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 38
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 38
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January 15, 1872, Mr. Joseph married Nellie E. Dale, daughter of Hon. E. O. Dale, of Poynette, a member of the Assembly of Wisconsin in 1873. She was born at Lowell, Massachusetts, September 23, 1849, and her education was obtained in the common schools of Wisconsin. She had an unusually bright intellect and was engaged in teaching from the time she was sixteen until she was twenty. Her death occurred June 6, 1890, and her remains were interred at Neillsville. A most estimable woman and an earnest Christian, her departure was a source of bereavement not only to her own family but to a large circle of friends. For a number of years she was organist of the Presbyterian Church, of which she was a consistent meinber. Their family of four children are as follows: Flor- ence, Edith, Syndol and Hayes T.
Mr. Joseph is independent in his political views. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and has twice been a representative to the Grand Lodge. He is High Chief Ranger of the Ancient Order of Foresters, and was a representative to the Superior Court of For- esters held at New York city Juue 14, 1881,
every State being represented, and Canada as well.
ICHOLAS ANDREWS, a fariner re- siding in section 19, Alma Township, Jackson County, was born in Germany, December 30, 1837. He came with his parents to America in 1850 and located on Long Island, where they remained one year and then came West. They made their home in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, two years before coming to Jackson County. At the age of fifteen Nicholas began working out by the month. He hired to an old sea captain on Black River at $15 a month, and after he had been working two months his employer came to him and said he found it necessary to increase his wages to $26. This of course was pleasing information to the youth, who thought he would be independently rich in a short time if he could earn that amount while so young. Mr. Andrews has had an extensive experience on the river and in the lumber business. For fifteen years he was a pilot on the Mississippi River from La Crosse to St. Louis, and was interested in the lum- ber business until 1882. In that year he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He has long been a resident of Jackson County, having first settled here in 1853. Mr. Andrews lias been successful in his many undertakings; has a big warehouse and a large interest in a flouring-mill at Merrillon. In 1887 he built a commodious residence, where with his family he is surrounded by the comforts of life.
Mr. Andrews was married March 25, 1875, to Maggie Henderson, daughter of Adam Henderson, of this county. Her ancestors came to this country from Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews have five children living,
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BIOGRAPHIICAL HISTORY OF
and four deceased. He is a member of the Masonic order and also of the I. O. O. F. They are associated with the Lutheran Church.
ANIEL KENNEDY, one of the prom- inent citizens of Clark County, resides, with his wife, a lady of culture and refinement, in their beautiful residence in North Neillsville. Mr. Kennedy was born in Maine, October 20, 1844, and received his education in the district schools of his native State. His parents both died in Maine. At the age of twenty-two the subject of this sketch came West and located in Clark County, Wisconsin, in the fall of 1866. Here he has made a deal of money in the lumber business, and he also has farming in- terests in this county.
Mr. Kennedy is a Republican, an advocate of the Bennett law and a prominent politi- cian. He is a member of the Town Board of Neillsville.
OSEPH BUNGEA, of section 29, Withee Township, Clark County, was born in the district of Montreal, Canada, August 15, 1851, the son of Leon and Adelaide (Touchette) Bungea; the former, now de- ceased, was a native of St. Martins, Canada, and of French parentage. The parents had six children, only two of whom survive: Emily, now Mrs. Mitchell La Fleur, of St. Anicet, Huntingdon County, Canada East; and Joseph, our subject. The latter emi- grated from Canada to Black River Falls in August, 1865, where he worked for D. J. Spaulding two and a half years, and in the
winter of 1867-'68 came to this county and worked in the pineries on Black River. Hle has also worked in the camps as cook during the winters, and has filled every position from cntter to toater and cook. He settled on his present farın in the fall of 1872, where he took np a homestead and built a shanty.
Mr. Bungea was married, September, 1873, to Martha A., daughter ot William A. Buyatt, deceased. They have seven children: Fidelia, Chesley O., Bertha, Clayton, Frank, Larry and Mary. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic Clinrch, and the former has served as Road Overseer and School Clerk.
USTIN BUTTERY is a native of Can- ada West, born in Petersburgh, May 8, 1844. His parents, John and Jane Battery, were born in England and died in Canada. Austin was their ninth child. He received his education in Canada, and in Feb- ruary, 1862, came to Wisconsin. The year before he made a prospecting tour through Montana and Nevada, after which he returned to Wiseonsin. In 1864 lie settled in Jeffer- son County. Much of Mr. Buttery's life has been spent in the woods and in saw-mill work.
He was married in 1871, Katie D. Bart, a native of New York, born in 1854. Her parents were among the early settlers of Wis- consin. He and his wife are giving their children the benefit of a good education in the district schools. In 1867 Mr. Buttery took a homestead claim in Clark County. It consists of 200 acres and is located on section 12, Lewis Township. When he moved to this place wild game was abundant, and the ex- penditure of much time and labor has been required to bring the property to its present
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improved condition. The subject of our sketch is considered one of the substantial citizens of the township in which he resides. He has been School Supervisor and Clerk of the School Board, and lias also served one year as Assessor of the township. In political matters he is independent, voting for the man rather than the party.
L. CHANDLER, a retired farmer wlio resides in Neillsville, Wisconsin, was born in Potsdam, New York, December 2, 1823. His parents, Samuel and Sarah Chandler, natives of Vermont, settled in St. Lawrence County, New York, where they spent their lives and died. Seven children were born to them, all sons. Three of them remained with their father until they were twenty-two years old, working in the logging camps and also running a saw-mill for five years.
When he was twenty-five years old the subject of our sketch came to Wisconsin and settled in Pine Valley, where. he bought a farın of 200 acres-the oldest farm in Clark Connty. He liad but limited means when he came to this State, but by good invest- ment of what little he had, by judicious man- agement of that and by much hard work he has acquired a competency and is. now in a position to enjoy the comforts of life in his old age. Mr. Chandler has been twice mar- ried. By his first wife, a Vermont lady, he liad two children, one of whom, Ella, is living and is married and settled in life. For his second wife he chose Mary Jane Burk, whom he wedded in New York. She is a lady of e'fication and culture and an old teacher, having taught twenty-two terms in New York and this State. ' Two children have been born to them, Bell and Carl. The for-
mer is married and the latter is engaged in teaching.
AMES DE LANE, proprietor of the De Lane House, Neillsville, Wisconsin, was born in the Empire State, Novem- ber 24, 1839. His youthi was spent in New York and his education was obtained in the cominon schools. When James was five years old his father died in that State. He came West and at the age of thirteen, began to learn the trade of blacksmith and wagon-maker, at Racine. Wisconsin, and when he was sixteen he settled in Jackson County, being employed at his trade in Black River Falls. He re- mained at the latter place until he was twenty. three years old. In that year, November 11, he was married to Mira Wilson, daughter of Dyer Wilson, a merchant of Illinois. Pre- vious to her marriage Mrs. De Lane attended school at Black River Falls. Her father is deceased and her mother is still living. This union has been blessed with three children: William, May and Daisy. They all have the benefit of good educational advantages, and the son is preparing for the medical profes- sion, now being a student under Dr. Mallory.
Mr. De Lane enlisted in the First Wiscon- sin Battery, September 10, 1861, and did his part bravely in many of the important en- gagements of the civil war. Among the prominent actions in which he was engaged we mention the Red River Expedition, the battles of Vicksburg, Cumberland Gap, Black River Bridge, Champion Hills and Jackson Church. After a faithful service of three years the subject of our sketch was honorably discharged, in 1864.
He was engaged in wagon-making until he met with an accident which disabled him from following that vocation. During a
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
soldiers' reunion he had an arm blown off by a cannon. Mr. De Lane engaged in his pres- ent business in Clark County ten years ago. As a hotel-keeper he is a success. Large- hearted, generous, and public-spirited to a fault, he is widely known as a most popular landlord. He had little means with which to begin life and the success he has achieved is due to his own efforts.
ACOB H. CLARK, confectioner, Meril- lon, Wisconsin, was born in West Troy, New York, July 15, 1845. He is the second born of the six children of Signet Clark of Black River Falls, Wisconsin. The father, also a native of New York, came West in 1857 and engaged in the machine business at Black River Falls, which he still continues. He was the original patentee of fine paper collars, and while in New York was exten- sively engaged in the manufacture of ma- chinery.
When a youth of fourteen the subject of our sketch started out to provide for himself. His first employment was farm work, for which he received $4 per month, and he con- tinued working on a farm and in a mill up to the time he entered the army. While in the mill he ran the engine, being an expert engi- neer, as also is his father. In October, 1863, he enlisted in Company I, Fourteenth Wis- consin, Captain C. R. Johnson, and served with bravery till the war closed. Prominent among the engagements in which he took part we mention the battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, the Red River Expedition, the battle of Tupelo, Mississippi; was at Jeffer- son City, Nashville, New Orleans, Spanish Fort, Montgomery and Mobile. He was honorably discharged on October 9, 1865. From exposure incurred during the service
he contracted a severe cold which settled in his bronchial tubes, from the effects of which he has never recovered. He now receives a pension of $30 froin the Government.
After the war he returned to Wisconsin and entered into a partnership with his father in the planing mill and machine shop at Black River Falls, under the firm name of S. Clark & Son. He remained there from 1866 until 1870, when he came to Merillon, con- tinuing the same business here until 1886. Then for two years he was engaged in rail- roading. In 1890 he opened his present confectionery business in Merillon, and has a large trade in all kinds of candies, fruits, cigars and tobacco. Since he has lived in Merillon he lias served the public in a num- ber of ways: was elected Village Trustee in 1889 and at the same time was elected Sec- retary of the Board of Health; was a member of the Street Committee until last spring; is now Justice of the Peace. He is a prominent member of the G. A. R., Col. Ellsworth Post. His political views are in accord with Repub- lican principles, and he was a delegate to the County Convention in September last.
Mr. Clark was married, September 1, 1869. to Mary A. Vanderburgh of Black River Falls. Four children have been born to them, one son and three daughters, all receiv- ing the benefit of good educational advan- tages. Mr. Clark began married life with limited means, but by hard work and economy he has managed to secure a competency.
M. WINTERS, a Clark County farmer who resides on section 4, Washburn Township, was born at Lima, New York, September 18, 1827, son of J. M. and Dia- dema Winters. His youth was spent in his native State. In 1861, when the civil war
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broke out, he joined the Union ranks and went forth in the defense of the country. He enlisted in Company A, Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, and served with bravery all through the sanguinary struggle, actively participating in many important engage- Illents.
In 1866 Mr. Winters was married to Sarah Hildcoln, by whom he has had two children: Thomas and William. The year following his marriage he came west and settled in Wisconsin. He located in Clark County, and in 1870 bought a farin of eighty acres, thirty acres being a wilderness. While in New York Mr. Winters learned the carpenter's trade, but after coming to this State he turned his attention to farming. He had little with which to begin life in a new country, his only capital being a yoke of cattle, two cows, and 50 cents. Many were the hardships they endured, and with characteristic pioneer bravery did they ineet and overcome the obsta- cles as they presented themselves. By industry and economy they have secured a comfortable home and are now in a position to enjoy life. Mr. Winters is a Republican; he served as Justice of the Peace nine years, and has also held other offices.
LBERT D. MERRILL has been iden- tified with Merillon since 1874. He was born in Lincoln, Maine, in 1951, and came to Wisconsin with his parents when he was only a year old. He was educated in the district and public schools and also attended the State University. At the age of eighteen he became a clerk in the store owned by his father. In 1873 he was ap- pointed Mail Agent by Postmaster-General Rock, and served in that capacity on the Green Bay & Lake Pepper Railroad for six
months. He then returned to the mercantile business, and was employed at Hixton as a clerk in the general store of Merrill & Ice, being thius engaged one year. In 1874, as above stated, lie came to Merillon. Here he clerked in his father's hardware store three years. Since then he has given his attention to agricultural pursnits.
Mr. Merrill was married, in 1875, to Ella Ice. She was born in Pennsylvania in April 10, 1854, the daughter of Pennsylvania par- ents. She received her education in the public schools, and was engaged in teaching for several years previous to her marriage. Three children have been born to them. All are deceased.
OSEPH DUXBURY, a retired farmer living in Alma Centre, Wisconsin, is a native of England. He was born in Lancashire, January 17, 1834, and was one of the three children who came to America with their mother in 1855. Of the fourteen children born to his parents only five are now living. Two preceded Joseph to this coun- try. The subject of our sketch received his education in England, and after he came to America was employed at cotton weaving, at which trade he had served an apprenticeship in his native land. He also worked on a farın for a year and a half, receiving $10 per month. He came to Jackson County, Wis- consin, in 1856, and bought eighty acres of Government land at $125 an acre. It was a perfect wilderness at the time of purchase, and Mr. Duxbury, although he had but little money, had an abundance of energy and went to work to clear it up. He cleared the prop- erty and the following year sold it.
Before he came West Mr. Duxbury formed tlie acquaintance of a young lady who worked
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
in the Calico Print Works in Rhode Island- the same establishment in which he was employed. Her lie chose for his life com- panion and they were married in 1857. All their worldly possessions were packed in a small trunk, and with it they set ont for the far West to make their fortune. They first located at the village of Hixton, or where Hixton now is, bought a farm and located on it in a log honse, two miles from where the village now stands. This home, although small and containing few if any luxuries, was comfortable and they were happy in it. Mrs. Duxbury was also born in England. She came to America, in 1855 with her mother, who died a few years ago. Eight children have been born to them, all of them having received their education in the district schools.
Mr. Duxbury now owns a quarter section of land in Garden Valley Township, all the result of his own industry and good manage- ment. He removed to Alına Centre to retire from the cares of active business. His polit- ical views are in accord with Republican principles, and he and his wife are members of the . Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Duxbury has served the public as Treasurer of Garden Valley Township two years, as Constable of Hixton ten years, and for a num- ber of years was School Director.
ACOB SCHWAMB, of section 12, Wes- ton Township, Clark County, was born in Washington County, Wisconsin, Oc- tober 16, 1858, the son of Jacob Schwamb, who was born in the Province of Rhine, Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, September 2, 1817, where he learned the cabinet-maker's trade. He came to New York city in 1846, and worked at his trade there and at other points until 1858, when he came to Washing-
ton County, Wisconsin. lle lived in the vil- lage of Cedar Creek until 1877, when he caine to this county, and settled where our subject now lives. He was married in New York city, August 3, 1856, to Henrietta Voltz, who was born in the Province of Ober, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, Jannary 6, 1825, the daughter of Ernest Voltz, de- ceased. They had four children: Eliza, Ja- cob, John and George. The father died December 29, 1888, and both he and his wife were inembers of the German Reformed Church.
The subject of this sketch was educated and reared on a farm in Cedar Creek, and also worked several years in the pineries on Wedge's Creek. He came with his parents to this county in October, 1877, where lie worked for others several years, but now farmns the old homestead, which consists of forty acres, and also eighty acres in Eaton Township, thirty-five of which is cleared. Ile has been Assessor one year, and in his political views is a Democrat.
AMUEL R. OWENS, of Merillon, Wis- consin, was born in Plymouth, Penn- sylvania, December 16, 1833. He re- ceived his education in the district schools of his native State and also at Wyoming Seminary in Pennsylvania. In 1856 he came to Wisconsin and began working by the month in a saw-inill, having had experi- ence in that business before coming West. He was thus engaged up to time he entered the army. November 14, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, under command of Captain Latsken. They began active operations in Springfield, Mis- sonri; took a train of provisions to Custer's army; had a long march of four days and
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nights to Arkansas; was at Memphis and Vicksburg. During a service of four years he was only sick three weeks. He was in a raid that lasted six weeks, 600 prisoners be- ing captured by their cavalry. November 15, 1865, Mr. Owens was honorably dis- charged, after which he returned to Jackson County, Wisconsin. He now receives a pen- sion of $16 per month.
The subject of our sketch was married, in 1867, to Mary Ridge, of Black River Falls, Wisconsin. Her parents are natives of Ohio, and her father is engaged in a store and saw-mill in Clark County. Mr. and Mrs. Owens have six children, all being woll edu- cated. Mr. Owens says that when he came to Merillon it was nothing but a pine woods. At that time he had only $40, and by the time he was married he had saved up $500. All that he now owns is the result of his own industry and economy. He is a Republican and a member of the G. A. R., having served as commander four years. For fifteen years he has been deputy lumber inspector at Merillon.
HOMAS FREE, of section 12, Weston Township, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada East, March 4, 1846, the son of Richard (deceased) and Mary (Ross) Free, the former a native of County Wicklow, Ireland, and the latter of England, but both came to this country when quite yonng. They were the parents of three chil- dren: Robert, who lost his life in the Union army during the late war; Annie, wife of John Wright, of Humboldt, Dakota, and Thomas, our subject.
Thomas Free was reared to farm life, and his educational advantages were limited, as there was no school where he lived. He
went to the State of Maine in 1865, where he worked on a farm part of two summers, then in the ship-yards of Bangor a short time, next in the pineries two years. In 1867 he came to this county, and in 1871 homesteaded 120 acres of land, which he still owns, and sixty acres of which is cleared.
Mr. Free was married December 10, 1878, to Eliza Schwamb, who was born in New York city, June 7, 1857, the daughter of Jacob Schwamb, who came to the United States when a young man. Mr. and Mrs. Free have five children: Clara E., Nettie E., Archibald, Ernest and Lydia M .. Mr. Free has been clerk of the School Board eight years, and is the present incumbent. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and politically a Republican.
AMES H. SARGENT, late proprietor of Sargent's Hall, Thorp, was born in the town of Maria, New York, July 8, 1836, the son of James Sargent, formerly of Par- ker's Prairie, Minnesota, where he died in 1888, at the age of eighty-six years. They removed to Hamilton County, New York, when our subject was an infant, and a few years later to the Adirondac Mountains, where the father was foreman of the building of the machinery for the Adirondac Iron Works. Three years later they emigrated to Democrat Prairie, Wisconsin, where he built the first frame house in the city of Berlin, then called Strong's Landing. He lived at this place a few years, and then located on Indian lands, in the saine county, near Prince- ton. The Indians were numerous, and often camne and looked through the cracks of their shanty while the family were eating dinner. They would beg or steal more or less, but were never hostile. After eight years' resi- dence there, they removed to Peddler's Grove,
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
settling on the prairie land, where they set up stakes, tying them together with bark, which they also used for a covering.
James H, our subject, served in the late war, in Company H, Sixteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving from December 31, 1863, to July 12, 1865. He was in the battles of Vicksburg, Memphis, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Atlanta, Chattahoochee, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, Columbia, Ra- leigh, Lovejoy Station, Savannalı, and also with Sherman to the sea. He held the office of Sergeant, and had charge of the battalion at Savannah, Georgia. He was tendered a captain's commission, but refused. He was at the grand review at Washington, and after the war returned to Eau Claire, Wis- consin, and later to Augusta, where kept he hotel three years. He then went to South Fork, and ran a hotel at Hank's stopping place nine or ten years; next returned to Augusta, after which he left his farin and went to camp in the Elk Mountains, Colo- rado, where he mined two yaers, and still has an interest in seven mines there. He then came to Thorp in 1881, where he built the Forest Queen Hotel, which he ran a few years and then sold out. In 1883 he built a large hall known as the Opera House, with the Forest Queen saloon on the first floor.
Mr. Sargent's mother, nee Elizabeth F. McCauley, was born in Goffstown, New Hampshire, July 13, 1810. Mr. and Mrs. Sargent had twelve children, five of whom are still living, viz .: Theodore L., James H., Frederick, Edward and Saralı. Fred- erick was also in the late war, in Com- pany I, Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry; Thomas N. was in the same company ; Oscar, in the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry, and Charles M., in Company C, Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Os- car died at Arlington Heights, Virginia, in
1862; Charles died at Germantown, Missis- sippi, while in the service of his country; Thomas in Minnesota after the war; Will- iam F., in Scott's Valley, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, leaving a family; and Harriet at the age of fourteen years. Lenora Sargent was drowned at Fayston, Vermont, at the age of four years, by falling off a bridge, in 1836.
Mr. Sargent was married April 3, 1856, to Julia A. Newton, danghter of Samuel Newton. They have three children: lliram F., Lenora E. and Emma A. Hiram was mar- ried to Nellie Dunn, and they have two chil- dren: Guy and Arthur (a Christmas gift); Lenora married Charles S. Little, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and they have one child also, Clara E. Mr. Sargent is a Mason, a member of the I. O. O. F., of the G. A. R. and Merchants' Association. He was a mem- bers of the Town Board seven years in Eau Claire County, but has always refused office here. His son, Hiram, is his partner in busi- ness, and with W. H. Mead he owns forty acres of mineral land in Clark County, which contains vast quantities of rich lematite iron ore, which assays sixty-three per cent. They have also some mining land in Taylor County, Wisconsin, which contains silver, lead, gold and traces of gray copper, and they are now sinking a shaft to develop it.
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