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 68
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after which they landed at Philadelphia in July, 1835. Shortly afterwards he started for the lead-mines of Mineral Point, Wis .; built a house, and began operations, which were continued for six years, when he went to Portage County, and built bridges across streams and swamps to get there, and invested all his means in the lumber- ing business. In 1846 he moved to Portage City, where he was successful in accumulating wealth. In 1854 he subscribed to the capital stock of La Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad to the amount of thirty thousand dollars in cash, and was swindled out of the whole amount. In 1859 he moved on to his farm in Arlington, where he now re- sides. His wife died July 14, 1862. They had elght children. In 1863, he was married to Ann C. Wells, by whom he has two children. He never was an office-seeker, though frequently called to honorable and responsible positions by the people. As to religious princi- ples, he has ever been strictly Protest- ant, and is a member of the Protestant- Episcopal Church. Politically he is Democratic. He belongs to several secret societies, including the Free Masons. He has been liberal toward all societies of reform, especially to- ward all religious denominations. He and wife organized the first sabbath school ever kept at Portage City; she collecting money from the raftsmen on the Wisconsin River with which to purchase books. In 1849 he built the first schoolhouse at his own expense. His home was for misslonaries of all denominations: from none was the latch-string ever drawn in. At this period of life he can look over the past, not without finding imperfec- tions, but in every case .marked with good intentions, clearly evidencing the fact that the tenor of his life was to benefit his fellow-men.
AMZI SILSBEE. - He was born in Pittston, Penn., June 1, 1800. His op- portunities for securing an education were limited; the school being three miles distant, and very poor besides. His father died when he was thirteen years of age, when he went to learn the blacksmith-trade in Wiikesbarre. In 1869 he moved to Starkey, and married Keziah Babcock in 1821. Worked at his trade then one year, and In the village of Dundee eleven years. Bought a farm near village, and resid- ed on it ten years. In 1842 he became security for a stock of goods which was purchased by his son. The goods were
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burned; and he was obliged to sell the | surgeon in the United-States army. In farm for about half its value to meet the demand; and after parting with all his effects, except a team, harness, and wagon, he was still in debt four hun- dred and sixty dollars. With the team he came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1844, and settled on two hundred and forty acres of land in Columbia County, and paid the four hundred and sixty dollars and interest in about four years. In tills transaction we see the noble traits of his unblemished character: we see the man through all the change- ful years of his life, reliable, punctual, and honest to the last cent. He could have easily avoided paying the money; but he was too noble, too conscientious to do so, - too honest and good to fail to pay any real claim where the pay- ment was within his power. Hence the thousands of dollars which he has earned and enjoyed since that day have been a peaceful possession; and the competency now In hand for old age is a matter of gratitude to him, as well as a result of industry and hon- esty. In 1846 his wife died; and in 1848, he married Mrs. Sophia Lyon of Lowell; but she, too, died in 1859; and he married his present esteemed and worthy companion (formerly Mrs. Ruth Johnson of Madison) in 1862. Thus like a bark on the billows has this vet- eran been carried by the tide of years, until now the headlands of the after- world appear on the verge of the hori- zon, and the home of rest appears in sight.
GEN. ERASTUS B. WOLCOTT, M.D. - He was born at Benton, Yates County, N.Y., Oct. 18, 1804. His parents came from Litchfield, Conn., and were among the earliest setticrs of that State. Dr. Wolcott Is a lineal descendant of Henry Wolcott, Esq., who came from England to America In 1630. He was the first magistrate In Connecticut; and among his de- scendants were numbered three gov- ernors of the State. It Is a fact, that both Dr. and Mrs. Wolcott number among their ancestors signers of the Declaration of Independence. Dr. Wolcott Inherits no talnt of blood. He commenced the study of medicine and surgery in 1822 with Dr. Joshua Lee, an eminent surgeon in New York, and received his diploma of Yates County Medical Society in 1825. For four years he attended the Medical College at Western New York, where he took his degree in medicine and surgery. In 1835 he was appointed brethren of all schools of practice,
1836 married Elizabeth J. Densman, who died in the autumn of 1860, leav- ing two children, who were highly educated. He was made colonel in 1846, and in the same year major- general of the First Division Wiscon- sin Militia, and surgeon-general of the State militia as early as 1842, by Gov. Doty. He was appointed regent of the Wisconsin State University In 1850 by Gov. Dewey, and trustee of the State Hospital for the Insane in 1860 by Gov. Randali, holding the same through subsequent administrations. He was appointed by Gov. Fairchild, in 1866, commissioner to represent the State of Wisconsin at the Universal Exposition at Paris in 1867, and ap- pointed by United States Congress, the same year (1866), manager of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, which position he still retains. In Oct. 12, 1869, he was married to Laura J. Ross, M.D., whose ancestors may be traced back to the Revolution- ary history, among the leading minds in the support of national independ- ence. She was thoroughly educated in the best schools, and by the abiest teachers In New England, and was one of the first women who took the degree of M.D. in this country. Dr. Wolcott has been connected with some of the early enterprises of the Territory and State, the meanwhile pursuing his profession. He is a man of excellent physical health, which, in a large measure, may be attributed to his early good training and temperate habits. His reputation has grown from a skilful, unostentatious dis- charge of every professional duty ; meeting emergencies with decision and firmness, resulting from a clear understanding of what can and ought to be done, with the conscious ability to do whatever may be required; al- ways regarding respectfully the opin- ions of authors and associates, but bound by neither when his own ex- perience and judgment indicate a better course. As a physician and surgeon, he stood with the first class of the profession. A physician In- timately acquainted with the doctor begs to offer as follows, what he deems as a matter of justice to him; viz., "That he possesses, in an eml- nent degree, the qualitics too often wanting in medical men; viz., he is perfectly honorable and gentlemanly in his conduct toward his professional
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and is exceedingly considerate and | campalgn. As an ardent Republican, liberal toward his patients pecunlarily. When he dies, no human being can say he distressed me by pressing the pay- ment of his well-earned fees. Many a physican would become rich on the debts which he remits, when he thinks that payment might not be convenient. But the highest honor of Dr. Wolcott, by which he is most distinguished, is his eminent skill as a surgeon. Hls superior has not appeared in the North-west. During the late war he visited almost every battlefield where Wisconsin troops were engaged; and many would have slept In a Southern grave, had he not helped them. Such is the man Imperfectly sketched in the above, but more perfectly in the hearts of those who know him, which is to love him; and also in the history of the State he holds a prominent position.
he needed only an opportunity to ex- press his mind on political matters, and very soon attracted attention, and took rank with the first speakers of the North-west. He was engaged to canvass the State, and spoke in every considerable town in Wisconsin. At the close of the campaign, the Milwau- kee press highly complimented him, both as an orator, and a man of abil- ity in the legal profession. In 1868 he was elected to the State senate, and re-elected to the same position in 1870. He was nominated by acclamation, and elected to the Forty-third Congress in 1872, and re-elected In 1874 as a mem- ber of the Forty-fourth Congress, which position he now holds. His career In Congress has been characterized, thus far, by modesty, caution, and great industry. He has spoken but seldom, and has never failed to elicit the closest attention. " The Washington National Republican " spoke of him at the close of the last session as follows: "As a new member of the house, he was modest enough not to attempt to attract attention; but when the time came for him to take an active part in the proceedings, he not only acquitted himself with extraordinary credit, but at once asserted a prominence on the floor which was readily acknowledged by members of both parties."
HON. CHARLES G. WILLIAMS. - He was born in Royalton, Niagara County, N.Y., Oct. 18, 1829. He was the youngest of ten children. His first educational advantages were such as only a district school afforded, and which were much broken in upon by ill health. He early manifested a desire for intellectual pursuits. Ora- tory was especially pleasing to him; and in very early life he gained consid- erable reputation as a speaker. At the age of fourteen he notified his father of his desire to prepare for the legal Mr. Williams is a man of firm decision and good judgment. He is among the first to avow his position upon the great Issues of the day. He is now forty-six years of age, in robust heaith, in the fuii maturity of his powers, and believed to have a useful and brilliant future before him. profession. His father planned ac- cordingly, intending to give him a full course of study, but died when Charles was sixteen years of age, throwing him upon his own resources for the future. By the aid he received from his brothers, and working on the farm during vacations, he acquired an aca- COL. SAMUEL RYAN. - He was born in Tipperary County, Ireland, May 22, 1789. In 1809, while going to England, he was impressed on board the British gun-brig "Virago,", while In Queens- town. From this he was transferred to the frigate "Barbadoes," one of the worst ships for usage in the British navy. They sailed to the West Indies. They were ordered to convoy seventy- six sail of merchant-ships, being as- sisted by the "Polyphemus," a sixty- four-gun ship, to cross to the banks of Newfoundland. They encountered a terrible storm, when eighteen out of the seventy-six sail were lost, and every sail in the fleet dismasted ; and they put into Bermuda for repairs. After this we find him in the war of 1812, where demic course. During this period of his life, he exercised rigid economy, and was exceedingly persevering in his work. He commenced the study of law with Judge Brewer, at Lock- port, N.Y., and prosecuted his work by teaching portions of his time in the high school of that place. In 1852 he moved to Rochester, N.Y., where he completed his studies, and was ad- mitted to the bar In 1855, and where he was married to his first wife. After the end of one year he went to Janesville, Wis., where he was aided in his pursult by Judge Noggle. Two months after his arrival, his wife died. He afterwards married the eldest daughter of the judge. In 1856 he was prominently brought before the he manifested the bravery of a true public in connection with the Fremont
soldier. Peace being proclaimed in
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1815, five hundred men were picked | truly a generous-hearted man toward out for the peace establishment on ali needy persons. He is a man of great courage. In religious belief he is an Episcopal Methodist, having joined the church in 1821, and has ever since been a member. Lake Erie, and wintered at the mouth of Grand River, Canada; belonged to the "Nemash," a British man-of-war schooner. He, with two others, in 1816, made their escape to the soil of free- HON. ASAPH WHITTLESEY, SEN. - He was born in New Preston, Conn., Jan. 4, 1781, and was married to Vesta Hout, Nov. 26, 1807, and moved to Ohio in 1814, where he died March 17, 1842, at the age of sixty-one years, leaving a family of six children. It is said of him, that on account of his reliability, and the maturity of his judgment, he was consulted in all mat- ters relating to the public business, and to the church and benevoient ob- jeets of the day; would, with the same means and in the same time, accom- plish more than inen generally. About the time of Asaph's removal to Ohio, his brother Elisha and family took up residence there also, and was from 1823 to 1839 a representative to Con- gress. He also heid the position of auditor in the post-office department, and was also called to other offices of distinction. It was said of him that his features bore the impress of stern integrity, benevolence, and morality. Of the children of Asaph Whittiesey, sen., the eldest was a graduate of West Point, has distinguished himself as a lawyer and geologist. He served in the Black Hawk war in 1832; was appointed, in 1837, on the geological survey of Ohio. In 1861, when Pres. Lincoln's entrance to Washington was threatened, he was one, with others, whose services were tendered to Gen. Scott; was subsequently appointed col- onei of the Twentieth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers; was in the battle of Fort Donelson. The other members of the family acquitted themselves in a man- ner that reflected credit upon them- selves. Asaph was expected to remain on the homestead; but in 1842, when his father died, he removed to Illinois, where he engaged extensively in the manufacture of lard-oil, candies, and soap, until 1852, when his factory was destroyed by fire. He was married to Miss Lucy M. Haskell in 1851. They encountered some hardships, but met them courageously. In 1856 Mr. Whit- tlesey was elected as member of the assembly. There being no public thor- oughfare opened to the settled portions of the State, he performed the journey from Ashiand to Chippewa Fails, on his way to the legislature, on snow- dom. There were about thirty ieft of the five hundred; ail the rest having reached the land of liberty. He taught sehooi in Seneca County, New York, for .about two years; then went to Ohio, and was robbed on the road. He then went to Buffalo, and joined the United States army in 1818. Five companies of the Second Regiment of Infantry, of which he was a member, picked men, were ordered to establish a mili- tary post at the outlet of Lake Superior. They arrived there in 1822, and were three weeks under arms, day and night, expecting an attack from the Chippewa Indians. He was called to offices of honor in the army. He was married on the 12th of June, 1823, to Miss Martha Johnston, a native of Tyrone County, Ireiand. In 1826 four com- panies, of which he was a member, were ordered to Green Bay, Wis. When his time had expired in 1828, he was appointed as clerk in the quarter- master's department and subsistence department, at Green Bay, with iucra- tive offices. In 1836 Wisconsin was created a Territory, and he received the first commission from Gov. Dodge for justice of the peace in the new Ter- ritory. Prior and subsequent to that period, he assisted in making treaties and payments with and to the Indians several times; wrote, for two years, in the Indian department, their returns and accounts, for which he charged the smali sum of four hundred dollars, but never received a cent from the United States for it. In 1836 two regiments of militia were ordered to be raised in the Territory,-the first commanded by Coi. Rockwell, embracing the Milwau- kee district, and the second commanded by Coi. Wheelock, Green Bay district, of which he was lieutenant-colonel. In 1840 was promoted to colonel of the regiment. In 1848 he was cierk in the United States Land Office at Green Bay, and continued as such until 1857. In 1861, when the Rebellion began, he offered his services to Gov. Randall, and raised a reghnent of troops in a week, and drilied from the school of the soldier to the school of the bat- talion. In character he was strictly honest and straightforward in ail deal- ings with his fellow-men. He was 'shoes, making a distance of one hundred
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and eighty miles' travel in six days. | prietor of "Richland County Ob- After reaching Madison, he was pre- vaied upon to have a photograph taken, having on his outfit for travel, a copy of which may be seen in the Capitol. In 1860 he was elected county judge of Ashland. In 1861 Pres. Lineoln appointed him "Receiver of Publie Money," at Bayfield. He has been ealled to positions of public trust and honor by the State and General Govern- ment, in all of which he has enjoyed the confidence of the people. He is known as a " man of the people" in a proper sense.
REV. JOHN WALWORTH. - He was born in Walworth County, Wis., July 28, 1S04. At the age of fourteen he was sent to Norwich for the purpose of obtaining an education, where he remained about six years, then return- ing to Western New York, where he was engaged in school-teaching, and other literary pursuits, for five years, when he emigrated to Michigan, with many others, while it was a Territory, arriving in time to take part in that ludierous appeal to arms by Gov. Mason, in calling out the militia to prevent the governor of Ohiofrom taking possession of a certain piece of land bordering on the Menomonee River. He chose, for his profession. the ministry ; moved to Illinois in 1842, and for four years he travelled as missionary; but the eon- stant exposure to the cold was more than he eould endure, and at the end of this period, he found his health some- what impaired. He belonged to no denomination ; had no ereed but the Bible, which occasioned some fears on the part of the Orthodox, lest he should unsettle the minds of those who were more systematieal in their views and manner of presentation. In 1846 he located at Monroe, Green County, where he became the editor and pro- prietor of "The Monroe Sentinel," through which organ he aided in the eleetlon of J. R. Doolittle as circuit judge. At the convention held at Madison, July 13, 1854, when the Re- publiean party was organized, he was chosen president of the meeting. He was the first to bring forward the name of C. C. Washburn, who was, at the convention at Mineral Point, nominated and elected to Congress. Soon after this, Mr. Walworth, having regained in some measure his health, resumed preaching ; but Ill-health soon pre- vented any lengthy pastorate. He therefore had recourse to other em- ployment. Became editor and pro-
server," which brought him into polit- ical life again. He was a firm and zealous temperance man, was a member of the Good Templars, and in 1860 was eleeted G. W. Chaplain. In 1862 he was elected to the legislature, and in 1834 he was elected chaplain of the Forty- third Regiment Milwaukee Volunteers, Col. Cobb commanding. Mr. Walworth rendered valuable services during his term of service. A few days after the battle of Nashville, the Forty-third was ordered to take position near Winehes- ter. This place had been formerly oe- cupied by the Fifth Tennessee Cavalry, with some detachment of infantry ; and many of them seemed to be actuated more by the spirit of Southern chivalry than by the principles of Northern patriotism. Here Mr. Walworth was employed as post-chaplain and post- master for the several detachments of the soldiers in the vicinity; also as military postmaster for a large district of country south of Tullahoma. These duties enabled him to understand something of the character of the people, which is somewhat peculiar in the South. He preached a very able and an appropriate sermon on the day of the President's interment, pointing out the prominent traits of his charae- ter. This discourse was subsequently twlee repeated by request. His life was marked with deeds of kindness, which were the legitimate results of zealous effort to benefit his fellow-men.
HON. THOMAS B. TYLER. - He was born at Cochecton, Sullivan County, N.Y., Jan. 12, 1824. He removed, when a child, with his parents, to the town of Seneea, Ontario County, and was reared on a farm, and educated at the common schools during the winter months, until the age of eighteen, when, through his unaided efforts, he spent two years at Canan- dlaigua Academy. Subsequently he engaged in teaching, more or less, for several years. He read medieine for one year with Franels Deane, M.D., an old and respected practitioner at Gorham, Ontario County; and, at the breaking-out of the gold excitement, went to California, being absent for two years. In 1852 he removed to Cou- dersport, Penn., and was the next year elected prothonotary and elerk of the courts. Here he pursued the study of the law, and was admitted to practice in 1857. In the same year he reinoved to Sparta, Monroe County, Wis., and there immediately opened an
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office, with Milton Montgomery, Esq., | First National Bank of Sparta since its as partner. Mr. Montgomery having entered the military service as colonel of the Twenty-fifth Regiment Wiscon- sin Volunteers, S. H. Dickinson was added to the firmn; he, by consent of Mr. Tyler, still retaining his interest. Some two years since, Mr. Montgomery dissolved his connection with the firm, and removed to Lincoln, Neb.
During these years this firm, now known as Tyler and Dickinson, has acquired a deservedly high reputation for ability, Integrity, and promptness in the transaction of ail business in- trusted to its care, and has won for Itself a largely remunerative and in- creasing business. Mr. Tyler was an active war Democrat, and gave earnest and practical support to every neces- sary measure to subdue the Rebellion.
organization. He was for six years High Priest of Sparta Chapter Royal Arch Masons, and was, for a term, Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Wisconsin. He mar- ried Sarah E., daughter of Francis Deane, M.D., of Gorham, Ontario County, N. Y., and has one child, Mary E., wife of Ira A. Hill, Esq .. of Sparta. He has a tasty and commodious resi- dence at the head of Water Street, Sparta; has a large income from his profession and investments; and is one of Sparta's substantial and wealthy citizens.
DR. M. R. GAGE. - He was born at Bellona, Yates County, N.Y., April, 1825, and was educated in the schools of that vicinity until he began the study of medicine in the office of E. S. Smith, M.D., at his native village, where he remained until he graduated from the Geneva Medical College, ex- cept while attending upon the lectures and hospitais at Geneva and Buffalo.
After graduating, he formed a part- nership with his preceptor, Dr. Smith, at the termination of which he re- moved to Coudersport, Penn. Here he remained two years, and then re- moved to Beloit, Wis., and thence to Sparta, Wis., where he practised his profession until August, 1862, when he was commissioned surgeon of the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteers.
He is a lawyer of decided ability, attending more especially to the busi- ness of the office, and, in his peculiar line, has few peers. He is careful and methodical In every detail, and, with a clear and well-ordered intellect, he rarely fails in any undertaking. He seeks rather to serve his clients by in- ducing amicabie and just settlements than in promoting litigious strife. Few men give more hours to hard work; yet, fond of social pleasures, he allots to them a due share of his time. He is a man of great public spirit, and has ever taken a lively interest in the moral, educational, and material ad- He remained in the army two and a haif years, when he resigned on account of ill health. While in the service, he acted for a time as medical director of the district of Columbus, Ky., and as division surgeon of Gen. Vietch's division during Gen. Sher- man's march from Vicksburg to Meri- dian, Miss. ; but most of the time he spent with his regiment in active duty. Since leaving the army, he has resided at Sparta. vancement of the village, county, and State. He has given with a liberal hand to all worthy objects engaging the attention of the community. He has, at intervals, invested largely in manufacturing interests. With others, he built the Tyler Flouring Mills, near the St. Paul Railroad Depot; has been engaged in lumbering; and a few years since, in company with Hon. T. D. Stecie, erected the Sparta Woollen Mills, a manufacturing institution of Hle was the first county superintend- ent of schools of Munroe County, and elected by a large majority. He was a candidate for the assembly in 1865, and defeated by a few votes, with a party majority of six hundred against him in the district. no mean proportions, operated with the most approved machinery. He was active in securing the Incorpora- tion of Sparta, and has often been called to serve in its council, and for four years as its president. He was a candidate for the State senate, but Dr. Gage has devoted himself assidu- ously to his profession, and is one of the most learned and skilful physi- cians in the State, and, but for his great modesty, would be widely known as one of the leading minds in his profession. He is a man of studious habits, of positive conviction, and in- was defeated by the large Republican majority in his district, after making a close and lively race with his com- petitor. He was a delegate to the National Convention at New York, July 4, 1867, which nominated Horatio Seymour for President. He has heid the position of vice-president of the domitable energy; and, for what he
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