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 60
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In the fall of 1858, while he was yet governor, Mr. Farwell and Miss Corss were united in marriage, and settled at once in a new residence that had been erected the summer before on a point on the shore of Lake Mendota some seven miles from the city. All resl- dents of that day remember the great pleasure they experienced in calling upon the happy couple in their new home, and the cordial reception with which the dark-eyed, stately bride and her noble husband greeted them. For many years they resided in Madison and at their country home; and wher- ever she was, in her own house, or in any social gathering, Mrs. Farwell was the object of attraction and respect. Always agreeable, amiable, and lady- like, she won the esteem of all wlio be- came acquainted with her; and it was a deep source of regret to her many friends when circumstances rendered it necessary that her residence here should be terminated for a time; but all had hoped her absence would be ouly temporary. But this was not to be.
After a long and painful Illness, she died in the city of Washington, on Sunday morning. March 15, 1868, aged only thirty-seven years. She left a husband and three children. Their loss is irreparable; for, as a wife and mother, she was a model. As a daugh- ter, sister, and friend, she was highly beloved. Her pleasant smile, genial manners, and Christian example, are removed from thein forever; but mem- ory will cause them to be cherished fondly and kindly in the ininost re- cesses of the heart.
MRS. DOROTHEA G. DODGE. - The subject of this sketch was born and
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educated in Windsor County, Vermont. Her maiden name was Pierce. At the age of eighteen she was married to John Dodge, and soon after, on Aug. 7, 1837, started, in company with fourteen oth- ers, for the wilderness of Wisconsin, taking with them seven horses and two covered wagons.
They arrived at the place now known as Vernon, Waukesha County, Wis., Sept. 13, having been thirty-seven days making the journey. Here she met her husband, who the year previous had come West, and built a log-cabin, twelve by fourteen feet, on Section 27, Town 5, north in range 19 east, afterward named Vernon. On the first night after her arrival, twenty-seven slept in the same log-house, finding sleep wher- ever and whenever it could be found; but on the following day some of the party left for other claims. At this time, flour sold for twenty-nine dollars per barrel, and pork for twenty-two dollars per barrel: they, however, lived mostly on potatoes, turnips, and white beans, until crops could be raised ; and were without butter until the follow- ing spring.
Years passed by, and the rude log- cabin gave way to better and more commodious buildings, and many im- provements have been added to their farm. It was here that her children were born, and here where her loving, kind, and noble husband died.
Mrs. Dodge, and the ladies who accompanied her, were probably the first settlers in the place, where she has resided for a period of over thirty-seven years, and still resides, beloved and re- spected by all who know her.
MRS. MARIA LOUISA MILLS. - Prominent among the early settlers of Madison is Mrs. Maria Louisa Mills, the wife of Gen. Simeon Mills, and a daughter of Church Smith. She was born in Sandisfield. Berkshire County, Mass., on May 21, 1815. Her early edu- cation was acquired at this place. When she was about twelve years of age, her father removed with his fam- ily to Austinburg, Ashtabula County, O., where she resided at the time of her marriage. In 1834 she was mar- ried to Simeon Mills. They made their first home in Jefferson, the county-seat of Ashtabula County. Here they re- sided till they located in Madison, in June, 1838, at which time the entire population of Dane County consisted of about four families. They came by steamer from Northern Ohio to Mil- wankee: from there, Mrs. Mills and
| her sister - now Mrs. Gen. George De- laplaine of the latter place - rode on the top of a wagon-load of goods. The journey was long and exceedingly te- dious ; and the positions the ladies were obliged to assume could not be the most comfortable. The route was cir- enitous; and between Janesville and Madison, a distance of about forty miles, there was no house or road. They were three days on their journey, and camped out two nights, during which time they were sufficiently an- noyed by the mosquitoes. In those days, the whole country was sparsely populated; and a visit to a near neigli- bor would often Involve a ride of from twenty to forty miles. At the present time, there is but one woman in Madi- son or in Dane County who was here at the time Mrs. Mills came; and she is Mrs. Prosper Bird. On their arrival at this place, Mrs. Mills kept a few board- ers, and quite respectably too, though often without eggs, milk, or butter.
Mrs. Mills's children were born in Madison, two of whom are buried there. She has one son and two daughters living.
In speaking of her pioneer life, Mrs. Mills says, "I came, expecting to make my home in Madison; and not for a moment have I been homesick." This remark illustrates her strength of pur- pose, or, in other words, the remarkable force of her character. And this force, this energy, is the special feature which predominates in her temperament. Even in her childhood, when her health was exceedingly delicate, she was very active. Full of life, anima- tion, and enterprise, she infuses the same element in the company with which she mingles. Her mental at- tainments are good, and her conversa- tion ready and interesting.
In early life she united with the church then known as "The Chris- tians," or "The Church of Christ," but perhaps better known now as "The Disciples." Being a firm be- liever in Christianity, she has ineul- cated In her children the same prin- ciples which form such an attractive feature of her character. She is strict- ly domestle, industrious, and frugal in her habits, and never makes any pre- tensions to publicity. Given more to constant diligence than to gayety, she presides as mistress of her own house- hold. One so enshrined in the hearts of her Immediate family-circle cannot fail in having the esteem and regard of her neighbors and friends.
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Possessing the characteristic traits | ly dignity that marked her manners and conversation.
depicted here, Mrs. Mills could not be other than well fitted for pioneer work. She and her husband still live in the home of their early choice, Madison, - the city " 'tween the lakelets."
MRS. HENRIETTA L. COLT. - Mrs. Colt was born March 16, 1812, in Rens- selaerville, Albany County, N.Y. She was educated in a seminary at Albany, and married, in 1830, to Joseph S. Colt, Esq., a man well known through- out the State. Mr. Colt was a member of the Albany bar, and practised his profession there until 1853, when he removed to Milwaukee. Residing there for three years, he returned to New York, where he died, leaving an hon- ored name.
Mrs. Colt felt her loss keenly; but it aided in preparing her to devote her . entire energies to the cause of the country during the late Rebellion. The following extract of a letter written by her shows the state of her mind at that time: -
"The sun seemed to me to go out in darkness when he went to the skies. Shielding me from every want, from all care, causing me to breathe a con- tinual atmosphere of refinement and love and happiness, when he went, life lost its beauty and its charm. In this state of things, it was to me as a di- vine gift, a real godsend, to have a chance for earnest, absorbing work. The very first opportunity was seized to throw myself into the work for my country, which had called its stalwart sons to arms to defend its integrity, its liberty, its very existence, from the most gigantic and wicked rebellion known in history."
Mrs. Colt became an active member of the Wisconsin Soldiers' Aid Society. Leaving her home to minister to the Federal soldiers, she went in the lios- pital steamers, as far as Vicksburg, to visit the camp and regimental hospitals around that beleaguered city, and often sent sanitary supplies for the sick and wounded Union soldiers until the close of the war. One on board a steamer passing towards Vicksburg noticed the characteristic traits of a party of ladies who were on their way to carry sanitary stores to those needing them. Of Mrs. Colt, he remarked her intelligence, Upon the re-organization of the Wis- consin Soldiers' Aid Society, in 1861, Mrs. Colt was chosen corresponding secretary. She aided the society very materially; for, in visiting the soldiers in various localities, she was enabled her purity of character, the beautiful blending of her religious and patriotic tendencies, the gentleness and tender- ness with which she gave encourage- ment and sympathy to the sick soldier, and the spirit of humanity and woman- | to make their wants known. Her de-
Under the care of the surgeons, she, with Mrs. Hoge, improvised a hospital of the steamer on which they went, that came up from Vicksburg loaded with wounded men. She made her second visit when Gen. Grant was re- newing the siege of Vicksburg. An extract from one of her letters says, -
"I visited the south-western hos- pitals in order to see the benefits really conferred by the Sanitary Commission, in order to stimulate supplies at home. Such was my story, or the effect of it, that Wisconsin became the most pow- erful auxiliary of the north-western branch of the United States Sanitary Commission. I have visited seventy- two hospitals, and would find it diffi- cult to choose the most remarkable among the many heroisms I every day witnessed.
"I was more impressed by the gen- tleness and refinement that seemed to grow up and in the men when suffer- ing from horrible wounds, than by any thing else. It seemed always to me that the sacredness of the cause for which they offered up their lives gave to them a heroism almost super- human; and the sufferings caused an almost womanly refinement among the coarsest men. I have never heard a word, nor seen a look, that was not respectful and grateful.
"I know now that love of country is the strongest love, next to the love of God, given to man."
Much good was done by the visits of Mrs. Colt to the sick and wounded of our army; and much benefit resulted in their effect upon the people at home, in rousing them to new endeavors. When the governor of Wisconsin gave her an appointment to visit the Army of the Cumberland, and see, person- ally, all sick Wisconsin men, she ren- dered them a service of great value. She went under the escort of Rev. J. P. T. Ingraham, and saw each one of them in the hospital. After her return, the recital of their heroic en- durance stimulated exceedingly the generosity of the people.
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scription of their sufferings was re- 'mean time, a public house. The lated with such simple pathos, that "Resiqu House " entertained guests at the same time. Not a stone, or piece of wood, or indentation of soil, marks either of these building-spots. The last known of Mrs. and Mr. Wil- son is that they returned East. large contributions were given to the society. She was an efficient worker during the whole war, and labored with entire devotion and great self- sacrifice. Her home is still in Mil- waukee.
MRS. GARDNER WILSON .- This lady was the first white woman who lived in the place now known as Kenosha. Her native place was Otsego County, New York. Her husband arrived there, with two other meu, Monday, June 15, 1835; four of their acquaintances reaching there the previous day. The most of these persons were desir- ous to look up a new home for them- selves on their own individual ac- count. They had no tools with which to construct temporary shelter, so en- camped for several days on the north side of the harbor, and in the place which is now known as second ward. They had no cooking-implements: so Mr. Bacon, who performed the duties of steward, dug, with lis knife, a trench into a tree, in which place he stored meat and other articles, as they were taken from the fire, and from which place each man helped him- self.
The first double teams that came to Kenosha arrived on Sunday, June 21, 1835. There were two wagons, to one of which was attached a span of horses, and to the other three yoke of oxen. With these came Mrs. Gardner Wilson, Jonathan Pierce, Orrin Je- rome, and Nelson Catliffe. On the day after the arrival of these teams, the party commenced an erection of a building where Main and Union Streets now intersect each other, in second ward. This was the first building put up in Kenosha; and it resembled an Indian wigwam more than a house. The sides were laid up with poles, in- stead of logs; while the roof and floor were made of bark.
For the first two weeks after the arrival of Mrs. Wilson, she used one of the wagons as a sleeping-apartment, Her health grew poor in the latter years of her life; but she bore her suf- ferings so patiently and silently, that her physical pain was never realized by her friends. She died at the age of fifty-six, on March 7, 1874, at her resi- dence, in Black Earth. She was a firm believer in the principles of Chris- tianity, to whose doctrines slie ad- hered to the close of her life, remark- ing in her last moments, to those and cooked out of doors. Her table was made of split logs; and the cook- ing-implements and the other furni- ture were of the same primitive char- acter. Mrs. Wilson lived afterwards in a log-house, which was erected by her husband on the lake-shore, op- posite the northern end of the island. This was the third building that was built. She and her husband lived here for several years, keeping, in the | around her, " My work is finished, and
MRS. DORCAS HAZELTINE. - This ploneer woman was born in Andover, Windsor County, Vt., about the year 1829. Here she was educated, and resided with her parents until the time of her marriage.
Her maiden name was Pierce; and, at the age of nineteen she was mar- ried to Mr. O. B. Hazeltine, a resident of the same State. Soon after their marriage, they left Vermont, and came to Wisconsin, then known as a wilder- ness in the distant West, arriving here on the 13th of September, 1838. They located in Vernon, Waukesha County.
The writer, who has known her long and intimately, has often heard her speak of her pleasant wedding-tour, riding in covered wagons, instead of in palace cars. She was an enthusi- astic lover of Nature; and her journey was especially delightful, as it was made in the summer time of the sea- sons, and in the summer time of her existence. On their arrival at their destination, they lived in covered wagons until a log-house could be erected. During the first year they enjoyed no luxuries; for their living consisted largely of buckwheat-meal. They resided at this place until 1848, when they removed to Black Earth, Dane County, Wis., a village consisting of two or three log-houses. She was the mother of seven children, all of whom were born in this State, -five at Vernon, and two at Black Earth.
As a mother, she was the kindest and most self-sacrificing; as a wife, she was the truest and the best; as a friend, she was the most faithful and devoted. Like a ministering angel, she carried comfort to the sick and to the sorrowing, though her own heart was burdened by the heaviest of grief.
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I want to go to sleep, and wake up in | first year of her age. In compliance heaven." with her wishes, her remains were con- veyed to Mackinac for interment.
Mrs. Hazeltine was a very Intelligent lady, and her literary taste caused her to choose for her companions the best authors of the time, with whose works she became familiar.
MRS. ORLINA M. LEWIS. - The maiden name of Mrs. Orlina M. Lewis, wife of ex-Gov. James L. Lewis, was Sturges. She was born May 20, 1825, at Clarendon, Orleans County, N.Y. She was educated at Leroy Female Seminary, though her earlier knowl- edge was acquired in Clarendon. For several years she was engaged in teach- ing at Albion Academy, in Western New York. She was married to her present husband July 23, 1846. Soon after this marriage, they removed to Columbus, Wis., where they have since resided. They have had four children.
Mrs. Lewis is medium in height, but presides over her household with a great deal of decision. She is a blonde. Should a person unacquainted with Mrs. Lewis engage in conversation with her for a few moments, he would be sure to notice that energy was one of the principal traits of her character. She is a member of the Methodist- Episcopal church, and is a good, con- sistent Christian, wife, and mother.
MRS. THERESE SCHINDLER. - Ma- dame Therese Schindler was born at "Old Mackinac," Mich., in the year 1775. She was a lineal descendant of the principal chief of the Ottawa Nation. Most of her early life was passed at St. Josephs, Mich. She was a resident of the Island of Mackinac from 1805 to 1853, when she removed to Green Bay. During her eventful life, she experienced many eventful changes, and witnessed, what but few persons have seen, five generations (herself the first) assembled at one time in her lake-home on the Island of Mackinac. Her nearest lineal de- scendant is her grand-daughter, the wife of Hon. Henry S. Baird. Her traits of character were amiable and ennobling. She was a woman of no scholarly attainments, but had power- ful mental endowments, and a remark- able memory.
She died Oct. 31, 1855, in the eighty- | home.
MRS. MARIA BARSTOW. - She was born in Salem, Mass. Her maiden name was Quarles. Her father was among the first settlers of Wisconsin, having moved, with his family, to Kenosha (then Southport) in 1837. But few had found their way to this place; and every thing was in a most primitive state. There were no church edifices; but, on each returning sab- bath, all rallied for worship in an old log schoolhouse; and there were no com- fortable residences nor sidewalks, but plenty of sand, through which one literally waded. The stopping of a steamboat, previously heralded by the cry of "Steamboat, ahoy!" was a most exciting event, and caused every heart to thrill with expectancy. Men, women, and children would rush to the beach to see the new-comers, who were brought ashore in a small boat sent for that purpose. There were a few enterprising, public-spirited men in the little town, and, under their auspices, it soon assumed considera- ble importance. In 1844 Miss Quarles was married to W. A. Barstow, who at that time was living in Prairieville (now calledWaukesha) ; and, for several years after their marriage, this beauti- ful town was their home. Subse- quently they moved to Madison, and, after a few years' residence, removed to Janesville, where they remained until after the opening of the war. During the autumn of 1861, and the winter following it, Mr. Barstow raised a cavalry regiment, which left Janes- ville, in March, 1862. Mrs. Barstow accompanied him, and was with him a portion of the time during his term of service. On the 3d of May, 1865, she parted from him at St. Louis; and the 'good-by" proved to be a final one. Mr. Barstow died Dec. 13, 1865, of a chronic disease. His wife was sum- moned, but unfortunately too late to see him. The remains of Mr. Barstow were taken to Cleveland, O., and laid by the side of his parents. Since then, the heart-broken widow, with her family, have made Cleveland their
CHAPTER LXVIII.
WISCONSIN'S MEN.
Brief Biographical Sketches of the Pioneer and Prominent Men of Wisconsin.
WE close this volume with a chapter of biography, - life-sketches of the leading men of the State, of the past and the present. These sketches are, from necessity, very brief. We have sought only to chronicle the events in each life in a simple way, believing that we could not enhance this volume by the laudation of living men. Others have engaged themselves in the latter, in Wisconsin; but I am confident that their labors will only cause those persons represented in this volume to more plainly distinguish the difference between a biography that is prepared for public appreciation, and one that is written in the interests of a money consideration. If, however, we seem to fail in any respect, in this chapter, it must be from one of two causes, either of which we must not be supposed to control. In the first place, it is difficult, and often impossible, to procure data for biographical sketches of persons now deceased ; and, even where this is made possible by the collection of fragmentary records, the work of bringing them together is rendered difficult by innumerable circumstances. A second cause that has largely interfered with this chapter is the narrow space allotted to it.
HON. LUCIUS FAIRCHILD. - Lucius Fairchild, a son of Col. Jairus C. Fair- child, was born in the town of Kent, Portage County, O., Dec. 27, 1830; re- ceived a common school education; is by profession an attorney. He came to Wisconsin in 1846, with his parents, and settled at Madison. In 1849 he made an overland trip to California, and remained there until 1855, when he returned to Madison. Was clerk of the circuit court for Dane County in 1859 and 1860; in 1861 entered the military service with the First Wiscon- sin Volunteers, and was commissioned successively captain, major, lieutenant- colonel, and brigadier of volunteers, and captain in the Sixteenth Regi- ment, United States regular army. At the battle of Gettysburg, where he
commanded the Second Wisconsin Regiment of the "Iron Brigade," he lost an arm, and, while recruiting his health, received and accepted the Re- publican nomination for secretary of State, to which position he was elected in 1863; in 1865 was elected governor; and was re-elected in 1867 and 1869, serving six years in that capacity, since which time he has been appointed by the President United States consul at Liverpool, Eng. Gov. Fairchild's life has been so well presented in the chapters on his administrations of the State government, that further men- tion here is unnecessary.
JAIRUS CASSIUS FAIRCHILD WAS born in one of the northern towns of New York, on the 27th of December, 1801. A younger son of a large family,
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he might have remained there, but for the loss of his mother at an early age. As he used laughingly to express it, he "found he could not govern his step- mother;" and so, at eleven years, he started out to seek his fortune. Prob- ably, among the hardy pioneers of the time, this did not seem so doubtful a venture as it might now do. It must be added, that the same step-mother afterwards paid him a visit at his home in Ohio, and received most affectionate attention from himself and his wife, to whose children she became much attached. Unfortunately, there is no clear record of these early years, full of adventure and of persevering effort. Doubtless a most entertaining book might be made of them, if any friend could ciearly recall the stories he has related of seenes through which he passed. He recollected vividly the news of the attack on Sackett's Har- bor, brought by a man mounted on a horse detached from the plough, who, seeing a fresher one standing harnessed at his father's door, threw himself from one to the other, and continued his journey over hill and dale to warn the people of the approaching enemy.
Fifteen little months would cover all the time spent in schools. But he was a careful observer, with retentive memory; and whether he earned his bread at the weaver's loom, or by busi- ness journeys through the country, on both sides the River St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario, he laid up stores of practical knowledge, which made him a eyclopædia for those who sought in- formation from him in later years.
An indefatigable and eritical reader, nothing came amiss to his Inquiring, thoughtful mind; and, even at this early period, he had reasoned, and drawn eonelusions, upon subjeets not speculated upon by his companions ; and theories now commonly received were reached by him alone and un- aided. One fact, unimportant in itself, shows a marked character and capacity. He always rose late. Entering upon any employment, this fact was always mentioned by him, and the hope ex- After all his wanderings and strug- gies, we find the homeless, self- instructed boy anchored by his "ain fireside." Here four children were born, and one laid under the sod. He built a brick store, now pointed out as the first brick building ever ereeted in the town. Very small it looks; but it was regarded with no contempt then. No success or posi- pressed, that he should make himself so valuable after he was up, as to make up for the loss of time. One smiles to think of the young boy thus frankly dictating terms to his masters, expressing a hope that he might over- come his tendency, but, if it proved impossible, asking consideration, -a consideration which was, I believe, never denied. This is mentioned, not tion of later years was brighter or
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