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 35
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 35
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Peter A. Potter is the second of a family of ten children; he was but a lad when he came to Wisconsin, and was reared in Rock County, where he attended the common schools. In early life he was in partnership with his father in various manufacturing con- cerns. In the year 1849 he came to Black River Falls, and operated a saw-mill there
for four years for other parties. At the end of that time he began lumbering and work- ing in the pineries along the Black River on his own account; his experience in the saw- mill gave him an excellent training for this line of business, and he was unusually suc- cessful. In 1867 he removed to his present home, and has since given his undivided at- tention to farming. He owns 880 acres of choice land, lying on sections 6, 7, 20 and 21, Manchester Township; the homestead proper is situated on section 7; 100 acres are under cultivation, and there are neat, com- fortable buildings, bespeaking the thrift and wise management of the owner. Mr. Potter affiliates with the Farmers' Alliance, and is a strong advocate of prohibition. He has held many of the township offices, and lias shown himself capable and efficient. He is a ment- ber of the I. O. O. F., and is a leader in all public enterprises having for their object the uplifting of humanity.
Mr. Potter was married in October, 1860, to Miss Marietta Clark, of Jackson County, Wisconsin. She was born in the city of New York, in 1842, and is a daughter of Sidney and Eliza (Vandewalker) Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Potter have had born to them ten chil- dren: Amelia, Carl, Frank, Millard, Nellie, Ella, Albert, Clara, Edna and Hattie.
ENRY WELSCH JR., a young and prosperous farmer of Clark County, Loyal Township, is deserving of men- tion in this connection, and we cheerfully give the following space to a sketch of his life. He was born in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, May 9, 1869, and is a son of Henry Welsch, Sr., a full biographical notice of whom will be found on another page of this volume.
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Our subject was reared to farın life in She- boygan and Clark Counties, Wisconsin, and passed his youth after the manner common to most farmers' sons; he assisted on his father's farm, and worked in the pineries along the Black River. He has been saving of his earnings, and has shown rare judgment in their investment. He now owns 240 acres of fine land in Colby Township, eighty-five of which are under cultivation. He has made many improvements, and is fully equipped with many of the modern imple- inents of agriculture. He is an indefatiga- ble worker, has been very successful in all the enterprises which he has undertaken, and is one of the most promising young men of the county.
Mr. Welsch is a member of the Sons of Veterans at Colby, and greatly reveres the memory of those gallant fathers who went to the rescue of the beloved flag of this country. HIe is unmarried.
RNEST QUACKENBUSH was born in New Berlin, Waukesha County, Wis- consin, May 29, 1845, and is a son of John and Maria (Elliott) Quackenbush, na- tives of New York and Vermont respectively. The parents settled in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, at the early day of 1833, and lived there until 1857, when they came to Jackson County, and located in what is now the town of Manchester, where the mother still sur- vives, at the age of seventy-three years; the father died in 1882, aged seventy-three years. He served in the late war as a private in Company C, Nineteenth Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry.
Ernest, the subject of this notice, is one of a family of sixteen children; he lived in Waukesha County until he was thirteen years
of age, and then came to Jackson County where he has since resided. He has been engaged in the lumber business during the winter season, and in the summer time he has devoted his time to agriculture. He has now retired from an active business life, as his health is somewhat impaired. He owns a farm of eighty-one acres which he keeps in good cultivation.
December 21, 1863, when there was a call for men to come to the front in defense of this beloved Union, Mr. Quackenbush enlisted as a private in Company D, Twenty- fifth Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He received his final discharge at Madison, Wisconsin, in August, 1865. He participated in engagements in Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina; was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea and through the Georgia campaign, and took part in the grand review at Washington, District of Columbia. While in the service, through exposure he lost his health, and now draws a pension from the Government.
Mr. Quackenbush was united in marriage, November 18, 1866, to Miss Sarah Matchett, who was born in Canada, January 20, 1849. Her parents are William and Paulina (Pick- ard) Matchett, now residents of Jackson County, Wisconsin. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Quackenbush: William, Carrie, Frank, Isabelle, Ernest and Bessie.
UTHER J. WOODWORTH, a highly respected farmer residing ou section 36, Manchester Township, was born in Aslı- tabula County, Ohio, April 18, 1840, and is a son of Storey and Candace (Jaynes) Wood- worth natives of the State of New York. They emigrated to Wisconsin in 1854, and lo.
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cated in Jackson County, and later removed to Sauk County; in 1859 they went to Monroe County, where the father still survives; the mother died several years ago.
The subject of this notice is the oldest of six children; he passed his youth in his native county until he was fifteen years of age; then he came to Wisconsin with his parents. He early became accustomed to the labor of farm life, and cultivated what was naturally a robust constitution. He attended the com- inon schools and acquired an education that fitted him for the business duties which have fallen to his lot. He took up his residence in Monroe County, Wisconsin, in 1859, and remained there engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1884, when he moved to the farm which he now occupies; he owns thirty-six acres of choice land in an advanced state of cultivation; he has the finest frame residence in the township, and is surrounded with many of the comforts and luxuries of life; he also owns eighty acres of good land in Monroe County, Wisconsin. He has accumulated this property through energy and persevering efforts, and is deserving of the credit gener- ally accorded him by all his acquaintances.
Mr. Woodworth, in 1865, responded to the call for additional men to come to the front in the defense of the old flag, and enlisted in Company A, Fifty-third Wisconsin Vol- unteer Infantry. He was in the service un- til June 27, 1865; soon after his enlistment he contracted an illness which confined him to the hospital in St. Louis for many long, wcary weeks. He has never since fully re- gained his health, but was granted a pension by the Government in recognition of his services. In politics lie is identified with the Republican party. He has represented the people of his township in the various local offices. He is an honored member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity.
Mr. Woodworth was married March 25, 1863, to Miss Marietta Bennett of Jackson County, Wisconsin, and they have had thir- tecn children.
ILLIAM HORSWILL, a prominent farmer of Irving, Jackson County, was born in Devonshire, England, November 13, 1840, the son of William K. Horswill, a native of the same country, born in 1816. In 1848 the latter came to this country, and in 1853 located in Irving Township, Jackson County, Wisconsin, where he died at the age of fifty-two years. He was a very prominent man, and held several minor offices. Politically he was a Democrat, and a fariner by occupation. Our subject's mother, Eleanor Pearce, was born in Devon- shire, England, in 1814, the daughter of Guilford and An (Hendly) Pearce, both na- tives of England. Mrs. Horswill died at the age of sixty-three years. They were the par- ents of nine children : Maria, William, George, Jane, James, Richard, Henry, Orrissa and John. The latter died at the age of twenty- one years.
William, their second child, was educated in Jackson County, and was reared to farm life. In 1861 he began to do for himself by first working out by the month. In the spring of 1882 he bought 300 acres of land on sections 13 and 14, his residence being on the latter. He also owns 126 acres on sections 26 and 27, same township, and also consider- able land in Melrose. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Mr.
Horswill is well known throughout the county as a successful farmer, and as a man of more than average intelligence, and is highly respected by all who know him. Politically le affiliates with the Democratic party.
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He was married December 25, 1861, to Lydia E. Payne, who was born in New York in 1843, and died in Jackson County, Wis- consin, Irving Township, July 1, 1887. They had eleven children, namely: Stella E., Mary E., John W., George O., Edward, Asa, Josephine, Ellis, James, Forest C. and Henry. Five are now living: Mary E., Asa, James, Forest C. and Henry.
HARLES STINE, a farmer of Albion Township, Jackson County, was born in Bingen, near the Rhine, Germany, De- cember 25, 1853, the son of Charles Stine, a native of Germany, where he died at about the age of forty-seven years. He was a farmer by occupation. Our subject's mother, nee Mene Stine, was born in Germany, and came to this country in 1856, locating in Cook County, Illinois. Later, in 1858, she came to Jackson County, Albion Township, where she died at the age of fifty-six years. The parents had six children, only two of whom still survive: Fred S. and Charles. The lat- ter was reared to farm life, and educated in Jackson County. In 1864 he went to work for John Slosser on a farm, and remained until about 1866. He now owns and occu- pies about eighty acres of land on section 5, Albion Township, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Polit- ically he is a Republican.
Mr. Stine was married May 12, 1876, to Mira Stafford, who was born in Jackson County, January 18. 1858, the daughter of Martin and Minnie (Stanbagar) Stafford, who came from Germany to this country in early life and located in Jackson County. The father was a farmer by occupation, and died at the age of seventy years. Mr. and Mrs. Stine have had six children: Charles M.,
George F., Robert H., Edward, Mamie A. and Flora M., all of whom are living except Robert H., who died when one year and eight months old.
ILLIAM PATTERSON, a prominent citizen of Melrose, was born in this city April 22, 1860, the son of Will- iam Patterson, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, March 26, 1827. He came to this country at an early day and located in Mel- rose, Jackson County, where he died Novem- ber 7, 1879. He was a farmer by occupa- tion; a Republican politically; and socially a member of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject's mother, nee Isabella Wilson, was born in Glasgow, and is now living in Mel- rose, at the age of fifty-five years. She is a daughter of Williamn and Euphemia Wilson, both natives of Scotland. They came to America in 1857, and in 1858 to Jackson County, Wisconsin, where they afterward died. In Scotland the father was a miner by occupation, but in this country followed farın- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson had eleven children, nine of whom are still living, viz .: Euphemia, Christiana, Maggie, William, James, John, Robert, Andrew and Thomas D.
The subject of this sketch, the fourth child, was reared and educated in Melrose, where he is now engaged in the mercantile business, under the firm name of Patterson Bros. Politically he is independent.
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ENERAL F. VARNUM, a prominent farmer of Jackson County, was born near Buffalo, New York, July 9, 1852, the son of George Varnum, a native of Ver- mont, born March 16, 1822. He left his
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native State in 1843 and went to Genesee, New York, and in 1858 came to Irving, Jack- son County, where he died at the age of fifty- three years and nine months. He was a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation, and politically was a Democrat. Our subject's inother, nee Harriet Brown, was born in New York in 1824, and is now living in Jackson County, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Varnum had seven children, five of whom are now living: Maria I .. , General, Hattie, Martha and Mary.
General Varnum, our subject, was reared and educated on a farm in this county. In 1878 he built a house in Irving, on 180 acres of land, which he inherited from his father. He now owns 220 acres on sections 31 and 36, his residence being on the former. He gives considerable attention to the raising of stock in addition to general farmning. Politi- cally he is a Democrat.
Mr. Varnum was married July 3, 1878, to Maggie Luttrell, who was born in Jackson County, Wisconsin, October 14, 1860, the danghter of John and Martha Luttrell, natives of Ireland. They came to this country and located in Irving, Jackson County, in an early day, where they still re- side. By occupation the father is a fariner. Mr. and Mrs. Varnum have two children: George and Grace.
REDERICK W. BEHM, of Melrose, was born near Berlin, Germany, April 24, 1836, the son of Martin Behm, also a native of that country, where he died at a good old age. Our subject's mother was born in Germany, and died in Dodge County, Wis- consin.
Frederick, their only child, came to this country with his uncle in 1842, and was reared and educated principally in Dodge
County. In 1855 he came to Jackson County, where he worked by the month until 1860, in which year he bought a farın near Mel- rose. In 1861 he enlisted in this city in the late war as a private, in Company G, Tenth Wisconsin Infantry, and was honorably dis- charged November 19, 1862, for disability. He afterward re-enlisted in Company F, Fifty-first Wisconsin Infantry, and served until the close of the war. Mr. Behm then returned to Melrose and bought 175 acres of land on sections 14, 22 and 27. He lived on this place until 1884, when he sold his first purchase, leased the remaining land, 175 acres, and then bought property in the vil- lage of Melrose, where he now resides, en- gaged in gathering cream. Mr. Behm has taken an active part in the Republican party, and has held several minor offices. He is a member of the G. A. R. post, No. 161, at Melrose.
He was married in 1868, to Catherine A. Hildenbrand, who was born in Ohio, and is still living, at the age of forty-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Behm have four children: Clarence S., Effie M., Myrtie and Winnifred. of whom all are living except Clarence S., who died at the age of eleven years.
ILLIAM HUBER, of Melrose, Jack- son County, was born in Wurtem- berg, Germany, September 8, 1830, the son of Philip Huber, also a native of that country, where he died at the age of seventy- five years. He was a farmer by occupation. Our subject's inother, Frances Huber, was also born in Germany, where she also died. They were the parents of four children, viz .: Isaac, Frank, William and Ely, all of whom are still living.
William Huber, their third child, was
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reared and educated in his native State, and in 1850 came to the United States, locating in Clinton County, New Jersey. In 1857 he moved to La Crosse County, Wisconsin, and in 1860 came to Melrose, Jackson County. Here he owns 160 acres of land on section 24, where he carries on general farining and stock-raising, but makes a specialty of raising graded stock.
Mr. Huber was married in 1860 to Ger- trude Harman, who was born in Germany, but died at Melrose at the age of fifty years. She was a daughter of George Harmon, who caine from Germany to this country in an early day, locating in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he subsequently died. Mr. and Mrs. Huber have three children: Frances, Eliza and William G.
VER W. GILBERTSON, a farmer of Jackson County, was born in Norway, March 4, 1843, the son of Gilbert Han- son, who was also born in that conntry in 1799. He came to the United States in all early day, locating in Irving, Jackson County, Wisconsin, where he died at the age of seventy-six years. Our subject's mother, Anna (Losson) Hanson, was born in Norway in 1809, and died in Jackson County, Wis- consin, in 1874. Both she and her husband were members of the Lntheran Church. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Albert, Hans, Mary, Louis, Iver, Gilbert, Matlı and Ammon, all of whom are living except the last named.
Iver W., our subject and the fifth child, was reared and educated on a farm in his native country. In 1859 lie learned the tailor's trade, which he followed until June 29, 1864, wlien he came to this country, lo- cating in Jackson County. During the win-
ter seasons he worked in the woods, and in the summers in a saw-mill. In 1867 he bought eighty acres in the town of Irving, to which he has since added until he now owns 500 acres, of which 300 are in timber land. He lives on section 18, and gives especial at- tention to the raising of graded stock in ad- dition to general farming. Mr. Gilbertson is one of the prominent Norwegians in the county, and is held in high esteem by his countrymen. Politically he is a Republican, and takes a leading part in all political mat- ters. He is a member of the Lutheran church, of which he is one of the trustees.
He was married August 27, 1867, to Ber- tha Albertson, who was also born in Norway, September 29, 1840, the daughter of Enger- bret and Carrie (Johnson) Gunderson, bothı natives of Norway. The mother dicd in that country, and the father came to the United States in 1868, where he afterward died. He was a farmer by occupation, and both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbertson have had nine children, viz .: Anna C., Emil G., George, George H., Alara D., Julius L., Julia M., Ansina J. and Theodore L. George died at the age of two years, and Julius when seven months old.
LEXANDER MAIR, of Melrose, Jack- son County, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, June 4, 1821, the son of John Mair, also a native of Scotland, where he died at the age of eighty years. He was a farmer by occupation; and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject's mother, nee Mary Faulds, was born in Ayr- shire, and died there at the age of seventy- five years. She was also a member of the Presbyterian Church. They were the parents
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of thirteen children, viz .: Jolin, Matthew, William, Allen, Andrew, Alexander, James, David, Christopher, Thomas, Jennet, Ellen and Jane.
Alexander Mair, their sixth child, was reared and educated in his native country, where he also learned the carpenter's trade. In 1855 he came to the United States, locat- ing in Allegany County, Maryland, where he worked at his trade until the fall of 1861. In that year he came to Melrose, Jackson County, Wisconsin, where he now owns 161 acres on section 19, where he carries on general farming and stock-raising. Polit- ically he is a Republican, and religiously a member of the Presbyterian Church.
He was married, March 3, 1855, to Eliza- beth Smith, who was born in Ayrshire, Scot- land, October 15, 1827, the daughter of John and Jennet (Menis) Smith, both also natives of Scotland. They came to this country in 1855, and subsequently came to Jackson County, where the father died at the age of seventy-five years, and the mother at eighty- two years. The father was a weaver in the old country, but in the United States followed farming. He was a prominent man during his life-time, and was Justice of the Peace for many years. They were both members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Mair have had two children: Jennet M. and Mary F.
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YIVANUS L. GATES, of section 34, Eaton Township, Clark County, was born in Essex County, New York, August 28, 1851, the son of Aaron (deceased) and Maria (Sawyer) Gates; the former was a native of Washington County, New York; and the latter now lives with her son, the subject of this sketch. They were the par-
ents of three children: Cortez, Sylvanus and George. Sylvanus was reared on a farm, and received his education in the common schools, and has always followed farming and lumber- ing. He removed with his parents to Jeffer- son County, Iowa, in the spring of 1867, and to this county in 1871, settling where he now lives. He owns eighty acres of good land, and is principally engaged in farming and stock-raising. He usually logs each winter, both for himself and other people.
Mr. Gates was married, August 18, 1884, to Margaret Redman, a daughter of Richard Redman, of Weston Township, Clerk Coun- ty, and they have two children: Harland A., born July 16, 1886; and Irvin, June 6, 1889. Mr. Gates has served as School Treasurer, and is an enterprising and public-spirited man, but of an unassuming nature. In his political views he is a Republican.
AMES SYTH, of section 22, Eaton Town- ship, Clark County, was born in London, Canada West, June 18, 1841, the son of John Syth, a native of Waukenton, England. He came to Canada in 1834, and died there in 1843. Our subject was reared and edu- cated in his native place, and also worked on a farm. He came to La Crosse County, Wis- consin, in 1870, and worked as a farm hand until 1877, when he came to this county. He settled on his present place in the spring of 1887, where he owns forty acres of good land, twenty-two of which is cleared. He was married, June 30, 1882, to Emma, daughter of Charles Teel, of Loyal Township, Clark County, and they have had three cliil- dren, only one of whom survives,-James, born August 21, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Sytlı are bothi members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the former is also a member of
MOHteam
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the I. O. O. F. He has served as Justice of the Peace and Road Master; is an enterpris- ing public-spirited man, and takes an interest in all that tends to build up the country, religiously, morally and financially.
R. ()'HEARN .- It is with banks as with all other enterprises: each one owes its origin and development to a few moving spirits. Its history is their history; its success their success. The charac- ter which it bears as a financial institution- as a business factor-in the community where it is, and in money circles abroad, is the re- sultant character of its leading officials. The more intimate the relation of the official to the bank, the more marked is his influence upon its affairs, and of necessity. the more rigidly does the public hold him to strict ac- count for their faithfnl management. The personal record, therefore, of any one hold- ing a responsible position in a bank becomes a matter of public interest, and on occasion may be a matter of supreme concern to those who have dealings with the bank.
To give so much of his business career as will be appropriate for the above purpose, as well as to preserve something of his personal history as a representative citizen of his locality, this sketch of W. R. O'Hearn, cashier of the Jackson County Bank, of Black River Falls, Jackson County, Wisconsin, is written.
The Jackson County Bank was organized in 1876, with W. T. Price as President, H. B. Mills, Vice President, and Mr. ()'Hearn, Cashier. Mr. Price was succeeded by H. B. Mills, and he in turn was succeeded by his son, T. B. Mills. Mr. O'Hearn has been cashier of this bank since its organization, and has given almost his entire time and at-
tention to the practical management of the bank's affairs. The Jackson County Bank, although not large, having a paid np capital of $26,200, is nevertheless regarded as one of the best banking institutions in the coun- try. Its board of directors is composed of some of the best business men of the county of Jackson; all of its stock is owned by citi- zens of Jackson County, and the men who are interested in it in every way are also in- terested in the general welfare of the locality where it is, most of them in fact having made tlie money which they have invested in it ont of other lines of business conducted side by side with it. This naturally brings to it a patronage and inspires in its manage- ment a confidence which could hardly come from any other source. But the work of building np the patronage and creating this confidence has not come as a matter of course. It represents time, patient labor, fair dealing and faithful attention to the rights as well as the necessities of the de- positing and borrowing public. This work has fallen largely to the lot of the cashier, the subject of this sketch. Mr. O'Hearn has labored faithfully and yet continues to labor faithfully at his post, giving to every detail of the bank's business his individnal personal attention or close supervision, and he knows the bank's progress from day to day, the volume of its business, and the status of its affairs intimately. For this labor Mr. O'Hearn is well qualified by nature and ex- perience. All he has he has made himself. He therefore knows the value of a dollar; knows how to put a proper estimate on the hard earnings of those who commit their savings to his custody. He is a hard worker himself, painstaking and faithfully exact. He is accommodating and pleasant to deal with. He has lived in the county since boy- hood, and can take as many men by the hand
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