USA > Wisconsin > Buffalo County > Biographical history of La Crosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties, Wisconsin : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each; engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 10
USA > Wisconsin > La Crosse County > Biographical history of La Crosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties, Wisconsin : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each; engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 10
USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > Biographical history of La Crosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties, Wisconsin : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each; engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 10
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But the day of civil service reform had come in so far, and the corresponding re- action against "third-termism" had en- croached so far even upon "second-term" service, that the Republican party saw fit in 1884 to nominate another man for Presi- dent. Only by this means was General Arthur's tenure of office closed at Wash- ington. On his retirement from the Presi- deney, March, 1855, he engaged in the practice of law at New York City, where he died November 18, 15fx
GROVER CLEVELAND.
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GROVER CLEVELAND.
ROVER CLEVE- LAND, the twenty- second President of the United States, 1885-, was born in Caldwell, Essex County, New Jersey, March 18, 1837. The house in which he was born, a small two-story wooden building, is still stand- ing. It was the parsonage of the Presbyterian church, of which his father, Richard Cleveland, at the time was pastor. The family is of New England origin, and for two centuries has contributed to the professions and to busi- ness, men who have reflected honor on the name. Aaron Cleveland, Grover Cleve- land's great-great-grandfather, was born in Massachusetts, but subsequently moved to Philadelphia, where he became an intimate friend of Benjamin Franklin, at whose house he died. He left a large family of children, who in time married and settled in different parts of New England. A grandson was one of the small American force that fought the British at Bunker Hill. He served with gallantry through- out the Revolution and was honorably discharged at its close as a Lieutenant in the Continental army. Another grandson, William Cleveland (a son of a second Aaron
Cleveland, who was distinguished as a writer and member of the Connecticut Legislature) was Grover Cleveland's grand- father. William Cleveland became a silver- smith in Norwich, Connecticut. He ac- quired by industry some property and sent his son, Richard Cleveland, the father of Grover Cleveland, to Yale College, where he graduated in 1824. During a year spent in teaching at Baltimore, Maryland, after graduation, he met and fell in love with a Miss Annie Neale, daughter of a wealthy Baltimore book publisher, of Irish birth. He was earning his own way in the world at the time and was unable to marry; but in three years he completed a course of preparation for the ministry, secured a church in Windham, Connecticut, and married Annie Neale. Subsequently he moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, where he preached for nearly two years, when he was summoned to Caldwell, New Jersey. where was born Grover Cleveland.
When he was three years old the family moved to Fayetteville, Onondaga County, New York. Here Grover Cleveland lived until he was fourteen years old, the rugged, healthful life of a country boy. His frank, generous manner made him a favorite among his companions, and their respect was won by the good qualities in the germ which his manhood developed. He at- tended the district school of the village and
TIS
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
was for a short time at the academy. His lather, however, believed that boys should be taught to labor at an early age, and be- fore he had completed the course of study at the academy he began to work in the village store at $50 for the first year, and the promise of Stoo for the second year. His work was well done and the promised in- crease of pay was granted the second year.
Meanwhile his father and family had moved to Clinton, the seat of Hamilton College, where his father acted as agent to the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, preaching in the churches of the vicinity. Hither Grover came at his father's request shortly after. the beginning of his second year at the Fayetteville store, and resumed his studies at the Clinton Academy. After three years spent in this town, the Rev. Richard Cleveland was called to the vil- lage church of Holland Patent. He had preached here only a month when he was suddenly stricken down and died without an hour's warning. The death of the father left the family in straitened circumstances, as Richard Cleveland had spent all his salary of $1,000 per year, which was not required for the necessary expenses of liv- ing, upon the education of his children, of whom there were nine, Grover being the fifth. Grover was hoping to enter Hamil- ton College, but the death of his father made it necessary for him to earn his own livelihood. For the first year (1853-'4) he acted as assistant teacher and bookkeeper in the Institution for the Blind in New York City, of which the late Augustus Schell was for many years the patron. In the winter of 1854 he returned to Holland Patent where the generous people of that place, Fayetteville and Clinton, had purchased a home for his mother, and in the following spring, borrowing $25, he set out for the West to earn his living.
Reaching Buffalo he paid a hasty visit to an uncle, Lewis F. Allen, a well-known
stock farmer, living at Black Rock, a few miles distant. He communicated his plans to Mr. Allen, who discouraged the idea of the West, and finally induced the enthusi- astic boy of seventeen to remain with him and help him prepare a catalogue of blooded short-horn cattle, known as " Allen's Amer- ican Herd Book," a publication familiar to all breeders of cattle. In August, 1855, he entered the law office of Rogers, Bowen & Rogers, at Buffalo, and after serving a few months without pay, was paid $4 a week-an amount barely sufficient to meet the necessary expenses of his board in the family of a fellow-student in Buffalo, with whom he took lodgings. Life at this time with Grover Cleveland was a stern battle with the world. He took his breakfast by candle-light with the drovers, and went at once to the office where the whole day was spent in work and study. Usually he re- turned again at night to resume reading which had been interrupted by the duties of the day. Gradually his employers came to recognize the ability, trustworthiness and capacity for hard work in their young employe, and by the time he was admitted to the bar (1859) he stood high in their con- fidence. A\ year later he was made confi- dential and managing clerk, and in the course of three years more his salary had been raised to $1,000. In 1863 he was ap- pointed assistant district attorney of Erie County by the district attorney, the Hon. C. C. Torrance.
Since his first vote had been cast in 1858 he had been a staunch Democrat, and until he was chosen Governor he always made it his duty, rain or shine, to stand at the polls and give out ballots to Democratic voters. During the first year of his term as assistant district attorney, the Democrats desired especially to carry the Board of Su- pervisors. The old Second Ward in which he lived was Republican ordinarily by 250 majority, but at the urgent request of the
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GROVER CLEVELAND.
party Grover Cleveland consented to be the Democratic candidate for Supervisor, and came within thirteen votes of an elec- cion. The three years spent in the district attorney's office were devoted to assiduous labor and the extension of his professional attainments. He then formed a law part- nership with the late Isaac V. Vanderpoel, ex-State Treasurer, under the firm name of Vanderpoel & Cleveland. Here the bulk of the work devolved on Cleveland's shoul- ders, and he soon won a good standing at the bar of Erie County. In 1869 Mr. Cleveland formed a partnership with ex- Senator A. P. Laning and ex-Assistant United States District Attorney Oscar Fol- som, under the firm name of Laning, Cleve- land & Folsom. During these years he began to earn a moderate professional in- come; but the larger portion of it was sent to his mother and sisters at Holland Patent to whose support he had contributed ever since 1860. He served as sheriff of Erie County, 1870-'4, and then resumed the practice of law, associating himself with the Hon. Lyman K. Bass and Wilson S. Bissell.
The firm was strong and popular, and soon commanded a large and lucrative practice. Ill health forced the retirement of Mr. Bass in 1879, and the firm became Cleveland & Bissell. In 1881 Mr. George J. Sicard was added to the firm.
In the autumn election of 1881 he was elected mayor of Buffalo by a majority of over 3,500-the largest majority ever given a candidate for mayor-and the Democratic city ticket was successful, although the Republicans carried Buffalo by over 1,000 majority for their State ticket. Grover Cleveland's administration as mayor fully justified the confidence reposed in him by the people of Buffalo, evidenced by the great vote he received.
The Democratic State Convention met at Syracuse, September 22, 1882, and nomi. nated Grover Cleveland for Governor on the third ballot and Cleveland was elected by 192,000 majority. In the fall of 1884 he was elected President of the United States by about 1,000 popular majority, in New York State, and he was accordingly inaugurated the 4th of March following.
:20
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PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
BENJAMIN
HARRISON.
ENJAMIN HARRISON, the twenty-third Presi- dent of the United States. 1889, was born at North Bend, Hamilton County, Ohio, in the house of his grandfather, William Ilen- ry Harrison (who was the ninth President of this 1833. Ile is a descendant of one of the historical families of this country, as also of England. The head of the family was a Major-General Harrison who was devoted to the cause of Oliver ('romwell. It became the duty of this Har- rison to participate in the trial of Charles I. and afterward to sign the death warrant of the king, which subsequently cost him his life. Ilis enemies succeeding to power, he was condemned and executed October 13th, 1660. ITis descendants came to America, and the first mention made in history of the Harrison family as representative in public affairs, is that of Benjamin Harrison, great- grandfather of our present President, who was a member of the Continental Congress, 1774-5-6, and one of the original signers of
the Declaration of Independence, and three times Governor of Virginia. His son, Will- iam Ilenry Harrison, made a brilliant mili- tary record, was Governor of the Northwest Territory, and the ninth President of the United States.
country), Angust 20th, . time he entered Miami University, at Ox-
The subject of this sketch at an early age became a student at Farmers College, where he remained two years, at the end of which ford, Ohio. Upon graduation from said seat of learning he entered, as a student, the of- fice of Stover & Gwyne, a notable law firm at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he applied himself closely to the study of his chosen profession, and here laid the foundation for the honora- ble and famous career before him. He spent two years with the firm in Cincinnati, at the expiration of which time he received the only inheritance of his life, which was a lot left him by an aunt, which he sold for $500. This sum he deemed sufficient to justify him in marrying the lady of his choice, and to whom he was then engaged, a daughter of Dr. Scott, then Principal of a female school at Oxford, Ohio.
After marriage he located at Indianapolis, Indiana, where he began the practice of law. Meeting with slight encouragement he made but little the first year, but applied himself
Benj. Hannoou
Bey.
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BENJAMIN HARRISON.
closely to his business, and by perseverance, honorable dealing and an upright life, suc- ceeded in building up an extensive practice and took a leading position in the legal profession.
In 1860 he was nominated for the position of Supreme Court Reporter for the State of Indiana, and then began his experience as a stump speaker. Ile canvassed the State thoroughly and was elected.
In 1862 his patriotism caused him to abandon a civil office and to offer his country his services in a military capacity. He or- ganized the Seventieth Indiana Infantry and was chosen its Colonel. Although his regi- ment was composed of raw material, and he practically void of military schooling, he at once mastered military taeties and drilled his men, so that when he with his regiment was assigned to Gen. Sherman's command it was known as one of the best drilled organ- izations of the army. He was especially distinguished for bravery at the battles of Resacea and Peach Tree Creek. For his bravery and efficiency at the last named bat- tle he was made a Brigadier-General, Gen- eral Hooker speaking of him in the most complimentary terms.
While General Harrison was actively en- gaged in the field the Supreme Court declared the office of Supreme Court Reporter vacant, and another person was elected to fill the position. From the time of leaving Indiana with his regiment for the front, until the fall of 1864, General Harrison had taken no leave of absence. But having been nominated that year for the same office that he vacated in order to serve his country where he could do the greatest good, he got a thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time canvassed the State and was elected for another term as Supreme Court Reporter. He then started to rejoin his command, then with General Sherman in the South, but was stricken down
with fever and after a very trying siege, made his way to the front, and participated in the closing scenes and incidents of the war.
In 1868 General IIarrison deelined a re- election as Reporter, and applied himself to the practice of his profession. He was a candidate for Governor of Indiana on the Republican ticket in 1576. Although de- feated, the brilliant campaign brought him to publie notice and gave him a National reputation as an able and formidable debater and he was much sought in the Eastern States as a public speaker. He took an act- ive part in the Presidential campaign of 1880, and was elected to the United States Senate, where he served six years, and was known as one of the strongest debaters, as well as one of the ablest men and best law- yers. When his term expired in the Senate he resumed his law practice at Indianapolis, becoming the head of one of the strongest law firms in the State of Indiana.
Sometime prior to the opening of the Presidential campaign of 1888, the two great political parties (Republican and Democratie) drew the line of political battle on the ques- tion of tariff, which became the leading issue and the rallying watchword during the mem- orable campaign. The Republicans appealed to the people for their voice as to a tariff to protect home industries, while the Democrats wanted a tariff for revenue only. The Re- publican convention assembled in Chicago in June and selected Mr. Harrison as their standard bearer on a platform of principles, among other important clauses being that of protection, which he cordially indorsed in accepting the nomination. November 6, 1888, after a heated canvass, General Harri- son was elected, defeating Grover Cleveland, who was again the nominee of the Demo- eratie party. Ife was inaugurated and as- sumed the duties of his office March 4, 1559.
LA CROSSE, TREMPEALEAU,
-AND-
BUFFALO COUNTIES.
W. LOSEY, senior member of the law firm of Losey & Woodward, was born in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1834, and is a son of Ebenezer T. and Lucy M. (Walton) Losey. He received his literary education in the common schools of Honesdale, the llonesdale Academy, and at Amherst College, where he was a student in 1854 and 1855. In May, 1856, he came to La Crosse, and studied law in the office of Denison & Lyndes; he was admitted to the bar in October, 1857, and at the election of the November following he was chosen District Attorney ; he was re-elected in 1859, and in 1860 he was elected City Attorney of La Crosse. Upon the dissolution of the firm of Denison & Lyndes, Mr. Losey became the junior partner, the relationship continuing until 1861, when the law firm of Cameron & Losey was established. They conducted a successful business until 1989, when Mr. Cameron withdrew, and the present firm of Losey & Woodward was formed.
Mr. Losey has been very closely identi- fied with the history of La Crosse, and is a citizen in whom rests the confidence of the entire community. An able lawyer, pos-
sessing the rare gift of eloquence and persua- sive power, it is not strange that he soon came to be regarded as a most powerful ally, as well as a dangerous opponent. He has been loyal to every interest of La Crosse. and is an ardent supporter of home industry. It was through his exertions that the city came into the possession of the beautiful cemetery which furnishes a resting. place for the remains of the deceased. He has been active in the establishment of the water facilities and the various lighting processes already in operation. IIe served twelve years on the Board of Aldermen, where he was a valuable and honored counselor. He owns a fine legal library, and has never lost the " student attitude." He was married in La Crosse in 1859, to Miss Florence T. Leh- man, a native of Germany. Six children have been born of this union: Mary, the wife of S. F. Easton; Fannie, Josephine and Joseph Walton. Two died in infancy.
Mr. Losey is general attorney of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Northern Railroad, and was formerly the general attorney for the Southern Minnesota Railroad until it was bought by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
10
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Paul Railroad. Ile has been local attorney for the latter road for the past twenty years. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party.
OMINICK MADER, brick mannfaet- urer, La Crosse, Wisconsin .- Mr. Mader is another of the many prominent citi- zens of foreign birth now residing in the county, and as a successful business man is well known. He was born in Germany, to the union of David and Mary (Schalk) Mader. and came with his parents to the United States in 1853. They settled in the town of Shelby, rented a farm in Mormon Cooly, and after working that for two years the father bought forty acres in section 11, which he im- mediately began to improve. Ile bought 160 acres adjoining and thus became the owner of 200 acres of rich land. Ile erected a large stone house, barns and other buildings. and was quite wealthy at the time of his death, which ocenrred in 1880, His widow is still living, is seventy-six years of age, and is a resident of La Crosse. Mr. Dominick Mader bought the brick yard in La Crosse in 1878 and has manufactured brick since that
time, turning out from eight to ten hun- William has finished his course at the La dred thonsand each season. and selling them . Crosse Business College; Mary Paulina is a
in La Crosse. He is a self-made man who has procured a good income from his busi. ness. lle is popular among his neighbors and is one of the influential citizens.
Mr. Mader was married in 1587, to Miss Mary Suhling, danghter of August and Mary Suhling, natives of Germany, who came to the United States at an early date. The father is still living and makes his home with his son-in law, Mr. Mader. The mother died at the age of sixty years. Mr. and Mrs. Mader are the parents of five children:
Arthur. August, Henry, Dominick and Mary Louisa, all at home. The family are mem- bers of the Catholic Church at La Crosse. Mr. Mader has held nearly all the offices of the town and filled them in a very satisfactory manner, as might be expected. Ile has been Clerk of his school district continuously for the last fourteen years. He has a good, commodions two-story brick dwelling and has large barns and sheds to cover millions of brick. He also owns one store building in La Crosse and is a popular representative of the energetic, wide-awake business man, which element has done and is doing so much for the advancement of the material interests of the city.
EV. FATHER AMBROSE MURPHY, pastor of the St. James Catholic Church, corner of Caledonia and Windsor streets, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a native of New Brunswick, born September 2. 1862. Ile is one of a family of nine children born to William and Catherine (Brown) Murphy, who are also natives of New Brunswick. The children are named as follows: Mary Ellen and Margaret Ann are both deceased:
music teacher in the convent at La Crosse. where she is known as Sister Thaddea: Ellen Martina is in school; Leo is deceased ; Charles and Clara are also attending school.
When Father Murphy was a child of three years his parents removed to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where he received his ele- mentary education. He began his classical work under Dr. Goldsmith, now deceased, and afterward entered St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, where he was a student three years; two years were spent in the Seminary
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
of Floreffe, Belgium, and over four years in the University of Innsbruck, Austria, where he was ordained October 28, 1886, by the Prince Bishop of Brixen. Afterward he spent one year in the University of Paris, and was called thenee to America by Bishop Flaseh, who assigned him to duty at Chip- pewa Falls, where he remained eight months. While at this station he did missionary work in the outlying districts, as well as in the city, his labors being among the French half- breeds and Indians. In January, 1888, he was transferred to St. James Church in North La Crosse; at that time the church was un- finished, and was carrying a debt of large pro- portions; the church has since been finished at a cost of several thousand dollars. and a handsome cottage, a residence for the priest, has been completed. Upon his arrival here the church was suffering from - internal dissen- sions and contentions among the members; these differences have been harmonized, the debt has been materially redueed, and the un- paid balance has been satisfactorily arranged.
A parochial sehool, condueted under the superintendence of Father Murphy, holds its sessions on the first floor of the church and is in charge of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. There are four teach- ers employed in the regular work, and a special teacher for musie. The classes are carefully graded, and are in excellent work- ing order. Father Murphy's fine intellectual training and attainments fit him pre-emi- nently for this responsible position, and liis services have been appreciated. Ile is an ardent temperance worker, and through his influence some of the most eloquent speakers on the subject have been secured for La Crosse; among them may be mentioned Bishop Cotter, President of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America, and Father Cleary, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and
the Dominican Missionaries, Splinter and Daly, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. These lectures are always free to the public, and are accomplishing a great deal in educating people as to their duty on this great question. Father Murphy is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, a benevolent society, and of the Catholic Knights, of Wisconsin, an insurance association, and of various other societies for the instruction of the young.
20002-22222
AFAYETTE HOLMES, seeretary and treasurer of the Davidson Lminber Company, North - La Crosse, Wiscon- sin, and one of the reliable and represent- ative business men of that eity, was originally from Ohio, his birth occurring in Jeffer- son county of that State, January 10, 1834. IIis parents, William and Eliza (Voorhees) Holmes, were natives also of the Buckeye State, and the latter is a relative of Senator Voorhees of Indiana. William Holmes was a blacksmith by trade, and this he followed while a resident of Ohio. In 1836 he moved to Iowa, opposite Navuoo, Illinois, but re- turned to Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1838, and there remained until 1843. Ile then moved to Pittsburg and from there to Iro- (nois county, Illinois, two years later. In 1846 he located in Galena, Illinois, and in 1849 crossed the plains to California, where he remained working in the mines until 1851. Afterward he was a short time in Galena and then returned to the gold regions of California, where he remained until 1860. Again returning to Galena he worked in the mines until his death, which occurred March 11, 1862, when fifty-two years of age. His wife died in La Crosse in 1884, when seventy-two years of age. Of the ten children born to this union, seven are still
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
living. Lafayette Holmes began for himself at the early age of fourteen as clerk at Seales Mound, near Galena, Illinois, and has been elerk and bookkeeper ever since, at Galena, St. Paul and La Crosse. He came to his present position in 1867, and this speaks well as to his ability as clerk and book- keeper. Ile is a popular salesman, and is an able and experienced gentleman, with whom it will always be found profitable and pleas- ant to have dealings. He became secretary of the company at the organization in ISS5. Hle was connected with the different packet companies from 1853, the old Minnesota Packet Company, following all the successive companies until 1858, a period of thirty five years. He followed shore business as agent, storekeeper, etc. This we believe is withont a parallel in the State. The company have one boat, a raft boat, and he looks after this at present writing. In his line Mr. Holmes is one of the leading men of the city. He ob- tained his knowledge of bookkeeping by actual practice, for he did not attend school after the age of thirteen. Hle was married in 1560 to Miss Sarah J. Lee, daughter of George W. and Susan Lee, of Galena, Illi- nois, and became the father of three children : William M .. living in Montana; Jessie L .. at home and a musician and artist of con- siderable note; Walter, in the office of James McCord, wholesale druggist. Mrs. Holmes is a strong believer in Christian Seionee. Mr. Holmes is a Thirty-second Degree Mason, belonging to the Wisconsin Consistory. Ile , was Eminent Commander of La Crosse Com- mandery, No. 9, three successive years, Worshipful Master of Frontier Lodge, No. 45, four successive years, and is at present High Priest of Smith Chapter, No. 13. Of the Knights of Pythias he has passed the chairs. Hle went through all the different degrees of the I. O. O. F. order thirty years ago. In
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