USA > Wisconsin > Clark County > Biographical history of Clark and Jackson Counties, Wisconsin : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each, and engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 10
USA > Wisconsin > Jackson County > Biographical history of Clark and Jackson Counties, Wisconsin : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each, and engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 10
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The firm was strong and popular, and soon commanded a large and lucrative practice. Ill health forced the retirement of Mr. Bass in 1879, and the firm became Cleveland & Bissell. In 1881 Mr. George J. Sicard was added to the firm.
In the autumn election of 1881 he was elected mayor of Buffalo by a majority of over 3,500-the largest majority ever given a candidate for mayor-and the Democratic city ticket was successful, although the Republicans carried Buffalo by over 1,000 majority for their State ticket. Grover Cleveland's administration as mayor fully justified the confidence reposed in him by the people of Buffalo, evidenced by the great vote he received.
The Democratic State Convention met at Syracuse, September 22, 1882, and nomi- nated Grover Cleveland for Governor on the third ballot and Cleveland was elected by 192,000 majority. In the fall of 1884 he was elected President of the United States by about 1,000 popular majority, in New York State, and he was accordingly inaugurated the 4th of March following.
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PRESIDENTS OF TIIE UNITED STATES.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
ENJAMIN HARRISON, the twenty-third Presi- dent of the United States, 1889, was born at North Bend, Hamilton County, Ohio, in the house of his grandfather, William Hen- ry Harrison (who was the ninth President of this country), August 20th, 1833. He is a descendant of one of the historical families of this country, as also of England. The head of the family was a Major-General Harrison who was devoted to the cause of Oliver Cromwell. It became the duty of this Har- rison to participate in the trial of Charles I. and afterward to sign the death warrant of the king, which subsequently cost him his life. His enemies succeeding to power, he was condemned and executed October 13th, 1660. His descendants came to America, and the first inention made in history of the Harrison family as representative in public affairs, is that of Benjamin Harrison, great- grandfather of our present President, who was a member of the Continental Congress, 1774-5-6, and one of the original signers of
the Declaration of Independence, and three times Governor of Virginia. IIis son, Will- iam Henry Harrison, made a brilliant inili- tary record, was Governor of the Northwest Territory, and the ninth President of the United States.
The subject of this sketch at an early age became a student at Farmers College, where he remained two years, at the end of which time he entered Miami University, at Ox- ford, Ohio. Upon graduation from said seat of learning he entered, as a student, the of- fice of Stover & Gwyne, a notable law firm at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he applied himself closely to the study of his chosen profession, and here laid the foundation for the honora- ble and famous career before him. He spent two years with the firm in Cincinnati, at the expiration of which time he received the only inheritance of his life, which was a lot left him by an aunt, which he sold for $800. This sum he deemed sufficient to justify him in marrying the lady of his choice, and to whom he was then engaged, a daughter of Dr. Scott, then Principal of a female school at Oxford, Ohio.
After marriage he located at Indianapolis, Indiana, where he began the practice of law. Meeting with slight encouragement he inade but little the first year, but applied himself
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BENJAMIN HARRISON.
closely to his business, and by perseverance, honorable dealing and an upright life, suc- ceeded in building up an extensive practice and took a leading position in the legal profession.
In 1860 he was nominated for the position of Supreme Court Reporter for the State of Indiana, and then began his experience as a stump speaker. He canvassed the State thoroughly and was elected.
In 1862 his patriotism caused him to abandon a civil office and to offer his country his services in a military capacity. He or- ganized the Seventieth Indiana Infantry and was chosen its Colonel. Although his regi- ment was composed of raw material, and he practically void of military schooling, he at once mastered military tactics and drilled his men, so that when he with his regiment was assigned to Gen. Sherman's command it was known as one of the best drilled organ- izations of the army. He was especially distinguished for bravery at the battles of Rcsacca and Peach Tree Creek. For his bravery and efficiency at the last named bat- tle lie was ınade a Brigadier-General, Gen- eral Hooker speaking of him in the most complimentary terms.
While General Harrison was actively en- gaged in the field the Supreme Court declared the office of Supreme Court Reporter vacant, and another person was elected to fill the position. From the time of leaving Indiana with his regiment for the front, until the fall of 1864, General Harrison had taken no leave of absence. But having been nominated that year for the same office that he vacated in order to serve his country where he could do the greatest good, lie got a thirty-day leave of absence, and during that. time canvassed the State and was elected for another term as Supreme Court Reporter. He then started to rejoin his command, then with General Sherman in the South, but was stricken down
with fever and after a very trying siege, made his way to the front, and participated in the closing scenes and incidents of the war.
In 1868 General Harrison declined a re- election as Reporter, and applied himself to the practice of his profession. He was a candidate for Governor of Indiana on the Republican ticket in 1876. Although de- feated, the brilliant campaign brought him to public notice and gave him a National reputation as an able and formidable debater and he was much sought in the Eastern States as a public speaker. He took an act- ive part in the Presidential campaign of 1880, and was elected to the United States Senate, where he served six years, and was known as one of the strongest debaters, as well as one of the ablest inen and best law- yers. When his term expired in the Senate he resumed his law practice at Indianapolis, becoming the head of one of the strongest law firms in the State of Indiana.
Sometime prior to the opening of the Presidential campaign of 1888, the two great political parties (Republican and Democratic) drew the line of political battle on the ques- tion of tariff, which became the leading issue and the rallying watchword during the mem- orable campaign. The Republicans appealed to the people for their voice as to a tariff to protect home industries, while the Democrats wanted a tariff for revenue only. The Rc- publican convention assembled in Chicago in June and selected Mr. Harrison as thcir standard bearer on a platform of principles, among other important clauses being that of protection, which he cordially indorsed in accepting the nomination. November 6, 1888, after a heated canvass, General Harri- son was elected, defeating Grover Cleveland, who was again the nominee of the Demo- cratic party. He was inaugurated and as- sumed the duties of his office March 4, 1889,
GDARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES
ONORABLE WILLIAM THOMPSON PRICE was born in Barre Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, June 17, 1824, and died at his home in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, December 6, 1886. Perhaps no man has been more prominently identified with the early and later history of the State of Wisconsin than he. His oppor- tunities for acquiring an education in early life were extremely limited. His father, William Price, was a fariner by occupation, and at one time Sheriff of Huntingdon County. He is said to have been a man of large and powerful body, possessing an in- domitable will and great force of character. William T. Price was a man much smaller physically, but inherited the will power and integrity of character which had been liis father's. His early life was spent on a farm, and he was for a time employed as clerk in a store in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. While he was thus occupied he spent his evenings in reading law books, and began fitting him- self for the career of later years. In the spring of 1845 he emigrated to the growing West, going first to Mount Pleasant, Iowa,
where he intended to work into the law busi- ness. But not being fully satisfied with the prospect there, he came to Black River Falls the following autumnn. The story that lias come down in regard to his worldly posses- sions is that he owned an ax aud twenty-five cents in money. Here he entered upon a path that led to the front rank of the busi- ness men of the county, and in fact of the State. It would be impossible within the limits of this article to give in detail an account of the business interests with which he was connected, but the following facts are taken from a biography of Judge Price, and will give the reader an idea of what he accom- plished, and his business capacity.
Soon after his arrival at the Falls he went into the pine woods, six miles north of the present site of Neillsville, and in company with two other men got out 700,000, feet of logs during the following winter. This suc- cess doubtless determined the character of the business in whichi he was engaged for many years, and on which he spent sufficient energy to have wrecked an ordinary man, In the summer of 1846 he accepted the posi-
10
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
tion of book-keeper and general manager of the business of Jacob Spaulding. In the winter of 1848-'49 he was logging with Amos Elliott in Clark County ; he continued logging with fair success until 1853, when he formned a partnership with F. M. Rublee, of La Crosse, Mr. Price having entire charge of the business; this firm existed abont two years, and in 1852 purchased and platted the north- western part of Black River Falls.
In 1854 he removed his family to La Crosse and there opened a livery stable and estab- lished a stage line between that place and Black River Falls. In 1854 he returned to the Falls and formed a law partnership with C. R. Johnson; it was the first law firin on Black River, and continued to exist until 1859, Judge Price retiring. He kept the La Crosse stage line in operation for a number of years. He also embarked in the mercan- tile business on a large scale, with C. S. Crossett as a partner. The panic of 1857 found their business unsettled, and being un- able to meet their paper they failed. After disposing of all their assets, they were still $25,000 in debt. Mr. Price returned to the logging business with renewed energy, but without capital, and within seven years had every dollar of the indebtedness paid, with ten per cent. interest. His creditors made him a present of a $300 gold watch and chain in token of their appreciation of his honesty in paying them what could not have been collected by law. In 1860, in company with D. J. Spaulding, he engaged in operating the Albion flour and lumber mills of this city. In 1864 he purchased the stage line from St. Paul to Sparta, but soon disposed of a portion of it. He enlarged this business, and conducted it successfully.
In 1871 he purchased a farm in the town- ship of Hixton, and added to this from time to time until he had 3,000 acres in one body.
He also owned much other valnable real estate, and during the latter years of liis life his logging interests were more extensive. He averaged 60,000,000 feet of logs annually, involving the employment of 750 mnen. IIe is said to have been one of the most exten- sive single operators in the United States, and was the largest in the State of Wis- consin.
He began taking an active part in politics in 1850. In 1851 lie was elected to the As- sembly as a Democrat, but on the organiza- tion of the Republican party he joined that body. In 1853-'54 he was Judge of Jackson County; he was a member of the State Senate in 1858, 1870, 1878, 1879, 1880, and 1881. He was Collector of internal revenue froin 1863 to 1865; for many years lie was President of the Jackson County Bank. In 1882 he was elected to the Forty-eighth Congress, from the Eighth Congressional District; was re-elected in 1884 to the Forty- ninth, and in 1886, to the Fiftieth. He was attentive to tlie duties of every position lie held, and discharged them with great ability and energy. He was a clear-headed business man, and possessed unusnal power as a speaker. He was generous-hearted, stanch and true to his friends, and always ready to defend himself against his enemies. His death caused sincere and deep regret throngli- ont the State and country. His death oc- curred before he entered upon his duties as a member of the Fiftieth Congress. He was one of the brightest men the State of Wis- consin lias had; he labored constantly in the interests of law and order and morality. As a business man liis ambition was satisfied with only the largest operations, which he con- ducted conscientionsly and equitably. In liis political career he was a reformer whose positions could never be misunderstood. In Congress he occupied the position of a lea ler,
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and always commanded attention when he spoke on any question.
Judge Price was united in marriage July 10, 1851, to Miss Julia Campbell, of Grant Coun- ty, Wisconsin, a most estimable woman, who with her two children: Hugh H. and Margaret, resides in the liome erected by the father and husband a few years ago.
OBERT EGGETT, of section 15, Eaton Township, Clark County, was born in Lincolnshire, England, about the year 1837. He was left an orphan when quite yonng, and the records of his birth were lost, except as they exist in the Church of Eng- land. He landed in Quebec, Canada, May 1, 1883, and in May of the next year came to this county, settling on his present farm of eighty acres. It was then covered with heavy timber, and he had to chop a place to build his log cabin; he now has twenty-three acres cleared.
Mr. Eggett was married in Yorkshire, November 24, 1866, to Ann Donkin, a native of that place, and daughter of George Don- kin, deceased. They have five children: George R., John H., William, Alfred and Minnie. George and John are now working for themselves. Mr. and Mrs. Eggett and their two sons, William and John, are inem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Eggett was a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters in the old country for twenty years.
YRIL P. LA FLEUR, of section 10, Weston Township, was born in the Province of Montreal, Lower Canada, May 6, 1824, the son of Francis (deceased) and Sophia (Marscean) La Fleur, both natives
of Canada. They were the parents of three children: Cyril P., our subject; Theodore, a Baptist minister of Montreal; and Almyra, who died at the age of twenty-eight years. Our subject was reared on a farm and edu- cated in the public schools of his native country. He came to the State of New York when eighteen years old, and worked in a tannery at Keysville two months, after which he came to Warren County, where he worked a few years at the same occupation. He next drove a team one year, hauling bricks and leather from Minerva to Glens Falls, and also worked in the saw-mills and at shoemaking. He came to this county in 1869, and in 1875 settled on his present farm of eighty acres, sixty acres of which is cleared, and where he is engaged in general farming and stock- raising.
Mr. La Fleur was married in June, 1852, to Eunice Hewett, a daughter of Sheldon B. Hewett (deceased), and they have five chil- dren, viz .: George F., Harry W., William E., Ella and Alice. Harry married Dora Fad- ner, and lives in this county; Ella married John W. Clark, of this township, and has three children: Alice, Miriam and James. Mr. La Fleur was Town Treasurer five years, is now a member of the Town Board, and has been a member of the School Board nearly ever since coming to this county. Politically he is a Republican.
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OSEPH COVEY, of section 14, range 2 Weston Township, Clark County, was born in Clinton County, New York, January 7, 1862, the son of James F. and Cornelia (Burzee) Covey, of Warren County, New York. They were the parents of seven children: Albert, Laura, Melvina, Sarah, John, Joseph and Alvin. The mother died
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
June 4, 1889. The father had been married prior to his union with onr subject's mother, and by his first wife had three children: Charles, Louis and William.
The subject of this sketch was reared to farm life and educated in the common schools. He remained with his parents in Warren County until twelve years of age, where he was engaged in the pineries and driving logs on the Hudson River. He came to this county in June, 1885, and has since followed logging on the Black and Poplar rivers, and also farming. Mr. Covey was married April 29, 1883, to Jeunie Pratt, a daughter of Ed- ward Pratt, of Greenwood, this county; she was born in Warrensburg, New York, July 21, 1865. Her mother was Betsey Ann Middleton. Mr. and Mrs. Covey have two children: Howard and Hattie. Mr. Pratt came to this county in December, 1884, re- mained in Eaton that winter, then came to Christy, where he lived two and a half years, and next moved to Greenwood, where he keeps a general store.
HARLES J. HANNAH, of section 14, Weston Township, Clark County, was born in St. George, Canada East, Au- gust 17, 1840, the son of James G. and Jane (Nugent) Hannah, the former a native of England, and the latter of County Down, Ireland, who came to America witli her par- ents when a child. The father came to Amer- ica when thirty years old, settling in Canada, where he was clerk of his county, a merchant and Postmaster of St. George. He died there in 1851, and his wife died at the same place in 1861.
The subject of this sketch was educated in St. George and Kennebec, Canada, where he followed farming and logging in early days.
He subsequently worked in the pineries of Maine, and after returning to his home in Canada came to this county, settling on the Ross farm on Black River, Weston Township, which is now the Andrews farm. Hc settled on his present place in the fall of 1879, which was then covered with timber. He now has a fine farm of 200 acres, seventy of which is cleared. He has also worked in the pineries some, but most of liis time has been spent in clearing his land and farming.
Mr. Hannah was married November 3, 1862, to Mary Boon, daughter of Charles and Nancy (Hughes) Boon, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hannah have eight children: Nancy J., Eliza L., James L., Robert A., William H., Ellen L., Cinda M. and Minnie P. Nancy married Robert McKimm, and lias one child. Mr. Hannah was a member of the Town Board one year; is a Republican politically, and religiously a member of the Presbyterian Church.
E. HUTCHINGS, of Neillsville, was born at Peekskill, New York, June 24, 1839, and removed to Wankesha, Wisconsin, with his parents in 1850. His parents, Purdy G. and Margaret Hutchings, were bothi natives of the State of New York; his great-grandparents, whose surname was Clark, also his grandparents, whose surname was Jones, were born in Virginia; lıis fore- fathers took part in the Revolutionary war, also in the war of 1812, on the American side. He has one brother and one sister, both living. His parents are both dead, his father dying in 1854 and his mother in 1887, and both are buried in the cemetery at Wankesha.
Mr. Hutchings was married to Margaret J. McKeand, May 8, 1859, by the Rev. J. M. Walker. Miss McKeand was born at
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CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES.
Wawatosa, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, November 1, 1842. Her parents came from Newton-Stewart, Scotland, in 1823. S. E. Hutchings and family moved to Clark Coun- ty, Wisconsin, in 1869, and settled on section 34, in the town of Pine Valley. They are the parents of five children: Catherine M., born October 19, 1861; Jolin E., born Sep- tember 28, 1863; William N., born April 22, 1866; and S. E., Jr., born September 10, 1868, all in the county of Waukesha; Mary J. Hntchings, born February 26, 1874, in Clark County. S. E. Hutchings, Jr., died March 24. 1882, of spinal meningitis; William N. died May 23, 1886, by accidental drowning in Black River, and both were interred in the city of Neillsville cemetery.
Mr. Hutchings is a farmer by occupation, having received a common-school and an academical education, and is one of the enter- prising and leading citizens of Clark County ; has been a Magistrate for the past six years, and is at present; also Town Clerk of the town of Pine Valley for the past four years. which office he holds at present. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Neillsville Lodge, No. 198, and he is a strong Republican, taking a prom- inent part in all public matters.
YVER HJERLEID, a wealthy farmer and leading citizen, residing on section 9, Springfield Township, first saw the light of day among the pine-clad liills of Norway, September 21, 1828. His parents, Iver and Ann Hjerleid, were also natives of Norway, and there lived and died. They had three sons: Ole, Haldor, and Syver, the youngest and only member of the family who left his native land. He grew to man- hood in Norway, and was educated there. In 1852, he came to America and located in
Chicago, Illinois, where he worked at the painter's trade for seven years. He saved his money, lived economically, and by his pri- dence and thrift was enabled, in 1854, to pur- chase a farm in Jackson County; he paid the Government one dollar and a quarter per acre; five years after he bought this land lie removed to it, and has since given his time and energies to its cultivation. His efforts have been successful, as he now has one of the most desirable farms in the county; it consists of 160 acres and is well improved with many modern conveniences. In addi- tion to this he owns 200 acres, in another por- tion of Springfield Township. When he arrived in New York, Mr. Hjerleid had but $2 in money, and was unable to speak one word of English, and to-day he ranks among the most reliable agricnlturists of the community. He is always ready to lend a helping hand to every enterprise that is calculated to upbuild the moral and religious elements of society . In his political opinions lie agrees with the Republican principles of government. He has served the people of liis township in some official capacity continuously since his resi_ dence there.
Mr. Hjerleid was united in marriage, in Jnly, 1859, to Miss Helen Knudson, in Chicago, Illinois. She was born in Norway, February 7, 1835. In all the obstacles he has overcome, and in all the efforts he has made to accumulate some property, Mr. Hjer- leid has been ably and faithfully aided by his wife, and this record would fail in one of its purposes if it did not preserve this fact in connection with the history of this successful man.
Mr. and Mrs. Hjerleid are the parents of eleven children: Dorothea M., Ibert M., Hans C., Ludwig O., Hannah S., Haldor R., Clarence M., Octavins, Ninah C., Carl M. and Effie D. Ibert M. is deceased. The
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
family are all consistent members of the Lutheran Church, and occupy a position of honor and high respect in the community.
ANFORD D. BEARDSLEY, of section 26, range 2, Weston Township, Clark County, was born in Franklin County, Vermont, November 10, 1839, the son of Lewis (deceased) and Aunelia (Sınith) Beards- ley. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom still survive: Elias, Hiram, Charles, Harriet, Theron, Sanford, George and Jasper.
Sanford D., our subject, came with his parents to Kane County, Illinois, in 1846, settling on wild prairie land. They after- ward removed to Sank County, Wisconsin, in the fall of 1852, where he remained until the fall of 1861. In that year he enlisted in the late war, Company K, Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving eight months, when he was discharged on account of sick- ness. He re-enlisted January 4, 1864, in Company H, Seventeenth Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry, serving until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Shiloh, the taking of Atlanta, and in all of Sherman's campaigns to and from the sea. He was dis- abled, and now draws a pension. After the war Mr. Beardsley returned to Sauk County, and subsequently went to Monroe County, Wisconsin, where he remained two years. In 1863 he returned to Sauk County, and in the spring of 1873 again went to Monroe County and remained until December, 1885, when he came to this county, settling on his present farın. He lived two years in Neillsville, but the remainder of the time has been spent on his present place, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising.
Mr. Beardsley was married December 13,
1863, to Mary Lovisa Mott, daughter of John and Esther (Barnard) Mott, both now de- ceased. They were the parents of three chil- dren, all of whom are deceased except Mrs. Beardsley. Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley have three children: Rolla L., Blanche A. and Adda M. Rolla is now a barber at La Crosse. Mr. Beardsley held the office of Township Supervisor in Monroe County, and has also been Clerk and Director of the School Board of the town of Lincoln, in Monroe County. Socially he is a member of the G. A. R., and politically a Republican.
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