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 30
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 30
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USTUS D. HOSLEY, a farmer and lumber dealer, resides three miles from Neillsville, Wisconsin. His farm is located on sections 1, Pine Valley Township, and 35 and 36, Weston Township, Clark County.
Mr. Hosley was born in this county, June 6, 1859, son of David and Fanny Hosley. They settled in Clark County at an early date, where his father bought a large tract of
land nearly 500 acres. When Gustus left home he turned his attention to the lumber- ing business, of which he has made a spe- cialty and in which he has been very success- ful. He has recently constructed a palatial residence at a cost of over $8,000. It is built of first-class red brick, has all the inod- ern improvements, and was planned by himn- self and wife.
November 19, 1888, he was joined in wed- lock with Carrie Raymond, who came to Clark County, Wisconsin, in 1852. This union has been blessed with one child, Ralplı. Mr. Hosley is one of the substantial and influential men of the county.
ELEN STURDEVANT, widow of the late David M. Sturdevant, resides on a beautiful eighty-acre farm, located on section 16, Pine Valley Township, one mile dne west of Neillsville. Her parents came to Wisconsin about fifty years ago and located at Rubicon, Dodge County, being among the early pioneers of the State. During his life- time lier father was one of the leading and influential men of his county. She was reared and educated at Rubicon. Mrs. Sturdevant was the second wife of David M. Sturdevant, and by him had three children: Stella, Robert M. and Oscar. Oscar died April 18, 1891, of diphtheria. Her husband spent the greater part of his life in the luin- ber and logging business. He was a Repub- lican, a prominent politician and highly honored citizen of Clark County, where he re- sided the greater part of his life. A short time before his death lie went to Washington Territory, hoping that a change of climate would be conducive to his health. The trip, however, did not prove beneficial, and his deatlı occurred December 15, 1889. His
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widow, who was left in comfortable circum- stances, continues to reside on the farm. She is a lady of culture and refinement, and has the rare ability of making one feel at home in her presence.
LARION A. YOUMANS, of the firm of Ring & Youmans, attorneys and counsellors at law, Neillsville, is a na- tive of Wisconsin, and was born at Kenosha, October 14, 1847, a son of Jonas H. You- mans. The latter is a native of the State of New York, where he was born in 1817. He was reared and lived for many years at Java, Wyoming County, where he followed the business of farming and carpentry. He was a pioneer of Kenosha, then called Southport. His wife's maiden name was Adeline Sill, also a native of the Empire State, born at Betliany, but resided for many years of her earlier life at Alden, Erie County. She died in October, 1888. They were the parents of two sons and two daughters: the eldest son, Harlow J., is a druggist at Neillsville, and the eldest daughter, Ada E., is the wife of George H. Bosworth, of Barron County, Wis- consin. The younger daughter, Miss Mattie F. Youmans, is a teacher in the schools of this city.
When the subject of this sketch was five years of age, his father removed with his family from Kenosha to the town of Arling- ton, Columbia County, where our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. He began life for himself as a clerk in a store at Poynette. Coming to Neills- ville, he engaged in the same capacity for George Farnham & Co. He had, however, for some time in contemplation the study of law, aud having fully decided to adopt the law as a profession he entered the law de-
partment of the State University at Madison, from which he graduated in 1876. The firm of Ring & Youmans is one of the leading firms in Clark County. They have a large legal practice, and also do an extensive real- estate business.
Mr. Youmans was united in marriage at Neillsville, in 1877, to Miss Nettie French, daughter of B. F. French, a pioneer of Clark County, a sketch of whom is found elsewhere in this work. Mr. Youmans owns and occupies a fine farin in the town of Grant, about two miles east of the city of Neills- ville, where he has a beautiful home, at a convenient distance from the city. Besides attending to his professional duties, he is deeply interested in the agricultural develop- ment and general prosperity of the county. He is President of the Clark County Agri- cultural Society. He has a fine farm of 400 acres, 250 acres of which is improved, and is under his personal supervision. Mr. You- mans is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the Chippewa Commandery at Eau Claire, and of the Chapter at Black River Falls. Mr. and Mrs. Youmans have three children. Their only son, Gny Clarion, was born October 18, 1880, and their daugh- ters are Viola and Adda B. Politically Mr. Youmans is a Republican. As a business man he is energetic and successful, and takes a deep interest in whatever tends to promote the best interests of his city and county.
RANK DWYER, a farmer, residing on section 6, Grant Township, Clark Coun- ty, was born on Wolf River, Wisconsin. December 19, 1859. He is a son of John and Catherine Dwyer, both natives of Ire- land. They came to Wisconsin in 1859, witlı six children and with no capital with which
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to begin life in the new State. Four of the children are still living. In 1863 they set- tled in Clark County, where the father bought a large tract of Government land which, with the assistance of his sons, lie cleared np and converted into beantiful farms. John Dwyer was perhaps one of the best known farmers in Clark County. He was a whole-souled, congenial, kind-hearted man, who loved to tell a story, and his manner of talk, althoughi a little cccentric, bespoke a chaste and cheerful man. Politically he was a Democrat. His death occurred in January, 1881. The mother's death occurred January 22, 1890. She was an exemplary Christian woman, and her loss was deeply felt by her sous and a large circle of friends.
Frank Dwyer, the subject of this sketch, an enterprising yonng farmer, resides on the old homestead. He is a man of integrity, and is following in the footsteps of his worthy father. He was married November 4, 1890, to Miss Julia Kapka, daughter of Martin Kapka, of Neillsville, Wisconsin.
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IRAM W. VARNEY, of section 20, Warner Township, Clark County, was born in Somerset Connty, Maine, June 23, 1836, the son of Levi and Harriet (Stew- ard) Varney. The former died when Hiram was six years old, and the latter died on the old homestead in 1875. They were the par- ents of eight children, five of whom are now living: Harriet, Levi, Hannah, Elbridge and Hiram. One son, the next older than our subject, Charles, went to California in 1849, thence to Australia the next year, and it was reported that lie then started to Callao, South America, but as he was never heard from it is supposed that he was murdered for his money. The other two were Warren and
Joseph; the former died about 1846, and the latter in 1882 in Maine.
Hiram W., onr subject, was reared on a farm, and received liis education in the com- mon schools of his native county. In 1854 he went, via Panama, to California, where he engaged in mining mostly until 1859, and in that year returned to his native county. He was a soldier in the late war, in Company A, Nincteenth Maine Volunteer Infantry, scrv- ing nearly three years. He was in the first battle of Fredericksburg; was then detailed to the Ambulance Corps, and was afterward attached to the headquarters of the Rhode Island Heavy Artillery Brigade, driving the headquarters team with the hospital stores for the field. He accidentally shot the index finger off his right hand while in service, which was afterward amputated. He was also injured in the right foot by an ambulance wagon passing over it, and now draws a pen- sion for each injury.
After the war Mr. Varney came to La Crosse, Wisconsin, in August, 1865, and re- inained until 1868, when he removed to Mitchell County, Iowa, and was there engaged in farming two years, and also mannfactured milk-safcs and fanning-mills one year. In 1871 he returned to La Crosse, and in the spring of 1873 came to this county, settling on his present farm of cighity acres, forty-five of which is cleared. It was then a dense woods, and wild animals and Indians abonnded, but the latter never annoyed Mr. Varney.
He was married July 13, 1861, to Cynthia E. Withec, who was born in Somerset Connty, Maine, on the same farm on which her father was born. Her parents were Zacharialr and Polly (Longley) Withee, both natives of Maine and now deceased. They had seven children, three of wliom are now living: Hiram, Levi and Cynthia. One son, Niran, deccased, late of Longwood, owned large
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tracts of pine land in this county, which is now owned by the heirs. Mr. and Mrs. Var- ney have had nine children, seven of whom still snrvive, namely: Charlie A. L., Alba F., Edith E., Louise A., Ralph L., Mabel F. and Maud B. Charlie A. L. was married No- vember 27, 1890, to Nettie Van Airsdale, of Waupaca County, Wisconsin, and is now living in Thorp, this county. Mr. Varney was the first Assessor of Warner Township, and has also been a member of the School Board several years. He is a member of the G. A. R. and Masonic fraternities. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the latter is also president of the Women's Relief Corp, of Greenwood. In his political views Mr. Var- ney is a Republican.
C. MILLER, of section 27, Warner Township, Clark County, was born in Renfrew County, Ontario, January 2, 1848, the son of John Miller (deceased), a native of England. The latter, a farmer and lumberman by occupation, came with his parents to Ontario when a boy. He spent the first eighteen years thereafter on a farm, and then went to Warren County, Pennsyl- vania, where he spent ten years in the woods and saw-mills. In 1876 he came to this county, locating on his present farm, where he has also been engaged in lumbering ever since. He farms to raise feed for his stock and teams which he employs in the camps during the winters. The previous winter he ran two camps, but this winter, 1890-'91, he has only one, employing about thirty men, besides six four horse teams, sprinkler team, tote team and two or three yoke of cattle. He owns in all about 240 acres of land, 110 of which is cleared. He also owns a one-
half interest in lot 1, city of Greenwood, which consists of forty-tive acres, and also a house and lot in the latter place. When he left his father, Mr. Miller was twenty-four years old, and had only $15 in money, and he has since risen to his present position by hard work and good management.
He was married September 26, 1872, to Elizabeth, daughter of Jolm Honeywell, de- ceased. They have six children : Olive T., Maud M., Lynn II., Gertrude, Bessie B. and Smith. Mr. Miller held the office of Town Treasurer five years, and was also Director of the School Board one term. Religiously, le is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically a Prohibitionist.
He remodeled his house in 1887, and he now owns a fine two-story frame, 24 x 28 feet, with a wing 18 x 22, and another addition 16 x 26 feet. He has two fine barns, one 36 x 46 feet, twenty-foot posts, and the other 36 x 66 feet, eighteen-foot posts.
RANK ZETSCHIE, of section 24, Clark County, was born in Saxony, Germany, November 10, 1849, the son of Aın- brcsius Zetsche, a native of the same country. Our subject received his education in the common schools of Germany, and after coming to this country mastered the English language by his own study. He always worked on a farın during his vacations, and attended school constantly during each session in his native country until the age of sixteen years. His father was an office- holder, and Frank did his writing and calculating for him. He came to the United States in 1867, and spent three years in Washington County, Wisconsin, where he worked on a farm. He came to this county in 1870, and during the winters was engaged in the pineries, and in the summers
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at farın work, having spent about fifteen win- ters in the woods. He settled on his present farm May 1, 1874, which was then heavy timber. He now owns 160 acres, forty acres of which is cleared, where he has a good barn and a fine brick house, which was built in 1889. The main building is 18 x 28 feet, two stories, with additions 16 x 26 feet, also two stories, and a one-story frame kitclien, 12 x 22 feet. The residence was built at a cost of $1,500.
Mr. Zetsche was married November 21, 1872, to Ida Fricke, a daughter of William Fricke, whose biography appears in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Zetsche have three children: Matilda, Frankie and Robert W., born Sep- tember 24, 1875, Jannary 2, 1882, and Feb- rnary 2, 1889, respectively. Mr. Zetsche has been Road Supervisor one year, and is now a member of the School Board. In his political action he votes for the man and not the party.
LBERT MANTEY, of section 3, range 3, Weston Township, Clark County, was born in Pomel, Germany, Novem- ber 18, 1857, the son of Michael Mantey, deceased. Albert came to the United States in the spring of 1882, settling in Marinette Connty, Wisconsin, where he lived until 1889. In that year he came to this county, settling on his present farm of eighty acres, of which he has since cleared twelve acres. Here he is engaged in general farming and stock- raising. He was married July 11, 1884, to Alvina Zestro, a daughter of Ferdinand Zes- tro, and they have two children,-Mary, born December 13, 1887, and Eliza, Jnly 25, 1890. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Mantey is an enter- prising and bright young man, who has
adopted America for his future home, and is interested in its growth and development.
RANK COOPER, of Black River Falls, is the second son of Joseph and Grace Cooper, and was born in Derbyshire, England, March 27, 1825. Joseph Cooper was a ship-builder by trade in the old country, but emigrated to America when Frank was four years old; he purchased a tract of land in what was then the far west, Ashtabula County, Ohio, which he converted into a farın and made his home until his death, which occurred in 1884; he left a widow and five children: John, Frank, Joseph, Martha and Samnel. Three sons, George, William and Charles, preceded him to the mystic fu- ture. Frank was the only one to stray per- manently from the adopted calling of his father. Though his schooling was very lim- ited, he early exhibited a liking for books, and the age of eighteen found him an appren- tice in the Ashtabula Sentinel office. At the end of this apprenticeship he was em- ployed for one year in Conneantville, Penn- sylvania, and Lansing, Michigan. In 1847 he came to Wisconsin, landing in Milwaukee, and with the exception of a short residence in Michigan he has been a " Badger " ever since. He was married at Racine, Wisconsin, December 24, 1848, to Miss Catherine A. Fox, danghter of Francis and Cynthia Fox; to them were born three sons: Charles J., September 18, 1849; George F., July 9, 1852; and Arthur S., April 2, 1856. Charles has been in the United States mail service for about fifteen years, and Arthur is a civil en- gineer, holding a responsible position in the Sonth. George will be spoken of later. The mother died December 30, 1880, and Mr.
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Cooper was married again October 16, 1886, to Mrs. Nellie Darrow.
The spring of 1857 found Mr. Cooper in Fond du Lac County, without employment at his trade, and he was induced to go to Black River Falls and take the position of foreman of the Jackson County Banner. He con- tinued in this capacity until March, 1864, when he enlisted on his thirty-ninth birthday to serve his country in the war of the Rebel- lion. He was mustered into the service at Madison, in Company C, Thirty-seventh Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, April 26, 1864. The regiment shortly afterward went to the front and was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, Ninth Army Corps. He served as Second Sergeant until July 28, 1865, when he was inustered out. He was in the siege of Petersburg, and was twice wounded in the charge on Fort Mahone; after six hours of unconsciousness he found him- self in the rebel works, and crawled ont, dragging lis gun in his teeth; he was sent to the hospital; but, declining to take the medi- cine prescribed by the doctors, he was sent back to the regiment, where he remained, although unfit for service; in April, 1864, he obtained a recruiting furlough of thirty days. After the close of the war he received from Governor Fairchild a brevet commission as First Lieutenant.
Upon his return to Black River Falls he found no opening in his profession, so, in in company with A. J. Manley, he started, at Neillsville, Clark County, a paper called the Clark County Advocate. About a year later, however, he sold ont to his partner, and re- turned to the Falls, purchasing a half interest in the Banner.
Mr. Cooper having spent the greater portion of his life since he started into business on the Banner, a brief history of the paper will prob- ably not be out of place in this connection.
Mainly through the efforts of W. T. Price, and liberal subscriptions from other pioneers, seeing the necessity of a newspaper to repre- sent the growing interests of the Black River Valley, the Banner was established, and made its first appearance August 14, 1856, witlı Charles Stewart and M. V. B. Young as pub- lishers. These gentlemen did not succeed, however, and they sold out the following winter to F. O. Brainard and D. J. Spauld- ing, the latter having only a proprietary in- terest. In July, 1865, J. A. Watrous bought Mr. Spaulding's interest in the business, and in the spring of 1866, George W. Brown succeeded Mr. Brainard, but retired in the fall of the same year, selling out to Mr. Wat- rous. Under the management of the latter, the name of the paper was changed to Badger State Banner. In December, 1866, Frank Cooper purchased a half interest, and became an active partner in the concern. W. T. Price bought the interest of Mr. Watrous in September, 1869, and about a year later Mr. Price sold out to C. J. Cooper, and in the summer of 1873 C. J. Cooper retired, and George F. Cooper took his place, at the age of twenty-one years. With characteristic modesty the latter did not perinit his name to appear as editor or publisher of the paper, but he has not spared himself in his efforts to make the paper all that can be expected of a country newspaper, and while he makes no pretensions to greatness, he does justly pride himself on understanding his business thor- oughly in all its details. From the very beginning he exhibited such business tack and pains-taking interest in the work that in a short time his father let the responsibility of the general management rest upon his shoulders.
In February, 1888, Frank Cooper sold his interest to his son, who is now conducting the business under the name of Cooper & Co.
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Under this management the paper is gener- ally classed as one of the best conntry papers in the State, and there is probably no better equipped establishment of the kiud in this section of coun.try.
Frank Cooper is yet in the vigor of life physically and mentally; he spends thic greater portion of his his time in the Banner office, rendering his son mnuch valuable as- sistance in the getting up and publishing of the paper. He is of a happy, bnoyant dispo- sition, prompt in all things, constant and conservative. In his younger days he was a very powerful man, and he has yet the strength and endurance of men of fewer years.
RED H. PULLING, a rising and pro- gressive young business man of Mill- ston, was born in Fox Lake, Dodge County, Wisconsin, May 25, 1862. His parents are David J. and Susan W. (Web- ster) Pulling, natives of the States of New York aud Connecticut respectively. They emigrated to the West about the year 1854, and settled in Dodge Connty, Wisconsin. David Pulling is a lawyer by profession, and for eightcen years was Circuit Judge; during this time he made his home at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He has given the most of his life to the active practice of his profession, but is now living in retirement at Greenville, Florida. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church. He is a stanch ad- herent to the principles of the Democratic party. The family consists of five children: Willis J., Martin M., David, Bradley W., and Fred H. The last, who is the youngest, and the subject of this notice, was reared in Oshkosh, where he received his education. In 1882 he weut to Merrillon, Wisconsin,
where he was employed as book-keeper by A. S. Trow, dealer in lumber; he held this position until 1887, when he decided to make a change in his business; he went to Sand- ford, Florida, and started an orange grove near that point. He remained in the South nutil July, 1890, when he returned to Wis- consin, and located at Millston.
Mr. Pulling is now engaged in raising cranberries, which business has become one of the leading industries of the States in which this frnit can be cultivated. He lias been instrumental in organizing a stock com- pany at that place for the purpose of estab- lishing a canning factory. He owns a small tract of land, which is improved with neat, substantial buildings. He still owns his property in Florida. In his political opin- ions he affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a consistent member of the Episcopal Church.
Mr. Pulling was nnited in the holy bonds of marriage, April 9, 1885, at Merrillon, Wisconsin. Mrs. Pulling was born in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, November 3, 1868, and is a dangliter of James E. and Adelia Patterson. The father now makes his home with Mrs. Pulling, and the mother is de- ceased.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pulling: Gertrude, Bessie, and Mary.
ARL C. POPE, of Black River Falls, is a well-known lawyer and a prominent citizen of Jackson Connty. He was born in Washington, Orange County, Ver- mont, July 22, 1834, and is a son of Ralpli and Mary (Richardson) Pope. The paternal ancestors were among the early settlers of Massachusetts. John Pope is the first Am- erican of the race of whom there is any rec-
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ord; his name is found in the list of free- mnen of the General Court of the Massachn- setts Colony, September 3, 1634; he was one of the Dorchester Colony which emigrated in 1629. This branch of the Pope family, known as the Dorchester Popes, to distinguish it from the Popes of other branches, per- formed an important part in the settlement of Massachusetts. Carl C. Pope is of the tenth generation in direct descent from the original John Pope. His grandfather, Thomas Pope, removed from New Hamp- shire to Orange County, Vermont, in 1799, where he passed the remainder of his life. Ralph Pope was born at Orange, Vermont, in 1802. In 1862 he removed to Minnesota, and settled in the town of Beaver, Winona County, where he lived until death which came to him April 12, 1874. He was a highly esteeined citizen and a man of the strictest integrity of character. His wife was born December 6, 1805, and died March 3, 1873; they were married in 1829, and to them were born six sons and three daughters: Ira, a lawyer by profession, who died in December, 1880; Sarah B., John F., a promi- nent attorney in his connty; James R., Will- iam II. H., Mary L., Ellen B. (deceased), Jacob, and Carl C., who is the third in order of birth.
Judge Pope was educated at Green Moun tain Liberal Institute, South Woodstock, Verinont, and studied law with J. P. Kidder, of West Randolph; he was admitted to the bar at Chelsea in his native State in Jannary, 1856. He located at Black River Falls in the spring of the same year, so that it may be said that his entire professional career, thus far, has been in this place. He has been called by his fellow-citizens to assume the duties of many positions of honor and trust; he has been District Attorney, County Judge, member of the Assembly, and State Senate;
he was a member of the Assembly in 1862, 1863, 1877 and 1878, and of the Senate in 1864 and 1865. During his term in the Senate he was chairman of important com- inittees, and was among the ablest and most industrious workers. In 1864 he was a member of the National Republican Conven- tion that nominated Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency of the United States, and took an active part in the canvass that followed. When in the Assembly in the session of 1877, he was chairman of the Judiciary Committee. and the Republican leader of the House. His friends had brought forward his name for the Speakership of the House in opposi- tion to J. B. Cassady, but he declined to run, and Mr. Cassaday was accordingly placed in the chair.
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