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 12
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 12
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Mr. Marsh was wedded to Miss Amy E. Covey, July 20, 1884, at Maple Works, Clark County, Wisconsin. She was born in St. Lawrence County, New York, in 1865, and is a daughter of Martin and Mary Covey. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh are the parents of one child, Martie, aged two years.
By a former marriage Mr. Marslı had three children: Hattie, Anna and Ray.
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OHN WILDISH, a prosperous farmer of Clark County, was born in Kent, Eng- land, January 27, 1847. April 24, 1867, he left his native land and sailed for Amer- ica. He was married in 1873, to Miss Hen- rietta Bancroft, a distant relative of George Bancroft, the historian. She was born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, in 1852, the
daughter of New York parents. They have had six children: Allen, Rolland, Grace, Violiette, Horace and Harry. They are being educated in the high school at Neills- ville. By industry and economy Mr. Wild- ish has hewed out for himself the foundation of a nice little fortune. He owns eighty acres of choice land in section 24, Pine Val- ley Township, Clark County, one mile from the city of Neillsville, of which he has cleared up a good share with his own hands, it having been a perfect wilderness when he came to this part of Wisconsin. He is en- gaged in stock raising and farming, giving special attention to the raising of good sleep. He casts his vote with the Republi- can party, the first candidate for the l'resi- dency that lie supported having been General Grant.
OSEPH L. BARBER, of section 10, range 2, Weston Township, Clark County, was born in Essex County, New Jersey, October 10, 1827, the son of Jolin S. and Abigail (Kinneinan) Barber, both natives of New Jersey; the former was a shoemaker by trade. They were the parents of eleven chil- dren, six of whom still survive. Our sub- ject's grandfather, John S. Barber, was a Hessian, and came to this country to fight against the Americans in the Revolutionary war, but deserted by jumping off a man-of- war, swam to the shore and joined Washing- ton's army, in which he was an officer until the close of the war. His wife cooked many meals for Washington, as the great General made his headquarters at their house while he was .in winter quarters near Morristown, New Jersey. She drew a large pension, and died about thirty-five years ago, at the age of ninety-seven years.
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The subject of this sketch learned the ship-carpenter's trade, at the age of twenty- two years. He went to Chemung County, New York, where his brothers and sisters still reside. One brother (Abbott) is a wealthy man, and a Knight of the Red Cross Mason. Mr. Barber came to Calumet County, Wisconsin, in 1851, where he bought land, but afterward returned to the East, and worked at his trade until 1854. In that year he came again to this State and settled on a farm, which was covered with heavy timber. He was a soldier in the late war, in Company D, Sixteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving one year, and participated in the bat- tles of Savannah, Fort McAllister and others. His hearing was affected in the army, as was also his heart and lungs, and on account of the two latter draws a small pension. Mr. Barber came to this county in 1884, settling on his present farm of eighty acres, forty of which is cleared.
He was married in New Jersey, in July, 1847, to Frances Elizabetlı Demouth, a native of New Jersey, and daughter of John and Maria (Levi) Demoutlı. Mr. and Mrs. Bar- ber have had eleven children, seven of whom still survive, namely: Hannalı, Samantha, Theodore, Joseph, Frank, Lillie and Albert. Hannalı married George Smith, of Boyd, Chippewa County, Wisconsin, and they have two children-George and Mary. Hannah has a high-school education, and has taught seven years. Samantha married Sanford Chase, of Jefferson County, New York, and they have four children: Joseph S., Edward A., Frances C. and John L. Theodore is principal of the Alma Center School of Jackson County; was married to Flora Mc- Carty, and has one child-Joseph. Joseph married Sina Fadner, lives in Eau Claire, and lias two children-Carl F. and an infant girl. Frank is principal of the Melrose High
School, Jackson County, and is a graduate of the Neillsville High School, in both English and German. Lillie is a teacher also. Al- bert married Alamanza Demnouth, resides in Hayton, Calumet County, Wisconsin, and has three children-George A., Lillian and Eva. Mr. Barber is a Mason socially, and politically a Republican. He has held the offices of Supervisor, Assessor, Constable, and Clerk of School Board. Mrs. Barber is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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UNDER ANDERSON .- This reliable and progressive farmer, residing on section 8, Springfield Township, enjoys the distinction of being the first white man to settle in this territory. He was born in Norway, September 30, 1820. His parents, Aadne and Helga (Gunderson) Anderson, were both natives of Norway. They emi- grated to America in the year 1843, and set- tled in Racine County, Wisconsin, where the father died. In 1854 the inother and chil dren removed to Jackson County, Wisconsin, and settled in the place that is now known as Springfield Township; there the mother passed the remainder of her days. There were seven children in the family: Knud, Gunder, Ole, Gertrude, Knud, Margaret and Sarah.
Gunder was the second child born; he was reared and educated in the place of his birth, but in 1843, when his parents set sail for America, he accompanied them, and lived in Racine County, Wisconsin, until 1850. Then in company with three other men he crossed the plains to California, walking the entire distance. This in itself was no small feat, and was worthy of a better reward than they received in the "Golden State." Mr. An-
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derson was engaged in mining for a period of two years, but not realizing all he antici- pated he determined to return to Wisconsin. Accordingly, in 1854 we find him located in Jackson County, where he and his brothers entered a large tract of land under the Gov- ernment land laws existing at that time. It was situated in what is now Springfield Township, and is as fine land as can be found in the county. Mr. Anderson has given much time and thought to its proper cultiva- tion, and has converted it from the wild state of nature into one of the best farms in the county. When he first settled there, neighbors were fifteen miles away, and the nearest market place was Black River Falls, which was then a small village. The farm is composed of 200 acres, and is well im- proved with large buildings and many con- veniences.
In choosing a political creed in his newly adopted country, Mr. Anderson identified himself with the Republican party. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church, and are numbered among the faith- ful and consistent.
June 24, 1862, our esteemed subject was united in marriage to Miss Mary Thurston, of Jackson Connty, Wisconsin. She was boru in Norway, February 6, 1843, and is a danghter of Thurston and Alie (Reierson) Thurstenson, natives of Norway. The par- ents emigrated to America in 1852, and set- tled in Pennsylvania; in 1858 they removed to Jackson County, Wisconsin, and settled in Springfield Township, where the father still survives; the mother died several years ago. Mrs. Anderson is a woman of many accom- plishments and rare virtues, and is highly respected by all who know her.
Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson: Einmia H., who as a teacher has won a high reputation; Alida T., the
wife of Sanders Thompson; Ida L., Nettie S., Thomas, Albert, Minnie L., Enoch W. and Newell G. Nettie S., Ida L. and Thomas are deceased. Alida T. Thompson is the mother of one child- Gaylord G. They re- side in Madison, Wisconsin.
NUD S. BERGSETH, a blacksmith by trade, was born in Norway, December 23, 1842. He is a son of Soren and Anna Bergseth, who were also natives of Norway. The mother died in her native land, but the father emigrated to America, in 1872, and passed his last days in Jackson County, Wisconsin. He was a blacksmith by trade, and it was from him that our sub- ject received his most excellent training in this occupation. There were nine children in the family, of whom Knud S. was the second born. He grew to manhood in Nor- way, and was early inured to the labor of his trade. He remained content in the land of his birth until 1870, and he then determined to cross the sea to the land which welcomed the nationalities of the world. After land- ing on our shores he continued his journey to Wisconsin, and selected Jackson County as his future home, and worked at his trade until five years later, when he invested in land near Taylor, Jackson County, and has brought this to a good state of cultivation; the farmn consists of 200 acres, and is well improved with fine farın buildings.
When Mr. Bergseth came to America he was entirely unable to speak the English lan- gnage, and had little to rely upon except his natural resources. By wise management and the exercise of his faculties he has accumu- lated a comfortable property, and has arisen to a position of independence. He is a Re- publican in his political opinions, but has de-
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your July A B. Millo
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clined the public offices that have been offered him. Ile has retired from active work on his farm, and is now ocenpied with his trade in the village of Taylor, where he enjoys a liberal patronage.
In 1867 he was united in marriage to Miss Inger Amundson, in Norway, and of this mion two children were born: Sam and Amos. The mother died in 1871, and the father was married a second time, to Miss Dorthea Hanson, of Jackson County, Wis- consin. She is the mother of seven children : HIelmer, Anna, Jorgen, Evert, Marie, Carl and Edna.
UGII BROOKS MILLS, the fonnder and a prominent business man of Mills- ton, was born in Mountain, Canada, January 14, 1828, a son of Thomas and Margaret (MeIntyre) Mills. IIis father was born and reared in Delaware, and lived there until about twenty-one, when he went to Canada, where he met and married his wife. Early in the '30s his father moved back to Delaware, and a year or so later removed to St. Lawrence County, New York, where he lived nntil about 1856, and then came to this connty and spent the remainder of his life. IIe was a farmer, and he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. IIis grandfather was Alexander Mills, a Scotch- man who served in the war of 1812 as an officer, and died from injuries received while in the service. Our subject's mother was born in Scotland, near Glasgow, and died in Jackson County, Wisconsin. He had four brothers and one sister, viz .: Catherine (de- ceased) was the wife of Ira Partridge, of Macomb, St. Lawrence County, New York; Thomas, a farmer in this county; Daniel, and Jolin HI. (deceased), formerly lumbermen in this connty.
The subject of this sketch, the second child in order of birth, was reared in St. Lawrence Connty, on a farm. He remained with his father and gave him the benefit of his labors until twenty-one years of age, when he came in the spring of 1849 to Wisconsin, and be- gan working by the month in the pineries at 11
Shawano, and remained in that vicinity three seasons. Ile then came on to Black River and continued working in the pineries until 1853, when he commenced Inmbering on his own account, in what is now Clark County, and has since been continuously in the lum- ber business. Later he moved back into Jackson County, and bonght and ran a mill in the town of Manchester several years. In 1862 his mill was burned, leaving him almost penniless. In 1873 he located where he now lives, and started the town of Mills- ton, or rather the village, and the township took his name. Hle erected the first build- ing in the place. He is now running a mill at Millston, and also owns about 3,000 acres of timber land,-pine, hard-wood, etc. IIG owns considerable farming land in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and also property in Superior.
Mr. Mills was one of the organizers of the Jackson County Bank at Black River Falls, and at the first election of officers was made its vice-president, and later was elected presi- dent, in which capacity he served five years. Ile has since been one of the directors. IIe is also interested in a steam grist-mill at Black River Falls. He has served his town in some official capacity ever since he lias been in the connty; was a member of the State Assembly one term in 1877, from Jack- son and Clark counties. He is a member of the F. & A. M. at Black River Falls, and is now a thirty-second degree Mason. In poli- tics he has all his life been a Republican.
Jannary 12, 1857, Mr. Mills married Miss Mary Rogers, of La Crosse County, Wiscon- sin, who was then engaged in teaching school. She was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1837. They have had nine children, namely : Thomas B., John II., Alexander, Ira, Edward, Den- nis, Hugh B., Mary M. and Margaret M. Ira and Dennis are deceased.
Mr. Mills is an old pioneer and a self- made man in the fullest sense of the word. In 1852 he borrowed $25 to pay his expenses to what is now Jackson County, and began the struggle for a fortune to which he can now with honorable pride lay claim. When he first came here, he with six others kept bachelor's hall, going occasionally to Black River Falls for a sack of flour and supplying
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themselves with meat by hunting and fish- ing, killing deer, bear, partridge and other wild game. One old United States rifle was the only gun they owned, and each would take his turn in killing game. The Winne- bago Indians were then under tribal relations and not as near civilized as they now are, but were always friendly with the old pioneers. Mr. Mills speaks of those days as some of the happiest of his life. "Then," he says, " a man's word was his bond, and honor was law; and all differences were settled by arbi- tration."
Mr. Mills' own life is an example for young men to follow. Starting with no capi- tal but brain and musele, inspired with a de- termination to succeed, he went to work and never squandered his hard-earned dollars in drink and riotous living, and his present acemmulations speak for his success. He has always contributed liberally in an nnostenta- tions way to every publie enterprise, and has added as much to the wealth and prosperity of Jackson County as any of her citizens. His sons are all good business men and are "chips off the old block," following closely the footsteps of their worthy sire. Mrs. Mills is a lady of refinement, and her gentle but cordial manner makes every one around her feel happy. She is devoted to her hus- band and children, and her children are such that she can justly feel proud of them.
OM. B. PHILPOTT was born in Hampshire, England, near the city of Sonthampton, April 14, 1843, and is a sour of William and Eliza (Andrews) Phil- pott, natives of England. The father was born June 27, 1809, and the mother Decem- ber 7, 1810; she died in Loyal, Clark County, Wisconsin, Jannary 4, 1886. They emi- grated to America in 1856, and settled at Iron Ridge, Dodge County, Wisconsin; there they resided umtil 1877, and in that year re- moved to Clark County, Wisconsin, locating at Loyal; the father still survives and makes that place his home. He is a blacksmith by trade, and has followed this occupation since
he was thirteen years of age. At one time, however, he was employed on the police force in England, and during this time continued his trade. He and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had seven children born to them : Harry, William, Tom. B., Francis, James, Frank and Mary; Francis, James and Frank died in infancy.
Tom. B. was twelve years of age when he sailed to America. lle was trained to the blacksmith's trade by his father. He followed this calling in Iron Ridge, Wis., until 1860, and during the Pike's Peak excitement he went West. In 1861 he returned home, and in An- gust, 1862, joined Company I, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving until December, 1864. He was then made hospital steward in the regular army, and hekl that position until October, 1865, at Fort Leaven- worth, Kansas. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg, was in the battles of Jackson and Champion Hill, and many minor engage- ments.
After the war Mr. Philpott returned to Wisconsin and homesteaded 160 acres of land in Loyal Township, Clark County; this was heavily timbered, and he devoted his energies to clearing it np and placing it under culti- vation, until 1871; at that time he built a blacksmith shop in Loyal, establishing a profit- able trade. Ile continued there in business until 1877; during five years of this time he served as town clerk of Loyal, and in the fall of 1877 he was elected Sheriff of the county on the Republican ticket by a majority of thirteen votes; the following term he served as Under Sheriff, and in 1881 he was re- elected to the office by a majority of 670 votes ; following this term he again served as Under Sheriff. During this time he was promi- nently identified with the Republican party ; he was chairman of the Comty Committee for two years. He discharged all his duties with fidelity. He has been in the mercantile trade at Loyal since 1883, and besides he owns 240 acres of timber lands in Loyal Town- ship. Hle also has nine lots in Loyal. He has accumulated this property by diligence, indus- try and good management, and is to be con- gratulated npon the success that has crowned
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his efforts. The early days in a new country are not frauglit with pleasure and ease, and the comforts of life are meager.
Mr. Philpott was married January 5, 1865, to Miss Emily T. Bresee, of Madison, Wis- consin. She was born in Dane County, Wis- cousin, February 22, 1847, and is a danghter of Daniel Bresee, Esq. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Philpott: Milton J., Pearl M., George B. and Guy R. The parents and two older children are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are numbered among the most worthy families of the community.
Our esteemed subject is a member of the I. O. (). F. lodge, No. 198, of Neillsville, Wisconsin; of tlie C. R. Gill Post, No. 236, G. A. R .; of the A. O. U. W., of Neills- ville, and Modern Woodmen of America, Loyal Camp; No. 1,414, of Loyal, of which he is the clerk.
EORGE FRANTZ, one of Clark County's successful farmers, resides on section 23. Pine Valley Township. He was born in Prussia, July 8, 1829, son of Conrad and Julia Frantz, natives of Prussia. His father was one of Napoleon's brave sol- diers, having served in his army ten years. The subject of our sketch was educated in his native country and there learned the butcher's trade. At the age of seventeen years he came to the United States, landing in New York. Upon his arrival in that city he had just $1 in his pocket with which to begin life in a new country. He reached Wisconsin on July 1, 1847, and the following year came to Clark County. Here lie was engaged in the manufacture of shingles about three years, and during that time saved $200. Then for several years he was engaged in the lumber camps of this State.
Mr. Frantz was married in Jefferson Coun- ty, Wisconsin, November 15, 1855, to Bar, bara Sontag. She was born in Germany July 25, 1834. They are the parents of five children: Conrad G., George L., Harry A., Rudolph C., and one child deceased. Mr. Frantz is interested in educational matters, and served four years as School Director. He is a member of tlie I. O. O. F. and the Mod- ern Workmen.
ILLIAM W. TAPLIN, proprietor of the Neillsville Foundry, located on North Hewett street, started the same in the spring of 1881. The size of the building is 24 x 60 and 20 x 90, with two wings for storage. The machinery is run by a fifteen-horse-power engine, and the shop is the only one of its kind in the city. His work is shipped throughont the State. He does all kinds of work, and has also done inost of the plumbing and steam-fitting for the city, employing several men, besides him- self, who is a first-class mechanic.
Mr. Taplin was born in Canada, February 14, 1845, the son of Hiram and Lucina (Clif- ford) Taplin, natives of Canada. The father was the son of Augustns and Polly (Drew) Taplin, natives of Vermont, who in 1790 em- igrated to Lower Canada, and subsequently removed to Oshawa, Ontario, where tlie former died at the advanced age of eighty- nine years. Our subject's parents are still living in Oshawa, Ontario, being at present engaged in the dairy business. They have four children still living: William W., Elgin W., a hardware merchant in Mnskoka, Can- ada, and Oscar H., a farmer residing in Qne- bec, and Anna Drew, of Riverside, Califor- nia. William W. was reared in the mills and carriage shops of his father, which business
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the latter followed until 1865. He was a graduate of the High School of Canada. At the age of eighteen he left liis native country and located at Detroit, Michigan, where he was engaged in a saw-mill for a short time. He then went to Lucas County, Ohio, where he engaged in the erection of a mill for the noted Captain E. B. Ward, of Detroit. In the spring of 1864 he visited relatives in Richland County, Wisconsin, returning to Canada. At the close of the war, he removed to Saginaw County, Michigan, and there worked at the milling business six months. He next went to La Fayette, Indiana, and engaged in setting up machinery for manu- facturing baskets, visiting several cities, in- cluding Cincinnati, putting up machinery for the same business. He returned to Tippe- canoe County, Indiana, where he operated a mill for a year. In 1867 he again returned to Canada, being engaged with the A. S. Whiting Manufacturing Company for about one year, after which he came to Chicago. He was there engaged as foreman for the S. I. Russell Company's shop until the same was destroyed by fire. Mr. Taplin then ac- cepted the agency of the Singer sewing-ma- chine of that city, and acted in that capacity till the year 1870.
In 1869 he was married to Miss Adella Brundage, of Chicago.
In the spring of 1870 he returned to Can- ada, where he was again engaged with the A. S. Whiting Manufacturing Company, re- maining there till the spring of 1871, when he engaged with the Chase Bros. & Bowman, nurserymen, of Rochester, New York, till the summer of 1872. Returning to Chicago, he followed various occupations until the fall of 1876. Accompanied by two other me- chanics, he then went to Port Washington, Wisconsin, where they were engaged in the manufacture of sewing-machines, which busi-
ness proved a failure. The following year they went to Fredonia, Wisconsin, where they rented and operated a foundry till 1881, after which Mr. Taplin went to Neillsville, where he is still engaged in the same business. He held the office of Alderman of the First Ward three years, and is one of the prominent bnsi- ness men of Neillsville.
He has a family of four children, viz .: May, Frank, William and Neil, all of whom are attending school. Politically Mr. Taplin affiliates with the Republican party.
ILLIAM GERGEN was born in Germany, April 25, 1823. His par- ents with a family of four children came to America in 1847 and settled in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. The father died in that county in 1874. William was mar- ried in Racine County, February 5, 1856, to Elizabeth Bauchop, who was born in Scot- land in 1836. Mr. Gergen came to Clark County in 1868. His family at that time consisted of four children and five were after- ward born to them. They are all living at this writing and their names are as follows: W. A, Mary E., Emma J., Maggie, Elwood, Edwin, Grace, Alfred and Vernie. All have received a fair education in the district schools of the county.
In the fall of 1864 the subject of our sketch entered the service of his country, en- listing in Company H, Thirty-fifth Wiscon- sin Infantry. He participated in the White River expedition and in the engagement at Fort Spanish. All through the terin of his enlistment he served with bravery and was honorably discharged February 4, 1866.
While in the army Mr. Gergen saved enough money to buy an eiglity-acre farm after his return to Wisconsin. This farm,
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which is located in section 5, Grant Town- ship, five miles northeast of Neillsville, he purchased in 1872. He has since improved it and it is now valued at $50 per acre. Mr. Gergen is regarded as one of the successful farmers and prominent citizens of Clark County.
OSEPH LEHNERD, of section 25, Eaton Township, was born in Addison Township, Washington County, Wiscon- sin, February 8, 1854, the son of Frank Lehnerd, who was born in Byrne, Germany; June 9, 1818. He came to the United States in 1848, settling in Washington County, but now lives with his son Joseph. Of his four children three still survive: Barbara, now Mrs. Meixensperger, and lives in Dodge County; Joseph, the subject of this sketch ; Theresa, of Mnscoda, Wisconsin.
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