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 15
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 15
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In 1858 Mr. Boon was nnited in marriage with Miss Jane Wilson, who was born April 5, 1845, in Canada. They were married in Marlow County, Province of Quebec. Their nnion has been blessed with ten children, all of whom are living excepting thie eldest daughter, who died February 16, 1888. About seventeen years of Mr. Boon's life has been spent in the woods, where he has been engaged in logging, driving teams, etc. He came to Clark County, Wisconsin, in November, 1868, bought a tract of 120 acres,
and by hard work, economy and judicions management eleared up a neat little farm of eiglity acres. It is located in section 9, Pine Valley Township, and prior to its purchase by him was freqnented with plenty of deer and other wild game. Mr. Boon is a highly respected citizen, and a member of the I. (). O. F.
NTIIONY LARSON, of section 36, Warner Township, Clark County, was born in Trondhjem, Norway, April 20, 1843, the son of Lars Anderson (deceased), a native of Christiania, same country. The latter was a laborer in a paper mill, also superintendent of the same, in Trondhjem. The subject of this sketeh completed his education in his native country, and in 1860 came to the United States, stopping first at Black River Falls, where he worked in a saw- mill several years, and was also engaged in lumbering. In 1868 he came to this county and settled on his present homestead of eighty acres. forty of which is cleared. For his first residence he and his brother carried the logs and built a round-log shanty, with a roof of basswood scoops, an ironwood pole chimney plastered with clay; they used blocks of wood for chairs. The wild animals were very numerous at that time, and Mr. Larson once shot a deer through the window of his cabin, early one morning while the remainder of the family were asleep.
He was married in Jannary, 1866, to Inge- bor Haralson, and they had ten children. all of whom are now living: Matilda, Harry, Louise, Levis, Ida, Helma, Joseph and Tina. Mr. Larson has worked in the pineries nearly every winter since coming to this connty, and has also been engaged in logging for the past three winters on his own account.
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He lias been Assessor of the town for the past six years; was a member of the Town Board one year, and has been a Clerk of the School District ever since his district was or- ganized. Religiously he is a member of the Lutheran Church; socially, of the I. O. O. F. fraternity ; and politically a Republican.
LE PETERSON, of section 35, Warner Township, Clark County, was born in central Norway, July 14, 1836, the son of Peter Olson, deceased, a native of the same country. Ole Peterson came to the United States in 1873, settling in Greenwood, where he worked in the woods two years, and dur- ing that time worked on a farm in the sum- mers. He settled on his present farın of forty acres in 1875, and lias since cleared tlie entire tract.
He was married in Norway in 1863, to Ingebor Ingebreght, and by this marriage were born four children, three of whom still sur- vive: Carl, Mary and Olive. Mary married Alex. Hendrickson, of this county; Olive married Iver Hembre, of Beaver Township. The inother died, and the father afterward married Marit Fladaas, who was born in Norway, and came to the United States in 1882. Mr. Peterson is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is a Republican politically.
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OHN DWYER, one of Clark County's substantial and reliable farmers, residing on section 31, York Township, was born ncar Northport, Waupaca County, Wisconsin, September 21, 1855. He is a son of John H. and Catherine (Murray) Dwyer. The father was born in County Tipperary, Ire-
land, in 1821, and was brought to America by his parents during his infancy; they set- tled in Canada, and there he grew to man- hood; wlien he first came to the United States lie settled in Michigan, and there resided a number of years; in 1863 he came to Black River Falls, Wisconsin, but a year later set- tled at what was then known as Weston's Rapids, Clark Conuty; in two years we find hiim at Greenwood, Clark County, and soon afterwards on a farm in Grant Township, where he spent the remainder of his days; his death occurred in 1882. IIe came to Wis- consin a poor man, and went through all the struggles and hardships of pioneer life, bear- iug his part courageously, and discharging his whole duty as a faithful citizen. When he first came to the county he traded a yoke of oxen for a tract of eiglity acres of dense forest in Grant Township, and this he con- verted into one of the most desirable farms in the county. He was a Roman Catholic in faitli, but was not connected with the church. Politically he was a stanch Democrat.
John Dwyer, the subject of this sketch, is one of a family of six children: Ann J., de- ceased, the wife of George Castuer; Julia E., wife of F. O. Northrup; Lucinda, wife of William M. Farning, a notice of whom will be found on another page of this volume; Alicc, deceased, wife of Thomas Murray, and Franklin P.
From his fourth year Mr. Dwyer was reared in Clark County, and received his edu- cation in the common schools. He settled on the farm where he now lives in 1884; the place consists of 160 acres, well improved, with excellent buildings. He also owns 160 acres on section 33, York Town- ship, and 160 acres in Grant Township; is also part owner of two saw-mills, one in York and one in the town of Weston; firm namne is Dwyer Bros. & Farning. He is a self-
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made man, having accumulated his property and attained his high standing in the com- inunity through his own exertions and his integrity of character.
Politically he is allied with the Democratic party. In 1886 lie was elected Slreriff of Clark County on his own ticket, although the county is strongly Republican. He is a member of Lodge No. 163, A. F. and A. M., at Neillsville, Wisconsin, and of Lodge No. 198, I. O. O. F .; also of lodge No. 39, K. of P., at Neillsville.
Mr. Dwyer was married July 4, 1883, to Miss Janie Parret, of Clark County, Wis- consin, a native of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, born in June, 1860. Slie is a daughter of John L. and Maria Parrett, natives of France and Ireland, respectively. Her father died a soldier in the civil war, and the mother still survives.
Mr. and Mrs. Dwyer are the parents of two children: John M. and Jessie F.
OSES K. FULLER, a prosperous farmer, residing on section 26, Hix- ton Township, Jackson County, Wis- consin, was born in the town of Jay, Oxford County, Maine, August 17, 1840. His par- ents, Consider and Mary (Knox) Fuller, were also natives of Maine. The fatlier was born April 28, 1808, and the mother April 26, 1816; both still survive, and live with our subject in Jackson County, Wisconsin. They emigrated to Illinois in the year 1844, and settled in Mercer County; there they re- mained until 1859, when they came to Jack- son County, Wisconsin, and settled where Sechlerville now stands; at the end of three years they removed to the farin now occupied by Moses K. Fuller. There were thirteen children in the family: Azubah, Caroline,
Moses K., Amanda, Adelia A., Susana, Hiram, Alneda, Eleanora and Benjamin grew to maturity. The father was married first to Miss Azubalı Caswil, of Maine, by whom he had one child, Mary Jane.
Moses K. grew to manhood on a farın in Illinois, and passed his youth in the occupa- tions incident to the clearing and cultivation of a wild tract of land. In was in 1860 that le came to Jackson County, Wisconsin. Four years later we find him enlisted as a private in Company I, Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served until the declaration of peace as a soldier in the West- ern army under Gereral Sherman. He was in the battles of Resaca, Altoona Pass, Ken-
esa w Mountain, Atlanta, Nashville and Franklin. He was never wounded or taken prisoner, but owing to exposure and privation he lost his health, and is now liberally pen- sioned by the Government. He was honor- ably discharged October 19, 1865, at Mobile, Alabama. He then returned to Jackson County, where he resumed the more peace- ful pursuit of agriculture. He owns 120 acres of land in Hixton Township, and by energy and good management he lias placed eiglity acres under good cultivation. Tle people of the township have testified to the confidence they have in Mr. Fuller by call- ing him to fill the various local offices; he has ever proved worthy of the trust reposed in him. Politically he is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of the P. C. Judkins Post, No. 87, at Alma Center, Wisconsin.
Mr. Fuller was joined in marriage March 17, 1867, to Miss Elizabeth A. Brown, of Black River Falls, Wisconsin. Mrs. Fuller was born at Kalamazoo Michigan, December 8, 1848, and is a daughter of Elijah B. and Lucinda (Overacker) Brown. Eleven chil- dren are the fruit of this union: Harris, Els-
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worth, Ruth, Ernest, Susan B., Consider, Elijah. Laura L. and Moses P .; Ernest, Laura and three infants are deceased. Ruth mar- ried William Halford, of Jackson County, Wisconsin. Mrs. Fuller passed from this life to her eternal rest October 7, 1890, deeply inourned by her family and a large circle of acquaintances.
OHN SYTH, of Eaton Township, Clark County, was born in Middlesex Connty, Canada, September 22, 1836, the son of Jolin, deceased, and Keturah (Hodgson) Syth, both natives of Hnll, England, who came to Canada about the year 1835. They had six children, three of whom still survive: Thomas, John and James. The deceased-Robert, Jane and Elizabeth-all reached maturity.
John Syth, our subject, learned the carpen- ter's trade when a young man, and has worked at it more or less ever since, having built most of the frame houses in his neighbor- hood. He came to the United States in 1871, and the same year settled on his pres- ent farm of 240 acres, sixty of which is cleared. It was then covered with heavy timber, and he had to clear a sufficient space to build his cabin. He now hasa good frame dwelling 18 x 26 feet, one and a half stories high. with an L 16 x 24 feet, one story. He has also two good barns, one of which is 32 x 46 feet, with eighteen-feet posts, and the otlier 30 x 44, sixteen-feet posts, besides other buildings, sheds, etc. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, having a high grade of Holstein cattle, pure Leicester- shire sleep and good horses. He has one imported horse, half Hambletonian and half French.
Mr. Syth was married, July 5, 1860, to Isabelle Kennedy, a daughter of George and
Mary (Brown) Kennedy. both deceased. They had seven children: Grace, Mary, Mar- garet, Isabella, James, George and Sarah Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Syth have had five children. three of whom are now living: John W., Robert H. and William A. Mr. Syth has been Town Treasurer two years, Chair- inan of the Board of Supervisors one year and Justice of the Peace one terin. Socially lie is a member of the I. O. O. F., and religiously a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a steward several years, and is now superintendent of the Sunday- school at McMahon's Corners. His two sons, John and Robert, are working on the railroad which is being built to Greenwood. Polit- ically Mr. Syth affiliates with the Prohibi- tionist party.
ILLIAM H. HILTON, a highly re- spected inember of the farming community of Loyal Township, is the subject of the following biographical no- tice. He was born in Holton, Maine, Janı- ary 13, 1841, and is a son of Silas and Pollie (Ayer) Hilton, natives of Maine. They emi- grated to the West when Ohio was on the frontier, and settled in Defiance County; there they resided until 1865, when they de- cided to push on farther towards the " setting sun." They located this time in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, where the father passed the remainder of his days; the mother still survives. Mr. Hilton was a stone and brick mason by trade, and followed this occupation the most of liis life. He and his wife were honored members of the Universalist Church. They reared a family of four children: Henry M., John, William H. and Silas.
William H. Hilton passed his early child- hood and youtlı in Detiance County, Ohio,
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where he received his education. At the age of sixteen years he started ont in the world for himself, going to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he at once engaged in the Inmber busi- ness; since that time he has given the greater portion of his time and energies to this great industry. In 1873 he purchased a tract of eighty acres of fine farm land, fifty-three acres of which are cleared and under cultiva- tion. He has erected roomy and substantial buildings, and has made many modern im- provements. The place has an air of neat- ness and prosperity which index the character of the owner.
Mr. Hilton is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 181, at Greenwood, and of the G. A. R. Post at Loyal. In the beginning of the late war, August 8, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company A, First Battalion, Sixteenth United States Infantry, and served until June 13, 1863, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability, having received a gun-shot wound in the thigh at the battle of Stone River. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River and Perryville. He escaped being taken prisoner, and was wounded but the one time.
April 18, 1873, he was joined in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Mack, a native of the Do- minion of Canada, and a daughter of Erastus and Maria (Hughs) Mack. Three children have been born of this nnion: Mark R., Cnl- len R. and William H., Jr.
BENEZER BORDEN, now a resident of Clark County, first came to Wisconsin in the year 1849, and has during all the years since that time witnessed many wonder. ful changes. He is a native of Addison County, Vermont, born November 20, 1827. His parents, Nathaniel and Susan (Rice)
Borden, were natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts respectively; they were mar- ried in Vermont and there lived and died. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812; for many years he was employed in the lui- ber regions of New England, and afterward took up farming; at one time he was engaged in the mercantile trade at Huntington, Ver- mont. The family consisted of three chil- dren: Nathaniel, Ebenezer, of whom this notice is written, and Rachel.
The second son was reared in Franklin and Chittenden counties, Vermont; he had the misfortune to lose his father when but six years old, so at this tender age he was thrown upon his own resources. Therefore his edn- cation was limited, but by the cultivation of a naturally keen observation he has acquired a fund of information that enables him to at- tend to his business with more than ordinary intelligence. As before stated, he came to Wisconsin in 1849; he spent a few months at Madison, and then went to the Wisconsin River and engaged in logging for a season; the two years following he was employed on a farm in Dodge County, Wisconsin, and at the end of that time he returned to Vermont; but two years later we find him in Dodge County, Wisconsin, again, where he remained two years; his next place of residence was in Jackson County, Wisconsin, where he was farming for a few years. In 1861 he removed to the place where he now makes his home; he bought 160 acres and has about sixty cleared and under cultivation. He has done all the improving himself, and all the sur- roundings bespeak his wise management and good judgment.
In 1864, when there was still a call for men to go to the aid of the Union, Mr. Bor- den abandoned his pursuits at home, and en- listed as a private in Company I, Third Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, and served about
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eleven months. At the close of the war lie was honorably discharged at Washington, District of Columbia. Politically he believes in the principles of the Republican party.
Mr. Borden was united in the holy bonds of wedlock, October 28, 1857, to Miss Cath- erine Hallock, of Jackson County, Wisconsin. She was born in Canada, May 28, 1838, and is a daughter of William B. and Anna (Steven- son) Hallock. Eleven children have been born of this union: William N., Wyatt B., Ruth A., Herbert G., Norman A., Marion L., Myra L., Edna M., Watson J., deceased, Lill- ian D., deceased, and Florence K.
WOODS COLBURN is ranked among the pioneers of Lewis Township, Clark County. He was born in Vermont, June 3, 1820, and received his early educa- tion in that State. When only six years old his father died, and while quite young was thrown npon his own resources.
Mr. Colburn came to Clark County, Wis- consin, in 1861, and engaged in saw-mill work for several years. He has cleared up many acres of wild land both for himself and for others, and by his well directed efforts and economy has secured a competency. He lias a nice farin located in section 1, Lewis Township, five miles from Neillsville, which is well improved. Mr. Colburn was married forty-three years ago, to Elizabetlı Blaylock. Their four children have all received a good education. One is deceased. His ancestors and also those of his wife originally came from Scotland and Ireland. Mr. Colburn was School Clerk of the township three years, School Treasurer four years and Town Treas- urer for seven years. By all who know him he is regarded as a useful and npright citi- zen. In speaking of his early experience,
Mr. Colburn remarked that the first team he ever owned was a pair of oxen that he bought on credit and paid for in full by hard work.
ORRIS S. MARKHAM, of section 17, Warner Township, Clark County, was born near Troy, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1823, the son of Curtis (de- ceased) and Sally Markham. The latter, a native of Oneida County, New York, worked in a paper mill in that State when a girl. They were the parents of thirteen children, Morris and Curtis being the only two boys. After the father's death the mother married Orlando Seymour, and by this union there were eleven children, of whom several are now deceased. Mr. Markham returned with his mother and step-father to Wayne County, New York, when in his sixth year, and was brought up on a farm. He removed to La Porte Connty; Indiana, in 1844, and in 1846 returned to New York, where he helped his father and mother to get ready to move to Indiana. He next went to the vicinity of Cedar Falls, Iowa, in the antumn of 1857, and thence to Spirit Lake the next fall. When the great Indian massacre occurred there the next spring, he was out hunting his cattle, and when he returned nearly all the members of the nine families had been murdered and the others taken prisoners! He returned the next day to Mud Lake, which he reached after dark, and fearing the Indians were lurk- ing around he went back a few rods, dug a hole in the snow, and staid there that night. The next morning he returned to the settle- ment, where he had found his oxen, and spread the news. He suffered from hunger, fatigue and sickness, and the settlers kept him over night, and the next morning they all left for Springfield, Minnesota, where two
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settlers were then living. They met more men, and all went to the Irish colony, twenty- five miles distant, where they gathered to- gether to punish the Indians, but the adjoin- ing settlers would not assist, and the project was abandoned, as the few willing trappers were too weak in numbers. This occurred near Springfield, Minnesota, and it was the settlers of that village who refused to assist, and did not believe Mr. Markham's story. A few days after reaching Springfield, a boy came in one evening and said he saw some- thing on the prairie near which made queer motions. Most of the men ran out, and a volley from the Indians in ambush killed the boy and wounded two or three others. The Indians then attempted to enter the house, but were repulsed. Shortly afterward a small boy again came from a neighboring settle ment and reported his parents and the family killed. The men and women wanted to leave this place, but no one would go out and yoke up the oxen but Mr. Markham, who loaded women, children and wounded men in the sleigh, and traveled until midnight, stopping on the prairie until morning, when they con- tinued to Mr. Granger's, a settlement near Mnd Lake, arriving at 3 P. M. They remained until morning, when Mr. Granger added an- other team of oxen, sled and horse, provisions, etc., joined the party, and all started for Fort Dodge. About 10 o'clock they saw what they supposed to be about 1,000 Indians, about two miles ahead of them, who stopped and seemed to be parleying. The fleeing party stopped, and their captain, Bradshaw, attempted to run, but was stopped by Mr. Markham, who told him if he ran he would shoot him. The latter took his gun and started to see who they were, and upon meet- ing they were overjoyed to learn who they were: they were volunteers coming to the re- lief of the settlers.
Mr. Markham went to Fort Dodge, where the citizens donated him money and clothes for his bravery. He subsequently returned to Spirit Lake, made a settlement and re- mained until July, same year, when he sold his claim for $300, and went to Grundy County, Missouri. August 11, 1859, he married Minerva Wade, danghter of John Wade, deceased. During the war he removed to Indiana, and later he and others came to Wisconsin, where they hunted and trapped a short time. Mr. Markham then bronght his family to Sauk County, this State, and to Clark County in 1866, which was then a dense woods. He killed many deer, and often hired Indians to tan the hides for him. Mr. and Mrs. Markham have had eight children, six of whom are now living, namely: Samuel, Julia, Amasa, John, Mary and Minnie. Julia married Emanuel Lewis, of Hemlock, this county, and they have one child, Mollie R. Mr. Markham was elected School Treasurer, and was Chairman of the Town Board a few years; politically he is a Republican.
A. NEFF, a farmer residing on section 1, Lewis Township, was born in Jeffer- son County, Wisconsin, June 18, 1851, son of A. L. and Mary Neff. He was edn- cated in the district schools of Jefferson County, and at the early age of thirteen years began to show a spirit of independence by working ont on farms. At first he received only $8 per month, but his wages were gradually increased. In 1868 he came to Clark County, where he has since made his home. He has had many years of experience in the lumber camps, working for himself and others, and in that way accumulated a little start. In 1872 he bought his present farm in Lewis Township, which consists o
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160 acres. By the expenditure of much time and hard labor he has cleared his land and has it under a fine state of cultivation. He is regarded as one of the enterprising citizens of the township; he is a Republican and takes an active part in politics.
Mr. Neff was married, July 11, 1878, to Agnes Carter, who was born in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, in 1853. She attended school in Minnesota, is well educated, and tauglit several terms before her marriage. She is a lady of much culture and refine- ment and is fond of reading. Three children have been born to them. Mr. Neff has been Town Treasurer two years, School Trustee for eight years, and Chairman one term. He is the present Constable of Lewis Township.
URTIS MARKHAM, one of the pio- neers of section 20, Warner Township, was born in Oneida County, New York, February 2, 1822, the son of Curtis Mark- ham (deceased), a native of the same State. The father died when Curtis was eighteen months old, and they, desiring to keep up the family name, changed his name from Amasa to Curtis. He was then taken, at his father's dying request, by his grandfather, Samuel Markham, with whom he remained until thir- teen years old, or until the latter's death. He was then thrown upon the charities of a cold world, and, seeing other children reveling in home luxury, with a father and mother to look after their wants, he became heartsick, and once wept bitterly at his lonely condition. His mother had married again, and removed to Pennsylvania. Mr. Markham had but one brother, Morris, by his mother's first mar- riage. The former came to Thornton, Illi- nois, in 1850, and in a few weeks removed to Porter County, Indiana, where he lived until
March, 1868. He then came to this county and in 1869 settled on his present place of eighty acres, forty-two of which is cleared.
He was married in Wayne County, New York, June 1, 1845, to Sarah Mitchell, born in Perrington, New York, November 19, 1823, the daughter of Edward Mitchell, de- ceased. Of their eight children, only two are now living: Amasa C. and Harriet A. The latter married William Langley, of Lake County, Indiana. and has five children, namely: Alice M., Eleanora F., Georgia A., Harrison B. and Mattie. Mr. Markham's eldest daughter, now deceased, married George Morris, who subsequently died, leaving two children: Bessie A. and Haven P. She was agaiu married, to William Mc- Mullen, and they had two children, only one of whom is still living, George W. Mr. Markham lost another grown daughter, Jn- lia P., who died at the age of twenty-one years. His granddaughter, Bessie A. Morse, married Arthur Sischo, of this town.
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