosse county, is a native of Ireland and a son of John and Mary J. (Rogers) Scott, who were also born on the Emerald Isle. The parents emigrated to America in 1850, and settled in Pennsylvania, where they engaged in farming. In 1857 they removed to La Crosse county, Wiscon- sin, and are among the honored pioneers of this State. While a resident of Pennsylvania, the father had some lumber interests and operated a saw-mill, but since coming to this county he has been engaged in agricul];ural pursuits; he is now eighty-seven years of age, and his wife is eighty-three. To them were born eight children: Ellen, wife of William Blackley, departed this life in August, 1877; Joseph P. married Ella McDonald; during the late war he was a soldier in the Second Wisconsin Calvary, and did valiant service; he was elected Sheriff of the county in 1805, and discharged his duties with great satisfac- tion to the public; he has also filled positions of honor and trust in this city; Robert A. is Postmaster of La Crosse; he was a soldier in the late war, and passed through all the ex- periences of fighting, imprisonment, and being wounded ; he has served as Sheriff of La Crosse county three years; he married Miss Elsie Gile, a daughter of Abner Gile, who is men- tioned more fully on another page of this volume; Elizabeth died in early childhood; Hadessah is the wife of John E. Davis, of St. Paul; William J., the subject of this notice; Lizzie died in 1870, at the age of eighteen years; Eichard E. is living in Michigan. William J. received his education in the public schools of La Crosse, and at the acre of fourteen years he went into the Brick Pome- roy printing office, where he remained until he went into the one-hundred-day service in 1864; his regiment was stationed at Memphis, Teimessee, and was on garrison duty much of the time. At the close of his term of enlist- ment he returned to his home, and from 1870 to 1877 he traveled through the South, Suuthwest and West, over Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and old Mexico, returning to La Crosse in April, 1877. In 1879 he was appointed under- Sheriff, M. M. Buttles being Sheriff; he continued to fill this posi- tion seven years, Mr. Buttles being succeeded by R. A. Scott, and he in turn by Ole Jenson. In the fall of 1888 he was nominated for Sheriff of the county, and was elected liy a handsome majority. He was a very capable official, and performed his duties to the entire satisfaction of his constituency. Upon the expiration of his term of office he embarked in the mercantile trade, and has met with much encouragement in this enterprise; his wide acquaintance in the county has l)routrht him a large patronage, which he holds by uniformly honorable dealings. Mr. Scott was married, February 14, 1884, 502 BIOQRAPHIGAL HISTOBT. to Miss Jennette M. Lang, a daughter of John and Ellen Lang, of Onalaska, AVis- consin. Mr. Lang died June 14, 1886, aged sixtj-three years; his wife survives him, at the age of sixty-nine. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been born three children: John L., Eobert G., who died at the age of twelve months, and another child who died in infancy. Mr. Scott is a member of the L O. (). F. and of the G. A. R. He takes an interest in the movements of the great political parties, and casts his suffrage with the Ilepublicans. February 22, 1892, he was appointed Deputy United States Marshal for the Western Dis- trict of Wisconsin, but declined to accept. He is one of the most substantial citizens of La Crosse, and has made a record both in private and official life that is an honor to himself, to his family and to his country. -f^ ^ (APTAIN G. H. ALLEN, agent of the Diamond Jo. Line of Steamers, plying on the Mississippi river, has been a resident of La Crosse only since 1889, but has already formed many acquaintances and friendships and lias won the unreserved re- si)ect of all with wiioni he has had either busi- ness or social relations. He was born on Bunker Hill, Boston, July 11, 1852, to David and Mary J. (Kennison) Allen, who were born in the Granite State, and settled in Massachusetts in the springtime of their lives. The father was one of the earliest provision dealers of Charleston, and in the pursuit of this calling made a comfortable competency for himself and family. He died in 1S75, at the age of seventy-one years, at which time be was a member in good standing of the Congregational Church, of which his widow is also a member. He was one of the oldest Masons of his locality, having joined that worthy order in 1837. His widow is now sixty-eight years of age and resides on the old homestead at East Somerville, Massachusetts. Captain Cr. H. Allen is an only child, and in his youth was an attendant of the public schools of his native State, in which he ac- quired a practical educatiou. Upon attaining a suitable age he entered his father's store, but left it to engage in the express business, which calling he continued to follow for about ten years, principally in the United States. He took the lirst run for the New England Express Company, and when this company sold out he was the last employe to leave. Following this for five years he was connected with the United States Express Company, and his next move was to come to La Crosse and enter upon the duties of his present position. His services have been ex- tremely satisfactory, and in his business of looking after passengers and freight, he is courtesy and kindness itself, his accommo- dating spirit and agreeable manner winning him the hearty good-will and respect of his fellows. He is a man with whom it is a pleasure to have business relations, for in addition to being the soul of honor he is wise in judgment and shrewd and far-seeing in his views. He was first married in 1873, to Miss Ma- rion A. Hanchett, daughter of P. S. Hanchett of Massachusetts, but in 1879, at the un- timely age of twenty-eight years, she was called from life. She bore her husband two children: Florence, who has quite a reputa- tion as a singer and musician, and Arthur, who is a resident of Summerville, Massachu- setts. Captain Allen's second marriage was consummated in 1883, Flora L., the daughter of Jackson Carl of Birmingham, Massachu- setts, becoming his wife and eventually the BIOOBAPHICAL HISTORY. 503 inotlier of his two children: Ralph aad Carl. Captain Allen is a charter member of the Koyal Arcanum, becoming a member of the first lodge organized in the United States, at Boston, in 1877. He takes but little interest in politics, generally allowing the man, who in his estimation is best fitted for the oflice, to determine his party preference. Pie and his wife are considered acquisitions to the social circles of La Crosse, and their home, which is a charming and hospitable one, is a favorite resort of their numerous friends. ' anS « fOlIN W. KLICK, who has been for many years identified with the building interests of La Crosse, was born in Bo- hemia, Austria, in 1847, a son of Simon and Theresa Klick; his parents emigrated to La CroS!^e in 1872, and are now residents of this city. He obtained his education in his native land, attending both the common schools and university, and in 1866 he crossed the sea to America in search of the fortune tlie New World might have for him. He had learned the stone-mason's trade, and upon his arrival in this country he settled in La Crosse, Wis- consin, hoping to secure employment at his trade; this, however, he was not able to do for one year, but tlie end of that time the way opened, and since then he has been en- gaged in business, meeting with marked suc- cess. Since 1872, he has been taking con- tracts for the erection of stone buildings; from 1879 to 1881, he built two of the large edifices at the State Reform School at Wauke- sha. In 1871 he had the contract for the brick and stone work of the large mills of N. B. Holway & Co., of this city, and many other brick and stone buildings in and about La Crosse have been put up under his direc- tion. Pie has won an enviable reputation as a conscientious and reliable builder, and enjoys the highest regard of his fellow- craftsmen and patrons. Mr. Klick was united in marriage in 1871, to Miss Barbara Karbuski, whose parents were of European birth; her father died when she was a cliild, but the mother is still living, at the age of sixty-five years. To Mr. and Mrs. Klick have been born four children: Samuel, Charles, John and Carrie. Politically our subject affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of the Builders' Union of La Crosse, and has been honored with the office of president of that body. imLE L. MYHRE.— Scandinavia has fur- nished her full quota of substantial citizens for the peopling of the Republic of the United States, a band of men and women reilecting great credit upon their mother country. Ole L. Myhre was born in Norway in 1863, a son of l^ars and Mary Olsen, also Norwegians by birth; the father followed work on the river and was drowned in 1871, leaving his family in almost desti- tute circumstances. When our subject had attained his eighteenth year, he determined to cross the sea to America in order to better his condition. The opportunities offered by the New World could not be inferior to those of the land he was leaving, so he felt it a safe venture. Coming to a strange people speaking a strange tongue, with no capital and no friends, is an experience that will test the bravest heart. The first three years of Mr. Myhre's sojourn here he was variously employed, performing any labor that promised honest returns. By strict economy he man- aged to give himself the advantage of two terms in the commercial school of La Crosse 504 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. and one term in the University at Galesvilie. The first money tliat he invested was put into lots in North La Crosse, and this proved a profitable outlay. In 1887 he opened a meat market, renting both the markets in this part of the town. Since that time he has erected a market, ice-house, stable, and a good frame dwelling. He has proven him- self a man of unquestioned integrity, and by the employment of strictly honorable methods he has established a large and paying busi- ness. Mr. Myhre was married in 1886, to Miss Gunda Hegge, a daughter of Hans Hegge of La Crosse, and to them has been i>orn one child, named Mary. Mr. Myhre is a member of the Knights of Labor. ^lEGO LANGE, hardware merchant and contractor in tin and sheet-iron roofing, was born at Watertown, Wisconsin, March 13, 1859, and is a son of Adolph W. and Louisa (Segelke) Lange. His parents were born, reared and married in their native country, Germany, and emigrated to America about 1845 or 1847, landing in the city of New Orleans; later they removed to Water- town, Wisconsin, where the father followed his profession, that of a veterinary surgeon, for many years. He died in this place Sep- tember 2, 1890; his wife survives him. They reared a family of three sons and three daugh- ters: Ernest of La Crosse: Mary, Minnie, Alma, widow of Heimer Wedermeyer; Diego, the subject of this brief biography, and Herman of Spokane Falls, Washington. Diego Lange grew to manhood in Water- town, and there learned the tinner's trade; he also clerked in a hardware store, familiar- izintr himself witli all tiie details of the business. In 1878 he came to La Crosse, worked at his trade, and also served as a clerk in a hardware store until 1884, when he opened an establishment on his own account. He has been very successful in this under- taking, his methods being systematic and his aim being to give the best satisfaction in every piece of work entrusted to him. He is a member of the Deutsche Verein, of the Third Ward Aid Society, and of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man of sterling traits of character, and is destined to occupy a prominent position in the com- mercial circles of the State. ALTER SCOTT LUCE.— The sub- ject of this sketch was born at Gales- vilie, Wisconsin, March 28, 1861. His parents were Samuel S. Luce and Hannah (Gale) Luce. Tiie latter a sister of the late Judge Gale, from whom Galesvilie received its name. Our subject's career has been an uneventful one, being that of a hard-working, ambitious journalist. His father was editor of the Galesvilie Transcript at the time of his birth, and at the early age of ten years our subject began to learn the printer's trade in the office of the Galesvilie Journal, which was owned and edited by his brother, George S. Luce. This occupation he gave up for two or three years while he attended the Gales- vilie University, now Gale College, but was too anxious to get back to work to secure the diploma, aliuost in sight. In 1881 he pur- chased from his father the office of the Gales- vilie Independent, which he continued to publish with success until 1889, when he sold out and moved to La Crosse, where in June, 1890, he purchased a half interest in the La Crosse Daily Press, then but three months old. He bought out his partner in the following December, and up to the pres- BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT. 505 ent time has continued tlie business with marked success. Tlie family is a literary one, both father and mother possessing acknowledged poetical ability. They united in the publication of a volume of poems in 1876, and since then S. S. Luce has issued two other volumes. George S. Luce, a brother, is a journalist, and Mrs. Dorwin, of Durand, a sister, has won several magazine prizes for her writings. In 1882 he was mai'ried to Miss Carrie Davis, and they have one child, a daughter, of eight years. His journalistic career thus far has been most flattering, and he attributes his success to a thorongh knowledge of every detail of the business, having graduated from every department, from oflice boy to managing edi- tor. He is proud of his Wisconsin birth, and hopes to spend the rest of his life in the journalistic field of Western Wisconsin. 4^ ^(@> ^ fOSEPH PINKERTON, who lias for many years been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Hamilton township, is the subject of the following biographical sketch. He was born in Sterlingshire, Scotland, Feb- ruary 17, 1821, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Crosby) Pinkerton, both of whom are deceased; the father died in 1827, and the mother in 1833; they were natives of Scotland and passed their lives in that country. They reared a family of three children: Sarah, wife of William Robinson; Joseph, the subject of tliis notice, and John, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. The two brothers sailed from Liverpool for America in 1844, and after their arrival here stopped for a year in Canada West; thence they came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and pur- chased 120 acres of land, which they cultivated until the beginning of the civil war. When there came a call for men to go to the defence of the Union, they went to La Crosse and enlisted in Company I, Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Lifantry, serving from September 1, 1864, to the close of the war. They par- ticipated in the engagement at Nashville and also at Franklin, and thence went to New Orleans; at this point they embarked on an ocean steamer, crossed the Gulf to Mobile; they cruised about this port, were in many skirmishes, and in the final battle were vic- torious. Thence they were removed to Span- ish Fort, and their last battle was at Blakely. Our subject then started to Montgomery, Alabama, and was finally discharged and mustered out of the service at Uniontown, Alabama; he was paid off at Madison, Wis- consin. He was once slightly wounded at Nashville, but was never taken prisoner, although he had many narrow escapes. He was a faithful, valiant soldier, always ready for duty, and never lost a moment from ill- ness or other cause. When tlie war was ended he returned to his home, and was met with this discouraging fact: the lumber he had ready to build a house had been destroyed by the forest fires. He was obliged to liegin life over again, and, taking a piece of land, began to reduce it from a wild state, to one of cultivation. He tilled the soil for fourteen years, and in 1879, was cotiipelled to abandon farming on account of failing health. The exposure he endured in the army was too severe, and he has never recovered from the effects of it; he has been receiving a small pension from the Government since 1881, which has been recently increased. Mr. Pinkerton has been called to fill various township offices and has filled these positions with credit to himself. Politically he adheres to the Republican party, in which he is an 506 DIOORAPUWAL HISTORY. active worker. lie is a member of the G. A. K. Post, and takes a just pride in his mili- tary record. He is in every way a most worthy citizen, and merits the esteem in which he is held. -^^um/h- '^irmy^^^ fOHN PINKEKTON,*a retired agricul- turist, of Hamilton township, has contributed his share of labor in the development of La Crosse county, and has earned the rest he is now enjoying. lie was born in Sterlingshire, Scotland, December 14, 1824. Upon the breaking out of the civil war in his adopted country, he enlisted in the same company and regiment as his brother Joseph, took })art in the same engagements, and was honorably discharged at the same time. After his return from the war he en- gaged in farming, and followed this calling until 1890, when failing health compelled him to retire from active pursuits. His farm is situated three and a half miles north of "West Salem, and contains ninety acres; it is well watered, by the La Crosse river, and is excellently adapted both to stock and grain raising; his cattle are of the Holstein breed, the hogs are Poland China, and the horses are of good record ; the crops are wheat, oats, hay, corn and potatoes. The buildings on the place are of a substantial character and are supplied with all modern conveniences. Mr. Pinkerton was married June 14, 1864, to Miss Jane Hewitt, a daughter of James and Eleanor Hewitt of La Crosse county. This union has been blessed with the birth of one child: Margaret, who is the wife of George Gilickson, and they have two children, Carrie and Harvey. Both our subject and his wife are consistent Micnibers of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Pinkerton is a member of the G. A. R. Post of West Salem. lie is a man of genial dis- position, progressive in his views, and enjoys the confidence and respect of the entire com- munity. fRANK D. SHAW, who for many years has been a trusted employe of the Chi- cago, Burlington and Northern Rail- road Company, is a citizen of La Crosse county, and is deserving of the place that has been accorded him in this record of substan- tial men and women. He was born in New Hampshire, September 25, 1854, and is a son of John and Susan (Shaw) Shaw, who were also natives of New Hampshire. Tlie father was a tiller of the soil, but devoted a portion of his life to the ministry of the Baptist Church. He was widely known as an able preacher, and accomplished much in the cause of his Master. He was born July 12, 1812, and died August 25, 185G; his wife was born August 5, 1823, and died at Fair- banks, Florida, in 1883. The family re- moved to Wisconsin in 1856, and settled in Rock county. There were four sons in the family: James K. died at the age of forty years; he married Mary O'llarra and they had three children: Emma, Charles and Albert; he was a shoemaker by trade, and resided in Milwaukee; his wife is also deceased. John B. lives at Paxton, Illinois; he married Libbie Holcomb, and to them have been born live children: George, Jen- nie, Jessie (deceased), Frankie and Horace. Daniel P. is in Chicago; he married Arpie Smith. The fourth son is Frank D., the subject of this biography. He received his education in the public schools, and for two years was a student at the Illinois Industrial University. He was afterwards employed by the Chicago Times a,s mailing agent for a term of four years. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 507 "When he severed his connection with the Chicago Times he beean liis career as a rail- road man, securing a position with the Chi- cago & Iowa Railroad Company as brakeraan; in six months he became train baggage-man, and retained this position for six and a half years. He was then promoted to the posi- tion of conductor on the above named road ; he ran a construction train until the road was finished, and then had the honor of taking the first regular passenger train going south from La Crosse. He still retains this run, and has never lost any time except on account of illness, either of himself or in his I'amily. Mr. Shaw was married November 14, 1882, to Miss Anna M. Murphy, a daughter of James and Johanna Murphy, of Chicago, Illinois, both of whom survive. Three chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shaw: Franklin (deceased), Florence M. and Jessie E. Mrs. Shaw is a member of the Catholic Church. Politically Mr. Shaw affiiates with the Republican party. He is a man of ex- cellent habits, and__ during his service to the railroad company he has given a degree ol' satisfaction seldom equaled. James and Johanna Murphy reared a fam- ily of eight children: James, Patrick, Thomas, Anna M. (Mrs. Shaw), Nellie, wife of Edwin Utman, Alice, Mamie and John. [EORGE EARN AM, deceased, was one of the worthy band of pioneers who paved the way for the advance of civili- zation on the Western frontier. As such his name is to be preserved in the annals of La Crosse county. He was born in Orange county, New York, February 24, 1825, and was the son of Stephen and Keturah (Sey- bolt) Farnam, natives of the Empire State. The father was a farmer by occupation, and gave the strictest attention to his vocation; he was a quiet, unobtrusive man, and was greatly respected by the entire community; he was born October 19, 1779, and died April 27, 1868; his wife was born September 6, 1787, and died December 6, 1872; they were married October 31, 1812, and lived in great harmony and happiness forty-six years; the faithful -wife had not long to walk alone on earth, but was soon called to join the com- panion of her worldly experience. To them were born seven children: Abigail, Mary (deceased), Harriet, Matilda, George, Emily, who died July 14, 1861, aged thirty-three years, and Sarah F., who died April 27, 1844, at the age of thirteen years. George Farnam received his education in the State of New York, and was reared to the pursuit of agri- culture; having an inclination to the profes- sion of teaching he devoted some time to this calling with gratifying success. He came from New York to Iowa in 1851, and selected La Crosse as his future home; Farnam street is named in his honor. He first embarked in the lumber business, but during the latter years of his life he gave his attention to the real-estate trade. Mr. Farnam was united in marriage March 3, 1852, to Miss Ann M. Stover, and to them were born four children: Walter G., who died in infancy; Arthur S., manager of the Star Knitting Works, of La Crosse, married Miss Jennie Calvert, and they have one child, Margaret; Emine L., is the wife of J. 11. Clark, agent of the American Express Com- pany, at "Winona; Anna is a teacher of wide experience and superior ability, employed in the Minneapolis schools; the mother of these children died October 13, 1867, aged thirty- six years. Mr. Farnam's second marriage occurred December 1, 1870, when he was united to Miss Sarah Montgomery, daughter of Abel and Sarah Montgomery. The father 608 niOGRAPHICAL EISTORT. of Mrs. Farnam died in 1880, aged eighty- six years, and his wife passed away in 1870 at the as;e of seventy-five years. The children of Mr. Farnam's second marriage are: George E., a type-writer in the employ of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Northern Railroad Com- pany since his sixteenth year; he is a young man of great promise, having exceptional business qualifications; he is a member of the Congregational Church, and is an active ■worker in the Y. M. C. A., of this city; Roy M. was born April 13, 1873, and died May 2, 1882; Josie F. is a pupil in the La Crosse graded schools; she is also a member of the Congregational Church. The mother has been a member of this church since her twentieth year, and until her health declined, was a most zealous worker. Mr. Farnam, after a long and painful ill- ness, died September 10, 1891, at the age of sixty-six years. He was an honoi'ed member of the 1. O. O. F. He took a deep interest in the affairs of the Government, and faith- fully discharged liis duties as a citizen of this free and independent nation; he cast liis suf- frage with the Republican party, and zeal onsly supported the principles of that body. — ■^^^^— - fKRD BRAITZMAN is the proprietor of the Barre Mills and is one of the pro- gressive and leading business men of the township. He was born in Germany and there was reared, educated and learned his trade. Being anxious to make his own way in tlie world and to acquire a competency, he decided that America offered the best field for the accomplishment of his desires, and in 1879 he left the old country and came to the United States. After a residence of eight years in Watertown, Wisconsin, during which time his attention was devoted to the milling business, he removed to La Crosse county and purchased the Barre Mills, whicli he repaired and put in good working con- dition. He has successfully conducted these mills up to the present time, and his large local trade is the strongest indorsement his product could have. He offers his customers the best terms, and by treating everyone who has business relations with him in a court- eous and proper manner, he has met with well deserved success. He was married in 1880, to Miss Anna Hass, daughter of Rev. William and Henri- etta Hass, the former of whom was pastor of a church at Lowell, Wisconsin, for five years, and later acted in the same capacity in other localities. He died in Mormon valley, in 1890, his death being a source of deep regret, not only to his congregation but to all who knew him. In addition to his mill Mr. Braitzman owns three acres of land, which he uses as a pasture, and near bis mill is a sub- stantial two-story brick dwelling-house in which he resides with his famil}'. He keeps a number of good horses, cattle and hogs and is an enterprising and thrifty man of business. His union has been blessed in the birth of the following children : Louisa, Lena, Emma, Edwin, Amanda and Arthur. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church of Bostwick valley, aiid in politics he is a stanch Democrat. [OHN HASS has been before the public a miller and farmer of La Crosse county, AVisconsiu, since 1869, and dur- ing this time his career has been marked by honesty of purpose, thrift, intelligence, — in fact, all the qualities that go towards making a model citizen. He was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1841, and the same year of his BIOGRAPBICAL HISTORY. 509 birtli he was left fatherless, his mother's death occurring at a later period. John Hass was the youngest of their twelve children, and in March, 1866, he came to America and settled in La Crosse county, Wiseonsin. Having learned the details of milling in his native land, lie began following this calling in this county, and for a number of years worked for wages for other men. In 1869 he located on the Jones farm, purchasing two eighty-acre tracts, and of this valuable land he is still the fortunate owner. He soon after purchased over six acres of land on which was erected a flouring mill, and this he utilizes during the winter seasons for grinding feed, his monthly income from the same amounting to about $100. He is a thrifty and practical farmer and his land is exceptionally well cultivated and improved, his i-esidence, which is a substantial two-story brick structui-e, being located on a beautiful building site. He has two large barns on his premises for sheltering stock and for storing grain, besides other convenient buildings, and an excellent wind-pump, which saves him the labor of pumping water for his stock. A good-sized creek runs through bis land, thus making it a good stock-raising farm, and it is also admirably adapted for the raising of the cereals, hay, etc. That often much abused phrase "self-made man" may be ap- plied to him, for on reaching this country his capital was very small indeed, and it is entirely owing to his own pluck and push that he is now so comfortably situated. Ue was married, in 1869, to Miss Ida Con- nell, who came from Germany the same year as himself, in company with a sister and a brother of Mr. Hass. Her parents still re- side in German}'. Martha Hass, an adopted daughter, has been living and making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Hass for the past thirteen years, and 31 she has found in them true and disinterested friends. Mr. and Mrs. Flass are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Host- wick valley, and have the respect of a large circle of acquaintances. — -~^-^ ^ « ;n; «■ ^ -«<"««» — Jl^ll ALTER JOHN CARLYLE, deceased, "fPffift ^^^ '''^'"" '" Williamsburg, Dundas l-T^j^j county, Ontario, June 6, 184-9, the oldest of a family of eight children born to Adam and Catherine E. (Cook) Carlylo. The maternal grandparents, John and Catherine (Hess) Cook, were natives of Canada and New York respectively. Adam Carlyle was born in Scotland, February 15, 1825, and came with his parents to Canada, at the age of fourteen years. They settled near Corn- wall, Ontario, but later removed to North Willianisburg, where he married Catherine E. Cook, who was born April 18, 1828. Their family was as follows: Walter J., the subject of this biographical sketch; Cather- ine J., wife of George Spangler; Thomas D., the first white child born in De Soto, Wis- consin; Anna E. ; Mary A., wife of C. Con- ley; Daisy H., wife of Ed Gorry; Adam W., and George, who died at the age of seventeen. The father of, this family died June 7, 1891, but the mother still survives, and is a woman of most worthy character. Adam Carlyle was a cousin of the celebrated author, Thomas Carlyle. He was a man of sterling integrity, and for many years was identified witii the commercial growth of De Soto, Wisconsin, where he settled with his family in 1856. Our subject came to Wisconsin with his father's family when a youth of seven years, and grew to maturity at De Soto, Vernon county, and there received his early educa- tion. He was employed some years in erect- 510 JilOGRAPniGAL HTSTORT. ing telegraph lines, one of these extending from La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Lansing, Iowa. He set the first telegraph pole ever put up in Lincoln, Nebraska. April 21, 1873, at La Crosse, Wisconsin, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabetli R. Hughes, a daughter of Captain Robert and Hannah (Fairbanks) Hughes, a sketch of whom appears ne.xt after this. The young couple located at Fulton, Illinois, and Mr. Carlyle became the agent for the Dia- mond Joe Steamboat Company. In the spring of 1874 he embarked in the whole- sale flour business at Pacerson, New Jersey, in company with his father and a Mr. Wil- cox, under the lirm name of Wilcox & Carl- yies. This business venture proved dis- astrous, and at the end of a year Mr. Carlyle returned to Wisconsin, and soon after located again at Fulton, and resumed business for the Diamond Joe Company, and remained in their employ several years. He settled in La Crosse in 1885, where, in company with his brother-in-law, they established the well- known La Crosse Enterprise Marble Works. Later he was interested in the La Crosse Grocery Company; he was its uianager, and gave character and stability to that enter- prise, which is still doing business. His death occurred at his home, November 14, 1890. Mr. Carlyle was a man of strongly marked character, honorable, upright, self-reliant and progressive; a man of great business ability, active, energetic and pushing, doing well whatever his hands found to do. A tine t^pe of the true American citizen, his energy was so great, and application to business so con- stant, that it gradually wore upon his physi- cal strength, and when typhoid fever came upon him he became its prey while yet in the prime of early manhood. He was broad and liberal in his I'eligious views, moral and generous, and at all times faithfully dis- charged his duty to his fellow-man and his family. In politics he was a Republican, as are all the members of the Carlyle family. He was a charter member of the La Crosse Lodge of Modern Woodmen, and his the first death to occur among its members. Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living: Ma- rion E., Jean O., Josie E., Fredericka E., Georgiana C. and Tomsina. Robert, Cora and Walter J. are deceased. Mrs. Carlyle is an intelligent, cultured woman. She and her daughters are members of the Universalist Church, and their pleas- ant home is the abode of hospitality and happiness. .^m^ APTAIN ROBERT HUGHES, for whom the La Crosse camp of the Sons of Veterans is named, was born in Anglesea, Wales, in 1822, and was edu- cated in his native country. He emigrated to America in 1842, and was successfully following his trade, that of a tailor, when the dark cloud of the Rebellion spread from the horizon to the zenith; every loyal citizen, whether by birth or adoption, had a duty to perform, and Captain Hughes responded to the call for 75,000 men to go to the front in defense of the old flag. He enlisted in the service as Second Lieutenant of the first company to leave La Crosse, Wilson Colwell being Captain, and Frank Hatch First Lieu- tenant. The company became a part of the Second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, the mortuary record of which shows that the "Old Iron Brigade" lost the greatest per- centage of men of all brigades in the Union army. Upon the death of Captain Colwell, Lieutenant Hughes was promoted to the BIOGRAPHIGAL HISTORY. 511 position, and discliprged tlie duties of tlie office with honor to himself. May 10, 1864, while gallantly leading his regiment on the sixth day of the battle, he met his death from a rebel ball in the woods of Spottsylvania, all the other officers having been killed in the first day's fight. It is said by his comrades thai he voluntarily walked to his death in his attempt to succor a wounded rebel who was crying for water, saying, " I will give liini a drink of water." He was an enthusiastic military man, and was recognized as a model officer. His remains were interred in Laurel Hill Cemetery, West Virginia. He came from the New England States to La Crosse in 1858, and this county never sent out a native-born son who faced death in a noble cause more bravely. Had he lived twenty-four hours longer his term of enlist- ment would have expired. hx affectionate remembrance of the dead hero the La Crosse camp of Sons of Veter. ans was named for him. A large portrait of the Captain adorns the hall of the Sons of Veterans, a treasured gift from his children in recognition of the honor. Upon the occa siou of its presentation by Mrs. W. T. Symons, comrades G. M. Woodward and Milo J. Pitkin, who were members of the same company, made addresses: in well chosen words, telling of the bravery and heroism of their dead soldier brother. Letters of regret were received and read from Hon. William H. Harris and Dr. L. H. Bunnell, author of " Yosemity." March 29, 184G, Captain Hughes was united in marriage, at East Medway (now Millis) Massachusetts, to Hannah, daughter of Leonard and Olive (Abbe) Fairbanks, natives of Massachusetts. Six children were l)orn of this union: Elizabeth R., widow of W.J. Carlyle, a sketch of whom is just given; Eugene F., of Winona, Minnesota; Ellen, wife of C. A. Bartlett, of La Crosse; Fred- ericka, now Mrs. W. T. Symons, of La Crosse, and two who are deceased. In 1808 Mrs. Hughes became the wife of William H. Stogdill, a prominent attorney of La Crosse, by whom she had a daughter, Cora who married J. F. Jacobson, of Portland Oregon. The death of Mr. Stogdill occurred at La Crosse, Wisconsin, October 28, 1887. Mrs. Stogdill resides with her daughter, Mrs. Carlyle. The ancestors of the Fairbanks family emi- grated to America about the beginning of the French and Indian war, and lived in the garrison at Medfield, Massachusetts, for many months. Leonard and Olive (Abbe) Fairbanks are both deceased ; the former died at Medway, Massachusetts, in 1875, at the age of eighty-six, and the latter at the same place in 1845, aged fifty-five years. Mr. Fairbanks was four times married, Mrs. Stogdill being a child of the third union. Mrs. Stogdill and Leonard Fairbanks, of MiL ford, Massachusetts, are the only surviving members of a family of eight. ?OHN S. JONES, who has been identified Avith the farming interests of La Crosse county since 1868, was born in the Southern part of Wales, October 17, 1845, and is a son of David S. and Hannah (Davis) Jones, natives of the same country. The father was a shoemaker by trade, and was the owner of a large shoe store, keeping five skilled workmen to meet the demands of his trade. He was a quiet, retiring man, and a good citizen. He died March 15, 1861, aged forty-five yeai-s; his widow still survives, liv- ing in the same place, in the same house in which her children were born; she is three- score and ten years old, and is well preserved 512 BIOGltAPIHCAL HISTORY. in mind and body. Our subject is one of a family of five children; David is conducting the business established by his father, except- ing on a nauch enlarged scale. He married Ellen Davis, and they have two children, David and John T.; John S., the subject of this biography, is the second-born; Thomas died at the age of twenty-eight years; Mary died at the age of five years, and a second daughter, also named Mary, died at the age of three years. Mr. Jones learned the trade of shoemaking with his brother David, and followed this occupation until he emigrated to America. He set sail September 26, 1868, and landed after a voyage of eleven days. He continued his journey to La Crosse county, and located in Bangor, where he had a friend living. He was employed in various industries and worked diligently and perseveringly until he had accninulated sutlicient means to purchase forty acres of land; he lived on this tract until 1881, when he bought 160 acres in Hamilton township, which is still his home; this was wild, uncultivated land, and he has cleared about seventy acres; he has a good house, two large barns, and many modern conveniences. He has given especial atten- tion to the raising of live-stock, having a good grade of Durham cattle, Poliind-China hogs and Shropshire sheep; he also raises corn, wheat, oats and hay, the last being the principal crop. Mr. Jones furnishes another of the many examples of what can be accom- plished in a new country where will and de- termination to succeed are the chief capital; he had no money when he came to America, but by close application to his duties he has accumulated a competence. He was married December 7, 1865, to Miss Margaret Davis, a daughter of Steven and Mary Davis, of Yestrad, Wales. Their marriage was celebrated in the town church. Of this union fourteen children have been born: David, Hannah, Stephen, who died at the age of three years; Charles, Letitia, Jen- nie, who died at the age of one year; Stephen, who was given the name of the deceased brother; Walter, Maggie, Jane, and four chil- dren who died in infancy. Politically Mr. Jones atfiliates with the Republican party, and is an ardent supporter of the principles of that body. Mrs. Jones is one of a family of thirteen children: Mary, Margaret, t'harles, deceased; Jane, Sarah; the others died in childhood. The father died in 1885, but the mother still survives, aged eighty years. fOHN G. KEPPEL was born in Saxony, Germany, January 2, 1835. His par- ents, John David and Christiana (Bery- ner) Keppel, were natives of that country and lived and died there; the father a farmer by occupation, and in religion a Catholic. John G. was the first-born in their family of two sons and five daughters. He attended school until he was fourteen, after which he worked on a farm for a time. Four years he spent in the German army. Then, coming to America, he was employed in a gingiiam factory iu Massachusetts, he having learned the trade of weaver in Germany. When the civil war broke out Mr. Keppel entered the^service of the Union, enlisting in July, 1862, at the time when Lincoln called for 300,000 more, and became a member of Company K, Fifty second Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was sta- tioned for some time at New Orleans and on the Red river; was at the battle of Port BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 513 Hudson and took part in a number of other engagements. Receiving an honorable dis- charge in October, 1863, Mr. Keppel came West and settled in Shelby township. La Crosse county. He made liis home in La Crosse valley for some three years, after which he came to his present location in Onalaska township; postoffice, Holinen. Mr. Keppel brought with him to this country that thrift and enterprise that is character- istic of the German people, and in his efforts to secure for himself and family a comfort- able home and living he has been successful. He now owns 140 acres of well-improved land ; has a house 16 x 20, feet, a story and a half, with a one-story L, 16x24 feet; barn, 34x62 feet; granary, 16x24 feet; hog shed and stable, 16x20 feet; ice house, other buildings, etc. His land is conveniently di- vided into fields for cultivation and stock purposes, and everything about the premises is kept in the best of order. Mr. Keppel keeps fourteen cows, besides horses, hogs and sheep. He was married in Shelby township, this county, in February, 1864, to Miss Kate Schab, a native of Germany and a daughter of German parents, William and Margaret Schab. They have seven children. The oldest, Valentine S., a young man of good education, is the Assessor of Onalaska town- ship; Pauliua is the wife of Herman Pralle, of Campbell township; the names of the oth- ers are Rosa, Minnie, Emma, Clara and Willie. The youngest, Henry N., died at the age of five years and six months. Mr. Keppel is in every respect an honor- able and upright citizen. Republican in poli- tics, he is identified with the best elements of his party, and believes in the advancement of educational and religious interests. He has served four years as a member of the school board. His religious associations are with the Lutheran Church. "ini-^ ^I^^^ILLIAM C. RICK, who is promi- 11 nently identified with the commer- cial interests of North La Crosse, was born in Germany in 1854, and remained in his native land until 1865, when his par- ents emigrated to America. They settled in Jackson county, Wisconsin, and there passed the balance of their days; both died in 1875, the father aged eighty years, and the mother having attained seventy-five years. They were both possessed of many excellent traits, and were devout members of the Lutheran Church. At the age of seventeen years William C. Rick went to learn the wagon- maker's trade at North Bend, Wisconsin, wliere he lived four vears; he then went to St. Charles, and in 1876 purchased a farm near Sparta, and for the time abandoned hia trade. He found agriculture unprofitable and not at all to his taste, so he disposed of his land the next year and came to La Crosse. For ten years he was a bridge contractor on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul rail- road, and in 1887 he embarked in the gro- cery business. He is building up an excel- lent trade, and has 'ue of the best locations in the city. Mr. Rick was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Peters, a daughter of Louis Peters, of North Bend, Jackson county, Wisconsin. Mr. Peters is one of the leading fanners and politicians of Jackson county; for the past forty years he has been a member of the School Board for his township, and has also been chairman of the County Board. He is a German by birth, emigrated to this country about 1840, and is yet living in Jackson 514 DlOORAPllIGAL HISTORY. county, at the advanced age of ninety years. His wife died in 1880, at the age of sixty- iive years. Mr. and Mrs. Rick are the par- ents of four children: Kndolpli, Eddie, Fred- die and William. Rudolph and Eddie are members of the Lebbert's Jubilee Rand of North La Crosse. The family all belong to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Rick takes no active interest in political questions, but casts his suffrage for the man he deems best qualified for the duties of office. (APTAIJST CHARLES LUCE, one of the pioneer settlers of La Crosse county, was born at Montreal, Canada, in 1833, a son of Charles and Julia Luce. The father was a farmer and a master of all the details of agriculture. The Captain worked for his father and in the employ of neighboring farmers until 1858, when be removetl to La Crosse, Wisconsin. He soon secured em- ployment on the river, and faithfully per- formed the duties presented him until he filially reached the position of commander of a vessel. During the past ten years he has been captain of one of the boats of the David- son Lumber Company, and has been in the employ of that company continuously since 1858, a fact showing his efticiency and the high esteem in which he is held by the com- pany. Mr. Luce was united in marriaire, in 1866, the year of his coming to Wisconsin, to Miss Julia Jarvis, a daughter of Charles Jarvis. Her father and mother were both natives of the Dominion of Canada, but the latter is now deceased. Mr. Jarvis is now eighty- nine years of age, and is a resident of La Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. Luce are devout members of the Roman Catholic Church. Although they have had no children of their own, they have been father and mother to the children of other parents, and have reared to honorable manliood and womanhood the helpless and dependent. Mr. Luce has always been an in- dustrious, energetic man, and without the aid of ca^iital or education has accumulated a competency for his declining years. He has given a loyal support to the government of his adopted country, having the highest re- gard for the duties of citizenship in a re- public. .^. .^MS . g ..... UGENE J. FARNAM is a native of the State of Wisconsin, born in Fond du Lac county, in 1856. His parents, Eli and Lucy 11. (Hicks) Farnam, were natives of Canada. Mr. Farnam came West in 1836 and settled in Illinois, where he remained three years; at the end of that time he re- moved to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he was one of the first settlers. Mr. Hicks' family had come to Fond du Lac county in 1842, and Mr. Farnam and Miss Lucy IL Hicks were married in 1848. They continued their residence there until 1864, when Mr. P^arnain sold his land in Fond du • Lac county and purchased a farm in Lewis valley, La Crosse county; this he improved and made his home until his death, which occurred in 1891. He attained the good old age of four-score years. Plis wife is still living at the homestead in Lewis valley; she is now sixty-seven years old, and in excellent health. Eugene J. Farnam enjoyed tlie advantages ofiered in the public schools of his town, and had three terms in the University at (iales- ville. When his school days were ended he made a trip through Dakota, and there took BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 515 np a section of land, which lie improved for eight years; when a good chance to sell out presented itself he disposed of the property and returned to La Crosse. Here he engaged in the milling and teaming business, and fol- lowed both lines until January, 1892, when he was appointed Janitor of the City Hall; then he abandoned the milling industry, but retains his interest in the teaming, having won a large patronage. Mr. Farnum was united in marriage, No- vember 24, 1881, to Miss Minnie Willey, a daughter of Henry and Janette (Gage) Wil- ley. Her father died in 1889, aged fifty-five years; her mother is now residing at La Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. Farnam are the par- ents of one daughter. Lulu Belle. Mr. Far- nam is a member of Gateway City Lodge, No. 153, I. O. O. F., and holds an important office in the same. fPAMES RAWLINGSON, Jr., who is known in La Crosse as one of the most prominent contractors and builders, was born at Chester, England, a son of James and Mary (Edwards) Rawlingson, a full his- tory of whom appears on another page of this volume. He is the youngest of a family of six children, and received his education in Jersey City and La Crosse, the family re- siding in the former city for nine years after coming to the United States. Afterwards they removed to Wisconsin, and James, Jr., engaged in agricultural pursuits from 1861 to 1863. Descended from ancestors who had been builders for five generations, it was but natural that he too should finally be attracted to this vocation. In 1864 he gave up tilling the soil, and began to learn the trade of building with his father and lirotlier. He worked with them in La Crosse for a number of years, and was employed on some of the largest buildings in this city. For one season he was in Denver, Colorado, and also spent a season in St. Paul. Inheriting a decided talent for building, he has cultivated it to the fullest e.xtent, and has centered all his forces in this direction, the result of which has been very gratifying. Mr. Rawlingson was united in marriage in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1873, to Miss Marie Didier, a daughter of Henry and Marie Did- ier, natives of France, who emigrated to the United States about the year 1850. Mrs. Rawlingson's father is still living, and is now a resident of La Crosse; the mother died in 1874. To Mr. and Mrs. Rawlingson have been born a son and daughter, Charles Homer and Emma Marie. They have a pleasant home where they are surrounded with all the comforts of the nineteenth century. Mr. Rawlingson is a member of the Builders' Exchange, and the family all belong to the First Methodist Episcopal Church of La Crosse. fAMES RAWLINGSON, deceased, one of the first and best known contractors and builders of La Crosse, was born in Eaorland, July 5, 1815, and was descended from four generations of builders. He emi- o-rated to America in 1849, and settled in Jersey City, where he resided nine years. When the opportunities of the Western frontier became known in the East he re- moved with his family to Wisconsin in 1856, and settled in La Crosse. He and his sons engaged in contracting and building, the oldest son, William, being his partner. They erected many of the large and substantial buildings which adorn the city, and estab- lished a reputation as men of the highest 516 BIOORAPHW^iL HISTORY. honor and strictest integrity. Their many years of experience enabled them to do their work intelligently and with the greatest economy both of time and material. Mr. Eawlingson passed from this life October 22, 1880, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. He was a man of generous impulses, a loyal cit- izen of his adopted country, and greatly be- loved by his family. He had four sons and two daughters: William, Fred C, Joseph E., Elizabeth A., Emma and James. The mother died in 1879, at the age of fifty-nine years; she was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and for many years was act- ively engaged in the work of the church. "William llawlingson was born in Chester, England, in 1837. He was in business with his father, and they did some of the most important work in masonry in this city. Many of the structures erected under their supervision are monuments to their honor and skill that will outlast many generations. William Kawlingson married Miss Mary Holmes, and theii- only son, Harry, is a resi- dent of St. Paul, Minnesota. He was a member of the Masonic order, and was Wor- shipful Master of his lodge for several years, he also belonged to the Chapter, of which he was King. Fred C. was born April 27. 1839, in Chester, England, came to this country, and was with his father and brother in business until 1858, when he went to Mississippi. When the war broke out he enlisted in a Mississippi battery, and served until the cessation of hostilities. When the war was ended lie came to La Crosse again and engaged in business. He was njarried April 3, 188G, to Miss Sarah Cooper. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. Joseph E. is a contractor, and a resident of La Crosse. He married Miss Charlotte Eer- nette, of Brooklyn, New York, and to them have been born thi'ce children: Mary E., James and Mattie J. Elizabeth married Joseph Stacy, and to this union one child was born, Emma E., who died at the age of one year. Mr. Stacy died January 3, 1866, aged twenty-nine years. He was a soldier in the late war, but at the end of twelve months' service he was wounded, on account of which he was discharged. Mrs. Stacy was married a second time, to Edward C. Peck, who was an engineer. During the civil war he ranked as Lieutenant in the United States Navy, and has a l)rilliant record as a seaman. Charles Edward, the only child of this marriage, lived to be nine years old; he was .a bright and promising child, and a great comfort to his parents. Mr. Peck died in La Crosse, at the age of fifty-two years. He was one of the most skilled engineers on the river, an up- right man in all his dealings, and a valued citizen. His widow was married December 25, 1890, to George H. McCumber. of Fond du Lac, a millwright by trade. He erected Coleman & Paul's mill in La Crosse, and is now in Michigan, where he has charge of a mill in process of construction. Emma, the fifth child of our suljject, is the wife of F. X. De Lorie, a contractor and builder of La Crosse. Jan)es Rawlingson married Miss Marie Didier, of La Crosse, and they have two children, Charles and Emma. -^^Lnjifo— -q/mn^-^ IfSlliAM J.OVEJOY, of La Crosse county, tcanie to the frontier in 1855, and since that time has been identified with those enterprises which placed Wisconsin among the leading States of the Union. He was born in St. Lawrence county, New Fork, July 22, 1833, and is a son of Ransom and Mary (Bromaghisn) Lovejoy, natives of Canada. The father was a successful agriculturist, and was well and favorably known in his county. BIOOBAPHICAL EI STOUT. 517 He was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was also his wife; his death occurred September 9, 1879, at the age of eighty-three years; his wife died March 17, 1888, at the age of eighty- eight years. They were most excellent people, and their many kindly deeds ren- der their memory dear to a wide circle of acquaintances. They had a family of six children, two of whom are living. At the age of eighteen years Hiram Lovejoy went to learn the carpenter and builder's trade, and in August, 1855, he came West, and for sev- eral years followed his trade; he also gave some attention to the mill business. For two years he lived in the city of La Crosse, and then came to bis present place; he erected the Lovejoy mill, which he operated seventeen years, and as his means increased he invested in lands, adding to the tirst forty acres he purchased until he now owns 300 acres of good farming land. His dwelling is beauti- fully located on a natural building site, com- manding a line view of the fertile valley, and he has large and convenient buildings for the care and protection of his live-stock. He raises horses of the Norman breed, Poland- China hogs, Holderness cattle, and in grains corn, wheat and oats; he also harvests large crops of hay. He is one of the most pro- gressive agriculturists of the comnuinity, and it is to men of his type that the rapid advan- ces in this line have been made. Mr. Lovejoy was married March 12, 1873, to Miss Sarah J. Tripp, a daughter of H. A. and Mary (Elsworth) Tripp, and of this union six children have been born: William E., Hiram D., Mary Gertrude, George Henry, Hope and Faith. Mrs. Lovejoy is a menjber af the Baptist Church; she is a woman of much intelligence, and that culture and re- linement that comes with close contact with books and schools. The children are at iiome with their parents, and are a happy, well- ordered family. Mr. Lovejoy is a Republican in politics, and is an ardent supporter of the issues of his party. H. A. Tripp, father of Mrs. Lovejoy, was a native of the State of Vermont, and was a farmer by occupation. He was a citizen of many sterling traits of character, and enjoyed the respect of all witii whom he came in con- tact. He died January 20, 1878, aged sixty- live years; his wife passed from this life January 16, 1877, at the age of sixty-three years. They had born to them a family of six children: Adalaide, wife of J.W.Johnson; George E. married Miss Ida A. Farnsworth, and resides in Madison, Wisconsin; Sarah J., the wife of the subject of this sketch; Au- gusta E., who died at the age of seventeen years; A. Maria, wife of W. H. Dawdy, and M. Alice, who died aged twenty. The chil- dren were all born in Trumbull county, Ohio, and emigrated to Wisconsin in 1857, settling two miles below the present home of Mr. Lovejoy. Mrs. Tripp was a native of Connec- ticut, her maiden name Mary Elsworth. She married Mr. Tripp with two children: Joel Hawley, who resides in Trumbull county, Ohio, and Lavina (Mrs. L. J. Burlow), who resides in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was highly esteemed by all who knew her. 0DWARD LARSON, of the firm of Lar- l. son & Jordson, proprietors of the Ban- gor Creamery, located on section 14, Bangor township, was born in Hamilton town- siiip, December 28, 1869. He is the son of Christian and Cornelia (Sather) Larson, na tives of Norway. The father came to the United States about forty years ago, when a small boy. The parents had ten cliildren, viz.: Ludwig, Nettie, Mattie, Benjamin, 518 BIOOIiAPHICAL HlSTOItr. Julia, Edward, Theresa, Oscar, John and Clara. There has never been a death in the family, and all are members of the Lutheran Church. Edward, our subject, was reared to man- hood on the old hora Erockman, a native of Germany. William is the only child born to that union. lie is now with bis father and assisting on the farm Mr. Miller, his son William, and three of the neighbors own the Earre Mills Creamery, which is doing a successful business and is of great advantage to the farmers in the neighborhood. Mr. Miller and his wife and children are members of the Lutheran Church, and are esteemed and worthy citizens. fNUD HALDOKSON, of section 31, Bangor township, was born in Blue Mound, Wisconsin, August 29, 1856, a son of John and Gartru (Oldstadt) Haldor- son, natives of Norway, and now of Bohe- mia, La Crosse county. Tliey emigrated to the United States in 1856, settling at Blue Mound, Wisconsin, and the same fall came to this county and settled where our subject now lives. The parents had eight children^ live of whom survive; Jane, of Vernon coun- ty, Wisconsin; Albert, also of Vernon county ; Ole, a resident of Barnes county, South Dakota; Kiind, our subject, and Peter, of Bohemia valley, this county. Knud Ilaldorson, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and received his educa- tion in the common schools, lie was mar- ried, November 6, 1885, to Sophia Lang, a daughter of Henry Lang, of Washington township, La Crosse county. They have three children: John, Emma and Julius. Mr. Ilaldorson has held the office of School Treasurer seven or eight years, but never seeks official honors. He is a meml)er of the Lutheran Church at Barry Mills, Eostwick valley. ANIEL DAV^IS, an old soldier and pio- neer of this county, was born in Oneida county. New York, March 22, 1836, a son of James Davis, a native of Connecticut. Our subject learned the carpenter's trade when a young man, and in 1854 came to this county, settling in the village of Bangor, which he has since made his home. He served in the late war, in Company D, Four- teenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, four years and si.x days, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Champion Hills, Vickbburg, Black liiver Bridge, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, Nashville, Franklin, and Mobile Bay. He was under both Gen- erals Grant and Sherman, and endured un- told hardships and privations, and now draws a pension. After the war he returned to this county, where he has since worked hard at his trade. He has never married, and is now a jolly old bachelor. During the war he was a personal friend of Sherman, and was in many battles under that great General. His family relations are mostly in New York. fAMES STEPHENS, of section 36, Bangor township, was born in Norway, seven Norwegian miles fromChristiania, March 2, 183-4, a son of Stephen Thompson, a native of the same country, where he also died. In BIOORAPHIOAL HISTORY. 521 the old country our subject worked on a farm, and at times in floating logs and cord wood for his brother on Lake Menusa. During the winter he received eight cents a day for his work, and in the summer twenty- four cents during hay harvest and thirty-tive cents a day in the drive on the lake. He came to the United States in 1866, settling in Monroe county, Wisconsin, live miles east of his present farm, and in the spring of 1872 came to his present place. After reaching this State he was without money and worked as a hired hand a few years, the first winter receiv- ing $30 a month and his board. He now owns a farm of 200 acres, mostly ridge land, where he raises excellent crops of grass, oats, wheat and corn. He makes a specialty of graded Durham and Holstein cattle,Ja7id does a large dairy business. He has one of the finest wells in the county, it being at a depth of 250 feet, with about fifty feet of water, and cannot be pumped dry by wind pumps. Mr. Stephens was married, February 2, 1873, to Martha Olsen, a daughter of Ole Olsen, a native of Norway, and now deceased. They have one chihl, Caroline, born in 1874. Mr. Stephens has been a member of the School Board several years, is a member of the Lutheran Church, and a Republican, politically. ""^'I'Sm S -I*'"^ JP^^^TLLIAM CUTHBERT, retired farmer fn/\fj West Salem, Wisconsin. A life-long I^^^l^l experience in the channels of agri- culture, and an intimate acquaintance with every detail of the calling have contributed to place Mr. Cuthbert among the substantial men of the county. He owes his nativity to Scotland, his birth occurring in 1847, and his parents, Alexander and Eliza M. (Ogg) Cuthbert, are natives of that country also- The father was a very successful farmer and followed that pursuit in his own country un- til 1871, when he and his family crossed the ocean to America. They settled in La Crosse connty. Burns township, Wisconsin, where they bought and improved forty acres of land, and there remained for twelve years. From there they retnoved to Sioux Rapids, Iowa, and there the parents are now living, the father retired from active life. William Cuthbert attended school until sixteen years of age, when he learned the trade of mason and stone-cutter, at which he worked until he emigrated to the United States in 1869. He settled on Lake Superior, at Marquette, Michigan, and there worked at his trade until 1871, when he joined his parents in La Crosse county, Wisconsin. He purchased 160 acres of land; has since added eighty acres, and now has a farm of 240 acres, in section 26, Burns township. On this he has erected a good two-story frame house, a basement barn and many substnntial out-buildings. The place is well supplied with water, there being many springs on it, and the farm is in a good state of cultivation. Mr. Cuthbert was married in 1870, at Marquette, Michigan, to Miss Isabella Hem- stock, daughter of William and Anna (An- derson) Hemstock, natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Hemstock emigrated from their native country to Canada, located on Geor- gian Ba}', and their received their final sum- mons, the father dj'ing in 1867, and the mother in 1884. To Mr. and Mrs. Cuthbert were born eight children, six now living: James C, William R., Mamie, Frederick B., Mabel O. and Glen IL, all at home with the parents, and making a happy family. Mr. and Mrs. Cuthliert sadly felt the loss of their two oldest children, Charles and Annie, who died in 1882 and 1883, respectively. Mr. Cuthbert has been honored with tlui 533 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. oflBce of Justice of the Peace, of Burns town- ship, for twelve years, and was a member of the School Board from 1871 to 1891, when he retired from the farm and built a large two-story house, of modern architecture, in West Salem, to which town he had retired for rest for himself and to better educate his children. Mr. Cuthbert and wife are people of retinement and taste, and in their pleasant home, where they are surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences of life, and with their host of warm friends, they expect to pass the remainder of their days. Mr. Cuthbert is one of the progressive men of the county, and gives his hearty support tu all public enterprises. He and Mrs. Cuth- bert are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he affiliates with the Republi- can party. He has by his energy and indus- try accumulated a good competency for himself and family while yet on the sunny side of middle age. ►^H^ frlj I L L I A M T. S M I T H, liveryman. \]| There are few features of enterprise which contribute a larger quota to the convenience of the residential or tran- sient public than the well-appointed livery stable, and recent valuable acquisition to the town of West Salem is the livery, boarding and sale stal)le belonging to Mr. Smith. He was born in (.)nalaska, Wisconsin, September 20, 1867, to Samuel and Sarah (Smith) Smith, natives respectively of New Hamp- shire and New York. Tiiey came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, about 1852, and settled on Half-way creek, at which time the now tlourishinjj town of La Crosse con- sisted of about three houses. Mr. Smith entered 120 acres of land, which he improved and on which he resided until 1889, when his death occurred, at the age of sixty-four years. His widow survives him and resides on the old homestead. William G. Smith attended school at Half-way creek until he was twelve years of age, when he entered the graded school of West Salem, where he at- tended for one year. For two years succeed- ing this he worked for a cousin, remained one year at home, then spent four years in the employ of G. L. Willey, a farmer. He had by this time accumulated some means and could think of no better use for it than educating himself, and he accordingly en- tered the University of Galesvilie, Wisconsin, after wliicii he went AVest to visit friends and for the purpose of prospecting througii Northern Minnesota and Dakota, and was absent six months. Upon his return to La Crosse he began the study of medicine with Dr. E. C. Swarthouse, but at the end of six months opened a candy store in L-i Crosse; but a few months later traded this for 160 acres of land. At the end of about one year he traded this for his present establishment, which he is managing with fair prospects of success. The stable is situated about the center of the town, is well appointed, and as Mr. Smith was reared on a farm he thor- oughly understands the care of horses, and anyone leaving their animals in his charge can rest assured tiiat they will be carefully attended to. Mr. Smith is a strong Prohibitionist, the principles of which he upholds on all occa- sions, and he is a rising 3'oi.ng man of the county, with a bright future before hiin. -}^^^^e> IHARLES N. ATKINSON, assistant to the superintendent of tlie Southern Minnesota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad, was born BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY 533 in Coi'ydon, Iowa, November 16, 1855, a son of John W. and Mary E. (Robinsonj Atkin- son. The father was engaged in the retail dry-goods trade at Corydon from 1854 to 1861, when he enlisted in the Fourth Iowa Vol- unteer Infantry, and served with that regi- ment until it was mustered out May 3, 1865; he participated in all the battles of his regi- ment, and made all the long, weary marches that were a necessity in the conflict. When the war was ended, and he returned to the occupations of peaceful citizens, he re-em- barked in the dry-goods business at Corydon, adding a wholesale department, and conduct- ing both until the time of his death, which occurred June 2, 18 — ; the mother is still living, in Beatrice, Nebraska, aged fifty-seven years. Charles N. received his education in the public schools of his native town and at the Baptist University of Burlington, Iowa. In 1872 he entered the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Kailroad. and was in the employ of that company for seven years; at the end of that time he accepted a position in a bank at St. Joseph, Missouri, where he remained two years; he then re- turned to the railroad business, taking a po- sition with the Indiana, Burlington & Wa- bash, at Indianapolis, Indiana. In March, 1891, he was appointed secretary to the gen- eral manager of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, and in May, 1891, was sent to La Crosse, as assistant to the superintend- ent of the Southern Minnesota division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad. He has made an excellent record as a rail- road man, having received steady promotion since the beginning of his service to the company. Mr. Atkinson was married October 2, 1883, to Miss Carrie Coweu, a daughter of John G. Cowen, of Newport, Holt county, Missouri, a capitalist of that place. While a resident of Indianapolis, Mr. Atkinson became a member of the Lio-ht Infantry in 1885, and was actively interested in the work of that organization. He is now an honorary member of the Gateway City Guai-ds, of La Crosse, organized July 6, 1889: O. N. Holway, Captain; J. J. Eseh, First Lieutenant; D. S. McArthur, Second Lieutenant. March 23, 1891, the following officers were elected: J. J. Esch, Captain; Burt C. Smith, First Lieutenant; D. S. McArthur, Second Lieutenant. January 4, 1892, the election resulted as follows: Charles N. Atkinson, Captain; Burt C. Smith, First Lieutenant; J. P. Salzer, Second Lieutenant. The company has fiftysi.x members, and is well equipped with arms and uniform. Mr. Atkinson is also a member of the Knio-hts of Pythias. UGUST KRAEMEPv, farmer, Sigel, Wisconsin, is one of the industrious tillers of the soil in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and a man of sound judgment and good practical sense. His parents, AYilliain and Carolina (Smith) Kraemer, were natives of Germany and came to the United States in 1866, settling in La Crosse county. There the father, who followed the occupations of a brick-maker and farmer, died in 1884. The mother is still living and makes her home in La Crosse county. August Kraemer came with his parents to the States in 1866, and three years later he purchased sixty acres of land, and he has since occuj)ied and improved the same. He lias a good, comfortable house, a large stone-basement barn and other outbuildings suitable for storing grain, keep- ing grain, etc. He also rents a portion of the farm of Mr. Keinholtz and his principal crops are barley, wheat, oats and corn. He keeps 524 B TOG RAPE ICAL UrSTORT. about ten bead of cattle, tbree liorses, and a lara;e number of hogs. He selected as his companion in life Miss Frederica Horgan, daughter of John Ilorgan, and tbeir nuptials were celebrated in 1874. Mr. Horgan came to the United States in 1804, and here his death occurred in 1883. The mother died in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Kraenier are the parents of five children: Frederick, Oscar, August, Caroline and Herbert, all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Kraemer are exemplary mem- bers of the German Reformed Church. kROCKOP MICKSCHL belongs to that sturdy and independent class, the farmers of Wisconsin, and none are pos- sessed of more genuine merit or a stronger character than he whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He was born in Bohe- mia in 1823 and emigrated to the United States in 1858, settling first in Chipmunk's Cooley in Vernon county, Wisconsin, where he purchased a tract of land on which he resided for eight years and which he greatly improved. He then sold out and purchased 120 acres of land in Shelby township. La Crosse county, on which he is still residing. He built him a roomy and substantial frame house, erected some commodious barns and sheds, has a good wind pump, and also has a large slaughterhouse on tlie premises and does the slaughtering for the butchers of La Crosse. He also buj's considerable stock, which he fattens fur the La Crosse markets, and keeps about 300 head of pigs constantly on hand, feeding and turning them off as fast as fattened. He is possessed of those advanced ideas and progressive principles regarding agricultural life which seem to be among the chief characteristics of those of his nativity, and as a result is in good circum- stances, and has a comfortable home for his family. He was married in the old country in 1857, to Christina Boeme, whose parents lived and died in Bohemia, and their marriage has been blessed in the birth of seven children: Prock- op who married Christina Willing, resides in La Crosse, and is the father of two chil- dren, Prockop and Celia; Jacob, John and Frank, who are at home, and are managing the slaughterhouse; Christina, wife of Hugo Leffreys, of California, and Eva, wife of Alvin Albert, also of California, by whom she has one child, Isabel. Mary is at home with her parents. He has held a number of town- ship offices, and all measures of morality, education, temperance, etc., find in him a strong advocate. fACOB RENNER, a prosperous and enterprising citizen of La Crosse, is a native of the Buckeye State, born in 1848, a son of George and Mary M. Renner, who emigrated from Germany to the United States about the year 1830, and settled in Ohio; they lived on a farm until the time of Mr. Renner's death, which occurred in 1866. Jacob Renner is the eighth of a family of ten children. The year following the death of his father, he, his mother and brother, Louis, came to La Crosse. The first employment he secured was in a lumber mill, but he after- wards engaged in teaming, following this business for seven years. His next work was ill a grocery store, and then he bought and kept a saloon for nine months; this occupa- tion, however, was distasteful to hi in, so he sold out, and went to work in the foundry owned by the John James Foundrj' Company; he attendee' to the furnace there for about three years, and in 1884 embarked in the /^e<,^^iU^G^Q^t,j'TG(^f'fa^Bluft' Dairy and Stock Farm, dealer in milk and breeder of Jersey cattle, is one of the most progressive men in his line of work in La Crosse county. He has some of the tinest Jersey cattle in his BIOGRAPHIGAL HISTOJtT. 527 part of the State, keeps fifty head of cows, and also fifty head of other cattle. Thomas Roden was born at Belfast, Ireland, July 2, 1847, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Mc- Kee) Roden, of the same place, and when a lad of nine years he went to work in a linen manufactory. At the age of eighteen he found himself in the city of Quebec, where he S]ient six months, after which he located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He then resided for a short time in Sparta, afterwards in Vi- roqua, Vernon county, where his uncle, David McKee, was one of the first settlers; but in 1870 he came to this county and bought some swamp land near North La Crosse for $500, which he improved and sold for $10,000. He at one time owned 350 cows, and kept the largest dairy northwest of Chicago. He located on his present farm in 1887, where he owns 760 acres of well-im- proved land, on which are valuable iron de- posits. His residence is a good two-story structure; his barns and sheds are commodi- ous, enabling him to stable 240 head of cat- tle and thirty-two head of horses, the latter animals being of the Bashaw and Ilamble- tonian breed, and some of them very tine roadsters. Mr. Roden has been a breeder of Jersey cattle for the past eleven years, and has twenty-seven full-blooded cows. He has a stone milk-house, 18x40 feet, which has a twenty-four-horse steam power, and is now sole owner of a fire proof paint which he is introducing. He also keeps 240 Cots wold sheep, and everything about his place is kept in model order and indicates that Mr. Roden is a man of progressive and enterprising views, thoroughly up with the times in all particulars, and admirably fitted for the busi- ness which receives his attention. He was married at Belfast in 1865 to Miss Rachel Ann McClerry, daughter of John McClerry and Margaret (Mc Bride) McClerry, the former a superintendent in a linen factory in Belfast. Mr. and Mrs. Roden have a daughter, Anna, who is the wife of Mell. Smith, of Onalaska, and they are all mem- bers of a Protestant Church. Mr. Roden is a prominent citizen of the county, respected and esteemed for his sterling integrity, sound judgment and broad and progressive ideas. In the fall of 1886 he made a visit to his old home in Belfast. -^^^yt/l/h- -Ifiriy^^^ HARLES A. GLOVER, farmer, Ona- laska, Wisconsin. It cannot be ex- pected, in a work of this kind, where but brief biographical sketches of prominent citizens of the county are presented, that a lengthy laudatory article should he written of each one, and yet at times there are met with some who have been so intimately and closely identified with the county, and whose names are so familiar to all, that it is only just to dwell upon what they have done, and the influence of their career on others, not as empty words of praise, but the plain state- ment of a still plainer truth. Mr. Glover was born in Leicestershire, England, Febru- ary 15, 1848, and his parents, Charles and Martha (French) Glover were natives of the same country. About 1857 the parents crossed the ocean to the United States and located in Campbell township. La Crosse county, Wisconsin, where the father remained for three years and then returned to England. The mother died in La Crosse county. They were the parents of six children, viz.: George, who enlisted in the Second Wisconsin Cav- alry, in 1861, and died in the service of his country; Mrs. Lydia Gibbs, of Minnesota; Mrs. Mary Moss, of Campbell township. La Ci'osse county; Mrs. Lucy Tull, of Georgia; Charles A. (subject), and Mrs. Margaret 5?8 BTOORAPHWAL UTSTORY. Totten, of Burns township, La Crosse county. Charles A. Glover was reared on a farnn and received a good practical education in the common schools. On March 20, 1865, in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, he enlisted in Company H, Fifty-first "Wisconsin Volunteer L\fantry, and served until honorably dis- charged, August 17, of the same year, His regiment was stationed at Benton Barracks, Mi.s8ouri, and at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Returning to La Crosse county after cessa- tion of hostilities Mr. Glover engaged in farming, and in F'ebruary, 1868, he came to his present farm, which now consists of 270 acres of ricli land a short distance from Ona- laska. He has a good modern residence, the bay window of which is filled with beautiful plants and flowers, and everything about the place indicates to the beholder that the owner is a man of energy and taste. His barns and out buildings are commodious and substan- tial, and the barn is one of the most conven- iently arranged of all in the county. He feeds a great deal of stock, and is the owner of some fine Hambletonian and Clydesdale horses. "Glover Farm" is a beautiful place, and Mr. Glover has reason to be proud of it. He was married in February, 1866, to Miss Martha French, a lady of culture and refine- ment and of a good family. Her parents, Joseph and Charlotte (Rogers) French, are both natives of England. Tiie father died in 1889, at the age of sixty-seven, but tiie mother is still living, and is a resident of Campbell township, La Crosse county. Mrs. Glover was but five or six years of age when she came with her parents to this county, and she received the rudiments of an educa- tion in Campbell township, finishing in the schools of La Crosse. She was the eldest of six children: George, Elizabeth, Oliver, Emily and Robert. To Mr. and Mrs. Glover have been born two children: Martha Ellen, at home, and George Arthur, the latter's birth occurring November 11, 1869. George Arthur was deaf and dumb and received a thorough education in the College for Mutes, at Delavan, Wisconsin. His death, which occurred in 1886, at the age of seventeen, was a sad blow to his parents. Mr. Glover is a Republican in politics, and socially he is a member of the G. A. R., John Flynn Post, No. 77. He is one of the substantial and prosperous men of La Crosse county, and is well respected by all. ►iMf. ''^^Wl^ C. EGAN, farmer. La Crosse, Wis- 'Mlv l\\l «onsin, a resident of French Island ^^^® and one of the best infornied men of the same, is a native of the Emerald Isle, born August 14, 1820. He was but a babe when his parents, William and Catherine (Kavanaugh) Egan, crossed the ocean to New Brunswick. They remained there a short time and thei) went to Nova Scotia, afterward to Washington, District of Columbia, thence to the Bay of Fundy and finally to Platts- buro-. New York. The father was a merchant tailor and died when eighty-two years of age. The mother was eighty at the time of her death. Of the nine children born to tliis union, six sons and three daughters, M. C. was the oldest in order of birth. One sister, Mary, resides in North La Crosse. M. C. Egan grew to manhood in New York State, learned the baker's and afterward the mold- er's trade, which he followed many years at Ogdensburg, New York, and in difl'erent cities of Canada. He was a skilled workman and for thirteen years was in the employ of N. S. Pitkins. In 1856 he came to Mil- waukee, Wisconsin; followed his trade here for five years, and then came to North La Crosse, where he continued his former busi- BIOORAPniGAL HISTORY. 539 ness for some time. He came on his present farm April 29, 1863, and it was known as tlie old "Antoine La Bell Farm" for years. This fine farm, consisting of 207 acres of valuable land, is situated one and a quarter miles from North La Crosse, and the excel- lent buildings on the same increase its value very materially. Mr. Egan's nuptials with Miss Eliza Ann Miltimore were celebrated on September 8, 1844, and the ceremony uniting them was performed by Rev. Father McCoy, of the Catholic Church. Mrs. Egan comes of a good family and was born at Og- densburg, New York, where she was reared and educated. Her father, John Miltimore, was born at Londonderry, New Hampshire, and his parents were natives of Londonderry, Ireland. Mrs. Egan's mother was Catherine (Kartell) Miltimore. Mr. and Mrs. Milti- more lived for a number of years in Cornwall, Canada. She died when forty-nine years of age and he when eighty-two. They were the parents of eight children. The father was married the second time and by this union became the father of five children. Mr. and Mrs. Egan's union was blessed by the birth of eight children: William John died when thirteen months old; Catherine was but a few days old when siie died; Eliza Ann died wlien nine years of age; Caroline is the wife of Joseph Boucher of West La Grosso; Fran- ces E. became the wife of Arthur Horner and resides in La Crosse; William J. married aiid resides in La Crosse; Eliza Ann is the wife of William Atkins, and Joseph resides on tlie home place with his wife. Mr. Egan is a Prohibitionist and is independent in his po- litical views. In religion lie is a Methodist. Mrs. Egan was reared an Episcopalian, but is now an active and wortliy member of the Catliolic Church. Mr. Egan is now seventy- one years of age, but the years have dealt leniently with liim and he looks much younger. He has traveled extensively and is a well informed man. He has a patent on a very valuable seeder and five small plows attached, which is a very valuable invention. -3»«« EORGE G. BARBER, of Mindoro, Wis- consin, is one of the old and well-known settlers of La Crosse county, arriving here in 1851. He was born in Cayuga county. New York, August 26, 1827, a son of Phiueas B. Barber, who was born in Warren county, that State, and married Miss Orpha Morse, a native also of Cayuga county, and had four sons and three daughters. In 1830 the Barber family moved to Ohio, where George received a good education and became a successful teacher. Coming to La Crosse county, he settled in the Lewis valley, in 1851. He has been married twice, first at the age of twenty-four years, to Miss Frances Cowles, by whom he had one daughter, Frances; she married a man named Martin, had two chil- dren. May Ellen and George, and died in 1880. Mrs. Frances Barber died July 25, 1853, and Mr. Barber, December 19, 1855, married Mrs. Rachel (Ward^ Jackson, and by this marriage there were three children: Charles, Willis Eugene and May A., now the wife of J. W. Cook, of La Crosse. This Mrs. Barber died May 2, 1891. Mr. Barber has been Justice of the Peace about forty years, marrying in that time seventy-five couples. He has been a member of the Methodist Church since 1855, and of the Masonic order since 1858. W. E. Barber, of the firm of Barber Bros., liverymen in Onalaska, was born in the Lewis valley. La Crosse country, Wisconsin, Sep- tember 8, 1858, the son of George G. Barber, whose sketch precedes. He was educated at 530 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. a business college at Galesville, this State, taught school for some time, and afterward engaged in farming in Lewis valley. He commenced business with Buttles & Pierce, buying and shipping live-stock. Finally, in March, 1883, he came to Onalaska and pur- chased the interest of William Martin, of the firm of Barber & Martin, since which time the firm name has been the Barber Bros. Previously, in December, 1881, Charles Bar- ber had bought out T. B. Shoveon, on both sides of J street. The Barber Bros, built their barn, 40 x 76, on the corner of J and Third streets, in 1886. The posts are twenty feet ill height, and the barn generally is well arranged. They keep eighteen to twenty horses, a sale and boarding stable, and make a specialty of fancy turn-outs. For the past four years the brothers have also engaged in logging. Last winter they had a force of sixty men in the woods, in two camps, super- intended peisonally by W. E. Barber. The subject of this' sketch was married December 28, 1880, at Mindoro, to Miss Aurilla Gilfillan, who was born in Hamilton township. La Crosse county, a daughter of William Gilfillan, of Onalaska. She was educated at West Salem, and afterward be- came a careful iyid popular teacher for six or seven years, in La Crosse county. Mr. and Mrs. Barber have two children: Mary A. and Newell E. They lost their first-born, Eva, in her fourth year. Mr. Barber is a Repub- lican in his political views, and in his social relations is a member of the orders of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen. fOHN KUPP, banker, merchant, real- estate and insurance agent of Bangor, was born in Bohemia, Austria, May 13, 1852, the son of l"'runz Kupp, a native of the same place. The father brought his family to the United States in 1861, settling in Bal- timore, Maryland, where he drove a team for the United States Government. He remained there until the fall of 1865, when he located in Bangor, where he has since resided. His family consisted of six boys and three girls, and all are still living, and all are married but three sons. John, the eldest son and third child, was educated in the Bohemian, German and Eng- lish languages, and also graduated at the La Crosse Business College. In 1869 he met with a sad misfortune, a white swelling caus- ing the loss of his left leg, the amputation taking place on St. Patrick's day. In 1870 he went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he secured an artificial limb, after which he returned to Kansas City, Missouri, and clerked in a grocery store thi-ee years. He next established a confectionery store at the same place, which be co.nducted until 1876, and in that year returned to Bangor and ran a l)arber shop until in July, 1885. He then accepted the appointment of Postmaster, which position he held until December, 1889, and during this time he was also made No- tary Public, which honor he still holds. After retiring from the office he established the Bano-or Exchange Bank, in which he has been remarkably successful. He was elected Treas- urer of the School Board in 1888, and re- elected in 1891, and during the first term he assisted in establishing a free high school, and in building an addition to the school- house. Mr. Kupp was married March 11, 1877, to Lillie E. Fletcher, a daughter of William Fletcher, deceased, an early settler of this county. At one time he owned one of the finest farms in La Crosse county. Mrs. Kupp was born on this farm September 7, 1861. Tliey have had two cliildi-cn, only one of BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 631 whom survive, John, Jr., born June 2, 1879. Mr. Kupp i^ treasurer of the I. (). O. F. Lodge, which he has represented twice in the Grand Lodge; is banker of the M. W. of A., in which he has passed the principal chairs, and is also a member of the A. O. U. W. and the K. of P. of La Crosse. ^ON. WILLIAM SMITH, of the firm of William & A. Smith, dealers in hard- ware, farm implements and turniture, Bangor, was born in Saxony, Germany, Au- gust 15, 1846. His father, Charles C. Smith, a native of Weimar, Germany, brought his family to the United States in 1854, locating in Sauk county, Wisconsin, among the In- dians and wild animals. He traveled from Sauk City to Mineral Point to enter his land, and improved a farm on the prairie at the edge of the timber. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common and private schools of Germany, and in 1861 came to Bangor township, this county, where he settled on a farm, lie left tliis place in 1865, and clerked in a store at Bangor three years, after which, in 1875, he was engaged in buying grain for some time. In the latter year he engaged in the hardware business in tliis county with his brother Au- gust, and they now carry a stock of $4,000 in hardware, $600 in ijiiplements, and $600 in furniture. They also have a hardware and implement store in Viroqua, where they carry a stock of $10,000. Mr. Smith was elected to the Legislature in 1889 on the Republican ticket, and served to the satisfaction of his constituents. He has been a member of the County Board of Supervisors for seven or eight years, and has also been a member of the Side Board about the same lentfth of time. He was married November 19, 1871, to Sarah J. Barber, a daughter of Daniel Bar- ber,' deceased. They have four children: Lee A., Russell D., Clyde C. and Wayne W. Mr. Smith is a member of the Masonic order and of the A. 0. U. W. R. ALEXANDER B. NEWTON, a physician and surgeon of Bangor, was born in Oneida county. New York, July 3, 1842, a son of Liberty J. Newton, a native of Rutland, Vermont. He was an edge-tool maker by trade, but after coming West he worked at the blacksmith's trade. He emi- grated to Lily Lake, Kane county, Illinois, in 1849, and later removed to St. Charles, same county, and in 1859 to La Crosse. Our sub- ject's mother, 7iee Cordelia Baxter, was a daughter of the renowned Rev. B. S. Baxter, a pioneer minister of Illinois. She was one of fourteen children, and taught the first school at Lily Lake. The mother of our subject died in October, 1874, and the father in April, 1890. They were the parents of six children, only two of whom survive, Alexander and Elihu B. One daughter, Sirs. S. H. Moody, died in La Crosse, in 1889, at the age of forty-one years. The subject of this sketch was educated in the La Crosse high school, and also graduated at the Rush Medical College, January 25, 1867. He settled in Bangor February 10, same year, where he has built up a large practice. He served in the late war as Hos- pital Steward, from April, 1861, to Septem- ber, 1865, when he returned from the war a physical wreck. His hospital experience emi- nently qualifieil him for surgical and general practice. Mr. Newton is vice-president of the La Crosse County Medical Association, and was also made a Mason by special dis- 533 BIOORAPHIGAL HISTORY. pensation during the war. Itefore twenty-one years of age, when home on a leave of ab- sence. He is now a noember of the Knights of Pytliias, of the Baptist Church, is Health Officer, and was member of the School Board a few years. He was married October 6, 1872, to Ida McKenzie, a daughter of Charles W. Mc- Kenzie, a pioneer of this county. They have three cliildren, viz.: Charles M., Cordelia L. and Alexander B., all born in this county. Charles graduated at the Bangor high school in June, 1891. •^^ •s^ ^OTTLIEB BOSSHARD, one of the pro- prietors of the Bangor Cheese Factory, was born in Switzerland, August 14, 1836, a son of Casper Bossiiard, who was killed by the cars on the railroad bridge at Bangor. The jiarents came with their young- est son, John, to this country in July, 1855. The mother died April 6, 1863, and was the first one buried in the Bangor cemetery. The father died September 4, 1884. They were the parents of live children, two of whom died in Switzerland. The subject of this sketch left home De- cember 31, 1853, and came by sail-ship to the United States, encountering heavy storms en route, and two of the passengers died on board and were buried at sea. He stopped first in Honey Creek valley, Sauk county, Wisconsin, where he worked for William Campfield, near Baraboo. In October, 1854, he came to this county with an uncle, John Bosshard, who had previously settled here. The next winter our subject and his brother Henry began work for themselves on land their uncle had bought for them with money their father had sent for that purpose. It was a part of section 4, where Bangor now stands, and here they made rails and fenced furty acres. They raised twenty acres of corn, potatoes, etc., a part of which they sold at a good price. Mr. Bosshard was town Treas- urer and Assessor a few years, and is now agent for the Shelby Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, in which he does a large business. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W. He was married October 1, 1858, to Min- nie Saxer, a daughter of Peter Saxer, who died in 1875. They have had nine children, six of whom still survive, viz.: Albert G., Amelia, William, Louisa, Eliza and Hulda. ILLIAM JORDSON, of the firm of Larson & Jordson, proprietors of the Bangor Creamery, located on section 4, Bangor township, was born in Hamilton township, this county, February 18, 1865. His father, John Jordson, now of this town- ship, is a native of Norway, and came to the United States about forty years ago, when but a small boy. Our subject was engaged in tarmiiifr until 1809, when he went to West Salem and clerked in the hardware store of George Palmer until the spring of 1890, after which he worked one year in the Salem Creamery. In March, 1891, in partnership with Edward Larson, they purchased the Bangor Creamery, and began operating it the April following. They make aliout 1,000 pounds of butter daily, and keep from 100 U) 150 head of hogs. Their churning is done by steam, in two large churns. The creamery was built in 1884 by Bordwell Bros., who ran it but a short time and then sold it to J. Starr, who conducted it about two years. Larson & Jordson ship their butter to Chicago and New York, where they receive the highest market price. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOBT. 533 Mr. Jordson is a member of the Norwegian Liitlieran Church, and is an active, energetic young man, with l)right prospects for tiie future. AVID R. A. SHEPARD, a member of the army of contractors and builders re- siding in La Crosse, is a native of the State of New York, born in Otsego county, at Exeter Centre, July 17, 1828, and is a son of Elisha and Jerusha (Angel) Shepard. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and was a son of Caleb Shepard, of Massachusetts. The maternal grandfather was Caleb Angel, and he was a farmer by occupation. David R. A., the subject of this notice, was reared with a family of live sons and one daughter, in Ot- sego county. New York, where he obtained a good education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-one years he went to Water- town, New York, where he learned the trade he has since followed. In 1854, while "Wis- consin was still on the frontier, he came to Ripon and cai-ried on a building and con- tracting business until 1863; in that year be went to Winona, Minnesota, and spent seven years in that place. Twenty-one years ago he first came to La Crosse, and has been since that time closely identified with those move- ments which have aided very materially in tlie development of the county and its re- sources. Mr. Shepard was married in Ripon, Wis- consin, in 1856, to Miss Ruth A. Root, a native of New York, V)orn near New Lisbon, Otsego county, and a daughter of Truman Root. Mrs. Shepard's parents were descend- ants from old Puritan stock of New England. Our subject and his wife have reared a family of five sons and two daughters: De Witt 11, a mason and builder, of Denver, Colorado; Charles D., of Winona, Minnesota; Wright E., a builder, of La Crosse; Jennie J., wife of George Hyde, of Montana; Ida May, Harry E. and Arthur M. The father is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the mother and two daughters belong to tiie Daughters of Rebekah, in which society Mrs. Hyde occupies a high ofiicial position. Mr. Shep- ard is a Worthy Past Grand of the I. O. O. F. DOLPH SIEBRECHT.— Among the lifroakfast, and after breakfast one of the men said he would like to have a smoke. I told him to go up in the now house and in back of my bed, in the corner, he would And an Indian tomahawk and some stone pipes. He went up and was reaching over, and had just taken hold of a tomahawk pipe when he discovered a snake on the top log behind the bed. It drew back its head and hissed at him; he jumped back, threw the pipe, hit- ting the snake, cutting it partly in two, and then "hollered" to me to hand him up a gun, which I did; he shot the snake and threw it out of the window. The snake was between five and six feet long, and supposed to be a house-snake. I never could understand how the snake was able to come up from the cel- lar and into the attic, and get around behind my bed, there being no stairway, only a very steep ladder. I have not the least doubt but that the snake was there when I was dream- ing of it. During the summer an Indian challenged me to run a foot-race. It happened that there was no one around there but the Indian and myself. Of course he had no money, and we put up a lot of silver ear-bobs, about $5 worth. We put them on a stake, about 100 yards off, and the first one there was to take them. It so happened that I won the race, though I think he would have beaten me if we had run a few yards farther, as he was gaining on me when the race ended. I afterward learned that he was the fastest runner and the best hunter in the Winnebago nation. After that a number of other Indians challenged me to run. They thought I must be a good runner because 1 had beaten tliis man, but I had made my reputation as a fast runner and I refused to hazard it again. In the summer ot that year, 1842, I went down to Prairie du Chien and hired Ira Brunson, who was a surveyor, to come up and survey out a town site at Prairie La Crosse. His survey embraced the land that is now in the original plat of La Crosse; a plat was made of it, but not recorded, as the land had not been surveyed by the Govern- ment, and we had no title to the same. The buildings which were erected from that year to 1850 or 1851 were located on lots and blocks as designated by that plat. In 1842 the steamboat "Rock River," commanded by Count llerasta, was the first steamboat that made regular trips from Ga- lena to Fort Snelling, once in two weeks. Before that time there were two or three BIOGRAPlirCAL HISTORY. 553 boats, each of which made a trip, loaded with supplies for Fort Snellivig, the A.iiierican Fur Company at St. Peter, as it was then called, and now Mendota, and for tlie St. Croix Falls Lumber Company. In August of that year I made a trip on the steamboat "Rock River" to where St. Paul now is, and to Fort Snelling; and there were then only about half a dozen houses there. The main settlement was at Pig's Eye, about one mile below St. Paul, containing twenty or thirty log houses, and occupied mostly by French and lialf-breeds. A few days before making this trip, the Sioux and Chippewa Indians had a severe battle on the St. Croix river, and many were killed on both sides, and the Sioux Indians at Crow's village and at Kapozie were painted in black, mourning for their lost friends in battle, and dancing around the scalps taken from their enemies. The sight was some- thing new to me, and their whooping and dancing was hideous in the extreme. At that time there were only a few landings be- tween La Crosse and Fort Snelling — Reed's Landing, twenty miles above; Home's Land- ing; Pratt's, where Wabashaw now is, at the Indian village; Mission and Iiidian farm, now Red Wing, mouth of the St. Croix river; Pig's Eye, St. Paul landing and Fort Snelling. Colonel Mills came up from Dubuque to La Crosse, and liked the location very much, and I told him that 1 would give him a con tract to deed him a lot, when the title was obtained from the Government, if he would build a house. He accepted the offer, and selected a lot on the corner of Pearl and Front streets, where now stands the International Hotel. The house was built of hewn pine logs, one and one-half stories high, shingled roof. Colonel Mills lived in it about a year and then sold the house and contract for tiie deed to Jacob Spaulding, of Black River Falls, and returned to Dubuque. Mr. Kounts and Scott came up, I think, from Potosi, Wisconsin, and made a claim adjoining ours to the south, embracing what is now known as Dunn, Dowsman & Cameron's addition. They went away and left the claim. William Bunnell came up that year and located at Mountain de Trempealeau, about twenty-eight miles up the Mississippi river. Peter Cameron came in the fall, and seeing the claim made by Kounts and Scott appar- ently abandoned, took possession and built a log house and stable, and commenced trading with the Indians. I recollect an incident that happened in the winter of 1842'43. Wats Hatakaw or Blind Decorah, the head chief of the Winne- bago nation, had a son wlio was a great hunter. He was out hunting deer on Root river, and had wounded one and was follovv- ing him, and had thrown his blanket away so as not to be encumbered. The deer crossed Root river, and the Indian after him. He broke througii the ice, but succeeded in get- ting out, and being without a blanket was frozen to death! He was found where he had apparently walked around a tree for the pur- pose of getting warmed up and keeping from freezing, but was c )mpelled to succumb to the severe cold. He was found partially in a sitting position, frozen stiff. The remains were carried to my house, and at the reques-t of the old chief I had a coffin made to bury him in, which was nearly square, as he had frozen in a sitting position. A large number of Indians came to attend the Indian burial services, as the Indian had many friends. Some of |iis friends claimed that his blanket had been stolen, or taken from him, and that was the cause of his freezing to death. They, in consequence of this difference of opinion, got up quite a fight among themselves, an 554 BIOGRAPHICAL IIISrORY. in the course of the row the coffin was broken open and the corpse was thrown out on the floor. 1 finally succeedecl in getting them quieted down, and laid the corpse back into the box or coffin, and nailed it up again. At the request of the chief, I liad a grave dug between State and Main on Front street, on quite a high place near the river, and bnried him in it, put up a picket fence around the grave and erected a cross and painted it white. When the chief and his family would come there, they would put tin pans filled with food, tea and coffee on the head of the grave for him to feed on, on his way to the happy hunting grounds. The grave remained there until the street was grailed in 1851 or 1852. I have heard it claimed that La Crosse de- rived its name from that cross, which was put up at this Indian grave. At one time we had quite a lengthy controversy as to the oricrin of the name, in which I maintained the theory that it was given to the jilace be- cause the Indians used to asseml)le there to play la crosse, a game of ball, and after much arirument and discussion it was decided that my version was correct. In the winter of 1842 and 1843 Peter Cameron and myself made a trip jointly with goods up the river on the ice to Fort Snelling with three or four teams. We had to make a portage near the mouth of tlieZunbro river, below Lake Pepin, to above what is now known as Keed's Landing. The portage alongside of the foot of Lake Pepin was a difficult and dangerous one along the hillside, there being some danger of sliding down into the lake, and we let our teams down with the aid of a rope tied to the sleds and around a tree; crossed Lake Pepin, and went on to where Red Wing now is, and camped with a missionary. The next day we went up to the mouth of St. Croix river, now Prescott, and from there to Pig's Eye, St. Paul and Fort Snelling. At Red Wing, Count Herasta, Captain of the steamboat Rock River, over- took us and went up in comy)any with us. His boat was frozen the fall before just below St. Paul, and he was on his way up to look after his boat when the river opened, and to take her down the river. We sold out our stock of goods and had quite a lot of furs in a few days, and shortly after started on our retui-n trip. The second night we got to Mr. Weld's place, near the head of Lake Pepin ; we sold him one of our horses, and took our pay in furs, which made the loads pretty heavy for the other horses, having to haul an extra sleigh. The distance from Mr. Weld's place to the foot of Lake Pepin, where Wabashaw now is, is fifteen or eighteen miles, and we had the hardest trip I ever experi- enced for so short a distance. The snow was deep on the ice, and a crust over the snow which would bear a man for a few steps and then he would go down through the snow two or three feet. The distance being short, we did not take any food for ourselves or horses, expecting to get through in good season. We soon became tired, and our horses also; we tried to cut a hole through the ice for water, also to cut steps down in the ice with a long-handled ax, and had to give it up. We tried it at several places during the day, with the same result. Some time after dark, our horses as well as our- selves being nearly exhausted, we stopped, and Mr. Cameron suggested that we camp on the ice, and one of us goon to Mr. Cratt's, who was the Government blacksmith for the Indians, and get something to eat, and return with food for our horses. I said to him, we had better not separate: if we camped, to camp together. After being rested awhile and talking the matter over, we concluded to go on. Al)Out twelve o'clock at night we succeeded in getting through to Cratt's place, BWailAPHIOAL HISTORY 555 where we fared sumptuously. I never was so glad to get to a place as I was that night. The next morning we resumed our journey, and got to La Crosse in three or four days, arriving there on the 2d day of April, 1843. On the 4th we started on the ice for Prairie du Chien, for the purpose of purchasing more goods; and after we got down four or five miles I became snow-blind, which was very painful, and returned home, but the teams were sent down and returned with loads of goods on the ice. That winter was the coldest I have ever experienced in this country; the ice did not go out of Lake Pepin until the first days of May. I think it was in the winter of 1843-'44, Mr. Philip Jacobs had a trading cabin up Black River Lake, near where Onalaska is now situated. One day the Indians came into his cabin and scared him or drove him out; he came down to my place and told his story, and wanted some assistance. I returned with him on foot on the ice; when we arrived at his cabin we found it in possession of a big strapping Indian, who was deaf and dumb; nothing had been taken or disturbed. The Indian finally made us understand that he would go to the Indian camps which were on the islands above, and get some Indians and re- turn and take possession of the cabin oi' burn it. I gave him to understand that we would defend it; he went away; I remained there all night, and no Indians came. The next morning I returned liome. In tiiis way we would expose ourselves sometimes in protect- ing each other, even though we were trading in opposition to each other. In 1843 Dr. Snaugli, or "Dutch Doctor" as we called him, came up and built near Jay street and traded vvitii the Indians. Asa White came and worked for Mr. Cameron that fall and winter, and boarded with us part of the time. Mr. White made a claim adjoining Mr. Cameron's on the south, now known as Straddars & Levy's addition, built a house and traded with the Indians, and had a small piece of land under cultivation. This year we broke up some land back near the bluffs, where the Miller farm now is, and also down near the south end of the prairie, and got out rails from the islands and bottom lands to fence the land; corn, barley and wheat were planted, which was the first farm- ing done in what is now La Crosse county. Two or three years after, when a mill was built at Prairie du Chien, the only means of getting wheat manufactured into flour was by taking it to Prairie du Chien on the ice, and I remember hauling it there and return- ing with flour, ninety miles over the ice. Dr. Snaugh, or '-Dutch Doc," made a claim on what is now known as the State Road Cooley, and farmed it some, and years after- ward sold the land to J. C. Ramsey, of St. Paul. In 1843 I made a visit home, to fulfill a promise I had made some three years before, and to purchase goods in New York. I went by steamer to St. Louis, and thence to Cairo and up the Ohio river to Pittsburg, and took the stage at the Monongahela Hotel and traveled over the Alleghany mountains to Cumberland, and thence l)y rail to Baltimore, and by rail and steamboat to New York city, up the Hudson river to Albany, and by rail to Saratoga Springs, where I stopped for three or four days, not feeling very well, and by steamer from Whitehall to Westport, my former home. My people were very glad to see me, as well as I was them; and I recollect that my mother (God bless her memory!) asked me if Iliad come home to remain, and I replied that I was glad to come and see them, but would not remain if the whole of Essex county was given to me. In a few days I was taken sick, and was confined 556 BIOOHAPHICAL HISTORY. to my bed for three weeks or more. Soon after I recovered I went to New York to pur- chase some goods for the Indian trade. My fatlier, and two or three of his hnsiness friends, accompanied me. he having some business there, wanting to form a company to put an opposition steamer on Lake Chain- plain, and to see what kind of goods I pur- chased for the Indian trade. We went by steamboat to Whiteliall, packet boat on canal and steamboat to New York, and we stopped at the Lovejoy House, across from the park and opposite the Astor House, Mr. Lovejoy having once kept a hotel or store in Westport, but was burned out and moved to New York. Tlie next day I hunted up stores that kept Indian goods, and found only two of them. Grant & Barton and Syrdam, Doramus & Nixon. At this place something occurred which might be of interest to the reader. "While selecting goods (my father was with me) I saw a piece of light-colored fancy silk, which I thought would make a nice wedding-dress, and expecting it to be put to use very soon told the clerk to cut me off a pattern, which he did, and that I wished to pay for it and not have it put on the bill with the other goods, put my hand in my pocket for tlie money to pay for it, and to niy great aston^ ishment there was no money or pocket-book tiiere. I then remembered that I had put my money under my pillow the night before and had left it there. I told my father about it and asked him to go with me to the hotel, lie being acquainted with the landlord, to see if we could find the money. He said tliere was not one chance in 100 that I would find it. However, we went up to the hotel, and direct to our room. As we en- tered the room the chamliermaid came out; father stood at the door while I went in and examined the room; tiie chambermaid re- mained in the hall near the door till I came out. I asked her if she found some money under the pillow, and she said she did, and took it to the office and gave it to the clerk. I hurried to the office and asked the clerk if anything had been given him by the chamber- maid from such a room, and he said there had, and I described it and my money was returned. No one can imagine tlie relief it gave me to get possession of it again. I went upstairs and gave the maid $5, and have always been sorry that I did not give her more, as siie deserved it for her honesty. We went back to the store, paid for the wedding dress, and completed my purchases and made arrangements for future purchases. Terms were one-fourth cash, and the balance in six and eight months' time, note payable at bank, with my father's endorsement. The goods were shipped to Troy and stored there until I went West in October. We went home and on the 17th of August I was married to Miss Rebecca E. Ismon, at Cliarlotte, Vermont. Soon after our arrival at my father's house, he gave us a second-day wedding, and invited liis acquaintances and friends from the entire county. He was so well known and had such a number of acquaintances that it was the largest affair of the kind that had ever been given at Westport. Alwut the last of September I was ready to start on my return trip West. My money had given out and I went to General Hunter and borrowed $500 with my father's endorsement. Our parents on both sides had given us some household goods, which were packed in boxes, and we took them along with us. We shipped on a fast freight l)oat, whicli was towed by steamer to Wliitehall, and to Troy by canal, stopped and took on board the goods which I had purchased in New York, and thence to Buffalo, arriving there in a week or ten days. We took passage on a steamer for Chicngo, BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 557 with our goods all on board, arriving in Chi- cago ill due time. We had with us on this trip a young lady by the name of Louisa Pearson, who wished to visit some friends in Illinois. 1 told her that I would pay all of her expenses if she would go through with us and spend the winter, and visit her friends in the spring. This she did, and was com- pany for Mr:-. Myrick the first winter at La Crosse. There were no railroads at that time running out of Chicago, but there were stages running to Galena, where we wanted to go; but I wanted to make sure of getting the goods across to Galena, on the Mississippi river. I finally hired three or four schooner wagons and loaded them up, one of which was loaded lightly, and on which we took passage. The roads were not in the best of order, and our progress was pretty slow, and when we got to Rockford we abandoned the wagon and took the stage for Galena. In three or fonr days the teams got through with our goods. Oar trip was a slow one, but on the whole pleasant, and we enjoyed ourselves very well. We had to remain in Galena eight days waiting for a steamboat to go to La Crosse, and finally arrived there with our goods, being almost four weeks making the journey. We were made welcome on our arrival by the few who were there, and tlie women were almost a curiosity, and tliey were the first white women who settled in the embryo now flourishing city of La Crosse. The news went far and near among the Indians that tiie tall trader, "Wonk-se-reck," as that was my name among the Indians, had returned with two white women, one his wife, and they came flocking in to greet ns, and see the curiosities, "white women." We passed the winter quite com- fortably in our house, although somewhat crowded for room, one end of the building being occupied as a store. In the spring we 37 built on an addition or "L" part, 12x16, making a kitchen, bedroom and pantry, which gave ns <'onsiderabIe more room. We also built on tiie north end of the house an addition, witli a stone chimney and fireplace, called the "Indian room," where they could cock their food and sleep, when coming in from tiieir hunts. We opened our new stock of goods, and when the Indians returned from the payment of their annuities at Tur- key river we had a good trade. Just before the river closed with ice, we sent what fall furs we had taken in to the American P'ur Company at Pi-airie du Chien, and in Decem- ber I made my second trip to Prairie du Cliien on the Indian trail under the bluffs, but on horseback this time, as we were now the owners of two or three horses. My object in going was to provide for the payment of my note given in New York. I had almost $1,000 in silver in saddle-bags on the horse under me, which made a pretty good load for the horse I was riding. Nothing occurred of any consequence until I came to the creek about ten miles north of Prairie du Chien, a little after dark. The weather was cold; in crossing the creek the saddle-girth broke, and let my saddle, money and myself into tile creek. I fished around and got the money and saddle out on the otlier side, put the saddle on the horse and saddle-bags across, and walked the balance of the way into town, my clothes being frozen stiff'. I got in about eight o'clock, tired, wet and hungry. The next day I went on to the American Fur Company's store, in charge of H. L. Dows- man. I sold the furs which were sent down to him from La Crosse, and gave him the money I had, and he sent to St. Louis and ordered a draft sent to my father of the amount suflicient to take up my notes that my father had endorsed. There were no steamboats running at that time, and no raiU nss BIOORAPHICAL HI STORY. road, and mails were carried by stages, and it took nearly six weeks to get the draft around where I wanted it. This was the only way that I could remit at that time, there being no l)anks at Prairie du Chien. This was the first remittance made for goods purchased for La Crosse. On my return trip to La Crosse I went part of the way on the ice; I recollect following up a trail on a slough, which ended in a round pocket about fifteen or twenty feet across it, and when reaching it my horse broke through the ice and I had all J could do to keep from being pawed under. I finally succeeded in getting out, and al.so the horse. It M'as only a few rods to the main channel of the river, which was frozen, and I got my horse upon it, and walked about three miles after dark without a road or track to a house near the foot of Coon slough. My clothes were soon frozen. I met there General Stewart, paymaster of the army, who was returning from Fort Snelling, where he had been to pay the troops. The next day I arrived at La Crosse, and glad to get home. We had men cutting steamboat wood on the bottom and islands about two miles above La Crosse, the most of which I hauled with one horse, crossing at the foot of Black River Lake, and coming down the slough and over La Crosse river, and banked it on the steam- boat landing, which met with ready sale to steamboats the next summer. The summer while I was East, Miller built an old fashioned ban., 30 x 40 feet, about where the Cameron House now stands, and also a warehouse, sit- uated on the corner of Front and State streets, where the Bellview House now is, and a blacksmith shop on Front, between State and Main streets. These were about all the im- provements made in 1843. In 1842 or 1843, quite a colony of Mor- mons came up from Nauvoo, in charge of Millerand Wight, who rented Mr. Spaulding's sawmill at Black Eiver Falls to get out lum- ber to use at Nauvoo. They got short of pro- visions and goods, and we furnished them with what they wanted during the winter, and took our pay in sawed lumber, to be de- livered at La Crosse in the spring. The lumber was delivered as per agreement, all rafted. Jacob Spanlding got a raft of lum- ber out at the same time, and we coupled onr rafts together and ran it to St. Louis, which was the first raft of lumber ever run from La Crosse or Black river to St. Louis. The river was high and we made a very quick trip, tying up to the shore only three or four times all the way down to St. Louis. We had a good deal of trouble in landing our rafts below the steamboats where we wanted to hanl the lumber out, the water being so high and current so swift. We however suc- ceeded, hauled our lumber out, and by the time we got the last lumber out the first taken out was afloat, the river rising so fast. We went to work and put the lumber on higher ground, handling it all over twice, and then it had to be moved the third time, and could not be sold as long as the river was rising so fast. I went up into the city and rented two lots, and got teams and hauled all the lumber upon them, and then began to sell the lumber. Mr. Spanlding was taken sick, and I attended to selling his lumber also. I worked in the water up to my waist nearly two weeks. It was said that the river had never been so high before or since. It is known as the high water of 1844. After our lumber was sold and supplies and goods purchased, we chartered the steamboat Potosi to bring our supplies and men to La Crosse, and she returned from there. The Mormons who were located at Black River Falls rafted up their lumber and went to Nauvoo in the summer. In October of that year quite a BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOHr. 559 colony of Mormonscame up from Nauvoo and landed at La Crosse, and camped there several days, and finally settled in what is now called Mormon Cooley, some four or five miles south of La Crosse. They built twenty- five or thirty log houses and made themselves quite comfortable. We hired quite a number of the men, some cutting cordwood and get- ting out rails on the islands, and some of them were sent up the Black river to make shingles. The pay was drawn by the elders in provisions to support the families in the settlement. Just as the river opened in the spring, the men ail came down from Black river, and the men stopped cattinw cordwood, and they had just at that time completed a flat or wood-boat for us. In the meantime they had built some flat-boats down on the slough hear the settlement. News got out that they were all going to leave. I went down to the settlement to see the elders and adjust matters. They came up to the store and I got a settlement by taking some oxen and horses for the amount they owed us. That night they set tire to most of their houses and embarked in their flat-boats, and left by the light of their burning houses for Nauvoo. Jacob Spaulding went to Black River Falls in 1839 and built a sawmill, in partner- ship with Andrew Wood, I think, of Quincy, Illinois. Horatio" Curts, from Nauvoo, came up in 1841, and went up Black river. Jona- than Nichols and family, James O'Neil, H. McCollom and some others went up Black river in 1842. John Morrison, William and John Levis, Andrew Shepard, Yallantine Thomas and William Douglas arrived and went up Black river in 1843, and engaged in the lumber business. Li 1844 Thomas and Peter Hall arrived, also William Pauley and Andrew Ferguson; they all went up Black river. In the spring of 1844 Miss Pearson went to Illinois to see her friends, and in the fall Mr. Miller, iny partner, went down and married her, and returned to La Crosse. We put up another addition to our house — a bedroom — for their accommodation. Lafayette Bunnell arrived, in 1843 or '44, and made a claim adjoining Asa White on the south, and made a field and put in crops, which claim I afterwards purchased of him. Dr. Bunnell and family, consisting of wife and two daughters, one a widow lady and the otiier single, and a young son, arrived from Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Bunnell was the first physician who settled in La Crosse. Shortly after their arrival the eldest daughter told me that we would have a railroad at La Crosse, either from Milwaukee or Green Bay. She was the first person that I ever heard speak- ing of a railroad coming to La Crosse. Her prophecy more than came to pass, for La Crosse has a railroad both from Milwaukee and Green Bay. If I remember correctly, the family all died at La Crosse, with the ex- ception of Lafayette, who now Jives at Homer, Minnesota, and is known as Dr. Bunnell. Newell Houghton came to La Crosse thjs year and made his headquarters at Asa White's; he was a great hunter, and was killed at New Ulm, Minnesota, while defend- ing the city during the time of the great massacre by the Sioux Indians in 1862. John and Charles Naigle came to La Crosse this year, and worked for us, getting out rails and cord wood more or less for two years. They made a claim south of the State Road Cooley, and made a farm, and I think it has been occupied by some member of the family ever since. The Naigles used to cut oak logs on top of the bluffs, roll them down and split them up into rails, which were used to fence in their land and mine at the south end of the prairie. In 1844 or '45 a Swiss or French colony 560 BIOORAPHIGAL HlSTOHr. came over from tlie old country and landed at La Crosse, camping on the banks of the river below Pearl street for some time. It was quite a sickly season, and some of them died; one or two families settled under the bluffs and the others left, some tioing up the river to the St. Croix country, and others re turned Soutli or East. If I remember cor- rectly, Charles Naigle married the widow of one of the Swiss families who had settled under the bluffs. In 1843 I was appointed Postmaster, under President Tyler's administration, and it wiis at mv suggestion to the Postmaster- General that the "Prairie"' be left off and the office be called La Crosse, which was adopted. I resigned the office in 1845 or '46 in favor of, and recommended, the late Major E. A. C. Hatch, who was clerking for me, and he was appointed; when he left La Crosse, in 1848, he resigned in favor of II. J. P. Miller, who lield the office until Henry IIul)bel was a]i- pointed in 1851 or '52, if I remember cor- rectly. In 1841, and for some prior years, and for several years after, the mail was car- ried to Fort Snelling once in two weeks, — in the summer in a canoe, and in the winter by dog-train, and occasionally by a one-horse train. The man leaving with the mail at Prairie du Chieii would take it as far as Lake Pepin, and another mail-carrier would meet him and exchange mail, and both would re- turn to their starting-place. In those years the postage on letters was G^, 12i, 18^ and 25 cents, according to dis- taiu-e, and letters could be sent without pre- paying the postage, and postmasters could receive and send their mail free as part con- sideration for their services. While 1 was performing the duties of the office, my free postage was worth more to me than my com- missions, as the most of my letters were 25-cent letter postage. The work of the post- office was much more laborious and compli- cated than it is now; then we had to mark the postage on each letter according to dis- tance, enter every letter on a way-liill, with the amount of postage paid and unpaid footed up in columns, and a way-bill on every pack- age, and a record of every way-bill had to be kept in a book made for that purpose, and to make quarterly returns from. From La Crosse, packages soing East had to be sent to Chicago, to the distributing office, and those South to St. Louis. Now a postage stamp must be put on every letter before putting it in the office, the letters counted and the date stamped on them, and can then be put into the mail-bag and sent off. As I said before, the steamboat Rock River was the first steamboat that commenced run- ning regularly from Galena in 1842, and was the only regular boat for that year, although there were three or four transient ones on Government business. In 1843 the steam- boat Otter was put in the trade from Galena to Fort Snelling, commanded by Scribe Har- ris. In 1844 the Argo was put in the same trade, under Captain Sedgwick, and Captain Blakely was clerk, and in later years became captain and commanded some of the best boats on the Upper Mississippi river. In 1845 II. L. Dowsinan had a boat built and naiued it the Lynx, and I think was com- manded by Captain Hooper, who was once a member cf the firm of Hooper, Peck & Scales, of Galena, and also clerk of the steam- boat Otter. Mr. Hooper afterwards started for California, in 1848 or '49, during the gold excitement; he got as far as Salt Lake City, where he remained and joined the Mormons; he became a prominent banker, and was afterwards elected delegate to Congress. I have met him since several times in Wash- ington. The boat met with a serious accident on BIOGRAPHICAL HI STORY. 561 tlie return of the first trip. The night was very dark, and while passing Wabashaw vil- lage, now called Winona, the pilot saw an opening up the valley near tlie lower end of the prairie, and, taking it for the river, steered the boat for the opening and ran with full speed on the lower point of the prairie, with but little water on it; she ran clear out of the water nearly to her 'midships, and they had to take everything off the boat; a low- river boat came up and tried nearly a wliole day to pull her off, but had to give it up. They still continued to lighten the boat. Finally another boat more powerful than the other came along and hitched on to her, and succeeded in pulling the boat off; she was detained there over a week before she was liberated. Afterward the Dr. Franklin, the Senator and the Yankee Nominee, occasional transient boats, would make trips from Pitts- burg or St. Louis. The names of those transient steamboats were: Amaranth, Ohio, General Brooks, Highland Mary, and some others, whose names I do not nowj-emember. In the spring of 1844, after selling our furs to H. L. Dowsman, he said he would like to furnish us goods, as Mr. Labath, whom he had supplied with goods and traded about four miles below La Crosse, opposite the mouth of Root river, and whose conti-act of live years had expired, and said Mr. Labath told him that he did not want to trade there any longer, as that tall trader could sell goods cheaper than he could. I replied that 1 had made satisfactory arrangements for goods in New York. Mr. Dowsman said to me that I could look at their invoices, and he would furnish imported or sterling goods at seventy-two per cent, from original cost or invoice price. New York goods at thirty per cent., and St. Louis goods at lifteen per cent., and could return all goods unsold, and would furnish us money whenever we wanted it, and would not sell goods to any one else near by. After thinking the matter all over we concluded it was best to accept the proposition, and did so. We got our sterling Indian goods mostly imported of Mr. Dowsman, so long as he was in charge of the American Fur Company, and when he gold out in 1846 to H. M. Rice and Gokie Bris- bois, purchased goods from them under the same arrangements until 1848, when the Indians were removed to Long Prairie, Min- nesota, and the American Fur Establishment was abandoned at Prairie du Chien. In the year 1845- '46 H. L. Dowsman and a man living out in the country some ten miles, whose name I cannot recall to memory, and myself were nominated for County Com- missioners for Crawford county on one ticket, and three others on an opposition ticket; our ticket was elected, and i served as one of the County Commissioners until I went to Min- nesota in 1848. I had to go to Prairie du Chien whenever the County Commissioners met. Crawford county was then a very large county; it commenced at the month of the AVisconsin river and ran up North and in- cluded all the country through to Lake Superior, and, if I remember correctly, sev- eral counties have been organized out of it since and ai-e well populated. The Govern- ment surveyed the lands in 1845 or 1846, but they were not put in the market until January, 1848. I supposed that we had the right to pre-empt the lands, but we had not complied with the pre-emption laws, which I think were passed in 1841; consequently we had to take our chances in bidding in our land. When the land was adverti.ed for sale on the 17th of January, 1848, at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, Peter Cameron, Asa White, Dr. Snaugh, J. M. Levy and myself went there to secure title to our lands. Not know- ing what might happen, I thought it best to 563 BIOOHAPnWAL HISTORY. go prepared to protect myself, in case there were bidders on the land. I took with me ahout all the money we had, which amounted to $700 or $800; on my way stopped at Prairie du Chien to see H. L. Dowsraan, and from him received a letter of introduction and also of credit to Mr. Parish, the Receiver of the Land Othce, in which he requested him to accept my hid for any amount that I saw fit to bid on the land, and that he would be responsible in case there was any compe- tition, which Mr. Parish consented to do. The sale was adjourned one day to give us time to fi.x up some little matters between us. The sale came off the next day; we had no trouble, as there was no one wlio dared to bid againstus; so wegotourlandat$1.25per acre. 1 secured the original town-site of about 100 acres, eighty or 100 acres on what was called the Miller farm, 160 acres near the lower end of the prairie, and seventy acres of the Bun- nell claim, what is now Burns' addition to La Crosse. In the early winter the late Major Hatch, who first talked with me about going West and could not come with me on account of his mother's sickness, came out in June, 1843, when I was on my way East, and came to Prairie du Chien and remained thereuntil December or January, and then came to La Crosse and clerked for me until 1848, when he left for St. Paul. He was a courageous man, and was not afraid of man, Indian or the devil. I will here relate a little incident that took place. Hatch was down near the river, where the public landing now is, when an Indian crawled up behind him with a club in hand raised to strike him. Lafayette Bunnell, who was standing up near the house, saw the action of the Indian and "hollered'' to Hatch; Hatch turned and dodged the Indian's blow; a club happened to be near by, which he ] licked up and struck the Indian on the head, and the Indian was taken away in a canoe by his friends in a seriously w'ounded condition. In the afternoon an Indian came down from the camp, where North La Crosse is now situated, and told Hatch that the Indian would die, and advised him to leave, as the Indian had many friends and they would certainly kill him. I advised Ilatcli to take a canoe and go to Prairie du Chien; after we all got through talking and advising Mr. Hatch, he told the Indian to go hack to the camp and tell the Indians that he intended to kill him, and that if he lived and he ever saw him again, he would certainly kill him. Well, we were all frightened, fearing the re- sults. The Indian recovered, and was always after that a verj- warm friend of Mr. Hatch. The Indian was afterwards shot and killed at South Rapids, Minnesota, in 1849, by Calvin Potter, which caused quite an excitement, and the troops and volunteers went up from St. Paul to quiet the disturbance. There was another instance where Mr. Hatch figured with the Indians. Mr. Pauley was running a shingle camp for us up on Cunningham creek, and he came down with a team of horses to get some supplies, and while coming down Black River Lake the horses broke through the ice; the water was not very deep, but they perished from the cold. The Indians assisted in getting them out of the water on to the ice. The harness and sleigh were left there, and Mr. Pauley came on down to the house and told us of it. The next morning we sent up for the harness and sleigh, but there were no horses or harness there. The Indians had cut the horses to pieces and packed them of? with the harness. Their camp was where Onalaska now is. I sent Mr. Hatch up with blankets and food, and told him not to return without the harness. The Indians all denied having the harness; Mr. Hatch told them that the "tall trader" had told him not to re- BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY. 563 turn without the harness, and he prepared to camp with them. After being there a day or two, or more, the Indians became satis- fied that he meant what he said and would execute ray orders; they held a council, and concluded to bring in the harness. It was returned in pieces, it having been distributed in several camps. Hatch returned with the harness. The Indians all became very much attached to Mr. Hatch, as he never manifested any tear, and was always truthful with them. At another time when Mr. Hatch was trading for us at Holm's Landing, now Foun- tain City, he again displayed his courage. He, in course of trade, had given some credits to Indians; he went out to the Indian camp one day with a horse loaded with goods, for the purpose of trading and collecting his credits given the Indians. He unloaded his horse when he got to the camp and entered it. He soon asked the Indians to pay their credits; they had some talk among them- selves, concluded thev would not pay them, and so informed Mr. Hatch. He very coolly tooi< out from one of the sacks containing goods, a small keg of powder and put it on the fire, and then sat down. The Indians with consternation and fright immediately vacated the camp and left Hatch in full pos- session. As soon as the Indians got out of the camp or wigwam, which was in a moment, Mr. Hatch kicked the keg out of the fire. In about an hour the Indians ventured up and peeked into the wigwam, and saw Hatch sit- ting there smoking his pipe. They counseled among themselves, and came to the conclu- sion that there was some great spirit about the man, — that they had better go in and pay what they owed him. They went in and opened their sacks of furs, paid all they owed, and sold him all they had left. In this and other ways Mr. Hatch gained a reputation with the Sioux Indians for bravery and hon- esty that continued up to the time of his death. In the year 1845 J. C. Davis, W. T. Price, William Hibbs, Henry O'Neil, O. H. Dibble, Wm. Gillirgen, Calvin Potter, Wm. Horati, John Perry, Joel Lemon, Mr. Stickney, Joseph Clancy and others arrived and went on up Black river. John M. Levy came up and purchased from Jacob Spaulding the build- ing put up by Colonel Mills, on the corner of Pearl and Front streets. Mr. Levy and Dr. Snaugli formed a co-partnership and erected a two-story frame building, which was the first frame building erected in La Crosse. That year, or the next, we put a two- story front with a hall alley running back one story, on the lots now occupied by a brick building) near the cold-storage provi- sion house on Front street. One ball was made out of a pine knot, which was used in the alley until a full set came from St. Louis. In after years the building was turned into a broom factory and burned down a year or two after. In the winter of 1844 or '45 Miller went up to Holmes' Landing, now Fountain City, and traded with the Sioux Indians, and returned in the spring. Mr. Hatch took his place and traded the fol- lowing winter. In the spring the house was torn down, rafted and floated to La Crosse, and put np where the cold-storage house now stands, and was used in connection with another building as a trading house or store, which relieved the house we lived in, and gave us more room, and we were not annoyed with the Indians so much. Our first child was born at Prairie dn Chien in 1844, and was named Andrew Jack- son, and died at La Crosse in 1845. It was the first white child which died in La Crosse; it was buried on the old burying-ground on a knoll on Third street, since graded down, where Barclay's plow factory is now located. 564 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. The remains were removed to the Oak Grove Cemetery. The date of the slab or tomb- stone is the oldest in the cemetery. In 1846 Hon. Daniel Cameron, brother of Peter Cam- eron, and Henry Atkinson, James Day, John Elder, Mr. Brockwas, Amos Elliott, Robert Garrett and some others arrived and went up Black river. Fetherline and wife came and remained in La Crosse, and lived near Jay street. When O. H. Dibble returned from Black river in 1845, he reported to me that he had found a good mill-site on the West Fork of I'lack river, about a mile up, and persuaded us to go in partnership and put up a sawmill. I went down to St. Louis and purchased the machinery and iron for it, and sent men and supplies up, and Mr. Dibble went up in charge of the outfit. A double sash sawmill was built, and got to running in the summer of 184G. In the fail of 1845 myself and wife went East, and spent the winter with our friends; left La Crosse on steamboat for Galena, and from there on stage to Chicago, and through Michigan to Detroit, and from there by steamer to Buffalo, from Buffalo by canal, railroad and steamboat to Westport, New New York. After spending a very pleasant time in visiting with our friends, we started on our return to our Western home in March; traveled by stage to Troy, New York, and by steamer down the Hudson river to New York city, from there by rail and steamer to Baltimore, and by rail from there to Cumber- land, where we took the stage route over the Alleghany Mountains to Pittsburg; from there by steamboat to St. Louis, there changed on to aiiotlier boat for Galena, and from there to La Crosse, arriving some time in April, and were nearly three weeks making the trip. While absent, the erection of the sawmill on Black river, under the supervision of Mr. Dibble, progressed very slowly, and soon after my return I went up to the mill to see how they were getting along, as there was some dissatisfaction in the manner in which the work was being done. Mr. Dibble drew out of the concern, I paid him for his ser- vices and he left the country. In two or three months the mill was completed and commenced to saw lumber. The river being low, no lumber was run out that season. A stock of logs was cut in the vicinity of the mill, hauled and rolled upon the ice in the mill-pond, and some on the bank. In the spring the mill was started to sawing; about i300 M. feet of lumlter was rafted, but there was not a sufficient rise of water to I'un it out of the then unimproved river, and it lay tied up to the bank a little way below the mill. Mr. Miller and wife were living there at this time, and had charge of the mill and a stock of goods. In the latter part of June I went up to the mill on horseback to see how things were getting along; I found the lum- ber rafted as above stated, and between 300 and 400 M. feet piled up fifteen to twenty feet high along the bank of the river, and everything was going on satisfactorily. After remaining there three or four days, I started back to La Crosse. The river was very low at that time, and one could, in places above the forks, cross the river by stepping from one stone to another. The first night I staid at Mr. Nicholas' mill, sev- eral miles below the falls. I noticed that evening a dark cloud up tlie river, and there was a liijht rain that night there. The next morning was clear and Ijright and I resumed my journey home to La Crosse, and arrived there that evening. The next afternoon a man came down from Black River Falls on horseback, and reported to me that there had been a very heavy freshet and carried away nearly everything on Black river, and that he was sent down to have me take men and BIOORAPHWAL HI8TUBT. 565 go up to the mouth of the river above Black River Lake and boom the river, to stop the logs aud lumber from running into the lake. After hearing his story I told him that I had just come down from up the river, and the river was very low, and could not credit his story, and did not for some time. 1 finally concluded to do as requested, got tools, rope, etc., and some men; paddled up in a canoe above the liead of the lake into the river a little way, and found to my satisfaction tliat the report was too true, as the river liad boomed itself with logs, lumber, shingles and mill timber for a distance of nearly eigliteen miles. We returned to La Crosse, and the next day got full reports of the dis- aster. It was reported that there must have been a cloud-burst with the storm on the upper river, as in a very few hours there was an eighteen-foot rise on the swift rapids where our mill was located, aud much higher in other places. There was not a boom on the river that withstood the raging waters, not a mill but what was more or less dam- aged. It took away our main and wing dams, all the logs and lumber rafted, the lumber that was piled up and one corner-post of the mill. It was said that those high piles of lumber went down over the dam and falls, and the reaction and force of the water then and there tore them to pieces. Jacob Spaulding's mill at the falls was taken out, but the dam stood the test. In three or four days there were about 100 men at work, breaking the jam, and each owner of logs getting them out and separating them, ac- cording to their marks. The men worked there about six weeks, myself witli them, and all of us slept in our wet clothes niglits. Every Saturday night I would go home and return Monday morning. When we got througii Myrick & Miller had three Missis- sippi log-rafts, aud Mr. Spaulding seven. Mr. Spaulding went to St. Louis and hired about 100 men to come up and man the rafts to run them down the river. When he re- turned from St. Louis with the men the river was very low, and there was no cash market for the logs above the rapids and as I did not want store pay for the logs, concluded to sell our logs, and did sell them to Mr. Spaulding aud entered into co-partnership with him to rebuild the uiill at Black Kiver Falls, and turned in the three rafts of logs, cattle and horse teams we had up Black river as part payment. Mr. Spaulding started down the river with his ten log-raftf. The river being very low his rafts were stranded on the sand-bars at divers times on the way down the river. In the latter part of the month of Octo- ber Mr. Spaulding returned with his rafting- tools and foreman, and about twenty barrels ot provisions, on all of which I had to pay the freight and passage. I asked Mr. Spanld- inof if this was all he had to ero on with to rebuild and stock the mill, and he said it was: said he had bad luck in getting his rafts down the river, and was taken sick himself, and had to depend on others to attend to his business. I replied it looked as though he was " broke," and I knew I was to a certain ex- tent, and that I thought two broken concerns could not get along well together, and asked what he would take and cancel our contract; he said $250, and I gave him credit for $250 on the logs and took his note for the balance. Plowever, Mr. Spaulding, with his indomit- able pluck and courage, went on and erected a mill on the site of the old one, and on a more extensive scale got in a stock of logs during the winter. I sold the remains of our mill and plant to Mr. W. K. Levis and re- tired from the lumber business. In conse- quence of working in the water so long dur- ing the warm weather, rafting out logs and 566 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. lumber, many of the men were taken sick, Bome of whom died. 1 was also taken sick, with the typhus fever. A steamboat was up the river, and on its return I was carried on board of the steamboat by 11. M. Rice, Cap- tain Harris and others, and taken to Prairie du Chien, and was carried off the boat by the same men, up and into Mr. John Falsom's house, which stood near the American Fur Company's store, and I recollect hearing one of the men remark: "When he comes out of here, he will come out feet fore- most." Mrs. Myrick accompanied me, and with the services of a good physician, Dr. Day, and my wife's good nursing, I came out all right and returned to La Crosse. Desiring to know how we stood tiuan- cially, it was necessary for us to have a settle- ment with the man with whom we had been dealing on Black river. In December of that year Mr. Miller and myself started up Black river on foot, for the purpose of hav- ing a general settlement with everyl)0(ly. 1 packed tlie books with a blanket and Miller had the bottle of wiiisky. When we got to La Crosse river, out some three or four miles, we found it not frozen over. We took off our boots and pants and forded the river, dressed and took a drink and went on, and when we got to the Half-way creek did the same thing. Mr. Miller got hi? clothes on sooner than I did and started on. and 1 never saw him again until we got through to Mr. Douglas' sawmill. When the little stimulant that 1 had drank became exhausted, 1 became weak and faint and could not walk more than a mile without stopping to rest. 1 recollect that I felt very indignant towards Mr. Miller because he went off with the bottle of whisky and left me alone, and when I got through after dark, some two liours after Mr. Miller, I gave him a piece of my mind; he laughed, thinking it a very good joke he had played on me. We went and made settlements as far as O'Xeil's creek, and settled with all par- ties and took their notes; on our return we dissolved partnership. In October, 1847, Mrs. Myrick and myself went down to Prairie du Chien, where soon after a pair of twins were born. About a month after 1 purchased a pair of horses and double wagon with spring seats, and got ready to start home overland to La Crosse. We secured a nurse-girl to go with us, and fixed ourselves as comfortable as we could, and started. The roads were not in good condition, being frozen and very rougii. The first or second night a snowstorm came on, and when we got up in the morning found we could go no farther with the wagon. I succeeded in getting a iwo-horse sleigh, and started on our journey. The day was bitter cold, the wind blowing from the northwest, and we had to face it nearly all the time. I was afraid we would freeze before we could get to a sheltered place where we could stop and build a fire to warm ourselves by. There was no habitation or settlement the last thirty or forty miles, until we reached way down in Mormon Cooley. We drove as fast as we could until we reached the head of Mormon Cooley, and when we got down about two miles found a sheltered spot from the wind, stopped, made a good, big fire, thawed our- selves out, rested a little and then resumed our journey. The road being almost no road at all, we had to drive very slowly. We made out to get to Mr. Coonley's farm some time after dark, who lived at the old Mormon set- tlement. How glad we all were to get into a house again, where we could get warm and something to eat! We were about six miles from liome, where we arrived the next day about eleven o'clock, glad to see our home again, even ever so humble. The twins came through all right, but they seemed to sufl'er BIOGBAPEWAL HISTOBT. 567 some from the cold and the rough ride. In two or three days I returned with tlie driver to take back the sleigh and get the wagon, and took the trail down Coon river to the Mississippi, a distance of ten or fifteen miles, and came up to La Crosse on the ice. In May, 1848, Hon. H. M. Rice had the contract to remove the Winnebago Indians to their new reservation at Long Prairie, Minnesota, and requested me to give him my assistance and to accompany him up the river to look up the new home or agency for the Indians. Mr. Rice embarked on board steamboat at I 'rairie du Chien witli his horse, and on arrival of the boat at La Crosse Asa White and myself took passage with our horses to accompany Mr. Rice on his trip North. On arriving at St. Paul we saddled our horses and started. On our way up Mr. Rice made me some propositions in regard to business enterprises wliich I thought best to accept, having suffered severe losses by the great freshet the year before, and know- ing that if I remained at La Crosse and con- tinued in tlie lumber business I would be sick more or less, as I liad been before. We went up to Sauk Rapids, Mr. Rice going on to Long Prairie, and I returned to La Crosse to prepare to carry out my engagements with Mr. Rice. After my return to La Crosse deeds were made out between Mr. White, Peter Cameron and myself, according to our original claim lines. I also executed deeds to Mr. Miller of half interest in the land em- braced in the original town site of La Crosse and a deed in full to tlie Miller farm at the bluffs. Deeds were also executed to those who had built on lots under an agreement that deeds should be given them after title was obtained from the Government. The plat made from the survey in 1842 was never recorded, I suppose because there was no register office at La Crosse, and having no title to the lands. In 1851 and '52 a new survey was made by William Hood, which was recorded, but there was no particular change made from the first survey. I settled up my affairs in La Crosse and up Black river as well as I could, and pre- pared to leave La Crosse; 1 think it was the first week in June I shipped my family, household goods and merchandise on board steamboat for St. Paul, left my family there, and with men and teams went up the Mississippi river to Crewig river to get out timber aud lumber for some buildings to be put up at Sauk Rapids. While at work there I met with the misfortune to cut my foot, and was taken down to Mendota and St. Paul in a canoe. I was on crutches from June until the following January. The lum- ber was rafted and run down tlie river; it broke all to pieces in running over little falls, but enough was caught just above Sauk Rapids to put up two big buildings, by hauling some sawed lumber from Still- water. After one of the buildings was par- tially built I moved my family up there and remained through the winter. Up to 1848, when 1 left La Crosse, we kept a hotel on a small scale, and for some years it was the only place where the hungry and weary could get accommodations, and up to the time I got married did most of the cooking myself. Soon after Mrs. J. M. Levy arrived; Mrs. Myrick called upon her and found her at the wash-tub, washing. That summer they would occasionally go to tlie La Crosse river, about where Medary's tannery is now situated, and picnicking all alone, by a little spring that ran out of the sand-bank into the La Crosse river. Our neighbors were not very near; on the north, up the river, Wm. Bunnell lived, near Mount Trempealeau, about twenty miles from La Crosse, where we went with a one-horse 568 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. train up on the ice on a visit, and remained two or three days; on the south, or down the river, Prairie du Chien was the nearest place. The sawmills on Black river were owned and situated as follows: The tirst mill, owned by Wm. and Thomas Douglass, about twenty-five or thirty miles up Black river, on the west side; the next was Jonathan Nichols, on the west side, on a creek by the same name; the next was Shepard & Valen- tine's, some three miles below the falls; and just above and on the other side of the river was James O'Neil's, and then Jacob Spauld- ing's at Black River Falls; the next above the falls was John Levy's mill, on Levy's creek, and next was Thomas and Peter Hall's mill, on Hall's creek; then John Morrison's mill, on Morrison's creek; then My rick & Miller's mill, on West Fork, about a mile from the fork; then Mr. H. McCoUin's and James O'Neil's mill, on Cunningham's and O'Neil's creeks. Before spring I sold out my interest, and returned to St. Paul in the spring, where I remained most of the time ever since. In 1851 Timothy Burns, Lieutenant-Gov- ernor of Wisconsin, came to St. Paul with a letter of introduction from H. L. Dowsman, and wanted to buy my interest in La Crosse. I sold him my half interest in the original town-site, and other property which 1 held there. T sold it for part cash, and the bal- ance in two years. The first payment was made, and for the second payment I took back one-fourth interest in the original town- site of La Crosse. 1 have been selling lots off and on ever since, and still hold a num- ber of lots in La Crosse. Although I made no improvements in buildings in La Crosse, I find from my books that I have paid out over $70,000 in taxes, assessments, etc., on property there. Since arriving in Minnesota I established trading posts and stores at Sauk Rapids, Itasca, Sauk Center, Trover Dessionox, St. Peter, Winnebago Agency, Yellow Medicine, Red Wood Agency, Big Stone Lake, Fort Ransom, Fort Seward, now Jamestown, Big Bend, at Pemliina and other places, and they were in charge of clerks or some one inter- ested in them. I attended supplying the goods and paying for them. My ])usines8 with the Sioux Indians was closed at the time of the outbreak in August, 1862, when my brother Andrew, wlio was in charge of the different trading posts in the Sioux country, M-as killed, together with four other clerks. The goods were taken by the Indians, and all the buildings burned, sus- taining a loss of $100,000, which was par- tially paid by the Government, it being in some way interested in them. But my trad- ing at points in Dakota were continued until 1876, when I retired from the business. In connection with my business in those years, I have been interested in mining en- terprises in Nevada Mountain and Vermillion Lake; in oil and coal mines in Pennsylvania; copper on Lake Superior and Black Hills, in Dakota and West Virginia, with the usual chance of ninety -nine in a hundred of losing everything I put in, which amounts to about $100,000. Since that time 1 have been engaged chiefly in attending to my real-estate business. Not- withstanding my many losses, I have paid all my debts, and if I do not enter into any wild- cat speculations and do not live too long, have enough left to keep the wolf from the door. I have now, dear Mayor, performed as well as lies within my power the things requested of me by the city of La Crosse, and with the deepest gratitude for the kindness exhibited toward me, and expressing again the great affection for the city and its people, which 1 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOMT. 569 assure you will continue with me as long as I sball live, 1 have the honor to subscribe myself, with great consideration. Your most obedient servant, JSf. Myeick. 1]^ D. HITCHCOCK, one of the re- nf/f presentative citizens of La Crosse, "^#1 * Wisconsin, and manager of the K. G. Dun & Co. Mercantile Agency, with office in the Batavian building, was born in Litch- field, Connecticut, January 21, 1858. He was the youngest of a family of eight chil- dren born to J. R. and Lois (Cobb) Hitch- cock. Jason R. Hitchcock was one of the successful and intelligent farmers of the county in which he resided, was quite a popu- lar man, was thoroughly honest and emi- nently practical in all his business relations, and had the unbounded confidence of a large circle of acquaintances. He held local public positions much of his time during life, and was a devout and earnest worker in, as well as liberal contributor to, the Baptist C'hurch. His death occurred in 1867, when fifty-four years of age. His wife, who was also a worthy member of the Baptist Church, was a devoted wife and a noble woman of rare ability in her sphere. She died in 1871, at the age of fifty-four. Mr. N. D. Hitchcock had the advantages of a common-school education in his native State, and subsequently rounded up his edu- cation at the South Berkshire Institute at New Marlborough, Massachusetts, after which he learned the drug business, and followed it for eight years in Massachusetts and Vermont. After this he spent one year as commercial traveler for a wholesale firm in Chicago, and in 1884 he became city reporter for K. G. Dun & Co., at Milwaukee, holding that position four years. In 1888 was sent to La Crosse to assume management of thatdistrict. Two years later Winona (Minnesota) district was added to his territory, giving him seven counties to look after. He has been quite successful in his business relations and has an easy and pleasant adaptability for his work. In January, 1883, he wedded Miss Ida Colvin, only child of Edwin and Martha (Barry) Colvin. Mr. Colvin was one of the early settlers of Chicago and located there when it would have required but a few dollars to have purchased many acres on the west side of the city. For forty years he was an esteemed citizen of Racine, Wisconsin, and now spending his declining years in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is eighty-four years of age, but time has dealt leniently with him and he is quite active and vigorous for his years. Mrs. Colvin died in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock's marriage has been blessed by the birth of three children: Roy N., Irena and Robert E. Politically Mr. Hitchcock affiliates with the Republican party. He is a man of intelligence and natural business acumen, an energetic, liberal minded citizen. ffOHN E. THORNBURY, manager of the Trade Palace, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born in Canada in 1850, and is the fourth son in a family of thirteen children born to John and Eliza (Ashman) Thornbury, both natives of Ireland. The parents came from tiieir native land to Canada in 1829 and the father is still living, healthy and hearty, at the age of seventy-five. He followed farming and was quite successful. He took part in the McKenzie rebellion. His wife died in 1881, when sixty-five years of age. Mr. Thornbury was educated in Ontario, Canada; when sixteen years of age, began 570 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORT. clerking in a dry-goods establishment, and handling dry goods has been his chief busi- ness in life. He was for some time at Lind- say, Canada, two years in Minneapolis, Min- nesota, and was on the road fur John Wanamaker of Philadelphia for four years. He came to his present responsible position in February, 1890, where he has the oversight of over thirty clerks. He has a remarkable aptness for this business, has few equals in his line of work, and is the right person in the right place. In 1874 he selected for his wife Miss Minnie Cook, a lady prominent in musical and social circles and an excellent alto singer. Mr. Thornbury is equally good in his part, the first bass, and they are two of the best singers in the city. Mrs. Thornbury's par- ents, William and Lucy Cook, werenativesof Montreal. Canada. Her father died July 4, 1886, at the age of seventy. The mother lives with her son, Francis Cook, in Min- neapolis, Minnesota, and Bhe has reached the allotted age of three-score years and ten. She is well preserved in both body and mind. To Mr. and Mrs. Thornbury have been born three children: Edgar Woods; Ada Clark and Kathleen May. Mr. Thornbury has held the office of trustee in his church and is one of the prominent members. Like his father, he is a member of the Masonic order and in politics a Democrat. -^^■LnrJh- ^^_ 7/inyi^^ i^ENRY OTTEN, a member of the firm of Often it Hammer, contractors, paint- ers and decorators, was born at Waupun, Wisconsin, March 14, 1857, and is a son of John H. and Jeanette (Garrison) Otten. The father was a native of Germany and a painter by occupation. He emigrated to America about the year 1854, and after spending some time in Milwaukee settled in Waupun, where he passed the remainder of his days; his death occurred in 1887. He was a man of much more than ordinary in- telligence and was a superior workman. His wife died in 1886; they were both consistent members of the Congregational Church. Mrs. Otten was a native of Holland, and was married in her native country to the father of our subject. Henry Otten passed his childhood and youth in Waupun, where he received his education; he was instructed by his father in the business which he is now carrying on so successfully. He spent a few years as a journeyman, working in various places in the West. In 1881 he came to La Crosse, and five years later embarked in the business of contracting in addition to his other occupation. He is a member of the Builders' Exchange, and has won a reputa- tion as an honorable and reliable business man. Mr. Otten was married in La Crosse to Miss Magdaline Mary Springer, who was born in this city, a daughter of John and Rena Springer. To Mr. and Mrs. Otten have been born one son and one daughter: John Springer and Verena Gertrude. 4^ ^(H)^ Ef [LE P. LARSEN, a member of the firm of Larsen & Selnnd, contractors, paint- ers and decorators. La Crosse, Wiscon- sin, was born in Christiania, Norway, December 18, 1858, and is a son of Louis and Bertha (Christiansen) Larsen. The mother died in 1865. Ole P. received his education in his native city, being graduated from the Polytechnic School of Christiania in 1879. He learned his trade in early man- hood, and worked as a journeyman in Ger- many, Denmark and Sweden until 1882. In BIOGRAPBIGAL HISTORY. 571 that year he crossed the sea to America, and s]ient two years in traveling throuoii the Canadian cities and tliose of tlie Eastern States. In the summer of 1884 he came West and located permanently in the city of La Crosse, whei-e he has since carried on the business of contracting, painting and deco- rating. In March, 1885, he formed a part- nersliip with Berndt Selund, and they have conducted a successful business. They have been engaged on many of the best residences of the city, among which may be mentioned those of Henry Esperson, Samuel Anderson, M. Funk, W. H. Parker and J. C. Easton. Mr. Larsen is an active member of the Builders' Exchange; he also belongs to the I. O. O. F., to the Norwegian Workingraen's Society, and to the Normanna Singing So- ciety. He is a man of excellent business qualitications, and has estalilislied an enviable reputation as a contractor and builder. He is a skilled painter and decorator, and con- ducts this branch of the business with e(]ually satisfactory results. .S^ *^ ^e=^ fRED UING, secretary and treasurer for the Madison Elevator Company at .^ La Crosse, Wisconsin, was born in Lon- don, England, April 2-4, 1835, is a son of Fred and Jane (Owen) Ring, both of whom were born in England. The father was a solicitor and followed this calling all his life, following it after his arrival in America, which occurred in the year 1857. He settled in North Prairie, Waukesha county, Wis- consin, where he afterward became Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors, which po- sition he filled for one term. He proved himself to be a man of sound and practical views, and his easy, cordial and sincere man- ners were of material benefit to him in social and business life. His death occurred in 1882, at the age of seventy-three years. His widow survives him, at the age of eighty- three years, an honored and highly esteemed resident of Milwaukee. They became the parents of two children: Fred and Mrs. Ben- jamin Skidmore, the latter a pioneer of Mil- waukee, where she has resided for many years. Fred Ring was educated in the city of London, and graduated from a college in 1854, from which time until 1857 he worked on a railroad as booking clerk until he came to America. Upon his arrival in this country he began working on the Milwaukee & Mis- sissippi, now the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, with which he remained- for twenty-nine years in various capacities, clos- ing his career as a railroad man in 1887 as a ticket agent at La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was then elected the first Comptroller of La Crosse, and during tlie four years that he served in this capacity he rendered an excel- lent account of himself and discharged his duties in a very satisfactory manner. Since then he has filled his present position, the headquarters of which company are in La Crosse, Wisconsin. J. B. Canterbury is President; W. J. Diehl, Yice-President, and Mr. Ring, Secretary and Treasurer. While a resident of Waukesha, in 1859, he was the village Clerk for some time, and in that, as well as in every other position in life, his record was a very commendable one. He has taken si^ne interest in politics and usually votes with the Republican party. On May 9, 1860, he was married to Miss Regnihlda Uunbjornsen, daughter of Reier and Christie Gunbjornsen, natives of Nor- way, from which country they came to America in 1840. To Mr. and Mrs. Ring one child was born, but it died in infancy. Mrs. Ring is a member of the Baptist Church, 572 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. and Mr. Rinir belongs to the A. F. & A. M., in which he has attained to the coraniandery. He is the present Deputy Grand Master of the State. lie is one of the highly esteemed citizens of La Crosse, for, besides being pub- lic-spirited and charitable, he is courteous and accommodating and possesses excellent business qualifications. fAY PETTINGILL is a member of one of the pioneer families of La Crosse county. He was born in Otsego county, New York, March 22, 1837, the son of Alonzo Pettingill, Esq., now one of the honored old citizens of La Crosse. The senior Mr. Pettingill was born in Massachu- setts, and his wife, nee Lucj Davis, was a native of Rhode Island and a descendant of Welsh ancestry. They had a family of five sons and two daughters, the subject of tliis sketch beinw the fourth-born. The mother died in this county, in February, 1886, at the age of seventy-seven years. Jay Pettingill was reared on a fai'in at Butternut, Otsego county, New York, and received his education in the common schools near his old home, and at the South New Berlin high school. In 1856 the Pettingill family came West and located in La Crosse county, near Mindoro, where they lived for a number of years. The father owned a fine farm thei'e, a portioti of which }iis son Jay purchased and improved with good buildings, making it a valual)le prop- erty, -lay Pettingill sold his farm in 1889, and bought tiie W. L. Matthewson place. The latter he sold to Peter GuUickson. His present farm, near Stevenstown, Farniington township, consists of 140 acres; has good improvements, and is under a higli state of cultivation. Mr. Pettingill has been twice married, lie first wedded Adaline Sage, daughter of Simeon and Debora (Homes) Sage, natives of New York. This union was blessed by . the birth of three children: Fred G., who died in his sixth year; Gertrude, who died at the age of fifteen mouths; and Stella, wife of J. T. Attwater. She has one daughter, Millie. Mrs. Pettingill died in February, 1888. She was a woman of many amiable traits of character, and was loved by all who knew her. She was an earnest Christian and a member of the Second Adventist Church. October 14, 1891, Mr. Pettingill married Jennie Erickson, widow of Evan Erickson, late of La Crosse county. Mr. Erickson was for many years a prominent and influential citizen of Farmington township. He and his wife were the parents of four children, namely: Willie, who died at the age of five months; John N., who died when a year old; Robert A., who died wlien si.x years old; and Bessie, who is still living. Mrs. Pettingill was born in Scotland, the daughter of Robert Hogg, who kept a store at Union Mills, Wis- consin, for a number of years, and died December 15, 1883, at the age of sixty-two years. His wife died when Mrs. Pettingill was a babe. Mr. Pettingill is a man of broad and pro- gressive views; is industrious, enterprising and successful. In politics he is liepublican. He has served the public three years as a member of the town board; seven years on the side board; and twelve years on the school board. For the past twenty years he has been associated with the Masonic fra- ternity. fRANK SACIA, who has been a resident i of Holland township, La Crosse coiinty, ' since 1852, was born in Jefferson conn- CO C-£^^iO BIOORAPHIOAL HISTORY. 573 tj, Wisconsin, July 8, 1846. He is a son of Harmon Sacia, a prominent pioneer of this State and a veteran of the late war, who is now a resident of Galesville, Trempealeau county. The senior Mr. Sacia was born in Schenectady county, New York, the descend- ant of Frencli and German ancestors. He wedded Cordelia Packard, who was born in Vermont, of an old New England iamily, and he and his wife were among the early settlers of Milwaukee. They afterward wont to Lake View, where Mr. Sacia Still owns property. From there they moved to Jefferson county, this State, and their next move was to Galena, Illinois, where he was engaged in lead-mining two years. After that they came to La Crosse county and settled in the neighborhood of Holmen. Here he developed a line farm and reared his children. Since 1886 he has been a resident of Galesville, Trempealeau county. He and his wife had a family of four daughters and six sons. One of the sons, Marion, served live years in the regular army. Frank Sacia grew up on the farm and re- ceived a common-school education. He spent two winters working in the woods. During the civil war he enlisted, September 4, 1864, in Company I, Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, Eagle Regiment, and served until the war closed. He was wounded at the bat- tle of Nashville, a fragment of shell striking his left arm and leaving the bone exposed. He was at the siege of Spanish Fort thirteen days, and was with his regiment at Union- town, Alabama, when General Lee surren- dered. After receiving an honorable dis- charge he returned to his home in La Crosse county. He has lived on his present farm for nineteen years. This place consists of 120 acres of valuable land, and is well im- proved with a story-and-a-half cottage, located on a natural building site; good barn, stable, 38 fences, etc. — everything kept in good order. Here he is successfully engaged in general farming, stock-raising and dairying. Mr. Sacia was united in marriage, October 2, 1872, to Miss Rosalie Costly, who, before her marriage, was a popular and successful teacher. She was born in Steuben county, New York, and was reared in Pennsylvania and Iowa. Her father, Cleveland Costly, died in 1886, and her mother, nee Alvira Jackson, a native of New York. She has six children. Mr. and Mrs. Sacia have three sons, viz.: Frederick Laverne, who is engaged in teaching; Percy Dore, and Cleveland. They have an adopted daughter. Myrtle Morrow, a niece of Mr. Sacia. Mr. Sacia is a Republican, and a member of Nelson Quygle Post, No. 233, G. A. R., of Mindoro. He has served as Supervisor and as a member of the school l)oard. %)INNERD R. LA FLEUR, who resides I on his beautiful farm, Fairview, near New Amsterdam, La Crosse county, is one of the most prominent men and early settlers of the township of Holland. Mr. La Fleur was born at Firdgum, in the kingdom of the Netherlands, June 17, 1820, a son of Rinnerd D. and Aaltji J. (Bakker) La Fleur, both of whom were natives of that country. The name is derived from one of the ances- tors, who changed his name at the time of the French Revolution, to enable him to hold his land. R. D. La Fleur was a mechanic, and for several years was a strandmaster of the de- partment of the five divisions of interior sea dykes, and for some years previous to his death received a pension from the govern- ment. His death occurred in his native land in 1860, and his wife's death in 1870. Their 674 BIOGHAPIIICAL UI8T0RY. remains were interred in the beanti'iul ceme- tery in tlie town of Firdgiim, where in Sep- tember, 1882, their son, R. R., tiie subject of this sketch, had a handsome monument erected to their memory. R. R. La Fleiir was the seventh-born in a family of three sons and five dangliters, and is the only one now living. Of this family but two others came to America; Daniel, wlio came to La Crosse county in 1856, engaged in farming in liolland township, and died at his home in 1871; and Eanke B., who was a widow Van Loon, but after her arrival mar- ried William Ilaag, and died about 18G1. Our subject was reared on a farm in his na- tive land, and there received a liberal educa- tion. He learned the trade of baker, at which he was employed some time. In 1841 he was married to Miss Michia Y. Swart, who was born, reared and educated in the Netherlands. After the death of his wife, which occurred in 1845, he returned to his father's home, where he lived for about ten years. In 1855 he embarked for the United States, landing at New York June 29, after a voyage of thirty-si.\ days. Since that year he has made his home in La Crosse county, and since 1874 has lived on the farm he now occupies. Ilis home property is one of the best farms in the neighborhoo- IlVm W. CIIAMBEKLAI.N, cashier of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company at La Crosse, Wis- consin, was born in Foxcroft, Maine, June 9, 1844. His parents were Timothy Hardin, born in Foxcroft, May 17, 1811, and Maria, nee Wentworth, born in South Berwick, Maine, April 29, 1816. The father was a contractor and builder, well and favorably known; was a member of the Legislature for some years, and held various offices of trust. BIOGBAPEIGAL HISTORY. 579 He was one of the best known men of his day in his portion of the State. Although not a member of any church, he was a con- stant attendant at public worship. His death occurred September 7, 1859, when he was aged forty-eight years. His wife died Octo- ber 25, 1857, at the age of forty-one years. They were married January 6, 1839, at South Berwick, Maine, and lived an exemplary life. They had eight children, namely: Emma F., Ann D., Ervin W., Oscar, Samuel W., Fred A., Charles E. and Frank S. Ervin W. is the only one now living. The eldest daugh- ter, Emma F., came to Chicago in 1860, where she was a prominent teacher in the Washington School, and in 1862 married the principal, Benjamin R. Cutter, who was a leading educator of that city and continued to be the principal of that school until his death in 1875. Mrs. Cutter died in Chicago, March 14, 1864, at the age of twenty-four years. Mr. Chamberlain was educated in the com- mon schools of his native State, and after the war completed a scientific course at Foxcroft (Maine) Academy. After school days he taught in Maine, then came West, arriving at La Crosse April 5, 1869, and began as clerk in the same office where he now is, and where he has served in various capacities; he has been the cashier since 1885. He has been Alderman of the Eighth Ward of the city one term — 1881-'83. July 15, 1862, is the date of his enlist- ment in Company E, Eighteenth Maine Vol- unteer Infantry, which regiment was after- ward changed to the First Maine Heavy Artillery, and he served until January 20, 1865, when he was discharged on account of wounds. This regiment sustained the great- est loss of all in the Union army: out of a total enrollment of 2,002, 400 enlisted men and twenty-three officers were killed or died of wounds, and 860 men besides were wounded, many of them several times! Out of a total enrollment of 184 in Company E, forty-two were killed outright and died of wounds, seventy-seven were wounded, four were missing in battle, fifteen died of disease, and one in a rebel prison: total deaths, fifty- eight! It is probable that this record is without a parallel in the whole United States service. Mr. Chamberlain himself was wounded twice, one time in the flesh of the thigh, and one time in his left wrist, the marks of which he will cari-y to his grave. These were received at the battle of Spottsyl- vania, Virginia, and at the same battle he received five other bullet-holes through his clothing. The Union army lost about 18,000 men in this battle! Mr. Chamberlain was never taken prisoner, but had some narrow escapes. He remained as private all through the war. He had a furlough of twenty days in March, 1864, the only time he was absent from his command. He was never absent on account of sickness except when he was confined in the hospital on account of his wound, — from May 19, 1864, to January 20, 1865. February 9, 1868, Mr. Chamberlain was married to Miss Martha R. Hammond, daughter of Elias and Jane (Clark) Ham- mond, of Garland, Maine, and they have had six children, namely: Frank O., now a prac- tical bookkeeper, who, June 3, 1891, married Alice M. Symons, daughter of Alderman Symons, president of the City Council ; and he is a graduate of the commercial college under the late Professor Wallace. The next child is Eugene H., now clerking in the rail- road office of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. The remaining children are Emma E., Hattie M., Abby M. and Edith M. Both parents and the three eldest children are members of the l^'irst Bajitist Church. 5S0 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Mr. Chamberlain is also a member of tiie Grand Army of tbe Republic and the Union Veteran League. Mr. Chamberlain conies from a family of New England stock. Nathaniel Chamber- lain, born in Dudley, Massachusetts, May 19, 1786, the grandfather of Ervin W., was a noted man for his time among the earliest settlers. He built the first house in Dover, Maine; was a very prominent mechanic, being a master hand in wood and iron. He died in 18C6, aged eighty years; and his wife, whose maiden name was Martha Street- er, died some years before. Their family consisted of Timothy H., Chester, Caroline, Anna, Martha, Euth and Nathaniel. Mr. Chamberlain's mother's father, Samuel Went worth, was a farmer of South Berwick, Maine, born May 24, 1773; was for many years a Justice of the Peace, and January 18, 1796, married Sally Yeaton, and their large family comprised Thomas, Jacob, Lavina, Phebe, Edmund H., Nancy E., l>artholomew, Sam- uel, Sarah, Maria and Timothy. ^OTTIIELF WENZEL, a resident of Farmiiigton township. La Crosse coun- ty, Wisconsin, a (Terman by birth, has proved himself true to the country of his adoption, and is regarded as one of the best citizens of the community in which he re- sides. He was born in Germany, December 30, 1825, son of Henry Nicholas and Madaline (Knower) Wenzel, both natives of the same town in which the subject of this sketch was born. Many years ago they went to Brazil, South America, where they died. Gotthelf was reared in his native land and attended school there until he was fourteen years of age. He then learned the trade of weaver and worked at it for a number of years in Germany. In 1858 he came to America and located in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, set- tling at Bangor, July 16, 1858. He was en- gaged in tanning until the war broke out. In 1861 he enlisted in the Second Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, Light Guards, at La Crosse, and remained in the service four years and seven months. He was in some of the hotly contested battles of the war, among which were both battles of Bull Run. The Hash from a cannon injured his face so that he had to be confined in a hospital for some time, and was at Fort Schuyler, New York. Later he was assigned to the invalid corps, and was stationed at Washington, District of Columbia, and at Albany, New York. He was honorably discliaraed November 18, 1865, and returned to La Crosse county, Wis- consin. While in the army he contracted disease, is now considerably broken in health, and receives a small pension from the Gov- ernment. He came to his present farm (^120 acres) in 1883, and has since resided here. April 5, 1866, Mr. Wenzel married Jane Darling, who was born in Madison, Wiscon- sin, daughter of Chester and Hester (Cooley) Darling. Her father resides near Bangor. Mr. and Mrs. Wenzel have twelve children, viz.: Grace, Hester, Ada, Maggie, Ida, Will- iam, Emil, Albert, Claude, George, Irene and Charley. Mr. Wenzel is a stanch Republi- can, and a member of Nelson Quygle Post, No. 233, G. A. R., of Mindoro. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, while his wife was brought up in a Baptist family. HOMAS JOHJNSON, who has been prominently identified with the best interests of La Crosse countj' for a number of years, has resided here since 1859. ^ ^udA A'T-i^,^^ BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 581 He dates his birth in JVorway, March 16, 1854, and was five years old when he came with his parents to this country. His father's name was John Michelson, and his mother's given name was Malinda. She died in the town of Onalaska, November 26, 1891. They had a family of live sons and five daughters. One of the former, Michael, was a soldier in the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, the Eagle Regiment. He subsequently died in Hamil- ton township, this county. One daughter, Martha, died in Iowa. Eight of the children are still living. John, a resident of Salem, is secretary and treasurer of the Scandinavian Mutual Insurance Company; J. K. is a merchant of Salem, and Alexander is the Postmaster of that place. The father died in Hamilton township, this county, Decem- bei' 30, 1888. He was a shoemaker by trade, but for a number of years had been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a Republi- can in politics and a Lutheran in religion. Thomas Johnson spent his youth in assist- ing his father in the farm work and in attend- ing the district schools of the neighborhood. His early education has been supplemented by study and reading at home and by prac- tical business experience. The winter of 1873-'74: he spent in working in the woods. PVora his youth up he has been industrious and enterprising, and he is now in good cir- cumstances. He owns a farm of 228 acres of land, has it well improved with good buildings, etc., and divided into fields of con- venient size for cultivation and for stock pur- poses. At this writing he has thirteen cows and eighty-five sheep. His residence is 16 X 24, two stories, with an L 18 x 20 feet, a story and a half, and is beautifully located on a natural building site. Mr. Johnson was married February 18, 1882, to Maria P. Hanson, who was born, reared and educated in La Crosse county. Her parents, Peter and Elizabeth Hanson, were among the pioneers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have four children, namely: Julius P., Amelia, Marvin and Tilda Mabel. Mr. Johnson's political views are in har- mony with Republican principles. He is al- ways found identified with the best elements of his party, and is one of its wheel horses in this county. He served as Assessor four years; has been chairman of the Board of Supervisors for nine years; has been Clerk of the school board for six years; and has been a member of the finance committee of the county board for several years. He is presi- dent of the Farmers' Alliance organization here. Religiously, he is a member of the Lutheran church; Mr. Johnson is well posted on all matters of public interest, and is broad and progressive in his views. He favors all movements that have for their object the advancement of educational, moral and re- ligious interests. Few men of this vicinity are more popular or are held in higher es- teem than he. < =^ AVID NEEDHAM, of the town of Holland, is one of the well-known pio- neers and respected citizens of La Crosse county. He was born in Erie county, New York, June 26, 1828, the fourth in a family of five sons, born to Oliver and Lodica (Green) Needham, both of whom were natives of Wales, Hampden county, Massachusetts. The Needhams are descendants of English ancestors, who settled in Massachusetts in early colonial days, a number of whom took part in the Revolutionary war. Oliver Need- ham and his wife came to Erie county, New- York, in 1819, and resided there the remainder of their lives. He was a school teacher for 582 BIOORAPHIGAL HISTORY. some years, and later became a successful farmer. His sons all received a good educa- tion, and three of tlieui were popular teachers. David Needham was early taught the duties of farm life, and also learned the trade of shoemaker, at wliich he employed his time during the winters. lie first came to Wis- consin in September, 1848, stopping at White Water, Walworth county, where he worked at his trade until the following springs He then, in company with his brother, A. G. Needham, bought land in Dane county, where his brother engaged in improving the land. In July of that year, our subject re- turned to Erie county New York, and assisted his father on the farm in summer and worked at his trade during tlie winter months. On the 27th of Febuary, 1851, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Field, au edu- cated and retined woman, who is also a native of Erie county. New York. She comes of a good old family, and was a popular teacher for some years in her native county. She was a daughter of William Field, and the grand- daughter of Solomon Field, who was a promi- nent man, and one of the iirst settlers of Concord, Erie county. New York. Mrs. Needliam's mother, whose maiden name was Elvira Briggs, was tiie daughter of Captain Allen Briggs. In 1851 Mr. Needham came to Wisconsin, locating in Dane county, where lie resided three years, and again returned to the Empire State, where he remained until 1856. In Septem- ber of that year (1856) he and his wife started from Concord, Erie county, with a horse and buggy, and drove through to Wisconsin, arriv- ing in La Crosse county after a journey of si.\ weeks; and since that time they have resided continuously in this county. For about five years after his arrival lie kept a boot and shoe shop in New Amsterdam, and Mrs. Needham taught the district school during the summer months for several years. He pre-empted 160 acres of his present farm soon after coming to the county, and subsequencly bought forty- ^our acres more. In the fall of 1862 he made a permanent settlement on his farm, which consists of 204 acres of splendid land, all im- proved. In 1863 he was appointed Post- master, and kept the New Amsterdam post office for three years. In politics he was formerly a member of the Know-nothing party, but is now a Prohibi- tionist. He has never sought nor desired public preferment, but has served as chairman of the town board for two years and as side Supervisor one year, and as a member of the school board. He is a man of intelligence, broad and liberal in his views, and keeps himself well informed on the public questions of the day. He and his wife are both zealous workers in the cause of temperance, and take a lively interest in educational matters. They are honest, industrious, frugal people, and now live in the enjoyment of a competence. To them has been born two children: Ella Lodica, wlio died in 1864, when not quite four years of age; and Oliver, who was born October 15, 1867, and is a school-teacher. IMOTIIY JAPtVIS, who for many years has followed the life of mate and pilot on the Mississippi river, although born in America, is a citizen of the United States by adoption, the Dominion of Canada being his birth-place; the date, October, 1855. His parents, Charles and Aggie Jarvis, were also natives of Canada, of Irish extraction; the father was a farmer by occupa- tion, and in early days emigrated to the United States, settling near Dubuque, Iowa. Twenty-eight years ago he removed to La Crosse, where he became identified with the BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 583 best elements of the bvisiness portion of the community; he is now in feeble health, having reached the advanced age of eighty- nine years; his wife died in 1887. To them were born twelve children, nine sons and three daughters: Charles, a blacksmith by trade, died from the effects of a kick received from a fractious horse that he was shoeing; Matilda, John, Frank, deceased; George, Louis, Joseph, Isaiah, Timothy, Julia, Valory and Emma. Mr. Jarvis learned the trade of a painter in his youth, and became master of this vocation in many of its branches; for a long period of his life he was engaged in painting houses, carriages and signs, each of which requires a special skill and training. The river offering many inducements, he gave up his business, nad now for uiany years he has been engaged eithur as pilot or mate on the boats ph'ing the Mississippi. In this capacity he has labored with the same zeal and energy that characterized his efforts in younger days, and has rendered a service that will always reflect honor upon his name. Mr. Jarvis was united in marriage in October, 1891, to Miss Anna Moore, a daughter of John Moore, who was formerly a resident of Minnesota. Our subject and all his family belong to the Roman Catholic Church. fRANK P. ROBERTS, of section 7, Bangor township, was born in Bost- wick valley, Barry township, this coun- ty, April 24, 186G, a son of Evan R. Roberts, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work. Our subject was reared to farm life, and educated in the common schools of Bangor Village, and when but fourteen years of age ran the engine in his father's elevator and transacted all the business con- nected with the elevator, stock-buying, etc., for three years. When seventeen years of age he took charge of the farm for three years, after which he bought it for $5,600, going in debt for the whole, but he now has it over half paid and stock enough to pay the remainder. He is now engaged in dairy- ing and stock-raising, and his fine farm is known as the Hillside Stock Farm. He also owns a hay-press, which he runs during the winter, and during the winter of 1890-'91 he bought over $2,000 worth of hay, which he shipped mostly to LaCrosse on contract. He has forty-one head of cattle, twenty of which are milch cows, graded Durhams, Holstein, and also two imported stallions, one a Clyde and the other a French coach. He has also two fine brood mares, a Norman and a Clyde. In March, 1892, he purchased a Percheron of Leonard Johnson, of Northfield, Minnesota, and also in October, 1891, bought the "Mor- ris farm," at $3,160. Henry Anderson is now in his fifth j'ear in the employ of Mr. Roberts. During the winter of 1891-'92 Mr. Roberts baled 250 tons of hay. Mr. Roberts was married October 27, 1886, to Sarah A. Davis, a native of Oneida county, New York, who came with her widowed mother to this county in Novem- ber, 1885. They have one daughter, Edna Mary. Mr. Roberts is a member of the Welsh Methodist Church, and politically is a Republican. fELIX MEYER, a retired farmer of Bangor, was born in Bulach, Switzer- land, September 26, 1827, a son of Plenry Meyer, a native of the same country. The father brought his family to the United States in 1854, settling in Dutch Yalley, 581 BIOOBAPHICAL HISTORY. where they were among the early settlers. They were the parents of four children, two of whom survive, namely: tlie subject of this sketch and Jacob, who lives in Bangor. A. sister, Regula, died in Dutch valley. The parents both died in 1866, and were buried in the Bangor Cemetery. Felix Meyer, our subject, was engaged in farming until 1867, when he came to Bangor and engaged in raising liops for twelve or fourteen years. When he tirst settled in Dutch valley the Indians and wild animals were numerous, and he has frequently seen wolves in packs plajang on the prairie like dogs. He was married in 1860, to Margaret Lehmertz, a daughter of Nicholas Lehmertz. She was a native of Luxembourg, Germany, but came with her parents to Sauk county, AVisconsin, in 1855. Both her parents are now deceased, the mother dying in Sauk county, and the father in Winona county, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have had live children, three of whom are now living, namely: Mary, born February 18, 1861, mar ried Christian Wolf, of Bangor, Wisconsin, and settled in Beadle county. South Dakota; Emilie, born August 29, 1865, married Her- mann Bossliard, of Lake Mills, JeSerson county, Wisconsin; and Edwin, born Decem- ber 7, 1874, is a graduate of the Bangor high school, and is now engaged in teaching school. Mr. Meyer has been Justice of the Peace, Supervisor, Town Treasurer and Assessor, and in his political views is independent. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and Bangor Concordia Society. I VAN G. JOINES, of section 7, Bangor township, was born in North Wales, March 8, 1821, a son of John Jones, deceased, a native of the same country. Our subject was reared to farm life, and received but a limited education, as there was no schools in his neighborhood. He came to the United States in 1849, settling in Oneida county, New York, with his brother Hugh G. Jones, who had preceded him ten or twelve years. There he farmed until 1865, when he came to this county and lived one year on Fish creek, and then settled on the farm adjoining his present place on the west, just across the line in Hamilton township. He settled on his present farm in 1873, where he makes the raising of sheep and hogs his principal business, and where he owns 355 acres. Mr. Jones was married in Oneida county, New York, March 9, 1853, to Catharine, daughter of Evan Thomas, deceased. She was born in North Wales, also, and came to the United States in 1851. They have six children: John J., Elizabeth, William O., Richard M., Henry G. and Jennie C. Eliza- beth married Thomas Jones, of Leon, Monroe county, Wisconsin, and has two children: Archie M. and Walter O.; William married Cora Carlyle, lives in Aberdeen, Brown county, South Dakota, and has one child, Lloyd C. The three youngest are single and at home. John was married but lost his wife by death, and now lives in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The family are members of the Welsh Pres- byterian Church. ,rygEV. HUGH M. PUGH, D. D., pastor of the Bangor Welsh Presbyterian Church, and also of the churches at Fish Creek and Mound Prairie, was born in Dolgelly, Merionethshire, North Wales, March 1,1839. He attended school in London, Oswestry and Bala, England, and his first pastorate was at Wolverhampton and Bilston, Staffordshire, BIOORAPBIVAL HISTORY. 585 England, where he was ordained into the work of the gospel ministry in June, 1860. He passed a critical examination in biblical criticisms and interpretations, systematic and histoi'ical, and in ecclesiastical history. His examiners were the eminent Welsh divines Rev. Owen Thomas, D. D., and Hugh Jones, D. D., of Liverpool, and he now holds the cer- tificate they gave him. Mr. Pngh emigrated to America in 1872, and first preached in Pennsylvania and New York, and also in Chicago three months. He was called to his present pastorate in 1873, where his influence and ability are recognized in the Welsh Pres- byterian Synod of this State. He has been Moderator of the State Synod, is vice-presi- dent of the Board of Education, and a member of the Board of Examiners. At the session of the Synod in June, 1891, held at Colum- bus, Wisconsin, he delivered an able address with great power at the ordination services of one of their young ministers. The title of D. D. was conferred upon him at Galesville University, at Galesville, Wisconsin, June 24, 1891, and is the third Welshman upon whom this university has conferred the honor. The Doctor was married October 28, 1874, to Jennie E. Davis, a daughter of Thomas Davis, now deceased. She was born in Wales, but was brought to the United States when an infant and reared in Oneida county, New York. Siie is an educated and cultured lady. P. McMillan, superintendent of the Brush Electric Licfht & Power Com- '* pany, of La Ci'osse, was born in Can ada, February 1, 1846, a son of Daniel and Isabella (Sutherland) McMillan, natives of the Dominion, of Scotch descent. The father was a millwright by trade and also followed agricultural pursuits; he came to La Crosse county in 1867 and opened a farm in Camp- bell township. Scarcely a year had passed when he met with death by drowning; alight- ing from a train of cars he was knocked senseless, and fell into a pool, suffocating be- fore consciousness returned. This sad accident occurred April 8, 1868. A. P. McMillan is one of a family of efght sons and four daughters. He received a common-school education, in Canada, and came West with his parents in January, 1867; worked in the pinery twelve winters, the first two summers of that time on the farm, and four summers spent in Clark county. He also worked four or five summers for the La Crosse Gas Light Company; afterward engaged by Mae, Ritchie & Nichol, of Chi- cago, as calker on the first contract of water pipe laid in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1876, also the following year; the spring of 1879, went to Mankato, Minnesota, to work on the fir>t water pipe laid there; November 1, 1879, he went to Kenosha, Wisconsin, having charge of the pipe work thei-e until it was finished; December 1, 1879, he went to New Orleans, to work on tlie main line, until March 1, 1880; then took charge of the stand- pipe connection, also the setting of the hy- drants; got through with the work May 10, 1880, came to La Crosse for a week's vaca- tion, then went to St. Joseph, Missouri, to pump for puddling purposes, in the construc- tion of the reservoirs; remained in St. Joseph until the latter part of September, when he was obliged to quit on account of fever and ague, coming back to La Crosse. The latter part of October, 1880, he went to work for Mr. James Manchester, to lay the suction pipe and make connections with the pumps. Then he went to his native home, during the winters of 1880-'81, and returned to La Crosse in April, 1881, and worked on the draw- bridge for several months; he then went to 58C BIOGRAPHICAL HIS TOR T. the round-house at Tracy, Minnesota, and after two niontlis journeyed to New Mexico, lie returned to La Crosse in 1884, and in partnership with John D. Grailiford, con- tracted for and laid two miles of gas-pipe in La Crosse; 1885 was spent in work on the water- works. He began his present business in 1885, a position which he is well fitted to fill. He has made seven return trips to La Crosse, since first leaving, and since 1885 has been a settled resident of the city. Mr. McMillan was married in 1885, to Miss Katie Hoffman, a daughter of John J. and Margaret Hofi'uian, natives of Germany. Mrs. McMilla7i is one of a family of eight children, four of whom are living: Anna, wife of Alt'. Hart; Henry, and Lizzie; the oldest son, Joseph, was .drowned in the Mis- sissippi, at the age of sixteen years. Mr. and Mrs. McMillan are the parents of two prom- ising children: Isabella Margaret and Marion Elizabeth. The family are members of the Presbyter- ian Church. Mr. McMillan is an honored member of the I. O. O. F., and in his poli- tics adheres to the principles of the Republi- can party. ^ENRY H, 8LYE, a well-known early settler of the Lewis valley and a highly respected citizen of Mindoro, Wiscon- sin, is emitiently deserving of appropriate mention in the pages of this work. Indeed, a history of La Crosse county would be in complete did it not contain a biography of him . Henry H. Slye was born in Livingston county, New York, July 16, 1821. His father, Benjamin Slye, was born in Jefferson county, New York; was a soldier in the war of 1812, and for services rendered received a pension during the latter years of his life. Benjamin Slye was a son of Joshua Slye, a native of Canada. The mother of our sub- ject was before her marriage Miss Mary Reed. She was a native of Maine and a daughter of John Reed, who was a son of English parents. Henry H. was sixteen years of age when his parents moved to Oak- land county, Michigan, and settled near Pontiac, where they lived for a number of years. In 1848 they moved to Scott county, Iowa, locating near Le Claire, and lived there six years. At the end of that time they moved to Lewis valley, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and here the parents spent the residue of their lives and died, the mother passing away May 6, 1863, and the father April 23, 1885, the latter at the age of eighty- nine years. He had been a farmer all his life, and in politics was a Democrat. He and his wife were the parents of seven sons and five daughters. Henry H. learned the carpenter's trade in Scott county, Iowa, and worked at it for sotne time. Of later years, however, he has been engaged in milling. In this business he has had an extensive experience. He owns a good mill on Fleming creek in Lewis valley, and during the many years of his resi- dence here he has done a flourishing business and has won a large circle of friends. His modern and artistic cottage home was built by himself. It is 26x26 feet, with an L 13 X 22 feet; is one story with cupola, and is located half a mile from Mindoro. He owns twenty acres of rich bottom land near the mill. Mr. Slye has been married twice. At the age of twenty-four he was united in marriage with Lucinda C. Butler, who was born in Wayne county, New York, daughter of Or- man and Lydia Butler.' To them were given three children, namely: Earnest H., who was BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 587 born August 7, 1851, is now a resident of Buffalo county, Wisconsin, and is a carpen- ter by trade; Frank M., born January 31, 1859, married Nora Robinson and now lives at Bridgeport, Alabama; and Nettie E., born February 6, 18G0, is the wiie of C. N. Ber- ried, of McPherson county, South Dakota, and has two children: Grace May and Roscoe C. Mrs. Slye died in May, 1861. June 29, 1867, Mr. Slye was married to his present companion. Her maiden name was Sarah A. Albright and the date of her birth was July 15, 1844, Ohio being her native State. She was reared and educated in Iowa and Minnesota, and is a lady of culture and re- finement. At the time of her marriage to Mr. Slye she was the widow of Wei moth Folsom, by whom she had one child, Almond. By her present husband she has three cliil- dren, viz.: Ida F., born October 7, 1870, is the wife of J. M. Jones, of Mindoro, and has two children: Cecil May and Rose Maria; Leroy H., born January 6, 1873; and Arthur D., born December 14, 1877. Mrs. Slye wasa member of the Christian Advent Church for a number of years. In his religions be- lief Mr. Slye is broad and liberal. Politically he afliliated with the Republican ]iarty for a number of years, but is now a third-party man. Time lias dealt gently with him, and although past seventy he is still hale and hearty. jAVID FRANK POWELL, M. I).-^ The life of White Beaver, as Dr. Pow- ell is popularly known, bears all the lights and shades of a frontier romance, and his personal characteristics are as varied as the traits of his ancestors. In his veins he has tiie blood of three races, each of wiiom has imparted to him a distinct peculiarity; his mother was possessed of rich mental en- dowment, and was the daughter of a full- blooded Indian, Medicine Chief, of the Seneca tribe; her mother was a member of the Tomp- kins family, and was born in Tompkins county, New York, the county being named after her people; she was married to Dr. C. H. Powell, of Kentucky, who was of Highland Scotch descent; they became ac- quainted while Miss Tompkins was with her father on a hunting excursion in New York near Seneca Lake. After their marriage they went to Kentucky and settled on the Ken- tucky river. Dr. Powell was a highly edu- cated gentleman, speaking several different languages, and a physician of high reputa- tion. Mrs. Powell is reputed to have been a woman of extraordinary beauty; she inherited a liking for botany, and acquired an excep- tional knowledge of the medical properties of all plant life; she became a great assistance to her husband, and was herself often called as a physician She was a woman of strong magnetism, courageous, firm and self-reliant, yet sympathetic, generous and gentle. These traits are impressed upon her children, as well as upon her grand-children who show the same distinguishing peculiarities. There were four branches of the tribe of Indians to which Mrs. Powell belonged: The Beaver, Wolf, Bear and Turtle; she was a member of the Beaver clan. Her grandfather, a firm friend of the white man, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, receiving his death wound in 1779. Dr. David F. Powell was l)orn at the Ken- tucky home. May 25, 1847. He had no early educational advantages except those given him by his parents in their own log cabin; they were both excellent teachers, however, and imparted to him a thorough knowledge of fundamental principles. In 1855 the father died, and soon after this 588 B lOGR A PHI OA L HISTOR T. event Mrs. Powell disposed of her property, and went with her tiiree children to New York, wluM-e her parents were living, at an advanced age. She settled about thirty noiles from Ithaca, and eniraged in farming, hut met with indifferent success. After a few years she started with her family, for the great West; they stopped in Chicago, where Frank Powell secured a position in a drug store, remaining there two years. The mother tlien decided to make another change, and this time pushed on to Omaha, where Frank again secured a situation as clerk in a large drug store belonging to Dr. James K. Ish; in this position his efKciency and skill were soon recognized Ity Dr. Ish, who gave him a full partnership interest in the establishment. The lirm of Ish & Powell developed a large business in the preparation of family medicines, which they supplied to nearly all the Territories. Al- though our subject was fortunately situated, the other members of the family were unset- tled; the mother and two sons, George and William, purchased a large tract of land on the Platte river in Nebraska, near Lone Tree. Here Mrs. l^owell remained the latter part of her life, giving counsel to her children and every possible assistance until she was called to the great beyond, her death occurring in 187y. The sons with their own iiands made her a grave under the cottonwood trees, and gently and lovingly consigned her mortal re- mains to the elements. Wiiiie conducting a prosperous business in Omaha, Dr. Powell usually spent two montlis of the year on the ranch with his family. Of a wild and adventurous nature, he attracted to liin)seif such kindred spirits as Buffalo Bill, California Joe, Wild Bill, Peon Paller- day, old man Platte, the Keshan family, Texas Jack, and a hundred otiier heroes. These braves soon discovered in the young doctor a daring heart, a generosity and kind- ness, and a skill in medicine tiiat was unsur- passed upon the frontier. Tliese admirable traits won innumerable friends, and their constancy has always held them. To describe in detail all the adventures in which Dr. Powell was a prominent figure, would take us entirely beyond the limits of this sketch, in fact would fill a volume. One thrilling experience, briefly related, is as fol- lows: In 1863, while Dr. Powell was out hunt- ing with the elder Keshan and a party, their attention was attracted to a band of Arap- ahoesin command of Chief Friday, on Sweet- water river; the Indians came upon them suddenly, but not nntil hasty action permit- ted Powell's party to corral their horses and make a sudden stand in a buffalo wallow; the Indians numbered fully 100 warriors and were well armed with rifles and pistols, which fortunately they were not expert in using. Tiie fight was very spirited in the beginning, atid for a time the result appeared doubtful for the iiutiters. Their horses were shot down, and of their dead bodies they made a barricade, keeping up the defense one day, at the end of wliich time the Indians drew out of range, intending to starve the beleaguered party; provisions, how- ever, were abundant, but their snj)j)ly of wa- ter iiad been exhausted in dressing wounds on the first day of the battle. Tiiirst now be- came an enemy more to be dreaded than the Indians. No one was determined what to do until Dr. Powell spoke, who said: "I will decide the battle; better die at once than linger in parching thir.-t and the terrible stench of these dead horses." '-Well, what shall you do?" was asked him. "Do? Why, charcre the red devils and trust to luck; fol- low me, who will." These words had scarcely left his lips when he leaped the breast- works and dashed off to tlie river. With terrible ^Aytr BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 589 yells the Indians pursued him, and the scene that followed may be better imagined than described. A fierce conflict occurred between the two bands, in which so many Indians were killed that the remainder withdrew, and let the brave hunters pass on to the river. The wounded were attended to by Dr. Pow ell, with such skill that only one died from injuries received; four of the party were killed outi-ight. The first Indian killed by the Doctor was Walking Crane, a most re- nowned savage among the Arapahoes. It was not long after this encounter that the Doctor was attacked by twenty or more Sioux, and came out of the tight victorious, seven of the Indians being killed and as many more wounded. Being a thirty-second degree Mason, even at this early age. Dr. Powell was appointed District Deputy Grand Master, for Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming, and in 1869 con- ferred the Master's degree upon Buffalo Bill, at Platte Valley Lodge, Cottonwood Springs. In the latter part of 1869, although he had never attended a school for one day, he submitted to a competitive examination with thirteen other candidates for a beneficiary scholarship in the University of Louisville. With all the chances against him, he carried off the honors, and was admitted to the col- lege upon the scholarship. He spent two years in the medical department, doing jan- itor service to pay his expenses. Before graduating he was made assistant demonstra- tor of anatomy, and upon finishing his course he was pressed to take a professorship. This he declined to do, and accepteil the proffer of a position as Post Surgeon in the department of the Platte river. In recognition of his superior ability, he was chosen valedictorian of his class in college, and acquitted hiinself with such merit that his address was printed in many of the leading newspapers of that 39 day. Although the Doctor recognizes the advantages of a medical training, he attrib- utes the most of his success to the teachings of his mother. While a student in Louisville, Dr. Powell passed through the unpleasant experience of fighting a duel with Dr. Lewis Oppenheimer, a member of the college faculty; many ac- counts of the affair were published at the time which were not correct. A bitter feeling arose between the two gentlemen, on account of a supposed insult which had been offered a lady of their acquaintance, and therefore, according to the ethics of Ken- tucky aristocracy, Dr. Powell sent a challenge to Dr. Oppenheimer, which was accepted. The latter is still living, and is practicing his profession in Indiana. ^^►^o.— _ Ig^ENKY S. ROBERTS is one of that sturdy band of pioneers who converted the wild lands of La Crosse county into the fertile farms which extend from border to border. Aiding in this work, he is justly entitled to the space which has been cheer- fully accorded him in this record of the prominent citizens of La Crosse county. He was born in the county of York, Maine, May 2B, 1836, and is a son of Moses and Catherine (truilford) Roberts, natives of the same county; the father, of Welsh ancestry, was a soldier in the war of 1812; and the maternal grandfather, William Guilford, served in the Revolution; he lived to be ninety-eight years of age, and his wife ninety-six. Moses Rob- erts was a farmer, and in politics a Whig. When H. S. Roberts was eleven years old his father died, and he was thus thrown at an early age upon his own resources. He ob- tained his education in the common schools ami was trained in agricultural pursuits. At the age of nineteen years he came West with 090 BIOGRAPHICAL niSTORT. his mother and a brother and sister; the mother died at the home of her son II. S., March 20, 1892, at the age of ninety-four years. The brother, Josiah, died in Califor- nia; and the sister, Louisa, is the wife of J. C. Endicott, of Farmington. Our subject settled in Farmington town- ship. La Crosse county, in 1854, and for many years lived on a farm in section 3, township 18, range 6. When the civil war broke out he was one of the first men to volunteer his services, enlisting in October, 1861, in Company G, United States Sharpshooters. He partici- pated in many of the most important engage- ments of tlie war, among which may be mentioned the battles of the Peninsula, of Gettysburg and the Wilderness. At Charles City Cross Roads, in the seven days' fight, he was wounded in the small of the back, and also had a severe attack of lung fever; he was promoted Commissary Sergeant, and held that office while he remained in the service. lie was honorably discharged in ■ October, 1864, after which he returned to tills County. In 1866 he obtained the con- tract of carrying tlie mail from La Crosse to Black River Falls, for a period of four years, and during this time he resided in La Crosse, on the corner of Badger and North Sixth streets, owning the property, which he after- wards sold. At the end of this period he returned to his old farm, which he afterwards sold. Ilis present farm contains 262 acres of well im- proved land; he has erected neat and sub- stantial buildings, and the whole place has an air of thrift and prosperity. The house, on a fine building site, is 16 x 26 feet, one and one-half stories high, with a wing 16x24 feet and one story high, and an addition 14 x 20 feet and one story high. Mr. Roberts was united in marriage Sep- tember 20, 1868, to Miss Eliza Babcock, who was born May 11, 1845, in Onondaga county, New York, a daughter of Godfrey S. and Amelia (Diffin) Babcock: iier father, a native of New York State, died in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, at the age of seventy-six years; and her mother, a native of county Donegal, Ireland, died in Dodge county, this State, aged forty-one yeais. When a child, Mrs. Roberts was brought to Wisconsin, and she was educated at Galesville, this State, and was a very popular teacher before her marriage. Her brother, Azariah Babcock, was a soldier in the late war, in the Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry, and was killed by a shot at Vicks- burg. By his death lie left a widow and three children. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have six children: Herbert H., Homer, Hattie, attending commercial college at La Crosse; Ray L., Olive and Floyd Wayne. Our worthy subject affiliates with the Re- publican party and takes an active part in the deliberations of that body in this county. He is chairman of the Board of Supervisors; he has served as Treasurer of the township, as District Clerk for many years and as Jus- tice of the Peace. He is a charter member of Nelson Quygle Post, No. 233, G. A. R., and is an enthusiastic supporter of that or- ganization. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are not members of any religious denomination, but attend and contribute liberally to the support of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for some time Mr. Roberts was Superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sabbath-school at Burr Oak. NTON J. BRUIIA, general merchant, La Crosse, was born in this cit}', March 28, 1856, a son of Frank and Cathrina (Peshek) Bruha, natives of Bohemia, near BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY. 591 Leipsic. The father, a fanner, came to America in 1860, settling in Washington township, La Crosse county. He had a son and a daiigliter born in Bohemia and two sons and a daughter in this country. Frank, tlie eldest, is a resident of Winona, Minne- sota; Mary is the wife of Joseph Kasimonr; Joseph, a carpenter by trade; and August and Minnie, at home. Mr. A. J. Bruha is a young man of bright prospects, stands liighly in the estimation of all who know him, is a Supervisor of the Eighteenth Ward of La Crosse, and is highly respected as a member of the State Legis- lature. kROFESSOR JOSEPHUS L. WAL- LACE. — Among the prominent and honored institutions of the city of La Crosse, whose history has run parallel with the progress of the place for the past sixteen years, is that of the La Crosse Busi- ness College. The range of studies is Jiroad and comprehensive and everything is done by the able corps of teachers, not only to aid pupils in their special studies, but also to stimulate in them a love of learning. Being generously equipped the institution has be- come one of the most attractive and benefi- cent institutions of the city, and those who finish a course there are well equipped to tight the battle of life for themselves. Prof. Wallace was born in Westchester county. New York October 18, 1844, to William F. and Mary (Gale) Wallace, the former a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and the latter a native of New York and of Dutch e.\traction. After to the United States the father learned the callintf of a paper-maker in Pennsylvania, and this call- ing continued to receive his attention after moving to Racine, Wisconsin, in 1850, and also after taking up his abode in Milwaukee. He died in this city in 1858, at the age of fifty-eight years, a member of the Pres- byterian church, and his widow died July 14, 1889, a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and was buried on het seventy-eighth birthday. They had four children: Charles E., who died in early childhood; Josephus L. and two that died in infancy. Professor Wallace was educated in New York city, where he successfully passed through a very severe course of study, after which he began teaching in the public schools of Wisconsin, his first term being taught in 1860. He continued a teacher of the public schools nntil 1875, when he bought the La Crosse Business College, which he has since conducted with the best results. In him are strikingly exemplified those characteristics and principles which conduce to the occupa- tion of positions demanding the display of much mental ability; and the superior manner in which he has performed his duties as head of the La Crosse Business College, has made his school a very popular one. He has a branch college at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which has been in progress for the past five years and compares favorably in size and patronage with the La Crosse college. A good, sound business education can be acquir- ed in an incredibly short time and the rates of tuition are within the reach of all. Thousands of young men and women have been his pupils and many are filling places of lionor and responsibility. During the thirty- one years of iiis career as a pedagogue he has taught in Milwaukee, Eagle, Ocononowoc and La Crosse only, and takes high rank as one of the educators of the State. The curriculum of his college embraces book- keeping, commercial law, penmanship, busi- ness arithmetic, grammar, history of the 593 BIOGRAPHiaAL HI STORY. United States, geography, spelling, business correspondence, making and handling of all kinds of business papers, stenography, type- writing, besides other minor branches. Ilis work is eminently practical and the students often try law cases: have their judges, juries, lawyers etc. In 1869 Professor Wallace was married to Miss Emma J. Pittman, daughter of Tiiomas W. Pittman of Eagle, Wisconsin. They have two children: William P. and Binnie P., the latter being a teacher of stenography and typewriting in the college. Mrs. Wallace died in July, 1876, at the age of thirty-five years. Professor Wallace takes but little interest in politics, but usually votes the Republican ticket. -v-'WZ/Z/ _^^. Oj-'yir^ [ILLIAM GAVIN, one of the promi- nent agriculturists of Farmington 1=0,1^ township, has been a resident of La Crosse county .since 1850. He is a native of county Mayo, Ireland, born May 2, 1833, and is a son of Patrick and Ann (Burke) Gavin, who were also natives of county Mayo. The paternal grandfather, Andrew Gavin, be- longed to the Gavin family of county Mayo, who ware highly respected citizens of that section of country. When William Gavin was an infant of eighteen months, his parents emigrated to America, first settling in Penn- sylvania; thence they removed to Wheeling, West Virginia, where the father died at the age of forty-seven years. Our subject was reared in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, receiving his education in the common schools, and a thorough training in agricul- ture. In 1856 he joined the caravan of emicrrants moving to the frontier, and settled in La Crosse county; the journey was made by rail- road to Galena, Illinois, and thence to La Crosse by river. He purchased land in Lewis valley, which he improved and finally devel- oped into a good farm ; he lived on this place, which he still owns until 1881, when he bought his farm in Farmington township. He and his sons own 320 acres, well improved with substantial buildings and in an advanced state of cultivation. The residence, a two- story structure, was built by Michael Moloy, and is a very comfortable dwelling; the barns and sheds are convenient, and the entire place wears an air of thrift that reflects credit upon the owner. Mr. Gavin has given especial attention to the dairy business, and keeps about twenty cows for this purpose. He was united in marriage, November 8, 1855, in the State of Pennsylvania, to Miss Sarah McQuigen, a native of county Tyrone, Ireland, and a daughter of William and Mary (Donely) McQuigen, natives of the Emerald Isle. Mr. and Mrs. McQuigen never left their own country; both are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Gavin have been born eight children: Perry, William, Jr., Anna Sarah, Joht\, a resident of Washington State; Mary and Elizabeth, twins; George, also in Washington, and Edward; the two older sons live on portions of the home farm; they are both married. The entire family are mem- bers of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Gavin affiliates with the Democratic party, and gives a cordial support to those enterprises which are originated for the bene- fit of the general public. fOHN CAPPER was born on the farm on whicli he now lives, near Stevenstown, Holland township. La Crosse county, Wisconsin, June 21, 1856, and is one of the representative farmers of the neighborhood. A sketch of his life will be found of interest BIOOBAPHICAL HISTORY. 593 to many, and, briefly given, it is as follows: Mr. Capper comes of Scotch- Irish parents. His father, William Capper, was boru in 1817, at Warrenstown, near Belfast, county Down, Ireland, son of James Capper. He was reared and educated at his native place and there learned the trade of weaver. In September, 1837, he married Mary Jane Russell, a native of the same place and a daughter of liobert and Isabella (Graham) Russell. In 1847 he and his wife came to America and settled in Rhode Island, where they remained until 1853, when they came to Wisconsin and took a Government claim, the same land on which John Capper now lives. William Capper was among the first settlers in this neighborhood, and here he passed the rest of his life and died. He and his wife had a family of ten children, six of whom are deceased. Those living are: James, who lives in Burns township, this county; Mrs. Elizabeth Kane, of Farmington town- ship; Robert Henry, of Holland township; and John, whose name appears above. The father was a man highly respected by all who knew him. He spent his life engaged in agricultural pursuits; was in politics a Repub- lican; in religion a member of the Church of England. His widow still resides on the old homestead with her son John, where she enjoys all the comforts of life in her declining years. John Capper was reared here, received his education in the district schools, and, like many of the early residents here, had some experience in working in the woods. He was married, April 18, 1886, to Miss Kate Harmon, a native of Maine. She is a daugh- ter of Joseph Harmon, also a native of Maine, and now a resident of La Crosse county, and in Lewis valley, this county, she was reared. Her mother, whose maiden name was Sylven- dia Guilford, was born in that State, and died here in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Harmon had a family of nine children, five of whom are living. Mr. Capper and his wife have four children, viz.: Maud Elizabeth, Minnie Syl- vendia, Edith Myra and John Edwin, twins. Mr. Capper has a farm of 245 acres. His modern residence was erected in 1890, and is located on the Galesville and Stevenstown road. This home, beautifully situated on a natural building site, is shaded by pine trees that were set out by the owuer's father. A wind pump, substantial farm buildings, good fences, etc., are among the other improve- ments on this place, and everything is kept in first-class order. Aside from his general farming Mr. Capper is also engaged in operating a thresher. He owns a good machine and for ten years has run it success- fully during the autumn season. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. ;LE EVESON, one of the popular, in- telligent and successful citizens of Mindoro township. La Crosse county, Wisconsin, dates his arrival here in 1868. He is well known throughout this part of the county, and merits appropriate mention in its history. Briefly given, a review of his life is as follows: Ole Eveson was born in Norway, October 18, 1850, son of Evan Larson and Carrie (Emensen) Larson. His parents, natives of Norway, were reared and married in that country. His mother died when he was a babe, and left three other children: Gester, Andrew and Louis. Andrew is now deceased. Ole Evensonwas reared on a farm in Norway, and attended school until he was fifteen years of age. When he was eighteen he came to America and took up his abode in Wisconsin. 594 BIOGRAPHICAL UISTOltT. Here he was variously employed, first on a farm, then for eleven years in the pine woods, and for two springs was on the drive. A strong and active young man, he made a suc- cess at whatever he undertook. He now owns a farm of 160 acres, which was Government land at the time he came here and which he obtained through the small colony. It is rich soil and very productive, and in develop- ing this line farm he has expended much time aTid hard work. He has now a comfortable home and good farm buildings, and keeps everything about his premises in first-class order, devoting his time to general farming and dairying. Mr. Eveson was united in marriage, March 31, 1879, with Uousene Gullickson, a native of Norway. At the age of ten years she came to this country with her mother, Ingbaar Gullickson, who is now a resident of Minc'oro. Her father, Isaac Gullickson, came to America in 1866. He died from the ef- fects of poison, which he accidentally re- ceived. Mrs. Eveson was the sixth-born of their children, and in Farmington township she grew up and was educated. Mr. and Mrs. Eveson have six children, namely: Emma Caroline, Leonard, Mabel Gulbury, Laura, William and Torwald Gunder. A man in the prime of life, intelligent and well informed, broad and progressive in his views, Mr. Eveson is regarded as one of the representative citizens of his neighborhood. He was reared a Lutlieran; is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and in politics is a Democrat. '°"" | ' 3 " S ' | "'-^ iNDREAY A. WARSAW, one of the reliable and progressive citizens of La Crosse county, is the subject of the fol- lowing brief biographical sketch. Crossing the sea to the European Continent, we lind his birthplace in Poland, in the city of War- saw, where he first saw the light of °' — f^OHN L. UTERMOEHL, Principal of , the Fountain City schools, was born in Sarkwitz, Holstein, Germany, May 8, 1861, and is the son of Detlef H. atid Louise M. (Teckenburg) Uterinoehl. l)oth natives of Holstein. His father is a farmer by occupa- tion, and l)oth parents are still living. They emigated to the United States in July, 1868, lauded in New York and from there came direct to Fountain City. Mr. Uter- moehl was first engaged in fanning after he lociited here and subsequently became sales- man ill his brother-in-law's (H.Teckenburg's) lumber yard. For five years he acted as Street Commissioner. To him and his wife "»>/^6\;&rn„-.vr BIOGRAPHIGAL HISTORY. 605 seven children were born, viz. : John L., Gus- tave, Mary, Henry, Paul, Emil, William, — all now living except Gustave, Mary and Henry. John L. was seven years old when he came with his parents to this country, and his edu- cation was received in the pul)lic schools of Fountain City. In 1877, at the age of six- teen, he began teaching in the town of Mil- ton, and was thus employed there for two years. He then taught two years in the intermediate and one year in the grammar department, at Fountain City. At the end of this time he turned his attention to the newspaper business. In company with Fred Hepp, he purchased the Buffalo County Repuhlikaner, and for five years had charge of the editorial department. Selling out his interest in the paper, he again engaged in teaching, and for two years and a half was employed in the grammar department. He then, in 1890, received the appointment of principal, which position he now holds. Mr. Utermoehl was united in marriage, at Fountain City, in September, 1881, to Mary, daughter of Fred and Sophia (Multhaup) Hepp. One child, Mamie, was born to them, and in 1882 the young wife and mother was called to her last home. His second mar- riage occurred in July, 1887, also in this city, to Edith, daughter of Judge A. and Mai-y (Buesch) Finkelnburg, and their union has been blessed with two children: Esther Myra and Viola Wanda. Not only professionally, but socially and politically, is Mr. Utermoehl popular in this city. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Steuben Lodge, No. 280, of Fountain City, of which he is now Noble Grand. He is leader of the male choir, and also of the choir of the Lutheran congregation. In politics he is a Democrat. He was chairman of the Democratic County Committee from 1885 to 1890, and chairman of the Democratic 40 Senatorial Committee, Twenty-ninth Dis- trict, during the same period; is at present a member of the Democratic County Com- mittee. He has held the office of City Clerk for four years, and is now occupying that position. He has also held the office of First Foreman of the Fire Department, for three terms, and occupies the position at present, and is secretary and bookkeeper of the Fountain City Brewing Company, agent of several trans-Atlantic steamship lines, etc. He is a member of Livers' Orchestra. At the last annual meeting of the Buffalo County Saengerbund he was chosen musical director for the coining year. Is also a mem- ber of the Germania Sharpshooters' Club. Aside from his other duties, Mr. Utermoehl is still interested in journalistic work, being a contributor to the Milwakee Sentinel, the Winona Republican and the Alma Journal. ,0N. ALFRED WILLIAM NEWMAN, Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Wisconsin, was born in Durham, Greene county. New York, April 5, 1834. His paternal grandfather, William Newman, was a native of New England ; he married Sarah Hulburt, a member of an early Con- necticut family. She was born in 1769, was the mother of eight children, and lived to be eighty-three years old. Soon after bis mar- riage William Newman, Sr., removed with his wife to Greene county, New York, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Their son William, the father of Judge Newman, was born in 1801; he married Patty Rogers, who was born in Broome, New York, in 1804, a daughter of Daniel and Rachel (Loomis) Rogers, natives of Cou- necticut and pioneers of Eastern New Y''ork. The Rogers family is of English origin, and co<; BIOOJiAPniCAL niSTORr. among their ancestors was John Rogers, the martyr, who suffered death for his religious principles. William Newman and wife lived in New York until death; the latter died February 7, 1845, and the former, October 8, 1873. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, two sons and five daughters; all grew to maturity, but the two sons are the only survivors of the family; William Newman was a farmer, and the suliject of this sketch, remained upon the farm until eighteen years old. Judge Newman received an academic edu- cation at Ithaca, New York, and at tlie Dela- ware Literary Institute, Franklin, New York; he also took a collegiate course at Hamilton College, New York, which he entered in 1854, graduating in 1857. During the last two years he spent in this institution he received instruction in the law department, his pre- ceptor being the lion. Theodore W. Dwight, who later became the head of the Columbia Law School, a position he occupied for many years. After his graduation Judge Newman en- tered the law office of John ()lney,at Windham Center, and was admitted to the bar Decem- ber 8, 1857, at the general term at Albany, New York. Immediately after this event he started West, going directly to Ahnapee, Kewaunee county, Wisconsin; liere lie re- mained until TNIarch, 1858, when he came to Trempealeau county. In April, 18G0, he was appointed County Judge, and held that office until January, 1867; and he was Dis- trict Attorney from that time until June, 1876, excepting the years 1871 and 1872. He was a member of the Assembly of Wis- consin in 1863, was State Senator in 1868 and 1869; was elected Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in April, 1876, and ha8 been twice re-elected to the same office without opposition. He cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, and has ever since been identified with the Republican party, a warm advocate of the principles of that great national organization. Coming to Wisconsin Avhen Trempealeau county was OTie of the newest portions of the State, he has ever been prominently connected with its growth and prosperity. A leading lawyer says of him: " Judge Newman's career has been honorable and progressive. Many important trusts have been committed to his care and keeping, in all of which he has proved faithful, discharging the duties pertaining to them with a high degree of ability and integ- rity. As a lawyer, legislator and judge, he has won and retained the confidence of men of all parties and conditions. Political life has never been congenial to Judge Newman's tastes or temperament. lie is best known in his judicial career. As a Judge he is never swayed by any other consideration than a sense of duty. He possesses all the qualifi- cations of judicial character, extensive legal learning, sound morality, urbane and agree- able manners. To hiui truth and right are more desirable and more lasting than popu- larity." Judge Newman was married August 15, 1860, to Miss Celia E. Humphrey, who was born in Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York, December 25, 1837, the daughter of Mason C. and Nabby (Thurber) Humphrey. Of this union seven children have been born, four of whom, all boys, died in early infancy; the surviving children are: Mary Johnson, Mark Humphrey and Celia. ~^.. g . ; .. ; . ?. ^ fUGINA BROTHERS FERTIG CO., the leading mercantile firm of Trempea- leau county, established business in 1875, having erected their present fine store BIOGRAPUWAL HI STORY. 607 buiklino- in 1878. This is a large double store, the east part being used for dry goods, groceries and crockery, its dimensions being 28x80 feet, and the west part is 32x60 feet. This is not only one of the principal retail mercantile firms of Trempealeau county, but is numbered among the most important in West Wisconsin. Their sales range from $50,000 to $60,000 per annum, and their trade is constantly increasing, and the sales of 1891 promise to exceed that of any former year. The entire business of this house is under the immediate charge of Mr. Fertig, he being the only resident member of the firm. The Fugina Brothers, of whom there are two, are residents of Fountain City, where they have a general store and are engaged in gi'ain-buying, etc. Mr. Fertig was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1853. He served an apprenticeship of three years in the mercantile trade in his native country. In 1868, accompanied by an elder brother, John S., became to America and located at Baltimore, Maryland, where he remained for a period of three years, engaged in clerking. He then came to Trempealeau county, but the brother, John S., remained in Baltimore until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1879. After coming to this country Mr. Fertig engaged as clerk for Mr. Storm, at what is known as the old town of Arcadia, and afterward went to Fountain City and engaged as clerk for his present partners at that place, and became a member of the firm when the business was established at Arcadia. In fact the business here was practically established by him, and to his superior management is due the success of the business and the importance and extent to which it has attained. Mr. Fertig is one of a family of eleven children, consisting of eight sons and three daughters. Six members of the family came to America, four of vehom are now living, viz.: Valentine, the only surviving brother in this country, is now a resident of Winona, Minnesota, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Ruth, of Washington, District of Columbia, and Kate, who married Mr. F, Buhler of Prairie du Sauk, Wisconsin. Five members of the family are still residents of Germany, where the father died in 1888, and where the mother is still living. In 1882 Mr. Fertig returned to Germany and visited the home of his child- hood, returning in September of the same year. He was married in 1884, to Miss Mary Gasel, a daughter of Otto Gasei. They have three children: Mildred, Maud and Leonora. They lost a son, Roscoe, their eldest child, at the age of four years. ■-^^uxruv- ^^Ifinn^^ ^ON. KNUT K. HAGESTAD, who re- sides on section 19, Ettrick township, is a well-known and prominent citizen of this county. His father, K. K. Hagestad, emigrated with his family from Norway to the United States in 1854, and settled in Columbia county, Wisconsin. Six years later they came to Ettrick township, Trempealeau county, where the father resided until his death, August 22, 1872, at the age of fifty- two years. His wife survived him about three years. Mr. Haaestad, having been somewhat advanced in life when he came to the United States, never took a very active part in public aflfairs, but was ever esteemed as a worthy citizen and a Christian gentle- man. He and wife were the parents of four children who grew to mature years: Richard, who died at the homestead in Ettrick town- ship in 1882; Daniel K., who resides at Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Katherine, the only daugh- ter, lives in Jackson county, this State. K. K. Hagestad, the eldest of the family, no8 BWGHAPniCAL niSTORT. was horn in Norway in 1846, and was about eight years of age when the family emicrrated to America. The father's family having been somewhat numerous, and, like all the early settlers, not in very affluent cir- cumstances, it became necessary that our subject should exert himself in his own be- half from early life. He learned the carpen- ter's trade, at which he worked for a number of years, but after the death of the father he assumed charge of the homestead farm. He has since been engaged in agricultural pur- suits, and such other occupations as pertain thereto. He has been frequently called upon by his fellow-citizens to fill public positions; has been chairman of the Town Board a number of years, and in 1888 was elected to serve in the Legislature of the State. He has always been prominent in whatever tends to promote the interests of the com- munity in which he lives, and in addition to his other duties he is president and manager of the Ettrick Creamery Association. Mr. Hagestad's wife was formerly Miss Esther Knutson, a daughter of Andrew Knutson. who emigrated from Norway to America with his family, settling in Dane county, Wisconsin. He- afterward removed to Ettrick township, wliere he died June 7, 1891, and bis wife and five children survive the husband and father, Mrs. Hagcstad being the eldest of the children. Mr. Knutson was an upright and honorable citizen, and especially active in promoting the interests of the church. Mr. and Mrs. Hagestad have had eleven children, eight of whom are still living, viz.: Knut M., Andrew C, Katherine A., Estlier, Almina, Clara, William A. and Anna C. The deceased are Albert, Cora and Albert. In his political afliliations Mr. Hage- stad is a Republican, having cast his first Presidential vote for General Grant. He may properly be said to be a self-made man. and with but a limited opportunity for ac- quiring an education he is now well-informed on the general issues of the day. He is a leading member of the Lutheran Church, and taTces a deep interest in promoting the re- ligious and educational growth of the com- munity. ^S<^ l^ON. GEORGE COWIE settled on his t present farm on the 25th of April, 1855, having been the second perma- nent settler of the town of Glencoe, the first being Patrick Mulcare, who passed away a number of years ago. Mr. Cowie was born near Edinburg, Scotland. August 25, 1828, son of George Cowie, Sr., and Janet (Mc- Donald) Cowie, both of whom were natives of Scotland. George Cowie was the eldest of ten children, six sons and four daughters, of whom one daughter and three sons still survive. John Cowie, the next in order of birth, resides at Kanopolis, Kansas, as does also James Cowie, who is manager of the salt works at that place. The surviving daughter and sister of the family, Mary, is the wife of Alex. Eastman, of Columbus, Ohio. George Cowie was reared to the occu- pation of iron and coal mining in his native laud, and in 1848, at the age of ninett^en years, came to America. Landing in Nova Scotia, he engaged in mining there for a time, and then went to Pottsville, Pennsyl- vania, where he engaged in the same occupa- tion. Going thence to the city of New York, he left that port on the 5th of January, 1850, for California. Going via the Isthmus, he landed at Aspinwall, and thence went across the Isthmus on foot to Panama on the Pa- cific side. At that place he took the steamer Winfield Scott for San Francisco. This proved a most eventful voyage. The vessel was an BIOGRAPHICAL HI8T0BT. 609 old one, and both yellow fever and cholera broke out on board. The vessel was crowded with 1,000 passengers, 300 of whom were sick, and seventy-five died before the vessel reached the port of San Francisco, and were buried in the sea. On reaching California Mr. Cowie went to Nevada county, where he engaged in gold-mining, and remained on the Pacific coast for about one year, when he returned to his home in Pottsville via the Nicaragua route. Soon after his return home he removed to Lonaconing, Allegany county, Maryland, where he engaged in mining. In the spring of 1855 he started for Wisconsin, going by rail to West Virgitiia, thence by the Ohio river to Cairo, and thence by steamer to Fountain City (then known as Holmes' Landing), an Indian trading post. That, it will be remembered, was thirty-six years ago. La Crosse at that time was but a village, and the existence of Winona had scarcely begun. Mr. Cowie made his present settlement at once, purchasing Government land at $1.25 per acre. He was married in Pennsylvania, at Potts- ville, to Miss Margaret Faulds, also a native of Scotland. Her father, James Faulds (now deceased), accompanied Mr. Cowie to Wis- consin, as did his son and daughter, John and Elizabeth Faulds. Here for the long period of thirty-six years has Mr. Cowie lived and ever been prominently identified with the growth and development of the country; he has been called on by his fellow-citizens to serve in various official positions. He was the first Postmaster of Grlencoe, filling that office very efficiently for twenty-seven suc- cessive years, and gave the name to theoflice, which was established in 1862. He ijave the name Glencoe to his town in honor of a val- ley in the highlands of Scotland called Glen- coe, which was the home of the ^IcDonalds, from which family he is descended. He also served as chairman of the town for six years, and held nearly all other local oflices, and was largely instrumental in the organi- zation of the town of Glencoe. He served in the Legislature in the sessions of 1871- '72, and has the honor of being the first Democrat elected to the Legislature from Buffalo county. Mr. Cowie and wife have had twelve children, six of whom are still living, viz.: James F., George M., Allan J., Albert E., Robert S. and Margaret M. Of the children deceased, four had grown to mature years, viz.: David and Frank, both dying at the age of twenty-one years; Nettie and Anna had attained to womanhood, the former having married Michael Shonesy. George and Louis died at the age of two years. Mr. Cowie, as has been seen, is not only the oldest settler of the town of Glencoe, but one of the earliest pioneers of Buffalo county, and his name is prominently identi- fied with the history of its growth and de- velopment. In all the official positions in which he has been called upon to serve he has ever discharged his duty with ability and fidelity. fOHN GILLIES, a farmer of Trempea- leau county, was born in Boxborough, Scotland, July 23, 1809, a son of James Gillies, who died when the son was ten years of age. The mother died in Scotland some years afterward. Mr. Gillies married Euphemia Thompson, learned the miller's trade, and in 1832 came to America, landing at Quebec. After visit- ing his maternal uncle, George Hope, above Montreal, he went to a large Scotch settle- ment in Delaware county. New York, and lived there until 1850, when he came to Trempealeau county with his family, settling CIO BLOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. where he now lives. He is therefore one of the oldest settlers of the town of Trempealeau. lie is a gentleman of high ciiaracter, liberal, and a faithful supporter of good institutions. At one time he served as president of the Trempealeau County Agricultural Society, and he has held other local offices. His four living children are: James, at Trempealeau; Jane, now the wife of Andrew R. Carhart; Mary, now Mrs. Thomas Wilcox, of Trempealeau; and Richard. He lost one daughter and four sons. Mrs. Gillies died January 25, 1888, at the age of seventy-nine years. -— «-+!^-^^^-~— I^HIILP WEISENBERGER, of Wau- maiidee, was born November 9, 1828, at Baden, Germany, the sou of Philip and Susan (Hoarn) Weisenberger, natives also of Baden, who with seven children came to the United States by sail vessel, landing at New Orleans in 1848. The children were: Joseph, Joiui, Raciimir, Philip, Susan, Jacob and Frank, the last three only now living* The parents were advanced in life when they came to the United States. The father hud served under the first Napoleon, and was with him in the Riis.-tf^ 5ILLIAM CLEASBY, of Eleva, is T|pm/|| one of the pioneers of West Wis- I'^'^^l consin. His father, David Cleasby, was born in Yorkshire, England, where he grew to manhood, and married Miss Sarah JBainbridge, and in 18J:6 the family emigrated to America. They went to Hatnilton county, Ohio, and thence to Wisconsin in 1848, locating in La Fayette county, and in 1858 settled in Pleasant valley, Eau Claire county. There David Cleasby cleared up a larm and lived until his deatli, which occured many years ago. The wife and mother passed away before her husband. They were the parents of three sons and six daughters, and all but one son and a daughter are still living. William Cleasby, our subject, assisted his father in clearing up his farm in Eau Claire county, and later purchased a farm of his own in the same county, which he afterwards sold and purchased a new farm of 240 acres in the town of Naples, iJnffalo county, on which he located. This farm he improved and resided on until the spring of 1890, when he removed to the village of Eleva, where he now lives, although he still owns his Naples farm, which is occupied by his son. Mr. Cleasby as a pioneer of West Wis- consin underwent all the privations incident to pioneer life. Deer and elk in those days were abundant, but neighbors were few and far between. As an incident of his early life in Eau Claire county, the following is related: Soon after the family settled in that county, the cattle which they had brought with them started back for their old home in La Fayette county, and William, then a boy, followed them to induce them to return. He followed the tracks of the cattle for about three miles when he suddenly came in full sight of a herd of fine elk. They presented a magnificent sight, of which Mr. Cleasby has never lost the impression. The five he desci-ibed appeared as large as horses, and with them was a young one beside its mother. He now concluded that he had followed the tracks of tlie elk instead of those of the cattle and was consequently upon the wrong track. Therefore he returned home without having accomplished the object of his search. The next day the search for the cattle was resumed and it was found that he had really been on the right track the previous day, but had been deceived by the appearance of the elk. But this species of game has long since disappeared. William Cleasby's first wife was Mary Jane Kobbins, whom he married November 1, 1860, and who died October 1, 1883. For his second wife he married Adella Ball, daughter of Frank and Eunice (Harmon) Ball, the former of Welsh and the latter of English ancestry. They w.ere earlj^ settlers of Mondovi, from which place Mr. Ball en- tered the army in the late war. Several years after his return tVom the army he was 620 BIOGRAPniCAL HISTORY. accidentally killed while engaged in the erec- tion of a mill at Faircliild. The mother afterward died in Buffalo county, and is buried by the side of her husband in the town of Mondovi. There were four daugh- ters in the family of Mr. Ball, but no sons. Mr. Cleasl)y has one child living, Elroy Ro- selle, and lost one child in infancy. fOHN DETTINGER, who resides on sec- tion 8, Gale township, has been a resid- ent of Trempealeau county since the fall of 1855. He was born in Wlirttemberg, Ger- many, May 13, 1826, the son of Jacob Det- tinger, who remained in Germany until his death. The subject of this sketch was the youngest of twelve children, only six of whom grew to maturity, five sons and one daughter. John Dcttinger came to America in 1852, being the first of his father's family who ever came to this country. He first lived for a time in Erie county, New York, after which he went to Evansville, Rock county, Wiscon- sin, and worked one summer for a Mr. Phil- lips, and in 1855 came to Trempealeau coun- ty. He was married, January 27, 1857, to Miss Margaret Mathern, who was born in Rhine, Prussia, in 1838. Her father died in that country, after which, in the spring of 1855, she came with her mother to America. She is the only child of her parents, and her mother now resides with her. In August, 1862, Mr. Dettinger enlisted in Company C, Tliirtieth Regiment "Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served witb that regiment until the close of the war. His health was much broken while in the army, and he has never fully recovered. He and his wife are the parents of eight children, six sons and two daughters, namely: Jacob, John, Elizabeth, wife of Frank McClary; Christiana, William, George, Christian and Carl. Mr. and Mrs. Dettinger are among the well-known citizens of Gale township, where they have lived so many years. Their farm contains 160 acres of land, which is under a good state of cul- tivation, and where they are surrounded witli the comforts oF life. Mr. Dettinger was a faithful soldier in the cause of tlie Union, and is now a worthy and respected citizen. He is a Republican in liis political views, and both he and his family are members of the Lutheran Church. tEYI L. ODELL, who was appointed Postmaster at Galesville in September, 1889, has been aresident of Trempealeau county since 1864. He was born in Essex county. New York, in 1834, a son of Robert Ferris Odell. Our subject is a brother of Judge Robert Odell, of Trempealeau county, and in a sketch of whom, found elsewhere in this work, is an interesting genealogy of the Odell family. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, and came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1855, locating in what is now Marinette county. There he was engaged in lumbering until 1861, when he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, in Company F, Twelfth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry, and served until February, 1865. He was elected First Lieutenant on the organiza- tion of his company, which position he held during nearly the whole of his term of ser- vice. He passed the winter of 1861-'62 in Missouri and Kansas, and in May, 1862, they went to Kentucky and remained there during the summer, accompanying General Grant's army to Vicksburg. He was in fact with the army of General Grant most of the time until BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 631 that General was transferred to the army of the Potomac. After the siege of Vicksburg and the surrender of that rebel stronghold, he remained with his command at that place for a time, spending the winter of 1863-'64 at Natchez. With his command he rejoined Sherman's army at Dal ton, marching all the way from Cairo, and took an important part in the siege and capture of Atlanta. Mr. Odell's health was very much broken in the army, and he has never regained his former strength. Soon after his return from the army he came to Galesville and purchased a farm near this place, on which he resided for the long period of twenty-six years. He still owns this place of 160 acres, which is under a good state of cultivation. Mr. Odell was married, in 1863, while at home on a furlough, to Miss Elmina M. Fisher, a native of Ver- mont, but at the time of their marriage re- siding in Minnesota. They have one son, Harlan B., born in 1865, and now a resident of New York city. Mr. Odell is a member of Wilson Colwell Post, at La Crosse, and also of Decorah Lodge* Knights of Pythias. He was a faithful soldier in the cause of the Union, and is a worthy and respected citizen. k|LIVER a. HEGG, the present Clerk of of the Circuit Court of Trempealeau county, who also makes loans and con- veyances, was appointed to serve the un- expired term of E. Bratberg, April 4, 1888, and in the fall of the same year was elected for a full term, and re-elected in 1890. He was born iu Norway, March 1, 18-12. His father died when he was a child, after which the mother remarried, and when he was but ten years of age the family emigrated to 41 America, settling in Dane county, Wisconsin. In 1872 the mother and stepfather removed to Osage county, Iowa, where the mother subsequently died, and where the father still lives. May 17, 1861, the subject of this sketch enlisted in Company K, Third Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, which was cotnmanded by Colonel, afterward General, C. S. Hamilton. Mr. Hegg served in the army of the Union until July 18, 1865. He left Wisconsin with his regiment July 12, 1861, arriving at Harper's Ferry July 22, and the regiment did picket duty on the Potomac during the summer of 1861. He was present and assisted in the capture of the bogus Legislature in the fall of 1861, and also took part in the battle of Bolivar's Height,Virginia, which was his first engagement. With his regiment he went up the Shenandoah valley, in February, 1862, under Banks, and pene- trated that valley to Harrisburg, Virginia. Butler's forces were defeated and driven back by the Confederates, under Stonewall Jackson, and on the retreat the battle of Winchester was fought. The Union forces subsequently rested on the Potomac River, at Williams- burg, and the main forces were ordered back to Winchester, crossing over to Luray valley, Virginia, and engaging Stonewall Jackson's forces in battle at Cedar Mountain. Then, under General Pope, they retreated to Wasli- ington, fighting the second battle of Manassas on the way, and joining McClellan's forces in Washington. They were in the battles of South Mountain and Antieta(n, and then took part under Hooker in the battle of the Wilderness, in May, 1863, and under Meade at Gettysburg July 1, 2 and 3 of the same year. Soon after the last named battle the Third Wisconsin was united with the Eleventh Army Coi'ps, and went West as the Twentieth Corps. BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT. December 23, 1863, Mr. Hegg re-en- listed and went borne on a fnrlougb of twenty-tbree days. He rejoined bis regi- ment at Tullabotna, Tennessee, in February, 1864, and took part in Sberman's Atlanta campaign, being actively engaged in all tbe battles incident to tbat noted campaign and marcbed witb Sberman to tbe sea. He fought in tbe battles of Bentonville and Averyshorougb, tbence to Goldsborougb and Raleigh, and was present at tbe surrender of Johnston's army. Mr. Hegg entered the army as a private, and was promoted Corporal Oc- tober 10, 1861, as Sergeant in April, 1862, as Quartermaster Sergeant April 15, 1863, and as First Lieutenant September 30, 1864. After participating in tbe Grand Re- view at Washington his regiment was ordered to Louisville, Kentucky, where it was mus- tered out July 18, 1865. Lieutenant Hegg was with his regiment during its whole term of service, and on bis return from the army he settled in Dane county. He was married in 1863, when at home on his furlough, to Miss Jane M. Anderson, a native of Norway, September 18, 1869, Mr. Hegg removed with bis family to Trempealeau county, and settled in Arcadia township, where he was engaged in farming until 1883, and in tbat year en- gaged at merchandising at Independence, and later at White Hall. He retired from that business to assume his present official duties in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Hegg have three children: Maud, Amanda and Lula. Mr. Hegg was one of tbe prominent citi- zens of bis town before coming to White Hall, and while living in Arcadia he was a member of tbe County Board for tliree years, and chairman of tbat board one year. He has been a student all his life, and is now a well educated gentleman. He began teaching in early life, his first school being* in Dane county, in 1860-'61, and has taught altogether about twenty terms, much of this time in Trempealeau county, and nine terms in one district. He is enterprising and progressive, and takes a commendable interest in all good enterprises. He was a gallant soldier in the war for tbe Union, being one of the first to respond to the call of his country, nor did be retire from bis service until the last armed Rebel bad surrendered, and tbe Union flag waved triutnpbantly over the entire country. ANIEL OILMAN, of the town of Gil- mantown, is one of tbe pioneeers of Buffalo county. He was born in the town of Woodbury, Washington county, Ver- mont, in 1833, son of Samuel Oilman, a native of Maine. Tbe Oilman family were among tbe early settlers of the New England colonies. Several brothers emigrated from England, one of whom settled in Maine and another in New Hampshire, Daniel Oilman being: descended from tbe Maine branch. In 1816, Samuel Oilman, the father of Daniel, went to Lebanon, New Hampshire, where he was married to Miss Nancy Clark, a native of that State. In 1829 he removed to Woodbury, Vermont, tbence to Hyde Park, same State, and still later to Burlington, Vermont, where they lived until 1851, when they came to Wisconsin, settling in Lafayette county. They continued here but a short time and tiien removed to La Crosse county, where they remained but one season and then located in Buffalo county in 1855. Tbe male members of tbe family consisted of Samuel Oilman and his four sons, all of whom took up Ooverninent land, and they all became prominently identified with tbe development of this portion of the county, the town of Oilmantown being named in bonor of this family of pioneers. Here the father died in BIOORAPHWAL HISTORY. 623 1873, at the age of seventy-six years, the mother having died in 18G2, at the age of sixty-six years. Edson died in 1862, leaving a family; Franklin died December 1, 1880. He was one of the representative men of Buffalo county, and a member of the Legisla- ture of Wisconsin, to which position ho was elected in 1879. He also held at various times the principal township office, and was chairman of the first town board of Gilman- town in 1857, which position he held for not less than fifteen terms. He was president of Buffalo County Agricultural Society for three years, and wa'? in all respects a representative man. Daniel was the third of the sons in order of birth, and Andrew was the youngest. Andrew is now a resident of Brown county, Minnesota, so that of the four brothers only two are living, and Daniel is the only one who continues to reside in Buffalo county. Daniel and Andi-ew Gil man came West in 1850. They went directly to Lafayette county, coming to Buffalo county in 1855, when the remainder of the family came. Daniel Gilman was married to Miss Olive Hatch, a native of Roxbury, Vermont, who died in 1878, leaving three children, viz.: Ida, wife of Matthew Tracy, of Ironwood, Michigan ; Elsworth and Hale, both of whom are residents of the town of Gilmantown. Mrs. Gilman was the first teacher of Gilmantown, and was in all respects a worthy and estim- able woman and an affectionate wife and mother. Franklin and Mary Hatch, the parents of Mrs. Gilman, came to Buffalo county from Roxbury, Vermont, in 1856, and resided here for a number of years, but in 1864- they removed to Leavenworth, Brown county, Minnesota, where they made their home until their death. Daniel Gilman is one of the few remaining pioneers of this part of Buffalo county. He came here when the country was new and wild, and has witnessed the growth and development of thirty-five years. He is in all respects a worthy and esteemed citizen, and is justly entitled to prominent mention in this biographical work. fOSEPH DENS MO RE has been a resi- dent of Trempealeau county since 1863, and of the town of Preston since 1866, he having settled on section 21, in May, 1866, and is still living there. He was born in Pittsfield, Rutland county, Vermont, in 1818. His parents removed with their family from the Green Mountain State to Spring Prairie, Walworth county, Wisconsin, where they lived the remainder of their lives. Tiiey had a family of four children, who grew to mature years. Josiah M., the eldest, who died at St. Charles, Minnesota, in the spring of 1891; Kebecca, the only daughter, died in Walworth county, in 1883. The subject of this sketch was the next in age. The youngest of the family is John Duane Densmore, a resident of Augusta, Eau Claire county, Wisconsin. Joseph W. Densmore was married at Elkhorn, Walworth county, Wisconsin, August 18, 1846, to Maria Louise Wilson, daughter of Alexander and Abegail (Bishop) Wilson. The parents of Mrs. Densmore removed from the East to Wayne county, Ohio, when she was a child, and a few years later emigrated farther West and settled in the town of La Fayette, Walworth county, Wisconsin, where they lived till death. The father died many years ago; the mother survived her husband till February, 1883, passing away at the old homestead in Wal- worth county, at eighty-seven years of age. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, of whom Mrs. Densmore is the old- est. Five of _ the family are now living, four daughters and one son, a brother of 631 lilOORAPniCAL HISTORY. Mrs. Densinore dying in the army during the war of the Rebellion. lie was a member of Company K, Tenth liegiment Wisconsin Yohinteer Infantry. The surviving members of the family after Mrs. Densmore are Catherine, Lydia, Hiram and Kosanna. The only brother lives in Sac county, Iowa, and llosanna lives at the old home in Wal- worth county, Wisconsin. The deceased are: James, Caroline and William Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Densmore continued to live in Walworth county until they came to Tremp- ealeau county, in 1863. In March, 1865, Mr. Densinore entered the army as a member of Company A, Fifty-third Regiment Wisconsin Infantry, and served until the war closed. Mr. and Mrs. Densmore have three children: George, Charles and Caroline. They lost a son, William Henry, at the age of thirteen years. Mr. Densmore and wife have a pleas- ant home and possess all the cjmforts of life, as the result of their industry. The home farm contains 120 acres, but Mr. Dens- more has another farm in this town, of 157 acres. Mr. Densmore cast his first presiden- tial vote for General William H. Harrison in 1840, and is to-day a stanch Republican, numbered among the well-known and i-e- spected cititizensof the town and county. JASPER AVOHLGENANT, a furniture dealer, undertaker and lumber merchant >^ of Arcadia, engaged in the furniture business in this village in the fall of 1875, under the firm name of E. J. Tracy & Co. After a co-partnership of one year Mr. Wohl- genant bought the interest of his partner, and was alone in business for about six months, when he formed a company with Peier Ley, which continued about one year. In the meantime the j)resent store building was erected. Since the dissolution of the last partnership Mr. Wohlgenant has con- ducted the business alone, in addition to which he has added the lumber trade. He was born in Austria, in 1849, a son of Joseph Wohlgenant, who died in his native country when his son was eight years of age. Our sul)ject learned the trade of cabinet- maker and came to the United States in 1871, and after some time spent in Dubuque, Iowa, in work at his trade, he went to Wabasha, Minnesota, where he remained about two years and then came to Arcadia. Mr. Wohl- genant was married in this city to Miss Mag- gie Ley, a daughter of his former paitner, and they have four daughters: Rosa, May, Katherine and Anna. Mr. Wohli^enant's family accompanied him to the United States, and he now has a brother, Martin, three years younger than himself, residing in Brooklyn, New York. Our subject is the only furni- ture dealer and cabinet-maker in Arcadia. He has been quite successful in trade, and is numbered among the successful business men of Arcadia. ■^^^l/ZTi/T^- ~inrin^^ fOSEPH RUTH, cashier of the Bank of Arcadia, was born in Baltimore, Mary- land, in 1861, the son of Joseph Ruth, who died when our subject was but thirteen years of age. Joseph was educated in his native city, graduating at Bryant, Stratton & Saddler's Business College in May, 1880, and the following year he came to Arcadia. He was engaged as book-keeper a few months for Fugina Bros. & Fertig, and afterward was assistant cashier of the Trempealeau County Bank several months, or until that institution was discontinued. He has been connected with the present l)ank since its organization, in 1883. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 625 Mr. Ruth is the only representative of his father's family residing in Wisconsin. His only brother, Frank, two years younger than himself, resides in Washington, District of Columbia; and two sisters are also residents of the same city, — Theresa, widow of Henry Ruth, and Anna, wife of T. Leckert. Mr. Ruth was married in Arcadia, to Miss Antoi- nette Plengall, of Winona, and they have three cliildren: Helen K., Frank J. and Ray- mond M. Mr. Ruth is a careful and efficient cashier, and discharges the duties of his po- sition with credit and ability. He is respected and esteemed by his fellow citizens. I^HILLIAM GIBSON is a well-known M citizen of Trempealeau county, where he has resided since January, 1863. He bought his present farm of Charles T. Mow!, whose father purchased the land of the Government. Very little improvements had been made on this place when purchased by Mr. Gibson; no buildings had been erected, and but forty acres had been broken. He was born in what is now the Province of Quebec, in 1827, the son of Thomas Gib- son, a native of county Derry, Ireland, but who emigrated to Canada when a youth. He married Huldah Brayton, a native of that province, and daughter of Matthew Brayton, a native of Rhode Island. His wife was a native of Connecticut, and hence Mr. Gibson, on his mother's side, is descended from early New England ancestry. The maternal ances^ tory of our subject emigrated to Canada many years after the Revolutionary war, and though they and their immediate descendants became Canadian subjects, they ever main- tained a loyal affection for the Union. Thomas Gibson died in Canada, and later the mother removed with her family to Michigan, where she lived until death. Oilr subject was one of a family of nine children, live sons and four daughters, of whom he was the fourth in order of birth. All lived to have families of their own, and there are now three l)rothers and one sister living. William is the eldest of those living; James, the sixth in order of birth, is a resident of this county, as is John, the youngest of the three; the sister resides at Antigo, Wisconsin. William Gibson grew to manhood in Canada, and was there married to Jane Mc- Gregor, a native of Scotland, but who emi- grated to Canada from her native country with her parents when a child. Mr. Gibson moved from Canada to Outagamie county, Wisconsin, in 1855, but the rest of the family removed from that country to Michigan. In Outagamie county he improved a farm, on which he continued to reside until he came to Trempealeau county, in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have six children, three boys and three girls: Thomas, Eliza, Huldah Ann, Janet, Daniel and Robert. Mr. Gibson is one of the representative men of the town of Trempealeau, where he has lived for nearly thirty years. His reputation is that of a man of public spirit and integrity, and is respected and esteemed by his fellow citizens. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, having voted for the first presidential candidate, John C. Fremont, in 1856. *f. -^r 'HOMAS HENRY.— This gentleman is another one of the prosperous farmers of Buffalo county. He was born in New York city, September 24, 1844, son of Robert and Isabel (St. Clair) Henry. His father was a son of Thomas Henry, and was born in Boswell, Scotland, June 10, 1818. 636 BIOGRAPniOAL HISTORY. Grandfather Peter St. Clair was a native of the Orkney Islands. Robert TIenry was by occupation a ship carpenter, and for many years pursued that business on the Clyde. In June, 1844, he eniiifrated to the United States with his family, and landed in New York. Locating in that city, he began work at his trade and remained there about one year, after which he came West, settled at Racine, Wisconsin, and C07itinued the tame business. He made Ills home there for eleven years, then removed to BuflFalo county and took up his abode on section 30, Waumandee towtiship, where he had previously purchased 240 acres of land. Tiiis was in 1855. He subsequently added forty acres to his farm. At that time there were few settlers here. Mr. Henry's nearest neighbor was John Kirchner, who lived three miles northeast of him. At tirst he built a cabin, which served for a home until 1S64, when the present farm dwelling was com- pleted. From time to time Mr. Henry con- tinued to make improvements until 1890, when he sold out to his son Thomas. Durino- the early settlement of Buffalo county he was prominent in local affairs, and in 18G9 was elected by the Republican party for the State Assembly, and served one term. He is now a resident of Winona, Minnesota. To him and his wife ten children were born, as fol- lows: Margaret, Thomas, Sarah, wife of S. M. Meyers, of Independence, Wisconsin; Jenet, wife of V. Morgan, of Chippewa Falls; Isabel, who married J. F. Stewart, is now deceased; Margaret, Jane, Robert, John, Agnes, wife of Henry Goodrich, of Chicago. All are living except the two Margarets, John, Isabel and Jane. Thomas Henry was reared on the farm and received his education chiefly in the public schools. February 3, 1805, he enlisted at Fountain City, in Company K, Forty-eighth Wisconsin Infantry, Captain John D. Lewis, and went into camp at Milwaukee. When the regiment was ordered West for Indian service, Mr. Henry, being sick with typiioid fever, was left behind. Before he recovered the war ended, and he received his discharge from the service, June 16, 1865. He then returned home and engaged in farming. In 1874-'75 he attended the commercial school at La Crosse. January 18, 1890, he pur- chased his father's farm and is now conduct- ing the same; has about 150 acres under cultivation, and among his stock are found short-horn cattle and Clydesdale horses. In 1880 Mr. Henry was Town Assessor. In 1888 he was chairman of the Board of Supervisors for the county, and was re- elected to the same position in 1891. He is also Clerk of the School Board. April 15 1890, he was appointed Postmaster of An- chorage, and now fills that office. In 1890 he supported the Republican ticket; is, how- ever, independent in his political views. Mr. Henry was married February 16, 1880, at Arcadia, Wisconsin, to Grace C, daughter of William and Grace (Muir) Robertson, of Arcadia. They have one child, Robert Roy. ULLECK OLSON is the first settler of the town of Preston, having located there in July, 1854. His nearest neighbor was Mr. George Smith, now of Galesville, who lived where is now the town of Gale. Mr. Olson was born in Nor- way, February 24, 1830, and about twelve years later the family emigrated from Norway to America, landing in Milwaukee when that city of nearly a quarter of a million people was but a small, uninviting place, and settled in what is now the town of Norway, Racine county, five years before this country became BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 627 a State. The raotlier died soon after coming to this country, leavinga husband and five chil- dren, of which GuUeck was the oldest, being at the time of her death thirteen years of age. The family settled on some land in Racine county and lived there for many years, where some of the family still reside. The father lived at his old home in Racine county until his death, which occurred in January, 1891, leaving a widow who still survives, he having re-married. Of the live children by the first marriage, Gulleck is the eldest; Knut, the second in order of birth, is a resi- dent of the town of Preston, as is also Bur- chard, the third. Anna is the wife of Frank Immell, of Blair, an inventor. Ole resides at Burlington, Wisconsin. The eldest daughter married Frank Overson, and died in Racine county. A son, Abraham, and a daughter^ Andrina, live on the old homestead. November 25, 1850, the Rev. H. A. Stub united in the bonds of matrimony Mr. Gul- leck Olson and Miss Bertha Olson, a native of Norway who came to this country the same year as her husband, and two years later they removed to what was then Bad Axe, now Vernon county, Wisconsin, where they lived for a short time, then sold their farm and came to this country. They first settled on the northeast quarter of section 13, township 21, range 7 west, but a few years later moved to section 18, which has since been tlieir home. As the result of their industry and good management they now have a pleasant and comfortable home, and a fine farm of 227 acres of good land. Of the five children born to their marriage, Helen is the wife of Ole Lee, of Brookings, Dakota; Ebert is a resident of Tomahawk, Wisconsin; llenry and Thomas are at home, and Isabel is the wife of Olaus P. Strum. Mr. Olson has lived here for a period of thirty-eight years and has seen the country grow from a state of wildness to its present importance. He has held many offices of trust and honor; has served as chairman of the Boai-d, Town Treasurer and School Treasurer for many years. Politically he is a Republican, and religiously lie and family are members of the Lutheran Church. ^^ HIMANN HELGESON was born in Norway, March 20, 1851, son of Helge Iverson, who died when his son was but six months old. When sixteen years of age, in 1867, he came to America, accompanied by an older sister, Aaste, who died in Dane county about three weeks after their arrival. Mr. Helgeson remained in Perry. Dane county, for about six years, and was married there to Miss Astri O. Bakken, a native of the town of Perry, Dane county, and to them were born ten children, six of whom are still living, viz.: Anton A., Emmn Lena H., Henry O., Oscar Edward, Anna T., and Tine A. They lost three children by death. In 1873 they came to Trempealeau county, locating on section 8, in the town of Albion, but later removed to their farm on section 18, which they still own. Their home farm consists of 120 acres of nicely located land. Mr. Helgeson was formerly identified with the Republican party, but is not now identi- fied with any political party, but believes in supporting men for oifice on the ground of principle, not from any political organization to which he may chance to belong. He is one of the representative men of Albion, and has been called by his fellow citizens to serve in various positions, the duties of which he has discharged with ability and fidelity. He is the present town clerk and is serving his eighth term in that capacity. For a number of years he was a member of the Board of 628 BIOGRAPHICAL niSTORT. Supervisors, beincr twice elected to the cliair- inaiiship of that body, and was a Justice of the Peace for many years. Religiously he is connected with the United Lutheran Church, and is secretary for the congregation to which he belongs, and has ever been identified with the buililiiig up and support of the church. In fact, he has ever been prominently identified with whatever tends to promote the moral and religrious growth of the com- munity in which he lives. fREDERICK RICHTER. one of the pioneers of Buffalo county, Wisconsin, was born at Blankstadt, Baden, Germany, October 23, 1827. His parents, Jacob and Susanna (Slump) Richter, were both natives of Germany, the former born in 1800 and the latter in 1803. His father was a cooper by trade. They both passed their lives and died in Raden, the father dying in 1876, and the mother in 1882. Their nine children were: Peter, George, Frederick, Lena, Eva, Louisa, Susanna, Elizabeth and Margaret. Frederick, George, Susanna and Margaret emigrated to the L'^nite4f-. fSON. ALEXANDEK A. ARNOLD, one of Wisconsin's representative citizens, Ts¥ and a pioneer of Trempealeau county, resides at his beautiful farm home aljout one mile northeast of the center of the village plat of Galesville. He was born in Rhine- beck, Dutchess county, New York, October 20, 1833, a son of Archibald H. R. Arnold. The family is of English origin, but the first American ancestor came to this country dur- ing the early history of the colonies. The great-grandfather of the subject ot this sketch was Ahab Arnold, and from him our subject gets his middle name. The latter was one of twelve sons, was a native of Rhode Island, and a pioneer of Dutchess county, New York. He lived to the advanced age of ninety years. Welcome Arnold, the grandfather of A. A. Arnold, married Mary Row, who was of Hol- land Dutch ancestry. Archibald H. R. was the only son of his parents, as was also Wel- come Arnold, who lived to the advanced age of ninety-seven years. The mother of our subject was Catherine M. E. Shultz, also of Holland Dutch ancestry. The parents con- tinued to reside in Dutchess county until death. The father was a man of considerable ability, was a Democrat in politics, and both he and his wife were long members of the Christian Church. The husband survived the wife and mother a number of years. They were the parents of seven children, all of whom grew to manhood and woman- hood, and all are still living but two. The eldest, Mary, died at the age of sixteen years; Alexander was the next in order of birth; Geraldine married Edward Cruniraey, and resides at Poughkeepsie, New York; Emma became Mrs. Roberts, and died at Pough- keepsie in 1890; Rosa P. married Charles Williams, and lives in the latter city; Ham- ilton J., a resident of Kansas City, is engaged in the drug business; Washington W., the youngest, is also at Kansas City, where he is engaged in the real-estate business. The boyhood days of our subject were spent on a farm and in attending school, and for a time he was a student at Starkey Academy, and what was then known as Nine Partners Boarding School, and also at Poughkeepsie College. He taught school for a time, and in 1855 was graduated at the Ohio Law School. He next entered the ofHce of the late Hon. Theodore Miller, of Hudson, New York, where he remained as a student six months, and was then admitted to the Supreme court of that State. Early in 1857 Mr. Arnold come to Wisconsin, and con- tinued for a short time in Elkhorn, Walworth county, residing with a cousin, where he was also admitted to the bar, and there tried his first case in law. He had two cousins, W. A. Johnson and Mrs. George A. Smith, re- siding in Gales\ille, and, desiring to see more of Wisconsin before making a permanent settlement, he came to Galesville, in June, 1857. Here he decided to remain, and im- mediately engaged in the practice of his pro- fession. He married, in 1859, Miss Hattie Tripp, who died in 1861, leaving one child, Blanche, who died at the early age of two years. Mr. Arnold continued in the practice of his pro- fession until August, 1862, when he decided to enter the military service of his country, and accordingly enlisted in Company C, Thirtieth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. On the organization of the com- pany he was elected its Captain, and was com- 642 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. missioned as such by Governor Lewis. He continued in this capacity until the close of his service, and during the lirst year of this time he remained in this State with his com- mand, where he was engaged in enforcing the draft. The second year of his military career was mostly spent at Fort Kice, on the Dakota frontier, and the last year he was connected with the military operations in Kentucky, and was mustered out at Louis- ville, that State. On his return after the close of the war, instead of engaging in the practice of his profession he determined to engage in agricultural pursuits, and to make for himself a tine country home. Previous to entering the army he had purchased eighty acres of his present farm, and, after spending about one year in the State of New York visiting friends, he purchased 160 acres adjoining his eighty acres, wliich he immediately began to improve. This loca- tion is one of the most beautiful in the State of Wisconsin, and rendered more so by the labor and industry of many years. Captain Arnold's fine brick residence is situated upon an elevated and commanding site, surrounded by shade and ornamental trees, and the view from his residence and adjacent elevations are grand and beautiful. Ilis farm now con- tains about -400 acres of excellent land, where he has for many years been largely and suc- cessfully engaged in breeding short-horned cattle and Berkshire swine. He is also well known in the political field in the State of Wisconsin, where he has been called by his fellow citizens to honorable and responsible positions. He is of Democratic ancestry, and cast his first presidential vote for James liuchanan, in 1856. Later, in the slavery issue, he indorsed the views of Stephen A. Douglas, whom he supported in 1800, but voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, and has ever since affiliated with the Republican party. He was a member of the Assembly branch of the Legislature in 1870, and in 1878-'79 was a member of the State Senate. In 1880 he was again a member of the Assembly, and was chosen speaker of that body. He was made a Mason in 1860, in the Trempealeau Lodge, and in 1889 was one of the chief organizers of the Charles H. Ford Grand Army Post, No. 257, of Gales- ville, and was the first commander of the post. Ca])tain Arnold has held many local offices, including chairman of the board of Supervisors for many years. He has been many years a member of the State Agricul- tural Society, and its president for two years. Has been an important factor in the County Agricultural Society, serving several times as presidcuit. For a number of years he has held the office of president of the board of trustees of Gale College, and as vice-presi- dent of the faculty. While a member of the Legislature he obtained the charter for the Galosville & Mississippi River railroad — which now forms the stub from Trempea- leau to Galesville — and was president of the company during the construction of the road, and until it was transferred to the North- western Railroad Company. This scheme rendered its promotion very unpopular, until after the road was completed and its advan- tages to the village began to be felt. He has done a large amount of surveying, and his services in that direction are still in frequent demand. February 1, 1869, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Douglas, a daughter of Hugh Douglas, a well-known pioneer of Melrose, Wisconsin. They have five chil- dren, three sons and two daughters, viz.: Archibald, Mollie D., Gerald, Alex, and Beu- lah. Captain Arnold is esteemed by his BIOGBAPRIOAL HISTOMT. 643 low citizens as a gentleman of culture and ability, and is recognized by all as an enter- prising and progressive citizen. |ICIiOL AS WEm AN DY, County Clerk VM of Buffalo county, and a resident of Alma, was born in the town of Alma, May 15, 1858, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Lellig) Weinandy. His parents were natives of Rhine Province, Prussia, and were married in their native land. They emigrated to the United States in the spring of 1856, and located in Grant county, Wis- consin, where they remained about one year, after which tiiey moved to Buffalo county. Here the father pre-empted a claim on section 5, range 12, township 21; improved his farm and lived on it until the time of his death, October 24, 1887. His widow is still living at the old homestead. Mr. Weinandy was a soldier in the Prussian army, in which he served about four years, three years under the regular law and one year subsequently during the troubles of '48. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, namely: Jacob, Nicholas, Margaretta, Josephine, Elizabeth, Franciska, Elizabeth (2) and John. Of these live are living; Jacob, Nicholas, Franciska, Elizabeth and John. The subject of our sketch secured his pri- mary education at home, and at tiie age of iifteen was sent to the Gaiesville University, where he studied two terms. In 1874 he was employed to teach the district school in John's valley, Lincoln township, this county. The next two winters he taught in the Stein's district, working on the farm during the summer. In the spring of 1870 he taught one term in the Dry Cally district. In the fall of 1878 be again entered the Gaiesville University, remaining there one year, and the following fall took charge of the school at Buffalo City, Buffixlo county, where he taught until the fall of 1890. During the autumn of 1887 he was nominated as Clerk of the Circuit Court on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated, losing the election by a small majority. In the fall of 1890 he was brought out by the same party as a candidate for County Clerk, was nominated and elected by a majority of 626. He was installed into office the lirst Monday in January, 1891. Mr. Weinandy was married at Buffalo City, June 28, 1880, to Josephine Stein, daughter of John P. and Elizabeth (Back) Stein. Her father was a pioneer of this State, having moved here in 1846 and settled in Eau Claire. In 1851 he came to Buffalo county and engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Weinandy have two children, Oscar F. and Oliver R. Mr. Weinandy may be termed a self-made man. Beginning life as a teacher of a dis- trict school, he has worked his way up to his present position of prominence and trust. Judging from his past success, it may safely be predicted that he has a bright and useful career before him. In his religious faith he is a Catholic. fAMES P. MALLERY, one of the pio- neers of La Crosse county, has been a resident of the town of Hale, Trempea- leau county, since 1867; he made the claim of his farm in March of that year, an^l located there the following June. He was born in Corinth, Saratoga county, New York, in 1833, a son of D. P. Mallery. At the age of twenty-two years he accompanied his father to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and six years later he enlisted in Company A, Thinl Wis- consin Cavalry. From the time of his enlist- 644 BIOGRAPniGAL HISTORY. ment in 1861 to the time he was mustered out at Madison, Wisconsin, January 30, 1865, Jie was in active service, excepting tliree months of 1S62, wlien sickness prevented liim. He participated in some of the most impor- tant engagements of the war; and although he escaped tlie l>ullets of tlie enemy, his health was much broken by exposure, and he has never recovered his former strength. In Missouri he took part in the battles of Mon- ticello. Cabin Creek, Taborsville, Maysville, Little Osage, Cone Creek and Gran by; he was also at Devil's Backbone, Arkansas, Dripping Springs, Cane Hill, Perryville, Dallas and Prairie Grove, also in Arkansas, and at Baxter Springs and Honey Springs, Idaho Territory. He was a gallant and faithful soldier, and freely gave his efforts in behalf of the cause he esteemed holy and just. Darling P. Mallery, the father of James P., was born in Saratoga county. New York, in 1809, and married Polly M. Creel, who was born in the same year as lier husband. To them were born three children, one son, James P., and two daughters; one of the daughters is the wife of M. J. Whitney, and the other is married to I. A. Wells. In 1855 they came to Wisconsin, and settled in the town of Burns, La Crosse county; here Mr. Mallery became a prominent and well- known citizen, taking an active interest in commercial and political movements, and aiding the growth and development of the county. He was Deputy Sheriff of the county for eighteen years, and was Justice of the Peace and Su{)ervisor. Later he removed to Trempealeau county and settled on a farm adjoining that of his son; he purchased this land in 1883, and there he and his faithful wife passed the remainder of their days. Mr. Mallery's death occurred on the morning of February 13, 1802, and his wife passed away the evening of the same day. These worthy and respected people, who were born in the same year, and had lived together more than fifty years, passed from this life to that of reality within the rising and setting of the sun; they had attained their eighty-third year. Darling P. Mallery was appointed Constable after the death of his father, before he was twenty-one, and held a town office every year up to the time of liis death, when he was also Justice of the Peace. James P. Mallery was married in 1866 to Angelina E. Barry, who died July 15, 1877, the mother of six children: Henry D. died at the age of nineteen years; Jane Lorinda died at the age of nine years; Alfred E. was one year old when he died; George W., Nettie N. and Melvin H. are all at home; Mr. Mallery's second wife was Miss Theresa Jane Anderson, who was born in Washington county, Wis- consin, a daughter of Samuel Anderson, one of the pioneers of that county, but now a resident of the village of Hartford. Mr. and Mrs. Mallery have two daughters: Millie May and Mary Ethel; they are genial, hospitable people, and are held in high esteem by a wide circle of acquaintances. ILLIAM COX is one of the early settlers of the town of Hale. He resides on section 25, town 23, range 8 west, where he and his stepson, Oliver F. Jacobs, own a line farm of 160 acres of good land, well improved, and here they live sur- rounded by all the comforts of life. He was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1825, and when he was ten years of age his parents emigrated to America, locating near White- water, Walworth county, Wisconsin, and here our subject grew to manhood. He enlisted June 7, 1862, in Company D, Twentieth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and BIOOBAPHICAL HISTORY. 645 participated in many important events of the war, including the siege of Vicksburg and the important event at Yazoo City, Browns- ville and siege of Fort Morgan. He also took part at Meadville and at the siege of Spanish Fort, and received his discharge at Galveston, Texas, July 14, 1865. Although never wounded, like so many other brave soldiers who fought for their country in the late war, his constitution was very much shattered by his service in the army. He- turning to Whitewater at the close of the war, he removed to Trempealeau Prairie the same year and settled on a farm, and soon after wedded Mrs. Jacobs, nee Catherine Ann Pierce, daughter of Zadick Pierce, a native of Massachusetts. Of the three children born to her first marriage, two, Eliza and Willie, are deceased. Her son Oliver F. was born in Walworth county, May 23, 1863. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cox three children have been born, but only one, Emery Elmore, is now living. A son, Charles Edwin, died at the age of one and a half years, and little Ella died at the age of two. Mr. Jacobs, the first husband of Mrs. Cox, who served in Company E, Forty-third Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, died at Keokuk, Iowa, during the war of the Rebellion. fAMES L. HALLOCK, of the town of Nelson, Buffalo county, is numbered among the well-known pioneers of West Wisconsin. His honae and farm are on sec- tion 3, town 28, range 13 west, where he set- tled in 1855, entering his land on November 17 of that year. Mr. Ilallock was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1823. His father, Peter Hallock, a native of Dutchess county, New York, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his widow was for many years a pensioner by virtue of his service in this war. He was Captain of the company which he had raised, and fought in the cele- brated battle of New Orleans under General Jackson. He was married to Miss Lavina Vail, a native of Dutchess county, of German ancestry, who survived him many years and several times visited her son, the subject of this sketch, after he came to Wisconsin. They were the parents of ten children who grew to maturity, three sons and seven daugh- ters, but two of whom are now living. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native State, and was lor many years engaged in the service of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company. Here he was mar- ried, in 1849, to Miss Hattie Simonson, a native of New Jersey. In 1852, when the gold fever was at its height, he became pos- sessed of the gold fever and went to Califor- nia. Going around Cape Horn, he reached San Francisco five months after leaving ttie port of New York, and remained on the Pacific coast until 1855, when he returned home by way of the Isthmus. In the fall of the same year he decided to seek a location in the West, and came to Buffalo county. He went as lar north as the present site of Lake City, Minnesota. While on an ex- ploring and hunting expedition he selected his present land and at once made his settle- ment, and here he and wife have lived for a long period of thirty-six years, and have been prominently identified with the growth and development of the country during this long period. Mr. Hallock has ever been one of the representative men of Buffalo county, and has been called upon to serve in various ofhcial positions, the duties of which he has discharged with fidelity. In 1869 he was elected to the Legislature of the State of Wisconsin, and served in that body in a most acceptable manner. In his political senti- 646 BIOGRAPHICAL HI STOUT. nients he has always been a stanch Republi- can and has always possessed much influence in the councils of his party. He is still a Eepublican, with strong prohibition princi- ples. The confidence which his fellow-citi- zens have had in the integrity and ability of Mr. Ilallock is well illustrated in his almost uninterrupted continuance in official posi- tions. Besides his service in the Legislature, he has been chairinan of his Town Board and Justice of the Beace for not less tlian twenty years, and still occupies the latter position. He is of a cordial and genial dis- position, fair and honorable in all his deal- ings with his fellow-men, and possesses the confidence and esteem of all who know him. Mr. and Mrs. Hallock are the parents of two sons and three daughters. They lost one daughter. (MIL J. HANKEY, general merchant at Trempeleau, has been engaged in this business since 1868. His store build- ing, an elegant structure, is located on the corner of Main and Second streets, is two- stories liigh, has a basement thirty-four feet in width by seventy in depth, and was erected by him at a cost of about $7,500. Mr. Hankey was born in Prussia, in 1844, the sou of Gotlieb Hankey, who died when his son was a child. AVhen a lad of ten years our subject came to the United States with his mother, who located at Beaver Dam, Wis- consin, where he was educated and began merchandising. He came from that city to Trempealeau, where he at once entered into business, and for three years was associated with Thomas Veltum, now of St. Jamco, Min- nesota, but eince that time has been alone. He was married in 18fi9, to Mary Frances McGnne, of Beaver Dam, a native of AVis- consin and a daughter of Thomas McCune, who was born and reared in Ohio. His father, a native of Scotland, was an early settler of Ohio. He and his wife came to Wisconsin with their son Thomas, where they lived until they died. Thomas McCune married Caroline Bentley, a native of Dutchess county. New York, who was then living with her parents, Tabor and Deborah Bentley, in Oak Grove, Dodge county, Wisconsin. Mr. Bentley is dead, but his wife, the grandmother of Mrs. Han- key, is still living in Dodge county, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. McCune were early settlers of Oak Grove, where he died August 22, 1865. In the fall of 1874 the mother moved to Cali- fornia, and died there December 7, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. McCune were the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters, of whom Mrs. Hankey is the eldest. The second child and older son, Samuel Tabor, was killed by the cars at St. Paul, Minnesota, leaving a family; Duley Elma became the wife of Thomas Teltum, and now resides at St. James, Minnesota; and William Henry, the youngest of the family, also lives in Min- nesota. Mr. and Mrs. Hankey have two children: Lena and William T. The latter graduated at the Philadelphia School of Pharmacy in May, 1891, and is now engaged in the drug business in Cleveland, Ohio; and Lena is as- sisting her father in business. They lost their youngest child, Adelbert Grover, who was born February 4, 1876, and died April 7, 1887. 1^ E N R Y H U B E R , Sheriff of Buffalo county, AVisconsiu, was born in this county, July 29, 1860. His parents, Casper and Rosa (Bauman) Huber, were born in Germany and Switzerland respectively, the BIOORAPEICAL HISTORY. 647 former at Wiirttemburg, Germany, and the latter in the city of Lenzburg, in the canton of xlargau, Switzerland. His father was a shoemaker by trade. Emigrating to the United States in 1851, he located first at Philadelphia, where he resided for one year, and then removed to Cincinnati, where he lived about four years, working at his trade. In 1857 he left Cincinnati for the West, and took up his abode in Buffalo City, Buffalo county. A year later he settled on a liome stead claim in the township of Belvidere, and began farming. In this occupation he con- tinued until the time of his death, which occurred November 9, 1891. To him and his wife eleven children have been born, viz.: Gustave, Kobert, Oscar, deceased; George, Henry, whose name heads this sketch; Rosa, who died young; Albert, Charles, Ferdinand, Selina, now Mrs. John Lindrnde; and Emily, now Mrs. J. Mourning. The early life of Henry Hnber was spent at home, assisting his father and attending the public schools, until he was twenty. At that age he came to Alma and engaged in the butchering business. On the first of May, 1882, he opened a hotel on Main street, the Massasoit House, which he conducted three years and sold to Mr. Leanhardy. After that he was engaged in the manufacture of soda-water for two years. Disposing of that business he went to Wabasha and opened the Commercial Hotel, which he carried on one year. Then he returned to Alma and re- opened his butcher business, in partnership with Fred Hemrinch, and together they are still conducting it. May 1, 1890, he and his partner purchased the brewery of John Hem- rinch, which they remodeled and improved, and in which they are now making a popular brand of beer, doing a prosperous business. Mr. Huber was nominated for Sheriff in 1890 by the Democratic party, and was elected by a majority of 127 votes. He was duly installed in office, and is now discharg- ing the duties of Ins responsible position in a manner that gives satisfaction to the people. Mr. Huber was married at Alma, May 10, 1882, to Anna, daughter of Henry and Anna Bube, then of Cincinnati. Mr. Bube was killed on a Government steamboat while he was serving as first mate, his death being the result of an accident. His widow is now living at Alma. Mr. and Mrs. Huber have five children: Dora, Oliver, Alice, Oscar and Frederick. Socially, Mr. Huber is a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 184, A. F. & A. M., of Alma, and the A. O. U. W., No 52. He is one of the rising young men of Buffalo county, and has the confidence and esteem of the people. It is -safe to predict that he has a bright and prosperous future before him. —- ►•|*>^-"-~ — B. AND D. P. GIBSON.— Among f nv/tIK the well-known pioneers of Trem- —"^ ® pealeau county, are Milo B. Gib- son and his bi-other, Delorm P. Gibson, residents of the town of Albion. Their father, Adam U. Gibson, was born August 8, 1809, in the state of New Hampshire, of Scotch- Irish ancestry. His father was also named Adam and belonged to an early New England family. Adam U. Gibson was one of seven chil- dren, three brothers and four sisters. All were born in New Hainpsliire and eventually became widely dispersed about the country and probably all have now passed away, as the subjects of this sketch have no know- ledge of any living members of their family of the father's generation. Adam U.Gibson lived at home till the age of twenty-one years, when he went to the Dominion of 648 BIOORAPUWAL UISTOUY. Canada, where he was married to Rachel Lindsy, a native of that country. In about 1835 he rouioved with his wife to Wisconsin, locating in Iowa county, and engaged in the occupation of milling, near Fort Hamilton, now called Wyota. In 1854:, resolving to change his location, he started out with one charles Pike for the purpose of locating a future place of residence. They went up the Mississippi at that time as far as St. Paul, where Mr. Gibson thought some of locating, but finally returned to Iowa county without having selected a location. In 1856, accom- panied by a man named George Rossman, he aufain started northward with the determina- tion of making a permanent settlement. The families went via Mississippi river to Foun- tain City, and thence across the country with teams. They made locations in Ijuliiilo county, near the county line of Trempealeau. Mr. Gibson lived a few years in Buffalo county, when he removed across the line to Albion, Trempealeau county, where he re- mained the rest of his life. The land on which he settled in Buffalo county he pre- empted from Government, but his farm in the town of Albion ho obtained under the homestead act. This was the final settle- meat of Mr. Gibson, and here he lived until death, which occurred October 19, 1884, at the age ot seventy-three years. The wife and mother had preceded her husband to the other world several years previously. Mr. Gibson, Sr., was a most excellent citizen, honored and respected by ail. He had seen men of the world and was an ex- cellent judge of men. In 1851 he crossed the plains to California, returning three years later via the Isthmus of Panama. In his political connections lie was a Democrat of the Jackson school. He possessed strong powers physically, and was an industrious, enterprising citizen. He and wife were the parents of four sons but no daughters. All the children are now living: John L., the eldest, is now a resident of West Superior; Nelson, the second son, lives in Pioche, Nevada; Milo B. is the next in order of birth, and Deiorm P. is the youngest of the family. It has thus been seen that the two younger brothers are the only representatives of the family residing in Trempealeau county. Milo B. Gibson resides on section 6, where he has a fine farm and a pleasant home. He was born in Iowa county, Wisconsin, July 17, 1841, and educated at the common schools. He was severely injured when a boy, which rendered him somewhat crippled in his youth, and by his father's request entered tiie drug store of Dr. J. N. Clerner, at Argylo, as a clerk, and later was engaged as a clerk in a dry-goods store. He, how- ever, followed his father's family to their new home in 1857, the year after the family came, lie was at this time sixteen years of age. He continued to reside with his father's family until the age of twenty years, when he started out for himself. The first land tiiat he owned was in the town of Albion, and he and family have occupied their pres- ent home since about 1870. His farm con- tains 240 acres of land under excellent state of cultivation, and on which he has made all improvements. He was married October 18, 1862, to Mary Harvey, a daughter of Robert and Eunice (Duncanson) Harvey. The parents of Mrs. Gibson spent their early lives in Nova Scotia, removing thence to Dodge county, and thence to Buffalo county, in 1856, where they lived till death, where the mother died December 13, 1871, and the father March 31, 1886. Mrs. Gibson was one ot nine children, six sons and three daughters, all of whom are living in 1891, and a number of whom are residents of Mon- dovi, Buffalo county. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson BIOGRAPHIGAL HISTORY. 649 have five children, four daughters and a son: Maggie is tlie wife of Albert Gott, of Stan- ley, Chippewa county, Wisconsin; Ida and Ona are twins: the latter is the wife of G. H. Inglesby; the next iu order of birth is Lydia; Nelson, the only son, is the youngest of the family, and was born July 25, 1871. Mr. Gibson is chairman of the town board of Albion in 1891, and is one of its successful and representative citizens. Delorm P. Gibson, whose farm joins that of his brother, was born in Iowa county, Wisconsin, July 19, 1843, being about thirteen years of age when he came with his parents to their new home in West Wiscon- sin. He resides on the old homestead of his parents, with whom he lived or they with him until their death. He married Miss Margaret A. Harvey, a sister of his brother's wife. The time of their marriage was De- cember, 1868. The original homestead which he owns and occupies, contained eighty acres; his present farm includes a quarter section. He and wife have seven children, three boys and four girls, all of whom were born at the homestead. They are Charles, Mina. Pauline, Guy D., Mary E., John A. and Roxana. It will thus be seen that the Gibson brothers are among the earliest pioneers of West Wisconsin. They remember well the early times and the privations endured by the early settlers. Tlie winter of 1856- '57 was a severe one, and of course the family had not yet an opportunity of raising food for their support. They had food Bhi])ped to them from Iowa county to Fountain City, and went several times to the latter place, where they would load their wagons with corn, which they would take to Eau Claire and have ground, the round trip requiring them to travel about 120 miles; and all this dis- tance to get a grist of corn meal; but game WAS plentiful, hear and elk and other wild animals abounding so that excellent meat was abundant. The great fear of the settlers in the early days was that the small amount of timber that the country contained would soon be exhausted. But the present condi- sion of the country shows how groundless were their fears, the country containing at present more timber than in the early pio- neer days, the result of suppressing fires that consumed the early timber before the days of the white men. The Gibson brothers are numbered among the representative men of Trempealeau county, where they have lived so long and have done their share toward developing the growth and assuring the prosperity of their country. fOSEPH DICKINSON COOPER is another of the pioneers of this town. His father, John Cooper, was born in Hardin, Ohio, a son of Jesse Cooper, a pioneer of that country, where he was reared. When he reached mature years he chose farming as his occupation and soon after married Miss Mary Adams, who was also born in Hardin county. He iinally decided to emigrate West, where there was open Government land, and about 1842 he took a trip to Iowa with a brother-in-law, traveling on foot. The latter did not return to Ohio, but Mr. Cooper returTied, and in 1846 emi- grated with his family to Wisconsin and settled in Sank county, where he was among the first settlers. He lived at various places in Sauk county, and in 1870 came to Trem- pealeau county and lived on section 4 in tiie town of Albion until his death, which oc- curred September 14, 1889, at the .age of about eighty-one years. The wife and mother is still living at the age of seventy-seven years, and is quite smart for her years. 660 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. The subject of this sketch was one of tliirteen children. He first came to Trem- pealeau county in the fall of 1861, and the following year settled on his present place. He enlisted on Fehruary 29, 1864, in Com- pany K, Thirty-sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until May 16, 1865, when lie was discharged at tlie Harvey Hos- pital, Madison. He joined liis regiment at Madison and went thence to Washington and joined Grant's army immediately, and the tenth day after leaving Madison took part in the severe battle of Gainesville. He also fought in the celebrated battle of Cold Harbor, taking part in the fearful charge at that battle, his regiment, which numbered about 1,000 when it left Madison, losing over half its number; and he also was in the bat- tle of Fredericksburg. Mr. Cooper also took part in the siege of Petersburg, and was among tlie front troops at that place. On June 18, 1865, he took part with his regi- ment in a charge of the rebel works at Petersburg and came out of tlie same with but sixty men. At this charge there was not an officer, commissioned or non-commissioned, but who was killed or wounded. He re- ceived a gunshot wound in the foot in this action, which incapacitated him for further duty with his regiment. He was taken from the field to the hospital, the following day to City Point, and eiglit days afterward was sent to Mount Pleasant PTospital, Washing- ton. July 20, 1864, he got a furlough and came home, afterward returning to the hos- pital at Washington, where he remained until March. All this time he was suffering from his wound and also from sreneral de- bility. In March, 1865, he was sent to Harvey Hospital, Madison, and was dis- charged May 16, 1865, after serving his country so long, faithfully and well. In the meantime he had been furloughod for thirty days. Mr. Cooper has never recovered his health and is a constant sufferer from disease contracted while in the service of his country. Since the war he has resided on his farm. He was married March 16, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth Williams, daughter of Satley and Julia Williams, who settled in what is now the town of Albion, in 1861. Seven chil- dren have blessed this union, four boys and three girls, viz.: George D.. John L., William II., Mary Elizabeth, Clara M., Edwin Albert and Effa Jane. He is a member of the Wheeler Post, G. A. R., and has the confi- dence and esteem of all who know him. "♦'' ^ • S i' I ' S" " ' T. CLAIR JONES, of Eleva, was born in Victor, Ontario county. New York, June 9, 1836, a son of William and Thankful (Covel) Jones, the former born in Boston, Massachusetts, and the latter a native of Maine. They were married in Steuben county. New York, and soon after located in Ontario county. In 1849 they emigrated to Wisconsin, settling in the town of Oregon, and here the wife and mother passed away, February 19, 1856. After the death of his wife the father made his home with his son St. Clair, who had removed in 1865 to the town of Sumner, until his death, which oc- curred in 1873, at the age of seventy-three years. St. Clair Jones was married in 1858 to Miss Hannah Tinker, a native of England, born in 1841, daughter of Hilton and Sarah (Smith) Tinker, natives of England, who were pioneers of Dane county, Wisconsin. The mother died in her native country and the father afterward married again, and he and wife are now living in Iowa. At the breaking out of the war Mr. Jones was a resident of Dane county, and from there he enlisted August 9, 1861, in Com- fjany I, Twenty-third Wisconsin Infantry, BIOGRAPHIGAL HISTORY. 651 and was mustered into service on the 19th of the same month. He went to Cincinnati, thence to Camp Bates, thence to Louisville, Kentnclcy, thence to Mempliis, Tennessee, and participated in the first attack of Victs- burg under General Sherman. From there he went up the Arkansas river and took part in the first engagement at Arkansas Post. He then went to Young's Point, where he staid during the winter of 1862-'63, thence to Milliken's Bend and took part in the cam- paign against Vicksburg under Grant, and was actively engaged until the surrender. He then went to Jackson, Mississippi, and there Joioed Johnson; returned to Vicks burg and down the river to New Orleans. In tlie fall of 1863 he made a campaign West of that city toward the Red river for the purpose of meeting Kirby Smith and Dick Taylor, and met these Geneials at what was then known as Carrion Crow Bayou and had a hard fight. About 300 men of the Twenty-third went into this fight, and but thirty-two reported after the battle there, the remainder having been either killed, •wounded or taken prisoners; thence to New Orleans, where the prisoners lost at Carrion Crow were exchanged, and returned to his regi- ment; thence campaigned to Fort Gaines at North Mobile Bay. After the surrender of Fort Gaines he took part in the Red river campaign, where the regiment which had been recruited sustained a great loss. After that campaign in January, 1864, he shipped to Matagorda Bay, but removed thence to Bagdad on the Rio Grande river, thence to New Orleans and prepared to commence the campaign on Mobile, Alabama. He took part in the attack on Fort Morgan, and also the capture of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, and thence to Mobile, which finished his war record. He was mustered out at Mobile, July 4, 1865. All four of his brothers were in the army. One, William, who was with him in the same regiment, Company H, con- tracted the inflammatory rheumatism in the swamps of the Yazoo river and lived until the following spring, when his death occurred at the St. Louis general hospital. John A. was in the Seventh Regiment, and was taken prisoner at the first battle of Bull Run, and afterward served in the Forty-eighth Dlinois. His iiome is now in Unity, Trempealeau county. Covil served in tlie Seventh Wis- consin in the latter part of tlie war. He is now a resident of this town. St. Clair Jones' general health was much broken by exposure in the swamps, but he never 'entered a hos- pital until about seven days before his regi- ment was mustered out, having become nearly blind, and although opposed even then to going was almost compelled to do so, and was in the general hospital at Mobile and transferred then to New Orleans, where he lay fifteen days and was then sent home. His eyes troubled him for a long time, and he never recovered his former health. In July, 1867, Mr. Jones came to the town of Albion, then a part of the town of Sumner. His farm is on Trout creek in this town, but he and wife live at their pleasant home in Eleva. They are the parents of five children, all boys, viz.: Norman E., a resi- dent of Unity; Almon L., who resides on the old homestead; William S., Henry AVes- ley and Wallace L. Mr. Jones is a member of Wheeler Post, G. A. R. In politics he is a Republican. ,AVID JEREMIAH ODELL, another of the pioneers of Buffalo county, ^ located there in October, 1856, being one of the very earliest settlers of that county, settling in what is the town of Modena. He 652 BWOIiAPfffGAL HISTORT. was born in Geauga county, Ohio, July 3, 1832, one of eight children, four boys and four girls. When he was eight years of age, his parents removed to what is now Waukesha county, then a part of Milwaukee county, and here Mr. Odell, Sr., erected the lirst house in Merton, Waukesha county, and re- moved thence to Columbia county where they lived for several years. In 1856 they came to Buffalo county, but soon after Mr. Odell, Sr., returned to Columbia county, where he died, his wife having previously died in the town of Merton. Mr. D. J. Odell and father entered 640 acres of land in the town of Modena, where he lived and improved the greater part of it until 1867, when he sold out in Buffalo county and bought a farm in the township of Albion, Trempealeau county. He lived on this farm for many years and then sold it to tht! AVhipple Brothers and pui'chased a farm known as the Leach farm, which he still owns. He and wife now live in the village of Eleva, where they have a pleasant home about three- quarters of a mile from the home farm. Mr. Odell and a brother, Charles, living at Reeds- burg, formerly of Lodi, are all that are now left of this once numerous family. He was married in Columbia county, to Miss Alice Thomas, daughter of James Thomas, a well-known pioneer of Columbia county, who died March 4, 1867. They are the parents of four boys: Otis W., Charles E., McClellan, and Edwin. Since he settled here, now forty-three years ago. Mr. Odell has seen the country grow from a state of wilderness to its present advanced condition. The Indian, the elk, and the deer long since disappeared, were then numerous. Now all this has passed away, and where roamed the Indian and wild animals are found fruitful fields and all evidences of cultivation. Mr. Odell is a prominent politician of this county, affiliating with the Democratic party. He and wife are well worthy a place in the re- cord of the old settlers now being prepared. OSWELL PHILIP GODDARD, the pioneer business man of Eleva, erected a store building at this point in the spring of 1877, which was the first business house erected. Elliott J. Carpenter came at the same time and began the erection of a gristmill. Soon after the mill (which was but a small affair) was started he sold a half interest to John Redfield, and not long after Mr. Crocker became sole owner. He after- ward sold to Snoyenbos & Rusling, who now own the mill. Mr. Goddard at once engaged in mercantile pursuits, erecting a building 32 X 46, keeping a general line of merchan- dise, and for a number of yeaeg he was the only nierchant in the place. Later he sold his business, rented his store and engaged in the farming implement business, which he is now carrying on successfully. He handles the I'lano goods, manufactured at Piano, Illi- nois. His stock, which is very extensive, includes harvesters, binders, horse-rakes, mowers, and all farm implements and wagons and buggies. Mr. Goddard was born in Lower Canada (now the Province of Quebec) January 14, 1836. His father, William (ioddard, was a native of the State of New York and re- moved to Canada in early life. The mother, Catherine (Philips) Goddard, w-as a native of Vermont. When Roswell Goddard was thir- teen years of age the family removed to Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, settling at West Troy, where they remained for two years; then they removed to Dane cotintj', same State, where the parents died and are buried. BIOORAPHIGAL HTSTOIiT. 65a He was one of ten children, all of whom grew to mature years and all of whom are living except Marshall, who died from the effects of disease contracted while in the army, he having served in the famous Eighth Wisconsin Eagle Regiment. Two other brothers, Abram and George, were also in the array, in Illinois regiments. The subject of this sketch came to Buffalo county in 1860 and settled on a farm in the township of Modena. His health failed to some extent and he rented liis farm and engaged in selling machinery for about eight'years before com- ing to Eleva. When he left that county he sold his farm. He was married at West Point, Columbia county, Wisconsin, to Rosina Thomas, a native of Canada, daughter of James Thomas, a pioneer of that county. Six children have blessed this union, two boys and four girls, viz.: Roswell, the eldest son, who was born in July, 1861; Lila, wife of L. A. Merritt, of Naples, Buffalo county; Luna, wife of William Knapp of Mondovi; Harry, Myrtie and Alice. Mr. Goddard is one of the representative men of this town. In his political views he was in former times a Democrat, but being impressed with the belief that the evil of intemperance should be suppressed by law, and believing that the surest method to sup- press this evil is by utterly prohibiting the sale and manufacture of intoxicants he has become a confirmed Prohibitionist in his sen- timents. It may be truthfully said that it is owing chiefly to his influence that no saloon is found in Eleva. As an illustration of his influence in the cause of temperance and morality the following incident miglit be narrated: Soon after the town was started two young men came to the place for the purpose of erecting a saloon, purchased tlie lumber for the building and were about to 43 begin its construction. Realizing at once the importance of preventing the young men from carrying out their plans, Mr. Goddard approaclied them in a kindly way and rea- soned with tliem as to the evils that would result should they continue in their deter- mination to go into the saloon business, and told them of the importance of starting in the right way, as they entered upon their career in life. So effectually did he impress them with the truth of his arguments that they desisted from their undertaking. Mr. Goddard saving them from financial loss by purchasing their lumber. In his religious affiliations Mr. Goddard has been a member of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church since 1874, and was largely instrumental in building the church at Eleva, and has tilled the positions of superintendent and class-leader of his church for many years. He established a Sabbath-school several years previous to the building of the church, and furnished a building for church and Sabbath-school pur- poses. Besides his mercantile interests Mr. Goddard is also interested in agricultural matters, owning a fine farm of 120 acres near Eleva. While residing in Buffalo county Mr. Goddard served his township as Treasurer for five years, and has tilled the same position in the township of Albion for several years. Mr. Goddard and E. J. Carpenter owned the land on which the original town of Eleva was platted, and he had made an addition to "the* original plat in his own name. fOHN SPRECHEK, the leading business man of Independence, Trempealeau county, is engaged in the sale of farm- ing implements, lumber, grain, hay, etc. He was born Novemb'er 29, 1850, in Troy, Sauk county, Wisconsin, and continued to reside 65 1 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOIiY. there with bis parents until 1873, when he came to Trempealeau county and engaged with Krumdick & Muir, in tlie sale of farm implements. In 1876 he came to Arcadia, and continued the business of his former employers for two years, at the end of which time he purchased the interest of Mr. Krum- dick, the firm becoming Muir & Sprecher. One year later he bought out his partner, and since then has conducted the business alone. Mr. Sprecher has spent his whole life thus far in Wisconsin, his father having been one of the pioneers of Sauk county, where he still lives. Mr. Sprecher possesses excellent business ability, a fact which his successful career has establisiied, and perhaps no man in the county does or has done a larger business than he in the line which he follows. His successes have been attained by close attention to business, and by fair and honorable dealing to all. He beo;an life, in a business way, witii but $200. His field of operations now are not confined to the narrow limits of his county; he has ex- tensive interests in Milwaukee and Chicago, being interested in real estate in both those cities. Mrs. Sprecher was formerly Miss Caroline Scaffer, of Sauk county. They have three children, two sons and a daughter, viz.: Jolin Henry, Walter A. and Carrie G. They also lost two children. ^ENRY BECHMANN was born in Chris- pendorf, Saxony, August 29, 1834, son of Henry and Sophia (Brendell) Bech- mann. The elder Mr. Bechmann was born in 1804r, son of Christoph, and was a mason by trade. His wife was born in 1806. They had a family of seven children, namely: Caroline, who married a Mr. Mueller; Chris- tian; Henry, the subject of this biography; Johanna, now Mrs. Herbst; Theresa, who married Christ Meinhardt; Paulina, who married Christ Scherf; and Carl — all living except the two oldest, Caroline and Christian, who died in the years 1884 and 1885 respect- ively. The father died at the old home in 1880, the mother having passed away in 1853. Henry Bechmann spent his early life at home, and attended the public schools until he was fourteen. In 1857 he bade adieu to his native land and set sail for the United States, landing in Baltiniore and from thence coming direct to Fountain City, where he had a brother-in-law. The date of his arrival in this city was August 18, 1857. At that time the town comprised about 200 inhabitants. The first year he engaged in farming, and after that learned the trade of mason. He was chiefly engaged in building until 1873. That year he was brought before the public on the Reform ticket, and was nominated and elected Registrar of Deeds, re- ceiving a majority of 300 votes. In 1875 lie was re-elected to the same position on the Democratic ticket, also receiving a large majority this time, and was again elected in 1877. In this position he served six years, performed his duties faithfully and gave entire satisfaction to all concerned. He was Town Treasurer in 1868-'69, and again in 1872-'73. Dnrinc the tiuje he was Registrar of Deeds he resided at Aluia, and after the ex- piration of his term of office he moved back to Fountain City. He then purchased the drug business of G. G. Oppliger, which has since been conducted under the name of Bechmann & Son. Since his return to Foun- tain City he has held various positions of local prominence and trust. In the spring of 1891 he was elected Justice of the Peace, receiving a large majority of the votes cast. Bl OGRAPHIGA L HISTOH F. 655 Mr. Bechmann was married, February 18, 1856, in the old country, to Wilhelmina, daughter of Michael and Wilhelmina Fratz scher. Following is the issue from this union: Charles Richard, who is in business with his father; Emma, wife of Hermann Spuehr, of Chicago; Otto C, a druggist of Cherokee, Iowa; Anna M., and Paulina, who died February 26, 1892. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bechmann are members of the Lutheran Church. i;LE E. LARSON resides in the town of Pigeon, on section 26, township 23, range 7 west. Pie is a son of Erick Larson, born in the year 1826, and Oline Larson, born in the year 1817, and who in the year 1859 emigrated with their children from the parish of Ringsacker in the county of Hedemarken, Norway, to America, set- tling in the town of Hamilton, La Crosse county, "Wisconsin, where they resided six years, removing thence to Trempealeau county, settling in the year 1865 on the place now owned and occupied by their son, Ole E. Larson, with whom they now reside. No improvement had been made upon the place at that time, and consequently they had to go through the usual hardship of pioneer life. The farm contains 240 acres, and is under a good state of cultivation. Erick Larson and wife liave but two children, the eldest of whom is Lars, born 1852, and mar- ried in 1876 to Miss Ellen Johnson. They have two children: Edwin and Emma. They are now residing in the town of Northtield, Jackson county, Wisconsin. Ole E. Larson was born in Norway, Sep- tember 21, 1855, and was in liis fourth year when he came to America; all of his mature years have been spent~in Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, and he received his education in the common school. He was reared to the occupation of farming, to which he has since been wholly devoted, except three winters, when he was engaged as clerk in the mer- cantile house of H. E. Getts & Co., of Whitehall, Wisconsin. Mr. Larson has been called upon by his fellow citizens to serve in various official positions, being elected Supervisor of the town of Pigeon when Ijut twenty-one years of age, and elected Town Clerk when twenty- two, serving in that capacity for eleven years; at the expiration of that time be was elected chairman of the town, and is now serving his third term as such; he has also served as Secretary of the Pigeon Mutual Fire Insur- ance company ever since its organization in the year 1882. In his political affiliations Mr. Larson is a Republican. He was mar- ried May, 28, 1887, to Miss Maria Skorstad, a daughter of Christian and Elene Skorstad, both born in Norway, in 1819 and 1821 re- spectively, and who in the year 1868 emi- grated with their six children from the parish of Vardahl, in the county of Christiania, Norway, to this county, and in 1869 com- menced pioneer life in Trempealeau county, on section 27, township 23, range 7 west. Mr. Skorstad died September 2, 1886, leav- ing his family in comfortable circumstances. Mrs. Skorstad is still living on the homestead with three of their children, — Andrew, Peter and Carrie, — while their oldest daughter, now Mrs. Olive Rye, lives at West Superior, Wis- consin; and Anton, the youngest member of the family holds a position as salesman with a mercantile firm at Osseo, Wisconsin. Mrs. Larson was born in Norway, August 7, 1863, and came to this country with her parents at the age of live years. Mr. Larson is one of the representative men of his town. He is a gentleman of good C5G BIOORAPHIUAL HISTORY. attainments, and the various oflScial positions to wliich he has been called, and the ability with which he has discharged the duties per- taining thereto, is evidence of the esteem and confidence in which he is held by his fellow citizens. -^^i/T/Wy- -q/irio^^ ?OHN A. STELLPFLUG, who resides on section 29, Gale township, is a repre- sentative of one of the pioneer families of Trempealeau county. His father, John Stellpfliig, was born in Prussia, in 1797, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer and shepherd, as is the custom in the agricultural regions of that country; he also served his time in the Prussian army. He was twice married, his first wife being Mary Rokus, who died in Germany, leaving three sons, the eldest of whom, Herman, came to America in 1845, the first of the family who came to the United States. Louis, the second son, came to this country with tlie father. He was married in Louisiana, after which he lived a number of years and died leaving a family, who removed after the father's death to Louisiana. The third of three sons. Chris- tian, learned the trade of a harness- maker in Germany, and came to America with his father. He also died in this county, leaving a family; liis widow is now also deceased. The father remarried in Germany, his second wife being Elizabeth Luoir, to whom three sons were born before the family left Ger- many. John A. was the eldest; Francis, now a merchant of the city of La Crosse; Clem- ents, a resident of Gale township, was born on the ocean in the passage to America. lu 1845 Mr. Stelljiling, Sr., emigrated to America with his family, their objective point being Milwaukee, VV^isconsin, which they reached in due time. There they coiitiiiued to reside until 1854, when, having sold the farm in Washington county, the family started Westward with the intention of settling in Minnesota. They traveled with o.\ teams and wagons, and on arriving in La Crosse the father left his family while he started out for a trip through Southern Minnesota to look for a desirable place of settlement. But learning that the Indians were somewhat troublesome, he was not willing to risk his family in that section of country, and conse- ([uently decided to locate in Trempealeau county, and settled on the place where his son, John now lives. Here he and his boys erected a log cabin, which still stands on the place, and began at once to break the land and prepare for a crop. They sowed some winter wheat the first fall, but this did not produce a large crop, as they sowed too late, having not yet learned the character of tlie soil. The father first secured eighty acres of land, on which the old homestead now stands, and also obtained forty acres of timber. He and his sons improved the place and made a pleasant home, and here the father died, Au- gust 10, 1863, and lies buried on a l^eautiful rise of land near the old home. Besides the children already mentioned as born in Ger- Germany, and Clements, who was born on the way to America, was a little brother also named Jolui, who was born in Washington county, and died at the new home in Gale township, in August, 1854, in his fourth year, and lies buried by the side of his father. Mr. Stellptlug was a man of large experience and great energy of character, but on coming to a new country when well advanced in life, he did not become acclimated so readily as a younger man would have done, and the ex- posure incident to a pioneer life was very severe on him, dying, as has been before stated, in 1863. The young son and brother, who died soon after the arrival of the family BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY. 657 in tliis county, was a victim to the exposure and excitement to the new life. John A. Stellpflng, who owns and occupies the homestead farm, was born in Germany, Septemljer 28, 1838, having been about six- teen years of age wlien he came witli his father to Trempealeau county. He helped clear up the homestead farm which the father bought in the name of the son, so that in reality he has always owned the place. In the early days he worked out and earned money foi' the benefit of the family. He was married to Sarah Shonat, who was born in Walworth county, New York, a daugliter of George Shonat, now deceased. She came to this county with her parents in 1855. They have ten children, three sons and seven daughters: Frederick J., Francis G., Joseph C, Julia A., Abigail E., Ellen S., Katherine A., Mary E., Florence C. and Laura A. The mother of Mr. Stellpflng lives with her son at the old homestead. She still continues in good health for one of her advanced years Our subject came to this county many years ago, when just verging into manhood, and has lived to witness the growtli and progress which a period of thirty-seven years has made. He is esteemed as a good neighbor, and as an honorable and progressive citizen. [LMER L. IMMELL, the present Post- master at Blair, received his appoint- ment April 23, 1889, his commission dating from May 20 of that year. He was born in Jackson county, Wisconsin, May 10, 1863, a son of F. M. Immell, a pioneer of Western Wisconsin, having been a resident of Jackson county as early as 1852. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1831, a son of Jacob Immell. The former came to La Crosse county as early as 1852, and was for many years employed on Black river, and is now a resident of Blair. The mother of our subject was Ann Storley. Elmer L., our subject, has passed the most of his life in Trempealeau county, and was educated in the public schools of Blair. He is an engineer by trade, and for many years has been engaged in operating steam thresh- ers, and since 1881 has been proprietor of the business. He is still engaged extensively in that occupation, owning and operating two engines and threshers, and does a large part of the work in this portion of the county. Mr. Immell was married to Miss Rose McKivergan, a daughter of James McKiver- gan. He and his wife have two sons, — Hugh E. and Russell Harrison. Mr. Immell is a representative of a well-known pioneer family of Western Wisconsin. In his business re- lations he is esteemed as an honorable and upright citizen, and in his official capacity he is both efficient and popular, and in all re- spects has the confidence of the community in which he lives. ,UGUST F. HENSEL, a general mer- chant of Arcadia, was born in Prussia, October 17, 1834, a son of John Fred- erick Hensel. In the spring of 1839 the family, consisting of parents and five chil- dren, left their German home for America, sailing from the city of Hamburg on the vessel Alfred, and were three months making the passage to New York. A child was born to the parents on siiip board, which in honor of the event was called by the name of the vessel, John Alfred. After landing in the port of New York the family proceeded to Buffalo, where they resided two years, the father in the meantime engaging in work on the Erie Canal. In 18-41 they removed to 658 BIOORAPHWAL HISTORY. Milwaukee, which was then but a hamlet, and altliongli but a lad the subject of this sketch remembers the names of all the resi- dents of that place. There the youngest of the family, Charles Albert, was born in 1847, and later the family settled on land in Gran- ville township, which, with the assistance of his sons, the father improved. He finally re- turned to Milwaukee, where he passed the last twenty-five years of his life. He was a well-known citizen of that town in the early days, and was for many years enj^aged in house-moving, being the second to engage in that business in Milwaukee. He died in that city May 29, 1886, at the age of eighty-three years, and his wife, who was born May 2, 1801, died in February, 1881. Of their seven children, all are living but the eldest, Caro- line, who married and had quite a numerous family, and died in Oshkosh many years ago. Edward, the eldest son, is a resident of Buf- falo county; Julius is a resident of Ai-cadia; the subject of this sketch is the next in order of birth; Matilda is the wife of Charles Scott, of Milwaukee; John Alfred also re- sides in Milwaukee; and Charles A., the youngest of the family, resides in Jamestown, North Dakota. August F., our subject, remained in Mil- waukee until May 5, 1854, and in his youth was engaged in clerking in that city. He went to Madison, and continued a resident of Dane county until he came to this part of the State. While on a visit to his parents in Milwaukee he heard reports of Buifalo county as a desirable part of the State in which to locate, and by the advice of his father he re- solved to look for a location in this part of the State. The latter gave him $300 with which to purchase land, on condition that he expended it in IJuftalo county. Mr. Hensel accordingly set out for his destination, accom- panied by his ne.xt oldest brother. There were then no railroads or other public conveyances by means of which they could reach the western part of the State, and they accord- ingly went to Chicago, thence to Duiileitli, now East Dubuque, by train, then up the river by steamboat to La Crosse, where they secured the services of a surveyor and pro- ceeded to what is now Glencoe township, Bufi'alo county, whei'e they made locations. Soon afterward Mr. Hensel improved an op- portunity to purchase a pair of Cimadian ponies and a wagon of a Canadian, and with these he returned to Dane county, where he sold his team, went thence to Milwaukee, and returned to Buffalo the same fall with an ox team and wagon. He was accompanied on his return by his brother John, Thomas A. Simpson, William Johnson and two broth- ers named Piper, though the latter only ac- companied them as far as Sparta. The four companions who came on to Buffalo county were all single men, and all except John made locations, Mr. Simpson, however, locating in Trempealeau county, and John- son soon sold his claim in Trempealeau county and went elsewhere. These gentle- men were among the first settlers of this portion of Wisconsin, and endured all the privations incident to a jiioneer life. The winter of 1856-'57 is still remeTnbered by the pioneers as one of remarkable severity, and to add to their sufferings the stock of provisions of the settlers became entirely ex- hausted, and the question as to how they were to subsist became a serious one. Mr. Hensel finally decided to make an effort to reacli Fountain City and secure a supply of provisions, and he accordingly started out for that place with a sleigh and three yoke of oxen. He was accompanied by Henry Wer- tenberg and James Faulds, and they were compelled to break the crust of the snow all the way, the distance being sixteen miles. BIOGRAPHIGAL HISTORY. 659 Starting on Monday morning, they were three days in reaching that city, and arrived home on Saturday night, after an absence of six days. To show the difficulty under which they labored it may be stated that Mr. Heii- sel wore three pairs of pants on this journey, all of which were worn and cut through at the knees before reaching their destination, and it was necessary that he should borrow a pair at Fountain City before returning home. The cattle had often to crawl on their knees; and after all his labor and sufferings Mr. Hensel secured for himself but one barrel of flour, which cost him $16 in money and a week's work with three yoke of cattle. He nearly perished on this trip, and succeeded in escaping with his life only by his great will and powers of endurance. In 1862 he sold out in Buffalo county, and in 1863 re- moved to Arcadia township, Trempealeau county, and settled on land he had purchased some time previously. There he lived with his family from 1863 to 1874, or until the village of Arcadia was started. He then re- moved to that place and erected his present store building, which was the finest on the west side of the track. In 1876 he engaged in merchandising, which he has since con- tinued. Mr. Hensel was married in August, 1860, to Miss Amelia Hensel, also a native of Prussia, and daughter of Ludwig Hensel. They have seven children, viz.: Ida, Alvah, Ayris, Eunice, Jesse, Ivan and Myrtle. They lost rix children, — Emma, who died at the age of twenty-six years; Dexter, in his fifth year, and the remainder died in early infancy. In Jiis political affiliations Mr. Hensel is a Kepublican, his father having been a Whig in the early times, and later a Republican. Mr. Hensel cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, and has voted for every Kepublican candidate for President since the organization of that party. We have thus endeavored to give a biography of August F. Hensel, who has been a resident of Buffalo and Trempealeau counties for the long period of thirty-five years, and has wit- nessed the conntry grow from a state of wil- derness to its present condition of wealth and importance. He is numbered among the well-known and esteemed citizens of Trempealeau county. fOHN CLA.RKE, of Fountain city, Wis- consin, one of the oldest settlers of Buf- falo county, was born in Manchester, England, October 20, 1824. His parents were George and Susanna Clarke, the former a son of William Clarke, and was born at Ripon, in 1802, and the latter born at Rip- ponden, near Halifax, Yorkshire, in 1804. They had two children, the subject of this sketch, and a daughter, who married James Cotton, of England. He is deceased and she is now a resident of Aurora, Missouri. John Clarke received his education in a private school, and subsequently learned his father's trade, that of mill-wright, working some at Manchester and a portion of the time at London. He was quite young when his mother died, her death having occurred in January, 1829. In 1850 his father emigrated to the United States, and located at Indianapolis, Indiana. He was actively employed in his business and took a number of contracts for putting up mills in that State. About a year after he came here, he decided to return to England for his family, and have his son, John, engage with him in business. On his way to New York he stopped at Cleveland, and while at the hotel there was robbed of all his money. Not long afterward he was found one morn- 660 BIOOBAPHWAL HISTORY. ing dead in his room, and it was reported that he died of apoplexy. There was a suspicion, however, that he had been foullj' dealt with, as one of the proprietors of tlie hotel soon left for California. About three months after his father's death John arrived in that citj', but nothing satisfactory regarding the untimely death of bis parent could be ascer- tained. From Cleveland Mr. Clarke went to lius- siaville, Indiana, and completed the contracts his father bad taken. He then went to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to erect a linseed-oil fac- tory, and remained at that place two years. Dr. Bishop, a member of tbe firm who put up the factory, was building a sawmill at Fountain City and engaged Mr. Clarke to come here and set up the machinery in it. Ttie latter, being so well pleased with this place, decided to locate permanently here. This was in the spring of 1855. His next construction was a flour mill which he built in connection with John Buehler, now of Alma. This mill was completed in 1858, and was the first one erected in the county. It stood about a half mile south of the site of the present mill. After operating it about two years, he turned his attention to farming, engineeriufT on the boats and working at machinery in the lumber country. In 1866 lie erected his machine shop and plow factory at Fountain City, which he conducted up to January, 1892, when ho sold the manufactur- ing business While he was running the mill he and bis partner, Mr. Buehler, also carried on a general store. Soon after coming here he began looking around for a home place, found a location that eminently pleased him, made claim on it and at once began improve- ments. Leaving the banks of the Mississippi and going up a little caiion, now known as Cedar valley, one finds the attractive home and lieautiful surroundings where Mr. Clarke has passed so many years. As a business man he has been successful; owns an interest in the Fountain City Brewing Company, and has other property. He was married, in Manchester, England, June 17, 1847, to Elizabeth, daughter of Edward and Alice (Hindle) Waring, of Black- burne, England. Following is the issue from their union: Mary A., who died in infancy; Marion, who married Charles Hensel, now in Dakota; Fannie, wife of Martin Feuerhak; Lillian J., a young lady of acknowledged ability as an artist; Coralla St. V.; Grace Darling, who married John J. 1^'rye; George, who died at the age of twenty-one years; John S. died when four years old, and Sam- uel II. when only two. In politics Mr. Clarke was formerly a Republican, but now affiliates with the Democratic party. He was made Justice of the Peace in 1857, about the first justice in the county, and held the office six years. He was appointed District Attorney forGovernor Bashford in 1855, which position he occupied one teriii; was under-Sheriff lor one term some years ago; also Trustee of the village one term. He has held all the positions on the school board. Both he and his wife were reared in the Epi.-^-*-'-~— LE O. PETERSON, of Arcadia, is one of the well-known citizens of Trem- peauleau county, of which he has been a resident since August, 1868. He was born in Sweden, July 17,1840, a son of Ole Peter- son. The parents never came to America, and still reside in Sweden. Our subject is one of a family of five children, two sons and three daughters, and his only brother resides in Burnside township, Trempealeau county. A sister also resides in Burnside township, and the others are still in Europe. i)\e O. was reared in his native country to the occupation of farming, and after attaining a proper age he entered the army, where he continued about two years. This was not, however, while his country was at war, but he entered the military service as other young men of his country do to receive a discipline which will fit them for a possible war. Mr. Peterson had for some time contemplated coming to America, and finally crossed the ocean to the United States on the City of Paris. His object in coming to America was that he might improve the superior oppor- tunities for advancement in life over those of the older countries of Europe. He ai-rived in La Crosse May 24, 1868, and his financial resources being about exhausted he began work on the construction of the Southern Minnesota railroad, where he con- tinued for a few months. He next went to Iowa and worked during the harvest season, and in the fall of the same year came to Trempealeau county. Mr. Peterson passed the winters of the two following seasons in the pineries of Wisconsin, and the summers were spent at work in Onalaska. Next he engaged in farming in Arcadia township, which occupation he continued until 1874, and in that year he began merchandising in what is known as the old town of Arcadia, under the firm name of Peterson & Thomp- son. In 1876 Mr. Peterson bought his j)artner's interest and continued alone until the latter part of 1877, when he sold out to his former partner and retired from active business. In 1883 he' re-engaged in business at the saiiie place, nnder the firm name of Peterson & Bear, and in 1884 Mr. Peterson retired from this firm and formed a partner- ship with W. P. Massuere, under the firm name of Peterson, Massuere & Co. In 1887 he sold out to his partner, since which time he has been practically retired, though he has dealt somewhat in real estate. Mr. Peterson is a representative citizen of Trempealeau county. He came to America in 1868, a poor young man and totally un- acquainted with the language and customs of his adopted country, bat by industry and perseverance he has overcome all obstacles and has been successful in many ways. He has accumulated a fine property, owning about 1,000 acres of land in Trempealeau county, and has also owned valuable land in Minneapolis. Mr. Peterson has been called upon to serve in various official positions, including that of Supervisor and Town Treas- urer, holding the last mentioned position from 1876 to 1878, and is now a member of the board of trustees of the village of Arcadia. He began his political career as a Republican, voting for Grant, Garfield and Hayes, but has more recently affiliated with the Democratic party. In 1872 Mr. Peter- son was attacked with the disease known as 663 BIOGRAPHIGAL HISTORY. asthma, which was the cause of his discon- tinuing the occupation of farming and en- gaging in merchandising. lie is still at times afflicted with the disease, though not so severely as formerly. He was married November 13, 1870, to Mrs. Martha Larsen, widow of Peter Larsen. ^ENRY M. CROMBIE, who resides on section 2G, Gale township, was born in Oswego county. New York, November 16, 1833, a son of "William Croinbie, who was born February 9, 1804. May 4, 1830, he married Katherine Hasbronck, who was born December 25, 1810. The paternal grandfatherof our subject, also named William Crombie, was born December 16, 1766. The early records of the Crombie family in Amer- ica state that John Crombie, who was the great-grandfatlier of Henry M., emigrated from the North of Ireland to Londonderry about 1720, and thence with his family to America. The parents of our subject re- sided in Oswego county for many years, and afterward went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, locating on a farm in the Milwaukee woods about eight miles from that city, thence to Delafield, Waukesha county, later to Mil- waukee, four years later to La Crosse, and thence to the vicinity of Ulack Kiver Falls, where the parents lived until death, the father dying in Waukesha, where he had gone for medical treatment, December 17, 1868, and the mother December 26, 1876. They were the parents of four children, three of whom grew to mature years: Henry M., the eldest; Eliza Marvin, who became the wifeof Ephraim Darwin, of Madison, Wisconsin, and is now deceased; William Wallace, a resident of Jackson county. Henry M., our subject, assisted his father, who was a hotelkeeper, and after attaining to manhood he engaged in lumbering,, and for many years was head sawyer at the mills in the vicinity of Black River Falls and La Crosse. He now owns a tine farm and pleas- ant liome, on which he has made all the im- provements. He was married December 4, 1861, to Miss Harriet W. Clark, a native of Ohio, who died at Black River Falls March 9, 1869. May 27, 1873, Mr. Crombie was united in marriage to Mary E. Davis, a daugh- ter of S. P. Davis, a pioneer of Jackson county. Mrs. Crombie was born near Roch- ester, Monroe county, New York, in 1849, and came West witii her parents when nine years of age. Mr. Crombie had two daugh- ters by his first marriage: Khoda C, wife of William Baker, of La Crosse; and Stella H., wife of Edwin Ilouk, of Melrose. Five children have been born to the present union, four of whom survive, namely: Harrison A., Walter I., Letitia V. and Austin P. They lost their first child, Alta Eliza, at the age of tvvo years. Mr. Crombie is a well-known citizen of Trempealeau county, where he has lived for more than thirty years. He has been Postmaster at Glasgow, and also of this place since 1873. He always takes a com- mendable interest in promoting the moral religious and material growtli of the com- munity in which he lives. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at North Bend, Jackson county, Wis- consin. ILBERT N. GOODHUE, who owns and conducts the Trempealeau Herald., pur- chased the paper in 1889 of C. V. Stewart, who succeeded F. A. Brown as owner and proprietor; and still earlier the paper was owned and conducted by Frank Kribs. BIOGRAPHIOAL HISTORY. 663 The Herald is a weekly journal, Republican in politics, and has a circulation of 500. Elbert Goodhue is a native of Trempealeau, born November 23, 1860, a son of Francis A. Goodhue, who was an early settler of this city, where he still resides. He is a native of Vermont, a millwright and carpen- ter by trade, and came to Trempealeau in 1856. Elbert N. was educated in the public schools, and afterward studied law for about two years, but on account of poor health he relinquished the study of law and learned the business of telegraphy. He was engaged as operator for the Chicago & Northwestern Kailroad Company, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, and also the Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul & Omaha road. He next pursued the study of stenog- raphy, intending to follow the business of court reporter, and with that end in view was for some time in the office of Cameron & Losey, of La Crosse. But delicate health re- quired more active exercise, and for a time he was amanuensis for tiie Minneapolis Elevator Company', for the Mazepa Mill Company, and later was assistant to the secretary of the general manager of tiie Northern Pacific railroad, being located at St. Paul. But, de- ciding to engage in the newspaper business, he purchased the Herald, of which he assumed charge in 1889. He is a gentleman of education and energy, and under his ad- ministration the Herald has made commend- able progress. ►^Mj-i ITARK AND HIRAM BUTMAN are among the well-known pioneers of La Crosse and Trempealeau counties, the former residing on section 36, and the latter on section 27, Gale township. The brothers are descended from an early family in Colonial times and are the sons of Alexan- der P. Butman, a native of New York and of English ancestry. Their paternal grand- father was John Butman, an early settler of the State of New York, where he lived until death, after which the grandmother removed with her family to Erie county, Ohio, and settled in the town of Huron, in the Huron river valley. The family consisted of three brothers and two sisters: John, Benjamin, Alexander, Hannah and Nancy, all of whom have now passed away. Alexander, the lat- est survivor of the family, died November 5 1888. The mother of the subjects of this sketch was Rebecca Smith, a daughter of Enoch Smith and wife, who were early settlers of Florence, Erie county, Ohio, where they resided until death. Alexander Butman was three times married, and by the first marriage there were three sons and a daughter, the latter of whom died early in life. Of the three sons Stark is the eldest, Hiram the second in order of birth, and Asa, the youngest, resided for some time in La Crosse county in an early day. He served in the Union army in the war of the Rebellion, after which he settled in Rock Island county, Illinois. He was married in Muscatine, Iowa, and now resides in the State cf Nebraska, engaged in farming. There were other children in the faniily by later raar- riaojes, Alexander Butman having been the father of eight who grew to mature years. Stark Butman was born in Erie county, Ohio, in 1832, and in the fall of 1852 he came with his father to La Crosse county and settled in the northern part of that county, but returned the same autumn to Ohio. In the fall of 1853 he returned to this State, accompanied by Hiram, and set- tled on the land tliat he and his father had located the previous year, and began at once to make improvements. June 18, 1855, 664 BIOGRAPHWAL HISTORY. Stark Butinaa was united in marriage, by Elder Slierwin, of La Crosse, to ilary Jane Lynn, a native of Ohio. Her parents were Uenry and Harriet Lynn, natives of New York, but early settlers of Huron county, Ohio, where they lived until death. Mrs. Butinan went to the city of La Crosse in the fall of 1854, where she remained until her marriacje. Mr. and Mrs. Butinan continued to reside on their farm in La Crosse county until 1859, when they settled where they now live, he having purchased the place in 1856. He has a line farm of 200 acres, and still owns a small part of the place in La Crosse county. Mr. and Mrs. Butraan have eight children, three sons and five daughters, viz.: Eugene S., who was married to Lizzie Stellpflug and lives in Pipestone county, Minnesota; Emma, the wife of David G. Lonie, also resides in Pipestone county, near the city of that name; Eva 1., the wife of AUie Bartlett, resides in Kingsburg county South Dakota; Erie II., at home; Nancy M., the wife of Clinton Lovell, also in Kingsburg county; Nettie L., the wife of William E. McKown, of Pipestone county, Minnesota; Ernest H. and Frank Milton. They lost an infant daughter. Mr. Butman has been Postmaster at Decora Prairie since July, 1873. Hiram Butman was born in Ohio, in 1836, and, as already stated, came with his brother Stark to Wisconsin in the autumn of 1853, and improved a farm in Ulack river valley, now in the town of Holland, La Crosse county. He was married September 1, 1859. to Mary M. Harrison, daughter of Thomas and Ruth Ann (Hine) Harrison, early settlers of Erie county, Ohio, and still reside on the old homestead where they first settled. The father was born in the State of New York, and the mother near wlien^ '''cy now reside in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Butman have a daughter, Alice R., born in Holland, La Crosse county, in 1862, and is now the wife of William Burton, of Chicago. They lost their oldest child and only son, Charles Hiram, also born in Holland, La Crosse county, in 1860, and died January 26, 1865. They have an adopted daughter, Gertrude S., born March 1, 1871, and has been their child since she was an infant of seven months. Mr. and Mrs. Butraan have a pleasant home, beautifully located on an elevation, and surrounded by shade and ornamental trees. The brothers are among the well-known and representative citizens of Trempealeau county, and for almost forty years have been residents of this immediate vicinity, and have ever been known as men of integrity and public spirit. ^ ^(H)^ ^ ,ENIIY THOKSGAARD, one of the representative citizens of Blair, Trem- pealeau county, was born in the famous Gulbransdalen valley, Norway, in 1845, a son of Lars Erickson Thorsgraard. In the summer of 1854 the family emigrated to America, being thirteen weeks in making the passage from Cliristiania to the port of Que- bec. After arrival they came directly to Wisconsin, and settled on a farm on Coon Prairie, Vernon county, where they were among the early pioneers. There the parents lived until death, the father surviving the mother a number of years. When a young man the subject of this sketch learned the trade of milling with John Edmunds, on Squaw creek, near Black River Falls, where he remained five years. Mr. Thorsgaard followed the occupation of mil- ling about fourteen years. He came to Ulair from Ettrick in 1873, where he bad worked BIOGRAPBIGAL HISTORY. 665 at his trade for a considerable time. In partnership with John and Orrin Van Ness they erected a flouring mill, which Mr. Thors- gaard operated until 1883, when he sold out. In 1886 he was elected Treasurer of Trem- pealeau county, and served honorably and efficiently in that position four years, and has also held several local offices, including Chair- man of the Town Board. He is now devoting considerable attention to farming. He was married in 1880, to AgnetheEkern, a native of Norway, and they have four daughters: Pauline, Louise, Hannaand Chris- tina. Mr. Thorsgaard is esteemed as a pub- lic-spirited and enterprising citizen. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and is devoted to the principles of that great na- tional party. Though not a prohibitionist in the modern acceptation of that term, yet he is an earnest advocate of the principles of temperance. He is liberal in his religious belief, and ever takes a prominent part in whatever tends to promote the moral and material growth of the community in which he lives. He has a pleasant home in the vil- lage of Blair, where he and his family are surrounded by the comforts of life, which have been acquired by his industry and en- terprise. OBERT S. OLIVER resides in section 36, township 19, range 8 west, wiiere he settled in April, 1855. He bought this place of David J. Monroe, but nothing had been done on the place when he bought it except the building of a log cabin and the breaking of a few acres of land. He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, January 10, 1822, tlie son of George and Sarah (Lainbie) Oliver, the latter having died when her son was a child. The father emigrated with his family to Nuva Scotia, where he and his son Robert engaged at work in the coal mines. In 1842 the family re- moved to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, but mining proving to be a dull business at that place, and the outlook for future work not being favorable, they remained there bat one month, when they returned to Nova Scotia. June 17, 1846, the family again left that country, their destination being the State cf Maryland. While passing down the coast on shipboard their vessel was wrecked off New- port, Rhode Island, and a number of the passengers were lost; but the Oliver family, after undergoing great danger and privation, escaped. They settled in Allegany county, Maryland, where father and son engaged in mining, and where the former died in Feb- ruary, 1848, leaving the mother with eight children, of whom Robert was the eldest. In the spring of 1849 our subject left home and went to Pottsville, Pennslyvania, where he remained some time. He was married in that city August 24, 1849, to Mary Scott, soon after which he returned to Maryland and worked in the coal mines until 1852. February 2, of the same year, he started for California, via the Isthmus, leaving his family in Maryland. The Cali- fornia gold fever was then raging violently, and Mr. Oliver, with thousands of others, became possessed of a desire to visit the " land of gol J." The party of which he was a member took passage in the steamer Ben Franklin for the Isthmus; thence they as- cended the Chagres river on a small steamer for about twenty-eight miles, and then on foot to Panama, intending there to take a steamer up the Pacific Coast. Here they were compelled to wait two weeks, and were then obliged to take a sail vessel for San Francisco. This proved a long and tedious passage, and they endured much suffering for want of food and water. On one occasion 666 BIOQRAPHWAL HISTORY. they stopped at a small island to secure water, when three men made their appearance wlio had I'ecently escaped from a whaler that had put in at the same place and for the same purpose, and these men had left the ship and crew with the intention of improving the first opportunity to take passage to California. The captain of the ship Cornelia took them aboard and sailed away, but soon the whaler hove in sight, and the runaway sailors were surrendered. In fact, the whole affair was a ruse on the part of the two captains to secure the runaways. Later the Cornelia put into the port of Acapiilco, Mexico, for provisions, and they finally reached San Francisco, after many trials and tribulations, on July 24, 1852. Mr. Oliver at once proceeded to the mines, and continued to mine for gold until the fall of 1854, when he returned by the same route. In the spring of 1855 he came to Trempealeau county, and made his present location, and in June of the same year he returned for his family, and here he has since lived. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver have thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters. Mr. Oliver is the only one of his father's family who ever settled in Trempealeau county. He is one of the substantial and respected citi- zens of Gale township. 31'' |ILLIAM B. ARNOLD, of the town ,i of Arcadia, resides on section 10, y^i^ township 21, range 9 west, where he located September 30, 1864, at which time no improvements whatever had been made on his place. He was born in Saratoga county. New York, June 20, 1831, a son of Benejah Douglas Arnold, also a native of the Empire State. According to the genealogy of the family three brothers by the name of Arnold emigrated from England at an early date, and from one of thecic brothers has the sub- ject of this sketch descended. B. D. Arnold married Maria Wilbur and continued to live in the State of New York until his decease, which occurred in Saratoga county, Septem- ber 28, 1886, at the advanced age of eighty- nine years. Ilis widow still survives, at tiie age of eighty-five years. Tliey were the parents of eight children who attained to ma- ture years, five sons and three daughters, of whom six survive, viz.: The eldest, Martha, widow of Isaac McCourtie, resides in Chicago; William B., our subject; Douglass, a resi- dent of Beloit, Wisconsin; Marvin resides on the old homestead in New York; Alfred also lives in that State, and Jennie is the wife of James G. Bentley, of Saratoga county. Will- iam B. Arnold was reared on the homestead farm and educated at Madison University, New York, and for many years followed the occupation of teaching. He was a teacher for a time in the Ballston Spa Academy, Sara- toga county, New York; and taught for five terras very successfully in the district where he now resides. He was married September 3, 1802, to Miss Carrie Sawyer, daughter of Thomas and Eliza Jane (Hoag) Sawyer, both na- tives of the Empire State, where they contin ued to reside until their death. Eight children, three sons and five daughters, have been born to them, viz.: Ella M., who is now the wife of Jay I. Dewey, of Arcadia; Libbie M., who is the wife of S. P. Cook, of Independence; Wyman S., Bertha M., Jennie L. and Frank L., twins, and Clarice Viola and Elmer D. In September, 1864, Mr. and Mrs. Arnold came to Trempealeau county and -settled where they now live, since which time Mr. Arnold has taken an active interest in the cause of education and progress. He is a man of culture and nearly all of his children who have attained to mature years have been BIOORAPHICAL HISTOMY. 667 well qualified and successful teachers. In his political affiliations Mr. Arnold is a Dem- ocrat, but was a Republican in the early history of that party, voting for Presidents Lincoln and Grant. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have a pleasant home where peace, happiness and prosperity abound. I^ANIEL KENNEDY, one of the repre- sentative citizens of Trempealeau county, settled in this part of the State October 26, 1854. He was born in Bombay, Frank- lin county, New York, February 24, 1835, and was reared to the occupation of farming. His father, also named Daniel Kennedy, was a native of Ireland, where he grew to man- hood and was married. After emigrating to this country the father made his first settle- ment in Franklin county, and in 1853 the family, consisting of parents and five chil- dren, came to Elkhorn, Walworth county, Wisconsin. In October, 1854, the subject of this sketch came to Trempealeau county and made a location for the family, entering 400 acres of land in Gale and Ettrick town- ships. He began the improvement of this land the next year, and has the honor of doing the first breaking in Beaver creek val- ley, north of Galesville. In 1856 his father's family joined him, and there the father died June 28, 1878, at the age of seventy-seven years and eleven months. The mother died August 26, 1891, at the home of her daugh- ter near Chippewa Falls. Betsey, the eldest of the family, is the wife of W. W. Parker; Margaret married John McKeeth, and died a number of years ago; Daniel is the next of the family in order of birth; James continued to reside in Trempealeau county until the fall of 1884, when, his health failing, he re- moved with his family to Beaumont, South- ern California, where he is now engaged in tlie livery business. Pie has i-egained his health, and is doing well at his new place of residence. He still owns his farm in Trem- pealeau county, which constitutes the land that Daniel located in 1854. Cornelius, the youngest of the family, entered the army in the war of the Rebellion, as a member of the Thirtieth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He lost his health in the army, and died a number of years ago. Daniel Kennedy and his brothers improved the farm above mentioned and made of it a splendid place, and the three brothers, James, Daniel and Cornelius, each owned an interest in this farm. In 1862 Daniel sold his por- tion to his father, who later disposed of his interest to James, and the latter finally be- came possessed of all the land Daniel had entered in 1854. In 1862 our subject pur- chased his farm of 260 acres, located on sec tion 16, two and a half miles north of the village of Galesville, and known in the early days as the Parker place. This is one of the most valuable farms in Trempealeau county, and well adapted to both grain and stock raising, nearly all being under cultivation and in pasture. The farm is well watered, one part by a fine spring. He erected his fine brick residence in 1875. Mr. Kennedy has for many years been engaged in the live- stock business, and has always been largely interested in the raising of cattle, and for more than twenty years has been a buyer, feeder and shipper of stock. He was one of the organizers of the bank at Galesville, of which he has been a stockholder since its foundation. Mr. Kennedy was married in the tall of 1862, to Miss Helen Bidwell, a native of New York, and daughter of Chester I. Bid- well, one uf the pioneers of this county, and who died many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. 668 BIOGRAPHICAL UISTUIi V. Kennedy have tliree children, namely: Her- bert D., who is still at home; Edward B., a student at Wooster, Ohio; Edith, their only daughter, is a student at Galesville Univer- sity. They lost a daughter, (iertrude, at tlie age of fourteen years. No man, perhaps, is better known throughout the country than Mr. Kennedy, with whose growth and prog- ress he has been identified since the early pioneer days. Cordial and genial in his disposition, fair and honorable in his dealings, he possesses the respect and confidence of all who know him. JiAlTL HUEFNER, of Fountain City, Wisconsin, is one of the largest grain dealers in Buffalo county. He is a native of Germany, and possesses in a marked degree the thrift and energy which are so characteristic of his countrymen. A brief biography of him is as follows: Paul lluefner was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, June 29, 1839, son of Valentine and Elizabeth (Froehlich) Huefner, botli natives of that place. His father emigrated with his family to the United States, landing in New York, and from there went to Southbridge, Massachusetts, where lie was eiiifaged in the Hamilton Print Works. In 1860 he came West, locating first in Madison, Wisconsin, afterward in Jiuffalo City, Buffalo county, and still later in Fountain City. Both he and his wife are now deceased. They were the par- ents of four children, namely: Ferdinand, Paul, George, who died in infancy, and lle- gena. Paul was reared at Southbridge and there learned the trade of printer of prints. At the age of eighteen he went to Manches- ter, New Hampshire, and was engaged in work at his trade there about two years. At the end of that time he directed his course westward, took up his abode in Madison, AVisconsin, and became interested in the grain business. This was in 1860. He re- mained there, dealing in grain, about two years, after which he located at Hastings, Minnesota, where he lived eight years, also operating in grain there. After that he spent much of his time for a year at Buffalo City, Buffalo county, and from that tempo- rary abode came to Fountain City and located permanently. Here he opened the grain business with his brother Ferdinand and David and William Thompson, under the firm name of Huefner Bros., Thompson & Co. In 1875 the Thompsons withdrew, and the firm became Huefner Bros. They con- tinued to transact business together until 1878, when P^ordinand retired, leaving our subject alone. Since that time Mr. Unefuor has carried on the business in his own name. He lias three warehouses at Fountain City, located along the track of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Northern railroad, where he re- ceives his grain. Besides these he has ware- houses at Cochrane, Alma, Nelson, Stockholm, Maiden Rock and Hajer, all on the Chicago, Burlington & Northern railroad. Mr. Huef- ner also deals in agricultural implements. He has a half interest in the Eagle Flouring Mill. Mention of this mill will he found in a sketch of George L. Huber, in this work. Mr. Huefner is a stockholder in the Fountain City Brewing Company. He has various real-estate interests here and elsev/here: owns a number of dwelline liouses and business blocks in Fountain City; has a farm of 120 acres, all under cultivation, near the city; one of 140 acres in Trempealeau county, forty acres of which are improved; 120 acres in Buffalo county, twenty eight miles from Fountain City, forty acres of this under cul- tivation; and a farm of 120 acres (thirty ^A /l/-eyy^ W-jZ OC^t-C^^'''L.^y^..-(-<^ BIOORAPHWAL HISTORY. 669 acres improved) in Gilraantown township, thirty miles from Foiiiitain City. Mr. Huefner has never held any political or official poisition, his own personal affairs wholly occupying iiis time. He has been eminently successful in his business opera- tions, and has accumulated a handsome for- tune. He was married at Hastings, Minne- sota, in 1868, to Louise, daughter of Charles Dameral. Tiieir union was blessed with one son, Paul Ferdinand Louis. Mrs. Huefner died at Hastings in March, 1871. In 1887 he was married at Lewiston, Minnesota, to Florence E. Cook, by whom he has liad two children, Clara being the only one living. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat. Owing to his extensive business transac- tions in this portion of Wisconsin, Mr. Huef- ner is well known here, and his strict in- tegrity and other estimable qualities have won for him many friends among tlie people with whom he has come in contact, and he has the respect and esteem of all who know him. irVER FEDERSON,of Ettrick, Trempea- M lean county, is one of the representative •^ citizens and leading business men of this county. He located in what is now the vil- lage of Ettrick in 1870, and engaged at once in merchandising, and in 1877 he laid out the village. Whatever of importance at- taches to this small city is due to the enter- prise and business capacity of Mr. Pederson. He began business in a small way when he first came here, but by energy and persever- ance he rapidly enlarged the area of his oper- ations until he has established various branches of business and manufactures. He erected bis present line Houriiig mill in 1884, 44 which is operated by a large water-power, possesses a roller system of grinding, and has a capacity of seventy-tive barrels in twenty- four hours. Mr. Pederson has been largely instrumental in establishing other branches of manufacture, including the woolen mill and creamery at this place. He is a native of Norway, where he was born in 1842, but caii.e to America at the age of twenty years. He enlisted in Vernon comity, Wisconsin, in 1862, in Company K, Twenty-fifth liegiraent Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. For a time after its orsranization his regiment was located in Minnesota, operating against the Indians atNewUlra and vicinity. In 1863 they went to Columbus, Kentucky, and joined tlie expedition against Vicksburg, under the command of General Jeremiali Rusk, afterward Governor of Wisconsin and now occupying the Department of Agricult- ure in Washington, District of Columbia. After participating in the siege of Vicksburg the command to which Mr. Pederson was at- tached went to Jackson, Mississippi, but after returning to Vicksburg proceeded to Chat- tanooga, joined Sherman's army, and took part in the famous Atlantic campaign, par- ticipating in many noted and important battles. He had the honor, also, of march- ing with his regiment to the sea, under the command of General Rusk, and thence on to Washington, taking part in the grand review in that city. Mr. Pederson was married at Ettrick, to Mary Nelson, who came to Trempealeau county from Norway with her father in 1861. They have three children; Albert, Emma and Ida. They lost their eldest child, Peter. Mr. Pederson is a man of unusual business capacity, and a progressive, enterprising citizen. In politics he has always been a Republican, and has always possessed much 670 BIOORAPHICAL BISTORT. influence in tlie local councils of his party, lie was a gallant soldier in the war for the Union, and is a respected and valued citizen. fOIIN niBBY, one of the well-known citizens of Gale township, Trempealeau county, resides on section 27, where he settled in 1856. He made the first improve- ments on the place, having obtained his farm from the Government. He was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, August 15, 1832, a son of Thomas Eiliby, a miner by occupation. In 1853 the family emigrated to the United States, locating in Allegany county, Mary- land, where the father and son were engaored in mining. In October, 1854, Thomas Bibby, accompanied by James Hardie, came to Trempealeau county, and made settle- ments, but Mr. Bibby did not long survive, passing away in December, 1856. His wife, the mother of our subject, died when her son was but a child of fifteen months. Thomas Bibby was the father of five sons and one daughter, four of whom were by his first marriage and two by the second: Margaret, the eldest, married James Hardie, and died December 6, 1888; Richard is a resident of Gale township; James died in Australia in 1889; John, the subject of this sketch; Thomas was accidentally killed in the mines of Australia, in February, 1890; Joshua died in this county. May 15, 1889. John Bibby, the subject of this sketch, arrived in Trempealeau county October 25, 1856, when all was yet new and wild. He was married March 28, 1856, to Mary Mc- Millan, who was born in Argyleshire, Scot- land, in 1830, a daughter of John and Isa- bella McMillan. Mr. Bibby and wife came to this county in the autumn following their marriage. They have six children, all of whom were born at the homestead in Gale township, namely: Isabella, Thomas, John, Margaret, James and Mary Ann. Mr. Bibby's farm contains 280 acres, and is in a fine state of cultivation. Here he has re- sided for the long period of thirty-five years, and has been closely identified with the growth and development of the country. When a postoltice was established in his neighborhood he suggested that it be called Glasgow, for the town in Scotland near which he was born. His suggestion was adopted, and 7iot only the postoffice but the neighbor- hood around is known as Glasgow. Mr. Bibby and his brother Richard, who lives near him, are numbered among the intelli- gent and well-known citizens of Gale town- ship, and have done their share toward developing the resources and promoting the growth of the county with which they have been so long identified. Isabella Bibby was married to Mr. C. E. Pynn, November 2, 1881, a farmer living near North Bend, Jackson connty, Wisconsin ; Jolin Bibby married Miss Eliza Emerson, of North Bend, Jackson county, November 29, 1883, and is now buttermaker for the Gales- ville Arctic Spring Creamery Company, at Galesville, Trempealeau county, Wisconsin; and Margaret Bibby was married March 28, 1888, to Mr. William Tibbitts, a farmer living near North Bend, Jackson county, Wiscon- sin. The other members of the family are still at the old home mentioned. 'HOMAS HUNTER, of Gale township, Trempealeau county, owns and occu- pies the homestead farm of his father, John Hunter, who was one of the pioneers of this county. In the biography of William Dick, found elsewhere in this work, it is BlOQRAPniCAL HISTORY. 671 stated that the families of AV^illiam Dick, David Cook, John Irvine and John Hunter came to Trempealeau county, accompanied by a single man named Phillips. The com- ing of this little colony occurred in the autumn of 1853. John Hunter was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, June 11, 1798, and was reared to the occupation of coal-mining. He was the son of Peter Hunter, and was one of six children. After reaching manhood he married Agnes Ferguson, also born in 1798, and in 1842 he came to America, landing at Montreal, Canada, after which he went almost directly to Pottsville, Pennsylvania. In 1848 his family, who had remained in Scotland, joined the husband and father in the new world, and about a year afterward they removed to Maryland, and in 1853, as before stated, came to Trempealeau county. Tiie family that followed the husband and father to the new world consisted of the mother and six sons. When the little party of emigrants above mentioned started from Maryland to Wis- consin they had no definite object as to what part of the State they would settle, and on reaching La Crosse the families remained there while the men of the party looked about for a suitable place to make homes. They finally decided to settle on Decora prairie, Trempealeau county, which was so named for the celebrated chief Decora, and six weeks after arriving at La Crosse they settled at this place. Above the beautiful plain Decora's Peak, a lofty mountain, looks down upon tlie inhabitants below as if guarding them from the encroachment of enemies. This section of country is prolific of Indian relics, and is one oi the most beautiful local- ities in Wisconsin, and the little colony of Scotch settlers, who settled here in 1853, manifested much wisdom in selecting this spot for their home. Mr. Hunter secured a quarter section of land, and here he and his wife lived with their sons the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1862, and the mother in August, 1887. They were the parents of ten sons, only three of whom are now living, viz.: Thomas, the subject of this sketch; Dugald is a resident of Texas; and Walter, who resides in Iowa. Of this family of ten sons six grew to mature years, the others having died in childhood. The father was a well-known and respected citizen, was a man of strong religious convictions, and was well informed on scriptural subjects, by which he endeavored to govern his daily walk. He possessed a cheerful disposition, casting sunshine about him wherever he went. He was the first Treasurer elected for Gale township, and was ever prominent in whatever tended to promote the best in- terests of the community in which he lived. Thomas Hunter, our subject, was born in Scotland, November 26, 1836, and was but twelve years old when he came to the United States. Thomas and Dugald came with their father and mother; the rest of the family two years after. He has a clear re- membrance of the wild appearance of the country in early days, and has resided on the homestead place where he now lives for the long period of thirty-six years. He married Miss Agnes Grant, who settled on Decora prairie in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have had eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, but lost two daughters in early life. The surviving children are: Walter, Elizabeth, Agnes, Thomas, John, Nellie, Robert, Ruth, Jennie, May and Isabel. Mr. Hunter is the only one of his father's family now residing in Trempealeau county. He is one of the representative men of Gale town- ship, and has been chairman of the town board two years, and a member of the side board a number of years. He was formerly 673 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. a Republican in politics, later a Grcenbacker, and now affiliates with the People's party. Mrs. Thomas Hnnter was one of six chil- dren, four of whom are now living, viz.: Ellen, the wife of Walter Irvine, resides in Iowa; Mrs. Hunter is the next in order of birth; Kobert lives at the homestead in Gale township; Elizabeth is the wife of John Dick; two brothers, William and Duncan, died in early life. Mrs. Hunter was born in Scotland in 1842, and caine with her parents to America in 1852, going tirst to Kentucky, and thence to Trempealeau county. | ' 3 i ' t ' ^' ?ESSE R. PENNY resides on section 3, township 20, range 9, Arcadia, where he settled in 1856, on land which he bought from the Government. He was born in Suf- folk county, Long Island, New York, January 8, 1832. His father was also a native of Long Island, and with his family removed to Olrio, when Jesse was about seventeen years of age. The subject of this sketch was married September 20, 1854. at Warren, Ohio, to Miss Phoebe A. Ferguson, daughter of Moses S. and Amelia Ferguson, natives of Trum- bull county, Ohio, where they died, leaving two daughters. Sarah J. married David Bish- op, at Fountain City, and came to Arcadia, with her husband, in the spring of 1856, soon after her marriage. They settled in the town of Arcadia, then the town of Preston. She was the first white woman in the limits of the town at its organization, and had the honor of being called upon to name the town, and gave it the name of Arcadia. Her hus- band served in the Thirtieth Wisconsin, in the war of the Pebellion. Several years later he was struck by lightning and killed. Later she married Mr. Charles Mercer, and now lives in the town of Arcadia. In October, 1854, soon after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Penny went to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and thence to Fountain City the following winter. There Mrs. Peniiy taught school during the winter of 1855-'56, which was the first school taught in that place. In the spring of 1856 they located their present place, where they have resided most of the time since. In 1860 Mr. Penny's father and mother came to Trempealeau county and settled on the land that he had located, and here the mother died in 1883, at the age of seventy-six years. Her husband still ^survives at the advanced age of ninety-five years. They were the parents of five children that grew to maturity, three sons and two daughters, all except the oldest daughter have been residents of Ar- cadia, and ail are now living except one son. Jesse R. Penny enlisted December 5, 1803, in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry, Captain Arnold's company, in which he served nearly two years and was mustered out September 20, 1865. He and wife have four children, two boys and two girls: Eima, wife of Frank Gceslin, of South Dakota; Jessie, wife of Lee Mason, of Minneapolis; Lincoln E., of St. Paul, and David G., of Duluth. fAY I. DEWEY of the town of Arcadia, Trempealeau county, is a son of Daniel C. Dewey, who in 1859 settled on sec- tion 33, township 21, range 9 west, which place is still the homestead of the family. Daniel C. Dewey was born in Delaware county, New York, Aprikl6, 1828, of Eng- lish de-^cent, a son of Aaron Dewey. The original ancestor was Thomas Dewey, who emigrated from Sandwich, Kent county, Eng- land, and settled at Dorchester, Massachusetts, BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 673 where lie died, April 27, 1648. When Daniel C. was but four years old the family removed to the State of Ohio, where he lived until he had attained his seventeenth year, when he returned to the State of New York. Aaron Dewey finally removed from Ohio to Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he resided until death. Mr. Daniel C. Dewey on his return West, went to Dodge county, where his father was then living, but later returned to the State of New York and was married to Josephine Trumbull, a native of Eastern New Y^ork. In 1854 he removed to Michigan, and in 1859, as already stated, removed to Trem- pealeau county, Wisconsin. He purchased the farm on which he located, of his father, George D. Dewey, who obtained it as Gov- ernment land, some two or three years previ- ously, but no improvements had l)een made on it. Here Mr. Dewey lived until his death, which occurred July 4, 1889. Daniel C. Dewey was a well-known and hiofhly esteemed 'citizen, and a man of more than average intelligence. He was a great reader and well informed on the political and other issues of the times, as well as an exten- sive reader of history and well informed on general subjects. He dealt considerably in real estate and possessed excellent judgment as a business man. In early life he was a Whig, and later, a Republican, though never a strong partisan, but was charitable in both his political and religious views. He entered the service of his Government in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting'in Company C, Thirti- eth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, A-ugust 10, 1862, and served as Sergeant of his company, but a few months later he was discharged for disability, and never after fully recovered his former health. He left at death his wife, one son, and two daughters. Ida the elder daughter, is the wife of David L. Holcomb, of this town; Ada is the wife of Rev. J. G. Ilaight, of Yorkville, Kendall county, Illinois. Jay I. Dewey, the only son, is the second of the family in the order of birth. He was born in the town of Martin, Allegan county, Michigan, December 10, 1858, havincr been about six months old when the family came to Trempealeau county. His literary education he received at Arcadia, and later took a course of studies at the commer- cial college at Winona, Minnesota, after which he engaged in teaching, and pursued that vocation for the greater part of ten years with great success. He was married to Miss Ella M. Arnold, daughter of William B. Arnold of the town of Arcadia, and their union has been blessed with one son, Theron A., who died September 3, 1891, at the age of two years and one month. ■ii > ' 3 i ' S * S "' " ILLIAM B. THOMPSON, a well known farmer and stock dealer *^ residing on section 31, Gale town- ship, Trempealeau county, is a son of Adol- phns Thompson, a pioneer of this county. The father was born in Coleraiu, Franklin county, Massachusetts, in 1808, and was de- scended from a Scotch-Irish family. His father emigrated from the town of Colerain, in the north of Ireland, with a colony of his countrymen to the then colony of Massachu- setts, calling the town where they settled Colerain, after the town in Ireland. Adolphus grew to manhood in his native State, and was engaged, while still a young man, in woolen manufacturing, and also learned the trade of a stone mason. Arriving at years of maturity he married, and soon afterward removed to the town of Locke, Cayuga county. New York, where he and his brother Joseph engaged in wool-carding and cloth- 674 BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT. dressing. Not long alter his removal to the State of New Yoi-k his wife died, leaving her husband with a son, James I., who was three or four years of age at his mother's death. Soon afterward Mr. Thompson returned to Massachusetts and was married to Mrs. Per- nielia ]}urton, and soon afterward removed to Chautauqua county, New York. Mrs. Permelia Burton had one son. Allen, at the time she married Mr. Thompson, and he is a railroad engineer, living in Oakes, North Dakota. In the spring of 1855 the family emigrated to Galena, Illinois, by rail, and thence up the Mississippi river to Trempea- leau county. The eldest son, however, James I., drove a four-horse team from New York to this county, Ijringing the household goods of the family. Mr. Thompson first pur chased fifty acres of land in Trempealeau, which was partially improved. This he in- creased to 173 acres, of which he made a fine farm, and where he resided until his death in 1870, at the age of sixty-one years. His second wife, the mother of our subject, sur- vived her husband many years, dying in the spring of 1855, at the advanced ageof eighty- two years. Adolpous Thompson was esteemed as an upright, honorable citizen, was some- what retiring in his manner and of but few words, but was a citizen of unquestioned integrity. lie was the father of one son by his first marriage, and of two children by his second marriage. James I., who has already been mentioned several times in this sketch, enlisted as a soldier in the war of the Rebel- lion, as a member of the Eighth Missouri Zouaves. He contracted a severe cold from exposure at the siege of Fort Donelson, and died while being transported with other sick and wounded soldiers to Louisville, Kentucky. He dieil on the boat, and his body now lies buried in the cemetery on his father's farm. This cemetery comprises laml which the father gave for a burial place, and there the son lies by the side of his father and mother. Ella, the eldest child by the second mar- riage, is the wife of O. A. Boyntou, of Jamestown, North Dakota. William B. Thompson was about nine years of age when he came with his parents to Trempealeau county, and here he has lived for the long period of thirty-five years. His wife was formerly Miss Allie Atwood, a daughter of Royal Atwood, a native of Ver- mont. The latter was married in his native State to Mary Brooks, after which they re- moved to Eond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where they were early settlers. They came to Trempealeau county in the spring of 1868, where the father died in 1879, at the age of fifty-four years, and the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Atwood were tbe parents of three children, of whom Mrs. Thompson is the eldest. The second of the family, Erwin L., resides in the town of Caledonia, and Herman B. lives in Kingsbury county. South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson liave seven children, three sons and four daughters: Lizzie B.; Grace M., the wife of William P. Veitch; Leiia A.; Mabel A.; Allan B.; Perry W. and Merton E. Mr. Thompson is one of the representative farmers and stock-raisers of Trempealeau county. He has a fine farm of 260 acres, and his improvements are among the best to he found in the connty. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have a pleasant home, and are numbered with the intelligent residents of this county. ILLIAM ULRICH,of Fountain City, Wisconsin, was born in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland, November 22, 1854, and is the son of Conrad and Anna (Langhart) Ulricli. The eldcu- Mr. niricli BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 675 was a son of George, and was a potter by trade. He and his family emigrated to the United States in the fall of 1855, and located in the town of Waumandee, Buffalo county, where he pre-empted and improved a piece of land. He had a family of eleven children: Anna, Louise, Conrad, Jacob, Mary, William, William (2), John, Charles, Paulina and Elizabeth. All are living e.xcept William, Mary, Jacob and Conrad, and all in Wiscon- sin but Elizabeth, now Mrs. Sexaner, who lives in Minnesota. The father died in Foun- tain City, December 5, 1890. He had moved to this place in 1876, and was engaged in the cultivation of grapes, his vineyard being one of the finest small ones in the county. His widow is still living. The subject of our sketch spent his youth- ful years on the farm, helping his father and attending the common schools. He remained at home until he was about twenty-two, when he found employment elsewhere. After the death of his brother, Jacob, in the fall of 1879, lie returned to his father's farm and conducted it ten years. He also established a cheese factory, which he ran for some time. In the spring of 1891, being adminif trator of his father's estate, he leased the farm and moved to town. He purchased the Concordia liall property, which embraces a dwelling and saloon attached, and is now conducting the latter. Mr. Ulrich was married, at Waumandee, June 2, 1880, to Christiana, daughterof Clem- ent and Margaretta (Winkler) Hoffer, whose parents live in Winona. They have three children, viz.: Anna, born May 5, 1882; Darwin W., February 20, 1884, and George, June 23, 1888. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodee No. 280, of Fountain City, and the Modern Woodmen, Waumandee Camp, No. 754. While living at Waumandee he held several local positions, among which were Town Trea- surer and chairman of the Town Board; was Justice of the Peace for a number of years. In politics he was formerly a KepuWican, but is now independent. He was the organizer of the Farmers' Alliance of Buffalo county, in 1889; was chosen its president, and was re-elected the following year. In the spring of 1891, having ceased to be a farmer, he tendered his resignation, which was accepted. During his connection with the organization he was lecturer. He still believes that the principles of the Alliance, if properly carried out, would be beneficial to the country. -s*^H :»^-*<»* l^EMUEL HARE, one of the well-known 'wji citizens of Trempealeau, resides on sec- ■^P^ tion 35, town 19, range 9, where he has lived since 1863. He was an early settler of La Crosse county, having located on a farm of Government land in the town of Holland in 1856, where he resided until 1863. He was born in Plattsburg, Clinton county. New York, in 1829, a son of Joseph Hare, also a native of Clinton county. The original ances- tor of the family was David Hare, the grand- father of the subject of this sketch. He appears to have been a soldier in the British army in the war of the Revolution, but, un- willing to tight against the American colonies in their war for independence, he deserted from the army and later settled in Clinton county, being one of its early pioneers. He married and reared a family of fourteen chil- dren, one of whom was Joseph, the father of Lemuel. Joseph Hare married Elsie Irish, a native of Vermont, and daughter of David Irish, who was also the father of fourteen children, having been twice married. Mr. and Mrs. Hare wei-e the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters. 676 BIOQRAPHIGAL HISTORY. Tliej coTitimied to live in Clinton county until 1857, when thej came to Wisconsin and settled in La Crosse county, and later they went to Pierce county, and still later to Trempealeau county, where they resided with their son. Lemuel, until death. All of their family eventually removed to La Crosse county, though at different times, except the eldest daughter, Mary Ann, who married Georffe Wilson and resides in Essex county, New York. Lemuel was the second of the family in order of birth; Avis married D. H. Baker, and now lives in Pierce county, Wis- consin; Decatur is a resident of this county; Huldah married H. McKiuny and removed to Montana, where she died several years ago; Merrill also died several years ago, in the State of Minnesota; he was twice married, having two children liy his tirst wife and three by the second; Franklin, a resident of Trempea- leau county, was a member of Company B, Sixth Wisconsin Voluiitet-r Infantry, in the war of the Rebellion. Lemuel Ilare was reared to the occupation of farming, which has been his principal business through life. While living in La Crosse county, besides attending to farm duties, he was quite actively engaged in well digging, having been one of the earliest operators in that occupation in La Crosse county. While thus engaged in excavating the earth at considerable distances below the surface he occasionally found objects of much interest which seemed to be of a pre- historic character. On one occasion, at the depth of forty-seven feet, he found bones resembling those of the human body, and also at the same depth an earthen vessel having some- what the shape of a bowl. He also found other relics of an interesting nature. Mr. Ilare was married, in New York, to Eliza Carey, a daughter of Ellis and Eliza (Scott) Carey; the latter was descended from the same ancestry as was General Winfield Scott. Her parents died when she was a child, and she was legally adopted into the family of John Cochran,^ whose wife was her maternal aunt. At her adoption she assumed the name of Cochran, and was the only child of her adopted parents. Her adopted mother is still living in the State of New York. Mrs. Hare is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and Mr. Hare, of Holland descent. They are the parents of eight children, live sons and three daughters, viz.: Freeman Scott, Emmett M., Lottie E., Willie P., Effie E., Alta Grant, Elizabeth L. and Lemuel W. They lost a daughter, Ella, at the age of about one year. Mr. Hare and family have a pleasant home, and are num- bered among the intelligent and progressive citizens of Trempealeau county. He has 220 acres of land, and is quite extensively engaged in stock-raising and dairying. He also has quite an extensive apiary, taking great inter- est in the cultivation of his bees. Thirty-six years have passed since Mr. Hare and wife became residents of La Crosse county. The country was then new, and set- tlers were few and far between, but they have lived to witness the great advancement the country has made during the pioneer days. They are happily situated, and enjoying the fruits of an industrious and well spent life. (s S''^ fOIIN SCHMITZ was born in Cologne, Prussia, April 25, 184:3, son of William and Margaritta (Schmitz) Schmitz. Will- iam Schmitz was born at the same place, in 1819, and died at Sheboj'gan, Wisconsin, in 1885. His widow died in 1888, at the ase of seventy-one years. They emigrated to the United States in May, 1854, landed in New York, and thence direct to Sheboygan, where they spent the rest of their lives. The father BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY. 677 was a farmer by occupation. The seven chil- dren born to them are all living, and are as follows: Mary, wife of Antone Felden, of Milwaukee; Otto, of Sheboygan; Sebilla, wife of Fritz Conrad, also of Sheboygan; Anna, who married Nick Felden, of Milwau- kee; John, the subject of our sketch; Eliza- beth, wife of Joe Schible, of Sheboygan; and Barbara, now Mrs. Merkle. John Schmitz was reared at home, and at the age of thirteen began to learn the trade of cabinet-making with a Mr. Crocker, of Sheboygan. He worked for him three years and a half, and then one year at Fond du Lac. He was working at his trade at She- boygan when the war broke out. August 15, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-sixth Wisconsin Infantry. His war record is an honorable one. He risked his life to help save the country of his adop- tion, served with true bravery all through that sanguinary struggle so memorable in the annals of this free land of ours, and was one of the victors who participated in the grand review at Washington. At one time, while helping to storm a fort, he was wounded in the leg by a bayonet. Among the important engagements in which he took part were the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Look- out Mountain, etc. He was mustered out of the service at Milwaukee, June 29, 1865. Returning to Sheboygan after the war was over, Mr. Schmitz again engaged in work at his trade. May 1, 1867, he moved to Foun- tain City. Here he established a cabinet- making business, and also engaged in con- tracting and building. He constructed the Trempealeau courthouse, the Concordia Hall at Alma, and a number of other large build- ings. He continued this business until 1889, when, in company with Paul Mueller, he purchased ihe Buffalo County Repuhlikaner. This partnership continued one year, after which Mr. Schmitz sold out to Mr. Mueller. Since then he has not been engaged in busi- ness. Mr. Schmitz is a man of ability, and in his various enterprises has been prospered, thereby accumulating a good property. He has held several positions of local prominence and trust; was Supervisor two terms, from 1888 to 1890, and has also served twice as Town Trustee. Mr. Schmitz was united in marriage, Au- gust 15, 1865, at Sheboygan, to Sophia, daughter of John and Mary Prigge. Of the eight children born to them, six are living, namely: Ida, wife of Fritz Behlmer, Foun- tain City; Anna, wife of Robert Schilling, Sheboygan ; Mary, Lena, Johnmeda and Clara, at home. Mrs. Schmitz died December 10, 1886, and March 20, 1889, Mr. Schmitz wedded Miss Louise Ganz, a native of Buf- falo county, by whom he has one daughter, Edna. Mr. Schmitz is a member of the I. O. O. F., the A. O. U. W., the Modern Woodmen, and the German Harmonia Society. He be- longs to the Fire Company. In politics he is Republican. ISENRY ROETTIGER, Mayor of Foun- tain City, Wisconsin, was born at this place, June 7, 1861. He is a public- spirited and enterprising young man, and thus far in life has met with more than ordi- nary success. His parents, Fritz and Dora Roettiger, are natives of Hanover, Germany. The former, a son of Fred Roettiger, was born October 4, 1832, and the latter January 26, 1842. They were married in Fountain City, in 1858, and their union has been blessed with two children, Fred and Henry. The father is a tailor by trade. Pie and his wife are still livincr in 678 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Fountain City, where lie is conducting a furniture store. Henry Koettiger was brought up in his native town, attended the public schools and learned the carpenter's trade. In 1879 he went to Milwaukee, where he studied archi- tecture. .Returning home, he engaged in work with his uncle, Henry Roettiger. In 1883 he and his uncle formed a co-partnership, the firm name being Roettiger & Co. Since 1889 Mr. Roettiger's brother, Fred, has been associated with them in business. They have a mill in which they manufacture almost everything in the wood Hue needed for their building operations. They have erected the principal buildings that have been constructed in this part of the country during their busi- ness career. Among these may be mentioned the courthouse and jail at Whitehall, Trem- pealeau county, and the courthouse at Alma, theflouring-mill there, and the Fountain City Brewery. In Clark county they built a Lu- theran Church; a bank building in Spring valley, Minnesota, and a church edifice in La Crosse. Besides these they have erected many residences in Fountain City and else- where. They carry on a furniture business, are stockholders in the Fountain City Milling Company, and also in the Fountain City Brewing Company. Mr. Roettiger has held several local po- sitions of trust, such as Clerk and Treasurer of the town; and in the spring of 1891 was almost unanimously chosen for Mayor, which office he is now filling to the entire satisfac- tion of his constituents. In politics he is a Republican. By his knowledge of architec- ture and the close attention given to his occupation, he has built up a large and con- stantly increasing business. He is a member of the Germania Club and of the Harmonia Society. He was married at Fountain City, Decem- ber 31, 1883, to Linda, daughter of Fritz Thuemmel. Three children have been born to them: Elsie, Alvin and Norraau. Alvin died in April, 1890. Mrs. Roettiger is a member of the Lutheran Church. ILLIAM II. BLODGETT,a furniture dealer and undertaker of Whitehall, has been engaged in l)usiness since 1884, succeding L. H. Whitney, but which was established by Xelson Comstock in 1874. Mr. Blodgett w-as born in Beloit, Wisconsin, December 29, 1844, a son of Franklin Blodgett, who settled in that city in May of the same year. He was born in Maine, in 1810, and was of English ancestry. Three brothers named Blodgett came to America previous to the Revolutionary war, two of whom settled in the colony of Massachusetts, but where the third brother settled is not known. The descendants of the first two became very numerous in Massachusetts and Maine. Franklin Blodgett married Martha Taylor, a native of Lowell, Massachusetts. After coming to Wisconsin, the family re- mained in Beloit but a short time, removinji thence to Bamboo, and later to the State of Iowa. But the family afterward returned to Wisconsin, and lived for a time at Angelo, Monroe county, whence they removed to Winona, but after returning aojaiu to Monroe county, they removed to Chattield, Minne- sota, in 1853. There the family lived thir- teen years, and in 1866 went to Dunn county, Wisconsin, settling near Menomoiiie, where the father died in 1887, the mother having died in Chatfield, in 1859. They were the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, but only four of the familj' are now living, two sons and two daughters. The surviving brother of our subject, Edwin, is a BIOGBAPHWAL HISTORY. 679 resident of Meiiomonie; Jane, the eldest of the family, is the wife of Joseph Wiggins, of Fall City, Dunn county; Nina is the wife of William liaprager, of Menomonie. William H., the subject of this sketch, en- listed in February, 1862, in Company B, Fifth Regiment, Minnesota Infantry. This was at a time when the Indians were trouble- some on the frontier, and his company was sent to Fort Ridgely, Minnesota, to garrison that fort and protect tiie inhabitants against the Indians. This fort was located but eighteen miles from New Ulm, the scene of the terrible massacre in 1862. As soon as information reached the fort that the massa- cre of the inhabitants had begun, a part of his company, including himsell', started at once for the scene of trouble. The soldiers left Fort Ridgley at about 9 o'clock, a. m., and marched at once to the lower agency of the Sioux, wliere they arrived at about 1:30 p. M. They took no rations with them, but others followed from the fort with food, over- taking them in the vicinity of the agency. The Indians, aware of their coming, had re- solved to form an ambush for the soldiers. New Ulm and Redwood Agency, it will be remembei-ed, are located on the Minnesota river, and on arriving at the agency an Indian chief was seen on the opposite side of the river standing on a log, and his appearance would indicate that his intentions were friendly. He attempted by motions and broken English to induce the soldiers to go aboard the ferry-boat, which was stationed at that place, but the Indian interpreter who accompanied the soldiers immediately warned the Captain that their object was to get the soldiers all aboard the boat, and while they were passing to the other side the savages would have them at their mercy, so tiie re- quest was not complied with. Two or three soldiers, however, advanced to the river's edge and obtained water for their thirsty com- panions. While they were so doing, the Indian chief, who had evidently concluded tliat the soldiers were suspicious of their in- tentions, at once gave the signal for attack, and from all sides a furious and murderous tire was poured. A scene of confusion and slaughter at once followed, the soldiers at once discovering that they were surrounded by many times their number, and a desperate effort was made to fight their way clear of the Indians and get back to the fort. Of the forty-seven soldiers of which the detachment consisted, twenty-three were killed and three others badly wounded. Mr. Blodgett re- ceived a gunshot wound in the first tire, the ball entering his left side, between the two lower ribs, and passing through the body came out at the spine. The final escape of Mr. Blodgett and liis survival of the terrible wound that he received are among the most remarkable incidents in the history of Indian warfare. When the attack began it at once became evident that the soldiers were surrounded on all sides. Mr. Blodgett, on being shot, fell to the ground, but quickly got upon his feet and ran for shelter to the house of the ferryman; but the rattling of the bullets upon the building at once told him that his place of hiding was known to the savages, and it would be sure death to remain there. He immediately left the building and running back presently saw three men on diflerent sides of the same tree, endeavoring to dodge the bullets. The di- rection in which he was fleeing was toward these men, but before he reached them all were killed. Observing the direction from which the shot came that killed one of the three soldiers, he cast his eye in that direc- tion and saw an Indian hastily reloading his gun. Mr. Blodgett had thus far kept pos- session of his own gun, which he immediately BIOGRAPUICAL niSTUllY. brought to bear upon the savage and shot him dead. Quick as possible he reloaded his gun from a fallen comrade's ammunition and continued his retreat. He presently came upon a soldier who was retreating in the same direction and called him to run faster, l)ut in reply to the command he showed him his hand which had been badly in- jured. Their paths here slightly di- verged, Mr. Blodgett going' to the right and his comrade to the left, and hearing a noise as though pursued the former dropped down into the path and crawled into the bushes. Two Indians immediately passed in pursuit, almost stepping upon him as they passed in their eagerness, and soon overtook the soldier, whom they tomahawked. There Mr. Blodgett lay in the bushes in pain, and distinctly heard the voices of the Indians, who lit their pipes and sat down to smoke after the brutal murder of the soldier. This event occurred at about 2 o'clock p. M., and there he lay until dark, when he made an attempt to reach the fort. But the night was dark and the ground rough, and he made but little headway. He came, however, to a little pond or lake near by his place of con- cealment, where he slaked his thirst and lay down upon tho ground. The ne.xt morning he again started for the fort, but again made but little headway, as it was'necessary that he should keep concealed in the l)ushe8, as sav- ages might still be prowling about. At dark he had made but four miles, and he now ventured in the road, and at 2 o'clock at night succeeded in reaching the fort, and all this time he had been without food. His escape was certaitdy a most remark- able one, especially taking in consideration the severe nature of the wound. The bullet that entered his body, lacerated the outlet of the stoni&ch to the bowels, and for fourteen days nothing that was taken into his stomach passed this outlet but was expelled from the stomach through the opening the bullet had made through his body. It is said to have been the first case on record of a person so wounded recovering, and is regarded so im- portant that it is printed, and is on record in the Surgeon General's office, United States Army, at Washington, District of Columbia, and in the Medical and Surgical History of the Rebellion, part second, surgical volume, page 941. This, of course, ended the mili- tary career of Mr. Blodgett, which, though brief, was a most remarkable one. His recovery, which was thought to be impos- sible, was of course a very gradual one, and lie has never recovered liis former con- dition. In time he learned the trade of carpentry, which he followed until 1884, but owing to physical weakness he was obliged to give it up, engaging in his present occu- pation. Mr. Jilodgett \vas married in Eau Claire, January 22, 1873, to Miss Victoria A. Snoad, of Kilbourn City, and they have one son, Harry E., born November 27, 1873. They lost a son, Clair, born July 10, 1878, and died at the age of ten days. They have one daughter, Gracie M., born May 8, 1884. Mr. Blodgett is one of the enterprising and intel- gent citizens of Whitehall, and, notwithstand- ing the fearful experience and great sutfering he has endured from his army career, is one of the progressive business men of his town. Politically he was formerly a Republican, but is now a Prohibitionist. He is an honored member of Winfield Scott Post, at Whitehall. kEV. GEORGE P.DISSMORE,of Pigeon township, is one of the early settlers of West AVisconsin. He was born at Mar- blehead, Massachusetts, about fifteen miles BIOORAPHIGAL HISTORY. 681 from Boston, December 2, 1834, a son of Thomas Dissniore. The genealogy of the family in America is traced hack to two brothers who emigrated with their families from England in early colonial days. One of these brothers settled at Marblehead, and the other in what is now the State of JNew Hampshire, and our subject is descended from the former. The descendants of the latter, who are now scattered over various parts of the Union, spell their name Dens- more, but the original orthography of the name is Dissmore. The exact time of the coining from England of the two brothers above mentioned is not exactly known, though at least 200 years must have elapsed since then, as tlie name appears in the early colonial history of the New England colonies. The paternal ancestry of the subject of this sketch were seafaring men, his grandfather having followed the sea for fifty years, as did all his sons except Thomas, the father of our sub- ject. Thomas Dissmore married Mary Rey- nolds, also of Marblehead, and in the spring of 1857 he emigrated with his family to Wisconsin, settling in what is now Juneau county, where the family lived for about four- teen years. They then came to Trempealeau county and lived until 1890, when the father went to Barren county to reside with his youngest son. The mother died when our subject was l)ut five years old, and the father afterward remarried, and with his wife now lives in Barron county, both having' attained to advanced age. George P. is the only sur- viving child of his mother; a sister died in early life. Two sons and a daughter were born by the second marriage of the father, — Thomas, deceased ; Martha, the widow of Kev. E. D. Barbour, of Barron county, Wis- consin, and Benjamin, the youngest. Rev. George P. Dissmore was educated in his native State, and accompanied his father West in 1857. The latter was a shoemaker by trade, but engaged in farming after coming West. Our subject was engaged in teaching most of the time in early life, and at the age of fifteen years he united with the church, and has been engaged in the ministry since early manhood. He preached for three years in the village of Warner, Juneau county, and later in Yernon county for one and a half years, and has been pastor of the First Baptist Church of Whitehall for more than twenty-five years, though tJie church has had other pastors for short terms. Mr. Dissmore was ordained in the Baptist Church at Mauston in 1859. He now resides on section 8, township 22 north, range 7 west, where he has lived for nearly thirty years, having secured the land that comprises his fine farm of 160 acres under the homestead law. He is eminently a pioneer of Trem- pealeau county, having helped to organize Pigeon township, and was its first Town Clerk. He was married in 1859 in Juneau county, just before his ordination to the ministry, to Mary E. Rogers, a daughter of Reuben Rogers, who emigrated from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin when the latter was a Territory. His final settlement was at Mauston, where he lived until death. Mrs. Rogers is in the ninth generation of descent from John Rogers, who was burned at the stake at Smithfield, England. Mr. and Mrs. Diss- more have ten children, two sons and eight daughters. They have lost two sons, one by accidental drowning, and two died in in- fancy. Rev. Dissmore is one of the well- known citizens of Trempealeau county, where he has lived so many years. He is a man of great energy and force of character, and while he has been all his life successfully engaged in the ministry he has also cleared and developed a tine farm, on which he and 683 BIOGRAPHIGAL BISTORT. his family reside. As a minister he is earnest and impressive, and has labored faithfully all iiis life to make men and women both better through the influence of the gospel. He is respected and esteemed also as a progressive and enterprising citizen. ^ENRY TECKEMBURG, one of the old pioneers and business men of Fountain City, Wisconsin, was born in the duke- dom of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, Fel)- ruary 10, 1827. His father, Clans Teckemburg, ■was a son of Frederick Teckemburg, and was a farmer by occupation, and his mother was nee Margaretta Schlichtiiig. They had a family of nine children, namely: Frederick, Ah- rand, Henrick F., Henry, William, Rudolph, Johannas, Eugene, Louise, now Mrs. IJter- raoehl, of Fountain City. All are living ex- cept Frederick, Ahrand, Rudolph, Johannas and Eugene. The subject of our sketch was reared at home, attended school until lie was fifteen, and then entered upon a five years' appren- ticeship to the mercantile business at Liibeck. After his term of appreuticesliip had e.\pired, he clerked for several years, thus acquiring a thorough knowledge of the business. He emigrated to the United States in the spring of 1852, landing in New York city and from thence coming West to Davenport, Iowa. In the spring of 1853 lie started for La Crosse, where he opened a store and conducted it until fall. Then he moved his business up to Holmes Landing, now Fountain City, and opened the tirst store in the place. On the first night after he landed with his goods he slept by them, and in the morning he was awakened by a great pow-wow from a num- ber of Indians who had gathered around him. He could not speak the Indian language, and naturally thougiit they meant him harm. He sent for Goerke, who iiad been with the In- dians and who explained matters to him. The red men only wanted to greet liim and buy goods. His trade was good from the first, and rapidly increased. In 1855 he erected a brick store, which was bnrued in 1878. The same year he erected his present building. In 1857 he sold his goods to R. W. Feigle, and, in company with August Finkle- burg, started a sawmill near the river at the foot of Hill street. Tliis was the second sawmill in the county. They operated it one year. In 1859 he took the machinery further north and erected another mill, which he ran about a year, after which he sold out. This mill was burned down sometime in the 'SOs. He opened his mercantile business again, in 1859, across the street from his old stand. He had traded his store property to Mr. Finkleburg for his interest in tlie sawmill at the time he moved it north. About 1870 he bought the building and moved his goods over into it. In 1872 he sold out to Carisch Bros. He then operated in wheat, and entrao-jd in farming on the land he had pur- chased just above the city in 1859. In 1879 he again returned to the mercantile business. That year he also bought the Bishop sawmill below town, and ran it until 1885. He has carried on his mercantile business continu- ously since. Mr. Teckemburg is a stockiiolder in the Fountain City Brewing Company and also in the Fountain City Milling Company. At one time he held tiie position of County Clerk ; also served in other offices of local promin- ence and trust. Not at any time, however, has he sought office, and has only served when he thought it his duty to do so. He was married, June 27, 1854, at Foun- tain City, to Margaret, daugliter of Hans J. and Barbara (Meyer) Rahin, natives of Swit- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. zerland. A record of the eleven children born to them is as follows: Teckla, born Sep- tember 22, 1855, died January 2, 1856; Gus- tave A., born August 19, 1856, died August 25, 1857; Gustave H., born March 13, 1858, died October 8, 1859; August, born October 1, 1859, died October 9, 1859; Edwin, born December 3, 1860; Emma, born September 5, 1862, is now the wife of Fred Voegeli; Matilda, born August 17, 1864, died Feb- ruary 1, 1891; Henry, l>orn September 28, 1866, died July 19, 1868; Albert, born March 7, 1869; Laura, born January 25, 1871, died December 17, 1872; Flora, born May 6, 1873. Mr. Teckemburg is a man who stands high in the community where he has so long resided. In politics he is Democratic. fOHN O. MELBY engaged in the bank- ing business at Whitehall, Wisconsin, in 1888, with a capital of $10,000. The seventh semi-annual report made to the State Treasurer, January 4, 1892, is as follows: Resources: Loans and discounts, $60,679.56; tax certificates, $618.14; overdrafts, $73.02; specie, $2,486.55; cash items, $20.72; bank fixtures, $891.65; United States National Bank notes, $1,099.00; due from banks, $15,- 911.91; total, $81,780.55. Liabilities: Cap- ital, $10,000.00; surplus, $4,700.00; deposits, $67,080.55; total, $81,780.55. The corre- spondents of this bank are: Second National Bank, Winona; La Crosse National Bank, La Crosse; Metropolitan National Bank, Chi- cago; National Bank of the Republic, New York, and N. A. Andresen & Co., Cliristi- ania. A hank was established at this place in 1878 by Messrs. Allen (Sr Son, but con- tinued only one year. Mr. Melhy was horn at Askim, Norway, October 15, 1845, was educated in his native land, and came to the United States in 1869. His father, now deceased, was never in this country, and the mother still lives aniontr the pine-clad hills of her own land. On coming to America Mr. Melby went to Omaha, Ne- braska, but a few months later to La Crosse, Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1870 he moved to Ettrick, Trempealeau county, Wis- consin. There he worked in the store of Iver Pederson for nearly live years, during which time he held the office of Town Treas- urer four years, and in company with his employer purchased the gristmill at that place. In the fall of 1874 he was elected Register of Deeds of Trempealeau county, and in the spring of 1875 he sold his milling interests to his partner, Mr. Peterson. He held the office of Registrar of Deeds continu- ously for twelve years, and on retiring from the office was succeeded by the present in- cumbent, Simon Olson. From July, 1887, to July, 1888, Mr. Melby was cashier of the Bank of Galesville, Wisconsin. In 1875 he was united in marriacre, at Ettrick, to Miss Jennie L. Beach, daughter of Charles G. Beach. The father came with his family from Vermont to Trempealeau county in 1866. The mother is now deceased, and the father resides with his daughter, try ' Mrs. Melby. After a year in the Bank of Galesville, as already stated, Mr Melby re- solved to make a visit to his native land, and spent three months of the summer of 1888 in the land of his childhood, visiting the scenes of his earlier days and the friends and kindred whom he had left many years before. After a pleasant visit in Europe he re-joined his family in Vermont, whither he had accompanied them before starting on his journey abroad. Mr. Melliy and his brother Anton, em- ployed in the bank as cashier, are the only 684 BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY. members of the family in America. Mr. and Mrs. Melby liave three children, two dangliters and a son: Tvittie, Charles and Mary. Onr subject is one of the successful business men of Trempealeau county, owns much valuable real estate, and has been a stockholder in the Bank of Galesville since its organization. He has a pleasant home at Whitehall, Wisconsin. Cordial and genial in his disposition, fair and honorable in his dealings, he commands the respect and esteem of his fellow cftizens. ^ '^ ON. JOHN J. SENN, a resident of Fountain City, Wisconsin, and one of the old pioneers of Buffalo county, was born in Canton St. Callen, Switzerland, March 28, 1828. His parents, John J. and Kathe- rina (Graesli) Senn, were natives of Switzer- land, the former born in May, 1798, and the latter January 1, 1800. Grandfather Senn was named Jacob. John J. Senn, Sr., was a farmer by occupation. He emigrated to the United States in 1854, two years subsequent to the coming of his son. Tlie subject of our sketch was reared be- neath the parental roof, receiving the advan- taoes of a common-school education. He learned the trade of weaving and dying, and followed that business up to the time of his emigration. He sailed from Havre de Grace for New Orlean8~on board the good ship Robert Kelley, landing in the latter city Novemlier 9, 1852, where he worked at his trade of dyeing. Three months later he went to St. Louis, where he worked at a branch of the dyeing trade three months. The next two years he spent at Galena, Illinois, working in the mines in winter and at the carpenter's trade in summer. His next move was to Fountain City, landing here May 19, 1855. It was about that time that the name was changed from Holmes Landing to Fountain City. Mr. Senn worked at whatever employ- ment he could obtain in the new town until the fall of 1858. He then engaged in teach- ing school at Eagle Mills, now known as Mil- ton, and taught there and in the towns of Beividere and Fountain City until the spring of 1863, when he took up painting and fol- lowed it until he entered the war. He enlisted September 3, 1861:, at Fountain City, in Company F., Ninth Wisconsin Infantry; spent three weeks at Camp Randall, Wiscon- sin, from whence they were ordered to Little Rock, Arkansas. He was placed in detached service in General Solomon's brigade band. He had had some experience in military serv- ice while he was a citizen of the republic of Switzerland, where he was a bugler. In the latter part of January, 1865, he went on an expedition with his command through Arkansas. After he was mustered out of the service, June 3, 1865, he returned home and again engaged in painting. In the fall of that year he was nominated by the Republicans and elected to the office of County Treasurer, which position he held for one term. He was a candidate in 1867, but was defeated. In 1869, however, he was again elected, serving one term. After his time ex- pired, he engaged in the insurance busi- ness, which he has since continued. In 1874 he was one of the principal organizers of the Fountain City Mutual Farmers' Fire Insurance Company, which organization was perfected May 16, 1874. He was chosen secretary of the company, in which capacity he has since acted, also being the principal agent. Besides attending to their rapidly increasing business, he is also agent for some foreign companies. He has held various local offices; was a delegate to the State con- W/^ '^/^/2^^^-i-^- BIOGRAPUrCAL HISTORY. 685 ventions in 1872 and 1878; was elected a member of the General Assembly by the Republican party in 1876, and again in 1877. Mr. Senn was married at Belvidere, May 8, 1861. to Elsbeth Weibel. The three chil- dren born to them are: Amanda, Laura, who died June 29, 1888, and Eniil, who died Sep- tember 23, 1871. He is a member of the A. O. LT. "W., Lodge No. 13, Fountain City; also of Peter Weber Post, No. 257, G-. A. R., of which he is adjutant. fOHN COMSTOCK GAVENEY, of Arcadia, attorney and counselor at law, is the only surviving son of James Gave- ney, deceased, who was one of the early, well- known settlers of Trempealeau county. James Gaveney was born at Bally Bay, county Monaghan, Ireland. He lost his parents in early life, and about the time he reached his majority he went to Dublin, and was for some time a member of the police force of that city. In 184:8 he came to the United States, going first to Mineral Point, Wisconsin, where he was for ,". time engao-ed in lead mining. In 1852, when tlie excite- ment attending the gold discovery in Cali- fornia was at its height, he joined Captain Sublette's company and crossed the plains to the Pacific coast. His first location in that State was at French Corral, where he re- mained one year, and was afterward at Forest City about four years. While at the former place Mr. Gaveney formed the acquaintance of Noah Comstock, another pioneer and prominent citizen of Trempealeau county, and the circumstance attending the making of this acquaintance was indeed peculiar. It appears that a dispute arose between them as to the title of a certain claim which grew so 45 violent in its character that revolvers were drawn, and the quarrel seemed likely to ter- minate seriously to one or both of the parties. But better counsels prevailed, and they agreed to work the claim in partnership. As these gentlemen came to know each other better, and to appreciate each other's better qualities, a friendship was formed which only ceased with death. Their attachment was ever a subject of remark. Mr. Gaveney returned from Caliornia via the Isthmus of Panama, and came to Trempealeau county from Mineral Point in 1857; he first purchased forty acres of land, which forms a part of the present homestead of the family, and he afterward increased his possesions un- til he owned many hundred acres. His life was devoted mainly to agricultural pursuits, and he was ever a well-known and influential citizen. In 1879, in company with Mr. Comstock, he bought the Independence Mill at Independence, where they did quite an e.x- tensive business; their output averaged about $60,000 per annum. They were also engao-ed in the lumber business at the same place. Personally Mr. Gaveney was a man of more than average physical .strength, and possessed great will power. He was prominent in whatever tended to promote the best interests of the community in which he lived, and pjssessed the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. In his political affilia- tions he was a Republican,, but not a seeker for official place, though he accepted a number of local offices, includin": that of chairman of his township. He was appointed Postmaster in June, 1876. and served until July, 1885, when -lie resigned. He was a successful busi- ness man, and at his death, which occurred June 21, 1889, the commnnity was bereft of one of its most worthy citizens. He left be- hind him a record worthy of preservation in the annals of his county. 686 BIOORAPUICAL HISTORY. He was married in Arcadia, to Maria Martha Briggs, a native of Vermont. Three children were born of this union, two sons and adanghter: Ciiarles, the eldest, was born May 27, 1861, and died December 5, 1889; John C. was tiie next in order of birth; and the only daughter, Mamie, died in 1879, at the age ot eleven years. The mother still re- sides at the pleasant homestead near the vil- lage of Arcadia. John Comstock Gaveney was born in Arcadia. June 30, 1863. lie graduated in the treneral science course of the Wisconsin State University at Madison, in 1885, and from the law department of the university in 1888. He began the practice of his profes- sion in the city of Milwaukee, but a short time afterward accepted a position from J. O. Raymond, of Stevens' Point, to form a part- nership with that gentleman, at that place. After the death of his brother in 1889, cir- cumstances compelled Mr. Gaveney to with- draw from that partnership, and to return to Arcadia to manage tlie estate of his father, and at the same time engaged iu the practice of his profession. His wife was formerly Miss Isadore D. Webster, a step- daughter of Judge Keys, of Madison. Mr. Gaveney is a man of superior mental attain- ments, and possesses much ability as a lawyer. '>^g-3" S -g"— kEV. HERMANN JOSEPH UNTRAUT is the present pastor of the Catholic Church of Arcadia, which is designated as the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The first services of the Catholic Church in Arcadia or vicinity were con ducted Ijy the Rev. Florentine, and held at the residence of Nicholas Meyer, about one and a half miles southeast of the present church in Arcadia, in 1867. Father Floren- tine was a missionary, his home having l)een at Pine Creek. He officiated but a few times, and was succeeded by Rev. Klayber; next came Rev. Theodore, who resided at Pine Creek. He began the building of a church in Meyer's valley, which was finished in 1869, and in which Father Theodore held the first mass. Later Rev. Ludvvig Lay, of Waumandee, attended that church until 1875; next Father Beau attended mass at this church; later, in 1875, Rev. Albert Mendl became resident pastor at Glencoe, Buffalo county, and attended Meyer's Valley Church monthly. January 1, 1885, the new church in the village of Arcadia was com- pleted, and the first mass was held by Rev. Bernhardt Klein, of Glencoe. At this time services were discontinued in Meyer's valley. Later Rev. William Weckes attended the Arcadian church until April, 1888, when the Rev. Hermann Joseph Untrant became the first resident priest. Under his auspices much progress has been made, the school house and parsonage having been erected and other improvements consummated. The congregation now numbers seventy-two fam- ilies, and 118 pupils were enrolled in the school during the last year, which is known as the school of St. Aloysins. Father Untraut was born in Germany July 28, 1854-, and was educated at Eichstaedt, Bavaria. He came to America in June, 1882, and was ordained at La Crosse in Sep- tember of that year. He was assistant priest at Chippewa Falls about five months after his ordination, to Father Goldsmith, and then became first resident priest at Edson, Chip- pewa county, where he remained five years, until he came to Arcadia. Among the early settlers who were prominent in promoting the interests of Arcadia, were Nicholas and Casper Meyer, and Frank and Charles Zeller; Peter Meyers came in 1864, and Christian BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 687 and John Hoenes in 1867. The above men- tioned orentlemen are all still residents of Arcadia townsliip, and are active in promot- ing the interests of the church. fACOB CONRAD, one of the well-known citizens of Gale township, resides on on section 26, where he settled in 1867. He is one of the pioneers of this township, having resided here since 1854, having at that time settled on section 28, on a farm where no improvements had been made, There he made a pleasant home, and resided for thirteen years. He bought his present farm of George Brown, of Gale township. Mr. Conrad was born in Hessen- Darm- stadt, Germaiiy, in 1821, the son of Peter Conrad, who died in his native country many years ago. In 1849 Mr. Jacob Conrad came to America, and after landing in New York he went to Baltimore, Maryland, where he worked at his trade, that of a mason, which he had learned in his native country. In 1851 he was married to Miss Wilhelmina, daughter of William Niemaier. After mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Conrad went to Fort Madison, Iowa, and in 1854 came to Trem- pealeau county, he having been the only one of his father's family who came to America. Mrs. Conrad's mother died in Germany, and in 1845 her father came to America with his only son. Christian. He remained in Mary- land about eight years, and then went to Lee county, Iowa, and in 1854 came to Trempea- leau county, locating on section 28, Gale township, on the farm above mentioned as having been the former residence of Mr. Con- rad. Mr. Niemaier died in this township, August 2, 1862. Mrs. Conrad, the only daughter of her parents, came to America two years after her father and brother, but the two families came to Trempealeau county together from Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad have seven children, one son and six- daughters, namely: Louisa, wife of William Young, of La Crosse county; Julia, wife of Thomas Hardie, of Gale township; Mary, wife of Harrison Young, of La Crosse county; Frank W., their only son; Augusta W., the wife of John L. Stellpflug, resides in La Crosse county; Anna M., the wife of Thomas Powell, of North La Crosse; Katherine, the youngest of the family, is the wife of Oscar Marshall, of Jackson county. Frank W. Conrad married A¥ilhelmina Genske, daugh- ter of Christian Genske, who came with his family to Walworth county in 1867, but is now a resident of La Crosse county. Wil- helmina was born on the ocean during the passage of the family to America, January 28, 1867. They have one son, Hen.ry, born September 26, 1886. Frank and his family now reside on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Conrad are among the pioneers of Trempealeau county, and are numbered amoncr its most esteemed and sub- stantial citizens. They have a pleasant home, are possessed of a competency, which is the result of their industry and good manage- ment, and here they have resided for the long period of thirty-seven years, and expect to spend the remainder of their days in the en- joyment of the fruits of their labor and in- dustry. fIDELIS GEIIRLICH, one of the pro- prietors of the Eagle Hotel, Fountain City, Wisconsin, was born in Galena, Illinois, June 25, 1860. His parents, August arid Barbara (Apple) Gehrlich, were natives of Bavaria, the former born December 10, 1829, and the latter, April 8, 1841. Mrs. BIOGRAPniGAL BISTORT. Gehrlich was first married to Joseph Gelir- lich, brother of August, wlio was drowned in the Yellow River some time in the fifties. August Gehrlich came to the United States ■with hie parents when he was three years old. They settled on a farm near Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was reared. He learned the trade of tailor, and afterward that of painter. When a young man he located in Galena, Illinois, and was there married to Barbara Apple. At that place he was engaged in painting. In 1866 he moved to Fountain City, and was employed in the same business there for a number of years, or until 1880. After that he lived successively in Wanman- dee, Alma, St. Paul, New Orleans, Dubuque, and again in Fountain City, much of the time being engaged in the hotel and saloon business. While at St. Paul he had the misfortune to lose his wife, who died January 27, 1887. In March, 1891, Mr. Gehrlich went to New York city, where he is now livinw. lie and his wife had a large family of children, as follows: Fred August, born July 3, 1856; Carrie, May 10, 1858; Fidelis, June 25, 1861; Lud. WilJiebald, June 15, 1862; George Henry, May 10, 1866; Emma Elizabeth, May 10, 1868; Lena, August 26, 1870; John Elmer, September 28, 1874; Alfred Isadore, September 25, 1876; Elenora, September, 1878; John Henry, September 30, 1880. Fidelis left home when he was tive years old, went to Dubuque and lived with his uncle about six years. He then returned to Fountain City, and attended school and assisted his father until he was seventeen. At that time he apprenticed himself to the blacksmith trade with Martin Feuerhuk, and remained with him four years. After finish- ing his trade, he went into the lumber district and was employed in smithing for lumbermen, In 1881 he went to Chicago; was in the em- ploy of Reid, Murdock &, Fisher, wholesale grocers, about nine months; and worked in Hiram Sibley's seed store eight months. In 1883 he returned to Fountain City, and in 1889, in partnership with Christopher Nei- mann, took charge of the Eagle Hotel, which they have since conducted. In connection with it they also do a livery business. This hotel is a popular resort. Guests receive prompt and kind attention, and always have a good table and fine service. Mr. Gehrlich was married, May 12, 1884, to Anna, daughter of Martin and Dora (Pfosi) Nick. Her parents are residents of Fountain City. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gehrlich, namely: Ma- bel, born October 23, 1885, died October 23, 1887; George, born January 12, 1887, died January 27, 1887; and Myrtle Matilda, horn April 19, 1889. He is a member of the Sharpshooter Rifle Club, the Harmonia Society, the Foun- tain City Fire Comany, Liberty No. 1, and the Gun Club. Politically, he is a Democrat. -^^LO/l/b-^'^—^i inyx^^ EORGE BROWN resides on section 31, Gale townsiiip, whicii place he pur- chased in 1867 of Walter Irvine, who made the first improvements. Mr. Brown was born in Orange county, Vermont, April 21, 1831, the son of Benjamin Brown, a native of the Green Mountain State, as was ])robably the grandfather also. Benjamin Brown married Bessie Huntley, a native of Vermont, and daughter of Dr. Huntley, who was born in the State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Brown continued to live in Vermont until their death. They were the parents of four children, three sons and a daughter, the eldest of whom, Harris, resides in Boston. The second son, Oramel, was a soldier in the BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 689 Union army in the war of the Rebellion, and died in the service. Adeline, the only daugh- ter, never married, and when last heard from was residing in Lowell, Massachusetts. George Brown, the youngest of the family, came to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1854, where he remained one year, and then came to Trempealeau county, where he has since resided. He was married October 7, 1859, to Miss Ellen Irvine, a daughter of John Irvine, a pioneer of this county, a sketch of whom is found elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Brown was born in Scotland, in 1839. They have three children, two daughters and a son, viz.: Bessie, a teacher by occupation; Alice, now Mrs. Dick; and George I., born January 3, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are among the well-known eai-ly settlers of Gale township, and have a pleasant home on the beautiful Decora Prairie, where they are surrounded by the comforts of life, the result of their own industry. They have lived on this place since 1867, having formerly resided on sec- tion 26, on the farm now owned by Jacob Conrad. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are amoncr the well-kuown and esteemed citizens of Gale township, where they have lived so long. fOSHUA RHODES, one of the pioneers of Wisconsin, resides on section 12, in the town of Caledonia, Trempealeau county, where he settled in 1854. But he came to the Territory of Wisconsin in the spring of 1842. He was born in Yorkshire, England, March 21, 1827. In 1842 the family, consisting of parents and eight children, emigrated to America and at once located in the town of Brighton, ill wiiat is now Kenosha county, but then a part of Racine county, on Government land. which they improved and made of it a home, and there the parents passed the remainder of their lives. The father was born Septem- ber 20, 1798, and died February 3, 1861. The mother was born April 1, 1800, and died February 29, 1872. Of the nine children of Abraham Rhodes and wife five are living. The eldest, John, came to Racine county from the State of New York with the rest of the family in 1842, and to Trempealeau county in 1855. At about twenty-three years of age, Mr. Joshua Rhodes left the homestead and made a settlement near Montello in Marquette county, where he lived till 1853, when he sold and purchased his present place in 1854. He was married February 1, 1857, to Miss Susan E. Stevens, born in Newburg, Ver- mont, . November 11, 1834, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Stevens, early settlers of North Bend, Jackson county, Wisconsin, where they lived until death. Mr. Rhodes was bereft of his wife by death January 14, 1890. He has six children: Mary A., Ida J., Henry A., Albert J., Willie and Charles C. He lost two children: Byron S., at the age of nineteen years, and Cora, at the age of three years. iPitsflLSON DAVIS, proprietor of the \Wv//l ^""""'"g "'^ill ^t Galesville, was born 1^4(^1 in St. Genevieve county, Missouri, in 1827. His father, Timothy Davis, was a native of the State of New Jersey. In 1838 he removed with his family to Dubuque, Iowa. He was a lawyer by profession, dealt largely in real estate, milling interests and merchandising. He iinally removed to Elka- der, Iowa, where he erected a fine mill and where he resided until his death. He was a 090 BIOORAPUIGAL HISTORY. man ot" inucli ability iuid well known in the early history of Iowa, lie and wife were the parents of two eons and two daughters. The subject of this notice and a sister are the only surviving members of the family. Mr. Davis' principal occupation through life has been milling. He erected and operated a number of mills before coming to Trempea- leau county; has been very successful as a business man. t ESTER DEWEY PARSONS, who re- sides on section 22, range 7 west, Lin- coln township, settled on this place in 1870. He originally had but forty acres of his present farm, but which he has increased to 170 acres. He has a good farm, a pleas- ant home, has made all the improvements on his place, and has also sold thirty acres of improved land. He was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, July 16, 1845, the son of Samuel Lincoln Parsons, who died when our subject was but seven years of age. He de- scended from an early New England family, and his father was Simon Parsons. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Sai'ah Maria Sherwood, who, after the death of Mr. Parsons, became Mrs. Alvah Wood, and now resides at the Wood home-, stead in Lincoln township, Mr. Wood being also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Parsons had two children, — Mrs. David Wood, of this township, and the subject of this sketch. When Lester D. was quite young the fam- ily removed from Jefferson county to Dane county, and in 1850 came to Trempealeau county, Mr. Parsons being at that time about twelve years of age. He can remember the appearance of the country thirty-tive years ago, when all was new and comparatively wild, and the first land he owned was eighty acres in this township, which was ])artly im- proved, and which he e.xchanged for the first forty acres of his present farm. Mr. Parsons was married in 1870, to Miss Belle G. Ervin, a daughter of James Erviu, an early settler of Lincoln township. He emigrated with his family from New Jersey to Rock county, Wisconsin, and thence to Trempealeau county, where his death occurred October 26, 1888, and his wife died July 3, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons have five chil- dren: Mary A., Fannie M., Ruby I., Amy Estelle and Archie. They lost their second child, Ervin, who died at the age of four and a half. Mr. Parsons is one of the represent- ative citizens of Lincoln township, where he has lived so many years. In his political principles he was formerly a Republican, but now endorses the principles of Prohibition. He and his wife are members of the Uaptist Church. ~^Wj|..-Smj*|».-* . ,LLEN H. DE GROFF, general mer- chant at Mislia Mokwa, Buffalo county, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of that part of Wisconsin, llis father, John S. De GrofF, also a resident of Misha Mokwa, was born in the town of Wes- ton, Oneida county. New York, May 6, 1818. When twelve years of age be removed with his father's family to the town of Mentz, Cayuga county. His father, Garrett De Groff, was also a native of the Empire State. John S. De Groff grew to manhood in Cayuga county, and married Eliza Barnei-, a native of Ulster county, New York, born August 17, 1820, and a daughter of John and Jane (Frayer) Bariier. Tiiey removed to Dodge county, Wisconsin, from the State of New York, and were pioneers of that county. In 1857 they came to l>ufFalo BIOQRAPEIGAL EI8T0BT. 691 county and settled in the town of Nelson. In the fall of 1889 Mr. De Groff sold his farm and removed to the village of Misha Mokwa, where he and his wife now reside. They have had eight children, live of whom, four sons and a daughter, were living in 1891, viz.: John W., Margaret J., Allen H., George W. and Charles F. The deceased members of the family were: Eliza, Harriet A. and Samuel D. Allen H. De Groff, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, September 12, 1848, and was but nine years of age when he came to Buffalo county with his parents. Mr. De Groff has the distinction of having entered the army in the war of the Rebellion as one of the youngest soldiers furnished by the State of VYisconsin. The date of his enroll- ment was January 3, 1864, in Company G, Twenty-lifth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served in that company until the expiration of the term of service of the Twenty-liftli Regiment, in June, 1865, when he was transferred to Company F, Twelfth Wisconsin, and was discharged July 15, 1865. On entering the army he joined the Twenty-lifth Regiment at Mooresville, Ala- bama. His regiment joined General Sher- man's army at Chattanooga, and took part in all the battles in the Atlanta campaign, in- cluding Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, and those in front of Atlanta. Following the battle of Kenesaw Mountain he was sick and in the hospital at Rome, Georgia, for about two months, and rejoined the regiment when Sherman went back after Hood, and was in the reserve when Hood attacked Corse at Altoona Pass. Mr. De Groff, with his regiment, njarched with Sherman to the sea, and took part in the attack on Savannah; thence across to Beaufort, and marched through the Carolinas. At Rocotaligo he was engaged in a hard fight, the regiment losing heavily in a charge on the Confederate forces. His regiment was a part of the Seventeenth Army Corps, and with this corps marched on to Washington, taking part in the grand review in that city. Mr. De Groff was doubtless the youngest soldier who carried a musket in the service, from the three coun- ties represented in this work. On the expiration of his term of service he returned to his father's home in Buffalo county, and attended school during the two following winters. He taught during the winter season and farmed during the suiumer for a number of years. In 1880 he engaged in merchandising, which he has since con- tinued. Mr. De Groff is one of the repre- sentative men of Buffalo county, and has held various official positions. He was chair- man of the Town Board of Nelson for six years, and for two years was chairman of the County Board, and is at present (1891) Treasurer of the town of Nelson. He is a member of General Warren Post, No. 252, G. A. R., at Nelson; has been Commander of this post two terms, and has assisted in organizing three posts, at as many different places. He was elected Department Junior Vice-Commander of the G. A. R. of the State of Wisconsin at Oshkosh, March 12, 1891. In his political affiliations Mr. De Groff is a Republican, and was chairman of the Republican County Committee from 1888 to 1890. He is also a member of tiie K. of P., and has been Postmaster of Misha Mokwa since 1883, with the exception of two years during Cleveland's administration. Mrs. De Groff was formerly Miss Anna Walker, daughter of Paul Walker. The latter came to Buffalo county about 1870, and met his death by accident in 1882. The mother of Mrs. De Groff resides at Wabasha, Min- nesota. The only son. Grant H. Walker, 6oa BIOGRAPHICAL UlSl'ORT. lives at tlie homestead. A sister of Mrs. De Groff, Mrs. Josie Feck, lives at Argyle, Minnesota. The suhject of this sketch was previously married, his first wife having been Miss Mary Evans, wiio died in 1880. He has one son, Arthur, a young man twenty years of age, who graduated at the village t^chool one year ago. lie is at present help- ing his father in the store. Mr. De Groff takes an active interest in promoting the general welfare of the community in which he lives, and is numbered among the pro- gressive citizens of Buffalo county. fOHN SCHEITZ, one of the prominent merchants of Alma, Wisconsin, was born May 18, 1851, at the village of Goisern, in the archdukedom of Upper Austria, and is the son of l^eopold and Maria (Wintersauer) Scheitz. The elder Scheitz was born in 1808; was employed in the government salt mines of his native land; died at the old home in 1886. His wife, Maria, was born in December, 1812, and is still living at the old homestead. To them were born four children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest and the only one who emi- grated to this country. The others are Martin, Leopold and Mary, now Mrs. Wall- man. John spent his early life at home, attending the parochial schools from the time he was si.x until he was thirteen years old. June 10, 1867, Mr. Sciieitz landed at New York city, and for a number of years he was variously employed at different places. Going from New York to Parkersburg, West Vir- ginia, he was engaged in farming about one year; engaged in railroading on the Baltimore tte Ohio railroad a few months; spent the I'ullowiiig winttT ill runii work; sojourned in Cumberland, Maryland, about six months; thence to Pennsylvania, where lie was em- ployed on the construction of the Pittsburg & Cannelsville railroad, remaining there from 1870 until the branch was completed in 1872. He then went to Pittsburg and en- gaged with a glass manufacturing company. In 1873 he went to Toledo, Ohio, and ob- tained employment on the water works for a few months. Ne.xt we find him at Defiance, Ohio, first engaged in railroading and after- ward in a brick yard. After being there about a year he suffered from an attack of fever and ague, and before he recovered — in the fall of 1875 — he went to Kentucky, re- maining there only a short time, however. Arriving in Pittsburg in January, 1S70, in such poor health that he was unfit for hard work, he purchased some goods and started out on a peddling tour. While engaged in peddling he started toward Philadelphia, in- tending to visit the Centennial, but sto[)ped on the way with a farmer and was employed by him, remaining there till iail. He theii began peddling again. In the spring he went to Defiance, Ohio, and obtained work in a brick yard for the summer. In the winter he resumed peddling again. He con- tinued this line of business two summers and one winter, when he was taken again with ague and concluded he would go West, which he did, continuing his business. He soon afterward purchased a horse and wagon, and from the winter of 1878 till October, 1886, did a successful business throughout the counties of Dunn, Buffalo and Trempealeau, Witconsiu. In October, 1886, he opened a general store at Alma, which he has since conducted with marked success. He has built up an extensive trade, the result of his own industry and strict attention to business. l!y his coiiscieiitiuiis j)i'iiiciples and his fair BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT. dealing he has secured the confidence of the community in which he dwells. Mr. Scheitz was married near Buffalo City, Wisconsin, March 22, 1886, to Louise, daugh- ter of John J. and Anna (Matzingei') Miller, natives of Switzerland. Her father was born in the canton and city of Schaffhausen, May 14, 1814, and died at Alma, Wisconsin, Oc- tober 25, 1891. Her mother was born iii the parish of Rudlingen, in 1821, and died near Buffalo City, Wisconsin, October 30, 1879. For many years her father was extensively engaged in farming operations. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had twelve children, namely: Simon, Lizzie, Anna, Jacob, Lena, Margaret, Alexander, Mary, Louisa, Barbara, Alexander (2), and Caroline. All are living with the exception of Lizzie, who died in May, 1886, and the first Alexander. Mr. Scheitz was formerly a Republican, but since he settled in Wisconsin has affili- ated with the Democratic party. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. lLVIN chamberlain has been 'jjyWt a well-known resident of the town of ^^^ Hale,Trempealeau county, since 1882, when he settled on his present farm on sec- tion 12. He -was born in Wyoming county. New York, May 5, 1846, a son of James L. Chamberlain, a native of Cattaraugus county, New York. In 1859, James L. Chamber- lain emigrated with his family to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he now lives. Melvin Chamberlain is one of a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, he being the eldest of the four sons. His boy- hood and early manhood were spent in Wis- consin, and in 1861, at the age of fifteen, he enlisted in Company F, Thirteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in which command he served three years. After the expiration of his term he re-enlisted — becoming a member of Company K, United States Volunteers. He was in active service all the time he was in the army and his health was very much broken during his long service. His final discharge from the army took placeat Elmira, New York, after which he continued for some time in that State and then went to Michigan, where he had relatives living. Returning finally, however, to Wisconsin, he went to the Territory of Dakota in the fail of 1880, re- sidingjthere about a year and a half and then returned to Madison, Wisconsin, and thence to his present location. While living in Dakota he was married to Mrs. Congdon, nee Olive Woodworth, and they have three interesting children: Maud, Pearl and Melvin, to brighten their home. He and family are connected with the United Brethren Church, of which he is a minister, and are honored and esteemed by all who know them. In his political views he is a Republican. Mr. Chamberlain's farm, which is one of the finest in this section, contains eighty acres of choice land, which he has brought to an excellent state of cultivation. SRANK REUTER, of Waumaudee, Wis- consin, is one of the prosperous young farmers of Buffalo county. Mr. Renter was born in Floyd county, Indi- ana, March 25, 1860, son of Michael and Eva (Seipel) Renter. The elder Mr. Renter was born in Bavaria, in 1817, and his wife, also a native of that country, was born October 8, 1828. A farmer by occupation, he came to this country in 1846, located in Floyd county, Indiana, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits. He made his home at that place until 1865, when he sold out, came to Buffalo 604 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOR Y county, Wisconsin, and purchased a farm of Louis Weivers in Waumandee township, 160 acres on sections 14 and 15, and eighty acres on sections 17 and 18. This was partially improved. In 1871 he bought another eighty on section 15, making 320 acres in one body. He built his barn in 1867, and his dwelling in 1874. He continued to reside there and cultivate his farm up to the time of his death, making his property one of the finest in the valley. To him and his wife eleven children were born, whose names are as fol- lows: Matilda, who married Charles Kuppert; Magdaline, wife of Adam Kline; Mary, wife of Charles Schmitkencht; Katherine, wife of Robert Grunewald; John, who married Anna Giesen; Frank; Joseph, who married Therisa Gass; Rosa, wife of Adam Snyder; Jose- phine, wife of George Brenner; Elizabeth, wife of John Beisang; and Louise, who died young. Mr. Renter was in politics a Demo- crat. Both he and his wife were devout members of the Catholic Church. His death occurred May 30, 1878. Mrs. Reuter is still livin"-, and makes her home at West Superior with her daughters, Rosa and Elizabeth. Frank Reuter, the subject of our sketch, was reared on the farm, assisting his father and attending the district schools as oppor- tunity offered. From the time of his father's death until 1890, lie and his brothers con- ducted the farm, under the administration of his mother. At that time he purchased the farm and has since been conducting the same, having now under cultivation 240 acres. Among his stock are some fine specimens of half-breed shortliorns and some Clydesdale horses. He conducts a small dairy. Among other improvements he has made since buy- ing the home place, is an addition to the barn. Mr. Reuter was married at Glencoe, June 12, 1883, to Lena, oldest daughter of Adam and Anna (Prunk) Ziegweid. Her parents were born in Prussia. Her father, a shoe- maker by trade, came to this country in 1845, and her mother came in 184S. They were married in Sauk county, Wis- consin, in 1855, and are now living at Glen- coe. Other members of their large family are Frank, Anna, now Mrs. R. Wochusack; Adam, Leonard, Mary, wife of Louis Barth; William, Amelia, Bertha, Seceliaand Anthon. Mr. Ziegweid is engaged in agricultural pur- suits. Mr. and Mrs. Renter's union has been blessed with four children: Adelade, born April 3, 1884; Ignatius, August 30, 1885; Matilda, November 19, 1886; and Elsie, March 17, 1890. ,ON. ROBERT A. ODELL, the present Judge of Trempealeau county, was born in Essex county, New York, October 11, 1835, a son of Robert Ferris Odell, who was born in the same county in 1805. Mr. Odell's ancestors were among the early settlers of the colony of iSlew York, and were of Scotch origin. The great-grandfather of our subject came to this country from Scotland previous to the Revolutionary war, and fought in the Continental army in the struggle of the colo- nies for freedom. This original ancestor the genealogy of the family says was twice mar- ried, having one son by his first wife, and several by his second. The son by the first marriasje was the grandfather of Judge Odell, and was also named Robert A. He removed from the vicinity of Albany and settled in Essex county. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and fought in the celebrated battle of Plattsburg. He removed to Essex county about 1800, settling on what was known as Morgan's Patent, which comprised about BIOORAPHWAL HISTORY. 4,000 acres. He was the father of four sons, tlie eldest of whom was Robert Ferris Odell, tlie father of onr subject. The latter was a carpenter and builder by trade, but about the time he reached middle age he became an iron manufacturer, an occupation he followed many years. The mother of Judge Odell, Harriet (Lobdell) Odell, daughter of Levi Lobdell, of Cherry valley, New York, was of Dutch ancestry, and died when her son was in his seventh year. Later the father re- married, by which union he had twelve chil- dren, seven sons and five daughters. He is still living at this writing, a resident of Cedar Falls, Iowa. The children are all living but two. The subject of this sketch, the fourth child and third son, spent his early life in attend- ing school, and in assisting his father in his iron manufactory. In the spring of 1858 he came West, going tirst to Le Claire, Scott county, Iowa, where he engaged in teaching. In October, 1859, he came to Galesville, Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, for the purpose of settling the business of a mercan- tile concern at that place. He did not then e.xpect to remain permanently, intending to return to Iowa when his mission should be accomplished, but in the meantime was in- duced to purchase an interest in the store, and continued in trade until 1865. After an interval of two years, in 1867, he again en- gaged in business, taking charge of the mer- cantile house of Wilson Davis, at Galesville, in which capacity he continued about eight years, after which he engaged in merchandis- ing with A. H. Kneeland. In the fall of 1876 Judge Odell was elected to the ofKce of Clerk of the Circuit Court of Trempealeau county in which he continued for the period of ten years, and since then he has been in the ofKce of (-ounty Judge. In 1888 he was appointed to the ofJice to succeed Judge M. Mulligan, and was elected to the ottice in the spring of 1889, and is now serving his fourth year. Judge Odell was married at Galesville, in September, 1863, to Miss Emma Frances Clark, daughter of William P. Clark, one of the well known pioneers of the county, who has the honor of '^erecting its first flouring- mill. He was a native of Vermont, and emi- grated from near St. Albans, in that State, to Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and thence to Trempealeau county. His death occurred in 1873. Mrs. Odell was born in Waukesha county, and they have one son, Ross Clark, born in Galesville in 1867. He has been for a number of years engaged with Mons An- derson, one of the leading merchants of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Judge Odell was be- reaved of his wife by death in the spring of 1878, and in August, 1882, he was married to Mrs. Lovisa Newton Boardman, a native of Chautauqua county, New York. She was married in La Crosse, in 1863, to Arthur Boardman, also a native of that county, and 1873 they went to California, where he died. Several years later Mrs. Boardman returned to Wisconsin, and her father, Albion Board- man, is now a resident of La Crosse. Judee Odell is one of the leading citizens of White- hall, and is well known throughout Trempea- leau and adjoining counties as an enterprising and progressive citizen. Politically, he is a Republican, and ever takes a commendable interest in whatever tends to promote the moral and intellectual growth of the commu- nity in which he lives. EMIL G. BUCHHOLZ, a harness man- ufacturer and boot and shoe dealer of Whitehall, was born in West Prussia, Germany, January 13, 1851, where he was reared and learned the trade of harness-mak- BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ing. His father, Williain Buchholz, still lives in his native land. The subject of this sketch came to America in 1868, and after landing in New York went directly to Hack- ensack, Kew York, and worked at farming for a few months; next he went to Port Jar- vis, New York, where he was engaged in harness-making and railroading; in 1871 he went to Scraiitun, Pennsylvania, and engaged in working at his trade; then to Oliphant and worked at coal mining, after which he traveled through New York, Pennsylvania and elsewhere. From the latter State he went to Chicago, thence to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and in 1870 came to Trempealeau county, and worked at his trade as a journey- man in a harness shop at Whitehall. After working at this place for a time he went to Ilale township, where he married Miss Cath- erine Malony, a native of Massachusetts, and of Irish parentage. She came with lier par- ents to Adams county, Wisconsin, when a child, and to Trempealeau county when twelve years of age. Soon after his marriage Mr. Buchholz went to the village of Osseo and started a harness shop, but after remaining there two and a half years he returned to Hale township and pnrchased a farm and engaged in farming. In 1882 he again moved to Whitehall and established his present business. Mr. and Mrs. Buchholz have five children, three sons and two daughters: William, Maggie, James, Mary and Francis. The father is numbered among the intelligent and progressive citizens of Whitehall, and though of foreign birth he believes emphat- ically in American institutions. He is a friend of education, and takes a commend- able interest in whatever tends to promote the best interests of the community in which he lives. Politically, he was formerly a Uepublican, but now differs from that party in many of the issues of the day, and may now be regarded as an independent politi- cian. He is a prominent Odd Fellow, being a member of Trempealeau Valley Lodge, No. 249, in which he has occupied all the chairs. He also belongs to Colfax Encampment, No. 776, Oliphant, Pennsylvania; is a member of the Grand Lodge of the State, and has occupied the offices of District Deputy Grand Master. Mr. Buchholz is a successful busi- ness man, and a worthy and respected citi- zen. •ir^,^;lLLlAM G. MacLACHLAN, A. B., w \/| M. D., is the physician and surgeon i^stei of the village of Ettrick, Trempealeau county, where he located Semtember 5, 1890. He was born in Ontario, Canada, and re- ceived his literary education at Toronto Uni- versity, graduating in 1879. In his literary course he took honors in the natural sciences, having in view the study of medicine, but his eyes became weakened by close applica- tion to st\idy, and he was compelled to modify his plans for the future to some ex- tent. He accordingly became head master of a high school, preparing students for teach- ing law, medicine, engineering and the arts. But in the meantime he gave such attention to the study of anatomy as his somewhat im- paired eyesight permitted. Recovering his health he renewed his medical studies, and in 1886 entered the medical department of the Michigan LTniversity at Ann Arbor, at which he graduated in 1890. The last year of his course at the university he did hospi- tal work, and also practiced for a shore time near the city of Detroit before coming to Wisconsin. Dr. MacLachlan was married in Canada, to Miss Christina Forrester, university under- BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY. 697 graduate. He was deprived of his wife by death, leaving one daugliter. The father of the subject of this sketch, Hugh MacLachlan, a native of Canada, is now living at Gary, South Dakota, where he owns a large farm. The Doctor's paternal grandfather was a native of Scotland, as was also his wife. They emigrated to the State of New York where all their children were born except 'Hugh. On his mother's side the Doctor is descended from an early Vir- ginia family: the original American ancestor emigrated from England and became a Vir- ginia planter. Later the Virginia branch of the family took up their residence in Canada. The subject of this sketch, the only son of his parents, has a sister, married and living in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Another sister died in Dakota, at the age of twenty-two years, soon after the family removed there from Canada. The Doctor is a well educated gentleman, both his literary and medical attainments being of a high order. Though but a short time established at Ettrick, he has gained the confidence of the people by his intelligence and upright bearing, and is highly esteemed by all, both socially and professionally. jEV. JO HAN HELSEM has been the t^ efficient pastor of St. Pauly (Lutheran) Church at Struin, Trempealeau county, since 1877. The church building was partial- ly built and enclosed, and services had been held in it for a time when he came. Under his administration the church was completed, and he also built the present fine parsonage in 1880. The congregation of this church now numbers about 100 faniiles, and every- thing pertaining to the church is in a pros perous condition. Sunday-school is held at the church and at various schoolhouses within the limits of his congregation. Paro- chial schools are also held at the various schoolhouses between the terms of public schools. Born in Norway, October 7, 1841, Mr. Helsem was educated in his native coun- try and came to the United States in 1868; was a student at the Augsburg Theological Seminary at Marshall in Dane county for a time, and was ordained in 1870. His first church was at Colfax, in Dunn county, going thence to Cliippewa Falls, where he was pas- tor for five years, coming to Strum from the latter place. But the immediate charge of his present church by no means includes all the labor and responsilnlity that rests upon the pastor, Mr. Helsem. He has also charges at Pigeon Falls, in Trempealeau county; Pleasant valley, in Eau Claire, and also one in the town of Dramnian, in the same county and one at Northfield, Jackson county, and another at Fairchild. He also has charge of the Eau Clairie district, which includes about sixty churches and twenty pastors. He, being chairman of this district and " visitator," is expected to visit each congregation once in three years at least. The religious body to which Mr. Helsem belongs is known as the United Norwegian (Lutheran) Church of the United States, wliich includes over 900 con- gregations and about 300 ministers. Mr. Helsem was married at Red Wins Minnesota, in 1868, and has three children, one daughter and two sons, viz.: Laudrik Palmer Edvin, Hersleb Amp and Louise Helene. " ♦-"■I ? ♦S u g i'-^fri.- m - ij^jUSSELL BOWERS, the popular Post- master at Hamlin. Trempealeau county, is one of the pioneers of this county. He settled where he now lives June 22, 698 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORT. 1857. He was bom in the town of Line, Jeflfer- 8011 county, New York, in 1825, son of Zachariah Bowers (also a native of the State of New Yori{)and Adeline (Hubbard) Bowers. They were tlie parents of live children, two suns and three daughters. Russell Bowers lived in his native State until he was about eighteen years of age when the family moved to Wisconsin and located in Waukesha county. From Waukesha county they went to Dane county, and in 1849 Mr. Bowers, Sr., started with a company overland for California and reached that country safely, but lost his life in San Francisco in 1857. The manner of his death was never known, his body having been found on the street. The mother died in Dane county in 1888. Russell Bowers was married to Rebecca Chase, who was bora in the town of Stowe, Summit county, Ohio; they removed from Ohio to Illinois and thence to Dane county, Wisconsin, and when Mr. and Mrs. Bowers came to Trempealeau county they were accompanied by the parents of Mrs. Bowers, who settled on an adjoining farm. The parents of Mrs. Bowers removed to Barron county from Trempealeau county, where the father died, and the mother is still living, making her home with her youngest son, Joy II. Chase, near Traverse City, Michi- gan, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. Mrs. Bovvers is one of four children, two boys and two girls, viz.: Salome, wife of John Warner, of Indiana; David, the eldest son, was in the Twenty-tifth Wisconsin Regiment, and was killed at a battle in Georgia; Joy H. also served all through the war, and now lives in Michigan; Mrs. Bowers is the ne.xt in age. Russell Bowers enlisted in 1864 in Com- pany K, Thirty-si.xth Wisconsin Regiment, and served his country loyally and well until the close of the war. Mr. and Mrs. Bowers have eight children, four boys and four girls, viz.: James, wlio is now in Dakota; Fred. Adeline, and George, all at home; Jennie, wife of Prank Loller,.a i-esident of Sumner; Loretta, the wife of James Donahue, a prominent lumberman of Eau Claire; Charles and Elsie. The}' lost four children in early life. During their long residence in Trempealeau county, Mr. and Mrs. Bowers have ever possessed the respect and confidence of their fellow-citizens. Mr. Russell Bowers has had the postofRce where he now resides for the past thirty-five years. AMUEL S. LUCE, of Galesville, a pioneer of Trempealeau county, was born at Stowe, La Moille county, Ver- mont, in 1819, where be was reared to the occupation of farming. His father was Chester Luce and his paternal grandfather was Ziniri Luce, a native of Martha's Vine- yard and an early settler of Stowe. The sub- ject of this sketch in early life learned the trade of builder and architect, which he fol- lowed for many years, and superintended the construction of many important buildings, both in the East and the West. He was married December 7, 1847, to Miss Hannah Gale, a daughter of Peter Gale. Her paternal grandfather, also named Peter Gale, was an early settler of Barre, Vermont. Mrs. Luce is a sister of the Hon. George Gale, the founder of Galesville. In the fall of 1857 Mr. Luce came to Galesville and was followed by his family to the same place in the fall of the same year. He fol- lowed the occupation of architect and builder for a considerable length of time, planning and erectinir the residence of Judge Gale and also the university, which he began in 1859. He established the Galesville Transcript in BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 1860, — one of the first newspapers published in Trempealeau county, — which he conducted till 1865. In the fall of that year lie was elected County Superintendent of Schools, a position he held four years. He was also connected with the publication of the Inde- pendent for a long tinae, and owned this paper in connection with his son, Walter S., for ten years. In 1876, in connection with his wife, he published a volume of poems, and in 1881 he published another volume, called "Echoes of the Past;" and six years later appeared "The Woodman." Mr. and Mrs. Luce have two sons and a daughter: Flora F. is the wife of William V. Darwin, of Durand; George S. is a publisher, as is Walter S., their younger son, the latter being publisher and proprietor of the La Crosse Daily Press. WILLIAM McDONAII resides on sec- tion 27, in the town of Trempealeau, where he settled in 1853. He entered, two years previous to that time, 160 acres of land, which includes the site of the present village of Centerville. On that land he located and lived for a number of years, when he settled where he now resides. He was born in the town of Derby, Orleans county, Vermont. The subject of this sketch came to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and worked for James Giltillan for some time. Tlie first land he owned was that which he entered as above mentioned. He has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and has 550 acres of land, being one of the larger farmers of the town of Trempealeau. He was married in Oshkosh, to Sarah A. Cnsick, who died May 14, 1885. His second wife was Clara Sanders, who died in 1889. By his first marriage five children were born, three sons and two daughters. The former are William, Robert S. and Elmer. Jennie, the eldest daughter, is the wife of Marshall Snell, of Tacoma, Washington. Mr. Snell is a lawyer by profession. The second daughter is Gracie. R. MOSES W. WATERMAN, of Foun- tain City, Wisconsin, was born in JSIew York city, September 12, 1850. He is a son of Sigismnnd Waterman, an eminent physician of New York, and Helena (Wolf) Waterman. His father was born February 22, 1814, at Bruck, Bavaria, and came to the United States some time in the '30s. He studied in Germany, and after coming to this country entered Yale College and grad- uated in that institution. He subsequently became a professor of languages there and remained as such for eight or ten years. He then removed to New York city and estab- lished a medical practice, which he has since continued. He is one of the most dis- tinguished physicians of tiiat city. He served as police surgeon for thirty years, at the end of wiiich time he was retired on half pay. He was one of the founders of the home for the aged and infirm of the order of B'nai B'rith at Yonkers. During the war he was draft surgeon, and also held other local posi- tions. He was a personal friend of Presi- dent Arthur, and is intimately associated with many of the leading public men of our country, including Vice-President Morton. He is still actively engaged in his pro- fessional duties, and says he "wants to die in the harness." He is noted for his researches in spectroscopic analysis, and has written extensively on that science. His wife died in New York in 1884. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Kate, who was 700 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. the wife of G. Bergman, is now deceased; Moses W., B. Frank, Rosa, who married Louis Bock, a merchant of New York; Beulah, now Mrs. Henry Meisel; and Nehem and Jennie, who died in infancy. Tlie Doc- tor is an entlmsiastic Republican, and has taken an active part in political matters, but has never consented to he a candidate for office. Dr. Moses W. Waterman was reared in New York, where he received his primary education. He entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York in 1865, and graduated in 1871, receiving his diploma two months before he was of age. After his graduation he went to the State Hospital, then under Dr. Hammond, and studied nervous diseases, remaining there two years and a half. At the end of that time he came West and was appointed surgeon for tiie Northern Pacific Railroad, and while on his trip was taken sick at Buffalo with typhoid fever. Before he recovered his place was filled by another appointment. After wan- dering about for a time he finally located in Fountain City, February 5, 1873, and here opened an office for the practice of his pro- fession. He has lived here ever since, with the exception of the years from 1879 to 1885. During that time he was Deputy Coroner of New York three years, and for two years had charge of the Aged Infirmary Home at Yon- kers. Pie then made a tour of the West, visiting the Pacific States and Territories, accompanied by his family, and after a sojourn of five months again took up his abode in Fountain City, and here resumed his prac- tice, which he has since continued with flat- tering success. He has been Health Officer since he located here, with the exception of one term, and is at present a member of the Board of Aldermen. Dr. Waterman was married May 9, 1875, at Fountain City, to Susanna, daughter of Lutzi and Barbara Weiwers. To them have been born seven children, viz.: Louis, who died September 4, 1876; Helena, Sigesraund, Martha, Natallie and Augusta (twins), and Nathaniel L. Augusta died at the age of three months. The Doctor is a member of the following named fraternities: Modern Woodmen, Wau- mandee Camp, No. 754, of which he is the presiding officer; an I. O. O. F. lodge of New York; the Grand Lodge of A. O. U. W.; is a member of the Head Camp, M. W. A., of the State, and is Deputy Head Counsel of the Eighth Congressional District. He is a public-spirited man and takes a deep interest in the development of his town. He pos- sesses many amiable traits of character, and is a man whose friendship can always be re- lied upon. AVID L. HOLCOMB, the present chairman of the town of Arcadia, was born in Greenlnish, Sheboygan county, Wisconsin, April 26, 1848, while Wisconsin was yet a Territory, but only a few weeks be- fore it was admitted as a State. His father, AVilliam Ilolcomb, was born near Albany, in the State of New York, in 1809, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Julia N. Rogers. They became early settlers of She- boygan county. In 1857 the family emi- grated to Floyd county, Iowa, where the father died in 1868, the mother liaving passed away a year previous to the death of her husband. They were the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters, who grew to mature years, all of whom are still living. David L. was about nine years old when he removed with his parents to Iowa, and there his boyhood was passed. In BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 701 1867, at the age of nineteen years, he came to Arcadia, and here lie has since made his home, having bought liis present farm in 1872. He was for some time a student of Galesville University, and afterwards engaged in teaching in Trempealeau county, which occupation he carried on successfully for nine or ten years. In 1879 he settled on his present farm, since which time he has de- voted all bis attention to agricultural pur- suits and stock-raising. Besides liis home farm of 140 acres, Mr. Holcomh owns land elsewhere. Mr. Holcomh began life, finan- cially speaking, at the lowest round of the ladder. Oil first coming to Arcadia, and he- fore he had qualified himself for teaching, he engaged as a farm laborer, by means of which he earned the means of paying his way at school at Galesville. He married Miss Ida A. Dewey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel C. Dewey, and have two children, a son and a daughter, viz.: AUie A. and Archie Pierre. In his political aflfiliations Mr. Holcomb is a Kepublicau. He is prominent in the promo- tion of the moral and educational interests of the community in which he lives; was largely instrumental in establishing the high school at Arcadia, and served six years on the school board. The paternal ancestry of Mr. Hol- comb were English, but on his mother's side were of Mohawk Dutch ancestry. -'-^x/xn/b- ^^l/in/^^^ PSON. NOAH DURHAM COMSTOCK, a pioneer of Trempealeau county, and a representative citizen of Wisconsin, was born at Lowville, New York, November 22, 1832, and died at his home in Arcadia, this county, June 6, 1890. His parents were Adam and Electa (Durham) Comstock. The early American ancestry of the Comstock family settled in Rhode Island in early colonial times, but the Durhauis belonged to the Connecticut colony. Both the paternal and maternal ancestry of Mr. Comstock took an active part in the war of the Revolution, representatives of both families having served in the American army in the war for inde- pendence. For several generations the direct ancestry of our subject have been residents of Saratoga county, New York. Noah D. lose his mother by death when he was but four years of age, and his father continued a resi- dent of the State of New York until his death, though he died in Minnesota in 1867, while on a visit with friends there. The subject of this sketch received a good English education, and when eighteen years of age he went to Calhoun county, Michi- gan, and a year later to Indiana, where he engaged in teaching until 1853. The excite- ment attending the discovery of gold in Cali- fornia was still at its height, and Mr. Com- stock decided to try his fortunes in the land of gold, and accordingly crossed the plains to the Pacific coast, where for two years he was engaged in gold-mining. On his return he decided to locate in Wisconsin, and in 1855 became one of the first settlers of Ar- cadia, and for thirty-five years was promi- nently identified with the growth and de- velopment of Trempealeau county. He held many positions of honor and trust, the duties of which he discharged with ability and fidel- ity. He was town Assessor in 1858; County Treasurer in 1860, and re-elected in 1862 and in 1864; a member of the County Board in 1868; of the Assembly branch of the Legislature of Wisconsin in 1872, 1874, 1875 and 1876; was elected State Senator in 1882, and also filled various other local oliices. In 1868 Mr. Comstock was married to Miss Ellen Comstock, a native of West Wrentham, Norfolk county, Massachusetts, 703 BIOGRAPUIVAL BISTORT. and daugliter of Nathan and Betsey (Cook) Comstock. Mr. Oomstock was the father of three children: Adam, Nathan and Elizabeth. He was a man of more than average ability, and the various and important official posi- tions which he was called upon to till is indic- ative of the esteem and confidence extended to him l)j his fellow- citizens. His character is well illustrated in an article written of him at the lime of his decease, which is as follows: "He was of modest and retiring manner, possessing rare ability, great inde- pendence of character, a stern integrity and a warm heart, and all the characteristics of a true and noble gentleman. He was remark- ably unselfish and self-sacrificing, ever ready to lend his counsel or render assistance to those in need. His great aim in life was to learn how to live and not how to die. With him the fear of death faded before the brighter dawn of reason. During his sick- ness he was gentle and patient, and grate- fully appreciated all that was done for him. He suffered much, but never complained. He was conscious to the last, and death finally came as a peaceful sleep." Mrs. Comstock continues to reside at their pleasant home near the village of Arcadia, where she and her husband passed so many happy years of their lives. .UGUST WAGNER resides on section 17, Caledonia towship, where he settled in the spring of 18G1. He has a fine farm of 350 acres, on which he has made all the improvements. He was born in Prussia, Germany in 1830, a son of Frederick Wag- ner, who died when August was but fourteen years of age. In 1852, at the age of twenty years, our subject came to America. He had learned the trade of a mason in Germany, and followed that occupation many years after coming to America. As he had more than attained his majority when he left his native land he would have been called upon to serve in the German army, but having severely injured his left hand he was ex- empted from military duty. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Wagner was married to Miss Christina Eustone Ehlert, and the following October they left Hamburg in the sailing vessel Esperania for New York, landing in that city on Christmas day. He went at once to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked for a time at his trade, then to Dubuque, Iowa, next to Pickwick, Minnesota, and in 1861 to Trempealeau county. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have eleven children, five boys and six girls. For many years Mr- Wagner worked at the mason's trade, and at the same time carried on farming. Here he and his wife have lived for the long period of thirty years, and by industry and economy have acquired a competence, and are now numbered among the respected and esteemed citizens of Trempealeau county. Mr. Wag- ner is a Republican in his political views, and religiously he and his family are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church. ^*^^ OBIAS VOEGELI.— Among the oldest and most respected citizens of Buffalo county, AVisconsin, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He dates his birth in Linthal, Canton Glarus, Switzerland, December 0, 1832. His father, Thomas Voegeli, son of Belenhard Voegeli, wedded Elizabeth Elmer, both husband and wife being natives of the same canton. Thomas Voegeli was a cabinet-maker by trade, and was a man much respected by his fellow citizens. To him and his wife eight children were born, BIOGRAPDIGAL HIHTORY. 703 whose names are Henry, Thomas, Jacob, To- bias, Gabriel, Flidolen, Anna and Elizabeth- All are now living except Henry, Jacob, Eiizabetli and Flidolen. Tlie motlier died in her native land, at the age of thirty-nine years. Tobias was reared at home, attended the district schools and received some private tuition. When of sufficient aije he was tautrht the cabinet-making trade, and also that of painting. In January, 1855, he sailed in the ship Frances Palmer, for the United States and landed in New Orleans April 1. A few weeks later he went to .New York, worked at liis trade for a while in that State, and from there came to Wisconsin. After following liis trade two years and a half in New Glaras, he came, in October, 1857, to Fountain City. In company with John Schmitz he opened a cabinet and furniture store, and a year later sold out to his partner. The following year he worked at cabinet-making, and after that turned his attention to contracting and build- ing, having learned the carpenter's trade after coming to this country. The war at this time continuing to rage, he tendered his services to the Union, enlist- ing at Fountain City, Deceml)er 1, 1864, in Company D, Ninth Wisconsin Infantry. He went with his command to Little Rock, Ar- kansas, which place was headquarters for the regiment most of the time he was in the ser- vice. They were chiefly engaged in guard duty. June 8, 1865, Mr. Voegeli was mus- tered out at Little Rock. Returning home after the war, he again engaged in carpentering for a time. His health, however, was so much impaired tliat he was unable to continue it long- Novein- ber 9, 1874, he was commissioned Postmaster of Fountain City, and held this position until February 1, 1885, when he resigned on ac- count of change of administration. He was Trustee of the town for two years — 1887-'88; served as Treasurer one term in 1870, and again from 1875 to 1881. During the time he was Postmaster he also acted as insurance agent. Mr. Voegeli was married in Switzerland. April 4, 1854, to Avina Rosina Wichser. By her he had nine children, namely: Elizabeth, who died young; Thomas; Anna, who also died young; Fred, Kate, now Mrs. Charles Baertsch, Dakota; Albert and Albertina, who both died in infancy, and Henry. Mrs. Voegeli's death occurred June 6, 1883. No- vember 10, 1883, he was united in marriage to Mi-s. Kuingunda KloeiHier (Englehardt), his present companion. Ever since he became a citizen of the Uni- ted States, Mr. Voegeli has voted with the Republican party. He is a member of the A. O. U. W.. Fountain City Lodge, No. 18, and of Peter Weber Post, No. 254, G. A. R., Fountain City. He receives a pension from the Government. His wife is a Catholic, while he holds to the faith of the Evangelical Church, having helped to establish the one at Fountain City. Mr. Voageli lias been successful in busi- ness, always giving his close attention to whatever duty he had in hand. During his residence here he has contributed largely toward the development of the town. He is now retired from active business, and, sur- rounded by his kindred and hosts of friends, he is quietly enjoying the fruits of his in- dustry. — -^^wf^lH— ,R. WILLIAM M. YOUNG, of Gales- ville, is a pioneer physician of Trem- pealeau county, having come here at the time Judge Gale came, assisted the latter in surveying the original plat of Galesville and 704 BlOaiiAPHICAL HISTORY. liHfl charge of the sale of lots. When Dr. Young came to Trempealeau county there was but one family residing on the present plat of the village. This was the family of a Mr. Armstj'ony. Dr. Young was born in Schenectady county, Wew Y'ork. He began- studying medicine when eighteen years of age, with his brother, Dr. George II. Young, at Elkliorn, Walwoi-th county, Wisconsin, and graduated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1855. He then went to La Crosse and practiced for a time, but soon after came to Galesville. He was induced to locate here by his brother-in-law, Judge Gale, and was prominently identified with the early history of the town, and has the honor of being its first Postmaster. He has spent several winters in the State of Florida, where he owns valuable property- He is a great lover of the works of nature and has a fine collection of rare specimens of tropical and semi-tropical plants, which he has brouufht from the land of flowers. He has also a rare collection of minerals, etc. Has no family. IDWIN ELKINS, Postmaster at Trem. pealeau, was born in Kennedy, Chau- tauqua county, New York, November 26, 1835, twin of Edward Elkins, now resid- ing at the place where he was born. The parents were Abiel and Mary Elkins. Edwin Elkins was reared in Warren county, Pennsylvania. In 1854 he came West and resided for a number of years in the State of Iowa. He went tj Winona county, Minne- sota, and came to Trempealeau in the spring of 1857, which has since l)een his home. He enlisted November 14, 1861, in Com- pany D, Fourteenth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry; was made company cook in 1862, and Sergeant January 1, 1863, and Second Sergeant February 18, 1864; and was commissioned First Lieutenant December 14 of the same year by Governor Lewis. In the Seventeenth Army Corps, under Major- General McPherson, he participated in many of the severest battles of the war, including Shiloh, Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, Atlanta campaign, and the battle of Nashville Decem- ber 15 and 16, 1864; also in the siege of Spanish Fort from March 27 to April 9, 1865. Was mustered out at Mobile, Ala- bama, October 9\)f the same year. Of tlie original 100 men that composed the company, but thirteen were numbered in the muster out. After the war he was elected Sheriff of the county. He has served in many local posi- tions, including that of Town Treasurer for fifteen terms. He is a carpenter and builder by trade, and was done much in that occupa- tion since the war. He was married, in Trenjpealeau, in the spring of 1867, to Miss Maria Brandenberg, a daughter of Alfred M. Brandenberg, of Trempealeau. They have no children. Mr. Elkins is a member of Charles II. Ford Post, of Trempealeau. Politically he is a Republican. He cast his first Presidential vote for iVbraham Lincoln in 1860. «»-4->^-«- —- lETER V. REBHAHN, who resides in Rose Valley, Waumandce township, is one of th& old pioneers of Buffalo county, Wisconsin. He was born in Bavaria, February 14, 1826, son of Lucas and Mary (Loch) Rebhahn. His father was a farmer by occupation. Both his parents were born, passed their lives and died in that country, the father's death occurring in 1856. Their BIOGRAPHICAL EI8T0RT. 705 four children were Maggie M., Teter V., Mary and Barbara. By bis second wife, Francisca, the father had three children, — Francisca, Cannmnda and Emelie. Fran- cisca is living in Wisconsin, and the other two reside in Minnesota. Mr. Rebhahn lived at home and attended the public schools until he was twenty-one. He then entered the Bavarian army and served si.x j-ears, during that time partici- pating in the revolution of 1848. He re- ceived his discharge May 18, 1854. He at once went home, and a few days later, May 28, emigrated to the United States, landing in New York. From there he came to Wis- consin, and tor three years was at Milwaukee, in the employ of the Milwaukee, St. Paul & La Crosse Railroad Company. Going to La Crosse, October 1, 1858, he worked for the same company five years longer. At the end of that time he came to Buffalo county and located on the farm of 120 acres, which he had bought in 1861. His brother- in-law had lived on the place and had made some im- provements, including a house, etc. In 1863, when he moved here, Mr. Rebhahn pu; chased an eighty-acre tract in the same section. He continued to cultivate his farm with success, and in 1880 made another addition to his landed estate by the purchase of 120 acres, also in section 1. It had a good house on it and was fairly improved, and he has since erected a barn. Mr. Rebhahn now has about 300 acres under cultivation, and his farm is i-egarded as one of the finest in the county. He also owns 120 acres in Glencoe township, section 6, chiefly timber and pasture land; has sold forty acres of his first purchase. On his farms aie found some fine specimens of cattle and horses. For the last nine years he has been raising shorthorn lialf- breeds. In lior.ses bis stock is mixed with Norman and Clydesdale. Mr. Relibahn was married in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 25, 1856, to Katherine, daughter of Nick and Maggie (Schuester) Wallinger. To them nine children have been born, as follows: Maggie, who is now in a convent; Nicholas, who died young; Adolph, Mary, wife of Michael Gass; Amali, wife of Martin Zeller; Peter, who is now in the State of Washington; Anna, in the convent at La Crosse; and Katherine and Frederick at home. Politically Mr. Rebhahn affiliates with the Democratic party. He has held the ofiice of Assessor two terms, of Supervisor three terms, and several times has been Road- master. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church, and be has been trustee of the church most of the time since he came to the valley. He is regarded as one of the substantial citizens of the community in which he resides, and is held in high esteem by all who know him. tYMAN H. WHITNEY, the present County Clerk of Trempealeau county, was elected to his present office Novem- ber 4, 1890, succeeding E. N. Trowbridge. He has been a resident of this county since July, 1872, at which time he settled at Cor- ral City and engaged in general merchandis- ing. He continued there until 1874, when he came to Whitehall and also established a mercantile business, from which he retired in 1883, purchasing the mill property at Corral City, which he has since owned and operated. This mill was built by B. G. Wright, in 1877, and is a custom flour-mill, located on Pigeon creek. Mr. Whitney was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, in 1840, a son of Clark Whitney a pioneer of that county, having emigrated 706 BIOGRAPHICAL UISTORT. there from the State oP New York. In 1848 tlie lamily removed to Texas, and to Racine county, "Wisconsin, in 1850, where the father died in 1855, and the tnotlier is now a resi- dent of Merrillon, Jackson county. After the death of the father the mother removed to Jackson county with her family of three sons and two daughters, all of wiiom are now liv- ing. Clark Whitney was a millwright by trade, which fact led to his son engaging in the same businees, which has been his chief occupation since the age of seventeen years. Lyman H. Whitney was married in Jack- son county, Wisconsin, January 1, 1861, to Miss Zilpha Wright, a daughter of Benjamin ir. Wright, an early settler of that county, where he is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Whit- ney have four children: Cora, Phelie, Fred and Winnie. Mr. Whitney is a well-known and esteemed citizen of Trempealeau county. Politically, he is a Democrat, and the fact that he was elected to a responsible and im- portant position by the suffrages of his fellow citizens and by a large majority in a county that is strongly liepublican, is an evidence of the confidence and esteem in which he is re- garded by the citizens of this county. In his early voting days he was a Republican, cast- ing his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and again for Lincoln in 1864, hut as new issues arose he saw his duty elsewhere, and in more recent years has affiliated with the Democratic party. (YRUS II. CUTTER, M. D., is the phy sician and surgeon at Trempealeau, where he located in April, 1881, suc- ceeding Dr. A. Atwood. The Doctor was born in Oswego, Kendall county, Illinois, in 1857, and received his literary education at Jennings Seminary, Aurora, and at the Uni- versity of Illinois at Champaign. He began the study of medicine in 1876, at Oswego, under the preceptorship of Dr. G. B. Lester. He graduated at Rush Medical College, Chi- cago, in March, 1881, and located at Trem- pealeau in the year of his graduation. The Doctor is a son of Henry C. and Mary (Fox) Cutter, the latter a native of the State of New York. The parents have lived all their married life at Oswego. In November, 1881, Dr. Cutter was united in marriage with Miss Ilattie Billings, of Oswego, and they have three children: Blanche, Cyra, Olga, and Marion. Dr. Cutter is a gentleman of culture, and his professional career has thus far, nearly all of which has been passed in Trempealeau county, been attended with a marked de- gree of success. He is thoroughly educated in his profession, for which he possesses a natural adaptation. Genial and affable in disposition, and of a sympathetic nature, qualities essential to the successful physician, he has attained to more than ordinary popu- larity in his profession. As a citizen he is esteemed and respected for his enterprising and progressive spirit. AUL F. MUELLER, publisher of the Buffalo County Republikaner, of Foun- tain City, Wisconsin, was born in Han- over, Germany. His parents. Otto and Einilie (Elkaii) Mueller, were both natives of Hanover, the former born August 12, 1822, and the latter March 18, 1833, and both are deceased. They had three children, Robert, Edward and Paul. Robert is consul at Bour- deaux, France. Edward died in Chicago in 1889. Paul F., the youngest, attended school in Germany \intil he was seventeen years of age, at which time he entered the navy as a BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 707 soldier, intending to follow that service for life. He, however, remained only about two years and a lialf, during that period making trips to India and China. On account of his eyes failing he was obliged to leave the navy, and had the choice of going into the army or leaving the Government service. He cliose tlie latter, and decided to emigrate to the United States. He landed at New York October 15, 1879, and after remaining there awhile went to Chicago, where he lived sev- eral years and was for a time employed on German newspapers. Leaving Chicago he went to Madison, Wisconsin, and secured a position in the State Insane Asylum. While living there he made a visit to Fountain City, and was so ranch pleased with this place that he decided to locate here, which he subse- quently did. The editor of the Butfalo County Republikaner being sick, he assisted him on the paper, and after the editor's death Mr. Mueller and Mr. John Schmitz purchased the plant. They operated it together for a time, and then Mr. Mueller purchased his partner's interest and has since been its sole proprietor. He purchased this interest in October, 1890. When Messrs. Mueller & Schmitz became proprietors the paper was in a depressed financial condition, and it is through Mr. Muel- ler's energy and ability that it is in its present flourishing condition. The first improvement he made was to issue a second edition, called the Alma Blaetter. The Bej}ublikanermnkes its appearance each Monday, and has a circu- lation of about 2,200. It is devoted to the interests of its patronage and to the advance- ment of the country; in politics it is Demo- cratic, but is conservative. In connection with the publication of this paper, Mr. Muel- ler has established a first-class job ofiice, in which department he is securing a liberal patronage, extending his business to adjacent cities. Mr. Mueller was married July 18, 1889, at Buffalo City, to Adelheid, daughter of William and Charlotte (Koch) Ivan, of Wi- nona, Minnesota. They have one child, Arthur, born June 4, 1890. Mr. Mueller is peculiarly adapted for the work of a journalist. He is keen-sighted, energetic, and ever alive to the wants of the people. He believes in progress and works to that end. Thoroughly educated, he is cosmopolitan in thought, magnetic in person- ality and genial in companionship It is fortunate for the people in Buffalo county that they liave a man so well versed and able to conduct their journal. The advantages of such a man to the community can hardly be estimated. Mr. Mueller is a member of the Lutheran Church. =^ jjjHINEAS A. WILLIAMS, attorney and counselor at law, Whitehall, has been engaged in the practice of his profession since 1878, or since the county seat was established. The attorneys here at that time, besides himself, were Otis J. Allen, Samuel S. Miller and Carroll Atwood. Mr. Allen died here in 1885; Miller was District At- torney eight years, a ioember of the Assem- bly, and now resides at Rhiiielander, Oneida county, Wisconsin; and Atwood was a grad- uate of the law school at Madison, and now resides at Aberdeen, South Dakota. The present attorneys of Whitehall are the sub- ject of this sketch and H. A. Anderson. Mr. Williams, a representative of one of the early families of Trempealeau county, was born in Cravvford county, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1847, a son of Charles Williams, a native of New York. He was of Welsii ancestry, but the original ancestor of his family came to this country previous to the Kevolntionary 708 BIOGRAPnWAL HISTORY. war. Charles Williams removed with his parents to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, when twelve years of age. He was three times married, his first wife being Prudence Randall, a native of Pennsylvania. In 1848 he removed with his family to Wisconsin and settled in Fond du Lac county, where he conducted a hoot and shoe store in Rosendale, and also owned and opei-ated a farm. In the fall of 1856 he removed with his family to Trempealeau county, settling on a farm in Caledonia township, which he improved. He next went to the village of Trempealeau, in 18G1, where he lived until 1868, and in that year returned to Caledonia township and pur- chased another farm, where he died in 1888. His first wife died in Fond du Lac county in 1852, after which he returned to Pennsyl- vania, where he married his second wife, who died in 1865. In 1867 he was again mar- ried, in Pennsylvania, and it is a remarkable coincidence that he was three times married in the village of Haylield, and each time by the same Justice of the Peace. The third wife still survives her Inishand. Mr. Williams was a well-known early set- tier of the county, was a quiet man and much respected. He had two children by his first wife, Phineas A., our subject, and James, who resides with his brother in Whitehall. The eldest child by the second marriage was Eli, who was drowned from the steamer Tiber, in a trip up the Mississippi river, in 1884, at the age of twenty- three years. A daughter, Clara, also by the second marriage, is now the wife of Richard Clark, of Flan- derean. Minnesota. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common and graded schools of Trempea- leau, and was for some time a student at Ripon College. Ho began the study of law in 1875, and was for some time a student in the ofhce of O. J. Allen, with whom he formed a partnership in 1878, which con- tinued until 1883, since which time he has been alone. He was married to Miss Frances Southworth, a daughter of Joseph D. South- worth, who came to Trempealeau county in 1858 and settled at Coral City. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have one son, Ray R.. born at Coral City. August 13, 1876. Politically Mr. Williams is a Republican, casting his first presidential vote for Grant in 1872. He is a man of fine ability as a lawyer, and well- known throughout Trempealeau county, of which he has been so long a resident. APTAIN JOHN D. LEWIS, of the town of Arcadia, deserves prominent mentioti in this work as one of the well-known citizens of Trempealeau county. His residence and farm are on sections 7 and 8, town 21, range 9 west, where he settled in 1866. Captain Lewis was borri in Madison county, New York, February 19. 1828, a son of Morgan Lewis. The family in America is of Welsh ancestry, the ancestors of the family having been among the early settlers of the Connecticut colony. Two brothers of the Lewis family emigrated from Connecticut at an early day and settled in the State of New York. The paternal grandfather (for whom our subject was named), was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was mortally wounded at the battle of Sackett's Harbor. Morgan Lewis was born June 29, 1805, married Lydia Comstock, and died at the place of his birth July 1, 1855, having just passed his fiftieth year. The mother, who was born July 17, 1805, now lives with her son in the town of Arcadia. Captain Lewis was the eldest of a family of five children, which con- sisted of three sons and two daujihters, all of whom arc living. The second of the family, BIOGRAPHIGAL HISTORY. 709 Alonzo, is a resident of Minnesota; Josephine is the wife of Edward Elkin, of Watertown, South Dakota; Theodore is also a resident of Minnesota; Frances is the widow of Daniel Searight and resides in Arcadia. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native place and passed the years 1847 and 1848 near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but returnino; to the Empire State was married to Charlotte Mayberry, sister of C. G. Mayberry, a prom- inent architect of Winona. On the 8tli of July, 1854, Captain Lewis started West for the purpose of founding a permaennt loca- tion, his destination being Minnesota On reaching Downer's Grove, Illinois, he re- mained for a few days with a friend named Linus Randall, a blacksmith by occupation, who accompanied him to Winona. There Captain Lewis remained during that fall, engaged at his trade, that of carpentry. Late in the season he went to Fountain City, Buffalo county, for the purpose of securing work. At that place he met Edward Lees, and together they went up to Waumandee valley for the purpose of locating land. Cap- tain Lewis making a selection about four miles from Fountain City. Soon after he was engaged by Bishop & Carpenter to plan and erect a sawmill at Fountain City and took up his residence at that place in Janu- ary, 1855, and his wife having arrived in Winona soon after his arrival at that place they now took up their residence near Foun- tain City, for a time occupying a shanty which he erected. Mr. Lewis superintended the construction of the mill above referred to, which he completed the following July, and also operated the mill until it got into good working order, and he built a dwelling from the first lumber sawed by the mill. Captain Lewis was appointed Sheriff of Buf- falo county, September 2, 1856, by Governor Coles Bashford, to fill the unexpired term of Jesse Trueman, deceased. In 1858 he was elected Clerk of the county, and filling that position very acceptably was re-elected, hold- ing the office five years. He was largely instrumental in raising the Buffalo Rifle Company (which was one of the earliest organizations for service in the civil war raised in this State) and on its organization was elected First Lieutenant, his commission from Governor Randall bearing the date of April 30, 1861. He served on the Potomac in that command until the last of December of that year, when he received a recruiting commission from Governor Randall and was for some time engaged in the recruiting ser- vice. Later he received a commissi(jn from Governor Lewis which authorized him to recruit for the Forty-eighth Regiment Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, and he accord- ingly raised a company which became Com- pany H of that regiment, of which he was placed in command, his commisssion bearing the date of March 29, 1865, and his dis- charge March 24, 1866. His duty was a laborious and responsible one, and his health was much broken by his service in the army. During the summer of 1865 he marched with his command over 1,400 miles, his field of operations being in Kansas, and in the fall of that year the command took up quar- ters at Fort Lyon, Colorado. Returning to Fountain City at the close of his term of military service, he soon after went to Trem- pealeau county, and took up from the Gov- ernment the land where he now i-esides, which was then wild and new, and erected the first house in this valley and made the first road. Captain Lewis and wife have nine children, six sons and three daughters: Louis Kossuth, the eldest son, is engaged in the insurance business at Huron, South Dakota; Clive, the second son, is at home; De Los is in Mon- tana; Adelbert resides in the town of Arcadia, 710 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. and Archie is still at home. The eldest daughter, Inez, is the wife of John Burt, of Iron Kiver, Michirran; Blanche is the wife of Frank Ducker, of Iron River, Michigan; and Gertrude is the wife of John Busby, of Arcadia. Captain Lewis is one of the best known citizens of West Wisconsin, where he lias lived so long and honorably, and has ever been identified with the growth and development of the county. Besides the offices of County Clerk and Sheriff which he held in the early days, he has held many local offices, having been chairman of the town board of Arcadia for three terms and its Assessor for six years. In his earliest voting days Captain Lewis was a Democrat, but voted for Fremont, the first Republican candidate for President, and continued a Republican until the Garfield campaign of 1880, since which time he has been inde- pendent in his political sentiments. He is a man of large and varied reading and possesses much general information. He has for many years given much attention to the study of geology and is an acknowledged authority on the geological formation of Wisconsin. He was employed for two years in the United States Geological Survey in the Lake Supe- rior regions, and has a large and valuable collection of geological specimens. l - l ' ^ ' l^ "" jLEXANDER McGILVRAY, deceased, one of the early and well-known set- tlers of the town of Gale, was born in Inverness, Scotland, July 15, 1804. He emi- grated to Nova Scotia and thence to Canada, and thence to Portage, Wisconsin, in 1851. In 1852 he came to Trempealeau county, and was followed in June, 1853, by his family. He entered the land now owned and occupied liy his son, Gilbert I. McGiJvray, and estab- lished a ferry across Black river, which he operated until his death, June 17, 1887. He married, in Canada, Catherine Rankin, and had five sons and a daughter. The sons are all living. Gilbert I. McGilvray has operated the ferry since his father's death. ENJAMIN FRANKLIN GIPPLE is a descendant of the Palantine Mennonites, exiles from Canton Aargau, Switzerland. The family, with many others, to escape a re- lentless persecution, fled from Aargau to Offenbiirg, Middle Baden, and on the revo- cation in 1685 of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV of France they removed to Alsace for the same cause. Again, on the cession of Alsace to France upon the treaty of Ryswick in 1697, they went to Holland for protection and a refuge under the mild rule of William of Orange, where they enjoyed religious freedom. From Rotterdam they emigrated to the Province of Pennsylvania, North America, by way of Plymouth, England, on the brigantine Richmond and Elizabeth, Christopher Ciymeii, master, and arrived at Philadelphia in 1733. The name was for- merly spelled Geibbel: the reason for the change is not apparent, unless it is one of those Americanisms that so often have their origin in the transit from one language to another. The family settled in the locality of what is now the village of Manheim, Lan- caster county, I'ennsylvania. Th'i father of the subject of this sketch, Conrad L. Gipple, of the sixth generation from the advent of the family in Pennsyl- vania, married Elizabeth Summy, eldest daughter of Jacol> Summy. In 1825 they moved to Scipio, Cayuga county, New York, where Benjamin F. was born, April 26, 1828. A year or two later the father moved his BIOGRAPHICAL EI STOUT. 711 family to Lancaster, Erie county, where five years afterward be met bis death while assist- ing to raise the Presbyterian church in the village of Lancaster. His yountr wife, with five small children, was thus suddenly left to fight the battle of life alone. The members of the church made little if indeed any effort to assist, even in the matter of harvesting her meager crops. Winter came on to find her with but a few bushels of buckwheat to serve as bread for herself and children, and suffering from the want of the com- mon necessaries of life followed This in- difference on the part of professed Chris- tians claiming to be governed by a Di\ ine law, which defines religion pure and undetiled before God the Father, to visit the widow and the fatherless in their affliction, made a pro- found impression on the sou in after and maturer years. The Pennsylvanians in those early times adhered with great tenacity to the mother tongue, and for many years they would not permit a child to address its par- ents in the English language. When, there- fore, our subject at an early age was sent to the common district school, he was as igno- rant of this language as a new-born babe, and the want of this important accomplishment seemed to him to impress his teacher with the brilliant idea that Wer sprecht nur deutsch, Braucht gewiss die peitsche. At all events the teacher proceeded to enrich his tender German mind in rudi mental Eng- lish by a vigorous use of the inductive method, from behind, posteriori. Common schools in those primitive times were indeed common enough, and the teachers employed were usually large, muscular fellows, noted more from their pugilistic attaiiiments than intellectual culture. They were equipped with a brawny pair of fists, a birchen gad, i'errule, and a two-bladed knife, — the former to sharpen the wits of the pupil, and the latter to sharpen their goose-quill pens. The state of affairs between teacher and the "big boys," when not in actual confiict, was that of an armed neutrality, each constantly on the alert, and when the conflict came, as it often did, the floor would be overlaid with books, ferrules, broken gads, tufts of hair, overturned benches and table, "like autumnal leaves that strew the brooks of Vallambrosa." The in- junction of that wisest of men. King Solo- mon, "spare the rod and spoil the child," was burned as it were into their very souls. They believed that by a vigorous use of brute force, the young mind could be compelled to accomplish anything. The Bible had a place on the desk of the teacher, from which a chapter was daily read, but it coming to his knowledge that some of the precocious boys were calling the attention of the girls to portions of the inspired volume, which re- cited the adventures of calculating Tamar, the acts of sportive David, or the odoriferous menu vouchsafed to turbulent Ezekiel, they (the boys) were soundly flogged, and the Bible placed under lock and key, to be brought out again next term. Notwithstanding what is here said touching the crudeness of the dis- trict schools in tliose early days, they were, nevertheless, a potent factor in our civiliza- tion, and under the spur of a progressive age and scientific attainments in the art of teach- ing they have gradually attained a higher standard. At the age of len years Benjamin F. was hired out to work on a farm, which was re- peated yearly thereafter until he attained the age of seventeen years, when he was given in charge of a Mr. Stephen Buck, to learn the carpenter's trade. After serving an appren- ticeship of three years, he followed the voca- tion of a carpenter fifteen or twenty years. At the tender age of ten years, while in the 712 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOHY. employ of a zealous deacon, who with others of his kind, takino- advanta»f^'-~ if^ O N. G E O RG E H. MARKHAM, of Independence, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1837, a son of John Mark- ham. The latter was a commander in the English navy for many years, from which lie retired, on half pay, in 1883, on account of declining health. He was a Lieutenant in the navy when Napoleon was confined at St. Helena, and his vessel was stationed there, guarding the island, when that famous pris- 718 BIOOliAPHlCAL BISTORT. oner was confined there. He was born in 1797, and entered the navy at the aj^e of thirteen years as a cadet, rising gradually to the position of Commodore. About 1838 the family removed to France, thence to the island of Guernsey in 1846, and ten years later to the United States, coming directly to Columbia, Wisconsin, where they remained while George H. came to Trempealeau county and located land, on which the family settled in 1857. The family that caine to this county consisted of the parents and two sons. The father's health was poor, and after coming to Wisconsin he lived a retired life until his death, which occurred in October, 1870. In his earlier life he was a man of great energy and ability, and as has already been seen rose to a high rank in tlie British navy. About 1833 he received a sunstroke while at Vera Cruz, Mexico, and was never afterward able to do active duty. The children of Commo- dore Markham and wife consisted of four brothers who grew to mature years: John, the eldest, was in the consular service in Eng- land for many year.<, and died at Shanghai, China, while consul in that place, in 1871; George II. is the next in order of birth; Arthur A., whose farm adjoins that of his brother, was the ne.\t in order of age; and the youngest, Albert Hastings, is in the Brit- ish navy. He entered the navy at the age of thirteen years, and has risen by virtue of ability and faithfulness to duty to his present high position. He has seen much important service, and had tiie honor of being com- mander of the Alert in the famous Sir George Wares' exjtedition to the Arctic regions in 1875-'76. In that famous exploration he commanded the sledge expedition which penetrated the latitude 83% 20', 26", or within 399^ miles of the North Pole, the farthest point North which at that time had ever been attained, and has never been exceeded except by Lockwood, of the Greely expedition. Previous to this time Admiral Markham accompanied a whaling expedition on the Artie, commanded by Cap- tain Adams, his object' being to study ice and navigation. In this expedition he discovered and rescued the crew of the Polaris. He has made many other important voyages, and has written books descriptive of them. They include the following: " Cruise of the Rosa- rio;" '-A Whaling Cruise to Baffin's Bay and the Gulf of Boothia, and an Account of the Rescue of the Crew of the Polaris;" "The Great Frozen Sea;" "Northward, Ho!" "A Polar Reconnoissance." His last and one of his most important works is the " Life of Sir John Franklin." George H. Markham and his brother Arthur improved the land that the former located in 1856, and continued to reside together at the homestead until quite re- cently, when the land was divided, and they are now living separately. George H. has a fine farm of 480 acres, his home is beautifully situated, and he and his wife are surrounded by the comforts and blessings of life, the fruit of their own industry. Mr. Markham has ever taken an active part in the growth and prosperity of Trempealeau county, has served in the Legislature of Wisconsin in 1879, during which time he was Chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills, was the first Clerk of Burnside township, has been Chair- man of the township a number of times, was Town Treasui-er fourteen consecutive years, and has been Village Treasurer since Inde- pendence was incorporated. Politically he is a Republican, and has voted for every Repub- lican candidate since the organization of that party. Mr. Markham was married, October 8, 1862, to Miss Fannie M. Bishop, a daughter of Dr. Edmund Bishop, who was born in BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. riy Ohio, January 9, 1818. He removed to In- diana early in life, and in 1840 was married to Miss Minerva Shelby. From Indiana he went to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, in 1854, tiience to Fountain City, where he was one of the first settlers, and then to Portao-e City. He practiced medicine in early life, but subsequently left the profession and engaged in other business. Deciding to again enter the profession he went from Fountain City to Chicago, took a course of lectures at the Rush Medical College, and then located at Portage City, where he resumed practice. That place was his home until his death, altliough he died at Galva, Illinois, while on a visit, September 20, 1865. Mrs. Markham's mother died when she was but eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Mark- ham have one son, George A., who was born May 7, 1865. He was educated at the State Normal School at Winona and at Galesville University, and is now editor of the Independ- ence News and The Wave. Mr. Markham is one of the representative citizens of Trem- pealeau county, has ever taken a deep interest in promoting the growth and prosperity of of the comuiu»ity in which he lives, and is esteemed as an enterprising citizen. ^ [ERA ATWOOD is an early settler of the town of Trempealeau, the date of his arrival being June 3, 1856. He entered 120 acres of land. His present farm is located on sections 1, 18 and 10. Mr. Atwood is a native of Vermont, being born in the town of Leicester, Addison county, in 1829. His father, Seba Atwood, Sr., was a native of Warwick, Franklin county, Massa- chusetts. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and his father, Isaac Atwood, the pa- ternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, fought for the independence of the colonies in the \yar of the Revolution. The mother of Mr. Atwood was Eliza (Benjamin) Atwood. In 1852 Seba Atwood, Sr., re- moved from the State of New York to Dodge county, Wisconsin, where the wife and mother died, and later the father removed to Fond du Lac county, where he spent the remainder of his life. They were the parents of seven children who grew to mature years, six sons and a daughter. All are living except the daughter. The subject of this notice resided in Dodge county for about two years, tlien went to Marquette count}', coming to Trem- pealeau county as stated in 1856. He married in the State of New York, Caroline Bugbee. They have a daughter, Carrie M., and an adopted son, George Edward. --^■uxn/i,- -^Ifinr.^^ AMUEL BAKR, who resides on section 32, Trempealeau county, was born in Madison county, New York, in 1818, a son of James Barr, who died when Samuel was but four years of age. The mother sur- vived her luisband many years, dying when her son was twenty years old. There are but two surviving members of the family, Mr. Barr having an elder brother, James, who re- sides in Eau Claire county, Wisconsin. In 1842 the subject of this sketch came to Wis- consin via the lakes, the intention being to land at Milwaukee, hut owing to rough weather, which rendered an attempt to make a landing at that place quite dangerous, the boat continued to Chicago. At that time that now famous city was in its earliest in- fancy, and gave no promise that it would in less than fifty years become the second city on the Western Continent. At Chicago two teams were purchased, and the party con- tinued to Fort Atkinson. Mr. Barr soon 720 BIOORA PHICA L HISTOIi Y. afterward purchased land in Walworth county, but later removed to Dodpe county, where he also improved his farm and worked at his trade. From there he emigrated with his family to Trempealeau county. While in Dodge county Mr. Barr was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Lilly, a native of Binghamton, New York, and daugh- ter of Henry and Anna (Robinson) Lilly. The father was a native of Massachusetts, was married in the State of New York, re- moved with his family to Dodge county, Wisconsin, in 1846, later to Crawford county, where the father died, and after his death the mother lived with Mr. and Mrs. Barr until her decease. The family consisted of two sons and four daughters: Cyrus, who resides in Crawford county; George, in Worth county, Iowa; Mrs. Martha Adatns, of Sa- betha, Kansas, and Mrs. Barr, are the only surviving children. Mr. and Mrs. Barr have had eight children, two sons and six daugli- ters, four of whom are living. The eldest of the former, L"a Adelbert, is a master mechanic, and is now a member of the Northwestern Contracting Company of Chicago, lie is a natural mechanic, and has attained distinc- tion in his business. Irwiu Roscoe, the younger son, is a builder by occupation, and now resides in Chicago. The eldest dancrh- ter, Delia E., is a skillful artist, and is a most popular and successful teacher of her art. She is now at I'omona, California. The other daughters are Clara, Bessie and Ella. The daughters all possess a natural talent as artists, and the home of Mr. and Mrs. Barr is beautifully decorated with specimens of their handiwork. Mr. and Mrs. Barr have a beautiful home, and are surrounded by the comforts of life, the result of their own in- dustry, and here they have lived for the long period of thirty-five years. Here their chil- dren have grown to Tnanhood and woman- hood, several of whom have already gone out into the world to assume a more active part in the duties of life. Mr. and Mrs. Barr are numbered among the well-known and esteemed citizens of Trempealeau county. fOHN WINGAD, one of the well-known citizens of the town of Unity, Trempea- leau county, and a veteran soldier of the late war, was born in Lincolnshire, England, February 2, 1829, a son of Hezekiah and Elizabeth (Fatchitt) Wingad. Of the six children born to them, one (Mary) is de- ceased. One son and two daughters are resi- dents of England, and John and David both live in America. John Wingad came to America in 1852, and went at once to Arena, Iowa county, Wisconsin, where his brother David then was, the latter having come to xVmerica in 1847. Here he engaged as a farm hand for some time and then purchased a farm in Arena. He was married in Iowa county, to Miss Fanny Porter, also a native of England. o In August, 1862, Mr. Wingad enlisted in Company A, and afterwards transferred to Company K, Thirty-third Regiment Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, most of tiie time in the Western army. He took part in the siege and capture of Vickshurg. the battle of Tupelo, and was in the Red River expedition under Banks, and after that ill-starred expe- dition went up White river to Brownsville, Arkansas, near Little Rock, and marched thence to Cape Girardeau, thence by way of the Mississippi river to St. Louis, and then up the Mississippi river to Jefferson City, and by rail and by marching to Warrens- burg, where his regiment conducted, as a guard, 620 Confederate prisoners back to St. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOBT. 731 Louis, There tlie regiment was paid and re- clothed, and went thence to Nashville by river and took an active part in the figlit be- tween tlie Union General Thomas and the Rebel General Hood, in wliich the Confeder- ate forces were practically destroyed. They followed the retreating forces of the Rebels, and then encamped at Eastport, on the Ten- nessee river, where the regiment remained about a month, and in the meantime made a raid to Corinth and scattered the Rebel forces there. In February, 1865, they went by boat to New Orleans, and camped below the city for a few days, and crossed Lake Ponchartrain to Daupliine Island, and after about a week ascended Fish river to Mobile and took part in the attack on Spanish Fort, charging by moonlight. They marched then to Mont- gomery, and on this march heard of the surrender of Lee and the assassination of Lincoln. From Montgomery they went to Tuskegee, where they staid until they re- turned home by way of Vicksburg. and Mr. Wingad was discharged at Madison in 1865, after a long and iionorable career. Mr. Wingad was bereft of his wife by death on the 6th of August, 1871, and in March, 1874, he removed to his present place of residence. He has three children, two sons and one daughter, viz.: Hezekiah, the oldest, l)orn October 10, 1859; Alice, the only daughter, born November 10, 1862; and Albert, the younger son. born November 12, 1866. One daughter, Ida, died of diphtheria, at the age of twelve years. Alice was born while her father was in the service of iiis country, and was about three years of age when he returned. As an amusing fact it may be stated that in her childish innocence she would not recognize him as her father, calling liira "that boy!'' A short time after his return from the army, and while doing some work about home, the mother sent the child for her father, but after looking about for a time she returned to the iiouse and told her mother she "couldn't find that boy." Mr. Wino-ad has one of the most beautiful homes in Trempealeau county, and is num- bered among the well-known and substantial citizens of tiiis section. His buildings are tirst-class in their character, and his fine farm of 400 acres is under an excellent state of cultivation. Mr. Wingad paid a visit to his old home in England in the winter of 1888- '89, being away a])out four months. -rtfe AVID WINGAD is another of the pio- neers of Wisconsin. He resides on section 24, town of Albion, where he settled in 1873. He was born in Lincoln- shire, England, March 1, 1822, and in Jan- uary, 1842, came to America, going to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in labor in the iron works of that city. In the fall of 1847, while it was still a territory, he came to Wisconsin. Going to Arena, Iowa county, he engaged in work by the month for about two years and then pur- chased a farm, on which he resided until he came to Trempealeau county in September, 1873, where he has since lived. October 20, 1855, witnessed his marriage in Arena, Iowa county, to Miss Margaret T. Beaumont, daughter of William H. and Cynthia (Hall) Beaumont, both of New England origin. They removed to Iowa county, Wisconsin, in 1853, and there the father died many years ago, but the mother is still living and makes her home with her eldest son in Iowa county. Mrs. Wingad was one of eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom she is the eldest. David Wingad enlisted September 23, 1861, in Company G, Eleventh Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged 722 BIOGBAPUICAL HISTORY. November 18, 1864, after a service of over tliree years. He took part in many important events of tlie war, including tlie battle of Cotton Plant, Arkansas, Port Gibson, Ray- mond, Mississippi, Black River Bridge, and siege of Vicksburg under General Grant. In the famous charge on the enemy's works at Vicksburg he received a severe gnnshot wound which nearly proved fatal, the ball passing entirely through the back part of his neck. He fell on the field, where he lay four hours without water or assistance of any kind. When he linally recovered consciousness he found that a dead soldier, whose weight must have been 200 pounds at least, was lying across him. He had considerable difficulty in removing the dead weight from his person, but finally suc- ceeded in doing so. His wound proved a painful and severe one, and be has never fully recovered from its effects, or from the effects of the exposure and suffering incident to his life as a soldier. He was taken to Adams Hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, where he remained until March, 186i, when he re- joined his regiment, with which he continued until the expiration of his term of service. Mr. and Mrs Wingad have six children, three sons and three daughters, viz.: Eliza- beth, Robert, Henriette, David, Cora and Frank. They have a pleasant home, are sur- rounded by all the comforts of life, and have the respect and esteem of all who know them. IHARLES SCUAETTLE.— There is probably no citizen in Buffalo county more widely known and more exten- sively beloved than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. In the evening of an active and successful career, Mr. Scbaettle, reposing in his comfortable home on the pic- turesque banks of the Mississippi, may take a retrospective view of the past and well feel proud that he has been able to accomplish so much; that by the thoroughly rigid princi- ples of honor and integrity he lias been able to place himself in fair circumstances. He stands to-day at the head of the well-known and popular firm of Charles Scbaettle & Son. For the last twenty-six years he has resided at Alma, a city in whose advancement and whose welfare he has always been warmly and zealously interested. He hails from Oberndorf, Wiirttemberg, Germany, where he first saw the light of day, January 20, 1827, a son of Andrew and Aloysia (Stoffer) Scbaet- tle. Andrew Scbaettle died when his son Charles was about two years old. Charles was always of a studious and a thorough mind, and after attaining a good education he was apprenticed to the mercantile business in the city of Murrhardt, in 1842, where he re- mained nearly three years. He then engaged as a clerk until 1848, and after living in London eighteen months he determined to emigrate to the United States. He arrived in New York in the fall of that year, went direct to Cincinnati, and there secured a po- sition as clerk in a leather store. Having learned the English language while in Lon- don, he was able to do business with Ameri- can as well as German customers, thus ren- dering bira a valuable employe. Subse- quently we find this young nian, who but a few years previous landed on American soil without a relative, and indeed with a very meager purse, established as a partner in a leather business. This rapidly grew to an extensive and flourishing business, and while thus engaged Mr. Scbaettle frequently sold goods to Jesse Grant. Being rather poorly in health, and being warmly solicited to join ati association which was about to migrate, he finally after some reluctance disposed of BIOQRAPHIOAL BISTORT. 723 his interest in tiie establishment, directed his course West and located in Buffalo City, Wisconsin. There, in 1858, he opened a general mercantile and grain business. This he soon followed by the establishment of a sawmill, in connection with Fred Lane, un- der the firm name of Lane & Schaettle. He also started a brewery, opened a hotel and a large public hall. Here he continued for several years, strenuously and successfully contending with the many obstacles and diffi- culties which are always encountered in a newly set)tled country. Railroads were un- known to this country in those years. The only medium of transportation was the river, on whose eastern bank the newly founded little city lay. Soon the Father of Waters changed his course, shifted his channel along the opposite bank, between which lay, as an additional barrier, an island. Thus Buffalo City, which budded out so auspiciously, largely through the indefatigable efforts, push and popularity of Charles Schaettle, was shut out of the world of traffic. Accord- ingly, Mr. Schaettle, in 1866, transferred his mercantile business to Alma. The sawmill was already moved to Alma, and was operated ^^nder the old firm name for two years, when Mr. Schaettle withdrew; he also built a ware- house and began dealing in grain. In 1874 he took as partner R. R. Kempter, but in 1878 the firm dissolved, Mr. Schaettle con- tinuing in the mercantile business, which has gradually grown, until it stands to-day as one of the first business houses in his section. Mr. Schaettle also assisted in the organiza- tion and was a director of the Beef Slough Booming, Log Driving and Transportation Company, which has since developed into probably the largest enterprise of its kind in the world. While he has been earnestly devoted to his business, Mr. Schaettle has always taken an active interest in public affairs. He has, however, refused all politi- cal positions or offices, with one exception. Soon after he settled in Buffalo City he ac- cepted the appointment of Postmaster, which he held until he left the place. The office was worth $50 a year, and it cost him $200 to run it. Mr. Schaettle was joined in matrimony at Cincinnati, Ohio, June 7, 1852, to Julia, daughter of Joseph and Anna Kemp- ter. This happy union has been blessed with nine children, of whom five are living, namely: Anna, now Mrs. George Seiler; Charles, Frank, George and Romeo. Mrs. Schaettle, who is the embodiment of amia- bility, kindness and maternal love, has been a true and loving companion, always ready to share with her husband, not only the joys, but also the sorrows and vicissitudes which are the common fate of all. She is a domes- tic woman, is warmly attached to her family in whose bosom she always finds sweet con- tent and happiness supreme. Mr. Schaettle, too, is much attached to his home, and it has been his earnest desire to give his children excellent education and fit them for honor- able positions in life. Upon his arrival to this country, Mr. Schaettle attaclied himself to the Free Soil party, with which he affili- ated until the formation of the Republican party in 1856. He was among the first to help organize the latter party in Buffalo county, and was the first chairman. For some years past he has given his vote and infiuence with the Democratic party, feeling that he could not conscientiously support some of the measures of the party to which he gave his first allegiance. Mr. Schaettle has fixed his impress upon the community with which he has so long been associated. He has contributed largely towards building up its business interests and developing its resources, and no one is more highly esti- 734 niOORAPHIGAL HISTORY. mated, for wbile be has proEpered he has always been ready to assist where assistance was needed. By his integrity, Lis generosity, his paternal affection, — by bis warm, genial disposition always sparkling and radiating with Imnior and '■ good will to all men," — he has erected a monnment within the hearts of bis children and with those with whom he has so long dwelt that will outlive those of marble. Now, as the shadows of age advance, be can look back over a well-spent life, and when the inevitable end comes he can confi- dently expect the welcome plaudit, " Well done, thou good and noble servant!" ••*"' to * 3"I ' S" «" — SRANKLIN BENDER, who resides on section 6, Caledonia township, Trem- pealeau county, was born in Manlius township, Onondaga county, New York, in 1843, where he lived until fourteen years of age. His father. Nelson Bender, was born in the same township, and his father, Jacob Bender, was also born in the State of New York. Nelson Bender married Sarah E. Meyers, a native of Onondaga county, and in 1857 they removed to Waukesha county, Wisconsin. In 1867 they came to Trem- pealeau county, settling in Caledonia town- ship, where he died of a cancer November 27, ISyO, at the age of seventy-seven years; his wife died October 14, 1876. They were the panints of three children who grew to mature years, namely: Mary, the eldest, is the wife of A. C. Hudson, of Caledonia township; the subject of this sketch is the second iu order of birth; Sarah, the youngest, married Henry Converse, and died May 14, 1882, leaving three children. Franklin Bender was a soldier in the war for the Union, having enlisted August 14, 1862, in Company B, Twenty-eighth Regi- ment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged at Clarksville, Texas, August 1, 1865. The greater part of his army service was in the State of Arkansas, altliongh he served for a time in Mississippi, Alabama and Texas. He took part in the famous trip down the Yazoo Pass in 1863, was at the battle of Helena in the same year, went on the expedi- tion to Little Rock, and thence to Pine Bluff. During Banks" Red river campaign, Mr. Bender started with his command to provision the troops engaged in that enter-* prise, but Banks had retreated in Uie mean- time, and the troops to which Mr. Bender belonged were attacked by the Confederates and forced to retreat, thereby failing to give relief to Banks' army. Mr. Bender cook part in the battle and siege of Spanish Fort, moved thence to Mobile and up the Alabama river, next to Texas, and, having been taken sick, was discharged at Clarksville a few days before the regiment was discharged. Mr. Bender's health was much broken in the army, and he has never fully recovered from the effects of his army service. Returning to his father's home in Waukesha county, at the close of tlie war, he came to Trempealeau county with his family in 1867. He was married in December of that year to Miss Jennie Skilton, a daughter of Thomas and Martha Skilton, who settled on the farm where Mr. and Mrs. Bender now live, in June, 1856. The father died October 11, 1881, at the age of seventy- two years. He was born in London, England, where he grew to man- hood, and married Martha Miller. They came to the United States about 1834 and settled in the State of New York, removing thence to Dodge county, Wisconsin, and next to Trempealeau county. Mrs. Skilton is still living at the homestead, having attained to the advanced age of eighty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Skilton were the parents of three BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORT. 725 cliildren: Annie E., the wife of Calvin Ter- peua, of Brown's valley, Minnesota; George T., who was a member of the Tliirty-sixth Wisconsin Regiment in the war of the Re- bellion. He was wounded at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, and died in the hospital at Washington, from the effects of his wound September 19, following, at the age of twenty- one years. Mrs. Bender is the youngest of the family, having been born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, August 17, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Bender have seven children, three sons and four daughters, viz.: Martha A., Thomas N., Ida Edna, Warren W., Alice M., Cora Bell and Frank G. Mr. Bender was a gallant soldier in the war of the Union, and is a worthy and esteemed citizen. He is a mem- ber of Charles H. Ford Post, at Galesville. ->^T>'Z/Z/>' -^l/inr^^ fUDSON A. PALMER, M. D., located at Arcadia and engaged in the practice of his profession since August 1, 1891. Dr. Palmer was born in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, in 1868. He received his literary education at Wardsville, Ontario, where he pursued a liberal course of study. While pursuing his literary course he had in view the profession of medicine. In 1887 he entered the medical department of the Mich- igan State University, from which he grad- uated in June, 1890, and soon after located at Fosston, Polk county, Minnesota, and went thence to Red Wing in the same State. Ill the summer of 1891 a favorable oppor- tunity presented itself for him to locate in Arcadia as the successor of Dr. W. T. Eng- lish. Imprc^ving this opportunity he at once entered into the large and lucrative practice of hia predecessor and his business is con- stantly increasing. Dr. Palmer is a well educated and intelligent gentleman, affable and courteous to all, and has already won his way to popular favor. His father, Gideon Palmer, is also a native of Canada, where he still lives, the subject of this sketch being the only one of the family in Wisconsin. fOHN ROSENOW, like the majority of his countrymen who have sought homes in this free land of ours, has been pros- perous in his undertakings, and is now enjoy- ing the fruits of his years of labor. He resides in Montana township, and is one of the sturdy and well-to-do farmers of Buffalo county. Mr. Rosenow was born in Germany, April 19, 1847. His parents, Fred and Caroline (Loetz) Rosenow, were natives of that coun- try, and his father was a farmer by occupa- tion. Both parents passed their lives and died in Germany. They reared a family of seven children, whose names are as follows: Fred, Caroline, wife of Fred Schroder, of Alma, Wisconsin; Fredericka, widow of the late William Ileyden, of Waumandee; Charles; Mary, now Mrs. Henry Stern, resid- ing near Buffalo, this county; and John and William. As far as known all are still liv- ing. Charles served all through the war as a member of the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry. The early life of Mr. Rosenow was spent at home and in attending school. When he was fifteen years old, he and his brother-in- law, Fred Schroder, came to the United States, landing in New York in May, 1863. They came direct to Wisconsin and located in Waumandee township, Buffalo county, where the latter had a farm. Young Rose- now worked at farming until October 24, of the following year, when he enlisted in the army, becoming a member of Company H, 726 BIOORAPUICAL HISTOBT. Seventh Wisconsin Infantry. Ever since he set foot on American soil he has been identi- fied with her best interests; boy that he was, he risked his young life to help save his adopted country. Joining the regiment be- fore Petersburg about the last of October, he was under command of General Richardson, and was placed on the siege line in front of Petersburtr. lie remained with his regiment in all its movements and engagements about Petersburg and Richmond, and was at Appo- mattox at the time of the surrender of Lee; was also at the grand review at Wasliington. He was mustered out at Jeffersonville, Indi- ana, came to Madison, "Wisconsin, via Mil- waukee, and was paid off and received his final discharge from the Government, July 7, 18G5. Returning to Waiimandee he was employed in a brick-yard for three years, after which he purchased the establishment and continued the manufacture of brick four years, making a success financially. He then sold out and removed to Alma, where he lived two years, engaged in the saw-mill business. He next bought a farm near the town uf Montana and lived on it five years, and after selling it rented land in Montana township, which he conducted eight years. In the fall of 1885 lie purchased his present farm of 210 acres, 160 acres of which are undeir cultivation. Since he came into possession of this farm he has made some improvements on it, and every thing about the premises shows the thrift and prosperity of the owner. His chief product is grain. Among his stock are Uolstein cattle and Clydesdale horses. At present lie milks twelve cows, and sells the milk to a cheese factory. Mr. Rosenow was married, at Waumandee, November 9, 1870, to Juthith, daughter of Henry and Magdaline (Volkart) Oertle. Six children were born to them: Louise, Wil- liam. Edward, Henry, Lydia and Louis. Mrs. Rosenow died February 13, 1886. May 26, 1888, he wedded Emilia, daughter of William and Caroline (Tesh) Kiepoefer, and by her has one child, Reuben. Mrs. Rosenow's par- ents were born in Germany, her father is deceased, and her mother is now living in Trempealeau county, Wisconsin. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rosenow are members of the Evangelical Church, and he is now pres- ident of the board of trustees of that church. His political affiliations are with the Repub- lican party. He has served several times as Supervisor, and is at present chairman of the Board of Supervisors; has also been Road- master a number of times. Such, in brief, is a sketcli of one of the worthy citizens of Buifalo county. iICHAEL SENDELBACH, of Buf- falo county, Wisconsin, and one of the earliest settlers of what was called Martin's valley, Waumandee township, was born in Bien, Bavaria, Germany, June 2, 1836. His parents, George and Katherine (Hartman) Sendelbacli, were natives of Ba- varia, and were farmers. Their family was composed of three children: Maggie, Michael and Joseph. The elder Mr. Sendelbacli died in 1842. His widow some time later became the wife of George Ruppert, and they had one boy, named Charles. The family emi- grated to the United States, crossing the ocean in a sail vessel and landing at New Orleans, in August, 1847, after a voyage of nearly four months. Coming North, they located on a farm in Harrison^ county, In- diana. After coming to America, Mr. Sendelbacli began to learn the cigar trade; was for five years engaged in the manufacture of cigars. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORT. 737 He then turned his attention to tin smithinsr and worked at that business two years. Coming to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, he began farming in 1857 with his father-in- law, Casper Netn, in Waumandee township. He remained there about three years. Then he bought eighty acres of unimproved land in section 2, built a cabin, and to this place, in 1860, he moved his family and began farming on, his own account. The land was nearly all prairie, and the first year he broke and planted thirty acres. After living in the cabin ten years, they moved into their new frame house. Mr. Sendelbach built his barn in 1872. In 1860 he homesteaded forty acres of land that joined his purchase in sec- tion 2; in 1880 bougiit forty acres in the same section, chiefly bluff land, covered with timber; in 1881 purchased another forty-acre tract adjoining him, that had been partly im- proved. He now has about 140 acres under cultivation, and is engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising. When Mr. Sendelbach took up his abode in this valley there were but few settlers here — Ills father-in-law, brother-in-law, a Mr. Koath and Mr. Martin. He took his jiroduce to Holmes' Landing and exchanged it for sup- plies, it being difficult at first to get any money. The farmers had to build their own roads then. Mr. Sendelbach was married in Wauman- dee, September 25, 1857, to Rosiua, daughter of Casper and Margaret Neth. Their union has been blessed by the birth of ten chil- dren, viz.: Joseph, born October 18, 1858; Maggie, February 11, 1861; Mary, April 15, 1863; Casper, June 21, 1865; Mary M., April 16, 1867, is now Mrs. William Teisen; Anthon, March 29, 1869; Valentine, March 4, 1871; Katie, August 12, 1873; Michael, November 18, 1875; Aloys, November 4, 1877. All are living except Maggie, Mary and Casper. Joseph is married and is en- gaged in farming near his father. Mr. Sendelbach has generally declined to take office. He has, however, served as Road- master and Constable. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and is in politics a Democrat. He and his family are devout members of the Catholic Church, and are dis- tinguished for their benevolence and irenial hospitality. fETER CASE, of the town of Arcadia, Trempealeau county, resides on section 31, town 21, range 9 west, where he settled in 1864. He has made all the im- provements on his place, none having been made when he purchased his farm. Mr. Case was born in Putnam county. New York, January 18, 1830, a son of Caleb Case, a na- tive of Duchess county. New York, and Eliza (Furgeson) Case. The subject of this sketch left his home in the Empire State for the West in 1855, accompanied by his father-in- law, James Bighatn. Their destination was the State of Iowa, where they contemplated making settlement, but after entering that State, before they had reached Howard county, they met parties who discouraged them from going further, and at the same time spoke very highly of the region about Fountain City. They were thereby induced to change their minds, and returning to the Mississippi river took a steamer for Fountain City. They pre-empted land in the town of Glencoe, Buffalo county, but Mr. Case soon after sold out and took a claim adjoining, which he im- proved and sold, and then bought his farm of 240 acres where he now lives, and which he has under a good state of cultivation. Mr. Case was married in the State of New York, in 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Bigham, to which 728 BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY. union six children were born, three sons and three daughters, viz.: George W., the eldest of the children, who died at the age of seven years, eight months; Augusta is the wife of Charles Rook, of Estelline, South Dakota; Walker C, the eldest surviving son, was born in Buffalo county, August 31, 1861; William M., the third son lives in St. Paul, Minnesota; Emma J. is a teacher by occupa- tion; Ida Viola, the youngest, is at home, as is also her brother. Walker C. Mr. Case was bereft of his wife by deatli several years ago. Mr. Case is a well-known pioneer of this part of the county, and is esteemed as a good citizen. Beginning life poor, he has by in- dustry secured a well-improved farm and a comfortable home. fACOB KIN DSCIIY. -Among the prom- inent and respected farmers of Buffalo county is the man whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Sauk county, Wisconsin, December 22, 1843, and is the son of Chris- tian and Elizabeth (Runker) Kindschy. The elder Kindschy was born in Masance, canton of Granbinton, Switzerland, December 15, 1815, and his wife, Elizabeth, in Tamitz, Switzerland, April 19, 1816. They were married tliere, and emigrated to the United States in 1847. The father was a stonemason by trade. From New York they came direct to Sauk county, Wisconsin, locating in the township of Black Hawk, where the father purchased a tract of land and began its im- provement. He remained there eight years, and then sold out an<' moved, in the spring of 1855, to Buffalo county. His household effects were transported in an ox wagon. After looking about he selected a tract in section 36, Government land, and pur- chased the same. His tirst work was to put up a log cabin to shelter his family. This being done he began the improvement of his farm. The early settlers near him were Mr. Runkie, and the Von Walds and Powells who came with him. He was an energetic man and a good farmer, and snccess crowned his efforts liere. He continued to add to his possessions until he had 360 acres, which formed one of the finest farms of the county. His tirst frame house was the one that stands near the Dan user valley creek. He subse- quently built the one adjoining it, which is now the residence of the subject of this sketch, and where he lived and died. He was much respected, and was active in the public affairs of the county. He was Super- visor two terms, and in politics was an enthusiastic Republican. He left his sons a large property. To the Evangelical Church, of which he was an earnest and active mem- ber, he gave the ground on which their par- sonage and house of worship are built. He died September 9, 1883, and his widow passed away January 8, 1885. They were the parents of four children: Lucy, now Mrs. John Durisch, of Arcadia; John C. ; Jacob and George. Jacob Kindschy was reared on the home farm, where he became well versed in the business of farming, and secured some edu- cation in the public schools. When his father became advanced in years he and his brother John leased the farm and operated it together for four years. Then John moved to Alma and he conducted the farm alone. In 1888 he purchased 210 acres of the home- stead in sections 25 and 30, Montana town- ship, which he has since cultivated. It is principally a grain farm, though Mr. Kind- scliy is giving some attention to stock, breed- ing the mixed Jersey cattle. He has about 140 acres under cultivation. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 729 / Mr. Kindschy was united in marriage in Waumandee, April 2, 1881, to Sarah, daughter of Ernest and Christiana Koch, who were natives of Germany. They emigrated to this country and settled in Buffalo county, where they died. By this union there were two children born, Elinora E. and Lillie C. Sarah Kindschy died January 23, 1885. April 8, 1886, he wedded his present com- panion, Mary, daughter of Fred and Mary Kirschner, who were born in Germany and are now living in Seattle, Washington. By his second wife Mr. Kindschy has three chil- dren, Odilia S., Lester J. and Fred. Mr. Kindschy has taken an active part in the affairs of his township. For eight years he was Constable, and he held the office of Supervisor four years, being chairman one term. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., Lodge No. 13, of Fountain City. In politics he is a Republican; is also a member of the Farmers' Alliance. lEORGE KINDSCHY is a native of Montana township, Buffalo county, Wis- consin, and was born August 2, 1856, he being the first white child born in the Waumandee valley. His parents were Chris- tian and Elizabeth (Runker) Kindschy. (For more particular mention of his parents see the sketch of Jacob Kindschy on another page of this work.) Mr. Kindscliy spent his early years at home, assisting his father on the farm, and during the winters was sent to the township schools. At tiie age of nineteen he left the parental roof and started out to do for him- self and see a little of the world. He first located in Clayton City, Iowa, where he re- mained about a year. He then returned home, and three years later rented a farm of his brother. Christian, which he operated about two years. At the end of that time he purchased a farm of 220 acres in the Dannser valley, known as the Dursch farm. On this he lived three years and then leased it for three years; moved to La Crosse and worked at blacksmithing for awhile. Returning to the old valley, he opened a shop and feed mill where his present shop is located. After carrying on the milling business for two years he discontinued it, but has since kept up the smithing. In 1886 he sold his farm in the Danuser valley. In the settlement of his father's estate he received 120 acres, which he is now cultivating, giving his attention principally to hay and grain. He is also breeding Jersey cattle and the half Clydes- dale horses. He was married, in Montana township, March 14, 1878, to Katherine, daughter of Florian and Cecilia (Bruhler) Danuser. This union has been blessed with five children: Benjamin G., Alice C, Clara G., Ida, Amelia and Fiorina H. Mr. Kindschy has an elegant farm. This he keeps under a high state of cultivation and at the same time does a thriving business at his trade. In public matters he takes an active part; is now holding his ninth terra as Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., Lodge No. 13, of Fountain City. In politics he is a Republican. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Evanjielical Church. /WOHN RAICHLE, who resides on section *" 17, Gale township, is a pioneer and an honored soldier of the war of the Rebel- lion. He was born in Wiirttemburg, Ger- many, in 1836, the son of Frederick Raichle, who remained in Germany until his death. 780 BIOGRAPnWAL BISTORT. Onr subject is one of a family of eight chil- dren, six sons and two daughters, all of whom are living except the eldest, Frederick, who is deceased. The eldest surviving member of the family, George, still resides in Germany; "William is a resident of Gale township; Catherine is married and lives in Germany; John, the subject of our sketch; Christian also lives in Gale township, as does a sister, Barbara; Carl resides in Germany. The subject of sketch and his brother, William, came to this country in 1854, and after a residence of two years in New York John came to Trempealeau county. He spent one summer in the town of Trempealeau, and since then Gale township has been his home. He has resided on his present farm of 230 acres since 1870, which is under a good state of cultivation. William Raichle remained in New York two years longer than John, but he is now also a prominent farmer of Gale township and a neighbor of his brother. In August, 1862, John enlisted in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Regiment Volunteer Infantry, which went into service and re- turned under command of Captain A. A. Arnold. The regiment did duty in Wisconsin until early in 1864, when they went to Dakota and ensaeed in the erection of Fort Rice. In the fall of the same year they descended the Missouri liver on flat-boats, and going to Louisville, Kentucky, remained there for a time, and went thence to Bowling Green, same State, but returned again to Louisville, ■where they were mustered out of service. In 1880 Mr. Raichle was united in mar- riage with Miss Bertha Jahn, who was born in Germany in June, 1856, and came to America ■with her parents in 1872. The latter are now residents of Caledonia, Trempealeau county, and are the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters, viz.: Bertha, Richard, Ottielea, Ilelmuth and Edwin. The latter was born in this county, all the others being natives of Germany. Another daughter, Lena, born in Germany, died at the age of two years. Mr. and Mrs. Raichle have three children: Frederick, Lena and John. NDREW R. AND NATHAN H. CAR. HART, who are among the well-known representative citizens of Trempealeau county, are sons of Isaac D. Carhart, who emigrated with his family to Wisconsin in 1854. He was descended direcily from Thomas Carhart, the first American ancestor of the family, and the first record of whom dates from 1691, at which time he resided in Richmond county, New York. Isaac D. Car- hart was born in Coeynians township, Albany county. New York, July 31, 1802, a son of Daniel Carhart. He married Nancy Agnes Bangs, who was born in Kortright township, Delaware county. New York, August 19, 1809. Mr. Carhart was reared to the occu- pation of farming, but learned the trade of a tanner and harness-maker, and for a time during his early married life was engaged in merchandising. He continued to live in the State of New York until he emigrated to Dodge county in 1854, and in 1861 the family came to Trempealeau county, settling on section 36, Trempealeau township, where the father resided until his death, September 1, 1885; the mother died May 7, 1889. Mr. Carhart was prominently identified with the religious and moral growth of the community in which he lived, and was in all respects a most worthy and estimable citizen. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Epis- copal Clinrch, of which he was class-leader for many years, and also assisted to organize and maintain a Sunday-school in his town. Politically he was a Republican' and in the BIOQRAPHIOAL HISTORY. Td\ earlier days possessed strong anti-slavery sentiments. He and his wife were the par- ents of five sons and live daughters, all of whom are now living but one son, John M., who enlisted in Company A, Second Regi- ment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was killed at the first battle of Bull Run, July 19, 1861, having been one of the fiist Wis- consin troops killed in battle. He was the fourth child and second son, and was about twenty-three years of age at the time of his death. The eldest of the family, Mrs. Mary L. Manley, resides at Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri; L. H., a Methodist clergyman, now resides at Brooklyn, New York; Mrs. Delia E. Huntley is a resident of Winona; Andrew R. is the next in order of birth; Isaac W. resides at Hot Springs, Arkansas; Mrs. Emma Allen resides in Boone, Iowa; Mrs. Charlotte White resides in Clarendon, Donley county, Texas; Nathan H. is at the old homestead in Trempealeau township; and the youngest of the family, Mrs. Josie Mulligan, resides in Tacoma, Washington. As has been seen above, the two brothers mentioned at the beginning of this sketch are the only metribers of the family who now reside in Trempealeau county. Andrew R., who resides on section 6, was born in Scho- harie county. New York, December 13, 1841. In 1865 he engaged in farming for himself, and from 1868 to 1870 he was engaged in pork-packing and general business in the vil- lage of Trempealeau, and during that time he was a member of the village Board. He has also been president of the Trempealeau Agricultural Society for two years. Besides his farming interests in this county Mr. Car- hart has been quite extensively engaged in ranching cattle in Texas, in partnership witii B. B. Healy, of La Crosse. Mr. Carhart has also been extensively engaged in buying and shipping cattle, and is now interested in zinc mining in Jasper county, Missouri, which is an important enterprise and gives promise of still greater developments. He has been chairman of the town of Trempealeau and member of its board for two terms; also treasurer of Trempealeau County Agricult- ural Society now for the third year. He was married in 1864, to Miss Jennie Hope Gillies, a daughter of John Gillies, of Trempealeau, and they have had four chil- dren: Edward A., the eldest; George W., who died in early infancy; Allen R., the third in order of birth; and Mark G., tiie youngest. Mr. Carhart is a Republican politi- cally, and both he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. Nathan H., who owns and occupies the old homestead, was born November 20, 1848, havincr been but a lad when he came to Trempealeau county with his parents. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Brownsell, a native of Fond du Lac, Wiscon- sin, who died February 18, 1889, leaving three children: Thomas, born October 2, 1884; Clarence W. and Clara E., August 18, 1888. Mr. Carhart is prominently identified with the Metliodist Episcopal Church, as was also his wife. fHARLES W. FARRAND, attorney and counselor at law, Onalaska, has been a memberof the bar of Trempealeau county since 1874. He was born at Lindleytown, Steuben county. New York, in September, 1839, the son of William Farrand, a native of Vermont. The Farrands are descended from an early New England family, the orig- ' inal ancestor having come to America previ- ous to the war of the Revolution. William Farrand married Ruby Kaple, a native of New York, and of New England ancestry. 732 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Our subject was one of five children, the eldest of whom, James C, was Captain of a company in the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Reg- iment, in the war of the Rebellion, and died in Kansas City several years ago; Esther, the eldest daugliter, became the wife of William Thayer, and died at Onalaska, Wis- consin; Charles W. was the next in order of birth; Helen M. is the wife of Charles H. Nichols, of Onalaska; and the youngest, Ira, is ensawed in the lumber business at Gales- ville. James C. Farrand was the first of the family to come West, and was soon followed by Charles. In 1850 he went to Illinois, and to La Crosse, Wisconsin, the same year, after which he went to Melrose, where he joined his older brother, James C. There he passed the winter of 1856-'57, and the following spring went to Onalaska, where he worked at lumbering and also attended school for a time. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Second Regiment, Wisconsin "Volunteer Infantry, and served until May, 1864, when he was discharged on account of a wound received at the l)attleof Gettysburg, in July, 1863. Tlie regiment to which he belonged formed a part of the famous Iron Brigade, with whom he fought in many of the most noted battles of the war, including first Bull Run, Gaines- ville, second Bull Run, South Mountain and Antietam, and was also at Fredericksburg under Burnside, and at Chancellorsville under Hooker. lie was wounded on the first day of the Gettysburg battle, his regiment form- ing a part of tiie first corps, commanded by the gallant General Reynolds, who fell on that bloody field, Mr. Farrand receiving a gun-shot Vv'ound through the right foot. He was sent at once to Jarvis' General Hospital, where he remained until tlie spring of 1864, wlien he was sent to David's Island, New York, and there discharged in May of the same year. After he had recovered from his wounds Mr. Farrand was variously engaged in lum- bering, studying and teaching, attending school much of the time at Gales ville. In 1871, having determined to adopt the legal profession, and having already given considerable attention to the study of law, he entered the law department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, where he continued two terms. He then entered the office of Lyndes & Burroungs, at La Crosse, and in 1874 located in Galesville and opened an office. From there he removed to Arcadia, where he continued practice until 1878. He next went South and spent considerable time traveling, and in 1884 returned to Gales- ville, where he resumed practice. Owing to the death of Charles H. Nichols, his sister Helen's husband, Mr. Farrand has recently moved to Onalaska, to make his home with his mother and sister. The family of Mr. Farrand all eventually came West. Tlie father died at Onalaska in 1869, and tiie mother still resides there with her daughter, Mrs. Nichols. Mr. Farrand is a gentleman of tine attainments and a lawyer of ability. He was a gallant soldier in tiie war for the Union, and both professionally and socially is esteemed. fOHN TITRTON, of Waumandee, Wis- consin, by virtue of his long residence liere, is justly entitled to appropriate biographical mention in this work. Mr. Turton was born in Lancashire, Eng- land. May 13, 1837, son of Peter and Martha (Wakefield) Turton, both natives of the same place. His father was a sou of Joiin Turton, and was born April 4, 1807, and his mother BIOORAPEIOAL HISTORY. 733 was born March 17, 1811. Peter Turton, a Bilk-weaver by occupation, emigrated to the United States in 1882, and settled witli his daughters in Connecticut, where his death occurred in 1884. By his first wife he had two children, the subject of our sketch and James. Her death occurred in England, January 4, 1849. In 1862 he took to him- self a second wife, the issiie from that inar- riage being two daughters, Jane and Lillie, who now reside in Connecticut. John Turton remained with his father until he was eighteen, learning his father's trade, that of silk-weaving, and attending school when opportunity ofiFered. At the age of eighteen he concluded to strike out for the new world, and accordingly landed in New York, in June, 1855. At once coming West, he stopped for a time in Racine, and subse- qnently engaged in farm work. In 1859 he came to Waumandee township, Buffalo county, pre-empted eighty acres of land in section 19, and immediately commenced making improvements. This country was then in its wild state, there were no roads to guide the traveler, and Indians and deer were plentiful. In the spring he built a house, and in 1861 erected his present dwelling. Re- cently, in 1888, he built a fine barn. About sixty-five acres of his land are under improve- ment. Formerly his chief product was grain, but of later years he has turned his attention to the dairy business and is raising stock. Mr. Turton was married in Racine, "Wis- consin, April 29, 1862, to Mrs. Demiah Col- lier. By her former husband she has one child, Joseph, born November 23, 1858, who is now residing near her. Her union with Mr. Turton has been blessed with eight chil- dren, viz.: Martha Jane, born May 1, 1863; Demiah Lillie, November 27, 1864; Peter Alfred, January 27, 1868; James Henry, June 11, 1870; John J., March 8, 1873; George 48 Walter, April 16, 1876; Ann Elizabeth, August 4, 1878; Alice Mary, April 22, 1881. Mrs. Turton is a daughter of John and Jane (Adarason) Hodgkinson, natives of Yorkshire, England. They came to America in 1854, located in Quebec, Canada, and from there removed to Racine, Wisconsin. Mr. Hodg- kinson died in Missouri, in 1861. His widow now resides in London, Nebraska. Of the twelve children born to them, only four lived to adult age, namely: George, Demiah, Jane and Mary. Jane wedded Drury Coultard, and lives in California, and Mary is the wife of William Lighthill, of Iowa. Politically, Mr. Turton affiliates with the Democratic party. He has held the ottice of School Treasurer and School Director. He favors any movement that has for its object the advancement of the best interests of the community; and for his many estimable qualities he is held in high esteem by his numerous friends and acquaintances. EORGE N. HIDERSHIDE, M. D., of Arcadia, located in this village in 1875, the second graduate to establish himself at this place, and with one exception has been in continuous practice longer than any phy- sician in the county. He is a native of Luxembourg, Germany, and the son of Nicholas and Anna M. (Sa- lentiny) Hidershide, who emigrated with their family to the United States in 1857, landing at Minneiska, Minnesota. Nicho- las Hidershide purchased and improved a fine farm in Mount Vernon, Winona county, that State, where he resided until the time of his death, which occurred in the spring of 1875. The motiier died at the home of our subject in 1889, having resided with him some time previous to her death. They were 734 BIOGIUrUIGAL UJSTom: the parents of seven cliildren, five of wliom grew to maturity and are still living; two died in infancy. Those living are Pierre, who is farming on the old homestead; Mary Jane, the wife of John Rodenbour, a resident of Brown's valley, Minnesota; George N., of this sketch; Mary, who wedded Henry Ste- vens, a resident of Dover, Minnesota; and Lonisa, wife of Joseph Meyer, also of Dover, Minnesota. The earlier life of Dr. Ilidershide was spent on a farm and in attending the district schools. He graduated at the State N^ormal School at Winona in 1870, and having the determina- tion to pursue a professional career he at once began the labor for its accomplishment. It was necessary that he should do manual labor to secure the means required for this purpose, but he never shrank from the diffi- culties in the way, and labored faithfully and earnestly until his object was attained. He was engaged for a considerable time in selling farm machinery in Wisconsin, Iowa and Illi- nois, and was very successful in this branch of business. Soon after his graduation at Winona he began the study of medicine at Lyons, Iowa, and after two years' study under a preceptor at that place he entered the Louisville (Kentucky) Medical College, from which he was gradu- ated with honor in 1875, and soon afterward located at Arcadia. The Doctor has ever been a most industrious student, and besides his medical education he possesses fine literary attainments. lie was but a lad when he came to America with his father's family; and, having no knowledge of the English language, he went to live with Dr. G. F. Childs, a native-born Englishman, in Minnesota and an early settler of Winona, thinking that he would there learn tlie language in its native purity. According to his own statement he soon learned to pronounce the letter " h " where he should have omitted it, in the most approved English style! He soon, however, learned his error, and afterward became more American in his pronunciation, and the most careful critic of the language would now be more likely to believe him a native of the central or eastern part of our Union than of a foreign land. Dr. Ilidershide believes in the permanency of our American institutions, and rejoices in the freedom of our beloved country. He is a tine linguist in the German and American languages, and also possesses a fair knowledge of several other languages. As a surgeon and physician he stands in the front rank of the profession in Wisconsin, and deservedly enjoys a very large and lucrative practice; and as a citizen he is esteemed for his integ- rity and progressive principles. He is a member of the Northwestern Wis- consin Medical Association; in 1881 he was elected a delegate to represent that body at the American Medical Association held at Richmond, Virginia, and in 1889 was its President. He is also a member of the State Medical Association, and is at present Sur- geon of the Green Bay Railroad. In politics he is an ardent Republican, but has never sought political preferment for himself, though he has been called upon to serve as President of the village board of Arcadia. He was chosen a delegate to the Congressional Convention of his district in 1890, and is at present Chairman of the County Congressional Committee; but it is to his profession that he devotes his life work, and improves all opportunities to become familiar with advanced methods and views in surgery and medicine. The Doctor was brought up under the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, thoucdi he is not a meinl)er nor adlierent of any of the religious denominations, but rather BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 735 favors the broad liberalism of the advanced thinkers of the past and present. He is logi- cal in all his methods, and has no convictions that have not been reached by a process of reasoning. He is fearless and outspoken in the advocacy of any cause he may espouse. Having a higher regard for principle than for pelf, he would scorn the idea of receiving pecuniary advantages by the practice of hy- pocrisy. He is not wanting in public spirit, as he is ever ready to encourage any enter- prise for the public good. His many acts of kindness and generosity to kindred and friends are the spontaneous outgrowth of a kind and sympathetic nature. Socially the Doctor is a Mason, being a member of Arcadia Lodge, No. 201, A. F. & A. M., of Arcadia; of Smith Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M., at La Crosse; of La Crosse Commandery, No. 9, K. T. ; of the Wisconsin Consistory, and of the Tripoli Temple, N. M. S., Wisconsin. jHEISTOPHER ROESCH, of Glencoe township, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, was born in Wtirttemburg, Germany, July 12, 1827. His parents, John and Fred- ericka (Keitzler) Roesch, were both natives of that place and passed their lives there, the mother dying in 1846 and the father in 1858. They were the parents of three children, the subject of our sketch and Christina and Fred- ericka. His father being a farmer by occu- pation, Christopher was reared on the farm, assisting his father and attending the schools of that place. Mr. Roesch emigrated to this country in the spring of 1854, landing in New York, and from there going direct to Cincinnati, where he remained three years, working in a packing-house in winter and on a farm in summer. In 1857 he came to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, and located a farm of 120 acres in section 19, Glencoe township, which he purchased of a new settler. He engaged in farming about the valley until 1860, when, having built a cabin, he settled down on his farm and began improving it. The work of improvement went on gradually, however, as his means were limited. At first he used an ox team. He had to make his own roads be- fore he could market his produce. By dili- gence and good management he was soon comfortably situated, and ere long fortune smiled on him. He erected his tine dwell- ing in 1871, and his new barn in 1875. His first addition to his original purchase was three forties, which he bought in 1864. These are in sections 17 and 20. The same year he added another forty, located in sec- tion 19, and in 1875 he bought two more forty-acre tracts in section 19. In 1873 he bought forty acres of Government land in section 18. The present year (1890) he bought ninety acres of land in Glencoe town- ship, which he leases. He has in one body 400 acres, 120 acres of which are under cul- tivation, and forty acres of hay land. Be- sides carrying on general farming, he is also engaged in stock-raising. He has a dairy and milks about twenty cows; is raising half Clydesdale horses. Mr. Roesch was married in June, 1861, at Glencoe, to Ursula Gartmann, daughter of Joshua Gartmann. Six children were given to them, whose names are as follows: Fred- ericka, wife of John Florin; Mary, wife of Christian Florin; John, Caroline, wife of David Angst; Rosa and Anton. After a happy married life of thirty years, Mrs. Roesch died, June 25, 1891, leaving a large circle oF mourning friends. Recently Mr. Roesch has turned the man- agement of his farm over to his son John. 736 BIOGRAPHTCAL HTSTORT. This is among the best improved farms in the county and is admirably laid out. He has taken great pains to have all the con- veniences possible and to make farm work a pleasure. From a cuol, inexhaustible spring, located on an elevated part of his farm, he has the water conducted to his dwelling, dairy-house and barn. Mr. Roesch has been very popular, and is a man highly respected by the community in which be has so long dwelt. He has been honored by several responsible positions, among which were those of Supervisor and town Treasurer. He has atfiliated with the Tlepublican party up to the last election for Governor, when he supported the Democratic nommee. -j«-^ ?AMES GLADSON, who resides on sec- tion 1, Trempealeau county, was born in Scotland, December 13, 1836, a son of Walter Gladson, who emigrated with his family to the United States in 1837. settling in Delaware county. New York. When our subject had nearly attained to manhood the family removed to Fond du Lac county, Wis- consin, and several years later to Trempealeau county. The father died at Winona, Minne- sota, a number of years ago, and the mother, now deceased, survived her husband for many years. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, who grew to mature years, live sons and three daughters, and five of the family, three sons and two daughters, are now living. The subject of this sketch is the second son of the family; John, whose farm joins that of his brother James, is the fourth in order of birth; George resides in Nevada; Christian, now Mrs. Edmond Nash, lives in Nebraska; Vio- let is the wife of Andrew Wilcox, of Kansas. James Gladson came to Wisconsin with his parents, and was twenty-one years of age when he came to Trempealeau cminty, in 1857. He worked the first year for Mr. Brandenburg, of Trempealeau, and the fol- lowinrr summer was engaged in running logs on Black river. With the first $50 that he saved he bought forty acres of land in Trem- pealeau township, and at once began the im- provement of the same, and gradually, by industry and economy, added to his posses- sions. He finally sold his property at an advanced price and bought the farm where he now lives. Mr. Gladson was married June 13, 1865, to Mercy A. Wilcox, a daughter of Ephraim Wilcox, of La Crosse. She died February 21, 1868, and October 5, 1869, Mr. Gladson married Belle Scott, of Hobart, Delaware county, New York. Her father, James Scott, di6d in 1864, and her mother, Christie (Thompson) Scott, survived her husband many years. Mr. Gladson had two children by his first wife, one of whom is living, An- drew B., at Dennison, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Gladson have three children: James T., May Belle, and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Gladson has a brother and four sisters, all of whom reside in the State of New York. She is a linely educated lady, having graduated at Roxbury Academy, Delaware county. New York, in 1854, the Principal at that time being Professor J. VV. McLaurj, later of La Crosse, and still later President of Galesville University. After her graduation she was preceptress of the academy for three years, the first year of which the institution was still under the principalship of Professor McLaury. Mrs. Gladson was a successful teacher for a period of fourteen years. They have a pleasant home and are surrounded by the comforts of life, which have been secured by industry, frugality and good management. In their religious affiliations they are mem- BIOGBAPHWAL HISTORY. 737 bers of the Congregational Church, and take a coinineudable interest in "promoting the moral and religious growth of the community in which they live. -i-T/T/i/Z'- ^^tnn^^ CHRISTIAN EVERSON, one of the well- known citizens of Lincoln township, Trempealeau county, resides on section 24, where he settled April 1, 1875. lie pur- chased his land of Milo Campljell, though the original owner was Harry Proctor. Mr. Everson has made nearly all the improve- ments on his place, having a fine farm of 164 acres. He was born in Norway, May 11, 1849, and 1853, when but four years of age, his father emigrated with his family to the United States, locating in Vermont township, Dane county, Wisconsin, where tiie father died in April, 1882. The homestead farm is still in possession of the family, the mother residing there with her son, John Everson. Mr. Everson, Sr., was one of the pioneers of Dane county, and was a well-known, indus- trious and worthy citizen. He came to this country a poor man, but in course of time and by virtue of those elements already men- tioned became possessed of a valuable farm, and surrounded himself and family with the comforts of life. His family consisted of nine sons and one daughter, the eldest of whom enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, as a member of Company B, Eleventh Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, and died at St. Louis in 1862; Thomas served in the same company with his brother, and died at Iron- ton, Missouri, the same year; John, who lives at the homestead, was also a soldier in the war of the Rebellion; Knut, the next in order of birth, resides in Arcadia township; Amos is a resident of Nevada, and Peter resides in Colorado. The eldest of the family, also named Peter, died in Illinois the first year after the family came to America. He, like other young men in the early pioneer days in Southern Wisconsin, went to Illinois to se- cure work, and was engaged in wood chop- ping when taken sick. Another brother, Ever Everson, went to Nevada, where he died at about the age of twenty-one years. The only sister, now Mrs. Hans Knutson Spangrud, resides in Iowa county, Wisconsin. Christian Everson was reared on the home- stead farm in Dane county, and in 1875 became a resident of Lincoln township. He was married to Miss Ellen Hanson, a daugh- ter of Gilbert Hanson Smisrude, an early settler of Preston township, Trempealeau county, who is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Everson have si.\ children, four daugh- ters and two sons, viz.: Millie E., Clara T., Edward J., Claudius E., Helen S. and Flor- ence J. Mrs. Everson was first married to T. Rice, by whom she has one child, Gilbert S. Mr. Everson is one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of Lincoln township, and takes a commendable interest in what- ever tends to promote the growth and pros- perity of the community in wliich he resides. He is a gentleman of much general informa- tion, and is respected by his fellow citizens for his upright cliaracter and progressive spirit. fACOB ANGST, Jr., deceased, of Wau- mundoe township, and one of tiie promi- nent pioneers of Buffalo county, Wis- consin, was born in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland, December 27, 1836. His father, Jacob Angst, son of Henry, was born in Switzerland, April 15, 1810, and his mother, nee Barbara Meier, was also a native of that country. She died March 20, 1892, of la 738 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. grippe. The two children born to them were Jacol) and David. The latter enlisted in the Twenty-second Wisconsin Infantry, in April, 1861, and in October, 1864, died in hospital from chronic diarrhea. The family emigrated to this country in 1854, landed at New York and from there came to Sauk connty, Wis- consin, where, for a time, they lived on a farm. In April, 1855, the subject of our sketch came to Buffalo county to look up a location, and pre-empted 160 acresof land in his father's name. He broke a portion of the soil and cut some logs for a cabin, and remained there through the summer. The weather was so severe that fall and winter that they did not get moved, so he went to Baraboo and worked with a man wJio was engaged in the logging business. The latter sold out and went to Mis- souri, and persuaded Mi'. Angst to go with him. During several years which followed his time was employed in chopping wood in Missouri, and a portion of the time he was overseer in a wood-yard. The death of his brother brouglit him home to Waumandee, where his father had been improving the homestead, lie continued to work with his father until 1868, when he purchased the farm, then comprising 320 acres. He subse- quently added to it 120 acres more. In 1885 he erected his tine brick house, and the fol- lowing year his large barn and other out- buildings. When he first came to this place the country was full of Indians, and the only road to Fountain City from here was an In- dian trail. His nearest neighbor was Mr. Runckel, who lived a mile and a half north of Bach's Hotel, and with whom he boarded. On the homestead there are now under culti- vation about 200 acres. Mr. Angst was married June 30, 1864, at Canton, Missouri, to Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander and Lydia (Little) Goodwin. They had ten children: David, Clara Matilda, wife of William Hohman; Mollie, wife of Otto Hohman; Walter, Dudley, Delia, Turilla, Os- car, Birgie and Cora. Mr. Angst at different times held the posi- tion of Supervisor and Assessor. He was a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and in politics affiliated with the Democratic party. He died April 8, 1892, of paralytic stroke, caused by la grippe. In religion he was a Freethinker, while Mrs. Angst is a member of the Baptist Church. The elder Mr. Angst died September 6, 1871, and his widow is now living in Iowa. -^ 3-t- l%' V^=^ o fOHN C. TOWNER, who resides on sec- tion 30, Caledonia township, Trempealeau county, was born in Steuben county. New York, in 1830, a son of Aaron Towner, also a native of New York, but of New England parentage. The father emigrated >vith his family from the Empire State to the then Territory of Michigan, in 1835, and in 1856 the family came to Trempealeau county, Wis- consin, *and settled in Caledonia township, where the father died in the spring of 1848, at the age of tifty-eight years. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan Colliar, sur- vived her husband a number of years. Aaron Towner was a well-known citizen, and he and his wife were members of the Christian Church before coming to Wisconsin, but here they united with the Baptist Church. They were the parents of seven children who grew to mature years, three sons and four daugh- ters, viz.: Mary Jane, now Mrs. Straight, did not accompany the family to Trempealeau connty, bnt remained in Michigan until her death; Tamar A. is the wife of William P. Tokes, of Trempealeau; Margaret is the wife of Edward Barnard, of Water town, Dakota; BIOOBAPHICAL HISTORY. 739 John C. is the next in order of birth; Am- anda is the wife of James Adams, of this township; Richard, who resides in the village of Trempealeau; Henry A. a resides at Eliza- bethtown, New Jersey. The latter was for many years a resident of the village of Trem- pealeau, where he served as Postmaster. He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, as a member of the Thirtieth Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry. Two members of the family, the eldest and the youngest, died when young. John C, the subject of this sketch, lived at his father's homestead until after he had attained his majority. He was married at the age of twenty-five years, to Margaret B. Carleton, a native of Big Flat township, Chemung county. New York, and a daughter of Martin C Carleton. She came West with her parents in 1835, and the family settled in Wayne county, Michigan, where the father died in 1882, and the mother afterward came to Trempealeau county, and lived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Towner, and at a daughter's, Mrs. J. S. Pierson, until her death, in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Towner have eight children, four sons and four daughters, and all but the eldest was born in Trempealeau county, viz.: Mary A., Emma, Elmer E., Clara, Milton H., Lena, John and Willie K. Mr. Towner has a fine farm of 120 acres under a fine state of culti- vation. He is one of the representative citizens of his township, where he has lived 60 many years. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and both he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. October 14, 1843. In 18G2 he came with his brother Mark to America, landing at Quebec. He went at once to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he resided four years, and thence to Trempealeau county. Mr. Ekern has 120 acres of land in his home farm, and on section 12 has a farm of 160 acres, both of these being under a good state of cultiva- tion, though they were in a wild state when he purchased them. He has a pleasant home, where he and his wife reside with their family. Mr. Ekern was married in Trempealeau county, to Miss Louisa Anderson, who came to this country with her parents when an in- fant. They settled in La Crosse county, where the mother died two years later, and the father in 1887. He was three times married and the father of fourteen children, though a number of them have now passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Ekern have nine chil- dren, seven daughters and two sons, viz.:. Johanna Mathilda, who was born February 14, 1869; Giua Petriue, born November 8, 1870; Julia Ann, January 1, 1875; Helena, October 13, 1874; Laura, July 2, 1877; Amanda, January 19, 1880; Emma, Septem- ber 7, 1882; Alfred, May 1, 1885, and Willie, November 17, 1887. Mr. Ekern is one of the substantial citizens of Pieeon township, and by good management and in- dustry he has secured for himself a pleasant home, and is surrounded by the comforts of life. — ■ «■« III ? « gni » gl» m jNTON EKERN, a member of a well- known family of Pigeon township, is a brother of Peter Ekern, of this town- ship, and of E. Ekern, of Whitehall. He re- sides on section 26, and was born in Norway, IPSON. GEORGE GALE was bon. at Bur- IfM) li"g''0") Vermont, November 80, 1816. "SfsH His, father, Peter Gale, moved his family to Waterbury, Vermont, in June, 1824, and commenced a farm on the eastern slope of the Green Mountains. There George 740 BIOORAPniCAL HISTORY. fecund plent)' of lianl work and the meager facilities of acquiring an education common at that time in the rural districts of Ver- mont. At the age of sixteen he began to read history and biography, which awoke in him a latent ambition which could only be gratified bj patient and persistent eflort. He obtained books on history, biography, natural science and mathematics, devoting all his spare moments to their study, and at the age of twenty-one had obtained a fair knowledge of mathematics and natural history. lie commenced the study of law in 1839, under ex-Governor Dillingham, of Water- bnry, Vermont, was admitted to the bar in 1841, emigrated West and settled at Elk- horn, Walworth county, Wisconsin, opened a hiw otiice and entered into successtni prac- tice. He still continued his law studies with great diligence for four years. He held various town and county offices, and in the fall of 1847 was elected member of the convention called to form the present State constitution of Wisconsin, serving on tiie judiciary committee. In the fall of the same year he was elected District Attorney, and in the fall of 1849 State Senator for two years. In the fall of 1851 he removed to the Upper Mississippi, settled in La Crosse, and was elected County Judge for the term of four years. He resigned this office January 1, 1854, and April 1, 185(5, was elected Circuit Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit for the term of six years. While at La Crosse Judge Gale conceived the idea of starting a college, and in 1853 purchased about 2,000 acres of land, including the present location of Galesville. He procured from the Legislature of Wis- consin the organization of the new county of Trempealeau with the location of the county seat at Galesville, and a university charter with the same location. In June of the same year he laid out a small village plat and let the contract for the erection of a saw and flouring mill, whicii was completed in 1856. The Board of Trustees of the Galesville University was organized in 1855, the college building commenced in 1858, the prepara- tory department opened in May 1859, and the first class graduated July 18, 1865. After the graduation of the first class Judge Gale resigned the presidency of the university, having held the office of president of the board for over ten years, and the pres- ident of faculty for over seven years. Judge Gale moved from La Crosse to his farm near Galesville in May, 1857, where he resided until the time of his death, April 8, 186S. Though not a college graduate the Ver- mont University conferred on Judge Gale the honorary degree of Master of Arts in 1857, and the Galesville University the title LL. D., in 18G3. Judge Gale married at Elk Horn, Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, December 5, 1844, Miss Gertrude Young. He has three chil- dren, two sons and a daughter. George and William both studied law and went into practice in Winona, Minnesota. George some years since quit the practice, and is re- siding with his mother on the home farm near Galesville. William is still in practice in Winona, where he has won the reputation of an able lawyer. Helen, the daughter, married Hamilton Arnold, brother of Captain Arnold, of Galesville. All of the children graduated at the institution which their father founded. During the war Judge Gale was much of the time in the service of the Sanitary and Christian commissions. For some time he had charge of the United States Sanitary Commission on Morris Island for the siege of Charleston. BIOORAPEICAL HISTORY. 741 As a journalist Judge Gale started the Western Star, at Elk Horn, the first paper in Walworth county, and was correspondent of the Oalesville Tran&cript for live years. His literary works are the "Wisconsin Form Book, 1856," which was revised and passed through three editions; the "Crale Family Record," 254 pages, 1866; "The Upper Mississippi," 460 pages, 1867. Judge Gale was tall and straight (being 6 feet 4 inches), possessing a personality tliat would distinguish him among an assemblage of men. In manners he was genial, social and courteous; in politics he was a Demo- crat, and if he left enemies behind at his death they were political only. ^. ^ ,LBEKT KIRCHNER, the principal dry-goods merchant of Fountain City, Wisconsin, was born at Bangor, Maine, January 1, 1848. His parents, Charles and Augusta (Dehring) Kirchner, were natives of Prussia, the former born November 8, 1810. Charles Kirchner was a shoemaker by occupa- tion; emigrated to the United States in the spring of 1846, located at Bangor, and re- mained there, engaged in fanning, for eight years. In the fall of 1854 became West and took up his abode in Waumandee, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where he pre-empted 160 acres of land, and began making improve- ments. He was the third settler here, the other two being John Bringolf and a Mr. Runkle. From time to time he added to his farm until he owned 240 acres, a line, well- improved grain farm, regarded as the best in the county. In 1879 he sold it to his sou, Charles. He, however, still resides on the farm and lives with his son, his wife having died in March, 1877. They liad si.x children, two boys and four girls, whose names are as follows: Wilhelmina, now Mrs. Charles Hah- man, of Waumandee; Charles, Jr.; Albert, Maria, wife of Fred Kochendorfer; Paulina, wife of Charles Prussing, of Fountain City; Emma, now Mrs. August Franz. Albert, the subject of this biography, was reared at home, attending the public schools and assisting his father with the farm work. In 1869 he went to Missouri and purchased a farm of 120 acres of railroad land in the town- ship of St. Catharine, Linn county. Tiiis he improved and cultivated until 1875, when he sold out and returned to Wisconsin, locating on rented land in Eagle valley. Three years later he moved to Fountain City and bought out Andrew Henery, a partner of Reichtman, in the general merchandise business, which was carried on under the firm name of Heicht- man & Kirchner. This partnership continued up to 1885, when Mr. Kirchner bought the entire interest and became sole proprietor. Since his connection with the business it has gradually increased, and is now the largest house in Fountain City. In 1879 Mr. Kirchner, in company with Jacob Reichtman and Frank Mathausch, opened the stone quarry in this city, which they have since operated, employing during the season as high as fifty men. It is located on the bluff just above the river, and from this place have been taken large quantities of fine limestone, used for building purposes throughout the county. Mr. Kirchner now has a large contract with the United States Government for furnishing the stone for dam and shore protection in the Mississippi river. He was married, June 2, 1870, in St. Catharine, Missouri, to Anna, daughter of Conrad and Anna (Langhart) Ulrich, and has three children: Charles, Edward and Hilda. Mrs. Kirchner is a membor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Mr. Kirchner is a public-spirited and en- 743 BIOORAPHIGAL HISTORY. terprisiiig citizen, has held various positions of local prominence, and always discharged his duty faithfully and conscientiously. He is treasurer of the Fountain City Brewing Company, and a director and stockholder in the same. In politics he has always affiliated with the Republican party. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Lodge No. 754, Fountain City; has been Venerable Counsel, and is now Clerk; has represented the order in the Grand Lodge on two occa- sions, once at Des Moines, Iowa, and in 1890 at Springfield, Hlinois. ^AVID WOOD, of the town of Lincoln, Trempealeau county, is a representative of a pioneer family of this county. He is the son of Alvah Wood, who was born in Kensselaer county, New York, in 1809, and removed thence to Western New York. In 18-48 the family emigrated to Wisconsin and settled in the town of York, Dane county. Mr. Alvah Wood was married in Rensselaer county, to Amanda Porter. Mr. Wood con- tinued to reside in Dane county until 1856, when he came to Trempealeau county and settled on section 25, town 22, range 8 west, and here resided until his death, which occurred in June, 1873. Mr. Wood lost his first wife in Dane county, and was there married to Mrs. Maria Parsons, who now re- sides with the subject of this sketch. Mr. David Wood is one of a family of ten chil- dren, six of whom, two sons and four daugh- ters, are living. Mr. Alvah Wood was one of the well-known pioneers of Trempealeau county. He was an industrious, frugal citi- zen, and made for himself and family a pleasant, comfortable home. He was quite active in the advancement of the religious •M\A moral interests of the community in which he lived, and was from early life a member of the Baptist Church. In the days before the war of the Rebellion he was an Abolitionist in principle, and was in all re- spects a worthy, upright citizen. David Wood, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was born in 1839, having been but a small lad when the family emi- grated to Wisconsin. He has been a resi- dent of Trempealeau county since the fall of 1856. He was married in 1862 to Mary Parsons. He served in the army during the latter part of the war of the Rebellion, entering the army as a member of the Fifty-first Regi- ment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, which was afterward consolidated with the Fifty- third. On his return from the army he resumed the occupation of farming. He has, how- ever, Ijeen extensively engaged in other branches of business; has bought and shipped grain from Whitehall for many years, and is now president of the Whitehall and Pigeon Trading Association. Mr. Wood has been chairman of the Town Board of Lincoln for many years, and is one of the leading business men of Trempealeau county. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have three sons: Archie E., James L. and Ralph. They lost two daughters, Sarah and Jvippie, at the age of seven and two years respectively. IIRISTOPHER E. SCOTT, the present Postmaster of Whitehall, having suc- ceeded George H. Oles, May 31, 1889, was born in Jefferson county. New York, July 10, 1831, a son of Sewell Scott, a native of Massachusetts. The family are of Scotch origin, and were among the early New England settlers. The paternal grandfather BIOGBAPHICAX HI8T0B7. 743 of our subject, Eeuben Scott, emigrated from Massachusetts to Jefferson county, New York, when his son Sewell was a youth. The latter, on the death of his father, succeeded to the homestead, and, like his father, continued to reside there until his death. His wife, nee Olive Carpenter, was a native of New York. They were the parents of six children who grew to mature years, four sons and two daughters, and only the subject of this sketch and his sister, Mrs. Lucy Harlow, are resi- dents of "Wisconsin, the latter residincr at Coral City, Trempealeau county. The eldest brother, Reuben Byron, resides in Jefferson county, New York, as does another brother Clark; the youngest, Eugene, resides in South Dakota, and one sister is deceased. C. E. Scott remained on the homestead farm until twenty years of age, when he went West, his first settlement being in Emmett county, Michigan. He moved thence to Ma- quoketa, Jackson county, Iowa, where he re- mained one and a half years, but in 1858 he returned to New York. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Tenth New York Heavy Artillery, which organization, although it retained the name under which it entered the service, served as infantry during the war. Mr. Scott was actively engaged with his regiment during his entire service, and participated in some of the most important events in the war for the Union. He was with his regiment in the battle of Cold Har- bor, under General Grant, and in the siege of Petersburg. When General Sheridan was detached from the Army of the Potomac and entered upon his famous campaign in the Shenandoah valley in 1864, the command to which Mr. Scott belonged formed a part of Sheridan's army. He participated in all the noted battles in that valley, including the fan)ous battle of Winchester, or Cedar Creek, where "Sheridan, twenty miles away," made his famous ride and saved the day after the army had been routed by the Rebel General Early. When the Confederate forces had been driven from the valley by the array of Sheridan, the latter rejoined the army of Grant at Petersburg. Mr. Scott continued in the army until the close of the Rebellion, and was present at the final surrender at Ap- pomattox. He returned to the State of New York when discharged from the army, and in the spring of 1866 came to Coral City, where he remained eight years, and in 1874 came to Whitehall, where he erected a store and en- gaged in the mercantile business, and has been a leading merchant at that place since that time. He has now, however, practically retired from merchandising, having been suc- ceeded by his sons. His time is occupied at present chiefly in attending to his farm in- terests, being the owner of a place adjoining the town plat. Mr. Scott was married in Michigan, to Miss Mary C. Miller, a native of Illinois. Her parents were George and Mary (Fry) Miller, natives of Virginia, and representatives of old and well-known fami- lies of that State, the mother having been a cousin of President James Madison. Mr. Miller removed with his family from Michi- gan to Maquoketa, Iowa, and thence to Illi- nois. Later the mother went to California, and died at the home of her son in that State. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have four sons: Walter, Fred, George and Harry. The two eldest are successors of their father, having also a branch store at Elk Creek; the third is an artist by profession, and the youngest, a printer by trade, is now employed on the Whitehall Times. Mr. Scott is one of the well-known citizens of Trempealeau county, has filled the office of Justice of the Peace for ten years, has also been Assessor, and is the present Coroner of this county. He was 744 BIOORAPHWAL HISTORY. one of the charter memliers of Winiield Scott Post, No. 104, at Whitehall, and is the present Commander. Politically Mr. Scott affiliates with the Republican party, having cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, and has voted for every succeeding Pepublican candidate since that time. He is esteemed as a liberal and enter- prising citizen. jARTIN POLIJS, of Alma, Wiscon- sin, was born February 13, 184:0, at Ziliis, Switzerland. His parents, Jousau and Elizabeth (Cameriesct) Polin, were natives of that country, and died there, the father in 1871 and the mother about seven years later. By his first marriage Mr. Polin had two children: Anna and Peter, and by his wife, Elizabeth, he had five: Antone, Rosa, Martin, Ursula and Sebastian. He was engaged in farming and also kept a hotel. Martin Polin lived with his parents until seventeen years of age. He received his education in the canton schools of Switzer- land, and gained from his father a knowledge of business which has been of much benefit to him ever since he left the parental home. In 1857 he emigrated to the United States, landed at Now York and from there came West to Alma, Wisconsin, where his brother, who had preceded him here, was living and engaged in tiie general mercantile business. The same year he moved to Stillwater, Minne- sota, and became a clerk in a general store, being thus employed about a year and a half. He then went to Dulnique and engaged in clerking for Wood, Look & Co., remaining with them about a year. We next find him at Wabasha, Minnesota, doing a general mer- chandise business in partnership with Rudoph KahauB. After conducting this store a year and a half they sold out. Mr. Polin went to New York city and enlisted as a private in Company F, Fifty-third New York Infantry, and joined the regiment at Newport News; was in Key's corps. Cox's division, and Peck's brigade. His first engagement was at Will- iamsburg, May 15, 1862. They were charged on by the enemy, whom, after a hard fight, they repulsed. The next movement was to Fair Oaks, and he participated in that battle, May 31, 1862. His regiment was on the left flank of McClellan's array, and was the first regiment brought out after Cass's division was driven back. The loss of the regiment in this engagement was fearful, only about one-half reporting for duty after the battle. He was in the seven days' fight following, in the same left flank, in which the regiment suffered terribly, not more than 100 men be- ing lit for duty after the battle. Subse- quently the regiment was transferred to the Thirty-eighth New York. Arriving at Harri- son's Landintr, Mr. Polin was taken sick with tj'phoid fever, and was sent to the field hos- pital. Later he was sent to Philadelphia, and remained there about five months, at one time about at the point of death. He was discharged at the hospital in February, 1863, on account of disability. He then went to Chicago, and was employed as clerk for A. J. Dawns & Co., Lake street, with whom he remained till 1866. He then came to Alma, Wisconsin, where he engaged in selling agri- cultural machinery and also in buying grain. He continued this business till 1871, when he paid a visit to his native land, Switzer- land, coming back in December of the same year. He was then in Government employ at Rock Island about two months, after which he returned to Alma and purchased the busi- ness of Tester & Polin, general merchants. This business he has since continued, enlarg- ing and extending it, and now having one of BIOORAPHIVAL HISTORY. 745 the largest business bouses in this section of the country. Mr. Polin was married, December 15, 1872, at Alma, to Magdelina, widow of Peter Palm, and daughter of Clans Liesch. Their union has been blessed with ilve children: Eliza- beth, Rosa Louise, Oscar M., Alga and Magdalina. Mr. Polin is a member of the A. O. U. W. In politics he is a Republican, and is as- sociated with Fimian Post, No. 52, G. A. R. He was the first Mayor of the city of Alma, and signed the first set of ordinances, June 1, 1885, adopted by the city. While out on the Pacific coast, attending the National En- campment of the Grand Army in 1886, he made an investment there, purchasing with Mr. Tester a 900acre tract of land in San Luis Obispo county, California. Mr. Polin and his family are among the best citizens of Alma, and are highly esteemed by all who know them. '•' ' "^ ' S i' S ' l'" *°' — ' pjEV. O. A. MYHRE is the pastor of French Creek Norwegian Lutheran Church, of Ettrick, Trempealeau county. The present church building was erected in 1878, the pastor at that time be- ing Rev. L. Sherven, who remained six years, and is now at Rock Prairie, Rock county. lie was succeeded l)y Rev. G. A Lunde, now of Nebraska, who came in 1880 and re- mained nine and a half years; next came Rev. O. A. My lire, who catne from Norway May 1, 1890. Previous to the erection of the church in 1878 services were held at private houses and in the barns of the earlier settlers. According to the church records Rev. L B. Frick was the first pastor in this vicinity, who was followed by Rev. O. Wal- deland, next by Rev. S. Svennungson, four years later by Rev. Sherven, under whose auspices the building was erected. The chnrch was remodeled in the fall of 1890 and spring of 1891, and dedicated June 23 of the latter year by Right Rev. O. luul, from Chicago. The church building is a fine and commodious one, and the parish con- tains about 110 families. Rev. O. A. Myhre was born in Sandefjord, Norway, in 1865. He was educated at the University of Christiania, where he was a student from 1883 to 1890, receiving his theological education at this institution. He was called to his present church soon after his graduation. His parents are still resi- dents of Norway, and the only member be- sides himself in this country is a brother. Rev. Myhre has much labor to perform be- sides that which pertains to the French Creek Church, having to attend churches in Arcadia, Preston and Gale, Trempealeau county, and in Melrose, Jackson county. Rev. Myhre was married in Christiania, April 9, 1890, to Nora Sivertsen. -T-'vT/i/" '^innn^^ I^ENRY TEEPLE, who resides on sec- tion 14, town of Albion, is one of the early settlers of this town. He was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, February 18, 1832, son of John and Rheuamy (Crnm) Teeple, both natives of Ohio. The Teeple family was formerly from New Jersey, but Leonard Teeple (our subject's grandfather), with his two brothers, early settled in Ham- ilton county, Ohio, being among the pioneers of that county, and there he lived for the balance of his life. John Teeple finally re- moved to Shelby county, Indiana, wiiere he died a number of years ago. His widow still survives at Shelbyville, Indiana, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Of the 746 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. ten cliildreii born to tliem seven still snrs'ive. Henry Teeple lived at home until the age of twenty-three years. At the age of twenty- two years married Miss Mary Catherine Rice, and in 1855 started westward. He located at the town of Vermont, Dane county, where he bought a farm, which he improved, and there he lived until 1865, when he came here, whither his father-in-law, James Rice, had already come. James Rice was a native of Kentucky. He settled in the town of Albion in 1863, but later moved to Wadena county, Minnesota, where several of his children were living, and there he has since died. His widow still survives. When Mr. Teeple settled where he now resides, a quarter of a century since, but little improvement had been made, all being wild and new, and he and family endured all the suiFering and privation incident to pioneer life. His mar- ried life has been blessed with three children, two sons and one daughter, viz.: John»P., the eldest, was born in Dane county in 1857; liyrou B. was born in Trempealeau county, February 12, 1866. The daughter, Lillian M., is the wife of Wilber Rhodes. In his political views Mr. Teeple was in early life a Democrat, but when the late war broke out he supported the Government in a loyal man- ner, voting for Lincoln in 1864, and has ever since been a Republican. ^ANIEL BIG HAM, a worthy resi- dent of Trempealeau county, is a son of James Bigham, who was born in the North of Ireland, of Scotch parentage, and reared in his native country. He there mar- ried Catherine McVoy and emigrated to America about 1838, settling in Putnam county, New York. In 1855 he came West to look for a home, and was accompanied on this trip by Peter Case, another well-known early settler of this county. Their intention was to settle in Iowa, but they changed their minds and were induced to locate in the town of Glencoe, and their families followed soon after. James Bigliam lost his tirst wife in the State of New York, but later re-raarried. He continued to reside in the town of Glen- coe for a number of years and then removed to section 21, town 20, range 10 west, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1870. He was the father of fifteen children, all of whom grew to maturity e.xcept one, but several of whom are now deceased. Daniel Bigham, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was born in Putnam county. New York, November 25, 1843, and at the age of fourteen years went to Buffalo county, Wis- consin, whither his father had already moved. He remained at home until he was sixteen years of age and then started in life for him- self, and for eight years was employed by the lumber firm of Hixon & Crosby, of La Crosse, but during several winters of this period he attended school at home, and for two winters of the time was in the service of the firm in the pineries of Wisconsin. Later he worked for Andrew Shepard near Black River Falls for two years, and in fact was in the employ- ment of several different parties before he settled down to farming. The tir.^t land that he owned was a forty-acre tract on section 1, which forms a part of his present farm. He began the improvement of his land in 1866, but in 1867, wishing to engage in businef-s that would furnish him some ready money, he leased his farm and going to La Crosse engaged in the service of the lumber firm of Hixon & Withee, but after one season re- turned to the improvement of his land. He has since added to his tirst possessions until he has a fine farm of 200 acres. March 24, 1868, witnessed his marriage to Miss Flor- BTOORAPHWAL UISTORY. 747 ence Caldwell, daughter of James Caldwell, who emigrated to Fountain' City from Clin- tonvilje. New York, in 1855, and died in July of the following year. The mother now lives in the village of Arcadia. Mrs. Bigham was born in the State of New York, having been eight years old when she came to Wis- consin with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Big- ham have three children, two daughters and a SOD, viz.: Orrie May, who was born March 12, 1869; Alice Myrtle, who was born July 21, 1871, and a son born May 30, 1879. Mrs. Bigham was one of eleven children, several of whom died in early life and four of whom are now living. The survivors are Judson Caldwell, of Buffalo county, Mrs. Ursula Jane Van Valkenburg, of Barron county, Wisconsin; Mrs. Bigham, who is next in order of birth, and Mrs. Ella Moore. Mr. Bigham is one of the representative men of his town and a progressive, enterprising citizen. He was Assessor of his town for seven years, and has since served as chairman of the town board. Formerly a Kepublican, as issues changed he believed he saw his duty elsewhere and has lately affiliated with the Democratic party. In his religious views he is liberal and tolerant. iLMON A. JOHNSON, a pioneer of Trempealeau county, resides on section 82, in the town of Trempealeau. He came to this county in March, 1856, and first settled one mile east of the village of Gales- ville, on what is known as the William Andrews farm, where he continued to reside until the spring of 1868, when he settled on his present farm. He was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, October 21, 1820, the son of Anson Johnson. His father, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a pioneer of Trumbull county. Anson Johnson married Maria Oviatt, a daughter of Samuel Oviatt, who was also a pioneer of that county, set- tling there when that portion of Ohio was the extreme Western frontier of civilization. Both the paternal and maternal ancestors of our subject were from the State of Connecti- cut, the Johnson branch of the family being from Cornell, and the Oviatts from the town of Goshen. Anson Johnson and wife con- tinned to live in Trumbull county, Ohio, until death. They were the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters, who grew to mature years, and three brothers and a sister are now living, namely: Elmer O., the eldest of the children, resides at Hastings, Michigan ; Sallie, the widow of Henry Hyde, resides at Sullivan, Ashland county, Ohio; Almon A. is the next in order of birth; Homer LT., the youngest of the family, lives at Orville, Trumbull county. Almon A. Johnson, the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native county, and was married in Summit county, Ohio, to Elizabeth C. Robinson, a native of that county, born July 21. 1825. Her parents were Leonard and Catherine (Farrer) John- son, early settlers of what is now Summit county, but then a part of Medina county, Ohio. They were of New England parent- age, and continued to live in Summit county until their death. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Johnson resided in Lorain county for a number of years, removing thence to Columbia county, Wisconsin, and locating in the town of Hampden, twenty miles east of Portage, and subsequently came to Trempea- leau county. They have had ten children, eicrht sons and two daughters, of whom three sons and a daughter are now deceased. The surviving' children are: Leonard A., Edward R., Homer E., Franklin S., Mary I. and Auren M. Their eldest son, Samuel A., was 748 BIOORAPBIGAL BISTORT. a soldier in tbe war of the Rebellion, being a member of Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was a gallant soldier, and was in active service during the whole time of his enlistment. He died of disease contracted in the army, March 7, 1872, at the age of nearly twenty six years. William E. died July 6, 1888, at the age of twenty- eight years; Chauncey N. died March 1, 1884, aged twenty-one years; Emma E. died March 18, 1890, at the age of nearly twenty- three years. In his political affiliations Mr. Johnson was formerly a Whig, but his father, how- ever, was a Jackson Democrat, and served in the war of 1812, under General Harrison. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Johnson was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, so that it will be seen that his family have been represented in the three great wars of this country, viz.: the war of the Revolution, the war of 1812 and the Civil war of 1861. Since the organization of the Republican party Mr. Johnson has affiliated with that great national body. Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are numbered amongtheesteemed and respected residents of Trempealeau county, where they have lived for the long period of twenty-six years. They have had their full share of affliction in the loss of four of their children after they had attained to manhood and womanhood. They have a pleasant home and posocss the comforts of life, the result of their own industry, and are well worthy a place in the permanent record of the old settlers of Trempealeau county. fOUN WESLEY DE GROFE.— There are few men in the State that have had a more varied or interesting career, or who have done more toward the intellectual advancement of the section of country in which they reside, or who have contributed more toward it? material development and political progress, than the man whos5 name heads this sketch. Mr. De Groff, late l^ostmaster at Alma, Wisconsin, was born in the town of Metz, Cayuga county, New York, October 12, 1843, and is the oldest son of John S. and Eliza (Barner) De Grotf. Tiie elder De Groff was born in the same county. May 17, 1817, a descendant of German ancestry. His father, who emigrated to this country at an early day, was born in Germany. His wife, Eliza, was born in Ulster county, on the Hudson, in 1820. He has all his life been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Eight children were given to them, five sons and three daughters, whose names are as follows: John Wesley, Margaret, now Mrs. James W. Warner; Eliza, who died in infancy; Allen H., a resi- dent of Misha Mokwa, and Junior Vice- Commander of the G. A. R., Department of Wisconsin; Hattie, who died at the age of sixteen years; AVilliam J., a farmer in South Dakota; Samuel D., who was a printer by trade, died in 1879, at the age of nineteen; and Charles E., who is now a student in the Agricnltural College of South Dakota. The parents are still living, in Misha Mokwa, Wisconsin. The father left New York in 1844 for the West, and settled in Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he began the im- provement of a farm. John W. followed with his mother in 1845, coming around the lakes to Milwaukee and then on to the new home. He remained with his parents, assist- ing in farm work, and attending the district schools when he could. His father suffered in the panic of 1856, and was obliged to sell his farm. He then removed to Buffalo county and located where he now resides. In the spring of 1860 the Bul)ject of our sketch left home to make his own way in the BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 749 world, and went to Durand, tliis State, to learn the cabinet trade. He worked at this business and at keel- boating on the Chippewa river until the spring of 1862, when he enlisted in Colonel Post's regiment of United States Sharp- shooters. He was taken to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, where he was rejected by the ex- amining surgeon of the army. He returned to Durand and went to work at his trade. August 4, 1862, he re-enlisted in Company G, Twenty fifth Wisconsin Infantry, and was mustered into the service at La Crosse, Wis- consin; was ordered to report at Fort Snell- ing, where the command was used in guard- ing the frontier. In December they were ordered South, arriving at Columbus, Ken- tucky, in January, 1863; did guard duty in Kentucky until the campai'gn of Vicksbnrg, when they were ordered there and formed the rear line. They were in the Sixteenth Army Corps, Second Division and Second Brigade. After the fall of Vicksburg they were doing guard duty in Arkansas and Mississippi until about January 1, 1864, when they were ordered to Cliattanooga, and had one engagement at Deeatvir, Alabama; were still in the Sixteenth Corps, under Dodge. They remained in Ala- bama until the opening of the Atlanta cam- paign, when they were ordered forward to Chattanooga by way of Huntsville, and then joined the forces under Sherman and were in the engagement at Resaca, May 14, support- ing General Logan. They defeated the enemy. He with his regiment participated in every enoracement up to the fall of Atlanta. On the 22d of July the regiment lost one-fourth of its command, and was subsequently filled up with new recruits and was reorganized, becoming a part of the Second Brigade, First Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps. November 15, 1864, the command started on the ever-memorable march to the sea. They 49 were the first regiment that formed in line before Savannah after crossing Ogeechee canal, and were in that attack and the cap- ture of Savannah. January 3, 1865, they marched through Savannah and embarked at Thunderbolt bay for Beaufort, South Caro- lina. From Beaufort they began the march through the Carolinas on January 18. They captured the Pocataligo railroad on the way. February 2 they met the enemy on the Salke- hatchie river, in the swamps. Their division was the first to break the line at that river, which caused the evacuation of Charleston. They participated in the last battle of Sher- man's army, at Bentonville, North Carolina, March 15. From Bentonville they moved to Goldsborough and went into camp. April 10 they again moved out after Joe Johnston, reaching Raleigh on the 14th of April; were at the surrender of Johnston's army, April 26. May 1 they started on their homeward march, passing through Richmond, and ar- riving in Washingtcm May 24. where they participated in the grand review. They were mustered out June 7 and ordered home, reaching the State capital June 11, where they were finally discharged. After the war Mr. De GrofE went to work at his trade at Menomonie. In the winter of 1865-'66 he taught school, and the follow- ing summer he spent in Winona, Minnesota. In the fall he returned to Buffalo county and was nominated for County Cl^rk by the Re- publican party, and was elected. He served as County Clerk seven years, being defeated for re-election in 1873. In 1872 he pur- chased the Buffalo County Journal, which he conducted till September 1, 1890, with marked success. In 1875 he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, wliich office he held continuously for thirteen j'ears. In 1879 he was elected a member of the Assem- bly. The year before he was appointed As- 750 BIOORAPniCAL niSTORT. Bistant Chief Clerk of the Senate. In 1882 he was appointed Assistant Chief Clerk of the Assembly, and served two terms. In 1887 he was chosen Senator, representing the counties of Buffalo and Trempealeau. In the first session he served on the committee on judiciary, the last session, on the com- mittee on insurance, banks and banking, and military affairs, and was chairman of the committee on enrolled bills. December 20, 1890, he received the appointment of Post- master of Alma. In 1876 he was elected president of the Board of Trustees of Alma, and chairman of the county Board of Super- visors. After the "organization of the city he was elected Mayor. This was in 1887-'88- '89. Kccently the Colonel has disposed of his realty in Alma, resigned his postoffice, and removed to Marshfield, Wood county, Wisconsin, where he is engaged in the publi- cation of the Marshfield Times, and will make Marshfield his future home. June 7, 1867, is the date of Mr. De Grotto's marriage, at Augusta, Wisconsin, with Fran- ces, daughter of Alfred Newman. Three children liave been born to them, — Winifred, Fred O. and Rob Roy. Colonel De Groff is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, and was Worshipful Master of Alma Lodge, No. 184, for thirteen years; Chancellor Commander of Alraa Lodge, No. 48, K. of P., five years; and Adjutant of Fimian Post, No. 196, Department of Wis- consin, five years. Me was on the staff ot General Alger, Commander-in-Chief of the G. A. R. ; also Aid-de-Camp to Department Commander A. G. Weissert, of the Depart- ment of Wisconsin. In 1873 he was ap- pointed by Governor Washburn Captain of the Alma Rifles, State Militia. Colonel De Groff is truly a self-made man, and is eminently deserving of the success he has attained. His genial disposition has drawn around him a large circle of friends. Indeed, he is one of the most popular men of his section of the State. Yet in the prime of manhood, he has only begun his career of usefulness. SCOTT HOTCHKISS, of Indepen- dence, was born in Greene county. New * York, March 27, 1837, a son of Henry E. Ilotchkiss, a native of New Durham, New York. His grandfather, Lemuel Hotchkiss, belonged to an early family of the colony of Connecticut, and was a captain in the war of the Revolution. A number of years after the colonies had secured their independence, he settled in New Durham, New York, a town so called because it was settled by emigrants from Durham, Connecticut. The father of our subject married Alice Smith at Cairo, Greene county, where he passed the most of his life. Mr. Hotchkiss was a cabi- netmaker by trade, but also followed the oc- cupation of a farmer. He and his wife were the parents of four children, three sons and a daughter, of whom the s\ibject of this sketch is the eldest: Elizabeth is the wife of Francis Walters, of Cairo, New York; Henry E., a farmer, resides nearOsseo, Trempealeau county; Addison died in Texas, of typhoid fever. E. Scott was reared to the occupation of farming, and received a good English educa- tion. In 1856, when nineteen years of age, he went to Richland county, Wisconsin; in 1857 he rented a farm; in the fall of 1859 came to Osseo and engaged in farming and later in merchandising and milling; and in 1876 he went to California, his intention being to locate there, should he be pleased with the country; but returned the same season to Wisconsin. xVt the fall election of BIOGBAPHIGAL HISTORY. 751 that year he was elected Sheriff of Trem- pealeau county, and January 1, 1877, when he entered that office, the county seat was re- moved from Galesville to Arcadia. After the expiration of his term of office as Sheriff he was Under- Siieriff for two years, during which time he continued his residence in Arcadia. In the meantime he had purchased a farm near Independence, Burnside township, and in 1883 he took up his residence in that village, where he hought and conducted a lumber-yard five years. Since that time he has devoted his attention exclusively to farm ing and stock-raising, giving considerable attention to the rearing of Hambletonian horses and Shropshire sheep. He has a fine farm of 280 acres, which lies just without the village of Independence, and also a pleasant home in the village where he resides. In 1862 Mr. Hotchkiss wa? married, at Osseo, to Miss Harriet A. Field, a daughter of the Hon. Robert C. Field, who was born in Greene county, New York, May 6, 1804, and died at Osseo, June 16, 1876. His father, Robert Bates Field, was a native of Connecticut, and his mother's maiden name was Sally Austin. Mr. Field received a good education, and in early life began the study of law and with a view of making it his profession, but which proved distasteful to him, and he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1849 he removed with his family to Rich- land county, Wisconsin, and in 1859 to Osseo. In 1844 he represented Greene county in the New York Legislature, in 1857 represented Richland county in the Legislature of Wis- consin, was a member of the State Senate in 1874-'75, and for a time was a member of the County Board of Supervisors. He was a Democrat in early life, but later a Repub- lican. He was twice married, his first wife being Harriet Graham, and he was married to his second wife, Mary Stoddard, April 1, 1838. Mr. Field was the father of seven children, all by the second marriage, and of these Mrs. Hotchkiss is the eldest; Stoddard and Francis E. are residents of Osseo; Robert died at the age of eleven years; Horace A. lives in Osseo; Hiram H. is the next in order of birth; May Elizabeth died at the age of twenty-three years. Hon. Robert C. Field was a man of ability, was well known throughout the State, and was prominent in political and business circles. Mr. and Mrs. Hotchkiss have two children: Mary Alice, wife of Dr. Albert A. Maurer, of La Crosse; and Francis, at home. Mr. Hotchkiss is one of the representative citizens of his city; has been a member of the Board of Supervisors several times, and in 1890 was elected chairman of that body. In 1885 he was Enrolling Clerk of the State Senate. He has also been Sheriff and Under- Sheriff, and held other official positions. In his political affiliations he is a Republican. — ■°-" ;^ " S "S'^— — HRISTIAN L. KASS resides on sec- IC^, tion 26, in the town of Pigeon, where he settled in 1866. He was born in 1825, in Norway, where he grew to manhood. Is a carpenter and builder by trade, to which he served an apprenticesliip in his native land. In 1861 he emigrated with his family to America, and settled in La Crosse county, with his family, where they lived till 1866, when they removed to what is now the town of Pigeon, in Trempealeau county. The first land he obtained here was the forty acres on which the residence stands; and this he purchased of the Government. It is on sec- tion 26. The remainder of the farm, whicii contains 160 acres, is on section 27. The eldest of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Kase, is Louisa. She was educated at the public 752 BIOanAPIIICAL HISTORY. schools and also took a course at the high school at Black River Falls, and at Blair. She began teacliing in 1873, in Jackson county, and taught many terms in that and Trempealeau counties. She went to North Dakota in 1888, and for three years was a teacher in Cass county, and is still engaged in teaching in Dakota. The second member of the family is Nels C. Kass, who was born in Norway in 1858. He married Maria Johnson and resides at the homestead. The remaining members of the family are Bertha, Minnie, Car) B. and Albert. fAMES SAMSOjST, of section 23, Gale township, has resided in Decora Prairie since the spring of 1855. He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, April 21, 1821, a son of Thomas and Eliza (Goode) Samson. The parents never came to America, but spent all their lives in their native country. The subject of this sketch was one of twelve chil- dren, ten of whom grew to mature years. Mr. Samson has the honor of being descended from Tarn Samson, the subject of one of Robert Burns' most popular poems, the title of the poem being "Tarn Samson's Elegy." Tarn Samson's history says lie was a worthy old sportsman, and a great friend of the poet, though many years his senior. When lie went out hunting on a certain occasion, and having become advanced in life, he expressed a wish to die and be buried in the muirs On tliis hint Burns composed his elegy and epitaph. Tam Samson outlived the poet. The epitaph that accompanied the elegy is in- scribed on his gravestone in the churchyard of Kilmarnock, which is as follows: " Tam Samson's well-worn clay lies here; Ye canting zealots, spare him; If honest worth in Heaven rise, Ye'll mend or j-e win near him." Si.x brothers of the subject of this sketch are still living, of wiiom he is the eldest. Robert, the next in order of birth, is in Scot- land, as is also John and Thomas, twins. The two youngest, William and Charles, re- side in New Zealand, and one sister, Janet, the widow of Archibald Wilson, resides in Kankakee county, Illinois. James Samson was marrird, in Scotland, in 1844, to Janet Vallance, who died at the homestead in Gale township, Trempealeau county, March 4, 1869. She was the mother of twelve chil- dren, eight of whom are living, viz.: Janet, Margaret, Thomas, Agnes, James, Mary, Alexander and Robert. December 14, 1871, Mr. Samson was married to Mrs. Catherine Bennett, whose maiden name was Catherine Rifenburg, a native of New York. Her father died when she was a ciiild, after which her mother remarried, and when she was fourteen years of age the family removed to Wisconsin, and settled on Decora Plains, this county, in the autumn of 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Samson have two sons: George and David. Mrs. Samson has a daughter by her first marriasxe, Abisjail, now the wife of Walter Thomas. Mr. Samson is one of the substantial citizens of Gale township, and he and his wife have a pleasant home on the beautiful prairie. ^^ALTER JACKSON resides on sec- I tion 36, in the town of Gleucoe, \< ^gi," j Buffalo county, where he settled in the spring of 1862. He was born in the town of Newburgh, Fifeshire, Scotland, in 1830. His father, Henry Jackson, died in his native land, at the age of fifty-two years, and the mother, wiiose maiden name was Anna White, died three years before the death of her husband. The subject of this BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 763 sketch was oue of eight children, six of whom were living in 1891, and all residents of the United States. Wajter Jackson learned the trade of blacksinithing. This is the occnpa- tion of the father, and all of the sons served an apprenticeship to that trade. In 1854 Walter came to America and lived in Pen- saiikee, near Green Bay, for nearly nine years, engaged as blacksmith and engineer in a sawmill. He came here from that place, lie has a good farm of 120 acres, which is well improved. He was married, in 1865, to Ellen Beveridge, a native of the same town as himself. Mrs. Jackson died August?, 1887, leaving five children, three boys and two girls, viz.: Robert, Adamston, Ellen, Walter H. and Anna. Mr. Jackson combines farming with blacksmithing. He is an excellent mechanic as well as a good farmer. He is an industrious and respected citizen, and is known as an honest, upright man. ^. ^ fOHN BIGUAM was born in Putnam county. New York, August 27, 1839, having been seventeen years of age when his father emigrated from the State of New York to Buffalo county, Wisconsin (see sketch of Daniel Bigham). John Bigham has spent all his mature years in Trempeau- leau county. September 21, 1864, he en- listed in Company H, Third Wisconsin In- fantry, and served loyally and well until the close of the war. After enlistment he went direct to Madison, Wisconsin, and thence to Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was at this time on detached service and did duty at Chattanooga for a considerable time, but finally joined the army of General Thomas, at Nashville, and took part in the celebrated battle of that place, which resulted in the complete overthrow of the rebel army under General Hood. Following in the pursuit of Hood into Alabama, our subject did duty for a time at Huntsville, in that State, but was finally ordered to join his regiment at Goldsboro, North Carolina, marching with Sherman's army to Raleigh, thence to Washington, District of Columbia, taking part in the grand review in that city. Like so many others of our heroes, Mr. Bigham's health was much broken in the service of his country, and he has never fully recovered. On the 9th of Janu- ary, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Grace K. Gardner, daughter of Henry and Miranda (Shelley) Gardner, the former of whom was a native of Allegany county, New York, and the latter of Rhode Island. They early removed from New York to Indiana, thence overland with teams to Ar- cadia, Wisconsin, in 1857, and settled on a tract of Government land. In 1870 Mr. Gardner removed with his wife to Butler county, Missouri, but about a year later again changed their residence, going to Phillips county, Kansas, where the father died on the 27th of August, 1872. The wife and mother survived her husband until December 15, 1888, at which time she passed away at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bigham, with whom she had lived since the death of her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Gard- ner were the parents of five children, two sous and three daughters. The elder son, Milton H., served in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin regiment. He made his home in Trempealeau county until 1869, when he went to Missouri, which was the inducement for the parents also to go to that State, and later to Kansas. In 1890 he removed to Buchanan county, Iowa, where he now lives. Myron B., the younger son, was a member of Com- pany B, Second regiment, Wisconsin Volnn- unteer Infantry, in the late war, and was 754 BIOGIiAPmCAL HISTORY. killed at the battle of Hull Run, July 19, 1861. The eldest of the family is Mrs. Helen C. Simpson, of Arcadia; another daughter is Mrs. Minerva C. Farlin of Ar- cadia; Mrs. Bigham is the youngest of the family and was born in Boone county, Indi- ana, in 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Bigham have live children, tliree sons and two daughters, viz.: Bertha M., Minnie H., Elmer, Ellis and Byrd. Mr. Bigham, as will be seen, is one of the pioneers of Wisconsin, and during his long residence in this section has won the respect and confidence of all who know him. He is an ardent Republican in politics. llCHOLAS BACH.— No name is more familiar to the people of Buffalo county than that of Nick Bach, one of the largest landowners in the county and the proprietor of that famous hostelry of the Waumandee valley, the Waumaudee Hotel. Nicholas Bach was born in Niederkirchen, Bavaria, Germany, November 1, 1842. son of Nicholas and Josephine (Biehn) Bach, natives of Bavaria, the former born in 1811 and the latter in 1816. Grandfather Bach was named William. Of the ten children born to Nicholas and Josephine Bach, nine are living in the United States, viz.: William; Savilla, now Mrs. Weber, of Dubuque; Mag- gie, now Mrs. Minninger, of Chicago; Nich- olas, the subject of our sketch; Eliie, now Mrs. Tritschler, of this county; Michael, of Iowa; Eva, now Mrs. B. BaumheflFer of Dubuque; Anna, wife of Frank MuUer, of La Marsh, Iowa; Lena, now Mrs. A. Heinz, of Buffalo county. They emigrated to the United States in the spring of 1857, landing at New York and at once coming West to what is now known as East J)uliuque, Illinois. The father at first I'linted land and subse- quently purchased forty acres. He was in- dustrious and economical, and continued to increase his acreage, extending it into Grant county, Wisconsin, until he had one of the largest farms in that section of the country, all under good cultivation. At an advanced age he retired from active work, and subse- quently bought a home near his favorite son, Nick, in Waumandee, where he expected to spend the rest of his days. One evening he took his rod and line and went over to the Waumandee to catch a few trout. While out he was attacked by a vicious bull, and before he could be rescued his arm, shoulder-blade, and several ribs were broken, besides receiv- ing internal injuries. Medical aid was sum- moned but was of no avail, and a few hours later he died. This occurred December 14, 1888, when he was eighty-three years of age. Ills widow is still living, and makes her home with her daughter Maggie, at Chicago. The subject of our sketch was reared at home, attending school and assisting his father on the farm until he was sixteen. At that age he left home and was employed by a Scotch farmer, near Fair Play, Wisconsin, with whom he remained over three years, and where he had a pleasant home. For kindness shown him then he still holds that family in grateful remembrance. Young Bach left his kind employer and pleasant home in order to enlist in the service of his country. Before he was mustered in, how- ever, his father went after him and took him home, he being then under age. Displeased, of course, at not being allowed to enter the service, he soon afterward went to St. Paul, and for some time was variously employed at different places; drove carriage for a banker, Mr. Thompson, at St. Paul, several months; was employed on steamboats for a time; as a teamster, was in Government era- ])loy anil went to I'ort Thunij)son with pro- BlOORAPniCAL HISTORY. 755 visions and cattle foi' the soldiers, returning seven montiis later with furs, hides, etc.; again engaged in steatnboating, afterward in the transfer business at Dubuque, and then for two years was on a packet running from St. Paul to Dubuque. We next And him in Glencoe, engaged in farm work. He soon afterward pre-empted a homestead in Wau- mandee township, which, after making some improvements, he sold. Coming over into the Waumandee valley, he engaged in farm- ing with Casper Schmitz. Mr. Sc-hmitz owned a store and farm near the site of the Waumandee Hotel. He received a kick from an Indian pony, which caused his death; and JVlr. Bach was appointed administrator of his estate. August 1, 1879, Mr. Bach was united in marriage with Mrs. Schmitz, widow of his friend Casper Schmitz. By her former marriage she had three children: John, Rosa (wife of Joseph Kuehnhackl, of La Crosse) and Emily. Mr. Bach is a man of tine business ability He possesses an unusual amount of energy, enterprise and good judgment; and his well- directed efforts have been rewarded with suc- cess. From time to time he added to his landed estate until his farm comprised about 700 acres in a solid body — one of the finest farms in the country. He raised one year as high as 7,000 bushels of grain. The elegant brick house and many of the other buildings on his farm were erected by him. The hotel building which occupied the site of his present one was burned during a lease. He then erected a large and substantial one of brick, and, leasing his farm, moved to the hotel and took charge of it himself. Con- nected with tlie hotel is a large hall which is used for entertainments, etc. Mr. Bach's courteous manner and genial nature con- tribute to bis popularity as a landlord. Guests at the Waumandee hotel are always sure of a good table and prompt and kind attention. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party. He has held the office of Supervisor of Montana township, and several times has been Roadmaster of Waumandee. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. Lodge, of Fountain City, No. 13, and of the St. Joseph Society, of La. Crosse. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Catholic Church. ^. •@^ '^ IHARLES EDGAR PERKINS, one of the well known pioneers of Trempealeau county, came to this State in June, 1856, at which time he located in Galesville. He was born in Hartland township, Windsor county, Vermont, July 22, 1821, a son of Katiian Perkins, a native of the same county. The Perkins family settled originally in Mas- sachusetts, being early settlers of Plymouth township, Plymouth county, and were of English ancestry. The grandfather of our subject, Nathan Perkins, was a soldier in the war of the • Revolution, and one of the first settlers of Woodstock, Vermont, where he settled in 1790. Our subject's father was born April 8, 1793, and was married to Mary Marcy, a daughter of William Marcy, of Pu- ritan ancestry. The parents continued to live in Vermont until their death, the father dying at St. Albans April 6, 1865, and was buried at Morrisville on his seventy-second birthday, and his wife died at the same place November 6, 1877, and was buried by the side of her husband. They were the parents of six children, live of whom, three sons and two daughters, grew to mature years. Charles E. Perkins was the eldest of the family; the eldest sister, Mary Melvina, is the widow of 756 BTOGRAPIIIGAL HISTOMT. Dr. Almon Tinker, of Monisville, Vermont; Sarah Jane was twice married, her first hus- band being Marvin Farnani, bj whom slie liad two children: Henry M., an attorney at Minneapolis, and Florence, also of Minne- apolis. Sarah Jane's second husband was G. D. Williams; she died a number of years ago. Laura Ann. the second sister, died at the age of" two years. Nathan Henry l^erkins was born in May, 1831, and in 1852 went to Aus- tralia, and several years later was known to be in Oregon, but has not been heard of since 1870. George Edwin Perkins was born in 1836, and is now a merchant in Butte Oily, Montana. Charles E. Perkins, our subject, grew to manhood in Morrisville, Vermont, where he learned the trade of woolen maunfacturing with Nathan Perkins, his father, also receiv- ing a good English education, and studied law with Judge Luke P. Poland. In 1848 he went to Lowell, Massachusetts, and worked at his trade for two years, after which he re- turned to Vermont. In 1856 he located at Galesville, Trempealeau county, where he worked at whatever he could find to do until 1858, and in that year was elected Registrar of Deeds of this county, serving in that ca- pacity two years. In 1860 he was defeated on the People's ticket for County Clerk, and in 1862 was again elected Registrar of Deeds, without an opposing vote, and re-elected in 1864. From 1866 to 1871, Mr. Perkins was engaged in the insurance business; in the fall of 1870 he was elected Clerk of the Court without oppo.sition, and held that ofiice until in January, 1875. In the spring of 1878 he was elected County Judge, assuming the du- ties of that office in January following, and held both the offices of Count}' Judge and Clerk of the Courts during 1874. He held the office of County Judge until January 1, 1881, having been elected County Clerk in the fall of 1880, and i-esigned the former office. During his term as Clerk Mr. Perkins made a complete abstract of Trempealeau county. In 1877, he remove! to Arcadia, which had then become the county seat, and continued to make this his home after the county seat was removed to Whitehall, though lie continued a county officer several years after the removal. Probably no man has been so many years a county officer as Mr. Perkins, his entire career in that capacity covering a period of at least twenty years. He has also filled the office of Town Clerk five years, and Justice of the Peace a number of years. He was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1882. April 2, 1848, Mr. Perkins was married at Johnson, Vermont, to Mary B. Stearns, a daughter of John and Mehitable (Hall) Stearns. This union has been blessed with five children, four of whom are livin^^. |DSON RHODES, M. D., of Galesville, is a son of John Rhodes, a pioneer of Trempealeau county. The latter was born at Keighley, Yorkshire, England, in 1818, where he lived until the age of twenty- one years. He was the eldest of ten children, and learned tlie trade of a weaver. In 1839 he emigrated to the State of New York, and resided for a number of years in the vicinity of Niagara Falls, and during this time he worked at his trade and was also engaged in the construction of the "Welland Canal. About 1842 he came to Wisconsin, where he resided in the southern part of the State for a num- ber of years, and in the meantime the re- mainder of his father's family came to this State. In 1854 Mr. Rhodes disposed of his landed interests there to iiis brother, and re- moved to Trempealeau county, having pre- viously located land here. In a wagon drawn by oxen, he transferred his wife and only child to his new possessions, and also brought with him some stock. His object in coming to this county was to enlarge his landed pos- sessions, having obtained from the Govern- ment about 1,000 acres of land. His enterprise and efforts proved successful, and he remained on this farm until his death, which occurred May 16, 1867. He became well known throughout this part of the State as an indus- trious and enterprising citizen, was an exten- sive reader, and, tliough not connected with any church, was well informed on bible subjects, and always endeavored to govern his daily walk by the teachings of that book. In his political affiliations he was in early life a Whig, and later a Republican. His wife, Mary Wiltse, was a native of New Y^ork, and was descended from an early Holland Dutch family. She was born in 1824, and died May 24, 1891, at the house of her son in Galesville. They were the parents of six children, five of whom grew to mature years, and three are still living, viz. : Martin, the eldest, resides on a part of the original homestead in Trem- pealeau county; Kate is the wife of Judge David Roberts, of Superior, Wisconsin; and Dr. Rhodes, the subject of this sketch. The deceased who grew to mature years were Frances and Adeline, and a daughter who died in early life. Dr. Rhodes was born in Trempealeau county, in 1862, and received his literary education in the public schools and graded schools at Galesville, and graduated at the Normal School at Winona, Minnesota, iu 1880. During his years at school he pur- sued the studies that would best tend to prepare him for the medical profession, which 764 BWORAPHWAL niSTORT. he bad in view from early life. He taught one year at Hancock, Minnesota, after gradu- ating, and in the meantime pursued his medical studies as opiiortunities afforded. He went to Ann Arbor. Michigan, and spent one year in the Medical Department of the Michigan State University, and went thence to the Rush Medical College, Chicago, where he graduated in 1883. For one year after his graduation in medicine. Dr. Rhodes practiced in tbe Cook County Infirmary, and then en- tered into medical practice with Dr. D. A. Stewart, of Winona, where he continued nntil after the death of his father, when it became uecesfary to return to the farm. He spent one year in adjusting his father's business, and in the meantime practiced as time and opportunity afforded. In December, 1890, Dr. Rhodes located in the village of Gales- ville. He has about 400 acres of land, which is a part of the old homestead farm, and is considerably interested in the raising of good stock. Dr. Rhodes was married in Milwaukee, in 1888, to Miss Jennie A. Williamson, of that city. Their entire family of five children were graduates of tiie State Normal School at Winona, and the sister, Frances, a young lady of much ability and promise, also gradu- ated in architecture at Cornell University in 1884. She died in 1888. Kate took a liter- ary course at Cornell, and taught successfully for a number of years. Dr. Rhodes has an extensive practice, and is esteemed as a suc- cessful physician and public-spirited citizen. ^UNTLEY AND VANDERVORT, pro- prietors of the Independent, published at Galesville, Trempealeau county, took charge of the paper March 27, 1891. They purchased the interest of L. F. Ball, who had conducted the paper since September, 1889. Tliis paper has a circulation of about 600. Frank W. Huntley was born at Trempea- leau in 1867, a son of L. G. Huntley, now a practical printer of Winona. Herman L. Vandervort was born at Fairhaven, Minne- sota, in 1869, and learned the trade of print- ing at St. Cloud, his native State. Ilis father. J. B. Vandervort, is also a resident of Wi- nona, Minnesota. Messrs. Huntley «fe Van- dervort are wide-awake, energetic young men, and the Independent under their man- agement has made much progress as an entertaining and valuable paper. EORGE UHL, who resides on section 23, Gale township, is a brother of Peter Uhl, and a son of Michael Uhl. He was born in October, 1833, and when the family came to Trempealeau county, in 1854, he had nearly attained his majority'. He and his br.ither Feter helped to develop the home- stead of 200 acres, which he now owns. Later he added 120 acres, and stiil later sixty-seven and a lialf acres, so that his home farm con- sists of nearly 400 acres. He also has 100 acres elsewhere in the township, besides which he has given his son a quarter section of land. His farm adjoins that of his brother Peter, where he has a pleasant home and a substantial brick residence. Mr. Uhl was married May 15, 1861, to Miss Christena Harth, a daugiiter of Freder- ick and Mary L. Hartli ; the former was born in Germany September 24, 1812, and died in Gale townsiiip May 7, 1887. His wife died May 10, 1889. In 1846 Mr. Harth emigrated witli his family to America, and settled in Washington county, Wisconsin, and in 1854 they came to Trempealeau county. They had afamilyof ten children, who are now widely BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 765 cattered. Mr. and Mrs. Ulil have five chil- dren: George F., Katy B., Frank A., Mary R. and Teresa C. They lost their first two children, a son and a daughter, in early infancy. Mr. Uhl, like his brother, is num- bered among the leading farmers of Trem- pealeau county. Botli he and his wife have spent their mature years in "Wisconsin. They have a pleasant liome, and are surrounded by the comforts of life, a condition which has been secured by patience and industry. - — — ««^i^£^ It i ; « 9 i «-»»—- - |ICHOLAS LEHRBACH, a hardware li'/J merchant of Arcadia, began business in this city in 1884, and erected bis fine brick store building the following year. He keeps a complete stock of hardware, and is one of the leading merchants of Trempealeau county, of which he has been a resident since 1866. He was born in Buifalo, New York, in 1849, a son of Andrew Lehrbach, a native of Hessen, Darmstadt, Germany, who came to America about 1839, locating in the city of Buffalo, New York. In 1852 the family removed to Niagara Falls, which was about the time tlie first suspension bridge was con- structed across the Niagara river. There Mr. Lehrbach, Sr., engaged in keeping hotel, and in 1855 emigrated with his family to Red Wing, Minnesota, where he died in 1867, and the mother survived until 1889, dying at the same place. Tliey were the parents of eight children, five of whom are now living, viz.: Nicholas, Andrew, at Red Wing, Min- nesota; Rosa, wife of Louis Schilling; Louisa, wife of Joseph Belhammer; and Mrs. Sophia Tideman, all of whom are residents of Red Wing except the subject of this sketch. The deceased members of the family died in infancy. Nicholas, our subject, spent most of his 50 earlier life at Red wing. He learned the trade of a brewer at Trempealeau, which occu- pation lie followed for five years, and was later engaged in keeping hotel at that place, and still later, for two years, engaged in mer- chandising at Dodge, having erected the pre- sent store and warehouse at that place. After being two years engaged in business at Dodge, he located at Arcadia. September 27, 1875, Mr. Lehrbach was united in marriage to Miss Delia Kidder, who was born at Black River Falls, Wiscon- sin, April 22, 1857, a daughter of Jesse B. Kidder. The father was a son of Timothy L. and Hannah Kidder. The Kidder family in America descended from early New Eng- land ancestry, the genealogy of whom, recently published, states that the first recorded American ancestor was James Kid- der, who was born at Grinstead, Sussex, Eng- land, in 1826. The first record of him dates in 1650, at which time he was a resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Jesse B. Kidder was born in Concord, Maine, May 15, 1831, and was married July 28, 1852, at Antwerp, New York, to Mary Jane Manning, a daugh- ter of William and Mary Manning. She was born January 25, 1829, and died at White- hall, Wisconsin, April 5, 1873. Mr. Kidder was again married, November 11, 1877, to Ann Cook. The children by his first mar- riage are Ella Maud, Delia, William Lovell, EIroy Jesse, Mary Jane, George Washington and Ermina Rose. Mr. and Mrs. Lehrbach have two sons: Lester and Leslie. They lost five children in infancy. Mr. Lehrbach is one of the representative citizens of Arcadia, is a successful business man, and is esteemed both for his social qualities and for liis pro- gressive and enterprising spirit. In his poli- tical sentiments he is a Democrat, and has been called upon by the people several times 766 BIOQRAPaWAL UISTORT. to serve in locdl offices. He has also been Town Treasurer, and is now the village president. iLEXANDEB B. FLEMINGTON, who resides on section 17, located in the town of Trempealeau in 1855. He purchased the land which comprises his pres- ent farm of the Government, he liaving made all his own improvements. He was born in Ramfordshire, Scotland, May 31, 1826, the son of James and Mary (Dove) Fleminglon. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Alexander Dove, who was a man of great force of character and of much influence in his day and generation. He was of the rank of workingmen, but possessed of a superior mind. A memoir written of him at the time of his death in 1840, says: "Alexander Dove was a native of West Highlands, and was born in 1766. At ten years of age he lost his father, and was thrown on the world to support liimself. He worked for some time as a carpenter in Greenock, Bonhill and Rosenthal. He went to Jolmstone about 1792, and entered a fac- tory as a wood turner, and liere he became a self-taught mechanic, and made the first mule jenny tiiat was driven by water-power in Johnstone. He went to Galloway in 1798 to fit up the machinery of a wool spinning fac- tory, where he remained about four years, and then went to Thornliebank and Paisley. In 1804 he removed to the bridge of "Weir, where he worked as a mechanic until 1825, and then returned to Johnstone, where he re- mained until death. He thorougiily under- stood the principles of mechanics. His mind was too active and vigorous to engage in any mechanical or professional work without thoroughly understanding the prin- ciples on which ic was founded. From his youth he was a thorough reformer. He was active in politics, and for this reason suffered much persecution, and would have been im- prisoned had he not evaded the tyrant's menials. Not finding him, much of his property was taken. He was an assiduous student of politics, and much of his leisure time was given to reading aiid study. His literary acquirements and scientific attain- ments were extensive. He was familiar with optics, electricity, chemistry and gal- vanism. On one occasion he was summoned to Edinburg as a witness in a criminal case, the merits of which turned on the fact of the prisoner's insanity or sanity. In conse- quence of the knowledge that Alexander Dove displayed. Lord Jeffrey, then the advocate, paid him compliments of the liigli- est character in open court. He never in tiie course of a long life sacrificed his principles to please his employers or no secure their favor, while his unbending integrity in some instances subjected him to their persecution, and to the loss of employnent. Workingman as he was, he gloried in his independence, and in the unshackled exercise and full expression of his opinions. His benevolence was great, and his moral sentiments of a high order. Knowing so well the value of educa- tion, he iiad an ardent desire to see his own family educated. He was, in fact, in all respects a "most worthy citizen." Thus it will be seen that Mr. Flemington is descended from an honorable and worthy ancestry. His parents had but two children of whom the subject of this sketch was the youngest, the elder being a sister. In 1842 James Flemington came to America to es- tablish a home for his family. He went to the State of Rhode Island, and the following summer traveled West as far as Michigan, and finally made a settlement in East Green- BTOORAPUICAL HISTORY. 767 wich, Rhode Island. In 1844 the father was followed to the new world by his wife and son. James Flemington was an engine driver by occupation. In 1845 he went with his wife and son to Taunton, Massachusetts, and there drove an engine for a manufactur- ing company. Tue parents came to Tretn- peanleau county to join their son, and remained one year, after which they returned to Rhode Island and lived until death. The sister of Mr. Flemington, already mentioned, married in Scotland, Mr. L. Black, after which they came to America and settled at Taunton, Massachusetts. Two years later Mr. Black died in New London, Connecticut, leaving two sons. Later the wife remarried, her second husband being Rev. Wilcox, and settled in Rhode Island. Alexander B. Flemington, our subject, was about eighteen years of age when he came to America with his parents. He worked in the muslin de laine print works at Taunton, Massachusetts, and then returned to East Greenwich, Rhode Island, going thence to Soutlibridge, Massachusetts, where he was engaged in the print works. In 1848 he went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he remained five years, and during that time learned the trade of carriage- making with Isaac Kingsley. He was married in that city, August 20, 1851, to Mary Taylor. From Milwaukee he removed to Walworth county, and engaged in wagon-making for George Esterly, and in 1855 came to Trem- pealeau county. Mrs. Flemington was born in Edinburg, Scotland. Their children are: Alexander D., a lawyer by profession, and a resident of Ellendale, North Dakota. He took a course of instruction at tiie high school of Trempealeau, and also a literary course at the Wisconsin State University. He was for some time a teacher in the inter- mediate department of the Trempealeau school, and went thence to Whitehall, where he was principal one year. He studied law with Judge Newman and graduated in the law department of the Wisconsin State University. He is a young man of ability, and has already taken a high standing at the bar. He located in Ellendale, Dakota, in July, 1874, where he was honored by be- ing chosen a delegate for Circuit Judge. Elizabeth F. is the wife of Louis Tatero, of New Richmond, Wisconsin ; Jessie is the wife of George Cummings; Allan J. resides in Glenwood, Wisconsin; Andrew F. is the next in order of birth; Mary is the wife of Willis Suttie; Ada is engaged in teaching, and is at present principal of the graded school at Somerset, Wisconsin. Mr. Flemmington has a farm of 120 acres under a fine state of cultivation. He has a pleasant home, is surrounded by the comforts of life, the result of the industry of himself and his good wife, and is numbered among intelligent and esteemed citizensof Trempea- leau county. ILLIAM L. CUMMINGS, of Trem- pealeau, is now serving his seventh year and fourth term as Superin- tendent of the Schools of this county, having been first elected in 1884. He succeeded W. J. Showers, who served one term of three years. Mr. Cummings was born in the town of Bloomfield, Walworth county, Wisconsin, September 7, 1848. His father, Israel P. Cummings, was an early settler of thatcounty, where he located in 1844, but in the spring of 1856 he removed with his family to JSleills- ville, Clark county, where they comprised the third family of the place. In 1861 the family removed to Wliitehall, Trempealeau county, but have been residents of the town 768 BlOORAPniCAL BISTORT. of Trempealeau since 1881. Israel P. Cum- | mings was born in Massaclnisetts, in 1819, and is descended from an early family of the Bay State, and is of English origin. He passed his early life in his native State, as a woolen mannfactnrer. He married Miss Mary Hale, a native of Worcester, Massacliu- setts, after which he removed to what is now Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he fol- lowed the occupation of farming, and con- tinned the same until his removal to Clark county, when he engaged in lumbering. The wife and mother died in April, 1S70. They were the parents of six children, live sons and a daughter, namely: Charles, who resides in Greenwood, Clark county, Wallace and Israel reside near Whitehall, Trempealeau county; William L., our subject; Ida, the wife of George W. Stone, of Boone, Iowa; and George L., a fanner in this county. William L., our subject, was educated in the common schools, and later at the Gales- ville University. He began teaching when in his twentietli year, and taught successfully for the long period of sixteen years. In 1882 he was called to the principalship of the school at Blair, this county, previous to which time he had taujiht in various district schools in the county. During the third year of his principalship at Blair, he was elected County Superintendent. In May, 1872, Mr. Cummings was united in marriage to Adelaide, daughter of Uelavan Bunn, who settled on the farm where Mr. and Mrs. Cummings now live in 1859. Mr. Bunn came to Trempea- leau county with his family from Cattaraugus county, New York, and resided on this farm until 1873, when he removed to a farm in the town of Gale. In the spring of 1880 he moved to Kingsbury, South Dakota, where he now lives. Mrs. Cummings is a native of New York, but was a mere child when she came to this county with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings have seven children: Florence, Carroll, Snsie, Sibyl, Alson, Arthur and Laura. Mr. Cummings has devoted his best energies to the cause of education, and has ever as teacher or superintendent dis- charged the duties of an educator with ability, earnestness and fidelity. In fact, his close application to his duties has often threatened to seriously impair his health. Under his able and earnest superintendence the schools of Trempealeau county have made rapid ad- vancement in efBciency. It may be truth- fully said that in due appreciation of the demands of the public school system, in earnestness of purpose and untiring industry Mr. Cummings is numbered with the leading educators of Wisconsin. Politically he is a Republican, and is also an earnest advocate of the principles of Prohibition. Both he and his family are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church HESTER N. ASHLEY, Chairman of Ettrick township, has been a resident of Trempealeau county since 1879, and has occupied his present farm on section 6 since 1887. He was born in Jefferson county. New York, a son of Stephen H. Ashley, a native of Livingston county, same State. The mother of our subject, nee Nancy Waterbury, was a native of Ontario county, and after marriage the parents settled in Jefferson county. In 1852 they removed to Lodi, Columbia county, Wisconsin, where they lived fourteen years, and then returned to New York, but a year later they came again to Wisconsin and located in Green Lake county. Returning, however, to Co- lumbia county, they later came to Ettrick township, where the father died in 1886, and the mother now resides at the home of a BIOGRAPHIGAL HISTORY. 769 daughter in Fayette county, Iowa. Stephen H. Ashley and wife liad nine children who grew to mature years, and five are still living, viz. : James W., the eldest, resides at Marke- san, Green Lake county, Wisconsin; Dor- man P., a resident of Adair county, Iowa; Laura A., wife of F. D. Arnold, of Hoquiam, Washington; Mariette, wife of R. H. Rath- bun, of Fayette county, Iowa; and Chester N., the youngest surviving member of the fainily. The latter was born in 1848, and in early life learned the miller's trade with his father and elder brother, James. The father fol- lowed the milling business for over forty years, and also had two brothers who followed the same occupation for an equal length of time. Our subject learned his trade in Green Lake county, and later was engaged at Dekorra and Poynette, Columbia county. He came from North Bend, Jackson county, to Ettrick, and for ten years operated the flour- ing rail! of Iver Peterson, at Ettrick, and then engaged in the occupation of farming. Mr. Ashley was married at that place to Miss Mary Canee, a daughter of Robert Cance, an early settler of Ettrick township. He was born in Scotland in 1822, and was married to Christina Edinond. In 1858 they came to the United States, settling in Ettrick township, Trempealeau county, where Mr. Cance died in 1886, and the mother now resides with her son, James E., in the village of Ettrick. They had two children, of whom Mrs. Ashley is the eldest. The only son, James E., is a hardware and dry-goods mer- chant at Ettrick. Robert Cance was engaged in farming many years on the place where Mr. Ashley now lives. In 1884 he engaged in business in the village of Ettrick, and at his death he was succeeded by his son. He was a representative citizen, and served a term in the Legislature of Wisconsin, to which he was elected in 1882. He was a Republican in politics, held many local ofli- ces, and was esteemed as a man of ability and integrity. Mr. and Mrs. Ashley have four sons: Robert H., Edmond AV., James C. and Chester N., the last two being twins. Mr. Ashley is one of the representative citizens of Ettrick township. Politically, he is a Re- publican, has served a number of terms as a member of the Board of Supervisors of this township, and is now serving his second terra as chairman of that body. gSjLISHA STEVENS, who resides at the old homestead of his parents on section 7, Trempealeau county, is a son of Alex- ander Stevens, who settled on the farm in 1855. The father was born in Scotland, September 22, 1810, where he grew to manhood and learned the trade of flax dresser. When a young man he crossed the ocean, going first to Andover, Massachusetts, under contract to work in a factory. He was married in that State to Anna Scott, a native of Scotland, shortly after which his health failed, owing to the character of his work, and he accord- ingly removed to Fond du Lac county, Wis- consin, and engaged in farming. In 1855 he came to Trempealeau county, and settled on the farm where his widow and son still lives. He made the first improvements on this place and lived here until his death, which occurred November 22, 1889, at the age of seventy- nine years and two months. Mr. Stevens was a well-known and respected citizen, was quiet and industrious and of a social and agreeable nature. He was endowed with a robust con- stitution, possessing much physical strength. Four years previous to liis death he became afflicted with partial paralysis from which time he was able to do but little work. Ue 770 BIOORAPUWAL HISTORY. left four children, two eons and two daughters, viv.: William Scott, Elisha, Jennie and Mrs. Nellie S. Frame, widow of Rev. W. R. Frame. All tlie children were born in Fond dii Lac county, Wii^consin. Elislia, the subject of this sketch, was born ill 1849, and now owna a half interest in the old homestead, where he has always resided since coming to Trempealeau, except a period of four years. He was married to Miss Esther Van Vleet, a native of "Wisconsin. No more honorable or worthy class of men ai-e found anywhere than the pioneer who came to the country and struggled faithfully and persistently to make for himself and family a home, and after passing away left as an inheritance to his children not only the material accumula- tions of his labor and industry, but also an honorable and faithful record in all his rela- tions with his fellow men. With such is found the name of Alexander Stevens, whose children have reason to be proud of the rec- ord lie has left. ^ 4<@)^ ^ [ELBERT CLARENCE BURNS, of Trempealeau county, is a son of Will- iam Thomas Burns, who was born in Ticonderoga, Essex county. New York, July 20, 1824. He was the son of John and Laura Burns. December 13, 1847, W. T. Burn** was united in marriage to Louisa Jane Bugbee, a daughter of William Bugbee, and in 1854 they came to Wisconsin, first to Portage, and thence to Trempealeau town- ship, siettling on section 1. This farm was entirely new, but he improved the place and made of it a pleasant home, and here he re- sided until his death, August 20, 1884. He was a well-known and esteemed citizen, and took an active interest in promoting the growth and prosperity of the community in which he lived. He was a member of the Town Board of Trempealeau, and took an active part in the religious and educational progress of the town. He was especially act- ive in church matters, and was one of five who built the Methodist Church at Centrc- ville, he having been a member of that de- nomination for twenty years. Bolitically he was identified with the Republican party. He met his death in a sudden and peculiar way, having died from the sting of a be^. His only child, Delbert C, was born at the homestead in Trempealeau county, March 8, 1857, which he now owns and occupies. He married Lunetta C. French, a daughter of Henry French, of Galesville, and a well- known pioneer of Trempealeau county. Mr. and Mrs. Burns have two children: Florence Mabel and Lulah Camele. EORGE YOUNG FREEMAN, the pre- sent District Attorney of Trempealean county, has been a resident of Galesville since the autumn of 1858. He was born in the village of Quakerstreet, Schenectady county. New York, August 13, 1827, a son of Lewis Freeman, a native of Montgomery county, same State, and a grandson of Charles Freeman, a native of Connecticut. The Freeman family are of Puritan ancestry, the genealogy of which mentions three brothers, Charles, Samuel and George, all of whom re- moved from Connecticut. The first men- tioned, the grandfather of the subject of this notice, made his settlement in Montgomery county, and the other brothers settled else- where. Lewis Freeman married Mary V. Young, and soon afterward settled in Sche- nectady county, where he was engaged in the mercantile business for many years. He BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 771 died when our subject, his only child, was but a lad, and after the death of the father the mother returned with her son to the home of her father. When George was sixteen years of age he came with the family of his grandfather Young to Wisconsin, and settled at Elkhorn, Walworth county. He received an acade- mical education, and began the study of law at Elkhorn, which he pursued for two years, and in 1852 went to New York city and en- tered the office of Judge W. D. Waterman, then Judge of the Marine Court of that city. He remained in that office until the autumn of 1858, when he came to Galesville, and was admitted to the bar, but afterward returned to New York, and in the spring of 1859 located permanently in Galesville. He found here in the village at tliat time, engaged in the practice of law, Romanzo Bunn, now United States District Judge for the Western District of Wisconsin, who had located in Galesville in 1856, the first lawyer of the place; and also Captain A. A. Arnold. Mr. Freeman entered at once into the practice of his profession, which he has CLintinued to the present time. He has been associated with several different partners at different times, his chief partnership having been with H. F. Smith, a well-known lawyer who recently died at Elkhorn, Wisconsin. In 1862 Mr. Freeman raised a company for service in the war of the Rebellion, which consisted of 110 men, and he was commis- sioned its Captain. But circumstances were such that he was unable to enter the field, and was succeeded by Captain A. A. Arnold, and this organization became Company C, Thir- tieth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer infan- try. Politically Mr. Freeman is of Whig antecedents. He voted for Lincoln in 1864 and Grant in 1868, since which time iiis sym- pathies have been witli the Democratic party in the national issues of the day. He has always taken an active interest in politics, and though not a partisan in the strict sense of that word, has ably and conscientiously labored in support of those principles which he believed would best promote the interest of the people. He is now serving his second term as District Attorney, having been elected to that position in 1862 and again in 1890. In January, 1888, he was appointed by Pres- ident Cleveland Principal Examiner of land claims and contests, and was in the land office at Washington in the discharge of his duties until March, 1890, including a year of Pres- ident Harrison's administration. Mr. Freeman was married, January 1, 1850, to Ann S. Hollinshead, a native of Tompkins county. New York, who came to Walworth county, Wisconsin, with her parents in 1839. They have three sons, the two eldest of whom, Charles E. and Edwin W., are twins. They are both graduates of Galesville University, after which Charles E. took a theological course at McCormick Theological Seminary, and was ordained a Presbyterian minister, and is now in charge of a cluirch at Spirit Lake, Iowa. Edwin W. studied law with his father, and is now practicing in San Bernardino, California. He is of the firm of Rolf & Freeman. These sons were born October 1, 1860. The youngest son, George R., was born in March, 1867, and was for some time a student of the Columbia Law School in Washington City, lias attended law school in Chicago and Washington, District of Colum- bia, and is now located at San Bernardino, California. Mr. Freeman has ijeen a mem- ber of the bar of Trempealeau county for the long period of thirty two years, being the oldest lawyer now in practice in the county. He is recognized and esteemed as a lawyer of ability and of strict integrity. While reared according to the principles of the Presbyterian 772 BIOORAPHICAL HI STOUT. Clnireli, be is not a nieinher of any religious denomination, but is iilieral and progressive in his views. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has a beautiful residence in the suburbs of Galesville, his homestead including a number of acres of valuable and productive land. ^AVID COOK, a well-known resident and pioneer of Gale township, Trem- pealeau county, is a native of Scotland, where he was born March 31, 1826. His parents, Alexander and Margaret (Sharp) Cook, had nine children who grew to mature years, five sons and four daughters. The parents continued to live in their native country until death. The subject of this sketcli, the only son of his parents who ever made a permanent home in America, was reared to the occupation of coal mining. He was married to IMiss Agnes Henderson, and in 1851 they emigrated to the United States, bringing with them their only child. When he started for America, Mr. Cook had no definite idea as to where he would make a settlement, but meeting with another gentle- man and his family on board their vessel, also from Scotland, he was induced to accom- pany his newly made acquaintance to Mary- land. On arriving in this country the party went directly to Allegany county, Maryland, where Mr. Cook engaged in mining. In 1853 he came to Trempealeau county, being accompanied by William Dick, John Irvine, John Hunter and James Phillips. In the autumn of the same year Mr. Cook settled on the place where he now lives, where he has a tine farm of 2G0 acres of the beautiful Decora prairie. December 20, 1887, he was deprived of his wife by death. She had ever been a faithful companion, assisting her husband in making a pleasant home, and her death was a great affliction to the husband and family. Mr. Cook is the fatlier of six livinij children, two sons and four daughters, viz.: Margaret, at home; Agnes, wife of Anton M. Lee; Joseph; Mary Jane, at home; Andrew, who is married and resides in Gale township; and Ellen, the youngest of the family. Mr. Cook during his long residence in Trempealeau county has ever been esteemed as an indus- trious and enterprising citizen. He is an honored member oi the order of Odd Fellows. Here he has lived for the long period of thirty-eight years, has witnessed the growth and development the country has made during that great length of time, and here, on his pleasant home in the beautiful Decqra prai- rie, he expects to remain the rest of his days. -y^UX/lfl,' -^7/inr^^ HARLES A. KIRCHNER was born in Bangor, Maine, December 9, 1845, son of John K. and Augusta (Duearing) Kirchner, both natives of Germany. His mother was born in 1828, and died in 1875. His father is still living, and makes his home with his son Charles. They had six children, namely: Caroline, who married Herman Alt- man; Mina, wife of Charles Hohmann, of Waumandee; the subject of our sketch; Albert, a history of whom appears in this work; Paulina, wife of Charles Peussing; and Emma, now Mrs. A. Franz, of Eau Claire. John Kirchner emigrated to the United States in 1846, and landed at Bangor, Maine, the vessel in which they made the voyage being the tirst one that landed there with em- igrants from Europe. These immigrants had expected to go to the Mosquito Islands to establish a colony, of which the captain of BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 773 the sliip was to be the head, and to him they had given all their money. They landed at St. Thomas, where they came in contact with people who exposed the Captain's schemes. They then sailed for Bangor. Mr. Kirchner remained at that place and worked at his trade until 1855, when he came West and settled in the Wanmandee valley, pre-empting a homestead of 160 acres. When the time for settlement arrived, having no funds with which to pay the Government for his land, he went to La Crosse and borrowed the money at forty per cent, interest, and at once began making improvements. Subsequently he purchased three forty-acre tracts, and in 1864 erected a frame dwelling. He continued to conduct his farm until he sold out to his son Charles. Charles Kirchner was reared at home, assisted his father on the farm and received a common-school education. May 8, 1871, he purchased the old homestead, 200 acres, and has since cultivated the same, from time to time making additional improvements on the farm. It is used chiefly for grain and dairy purposes, and under his skillful man- agement has been brought up to a high state of development, and is now one of the choice farms of the county. Mr. Kirchner was married in Waumandee, April 4, 1867, to Louise, daughter of Conrad and Anna (Langhard) Ulrich. Her father died December 5, 1890, and her mother is at present living at Fountain City. Mrs. Kirch- ner is one of a family of ten children, and was eight years old when she came to the United States from her native land, Switzer land. She was reared in Waumandee. They have had seven children, viz.: Albert W., who died in 1881; Adolph E., born in 1869; Eugene H., in 1873; Ida M., in 1874; Ma- tilda F., born in 1876, died in 1877; Oscar O., born in 1879; Edwin, born in 1883, died in 1885. Like his venerable father, Mr. Kirchner votes with the Republican party. The elder Mr. Kirchner was appointed Postmaster of Waumandee May 1, 1865, and served effi- ciently in that capacity. January 30, 1871, Charles Kirchner was appointed to the same position, and still holds his commission. He has been prominent in local affairs for many years, ever interested in any movement that tended to advance the good of the community. He was Chairman of the Town Board seven years, at different times; was Justice of the Peace from 1867 to 1873; was Town Assess- or and also Town Clerk in 1890. In 1880 he was census enumerator; has held various other local positions; is now President of the Buffalo County Farmers' Alliance. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen, Camp No. 754, Fountain City, and is Secretary of the Harmonia Society of Waumandee, which was organized in 1863. In 1890 this society erected a tine hall, in which to hold its meetings and where it has a library of 400 volumes. In conclusion, we say that Mr. Kirchner is oi:e of the most prominent and successful farmers of Buffalo county. He is truly a self-made man. He has great force of char- acter and energy, and is greatly respected, not only for his business qualities but also for his kindliness and benevolence of heart. fB. BEACH is owner and editor of The Whitehall Times and Blair Banner, * which newspaper was started by F. E. Beach, a brother of the present owner, and the first number was issued January 14, 1880. In December of the same year J. B. Beach bought an interest in the paper, which they 774 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. published together until September 24, 1885, at which time the subject of this sketch be- came sole proprietor. F. E. Beach now re- sides at Leola, McPherson county, South Dakota, where, in 1888, he established the Northwest, which he still conducts. J. B. Beach was born in Charlotte, Chit- tenden county, Vermont, in 1853, and in the spring of 180(3 his father, Charles G. Beach, emigrated with his family to Wisconsin, and settled in Trempealeau county. He was born in Vermont, as was also his father, Aaron L. Beach, and the family was originally among the early New England settlers. Charles G. married Caroline Barnes, and when the family came to Wisconsin it consisted of the parents and eight children. The mother died in the town of Ettrick, April 17, 1887, and the father resides in Whitehall. Of their si.x sons, Charles, tlie eldest, resides in Vermont; Henry H. is a resident of Galesville, Trem- pealeau county; Edgar died in Mankato, Minnesota, December 4, 1874; Zaeliary lives in Whitehall; J. B. is the ne.xt in order of birth; Frederick E., the youngest of the family, is a resident of Dakota. The eldest sister, Jennie, died at the age of four years, and the second, also named Jennie, is the wife of John O. Melby, of Whitehall. The subject of this sketch resided on a farm until the age of twenty-one years, when he entered the Journal office, at Galesville, con- ducted by George Luce, and there he con- tinued for about two years, when the paper was sold to B. E. Clark. Mr. Beach then established the Galesville Independent, under the auspices of the Galesville Printing As- sociation, and conducted this paper one year. He then went to North La Crosse, and with E. H. Love started the North La Crosse Star, which they sold in 1877. Mr. Beach, then being in poor health, returned to the farm, where he remained until December, 1880, at which time, as already mentioned, he became connected with his present paper. He has a finely equipped office, and publishes a neat and interesting paper. He is the present chairman of the Republican County Committee. He was married in September, 1889, to Miss Hattie Olds, a daughter of George H. Olds, an early settler of Trempealeau county. m L. GRINDL. County Treasurer of TL'^ Trempealeau county, was elected No- ^F^' vember 4, 1890, succeeding H. Thors- gaard. Mr. Griudl was born in Norway in 1847, and came to America with his parents in 1857. The family settled in Columbia county, Wisconsin, coming to Trempealeau county in the fall of 1860, where the father died, in November, 1883. Mr. Grindl was educated in the public schools of the town of Ettrick and held several township offices, before his election to his present position. He has been twice married, the first June 8, 1868, and is the father of three children. The mother of Mr. Grindl died in 1884. There were nine children in the family, only three of whom are living. Mr. Grindl, Sr., was a farmer by occupation, and to this voca- tion his sons were reared. ASPER MEULI, of Montana township, belongs to one of the old and promi- nent pioneer families of Buffalo county, Wisconsin. He was bom in the town of Ander, Switzerland, in March, 1840, and is the son of Casper and Anna (Conrad) Meuli. His grandfather's name was also Casper. His father was born in Welds, Switzerland, and his mother in Ander. The family erai- BIOORAPHICAL HISTORY. 775 grated to the United States in the spring of 1852, landed in New York and came direct to Milwaukee, thence to Washington county, this State, where Christian Conrad, an uncle of our subject lived. Of the ten children born to the elder Casper Meuli and his wife only three are now living: Casper, Christian and Mathias. The father was a farmer, and for six years was engaged in agricultural pur- suits in Washington county, removing from there to Alma, Buffalo county. He snl)se- quently came to Waumandee. He was an honest and industrious man, and from time to time homesteaded and purchased land, im- proved the same, and at the time of his death had 220 acres, all under a good state of cul- tivation. He died in March, 1870, and his wife survived him only about live years. The subject of our sketch was reared at home, assisted his father on the farm and attended school as opportunity offered. He remained with his father until he was twenty- eight years old, with the exception of the time spent in the army. September 14, 1862, he enlisted at Alma, in Company G, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Vol- unteer Infantry, and went into camp at La Crosse. Six weeks later they were ordered to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, where they re- ceived their arms, and after remaining there a week his company was ordered to Rich- mond, Minnesota, to watch the Indians, who were then quite troublesome. From Decem- ber until March he was with his company at Madison, and their next move was to Ken- tucky. While at Columbus, that State, Mr. Meuli was on the sick list most of the time, but was on duty nearly all that time. In June the company started for Vicksburg, on a transportation boat, landing at Yazoo City, on the Yazoo river, in the rear of Vicksburg. Mr. Meuli, being still sick, was sent back to a temporary hospital at Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, and in July he was taken on a hospital boat to St. Louis, Missouri, where he had typhoid fever. During the ensuing autumn, having partially recovered, he was attached to the Seventeenth Veteran Keserve Corps and transferred to Camp Morton, at Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was employed in guarding a prison containing rebels. The company was next transferred to Eiken bar- racks, at the same city, and our subject was placed on patrol duty in the city, to preserve order; was also otherwise engaged, as his strength would permit, until he was mus- tered out. He returned home in June, much broken in health. Two years later he purchased a farm of 120 acres. In 1870 he built his pre- sent dwelling and subsequently made some additions to it. In 1880 he built a barn, and in 1887 another one. In 1880 he bought 160 acres of land, thus increasing his original pur- chase. He had pre-empted forty acres in 1869, and also homesteaded forty acres the same year. Besides this he owns 120 acres which he inherited, and which he rents. He has about 175 acres of his home place under cultivation, it being used as a grain and stock farm. Mr. Meuli keeps about twenty milch cows. In farming operations and stock- raising he has been quite successful. He was married, in September, 1867, to Elizabeth, daughter of August and Eva Hel- wig. Mrs. Meuli died in childbirth in 1868. In September. 1870, Mr. Meuli took to him- self a second wife, Cecelia van Eschen, daugh- ter of George van Eschen. This union was blessed with three children: Anna, George and Christian. In 1878 Mr. Meuli was again bereaved of his companion. In 1880 he wedded Lydia Hnber, daughter of Jacob and Lydia Huberof Sauk county. Eight children have been born to tliem, — Jacob, August, 776 BIOGRAPHIGAL HlSTOUr. Katheriae, Lydia, Henry, Benjamin, Edwin and Agnes. Mr. Meuli is a Republican, and is a mem- ber of Fimian Post, No. 190, G. A. R., Alma. In 1890 he was census enumerator; has served as Town Treasurer and Clerk of the School Board. Both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church. Though greatly reduced in physical strength by his service and sickness in the army, he still retains the energy and ambition of his earlier years. His farm is an excellent one, and is well cultivated by him and his sous. Mr. Meuli is public-spirited, and is always ready to take an active part in matters that will tend to advance the interests of t\\e county. -^''vv?y2/- -■'innn^^ jANlEL TROWBRIDGE, deceased, was a pioneer of Trempealeau county from February 27, 1856. He was born in the State of New York, October 21, 1794.' Thomas Trowbridge, the founder of the family in America came from Taunton, England, in 163G, and settled at Dorchester, Massachu- setts. From him Daniel Trowbridge was in direct descent in the following line: Thomas, William, Seth, Abel and Daniel, the |^latter being of the fifth generation. The latter married at Meadville, Pennsyl- vania, August 7, 1828, Elizal)eth [>arker, who was born in Massachusetts, May 22, 1803. In 1839 Daniel Trowbridge removed from Pennsylvania to Salem, Indiana, and a year later to Belvidere, Illinois. In the spring of 1855 the family removed to La Crescent, Minnesota, and a short time after to Onalaska, Wisconsin. In 1856, Mr. Trowbridge settled in what is now the town of Trempealeau, Trempealeau county. On Decembei- 5, 1863, he was fatally injured by falling from a barn that he was constructing. It is a somewhat remarkable coincidence that his wife also died by accident, she having been fatally hurt on October 6, 1859, by the running away of a horse. She survived her injuries but a short time. Mr. Trowbridge, Sr., was a surveyor by occupation, and was County Surveyor of Trempealeau county for a number of years. Daniel Trowbridge and wife were the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters: Ann R., the eldest, was born May 3, 1829, and died in Illinois, December 27, 1854; Elizabeth W., born April 28, 1831, is now Mrs. Smith, widow of H. C. Smith, resides at Trempealeau, Wisconsin; Henry R., the eldest son, was born February 20, 1833. He served in a Minnesota Cavalry Regiment in the war of the Rebellion. He now resides at Little Rock, Arkansas. He is unmarried; Edward N., born December 25, 1834; Hiram I. was born May 15, 1837. He served in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin, in the war of the Rebellion. He now resides in Trem- pealeau; Edward N. Trowbridge, who resides at Whitehall, was born at Meadville, Penn- sylvania, which was the birth-place of all the children. He was educated at the high school, at Belvidere, Illinois, and at Gales- ville University, and was engaged in farming and teaching until the breaking out of the civil war. He was enrolled in the army September 6, 1861, as a member of the First Wisconsin Battery of Mounted Artillery. He enlisted at La Crosse and served three years, and was discharged October 13, 1864. He was actively engaged during his whole term of service. After the war he re-engaged in agricultural pursuits and teaching. On June 25, 1866, he was married to Miss Mary P. Booth, eldest daughter of E. E. and Hannah P. Booth. She was born in the city of ISew York, December 8, 1842, and came to Wisconsin with her parents who settled BIOGRAPHIGAL HISTORY. 777 at East Troy, Walworth county, and later in La Crosse county, and thence to Trempealeau county. The parents of Mrs. Trowbridge are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Trowbridge have four children, viz.: "William M., Harry H., Edward U., and Mary. Tliey lost their third child, Gracie, who was born on April 25, 1872, and died June 18, 1873. July 14, 1873, Mr. Trowbridge engaged in the mercantile business at Trempealeau, which he continued till 1876, when he engaged in the insurance business and also served as Town Clerk. In 1882, he was elected County Clerk of Trempealeau county, serving from January 1, 1883, till January, 1891, since which time he has been ensjasred in insurance. Politically he is a Republican. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church. ?ACOB WEISMOLEK, one of the old and representative farmers of Wauman- dee township, forms the subject of this biography, and is deserving of more than a passing notice on the pages of this work. Mr. Weismolek dates his birtli in Prussia, July 7, 1828, and is a son of Andrew and Hnlwig (Wegarig) Weismolek. Of their seven children he is the only surviving one. the other six and botli parents liaving died in their native land. Jacob lived with his par- ents until June, 1854, when he sailed for New York. From that city he went to Auburn and remained six months, thence to Livings- ton county, Michigan, where he made his home for some time. He next went to St. Paul, but not liking the prospect there went to La Crosse and spent about a year. From that place he came to Buffalo county, pur- chased eighty acres of land and began farm- ing, and also worked at his trade, that of stone-mason, which he iiad learned previous to coming to America. At first he occupied the shanty that was on his land, and in 1862 he built a cabin. He was thus employed in developing a farm and making a home when the war broke out and continued to rage. Feeling it his duty to enter the service of his adopted country, on March, 8, 1865, he be- came a member of Company K, Forty-eighth Wisconsin Infantry, Captain D. Lewis. He acted the part of a brave soldier until the struggle closed, and was mustered out of the service March 24, 1866. He then returned home and took up his farming pursuits. From exposure incurred while in the war, he was taken with rheumatism, and for two years was unable to work. He is now a pen- sioner of the United States Government. Before going into the war he took a home- stead claim of forty acres, and after his return purchased eighty acres of improved land. In 1882 he bought another forty-acre tract ad- joining him, and now owns 240 acres in one body, 120 acres of which are under good cul- tivation. In 1875 he rented his farm and moved to Arcadia, where he lived until 1880, and while there worked some at his trade. He then returned to the farm. In 1882 he completed his present dwelling, which occu- pied the site of his first home. His large barn was built in 1880. Mr. Weismolek was married in Prussia, in 1848, to Mary Fanza, by whom he had three children: Frank, John and Mary. Mrs. Weismolek died in 1850, while they were living in Michigan. His second marriage occurred in Sauk county, Wisconsin, in April, 1860, to Ann (Lohr) Neimann, daugh- ter of Christian Lohr. The issue from this marriage was eight children, namely: Mary, now Mrs. Gnstav Kirchner; Susa, wife of Peter Rebhahn; Jacob, who wedded Anna Nawizki; Albert, who married Alice Henry, and is now a resident of Seattle, Washington ; 778 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. and Lena, Louisa, Naize and Christiana, — all living except the last two named. By lier former marriage Mrs. Weismolek had three children: Kosa, now Mrs. Joe Seller; Anna, wife of Andrew Villas; and John, who is with her. Politically, Mr. Weismolek is a Democrat. He and his family are consistent members of the Catholic Church. jRTHUR TIBBITTS, of Galesville, has been a resident of that village since 1874, where he is engaged in contract- ing and building. He was born in Waldo county, Maine, January 8, 1840, the son of Benjamin Tibbitts, also a native of the Pine Tree State. The family is of English origin, and came from old New England stock. Benjamin Tibbitts was a farmer by occupa- tion, and in 1846 he emigrated to Wisconsin with his family, settling in Sheboygan county. There he cleared up a farm, pur- chasing the claim of a man who had pre- empted the same, and there he lived until death, which occurred September 22, 1873. He was born in 179U, being about seventy- four years of age at the time of his death. His wife, 7iee Sarah Clark, also a native of Maine, survived her husband several years, passing away April 9, 1885. They were the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, and four sons and the daughters are now living. Lemuel, the eldest surviv- ing member, resides near the old home in Sheboygan county; Amos, the second, owns and occupies the old homestead, which has been in possession of the family since 1846; Arthur is the third in order of birth; Horace, the youngest, is also a resident of Sheboygan county. The eldest surviving sister is Mrs. Mary Jane Davis, now of Burlington, Iowa; the second, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Marrill, re- sides in Frontier county, Nebraska, and Ellen L., the youngest of the family, resides at Galesville with Mrs. Tibbitts. Tlie de- ceased members of the family were Solomon, who died early in life; Waldo was a member of the First Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in the war of the Rebellion, and was killed in the celebrated battle of Stone River; Hillard died at about the age of thirty- si.K years. Four of the brothers fought gal- lantly for their country in the war of the Rebellion, Lemuel in the Twenty-seventh Wisconsin, and Arthur, Waldo and Horace in the First. Arthur Tibbitts, our subject, was reared on the homestead farm in Sheboygan county, and October 1, 1861, enlisted in Com- pany I, First Wisconsin Volunteer Infan- try for three years. He participated in many of the most bloody contests of the war, his first important battle being at Perry ville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862, where he received a wound in the throat. He fought in the battles of Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Bay- ley's Cross Roads and Chickamauga. On the second day of the last mentioned battle, Sep- tember 20, 1863, he was severely wounded, having been struck by a cannister shot near the spinal column, the ball lodging above the right hip. This shot remained in his body thirteen months and twenty days, when it was removed, and he still has in his posses- sion the ball that came so near terminating his existence. In the same battle he was struck in the left shoulder by a fragment of shell, which disabled for a time the shoulder and arm. He fell in the hands of the enemy, and was taken prisoner and remained on the field ten days, during which time his wounds were not dressed. He was then paroled and taken to Chattanooga, where he remained in the hospital six weeks; was then taken to BIOGRAPHICAL HT8T0RY. 779 Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and two weeks later was fui'louglied and came lionie. He remained at home until May 7, 1864, when he was exchanged and ordered to report at Catnp Chase, where he was discharged July 25, of the same year. Mr. Tibbitts was married, in March, 1866, to Margaret Hardie, daughter of James and Margaret (Bibby) Hardie, natives of Scot- land. She was born near Glasgow, January 14, 1846, and came to this country when a child with her parents. The family resided two and a half years in Maryland, when they came to Trempealeau county, where the mother died in December, 1888, and the father is still living. Mrs. Tibbitts is one of a family of nine children. Mr. and Mrs. Tibbitts have one son, Ernest, born January 18, 1867, who has at present a Government position in Washington, District of Colum- bia. Mr. Tibbitts is a charter member of Charles Ford Post, at Galesville, of which he is now Commander; and is also a member of the order of United Workmen Politically, he was formerly a Republican, but is now identified with the Prohil)ition party. Mr. and Mrs. Tibbitts are numbered among the esteemed citizens of Galesville. In their religious views they are liberal and progres- sive, and ever forward in whatever tends to promote the social and moral interests of the community in which they live. ^EN"RY E. GETTS, one of the leading business men of Whitehall and of Trempealeau county, engaged in grain buying and general merchandising in the above mentioned village, in 1875. Mr. Getts is also present owner of the flouring mill at Whitehall. He is a native of the city of Philadelphia, where he was born in 1842. There his father, Andrew Getts, died . In 1855 the mother emigrated with her family to Wisconsin, residing for a while in Janesville; they went thence to Juneau coun- ty and thence to La Crosse. In 1869 the subject of this sketch engaged in business in North La Crosse with Mr. J. E. Canterbury. They did an extensive busi- ness, dealing in grain, flour, provisions, feed, groceries, etc. They had also a branch busi- ness at Midway. In 1871 Mr. Getts and his partner divided their business interests, the former continuing to do business at La Crosse till 1875, when he located at White- hall. Mr. Lambert was associated in busi- ness with Mr. Getts in Whitehall until his death, which occurred in 1880; then the latter continued alone for a time, when he was joined by Mr. O. P. Larsen. Mr. Getts has long been the principal stock and grain buyer of Whitehall. He also erected a ware- house at Eleva, formerly New Chicago. His son is associated in business with him at that point. The family of Mr. Getts consisted of four brothers and two sisters; one of the latter is deceased. Mary is the wife of D. Knox, of La Crosse; John is a farmer of Trempealeau county, with whom the mother resides; Margaret married Mr. C. J. Lam- bert; both she and her husband are deceased; George is a farmer of Trempealeau county, and is unmarried; the subject of this sketch is the next in age. Albert, the youngest, is a farmer and resides in Dakota. Mr. Henry Getts was united in marriage to Miss Emma Lambert, a sister of his for- mer partner in bubiness. They have three children, — two sons and a daughter. The eldest, Edmund C, is a graduate of the La- Crosse high school, and has charge of the business at Eleva; Estelle Blanche, their only daughter, is now (1891) a student at the Rockford (111.) Female Seminary; their 780 BIOriRAPHICAL HISTORT. second son is ilerhert E. Mr. Getts, as al- ready stated, is one of the leading business men of Trempealeau county. The success to which he has attained is due to energy and business ability. lie is recognized as an en- terprising and progressive citizen. In bis political affilliatlons Mr. Getts is a Republican. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. IVEN EKERN is one of the leading general merchants at Whitehall, where he engaged in business in 1885, be- coujing associated with L. L. Solsrud, witli whom he continued four years, when he bought the interest of his partner, and has been alone in business since that time. Mr. Ekern has a general and very complete stock of goods. He was born in Norway, December 8, 1838. His father was a farmer by occupa- tion and the subject of this sketch remained at home till twenty-one years of age, when he entered the military service as the servant of an officer. He remained in the army for eight years, spending five years of this time in Christiania, the capital of iiis native country. On the expiration of his time in the army, he returned to the place of his birth, purchased a farm and engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, but two years later or in May, 1869, he started for America. The mother of Mr. Ekern had died while he was in the army, and when he returned to his home the remainder of the '^amily, consist- ing of five children, had all come to America, though they had emigrated at different times. On arriving in this country, the subject of this sketch went directly to La Crosse. For about two years he was engaged in work at different kinds of labor, and then bouorht a farm in tlie town of Pigeon, Trempealeau county, which he improved. He first bought but eighty acres, but later added thereto until he had 280 acres. The farm, which he still owns, now contains 225 acres. It is an ex- cellent farm and well improved. Peter and Anton Ekern, well known citizens of the town of Pigeon, are brothers of the subject of this sketch. The father returned to Nor- way in 1872, where he has since died. Mr. Even Ekern was married in the town of Pigeon in 1874, to Miss Elizabeth Grims- rod, a native of Norway, but came to this country with her parents when ten years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Ekern have seven chil- dren, — three sons and four daughters, viz.: Herman L., Lawrence M., Lena Z., Emil A., Alice O., Helga and Kuth. They lost a son, their third child, Emil, at the age of two and a half years. Mr. Ekern is one of the well known and prosperous business men of Whitehall. He has acquired his property by his own exertions and is esteemed as an up- right, honorable citizen.. EORGE HUBER, of Fountain City, Wisconsin, is one of the proprietors of the Eagle Mill, near the city. He was born in Buffalo, Buffalo county, this State, February 8, 1858. Casper Huber, his father, is one of the pioneers of the county, and one of the best known and most extensive farm- ers and stock-raisers here. Ho was born in Wiirttemberg, Germany, January 5, 1819, and his wife, nee Rosa Bauman, to whom he was united in marriage in Cincinnati, was born in Switzerland, in 1835. Casper Huber left his native country and landed in New York in 1849, from there going to Pliiladelphia, where he obtained work at his trade, that of a shoemaker. He BIOGRAPBICAL HISTORY. 781 subsequently went to Cincinnati, where he continued work at his trade six years. In 1855 he carae to Wisconsin and located at Buffalo. Here for four years he furnished the supply of boots and shoes for Charles Schaettle's store. He then took up a home- stead of forty acres, in Belvidere township, and at once began improving it. He has since devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. From time to time he has increased the size of his farm until he now has 500 acres, 200 of which are under cultivation. He makes a specialty of stock-raising. He was for many years a Republican, but now supports the Democratic party. The nine children born to him and his wife are Gustav, Robert, George, Henry, Albert, Charles, Ferdinand, Salina wife of John Lindned, and Emilia, wife of J. L. Mourning. George Huber remained at home until he was seventeen years of age, assisting his father on the farm and attending the public school and the high school at Fountain City. He then went to Alden, Minnesota, and for two years clerked in a dry-goods store, after which he clerked for Charles Schaettle, of Alma, for three years. Then, during the next three years, he and his brother Henry successfully conducted a hotel at Alma. After that he opened a hotel at Mondovi, called the Commercial House, which he ran for about a year and a half. In the spring of 1887 he came to Fountain City and leased the Behlmer House, and conducted the same for three years. Before his lease was out, June 15, 1889, in company with Herman A. Schultze, he purchased the Eagle Mill. A year later Mr. Schultze sold his intei-est to Paul Huefner, and since that time the firm has been Huefner & Huber. The Eagle Mill was erected about thirty- five years ago, and is located on a little stream that empties into the Mississippi. It 61 was at first operated with two run of stone, in 1886 the roller process was put in, and under the present proprietorship it has been entirely remodeled, now having eight sets of rollers and a capacity of 100 barrels per day. The water has a fall of seven feet, and three turbine wheels are used. Their principal brand is "Straight," and their market chiefly Minneapolis and St. Paul. They have ex- cellent facilities for transportation and a steady demand for their product. Mr. Huber takes entire charge of his milling interests and by his skilful management and business ability has been financially successful. He was married, in Alma, August 9, 1884, to Emma Gebhardt, who was born and reared in Cincinnati. Her father, William Geb- hardt, was a native of Germany, and her mother was born in Switzerland. Both are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Huber have four children: George W., Charles E., Elmer and Roy P. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. fOHN YOUCHEM, another one of the leading young farmers of Buffalo county, Wisconsin, was born in Louisville, Ken- tucky, January 28, 18 — . He was reared in his native city and there learned the trade of blacksmith, at which trade he became profi- cient. Coming North to Buffalo county, Wis- consin, he located at Fountain City and tliere continued work at his trade. He was married there, March 1, 1879, to Christiana, daughter of Christian and Mar- garet Buehler, and to them have been born four children: John, Lee, Paul and Colonel. In 1890, having purchased, in company with his brother-in-law. Christian Buehler, the farm mentioned in the latter's biography, BIOORAPHIUAL HISTORY. he moved his shop to it, and is now carrying on blacksmithing in connection with their farming operations. lie is regarded as one of the best blacksmiths in Buffalo county. Like Mr. Buehler, he is public-spirited and enterprising, and has the confidence and re- spect of all who know him. In politics, he is Democratic. ,NDREW EKERN, M. D., of Alma, Wisconsin, was born in Norway, Feb- ruary 2, 1865, and is the son of Peter and Olive Ekern. His father was engaged in farming in the old country. In 1867 the family came to the United States and located in Vernon county, Wisconsin, where they remained one year, and from that place re- moved to Pigeon Falls, Trempealeau county. There the father is still living, engaged in the mercantile and milling business; also has a creamery. Peter Ekern and his wife have had eight children, namely: Ludwig. Han- nah, Andrew, Minnie, now Mrs. H. M. Slet- teland, of Pigeon Falls; Josephine, Emma, Hilda, and Hilda (2). All are living except Hanna and Hilda (1). The early life of Dr. Ekern was spent at home with his parents. In 1879 he entered Galesville University and remained their two years. Subsequently he attended the Nor- mal School at Valparaiso, Indiana. After finishing his course there he entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, and graduated in that institution February 15 1887. He was then located temporarily at Whitehall, Wisconsin, for a few months, from whence he went to Ilatton, North Dakota, where he practiced his profession one year. He then removed to Alma, Wisconsin, and located permanently. Since coming here he has built up a large and lucrative practice, enjoys the confidence of the people, and is regarded as one of the best physicians in this part of the country. Dr. Ekern belongs to the Masonic Lodge of Alma, No. 184, of which he is Senior Warden; is also a member of the Modern Woodmen, Lone Pine Camp, No. 760, in which he holds the position of Escort. The Doctor is a Republican in politics. In reference to his family history, it should be further stated that his father's brothers and sisters emigrated to this country and are now scattered in vari- ous States. Their names are as follows: Evan, of Whitehall, Wisconsin; Anthane, of Pigeon Falls, same State; Martin, of Flan- dreau. South Dakota; Rundena, now Mrs. E. Klebo; Maria, now Mrs. Shultz, of Des Moines, Iowa. ■^' | ' 2"S ' ^" »" fOHN A. PRESTEGAARDEN resides on section 26 in the town of Sumner, where he settled in 1870, making his location in the spring of that year, and obtaining his original farm from the Gov- ernment. His farm of 240 acres was wholly unimproved when he bought it, but he sub- dued the soil and now has it under a good state of cultivation, and is numbered among the well-to-do and influential farmers of this section. Mr. Prestegaarden was born in Nor- way, in 1845, and there passed his early life, coming to the United States in 1867. He went directly to Iowa county, Wisconsin, and there made his home for three years, and then came to Trempealeau county, whither his father, who emigrated from Norway, in 1868, had previously removed in 1869. His father also obtained land of the Government; and his fine farm of 120 acres adjoins that of his son. John Prestegaarden is the only BIOORAPHIOAL HISTORY. 783 son of his parents, but he has five sisters. He is married and lias an adopted daughter. He is one of the industrious and substantial farmers of the town of Sumner and is esteemed as an honest, upright citizen. -«HE tORANZ DITESSENDORFER was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 20, 1826. His parents, Fred and Rarbara (Arnet) Duessendorfer, were natives of Bavaria, the former born in 1790, and the latter in 1800. His father was a farmer by occupation. Young Lorauz lived at home until he was fifteen years of age, after which he worked out until he was twenty two. At that time he entered the Bavarian army, and was in the Sclileswig-Holstein war, 1848-49. While in the service he was accidentally wounded by a fall. He was the first one to reach a fort which they stormed, and, after reaching it, accidently fell from the battlements, the fall disabling him for life. He was discharged without a pension, and subsequently emi- grated to the United States. After a voyage of forty-seven days, he landed in New Orleans, in June, 1852. A few days later he came by steamboat up to Bufialo county, Wisconsin, and stopped at what is now known as the Stone House, on the Mississippi. The country was then wild and full of Indians. Mr. Duessendorfer engaged in getting out wood for the steamboats and followed tliat business for about twenty years. In 1865 he bought 120 acres of land in section 15, town- ship 19, range 11 west, upon which he began making improvements. He subsequently purchased from the State 160 acres of timber land upon the blufi", which he has cleared and developed into an elegant farm. His chief crop on it is wheat and oats. His son attends to the farm work, and he is now giving his attention to the cultivation of trees and vines. He has about thirty kinds of grapes, and has been very successful in this line of business. From the time of his first settlement here, Mr. Duessendorfer has been prominent in local affairs. He helped to build the first road that was made in the county, the one leading from Fountain City down to the Stone House, tie is a member of the Lu- theran Church, and in politics affiliates with the Democratic party. Mr. Duessendorfer was married at Galena, June 15, 1853, to Mary, daughter of Fritz and Kate (Schneider) Schneider. Following is the issue from this union: John, a resident of Arcadia; Andrew, a blacksmith. Fountain City; Mary, who died at the age of si.K months; Fred, foreman in a sawmill at Wi- nona, Minnesota; Mary, Anna, who died at the age of five years; Loranz, a farmer; Lizzie, wife of Fred Roettiger; and Barbara. After many years of happy married life, his companion was suddenly called to her reward above, September 29, 1890. fllRISTIAN BUEHLER, one of the enterprising and promising youtig farm- ers of Cross township, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, was born in this township, Feb- ruary 13, 1862. He is a son of Cliristian and Margaret (Troug) Buehler, natives of Switzerland. Thi elder Mr. Buehler was born December 10, 1815, and was twice mar- ried. His first wife died in 1856, leaving one child. His second wife, Margaret, who was born February 21, 1827, and who is still living, bore him six children, namely: Chris- tiana, who married John Youchem; Chris- tian, Emma, who married Herman Heitman; Anna, Minnie, who married Herman Frey, of Waumandee; and Rose. Mr. Buehler 784 BIOGHAPHICAL HT STORY. immifrrated to the United States in 1854, landing in New York, coming dii'ect from there to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, and locating in Crosse township. Here he pur- chased land in sections 6 and 31, and at once begaii its improvement. He spent the rest of his life in tliis township, and died at the old homestead, December 23, 1888. Cliristian Huehler, the subject of our sketch was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools. In the spring of 1890, in partnership with his brother in-law, John Yonchem, he purchased the farm on which he now resides. They have 298 acres, of which about 100 acres are under cultivation. He is turning his attention to the breeding of blooded stock, — both cattle and horses, — and intends to make a specialty of this business. A man of push and energy, he makes a suc- cess of whatever he undertakes. Mr. Buehler was Assessor of tlie town of Cross two terms, 1881-'82; in 1884:-'85 was Town Clerk, and was elected to that office the third time in 1891; has been School Treasurer the past three years; was elected Justice of the Peace in 1889, and served one year. In politics he is an enthusiastic Re- publican, of which party his father also was a supporter. Mr. Bueliler was prominently mentioned for Clerk of the Circuit Court, but would not consent to be nominated, as he wished to devote liis entire time to farming interests. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Waumandee Camp, No. 754. --1*^ ■ NTON N. FRENG, the chairman of the Town Board of Buinner in 1891, has been a resident of Trempealeau county since 1879. He resides on section 27, in the town of Sumner, where lie owns a well im- proved farm of eighty acres. He was born in Norway, July 31, 1852. His father was Nels Freng. In 1873 the family, consisting of parents and their son, Anton N., came to the United States. Another son, Henry, preceded them to this country and now re- sides at Spokane Falls, Washington. These mentioned constituted the entire family. On coming to this country they located at once in the city of La Crosse, where the subject of this sketch learned the trade of painting with Mr. John Edwards, of that city and was en- gaged at his trade in La Crosse county for about live years. The father came to Trem- pealeau county in 1885 and settled in the town of Sumner, where he still lives. The mother is deceased. In 1879 the subject of this sketch also took up his residence in this county. He bought his present farm in 1882. It was then totally unimproved, being wild land. Ho now has a tine farm, in an excel- lent state of cultivation. By industry and good nianagement he has paid for his home and is numbered among the substantial citi- zens of his town. He was married in Trem- pealeau county, in 1880, to Louise Peterson, a native of Norway. They have four ciiildren: Bernt, Peter, Lena and Albert, all of whom were born in Trempealeau county. As stated Mr. Freng is the present chairman of his town. He was for six years its Assessor. He possesses the confidence of his fellow citizens as a man of integrity. Beginning life a poor boy, he secured his present material posses- sions by industry and good management. ,NDREW W. ANDERSON resides on section 26, town of Lincoln, where he settled in 1870, when but little improve- ment had been made there. Mr. An- BIOORAPHIVAL BISTORT. 785 derson was born in 1836. In 1848 his father, Gilbert Anderson, emigrated to the United States with his family, except the subject of this sketch, who came six years later. The family settled in the town of Blue Mound in Dane county, Wisconsin. Tiie family made their home there until the year 1870, when they came to Trempealeau county. Here the parents lived till death. In 1854 Mr. Andrew W. Anderson, who was the only one of the family who had remained in Norway, came to this country. He went to Dane county, where the family was livinu;. There he remained until 1859. At this time the gold excitement at Pike's Peak was at its height, and Mr. Anderson with many others decided to go to that place. He numbered one of a party of live young men who started from Dane county, and all reached Denver in safety. He continued in Denver engaged in work till the spring of 1863, when in com- pany of five, though not the company who had gone with him to Denver, started with team and wagon for Virginia city, Nevada, but on reaching that place decided to con- tinue to San Francisco, which they reached in safety after a long and eventful journey. He stayed there until spring of 1864, and then he went to Boise City, Idaho, where he stayed a short time, when the excitement occurred re- garding the Alder Creek ]Mines in Montana, when he left there and went to what is now Helena, Montana; there he remained until 1870, when he returned; going from Helena to Fort Benton, he descended the Missouri river on a steamer to Sioux City, when he crossed the State of Iowa, and thus returned home. Soon after his return to Dane county; he came here and brought his father's family with him. The subject of this sketch is the oldest son and the oldest but one of his father's family. Mr. Anderson bought his farm of Elder Aid- rich. He has 160 acres. He was married in 1870 to Julia Evenson, native of Norway. They have an adopted daughter, Clara Sol - berg. Mr. Anderson is one of the representa- tive men of his town. He has a pleasant home, etc. He has had much experience with the world. His trip to the Pacitic coast in the early days, before the railroad had crossed the continent, was fraught with events and incidents of much interest. In his political afSliations Mr. Anderson, as is the en- tire family, is a Republican, and is a warm advocate of the principles of that party. Mr. Anderson is numbered atuong the progress- ive and public-spirited citizens of Trempea- leau county. LLAN B. CASWELL, of the town of Hale, resides on section 17, town 23, ^ range 7 west, where he settled in 1868. He was born in Erie county. New York, in 1839. His father, Noah B. Caswell, was a native of Massachusetts. The mother, whose maiden name was Anna Jefferson, died in the State of New York; later the father came West and died at the home of his son. The subject of this sketch lived in this county until sixteen years of age, when he went South as far as the State of Mississippi, but returned home and later went to Illinois, and thence to Missouri. In 1862 he again returned to his native State, and in Decem- ber, 1863, enlisted for service in the war of the Rebellion, in Company H, Second New York Mounted Rifles, but served with the command to which he belonged, for the first year, as infantry. He went with his com- mand from Buffalo to Washington, District of Columbia, where the regiment was drilled and joined General Grant's army soon after the battle of the Wilderness. The first bat- 786 BIOORAPHICAL BISTORT. tie in wliicli lie took part was Spottsylvaiiia, and thereafter was in all of the principal bat- tles of the Army of the Potomac until Lee surrendered. He took part in the assault on Petersburg, and fought with his regiment dismounted at Dinwiddie, where he was severely injured. This was the last battle in which he participated. He was discharged September, 1865, and came West soon after. He resided in La Crosse county until 1868, since which time he has 1)een a resident of Trempealeau county. He was married in Missouri in 1860, to Snsan Fry. They have six children, two boys and four girls. Mr. Caswell's farm con- tains 240 acres. He is a well known citizen of this town; he was a gallant soldier in the war of the Kebellion, and is respected as an honorable citizen. lAVlD MALONEY resides on section 28, in the town of Hale, Trempealeau county, his farm being on sections 20, 21, 28 and 29. Mr. Maloney has resided here since 1867, making the first improve- ments on his place, and was one of the first settlers in that part of the town of Hale. He was born in county Cork, Ireland, in 1830, and came to America with his father's family in 1846, just on the eve of the great famine of the Emerald Isle of 1846-'47, the family being sufferers in the early part of that great affliction that Itefell their native land. The father settled with his family in Holyoke, Massachusetts, removing thence to South Hadley, where the subject of this sketch lived until 1856, the parents continu- ing their residence there until their death. The family consisted of two sons and two daughters: Mary resides at Springfield, Mas- sachusetts, Patrick in South Hadley, and Kate in the State of Connecticut. In 1856 David Maloney left New England, and coming to Wisconsin settled in Adams county, where he resided until 1867, when he came to Trempealeau county and located on his present farm. He was married in Massachusetts, to Margaret Warner. This union has been blessed with six children, two sons and four daughters: Katherine is the wife of A. G. Bucholtz, of Whitehall, Trem- pealeau county; Mary married Marvin Rora- back, of section 22. town of Hale; Esther is the wife of George Ellson, of South Dakota; Maggie is the wife of Louis Harrington, of South Dakota; James is the older son, and next to Mary in order of birth; the second son is named David, after his father. David Maloney, the subject of this sketch, is one of the well-known and substantial citi- zens of Trempealeau county. He began life poor, and by industry, economy and good management has acquired a competence. He and his son James own about 600 acres of land, and he is surrounded by the comforts of life. When he located where he now lives, all was new and settlers were far apart, and he endured all the hardships incident to a pioneer life, as he himself states in the in- terview from which these facts were obtained. He and family used scarcely a dollar's worth of groceries during the first year of their resi- dence here. This shows most emphatically the difficulties which he labored under. He has now liecome not only one of the substan- tial citizens of the county financially, but is esteemed and respected as an upright and honest citizen. -^^^tnA/l- ■^l/inn^^ |EV. AUGUST BABINSKl is the present pastor of Sts. Peter and J^aul's Church at Independence. The ciiurch building was erected in 1875 by Rev. H. Klimecki, BIOOEAPHICAL HI STORY. 787 who may be said to have been the first resi- dent priest, as a small priest's residence was built that year and was occupied by the above mentioned priest. The church was dedi- cated March 7, 1875, by Bishop Heiss, then of La Crosse. Father Kliraecki was pastor of the church until May 10, 1882, but he did not continue his residence here until the end of that time, a parsonage having been erected at North Creek, and he took up his residence there and attended at Independence once in two weeks. This priest is now at Williams- bridge, Westchester county. New York. He was succeeded by Rev. D. Majer, who at- tended the church at Independence from May 10, 1882, until March 19, 1883, and was succeeded by the first permanent resident priest. Rev. A. Warnagires, who remained until November 30, 1885, and was succeeded by Father R. Tomaszewski, who remained till March 20, 1888. Then came Rev. R. L. Guzowski, who continued until February 20, 1890. From February 20 until September 3 of the same year, the church was attended by Father Kroll, from North Creek, where he still continues. Then came the present pastor, Rev. Babinski. The present fine brick parsonage was built in 1889, and in December, 1890, the old parsonage was taken possession of by the Sisters. In connection with the church is a fine parochial scliool building, which is a solid brick structure. Tlie annual school enrollment is about 120 pupils. Father Babinski, the efficient and popular pastor of his church, is a native of Poland, and was educated in the German gymnasiums and universities, and received his theologi- cal education at the American College at Louvain, in Belgium. He came to the United States in 1886, and was first located at Humbird and Junction City, and then in Independence. Father Babinski has a large congregation, numbering about 250 families, all of whom are Polish, with perhaps one or two exceptions. mOUIS BARNITZ resides on section 29, Mrfi in the town of Gale, where he settled in ^^ 1858. The first improvements on this place were made by Henry Feeker. Still but little had been done on the place, Mr. Bar- nitz having made nearly all his improvements. Mr. Barnitz was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1823. His father, Gotleib Barnitz, never came to America, but continued to live in the old country until his death. Mr. Louis Barnitz came to the United States in 1855, and is the only one of his father's family who ever came to America. There are three brothers and two sisters in the family, all of whom but the subject of this sketch still live in Germany. On coming to America Mr. Barnitz landed at Quebec and went thence to Niagara county. New York, where he stayed about one year, and the following year, 1856, he went to Woodstock, Illinois, and in 1858 came to Trempealeau county. Mr. Barnitz was married in Illinois to Miss Laura Empe, a daughter of Fred and Rose Empe. Mrs. Barnitz was born in Germany; her father died when she was a child and later her mother also died in Germany. In 1854 Mrs. Barnitz came to America. She went directly to the State of New York, where she was married to Mr. Barnitz. Mr. and Mrs. Bar- nitz have four children, three sons and a daughter, viz.: Adelia, Frank, Louis and Bruno. They lost a boy in infancy. Mrs. Barnitz is the only one of her father's family who ever came to America. She had three brothers: Carl, Fritz and August. The two oldest died, leaving families. August, the only surviving brother, is married, but has no 788 BIOGBAPUICAL HISTORY. children. Mr. Barnitz is one ol the indus- trious and substantial farmers of the town of Gale. lie has 400 acres of land. He and wife have a pleasant home and are respected by their neighbors as kind and intelligent people. -■■». | . ; ii ; . g — flLLIAM DICK, who resides on sec- tion 36, in the town of Gale, is one of the pioneers of Trempealeau county, the time of his conjing having been the fall of 1853. Mr. Dick was born in Ayr- shire, Scotland, in 1822. His father, Quin- ton Dick, was a native of the same part of Scotland, where he resided until his death. The mother of Mr. Dick was Jane McMur- try. Quinton Dick and wife were the parents of a large family of children, nearly all of whom have now passed away. The subject of this sketch was married in Scotland to Rosanna Neill. In 1851 Mr. Dick and wife emigrated to the State of Maryland. After residing in that State about two years, he, with others of his countrymen residing there, decided to go West and started for Wisconsin with their families, without any definite idea as to where they would settle. Mr. Dick and family were accompanied by the following men and their families, viz.: David Cook, John Irvine and John Hunter. A single man named James Phillips also accompanied them. On arriv- ing in La Crosse the men left their families, while they explored the country tor a loca- tion. After looking about for some time they decided to settle on what was known and is still known as Decora's Prairie, a beautiful valley in the south part of the town of Gale in Trempealeau county. Here they settled and made farms and here the families are still living, though Mr. Irvine and wife, and Mr. Hunter and wife are now deceased. Mr. Phillips never made a permanent settle- ment but is now said to be living in Clark county. Mr. Dick settled on a quarter-sec- tion of this beautiful prairie land, which he afterwards increased to 500 acres, and which is still owned by himself and family. Mr. and Mrs. Dick have had eight chil- dren, two sons and six daughters: Elizabeth, the eldest, married Duncan Grant and died on June 6, 1883, leaving seven children, one of whom died soon after the death of the mother; the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Dick is Jane, who is the wife of Robert Grant; John is third in order of age; Mar- garet is the wife of Frank Bon; Agnes is the wife of James Irvine; Ellen is now Mrs. My- ron B. Gibson, and Mary married James W. Wilson; William, the youngest son, lives at the homestead. Mr. William Dick and wife, as has been seen, are among the pioneers of Trempealeau county: coining here when the country was wild and new, they have witnessed the im- provements of nearly forty years, and are numbered among the well-known and esteemed citizens of Trempealeau county. 4^ ^e^"^ ENNIS LAWLER is one of the well- known citizens of Trempealeau count}'. His home is on section 24, in the town of Unity. Mr. Lawler was born in the parish of Rathfarnam, near Dublin, Ireland, Sep- tember 25, 1823. His father, Martin Law- ler, was a native of the city of Kilkenny. His mother, Frances E. Green, was born in Dublin. Mr. Lawler is descended from an old, honorable and well-known Irish family, and is able to trace his ancestry back through the long space of 700 years. The subject of this sketch was reared to tlie BIOOMAPHIGAL HI8T0BT. 789 business of a cloth-dresser, his father beiug a cloth-weaver. For many generations the Lawlers were connected with the woolen manufacturing business. The repeal of the protective tariff on Irish manufactured goods, Mr. Lawler believes was the death blow to the vital interests of Ireland, woolen manu- facturing having ceased to become a paying business interest in Ireland. The Lawler fam- ily, in 1837, removed to Yorkshire, England, and re-eugaged in their former occupation of manufacturing. In 1846, the subject of this sketch was married to Catherine Brown. He had long entertained the thought of coming to America, and in February, 1850, attempted to carry this resolution into effect. He had not money sufficient to pay the pas- sage of his wife and only child, and so left them behind until he could secure a home for them somewhere in the new world. He accordingly sailed from Liverpool in the American -vessel Forest State, commanded by Captain Polaster; but the vessel was not des- tined to reach an American port in safety. The Forest State was wrecked off the coast of Newfoundland, and having lost all the masts was left to the mercy of the winds and the waters of the Gulf Stream. The latter started the disabled vessel back toward the European coast, before reaching which, how- ever, they were rescued by a pilot vessel; one of the pilots took command and carried the vessel safely back to Cork. On learning of his misfortune and of his return to Cork, his former employer sent him money to pay his way back to Yorkshire. He had at first been loth to let him go, and now increased his wages to twenty-two shillings per week: so he continued in Yorkshire until 1857, when he again started for the United States. His increased wages had enabled him to save some money, and he now took with him his wife and their two children, and was also accom- panied by his brother-in-law, Edward Brown. They landed in New York on the 3d of September, having sailed on the good ship Manliattan from Liverpool, on August 2. The passage of himself and family had been paid to Chicago, to which place the party at once proceeded, via the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne Railroad. The party continued di- rectly to Beef River Station in Eau Claire county, where another brother-in-law, John E. Brown, was living, going to Prairie du Chien by railroad, thence up the Mississippi to La Crosse, by stage to Black River Falls. At the latter place Mr. Lawler met an Eng- lishman named Dukesbury, whom he hired for $6 to take him to Beef River Station, a distance of about thirty miles. His English friend also entertained him with a night's lodging, and Mr. Lawler finally reached his destination with himself and family in good condition. There they spent a hard winter, Mr. Lawler working for the food consumed by himself and family. In the spring of 1859 he bought a claim of 160 acres of land (as he afterward said) of a man who did not own it. For this land he paid an English broadcloth coat. This was in the present town of Sum- ner, in Trempealeau county. On this claim that he had purchased he raised a line crop of wheat in 1859, the average being twenty- six and a half bushels per acre. He pur- chased a yoke of oxen and chain for fifty bushels of his wheat, which placed him in better condition to continue the improvement of his claim. He remained there until 1863, when he removed to his present home, and has the honor of being the first settler in the town of Unity, and has also the greater honor of being the first soldier to enter the Union army from the town of Unity. Ever op- posed to oppression in all forms, and believ- ing that the war of the Rebellion was brought on by the South with the object of perpetu- 790 BIOGRAPHICAL HI STOUT. atin^ human slavery, he immediately on the beginning of the war espoused the cause of the Union with all his might and strength. He would at once have entered the army as a soldier, but it was thought by those in authority that he could do more good by his influence at home, and he was therefore in- duced to resist liis inclination to enter the service at once. But in March, 1865, he enlisted and took with him seven others, viz. : John Tracy, William Lindsay, Fred Copple, George Hicks, Russel Nelson, Jacob Todd and Jerome Harvey, all from the town of Unity. They became a part of Company D, Fifty-third Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served in Missouri and Kansas until the close of the war. By exposure, starvation and bad water, Mr. Lawler lost his health in the service, which he has never re- covered. Mr. and Mrs. Lawler have two sons and three daughters, viz.: Francis Richard, Ed- ward H., Mary, Kate and Frances Eleanor, all of whom were born in Trempealeau county except Mary and Kate. They lost their first child, a boy, in England, and also an infant daughter in Trempealeau county. The subject of this sketch was the eldest of twelve children, the family consisting of six sons and six daughters. Only three of the family are living at this writing, 1891; Den- nis, his brother Edward, and a sister residing in Leeds, England, where Edward also lives. In 1865 the subject of this sketch sent for his parents, whom he furnished with money to pay their passage to his home in Trempealeau county, and cared for them as long as they lived, the father dying at I he age of ninety years, and the mother a year later, at the same age. Mr. Dennis Lawler, as will he seen, is the only member of his father's family living in America. He is a man of culture and mucli native ability. Few men are better informed than he on the prominent topics of the day, — political, moral and social. He excels as a conversationalist, which, together with his vast fund of information renders him a most valuable and instructive companion. In his political affiliations he is a Republican and an able advocate of the system of protec- tion which that party approves. Having been born and reared in the manufacturing districts of Ireland, and taking a leading part himself in that system of industry, and fully remembering the baleful effect that the tariff repeal exerted upon the manufacturing inter- ests of his native land, it is no wonder that he is so ardent an advocate of a protective tariff. He and his family are faithful, con- sistent members of the Catholic Church. ►>»H |ALVIN CONANT BIGELOW, de- ceased, was born at Crown Point, New York, March 6, 1810, a son of Levi Bigelow. His parents both died when he was a boy, and after attaining manhood he was ensraeed for a considerable time in lum- berinsr. He was married in Windham county, Vermont, in June, 1840, to Clarissa Stacy, who was born^in that county April 19, 1816, a daughter of John and Chloe (Smith) Stacy. Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow continued to reside in Vermont and New York until 1845, when they emigrated to Winnebago county, Wi cousin, where they were among the early pioneers. In 1856 they removed to Trem- pealeau county, settling on a new farm in Caledonia township, which he and his sons improved, and ou which he lived until his death, November 12, 1881. Mr. Bigelow was a well-known citizen, was fond of hunt- ing, and in the early days in this county he found ample opportunity to indulge in his BIOGRAPHICAL BISTORT. 791 favorite sport, fle was an industrious man, a kind husband and father, and a most worthy and esteemed citizen. The last six years of his life he was an invalid, and un- able to take any part in the active duties of life. Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow were the parents of ten children, six of whom are still living, viz.: Mary L., wife of John McKeeth; Janette, wife of C. R. McGilvray; William Pearl, the third surviving child; William Henry, a resident of Oregon; Hattie A., wife of Leslie McKenney, of Flatteville, Grant county; James B., who is still at the home- stead with his mother. The deceased mem- bers of the family were Levi, the eldest child, who was drowned in Wolf river when eight years of age; Newel, who died in infancy in Vermont; Orson was born in F'ebruary, 1852, and died at the homestead in Trempealeau county, September 4, 1870; Rosella, the youngest of the family, died at the age of one and a half years. The mother still lives at the homestead, where she has resided so many years. William Pearl Bigelow, the eldest surviv- ing son, was born in Winnebago county, June 30, 1849, having been about seven years of age when he came to Trempealeau county with his parents, and just old enough to give a boy's assistance in driving the cat- tle on the overland journey from Eastern Wisconsin to their Trempealeau county home. As he grew older he helped clear the farm, and often joined his father in the sport of hunting. A part of his farm belonged to the old homestead adjoining which he lived. Mr. Bigelow was married January 1, 1873, to Mary Walcot, a native of the State of New York, and they have four children: Rose, Florence, Arthur and Hazel D. Mr. Bige- low is one of the representative men of his township and has held the office of Town Treasurer for eight years, and was chairman of the town two years. In politics he is a Republican. James B. Bigelow, who still resides at the old homestead, married Elva Rifelburg, and they have one daughter, Lila. Mr. Bigelow is the present Treasurer of Caledonia township. EORGE SCHWOCHEL, of Fountain City, was born in Wald Michelbach, Germany, the son of Carl Wilhelm and Eva (Menier) Schwochel. The father, born in 1807, was a mason by trade, and had eight children: George, John, Elizabeth, Peter, Charles, Adam and Eliza, all of whom are living excepting Elizabeth and Charles. Their mother died in Germany, and after- ward their father died on the ocean, on his way to the United States, in 1865. George, our subject, received his education at the German schools, and learned the trade of stone mason; but, tiuding himself too weak to follow it he abandoned it and turned to farminsr. He emigrated to the United States in 1852, landing at New York, and arriving at Galena, Illinois, during the fol- lowing winter. The next spring he went to Black River Falls, Wisconsin, and engaged in lumbering, until 1856, when he moved to Buffalo county, purchasing a farm of eighty acres on section 7, Cross township. To this he added by future purchases until he had 300 acres, one of the best farms in the county. Of late years he has made a spe- cialty of breeding short-horn cattle and Nor- man horses. In the fall of 1881 he sold his farm at a good price, and the next spring moved to Fountain City. Mr. Schwochel arrived in this pioneer country a poor man, but by industry and economy he has earned a coiiipetence. While living in the country he was Asses- BIOORAPniGAL BISTORT. 8or for several terms, Supervisor seven years, Justice of tiie Peace, Town Treasurer, etc. Durinfij the first year of liis life in the vil- lage he was enj^aged mostly in clearing up his farm business. In 1883 he opened busi- ness in agricultural machinery. He was one of the organizers of the Fountain City Brew- ing Company, in which he has a large inter- est. He has stock also in the Fountain City Milling Company, and he is engaged in tire insurance. From 1884 to 1890 he was Deputy Sheriff, and for the years 1889-'90 he was Supervisor for the First Ward of Foantain City. He was married in 1855, at the town of Cross, Wisconsin, to Miss Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Christian and Elizabeth (Burkhaltcr) Bohri, uf Bohri's valley, Wisconsin, and their children are: Mary, now Mrs. Schu- macher; Emma, who married Dr. W. C. L5eardsley, of Dakota; George G.; lloea E., now Mrs. Charles F. Smith, of Elyria, Ohio; Etta E. ; Amanda J., now the wife of William E. Radtke, who is agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad. Mr. Schwochel is a member of Lodge No. 13, A. O. U. W., of FountainCity, and in politics isa Republican. -- -^'^m:^'^^ — IHAULES HOHMANN, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Waumandee, Wisconsin, was born in Hessen- Darmstadt, Germany, Septem- ber 19, 1830. His parents were Leonhardt and Mary (Hein) Hohmann. His paternal grandfather was Adam Hohmann. His father, by trade a rope manufacturer, died in 1849, his widow surviving him until 1860. They had eight children, three of whom came to tiie United States: Charles, Frederick and August. August has been dead some years. The subject of our sketch was raised at home until he reached the age of fourteen years, when he was sent to a place to learn the baker's trade. Here he remained for nine years, when in 1854 he emigrated to this country, landing in New York, where he remained for about five months. He then went to Bangor, Maine, where he engaged in file-grinding for a tile factory, remaining there for about a year, then removing to Waumandee, Wisconsin, in the spring of 1855. Here he pre-empted a piece of wild lanu of 120 acres, located in section 20, built a log cabin and began farming. There were three white settlers in that part of the county, Philip Kunger, Theodore Miley, Nicholas Miley and Mr. Brinkhotf. There were quite a number of Indians in that part of the country when he went there, but they were friendly, and Mr. Hohmann enjoyed many a friendly game of cards with them, and would have felt quite lonely had it not been for them. There were plenty of deer in this vicinity and quantities of tish in the Wau- mandee river. He remained here eight years, until he turned it over to his brother Fred, and himself removed to section 21, where he had two forty-acre tracts. He continued to increase his acreage until he now possesses 520 acres, of which 250 acres are under good cultivation, largely devoted to grain. He also raises some stock, princi- pally Jerseys. In horses he is standing the Norman. His large brick residence, which is one of the tinest houses in Butfalo county, he erected in 1886. He owns a tine mill near his place, which he erected about two years ago at a cost of $1,500. He was Treasurer of the town, which then included Lincoln and Manitowoc counties, and was chairman of the board, and subse- quently was elected Supervisor. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., Lodge No. 18, of BIOGBAPHIGAL HISTORY. 793 Fountain City. He is also a member of the Harmonia Society, of which he is president, which position he has filled for abont fifteen years. In politics he is a Republican, and gener- ally acts with that party. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance of Buffalo county. He was married in Waumandee, December 17, 1858, to Wilhelmina Kirchner, daughter of Charles Kirchner. They had twelve chil- dren: William, Otto, Adolph, Albert, Rob- ert, Henry, Clara, Edward, Lillie, Anna, August and Alvin, all but three still surviv- ing, viz.: Adolph, August and Anna. ^ENRY GILBERT resides on section 6, town of Sumner, where he settled in the fall of 1867, when the land was entirely new. In fact he made a homestead of eighty acres of his place. He and sons now own several hundred acres. He was born in Portage county, Ohio, September 5, 1820. His grandfather Gilbert was a physician and pioneer in that part of Ohio, and a native of Vermont, but the maternal grandfatiier of Mr. Gilbert was still an earlier pioneer. His name was William Bacon and he was a native of Massachusetts. He was a Boston shoe- maker, and going West became one of the pio- neers of Ohio. The father of our subject, Josiah G. Gilbert, and wife, Nancy (Bacon) Gilbert, lived on their old homestead in OIX^ until their death. The old home is still in pos- session of the family, being owned by Gusta- vus Bacon, a son of the original settler. The subject of this notice was one of six children; and what is somewhat remarkable, all are living (in 1891), but the youngest sister. Henry Gilbert, the oldest of the family and the only one of the family living in this county, was a young man when he went to Huron county, and later spent a year in Adrian, Michigan. Going back to Huron county he married Fidelia Darling, a native of Cattarau- gus county, New York. Later he settled on a farm near Bryant, Ohio, and later moved to the village of Bryan, where he lived for twelve years. He earnestly espoused the cause of his country in the war of the Rebellion, and in April, 1861, enlisted in Company C, Four- teenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This was in the three months' call for troops, but he served about four months, and was then dis- charged. He served in West Virginia. He took part in the first battle of Philippi, which has gone into history as the first battle of the war. He was also in the battle of Cheat River, where General Garnet was killed, and saw him after he fell. At the expiration of the four months he returned. In July, 1862, he got a recruiting commission from Governor Tod and a full company and twenty men more, in about three months. This company became Company C, One Hnn- dreth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Gilbert entered the service as Captain of this company and served until December of that year, when his health failing, he re- signed his commission. His resignation was accepted on a surgeon's certificate. Mr. Gil- bert continued to reside in Bryan until he came to Trempealeau county, and here he has since lived. Eight years of that time he was a resident of the village of Osseo, during which time he served as collection agent and Justice of the Peace, for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert have four children, three sons and one daughter Thomas J., the oldest, is a hardware merchant at Perry, Dallas county, Iowa; the second is Jennie, wife of George W. Myers, of Bryan, Williams county, Ohio; William H. resides on a farm near his father; James P., at the home- 794 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. Stead. The children are all married and have families. Mr. Gilbert is one of the well-known citi- zens of Trempealeau county. In his political views he is a Republican. He cast his first vote for James K. Folk in 1844, which was his first and last Democratic vote. He is a strong Republican and a firm believer in the principles of that great national party. He is a member of John E. Perkins Post of Augusta. fOHN IRVINE is one of the well known residents of the town of Gale^who claim "bonnie Scotland"' as their native land. His residence is on section 30, township 19, range 7. He is a son of John Irvine, who was born in the north of Ireland, in 1809. Mr. John Irvine went from the north of Ire- land to Scotland when nineteen years old. There he married Catherine Johnston, who was born in 1810. A number of years later they emigrated to Nova Scotia and there lived from 1837 to 1851, when they removed to Maryland. In 1853 they came to Wiscon- sin with the families of David Cook, William Dick and John Hunter, and were also accom- panied by a young man named James Phil- lips. Here Mr. Irvine settled on the beauti- ful Decora Prairie, and here lived until death. As a somewhat remarkable coincidence, Mr. and Mrs. Irvine passed from this life to the life beyond, on the same day and lie buried in the same grave in the cemetery on the prairie, aged respectively sixty-nine and sixty- eight years. The date of their death was Feb- ruary 6, 1878, the event being a sad be- reavement to their family and friends. They were both honored and respected by all who knew them. They were the parents of seven children who grew to mature years, three sons and four daughters, six of wliom are liv- ingin 1891: John is the eldestof the broth- ers; Walter is the next in order of age and lives near Fort Dodge, in Iowa; James is in Nebraska; Isabel, the oldest of the family, lives in Jackson county, Wisconsin; Mar- garet died at the age of twenty-seven years; Ellen is the wife of George Brown, of Gale township; Anna is the wife of Daniel Gor- don, of La Crosse county, as has been seen. Mr. John Irvine is the only male represen- tative of his father's family living in Wis- consin. He was born in Scotland in 1830, being about seven years old when the family emigrated to Nova Scotia. He preceded the family to Maryland, where he went in April, 1851, the remainder of the family following later in the year. He came to Trempealeau county in 1854, the year after his father's family came. He purchased his present farm in 1855. Mr. Irvine's home farm con'ains 120 acres, and he has the same amount on section 5. Mr. Irvine is one of the well-known aui intelligent citizens of the town of Gale, and a representative of an honored and respected family. He was married in the State of Mary- land, to Ellen Walker, who was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, and with her parents emigrated to Nova Scotia, and thence to Mary- land. Mrs. Irvine died June 26, 1877. Mr. Irvine is the father of nine children, four boys and five daughtjrs, viz.: John, James, Walter and William. Tlu daughters are: Catherine, Margaret,^ Mary, Frances and Roseanna. He lost three children: Eliza- beth died at the age of eighteen years, and the others in childhood. JAN -1^-5