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 22
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 22
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of the leading photograph galleries of Mil- wankee, Wisconsin, where he attained nu- usual skill as an operator. He is a gennine student in his art, executes crayon work of a very fine quality, and gives promise of rising to the top in art circles. His studio is neatly and tastefully arranged, and contains many specimens of his ability.
A large and varied assortment of picture- frames can always be found at Mr. Peters' gallery, as he makes a specialty of this branchi of the business.
292 EORGE F. SMITH, superintendent of the D. J. Spaulding farm, and also foreman in one of liis camps near Withee, was born in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, August 19, 1857, the son of Michael Smith, deceased, a native of Dublin, Ireland. The latter came to the United States when a young man, and settled in Utica, New York, where he remained five years. He thien lived six years in Chicago, where he was en- gaged in grading streets. IIe next went to Milwaukee, where he at one time owned 260 acres of land, and where he died May 12, 1886, at the age of eighty-four years, after a sickness of but a few days. Our subject's mother, nee Catharine Ryan, was born in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Jolin Ryan, deceased, a native of County Mayo, Ireland. The parents had six children, two of whom still survive: George F. and Michael J. The latter now lives on the old home- stead near Milwaukee.
George F., our subject, was reared to farm life, and educated in the common schools. In fall of 1877 he commenced work in the pineries near Ludington, on the Pere Mar- quette River, Michigan, where he remained six years, and during that time was engaged
in driving logs in the summers. In 1883 he came to this county and lived at Neillsville two years, spending thic winters in the camps, and farming in the summers. October 19, 1888, he took charge of tlie Spaulding farm, having charge of several thousand acres, and also estimates and looks after all the pine lands. Besides this he also owns a onc-half interest in the homestead near Milwaukee.
Mr. Smith was married January 14, 1875, to Einma J., a daughter of Timothy Carlton, deceased. They have two children: Francis M., born October 27, 1890, and Edward T., March 30, 1890. Religiously he is a mein- ber of the Catholic Church.
OEL S. MILLER, of Melrose, was born in Cortland County, New York, Sep. tember 29, 1837, the son of William Miller, also a native of that county, born February 11, 1811. In 1853 he went to McHenry Connty, Illinois, remaining until 1864, when he came to Jackson County, lo- cating in Alına Center. In 1868 he opened a hotel, which lie sold in 1883, and in- vested the money in town property. He died June 28, 1889; politically he was a Republi- can, and held several public offices. Our subject's mother, Rachel Heath, was born in Cortland County, New York, and is now living in Alma Center, Wisconsin. She is the daughter of Joel Heath, a native of New York, who came to McHenry County, Illinois, in an early day. In 1854 he went to La Crosse County, where he died, at an advanced age. He was a farmer by occupation; and politi- cally was a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had ten children, namely: Joel S., Rachel A., Amy M., Helen A., Jerome B., Albert, Myron A., and one who died in infancy.
The subject of this sketch, Joel S., was
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reared and educated on a farm in Chautauqua County, New York. In 1853 he went to McHenry County, and commenced work on the Illinois Central Railroad, where he continued until February, 1864. In that year he went to Venango County, Pennsyl- vania, remaining until 1888, when he came to Jackson County. In May, 1889, he came to Melrose and engaged in the hardware business, and now carries a stock of $2,500. Politically he is a Republican.
Mr. Miller was married October 26, 1873, to Mary E. Freeman, who was born in West Canada, July 18, 1852, the daughter of Sam- uel and Ann (Englishi) Freeman, both natives of England, who came to this country iu au early day. In 1856 they came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, and now reside in Black River Falls. The father has been in the hotel business nearly all his life. In his younger days he was a Republican, but now votes the Democrat ticket.
EORGE BEACHWOOD, of section 36, Thorp Township, Clark County, was born in Niagara County, New York, July 22, 1852, the son of Gottfried Beach- wood, deceased, a native of Prussia. The latter came to the United States in 1840, settling in Niagara County, New York, where he bought a portion of Grand Island, but, the title not proving good, lie lost it. In 1850 he came to Slieboygan County, Wis- consin, where he made a settlement, but re- turned to New York the next year. In 1857 he brought his family to this State, and set- tled on a farm in the thick woods.
George, our subject, left home when six- teen years of age, and traveled through Illi- nois, Missouri, Kansas and Texas, making his own way. He worked on a raft boat on
the Mississippi River for some time, and at various other occupations. In the summer of 1871 he landed in the central part of Illi- nois, where he worked in the harvest fields, and from that State all the way into Minne- sota. In Marcli, 1864, he came to this county, and in June, 1881, entered a home- stead at Government prices. He now owns 120 acres, thirty-four of which is cleared. When he came to this county there were uo roads except Indian trails and tote roads. For several falls the Indians camped near him, but were peaceable and friendly. Mr. Beachwood has worked in the woods nearly every winter for otliers, except for the past few years, when he has been engaged ou his own account.
He was married October 21, 1880, to Marietta Boardman, who was born in Olin- sted County, Minnesota, June 22, 1857, the daughter of Benoni Boardinan, deceased. They have three children: William E., born July 28, 1881; Thomas, August 14, 1884; and Franklin, November 16, 1889.
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ICHAEL BAKER, a self-ınade man and a prosperons farmer residing in Garden Valley Township, Jacksou County, is a native of Germany. He was born January 17, 1820, and came to America in 1851, landing in New York, June 9. After remaining in Pennsylvania a little over four years, he came West and located in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. There he bought a small farm, which he improved, and which he sold in 1879. In that year he caine to Jackson County, bought a farm con- sisting of 120 acres, located two miles from Alma Centre, and on it he still resides. Mr. Baker, like many of his countrymen, came here without means, and by industry and
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economy has worked his way up to a position of comfort and independence. When he landed in this country he had but $20, and 80 anxious was he to get a start that he worked for six shillings per day and boarded himself in Pennsylvania. He worked in a hunber yard in the day time, and then when he had an opportunity he would work help- ing to unload coal boats during the nights, to put in extra time. Mr. Baker was ac- companied to this country by his wife and babe, and after their arrival here other chil- dren were born to them. Two children are deceased. The others have received the benefit of a good education. Mr. Baker had a brother in Pennsylvania who had preceded them to the United States, and it was with no little difficulty that they succeeded in finding him. He offered them a home with him for awhile, but rendered Mr. Baker no assistance in finding employment; so then it was they concluded to come West. The sub- ject of our sketch is regarded as one of the substantial citizens of the community in which he resides, and is held in high esteem by all who know him. He is now serving as Roadmaster. The family are members of the Catholic Church.
ERNARD F. RUSCH, proprietor of a saloon in Thorp, was born in Pomerania, Prussia, October 18, 1855, the son of Charles Rusch, who died when Bernard was but a small boy. The latter emigrated to Huron County, Ontario, in 1867, with the remainder of the family, his mother having previously married William Tabbert. In 1876 he came to this county, stopping first at Greenwood, where he worked in the woods the first winter, and the next two years was employed as clerk in a store at
Longwood, and also four months in Green- wood. He next was engaged in lumbering and farming until in May, 1880, when he came to Thorp, and has lived in this vicinity ever since. He worked on the Wisconsin Central Railroad when it was being built to this place. He began his present business in 1882, and in addition to this owns two farms, one of eighty acres on section 36, township 29, range 4 west, Thorp Township, and the other on section 9, township 28, range 3 west, Withee Township, consisting of forty acres.
Mr. Rusch was married October 31, 1883, to Viola Steele, a daughter of Thomas Steele, of this city. They have two children: Ber- nard, born August 3, 1884; and Ruth, No- vember 5, 1886. Mr. Rusch has held the office of Town Treasurer two years, and re- ligiously was brought up a Lutheran.
UPERT SICHLER resides on a farm in section 26, town 23, range 5, in the town of Garden Valley, Jackson Coun- ty. He was born in the city of Rottweil a Necar, kingdom of Würtemberg, Germany, March 9, 1834, and came to America when he was eighteen years old, arriving in the United States with but little money. He spent one year and four months in New Jersey, seven miles from Philadelphia, on a large truck farm on the Delaware River, working for $10 per month through the summer, and $6 per month in the winter months. He then went to southern Illinois, -Madison, Macoupin and Montgomery coun ties,-about fifty miles from St. Louis, and remained about one year, working on several farms, and about a month on the railroad to Terre Haute. From there he went to south- ern Iowa, Fort Madison, and from there to
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lowa City, remaining about thirteen months in Iowa, and then came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, in ()ctober, 1855. Here he worked for $26 per montlı in the woods, and saved some money with which lie and his brother bought one yoke of oxen and wagon and eighty acres of raw land, on which he now lives. This was wild land at the time of purchase, and much hard labor was required to clear it. Their necessaries of life liad to be hauled from Black River Falls; their first breaking-plow had to be hauled from La Crosse, a little village at the time le landed there; and many were the hardships they endured in those pioneer days.
Mr. Sichler was married November 10, 1861, at Black River Falls, to Maggie Wolf, who was born not far from Cologne, Empire of Germany, June 18, 1845, and came to America with her parents when she was fif- teen months old. They settled in Washing- ton County, nine miles from West Bend, on a piece of heavy-timbered land, forty miles from Milwaukee, where just a few houses stood. Where now Milwaukee is, land was offered to her father very cheap. Their union has been blessed with ten children, seven now living. Mr. Sichler is a Democrat, and the family are members of the Catholic Church.
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EORGE A. LUDINGTON, harness- maker, Neillsville, Wisconsin, was born in Circleville, Ohio, October 3, 1842, and is the youngest child of Nathaniel and Laura Ludington. He received his early education in his native town, and when a mere boy, fourteen years old, was apprenticed to a strict Presbyterian, and was to remain with him until he reached his majority. The young lad, however, would not subinit to
what he called rough and cruel treatment, so he suddenly took his departure, coming West as far as Warsaw, Illinois. He learned the harness-maker's trade in that place, thns dis- playing an industrious nature as well as a spirit of independence.
In 1861 Mr. Ludington entered the service of his country, enlisting as a private in Company H, Thirtieth Ohio Infantry, Captain Taylor. His regiment was in active operation first in West Virginia, their first principal engagement being in the second battle of Bull Run. He was in the skirmish at Fredericktown, battle of South Mountain and at Antietam. While in the line of duty he received a severe injury, from the effects of which he has never recovered, and for which he receives a moderate pension. Was in the hospital some time on account of said injury, and after he was able to travel he re- ceived a furlough. He subsequently rejoined the ariny and was placed in hospital at St. Louis, where he was appointed ward-master. In that position he rendered efficient services to those placed under his charge. Some months later he again joined the regiment. This was in 1863. He was with General Sherman up to the capture of Atlanta, Georgia. January 3, 1864, he enlisted as a veteran, and was detailed on special duty. He received his discharge at Little Rock, Arkansas, August 13, 1865.
The war over, Mr. Ludington went to Cambridge City, Indiana, where he attended school for a tinie, after which he moved to Keokuk, Iowa. From there he came to Black River Falls, Wisconsin, and worked in the woods on the river up to the time of his marriage, October 13, 1869. His wife was born in New York, and was educated in the Galesville University. They have had four children: Albert, Carrie, Mary T., and a daughter who died at sixteen years of age.
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Albert graduated in the Neillsville ligh school before he was seventeen years old. All have had the benefit of a good education.
Mr. Ludington is a member of the I. O. O. F., Royal Arcanum, and the G. A. R., Post No. 48. He has been Alderman of the Second Ward, Neillsville, being elected in 1884. Was twiee elected City Treasurer of Neillsville. He is a stanch Republican, and is regarded as one of the representative citi- zens of Neillsville.
HOMAS H. NICHOLS was born in Surry County Court-House, Virginia, August 5, 1849, of quadroon parent- age. When he was a mere lad his parents removed to Prince George County, and thence to Petersburg, Dinwiddie County. He was a resident of that city and vicinity during the siege by the Union army under General Grant. At the close of the war of the Re- bellion in 1865, he came North with Captain G. A. Fisk, of Company C, Thirty-sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He lived with Captain Fisk at his home in Sparta, Wisconsin, and in Cataract, Wisconsin, nntil the spring of 1866, obtaining a few months' schooling in the latter place. He then de- termined to take up the responsibilities of life for himself, and found his way to Black River Falls, where he worked at whatever presented itself. In the autumn of the same year he returned to Sparta, and continued his studies the following winter. At the end of the school year he went back to Black River Falls, and learned the barber's trade; but realizing full well the advantages of a good education, and having a natural aptitude for all literary studies, he persevered in the pur- snits of learning. He paid his own way at school in Sparta for two years after he had
learned his trade, and then went to Neills- ville, where he established himself in busi- ness. At the end of four years he removed to Winona, Minnesota, but after a sliort stay there he returned to Black River Falls, where he owns property and is located permanently. He is entitled to much credit for the per- sistency he has shown in acquiring his edu- cation. When he came North, at the age of fifteen years, he was unable to read; but being possessed of much natural intelligence, he overcame many difficulties that would have discouraged one of smaller ambitions. He now owns a fine library of well-selected books, embracing a variety of subjects.
Politically he affiliates with the Prohibi- tion party, being a strong opponent of the nse and sale of all intoxicating drinks. He believes that so-called religion is nothing more than superstition with the corners knocked off and polished. He is agnostic in his belief; is public-spirited, generous, social, kind, self-reliant, courteous, and at all times and under all circumstances independent in the extreme. He is well informed on the leading topics of the day, and ranks among the leading and intelligent citizens of the place.
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OHN B. CLARK, of section 9, Thorp Township, Clark County, was born in Cornwall, Canada West, March 1, 1852, the son of William and Sarah (Grant) Clark, the former a native of Edinburg, Scotland, who came to Canada when a young man, and the latter born on South Branclı, Canada West; she is now deceased. The parents had three children: Arabella (deceased), Jolın B. and William. The latter still resides in Cornwall. John B. spent the first seventeen years of his life in his native country, where
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he received a common-school education. He came to the United States in 1869, and at once joined Dan Rice's circus, and remained with that company two years, traveling through Ohio, Indiana, New York and Pennsylvania. He left the show at Girard, Pennsylvania, and went to Waterford, same State, where he worked on a farmn a few months for Chauncey Moore, who afterward employed him in his lumber woods at Bene- zett, where he remained until the following spring. He next became second cook of the camp, and during the early part of 1870 came to Wisconsin, where he became cook for Cornelius Cook, of Stevens' Point, on a raft down the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. During the latter part of the same season lie worked on the Wisconsin Valley Railroad, and also drove a team in the woods on South Fork. The next winter Mr. Clark went to Eau Claire, and toted up to the North Fork of Eau Claire River, for the Ean Claire Lumber Company. He has cooked several winters in the camps, and on the drives during the summers. He settled on his present farm of eighty acres in the early part of 1878, which was then inhabited by Indians and wild animals, but he lias since succeeded in clearing thirty-eight acres. During the year 1890 he raised at the rate of 650 bushels of potatoes to the acre, paying $6.25 for the seed, and is now receiving $1 a bushel at his home. He raises several kinds of mangels, etc., having the largest and best varieties of each; his Empire State potatoes weigh seventy pounds to the bushel. Mr. Clark is a first-class farmer, and believes in having the best of everything. He also raises Cotswold and Southdown sheep, crossed with Shropshire; graded Holstein and short- horn cattle, and his poultry are of speckled Hamburg, Partridge Cochins and Light Brahmas.
Mr. Clark was married in Thorp, March 6, 1882, to Ada A. Kelley, a daughter of Will- iam Kelley, of Chippewa County, Wisconsin. They were carly pioneers of this city, having lived among the bears and Indians, far from human habitation, but afterward removed to their present home. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have four children: Hattie M., Ada G., Mar- garet Myrtle and John W. Both he and his wife are Christians, but do not affiliate with any church at present.
ASPER A. KRUPP, superintendent and general manager of the mills of Nye, Lusk & Hudson, of Eidsvold, and a resident of section 28, Thorp Township, Clark County, was born in New Holstein, Calumet County, Wisconsin, October 12, 1858, the son of John and Clara (Filz) Krupp, both natives of Prussia. The father came to the United States in 1852, settling in Wisconsin, where he lived with an uncle near Milwaukee. He now resides in Calu- met County. The mother had five children by a former marriage, only one of whom survives-Bernhard Broeder.
Casper A., our subject, was reared to farm life, and was educated in the elementary schools and State Normal School of Oshkosh. He afterward taught eleven years-six in Calumet County, two in Sheboygan County, and three in this county. He came to Clark County in the fall of 1884, and first lived in Thorp until December, 1889, when he re- moved to Eidsvold. He was first engaged in scaling logs for the company, and April 1 entered npon the duties of his present posi- tion. He was married in Thorp, October 11, 1888, to Johanna L. Tiedemann, a daughter of Christian Tiedemann, County Surveyor at Thorp. Mr. and Mrs. Krupp have one child,
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Raymond C., born July 2, 1889. Mr. Krupp has served as Justice of the Peace several years, and is now Town Clerk of Thorp and Postmaster of Eidsvold. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and also of the Catholic Church. His wife is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church.
IRAM GRIFFIN, a successful farmer of Jackson County, was born in Erie County, New York, June 22, 1823, the son of James W. Griffin, who was born in Dutchess County, New York, in 1787. In 1839 he went to Cass County, Michigan, two years later to Columbia County, Wisconsin, and subsequently moved to Iowa, where he died at the age of eighty-six years. He was a quiet and prominent man, and took an active part in the Democratic party. He was a member of the Masonic order. Our sub- ject's mother, Katherine (Abbott) Griffin, was born in Dutchess Connty, New York, the danghter of Jonathan Abbott, a native of New York, and of Irish extraction. He mnoved to Cass County, Michigan, where he afterward died. He was a farmer by occupa- tion. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin had six children: Rachel, George W., Obadiah, Jonathan A., Ira and Hiram, of whom Ira and Hiram are now living.
The subject of this sketch, the sixth child, was reared and educated in Cass County, Michigan. In 1859 he went to Placerville, which was at that time called Hangtown, California, and followed farming at that place and also in different parts of the State. In 1854 he came to Columbia County, Wiscon- sin, where he remained until 1857, in which year he came to Jackson County and located at Melrose. He now owns 120 acres in sec- tions 9 and 10, his residence being in the
former. He gives considerable attention to the raising of graded stock in addition to general farming. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.
Mr. Griffin was married December 27, 1855, to Clarinda H. Warden, who was born in Wyoming County, New York, December 17, 1833, the daughter of Stephen and Mercy (Higgins) Warden, both natives of New York. The mother was of English extrac- tion, and the father of Scotch. Mr. and Mrs. Griffin have had five children: Ellen, Henry, William, Levi and Effie, all of whom are still living.
UDWIG PETERS, a prominent farmer of Jackson County, was born in Maken- bnrg, Germany, February 3, 1816, the son of John Peters, who was born in the same part of Germany, where he died at the age of fifty-seven years. He was a wagon- maker by trade, and was a member of the Lutheran Church. Our subject's mother, Mary (Tobine) Peters, was also born in Ger- many, where she died at the age of fifty-five years. She was a member of the Lutheran Church. They were the parents of three children: Ludwig, Caroline and John. The latter died at the age of fifteen months.
Our subject, their eldest child, was engaged at the wagon-maker's trade in his native coun- try nutil 1851, when he came to the United States, locating at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He remained there until December 11, 1856, when he came to Jackson County, where he owns 106 acres of land in section 22, and carries on general farming and stock-raising. He is a Democrat in his political views, and has held a number of public offices. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity, No. 291, at North Bend.
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Mr. Peters has been married four times, the last to Mena Rahn, in 1844, who died at the age of sixty years, at Melrose. He has four children living, namely: Augusta, Ma- thilda, Mina and Henry.
LIAS M. HOLDEN, of Neillsville, was born in Jay, Essex County, New York, December 6, 1836, the son of Levi and Ann (McGill) Holden, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of England. They liad six children, of whom only three survive. The mother, a native also of Eng- land, was a daughter of a Scotch-Irishman, and the father of our subject descended from Joseph Holden, who ' came from Ipswich, England, in 1634. Levi Holden died when our subject was six years old. Elias M. re- ceived a limited education in his native town, and at the age of twelve years was thrown upon his own resources, after which he sup- ported himself by working on a farm. At the age of sixteen years he went to live witlı an older brother, and learned the trade of house and carriage painting in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. In 1857, at twenty-one years of age, he came to Wisconsin, where he has since remained, having spent eleven years in Jackson County and the remainder of the time in Clark County. He worked eleven winters in the logging camps on Black River, and farmed during the summers, the most of the time on his own farms.
He was married August 21, 1861, to Mar- garet Hyslop, who was born and educated in Nova Scotia; her parents came from Scot- land. They have no children of their own, but adopted Ella A. Bour, Mr. Holden's sis- ter's daughter, at six years of age. She is now the wife of Jolin N. Richardson, to whom she was married in 1882. They have
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