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 31
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 31
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Judge Pope was reared in the school of Democracy, and affiliated with that party until the beginning of the war of the Rebel- lion, but on the secession of the Southern States he became a firm supporter of the administration, and affiliated with the Repub- lican party until 1884, when on account of its position on the tariff question he ceased to cast his ballot in its favor.
Eminent as a lawyer, Judge Pope has attained no less celebrity in the field of litera- ture; his writings on the subject of the tariff are strong and forcible, and have been widely read; he has been a most attentive student of classical literature, and has not neglected the inoderu school; he is an indefatigable worker, and few men of his profession have combined so thorough a knowledge of law with so per- fect familiarity of history and belles-lettres. He has the honor to be a member of the famous Cobden Club of England, a distinc- tion of which he is entirely worthy. He was made a Mason at Black River Falls in 1856, becoming a member of Black River Lodge, No. 74; he is a charter member, and
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was the first High Priest of the Black River Chapter, No. 41, and he is a member of Fort Winnebago Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar.
On August 10, 1859, Judge Pope was uni- ted in marriage to Miss Ellen M. Hitchcock, a daughter of Captain James Hitchcock; she was born and reared in West Troy, New York. Her father was captain for many years of one of the steamers plying between Troy and New York city. Two children have been born to the Judge and liis estimable wife: Ralph C., the present City Clerk and a student of law in his father's office, was born March 16, 1867; Engenia was born in 1861, and became the wife of Edgar A. Le Claire; her death occurred in 1885, and was a severe blow to her family and a great shock and sorrow to all who knew her.
UGUST F. DANKEMEYER is an American by adoption, having been born in Brunswick, Germany, Septem- ber 4, 1854. His parents, Christ and Jennie Dankemeyer, were also natives of Germany, and the mother died in the "Fatherland." Christ Dankemeyer emigrated to America in 1868, and settled in Sheboygan County, Wis- consin where he resided until 1881, coming at that time to Clark County. He is a farmer by occupation. and has followed this calling all his life. By his first marriage three chil- dren were born: Jennie, August F., the sub- ject of this biographical notice, and Will. He was again married to Elizabeth Maiz, a native of Germany, and of this nnion four children were born: Minnie, John, Herman and Frank.
August F. is the second child of the first inarriage. He was but fourteen years of age when his father came to America. He passed
a short time in Sheboygan County, Wiscon- sin, and then went to Houghton, Michigan, where he worked in the mills, did teaming, and followed railroading for a period of five years. In the year 1881 he removed to Clark County and settled on his present farm, which consists of 160 acres. He had purchased this land in 1879, and he now has forty-five acres under cultivation. It was a dense for- est, and the task of clearing and placing it under cultivation is no small one. It is by continned and diligent labor that Mr. Danke- meyer has been enabled to accumulate any means, as he started in life without any capi- tal and has received no help from his relatives. He affiliates with the Republican party, and has served three years as chairman of the Town Board, and for one year he dis- charged the duties of Town Clerk. He is now clerk for his school district. He is a member of both the Masonic and Odd Fel- lows fraternities.
In 1880 Mr. Dankemeyer was united in marriage to Miss Ida Baker, of Pensaukee, Wisconsin, and two children have been born to thein -- Freeman and Ida. Mrs. Danke- meyer died in 1883, and our subject was married a second time, in 1889, to Miss Car- rie Hanke, of Clark County, Wisconsin, and one child has been born of this union- Martin.
SAAC N. ALLEN is a man whose in- tegrity of character is unquestioned. He was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, June 6, 1840, and is a son of Isaac S. and Eliza (Earl) Allen, natives of Ohio and Massachu- setts respectively. The parents were married in Ohio, and resided there until about 1847, when they emigrated to Dodge County, Wis- consin; in 1882 they removed to Loyal, Clark
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County, where the mother passed away. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a woman of fine traits of character. Isaac S. Allen is still a resi- dent of Loyal; lie is a shoemaker by trade, but has given some attention to agricultural pursuits. The family consisted of seven children: Lester, Sylvester, Henry, Ennice, Isaac N., the subject of this notice, Alice and Laura.
The father being a farmer, the son naturally received training in this occupation ; bnt wlien this beloved nation of ours was threatened with death, and there was a call for men to come to her defense, Isaac N. Allen forsook the plow and left the fields of grain, and went bravely to the front. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company I, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged at Rock Island, Illinois, July 18, 1865. He participated in the engagements at Port Gibson, Champion Hill and Vicksburg. For six months he was confined in the hospital at St. Louis, ex- periencing the suffering and privations to which the sick and wounded were subject.
After the declaration of peace he settled in Clark County, Wisconsin, where he took up 160 acres of land, which was then covered by a dense forest. The task of converting this into tillable land was no light one, and required willing hands as well as strong de- termination. He cleared the land where Loyal now stands, and has eighty acres under cultivation. He has devoted his best ener- gies to farming, and has made many modern improvements, all bespeaking thrift and pros- perity. When we consider that Mr. Allen began his business career without capital other than that with which he was endowed by nature, our admiration and sincere respect are at once excited. Politically he is identi-
fied with the Republican party. He is a member of the G. A. R. post at Loyal. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are held in the highest estimation.
Mr. Allen was united in marriage May 24, 1868, to Miss Libbie Peep, of Clark County, Wisconsin, a native of England, born in 1845, and a daughter of George and Louise I. (Loid) Peep. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen: Jennie, Pearlie and Charles. Mrs. Allen's parents were natives of Bristol, England; emigrated to this country in 1849, and settled in Depere, Wisconsin, where they resided until Mrs. Peep died in 1865, from which time Mr. Peep lived with his children until 1884, when he died in Appleton, Wisconsin.
JEFFERSON L. BUTTON, a prominent citizen of Irving, Jackson County, was born in Onondaga County, New York, March 24, 1839, the son of John Button, who was born in the same State in 1806. In 1865 he came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, locating in the town of Irving, where he died at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a farmer by occupation, and politically was an Abolitionist. Our subject's mother, Emeline Soules, was born in New York in 1804, and died in this county, at the age of sixty-three years. They were the parents of nine children, viz .: Louisa A., Albert A., Sarah E., Jefferson L., Sanford L., Myron B., John, Edwin and Eugene M., all of whom are still living.
The subject of this sketch, the fourth child, was reared and educated in his native county, and in 1861 enlisted in the late war, in Com- pany H, Twelfth New York Volunteer In- fantry, and participated in the hard-fought
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battles of Bull Run and Big Bethel, besides many minor engagements. He was dis- charged Angust 5, 1862, after which lie re- turned to Onondaga County and remained until 1863. In that year he camne to Jack- son County, Wisconsin, locating in the town of Irving, where he now owns 260 acres of land in section 32. He carries on general farming and stock raising, giving his atten- tion principally to the rearing of blooded stock. Politically he is a Republican, and takes an active part in political matters. He is very popular in the community where he resides, and has held public offices ever since he came to the county, being now chairman of the town.
Mr. Button was married December 3, 1865, to Jane E. Horswill, who was born in England, November 18, 1844, the daughter of William K. and Eleanor (Pearce) Hors- will. Both parents were natives of England, and came to this country in 1848, locating in Marquette County, Wisconsin. In 1853 they came to Jackson County, and have spent their remaining days in Irving. The father was a farmer by occupation, and politically was a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Button have four children, viz .: Lenora E., Henry F., Frank L., Maud M.
OHN E. MATTSON, a successful farmer of Jackson County, was born in Bristol, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, August 17, 1852, the son of Ithiel Mattson, who was born in Chautauqua County, New York, in 1813. When quite young lie went to Penn- sylvania, where he worked principally on the St. Lawrence River. In 1848 he went to Kenosha County, and the same year came to Melrose, Jackson County, where he died at the age of sixty-three years. He was a farmer
by occupation. Politically he was a Repub- lican, and religiously a member of the Will- ard Baptist Church. His father, --- Matt- son, came from Norway to this country at the age of nineteen years, landing in New York, where he took part in the French and Indian war. He was captured by the Indians and held a prisoner three years. He had a pocket compass, which was a wonderful thing to the Indians, and by working on their credulity he made them believe that he was a great medicine man, after which they gave him more freedom, by which he managed to conceal, a little at a time, provisions, arıns and ammunition, and finally made his escape. He went to Pennsylvania, where he died at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a farmer by occupation. Our subject's mother, nee Hannah J. Jackson, was of English ex- traction, and died in Melrose, Jackson County, at the age of thirty-two years. She was the daughter of General Andrew Jackson. They were the parents of two children, John E. and Frank O; the latter died at the age of two and a half years.
John E. Mattson, our subject, was reared and educated in Jackson County, where he now has an interest in 220 acres of land in section 16, where he now resides. Politically he is a Prohibitionist, and religiously a mem- ber of the Baptist Church. Socially he is a inember of the Good Templars' Lodge, No. 222, at Melrose.
ENRY C. CALLENDER, of Irving, Jackson County, was born in Calhoun County, Michigan, August 23, 1848, the son of Dewey S. Callender, who was born in New York, December 26, 1800. He went to Calhoun County in 1836, and in 1864 came to Jackson County, where he died at
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the age of eighty years. He was a farmer by occupation, and politically was a Republi- can. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject's mother, Clarissa (Parker) Callender, was born in Ver- mont, and died in Jackson County, this State. She was a daughter of Lemnel and Esther Parker, both natives of Vermont, and of English extraction. They subsequently went to Calhoun Connty, Michigan, where they both died. They were the parents of nine children; namely: Mary S., Delia E., John M., Jared D., Emily Z., Fanny C., Augusta A., Charles H. and Henry C. Three of these have died: Jared, Delia and Augusta.
Our subject, the youngest child, was reared and educated on a farm in Callioun County, Michigan. In 1864 he came with his father to Jackson County, this State, where he now owns 300 acres in sections 28 and 33. He gives considerable attention to stock-raising in addition to general farming. Politically he is a Republican.
Mr. Callender was married April 26, 1874, to Ida E. Tiffany, a native of Illinois, who died February 16, 1875, in Jackson County, at the age of twenty years. Mr. Callender was again married April 29, 1876, to Inez A. Burrows, who was born in New York, August 21, 1854, the daughter of David and Betsy (Cargil) Burrows, natives of New York. They afterward came to Monroe Connty, Wisconsin, where they now reside. The father is a shoemaker by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Callender had twochildren, both of whom died when young-Dewey S. and David B.
LEAZAR GAYLORD, a successful farmer of Jackson County, was born at Amherst, Massachusetts. In 1848 he moved to Medina County, Ohio, and in 1857
came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, locating in the town of Melrose, where he still re- sides, at the age of sixty-five years. On first coming to this State he invested his money in a saw-mill, and later bought a little prop- erty, to which he added until he now owns 600 acres, in company with his son, Elsworth A. They carry on general farming and stock- raising, bnt give especial attention to the raising of good stock. Their residence, which is built with all the modern improvements, is in section 20.
Mr. Gaylord was married June 26, 1849, to Edith Ward, who was born in Medina County, Ohio, June 23, 1828, the daughter of Rev. Jacob and Lucinda (Robinson) Ward. The father was a native of Connecticut, and the mother of Massachusetts, but after their marriage they went to Medina County, Ohio, where they resided until 1859, then removed to Melrose, Jackson County, where they re- mained till 1869. Both died in Melrose in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord have had three children: Martha E., Martha J. and Elsworth A. The latter is a popular young man, has taken an active part in the Prohibition party, and is also a member of the Town Board. He is now engaged in running the egg busi- ness in addition to his other farm duties.
ATONES TOMPKINS, of section 34, town- ship 26, range 2 west, town of Eaton, Clark County, was born in Stillwater, Saratoga County, New York, on the Hudson river, twelve miles east of Saratoga Springs, June 2, 1826. His father, Elias Tompkins, a native of the same place, was a farmer by occupation, and a Jacksonian Democrat, po- litically. He was a son of Moses Tompkins, who was one of the men who helped to clear the ground where Saratoga Springs now are.
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ITis employer was a Mr. Cadwell. Our sub- ject's mother, also a native of New York, had twenty-two children, fourteen of whom reached maturity, and seven are still living. Onr subject lias one half-sister living, three full sisters and three half-brothers.
Jones Tompkins left home at the age of nineteen years, and first worked several years at rafting logs from different points to New York during the summers, and in the fall would buy and ship stock and grain to New York city. He came to La Crosse in the spring of 1859, and the next winter worked on bridges in Arkansas and Mississippi. In 1860 he prospected some, and then returned to Henry Connty, Illinois, where during the summer, he had charge of the cutting of a broom-corn field. In 1860 lie went to Daven- port, Iowa, and worked in the saw-mills of his brother-in-law, Edward Lindsay, and in the fall of 1862 came to this county, where he commenced work in the pineries. He
next became manager of the timber land of S. F. Weston, who owned 28,000 acres in this connty. In the spring of 1866 Mr. Tomp- kins settled on his present farm, which was thien covered with timber. The county was at that time mostly tax-title land, and when lie found a good forty-acre tract he would purchase, and lie now owns 640 acres, where he is engaged in general farming and stock- raising, and also deals in real estate.
Mr. Tompkins was married January 7, 1850, to Martha E. Lindsay, a danghter of Robert D. Lindsay, whose ancestors have pre- served the history of the family for hundreds of years, beginning with William de Lind- say, in 1116, who was a son of Baron Baldric de Lindsay, the Anglo-Norman, contemporary with the Conqueror, William, the Norman. Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins have had four chil- dren, only one of whom still survives, James E., who married Frances Raymond, and they 20
have two children: Earl and Jones. Mr. Tompkins has been chairman of the Board of Supervisors, and also of the County Board three years. Politically he is a Demorcat, but votes for the man rather than the party. Besides being a successful farmer and real- estate dealer, he is a breeder of registered Jersey cattle and Oxford-down sheep, and is supplying this community with this excellent stock as fast as he can raise them.
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O. FINCH .- Among the enterprising business men of Merillon, Wisconsin, we find the name of A. O. Finch. He was born in Burlington, Wisconsin, Au- gust 3, 1856. His ancestors were New York people. His father, E. O. Finch, came West with a family of four children and located in Burlington. His education was obtained in New York and he was married at the early age of eighteen years. Although he came to Wisconsin without means lie continued work at his trade, that of carpenter, which he liad learned in New York, and provided a com- fortable support for his family. His death occurred in Alabama in 1884.
When he was only thirteen years old the subject of this sketch began to work on a farm in Waukesha County and continued in the employ of one man for five years, work- ing in the summer and attending school in the winter, thereby gaining a fair education in the district schools. The first summer he received $8 per month. He subsequently went to Hartland, where he engaged as a clerk in the mercantile business and served in that capacity three years. He afterward clerked two years in a general store in Juneau County, and for a time assnmed management of the store. Then he spent one year on the Pacific coast. Mr. Finch came to Jackson County
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in 1887, and for three years and a half was engaged as manager of a mercantile business. He then opened a store of his own in Merillon, has established a good trade and is doing a prosperous business.
November 18, 1885, he married Emina Henry of Necedah, Wisconsin. She was educated in the public schools of Junean County. They have one child, Leighton.
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LFRED S. ARGYLE, superintendent of the business of the York Iron Com- pany at Thorp, was born in Derbyshire, England, Jnly 18, 1845, the son of John and Sarah (Sheldon) Argyle, both natives of En- gland. They came to the United States in 1864, staying some time in Batavia, Illinois, where his mother died. His father shortly afterward settled in Columbia County, Wis- consin, and her father two years later, in 1866. They had seven children, of whom five survive: Alfred, John, Arthur, Annie and Eleanor.
The subject of this sketch came to the United States in the fall of 1864, six months after his parents' arrival. After remaining a few days in Chicago he came to Portage and Caledonia, Columbia County, Wisconsin, where he remained twenty years. Next he removed to Black River Falls, and still makes this place his home. While in Cale- donia he was engaged in farming, and in Portage worked in the round-house of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. In 1886 he entered the employment of the York Iron Company as foreman of their yard, which position he held one year, and then for six months ran their blast engine; next snperintended all their kilns throughout the country for one year, and then ran the same three months. He next came to Thorp,
where he has since had charge of the yard and kilns, superintending the burning of tha coal. He runs fourteen kilns, and turns out 43,000 bushels a month. Mr. Argyle does this work on contract, and employs about ten men.
He was married November 11, 1872, to Catharine Brisbois, a daughter of Gabriel Brisbois, of Prairie dn Chien, Wisconsin, de- ceased. They have four children: Alfred S., Fergus G., Sarah A. and Editlı Blanche. Mr. Argyle is a member of the Modern Wood- men.
OHN E. PETERSON, a prominent citi- zen of Black River Falls, succeeded Sam- nel D. Blake as Treasurer of Jackson Connty, January 1, 1877; his second terin and fourth year in this office expired Jannary 1, 1891, when he was sncceeded by C. W. Van Gorden, a history of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. He has discharged the du- ties and obligations of this office with entire satisfaction to his constituency and to his own honor and credit; he also served as Sheriff of Jackson County in 1885-'86.
If the reader will go back with us to the pine-clad hills of Norway we will there find the birthplace of Mr. Peterson, the year he was born being 1847; he early became ac- customed to the labors of agricultural life, and acquired an ordinarily good education. His father died when he was fourteen years of age, and his mother also died in her na- tive land, although she lived until after John came to America; he and an older sister who now resides in Norway are all that remain of the family.
In 1869, when Mr. Peterson had reached his twenty-second year, he bade farewell to the scenes of his childhood and youth, and
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sailed away to America, where he believed better fortunes were in store for him. On his arrival here he continued his journey to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he secured a position with C. J. Lambert, a large lumber dealer in that place; for several years le passed the summer in La Crosse, and during the winter season he had charge of a logging camp. Later on he was employed to buy grain for the Green Bay & Winona Railroad, Mr. Lambert continuing his employer. When lie decided to go into business on his own ac- connt he selected tlre town of Hixton as the scene of his operations, and it was not nntil the year 1884 that lie removed to Black River Falls.
Our subject was united in marriage at Hix- ton to Miss Julia A. Rasmus, and five chil- dren have been born to them: Ella, Edmund, Ray, Jolın W. and Eddie J.
Mr. Peterson is an energetic, industrious aud prosperous citizen, and has won liosts of friends in his adopted country. For some time past he has made a specialty of breed- ing fast horses, and has several that have geined a reputation for more than ordinary speed: Joel L., a pacer, has a record of 2:222, and Minnie White Stone, a trotter, Iras made 2:274. A well-equipped livery barn in Black River Falls is owned by our subject.
YMAN W. RODMAN, one of Clark County's successful farmers, resides on section 24, Pine Valley Township. He was born near Zanesville, Muskingum Coun- ty, Ohio, October 28, 1828, son of Thomas Rodman of Vermont and Jane (Lenington) Rodman, a native of Ireland. He was reared in Ohio and there received a very meager education, as he had to work hard in the summer and could attend school only during
the winter montlis. Before coming to Wis- consin Mr. Rodman worked on a farm in Illinois for a time. He was married, in December, 1850, near Terre Haute, Indiana, to Miss Deborah J. Fisher. In 1853 he came to Clark County, Wisconsin. Here he bought eighty acres of wild land which he Iras developed into a productive farm. Mr. Rodman has had an extensive experience in the lumber business, floating lumber rafts, etc., on the Black River, and when a young inan he was an expert hunter. He has killed as many as 119 deer in one season in the vicinity where he now lives. While hunting bears he has had many norrow escapes, and can relate his thrilling experiences in a vivid and interesting manner. The last bear he killed was in the fall of 1889, within sight of his own home. During his life he has killed forty-eight bears. Mr. Rodman is a worthy and influential citizen. He has served the public as School Director for seven years, and was a member of the Town Board two years.
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B. LYMAN, M. D., of Neillsville, is a member of the well-known firm of Esch & Lyman, and was born at Lansing, Iowa, in 1855. His father, Rev. Timothy Lyman, a well-known Congregational clergyman, was pastor of a church at Lansing for many years. He was born in Connecti- cnt, graduated at Amherst College, and came West when a young man. He was married at Fort Madison, Iowa, to Miss Valeria Van Reed Rinehart, a native of Pennsylvania, who died in 1857. Rev. Timothy Lyman was twice married after the death of his first wife. He is a brother of Dr. John V. R. Lyman, of Eau Claire.
The subject of this sketch began the study
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of medicine at Fort Madison, Iowa, in 1877, his preceptor being Dr. Frank Roberts, of that city, and part of the time he was also Hospital Steward at the Iowa State peniten- tiary at Fort Madison. He graduated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1880, as did also his brother, Dr. John V. R. Lyman. Soon after his graduation Dr. Lyman located at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he was for some time associated with Dr. C. H. Pinney of that place. In 1882 he removed to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he remained in practice until he came to Neillsville, in 1888.
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