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 17
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 17
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received his education in the com- inon schools. He came to La Crosse, this county, in 1862, and engaged in freighting from the latter city to Neillsville, Sparta and Staffordsville until 1868, when he went to Port Huron, Michigan. While there he learned the ship-carpenter's trade, which he followed during the winters for sixteen years, and worked at carpentering during the sum- iners at Port Huron and Sarnia, Canada. In 1881 he returned to this county, locating in Greenwood, where he has since been engaged in his present business.
Mr. Dingley was married October 16, 1870, to Mary A. Foster, who was born near Hull, Canada, October 29, 1854, the daughter of John and Mary A. (nee Gill), both deceased. Mr. Dingley was a member of the Town
Board two years; socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and politically, a Pro- hibitionist.
B. RING is editor and two-thirds owner of the Neillsville Times, an ably and successfully conducted sheet published by the Times Publishing Company. He is a native of Rock County, Wisconsin, and for many years resided with his parents at Sparta, Wisconsin. He learned the printer's trade in the office of the Sparta L'agle, and engaged in the business until May, 1875, when he re- ceived a Government appointment at Shang- hai, China. In making the journey to the scenes of his future work, he crossed the con- tinent to the Pacific coast, and sailed from the port of San Francisco to the " Flowery Kingdom " by way of Japan. He remained in the Orient until 1877, when he returned to the United States; he caine by way of the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, France,' England and the Atlantic, thus mak- ing a complete circuit of the globe. It was an exceedingly interesting and valuable ex- perience, in which he won much information. He tonched nearly all the principal seaports en route, and lingered many months at places of interest which he visited.
On his return to this country Mr. Ring was employed for some time on the La Crosse Republican and Leader; the winter of 1878- '79 was passed in the city of Washington, District of Columbia, as witness in the Sew- ard investigation. In March, 1879, after an extensive journey through the South, he came to Neillsville, and in July of the same year he established the True Republican, which he owned and edited nntil December, 1888; at that time this paper and the Times consolida- ted, Mr. Ring retiring. After the consolida-
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tion it was known as The Neillsville Times, and in March, 1889, Mr. Ring bought an in- terest in the business, and has ever since been the editor.
The Times is a Republican publication, and adheres stanchly to the principles of the party.
Our esteemed subject was married to Miss Frances Langford, of Madison, Wisconsin, an accomplished teacher, in 1886.
OHN J. SLOSSER, a successful farmer of Jackson County, was born in Dutch- ess County, New York, May 19, 1849, the son of Arnold B. Slosser, a native also of New York. In 1860 the father, of German descent, came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, where he dicd at the age of eighty-two years. In early years he was a ship· carpenter, but later iu life followed farming. Politically he was a Republican. Our subject's mother, nee Katherine Udell, was born in New York. and lived to the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Slosser had eight children, only two of whom survive: Emma J. and Johu J.
The latter, their eighth child, was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools of Jackson County. He now owns and occupies 240 acres of land in section 23, Albion Township, which he in- herited from his parents. He carries on general farming, and later intends to give special attention to the raising of blooded stock. Politically he is a Republican, and has held several minor offices. He was mar- ried November 11, 1873, to Harriet E. Har- mer, who was born in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, May 30, 1850, the daughter of William and Lizzie (Relf) Harmer, who came from England to this country in an early day.
Mr. and Mrs. Slosser have had four children, all of whom are living, viz .: May L., Harry A., George B. and Archie J.
HEODORE E. MEINHOLD, of sec- tion 8, Eaton Township, Clark County, was born in Saxony, Germany, August 24, 1860, the son of Gottlieb and Wilhelmina (Nnendorf) Meinhold, both also natives of Saxony. The parents came to the United States in 1869, settling in Sheboygan Coun- ty, Wisconsin, where they lived until 1879, and in that year came to this county and settled on our subject's land. They had ten children, five of whom still survive, namely: Theodore, Minnie, Lina, Emma and Gustav. Minnie married Frank Horner, of this county, and they have three children: Charles, Lina and Edward. Lina married Henry Thielen, also of this county, and they have two children: Oscar and an infant boy. Mr. Meinhold, our subject, owns eighty acres of good land, twenty-five of which is cleared. He has worked in the pineries during the winters, drove logs in the spring, and farmed in the summers. He was induced to accept the office of Clerk of the School Board. He is a member of the German Reformed Chinreh.
HOMAS R. VINE, of section 25, Warner Township, Clark County, was born in Buffalo, New York, June 17, 1846, the son of Thomas Vine, deceased, a native of England, but who came to the United States when a young man. Thomas R., our subject, spent the first sixteen years of his life in Buffalo, where he attended the city schools. In 1862 he came to this county, and in the spring of 1863 enlisted in the
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Union army at Neillsville, in Company I, Fourteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served over two years, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, Nash- ville, Tupelo, skirmish on White River, march from Brownsville to Pilot Knob, cam- paign against Montgomery, the Missouri campaign, Lookout Mountain, Red River campaign, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, Fort De Russa, and many others. After the war Mr. Vine returned to this connty, and since that time has worked twenty-two years in the woods. He settled on his present farm of eighty acres in the spring of 1873, and has since cleared thirty acres of this tract. When he came he had no means excepting a cow. He kept himself busily employed, in the woods in the winter and on the farm in the summer. His hay he had to carry up by hand, with the aid of his wife, using poles, until he was able to secure a team, nine years afterward.
He was married, October 19, 1868, to Emina E. Marvin, a daughter of Matthew Marvin, of Greenwood, Wisconsin, and they have five children: Edward C., Ernest R. Jeremiah T., Alice E. and Pricy G. Mr. Vine is a member of the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F., and in his political principles is a Republican.
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ERMAN SCHWARZE, a blacksmith, and also a dealer in plows, of section 29 to 27, Warner Township, was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, June 24, 1850, the son of Hans H. and Mary S. (Hoefer) Schwarze, both natives of Germany. The former died when Herman was nine years old, and the latter when he was ten years. He came to the United States in 1867, and first lived in Sheboygan County one year,
working at his trade, after which he spent two years in Miami, Manitowoc County In 1870 he came to this county, locating in Warner Township, which he has since mnade his home. He worked in the lumber camps as blacksmith five or six winters, and in 1874 began work in his present shop, which, with the exception of two years spent in the camps, he has since continued. He owns a farm of 121 acres, twenty of which is clearcd.
Mr. Schwarze was married in the fall of 1874, to Christina Meyer, who was born in Brandenburg, Prussia, November 5, 1848, the danghter of Michael Meyer. They have had nine children, eight of whom are now living: Helene, Matilda, George, Albert, Herman, Adolph, Augusta and Otto. Mr. Schwarze was a member of the Side Board four years, and is the present incumbent; Road Overseer two years, and School Treas- urer twelve years. He is a member of the German Reformed Church, of which he is a deacon, and also superintendent of the Sun- day-school at Immannel Church. In politics he votes for the man, regardless of party.
E. HOLLENBECK, a prominent citi- zen of Merrillon, was born in Jefferson County, New York, September 29, 1848, son of Williamn and Sophia Hollenbeck, also natives of the Empire State. The origi- nal ancestors of William A. Hollenbeck came to this conntry from Holland. In 1856, when C. E. was eight years old, he came West with his father, who located in Adams County, Wisconsin, and engaged in farming He had a family of nine children to support and had no means save what he earned by hard work. He bought 120 acres of wild land in this new country, which by hard labor he cleared and developed into a good
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farm. He was a prominent Democrat among the pioneers of this State; he is now a resi- dent of Minnesota, his wife having died in Benton County, this State, in February, 1887.
C. E. Hollenbeck was only fifteen years old when lie ran away from home barefooted and began the struggle of life. At the age of sixteen he enlisted in Company H, Eleventlı Wisconsin Regiment, Captain O'Neal, and went forth in defense of his country; he served in the Gulf Department a year and one month, and during that time was in the battles of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, being wounded in the right knee at the latter place; he was discharged in October, 1865. The war over, he returned to Wisconsin, and was engaged in the lumber business in Grand Rapids from 1865 until 1873.
September 7, 1873, he wedded Emma A. Johnson, who was born in West Bend, Wis- consin, in 1853; her education was obtained in the common schools of her native county, and Mr. Hollenbeck was also educated in the district schools. One child has been born to them.
In 1873 they located at Arcadia, where he engaged in the lumber business. In 1879, 1880 and 1881 he was employed by C. M. Cain & Co., wholesale lumber dealers of Osh- kosh; he then came to Merrillon and entered into the insurance business, in which he is now engaged. Mr. Hollenbeck has served the public as Town Treasurer, Deputy Sher- iff, Police and Magistrate. He is associated with the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of the G. A. R.
ONY WITSIC, of Albion Township, Jackson County, was born in Dodge County, Wisconsin, June 29, 1862, the son of Anthony Witsic, a native of Ger-
many, but who came to this country in 1854 and located in Dodge County. In 1877 he came to Jackson County, Albion Township, where he still resides. He is a member of the German Catholic Church. Our subject is the fourth of seven children, five of whom are now living: Felix, John, Andrew, Frank and Tony. The latter was reared and edu- cated principally in Jackson County. In 1887 he bonght forty acres of land on section 10, Albion Township, where he now lives and carries on general farming. Politically he is a Democrat.
Mr. Witsic was married May 10, 1887, to Maggie Staffon, who was born in Jackson County, Wisconsin, in 1865, the daughter of Adam and Mary Staffon, who came from Germany to this country early in life, locating in Jackson County, where they now live. The father is a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Witsic have had two children-Stella and Jenny. The former died when one and a half years old.
REDERICK A. LIMPRECHT, of sec- tion 15, Warner Township, was born in Weimar, Germany, October 8, 1850, the son of Charles M. and Christina (Buddinger) Limprecht, natives of Germany; the former is a resident of Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, but the latter is deceased. Of the parents' nine children, seven are still living, namely: Au- gust, Christ, Frederick, Louis, Hermann, Charles and Emnra. One daughter, Annie, died on shipboard when the family were on their way to the United States. They landed in this country in 1854, and first settled in Sheboygan County, which was then a dense woods. Indians and wild animals were nu- merous, and the father secured nearly all his meat by hunting.
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Frederick A., our subject, was reared on a farın and educated in the common schools of Sheboygan County. At the age of fifteen years he learned the miller's trade, which he followed several years around Sheboygan and Milwaukee, and also in Chicago four years. He went to the latter city about three weeks before the fire of 1871, but in 1874 returned to Sheboygan County, where lie was subse- quently married. Mr. Limprecht farmed on the homestead four years, and in the spring of 1879 came to Hemlock, where lie built a large flouring-mill in company with N. H. Withee, and also built the first dwelling- house in this city, where he has ever since resided. After five years he sold his interest in the Hemlock mills, and has since been eu- gaged in farming aud various other employ- ments. He owns 120 acres of laud on the west side of the river, on sections 9 and 4, township 27, range 2 west, of which eighteen acres is cleared. He also owns a fine frame dwelling in Hemlock.
Mr. Limprecht was married September 26, 1874, to Sedonie Seitel, a daughter of Gottleib Seitel, deceased. They have had five chil- dren, four of whom are still living: Annie, Charlie, Toney and William. One son, Her- man, died at the age of four years and tliree days. Mr. Limprecht is a member of tlie A. O. U. W., and also of the German Reformned Church.
ENRY W. DECKER, of section 29, Warner Township (27). range 2 west, Clark County, was born in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, February 18, 1864. His mother died when he was three days old, after which he was taken care of by neigh- bors. He came with his father to this county in 1871, where he has since resided on lris
present farm of eighty acres, thirty of which is cleared. This place is well improved, and of very good soil. He has also worked in the pineries during the winters, and at tlie carpenter's trade in the summers. Ile rents lris farm to tenants. Mr. Decker is an enter- prising and public-spirited young man, and has fair prospects for future prosperity. He is a member of the German Reformed Church.
Frederick Decker, deceased, father of the above, and late of section 28, Warner Town- ship (27), Clark County, was born in Lippe- Detmold, Prussia, in 1828. He came to the United States in 1854, settling near Franklin, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, where he cleared a farm. In 1871 he came to this county and settled on the old homestead, where he died May 8, 1889. He was mar- ried to Minnie Teace, and they had three children-Fred, August and Henry. The mother died February 21, 1864, and Mr. Deck. r was again married, March 12, 1868, to Mary Meier, who was born in the Province of Brandenburg, Prnasia, December 6, 1837, the daughter of Michael Meier, deceased. They had six children: Hermau, Otto, Ber- tha, Ferdinand, Louise and Emelia, all of whom are at home. Mr. Decker was a hard- working man, having cleared a farm of 200 acres, which has since been divided, and a part is now owned by our subject, Henry W. He was a member of the German Reformed Church, and never gave much attention to politics.
OBERT W. CANFIELD, a farmer and bridge contractor of Clark County, Wis- consin, was born in Wellsville, New York, September 4, 1853. His parents, Leonard and Delilah Canfield, were also na-
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BIOGRAPHICAL IIISTORY OF
tives of that State. His father died there in 1878, and his mother still makes her home in New York. Robert received liis edncation in Wellsville, and held a certificate to teach, though he never followed that profession. At the age of seventeen he began to work for himself, receiving $11 per month, and the first year he saved $90. For about two years he worked in Pennsylvania, and followed teain- ing for a time. For a while he was employed as a clerk in a store at Wellsville, New York, where he acquired a knowledge of mercantile business.
In 1876 Mr. Canfield located in Wiscon- sin, at Neillsville, and for three winters worked in the woods. He also learned the carpenter's trade after coming to this State. After working at it a short time he turned his attention to contracting for bridge work, and has been very successful in his under- takings. By economy and good management he saved up $1,000 before lie was married. The date of his marriage was September 7, 1879, and the lady of his choice Ida Preshure. Her father was one of the first settlers of Wisconsin. Mr. Canfield moved to his pres- ent location in 1880. He owns some 350 acres of good land, partly on section 1, Levis Township, which is well improved. He has been School Clerk for four years, Chairman of the Town Board seven years. Mr. Can- field is a believer in a tariff for revenue only; is a Democrat, and the nominee of that party for Clerk at the last election.
ILEY J. HORR, a prosperons farmer on section 5, Unity Township, was born in Lorraine, Jefferson County, New York, October 6, 1832. His parents, War. ren and Lovisa (Stillinan) Horr, were born in the same county, and were reared and mar-
ried there. The paternal grandparents were Israel and Joanna (Haskins) Horr, natives of the State of New York. The maternal grand- parents were Benjamin and Pollie (Maxon) Stillinan, early settlers of New York, but natives of New England. Warren Horr re- moved with his family to Wisconsin in 1868, and settled in Adams County, where he still resides, at the advanced age of eighty-three years; his wife is aged seventy-six years. He has been a carpenter by trade, but a farmer by occupation, and has accumulated some property. Three sons and one danghter were born to this worthy couple: Riley J., Amanda, the wife of Hiram Brigam; Anstin W. and Leonard.
Riley J., the eldest child, was reared to farm life in the counties of Jefferson and Lewis, New York. Ile lived in the former connty until 1869, when he removed to Ad- ams Connty, Wisconsin, and in 1872 he came to Clark County, Wisconsin; he purchased land in Green Grove Township and in 1877 located on his present farm; he owns 177g acres, 100 of which he has reclaimed from the wild state of nature and placed under cultivation. He also owns 120 acres in Beaver Township, section 1. In addition to his agricultural interests he has been largely engaged in the lumber business; he has op- erated a inill for a good many years, and has done a considerable amount of logging.
Politically he affiliates with the Republi- can party. He has represented the people of his township in many of the public offices, but takes no active interest in the move- ments of his party. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a member of Company E, Tenth New York Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war. He was with the army of the Potomac until the declaration of peace, when he was mustered out of the service at Petersburg, Virginia. He was honorably
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discharged at Sackett's Harbor, New York, June 30, 1865. He was in Virginia the greater portion of the time, and was gar- risoned in New York harbor for nearly a year.
Mr. Horr was mited in marriage March 14, 1855, to Miss Louisa L. Ives, who was born in Watertown, New York, Jannary 21. 1834. Her parents are Joel and Mary (In- galls) Ives, natives of the State of New York. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Horr: Frank, George and Bert are all in California, and Benjamin and Fred are at home.
Mrs. Horr's parents were born in Connec- ticut, but were early settlers of Jefferson County, New York, where they lived some years, and finally passed out of this life; the father died in 1871, at the age of sixty-four years; the mnotlier lived to be thirty years of age, and at her death left five children: Eras- tus, Louisa, Amelia, Julia and Edward. Louisa is the wife of Mr. Horr, and Julia is the wife of S. H. Hall, of Jefferson County, New York.
Jonathan Ingalls, the grandfather of Mrs. Horr, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died as an English prisoner of war.
ILLIAM REINEKING, of section 24, Warner Township, Clark County, was born in Sheboygan County, Wis- consin, July 11, 1854, the son of William and Sophie (Haker) Reineking, both natives of Germany. The father came to the United States in 1847, settling in Sheboygan Connty, which was inhabited then by Indians and wild animals. He had to cut roads throngh the woods to his land, which was also cov- ered with heavy timber. They first slept in booths made of brush, but afterward built a
pole shanty. Mr. and Mrs. Reineking had seven children, of whom five are now living: Bertha, now Mrs. Menschen; William, our subject; Ida, now Mrs. Stock; Theodore and Otto. The deceased were Charles, who died at the age of twenty years; Matilda, at the age of seventeen years.
William, our subject, was reared on a farm and received a common-school education. He came to this county in May, 1881, and set- tled on his present farm of 160 acres, forty- five of which is cleared. Besides lis gen- eral farming and stock-raising, Mr. Reinek- ing has also worked in the pineries some of the winters. He was married May 6, 1881, . to Mary Dolimeier, a daughter of Simon Dohmeier, of Sheboygan County. Of their five children, four are now living, namely: Lydia, Bertha, Mata and Emilie. Mr. Rei- neking is a member of the Reformed Church, and is a Republican politically.
TEPHEN MOORE, of section 10, War- ner Township, Clark County, was born in Wellington County, Ontario, April 30, 1845, the son of Cornelins (deceased) and Lavina (Peck) Moore, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of New Hamp- shire. The father removed to Ontario when a yonng man. The parents had fourteen children, only fonr of whom still survive: Jane, now Mrs. Earhart; Lynus, Stephen. our subject, and Sarah, now Mrs. Kelly.
The subject of this sketch was reared to farm life, and educated in the common schools. He worked in the saw-mills of his native county several years, and in 1865 came to Clinton, Michigan, and the same year removed to Michigan City, Indiana. In the spring of 1868 he went to Preston Town- ship, Fillmore County, Minnesota, where he
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farmed two years, and in 1870 came to this county, settling in what is now Warner Town- ship. He owns 170 acres of land, sixty of which is cleared, where he is engaged in gen- eral farming, logging, and also ran a thresher nine years. For the past four years he has owned and ran a steam thresher, the " Min- nesota Chief," which is run by the Amnes engine.
Mr. Moore was married June 25, 1867, to Ellen Hogan, the only daughter of Patrick Hogan, deceased. Her mother, nee Catharine Sullivan, was afterward married to James Miller, and they had seven children, six of whom are now living: Frances, Emma, Adda, Dudley, Mira and Mina; Charles is dead. Mrs. Moore was always known by the name of Miller in her girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have had seven children, six of whom still survive: Aminta, Catharine, Joseplı, Charles, Mabel and Ivy. One son, Francis, died in infancy.
A FAYETTE STURDEVANT, law part- ner of Judge John R. Sturdevant, Neills- ville, Wisconsin, was born in Erie Count- ty, Pennsylvania, in 1857, and emigrated to the West with his father, Hiram Sturdevant, in 1863. The family settled in the town of Pine Valley, where Hiram Sturdevant passed the remainder of his days. Although he was not a pioneer of Clark County, he was a well- known citizen. His brother, James W. Stur- devant, was one of the earliest settlers. In 1849 he went to California, and on his return in 1852 the vessel on which he took passage was wrecked, few of the number on board escaping death. He enlisted during the civil war as a member of Company F, One Hun- dred and Fifty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and in the battle of Gettysburg
was severely wounded. This misfortune re- sulted in his honorable discharge soon after, and lie then removed with his family to Clark County. His widow and six children are still living.
La Fayette Sturdevant received his educa- tion in the public schools, and studied law under the tutorship of his present partner. He was admitted to the bar in 1879, his first partner being L. A. Doolittle, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This relationship continued for two years, and was then dissolved, when the present co-partnership was formed. He was elected District Attorney in the fall of 1876, and discharged the duties of this office witlı marked ability. He is also the present Dis- trict Attorney, elected in the fall of 1890.
Mr. Sturdevant was united in marriage to Miss Minette Bacon. a daughter of Orson Bacon, a pioneer of Clark County, who was born in the State of Vermont in the year 1810. He removed thence to the State of New York, where he married Miss M. R. Hastings. They moved from Elmira, New York, to Michigan, and came as pioneers to Neillsville, where they were well known and highly respected. Orson Bacon died in 1882, leaving a widow, four daughters and two sons. Since that time one of the sons has passed away.
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