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 71
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75
At the close of the war he resumed the practice of his profession in Fond du Lac. In 1868-69 he represented in the State senate the senatorial district consisting of Fond du Lac County. In 1871 he was the Democratic candi- date for attorney-general on the State ticket, and in his own county and the adjoining one of Calumet. His per- sonal popularity gave him hundreds of vote beyond his party-strength. Gen. Bragg's reputation as a lawyer is not confined to the State. His mind is emi- nently a legal one, - clear, far-sighted, and logical. In addition to his legal attainments, he lias remarkable oratori- cal abilities, and, as an advocate before a jury, has no superior in the State. Gen. Bragg is small of staturc, but well proportioned, firmly knit, and with an Iron constitution.
JOSEPH E. HARRIMAN. - He was in Orange County, N.Y., Feb. 20, 1827. born at Louisville, St. Lawrence Coun-
ficoogle
776
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
ty, N.Y., Aug. 16, 1834. He came to | remarkable revival of religion broke Wisconsin in May, 1852. He resided out in Richiand County; and Mr. Irish became one of the converts. The secpticism of his previous life gave way; and he embraced with ardor the faitli of the gospel, and very soon after joined the Methodist-Episcopal Church, and began to preach. In the fall of 1859, at the session of the West Wis- consin Conference at Plattevilic, being urged thereto by the church and his own convictions, he was received on triai, and appointed to Varoqua in Vernon County, as his first cireuit. in Walworth County during 1852-53, and attended Milton College during 1854-55. He settled in Appleton in 1856, where he still resides. In 1856- 57 he was a snceessful student at Lawrence University. Studied law with Jewett and Hudd in 1858-59, and with the late Judge Cotton of Greci Bay in 1868; and was admitted to the bar, where he has distinguished him- seif not less for his integrity than for his ability. He has held many posi- tions of trust, and in 1873 was elected county judge for Outagamie County, for a term of four years. In politics he is a Liberai Republican.
REV. JOSEPH E. IRISH. - He was born, Aug. 7, 1833, in Paris, Oneida County, N.Y. He was the third son of Daniel and Edna Irish. His ances- tors on both sides were among the first settlers in New England. In 1835 his parents removed to Wesleyvilie, Penn., where they remained until the summer of 1837, when they returned to New York, and settled at Perryville, Madi- son County. Here he passed his boy- hood, regularly attending the district school; and in 1849-50 studied at the Oneida Conference Seminary at Caze- novia, ranking his fellow-students in the study of mathematics. In the winter of 1849-50, at the age of sixteen, he engaged in teaching at the head of Cazenovia Lake, and the following winter pursued the same employment near New Haven, Conn.
In May, 1851, he came to Wisconsin, and settled at Sextonville, Richland County, at that time a new and sparse- ly-settled region. Here he soon after became actively engaged in surveying, for which his previous studies had fitted him; and, soon after he became of age, was elected county surveyor, holding, also, the office of town elerk of the town in which he resided. A very large proportion of the roads and villages in that part of the State were surveyed by him, and he was also actively connected with the survey of the railroad between Madison and Prairie du Chien. July 12, 1855, he was married to Miss Lucy E. Britton, at that time of Lacrosse, but formerly of Riehiand County, and by whom he has had six children, ail of whom are living. His union with Miss Britton proved to be eminentiy satisfactory ; and the mutuai affeet ion existing between them remained in brightness until the close of her life. In the summer of 1858, a
The itinerant system of the Method- ist Church has been the means of repeatedly changing the field of his labors from that time; so that he has been personally identified with the in- terests of many portions of the State.
He was appointed presiding eider of the St. Croix District, and removed to Hudson, and afterwards to New Rich- mond. In the fall of 1871, while actively engaged in serving his church in this capacity, he was approached by leading men of the district, and urged to accept the nomination of senator for the twenty-fourth district of the State. This large district, embracing eight counties, had such varicd and important interests to subserve, that whoever represented it in the legisla- ture required much versatility of talents, and keenness of observation, to satisfy his constituents. Believing that the call was in the line of Provi- dence, Mr. Irish accepted the nomina- tion in behalf of the Republican party, and was elected by the unprecedented majority of nearly two thousand votes. It was the first instance of a clergy- man ever having been elected to the senate of Wisconsin; and Mr. Irish entered upon the discharge of his duties with a strong desire to advance the interests of the State by a faithful and judicious Christian course.
The famous Graham Temperance Bill found in him an ardent friend; and its passage has, by its friends, been often imputed largely to his activ- ity and influence. Whatever conein- sions may have been arrived at con- cerning the bearing of this law on the great issues of temperance, it was re- garded at the time as an essential measure by temperance men, and was therefore pressed to a successful issue. During both years of Mr. Irish's ser- vice in the senate, he served also as its chaplain by the request of that body. In the fall of 1872 he was appointed by Gov. Washburn, chairman of the State
1
777
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Visiting Committee, and, as such, | the old homestead. The early history visited all the charitable and penal institutions of the State. The report of this committee, while recommend- ing liberal appropriations for the in- stitutions fostered by the State, indi- cated a settled purpose to ignore any claims from institutions under the care of any religions denomination.
The celebrated struggle In the legis- lature over the St. Croix land-grant transpired during the second year of Mr. Irish's term; and he rendered sig- nal service on the side of the North Wisconsin Company, acting as cham- pion of their bill. The result of that struggle has fully justified him in the course he pursued, though at the time a partisan spirit was evoked against him. The Lacrosse Bridge Bill, which was vetoed by the governor, and which veto was sustained by the votes of Mr. Irish and others, gave opportunity to test the mettle of honest men. While rumors of bribery and corruption were rife during that stormy time, no faint- est breath fell upon Mr. Irish. He returned to his constituents with the satisfaction of having done his duty. In June, 1873, he was appointed regis- ter of the United States Land Office at Eau Claire, and removed there with his family, now decimated by death; his wife having suddenly died the pre- vlous winter. He retained this office until April, 1875, when he resigned the office, it interfering with his chosen profession of minister of the gospel. In January, 1874, he was again married to Miss Isabella H. Cobban of Eau Claire.
The appointments which have been held by Mr. Irish both in Church and State indicate the esteem in which he is held and the estimate placed upon his talents.
Mr. Irish is tall and portly, of com- manding personal appearance. His phrenology and physiognomy betoken a high order of intellect; and his mild blue eye and genial smile rightly im- press one with the idea that there is a warm heart beneath. He is exceed- ingly modest, and slirinks from making himself prominent among men.
HON. DAVID ATWOOD.1-" He was born in Bedford, N.H., Dec. 15, 1815. He belongs to a vigorous and long-lived family. His parents are natives of the town of Bedford; and his father, now more than ninety years of age, lives on
1 We are indebted to the columns of The Western Monthly, August, 1869, for this sketch. - C. R. T.
of Gen. Atwood is that of all sturdy New England boys who worked on their fathers' farms in summer, and attended the district schools in winter. It was hot work, wrestling with Nature in those sultry days on the stony hill- sides of a rough New England farm, forcing the soil to yield subsistence. Cold and raw were the autumn months, and hard the struggle through deep drifts, and against the blustering winter-wind, on the way to the old schoolhouse. It seemed sometimes as if old Boreas lurked about the hills in ambush, waiting for a chance to blow away such boys and girls as were not anchored to the earth with plenty of bone and muscle. This course of life, until he was sixteen years of age, developed and strengthened him, and firmly fixed those habits of Industry and frugality which have given him subsequent success. He thus became fitted for a fair fight with the world.
"On arriving at the age of fifteen years, he took up his residence in Hamilton, Madison County, N.Y., and commenced work at a printer's case. Five years of assiduous toil intervened before he again saw the paternal roof-tree, during which time he had the satisfaction of becoming inaster of his craft. For nearly three years following, he travelled exten- sively through the South and West. Much of the time he was in the employ of a printing-house; and his business afforded him opportunity to study the country, and become familiar with the resources and character of the people. The States of Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois, were thoroughly explored; and every consid- erable town was visited. Gen. Atwood was first introduced to Chicago when it lay in a swamp, with a main street muddy, and almost impassable, and the business of the town centred about a forlorn wooden hotel, not far from the Tremont House, but on the opposite side of Lake Street. Declining a tempt- ing offer to engage In business In Cin- cinnati, he returned to Hamilton, N.Y., in 1839, where he undertook the publi- cation of a weekly newspaper, called ' The Palladium,' in conjunction with his brother. Among the types, and as a journalist, for five long years he labored on, through the 'hard cider' campaign, and until the defeat of Henry Clay.
"Some time during these years of journalistic employ, he received a com-
778
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
mission as adjutant from his Exeel- | his mental vision, and an analytical lency, Gov. Seward, and a subsequent mind, he Is enabled to adorn the journalistie profession with many and valuable gifts. commission as major, duly counter- signed by Gen. Rufus King, adjutant- general, and afterwards editor of 'The Milwaukee Sentinel,' and minister to Rome. Under Gov. Bouck, the father of Gen. Bouck of Oshkosh, Major At- wood was commissioned colonel of a regiment of militia, which he command- ed for several years, attending regularly the annual encampments and general trainings so well remembered by New- Yorkers in 'auld lang syne.'
"Finding himself broken in health, after the political campaign of 1844, - a campaign so gallantly fought, and so foolishly lost, -Col. Atwood again set his face westward. His newspaper had paid expenses, and nothing more. From a zealous advocacy of the eause of the famous Kentuckian - which he ardently espoused, and to which he gave five of his best years -he came out at length at a pecuniary sacrifice, and with health seriously impaired.
"Pushing into Illinois, in 1845, he was so much attracted by the beauty and fertility of the prairies, that he at onee located a farm near the city of Freeport. Two years of more rugged outdoor occupation than had been his wont - years of brawny development, not unmixed with finanelai trouble. and discouragement on account of the failure of erops - served to restore the colonel's health, and to induce him to again engage in editorial labors, Being directed to Wisconsin as a Territory of thrift and promise, he was induced to establish himself at Madison, at that day the capital of the Territory, but a small and Ineonsiderable village. At once he became connected with 'The Madison Express,' a Whig paper, the editorial labor and management of which he assumed until the autumn of 1852, when he brought into exist- enee 'The Daily State Journal,' which he has ever since published. Having carefully reported the proceedings of the closing sessions of the Territorial legislature convened at Madison, and the entire proceedings of the Constitu- tional Convention, he has the honor of possessing more direet familiarity with the action of these bodies than perhaps any man living. He wields a ready pen. and has a reputation for writing with aceuracy and despatch. By habit, he holds his ideas in soin- tion, ready for use. Having a retentive memory, combined with a skill to take on the wing the thoughts that eross
"During the term of the Hon. L. J. Farwell, governor of Wisconsin, Coi. Atwood held the position of quarter- master-general of that State. In the management of 'The Journal,' soon after its establishment, he associated with himself as co-editor the Hon. Horace Rublee, now United States minister to Switzerland, a man of intellectual strength and fine eulture. Thereupon, the paper took a leading position, and became firmly estab- lished. It has ever been public spirit- ed and enterprising, and Republican in politics. So far as its influence extends, it may be regarded as the reflex of the enterprise of its founder.
"In 1858 he was commissioned major-general of the fifth division of the State militia. For a number of years he has been one of the leaders in the ranks of the Republican party in Wisconsin. He became a member of the legislature in 1860, and was chosen speaker pro tem. of the assem- bly. On account of his known in- tegrity and executive ability, he was appointed United States assessor when that office was first ereated. In 1868 he held the office of mayor in the eity of Madison. At the Republican State convention, in September in that year, on the first ballot for governor, he received fifty-three votes, with a large majority of those from his own dis- trict, - a flattering compliment to his politicai standing, considering that that district had above half a dozen candidates for State offiees in the field.
" In person, Gen. Atwood is of medium stature, with dark-blue eyes and silver-gray hair. His features are regular, and particularly pleasant and expressive when in conversation. In private character, he is above suspi- cion or reproach. As a public man and a politielan, it is sufficient to re- mark, that his instinets are strongly Republican, without the element of partisan bitterness. He possesses valued friends in all parties, and in controversy exhibits the frankness and modesty of a true gentlenran. As a pubile inan, he has accomplished much for the advancement of educa- tion, and the general welfare of soci- ety. In all projects to increase the national prosperity of the West, he has been foremost. In private life, he is
779
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
benevolent and hospitable; in politics, | he accomplished great things for the hopefui; in mental cast, shrewd and State. Although he has retired from practical. He is such a representative of the coming men and workers of the West, that, perhaps, he has not been inaptly called the ' Benjamin Franklin of the Wisconsin press.'
"The lives of the men who are at work at the foundations of govern- ment, who are extending the Republic, and rearing the superstructure of American liberty upon the boundless prairies of the West, are recorded upon the stones and columns they have piaced therein ; and, though the words may seem blurred to many eyes, future generations will rewrite them in en- during marble."
He took his seat in Congress in February, 1870, succeeding the Hon. B. F. Hopkins, who died the previous month in the same year. In Congress, Mr. Atwood was industrious; and ef- fectual bills in which he was interest- ed, were passed, such as the Northern Pacific Railway Bill, to render the land-grant available, and to Insure the construction of the line; the act in relation to the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin River; that di- viding Wisconsin into two judicial districts, &c.
As an editor, Gen. Atwood is true to the right, never sacrificing honor in partisan disputes, but always main- taining a dignity in political conflict. Through this bearing he has made his name agreeable in the ears of all polit- ical parties, and his journal a power for good in the nation.
HON. JAMES T. LEWIS. - He was born in Clarendon, Orleans County, N.Y., Oct. 30, 1819. He received his academical education at Clarkson and Clinton, N.Y., and read law with Gov. Seidon, at the former place. He came to Wisconsin in July, 1845; was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court; and commenced the practice of law at Columbus, where he has since resided. He has held eight different offices In the State, commencing with that of district-attorney, and closing with that of governor. When elected secretary of state, he received every vote cast in his own city. When elected governor, his majority was nearly twenty-five thousand, - a very large majority for Wisconsin. For his record as governor of the State of Wisconsin, we refer the reader to the foregoing chapters on his administration. He was a successful war governor; and, although he made but little display,
public life, at his beautiful home in Columbus, his unanimous call to the permanent chairmanship of the recent Republican State Convention shows that his great popularity is still alive. Should he consent to again enter public life, his career would, no doubt, be marked with success. He Is wealthy, and enjoys life as only a man with a clear conscience can.
HON. JOEL S. FISK. - He was born at St. Albans, Vt., Oct. 24, 1810. At the age of twenty-one, in the fall of 1831, he was married to Miss Green of Plattsburg, N.Y. He emigrated to Green Bay in 1835, where, or at Fort Howard, on the opposite side of the Fox River, he has since resided. Through a long series of successful business operations, he has accumu- lated considerable means, and is now in the enjoyment of wealth and re- tirement. In 1846 he was appointed postmaster at Green Bay, and in 1848 he was appointed register of the land office. In his younger days, he was quite a politician, but, in more advanced years, he confined himseif strictly to business. He is a worthy and efficient member of the Baptist church of Fort Howard.
REV. H. STONE RICHARDSON. - He was born in the State of New York, Madison County, in 1828. At the early age of eleven years, he under- took, at his own suggestion, to care for himself. He left home, and made application to the principal of an academy at De Ruyter, to ring the bell in that institution for room and tuition. He remained at that school, most of the time, for four years, -an exceedingly diligent student, paying his way, in the mean time, by sawing wood in the school, and about the town, after dark.
He left this school when about seven- teen. and pursued his studies at Caz- enovia, until prepared for Union Col- lege. meeting his own expenses by teaching about four months of each year.
About the time he intended to enter college, his friends persuaded him to attend school at Albany instead, and complete his schooling in that city. He did so; after which, he spent six years in travel, visiting nearly all the States, and all the places of interest in the United States. He also made a journey to Europe, and spent several months among the islands of both oceans.
780
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Mr. Richardson raised a party of young men in 1840, in the interior of Texas, and made a journey across the con- tinent to California. He became a resident of Mariposa County in that State, then a Territory, and resided in! the State two years. HIc was elected a member of the legislature, and was recognized as one of the most influ- ential men of the assembly.
HIc won, during the session, the higliest respect and confidence of all the State. At the close of this session, hearing of the dangerous illness of lis mother in New York, he hastened home, but found her deccased. The fatigue of this journey threw him into a dangerons illucss, from which he very slowly recovercd.
During this illness, and immediately after, lie became convinced that his life-work was not that of a politician, but of the ministry. He innnediately united with the Methodist-Episcopal Church, and, in a brief time, was preaching with marked success and acceptability.
He is, to-day, preacher in charge at Madison City, Wis. We have not the data, nor, indecd, have we the space, for a full biographical sketch. We may say, however, that, during the war, Mr. Richardson acted a very prominent part. He raised, it is said, more men for the army than any one man in the country. He was chaplain, captain of pioneers, military agent of New York State, and, finally, major of cavalry.
He occupied, as a preacher, the first pulpit of the conference to which he belonged; and, though but a little time a member of the West Wisconsin Con- ference, is stationed at the capital, and is now closing his third year of most successful work. He is well known in all parts of the State, having lectured quite extensively since he became a resident of Wisconsin.
He is a hard student, both of books and men. He is a man of decided characteristics and marked individuali- ty. His sermons are wholly his own, and are peculiarly unlike those of other men, thoroughly prepared for every occasion.
In 1853 he married Miss Charlotte S. Curtis, youngest daughter of Mr. I. Curtis of Madison, N.Y. This lady has proved a prudent, faithful wife, an affectionate, wise mother, and an active, useful member of society. She is modest, even retiring, plain and simple, yet tasteful in her manners
and dress. She seems to have been intended for the wife of a Methodist preacher, and, as such, her character- istics are worthy of careful study. She has the peculiar faculty of ex- pressing her own ideas, even in a forcible manner, without giving of- fence. Thinking much, speaking care- fully, ever pleasant, always courteous to those in error, firm in purpose, never out of her place, and always a true Christian, she has drawn around her life the trucst affection of many many warm friends. To speak her praise is but to touch a thousand chords of her praise which vibrate through and through the nine charges in which she has, during the past twenty years, labored with her husband in this work of love.
Rev. Mr. Richardson, in many re- spects, is a remarkable man. His great ability as a preacher is hid in the deep folds of his peculiar natural gifts. Although an accomplished scholar in the great field of kuowl- edge pertaining to the ministry, yet his sermons display the imprint of genius peculiar to their author, and are admired as much on this account as on the score of their theological scope. No man has ever spent half an hour in conversation with Mr. Richardson, and afterwards forgotten him. To sec and talk with him is to get an impression so agreeable to the mind as to be retained amongst its richest treasures. His individuality is so strong, and its characteristics arc so blended, and in such striking contrast with his fellows, as to induce a con- stant criticism. This criticism is gen- crally favorable. As a preacher. he is clotlied with peculiar power. He has always united the energies of his people, and drawn after him the decpest respect from every charge with which he has been connected. As a friend, he is generous, sometimes enthusiastic, but never selfish or par- tial in his benevolence. As a citizen, he is a warm advocate of law and good order, but stamps his disapproval upon the centralization of wealth or power in any form.
HON. W. J. FISK. - He was born in Brunswick. O., June 25, 1833. Hc re- moved to Green Bay. Wis., with his parents, in 1836. In 1848 we find Mr. Fisk actively engaged drafting maps in the government land-office at Green Bay. Hc made the maps for the State for the Fox and Wisconsin Improvement Company, which maps are still in pos-
781
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
session of the State authorities. These | In which Mr. Fisk has been, or is now, were the maps upon which the original grant of land was made by Congress to the State for said improvement. When only fifteen years of age, he bought forty acres of land on Ball Prairie, near the site of the present city of Oshkosh, borrowing half the money with which to make the purchase. John Fitzgerald, an old pioneer, and resident of Oshkosh, As a member of the Wisconsin State legislature, he is attentive to the duties of the position, a valuable finan- cier, modest in argument, but firm in decision. His opinion is respected, and his word honored. who is well known to all the early set- tlers in that vicinity, loaned him the money necessary to secure the land. He soon iaid up enough from his earn- ings to buy eighty acres more In Brown County. Leaving the iand-office, he was engaged at clerking in a general store at Green Bay untii 1852. He then attended school at Appleton one year, after which, in 1853, he entered mer- chandising on his own account. He had no capitai; but his father, Hon. Joel Fisk, ioaned him money. In 1854 he deeded Mr. Fisk a store and lot in Fort Howard, which establishment he conducted, doing a general business, until 1861, In which he was remarkably successful. In 1855 he was married to Mary J., daughter of J. J. Briggs, a pioneer of Fond du Lac. He was post- master at Fort Howard from 1862 to 1875. The financial panlc of 1857 in- jured his business interests largely; but, in the three years following, he paid six thousand dollars' debts, paying one hundred cents on the doliar. He sold out, and retired from business in 1861; and in 1862 he was elected treasurer of the city of Fort Howard. He was also member of the city council of Fort Howard two years. In 1868 he was managing-owner of a steamboat-line on Green Bay, as, also, a stage-line over the same route in winter. At this time he became largely Interested in the Republic Fire- Insurance Company of Chicago, and established the Green Bay branch, in- vesting over ten thousand dollars in its stock. In the great Chicago fire of 1871, the company failed; and Mr. Fisk iost heavily. He was one of the projectors of the Green Bay and Minnesota Rail- road, and was largely instrumental in its early completion. In 1871 he, with other prominent commercial operators in Wisconsin and Illinois, purchased ten thousand acres of iand iying be- tween Fort Howard and Menomonee. These lands are rich in iumber and Iron. The North-western Railroad will soon penetrate them, and open up their re- sources. But we have no space to enu- merate half the commercial enterprises
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.