USA > Wisconsin > An illustrated history of the state of Wisconsin : being a complete civil, political, and military history of the state, from its first exploration down to 1875 > Part 57
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In any community, Mrs. Fairchild | west of the Mississippi River, where would have been looked upon as a re- they made their home in the Spanish province of Upper Louisiana, in 1796, eight years anterior to its purchase by Thomas Jefferson. markabie person. There was in her a mingled dignity and grace of bearing, a blended repose and force of charac- ter, a firmness of purpose, an energy She was married in the Bonhomme Settlement, St. Louis County, Mo., In March, 1801, to Henry Dodge, with whom she lived until her death, - a period of sixty-five years. She was the mother of thirteen children, nine of whom (seven daughters and two sons) attained mature years. and perseverance mingied with a prac- tical good sense and tact, and, withal, an Indefatigable watchfulness for all who came within the large range of her acquaintance and benevolence, which are rarely combined in so high a degree In any one individual. Hardly any other person known to the citizens Mrs. Dodge endured all the priva- tlons, sufferings, and dangers incident to a residence upon the extreme fron- tier of the North-west, then constantly menaced by Indian hostillties. of Madison seemed as constantly to express in the daily round of life, though she never uttered it in words, that famous sentiment of the Roman poet, "I am a human being; and noth- ing that is human do I deem foreign to me."
And through all the long weeks of her severe and prostrating sickness. until the power of voluntary control over mental action ceased, nothing, it is said, was more remarkable than the clearness and exactness of her thoughts, except the constancy with which those thoughts were directed to the comfort and welfare of others, even in those minute matters of which one in her condition could hardly be expected to think at all.
She died at the residence of the family in Madison, about noon, on Sunday, Oct. 21, 1867, in the sixty-fifth year of her age.
Prof. Conover, writing of this noble lady, says, "But it is vain in this brief notice to attempt to do its subject justice. Bound to her by no tie of kindred, bound only by that unfailing kindness, that thoughtful good-will, which, for more than sixteen years, fol- lowed him and his, as it followed so many others, the writer cannot deal In studicd eulogy, still less in cool analy- sis of character. He remembers only, that in that genial and hospitable home, where, like others, he has so often sought comfort and society in hours of trial or of loneliness, a stately and ven- erated form will never again rise to cx- tend to him the cordial greeting; and, so remembering, he is silenced by a pang of personal grief."
MRS. GOV. HENRY DODGE. - Promi- nent among the early settlers of Wis- consin is the wife of cx-Gov. Henry Dodge, who was born Feb. 2, 1785, near Bardstown, Nelson County, Ky. She was the daughter of James McDonald. When eleven years of age, she, with MRS. CORDELIA A. P. HARVEY. - her father and his family, emigrated | Perhaps there is no name in Wisconsin
In the ever-varying fortunes of her ploneer husband, the rude log-cabin and stockade-fort were, during many ycars, the places of her abode. Often has she fled with her children to some neighboring "block-house" for safety and protection from the savage foe, known to spare neither age, sex, nor condition.
Nearly fifty years ago, she migrated from Missouri to Wisconsin, ascending the Mississippi at a time when the jour- ney (now one of two or three days) oc- cupied more than a month; the primi- tive craft in which she travelled being propelled by the hands of the Canadian boatmen of that day.
Possessed of a serene disposition, of calmness and courage, she exhibited under all the trials of life singular resignation and tranquillity. Of a con- templative and serious mind, she be- camc, early in life, a professor of rell- gion, and ever after, both by precept and example, adhered to the cause of the Saviour with increasing zeal and faith.
It may be truly said that her life was like a placid strcam flowing smoothly on until it was lost in the ocean of eternity.
Mrs. Dodge died after a short illness, In the city of Burlington, Io., March 30, 1865, in the cighty-first year of her age.
The circumstances attending her death were calculated to soothe her dying moments. She was surrounded by her devoted husband, by children, grandchildren, and kind friends. She died as she had lived, calmly and quietly; and without a pang, a groan, or a struggle, her soul ascended to the God who gave it.
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so honored, or held in such deep affec- tion, as that of HARVEY,-esteemed be- cause it represents that which is noble, brave, and true in man and in woman,- esteemed not only by the citizens of the State, or by the courageous soldiers, or by the young men and women, but by the little children, the hope of the fu- ture, the orphans of our "boys in blue." Our lamented ex-governor, Louis P. Harvey, went South soon after the battle at Shiloh. The object of his jour- ney was to furnish Wisconsin soldiers with army supplies and medical aid. That he was unselfish, and thoughtfui for the welfare of others, may be seen by the letter dated two days previous to his death, and which proved to be the last one written to his wife :-
PITTSBURG LANDING, April 17, 1862. DEAR WIFE, - Yesterday was the day of my life. Thank God for the impulse that brought me here. I am well, and have done more good by coming than I can well teil you. In haste,
LOUIS.
This letter reveals the nobility of Mr. Harvey's character better than any analysis which we might be able to make. At Savannah, on his return home, as he was about to pass from one boat to another, his foot slipping. he fell, and was drowned. As the cold waves of the Mississippi swept over his beloved form, the cold waves of sorrow swept over the heart of his honored wife, Increasing in scope until aii the people of the State were ingulfed in gioom.
Since those not personally acquainted with him mourned his untimely death so sincerely, how can words express the grief of his almost constant com- panion ! Her love, her pride, her joy, was gone. In a moment, the lightof her life went out, - went in the fulness of its glory. O ye women to whom strong love is so vital, and who have been similarly bereft! ye only can sympa- thize with Mrs. Harvey. For a time, she succumbed to her deep grief; but when its strength had partially worn away, knowing her life must stili continue, it is only natural that the question should revoive itself In her mind as to the object of life. While in this state of mind, she began to feel the whole import of her husband's character, of which his letter to her was but an index. These feelings influenced her, till it became a settled
conviction that she must rise up, and finish the work Mr. Harvey had so nobly commenced, - of caring for the Wisconsin soldiers. With her, to will was to act. Her bereavement had much to do in preparing her for the work in which she was to engage.
Early in the fall of 1862, Gov. Salo- mon cordially granted her request to act as one of the sanitary agents of the State, in order that she might visit the sick and wounded soldiers from Wis- consin in the military hospitals of the Western Department. The work was entirely new, and one in which intelli- gent and worthy women had sometimes utterly failed.
The complete and thorough system, which, at the ciose of the war, charac- terized our entire medical department, was not then in force. Surgeons In- competent from drink, or lack of edu- cation, were found in many hospitais. Though the delicacy of the situation impressed Itself on her mind, she was not long in arriving at a pertinent con- ciucion of the proper course to pursue. Accordingly she went to St. Louis. While there, she made her home at the house of George Partridge, Esq., a member of the Western Sanitary Com- mission. On the 26th of September, Mrs. Harvey called on and was kindly received by Dr. Mills, the United States Medical Director. She visited hospitals in Fifth Street and at Benton Barracks, and found them crowded with men from the camps and the battle-fields of Missouri and Tennessee. As she glided from cot to cot, ministering to those dear boys whose paie faces were turned wistfully toward her, and who, though not inured to hardship, had volunteered in the first flush of enthusiasm, her kind heart was irresistibly drawn to them by the invisible cords of sym- pathy.
Just after the First Wisconsin Cavairy had returned to Cape Giradeau from their terrible raid through the swamps of Arkansas, she received news of great suffering at that place. In seeing them, she could not repel the thought, which thrust itself continually before her, of the time when she and her nobie hus- band had together reviewed them in Wisconsin, when the regiment was re- piete in numbers, and stood erect in the glow of health and maniy pride, but now was so sadly reduced. The hos- pitals were crowded, and the means in- adequate for supplying the necessary aid. They had nothing to subsist upon but the common army rations. She
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telegraphed to Mr. Yeatman, president of the Western Sanitary Commission, and in two days received abundant supplies.
Soon after her return to St. Louis, she went to Wisconsin to give proper directions to the ladies who were mak- ing efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the soldiers. In October Mrs. Harvey revisited the hospitals. She did all in her power to comfort them, writing to their friends, and procuring discharges for those who were in a dying condi- tion, and were unfit for service. With a heart burdened by grief, but with a cheerful countenance, she went where attendants refused, and surgeons were affrighted, to go. Her forgetfulness of self was truly wonderfui. Once con- vinced that her object was just, she left no honorable means untried to secure it. When surgeons could not be flattered or coaxed, she administered a gentle threat, or gave an intimation that higher officials might learn of the report.
In visiting Ironton, during the latter part of October, she found the Eleventh Regiment to be suffering from ma- larious diseases, contracted while at Helena, Ark., and other posts. One patient, a mere youth, a member of Company A, remarked, when he heard of Mrs. Harvey's arrival, "My turn will soon come; for she'll get me my furlough." The furiongh did come the next day. The poor iad, on hear- ing It, said, "God bless her! Thank God ! I'm going home." He turned his face to the wall; and he who seemed so strong was at home in a half-hour's time with his Father in heaven. This dying soldier but expressed the senti- ment which pervaded the hearts of all our boys, - "God bless her!"
She returned to St. Louis Nov. 1, when the surgeon in charge' of the hospitals wrote to Gov. Salomon com- mending her efforts. During the same month, while she was at Cape Gi- rardeau, Gen. Curtis gave her permis- sion to visit all the hospitals in his command, with an order to quarter- masters and transportation companies to afford her and her sanitary articles transmission. One hundred men were found sick at Memphis; and for many of these she procured discharges. She went next to Helena, St. Louis, Rolla, Ironton, and early in February, 1863, to Memphis, from which place she directed a letter to the governor, urging him to establish a hospital there. In a letter to him, she said, "We have a
great many sick and wounded here; and to-morrow I commence visiting the hospitals. I feel that I can do great good here. I am very well, and shall labor with delight; for I know just what to do, and where to go, the authorities are so willing to ald me."
Finding no Wisconsin men sick at Co- rinth, she visited Jackson, La Grange, Memphis, and, in March, Vicksburg, where she went to see Gen. Grant, and was successful in securing the issue of orders to send patients having chronic diarrhea to Northern hospitals; and another to clear out the convalescent camp at Memphis, discharging those unfit for service, sending others to their regiments, and appointing medi- cal inspectors to every army corps who should have full power to discharge disabled men. The United States Sani- tary Commission gave an order to Mrs. Harvey for all necessary supplies, and one hundred dollars to be used every month for the benefit of soldiers, ac- cording to her judgment.
In the spring of 1863 Young's Point, across the river from Vicksburg, was the limit of uninterrupted navigation; and much sickness was induced by the high water covering the low lands. After a few weeks' labor, Mrs. Harvey herself was taken seriously ill with the terrible miasma, and returned North, spending the summer in Wisconsin and New York.
Her next work was to carry into execution her plan of establishing gen- eral hospitals in the North. For the most part, this work was received with very little favor by the high officials. In September, after securing the co- operation of Gov. Salomon and others, she went to Washington, and made her plea in person to the President. She obtained a few interviews with the much-honored Mr. Lincoln, which finally terminated by granting a Gen- eral Hospital to Wisconsin. It was located in Madison. The United States Government purchased the building which was erected for a residence by ex-Gov. Farwell, and converted it into the widely-known "Harvey Hospital." As a sample of the good which the Harvey Hospital did for our soldiers, the first instance might be cited. Out of the one hundred men which were sent from Fort Pickering, a convales- cent camp, only seven died, and five were discharged; and the remainder returned to active service.
Early in October, Mrs. Harvey re- turned to Memphis, and in November,
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under Gov. Salomon's instructions, went to Vicksburg, and made that place her headquarters. Her field of operation was from Memphis to New Orleans, and to such points on each side of the river where Wisconsin regi- ments were stationed, or where Wis- consin, men were to be found in hospi- tals. She remained at Vicksburg until June, 1865, when she returned to Wis- consin, and interested herself in the establishment of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home. In 1866 the State bought the Harvey Hospital for ten thousand dol- lars. The amount received by sub- scription for its support was nearly thirteen thousand dollars. Mrs. Har- vey, with a temporary board of in- struetors, opened the institution. She was made the first superintendent; and, at the time the State took pos- session, eighty-four orphans were ad- mitted. Mrs. Harvey resigned her position May 1, 1807. Her native home is Barre, Orleans County, N.Y. Her work began in sadness, but was crowned with joy. Truly God blesseth every good work; and may our eoun- try be made happy by the efforts of many sueh noble, Christlike charac- ters !
MRS. ANNEKE. - Madame Anneke is a German fady, whose superior talent and culture, whose varied and remarka- ble life, and many publie works, have won for her an enviable popularity and distinetion among her country men and women, both in Europe and America. In very early life she became much en- gaged in literary pursuits, and inter- ested herself in politieal affairs.
During the German troubles of 1848, her husband, who was a Prussian offi- cer, espoused the cause of the revoiu- tionists, and became a powerful leader of the party, which he served on many a battle-field. In this work the young wife heartily sympathized; and she, too, rendered the patriots powerful aid. When, at length, her husband was captured and imprisoned, under sen- tence of death, in Cologne, where he lay for nearly a year, Madame Anneke removed the furniture and earpets from her pariors, and, bringing in a printing- press, edited a paper in the interest of the revolution. In this way, she con- tinued to fabor, until, her party losing ground, she was forced to abandon her work, and fly for safety. Leaving her children with trusty servants, she now hastened to join her husband, who had in the mean time been liberated, in the field. She took a place on his staff, of foreigners may learn English, and all
which Carl Schurz was also a member. She served in this capacity until the close of the struggle. She has seen many battle-fields, and has been in the thickest of the fray, doing a soldier's duty by day, and sleeping on the field, by the feet of her trusty steed, at night.
When the revolutionists were finally overpowered, she, with her family and others, sought a refuge in Franee; but, owing to the chaotic condition of affairs there, this proved.an unsafe asylum, and the fugitives were forced to flee for life to Switzerland. Here, again, they found themselves unprotected, and were obliged to fly for safety. It was now decided that the party should seek a refuge in America; and they eame hither nearly twenty-five years ago. Madame Aimeke, having made, with her children (her husband pre- ceded her), the then tedious journey from New York to Milwaukee, soon busied herself lecturing to the Germans upon the recent struggle, and the con- dition of affairs in the Old Country. She was one of the carliest workers for the cause of enfranchisement of women in this country, and twenty-one years ago advocated the reform both in her writings and public lectures. She re- peatedly addressed large assemblies in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia on this subject, and for years eon- tinued the work in the various cities and towns where many Germans were gathered.
She addressed the American Equal Rights Association, in her own lan- guage, at the anniversary in New York, in 1852. But this is not all. She sub- sequently edited and published a paper in the interest of this reform, called the "Frauen Zeitung," or " Woman's Gazette." This paper was first pub- fished in Milwaukee, and afterwards removed to New York. After three years of severe editorial labor, she was compelled, by ili health, to abandon the enterprise. Subsequently she went to Europe with an American fady to whom she was devotedly attached. Seeking a quiet rural home in Switz- erland, the friends spent four delight- fui years in literary pursuits, only breaking the monotony by occasional short trips to Paris and the German heights. Several volumes of poems and drama were published as the re- salts of their labors. Returning to the United States, she established in Milwaukee, about nine years since, an academy for young ladies, where
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may be instructed in the French, Ger- man, and Latin tongues.
Here Madame Anneke may be found daily, superintending the education of a large company of young ladies, among whom are her own daughters; and it Is easy to see that she who has suffered so many reverses of fortune, who has served her country in peace and in war, is also the thorough scholar, the successful teacher, and the gifted, ac- complished lady. She is still devoted, heart and soul, to the enfranchisement of woman; and the cause has much to hope from her influence, especially with those of her own nationailty, whom she constantly addresses by tongue and pen.
MRS. MARY J. RUSK. - Prominent among the ladies of Viroqua was Mrs. Mary J. Rusk, the first wife of Gen. J. M. Rusk, and the youngest daughter of Abraham Martin. She was born in Perry County, O., in 1832. In 1849 she was married to J. M. Rusk. They came to Wisconsin in 1853, and settied at Viroqua, Badaye County, now known as Vernon County. Their two children, a son and a daughter, have both gradu- ated from the State University of Wis- consin. The son, L. J. Rusk, has just been admitted to the bar in La Crosse. The daughter, Charity A. Rusk, resides with her father in Viroqua.
Mrs. Rusk was medium in size, and a lady of remarkable beauty. Possessing finely-moulded features, and dark hair and eyes, with a very fair complexion, she could not avoid the admiration given her. Being charitable and hos- pitable, she retained the highest esteem of her neighbors. Her manner was natural and enlivening. One would not remain long in the presence of Mrs. Rusk withont noting the genial disposition, the amiability of char- acter, and the happy biending of many good qualities. Combining these natu- ral graces of the physical and mental systems, which she possessed to so eminent a degree, she could not be otherwise than a valuable acquisition to society, and a beloved wife and mother.
Mrs. Rusk died about seven years after her marriage, at her residence, in Viroqua, in January, 1856. She was not a member of any church, though a firm believer in the principles of Christianity. She died sincerely mourned by a large concourse of friends and relatives, and especially by her bereaved husband and her atiliet- ed little ones.
Mns. ELIZA SALOMON. - During the war, and while the patriotic sentiment raged and spread rapidly over our State, an accomplished and cultured woman might have been seen quietly seated in her own parlors, seeking no prominence, but working faithfully and diligentiy for our " boys in blue." This brave woman, about whom is no ostentatious display, is Mrs. Eliza Salomon. Her home was in our me- tropolis, Milwaukee. Her efforts were characterized by generosity and in- dustry. Both she and her husband were of German descent; and they rendered much assistance to the Ger- man soldiers who were fighting for their adopted homes.
In 1861 Mr. Salomon was elected lieutenant-governor on the same ticket that the lamented Louis Harvey was eieeted governor. On the death of Gov. Harvey, in April, 1862, Lieut .- Gov. Salomon took his place, and served out the remainder of the term, -twenty-one months.
The work of the wife, as well as the husband's, now ay in a broader field. From this time, all the soldiers of Wis- consin, without regard to nationality, received sustenance from her. This nobie work engrossed nearly hier whole time, both at home and abroad. She ac- companied her husband wherever duty and Inclination ealled him to look after the soldiers. Vicksburg was visited, and at a time when it was exceedingly dangerous; for the guerillas swarmed the Mississippi, and often fired into the vessel, but fortunately did no harm. The soldiers at this place were found to be suffering extremely. Though there was much work to be done in Vicksburg, and though her time was limited, she was enabled to do much of it.
She visited the hospitals of Indiana, Illinois, St. Louis, Missouri, and of other places where lay our sick and wounded men. Her quiet and firm, but cheerful manner, made her numerous warm and lasting friends. Many a soldler is happy in testifying of her generosity in friendship and in finan- cial matters.
At the first Sanitary Fair heid in Chicago, Mrs. Salomon's energy and ambition caused her to institute a Ger- man department. Contributions of needle and handiwork were received from the German ladies of Wisconsin and Chicago. The whole pian proved to be highly successful ; for the receipts amounted to full six thousand dollars.
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Mr. Salomon's public dutles were over in January, 1864; but Mrs. Salo- mon's public duties were not over till the close of the war. She had found her field, and bravely did she work In it; and many a man has lived to rise from a bed of sickness, and pralse her unselfish zeal.
Though her home is in New York City, where her husband is engaged in the legal profession, " we still count them as ours; for they were one with us in our great affliction."
ELLA WHEELER. - The charming young poetess, who has, at the early age of twenty-four years, already won a conspicuous place in the literary annals of Wisconsin, was born In the town of Johnstown, Rock County, Wis., in November, 1850. Her father ( Marcus H. Wheeler) and her mother (whose maiden name was Sarah Pratt) were from Vermont, and emigrated to this State In 1849, and settled first at Johns- town. When Ella was about one year old, they moved to the town of West- port, Dane County, Wis., where they still reside. Ella's opportunities for education were almost wholly limited to the district school; and, with the ex- ception of a single term in the State University, this was the only Institu- tion of learning she has ever attended. She learned very rapidly, and, of course, soon ran through with all the branches taught in the common school. Her poetic genius began to display it- self at an early age; and in her fif- teenth year she wrote several pieces which were published, and attracted considerable attention. Before she had reached her twentieth year, she had be- come a welcome contributor to such first-class papers as " Harper's Weekly," Leslie's publications, and the " Phila- delphia Post."
It may be proper, perhaps, in this connection, to give a brief history of the circumstances under which she became a paid contributor to the first- named paper. She had sent several of her poems to the editor of "Harper's Weekly," all of which had been re- jected. In the mean time, one of her contributions to the " Philadelphia Post" attracted the attention of an English magazine, and was deemed worthy of being copled; but her name was dropped from it. And in this anonymous form It went the rounds of the press, and at last found its way Into the poet's corner of "Har- per's Weekly." Having made the discovery of this fact, Miss Wheeler
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