iil||lillil|Ml;|i .^'^< 0* .-"•. '*b v./ .*^ •^0 .""^la^ai < o '/ V*-°-y \.^^^/ \^^\/ ^o .C^^-»'.. iv^ .\} O ' . . ! , _V . « n "^ A. ^- '■S ■^/ ;^/ .^°"<^-. ''^^B!°* ^^'-■ ^ -..0- V °.^ •"* f' ^^^^ iy-^^ O^ » • • f '^ ^^> .* ^-^ °^ -^0^ ""^^^ ^bv" "^. i^^' \„c/ ^:^K:v X.^^iS;-^ X./^/^s^ %.^ ' ^^^^^^-^ ?^ 1 4* . > ' * . •i q, ^v ^ &- "o, -'-^TT* • vs <, - -r. T • - .,0^ *o, '-T'i .f * ' ,.\ '^ bV <\ "^^^ ,^'^" ;!.:a-.i^ . ^ . < o :'^ 3^'-. V . iO' .Lv: «v v^ 0* .""W^ s q* i."«- '*' °.. *•-• . v.* .^ .... "^ ^ '^cc^r 'bv -^^o^ 'bV 'bV THE a)[.UMBIAN BiocRAPi HCAL Dictionary PORTRAIT GALLERY ^ REPRESENTATIVE MEN UNITED STATES. WISCONSIN VOLU M !•:. ISSUED undp;r the direction ok D. 1. NELKE. 'A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants" MACAULAY. CUKAC.O: THE LEWIS I'L'KI.ISHING COMPANY. 1895. l(i2ryG 1868. I'RKFACi:. TT will assuredly not i)rove uninteresting to observe in the series of biographical -*- sketches which ajipear in these columns the varying nationality, origin and early environnu-nl ol the men who have made their way to jjositions of prominence and success. In no l)ctter way can we gain a conception of the diverse elements which have entered into our social and commercial life and which will impart to the future American type It-atures which caiuiot be conjectured at the present time. We ha\e had an American t\i)e in the|)ast: we shall ha\c a dislinctl\ely American character in the future, but, for the i)res('nl, amalgamation of the varied (dements is prtjceed- ing, and the final result is yet remote. The specific and distinctive office of biograi)hy is not to gi\-e voice to a man's estimate of himself and his accomplishment, but nil her to lea\e the ])er])etual record establishing his character b\' the consensus of opinion on tlu; i)art of his fellow-men. That great factor, the public, is a discriminating factor, and takes cognizance not of objective exaltation, nor yet of objective modesty, but debcs deeper into the in- trinsic essence of character, strike's the key-note of indi\ iduality and pronounces judicially and unequivcjcally upon the honest worth of the man, in\ariably dis- tinguishing the clear resonance of the true metal from the jarring dissonance of the baser. The province, then, of this publication is clearl\- delined, and there has been in its compilation a distinct avoidance of undue adulation; the life history of each individual represented has Ijeen touched upon as aside from his personal estimate, and that the reiord is one \vorth\- of perpetuation time and the judgment of men can but determine favorabb'. I X I) !•: X A A.Liiiis. c. l\ ;i« AdltT, David 8.J4 Allen, Xullian U 449 Allis, K. I' 888 Allliipii .". M .1 8K0 Aiidcrsim, Mmi« 598 Austin, Diivid 496 B li;i.uii, K, I' 44 Macon, \V. n 194 Uakf-r, H. (• 378 Uaidon, Thomas 738 Uarlli'tt, Loman : 366 Hartliii. \V. I' 122 Ha-liloid, If. M 149 |{i-acli, Orvillt' 350 IJcckcr, Wasliinffton 618 Ui-nnftt, .1. R 217 Ucyer, George 658 Hlack, Jolin 838 Howfn, Ephrairn 361 Bowers, Samuel S 633 Hoyle, Henry 484 liradshaw. J. W 281 Uiadsliaw, P. K 694 liryaiit, B. F 202 liyrant, G. E 830 Bnllen, C. A 246 IJiirr, Benjamin 258 ( ( .ini< Ton, Antrns 201 Cameron, Cfrll 193 Cam|i, If. II '. 536 CarffiU, \V. W 125 Carpenter, M. H 466 Carson, William 405 Cassoday, .1. B 157 Caswell, L. B 642 Child, W. VV 808 ( hoale, Leander 690 Cliiirchill, Charles 862 Clark, Charles B 73 Clarke, F. B "526 Ccninor, II. J 605 Cook, Ossiaii 263 Cotzhansen, F. \V. von 518 Cramer, William E 779 Cudahy, Patrick 228 Cnrran,.!. A 241 I> Dale,George 812 Dale,H,B 318 Davis, D. H 828 Dick, J. J 819 Doolittle, J. U 26 Dousman, Colonel 11. L 222 Dousmaii, II. L 566 Drown, William 561 E Eaton, E. D 578 Elliott, E. S 710 Ellis, A. G 714 Ellis, Frank U 641 Emos, II. M 2.55 V Faircliild, Lucius 801 Fall, II.. I 4!)2 Fay, B. F 626 Felker, C. W 713 Field, George L 647 FifieUJ, Sam 63 Fisk, Wm. J 375 Flower, Frank A 600 Foster, N. C liVi Framlmeh, II. A 147 Frame, A. .1 654 Fuller, C. H 370 (; Gates, James L 498 Gerry, George W 548 Cf illun-t. William '''^•' Gilo, Aimer '^^'^ Gile, G. H 208 Gilson, F.I 478 Gilson, N.S 399 Giiodlnnd, John 105 Grace, Perry *'*' Greene, George G ^''■1 Gregory, C. N ■"'"" Gregory, J. C '''W Griffin, Michael ■"'*' Giuul, John "'^l 11 lla.lticlil. J.J ''=^1 Hamilton, I. K •>••- Hamilton, W. C 1«^ Hammel, David ""^ Hanchett, Luther ■J^^f' Harwood, A. P 5*>1 Hastings,8.D 143 Hastings, S. D., Jr 070 Havigan, H. G 709 Hay, S. >I 341 Henry, Ira L 682 Hixon, G. C 250 Hoard, W. D 116 Hoffman, F. A 540 Holway, N. B 832 Howe, Timothy O 304 Humphrey, H. L 634 llurlliut, Edwin 795 Hyde. Welcome 588 I Injrram, U. H SO J Jenkins,J.n 842 Johnston, John 183 Johnston, L. F 585 Jones, A. M 724 Jones, Burr W 606 K Koiinan, T. L 650 Kennedy, Donald 612 Kidd, E. I .* 371 Knight, J. H 92 Koch, John C 242 L Lawlcr, Joliii 442 Lea, Hichard 397 Lihbey, D. L 106 Lovejoy, A. P '51 Lyon, W. P 470 M Mayham. T. F 303 McDonald, Alex 191 McDonough, Frank OO;! Mclndoe, Walter 81(i McLean, F. J 302 McMillen, Pobert 340 Jlendel, II. M 562 Jlerrill, Hiram . . 200 Merrill, S.S 70 Merryman, A. C 88 Merton, Ernst 279 Messmer, 8. G 555 Miller, J. F 556 Mills, Simeon (i8(i Mitchell, Alexander 84(! Mitchell, J. L 793 Moore, M. D 408 Morgan, J. R 078 Morgan, R. T 736 Moses, L. D 811 Moshier, Win. G 715 N Newman. A. W 464 O'Hearn, W. U 785 Ormsby, D. G (i98 Orion, H. S 29 Otjen, G.S 172 OtjfM, Theoliald 492 P Park, G.I 113 Pattison, Martin -.yii Paul, John 395 Payne, H. C" , 66 Peck, George W 016 Penney, A. JI 490 Pereles, Nathan 437 Perley, J. W ;i29 Pettilioiie, C. .1 510 Peltil, (). M 248 Ptister, Giiido 48 I'liillips, .loliii 2C7 I'i.iM.-y, s. r 288 I'luiMcr. I). I, 1H6 I'oolcr. FiMiik 401 l'..rl(r. .1. II 610 l'iviiti>s W. A 169 ri-cMliss, Tliri.l.irc 8:!") I'liliM'.v. F. II r,r,2 (^luirU's, J. V :iar) " It Uayin.Mid, .].<> (il Ui.lcoiit, \V. K Ill Hitau, u. A rm Rogers, C. C 845 Hoe, (J. W 899 H.) •11. 312 Hove.-, I.. H 354 Uiiblpi', Ilonicc :!6 Russell, R. C 71 Uuss.'U, Tlu.nias P 41 Uyau, T. E 227 S Sanderson, Kdward 282 Sawyer. K. P 188 Sawyer, Philetus 7 Schuette, John 855 Scofield, Edward 856 Shaw, Daniel 486 Shaw, Eugene 87 Shaw, G. R 629 Shores, Eugene A 287 Simmons, U. JI 741 Simmons. Z. G 5(15 Skinner, .1. \V 718 Smith, A. A. I- 782 Smith, Aug. L 98 Smith, E. D 269 Smith, II. D.V. 322 Spence, T. W .' 404 Spooner, J.C 126 Stark, Joshua 174 Stephenson, Isaac- 32 Strong, Moses M 51 T Taylor, II. A :,:; Taylor, I,. A 484 Taylor, \V. K 7.5H Teall, George C 286 Thomas, O. B 821 Thoihiison, A. IC 516 Thorp, J. G (!28 Tliwaites, R. (! !)7 Tomkins, W. .M 30!) Torrison, Osuld 359 Tourtellotte, Mills 408 Tyler, Alviui K 427 r Upliaiii, \V. II 744 \ Van Nort wick, J. S 273 Vilas, Joseph 288 Vilas, William F T(i7 Von Cotzluuisen, F. W .jl8 ^\ Washlmrn, G. C 572 Waterman, A. P o8u Waterman, S. IT 292 Weaver, Richard (j66 Weber, William A 085 Webster Daniel 3411 W.-ek. A.K 717 We.'k, .Inlni..^ 356 Wells, DanieKJr 318 West, Edward 40i) Wliorton, J. H 275 Willi, Benjamin .551 Wilson. William 421 Winklci-. F. ( .-,94 Winslow, C. I) 477 Winslow, J. B 104 Withee, Levi (i32 Withec, X. II 512 Woodnortli, J. II (;74 Woodward, F. A 296 Y Young, Wm. il 330 ''/'uAl^ cT^i/^Y^i^ BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY. PORTRAIT GALLERY. WISCONSIN. HON. PHILETUS SAWYER, USHKO.SH. PHII.ETUS SAWYER was born in Rutland county, Vermont, September 22, 1816. When he was about a year old his father moved with his family to Essex county, in the State of New York, and located at Crown Point. He was a farmer and blacksmith, who became embarrassed and impoverished by signing notes with others, and was a man of scanty means and humble ambition. The sons of men in his station in that day were not a burthen to be borne and toiled for until they should go out into the world for themselves. A family of boys on a farm was to the father a source of prosperity, which gave him great ad- vantages over his poor neighbor whose operations were limited to the capacity of his own labor or carried on with hired help. .So the young Philetus, at an early age, began to take his share in the "chores" around the farm and house and shop, and as his years and stature increased and his muscles grew stronger, it was in the natural course of events that while yet a mere youth he should take upon himself the work of a man. The summer that he was fourteen, he worked out for the munificent sum of six dollars per month. On the west shore of Lake Champlain, where the rocks and ravines of the Ad- irondack mountains leave but a narrow margin, and at some points none, of arable land, hard, continuous toil was a condition precedent to a supply of the necessaries and most common comforts of existence. Under such conditions the wants of the body necessarily take precedence of those of the intellect. The educational ad- vantages of the boys were therefore limited to the annual three months' winter term of the common schools during the brief period between early childhood and stalwart youth. Among the pines of the Adirondack region at that time the busi- ness of lumbering was carried on in a primitive fashion, and in the woods and at a neighboring sawmill, Mr. .Sawyer, at an early age, became initiated in the business in which afterward he laid the foundation and reared the superstructure of a for- tune, which, in his most hopeful dreams in those days, would have appeared im- possible. I!U)(;KA1'11KAL dictionary and I'ORl'RAir GALLERY OF THE It was a wild, and with exceptional small areas of land here and there, a barren and sterile region in wliicli he grew up to manhood. But nature, which yielded subsistence only to persistent toil, was in another respect more bountiful. The salubrious atmosphere of a mountainous region was conduciYe to health. In the forests roamed then wild deer, wolves and bears, and an occasional panther. The mountain streams abounded with speckled trout. These furnished sport enough for the scanty time that could be given to sport. The eternal hills reared their rocky crests, a perpetual background to the westward landscape; and across the limpid waters of Lake Champlain was spread the verdant panorama of the hills and mountains of Vermont. The character of men is affected by the natural aspects of the country in which they are reared. The mention of his native land will bring a light to the eye of the hardy Switzer or Scotch Highlander, which it will not bring to that of the emi- grant of the sterile plains of Pomerania or the dyke-protected fields of Holland. So the region in which Mr. Sawyer's youth was spent produced robust men and women — robust both physically and intellectually. The legal proposition that the father is entitled to the services of his minor children was one of constant practical application in those days. When Mr. Sawyer reached the age of seventeen he was a strong, vigorous youth; ambitious, self-re- liant, and eager to commence the work of making his own way in the world. His father wanted monej^; he wanted to be master of his own time; and a bargain was easil)' made. He borrowed one hundred dollars from an older brother and paid it to his father for his own services for the next four years. Before the time expired his debt to his brother was paid, and he had given himself two more winter terms in the district school, from his savings as a sawmill hand. The education which could be acquired in a few winter terms in the district schools of that time was of the most elementary kind. The written law required that the teacher should be able to read, write, and cipher to the rule of three. The unwritten law required that he should not spoil the children by sparing the rod. The ambition of young Sawyer was of that practical kind, which an intelligent, energetic youth would be almost certain to have, under such circumstances, — the ambition to rise above the hard conditions which surrounded his youth, and to acquire a competency as soon as energy, prudence and industry would enable him to do so. Great wealth and high position were not included in his expectations. But he was not one to rely entirely upon the labor of his own hands for the achievement of even such limited results as he aspired to. Being gifted with both brains and muscle, he used both, and was soon operating the mill, at which he worked, under contract, sawing "by the thousand." It was one of those water-power sawmills of primitive construction, of the kind in which the saws were placed in a frame, which are facetiously spoken of by more modern lumbermen as "going up to-daj' and coming down to-morrow." Operating a mill with^a capacity for sawing two or three thousand feet of lum- ber per day, was a slow method of acquiring wealth, under the most favorable cir- cumstances. REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. Before Mr. Sawyer was twenty-five years of age, in 1841, he was married to Melvina M. Hadley, a young lady of an adjoining town eminently qualified for a help-meet to such a man, in every situation and station of his career. December 4, 1842, his son and present partner, Edgar P. Sawyer, was born. Fourteen years after he had purchased the remainder of his minority from his father, in the fall of 1847, Mr. Sawyer, then thirty-one years old, with his family, consisting of his wife and two sons, joinerl the tide of emigration then flowing from the East to the great West. By industry, economy and good management he had succeeded in accumulat- ing a capital of about two thousand dollars, with which to try his fortune in a new country — the slow but steady accumulation of ten years. Ten years of hard work they had been; but they were also years of training — of rr/^rrtZ/Vw, by observation and experience— which fitted him to see and take advantage of the opportunities which the new country was to offer. It is not unusual to speak of the early lives of men wlio have risen to eminence from the ranks of the poor, as a struggle with poverty. In the case of Mr. Sawyer, although he commenced at seventeen with only his hands and brains and a good physical constitution, his life to this period was not in the proper sense a struggle. The great lesson of his career, for the young and ambitious, is not that he struggled a.nd succeeded against adverse conditions. It is that he succeeded, as any young man with health, common sense and will, may succeed, by industry, sufificient will and self-denial to keep his expenditures be- low his earnings, and the use of such opportunities as he had. These are what con- stitute thrift, and lead to a success which will be measured largely, in its extent, by the natural endowments of the individual. He did not attempt to discount the future, nor waste time waiting for better opportunities. He did not scorn the opportunity to accumulate two hundred dollars a year in the hope of finding a more brilliant opportunity to accumulate more rapidly. Doubtless, it was hard work and a slow advance, but it was not a struggle. The result was as certain as the result of human plans can be. The contingency of sickness, or of disaster from the elements, were the only contingencies. It is step by step, and not by great strides or bounds, that men who rise in the world begin to rise — a truism which young men who will not deny themselves at present for the hope of ease and comfort in the future, are apt to forget or ignore. Such young men might i)rofit by studying and imitating the early part of Mr. Sawyer's life. A pleasant anecdote connected with his removal to the West illustrates some- what one'trait of his chara.cter which will be referred to hereafter. When he was starting upon his westward journey, an older brother who lived and died a farmer on the Ticonderoga flats, asked him how much money he had. He answered that he had two thousand dollars secured in his belt, but the amount in his pockets he did not know. Upon counting, it was found to be one hundred and ninety-nine dollars. His brother handed him a dollar with the remark, "Now, remember that when you .started for the West you had just twenty-two hundred dollars. " lO BIOGRArmCAL DK/TIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY (JF IIIF. Years afterward, when the brother had become an old man, and Mr. Sawyer had become wealthy and held an honored position in the Senate of the United States, he was at one time visiting his old home and his brother. Seeing, or imagining that he saw, some indications of depression or uneasiness in his brother's manner Mr. Sawyer inquired if he was in debt. The brother, rather reluctantly, admitted an indebtedness of about twelve hundred dollars, which, from a falling off in the profits of his farm and his increasing age, began to worry him. Mr. Sawyer ascer- tained the names of the creditors, and, on the next day, went out and bought up all of his brother's outstanding paper, took it to his home and delivered it to him. "I am not giving you this," said he; "I am paying my debt to you." His brother looked somewhat mystified. "What debt?" he inquired. "Do you remember," said Mr. Sawyer, "giving me a dollar when I started for the West? This is that dollar with the accumulations. I have made about that amount with it." "Ah!" said the brother, seeing the merry twinkle in the Senator's blue eyes; "I wish 1 had given you ten or fifteen dollars more." Mr. Sawyer removed to Wisconsin, and settled upon a farm which he purchased in Fond du Lac county. Many ambitious men emigrated to the West in those days hoping and expecting to become leaders among the people of the new country, and to reap the honors of political preferment. Mr. Sawyer had no such expecta- tions. The profits of a sawmill as he had known them were not very great. Farm- ing on the rich soil of his new home promised, at least, equal reward for his labor and time, and his ambition, then, was only to own a good farm, well improved and well stocked, which in his declining years should secure the comforts of life, and freedom from the necessity of constant toil, when hard work might become irk- some, or beyond his strength. This was the humble ambition with which he, like many others, sought and found a new home in the great Northwest. Some realized it, many did not. A brief experience satisfied Mr. Sawyer that he had not selected the best field for the exercise of his energy and industry. It happened — fortunately perhaps — that there were two seasons of short crops following his settlement there. This was discouraging. Two years of toil without some remuneration was a new experience to him. Only a short distance away the great pineries of the Wolf river held out tempting inducements to lumbermen. The work of the farmer was monotonous; if to continue unremunerative, unendurable. His decision was soon made. The farm was disposed of, and in December, 1849, he removed to the village of Algoma, now in the city of Oshkosh. The previous winter he worked for small wages in the pineries. There was a sawmill in the village of Algoma, which had nearly or quite ruined its owners. This mill Mr. Sawyer operated successfully in the season of 1850 upon a contract by the thousand feet. Then he rented the mill and operated it on his own account, until 1853, vvith reasonable success. Fond du Lac, seventeen miles south of Oshkosh at the foot of Lake Winnebago, was then the most thriving town in northern Wisconsin; to it centered the trade of a large area of fertile, country, and as a point for the distribution of lumber by REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. II \va- eighteen years, being re-elected twice without even the formality of a caucus noinination. That he was elected the first time was conceded to be due more to the efforts and inlluence of Mr. Sawyer than those of any other member of that Legislature. l6 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE Aside from the election of a Senator, the session was an exciting one. The State was to be placed in an attitude to render prompt aid to the Federal Govern- ment, in case of need, and the discussions and debates upon the measures adopted for that purpose were long and sharp. Mr. Sawyer is not a speech maker, and took no part in the debates. But as what is sometimes (in the West) called a "single- handed talker," there are few men so successful in convincing the judgment, and influencing the action of other men, and in the work of the session he bore his full part to the satisfaction of his constituents, and with the effect of greatly extending his own reputation. He became known throughout the State as a man qualified by his indomitable energy, untiring industry, quick perception, candor and personal bearing, to wield a large influence as a representative of the people. That men should begin to think and talk of his qualifications for a more ex- alted position, was as inevitable as the course of nature, and in 1862 he was strongly solicited to become a candidate for the Republican nomination for Representa- tive in Congress. But by the purchase of the interest of his partner, Mr. Brand, in their business, he assumed obligations which in his judgment required his close personal attention to his private business, and he declined to permit such use of his name. The Congressional District was, at the best, a close and doubtful one, and the Democratic party elected its candidate by about a thousand majority. In 1863 and 1864 he was elected and served as Mayor of the city of Oshkosh. In 1864 he was given, by the unanimous vote of the Common Council of the city, full power and unlimited discretion, to compromise and settle a bonded indebted- ness of the city of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, upon bonds issued years before for railroad purposes. He succeeded in compromising nearly the whole amount upon terms so favorable as to give general satisfaction. His service as Mayor was in the most trj'ing period of the Civil war. The re- peated calls for troops, and the conscription acts led everywhere to the most strenuous exertions to fill the local quota w'ith volunteers. In the hurry and con- fusion caused by the simultaneous enlistment everywhere, and enrollment of men induced by large bounties, for places where they did not reside, the strictest care and diligence were required to secure the proper credits. Much confusion arose at one time, from the fact that there was a town of Oshkosh as well as the city of that name, each having a quota to fill. In this work Mr. Sawyer was active, dili- gent and successful. The private reasons which in 1862 had induced Mr. Sawyer to refuse to be con- sidered as a candidate for Congressional honors were less imperative in 1864. His business had prospered, and he stood financially among the solid business men of the State. His son — trained in his father's business and business methods, older in ideas and habits than in years, and in every way worthy of the confidence which was placed in him — had become his partner in business. Mr. Sawyer could now spare time for public affairs without serious detriment to his own. Senator Howe, especially, desired the presence of Mr. Sawyer in the House of Representatives. Of course, no man is ever nominated the first time for such a position without op- position. But before the nominating convention met, it was apparent that he would be its choice. KEPRESKXTATIVK MEN OK THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 1 7 The candidate of the Democratic party was a man of ability and conceded in- tegrity, and of personal popularity. Two years previously that party had carried the district by about a thousand majority. Probably the increased confidence in the ultimate suppression of the rebellion after the success of the National forces at Gettysburg, Vicksburg and other points, in that district, as elsewhere, strengthened the Republican cause, but the majority of about three thousand by which Mr. Saw- yer was elected would, under the circumstances, have been impossible with a can- didate who had not the full confidence of the people. On the first Monday of December, 1865, Mr. Sawyer took his seat as a member of the Thirty-ninth Congress. The period between his election in November, 1864, and the opening of that session had been prolific of important events. Armed rebellion had been crushed out. The President, whose unwearied patience, untiring zeal and care, and un- swerving confidence in the ultimate triumph of the right, had steadied the helm of the nation through four years of storm and peril, had gone down I)y the bullet of the assassin, and left a name and fame to rank forever with, or next to, that of the P"ather of his Country. \Mce-president Johnson had entered upon the office of president, apparently in the spirit of Saul of Tarsus, "breathing out threatening and slaughter;" but at the head of the cabinet was the most magnanimous statesman of the country, free from all passionate emotions himself, and full of confidence in the aggregate common sense and right motives of men. Mr. Seward evidently believed that the leaders of a whole people, whose political life for a generation had been governed bj' passion, im- prudence and ingratitude, would suddenly, under the smart of humiliating defeat, become dispassionate, prudent and grateful, if relieved from the fear of the penal- ties of treason. -So the Congress in which Mr. Sawyer appeared for the first time was confronted on the threshold with the great problems of reconstruction, with the evidence full and complete, that justice toward millions of a race who were emphatically the wards of the nation, whom it was bound by every moral and political consideration to protect, could be secured only, if at all, by the exercise of the highest wisdom and all the constitutional power of the government. Other problemsof vast importance were in the near future. The national finances and currency, the great changes in the industries of the country consequent upon the close of the war, the conditions in our neighbor, Mexico, the debt of gratitude to the soldiers of the war, to be at least recognized in the pension laws — there was work ^ough not only for the loftiest statesmanship, but for men of clear-headed business qualifications and financial skill and sagacity. This is not the place to write the history of legislation during the ten years that Mr. Sawyer sat in the House of Representatives. The history of his connection with it would be, if fully written out, but a dry and tedious detail of constant work in committee rooms, and personal work among his fellows and the departments of the government. Hon. James G. Blaine, who first met Mr. Sawyer at this time, speaking of the new members of the Thirty-ninth Congress, in his "Twenty Years of Congress," 10 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE says i)f liim: "It is easy to supply supcrhitiNcs in c'uloLiy ot popular favorites; but in motiest phrases Mr. Sawyer deserves to be ranketl among the best of men — honest, industrious, ijenerous, true to every tie and to every obliji^ation of life. He remained ten years in the House with ronstantly increasing influence, and was after- ward promoted to the Senate." Mr. Blaine's estimate of his character, true as it is, does not explain the whole reason for the "constantly increasing influence" which he mentions, — the reason why Mr. Sawyer became as he did, the trusted counselor ami adviser of men, who filled a large place in the public estimation as leader and statesman, and why, at the same time, he increased in inlUuMice and in the confidence of his constituents and the people of his State. It has never been the habit of the people of the XiMthern Slates to continue their representative for long periods in the House of Representatives. The patri- otic men of equal ability and willingness to serve are too numerous. Here and there one of e.xceptional talents and brilliancy (like Mr. Blaine) may be returned term after term for a long period. But the rule is, and always has been, one of rotation, and the case of Mr. Sawyer stands as the out; almost, or quite, unique exception to the rule. His service in the House was during a period when exciting questions, — ques- tions in wdiich moral as well as economic ideas were involved, were most prominent. During the sessions, the great newspapers spread daily before their readers the speeches of the recognized leaders of opinion. Debates upon the important and exciting subjects for legislative action, were sought for and read with earnest axidity. In thes(> Mr. .Sawyer's name did not appear. Xow and tlu-n apju-ared brief mention that Mr. Sawyer reported a bill from some committee, — perchance that he asked, and was granted, a suspension of the rules, for the passage of a bill from the committee on commerce, or some other; that was all. It was known that he never made speeches. But if any measure reportetl b\- him was questioned and needed defense beyond a simple explanation (which was not often) there were always those ready and fluent and able to assist him. And all the time his influence in the House and at home was "a constantly increasing influence." During his third term in iS6q, he intended, and announced his intention, to retire at its close. The announcement gave pleasure only to a few aspirants for the place, and the Democratic party in his district. He was induced by the earnest protest of influential friends to consent to further service in the House. At the end of his fifth term, after ten years of continuous service, he retired, steadily refusing to stand as a candidate for another term. A parallel to such a ten-years career in the House of Representatives is not easy to find. To account for it, we must add to the qualities mentioned by Mr. Blaine that uncommon degree of common sense which amounted in reality to pro- found sagacity, not alone in matters of business and finance, but iit political man- agement; a genial manneir which made personal friends even of political enemies, and a remarkable faculty of persuading and convincing others of the correctness of his conclusions. REI'KESENTATIVK MEN OK THE I'NITKD STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. IQ When Mr. S;i\v\x"r ciitcnHl ("()nle !'"o.\ and W'oll rivers. Ihe improxcnient of the harbors and water-ways in the district was important for its a^ricuUural and rapidly ^rowinj^ manufacturing^ interests, which depended upon water communication much more than at the present time. In the Fortieth Congress (his second term) he secured a place on the Com- mittee on Commerce, which was deemed one of the most important committees. Durinij his first term he had secured fairly liberal appropriations for the rivers and harl)ors of his district, and a place on this committee was especially desired by him for the interests of his constituents. His services on the committee had been such, and the changes in the House were such, that when the Forty-first Congress assem- bled Mr. Sawyer might have aspired to the chairmanship of that committee, but the speaker (Mr. Hlaine), after consultation with Mr. Sawyer and with his ready con- sent, appointed Mr. Dixon of Rhode Island, chairman, and Mr. Sawyer second on the committee. Mr. Dixon was soon taken sick and was absent most of the time, and left Mr. Sawyer the acting chairman during the term. When the Forty-second Congress met on the 4th of March, 187 1, the right of Mr. Sawyer to the first place on the committee was conceded. Without his consent the speaker would not consider any other man for the place. Mr. Shellabarger, of Ohio, who had been an able and influential member several terms, had not been a member of the I'orty-first Congress, but was returned to the House in 1871. He had taken a very able and distinguished part in the debates of the Thirty-ninth Congress on the President's reconstruction policy, and had a national reputation as one of the leaders of the Republican party. It was insisted by his friends that he be given a prominent place. Mr. Sawyer's usual magnanimity came to the rescue of the speaker. He advised the appointment of Mr. Shellabarger as chairman of the Committee on Commerce and took the second place. Mr. Shella- barger was in poor health and physically unable to do committee work, and, again, during nearly the whole term, Mr. Sawyer was the acting chairman of the commit- tee, of which another man figured as chairman in the Record. Mr. Shellabarger sent his resignation to the committee, but, on Mr. Sawyer's motion, it was not ac- cepted. If it had been, it would have left Mr. Sawyer chairman. While so acting at every session, it became his duty to report and take charge, in the House, of the river and harbor approi)riation bills. These bills had usually been the subject of much criticism and discussion in committee of the whole, and the chairman of the c(jmmittee usually had many questions and objections to answ&r. Sometimes the bills had to be laid over and their passage imperiled by the pressure of other matters. Mr. Sawyer's bills were prepared with great care and labor. The items were scrutinized closely by his committee before they were admitted, and when reported, lie desired to see them through. In uS/i he adopted an experiment which had never been tried with such a Ijill. He knew that he had the confidence of the House, not only in his integrity, but in his industry and judgment. With his printed bill and report he made his explanations in advance to such members as he deemed HlOGKAl'IllCAI, DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OK THE it lU'ci'ssary, and ujion a fa\()i"al)lc (ii)|)()rtiinily he arost' and inoxcd lliat tlic rides be susix'iidcd and the Rixcf and 1 larhor l)ill taken from the general tde and passed. "What (U)es that gray-headed old fool think he can do? He can't jret twenty- five votes for his motion," said Mr. Beck of Kentncky, to a Wisconsin Democratic member. Upon the call of the roll, htnvever, the motion was carrii-d by a vote of nearly three-fourths of the House. A new departure like this upon a bill a|)propriatini,f six or seven millions of dollars, and consistin()i)ular favorite. On the 4th of March, 1875, Mr. .Sawyer voluntarily assumed the role of private ( itizeir, with a feeling of relief. He had been emphatically a tiwrkiujr member of Congress for ten years, and his share of the work l>eing so largely of the kind which required constant investigation of facts and study of details, was perhaps growing irksome in some degree. Whateverof honor and distinction ifcould confer, he had attained. He could count many friends among the highest and most honored in the land. His private affairs had continued prosperous, and his age — then fifty- nine would have justified him in retiring from active pursuits, had he desired it. Hut activity was a part of liis nature. 22 HIOCRAPIIICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE In 1876 the West Wisconsin Railroad running from Tomah to Hudson, Wiscon- sin, was financially embarassed and mortgages on it were foreclosed. Mr. Sawyer, with some New York and Chicago capitalists formed a syndicate and purchased it. The old bondholders were fairly treated. They were offered the option of fifty per cent, of their bonds in cash, or their face in new bonds, one- half secured by mortgage on the road and one-half by mortgage on a land grant which had been made to it years before; some took the cash, more came in and took the new bonds, which subsequently became worth a premium. Some refused to do either, and, after a full report and contested accounting in open court, received what the accounting confirmed by the court gave — about twenty-six per cent, of the par value of their bonds. The reorganized corporation purchased the North Wisconsin Railway, of which he was made president. They afterward acquired the St. Paul and Sioux City lines and connected four weak and struggling corporations into one strong one, known as the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneaplis & Omaha Railroad Company. Of this company Mr. Sawyer was vice-president and a director and a member of the executive committee until 1880, when he severed his connection with it and prepared to make a trip to Europe with his- family. An incident connected with the purchase of the North Wisconsin railway by Mr. Sawyer and his associates, illustrates the same generosity of character which marked his dealings in his private business. The new organization, of which he was president, had purchased the bonds of the old corporation with five years un- paid interest coupons attached, for fifty per cent, of the principal. Of course the stock of the old company was valueless. The town of New Richmond, St. Croix county, Wisconsin, had issued its bonds for $12,500 to aid in the construction of the railroad, and exchanged them for stock in the company. Two other towns had taken $6,500 each of the stock in exchange for their town bonds The three towns thus held $25,000 of worthless stock and were indebted to that amount on their bonds. Mr. Sawyer, who owned one-fourth of the stock in the new corporation, submit- ted to the board of directors the proposition to purchase the bonds of those towns and surrender them in exchange for the stock in the old company held by the towns. Through his influence the directors authorized him to make the purchase and exchange. The towns were solvent, and, at nearly their par value, he purchased the town bonds and surrendered them to the towns, thus relieving them from an indebt- edness which was, at the best, a heavy burthen for those sparsely settled towns, in a backwoods region, to carry. In the construction or reorganization of railroads, such an instance stands unique and alone. No legal obligations existed — no moral obligation, as moral obli- gations are usually understood. But Mr. Sawyer believed that with proper manage- ment the railroad could be made a good investment (as it proved to be), and with a magnanimity which few would have shown under the circumstances, resolved to relieve the people of thcfse towns from this burthen. When Mr. Sawyer retired from the House of Representatives he did not ex- pect to re-enter public life — certainly not in the capacity of a legislator. RKI'RKSKNI ATIVK MKN OF THE UNnKI) STATKS; WISCONSIN VOl.UMK. 23 The term of Hon. Anijus Cameron as United States Senator was to expire Marcli 4, 18S1. It was understood that Mr. Cameron would not be a candidate for re-election. Early in 1880 many of Mr. Sawyer's friends and leading Republicans in the State began to solicit him to become a candidate for the place. As spring advanced into summer, the solicitations became stronger, and he began to be gener- ally talked of as a candidate. He had done nothing, excepting urge objections l)ri\atel\- to his friends. He had resolved in his own mind that he did not desire to be Senator. The time for departure for Europe was aproaching, even passage en- gaged from New York for himself and family. His intention was to write a letter from Xew York declining to be a candidate, and then sail away, beyond the reach of further solicitations. In this frame of mind he was at Milwaukee one day, and learned that somebody — some candidate or friend of some canditate — had publicly made some derogatory remarks — uttered some boast, that, if a candidate, he was already beaten; intimated that his influence among the people was on the wane. Then leading influential men of his party beset him again, when, perhaps, the re- port he had heard was rankling in his mind. There is no man, who has for along time filled a large place in the public confidence, who is not sensitive if its continu- ance is openly questioned by those with whom the wish is father to the thought. He yielded, and, instead of returning home as he intended, went to Chicago to see his son-in-law, Mr. \Vm. O. Goodman. " Will, " said he, "the family are going to Europe in a few days. Your wife is going. You or I must go with them; and 1 am not going. " The law provides for the election of United States Senators by the .State legis- lature. The custom has long ago become part of the unwritten law, that members of a State legislature, of a predominant party, are nominated in local conventions, largely upon the issues between rival candidates for the Senate, when a Senator is to be chosen. When the Wisconsin legislatureof 1881 met, and the Repul)lican members assem- bled in caucus to agree upon a candidate, Mr. Sawyer was found to be the choice of a large majority, and, in January, he was elected Senator for six years from March 4, 1881, and in January, 1887, he was re-elected without opposition in his own party. Mr. Sawyer took his seat as Senator in the Forty-seventh Congress. He had been six years in private life, but he met, in both Senate and House of Representa- tives, many of his former friends and colleagues. In that Congress he was chair- man of a select committee to examine the several branches of the civil service. In the Forty-eighth and P'orty-ninth Congresses he waschairman of the commit- tee on railroads of the Senate and also served on the committee on post offices and post roads. He was offered a place on the committee on commerce in the Forty- eighth Congress, but the Senators from the Pacific coast desiring a representative on that committee he gave w-ay for Senator Dolph, of Oregon. In the Fiftieth Congress he was appointed chairman of the committee on post offices and post roads, which position he also held in the Fifty-first Congress. Of the committee on pensions he was an active member from March, 1886, W'hen he was appointed on it in place of Senator Mitchell, the chairman, who was sick, and did not return to do any work in that Congress. Senator Blair, of New Hampshire, acted as ciiainnan during that time. i:U)C.K AI'MUM IMt'lHINAin .WD I'OKIKAll C.AMl'UV OV I'lIK l'".\('r since the w.ir. tin- polics ol llic lm>\ crninciil when controlled liy the R('puliiic;iiis lowaril those who were in .m\ (leL;i-ee disaliled In the militai\ ser- vice, and their widows and orjihan children, lias lieen a lilier.d one, and the |>ension list has retiuired lartje appropriations. Doubtless, ihroui^li frandnlent and careU'ss testinuMU, pensions were sonieliines -granted thai were not deser\ ed, ,ind ,is tinu' pass<'d and the nie.ms o( procnrini; evidence sIrictK within .dl the lules of the pen- sion laws liecune moie ditlicult, some defects were o\crlooked in what upon the whole ai'pe.ired to he deser\ ini; cases. Thai the L^tn ernuu-nt w.is sonuiinies del'r.iuiled is douhtU-ss true, ll is also douiilless liaie th.it in nian> desi'rxiiiL; cases it was inipossiiile \o procure e\ idence upon which the ex.uniniui; ollicers could ,dlow .in\ jiension. riiei'efore private pensitMi lulls h.ive often lieen passed \-i\ C'oiiiiress. I 'ndei' the Inst .idu\inist r.it ion ol I'resident (level. ind it is s. lid th, it much more .strict ptool W.IS required ,il the pension ollice. it vv.is not very straiiue th.it it should he so, il true. It w.is no! sli.inueil' iilTicers and e\.iminin,L;" surgeons were sometimes appointed whose sv inpathies wen- not active in l.ivor ol the war, or ol the men who siit'i'ered in it. W illuuit (HK'StiouiiiL; the motives or inte^iitv of either those men or llieir predei'essors, it is not ditlicult to underst.iiui whv tlu' propoiaion o( vvicvlrd cl.iims to those allowed vv.is consider. ihlv incre.ised, .iiul the iiriv.itt- pension hills in (."oiii^ress coiTOspondius^'ly increaseil. In the l'"(MM>'-iiinth CtMiL^ress, as a memliei- ol the committee on pensions he e\,iniiiied ,i l.ir^e numlter of I'l.iims for pension hills, .iiul repinteil them in the .'-^en- .ite. Ke.iders of the newspapers at tli.it time will peih.ips recollect .1 semi-I.U'et ions article in rel.ition (o ,'^enator Sa\v\er's pension hure.iu. A reportei- one d.iy vv.ilked \i\lo his coinmitti-e i\>oin, aiui seeiii>;- Seii.itor ."^.iwvi'r aiut others with three or four cli-rks en^aLjed with a lat\>iv pile of lioiumeiits, iiLikinsr abstracts or hriels of their contents, iiuiuired what was heinij: done. The .'-^eii.itor jocularK rejilied that tlie\ were nmniuii a pension Inireau. and the luii^ht reporter c.iui^ht .it .1 topic lor .m article which vv.is vv idelv cojued ami re. id. It VV.IS not mere form.il or routine work, how ev er. nor w.is it lelt to tlu' juil>>"- menl of clerks, ."-ien.iior .S.iw v er ex.imined t he .ihst r.icl ol ev crv c.ise he reported. M.in\ cases in which the judumeiit ol .111 experienced ph\sician ami sin\;eon was required uuul there were ni.iin of them* were t.iken to his resiilenct\ Or. W'.iller Kempsler, .1 scientilic .lud le.iri.ied iilnsician, vv.is .itleiidiiii;- upon Mrs. Savvvi'r. who W.IS then .111 iiiv.did. .iiul together lhe\ went throui^h .iiid ex.imiiu-d si'ores of such cases in the hours which .ire nsu.illv devoted to soci.il life in Washing-ton. Ofiourse m.iuv c.ises were ex.imiiied .iiul rejected, InU Mr. Sawyer reported over , I thousand such hills, which p,l'^sed the Sen.ite in th.it Con^uress. Some of them f.iileil in the 1 lousi' of Kepreseui.il iv es for w.iiit of lime. Several were vetoeil l>y the president upon iiilonnatii>n. it was saiil, that was turnisheil from the pension oftice some of them in messajivs couched in langua.ii'e not in harmony with the visual calnV aiul dinnitied st\le of President CMeveland's State papers. It would not he siirprisiiis.: if there were it would 1h> siirprisinii- if there were not some niis- taki's m.ule in such a ni^^ss ot such work. It w.is si.ited (fiH>m actual comput.ition, it vv.is s.iid* that Mr. Saw\er repiMted from his committees . I ^re.lt^•r iiumher ol ImIK in tlu' I'orty-ninth C"onj;'ri'ss than RKrKKSKNI'ATIVF MKN OK TllK UNITKO STATKS; WISCONSIN VOI.UMK. 25 were cv IT i-fi)()inc(l liy any nilicr Scii.ilor ol ihc Uiiilcd Stales in his whole Sena lor- ial carecT, h()wc\'C'r loiijj;; and ihr l)ills rcportutl by liiniwcre nol often (|nestioiieil. A colloquy one day with Senator Beck, of Kentucky (who had served with him in the lower I louse) illustrates the confidence which his character inspired. Ill the lirst session of the l*"orty-ninth C"on^r(!Ss {Coii<;;i'cssiona! Record, vol. 17, p. |.77,i. May ji, 1886), when a larj^e number of private pension bills were beinfi^ acted upon, some (juestion was rais<.!d as to one of them. Senator Hlair, of New Hamp- shire, who was the actiiiji." chairnian ol the pension committi'e, had the floor; Senator Heck was seeking; information in rei;ard to the bill, and .Senator lilair's replies iiulicatecl that he was not well prepared to \i\\v it. The reading of the report of the committee was supf moved to Wisconsin, ami a few years later an infant daughter. Beside his son and partner, Mr. lidgar P. Sawyer, Senator Sawyer has two daughters living — Mrs. Howard G. White, of Syracuse, New York, and Mrs. W. O. Goodman, of Chicago, Illinois. l"or the benefit of each of these children he made investments some years ago which would secure to each a com- fortable and ample income beyond contingencies. Mr. Sawyer's liberality as a citizen has been conspicuous in many ways. As Maxor of the city of Oshkosh during two years of the Civil war, his e.xpenditure of both money and time in the effort to fill the quota of the city to avoid the con- scrii)tion was large, and no claim was made for any reimbursement. Churches innumerable, and educational institutions in his State, have often been the recipients of liberal contributions to their necessities or impri)vements. The Y. M. C. A. of Oshkosh, is indebted to his bounty for their ability to secure a large and com- modious business block in the heart of the city. Generosity to deserving objects has marked his career trom the beginning. CjI':orc,e Gary. HON. JAMES R. UOOLlTTLi:, JAMHS R. DOOLITTLE was born tluring the presiilenc\- of James Madison, the third successor to Washington. Living through the successive terms of the last twenty presidents; engaged in calling conventions, forming jiarties and writing platforms, when Blaine, Garfield and Cleveland were boys, he stands to-day, as law>er. jurist and statesman, at the ripe old age of seventy-nine, one of the few sur\ i\ ing links of our earliiT with our present national history. Ranked among the ablest lawyers in the forties, appointed Judge in the fifties, and elected Lhiited States Senator in the sixties, he holds an honored place in the history of this coun- try. .Active during two generations in making and administering the law, earnest in the development of the vast resources of the country, and enthusiastic in the de- fense of constitutional liberty. Judge Doolittle enjoys the honor, esteem and confi- dence of his fellow-countVymen. He was born January ;, 1815, at Hampton, Washington county, New York. His father, Reuben Doolittle, upon emigrating to Genesee county, in western New ■<:sB '^^'^ RErRKSENrATINK MEN OK THE UNITED STATES", WISCONSIN VOLUME. 27 York, became a farmer, mill owner and merchant, in prosperous circumstances. His mother, Sarah, ncc Rood, was an estimable lady who devoted herself to do- mestic duties and to the education of her children, and instilling into their minds the princijjles of honor and virtue. James R. was the eldest son in a family of four boys and two girls. After the usual preliminary education, he was sent to Geneva College, in western New York, and early began to show that ability which dis- tinguished him in after years. Gifted with a retentive memory and a clear under- standing, combined with a genius for hard work and diligent application, he easily led his class, and graduated with honors. Having chosen the law as a profession, he studied its theory and practice with the Hon. Harvey Putnam, at Attica, New York, and with the Hon. Isaac Hills, of Rochester, New York, and was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of New York in 1837. It was not long before the young lawyer was recognized as one of the coming men of his profession. His thorough knowledge of the principles of common law and his facility in applying them, aided by an extensive and varied course of reading, a pleasing and musical voice and an easy and fluent delivery, marked him as one destined for certain and rapid preferment. About this time he removed to Warsaw, Wyoming county. New York, where his abilit}' was soon recognized and rewarded; and, although a Democrat, he w-as elected District Attorney by a Whig constituency. Having discharged the duties of that important office with satisfaction to the people and credit to himself, Mr. Doolittle, in 1851, went to Racine, Wisconsin, and there practiced his profession, and in a short time was ranked among the ablest lawyers of that State, and re- tained by Governor Farwell in cases involving the interests of the commonwealth and intricate questions of law. It is unnecessary to say that his practice became large and lucrative, and that experience developed the legal ability already recognized. In 1853 Mr. Doolittle was elected Judge of the I*"irst Judicial Circuit in Wiscon- sin. No higher or more pleasing tribute can be paid to a lawyer than his elevation to the bench. As such. Judge Doolittle accepted it and applied all his knowledge and experience to the discharge of his duties. In this case the office sought the man, and, what is more, sought the right man. For three years he discharged the important duties of his trust with ability, simplicity and dignity. He had the rare power of combining the "suaviter in modo, fortiter in re." When he resigned, in 1856, he received the highest encomiums from the press, the people, and the pro- fession. No sooner had Judge Doolittle lai 1 down one honor than another was given to him. In January. 1857, the Legislature of Wisconsin elected him United States Senator, and re-elected him in 1863 to the same office. The period during which he was in the Senate was the most momentous since the founding of the Re- public, and may be divided into three epochs: ist. Before the war, when the ques- tion was the extension of slavery. 2d. During the war, the period of secession. 3d. After the war, when the issue was reinstatement or reconstruction. Each of these periods was fraught with danger to the Republic, and grave responsibilities rested on the representatives of the people. In this crisis, the patriotism, ability and integrity of the young Senator soon became conspicuous. Grasping the situa- 28 BIOGRAI'HICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OK THE tion with almost ])n)i)lu'tic intuitinn. he usrd tlu' wholf torcc of his o^reat intelli- {i[ence, the powerful influence of his classic eloquence, and supplemented both with the untarnished honor of his spotless character, in the endeavor to prevent the threatened disruption. When the endeavor to secure peace with honor failed, and the tocsin of civil war smote the ear with its invitation to deadly strife, he, like every patriotic citizen, accepted the challenge and devoted himself unsparingly to the preservation of the Union. Later, when the terrible struggle, involving the loss of liundreds of thousands of human lives, was over, came the period of reinstate- ment, when the great moral force and patriotic fire of Senator Doolittle was stimu- lated to rouse the country to the duty of the hour. His eloquent and forcible speeches of that time are historic evidence of his foresight and statesmanship. As a member of tlu- Committee of Thirteen, appointed by the Senate to devise a plan to prevent disrui)tion, he labored for that object with all his power of mind and body. When war ht'came inevitable he used liis whole strength to defeat the rebel arms. When the war was over, he, as a representative of the ixuiple, counseled moderation and reconstruction. Taking the constitution for his guide, and acting from sincere conviction, he strove then, as through his whole life, for the eternal principles of truth and justice. If Judge Doolittle were to publish his speeches, they would be read with eagerness as historic evidence on many subjects now in dispute. He was chairman of the joint committee appointed to inquire into the condition of the Indians in Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico. The published re- port of this committee is the most exhaustive and valuable that has ever been com- piled on the subject. It would be trespassing on the domain of history to recount here the calls to conventions written, the speeches delivered, the public men with whom he has worked, and the political issues he has originated or supported. It is only neces- sary to add that Judge Doolittle's life has been busy, honorable and useful; and, as expressed by a friend of his, "Like a clear, limpid stream, wherein you can see the form and color of the pebbles at the bottom, and through whose meandering course no sediment appears." judge Doolittle is a man of tine physical development. E\en now, at the age of nearly four-score, he is a man of powerful build, with pleasing and expressive features. His voice is still strong and sonorous. When a younger man he must have been trumpet-tongued. He had the "powers of speech that stir men's blood," and he retains that power still. The annexed portrait is a good likeness of the Judge at the present time (1894), and from it one may conjecture what he was half a cen- tury ago. Yet it is not alone the features, the voice or the figure that challenges attention, but there is a force of character that impresses, an influence that impels, and a magnetism that attracts. No man during the past fifty years has addressed larger masses of people, or has addressed, on political subjects, as many people. He is a master of the art of rhetoric. His language is clear, simple and graceful, and he leads his auditors through a long argiunentative path, decked with classic allusions, that, like flowers on the border of a stream, seem to be native there. He is ver\ happy in epigram, .\ftcr .Abraham Lincoln's second nomination for the presidency, a cabal was formed in his State with the hope of forcing him to REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. retire. At a mass-meet inijj, where one of tlu- iliscontenls liad heen the hrst sjjeaker and had deUcately hinted at the desirability of Mr. Lincohi's retirement, Judjs'e Doohttle, who had Hstened with feeUngs more easily imagined than described, was called as the second speaker. There was a vast audience of probably twenty thousantl people, who listened to the previous speaker in ominous silence. The jud^e arose, and in slow, clear, solemn tones, and with his right hand raised to heaven, said: "Fellow-citizens: I believe in God Almighty, and, under him, 1 be- lieve in Abraham Lincoln." The spell was broken and the vast audience cheered for fully half an hour. No more was heard of the opposition to Mr. Lincoln. Ever since Judge Doolittle retired from the Senate in i86q, though retaining his homestead and citizenship in Wisconsin, he has been engaged in the practice of law in Chicago. His first partnership was with Mr. Jesse O. Norton, under the firm of Doolittle & Norton. After the great fire of October 8 and 9, 1871, he formed a partnership with his son, under the firm name o{ J. R. Doolittle & Son. In 1879 Mr. Henry McKey was admitted as a partner in the business, and the firm name became Doolittle & McKey. After the death of Mr. James R. Doolittle, Jr., which occurred in 1889, Mr. Edgar B. Tolnian became a member of the firm, and the firm name became Doolittle, McKey & Tolman. Mr. McKey died in January, 1892, and John Mayo Palmer became associated with Senator Doolittle and Mr. Tolman, under the firm name of Doolittle, Palmer & Tolman. Judge Doolittle suffered one of the great afflictions of his lifetime in August, 1889, when his son, James R., Jr., died. At the time of his death he was a member of the law firm of which his distinguished father is the head. He was an active member of the Chicago Board of Education, and devoted himself unsparingly to the interests of the city and suburban schools. He was a man of great ability as a lawyer, highly accomplished as a scholar, and his kindly, gentle nature endeared him to all. By his early death the bar of Cook county lost one of its prominent members, the School Board one of its most progressive and active members. After a pure, honorable and useful life, actuated by unselfish motives, prompted by patriotism and guided by truth and justice. Judge Doolittle may in old age rest in the assurance that the people of this country are not unmindful of those who have devoted themselves to their interests. "Palmam (lui meruit ferat." HON. HARLOW S. ORTON, LL. D., THE career of Hon. Harlow S. Orton, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, illustrates most forcibly the power of patient perseverance and un- flagging industry. His record has been eventful. His early manhood was passed on the then western frontier in Indiana and Wisconsin, and a complete sketch of his life would be interwoven with a history of the latter commonwealth. He was born in Niagara county, New York, November 2,^, 1817. His father, Harlow N. Orton, M. 1)., was a native; of V<;rmont, and his mother, (irace Orton. >/ir Marsh, 30 H1()(;KAI'111CA1, IiICTIONAKV AN1> I'DKIKAII' C.AI.IKKV ()!■ I'llK was born in Connecticut. His paternal ancestors migrated from Westmoreland county, England, to llu- colonies about the middle of the eighteenth century, and his maternal progenitors were of the early Puritan settlers of New England. Both branches of the family displayed commendable patriotism, and became so much enthused during the Revolutionary war that all available members were enlisted into the service. The records of the family show that the grandfathers of our sub- ject, who were both Baptist clergymen, shouldered muskets and fought for liberty aiul inde|)endence. justice Orton was educated first at the common schools, and later at the Hamilton Academy and Madison University. Upon leaving the uni- versity he accepted a position as school-teacher in Kentucky, and while engaged in that occupation, in 1837, began the study of law. At that time Kentucky and Indiana were both sparsely settled, and, as may be imagined, his early years in the West were lillcil with interestingand varied experiences. In November, 1837, he deter- mined to leave Kentucky and join his brother, who was practicing law in La Porte, Indiana. Railroads were unknown, and in some localities no roads of any kind had been cut through the timber. From Paris, Kentucky, to La Porte, in northern In- diana, the young man traveled on horseback. In 1838, in La Porte, justice Orton was admitted to the bar, and began to practice in the northern Indiana circuit. He was naturally endowed with a mind adapted to grasp the intricacies of the law, and was gifted with rhetorical powers which enabled him to plead logically, clearly and forcibly, and he soon was enabled to reach a high position for one of his age. During the summer and fall o{ 1S40 he became deeply interested in the political campaign then being conducted. He was enlisted into the service as a speaker, and during the canvass delivered some eighty speeches in the States of Pennsyl- vania, Maryland and Virginia, advocating the election of General Harrison to the Presidency. The political campaign of 1840 was one of the hardest-fought politi- cal battles of the Republic, and in the hottest of the fight, in the States most agitated, the young man fearlessly lifted his voice in the advocacy of what he thought was right. Erequentl)' the antagonistic feeling of the strong partisans could not find words powerful enough to show their loyalty, and often has he wit- nessed rough-and-tumble tights between the friends of the rival candidates. After the election in the fall of 1840 he returned to Indiana and resumed his practice, but in 1843 he was appointed Probate judge of Porter county, Indiana, by Governor Bigger. In 1847 he moved to Wisconsin Territory, and began practice in the Ter- ritorial courts in Milwaukee in that year; and in the following year, when the State courts were organized, commenced practice in the State and Pederal courts and in the Supreme Court in 1840. In 1851 he became prixate secretary of Governor bar- well, and moved to Madison, where he has since residetl. In Madison he soon commanded the esteem and tonfidence of his fellow-citizens, and in 1S54 he was honored bj- being elected to the Legislature. In 1859 he was elected judge of the Ninth judicial Circuit of Wisconsin, ami was re-elected without opposition. He resigned that office in 1866 and resumed his practice of the law, as counsel and in jury and Supreme Court cases in Madison. At the bar he ranked among the very highest, not onh" of his State, but of the entire Northwest, in much of the more important litigation of this section he appeared as either covnisel or advocate, and RErRESENTATlVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 31 in all branches of the profession, either as counsel, court or jury lawyer, he had no superiors and but few peers. In 1869 he was again honored by an election to the Legislature, and was re-elected in 1871. In 1876 he was the candidate of his party for Representative to Congress, but owing to a large preponderance of Republi- cans in the district he was defeated. In the same year he was appointed to revise the criminal code. From 1869 to 1874 Justice Orton was Dean of the law faculty of the University of Wisconsin, and did much to place the law department of the university in a satisfactory condition. During his term of service as Dean of the law department, the degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him. In 1877 he was elected Mayor of Madison, and served one term. In 1878 he was elected a Justice of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, and was re-elected in 1888, both times without opposition. A complete record of Justice Orton's career on the Supreme Bench would of itself fill more than one volume the size of this publication, but in the Wisconsin reports, from volume No. 43 down to the present time, tlie impress of his legal mind and strong personality is indelibly stamped in the various decisions that he has written during a period covering sixteen years. Strong as he is in his political affiliations. Justice Orton has never identified himself with politics while on the bench, nor has he ever allowed his decisions to be in any way affected by partisan lines. Justice Orton possesses in a marked degree the four qualities which most benefit a judge — to hear courteously, to answer wisely, to consider soberly, and to give judgment without partiality. Justice Orton has always taken a deep interest in history, literature and art. He assisted in the organization of the Wis- consin Historical Society, and has been vice-president of that organization for many years, having declined its presidency. He has also been for a long time actively identified, as a member, with the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters. As a member of the Madison Business Club he uses his influence to advance the interests of the city, and passes many pleasant hours in social inter- course. January i, 1893, he became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Wis- consin, by seniority of service. Politically, Chief Justice Orton afiiliated with the Whig party until 1854. Since then he has been an independent Democrat. He was married in 1849, to Elizabeth Cheney, a native of Maryland. Four of their children, three sons and a daughter, are now living: O. B. Orton, the eldest, is a member of the Indiana bar, and is located at Indianapolis; O. II. Orton is a lawyer at Beloit; H. X. Orton, M. D., the youngest son, is a practicing physician of Min- neapolis; and the daughter, Ora, is now Mrs. Henry Coe, of Indianapolis, Indiana. It is in tracing the history of such a life as has been that of the subject of this review that biography e.xercises its legitimate and most important functions, and the Itfsson and incentive of such a career finds an enforcement as stated in words that offer but an outline of what has been accomplished, — calling attention to diffi- culties surmounted and noting the various steps which mark the line of progress from youthful obscurity to a position of prominence, honor and usefulness. In the life of the subject of this review comes forward in particular a point that demands appreciation: namely, that here has ambition directed its course along the lines which determine the true essence of manhood, as taken aside from injustice and a determination to succeed in a personal sense, regardless of the rights of •^2 lUOC.KAl'llClAl. DU TIONAKV AND roKrRAri' CAI l.KRV Ol' IIIK Others and at a sarrifirc of all si-ntimcnt saxclhal w hi( h coiisrrvrs si-llish ciuls. lie has i^viT licrii luoad in his iiu-nlalit\ and in his huniaii sympathies, and whati'Ncr In- has ai'coinplishrd in life has not Ix'cn ^ainrd li\ methods thai inlrin^i-d in the sliirhlcst partii iilar the liLjhts ol olluTs. HON. ISAAC STIU'IUlNSON, MARIM': irK. in the Inst liall' of the nineteenth eentur> the eondit ions of lite anions the people of the northeiii stati's of this eountr> weri' \i'r\- different from those now i-xistin^. l>ail\ toil, hread earned hy the swt-at of t heir inow liy unlliiu-hin^ api)lieation of the plusieal or mental faiadties, or both, from \()nth to a.ne has always heen the lot of the ureal majoritN. Hut the toilers in shops, on farms, or factories of to-da\- li\c in the daily enjoNinent of comforts whieh were unattainable luxurifs or en- tirely unknown to their predecessors of half a tentur\ a^o. Vet to them, in their generation, the conditions which would seem to us hard, caused no more discon- tent than atleiuls the lot of men an>where. who can see a hope or i)rospective op- portunities for hetteriny their condition, aiul are spurred on by such discontent as they ilo feel to make the best the> may of the opportunities the>' have. l'A'er> w hen-, in tnir own land, are found men who ha\ e worketl their own wa\' from lowl\ .uul hmnble beuinninus to places of leadership in tlu' commerce, the .yreat iiroductive industries, .iiul management of the vt-ins and arteries (.)t the trafhe and exchanji^es of the country. Not unfreqnently they are found amonu the trusted leaders and rev)resentatives in the councils of the state and nation. It is one of the ji'lories of our country that this is so. It should be the strong- est incentive and encouragement to the youth of the country that it is so. Proniinent, ami in some respects exception. d, .ntiong tlu- sell-nuule representa- tive men of Wisconsin is the subject of this sketch a man honored, respected and esteemed wherever known, and most of all where he is best known. The biog- raphy o( such a n\.in, luiwt'\er brielK told, should tr.ice the causes of his successful career. Is.i.ic ."^tephenson was born ii\ York county, near h'redericton. New Hruns- wick, lune iS, iS.h). His father, Isaac Stephenson, was of Scotch-Irish extraction; his mv)lher, bdizabeth. i/tv \\ .itson, was a native of London. Kngland. His father was a lumberman and farnur. .uul the boy passed his early boyhood on the farm, assisting" his f.ither to the best of his abilit>-. He attended the public schools for a short time, but most of his eiluc.it iiM\ has been obtained by observation and in the school of experience. \\ hen fourteen years ot age he moveil to Hangor. Maine, but about .i year and a half later accompanied Jefferson Sinclair, as a mem- ber of his familv. westwahl. and locateil in Milwaukee, \\'iscoi\sin, where he .uri\ ed on November 15, K^45. There the boy resumed his studies in the common schools, but about the lirst of .\pril, 1S40, he accompanied Mr. Sinclair to an imdeveloped c cS%«^.^Zt5^ RErRKSKNTATIVK MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. T,;^ farm, located five miles south of Janesville, Wisconsin, vi^here, during that spring and summer, he broke one hundred and thirty acres of land and helped put in four hundred acres of wheat. The following year they also put the same number of acres in wheat, but both crops were failures — the first being winter killed and the next ruined by rust. Mr. Sinclair, having become financially interested with Daniel Wells, Jr., in lands in northern Michigan, around Escanaba, the youth transferred the scene of his labors to that section. He early in life displayed executive ability, and, even at this early age, reliance was placed upon his sound judgment and ster- ling integrity. He worked hard and faithfully, and, during the first season, drove a six-ox team, Yankee fashion, with a goad stick; hauled whole trees, and, incidentally, one hundred and fifty spars that were shipped to Chicago and Milwaukee. At that time there were no boats large enough to load these spars and they were lashed to the sides of the vessels. In 1847-9 he was placed in charge of the lumber camps, and in 1850 began taking contracts on his own account, for putting in logs. His life at this time was full of hard and perilous work. Even at the present time logging is far from a pleasant occupation, but in those early days when facilities were poor it was far more difficult and hazardous. Erequently has our subject been up to his arm pits in an icy stream, and, with water rushing about him, dash- ing spray over his head and beard, forming ice wherever it lighted, directed the course of logs to the boom. The summer months, at this time, he occupied by sailing on lake Michigan, and, during the warm seasons of 1849, 1850 and 1851, he sailed on vessels carrying freight from Chicago and Milwaukee to Escanaba; and, before he was twenty-one years of age, he owned the controlling interest in the schooner Cleopatra, which, in 1853, was lost about a mile south of Chicago. The summer of 1848 he attended school in Milwaukee. He naturally became a good judge of the value of timber lands, and explored large sections in the upper peninsula of Michigan, locating the more valuable tracts. In July, 1848, the first land office was opened in northern Michigan, at Sault de Ste. Marie, and, accompanied by Daniel Wells, Jr., and Jefferson Sinclair, he attended the first sale, and assisted in purchasing large tracts of valuable timber lands on the Escanaba, Eord river and Sturgeon river on Big Bay de Noquet. In 1852 it was decided to build breakwaters along the shore of lake Michigan in Chicago, and Mr. Stephenson, associated with X. Ludington & Company, cut and delivered, during the years 1852-3-4-5, the timber that was used in constructing the first breakwaters built. In 1857 Mr. Stephenson discontinued contracting logs, and in 1858 purchased a quarter interest in the property and mill owned by N. Ludington & Company. Of this business he at onc6 became the managerial head and controlling spirit, and succeeded in placing it upon a prosperous footing. In 1868 it was decided to incorporate the business as a stock company, and, being desirous of retaining the prestige of the old firm name, Mr. Stephenson decided to call the corporation the N. Ludington Comjiany. This is the first instance that a firm name was continued in a succeed- ing corporation. The N. Ludington Company is capitalized for $700,000, of which Mr. .Stephenson owns a controlling interest. He acted as vice-president 34 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE from the tinu' of its incorporation until 1883. Since then he has served continu- ously as president. In 1867 he became interested in the Peshtigo Company, of which W. B. Ogden, Chicago's first mayor, was the largest stockholder. Of this cor- poration, capitalized for $1,500,000, Mr. Stephenson became vice-president. The company built the largest woodenware factory in the world, and conducted a large and satisfactory business in lumber and woodenware, until October 8, 1871, when its plant in Peshtigo was destroyed by fire, on the same day that the great conflagration in Chicago devoured its retail yards. A loss of nearly two million dollars was en tailed by these disastrous fires. The mill and village were immediately recon- structed. At the time Mr. Stephenson became interested in the Peshtigo Com- pany he became convinced that it was feasible to tow barges on lake Michigan, although most of the men who understood the condition of that treacherous body of water deemed it impracticable. Mr. Stephenson proved that his theory was correct, and started the first tugs on the upper lakes. The Stephenson Transpor- tation Company, operating the steamer Boscobel and six barges, resulted from his experiments in that direction. Mr. Stephenson was also instrumental in organiz- ing the Sturgeon Bay & Lake Michigan Ship Canal & Harbor Company, which constructed a canal from Sturgeon bay to lake Michigan. The construction of this canal was i-mmediately under the supervision of Mr. Stephenson, Jesse Spald- ing and the late William E. Strong. The canal was sold to the government and has been of material advantage to all of the Green Bay section. Mr. Stephenson is the parent of the Menominee River & Boom Company. This corporation handles more logs than any other boom company in the workl. In 1867 Mr. Stephenson was requested by the lumbermen of the Menominee river to devise plans for a main boom on the Menominee river. This he did, and su- perintended its design and construction from start to finish, improving it yearly. He is president of the company, which is capitalized for one and a quarter million ■/— dollars. It controls some forty dams on the river and its tributaries, and drives all logs on the main rlver"~^th its system of dams. An idea of the immense quantity of logs handled by the company can be obtained from the fact that in one ^ 3'ear six hundred and seventy-five millions of feet of logs were divided through the boom. Very few men have as many large business interests as Mr. Stephen- son possesses. He has, in addition to those mentioned above, large financial in- vestments in the following: The I. Stephenson Company, of Escanaba, Michigan, organized about 1886, is capitalized for $600,000, and claims him as president and / manager. This company owns one of the largest, if not the largest, of the retail yards in Chicago. In 1873 he organized the Stephenson Banking Company as a state bank, and in 1888 merged that Into the Stephenson National Bank, which he then organized, with $100,000 capital, and now acts as its president. Associated with Daniel Wells, Jr., and Charles Ray, of Milwaukee, he purchased for $700,000 the plant and property of the Peshtigo Company and reorganized as the Peshtigo Lumber Company. Of this he is also president. He was also one of the organ- I izers of the Marinette^ & Menominee Paper Company, which is capitalized for ' $750,000, and of which he owns a one-seventh interest. This company's plant con- sists of three mills, and is one of the finest in the west. Mr. Stephenson is also KKI'KKSENTATIVK MEN OK lllK UNITKIJ STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 35 president of the Stephenson Manufacturing Company, which cuts about fifteen millions of feet of lumber yearly, and is ca])italized for $50,000. He has large in- terests in pine lands in the northwest and in Louisiana. The Peshtigo Lumber Company, of which he is president and has one-third interest, owns one hundred and thirty-six thousand acres of land. The N. Ludington Company, of which he has a controlling interest, and is also president, owns one hundred and thirty thousand acres; and in Louisiana he and his associates pwn one hundred and twenty-five thousand acres of pine lands. Mr. Stephenson is interested in farming on a large scale. He owns a farm of nine hundred acres five miles west of Kenosha, Wisconsin. On this farm he has one hundred horses, twelve hundred sheep, one lumdred and twenty-five cows, besides other cattle. This is considered one of the best equipped farms in the State. He is interested in a creamery near there that makes three hundred pounds of butter per day. He also owns a farm in the city of Marinette, where he is raising fast-trotting horses. Mr. Stephenson has been enterprising in every direction, and in a great many instances was the pioneer of certain industries. He placed the first steamboats on the Menominee and its trib- utaries. The tug Morgan L. Martin was placed on the Menominee river by him. He took the first steamboat into Cedar river; the first into F"ord river; the first into White Fisher river, at the head of Little Bay de Noquet and the second steamboat into the Escanaba river. Politically, Mr. Stephenson was formerly a whig, but upon the organization of the republican party, in 1856, joined its ranks, and has since then been one of the staunchest advocates of the doctrines of true republicanism. In 1856 he stood on the courthouse steps in Chicago and peddled tickets for John C. Fremont and other republican candidates. He has been honored by his fellow citizens with their political preference, and in 1866 and 1868 served in the Wisconsin general assembly. In 1882 he was elected to congress, and, after serving three terms of two years each, declined a renomination, owing to the stress of his business affairs. In congress he served on the committees on agriculture, public lands and river and harbors, in addition to other minor committees. In 1880 he was a delegate to the republican national convention, which nominated Garfield. P^or thirty- three ballots he cast his vote for Blaine, then, believing that the old commander was the strongest candidate, he twice voted for Grant, but on the final ballot cast his vote for Garfield. In 1892 he was a delegate at large to the Minneapolis con- vention, that renominated Harrison. Probablj' no man in the northwest is more thoroughly conversant with affairs of state, or is more intimately acquainted with the acknowledged political leaders than is he. Reed, McKinley and others of prominence are honored with his friendship. The hero of Winchester, " Little Phil," as his soldiers delighted to call him, passed many delightful hours in the society of Mr. Stephenson' and, to the day of his death, valued his friendship very highly. Mr. Stephenson has been married thrice, — in 1852 to Margaret Stephenson, hour children, now living, resulted from this union. In 1873 he was joined in wed- lock to Augusta Anderson. Three children survived their mother. In 1884 he wedded Elizabeth Burns. One son is the issue of this marriage. 36 BIOGRAPHICAL DICnONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OK THE Mr. SU'phfMson stands as tlu- perfect type of (jjenerous, symim'trical inanliood. All his life has been an exeniplitication of all that is best in the human heart and soul. To the thoughtful student there is much to inspire with the fire of emulation. He is courteous and unostentatious in a marked degree. None is so poor as to be refused a kindly word from him. He is proud of his early labors, and delights to recall the days when, with a broad-ax, he, shoulder to shoulder with his men, attacked the virgin forests. He has now in his possession an ax-handle made by t him in 184.8, and which he used occasionally until 1877. Although possessed of great wealth, he never has indulged in outside show, but has preferred to live as "a man amongst uicil" As an illustration of his quiet, unostentatious manner, the following extract from a letter written to a friend by Hon. John D. Long, three times elected governor of Massachusetts, is (juoted. Ciovernor Long refutes an assertion that congressmen were spending money with prodigality and lived only for ostentatious show, cites instances that proved the assertion false, and continu- ing writes: "Walking out with Mrs. Long at sundown last evening, we passed a modest doorstep, on which, with his young children playing about him, sat a mem- ber who pointed to a plain suite of rooms as his lodging, and whose dress and manner of living are as unostentatious as those of a Plymouth county farmer, and yet he is a Western lumberman, wise and l)r()ad-headed, and not ashamed, but proud, of the goad stick which he wieUl''(l in his youth and with which he pricked his way to fortune." Such is the biography of one of the most successful men of the Northwest. He carved his way to fame and fortune unaided and alone, by constant application and hard work. Gifted by nature with a strong and rugged constitution, he led his men into icy streams and through unexplored forests, without injury. Blessed with a logical mind, and possessing a most remarkable memory, he was enaliled to conduct large enterprises successfully, and his success is entirely attributable to hard and patient work, combined with a naturally well-balanced mind. HORACE RUBLEE, MILWAUKEE. Horace Rublee was bt)rn in Berkshire, b'ranklin covuity. \'ermont, August 19, 1829. His father, Alvah Rublee, was of Huguenot ancestry. His mother, Martha Rublee, //cc Kent, was a descendant of one of the earliest settlers of Vermont. Her grandfather was prominently identified with the early history of that common- wealth. At his house, in 1776, the meeting which declared Vermont an indepen- dent colony was held. He was a prominent figure in the colony, and served as a member of the first legislature after it became a state. The chililhood day^ of our subject were passed amid the V'ermont hills. His father was a man of limited means, who endeavored to wrest with the plow from the barren soil of X'ermont a substantial living for his faniilw The bo\' as lie ma- RKI'KKSENTATIVK MKN OF TlIK I'MTKI) STATKS; WISCUNSIN VOLUMK. T^J tured assisted his father in such labor as his strength would permit, and when opportunity offered attended the district school. Having heard of the fertility of the soil of the west, his father determined to journey thither, and in 1840 arrived in Wisconsin, becoming a pioneer of Sheboygan county. The family resided in the village of Sheboygan, where the elder Rublee became engaged in farming and lumbering. Schools were few in that section at that time, but the boy, being anxious to obtain an education, devoted considerable time to study and was enabled to educate himself. He taught district school in Sheboygan county, and later determined to take a course of study at the state university at Madison, and entered that institution in 184Q. The following year he was attacked with illness and was forced to return home. After recovering he again taught school in She- boygan. In 1852 and 1853 he reported the proceedings of the state legislature for the Wisconsin Argus, a newspaper then published in Madison by Tenney & Car- pc-ntcr. In the spring of 1S53 he became an editorial writer on the Madison Jour- nal, then i)ublished by David Atwood. The following spring he purchased a half interest in the business, which was continuetl until 1S69 under the firm name of Atwood & Rublee. In 1854 the repeal of the Missouri compromise caused great excitement among all the northern states. The citizens of Michigan and Wisconsin were among the first to take action. In the latter state a call for a mass meeting of all opposed to the extension of slavery, to be held in Madison on July 13, was issued. That date was chosen as it was the anniversary of the passage of the act of 1787, by which all territory northwest of the Ohio river was to be free from slavery. Although the republican party did not become a factor in national politics until 1856, when F"re- mont became its standard-bearer, it was organized in 1854, when the freedom- loving sons of the northwest entered their protests against slavery. At the mass meeting in Madison, Mr. Rublee acted as one of the secretaries, and was therefore instrumental in organizing the republican party in Wisconsin. For two years (i856-'57) Mr. Rublee filled the position of state librarian. In 1859 he was appointed chairman of the republican state committee, and filled that position creditably for ten years, which included the years of the war. In 1868 he was a delegate to the republican national convention which nomi- nated Grant for the presidency, and served as a member of the committee on platform. In 1869 he was appointed United States minister to Switzerland. While abroad (in the fall of 1869) he accepted a proposition from J. (). Culver, and sold his interests in the Madison Journal to that gentleman. Mr. Rublee remained in Switzerland until the autumn of 1876. He then re- turned to the United States and tendered his resignation to Secretary of State Fish.' He was requested to withhold his resignation until the expiration of Gen- eral Grant's term, as the president did not desire to make a new appointment for so short a period. He therefore withdrew his resignation and i>resented it as soon as President Hayes was inaugurated, and it was then accepted. In that year he was again appointed chairman of the republican state com- mittee of Wisconsin. At that time the doctrine of greenbackism had caused de- sertions from the ranks of the party, and the state convention adopted a weak 38 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE plank on the financial question. Mr. Rublee conducted the campaign in opposition to this plank, and, although vigorously opposed by some of the party leaders, con- ducted the canvass in favor of sound money and in support of the resumption of specie payments. The adoption of this course by the party doubtless saved the state to the republicans, as large gains were made in the strong German districts. Mr. Rublee conducted the congressional canvass in 1878 on the same lines, but de- clined serving as chairman another term when the republican state convention was held in 1879. In 1881 he was instrumental in organizing a corporation which, to obtain a press franchise, purchased the Milwaukee News, a democratic paper, and began the publication of the Republican and News, of which Mr. Rublee became editor. In the spring of 1882 the Milwaukee Sentinel was purchased by the corpora- tion, and the two papers were consolidated. Since then Mr. Rublee has been editor of the Sentinel. Mr. Rublee was married in 1857, to Katharine Hopkins, of Washington county, New York. Mrs. Rublee is a member of a family well known in the state. Two of her brothers, B. F. Hopkins, who died while a representative in congress from the Dane county district, and Judge James C. Hopkins, who passed away while judge of the United States district court for the western district of Wisconsin, were figures of prominence in the community. Mr. Rublee has traveled quite extensively. In addition to his travels while minister to Switzerland, he, in 1891, visited Sicily, Egypt, Constantinople, Greece and Italy. CHARLES KENDALL ADAMS, A. M., LL. D., CHARLES KENDALL ADAMS, President of the University of Wisconsin, was born at Derby, Vermont, on the 24th of January, 1835. The first ten years of his life were spent in a village, but from the time he was ten until he was twenty years of age he lived upon a farm, attending a district school during the winter months. In the course of these years, however, he showed considerable aptitude as a student of mathematics, mastering Davies' algebra, geometry, trigonometry and surveying before he was eighteen. From 1852 to 1855 he taught school during the winter months. In the fall of 1855 he migrated to Iowa, whither he was followed the next spring by his parents. It was not until he had passed his twenty-first birthday that he decided to fit himself for college by taking a complete course in Latin and Greek. Though his parents earnestly sympathized with him in his desire for a collegiate education, it was impossible for them to render him any financial assist- ance. His preparation was completed at the end of one year by arduous study in the Denmark Academy, Iowa, and he entered the University of Michigan in the fall of 1857, where, after supporting himself four years by manual labor, by teach- ing, and by assisting in the administration of the library, he graduated in 1861. fSi iBf' d^^2Ae— ^ ?r KE1'R?:SENTAT1VE MEN OK THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 3Q RcmaininjT for a graduate course of study, he took the Master's degree in 1862, anil immediately thereafter was appointed instructor in Latin and history. In 1863 he was made assistant professor, a position which he held until 1867, when he was advanced to a full professorship with the privilege of spending a year and a half in Europe. After studying in several of the universities of Germany and France, and spending about two months in Italy, he entered upon his work as pro- fessor in the autumn of 1868. Soon after his return to the university he established a historical seminary, modeled after the methods pursued in Germany. On the establishment of a school of political science at the University of Michigan, Prof- essor Adams was appointed its dean, and at the same time he was made non- resident lecturer in history at Cornell University. These positions he continued to hold until 1885, when he was called to the presidency of Cornell University, a posi- tion which he occupied until the summer of 1892. During the seven years of his incumbency of that position, the number of students was increased from five hundred and sixty to more than one thousand five hundred; and the endowment of the univ^ersity was increased by nearly $2,000,000. The courses of study were multi- plied and all branches of the university were reorganized. Successful efforts were made to improve and increase the facilities for graduate work, and the number of graduate students in consequence was increased from about forty to nearly two hundred. During his administration he was also specially desirous of making the institution as strong on its literary side as it had been on the side of natural and applied science. To this end the instructional force was remodeled and increased, and the result made the literary work of the university one of the strongest fea- tures of the institution. Immediately after his acceptance of the presidency, he prepared and submitted an elaborate report on the advisability of establishing a college of law. Though the trustees of the university were inclined to doubt the practicability of establishing a school of law at that time in the center of the State, yet they were finally persuaded to adopt the recommendation of the presi- dent, and the school was accordingly established. From the first it had unex- pected prosperity, and within five years became one of the prominent schools of the country. At the time of his resignation, the following resolutions were unani- mously passed, by the board of trustees: " It is in obedience both to a sense of duty and to a feeling of strong personal respect and attachment that the trustees of Cornell University place upon their minutes this formal expression of their cordial appreciation of the services of Dr. Charles Kendall Adams as their chief executive officer during the past seven years. "He came into the presidency at a time when a great addition to the material resources of the institution demanded commensurate effort. New departments were to be created, old departments enlarged and reorganized; large additions were to be made to the faculty and great extension given to the equipment. " It is not too much to say that President Adams distinguished himself by the fidelity with which his multifarious duties were discharged. The formation of his plans was marked by wisdom, and their execution by unwearied labor and care. In the choice of professors he showed remarkable sagacity ; rarely in the history 40 lilOGRAPlIICAL DICTIONARY AND rORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE of any institution has such a series of eminent professors been hrcnioht into any facuhy as that which has been introduced under his achiiinistration into Cornell UniYersity. A very strikinjj testimony to the wisdom of his nominations is seen in the efforts which other leading institutions have made to attract into their own faculties the men he had thus selected. "In the relations between the university and the national and State govern- ments, and especially with the department of public instruction in the State of New York, President Adams has also shown his ability to deal with nu'U in the coniluct of large public affairs. "As regards the intluence of the university on the public and wide iliscussion of the leading educational topics of the time. President Adams by his writings and speeches has materially inHuenced the most enlighteneil public opinion of his country, and as a writer upon historical subjects he has done work which has elicited praise from the highest sources on both sides of the Atlantic. " His administration will be remembered in the history of Cornell University as equally imijortant to the interests of the institution and creditable to himself, and we tender to him as a scholar, as an educator and as a man the assurance of our sincere respect and regard, with our best wishes for his future success and happiness. " Resolved, That President Adams be requested to sit for a portrait to be placed in the university, and that the chairman of this board be empowered to carry out this resolution. "Resolved, That six thousantl dollars be appropriated, to be paid quarterly, in the usual maiuirr, to President C. K. Ailams during the ensuing year." The ft:)llowing statement was made by the general faculty: "Whereas, President Charles Kendall Adams has severed his connection with this university, we, the faculty, desire to e.xpress our sincere regret that he has found such action necessary, and our appreciation of the zeal and efficiency of the administration of his office. ".Since his accession the growth of the imiversit\- has been marvelous; large sums of money have been expended in increasing material facilities; departments already in existence have been enlarged, and new ones have been created; a flourishing school of law has been developed; the requirements for admission to the university have been raised; a more liberal policy with respect to elective work has been inaugurated; the courses of instruction have been expanded and brought into a more orderly arrangement; the standard of scholarship has been greatly ad- vanced, and graduate work has been effectively promoted in all departments; a closer connection between the university and the public-school system of the State has been brought about; unfriendly movements in the legislature have been warded off. and friendly advances from other quarters have been hapi)il\- met and reciprocated. "In all these activities the president of the university must of necessity take a leading part; and w-e recognize his careful and successful guidance through it all. "W'c liespeak for l,iim a like measure of success in future fields of usefulness to which he may lie called, and assure him of our high regard and hearty good wishes tliat will follow him wherever he mav go." REl'RESliNIATnE MLN UF I'UK UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. .4 I 111 i8q2 President Adams resiany, first as a member of the surveyiny; corps and later as conductor. With the means he had accumulated as a railroad employe he de- termined to study medicine, and entered upon his course in 1848 at East Randolph, under the late Dr. Walter Carpenter. He attended lectures in the Vermont Medi- cal College in Woodstock, Vermont, and graduated in 1852. He entered upon the practice of his profession in the town of Weston, in his native county, where he remained two years. In 1S54 he settled in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and since then has continuously pursued his professional career in that city, excepting when he served his country in the darkest hours of her existence. When the war of the Rebellion was inaugurated, Dr. Russell, with the patriotism characteristic of his brave an- cestors, was among the llrst to respond to the call of the president. In May, 1861, he became assistant surgeon of the second regiment Wisconsin infantry, and while serving in this capacity at the battle of Blackburn Ford, July 17, 1861, ampu- tated the first leg cut off during the civil war. He was later transferred to the first Wisconsin cavalry, of which regiment he was surgeon, until, in 1863, owing to a severe illness contracted in the service and which threatened his life, he was relieved from duty and discharged f'cm the service. Returning to Oshkosh, his life was despaired of, but owing to h!'. strong constitution he recovered and was soon able to re-enter upon his practice. His skill as a surgeon soon attracted at- tention, and patients from distant points, learning of his ability, joined the citizens of Oshkosh in displaying their confidence by consulting him. He is a general practitioner, but as a surgeon he has become most renowned, and he has been engaged in more surgical operations than any other physician in the State. He is a close student of sciences pertaining to medicine, and as a microscopist he is very prominent. That he is possessed of great professional ability has been conceded by all members of the profession. Rush Medical College bestowed upon him an honorary degree, and without his knowledge he has been appointed emeritus pro- fessor of surgery of the Milwaukee College of Physicians and Surgeons. Politically. Dr. Russell is affiliated with the Republican party, and while in no sense a politician, 1ki\ ing always refusetl to have his name used for any political office, he is strongly partisan and does all in his power as a citizen to aid his party in its various campaigns. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has passed through the various degrees up to and inchiding the thirty-second degree Scottish rites. He is also a noble of the mystic shrine. He is a member of the W^isconsin State medical society. United States surgical society, American medi- cal association, I'nited States medical assi>ciation, Northwestern medical society, and box River Medical society. In 1852 Dr. Russell married Miss brances M. Mgerton, of l^ast Ranilolph,\'er- mont. She died in P'ebruary, 1855, without issue. In 1838 he was uniteil in mar- riage to Miss Sophia M. Edgarton, of Matlison New York. Three children, two of whom are dead, have resulted from this marriage. Their living son, Thomas Charles Russell, has recently gratluatcd from the Boston Conservatory of Music, and is a musician of great promise. KEI'RESENTATIVIC MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 43 Dr. I\uss(;irs life h;is Ihcii characterized by energy, persevc!nince aiul hard work, and to these j)riiici|)les his success is due. He has been in continuous prac- tice in Wisconsin for nearly forty years, and has earned for himself a name second to none in the State. He is so quiet, unostentatious and retiring in disposition as almost to be at fault, but his reputation has come to him solely because of hisabil- it)', which is so decided that the credit due him was thrust upon him without solici- tation by him. As a citizen. Dr. Russell commands the respect of all that know him; as a physician he enjoys the high honor of being conceded the acknowledged l)eer of any in the West. GuiDO pftsti-:r, MII.WAUKEK. BY the death of an honorable and upright citizen the community sustains an irreparable loss and is deprived of the presence of one whom it had come to look upon as a guardian, benefactor and friend. Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to spare, whose places it is difficult to fill, whose lives and actions have been all that is exemplary of the true and thereby really great citizen, and whose whole career, both business and social, serves as a model to the young and as a rejuvenation to the aged. Such a career sheds a brightness anil a luster around everything with which it comes in contact. It creates by its usefulness and general benevolence a memory whose perpetuation does not depend upon brick or stone, but upon the spontaneous and free-will offering of a grateful and enlightened people. By the death of Guido Pfister, which occurred P'c^bruary 27, 1889, the city of Milwaukee lost one of its most prominent and enterprising citizens. He was a native of Hechuig, Hohenzollern, (iermany, and was born September 18, r8i8. 1 le settled in Milwaukee in 1847, ^"d established what afterward became the Pfister (X: V'ogel Leather Company. The firm was originally comi)osed of the subject of this sketch, Mr. Frederick Vogel and Mr. J. F. Schoellkopf, the last named a resi- dent of Buffalo, New York. Mr. Schoellkopf withdrew in 1852, and the other jiartncrs continued the business with the firm name unchanged, until 1872, when it was incorporated under the name of Pfister & Vogel Leather Company. From a comparatively small beginning the business has steadily increased from year to year unUer the careful management of its enterprising and energetic proprietors, until at the present time it comprises four of the largest and best equipped tan- neries in the entire West. Aside from this business Mr. Pfister was largely inter- ested in many other successful enterprises He was a prime mover in the Milwau- kee & Northern Railroad Comi)any, and one of the founders of the Merchants' Exchange Bank, and at the time of his decease was a director in both of these in- stitutions and also of the Northwestern National Insurance Company. He was a man of siri(t integrit)' and noted for his cliaritable deeds, and was especially inter- _^J^ lUOCK Alllir \l IMC llONARV ANH I'ORI'KAir CAI.l.KRY OK TIIK ested in woitliN' youii^ mni, iniin\ ol whom owf tluir slarl in Wiv lo liis riuoura^f- nuMit and ^fnorosilv. lie was, witlial, modest and rt'tirin»f in manner and disposi- tion and unostentatious in t-\ erytiiinj;. l^esitles leavinji an ample fortune to his wiiUiw. daui^iiler and son, tlu-y inheritetl from iiim an honored name. l''or some time before his death Mr. Plister had frequently expressed a desire to see a line hotel erected on the east side of the city. After his death some of the niost enterprisino- of the citizens of Milwaukee completed arrangements to erect a nia.tjniiicenl hotel liuildin>;, and in iionor of Mr. Pfister, who had so strenuously de- voted his ener<;ies and talents to advance the material interests of the city, it was given his name. The llotel Pfister is without exception the finest, most complete and grandest hotel in the West, and is, as it should be, a grand, imi)osing and use- ful memorial of a grand anil noble man. For half a century Mr. Ptister rcsiiled in Milwaukee, and his name is indelibly stamped amongst the most prominent, most enterprising and truest men that have ever ihvelt in the State of Wisconsin, llis name is unsullied and his reputation without a blot. .As a lilizen, none was more higliK' respected; as a man of business, none enjoyed the coniidence of all classes more than In-; as a husband and father, he displayed the highest traits of the human character, and in his home where he was best known his noble nature commanded the love and respect of those around him. His life was a success, lie was a man of ability, — not so abnormally developed in any direction as to be called a genius; he was strongest because he was the best balanced, the fullest roundetl, the most even and most masterful of men, the in- carnation of conunon sense and moral purity in thought and action. EDWARD r. I5ACON. Mil W Al'KlsK. Ij'^DWARn p. BACON was born in the town of Reading, Steuben (nmv Schuy- X-i lerl count\', New York, May id. 18^4. llis father, joseiih !•". Bacon, was a tailor, but owing to ill health ga\'e up iiis \ocation and remo\-e<.l to Geneva, On- tario county. New \ork, with his famil\, w lu-n the son was about four years of age, where he engaged in \ arious employments, the princijial of which was that of jani- tor for two of the churches of the village. The son, when very young, assisted his father in his employments during the hours of the day when not in attendance at school, .11x1 during vacations. When about ten years of age he was placed upon a farm, where he was to remain until he should reach the age of sixteen. After about a j'ear, however, he w.is removed by the father, owing to dissatisfac- tion with some action ol llu' tanner by whom he was emplo\'ed, and was taken lu>me, when he resumed school attendance, employing his spare time in such work as he couUl obtain, to aild to the scanty support of his father's l'amil\. consisting of the mother and lixu children, lie was fond of study, ami being ot a religious turn of mind he e.irly formed the purpose^ to jirciiare for tiie ministry, ho])ing to be able lo work his wa\- through colK'ge. Wlu'ii thirtei'U \ears ol .ige, howi-xer. Sj^Td. Kl'J'KKSKNl A I l\ !■ MIN Hh I III UMIIJ) SIAI KS ; WISCONSIN V'Ol.llMh;. lie luilllil it I1C( cssai'V to (llMOiil iiiuc Mlli'iulaiirr ;il silnxil, .111(1 ( >l )l .li I1C( i fill | ili )\- rnriil ill a ^ciicimI store in the \illa)_;<-, as ciraiiil lioy, at two dollars a week, and after a f<'\v inoiilhs was assi^^ned to duly hejiind tin- (()iintrival(.- business, and associated with hims(;lf layman Everingham, then freif^ht aj^ent at Milwaukee, of the La Crosse & Milwaukee Railroad (now the La Crosse division of the Chlcaj^o, Mil- waukee & St. Raul Railway! , and organized the firm of Bacon & ICverinjrham, j^rain commission m(;rchants, en(.fajrinf.( in the receivin^ branch f)f thr; business. The business has been continued up to the jiresiMit time, the hnn h.ivinj; been chan^ied to !•,. V. H.i<-, iS()5, Mr. Raymond enlisted in the army, becoming Orderly Sergeant of Company C, Fifty-Second Wisconsin Infantry, and served until the following August, when the regiment was mustered out of the service. In 1873 he moved from Plover to Stevens Point, continuing to practice his profession.. He is now the senior member of the firm of Raymond, Lamoureaux & Park. Politically, Mr. Raymond is a staunch and zealous Republican, a firm be- liever in the principles of Republicanism, and a strong advocate of its doctrines. His first vote was cast for General Scott, the Whig candidate, in T852, but upon the organization of the Republican party he immediately joined its ranks. He has frequently lieen lionored with positions of trust. In 1856 he was elected District Attorney, and was re-elected in 1858 and again in 1866, serving, in all, six years. At the general election in the autumn of 1865, he was elected a member of the General Assembly, representing Portage county, serving one year. In April, t88i, he was appointed Postmaster of Stevens i'oint, lor a term ot four years, by Presi- dent Garfield. Mr. Raymond was created a Mason in September, 1857, in Plover Lodge No. 76, and was Master of the lodge for several years. He is now a member of Ever- green Lodge, of Stevens Point, of which he has also been Master, and of Crusade Commandery, K. T. He was formerly very active in Masonic circles, but during later years has left much of the work of the organization to younger men. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was commander of the Stevens Point Post No. 56 for three years. He has been twice married, the first time in October, 1857, to Miss Mary E. Harris, of Canton, Ohio. She had three children, one of whom, Mitchell Harris Raymond, assistant cashier of the Merchants' National Bank of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, is now living. She died October 18, 1864. His second marriage occurred April 15, 1867, when he was joined in wedlock to Mrs. Lucinda Hartchett, //een established a few months i)re\iously at St. Croix Falls, he at once aecepted it. On the 1st of Deceinher the press and material were taken to Osceola Mills, the county seat of Polk county, and the Polk County Press was issued, the entire type settinjj: and press work hein^ done by Mr. Pifield. On the jnd day of .'\pril, 1S62, Mr. iMtield purchased the paper and became its editor and proprietor. Its tone was at once changed and from beinj^ a Demo- cratic journal it became a strong supporter of the policy inaugurated by Lincoln to crush treason and save the Union.. The energy of the new proprietor caused the Polk County Press to become a power in its section, and influence and circulation increased rai)idl\-. As a newspaper man Mr. Pifield soon acquired a prominent position an/rM'(- of tlie firm of Harris & Bronson, and in the winter superintended cutting logs in the timber huui al)out lake Pharaoh, Warren county, New York, while in the summer he worked in a sawmill for the same firm. His remuneration there was the princely sum of twelve dollars monthly in the winters and in the summers he was entitled to an additional dollar per month. Later he took entire charge of the mill and obtained a salary of a dollar and fifty cents a clay. Under his manage- ment the mill did good work. During the third winter he was prostrated with bilious fever. This attack of illness nearly ended his career, and he was carried out of the woods, to Lake George, nearly dead. After recovery he decided to seek another location for his future operations, and accepted a position with Messrs. Fox & Anglin, the former a retired Presbyterian minister, living at that time at Schenectady, New York, and the latter city treasurer of Kingston, Canada, and finished building their mill, which was being erected on the Rideau canal, about eighteen miles from Kingston, Canada. About this time he also built and operated several mills on the Moira river, near Belleville, Canada. He had learned his business from the foundation upward; he started at the lowest round of the ladder and as he progressed upward, being of an observing mind and naturally practical, he not only learned all that was then known about the construction and oi)eration of sawmills, but his inventive genius conceived various methods for improvement. As an cii/f^loyc of the firm of I""ox & Anglin he obtained a salary of a thousand dollars a year. Having promised his former employers, Messrs. Harris & Bronson, 'that, in case they commenced operations in a different location, he would return to them, he resigned his position with F"ox & Anglin and superintended the erection of a large mill for Harris & Bronson, at Ottawa, Canada. He operated this mill for them one season, and by putting on a shave tooth was enabled to turn out some extraordinarily smooth lumber. By this time his reputation as a practical and successful lumberman had be- come established, and he was offered by Gilmour & Company, of Ottawa, Canada, the largest lumber concern in the world, a responsible position at a yearly salary of four thousand dollars and house rent, horses, etc., furnished. He remodeled and improved the following of their mills: two at Gatneau, one each on the river Trent and the river Blaunch, one on North Nation river, and their shipyard mill at \\ olf Cove, Quebec. He had entire charge of the* manufacturing part of their business and superintended every branch from the rough logs to the fmished lumber. While associated with Gilmour & Company, Mr Ingram invented the gang edger, a device that has been of greater advantage to the lumber interests than any contrivance ever introduced. He did not patent his invention, but put it to prac- tical use in the mills which he superintended, and also in other mills in Wisconsin 84 lilOGRAPIlKAI. I)U riONARV AND I'ORI RAII' (iAI.l.KRY OK IIIK aiul elsewhere. Some time later a i)arty named Paul aj^plied for a patent upon the gang edger, which was granted to his heirs shortly thereafter, but, as it was proved that the device was invented by Mr. Ingram and had been originally designed and introduced into several mills by him, Paul or his assigns failed to collect royalty. Having taken care of the greater part of his earnings, Mr. Ingram was able to enter business on his own account, and in the winter of 1856-57 he obtained a leave of absence, which he occupied in seeking for a location. His employers exacted a promise from him requiring three months' notice in case he desired to leave, but upon learning of his decision they used all honorable means to retain his services, offering him a salary of six thousand dollars, but without avail. He obtained a man whom he could recommend to fill his place, and associating himself with A. M. Dole, of Ottawa, and Donald Kennedy, who was formerly working for Gilmour & Company, he formed the firm of Dole, Ingram & Kennedy, and in the spring of 1857 they began lumbering in the Chippewa valley, in Wisconsin. They commenced operations with a small portable mill, with which they sawed timber for a sawmill. They built a gang mill and brought the first iron planer and the first iron lathe into the Chippewa valley. Beside sawing timl:)er for their own use, they also partially supplied Daniel Shaw & Company. They began rafting soon after they started in Eau Claire, and after a few years opened up a lumber yard at Wabasha, Minnesota. Later they started a lumber yard at Dubuque, Iowa, which was placed under the charge of W. H. Day, and they afterward erected a mill and sawed lumber there. In 1861 a severe loss was encountered. The mill in Eau Claire was destroyed by fire, and having no insurance upon the plant, fifty thousand dollars of their earnings was devoured by the element. The following year Messrs. Ingram & Kennedy purchasetl Mr. Dole's inter- est in the business. Some two years later two young men, who were faithful c))i- ploycs, were each given an eighth interest, to be payed out of their share of the profits. Thus the style of the firm became Ingram, Kennedy & Company, and they continued to purchase and cut timber, to buy logs and manufacture and sell lumber. In 1865 the firm built the steamer Silas Wright, and conducted the largest part of the freighting from Reed's Landing to Eau Claire. In connection with this branch of the business, Mr. Ingram also displayed his genius for invention. He devised a system of lighters which enabled the Silas Wright to ascend the river, while other boats of less draught were forced to remain down stream. He obtained a patent on this invention. In 1867-68 the boat was taken South and operated on the Arkansas ri\er, between Little Rock and Fort Smith. The Silas Wright was purchased later by H. T. Rumsey, of La Crosse, who then put on a line of boats. In 1S80 Mr. Ingram organized the Charles Horton Lumber Company, of Win- ona, and the following year Mr. Kennedy sold out his interests in the various estab- lishments in which he was associated with Mr. Ingram, to Messrs. Dulaney and McVeigh, and then Mr. Ingram, in connection with his new associates and the remaining partners, organized the Empire Lumber Company, with capital stock of $800,000. The Empir^ Lumber Company absorbed all the interests of the firm of Ingram, Kennedy & Company, including their interests in the firm of Ingram, Kennedy & Day, of Dubuque, Iowa. The Dulnujue business was then incorporated REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 85 as the Staiulartl Lumber Company, willi capital stock of $500,000. Mr. Iiiu;ram is president of the limpire Lumber Company, vice-president of the .Standard Lumber Company, and president of the Wabasha Lumber Company. In 1883 Mr. Inirrani or;-. TIk'n- overtook him at SpriiiLiiicUl .uul had a httlr lii^ht with him there. A day or two after that they fouoht the battle of l'err\\ilh\ Kentueky, in whicli the Captain participated in command of his company. For two or three days prior to this battle Captain Knight had typhoid symp- toms cominij on, and had been sent in the mornin<>: to the ambulance with a very high fever. When tlie\' were approaching the line of batth' he ,i;ot out and joined his compan\ , and went into the fight with them. He was injured by the explosion of a shell, but did not think much of it at that time; however, the next day he was unable to mo\e, and did not walk again for about three months The doctor stated that his spinal nt-rvt's had l)een injured by the concussion from the explosion so near him, which rendered him helpless and unable to even feed himself, and he has never fully recovered from this injury. That was in October, 1862, and he was not well enough to do any duty until March, 1863, when he went on duty as chief mus- tering officer at Louisville, Kentucky. Whilst he was laid up in this way he was married, on the 19th of January, 1863, at Witminoton, Helaware, to Susan James Clark, daughter of Levi G. Clark. Captain Knight remained on duty at Louisville until shortly after the battle of Chickamauga. Whilst he was on duty in Kentucky he mustered into service the ten regiments of Kentuckians who were raised under a special act of Congress. Amongst them was Colonel B. H. Bristow's regiment. He had many i)erilous ex- periences during all the time he was performing this duty, on account of going to different parts of the State to muster. Having finished his labor, he joined his regiment again at Chattanooga, shortly after the battle of Chickamauga. He was there on duty with his regiment during all the time they were shut up there by the rebels, and until after they had fought the battle of Mission Ridge, in which he participated. This was during the time Rosecrans was hemmed in at Chattanooga, when there was great suffering from scarcity of footl. He was on picket duty on the extreme right of the Ihiion line for three days prior to that battle, and during the fight on Lookout Mountain his regiment supported Hooker on the left. The position of his brigade in the line of battle at Mission Ridge was in the center, facing the ridge from Chattanooga in a direct line to Hragg's headquarters. Sher- man's army was on the left. There is one circumstance connected with that battle that is little known. After his regiment had reached the top of the ridge they discovered a body of Confed- erate mounted men down on their right, cut off from their main army. It proved to be General John C. Breckinridge and his body guard, who undertook to run by them; but they opened firt' on them and unsaddled (luite a number, making the General's son prisoner. Before this battle it had become apparent that Captain Knight could not march with his regiment; that, in fact, he was really unfitted for service. His health was very much broken down; and without his knowledge the officers of his regiment had reported it to the War Department. The next day after the battle of Mission Ridge, while his regiiwent was drawn up at Ringgold, Georgia, where the enemy had made a staml, he received orders to proceed to Detroit, Michigan, for duty in the office of assistant to the Provost Marshal Cn'iuTal of that State and chiei mus- KKI'KI'.SKNrAllVK MEN OK IIIK liNIIKD.Sl AIKS; WISCONSIN VOLUMK. Q5 tering and disbursing officer. In 1863 the Captain was appointed Colonel of the First Delaware Cavalry regiment by the Governor of that State, but he was not permitted to join it, because it had become so reduced in numbers that the Secre- tary of W ar declined his frequent applications for so doing. He was afterward brevetted Major and Lieutenant Colonel of the army, for faithful and meritorious .service during the war. Colonel Knight arrived at Detroit in January, 1S64, and re])orted to Genc^ral Hill, who was the officer in command, and was by him assigned to duty as superin- tendent of recruiting service of the Michigan regiments, and had charge of the re- organization of all the veteran regiments of Michigan, and final discharge of all of them. All matters connected with the refilling of the regiments were under his supervision. Shortly after he entered on duty in Detroit he was appointed to suc- ceed General Hill in the entire charge of the business of drafting and recruiting, as Assistant Provost Marshal General, and remained on duty there until I'ebruary, 1S67, when he was ordered to report to his regiment in the regular army. The new infantry regiments which were added to the regular army during the war were regiments of three battalions of eight companies each. The Captain was in the second battalion of the Eighteenth Infantry. After the war closed these regiments were broken up and each regiment made into three regiments of ten companies, and new numbers given to them, so that when he joined his regiment in 1867 he belonged to the Thirty-sixth United States Infantry. That regiment was then doing duty in Wyoming and Utah Territories, guarding the engineering par- ties who were locating the line of the Union Pacific Railroad. He had charge of about four hundred miles of this line, which lay between a point about two hundred miles west of the present town of Laramie City, on the Union Pacific line, and Fort Bridger. He made his headquarters in the western mouth of Hridger's pass of the Rocky mountains, and had command of that line and the troops which were guard- ing these locating ])arties of railroad engineers. During the winter of iS6S-(; he was stationed at Camp Douglas, Salt Lake City, and was the ne.\t otiicer in rank to the commanding officer of the post. There had been a law passed during the session of Congress in 1868 reducing the army. This law permitted the Adjutant General to select from the army such offi- cers as he thought were the best in the service. The others were either to be re- tired or discharged, as was right and fair. Colonel Knight was one of those selected by the Adjutant General to remain, and was assigned to the First Infantry. Under the provisions of this law an officer could apply to be placed upon the supernumerary list, and draw his pay for two years, and at the end of that time be discharged from service. Colonel Knight took advantage of this law for the pur- pose of getting into business. He went to Washington in the spring of 1869, and saw General (irant in respect to some civil appointment, and he persuaded him, on account of his health, to take an assignment of duty at the Indian agency of the Lake Superior Chippewas, the President having adopted the policy of detailing army officers for performing the duties of Indian agencies. As already intimated. Colonel Knight had lost his health during the war, and it had not been restored, which (leneral Cirant knew \'ery well, and he offered to give iiim some foreign ap- q6 biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of the pointment, where he thought his health would be benefited by the climate. Whilst he was trying to hunt up a place, where his health would recover, as he thought, the President suggested to him, through General Dent, to try a northern climate. Tbe attractions which had been created by the advertisements of J. Cooke & Company, of the country which the Northern Pacific Railroad was going to traverse, had somewhat fascinated him, and he finally concluded to go north, and was de- tailed to do the duties of an Indian agent to the Chippewas. That was how he came up to Bayfield, Wisconsin. He landed there on June 30, 1869, and has been in this country ever since. There were very few soldiers who were broken down in their health more than Colonel Knight was. He came to Bayfield and did the duties of Indian agent for nearly a year, and improved so much in health in this climate that he concluded to remain, and in 1870 he sent in his resignation as Captain and started out for him- self. He then bought some law books and studied law again. He speculated in real estate and made some good investments, and concluded that he could make money in the rising values of property, and by getting back into his profession he could make a living. About the time Jay Cooke failed and the crash came on, he accepted the office of Register of the land ofiice at Bayfield, in the latter part of 1872, at the request of C. C. Washburn, who was then member of Congress from Wisconsin. Mr. Washburn had experienced some difficulty in deciding between several applicants, and he solicited him to take the office, until about the year 1879, but he was nominally Register until some time in 1880. Colonel Knight commenced business in Ashland in 1878, but did not move there until the year 1880. He organized the Superior Lumber Company in 1880, and commenced business in 1881. That was the beginning of the prosperity of Ashland, and really the commencement of the start, under which it is now progress- ing. It was the beginning of the growth of Ashland from a village of about eight hundred inhabitants to a city of fifteen thousand, at the present time. The com- pany is one of large wealth. In fact, it has a property valuation of fully three- quarters of a million of dollars. The Colonel has been actively interested in almost every enterprise that has been since located at Ashland, — the Ashland National Bank, of which he is vice-president; First National Bank, Ashland Brown Stone Company, director of the Street Railway, and largely contributed to the bonus of the blast furnace. He was local attorney for the Wisconsin Central Railroad for a number of years. He has been twice elected as Democratic Mayor in a Republi- can city. Colonel Knight's first wife died on the 29th of June, 1867, at Wilmington, Dela- ware. There was one child by that marriage, Eugenia Bradford Knight, who is now the wife of Leslie B. Rowley. On June 2, 1873, he was married again, to Ella B. Clark, a sister of his first wife. Of this union have been born six children: Susan B., whose death occurred October 7, 1890; Clark M., Mary E., Elizabeth C, Re- becca S. and Pauline V. In 1888 Colonel Knight was a delegate at large to the National Democratic Convention at -St. Louis, that renominated Grover Cleveland, and in 1892 was a delegate at large to the Chicago convention that again nominated Mr. Cleveland, RErRESKNTATIVK MKN OF TlIK UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 97 and was one of his most efficient supporters. In i8qo, after repeatedly refusing to allow his name to be used before the Democratic convention for the nomination of Governor, he yielded two days before the convention, and came within a very few votes of being nominated. It is well known to his friends that he did not desire the nomination, although he expected that the nominee of the convention would be elected. Those of his friends who possess his confidence know that he did not want to be Governor. In 1891 Colonel Knight began to be talked about for Senator to succeed Sena- tor Sawyer, upon the assumption that his party would have a majority of the Legis- lature and elect such successor, and he became a candidate before the Legislature that met in January, 1893, his competitors being Colonel John L. Mitchell, of Mil- waukee, and General E. S. Bragg, of Fond du Lac. The caucus was about ten days deciding between the three gentlemen; Colonel Mitchell won and was elected Senator. As a benefactor to the city of Ashland, Colonel Knight stands second to none. Every project destined to enhance her interests receives cordial support from him. In 1890 he erected the magnificent Knight Block, without doubt the finest block in northern Wisconsin. In addition to stores and offices, it contains the Hotel Knight, a hotel that would be a credit to our best cities, and which has done much toward making Ashland popular with the traveling public, as well as to bring one more enterprise within the scope of Colonel Knight's versatile genius. REUBEN GOLD THWAITES, ~|l /FR. THWAITES was born in Boston, Massachusetts, May 15, 1853, and is a i-tX son of William G. and Sarah Thwaites. He was educated in the Boston schools and Yale College, taking the post-graduate course at the latter, from 1873 to 1876. At the age of thirteen he came West to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and in the winter of 1871-72 taught school in Winnebago county. In 1872 he entered the field of journalism by becoming city editor of the Oshkosh Times, but in the fall of 1873 resigned to enter Yale College, where he remained until 1876, at the same time writing for Boston. New Haven, and Chicago newspapers. In May, 1876, he re- turned to Wisconsin and located at Madison, where he became cit}' editor of the Wisconsin State Journal, and in 1877 took charge of that paper as managing editor, and also conducted a Wisconsin news syndicate which furnished Wisconsin news to the papers of New York, Chicago, St. Louis, and other cities. In 1884 he was elected assistant secretary of the .State Historical Society of Wisconsin, and at the opening of 1887 assumed the post as secretary of that institution, — a position he still occupies. Mr. Thwaites has written numerous articles on history and travel, consisting of books, magazine articles, pamphlets, and historical monographs. He is editor of the Wisconsin Historical Collections and of all the other publications of the society. In addition to sketches in various jjublications he has written the 9o BIOGRAPHICAL DIC'JIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OK THE followingf books: " Historic Waterways; Six Hundred Miles of Canoeingr Down the Rock, Fox and Wisconsin Rivers," pviblished byA.C. McClurg& Co., 1888, 208 pages, duodecimo; " The Story of Wisconsin," Boston, 1890, D. Lothrop, 389 pages octavo; "TheColonies, 1492-1750," Longman, Green&Co., 1891,301 pages; (opening volume of the " Epochs of American History Series," used as text books by Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc.) ; "Our Cycling Tour in England: From Canterbury to Dartmoor Forest and Back by Way of Bath, Oxford, and the Thames Valley," McClurg & Co., 1892, 315 pages, duodecimo. In 1882 Mr. Thwaites was married to Miss Jessie Turvill, of Madison. They have one child. They are members of the Unitarian Church. Mr. Thwaites has traveled over much of the United States and Europe. As executive officer of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, he has control over a library containing over 175,000 volumes, — the largest reference library west of the Alleghany mountains. AUGUSTUS LEDYARD SMITH, APPLETON. HON. AUGUSTUS LEDYARD SMITH was born April 5, 1833, in Middle- town, Middlesex county, Connecticut. His father, Augustus W. Smith, LL. D., was a native of Newport, New York, and represented a family which was prom- inent in educational, social and intellectual position. He was a graduate of Ham- ilton College, and was a man of eminence in educational affairs. From 1826 to 1830 he was principal of the Cazenovia (New York) Seminary, and in 1831 accepted a chair in the Wesleyan University, in Middletown, then in process of organization, and was associated with Dr. Wilbur Fisk in the incipient management of that insti- tution. The reputation which it has gained and held for many years is second to none in the country, and manifests the character of its projectors and the quality of judgment exercised in its establishment. Mr. Smith sustained his relations to the university until 1852, when he was made its president. In 1857 he resigned this office to accept a professorship of mathematics in the United States Naval Acad- emy at Annapolis, Maryland, having been appointed by Secretary Tousey, and during the same year President Buchanan commissioned him a professor of mathematics in that institution. This was a regular United States naval appointment, and car- ried with it the rank of Commander ; there were but twelve such appointments in the naval service. He continued in that connection until his death in 1866. The ancestors of Dr. Smith were from England, and were among the earliest settlers in America. The mother of the subject of this biography, whose maiden name was Catherine R. Childs, was a member of a family distinguished in position and ancestry. She was a lineal descendant of several individuals who became dis- tinguished through patriotism in the struggles of our country. The great-grand- father of Mr. Smith iwas General Ledyard, an officer in both wars with England. Colonel Ledyard, an officer in the Revolution, who is jirominently mentioned in all histories of that struggle, was a member of the family and was an uncle of Mr. X CAVLO, JjLGLy rxu^^vxZd KEPRKSKMATIVK MEN OK lllE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. lOl Smith's great-grandfather. He fought at New London and Fort Griswold, Con- necticut, and was killed at Groton, in the same State. Thomas Childs, the pater- nal uncle of Mr. Smith's mother, was a prominent officer in the Mexican war, and was made Governor of Pueblo de los Angeles, May 15, 1847, on the occupation of that place by the United States troops ; he had the rank of Major General. His father, Timothy Childs, was a surgeon in the army during the Revolution. Another of Mr. Child's illustrious ancestors was Colonel Forman, of New Jersey, who was one of the organizers of the military order of Cincinnati ; he was of the maternal branch of the family. His paternal progenitors were also active in the struggle for independence. Mr. Smith, whose name heads this l)iography, was brought up and educated in his native place, and at the age of twenty-one graduated at the university at Middletown. He came to Madison, Wisconsin, soon afterwarci, to take a position as tutor in the University of Wisconsin, and officiated in that relation for two years. In 1856 he became connected with the office of school lands in Wisconsin, and through the efforts and solicitation of Hon. Horatio Seymour, of New York, he be- came connected with the Fox & Wisconsin Improvement Company, which was organized for the purpose of improving Fox and Wisconsin rivers from Green Bay to the Mississippi river. At that time the officers of the corporation were located at Fond du Lac, and Mr. Smith conducted its affairs from that point for a year. In 1858 he transferred the headquarters to Green Bay, and a year later to Appleton. The chief portion of the work contemplated by the company was to build canals around the rapids, constructing the necessary locks. The Government made a grant of land to Wisconsin for that purpose, and the State transferred the grant to the company, under restrictions and stipulations that on the completion of a navi- gable route from Green Bay to Portage City the title of the included lands should pass to the company. The stipulations also provided for the sale of part of these lapds, on condition that a portion of the proceeds should be devoted to said im- I)rovements. The remainder was to be the property of the company for expenses incurred. Mr. Smith had charge of the business relations of the company in the capacity of secretary and treasurer, representing the State and operating in the same rela- tions to the company. Fven if no other evidence of the abilities and character of Mr. Smith was in existence, this simple statement would suffice to illustrate the ex- ecutive and guiding power he possesses. The work was completed as far as Oshkosh, when, in 1861, the condition of national affairs and the inactivity consequent upon the internal disturbances pro- duced a business stagnation, which had its effect upon the affairs of the company, 'and further progress in the work of improvement was suspended. Mr. Smith then accepted the professorship in the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, and then removed to Newport, Rhode Island, where he was assigned to duty on the ■^team frigate Constitution. It gradually became apparent that the United States was equal to the emer- gency, and confidence being restored, the business of the company brightened and the services of Mr. Smith again became indispensible. Resigning his position at i;i4 lands of the former corporation. The relations ol Mr. Smith to the nt'w corporation were the same as to the old, an^hting. In August, 1894, Mr. Smith was elected vice-president of tlu= National Association of the Edison Illuminating Companies. Politically, Mr. Smith acts with the Democratic ])arly. In icSjo hv. was eUicted Mayor of the city; in 1H73 4 he served as Councilman ; and in i8()6 7 he was State Senator from the sixth district. In the Legislature, as in i^rivate matters, he showed great business capacities. Among the important measures in which he took a leading i)art was the reorganization of the State University, which was effected during the session of 1867. The committees on which he did the most and best work were those on education and on incorporations. While still a member of the Senate, in 1S67, Governor I'airchild appointed him regent of the State University, a position which he held six successive years. He is now, and has been for several years, trustee of the Wesleyan University of Middletown, Connecticut, his (i////u matir, in his nati\f town, and was for many years also trustee of Lawrence Uni- versity at Ajipleton. These latter are relations which he justly regards with pride and satisfaction. In i.Sgi he was appointed president of the Wisconsin Board of World's I'air Managers, and took a deep interest in all that pertained to the Col- umbian Exposition. He is very popular, being a favorite with all classes, and com- mands the respect and confidence of the entire community. In 1S84 he was nom- inated, on the Democratic ticket, for the jjosition of Representative in Congress; the district was from four to five thousand R(;i)ublican majority, but so highly was he esteemed that the usual majority was reduced to less than a thousand votes. Although most active in business and foremost in all enterprises organized to enhance the material prosperity of Appleton, he is domestic in his tastes and'habits. He has a stately and elegant residence on the high bank of Fox river, seventy feet above low-water mark, with a veranda facing the stream, whi( h may readily be con- verted into a conservatory in the winter, with grounds tastefully platted and adorned and one of the finest landscape views which the Fox valley presents'. He has fine literary tastes, and possesses one of tin; largest and best selected libraries in the State. I-'rom his father he inherited a valuable collection of books, to which he has add(,'d yearly. An admirer of old and rare publications would deeply enjoy the Itrivilege of inspecting his book-shelves. He is also the possessor of many fint; pic- tures — indices of culture, refmem(.-nt and wealth. Several years ag(j, at the breaking up of the Business Men's Association, he established what was called the Aj^pleton Athletic and Amusement Association, giving up the greater portion of a large three-story double building, in which he established a reading room, a complete gymnasium, a bowling alley, card room, re- ception room and a billiard and i)ooI room. He deemed it of considerable import- ance to the best interests of the ( il\- of ;\i)pleton that such an institution should be maintained. To become members of this association, he charg<;d a v(;ry light annual fee, Imt it is very largely at his own expense that it is maintained. The city will have to grow very sensibly to make the fees equal the expenses. JilOCIKArillCAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE On October 30, i860, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Edna J. Taylor, then of Chicago but previously of Madison, Wisconsin. They had two sons : Augustus Ledyard Smith, Jr., who is the general manager of the mills of the Manufacturers' Investment Company ; and Franklin Taylor Smith, an attorney of Milwaukee. Mrs. Smith died April 3, 1894. She was a lady of much refinement and in full sym- pathy with her husband in all his tastes and interests, and therefore her loss is all the more keenly felt. Mr. Smith is a regular attendant of the Congregational Church, is a liberal con- tributor to religious societies and literary institutions, and warmly interested in every organization or enterprise calculated to enhance the social, moral and intel- lectual, as well as material, interests of the city of Appleton and State of Wisconsin. HON. JOHN B. WINSLOW, JUDGE JOHN BRADLEY WINSLOW, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, has made a record so exceptional for one of his years that a sketch of his life, is of more than passing interest. The time-worn adage, "Old men for counsel and young men for war," has proved to be unsound. Young men possessed of vigorous thought and action are gaining places of the first rank in the world of science, art, education, theology, statescraft and law. Racine county has furnished a goodly number of talented young men, but none of whom she may more justly be proud than the well-known gentleman, whose name heads this sketch. ■ fudge Winslow was born in Nunda, Livingston county. New York, October 4, 1851, apd is the only son of Horatio G. and Emily (Bradley) Winslow, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. He was but four years of age when the family moved to Racine. After attending the high school of that city, at the age of fourteen he entered Racine College, and was graduated in 1871, with the degree of A. B. The following year he began to read law in the office of Judge E. O. Hand, and continued until 1873, when he became a clerk and student to the law firm of Fuller & Dyer, where he remained until September, 1874. He then entered the law department of the State University, in Madison. Having graduated from that institution in 1875, we find him at Racine again, occupying the position of clerk in the office of Fuller & Harkness. Ill health caused the latter to withdraw from the firm and Judge Winslow was admitted to his place. In the year 1876 the Demo- cratic party made Mr. Winslow standard-bearer for the position of District Attor- ney, but the Republican majority was too strong to be overcome. The following year the firm of Fuller and Winslow was dissolved by mutual consent. In the spring of 1879 Mr. Winslow was elected City Attorney, and re-elected in 1880, 1881 and 1882. In the meantime he had formed a partnership, in January, 1880, with Charles A. Brownson, now deceased, which connection continued two years, when he be- REPRKSENTATINK MKN OV TlIK UNITED STAIES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. IO5 came a partner of j. V. Qtiarles, the distiiij^aished attorney, now of Milwaukee, which continued only one year, as Mr. Winslow was elected Circuit Judge of the I'irst judicial Circuit, comprising the counties of Racine, Kenosha and Walworth. So ably did he fill the position that in iS8q he was re-elected without opposition and continued to hold the office until his appointment to the Supreme Bench of the State, by Governor Peck, in iSgi. At Racine, on the iQth of January, i8roceeds and went his way. .Mr. Libbey, with two companions, journeyed to the diggings with pick, pan and shovel. For three years he worked and led the life of a miner in the early days of California, a life of toil, privation, and isolation from all that rcMulers life enjoyable. .•\t the and of three years, Mr. Libbey returned home, but after a visit of three or four months, he went back to California, where he remained two years more, being most of the time engaged in mining. In the spring of 1855, he returned home, and was married, and in the fall of that year removed to the State of Wisconsin, \\ itli a few thousand dollars of accumulated capital and a determination to engage in the lumbering business. The little city of Oshkosh, with a population of about 4,000, in 1855, was even then the seat of an active industry in the manufacture of lumber. No railroads had yet reached that point, and the business of lumbering was then subject to vicissitudes which could not be foreseen. To this little western city of Oshkosh, Mr. Lil)l)ey came to engage in his chosen nccupatif)n at the age of thirty-two. His first investment was the purchase of an undivided half of a sawmill, the other half being owned by Mr. John Chase. Instead of forming any i)usin(;ss connection, the two men operate-d the mill alternately for no BIOGRAI'llKAl, DRTIONAKV AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE two years, each running it half the time during the sawing season on his own account. At the end of the two years, Mr. Libbey purchased the interest of Mr. Chase in the mill, and for many years afterward quietly and unostentatiously pursued the busi- ness of manufacturing and selling lumber. His close attention to, and sagacious management of, his business insured its success, and he soon began to be known and inspire confidence as a man fair and honorable in his dealings and true to all obligations; a safe man, who was reasonably sure to score a success. The energetic character of Mr. Libbey was well illustrated in 1862. His mill and a large quantity of lumber were entirely consumed by fire. It was nearly or quite impossible, at that time, to procure insurance on that kind of property in Oshkosh, and he consequently had none. This was a serious blow to him, but he went ener- getically to work to rebuild, and in ninety days he had a new and better mill on the site of the old one. In a few years he began to take rank among the capitalists of the growing city. In 1S71, the Union National Bank of Oshkosh was organized with $100,000 capital, and Mr. Libbey was elected its president, — a position he has since continuously occupied. He has always been foremost in aiding the growth and prosperity of Oshkosh by the use of his capital in aid of the skill and industry of others in various business enterprises. He is a large stockholder in and president of the Williamson & Lib- bey Lumber Company, which was incorporated in 1879, to continue the business of the former firm of Williamson, Libbey & Company. This corporation has an extensive factory for the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds and other finished work. Mr. Libbey has embarked in many other enterprises where the use of his capital created employment for a large number of men and sustained many families. He is a director in several corporations, and is treasurer of the Thompson Carriage Works of Oshkosh and largely interested in the Fulton & Libbey Company of Minneapolis. He was one of the promoters, and is now a large stockholder in the Atheran, a magnificent hotel building, which is a pride to the city. Aside from his various business enterprises, he devotes much attention to his fine farm of 300 acres, which is situated a mile north of Oshkosh, on the shore of the beautiful Lake Winnebago. Mr. Libbey has never posed as a philanthropist or public benefactor, but by the honest and honorable methods by which he has acquired a fortune, and especially bj' the manner in which he uses it, he is fairly entitled to consideration, and is re- cognized as one who deserves the utmost confidence and esteem of his communitj'. He has always evinced a public-spirited citizen's interest in municipal affairs, but has been too busilj' engaged with personal matters to engage prominently in public matters. He has, however, served several times as Alderman in the City Council and also as a member of the County Board of Supervisors, and his intelligent and conscientious discharge of his duties in these capacities, as well as the good influ- ence which his sound judgment and high character exerted on them, are evidences that he would be a valuable representative in higher positions. He is, however, not only too busy, but is also too modest a man to enter the list for public honors. KEI'KESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. Ill Mr. Libbeywas first married May 2g, 1855, to Mary Caroline Reynolds, of Green- field, New Hampshire, who died January 29, 1869, greatly lamented by all who knew her. June 11, 1872, Mr. Libbey was married to Lura A. Reed, of Phillips, Maine. He has four surviving children; his oldest son, a young man of great promise, died several years ago. It is not because of special prominence in public affairs that Mr. Libbey has, and is justly entitled to the respect and confidence of his fellow men, nor is it solel}' because he has acquired wealth, for some do that who have neither the respect nor confidence of others, but it is because, in a comparatively pre-eminent degree, he is a representative man of a class, to whom, more than to any other, is due the continued growth and prosperity of the many thriving cities of the West. WANTON K. RIDEOUT, IN this enlighted age, when men of energy, industry and merit are rapidly push- ing themselves to the front, those who by their own unaided efforts have won favor and fortune may properly claim recognition. Years ago, when the West was entering upon its era of growth and development, and Wisconsin was laying the foundation for future prosperity, there came thither from all parts of the country, men poor but honest and with that sturdy independence and a determination to succeed that justly entitles them to a page in the history of the Northwest. Among the names of those who came her^ empty-handed and have through their ability and perseverance overcome serious obstacles and earned for them- selves honor, esteem and wealth, that of Wanton Kendrick Rideout is worthy a conspicuous place. He was born in Richmond, Maine, July 15, 1840. His father. Wanton S. Rideout, was a member of an old New England family. He occupied a prominent position in the community, and during the war of 181 2 served his coun- try as a Captain, and in that capacity commanded Fort Popham. The mother of our subject, Elenor iicc Perry, was also of Colonial ancestry. Her family was also prominently identified with the early wars, and counted among its members the immortal naval officer. Commodore Perry, who was her cousin. The boyhood days of the subject of this sketch were passed upon a farm. 1 le attended district school as opportunity offered, but losing his father by death when he was six years of age, his actions were controlled by his half-brother, Benjamin Rideout, under whom he learned the carpenter and joiner trade. He remained in his native town until he was si.xteen years old, having worked some at his trade. In 1857, accompanied by his half-brother, he came West to Wisconsin, locating in Hortonville, where he continued to work at carpentering. When he reached the age of twenty, his half-brother died suddenly without having made any provision to remunerate him for services rendered. His deceased brother's family being large and their v\ftft(\ greater than his, he never requested any division of the prop- ert\', but determined to move onward on his own account. 1 \v engaged in con- BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE trading in a small way, erected houses, bridges and other structures, and soon found himself upon a prosperous road. In 1864 he enlisted into the army as a pri- vate of Company F, Forty-third Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, which be- came part of General Thomas' brigade, and followed the fortunes of that officer during the balance of the war. Being mustered out of the service in July, 1865, he returned to Hortonville, and shortly thereafter built, on a small scale, a planing mill and sash, door and blind factory. Some five years later he purchased a saw- mill and began to manufacture lumber. During all this time he continued to con- tract for the erection of buildings and bridges, and through manufacturing his lumber and sash, doors and blinds he was enabled to underbid competitors and still clear large and remunerative profits. As the country developed his business in- creased, and his profits became larger. He constructed buildings over a large sec- tion surrounding Hortonville, and through hard work and sound business principles climbed upward step by step. About the year 1878 the Milwaukee & Lake Shore Railroad Company built a railroad through that section of the State, and two years later, when an outlet was thus secured, Mr. Rideout erected a sawmill at Eland Junction. This mill he still owns and runs. About 1884 he purchased from the Milwaukee & Lake Shore Traffic Company their entire plant at Norrie. This con- sisted of sawmill, pine lands, timber, logs, lumber, hotel and other property. The purchase price was $150,000. He operated the plant for several years, cutting off most of the timber, but a few years ago the mill was burned, and he disposed of the entire property. This enterprise was very profitable and proved him to be far- seeing in matters of business. In 1885 Mr. Rideout erected a residence in Oshkosh, and since then has made that city his home. He soon became identified with various enterprises, and has taken his place as one of its most progressive citizens. He was largely instrumental in organizing the Thompson Carriage Company, becoming its president, — a position he held until the fall of 1893, when he disposed of his interests in that corporation. In the fall of 1885 he became a stockholder and director of the Union National Bank (now the National Union Bank), and in January, 1894, was elected vice-pres- ident of that financial institution. He is also president of the Howard Paper Com- pany, of Menasha, which is capitalized for $125,000, and likewise president of the Oshkosh Match Company, a most prosperous corporation, capitalized for $150,- 000. He is also president of the Libbey Wall Paper Company, and is financially interested in the Foote-Cornish flouring mill and the Metropolitan National Bank, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, besides various mining companies and other corporations. A perusal of the above outline of his business career will convince the reader that Mr. Rideout has had but little time to spare for anything not connected with his busi- ness interests. Although deeply interested as a citizen in the cause of good govern- ment, and being of strong Republican faith, he has never desired political position. He has traveled quite extensively over Europe and America, and by friction with the people of the various countries and sections he has visited, his mind has been broadened and hp has examined below the surface, and has discovered the true cause of most of the misery of the poor. He believes that intemperance is the cause of most poverty and the parent of most vices. He has never used intoxicat- REPRESENTATIVE MEN OK THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. II3 in drop off, one at a time, none kiKjwing when the last step was to be taken.' During six years of sickness he never lost courage, but hoped to journey on yet for many a year ; but he, too, has taken the last step, and sunk iieneath waves of the past. "The persistency with which he kept around, when most men would have taken to their beds, is characteristic of the man. His will force was remarkably Il6 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND IHiRlKAir C'.Al.l.KRY OF THE strono. lie was, tlu-iX'fiMV, a posili\r man, ami ucmt lu'sitaU'il to .uivt- full rxpres- sion to his opinions, and while men mij^ht not ai^ree with him, they could hut res- pect the honest \- of his ci>nvictions. As a hiwyer or a poHtician he was always aggressive, luit while he w.is re.uK to L;i\e h.ird Mows, he was just as read\- to re- ceive them with the utn\ost gootl nature. SoeialK, he was one ot the kiutlliest ol men, — one of those men who could be approacheil In all alike. As a conversation- alist, he was very entertaining, possessing as he did a lund of general information rarely met with. In rep.irlee he was remark, d)l\ iiiiiek .uul ajit. In ancient ami modern histor\- he had ilipped deep. llis memoi\- was remarkaMe. his miml grasping and retaining not only the outlines hut the ilet.iils as well. I here was hardly a leading charactt-r or an important e\cnt of the i^ast or present with who.se history he was not familiar. .As a historian he stood in the front rank among the scholars of the State. The death of no man in central Wisconsin would he more generally regretted than is his." Jutlgx- I'.irk w.is married I'ebruary 25. iS.sb, to Mary P. iieach, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. 1 le w,is siu\ i\ed b>- his wife, two sons, Byron B. and dilbert L.,anil one daughter, .Anna. Mrs. Bark died November q, iSqv She was a model Christian mother, anil swa\ eil a beneficial influence in the communitv. HON. W. n. HOARD, KOR r A rRlNSON. VX .dtogethcr new character in the civil and i>olitical history of Wisconsin, and one which has few counterparts anywhere, is William Dempster Hoanl. His parents were William B. ami Sarah Hoard, //<■<■ White, and he was born at Stockbriilge, Madison county. New York, C')ctober 10, iS_ui. where his father, a Methoilist cir- cuit-rider, then resided. His early education was derived entirely from the common schools, which were then none of the best. At the age of twenty-one he settled near Oak Grove, Dodge county, Wisconsin, where he worked on a farm, but removed in 1800 to Lake Mills, jeflerson county. In M.iy. iSoi. he enlisted in Company b. bourth Wisconsin Int. intr\. and served until July, iSoo, when he was dischargeil at Xew Orle.ms for disabilit\. Soon re- gaining his health at his former home in New \ ork, he re-enlisted, in Company A, First New York Artillery, and remained in the army as a private to the close ot the war. At the close of the conthct he returned to Wisconsin and engaged in the nursery business at Columbus, but in 1S70 again established himself at Lake Mills and began the publication of the Jefferson County Union, receiving during the same year the appointment of l')eputy United States INLirshal, and also took the federal census of Waterloo, Aztalan, Milford and Lake Mills. In 1S71 Mr. Hoard was elected Justice of that Peace" of Lake Mills. In 1872 he was elected Sergeant-at- Arms of the State Senate, and the following year removed to Fort Atkinson, which has since been his place of residence and the headquarters of his newspapers. RErRKSKNlATIVK MEN OF IIIH UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. I IQ There is far more than is generally understood in the career of Mr. Hoard that is noteworthy and creditable. Starting with absolutely no capital, he has accom- plished wonders in the way of doing something substantial for the community as well as himself. F"rom the beginning he devoted considerable space in his paper to the discussion of dairy and farm matters. Himself an expert in the business of making butter and cheese, his articles attracted and held attention from the good sense and practical knowledge which they displayed. It is true that at first the fruits of his efforts seemed to be insignificant, certainly unsatisfactory, but he continued unswervingly in the course originally marked out, and finally began to rally the local farmers around him. Almost entirely through iiis efforts the Jefferson County Dairymen's Association was organized in 1871, fol- lowed by the Wisconsin State Dairymen's Association, of which he was also the real founder and for three years secretary, and then the Northwestern Dairymen's Association, of which he has been chosen president without opposition, since 1878. The value of this State Association, in particular, to the farmers of Wisconsin can hardly be computed. It found them turning out but a limited amount of dairy products, and those with a decided reputation for inferiority. In the course of a few years it saw the value of production increase from about $1,000,000 in 1872 to an estimated gross value of $28,000,000 in 1891. The writing of the Wisconsin dairy history is virtually writing that of the Wisconsin Dairymen's Association, and the name of W. D. Hoard is bound inseparably to both. It is certainly true that "peace hath her victories no less renowned than war." In this view Mr. Hoard is conspicuously entitled to the laurels of the victor, for himself, his Jefferson County Union and Hoard's Dairyman were prime factors in this great progress, which means wealth, increased profits, better education and more comforts in life to every maker of butter and cheese in the State. After a time the demand for the dairy depart- ment of his paper became such that he was compelled to issue special editions, and fmally, in March, 1885, to establish Hoard's Dairyman, a weekly dairy paper, on a separate basis, which has grown into a sixteen-page, four-column quarto, with the largest paid subscription list of any dairy paper in the world. His worth and work are known to dairy experts in Europe as well as America, where his name is so widely and favorably known to all dairymen. When the Wisconsin Farmers' Institutes were organized by the State Univer- sity, in 1886, for the purpose of holding educational sessions in different portions of the State, Mr. Hoard was selected as the leading lecturer on dairy matters. In two seasons he delivered more than 300 addresses on this subject, exposing in a frank and fearless manner to the slipshod and slovenly farmer the folly of his ways, and preaching the doctrines of agricultural regeneration through such improved methods as were in pace with modern improvements in other branches of business. These addresses, at once simple and homely, were yet so eloquent with incon- trovertible facts, common sense and pat illustrations, and so interspersed with pathos and humor not equalled by any other speaker in the State, as not only to convince but to captivate his audiences everywhere. When, therefore, in the spring of 1888, without any knowledge or considera- tion on his part, his name was brought forward I)y the Milwaukee Sentinel as tiiat BlOGRAPHlCAl, DICTIONARY AND I'URTKAIT C.Al.l.ICRY OK Till-: ol a siiilaMc caiulid.il.c lot" ^ loxcnior, il was riH'cixcd not only with laxoi'lnit with cntluisiasm, aiul so vviclcsprcad and powcrlnl did this t-nthusiasm l)rconu' that, though rtMnainiiijjf quietly at lionie and " i)ui"snin>; ihr rwn lenor of his wa\-." the l\t'])ul)lioaii masses soui^ht him ou\ and made him thinr nominee for Cioveniof. In tlie campai. * * * * Nothing conduces more to such a desirable state of affairs than the enactment and enforcement of just and wholesome laws. It is well to remember that all the law wi' ha\ e is enloi^ced law ." riunigh the weltare and prosperit\ ol the cc)mmon people, and particular!)- the farmer interest, were continuously in his mind, he carefully avoided advocating leg- islation on an\' question which spr.ing from prejudice, but simply demanded justice and equity. In his message alnne rcierred to, he said, in reierring to the agricul- tural and dairy interests: " In connection with this subject I desire to call j'our attention to the necessity for more practical legislation against the manufacture and sale of fraudulent imitatit)ns of butter and cheese, and sale of adulterated milk. The sale of imitatiiin butter and cheese visits serious injury upon both consumer aiul producer. Upon the consumer because he is not made acquainted with the fraudulent character of the compouiul. IK- buys and eats what hesupposesis pure butter and cheese, when the iontrar\ is true to a large extent. * ♦ * The pro- ducer is injureil greatly in that his market is destroyed, and that largely through frauil. * * * i[ would seem, then, to be nothing more than common jusliiH' that the .State should i>rotect the producer from compc^tition based on a cheat." l"he greatest interest of Mr. llo.ird is centein-d, howtwer, in that bulwark ot y\merican fi'cedom, loyalty and intelligence theimblic school system. In his uu's- sage he sa\s: " Tlu- ri'port deals with the most vital questions, affecting not only the present but the future- welfare o( the individual and the State -and this whether regard be hail to questions of linance or questions of good citizenship. * ♦ * 1 confess to much solicitude for the common school, and especially tor the district school in rural communities. It is to the little country schools that we must look, in a great measure, for the inculcatioit'of the princijiles of American citizenship. It is here that the griMt bod\- oi" our people acquire all the education they will receive during their lives. 1 have a profound respect for the high school, the academy, the col- lege and the uni\ersit\'. These, however, iwv but the fruit of a lowlier blossom, and KKI'KKSKNIAIIVE MKN (JK IIIK UNITKIJ SIAIKS; WlSCl^NSIN VOl.lJMK. I 21 they have many and most earnest advocates. It is unnecessary that I should press their claim upon you But the common scliool, the ' people's collejre,' js so much everybody's business that in many respects it suffers nej^lect. The child, who is the citizen that is to be, has a ri^^ht to demand of the State that it he provided as against all contingencies, with a reasonable amount of instruction in common I'^nglish branches. Especially has he the right to demand that he be provided with the ability to read and write the language of this ccnintry. In this connection I would recommend such legislation as would make it the duty of county and city superintendents to inspect all schools, for the purpose and with the authority only to require that reading and writing in English be daily taught." Again, in referring to railroads, the Governor showed his conservatism and love for fair play as follows: " It has been quite too common in recent years to rep- resent the agricultural element in our population as entertaining hostile and agra- rian sentiments towards railroads and other corporations, and demagogues have sought to commend themselves to this element by advocating legislation of a most radical and destructive character. That they have hitherto failed in Wisconsin is due to the well-informed conservatism of the farmers. I feel myself authorized to say in their behalf that they have no sympathy, as I have none, with any effort at legislation on any question which springs from prejudice." These extracts best illustrate the valuable qualities which governed the political career of Mr. Hoard. In i88g arose the famous "Bennett Law," or school controversy. The Legis- lature of that year enacted a compulsory school law, which had for its centra! pur- pose the requirement that every parent or guardian in the .State should each year, sometime, somewhere and somehow, give to the children under his care fjetween the ages of seven and fourteen, at least sixty days' instruction in English, the lan- guage of their own country. This law was induced by the startling fact, as devel- oped by the sworn testimony of the school district clerks, that there were nearly fifty thousand children in the State between seven and fourteen who did not attend any school whatever during the previous year. The law was passed without a single vote being reported against it in the Legislature. Immediately after its passage the German Lutheran and Catholic clergy, who represented the parochial schools, in many of which no English had ever been taught, commenced a vigorous and hostile agitation against the law. The Democratic party united with these elements and demanded its repeal. Governor Hoard defended the law in several addresses and newspaper articles. The Republican State convention of 1890 unanimously re-nom- inated him to the office of Governor, and declared unequivocally in its platform against the repeal of the law. Owing to the vigorous assaults by the Democratic party against the McKinley tariff legislation of that year, nearly fifty thousand Re- publicans did not vote. The Bennett law opposition turned nearly every Lutheran and Catholic ecclesiastic into a political agent and brought out the Democratic vote more thoroughly than in the |)revious Presidential contest. Under such a press of circumstances the Repuljlican State ticket was overwhelmingly defeated, although Governor Hoard received nearly 8,000 Democratic votes as endorsement of his rf)urse and afiministration. 122 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND i'OKTKAIT GALLERY OK THE On rctiriiii^ from politics he a^ain took up the work of editing his dairy paper, Hoard's Dairyman, which has, by his unremitting labor and perfect executive ability, as well as his able editorial capacity, been brought to the largest circulation of any dairy paper in the world. In connection with his son, A. R. Hoard, he is also interested in the management of ten large creameries, which manufacture $300,000 worth of butter annually. Mr. Hoard was married February g, i86o, to Miss Agnes E. Bragg, daughter of William Bragg, Esq., of Lake Mills, Wisconsin. They are the parents of three sons, Halbert L., Arthur R. and Frank W., who are all very successful business men and closely connected with their father in his important business ventures. Such is, in brief, the life of one of Wisconsin's most distinguished sons. By so strongly advocating the Americanization of the Badger State, he has reared for himself a monument which will forever redound to his honor, and, though force of circumstances has given it a temporary backset, the seed sown has taken root and will grow until the people of Wisconsin will realize the purity of his purpose and that earnest devotion to the highest and best interests of the State that has ever been exhibited in the private and public life of William Dempster Hoard. HON. WILLIAM PITT BARTLETT, EAU CLAIRE. ABOUT the year 1635 there came from England, John and Richard Bartlett, who settled at Newbury, Massachusetts. They came from a family of high standing, some of its members occupying at that time seats in the British Parlia- ment and some of their ancestors, long before, having shared the same distinction. The Bartletts also held other responsible positions in England. They were men of learning and wealth. The family took a prominent part in the early days of the colonies and did much to elevate society and shape the government of New Eng- land, where the descendants of John and Richard Bartlett for three or four genera- tions resided. At the opening of the Revolutionary war the family had scattered all over the New England States, and without exception were arrayed on the side of the colonies. John Bartlett, called "John, the tanner," being of the fourth gen- eration from Richard Bartlett, settled at Eliot, Maine. He w^as the father of John H. Bartlett, the father of the subject of this biography. He was born at Eliot, Maine, January 9, 1789, and at about the age of twenty-five married Phebe Bur- bank, of Freeport, Maine. In 1833 he moved to New Portland, Somerset county, in that State. Mr. Bartlett was a clothier by occupation, and proceeded to erect at his new home a clothing and carding mill, a sawmill, a grist-mill and a clover-mill. He devoted most of his time and attention, however, to lumbering interests, and he has been succeeded in that branch of business by his sons. William Pitt Bartlett was born at Minot, Maine, September 13, 1829, and was the eighth of eleven children.— six boys and five girls. In his boyhood days the northern part of Maine was sparsely settled, and presented few educational advan- REPRKSKNTATIVE MKN OK THE UNITKD STATES", WISCONSIN VOLUME. 1 23 tatjes. His opportunities in that direction were limited to the winter months in the district school, but beinir ot a studious turn of mind he improved his spare hours while out of school in study, and at fifteen years of age obtained a certificate and began teaching. With the means he earned at teaching he paid his way through the academies at Farmington and Bloomfield, and at the age of twenty entered Waterville College, from which he graduated, after a four years' course, in 1853. In the fall of that year he was elected principal of the Hallowell Academy, one of the oldest and best institutions of its kind in the State of Maine, and oc- cupied that position until he resigned in 1S55. In the meantime he had studied law, having determined to devote his future life to labors in that profession. He was a studious youth, and constant study had weakened a not very powerful physique; and on this account it was deemed advisable to remove to a section where climatic influences would be less conducive to pulmonary diseases. He therefore came West, and in 1855 arrived in Wisconsin, locating at Watertown, where he remained nearly two years. There he taught school for six months while continuing his study of the law, and in the spring of 1856 was admitted to the bar in Jefferson county. In the month of May, in 1857, Mr. Bartlett moved to Eau Claire, then a village of a few hundred inhabitants, located in a sparsely settled section of the State. When he arrived in this hamlet there was no lawyer in the county, and he is properly regarded as the pioneer in his profession. He began to practice, and owing to his ability and education, soon made himself a power in the community, both as a lawyer and a citizen. He is the Nestor of the school board of Eau Claire. Scarcely two weeks had elapsed after his arrival there when he was placed on that board, in district number two, comprising the east side, and for twenty-nine years he was the most active member of that body, havingbeen re-elected every threeyearsduringthat time. In the fall of 1857 he was elected District Attorney of Eau Claire county and in 1859, while still occupying that office, he was elected to the General Assembly from the district composed of Eau Claire, Clark, Pepin, Dunn, Chippewa and Pierce counties. In the House he at once took a prominent position and was appointed to the chair- manship of the committee on federal relations, at that time (i860) one of the most imi)ortant of the House committees. He also served on the committees on judiciary and education. In the spring of i860 Mr. Bartlett was appointed Judge of Eau Claire county by Governor Alexander Randall and held that office for about two years. In the fall of 1861 he was again elected District Attorney for a term of two years, and in 1863 was re-elected, making in all three terms of two years each that he occupied that position. In the fall of 1872 he was again elected to the Legislature from Eau Claire county, which then had become a district by itself. He served on the committees on federal relations, education and judiciary, the same committeeships he held during the former term, but he was appointed chair- man of the first two committees. In 1874 he was appointed Registrar of the United States Land Ofifice at Eau Claire, for a term of four years, by President Grant. He was reappointed in 1878 })y President IL'iyes, but resigned shortly thereafter, having served five years in tiiat imitortant position witii cretlit to himself and to the satisfaction of the ix-opjc. 124 BiOGKAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THK A vacancy having occurred in the Board of Regents of the State University in the spring of 1884, Governor Rusk appointed Judge Bartlett to that honorable body. He was reappointed for three years by Governor Rusk at the expiration of his term and successively appointed by Governors Hoard and Peck for terms of three years each. His knowledge of the needs of the university and his expe- rience in educational matters have made him a conspicuous member of that honor- able body. In i8go he was elected its president, and in 1893 he was re-elected to that respected position. He has enthusiastically labored in behalf of the univer- sity, and during the time he has been a member of the Board of Regents he has witnessed a transformation in that educational institution. He has seen its enroll- ment of students increase from 400 to 1,500, and the institution advance to a leading position among the universities of the West. From the time Mr. Bartlett located in Eau Claire up to the present time he has been a conspicuous figure of the local bar. From 1857 to 1872 he practiced by himself, but in the latter year he formed a partnership with H. H. Hayden, which, under the firm name of Bartlett & Hayden, became one of the strongest law firms in northwestern Wisconsin. In 1884 this partnership was dissolved and since then Mr. Bartlett has practiced alone. Although a good advocate before a jury, stating and arguing his cases with clearness and force, there can be no doubt that Judge Bartlett's forte is as counsel out of court, and as a trial lawyer without a jury, in chancery cases and in cases on appeal. As a counsel he is painstaking and conservative, and his judgment on what is the best thing to be done in the matters submitted to him can be safely de- pended upon. He has an intuitive perception and love of justice, and he has as a consequence an instinctive appreciation of what courts can be persuaded to hold as law. Judge Bartlett has devoted almost all of his efforts in the direction of his pro- fession and toward the advancement of the cause of education, and only of late years has he given any time or attention to matters of a business nature. He has made some financial investments in Oregon, and is vice-president of the Grande Ronde Lumber Company, of Perry, Oregon. Mrs. Bartlett is a daughter of Edward W. Hart, of Baraboo, Wisconsin, formerly of Akron, Ohio. She is a woman of fine accomplishments, both of mind and manners, and is in full sympathy with her husband in his educational and other laudable work. They were married August 15, 1861, and have five children, one daughter and four sons. Levilla P., their daughter, and Stanley, their young- est son, reside at home. Edward W., the eldest son, a graduate of the Iowa State University, is now practicing law at LeGrande, Oregon; Frank H., who was graduated at Wisconsin University in 1892, and Sumner P., who was educated at the high school and at Ripon College, are both clerks in mercantile establishments in the city of Eau Claire and reside with their parents. Mr. Bartlett is of Whig antecedents. He aided in organizing the Republican party in Wisconsin and has been one of its steady and influential supporters. He has always taken a deep interest in city affairs and finds time to attend personally to those matters tha't are of the greatest importance but often sadly neglected be- cause capable men will not, usually, devote their time to business in which there is KKl'RESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. I25 no i)ay. Educational and city matters are watched over and cared for by him, and few public men, if any, in the State have done more than he has to promote the welfare and prosperity of our public schools. He has always been a man of industrious and excellent moral habits. He has taken the best of care of himself — of his person as well as his character — and as a result he has the appearance and viofor of a man of forty-five years of aj^e. WILLIAM W. CARGILL, I,A CROSSE. WILLIAM WALLACE CARGILL was born in Setaukett, Long Island, December 15, 1844, and is the third of the five children of William D. and Edna (Davis) Cargill, the former of Scottish birth and a sea captain by occupation, the latter an American who traces her ancestry back to the period of our struggle for independence. Captain Cargill moved with his family to Wisconsin in 1856, when the subject of this sketch was in his twelfth year, and settled at Janesville, and here William obtained his education, attending first the Janesville public schools and later Milton College, eight miles distant. When nineteen years of age, he entered the army and served in the Quartermaster's department at Duval's Blul'f, Arkansas, until the close of the Rebellion, when he returned to his home. The following year he secured a situation at Conover, Iowa, and a year later started in the grain business for himself at Cresco and Lime Springs, Iowa, and Austin, Minnesota. This enterprise he conducted for two years, with a marked degree of success, when his brother, S. D. Cargill, entered into partnership with him and the firm of W. W. Cargill & Brother was formed. Our subject, at that time, was living at Albert Lea, Minnesota, but a few years later, in 1875, moved to La Crosse, where he has ever since resided. The new firm at the start took rank with the prominent grain firms of the Northwest, and continued on an exceptionally prosperous career, which has re- mained unbroken. In 1891, the magnitude of the business necessitated a different arrangement of its affairs, and in consequence thereof it was divided into two different branches and incorporated under the names of The Cargill Elevator Company, of Minneapolis, at which city Mr. .S. D. Cargill resides, and the W. W. Cargill Com|)any, of La Crosse, and these companies are to-day two of the best known and most important in the Northwest. They own 175 elevators, located at various points throughout the States of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North and South Dakota, and also own and operate two flour mills at Hokah and Houston Minnesota, respectively. The mammoth Superior Terminal Elevator, at Superior, Wisconsin, which has a capacity of 2,500,000 bushels, is one of their system, and was built at a cost of $.^50,000. They also operate an elevator at Green Bay, whose capacity is 300,000 l)ushels. The amount of grain handled by The Cargill Elevator Company and the W . W. Cargill Comijany approximates 10,000,000 bushels annually. 126 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OK THE A busiiu'ss of such vast maLiiiitudc necc'ssaril\- occiii)ies all of Mr. Cargill's time, but he has uivested capital in a number of other enterprises, he bein^^ a director and vice-president of the La Crosse National Bank, one of the solid financial insti- tutions of Wisconsin; likewise of the La Crosse Street Railway Com])any. He is also A stockholder in several other corporations. Mr. Cartrill is a member of the Masonic order, has traveled considerably throLi^hout the country, and keeps thoroughly in touch with the issues of the day. Though a strong Republican, he cannot be termed a politician in any sense, for he has never held public office, and his interest in politics is solel}' that of a citizen anxious for sound government. Mr. Cargilll was iniited in marriage in 1869 to Miss Ella T. Stowell, of Ossian, Iowa. Of this union have been born four children: William S., Edna C, Emma 1. and Austin .S. The Cargill residence is one of the handsomest and happiest homes in La Crosse, and is located on the corner of Twelfth and Cass streets. The family are attendants at the Presbyterian church. JOHN COIT SPOONER, By F'rank a. Flower. JOHN COIT SPOONER comes of stock which from the earliest Colonial times has produced soldiers and statesmen. The Spooner patronymic was promi- nent in the vicinity of the ancient Roman town of Colchester, England, five cen- turies ago; originally it came, it is thought, from Friesland, where it was spelled Spuhner, and the family was, of course, an inveterate enemy of the Romans. The name is not recorded in Domesday Book, but is found in the College of Heraldry as emanating from Warwickshire in the sixteenth century, and also from Worces- tershire. In 1637 Spooners arrived from England and settled in lOartmouth, Massachu- setts, spreading to New Bedford, Plymouth, and elsewhere along the coast. The maiden name of the mother of John C. was Coit; she also was descended from the earliest New England settlers — a Welsh family noted for brains, independence and courage. The Spooners were prominent in early Colonial affairs; took part in the French and Indian war, and Philip, John C.'s great-grandfather, was, with his brother Michael, a minute-man at Lexington, and rose to distinction in the war of the Revo- lution. Samuel Coit, the maternal great-grandfather, was also an officer in the Revolution, a Colom-l, a man of powerful physique, and a fearless and terrific fighter. Spooners and Coits swarmed into service during the war of 1812, and several were prominent in the Mexican war. But Philip Loring Spooner, father of John C, was a man oi added tiualities, though difft-rent in make-up from the general run y^y cmild cn\n- with the Democratic leaders and successfulh' defend on the floor ot the srnatt.' the principles of the Republican party. The man and the argument so well titted the occasion and took so well with the people, that the favorintj tide set in full and strong, and, especially after the defeat of Blaine in November, continued to increase in force until January j8, 1S85, when Mr. Spooner was elected, receiving seventy-six Republican votes to forty-eight Democratic votes for Cien. E. S. Bragg. He had forty-nine votes on first ballot in the Republican caucus, which insured his election. His speech, on being brought before the caucus, was more than anything else a tribute to the worth and services of his opponents, and especially of General I'airchild, ami m.nle the support of those opponents there. liter he,irt\' .mil iM\ictic,dl\' un.uiinious. In closing lu- ileclari'd: "If electetl, 1 sh.dl de\ote all the strength autl \igor which C'lod h.is given me to the people of Wisconsin and our common country. And thus he was chosen, although he had s]ient Init eighteen hours with the Legislature in Madison during the Senatorial campaign, to make an aiUlressi)f thanks to the caucus for the nomin- ation, and personally to greet the members, many of wdiom he there met ior the first time. His election left absolutely no sores in his party. The Senate, of which he now became a member, was one not only of ability, but appreciative of ability. His reputation as an orator and juri.st of wide attainments had preceded him, and the older Senators were prepared at once to acct^rd to him the place usually atlaineil, if e\ er, only after several years of hart! work and honor- abU- service He was placed upon the committees on Privileges and b'lections. District ot Columbia, Public Buildings and lirounds. Epidemic Diseases, and on Claims. C^l the last, with its vast labors and responsibilities and investigations, extending baik through the war of the Rebellion, the Mexican and Florida wars, the war of iSiJ, and the Revolution, to the foundation of the Ciovernment, he was made chairman; and in that position, it is said, by indefatigable labors, he saved the Gov- ernment more than thirty million dollars. Mr. Spooner's first speech in the Senate was on the death of \ ice-President Hendricks, a life-long friend of his father's. It was both in style and matter an in- novation a beautiful tribute to the dead hulianian's personal qualities, tielivered with a tenderni'ss seldom heard in the Senate chamlu-r. C(.>mbined with .1 boKl anal- KKI'KKSKNI Al IVK MKN OF lllE UNIlKn STAIKS; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 1 35 ysis of political beliefs made without a tin^e of bias or partisanship. The speech commanded the widest attention, and was quite generally rejjublished, establishing in new places, and especially in the Senate, the speaker's reputation for audacity and originality of conception, for versatility of oratory, and for clearness, incisive- ness, and elegance of diction. Among his really great speeches in respect of judicial learning, was one in defense of the Senate on the " Relations between the Senate and the Executive Departments," brought out by the Attorney General's refusal to comply with a request to send public papers and documents from his office. It was from the stand- point of a lawyer, covering the entire subject from the foundation of the Govern- ment and made an indelible impression. Another, on the provisions of the inter- State commerce bill generally but particularly favoring a clause to enable railways to make rates on gootls for export in conjunction with ocean steamship lines inde- pendent of domestic rates, attracted the attention and favor everywhere of rail- ways, shippers and manufacturers. His complete mastery of railway laws and rail- way business by actual experience made his views almost an authority in the senate and aided materially in eliminating crudities and impracticabilities from legislation affecting transportation. A speech delivered on April i6, 1888, on the admission of South Dakota, gave to Mr. Spooner greater satisfaction than any other effort of his career in the senate. He had as a soldier been stationed in and marched over Dakota Territory when its only inhabitants north of Yankton were buffaloes and Indians. Many early friends and clients had settled on those vast prairies, and he had with absorbing interest watched the laVjor of developing that rich section into a powerful, energetic and intelligent communit}'. His heart was in the address, and he pleaded with singular power antl eloquence for the admission of the bright and growing young State. It was during this debate that Senator Butler objected to Dakota "trying to break into the Union," whereupon Mr. Spooner quickly retorted that Dakota cer- tainly had as much inherent right to try to break in as South Carolina (Butler's State) had to try to "break out" of the Union. That settled interruptions from that quarter. The only time in the Senate Mr. Spooner felt called upon to make what might be termed a political address, was after Joseph Hoffman had been shot and killed at Brenham, for testifying before the .Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections during the investigation into the ijolitical outrages in Washington county, Texas. .\\ hile temperate in form and free from mere denunciation, it was nevertheless a terrible arraignment of those who were responsible for, as well as those who on the floor of the .Senate justified and defended that frightful crime, and created a great sensation. It made a lasting impression and so revealed Mr. Spooner to the Sena- tors from the South that he was never again stirred up on that question. One of his most elaborate and carefully prepared addresses was delivered against the Blair educational bill, — a measure he voted for on first entering the Sen- ate, but which, on fuller investigation, he was compelled to oppose. Other speeches had been upon legal, constitutional or national questions, but this dealt purely with social economy, domestic statecraft, and required a careful and comprehensive 1 36 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND TORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE understanding of the financial, educational and moral conditions in every State of the Union, as well as a dispassionate analysis and presentation of them. The bill, which proposed to raise about eighty million dollars, mostly in the N orth, and expend it mostly in the South for educational purposes during a period of eight years, had been before Congress several years, and would probably have become a law if it had not been for the speech in question. His picture of the post-Rebellion develop- ment and progress of the Southern States was the most comprehensive and appre- ciative ever heard in the chamber, and his conception of the evils that might grow out of such extreme paternalism carried conviction to a majority of the Senate. On September 8, 1890, Mr. Spooner spoke in favor of placing sugar on the free list because it was a necessity of life down to the poorest cabin, and because the domestic product was less than one-eighth of the amount consumed. He also favored, by a speech full of patriotism, legal argument and eloquence, reciprocity as to articles wanted but not made or produced in the United States, when made or produced and for sale in another country, and vice versa, and also advocated a tariff on iron, tin, wool and lumber. When the reciprocity clauses of the McKinley bill, which he had thus advo- cated, were sustained by the Supreme Court of the United States, the New York Tribune said that the counsel for the Government added nothing in argument, law or illustration to what Mr. Spooner brought forward in his advocacy of the measure in the Senate. A brief speech that sent a thrill through the North was delivered by Mr. Spooner on January 28, 1890, on what was technically known as the Fanz case. Secretary of War, Redfield Proctor, had not ordered the flag lowered to half-mast on the death of Jefferson Davis, who served as Secretary of War before the Re- bellion, and the "best citizens" of Aberdeen, Mississippi, hanged him in a w^retched effigy, across which was this placard: "Red. Proctor, Traitor." J. E. Fanz, a native of Indiana and a mechanic, aged only twenty-one, while assisting to raise the efifigy, accidentally dropped the rope. For this he was brutally and terribly beaten, receiving about 200 lashes, and a resolution was presented in the Senate for an investigation into the matter. Mr. Spooner's speech on that resolution was widely published, creating a sensation North as well as South. To the masses of his party and to all fair-minded men, one of his last was one of his greatest efforts in the Senate, in the same general direction, — the formal speech on the Federal Elections bill, made December 20, 1890, in which, by a really marvelous digest of the political crimes committed in the South since the Rebellion, he found substantial reasons for enacting what was falsely called the "force bill," proving that "wrongs do not leave off where they begin, but still beget new mis- chiefs in their course." During the first hour of its delivery there were numerous interruptions by Democrats from the South for the purpose of breaking the force of the speech, but the fire they drew was so disastrous and increased so steadily in destructiveness as the speaker got deeper into his subject, that the entire skirmish line was hastily withdrawn, leaving Mr. Spooner (almost unprecedented in a debate of this character) in undisturbed possession of the floor, before a great audience in the galleries and a full Senate, who listened to one of the most RKrKK.SENTATl\K MKN OK THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. I T,J profound orations ever delivered in that chamber on that or a kindred subject. Mr. Spooner made many other addresses and runniuf^^-debate speeches in the .Senate, on Irrigation, the Effect of Free Trade upon the Industries of Great Britain, Mortgage Indebtedness, Admission of the Montana Senators (successfully leading the fight in their behalf), District of Columbia affairs, the eight-hour law (favoring it), the Columbian Exposition, etc., etc., — taking rank for clearness, force, fearlessness, fairness and effectiveness second to none. He never read a speech in the Senate; all were extemporaneous. Personally Mr. Spooner was very popular in the Senate, both sides of the cham- ber contributing equally to cordial associations and sincere friendships. When he retired from that body, the members of the Committee on Claims tendered to him one of the finest banquets ever given in Washington, attended by the President and members of his cabinet, the Vice-President and many other dis- tinguished persons. The speeches in honor of the guest, especially those by Messrs. Evarts, Hoar and Hale, and the leading Democrats, were of the most compliment- ary character, lauding him as a .Senator, lawyer, and man of great ability, fairness and integrity. It was a demonstration of honor, friendship and respect accorded under similar circumstances to no other Senator. He nominated General Rusk at Chicago in 1888; seconded the nomination of Harrison at Minneapolis, and was urgently requested by the President in person to take charge of the national campaign of t8q2, but declined. Returning to Wisconsin at the end of his term in the .Senate, he soon after moved from Hudson back to Madison, in order to be near his younger sons while they passed through the Wisconsin University, and, forming the partnership of Spooner, Sanborn & Kerr, resumed at once the practice of his profession, important cases rolling in as though there had been no interregnum. Burdened as he was by work, he still found or made time to serve the interests of his party and the people. In this direction in what are known as the gerryman- der cases his labor and genius added materially to the cause of public justice and gained great advantages for his party, besides recording a new and important chap- ter in the history of jurisprudence. The Wisconsin Legislature of 1890, being Democratic, apportioned the State into new Senate and Assembly districts. By the Republicans it was alleged that this apportionment was unequal and unjust as well as void, in that it did not follow the unit of population fixed as the basis on which it was made. Suits to have the act of apportionment set aside were begun. The form of the suit was decided, the papers in the first case were drawn, and the great argument as to jurisdiction was made by Mr. .Spooner, as was also the argument on the con- stitutionality of the act. The suits involved an entirely new proposition, to enter- tain which was held by some to be a dangerous invasion by the courts of the rights and prerogatives of the Legislature, a co-ordinate branch of government. However, the Supreme Court unanimously assumed original jurisdiction on the relation of a citizen, heard the case on its merits, and held the act unconstitutional and invalid on the grounds set forth by Mr. Spooner. The learned justices re- garded the cause as the most important that had occupied their attention, and three 138 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE of them filed separate opinions, as if to so magnify and pile up the judt^ment of the court as to forever prevent the making of another gerrymander, which they held to be "an invasion of the rights and liberties of the people." The apportionment having been set aside, Governor Peck called a special session of the Legislature to enact another, which was supposed to have been accomplished in July, 1892. But as this second ac had been made in disregard and defiance of the unanimous opinion of the Supreme Court, a new suit was brought (C. F. Lamb, relator) asking the court to grant a writ enjoining forever the Secre- tary of State from issuing under it the notices of election. In this case the Attor- ney General (O'Connor) refused to appear or to give his consent to the suit. The court gave him twenty days in which to appear. At the end of that time, the At- torney General still refusing to take part or give his ofificial assent, the court again assumed jurisdiction for the purpose of hearing the case on its merits. The ques- tions were, whether the relator, Lamb, had a right to bring the suit, the Attorney General having refused to assent thereto, and whether the law in question was un- constitutional. On these two vital points Mr. Spooner made a great argument, closing the case for the relators, although in the midst of an exciting campaign. Again the court adopted his view and held that it had original jurisdiction, and again set aside the act of apportionment as unconstitutional and void, forcing Gov- ernor Peck to call a second special session of the Legislature to divide the State for the third time into Senate and Assembly districts. In one case General E. S. Bragg, and in the other Senator W. F. Vilas, were opposing counsel. Undoubtedly the greatest specific service any Wisconsin Republican ever ren- dered to his party was that in these gerrymander contests; but they were hardly cleared from the board before new sacrifices came on. In 1888 W. D. Hoard was elected Governor. During his incumbency he brought into politics a new issue that alienated a great number of Republican voters, so that when he came before the people in 1890 for re-election he was defeated by about 30,000, whereas he had been chosen two years before by a majority of 20,273. In his defeat he carried the Legislature down with him, and a Democrat, William F. Vilas, was elected to suc- ceed Mr. Spooner in the United States Senate, in January, 1891. • This was the first time since the formation of the Republican party that a Democrat had represented the State in the United States Senate, and the Republi can leaders were disheartened. When, therefore, it again came time to present a candidate for Governor, although all the delegates chosen to the convention were pledged to other candidates, it was decided that Mr. Spooner could poll more votes than any other man in the party, and that he must run. He protested that the office was not one to his liking; that as a matter of choice he would not accept if the position could be tendered to him without an election, and he hoped the nomi- nation would be given to one of the several gentlemen who really wanted and were seeking it. Objections and protests were alike unheeded and he was unanimously nominated, no other votes being cast in the convention. Being thus commanded by the party which had honored him, he was forced to accept. Knowing the improbability of overturning a majority of thirty thousand at a single REPRESENTATIVE MEN OK THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 1 39 election, he nevertheless entered into the unequal contest with viiror, and carried on the most brilliant and masterly campai, Cjovernor Peck of Wisconsin and Governor Rich of Michigan being obliged for months in the winter of 1893-4 to send food, clothing and money to keep starvation from the doors of thousands of miners formerly employed in the prosperous (iogebic ore pits, now closed and idle. It was a startling prophecy, startlingly fulfilled, and one which, with its author, will never be forgotten in the Lake Superior iron districts. In addition to the matters more specifically referred to he has made numerous speeches and addresses and taken part on the stump in every campaign of his party for a quarter of a century, frequently lending his services also to other States. He made the oration dedicating the Wisconsin monument at Gettysburg, and also that dedicating the soldiers' monument at .Sheboygan, besides Decoration day addresses at Eau Claire, Menomonie, and elsewhere, as well as the first and last at Madison — 1868 and 1894; memorial addresses on Messrs. Hendricks, Rankin, Price and Logan and many tributes of respect to deceased members of the bar. He formally opened the Republican campaign of 1894 by a speech covering the entire range of topics, national and .State, at one of the largest meetings ever held in Milwaukee, and followed it with speeches elsewhere in the State, being received with greater enthusiasm and approbation than ever, thus proving the tenacity of his hold upon the people. It has always been the fact that in the numberless speeches, debates and ad- dresses of an intensely busy career of twenty-five j'ears, no matter what the provo- cation, he never made reckless or unfounded charges or insinuations, or descended to personal attacks or retorts intended to wound the heart or carry sorrow to the home of any opponent. It cannot be said of him that he has ever sought to build himself up by pulling any other man down. Besides great capacity for analysis, reason and logic; incisive clearness and strength of statement; wonderful versatility of diction; resources and courage, gen- uine earnestness of manner (making every cause his own) and impulsive tenderness of sentiment, all combining into an irresistil)le power to convince, there is, as there !^0 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE has been for generations in the family, a toucli of the tragic and heroic in Mr. Spooner's make-up. It was plainly noticeable in his school and college days; in the manner of his enlistment; in the speech at the death of Mr. Hendricks; in his con- duct while the Federal Elections bill and Texas outrages investigation were pend- ing; in the gerrymander suits — in fact, in everywhere adopting or defending what he believed to be the right and for the interests of the people regardless of political or personal consequences. This family trait of mingled patriotism and heroism, as conspicuous in John C. as in any of the Spooners, was fairly illustrated by General Ben. Spooner of Indiana, who, though dying fifteen years after the Rebellion, in the intensity of his devotion to his country requested to be buried in a shroud of the stars and stripes. Also by Lysander Spooner of Massachusetts, who, believing the Government had no con- stitutional right to monopolize mail-carrying on the basis then in vogue (charging 12 1-2 cents for a letter from Boston to New York and 25 cents to Washington), inaugurated private post-routes which transported mail from Boston to New York and elsewhere at the uniform charge of five cents, and made money. The federal authorities attacked him and his agents, arresting and jailing them everywhere possible; but he, nevertheless, continued until there was a public senti- ment which compelled Congress to make a substantial reduction in the rates of postage and to adopt a uniform charge without regard to distance — a gallant but unsupported fight, whose endless benefits can neither be stated nor fully realized — a real Spoonerism and just what John C. did in the gerrymander cases and other matters. Another family trait, quite conspicuous in his father, is utter obliviousness to personal fame or glory, Both always declined to give facts necessary for biograph- ical or personal matter for publication, and John. C, refusing to furnish informa- tion for this sketch, forced its preparation without his aid or suggestion. On September 10, 1868, Mr. Spooner was married to Miss Annie E. Main, of Madison, a woman of great musical talent and fine education. They have had four sons. John C. died in 1881, aged six. The living are Charles Philip, aged twenty- six, a graduate of Princeton and of the law school of the University of Wisconsin, and a member of his father's firm; Willet Main, aged twenty-two, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, and a member now of its law school; and Philip L., aged fifteen, a boy of remarkable talents. In his profession, an indefatigable worker; in habits, modest and absolutely temperate and clean; in politics, brave and liberal; in statesmanship, capable, patri- otic, fearless and prophetic; to the public and to adversaries, courteous, dignified, kindly and respectful; in personal intercourse, frank and attractive and to poor clients not only generous but a guardian without money and without price, he is well entitled to all the honors that have been showered upon him. But it is not easy to do justice to Mr. Spooner's attributes in a few brief sen- tences. While his lofty conception of the ethics and honor of his profession and his uniform consider^ation and courtesy in debate, court arguments, and public speaking have made him an acknowledged model, after all only those who have seen him in the sacred precincts of the home — at his own ample and hospitable fireside ^ CX'WVT- UK1'RE.SK.NI"ATIVK MICN OK THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. I43 — really know the man. There, as youthful rn heart and spirits as in appearance, he is a boy with his boys, a lover with his wife and a free and happy entertainer with his friends. He is livinLj at Madison antl carryinj^ with his customary energy, industry, inj^e- luiity and ability, the burden of a great practice, and during 1894, between the pressure of many courts and clients, found time also, as has been stated, to ener- getically lead in the campaign of his party. HON. SAMUEL D. HASTINGS, ''P^IIE name of Hastings is that of an illustrious family in history; and the race to -L which it applies is of Danish origin. In the early days of the British kingdom, the Danes made frequent incursions upon that part of England and Scotland bor- dering upon the North Sea. It was in one of these incursions that Hastings, a Danish chief, made himself formidable to Alfred the Great, by landing a large body of men upon the coast. 1 le took possession of a portion of Sussex; and the castle and seaport were held by his family when William the Conqueror landed in England; and they held it from the crown for many generations. The first of the family who enjoyed the peerage was Henry, Lord Hastings, son of William de Hastings, steward of Henry II. They were allied by marriage to the royal family of England and Scotland. George, the third Lord Hastings, was in 1529 created Earl of Huntingdon. Sir Henry and George Hastings, grandsons of the Earl of Huntingdon, had sons who became Puritans and were obliged by persecution to leave their native land and find homes in the New World. Thomas Hastings was the founder of the family in America, he having settled in the "Massachusetts Bay Colony" in 1634, where he held many offices of re- sponsibility. It is from him that the subject of this sketch is descended. Samuel Dexter Hastings was born in Leicester, Worcester county, Massachu- setts,, July 24, 1816, and is the son of Simon and Betsey (Mcintosh) Hastings. I lis grandfather, Mcintosh, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, under the command of General Washington. His mother possessed in a marked degree, decision of character, independence of thought, and ardent devotion to her children: these elements doubtless stamped her son with some of his noble traits, and early in life the potentiality of the Hastings motto, "In V'eritate Victoria," was impressed upon him. Mr. Hastings' early life was passed in Boston, and his school training was lim- ited to the first thirteen years of his life. From the age of fourteen to thirty his home was in the cityof Philadelphia. While engaged in the humble duties incident to the beginning of mercantile life he pursued a course of study which was prac- tical though not strictly scientific or classical. In his public life he has often experi- enced a n(-ed of assuring science, but has much more frequently reaped the benefit 144 BIOGRArillCAl. IIUIRINAUV AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OK THE of tlic i)ractical culture acquired by the self-drill and self-clepenclence in youth. .Be- fore twenty-one years of at^e, through the aid of a gentleman from his native village, he was established in business for himself. Although always engaged in some active business, by which to secure a support for himself and those depending upon him, he never allowed the acquirement of money to be the sole aim of his life, otherwise he might be numbered among the wealthy men of the land. But the reformatory and philanthrof)ic movements of the times always engrossed much of his time and ener- gies. Entertaining a lively interest in human affairs, he could not forego the responsi- bility of a conscientious citizen of the Republic, and allow himself to drift on the tide of events without an effort for public reform. He kepthimself thoroughlyposted on the live questions of religious, social and political life; the anti-slavery move- ment was one of the political questions which engrossed his attention; He was one of the " Liberty Party" in Pennsylvania, and, though quite a young man, was made chairman of the State Central Committee. He persisted in the advocacy of the prin- ciples of the "Liberty Party" even to the detriment of his business, and all through his public career, and in all his public speeches, many of which may be found in the archives of Wisconsin, he was always an advocate of universal freedom and educa- tion. In 1846 he settled in Walworth county, Wisconsin Territory, and he has been actively identified with the history of the State. Soon after he located in Wisconsin he was elected |ustice of the Peace, without his knowledge or consent; and, equally without his solicitation or knowledge that his name was to be used, he was, in 1848, nominated for the Legislature, elected by a large majority, and went to the capi- tal, Madison, in 1849, as a member of the first regular session of the Legislature after the State was admitted into the Union. During that session he delivered a speech before the Assembly on the subject of slavery, opposing its extension into the ter- ritories, and denouncing all Congressional legislation which in anyway favored the slave trade. This speech was published and widely circulated by the newspapers of that day, and was afterwards republished and extensively circulated as one of the documents of the anti-slavery society. It is pleasant to record that the resolutions for which he spoke and of which he, as chairman of the select committee, was author, with some slight amendment, passed both houses, irrevocably committing the State to the principles he so ably advocated. The Milwaukee Free-Democrat of that date, says: "He performed a large amount of labor as one of the joint special committee on enrolled bills reported by the revisers and compilers. * * * * He was one of the best speakers of the House and much respected by his associates. He belongs to the class of men who will do right though the heavens fall; never too numerous in a legislative body. Representative and constituent were alike lu)nored by his election." In the year 1852 he moved from Walworth county to La Crosse, where in many ways he was recognized as co-operative in building up the town and promoting its institutions. He afterward removed to Trempealeau, then a new town on the Mis- sissippi, to develop and build on property there. In 1856 he was again brought into political life by his second election to the Legislature, and in the fall of 1857 he was elected Treasurer of the State. This office he filled for four consecutive terms of two years each, with a degree of al)ilit\ that won unqualified commendation from KErKESKNTATlVE MEN OK THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. I45 all. A portion of his term of office was durintf the trying period of the great Rebel- lion, when the resources of the State were drained off toward the maintenance of the Union. To him the State is under obligations for the most astute management of her finances; projecting plans of economy; securing good legislation on measures of finance; and recommending a practical disposition of the State war bonds. 1 lis duties were arduous, and he applied himself with unwearying zeal, declining all tenders of promotion to Congressional honor, that he might serve the interests of iiis State in the capacity designated by his constituents. During all his political career, with its multiplicity of cares, toils and tests, he was an ardent and earnest advocate of temperance reform. From early boyhood through the varied changes of life he always found time and means to spend in this great cause, for he never drank liquor or used tobacco, but was energetic in meas- ures designed to remove the curse from others, embracing every opportunity of visiting societies, making speeches, encouraging legislation, and attending temperance organizations. As early as 1849 a bill was presented in the Wisconsin Assembly pro- viding for the repeal of all license statutes of the State code, which authorized the sale of intoxicating liquors. This bill and the various petitions appertainingtheretowere referred to a committee of five, Mr. Hastings, who was then a member of the Assem- bly, being one. It fell to his lot to write the committee's report, and it is an exhaus- tive and masterly document. The bill thus reported, passed the Assembly by a vote of forty-one to five; it also passed the Senate, but was afterward reconsidered and lost by a majority of two. Thus it will be seen, that Mr. Hastings' best energies and influence have long been arrayed squarely against the liquor traffic. In the order of .Sons of Temperance which was once a considerable body in the United .States, Mr. Hastings arose to the position of Grand Worthy Patriarch of Wisconsin, and was sent as a delegate to the national division at Chicago, which was presided over by Judge O'Neill of South Carolina and Neal Dow, Most Worthy Associate. In February, 1857, while a member of the State Assembly, he becaine a member of the "Capital" Lodge, I. O. G. T., and has ever since retained his membership, and attends the meetings regularly every week when at home. He was elected representative to the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin from "Capi- tal" Lodge in 1859, but his official duties as State Treasurer prevented his attending the session; he was re-elected the next year, and went; was elected Grand Worthy Chief Templar, and also representative to the Right Worthy Grand Lodge whose session was held at St. Louis, and he attended every subsequent session of that body. He was again elected Grand Worthy Chief Templar in 1861, and was also representative to the Right Worthy Grand Lodge; at that session, which was h(,-ld at Detroit, he was elected Right Worthy Grand Templar, but was declared ineligible, because at the time he also held the office of Grand Worthy Chief Tem- plar. In 1862 he declined the nomination to the chief chair in his own .State and was again elected to the chief chair of the order, which he held four consecutive years by re-election, making five in all. During that period the order was carried through the cataclysm of ci\il war which tested the vitality of all philanthropic organizations. In July, iSji,. while a representative of the (irand Lodge of Wisconsin to th(,' Right Worthy Grand Lodge 146 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE of Good renii)l;irs held in London, England, he was elected Right Worthy Grand Templar — the chief office of the Good Templars' order throughout the world. This was the sixth time he had been chosen as the head of this order. He was for many years vice-president of the National Temperance Society and publication house. He was one of the corporate members of the American Board of Commis- sioners for Foreign Missions. When a mere youth we find him the presiding officer of a Young People's Missionary Society in the Presbyterian Church. At sixteen years of age he united with the church and took charge of a class in the Sunday- school. Soon afterward he became superintendent of a colored Sunday-school, numbering from 200 to 300 children, holding two sessions per day, and engaging a fine corps of teachers. In the maintenance of his anti-slavery principle he was com- pelled to sever his original church relations and join with others in establishing a free Congregational Church, on an anti-slavery basis, in the city of Philadelphia. He was made Deacon in the church, which relation, with that of trustee, he sustained for many years in the different places in which he has resided. He has also been almost constantly identified with the Sunday-school work, and was many years super- intendent of one of the best schools in the State. He was two years presiding officer of the State Sunday-school convention; at one time he was elected moderator of the State convention of the Congregational churches, a position to which but one lay- man had ever attained. It was the custom for the retiring moderator to open the next session with a sermon. Mr. Hastings was requested to open the session with remarks ad libitum. He did so, taking the words "whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God," from which he set forth clearly the fact that tobacco could not be used to the glory of God. The lecture produced a profound sensation, giving tone to the whole session and converting several from the use of that noxious weed. In the fall of 1874 he went to Australia in the interest of the order of Good Templars and the general cause of temperance. He lectured in nearly every city and large town in Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania, and received a hearty welcome. It is a privilege to examine the beautifully engrossed addresses from the various lodges and cities, and the rare gifts from temperance friends and associations in those far-away lands. He returned in the spring of 1876 and since that time has devoted voice and pen to the cause of temperance. He now holds the office of treasurer of the National Prohibition Committee, a position he is eminently quali- fied to fill. He was one of the corporate members of the Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts and Letters ,and for nearly twenty years was its treasurer. He has filled the positions of trustee of Beloit College, and of Rockford Female Seminary, and officer of the Wisconsin Historical Society. He was for many years a member and for three years secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane; also secretary of the State Board of Charities and Reform. In the interest of these institutions he was commissioned to visit and report upon similar es- tablishments in Great Britain, which he did during his travels in that country. For many years he was a director and treasurer of the Madison Mutual Insurance Com- pany, director of the Madison Manufacturing Company, director of the Madison Gas Company, and was also connected with various other enterprises of a commercial na- ture, in all of which he maintained a reputation for faithfulness and executive ability. KKI'RKSENTATn'K MEN OK THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. I47 Mr. Hastings was married August i, 1837, to Miss Margaretta Shubert, of Philadelphia. They have three children: Samuel D., Jr., Judge of the Fourteenth Circuit of Wisconsin and residing at Green Bay; Emma M., the wife of H. R, Ilobart, editor of the Railway Age of Chicago, and Florence L., the wife of Henry W. Hoyt, secretary and treasurer of the Gates Iron Works of Chicago. Mrs. 1 lastings is a lady of many noble qualities of mind and heart, and has been a true helpmeet and devoted wife to her husband during the half century and more of their married life. Many valuable contributions to the literature of the day have been made from time to time by Mr. Hastings on the questions of reform in which he has been so deeply interested. He also edited a volume containing the great speeches of John B. iMnch, entitled " The People Versus the Liquor Traffic," which has run through man}' editions. It seems appropriate in this article to quote from a most e.xcellent sketch, written by a warm friend of many years' standing, that appeared in the " Interna- tional Good Templar" for October, 1889, as it shows Mr. Hastings' character as its appears to one who was in a position to observe his daily life: " Born of a family that may be said to be illustrious, richly endowed by nature, he has made a record of which even ambition may be proud. Knowing well the meaning of true success in life he has so lived, so performed the many duties assigned to him, that he has helped to make the world better, to elevate his fellow-men. Gentle though strong, his life has been a benediction to those whose good fortune it has been to know him. To have his confidence is to possess a friend true in every relation of life and always ready to help where help is needed. " His most marked characteristics are his deep sense of right, and his great abhorrence of wrong. " His efforts to remove a wrong once discovered are never relaxed. Willing to counsel with others as to the best methods to be adopted or plans to be pursued, willing at times to submit to the dictation of others in regard to matters of policy, he is inflexible in his determination never to compromise with evil, never to lose sight for a moment of the great object in view, — the suppression of wrong and the vindication of right. Thus constituted and endowed, his line of life was clearly marked out, and it was his to do the work assigned without raising objections or ex- pressing regrets. For these reasons the untiring energy, the great managing abil- ity that would have insured success in business or professional life Mr. Hastings threw into the reform movements of his time and country. Strictly methodical in business and successful in all his private undertakings, he has nevertheless always felt that the highest claim upon his time and energies was made by those who needed help, by any public movement that made for the betterment of humanity. Not the accumulation of wealth but tlic faithful performance of all duly, public and private, has been his highest aim. " Men maybe rightly judged Ijy thtnr associates, by the company they keep, tiie « omi)anionshiptheyacknowlcdge. Mr. I lastingsnumberedamong his co-laborers and intimate acquaintances Garrison, Lundy, Birney, Whittier, Phillips, Hale, Giddings, ( icrritt Smith. .Arthur and Lewis Tapi)an, Lucretia and James Mott, Joshua Leavitt, 148 HlOCKArilKAl, DILTIONAKY AND I'OKIRAIT GALLERY OK THE Beriah Circcn, Salmon P. Chase, Thomas Earle, Lydia Maria Child, William Goodell, John Rankin, (lamaliel Bailey and Theodore D. and Ant^elina Grimke Weld. This is enoiijj;h to sliow that he lived above the plane where dwell the sordid and the selfish. " With his pen he has also always been active. 1 le has great faith in the printed page, in good literature, in getting men to read and thus to think. 1 le believes that in this thinking age every great movement develops its own literature; hence he warmly advocates a wide circulation of our best papers, of our strongest and soundest publications. These he has always supported with both pen and purse. He con- tributed to the Pennsylvania Freeman, an anti-slavery paper published in Phila- delphia, under the editorship of John G. Whittier; was an occasional correspondent for many of the anti-slavery papers published from 1837 to 1845; edited a temper- ance de])artment in the La Crosse Democrat in the fifties; and was associate editor of the National Prohibitionist published at St. Louis, Missouri. "This article would be incomplete without some allusion to Mr. 1 lastings' services to his State, during our last great war. The management of our -finances in those troublesome times called for the highest ability, and Wisconsin was singularly for- tunate in having at the head of her financial department one whose wise and care- ful management did much to save the credit of^the State, to secure to our people a better monetary systetn, and to provide the means to enable the State to respond promptly to all calls made by the nation. In negotiating the State loan in 1861, for the purpose of securing funds with which to carry on the war, Mr. Hastings and those associated with him acted with promptness and marked discretion. Under their management the best terms possible were secured, a financial panic was pre- vented, and our home currency was placed u[)on a much better and safer founda- tion." The man who, but a few short years ago, was traveling around the world bear- ing the message, and obeying the commands of his order, is now watching with un- flagging interest, and heli)ing with untiring zeal, the great work to which he has so largely devoted his life. Mr. I lastings has always been in advance of his time. 1 le has been a leader in all true reforms. His writings and speeches of forty years ago are studied and copied to-day by those in the front ranks of the temperance and prohibition move- ments. As years go by he enjoys the s])lendi(l satisfaction of seeing those who were .strong opponents of his doctrines and his politics become warm and earnest sup- porters of both. To Wisconsin workers Mr. Hastings is more than a mere member of the Good Templar Order, or of the Prohil)ition parly. He is the embodiment of their fondest hopes, of their highest ambitions. To him they look with more than confidence and respect, — with love and reverence. They trust him implicitly. They follow him unhesitatingly. Whoever else may, for the time being, be nominal leader, he is the one to whom all look, with whom all are willing to stand. A life spent in doing good, in helping the needy, in lifting the fallen, in cheer- ing the downcast, is now drawing to a close, but e\en its closing years |)romise much. Old age is not necessarily a synon)in for weakness, for childishness, for REPRESKNTATIVK MKN OV THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. I4Q inactivity. It need not suggest, as a matter of course, want of occupation or help- lessness. There is an old age that is a benediction to all who come in contact with it, that gives out of its rich stores of learning and experience, that grows stronger iiitcllectuall}' and spiritually as it approaches its end. There is an old age so radiant with hope, so strengthened by an abiding faith, that it suggests the immortal youth beyond. This is the old age in which Mr. Hastings is now passing the later though it cannot be said the declining years of his busy and useful life. With every sense clear and active; with eye scarce dimmed and natural force almost unabated, with mind keenly observant of passing events; with voice and pen still speaking for Ciod and humanity, he has reached the verge of four score years serene and strong, and giving to those whose privilege it is to be about him the hope that for years not a few he may yet continue to benefit the world by remaining in it. HON. ROBERT M. BASHFORD, ROBERT M. BA-SHP'ORD was born at Fayette, La Fayette county, Wisconsin, December 31, 1845, and is a son of Dr. Samuel M. and Mary Ann (McKee) Bash- ford. His father was a native of New York city, where he studied and practiced medicine. This pursuit becoming distasteful to him soon after reaching his major- ity, he removed to the West and settled in Grant county, Wisconsin, in July, 1835. Having there buried his first wife, he was, on June 27, 1843, married to Mrs. Mary Ann Parkinson, whose first husband, William Carroll Parkinson, had died a few- years before. After removing to the West, he never practiced medicine as a pro- fession, but in the new and sparsely settled country, when no other physician could be had, he was frequently called upon to attend the sick, which he did cheerfully and free of charge. He had also become identified with the Methodist Church as a regularly ordained deacon and local preacher, which, together with his pursuit as a farmer, made him a most useful citizen in the community. While holding relig- ious services in Willow Springs, a few miles from his home-, on June 16, 1850, he was stricken with apoplexy and died, aged thirty-six years. The mother of our subject was a native of Kentucky, the daughter of Robert McKee, and in childhood removed with her parents to Edwardsville, Illinois. There she was first married, when but eighteen years old, and soon after, with her husband, who was not much older, moved to the Territory of Wisconsin, traveling overland with teams, and settled in Fayette, then known as Parkinson's settlement, in the spring of 1839, upon the same tract of land on which she has ever since resided. After the death of her second husband, she married, in 1852, William P. Troasdale, with whom she lived until his death in 1890. .She bore nine children. seven of whom reached majority and six of whom still survive. Robert M. Bashford spent his boyhood on the farm, attending public ant! [pri- vate schools portions of each year until the fall nf 1S63, when he entered the |)reparatory department of the State University and graduated in the course of I50 BlOGRArmCAL DICTIONARY ANP IMKrUAir CAl I 1 RV Ol lUl- anoii-m classics in luiu\ 1S70. Purine; his i-olK'i;i' loursr lu- was ol>lii;\-(l to teach to supply tho moans lor his own oiUuatioii. as twi^ olhcr brothers wore atlcntliui; tho university, iluriiiii' parts of the same perioil. Uet'ore his ^railuation lie had tavtiiht as principal of the schools at Limlen, IVnnette aiMl Oarlinoton, in his native State, ami hail receiveil tlatterin.i; i^tTers to continue in that work. 1 le hail, however, ileciilcil to practice law. anil, in the fall of 1S70. entereil the law school of the State University, aiul at the same time the law otVice of Smith ^c Lamb, then one of the leailin.a firms in the Si.vte, located .u M.ulison. lie orailuatcil in the law course in 1871, anil was then prevailed upoi\ to enter into copartnership with Messrs. John R. and .\. C Tarkiitson and licorice Ra\ ner for the purchase of the Madison IXiiU .uui Weekly IVMuocr.it. 1 le continued as one of the editors and proiM'ietors of the p.iper from .April. 1S71. to April. 1870. durii\>i- which time new presses. iiui m.iteri.il werepur- chased. the paper was enlaroed. the daily edition chaitiied from an evenini; to.i morn- iuii paper, and it was placed uponasolidfotnulationastheleadin^- Oemocratic newspa- l>er in the State. Mr. Hashford was always liberal and pro^-ressive in his views upon political subjects, and coura.iieous in the expression of his convictions. For this rea- son he frequently encountered the opposition of the "Hourbon" element of his party. In 1871 he favored the nomination of Hon. James R. Poolittle tor Ciovernor. by the Oemocralic State convention, althoujih Mr. Poolittle had but recently sepa- rated from his Republican associations in the United States Senate. The nomina- tion was made, though bitterly opposed by the old-line Oemocrats. .md Mr. Bashford served as secretary of the Oemocratic State central committee, lie here received his first lessons in practical politics, and from .i leader of larjje experience, who was thorouiihly skilled in all the honorable methods of party warfare. Mr. Poolittle had served twelve years in the United States Senate during the period of the war and reconstruction, and was the confidential friend of Abraham l.incolu during his Presidency. He had a knowledge of public men and a familiarit\ with public atTairs during this period that gave his words the weight of history. He was then in the full maturity of powers — a man of line presence and great gifts as an orator, and he niade the canvass of the State of Wisconsin in 1871 with the expec- tation, if successful, of being the standard-bearer of the Pemocracy and liberal Republicans for President in 1872. He was defeated and was content to preside over the national convention at Baltimore, which endorsed Horace Greeley as such candidate. The nomination of Horace Greeley by the Liberal Republicans at Cincinnati. ii\ i87-\ was a disappointment to the friends of the movenient. but Mr. Bashtord considered it to be the true course for the Pemocracy to endorse his candidacy. His associates on the paper were absent at the time, but he took the responsibility of hoisting the names of the candidates and committing the paper to their support. This was in advance of the Pemocratic National convention, which assembled in luly. and many of the leading Pemocrats of the State were outspoken in their opposition to the endorsement of the Liberal candidates. The delegates chosen fron\ Wisconsin. ho\vever. were imanimously in favor of endorsement, as were the deleaates from most of the other States, thus vindicating the wisdom of the politi- cal course of the Pemocrat. I'l Ikl '-1 V r A-riVi; men Ol- TlIK LNITEt) STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 151 Mr. Baslifonl was ospocially active; in the campai>^n of 1873 in Wisconsin, and was influential in hrinj^in^^ about a union between the Gran((er or reform element in ly the Hon. William R. Taylor, of Dane county, for f jovernor. The (jran(^er lej^islation followed, which was more radical than cither party honestly desired; then a contest in the courts to test the validity of these enactments, and the ultimate triumph of the .State, establishing/ the rij^ht of the Le^/islature to control railway corjjorations of its own creation, or carryinj^ on business by its authority. The .State camijai^n of 1875 was memorable for its bitterness and personalities, but the Democratic Reform State ticket was re-elected, with the exception of Tjovernor Taylor, who was defeated by a few hundred votes, throuf^h the special efforts of the railway corporations and the treachery of party associates in one part of the State. Durini^ the periofi of the supremacy of his party in the State, Mr. Hashford, as editor of its leadinj^ newspaper, exerted his influence to secure the fulfillment of every pled^^e made to the people and to enforce efficiency and economy in every department of the Ciovernment. While connected with the Democrat, in addition to his other duties, Mr. Bash- ford reported one House of the Legislature. He also compiled the Legislative Manual for 1875, 1876, 1877 and 1878, by appointment of Hon. Peter Doyle, .Secre- tary of State, and made the Blue Book a standard for works of this character. In this manner he acquired great familiarity with legislative proceedings and with the details of public affairs in connection with the State departments and State institu- tions. Mr. Bashford was also connected with the publication of the Revised Statutes of Wisconsin for 1878. In 1876 he disposed of his interest in the Madison Democrat to engage in the I>ractice of law, and became a member of the law firm of <^iill, Bashford & Spilde. He has since applied himself dilligently to the practice of his profession. In 1882 he became a member of the firm of Tenney, Bashford & Tenney, which for the ensuing three years did an extensive business in commercial law throughout Wis- consin and adjoining States. In 1885 Mr. Bashford opened an office with Mr. Tenney under the same firm name in the city of Chicago, where he was especially engaged in commercial law and corporation cases. This firm enjoyed a large prac- tice, but Mr. Bashford did not feel physically able to endure the continual pressure and daily n wills and constitutional law. His lec- tures on wills have recently been published by the West Publishing Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, in a book entitled "Cossoday on Wills," and the same is now used as a text book by law students in the Wisconsin University under the instruc- tion of John M. Olin, a prominent member of theWisconsin bar, and also in other law^ schools. He continues, however, to lecture once a week during the college year on the subject of constitutional law. On the bench, Justice Cassoday has been indefatigable, and his opinions, appearing in thirty-eight volumes of the Wisconsin Reports, commencing with the fiftieth, have been cited throughout the land as authority bj' the bench and bar of many States. He has written several opinions in very intricate cases on the subject of wills, which have attracted more than usual attention from the profession, and we therefore mention some of the most important. Will of Mary P. Ladd, 60 Wisconsin, 187; Scott vs. West, 63 Wisconsin, 529; Newman vs. Waterman, 63 Wisconsin, 612; Will of Ward, 70 Wisconsin, 251; Ford vs. F"ord, 70 Wisconsin, ig, and same case, 72 Wisconsin, 621; the Will of Slinger, 72 Wisconsin, 22; the Will of Abraham Khle, 73 Wisconsin, 445; Baker vs. Estate of McLeod, 79 Wisconsin, 534; Burnham vs. Burnham, 79 Wisconsin, 557; and Saxton vs. Webber, 83 Wisconsin, 617. He has likewise written several opinions in cases involving important questions of constitu- tional law, among which may be mentioned Wisconsin Central Railway vs. Taylor County, 52 Wisconsin, 37: Baker vs. The State, 54 Wisconsin, 368; Cathcart vs. l6o BIOGRAI'HICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE The bar of numerous counties and cities throughout the State followed the action of the Rock county organization, and leading attorneys and business men from all sections of the State urged his appointment on the Governor. To illustrate the opinion regarding the fitness of our subject for the high position to which his appointment was urged, we quote herewith two of the many letters received by Governor Smith in his behalf. The first is of the same date as the death of Chief Justice Ryan and is a worthy tribute from one of the most eminent men that Wis- consin has ever produced. Washtngton, October ig, 1880. Kis Excellency, William E. Smith, Governor, etc: Mv Dear Sir: Upon you is cast the duty of appointing a successor to Hon. E. G. Ryan Chief Justice. Hon. J. B. Cassodaj', of Janesville, will be presented for your consideration and I desire to say that I know him well and believe that he would be an excellent appointee. He is a good lawyer, a gentleman, and perfectly honest in thought as well as act, and I should be greatly mistaken if his appointment did not prove to be a good one. Very truly yours. Matt H. Carpenter. The second letter is from one who had been intimately associated with our subject, both professionally and socially for many years, and who probably was as well qualified to speak of his abilities and true worth as any man in the State. The" letter is as follows: Milwaukee, Nov. 4, 1880. Governor William E. Smith, Madison, Wis: Dear Sir: I left home the middle of October and only returned last Saturday night, or I should have written you before, making some suggestions as to the vacancy on the bench of the Supreme Court. I have known Mr. Cassoday, of Janesville, over twenty years, and during the last five years of my residence there I was his law partner. He is an exceedingly industrious and studious lawyer; has had a very large and successful practice; has a judicious turn of mind; is a man cf the most unbending integrity; and, in my judgment, is eminently fitted for the Su- preme Bench. I have had no communication with Mr. Cassoday on this subject, but I have seen the action of the Rock County Bar, and I most heartily endorse that action, and I hope your view of Mr. Cassoday's fitness will lead you to appoint him. Should you appoint Judge Cole to the Chief Justiceship and then appoint Mr. Cassoday to the position now held by Judge Cole, I am sure Mr. Cassoday's friends would recognize the fitness of such action and would cordially ap- prove it. I do not think it necessary to write at great length, for you are well acquainted with Mr. Cassoday, but I have had special opportunities to become familiar with his sterling qualities, and I trust you believe I would not recommend his appointment unless I thought such action would be for the interest of the people of the State. \'ery respectful))' yours, Willard Merrill. November 11, 1880, Mr. Justice Cole, who had been a member of the court for more than twenty-tive years, was appointed by the Governor to the ofifice of Chief Justice. He at once accepted the same, and thereupon Mr. Cassoday was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Justice Cole. REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. l6l U[)on receivinir notice of his ;i]ip()intmciil, Mr. Cassoday, in the followiiijj^ terms, fonnall)' accepted the trust tendered him: Janesvillk, Wis., Nov. 13, 1880. To His Excki.i.encv, William E. SMirH, Governor of Wisconsin; Mv Dear Sir: I have received, through your private secretary, Hon. George W. Burchard, your letter of the nth instant, enclosing a commission to me as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of this State in place of Justice Cole, resigned. Profoundly sensible of the high honor and the great confidence implied, and che sacred trust and weighty responsibility imposed; and trusting to the guiilance of the great hghts of the law, whose thoughts, reasons and judgments have been preserved in the books; and relying upon that Divine Providence, who so often lights up the darkened pathway, I hereby accept the office so generously tendered. Your most obedient servant, J. B. Cassoday. In April, 18S1, both Chief Justice Cole and Justice Cassoday were elected to the respective offices which they held by appointment, upon calls of the bar, the Legis- lature and the people, without regard to party, and with the exception of a few scattering ballots, received the entire vote of the State — Chief Justice Cole having 177,522, and Justice Cassoday 177, 553. In June, 1881, Beloit College conferred upon Justice Cassoday the degree of LL. D. In 1889 Justice Cassoday was re-elected without any opposition, upon calls from the bar of every county in the State, every member of the State Legislature and every State officer, and received 210,899 votes, being all but two hundred and twelve of the total number of votes cast. Since 1885 Justice Cassoday has lectured to the senior classes in the College of Law of the University of Wisconsin upon wills and constitutional law. His lec- tures on wills have recently been published by the West Publishing Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, in a book entitled "Cossoday on Wills," and the same is now used as a text book by law students in the Wisconsin University under the instruc- tion of John M. Olin, a prominent member of theWisconsin bar, and also in other law schools. He continues, however, to lecture once a week during the college year on the subject of constitutional law. On the bench. Justice Cassoday has been indefatigable, and his opinions, appearing in thirty-eight volumes of the Wisconsin Reports, commencing with the fiftieth, have been cited throughout the land as authority by the bench and bar of many States. He has written several opinions in very intricate cases on the subject of wills, which have attracted more than usual attention from the profession, and we therefore mention some of the most important. Will of Mary P. Ladd, 60 Wisconsin, 187; Scott vs. West, 63 Wisconsin, 529; Newman vs. Waterman, 63 Wisconsin, 612; Will of Ward, 70 Wisconsin, 251; Ford vs. Ford, 70 Wisconsin, 19, and same case, 72 Wisconsin, 621; the Will of Slinger, 72 Wisconsin, 22; the Will of Abraham Ehle, 73 Wisconsin, 445; Baker vs. Estate of McLeod, 79 Wisconsin, 534; Burnham vs. Burnham, 79 Wisconsin, 557; and Saxton vs. Webber, 83 Wisconsin, 617. He has likewise written several opinions in cases involving important questions of constitu- tional law, among which may be mentioned Wi.sconsin Central Railway vs. Taylor County, 52 Wisconsin, 37; Baker vs. The .State, 54 Wisconsin, 368; Cathcart vs. lUOCK.MMIU'M 1>H110NAK\ ANU I'OKIKAII CAlllKV Ol lllK (.■(iiH'.loi k, SO W isronsin. soo; \\\v lliicai^o X' Nortlwvcslcni l\.ul\v.i\ C'i>in|i.nn vs. Langliulc (.■ounly, 5(> Wisionsiii, di |; IviKlwin vs. I'.ly, ()(> Wisconsin, ip: the Stilo <\ /v7. Cirt'af vs. l""orfsl (.\xiiUy. 7.1 Wisconsin. 010; the State 7(>: 1. S. Koator laimluT I'onip.nn \s. .S|. (.'hmx Hooni (.'(>in|i,iii\ , 7J Wiscoi\sin, oj; Stati" Wisconsin, jo,;; .Si.Ui' ,v ft/. Sanilcrson vs. Mann, -(> Wisconsin. .|(n); St.itcr 1 ;n, and decided o\er eK\ en \ ears aL;^', and w.is iucon- llicl with son\e previous decisions in State courts, .ind w.is sul>sequenil\ di--,ippio\ ed liy iMve text writer and twii or tl\ree St, tie courts; hut more recently it has been ex- pressly approveil bv other text writers ,ind b\ tiie highest courts in l\>lorado, CitHMoia, Ninv York, Massachusetts, North Carolina ai\d by the Supreme Court of the I'nited States ii\ the recent case of l.ascelles vs. Ceoroia, iiSCnittnl Statt^s, 5.17. (>tlu-r cases n\i.iiht be citeil which h,i\e beei\ of miMc or less iniMic interest, l\ut the\ ,u"e too nunierous to nuMttion here. In ,iddition to his otiicial dutii"s .ind work in tiie l,iw sclu>ol. justice Cassoday li.is prep. lied .md riMil before liter,u\ ;4aiherini:s or socii-ties various p.ipt-rs upon 1 .i\\ .ind 1 .uv\ers. Lord Mansfield, The .American Lawyer, American Citizenship, and lolin -Siott. ,uul Johi\ Marshall, beinij his subjects. Hurin^' the fourteen years he has been upon the bench he has entirely refrained from participaliuL; in .in\- aflairs or i;atlu>rin_us of .1 politic. il or public n.iture, except th.it he delivered ,111 address on one b'ourth of |ul\ .ind .1 uu'inori.il .uldress upon the dcith o( lieneral C«rant, .Auiivist S, 1S85, both to his old neighbors and friends in j.uiesxille .iiul Rock county. The latter address is herewith reproduced. Wlieii gi'ortt doeils are to be montionoil, apt \vor»ls arc most ililViciilt to tiiul. W'lu-n j^iot sorrow is oxpciionced. the heart is most thoroii5;hly subdued. To-dav the vounijer portion of .\merioan citizens are enquiring of ihemsehos, What is the cause of tliis extended sorrow? What has induced this great personal devotion? What lias prompted these lavish expressions of sympathy and honor? Why this immense funeral cortegt^ extendins; throughout the Republic and in other lands? Why should this man be singled out fivm tht> many millions and thus ciowiuhI with univeisal hom.ige? These are the questions on the lips of the young. To those more advanced in life, the occasion revives the memory of a thousand issues, each at the time portentous for good or evil; and now, as the spirit of the great hero has crossed the silent river, and dust is returned to dust, it is fitting that we take a retrospective glance at the events which gave him the opportunities for proving his heroism and greatness — for these iinalities existed, though concealed in the man, before being called into action. What person whose hair has been frosted by the lapse of time, does not remember the sad mutterings of war along the whole southern sky during the five months immediately preceding the outbreak? Dur- ing those months, deliance was constantly uttered. States seceded, and a new government organized within our boixlers. amidst complications which, seemed to forbid a national protest. During those months the false were clamor>->us for surrender; the timid, re.ady to compromise or divide the Republic for the sake of peace; and even the brave and patriotic were tilled with terrible forebodings on account of pending possibilities. Amid scenes of that character, there would i^ccasion.Uly be a voice, louder, tirmcr ,uul more inspiring than the vest. lo tin- elfect: REPRESENTATIVK MKN ()!• TIIK UNITKIJ STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 163 " Stand f(jr the rif,'lit! St.iiid for your coimtryl Trust in (jod! \)i) your duty ;ind all will he well!" Finally, the red cloud of war llew athwart the sky, and the nation was confronted with the terrible alternative that either one-half of the Kepuhlic must surrender to the so-called Confed- eracy, or that blood and treasure must flow in large (juantities for the preservation of the Union. The weak-hearted fainted. The cowardly emigrated. The brave quietly, but with firmness and determination, took sides for or against their country. Many of the more heroic at once volun- t p rily left the plow in the furrow, the tools in the work-shop, the goods on the counter, the pen in the office, and hurried away to the post of duty. Airiong the hundreds of thousands who thus went to the front at the first call of patriotism, was a simple, rjuiet, modest clerk in a leather store of a neighboring city — nothwithstanding he had a family on his hands with little means of support, but with priceless treasures of mind and heart not then revealed to his nearest neighbors. For ten months but little was heard of him. Men who had proved their capacity for leadership in any former war were either too old for active duty or in sympathy with the- rebfds. All were therefore looking for a coming leader, but none suspected the Galena clerk. Washington and the Potomac, Richmond and the James were the great, theaters of action. Time rolled on. Expected victories failed to be realized. Disappointments and defeats became more frequent and disastrous. Many brave men lost all hope, save in the God of battles through the efficacy of prayer. By and by the Galena clerk was given a command and allowed to venture out in the dead of winter. He boldly struck the rebels in their fortifications, and in (piick suc- cession Forts Henry and Donelson surrendered with many thousands of prisoners. The news came like claps of thunder from a clear sky. The people of the West began to feel they had at last found the coming leader. But his capacity for commanding a large army or several armies in combination was not yet demonstrated, and by many denied. Then followed the great battle of Shiloh, against one of the ablest and most skillful leaders of the enemy, and, although victori- ous, yet the price paid left the question of his capacity for great deeds still debatable. But the campaigns that followed in the face of cruel criticisms, especially that of Vicksburg and Chatta- nooga, settled the question in the West, and with many in the East. Finally, called by Congress and the President to take command of all the Union armies, he moved forward with a simplicity of manner, a singleness of purpose and a firmness of tread, indicative of a clear perception of what ouglit to be done and a conscious ability to do it. This purpose was pursued with an unyielding pertinacity to the very end. With an abiding confidence in the rank and file of his army, and an unselfish generosity toward all his subordinates, he moved forward like one born to conquer, and by continually pressing the enemy along all the lines and in every quarter he was within a year enabled to force a complete surrender on his own terms. Having restored peace to his shattered country, he returned to Washington and his home, not as an ambitious conqueror, anxious for the applause of men and exaltation at the hands of his countrymen, but as a simple, quiet citizen, fully satisfied with having performed the duties which, under an overruling Providence, he had been called upon to do. The same singleness of purpose and unyielding pertinacity which crowned his military efforts with glory and honor, marked his career as a civil magistrate. But twenty years have elapsed since peace was restored, and the men comprising the two armies returned to their respective homes and to the ordinary avocations of life. Twenty years have elapsed since the kind-hearted and magnanimous Lincoln fell a victim to cruel hate. Em- blematic of a better future, to-day ex-Confederate and Union soldiers join in the mournful procession and bow over the grave of him who did so much to restore the nation as a permanent blessing to all the people thereof; to the new South as well as the North, and to the posterity of both. So it is not always true that the people are fickle, nor that republics are ungmtifid I'.iit l64 niOCKAI'llHAI, DICIIONAKV AND I'ORTKAir C.AI.I.KKV Ol' TIIK wliat wcic llic (|u.illlics (li head and lirait wliicli, uiuler such peculiar circumstances could thus challuu^c llic adnuialiim , Wisconsin. l*"oiir daughters and one son ii;ivt' i)lcssc(l lliis marriage. Their names are: I'.lhi .S., now Mi"s. William II. Jacobs, of Denver, ("olofado; Belle \''... wile oi (ieori^c II. Wlieelock, of South Bend, Indiana; Anna 1,., now Mfs. Na- than Clark, of I )uliilh, Minnesota; h'.ldon J., who is coiiiiecied with the lei^^al (lepaii luenl of the .Atehinson, TopeUa i"^- .S;iiit;i l'"e Railroad in (.'iiiiaj^o and who ^^^^^^ REPRESENTATIVE MEN OE THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 167 recently married Miss Sophia Clansen; and Bertha May, now Mrs. Carl Johnson, of Madison, Wisconsin. Previous to their marriage, Justice and Mrs. Cassoday be- came members of the Congregational Church, and four of- their children are now members of that church. While making no ostentatious parade of his religious views, our subject endeavors to lead a worthy Christian life. Justice Cassoday owes the high position to which he has attained entirely to his own exertions. He has, through his ability, steadfastness of purpose and integ- rity, advanced to membership of the highest tribunal of his State. His career affords a forcible illustration of the power of patience, perseverance and conscientious working in enabling a man to surmount and overcome early difficulties and ol)- structions of no ordinary kind. It is but just and merited praise to say that as a lawyer, Justice Cassoday ranked among the ablest of the great West; as a legislator, he was the peer of any of his colleagues; as a judge, he is ever honest, painstaking, laborious, courteous, learned and strong; as a citizen, he is honorable, prompt and true to every engagement; as a husband and father, a model worthy of all imitation. His characteristics are a modesty of demeanor, an entire absence of all parade and ostentation and a simple dignity, born of innate virtue and self-respect. He has an educated conscience, a large heart and a practical sympathy, a tender regard for young men who are struggling for an education and a higher life. He is an attractive man personally; he has a somewhat deep set, sharp and steady eye, firm lip, strong chin and high, well-proportioned forehead; all are outward signs of the rare man, and, with his un- tiring industry and a continuation of his present good health, must exercise a marked influence in molding and building up the jurisprudence of Wisconsin — a State that has been enriched by his example, his character and his labor. WOODMAN CLARK HAMILTON, FOND DU I.AC. ''P^O a Student of biography there is nothjng more interesting than to examine -L the life history of a self-made man and discover the reasons that enable one man. in the battle of life, to surpass many of his boyhood friends who were more advantageously endowed at the outset of their career. The subject of this biog- raphy has reached an honorable position among the representative men of the Northwest through his own exertions, and justly deserves that often misused title, "self-made man." He was born in Lyme, New Hampshire, February 22, 1834. His father, Irenus Hamilton, was a miller and farmer, a man of prominence in the community , and served his fellow citizens in the Senate of his State. His ancestors, of Scottish origin, were among the early settlers of Connecticut. He died in Lyme, New Hampshire, in 1876, aged sixty-eight years. The mother of our subject, Mary Esther Hamilton, ncc Kittridge, was a member of a family prominent in matters of jurisprudence, her brothers occupying high positions on the bench or at the bar of New 1 lampsliirc and Massachusetts. She died in iS^g. 168 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE After obtaining a preliminary education in the district school, young Hamilton attended an academy at Thetford, Vermont, and completed his education at the celebrated St. Johnsbury Academy. At nineteen he entered upon his business career, becoming an employe of the firm of Fairbanks & Company, scale manufac- turers of New York city. For two years he acted as bookkeeper and salesman in the establishment of that firm, making himself a valuable cniployc and deserving and receiving promotion. Reaching man's estate, he became desirous of entering business on his own account, and decided to come West. Arriving in the State of Wisconsin in 1855, and perceiving the future value of the great tracts of timber lands and the conse- quent prosperity of the lumber business in this State, he determined to enter busi- ness there. In association with his brother, Irenus K. Hamilton, he began business in F"ond du Lac under the firm name of I. K. & W. C. Hamilton. They pur- chased pine lands, built a sawmill and began to manufacture lumber, taking the timber from the stump. The}' conducted their business upon sound business princi- ples, devoting their time and ability to assure success to their enterprise, and their efforts were fittingly rewarded. In 1866, Mr. Hamilton and his brother, I. K., formed a partnership with A. C. Merryman, under the name of Hamilton, Merryman & Co., for the purpose of purchasing pine lands and establishing a lumber manufacturing plant at the mouth of the Menominee river. They purchased sixty-odd thousand acres of timber land in northern Wisconsin and Michigan, tributary to the Menom- inee river and its branches, and began operating a mill at Marinette. They have from time to time increased their holdings of timber lands and have since been constantly manufacturing lumber. As the business increased in magnitude they deemed it advisable to incorporate themselves as a stock company, and accordingly the Hamilton & Merryman Company was organized, with a capital stock of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Its officers are: I. K. Hamilton, president; W. C. Hamilton, vice president; and A. C. Merryman, secretary. The company is one of the largest and most successful of the immense lumber manufacturing establish- ments along the Menominee river. From thirty to forty millions of pine is annu- ally turned from timber on the stump to finished lumber at its mills. The product is carried by the company's vessels to Chicago, where its large distributing yard is located. In i8qi Mr. Hamilton became interested in the Marinette and Menominee Paper Company. He was elected president of the corporation and immediately laid plans to enlarge its business. The capital stock was increased from one hundred and seventy-five thousand to seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and a new and modern mill, known as the " Park Mill," was erected. The plant has a capacity of sixty tons a day, including print, book and manilla papers and ground wood and sulphite pulp, manufactured from spruce wood floated down the Menominee river. Mr. Hamilton devotes himself almost entirely to the management of this business, and its success is largely due to the care with which he supervises its affairs. In addition to the business connections cited above he is president of the Ham- ilton & Merryman Mining Company, which owns the Hamilton mine, located at Iron Mountain, Michigan, and has interests in pine lands in Louisiana. He is also RErUESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 169 a director in the Milwaukee Harvester Company and holds a like position in a Chicago bank. Politically he affiliates with the R(;publican party, and althouo;h in no sense a politician, lends his aid as a citizen to advance the success of Republican principles. He has always taken a deep interest in educational matters and has served as pres- ident of the Board of Education in F"ond du Lac, and as president of the Board of Public Works, also acted as a member of the Board of Aldermen of that city. He is a member of the Congregational Church, and has always been active in church matters. For the past twelve years he has served as president of the Board of Trus- tees of his church, and is now vice-president of Ripon College. He is also a director of the Chicago Theological Seminary. In 1891 he was a delegate from Wisconsin to the International Council of Congregational Churches, held in London, Eng- land. After the council adjourned, he visited P>ance, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Holland, and returning to Great Britain traveled over Eng- land, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. He has also visited most sections of the United States, excepting the extreme western portions. In 1858 he married Mary Taylor Weed, daughter of William H. Weed, a New York merchant. Six sons have blessed this marriage. William Irenus is engaiJ-ed in farming in Fond du Lac county; Charles Woodman is secretary and treasurer of the Milwaukee Harvester Company; Stephen Dolson died, aged four and a half years, in January, 1868; Herbert Weed is employed by the Marinette & Menominee Paper Company at Park Mills; Edgar Lockwood is secretary of the Marinette & Menominee Paper Company; and Arthur Little is a student in Phillips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts. Mrs. Hamilton is active in church affairs and is inter- ested in charitable and benevolent work. Mr. Hamilton's career illustrates most forcibly what can be accomplished by steady application to business, sobriety and integrity. He has devoted his time to business without stint, and has always endeavored to lead a consistent Christian life. His success proves most forcibly that constant effort in one direction will succeed if combined with steady habits and economy, and to the young man enter- ing upon the highway of life a perusal of his biography should serve as an inspira- tion and should direct him to the straight path which alone leads to success in life. HON. WILLIAM AUGUSTUS PRLNTISS, MILWAUKEE. THE spirit of self-rc;Hance as exhibited in the energetic action of individuals has at all times since the birth of our republic formed a marked feature of American character, and furnishes the true measure of our power as a nation. Rising above the head of the mass there have always been a series of individuals distinguished beyond others who have commanded the homage of their fellow-men, and set Ijefore their fellows an example of industry, sobriety aiul upright honesty of purpose in lift-, thus having a present as well as a future inlUience upon the well- 170 UUHIKACUUAl OUriONARV AM> TOKlKAir r.Al I VKV OK lUK beinjf of the country, for their lives and characters pass unconsciously into the lives of others, propagating' good examples for all time to come. Such a m.ui is lu- whose name heads this sketch. William A. Trentiss for over tifty years was an honored resident of Milwaukee. His ancestry is traced to Valentine Prentiss, who emigratef Mr. I'iuiner was passed in the place; of liis hirlh. At an early ajfc he assisted in dointr chores upon his father's farm, meanwhile attendinir the ordinary district school; and later he entered the New London (New Hampshire) hi^h school, where he obtained a fair education and became proficient in the sci- ence and art of surveyinij and civil engineering. In 1856 he left school, and in the following year located in Wausau, Wisconsin, where he joined an elder brother who had located there, Me became an employe of the lumber firm of Nutter & Plumer, and worked in the woods for that firm at a salary of eighteen dollars per month. Being industrious and economical he saved a large portion of what he earned. He was of a sociable disposition, and formed a large number of acquaintances, many of whom became attached to him by ties of friendship, and he soon found himself elected County Surveyor of Marathon county. About i860 he began business on his own account, as senior member of the firm of Plumer & Nelson. The partners engaged in logging, had their logs sawed by contract, and rafted the manufactured lumber down the river to St. Louis, where they sold it. In 1864 Mr. Plumer associated himself with Messrs. George and W. C. Silver- thorn and organized the private banking house of Silverthorn & Plumer, which conducted a large business until 1882, when it was succeeded by the First National Bank, which was organized by Mr. Plumer and his associates that year. Since then Mr. Plumer has been president of that financial institution, which has always con- ducted a large, profitable and satisfactory banking business. In 1874 it became known to Mr. Plumer that iron ore existed in large quantities up in what is known as the Gogebic country; and in association with Messrs. N. D. Moore, S. S. Vaughn and D. L. Quaw, he invested largely in land in that section. These investments were profitable. After mines had been opened and remunera- tive returns were assured, Mr. Plumer and his partners, in company with Messrs. W. C. Silverthorn, Thomas Bardon and Gordon (iile, organized the Northern Chief Iron Company, which is capitalized for $3,000,000 and of which Mr. Plumer is president. The company owns the fee to the mines known as the Germania, East and West Cary, Windsor, Pence, Superior and several others, which are all ore- producers. Mr. Plumer is also the president and controlling spirit of the Wausau Gaslight & Coke Company. In his political principles Mr. Plumer is a Democrat; has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of his party at the polls, and has ever exerted his influence in its behalf. In addition to being County Surveyor prior to i860, he represented his district in the General Assembly in 1872-3, has served as a member of the Board of Supervisors for twelve years, been Mayor of the city for three years, and is now a member of the Board of Regents of the State University. He has traveled over the United States and has visited most points of interest. Personally he is sociable, agreeable and kindly, treating all with the hospital- ity of a true gentleman. He was married in 1869 to Mary jane Draper, a native of Troy, New York. Such is a brief description of a busy life, the course of \vhi( h ii.is i)ro\'ed in a marked manner that great success comes oftener from a lixcd purpose, bravely and BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE faithfully carried out, than from any chance or happy accident. Mr. Plumer has carved his way to the high position he now occupies by his own exertions. Scrupu- lously honest in all his transactions, scorning all forms of trickery and misrepresen- tation, fearing not honest ,toil, but ever willing to devote his time, attention and labor to bring success to any enterprise with which he becomes associated, his ca- reer is but another illustration of what hard and steady work, combined with hon- esty and integrity, will accomplish. Mr. Plumer started in life as poor as the poor- est of boys; that he has succeeded is due entirely to his own exertions, and he is a self-made man in the fullest sense of that oft-misused term. EDGAR PHILETUS SAWYER, II^DGAR P. SAWYER, son of Philetus and Melvina M. (Hadley) Sawyer, was ^ born December 4, 1842, in Crown Point, Essex county, New York. In the fall of 1847 his parents journeyed westward to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where his father purchased a farm. Two years later the farm was disposed of and in December, 1849, the family moved to the village of Algoma — now in the city of Oshkosh, where in the common schools, Mr. Sawyer obtained his rudimentary edu- cation, which was later supplemented by a course in the local high school. His father had engaged in the lumber manufacturing business, and had laid the founda- tion of a successful career and when he attained the proper age Edgar devoted himself to assisting his father and displayed a natural aptitude for business. Therefore he early in life was consulted in all of his father's business relations and the responsi- bilities attached to managing growing manufacturing interests were placed upon him when he had barely reached man's estate. In 1853 Philetus Sawyer had formed a partnership with Messrs. Brand and Olcott, lumber manufacturers and dealers, in Fond du Lac, and purchased a sawmill located in Algoma, which he had operated for three years previous on contract work. The mill was rebuilt and improved. The business prospered, and in 1855 another new mill was added to their property. This mill still stands. In 1856 Mr. Olcott retired and the firm of Brand & Sawyer continued the business until 1862. In that year Philetus Sawyer purchased Mr. Brand's interest and in April, 1864, shortly after obtaining to his majority, his eldest and only surviving son, Edgar P. Sawyer, the subject of this biography, was ad- mitted as a partner in his general business, the firm being since then P. Sawyer & Son. For two years previous to being admitted into active partnership, Mr. E. P. Sawyer had been actively engaged in his father's business, and displayed business ability of a high order. A history of the affairs of P. Sawyer & Son is given in the biography of the Hon. Philetus Sawyer, whose portrait and biography are on the first printed pages of this volume, and therefore, to avoid repetition, details are not closely followed. In all of the business affairs of the firm of P. Sawyer & Son, Edgar Sawyer has been most active. When his worthy father was called upon to serve his fellow-citizens \n the House of Representatives and in the Senate, his busi- ness interests were left under the control of his son and partner, and that he has (p^^f' U^^^^l^i^t/y^^-y- REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. IQI shrewdly and conservatively conducted the affairs entrusted to his judijjment and management, is testified to by the fact that the business career of P. Sawyer & Son has been a continuous success. As profits from the lumber business accumulated it was essential to their prosperity to discover safe avenues for investment, and some of the largest and most successful enterprises of Northern Wisconsin have been founded with their capital. Pine lands were purchased and large mills established on the Menominee river and elsewhere; an extensive lumber yard opened in Chi- cago, and the stock of financial institutions purchased. From the foundation of the National Bank of Oshkosh — one of the most solid financial institutions in Wiscon- sin — P. Sawyer & Son have been largely interested therein, and for several years Edgar Sawyer has been vice-president of that institution, and he is also a director in a similar institution in Fond du Lac. In 1894 the Sawyer Cattle Cornpany was organized with capital stock of $390,000. This company which succeeds to the busi- ness of Sawyer, McCoy & Rumery, owns 220,000 acres of land under fence, located in Tom Green and Irion counties, Texas, on which 21,000 head of cattle graze. Politically Mr. Sawyer is a staunch and zealous Republican, but has never desired nor accepted political position. He is interested in Masonry, and has reached the thirty-second degree Scottish Rites, and is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He has been in sympathy with his father in all of his generous acts, and has bestowed cheerfully of his store to aid religious, charitable and educational institutions and to alleviate private suffering. He was married in October, 1864, to Mary E.Jewell, of Oshkosh. Two children have blessed this marriage, Maria M., wife of C. C. Chase, of Oshkosh, and Philetus H., a student at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Mrs. Sawyer's father, Hon. Henry C. Jewell, was a man of prominence in the community, and was called upon by his fellow-citizens to fill positions of trust, and served as Mayor of Oshkosh and member of the State Legislature. Mr. Sawyer is domestic in his tastes and habits. He is a steady and regular reader of the higher class of literature and keeps fully in accord with the times by giving many of his spare moments to literature upon current events. He is courteous to all, — ever ready with a cheerful word and kindly smile to greet a stranger or a friend and in all affairs he conducts himself with the unostentatious dignity of a true gentleman. ALEXANDER McDONALD, FOND DU LAC. ALEXANDER McDONALD was born in Lancaster, Glengarry county, Canada, September 16, 1827. He is a son of Donald McDonald and Sarah, «cr Stewart! 1 lis father was born in Canada, on the same farm where our subject first saw the light of day. The father of Donald McDonald was a native of Glenelg, Scotland. Sarah McDonald, mother of our subject, was born on the Isle of Skey, Scotland. Alexander received his early education at the common school of his native town, meanwhile assisting his father on his farm. At the age of thirteen he went to Montreal and obtained employment with his cousin, D. {. McDonald, in the 192 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE grocery business. He remained there about three years. He then returned home and, during the following year attended school. At seventeen, he became an em- ploye of Archibald McBean, of East Hawksbury, Ontario, as clerk. After being there a year and a half, Mr. McBean established a branch store and Mr. McDonald was given an interest in the business, thus proving that even early in life he dis- played those traits of stable character that have ever clung to him through life. After being with Mr. McBean for three years he sold out his interest and went to Montreal and occupied himself temporarily as a clerk in the grocery establishment of his second cousin, Duncan McDonald. In 1848 he engaged as clerk to Captain Flower, a railroad contractor engaged in the construction of the Portland branch of the Grand Trunk Railway. He con- tinued as clerk one year, then took charge of a gang of men and a year later was made superintendent of the construction of a division in Lower Canada and later superintended several divisions in Canada West. He held that position for seven years. In 1855 he returned home and spent the winter. In 1856 he moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and engaged in the lumber busi- ness in association with his brother, J. S. McDonald, A. C. Merryman and Haynes Hunter. After five years he purchased the interests of all his associates except those of his brother, who was then on the Pacific coast, and carried on the business under the firm name of A. & J. S. McDonald until 1S69, when he sold his interest to his brother. In the meantime Mr. McDonald had purchased considerable pine land. In 1871 he purchased a sawmill and engaged in the manufacture of lumber and dealt in pine lands. In 1882 he discontinued operations in that line in Fond du Lac and erected a sawmill at Fort Howard, Brown county. In 1892 he sold out his mill to his brother, Hugh McDonald. Mr. McDonald has been actively interested in many other enterprises. For eighteen years he manufactured sash, doors and blinds in association with his brother, J. S. McDonald, and Alexander Stewart. He was also president of the Wheel and Seeder Works until the business was sold out, He was also actively interested in the Fond du Lac Threshing Machine Company and was president of the Fond du Lac Manufacturing and of the Fountain City Paper Companies. Mr. McDonald has been Alderman of Fond du Lac several times and he has twice been elected Mayor of the city by the best people, irrespective of party. Po- litically, he is a Republican. He has traveled quite extensively over the United States and Canada and has visited Europe. While in Scotland, he saw the founda- tion of the house in which his mother was born. Mr. McDonald's earl}' teachings were conducive to a worthy life. His parents were members of the Presbyterian Church and instilled into the minds of their children, love of God, a love of righteousness and an abhorrence of intoxicants. Mr. McDonald has followed the precepts of his parents. He is now sixtj'-seven years of age and has never known the taste of intoxicating liquor nor ever used tobacco. His strong frame and hardy constitution have withstood the encroachments of time and his appearance is that oi a man of not more than fifty years of age. He has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since 1868 and is a Trustee of the First Pres- byterian Church of Fond du Lac. He is actively interested in church work and is REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 193 always ready to aid any plan for the advancement of religion. He has been thrice married. September 14, 1859, he married Miss Annie Cameron, by whom he has one daughter, Sarah McDonald. December 12, 1863, his wife died. In February, 1868, he married Christina McLennan, who only survived one year longer. June 12, 1872, he married Sarah E. V'aughn, by whom he has one son, Alexander V. McDonald'. GEORGE H. CAMERON, OSIIKOSH. GEORGE HENRY CAMERON was born in the city of Albany, New York, on January 18, 1838, is the son of William Cameron, a contractor of that city, and his wife, Louise (Parks) Cameron. His father, in addition to contracting, also con- ducted at one time an express between New York city and Albany. The early education of our subject was received in the common school of his native city, and at a suitable age he was sent to the normal school, located in the same city. At the age of sixteen Mr. Cameron left his school books and became a clerk in a hat store, where he remained two years. Afterward, desiring to learn a trade, he selected that of a machinist and engineer. When thoroughly competent he became an employe of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company, and continued with that corporation for thirteen years. He was for a short time on the road as an engineer, but most of the time was foreman of erecting shops. Previoustocomingto Oshkosh his father-in-law and brothers-in-law had settled there and they induced him to follow them. In 1862 he moved West and located in Oshkosh. His father-in-law, Mr. William Campbell, then owned a shingle mill in which Mr. Cameron, associated with his brothers-in-law, became interested, and for several years conducted the business. In 1871 the firm of William Campbell & Sons was organized, and Mr. Cameron admitted to a well-earned partnership; the busi- ness rapidly increased, but the fiery element destroyed the sawmill in 1883, at which time the plant was immediately rebuilt on a much larger scale, and upon the death of Mr. W. Campbell the old firm was succeeded by the firm of Campbell Brothers & Cameron. In 1887 the firm added an extensive box factory to their already large sawmill, and, although they produce upward of 8,000,000 feet of lumber per annum, they find it necessary to buy lumber for their box factory to the amount of nearly 4,000,000 feet. The firm of Campbell Brothers & Cameron own nearly 2,000 acres of timber lands in the State of Wisconsin, near Wapaca, and of this they have nearly 200 acres cleared and under cultivation. On March 20, 1890, the firm was changed into a stock company, with Mr. Cameron for its president, under the name of Campbell & Cameron Company. The enterprises with which Mr. Cameron has been con- nected have always been successful financially, and he can now look back upon a life in which his success is as deserved as it is conspicuous. Socially Mr. Cameron is much esteemed. He belongs to the Oskosh Business Club, is a charter member f)f the Legion of Honor, and is a member in tjood stand- ingof the Royal Arcanum. 194 HIOGKAl'HICAL DICTIONARY AND I'ORTKAIT GALLERY OF THE He was married June 21, 1857, to Miss Cathrine L. Campbell, and they are blessed with five sturdy sons: William Campbell, James Edwin, David Niblock, John Alexander and Robert Whittemore. Though fond of traveling Mr. Cam- eron's business activity and connections have prevented him visiting outside of the United States. Mr. Cameron affiliates with the Republican party of whose principles he is a staunch advocate. He thoroughly believes in discharging his duties as a private citizen in all matters of political importance, but has no desire for political office. He has had opportunities of acquiring various nominations by his party, but his de- ficiency of hearing has prevented his acceptance. He is thoroughly domestic in his tastes, and is closely applied to his large business interests. The business life of Mr. Cameron furnishes a notable example of what may be accomplished under adverse circumstances by energy and resolution, when guided by honorable prin- ciples and aided by agreeable personal characteristics. He is in truth a successful business man, and his actions in all his transactions are marked by scrupulously fair dealing, frankness and kindness, and faith in the better side of human nature. Personally a tireless worker, he admires that quality in others and cheerfully helps the man possessed of the vim and energy he so much respects. His charities are bestowed with an open hand, but always without ostentation. He is modest and retiring by nature. There is no vanity in his composition unless it is to do his work well, and to that end he concentrates all his powers. A man of irreproachable habits and pure character, as well as honorable and ambitious, he enjoys the friend- ship of all with whom he comes in contact. HON. WINCHEL D. BACON, WAUKESHA. WINCHEL DAILEY BACON was born at Stillwater, Saratoga county, New York, on the banks of the beautiful Hudson river, in the family residence which was built at so early a day that the nails, including those used for shingling, were wrought iron, made by hand. The house was lined with imported brick. His grandfather, Samuel Bacon, Sr., was one of three brothers who emigrated from England and settled in Connecticut, afterward removing to Stillwater, New York State, before the Revolution, taking up a tract of land, which became noted as a part of the battle ground on which occurred the engagement of General Gates with General Burgoyne in 1777, where the latter General suffered a signal defeat, losing his favorite officer, General F"razier, a calamity which so dispirited the British army that in a few days it surrendered. The father of the subject of this sketch, Samuel Bacon, Jr., inherited a portion of the homestead, including the family residence, and followed the occupation of fanning. His mother's maiden name was Lydia Barber Dailey. He was born in the same house as was his father, and worked on the farm until nineteen years of age; then went to Troy, New Tf- ^yi c-4, and at the present time has some of the most promising stock in Wisconsin. Mr. Rowell has been married twice, — first time January i, 1850, to Miss Mary Martha Ball, of Virginia. This lady died in April, i8qi. She was the mother of five children: Theodore B. and Samuel W. Rowell, who are both interested with their father in his busii>ess; and three daughters; Elizabeth, who was the wife of Lyman Barber, died January 10, 1880; Lillian is the wife of Mr. Ernest Munger, of Waupun, Wisconsin; and Florence Belle married Robert Hopkins, of Milwaukee, REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 21 7 Wisconsin; she is a professional harp player and widely known in that capacity. Mr. Rowell subsequently married Mrs. Mary Shiller, of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. In political life Mr. Rowell is a staunch Republican. He is in no wise a politi- cian, but seeks to benefit his fellowmen to the best of his ability. In 1S67 he served as Mayor of Beaver Dam and has also been Alderman for two terms. Mr. Rowell durinrs and the condolence of this bar to the husband and daughters of the deceased. R,'S()l,i\'d^ That these proceedin,itil\ ol uii|ii iiu'iplcd iifMiil-,, .Hid ol llir •.w.iim ol \\IhI<- I Ol inoi .ml', who wcic cxct on iJu- alert lo depriv <• the i-hioi.hiI -..u .ii^m". ol I lu' |iil l.liu <• lo w in. li llie\ w ii e eiil il led 1 1 oil) I lu- I 'llilc-d Si, lie'. ( io\ CI llllieill . I loll. Simon I .Hueion, (hen I'niled Sl.ile'. Sen.iloi lioiii reiiii'.\ l\ ,Hn,i, w ,r. ,i iMen\l>i-i ol ,( I'oniinission m,in\ \e,ii', Miire li> m.ike |>,i\ ineiil'. iindei lic,i(\' s|j|iu latioll'. lo llle \\'iniiel>,lf,M>e'. .iiul llien ini\ed jilood',, ,Hid ll,l\ ill;', let •,<■( |iienl l\' on the llo(>l ol llie Sen, lie lli,il in .ill lir. Ion;'. espiTieiue ,i inoie linllilnl, eiiei;Miie, IVarlt'SS man i)e h,id n<-\ CI inel lh,iii I lei enle-, 1 »onMn,ni, .md ih.il hi-. I.ihiil , il pos silile, cvctcded his \ illiic'.. Seldom, indei i\ .lie '.Lil ion lo w leld .in inlhieiHc so esleiisixc .ind .il llie '..line lime so lieneli- eenl. I he |iinnili\e |>e(>|ile, ,iinon;' whom he so lon>.'. le-.ideil, weie .it i iislonu'd lo tie pel It I iipt>n him lt>i .it I \ it e .Hit! .r.'.i'.l .1 iitc w hen I roiihle ti\ ei I 00 iv I hem. I le ,it letl as pfai'em,ikei m iheii ili-,piile-., olieniime-. pie\cnlin<^ lili^.ilitui li\ hi-, wi-.ettmn sris, and he w.e. e\ei ie,ul\ lo mini'. lei lt> ihe w,Hll-, ol the pool ,huI ihe tlisi l e-.setl w'll hont (list inti 1011 ol 1 ,itc. .Mlhon^h nol ,1 poliliii,in in ihe oitlin,H\ .letcpMI ion ol ihe lei in, I 'olonel noiism.in w.is in senliment .1 t onservativc IV-moti.il, Iml he w.is indepeiulenl t"I\oil}-'.h Iti ttiiuleiim wh.il he deemed wiont^ in the .it Is ol his own p.Hl\. .iiitl wilh <'(in.d I .Huloi he ne\ei williheltl his liilinle ol pr.iise lit>m polilu'.il tipponenls when in his indtMiienl ihe line ol polii \ piiisiied li\ ihem w,is siith .is eonservcd the puli^ lie well. HC, So eoiuinicd wcic the people .il I.Hs^c ol his imsweiA ini; inlej^rit \' . lh.it il he h.id assented lo ihe soluii.H ions ol his liiends to Ix-tdine .1 e.Hidiil.iIe lor hiidi pnMit positions he wcnltl imt|iiesl ion,il>l\ h,i\e tcici\cd the soles t>i \ei\ in,Ul\ who dilleied lit>m him m ptilitiis. W'hen the w.ir t>l the iel>ellit>n lunsl npon the fomUi\, the peist>ii,il iiilhientc ,Hitl the pulse ol ('t>lt>iiel l>oiisin.in were east intt> the st.de 111 l.ivoi ti| the I ineoln .itlminisi 1 .11 1011, .Hitl lew piix.ile filit'iis .iceoinplisheil mt'ie ih.m hmisell in arous- ini; the people (>l his seeiuin hi ilu' emeis;ent\ t>l the peiil, .iiul in eiiuippii\^ ft'^i'i- miMlts loi ihe lield, Il w ,e< his e.iinesi fon\ it I ion I h.il 11 w .is i he diit \ of e\riv m.in in the t omn\ui\ity to devote his nieans ami his eneii^ies it> m.iinl.iinini; int.ut the inie^Miu ti| the l'\'der.d I'nion. l't>lonel I V>nsm.in w.is a In m liieiul ttl his own rerrilor\ .iiul Sl.ite. Inti ilMteU .u'tiiLiinled .IS he w.is wiili the tt>pt>LM .iph\ t>l ihe it>iinlr\ .iiitl its \ .ist rapacitx loi puitlm litin. he .itl\ tn-.iietl its tl.Hins lo foiisulei .U it>n .iiul puslu letl ihe hrilli.Hil liilme t>l Mimiesoi.i wuh.ill 1 he ent luisi.ism t>t .111 oKl seiilei. \e\t tt> his own Si.iif. lo wluth hew.isevi-i lti\ .il. his .ilfeti uMis were Ix'slowed upon tile \(>uni;cr sistrr ol Miiuiesot.i. .iiul his memi>r\ merits .1 w.iim plaee ill the hearts of the peopU> of Minn«>sota for the ,in\iet\ he m.inilesietl. .huI the «>lYorts he inadt> to advatu'e ihrir inattMial iiiton-sts. Nortiiwcstei i» \\ isootisin has also ^ooA eauso to elu-rish liiin in matelHil mneinluaiur. I'or many yt-ars an (n\ ium" of steamers on the upper Mississippi, he aeeomplished miuh in direetiiii^ miijration and Inisiness to her ports; and hut for his unfeniittiii>i exertions and the liberal ontlay from his I'l.lKKSKNl Al IVK MKN OF TIIK IINriKI) SIAIKS; WISCONSIN VOI.OMK. 227 own resources in .ml ol inlr-i |,i i ,i-, lli'- r.iilw.iy from M il w.nik«i- lo I'i.um' iln ( lilrevions, She was a native of I'rairie dn ( liien, and, wil li I In- exceplion of an occasional ahsence, re- sided then- niilil lier de.iiji in 1SS2, al llie a^^e of seveniy-cj^rlit years. Tlw issue of this union was a son, lioin in 1S4K, who died in iX.Sf), ;it the early u^rt- of ihirly- seven, ;ind who hon- the name and possessed m.iny of the cliar.u lerist,i( s of his l.ither. Ilis l)if);(ra|)hy will l)e fomid in this v(»lnine. Mis strict hiisiness hahils and tin- many opiHjrInnities afforded in a new and r.ipidly ^rowiiiK ri-^\()\\ for jndi( ions investments enahled him to amass an ample fortune. While he vvas always liheral in his conlrihiilions to relij^ioiis and ( liari- tahle o|)i<( Is, and noted ffir his hosiiilality, Colonel I )oiismaii was hy no means ^iven to extravat^ance, nor nunu!nt <;re( ted l»y |r)vinK hands to ( r>mineuior.ite his virtues will hav; hecfniie dim .iiid tarnished hy time lon(.( ere ih<- retueuihrancc of his nohle example shall ((.ise to exercise an influence on the ((Miimunity of which lie was an honored mrmher. llO.X.'i I.MO'i IIV I',. RVA.V, WADKI'.SIIA. ''I^I.VlOi HY hJ)\V,\lrmer a farmer hy occupation. Our snhject at- tended a school at (ireenwich until 1S72, when his father removed with the family to Wisconsin, and hxaterl on a farm north of the village of I'ewaiikee. Here our suhje<:t at once < mnmeiK ed his studies in the |>nhlic schf^ols, aiul supplemii in the class of lS8s, after which he at once- entered upon wh.it was destined lo prove a 228 BIOGKAl'lllCAI. DICTIONARY AND I'OKIKAIT GALLERY OK THE most lucrative practice. lie formed a partnership with P. H. Carney, of Wauke- sha, which continued for four years, and upon its dissoKition he became associated with E. Merton, of Burlinjjton, Wisconsin, Mr. Ryan being senior member of the firm, which carried on business under the style of Ryan & Merton. In addition to his law business, Mr. Ryan has other interests. He is president of the Waukesha Dispatch Publishing Company, a member of the firm of Hardy & Ryan, abstracters, and president of the Waukesha Summer Trotting Association. In his religious faith, he is a Catholic, a consistent member of the church, and holds membership with the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Politically he is a stanch believer in the principles and doctrines of the Democratic party, and is one of the most prominent of its younger members in the State. For five years he held the office of Town Clerk of Pewaukee, and since his removal to Waukesha he has been a delegate to numerous party conventions> where he is always one of the leaders, his opinions being received with considera- tions. In 1888 he was the Democratic candidate for Attorney General of Wiscon- sin, and later the candidate for District Attorney of Waukesha county. In 1890 he received the support of the Waukesha delegation at the Congessional convention held in Juneau, Dodge county, and in the year 1892 he came within one vote of re- ceiving the nomination for Congress in the convention held at Cedarburg, Ozaukee county. The esteem in which he is held by members of his party is thus readil)' ob- served, and one would not need the gift of prophecy to predict that higher honors yet await him. The last Presidential election found Wisconsin under the banner of Democracy, and this result was brought about largely through the efforts of such worthy members of the party as our subject. On the 5th of October, 1887, Mr. Ryan was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bannon, of Waukesha, and three daughters have been born of their union, namely: Marguerite, Katherine Frances and Agnes Josephine. In all the relations of life Mr. Ryan has ever been found an honorable, upright gentleman, and his public and private life is alike above reproach. PATRICK CUDAHY, MILWAUKEE. 1)ATRICK CUDAHY, the subject of this memoir, was born in Callan, in the county of Kilkenny, Ireland, on the 17th day of March, in the year 1849. His mother's maiden name was Shaw, and she was a very amiable and estimable woman. She was by nature gifted with a great heart and great sensibility, domestically and re- ligiously inclined. She was deeply attached to her husband, family and friends, and to her church. It is needless to say that the impress of the mother's character is strongly stamped on that of the son. The father of Mr. Cudahy, while in Ire- land, was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a man of eminent respecta- bility; his character as a man and his reputation for integrity were never questioned. He was a man of fine presence, tall of stature, and in all respects of fine physical mold; he would indeed have attracted attention anywhere. He was an ardent L^<_-CU^^ KKI'RKSKNTATIVK MKN OK IIIK IINITKI) STAIKS; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 23I Catholic, always faithfully devoted to his church. He also continued through life a lover of his native country, and this also inii)lics lluit he was warniiy attached lo the land of his adoption. The subject of this sketch came with his ])arents, together with the other mem- bers of the family, to this country in the year 1849, when he was but a few months old, and from that time forward Milwaukee has been his home. Mr. Cudahy is one of six children, five of whom still survive: Michael antl John Cudahy, of Chicago, are too well known to require any elaborate mention. Through the sheer force of industry, integrity, innate and commanding talent they have carved out for themselves an enviable ])<)sition in the business world of America. They stand consjjicuous among the financial magnates of the land. Edward Cud- ahy, one of the brothers, resides in Omaha, and is associated in business with his brother Michael in that city. He has also been eminently successful in life, and possessing as he does the characteristics of his brothers, he, like them, is destined to become a very wealthy man and useful citizen. Catherine, the only sister, dedi- cated her life to religion. She became eleven years ago a member of the order of the Good Shepherd, and was known in religion as Sister Mary of St. Stanislaus. She died in January, 1892. William Cudahy, the second youngest brother, died at the age of thirty-seven. Before his death, however, he became a leading business man in the city of Milwaukee. As we have said, Milwaukee has been the home of Patrick Cudahy since almost the date of his birth. He is essentially a Milwaukee man and is proud of it. He received a limited education in the common schools of the day. At twelve years of age he was compelled to work in the summer, and he went to school in the winter when there was no work to be had. His first employment of any consequence was with a retail grocer, on the corner of Grand avenue and Fifth street in this city. He waited on customers in the forenoon, and delivered goods in the afternoon with a two-wheeled cart. He worked from seven in the morning until nine at night, for which he received the mere pittance of $1.50 per week. His first employment in the meat business was with Kdward Roddis, a promi- nent beef and pork packer, along in the '60s. From this he went to work for Messrs. Layton & Company in the capacity of weigher, or, as more generally termed, scaler, for which he received $75 per month. This was in 1870. At this time there was little if any summer packing, and consequently men employed in the jjacking house during the winter were oljliged to look for something else to do in the sum- mer months. Mr. Cudahy being ambitious and desirous to succeed, undertook to learn the trade of stone-cutting. Before making much progress in this he received a position as superintendent of a pork-packing house of Lyman & Company. Here he continued for about a year. About this time Philip D. Armour, who was then in partnership with the late Mr. Plankinton, moved to Chicago to take charge of his brother's business. Mr. Armour induced Mr. Michael Cudahy, who was then in the employ of Plankington & Armour, to go with him to Chicago. This left a vacancy in the house of Plank- ington & Armour in Milwaukee, which, fortunately for Patrick Cudahy. he was called upon to fill. This was the turning point in his career. 232 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE He took (.-haro^e of tlu' slau*:jhtrria^ ami packiii^^ csuiblishincnt of Plankini^ton & Annoiir in 1874, at a salary of $^,000 per year, and so continued until 1S78, at which time he was admitteil as partner, and jjiven one-sixteenth interest in the bus- iness, the capital stock beini/es of the Cudahy Brothers Compan}' reside there. The Cudahy Building & Loan Association is also an important enterprise, the presidency of which is filled by Mr. Cudahy. The stockholders of this concern are almost all ctup/ayl-s of the packing company. The product of the Cudahy Brothers Company is found in every market, nearly sixty per cent, of it is exported, and the remainder is either sold in Milwaukee, or consigned to the eight branches of the company in the South. The number of employes aggregates 600, and, as is readily understood, it of a necessity requires a man of great executive ability to manage the various details connected with its great volume of business. This is a brief and imperfect narrative of the business career of Mr. Patrick Cudahy up to the present time. That it has been eminently and honorably success- ful it is needless to state. He is pushing well to the front and bids fair to become one of the wealthiest men of our city, ami his wealth is not the result of inheritance, but of honest, laborious and intelligent acquisition. Mr. Cudahy's success in life was inevitable, because, among other things, he inherited from his parents those qualities of intellect and heart which, when properly directed as in his case, render failure on the part of such a man veritably impossible. He would have made a suc- cess in any pursuit in life which he might have undertaken. It is not difficult to analyze the character of such men as Mr. Cudahy. There is nothing complicated^or mysterious in the make-up of such men. Judicious econ- omy, integrity and good sense and untiring industry are among the most conspicu- ous traits of his character. He is by nature essentially a business man, and a busi- REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES) WISCONSIN VOLUME. 233 ness man ii|)(jn a ^raiid scale. Somewhat of liis success is no doubt clue to his early training in the school of adversity, and this is, in a measure, true of the majority of millionaires in the Union. Adversity is after all but a blessing in disguise to those who have the courage and fortitude to rise above it. Mr. Cudahy is still but a young man, being but forty-five years of age, and this makes his success all the more remarkable. He is a gentleman of singularly pre- possessing appearance, far above the average in weight and height, of comely feat- ures and pleasing address. Winning and kindly in his way he is perhaps without an enemy in the world. Modesty is perhaps one of his most striking characteris- tics. He is by nature a very benevolent man, but his benevolence is never ostenta- tiously paraded. In religion he is a Roman Catholic. He is both from sincerity and conviction a faithful adherent of his church. He is and has always been in politics a Demo- crat, but is in no sense a rabid or intolerant politician. His nature is too liberal for that. Mr. Cudahy was married in 1877 to Miss Annie Madden, and to this union have been born nine children, eight of whom are now living. The marriage has been an unusually happy one. Mrs. Cudahy in her personality, possesses in a marked de- gree, all the better elements of her sex. She is a native of Wisconsin, and a wo- man of culture and education; by nature, charitable and benevolent. She is in the main domestic in her tastes and habits, always on the alert to render home happy for her husband, herself and their children. Like her husband she is devotedly attached to her church. Indeed, in all respects the Cudahy home is one of the model homes of Milwaukee. Fortune has certainly dealt kindly with Mr. Cudahy. All the blessings which fall to the human on earth would seem to be his. His life is simply a living illus- tration of what marked ability can accomplish when accompanied by moral recti- tude, spotless integrity and untiring industry. JOSEPH VILAS, M.VMTOWOC. PROBABLY no resident of Wisconsin has led a more active business life than has Joseph Vilas. He has successfully controlled many large and important enterprises and has ever displayed managerial abilities of a high order. He has so conducted all affairs of which he had charge as to merit the confidence and esteem of all interested, and his name is now, and has been for several decades, a synonym for business integrity. He was born in Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence county, New York, March 31, 1832, and is a son of Joseph and Mary A. (White) Vilas. The Vilas family in America was founded by Peter Vilas, who was born in England, February 24, 1704. The boyhood clays of Joseph were passed ui)on iiis father's farm, and he at- tended district school imtil he was twelve years cjld. I'cjr the four years following ^34 HlOCKAI'llUAl. IMCllONAKV AND I'OK 1 KAll' GAl.l.KKV OK I'llK he was a stiulcnt in llic O^titnsbury Acailcmy. At the age of sixteen he entered In ion College, Schenectady, New York, then under charge of the learned pre- coptor. Doctor Kliiihalct Knott. His collegiate course was interrupted at the end ol two \fars by proti actcil iiliu-ss in his father's family. While he was a student at college gold was discovered in California, and the "gold feyer" became epidemic among the boys of his age. Several of his companions left college to go to the mines, and he was very desirous of accom|>anying them, but the wise counsel of his father prevailed antl he gave up the idea. In 1852 Mr. Vilas visiteil Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where his sister, Mrs. Piatt, resided. His inclination pointed to the law as his future life work, and he intended, as soon as his visit was over, to return to C\gdensburg and study law. Manitowoc was at that time a village of a few hundred inhabitants, and its school was unpro- vidinl with a teacher. Mr. \ ilas was urged to act in that capacity, and was pre- vailetl upon to accept. He soon became accustomed to the ways of the West, and being of a social disposition admired the freedom from restraint and convention- ality on the part of the people, and determined to renounce his intention of study- ing law and to remain in Manitowoc. After teaching school for three months he entered the mercantile establishment of Piatt & Brother, of which firm his brother- in-law. jarvis E. Piatt, was the senior member, and at first acted as bookkeeper. He at once displayed business ability of a high degree and soon secured an interest in the business, which was continued as Piatt, Brother & Company, and later as Piatt (S: X'ilas. At that time railroads had not yet been constructed in northern Wisconsin, and the commerce conducted on the inlanti seas made Manitowoc a prosperous business point. Not only was a large mercantile business conducted by the firm, but lumber manufacturing, ship building and shipping with a large fleet of vessels were also enterprises which they carried on. After disposing of his interest in the business of Piatt & Vilas. Mr. \'ilas engaged in the manufacture of lumber, shingles, woolen goods and tlour. All of these manufacturing enterprises were closed out many years ago, and he has sinct^ tlien been interested in larger under- takings in Wisconsin and elsewhere. Mr. \'ilas is the parent of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railroad, the first railroad built along the lake shore north of Milwaukee. About iSjo he con- ceived the plan of building a railroatl from Milwaukee and the Northwest, via Manitowoc, to Appleton. With him to think has been to act, and he at once laid plans to begin work. He constructed the road from Milwaukee to Appleton with a branch to Two Rivers, a total of i ;o miles of track. He invested of his private means in the enterprise and was tlie only individual resident of the State to put a dollar into it at that time. A full account of all the details of the building of this road would alone fill a volume, but, as an illustration of Mr. Vilas' progressive spirit, his intlomitable will and his power of overcoming obstacles, a brief description of some of the details is herein inserted. To construct a railroad, money must be the first thing obtained. In addition to his personal investment in the enterprise. Mr. \ ilas i>btained adtlitional^ aid from Eastern financiers whom he interested in his project. Some financial assistance was donated bv some of the counties through which the road passed. To obtain this aid it was essential that bonds should be kKl'KKSKNTA'llX K MKN OK THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 235 voted, and Mr. \'ilas personally used his influence, by public speeches and private counsel, to secure the necessary bonds. Manitowoc county voted $250,000 of bonds in behalf of the railroad, and the Board of Supervisors insisted that Mr. Vilas should become the trustee and custodian of these bonds and refused to issue said bonds unless he would so agree. This placed him in a peculiarly responsible position. He was president of the railroad company at the time, and so great was the confi- dence placed in him that he was requested to act as trustee for his fellow-citizens, while at the same time representing the corporation that was the beneficiary. Pre- vious to that time railroad bontls had been issued by several counties in this and other States to bogus railroad corporations which failed to build their roads, but the courts decided that the bonds must, nevertheless, be paid. Therefore it dis- played a most remarkable degree of confidence in the honor of Mr. Vilas to place with him, the representative of the railroad interests, the bonds as trustee for the county. The railroad between Milwaukee and Appleton was l)uilt entirely under Mr. \ ilas' personal supervision. He sulvlet none of it to contractors, but kept it all under his charge, hiring his men and foremen by the day. F"or four years he acted as president of the road. At the end of that time the road reverted to the bond- holders, and Mr. Vilas resigned the presidency and was succeeded by Mr. Rhine- lander. He continued to act as a member'of its board of directors, and participated in its management until it was absorbed by the Northwestern system, in 1892. While president of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railroad, Mr. Vilas and his associates laid out what was then the village of Ledyard, but is now known as the South Side of the city of Kaukauna. At that time he purchased a tract of land extending a mile along the Fox river, where there is a fall of fifty-two feet to the mile, and he also purchased some 800 acres in and about the village. Later he bought his associates' interests, and afterward sold a half interest in the property to parties in New York, — the same men whom he had interested in his railroad enterprise. They organized the Kaukauna Water-Power Company, of which Mr. \'ilas is president, and V. W. Rhinelander vice-president. Among the sfockholders are Senator McPherson, of New Jersey; Morris K. Jessup, Samuel S. Sands & Com- pany, and others of like prominence. Mr. Vilas still owns one-half of the property. The power has been improved by the construction of a canal that cost $200,000, and furnishes power to a number of important manufacturing estaijlishments. One of these is that of the Badger Paper Company, of which Mr. Vilas is also president, and of which he is half owner. He has been actively interested in many other enterprises. F"or several years he was president of the New York & Straitsville Coal and Iron Company-, which owned mines at Shawnee, Perry county, Ohio. These were known as the Vilas mines, the coal obtaining a wide reputation as "Vilas coal." He was also the sole proprietor of the Vilas Iron Company, of Shaw- nee, which manufactured pig iron. This he sold out in 1881 or 1882. He was at one time president of the Eagle Tube Company, of New York, which has since become a very important enterprise, now located in Hoboken, New jersey. He has also been interested in gold and silver mining, and with his associates owned mines and stamp mills in Pinal county, Arizona. His partners in this enterprise included sev- 236 mOGRArillCAL DICTIONARY AND rORTRAIT OAl.I.KRY OK IlIE eral prominent railroad officials, among whom was David Dows. Although they produced large quantities of the precious metals the mines were unprofitable, owing probably to the absence of railroad facilities. Mr. Vilas was appointed to visit the mines and to use his judgment in all matters pertaining thereto. He stopped work in the mines and leased the stamp mill, then returned to New York and reported progress. Mr. Vilas is also at present half owner of the Quineseck Falls Company, which operates large pulp mills on the Mcnomonee river. Tolitically, Mr. Vilas affiliates with the Democratic party. He was i)resident of the village of Manitowoc before its organization as a city, and was also president of the Board of Harbor Commissioners, under whose administration the work of im- proving the Manitowoc harbor was carried on until it was taken up and completed by the Government. He was in the Wisconsin Senate, representing Manitowoc and Calumet counties, during the years 1863 and 1864. During the Rebellion he was stanch in his patriotism and acted as draft commissioner at Manitowoc. In 1868 he was his party's candidate for Representative in Congress, of the Fifth Congressional district of Wisconsin, and although opposed by the Hon. Philetus Sawyer, one of the most popular men in the State, he ran 2,000 votes ahead of the presidential ticket headed by Governor Seymour. He has represented his constituents in sev- eral party conventions, and in 1872 was a delegate to the Democratic National Con- vention at Baltimore, which nominated Horace Greeley for the presidency. In 1893 he was nominated for the office of Mayor of Manitowoc, while he was away from the city, and, although the city has a Republican majority, he was elected. July 4, 1837, Mr. Vilas married Mary I'latt, daughter of Moses Smith IMatt and Ann Elizabeth (Stillwell) Piatt. Mrs. Vilas is a native of Ogdensburg, New York. Her maternal grandfather. Judge Stillwell, was a man of prominence in New York; he died some years since, at the age of ninety-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Vilas have one son, Joseph Stillwell Vilas, born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, December 28, 1S5S. He was educated at Racine College, under Dr. De Koven, and atChalier In- stitute, New York city. He married Miss Emery, of Manitowoc. Two children, Joseph Emery and Edward Piatt, have been born to them. Joseph Stillwell Vilas resides in Kaukauna, where he looks after his father's interests. Mr. V^ilas has spent considerable of his time in New York and abroad, and counts a number of friends among the men most prominent in the commercial and financial world, and for several years retained a membership in the Union League Club of New York. I le has traveled quite extensively over this country and Europe, having crossed the Atlantic eight times. He is of an observing mind, and, by deal- ing with the people of various countries and sections, he has become a student of humanity and looks at all men and all acts through the glass of tolerance and re- spect. Personally he is dignified, courteous and magnetic, — ever ready with an at- tentive ear to listen to all comers and ever ready to greet a friend or stranger with the courteous dignity of a true gentleman. His success in life is attributable to in- dustry, perseverance and courage. Quick to act, with him to conceive a plan has been to put it into e.xecution. He has from his early youth displayed great self- reliance, and no undertaking has been too large or no investment too great to appal him, provided he thought the enterprise feasible. He now spends a large portion ^ KEPRKSENTATIVE MEN OK THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 237 of liis lime in Manitowoc, where he has a most delightful hi)mc. He is anxious to be near his son and grandchildren, and, for that reason more than any other, re- sides in his home on the west shore of Lake Michigan. EUGENE A. SHORES, I^UGENE ADELBERT SHORES was born August 14, 1S45, at New Marl, -i borough, Massachusetts, and is the youngest of the two children of Eliphalet Eno and Mary (Hawley) Shores, the latter being a member of the well-known Hawley family, of Connecticut. The father of Eugene was by occupation a farmer, and the former resided at home and attended the district school until twelve years of age. This sort of life, however, proved too irksome for one of his active temper- ament, and he resolved to strike out for himself and seek his fortune in the West He accordingly went to the town of Morris, in Grundy county, Illinois, where his' uncle resided, and there he remained for a year, working on a farm in the summer, and in the winter attended the village school. While in Morris he became acquainted with John Cantield, of Racine, Wiscon- sin, now the leading lumberman of Manistee, Michigan, who became attached to young Shores, and induced him to accompany him to Manistee, which he agreed to do, and at once set out for that city. Arriving in Manistee, he took a clerical posi- tion in Mr. Canfield's general supply store, where he remained three years, return- ing, however, to Racine for four months each winter, where he would attend school. When the war of the Rebellion broke out he was but a mere lad, but the spirit of patriotism was strong within him, and regardless of this fact he enlisted in a com- pany organized at Manistee, which was later sworn into the service as Company I, Third Michigan Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Canfield, however, would not permit him to continue a member of the or- ganization, because of his youth, and took him out of the company. His spirit was not daunted, however, and he proceeded to the city of Chicago, where he met a Captain Lytle, of Company I, Twentieth Indiana Infantry, a man who had resigned a lucrative position as chief engineer of a railroad to accept the comparatively humble one of Captain in the army, and with his new-found friend he went to Valparaiso, Indiana, where on June 17, 1861, he enlisted in Captain Lytle's company, and on the fourteenth day of the following August (his sixteenth birthday) was sworn into the service of the Government, at Indianapolis, Indiana. Thirty-three years later, this stripling soldier attended the national encamp- ment of the Grand Army of the Republic, at the same city, as Department Com- mander of the State of Wisconsin. At first he occupied the position of fifer, but later entered the ranks, and went to Hatteras and Fortress Monroe, in the same year. He served through nearly all the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, joining it after the battle (jf I'air Oaks, or Seven Pines, and remaining until after Lee's surrender at .Appomattox. I L; was at Hampton Roads during the great and 240 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE never-to-be-forgotten naval enijagement between the Monitor and the Merrimac, and joined General John E. Wool's division at the capture of Norfolk. He was with the portion of the three regiments, comprising seven hundred sol- diers, that quelled the mob of nearly 20,000, in New York city, and before he had attained his seventeenth year he commanded a troop of men on several important expeditions. In June, 1865, he was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, and re- turned to his Manistee home. But the memories of his four years of service were indelibly impressed upon him, and during the changes and vicissitudes of after years his heart was always with his fellow-soldiers. He joined the Grand Army of the Republic, and was al- ways a prominent figure at its encampments, and in 1893 was elected Commander of the Department of Wisconsin. Upon his return to Manistee, he once more entered the employ of Mr. Canfield as a clerk, and later was promoted to the position of bookkeeper. Two years later he had accumulated $2,500, a considerable sum at that time, especially for one so young, and he felt quite rich. He decided to go into business on his own account, and choosing McGregor, Iowa, as the field of his future operations, he started for that place. Arriving there, he erected a grist mill, having as a partner an English- man named Davis, who contributed an equal amount of money with Mr. Shores. The venture was unsuccessful, and after losing all his money, our subject re- turned to Michigan and again began at the foot of the ladder. But he was not dis- heartened, and started into retrieve his fallen fortunes. He secured employment around the lumber mills at Manistee in whatever ca- pacity he could, and continued until 1873, when he again went into business for himself — this time in the insurance business. After a successful career of si.x years in this line, in which he made quite a snug sum of money, he disposed of his busi- ness and again took up lumbering, taking charge of the logging camps, six to twelve in number, of Filer & Son, of Manistee, on the Manistee river. This new occupa- tion lasted till the spring of 1882, when he went to northern Wisconsin, buying and looking up pine lands for Messrs. Canfield and Filer, a position for which he was admirably fitted, and which resulted most profitably to all interested. The implicit confidence reposed in Mr. Shores' judgment by his principals can- not be better illustrated than by the fact that whatever land he recommended being bought, they took and paid for, although they had never seen it ; and the amount of money required to make these purchases approximated a million dollars. In this venture Mr. .Shores continued for seven years. In 1887 he helped organize the Northern National Bank of Ashland, one of the most prominent financial institutions of northern Wisconsin. When organized, the amount of its capital stock was $100,000, and Mr. Shores was the owner of three- tenths of it. Since then the capital has been increased to $150,000. Mr. Shores was the first president of the bank, and has continued as such until the present time. In the fall of 1888 he commenced the erection of thehandsome Shores Block as a home for the bank, — the first brick block of any size in Ashland. In 1889 the Shores Lumber Company was incorporated, and a modern mill with a daily capacity of three hundred thousand feet, was erected. Of this corporation REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 24 T Mr. Shores is president and his son, E. A. Siiorcs, Jr., secretary and treasurer. None of the company's stock is owned by any but members of Mr. Shores' family. The company owns its own loi^ging railway and pine lands, and has a fleet of five vessels — two steamers and three tow barges, valued at over $100,000 — tind its log cut for i8q3 was 48,000,000 feet, the largest of any of the Ashland mills. The product of the mill finds a market in Chicago and the East. The Shores Mining Company is another enterprise our subject is interested in, being president of that corporation, while his son is secretary. This company owns extensive iron properties, that will eventually be a source of great wealth. in addition to the foregoing, Mr. Shores owns a vast quantity of pine land in northern Wisconsin. In June, 1867, at Manistee, Mr. Shores was united in marriage to Miss Emma \\ . Caleff, of Lowell, Massachusetts, a lady of many attainments and much force of character, and a descendant of the famous Warrens, of New England. Mr. and Mrs. Shores have six children: Adella, Eugene A., Jr.. Helen, Ray, Bessie and Marshall. The family attend the Congregational Church. In political faith Mr- Shores is a strong Republican, but is in no sense a politician. Asa relaxation from business, he enjoys hunting and fishing, yet never allows these recreations to inter- fere with his duties. He has managed to find time to devote to travel, and has been all over the United States, including the far West. His home in Ashland is by far the finest residence in that city, and is furnished with all that an educated taste and wealth can suggest. In everything pertaining to the upbuilding of Ashland, Mr. Shores is a prime mover and contributor to its success. He is a liberal giver, and there is not a phurch society in his city he has not aided financially. Many an individual, also, owes his success in life to financial assistance from Eugene A. Shores. HON. JAMES A. CURRAN, PRAIRIK DU CHIEN. JAMES ALOYSIUS CURRAN, the efficient and honored County Judge of Crawford county, and one of the influential citizens of Prairie du Chien, was born in New York city April 9, 1836. His parents, Bernard and Margaret (Craw- ford) Curran, were natives of county Down, Ireland, where the father followed his trade of weaving. After coming to America they resided in New York until 1838, when they removed to St. Louis, where Mr. Curran engaged in dairying. It was there that our subject acquired his primary education, and in March, 1849, he moved with his parents to Prairie du Long township, Monroecounty. Illinois, where he assisted his father in the management and cultivation of his farm and attended school the remainder of the time. In this manner the years passed until 1858, when he went to St. Louis, and attended the Christian Brothers' school for a year. At the expiration of that time he returned to the farm in Illinois and remained there until i860. In that year Mr. Curran engaged in the mercantile business in Freedom, .Mon- 242 BIOGRAl'lIUAl, DICTIONARY AND I'ORTRAIT GAI.l.EKY OF THE roe county, Illinois, and after spending a year in this vocation he secured a situa- tion with H. C. Jackson, a St. Louis tobacconist, with whom he remained until he went, in 1863, to Rolla, Missouri, and took charge of the contraband herd for the Government. There he remained until the herd was sold the following winter, after which he returned to St. Louis, and later went back to his father's farm. During the next few years he taught in the district schools of Illinois, and in i86g he removed to Viroqua, Wisconsin, where he obtained a clerkship in the general store of N. McKie, continuing in that position until 1873, when he assumed the management of a branch store for Mr. McKie in Rising .Sun, Wisconsin. He was also Postmaster of that village. In 1877 he resigned his position with Mr. McKie and engaged in the hotel business, still retaining the postmastership. In 1889 he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court of Crawford County, and removed to Prairie du Chien, which has since been his home. He was re-elected to the same office in iSgi, and upon the expiration of that term was elected County Judge for the four years' term beginning January i, 1894. He is at the present time engaged in the insurance business, in connection with the discharge of his official duties. Mr. Curran's political views are strongly Republican, and he has held several local offices at different times and places. While in Rising .Sun he served as Town Treasurer for four terms and as Town Clerk from 1877 until he resigned in 1889 upon moving to Prairie du Chien. He was and is a special friend of the Norwegi- ans, has done much business for them and speaks their language and also the Ger- man tongue very fluently. Mr. Curran was married in 1876 to Miss Margaret McCoy of Franklin, Vernon county, and to them were born five children, as follows: William Constantine, Edna E., Mary, Rosa Ellen and Arthur Bernard. Their home is one of the happi- est in Prairie du Chien. Mr. Curran is a devout member of the Catholic Church, and in all respects an exemplary citizen, whom to know is to esteem. His position of prominence in the community in which he dwells is solely the result of untiring energy and indomi- tal)le perseverance. He has depended on no outside assistance in rising in the world and stands upon his own achievements, — the soul of integrity and honor. HON. JOHN C KOCH, MILWAUKEE. JOHN C. KOCH was born in Germany on the i8th of October, 1841, and until thirteen years of age he attended the common schools of his native village. In 1854 his father emigrated with his family to the United States, and settled in Milwaukee. After a term in the public schools in Milwaukee, our subject learned the tinner's trade with his father, with whom he remained until i860. He then found employment as a tinner in the hardware house of Messrs. John Pritzlaff & Company, and in 18661 was promoted to a clerkship. His energy, industry and per- severance attracted the attention of his employers, who rapidly advanced him, and in a few years he acquired an interest in the business and took an active part in its ?~<:^ i//i^. C^IL^^^ REPRESENTATIVE MEN OK THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 245 inanairement. In 18S4 the business was incorporated under the name of John Pritzlaff Hardware Company, with John Pritzlaff as president, and John C. Koch as vice-president and superintendent. Mr. Pritzlaff is still (1894) president of the company, but the active management of the business devolves upon Mr. Koch. The growth of this business has been truly marvelous; in 1866 the firm con- ducted a retail business. To-day the company is conceded to be one of the largest wholesale hardware and iron supply houses in the Northwest. This success is largely due to Mr. Koch, who has given it his undivided attention, bringing to his aid a natural aptitude for business and a determination that stops at no obstacles. It ma\- truly be called a monument to his energy, enterprise, industry and commer- cial genius. Mr. Koch is also president of the Koch-Loeber Company, of Milwau- kee, which does a large business in woodenware and supplies. Politically, Mr. Koch is a Republican. He has, through his natural ability, force of character and personal magnetism, endeared himself to a large mass of people, and in 1892 he was selected as the Republican candidate for the Lieutenant- Governorship. He entered upon a personal canvass of the State, speaking in all sections, and forming man}' new and steadfast friendships. In 1893 he was selected to become the candidate of the Republicans of Milwaukee for the Mayoralt}^ His personal popularity enabled him to overcome a large Democratic majority, and to defeat his opponent by some thirty-five hundred votes. In 1894 he was re-nomi- nated, and again elected by an increased majority. His success in the local elections in Milwaukee attracted the attention of political leaders in all sections of the .State, and it was conceded by nearly all that Mr. Koch was the logical leader of the party for the Governorship of the State. His name was so prominently associated with the nomination that political leaders declared that when his name was brought before the convention, he would be nom- inated on the first ballot. However, Mr. Koch refused to permit his name to be used in that connection, and publicly declined to be a candidate before the conven- tion, because his business required his personal attention, and he could not attend to the affairs of the State and his private interests without one, or both, suffering. \'ery few men have ever declined the Governorship of a great State. Mr. Koch, however, did so, when he refused a nomination which was equivalent to an elec- tion. In religious belief, Mr. Koch is a Lutheran, and is a member of the board of vestrymen of the Lutheran Church of Milwaukee ; he is also a trustee of Concordia College, which is devoted to the education of ministers of the Lutheran faith. Mr. Koch is also president of the Milwaukee Exposition ; a director of the Concordia hire Insurance Company, and a member of the Advancement Association, com- posed of business men, whose aim is the advancement of the commercial and finan- cial condition of Milwaukee. In 1864 Mr. Koch married Miss Elizabeth Pritzlaff, eldest daughter of John Pritzlaff; nine children of this marriage are now living, one son filling a responsible position under his father. In studying the character and interesting career of John C. Koch, we are first led to note his active and comprehensive mind. His record is a remarkable one 246 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE for its simplicity, its ust^fuliicss, its success. And his commercial prestige is clue solely to his own efforts ; by his energy, his industry and preseverance he has risen from obscurity to a prominent position among the business men of the Northwest. His high sense of honor, his rigid adherence to the principles of fair dealing, and his kindly, genial nature, have won for him countless friends. CHARLES AUGUSTUS BULLEN, EAU CLAIRE. C^ A. BULLEN, president of the Daniel Shaw Lumber Company of Eau Claire, y* Wisconsin, was born in New Sharon, ^Lline, October 8, 1825, and is the eldest son and second child of Joshua and Clarissa (Hoyt) Bullen. His parents were among the early settlers of New Sharon and both were of American ancestry. The childhood days of our subject were passed upon his father's farm, and he was reared to hard and steady work, beginning to do the chores as soon as his strength would I)ermit. His early education was obtained in the district school and was supple- mented by an attendance for a time at the high schools of New Sharon, Industry and New Vineyard. He resided at home with his father until he was twenty-three years of age, working on the farm in summers and during the winter season teach- ing district school at a salary of from seventeen to twenty dollars a month. In the spring of 1849, he followed the advice of Horace Greeley and journeyed westward, stopping at first in western New York, where he remained during the summer, working on a farm. In September of that year he proceeded further and reacheil Chicago, then a small but rapidly growing town. After spending two months in wandering over the northern portion of Illinois, Mr. Bullen went to St. Louis and located about twenty miles east of that city, in Illinois, where he taught school during the winter at $20 per month. In the spring of 1850 he was joined by his younger brother, Joseph Addison, and they both concluded to start overland to California and seek their fortune in the newly discovered gold fields. They pro- ceeded up the Missouri river by boat to St. Joseph and upon their arrival there, finding that the season was not far enough advanced to insure a propitious start, they went into the country and remained with a planter for a month. On the nth of May, 1850, after having provided themselves with a supply of provisions, they joined a company of twenty men bound for California. The jour- ney was greatly enjoyed by the subject of this sketch, and he even at this time states that under the same conditions he would be glad to repeat the same trip. They met with no unpleasant incidents, and, although attacks from Indians were feared, none occurred. Just after the company crossed the great desert Mr. Bullen and his brother found that their provisions were nearly exhausted, and as there was, as they supposed, no opportunity for obtaining provisions in the wilderness, they feared that they would be forced to endure the pangs of hunger before they reached their destination. However, the people of California had been informed that some starv- ing emigrants were on the overland route and had sent out a supply train to meet them. Upon reaching one of the supply stations Mr. Bullen traded a mule for REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 247 twenty pounds of flour and tluis obtained a sufficient (|uanlity of food to sujjply their needs, until they arrived at Plarerville, on the 13th of Autrust. During the autimin and winter of 1850-1, the brothers were located about eight miles from Placervilie. I'Vom the outset they were able to earn a little money and out of their first accumu- lations they sent $300 home to their father, to insure them enough to return to the States in case they should unfortunately be unable to succeed. In the early spring of 1851 they journeyed about 200 miles north up to the north fork of the Feather river, and in March were blocked in by snow upon what was called Rich bar. They ran out of provisions, but were finally enabled to purchase twelve pounds of flour, for which they paid $24. That spring they bought a mule and outfit in Sacramento and as it was too early for grass, in the mountains, it was necessary to purchase provender for the mule, barley being obtained for this purpose at $1 per pound. In July, 1851. Mr. Bullen and his brother returned to the American river and continued to follow mining until January, 1852, when they determined to return to the States. They engaged passage on a steamer bound for Nicaragua and crossed that country over the route of the proposed Nicaragua canal. They reached their home February 20, 1852, after spending seventeen months in the mines of Cali- fornia, and accumulating, above their expenses, $1,700 each. Having become ac- customed to the "glorious climate of California," the change to the rigors of a New England winter was unpleasant, and for the following two years Mr. Hullen's health was poor, owing to change of climate and to the continued use of salt meat and the lack of vegetables during the overland trip. In April, 1854, Mr. Bullen married Adeline Shaw of Industry, Maine, and im- mediately thereafter again came West, locating in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he pre-empted eighty acres of land, situated in what is now the city of St. Paul. He then began to operate his farm and also to engage in the real-estate business. In 1856 he became interested in the lumber business that had been established by Daniel Shaw, his brother-in-law, Jonathan Clark and Constant Cook purchasing Mr. Clark's interest. He fitted out a six-ox team in St. Paul and located a camp on what is now the Flambeau farm. In the summer of 1857 he moved his family to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and became one of the active members of the firm of Daniel Shaw & Company. The business has always been conducted upon sound principles and it is one of the important lumber establishments of the Northwest. The business was incorporated some years since and Mr. Bullen is now its presi- dent. During later years he has placed the responsibilities and cares incidental to such a large establishment upon younger shoulders, and, although he still is some- what active in its management, he takes life in an easy, quiet manner and enjoys that contentment resulting from a self-earned competence and a knowledge of hav- ing lived an honorable and worthy life. Besides his interest in the Daniel Shaw Lumber Company Mr. Bullen has finan- cial interests in lumber establishments in Ashton, South Dakota, Udell, Kansas, and 1 rinidad, Colorado. Politically, Mr. Bullen is a strong Republican, stanch and true in support of the party, but, with the exception of filling the position of Alderman during the early history of Eau Claire, has never accepted or desired ijolitical honors. He is a 248 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE inemler of the Temple of Honor and has taken an active interest in temperance work. He has never taken alcoholic liquors as a beverage, and is heartily in sym- pathy with all movements to benefit mankind. He is a member of and Deacon in the Congregational Church, and labors earnestly and faithfully to advance the cause of true religion, and has ever endeavored to lead a worthy Christian life. Mr. Bullen's first wife died in 1863. She was the mother of six children, four of whom, — one son and three daughters, — are still living. In 1865 he was united in marriage to Eliza M. Howes, of New Sharon, Maine, and two children blessed this union. One daughter is living. Mr. Bullen is a self-made man in the fullest sense of the often misused term. His success in life is due to his industry and integrity. He has always endeavored to make his word as good as his bond and his bond as good as gold. His life has always been characterized by purity and honor, and he is a worthy representative of that class of men to whom the community owes most of all that is good, — its honored and true Christian gentlemen. HON. O. M. PETTIT, OSSIAN MARSH PETTIT deserves mention among those to whom the pros- perity and development of Kenosha is due and in the upbuilding of the city he has borne an important part. His wide acquaintance and the high regard in which he is universally held will make his life record one of peculiar interest to our readers and we gladly give it place in the history of his native State. Mr. Pettit was born in Somers township, Kenosha county, on the 28th of June, 1854, and is the eldest living child of Hon. Milton Howard and Caroline D. (Marsh) Pettit. His father, who was the Lieutenant Governor of the commonwealth of Wisconsin at the time of his death, was descended from the French Huguenots who fled from their native land in 1685 and sought a refuge in the New World. When our subject was but ten months old his parents removed to the city of Kenosha and in its common schools he acquired his early education, which was afterward supplemented by study in the high school and later in the University of Wisconsin, at Madison. He there entered upon the regular three years' course, but his studies were interrupted by his father's death, in 1873, ^t which time he was compelled to return home. Having the business cares of the estate to attend to, he found it impracticable to resume his studies, and he soon after entered upon the duties of a clerkship with the firm of M. H. Pettit & Company, engaged in the malting business. He deter- mined to master this business in all its details, and applied himself earnestly to the task, which he accomplished so successfully that at the time of the incorporation of the M. H. Pettit Malting Company in 1885, he was chosen its vice-president. In i8q3 he was chosen president and has since filled that position continuously in a most creditable and acceptable manner. Mr. Pettit has become widelv known through his business interests, but the REPRESENTAIIVK MEN OK THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 249 |)t-()|)l(' <)l Kciioslia liaxc most reason to I'cmcinlicr him on accoiinl of what he lias (lone for the city in the way ot extensi\e and substantial inii)r()vements. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and warmly advocates the principles of that party, but has never sought or desired political preferment, in fact long and steadily refused to hold office. It has always been the case, however, that when great occa- sions arise, demanding great action, there have risen up men capable of meeting the emergency; and when a crisis occurred in Kenosha history that demanded a man of brains, good business ability and progressive sjiirit, that man was found in Mr. Pettit. In 1S91, it was found that Kenosha was worse than bankrupt, — that it had a deficit of $6,000 which must be met, in addition to the payment of interest on the city bonds, and that there was nothing to meet the necessary expenses of the city or to furnish much needed pavements. The condition of affairs and their manage- ment was a serious question, and it was at this time that the fellow-townsmen of Mr. Pettit came to him with the request that he take upon his shoulders the burden 01 the city's finances and government. Kenosha had been in the control of the Democracy for many years and it seemed almost impossible to get that party out of power. The Republican party offered to make him their candidate for Mayor, l»ut he refused to accept the nomination, and not until it was pointed out to him that it was his duty as a citizen to restore if possible the credit of the city, would he allow his name to be used. On the 7th of April, 1891, he was elected by a large majority, and on the 20th of April took his seat at the head of the City Council, to whom he delivered one of the most able addresses ever offered in relation to the affairs of city government. His views on all matters pertaining to the city were seen to be those of a practical and straightforward business man and his course soon won the approval of the best elements in Kenosha, regardless of party afifiliations. One of the leading journals in writing of him said: "No municipal body has the right to run a city into debt in the face of a constitutional restriction, to say nothing of the folly of such a course viewed from a business standpoint. The business of the city of Kenosha should be run on a strictly cash basis, and on a cash basis it was run while Mr. Pettit was at the helm." When a statement was rendered it showed that it paid to have a business administration, as all obligations and debts were paid in full, the contemplated improvements made, and more than $27,000 left in the treasury. After such a showing it was no wonder that the people of Kenosha would not allow Mr. Pettit to retire to private life, and he has been twice re-elected with increasing majorities. On the 19th of April, 1892, a great calamity overtook the city and for several hours it seemed that Kenosha would be entirely destroyed by fire. As it was, more than $300,000 were lost in the flames, and but for the prompt action of Mayor Pettit in calling for outside help, — which was promptly rendered by' Racine, Waukegan, Milwaukee and Harvard, — there would have been little left of the beautiful city of which the townsmen are justly proud. The debt of gratitude which the city owes him will never be paid, but he will long be held in grateful remenil)rance, and much of Kenosha to-day stands as a monu- ment to his enterprise, foresight and public spirit. Mr. Pettit was married, October 25, 1877, to Miss Alma Elizabeth Robinson, 250 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE daughter of the late Frederick Robinson, of Kenosha, an accomplished lady of sterling mental qualities. Four sons have been born to them: Milton H., Frederick R., Betholf M., and John H. The family attend the Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Pettit is a devout member. Mr. Pettit stands high in Masonic circles, being a thirty-second degree Mason. He retains a membership in the blue lodge and chapter of Kenosha, the Racine Com- mandery, of which he is Eminent Commander, and the Wisconsin Consistory. He takes great delight in travel and spends his leisure time In visiting the various points of interest in this country. For a period of nearly forty years he has been a resident of Kenosha, and for the last twenty years has been prominently iden tified with its business interests, and with its official affairs, of both of which he is an able represen- tative. He is a most delightful companion, — genial, jovial and courteous to all. At the same time he is a man of force and wonderful tact, — quick to solve intricate business problems and to judge their merits accurately. HON. (4IDEON C. HfXON, LA CROSSE. / 1 lUEON C. HIXON was born at Roxbury, Vermont, March 28, 1826. The early VJ^ days of his youth were passed much after the fashion of the average Ameri- can boy of those days, and his education was obtained in the common schools. While he was yet quite young his father removed with his family to Long Meadow, Massachusetts, and our subject went to Springfield, where he served an apprentice- ship at the tinner's trade. Shortly after finishing his term of service in this line he be- came a contractor, meeting with good success. But his energetic nature would not permit him to spend his life in the slow-going villages of New England, and when he perceived the opportunities offered by the West, he gave up his Eastern business and moved to Illinois, where he pursued his trade, and made money rapidly, losing, however, quite an amount In unfortunate coal-mining operations. Business called him to the city of St. Louis, and while there his attention was directed to the growing lumber business of the upper Mississippi. His brother-in- law, W. W. Crosby, had previously settled at La Crosse, Wisconsin, and at that point our subject located in 1856. In company with Mr. Crosby, and under the firm name of Crosby and Hlxon, he built a sawmill, at the mouth of the Black river, and this became Immediately and steadily profitable. Later the firm of Hlxon & Withee was formed, the members of which, after securing a large tract of pine land, erected a sawmill at Hannibal, Missouri, where they controlled what was probabl}' the best lumber market of that day, with the most satisfactory results. He was also Interested In the T. B. Scott Lumber Company, at Merrill, Wisconsin, and this Investment he considered the of the best he ever made. He Invested extensively In Chippewa pine lands, most of which he sold on the stump, and at a large profit. Mr. Hlxon was one of the organizers of the La Crosse National Bank, and until his death was its president and confidential adviser; his sterling character gave that institution strength, credit, ^4<:^^. REPRESENTATIVK MEN OK THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 253 and ])()])Lilarit\- from the start, with thi' result that it stands to-day one of the sound- est financial institutions in the State. In addition to the foreifoin r.u>i;KAniu- \i nu iioNun and rnKiuvii ('.aiiikv ok iiii': appoinitHl lirsl 1 .ioulcii.mt o\ I he Sl\lh (.".i\ .ilr\ , luil i\c\ cr joiiu'd that iTLjimcnt. It was in llu- spi'iiiy; o( iSoi that I icutcnant l.iios t'\i>i'ri(.MU-(.Hl diu- oI thr most r\( ilins^ iiuiilcnts of his I'arccr, aiul w hilc t he ^rapliii' luaniUT in whii'h he ilcsri'il>rs il >atnu>l lu- port ra\ I'll. \ el w r will i'i\(Ua\or to i^ivc lln' outline's ot tlu- larts. l.icn- tcnanl !■ nos was at thr t inu' stationed at I'oit I'nion. w liosr loniniaiulani was Maior 1 i. 11. Sil>h'\, ol the hirst PraLioiMis. om- ol the patrntcrs ol the ich-hratnl SiMc\ icnl, ami a warm Iririul ot Sfccssion. as wrrr most ot tlu- oltuTfs st.itionril at the post. onU thn-ror loui. inrhuliiiL; 1 , icutcnant h'.nos, liciiiL; sympathi/rrs w ith the ( io\ I'lnmi-nt. (."iihuxl W . 11. l.orinu' hail just hoi'n appointoil to tlu' (."ommaml ol tlu' IV'partnuMU ot Ni-u Mexico, ami arrivedat hurt Ihiion on his way todepart- ment hoadqaartors ut Santa I'o, a vefy short time after the nt*ws had been received thcr<' of t-iiMieral rwi>i\ii's tnrniiio- over the l)epartnient of Texas to the Secession- ists. ,1 procccdiiiL; h\ the waw whicli c.iuscd intense excitement aiul feeling" at liiion. While, as has been said, most ol ihcolticers at the post wiM"e Southern s\ nipathi.-crs. the soldiers w ere lo\al almost to a m.in. .ind the loyal olliccrs Iclt that should tlu' example of wiener. d 1 w ii;i; attempt to he loUowed, reliance couhl l)C placed o\\ the rank and lile of the (iarrison to resist any such treasonable proceed- iiiL^s. riu- probable action of those in contmand led 1 ieutenant l'~nos to call ujion the oi'dn.mce otlicei'. Captain .shoemaker, and obtain .irms tor the huiuii-ed and tifty eniplo\es of the iiuartermaster's department ol which he was in chari^e. and, this beinii' subsequently accomplished, he took pains ti> ascertain how the enlisted men stood, and to his satisfaction iliscovered but three men belon_>;inL!; to the four companies composii\i;f the oarrison who sjave expression to any except the most lo\al sentimei\t. Shortly afterward lie was placed in command i>f a company, and then felt n\ore secure. Sibley tendered his resignation to the (-government. Colonel l.orini;. while .It I'ort I nion. in .i prix.ite interxicw tendered Lieutenant Knos the position oi Adjut-int. which w.is declined, boring, who h.ul remaineil in W ashin^- ton until .dier l.incoln's in.iu^ur.ilion. w.isfull of the Secession moxement, .md con- st. niil\ t.dked of it. .ind in so m,in\ w.iys displayeil his synqiathy \ov the seceders th.it lienten, uu b.nos .isked him w h\ he did not resiyfii. VUc C(.>lonel repliedth.it leff l\i\is did not w.mt the reLiul.ir .uiny men to resi^n just \et. 1 lu" tliscussion i^rew quite .inim.itcd.. ind 1 ieuten.ii\t b "nos rem.ukcd t h.it il he (Lorino") expected to follow the example of iwi^^s and turn liis department over to the Rebels, he would tinil that he had a biiiijer contract on his luuuis than he baro^ained for. Colonel Lor- iuii', luuvever. assured him on his honor, that he wouUl certainly act in an honorable manner, and the conversation terminated. This took place the last of March. Many olViceis in the department had already resigned, and after Sumter was tired upon, those olVicers who were disloxal and still remained in the service tenilered their resiii'nalions .md .issembled with their f.imilies .it boit I'niiMi. Irom .ill over the Territorx. .itul then proceeded to the States. Colonel Lorin^ continued on to Santa I'e. ind .issuimd his command. Lieutenant Enos was far from beinji satisfied, and from his priv.ite funds advanced the means to defray the expense of sendinij Cieorue .\lex,inder, .i brother-in-law of the i.ite I'r.mk \\ Bl.iir. to W'ashiiijiton to report the condition of alfairs. lie then wrote M.ijor PonaUlson. Chief Ouarter- master of the nepartment of New Mexico, .ind told him that he had sent a man to RKrUtSENTATlVE MKN OV THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 257 refjort to Washin^j^ton, and that Lorinfj was a Rebel and oufrht to he relieved from command. When Major Donaldson received this patriotic letter he showed it to Colonel Lorinjr, who did not stand upon the order of his going, but packed up his effects and left immediately, leaving any plans he may have had, had he intended acting as General Twiggs had done, unaccomplished. He tendered his resignation but it was not accepted, and his name was dropped from the rolls. The prompt action of Lieutenant Knos undoubtedly saved the- 1 )< p.irtnifnt of New Mexico to the Union, and this one loyal deed is worthy of placing his name foremost and lustrous on the annals of our country's history. In August of the same year Lieutenant Hnos was promoted to Captain and./Xssist- ant Ouartermaster, with headquarters at Albuquerque, and later he was promoted Major and Colonel successively and Chief of the Quartermaster's Department of 1 Ik- Department of New Mexico. In i867his honorable career in New Mexico terminatcul and he came to the States, and was given leave of absence, upon the expiration of which he was stationed successively at Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago and Boston, and in 1876 was placed upon the retired list. He then came to Wisconsin and locatf'd at Watertown, later removing to Waukesha, his present home. He enter- tains the highest regards for his old comrades-in-arms, and his reminiscences of the old days on the frontier are fraught with as great interest as his adventures were with excitement. When gold was discovered in Arizona he was one of the officers ordered there in the winter of 1H63-4 to locate a post, and later explored for a roafl through to the Colorado river. The Territory was at that time just organized, and the first Terri- torial officers arrived while he was there. Prior to his becoming Chief Quartermas- ter of the Department of New Mexico, he was for a time Chief Quartermaster and Commissary of the Military FJistrict of Arizona, and the dutiesof his position involved almost constant traveling through the Territory and while it was in the heart of the Indian country; henevertookan escort of more than eight or ten men (in order to ac- comi>lishmorerapidresultsl,though he could have had a company had he so desired; and, notwithstandingthe fact that he took many risks, yet he was never attacked, antl throughout his entire career the only thing he ever lost was a horse, and that was stolen. Upon the termination of his long career, twenty years as a disbursing officer, when his accounts with the Government were settled, he not only satisfac- torily accounted for all funds, but there was a balance due him of ten dollars and eighty cents. Such records in the history of the service are indeed rare. Colonel Enos is an attendant r^f the Presbyterian church at Waukesha, and one of its trustees. In politics he is a strong Democrat, especially upon national issues, though in local affairs he votes for the candidate he believes to be best fitted for the office. He has been a trustee of the village of Waukesha, and in 1889 was his party's nominee for village president, to which office he was elected. He has not lost interest in the army, and is a memberof the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. Colf)nel Lnos is of commanding presence, soldierly in aspect, and straight as the proverbial arrow, with a keen eye, and hair and flowing beard of iron gray, (ienial and affable in manner and possessing the faculty of making a strang<,-r feel 258 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE not only at home in his presence, but as if he were an old acquaintance, he is a typical representative of the flower of American chivalry — the educated and refined officer and gentleman. BENJAMIN BURR, STEVENS POINT. BENJAMIN BURR, son of Robert and Elizabeth (Dodge) Burr, was born in the town of Rodman, Jefferson county New York, April 8, 1818. Some three years after his birth his parents moved to western New York, where his boyhood days were spent. His father died in 1830, throwing the boy upon his own resources. He worked at ordinary farm work for his board until his seventeenth year, when he left home and began work at a salary of $8 per month and board, and the priv- ilege of attending the district school during the winter months. The succeeding two summers he worked for the remuneration of $9 and $10 monthly, saving the larger part of his earnings. The third he attended school during the entire year, doing chores for his board, and walking three miles to and from the school known as the Penfield Lyceum, at Penfield, New York. He also taught some of the minor classes for tuition, and in fact was listed as an assistant teacher in the collegiate cataloo-ue. Having now attained his majority, he taught country schools for $16 per month, and " boarded around." In the following spring, 1840, he moved to the city of Rochester, and became an employe of Thomas Watson, proprietor of the Arcade House, remaining with him three years, at a salary ranging from $12 to $25 per month. His employer died in 1843, and was succeeded in business by a man named Lawrence Pond, with whom Mr. Burr remained for two years as manager, at a salary of $35 monthly. His next employer was Isaac Ashley, who conducted an eating house in connection with the Clinton Hotel, in Rochester. His next chancre was to become an employ,' of Manvell & Spencer, wholesale dealers in oys- ters and fruits. A year or so later he was given an opportunity to purchase Mr. Manvell's interest on long time, and accepting the proposition became a partner in the business with Mr. Spencer, the firm becoming known as Spencer & Burr. Al- though at that time the business transacted by the firm of Spencer & Burr was comparatively small, the partners were energetic and ambitious and built up a trade that exceeded $100,000 annually. In 1856, having an opportunity to sell his inter- est to good advantage, he did so and again became an emplmji- of Isaac Ashley, taking charge of his wholesale oyster department. In 1857 he moved to Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where two of Mrs. Burr's sisters were engaged in a seminary. Being favorably impressed with the surroundings, he engaged in the mercantile and lumber business, a business he has followed without interruption ever since. His associates at first were his brother-in-law, N. H. Emmons, and W. H. Gilchrist. In T872 he engaged in the supply trade with H. D. McColloch. This partnership was dissolved in 1879. In 1877 his son, Emmons Burr, started in the business, and in 1879, upon the dissolution of the old co-partnership, the firm of Benjamin Burr & ^'i^^f-^^-z^^^u-^-f^ X^ REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 261 Son was orj^anizcd. Hfsidcs his interests in tlie business of lienjamin liurr & Son and in local institutions, Mr. Burr was at tlie time of his deatii jtresident of the In- ternational Bank, of Amherst, Wisconsin. Politically he affiliated with the Democratic party, and was always known as a public-spirited citizen. He served as School Commissioner, Alderman and chair- man of the County Board of Supervisors for periods ranging from eight to ten years. In 1867 he was elected to the Assembly, overcoming an adverse majority of 500 votes, and labored steadily and (;arnestly to have the Legislature pass a bill au- thorizing a county-seat election in his county. He; succeeded in this, and the fact that Stevens Point is now the county seat is due; to the exertions of Mr. Burr in the Legislature. Previous to his removal West, he became a member of the Toronto Lodge, No. 6q, I. O. O. F., but took no active interest in the order after he located at Stevens Point. lie was always a friend of educational institutions, and served with credit on the School Board, of which he was treasurer for many years. He was married in 1847, to Eliza Emmons, a native of Connecticut, but then a resident of Penfield, New York. Mrs. Burr died September 8, 1884, survived by one son, Emmons Burr. Mr. Burr died in .Stevens Point, P'ebruary 17, 1894. His life was filled with hard work. He began life as poor as the poorest of boys. His suc- cess illustrates the power of patient effort, steady application and honesty of pur- pose. He endeavored to "do unto others as he would be done by," founding his religion upon that proverb. That he lived a life worth living is an undisjjuted fact, and no resident of this community counted more friends and h;ss enemies than Ben- jamin Burr. ANGUS CAMERON. I,A CROSSE. ANGUS CAMERON was born in the town of Caledonia, Livingston county. New York, on the 4th of July, 1826. His father's name was Duncan Angus Cameron, and his mother's name before her marriage was Sarah MacCall. His father was the son of y\ngus and Katharine (MacPhersonI Cameron. He was born in Iverness-shire, Scotland, in 1784, and came to America with his parents in 1800. They settled in Caledonia in 1803, the county being then a wilderness. His mother was the daughter of Hugh and Mary (Campbell I MacCall, and was born in Argyle- shire, Scotland, in 1788. .She came to America with her father's family in 1809. Angus Cameron's father attended the parish school of his native parish until he emigrated to America; He possessed a quick and strong natural intellect, and ac- quired education rapidly, being well informed in the branches then taught. He was an industrious reader all his life and was thoroughly versed in history and re- ligious subjects. He frequently held local offices. His judgment was excellent as far as his knowledge or information extended. He was ofcen consulted by his neighbors on business matters, and his advice was highly regarded by his acquaint- ances. He very frequently made wise remarks that are tiufjted to this day In the 262 lUOGRArinCAL DICTIONARY AND I'ORTRAir GALLERY OF TIIK neighborhood. His mother was also well educated for the time in which she lived, possessing strong natural sense. His mother died at Caledonia, in 1864, and his father in 1872. His parents and their ancestors, us far back as in the days of John Knox, were rigid Presbyterians. He began attending the district school when he was five years of age. He at- tended school winters and worked on his father's farm summers until he was thir- teen years of age, when his father sent him to the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima, Livingston county. New York, this being an institution of high grade for its class. He attended this seminary three years. He also attended for one year an academy at Geneseo, Livingston county. He taught school when he was fifteen years of age, and continued to teach winters until he was twenty-two. He taught one year in the seminary at Lima. He was a good Latin scholar, was also strong in mathematics and in moral and natural science. He entered the law office of Wadsworth & Cameron, at Buffalo, New York, in April. 1850, as a law student, and his duties included the sweeping and dusting of the office, the copying and serving of papers, and making himself generally useful. He was so useful that he was paid a salary of $200 the second year. He graduated at the National Law School, at Ballston Spa, Saratoga county, in March, 1853, and was admitted to the bar at Albany, New York, in April, 1853. After he was ad- mitted he returned to the office of Wadsworth & Cameron, and continued there until the spring of 1856. In April, 1856, he formed a partnership with Frederick 11. Wing, in the banking business, under the firm name of Cameron & Wing, and was engaged in banking at Buffalo until the spring of 1857. On the 2 1st day of February, 1856, he was married to Mary Baker, in the town ot Urbana, Steuben count}', New York. She is a daughter of William Baker, and a granddaughter of Samuel Baker, a Revolutionary soldier, who settled in that town in 1790. Her mother was of Holland-Dutch descent. Her grandmother was a first cousin of Martin VanBuren, the eighth President of the United States. He re- moved with his wife from Buffalo to LaCrosse; Wisconsin, in the month of Sep- tember, 1857, and they have ever since resided at La Crosse. The}- have no chil- dren. On his arrival at La Crosse, he formed a law partnership with .\lonzo Johnson, under the name of Johnson & Cameron. The firm continued until the death of Mr. Johnson, in May, i860. On the first day of December 1861, he formed a law part- nership with Joseph W. Losey, under the firm name of Cameron & Losey, and this association still continues. Charles W. Bunn became a partner with them on the 1st of September, 1875, '^"d the firm has since been Cameron, Losey & Bunn. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate two terms of two years each, — 1863 and 1864, also 1871 and 1872. He was a member of the Assembly of Wisconsin two years, — 1866 and 1867, — being Speaker in 1867. He was a delegate to the Baltimore Republican convention, in 1864. He was one of the regents of the University of Wisconsin for nine years, — from 1866 to 1875. He was elected to the Senate of the Ihiited States in January. 1875, and was re-elected in March, 1881. lie was an anti- slavery Whig in i)olitics until llie formation of the Republican i)art\-, when he at- REl'KESKNTA'nVE MEN OK THE UNITED STATES) WISCONSIN VOLUME. 263 tached himself to that party, having: always been refjarded as a radical. Senator Cameron has been a Republican of the straightest kind since the formation of that party, has been an ardent worker in the cause, never an office-seeker, and has proved in every station in which he has been placed a reliable, consistent and use- ful public servant. In the United States Senate his career has not been conspicuous as a speaker, but few members have acquired more influence than he has as a worker, and as ad- vancinij useful statesmanship. He has held membership in some of the most im- portant committees, and also has been placed on important select committees, one of which was entrusted the investigation of alleged frauds in South Carolina at the presidential election of 1876, and, as chairman of it, he made a report which was considered able and e.xhaustive, and attracted general public attention. It may truthfully be said that there is no man in public life of more sturdy uprightness, and who possesses to a greater degree the confidence *of the country than Senator Cam- eron. OSSIAN COOK, OS.SIAN COOK, sonof jolm G. Cook and Sarah Cook, nee Andrews, was born in Shipton, Canada East, February 11, 1832. His parents were both natives of Claremont, New Hampshire, and were descendants of old Colonial families. His pa- ternal ancestry was of English origin, and his mother was of Scotch lineage. His mother's father was loyal to the English governmenl during the Revolutionary war, and after the conclusion of the war of 1812, desiring to reside in a country under the British flag, the family moved to Canada In 1838, when our subject was a lad of si.x years his parents moved to Wayne county, Ohio, at that time but little better than an unexplored wilderness. John G. Cook w^as a cloth dresser by occupation, and obtained employment in his new home in a factory that manufactured woolen cloths. In Stark county young Ossian obtained a rudimentary education. When twelve years of age the family moved to Massillon, Stark county, where the father of our subject took charge of a woolen mill. In Massillon Ossian continued his studies, and later attended the high school. His father possessed but small finan- cial resources, and of his own accord could not afford to send him to the high school, but being determined to obtain a good education the youth found employment during his leisure hours, and thus he earned the means to pay for his tuition. He obtained employment as bookkeeper in the collector's office of the Ohio & Erie Canal, work- ing at nights and after school hours in the afternoon. Thus it can be seen that he early in life displayed those qualities of ambition and determination which have been characteristic of his entire career. Upon leaving school he determined to learn a trade, and an opportunity being offered him to learn the trade of shoemaking, he grasped the chance and set active- ly to work to become master of his trade. He soon became a good workman, and 264 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OK THE in 1850, when eighteen years of a^je, he became foreman in the shoe shop of j. T- lewett, of Chicago. He was probably the youngest workman in the shop, but his abiUty was such that he was phiced in charge of it. He remained with Mr. Jewett until the fall of 1834. In the following year he was married, and moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he entered into the boot and shoe business. The disastrous panic of 1857 caused him financial embarrassment, and he assigned his busin<'ss for the benefit of his creditors, and determined to start anew, without feeling discouraged. The discovery of gold in Colorado opened a field for many an ambitious man. He decided to journey thither and seek his fortune in the mines at Pike's Peak. The journey was made by ox-teams and three months were consumed by this tedious tri]). He dug gold, with moderate success, until the fall of 1859, when he returned to Oshkosh. In January, i860, Mr. Cook entered into the lime business with Mr. lames A. Day, establishing the firm of James A. Day & Company. The business was successful from the outset and soon grew to large proportions. In 1874, owing to the retirement of Mr. Day because of poor health, this firm was succeeded by Cook, Brown & Company, Mr. Day's interest being purchased by R. C. Brown and v. E. Waite, an in 1887 the business was incorporated as the Cook & Brown Lime Company, with Mr. Ossian Cook as president. In 1884 he was instrumental in or- ganizing the Fox River Sewer Pipe Company, which was chartered the same year, and of which he became president. In 1888 the name of this companj' was changed to that of the Northwestern Sewer Pipe Company. Mr. Cook has made some val- uable real-estate investments, and owns the most valuable business corner in the city of Oshkosh. Politically he is a stanch Republican and a firm believer in the doctrines of Republicanism as advocated by Republican leaders. His father was a member of the Whig party, and was a strong advocate of the protection policy. From him Mr. Cook inherits the belief in the benefits of the system, — a system that has built up the prosperity of the country and which has reared its' manufactures frt)m weakness to vigor. He is in no sense a politician, but takes a citizen's inter- est in events of the day, never permitting his name to be used for political office. Mr. Cook is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Odd Fellows. He was married in 1855, in Franklin county. New York, to Mrs. Rhoda Waite, ncc Day, widow of Thomas Waite, of Chicago. Mrs. Cook is a descendant of an old New England family, members of which served their country' patriotically in all of its disturbances. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents of four children. Allen Bruce Cook, the eldest, has charge of the Chicago interests of the Cook & Brown Lime Company. He married Miss Jessie Jackson, daughter of Heman B. Jackson, a prominent attorney of Chicago, formerly a resident of Oshkosh. William Grant Cook, the second son, married Lettie Lafiin, daughter of John LaHin, Grand Secre- tary of the Grand Lodge of Masons. The two others are Miss Jessie Andrews Cook and Thomas R. Cook. Mr. Cook has traveled quite extensively, and has visited nearly every State in the Union. He has been successful in his business undertakings, and is now at the head of the largest business of its kind in the State of Wisconsin. His success has been all self-achieved. He owes his high position to his own efforts and to sound business principles. His career proves most forcibly that if a man be possessed of •v^ ^.^ KliJ'KESENTATlVK MEN OK THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 267 the necessary traits of character he can build for himself a position without the aid of friends or outside influences. To ener- an American poetess." " Oh, tell me ye leaves that are sighing. With low mourful tone in the gale. If a spirit despairing and dying May fathom the mythical wail? " Oh, tell me if yet to my bosom The form that I love shall be pressed? If hope's blighted bud shall re-blossom. And my world-weary spirit find rest." Soft breezes, make vocal your sighing. And breathe through the whispering leaves, Is her heart to my wild prayer replying? Oh, say if in absence she grieves; Or if with another she's roaming By moonlight beneath the green boughs, Where once in the twilight's deep gloaming We mingled our passionate vows? Oh I nature no longer is caring For hearts that are ready to die; To the cry of a spirit despairing, No pitying echoes reply. The breezes are hushed in the forest. The moonbeams lie calm on the lake, Since vainly with sorrow thou warrest, Sad heart, thou hast only to break. ELISHA D.SMITH, ''I'^llE natural enterprise, progressive spirit and ambitious perseverance of the JL sons of New England have built an empire in the West that has excited the admiration of the world. The Green Mountain State has donated more than her share of the successful pioneers of the great Northwest, and her sons can truthfully state that much of the progress in all Ijranches of the business of the West can be attributed to the sterling qualities instilled into their minds in the invigorating at- mosphere of the Green mountains. .A worthy example of progress is illustrated in 270 1!U)(^UA1'HUAI. niCTION.VKV ANO rtlklKAII' GAl.I.ERV OK THE the career of E. D. Smith. Through his ability, steadfastness of purpose, ambition and integrity, he has built up his business from a small and insignificant plant until it is now not only the largest of its kind in Wisconsin, but its bvisiness greatly ex- ceeds any other woodenware manufactory in the United States. He was born in Brattleboro. \'ermont, March 29, iSjj, and is the son of Henry and Ruth, >uc Dickinson. Smith. He received his education in the public schools of the city of his nativity. At the age of sixteen he entered a general store in Brat- tleboro, as a clerk, antl served two years. A countrj* life in Vermont was too ob- scure for one so anxious as he to succeeil; therefore he sought and obtained a position with a wholesale dry-goods house in Boston, Massachusetts, where he re- mained three years, receiving valuable instruction in business methods. During this time Mr. Smith made a careful study of the business, and in 1S4S opened on his own account a retail dry-goods store in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. His enter- prise was successful from the beginning, but the restless spirit of the times asserted itself, and he concluded to go West. Accordingly, in 1830, he settled in Menasha, where he opened a general store, which he successfully conducted until 1862. In 1S52 Mr. Smith first began the manufacture of woodenware in a small way. This business soon increased in extent. In 1863 the fiery element entirel) destroyed his plant, but it was at once rebuilt and greatly extended. By this time Mr. Smith had terminated his retail business, and was giving his exclusive attention to his factor^-, which was conducted under his name. In 1875, realizing the future which was in store for his undertaking, Mr. Smith incorporated the Menasha Woodenware Com- pany, which succeeded to the business of E. D. Smith, and which to-day has a paid- up capital of of $250,000, with a surplus equally as large, and transacts the largest business of its kind in the United States. October 24, 1850, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Julia Mowry, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. They are the parents of three children. The sons, Charles R. and Henry S., follow closely the footsteps of their father and have earned for them- selves honored names as far-seeing and conservative men of business. They are associated in the enterprise of their father, and much of the success of the business during late years has been attributable to their efforts. The daughter, jane R.. re- sides at home with her parents. Politically- Mr. Smith affiliates with the Republican party. He is in no sense a politician, never desiring to have his name used in connection with political af- fairs, but in 1892 he was nominated without his knowledge for the Assembly . He is a member of the Congregational Church, uses all means in his command to ad- vance the interests of the church, and strives to lead a consistent Christian life. Mr. Smith delights to devote his leisure time to instructive travel. He has vis- ited all the interesting portions of the United States, Cuba and Mexico, has spent some time in Alaska, and eight months in Europe, Eg>pt and the Holy Land. He Is a student of human nature, and through his various journeys has obtained knowl- edge of the people of the various sections of North America that has been a fund of useful and instructive pleasure to him in retrospect. He now contemplates another tour of Europe, and, being observative and having an eve for the beautiful /^^ //j-/^/97^^^ REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 273 in iialuri' and in art, he will certainly oljlain a further knowlecljre of the tastes and habits of people of foreii^n countries. For over forty years Mr. Smith has devoted his time and attention to the man- ufacture of woodenware, and, from a small beginning, he has guarded and shiekled his business through all its vicissitudes until he is now entitled to the proud distinc- tion of being at the head of the largest business of its kind in the United States, — the result of his handiwork and of his constant and unswerving attention. JOHN S. VAN NORTWICK, APPI.ETON. AMONG the gentlemen who have been i)rominently connected with commercial interests both in Illinois and in Wisconsin is he whose name heads this rec- ord, — a worthy representative of a family that has long been closely connected with the business development of the Mississippi valley, and with those enterprises which have been important factors in the upbuilding of this section of the country. His grandfather, William V^an Nortwick, was one of those sturdy pioneers who followed the hunters, trappers, and in Indian traders in the middle section of this great coun- try and opened up the West to civilization, being the true founders of those com- monwealths which now take rank among the foremost States of the Union. A native of New Jersey, he removed to New York and in that State was soon known as a prominent contractor, who was connected with many public works, serving as State Superintendent of Canals in northern New York. In 1835, with his family, he emigrated to Kane county, Illinois, settling in Batavia, where is still the old Van Nortwick homstead. Since that time the name of Van Nortwick has been insepa- rably connected with the history of Illinois and with many of the leading interests in the commercial history of Wisconsin. William Van Nortwick married Martha Flack, daughter of James and Marga- ret Flack, and to them were born the following children: John; Margaret, who be- came the wife of James Rockwell, and died September 1 1, 1847, at the age of thirty years; Fanny, who married Charles Ballard, and died September 12, 1842, aged thirty-five; Jane Agnes, wife of James W. Harvey; and Rachel, wife of Benjamin Smith. The parents were consistent members and active workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The father died in Batavia, Illinois, September 19, 1854; and the mother's death occurred in Chicago, April 21, 1879, at the advanced age of ninety-three. John Van Nortwick, father of our subject, was born in Washington county. New York, April 5, 1809, was educated in the common schools and took a thorough course in mathematics in an academy, with the intention of becoming a civil engi- neer. At the age of nineteen he was employed in the engineering department on the canals of the State of New York, and soon became recognized as one of the most etificient engineers connected with the State works. In Penn Yan, New York, February 11, 1835, he married Patty Mari Mallory, daughter of Meredith and Elea- 274 HlOCUAI'llKAI. IMC I lilNAKV A\l> I'OKiKAir CAIIKKV OF I'lIK nor (Lepffj) Mallory, who were married September i j;. iSo_|. and whose children were Barnum 1>.. Smith 1.. and i'att\- Mari. Mr. Mallory died September 22. 1855, and his wife departed this lifi' April 15, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. \'an ,\\)rtwiek became the jiart'nts of four children: William M., who was born in Hammondsport, Steu- ben county, New York; Eliza J., born at Mt. Morris, New York; John S. and Mary E., both born in Batavia, Illinois. In i8;() the father of our subject went to Bata- via, and invested in those enterprises with which his father was connected, includ- in.ix the millino: and other water-power imlustries, then returned to his engineering work in the Empire State. In 184b, when i)ublir works were stopped in New York, he was employed by the United States Liovernment on the Brooklyn dry docks, se- cin-ing the position through Governor W. L. Marcy, then Secretary of War. Later he entered the employ of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad Company as chief engineer, aiul came to Illinois, making a permanent location in Batavia. 1 le ar- rived here at the begimiing of railroad building in the West aiul found an ample field for his labors. He laid the foundation for all the great railroad system which now so interlaces the upper Mississippi \ alle\-. Under his care the road was built from Chicago to Ereeport, Illinois, and Liter he becanie consulting engineer of the Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy road, of which he was president for eight years, after its extension to the cities of Burlington and Ouincy. He brought with him to Illinois a capital of $3,000, which he in\ested in the mill lands and water-power at Batavia and elsewhere, and while building the mill at Batavia he interested a num- ber of Eastern capitalists in the enterprise, under the firm name of Barker, House & Company, which for some time furnished much of Chicago's supply of flour. In 1 84 J the company was dissolved and the property divided. Mr. Van Nortwick was a large stockholder and one of the founders of the Batavia Paper Company, now the Van Nortwick Paper Compan>', oi which he became sole own^r in i86g. This was made a joint stock companw in 1870, and controls one of the largest jiaper man- ufactories in the West. John S. Van Nortwick, who now is manager of the large paper and wood-pulp mills in Appleton, Combined Locks and Kaukauna, Wisconsin, was born in Batavia, March 26, 1847, ^'"x^l spent his boyhood in the public schools and in his father's busi- ness concerns, where he picked up an excellent knowledge of business principles. He alterwards attendeil Jennings Seminary, of .Aurora, Illinois, also i>ursued his studies in borl Edwanl, New York, and completetl his education in Brvant >S; Stratton's Business College, of Chicago. Returning then to his home, he entered upon an active business career in connection with his father, first as a merchant, then as a farmv'r and stock-raiser. He soon made an active partiuM' in some ot his father's business affairs, and since the hitter's death he and his brother William ha\e car- ried on various enterprises together. rhe\ own much of the water power on the Fox river, and have improved some of it by building paper and pulp mills, being now extensively engaged in the manufacture of print and manila papers and of ground wood pulp, carrying on business under the names of the Appleton Paper ill- Pulp Company, the Combined Locks Paper Company and the Kaukauna Paper Company. The capacity of their extensive mills, which are located at Kaukauna. Combined Locks and Appleton, Wisconsin, is sixty tons of paper per day and fifty KEI'RKSENTATIVK MKN OK Tllli UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 275 tons of wood pulp. Tliry ('nii)l<)\- a large force of hands, and this enler[)rise is one of the most important in the I'Ox river valley. On tlu! j,d of I'rhruary, 1S75, jolin .S. Van Nortwick was united in marriage to Hina Tolman, who was l)orn in Fredonia, New York, January 25, 1852, the daughter of Edsel and Mary I Allen) Totman, who were both natives of New York, and who removed to Illinois in iS6c), locating in Batavia. To our subject and his wife have been born three children: William, born February 16, 1876; Martha, born July 27, 1879; and Mar}', born January 17, 1882. They attend the Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Van Nortwick is a member, and in circles of society the members of the household occupy an enviable position. They have resided in Appleton since i8qi, and although their residence here is of comparatively short duration they have al- ready won a large number of warm friends. The life of Mr. Van Nortwick has been one of integrity and honor, in har- mon\- with those of his illustrious father and grandfather. The family name in the West is the synonym of industry, enterprise and upright dealing, and the gentleman whose name heads this record is a worthy representative of this esteemed family. He early manifested those traits of character which have colored his whole career — perseverance, foresight and sagacity, and with "onward" as his watchword he has steadily progressed along those lines of business which have not only brought to him success, but have also aided materially in advancing the prosperity of the communities with which he has been connected. In politics he is a Republican, but has never had time or inclination to seek public office, preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs and his leisure hours to the enjoyment of his home and social pleasures. JOHN II. WHORTON, AI'l'l.ETON. IOl 1 \ 1 L\RT WHORTON, one of the foremost men of Appleton, has attained his ijrominence by application, perseverance, and the diligent improvement of opportunities; and from a humble beginning has become one of the representative men (jf the State. ( )ur sui)ject, who was the fourth son of Richard and Ann ((irant) Whor- ton, was born in the parish of Kent, Carleton county, New Brunswick, March 20, 1824. 1 lis father, who was a farmer and a lumberman, was of American ances- try, antl his mother's people were of i^nglish descent. John's boyhood was one of toil. His day's work Ijegan at live o'clock, and until he was si.\teen years old he helped around the farm, getting ijractically no time for schooling, for his father, though possessed of some little property, worked ■ irly and late to make both ends meet in providing for his large family. At the age of sixteen, our subject went into the woods and worked for his father several years: when in his twenty-second year he was able to find time to attend school, and, although he was unable to contiune for any length of time, yet J78 IMdCKArilUAL IMCllONAKV ANP I'OKl'RAir CAM FRY OK TIIK by studying: both day and night (in the latter by the faint light of a tallow dip), he managed to arqnire the riidimentar>- branches. In 1850 he, in companx w itli liis hrotluT William, ilecided to set out for the West, being led to that determination 1>\ the ri'inark of a neighbor, wiio saiil that in tiie Territory of "Westconstant" the soil was live or six feet deep and of amazing fertility. The glowing descriptions of this far western land roused the brothers' enthusiasm, and they started on their journey; reaching Buffalo, New \\)rk, by rail, and embarking at that point for Detroit on a sailing vessel, anil continuing their journey on strap-railed railway to New Buffalo, and thence via boat, Sam Ward, to Chicago, then to Milwaukee, from which point they went to Appleton. A few hundred dollars had been saved from their earnings in New Brunswick, but after looking the ground over, they decided it was not sufficient capital with which to embark in business; so it was determineil to return East anil work till their supply of cash was more nearly pro- portionate to their needs. They accordingly, in August, 1851, returned to New Brunswick, an 1 spent the subsequent four years in getting out logs, which they sold at a protit, and were in this manner enabled to return to Appleton in 1855, with $5,000 or $6,000, of which $.',000 was in the shape of a note, — which, by the way. they never realized on. Their first venture was in milling, they buying a half interest in the first flour-mill built at Appleton. b'or a year or two they operated this mill, but not having the adequate means to run it, they disposed of their inter- est, and in 1857 purchased timlier land on Wolf river from John Hodson and his son, and engaged in lumbering, at first confining their operations to getting out logs, and after three or four years of successful business in this direction, they erected a -mill, with capacity of 35,000 feet per day, which they conducted success- fully for the following sixteen years, when it was replaced by a paper-mill. The firm of W. & j. Whorton, which b\ this time was one of the most substantial of its kind in this section, did not, however, discontinue business, but pur'chasetl a large tract of timber land, with a mill upon it, in Wood county. New improvements were added, and a shingle mill erected, which gave the plant a daily capacity of fifty thousand feet. This enterprise was continued for the ensuing five years, when it was sold, netting to the Messrs. Whorton a [)rofit of one hundred anil fiftr thousand dollars. Returning to Appleton, the Commercial National Bank was organized, in i88t. with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, and a commodious banking- house erected. Our subject, who is one of the largest stockholders in this bank, was its vice- president from 1882 until the death of Mr. E. C. Goff, the president, in 1893, at which time he became the active head, and the following January was elected president, an office he tdls with ability and credit, both to the bank and to himself. A few years ago the Manufacturers' National Bank of Appleton was pur- chased, and merged into the Commercial National, at which time the latter's capital was increased to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It is to-day one of the solid financial institutions of Wisconsin, and has a large and increasing surplus. KKI'RESENTATlVt; M1;n (J|- Tllli UNITliU STATliS; WISCONSIN VULUMIi. 279 In 1882 the Fox River Paper Comijany was established, and Mr. Whorton was one of the most active members of the company that effected its organization. The cai)itai stock was originally $ioo,oo3, l)in it has been increased out of the earnings until it is now $400,000, while the capacity of the plant is fifteen tons of writing paper per day. Mr. Whorton has been general manager of this corpora- tion during its entire existence, and it is to liis capable inanag(Mncnl that its suc- cess may be largely attrilniled. Mr. Whorton is a warm friend of the cause of education, for his own struggles for knowledge in early life taught him the value of learning. He is a memlter of the board of trustees of Lawrence University, and by his aid and couns<-i has l)(;(;n of material assistance to its fortunes. Mr. Whorton is i)residenl of the board of trustees of the Methodist Cliun h of Ai)pIeton, in whose doctrine of the Christian faith he is a sincere believer, lie has, notwithstanding the multiplicity of his business cares, been able to find time to devote to travel, and has been all over the United .States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Politically he is a stanch Republican,— not in the sense of being a politician, for he never held, nor has he any desire for, ofifice, but his interest is that of a citizen looking for the adoption of those measures that will be of greatest benefit to the country. He was an enthusiastic supporter of Abraham Lincoln, and carried a torch in his first campaign. In August, 1854, .Mr. Wharton was marri(,'d to Miss Martha Priscilla Levine. a native of New Brunswick, and a friend irom the days of childhood. (){ this union have been born seven children, five of whom are now living. HON. ERNST MEKTON, WAUKKSHA. nOX. ERNST MERTO.N is a native of Prussia, and is the son of Joachim Mer- ton, a citizen of Berlin, who was at that time in indigent circumstances. It was near that city that our subject was born August g, 1848, being the fourth of five children. His parents emigrated to America in 1856, locating first in Illinois, and later removing to Milwaukee, the parochial schools of which city P2rnst attended until he reached his fourteenth year. He then obtained employment on a farm, and increased his store of knowledge by attending a night school. But under these con- ditions he could not obtain such an education as he desired, so at about the age of twenty-four he entered the employ of a sewing-machine company, with whom he remained for five or six years. In the meantime he began the study of law in Mil- waukee, not in a law office, for he was entirely dependent upon his own exertions for his subsistence, and therefore could not afford the time such a course would require, but he was able to devote only such hours as the duties of his occupation would permit. Later he studied with a Mr. Merrill, of Walworth county, where he 28o i!uu;k.\i'iucai. dictidnarv and i-oRiKAir cai.i.kky of the was .ulmilU'il to in'.uiur in 1S7S. lie rntered upon liis prt)tt'ssi()nal career at Bur- liii>iU)ii, Wisconsin, wliere lie continued to practice most successfully- till iS8c). Part of this period he was alone, and part he was associated with a Mr. Carney, under the lirni n.iinc of M( itini iK: C "arney. Upon lea\in>x Hurlinij;ton he located at W'au- kesha .uul forniei! a le^al partnership with Mr. T. E. Ryan, of that place. Mr. Merton has been l>rou^ht ver\ prominently before the public by reason of his ^feat abilitx as a criminal lawyer, anil his identification with several of Wiscon- sin's most ci'leliialed murder trials, lie was counsel for the tlefense in a celebrated murder case in Waukesha couiUn, in 1SS4. llis client had two trials which both resulteii in his aciiuittal. In 1S0-' he ileft-iuled successfully the case of the State against .\nton Xouht. This trial, which will be remembered as attracting a great tleal of interest at the time, resulted, as did the one we have just cited, in a verdict of aciiuittal. Mr. Merton, on one occasion, aided the prosecution in a murder trial in Waukesha county, having been appointed by the court to assist the district at- torne\ in .in .ution for muriler brought b\ the State against one Bernhardt. Mr. Merton won this c.ise, and secured a verdict of murder in the first degree. Inshort e\er\' murder trial for which he has beeit retained he has won. and in all the cases of his \ er\ large iriminal i)raitici\ lu- has almost in\ .irial>l\' obtained a verdict of aciiuittal, although frequentl\- he has had to carr\- the case to the Supreme Court for tinal adjudication. As "i>eace hatli her xictorii-s no less ri'uowned than war," so with Mr. Merton in the wide tield of ci\ il jurisprudence; tor hen' he has been equallv successful. In the two celebrated Hygeia water cases he appeared for the city and some I. uul owners. The first of the cases iinolved the validitv of a franchise granted b\- the village of Waukesha permitting the water to be piped out of the village. lie won in the lower court. His adversary appealed to the court of last resort, whiM"i> the decision was affirmed. The sec- ond case w, is one where the s.ime parties who had pre\ iousK' been ilideated at- tempted, under the name ol the \\ isconsin W .iter I'ompain, to come .uul con- demn lauds for the purpose ol pumping water through pipes to Milwaukei' and C hi- cago. In this case he was defeated in the lower court, but upon his appeal to the Supreme Court that tribunal reversed the decision and instructed the trial court to dismiss tlu- proci'i'dings. Mr. Merton has also been counsi>l in se\i'ral \i'ry im- portant life-insurance cases, and in each and all of them he has l)een victorious. In fact, throughout his entire legal career he has been \ ery successful, and lost but very few cases entrusted to his care. Mr. Merton's success may be attributed to honest toil, careful and i>ainstaking research and close application, lie is considered by those who have watched his professional career to possess one of the most analytical and lirilliant legal minds in the State of Wisconsin, a fact that is proven b\- his many victories at the bar. Mr. Merton is a prominent member of the orders of Odd l-'ellows aiul Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a pronounced Democrat, and during" the period of his residence in Burlington was elected on his party's ticket to the office of president of the village nearly ever>- year that he lived there. In 1SS4 he was the Pemocratic candidate for Congress in the hirst \\ isconsin district. In religious matters he is a beliexer in the doctrines of the Baptist Church. His time is almost whollv occu- RKI'RESENTATIVE MEN OK THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 281 l)iecl by the duties of his business, but he occasionally- finds linu- for a rubber of whist, a game of which he is exceedingly fond. Mr. Merton was joined in marriage, on tlu- 2d da\- of l'ei)ruary, i,S()S, lo Miss Evelyn Adams, of East Troy, Walworlh county, Wisconsin. Of this union have been born three children: Bella, Lillian M. (stenographer for her father) and Hal, who is still altendint;' school. JOHN WARD BRADSIIAW, VMONCi the many men who have assisted in building uj) northern Wisconsin and have at all times held the best interests of the community at heart, none is more deservedly looked up to than John \V'. Bradshaw. The son of a New Eng- land sea captain, he was born March 13, 1838, at Charlestown (now a portion of Boston), Massachusetts. His parents were Eleazar Edes and Martha (Walker) Bradshaw. When of suitable age John was sent to the common schools of his na- tive town, where he received his entire education, — at the age of sixteen entering upon a clerkship in a hardware store at his home. Here he received valuable ex- perience in business methods and affairs, and for eight years attimded strictly to his duties. In 1862, at the age of twenty-four, Mr. Bradshaw, as was common in the experi- ence of most young men of those days, realized the superior advancement offered in the far West, and concluded to join his brother, Peter Edes Bradshaw, who had some years previously settled in Sujjcrior, Wisconsin, and engaged in the; fur-lrad- ing business. .Arriving here in tiic spring of 1863, he at once formed a partnership with his brother, under the firm nanu; of Peter E. Bradshaw mi)any, and for thirteen years, as a member of the above firm, carried on a successful business in furs and merchandise at Superior and at (irand Portage. The advancement of civilization constantly encroaching upon the lur trade, the brothers removed in 1876 to River P'alls, Wisconsin, where they engaged in the general merchandise l)usiness under the same hrm name. In 1880 the subject of this sketch sold his interest in this business to his brother and entered the emi)loyof Cami)l)ell, Buri)ank & Company, wholesaleclothingdeali-rs of St. Paul, Minnesota, as their traveling representative, retaining his residence at River balls, Wisconsin. Mr. Bradshaw attended strictly to this business for more than seven years. In 1887 he returned to his home and permanc-ntly retired from business with a competency which closely approximated a fortune. ,\s one of the leaders among the pioneer merchants of northern Wisconsin, he has attained suc- cess, and can look back upon a life well spent, and one during whose progress he has received merited recognition as a man whose word in every sense has proven as valuaijle and reliable as his bond. In 1892 Mr. Bradshaw returnc^d to his first love,- -.Superior, Wisconsin, -where he now resides in his palatial home on i5a> street. 282 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE In politics Mr. Bradshaw supports the Republican party, but is in no wise a politician. He has no desire for political preferment and is most independent in his actions toward his part}'. He believes it the duty of every citizen to advance the material interest of the community in which he lives, and in evidence of this faith he used his influence and energy in insuring the election of honest and capable men for office. In 1866 he served as Town Treasurer of Superior. Mr. Bradshaw is exceedingly domestic in all his tastes and habits, and, though he has visited most parts of fhe United States, he finds his greatest joy and solace at home, surrounded by his charming family. He married Miss Helen M. Smith on December 25, 1876, and is the father of three children: Anna Edes, Susan Fisher and John Ward Bradshaw, jr. The early training of our subject has made him an adherent to the tenets of the Unitarian Church, but with his wife and children he attends the Episcopal Church of Superior. It is but simple justice to state here that Mrs. Bradshaw is a lady of exceedingly pleasing manner and superior intellectual powers. She is a great favorite in the society circles of Superior, and her labor in fields of charity is one of love, with no thought of reward save that derived from a sense of duty well performed. Mr. Bradshaw's business career has been one of activity and perseverance, and his success has been a gradual outcome of intelligent, consistent and honorable effort. He is conservative in judgment and has contributed in no small degree to the enterprises with which he has been connected. Although successful in life and implicitly relied upon when called upon for advice, he is a man of great modesty of "character. His habits and tastes are likewise modest and simple. Such men, whether in office or out, are the leaders of whatever party they may support, es- pecially in connection with movements tending to higher politics. This normal leadership is common to both parties, and constitutes the most hopfeful political sign of the period. HON. EDWARD SANDERSON, MILWAUKEE. EDWARD SANDERSON was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, March 14, 1829, and was the third of the seven children of John and Margaret (Whit- field) Sanderson, both of Irish nativity. His early years were spent in the East, where he obtained an academic educa- tion, afterward moving to Ohio, where he remained until 1847, when he again moved westward and located at Madison, Wisconsin. He remained at Madison for only a few months, and then settled in Milwaukee, whither he went to engage in the milling business with his brother William, who had purchased the mill then re- cently erected by Cicero Comstock. At that time Mr. Sanderson had but a few hundred dollars in money, but was amply endowed with indomitable energy and business sagacity, qualities that are bound to command success in any field. lHi<& ^'-n / ;ain went into a sawmill as a lalior -r, and hy persistent and conscien- tious work was shortly advanced first to the position of foreman and afterward su- perintendent of the sawmills. By close attention to business he soon became an authority in all matters pertaining to it. In 1.S82 Mr. Waterman moved to Cumberland, Wisconsin, where he began work- ing on a salary for the Beaver Lake Lumber Compan}', and he has remained with that corporation through all its many and important changes. From a compara- tively small business, practically unknown in the Northwest, he has seen it grow until it became one of the largest corporations in northern Wisconsin. After his first year of labor at Cumberland, Mr. Waterman took the contract to manufacture the lumber, lath and shingles for the Beaver Lake Lumber Company, and after- ward for the Beaver Dam Lumber Company, whose output has exceeded 25,000,000 feet of lumber annually. In 1891 Mr. Waterman, in connection with V. L. Olcott and G. H. Brooks, formed the co-partnership of S. H. Waterman & Company. Mr. Brooks the fol- lowing fall sold his interest to Dixon, Pereles & Herbst, of Milwaukee, and the Cumberland Hardwood Company was organized, and this now controls over 35,000 acres of hardwood timber in the county. The company built a mill on the Upper Sand lake, seven miles north of Cumberland, for the manufacture of hardwood lum- ber. This company has been successful from its inception. Mr. Waterman has not limited his work to the lumber business entirely; he has always been closely identified with everything which tends to further the prosperity of Cumberkind. When the city stood in need of a good hotel he was one of the promoters of the enterprise, and the Cumberland Hotel is the result. He was elect- ed president of the company-. Fond of good horses and a judge of superior stocki he was also chosen president of the Cumberland Driving Park Association, and has brought more good horses into the county than any other man in it. In political affiliations, Mr. W^aterman is a stanch Republican, but is no politi- cian in the common and accepted interpretation of the word. He has always been interested in good government, and has been chosen Alderman of the city for a number of terms. In 1892 Mr. Waterman was elected Mayor of Cumberland, and in 1893 h^ ^^''1^ re-elected. Socially, Mr. Waterman is highly esteemed, and he is a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 223, of Cumberland, and Encampment No. 120, 1. O. O. F., of Oshkosh. Though in no .sense extremely religious, in sentiment he is interested in the welfare of the community through church influences, and with his family attends the Methodist Church. Mr. Waterman was married December 24, 1865, to Miss Maria L. Howard, daughter of Richard L. and Abby O. Howard, of Oshkosh. They are the parents of four children, namely: Albert H., who married Miss Anna Miller, of Cumber- land; Alice M., wife of T. A. Olcott, of Ashton, Iowa; Grace E. and Manie L. The esteem in which .Mr. Waterman is held is a good indication of the man's worth. Himself an exceedingly hard-working man, he can and does sj'inpathize with all who are working for him. While he has attained success in all things he has underlaken, it has not been secured at the expense of any of his workmen. A thorough lumberman in lioth training and sympathy, he is capable of handling his 296 IMOGRArillCAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE men, of knowing when they do their duty, and for services so rendered he rewards liberally. No matter what his success in the past has been, he is yet closely identi- fied with all that goes on, and is always to be found in the midst of his men, work- ing like one of them, and directing their labors to the best advantage of all. HON. FRANK A. WOODWARD, HON. FRANK ALFRED WOODWARD, Mayor of Superior, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, January 5, 1852. His parents, Alfred G. and Ruth (Palmer) Woodward, were both natives of New England, the former having been born in Massachusetts, the latter in New Hampshire. Both the Woodward and Palmer families are of English ancestry; members of the former coming to America years ago and settling in Boston, being the original tavern-keepers of that place; and the old family house may still be seen at that part of the city known as Boston Highlands. The first record of the Palmer family that is extant is the fact of three brothers of that name emigrating from England at an early day and locating in Connecticut whence a branch of the family moved to New Hampshire, and from this branch our subject is a descendant. Frank obtained his primary education in the public schools of his native city and Montague, Massachusetts, and afterwards attended the schools of Hanover, New Hampshire, and later returned to Worcester for additional instruction. At the age of eighteen years he entered the employ of of the Worcester & Nashua Railroad Company, spending the first nine months in general work, and later be- coming fireman on the Boston, Clinton & Fitchburgh Railroad. After serving two years in this capacity, he was promoted to be engineer, he being at that time less than twenty-one years of age, although the statutes of Massachusetts required that all who filled the position of engineer should be of full legal age. The subsequent five years were passed in the employ of this company, and then Mr. Woodward went with the Boston & Albany Railroad in various branches of train service, in which he was honored with many promotions. In January, 1882, he came West and entered the employ of the Plymouth Cloth- ing Company, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, he and his brother being the only clerks. The company's business increased rapidly, and its place of business was moved to a more central location. Mr. Woodward s large business capabilities all through brought him into close relation with the growth of the business, and his judgment directed in a great measure the course pursued by this eminently successful house. He became superintendent of the Minneapolis store, and when a branch house was established in St. Paul he became a stockholder in the company and took charge of the department of men's and boys' clothing in both cities, and is general superinten- dent. For two years he had been looking toward Superior as a city of great pos- sibilities and the right place to undertake a mammoth business on his own respon- sibility. KKI'KKSKNrATlVI', MKN ()!• IIIK UNIIKI) SI'A'lJiS ; WISCONSIN VOI.UMK. 2C)9 Asa i-csiilt, 1 he Woodwai'd (IoiIiIiilj ( umpaiiy was orj^aiiizcd, and in Mai'cli, i.S()j, cntci'cd ii|»()ii what has prDVcii a prosperous career in the city ol Superior. I .ater, a liraucli house was est a hi: shed in I )uhil h, hut with a h)ial manager. Of this coiniKiny Mr. Woodward controls a majcjrity oi tin; stock, and is its prc;si(l**nt. TIk; siicc(;ss it has attained is dne to his stirrinjr and enerjrelic business methods. Mr. Woodward is also interested in other Inisiness enterprises, anioii^^ which may l)e mentioned various hmd comjjanies on tin; iron range. lie is now serving his second term as president of t he Superior Chamlu-r of Commerce, and is one of the leading citizens of the place, in ixcry thing calculated to advance the interests of the city of his houx' lie is a prime movci', and encour- ages all worthy enterprises in a substantial manner. Mis jjersonal pojjularity is very great, as is shown in the majority of 868 given him when <-lected Mayor of Su- perior, in 1894, over John A. Kelly, Democrat, who had Keen elected City Comp- troller the preceding year. The lailh of t he people in Mr. Woodward's ability to Idl theoffice satisfactorily may be more fully appreciated when it is stated that prior to Mr. Woodward's election the largest majority ever given in the city was in 1893, when it was 335 Democratic. Mr. W(j(jdward is a member ol both I lie Masonic and ( )^^.==wi^.:_^^^5^ KKI'RKSENTATIVE MEN OK THE UNITEU STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 303 no word of reproach has ever justly been uttered anllin|4' ("olrs Hashloi'd in his |)1;uh'. judixc 1 lowf was associated in the CISC with 1'",. ("i. Rv'an, |. II. KnowUon and AU-xander W. Runchdl, on the siile of Mr. lia-^htord. Joniilhan E. Arnohi, llarh)\v .S. Orton and Matt. H. Carpenter were enHsted tor Mr. Barstow. These were all eminent |)ractitioners of that day. liuh^e Howe made the closniart of the trial, Mr. Ryan switched off from the case, and his place was assiirned to Mr. Howe. Mr. Ryan was in political sympathy with Mr. Barstow, lull he knew the canvass of the ^nhernatorial votes was a fraud. Ilu- canvass for the office of United States Senator, in place of 1 lenry Dodge, opened with the meeting of the Legislature in 1857. Mr. Howe api)eared to be the leading cantlidate at first, but James R. Doolittle was finally chosen, after a protracted contest. The next senatorial election has held in the winter of 1861. Mr. Howe had not much confidence in his nomination, but was nominated and elected by the Republicans of the Legislature. The election of Mr. Howe to the United States Senate at this time was a just tribute to noble fidelity and stout-hearted independence, while the secession move- ments then going on at the South furnished practical information of the iniquity and folly oi the ultra State-rights doctrines he had opposed. Never was fidelity more justly honoreil in our State; never was political wisdom more truly vindicated. Mr. Howe's course in the Senate needs no setting forth in this sketch. He went to the capital at the most critical history of our Government, when secession clouds filled the whole heavens. Amid the distraction of opinion, Mr. Howe made his first speech. He told the Southern gentlemen that whether the President's message meant peace or war depended upon themselves, upon the course they should pursue. These were just the words needed to be said, and had marked effect. All through, during the progress of the war. Judge Howe was strongly on the side of the administration, and its measures for the vigorous prosecution of the war. He favored legal-tender issues, and made a speech on the subject. .Ami so, on all great questions of States' rights, finance and reconstruction after the war, has the political wisdom of the great Senator been made manifest. Judge Howe was on the committee on finance his first term in the Senate, and was eight )'ears chairman of the committee on claims. In the winter of 1S67 Judge Howe was re-elected to the Ihiited States Senate, and again in 1873, both times without opposition. In 1875 Senator Howe was appointed by President Grant one of the commissioners to treat with the Indians, relative to the purchase of the Black Hills territory. During the last term of President Grant, a vacancy happening in the bench of the United States Supremi- Cinut, Senator Howe was tendered the appointment, riu' t)fftce was the height of his ambition, but a higher sense of honor forbade the accejitance. The opposition was in power in his State, and if he should make a" vacancy in the senatorship, it would be filled by a Democrat. This act of self-de- nial and loyalty to the party who had confided in him was in the highest sense commendable. Upon the accession of Hayes to the presidency. Senator Howe was one of those in Ct)ngress who disapproved of the new President's Southern polic\', and was outspoken against it, continuing, luUwithstanding, on good terms with the adininis- RK1'RK.SENTAT1\K MKN OK TIIK UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 30g tration. At the close of his last term in the Senate, Judge Howe was a candidate for re-nomination, and failed of receiving it solely on account of advanced age, and that public sentiment was against long continuance in office, while younger men desired to share the honors of the high position. Senator Howe's senatorial career having terminated simultaneously with the inauguration of President Garfield, his name was mentioned in connection with a cabinet appointment, but his claims were not pressed, and he subsequently was appointed by the President commissioner to the international money conference held in Paris in the summer of 1881. He accordingly crossed the ocean in com- pany with the other in(Mnl)ers of the commission. At the sessions of this body ludgc ilowf took a prominent part. Before the final closing of the conference he was called home to his sick wife, who soon after died in Washington, in July, 188 1. judge Howe was always a conspicuous member of the Senate, and of the Re- publican party. In Congress he was a statesman, more than a partizan. No man has come out of Congressional life with a clearer record ; no Senator ever had a more universal approval by his constituents of his course in the body of which he was so long a period of years a member. Judge Howe was appointed by President Arthur Postmaster-(ieneral, and en- tered upon the duties January 5, 1882. Judge Howe is a good public speaker, of a logical turn of mind, and on suitable occasions is capable of gratifying an audience with a rich vein of humor inimitably expressed. Although having seen many years of puljlic service of high responsibilities, he is now, when nearly at the allotted age of man, as vigorous as in more youthful years. Tall and commanding in personal appearance, modest and retiring almost to a fault, true to his friends, just to all, no citizen of this State is the recipient of more genuine respect and hearty esteem than Timothy O. Howe. We have here given but a bare skeleton of our quaint Senator, devoid of the flesh and blood that make up the private and social life of the man. But nothing more needs to be said. His conduct in office and his standing before the country, more than any words that can be framed, attest his public and private worth. Since the publication of the foregoing biography, which appeared in Reed's ■ Bench and Bar of Wisconsin" (1882), the honored subject has passed into the life eternal, his death occurring at Kenosha, Wisconsin, March 25, 1883, as a result of an attack of pneumonia. WILLI.VM M.TOMKINS, WILLIAM MAWBY TOMKINS was born at Loosely Row, Buckingham- shire. England, February 24, 1845. \^ hen he was only five years old his parents emigrated to this country and located at Shullsburg, then a brisk mining town in the lead regions of this State. His father, the Rev. William Tomkins, was a minister of the Methodist faith, who did valiant service for Ciod and the church in those early days when to be a minister meant a life of toil and self-denial. The BIOGKAniKAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE faithful laliors ami ill-paid scTYircs of tin' pioneer minister are matters of recent history familiar to everyl)Otly. With unswerving devotion to duty and prin- cii)le, he kindly delivered his messaije, in the face of the difficulties that would appall the boasted self-control of the business man of to-day. It was in such a school as this that the subject of this sketch early learned the lessons of endurance and self-reliance that were to serve him well in the coming years. L.ike many others who have been architects of their own fortimes, he workeil in the harxcst lirlds in order to earn for himself the means to prosecute his studies, and in this wa\- was I'uabled to take a classical course at Brunson Insti- tute, and later a scientific course at the State University at Madison. During the next few years he followed the examjile of most ambitious youths and taught tlu' \ illage school. In 1S7J he married bdi/abeth A. I'earce, of Iowa county, anil in Ai)ril, iS;^^, removed to Ashlanil. Ashland at this time was but an unambitious handet, olk-ring but few ojjpor- tunities to the new comer, and hence Mr. Tomkins shouldered his ax and si)ade and lent a helping hand in clearing the site of the future city. In December of 1873 he was elected Town Clerk, and re-elected to the same office in 1S74 and 1875. About this time Ashland began to be a place of refuge for criminals and "tough" men generally, who threatened to control the destinies of the town; and at a time when to hold such an otTice required some courage, Mr. Tomkins was elected Justice of the Peace, and administered tht- law with such a firm hand that the "toughs" were obliged to emigrate to a more congenial climate. This experience turned Mr. Tomkins' attention to the study of law, which he ])rosecuted with so much diligence that in 1S75 he was admitted to the bar, and in November of that year elected District Attorney. This office he held for five suc- cessive years. During the first periixl of the growth of Ashland he arlso held the offices of County Clerk and C(umt\- Treasurer, in all ot which he made a faithful and trustworthy official. Mr. Tomkins has from the tirst been identified with the growth of Ashland, and the positions of trust he has received at the hands of his fellow citizens testify to his integritv ami business ability. He is at the present time a ilirector of the Ashland National Hank, and of the Ashland Water Company, and of the Ashland Street Railway & Lighting Companw As a lawyer Mr. Tomkins stands high in his profession, his early experience in town and county offices giving him pre-eminence as a real-estate lawyer. The law tirm of Tomkins & Merrill, of which our subject is the senior member, is the lead- ing one of .Ashhuul, ami its members practice in all the courts. Among its more prominent clients may be mentioned the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Com- pany, The Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic Railroad, The Ashhuul Water Com- pany, The Ashland Railway and Lighting Company, The First National Bank of Ashland, and the Ashland National Bank, as well as a majority of the lumber concerns in Ashlantl and the contiguous cities on the Chequamegon ba>-. Among the important cases in which Mr. Tomkins has been retained ma\- be citetl that of the Northern Pine Land Compan\' \ s. the directors of the riparian '^^t--'?-7 r < /1 7^ REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 313 boundaries on the great lakes; and also Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad Company vs. Bayfield Company, the question involved in this case being the exemption from taxation of elevators and coal docks. Mr. romkins' position as a leader of the Ashland bar is due to persistent hard work and thorough and careful research. By industry and judicious investments he has secured a competency, which insures comfort for the remainder of his life. .Mr. and Mrs. Tomkins are the parents of five children : Andrew Pearce, Will- iam Clark, Orville Scott, Matthew Clair and Grace Elizabeth. HON. DANIEL WELLS, JR.. MILWAUKEE. A COMPLETE record of the career of him whose name heads this sketch would involve a recital of all the leading events of the history of Milwaukee, where he has lived the past fifty-nine years. He was one of that band of hardy pioneers whose faith in the future of the Northwest nerved them to lay deep and broad the foundations of the city, and whose dauntless courage and sturdy enterprise have marked the progress of her remarkable growth. But his labors have not been lim- ited to his own city; from early manhood his life has been one of unusual activity and enterprise and public spirit, and distinguished by that success which follows honoraljle, faithful and conscientious effort. He was born on July i6, 1808, at Waterville, Kennebec county, Maine, the son of Daniel Wells, a well-to-do farmer who also owned and managed a custom card- ing and cloth-dressing mill. He is of English ancestry, and traces his American origin to Thomas Wells, who came to America about the year 1635, from Colches- ter, Essex county, England, and made his first settlement with the Massachusetts colony, near Boston. Daniel Wells, Jr., is a direct descendant in the seventh gen- eration, and may justly claim to be as thoroughly American as any citizen of the State of Wisconsin. From a " Genealogy of the Wells Family, of Wells, Maine," by Charles K. Wells, of Milwaukee, it appears that the Wells or Welles family, of England, is of very ancient origin, traceable back to the time of the Norman Conquest. About 1635, several families of that name (which was sometimes spelt Wells, but oftener Wellesi emigrated from England to this country. It is probable that Thomas Wells, of Ipswich, was the earliest emigrant of the family who settled in this coun- try. He came in 1635 to Boston from London, in the Susan and Ellen, with young Richard Saltonstall, and soon thereafter settled in Ipswich, Massachusetts. From him. on his father's side, Daniel Wells, Jr., is a descendant of the seventh genera- tion. On his mother's side he is descended from Seth .Sweetser, born in 1606, who (ame from Tring, Hertford county, England, in 1637, and settled in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Mr. Wells' grandfather was Richard Sweetser, who served in the war of the Revolution, and his grandmother was .Sarah (Mathewsl Sweetser, a 314 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE sister of C(jUmu'1 jabez Mathews, who went as a spy into Canatla in advance of General Arnold's army, in its exi)edition against Quebec, in 1775. He passed his boyhood with his father on the farm and in the mill, and went to school during the winters, when opportunity offered. Before he was twenty years old he taught school two winters, devoting his spare time to the study of naviga- tion and surveying. He was inde|)endent and amljitious, and always ready for a business venture. In i8;o he invested his savings in a stock of ai)ples, cider, butter, cheese, dry goods, etc., which he took to Magnolia, near St. Marks, Florida, where a New Eng- land colony had settled. Cioing thence to Tallahassee, he chanced to meet one Rob- ert B. Kerr, who was a private tutor in the family of General Butler, Surveyor-Gen- eral of Florida. Mr. Kerr had been offered by General Butler a contract for surveying a large tract of Government land in eastern Florida, but lack of monej' prevented his accepting. Ready for any honorable enterprise, Mr. Wells agreed to furnish the money needed; and, disposing of his stock of goods at a handsome profit, he purchased the necessary outfit. The work of the survey began on De- cember 25. Mr. Wells, making good use of his knowledge of navigation and mathe- matics, with the help of Mr. Kerr, became proficient in the science of surveying. The survey of some 500 miles, for which they received $4 per mile, was completed the latter part of March, 1831. The venture was financially profitable for Mr. Wells, although it cost him dearly, for he was sick several months with chills and fever as a result of his hardships and e.xposure in the Florida swamps. In September, 1831, he engaged in business at Palmyra, Maine, having shipped thither a stock of goods which he purchased in Boston. /\t Palmyra he married Miss Marcia Br\ant, daughter of Dr. Bezer Bryant, of Anson, Somerville county, Maine, on November 23, 1831. He conducted his busi- ness with success until the spring of 1835. While a resident of Maind, Mr. Wells held the different offices of Justice of the Peace, Selectman, Town Clerk, Assessor and Overseer of the Poor. It was at this time that he became so impressed with the possibilities of the West that he went thither in company with Mr. Winthrop W. Gilman, also a native of Waterville. The following pertaining to this trip is from a letter published in the Waterville Mail, August 21, 1885 : " Upon the arrival of the boat at Milwaukee, July 27, 1835, Wells left it and Gilman went on to Chicago, where he remained a short time: thence he returned to Maine. Previous to the arrival of the boat at Milwaukee, the two had formed an agreement for the joint investment of their money in lots and lands in what is now the eastern part of Wisconsin. To Wells was intrusted the business of making the investments ; so Gilman turned over to him his money, amounting to $7,000. * * The country between this place (Milwaukee) and Green Bay was heavily timbered, and when Wells made his first trip there on horseback through the pathless woods he had to make it by compass. Sometimes he wouhl lind an impassable swamp ahead. He would then withdraw and find a passage around the swamp. He car- ried all his own and Gilman's money upon his person. * * * The public sale of Government land in Wisconsin was held at Green Bay, in August, 1S35. This sale Mr. Wells attended and made some purchases, but the greater part of iiis purchases RKPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 315 were made of pri\ate parties. His principal purchases were of lots and land here, althoiit^h he boui^ht some land in Manitowoc. In some cases the whole purchase price was paid down. In others, only a part of the purchase money was paid, the balance was on time, and generally secured by a mortgage. His whole purchases exceeded the joint funds of himself and Oilman. The ne.xt year he and Mr. Gil- man made a division of the lots and lands purchased on their joint account." Returning to Palmyra, Mr. Wells arranged to move his effects to Milwaukee, to the great regret of his Eastern friends, who regarded the departure from them of one who had been so public-spirited as little less than a public calamity. This sen- timent was embodied in a set of resolutions, adopted at a mass meeting of his fel- low-citizens, expressing in heartfelt words their tender and high regard for him as a friend and citizen. Accompanied by his wife he left his home in April, and ar- ri\((l in Milwaukee on May iq, 1836. i le now turned his knowledge of surveying to good account in the young city, which was expanding in all directions, and soon became known as a trustworthy and enterprising citizen. Recognizing his abilities, Governor Henry Dodge, on August 2, 1836, appointed him Justice of the Peace for Milwaukee county, comprising what is now Milwaukee, Washington, Ozaukee, Jefferson, Racine, Walworth and Keno- sha counties. This was under the first organization of the Territory of Wisconsin, which took effect July 4, 1836. On March 13, 1837, he was elected a member of the executive committee of the Claim Organization, formed to protect the squatter until he could get title to his land from the Government. In 1838 he was one of the Trustees for the east side of Milwaukee, and on September 4th, of that year was api)ointed Probate Judge. In 1841 he was elected one of Milwaukee's F"ire War- dens, his associates in office being Alexander Mitchell and Maurice Pixley. He rendered efficient service as Under-Sheriff in 1842, and on April 3d, of that year, was appointed commissioner in bankruptcy, and held the office until the repeal of the bankrupt law. He also held the offices of County Supervisor and Town Sur- veyor. He made the first survey and plat of town lots on the south side, in what is now the P'ifth ward of the city of Milwaukee. He also surveyed on platted tracts in the First and Seventh wards. But of all his varied services in those early days, that as a member of the Territorial Council, to which he was elected in the fall of 1838, was, perhaps, the most marked. His colleague was Mr. William A. Prentiss. Their district comprised what is now Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington and Jefferson counties. It was the first session of the Legislature held at Madison, and in the absence of a State house, which was not yet ready for occupancy, the Council convened in the dining-room of a hotel. The body was composed of men of ability, whose work was of lasting good to the State. The Territory had there- tofore been governed under the laws of Michigan, and the special work of these legislators was to enact a code of laws suited to their own needs. Mr. Wells served on the committees on Territorial affairs, finance, ways and means, schools, Territo- rial roads and enrollment. His efforts were specially directed to secure measures beneficial to his own city, and among the important measures who.se passage he se- cured was that authorizing his county to build a bridge across the Milwaukee river. The right to bridge a navigable stream was strenuously denied, and much litiga- 3l6 BIOGRAI'IIICAL DICTIONARY AND I'CJKTKAIT (JALl.EKY OK THE tlon ensued, but the enactment was fully sustained by the courts. He also secured the passage of a law as a protection of actual settlers against non-resident land- holders who had monopolized large tracts during the land excitement of 1836, for spec- ulative purposes, to the effect that taxes should be assessed against the land alone and not against the improvements thereon. This law, rendered necessary by the exigen- cies of the times, remained in force until the Territory of Wisconsin became a State. In a recent magazine article entitled " New Ideas in Taxation," Mr. Holder, Treasurer of South Australia, speaks of the method of taxing land without taking any account of improvements, as an idea that came from America, which has been incorporated in South Australian legislation for ten years. He says, " perhaps with this scheme began the record of new ideas in taxation.," It is interesting thus to note that this scheme, first adopted by the pioneer settlers of " wild and woolly Wisconsin" at the suggestion of Mr. Wells, as a protection against non-resident land speculators, is now treated by the Australian writer as a " comprehensive idea that has come to stay." Another important service by Mr. Wells that should not be overlooked, was in preparing and securing the passage, through a Legislature hostile to banking in any form, of the charter of the Wisconsin Marine & Fire Insurance Company. The strength and legal exactness ,oi' the charter were fully tested in 1844, when the Legislature tried in vain to repeal it. Although elected for four years, Mr. Wells resigned at the end of the fourth session, which closed August 14, 1840. His next public office was as Commissioner from Wisconsin to the World's Exposition, held in the Crystal Palace, of London, in 1851. While abroad he vis- ited Scotland, Ireland, France and other European countries, and returned home in March, 1852. In his political affiliations Mr. Wells was originally a Whig. After settling in Milwaukee, the interests of the Territory governed him, in common with his asso- ciates, and little regard was had for party distinction prior to the organization of the State government. Since that event he has acted with the Democratic part3^ though not always supporting its measures. He opposed the Kansas-Nebraska policy of his party, and during the war of the Rebellion was an earnest supporter of the Union cause. In 1852 he was elected as against Mr. Durkee, the nominee of the Free Soil party, and Mr. Durand, of the Whigs, to represent the First district of Wisconsin in the Thirty-third Congress, which assembled December 5, 1853. Here his course was characterized by devotion to the interests of his State, which had received, but little attention from the general Government; and while he made no pretensions as a public speaker his influence in the committee room was marked. The following were among the early measures introduced by him: " A bill granting right of way and granting alternate sections of the public land to the State of Wisconsin and its grantees and assigns to aid in the construc- tion of a railroad from Milwaukee to Prairie du Chien, on the Mississippi river." " A bill giving the right of way and granting alternate sections of land to the State of Wisconsin and its grantees and assigns, to further the construction of cer- tain railroads therein specified." REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 317 '■ A l)ill oiviiijj;: rii^ht of way and granting alternate sections of public land to the Stales of Michiiran, Wisconsin and their grantees and assigns, to further the construction of certain railroads therein specified." He also introduced a bill providing for the purchase of a site and the erection of a suitable building at Milwaukee for a postoffice and custom house, and secured an appropriation of $50,000 for that purpose. During the same session he intro- duced a resolution instructing the committee on postottices and post roads to report a bill reducing ocean postage to a uniform rate of ten cents each on letters not ex- ceeding one-half ounce in weight, and followed it by securing the passage of a joint resolution by the Wisconsin Legislature relating to cheap postage. He also intro- duced a measure relating to foreign and coasting trade on the northern, northeast- ern and northwestern frontiers. At the session of 1854 he introduced bills making appropriations for the improvement of Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha harbors, and secured an additional appropriation of $38,000 for the Milwaukee postofifice and custom house. In appreciation of his great service, he was re-elected to the Thirty-fourth Congress, which opened December 3, 1855. The candidates for Speaker of the House were William A. Richardson, Lewis D. Campbell, Hum- phrey Marshall and N. P. Banks. It was a close contest, and day after day passed without any choice being made. The difficulty arose from the fact that it required a majority vote to elect. Mr. Wells, having regard for the good of the whole coun- try rather than the triumph of any party, went quietly to work among his friends and secured eleven Democrats besides himself who were willing to vote for plurality rule. Such a rule was adopted on the first of February, 1856, after nearly two months of balloting, and the first ballot under that rule Mr. Banks was elected. Mr. Wells' action in this matter won him the respect and confidence of the leaders in the House, and gave him great influence. Chiefly by his influence and efforts were secured the valuable land grants for railroads in Minnesota, in the Congress of 1835 and 1857. At the end of his second term he declined re-election, though strongly urged to become a candidate, feeling that his private affairs demanded his whole attention. Much as his time had been devoted to public matters, Mr. WClls' position and service as a business man and citizen of Milwaukee must not be overlooked. Through his early purchases of land, he became one of the most extensive dealers in real estate, and was from an early day a promoter of public improvements. In 1 844 he built the present Kirby House, which was opened under the name of the City Hotel. I'rom 1847 to 1849 he was a member of the firm of Dousman & Wells, en- gaged in shipping and storage, and also in buying and .selling grain and other farm products. During that time and 1848, he was one of the organizers of the Madi.son, Watertown & Milwaukee Plank Road Company. Im-oui 1849 to 1S56, associated with Mr. Horatio Hill under the firm name of Wells ..K: Hill, he conducted a large trade in grain and wool. Since 1847, when, in connection with another gentleman, he built the large lumber mill at Escanaba, Michigan, he has held extensive inter- ests in the lumber trade, and besides his interest in this plant, he is at present (1894) in the X. Ludington Company, the Ludington, Wells & Van Shaick Company, the H. Whitbeck Company, and the 1. .Stejjhenson Company. He was a stockholder 3i8 HIOGRAIMIK'AL DICTIONARY AND I'ORTRAIT GALLERY OF THE and director in the Wisconsin Marine & Fire Insurance Company until its reorgan- ization under the State law ; for many years president of the Green Bay Bank, he held the same office after that institution became the First National Bank of La Crosse. He was vice president of the old Board of Trade during its short exist- ence, and for many years has been a member of the Milwaukee Chamber of Com- merce. He is now a director of the Northwestern National Insurance Company. He has always favored all measures tending to the development of railroads in the Northwest. The Northern Pacific Railroad has no firmer friend than he; and as long ago as 1847, when a bill to incorporate the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad passed the Wisconsin Legislature, he was named as one of the commissioners therein. Laboring under the greatest obstacles and in the face of countless dis- couragements, he, with his associates, accomplished results that entitle him to the highest distinction as a public benefactor. He served in a like capacity in securing the Milwaukee & Watertown Railroad, which afterward became the LaCrosse di- vision of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. He was president of the LaCrosse & Milwaukee Railroad, and was also president and a director of the Southern Minnesota and of the St. Paul & Minnesota Valley Railroad. For many years Mr. Wells has declined to take public ofifice of any kind, but his interest in the welfare of his city and State has not abated. He is not a man of many words, but by uprightness and integrity in his dealings with his fellow-men he has always held their high esteem and confidence. It is his pride to be num- bered with the noble band of pioneers, whose courage and devotion, together with their faith in its future, have done so much to make the wild territory which they first settled the rich and important State which it now is. HARVEY B. DALE, M. D., HARVEY B. DALE, a distinguished physician and public-spirited citizen of Oshkosh, is a native of Seneca county. New York, where he was born Octo- ber 23, 1835. He is a son of William F. and Philinda (Sutton) Dale. Paternally he traces his ancestry to natives of the north of Ireland, and his character bears the imprint of the strength attributed to that hardy race of people. His father was a shoemaker, — a man of but limited means. He moved to Bath, New York, about ten years after the subject of this sketch was born, and there the child grew to man- hood. He was an ambitious youth and desired to obtain a higher education than was offered by the opportunities at his command. He attended the common schools and then the high school in Bath, and read medicine as opportunity offered. To continue his studies he was forced to work on a farm during the summer, and by economically guarding his earnings he was enabled to attend school in the win- ters. In 1856 he came West to Fond du Lac with Dr. T. J. Patchen, his uncle, in whose office he studied medicine and prepared for a course at a medical college. y^.^^A^^ KKl'KKSKNTATnE MKN Ol- I'llE UNITEU STATKS; WISCONSIN VOl.UMK. 32 1 IK- atteii(k'(l tlie Ckncland 1 lomeopalliic Mt.'dical C<)ll(;i t^<^ REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 335 I^iiLrlish niarkrt and tlic following year engaged in logging operations on an exten- sive scale. It ina\- here be mentioned as a matter of record that Mr. Pattison was the first man to utilize Black river, a branch of the Nemadji, for log-driving l)urposes. In iSSj lie disposed of his logging interests antl turned his attention to the X'ermillion iron range, in Minnesota, on which he spent the following three years prospecting for iron, and in 1883 he located the famous Chandler and Pioneer group of mines. Mr. Pattison is to-day the largest individual holder of developed and recognized iron lands in his section, which brings him in a large income. In political belief he is a Republican. While in Michigan he was elected a member of the School Board before he had attained his twenty-second year and served by re-election as a member of that body for six successive years. He also served a term of two years in the Michigan Legislature. In 1884 he was electedSheriff of Douglas county and served for two years, and in 1890 was elected Mayor of the city of Superior and was re-elected to the same office in 1891. The Superior Leader, in an article written at the time of Mr. I'attison's retiring from office, says: " Mr. Pattison now goes out of office, leaving the city in the best shape it ever was financially. There is on hand not an unfinished contract, not an unsold bond, and not a dollar of floating debt. The sinking funds are full; there is about three quarters of a million in cash in the money-box; the fire department is well and fully equipped; and the credit of the city is first class. " Not only so, but Mr. Pattison has done more than any other man to wipe out the jealousy between the east and west ends and to harmonize the several sections of the city by treating all with fairness and equal consideration." Such words of praise from those who know him in his daily life are a compli- ment of which Mr. Pattison may be justly proud. Mr. Pattison is now a member of the Republican .State central committee, and a member of the executive commit- tee of that body. On the 17th day of May, 1879, Mr. Pattison was united in marriage at Mar- quette, Michigan, to Miss Grace E. Frink, a native of Canada, and a lady of many noble qualities of mind and heart. Their beautiful home, " F"airlawn," fronting on Superior bay, is the finest private residence on Lake Superior, and represents an outlay of nearly $125,000. Its interior, with its many treasures of art and costly fur- nishings, bears testimony to the culture and refinement of Mrs. Pattison, and as a home it will compare most favorably with those of the wealthy residents of our largest cities. Mr. and Mrs. Pattison have had eight children: Mattie Grace, Byron Martin, Ethel Mary, Alice Irene, Myrna Kmmarilla, V'yrna Margaret, Leda lone and Lois May, — the four last named being two pairs of twins. All are living except Vyrna Margaret. The family are members of the Episcopal Church, Mr. Pattison being Senior Warden. To everything calculated tRESENTAT1VE MEN OK THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 34Q 'l"lu' rin;uu-i;il paiiir of 1S57 ^<' depressetl the industries of the \V(>st tliat Mr. McMillen considered it wise to leave Oshkosh. He returned to Warren count)-, New York, and visited his relatives. In i8s8 he again. came West and became an employe, at Muskejrun, Michigan, of the Newago Lumber Company. He there had charge of the shipping of lumber, loading vessels for Chicago, and in for- warding supplies to the lumbering camps of the company, h'or this labor he re- ceived the princely salary of $750 per annum. Owing to the unhealthy conditions of his surroundings, his work being done in a marshy section, he took sick and was forced to resign and leave the locality. In 1859 he returned to Oshkosh, and in association with his brother-in-law, C. W". 1 )avis, purchased D. L. Jones' interest in the planing mill and sash and door fac- tory of Morgan & Jones. At that time there were no railroads into Oshkosh, and as the demand was limited to local needs, the business was necessarily small. Mc- Millen & Davis sold out their interest in the business about a year and a half after they purchased it, and in the fall of i860 they built a shingle mill. The breaking out of the war caused a feeling of apprehension among manufacturers, and a fear lor the future caused many to suspend operations. They at first considered it ad- visable to quit, but with push and persistency they both remained at the helm, and Iiy doing so they were enabled soon thereafter to enter upon a season of prosperity. The first year McMillen & Davis cleared a profit of $9,000. Half of this amount be- longed to Mr. McMillen, and doubtless no money he has since earned gave him the gratification nor made him feel as rich as this amount did. About 1865, John McMillen, brother of our subject, traded for a half interest in the foundry of Morse & Beckwith, who were largely engaged in the manufacture of threshing machines. The plant was enlarged and Messrs. McMillen and Davis be- came actively interested therein. They traded their interest in the shingle mill to John McMillen for an interest in the foundry. This business was not satisfactory to Mr. McMillen, and he soon made arrangements to get out of it. He traded with Battis, Hasbrouck & Company, and became the owner of the lumbering and saw- mill plant previously owned by that firm, and in 1867 began to operate the plant, which was located on the land which he now occupies with his business. Later, his lirother became his associate, and this partnership was continued until his brother's death, in 1872. Under the careful supervision of Mr. McMillen the business was successful from the outset, and grew in proportions, until to-day he is at the head of one of the largest plants of its kind in the West. After his brother's death, Mr. McMillen admitted D. Dickinson, his bookkeeper, into partnership. Six year later he purchased his interest and sold a quarter interest in his business to his former partner, his brother-in-law, C. W. Davis. Later, for a short time, S. W. Hollister Ijecame possessed of a quarter interest in the business. After he retired, the enter- l)rise was continued until 1889 under the control of Mr. McMillen and Mr. Davis. In 1889 Mr. Davis sold out, and since then the business has been continued by Mr. .McMillen. . The business is large. The plant includes saw mills in which about 15,000.000 feet of logs are annually sawed into lumber, lath, shingles, etc.; also a factory in which most of this lumber is manufactured into doors, windows, blinds and all kinds of interior house finishings, which are shipped all over the United States — east, west, north and south. 350 IJlOGRArilllAl. im riONARV AN'D I'tlklKAir camkrv oi- iiik Mr. McMillen is president of the Fox River Paper Company, of Appleton, and a director of the National Bank of Oshkosh. He has always been closely identi- fied with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been an active member for some twenty-five years. He attended the General Conference at Omaha, in 1892, as a lay delegate from the Oshkosh district, and also represented the district at the General Conference held in Cincinnati several years ago. He was also at one time prominently identified with the Y. M. C. A. work in Wisconsin. His con- nection with the church is prominent, as seen with his relation to the Algoma Meth- odist Episcopal Church of Oshkosh, which beautiful stone structure is largely due to his money and management. He is a Trustee of the church, a member of the building committee, and beside contributing a very large sum to the building fund of the church, he has since donated various sums to its needs. Mr. McMillen was married in 1853 to Miss Alice A. Johnson. His family con- sists of himself, wife and two adopted children: Jessie A. and Robert, Jr. Politi- cally, Mr. McMillen has always affiliated with the Republican party, but is in no sense a politician, never desiring political preferment. He has always taken a deep interest in educational matters, being a firm friend of the Lawrence University, of A])pleton, being president of its board of trustees. Such is the biography of one of the representative men of the State of Wiscon- sin, who has through his inherent ability, steadfastness of purpose, industry and in- tegrity reached the position he now holds. His has not heen a selfish life; he has always taken the dee])est delight in cheering the deserving, and the consciousness of having aided worthy human beings and meritorious enterprises has been worth more than gold to him. He is ever willing to bestow benefits where they are needed. He has, through his financial means and through personal efforts, been a tower of strength to the church ; and, taking his entire career, it can be truthfully said that the " world has been benefitted because he lived." ORVILLE BEACH, OSHKOSH. OTANDING prominent among the representive men of Oshkosh is Orville O Beach. He was born in New York State, July 31, 1826, and is the son of John H. and Abigail (Phillips') Beach, both native Americans of sturdy, progressive dis- position. His father was a farmer by occupation, in addition to which he some- times worked as a merhanir. i)rincipally as a mason. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm, where he received not only a physical training, but also a moral education, which has been of inestimable benefit to him in fashioning a successful career. He attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and when sixteen years of age began to assist his father as a stone mason, being at other times employed on his own account as a machinist. He was thus engaged for four years, when he entered the lumbering business on the Hudson river, at Glens Falls and Sandy Hill, with James O. French. They cut and handled consid- (^^'/^ii/^ ^^^ KKI'RKSKN'rAriVK MKN (Jl- llll-: UNITED SIA'JKS; WISCfJNSIN VCJl.U.MK. 353 cialjK- lumljcr, not operatinj^ a mill, Inii liavin;^ all their luiuber cut by contract. I 'nder the firm name of Finch & Beach, he attained considerable j)rominence as a shii)[)er of kimber, and was successful. The adventuresome spirit of the lime made itself fell in Mr. Beach, who con- cluded to seek his fortune in the West, where the ojiix^rtunities for advancement were so much j^reater than in the East. Accordinj^ly, in 1855, after having wound up his business in New York State, he started westward, seekinj^ the pineries of the Northwest, for the purpose of enfrajrinfr jn lumberinj^, in which direction his tastes ran. He first stopped in Chicaj^o and later in Milwaukee, but neither real- ized his ideal. He proceeded farther West and finally came to I'ond du Lac, but soon afterward settled in Oshkosh, where he has ever since resided. C)n arri\in^ in the latter place he immediately commenced to look up and enter pine timber lands on the Wolf river, lie also erected a grain elevator, which was the second one built in Oshkosh, and engaged in buying and selling grain. These business enterprises were carried on by Mr. Beach alone and were financially successful. Mis business increased and was carried on until 1861, when Mr. Beach associated himself with his brother-in-law, Mr. E. N. Conlee, under the firm name of fieach iS: Conlee. The grain business was discontinued and the elevator was converted into a sash, door and blind factory, which they conducted in connection with their mill business. The active lumbering business of Beach & Conlee did not begin until 1864, and, in 1867, Mr. G. W. Conlee was added to the firm, without any change, however, in the name. The business of the company became one of the most important in the city, and was conducted with continuous success until 1877, when their mill was swept away by fire. They immediately bought a new mill and continued the business uninterruptedly, as if nothing had occurred. When the sash, door and blind factory was added to the interest of the firm, its name was changed to that of Beach, Conlee & Brother, which continued until 1879, when Mr. Beach retired from the business. -Soon after his retirement, Mr. Beach formed a connection with his brother, Mr. Darwin Beach and a brother-in-law, W. P. Warwick, under the firm name of O. Beach & Brothers, who built a mill and entered into active business. Every enter- prise with which Mr. Beach has been connected has been uniformly successful. Every worthy object which was presented for Mr. Beach's consideration received his hearty co-operation and financial aid. The firm of Beach & Brothers bought a mill in 1879 and confined itself to the manufacture of lumber. Their output reached as high as 10,000,000 feet of lumber per annum and their yard would store more than a year's output. Their business continued with uninterrupted prosperity, when, in 1885, Mr. Beach attempted to retire from active business, but his industrious habits overcame this desire, as we find him soon after connected with Mr. D. L. Libbey, of Oshkosh, in a mill which they built on the Milwaukee & Lake Shore Railroad, and which they successfully conducted three years and then closed out. The financial operations fjf Mr. lieach have not been limited to the lumber busi- ness. He was one of the originators of the Oshkosh & Mississippi Railroad, which was built from Oshkosh to Ripon. He served as one of its directors and was its 354 IIIOCKAI'IIICAI. Dir ll()NAK\' AND I'ORTRAl I CAI I.KKV OK I'lll': could not be of the best if he remained in Germany, and, being anxious to have his offspring enjoy the advantages offered by the great land of liberty, he in 1848 brought his family to the United States. They took passageon the brig Adele, of I^hiladelphia, at liremen, and, after a voyage of thirteen weeks, arrived at thecity of brotherly love. Ihcir voyage westward was made via the lakes, on the steamer Globe, arriving in Milwaukee in the fall of 1848. They located in Cedarsburg, Ozaukee county, and John Schuette, Sr., at once began the erection of a store and in the spring of 1849 had it ready for occupancy. The country surrounding the place he had located was swampy and the early spring brought with it the usual cases of fever and ague. Upon learning that this disease was an annual visitor to the locality owing to the conditions of the soil, John Schuette, Sr., determined to move away. He went along the lake shore to Port Washington, Port Ulva, Sheboygan, Centerville and Manitowoc and determined to locate in the latter place, which was then a small village. He returned to Ozaukee county for his family, and with them arrived here in May, 1849, on the deck of the j^ropeller Rossiter. He rented the building he had built in Cedarsburg and erected another in Manitowoc. He then began selling general merchandise. The subject of this sketch was at that time twelve years old, and during the succeeding four years he attended the common school, and during his leisure hours assisted his father in his business. In 1856 his father admitted him and his brother, Henry Schuette, into partnership, the firm being then known as J. Schuette & Sons. Some years later John Schuette, Sr., retired and the business was continued as Schuette & Brother. In 1867 Frederick and August Schuette, younger brothers, were admitted to partnership, and Henry Schuette retired. The firm then became known as Schuette Brothers. In 1867 Mr. Schuette formed a partnership with August Wahlc and established the Oriental flour mills. This part- nership was dissolved in 1871 and since then Mr. Schuette has conducted the busi- ness himself. The mills have a capacity of 200 barrels a day. In 1867 he also took a contract for dredging and building the Manitowoc harbor. This contract involved a large amount of money and covered several years' labor. In 1872 he built the Land Plaster works. This enterprise has been very suc- cessful and its product is shipped all over Wisconsin. In 1884 he sold out his mercantile interest to his brothers, Fred, August and George, and established the Manitowoc Savings Hank, of which he has since been the controlling spirit. The bank is capitalized for $50,000 and has a surplus of $35,000, and its deposits are over $400,000. Its officers are John Schuette, president and his eldest son, Louis Schuette, cashier. In 1889 he put in an electric-light plant, built on the most ajiproved plans. He is i)rcsi ■ ■ 1 hignec , -, I \ T3 ■ r rincipa s. "^ I j. A. Prindi.e, \ ' He held teachers' certificates of the first grade from several superintendents, but this unexpected compliment from the Owego Academy was to him more than all, coming as it did unsolicited. Mr. McLean was a successful teacher. He com- menced at the early age of seventeen with a large winter school at Ball's Mills, near Williamsport, Pennsj-lvania, and ended by teaching the village school at his home, Nichols, New York, where he taught successfully for three j'ears, taking the school at a time when the pupils had routed two or three teachers and were in a general condition of insubordination. It was universally regretted on the part of the patrons of the school when he severed his connection therewith. He always felt that this early ordeal was a school for him also. Here was developed that strong self-control that has characterized him through life, making him the success- ful man of business, lawyer and financier. Mercantile business first engaged his attention, ami the firm of McLean & Howell became widely known, because of their extensive business in general mer- chandise, grain, etc. Mr. Howell furnished most of the capital and Mr. McLean REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 365 had full charge of the business, which was continued with marked success for two years, during which time Mr. McLean's share of the profits enabled him to pur- chase a fine residence in the village of Nichols, as a home for his father and mother and family, and also a small farm, just outside, for their use as long as they lived. This gift, which was so freely tendered, and which afforded his father and mother so much comfort in their declining years, Mr. McLean has often said was the proud- est act of his life. He was also able to aid his younger and only brother, William H., in acquiring an education and in attending the medical college at Albany, New York, where he graduated in 1865, with high honors, locating at Monticello, New ^'ork, where he entered a successful practice. Mr. McLean had read law as best he could up to this time, while teaching school and at home, looking forward to the time, which he felt had now come, when he could afford to attend the law school at Albany, New York. He therefore prevailed upon his valued friend and partner, John Howell, to purchase his interest in the business, and then entered the Albany University. He graduated in the class of 1865, after which he returned to Nichols and followed his profession in Tioga county until 1867, .when he settled in .Menom- onie, Wisconsin, where he soon took a conspicuous place as a prominent member of the bar and a public-spirited citizen. His success as a practitioner is shown bj' the numerous cases argued by him and recorded in the \Visconsi-n Supreme Court Reports. October 7, 1875, he married Miss Mary, the estimable daughter of Captain William and Angeline (Halej Wilson. The children of this marriage are: James Perry, born July 6, 1876; Mar>', August 30, 1878; William Wilson, December i, 1880; Francis Julian, July 20, 1883; and Marjorie, May 20, 1891. In politics Mr. McLean is a Democrat, and, although not a strong partisan, has always contributed liberally to the cause. The following is worthy of mention. In 1879 the plant of the only Democratic newspaper in the county, the Menomonie Times, was sold on chattel mortgage to Marder. Luse & Company, of Chicago, and was packed and ready for shipment. Mr. McLean realized at once the unfortunate situation of the party and telegraphed an offer, which was accepted. The fragments were unpacked, and an engine and a new power press, as well as other material, purchased by him at a large outlay, and for nearly ten years the paper was con- tinued successfully as a newspaper and party organ, but at great loss of time and thousands of dollars to Mr. McLean. The enterprise was finally organized into a stock company, and the stock is now owned by Mr. McLean and other Demo- crats of the city. He has never asked office, nor accepted other than those of director of the city library and Trustee of the Congregational Church, — with the single exception of member and President of the .Menomonee Board of Education, to which office he was elected by the city at large. January 2, 1883. he assisted in connection with his cousin, W. C. .McLean, cash- ier, in the organization of the F"irst National Bank of Menomonie, of which he is president and the largest stockholder. The success of this institution is largely due to his personal supervision and e.xecutive ability. He is also interested in sev- eral other financial institutions in different parts of the State. He is a born leader and organizer and a careful operator of financial institutions. To these facts he 366 HlOGRAl'llKAl, DUniONAKV AND PURTRAir GAl.l.KUV OK TIIIC owes most of his prosperity. To say that he has been a benefit to Menomonie mildly expresses the deeds he has accomplished, lie has contributed generously to the building of nearly every church in the city, and is generally foremost in every good work. LEMAN BARTLETT, MII.WAUKKK. ^f^llE true measure of one's success is what one has arconiplislu'd, and he best -L fulfills his mission in life who best uses his abilities and opportunities. When measured by these standards, Leman Bartlett must be classed with those successful men who have made the most and the best of themselves. Mr. Bartlett has risen through his own exertions from ixwerty and obscurity. The years of his youth and early manhood were full of hard manual labor illy recompensed. He was born in Jericho, Vermont, November ii, 182Q. His parents were William and Betsy (Bean) Bartlett, the former of Scotch ancestry. Until he was seven yearsold Leman re- mained in his native State. In 1836 his parents moved to Saranac in northern New York, and in that section his father cleared a farm and continued in agricultural pursuits. His boyhood was passed in assisting his fath'r in such work as his strength would permit. His school education was limited to a brief period spent in the dis- trict school. His opportunities were limited to the rudimentary branches. He early in life displayed firmness of character and a strong determination to successfully accomplish everything that he attempted to do. He was ever ready to work hard and earnestly, and accepted all opportunities to work. He has labored in the potato field for twenty-five cents a day, — not a working day of eight hours but between day- light and darkness — thirteen to fifteen hours. He was reared to habits of industry and economy, and these principles have been followed by him through life, and to them his success is largely attributable. At the age of eighteen he began work in lumber mills and in the woods, at a salary of $10 a month. He was always honest and con- scientious in the discharge of his duties, and no labor was too onerous and no dan- ger too hazardous to deter him from doing that which he considered right. He has driven logs in icy streams and been thrown into the chilling water time and again; swung the woodman's ax amid the pine forests of New York during the winter months, and in summer assisted in turning the timber into finished lumber. He was' intelligent, industrious and faithful, and soon earned and received promotion. He was placed in charge of a large gang mill operating 125 saws, and for this responsi- ble labor he received the princely salary of $36 monthly. Nevertheless he determined to accumulate some money, and by economy he saved about $500, with which amount in 1855 he journeyed westward and located in .\rena, Iowa county, Wiscon- sin, where he purchased a farm, lie did not confine his labor \o his farm but ac- cepted all honorable opportunities to earn an honest dollar. He worked by the month in various lines of labor and was enabled to save about $1,500. He then took some contracts from the St. Paul Railroad Company and erected fences for that cor- poration along its line of road. REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF THE IMTEU STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 369 On December 8, 1859, Mr. I^arllctt married Miss Eliza Barnard, a native of Missouri. With his young wife he retired to his farm and remained there until September, i860, when in company with his father-in-law, John Barnard, and brother- in-law, Henr)- Barnard, he entered the mercantile business at Spring Green, Sauk county, as a partner in the firm of John Barnard & Company. Later John Barnard sold his interest to his son and the business was continued under the name of Bar- nard & Bartlett until February, 1867, when it was closed out. At that time, Mr. Bartlett found himself in possession of $13,000. With this amount he moved to Milwaukee and purchased an interest in the grain comrtiission business established the previous year by H. Zinkeisen, which was then continued under the title of Zinkeisen & Bartlett. The following year Mr. Oscar Mohr was admitted as a minor partner and the style of the firm was changed to Zinkeisen, Bartlett & Company. .Mr. Bartlett soon made his influence felt in the business. His straightforward, honest method of transacting business, his open and frank manner of speaking, soon won the confidence of large customers, and an idea of his honesty in business may be gleaned from the fact that some of his largest customers have dealt with him continuously year after year since he commenced business. In April, 1875, .Mr. Zinkeisen, who had started on a trip to Europe, was lost with the ill-fated .Schiller, and death dissolved the partnership of Zinkeisen, Bart- lett & Company, although the business was conducted under the same name until 1886, when it was dissolved by mutual consent, and Mr. Bartlett admitted his son, Oscar Z. Bartlett, into a partnership, under the firm name of L. Bartlett & Son- .Since then their business has rapidly and steadily increased in magnitude. They are members of the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce and the Chicago Board of Trade. They have branch houses in Chicago and Minneapolis and correspondents in all of the principal markets of the country, and their trade extends over the .States of Wisconsin, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota and the Dakotas. Mr. Bartlett early foresaw the increase in value of Milwaukee realty, and as he accumulated capital not needed in his business he invested in city property. Mr. Bartlett has traveled quite extensively throughout the United States and Ijy friction with the world has overcome the lack of opportunity to receive a school education, and in the school of experience he has learned more than books can teach. He is courteous, sociable and agreeable to all. His family, in addition to his wife heretofore mentioned, consists of his son Oscar Z., who has already attained considerable prominence in the business world, and his daughter Lena, now .Mrs. S. G. Courteen. Mr. Bartlett owes his success in life to earnest, conscientious endeavor, ambition and tireless energy. He has probably put in more hours of work than any other business man in .Milwaukee. During the last few years he has placed some of his work upon his son's shoulders, but when the business was more exclusively controlled fjy him he made it a rule to be at his desk by seven o'clock in the morning, rain or shine, summer or winter, and frequently was at his post earlier than that time. Even now he is in his office before ten per cent, of Milwaukee's business men have risen from bed. The biographies of such men as Mr. Bartlett should serve as inspirations to the 370 13K)GlK IIIK UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 4II chest of clothing and a surveyor's outfit coming by the lakes as soon as the ice in the straits would break up, and as soon as tools were brought he would run out lines. The leader of the companv turned around and, looking the boy over, in a tone of the utmost contempt, said, "You survey it!" However, he did survey it. Although Mr. W'cst realized the situation, — that he was in straightened circum- stances, he did not think it a sin or disgrace to be poor, but found it to be very in- convenient about making change. He continued surveying the entire summer of 1836, enduring all the hard- ships that were the natural sequences of wandering in a new and untraveled coun- try. Mr. West's compensation was his regular $5 per day, and very thankfully received. He also located a claim for himself four miles from Milwaukee, and erected a log cabin upon it. Mr. West was his own carpenter. His nearest Indian neighbors kindly helped him carry the logs from the woods, and roll up the timber after he had cut it. They also helped roll the short timber on the body of the cabin after it was raised, cobbing up the gable ends; also cobbing up the long light timber on which the shack roof had its foundation. A shack roof is made of nice black oak timber, cut three feet long, rived out with a common frow, and then laid on timbers or heavy poles, built up with the log cobbing of the gable ends. The kindly Indians helped him to carry and lift up the long heavy weight poles for holding the shacks in place. The roof was built without a nail. Mr. West made a puncheon floor of nice sound and straight basswood trees, ranging from twelve to sixteen inches in diameter, cut the desired length and split through the center and laid flat side up. His friend, Chief Menominee, called together enough able-bodied Indians to go through" the woods and pick up the split bass- wood and carry it to the cabin floor. His Indian neighbors had at three or four rimes rendered material aid in such work as Mr. West could not do alone. His nearest white neighbor was four miles distant. It is true Indian labor is inexperi- enced and consequently somewhat awkward, but the assistance rendered by them was thankfully received. As a reward for their assistance, Mr. West purchased a barrel of flour and placed it in the hands of his friend, Menominee, to be divided e(]ually among the families of those Indians who had assisted him. He built his chimney on the outside and lined it with mortar made of clay and chopped wild grass mixed with the mortar. He made hi? own furniture, — a bedstead and table hewn out of rough timber. His bedding consisted of wild hay covered with blankets. He kept bachelor's hall and began to till the soil of his claim; also fenced seven acres, cutting the rails and poles and carrying them on his back from all over the clearing to fence out Indian ponies, — for they were com- moners, and owned by the neighboring tribes. He was surounded on all sides by Indian neighbors and soon learned to un- derstand and speak the language of the four tribes, namely, the Winnebagoes, Chippewas, Pottawatomies and Menominees; and was treated in a most friendly 412 r.iiiCKAniu ,\i i)i( rii>\AKV anh i'iikikaii' caij.I'.kn lU' riiiv ni.iinici li\' the wild men, wlioin lie ;il\v:i\s foiiiid pciccahly (lisjioscd unless under the iiilliiciiic |icd ciioii'di ^.(■(•d 1 1 1 in ( 'Icscl.i nd, ( >ln(), ^^ prv I)uslicl, to |)l;int ahoni one ci^hlli of an .\c\r, <,iri\inL; llicin on llic lia( k of his liuhaii |ion\', with pack sa(hllc, irom M ilwankcc to his home. When he had linislicd pkintini; he leccived .1 liieiidK c.ill lioiii "Meiioniinee, " ( hiel ol the Menominee tiihe, and w.is invited to K ( (ini|),iii\- him on .i hiinliii',; e\|)e(htion. Imitinj; the i hiel to (hue witli linn, he |iie|>.ired .1 me.il lioni hisstoic ol provisions .ind, se.ited at the louf^h lai)le, they ale heaitih'. lie h.id .some le.i, ihe first th.it theehu'l h.id e\ci lasted, and heaf tei wai d i)e( ,ime vel \ lolldol the hevel.i'^e. (poll Ills retnill Irolll the luinl he discovered to his disin.i\ th.it the Indi.ins diniiii; his ahseiice li.id dni; np his seed potatoes ,ind (.iiiied them .i\\.i\. Meiioinmec w.is \rv\ ani;iy and wonld liave in llicted se\ ere piiii isli men t npoii the ;;nill\ persons it he conid h.ivc discox'cred who lhe\ were. I III mi;;! ,1 1 ion to Wisconsin w.is eomp.n.itiv el\' spe.ikui;; (pule l.n'm', and liie vill.i'M- ol Milw.iiikce ^lew (piite i.ipidU ill popiil.it loll. 1 lie oiiK' schools in the reiiiloiN lip to the lallol iS',^ wcic i>.iro( lii.il or pris.ite schools, and .istiie nuni heis ol the inh,d)itants increased il w.is deenuHl advisahle to loimda public sehool, ( )nc d.i\ (hniiif; tlie earlv f;dl, Mr. West was visited at his cl.iim by trustet^s and W.IS tendered the position ol piihlic school teacher In' them. lie ace.eitted and as soon , IS , I liiiildiii>;\v.is ei ected eiilered upon his duties, thus hei'oinin^ the first te. idler ol the liist puhl ic school (>l Wisconsin ICrritory. Mr. West w.is known .is •■the box te.icliei" because ol his \oulhful a)ip(nir- ance. I lis schol.iis niimiiered |ort\' dm iiii; the Inst xcir, but the next \c,ir liiey were mcre.ised b\ sesci.il new comers, .md lie then h.id ,in eiiidllmeiit ol sexcntw (.iboul one li.ill ol both sexes .is old .iiul oldei th.in liimsell.) riiere \\("H' not enoiiidi books to i;o lonnd .1111011;; the pupils, and si-.irceU' ,in\ two ol those avail- able were .dike. Moi.'ovei, no school books were to be li.ul ne.irer tli.iii iX'troit, a loni; journex dist.iiit, In the kikes. Ni_L;ht .liter ni^ht he l,d)ored in the school room until midmL^lit. sett iiil; copies lor the next d.iv, m.ikinj^ anil mending (pull pens lor the whole school, .md kiviii;; out t.isks lor the various elasses. 1 lis, re miiiici.ition vv.is s(>i> .1 month. In those d.ivs most men's vvurd w.is as ljooiI .is their bond, .md while te.ich lUi; school he w.is ollered ,1 (UU- h.ill section ckum lor soo. lie borrowed the inoiun' and inirch.ised it, !;iviii:.; \)o note to the lender, nor receiviui; anv .icknowl- ed',;meiit liom the seller. 1 he l.mds had nol been pi, iced upon s.ile bv the ( io\'- einment, ,md to jMotect themselves .ii^.iinst kind spi^eulators the pioneers orj^an- i cd .111 .isso( i.itioii .md Ir. lined l.iws lor their sell-proteetion, until the lands shiuild be bidiiidit into m.iiket. Owe ol the refill. it ions ot the "club kiws," re- ipiired .ill cl.imi holders to Ao <- y vvoith ot woik, within .1 ve.ir, ow e.ich (pi.uter- seetion held, iiiiless iiUMCth.in (Uie (pi.ii ter-secl ion ki\' m .1 bodv. m which c,is(- all tlu" woi k loi the .iddiliou.il ones ciuild be done (Ui any (UU' ol them, (^t'kiimants kKi'Ki':si';N-rA-ri\'i'; mI'.n oy iiik i'mi'I'-.h si'a'I'ks; Wisconsin voi.i'mi:. .| i _:^ were prntrrtrd to the amount of one sortinn f)f lanrl.) To fulfill this requirement, Mr. Wist, m llic I. ill (>( I'^.v'^, wi'iil u|)iin llic claini he had iiurcliascd while; t(;ach- ing school. Ik: baked up the last ol his lloui in liis cahin, and, addiu}^ mashed ])otatoes to tiie douj^h, i)al<{Hl bread of Hour and i)olaloi;s. Tying this in one end of a ba;.,' and placing his last piece of jioik in ihc olhcr, he tied the sack on the back- ol his Indian pon)', and traveling lhrou;.^h the woods reached his claim on K'oot river, twelve miles Iroiii l\\r. village of Milwaukee. Upon his arrival he slop])ed with a man known as "Pioneer" Sinilli, who had a claim near his, and from whom he had purchastid his claim, lie w.is lieartily welcomed by IVIr. Smith and invited to reside with him, and was informed that relatives of Mr. Smith, who had dw(;lt with him had been st.iived out and returned to Indiana, j'ioneer .Sinilli had just be<^un to use his pot,ito(;s, and their fare consisted c^l new ])ota- loes, and while it lasted, the bread and ])ork that Mr. West had brought with him. About that time the stock of Hour in Milwaukee i)ecamc exhausted and at no price could anv be obtained, and the inhabitants of the village and the surround- mg territory to a great extent, were forced to exist u]ion potatoes during tiie time of the gre.il Hour famine. l'"or two nioiUhs Mr. West and his com|)anions Listed no bread. I'he countr}- h.ad been cl(;ared of game by the Indi.ins and tluar only food was potatoes. One midnight in November two sons of a neighbor, a Kcn- luckian named Howard, who resided two miles distant and was their nearest neighbc>r, awakened them at their cabin about midnight and informed them that their father had returned from Milwaukee with a barrel of Hour, ;i car^o of which had arrived that afternoon, and that their mother was then baking bread and d(v sired them to come over and partake. They most willingly com|ilied, jum|)(;d out of bed and dressed with haste and thankfulness. Upon their arrival at the Howard home they found Mrs. Howard baking short cake in a tin reH(;ctor at the lire-place. As soon as one batch was baked, another was put in the reHector, and the half-famished beings ate the delicious food. Mr. West has always considered this the sweetest feast he ever attended. Mr. and .Mrs. llow.ard retired after sufficient bread had been eat(,'n, but the young peo|)le of the f;imily anrl Mr. West and Pioneer Smitli remained up all night holding a jollirieatioii over the short-cake. Flour at that time sold for $25 a barrel, but even at that price was exceedingly scarce for soine months, and if Mr. Howard had not happened to be in Milwaukee that very day, it is doubtful if his family or Mr. West would have tasted bread for another long period. Mr. Howard had gone to Milwaukee in the morning, driving through the timber with an ox team, arriving there about noon. A vessel was seen in the distance on the lake. All were on the alert for Hour, and had almost given up hojiing for the arrival of Captain Blake, who had promised to bring a cargo. Finally th(; vessel arrived in the bay, and it proved to be com- manded by Captain 131ake and loaded with Hour. The vessel had been carried by Milwaukee in a storm and put into (Chicago, where: Captain Blake had been of- fered a large profit on his cargo, but having i)romised to bring it to .Milwaukee he 414 BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY OF TIIK sailed back as soon as he could get out and gladdened the hearts of the residents of the village by his arrival. Mr. Howard knew that the flour would be all sold as soon as it arrived, and he therefore waited all day, until he found an oppor- tunity to purchase a barrel. Then he journeyed homeward at night through the timber, arriving after midnight. A full and complete history of the events of Mr. West's career, during the pioneer days, would of themselves fill a large volume. A few interesting incidents are herein cited to illustrate to future generations the hardships endured by the pioneers who laid the foundations of the great Northwestern empire. Pioneer Smith's cabin was a rudely constructed log house. It had two doors, one hung on hinges, the other placed loosely against the opening in the wall. A half barrel of pickles that had been put up by Mr. Smith's sister-in-law, before she and her husband returned to Indiana, was placed upon a bench against the door. Pioneer Smith was a religious man, and nightly fell on his knees and prayed to Almighty God. One night, while prostrated in the act of praying, a severe wind storm suddenly arose and carrying the door before it scattered the pickles and brine all over the floor. Mr. West jumped to his feet and said, "Pray on, Smith, and I'll pick up the pickles." Smith discontinued praying, got up, and sitting with his hands over his face said, "West, you're a hard case." Although provisions were expensive the cost was slight compared with the difficulty of transporting them to the claim. At one time, having purchased a barrel of flour for I25, Mr. West loaded it into an Indian canoe, and paddled it up the Menominee river; the canoe was capsized by the wind, the boat going one way and the barrel of flour the other, and Mr. West between them. Finding himself unable to save both the canoe and flour, he let the former go, and swimming with the barrel guided it down the stream. He was assisted out of the water, at Walker's Point, and reloading the barrel on an- other canoe, or Indian dugout, paddled up the Menominee. About a mile and a half below his cabin, his progress was interrupted by trees which had been thrown across the stream as bridges, and he was forced to land and carry his flour home. He had provided himself with a sack in Milwaukee, and carried the flour from the barrel to his claim, making three trips backward and forward, each time covering the barrel with boughs and leaves to hide it from the Indians. At another time he left an unopened barrel of flour at his home while he went away, and return- ing at night heard a crackling sound, which he believed was caused by Indians opening the barrel. Coming close, cautiously and silently, he discovered that wolves were breaking some bones that he had thrown out of his cabin door. In the fall of 1836, while Mr. West was at Walker's Point, an Indian who was on the eve of departure to a distant point became intoxicated, with his friends, and forced his attentions upon all who were about him. Mr. West was busy and being pressed for time refused to bother with him. The Indian became angry and abusive. Some bystanders called to Mr. West to look out, but before he could move away the Indian began stabbing him, inflicting three wounds, one in the REPKKSENTATIVIO MEN OF THE UNITED STATES; WISCONSIN VOLUME. 415 face, one in the body and one in the thigh, the latter a most serious wound sev- eral inches in length. The scars of these wounds are still visible. In 1837 Mr. West started out in charge of a surveying party, employed to operate in the western part of the Territory of Wisconsin. The party consisted of several men, and the provisions, tents, blankets and other utensils were carried on the back of Indian ponies; each pony was provided with an Indian pack-saddle. They proceeded along in Indian fashion, in single file. The pony in the rear was very heavily loaded with the provisions. They journeyed through dense timber without guides all day, until at dusk they reached the Fox river, at a point near what is now Mukwonago. The Fox river divided the timber from the prairie open- ings, and fording the stream they encamped on the west side of the river. When crossing at the ford the pony that carried the provisions was missed, and suppos- ing that it had merely stepped out of the trail to browse, a man was sent back to hunt it. He returned without discovering a trace of the lost animal. That night Mr. West and his company retired supperless. He carried with him for his po- nies some damaged cornmeal which he moistened and placed before them on the ground. The ponies sniffed at it but refused to eat it, mussing it some and then leaving it to eat the grass. They continued their journey the next day, leaving a man to find the pony and catch up with them. At night the man arrived and brought the doleful information that the pony was lost. This left no alternative but to return to Milwaukee. They started back, after being without food for two nights and two days. Arriving where they had camped the previous night, they gathered up from the ground the sour meal that the ponies had refused to eat, and mixing a dough therefrom, baked it and enjoyed their repast. When he reached Milwaukee Mr. West related his experiences to Solomon Juneau, the In- dian trader, whose wife was an Indian woman, and who was the Indians' con- fidant. Mr. Juneau sent out Indian runners to look for the pony, which proved to have been stolen. Mr. West offered a reward and a few days later an Indian came in and stated he had found a pony, which proved to be the one that had been stolen. The provisions and pack-saddle, however, had disappeared. It was afterward discovered that the Indians had hid in the thicket, and after the surveying com- pany had passed by them they caught the bridle of the last pony and took it with them. Mr. West made another start, and successfully surveyed the territory to which he was sent. In December, 1838, he started on an expedition and had arrived at a point near where Fort Atkinson is now located, when he was severely attacked with rheuma- tism, so started to walk back to Milwaukee and being anxious to reach there as soon as possible traveled quite late into the night, guiding himself by the stars, through the forest and over the prairies. He had proceeded to within five or six miles of where Waukesha is now built, when he heard the report of a gun. Being unable t