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 73
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June, 1835. He became a member of | Soon after his engagement on this the judiciary committee on public lands, and was elected by the settlers at the court-house, on March 13, 1837. When he came to Milwaukee, Solomon Junean and his employees, Horace Chase, Joel S. Wilcox, Albert Fowler, White J. Evans, and a few transient characters were there, of whom Hor- acc Chase is the only man still a resi- dent. In 1837 he moved to the farmi where he now resides. He was a member of the assembly in 1849-51, 1853, and 1870. He received the Whig vote in 1850. He was the third presi- dent of the "Old Settlers' Club." In April, 1835, there was no tavern be- tween Chicago and Milwaukee. In coming from Coldwater, Mr. Chase found considerable difficulty in finding accommodations for his family at night. The first two nights they were obliged to sleep on the "soft side of a floor," and the last night on the bare ground ncar Oak Creek. Dr. Chase was married to Julia Ann Ellsworth, March 24, 1835. She died Jan. 5, 1837, leaving an infant daughter. He was married to Nancy M. Bromley, Sept. 24, 1837, who is the mother of ten children, five of whom are still living. Dr. Chase is upright and just; and his word is as good as his bond. He Is an obliging man, and a pleasant neighbor.
work, the chief engineer, William Young, transferred him to the charge of the Hudson and Berkshire Railroad. He completed the survey and location of that line of road in 1834; but, as the company was not then ready to com- mence its construction, he became the assistant engineer, under Alexander Twining, on the Hartford and New Haven Railroad. Soon after the com- pletion of the location of the line, and the work put under contract, Mr. Twin- ing resigned; and Mr. Brodlicad was appointed chief engineer. The work was finished in 1837, with the flat rail, then almost exclusively In use in this country. In 1836 he made a survey as chief engineer for the Housatonic Railroad, and acted as consulting en- gineer for Mr. Talcott in making a contract with Mason and Bishop for its construction. In the fall of that year, Mr. Brodhead was married to his present wife, a daughter of Nathaniel Fletcher of Newburyport, Mass. In 1837 he removed to Brooklyn to enter upon the survey, in connection with John Stoddard, of the new portion of the city under a commission by the legislature. This work required great care and accuracy, and was not finished till 1839. The canal commissioners chose him to survey the country for the extension of the Black-river Canal, between Boonville, Watertown, and Sackett's Harbor on Lake Ontario, and Ogdensburg on the St. Lawrence River. In 1840 Gov. Seward appointed him chief engineer under an act passed by legislature, authorizing a survey to be made of the northern portion of the State, known as the " John Brown " tract. The report of this survey, with the estimates, maps, and plans, was completed and submitted to the legis- lature in 1841. The next year, he surveyed a route for a railroad from Catskill on the Hudson River, to Can- ajoharie in the valley of the Mohawk. A small portion of the route had been bullt, but was so badly located and constructed, and the whole route proved of so formidable a character, that, upon his report, the project was abandoned, and the portion construct- ed taken up. In 1843 the canal board
E. H. BRODHEAD, C.E. - he was born in Plattekill, Ulster County, N.Y., in 1809. His father. Oliver Brod- head, was a farmer. Mr. Brodhead worked on the farm during the sum- mers, and attended school in the win- ter months, till he was cighteen years old. Subsequently, he attended Will- ett's Academy in Dutchess County. In 1830 West Point was the only in- stitution where engineering was taught as a separate branch. Desirous of taking a shorter course, he obtained private instruction from the professors of that institution; the practice of which has since been discontinued. Here he was prepared for field work, and for constructing railroads, then just commencing. In 1832, leaving West Point, he obtained a situation on the Ithaca and Oswego Railroad, then about to be commenced under John Randall, Chief Engineer. In 1833 and 1834 he was appointed deputy resident engineer appointed him to the surveyor-general, for the purpose of enlargement of the Erie Canal, between retracing the boundaries of the Onon- Little Falls and Syracuse, and also to daga Reservation, and especially the act in the same capacity on the Che- town of Syracuse. The same year he nango and Black River Canals. This was appointed assistant engineer on work was completed in 1845, when he the Utica and Schenectady Railroad. accepted the position of chief engineer
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and superintendent of the Hartford and | commissioner for the purpose of con- New Haven Railroad, then in opera- structing a system of water-works for the city of Milwaukee. This duty was performed without compensation, and the works have been completed, and turned over to the city in June, 1875. Mr. Brodhead attributes a portion of his good health to outdoor exercise. The name of Mr. Brodhead has, for many years, been prominent in the engineering profession. Through his zeal and industry, the East and the West are indebted for their improved railroad facilities. In our State, the iron band connecting the Great Lakes with the Mississippi remains a monu- ment of his untiring zeal and energy. Ilis name will ever be honored by the citizens of Milwaukee for the part he performed in bringing to a successful completion the perfect system of water-works in their city. tion to Springfield, Mass. He remained in charge of the work until 1848, when he was tendered the situation of chief engineer of the Hartford and Willi- mantic Roads, and as he preferred to construct, rather than to superintend, railroads, he accepted the position. In its course, the route crossed the Con- necticut River and the Bolton Moun- tain. In order to reach the summit of this mountain, and save as much rock- excavation as possible, it became neces- sary to adopt a grade of sixty feet to the mile for a distance of five miles, which at that early day, before loco- motives had been improved in their capacity to overcome steep grades, was a work of no small interest. This work was completed in 1850, when he returned to Utica to take charge of the survey of a ronte extending from COL. JAMES MIDDLETON ARNOLD. -He was born in Libertyville, Ill., April 26, 1841. He came to Milwau- kee, Wis., with his parents, when an infant, and has lived there up to the present time. In 1858 he entered business as a drug-clerk, in the employ of Henry Fess, jun. Subsequently he entered the employ of Smith, Chandler, and Co., from whence, in 1862, he en- listed in the Twenty-fourth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, a Milwaukee city regiment. He went through the war; was taken prisoner at battle of Murfreesborough, Dec. 31, 1852, and spent two months in Libby Prison. He was exchanged, and detailed for clerical duty on staff of Major-Gen. John Pope, on which duty he continued for fourteen months, during which time he was married. He was relieved by General Orders of War Department, and rejoined the regiment while in line of battle on Rocky Fall Bridge, Ga., served on the staff of Major-Gens. Newton and George H. Thomas, and afterwards filled the position of assist- ant adjutant-general in State of T'en- nessee, with the rank of major, holding such commission in the Third Ten- nessee (Union) Cavalry. Schenectady to Syracuse, a distance of one hundred and thirty miles. In the winter of 1851 Mr. Holton, a di- rector of the Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien Railroad, employed Mr. Brod- head to finish constructing the road, which had been completed as far as Eagle. There were many features in the construction of this road which were of a serious character; but it was finally completed in 1857. The last year of his connection with this road, he was president of the company. In 1853 Mr. Brodhead was selected as one of a commission of three to inves- tigate the first serious collision that oc- curred in the North-west. It took place between two train of cars, - one upon the Southern Michigan Railroad, and the other upon the Michigan Central, at the crossing of the two roads, at a point about seven miles south of Chi- cago. In the report upon the subject, a recommendation was made, that a regulation should be adopted, that all trains, before crossing the track of another railroad, should come to a stand-still. This plan has since been adopted, and in most States has be- come a law. In 1857 he closed his business in engineering, having been He is now connected with the firm of Arnold, Yule, and Co., the most ex- tensive dealers in engines, wood and iron working machinery, and manu- facturers' supplies, in Milwaukee. Ile was elected to the city council as alder- man from the seventh ward in April, 1874, for the term of two years. He has been prominently identified with the advancement of public works in that section of the city. He holds the engaged in it for twenty-five years. During this year, he and his wife made a trip through the Southern States. In April, 1863, he was appointed president of the Farmers' and Millers' Bank, on the resignation of its former president. Mr. Brodhead is still in the same office, though the bank has been re- organized into a national bank. In 1871 he accepted the office of water-
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commission of colonel of the First ' born in Cobleskill, Sehoharie County, Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Mili- N.Y. He received a common-school education, after which he came to Wisconsin in 1845. Here he taught school the first winter after his arrival. In the spring of 1846, he settled in Oregon, Dane County, where he has resided up to the present time, en- gaged in the mercantile business most of the time since 1849. In 1871 he helped to organize the First National Bank of Evansville, and has been its cashier since. He has filled the office of superintendent of schools; was a member of the board of county super- visors three years; and was elected member of the legislature in 1869. tla, which from the energy displayed by its commander, stands parallel with any similar body of militia in the country. Col. Arnold is also the editor and pub- lisher of "The North-western Illus- trated Mechanical Journal," a paper devoted to manufactures and inven- tions, having circulation through most of the Western States. He is exceed- ingly affable in disposition; has no fixed religious belief ; neither a member of any secret society. His wife. who died July 27, 1875, was from Salem, Mass. ; was a lady of fine attainments, a faithful wife and mother; left three children. The colonel has acquired a considerable amount of property ; has also established an enviable reputation for integrity; is a man of broad and comprehensive ideas, and one who stands very prominent among his fel- low-men as a leader.
When he was twenty years of age, he was without means to help himself, save that he could work, which he did on a farin for ten dollars and fifty cents a month; but to-day he is worth a handsome property, which has been acquired through patient, honest indns- try, and rigid economy. Thus has he risen to an independent position by a lawful way, and is a living example to his fellows.
HON. E. ELWILL. - He was born Ang. 7, 1816, in Athens, Bradford County, Penn. He received a com- mon-school education, and finished up at the Athens Academy. While but a youth, he spent some years in a woollen- factory, thus working his own way from the time he was able to do any thing until eleven years of age. Sub- sequently he tanght during winters, and attended school during summers. In May. 1838, he commeneed the study of law in the office of his brother William; and in 1840 was admitted to practice, which he did with no small degree of success in Bradford and Wyo- ming Counties, until the spring of 1847, when he came to Wisconsin, ar- riving at Milwaukee on the first day of June, and from thence to Sheboygan, where he remained in the practice of law until the spring of 1855, when he left for Beaver Dam, where he has since remained. He was district-attor- ney for Sheboygan County in 1853 and 1854. He was postmaster at Beaver Dam from 1857 until 1861 ; was district attorney for Dodge County from 1867 until 1870. He was elected judge of the county court of Dodge County in 1873, and still holds that office. Judge Elwiil has the highest commendations of the people touching his ability as a lawyer and a judge. His life thus far has been characterized by carly, hon- est, and untiring efforts to fit himself for, and to thoroughly accomplish, his mission, which fact is readily reeog- nized by his fellow-men with applause.
HON. HENRY D. BARRON. - He was born in the town of Wilton, Saratoga County, N.Y., April 10, 1833. Ilis father was a mechanic in poor eirenm- stances, and burdened with the support of a large family: consequently, his advantages for an education were lim- ited, aside from the common schools of those days. In 1848 he entered the printing-office of Thurlow Weed Brown, in which he served an appren- ticeship of three years; after which, with a few dollars saved from his earn- ings, and a little help from a relative, he entered Ballston Spa Law School, where he studied one year, when, with barely sufficient money to pay the expenses to Wisconsin, he settled in the village of Waukesha, a thriving county-seat. Not being of age, he could not be admitted to the practice of law ; but, purchasing "The Wau- kesha Democrat" on advantageous terms, he became its editor and pro- prietor; and soon, with the name of "Chronotype," under his charge it as- sumed a place in the front rank of the weekly press of the State. At that time, the Democratic party was the only political power throughout the North-west, to which he attached him- self. He was appointed postmaster of Waukesha by Pres. Pierce, and eon- tinued the publication of "The Chro- notype" until 1857, when it passed
HION. J. M. BENNETT. - Ile was | into other hands. He had, in the
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mean time, been admitted to the prac- tice of law. In 1860 he was appointed by Gov. Randall judge of the eighth judicial circuit, in which he served a short term, when he removed to St. Croix Falls, and was retained by Caleb Cushing to take charge of the latter's large interests in that section of the country. That has continued to be his place of residence since, from which, however, he has been frequently called in the discharge of public du- ties. At the outbreak of the war, Judge Barron took a position in the support of war measures, and would have been appointed to a military com- mand, but for physical disabilities. He assisted in raising two or three regi- ments, and was prominent in the conn- cils of the war party in the State. He supported Lincoln's administration, and became gradually identified with the Republican party. In 1862 he was elected a member of the legislature, and was re-elected until 1869. In Aprii, 1869, he was appointed by Pres. Grant fifth auditor of the United States treasury. In 1871, while at- tending to his duties in Washington, he was again elected to the legislature, because of important matters to be cared for, which he was so well qualified to protect. He was chosen speaker of the assembly in 1866 and in 1873. He is an admirable presiding officer of a de- liberative body, and is regarded as a mnodei legislator, exceedingly effective In debate, from a thorough knowledge of all important matters. He stands among the few incorruptible public men, and never fails to wield a salutary influence. He was a member of the electoral college from Wisconsin, and its president in 1868, and held the same positions in 1872. Just in the prime of life, and having risen to such eminence already, he is destined to oc- cupy a larger field of usefulness for the public good.
CHARLES E. HOUGHMAN, M.D. - He was born in Nashville, Tenn., July 8, 1833. He was educated under a pri- vate teacher, after which he studied at New Orleans, Philadelphia, and New York. He entered upon the practice of medicine in Canada, where he re- mained three years. He came to Wis- consin In 1864, and was appointed in 1869, by Gov. Fairchild, to take charge of the Eye and Ear Department of St. Mary's Hospital for Indigent Soldiers. In 1870 he established the Milwaukee Eye and Ear Infirmary, where he has treated a large number of patients with | Vienna, at the World's Exposition, he
great success. He receives patients from all parts of the country ; and any who are of limited means are not turned away, but treated the same, which may be seen from the fact that he has treated about six hundred gra- tuitously. There are very many relia- ble sources from which the public may gather information concerning Dr. Houghman's Infirmary at Milwaukee. The press is loud in its praise of the institution, presenting its benefits with perspicuity to the public; and also of the well-tried ability of him who is in charge. He Is unquestionably well recommended and properly indorsed for his profession.
HON. GEORGE W. ALLEN. - He was born in Cazenovia, N.Y., in December, 1818. His early days of labor were spent in the tannery with his father. He was liberally educated, prepared for college, and entered the Wesleyan University, Connecticut, in 1838, and graduated at Union College, New York, in 1841. For a time, he read law, intend- ing to follow that profession, but soon changed his mind, preferring commer- ciai pursuits, and entered into partner- ship with his father in 1842, under the firin-name of R. Allen & Son. At this period of his life, he was given to poli- ties and public speaking. In 1842 he delivered a speech against what was then called Political Abolitionisin, when he was challenged by Hon. Gerrit Smith to meet him in public debate on that question, which was accepted ; and, after the discussion, the almost uni- versal verdiet was in favor of Mr. Allen. In 1847 was married to Jane Savage of New York. On the break- ing-out of the war in 1861, Mr. Allen was active in the cause of the country, making his eloquent and strong appeals, contributing largely of his means, as well as time, to sustain the government. He and his brother were successful in raising one company, which was mus- tered into the Twenty-fourth Wiscon- sin Volunteers, under the name of the "Allen Guards;" and his services were unremitted to the close of the war. lle urged the heaviest taxation in ail its forms; saying, that, where so many gave their lives, others should give their property, to the common cause. After the close of the war, the neces- sity for such taxation no longer needed, he was influential in having them re- duced. He has contributed more to the leather interest of this country than any other man. During his visit to
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gathered much valuable information, which contributed largely to the busi- ness of the firm, and to the leather in- dustry throughout the country. He is one of those men who go out and beyond self into the higher and broader atmosphere of the public good.
REV. AMOS C. PENNOCK. - He was born in the town of Champion, Jeffer- son County, N.Y., Oct. 6, 1815. He resided at the place of his birth until 1844, when he removed to Wisconsin. His early school-privileges were infe- rior to those of the present age; but he was not slow to improve the oppor- tunities given. He formed habits of study, which constituted one secret of grand success in after-life, giving him the character of thorough student. The first eight years subsequent to his becoming of age were spent between study, travel, and the oversight of the farm, while his father was absent as a travelling Methodist preacher. In the fall of 1844, with his newly married wife, he came to Aztalan, Jefferson County, Wis., where he sold goods, and dealt in real estate for about three years, when he joined the Wisconsin Conference of the Methodist-Episcopal Church, laboring successfully for some years on the best appointments of the conference. While at Milwaukee, find- ing that his health was declining, he chose a change of climate, and was stationed in the city of Stillwater, Minn., for the ensuing year; and, when the Wisconsin Conference was divided, he fell into the Minnesota division, in which conference he was called to the discharge of prominent duties; being well qualified to aid in all the benevo- lent and educational enterprises of the church. In the course of a few years, he returned to Wisconsin, over which he had travelled in an early day, when there was not only much to admire among the wilds and beauties of the State, but more to fear. He soon learned to feel at home in these lone journeyings through forests, and over prairies, feeling assured of the shelter- ing wing of Him who sleepeth not. Being naturally diffident and retiring, he has avoided nearly all political posi- tions and responsibilities."A few tried friends, plenty of ink, paper, and books, together with simple food and an humble shelter, have for him con- stituted a fountain of happiness. And as a result of this taste and talent may be found, beside sermons, essays, con- troversies, and correspondence, a con- densed manuscript upon the important
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features of theology, carefully written, and nearly ready for the press, a col- lection of poems and fugitive pieces, indexed, and ready for the printer's hand. As a sample of his poetical genius, a few extracts are subjoined, -
THE RED MAN'S RETURN.
""Tis fifteen years since first I stood And gazed upon these hills and wood; Went with the tribe from place to place, And joined the merry morning chase. My heart was light and happy then As sunbeams glancing o'er the glen; And little thought I, dancing on, So soon would set my joyous sun, - Ahl little thought, a few brief years Would fill my eyes with scalding tears; Would leave me wretched, faint, and lone; Destroy my friends and woodland home; Would drive me from my native hill. My mountain-trail, and sparkling rill : But ah, a spell came o'er my dream, And heartless fates have changed the scene.
But oh ! how changed this spot appears, And all around new aspect wears. The council-tree now's cut away; And piled in heaps the old oaks lay ; The pale-face has his cottage here; And waving corn the hill-tops bear; The winding trail the plough's turned o'er; And what was fair is fair no more. ยท For me this life hath now no cheer; The wood no charm, the grave no fear : The rising light ascends in vah To calm this throbbing, troubled brain."
The following, titled "June," was written in 1854, -
" It is greeting, indeed, when the winter is past, And the rain-drops of spring on earth's bosom are cast, To walk 'mid the flowers, thy sun doth illume, And breathe thy sweet breath, mild, genial June."
'These are samples of a few of the many poems he has written ; while in prose, too, he has not failed to acquire a good reputation both as a writer and profound thinker, as may be seen from his productions, especially in a sermon written and published in 1867, entitled "The Fall and Recovery of Man," the closing up of which is most sublime. He is now nearly sixty years of age, of a nervous-sanguine temperament; is firm in what he believes to be right. He now resides in Madison, in a pleas- ant home; and, having done what he could in the activities of life, he now looks forward to a bright immortality beyond the stream of death.
Mrs. Elizabeth J. Pennock. - She was born in Utica, N.Y., Feb. 25, 1830. Being one of a large family, with
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only moderate means, she early learned | second day of April. In 1837, still the lesson of self-reliance and useful impelled by the love of adventure, he made a trip to Chicago, from there to Rockford, remaining there until spring, when, accompanied by two friends, in March he bought a canoe, and embarked for the Mississippi. Sub- sequent to this, he went to Camanche, Io. While here, he was made justice of the peace. In 1839 he returned to Milwaukee, bought a small stock of goods, and proceeded to Waukesha County, and established the first store between Waukesha and Watertown. In 1840 he sold out, being convinced that the business of a country mer- chant was not the best. He then en- gaged in farming, exchanging his store for eighty acres In Milwaukee County. He was elected justice of the peace in 1846, and in 1849 represented the fifth ward as alderman, and also in 1859. When he came to Milwaukee, he was the owner of a good gun, a chest of carpenter's tools, and one hundred dollars in cash. He was married in 1839, and has two sons. He has built fourteen houses; and, from the rentage of his stores and dwellings, is able to pass the remainder of life in comfort- able circumstances. activity, prizing the advantages of an education. The family moved to Ful- ton, N.Y., while she was but a child. Here she began to acquire an intellec- tual culture, where her opportunities were such as to insure thorough and rapid progress. She was clever in study, taking in knowledge as the sponge drinks up water. She began school-teaching at sixteen, and con- tinued the work with success until her twenty-fourth year, when she was mar- ried to Rev. A. C. Pennock, then a member of the Wisconsin Conference. Subsequently she shared with her hus- band the toil and trials of the itin- eracy, for years, with patience. She had been accustomed, however, to hardships prior to assuming these new responsibilities; for in 1846 she came to Wisconsin, and saw Columbia County in its rude and early days, - saw these wild prairies bow to the rod of agri- culture, and yield to the wand of civil- ization, - saw them change from the playground and feeding-place of wild animals to fields of grain, and gardens of beauty, and contributed her part in bringing about the transformation ; and in her after and better days, lias ever had an eye of sympathy toward the poor, the toiling, and the struggling. At her hand, want finds help, and dis- tress relief, and in her words the erring find council, and the sorrowing solace. Never neglecting the calls of her family to follow the nod and notions of arti- ficial society; at home in the kitchen, nursery, and parlor; at home in the halls of music, art, and science; a con- stant student and ready writer; a de- voted daily Christian lady, aiming to make her home a sanctuary, as well as a study for her children, -she makes one of the best mothers, best neighbors, friends, and citizens of the State.
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