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 25
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 25
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Mr. Baker was married, December 4, 1877, in this county, to Elizabeth Sichler. They have two children, who are now attend- ing the district schools. Mr. Baker has served as Town Clerk of Garden Valley Township two years. Politically he is a Democrat. He is strictly a temperate man, has not tasted whisky for twenty years, and is in favor of prohibition. He has been an industrious man all his life, and is held in high esteem in the community where he resides.
ILBERT McADAM, of Melrose, Jack- son County, was born in Ayrshire, Scot- land, Jnne 9, 1819, the son of John McAdam, a native of Ayrshire, same conn- try, where he died at the age of sixty-one years. Our subject's mother, nee Isabella Patterson, was born in Ayrshire, and died there at an advanced age. They were the parents of ten children, viz .: Mary, the eldest, deceased; Jolın, Jane, Margaret, William, James, Hugh, Gilbert, Bella and Mary.
The subject of this sketch, their seventh child, was reared and educated principally in
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Ayrshire. In 1848 he came to this country, locating in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. In 1850 he removed to Allegany County, Maryland, where he worked in the coal inines until 1861, when he came to Melrose, Jackson County, Wisconsin. Here he has 120 acres in section 14, where he carries on general farming and stock-raising. Politi- cally he is a Democrat, and has held many ininor offices; religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. McAdamn was married September 15, 1847, to Jean B. Thompson, who was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, December 3, 1826, the daughter of James and Agnes (Brown) Thompson, both natives of Scotland, where they died at an advanced age. The father was a wool-manufacturer by occupation, and both lie and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. McAdam is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are the parents of nine children, viz .: John, James, Thomas, Agnes, Isabella, Mag- gie E., William H., Robert E. and Emma. Four of these children are deceased, namely: Jolın, James, Agnes and Eınına.
ACOB E. LUCKEN, of section 14, Thorp Township, was born in Froen, Norway, September 29, 1842, the son of Erick Lucken, deceased, a native of the same country. The subject of this sketch was reared to farm life, and received a comnion- school education in his native place. In 1866 he came to the United States, and first stopped in Vernon County, Wisconsin, and in Jannary, 1867, removed to Eau Claire, same State, where he worked at the carpen- ter's trade two seasons, and also in the woods. In 1869 he went to Minnesota, where for one year he worked on a farm in Houston County;
in 1870 returned to Wisconsin; spent a short time in Vernon County; went thence to All- gusta, and in the fall of 1871 again came to Clark County and settled on section 11, town- ship 26, range 4 west, Eaton Township. He remained there until February, 1876, when he settled on his present farm of 160 acres, thirty-five of which is cleared.
Mr. Lucken was married April 24, 1869, to Carrie Peterson, a daughter of Peter Peterson, deceased. They have had eight children, five of whom still survive: Chris- tian, Edward, John, Paul and Rosie. One daughter, Annie, died at the age of nine years. Mr. Lucken has held the office of Constable; has been a member of the Town Board one year, and School Treasurer several years.
RED A. DISTELHORST, a prominent merchant of Dorchester, was born in Hanover, Germany, July 25, 1860, the son of Fred and Rose (Remmeir) Distel- horst. The parents emigrated to Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, in the fall of 1865, set- tling in the woods. With the help of his sons the father succeeded in clearing 100 acres where they now reside. They had five children: Wlliam, Fred, Charles, Rose and Helen. William now resides in Emporia, Kansas; Rose, the wife of Fred Laack, lives in this city; Helen, the wife of Henry Ges- sert, in Sheboygan; and Charles lives on the homestead with his father.
Fred A., our subject, was reared to farm life, and in 1879 removed to Chicago, where he attended evening school, and also worked at the carpenter's trade three years. He then returned to Sheboygan County, where he worked in a creamery until the fall of 1886, and then came to Dorchester and estab-
1
forcola Spaulding
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D. Sospaulding
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lished his present creamery. He soon after- ward erected a store building, and has since kept a general stock of goods. He ships his butter to Ashland, Wisconsin, and also gives the farmers the full benefit of the market price at that city withont asking pay for his work in making. He has recently put in a new and improved churr, which is run by steam power. During the summer months he churns every day, but not quite so often during the winter.
He was married October 28, 1882, to Phillipine Boerger, who was born in Sheboy - gan County, Wisconsin, a daughter of Anton Boerger, deceased. They have four children : Walter, Birdie, Rose and Charles. Mr. Distelhorst is a member of the Lutheran Church.
J. SPAULDING .- No name is so prominently identified with the earliest ° history of Black River Falls as that of Jacob Spaulding, the father of the subject of this biography. The Spaulding family is numbered among the pioneers of the Massa- chusetts Colony. The first American ances- tor was Edward Spaulding, who came to Braintree, Massachusetts, about the year 1633. The records of the colony show that he was ınade a freeman in 1640. His de- scendants became numerous in New England, and many of them took an active part in the settlement and development of the country.
Jacob Spaulding was of the seventh genera- tion in direct descent from Edward Spauld- ing; he was born in Massachusetts in 1810, and is a son of Jeremiah Spaulding. There were ten children in the family, all of whom except one daughter lived to maturity. Their names are: Isaac C., David, Jeremiah D., Mercy, Lois, Wealthy J., Elmira, Sarah P. 17
and Jacob. The father was a stone- mason by trade; he emigrated from Massachusetts to New York about 1830, and six years later went to Illinois. Jacob Spaulding learned the trade of a millwright, and early in life was engaged in bridge-building. He married Nancy Jane Stickner, a native of the State of New York, and in 1836 accompanied his father's family to Warsaw, Illinois. The father died at Johnstown, New York, while on a visit there to his children.
In 1838, when the Indians ceded the lands along the Black River, Jacob Spanlding be- came a member of the colony that made the first settlement that was permanent at Black River Falls; an attempt had been mnade as early as 1819, but the Indians had driven the would-be colonists away. It would be im- possible in a sketch of this character to give in detail the history of this settlement. Mr. Spaulding became the most conspicuous and influential member of the expedition. Some of the members returned to their former homes, and others settled elsewhere.
Mr. Spaulding finally became sole owner of the fine water-power on Black River, and of much of the adjacent property. He was a mnan of wonderful force of character and in- domitable will. He continued a resident of Black River Falls, highly respected and esteemed, until his death, which occurred in January, 1876.
Dudley J. Spaulding, son of the above, is one of three children, Mary and Angeline being the other two. He was born at Johns- town, New York, in 1834, and when a mere lad was taken by his parents to Illinois, where the educational advantages were ex- tremely limited. In early life he began the business of Inmbering and farming, in botlı of which he achieved success. In 1860 his father deeded him the mill property and water-power, which he has since owned. In
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all his business operations he lias been uni- formly successful, and as a business man he stands without a superior in the county. Of his ability as a designer and builder, Black River Falls bears many evidences. As a citizen, his record upon every question of public interest is above reproach. The church las in him a liberal supporter, and the pub- lic school a warm friend.
Mr. Spaulding was united in marriage at Platteville, Wisconsin, to Miss Margaret J. Campbell, a daughter of Alexander Camp- bell. Five children have been born of this union: Julia E., wife of C. D. Osborn, of Chicago; John D., Mary C., Jennie May and Sadie K.
The parents are both faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Spauld- ing in his political opinions sympathizes with the Republican party.
ALTHASAR BERG, a prominent farmer of Jackson County, was born in Spring- field Township, this county, May 6, 1858, the son of Balthasar Berg, a native of Heidelberg, Germany, born March 13, 1828. He came to this country in 1849, locating in New York, where he remained until 1852, when he moved to Waukesha, Wisconsin, and in 1853 came to Jackson County, samne State, and located in Curran Township, where lie died at the age of fifty-eight years. He was a blacksmith by trade. His father, Philip Berg, was born in Germany, where he spent his entire life. He was a veterinary surgeon by profession, and was a member of the Ger- man Catholic Church. Our subject's mother, Mary (Hnmmal) Berg. was born in Switzer- land, June 11, 1826, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabetlı (Lau) Hummmal, both natives of Switzerland. The mother died in that
country at the age of forty-two years, and after her death the father came to this coun- try, locating in Cleveland, Ohio, where lie died at the age of fifty years. He was a tailor by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Berg had two children: Philip and Balthasar.
Our subject was reared on a farm in Jack- son County, and completed his education in the high school of Black River Falls, Wis- consin. He is now giving his entire atten- tion to farming, being the owner of 340 acres of land, most of which is in section 26, Curran Township, where he now lives. In addition to this he is engaged in the stock business. Politically lie is a Democrat. He was married March 17, 1886, to Sarah J. Duxbury, who was born in Hixton, June 25, 1867, the daughter of John and Mary (May- mon) Duxbury, natives of England. The parents came to this country about 1850, locating in the State of New Jersey. About the year 1853 they came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, and located in Hixton Township, where they now live. The father is a farmer by occupation, and politically a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Berg have had three children, viz .: William A., born January 26, 1887; the next died in infancy; and Myrtle M., born July 29, 1890.
EORGE W. PURNELL, hardware iner- chant, Merrillou, Wisconsin, was born in Mankato, Blue Earth County, Min- nesota, April 14, 1859. His parents, Edmund and Ann l'urnell, natives of England, came to America, with a family of two children, in 1851, and located in Connecticut. From there, in 1854, they came to Portage, Wis- consin, where they remained two years. The father was brought up to the hardware busi- ness in England and followed the same wlien
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he came to this country. For nine years he was in business in Mankato, to which place he moved from Portage. He was a success- ful business man and established a large trade. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was religious from his youth up, giving of his means for the support of the church and for the advancement of other benevolent enterprises. He was in limited circumstances when he came to the United States, but by industry and perseverance he accumulated a nice fortune before he died. IIis death occurred in Jackson County, Wis- consin, July 14, 1886. It should be further stated that previous to his coming to Jackson County he removed from Mankato to Coluni- bus, where he resided until 1877, engaged in the same business.
George W. received his education in the public schools of Columbus, and was in the store with his father, thus learning the busi- ness thoroughly. Upon his father's deatlı he became his successor in the business. He was married, October 18, 1881, to Ida Mer- rill, daughter of B. H. Merrill. She received her education in Jackson County. Three children have been born to them, Charles, Lalah and -. Mr. Purnell is a member of the Masonic order, and in his political views is independent.
ILAS T. STEPHENS, of section 8, Mayville Township, was born in Scho- harie County, New York, March 8, 1831, the son of Perry C. (deceased) and Betsey (Nicholas) Stephens, both natives of New York. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, under Captain Dominie, and was at the battle of Plattsburg, New York. The parents had ten children, seven of whom survive: Betsey A., Mercy, Silas, Phoebe,
Lydia, Louis and Martha. Their two eldest were burned to death when their house was destroyed by fire, and the other, a grown daughter, died after marriage, leaving a fam- ily of four children.
Silas T., our subject, was reared to farm life, and educated in the common schools. In 1852 he came to Wisconsin, settling ir the woods in Fond du Lac County, where he was surrounded by wild animals and Indians, and where he also cleared a farm. He was a soldier in the late war, in Company H, Thirty- second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served nearly three years, participating in the battles of Salt Hatchi's Swamp, siege of Atlanta, North Edisto River, Bentonville and others. After the war Mr. Stephens returned to Fond du Lac, where he worked in a flour- ing-mill three years, and then engaged in farming in that county until 1873. In that year he came to this county, bringing his family 'all the way in an ox wagon. He homesteaded 160 acres, his present farm, then in a heavy woods, his nearest neighbors being two miles distant, and the nearest post- office was Colby, ten miles distant. At that time there were no roads, and he carried his flour and groceries on his back. He now owns 120 acres, twenty-two of which is cleared. The first five or six years here he worked in the woods in the winters, and during the summer cleared and worked on his farm.
Mr. Stephens was married July 31, 1853, to Melissa Timmerman, a daughter of Ben- jamin and Lany (Scott) Timmerman, both deceased. The parents had eleven children, five now living, namely: Alfred, Diantha, Amelia, Chancey and Melissa. The mother had two children by a former marriage, only one of whom still survives-Henry Barnett. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens have had five chil- dren, four now living: Emma J., Josephine,
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William S. and Ella M. One daughter, Lydia M., died when six years of age. Mr. Ste- phens has served several years as a clerk of the School Board. Socially he is a member of the G. A. R. post, and politically a Repub- lican.
HARLES PARTRIDGE, a real-estate dealer and Justice of the Peace of Ab- botsford, was born in Haldeman County, Canada, September 30, 1842, the son of Elias and Eliza (Gilmore) Partridge, the former a native of Norwich, Vermont, and the latter of Erie, Pennsylvania. The mother had two children: Delilalı, now Mrs. H. J. Ince, of Haldeman County, Canada, and Charles. The eldest was a child by a former husband, John Nellis. The mother died March 25, 1875, and the father now lives with Mr. Partridge, our subject. Charles spent the first five or six years of his life in Youngstown, Niagara County, New York, and then removed to Canada, where he remained twelve or thir- teen years. Next he went to Sanilac County, Michigan, where he engaged in manufac- turing staves for the New York market, and in the summer of 1880 came to Green Bay, Wisconsin, and in November of the same year located where Abbotsford now stands, There were then but three buildings here, the first of which was built by John Kaleb, and was used as a residence and saloon. Tlie next was an eating-house and railroad station, erected by the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company; the first store was established by Cook & Whitcomb in 1879, and the first and only blacksmithi shop was built in 1887 by L. M. Chapman. There was another one built, but it was removed to Dorchester. The first hotel was built in 1880 by Malcome Livingstone. The present population of the
city is 300. Mr. Partridge helped clear off a part of the village site, and also, in part- nership with S. A. Cook, took the contract for clearing off the grounds for the Wiscon- sin Central Railroad Company between this place and Cadott. He has been engaged in lumber to some extent, but is how the lead- ing real-estate and transfer agent for this part of the county. He also pays especial attention to collections. He has filled the offices of Justice of the Peace and Postmas- ter, and also took the census for 1890 for Mayville and Hoard Townships.
Mr. Partridge was married January 16, 1880, to Clara A. Root, a daughter of Elilin Root, deceased. She was born in Monroe, Michigan, March 4, 1847. They have one child, born April 23, 1881.
EORGE M. BREAKEY, a prominent business man of Alma Centre, Wis- consin, was born in Sullivan County, New York, August 23, 1860. Ilis parents, J. A. and Mary Breakey, are natives of New York and Ireland respectively. They had five children, the subject of our sketch being the oldest. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years old. At that time he went to Janesville, Wisconsin, to learn teleg- raphy, which profession he followed for two months in Chicago, Illinois, in the employ of the Metropolitan Telegraph Company. He then secured a position with the G. B. W. & St. P. Railway Company as telegraph opera- tor and station agent at Shiocton, Wisconsin. After being there nine months he was pro- moted to a better station at Alma Centre, Wisconsin, in the same capacity and for the same company, receiving better wages at this office than in his former position. Ile was thus engaged for five years.
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CLARK AND JACKSON COUNTIES.
At the age of twenty-four years, while station agent here, he was married March 28, 1884, to Lottie E. Terboss, a native of Great Bend, Pennsylvania. Her parents came to the United States from England, and her father, a stone-mason and brick-layer by trade, now lives in Pennsylvania. Mr. Breakcy was appointed Postniaster at Alma Centre in May, 1886, under President Cleve- land's administration, and filled that position until Harrison was clected. Hc also engaged in the general merchandise business, which he still continues. By fair and honest deal- ings he lias establislied a good trade and is doing a prosperous business. At the annual meeting of the Alma Centre Creamery Asso- ciation, March 7, 1891, Mr. Breakey was chosen secretary of the association for the ensuing year. He has always endeavored to improve his town by erecting buildings, aid- ing in the building of churches, etc., and laboring hard for the building up of the local inarket for farm products for the last five years.
Onr subject is an active member of the I. O. O. F., Alma Centre Lodge, No. 294, and also of the Modern Woodmen of America. Hle and his wife arc members of the Metliod- ist Episcopal Church, and are associated with the Daughters of Rebekah.
ILES LAMB, deceased, was born in Onondaga County, New York, in 1830, the son of Mr. Linda Ferry, a native of the same county, who is now living at La Crosse, Wisconsin, at the age of eighty- six years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject, one in a family of five children, was reared and edu- cated in his native county, and in early life engaged in the mercantile business until
1870. At this time his health began to fail, and lie sold out and came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, locating in Melrose, where he followed farming until his death, which oc- curred in 1888, at the age of fifty-ciglit years. He was a prominent man, and held several minor offices. He had a good education, and was a man of good business qualities. Polit- ically he was a Republican, and religiously a inember of the Baptist Churchi.
Mr. Lamb was married, April 6, 1858, to Susan R. Turner, who was born in Wayne County, New York, August 18, 1834, the daughter of James and Sallie Turner, also natives of New York. They both died at all advanced age. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb were the parents of six children, viz .: Minnie M., Inez L., Maud I., Mary E., Alice A. and George N., all of whom are living except Maud, who died when ten and a half months old. Mrs. Lamb is now living in Melrose, where she owns a well improved farin of eighty acres, section 18, which she rents.
LIZABETH HALL is the widow of Peter Hall, late of Garden Valley Township, Jackson County. She was born in County Cork, Ireland, November 12, 1820. In 1840 she was married to James Manpan, by whom she had two children. They came to America in 1852 and located in Jackson County, Wisconsin, where Mr. Manpan died in 1856. He was a man highly esteemed by all who knew him.
June 12, 1857, the subject of our sketch was united in marriage with Peter Hall, who was born in Scotland, January 1, 1816. In 1833 he came to America with his father and located in Canada near the Niagara River. He subsequently came to Wisconsin and set- tled in Jackson County, where, in connection
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with his brother, he bought 800 acres of prairie land in what is known as Garden Valley Township. He first settled here in 1844, being among the very earliest pioneers of Jackson County. At that time the In- dians were numerous and in the whole county there was not a white woman. On first locat- ing here Mr. IIall and his brother ran a saw- inill, and for many years they were engaged in the lumber business. By industry and economy he laid the foundation for a large fortune and at the time of his death was con- sidered a wealthy man. The first reaper ever brought on the prairie was purchased by him, and such a curiosity was it that the settlers for miles around came to see it work. Mr. Hall was a man of good judgment, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him, being a sort of a legal adviser in the neigh- borhood where he lived. He favored good school facilities, and was Treasurer of the School Board for a number of years. His death occurred November 11, 1889. Mrs. HIall also had two children by her second marriage and they with her other children received their education in the district schools. The family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Hall's political views were ill accord with Democratic principles.
EORGE M. POPHAM, a rising yonng attorney of Merrillon, Wisconsin, was born at Warsaw, Indiana, November 23, 1865. IIis parents, Joseph and Frances Popham, are natives of Ohio and New York respectively. His father, the son of a Meth- odist preacher, received a limited education in the district schools, his entire public schooling not exceeding more than three months. He began business by trading and dealing in real estate in Ohio, and was also
engaged in hotel-keeping there for a time. He removed to Warsaw, Indiana, subse- quently sold out and bought a farm in Kos- cinsko County, same State, from which place, in 1866, he came to Black River Falls, Wisconsin, where he is now residing.
George M. received his education in the high school at Black River Falls and in the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Is a graduate of the law department. In 1889 he located in Merrillon and began a legal prac- tice. In 1890 he was a candidate for the office of District Attorney, but was defeated by his opponent by twenty-eight majority. Two years ago he stumped the county in the interest of the Republican party. Althoughi a young inan Mr. Popham has already dis- played rare ability in his chosen profession, and we bespeak for him a bright future.
HE
ILLIAM SCHAFER, a traveling salesman for D. M. Osborne & Co., of Auburn, New York, manufac- turers of farm machinery, was born in Outa- gamie County, Wisconsin, April 20, 1861, the son of Peter Schafer, a native of the sanie place. Our subject was reared to farm life and educated in the common schools, and after reaching majority worked on a farm several years. He then clerked in the general store of Gabe Ulinann at Appleton, Wiscon- sin, one year, after which, in the fall of 1883, he came to Dorchester, where he has since lived. For some time he dealt in horses liere, and was also in the mercantile business five years, but failing liealtlı caused him to abandon this pursuit. He then commenced traveling, selling machines to the farmers, and in 1890 commenced work for his present employers.
Mr. Schafer was married, December 14,
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1882, to Ida D. Spengler, who was born in Wanpaca County. Wisconsin, June 17, 1862, the daughter of Hermann Spengler, of Cale- donia Township, Waupaca County. They have three children: Arnold A., Arthur H. P. and Hattie E. Mr. Schafer has been Constable for three years, and is the pres- ent incumbent. lle is a member of the I. O. O. F.
LBERT WELSH has been identified with the agricultural interests of Clark County since 1869, at which time his residence here began. He is a native of Orange County, New York, born December 9, 1845. His parents, Uriah and Rhoda (Kilburn) Welsh, were also natives of the Empire State, but emigrated to Illinois in the year 1848, settling in De Kalb County. There the mother died, and one year later the surviving members of the family removed to Dodge County, Wisconsin, where the father passed the remainder of his days. He was a millwright by trade, and followed this occu- pation the most of his life. Three children were born to Uriah and Rhoda Welsh: John H., a farmer residing in Loyal Township; an infant unnamed, and Albert, the subject of this notice. He passed his youth and early inanhood in Dodge County, Wisconsin, re- ceiving practical training in the art of hus- baudry. He acquired his education in the common schools of the day.
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