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 69
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believes to be right, will stand against the world.
He has been master of the Masonic Lodge for several terms, and High Priest of the R. A. Chapter.
His services have often been demand- ed in various local offices, to which he has been unanimously elected. He has ever taken a lively interest in all public improvements; and any enter- prise calculated to promote the welfare of the community in which he resides has received his unreserved and hearty support.
He married Miss - Martin, a most estimable lady, and has no children. He is simple in his tastes, unpreten- tious in his habits, and is justly re- garded as one of the reliable and substantial men of his section.
HON. AUGUSTUS LEDYARD SMITH .- He was born in Middletown, Conn., on the fifth day of April, 1833. His preparatory educational and collegiate life was spent In his native town, where he graduated, in 1854, from the Wesleyan University, of which institu- tion his father, Augustus W. Smith, LL.D., was president.
Immediately upon his graduation, he came to Madison to take the posi- tion of tutor in the Wisconsin State University. Here he remained, giving excellent satisfaction as an instructor, until 1856, when he resigned, in order to become the secretary and land commissioner of the Fox and Wiscon- sin Improvement Company. While retaining this office, he was also en- gaged in publishing a paper in Fond du Lac, called " The Fond du Lac Union." While at the East, in 1861, his services were secured as assistant professor of mathematics in the United States Naval Academy, temporarily located at Newport, R.I., during the continuance of the civil war. In 1863 he returned to Appleton, Wis., and resumed his active relation to the Fox and Wisconsin Inprovement Com- pany, In the capacity of secretary and general agent. In 1866 he was elected State senator from the twenty-second district, and was instrumental in carry- ing through successfully measures of much importance to the district and to the State. Conspicuous among these was the re-organization of the State University, in which he took a deep and active Interest. The Improve- ment Company being re - organized under the name of the Green Bay and Mississippi Canal Company, Mr. Smith accepted the office of secretary and
treasurer in that corporation, which position he retalned until the disposi- tion of Its lands to private parties, whose commissioner and agent he still remains. In 1868 Gov. Fairchild ap- pointed him regent of the State Uni- versity, which position he held until 1874. In 1870 he established, and was made president of, the First National Bank of Appleton. In the same year, he was elected mayor of that city, and in 1873-74 he served as alderman of his ward. The city organized a cham- ber of commerce in 1875, and Mr. Smith was elected its first president.
Mr. Smith has been very closely identified with all the improvements going on in Appleton for the last fifteen years, and has, by earnest, practical effort, as well as by the contribution of his means, aided and encouraged all enterprises - business, educational, social, and religious - which would naturally extend the reputation of Appleton, and indicate its moral and material prosperity.
Mr. Smith is a man of nervous-san- guine temperament, of marked ability, interested alike in all the practical appliances which contribute to the growth of a town, to the advancement of literary culture, and the develop- ments which are constantly taking place in the domain of science. His personal relations to his fellow-citizens are of the happiest character. Mr. Smith is a regular attendant upon the services of the Congregational Church; but all the religious societies of Apple- ton find in him a friend and helper. He has no connection with any secret organization whatever.
In Chicago, Oct. 30, 1860, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Edna J. Taylor, formerly of Madison, Wis. He has two sons, and his home is most de- lightfully situated on the banks of the Fox River. The carefully improved condition of the grounds surrounding his home, and the ample library within, give evidence of the cultivated and refined taste of its occupants.
HON. DON A. J. UPHAM. - He was born in Weathersfield, Windsor County, Vt., May 1, 1809. His father, Joshua Upham, occupied the homestead and farm in the valley of the Connecticut, that was first owned by his grand- father, William Upham, at the close of the Revolutionary War, and which has been in possession of the famlly for nearly one hundred years. The family was among the earliest settlers of New England. About twenty-five years ago,
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the late Dr. Upham of Salem, Mass., | judges should allow the writ of injunc- compiled and published the genealogy tion. In order thereto, it was found necessary to apply to Judge Dunn, who resided at Elk Grove in the West- ern District, about one hundred and eighty miles from Milwaukee. The best mode of conveyance was on horse- back through the counties of Rock and Green; and the only track for most of the way was an Indian trail across the prairies. Hle started on this journey. He reached Mineral Point, had his writ allowed by the judge, and, on his return to Sugar River, found he had but two nights and one day in which to reach Milwaukee before the sale, - a distance of one hundred miles. After leaving here, he found the prairie was on fire in places, and, as the night ad- vaneed, it grew worse. The wind arose; and a seene presented itself which baffles deseription. With these fiery trials he found himself lost at midnight on the prairie. Finally, as the clouds parted, he was enabled to read his way of escape, and arrived about one hour before the sale, to the astonishment of the opposing counsel, and great joy of his client, who had long been anxiously waiting his coming. Mr. Upham was not a politician in the true sense of the term, but has filled, however, some Important political positions. He was several times a member of the Terri- torial council at the earliest sessions of the legislature at Madison. He was a member of the first convention that was called to form a constitution for the State of Wisconsin, and was elected the president of the convention; was nominated by the Democratie party for governor of the State, as the suc- cessor of Gov. Dewey. His opponent was L. J. Farwell. He took no active part in the eanvass. The contest was a elose one, and his opponent elected by a sinall majority. Ile was twice elected mayor of the city of Milwaukee; was afterwards appointed United States at- torney for the District of Wisconsin, which he held four years. After thirty years of successful practice in Milwau- kee, he was compelled by ill-health to retire from the profession. He was married, In 1836, to Elizabeth S., daugh- ter of Dr. Gideon Jaynes of Wilming- ton, Del. At the close of the late war, Major Upham, on his return from a trip to Europe, brought home, and pre- sented to his father, an astronomical telescope of large power. With the aid of this, his father for several years past, as his health and time would per- of the Upham family, in which he dis- tinctly traced the ancestors of William Upham back to John Upham, who emi- grated from the west of England, and settled in Malden, near Boston, about sixty years after the first landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock. When D. A. J. Uphamn became sixteen years of age, he chose the legal profession. His father sent him to the preparatory school at Chester, Vt., and subse- quently to Meriden, N.H .; and, at the age of nineteen, he entered the sopho- more elass at Unlon College, New York; the late Dr. E. Nott then president of the institution. He graduated in 1831, with the highest standing, in a " class of about one hundred. Soon after, he entered the office of Gen. James Tallmadge in New York, as a law-stu- dent. Finding it necessary to proeure some means in order to complete his education as a lawyer, he was, through the recommendation of Pres. Nott, appointed assistant professor of mathe- matics in Delaware College at Newark. He held this position for three years, at the same time having entered as a law-student in the office of the Hon. James A. Bayard of Wilmington, Del., late United States senator from that State. In 1835, after attending a course of law-lectures in the city of Baltimore, he was admitted to the bar, and commenced the practice of law in the city of Wilmington. In 1837 he started for the West. He visited Chl- eago, but was not pleased with its appearance in the earlier days of its history. He travelled through a eon- siderable of the country, when he was returning by way of Milwaukee. The first settlement in this place was made the year before his arrival. He was impressed favorably with the place, and determined to locate here. The difficulties attending the practice of the lawyers who first settled in the Territory can hardly be appreciated in these days. The first ease of any im- portance was in the Supreme Court of the Territory. At the fall term of the district court, a judgment for a large amount had been obtained against one of the most extensive dealers in real estate in Milwaukee; and his new dwelling-house and a large amount of property were advertised for sale on execution. The young lawyer was solicited to take the ease to the Su- preme Court, and enjoin the pending sale. It was necessary that one of the 'mit, has been reviewing his early as-
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tronomical investigations, learning of | farm, where he now resides. He has the progress made in that seience during the last forty years, and verify- ing, to some extent, the computations made annually at the Astronomical Observatory at Washington.
HON. WILLIAM STARR. - He was born in Middletown, Conn., March 3, 1821. When eight years of age, he, with his widowed mother, moved to Lewis County, New York. Soon after their arrival, his mother was married to a farmer; and Willlam worked on the farm until fourteen years of age, with his mother s consent and approval. his objeet being to acquire an education. The subsequent eight years of his life were spent in working on the farm, teaching and attending sehools the meanwhile, keeping up his studies while farming and teaching. In the spring of 1843 he came to Wisconsin, and spent three years in teaching with fine sueeess. Since that time he has been engaged as farmer, merchant, and lumberman. He has held various town, eity, and county offices ; has been twice eleeted to the legislature; and sinee 1865 has been, by sueeessive ap- pointments from each of the governors, made a member of the Board of Regents of Normal Schools, and, for the last seven years, president of the board. In all these offiees, Mr. Starr has discharged the duties falling to him in a manner which reflected much credit upon him- self in the estimation of the people, both as a man of ability and honesty. His re-appointments to offices of honor and trust fully confirm the fact that he is a man every way qualified for the same, worthy the confidenee of those whom he so faithfully serves.
held various local offices; was chair- man of his town four years, and chair- man of the county board in 1871, and was elected to the assembly in 1868 and 1869. In 1873 he was elected lieutenant-governor. During his life he ever manifested a spirit of honest Industry, not yielding to every obstacle. He has fought the battles of life nobly thus far, has discharged the duties of his several offices in a very acceptable manner, and leaves a very worthy reeord.
HON. JOHN CATLIN. - He was born in Orwell, Vt., in Oet. 13, 1803. His parents were John B. and Rosa Orms- bee Catlin. His father was a merchant, but retired to a farm in Vermont, locat- ing on the shores of Lake Champlain. Here, and at Newton Academy, in Shoreham, Vt., he pursued the more common branches of study, and after- wards, while teaching, educated him- self the more thoroughly. He was admitted to the bar in 1833; and on removing to Mineral Point, Wis., in 1836, he formed a partnership with Hon. M. M. Strong.
When the seat of government was located in Madison, Mr. Catlin was appointed postmaster, and established the office in May, 1837. On the elec- tion of Gen. Harrison to the Presi- dency, Mr. Catlin was removed on political grounds, but was re-instated afterward by Pres. Tyler. On being eleeted a member of the eouneil in 1844, he resigned his position. He was appointed clerk of the Supreme Court In 1836. From 1838 to 1845, he was the chief clerk of the house of representatives. On the organization of Dane County for county and judi- eial purposes, Mr. Catlin was appointed district-attorney.
HON. CHARLES D. PARKER. - He was born in Coos County, N.H., Dec. 27, 1827. He came to Wiseonsin in the year 1836, with his father, who settled In 1846 Mr. George R. C. Floyd being removed from his office as secretary of the Territory, Mr. Catlin was appointed to that position by Pres. Polk, which he held until 1848. where the village of Muskegon Centre, Waukesha County, Is now located. At that time his nearest neighbor was about three miles distant. His father was very well known in Milwaukee A bill was introduced into Congress by Hon. Morgan L. Martin, the dele- gate of Wisconsin, to organize a Terri- torial government for Minnesota, in- cluding the distriet left out on the admission of Wisconsin as a State. The citizens of what is now Minnesota were very anxious to obtain a Territorial government; and two publie meetings were held, - one at St. Paul, and the County. He took an active part In the earlier politics of the State, and was elected representative from Milwaukee County to the Territorial legislature in 1846, and was prominent in the organ- Ization of Waukesha County. C. D. Parker received a common sehool and academic education, and, at its termi- nation, engaged in teaching school In winter, and farming in summer. He ! other at Stillwater, -advising and soli- removed to Pleasant Valley, St. Croix citing Mr. Catlin, who was secretary of Wisconsin, to issue a proclamation, as County, in 1859, and settled upon a
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the acting governor, for the election of a delegate. After some consideration, Mr. Catlin repaired to Stillwater, and issued the proclamation. Gen. H. H. Sibley was elected; and he did much towards hastening the passage of a biil for organizing a Territorial government for Minnesota.
Mr. Catlin was subsequently elected judge of Dane County. This office he resigned on being appointed president of the Milwaukee and Mississippi Rail- road Company, when he removed to Milwaukee, where the principal office was kept. He was mainly instru- mental in procuring, in the banking law, a provision making first mortgage bonds of railroads, to the amount of fifty percent, the basis of banking, under cer- tain restrictions, - a provision which enabled him to sell and Issue six hun- dred thousand dollars of bonds on the said road, which breathed Into the cor- poration the breath of life, and gave it a grand start towards the Mississippi.
Being offered the position a second time in 1856, he declined, and after- wards received a vote of thanks for the efficient manner in which he had dis- charged the duties of that office.
After the failure of the company in the revulsion of 1857, Mr. Catlin was again elected president, and re-organ- ized the company under the name of the Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien Railway; and was vice-president until the consolidation of the company with the Miiwankee and St. Paul.
Mr. Catlin possessed practical busi- ness talent and good executive ability, as Is seen in his management of the construction of the railroad from Mil- waukee to the Mississippi.
He was a man of genial disposition, of pleasant and affable manner, and had a large circle of warm and last- ing friends.
GEN. JOSHUA J. GUPPEY. - He was born in Dover, N.H., Aug. 27, 1820. Graduated at Dartmouth College in 1843; was admitted to the bar in his native county ; and came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1846. He first settled at Columbus, but removed from that place to Portage in 1831. He has been in public life nearly all the time since he became a citizen of Wisconsin. In 1849 he was appointed judge of Pro- bate by Gov. Dewey ; and, in September of that year, he was elected county judge, and under that election, and a subsequent one, held that office from 1850 to 1858. From 1859 to 1861, he den Weld, and was born Sept. 1, 1812, was school superintendent of the city
of Portage. In 1861 he entered the army as lieutenant-colonel of the Tenth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, and was promoted to colonel of the Twenty- third Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers in 1862. He continued in service till the ciose of the war, and was brevetted brigadier-general from March 13, 1865, "for gallant and meritorious services during the war." While lieutenant- colonei of the Tenth Regiment, he served under Gen. O. M. Mitchell in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. As colonel of the Twenty-third Regi- ment, he took part In the attack on Vicksburg, in December, 1862; in the capture of Post Arkansas, In January, 1883; in the battles of l'ort Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge; in the siege and capture of Vicksburg; in the capture of Fort Morgan in Mobile Bay; and in a small but sharp battle near Grand Coteau, La., in November, 1863. Greeley writes of this in his " American Conflict," "Our right, thus suddenly assailed in great force, and with intense fury, was broken, and was saved from utter destruction by the devoted bravery of the Twenty- third Wisconsin, and the efficient ser- vice of Nims's Battery."
In the battle iast mentioned, Col. Guppey was wounded and taken pris- oner while fighting at the head of his gallant regiment, and was exchanged In January, 1864. For some time after his exchange, he served as president of a military commission, sitting at New Orieans for the examination of officers. After that, he was made a brigade or post commander till the end of the war, and participated in many minor actions, but In none of the great battles which oc- curred in 1864 and 1865, except the land- attack on Fort Morgan.
In January, 1866, Gen. Guppey again became county judge of Colum- bus County, under an election heid while he was in the army, and with- out his knowledge of his being a candi- date; and, under that and successive elections, he has held that office ever since. He was also school superintend- ent of Portage city from 1806 to 1873, when he declined a re-election.
Gen. Guppey is a man of strong, practical sense, and unerring judg- ment. The predominating features of his temperament are sound principles, energy, and perseveranoc.
PROF. ALLEN HAYDEN WELD. - He was the son of Samuel and Sarah Hay- in Braintree, Vt. Mr. Weld possessed
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a strong desire for a collegiate educa- tion, and a wish to graduate at Yale College; but, being entirely dependent on his own exertions, he met with many anxious struggles and embar- rassments. He took a three-years' pre- paratory course in the Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire. From motives of economy, he entered Dart- mouth College; and, after remaining there two years, he went to Yale, and was admitted to the junior class. The year after graduating he spent at Nan- tucket, where he succeeded in retriev- ing his debts contracted in the college course. He then commenced the study of theology at Andover Theological Seminary, not so much with a view of preparing for the ministry as for the general advantage of a higher disci- pline. After studying two years in the seminary, he became an assistant teacher in Latin and Greek in Phillips Academy of that place, but was soon invited to take charge of an academy in Maine. This position was accepted by him on the condition that the course of instruction should consist mainly of the classics necessary to prepare students for college.
From 1837 to 1848, he was at the head of this academy, which became a lead- ing institution in the State for prepar- ing students to enter college. Mr. Weld became deeply interested in the struc- ture of language, and, during his con- nection with this school, published sev- eral school-books,-an " English Gram- mar," "Latin Lessons, and Reader," and a "Parsing-book, with Exercises in Sentential Analysis." In 1839 he was elected a member of the Board of Overseers of Bow loin College, and con- tinued in this office during his entire residence in Maine. From 1850 to 1856, he was principal of the Cumberland Academy in Maryland; and, for three succesive years, he was principal of the Tilden Ladies' Seminary in West Leba- non, N.II.
From highly-colored 'representations of the north-western part of the State of Wisconsin, he was induced to make investments in government lands; and, to avoid the loss of property, he was compelled to resign his position at West Lebanon, and to remove to Wisconsin. For several years, he has been a mem- ber of the board of regents of the State normal schools, and, in common with others who have felt the need of better educational facilities in the north-west- ern part of the State, he has been ear- nest in his efforts to secure the loca-
tion of the fourth State Normal School at River Falls. Hopes long entertained have at length been realized by the erec- tion of a fine building.
Mr. Weld, though now retired to a farm, takes a lively interest in the cause of popular education, to which, during his residence in Wisconsin, a period of sixteen years, he has devoted much time and labor.
HON. CARL C. POPE. - He was born in Washington, Orange County, Vt., July 22, 1834. When eighteen years of age, he commenced the study of law with Hon. J. P. Kidder, then lieutenant-governor of Vermont, and now delegate to Congress from Da- kota. In 1856 he was admitted as an attorney-at-law at Chelsea, Vt., by Judge Collamer, who has since been elected United States senator. In 1856 he removed to Black River Falls, where he now resides. In 1858 he was elected district-attorney of Jack- son County, and in 1860 was re- elected to the same office. In 1861 and 1862 he was a member of the assembly, and was elected senator from the thirty-second district in 1863: He was a delegate in the following year to the Baltimore convention which nominated Lincoln and Johnson.
He was made a Master Mason in 1861, and, six years later, a Knight Templar. Has been Master of Black River Lodge, No. 74, seven years, and High Priest of Black River Chapter three years.
JUDGE JOHN SHAW MOFFAT. - He was born in Lansing, N.Y., Nov. 25, 1814. He was educated at Cortland Academy, Cortland County, N. Y., and subsequently became a lawyer. Soon: after his removal to Hudson, in 1854, he was made police justice, which office he held for about ten years. In. 1869 he was elected county judge, and in 1873 was re-elected.
Judge Moffat is of Irish descent, and possesses many of the character- istic traits peculiar to that race. His grandparents were educated and prom -. Inent residents of Ireland, and came to America in the latter part of their lives.
Judge Moffat still resides in Hudson, where he possesses the respect and confidence of the entire people.
JUDGE J. E. MANN. - He was born March 4, 1821, in Schoharie, Schoharie County, N.Y. His father was a farmer ;. and he lived and labored on the farm. till he was about twenty years of age. During his vacations he prepared for college, and in 1840 entered the sopho-
Diotizel cine
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more class at Williams College, Massa- chusetts. Here he remained two terms, when he entered, in the third term of the sophomore year, at Union College, where he graduated in 1843. While at school, he was elected a member of the Pli Beta Kappa Society, in a class of about one hundred. He read law at Schoharie, with the late Hon Jacob Hanck, jun., and in July, 1846, was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of New York.
He practised law in Schoharle County until May, 1854, when he re- moved to the village of West Bend, Washington County, Wis. Here he continued to practise in his profession, having formed a copartnership witli Hon. L. F. Frisby. In April, 1859, he was elected judge of the third circuit, to fill the vacancy caused by the resig- nation of the Hon. Charles H. Larra- bee. In 1860 he was again elected to that position. Jan. 1, 1867, he re- moved to Milwaukee, forming a part- nership with the Hon. F. W. Cotz- hausen, where he remained, doing a successful and lucrative business, until Feb. 5, 1874. At this time Gov. Taylor appointed him judge of Milwaukee County, in place of Hon. H. L. Palmer, who had resigned.
entered upon the discharge of them immediately after the discovery of the Gardiner and Lynch defaication. He leld this position for five successive terms.
The re-adjustment and funding of the city and railroad debt were com- ienced, and successfully carried out. The duties of the comptroller were, on that account, very laborious, as he was clerk, ex officio, of the public debt. In 1866 he engaged In the real-estate business, more exclusively taking care of the. property of non-residents. Two years later, he was associated with Christian Opt in this business. In 1870 he assisted in the organization of the Home Savings Bank, of which he afterwards became a stockholder. Subsequently the bank became con- solidated with the bank of M. von Baumbach ; and Mr. Kuehn was chosen Its vice-president, which office he held until 1873. He was elected State treasurer on the Reform ticket, receiv- ing a most flattering home indorse- ment. He entered upon the duties of that office Jan. 5, 1875. Mr. Kuehn's residence since that time has been in Madison, In order that he might devote more attention to the duties of that office.
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