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 67
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We have no space in this book to enumerate all the offices of public trust in connection with the State govern- ment, and State institutions of educa- tion, in which Mr. Smith has served. He is now connected, in some official capacity, with the Wisconsin Female College at Fox Lake, Wayland Uni- versity (Beaver Dam), Milwaukee Female College, Chicago University, and the State Normal schools. He is also one of the State Prison directors; is trustee, and one of the executive committee, of the North-western Mu- tual Life-Insurance Company ; and vice- president of the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce; and one of the vice- presidents of the National Board of Trade. And thus we might go on to name institutions of learning, or cor- porations of industry, which he is either now or has been officially con- nected with.
In 1875 Mr. Smith took an extensive tour through the Southern States, visit- ing Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia. He met and conversed freely with many prominent men of that section, of both political parties, and obtained much valuable information respecting the educational, social, and political condi- tion of that part of the nation.
Mr. Smith is now in the prime of life, with every faculty unimpaired. Few men in Wisconsin have had a more marked and diversified experi- ence; few have so fully inspired public confidence; none can present a more unspotted public or private record. He has been generous to others, but true to himself. Many a young man has been assisted by his tone of en- couragement, and many a poor man has profited by his private beneficence. In every pursuit he has been success- ful: in whatever position he has been placed, he has fully sustained the con- fidence of the people. A few days previous to the Republican State Con- vention of 1875, there was a spontane- ous movement throughout the State, urging the use of his name as a can- didate for governor. He made no effort personally, but informed his friends, that, if nominated, he would accept. He refused to enter into any contest, but left the matter with his party. While there appeared to be nearly, if not quite, a majority favor- able to his nomination, he decided not to be a candidate, in order to secure harmony in the convention. Such an expression in his favor, without a single effort on his part, is, indeed, flattering.
HON. FRANKLIN J. BLAIR. - He was born in Blandford, Mass., in 1815. The youngest child and only son of his parents, Mr. Biair came upon the stage just at a time when his father lost all his property through having become security for a merchant. The final result of this misfortune was a gradual transfer of the whole family to Northern Ohio. The memory of the sad effects of this act of generosity has served to make Mr. Blair careful through all his mercantile life to pro- tect the interests of farmers.
From 1859 to 1865 he gave consider- able attention to agricultural pursuits. He owned and lived upon a large farm adjoining the town of Fox Lake, per- sonaily supervising it, and in harvest- time usually took an active place in the field, assisting with his own hands. He usually raised from one to two thousand bushels of wheat annualiy, besides other produce. In his business relations, which have been alike ex- tensive and important, he has come in direct connection with the laboring and producing class, and has always One of the older sisters, afterwards Mrs. Fairchild, having gone to Ohio to teach, the rest of the family gradually followed her, this only brother arriving enjoyed their full confidence. He has been peculiariy successful in all elee- tion contests in which he has engaged, never failing to receive not only the in Cleveland in 1837, at the age of
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twenty-two. After teaching several | tirely a wild country at that time, there years, he removed to Milwaukee In 1843, where he began the smail trade which gradually grew Into a wholesale business, Increasing every year till it reached Its present proportions. Care- fui, watchful, and prudent in busi- ness, he has been generous and public- spirited in dispensing his gains, more frequently benefiting quietly those with whom he came in personal con- tact than giving his name to widely- known and high-sounding charities, - educating orphans, aiding honest industry, and making homes for the unfortunate.
Always active in politics, even to Indefatigable attention to primary meetings, he yet has never had am- bitlon for office. He was an active Democrat until the Kansas crisis, and since then has been strongly Republi- can.
His Scotch tenacity of purpose, and unimpeachable integrity, have caused him to be pressed Into constant service in positions of trust and responsibility. As trustee, director, executor of wilis, and administrator of estates, his keen good sense and kind heart have been constantly drawn upon. He has been many years a member of the board of trustees of the State Hospital for the Insane at Madison ; and no pressure of his own personal affairs has ever been permitted to prevent him from giving it all needed time and his best thought.
He Is a director of the North-western Fire-Insurance Company, a member of the Lake Board of Underwriters, Treas- urer of State Agricultural Society, was for several years president of the Merchants' Association In Milwaukee, and in these and other positions is faithful and unsparing in the perform- ance of duty.
He was married In 1846, and, while giving himself unreservediy to every outside duty that came to him. his crowning merit and happiness have been his cheerful kindness and devo- tion to his home.
being only a few log-houses between Milwaukee and these places. In 1841, he opened a store at Summit Corners, Waukesha County, and, the year fol- lowing, removed his goods to Jeffer- son, where he had built a smail but convenient store. the first ever erected In that piace. Soon after this, while on a visit to his native State, he was married to Miss Jane A. Underwood, daughter of IIon. Joseph H. Under- wood of Fayette, Me. The children from this union were a daughter and son. The daughter died in infancy. The son, Howard Alonzo, is living, not yet having arrived at the age of matu- rity. Mr. Wing was one of the first movers towards getting a railroad char- tered and built to give the people in. this section an outlet to some market. After failing to enlist the business-men of Milwaukee in this enterprise, steps were immediately taken to get com- munication with Chicago and St. Louis, which resulted In chartering a com- pany, which was not long after com- pieted, and now known as "The Chi- cago and North-western Railroad," - one of the most important to the State. In politics, Mr. Wing was originally a Democrat, and a follower of Douglas; but, when the nation's life was threat- ened, he joined the Republican party, and voted for Abraham Lincoln. In matters of religion, Mr. Wing holds to the Unitarian faith. He has always manifested the deepest interest in the cause of common schools. He has served many years as town superin- tendent of schools; divided the town of Jefferson into school-districts, and in- troduced the first code under the State constitution. He was also county su- perintendent of schools, and introduced the first county code to the schools in Jefferson County.
Mr. Wing has never manifested any great ambition for high political hon- ors, although he has been called fre- quentiy to places of considerable trust and responsibility, such as justice of the peace, plank-road director and en- gineer, county surveyor, and surveyor of school and university lands, railroad director, chairman of the board super- visors, member of the assembly, and' regent of the State University. He has been pretty weil satisfied with his iot In the world, and Is content to make himself and others as comfortable as circumstances will permit.
ALONZO WING. - He was born in Wayne, Kennebec County, Me., Feb. 2, 1807, son of Aaron and Silvina Perry Wing, who emigrated from Sandwich, Mass., to the wilderness of Maine be- fore majority. He was brought up on a farm, and taught school In winters. Later he entered Waterville College to learn mechanics and civil engineering. In 1837 he came to Milwaukee, and from there to Watertown and Aztalan, HON. EDWIN HURLBUT. - He was in Jefferson County. This was en- born in Newtown, Conn., Oct. 10, 1817.
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When about seven years of age, he | branch road from Milwaukee to Water- removed with his parents to Bradford County, Pennsylvania. After passing about seven years at home in this place. and attending public school, he struck out on his own account, walking all the way to Newark, N.J .; at which place he lived one year with an uncle. Soon after, he emigrated to Michigan with acquaintances, and settled in Eaton County. After a brief residence in Michigan, he returned to the east, spending some time in the study of law. He was married, Oct. 10, 1840, to Catherine Chandler of Seneca County. After this, he settled in Lodi, N.Y.
At the age of twenty-four years, he had saved from his earnings fourteen hundred dollars, and paid twelve hun- dred dollars of it for a residence, and the balance for books; but was sadiy surprised when he found there was a mortgage upon the property. After this, he removed to Towanda, Penn., and commenced the study and practice of law; and after finishing his sixth year, in 1847 was admitted to the bar. In the same year he returned to Michi- gan; was admitted to practise at the bar, and received the appointment of postmaster; was also appointed dis- trict attorney; also received from Gov. Ranson the appointment of judge-advo- cate in the State militia, with the rank of coionel. In 1850 he came to Wis- consin, and settled in Oconomowoc, where he has since resided, and was admitted in the Circuit Court, also in the Supreme Court and United States Court. In the first year of his resi- dence in this State, he was appointed the attorney of the Milwaukee, Water- loo, and Madison Plank Road; and, at another time, chairman of the Demo- cratic county committee, actively op- posing Andrew E. Elmore, and sup- porting Charles Dirkey, In the congres- sional contest. The same year he was no less active in helping to establish a division of Sons of Temperance, and filled some of the highest offices connected therewith. In 1854 he was chairman of the senatorial and assem- biy committee, from which time he has figured conspicuously in the political affairs of the State. In Madison, at the people's convention, where the Republican party of this State was or- ganized, he opposed the further exten- sion of slavery. In 1856 he was elected district attorney. In 1858 was ap- pointed attorney for the Milwaukee, Beaver Dam, and Barraboo Railroad (now C., M., and St. P.), then a
town and Columbus, holding the posi- tion several years. In 1860 and 1864, supported Lincoln for the Presidency. In 1861 was appointed colonei on - Gov. Randall's staff; took an active part in getting recruits for the army, contributing largely in bounties to the families of those who eniisted, and pledged his services gratuitously for procuring their pensions and boun- ties, - a piedge which he has faithfully kept. He was sent to Washington with the Fourth Wisconsin Regiment, receiving an appointment in the State commissary department; was appoint- ed to the duty of inspecting troops, and studying the qualifications of offi- cers for promotion. In the same year was appointed aide to the commander- in-chief, with the rank of colonel, by Gov. Randall. In 1862 was appointed deputy United States marshal, with provost-marshal power to issue passes, and superintend military affairs in his district; was also tendered a position, by the governor, of colonel of one the regiments, but declined, because the army was being officered by politicians rather than soldiers. In 1868 he gained an election to the legislature by the Republicans, and, during his term of office, held several linportant posi- tions in the house, among others, that of chairman of the Committee on Fed- erai Relations. While there he intro- duced a bill for the repeai of the law which deprived deserters of the right of franchise, for which he received censure by the Republican press, al- though "The New York Tribune" commended him for lt. In 1870 was appointed by Gov. Fairchild to repre- sent him at the International Congress on penitentiary and reformatory dis- cipline; was elected one of the vice- presidents. In 1869 was appointed one of the managers of the State Industrial School at Waukesha. In 1872 was ap- pointed a delegate to the International Penitentiary Congress, in London, Eng. In the same year indorsed the nomination of Horace Greeley for the presidency, and has been identified with the Reform movement since then. In 1873 was elected district attorney for Waukesha County on the Reform ticket.
In May, 1874, he was a member of the National Prison Congress, held at St. Louis, and elected one of its trustees, and appointed on the committee on Criminal Law Reform. In 1875 was ap- pointed a member of the board of man-
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agers of the State Industrial School for | his mining-operations with some suc- three years. Hc has been identified with the movement which granted Roman Catholic clergy the right of ministering to such of the Inmates of the Industrial School as were of their own faith. This year (1875) he has been elected a trustee of the National Prison Association at New York, and also one of the committee on dis- charged convicts. He has held the positions of trustee and president of the village of Oconomewoc, and has zeal- ously devoted himself to Its prosperity.
In religious belief he is a Baptist. Is strictly temperate In his habits. Is a member of Waukesha Chapter, No. 37, Free and Accepted Masons. He has chil- dren, daughters, now living. The death of his first wife occurred April 6, 1864. Was married, December following. to Mrs. M. H. Farmer of Waukesha, Wis.
Mr. Hurlbut Is a man of positive character; is a seif-made man; has worked his own way through life; is self-reliant; as a lawyer, ranks among the best talent in the State; has an extensive practice in the several courts of this State, and in the United States courts. In his own county, there is seldom a case of importance, but what he is engaged. Strictly attentive to business, he has attended every ses- sion of the circuit court for Waukesha County for the past twenty-five years.
He always acted with the Democratic party up to the time of the organization of the Republican party, and then with that party up to 1872, when he joined the Liberal Movement, and went with the Democratic and Liberal party, and is now with the Reform party of this State.
HON. JOHN H. ROUNTREE. - He was born near Mammoth Cave, in Kentucky, on 24th of March, 1805. In February, 1824. he made a trip on liorseback from Kentucky to Montgomery County, Illi- nols, a distance of three hundred miles. At the age of twenty-one, he was elected sheriff of Montgomery County, which office he held until 1827, when, with several others, he came to the Ga- lena lead-mines with ox-teams, crossing the Illinois River at what is known as Bardstown. He continued work in these mines until he with others were driven by the Indians to Galena, the nearest piace of safety. Soon, how- ever, their fcars subsided; and work in the mines was resumed. Mr. Roun- tree settled, at this time, at the place where Piatteville now stands; built a cabin of logs and sods, and prosecuted
cess. In 1828 he bullt the first lead smeltlug furnace In the Territory, which now composes Grant County, and continued the mining-business for several years. In August, 1828, when the general election in Illinois was held, we held an election also, and voted for governor, and member of Congress. It was on this election day that a hand- to-hand conflict took place between the Irish and the Americans. In October, 1829, he was appointed by Hon. Lewis Cass, justice of the peace for the county of Iowa. His official duties were not very numerous. On the 10th of March, 1829, Hon. W. S. Barny, post- master-general of the United States, appointed him postmaster at Platte- ville. In 1831 a weekly mall-route was established from Galena by Platte- vilie, to Prairie Du Chien.
In 1832 the Black Hawk war began. A mounted cavalry company was or- ganized and Mr. Rountree was chosen captain. This company composed a part of Gen. Dodge's squadron.
In 1835 he, with others, succeeded in erecting a comfortable house, of hewed logs, suitable for a school, and also for meetings. Its cost was about one hun- dred and ninety-four dollars. The land in the south-western part of Wisconsin was surveyed from 1830 to 1832; and the first land-sale took place at the United States Land Office, at Mineral Point, in 1834. Mr. Rountrec purchased the land where the village of Platteville was afterwards built. In 1834, he was con- stituted chief justice of the county court of Iowa County, which then embraced all the south-western part of the State of Wisconsin, by the governor of Michigan Territory, to which Wisconsin was still attached. Grant was organized in 1837. Hon. J. H. Rountree was clected a member of the legislative council; and he was & member of the council of the first legis- lature that met at Madison, the scat of government. He served four years as a member of the Territorial council, under that election of 1838. He was re-elected for four years in 1842, and served the time out. He was clected a member of the convention that formed our State constitution. He was elected to the State senate In 1849, and served two years; was elected to the assembly in 1862; was elected again to the State scnate in 1865, served two years, making a service of eight years in the Territorial council, - four years as State senator, one year as member of
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the convention that formed the State | hopes of entering the legal profession. constitution, and one year a member of the assembly. He was a pioncer settler in the vicinity where he has lived forty-eight years. He has been active in all the enterprises which pertained to the welfare of the State, and has been permitted to witness their success. He ean look back to the days when Wisconsin was an uninhabited wilderness, without roads, bridges, or any conveniences for transportation whatever, and contrast the former days with the present facilities for agrieul- tural industry, and intellcetual eulture, whose pursuit so profitably adorns and beautifies the State. His pole and sod cabin of 1827, with mother-earth for the floor, gives place to a neat and commodious house in a flourishing vil- lage of elegant buildings, graeed with a normal school and twelve ehureh edi- ficcs. Blessed with the enjoyment of good health, the founder of Platteville is enabled to look upon the fruit of his labors.
HON. DAVID NOGGLE. - He was born in Franklin, Penn., on the 9th of October, 1800. His father belonged to that elass known as Pennsylvania Dutch; and his mother was of Irish deseent. At the age of sixteen hc eame to Greenfield, O., and, with his father, engaged in agricultural pursuits. The hardships which he experienced at this period disciplined him for the struggles of after-lifc. His edneational advantages were limited. A few weeks only in the winter of eaeli year were spent at the distriet school, where he manifested a taste for intellectual pur- suits, and, at the age of twelve, ex- presscd a desire to reach the legal profession; but, because of the limited means of his parents, he received but little encouragement. At the age of nineteen, he started in search of more remunerative employment, in which he sueeeeded. In 1833 he returned to Ohio, to his father who was embar- rassed because of debt; whereupon he and his brother took the land, and relieved their father of further anxiety. In 1834 they improved a water-power on the farm by building a mill, which proved a grand success. On the 13th of October, 1835, he married Ann M. Lewis of Milan, O. About a year afterwards they started, in company with others, with ox-tcams for Winne- hago County, Illinois, where they set- tied. His new farm soon began to show marks of improvement, while at the same time he was looking forward with
It is said, that, during these days, " he studied Blackstone in the corn-field," which Is literally true; and, in 1838, he was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Illinois, never having spent a day in a law-office. In 1339 sold his elalm, and moved into Beloit, where he opened an office, and fully entered upon the practice of law, doing business in Winnebago and Boone Counties, Iili- nois, and in Roek, Walworth, Jefferson, and Green, in the Territory of Wiseon- sin. His efforts in court proved him to be a man of power. In 1846 he was a member of the Constitutional Conven- tion of Wisconsin; and though young, and inexperienced in legislation, was soon recognized among the leaders of that body. He stood with the pro- gressive element of the convention, in favor of homestead exemption. elective judiciary, the rights of married women, and opposed to banks and banking. In 1854 he was a member of the legisla- ture of Wisconsin from the Janesville Distriet, having some years before re- moved to that eity : he at once took a prominent and leading position in the legislature. In 1856 he was again elected to the legislature, and was tendered the speakership of the assem- bly by more than a majority of that body; but being compelled, from tem- porary lameness, to go on crutches, which would greatly inconvenience him in discharging the duties of a presiding officer, he declined the offer. He was emphatically the leader of the house in this legislature, and in the contest for the elcetion of United States senator, in which the Hon. J. R. Doolittle was first ehosen. In 1833, he was judge of the first judicial dis- triet of Wisconsin, composed of the counties of Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Roek, and Green. He discharged his duties with very great acceptability. After he retired from the bench In 1866, he resided in Iowa for some time, where he was engaged as attorney for the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Company; after which he returned to Belolt, where he pur- chased an elegant home, and built up a lucrative practice. In 1869 he was appointed by Pres. Grant as chief justiec of the Territory of Idaho, which position he held until 1874, when, from failing health, he was obliged to resign his position. He is at present residing with his family in San Francisco, Cal.
Judge Noggle is a man of command-
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ing appearance ; is a fine and impres- sive public speaker, possessed of great mental ability: he only needed the advantages of early training to have given him a national reputation. Few young men have improved their oppor- tunities better than be. Heis kind and generous hearted, a man of the peo- ple, brave in their defence, regardless of consequences to himself. He is tender- ly loved by his family ; and in the hearts of his old neighbors in Southern Wis- consin, there linger for him feelings of fondness and regard which many years will not efface.
His name is indissolubly connected with the history and progress of Wis- consin.
HON. JEROME B. HARRISON. - He was born May 22, 1826, in Friendship, Alleghany County, N.Y. After obtain- ing a common school education, in 1843 he entered Alfred Academy, which has since become a flourishing university. During the three following years, he spent the time In teaching, and study- ing law. In 1851 he was elected super- intendent of schools in his own town. The next year was elected town repre- sentative for the county board of super- visors; was subsequently twice elected to the same position. He held the office of justice from 1856 until 1862, when he moved to Wisconsin. At the age of twenty-one was married to Sarah A. Stowell. Shortly after this he united with his father-in-law in the flour and lumber business, until he moved to this State. He has been frequently called to positions of trust and honor by his fellow-citizens. In 1872 he was the candidate of the Democratic party for the assembly, but was defeated by Hon. C. A. Cady of the Republican party.
In 1873 he was elected county judge, which position he occupies in an able manner. Although he has not here- tofore practised in the profession, is a lawyer, and a member of the bar of the Seventh Judicial Circult. He Is a pleas- ant and interesting public speaker.
HON. HUGH MACFARLANE. - He was born in Plumbridge County, Ire- land, June 22, 1815. His father was a descendant of the old Earis of Lenox, of Scotland, who pledged to defend the Crown and the Bible. He was given the opportunities for securing a classl- cal education, but being married, in his nineteenth year, to Sarah Dunn, his progress in study was prevented. Soon after marriage, he came to this country, making a voyage of thirteen weeks,
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